Benedict was dropped off at My Cottage on the ride to Aubrey Hall. Christopher, his mother, and Sophie were following in their own carriage. Colin and Penelope were coming to spend a few weeks with the family and had news to share. Anthony and Kate had already arrived with Gregory and Hyacinth in tow. Francesca was visiting her suitor John, the Earl of Kilmartin, with their Aunt as chaperone since she lives not an hours drive from the Kilmartin Estate. They expected a proposal by the end of the week.
In two weeks time, the Viscount and Vicountess would be holding a ball to celebrate the engagement of his sisters Eloise and Francesca to Lord Debling and Earl Kilmartin respectively. There was also the possibility of another engagement soon. Benedict knew he was destined to marry Sophie Beckett. Violet was over the moon excited that all of her children were finding love matches.
Eloise was her biggest surprise of all. To think her obstinate, headstrong daughter found a match, a love match at that! She has sworn herself to become a spinster for years. Christopher Debling was sweet tempered, a supporter of women's rights, and a saint if he could deal with Eloise Meredith Bridgerton.
"Mother, if you would like, when we stop at My Cottage I could have Mrs. Thomas make us some tea. I would love to show Miss Sophie the house and gardens." Violet smiled, her eyes softened at the hopeful look in his eyes. How could she say no?
"Of course, my darling boy." She patted his hand.
"Mother, you have got to be the most wonderful mother in all of England." Eloise rolled her eyes at her brother's brown-nosing.
"And you have got to be the most ass kissing brother in all the Ton." Eloise grumbled.
"Eloise! Language!" Violet chastised.
"You're just sore because Mother wouldn't let you sit in Debling's carriage. Do not fret my dear sister. You have only two months left until your wedding. Then you can ride him, oh, I mean ride with him whenever you please." Eloise smacked at his arm. "Pardon me sister. Slip of the tongue, I swear!" He chuckled as she elbowed him as Violet just shook her head at her children's antics.
The carriage came to a stop and the door opened with Lord Debling standing next to Footman John waiting to take Eloise's hand. "Miss Bridgerton, if I may?" Eloise actually giggled as her fiancé took her hand in his then tucked it into his arm, walking towards his mother and Miss Sophie. Footman John helped the Dowager Vicountess down from the carriage and Benedict jumped down and made his way over to Sophie after he checked that his mother was well.
"Miss Sophie, I would be honored if you would accompany me on a quick tour. My mother will chaperone, of course." Sophie dipped her head and took his arm, a bright smile developing on both of their faces. "El, you don't mind asking Mrs. Thomas to start a tea service, do you dear sister?"
Eloise waved him off, "But of course my favorite brother." She walked to the front door where Mrs. Thomas stood waiting to greet the party. "Mrs. Thomas!" Eloise hugged the kind woman.
"Miss Eloise! My goodness! I haven't seen you in an age!" She smiled and then, seeing Lord Debling and Lady Fiona stilled, "Oh, pardon me." She curtsied.
"Oh, Mrs. Thomas, may I introduce Lord Christopher Debling and his mother Lady Fiona. Christopher, this is Mrs. Thomas. Her husband Jasper and her are the caretakers of My Cottage when Benedict is not around."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Thomas. My, this is such a gorgeous cottage. Yes, Miss Sophie will be very happy here." Eloise grabbed his arm again. Seeing Mrs. Thomas's confusion, she explained.
"Oh, Benedict is courting the young lady. He is to be engaged soon. He did ask for a tea service. Mother and he are giving Sophie a tour of the gardens. Oh! And I am to be wed to Lord Debling. You and Jasper will come, won't you?" Eloise gushed. Mrs. Thomas hugged the both of them.
"What joy! I am so pleased to hear that and we will definitely be there, Miss Eloise. Wouldn't miss it for anything in the world." She then showed everyone to the parlor and left for the tea.
"It is so great to see another family that treats their servants as if they are family. So refreshing, yes?" Lady Fiona said as she took a seat by the window overlooking the rose garden. "I am just going to admire dear Mister Bridgerton's roses."
As soon as his mother turned away, Christopher kissed Eloise. "Been waiting all day to do that," he whispered before checking that his mother was still turned away. He nuzzled her neck and breathed in her familiar scent of ink, books, and lavender. "Two months is an awfully long time to wait for a forever with you." Eloise held his face in her hands and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.
"I love you, Christopher Debling." He dipped his head to capture her lips once more before hearing his mother clear her throat. He groaned in frustration.
"Why must you be so tempting?" Eloise smirked at him then simply shrugged her shoulders. Mrs. Thomas came back in with the tea service and following behind her was Benedict, Sophie and Violet.
"Miss Beckett, Eloise tells me you have finally tamed our artist here. He is a very special lad and an even better master of the house. I hope everything is to your liking. Of course, we can redecorate to your liking if you wish." Mrs. Thomas rambled on.
Sophie's dark blue eyes sparkled as she listened to the sweet older lady. Benedict had told her all about Mrs. Thomas and her husband. They were a childless couple who had married at a young age. After many traumatic miscarriages, they'd stopped trying and instead became caretakers of small estates. He had met them at a former classmate's wedding a few years ago. After finding out they were leaving to find a small home to look after in the country, he had offered up My Cottage.
"Everything is perfect, though maybe some of my sweet Ben's artwork will need to find homes on the walls here. I am eager to see his work." Sophie took his hand and squeezed. Benedict looked at her love struck and in awe of the beauty that was Sophie Beckett.
Violet watched her children and their future spouses and felt the tears filling her eyes. It was everything that her and Edmund had always wished for. First Daphne and Simon finding love, then came Anthony and Kate, with Colin finally realizing that he and Penelope were meant to be. Now her second born son and daughter were falling in love before her very eyes.
"Mama? Are you well?" Eloise asked as she saw the tears on her mother's face.
"I am fine. These are happy tears. It is just very overwhelming to watch my children falling in love and knowing that your father is not here to see it for himself." Eloise got up and hugged her mothers waist as she knelt on the floor at her feet.
"He's here mama. I can feel him right here," she patted her chest where her heart lay beneath. "Come, let us enjoy our tea and then finish our trek to Aubrey Hall."
"Kate! Have you seen my watch?" Anthony bellowed as he left his dressing room. He was getting nervous. They would be throwing their first ball at Aubrey Hall since their own wedding.
"It was on your bedside table, love. Remember, it got stuck on my chemise last night when you ravished me." She answered with a twinkling laugh.
"It wasn't my fault. I specifically requested you be naked and waiting for me when I came in from my talk with Colin." He gathered her in his arms and covered her lips with his. He slid his hand down to her protruding belly and rubbed. At six months pregnant, she had finally started showing significantly. "Good morning, little one." He looked down to where his hand lay then back up to meet his wife's eyes. "Love you." He gave her a quick peck of the lips then had her help attach his watch.
"Your mother and rest of our party will be arriving soon. I had cook set out a large spread for lunch. We shall have lunch and gather in the back garden afterwards for a stroll. Penelope and Colin will be making their announcement during luncheon." Kate already knew the news as did Anthony. The newlyweds were glowing, so it was really easy to guess.
"Sounds splendid." Anthony took her arm and they made their way down to greet their guests and make sure Hyacinth and Gregory were not killing each other. They heard laughter as they got closer to the parlor.
"Colin! You're going to choke!" Penelope could be heard chastising in between giggles. Anthony shook his head at his brother stuffing biscuits into his mouth.
"That's twelve! By George! I cannot believe you can actually fit that much in your mouth!" Gregory was impressed at his brother's "talent" of stuffing his face with food.
"Penelope? You sure you're not second guess Your decision of being married to that pig?" Hyacinth asked as she cackled indelicately.
"Mmphf!" Colin attempted to yell at his baby sister whilst still attempting to finish chewing the remaining biscuits in his mouth. Penelope handed him a cup of tea to clear his airway. "Might I remind you that it was yourself who started this challenge?"
"Alright, everyone. Let us get ourselves presentable to greet Mother, Benedict, Eloise and their guests. This is the start of a celebration of not two but more than likely three of our sibling's engagements. This will be our first time meeting Miss Beckett. Let's make her feel welcome." The Viscount reigned in his family quickly, smiling softly at his brother Colin holding onto Penelope as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
"Here they come! Oh! Look at the other carriage! It's gorgeous! He must be very rich."
"Hyacinth Bridgerton! Have you lost your head? Please show some decorum for our future brother. Remember that you are a gently bred lady." Kate admonished her youngest sister-in-law. Hyacinth apologized and looked regretful at her outburst. Anthony always seemed surprised when his wife went into Vicountess mode; impressed by her ability to make his siblings listen and behave appropriately. It made him even more excited about their child's birth. She was going to be the best mother.
Penelope leaned into Colin. She was ecstatic to see Eloise and Christopher. Her two friends were marrying each other in two months time! And she was giving them the best wedding gift of all. "My darling? Are you well? Do you need anything?" She heard her husband whispering in her ear.
"No, Col. I am just really eager to see everyone and meet Miss Beckett. I hope she does not feel awkward with Benedict not being here. Did he say why he was coming a couple days late? I really wanted him here when we told everyone."
"He has some arrangements being made with his caretakers and he is retrieving some of his best artwork to present Miss Beckett. He already told Anthony which of the family rings he wanted to present her. This love at first sight thing is crazy." Colin watched as Penelope looked away. She seemed contemplative. "What is it?"
She shrugged, "Well, I know I was young, but I believe that I was in love with you from the moment I saw you, covered in mud and all." Colin dipped his head to capture her lips in a deep, appreciative kiss. Penelope couldn't stop the moan from escaping. She had been more horny than usual.
"Yuck! Can you not?" Gregory chided from beside them. Everyone couldn't help but chuckle at that.
The carriages pulled to a stop and Footman John and Tom, from the Debling's carriage, both hopped down to help the ladies from the capsule. Anthony and the others descended the steps to greet their family and guests properly.
Anthony and Kate led the way as the Viscount and Viscountess of Aubrey Hall. Their mother Violet was the first out of the carriage. "Mother, looking as beautiful as ever. How was your trip?" He placed a sweet kiss upon her cheek as she hugged him.
"Quieter once your brother left. I swear he loves to work Eloise up just for sport." She shook her head as she tittered a small laugh. "Benedict sad he should be here tomorrow evening. He did not want to part from Miss Beckett too long." Anthony smirked. He knew exactly how his brother felt. "Oh, wait until you meet her. She is charming!"
He looked and saw a petite blonde lady disembarking from the other carriage. Violet waved her over. "Miss Sophie Beckett? My eldest, the Viscount Anthony Bridgerton and his wife the Viscountess Kathani Bridgerton." Sophie curtsied and nodded her head.
"A pleasure. Your brother has told me so much about you all that I feel like I already know you all." Sophie was nervous but in dealing with the rich and powerful for her entire life made it easy to integrate.
"Please," Kate hugged her. "Call me Kate. Oh, I am so excited to meet the woman that stole our sweet brother Ben's heart." The rest of the family swarmed her and she never felt such love of family before.
"Hello! What am I? Chopped Liver?" They all turned and saw Eloise and Lord Debling with his mother.
"El!!! Oh my goodness!" Hyacinth ran to them first, forgetting her manners. "Let me see!" She grabbed her sisters hand to look at the emerald cut diamond. "It is gorgeous." She smiled up at the tall, handsome blonde gentleman that was to be her future brother. "Where are my manners? Lord Debling," she bowed, "I am Miss Hyacinth Bridgerton, and it is my great pleasure to meet you."
Christopher could not help but laugh heartily at his future little sister. "Christopher Debling, Miss Hyacinth. Your sister tells me that you are quite the character and I can see why."
He introduced his mother to everyone and they all went out to the patio in the back garden for a luncheon and tea spread. Eloise had Gregory tag along as she showed Christopher the gardens, lake and her father's memorial.
Sophie and Kate became fast friends and Violet could not be more pleased. Benedict had already told his mother that their courtship would be a short one. He was ready to spend the rest of his life with the young woman and already planned on proposing after dinner tomorrow night. They had met not even two weeks ago but had spent almost every minute of the time in each other's presence.
"It is so wonderful, isn't it Violet?" Lady Fiona smiled as she watched her son and his fiancée walking arm in arm. "I could have never even dreamed of seeing my Christopher so happy. Look how his face lights up! That is your daughter's doing. God bless her. She has such spunk. She reminds me so much of myself when I was her age. I didn't want to marry. I wanted to go on adventures and join the military like my older brothers. I would curse the fact that I was born a woman." She chuckled, "That is until my third season when this handsome Lord came back from his time in Paris. His father had just died suddenly, so his days of art school in Paris was over, and he had to take over the Debling Estate. I saw him, his black hair and piercing blue eyes and was done for."
Violet smiled thinking of her days of being a wallflower and taming herself a rake with a capital R. They were friends for a while before realizing that they were in love. "I am so glad. Your son has been a dream come true. I'm looking forward to the future." She held onto Fiona's hand and they continued their observations of the family, a look of contentment over both of their faces.
Dinner was a delightful time. Such love and happiness within one family. Sophie could not wait to be a permanent member. Her life had changed so much in the last two weeks. She thought back on her life. Her time with her stepmother was horrible. Treated as if she were nothing but filth. She was the daughter of an Earl, but without being legitimized she didn't have much in the way of money. There was rumors that her father left her a substantial inheritance, but she had seen nothing and left a year after his passing due to the verbal and emotional abuse at the hands of Araminta and her stepsister Rosamund and at times, under duress, her stepsister Posey.
The tinkling of a fork against a glass brought everyone's attention to Colin and Penelope. "If we could have everyone's attention, Pen and I have an announcement to make." Penelope stood up and Colin wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her closer. "Well, we were going to take a long honeymoon but we have decided to wait until later. You see," Colin puffed up his chest with pride, "Pen is pregnant!"
Everyone cheered and Violet cried tears of absolute happiness. Anthony, Christopher and Gregory slapped Colin on the back and shook his hand in congratulations. Eloise hugged Penelope and couldn't help but stop the tears that spilled from her eyes. Christopher came over and twirled his friend around in a brotherly embrace. "So happy for you! You're going to make a wonderful mother." He pulled Eloise in for an embrace and nuzzled her neck whispering to her, "I cannot wait to make love to you."
Eloise felt the familiar throbbing between her legs, "Meet me in my room tonight." She whispered back and he groaned. Their eyes met and they both wore a look of desire. The past two weeks at Debling Manor had been spent stealing kisses and feeling each other up through their clothes. "The last door on the left." Christopher took ahold of Eloise's hands, bringing them up to his lips and kissing them. Luckily everyone else was so enraptured by Colin and Penelope's news that they were paying little attention to the affianced couple.
One person that did notice was Lady Fiona. She knew what young love was like. She didn't wait until her wedding night to lose her virginity. Henry Debling was the most beautiful man and she had fallen in love fast; just as fast as Sophie and Benedict. She sighed at the thoughts of her late husband. He had died so young. They'd been lucky thus far in life. They had a healthy pregnancy and their heir. They had planned on trying for another baby and had been actively trying before his death. They were successful but with the stress of his death and trying to run the estate, she had lost the baby early on. She hoped for plenty of grandchildren though. So, she would feign ignorance, turn a blind eye. God willing, they would need to procure a special license.
Kate and Anthony lay in bed that evening feeling their baby moving around. "I am so happy that our baby will have cousins close in age. Daphne's little ones are only two and three years old. She said they thought they may try for a third soon. Our little one will be here soon followed by Colin and Penelope's then I am sure Eloise and Ben will be following soon after. It's a good thing we've got so many bedrooms."
