I DO NOT OWN BRIDGERTON. SHOUTOUT TO EVERYONE WHO HAS READ AND REVIEWED THIS STORY.
FACE CLAIMS
TIMOTHY GRAY- MALCOLM MCDOWELL
VOULA TERESAKOU- ANASTASIA TSILIMPIOU
Argostoli, Kefalonia island. September 10, 1813.
After a few more days at sea, the RMS Coughlan finally docked at the port of call. As Colin disembarked the ship, along with the other passengers, he was greeted by the sight of the island of Kefalonia. He had opted to start his journey here because it was under British control; thus making it less likely for him to get in trouble as opposed to an island that was run by the French or the Ottoman Empire. Colin let his eyes wander about the biggest city in the island: Argostroli.
It was quite a beautiful city indeed. The third Bridgerton boy found himself charmed by the sight of Greek buildings and homes, the birds that were flying and chirping and the beautiful countryside that the island had to offer. The waters were the purest crystal blue, they reminded him of the shade of blue in a beautiful woman's eyes. The hills were a most beautiful shade of green as they rolled down to the city below. He had seen such things in picture books before, but to see Greece first hand, to breathe in the air and to smell all of the pleasures that awaited him within the city; that was something else entirely. Colin could tell that his time in Greece wasn't going to be just a tour or a vacation, it was going to be an experience and he was going to make damn sure that it was a good experience.
Colin left the docks behind and entered the city of Argostoli proper. He was greeted by the sight of a Greek market place. Colin had seen the local market place in London many times over. However, the market place in Argostoli was considerably different; more people exotic. The first thing that hit Colin was the smells of the delicacies on display. There were so many aromas of varying quality and strength and potency that it would have made a hunting hound cover his nose in frustration.
At the first stall that Colin went up to, he saw a dish being sold that appeared to look like some type of spiced meat. The stall owner, a Greek woman in her mid to late 40's, explained to Colin that the dish was called Moussaka. It was said to the Greek's national food. It combined layers of fried eggplant, potatoes, seasoned ground meat, and spiced tomato sauce, then was topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.
The stall owner allowed Colin to sample some Moussaka free of charge and as soon as it hit his tongue, Colin was pleasantly delighted by the taste. The third male Bridgerton decided that he simply couldn't stop there. Colin also sampled some Papoutsakia, which the stall owner explained to him was a kind of stuffed eggplant; as well as a dish called Soutzoukakia, which was Greece's answer to meat balls. After Colin had sampled his fill and threw a few coins to the stall owner in good faith, he began looking for lodgings. After he made inquiries of a few locals, he was pointed in the direction of a local Gentleman's Club, known as Gray's. Colin figured that the proprietor must think himself a competitor for White's Gentleman's club back in London. Nevertheless, Colin made his way inside the club and found a medium sized company of men milling about. He approached the old man tending to the bar in the hopes of inquiring about the room for rent.
"Pardon me sir, Is the owner of the establishment in?" Colin asked politely as the man was cleaning a glass.
"That would be me, young fellow. Timothy Gray, at your service. How may I help you?" The man, who was clearly English born, asked as he finished cleaning a glass and held out his hand for a shake; which Colin reciprocated.
"I understood that you have a room for rent here, is it still available?" Colin inquired, eager to find suitable lodgings.
"It is, I can show you if you'd like." Mr. Gray offered as young Colin nodded his consent. Timothy led Colin behind the bar and to a stairway that, after they ascended it, led to a plain, but pleasant room that had a desk, a bed, a dresser, and a window with an utterly spectacular view of the Greek countryside.
"The rent is 26 shillings a month, what do you think, lad?" Timothy inquired as Colin set his bags down on the bed and took in the surroundings that he decided would suit his purposes just fine.
"I shall take it, Mr. Gray." Colin replied as the men shook hands.
"Wonderful; by the way, I never got your name."
"Colin Bridgerton."
"I see, and what brings you to Greece, Mr. Bridgerton?" The elder Gray inquired.
"I've read a great deal about the Greeks, I wanted to see it first hand." The younger Bridgerton admitted.
"Well, then you must come downstairs tonight." Mr. Gray insisted with a grin as the 2 walked back down to the club. "There is a home for courtesans near by and they shall be sending their fine ladies to perform for the gentlemen of this club."
"It sounds like a pleasant evening, to be sure, but I do not know if it would be for me." Colin replied politely, fearing that such a soirée would bring up memories of Marina that he meant to bury.
"I must insist, Mr. Bridgerton, as a celebration of your trip to our shores." Timothy pleaded as Colin reluctantly gave in.
"You have swayed me, I shall attend." Colin replied, earning a clap on the back.
Gray's Gentleman's Club. Argostoli, Kefalonia. Later that evening.
Colin had to admit that he was having a good time at Gray's. It wasn't White's, but it didn't need to be. There was drinking and card games and fellowship a plenty. Eventually, it came to a end when Mr. Gray tapped a glass.
"And now, my fine gentlemen, the moment you have been waiting for, the most beautiful ladies in Argostoli!" Timothy exclaimed as a group of extremely lovely women rush into the room. They were all long haired and bright eyed and wearing different colored flowing gowns as a band began to play what seemed to be a Greek folk song as the ladies danced about the room in a mix of seduction and innocence.
Colin watched, noting the difference of Greeks to the one he was accustomed to. These women were definitely experienced at their art, but somehow there was a lady who stood out. She was wearing a crown of flowers top of her long shiny brown hair that went all the way down her waist. Her sapphire blue eyes complimented the lovely amethyst gown that swayed along with her fine movements. His eyes fixed on her, then she looked up. Sapphire drowning into sapphire. The lady grinned, and blew a kiss at him. Colin felt his lips curved up, feeling the challenge thrown at him.
The ladies continued to dance for a while and when they finished, they bowed to the applauding men. Colin was still transfixed by the performance as he waved Mr. Gray over.
"Another drink, my fine fellow?" Timothy inquired.
"Forgive my ignorance, Mr. Gray, but who is that lady in the violet dress?" Colin asked eagerly.
"Ah, that is Voula Teresakou, she is one of the most popular Courtesans in the city and the most beautiful." The club owner declared with a sigh.
"Would it be possible to have an audience with miss Teresakou?" Colin asked again.
"Let's find out." Gray asked as he caught Voula's eye and flagged her down. She smiled brightly as she made her way over to the table.
"Καλησπέρα, κύριε Γκρέυ." (Good evening, Mr. Gray). Voula said with a musical voice that only made her more angelic. The 2 exchanged cheek kisses before Timothy motioned to his tenant.
"Voula, this is Mr. Colin Bridgerton. He's renting my room upstairs and he has just arrived this day from London." He pointed out as Voula smiled warmly at Colin, offering in hand as an English high born lady would do.
"I enjoyed your performance very much, miss Teresakou." Colin replied with a smile as Voula's cheeks gained a small bit of pink.
"I am glad of it, Mr. Bridgerton." Voula replied sweetly.
"Could I purchase a drink for you?" He inquired.
"I would like that very much." She replied as they both sat down while Gray brought them 2 shots of gin.
"So, are you married?" Voula inquired, making Colin cough slightly. He was unprepared to be asked such a personal question, but he'd heard that Greek people often did so upon meeting someone new.
"I'm afraid not, Miss Teresakou." Colin answered awkwardly.
"A handsome gent like you, I figured that some English rose would have snatched you up by now." She remarked as she drank.
"I suppose I've not yet found a rose free of thorns." He remarked in return as Voula downed her shot.
"I can assure you, Mr. Bridgerton, there is no such thing." Voula replied with a smirk on her pretty face.
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