Chapter Seven: Ocean's Apart
(In the books, Eloise was the one that was with her father when he died. Anthony wasn't there at all. I feel like this explains a lot about Eloise's feelings towards marriage. In my opinion, she is afraid of losing someone that she cares so strongly for. Anthony did not believe he would surpass his father in anything, including in age in the books, which was one of the reasons he refused to look for a love match.)
Violet wanted her eldest sons to leave so that she could speak with Letty alone. It had been five days since the article came out and Violet had been having no luck. Letty refused to tell her it was because Letty herself had been avoiding the Bridgerton matriarch to avoid the questions that she was sure she had. She had informed Pen of what Violet thought and Pen's eyes had widened in shock, knowing Violet Bridgerton would corner Letty eventually.
Letty's father was back to being distant, meal times becoming silent again and hiding in his study or making trips out of the house as often as possible. Letty informed Helena that it almost felt like normal again, the only difference being that her mother didn't randomly appear in the same room as her anymore. Helena had tried being there for Letty, but Letty had found a way to hide her broken heart from everyone. Well, everyone except for Benedict, who had been showing up in the backyard every night to star gaze with Letty.
He didn't draw while with her, just laid in the grass, holding her hand and offering comfort. He'd brought her a new sketchbook at some point, having new fabrics and mannequins delivered to her home as well. Helena had mentioned that the gifts made it seem as if Benedict was trying to court her but Letty knew better than to get her hopes up.
On nights that Benedict didn't show up, she sat alone under the moon, staring up at the sky and counting the stars before she grew too tired to remain outside any longer. Letty was in the main sitting room with Violet, Anthony, Benedict, and Colin, listening as Colin begged to go check on Marina when Daphne entered the room.
"I should be getting home," Letty sighed as she stood.
"You are more than welcome to stay, Letty," Violet immediately offered.
"I should be checking on my father," Letty sighed, giving Violet a sad look.
"Do you need assistance?" Benedict questioned, knowing Letty's father had taken to drinking himself into an oblivion every night.
"No," Letty shook her head. "Thank you. Welcome home, Daph."
Daphne gave Letty a gentle hug, whispering condolences before Letty simply nodded and left the Bridgerton home. She walked across the street rather than return home. Pen let her in the side door and the two sat in the quiet drawing room.
"So, still avoiding Lady Bridgerton?" Pen asked.
"I'm sure she'll be distracted now that Daphne and the duke have returned to help with the scandal," Letty sighed.
"They've returned?" Pen questioned.
"Yes," Letty nodded. "Put it in the next issue. It'll keep Lady Bridgerton off of your trail."
"Are you going to lie to her?" Pen asked.
"I will simply tell her that it is not me," Letty shrugged. "I'll tell her that you and I discovered the truth at separate times and that I confronted you and told you to tell Colin and threatened to tell him myself, which is what she overheard, but felt you should be the one to do it. I'll tell her Lady Whistledown announced it before either of us could."
"Do you think she'll believe you?" Pen asked.
"Oh, not even a little. It'll keep her away for the moment though."
"Thank you, Letty," Pen grabbed Letty's hand. "I've always been able to count on you."
"And you always will," Letty promised. "I really should return home. Deal with my father."
Pen escorted Letty out and she walked home. The ton was quiet at night, the darkness causing everything around to become peaceful. Crickets could be heard and the leaves rustled in the wind, blowing Letty's loose hair around her neck and face. She sighed as she entered her home, prepared to deal with her father but not truly wanting to. She knocked lightly on the study door, finding her father passed out at his desk.
"Father?" she asked softly, shaking his shoulder gently.
"Mm," her father groaned, not wanting to move.
"To the couch, father," Letty tried again, pulling on his arm now.
Her father grumbled under his breathe, something about pushy daughters causing Letty to smirk in amusement. She led him to the couch, forcing him to lay down before she stripped him of his boots. After covering him with the throw blanket, Letty sighed, brushing his hair from his face before leaving for her own room.
After changing into her night dress, a robe secured around her waist, Letty climbed out of her window. With a blanket in hand, Letty made her way to the center of her empty backyard. She laid the blanket out, laying on it and staring up at the sky in silence. Benedict joined her not long after she'd laid down, as if he'd been watching out from his upstairs window for her to appear. She wondered if that was exactly the case.
"We are to attend a luncheon with the Queen tomorrow," Benedict explains.
"Are we?" Letty asked curiously, looking over at Benedict with an amused expression.
"Will you accompany me?" Benedict's voice softened with the questioned.
"I'd be delighted," Letty nodded. "I will let Elsie know in the morning."
The two looked back up to the sky.
"Do you think they're truly up there?" Letty asks, voice soft. "My mother. Your father."
"I do," Benedict answered, voice still soft.
"We must look terribly tiny to them," Letty whispered.
Benedict let out a small laugh, looking to Letty again and seeing a soft smile on her face. Letty turned her head, eyes locking with Benedict's. Their faces are mere inches apart and Benedict moved slightly closer, causing Letty to blush slightly at the small distance left between them. She realized that Benedict was waiting for her, as if asking permission. Letty moved closer, their mouths barely brushing before voices were heard coming towards them, causing them both to scoot back away from one another.
"I told you they'd be here," Eloise's voice held a smirk and caused Letty to roll her eyes before smiling at her friend.
Daphne and Colin were with Eloise, the three also carrying blankets. Blankets were laid out and the three Bridgertons joined Benedict and Letty at staring at the stars.
"How's marriage treating you?" Letty asked, turning her head to Daphne.
"It is well," Daphne answered, seeming uncomfortable.
"What has happened?" Letty groaned, rolling to face the eldest Bridgerton daughter.
"Nothing outward," Daphne promised. "Just a bit of a rift. We'll figure it all out surely."
"We could always get our mallets and pummel him?" Colin suggested from Benedict's other side.
"As if Anthony would let us disrespect the mallet of death with an actual bludgeoning," Eloise laughed.
"All the more reason to ask for forgiveness and not permission," Letty laughed, laying back down, her shoulder landing against Benedict's.
She scooted over slightly, leaving them touching but not as on one another as they had been. Benedict took Letty's hand, holding it gently in his as he continued staring up.
"I see another scandal to protect my family from in the horizon," Anthony's voice caused them all the jump and sit up, like children being caught stealing biscuits from the cook.
"Does everyone know where to find us at all times?" Benedict questioned, eyes on Letty.
"You do realize that your sisters are Eloise and Hyacinth, correct?" Letty smirked.
"Benedict, will you please marry Letty? That way we don't have to go through the formality of a babysitter every time she's around," Eloise sighed, laying back down.
"I am not ready for marriage, as I have made perfectly clear to you on several occasions," Letty smirked to Eloise before laying back down.
"No wonder they are such good friends," Colin joked, making room for Anthony on his blanket.
"Yes, yes. The two of them are sisters in everything but blood and name," Anthony rolled his eyes before laying down as well.
"Why don't we get married?" Benedict asked, staring down at Letty.
"That was the least romantic proposal I have ever heard," Colin stated, all of the Bridgertons sitting up again.
"I have heard of one worse," Letty smirked, looking over to Daphne and causing the older woman to groan as she remembered telling Letty about Berbrooke.
"Well?" Benedict asked, looking to Letty.
"Did you not just hear me say that I am not ready for marriage?" Letty questioned.
"You don't even have a ring brother. Honestly," Daphne scoffed. "Someone hit him for me. I'm too far away."
"Ow," Benedict complained, rubbing the back of his head as Colin smirked.
"She is right. No ring and I guarantee you did not ask her father for her hand," Anthony added.
"Didn't you tell a prince that asking for Daphne's hand was rather callous?" Eloise pointed out.
"I wonder how he is?" Daphne sighed, looking worried.
"Prince Friedrich is doing well," Letty stated. "I received condolences from him just this morning in the post."
"The prince writes to you?" Benedict questioned.
"We are friends," Letty shrugged, still the only one laying down. "Can you all lay back down? I'm feeling increasingly smaller by the second."
"No wonder she has had no proposals," Colin joked. "Rather blunt and demanding. Ow!"
"Don't talk badly about your future sister-in-law," Anthony glared, laying down at Letty's request.
"How is she to be my sister-in-law if she refused Benedict's hand?" Colin demanded, laying down as well.
Benedict was the only one still sitting up, eyes boring into Letty's.
"You haven't even properly courted her," Anthony reminded Benedict.
"And you will be unable to this year as I am not on the market due to being in mourning. Lay," Letty pointed to the spot beside her.
Benedict groaned before laying down, seeming put out but understanding.
"So, next season?" Eloise questioned.
"Next season when we'll all be too preoccupied with keeping you in line?" Letty smirked. "I think we may have our hands too full with that."
"Fair assumption," Colin nodded.
"When do you leave for Greece, Colin?" Letty asked curiously. "You haven't mentioned it in a while."
"That would be because I had debated staying in London. Now, however, I will begin planning again," Colin explained.
"Did you know, Letty?" Anthony finally asks, causing everyone to gasp and begin defending Letty.
"I figured it out the night of the dinner," Letty spoke up, causing everyone to quiet and turn towards her. "Pen found out not long before I did and she was trying to figure out how to tell Colin. Seems Lady Whistledown beat us to it."
"Pen must be distraught," Colin whispered.
"She is," Letty whispered back. "She was so torn up about it. I think me finding out took the fight out of her. She was going to come to you that day before Whistledown came out. Looks like she would have been a few hours too late?"
"We were going to go to Scotland and marry," Colin admitted.
"Do you still wish to marry her?" Letty asked curiously, turning on her side and resting her head on Benedict's shoulder so she could see over him.
"I do," Colin admitted. "I love her."
"I hope she truly returns your sentiments," Letty told him, causing him to turn to her with questions on his face.
"That's right," Eloise gasped. "You never liked her."
"You didn't?" Benedict asked, breath ghosting over Letty's head.
"I thought she was hiding something and I knew she wasn't truly polite. She glared at me far too often to be," Letty explained, turning her face so she could look into Benedict's eyes.
"We shall have Letty choose all of our future spouses from this moment forward," Anthony joked.
"Remember that when it comes time for you to choose a wife," Letty smirked.
"I shall," Anthony smirked before standing. "We shall not keep Letty any longer tonight. We all need rest for the luncheon tomorrow. Did my tiresome siblings invite you to join us yet, Letty?"
"Does that make me the untiresome sibling?" Letty smirked as she sat up.
"Indeed," Anthony smirked.
"Benedict asked me when he arrived," Letty smiled, accepting Benedict's hand to help her to her feet, keeping ahold of her as the rest of his siblings stood. "I shall be ready at eleven and make my way over. I apologize in advance for the tragedy that will be my gown. Seems I am to stay in black for the next few months."
The Bridgertons could hear the pain that Letty was hiding in her voice but said nothing, knowing she would rather they not ask how she was doing, as they had been through the loss of a parent as well in the past. Letty wished them all goodnight, turning to Benedict and looking down at their joined hands before looking to his eyes again, amusement clear on her face.
"Apologies," Benedict shook himself, stepping away from Letty and releasing her. "I forgot myself."
"It is alright," Letty smiled softly, leaning down to retrieve her blanket. "I shall see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Bridgertons."
"Goodnight, Letty," was repeated into the night air as Letty went to her window.
Letty smiled as she climbed through her window, tossing the blanket onto the chair she used for reading before climbing into her bed. Letty watched as the Bridgertons walked home before turning out her lantern, laying down and falling asleep. The next morning, Letty dressed in her mourning dress and informed Elsie of her plans for the day. After a small breakfast alone, Letty walked to the Bridgerton's home, Elsie standing behind her as she knocked on the door.
After she was announced, the Bridgertons greeted her with happy smiles. Even the duke was present and Letty remembered the conversation form the night before, having to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. She sat beside Eloise, the two chatting quietly before Violet joined them, announcing it was time to go.
Letty went to Violet's side, giving her a soft smile as she escorted the matriarch outside, giving Anthony a playful look when she stole his spot beside his mother. Once everyone was packed into multiple carriages, Letty sitting with Eloise and Violet, they were off. Violet seemed to want to ask Letty questions, but unable to form words.
"Lady Bridgerton, you may speak freely with me. You know this, yes?" Letty asked.
"I wasn't sure if you wanted me to speak freely in present company," Violet answered honestly.
"You may," Letty nodded.
"Is it you?" Violet asked, turning to face Letty fully. "Are you Lady Whistledown?"
"As high of a compliment that is, my writing is not good enough for all of that," Letty gave Violet a sad smile. "As I told Eloise just last night, I found out about Marina just a few days before Lady Whistledown wrote about it. Pen found out just before I did, but her mother would not let her tell anyone. She was trying to figure out a way to tell Colin and I told her she needed to tell him before I did, as he would prefer to hear it from her."
"Ah," Violet nodded, seeming to deflate in relief. "I was so worried. I mean, we will support you in any endeavor, of course. It's just that I was so confused. Lady Whistledown has written such terrible things in the past about you that I could not fathom how you played being so upset with her so well."
"If I am Lady Whistledown, I shall take to the stage," Letty smirked.
"What if Lady Whistledown is a debutante?" Eloise questioned. "She would be invited to all the events."
"But debutantes don't have the time or financial means to pull off something like that," Letty defended, trying to push the idea from Eloise's mind and pull suspicion away from Pen.
"You'll have to forgive Eloise. She's rather consumed with the notion of discovering who Lady Whistledown is at the moment," Violet smirked to her daughter.
"The queen herself asked if I had any suspects," Eloise stated.
"Do you?" Letty asked curiously.
"I believe it to be a widow," Eloise stated. "Someone with the financial and social means, like you stated before.
"What if it's more than one person?" Letty asked. "It could be a group of people working together to gather information and using the same writing techniques before gathering it all together."
Eloise's eyes widened and she began scribbling away in her notebook.
"Oh, now you've got her started," Violet laughed.
"Now the suspect pool is much larger. I may have given her more work," Letty smirked before looking back to Eloise. "Finish looking over the widows before you go for another angle. Also, please tell me you aren't just walking up to these women and asking them if they're Lady Whistledown?"
"Well…" Eloise looked down at her lap.
"Eloise!" Violet gasped.
"El, you have to gather evidence. Lady Whistledown isn't just going to admit that she's who she is. Half the ton wants her head at this point," Letty sighed.
"Do you?" Eloise asked, fidgeting slightly.
"No," Letty shook her head. "I may not like what she wrote about me, but she is simply saying what others are too afraid to say. I can't be mad at her for discussing gossip. We do that. The only different is that she's receiving our coins for it and we don't know who she is."
"That is a rather mature way of looking at it," Violet nodded. "I'm rather proud of you Letty."
"I'm full of surprises," Letty smirked as the carriage came to a stop. "Oh, look at the line."
"Do you think Marina will come today?" Eloise asked, voice soft.
"The Featheringtons plan to attend. I have heard nothing of Marina though," Letty sighed.
"How is Penelope?" Violet asked, eyes full of concern.
"She'll be alright," Letty told her. "She's just so ashamed of what happened."
"We should stand by Penelope. She tried to warn Colin," Violet nodded.
"I would never leave Pen," Eloise shook her head at her mother. "I don't think I could bear it if I did. She, Letty and I are supposed to become spinsters together. Letty will make our gowns and Pen will keep us stocked in books."
"And what will you do?" Letty smirked.
"Why I'll convince Anthony to buy us a large house in the country," Eloise smirked. "Then we can lavish out in the sun all day and by the fireplace at night."
"I'm sure Anthony is thrilled at the idea," Letty laughed.
"Alright, ladies. Enough scheming for now. Let us exit the carriage now," Violet smiled.
Violet had her arms around her youngest children as Daphne and Simon were greeted by the queen herself before she moved away.
"It seems your duplicity knows no bounds," Daphne said to Simon.
"I learned from the best," Simon responded.
Letty and Violet shared a confused look before they both began attending to Hyacinth and Gregory, the two running around and playing. Lady Danbury went to Simon and Daphne next, inviting only Daphne to a party. Benedict seemed uncomfortable with Lord and Lady Granville and Letty was more than willing to go save him before murmurs were heard through the crowd. Letty turned, finding the Featheringtons having entered the luncheon. Eloise grabbed Pen from the back of the group, pulling her away from her family to get a word alone with her.
"Lady Bridgerton," Portia smiled politely, taking Violet's hand. "Is this not a dreadful circumstance, for us both to have been so duped by that scheming hussy? To think that Miss Thompson would take advantage of my kindness after I opened my home to her. You must believe, I had no idea of…"
Violet turned away, removing her arm from Portia's hand and walking away, the rest of the Bridgerton's following after her. Portia took a small look around, seeing no support from those around her, Letty giving her a sad look as Brimsly approached the Featheringtons.
"Lady Featherington, I must ask you to leave."
"But I have an invitation," Portia said, voice sounding a bit broken.
"Not anymore," Brimsly corrected. "I am sure you wish to avoid any further unpleasantness."
Portia looked close to tears as she led her three daughters away, Pen having joined them just a moment before, Eloise standing beside her and watching as they left.
"That'll teach them," Cressida laughed with her mother.
"Teach them what, Miss Cowper?" Daphne snapped, causing both Cowper women's smiles to fall. "Judging not, lest we too be judged?"
Daphne walked away, going to the garden to get some air and peace from Cressida's constant rudeness. Simon watched her go, a look of longing in his eyes before Violet followed after Daphne. Letty walked around the outskirts of the luncheon, listening to small tidbits of gossip as she went. She saw Lord Weatherby speaking to Cressida, seeming as if he was going to attempt to court her before overhearing Daphne arguing with her mother, Lady Danbury heading towards them.
"If your motherly advice had actually prepared me to wed," Daphne complained.
"Whatever do you mean?" Violet asked, sounding confused.
"I mean you sent me out into the world no better than a fool. You taught me how to play pretend, but nothing of the realities of married life, or marital relations," Daphne stated.
Letty stepped away then, not wanting Lady Danbury or anyone else to catch her eavesdropping. That night, Letty snuck over to the Featherington house, Pen letting her in immediately.
"What did you hear?" Pen questioned.
Letty repeated everything word-for-word, Pen writing it down quickly as Letty spoke. Once night fell, Letty snuck home, eating supper before changing into her night dress quickly. She grabbed the blanket from her chair and climbed out of her window again. Benedict was already waiting, sitting on the grass and sketching in his book. Letty walked up behind him slowly, trying to catch a glimpse but he heard her, shutting the book quickly and turning to face her.
"Hello, Letitia," Benedict smiled softly.
"Hello, Benedict," Letty smirked, laying the blanket out before laying on it and waving Benedict over.
Letty took Benedict's hand in hers once he was beside her. The two stared at one another, not saying anything as they stared at one another.
"May I ask you something?" Letty finally broke the quiet with a whisper.
"Anything," he promised, voice just as quiet.
"Will you kiss me?" Letty requested.
"I am a gentleman," he reminded her. "And you are a lady."
"I dream of your lips on mine. I want to know if my dreams are accurate or not," Letty admitted.
"You dream of kissing me?"
"Do you not dream of kissing me?"
"I dream of more than simply kissing you," Benedict breathed out.
"Show me," Letty demanded.
Benedict took a deep breath, unable to hold himself back any further. His free hand moved to gently caress her face, fingers brushing over her skin and making her gasp at the feeling. Benedict leaned forward, stopping with his lips just barely brushing hers.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes," Letty whispered.
Benedict closed the distance, his lips moving against Letty's gently. Letty moved her free hand to his hair, fingers scratching his scalp softly. Benedict backed away, letting out a ragged breath at the feeling before kissing Letty again, his mouth molding to hers. Letty let out a soft whimper and it took everything in Benedict to not take it further, guilt already eating at him from the small liberty he was taking in the moment.
Benedict and Letty separated for air and Benedict hid his face against Letty's shoulder, both breathing heavily as a heat moved through them.
"That was definitely better than my dreams," Letty let out a soft laugh.
Benedict laughed as well, moving so that he was on his elbows looking down at Letty. He brushed some of her hair from her face as a breeze blew through the air, smiling down at her. She smiled back, lifting her hand and brushing her finger tips over Benedict's cheek. He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes and kissing her fingers softly.
"I should head inside," Letty whispered. "Before either of us gets another brilliant idea."
"It was your idea," he reminded her.
"Which is why it was a brilliant one," Letty laughed, fingers still brushing his lips.
Benedict smiled down at Letty, leaning down and brushing his lips to hers once more before he pulled away. He helped Letty to her feet, bending down and grabbing her blanket, handing it to her so that she could carry it inside. He walked her to her window, holding one of her hands before helping her climb into her window and leaving her for the night.
Dearest reader, a question. Is anything more exhilarating than taking a gamble? For it is often the highest risk that carries the greatest reward. Yet, wager wrongly, and you might find yourself left with nothing but regret. Of course, one can never know for sure whether a wager will make a fortune or ruin it, unless one chooses a more secure pursuit. But as the season continues, the biggest gamblers have yet to truly show their hand… which leaves gossip in short supply in recent days. An argument about marital duties between the duchess of Hastings and her mother, Lady Bridgerton, Miss Cressida Cowper charming Lord Weatherby, the new duchess putting Cressida Cowper in her place. Not much else to discuss.
It is worthy of note, however, that the Duke and Duchess of Hastings have yet to entertain callers together. Our newlyweds are no doubt still secluded in nuptial bliss. Who could fault them? And who could be surprised if their diligent efforts are rewarded with a new arrival within the year?
Letty and Pen were each sitting in a chair, listening as Eloise was discussing Lady Whistledown.
"In the past, every Whistledown revelation appeared to be plucked from a public event, where any of our ton could have borne witness. But the column that singled out Marina was different," Eloise stated.
"It was personal," Pen agreed and Letty bit her tongue.
"Your mama did not just help Marina hide her condition all on her own," Eloise nodded.
"Of course not," Pen shook her head. "Every servant in our household knew."
"A servant is unlikely," Eloise waved off that option before her eyes widened. "Though perhaps a tradesperson. Someone who visited your household regularly might have seen or overheard something."
"It is a possibility," Letty nodded.
"In that case, we must reconsider out methods of inquiry to this end," Eloise smiled brightly. "This is wonderful. I must tell the queen of our new theory."
"Then tell her at tonight's concert," Pen offered. "I know you are not yet out, but I am sure your mama would still allow you to attend."
"Once we unmask Whistledown…" Eloise began before Pen interrupted.
"Yes, yes, the Featherington honor will be restored," Pen smirked.
"I must return home," Letty sighed, standing from her seat.
"I must as well," Pen nodded, standing with her. "I shall take the back stairs so no one will see me. Letty can distract everyone at the front door. And El? Thank you for being such a wonderful friend."
Letty went down the main stair well as Pen went down the servants way. Benedict was about to walk up the stairs when he saw Letty coming, stopping at the sight of her. Letty paused for a moment as a bright smile stretched across her face.
"Ben," Letty nodded, continuing her trek down.
"Letty," Benedict smiled back, finally able to form words. "Will I see you at the concert tonight?"
"I'm afraid not," Letty sighed. "I've decided to skip tonight's festivities. I shall work on new designs under the stars instead."
"Ah," Benedict smiled, escorting Letty towards the door before his voice dropped so no one could hear him. "I will be unable to meet you tonight. I'm helping a friend. I hope you understand?"
"Of course," Letty whispered before raising her voice again. "I shall see you soon, Mister Bridgerton."
"You shall," Benedict smirked, watching as Letty and Elsie left the Bridgerton home.
Letty ate supper alone, her aunt having gone home for the rest of the season now that she was not needed to escort Letty and her father hidden away in his study. She sat outside, looking up at the stars and drawing stars onto one of her designs, a large ball gown with glittering fabric that looked like the stars at night. She wanted the fabric on top to be the lilac that Benedict liked so much, sheer so you could see the layer beneath it, which would be a glittering black like the night sky.
The next morning, Letty rose early, walking to Madame Delacroix's to ask her opinion on the design and which fabrics to use when she stopped, seeing Benedict coming out of Genieve's shop. He pulled her close by her waist, kissing her passionately before stepping away. He turned seeing Letty staring at the two of them, mouth opened in shock.
"Letty," Benedict began.
Letty turned, running as fast as she could back home. She heard Benedict call after her just once when she'd first turned away but nothing after that, not even the sound of footsteps, for he did not follow her. Letty ran into her home, going straight to her room and locking the door. She slammed her windows shut, closing the drapes before throwing herself on her bed and crying into her pillow, cursing Benedict's name.