Chapter Twenty - Miss Marina Thompson

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Lady Whistledown's

SOCIETY PAPERS

While this author, along with the rest of the Ton, will certainly miss it two most-remarked-upon couples back in London, perhaps we might find solace in the promise of the newly married Duke and Duchess of Hastings returning to us bearing a surprise.

Not to forget the ever-visible Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who this author has heard Her Majesty herself gifted a fine manor to. After only days since their marriage, they have been seen promenading about London, leaving this author to wonder when we should expect to see a new addition to the Windsor family.

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"Really, it is a wonderful thing," I say, taking a step away from Frederick to greet Cressida.

"Your Grace," Cressida teases, dropping into the lowest curtsy I have ever seen her do. "I am honored to find myself in your presence."

"Oh, shush, Cress," I mumble, pulling her back up and smiling at her, "you know that you're my dearest friend... besides, it feels far too strange to see you curtsying to me."

Cressida snickers and looks around at the garden party, "Mister Bridgerton and Miss Thompson seem rather close... do you think that they'll be announcing anything anytime soon?"

"I would not be completely surprised if they are not engaged by the end of the season," I admit.

At the center of the garden, Collin taps on the side of this glass, looking around the party with a smile. "May I have everyone's attention?"

We all fall silent, even Hyacinth and Gregory stop running around to look at their older brother in confusion.

"I would like to make a small but rather important announcement," he continues, "I have happy news to impart. I have asked Miss Marina Thompson to be my wife, and she has accepted."

The guests suddenly begin to clap and chatter, throwing out congratulations to the couple.

The Featherington's look completely overjoyed at the news, with Lord Featherington even smiling widely toward the couple. The entire Featherington family, sans Penelope, rushes over to the couple to congratulate them once more.

In stark contrast to the Featherington's rather joyful reactions, the Bridgerton brood stood looking rather shocked, even Anthony, whose eyes were wide and mouth, looked nearly ready to drop to the ground in surprise.

"Should we congratulate the happy couple, darling?" Frederick asked, glancing over at me with a soft smile.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," I loop my arm in his and start off towards Colin and Marina, who, by now, already have a large crowd around them.

When we make our way to the front of the crowd, which doesn't take too long, I quickly pull Colin into a hug, a cheerful smile coming across my face when I see how excited he was. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Your Grace," Marina says, dipping into a small curtsy at the sight of Frederick and I.

"Please, call me Florence," I say, waving off the formalities and offering her another cheerful smile. "You two make the most lovely couple! I cannot wait until the marriage!"

"Neither can we," Colin said, smiling towards his betrothed.

I quickly pull Marina into a quick conversation before we are so rudely interrupted by Anthony, who rushes forwards and offers everyone a rather stiff smile.

"A word," Anthony hisses, smiling rather stiffly towards Colin as he slaps his hand down onto his shoulder and practically drags him back towards the house.

We all watch in shock for a moment as Colin and Anthony disappear into the house before Lady Bridgerton clears her throat and looks over towards Frederick and I, a faint blush appearing across her face as she scrambles to cover for her eldest sons' brashness.

"Your Graces, we simply must have you over for breakfast tomorrow! It feels as though it has been far too long since we last saw you," Lady Bridgerton exclaims, looking over toward Frederick and I with hope-filled eyes.

"T- that sounds wonderful, Lady Bridgerton," Frederick says, eyes wide as he nods his head.

"Wonderful! I shall see you both tomorrow then!"

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"He knows he does," Hyacinth says, glaring at her brother from her spot across the breakfast table.

"He took your ribbon?" Benedict asked, looking over at his sister with a raised brow.

She nods her head at him causing Benedict to look over at Gregory, a curious look appearing across his face "did you take the ribbon?"

"I don't know what you're talking ab-"

"I literally saw him do it," Hyacinth insisted.

"I did see something in your pocket," Benedict admitted, looking over at Gregory as he took another bite of his eggs. "What is it?"

Hyacinth huffed from her seat and looked at her brother with an annoyed expression. "Exactly, it's not fair, he does it every time."

"Oh, just sto- just give it back," Benedict sighs.

Gregory pursed his lips and quickly threw a piece of egg across the table toward his siblings.

Hyacinth gasped and watched as Benedict ducked from the piece of egg that had just been thrown toward him.

"Whoa!"

"Gregory, stop!" Hyacinth exclaimed.

Benedict sighed and looked over at Gregory, a tired look on his face. "Greg-"

"Good morning,"

We all paused, turning to look at Colin, who had just entered the room with a rather timid expression, his eyes flickering from his siblings to Frederick and I, then finally to his mother.

"Morning brother," Benedict greets, picking up his fork and swiftly taking a bite of food.

"Good morning, Colin," I offer him a warm smile and nod of the head before taking another bite of my eggs. "Violet, I don't think that I've ever had a breakfast quite as good as this one!"

"Colin, your engagement is in Whistledown!" Hyacinth exclaimed, her face beaming with excitement.

"Hyacinth!" Eloise sighed and looked over her shoulder toward her younger sister.

"What? It is!" She defended.

"Very well. Everyone out, I think," Benedict announced, throwing his napkin onto the table and beginning to stand up. "Frederick, how about a round of fencing?"

"Oh, I would, but I think that Ren is going over to the Featheringtons... I promised her that I would accompany her... perhaps after?" Frederick asks, looking over at Benedict with a gracious smile.

"There is no need, Frederick," I assure, looking over at him as I pick up my things, "I am sure that you do not want to spend your time listening to us gossip and chatter... you can accompany me to the Featheringtons and then head back here to spend some time with Benedict... it would be rather good for you to be around someone other than me, I do think."

"Yes, it is a wonder that I have not gotten sick of you," Frederick joked, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

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"Do you think Colin will introduce us to his friends?" Prudence asked, looking from Philippa to Marina with a raised brow. "Some of them are quite strapping."

"I'm sure he will," Marina says, offering them a smile, "I am sure all of our fortunes are about to change."

"Mmm, especially Colin's," Penelope said, stepping into the room with a knowing smile.

"You look very lovely today, Penelope," Marina says, smiling at her friend.

"Do not mock me," Penelope snaps, picking up a book from on top of the pianoforte and moving to sit down by the window.

Marina pauses, watching her for a moment before standing up and following her. The two quickly fall into a quiet and rather heated-looking conversation.

"It's been going on for days," Prudence mutters, taking a sip of her tea and looking over at me. "They've been bickering... driving the rest of us absolutely crazy."

"True, true," Philippa agrees.

"Marina?" Lady Featherington pops her head into the room with a cheerful smile. "Time for the modiste. We must see to your trousseau."

Marina nods her head and starts out of the door, her head held high as she follows Lady Featherington out of the room.

Philippa scoffs and shakes her head jealously as she watches her leave, "she is so lucky."

Prudence opts to sigh, watching her leave the room with a wistful expression.

"I should get going... I told Cressida that I would meet her at the modiste today..." I announce, standing up and waving toward the siblings. "I'll see you all soon."

Philippa and Prudence nod and wave toward me, while Penelope merely huffs and stares down her two elder sisters.

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"I didn't think that I would ever see you standing inside of a modiste," I say, chuckling as I glance over at Frederick, who was awkwardly standing in the corner of the room, trying his best to melt into the wall of fabrics.

"There is a reason, darling," Frederick mutters.

"Your Grace... I didn't think you would be here today," Madame Delacroix exclaimed, moving to greet me with a small smile.

"Yes, well, I needed some new dresses and I was hoping that you would be able to make them for me? I know how busy you must be... so it is absolutely-"

"It will be done," Madame Delacroix assured, waving off my worries and starting to talk to me about a few fabric choices.

A few minutes into our conversation, Lady Bridgerton, and Eloise step into the store, causing Madam Delacroix to pause and greet them.

"Lady Bridgerton. Miss Eloise," Madame Delacroix says, stepping over to them and offering them both a small, pleasant smile. "I understand we are here on the matter of dropping our hems?"

"Precisely!" Lady Bridgerton exclaims.

As soon as she moves to open her mouth to continue, the door to the modiste opens and Lady Featherington walks in, accompanied by Miss Thompson.

"Lady Bridgerton, Your Grace" Lady Featherington greets, offering us both a smile. "There you are."

"Lady Featherington..." I say, nodding my head toward her before moving to look at some more fabrics.

Lady Bridgerton forces out a small chuckle, "Lady Featherington. Miss Thompson."

"It is lovely to see you, Lady Bridgerton," Marina greets, stepping forwards and curtsying.

"You must call me Violet now, I insist," Lady Bridgerton says, reaching out for her hands and offering her a warm smile.

"Oh, is this not just delightful," Lady Featheringotn announces, "to know now that our families will be joined forever?"

Lady Bridgerton drops Marina's hands and turns to look at Lady Featherington, a small, clearly strained smile appearing on her face. "Yes, it certainly is something."

"You must join us tomorrow night, you, and dear Colin, and the Viscount," Lady Featherington declares, pausing to look over at Frederick and I with the same eager eyes. "And you two as well, Your Graces. We have so much to celebrate"

"I will certainly have to ask the Viscount," Lady Bridgerton says.

"I will have to see what we are doing tomorrow..." Frederick announces, "but we shall see."

Lady Feathering grins at our responses before stepping back and sighing. "Perfect. Now, I shall need to steal Madame Delacroix away for a moment."

Madame Delacroix is all but dragged away by Lady Featherington, who begins to converse with her in low words.

"We do not actually have to attend this dinner, right?" Frederick whispers to me.

"We may... if the Bridgertons are attending then we shall as well..." I mutter back. "Just... prepare yourself."

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-T