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They weren’t supposed to have favourites and if anyone actually asked them outright, they would outwardly deny it but, the entire Bridgerton Clan knew the truth, that Kate and Sophie’s favourite in law, and favourite Bridgerton aside from their husbands was each other. With Gregory a close second for Kate and Phillip eventually being a close second for Sophie.
Kate couldn’t resist the adorable charm of her husband’s youngest brother and for Sophie, how could she not be close to the man who saved her baby boy, but that would all come later for Sophie and for the moment not be part of this story...
But Even as the Bridgerton clan grew, Kate and Sophie were as thick as thieves and had been from day one.
That first afternoon Sophie had come to Bridgerton House looking like a baby doe in the middle of a field, eyes wide with worry and fright about being accepted, Kate had hugged her tightly and told her she understood, maybe not to the same extreme, but she understood and the rest, as they say, was history.
Kate had taken Sophie shopping for her Trousseau and the women had bonded, they had laughed and shared stories, Kate’s boys adored Sophie from the off and it was just effortless for the both of them..
In the first 7 years of Sophie’s marriage to Benedict Kate and Sophie had just grown closer and closer and save for their relationships with their actual sisters/step sisters, the two women were as close as sisters. Add Daphne into the mix and they were a force to be reckoned with.
Kate and Sophie had bonded over the stupidity of their husbands, and a little out of necessity, their husbands were very close so naturally they spent a lot of time together. Kate had adored Sophie from the first and it didn’t take long to bond.
Kate had helped Sophie through the births of her first two children, they had both given birth mere hours apart for Charlotte and William. Sophie had helped and held Kate through the loss of the baby she didn’t realise she was carrying. Sophie helped her and Anthony through it, despite her own pregnant state. They women were best friends and they were soul sisters .
They laughed, they cried and did everything together when Sophie came to London, or they visited each other in the country. When apart they wrote to each other regularly. Sharing the news of their families, or their husbands' idiocy. Sophie, with Kate’s help, learned to be part of the Bridgerton family and what it meant to be a Bridgerton wife.
Kate was the first one to realise about Sophie and Benedict’s 4th child. The moment Sophie and Benedict stepped out of the carriage from Wiltshire when they arrived at the end of March Kate just knew that Sophie was once again pregnant and just grinned at her brightly. Both Charlotte and William had just turned one and it was usually around that time Sophie seemed to fall pregnant and Kate just grinned as she hugged her nephews before they charged off after Edmund and Miles with excited squeals.
Benedict and Anthony went straight into his study for a Brandy as Kate embraced Sophie, as she handed her youngest son to the nurse who headed off to the nursery. “Congratulations” Kate whispered in her ear as the two women embraced.
Sophie laughed “How have you noticed yet Benedict has not… “ she grinned as the two women headed off to the parlour “and I think I am only 7 weeks… my courses should be due this week if i am not, I have occasionally missed one and then the second one came along instead” Sophie said with a small sigh
“Do you want them to come?” Kate asked her bluntly as the two women sat down and began to pour their tea
Sophie shrugged “Four under the age of 10 would be a lot but I know how much Benedict desperately wants a girl… but I just don’t think he can make girls… but one more would be nice I just wish they weren’t so close together” Sophie smiled at her.
Kate laughed “well you know how to prevent that…”
Sophie snorted “come on. Like I can stop Benedict when he’s in the mood” she giggled blushing. She and Benedict have been walked in on a few times by Kate and by other family members, as had Kate and Anthony.
“Besides, are you sure you want a girl… girls are exhausting!” Kate laughed “take Charlotte back with you for a few weeks trust me it would sharp change his mind”
Sophie laughed “are you sure that’s not just you Kate? She is like a mini version of you even at 1, she’s chaos personified” she grinned at her friend. Kate shrugged
“She does have some of her father in her” Kate said defensively.
“Yes, about as much Charlie, Alex and Will have some of me in them” Sophie laughed, shaking her head as Kate drank her tea and shrugged with a smile.
“Have you told Benedict yet?” Kate asked
Sophie shook her head “Not yet, i thought I would wait til next week at the party or before it to tell him, i want to be sure. I don’t want to disappoint him” she admitted
Kate laughed “Sophie you could never disappoint Benedict, even after 7 years of marriage you’re still like newlyweds”
“Hark… you’re one to talk” Sophie laughed “or do i need to remind you of our conversation at christmas…?” Sophie teased as Kate flushed
“What can I say” Kate said with a shrug and a sip of her tea “the tree house is a lovely place even in the middle of winter, getting snowed in was just… unfortunate ”
They burst out laughing together content with their company for the afternoon.
Over the next week they were inseparable as was their custom, Sophie agreed to go to Lady Danbury’s for the night with Kate and they spent some time in the park with their children and husbands. It was just nice being together as a family and to have their best friends with them for time. Kate wished Sophie and Benedict would be in town more but she understood why they were out in the country but she just wished she wasn’t so far away from the rest of the family.
Sophie told Benedict of their news at Violet’s birthday party, or just before it started, he had been overjoyed and proceeded to show her how much he was thrilled with that news in the gardens of Kate and Anthony’s home. When they reemerged Benedict went to fetch them a drink and Sophie found Kate who laughed at her “seriously Sophie… my rose bushes?” Kate grinned as she picked a twig out her hair.
Sophie blushed “what can I say, Benedict took the news of another child very well. '' They laughed standing in the corner pursuing the guests, their eyes fluttering over the guests as they would often do. In the past it had been to find Posy or Eloise a husband, and now it was for Hyacinth or just for their own general amusement.
“Oh look, Colin has made his way over to Penelope!” Kate grinned excitedly as she tugged on Sophie’s arm and pointed in the direction of the cakes
Sophie rolled her eyes “are you ever going to give up on that agenda?” she said with a sigh
Kate shook her head “never. I mean look at them Soph! They’ll be perfect for one another”
Sophie laughed “we all know that but Colin just hasn’t I mean, that poor girl has obviously been in love with him for years… but from the way they’re talking maybe you might be right. He never usually actively seeks her out, though her being by the cakes probably helps” Sophie said, watching them curiously as they headed off to dance.
“Maybe you are correct or maybe we will get a wedding this year afterall” Kate grinned as they walked around the room some more.
Sophie sighed “well Eloise seems unlikely to marry, and Hyacinth is still scaring every man that is even brave enough to get close to her… so I am not sure I share your optimism, I applaud it I just can’t share it” Sophie laughed.
A little while later, Kate and Sophie had been talking with Eloise and Francesca and had agreed the would go try and point out to the idiot male population that Francesca was now officially out of mourning and looking to remarry and the two of them were excited, they would absolutely find the best husband possible for Francesca.
“It is a shame she seems to have an aversion to Michael” Sophie sighed as they watched Michael storming away from Francesca “they would make such a handsome couple”
Kate nodded “I know what you mean Soph. I think his fleeing the continent seemed to cause a rift between them… it’s rather obvious there is something there but what I do not know” she said as she linked arms with Sophie.
It was tradition after a few minor disasters that Sophie was not to be left alone at a ball or party, she would always have a family member with her and if Kate was available it was Kate where Benedict was not available.
“What do we think of Lord Ashcroft” Kate said pointing to a gentleman a little over the way and Sophie wrinkled her face
“Absolutely not” she said in disgust and lowered her voice “I heard his father encouraged him to erm… play with the maids…” she said, explaining. Sophie’s knowledge of the inner workings of some of the more prestigious homes in London was both a blessing and a curse.
“Mr Pinnock?” Sophie suggested pointing to a friendly looking gentleman, he wasn’t tall but he had a kind face.
Kate shook her head “Oh Absolutely not… his family is broke from what Anthony told me”
Sophie choked on her drink “I swear Anthony is as big a gossip as Lady Whistledown herself” she chuckled.
“Bettencourt?” Kate asked pointing to a rather imposing looking figure “he’s got two homes in London and I think three country estates”
“And 4 bastard children he doesn’t care for” Sophie said in a whisper. Kate looked horrified.
“Good Grief really?” Kate said, her eyes blinking at him.
Sophie sighed “maybe if we just talk a bit louder about Fran or go stand next to Lady Danbury and have this conversation she will make it known Frannie is looking for a husband then they will flock to her door and then she can weed them out with our help”
Kate grinned “I have an idea. I need another drink so let us make our way to our husbands” and she led Sophie across the room, they made polite smiles and giggled at some of the bits of conversations they heard.
“Hello wife” Anthony grinned as Sophie and Kate arrived, and Kate disengaged herself from Sophie and Anthony took her hand and pressed a kiss to it as Benedict did the same to Sophie who leant into her husband automatically, his hand resting carefully on her abdomen.
“What have you two been off scheming whilst you have been taking a turn around the room” Benedict asked innocently.
Kate grinned brightly at him, she knew one of them would ask, they were so easy to predict. “We had a rather delightful conversation with Francesca. She is wearing Blue tonight” Sophie said.
“And why does the colour of her gown have any consequence?” Anthony asked, sounding bemused. Kate rolled her eyes at the stupidity of her husband
“Because my dear husband, it means she is officially out of mourning and back on the marriage mart” Kate beamed brightly and counted in her head as she watched the colour drain him his face slightly
“WHAT?” he half yelled “and she didn’t tell me!? I should have been told! None of the men in this room are worthy to lick the dirt of Francesca’s boots!” he said and turned on his heels to look for the offending sister. He would have words, as the head of the family he should have been told.
Anthony’s loud voice had attracted the attention of several gentlemen who started whispering immediately as Anthony let go of Kate’s arm and stalked off to look for his sister as Sophie and Kate both burst in a fit of laughter
“What is so funny?” Benedict asked, looking at his wife and sister in law like they had lost their minds.
“Anthony did exactly what I thought he would. He’s basically made sure the entire male population knows about Fran” Kate grinned brightly.
“You two are diabolical” he said affectionately as he kissed Kate’s cheek “now if you’ll excuse us, I think it is time I danced with my wife” he grinned and led Sophie onto the floor.
Kate moved over to stand with Violet as they watched them dance. “I do wish they would come to London more often” Kate said as she watched them dancing, their joy and happiness just radiating from them
“I know, I do as well, but I quite understand it… but I am sure given Sophie’s condition we will see more of them” Violet said.
Kate laughed “she’s not told many people yet…”
Violet laughed “I know she hasn't, they've not told me yet technically. It is just obvious. Benedict’s eyes have not left her all night and when they’re together his hand is resting their protectively, Anthony used to do the same with you” she smiled
Kate nodded “I know, I only know as I worked it out the moment I saw, she told Benedict tonight” Kate explained
“Oh when he chased her out into the gardens?” Violet laughed and Kate snorted “I swear Violet you know everything that your children get up to”
“Of course I do dear… and thank you to you and Sophie for helping dear Fran out… she would have never asked for the help but I know she will greatly appreciate it tomorrow” Violet smiled
“Anytime” and she nodded her head towards Colin and Penelope “and you might want to keep and eye on them two” she said as she was Colin and Penelope stood with Lady Danbury “Colin might finally get his head into gear”
“Goodness I hope so. A wedding this season and another grandchild by the end of the year, it would be a truly tremendous year” Violet said.
And Violet got her wish but in more than one way, three of her children married in short succession and gained three new grandchildren.
Amanda and Oliver Crane thanks to Eloise’s marriage, the twins became instantly part of the family and then came little Violet.
Violet scared the life out of her family, she came screaming into this world on a stormy November night, through a torturous and very difficult birth, coming bottom first.
Kate helped her best friend deliver and begged her sister to stay with her, holding her, comforting Benedict whilst Anthony transported the boys over to Romney Hall.
All of Benedict's boys had become distressed at the cries of pain from their mother… It was one of the worst nights of their lives but by dawn mother and baby were out of danger and Violet’s screams ripped through the walls of My Cottage.
Violet Katharine Bridgerton was her mother in miniature and the delivery brought the two women even closer than they ever thought possible.