Chapter Text
'A life
at the
margin
made from
bit parts.'
Interior Chinatown,
Charles Yu
Es tan corto el amor, y es tan largo el olvido
POEMA 20, PABLO NERUDA
TON
The arrival of the Sharmas to London brought many twists and turns. From the moment they set foot on land, plans that had once been set on stone turned stray - although it was indeed mostly just the née Miss Sharma that caused such a havoc, as it was with her that everything changed.
It is widely known that the Earl Huntington used to be quite close with the Sheffields. So much so that when their long lost runaway daughter finally returned with two daughters in tow, he was one of the few members of the peerage that was hastily introduced to them; by none other than Lady Sheffield herself.
Her intention, though officially unknown, was understood by most. And, to her credit, that simple action proved itself to be very helpful indeed: wedding banns were read short than a month after the meeting and the ceremony; a simple affair, followed soon after.
Miss Sharma's union with Huntington was seen as pleasant. No party - her family, his family and any other member of the peerage that might argue a different case - contested differently and there seemed to be no hostility between the pair. Far from being a love match, their public treatment with one another from the engagement to their married life was nothing further than seemly, and the ton, too, grew to be in favor of them - A testament to a proper marriage, they were. Never too passionate, never impolite, never too much.
Their honeymoon was such a swift thing that it is barely worth the mention. The Huntingtons spent a very unremarkable week in Italy; Lord Huntington's attempts of anedoctes about it to their guests when they returned proved themselves to be quite boring - Lady Huntington herself barely indulged in this endeavor.
It is important to note that, while they appeared to be a very dull pair indeed, when separated it was as if they had a newfound taste for happiness. Lord Huntington, it was learned, showed a much more confident version of himself - sometimes even almost entertaining - when he was without his wife. Though she was almost twenty years his junior, Lady Huntington seemed to have a very intimidating air to her when it came to her husband. He had never said it outright, of course, but it was visible to all: Lord Huntington respected his wife opinion, so much so that, when in her presence, he became desperate for her approval - whenever around her the Earl became fidgety, unsure in his own skin; it was as if he was constantly doubting himself.
And Lady Huntington, well, that was a different matter entirely. If whenever in her husband's company she was quiet and nothing more than proper, alone she was smart, witty and somewhat scandalous. Such a stark difference it was that soon it became common knowledge throughout the ladies of the ton that to have an entertaining guest such as Lady Huntington during dinner parties, it was necessary to keep her away from her husband at all times.
The Countess was well liked. It went beyond obvious facts like ranks: she was receptive, well disposed - many a time had she made introductions that resulted in marriages or business partnerships (though one could argue that both are one of the same) - and charming; the fact that she obtains a beautiful face and an enchanting smile only helped for her popularity.
When at balls, she was constantly present on dance floors - though never with her own husband. At dinner parties, lords and ladies completely surrounded her. At soirées, her company was the most sought after. To say that she had a good reputation amongst the ton was an understatement.
Which is one of the many reasons why when her husband suddenly died during the middle of the night - dropsy heart was the cause, according to the doctors - the turned widow received nothing but sympathy. Sorrows, prayers, condolences - all of those were offered to her, numerous of times.
The Countess, proper even amidst her grief, was the perfect hostess during the funeral and the events that took place afterwards. She showed to be just the right amount of shaken yet composed. It was almost as if she was born to be a widow.
And then, exactly two weeks after Lord Hutington's heart stopped beating, the Dowager Lady Huntington disappeared from London. For two days, concerned members of the peerage that wished to pay a visit received the same response from the staff: Her Ladyship is indisposed.
Word of her vanishing spread quickly throughout the ton and with each day that passed the intrigue only grew.
No one knew where she was. Her stepmother and younger sister, who both lived with the Huntingtons, had since the Lord's death been dismissed - by none other than the Countess herself - to their estate property; and the two were incredibly concerned about her disappearance. The staff was overly tight lipped about the subject, not even gossiping about it with their colleagues. Her in-laws, the Earl's side of the family, hadn't absolutely a clue about her whereabouts, and they were quite eager to - her presence was necessary for them to continue legal procedures.
Although no one audibly uttered it, as the days passed most grew to have the same opinion: No one succeeds in vanishing with not an eye to witness without actively trying to.
And indeed, common sense proved itself correct in this case.
When the Dowager finally reappeared she didn't do so alone. In fact, she came back with a different name and title entirely.
The news that the Countess Kathani of Huntington was now Viscountess Bridgerton was perhaps the biggest scandal witnessed by the english high society in the decade.
It had been expected for her to remarry - she was still a few years shy of being thirty, yet to give birth for the first time - and the Viscount was a considerably suitable candidate, despite his lower rank; the wealth of the Bridgertons rivaled many ducal families. The situation was highly improper, unseemly and the entirety of the possible synonyms for absurd because of its timing; only two weeks after the death of her husband, she remarried. Not only that but also the fact that they had escaped to Gretna Green, secretly, to do so.
It was absolutely appalling. Surely, people thought, they had considered the consequences of this choice? They must have been aware of how ridiculous this ordeal is. Besides, the tongues wagered, the implications this secret marriage brings for Lord Bridgerton are jarring.
Indeed. It is suspicious.
Doubts regarding the late Lord Huntington's death naturally emerged. It was not in question - none of the ton was innocent (or perhaps idiot is the most appropriate wording) enough to suggest such a thing - that the new couple were involved in an affair; that part was obvious.
How long?, they wondered, How did it start? - these were the kind of questions that, undoubtedly, they would never know the answer of. Why now? She must have gotten with child. That's the only plausible reason for such a hasty marriage. Well, if that's to be the case, we'll know soon enough.
Their first public appearance as a couple provided a few answers. Heads held high, chins up, back straightened, the Bridgertons pretended that nothing was of the matter. Not less than once the Viscount was found whispering quietly on Lady Bridgerton's ear; she, surprisingly, blushed and the corner of her eyes creased as she tried to hide a smile.
That, along all the other occurrences, was received by the ton with a gasp. Never once while married with the late Earl had Lady Bridgerton blushed.
Although still very much a scandal, the confirmation that they were a love match - I saw Lord Bridgerton sniffing her! They are most definitely in love - indeed eased the judgement of the ladies of the ton in regards to the newlyweds. They were still avoided - no one dared to be seen chatting with the pair - yet there was less of a heat to it.
This first promenade, however, proved itself to be a small sign for what was to come for they were not treated as social pariahs for long - they were, after all, Bridgertons. Although his marriage began very tumultuously, Lord Bridgerton's business decisions showed that it was impossible for most of the prominent families to cut all ties with them; they could not afford to. That, and their relation to the Duke and Duchess of Hastings turned what should've been an exile into a short break from social life.
By the time the next season started, the Bridgertons were very much present at all social events. And Lady Bridgerton, contrary to what was believed, did not debut a baby bump after all. That, somehow, only gained the couple more sympathy - another proof that they had gotten married simply because they loved each other too much not to.
Lady Bridgerton's marriage, this time, was far from orderly and proper; they danced at least three times at balls; never were separated; never spent more than two weeks away from one another; kissed while in public.
Soon enough the short period of time where the Viscountess had once been called Countess, married to another man, became an insignificant piece of their love story.
But even as the years passed, a lingering doubt remained.
Was Huntington murdered?
Well.