As Eloise's morning begins horribly wearing a ridiculous white dress accessorized with a large feather plume adorning her head, she looks towards the moment after at the ball that she is amongst her friends: Penelope and Ottoline adorning the walls of the palace like wallflowers. Although Penelope will not be attending due to morning. While Eloise begs her family not to utter a word as they leave for the palace. Ottoline stands with her brother's already inside the palace waiting for the presentation of ladies.
Ottoline Greggett stands an inch taller than her eldest brother Sebastian, the oldest of nine. Her long red hair is braided and pinned into an exquisite high bun. She wears a light blue silk dress with silver embroidery mimicking the stars that the late Lord Xavier Greggett, her father studied. He was an avid astronomer and scientist. A quality he passed onto all of his children, especially Ottoline. Her avidity for the pursuit of knowledge gives her a boring and too intelligent reputation among the men of the Ton. Her introverted nature keeping her towards the walls affects her reputation with the women of the Ton. They deem her to be insignificant to the season. Ottoline's name had not graced the pages of Lady Whistledown's papers. Not that it bothered Ottoline, she like Eloise did not put much stock in Lady Whistledown's gossip.
At an age of twenty-two years Ottoline has not had a single legitimate suitor. Men typically visited her in order to pay a favor back to her eight older brothers: Sebastian, Alexander,Theodore,Nathaniel, Benjamin, William, Oliver, and Gabriel. Having so many brothers did come with its benefits but also its hindrances. The past seasons each brother found a bride, she put up with so many women interloping into her home and criticizing the way she lived over the course. Each lady and respective brother understood now that Ottoline was fine. Nothing wrong with her body or mind. Many of her sister in laws believe her to be beautiful and fairly gifted. She just wastes all the beauty that her mother bestowed Ottoline with. The late Lady Seraphina Greggett was one of the most beautiful and charming women in Queen Charlotte's court. This would be Ottoline's fourth season as an eligible woman.
As the palace begins to fill, Queen Charlotte speaks to Lady Dansbury.
"I yearn for someone fresh, someone unexpected, to turn this season on its head. That is what we need. There is no room for indifference. Apathy is a blight the monarchy simply cannot endure.
"Of course, Your Majesty. But remember, A young lady cannot be a diamond until you anoint her as such. So if for any reason you do not find one among the candidates today ." Lady Dansbury is interrupted.
"Do you think she will return?" The Queen asks "We have heard nary a peep from Lady Whistledown since last season ended. Perhaps the writer came to her senses. Perhaps she realizes taking on her Queen was a bad idea, and she will never publish again."
"It is a convincing theory, ma'm." replies Lady Dansbury.
"Or she simply left for the country as the rest of us did in the off-season, bored by the lack of any real gossip. You do know what that would make her then."The Queen says with a realization. "One of us."
The Bridgerton ladies are in one carriage while the Bridgerton men are in another. The ladies prepare Eloise for her presentation as she melts in the blistering sun and ricochet snarky remarks. The Bridgerton men discuss another matter completely.
"My task this season cannot be exceptionally difficult. Hastings did it after all. How hard can it be?" Anthony starts.
"Ah, spoken with such feeling too." Benedict chimes in.
"I do not need feeling. What I need is what I have, and that is a list. Tolerable, Dutiful, Suitable enough hips for childbearing, and at least half a brain. And that last part is not so much a requirement but a preference in fact." Anthony ends his list.
The other brothers nod dismissively to Anthony's lack of emotion.
As the presentation begins Ottoline finds herself falling into her old patterns, stiffly standing in a corner of the wall beside her eldest brother Sebastian and his wife Arabella. Sebastian turns to his sister and whispers, "This season you're tasked with finding a husband."
"It shouldn't be that hard." Arabella pipes in. "You are beautiful. I wished my hips were as full as yours."
"Thank you." Ottoline whispers to her sister-in-law. Arabella being the nicest one. "I have a list." She whispers to her brother.
"A list of what?" Sebastian asks.
"Qualities for my husband. If I'm to have one forever. I must find the best one." Ottoline takes out a small notebook and shows her brother.
"This isn't one of your plant experiments. This is your life." Sebastian takes the notebook into his coat pocket.
"Exactly, and you want me to have the best life." Ottoline tries to take it back as everyone else is watching the presentation of the ladies.
"What are the qualities?" asks Arabella.
" Tolerable, Dutiful, Responsible, Kind, Loyal, Handsome, and at least half a brain. That is not so much a requirement as it is a preference." Ottoline answers hearing Eloise's name being called.
"You have the brains of a thousand men." Sebastian smiles.
"Thank you." Ottoline nods.
"It wasn't a compliment." Sebastian replies.
"Sebastian. Be nice." Arabella scolds lightly, smacking her husband with a fan.
Sebastian sighs, "All I want for you is a nice marriage to a nice gentleman, but do not take anyone's affections for granted."
"What affections? Most of these men have visited me only to pay you a favor in return." Ottoline says as the presentations grind to a halt with the arrival of Lady's Whistledown's papers.
"I have seen enough." The Queen walks out.
"Does this mean I can go." Eloise asks, grabbed by her mother.
"I don't know what this means." Violet answers letting go.
Eloise runs back prompting Daphne to call out but remains in her line. The royal attendants begin passing out Lady Whistledown's papers.
Ottoline looks over Arabella's shoulder as she reads.
Dearest Gentle Reader,
Did you miss me?
The event ended early with the Lady Whistledown's arrival back to the ton sparking rumors and speculation about who she might be. Ottoline rolls her eyes at those partaking in the speculation especially Arabella who multiple times suspected Ottoline. Arriving home early from the presentation Ottoline let her hair down, began reading and continued to make small annotations in the margins.