Chapter Text
Something was off with the Bridgertons, Lady Danbury was sure of it.
She loved them dearly- mostly Violet but one or two of her brood showed some inkingly of promise- but their behavior at her season’s opening ball was awkward. The Dowager Lady Bridgerton could be seen parading the newest debutante daughter around, but there was a twitch in her eye throughout. It could be the Viscount traveling with his new bride created a lapse in order. Lord Bridgerton may often be a fool, but he at least knew his responsibilities to his family. Mr. Benedict Bridgerton was no taskmaster. Not long after escorting his mother and younger sisters into the ball, he flitted off somewhere not to be seen again. Hopefully he hadn’t taken anything that would cause a repeat of his wild behavior at the disastrous dinner between the Sharmas and Bridgertons last season. Lady Danbury did not want to surrender her deposit to the conservatory because some foolish gentleman expelled bile over priceless pineapples. Unfortunately for Violet, the Duchess of Hastings pleaded exhaustion and declined her invitation to the ball. A follow-up letter from Simon confirmed what Lady Danbury expected- she was again with child. A happy blessing indeed. However, her absence meant Violet was left handling her two daughters on her own. At the very least, Miss Francesca Bridgerton was dutiful, if a bit quiet. A hard nut to crack, that one. As for the other one, she let her feelings known. Miss Eloise had settled herself in a corner and simply scowled at any would-be suitors. The smarter ones scampered away.
Wait, there was another Bridgerton, wasn’t there? Lady Danbury went through her alphabet (as ridiculous as the Bridgertons’ naming conventions were, they did have some use): Anthony was in India, Benedict was likely drinking somewhere around here, Colin was- Where was Colin? Oh, yes, after Lady Whistledown published her scathing last article telling the Ton that the once Charming Colin had turned into Cruel Colin by publicly maligning poor wallflower Penelope Featherington at her own mother’s ball, the man in question attempted damage control by traveling once again to another far off locale in the hopes that the Ton (with their rather limited memory) would forget the slight by the time he returned.
That reminded her: where was that poor, shy wallflower? Lady Danbury always liked that one. She was the only Featherington who seemed aware of the foolishness around her. And any young lady who had the ability to ingratiate herself into the Bridgertons had something to recommend her.
Immediately, she looked towards Eloise’s hiding spot. Not there, which was odd. At most social events those two would be found attached at the hip. Perhaps the youngest Featherington was on the search for some refreshments? With her eyes opened for red hair and citrus colored gowns, Lady Danbury surveyed the room. Lady Featherington was gossiping with Lady Cowper- Lord help any unsuspecting bachelor that came their way. The tall Featherington daughter was being forced to dance with the odious Lord Shively. Where was Miss Penelope?
Lady Danbury’s hunt was interrupted by an approaching retinue of ladies in white silk gowns with unfashionably wide skirts and powdered wigs. It could only mean one thing.
“Lady Danbury!” Queen Charlotte said as she approached. She appeared pleased as punch. Hopefully she hadn’t brought that snuff box of hers into the ball. Lady Danbury hated the stuff. An absolute inelegant vice.
Lady Danbury curtsied to her queen. “Your Majesty,” she said, “It is an honor to receive you at my ball. I hope you-”
“Yes, enough with the formalities,” the queen said impatiently, “I found you because I have decided on my diamond. She’s perfect! Let’s see Lady Whistledown find fault with this one.”
Not this again.
“If I may say so delicately, ma’am,” Lady Danbury started. The queen scoffed. ‘Delicate’ was not a word often associated with Lady Danbury. “Perhaps since we have not heard from our infamous gossip monger since the end of last season, she has decided to retire her quill? We have typically heard from her by now. I imagine you must have scared her off. Perhaps it is time to retire the hunt?”
“Highly unlikely,” Queen Charlotte said with an impervious air, “Even if she has retired, I still want to find her out and make an example of her. We are close, I can feel it.”
Given the fact that the queen had failed to do so in the past two seasons, Lady Danbury doubted they were as close to unmasking Lady Whistledown as Lady Featherington was to becoming the next Queen of France. She was not going to be the one to tell her monarch that. A busybody she may be, but she’d like to keep her head on her neck.
Instead, she pivoted. “Well, who is this diamond? I am simply dying for you to tell me,” she drawled.
“While I do enjoy the anticipation, I suppose I shall tell you. My diamond shall be Miss Fairfield.” Her queen stood as if she was awaiting applause.
Too bad Lady Danbury was not one to share her praise lightly.
“Miss Angelica Fairfield? Interesting.”
The queen must have caught something in her voice, as she asked, “Do you disapprove, Lady Danbury?”
Lady Danbury considered her words carefully. “Admittedly, she is quite the beauty, given her Italian mother’s looks. However, after being introduced to her this evening, I fear she is- at best- vain and- at worst- a viper in disguise. And I cannot help but be concerned with the behavior of her father, Baron Linton. Is it wise to promote the family of such a man?”
Baron Linton was infamous among the Ton for many reasons: his fondness for liquor, his cruelty to his staff and tenants, shady deals to get what he wanted. The man would do practically anything for more power: lie, cheat, steal. He even married his older daughter off four years ago to a Belgian nobleman thrice the girl’s age because the man owned stakes in a diamond mine. Perhaps murder was a step too far, but time would only tell with that.
“Nonsense, Lady Danbury,” the queen sniffed, “My diamond is exceptionally well-behaved. If you must, think of it as me rescuing the girl from a bad situation. Besides, my eldest son owes Baron Linton quite a bit of money from what I have gathered and it would surely vex him if I praised his daughter.”
Ah, if the Prince Regent was involved, there would be no convincing her to pick a different diamond. The man clouded his mother’s judgment perhaps even worse than Lady Whistledown.
“I suppose it is your decision. You are the queen,” Lady Danbury demurred.
“Yes I am,” Queen Charlotte said with that glint in her eye. “And what of you? Have you bet on a horse in this race?”
“As you well know, Viscount Bridgerton has helped Lady Mary and Miss Edwina Sharma establish their own house in Mayfair. While I may keep my eyes on your last diamond, I am quite confident she will succeed this year.” Her eyes followed Miss Sharma as she charmed a quartet of young, handsome noblemen attempting to curry her favor.
“But of course, she has my backing still,” the queen said, “Does that mean you have no students of the Danbury Way this year? You have been quite successful these past few seasons. Getting Hastings to settle down with my diamond. I suppose the new Lady Bridgerton was under your tutelage as well last season. But, of course, they were quite easy marks.”
Danbury’s interest was peaked. “What are you saying, your majesty?”
“The Duke of Hastings had everything he needed to bag such a gem as Miss Bridgerton, except a nudge in the right direction. And Miss Sharma- well, she was very pretty. A bit old, but still pretty. And already so educated. She just needed her defenses broken down. What I am wondering, Lady Danbury, is if you can take the most pitiful creature of the Ton and mold her into a gem? Perhaps not a diamond, but at the very least a ruby. A sapphire, maybe.”
Lady Danbury harrumphed. “Do you truly doubt me, my queen? I could do it in my sleep.” She did not agree that Simon or Kate were “easy marks”. Both were as stubborn as mules that needed much more than a nudge in the right direction.
Queen Charlotte’s haughty gaze met hers. “How about a challenge, then? You enjoy those, do you not? Find an ugly duckling and transform her into a swan. Find her, transform her, and find her a better match than my diamond.”
“An interesting proposition. What do I get when I win?”
“ If you win, Lady Danbury, if ,” the queen said with a predatory smile, “Bragging rights, of course. And I suppose I will drop the hunt for Whistledown. You find it exhausting, do you not?”
Her eyebrows rose almost to her hairline. That was an enormous prize. Unlike the queen, Lady Danbury found Lady Whistledown amusing. The woman was witty and ever so clever. She had to be in order to escape unmasking for two years now, especially with the watchful eye of the crown on her. Watching the more foolish members of the ton scramble when their bad behavior was illuminated was delicious fun as well. Revealing the woman would make the season boring again.
“Perhaps,” Lady Danbury said, “And are there parameters to this challenge?”
“No interfering with the other woman’s prospects, I suppose. No lying, of course. No bribery. No forcing the girl into a potentially scandalous position to get ahead,” the queen said.
“And how do we decide who won? A ‘better match’ could mean any number of things: rank, suitability, monetarily,” Lady Danbury argued.
Queen Charlotte considered that for the moment. “Let us let the mothers of the Ton decide. At my end of the season ball, if both of our picks have been wed, we poll the mothers to see who made the best match,” she decided, “Is that fair enough for you, Lady Danbury?”
She considered it. Being the wife of the monarch, Queen Charlotte did have an inordinate amount of sway. She could easily influence the vote if she wished. An idea popped into Lady Danbury’s head.
“Instead of the end of season ball, let’s have the vote at my last ladies’ only party of the season. That way the men do not know what we are up to. And to keep things truly fair, the ladies can write whatever new match this season was the most impressive, not just our picks. The votes will be written down on paper in private and put into a jar. A neutral party tallies the votes. That way, neither of us gets undue influence.”
“You drive a hard bargain, Lady Danbury, but I suppose I accept your terms. Who shall be your new protégé?”
Without hesitation, Lady Danbury named her, “Miss Penelope Featherington.”
A hearty laugh escaped the queen’s lips. “Portia’s youngest daughter? My, you are committed to this challenge.”
Lady Danbury held her head high, “I look forward to it.”
The queen looked at her with a smug smile. “Good luck, Lady Danbury. You will need it.” With a sweep of her skirts, the queen and her train left the dowager to find her next victims.
“I don’t need luck. She’s perfect.”