9. The First Family Dinner

"Always

You were you,

and I was I;

we were two

before our time.

I was yours

before I knew,

and you have always

been mine too."

-Lord Byron

That first dinner was as awkward as you can picture it….. and yet, it wasn't absolutely dreadful like I had been expecting.

I sat between Anthony and Father at one end of the table with Benedict on the other side along with Lord Hastings and Lady Danbury. The mood was initially tense, with Anthony and my fiancé exchanging glares every so often. Benedict's demeanour was calmer and more natural, as were Father's and Lady Danbury's. I was unaware of this, but the two eldest individuals in the room were good friends, introduced through my mother many years ago. Mother was Lady Danbury's best friend; when she died, her ladyship kept in contact with Father on a regular basis. For my part I barely knew the woman and I already liked her. She had this witty air about her; gentle yet firm and transparent. I could see us becoming close friends as well…..

Father took a bite of his mutton, grinning to Lady Danbury. "Daphne's never been one for mutton. Can't fathom why; it's my favourite entrée." "Indeed? Have you always been a choosy eater, Miss Bridgerton?" I didn't take offence to her ladyship's question, instead smiling back her way. "I'm afraid so, my lady. I've been a dreadful dinner guest ever since I was a child," I mildly joked. She too grinned back at me and took a bite from her own fork. Anthony wiped his mouth with his napkin before turning his head in my direction.

"I wouldn't call you a "dreadful dinner guest", sister. Your charm and personality far compensate for your picky pallet." "He's right, dearest. Why, I make an effort to dine with all my children whenever possible," Father announced in pride and delight. Lady Danbury and Lord Hastings looked at him curiously; the latter more so than the former. "Ah, yes. You and Lady Bridgerton have done a wonderful job with these eight, my lord. I can see why you like spending time with them. Such accomplished boys, and your eldest daughter is this Season's diamond of the first water!" Lady Danbury nodded in agreement. "Yes. I have lots to be proud of, to be sure," Father put his hand on the back of my chair, making me smile at him. He grinned back at me before turning to Lord Hastings.

"And I must say you've done a fine job with this strapping young man, Lady Danbury! I've heard that he is a most amiable lord to his people back in Hastings. And Anthony's told us so much about him besides," Father proclaimed, and Anthony frowned. "From what I have said, Father, I'm surprised you would think to him to be so amiable," he fired back quietly, making Benny hide a grin with his hand. Lord Hastings looked insulted, and I remained silent, eating everything but the mutton on my plate.

My fiancé leaned forward slightly at his end of the table, far away and opposite us. "You appear displeased, Bridgerton." "Should you wonder why? After the way you slighted my sister at the Engagement Ball….." Anthony spat back, not retaining any venom from his tone. Lord Hastings's frown grew. "Miss Bridgerton had two fine dancing companions with her that evening. I shouldn't think my presence would be missed." "We are her brothers; you are her fiancé," my eldest brother countered upset. Father set his fork down, breathing a sigh. "Now, Anthony; don't hold that over the boy's head. It's all done and over with. As we agreed to yesterday, let's just try to make the best of the circumstance." Benedict chuckled, taking a gulp of wine. "Heh, they're not even sitting beside each other. I should think everyone present is happy about that," he noted cheekily. Lord Hasting's head spun his way, but he did not immediately rebuff this point- I didn't think he would. Anthony smirked pleased at this comment, however. "Oh, don't worry, brother. They won't sit together until the wedding ceremony if I have anything to say about it." "Anthony!" Father gasped horrified, while Lord Hastings eyes returned to my brother annoyed.

"You seem determined that your sister and I should not be in one another's company any longer than required," his lordship declared with some venom of his own. Why, I have no clue. "Isn't that what you want, Hastings? Isn't that what you requested of Daphne yourself?" Anthony immediately fired back at him. "I think it presumptuous for you to assume to know what I want," it was Lord Hastings turn to shoot back. "I know what you do not want," Anthony retorted. "How could you possibly know that? Miss Bridgerton and I have scarcely said two words to each other. It's far too early to draw any firm conclusions." "The display you gave last night shows otherwise, your grace," Anthony all but growling now. "What do you think of my sister? Truly, Hastings?" Benedict leaned back in his seat, intertwining his fingers together. Anthony shot him a monstrous, punishing glare. "Perhaps it would be better if he refrained from thinking about Daphne at all." "Boys, please! This is improper dinner conversation," Father finally interrupted, having enough of their boyish nonsense. I simply stayed quiet, trying to appear as small and invisible as possible. Or that was until Lady Danbury glanced over to me wonderingly. She seemed curious about me, which I supposed made sense…. Me being her future god-daughter-in-law and all.

"I say, are you always this reserved, Miss Bridgerton?" I perked up at being asked this question suddenly, blinking to Lady Danbury with wide eyes. "Huh? Oh! Oh, I, uh, um…" "Heh, Daphne's always been the calming presence in the family." "Quite right, Benedict. Unlike my dear wife or other daughters, Daphne was born with this quiet, gentle air about her. She was never apt to play outside with her siblings. Instead, she spent a good part of her youth in the family library, reading every book she could get her hands on," Father said with pride. Lady Danbury and Lord Hastings looked to me in surprise. "Really?" Her ladyship inquired, slightly taken aback. "She may be quiet, but she has quite a collection of friends. Or rather pen pals. Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft…." Anthony began to rattle off. Benedict chuckled under his breath. "The infamous Lord Byron even wrote Daphne a letter once after Mary Shelley gave him our address." Everyone at the table looked scandalized, especially our two guests. I flushed a beet red as my heart began to pound rapidly. "O-Of course I returned it unopened with instructions to do the same with all his letters! He's only ever written me once, as far as I know…" I felt my mouth vomit out words in distress. No one was ever supposed to know about that letter, particularly since I had no idea what it said.

Lord Hastings blinked at me in utter disbelief and astonishment. "Did Lord Byron- the Lord Byron- really write to you?" The was the first time he'd spoken to me that evening. I didn't answer, instead turning my full attention to slowing down my breathing. Lady Danbury leaned back in her seat a little. "Well, your reputation does precede you, Miss Bridgerton… For someone like Lord Byron to write to you from the continent." "You did the right thing by returning his letter unopened, darling. I wouldn't stand for anything else," Father nodded his head in a dominating manner before stealing a glance at me. His face immediately stretched with concern.

"Why, dearest! Your face burning up. Are you well? Do you feel alright?" He immediately rushed to my aid. My brothers also perked up alarmed. "I…. I feel a bit dizzy," I said, slurring some of my words. My heart was still beating too fast… "You need something to drink. Waiter, quick! A glass of water!" Father summoned a nearby manservant. We were just one table in the grand dining room at the palace where all the other newly engaged couples were eating dinner together. The waiter rapidly brought me a chalice of water, which I drank right away. Afterwards I flashed the man a grateful smile. "Thank you." The servant's back stiffened as he was unsure what to make of this; servants were usually seen and not heard.

Lord Hastings also saw this too.

Father rubbed my back as I polished off the glass. "There, do you feel better now? How's your head? Still dizzy?" "Hmmmmm, a little but I'm fine now. Thank you, Father." Lady Danbury's finger ran over top her bottom lip meditatively. "Ah, yes. I recall your mother mentioning you had a heart condition." "Heart condition? What heart condition?" Lord Hastings demanded as if this was his first time hearing about it. But Father waved his hand dismissively. "Bah, it's nothing to worry about. The doctors say it's not fatal. Daphne just has to be…. more careful, that's all." "So that's why you spent so many hours reading as a child?" Lady Danbury noted to herself, still running her finger along her lip. I shook my head and grinned at her. "Not quite, your ladyship. True, it makes strenuous exercise fatiguing, but I enjoy learning. It's always been my passion. In fact, Father's hired me a private tutor as a wedding present," I proudly announced. "A tutor? Does a girl your age still need a tutor? Wouldn't a governess be more appropriate?" Lady Danbury inquired. "Daphne's always had male tutors. Since she couldn't attend university, she's demanded the same education as her brothers at home." "As she now?" Lord Hastings's eyebrow raised at me, though not in a judgemental way; more in a curious sense.

Lady Dandury simply observed me for a moment before breaking out into a pleasant grin. "I find you an interesting sort of character, Miss Bridgerton. Your education must have made you into an excellent correspondent, particularly if someone like Lord Bryon takes the time to find you. I should like to get to know you better." "And I you, Lady Danbury," I replied with a smile. She nodded. "Good! Then how about you and I go for a promenade in the park tomorrow morning? Say, ten o'clock?" "Oh, yes! I'd like that very much. May I, Father?" I glanced over his way. His eyes shone onto me, and he nodded. "Certainly, my darling. You may go while I arrange our move back to our estate here in London. We'll be going tomorrow afternoon. Remember that, boys," he instructed my brothers. "Yes, Father," they replied in unison. Grinning content with that, his hand reached over to pat mine affectionately. "I think it's a wonderful idea. You and Lady Danbury should get to know each other; your mother would be so happy." "Indeed, my lord," her ladyship agreed. "And you'll have to come visit us at home here in London, meet my other children," Father added. "Heh, should we subject them to that so soon?" Benny chuckled again. But Lady Danbury simply nodded her head. "Of course, my lord. Now that our families will soon be united, we shall dine with you as often as possible." "That isn't necessary," Anthony told her, but she cut him off. "Allow me to disagree with you, young man. That old axiom has proved overrated from my experience. Absence may make the heart grow fonder…..

But I fear that it may make it forgetful instead."