Chapter Five: The Duke and I

Letty was awoken an hour later by Elsie. She groaned into her pillow, before sitting up, rubbing at her eyes.

"Did you not sleep well, ma'am?" Elsie questioned.

"I was up most of the night," Letty admitted. "I feel I only just fell asleep not long ago."

"Would you like a little more time?" Elsie questioned.

"No. I should get moving around. I may be needed a few houses down," Letty admitted.

"A caller for Miss Letitia," a footman announced.

"Who is it?" Elsie questioned.

"A Mister Bridgerton."

"Which one?" Letty asked for clarification.

"The eldest, ma'am. Anthony."

"Thank you. Tell him I will be down momentarily, please," Letty nodded.

Once dressed, Letty was downstairs and smiling to Anthony.

"Hello, Letty," Anthony smiled softly. "I was hoping you would accompany our family for dinner tomorrow night. Your aunt is more than welcome to join us of course."

"I'd be thrilled," Letty nodded.

"We both would," Helena announced, walking into the room.

"We shall see you at five tomorrow night," Anthony nodded.

"Thank you," Letty smiled softly before seeing Anthony out.

The next night, Letty and Helena walked into the main hall of Bridgerton house as Lady Danbury was speaking.

"Give her what she wants. Attention. Appear before her yourselves and make a personal appeal. But she will not respond well to begging so do not lay it on thick," Danbury told them. "Tell her you are in love. Plain, simple and true. You can do that, can't you? Good. Now, where is this dinner I was promised?"

Letty gave Lady Danbury a soft smile.

"Letitia Everly," Lady Danbury smiled. "I did not know you would be joining us."

"Anthony came round yesterday morn and invited me," Letty smiled kindly. "I was not aware that it was a family dinner or else I would have reminded him of my last name."

"Come now, Letty," Colin smirked. "You are family. Have been for years."

Letty gave a soft smile to Colin before offering Lady Danbury her arm. She led Lady Danbury to the dining room, smiling as Lady Danbury began telling stories about the duke and his childhood to anyone who would listen. The duke did not seem thrilled by this, trying to interrupt Lady Danbury every so often before being shushed.

Letty had more fun during dinner than she'd ever had at a dinner before, her own home having always been so quiet, what with her brothers having been grown by the time she'd been born. The Bridgerton boys had been like her own big brothers growing up, the girls her sisters, causing her to truly feel like part of the family in the moment. Her aunt, as if sensing her feelings, took Letty's free hand in hers under the table, giving her a soft smile as she turned back to the conversation.

Two days later, Letty was standing in the church, letting out a slow breath as she waited with the Bridgertons, Lady Danbury, and the Mondrichs. The duke, Simon he'd insisted she call him, seemed nervous as he waited. Letty walked over to him while everyone was distracted, touching his arm gently to get his attention.

"Letty," he gave her a nod.

"Simon," Letty smiled back. "Deep breaths. She won't leave you at the altar, I promise."

"I know," Simon nodded.

"I know this isn't exactly what anyone wanted," Letty offered. "She does love you, though. Told me so herself."

Simon stared at Letty in shock, as if he was unaware of Daphne's affections.

"You should speak with her," Letty told him, voice soft. "Give her the chance to tell you herself. Act surprised when she does."

Letty gave Simon's arm a gentle squeeze before she went to her seat beside Eloise. Eloise gave her a curious look before taking her hands. The two stood, watching as Anthony led Daphne down the aisle before taking his place beside his mother. Letty crossed herself after the prayer, taking Eloise's hand and watching the small ceremony before Daphne and Simon were pronounced husband and wife.

Letty laughed as Gregory chased Hyacinth through the main hall. Her eyes caught Cressida's before she stopped Daphne to offer her congratulations. Letty moved on, somehow finding herself near Pen and Marina.

"What about him? Kind eyes," Pen pointed towards Lord Rutherford.

"I do not know nor have the time to get to know these men," Marina rolled her eyes. "Where is Colin?"

"You can have anyone but him," Pen said, standing straight and staring at Marina. "He is my friend, Marina. I have known him forever. I do not want him to be tricked into a lifelong commitment. You must not do this to a good man."

"Would you prefer I do this to a bad man? Someone who treats me like a beast?" Marina questioned and Letty moved slightly closer, not looking at the two so they wouldn't realize that she was listening in.

"I do not mean…"

"I will marry Colin. I will be a good wife to him however young and well-liked by you he may be," Marina seemed angry now.

Letty listened as Lady Featherington told Marina to get a move on with Colin now that Lord Rutledge was engaged. Letty saw Marina look around the room, searching for Colin. Letty saw him first, making eye contact with Pen before rushing through the crowd.

"Colin," Letty smiled, cutting off Marina before she could reach him. "I was hoping for a dance. I'd ask Gregory, but he still steps on my toes."

"Of course," Colin smiled, offering his arm.

Letty and Colin danced, smiling and laughing as the song ended.

"May I ask what happened with you and Benedict?" Colin asked softly.

"Colin," Marina interrupted.

"It's a rather long tale," Letty told him. "We could go somewhere quiet?"

"I was wondering if you had a moment, Colin?" Marina interrupted again.

"I'm sorry, Letty. Later, perhaps?" he asked.

Letty looked to Marina, seeing her glare for a moment before a fake smile appeared on her face as Colin looked to her.

"Of course," Letty nodded, a grim expression on her face before she looked to the floor.

"Letty?" Colin asked, voice softening. "Are you alright?"

"Sorry. It's just been a long few weeks. I was hoping to speak with someone who knows us both well, but I see I can wait. Thank you, Colin," Letty turned away, a smirk appearing on her face as she winked to Pen.

"Letty, wait!" Colin called, chasing after her and Letty's face fell, a mask falling into place before she turned to Colin. "Come. Let's go to the office."

Letty nodded, letting Colin lead her away. Away from Marina and whatever she was trying to pull over on Colin. Colin left the door open and the two sat at the small table in the office.

"What has my idiot brother done?" Colin asked, voice soft.

"He made me believe he may care for me as more than a friend and then changed his mind. Then he changed it back and then changed it again," Letty said honestly, feeling a bit relieved to get it off of her chest. "He is eating away at my mind, and I have no clue how to rid him from my thoughts."

"Well, Benedict has never been able to make up his mind," Colin said softly. "I am sorry that he has made you feel all mixed up in recent weeks. Would you like for me to speak with him?"

"No," Letty shook her head. "I'm sure we'll figure it out eventually."

"Colin?" Marina asked, appearing in the doorway and making Letty want to pull her hair put. "May I have a word?"

"In just a minute," Colin started.

"It's fine," Letty gave in. "I should be getting back to my aunt. My parents return tomorrow, and the house must be prepared."

"If you need any assistance, let us know," Colin told her.

"Of course," Letty smiled before standing and leaving the room.

Letty stopped a few steps out when the office door closed. She quietly walked back to the door, chewing her lip as she debated what she was doing. She held in a groan before putting her ear to the door.

"I am a lady, and you are a gentleman," Marina said, sounding falsely cheery.

"Marry me?" Colin questioned.

"I would love to marry you!" Marina gasped.

"We shall marry at the end of the season," Letty could hear the smile in his voice.

"That is… a long engagement," Marina commented.

"Or romantic," Colin offered. "Our families will need time to plan, and you deserve a grand wedding. We must not announce it today. Today is about Daphne."

Letty backed away from the door quietly before rushing to the hall again. She searched the room, eyes scanning for Pen before finding her. Pen was already staring at her, eyes wide as Letty made her way to her.

"What is going on?" Letty demanded, hissing the question quietly.

"What did you overhear?" Pen asked, voice shaking.

"If I tell you, it'll end up in a gossip rag," Letty reminded her. "What does Marina have planned for Colin?"

"I…"

"Penelope," Lady Featherington appeared suddenly. "There you are. Have you seen your cousin?"

"She stepped out for some air," Pen lied easily to her mother.

"I shall be doing the same," Letty lied. "If I see her, I'll send her your way."

"Thank you, Letty. We haven't seen you around in a while. Has everything been alright, dear?"

"Of course," Letty smiled softly. "Busy, is all. I apologize."

"No, no dear. It is alright. We know you keep yourself busy. Just remember to take breaks," Lady Featherington reminded her.

"Of course," Letty smiled as her aunt approached. "Excuse me."

"Letitia," Cressida intercepted her.

"Cressida," Letty sighed. "Anyone else you wish to bully today?"

"I wanted to thank you," Cressida's voice lowered.

"Whatever for?" Letty asked in confusion.

"Well, you showed me a kindness a few days ago," Cressida stated. "If you ever need the favor returned, please let me know."

"It is not a kindness that needs returning, Cressida," Letty explained. "I expect nothing. Excuse me, please."

Letty walked around Cressida, finally getting to her aunt.

"Are you ready to return home?" Helena questioned.

"Yes," Letty smiled.

"The house should be prepared for your parent's arrival, but we should go over everything ourselves," Helena smiled softly as they walked towards Anthony.

"Agreed," Letty nodded before turning her attention to Anthony. "Thank you for having us, Anthony."

"Are you leaving already?" Anthony asked.

"We must make sure the house is prepared for my parents return tomorrow," Letty explained.

"Let us know if you are in need of any assistance," Anthony smiled.

"Thank you," Letty smiled. "Give Daph my best? I don't seem able to find her."

"She is upstairs with mother," Anthony explained before waving Simon over. "I can get you the next best thing, though. The groom."

"Whatever would you need me for?" Simon smirked.

"To thank Letty for coming," Anthony smiled. "And to pass on her best wishes to Daphne."

"Ah," Simon smiled, turning to Letty. "Thank you so much for coming, Letty. And for everything else."

"It is my honor," Letty promised. "Have a wonderful marriage and, Anthony, I'm sure I'll see you soon."

"Indeed," Anthony nodded. "Good night."

"Good night," Letty smiled before leading Helena out of the Bridgerton home.

"Such a lovely family," Helena smiled.

"They truly are," Letty agreed as they began walking towards the Everly home.

"Are you excited for your parents return?" Helena asked.

"Yes, but I am not excited for your departure. Will you stay for the rest of the season?" Letty asked.

"We shall see," Helena smiled. "I will speak with your father tomorrow."