How Evergreen

Dearest reader,

I implore you to travel upon Grosvenor Square, 1813. A lifetime ago if I do declare so. The upcoming social season plagued the ton, bets awry and mothers fretful. Odds made for better or for worse in the households. But Dearest, this is not to recount the scandals of our young misses and messrs. It is so that we begin our story in the household of Lady Danbury without a debutante to fret for.

“Well if this is not a sight for my sore eyes!” the Lady of the household declared with the delightful figure of the Duke of Hastings before her. His sarcastic manner matched her own. And why should it have not? “My condolences, Your Grace, for your father.”

“Very kind of you.” It seemed the manners she’d instilled remained, but if anyone could recognize his respectful fabrications, it was the lady before him.

“Kind of me?” she remarked. “You hated the man.”

A smile she was so fond of grew upon his lips. “It is so wonderful to see you, Lady Danbury.”

“Words I do not hear often enough.” No matter how much she loved the boy, she would never let the regrets of his often absence go without remark. Lady Danbury was never one for subtly. And it would of course not diminish now.

They continued towards her household, a bustle of servants about. “You must excuse the, uh, disorderliness. As you know, I’m to host a ball this evening.”

“Yes,” the Duke answered with a regretful sigh.

“I have managed to keep the details of your return quiet,” she continued. “But when those vulgar mamas discover that there is an eligible duke present at tonight’s fete, I shall be able to keep such a secret no longer.” It was not that she had wished to in the first place, and the Duke should have known better than try to outdo her persistence.

But he did try. “That is what I was hoping to discuss.” They stopped and she listened with a knowing smile. “I have only returned to London to deal with my late father’s affairs. I’m afraid it leaves me no time to,” he paused to meet her eyes. “Socialize.”

“And so, whilst I appreciate your most gracious invitation, Lady Danbury, I must ask you to accept my regrets.”

As smart as the Duke had been raised and proven to be, he should have known it was no such invitation. It never was with Lady Danbury no matter if you were the Queen or a ladies maid. “Your regrets are denied.”

“I suppose,” he gave in. “A brief appearance-“

“Excellent.” She gave him no further time to decline. “You may leave that flask you carry at home.” She passed him and he turned to move with her. “Most undignified.”

“I shall not be marrying this season, you must know.”

“I know what you declare.”

“Marriage is frivolous.” She stopped to look at him. “And it’s meaningless. And it’s-“

“Mhmm,” she remarked before turning and continuing forward. “It would do you well to join in for a dance or two this evening.”

“It would do me well to settle my father’s business and continue on my way.”

“And tell me, Your Grace, what is your way?” The Duke did not answer. “Into a brothel? Or do you make house calls now?”

“Your point is made. But I should not wish to stay here with these eager mamas.”

“Well, I should wish that you visit your own mama sober, but I’m afraid we all must face dismay in our lives.” She studied him, different from the last time, but the same small boy resided behind his eyes. “Whilst I enjoy our time together, do go and wash up before this evening's events. I prefer to keep the brothel out of my household.”

“As you wish, Lady Danbury.” He smiled and went on his way. She watched the man leave, a curiosity brewing in her mind of the events that could follow for the season. And despite his declarations, she had home that he would find joy with a daughter from one of the tasteless and tactless mamas of the ton.

Ladies and Lords alike filled their way into that evening’s ball. And Lady Danbury’s eye was occupied with finding the diamond. The first ball of the season and she hoped to secure a match for the lovely Bridgerton.

All eyes fell to the lady when she entered, but Lady Danbury’s eyes were tied to those that entered in with the lovely diamond. The Viscountess herself was a sight for sure. And she accompanied her daughter well, gentle smiles on both ladies. She watched as the Viscount and Viscountess whispered into Lady Bridgerton’s ears. Tactful and tasteful advice I’m sure.

At the first introduction, it was clear that her dear brother, good as he tried, would ruin her prospects. The two left to walk about the room and the widowed Bridgerton let her eyes scan around the room, meeting Lady Danbury’s. A small smile and nod of familiarity were exchanged. But as always, that was the only thing exchanged.

“On guard!” a Bridgerton boy warned, but they were not quick enough to disperse before Lady Danbury made her appearance towards the group of lords and it’s eldest lady.

“Too late,” she retorted. “I already noted you.” The ton’s most well respected family and most favorited family would always be noted by Lady Danbury.

“Lady Danbury.” “Good Evening.” They all gave her a respectful bow and smile.

“Miss Bridgerton, your look rather lovely this evening. Is there a reason I’ve yet to see you on the dance floor.” Although, of course, she already knew it was her brother.

“All in good time, Lady Danbury,” the Viscount was quick to answer and she was quick to meet him with a hard expression.

“You poor thing,” she leaned in towards Miss Bridgerton. She would need more than her smile and meddling mama to survive this season with her brother at her side.

As the Duke entered the ball, she watched the mamas circle him and she felt no remorse. It was time he were harassed by their meddling. It was time he found a wife, and better yet, a friend.

She watched him escape and converse, not so kindly, with Miss Bridgerton. It was then she struck the idea of their match and later pushed forward to do it by Wistledown’s sheet.

It was no secret to her or any of the ton that Miss Bridgerton had failed to receive any callers. And to Lady Danbury, that would not have been acceptable if it had not been quite so fortunate for her scheming mind.

And it was the next night that her schemes began to start. “Lady Bridgerton!” She was quick to call as the two ladies entered. “Do join us.” She watched the Queen’s displeasure fill her face beside her, but she did not dare to care about the Queen’s displeasure then.

“You’re Majesty, good evening.” The Briderton ladies were presented as perfect as always. “You must remember my daughter Daphne.”

“Yes. She made quite an impression.” She turned to leave towards her box. “However fleeting it may have been,” she snorted.

“I would like to welcome you both to my box this evening.”

“I insist,” she began again before any denial could be made. Miss Bridgerton sat far enough away that her naive ears would not begin to hear the subjects Lady Danbury had planned to discuss.

“You must pay the Queen no mind, Lady Bridgerton.”

“Oh, I did not-“

“I think we shall all find Miss Bridgerton to have a successful season. And if she should not have the Queen’s favor any longer, she shall still have mine.”

“Well, that is very kind of you, Lady Danbury.”

She could not help but wonder if the widowed Bridgerton would ever express someone beyond courtesy and a simple smile. For she was no simple woman, and Lady Danbury had known this for long.

“They are saying her husband will not live till the end of the month.”

“Surely another rumor provided by that vicious, scandal-mongering writer,” Lady Bridgerton spat. “Should her degradation know no bounds?” She turned towards her, but Lady Danbury did not dare meet her eyes.

“Lady Whistledown writes of my family too. Yet, I suppose the Duke can whithstand such scrutiny, since he is, after all, a man.” Lady Danbury, shocking as it is, was not fond a man’s place in society, nor the limits of her own.

“His Grace was fortunate to have you there with him as a child after what happened to his mother. Awful!” Lady Danbury closed her eyes, reminiscent of her own memories with the beautiful Sarah.

“He is not what Whistledown writes,” she defended.

“Nor is Daphne!” She turned once again towards her, then back again at her unknowing daughter.

“It would seem the two of them have that much in common, then. Matches have certainly been made with far less.”

“What are you suggesting?” Lady Danbury finally turned to meet her eyes. It was not often that she was blessed with the undivided attention of Violet Bridgerton. There was much that she wished she could have suggested, but the Duke’s future would always come before hers.

It was a risky fondness she had for Lady Bridgerton and that fondness would again need to be buried.

“Lady Whistledown merely writes what she sees,” she lent in. “Perhaps we need to help her to see things a but more clearly.”

Lady Bridgerton took in a breath with realization of their discussion. “The Duke is quite fond of gooseberry pie.”

“The very dish my cook is renowned for.” They turned once more at each other and shared a small laugh.

There was silence for a few more mere moments before Lady Danbury spoke again. “We have very much in common, Lady Bridgerton.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“What I mean is that we are widowed, and we both have children we care deeply for. But no one else to care for.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you’re suggesting.”

“What I’m suggesting is that-,” Lady Danbury stopped. Her eyes fell to the stage in front of them. “I shall accept your invitation for dinner tomorrow night on behalf of the Duke. I should hope that this turns out quite well.”

Lady Bridgerton gave her a curious look, but it fell as she let her attentions fall back to the stage. A curious thing that it was for Lady Danbury to lose her words. And it was a curious thing that Lady Danbury had felt such attractions towards Lady Bridgerton, but never pursued them when she was a woman who always got what she wanted.

It was not until the next ball that the mamas were reacquainted. “They do seem to despise one another.”

“Oh, they are stubborn,” Lady Danbury countered. “Give it time and you shall see.”

“Well, Lady Danbury, I think we need no more time.”

Miss Bridgerton and the Duke walked beside one another, proud smiles on their faces and passion in their gazes. The proud mamas shared a knowing smile as they watched the ton see their matchmaking end in success.

“I say we do make a good pair, Lady Bridgerton.”

“Yes, I should say we are.”