I DO NOT OWN BRIDGERTON.
Bridgerton house. London, United Kingdom. 3 days later.
I had stayed in my rooms over the weekend after Whistledown hit. The last thing that i needed was Anthony leading everyone else in the Ton in telling me what a complete dumb ass I was for trying to put a ring on Marina's finger. The worst part was that I couldn't even defend myself. Unless you knew what I knew about Marina killing herself, my actions didn't really make a whole lot of sense.
If i was being truly honest, even if they had known...the Bridgertons would have still given me plenty of Hell for not dumping her ass the moment I knew she was knocked up. It was a lose-lose situation and the reality of having no options was brought home to me as I read the next issue of Lady Whistledown.
Miss Marina Thompson's recent fall from grace continues to echo through every drawing room in town, days after it was revealed her engagement to Colin Bridgerton was nothing more than a sham.
Of course, a lady's disgrace does not merely tarnish her own name. Like the tars of the Thames, it also leaves a horrid smear on anyone nearby...
"Miss Thompson must be in agonies over these lies." I quoted after I was called into the drawing room with the Dowager viscountess, the viscount, and Benedict to discuss the scandal that currently threatened to bring shame upon the name Bridgerton. "Why can I not visit her?"
"Colin.." Lady Violet started to say.
"Listen to me brother, that the ton devours every bit of Whistledown is the only thing keeping this family from shame." Anthony explained as was clearly trying not to show his anger at my choices. "Because of her, no one believes you are the father of Miss Thompson's child; But if you were to go near her, they'll presume you responsible for her ruin, and your sisters will pay the price for your notoriety. Is this what you desire?"
"Of course not, but…" I started to say before the Duchess of Hastings made her grand entrance
"Evening, everyone." Daphne replied as everyone besides me looked at her in surprise.
"Dearest!" Violet exclaimed as she rose to her feet.
"What are you doing here; should you not be frolicking in newlywed bliss?" Anthony asked, equally astonished as the others.
"I came as swiftly as our carriage would allow when I heard the news."
"In the middle of your honeymoon?" Anthony inquired.
"Hastings must surely be cursing the Bridgerton name for this; where is he, anyhow?" Benedict asked.
"He went to set up Hastings House." Daphne answered uncomfortably as I knew the reason he wasn't around.
"We have all things in order, Sister. We do not require your assistance." Anthony insisted with a look of steel.
"I agree, while your aid is appreciated, I can handle my own affairs." I replied as I tried to be as civil to Daphne as I could.
"That is simply not true, and you know it. Daphne may be the answer to all of our problems." Violet argued as I knew she would. "Once the ton see that we still have the favor of the duke and duchess, then the whispers may very well cease, and we shall go about our daily lives as if nothing has happened, as if nothing is awry."
"And no one will be the wiser." Daphne commented, clearly pissed at her mother for not giving her a proper sex talk. "Pretending that nothing is amiss is the perfect way to lure the ignorant into submission; is it not, Mama?"
"Ignorance and cruelty can often go hand and hand however…sister." I shot back as I couldn't hold it any longer. She gave me a look of confusion as I looked away.
What she had done to Simon and her lack of consequences for it, was what I hated most about the show. The fancy clothes, the regency era ways of the British aristocracy, it all had been bearable. Sexual assault however, was the last straw. if the roles were reversed and Simon had forced Daphne to…receive his…you know…everyone would have called for his head and rightfully so. But because Daphne needed to prove that Simon was just pulling out instead of sterile, her violation against her husband was ignored at best and justified at worst. Double standards are bullshit.
"Returning to the subject at hand, what grand event will the ton be descending upon this week; surely there is something?" Daphne inquired.
"The queen is hosting a luncheon." Violet offered.
"I am certain the duke and I can secure an invitation." Daphne offered as her plan of action was decided upon. If we are lucky, our return to London will give everyone so much to talk about, they simply have no breath left to discuss other matters."
"I'm so very glad this has all been settled on my behalf." I quoted as I walked out of the drawing room. I quickly made my way to Eloise's room as I knocked on her door.
"Tommy...what is wrong?" Eloise asked quietly as she stood aside to let me in. I told her about what Daphne had done to Simon on their honeymoon to explain my loathing for her sister. I did lie and tell her that I found out this information from a future book on the Bridgerton family history, as opposed to watching it on Netflix.
"So that's why i've been so pissy towards Daphne. I just can't over what she did to Simon." I explained as Eloise thought about what I said for a few moments. She seemed less conflicted about the matter as I am; maybe because it didn't affect her.
"It seems then, that you have 2 options: you can either confront my sister with what you know and how you know it..." Eloise began to explain.
"Not a chance, what's option 2?" I asked as Eloise looked at me somberly.
"You can just let it go." She said, soundling like every other Bridgerton fan.
"So i'm just supposed to act like what Dalhne did was all right?" I asked incredulously.
"No, what my sister did was awful...but there is no profit to continue stewing over it." Eloise clarified as she sat next to me. "You said that the history books say that Daphne and Simon make it up, they have a gaggle of kids and are happy for the rest of their days. If Simon can forgive Daphne for what she did, there is no reason for you not to."
"I guess it would cause needless suffering to keep harping on the matter." I relented, knowing that she had a point.
"Unless you trust Daphne with your truth Tommy, you have to move past it." Eloise insisted. I didn't like that she was right, but I couldn't argue with her words.
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