Mere mortals

"-and the Bridgertons are coming to dinner tonight!" This is the only moment of what my mother says that registers with me. She has given us the usual speech of what we have done wrong and what we must do to improve, which I believe even prudence and philipa ignore, and then she announces this. I turn my head so that I may listen closer, and well, see whether this includes Benedict or not. "With Marina and Colin well, a partnership, I have invited the family round so that we might all get to know each other a little better."

"Get to know each other better? We have lived across the street from them for the entirety of our lives, mother. I am sure that we know them plenty well." I raise an eyebrow but of course she ignores my comment and continues to ramble on about what the cook shall provide. But what I do know is that I must dress and I must dress well. My initial reaction is that I shall go to the modiste, but after the revelation that Lord Granville told me yesterday, I do not believe I wish to be near her, or his wife! I am trying what he has suggested to me, to forgive and to forget. And so I do not think an interaction with either of these women is particularly wise. "Pen... pen!"

"Yes, dear sister?" She stops before she enters her own room so that she may sneak into mine. "What is it? You look rather lovely today, I must say. Have you done something different with your hair?" She continues to talk until we are properly in my room, and once the door has closed behind her, she shakes her head a little. "Oh, is this not the most awful? I... I have much to tell you, Peaches."

"As do I. As do I! You go first."

"I found the letters that George had sent to Marina." I tilt my head a little and she gauges this reaction. "Oh, I must start from the beginning. Marina is pregnant with sir george crane's baby. And he has written to her many times until she told him of the pregnancy. Then he refrained from responding for weeks and when he did, well, it was clear he did not want her. But I found the letter and I found that mother and Varley had faked that very letter! I told Marina and she said it does not change a thing and... well... Colin has since announced his engagement to Marina this morning. I do not wish for Colin to be deceived into this lifelong commitment, Peaches. He shall never be able to travel as he has always wished... I... I do not know what I am to do. Must I try to talk with him of it? Or must I stay out of it and refrain from protecting him?"

"You must tell him! My goodness, Pen, you must tell him. I do not care that it shall ruin Marina. It shall ruin your heart if you allow this to happen and I care of you much more than I care of her." I watch her as she slumps against the back of my door, letting out a rather unladylike sigh. "You must not let it happen, if you feel for him so strongly. I... I know I do not have much experience with these things, Pen, not so much more experience than you, but you should not give up on him."

"Yes... well... I shall think on it. And what of your news?"

"I spoke with Benedict last night. He apologised and so did I and we spoke and... well, I do believe he proposed. Of course it is not official until he makes an announcement but... well, I am hoping he might do that tonight. And if so, I wish to look positively lovely. I wondered if you shall help me choose a dress."

Pen practically bursts at the concept of helping me dress, and spends the entire afternoon analysing my wardrobe. Eventually, she chooses the lilac dress that I had made when mother was not around, and it is time for the arrival of the Bridgertons. We stand at the front door, ready to greet them. Philipa and prudence look as though they are not at all bothered and if I am honest, I do not see why they should be. Unlike me, they do not have something to look forward to.

"Ah, Lady Bridgerton. Viscount Anthony, how pleasant it is to see you. Oh! I did not realise we expected all three of the Bridgerton brothers, I apologise deeply. I must ask Varley to set another place." My mother is not polite at all as she snaps her fingers for a maid to sort out this issue. "I do apologise Mr Bridgerton. It is a lovely surprise."

"Well, I was told it was not an event I should wish to miss, Lady Featherington. I am sure I shall be able to squeeze in at the table wherever there shall be room for me. Luckily enough, unlike my brothers, I do not partake in boxing or any other sport alike and so I do not have muscle to account for. I shall take up the smallest of seats." Benedict greets my mother with cheer and character as he greets everyone, and my heart beats twice as fast as he moves along the line in order to greet me. "Well, I like this dress but it feels familiar. You dare to wear the same dress to two social events? It is as though your mother does not want you to be married."

Unfortunately enough, my mother overhears this, which is actually unsurprising since she stands so close to him. "Peaches. Peaches! Go and get dressed into something else at once." She bares her teeth at me, feigning a smile as Benedict turns to her. "I am so sorry, Mr Bridgerton. Peaches deems herself an artist which means she believes she does not have to listen to instructions from mere mortals such as her mother."

"It is no such problem, Lady Featherington. I am sure I shall survive. Besides, dinner shall be served soon and I should not wish for Peaches to be hungry. Now might you accompany me to the dining room?"