Prologue

Dearest Gentle Reader

It is with the greatest joy and sheer excitement that I announce the arrival of a new Bridgerton story.

For the moment, let us refer to it as Series Two B for now.

Before we proceed, we must deal with the legalities, should we not?

Whilst the concept for this series is mine, the framework it is built on is based predominantly on characters, storylines etc. from the creative behemoth of Shondaland, and, of course, its incredible instigator, Shonda Rhimes herself who also drew inspiration from the amazing Julia Quinn's Bridgerton stories.

And so, we start on February 14th, 2025, with a taster.

This is a day, I am told, many of you generally refer to as 'Valentine's Day.'

It's a day on which love , be it - at its beginning, the accepted norm , recently ended or about to die, love for show, a mere pretence, unrequited, or , God forbid, adulterous – love is the main , if not sole subject of this entire day, and night, and beyond, if you are so fortunate.

With this in mind, I think it most appropriate that the taster's subject matter abuts* what many of you will be very busy dreaming of , swooning over and or , possibly, having nightmares about.

The taster title, or should that be teaser title ?, is 'When Love Comes to town.'

I borrowed this title from a well-known song, performed you know where, by the legendary B. B. King and friends Bono and co.

On our journey, Dearest reader, we shall delve into the tragedy, trauma and treasure of new love, old established love, returning love, out of the blue unexpected amour, and impossible love.

The taster will be released early (GMT) on Friday 14th February, for your delectation and, of course, comments.

Thereafter, hoping that I have enticed you into wanting more, I shall seed and feed your Bridgerton fix further with at least six chapters to be published at a maximum of 3 - 4wk intervals.

Finally, for now, & without too many spoilers, please find below a scene setting introduction to our new protagonist, Princess Aurora.

Below that scene is a selection of the cast list - new and familiar – that you will meet during our Series Two B journey.

Scene setting

King Karl II and his wife, Queen Marianne, are at their wits end. Their youngest daughter, Princess Aurora, will soon come of age and shows no signs of amending her wild or, as the Reverend Mother Superior is fond of saying, 'her unwomanly ways!'

Deep down, Aurora knows it is her duty to marry appropriately in order to serve her country and family, but she also insists on a life that bears more than a token of recognition to her as an individual.

She is well read, plays several musical instruments exceptionally well, speaks four languages fluently and is learning a fifth. More importantly, she is both kind (mostly) and intelligent.

For Aurora embroidery is anything but a favourite pastime.

Her favourite pastimes are legend and include spitting contests with the castle grooms, climbing trees, horse riding (astride!), hunting , and butchering and cooking wild animals she herself has either shot or trapped.

Of late, in one fell swoop, she can be dismissive and add 'disgust' to the list of negative emotions she evokes in a prospective suitor who believes has enough courage to visit and to request courting permissions.

Aurora likes very much to wager with her siblings and the occasional groom, about how quickly she can make these 'boy' suitors disappear, usually in a state of emotional and physical dismay, never to return, after she has presented herself in the reception room, fresh from the hunt, dirty, covered in blood and mud, stretching entrails between her fingers as if it is the rarest of silk yarn.

If the sight and smell of her does not make the suitor cover his mouth and mumble some unintelligible excuse as he makes his hasty, clumsy exit, Princess Aurora extends a filthy, blood-soaked hand in welcome, accompanied by a huge, blindingly irresistible smile and the announcement of her name and full title.

In light of all this behaviour, Aurora's father, King Karl II reluctantly agrees with his wife's frequently aired suggestions to send envoys to England to beg - Yes! to beg! - Queen Charlotte, his sister, to assist with their dilemma.

Of course, they want their daughter to be happy and to have a successful marriage. However, they would be worse than foolish to ignore Napolean's boundless ambitions to be all powerful and dominant wherever he treads.

Aurora's marriage , to the right Prince, has the potential to boost power and economy, and strength and security for Mecklenburg-Strelitz and her corner of Germany. It's a political duty in the first place, and a love match in second place, if the latter is even possible. It has to happen.

Signing off until February 14th

Paulette Holmes (Author and one off, stand-in for Lady Whistledown)

P.S. Feel free to post feedback on this submission too, if you wish.

Amongst others, the cast includes:

Brimsley, The Queen's man

Chef

Dowager Viscountess Violet Ledger (nee) Bridgerton

Envoy no.1 ( For King Karl II)

Envoy no.2 ( For King Karl II)

The Honourable Edwin Bridgerton, younger brother, to the Dowager's late husband, Edmund

Gregory Bridgerton, youngest son of the Dowager

King George III

King Karl II, formerly Duke Adolphus, still brother to Queen Charlotte

Lady Agatha Danbury

Lady Whistledown

Lord Alfred Debling, still single, still kind, still searching

Madame Delacroix , still our fabulous Ton Modiste

Princess Aurora, teen Queen-in-waiting

Reverend Mother Superior

Queen Charlotte of England and Ireland

Queen Marianne, wife of King Karl II

Reynolds, The King's man