Work Text:
It was a stupid idea. Beyond stupid really, but Simon could not stop his feet from dragging him to his desired destination. And as he walked on, he took a moment to reflect on the events that led him there.
After enduring the awful conversation with Daphne in front of Gunter’s Tea Shop, Simon made up his mind and was set on leaving. Where, he did not know exactly, but he knew he had to get as far away as possible. It was for the best. He would disappear as if he was never there and everyone would forget about him soon enough. Daphne deserved much more than what he could offer and he was only distracting her from achieving her dreams.
What then possessed him to dress and seek her out at the Trowridge Ball, he really did not know, but seeing the painting from the Somerset House sparked something in him. The next thing he knew, he was chasing after Daphne in the garden. Lips on lips, hands on body, fist on face. It all happened too quickly.
Anthony’s words began ringing in his ears.
“I knew you were a rake, Hastings, I never thought you a villain.”
His own words sounded foreign as they left his mouth.
“I cannot marry her.”
But Lord knows he wished he could. He wanted to take the words back the moment they left his mouth, but it was too late. The devastated look on Daphne’s face made his stomach churn and he almost threw up on the spot. As soon as the Bridgertons were out of sight, Simon finally got his wits about him and headed straight for Will’s in desperate need of a drink. His longtime friend understandably did not look happy to see him. Simon was sure he looked in a state, but after filling him in, the boxer finally had pity on him and poured him a drink. Simon did not know how much brandy he had knocked back before telling Will he needed to return to Hastings House to settle his affairs.
Except he had already walked past Hastings House and let his feet take him to where he wanted to be: Bridgerton House. Against his better judgement, Simon began throwing pebbles at the window that he was almost certain belongs to Daphne’s bedroom. Through the curtains, he could see the shadow of a petite figure pacing back and forth in the flickering candlelight. A ladder propped against the wall caught his eye. A servant must have used it this afternoon to wash the windows of the second story and forgotten to take it down. Simon took this as his invitation to climb on up. It was only after he was at the very top of the ladder lightly tapping on the window that he realized he had no idea what he expected out of this visit.
Simon watched the shadow jump slightly before inching closer to the window. Daphne slowly peeled back the curtains to peak at the intruding noise. Her eyes grew to the size of saucers and she luckily caught herself before she screamed loud enough to wake up the entire house. Neither said a word as she slowly opened the window for her guest who unceremoniously plopped onto her bedroom floor with a groan. The mixture of brandy and Simon’s signature manly musk filled the air, distracting Daphne from the question on the tip of her tongue.
“What on earth are you doing here,” she finally asked in a loud whisper as he slowly rises to his feet. “Well um you see I-I” he started, but was unable to gather his thoughts.
“Oh gosh you are foxed.” Before either of them could realize the fact that they were alone in Daphne’s dimly lit bedroom, she pushed him to sit on her bed and take off his coat. “Wait here” were the only words he heard as she muttered under her breath and quickly exited. Simon tried to take in the sight of the room, but it was still spinning. Daphne returned and sat next to him on her bed. She began to gently pat his face with a cool, wet wash cloth. She was so focused on her task she did not notice his intense gaze on her. Simon raised a hand to join hers. With no gloves in the way, he caressed her bare skin with his, just like their moment in front of his mother’s favorite painting. Their eyes moved in synch from looking at their joined hands to deeply looking into each other’s eyes.
“Why?” He looked at her confused. “Why did you do it?” She began to flush a shade of red that he had never seen grace her beautiful face before. He found he quite liked the look on her. “Why did you…kiss me?” she finally got out.
Simon paused, both taken aback by and proud of her boldness. “I do not know.” It is not what he wanted to say, but it was what came out of his mouth. He knew why. His head was screaming it “you’re in love with her damn it!” but the words remained unsaid.
He observed Daphne as she broke their eye contact to look at her hands which were now folded on her lap. Though the light was dim he could clearly see the emotions flash on her face from confusion to realization to hurt. He knew he was the reason for all three and hated himself even more for it.
“You do not know? What do you mean you do not know?! You cannot just go around grabbing people and kissing anyone you want-“ Only she realized he could. Simon was not only a man and a duke, he was a known rake. Coming and going as he pleased, taking what he wanted without a care in the world. Everyone warned her about him and yet she did not listen. She had fallen for his charms and he had no plans of catching her. Daphne plopped back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling, rapidly blinking back tears. She refused to let him have the satisfaction of seeing them fall. Another broken heart in a string of many he has surely left behind. “I am a fool,” she whispered to herself, ignoring the fact that Simon was still in the room.
“You are not Daphne.” “Oh yes I am. I am the biggest fool in the ton! I should have known better. Gosh, I feel like an idiot.”
“I really am sorry Daphne. If it could be anyone it would be you.” Minutes of uncomfortable silence filled the air and Simon took this as his cue to leave. He was only halfway to the window when he heard her call his name.
“If it could be me, why do you not let it be me?” Simon turned to look at Daphne who was now sitting upright “Please do not make this harder than it already is.” “You may very well die in my honor in but a few hours. I think you at least owe me an explanation as to why you are choosing death over marriage to me so I do not have to wonder for the rest of my days.”
She had a point. There was no use in keeping his vow a secret at this point. It was surely his last few hours on this earth. He saw the look in Anthony’s eyes. His former best friend was much too angry to shoot wide. And really, Simon deserved what was coming to him. He defiled Daphne’s innocence fully knowing he could not take responsibility for his actions. He let his feelings get the better of him and now he must repent for his sins.
With a deep sigh, he returned spot seated next to her on the bed. “I-I” he started again, internally cursing his damn stutter for coming out at a time like this. “I made a vow Daphne.” “I do not understand.”
“My father was a cruel man. He forced my mother to give him an heir and she exchanged her life in the process. And even then he was not s-satisfied.”
Simon took a deep breath, ready to reveal a piece of him that he has never shared with anyone except for Lady Danbury. “I-I had trouble speaking growing up. I did not utter a word until the age of 4 and even then I had a s-stutter. By then, my father had labeled an imbecile, refusing to even acknowledge my existence to the point where people thought I was d-dead.”
“All he ever wanted was to produce the perfect heir to continue the Hastings line. So on his deathbed, I promised to take away the one thing he ever cared about. The thing he cared about more than my mother, more than me. I vowed to never marry and to never have children. The Hastings line would end with me.”
Simon sighed. “It is your dream to be a mother, is it not? To have children, a family of your own? I cannot give that to you. And you cannot sacrifice your dreams just to keep me alive.”
Simon finally found the courage to look into Daphne’s eyes, which were now brimming with tears. He did not see pity reflecting back, but love. She nodded her head in understanding. Of course she understood. She always did.
“And…what if my dreams have changed? What if all I want in this life is for us to be together? Will you grant my wish then?”
Simon stared at Daphne in disbelief. Did she…actually want him as badly as he wanted her? So much so that she was willing to throw away everything she had ever wanted just to have him?
Simon was overcome with so much emotion that he had to close his eyes to escape from Daphne’s soul piercing gaze. He knew if spent even a few more seconds getting lost in those beautiful blue oceans, he would very well give into her every desire. Simons’s breath hitched when he felt Daphne lean in and rest her forehead gently upon his, a reminder that he was indeed not dreaming.
He could be selfish and take her up on her offer. God, it would be that easy. He could meet Anthony at the dueling spot, tell him how he lied and how madly in love he is with his sister, and that they would need to apply for a special license right away. They would be wed by the end of week and he would get to hold her in his arms for the rest of his days. Children or no children, his vow to his father be damned. Everything he could ever want right at his fingertips, but she deserved so much more than to settle for a life with someone as broken and damaged as him.
Simon’s trance was broken as he felt Daphne’s breath fan over him. She was so close and she was his to claim, but he knew he had to be strong for both their sakes. Simon did not want to open his eyes. He knew the moment he did, this would all be over. Daphne would see the answer she was searching for and they would both need to accept their fates. So he took a deep breath and with every ounce of strength he had left, Simon pulled away and looked at Daphne. As he predicted, she instantly understood the decision that was made. She gave him a small, sad smile and brought a delicate hand to his cheek. His eyelids fluttered and he could feel himself melt into her touch. “Simon?” “Yes, Daphne?”
“Will you stay and hold me? Just for tonight?” He used his thumbs to wipe away the tears gently falling down Daphne’s cheeks. He knew he was already stealing too many precious moments, but he could not bring himself to deny this last request. With a small nod, they positioned themselves on their sides with Daphne in front and Simon pressed behind. With one arm moved to securely wrapped around her torso, he leaned forward to breathe in her lavender scent. “Goodbye Simon” Daphne whispered as she squeezed her eyes shut.
It only took a few minutes before her breathing evened out. Daphne was surely exhausted from the evening’s events. Simon had to admit he was quite tired himself, but he refused to let sleep overtake him, determined to savor every last moment he had left with the love of his life.
Unfortunately for him, his body had other plans. Simon quickly followed Daphne into a light sleep, his mind taking him to the sweetest of dreams.
It was a glorious spring day in April. Simon instantly recognized his surroundings as the rose garden at Clyvedon. He was admiring a particularly beautiful bloom when he heard his given name called by the only woman he had ever offered it to. He slowly turned in her direction. His eyes were almost blinded by her radiant glow. The Duchess of Hastings looked lovely in her signatue baby blue dress, but what caught his eye was the roundness of her midsection, indicating they would soon be joined by a new member to the Basset family. To his surprise, his stomach flipped in excitement to see the product of his and Daphne’s love. Simon quickly picked the white rose from the bush and offered it to his approaching wife. “For you, Your Grace.” “Why thank you, Your Grace.” she giggled as she sniffed the sweet scent of the petals. “An all too familiar scene. Much has changed since then has it not?” Simon smiled, remembering the day she was referring too. He gathered Daphne in his arms and held her securely in front of him. She took his hands and rested them on her growing body as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “It has” he responded “and I would not wish to have it any other way.” His wife angled her face to him and, as they shared a deep kiss, Simon smiled as he felt gentle kicks from his growing son or daughter. Everything was absolutely perfect.
Simon’s eyes flew open. He found himself in the same position, arm still draped over Daphne, holding her close. He did not know exactly what time it was, but one look out of the window told him that dawn was quickly approaching. He knew in his heart what he must do. He lifted his arm as gently as possible as to not wake the angel sleeping next to him. With a featherlight kiss on Daphne’s temple, Simon slowly rose from her bed and removed the emerald broach from his coat, leaving it on the pillow where he laid. With one last look at her peaceful face, he whispered, “Until we meet again, my love” and made his exit the same way which he entered.
Daphne woke up with a startle, sun rays filling her room as the curtain had not been closed. And if that were not enough confirmation that the evening before had not been a figment her imagination, Daphne’s hand found Simon’s favorite emerald broach on the pillow next to her. She could feel herself shaking as she gently ran her fingers across it. She didn’t even realize tears were falling from her eyes until she felt them soak through her nightdress.
Daphne was pulled from her state when she heard a frantic knock on her door. “Sister! Sister! You must make haste and come downstairs.” She recognized the pleading voice as Benedict’s. Daphne could feel the blood drain from her face. Her mind raced as it went through all the possibilities waiting for her on the other side of the door. After a brief moment, the knocking continued. “Daphne, please, you must come out this very instant and meet us in the drawing room.” Daphne hurriedly wiped her tears and put on her dressing gown. She opened her door, expecting to see her brother, but was instead greeted by an eerily quiet house. Every step she took felt heavy. Surely her heart would beat out of her chest with the way it pounded, but she eventually found herself in front of the familiar double doors she had known all her life. With a deep breath, she pushed the doors open and gasped at what she saw when she stepped in.
Flowers. Flowers everywhere! Seemingly every flower from every florist in town. But how? And why? Daphne’s entire body whipped around as she heard the familiar teasing voice behind her. “Are the flowers to your liking Miss Bridgerton?”
“Simon?!” In that moment, Daphne let propriety fly out of the window and flung her body to Simon’s, her arms clinging around his neck. “Might I take that as a yes?” Simon chuckled and he tenderly wrapped his arms around her waist. “What are you doing here? What about the duel?” “There is to be no duel, my love. You and I are to be married.” Before she could even have time to process the situation, Simon captured Daphne’s lips in a long, passionate kiss, ignoring the sound of several rushing footsteps and the excited cheers (and disgusted groans) that followed.