A/N - When I picked up this prompt I had never watched Bridgerton so I decided to check it out for "research purposes" I watched the first two seasons now and I'm about to start on three . Also this was meant to be a one shot, but you're all going to get a few chapters out of this so I hope you enjoy!
Also as an added note, the character Lydia is a Lila type of character, but due to her relationship to Gabriel I decided to change the name - so no, she isn't Lila in disguise.
At the age of nineteen, Marinette had made a flawless debut into high Parisian society. The granddaughter of a well respected Earl, she was indeed regarded as a good catch. Many of the social elete around her declared her one of the most eligible young ladies. The local gossip column had even referred to her as the Rose of the season. Catching the eye of many notable suitors, her mother Sabine had been hopeful that it would only be a matter of time before one of these lovely young men made a proposal.
Marinette however had other ideas. Oh Nathaniel and Nino were perfectly delightful young men, and conversation came easily with them with shared common interested in art and music, but there was no spark, no fire like she had read in books or heard whispered behind closed doors, and much to everyone's chagrin there were no proposals coming either. The truth was, Marinette was in no hurry to seduce any of her suitors into marriage and simply settle into the doldrums of domestic life. She wanted something more than to simply be content. It was becoming clear to Sabine that Marinette's easy nature endeared her to many, but not in a romantic way, placing her firmly in the friendzone which to her Grandfather's alarm she seemed quite happy to stay.
"This is not acceptable." Her exasperated grandfather Rolland pointed out as each year passed with no proposals. "She needs to find a husband, not be making friends. All this painting and needlework nonsense she has been involved in is distracting her from her duty. Three seasons and no permanent suiter or serious proposal."
"Give her time." Sabine soothed her father in law. "Marinette is still young and has plenty of time. Besides, you were the one who encouraged her to become proficient in a wide range of accomplishments."
"Humph." Rolland frowned. "Only to make her a suitable wife. We must strike while the dough is rising."
Sabine sighed patiently. "I understand your point, but Marinette hasn't found someone that she has genuine feelings for."
"Feelings! This is not how things are done. Young ladies do not get to simply waste away their youth on idol fantasies and feelings nonsense." He declared, throwing his hands up in the air. "What would Tom have thought if he were still here?"
Sabine just gave him a serine smile. "He would have agreed with me and you know that."
Rolland shook his head. "My son never thought of the future, always living in the now. No, I must do what is needed and find Marinette a suitable match myself."
"Give her one more season." Sabine implored. "If she doesn't receive a suitable proposal this year, then we can look at other options."
"I cannot wait any longer. She needs to take her duty to this family seriously and stop this frivolity. I have been speaking to Lord Chiên, and his son Kim is a fine and strong young man with at least ten thousand Francs a year and is very interested. It would do Marinette good to pay him more attention than she did last year."
Marinette wanted to curl up into a ball and disappear when she heard. She tried not to be angry at her grandfather. He was a man of tradition and although he had funny ways of showing it, did care for his family. Marinette was only five when her father died of a sudden illness, a fact that hit Rolland hard, yet he took Marinete and her mother in and made sure they were taken care of.
Marinette knew if her grandfather died she and her mother would be left with nothing and at the mercy of a distant relative they didn't even know. As a woman, she could not inherit her grandfather's estate and she would have little choice but to marry - either that or join a convent!
Sabine, however, had her own ideas and when she ran into an old acquaintance, Nathalie Sancoeur, with news that presented a unique opportunity to give her daughter a little push, she grabbed it with both hands.
With new hope, she called her daughter to tea in the drawing room. The afternoon sun as it set sent its warming rays through the lace curtain windows and the spring days brought with them infinite possibilities.
Sabine poured her daughter a cup of tea, offering a plate of fresh baked biscuits. Marinette shook her head sadly at the treat she would normally never say no to. She was looking so pale and withdrawn and it broke Sabine's heart to see her that way.
"I understand that you were not enamored with your Grandfather's choice of a husband for you."
Marinette listlessly stirred her sugar in her tea. "I like Kim well enough, he's, well, very… enthusiastic for life."
Sabine had to chuckle. "But he isn't what you're looking for?"
"There is only so much interest I can pretend to have in fox hunting, pigeon shooting or tennis. Kim is very outdoorsy and I'm… well it's just not me. We could not be more different from each other and I don't want to be pushed into a marriage that I have no desire to be part of. I know thoughts of love are viewed as trivial footnotes to someone like my Grandfather, but they are important to me. I want a marriage like you and Papa had."
"I was very fortunate to have met a man as wonderful as your father and I will do everything I can to ensure you have the kind of future you deserve."
"I know that Mama." Marinette smiled sadly. "I know I have a duty to marry well and ensure our future, I just thought I would have more time."
Sabine reached out and took her hand, patting it. "My dear daughter, never forget that you are a Lady of both the Dupain and Cheng houses with proud histories on both sides of your family tree and I am very proud of the beautiful young lady you have become. You were brought up to be consort to a King if you so desired. But I do have some important news for you today that I hope you will be pleased to hear."
Marinette's face paled and Sabine could read her daughter's expression clearly.
"Do not fret yourself, Marinette, it's not a marriage I promise. It is an invitation to spend the summer with a highly regarded family just outside of the city." Sabine assured her, picking up a letter from the table. "I'm not sure if you were too young to remember Gabriel Agreste, Duke of DuPont?"
Marinette had to try and think back. Agreste… that was a name she had not heard in many years. Not since she was a child.
"I think I might." She replied. "Wait… I thought the DuPont Estate had been abandoned and the Agreste family left France years ago."
Sabine nodded. "His Grace was widowed some years ago and took his young son to London, closing up the Estate. Recently however I ran into his personal assistant in town and learned that he has remarried and returned with his family to France. His new wife is expecting a child and she is feeling overwhelmed so he is looking for a companion for her over the summer. I reached out to His Grace as an old friend of his late wife and he has offered to host you at his estate as his personal guest."
Marinette could see that her mother was most pleased with this arrangement and the last thing Marinette wanted to do was to disappoint her, although she did have to wonder at her motives.
"Do I have much of a choice?" Marinette sighed. "I care little for the frivolities of the social set nor to be nothing more than entertainment for a bored Duchess?"
Sabine looked at Marinette with sympathy and compassion. "This is an opportunity for you to grow, Marinette. As Her Grace's companion and guest you will be held in high esteem and it will increase your chances to find a husband from among the many eligible young noblemen." Sabine emphasised the word young, trying to get Marinette to take the hint. One could only imagine what sort of old codger her Grandfather would dig up if she kept rejecting Kim Chiên.
"But Mama." Marinette pleaded, but Sabine shushed her.
"I know you want to follow your heart my dearest, but you are my only daughter, Marinette. There are rumours that foreign royalty may be attending some of the seasonal events this year so you must make a good impression on the Duke and Duchess so they will endorse you. However… if your heart is truly set against it then I won't force you to go."
"I guess there are worse things in life than meeting royalty." Marinette chuckled. After all, she had always wanted to travel and perhaps meeting a foreigner could be an interesting diversion. Anything was better than sitting around waiting to see what her grandfather did next. "Very well Mama, I shall accept the invitation offered by the Duke."
"Wonderful." Sabine declared, clapping her hands and standing up from the table. "I will send a letter to His Grace immediately to let him know. He would like you to come as soon as possible to acquaint yourself with the household before the season starts. Your maid Tara will accompany you with your horse. I'm sure you would prefer to ride Tikki around the estate if the young Viscount visits."
Young Viscount? Oh right, the Duke has a son doesn't he? Perhaps he is a teenager. Marinette stood up and followed her mother to the door, her head almost spinning at how excited her mother seemed about it all. Sabine turned to her and placed her hands on her cheeks. "Marinette… just believe in yourself. The Agrestes are a well respected family and their recommendation can set you up for the rest of your life. But if anything happens, you can always come home, alright."
"What about you?" Marinette asked with concern in her eyes. Sabine gave her a reassuring smile.
"I'm going to take your Grandfather out of town for a while and soak up some country air myself back at the Dupain Estate. Someone needs to stay and look out to make sure he doesn't make an agreement on your behalf before the season ends. I'm afraid I can't guarantee though that Sir Kim might not make a nuisance of himself on his own. He is terribly fond of you so there might be no avoiding a dance or two."
"Yes, I'm aware." Marinette mused. "Don't worry Mama, I can handle myself and Sir Kim."
A few days later, bright and early in the morning, and after a rather sleepless night, Marinette waited outside her Grandfather's house for the coachman that Gabriel Agreste was sending to collect her. She pulled her traveling coat tighter around her against the crisp morning air. While she waited, Madam Chamack, who was out with her young daughter Manon waved from across the street and came over to speak to her. Marinette smiled pleasantly but internally groaned. Nadja Chamack was well known as the resident busybody and was most likely the 'secret informant' to the local gossip rags. If there was gossip to be had - she knew about it.
"Are you heading off on a trip dear?" She asked innocently, noting the suitcase. Step one on fishing out information. Marinette considered for a moment telling a fib, but it would only be a matter of time before news got around anyway.
"Yes I am traveling." Marinette replied with a forced smile. "I'm on my way to DuPont at the special invitation of the Duke."
Nadja's expression changed dramatically. "You don't mean the Gabriel Agreste do you?"
Marinette wasn't sure what to make of Nadja's tone. "Do you know him?"
"Know him?" Nadja looked about her as though she was making sure no one could hear her. Leaning in she waved her hand for Marinette to come closer, her lips poised to spill all the tea.
"They say he completely lost his mind when his wife Emilie died." She said in a hoarse whisper. "Locked himself and the boy in the Estate and away from society for years. A shame really. They used to hold the most wonderful soirée's and garden parties there. The Duchess, Emilie Agreste, was such a radiant social butterfly and the most impeccable hostess. She was English nobility, you know from the House of De Vanily. Anyway, eventually her sister came and took the boy away to England and sent the Duke to a sanitarium in Switzerland for his health."
"It must have worked." Marinette pointed out. "He's remarried now and I'm going to be staying with them for the summer season. The new Duchess is… in the family way and in need of a kind ear and companionship."
Nadja clearly had not been privy to that particular piece of information judging by the shocked look on her face. "I knew he got married but she certainly didn't waste any time. The Duke already has a son by his first wife. He must be oh…. 25 by now I would think." She gave Marinette a little shoulder tap. "They say he's still single and caused quite a flutter on the London circuit. I do believe Lady Bourgeois has her eyes set on him. Do you suppose…"
Nadja's next question was cut off by the sound of a carriage rolling to a stop in front of them, with Tara following on Tikki. Marinette was both relieved and nervous in equal measure. A rather frightfully large man stepped down and opened the door.
"Well, I must be off then." Nadja said hastily, giving the giant man a wary side eye and gathering up her child. "I do hope all goes well for you Lady Marinette."
Marinette waved to Manon before turning her attention back to the coachman. She was sure she had never laid eyes before on such a formidable looking individual. He looked more like a prison guard than a coachman. Handing her bag to him she thanked him with a warm smile which seemed to have momentarily taken the man by surprise before he grunted, shutting the door and taking up his position behind the horses. As the carriage moved down the street and her grandfather's house was soon out of sight, Marinette felt a melancholy settling in her heart and a flutter of anticipation in her stomach.
~~~~~
Marinette closed her eyes as the coach rambled along the country roads. The trees stood in full glory on a blanket of lush green grass that surrounded them and the radiant sunlight kissing their soft blooms. Winter was gone, Spring was here and soon the Summer circuit of balls, soirées and garden parties would begin.
Marinette's mind drifted back to her conversation with Madame Chamack. She mentioned that the Duke's son only a few years older than herself. Somewhere in the back of Marinette's mind was a faded memory of a little blond haired brat that had put ink in her tea at a garden party. Marinette huffed. Yes, she did remember that day quite well.
She wasn't sure how long the journey had taken, but eventually the coach turned off the main road and through an open gate. Down a long winding path, Marinette sat up a little to try to get a better look out the window. In the distance the imposing facade to the Agreste House came into view against the clear blue skies. The house itself looked more like a palace and vague memories of those garden parties came into her mind. Several evergreen oak trees lined the drive, their branches still heavy with blossoms. In the center of the roundabout was an impressive sandstone fountain surrounded with birds chirping and playing in the water.
After the coach came to a stop out the front of the house the coachman alighted, opening the door for Marinette and offering her his hand to help her down. She once again thanked him, this time eliciting a very small, barely there curve of the lip. A small victory.
"Have you ever seen such a house Mistress?" Tara whispered to Marinette. "It must be almost twice the size of the Dupain Estate."
Marinette's attention was soon drawn to the opening of the front doors and the woman who was making her way down the stairs. She looked to be in her early forties' and was dressed in a dark navy dress with her hair pulled back into a neat bun.
"Welcome Miss Dupain-Cheng." The woman said formally, but not unfriendly.
"Thank you." Marinette replied nervously.
"I am Nathalie Sancour." The woman continued in a formal tone. "You may address me as Miss Nathalie, everyone else in the house does. I am the head of the household and the person that you come to if you have any questions, queries or concerns. You are not at any stage to disturb His Grace unless he expressly wishes for your presence, understood."
"Yes Miss Nathalie." Marinette replied, obediently following the woman into the house.
The foyer was sparse with little in the way of decoration. At least nothing of a personal nature. On the wall was a portrait of a stoic looking man with cold gray eyes. Marinette assumed that it must have been the Duke of DuPont. He looked decidedly unfriendly and made her feel uneasy.
"I will have Placide take your bags to your room and show your maid to her quarters. His Grace has asked to see you immediately upon your arrival. Follow me."
Marinette walked quietly down a long corridor behind Nathalie, the only sound being the clacking of the other's shoes on the polished floors, and the ringing of her heart pounding in her chest.
"I was pleased to find your mother quite well." Nathalie said as they walked. "It has been many years indeed."
"You knew each other when you were younger?"
"Lady Sabine was friends with Lady Emilie before she became a Duchess. I knew them both then."
As they came closer to the Duke's office, there was the sound of raised voices speaking in English causing both women to stop.
"… I do not believe hosting a ball would be wise in your condition."
"You're the reason I'm in this condition Gabriel, or have you forgotten? You wanted a backup heir, fine, I will give you one, but I'm not about to waste my life away isolated from the world in this tomb you call a house. I need to be introduced into society here as your wife. I will not live in Emilie's shadow, or your son's for that matter. I am Madame Agreste now, me! Not the ghost in that portrait you cling on to."
"That's enough Lydia! If you keep this up…"
"You'll do what Gabriel? File for an annulment? I'd like to see you try. I want a ball, here, in my honour this season. Everyone always talks about the great Agreste balls as the highlight of the social calendar. Make it happen or I will go back to England and you can deal with the consequences."
The door swung open and a woman with long auburn hair stormed out of the room. She caught sight of Nathalie and Marinette, stopping to glare at the latter with piercing olive eyes. Marinette was surprised to find the woman much younger than she had expected. Maybe 25 or 26 at the most. Of course that wasn't so usual. Many older, often widower men, married younger women of childbearing age. Who was Marinette to judge?
Lydia stormed past the pair, berating a maid on her way through. Nathalie let out a restrained sigh. Stopping, she knocked on the still open door.
"Enter."
"Miss Marinette Dupain-Cheng is here. You said you wanted to see her as soon as she arrived."
Marinette looked around Nathalie and saw a tall, thin man with graying hair standing behind a heavy dark wood desk and looking out a large window. He looked some years older than his portrait she saw above the stairs.
"Do come in Miss Dupain-Cheng." Gabriel said flatly, not even turning to look at her. "I prefer confidence over false modesty."
Nathalie nodded to Marinette to go inside, closing the door behind her. With his back still to her, Marinette stood awkwardly in the middle of the room with her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes drifting to the large portrait on the wall of a beautiful blonde woman with stunning emerald eyes and a kind face.
"My late wife." Gabriel abruptly said, startling Marinette who quickly darted her eyes to the floor. "You don't need to hide the fact you were staring at it. I'm sure you overheard my… conversation just now." His eyes softened as he gazed upon the portrait. "She could capture a whole room just by her presence, although the portrait doesn't do her beauty justice."
There was a distinct longing in his voice. It was clear he must have loved the woman very much. Remembering himself, Gabriel cleared his throat and focused on the young woman standing nervously in the room. "Please sit, Miss Marinette."
Marinette sat on the edge of the seat, straightening out her dress and folding her hands in her lap. She was very conscious of the fact that Gabriel was looking her over. Seemingly satisfied, he took his seat behind his desk.
"You must forgive Her Grace for her outburst. Lydia's condition has left her forlorn and frequently unwell. She has also been lacking in stimulating conversation in her own language. I understand you speak English quite well."
"Yes I do, Your Grace." Marinette replied, looking confused at the furrow on his brow as he spoke.
Gabriel nodded, his mind clearly elsewhere. "Please do not think you have been brought here under false pretenses. I was somewhat surprised but pleased to receive your mother's letter after all these years. You might be too young to remember, but my wife… I mean my late wife was good friends with your mother. You used to play in this very garden with our son, Adrien."
Marinette nodded her head with pursed lips. "I have some vague memories of such." She replied, trying not to sound snooty.
Gabriel stood up and moved back towards the window. He looked out over the impeccably manicured gardens that led down to a lake.
"Adrien is due to arrive here from London tomorrow. He has taken issue with my marriage and it has placed a strain on our relationship. Things were… well they were difficult for both of us after Emilie died."
Marinette could sense the sound of regrets as Gabriel spoke. "I do understand the grief associated with loss, Your Grace, but I'm not sure I understand what you are asking of me?"
Gabriel's eyes lowered. "Adrien confides in few people and due to my… prolonged illness, I wasn't as involved in his growing up as perhaps I should have been. I fear he may harbour some resentment towards me, but also that his resentment may carry to the child when it is born." Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose under his glasses. "Adrien and Lydia do not get along at all, but it is vital that he makes a good impression this season and finds a wife. So far he has resisted all my attempts to make him a match. Miss Chloè Bourgeois made his acquaintance in London last year and I was well acquainted with her father in my youth. I do not find her objectionable if Adrien would at least entertain the idea of courting."
Marinette had to school her features so as not to betray her thoughts on the matter. She knew Chloè Bourgeois better than she would like to admit. The daughter of a shrewd politician with his sights set on high office, Chloè was an unpleasant social climber that debuted the same year Marinette did. Egotistical and self important, she practically turned green when Marinette was named the Rose of the season. Over time though, even Marinette had to admit Chloè had mellowed and grown up somewhat in recent years.
"Yes, I have been acquainted with Miss Bourgeois for a number of years." Marinette stated diplomatically. "Along with many of the other ladies that are around my age."
"Excellent. Looking at your mother's letter, she says you are also quite accomplished at music and dance." Gabriel continued. "Adrien is quite an accomplished player of the piano forte, although his dancing leaves a bit to be desired."
"Are you asking me to teach your son to dance?" Marinette asked, still feeling confused.
"I want you to be whatever he needs you to be." Gabriel snapped in annoyance. He then backtracked at Marinette's wide eyed look. "Within decency of course. You must understand, this family cannot afford any scandals and I need Adrien to be seen in a desirable light. He can come off as cold and distant and he refuses to engage or participate in social events. It simply will not do once the social season starts for him to keep every girl that approaches him at arm's length."
"So you want me to act as a mediator between the Duchess and your son so that their animosity doesn't interfere with his prospects of finding a wife?"
Gabriel walked around his desk and stood in front of Marinette. "You see things with remarkable clarity Miss Marinette. If I'm to be perfectly frank Lydia is simply not up to the job of Duchess of this estate in her condition and Adrien… he needs a guiding hand to find a wife and finally settle down. It is his duty after all. However, I will give you the choice. You may stay, or you may return to your grandfather and whatever arrangement he might make for you. Your mother has made your grandfather's intentions for you quite clear to me should you return to him. You must understand though, I am only entertaining this proposal at all because Sabine had been such good friends with my Emilie."
Marinette had to wonder what exactly her mother had written in that letter, but she didn't have to think too hard on the choice it gave her. Her situation was unchanged since this morning. To refuse such an offer would see her in a far greater predicament. She could entertain the Duke's wife and son for now. Who knows, perhaps she and Lydia might even become friends.
"I will accept your offer, You Grace." Marinette responded, standing up. "I hope that I can live up to your expectations and high standard."
Gabriel rung the bell for Nathalie, and she entered the room. "Nathalie, you may take Miss Marinette to her room. I'm sure she is tired from her journey."
Once Marinette and Nathalie had left and closed the door, Gabriel looked back at the letter in his hand before turning his eyes up to the portrait of Emilie on his wall. "I have failed our son so far, Emilie. When he needed a father, I wasn't there to guide him as I know you would have. Now I fear that the damage that has been done, can not be undone."