Chapter Twenty-Six - The Tumultuous End of The 1813 Season

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"There have been rumors," Mama said, taking a sip of her tea and looking over at me with wide eyes, "apparently Lord Featherington is dead!"

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow and glance over at Frederick, who continues to read his newspaper. "Frederick? Have you heard anything about this?"

"Oh, what? Oh, are you talking about the Featheringtons?" Fredericks asks, turning the page of the newspaper, "yes... I have heard that he has died... apparently, the Bow Street Runners were seen at the Featherington house a few nights ago... the night of the Hastington's ball, actually."

"Portia was at the ball alone," Mama mused.

"-apparently Lord Featherington won quite a win a few nights ago," Frederick said, turning yet another page of the paper and reading it over, "I heard from a few acquaintances that he was out... celebrating until he... well, disappeared."

"I suppose that horrible habit of his finally caught up to him," mama muttered, sighing before taking another stop of her tea and looking out of the window, "who do you suppose will be the new Baron Featherington now that he's gone? I mean, he and Portia didn't have any sons..."

"I don't know... perhaps a cousin?" I muse, "or... a nephew? Did Lord Featherington even have siblings?"

Frederick glances over at me and shrugs mysteriously, "I have no idea..."

"I suppose we'll have to wait and see," I mutter, sighing and leaning back on the couch. "With everything that has happened this season, I cannot see how next season could ever top it... I mean, death, lies, and a rushed marriage- and that is not even mentioning everything that Lady Whistledown has reported on!"

"Well," Frederick looks over at me and grins playfully, "luckily for us, we didn't have a thing to worry about... no scandal or secret for her to try and use against us."

"This season was... well, who knows what the next will bring us," I whisper, letting my head fall back against the top of the couch and closing my eyes. "I do hope that we are able to get through it unscathed..."

"We shall just have to wait and see, darling."

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"Colin... I wish you the best of luck on your journey," I say, stepping forwards and offering him a warm smile.

"Oh if only I could steal you away from your husband and take you with me," Colin said, sighing and pulling me in for a short, but warm hug. "I shall miss you."

"You simply must remember to write while you are gone," I say, "I am looking forward to reading all about your journeys."

"Ah yes, she has been going on about her excitement for you ever since she heard that you were leaving for Greece," Frederick says, smiling over at us and stepping away from Anthony to join in on the conversation.

"Don't pretend as if you have not either, Frederick," I chide, playfully hitting his arm and smiling up at him, "if I do recall, you were the first person to tell me about Colin's trip- you even beat Daphne."

"That is true," Daphne nods her head and smiles over at us, "by the time I could arrive at your house Florence already knew."

"It is not my fault that Colin has decided to start his travels somewhere so marvelous," Frederick defended, "although, while you are there do send back some paintings if you can... I have a nice spot already picked out at the house for a painting or two-"

"Please, he will happily hang up any and all paintings that you send back," I clarify, chuckling and looking over at Frederick before turning back towards Colin, "but in all honesty, you will be missed... the season will not be the same without you."

Colin smiles at me before nodding his head softly, "I will certainly miss it- and everyone involved in it."

Colin smiles back at me before saying one last goodbye to his family, each of them fighting back tears as they watch him slowly start down the street. Benedict and Violet had to practically hold back Gregory and Hyacinth from chasing down the horse.

"Good luck, safe travels," I wave my hand at him and take a step back, watching as he turns back around and waves once more before beginning to quicken his pace and ride away.

"We have decided to stay in London a little longer," Simon says, looking down at Daphne with a fond smile. "Take some time to enjoy ourselves. Just the two of us."

Daphne smiles back at him before turning towards her bother, "and you? What are your plans, brother?"

"Nothing of note," Anthony says, shaking his head for a moment before glancing back at Daphne, Simon, Frederick, and I. "Other than finding and promptly declaring my intentions to my new Viscountess, of course."

"The Viscount is ready to find and declare his intentions?" I ask, looking wide-eyed at Anthony before turning to look at the rest of the group. "Did you hear that Your Graces?"

Daphne nodded her head alongside me and looked toward her brother with a small smile. "And which young lady-"

"Does it matter?" Anthony turned his attention away from Frederick and I and looked towards his sister and brother-in-law, "I have finally determined the difficulty... love itself. Removing it from all romantic relations shall make me all the better for it. No more distractions from responsibility or being waylaid from the sensible path."

We all look at him with wide, confused eyes, listening as he eventually falls silent from his rant.

Finally, he glances back up at us and offers a flash of a smile. "At any rate, enjoy your time."

Frederick and Simon both look at each other with furrowed brows, while Daphne and I just watch as Anthony starts off back towards the house.

"Perhaps he will learn," Daphne offers, looking at me and then at Simon.

"Perhaps not," Simon says, glancing back down at her for a moment before guiding her back into the house.

"Well then... onto the 1814 season, I suppose," I mutter, smiling as Frederick wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me closer.

"Onto the 1814 season indeed, my love," he mutters back, guiding me back down the road and towards the waiting carriage. "May God have mercy on us all."

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And yet... there is no ending in sight for this author, who recently became aware of a scheme to unmask her... by one worthy opponent, indeed.

Perhaps I will come forward one day.

Though you must know, dear reader, that decision shall be left entirely up to me.

Yours truly,

Lady Whistledown

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season one of Bridgerton is officially over! Onward and upward to season two!

don't forget to comment and vote!

-T