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Anthony
It was not the first time Anthony had been stumped by the stove, it had happened years ago before Daphne had married the Duke and he had tried in the intervening years, the maids had tried to show him and for some reason he just could not manage it.
Anthony hated not knowing how to do things and given Kate’s preference for warm milk to calm down, to ease nerves and just generally as an evening drink, his inability to provide this for his wife without the aid of a cook or a maid was frustrating to say the least.
It wasn’t the first time that one of the children had asked for some warmed milk but it was the first time he was sure he was going to disappoint his children. He didn’t want to but as they were due to leave for Aubrey Hall the next morning, he had given the staff the night off. They had been working hard getting things ready for Benedict’s wedding, helping Kate preparing things for Sophie and the travelling aspect of the staff had already left for Aubrey Hall so Anthony was quite sure that his stove would be cold.
Benedict had left an hour ago, Anthony knew his brother would be back soon, he knew that there was no way he would be able to keep his brother apart from Sophie after what had been revealed last night at drinks, he had no idea why Benedict even went through the rigmarole of going home but as he walked down towards the kitchen, he rather found he was pleased his brother had gone through the act.
Anthony spotted Sophie walking down the stairs and looked at her, she was still in her evening dress, it was a new one that had been made quickly for her and she looked less like the housemaid she had been for the last few years and more the daughter of an Earl that she should have been “Unable to sleep Sophie?” he asked her.
Sophie let out a little squeak of panic, not expecting anyone to about and she pressed her hand to her heart. “My God, you startled me My Lord…” she then blushed and corrected herself “sorry… Anthony. I will get used to that I promise”
Anthony chuckled “it’s a change, don’t worry I won’t hold it against you… but you didn’t answer my question”
“Ah right… yes… I erm… I was going to get some warm milk” she said gesturing to the door to the kitchen, i know you gave the maids the night off so I thought I’d do my own…”
Anthony smiled “i was just going to get some for Neddie… he refuses to sleep tonight without it but… we might be hard pushed, the stove will likely be cold…”
“I can work a stove…” She said with a small smile as the two of them walked through the door to the kitchen and Anthony stopped dead at Sophie’s pronouncement.
“You can…?” he stammered at her.
Sophie blinked and turned around to look at him, “Yes…? They’re not that hard to use… even if you have the newer model…”
“Ho…how?” he said as he followed her into the room
Sophie sighed “I had to learn, sometimes Lady Penwood had me working so late that dinner went cold and the only way i’d get something warm is if I warmed it myself”
Anthony growled. He had heard everything that happened to Sophie and had been aghast to find out that she had been let off scot free and without punishment and this just further infuriated him. If he ever came across Lady Penwood he would not be responsible for his actions.
“You need not get so upset…” Sophie said “it wasn’t too bad, the cooks taught me to cook as well and I rather enjoy it…” she said brightly as she looked at the stove with interest.
“Could… could you show me how to light it?” he asked her, watching as she walked back and forth around the stove.
“Of course!” she said, a delighted smile on her face. “This is actually an easy model to use and work. It works on the fire rather than relying on being stoked so it heats up pretty quickly” she said.
“I’ll get us some milk” he said as Sophie moved over to the basket near the stove. Sophie gathered everything she needed and made her way in front of the stove and Anthony watched as Sophie showed him each step, she made it look easy compared to the cook who just spoke too quickly.
Sophie instructed Anthony on each step, and let him do it and 10 minutes later “I DID IT!” he said, picking up his petite future sister in law and swung her around happily. “Oh you are an absolute lifesaver!” he said, pressing a kiss to her cheek causing her to blush furiously.
“You… you… your welcome” she stammered
“Honestly, where have you been all my life…” he said as he put the pan on the stove “you have no idea how much Edmund would have screamed when I returned with cold milk…”
Sophie just grinned, tears in her eyes at such a warm welcome, maybe Lord Bridgerton wasn’t so scary after all…
Benedict
Benedict knew his wife was full of surprises but nothing had been more surprising to him than seeing her in the kitchen of their honeymoon cottage.
Anthony had been full of praise for Sophie when they had a few moments together before they left for Aubrey Hall, explaining how she had saved his life, she had taught him to light the stove and he was now able to make warm milk for his wife and kids and he was practically vibrating with happiness about it and he had told Daphne and she’d all but demanded she be taught as as far as Benedict was aware, Sophie had spent time the night before their wedding teaching Daphne how to light a stove.
Benedict knew she had learned and why she had learned but he didn’t know she actually could cook.
He came into the kitchen, having woken up after his wife, not an uncommon occurrence as Sophie couldn’t help still be on maid timings but seeing her in the kitchen, now that was new.
Sophie was chopping something and was humming away to herself happily, her blonde curls still in her sleeping plait and she was still in her night dress, her nightgown wrapped around her waist and she looked like a goddess.
He leaned against the door and watched her, she was mixing something and turning things and eventually she seemed to sense someone and she turned and smiled brightly at her husband “Oh you’re up!” she said brightly as she moved a pan on the stove.
“I am… what on earth are you doing… we have staff for this” he said, he wanted to be stern, to tell her off but she looked so happy.
“Annie wasn’t feeling too great so I sent her off to bed and I wanted to surprise you…” she said “I was going to bring this to bed but since you’re up”
“You can cook?” he said, a little stupidly.
“It’s nothing too fancy but it’s all your favourite eggs with some bacon and ham but yes… i was forced to learn” she said.
Benedict made his way into the room and wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist and kissed her head as he sniffed happily.
“I should be furious and want to beat Lady Penwood to a pulp but…” he said leaning over and stealing a piece of bacon and avoiding the swat from his wife “I am much too happy with this to be annoyed that you’re lifting a finger on our honeymoon” he said.
Sophie shoved his shoulder as he shoved the hot bacon into his mouth and giggled when he spat it out as it was too hot. “Honestly…” she said, shaking her head. “For that you can give me a hand dishing this up” she said brightly
“And then we’re taking this back to bed…” he said, a devilish smirk on his face.
“Really?” Sophie asked brightly
Benedict nodded “really, I think my wife deserves her own treat after this incredible surprise for me”
Sophie grinned and dished up quickly. Benedict did make a point of telling her much, much later on that she wasn’t to make a habit of cooking for him, they had staff for that, but when Sophie baked him some strawberry bread a few weeks later when they returned to My Cottage, he really didn’t have it in him to stop her cooking… not when it made her so happy.
He never learned how to operate the stove either, he never needed to but several years later when he stood there, his three son’s looking at him expectantly, William with his thumb in his mouth, the boys wanting warm milk and Violet having woken needing milk.
Everyone bleary eyed and whining, that Benedict realised that he had made a huge mistake not getting taught, and only when Sophie came in, their crying daughter in her arms and sighed “ready to learn now?” she asked him did he blush and nod, and so whilst nursing their 4 month old daughter, Sophie taught her husband and children how to light a stove.
Colin
There were a lot of things about Sophie that Colin loved. She was perfect for his older brother and slotted into the family really well but the thing he loved the most…
Was her ability to cook.
And her cook’s biscuits.
The first time he had visited My Cottage after Benedict and Sophie made it their home, he had threatened never to leave because the biscuits were so good.
Colin had been shocked to learn that the recipe was not a cook’s speciality but one of Sophie’s. If he hadn’t been leaving and booked on a ship he would have stopped and begged her to teach him but when they came to Aubrey Hall over christmas, despite Sophie’s pregnant state, he had begged her to cook with him. To show him how to make the shortbread biscuits that he was addicted to.
Benedict had grumbled but Sophie kissed his cheek and said to go finish his painting and she would see him soon, they had just been made up after a bit of a epic falling out so he was loathed to part from her but he did have to finish the drawing for his mother’s present so he agreed.
“I shall come get you in about an hour or so” she said
“Bring Biscuits?” he asked hopefully.
“If Colin has not eaten them all…” she said with a teasing smirk to her brother in law.
“No promises”
“You’re not having my wife’s time if I do not get some Biscuits out of it…” Benedict said, his arms crossed as he stared at his younger brother
“Now now boys…” Sophie said with a roll of her eyes.
“Fine…” Colin said with a pout but Benedict acquiesced and Colin, with care, dragged his sister-in-law into the kitchen.
“Don’t mind us!” he said, flashing a charming smile to the staff as he pulled a pregnant Sophie into the kitchen. “We’re going to borrow the oven!”
Sophie sighed, Colin was chaos and she should have known he would be chaos in the kitchen but she honestly hadn’t expected him to sneeze into the flour.
She ended up covered in the stuff, her hair was saturated, it was in the pockets of her dress and she was pretty sure she could feel it down the front of her dress and in her breasts.
There was batter everywhere and he had pouted like a small child when she refused to give over the mixture of the dried spices that she put in the biscuits. It was a Beckett family recipe and it would remain that way.
Even when he had pointed out she was a Bridgerton now and therefore it should be Bridgerton recipe, she had refused to budge but Colin stood as close as he could to the stove, watching the biscuits cook, watching as they went from the pale white to the golden colour and he sniffed around like Newton sniffed at Anthony’s shoes.
When they came out of the oven he could hear them sizzling and to Sophie’s surprise listened when she said they had to wait.
Colin watched in awe as she put a metal kettle onto the stove top and prepared them a pot of tea. “How do you know how to do this?” he asked, shaking a head. “All my sisters, hell my entire family probably would be lost down here”
“Needs must but I like it, it’s soothing and it’s not really fair for me to wake the maid at 3am when this little terror is craving a mint tea” she said stroking her flour covered belly.
After a little wait and as Sophie expertly poured them the fresh tea, Colin finally tucked into the biscuits he had helped make.
“God I love you” he grinned at Sophie “if I bring recipes back from my travels… as i’ve got a few that i’ve managed to get… would you… could you maybe try and make them?” he asked, his eyes glittering with excitement.
“Of course. If we are able to get the ingredients as I know some things are hard to come by” Sophie said.
Colin beamed and kissed Sophie on the cheek “please don’t tell Kate but you might be my favourite sister in law” he said happily.
Sophie laughed “on one condition…”
“Name it”
“Next time you don’t cover me in flour” she said, a hand gesturing to her body and hair.
Colin laughed and shook her hand. Sophie gathered up the few biscuits for her husband and asked for a bath to be drawn in her room and next time, Colin came to My Cottage bearing several recipes and decided he would never bake but he held his nephew…
And several years later after Colin moved closer to her, Sophie gave up and taught Penelope how to cook, much to the relief of her own cook and her husband who was sick of him eating all his biscuits.
Daphne
Anthony had pretty much ran to Daphne the moment they arrived at Aubrey Hall for Benedict’s wedding.
“Daph! I’ve learned how to do it!” he said excitedly, honestly Daphne wasn’t sure she has seen her older brother look quite so excited as he had.
“Well…” she said, crossing her arms over her chest looking rather amused as she had no idea what he was talking about “given your reputation before marriage and your two children… I think you have been doing it for quite a few years” she said.
Simon let out a bark of laughter and continued to corral their two daughters into the house, whilst holding the third and Daphne rubbed the small swell of her belly.
Anthony scowled “ha ha” he said in a sarcastic voice “i didn’t mean that and i am certainly not going to discuss that with you of all people…”
Daphne rolled her eyes. “So what the devil are you talking about…”
“The stove!” he said
Daphne gasped “How!?”
“Sophie!”
“What?” came a voice from the stairs, Sophie and Benedict had just appeared through the side door, arm in arm looking blissfully happy.
“You taught me how to use the stove,” Anthony said, bouncing on his heels happily.
“Oh right… yeah I did…” she said with a shrug.
“You can use the stove?” Daphne said, staring at her, blinking. Sophie nodded her head “Oh could you show me! Please please please!!! I’ve been desperate to learn but our cook refuses to teach me… said something about it being beneath my role as a Duchess” she said, rolling her eyes.
“It is…” Simon said
“Ignore him,” Daphne said. “Please Sophie… please!”
Sophie looked up at Benedict who just shrugged “it is up to you”
Sophie sighed and nodded “okay but it will have to be later, the stove will be hot now so it will be pointless”
“You are a wonderful woman Sophie Beckett” Daphne said, bouncing forward and kissing her future sister-in-law’s cheek. “Far too good for my brother,” she said.
“OI” Benedict cried as Daphne cackled and walked off, knowing she was safe, he would never hurt her when she was pregnant.
So later that night, mere hours before Sophie would become Mrs Bridgerton, she found herself in the kitchen of Aubrey Hall, teaching a bloody duchess how to light a stove.
Daphne asked questions, “so if the stove doesn’t have this door what does one do?”
Sophie shook her head “it doesn’t matter, there will be a door similar to this, usually on the bottom of the stove but if it is grander, they’re sometimes split into two sections…” Sophie said, “like that one” she said walking over to the larger of the stoves in the Aubrey Hall kitchen “see here?”
Daphne kept Sophie in the kitchen for a good hour going through everything, asking questions and it was only when Simon returned from the Summer House and had realised his wife was not in bed and had come looking for her “Surely the Bride should be getting so sleep dearest…” he said, seeing two ladies sat enjoying a warm milk.
“Good lord! What time is it?” Daphne asked
“1am” Simon said
Sophie gasped and Daphne laughed “Oh we got carried away” she said, getting down from her stool as Sophie jumped down.
“I gathered but come on, you both should be in bed” Simon said holding his hand out for his wife.
“Thank you Sophie” Daphne said hugging her, “I am so pleased you are joining our family, and not just because you can light a stove” she said with a laugh and a kiss to the younger woman’s cheek.
Sophie smiled and bobbed a curtsey, she might be family in a few hours but manners were still manners and she left the room, feeling lighter and somehow more at ease. Daphne wasn’t so scary after all.
Eloise
Eloise liked learning new things. She liked to be proficient in what she was doing in all things so when she was on a visit to My Cottage and Mr and Mrs Crabtree and Sophie’s cook had all come down with some illness and Sophie had sent them all away home, not wanting Charlie who was 7 months old, to catch any illness, Eloise had been shocked to learn Sophie planned to cook for them.
She had been even more shocked when they sat down to dinner that night; it was easily one of the most delicious meals Eloise had eaten in a long time. It was simple and tasty and she just blinked at her brother.
“I can’t believe you know how to cook” Eloise said to her sister-in-law, “and i can’t believe you never said…”
“Colin knows too” Benedict said, just wanting to shock his younger sister even more and she looked furious and looked at Sophie who was sat trying to feed Charlie a carrot who was trying to grab it squealing happily as he made a mess.
“COLIN?” she said, looking at Sophie “you told Colin!”
“It isn’t so much I told him, as he pestered me to teach him how to make the cooks biscuits when he learned I was the one who showed my cook…” Sophie said “ah ah no Charlie” she said distracted
“You have to teach me!” Eloise said in her usual blunt manner,
“Please?” Benedict said.
“Please” Eloise added with a roll of her eyes, and a look to her brother that was decidedly most unladylike.
Sophie sighed.
“Please Sophie, you can’t share your gift and knowledge with my idiot brother and not with me… please. What should happen to me when I am a spinster and with no money and have to cook for myself. Surely you would not want me to starve” Eloise said to Sophie.
“You could just marry” Benedict said, Eloise picked up her spoon and threw it at her brother.
“Please do not injure my husband”
“He is my brother…”
“This is my house” he said huffily rubbing his head where the spoon hit him.
“Shush you” Sophie said affectionately to her husband.
Benedict pouted at his wife and Eloise coughed “Sophie! Please. I would like to learn!”
“Very well. But you apologise to your brother first, and we shall start with something simple tomorrow… if your brother will take Charlie” Sophie said to Eloise.
Eloise turned to Benedict who was looking smug and was swirling his wine in his glass.
“Please Ben… pretty please” she said, her eyes pleading.
“What is in it for me?” he said, leaning back on his chair.
“My undying love and affection?” Eloise said
Benedict snorted
“I’ll smuggle some of Anthony’s brandy in the post to you?” Eloise said.
“Deal” he said with a wicked grin.
And so the following morning after breakfast, Sophie handed Benedict their son and eloise pulled her down to the kitchen of My Cottage.
“Rather than start with something complicated, we will make a basic cake” Sophie said. “Colin managed to make biscuits, just about… thought I was covered in Flour…”
Eloise nodded, her notebook in her hand and she began taking notes as Sophie talked her through it. “Baking is very specific, you have to do it in the right order to the exact amounts” Sophie explained.
Eloise nodded. “Right… let me have a go” she said, and with her instructions she carefully measured out the butter, carefully weighed out what she needed for each step and Sophie nodded at her,
“Well done, now the next steps” Sophie said showing her how to mix it, Sophie was neat and Eloise a little more haphazard but a lot less chaotic than Colin had been and soon the two cakes were in the oven.
Sophie talked Eloise through how to light the stove, the mechanisms and the science of it over a cup of tea and then Sophie, who had been watching Benedict’s pocket watch, she took some cloth and pulled the two cakes from the oven and looked down at them both.
“What happened?” Eloise said, as she looked down at her cake, sophie’s had risen nicely, was golden and looked enticing, whereas Eloise’s was flat and burnt…
“I have no idea.” Sophie said trying desperately not to laugh.
“Oh I am no good at this!” Eloise said “i shall just have to starve” she said dramatically
Sophie did burst out laughing “you will always be welcome here Eloise” she said affectionately kissing her sister-in-law’s cheek, “come on… I Am sure Charlie will be driving Benedict mad, we will share the cake later, we can tell Ben this was yours so he doesn’t tease you”
Eloise smiled “thank you, and I shall have to take you up on that when I am an ageing spinster”
Sophie rolled her eyes and sighed, she loved the Bridgerton’s but they really were useless in the kitchen.
Francesca
It was many years later when Sophie realised that Francesca had never asked her about using the stove. The rest of the family had pestered her, bugged her to teach them and Ameila who was now old enough to be interested in learning things had asked but Francesca never asked.
It was true that Sophie rarely saw Fran as she was in Scotland tending to her late husband’s estate whilst the current Earl was off in India but now they were both back and in London.
Sophie had not long realised she was pregnant again and was sitting having a cup of tea in Bridgerton House with Francesca whilst the rest of the family were out.
“Fran?” Sophie said
“Sophie?” she said back, the quizzical look on her face as she turned to face her sister-in-law
“How come you never asked me how to use the stove, or anything about my old life?” Sophie asked her “i mean, everyone else has and i rather assumed”
Francesca let out a chuckle “i’ve known how to light the stove since i was 10” she said. “I just wasn’t stupid enough to tell any of the family i knew how” she said with a grin
“How?” sophie asked, her mouth dropped open
“I bribed the maid,” she said.
Sophie burst out laughing “is that your go to for everything? Bribe a maid?”
Francesca shrugged “it works, you know better than anyone, the maids know everything and therefore are the best source of knowledge for everything. Other than Lady Whistledown of course but i am sure even she doesn’t know how to use the stove”
Sophie laughed “Oh i know, I remember you tried to bribe me to let you sneak out of the house to see John” she said with a reminiscent smile.
Francesca gave her a wistful look. Sophie leaned over squeezed her hand “i’m sorry” she said automatically
“PLease don’t. It’s nice remembering the good things, it still hurts but i think it always will you know…” she said.
Sophie got up and sat next to Francesca. “You are such a strong woman Fran. You have been through so much”
“Not as much as you” Fran said, wiping her eyes.
Sophie shook her head “each of us has our own pains, our own past… sometimes it's easy for people to forget but it is what makes us stronger and what makes us who we are”
Francesca nodded “it is and I am grateful your past brought you to us… and to Ben…” she said “and I won’t tell anyone your secret” she said with a grin at Sophie stomach.
“How?”
“You’ve eaten the full plate of Ginger biscuits, you did it each time with Alex and William” she said with a grin.
“You are so observant” she laughed.
“I know, Benedict is going to be thrilled” Fran said
“I am going to tell him tonight”
“What me to have the boys for a few hours?” Francesca offered
“Oh that would be delightful! How could I ever repay you?” Sophie beamed
“Give me the recipe for your cooks’ biscuits that Colin loves?” Fran said hopefully
Sophie laughed “nice try… but i’ll give you the fruitcake one?” she said
“You, Mrs Bridgerton, have yourself a deal” Fran said, giving her sister in law a kiss before taking the three boys off up stairs to the nursery and running them absolutely ragged.
Gregory
Sophie had to admit to herself that teaching Gregory how to do anything was probably the worst idea she ever had. Or let herself be talked into.
Gregory had been most put out that each of his siblings had been shown either how to cook or how to use the stove and he had not.
He had not listened when Sophie had said she hadn’t taught all of them, Benedict had never been taught, he had never wanted to, he was more inclined to watch and distract and she hadn’t done anything with Francesca but he had wanted to know.
“But Greg, you have someone who cooks for you at University, and you have someone who cooks here” Hyacinth had said to her brother
“But everyone else!”
“Fine!” Sophie had snapped, her nerves were frayed and the heat was killing her, she was pregnant and she just wanted peace and quiet and this was the only way she would get it.
Kate was visiting her mother and sister across town and Hyacinth had called in on her way to see Felicity and Gregory had heard Benedict was out at the Art Gallery so he had decided to pop into see his sister-in-law and rectify the situation about him not knowing and the rest of his family knowing, immediately.
Sophie grumbled and got to her feet “let us go…” she gestured to Gregory to go down to the kitchen and she waddled behind him.
She was only half way through her confinement and like before she was swollen and agitated and honestly, if one more Bridgerton pestered her in this heat she was liable to snap.
“Right. What do I need to do?” Greg asked eagerly as he got into the kitchen, looking around, at 21 years of age, he was now as tall as Colin and Anthony but leaner than his brother’s.
Sophie grumbled “get me a chair first of all” she said with a sigh. Greg was too happy, just to be spending time with Sophie he grabbed a stool and helped her into it and clapped his hands together.
“What do you want to make?” Sophie asked, rubbing her stomach.
“What are you craving most at the moment?” he asked with a charming smile
“Shaved Ice and peace and quiet” Sophie said with a grumble “but we shall make shortbread. As I know Benedict and the boys are partial” she said.
“Right” Greg said brightly “talk me through it” he said and so Sophie started to give him directions on how to do it.
Sophie had never met a messier person in her life, which considering she was forever cleaning paint up around the house, and her husband was a painter, was saying something… the butter ended up everywhere and half the sugar ended up on the floor but when he tripped with the bowl of flour and it ended up dosing Sophie from head to toe…
She gasped as Gregory spluttered and panicked “Sophie i am so sorry!” he said as Sophie just sat there opening her mouth, coughing.
“I…” she blinked and stood up “sorry but no. I'm out… I'm done. You want to learn… ask a cook” she said as she went up the stairs.
As she got to the hallway, Kate, Anthony, Benedict and the nurse came in with the boys and they all looked at Sophie as she appeared.
The glare on her face and the stubborn “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT” at everyone, mostly her husband who looked like they were about to laugh, were drowned out by Gregory running up after her “i am so sorry Soph. please! Please”
“Greg” Anthony said, as they all moved aside and let Sophie past. “Let her go”
Benedict turned the moment Sophie was up the stairs, a maid in her wake shouting for someone to get the hot water on for a bath. “What did you do?” he said shaking his head, the nurse came and took the boys away quickly.
“I tripped! It was an accident!” Gregory said honestly.
Kate chuckled “i swear, for all you Bridgerton’s are tall, you are a clumsy lot…” she rolled her eyes as she headed down the hallway.
“How do I make this up to her?” he said, looking at Benedict.
Benedict shrugged “no idea”
“What do you do?” he said before he could stop himself
“Greg…” Anthony said slapping his brother on the shoulder jovially “i do not think Benedict is going to tell you how he makes things up to his wife and i really do not think Sophie or Benedict would let you if you did know”
Greg went beetroot realising what that meant and spluttered as Benedict laughed. “Not in a million years”
“FLOWERS” Kate shouted from the hallway. “Buy her bloody flowers”
Greg nodded and ran out of the house and did just that… but he was never ever allowed in a kitchen with Sophie again.
Hyacinth
Hyacinth Bridgerton had managed to, in such a short space of time, worm her way into Sophie Beckett’s heart.
Perhaps it was all the nights she sat reading with the youngest of the Bridgerton’s when everyone else was out, or that Sophie loved listening to the younger girls stories and hypothesis on everything but Sophie adored Hyacinth and was very much aware of the youngest Bridgerton’s moods and feelings.
So the night that it was announced that Sophie was to marry Benedict, and her whole story came out and they said they would be moving to Wiltshire at the end of the season, Sophie noticed that Hyacinth’s excitement had dropped off.
She was sure the young girl was happy for them, she had felt it in the way she had hugged her but the sparkle had gone from her eyes.
When Benedict had left, Sophie had told him to wait a bit before coming to climb up her window, she knew he would have gone and done it straight away but she wanted to see Hyacinth, she needed to make sure she was okay.
Once she knew Hyacinth would be starting her nighttime routine, something Sophie would usually help with, Sophie knocked on the door and poked her head through the door “Hy?” she said,
“Oh Sophie, you don’t have to come help me anymore, you’re not my ladies maid” Hyacinth said immediately.
“I know i am not, I’ve come however, to help my little sister out, if that is okay?” she said, waiting for Hyacinth.
Hyacinth nodded “that would be lovely thank you” she said and Sophie made her way into the room.
Sophie began unpinning her hair “so why don’t you tell me what is wrong” Sophie said, she knew there was no point in beating around the bush with Hyacinth, the youngest Bridgerton was quite blunt like that.
“Nothing” she said, quickly, too quickly for it to be true and Sophie sighed and sat down next to her.
“Hyacinth.. I know you are happy for me and Benedict, truly but if there is anything you are unsure about…”
“Why do you have to go so far away!” hyacinth practically cried, her 14 year old face twisting unhappily and her lip wobbled.
Sophie sighed and got up and hugged her “Oh Hyacinth, it’s not that far away, it’s a day and a bits ride and you can come stop with us whenever your mama lets you, you know that right?”
Hyacinth sniffled “i do but it’s not the same…”
Sophie sighed “it’s not but it will be better, just think how much you will have to tell me, i’ll make sure you have your own room and when you come you can have my undivided attention, no sharing me with Benedict” she said.
“You promise?” the young girl asked, her lip wobbling.
“Solemnly” Sophie said. “Now tell you want, let’s get your nightgown on and come with me” she said and 10 minutes later Sophie had Hyacinth on a stool, talking to her about all the things they could do when she comes to visit whilst Sophie made her warm milk.
It became a tradition. Whenever Sophie came to London, or they were at Aubrey Hall, or Hyacinth came to My Cottage, Sophie would make her warm milk and they would sit and talk.
Sophie taught her to bake, she was the only member of the family who managed to do it without getting flour and things everywhere which considering that she was absolutely chaos personified, it seemed to calm her down.
And the night before Hyacinth’s wedding to Gareth St Clair, Hyacinth was stopping at Bridgerton House and knocked on Benedict and Sophie’s door.
Sophie, who had been expecting her, poked her head out and followed Hyacinth down to the kitchen.
They talked, just nattered about absolutely nothing when Hyacinth finally said “I never did thank you”
Sophie blinked “what for?”
“For just… being you. Everyone else always saw me as the little sister, never really noticed when I wasn’t happy but the night you and Ben announced your engagement and i thought I was going to lose you, and never see you…” Hyacinth said swallowing
“Hy, that would never happen, for one, you’d never have allowed it…” she said teasing “and two… if I managed to see your brother as more than just a number unlike everyone else… of course I am going to see you as the wonderful if not rebellious and stressful teenager you were…” she said
“I know but still, you didn’t try and just resolve it and push it aside, you had thought about me, you considered my feelings and spent time with me and even now, with 4 children and my idiot brother as a husband you still make time for me… you make time for all of us” she said “you’ve taught us all how to use the stove, how to cook and how to bake…”
Sophie laughed “i’ve tried anyway…” she said “only you ever picked it up”
“I am the smartest out of the family” Hyacinth laughed.
“Perhaps” Sophie said
“By the way… Gareth has said, he thinks it is highly unfair that everyone else in this family has had your famous biscuits and he hasn’t” Hyacinth said as she drained the last of her milk off.
“Well…” Sophie said reaching into her pocket “perhaps you should make them for him” she said and passed her a piece of paper with the recipe written on.
“Is this?” Hyacinth said excitedly.
Sophie nodded and Hyacinth let out an ungodly, unladylike squeal as she hugged Sophie “i knew you like me best!”
“Do not tell anyone I gave that to you!” she said as she hugged her sister-in-law back.
“Oh I won't, I promise!! Oh Sophie I love you, I love you, I love you!!” she said brightly bouncing on the spot.
Hyacinth of course, did not keep her promise and rather loudly at her wedding reception announced that Sophie had gifted her the biscuit recipe because she was her favourite and much like every other aspect of her life with the Bridgerton’s… chaos reigned supreme and she and Benedict, along with their children made a swift exit from the festivities as a fight nearly broke out over the paper…
Which ended up in the fire when Hyacinth dropped it and as Gregory tried to catch it, it flew in front of a pregnant Eloise, who was snatched out of the way by her husband and the breeze sent it into the flames and they all watched in horror as it shrivelled to nothing.
Meaning none of the Bridgerton clan got the recipe.
Their spouses on the other hand… well that was a different story….