Chapter Twenty-Two - The Aftermath

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Lady Whistledown's

SOCIETY PAPERS

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.

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"I mean really, how low must one be to try and trap a man into a marriage," Cressida says, looking up from her Whistledown paper to peer at me.

"I still cannot believe it," I confess, "she seemed so... nice."

"That is how they do it... they trap you with kind words and soft promises of love, then once the ring is on their finger, all the truths come out," Cressida says, setting her Whistledown to the side and leaning closer towards me. "Mama said that she heard that the Featheringtons are looking for anywhere to take the child when it is born... I mean, really! Are they clinging to the hope that Mr Bridgerton will still marry her after all this?"

I shake my head and take a sip of tea, "really, this entire this is so... sad. How desperate must one to be to go to such levels?"

"I do not know... and I hope to never know," Cressida mutters, taking a sip of her tea and looking at me with a fearful look.

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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.

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I sigh and lean back against the bench. "Really, I do feel for the Featherington sisters... they didn't do anything, but they've been destroyed by this."

"I would assume that their mother knew, and she still went through with it... I mean, now we know why she was pushing for Colin and Marina's wedding to be so soon, she wanted to make sure that they could be married before any of us found out," Frederick says, looking up from his paper to glance at me. "I heard that Lord Featherington was the laughing stock at the men's club. Apparently, Anthony saw it first hand."

I sigh and shake my head, opting to continue to try and practice on the pianoforte.

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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.

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"Miss Thompson must be in agonies over these lies. Why can I not visit her?" Colin asked, pacing around the room with a furrowed brow.

"Colin-"

"Listen to me, brother," Anthony started, cutting their mother off and causing all eyes to go to him. "That the Ton devours every bit of Whistledown's on-dit is the only thing keeping this family from shame. Because of her, Colin, no one believes you are the father of Miss Thompson's child. But if you were to go near her, then they'll presume you responsible for her ruin, and all your sisters will pay the price for your notoriety. Is this what you desire?"

"Of course not, but-"

"Evening everyone," Daphne sighs, walking into the room and looking around with a raised brow.

"Dearest!" Violet stands up immediately and looks at her daughter in shock.

"What are you doing here, Daph?" Anthony asks, straightening up when he sees his sister. "Should you not be frolicking in newlywed bliss?"

"I came as swiftly as our carriage would allow when I heard the news... although it is rather surprising to see you here, Florence," She said rather calmly.

"I... just wanted to know if there was anything that I could do," I explain, looking from Daphne, to Anthony, then to Violet, before finally to Colin.

"In the middle of your honeymoons?" Anthony asks, baffled.

"Hastings and Windsor surely must be cursing the Bridgerton name for this," Benedict joked, leaning up against the fireplace. "Where are they, anyhow?"

"Frederick is on his way to Windsor House... he was pulled into a late meeting with all of what Whistledown is writing it is causing him to be working later and later every day."

"And the Duke went to set up Hastings House," Daphne informed.

"We have all things in order, sister," Anthony assured, "we do not require your assistance. But thank you both for coming."

Violet shuddered from her spot and rolled her eyes at her eldest son's words, "well that is simply not true, Anthony, and you know it. Daphne and Florence may be the answer to all of our problems. Once the Ton sees that we still have the favor of both of the Dukes and Duchesses, then the whispers may very well cease, and we shall go about our daily lives as if nothing has ever happened, as if nothing is awry."

"And no one will be the wiser" Daphne mutters, "pretending that nothing is amiss is the... perfect way to lure the ignorant into submission. Is it not, Mama?"

We all fall silent as Daphne's gaze falls upon Violet, who looks right back at her, the confusion evident across her face.

Anthony and Benedict both look over towards me with furrowed brows, silently trying to figure out if I knew what was going on. I simply shrugged and looked back toward Daphne.

Daphne sighs and looks away from her mother, clearing her throat and looking at her brothers. "Now, what grand event will the Ton be descending upon this week? Surely there is something?"

"The um, the Queen is hosting a luncheon," I offer, hoping to break up whatever tension Daphne and Violet have created in the room.

"I am certain the Duke and I can secure an invitation," Daphne says, turning towards me and raising an eyebrow. "You and Frederick."

"Um- we have already received ours," I confirm, nodding my head.

She nods her head and turns back towards her family. "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," Colin snapped, pulling open a door and swiftly storming out of the room.

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"I need you to do me a favor," Daphne said, "Colin is having an audience with Miss Thompson and I am going to chaperone... will you join me? Please?"

I purse my lips, looking up at her with a hesitant look before eventually sighing and nodding my head.

Daphne lets out a sigh of relief before smiling and nodding at me. "Thank you..."

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"Miss Thompson," Daphne greets, turning to look at the girl with a kind smile. "Thank you for joining us."

"I did not realize I had a choice," Marina replies stiffly.

"My brother wished for an audience," Daphne explains, motioning to Colin, who looks as though he was holding himself back from rushing over to her. "And I wish to avoid any further scandal attached to my family's name. I, along with Florence, will remain here as chaperones."

At my name, I raise my head up from my book and nod toward both Marina and Colin. Daphne walks away, picking up a book from a side table, before moving to sit opposite me in one of the chairs.

"Marina... you must tell me that this Whistledown woman is mistaken," Colin begs, stepping towards her with pleading eyes. "What she wrote, it cannot be true."

"But it is."

Colin's eyes grow wide as he looks at her, his gaze fluttering to her stomach and then back to her eyes. "You are... with child? I do not understand. We were to be wed You... you said you loved me."

Marina winces at his words before shaking her head and looking up at him, "Colin, I hold you in the greatest esteem-"

"'Esteem'?" Colin scoffs and shakes his head, "you are a cruel woman indeed to stand here and talk of friendly affection, as if you have not just committed a grave sin against me."

"Speak not of sin, Mr Bridgerton," Marina snaps, her voice wavering as she continues to stand tall in front of him. "I did not come here to be shamed by you, nor anyone else. I did not know better. You may think me a villain, but I did what I thought I must. No one ever truly helped me, or guided me in a different direction. I had no choice. I needed to wed. And you, you were the only man who offered me even a glimpse of happiness."

"So I should feel flattered, then?" Colin asks, "consider myself lucky that you chose me, lied to me, tried to trick me into a fraud of a marriage?"

He falls silent, his gaze falling to the ground for a moment before he looks back up to her. "I shall take my leave of you for the last time, Miss Thompson."

He starts toward the door, almost twisting the doorknob and walking out of the room- walking away from Marina for the last time. But he paused, pursing his lips before turning back around and taking a step towards her, his eyes shining with tears that were fighting to fall onto his face. "You wish to know the cruelest part of your deception?"

Marina turns back around and meets his gaze, the same tears brimming in her chocolate brown eyes.

"If you had simply come to me and told me of your situation... I'd have married you without a second thought. That is how in love I believed myself to be. But I see now that was all a lie." He ducks his head and turns back to the door, this time pulling it open and slamming it shut behind him.

I quietly sigh, shutting my book and looking over at Daphne, who was now standing and looking over at Marina.

As soon as Daphne opened her mouth, Marina's wobbly voice echoed through the drawing room.

"I believe I would like to return home now... after all, we don't want another scandal attached to your family name."

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-T