Chapter Nineteen: Forces of Nature
Letty and Helena reached the country estate late that day, Letty's brother's having already arrived. She rolled her eyes before following Helena out of the carriage, hand going to her stomach as she took a deep breath. Long carriage rides were now on the list of things that the baby did not like.
Thomas walked forward, greeting her.
"Letitia," he breathed. "You look well."
"As do you," she breathed. "Has everything been taken care of for the funeral?"
"Yes. It is set to take place tomorrow. Father's will is being read in an hour. Plenty of time for you to get settled before meeting us in the drawing room. Where is your husband?"
"He had to take care of a bit of business before coming down. He shall be here in the next hour or so," Letty explained.
"I look forward to meeting him," Thomas nodded, leading Letty to her old room. "I shall leave you to get freshened up. I hope we have time to speak with one another while we are here."
"Mm," Letty nodded with a tight smile.
"Lady Helena. Right this way," Thomas told her, leading her through the country home.
Letty and Helena shared a look before Helena followed Thomas away and Letty walked into her room. She shut her door and let out a low breath, wishing for nothing more than to not be in this house. She changed into a day dress with the help of Tabitha quickly, thanking her repeatedly for stepping up in place of Sophie, Letty having spoken to Violet and convinced the woman to hire Sophie on before telling Sophie that she had found her work elsewhere. Sophie would be Hyacinth's handmaid now.
Letty changed out of her traveling clothes and into a day dress instead, Tabitha helping Letty greatly as Letty kept needing to stop, nausea getting the best of her. She'd thought the sickness would pass now that she was taking the concoction that the doctor had given her but the carriage ride had been a bit too much. Tabitha left for a moment, returning with a dose of the concoction, passing it to Letty. It took twenty minutes after drinking the potion for Letty's stomach to settle.
She met her brothers in a large drawing room, a solicitor speaking quietly with Thomas when she entered.
"Letitia," he greeted when he saw her. "Do you happen to know where Father kept his business journal? I am unable to find the most recent account notes."
"The journal is at my home in the ton," she told him. "You may come gather it at any time."
"Your home?" Greogry asked. "You mean Thomas's home."
"Father gave the house to Letty as a wedding gift," Thomas corrected him. "It is hers. Why is the journal at your home?"
"I have been doing all the familiar duties since Mother passed. Father was taking an extended mourning period."
"Why?" James scoffed. "There was no love lost between them?"
"If Father did not love Mother, he would not have continued taking her to see doctors and healers, but would have simply hid her away somewhere instead," Letty defended before turning to the solicitor. "I believe you are here for a reason, sir?"
"Yes," the solicitor nodded, looking to Thomas. "As I said, your father left a last letter. It has been verified as his handwriting and I myself saw him write it."
Thomas nodded and the solicitor opened the letter, clearing his throat before he began reading.
"I, Charles Thomas Everly, leave all of my possessions, businesses, and love to my daughter, Letitia Bridgerton—"
James, Gregory, and Edward began yelling immediately. Letty was in shock, staring at the solicitor with wide eyes, no clue that her father had left her everything or why. It was completely uncommon for such a thing to happen. Thomas tried to calm his three younger brothers but they had turned their ire on Letty now. Gregory got pass the brothers and reached Letty, pulling his hand back and slapping her so hard she fell to the floor.
She heard skin hitting skin and turned in time to see Gregory falling to the floor, Benedict standing between the two of them. Violet rushed forward, helping Letty to her feet. She faced away from everyone, ashamed to let anyone see the bruise that was surely appearing on her face, tears running down her cheeks.
"If you ever lay a hand on my wife again, it will be the last thing you do," Benedict threatened behind her and she wanted to scoff, thinking Benedict only cared because she was carrying his child.
One of her hands rested on her injured cheek and the other went to her stomach. The solicitor began reading the letter again.
"I leave everything to Letty, knowing that she will know what is best for the family, as she has been the one taking care of the properties and dealings since the death of her mother, my wife and love, Elizabeth. I know my sons may not agree to my will and, if any harm comes to Letitia due to my last wishes, whatever son harms her will be disowned, the Everly name stripped from him."
Letty stood straight at that news, wiping her tears quickly and turning to her brothers. Gregory looked terrified, eyes going to Letty as he began begging for her forgiveness. She simply raised a brow and looked to the solicitor.
"There is a private letter for Thomas and one for Letitia here," the solicitor stated and both siblings stepped forward, accepting their letters.
Letty's hands were shaking but her eyes were dry now, her cheek and jaw aching. Gregory was truly begging now, on his knees and asking Letty not to disinherit him. The solicitor told him it was already done, as he'd read the will and witnessed the assault himself. The solicitor left then and Letty scoffed as Gregory began crawling towards her.
She left the room quickly, Tabitha moving with her. Letty went to her mother's old room, staring inside for a long moment before closing the door. She checked that the mirrors had been covered through the house before asking Charlette, the head of the house, if everything had truly been taken care of for the funeral tomorrow. Charlette assured her that everything was taken care of and Letty went to her room, finding Benedict inside.
"Thomas showed me where you were sleeping," he explained.
"Then you know that your room is across the hall," she rolled her eyes. "Thank you, Tabitha. I can handle myself for the next few hours."
Tabitha nodded and walked away. Benedict jumped up the moment the door opened, reached for Letty. She simply side stepped him and began undressing herself, tired of the gown she was in and wanting something lighter. It was hot at the country house.
Benedict's breath caught in his throat as he watched Letty strip out of her day dress. She bent over, searching through her luggage until she pulled a lightweight dress out, tossing it over a chair before she pulled out an undergarment that wasn't a corset.
"Do you mind?" she asked him, pointing to the corset.
"Oh- of course," he said, hurrying forward.
His hands slowly undid the knots on her back, loosening the corset until it fell from Letty's body. She went to grab the undergarment but Benedict grabbed her waist, pulling her against his body. His hands moved to her front, caressing her breast.
"Oh," she breathed, arching against his hands.
A hand slid down into her underskirt, his fingers expertly moving against her. She gasped, back arching and head falling against his shoulder. She hated this man. She hated him more than anyone else in the world yet she loved him so fiercely that it made her heart break and her body buzz. Her legs were shaking and she felt something building inside of her. It had been so long since she'd been touched and her body was so sensitive. She put a hand over her mouth quickly, Benedict holding her securely against him as she came, holding in the sounds that tried escaping her, worried that someone would over hear.
Benedict lifted Letty suddenly, carrying her to her bed. He ripped her underskirt off and placed his face between her legs. Letty gasped, fingers tangling in his hair. He groaned as he tasted her and Letty's toes curled, coming again in a matter of minutes. Benedict kicked his boots and pants off quickly, crawling up her body and sliding into her so easily. He fit so perfectly.
Letty was gasping for breath as Benedict moved against her. Her nails dug into his shoulder and her head fell back, no longer caring if anyone heard her. Benedict kissed her deeply, pouring all of his love into the kiss. Letty broke the kiss, unable to breath as she panted below him.
They finished together, Letty calling Benedict's name as they did so. Benedict held his weight off of her but stayed above her, refusing to move as he held his wife, his Letty. Letty was having none of it though. The moment she had her breath back, she pushed at Benedict's chest and he moved quickly, not wishing to harm her.
Letty stood, moving around the room and dressing quickly. Benedict sat up, watching her. Once dressed, Letty brushed her hair quickly before leaving, not caring as Benedict called after her. Letty distracted herself for the rest of the day, going through her father's office. Thomas found her there and told her that Gregory and his family had left.
"You can have this house," Letty told Thomas.
"You do not have to—"
"I do not want it," she told him. "And, if Gregory is worried, he can keep the house he and his family live in now. I will continue paying the staff but I will not sent him allowance any longer. He will have to find some sort or work."
"You are very generous," Thomas nodded. "I would not have let him have a damn thing."
"Yes, well, I know how mother was. It is not his fault for not knowing how to deal with the trauma left by her treatment and Father's absence," Letty shrugged.
"Father was not absent," Thomas gave a confused look. "He was with us often. Mother did tend to have fits and hit us but Father was always there after, giving us raw steak for the bruises."
"Hmph," Letty scoffed. "He was absent with me. Did not take care of me after mothers punishments."
"I am sorry… that we had such a different father," Thomas told her, seeming a bit horrified by Letty's words.
"Maybe that is why he left me everything," Letty sighed. "Maybe he felt guilt over having left me to deal with mother on my own."
"Have you not read your letter yet?" Thomas asked curiously.
"Not quite," she sighed. "I've been trying to make sense of everything in here. Father was a bit of a mess. I thought I had dealt with all his debts but I have found proof of three in the past two hours."
"Do I need to visit any gentlemen's clubs?" Thomas asked.
"No need," Letty shook her head. "Anthony always does it for me. I'll give him the money to take in once he arrives."
"Anthony?" Thomas asked.
"Viscount Bridgerton. He taught me how to balance books and how to do family dealings," Letty explained.
"Your husbands elder brother, yes?" Thomas asked.
"Yes," Letty nodded. "Though he was not my husband yet when Anthony taught me."
"That feels highly inappropriate," Thomas commented.
"It was," Letty shrugged. "People gave us very strange looks when we were often found together discussing men's business. It was rather entertaining to say the least."
"Ah," Thomas smirked. "Do you like to… entertain?"
"Only when needed," she shrugged.
"With me living here, I would like for the two of us to get to know one another better," Thomas admitted. "I have heard things in passing from the servants but I would like to know my sister from more than passing comments."
"Maybe," Letty nodded as Charlette walked in.
"Lady Everly? Guest are arriving," she informed Letty.
"Lady Everly," Letty sighed. "That is going to take getting used to. Can not believe I am a Baroness."
"Apparently all of the staff knew you were being left everything," Thomas smirked, walking with Letty towards the front entrance.
"How is my cheek?" Letty asked, feeling subconscious now.
"A little bruised but could be worse," he told her before reached up and touching her cheek. "How is this?"
"It is alright," she sighed before they reached the entrance, both putting fake smiles on their faces.
People greeted Thomas first before he directed them to Letty, calling her Baroness Everly every time and causing shock to take over the faces of many. At least Letty knew she got her ways honestly, Thomas seeming just as entertained as she was when shocking people.
"You like to entertain," she smirked to him.
"I do," he nodded and the two laughed before sobering as the Featherington carriage arrived.
"Oh, finally. People I know."
"I do not know these people," he admitted.
"Lady Featherington, my eldest brother, Thomas," Letty smiled, introducing her brother.
"Baron Everly," Portia began.
"Actually, it's Baroness Everly," Thomas corrected, gesturing to Letty. "Our father left Letitia in charge."
"Oh," Portia was surprised before she smiled to Letty, hugging her gently. "Congratulations, dear girl."
"Thank you," Letty whispered to her.
Portia pulled away as Pen stepped forward. Letty held Pen tightly as Benedict walked to Letty's side, joining them.
"Mister Bridgerton," Thomas greeted. "How lovely to see you again."
Letty and Pen pulled away from each other and Letty made a face to Pen, causing her to giggle. Prudence and Phillipa both bowed their heads to Letty, as did their husbands, and Letty made a face.
"Don't do that," she told them with a laugh.
"You're a Baroness," Phillipa reminded her.
"You are my friend," Letty insisted. "We do not have to be so diplomatic with one another."
The Featherington's headed inside, a servant showing them each to a room. Anthony and Kate arrived at the same time as Daphne and Simon, the four hurriedly moving to Letty. Kate pulled Letty into a tight hug first, causing Letty to sigh in relief. This was her family. Kate and Daphne and Anthony and Simon. Pen as well, but she'd already been shown away. The rest of the Bridgertons arrived as Kate released Letty, holding Letty's face in her hands as the two whispered softly back and forth, Anthony and Simon looking to Letty from where they stood with Thomas, who had just told them about Letty's new title.
The rest of the evening and next morning were filled with older men trying to swindle her and tell her about deals she already knew about. Anthony and Simon bit their lips, trying not to laugh as Letty easily put the men in their places, telling them that she'd been the one they'd been communicating with for over a year already. Thomas left the room at one point, unable to hold in his laughter anymore.
The funeral was a short affair, much like her mother's. A prayer was said and then her father was laid to rest beside her mother. Letty stayed by the graves the longest, just watching as men placed dirt over her father's coffin. It was dark and she'd began shivering by the time she walked back into the house. Benedict had been keeping his distance. He stood beside her during the funeral but slept in the room across the hall as Letty had instructed him. He was waiting just inside the door when she walked into the house though.
He laid a blanket over her shoulders and Letty wanted to scoff and toss it off, but she was shivering. She pulled the blanket closer and sat on the couch, staring out into the night where the graves sat. Benedict sat on the other side of her, not blocking her view but staying beside her at the same time. She wanted to be mad, to yell at him and tell him that she didn't need him. She couldn't find it in her to raise her voice in the moment though and she did need him.
She took a slow breath and stood, the blanket falling onto the couch as she did so. She looked back at Benedict and held her hand out. He took it immediately, standing with a pleading look on his face. Letty led him to her room where Tabitha was waiting patiently to help her change.
Letty shook her head and Tabitha left the two alone.
"Letty, I—"
Letty shook her head again. Benedict quieted as she kicked her slippers off. She lifted her mourning gown off and then turned, asking without words for Benedict to untie her corset. He did so, finger tips brushing her skin lightly in the process. The feeling made her shiver for a different reason before the corset hit the floor. Benedict walked around her so he was in front of her, kneeled down, and slowly moved her skirt down her legs, hands brushing her skin purposefully.
He looked up at her as he pulled the rest of her clothing from her body, as if asking for permission. She nodded and he stood, stripping as quickly as he could with all the layers he was wearing. Once his shirt was off, Letty laid her hands on his chest, eyes staring at the scar that rested near his heart from where he'd fallen from a tree as a child and almost been impaled by a stray branch.
Benedict lifted Letty into his arms, carrying her to her bed. He kissed her gently and her fingers tangled in his hair. She rolled them and they both sat up, Letty straddling him, one hand on his shoulder and the other on the frame behind them. Benedict's hands traveled her body, touching every part of her that he could. She rolled her hips and the two let out moans together. Letty continued moving, the two of them both getting louder as they went, neither worried about anyone overhearing them, the guest having already gone home and only the two of them left on this hall of the home.
Letty moved faster and Benedict lifted his hips, bucking up into her. His thumb moved down, brushing the sensitive skin just above where their two bodies were joined. Benedict thought that the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen had been Letty on the day they were married, scandal or not. He'd been wrong as he watched her come apart above him, her skin glowing and head thrown back, saying his name like an oath to be kept.
He turned them over, her hair splaying across the pillow like a halo. He moved his hips, pressing their bodies close and holding her against him. He kissed her gently, whispering his love against her lips. He told her she was beautiful, that she was strong, and perfect, and wonderful. A tear slipped down her cheek and Benedict wiped it away quickly, continuing to speak as he did so.
The two of them finished together, Benedict kissing her roughly in the process, swallowing her moans of pleasure. He took a moment before moving, going to her side before pulling her against his chest. He pulled a thin sheet over the two of them and just held Letty, his wife, in his arms. He woke the next morning to an empty bed.
Letty changed once she arrived home and then went to Bridgerton house to walk with the rest of the family to the balloon show, finding Gregory with his arm in a sling.
"What happened?" Letty asked him.
"I climbed the roof to try seeing the balloon," he sighed.
"I'm guessing the roof fought back?" Letty asked.
"More like the ground when I fell down," he sighed.
"Was it worth the glimpse of the balloon?" Benedict asked, not looking up from his paper as he spoke.
"I fell before I even got to see it," he grumbled.
"You poor thing," Letty sighed, giving a soft smile as she reached out, fixing Gregory's hair.
The group took carriages to the park where the balloon exhibition was being held. There were tents with food, kites and toys balloons that floated were being sold, children were running around a maypole, wrapping multi-colored ribbons around it as they skipped around it.
"Come one, come all!" a man shouted. "Watch man attempt to take flight, soaring to heights never before seen!"
Colin ran off quickly and Letty watched as he walked into the sweets tent with Pen.
"Ridiculous," she smirked, rolling her eyes as Benedict reached her side.
"What's ridiculous?" he asked her.
"The fact that Colin and Pen aren't already engaged for some scandal or another," she told him.
"You could always make one up and write it in your papers," he shot back.
Letty bit her tongue. Hard.
"I think the baby needs a balloon for his nursery," Letty decided.
"His?" Benedict asked.
"I don't know. I'm just guessing. Only a man could give me these many difficulties," she shrugged as they reached the toy stand. "Oh, how cute."
Letty picked a medium sized balloon toy and Benedict paid before she got the chance. She gave him an odd look and he refused to look at her. She sighed as they headed into a tent where Hawkins was speaking.
"As I have found a more durable and lighter fabric, it should enable me to stay aloft for over two hours!"
"Two hours?" Lord Remington questioned. "You know, a sailing ship can last all the way to the Americas."
"And you can actually steer them," Lord Landers pointed out.
The gentlemen of the tent laughed and Letty rolled her eyes.
"I believe the point of the exhibition is to show advances that can be used in the future," Letty said to the only other woman in the tent, but loud enough for the men to hear, Benedict smirking in the process.
"What is the use of such a balloon, Lord Hawkins?" Lord Cho questioned.
"I am sorry," the other woman spoke up, "but is this tent a balloon? Because you all are certainly filling it with air. This man's ingenuity will drive forth practical progress. I came here to listen to someone who thinks differently, not to hear the familiar chorus of what cannot be done."
"Thank you, my lady," Hawkins bowed his head.
The lady went back to Letty's side, the two sharing a smile before turning to Lord Hawkins, listening as he continued explaining how exactly the balloon worked and how it would revolutionize transport in the future. At the end of the lecture, Letty and Benedict stepped outside, noticing how much the wind had picked up while they'd been inside. A few men were fighting the balloon, trying to weight it down with their bodies to hold it still.
Suddenly, ropes came undone, tethers were ripped out of the ground, and the balloon began to move.
"Oh, Gods. Pen and El," Letty pointed.
Benedict ran from her, Colin yelling for assistance. Men began grabbing the ropes, pulling the balloon back. El and Cressida got out of the way quickly, as did Lord Debling. Pen turned, staring in terror for a moment before she began running backwards, tripping as her feet became tangled in a discarded blanket.
Letty had already been rushing forward. She and Lord Debling both got to the blanket, Letty covering Pen and Lord Debling covering the both of them. The balloon stopped just before hitting them and was pulled back. Lord Debling helped both women to their feet.
"Are you alright? Are you injured?" Letty asked, looking Pen over carefully.
"I'm alright," Pen promised, out of breath and still looking a bit terrified.
"Lord Debling, thank you," Letty turned to him, pulling Pen close to her side. "Thank you, so much."
"No need," he assured her.
"Oh! Ow!" Cressida Cowper shouted suddenly, bending down and grabbing her ankle. "My ankle. I think it was hit by one of the ropes."
"Here," Lord Debling offered his arm immediately, helping Cressida. "Let us find you a seat."
Cressida began limping away, giving Pen a smirk along the way before noticing Letty's glare and looking away quickly. Pen seemed rather put out until Letty reminded her of the ball later.
The Innovations Ball that followed the balloon picnic was a delightful affair. There were sculptures in the garden in the shapes of the balloon, showing how the balloon worked from the inside. Chandeliers with candles lit the ceiling showing sculptures in alcoves above. A quartet was playing lively music just off the side of the dance floor. Letty and Francesca were each on Benedict's arm, him escorting the both of them.
"What is that?" Letty asked, pointing to what Sir Humphry Davy was showing off.
"Let us go and find out," Benedict nodded. "Would you care to join us, Francesca, or go straight to Lord Samadani?"
"I shall join you first," Francesca smiled.
"This is what Sir Humphry Davy calls a lamp," a presenter showed them.
"It looks a bit like those lights from the Vauxhall Ball. How does it work?" Letty asked.
"There are two rods in here creating an electricity," the man told her, pointing at the rods for her to see.
"Amazing," Letty whispered.
The three moved on and Letty noticed something interesting on the other side of the room.
"Is that man flirting with your mama?" Letty asked.
"What? Where?" Benedict demanded, looking around.
Francesca escaped then, biting her lip to keep from laughing at Benedict's reaction. Letty did not hide her laugh, looking away from Benedict when he turned a glare on her.
"You are a most troublesome wife," he informed her.
"I don't know why you expected anything less," she told him.
"Fair enough," he sighed. "Maybe more trouble than worth, though."
"You say the most romantic things," Letty rolled her eyes, removing her arm from Benedict's. "Excuse me."
Letty moved to the sides of the room, finding Colin and Violet.
"May I ask a question, Mother?" Colin asked Violet.
"Anything, dearest," Violet said, turning her full attention to Colin.
"As you consider suitable matches for Francesca, what do you hope she finds?"
"I… wish for Francesca the same thing I wanted for myself, for Anthony, for Daphne, for Benedict. Passion, excitement, a love that is thrilling," Violet told him.
"I thought you believed the best foundation for great love was friendship," Colin stated.
"Indeed, I do," Violet nodded. "It is how your father and I began. But it is rare to begin as friends and for both parties to then feel more."
"How did you and Father know it was reciprocated?" Colin asked.
"Because he gathered the courage to ask," Violet said, voice soft.
Colin looked over to Pen and the two women followed his eyes, seeing Pen speaking with Lord Debling.
"Well, uh, I hope if Francesca finds it, she is brave enough to ask the question."
"I hope she is as well," Violet nodded, voice still soft before she walked away.
"Or you could always drink that tea that you gave Benedict," Letty offered.
"Why would I drink it?" Colin asked, turning to Letty.
"No reason," she said before walking away as well, leaving Colin to figure out his own feelings for the time being.
This author believes that all of man's greatest inventions are nothing more than a distraction from what is most natural to us. Our instincts. The innate animal impulse that is inside even the most sophisticated of us. For when all is said and done our nature will always win out.
In a strange nature, Baroness Letitia Everly and Benedict Bridgerton are at odds. What could have possibly caused the falling out that has the two so distant from one another, not only at social gatherings, but in their home as well? Is it even really their home if only one of them occupies it, the other residing in a separate apartment?