The opening notes of the 1816 London social season carried a buzzing air of anticipation through the aristocratic enclaves of Mayfair and Grosvenor Square. For the Bridgerton household, however, the usual fizz of excitement was tempered by an underlying melancholy.
They had just returned from the annual rite of the Debutantes Presentation at the Queen's Palace - a grand affair where Francesca had made her official debut onto the marriage mart. Despite Violet's hopes, the third Bridgerton daughter had not been named the Diamond of the first water by her Majesty.
As the family filtered back into their Grosvenor Square estate, there was a palpable lassitude amongst them. All save for the eternally incorrigible Gregory and Hyacinth. While Francesca, Daphne and Violet had been thoroughly discussing the upcoming balls for the season, the two eldest brothers, Anthony and Benedict were on the Viscount's study taking a sip of their much loved alcohol. Eloise sits comfortably in the drawing room, stuck on one of the corners as she busily writes on her small journal the noteworthy events that took place on the presentation earlier, something that she would include on the next Whistledown issue. Colin, their third brother had always been missing and away from England as he decided to prolong and extend his grand tour.
Upon learning Penelope's condition through his mother's correspondence, and being told by his brother Anthony the ungentlemanly behavior that he acted on at the Featherington ball, Colin could not muster up his courage to go back to London. He felt ashamed and guilty towards his dearest friend Penelope Featherington. Despite his family not blaming him outright, Colin had realized that he contributed to Penelope's decision to leave London for Scotland. And if the youngest Featherington had not only taken the journey off on that unfortunate day, she would not be in an accident that almost cost her her life. And so, without knowing how to face his family, Lady Featherington and Penelope herself, Colin had decided to continue wandering off the world alone as he tries to find reason on how he can get everyone's forgiveness.
Peace and quiet at the Bridgertons' main drawing room was interrupted when the two youngest came barreling inside where the rest had settled.
"Now, now, you two. Do calm yourselves. We are meant to exemplify decorum at all times, even without guests or an audience." Violet chides her playful duo.
The youngest Bridgerton siblings managed to still their buzzing, though their faces remained alight with thinly veiled excitement. Eloise watched them curiously over the top of her journal.
"Apologies, mother. But you simply must hear the news we've just discovered!" Gregory said with his eyes ever so bright.
Hyacinth, unable to contain herself, joined in the conversation enthusiastically. "The Featheringtons have returned to London! We spied their carriages arriving at their doorsteps not a quarter hour prior!"
The room fell utterly silent, all eyes swiveling toward Eloise. The journal she's writing into slipped from her suddenly lifeless fingers as her face blanched. For months, years it seemed, she had awaited this precise moment with a swirling maelstrom of emotions. She remembered Lady Featherington's promise on one of the missives the latter sent to Anthony. That their family, the Featheringtons will only re-enter society once Penelope had fully recovered.
"Are you certain it was them? What were they weaning? Did you see Penelope?" Eloise eagerly questioned her younger siblings about the details of their sighting.
Hyacinth and Gregory, still bubbling with enthusiasm, eagerly recounted their observations. "Yes, it was definitely them! I saw Pen wearing a lovely blue dress." Hyacinth exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Gregory nodded in agreement. "And Lady Featherington and Pen's sister had on striking yellow gowns. They looked like they just arrived from a grand journey!"
Violet, the ever-composed matriarch of the Bridgerton family, listened attentively to her children's chatter. "Well, it seems the Featheringtons have returned at last." She remarked with a warm smile. She had longed to hear good news about her favorite redhead. It has been more than a year since she last saw Penelope, and she had missed the young lady terribly.
Rising woodenly, Eloise drifted toward the windows as though in a trance. She parted the drapes just enough to gaze across the way to the Featherington's stately abode. And there, plain as day, were the ornate family carriages bearing the proud butterfly crest, the one that symbolizes the Featherington name.
A tremulous smile bloomed over Eloise's features even as joyful tears blurred her vision. Behind her, she could vaguely perceive the proud murmuring of her family, but her focus had narrowed solely to the euphoric realization that her longest vigil had ended at last.
Eloise, unable to contain her anticipation any longer, turned to her mother. "Mama, may I go and visit them? I need to see Pen terribly. I've missed her and I want to see how she's faring after all this time."
Violet smiled warmly at her daughter's plea. She knew how much Eloise worried over the youngest redhead. She understood the significance of their reunion.
"Of course, my dear." Violet replied with her gentle yet firm voice. "I would love to come with you and pay a visit to the Featheringtons soon. But for now, let us allow them some time to settle in. I'm sure they'll appreciate the gesture of our visit when the time comes."
Eloise nodded in agreement, her mind racing with thoughts of meeting Penelope in the flesh. After so many months apart, she could not wait to see her dear friend again, to catch up on all that had transpired during their family's absence from London society.
And to ask for forgiveness and hopefully mend their friendship.
—
After a season-long absence from high society, the Featherington family, led by dowager Baroness Portia Featherington are finally back in London. The past year and a half had been a time of quiet reflection and healing for her family, away from the prying eyes and judgmental whispers of London society. Now, as they returned to the bustling streets of the city, Portia could not shake the feeling of unease that accompanied their re-entry into the social scene.
Despite her reluctance, Portia knew that it was only fair to allow her eldest daughter, Prudence, the opportunity to enjoy a London social season before her impending marriage to a Mister Robert Huxley. While living in the country, Prudence had finally found a match with a baron's second son and had courted during the off-season.
And even Penelope, who had just recently recovered from her ordeal, expressed a desire to experience the excitement of society.
During their time in the outskirts of York, Portia had managed their finances with prudence and thrift, carefully allocating the monthly provisions arranged by Penelope prior. With the assistance of their solicitor, Mister John Brown, she had ensured that their funds were used wisely, investing any leftover allowances to secure their financial future.
Now aware that their income stemmed from Penelope's earnings as Lady Whistledown, Lady Featherington felt a renewed sense of responsibility to manage their finances wisely. She was determined to make the most of their resources and ensure that Penelope's income will not be depleted and protected.
A day after their arrival at home, the dowager Baroness comes down from the grand staircase as she instructs Mrs. Varley, who was walking two paces behind her, of necessary preparation for the balls they will be attending for the season. It was then she saw the back of their butler Briarly as the old man greets some unexpected guests.
Portia Featherington stood in the foyer of their London estate, greeted by the unexpected presence of the Bridgertons led by the Viscount himself, Anthony and his mother Violet and sister Eloise. The redhead mama could not help but feel a mixture of emotions swirling within her. Relief, apprehension, and a hint of wariness all vied for dominance as she exchanged pleasantries with Lady Violet Bridgerton and her children.
Violet's warm smile and Eloise's eager expression hinted at their genuine joy at seeing the Featheringtons again after such a long absence. Portia could not deny the pang of guilt that tugged at her heart as she observed their reactions, knowing that her own reservations about returning to London cast a shadow over the joyful reunion.
Eloise's immediate inquiry about Penelope stirred a sense of unease with Portia. She hesitated, her mind racing as she sought a diplomatic way to explain the delicate situation to the eager young woman before her.
"It's… not quite the right time for Penelope to have visitors, Miss Bridgerton." Portia began tentatively, her voice tinged with concern. "My daughter is still recovering, and she needs her rest."
But before she could elaborate further, however, Penelope herself descended the staircase, her presence lighting up the foyer with her radiant smile. Portia's heart swelled with a mixture of pride and worry as she watched her daughter approach, her steps hesitant yet determined.
"Mama, my things have all been unpacked. Might I go visit a bookshop now?" Penelope gleefully descends the steps of the stairs as she calls out to her mother and expresses her desire to go out.
Violet and Eloise's eyes widened with joy and relief as they caught sight of Penelope Featherington. Both ladies have noticed some changes in the redhead's appearance. Penelope had lost some considerable weight, her hair had been styled no longer in curls but rather in soft waves freely flowing at her back. She looked more beautifully in her sage green day dress, no longer donning the loud color of bright yellow her family has been distinct for.
But despite the changes, Penelope still radiated with her signature charm and vitality, a sight that warmed their hearts after so long apart.
Without a second thought, Eloise rushed past Lady Featherington and enveloped Penelope in a tight hug, expressing how much she had missed her and showering her with apologies. In the midst of the emotional reunion between Penelope and Eloise, Anthony and Violet Bridgerton shared a warm smile, silently observing their kin drowning the redhead from her embrace. Yet beneath the surface, Portia's concerns lingered. She knew that Penelope's recovery was far from complete, and she dreaded the possibility of any setbacks that could jeopardize her daughter's fragile health.
"P-Pardon me.. But who might you be?"