Summary:
In which Anthony is grateful for Penelope's influence on Eloise.
Chapter Text
It was a rather normal Tuesday afternoon tea at Bridgerton house. Most of the family was gathered, with the addition of Penelope Featherington, except for Daphne who was at her home at Hastings House, and Colin who had been traveling most of this season.
Eloise was rather wrapped up in a lecture no one in attendance had asked for, on the crimes against women in society. How they should be allowed to attend university just like the men. How their only opportunity in life shouldn't be marriage. How their lives shouldn't be dictated by the whims of the men in their lives.
She had just begun to lament that women should be allowed in parliament. Their voices deserved to be heard!
It was following this new point in Eloise's heated rambling that Penelope suggested Eloise aim to marry a titled lord.
'What?' Eloise was so stunned at the suggestion it completely erased her train of thought.
'Well this way they would have a place in parliament, and you could possibly influence their decisions. While you might not have a place in parliament today, who knows, perhaps one day your daughter or granddaughter might. In the meantime you would need to quietly exert your influence on parliament,' Penelope elaborated.
'Pen are you suggesting I use my feminine wiles to influence a member of parliament?' Eloise was shocked at the idea.
'I'm not sure anyone would consider your wiles of the feminine nature,' Benedict couldn't help himself, and the comment garnered a few chuckles from the family present.
Eloise tossed a pillow at her brother without looking away from Penelope.
'Consider it. You could impart your ideas on not only a member of parliament but their heir. You could raise a future member of parliament to view women as equals.' Penelope had thrown Eloise completely off kilter with her idea.
'Change has to begin somewhere. It doesn't simply happen overnight.'
Eloise is appalled but begins to consider the idea. It might actually have some merit.
"Penelope you may have just given me the most diabolical idea"
Anthony could see the thoughts racing through Eloise's mind. He wasn't sure whether or not he should be worried just yet. For the time being he was just glad the previous lecture on the plight of women in society had come to an end.
"Of course the cost is high,' Eloise continued after some thought. 'I loathe to sacrifice our life together as spinsters in a cottage in the country surrounded by books, but we must all make sacrifices for the cause"
To which Anthony and Benedict rolled their eyes at their spirited sister.
'I understand Eloise. It is quite the sacrifice. But surely it would be worth it to change even one mind in parliament.' Penelope assured Eloise that she would not begrudge her this choice. 'And of course when you consider your ability to influence the next generation as a mother. Well, you surely have to at least consider the option."
Suddenly Eloise is not only considering marriage but the need to have children.
For the cause of course.
Anthony watches Penelope steer his sister from heated rants and lectures on the woes of being a female, towards actually considering marriage. Something everyone else, most notably his mother, had failed to do.
Somehow Penelope managed to paint Eloise as a martyr, sacrificing her personal happiness for the plight of all women.
Eloise had a tendency to be enrapt in her own world, but in that moment she had the look and determination of the heroine in some great epic ready to make the sacrifice that will save her people.
In the silence that follows, as Eloise continues to ponder this idea, Anthony can see the gratitude on Violet's face towards Penelope and the silent thank you she mouths to her.
Suddenly Eloise jumps up, deciding there was more important work to be done, than tea with family.
'Hurry Pen! We must re-evaluate the eligible bachelors of the ton immediately. Obviously our options will be slim, men are predominantly insufferable. But we must find husbands with enough sense to treat women with respect. To listen to their thoughts! On important topics. Topics of parliament!'
"We?" Penelope questioned as she placed her tea on the table.
"Yes of course Pen! I know I'm asking you to sacrifice the peace and solitude of spinsterhood we imagined, but if we both commit to this plan we could influence twice as many minds in Parliament!"
Penelope looked like a poor little rabbit who had somehow been caught by the very wolf it had managed to tease and entice. A trap of her own making.
Eloise grabbed Penelope's hand and pulled her up in a hurry. It's a miracle honestly that she waited until Penelope had set down her tea.
"Come Pen, we don't have any time to lose! Half the season has already passed us by!"
Dragged behind his rather determined sister, Penelope glanced over her shoulder to try to thank Violet for the invitation to tea. As she reached the door, her eyes met Anthony's briefly, and the smirk on her lips as she prepared to indulge his sister in her wild schemes brought a smile to Anthony's own face.
He shook his head at the antics he was sure were to ensue for the remainder of the season.
Turning back to the remaining family members, he had the thought that they were quite lucky that Eloise had found such a wonderful friend in Penelope.
Chapter 2: Benedict
Summary:
In which Anthony considers the need to reel in the first of his wayward brothers.
Notes:
I have been obsessed with Penthony for like a month now and there aren't enough fanfics to satiate my appetite! So here goes!!
Chapter Text
Penelope was waiting for Eloise when Anthony and Benedict entered the drawing room.
'Oh! I was just waiting for Eloise. I can wait elsewhere or head to her room and allow you your privacy.' She offered quickly. Despite always being welcome in Bridgerton House, Penelope always feared the day that she would overstay her welcome.
'Nonsense Penelope! We were just about to order some tea while we decide whether to engage in a round of fencing today or go for a ride. What antics are you and our dear sister going to embark on today?' Benedict enquired with a mischievous smile.
'Nothing quite so interesting I assure you. We planned to visit the book store by the modiste.' Penelope smiled at his suggestion that the two were up to no good.
'If I were to guess I would venture you two alone are responsible for ensuring the shop's success with your pin money.' Benedict teased their bookish behavior.
Penelope giggled a light airy giggle in response.
"Well I certainly won't be spending my pin money on citrus colored ribbons to match these dresses."
She giggled some more as she joked at her own expense.
"Now Penelope, do not disparage these yellow dresses. You are the sun that shines bright after a rainy London morning." Benedict was rather quick to imagine poetic words, destined to leave some debutante or the other swooning.
Penelope began to laugh harder. "Lady Whistledown is correct, you are too charming for your own good."
Benedict laughed at that. "Is that what she says? Well I'm glad my charm has impressed the maker and breaker of society reputations."
Anthony watched the ease of the exchange and not for the first time wished that he had Benedict's pension for conversation. Anthony didn't think he had ever been so carefree and humorous. Not with anyone, aside from his youngest siblings, Gregory and Hyacinth. But he often felt more father than brother to them, and their happiness weighed on him in a way far more significant than any of his older siblings.
"Have you been to the Granville art exhibition? You must be excited to see the works." It was a polite thing to ask Benedict, what with his interest in art, but something in the way Penelope asked made him think she was genuinely interested in the exhibition, and Benedict's thoughts.
"Not yet, but I have been anxious to see it. I thought I might visit at a time when others are less likely to, so I can truly experience each painting to my heart's content. Without the rush of making way for the next viewer. Or the interruptions from acquaintances who are there simply to seem worldly, while only interested in rubbing elbows with peers. Or worst of all, matchmaking mamas."
He winced at the thought. "I couldn't stand to spend the afternoon dodging debutantes instead."
"Well I do hope you find a suitable time to view the collection soon. I would love to know your thoughts. I'm excited to see for myself, but I must admit I don't believe I will be able to identify the skill that makes Granville renowned compared to other artists." Penelope didn't just sound interested anymore. She clearly was.
"What do you mean, Penelope?" Benedict was delighted to have someone to discuss art with among peers. With his artist friends he always felt a bit of an imposter, and with his family, he wasn't quite sure any of them would engage in a conversation past listening to his thoughts and nodding in agreement.
"Well, I imagine there is much more to the artwork than simply recreating a landscape. If that were the case, there would be plenty of renowned artists, wouldn't there? But something about Henry Granville's work is special. And I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the finer aspects of art to recognize what makes these paintings special. My own watercolors are subpar, so I'm far from having an eye for art."
"Nonsense Penelope, I'm certain with an appreciation for art as you have your watercolors are the best among all the eligible women of the ton."
Penelope giggled at his compliment.
"You're too kind. I actually was thinking to browse the art section at the book shop in the hopes of gaining some knowledge prior to visiting the gallery. If you happen to have any recommendations I would very greatly appreciate it." She said with such sincerity that you could not blame Benedict for his following lapse in judgement.
"Penelope you must let me paint you."
Anthony, who had been lulled into a sense of contentment watching the two discuss art, snapped out of his silent presence to glare at Benedict.
How could he be so inappropriate with an unmarried woman of the ton, while he was also an unmarried man. Of course, Penelope was practically family, she had been for years really. But in the eyes of the ton, she was an unmarried woman, alone in a room with two unmarried men, and no chaperone. And the conversation had turned intimate with Benedict's request.
Penelope for her part simply formed a small "o" with her plump lips in shock at the request.
No, not request. Demand.
Her cheeks began to flush.
She quickly gathered her wits and brushed off what had to be a joke on Benedict's part. She waved her hand as if shooing him away. "Why in the world would you want to paint me?" she said with a small smirk.
Benedict for his part was either oblivious to the inappropriateness of his demand or outright ignoring it. He pursued her, full speed ahead.
"Penelope, such an admirer of the arts deserves to be captured as a work of art herself! I will not know peace until I am able to capture that spark in your eyes when you so lovingly open your mind to the possibilities of the world, in a painting. A sketch. A sculpture if that is what you will allow me!"
"Benedict." Anthony warned. He could not speak to her like this. It wasn't appropriate.
"Ignore my brother. He sadly does not have the eye for beauty that I do. He's so often caught up in ledgers and estate matters, he has no idea of the beauty around him half the time."
Something about that comment rankled Anthony.
"Of course I recognize that Penelope is beautiful." The flush in her cheeks grew, he noticed. "However you are both unmarried and unchaperoned. And this is a most inappropriate request to make Benedict."
"Nonsense, you are currently our chaperone." Benedict, truly was determined in this.
Anthony held back a growl. Benedict was not incorrect. Anthony could be considered their chaperone. But he could not shake the feeling that Benedict was crossing some line between good natured conversation and flirtation with Penelope. It left him agitated.
Penelope gave a small nervous giggle, clearly trying to diffuse the tension coming from Anthony, and worried herself about the impropriety. Not that anyone in the Bridgerton household would ever ruin her by sharing this occurrence with someone outside the family. But she had been raised with better manners, and Anthony's clear disapproval had her squirming. Even though she didn't seem to be the direct target of his ire.
"I'm afraid Lady Whistledown will have to reassess her opinion of you." She paused. "You aren't too charming for your own good but dangerously charming. I'm afraid your charm alone will ruin some poor unassuming debutante."
Benedict laughed a big belly laugh at that. "Have no fear Penelope, that would require me to be in the presence of a debutante long enough to exchange words."
"Well then I'm relieved for the unmarried women of the ton." Anthony watched her place her hand over her ample bosom. Her heart. She placed her hand over her heart, dramatically, as if truly relieved of some great anxiety.
"Their hearts are safe." Penelope then paused. "For now."
And there was that little smirk again.
Once again Penelope had managed to diffuse the tension and coerce one of his siblings away from a dangerous pursuit. She made it look positively effortless.
Anthony was beginning to think Penelope understood his own siblings, better than he did.
Just then Eloise arrived.
"I'm so sorry Pen! I was just finishing up some correspondence but then became rather distracted."
"That's alright Eloise. Mr. Sutton will no doubt be relieved that he can open his shop in peace before we barge in to peruse the shelves." She had already reached Eloise by the door and turned to bid Anthony and Benedict a good day when Benedict cut in.
"Penelope wait! Let me jot down a few books on the subject of art I think you may enjoy. It's not often I am asked for a recommendation. I would be remiss to pass up the opportunity. But in exchange, you must join our family at the gallery."
"Why are you trying to take my best friend to the gallery?" Eloise was as possessive as ever.
Benedict simply rolled his eyes.
"My dear sister, wouldn't you rather see the gallery with your best friend?"
"Well of course." She looked skeptical.
"And I would rather discuss the artwork with Penelope, given her genuine interest in the arts. So in this way we shall have a nice family outing. Mother will have her favorite daughter, Penelope, join us for tea after. And I will have someone to discuss the gallery collection with, who does not simply nod in agreement to everything I say. We all win!"
Anthony watched a blush color Penelope's cheeks at Benedict referring to her as their mother's favorite daughter.
Somehow he didn't feel Benedict was exaggerating or continuing to use his charm to make Penelope uncomfortable.
Eloise sighed forcefully and relented that this was a rather perfect idea.
"Excellent! Let me fetch a bit of parchment to make note of those books for you Penelope."
And with that Benedict stepped out of the drawing room with an innocent bit of joy that Anthony had not seen in a while. Eloise begrudgingly turned to follow Benedict out of the drawing room.
Anthony had been so silent in watching the exchange that it was obvious his siblings had forgotten he was even there.
Penelope, however, turned to him and bowed her head, giving him a small curtsy and a soft "good day Lord Bridgerton," before following Eloise out of the drawing room. The flush on her cheeks from all the attention dimming and a small smile forming at the upcoming visit to the gallery no doubt.
Anthony, who was a bit dazed by how soft her smile was, did not gather his wits quick enough to give a farewell in reply. He shook his head at his lack of manners. Forget having Benedict's charm, he was beginning to struggle even with the basics of polite conversation.
Perhaps Benedict was right and he was too often caught up in ledgers and estate matters.
Suddenly a visit to the gallery seemed like just what he needed.
Chapter 3: Daphne
Summary:
In which Anthony uses his fashionable sister to quietly dote on Penelope.
Notes:
I love me some child bearing hips. I also just imagine that of all the Bridgerton boys, Anthony is the one with a breeding kink.
Chapter Text
It was another afternoon at Bridgerton House, only this time Daphne was in attendance with her young son, August. The addition of Auggie brought an additional buzz to the family gathering. And once again, Penelope was in attendance, quietly wishing her family could have a similar love between them, and considering herself lucky to be invited into this home at the least.
Eloise, newly obsessed with the idea of secretly infiltrating Parliament as a wife and mother, shares the epiphany that she could start molding young male minds even before she has her own children, starting with her nephew.
Even Penelope, who has been subject to many conversations about this new scheme, is surprised at just how willing Eloise is to suddenly step out of her comfort zone.
Of all the Bridgerton siblings, Eloise is the least comfortable with babies. It's as if Daphne took every desire to have children that existed and left Eloise with an uncomfortable fear of so much as holding a baby.
Anthony and Benedict, knowing this, share a look that says they are only too eager to see how this all unfolds.
Violet, not wanting to douse the growing interest her most reluctant daughter has about marriage and children, encourages Eloise to take Auggie and perhaps read to him.
Eloise hesitates to hold him but decides that in order to be an aunt the children can trust and whose opinion they can respect, she must make the effort to connect with them. Even at a young age.
Daphne who is exhausted and could use a break, even though she doesn't want to admit it, indulges Eloise's scheming to make her nephew empathetic to the plight of women long before he takes over for his father in Parliament one day.
"Wonderful idea Eloise. I'm touched to see you so invested in your nephew's well being and upbringing."
She goes to hold Auggie, not quite sure how to do it. She grabs him under his arms and holds him almost a foot away from her body.
Auggie for his part, takes one look at Eloise, and probably sensing her discomfort and uncertainty, starts to squirm.
Eloise realizes the need to hold Auggie more comfortably, lest her arms give out under the weight of the growing baby, but is at a complete loss for how to change the way she is holding him without possibly dropping him or rustling his neck and limbs in a most indelicate way.
Auggie meets Eloise's eyes while squirming and pauses for just one moment before wailing loudly.
Eloise is suddenly frantic. Not sure what to do with the wailing child, meanwhile the hold she has on her nephew quickly draining what little muscle she has in her arms.
Her eyes dart around, not wanting to hand Auggie back to Daphne in defeat, but also not wanting to risk dropping him as her arms wilt under the continued hold. When did her nephew get so heavy? How had he grown so quickly?
In her panic, she sees Penelope, and decides her partner in crime can help her through this ordeal. After all, they will be molding these children's minds together!
Anthony watches as Eloise practically throws Auggie at Penelope.
Violet begins to rise from her seat and Daphne looks ready to murder Eloise if anything happens to her child.
But it's all for naught. Penelope manages to catch Auggie from Eloise's less than graceful hand off, and naturally swings the baby onto her left hip while wrapping her left arm around his back, and placing her right hand under Auggie's arm to keep him up.
Penelope freezes, simply watching and holding Auggie as the little one seems to take in his new position with this new person.
Just as he looks up at Penelope's face, she manages to snap out of it and give Auggie the brightest smile. The whole room seemed brighter actually.
Anthony watched as Penelope began to sway gently with Auggie still on her hip, making little half circles back and forth with her left hip.
"It's alright. There's nothing to be upset about." Somehow, despite her soft volume, Anthony caught her soothing voice across the table and in his seat as he watched Penelope distract Auggie from another round of wailing.
"It's such a beautiful day. And you have so many lovely family members here, excited to see you. There's nothing to worry about, is there?" Penelope continued to speak to Auggie as if he understood any of what she was saying. Her slow swaying with Auggie attached at her hip, seemed to lull the child into a quiet curiosity.
Auggie just looked at Penelope as if he was trying to figure out what she was saying.
His Uncle Anthony found himself just as mesmerized.
He watched the way Auggie was settled on Penelope's hip and thought her curves must be the softest. Made for children to find comfort when clinging to their mother.
He shook his head quickly to clear that line of thought, before he found himself thinking about the comfort those same lush curves could bring in the making of said children.
Daphne let out a sigh of relief and sank back onto the couch she had jumped out of just a moment ago in order to save Auggie from her less than gentle sister.
Eloise, for all of her audacity, simply brushed off her almost mishap with their nephew and simply stepped closer to Penelope as she held Auggie.
"Excellent Pen! You'll be a natural with the children when they're younger. We'll shape their impressionable young minds in no time!"
If Anthony hadn't been so distracted by the thought of Penelope with a few young children surrounding her in want of her attention, he would have met Benedict with another look at Eloise's assumption at the use of "we" in that statement.
But Anthony didn't meet Benedict's look with his own. And Benedict certainly wasn't going to forget the look on his brother's face as he watched Penelope with the baby anytime soon.
Benedict couldn't remember the last time Anthony had a look of longing on his face like this one. He got the sense that the days of their joined bachelorhood were numbered. Anthony had been an amazing father figure to their youngest siblings, despite being thrust into the role in a way none of them had ever imagined. But in that moment, Benedict didn't think he sensed any resentment in Anthony over his circumstances, but instead a longing to have children of his own.
"Well, at least if Daphne is to join us at the gallery, we know Penelope will have no trouble at all soothing Auggie should he dislike one of the landscapes," Benedict chuckled.
"Oh I would be happy to help with Auggie! How could the paintings of Henry Granville ever compare to this beautiful baby here." Penelope continued to coo at the baby as she swayed, even adding a bit of a bounce in her hip as she rocked him. The gentle voice she used clearly putting Auggie to ease and the bounce in her hip making him giggle.
Daphne of course melted at the compliment to her little baby, who was the light of her life.
And Anthony. Well, luckily with the conversation turning towards the visit to the gallery, no one noticed that his gaze remained on Penelope's hip.
Auggie leaned his head in and rested it on Penelope's shoulder, snuggling his face into the crook of her neck.
"Ohhh!" Violet sighed and clasped her hands in front of her heart as she watched her grandchild cuddle in the sweetest manor.
Daphne looked on with a sense of relief and adoration as she realized there was someone she could trust Auggie with. It certainly wasn't Eloise.
Penelope stopped her bouncing and continued to sway. Soon enough Auggie would be asleep.
"Well it's obvious Auggie has already picked his favorite aunt." Benedict teased Eloise.
Eloise, as much as she wanted to smack Benedict for his teasing, also couldn't miss an opportunity to praise her best friend, so she chose to not give in to Benedict's antagonizing words.
"Well of course. Auggie has incredible taste, and Penelope is the best." Then she continued because she simply couldn't help her possessive nature. "Just so long as he remembers that Aunt Penelope is Aunt Eloise's best friend first."
Something about that comment shocked Anthony and he suddenly sat up straight. He hadn't even noticed when he leaned in to watch Penelope with Auggie, sitting with his elbows on his knees and his face resting in his palm.
Throughout the exchange Penelope continued her swaying and it seemed that Auggie had been lulled into a nap.
"Penelope I cannot thank you enough. It takes quite a bit of effort for Auggie to nap in the afternoon but today I didn't have to lift a finger!"
"Oh it was nothing. He's such a sweet baby, I'm glad I could help." Penelope continued in that soft soothing voice. Ensuring Auggie stayed sleeping.
"Daphne darling, why don't you take Auggie upstairs before Gregory and Hyacinth's antics wake him. And you can have a bit of a lie down as well. Lord knows a new mother never gets enough sleep." Violet, always looking after her children, knew Daphne would feel insufficient if Violet suggested she looked particularly tired.
"Oh but then I won't get a chance to catch up with you all." Daphne felt a small pang of guilt at the idea of missing an opportunity to spend time with her family. Though she didn't live far, it felt so different from when she lived at home. Her time with them suddenly limited in a way it had never been before.
"Nonsense! You'll stay for dinner and we shall catch up then. But you really should rest while you can with Auggie. You never know how long a baby will nap for, and we are all here to help when he wakes." Violet insisted, already rising from her seat to nudge her daughter upstairs.
Daphne, for all her reluctance, held out her arms to take her son from Penelope so that she could take him upstairs for the rest of his nap.
"You'll stay for dinner as well, won't you Penelope? It's been so long since I've had the chance to see you."
"I'm afraid I won't be able to today. I believe Mama has invited over some family she hopes will make a match with Prudence. But I would be happy to come visit and read to Auggie any time you wish." Penelope turned down the invitation in the politest of ways, but you could sense that she would truly rather be here at Bridgerton House rather than at a dinner with her scheming Mama.
Anthony also would prefer Penelope was here for dinner and seemed to deflate at her announcement that she would not be able to stay.
Simply because her presence brought so much joy to his family. And now comfort to his little nephew as well. Of course he would want whatever brought his family happiness. And that would mean Penelope's presence at dinner.
So Anthony did what he always did, determined to bring his family whatever happiness he could.
"We shall have to plan that outing to the gallery soon then," he announced. All eyes turned to Anthony who had remained fairly quiet this entire time, letting the women chat and fill the time as he normally did.
When the eyes on him turned questioning, he hastened to add, "so that Daphne has more time with the family and a moment to catch up with her friend. And Auggie can spend more time with his favorite aunt of course." He added that last comment, in a way that his family would imagine was meant to tease Eloise. Similar to what Benedict had done earlier.
If the comment also reminded Anthony that Penelope was practically family, and therefore off limits, well then, no one, least of all his family, needed to know it. He would never hear the end of it if they so much as caught a glimpse of the way he was beginning to admire his sister's friend.
Later that evening at dinner, the Bridgertons were their usual boisterous self.
Gregory and Hyacinth were in an ongoing battle to one up each other. Benedict and Eloise mostly discussed various topics, their conversation sprinkled with well aimed barbs at one another. Daphne, Violet, and Francesca were all enamored with baby Auggie. Simon had also joined for dinner when Daphne sent word she and Auggie would remain at Bridgerton House later than originally planned, giving Anthony someone to chat with while the rest of his family was otherwise occupied.
"Resting today with Auggie was a relief. Thank you so much for insisting Mother." Daphne did seem more relaxed than she had when she arrived for tea this afternoon.
"Of course dear. I remember too well how little sleep a new mother gets. Although I'm afraid as the children get older you begin to lose sleep over their debuts and marriage prospects instead." Violet gave a light chuckle at her own teasing of her children.
All of her unmarried children of age renewed their conversations with increased vigor, hoping to steer the conversation away from their mother's attempts to see another one of her children happily married.
Thankfully Daphne helped in that regard.
"Oh! I was also thinking I would like to get a gift for Penelope. She really was so wonderful with Auggie, and she seemed truly eager to help with him. She even offered to visit and read to him whenever I wish," she added for Simon's benefit.
"She really is a darling girl," Violet added.
"And I do love whenever someone dotes on Auggie," Daphne continued, as if she needed to make the case for why Penelope deserved a gift.
The Bridgerton family in particular would never argue that Penelope didn't deserve nice things. In fact, if they were asked they would all most likely argue she deserved many more nice things than she currently received.
"Eloise, do you have any suggestions for what I could give Penelope as a token of appreciation? She is your best friend after all." This was rather clever of Daphne to acknowledge Eloise's claim over Penelope before Eloise could become possessive. Instead, Eloise was all too happy to have someone else exclaim how wonderful and deserving her best friend was. It was almost as if Eloise had a hand in molding just how wonderful Penelope was herself.
Before Eloise could reply, Benedict cut in.
"A book on art! She rather admires the arts and was looking to increase her knowledge before our trip to the gallery."
Eloise glared at Benedict for beating her in the race to suggest a gift for her best friend. True to the Bridgerton siblings' competitive nature, everything was a competition. Even this.
"Yes, well I believe Penelope already bought the books you recommended on our last trip to the book shop. So that seems a rather useless idea Benedict." Eloise was determined to suggest the perfect gift for Penelope now. She wouldn't be bested by Benedict when it came to her best friend.
"There are a few authors that Penelope adores though, and I could see if any have new novels that - "
"A dress."
Every set of eyes at the table snapped to Anthony, when he interrupted Eloise.
The silence was so out of place at the Bridgerton dinner table that Anthony cleared his throat, in a small attempt to end the screeching halt the conversation had come to.
He wasn't sure what had come over him, but he needed to rid himself of this sudden nervousness and commit to the idea he had shared with the entire table.
"A dress would be a nice gift. She doesn't seem to have much say in the dresses she wears. She's certainly joked about those god awful yellow dresses. But if you were to gift her a more fashionable dress, her mother couldn't risk insulting a duchess by not letting Penelope wear it could she?"
Anthony's explanation spilled out of him, and suddenly he felt embarrassed by the amount of thought he had put into his idea. He prayed his mother didn't look too deeply into it.
"Oh that's a wonderful idea Anthony! Lady Featherington really does her daughter a disservice. Her dresses never complement her colouring." Violet, thank the lord, didn't seem to press Anthony's interest in the discussion. He could only be relieved that she wouldn't try to make his interest in the gift for Penelope more than it was.
She was a good friend of the family. She of course deserved a nice gift.
He was only doing his job as the head of the family to maintain the family's closest relationships in a positive manner.
"Oh I would so enjoy picking out a dress for Penelope! Eloise would you want to join me?" Daphne looked as if she already had picked out a whole wardrobe, let alone a single dress.
Eloise for her part hated going to the modiste, but would loathe to miss an opportunity to do something nice for her best friend. It was already bad enough that while she had been worried about beating Benedict, Anthony had somehow won the race in suggesting a suitable present for Penelope. If she wasn't so irritated at losing, she might have considered Anthony's interest more closely.
"All right. But only because she's my best friend, and I'm sure to know what she likes and dislikes best."
"Of course." Daphne assured her with just a tinge of sarcasm. Eloise really was territorial when it came to Penelope. You would think the family was going to kidnap the poor girl away from Eloise the moment she looked away.
"Be sure to purchase a few new dresses for yourself as well dear, while you are at the modiste." Simon chimed in, knowing Daphne was sure to end up doing just that. With his comment though he managed to use the inevitable to paint himself as a doting husband.
Anthony rolled his eyes at his best friend. He would never be comfortable that his baby sister had gone and married best friend. His partner in crime. Very many, rakish crimes.
He wasn't possessive of Simon the way Eloise was of Penelope, but there were some lines you didn't cross. Some things that should be off limits, like your best friend's siblings.
His mind hiccupped at what that meant for Penelope, and for a moment he couldn't believe that he was of a mind to agree with Eloise's possessive nature.
He shook the thought, and the odd sense of disappointment, away. The disappointment must be from being in any type of agreement with Eloise. Surely he was going mad.
The only silver lining to Simon's comment, as much as it annoyed Anthony, was that it diverted attention to the young married couple at the table, and away from Anthony's surprisingly good idea for Penelope's gift.
He couldn't risk his family putting more meaning into than there was. He would never hear the end of it otherwise.
Chapter 4: Gregory
Summary:
In which Anthony is concerned he may need to reel in the youngest of his wayward brothers.
Notes:
I'm getting such a kick out of Eloise's plan to quietly infiltrate Parliament. I'm also excited to explore what Penelope's relationship could be like with the youngest Bridgerton siblings.
Chapter Text
Eloise, still determined to make the most of her plan to quietly infiltrate the minds of Parliament, decided she needed to prepare to dance. With actual suitors. She looked pained to even say it when she shared this next step in her plan, but insisted you catch more flies with honey.
While this was sage advice for a young lady on the marriage mart, coming from Eloise it also pointed to her genuine disgust with the male population. If it wasn't already clear from her tone, her family would have been certain her comparison of men to flies was indicative of her desire to rather swat them away than catch them.
Of course, this step in the plan not only involved her best friend and partner in crime, Penelope, but in this instance also required the assistance of her brother Benedict. She needed someone to practice with who would know how to lead.
She also recruited Francesca to play the piano forte, which honestly wasn't much of a task as it was Francesca's favorite pastime.
The things Eloise was willing to do in order to marry someone who would listen to her ideas and bring them to parliament continued to astound her family. Especially her mother.
But Violet wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Whatever the reason for Eloise to take her place on the marriage mart seriously, Violet would take it.
Francesca sat at the piano forte, itching to begin playing while Benedict and Eloise readied themselves.
Violet, not wanting Eloise to be quickly discouraged, takes pity on her unique daughter, and decides now is a good time for Gregory to learn as well. She rather hoped with Gregory learning as well, it would divert some of the attention away from Eloise so she can actually relax as she practices and help her feel less foolish in comparison.
With Francesca responsible for the music and Hyacinth also not having learned the dances yet, that left Penelope to partner with Gregory.
Gregory wasn't exactly excited about dancing, but it's not often he gets to partake in an activity with his older siblings, often left to play with Hyacinth. He finds himself going along with the dance lesson, if only to take an opportunity to be part of the older siblings' world.
Penelope, sensing his hesitation, decides to provide a little motivation for the youngest Bridgerton gentlemen.
'You're rather lucky to have such an expert charmer for a dance instructor Gregory. At this rate you'll have all the debutantes fawning over you when you begin to attend balls. The other bachelor's won't stand a chance.'
The suggestion that Gregory would be fawned over like his older brothers did the trick. Gregory perked up just a bit.
Benedict, noticing what Penelope was aiming for, chimed in. 'Gregory is a Bridgerton, Penelope. He doesn't need me, his charm will be natural. It's in the blood.' He winked at his youngest brother, and at that Gregory stood just a little bit taller.
'Okay, ready? Let's see where we are.' Benedict nodded to Francesca to begin playing so he could assess just how much practice Eloise would need.
Eloise, despite all her fearlessness, was suddenly shy with her family's eyes on her. It wasn't as if she hadn't learned to dance cotillion before, but she had never actually had to do it with a potential suitor, as she had spent most of her time actively dodging them. Suddenly with higher hopes weighing on her ability to dance she became unsure.
She stumbled through the motions. Honestly, she didn't seem much better than Gregory who was trying to follow along and imitate Benedict's movements, but by the nature of his copying Benedict he was always one step behind where he should be with the music.
Benedict decided to put both parties out of their misery and asked Francesca to stop the music.
'Perhaps we should start a bit slower. A quick refresh on the steps. And this way I can better show Gregory as well.'
His suggestion was well received, both Eloise and Gregory nodding their heads in agreement. Their eyes visibly relaxing.
'Let's show them how it's done, Penelope,' Benedict held out his hand. Penelope, despite being caught off guard at the invitation to dance with Benedict, quickly recovered and put her hand in his.
Slowly they made their way through the steps, pausing so that Benedict could describe his and Penelope's movements to his nervous students.
It was during this bit of the lesson that Anthony walked into the drawing room.
'Don't tell me I spent all that money on a dance instructor just for us to end up with Benedict needing to teach everyone.' Anthony's teasing stopped them in their tracks.
Benedict, not to be cowed by his brother's teasing, grasped the opportunity to torment Anthony. The opportunities to do so were few and far between. He couldn't possibly pass such a rare opportunity, could he?
'Perfect brother! You can help Eloise practice for the next ball. We must do everything we can to help our sister find a suitable match. Isn't that right, mother?'
Knowing how desperate Violet was to make the most of the season while Eloise was still amiable to the idea of marriage, Anthony knew he couldn't decline to 'help' as Benedict had suggested.
He grumbled at how easily he had walked into Benedict's trap, and made a silent prayer for his toes. He would be spending the next hour dancing with his least skilled sister. And that was including Hyacinth, who didn't even know the dances.
He sighed and made his way over to Eloise. Catching the look of amusement between Benedict and Penelope.
In that moment, he decided he would do everything he could to switch partners with Benedict.
Luckily, it wasn't the torment Anthony anticipated. He slowly moved through the steps with Eloise as Benedict described them. Benedict and Penelope similarly moved through the steps beside them.
Hyacinth had also dragged Gregory into the fray so that they could learn. The things one had to endure for their sister.
'Alright let's try again but this time rather than explain the steps I'll simply count them.'
Eloise tensed at Benedict's suggestion. It was rather sweet seeing his headstrong sister so shaken by a simple dance.
Anthony gave Eloise a small reassuring squeeze and she looked up at him in a way she hadn't in years. As if she needed his protection.
Suddenly the idea that another one of his baby sisters was going to have suitors was terrifying. He almost ended the lessons there for everyone for the chance to have Eloise remain his extremely trying sister forever.
He couldn't continue, lest he risk getting overly emotional in front of everyone.
'Benedict why don't we switch partners. Eloise might feel more confident in the patient hands of her new instructor, rather than her serious older brother.'
It was a weak excuse but he would use anything in this moment to avoid the emotions threatening to over take him.
'I can dance with you Anthony!' Hyacinth offered.
'No!' The word slipped from his mouth much sharper than he intended. If the thought of Eloise leaving home to begin a new life with her husband was threatening to make him emotional before his family, he would never hold himself together imagining the day Hyacinth was dancing with suitors.
Hyacinth looked a bit hurt at his refusal, and Gregory was already moving towards Penelope.
'You and Gregory will do well to practice together since you are both still learning. I'll partner with Penelope. That way you can all see what a proper cotillion should look like,' he added with all of the viscount smugness he could muster in the moment.
Benedict and Eloise rolled their eyes at their eldest brother's haughtiness. Gregory glanced again towards Penelope and Anthony had to wonder whether the youngest Bridgerton found himself infatuated with their family friend.
Hyacinth, god bless her, was determined to learn this dance with everyone else and agreed quickly so they could commence with the lessons.
'Perhaps Francesca would like to practice as well? It is her first season and I'm sure her dance card will be full at the upcoming balls.'
Anthony couldn't help but tense at Penelope's suggestion. Before he could think about why he wanted to partner with Penelope so desperately he refuted her suggestion.
'No, Francesca is needed to play the music.'
'But we are practicing without music now aren't we,' Penelope countered.
Why didn't she want to dance with him?
'Yes but if we are to set an example for the young ones, the more experienced dancers should partner.' He persisted desperately.
Benedict simply raised an eyebrow at Anthony.
Eloise was too busy trying to recall the steps in her mind to notice the desperation in Anthony's voice.
Why was he so desperate to have her dance with him?
'I would hardly consider myself an experienced dancer,' Penelope chuckled. 'One would need a signed dance card to gain some experience first.' She giggled at the joke made at her own expense.
This had Anthony frowning, his brow impossibly furrowed.
What did she mean she needed a signed dance card? Hadn't he seen her on the dancefloor at numerous balls? He could remember his brother Colin at least joining her on the dancefloor. Surely he couldn't have been the only one.
'Well then it seems you could benefit from the practice as well.' And with that he held out his hand for her to take, putting an end to any further argument.
Benedict and Violet watched the exchange and gave each other a look regarding Anthony's odd behavior.
Quick to test a theory, Benedict chimed in.
'Why don't you show us how it's done then brother. Francesca, could you begin the music again?'
Anthony brought Penelope closer, feeling her tense. Maybe she really wasn't as experienced as he would have expected despite having debuted a season before Eloise.
He gave her a small reassuring squeeze. Just as he had for Eloise. Because Penelope was like one of his sisters. She needed a protector just as they did.
Penelope wasn't as fortunate as his sisters though, having no close male relative to look out for her. He could offer whatever protection he was able to. It was his duty to support a good family friend.
She looked up at him nervously and quickly looked away again. Anthony decided to hold her a little tighter, hoping to reassure her as the first small squeeze might have. It had nothing to do with how soft she felt in his arms.
Francesca began to play and Anthony began to move, leading Penelope through the steps.
For all she joked about her lack of experience, Penelope was an exceptionally graceful dancer. When she finally looked up and met his eyes, looking a bit more confident than when she first put her hand in his, he fought the urge to hold her even closer.
He couldn't forget his family was watching. Even with them present, ensuring they were well and thoroughly chaperoned, the way he was holding her was surely bordering on inappropriate.
If he wasn't so distracted by the blush that was appearing on her freckled cheeks, he might have noticed the exchanges between Benedict and Violet.
Eloise, so focused on learning the steps, didn't seem to notice the way her brother was mesmerized by her best friend.
Gregory seemed to be looking at Penelope with a new fondness as well. Hyacinth, always more in tune with everyone's feelings than anyone would have guessed, watched the two dance as if they were in one of the romances young girls liked to read about.
The music came to an end and Anthony seemed hesitant to let Penelope go, looking a bit startled when she stepped away.
'You aren't nearly as inexperienced as you implied Penelope. Thank you for helping me show Benedict's students how a cotillion should look,' he quickly tried to add some levity to the moment by bringing back some of that viscount smugness. Somehow he seemed a little less sure and a little more breathless than before they began their dance. But that was completely normal. He must have just been winded from dancing.
Penelope, with the softest blush on her cheeks seemed to be handling the moment with more grace.
'Thank you. If I have passed your assessment then perhaps we can partner with Gregory and Hyacinth. That way they have a more experienced partner to help them learn.' Penelope looked back at his youngest siblings, and Hyacinth looked grateful for the chance to dance with her eldest brother, while Gregory perked up at the chance to partner with Penelope.
Anthony couldn't refuse this time, and part of him was grateful to Penelope for bringing a smile to his youngest siblings' faces. Hyacinth was practically beaming. Gregory he may have to keep an eye on. It looked as if his youngest brother was well on his way towards his first heartbreak.
The thought left him when Hyacinth skipped to stand in front of him ready to dance, and Gregory, trying to emulate his older brothers' swagger, walked over to Penelope and held out his hand like the perfect little gentlemen.
Anthony was quite proud actually, until Penelope smiled at Gregory and commented to Benedict that he was right and Gregory was certainly going to be a natural when it came to charming debutantes.
Gregory blushed at the compliment.
How was it that Penelope knew exactly what to say to even his youngest, most beguiling siblings?
'What did I tell you, it's in the Bridgerton blood,' Benedict waggled his eyebrows at her to emphasize the point.
'Can we please get back to practicing before I forget everything I learned?' Eloise demanded.
With that the lessons recommenced, with Gregory and Hyacinth learning alongside Eloise. Benedict slowly picked up the speed with which he counted the steps, and soon Francesca was tasked with providing the music again.
Somehow the time passed rather quickly, as Anthony focused on practicing the dance with his youngest sister. Only occasionally sneaking a glance at Penelope, who had sparked a confidence in Gregory during their practice that he hadn't seen before.
Anthony began to wonder how the Bridgertons became so lucky as to have such a good family friend.