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“Aren’t you all a bit old for this?” Sophie inquired in a last ditch effort to stop the inevitable.
“No.” Colin, Eloise and Anthony replied in unison.
“Sorry,” Daphne said not sounding it, distracted by the way Gregory was whispering to Hyacinth. “It’s tradition.”
“No collusion!” Benedict barked, striding over to his youngest siblings.
Hyacinth spun on him. “You always collude with Eloise!”
“Correlation is not causation,” Eloise said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Besides, Fran won last year.”
“Was it last year?” Fran asked, sipping on her coffee. “Or the year before?”
“Both,” Eloise muttered resentfully, well aware of her sister’s mind games.
Penelope offered Phillip a pastry from her plate as they watched it unfold from the sofa.
“Do I need to go over the rules?” Anthony paused, his eyes lingering on Eloise and Hyacinth. “Again?”
“No blood.” Colin said mildly, piling up his plate with a third round of breakfast.
“No teams.” Daphne added, leaning against Simon at the head of the table.
“No mercy.” Hyacinth finished, pulling her arm into an exaggerated stretch.
Anthony nodded, satisfied with the response.
Lucy remained wide eyed at the breakfast table. “Isn’t this a bit extreme for an Easter Egg hunt?”
Gregory smiled lovingly. “It’s not an Easter Egg hunt babe, it’s an Easter Egg battle.”
“Right,” She said, looking around the room in disbelief.
“It’s best to leave them to it.” Kate explained with a sigh. “And place bets accordingly.”
Simon nodded, having been the sole non-Bridgerton who had actually participated in this monstrosity during the first year of marriage. It had not gone...well.
John leaned over to kiss Fran. “I know where my bet goes.”
An entire table of Bridgertons frowned at that one, Anthony for the rather forward kiss and everyone else because Francesca had a natural talent for finding things no one else did.
As if on cue, Violet Bridgerton burst into the breakfast room, an excited gaggle of grandchildren following in her wake. “We’ve finished hiding the eggs.”
“I still think this a clear breech of protocol.” Hyacinth complained, with a pointed look in Anthony, Benedict and Eloise’s direction. “Some of us don’t have children to bribe on the inside.”
“My son is two.” Benedict pointed out.
“Oliver would never,” Eloise said, conveniently leaving out her second child’s name. Phillip snorted into his tea.
“I was the one that hid the golden egg.” Violet assured, breaking up the impending squabble with practiced ease. “Although I really do think this tradition should be left to the children.”
“They already had their hunt.” Anthony said, unconcerned with the judgement in his mother’s tone.
Violet sighed, cursing Edmund for the tradition he had started all those years ago. A single golden egg, dispersed amongst all the others, that held a great prize of monumental value. When the children were younger it was treasures like a £100 note, a get out of a grounding token, a special one on one weekend away, and once, when Violet had run out of ideas in the teen years, a new car. She reeled it back in after that one but there was no stopping the bloodbath that occurred every Easter morning when her children battled it out on a quest for the illustrious golden egg. Anthony and Francesca had won the most often, with Benedict, Eloise and Daphne pulling out an occasional victory. Colin, Gregory and Hyacinth had yet to have their year and in the spirit of fairness she wanted them to take it. Although even she could admit that Hyacinth would be unbearable as the victor.
“Ten minutes.” Anthony announced, setting a timer on his Apple Watch.
Precisely ten minutes later, eight Bridgertons lined up on a carefully measured chalk line stretching across the patio. They stood in order of age, with Anthony and Benedict jostling for position, Colin continually elbowing Daphne as she tried to stomp on his foot, Eloise and Fran who while appearing civil to most were actually throwing all the best blackmail they had at each other, and finally Gregory and Hyacinth who were already overstepping the line in a violent shoving match. Violet had implemented the no blood spilled or automatic disqualification rule after the rake disaster of 2005 and was very thankful Gregory’s scar had faded over the years.
Kate stood as the official starter, Anthony’s shooting pistol in her hand. “3, 2, 1!” She shot it into the air and they were off, spiriting in eight different directions on the property. One of the many benefits of holding Easter celebrations at Aubrey Hall was just how large the Easter Egg hunting area was, carefully demarcated on an old map left permanently in the study.
Kate returned to the spectators area, a lush set up of lawn chairs, lemonade and finger sandwiches, well attended by spouses and children. Violet sat in the centre, surrounded by her found family, and had to admit every single one behaved better than her offspring.
Somewhere in the upper paddock, past the stables and the rose garden, Anthony prowled around in long grass. He moved at a quick pace, resentful of the way his body ached. It was much easier when he was younger to outrun his siblings and in his haste to make sure he wasn’t the slowest off the mark he’d expended a lot more energy than he meant to. He currently had three eggs in his possession, two green and one blue, which while important for the rankings were certainly not the golden one.
“Fancy meeting you here.” Fran said as she appeared from nowhere. Anthony nearly jumped but managed to save face with an annoyed grunt. Fran eyed his flushed appearance with a grin. “Better pace yourself. You’re looking a little sweaty. Or is Kate hiding in the bushes?”
“Funny,” Anthony deadpanned, continuing his through search. The fact that Fran was standing idly, unbothered with looking under every rock, was infuriating, although Anthony did have to admit her presence on this side of the property was a good sign. “Any luck?”
Fran peered into her orange bucket. “Six.”
Anthony swore under his breath. “I see Michael didn’t sleep in the guest room last night.”
Fran narrowed her eyes. “I’m not his keeper. Michael can do what he likes.” Fran paused in contemplation. “Although now you mention it, I did wonder where Hyacinth wandered off to last night.”
Anthony’s eyes widened. He had meant to insinuate that Michael had popped off down the road for a night out, very much against Violet’s rules for holiday weekends, not that he had been schlepping his 18 year old sister. “You don’t think…” Anthony trailed off, not longer looking for any eggs.
“Oh…” Fran reached down past the log he had been just about to check and pulled out a purple egg. “Lucky me!” And without another look into his direction, she wandered off towards the back fields.
Eloise despised her sister. With all her being, in fact, as they continued to wrestle on the ground in front of the gathered spectators. Eloise was older, and she’d like to think scrappier, but Hyacinth was two inches taller and unabashed in her desire to win no matter the cost. They had spotted the green egg at exactly the same time, resting on the edge of the foundation, and made a mad dive that culminated in them both grabbing at each other as they tried to get to it. Once an egg was in someone’s hand, it was a done deal, but there were no rules dictating what you could do to prevent a sibling from getting there. Eloise knew, logically, that she should just let go of her sister, their brawl was wasting precious time that she should have been using to find the golden egg, but Hyacinth was fighting dirty and Eloise just couldn’t let her win.
“Girls,” Violet called out, causally sipping a lemonade. “Do be careful.”
Hyacinth elbowed Eloise in the chest. “Yes mother!”
Eloise grabbed at her sister as she almost broke lose. This wasn’t exactly ideal with Amanda and Oliver watching from the sidelines, considering the amount of effort Phillip and Eloise had put into teaching the twins not to use violence on each other, but desperate times. Hyacinth did not take the tackle gracefully and reached out to grab Eloise’s hair, accidentally hitting her in the face. Well, Eloise thought it was accidental, but it was a bit hard to tell. Hyacinth froze, staring at Eloise with wide eyes. Eloise rolled on top of the pile up, hiding her face away from the crowd.
“Keep going,” she hissed, ducking down so no one could see her. Hyacinth did, halfheartedly, blocking the view as Eloise reached up to touch her nose. Blood. Not gushing, but enough that they had broken the rules.
Without any warning, Eloise grabbed a handful of dirt and smashed it in Hyacinth’s face, inclining her head to the ground in an effort to get Hyacinth to do the same.
Hyacinth did, with gusto, making sure to cover the streaks of red under Eloise’s nose with dark soil. They continued their fake tussle, even the twins getting bored of the long winded affair, until Eloise gave Hyacinth a subtle nod that the bleeding had stopped. “On 3.” Eloise commanded, eying Violet across the grassy lawn.
“1, 2, 3.”
On three, Eloise pushed herself off Hyacinth and made a calculated movement towards the egg, successfully securing it in her possession. Hyacinth pretended to be distraught, cursing Eloise into existence, but as they took off in separate directions, looking entirely feral with mud streaked faces and dishevelled hair, Hyacinth whispered, “to the grave.”
Colin sighed as he opened a green egg and found three measly chocolate buttons inside. Trust his nieces and nephews to keep all the good candy to themselves. He had moderate success, claiming five eggs by the tennis courts and gardeners cottage, but was now hungry and frustrated. He was the only elder sibling who had never found the golden egg and as much as he tried not to care, it smarted that he was yet again the unsuccessful Bridgerton in the family.
“You’re not supposed to eat your treats yet.” Daphne chastised as she appeared on his left, holding a basket of eggs. Colin counted ten in irritation.
“Not an official rule.” Colin argued, reaching in her basket for an egg.
“Oi!” She yelped, snatching it away.
“I’m not taking your eggs, I just want a snack.”
Daphne grunted, but acquiesced, holding it out for him to choose. He choose a blue and pink, delighted when the former revealed a large quantity of gummy bears.
He offered one out to Daphne, who immediately turned away in disgust. Colin frowned. “Are you all right?”
“Mmhmm.” Daphne nodded, still turned in a different direction.
Colin ate the candy, looking around the field suspiciously. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing,” Daphne said, before promptly leaning over to throw up all over the grass. Colin jumped back, clutching his eggs dramatically. Daphne grimaced, wiping her mouth with the bottom of her shirt. “Sorry.”
“That good of a night?” Colin asked, taking in Daphne’s pale complexion.
Daphne sorted. “I wish.” She turned back to Colin with a sigh. “Morning sickness.” She glanced at the eggs in her basket. “Sugar is not agreeing with me.”
“Oh Daph!” Colin pulled her into a big hug, only slightly put off by how she gross she smelt. “I’m so happy for you.”
Daphne relaxed into the embrace. “Thanks Col. I know it’s a bit stupid but I feel like everyone is just going to roll their eyes. Pregnant yet again. It’s nice to have someone celebrate it.”
Colin pulled back in concern, “Simon’s not?”
Daphne waved him off. “Oh he’s thrilled, but with 3 children under 5 we’re too tired to do much celebrating.”
“Ew.” Colin said, but good naturedly. “Wait,” Colin stepped back towards her hurriedly. “You shouldn’t be part of the hunt.”
Daphne raised an incredulous eyebrow. “Are you scheming in my vulnerable moment Colin Bridgerton?”
“No seriously.” Colin said, looking worried. “You know it gets a bit physical.”
“It’s fine.” Daphne assured, pretending to weld her basket like a weapon. “I’ll just avoid Eloise and Hyacinth.”
“And Benedict and Gregory.” Colin added, remembering several scars of his own.
“In a normal year I’d be avoiding you too.” Daphne pointed out with a grin.
Colin nodded in agreement. “But this year I’ll be your protector.”
“Don’t let Eloise hear you say that.” Daphne warned as Colin held out his arm for Daphne to take. “Are you sure Col? I know how much you want to win.”
Colin shrugged, pulling Daphne along with him. “Who’s to say we won’t find the golden egg together.”
“And which one of us will get it?”
Colin grinned, reaching into Daphne’s basket for his next snack. “We’ll just have to find out.”
Benedict was bored. While he put on the pretence of wanting to win just like all his other siblings, he honestly didn’t care. Eloise had called him on it three years ago, saying that his lack of jealousy about her victory was highly disappointing, and in apology he’d promised to give her first dibs if he ever did stumble across the golden egg. He hadn’t of course, barely bothering to look as he sat with his feet in the pond, but it earned him favourite brother points which he could cash in when he wanted.
Including now, when he pulled out a walkie talkie from its secret spot in his sock. Ever since technology had been available, the Bridgertons had dutifully placed their phones, iPads, smart watches and after Gregory’s near win with a drone, surveillance equipment into a locked box in their father’s study for the duration of the hunt. Eloise in all her step motherly glory had to confiscate a set of walkie talkies from the twins when they kept using them to outsmart their cousins in games of hide and seek. She had casually dropped them on Ben and Sophie’s bed this morning, asking if they would keep them safe from her enterprising children.
Ben toggled with the frequency button, hearing the crackle of a connection. “Sophie Sophie. Come in Sophie.”
After a moment of silence, she did. “Hi Ben.”
Ben smiled, leaning back to enjoy the beautiful spring day. “Lock the door.”
Hyacinth tripped over yet another branch as she made her way through the dense foliage. She was certain her mother had not bothered to walk this far, but she had tried all the usual places and was quite frankly out of options.
Her steps were not quiet, nor graceful, which is how Francesca found her without much effort. “Hi.”
Hyacinth yelped, jumping back from her sister. “Jesus. We need to put a bell on you.”
Fran rolled her eyes. “It’s not my fault none of you pay attention.”
Hyacinth peeked into Fran’s basket, horrified by the fact there were too many to count. “How?”
“Its a gift.” Fran said and Hyacinth sighed, before turning away to continue her trek. “Hy…”
Hyacinth looked back, confused by the hesitation in Fran’s voice. “Were you with Michael last night?”
Hyacinth laughed, loudly and with zero remorse. “God no.” Hyacinth wiped at her face, dislodging some of the dirt Eloise had painted her with. “Michael is ancient.”
“He’s not that old.” Fran said in annoyance, but conceded Hyacinth’s point. “Well if you weren’t with him, where were you?”
Hyacinth grinned. “How badly do you want to know?” Fran shrugged but there was no denying Hyacinth had caught her interest. “Ten eggs and I’ll tell you.”
“Five.” Fran countered evenly. “You’re not that interesting.”
“Oh?” Hyacinth said, sliding her shirt off her shoulder to reveal a hickey. “That so?”
Fran motioned for Hyacinth to come closer. She did, skipping over in delight, only to be promptly knocked to the ground as Fran pulled at the neckline of her shirt. “Lacy bra for an Easter hunt.”
Hyacinth pushed Fran off her testily. “That hurt.”
“Did it?” Fran asked innocently.
Hyacinth crossed her arms. “Well now you’re never going to know.”
“Not even for fifteen eggs?” Fran asked, offering out her basket. Hyacinth looked at her suspiciously, before darting over and snatching it away. She dutifully counted out her windfall before handing it back to her sister.
“Well.” Fran prompted, waiting expectantly.
“I thought you were smarter than this.” Hyacinth replied as she took off at full speed.
Fran went to follow but Hyacinth was already too far ahead, laughing manically as she ran.
“Goddamn it.” Fran swore, looking into her mostly empty basket. “What the hell is wrong with me?”
Gregory stood at the edge of the garden, staring at the golden egg in his hand. He’d done it, actually done it, found the egg carefully nestled inside a child’s push car. He had to hand it to his mother, the fact it was so obvious and mere steps from the starting line made it a wonderfully devious place.
Lucy noticed his approach well before the others and gave him a happy smile, sitting between Kate and Penelope. The sight, coupled with his win, made this the best Easter of his life.
“The soundtrack.” Gregory said as he finally reached the full gathering of his mother, siblings’ spouses and children.
Lucy sighed. “Do you have to?”
“The soundtrack.” He repeated, straightening his buttoned shirt.
With an air of embarrassment, Lucy pulled out her phone and hit play, allowing the tinny sounds of We Are the Champions to ring out across the yard.
Now that he had everyone’s attention, Gregory pulled out the golden egg and presented it to his mother. “The egg has been found.” She announced formally, nodding to Kate who discharged the pistol for a second time.
Within minutes, dejected Bridgertons began emerging from around the property. Anthony, looking exhausted and broody, Benedict with a decided skip in his step, and Daphne and Colin arm in arm. Eloise emerged from the gardens looking like she’d been to war with a swollen nose and wild hair while Fran walked across the grass appearing uncharacteristically rattled. And after a long wait, Hyacinth burst out of the trees, panting from an endless jog around the property.
She caught sight of the grin on Gregory’s face and groaned. “Oh god. Anyone but him.”
“Congratulations Gregory.” Anthony said, shaking his brother’s hand. “I don’t think any of us thought this day would ever come.”
Each Bridgerton carefully handed over their basket to their mother as she counted the eggs and made a note on the official Easter Ledger.
Kate gave Anthony a side hug as he continued to pout, well aware he’d place near the bottom of the rankings. Phillip picked leaves and twigs out of Eloise’s hair, impatiently waiting for the ice pack he’d asked Amanda to go get. Benedict held Sophie’s hand while Fran stood silently at John’s side, Michael hovering in the rear. Simon offered up his lounge chair for Daphne and gave Colin’s hand a hearty shake while Penelope continued to read her book, unfortunately immune to all the shenanigans after years of exposure.
Violet cleared her throat, calling the crowds’ attention. “Our golden egg champion is Gregory.” Gregory took an exaggerated bow as everyone clapped, Anthony, Eloise and Hyacinth far less enthusiastically than the others. “In second we have Hyacinth, then Daphne, then Eloise.” Eloise nodded at her sisters, always eager to out place the males in the family. “Next is Colin, then Anthony, then Francesca.” Violet put down the paper. “And in last Benedict.”
“Interesting results.” Simon said passing Daphne his glass of lemonade.
Violet turned back to Gregory and handed him the golden egg. Gregory ripped it open greedily, grabbing the slip of paper in the middle.
He read it, then read it again, his mouth tumbling open.
“What did you win?” Hyacinth asked impatiently.
Gregory threw the paper down in anger. “Organizational duties.” Off Hyacinth’s confusion, Gregory growled. “The winner gets to run the Easter Egg hunt next year.”
Violet sat down, reaching for a scone. “Yes, I’m rather sick of organizing this ridiculous display. The torch has been passed.”
Anthony was the first one to laugh, quietly but in clear support of extending Gregory’s torment. Soon the others joined in, Bridgeton by blood or Bridgerton by name they laughed at the utmost chaos that was the Easter Egg showdown.
Gregory sat down on the last remaining lawn chair. “Just you wait. I’m going to plan the most challenging hunt for next year.”
Anthony grinned, squeezing Kate’s hand. “Sorry, I’m officially retiring.”
Benedict nodded. “Me too.”
“Me three.” Daphne added, looking rather out of it in her chair
Eloise pointed to her face. “I’m out.”
Fran leant against John. “Probably won’t be here anyway.”
Colin looked up from the sandwiches. “I can’t lose if I don’t play.”
Gregory turned to Hyacinth, waiting for her rejection as well. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not a quitter like these geriatrics. You and me, golden egg to the death.” She paused, turning to face the perfectly trimmed hedges. “And I have new blood. You can come out now!”
Gareth stepped into sight, rather bemused by the large gathering before him.
“You had a secret accomplice.” Gregory accused, equally as furious as impressed.
“Sure, we’ll go with that.” Hyacinth said, reaching out for Gareth’s hand. “He helps me accomplish things.”
Fran smirked into her drink as Kate maintained a death grip Anthony’s hand.
“Welcome to the party.” Violet said as she held her hand out to greet Gareth. “Now, I do believe Easter brunch is ready to be served.”
Violet stood, leading her entire family, from her first born son to her two month old grandson, toward the house she and Edmund once shared alone.
“Happy Easter my love.”