Chapter Text
| May 1783 |
Many members of the upper echelons of British society were hoping that the upcoming social season would be more exciting than the previous. The 1782 one had been rather dull and uneventful.
The only big scandal of the year was the sudden elopement of one Lady Isabelle Harlow, an earl's daughter, to Johnathan Fletcher, the second son of a disgraced Lord and Lady Harlow's music teacher. It had been her fourth season, with rumors persisting that she'd held affections for Mr. Fletcher since her first, while others said he'd tricked her into running off with him to Gretna Green for her dowry.
The pair had yet to make an appearance in London when the 1783 season began, and some were already placing bets on if they even would.
But for young and newly debuting (and also this year's repeaters), they were far more focused on conceiving their lists of eligible bachelors, the men they would be vying for the attention of and fight one another to seduce, that they had no time to care about year old drama. It was nothing more than a conversation starter.
They all knew marriage was the only way to secure their future. Whether through arrangement, by scandal, or (on the rare occasion) by genuine love, a woman could only guarantee her place in the world by becoming someone's wife.
And a mother, but that was another matter entirely.
If a wealthy family decided against an arrangement or could not seal one, the next best option was the marriage mart. While it would certainly be easier if it was just a marketplace one could peruse stalls and shops of eligible spouses to find a match, the marriage mart was a part of the social season where all the nobility and landed gentry were brought together in the capital. Typically held during the period of time coinciding with the sitting of parliament, where nobles appeared in their roles at the House of Lords, attending to business and politics, the social season helped to pass the time. And it would at least keep their wives and children busy.
The many, many gatherings that would occur until early July helped the debutantes attract potential suitors.
And while many handled it in stride.
Some did not.
Which is how Violet Ledger, the only child and daughter of Lord Benjamin and Vivian Ledger, spent the morning of the day she was to debut into society, pathetically throwing up into a chamber pot in her bedroom.
"I don't think I can do this," she declared to no one in particular.
"You can and you will," her mother ordered furiously, rapidly fanning her daughter in an effort to help her recover.
They had been about to leave when her stomach had decided to revolt. Thankfully (for Vivian), Violet had already dressed for today's events and had also been able to get the contents of her stomach into the porcelain chamber pot and not on the lovely gown they'd only just picked up from the modiste the day before.
Her gown of white silk, embroidered with gold thread, and the stay her mother had ordered the maids to purposefully tighten hadn't felt constricting enough, now Violet's stomach ached, and her throat burned. Making her feel as though she would heave again.
The maids were still hovering around her, making sure she did not suddenly faint and that her hair did not come loose from the pins. One-handed Violet a handkerchief to wipe her mouth with. Another had a cup of ginger tea ready for her to sip when she was ready.
But Violet was far too focused on the millions of ways today could go horribly for her to notice anything else.
"What if I throw up when we get there? Or in front of the queen? Oh God, what if I pass out? In front of everyone! That would be absolutely mortifying," she told her, tightly clutching the sides of the chamber pot.
"Violet, you are being dramatic," her mother retorted unsympathetically. "You need to calm down. Breathe, child. Breathe."
"But I could get a nosebleed. Or I could slip right as I meet her. Or say the wrong thing. Use the wrong title. Insult her!" Violet rambled on anxiously.
"Benjamin!" Lady Vivian screamed suddenly over her shoulder, having had enough of her daughter's hysterics.
"I'm right here, dearest," Lord Benjamin Ledger calmly replied as he entered the room. "I've been in the hallway waiting for–"
"You deal with her," Vivian declared, smacking the fan into his hands as she stormed out, yelling from the hallway. "I cannot deal with this. Not today of all days. I'll be in the carriage downstairs. And we need to leave now Benjamin. Now!"
Lord Ledger sighed as his wife disappeared, to think he'd once thought them a good match, but they'd been young and foolish than he supposed. Turning his attention back to his daughter, still panicking before him, he nodded to the maids, dismissing them, as he focused his attention onto his only child. His sweet little flower.
"Brains?" he asked, stepping towards her. "What's going on?"
"Oh, you know, just contemplating every single way today's events could go horribly wrong for me," Violet replied with a shaky voice.
"How many are we at?" he asked lightly.
"Eighty-nine," she squeaked back.
Benjamin only chuckled, stepping closer to his daughter and resting a hand on her back, rubbing a circle between her shoulder blades.
"As terrifying as I know this whole experience may seem," he gently told her. "I do believe you will survive it."
"Well, forgive me, father, if I do not believe that," Violet returned.
Wrapping an arm around his daughter's shoulder, Benjamin continued chuckling, gently kissing the corner of her forehead, careful not to get poked in the eye by the long, white feather pinned in her hair, as he comfortingly rubbed her arm.
"You'll do fine," he told her. "All you have to do is walk down an aisle, curtsy, and then wait for the queen to dismiss you. And breathe. Breathing is probably a good idea."
"Mother will have my head if I am not named the diamond," Violet retorted.
"Your mother does not seem to recognize that you are already a diamond. And whether her majesty sees that or not, you will do fine," he replied reassuringly.
Violet gave him a look of disbelief. "And if I do not? What happens if I find no one? If no one deems me fit to be their wife?"
"Then I get the fortunate luck of keeping you for one more year," Benjamin kissed her forehead again, waiting for her to give him a small smile before he continued. "You will find someone, Violet. I know you will. Now come on, before your mother reads me the riot act."
Shakily, and while taking many deep breaths, Violet followed her father down the steps of Primrose Villa. They headed to the carriage waiting outside to take them, where their mother was impatiently waiting inside. Once in, her father wrapped his knuckles against the carriage ceiling to signal they were ready, and then they were off.
Her mother spent most of the trip complaining about Violet delaying them, frustrated with her daughter for not taking the day seriously, while Benjamin tried to get his wife to relax (for Violet's sake). Emotions were already high enough, he didn't need Violet becoming ill again during the voyage.
But Violet had no issue tuning out her mother's complaining. She was still anxiously worrying about the upcoming season, her mind jumping from one horrible conclusion to another.
At eighteen, it was her first, given her father hadn't wanted her to debut when she was only sixteen (much to her mother's dismay). She wouldn't be placed in the same category as the younger debutantes. Her age alone was a strike against her for some.
"You might as well make her a spinster," her mother had bemoaned to her father the year before after he'd denied her in allowing Violet to debut a second year in a row.
At least she wasn't the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ledger, and that her father had put aside what remained of her mother's substantial dowry for her. And while she'd shed a few pounds over the past year, her puppy fat from childhood finally disappearing, giving her a more angular appearance, it hadn't been enough to appease her mother's opinion of her weight. The tightness of her stay around her chest was a sign of this.
Wasn't her fault she'd developed a more well-endowed chest than other women.
All Violet wanted was to get through the season without issue, without a scandal, and maybe, just maybe, find her true love. Her soulmate. The one thing she'd fantasized over for years, ever since she was a little girl. To grow up and marry for love. To live happily ever after.
But with everything she hoped for in a marriage, she did not believe there was anyone in the ton who was a match for her.
Luckily though, miles away and coming in the opposite direction of her carriage, was Edmund Bridgerton.
Edmund was currently traveling to the very same location as Violet was. Squashed into his family's carriage next to his younger siblings, Georgiana and Hugo, Edmund was praying they would arrive soon. Last night's decision-making at White's had left him with a horrid hangover that he was desperate to sleep off, but the jostling of the carriage over dirt and cobblestone road was doing nothing but aggravate the pounding in his head and the spinning of his stomach.
"–the news from America is that hostilities are to cease immediately. Straight from the mouth of General Washington himself," Lord Charles Bridgerton told his wife as they traveled.
His parents were busy talking about the war. As was everyone else in England, Edmund was certain. News had recently made it from the former colony, the United States of America as the colonists had declared themselves years before, that the fighting over independence was over. That the war which had been going on across the pound for close to a decade now, looked close to ending.
"Well, I think it's a good thing," Lady Alessandra Bridgerton remarked back pressing a hand against her updo, making sure none of her copper curls had escaped their pins. "This war has been nothing but a waste and a burden. Peace has been long overdue."
"They're hoping to have a treaty before the end of the year. Which seems likely at this point," Charles replied. "Rumors are the French will be providing a neutral ground for negotiations."
"Hopefully, this means Edward and Andrew can come home," Alessandra said. "They've been gone for far too long."
Charles hummed. "They have been away for quite some time now."
"Would have been nice if it was last year," Edmund's younger brother Hugo said. "Less attention for us if they were here."
The Earl of Manstons four sons, George, Edward, Andrew, and Nicholas, were up with Edmund and his brother as being desired and sought-after matches. While the earl and his wife would be present for this year's season, it was doubtful their sons would be present and that they were single. And for many reasons. Two sons were abroad, the eldest already married (and to Edmund's sister, Sybilla, or Billie as she liked to be called), and the youngest had decided to stay in Edinburgh for the summer to focus on his studies.
Leaving Edmund and Hugo to the wolves that were the marriage-minded mamas and their social climbing daughters. And with their older sister having married into the Rokesby family, the Bridgerton last name had garnered more attention in recent years.
Had Edmund known Nicholas would not be returning to London this summer, he might have done the same and stayed in Oxford.
"It may be beneficial, now that you are both of age-" his mother began suddenly, and both he and Hugo groaned loudly. Knowing exactly where this was going. "-that you begin looking for suitable wives to settle down with."
"I literally just finished my first year at Cambridge," Hugo replied. "Might I at least complete my studies before you decide to shove every eligible and available lady of ton into my face, mother?"
Alessandra raised a brow back at him. "Since your studies do not resume again until the fall, I might just. It will certainly keep me busy. Being the nuisance as I apparently am to you two."
Sitting in between them, Georgiana snorted. Lord Bridgerton gave a small smirk as he continued quietly looking out the window as he sat next to his wife.
"Why must we discuss marriage today, mother?" Edmund asked, attempting to redirect the conversation away from him and his brother. "Shouldn't we be focusing on Georgiana, instead? She is the one debuting. You sure you're feeling alright, Georgie? Breathing okay?"
Georgina gave him an elbow in the ribs for that.
But his ploy had worked. His mother snapped her attention back to her youngest daughter, her expression shifting from annoyance at him and Hugo to worry.
"You aren't feeling light-headed, are you? And you are breathing alright, yes? I told the maids to make sure your stay wasn't too tight," Alessandra turned towards her husband. "We should open a window. Get some more fresh air in here."
Georgiana groaned. She'd been forever at the mercy of her parents worrying, after she'd been born with weaker lungs than her siblings, prone to coughing fits that left her bedridden for most of her childhood. Those attacks weren't as frequent now, but that hadn't stopped their parents from continuing to worry about her health. Even Edmund grew concerned about it at times, remembering how pale and weak his sister would get. They'd delayed her debut by a year because of it, not that Georgiana was complaining. She was as interested in today's ceremony as he and Hugo were.
"Mama, I'm fine. I haven't had an attack in years," she whined as her mother moved forward and shifted the closed window of their carriage open.
Their father opened the other one before reaching over and patting his daughter's knee. "It's better to be safe, Georgie," he told her.
"If you start feeling unwell, just tell me," Alessandra told her.
"I will," Georgiana sighed before shooting her older brother a furious glare. Which Edmund returned with an equally sharper smile.
The rest of the carriage ride went with relative ease, Edmund had distracted his mother long enough for her to temporarily let go of the marriage nagging and instead discuss the local gossip she'd heard, but he knew it wouldn't last long. Billie and George had had their first child the year before, and the result had been their mother getting her first taste of having grandchildren.
And now she wanted more.
By sheer unfortunate luck, the birth of his first nephew coincided with the time Edmund and his younger siblings were old enough to marry and have children of their own. Edmund had still been at Eton when Billie married George, after years of the pair not realizing they were in love with one another. And Billie was his parents' first child, born a year after their marriage. It had taken another eight before Edmund came along. Followed by Hugo and Georgiana, one right after the other. Like ducks in a row.
His nephew was adorable. Edmund couldn't deny it, after seeing the little babe at his christening, baby Charles, or Charlie as to not cause confusion with his namesake, was a little cherub. Big round with a dimpled smile and laugh that could melt even the coldest of hearts, Edmund knew his mother had fallen in love with her little grandson.
But, because of this, he'd be dealing with a meddling, marriage-minded mama of his own this summer.
He'd have to thank Billie the next time he saw her. She was supposed to be here with them today but had been delayed in her travels, now expected to arrive in London with her husband and son later this week. Her son was now the reason his mother was suddenly interested in managing his, Hugo, and Georgiana's social calendars.
But Edmund had long figured out his plan for the season, ever since the letter from Billie arrived at Oxford to tell him he was to be an uncle. A plan that would help him to avoid all his mother's attempts to matchmake. The biggest part of his plan was managing his social calendar without his mother's say or involvement. He'd probably be making most of his appearances at White's or the race track while only showing up sparingly at the balls or other events. The less time he spent in public, exposed to the unmarried ladies seeking husbands, the better. Hell, he'd even thought about going up to Scotland. He'd have the excuse of visiting Nicholas, who he knew would be willing to put up with him for a week or two at minimum.
He held no interest in marrying, not after the fiasco he'd dealt with the year prior due to Isabelle Harlow.
At the time, he'd felt far too young to be searching for a wife, but had decided to dip his toes, as they say so he could get an idea of what it was like. He'd courted a few women, half-heartedly and mainly done so just so he could pass the time until he returned to Oxford, before meeting Lady Harlow.
She was sweet and bubbly, but also mischievous and funny. Beautiful sleek black hair and pale eyes, he had enjoyed her company (and her beauty) and had thought she enjoyed his. She'd insinuated to many that he was the man she loved, so much that he'd fallen in love with her. He'd been close enough to proposing when his brother had advised him to hold off.
And then she'd fled to Scotland.
Since then, his trust in the fairer sex and their intentions had been weakened.
He needed time before he picked a wife, before he did what was expected of an eldest son. Edmund knew he would be the viscount once his father passed and it was expected that he would carry on the Bridgerton line. Edmund wasn't confident Hugo would, so it had to be him.
One day he would marry, but he wanted to live a life before he did that.
So, as they arrived, with Edmund watching his family climb out of the carriage one at a time, he was already under the impression he would end the season still a rake, a bachelor. And that he would stay that way for at least a few more years.
But Edmund was about to be proven wrong about this assumption. Fate had rolled a dice regarding his life a long time ago.
As he was climbing out of the carriage himself, he looked up and spotted the Ledger family standing a short distance away, having arrived moments before them.
The Ledgers were old family friends, Edmund's father and Lord Ledger had gone to Eton and then Oxford together and Georgiana was close with their only daughter, Violet. His parents had already called out a greeting to their old friends, stopping them in their tracks as they headed inside. The two couples were conversing with one another as he put his foot out of the carriage.
Edmund glanced around, surprised to not see Violet anywhere. It had been some time since he last saw her. He knew she was to be presented to the queen today, same as his sister, and he guessed she must have already gone inside.
And then she appeared. Stepping out from where she'd been hidden by her parents.
Edmund stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes caught sight of her, making Hugo barreled into his back. His brother muttered a curse at him and told him to move, but Edmund was frozen in place. Stuck staring in awe at his sister's childhood friend, who had spotted her friend and given her a bright smile before waving.
She was beautiful.
As she stepped out from behind her parents it was as if all the color and light around her faded away, all he could focus on was her. The dark chocolate locks curled and pinned up atop her head with white flowers and a large feather that arched perfectly over her hair. Not a strand out of place, except for the single ringlet curl rested over her pale shoulder. Even from a distance he could see her bright blue eyes, brighter than a morning sky and that smile of hers. One that could blind even the sun.
Had she always been this beautiful? How had he never realized that?
His heart was racing suddenly as he watched her embrace Georgiana, who had raced up the stairs to greet her. Why was it racing? What was wrong with him? He hadn't felt like this the last time he'd seen her, two years ago, before he'd departed for Oxford.
They'd only briefly interacted, but they'd always been friendly with one another. He'd stopped by Number 5 to collect some books he'd left behind, one he planned to take with him to university, when they'd run into each other. Back then, when she'd just been Georgiana's friend, about a foot shorter than him with round pudgy cheeks that made her look younger than she really was. He'd always found her sweet. Charming even.
And she would always blush furiously whenever he spoke to her. He'd say a polite 'hello' and smile, watching in fond amusement as her face became red and splotchy from the attention. He'd done the same that day, observing how she'd been unable to meet his eyes. Violet had nervously returned the hello and then fled back up the stairs to Georgiana's room without another word.
At the time, he'd just found it funny, thought nothing more of it as he grabbed his belongings and departed as quickly as he'd arrived. But now?
Now she was radiating beauty from where she stood at the top of the stairs like Aphrodite walking out of the waves. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Edmund, for fucks sake move," Hugo hissed behind him, snapping him back to reality.
"Right, yes, sorry," Edmund replied distractedly, moving to step down from the carriage, his eyes still focused on Violet.
It wasn't the brightest of ideas. With his focus directed at the young Miss Ledger, taken by her beauty and her looks, Edmund ended up miscalculating where the carriage step was. Which meant instead of hitting the step, his foot went straight past it and towards the cobblestone ground a foot below. The rest of his body was quick to follow as he lost his balance and fell straight out of the carriage and onto his arse, letting out a quick surprised yelp as he did. A flare of pain shot up his hip and back where his body impacted with the stones, making him groan.
"Edmund!" his mother gasped, whirling around towards him, rushing to his side. "Are you alright?"
"Yep," he winced, he'd definitely just bruised both his back and his ego. "I'm good."
Hugo snorted as he jumped out of the carriage, stepping over his brother's prone form before turning to extend a hand and help him up. Meanwhile, Georgina was laughing at him, so much so he was sure she'd suffer one of her attacks (and briefly, he hoped she would).
Edmund prayed Violet hadn't seen him make a complete arse out of himself, but unfortunately she had. A concerned look was etched onto her perfect face as she watched him rise from his feet, peering over Georgiana's shoulder to catch a glimpse at him.
Brushing himself off, Edmund flashed his parents and the Ledgers a charming smile, silently telling them he was alright. Charles and Benjamin seemed to see the humor in little slip-up, both smirking at him, but their wives looked to believe otherwise.
"Seems Violet isn't the only one nervous today," Benjamin joked lightly as Edmund approached.
"Lord Ledger. Lady Ledger," Edmund nodded towards the couple, before turning towards Violet and flashing another smile. "Miss Ledger."
"Are you alright, Edmund?" she asked.
"I'm certain he'll live," Georgiana told her simply, slipping her arm in hers. "The only thing he bruised was his ego. Which he was greatly in need of. Now come. I haven't seen you in months. We have much to discuss."
And then they were gone. Before Edmund had the chance to answer her question, to say anything else to Violet, the ladies had all headed inside to prepare for their presentations before the queen.
He wasn't even able to tell her how beautiful she looked in her gown of creme and gold.
He swallowed, watching the two disappear, realizing that the heart in his chest slamming against his sternum may have been a sign that his plans for the summer had just changed.
And he certainly wasn't the only one whose heart was currently racing. Violet could hear her own heartbeat in her ears as she walked down the brightly decorated halls, but for different reasons of course.
Thump. Thump. Thump. A constant beat of anxiety from within her that made her feel sick as she ended up standing, waiting in line with her mother. A gaggle of other debutants surrounded them, all wearing matching white gowns, and all being tended to by their own mothers.
"I can't do this," Violet whispered to hers.
"Violet Ledger that is enough. Now hush," Vivian told her quietly as she focused on making sure there were no wrinkles in Violet's gown. "Now. Shoulders back. Head up. And focus."
Violet followed her mother's orders, pushing her shoulders back and keeping her head up as her mother fluttered around her, making sure everything was in perfect order. Behind them were Lady Bridgerton and Georgiana, both of whom did not seem as stressed about the upcoming events as they did.
"You'll be fine. It will be over before you know it," Alessandra whispered assuringly to her as she checked the pins in Georgiana's hair, which was the same shade of copper as hers.
"The quicker the better," Georgiana added. "I heard her majesty is in a mood today."
"Hush, Georgiana. Her majesty just lost a child," Alessandra quietly admonished, with Georgiana quietly returning her apology.
The queen's two youngest sons had died and six months apart from one another. The second, Prince Octavius, had died only a week prior. Typically, presentations were done at the Queen's Ball, held on her majesty's birthday, but with the loss of a second child and the fact the queen was also pregnant with her latest, the crown had canceled the celebration. It was decided instead that the presentations would be done in quick succession one morning, so her majesty could name a diamond and return to her confinement. The annual start of the season ball would be held by a close friend of the crown instead.
Violet chewed her lip nervously. She doubted grief would help the queen in picking a diamond or holding back any scathing remarks if anyone was solely coal.
Or worse.
"Stop biting your lip," her mother ordered, and she did. "The last thing we need is you chewing it bloody."
"Vivian, go easy on her. It will be fine," Alessandra gently told her.
"If I wanted help, Alessandra, I would have asked," Vivian retorted back.
Alessandra only took a deep, patient breath as she continued assisting Georgiana.
"Violet? There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
Glancing towards the voice, Violet spotted Portia Walker coming towards her, dressed in the same delicate white as her and Georgiana. Portia's wine red hair pinned in a similar updo as well, with the white feather starkly contrasting with her hair's bold color.
"Portia," Violet smiled, giving her friend a quick hug. "How are you?"
"Surprised to see you still standing on your feet. I had my mother bring her smelling salts just in case you fainted," Portia joked.
Behind Violet, Georgiana's eyes narrowed in distrust, picking up on the subtle mockery Violet wasn't noticing as she chatted amicably with her friend. She'd never once been a fan of Portia, not since she first met the young woman, after Violet and Portia became fast friends one summer while Georgiana was in Bath, and especially not after she realized what Portia was after. After she realized Portia would only seek her out when they were in public if she was with her brothers.
Titles and money.
The Walker family wasn't poor, far from it. They were probably one of the wealthiest families in London due to Mr. Walker's involvement in the coal trade. They had the wealth necessary to be given access to the ton and all its members, but because they were not titled like the Ledgers or Bridgertons were, that money could only open so many doors. Bring so much status to a family.
One's last name was the easiest way to fix this issue, and Georgiana had realized Portia was after one that would give her just that.
It just so happened to be Georgiana's last name.
But Violet, always seeing the best in everyone, had never noticed it.
Portia turned to Georgiana. "Georgie. Don't you look lovely."
"Portia," Georgiana returned tensely, trying not to snap at Portia for using her nickname. A nickname she did not believe Portia should be allowed to use.
"And how are your brothers? I don't believe I saw them yet. They will be in attendance this season, yes?" Portia asked.
"Well, given they are waiting with my father in the next room currently I'd say that's a yes," Georgiana replied stiffly, forcing herself to stay polite.
Portia smiled, an exciting glint flashing in her eyes at the news. "How wonderful. Depending on how today goes, I'm certain we will all be spending a lot of time together this season."
"Miss Walker, shouldn't you be getting back to your mother," Vivian said with a sigh.
While Vivian also did not like Portia, nor the friendship she had with her daughter, she'd never picked up on her being a social climber. Instead, disliking her for a completely different reason.
Vivian Ledger just did not care to interact with anyone whose name did not have Lord or Lady before it.
"Of course, Lady Ledger," Portia flashed a charming smile as she turned back to Violet. "Best of luck, Violet, and I'll see you at tonight's ball, yes?" she asked and Violet nodded, making Portia's fake smile widen. "Splendid. We'll have much to discuss, and plot, what with all the eligible men we'll need to intrigue this year."
Her pale green eyes then slid towards Georgiana.
"Maybe you brothers will be willing to help us with that," she added.
Georgiana's mouth became a thin line as she said nothing back, watching as Portia gave them all a quick wave and another charming smile before she headed back to where her mother was waiting further up the line.
"Snake," Georgiana muttered as Portia walked away, quiet enough that no one but her mother heard, who gave her a pointed look for it and told her to be quiet.
The line then began moving forward, before any other exchanges could be made. Voices were heard coming from the presentation room, of names being announced before the doors swung open and the first debutant walked in.
It was starting.
The jitters were back immediately. Violet's stomach tightened and twisted within her as the line slowly moved, and they got closer and closer to the room. Closer to her turn.
"It will be over soon," Georgiana whispered behind her. "Just breathe."
Taking another deep breath, Violet found herself standing behind the closed door. The only barrier between her and the queen. Her heart was racing as fast as her thoughts were, pounding against her sternum.
"Presenting Miss Violet Ledger and her mother, Lady Vivian Ledger."
The doors swung open, revealing the crowd of nobles, of fathers and brothers, waiting on either side of the room, while the queen sat directly in front of them.
Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III and mother to the next, was leaning to the side as she sat in her grand, ornate chair of red velvet and gold trim. Her cheek rested on the knuckles of her closed fist, lips pursed and eyes tired. Dressed in an extravagant, pale silver gown that was still able to hide the large pregnancy bump. Violet knew the gown was made from only the finest fabrics and embroidered with pearls and diamonds, which were also pinned into her hair like decorative ivy, her majesty looked as if she wished to be anywhere else but here. Barely even noting the door had opened and a new debutant was walking in.
Violet swallowed. This was it.
Taking a step forward, Violet slowly and carefully made her way closer to the queen. Her body was shaking, her nerves getting the best of her. Violet scanned the crowd, hoping to spot her father amongst the attendees but her eyes didn't seem able to focus anywhere. She wasn't able to pick him out.
But she did spot another familiar face.
It was Edmund, standing next to his father and brother, watching her with a smile. As she watched him she realized he was standing next to her own father as well, who gave her a proud smile as he watched her walk across the room, but Violet's eyes slid back to Edmund's.
There were only two people in the whole world who knew how Violet really felt about Edmund Bridgerton, one was back at Primrose Villa and the other was currently standing behind the closed doors waiting for her turn. It had been years now of Violet silently pinning after her best friend's older brother before finally deciding she had to let it last year. Calling it nothing but a passing fancy.
But who wouldn't fall in love with Edmund Bridgerton.
He was kind and funny, probably funnier than his older sister Billie. And while he could be pretty foolish and stubborn and certainly bullheaded (especially when he was angry), he was intelligent. Fluent in both Latin and Greek, but had always struggled with French, Edmund could charm a brick wall. He could convince anyone but his siblings that he held the correct opinion on a matter and could talk about any topic one could think of as if he was an expert. It had made him well liked amongst the ton.
And he was handsome. Incredibly handsome. Dark chestnut hair that didn't curl as much as it had when they were little. And his eyes, a grayish blue like the seas during a storm, that drew her towards him like a moth to a flame. Looking like a romantic hero with those rakish looks of his, it wasn't hard for Edmund to make ladies swoon when they caught his eyes, his charming smile.
He was also rather fit too, which Violet tried not to think about, especially right now. She had memories of visiting Aubrey Hall or Number 5 and peeking through the curtains while Edmund was outside fencing with his brother just so she could catch sight of him in his fencing gear.
She'd tried to move on, tried to tell herself it would never happen. That it was nothing but a childish crush she'd grow out of. Violet knew Edmund saw her as nothing more than a friend. As Georgiana's friend specifically. Besides, there was no point going after someone she knew was the most sought-after bachelor this year. Edmund was going to have his fair share of debutants to deal with, all of whom would be prettier and smarter than her. There was no way she'd be able to compare to the ladies who would be fawning over him all summer.
That, and she knew from Georgiana that Edmund had no interest in marrying.
But there was something about the way he was watching her right now. In a way that made her already thundering heart just beat faster. Made butterflies swirl within, desperately trying to escape up her throat and out her mouth.
He was looking at her as if she was the only one in the room, in awe almost. Violet tried to look away, to focus on her majesty sitting before her, but kept finding herself glancing back towards him. Finding that his eyes were always on her.
Then, one side of his mouth tilted higher up than the other as he flashed her a pleased looking smirk.
And he winked.
He winked right at her.
Violet was pretty sure she would pass out then. A smile tugged at her own lips.
"Focus," her mother whispered harshly behind her, observing how her daughter had suddenly slowed down.
Violet continued moving, focusing back on the reason she was here today, how her entire summer depended on this. She did not dare look over towards Edmund again. She was confident she wouldn't survive it if she did.
As she came to stand before the queen, Violet took one last deep breath as she stopped. Glancing up at the queen, whose dark eyes bore down on her enough to make her feel very small, Violet forced a polite smile.
Then, slowly, she curtsied.
And held her breath.
Queen Charlotte watched her with a look of boredom bordering on distaste, a dark brow cocked upwards as she studied Violet for a moment, looking for something. Violet stayed perfectly still, as if she was staring down the barrel of a rifle, hardly breathing as she waited for the queen to make her decision. She was practically vibrating as the queen leaned forward in her seat to get a closer look at her.
There was nothing but silence as the seconds ticked by. One could hear a pin drop as the queen continued to study her.
And then, with a loud, dramatic sigh, Queen Charlotte leaned back in her chair.
"A jewel, but not a diamond," she remarked loudly to her ladies-in-waiting and flicked her hand. Dismissing Violet and her mother. It was the same way she had dismissed the six other debutantes who'd gone before, but this time she'd made a comment.
Violet's entire body sagged with relief. A jewel. She could live with being called a jewel. It wasn't a negative remark, nor was it entirely positive. It felt neutral. She could survive with neutral.
One last curtsy and Violet knew she was free. Turning around and swiftly moving towards the door as quickly as she could, she couldn't help but smile as excitement burst within her. This was the best news she could have gotten for her first debut.
"Violet. Violet, slow down," her mother hissed, desperate to reach her as she hastened her steps behind her.
Glancing behind her one last time, Violet once again caught Edmund's eye as she made it to the doorway. Flashing him a bright smile she could not hold back, she received a matching one in return, which only made her feel giddier as she slipped back into the hallway.
This season was going to be perfect. She just knew it.
| Later that day |
Miss Antonia Beaumont, a baron’s daughter, was named the diamond in the end.
But everyone knew that being named the diamond could only get a woman so far.
Edmund did wonder if Miss Beaumont would be able to handle the scrutiny and pressure that came with the title the queen had handed her, but he knew her doorstep would not be one he’d be gracing any time soon.
Primrose Villa, the Ledger family’s London home, was where he was certain he’d be spending most of his time in the coming days. Weeks if he was a fool. But, however long it was going to take to court Violet, to make her fall in love with him, Edmund was already prepared to endure.
He couldn’t stop thinking about her. Not since he’d seen her this morning. The image of her face, her smile, and her beauty was burned into his retinas. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her. Her dark wavy hair perfectly curled and pinned. The round, rosy apple cheeks, emphasized greater by her smile.
And he’d arrived with his family at tonight’s social event with the hopes of seeing her. Of starting their courtship.
Given it was not the crown hosting this year, it was not being held at Buckingham House and instead at the home of one of the queen’s ladies and waiting. The ball was held in a section of the home with a clear oval dome on top. The ceilings of the beige stone building were all windows, making the building look as if it was made of crystal and when all the flamed lights burned brightly within, made it appear to be glowing. As it did tonight as Edmund and his family approached down the pebbled road leading to it.
As they entered the large ballroom, their surroundings glittered and sparkled as the crystals and gold decoration reflected the light. Many other guests who’d arrived before Edmund and his family were already waltzing across the middle of the ballroom or conversing with others off on the sides.
“You have your dance card ready, yes?” he heard his mother ask Georgiana behind him.
Georgiana held up her arm and wiggled it, the rectangle piece of paper tied to her wrist by blue ribbon swayed. The ribbon matched the robin eggs blue gown she wore.
“Good. Now, all you have to do is wait for them to approach you,” Alessandra advised her.
Hugo leaned towards Georgiana as she scanned the crowd nervously and smirked.
“And don’t set anyone on fire,” he joked, recalling how their elder sister had never fully debuted in London due to an ‘incident’ at court involving another debutante and a very flammable petticoat.
“Oh, hush you,” Alessandra snapped at him, before turning back to Georgiana. “You’ll be fine…just stay away from any open flames–but I’m welcomed to provide introductions to any gentleman you do not recognize. As I’m certain your brothers are willing to as well.”
“I’d rather they not,” Georgiana replied quickly.
Alessandra tsked softly, shaking her head at her youngest remark. Of all the children God could have given her, he made all of her children the most marriage-adverse individuals in all of London.
“Ah, there’s Lady Stuart. One moment, I need to go say hello. I’ll be right back,” their mother told them as she slipped away from them and towards her old friend. They all knew it would be an hour of gossiping between the two before they saw their mother again.
“I’ll be in the card room if your mother needs me,” their father whispered to them as his wife wandered off, seeing his own chance to escape.
Like with their mother, Edmund and his siblings all knew their father would remain in the side room where the other married gentlemen were smoking, playing cards, and drinking whiskey, quietly removing themselves from the drama that was courting and suitor seeking. They knew he wouldn’t spend the entire evening there, but they wouldn’t see their father for most of tonight’s events.
“Keep an eye on your sister,” Charles added, and Edmund nodded.
“And then there were three,” Hugo joked, and Georgiana scoffed a laugh as they watched their father disappear into the crowd, heading in the opposite direction of his wife.
Edmund scanned the crowd around them, peering around heads and updos as he tried to spot the Ledgers. As he looked across the room it became apparent to him, much to his disappointment, that they had not yet arrived. It was selfish really, he wanted her all to himself. He wanted to be the first one to greet Violet, to catch her in a conversation before any other gentleman present had the chance.
And then, he saw a figure coming towards them.
But it wasn’t Violet.
She glided through the crowd with ease, it practically parted for her like the Red Sea did for Moses. Moving past the attendees and patrons, her head held high as her cane snapped against the floor with each step she took, she was coming straight towards Edmund and his siblings. And neither of his parents were present for him to hide behind.
“On guard,” he snapped to his brother fearfully as the figure approached.
His brother stiffened next to him, immediately aware of what was happening, of what Edmund meant, without even needing to turn around and check. They both quickly turned to make an even quicker escape. Fully intending to leave the naive and confused Georgiana behind as a sacrifice.
“Don’t!” a voice ordered, followed by the snapping of a cane down with a harsh, loud crack, and they stopped. “You both know I already noted you.”
They both turned back around and quickly bowed, plastering bright smiles on their faces. “Lady Danbury!”
“How are you this evening?” Edmund added.
“You look as wonderful as ever,” Hugo politely commented after.
Lady Agatha Danbury hummed, unimpressed, a curved brow sticking up as she looked them both up and down with contempt. It wasn’t something to take offense to, Edmund doubted he and his brother had done anything to receive her judgment except by simply existing. Lady Danbury seemed in general to be unimpressed by anything the ton had to offer, her travels abroad had allowed her to see far more excitement than what was offered by the London social season. And as a widow with far more money than most, much of which she’d been able to keep out of her children’s hands, she had the freedom and power to not care what anyone thought of her.
Hence, the perpetual look of judgment she had on her face.
“Miss Georgiana,” she smiled at Edmund’s sister, who curtsied quickly. “Don’t you look splendid tonight. I do hope you brothers haven’t been causing you too much embarrassment yet.”
“The night is still young. They have more than enough time to make fools of themselves,” Georgiana replied with a sly smile.
Lady Danbury gave her one back and huffed a small laugh, looking impressed by Georgiana. But as quickly as she had smiled, her face shifted back to annoyance, and she looked towards Edmund again.
“Mr. Bridgerton. I do believe you’ve met my youngest, Anne,” she motioned towards the young woman standing behind her.
Dressed in a bold burgundy red, the young Anne Danbury stepped forward from behind her mother and curtsied to him. Anne had the fortunate luck of inheriting her mother’s looks over her father’s. Agatha had been quite the beauty when she was younger, and Anne had the same round face with unblemished dark skin and even darker curls pinned up with sparkling gold and ruby pins.
Even Edmund was surprised Anne was now on her second season now, given her quiet personality and substantial dowry should have seen her married off quickly the year before when she was only sixteen, but with a mother like Agatha Danbury, he could understand the hesitation men may have had in attempting to court the young lady. That, and her elder sister, Melissa, had had quite the season of her own when she debuted, being named the diamond that year and attracting the attention of many suitors with her charming and fiery personality, all before her mother made a quick arrangement with the older Lord Russell to prevent a scandal that seemed to have been brewing behind closed doors.
Didn’t do much though. Last Edmund had heard, Melissa was currently in Paris with her latest lover, while her husband remained in his estate in the country with two sons no one was entirely sure were his.
“Miss Danbury,” Edmund bowed. “How are you?”
“I’m well, Mr. Bridgerton,” Anne timidly replied.
“I was hoping you would do my daughter the honor of a dance,” Lady Danbury said and it wasn’t a request when she said, but a demand.
“Of course,” Edmund replied, cheerfully. Knowing he couldn’t refuse. Lady Danbury was the host of tonight’s ball. Her friendship with Queen Charlotte had guaranteed she’d be able to hold the annual welcoming ball in their stead.
Lady Danbury continued giving him her renown blase look, but Edmund could tell she was grateful. Her eldest son, Dominic, was already causing her enough problems, and that was on top of the one Melissa had caused. She didn’t need her youngest child to be a spinster because of it. One dance with her daughter would be enough for heads to turn and for interests to be peaked.
He could grab Violet for the next one. And it still seemed that she had not arrived yet.
As the violins picked up again, signaling a new song was about to be played, Edmund held his hand out towards Anne, who took it, gently placing her gloved hand in his as he led her out to the dancefloor.
Edmund took a moment to get used to the tune, the beat that came with the music for him to move in step with it before he pulled Anne around the dance floor with ease. His mother had made sure he was as adept on the dancefloor as Georgie and Billie were expected to be. And frankly, he was probably better at it then both of them were.
They moved through the steps with ease. Anne stepped gracefully along with him. She held a poise most women of the ton did not have. And she could dance quite well.
“I assume the presentation went well for you?” he asked, trying to start a conversation as they danced.
He’d slipped out quietly after his sister was presented, after Violet, and had remained outside. The cool air was better than being stuck standing in a stuffy room, but he’d missed the remaining debutants, including Miss Danbury.
“Her majesty was surprised to see me again,” Anne answered dryly. “I doubt that did anything good for my chances this season. Not that my brother is making that any easier.”
“And how is Lord Danbury?” Edmund asked.
Anne cocked a brow at him, giving him a look that made her her mother’s twin. “I believe you are well aware of how my brother fares. More so than I.”
That was probably true. Last Edmund had seen of Lord Dominic Danbury was at White’s after he’d arrived in London. Dominic had been piss drunk and failing at cards, starting a loud argument with Lord Fife over money he owed the man that had seen him kicked out of the establishment for the night.
“Apologies, I meant no offense,” he told her quickly.
“It’s alright,” Anne replied. “It is not as if we were ever close.”
Edmund couldn’t even begin to imagine not being close to any of his siblings. He’d always been close with Hugo, who was only a year younger than him. Of course, his age gap with Billie had always made their relationship tough and distant growing up, but they’d grown closer now that they were both adults.
“Your sister is quite lucky to have you and your brother in her corner this season,” Anne told him.
“Don’t I know it,” he replied, his eyes catching sight of his siblings where they were standing off to the side, chatting quietly with another.
Hugo was whispering in Georgiana’s eye, most likely mocking the eligible men and debutantes around them. Georgiana smirked and giggled at something he said, before replying, which made Hugo smile back.
So far, it appeared no one had braved approaching them to ask Georgiana for a dance, but Edmund noted a few ladies were watching his brother, speaking to one another behind their fans as they spared glances towards him. No doubt remarking on his younger brother’s physical appearance, his dark eyes and tousled chestnut hair, the sharp bone structure that made him look as if he was carved from marble. Georgiana had inherited their mother’s fiery hair, but Hugo had gotten the sharper features from their mother’s side.
His brother was a sought-after match, that was for certain.
But one who was as uninterested in marriage as Edmund had been when he first arrived in London. Frankly, Edmund couldn’t think of a time his brother had ever shown any interest in a young lady he met.
“You did not need to do this,” Anne told him softly. “I understand my mother can be quite the force of nature, but you could have politely declined. She would not have held it against you.”
“She most certainly would have. I’d rather drown myself in the Thames then face the wrath of Agatha Danbury,” he replied jokingly. “Besides, it’s not every night I get to dance with a beautiful woman.”
Anne scoffed a laugh, not entirely believing him, but a small grateful smile pulled at her plump, soft lips. “Thank you,” she said.
“It was my pleasure,” he told her.
“Will you be in attendance for the boat races next weekend? It will be nice to know if I will be seeing any familiar faces this season,” Anne asked him.
Edmund nodded. “Some friends of mine from Oxford have put together a team this year, as my brother has with a few of his pals from Cambridge. We’re resolving a debate to see which university has the best rowers.”
“Well, best of luck then. You’ll certainly have my support,” Anne informed him.
He thanked her and the sounds of the violins slowly came to a stop around them. With that signal, the pair came to a stop themselves. Edmund stepped back and gave Anne another polite bow.
“Miss Danbury,” he said to her.
She nodded. “Have a good evening, Mr. Bridgerton.”
Anne then departed back to stand by her mother, who gave Edmund a nod of approval when he caught her dark eyes. As he moved to the side of the ballroom, stepping off the dancefloor so new pairs could take his place, he caught sight of Violet and her parents standing on the other side. They must have arrived while he was dancing with Anne.
Violet held a glass of lemonade in her hands, the dance card tied to her wrist swing gently. She was dressed in a dusty blue gown over a pale-yellow petticoat. The fabric is decorated with white and gold butterflies, to match pins poking out of her curls. Next to her, Edmund quickly recognized Portia Walker, who was dressed in a mint green gown decorated with roses. The pair chatted quietly, eyes flickering over those standing around them and mouths perking upwards into smirks as they joked and laughed with one another.
There were also no men in their immediate area, and as far as he could tell, her dance card was still blank. If Edmund was quick he could be the first she danced with tonight.
“Oh, Mr. Bridgerton, there you are,” Lady Stuart called out as he walked past, heading towards Violet.
Holding back a sigh, Edmund was forced to stop and backtrack to where Lady Stuart was standing. He ended up politely conversing with the older woman, discovering quickly that she had stopped him so he could meet her niece, Johanna. No doubt his mother’s doing, Edmund ended up stuck watching Violet being escorted to the dancefloor by Jacob Fitzroy. He continued chatting with them, quietly biding his time until the dance ended, before politely excusing himself so he could catch Violet as she walked back to her parents.
Only before he got to her side, he found himself caught in another conversation, this time with Lady Petunia Wilford, one of the dullest conversationalists Edmund had ever met in his life and who seemed to willfully seek him out at every function he’d attended the last two years so she could meet one of her five daughters. Lady Wilford had stopped Edmund to introduce him to her youngest and the latest to debut, Poppy, who was four years younger than Edmund and seemed completely out of her depth. The young girl’s peridot-colored eyes were wide with fright every time he looked at her.
Frankly, Edmund had no interest in dancing with a young lady who looked freshly out of the cradle, politely stopping Lady Wilford before she could ask or imply it by telling her he was fetching lemonade for his sister. He’d lost sight of Violet by this point but had noted the hungry eyes of the ladies around him, all eagerly waiting for a chance to grab him and trap him in mind numbingly boring conversations.
He needed to escape. At least so he could breathe for a moment.
Once out of sight of Lady Wilford, Edmund fled to where he spotted his brother, who was leaning against the wall with a rather carefree attitude, hidden out of view of everyone else. Besides him he saw his mother, but Georgiana had disappeared.
“There you are,” his mother smiled at him as he approached. “Darling, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Of course, mother,” he replied.
“Be a dear and be your sister’s partner for the next dance,” Alessandra told him.
“Mother, please…” Edmund gently whined, as Hugo snorted next to them.
“Dance with your sister,” his mother told him simply. “I won’t ask it again. Now, I am going to go find the Rokesbys. They told me they were going to be in attendance tonight and I’m certain I just saw Helen walk by.”
And then she was gone once again.
“Do enjoy your dance, brother,” Hugo teased.
Edmund made a face at him, taking the untouched lemonade in his brother’s hand and downing it in one go before handing the empty glass back.
“Where is Georgie anyway?” he asked, glancing around.
“By the lemonade table,” his brother replied, as if it was obvious where she was. “She’s been walking back and forth grabbing drinks as to have an excuse whenever anyone asks to dance with her.”
As his brother spoke, Edmund finally spotted who he was waiting for.
Violet was heading back to stand between her parents, her cheeks flushed pink from being caught up in the exciting, quick paced country dance that had just finished. Her most recent dance partner, Alexander Jones, was escorting her back to them.
“Hugo,” Edmund patted his brother on the shoulder, giving his shoulder a big brother squeeze as he watched Violet. “Go dance with Georgiana.”
Hugo looked at him, surprised and frowned. “What? Me?”
“Just go,” he ordered, pushing him in Georgiana’s direction.
His brother let out an annoyed, childish groan as he was sent off to assist Georgiana, heading to where she was by the lemonade table, while Edmund glanced back to where Violet was. His siblings taken care of, he began to move towards her, feeling his heart begin to beat faster again the closer he got.
He was close enough to touch her. All he had to do was call out and–
“Mr. Bridgerton,” the coy voice of Araminta Blake sang, interrupting his thoughts and stopping him in his tracks.
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
Edmund tried not to groan as her tall form then stepped between him and Violet, blocking him. Araminta’s pale blonde hair was pinned into a rather extravagant updo that looked like the leaning Tower of Pisa (although Edmund doubted that had been the intention). Such was the norm for the Blake women though, their attempts to stay on top of the latest trends tended to garner the most attention from those around them. For better or worse.
He nodded a bow. “Miss Blake.”
“How are you this evening?” she asked. Mischievous icy eyes stared at him in a way that made him immediately distrust the young lady's intentions.
“I’m well. And you?” Edmund returned, glancing over her shoulder to where Violet was standing only a short distance away by her parents.
“Better now that you are here,” she replied, smirking. “These balls were so dreadfully boring last year. It was such a shame you missed so much of it.”
“Well, I was attending to my studies, and then my grandmother’s funeral,” he replied tightly. “Family comes first.”
“It's such a commendable trait of yours, Mr. Bridgerton. To care about your family so greatly,” Araminta told him. “I can only hope to find a husband as honorable as you.”
Edmund only hummed a response. The quicker this conversation ended, the better.
“I did wish to say how horrible I feel for what happened between you and Lady Harlow–I mean Mrs. Fletcher,” Araminta told him. “To lead a man on the way she did to you. You must know my family was utterly shocked and appalled that she would do such a thing to such a widely respected family such as yours. You had our full support.”
“Thank you,” Edmund replied, lips pressed into a thin line and his jaw clenched. He had no interest in discussing Isabella. Ever again. And certainly not to Araminta Blake.
“I’ve heard from some little birds that your older sister will be arriving soon in London. You in-laws wouldn’t also be coming, would they?” Araminta inquired gently.
“My godparents are both already here,” he replied swiftly, knowing that Araminta wished to know more about their sons and less about Lord and Lady Manston.
Araminta forced another sweet smile as she faked a giggle. “I meant your brothers-in-law.”
As she spoke, Edmund glanced back towards Violet and saw, to his disappointment, Lord Wilmington had approached her, the two were now conversing politely with one another. Violet gave him that sweet smile of hers, the one Edmund wanted to be on the receiving end of right now, not that slimy tosser called Reginald Wilmington. He knew enough of that man’s flaws from their time at Eton to convince even Vivian to steer her daughter clear of him.
But Reginald was the one who had Violet’s attention right now. And Edmund knew he was going to get her for the next dance if he didn’t act soon.
“Excuse me, Miss Blake, but I do believe I hear my mother calling for me,” he lied quickly to Araminta, who had continued speaking to him as he watched Violet.
“I do not believe I heard her,” Araminta retorted, picking up on his excuses, an annoyed sneer tugging at her lips.
“Well, I’m certain I did. Good night Miss Blake,” Edmund lied again, more forcefully this time and through gritted teeth as he quickly sidestepped her.
He heard Araminta give an annoyed huff behind him, disappointed in not being able to capture his attention any longer. To learn any more information about the Rokesbys. As he glanced back over his shoulder, he saw her heading off in the other direction, off to capture a new male target, before he turned around and had to quickly stop himself as he came face to face with his mother, who had a severe look on her face.
Well, speak of the devil and she shall appear.
“I thought I told you to help your sister tonight?” Alessandra said.
“Hugo is,” he replied.
“I did not ask Hugo, I asked you,” his mother returned.
Edmund took a deep breath, trying not to moan and whine like a child while his mother only watched him, waiting for an explanation she would not get.
“I saw you with Miss Danbury,” she finally said and this time Edmund couldn’t hold back his groan this time. “She’s a fine young woman. And Lady Danbury has always been kind to our family. Will you be making an appearance at their home tomorrow?”
“Mother, please…” he pleaded. “I’m not interested in Anne Danbury.”
Alessandra sighed. “Is there not a single woman in all of England that you are interested in?”
Edmund’s eyes were once again drawn to Violet, who was being spun around the ballroom by Lord Wilmington. The light reflecting on the gold pins stuck in her dark hair made Violet practically sparkle as she twirled, laughing at something Reginald had said to her. As she radiated beauty and happiness. Edmund felt his heart pulling him towards her and all he wanted to do was follow.
“Maybe one,” he said softly, eyes still trained on Violet as she danced.
His mother’s copper brows popped up in surprise at his answer, before she frowned, quickly looking over her shoulder to see who it was he was watching. “Who?”
“Mama,” Georgiana’s voice suddenly said as she appeared beside them. “Might we be leaving soon.
“Why? Are you feeling alright?” Alessandra asked.
Georgiana sighed. “Of course, mama. I’m just tired and honestly, quite bored.”
Alessandra looked at her daughter with surprise. “Are you sure, sweetheart?”
Georgiana nodded and Alessandra sighed.
“I’ll go find, father,” Edmund told them, seeing his chance to get to Violet.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you have one more dance?” Alessandra suggested. “Maybe it will help you feel better.”
Edmund stopped mid-step, knowing exactly where this was going. Of course, his mother wouldn’t let him get off that easily.
“Mama, I think I’m–” Georgiana started.
“No, no, I think it would be good for you,” Alessandra retorted. “Your brother can escort you.”
He sighed. A look towards his mother and the expression on her face confirmed his suspicions. That this was a punishment for disobeying him.
“Mama, I don’t need Edmund to dance with me,” Georgiana told her, cheeks turning red.
“You need to practice your waltz. And your brother has always been good at it,” Alessandra replied.
Edmund shared a glance with his sister, neither one of them looked interested in appeasing their mother.
“Go,” she ordered, shooing them towards the dancefloor. “Now.”
The pair both sighed as they quickly moved away from their mother, shooting her annoyed looks as they stepped onto the dancefloor. The song started, with Edmund and Georgiana looking rather awkward, as they had when they were young, and Edmund was forced to help his sister practice.
But his mother was right, Edmund was good at a waltz, at any dance, able to keep in step with his eyes closed, but tonight was different. Sure, he’d been able to dance quite fine with Anne, but now that Violet was here, sapping up all his attention, he was distracted. Far too focused on keeping track of Violet to stay in step with his sister.
And after his third stumble, Georgiana had had enough.
“What’s got you so distracted?” she asked bluntly.
“Nothing,” he replied rather quickly.
Georgiana’s brow popped up, picking up on his lie, and she smirked. “Are you interested in someone here, brother?”
“No,” he said. Again, rather too quickly.
“Yes, you are.”
“I am not.”
“Who is it?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“Who?” Georgiana demanded as he spun her around.
He sighed; she wasn’t going to drop it unless he answered.
“Violet,” he finally admitted.
His sister frowned. “Violet?”
“Yes, Violet,” Edmund returned, exasperated.
“But Violet’s my friend,” Georgiana told him, sounding the same as she had every time he took one of her toys when they were little.
“Yes, I’m well aware,” he returned.
Georgiana’s face scrunched up into a look of confusion and annoyance. “You…” she thought it over further, the idea of her brother and Violet being together, looking increasingly more agitated. “You cannot court my friends, Edmund.”
Edmund let out an annoyed sigh of his own as he spun his sister around. “And pray tell, dear sister, why am I not allowed to?”
“Because I know you. You’ll grow bored of her after a week, as you have with all the other young ladies you find an inclination of interest in, and then Violet will hate you for leading her along. And she’ll hate me as well,” Georgiana hissed. “I will not let you ruin our friendship.”
“I’m not going to grow bored of her,” Edmund shot back. “I’ve known her as long as you have. I’ve never once found her boring.”
Georgiana glared at him. “Edmund, listen to me. Under no other circumstances would I ever, and I mean ever, tell you this, but Violet likes you. Really likes you.”
Edmund almost tripped over his own feet at the news, stumbling briefly and almost taking Georgiana and another pair of dancers down with him. But he caught himself quickly enough, flashing a quick apology to the other dancers, who only glared at him before continuing in their own dance. He then stared at his sister in shock, who was now desperately dragging him along the dancefloor before anyone noticed his little slip.
Violet Ledger liked him? As in, already held affections for him? And for some time now too by the sounds of it. Probably explained why she couldn’t look him in the eye properly these past few years.
And if that was true, it would certainly make courting her easy.
Oh, this was too perfect.
“She likes me?” he finally asked, smiling.
“Yes,” Georgiana hissed. “Which is why you cannot court her.”
He continued smiling dopily at his sister. Violet liked him. “She likes me,” he repeated.
Georgiana took a deep breath, looking particularly tempted to murder right now. “Edmund, you fatwit, will you listen to me?” she snapped. “If you court her, she’ll think you're being serious about it and I will know you aren’t. I won’t allow you to hurt her.”
“I’m not going to hurt her,” Edmund assured.
“Forgive me if I do not believe that. What with your incredibly short attention span and inability to treat women properly, you probably won’t even realize you have,” Georgiana retorted.
“I don’t have a small attention span,” he snapped back.
Georgiana raised a brow. “Quinn Wells. Lady Honora Premming. Julia Keats. Lady Katherine Rhimes. The opera singer. God, what was her name–”
“Maria d’Aubigny is a talented soprano with a lovely singing voice, that’s all. I was merely complimenting her. It doesn’t mean I want to sleep with her.”
“Oh, really? And what about Lady Harlow? I heard she has quite a talented mouth. What with all those throat exercises Mr. Fletcher had her doing when he was teaching her.”
“Lady Harlow seemed quite content with her new husband when I saw them in Oxford. I doubt she was ever truly interested in me,” he shot back, recalling his brief run in with the new Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. A rather awkward conversation to say the least. “One could even say she was the one leading me along. Besides, it never went that far. And don’t be crude, Georgie. It’s unladylike–unlike you I should say. Lady Harlow isn’t a harlot.”
Georgiana rolled her eyes at him, having not fully forgiven Isabelle and not still tempted to. “I’m being serious Edmund–”
“As am I,” he retorted. “I do not need your permission to spend time with Violet.”
“Why are you so suddenly interested in her?” Georgiana asked. His sister really had no desire to let this go.
“I like her,” Edmund replied.
Georgiana gave him a look. The expression of distrust and annoyance still lingered in her features, and she saw straight through his statement.
“You think she’s pretty, don’t you? That’s why you’re suddenly so interested in her,” she said with a huff and another eye roll.
“That’s not the only reason,” Edmund argued back, defensively.
“Alright, name one.”
“One what?”
“One other trait of Violet’s that you find interesting,” Georgiana clarified.
Edmund hesitated. Which certainly didn’t help him.
Violet had always been Georgiana’s friend. His sister probably knew more about her then he did. Yes, he and Violet had grown up together, running around the gardens of Aubrey Hall playing tag and hide and seek back when they were all little, but they’d grown apart as they aged. It wasn’t that he disliked Violet, quite the opposite, they just ran in different circles since their adolescents.
And now he wasn’t entirely sure of what she liked. Or what she was like.
Georgiana took a deep breath as the music came to an end and they were slowing down in their steps.
“You are such a fatwit,” she told him, shaking her head.
Edmund bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to snap back at her. But they’d come stopped a short distance from where Violet was. No other men were around her taking up her time and attention or dragging her onto the dance floor. Now was his chance.
And he couldn’t ignore how the sight of her made him relax. A wave of calm came over him as he felt that tug again, pulling him towards her. She caught his eyes and smiled, giving him a small wave.
God, she was lovely to look at.
“If I court her, then I will learn more traits about her that I find interesting,” he said instead, whispering in his sister’s ear as he stepped around her. “Excuse me, sister.”
And then he was there. Standing right in front of her.
“Hello,” he breathed out.
Violet smiled; her lower lip caught between her teeth. “Hello.”
“Hello,” he repeated.
Violet giggled, her smile growing wider as she laughed at him. “You said that already,” she told him.
“Did I?” he asked, and she nodded. “Well, I’m just happy to see you I suppose.”
She raised her brows at him, confused. “Me? Whatever for?”
“We didn’t get a chance to speak this morning before your presentation. Or after,” Edmund told her. “And it has been some time since we last saw each other. I did not get the chance to tell you how lovely you looked in your gown.”
Violet’s cheeks developed a soft pink hue as she looked away nervously, huffing a laugh. “Um…thank you,” she replied.
“How have you been? Enjoying tonight’s events?” he asked.
She nodded. “It’s been quite lovely.”
“Georgie would rather be anywhere but here,” he told her, glancing to where his sister was watching him, intently. “Thankfully though, we haven’t had any fire related incidents yet, but if anything, there is still enough lemonade left to use to douse someone if she does.”
Violet laughed. “Don’t be mean. She’s your sister.”
“What? Me? Be mean to my baby sister? I think you have me confused with Hugo,” he gave her a mock surprised look, making Violet chuckle. Her laugh was causing a buzzing feeling within. He felt himself fill with joy as he watched her.
“Hugo is not the one who dropped a spider down the back of her dress,” she reminded him.
“I was merely rehoming the poor thing after someone ran into its web,” he returned.
Violet only made a face as she recalled that particular incident. “With my face no less,” she told him. “It was disgusting, having all those webs stuck in my hair.”
She made another disgusted face, letting out a small ‘yuck’ as Edmund only chuckled, remembering how Violet, at age ten, had wiggled and jumped around as she desperately tried to get the remnants of the spiders home off of her head, slapping and rubbing off the thin lines of silver spider’s silk that had wrapped around her face and hair. Shrieking the entire time. She was terrified a spider had landed on her, and one had, but Edmund had quickly scooped the rather large arachnid off her back before she could notice it was there.
And then promptly dropped it down the back of Georgie’s dress instead.
“I think that was the last time my father allowed us to be in the stables unsupervised,” he recalled.
“Well, I did give the horses a frightful scare with all my screaming,” she said back.
“Yours and Georgie’s,” he added, smirking. “But do not worry, Miss Ledger. I’m welcome to get rid of any spider webs that may grace your path again.”
Violet smiled again, her round apple cheeks going pink as she glanced away.
“I had a quick question to ask you,” he told her, remembering why he was here, and she looked back up at him and nodded. “Your dancing card? Is there still an available spot?”
“I’m sorry?” she blinked, confused.
“I wanted to ask if you wanted to dance,” he added.
“Oh! Oh, Edmund…” she started, her smile disappeared as her face shifted to that of realization and discomfort.
“I’m only inquiring as a friend. I wanted to make sure you had at least taken a turn around the room” he assured her quickly, like the liar he was.
The discomfort on Violet’s face only grew as she looked at him, not saying anything. Hesitating to. She chewed her lower lip nervously. It was beginning to make Edmund worry.
“Edmund. I’m about to leave,” she admitted to him softly. Apologetically.
“Oh!” Edmund tried to hide his disappointment.
“I’m so sorry. I would love to, really, but my mother is tired, and my father’s already gone to get the carriage brought round. And frankly…” she sighed. “Frankly, I think I’ve danced myself out for the night.”
“No, no, it’s fine,” he assured her quickly, biting the inside of his cheek as he forced his face to stay neutral before he spoke again. “I’m glad to hear you had such a…” he took a deep breath. “Good time.”
She nodded. “I did.”
“Good, good. That’s…good,” Edmund commented back pathetically.
“Violet,” Vivian suddenly called out, preventing either one from saying another word. “Let’s go.”
Violet glanced back towards her where her mother was standing a short distance away and nodded her understanding, before looking back at Edmund and giving him an apologetic smile.
“I have to go,” she told him.
“Of course,” he replied. “I’ll see you around.”
Then he watched as Violet headed away from him, following her mother as they departed, watching as his one chance to be with her tonight slowly drifted from him, further and further. His stomach sank like it had been tied to a stone and thrown into a deep lake, dragging his heart down as well.
He couldn’t let her leave. Not yet.
And then he was moving, following the Ledgers outside, maneuvering past guests, sidestepping ladies before they had a chance to stop him, just so he could get to them as quickly as possible. He wouldn’t be stopped.
“Miss Ledger!” he called out once outside. In front of him the Ledgers all stopped and turned to face him as he hurried towards them.
“Is everything alright, Edmund?” Violet asked.
“Yes, yes, I just had another quick question to ask before I forgot. A moment of your time, please,” he told her.
“Do make it quick, Edmund,” Vivian sighed. “It’s been a long day.”
“We’ll be at the carriage, brains,” Lord Ledger said gently to his daughter as he dragged his wife away from them.
Violet waited till her parents were a few feet ahead of them before facing him again. “Yes, Edmund.”
“Might I call on you tomorrow?” he asked quickly.
Violet blinked, staring at him in surprise.
“I um…yes. Yes, I suppose you can. I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to,” she replied, still shocked by his request.
His smile widened. “Good, then I shall see you tomorrow? Bright and early?”
Violet still looked confused. “Um, yes…alright,” a smile tugged at her lips. “I’ll see you then.”
“Well, good night Miss Ledger,” he told her.
Then he bowed, one that was rather over the top, throwing out his arm to give it a dramatic flourish and making Violet chuckle at him. He looked up, still bent forward, and saw she was smiling, wide enough that her eyes crinkled.
“Good night, Edmund,” she told him sweetly.
And with that, she turned and headed back to her parents, where they were standing by the carriage watching them, as Edmund straightened himself up. He caught Lord Ledger watching him, the older gentleman gave him a knowing look, one gray brow raised to tell him that he was onto him, but Edmund only nodded back, far too happy to care what the man thought. He stood, smiling like a fool, not moving from his spot until after the Ledgers’ carriage had departed down the road, back to Primrose Villa. The very house Edmund knew he’d be making an appearance at tomorrow.
He might not have been successful tonight, but tomorrow was a new day. And frankly, he still had the season to convince Violet to marry him.
Shouldn’t be too hard.
In the end, the 1783 season would go on without much fanfare. Only a few little scandals, overshadowed by the end of the Revolutionary War in America and its aftermath, but there wasn’t much to reminisce about in later years. It was probably as boring as the 1782 season had been.
But for the eight Bridgerton children of Violet and Edmund Bridgerton, it was the most important year of the entire eighteenth century.
Because it was the year their mother and father fell in love.