Work Text:
"Best behaviour." Anthony makes sure to lock eyes with everyone of his siblings. "We are on show." He adds.
"Yes because we love being your prized pony." Eloise snarks and Anthony shoots her a glare. She is dressed the part though. The theme is timeless history and Eloise has followed it. She wears a figure hugging white toga style dress with a red trimming and her hair is pulled back into what her hairdresser called a Roman twist. Her makeup is subtle too, apart from her lipstick which is very pink. "Don't worry brother," She adds cheekily. "I'll do my best to win the rosette for best in show."
Benedict, Colin, Hyacinth, Gregory and Kate laugh out loud and that. Penelope, Simon, Daphne, Francesca, Michael and Sophie have the sense to stifle their laughs. Anthony glowers at Eloise who takes the opportunity to curtsey a little. Anthony could scream at her.
"Are we ready?" Violet Bridgerton enters the room in a dark green Tudor inspired gown which shows off a little too much breast for Anthony's liking. She has persuaded Gregory and Hyacinth to go Tudor inspired too and while Gregory looks a little ridiculous in breeches, a smocked golden shirt and a white ruff collar, Hyacinth effortlessly pulls off a pirate esc Tudor look with black trousers and a black belt, a white shirt and a lot of jewelry but hair and makeup designed to fit the tudor image.
As the family prep to leave the hotel room and go downstairs Anthony instructs them on who is to walk with each other. He and Kate, will go out first. They have chosen 1920s inspired outfits, for him a simple black suit with a black bow tie and for her an orange gown inspired by the 1920s flapper dresses, her hair swept up into 1920s curls with a gold band holding it in place and her makeup big and colourful.
Then Daphne and Simon will go, they have chosen a futuristic inspired look, Daphne wears a floor length silver dress with spikes sticking out the shoulders, her face is paled and she has silver eyeshadow and lipstick that make her shimmer in the light and her hair is up into what Anthony can only describe as the style of Bette Mindler's Hocus Pocus character. Simon in also draped in silver. A silver cloak, silver trousers and a black shirt underneath. He too has silver eyes shadow on. It's especially bold for Simon but he pulls it off easily.
Then Benedict and Sophie will go. They have opted for Viking themed outfits. Benedict wears an armour inspired suit while Sophie has a golden armour dress made out of metal. She has made it clear it is very uncomfortable but she looks incredible. Her hair is as straight as it can be and her makeup look is centred around dark winged eyeliner. It is completely out of Sophies comfort zone, but she looks effortless.
Penelope, Colin and Eloise (who apparently come as a unit) will be next. Penelope and Colin have chosen a swinging 60s theme. Penelope wears a figure hugging powder blue swing dress, her red hair in loose curls and her makeup matching her dress. Colin wears a three piece tweed suit with blue in it to match Penelope's dress and bring out his eyes. They look incredibly coupley. He has no doubt they'll end up on some sort of best couple list.
They will be followed by Francesca and Michael who are wearing Recency inspired clothing, Francesca in a lilac dress inspired by Georgian fashion, her hair in a curly ponytail and her makeup matching and Michael in a Georgian suit. Then his mother Hyacinth and Gregory will be last.
As they step out Anthony grabs Kate's hand and prepares himself to pose and then they are stepping into blinding lights and flashes.
---
"Mum's tits look great don't they?" Hyacinth asks her brothers as the Bridgerton siblings pose together. Benedict and Colin both almost choke at her comment, but Anthony remains composed shooting her a quick glare before turning back to the cameras. Thankfully no other sibling appears to have heard her.
Across from them Penelope and Kate are posing together while Michael and Sophie are chatting as Simon poses with some other people he knows. When Anthony turns Colin is looking intensely at his wife, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. The paps seem to lap it up as they notice and take pictures. "Just don't give yourself a boner." Benedict hisses at Colin and Colin playfully swats him. Anthony rolls his eyes.
Penelope and Colin seem to have captivated everyone's attention as they pose with each other. They have only been married for two months and everyone is lapping up their lovesick behaviour. "Is he allowed to do that?" Benedict asks as Colin dips Penelope and kisses her.
"I don't see a law against it." Kate responds without missing a beat.
"Yes but he looks like he could have sex with her right now." It's Francesca who responds, a rare comment from her. She usually prefers not to participate in these types of conversation.
"Now that would he a scandal." Eloise grins.
Anthony wants to throttle the lot of them, but he instead he grits his teeth. "Brother," He calls out to Colin who almost drops Penelope in his suprise at hearing his brothers voice. As though he's forgotten he was on a red carpet. "a photo with the Bridgerton boys?" He asks. Colin grins and pulls Penelope up planting a kiss on her lips before coming back over to Anthony grinning like a Chesire cat. Penelope blushes when the photographers call out to her to keep posing for solo shots.
"Ooh," Sophie squeals. "it's JLO!" She says grabbing Kate's hand and pointing at her. "I wish I could say hi."
"Come on." Kate drags her in the direction of the singer. Penelope and Francesca watch on amused and Eloise whispers something to Hyacinth. Anthony returns his attention to photos.
Then there's a clatter and all heads snap in their direction in time to see Kate trip over someone's gown, almost face planting the floor, as Sophie pulls her up just in time. It causes a commotion and Anthony and all his brothers rush over to her. The other person she has tripped over is his mother so she is unfazed by the incident and her dress is fine. Not that his mother cares about that, but a staff member seems to be worried about it. Kate however looks horrified, as Benedict grabs Sophie and Colin steadies her. Anthony rubs a hand on her back. "I don't know what happened." She states blinking at him. "One minute I was going to see JLO and them the next minute I was so dizzy."
Penelope and Eloise reach them forming a circle around Kate. "Kate are you okay?" She asks frowning as she assess her sister in law.
"I'm more embarrassed then anything." Kate states looking a little flushed, Anthony gives her the once over and is considering what to do when Gregory rushes over. "Anthony." He calls. "Hyacinth is about to throw herself at Harry Styles and Francesca can't stop her."
"Fucks sake." Anthony mutters as he rushes in the direction of his little sister, who sure enough looks like a wild animal about to pounce on it's prey as she stalks towards the singer. Francesca hurrying after her trying not to trip on her dress.
---
"Ooh I love prawns." Hyacinth beams picking one up from her plate with her fingers.
"Jesus Hy, you weren't raised in a barn." Daphne scolds her younger sister. "Have some class."
Hyacinth picks up another prawn as if challenging her sister and waves it triumphantly before putting it in her mouth. Simon looks amused. Daphne is clearly angry but she stays calm and doesn't take the bait.
"Oh this dress is restricting me." Penelope frowns flushing pale, Colin looks at her with worry.
"You don't even have a stupid corsett." Eloise responds with absolutely no sympathy. Most of her siblings glower at her, but Eloise is oblivious. "Ooh he's cute." She adds rising from her seat and wondering in the direction of a man on the other side of the room.
"I think he's staff." Groans Benedict. "She can't seduce the staff."
"I'm not sure she's capable of seducing anyone." Hyacinth snarks earning glares from everyone and a brief telling off from her mother.
"Glad I'm not the only one looking out for the families reputation." Anthony shoots him a grin.
Hyacinth waves another prawn this time right over Penelope's face. "Look Daph I'm behaving like I'm in a barn. I'm that prize pony Anthony wants me to be." She states. He could kill Eloise. He could also kill Hyacinth. A few people are looking in their direction.
"God I'm gonna be sick." Penelope states wrinkling up her nose.
"Don't be so dramatic..." Hyacinth cuts herself off as Penelope pales and then rushes from the table, Colin and their mother right behind her.
"So what are we betting she's pregnant?" Asks Daphne nonchalantly.
"Maybe for once we could not speculate." Kate snaps. Taking a sip of her champagne, before standing up. "I'll go check on her," She states. "someone should track Eloise down. Everyone else stay here. People are already looking." She adds before she walks away.
Benedict sighs getting to his feet. "I'll go get Eloise." Sophie gives him a small smile. Kate is right people are looking.
Anthony surveys the table Francesca looks horrified, Michael looks and Gregory looks confused, Daphne and Simon are clearly unsure what to think and Sophie looks tired, while Hyacinth carries on eating her prawns as though nothing has happened. They would never be allowed back at this rate.
Benedict returns to the table with Eloise. "I think she's been drugged." He states. As he helps her sit down.
"I'm in love." Eloise states. "He's a journalist and I am in love."
Daphne stares at her sister. "What did you take Eloise?" She asks.
"Theo's presence." Eloise responds clutching her heart for dramatic effect.
"Christ she is on something." Daphne concludes. "Anthony she'll cause a scene."
"Theo is perfect." Eloise states to one especially, Francesca seems to be examining her for signs of drugs but she continues holding her heart.
"As if Hyacinth hasn't already caused a scene waving those prawns around." Gregory states. "Kylie Jenner was glaring." He adds.
"I'm in love." Eloise adds.
"You oogled Kim." Hyacinth accuses back.
"Stop." Hisses Francesca. "You two are lucky to be here." She adds. "Don't get yourself blacklisted."
"Maybe we can go to Vegas." Eloise states earning panicked looks from everyone.
"Don't worry brother," Benedict looks at Anthony. "I'll watch her." He states, already watching Eloise as she continues declaring her love. There is an amused glint in his eye.
Anthony sees Kate discreetly waving to him in the corner of the room. "Nobody do anything stupid." He states as he gets to his feet and goes to see her. Hyacinth sticks her tongue out at him, Daphne says something to her. Francesca's head falls into her hands and Michael awkwardly pats her back.
When Anthony reaches Kate he frowns. "How's Pen?"
Kate sighs. "Your mother and Colin are going to take her home. Colin confirmed your sisters guess." She adds. "She's pregnant, but they're not telling people."
Anthony nods. "I'm not the one in this family that will blab." He states and then he grins. "So you'll be pregnant together then?" He grins. "I do hope the non alcoholic champagne tasted okay."
Kate laughs. "Yes and I nearly passed out to prove it." She shakes her head.
"At least I didn't throw up on Kris Jenner's shoes." Kate laughs. Anthony's eyes widen. "Oh she was very nice about it and to be fair she did have a spare pair. Still I'm not going to let her live it down." She expands.
"I think you'll piss off Colin more than her." He states with a chuckle. "Maybe I'll join in." He adds leaning down to plant a kiss on her lips.
Kate deepens the kiss and Anthony is happily distracted. Then there is a crash and Anthony looks over to see Hyacinth throwing crockery at her brother narrowly missing his head. Benedict and Michael are restraining Eloise so it is Simon that grabs her and holds her back. Daphne and Francesca are both looking on in shock. "Can I disown my family?" Anthony asks sighing.
"I don't think we'll be asked back for a while." Kate winces. "Well maybe Penelope and Colin and you and I can come back as we weren't present, but certainly not Hyacinth."
Anthony sighs. "I won't be allowed back when I've murdered her in front of everyone."
"Now now this baby needs a father." Kate pats her belly. "And we won't come visiting you in jail. America is too far away."
Anthony groans as Hyacinth breaks free from her brother in laws grasp. "Maybe go with Penelope and Colin." He suggests to his wife. "I'm going to sort Hyacinth." He adds heading in the direction of the Bridgerton table.
-The next year everyone but Hyacinth is invited to the gala and they are sure to send her a picture from the red carpet.