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“Careful Ma’am!”
Violet Bridgerton completely missed the carriage step and giggled as she fell into the arms of Footman John. Colin laughed heartily, almost too heartily to be of any use to his poor mother, entangled as she was with the liveried servant.
“Come Mother, let’s get your feet on firmer ground” he said while putting one arm around her shoulder and placing her arm on his other forearm. She had managed to wrap her long cloak tightly around both ankles in her fall and it took some effort to extract her. At times it seemed they would topple together into waiting arms of John. Even the carriage driver was looking at them with some misgiving. It mattered not. Violet continued to laugh and sway. His mother’s giggling was infectious. It was wonderful to see her happy. It was the perfect end to a wonderful evening.
As they wove an unsteady path towards the front steps Colin took a tone of mock-outrage “You cannot cavort with footmen Lady Bridgerton it is most unseemly!”
Violet snorted in an unladylike manner. “I would not be the first,” she replied.
“No indeed. Penelope Featherington was commenting just this evening on the resemblance between this evening’s host and Lady Trowbridge’s footman.”
“Miss Penelope Featherington? She said that? To you?” Colin nodded his assent to all three questions. With each nod Violet’s eyes grew wider and her glee became more visible. “Oh that is most excellent. How delicious she is! I do so hope I remember that in the morning.” She shook her head and whispered to herself “Penelope Featherington!”
They had now reached the top step and stood before the front door.
“Not that there is any reason to think I might forget it” Violet continued “I may be…a trifle disguised…but there is no harm in that, on occasion. I shan’t forget for I am not in my cups” she said with a dramatic sweep of her arm just as the door was opened for them.
They laughed again at the momentary look of surprise on their butler’s face.
“Of course not! You are clearly sober” Colin said through their giggles as they navigated the entrance hall and he escorted her, now much steadier, to the foot of the stairs.
She ascended the first three and turned back to him.
“I’m sober enough to know when you’re being impertinent. Goodnight dear” she said with a happy sigh
“Goodnight Mother” he replied, genuinely delighted she had enjoyed her evening.