Another Bridgerton

12 years ago

Mama was screaming her lungs, she was standing holding on the pillar of the bed with the servants around her, that's the furthest inside the room we managed to get her. "It's not his choice to make, it's my child and my life." She yelled at the employee, I took Anthony outside.

"What do I do?" He asked me, he was shaking as was I.

"Nothing, you cannot possibly kill mama or the baby." I told him looking in his eyes.

"I cannot… can you come upstairs for a while with the kids?" He asked me and rubbed my back slightly. "And perhaps you ought to change clothes, you are filled with sweat… you'll get cold" he suggested looking at me, his gaze softened.

"I will, when this is over, I want to assist the physician… it will be a while until the time comes" I told him as we made our way to the living room,I snuck a peak of myself from a mirror, my hair were fallen barely supported to their previous ban, my skin was shining with sweat as mama was shrieking in pain. We opened the door and saw Daphne having Fran and Eloise in her arms singing to them trying to cover mother's loud cries. Benedict was sitting with Colin a bit further, their eyes fell on me, they were processing my uncared and sloppy appearance which was incredibly rare.

"How is mama, is the baby coming?" Daphne asked me, still embracing our youngest sisters.

"Not yet, therefore soon the infant will be released" I brought myself to lie to them. I approached the girls smiling and kissed Francesca's cheek. "I bet it will be girl, then we shall dominate the house"I chuckled playfully, my voice trembled a bit and then I stood up, I could tell Benedict was aware that I was hiding something.

"Yes I wish! I will read her stories" Eloise chuckled and I tugged some hair behind her ear as once again mama was heard and our smiles were deleted immediately. Daphne started singing again.

"I am going to keep company to mama" I told them and turned around to leave Anthony opened the door to me.

"I will come later to check on you" Anthony said and I nodded, he patted my shoulder as I left the room.

-

Today

We returned home and all of us girls gathered in Daphne's room. I had already taken off my gown and wore something more comfortable as I helped myself to her room. Specifically, I was at her bed with Hyacinth who was helping me let my hair down. While the maids were helping Daphne out of her formal outfit as well.

"You absolutely sparkled sister!" Hyacinth commented and I flinched as she pulled my hair abruptly.

"Come now, I merely simpered and minced in a pretty dress like everyone else" Daphne smiled and blushed slightly.

"Not exactly like everyone else" Fran added as she was next to Eloise on the small couch Daphne had in her room.

"Oh I shall go and visit Penelope. Her presentation was anything but… what was it that the queen called you again?" Eloise noticed and she was right.

"Flawless I believe"I replied to her as Hyacinth had started brushing down my hair. She loved making braids and that's what she soon started doing.

"Or some such thing" Daphne added in excitement. "Trust, I was astonished. Her Majesty offered me out of two hundred ladies present, the most gracious remark" She spoke proudly, and she should be as we were of her.

"And now two hundred young ladies have a common adversary" Eloise blew the dream moment of Daphne and I sighed. "Wish you luck sister

"Come now El, don't be so dramatic…" I sighed with a smile as Fran called her name softly.

"My success in marriage influences all of your prospects" Daphne pointed out.

"I have to disagree here sister. My marriage doesn't seem to affect you much… the viscount and the Bridgerton on the other hand." I remarked as Hyacinth had stopped playing with my hair.

"I thought you and Owen were married out of love not out of interest" Eloise spoke.

"That doesn't mean that the viscount title and the Bridgerton name didn't assist on approval of Owen's parents and that Owen being a deptfree, hard-working and ambitious gentleman didn't function in favor of him in Anthony's eyes." I explained to the girls my point of view.

"Your dresses are here" mama exclaimed and all of as always launched from our seats in order to get to them, Eloise last per usual. She came bearing a leaflet, a scandal sheet, as mama called them. Therefore my sister claimed this one was different as it named people and facts. It mentioned Daphne and her success over the queen at the debutante presentation. The author of it, Lady Wishtledown… pseudonym.

~
I walked inside my room as Owen expected me there. "Ah, were you not supposed to be with Anthony… you know assisting him in the financial of the house mister mathematician…" I smiled as I sat on the bed holding my new dress.

He leaned in and kissed my cheek softly "I am glad to see you too Ev." Owen laughed slightly. "And I have actually finished the things your brother told me to do… wait are you checking on me?" He chuckled pulling me close to him.

"What if I am?" I wondered

"Well then you ought only to wait and see" he spoke quizzically as he set the dress aside and leaned above kissing my lips. His hands shaped my body as I sighed, not only because I was melting under his touch but due to the fact that we had to be prepared for the first ball.

"I am sorry to interrupt the inspiration of our moment love, however the ball is in a few hours" I spoke and with a groan of protest he laid next to me unwilling to leave atop of me.

~

We had arrived at the ball and got separated as I began to dance with Benedict and Owen to socialize with the lords all around. It wasn't proper for a husband and wife to have more than three dances together at a ball.

"My lady" Benedict offered me his hand and I laughed to a small extent since we were in the society even and placed my hand upon his, allowing my brother to escort me to the dance floor, next to Colin and a young lady that was dancing with him.

Soon after the dance we spotted Owen,Anthony and Daphne and approached them. They were talking about something and Daphne seemed rather upset. However we didn't have the chance to learn what this was about as Colin interrupted to say something about his travels in Greece. I couldn't help but smile in the enjoyment of the moments that were to come as Lady Danbury was approaching our spot.

"Incoming" I warned them and the four of them made an effort to leave but she was already there.

"Too late, I already noted you" she said amused.

"Lady Danbury!"Colin and Anthony exclaimed while at the same time Owen and Benedict were greeting her with a good evening. I was trying to burst out laughing, I could feel the anxiety and hope that she wouldn't want to dance with any of them. We bowed.

"Is there a reason Mrs Bridgerton is not dancing" she asked.

"Oh she is" Owen spoke and took my hand and escorted me to the dance floor leaving my brothers to deal with her. The violins sounded gracefully as my husband danced me around, we were smooth and from the very few couples that danced. He was telling jokes while we danced making me laugh I had a funny laugh sometimes even snorting therefore I had learnt to not do that on social occasions like this one. On our wedding day me and Owen had bet that he, one day would make laugh on a ball or a gathering just like I was laughing at home, he was still losing it.

My gaze caught my sister, she was walking quickly and fell on a man, she was alarmingly looking behind her, I surveyed that direction as my dancing had turned mechanical "Berbrook" Owen spoke as he was thinking exactly what I was.

"He is corting her? Dear God that is disgusting!" I commented "he is old"our pace had been disorientated. "Do you see Anthony around?" I asked

"No, but don't worry. I am sure you will not be bothered if I take a dance with the seasons diamond." He spoke softly and kissed my cheek. I was so glad that he considered my sisters his own family and my brothers too.

"Of course I won't mind" I spoke as I heard Owen gasp and smile.

"What is it?" I asked

"Basset's here" Owen explained and took my hand softly taking me there, Anthony and Daphne were already there.

"The duke of Hastings" I heard my brother call him. Of course! I had heard so many stories from both Owen's and Anthony of their old days back at school.

"Basset!" Owen exclaimed and the man turned at him with a smiled and offered him a warm handshake.

"Bailey, Owen Bailey long time no see!" He exclaimed and looked between Owen and Anthony. "How come you two are here today? I mean Anthony, has his sister to escort…" he sounded confused

"I have his sister to escort as well" Owen explained in his own funny and humorous way. The Duke's eyes were now upon.

"Evangeline Bailey or Bridgerton" I introduced myself bowing politely.

"No need for such typicalities" Owen smiled at me.

"What he means is that us three had been roommates back in the day" Anthony told me and I nodded with a smile.

~

The next few days many men visited us hoping to claim my sister's hand, nevertheless, Anthony had other plans. Lady Whistledown was still writing her own yellow propaganda while, Anthony had announced that he would be escorting Daphne around for the whole season. I could see my sister scared and anxious for the fate of her future laid on what Anthony judged as suitable… and Anthony wasn't the most reasonable on dialectic person to know. I was surprised to hear from my mother that Duke of Hastings would join us for dinner. Unfortunately Owen couldn't make it as an obligation requiring attendance occured.

The dinner was rather enjoyable with Hyacinth and Gregory having their own mini foodwars while the rest of us were sharing conspiracy theories of would Lady Whistledown down maybe.

"Lady Danbury enjoys insulting society directly" Daphne pointed out.

"Exactly, anonymity is not her cup of tea" I commented asi was eating carefully sitting opposite to the duke next to Benedict.

"Could it be Lady Featherington?" Hyacinth suggested

"No" many of us exclaimed between laughter.

"Would you stop tossing peas at me?"

"There are peas already there! And you cannot tell me what to do I am older!"

"And I am taller"

"Children" mama was heard looking at them.

I slowly took two peas and threw one to each. They were looking at each other and at me and Benedict. "It was Colin" i simply said.

"Was not!" He exclaimed looking at me rather angrily.

~

Later that night Owen had returned, he had Immediately fallen asleep as I couldn't. I simply stood up and took the book I was reading, it was about pregnancy and labor, I didn't know anyone else was awake as I made my way to the sitting room, lighting a candle so I would have the light needs to start reading, I was in my nightgown, no makeup on which made me look paler than I was in combination with my slightly red hair that were roguely spreaded on my shoulders and back.

As I was reading Anthony burst in , in his way to leave and I jumped, he was startled too.

"You scared me!" I spoke lowly as I took a good look at him, he looked unwell, upset. "Are you alright brother?" I asked him and approached him. I touched his cheek slightly.

"Yes, Ev, you needn't concern yourself" he tried to assure me, he didn't move as I touched his cheek slowly so he would face me, his eyes were shining. "What are you doing up so late?" He asked me realizing what time it was.

"I had no sleep" I sighed, it was a common thing to have episodes of insomnia for weeks especially after our fathers passing. He leaned and kissed my forehead with a sigh.

"If you want to talk about anything I am here, but I have to leave now it is getting late, maybe you should wake up someone to make you a calming tea. It used to aid you" he suggested and he was right. I nodded with a small smile as he left the house and I sighed.

I didn't sleep at all. I was there finishing the book I had started when the servants were fixing breakfast for the family. I didn't eat much and sighed as Owen woke up and sat next to me. He could always sense when I was not very well and this was one of those days. I don't think anyone thought I was behaving normally, but this happens with me sometimes, we all have our bad days. I lived through my day mechanically as it was the time to attend another soiree.

Owen couldn't make it with all the work he was doing so Anthony could be the man of our house. i think he prefered it too than all those balls. Soon the presenter instructed to gather in order to see some new illumination system of some sort, I was with Daphne kept track of no one really.

"Are you well?" She asked me as the man was preparing for the illumination.

"Yes, I only have trouble sleeping again and it's really disturbing" I confess with a sigh as the hanging light shines with light,I smile slightly as everyone exclaims and claps in awe, including Daphne who turns to Anthony as soon as he approaches us.

"Isn't this the most bizarre-" she starts saying filled with enthusiasm until she sees his expression. "What is it?" She asked and I turned my attention completely towards him.

"Lord Berbrooke's barony is over two hundred years old." He started off "his lineage is legitimate, he has had an excellent education and possesses no depts, never hurt an animal or a woman and is even a decent shot. To speak strict, there nothing wrong with him" he finished of after a small speech he made pointing out the advantages of that man. "You are to marry him" he announced before Daphne could even make a word.

"Him?" I question Anthony before even Daphne could react, she was shocked and certainly not in a good way.

"She had to find a good match," Anthony tried to explain.

"That man Anthony, wanted to marry me, and he would if it wasn't for Owen, and now he is corting Daphne. He only wants the name!" I told him

"I had to find her a husband, she should be grateful it is done … it should be easy to fall in love with Berbrooke as with anyone else." He simpy said and looked at Daphne who finally found the strength to reply.

"I will not hear of this" she simply announced her tone bitter just like her expression. She left and I simply looked at Anthony before following her. She was walking quickly and I was trying to keep up, I felt absolute exhaustion as it had been more than 24 since I had been asleep.

She was walking and suddenly stopped as Nigel appeared in front of her. "Are we to drop the honorific so soon?" He asked as he approached her with that disgusting crooked smile he always had. "And I suppose as your husband-" he dared to talk. I was some steps behind her.

"I will never marry you "she announced "my brother, he made a mistake."

"I am your last hope no one wants you, Mrs Bridgerton" he spoke and walked closer to her despite her wishes, I walked towards the. And stepped between holding my little sister behind me.

"As no one ever prefered you, my Lord" I spoke stepping in, I could feel Daphne grip my shoulder, feeling her uncertainty of how this would escalate.

The more steps towards us he made the more Daphne was pulling me backwards. He huffed slightly and pushed me out of the way and took my sister's wrist. I stepped on my dress and fell backward with a groan and a thud hitting my head

"What are you doing?" Daphne asked I could hear her voice further, as I was witnessing the scene from the ground

"You'll find out" he laughed pulling her

"Stop it" she begged "let go of me" she exclaimed and knocked him out with an unintentional fist that made me laugh slightly as I sat up. The Duke appeared as my sister came close to me to the grass quickly.

"Are you hurt Ev? Talk to me"she encouraged me as I sighed and shook my head in now.

"Lady Bailey" he leaned down and helped me up. "Are you alright?"

"Yes,yes I believe I am not injured in any way… only rather lightheaded" I assured them as I looked down at myself, my dress was torn as I stepped on it and it was filled with mud.

"You can go back there like that…" Daphne sighed and held my hand as I mentioned feeling lightheaded

"I do not have many alternatives… we ought to call for Colin, I do not really wish to face Anthony right now." I spoke bitterly looking down at a passed out Berbrooke.

"We have to make an excuse… of why you like that" Daphne suggested and I sighed.

"I got dizzy because of my insomnia and I fell, the Duke ought to assist me back to inside as he witnessed the incident" I simply announced

"That sounds delightful, therefore that means I was even for a few moments alone with a man, many would imply-..." Daphne started panicking,I could hear it in her voice.

"The you and him shall announce an agreement, he will be no longer disturbed by all those blood lusted mama's and you will be the most eligible debutante once again.... Everyone wants what they can't have" I simply announced without really asking for the opinion of the Duke. "And it is not at your best interest to deny Lord Hastings... Its a double win solution" I pointed out.

"That's true, you really learn a lot from your husband Lady Bailey..." The Duke of Hastings remarked.

"Indeed, Owen is great at debating deals and figuring out the best and most valuable solutions when problems occur" I spoke and smiled at the mention of my husband.

"He was the one to get Anthony and I out of trouble with his fluency" Simon smiled as Daphne went to fetch Colin

~

"Ev, what happened?" My younger brother approached and kneeled next to my chair to check on me, he was concerned.

" I am alright, Daphne just exaggerates" I sighed tiredly.

"That doesn't look like nothing to me, ! look at your dress." He sighed "The carriage is waiting right outside…" he spoke and took my hand. I tripped as I stood up abruptly making Colin look at me concern and hold me tighter as he carefully walked me to the carriage he placed his coat on my shoulders. He probably felt me cold, and I truly was.

Daphne thought all of it was an act therefore partly it wasn't.

As soon as I sat on the carriage and felt the warmth of it I closed my eyes actually falling asleep.