CHAPTER 19. INVITATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

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. While there is no parasol in the world strong enough to shelter a ruined woman, the fallen Miss Thompson can only hope she shall find a refuge... somewhere.

in agonies over these lies. Why can I not visit her?" Colin asks, desperately, as we all sit around the living room.

"Colin..." Mama tries to make him understand.

"Listen to me." Anthony tells him, sternly. "That the ton devours every bit of Whistledown's on-dit is the only thing keeping this family from shame. 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..." Colin starts to say, but gets cut off by the door opening, and Daphne walking in.

"Evening, everyone." She greets.

"Dearest!" Mama exclaims in surprise.

"What are you doing here?" Anthony asks her. "Should you not be frolicking in newlywed bliss?"

"I came as swiftly as our carriage would allow when I heard the news." Daphne replies.

"In the middle of your honeymoon?" Benedict asks, chuckling. "Hastings must surely be cursing the Bridgerton name for this. Where is he, anyhow?"

"He went to set up Hastings House." Daphne replies, indifferently.

"We have all things in order, Sister." Anthony tells her. "We do not require your assistance."

"That is simply not true, and you know it." Mama cuts in. "Daphne may be the answer to all of our problems. Once the ton see that we still have the favor of the Duke and Duchess, and they see Diana with the Prince, 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 adds, a little venom in her voice. "Pretending that nothing is amiss is the perfect way to lure the ignorant into submission. Is it not, Mama?"

We all look at her confused, knowing she wasn't talking about the ton anymore.

"Now, what grand event will the ton be descending upon this week?" Daphne asks. "Surely there is something?"

"The, um..." Mama clears her throat. "The Queen Amelia is hosting a luncheon."

"I am certain you got an invitation from the Prince." Daphne says to me, and I turn to the family.

"I did." I tell them all.

"The Duke and I can secure our invitation." Daphne continues. "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."

lovely?" Mama asks, as we arrive at the luncheon. "All of us together again."

"Lovely, indeed." Colin replies, dryly. "We should tempt scandal more often."

Benedict and I look at each other, both of us trying to hide our laughs.

"Duchess, may I say how well you look?" A lady compliments Daphne.

"Oh, you are too kind." Daphne replies, with a bright smile.

"Is it not marvelous to be wed?" The lady asks.

"It is both a joy and a wonder indeed." Simon answers.

"Make way!" The Queen's footman yells, as both her and the Queen Amelia make their way towards us.

"Must you all act like sheep flocking to the trough?" Queen Charlotte asks. She approaches Daphne and Simon, with her arms linked with Queen Amelia. "I have 100 guineas wagered on there being a Hastings heir within the year."

"Oh, I told you, not to wager, Charlotte." Queen Amelia tells her, and Queen Charlotte waves.

"It is most exciting, Amelia." Queen Charlotte replies. "You should try it sometime."

Queen Amelia just shakes her head, turning to Daphne.

"Are you yet with child?" She asks Daphne.

"We have certainly been devoting our energies to the endeavor, Your Majesty." Simon replies. "We should hope to see our Queens soon satisfied."

"See to it that you do." Queen Charlotte tells them.

"Miss Diana, can I have a word." Queen Amelia asks, surprised.

"Of course, Your Majesty." I reply, following after her, as Queen Charlotte walks away.

"How have you been, Miss Bridgerton?" The Queen asks me, as we walk around the gardens.

"Well, You Majesty." I tell her, a small smile making it's way onto my face. "Very well, in fact."

"Oh, I've heard." She replies, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I do believe there has been another midnight adventure for you."

"Uh... Your Majesty?" I ask, not understanding how she found out.

"Louis told me." She replies.

"Oh." I let out, surprised, and embarrassed.

What if she does not approve of me.

"If you are worried that I may not like you." She says, as if reading my mind. "Don't not think about it for another moment." She puts her hand on my chin, like she did at Daphne's wedding. "Louis loves you, and that is already more than I could have asked. You are a beautiful and kind soul, Diana, I know it, and I know you love my son too." She turns to her footman, and he hands her a page. "So, here is a gift from me, welcoming you to the family, with open arms."

"Oh, Your Majesty, you must not-" I try to say, but she cuts me off.

"Oh, hush, child." She tells me. "Open it."

I smile at her, and take the paper from her, opening it, and reading the words on it.

"Your Majesty, I..." I breath out.

"It is a special permit." She says. "For your marriage to Louis. You need not worry about waiting."

"This is all I ever wanted." I tell her, sincerely, still smiling. "But we have not even announced our engagement."

"Well, then what are you waiting for?" Queen Amelia asks me, smiling.

I look at her, and then at the paper, and then at Louis, who was standing across the garden, talking to a lord. I then look at my family, and then back at Queen Amelia, who still held the kind smile on her face.

She's right. The scandal with Colin is as good as over now. What am I waiting for?

"What am I waiting for?" I breath out, a huge grin making it's way onto my face, as I laugh a little. "Of course, you're right Your Majesty."

I bow, and take my leave, rushing straight to Louis, who was now standing alone.

"Oh, Diana." He lets out, surprised. "Where have you been? I was looking for you."

"We're going to tell me family about our engagement." I tell him, and he looks at me surprised.

"I told you we could wait. I truly do not mind, Diana." He tells me, and I shake my head.

"This is what I want, Louis." I tell him, and a smile breaks out on his face after a moment.

"Well, then what are we waiting for?" He asks, offering me his hand, which I take, as we walk to my family.

"My thought's exactly." I reply, and we stop in front of Mama.

"Family." I call them, and they all turn to me.

"Your Majesty." Mama greets Louis, and turns to me. "Yes, Dearest?"

"I am engaged." I tell her, and she looks at me surprised. But, her face turns into a huge smile, as all of my siblings cheer happily, and there is a 'finally!' heard from Benedict.

"That is most wonderful news, my Dear." Mama tells me.

"How about we tell the entire party?" Louis asks me, and I nod, happily.

"Everyone." Louis announces, our arms still linked. "I have an announcement." Everyone turns to us, the voices stopping. "Miss Diana and I are engaged, to be married."

Cheer break out, as everyone rushes to congratulate us. I look across the party, meeting the kind eyes of Queen Amelia, who give me a sparkling smile, and a soft nod. I smile back at her, thanking everyone for their good wishes, as Louis kisses the top of my head.