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Arthur had heard that Lord Anthony Bridgerton was entering the marriage mart this season. His wife had informed him of it, rather amused. Surely, Grace had mused, the viscount would visit Arthur’s flower shop at least once, as it was the closest one to his estate in town.
Nevertheless, this information did not stop Arthur’s jaw from dropping to the floor when Lord Bridgerton entered his shop.
“Can I have a bouquet?” the viscount asked. Arthur blinked at him.
“A bouquet?” Lord Bridgerton nudged again when Arthur didn’t move.
“Right. Right! Of course, Lord Bridgerton. Do you, er, have any type of flower in mind?”
The man in question tilted his head, eyebrows furrowed. “I suppose I don’t know much about flowers. Whichever you think is prettiest, I suppose.”
Arthur nodded, scrambling to find the perfect arrangement for the lord. This was an excellent opportunity, really. The season had just begun, and if Lady Whistledown and his dear wife were to be believed, the oldest Bridgerton was trying to find a wife. In fact, now that he thought about it, he did remember his wife mentioning some woman- Evelyn? Adeline?- who had been named the diamond of the season. Perhaps the viscount was courting her. The Viscount and the Diamond. Seemed like the logical conclusion, honestly. Regardless, surely if the receiver of these flowers had caught the eye of the viscount, she would have several other suitors. And if the viscount in question arrived with Arthur’s beautiful bouquet in hand and swept the woman off her feet- well, the other suitors would have to give his shop a visit, too, wouldn’t they? This was perfect. Great for business.
As Arthur busied himself putting together a bouquet- he had decided none of the ones he already had were good enough for this opportunity- he heard the man call out: “Actually, could you put together another one as well?” When Arthur turned around in question he added, “Si- Well, someone courting my sister last season brought my mother some flowers as well. She was absolutely delighted.” Bridgerton shrugged awkwardly.
Ah. So he was courting a woman.
Minutes later, the viscount was leaving with two bouquets in hand- a primarily pink rose bouquet for the lady, and daisies for the mother- when he paused.
“What about those flowers?” He asked, gesturing to some red lilies that sat in the corner of the shop.
“Those are red lilies, my lord,” Arthur supplied, a bit confused.
There was a pause, and Bridgerton looked like he was fighting a horrible internal battle.
“I’d like those as well,” the man said, finally.
“Would you like me to put those in an arrangement or-?”
“No, they’re fine just as is.”
The transaction was made, and it wasn’t until the viscount was halfway out the door that Arthur finally mustered the courage to ask: “My lord? If you don’t mind me asking, who are those lilies for?”
At this the gentleman stiffened. “For the sister. They just ah- she would like them, I think. And they remind me of her.” A pause, and then his eyes widened as he seemed to realize what he had just said. “And, well, I should bring her flowers too, if I’m bringing them for her mother as well,” he added hastily. Before Arthur could say anything else, the Bridgerton had already disappeared.
Later that night, as they were getting ready for bed, Arthur told his wife that he was sure someone had caught the viscount’s eye.
**
Anthony Bridgerton became somewhat of a frequent customer after the first visit. Always a “pretty bouquet” for the lady- Miss Edwina Sharma, Arthur had learned from his wife Grace- and some red lilies for her sister, Miss Kate Sharma. It was most curious; he hadn’t continued to get flowers for the mother, and he still had no preference for what kind of flowers to get Miss Edwina Sharma aside from ‘pretty,” but he always asked for red lilies. And today, Arthur discovered what happened when the red lilies were no longer an option.
“You don’t have the red lilies?” Lord Bridgerton repeated again.
“I’m sorry my lord, but I’m afraid you took the last of them yesterday, and the next load has been delayed.”
The viscount nodded, disappointment shining clearly in his eyes.
“Oh but I can- I have other flowers? I don’t have other red lilies, but I have red roses and red carnations? Perhaps some red magnolia? They symbolize nobility, you know.” When the lord said nothing, he added: “Or some other colors of lilies? I have white, yellow, and orange ones.”
None of these options seemed to appease the man.
“No, no, it’s quite alright. I suppose those aren’t the necessary ones, anyways. I’ll be on my way then.” With that, he left. Arthur hurried away, demanding that the red lilies arrive immediately. He would not let one specific color of one specific flower species ruin his business.
**
When Lord Anthony Bridgerton walked into his shop, looking a bit haggard, asking for red lilies, Joshua dropped everything to find them. Having a viscount visit his establishment was an honor, but having a viscount who lived on the other side of town come in, specifically asking for a flower that reportedly no other shop had been able to supply? Well. What a turn of events this was.
The gentleman already held a bouquet in his hands, Joshua noticed. It seemed much like Arthur’s work. There weren’t many florists in London, but the few that did run shops knew each other well. Which is why Joshua knew that Bridgerton usually bought Arthur’s flowers, and that he had made a habit of always buying red lilies. His sister had informed him, conspiratorially, that Arthur’s wife was convinced that Anthony Bridgerton was half in love with Miss Kate Sharma. It was who he bought those red lilies for, Isabel had informed him. Anthony Bridgerton was courting Miss Edwina Sharma, the diamond of the season, but he bought red lilies for her elder sister. He remained dispassionate towards what kind of flowers the youngest Miss Sharma was receiving, but he insisted on red lilies for the sister. Seeing the viscount today, Joshua found that he rather agreed with the women’s allegations.
It was a short affair, really, but an informative one: Bridgerton had stumbled in, looking a bit exhausted, asking if Joshua had red lilies. Joshua had replied that he was not sure, and left to go check. He came back and told Bridgerton that he did in fact have red lilies, would the viscount like some, and if so, how would he like them arranged. The man, looking rather relieved, told him that any arrangement of the lilies was fine. He also asked Joshua if he could kindly hurry up a bit, as he was running late, and was a bit far away from his destination. Jumping on the opportunity, Joshua asked him what he was doing on this side of town; there were many florists in the town closer to the lord. At this, Bridgerton froze for a bit, before stiffly muttering that none of the other florists had red lilies. Victorious, Joshua had left to get the lilies, returned, and sent the man well on his way. He waited a moment after the door closed behind him, before leaving to tell his sister of his encounter with the Viscount Bridgerton.
**
Douglas had worked at Aubrey Hall almost his entire life. He had been working in the gardens since he was a young boy, since before Violet had married Edmund, and he enjoyed it. He loved his job. He loved the beautiful flowers, and the pay certainly helped. He liked that he was left alone with his garden, allowed to do as he pleased. The only exception was Lady Violet Bridgerton; the woman enjoyed gardening, so she often worked with Douglas, planting and trimming flowers upon flowers. But she shared his fondness for the garden and was unafraid of the dirt, so Douglas did not mind her presence. The two had developed a companionship over the years; Violet liked to come to the gardens to take a break from her children and her responsibilities, and Douglas was happy to oblige. He liked to think that he was somewhat of a confidante to the lady, especially after Edmund’s death. Violet would rant about her children, and he would listen. Occasionally, he would offer his observations and his advice, but often just letting Violet vent would do the trick.
Naturally, Douglas had watched all of the Bridgertons grow up, and though he did not claim to adore them as if they were his own, he did like to think that he knew them rather well. All Bridgertons had wandered in and out of the gardens at some stage of their lives, and Douglas was quite observant. Benedict had experienced a short phase where he came daily to paint the flowers before he quickly grew bored and moved on to painting the human form. Gregory and Hyacinth liked to play in the garden together, away from their admonishing siblings and mother. Eloise came occasionally to read in peace. Even Colin and Francesca had enjoyed playing or reading alone in the gardens when they were younger. The only exception was Anthony Bridgerton; never did Anthony show any interest in flowers and their like, and never did that man visit the garden.
That is, until Miss Kate Sharma came along.
Douglas was well aware that Anthony had plucked out a tulip for Miss Sharma, claiming he would simply blame Hyacinth if he were to be caught; Douglas was aware of everything that went on in his gardens. And when Anthony returned a few days later, asking if he could take some more flowers from the garden, Douglas knew that the man was absolutely smitten with her.
Yes, he didn’t know Anthony too well. But Douglas had always been very perceptive.
“May I ask who it is for?” Douglas asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Well. It’s for Miss Kate Sharma. I think she rather liked your flowers, Douglas, when we were walking through here earlier. I think she would enjoy having some of them in her room.”
Absolutely smitten.
“I don’t like to just pluck flowers out of my garden, boy. Even Hyacinth knows not to do that,” he teased. The boy reddened.
“I- uh. We were just, um-.” Bridgerton stopped, gathering himself and apparently deciding to ignore the subtle accusation altogether. “Miss Sharma doesn't like storms. The one a few days ago put her off, I think. I just hoped that you would help me brighten her mood a bit.”
“And why should you be the one to get her flowers? Are you courting her?”
Anthony’s eyes widened at that.
“No! No, I’m courting her sister. But- But she’s my friend,” he offered softly. Then the corners of his mouth lifted upward, and he repeated it again, more certain. “Yes, she’s my friend. She’s my friend and I want her to feel better. Will you help me?”
Courting her sister? This boy was a fool! Immediately, Douglas decided he would do whatever he could to make this poor boy realize his feelings for Miss Kate Sharma. And flowers seemed like a good first step.
“Follow me,” Douglas grumbled. As he turned away, he glimpsed the biggest grin take over Anthony’s face. Smitten, indeed.
**
A few days later, Lady Bridgerton came to visit Douglas. There wasn’t much to do in terms of gardening today, so the two just sat on a bench quietly.
“Anthony has decided to marry this season.” Violet said after a moment. Douglas said nothing.
“He is courting Miss Edwina Sharma. The diamond of this season. She is lovely, Douglas. She would make the perfect viscountess.” She was fretting, wringing her hands and speaking hurriedly.
Edwina Sharma. So that was the sister the idiot boy was supposedly courting.
“But?” Douglas prompted when Violet didn’t add anything else.
“But. He has decided he won’t marry for love, Douglas. He absolutely refuses. And I’m afraid it’s my fault.” Her voice was quiet, laced with sadness and guilt.
“You know I want nothing more than my children to marry the person they love. For them to experience what Edmund and I had. As it turns out, it is Edmund and I’s love that ruined our eldest son.” She scoffed bitterly at that. It was probably very unlady-like, but Violet had never bothered with formalities with him. The gardener was, after all, her escape from the stifling etiquette of Society.
“Anthony says he does not wish to put anyone through what I went through when Edmund died. And I do not know how to explain it to him. I do not know how to tell him that even though the days after Edmund’s passing were some of the worst days of my entire life, I would do it all again. I would survive it all again for all those years I did get to spend with him, for every moment we laughed together and even every moment we spent in misery together. Because we were together. And that is worth all the pain and sorrow that came afterwards. How do I tell him that?”
“Repeat those exact words to him,” Douglas said simply.
“He will not listen,” she insisted. “He does not listen. He is so stubborn. Too stubborn for his own good, perhaps.”
“Then try. You can only try your best. You can only tell him these things, try to teach him what you learned from your experience. Whether or not he listens to you is out of your control. But try, so that you can rest knowing that you did your best.”
A beat passed, as Violet digested what he had said, and Douglas wondered whether or not he should tell her of his observations.
“I think your son is rather fond of Miss Kate Sharma,” he said finally. Violet’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
“The elder Miss Sharma? Really? How do you know?”
“I just have a feeling, I suppose. Call it my old age,” he chuckled.
Another moment of silence.
“My son is a fool.”
That surprised a laugh out of Douglas. He had been thinking the same thing these past few days.
“Your son really is a fool,” Douglas agreed.
**
It had become somewhat of a tradition over the years. No one really knew how it started, but every two months, the florists of the ton would gather for a drink and to discuss business. Apparently it encouraged companionship and avoided enmity among the shop owners. Joshua was convinced that it was just an excuse to share gossip. After all, who better than the flower sellers would know the secrets of the men on this ton ?
Case in point: today's discussion on Lord Anthony Bridgerton, who had just returned with his family from Aubrey Hall.
“Oh he’s smitten. Lord Bridgerton absolutely adores Miss Kate Sharma,” Arthur insisted.
“Everyone knows that Lord Bridgerton is courting Miss Edwina Sharma. He intends to marry her,” Matthew countered.
“Oh, please. The viscount spends more time with the elder Miss Sharma than he ever did with Miss Edwina. It is clear as day that he likes her,” Allan chimed in.
“Perhaps he is trying to win her over. Everyone knows that Miss Edwina won’t marry without her sister’s approval.” (Matthew)
“But he keeps buying those damned red lilies! For Miss Kate! Come on, Matthew, we all know Miss Edwina has several suitors. And not one of them has gone to such lengths to gain her sister’s approval! Surely there is something more between Miss Kate and Mister Bridgerton!” (Arthur)
Here Joshua saw fit to drop his gem of information. “He is quite intent on those red lilies, you know. He came in the other day asking for them, since apparently none of you lot had some for him.” It had the desired effect; all the three other men present stopped to stare at him.
“He went all the way to your shop?” (Arthur)
“Oh I remember that day. He looked so annoyed when I told him I usually didn’t get any.” (Allan)
“If he went all the way to the other end of town… maybe he does like the elder Sharma,” Matthew grumbled. Arthur exclaimed a victorious “Aha!” and everyone took a drink.
It was then that Thomas, the fifth and final florist of the ton strode in.
“Late as always, Thomas,” Alan raised a glass to him. Everyone chuckled.
Thomas sat down, looking almost giddy.
“Talking about Lord Bridgerton, weren’t you?” Thomas grinned. Damn, they were getting predictable. “Boy, do I have some gossip for you today.”
All four men raised their eyebrows and shared looks. Joshua just hoped no one ever found out how much the flower shop owners delighted in the ton ’s gossip.
“My sister-in-law heard from her friend who is currently at Aubrey Hall that Miss Edwina,” he paused here for dramatic effect, and damn if the other men didn’t lean forward in anticipation, “Miss Edwina has apparently asked that Lord Bridgerton stop courting her!”
Oh, what a turn of events this was.
Anticipating the others’ questions and doubts, Thomas added quickly: “She’s one of Miss Edwina’s maids, my sister-in law’s friend. And she overheard them while chaperoning Miss Sharma and Lord Bridgerton on their walk. Apparently, Miss Edwina told the viscount that she liked him, but she did not think that they connected! She said that there wasn’t much in common between them, and she didn’t want him to waste his time with her! That woman! And- and, get this- apparently she told Lord Bridgerton that he was probably better suited for her sister, Miss Kate Sharma! Damn, Arthur really was right all along.”
Arthur cheered at that, and the group fell silent as they processed Thomas’s news. Those damn lovebirds.
“Well. At least someone’s getting their love story,” Joshua said, bitterly. The others peered at him curiously.
“Isabel,” he sighed. “My dear sister fancies herself in love with Lord Rutterby’s son. His family found out, and they’re furious.” Joshua thought back to earlier that morning, when he had found Isabel in her room, a sobbing mess. He adored his younger sister; she was brilliant and spirited, but she was a hopeless romantic. And now she was in distress.
“They really wasted their time, didn’t they? Miss Sharma and Lord Bridgerton, what with Lord Bridgerton courting the younger Miss Sharma and whatnot. Poor Miss Edwina had to convince Lord Bridgerton to leave her and chase after the elder one. And who even knows if he will do as she advised now,” Matthew mused. A bit of a dramatization of what Thomas had told him, but Matthew had become something of a cynic since his sweetheart had left him at the altar. Something about wanting a better life for herself, not wanting to work tirelessly day and night to survive.
Silence landed again as the men pondered on Lord Bridgerton and Miss Sharma’s supposed love story. And then Allan brought up Lord Blackmore’s mistress, and the men returned to the gossip with enthusiasm.
**
Arthur would be lying if he said that when Lord Bridgerton stepped into his shop again, weeks later, Arthur didn’t light up with hope. He had given the viscount little thought aside from his discussion with the other florists over drinks. After all, he had a business to run. A flourishing business. But every once in a while, he did look over at the red lilies and wonder what had happened to Bridgerton and Sharma. The eldest Bridgerton hadn’t visited the shop in weeks, and Arthur had heard nothing about him from his wife and Lady Whistledown, other than that he was no longer courting Miss Edwina. He had grown a bit fond of the gentleman, and maybe a bit too invested in his relationship with the elder Miss Sharma. But maybe he was right to do so, because here the viscount was, in the flesh, asking for lilies.
“Red lilies, my lord?” Arthur asked, probably a bit too cheeky.
“Any lilies are fine.” What?
“But you were always so specific about those red ones, my lord.”
The viscount cleared his throat. “Right, well, these aren’t for anyone.” Arthur looked at him in question. “I thought they would brighten up my office a bit. And I think I’ve grown a bit fond of their smell,” he added gruffly.
And then something possessed him, because there was no way Arthur would have said something so dangerous if he was in his right mind. Perhaps his wife’s romantic soul had rub off on him, or maybe he was thinking of Isabel and her lost love. Either way, he was insane, because the next words that came out of his mouth were: “Perhaps the smell isn’t all that you’ve grown fond of, my lord.”
The viscount didn’t respond, didn’t even look at him, and mortified, Arthur just got him his flowers and tried to end the interaction as quickly as he could.
**
“Joshua. Joshua! Joshua, you will not believe what I just heard.”
It was night now, and Joshua had just closed up his shop. Immediately, his sister had started hounding him, looking thrilled.
“What now, Isabel?” Joshua sighed.
“Lord Bridgerton! And Miss Kate Sharma! They are engaged!”
A smile tugged at his lips, but Joshua forced it down.
“Really?” He said in the most uninterested tone he could muster. Which ended up being quite interested. Luckily, his sister paid him no mind.
“Really! Oh it was so scandalous, Joshua. I heard it from the maids at the Featheringtons’. You know the ton ’s been gossiping about him and Miss Edwina for weeks , wondering why he suddenly stopped courting her. And last night, at the Featherington Ball, Lord Bridgerton asked Miss Kate Sharma to dance! Everyone was so shocked, Joshua, the viscount and the sister of the woman he was courting! Apparently, everyone else stopped dancing because of them. But they just continued! Just the two of them, alone on the dance floor, even though everyone else had left. And then the Queen interfered, demanding that everyone else dance too. I think even Miss Edwina herself approves of the match. And the lord proposed shortly after the ball! They’re to be married in a few weeks, Joshua,” Isabel finished, proudly. Joshua shook his head, fondly. His little sister. His lovely little sister, who felt too much and hoped for too much from this cruel world.
“And why are you so excited about it?”
“First of all, it’s something right out of a book, don’t you think? Those two finding each other and surviving all these hardships together? Perhaps true love does exist, brother. And, well, if Lord Bridgerton and Miss Sharma can tempt scandal but still come out so in love, then perhaps there’s hope for the rest of us, don’t you think?”
Highly unlikely. But who was he to ruin his sister’s excitement?
“I’m sure there’s someone out there for you, too, Isabel.”
**
That fool had done it. He had married Miss Kate Sharma- now Lady Kate Bridgerton. Violet had talked to him, she had told Douglas. Tried to knock some sense into him. She said she couldn’t really tell if it was her talk that did the trick or not, but regardless, Anthony Bridgerton had married Kate Sharma, and now they were both happily in love. They stayed at Aubrey Hall mostly- apparently they both had a love for the countryside- and looked at each other with such love and adoration it was sickening. Really. Douglas was too old to be dealing with this.
He was also too old to be arguing with Anthony.
“Come on, Douglas, what is the point of these gardens if not to put those flowers to good use?”
“Boy, you will stop plucking out my flowers or you will face my wrath.”
“Douglas-”
“I will not be filling her room with lilies and tulips, Anthony. I know for a fact that Kate has no need for these many flowers.” Why was it always bloody lilies and tulips?
“It’s a kind gesture!”
“No, it is a waste of my beautiful flowers.”
Before Anthony can disagree, he adds tiredly, “But you may take a few for a bouquet. Only- only because I like Kate, and I know she shares my love for gardening.”
Anthony beamed at him, and Douglas rolled his eyes. He was beginning to realize that he had much preferred the Anthony who had no interest in flowers, than the one who was constantly trying to shower his wife with hundreds of flowers as a show of his affection. Really. This boy was going to be the death of him.
**
Anthony Bridgerton was now famous in the ton for his habit of ceaselessly gifting his wife flowers. Arthur liked to credit himself for it. After all, if he hadn’t seen those red lilies the first day, perhaps the viscount would have never realized his feelings for his now wife. And wasn’t it Arthur who had suggested that lilies wasn’t all the viscount had grown fond of? Arthus had certainly played a role in their love story.
(His wife thought he was ridiculous. This did not stop both of them from insisting that it was Arthur’s flowers that had brought about the Lord and Lady Bridgerton’s happy marriage. It was good business!)
The florist had grown used to Lord Bridgerton’s visits, demanding he send more flowers to his wife or fill her room with lilies and tulips. Arthur didn’t know when or how the tulips had been added, but it was rather sweet. Occasionally, the lord would add in some other types of flowers- roses, daisies, daffodils- but he always made sure to get lilies and tulips.
(It was ridiculous. But Arthur didn’t comment on it. It was good for business.)
Today, it was Lady Bridgerton who visited him.
“How can I help you, Lady Bridgerton?” Arthur asked, warmly. He had heard much of her, but he had yet to meet her himself.
“I wanted some flowers. For my husband. ”
“Which kind, my lady?” If she said lilies and tulips, he would laugh.
At this, she smiled. “My husband is quite fond of lilies and tulips, isn’t he? I suppose I’d best get those.”
Arthur stifled his laugh.
“I do not understand his admiration for those flowers, honestly. He’s been giving me red lilies for as long as I’ve known him. He even says the scent of lilies is his favorite!” The lady shook her head, amused. Arthur didn’t comment on the fact that she smelled like lilies and soap.
“I do not know about tulips, but I think he likes the lilies because of you.” When Lady Bridgerton tilted her head in question, he added, “The first day he came here, he saw those red lilies and immediately bought them for you. He said they reminded him of you. He’s been buying them ever since. Even went to the other side of town once for the red lilies.” He laughed at the memory. “I do not know about the tulips, but I know he likes the lilies because they remind him of you. And I think he’s fond of the smell of lilies, too.” He left then, to get her flowers.
When he came back, Lady Bridgerton looked like she was fighting tears. Oh dear. Lord Bridgerton would have his head if he found out his wife had cried in Arthur’s flower shop.
“My lady?”
“Sorry. I just. I’m a bit overwhelmed, I think. It’s nice to know you are loved.” The florist nodded in agreement.
A moment later, he asked, “What’s the occasion? For the flowers, I mean. If you don’t mind, of course.”
“Oh. Well, it’s a bit of a secret. But I suppose I can tell you.” She glanced around nervously before adding, “I am with child. I thought it would be nice to surprise my husband with the flowers he always gets me.”
Arthur beamed at her. “Congratulations!”
She smiled, said a quick thanks, and left the shop.
After that, he saw both of them often. Apparently, it had become something of a competition. Who could surprise the other more with flowers? It was completely and utterly ridiculous. But who was Arthur to complain? After all, his business was thriving. In the end, Lord Bridgerton really had been perfect for business.