Chapter Text
Anthony was pacing looking at the note his kids left about how in 1814 his wife will show up for the social season and how to court her, so he’d finally see the other half that made the beautiful kids with him, and put up with him. “Anthony you’ve been locked in here all day are you missing them?” Benedict asked.
”No I just found a note they left me about how this year I’ll meet my wife finally.” Anthony said.
“Is that not good I am still working on a sketch of my future wife Charlie and Alex left me.” Benedict said showing Anthony the sketch.
”At least they did not reveal who the others marry.” Anthony said.
”I still find it odd that you all met your future children.” Francesca said walking by. “Also that no one informed me.” She said glaring.
”We were kinda busy parenting.” Benedict called back.
“How’s Eloise preparing for her season?” Anthony asked.
”Fighting it tooth and nail saying she doesn’t need it since she’s marrying a widower who’s wife is probably still alive at this time.” Benedict said.
”Eloise you are debuting this season wether you like it or not!” Anthony yelled.
”You shaved your mutton chops.” Benedict pointed out.
”Yes my kids didn’t like them and I doubt my future wife likes them.” Anthony said. They heard running feet and saw Hyacinth.
”Colin and Penelope are back.” Hyacinth said happily. They walked downstairs and saw Colin was helping Penelope out of the carriage.
”Welcome home.” Anthony said and hugged them both.
”I’m so happy to have you home new sister.” Eloise said hugged Penelope she had accepted Penelope as Lady Whistledown and actually helped write it while Penelope and Colin were gone by just listening to word of mouth.
“Lovely to see you too Eloise.” Colin said rolling his eyes. Eloise hugged him too. They saw Daphne walk over from the Basset home a block away with Simon and Daphne held newborn August.
”Little Auggie.” Colin said holding his nephew and you could see Penelope’s eyes widen and try to not drool.
”They get handsomer when they hold a baby?” Daphne whispered to Penelope who nodded mutely.
“Yeah I know Simon got ten times better looking when he holds Auggie or is caring for him it’s like a unknown trick all men have.“ Daphne said.
“Can I borrow Auggie when I meet my future wife?” Anthony asked.
”No use Hyacinth and Gregory if you want that.” Daphne said.
”But we can’t Hyacinth and Gregory know what free will is.” Benedict joked.
”Did they tell any of you who my future husband is?” Francesca asked.
”No they were actually kinda closed off if we asked that.” Colin said. Violet walked out and hugged Penelope.
”Hello Lady Bridgerton.” Penelope said.
”Sweetheart we’re now family it is either Violet or Mama.” Violet said.
“Hello Mama.” Colin said hugging her. “We better go see you family Pen.” They walked next door and knocked and Varley answered.
”Mr and Mrs. Bridgerton you’re back.” She said.
”Yes we wanted to see Penelope’s parents and sisters to let them know we are back.” Colin said and she let them in and saw Portia and a young man.
”Oh Penelope I didn’t want to tell you this to ruin your honeymoon but your father passed away.” Portia said and Penelope started sobbing and almost fell but Colin caught her.
”I’m the new Lord Featherington, Jack Featherington.” The man said, and Colin was confused he assumed Archibald did pass since Elliot was the new lord Featherington he did not expect it to be so much before he was born. “I understand you married Miss. Penelope no drowry we will get that all straightened out.”
“Not needed I married Pen for love no drowry needed.” Colin said holding Penelope, him and Penelope left after Phillipa and Prudence greeted Penelope. “Are you okay Pen, if you want to be alone I understand.”
“It’s just I’m glad Eli and Aggie got to semi meet him, but it is odd that Jack is the new lord but Elliot becomes it, I’m the third born in my family.” Penelope said pondering.
”I know that thinking face sadly our son did not leave any information on Jack so we’ll have to figure that out ourselves.” Colin said kissing Pen’s nose, getting a small laugh out of her, Anthony gave them the key to one of the smaller house’s that was in the Bridgerton family. Colin and Penelope got there and Penelope looked around.
”It’s beautiful.” Penelope mumbled. It had several bedrooms so enough that once they had kids to have their own rooms. Colin walked her to their bedroom.
“We better get some sleep tomorrow Eloise debuts in front of the queen and I know you’ll want to write all about that.” Colin said. Eloise was awake she was nervous, she heard a knock and Benedict walked in.
”You good for tomorrow?” He asked.
”I’m scared I mean I now know that I do get freedom in marriage but I do not want to marry the wrong guys since they told me he’s a widower and his wife right now is probably alive with their two kids.” Eloise said.
”I mean you have a better idea than Fran, Greg, and Hya.” Benedict said using his nicknames for his young siblings.
”True he’s a widower, any luck on finding your muse?” Eloise asked Benedict.
”Sadly no but my sons did draw a masquerade look she must wear maybe I can convince Mama to throw one of her famous ones to try and find her.” Benedict said.
”Can we just watch Anthony find his wife this season and how he finally acts like an idiot.” Eloise said.
“Sure.” Benedict nodded hugging Eloise. The next day all the Bridgerton’s stood before Eloise room.
“Is anyone gonna open the door?” Simon asked holding Auggie.
”We’re hoping she’s still getting ready.” Francesca said.
“You are all unbelievable.” Daphne said and opened the door they looked and saw the maids scurrying out and saw Eloise not looking happy and Penelope gave her friend a comforting look and Daphne had to not laugh.
”If any of you utter a single word.” Eloise said and Anthony went to held her. “Let’s get this over with.” She grabbed the bottom of the dress and stormed to leave.
”You know if she’s like Daphne she’ll right hook a guy.” Simon said.
”Let’s hope not.” Violet said to her son in law. They got to the debuting the girls to the Queen. Penelope notices an issue of Lady Whistledown arrive to the Queen who reads it and leaves.
”Please tell me you did not write that to get out of Eloise debuting before the Queen, they saw Eloise run away happily.
”No but I did let Eloise write the papers while I was on a honeymoon with you.” Penelope whispered. They left after that. Anthony looked at all the new ladies none looked like they were from India. The next morning Anthony was going for a ride he sees a woman riding the distance, he called if she was okay and she didn’t answer and Anthony followed her, she jumped over a fallen log and Anthony follows she turns and finally catches up to her.
”Enjoying your victory lap?” Anthony asked and looked in her eyes and all he saw were the same eyes as his daughter Charlotte.
“I did not mean to cause concern also who said this was a race?” She asked and Anthony had to keep himself from telling her she would marry him and they would have 4 kids together.
”You must be Kathani Sharma.” Anthony just said.
”You’ve heard of me.” She asked confused and Anthony felt like he said to much.
”I’m Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, I heard word of mouth that the Sharma sisters are debuting.” Anthony said.
”Just my sister I am too old.” Kate said.
”Impossible you are the perfect age to debut.” Anthony said he had to marry this woman, his kids had to be born he couldn’t imagine having any other type of kids it had to be Edmund, Miles, Charlotte, and the little sister they talked about. Kate rolled her eyes and rode away from him back to Mayfair. He rode back home and dropped his horse at the stable and walked in and fell head first on the settee.
“Rough morning ride?” Benedict asked Anthony moved his head and saw Eloise learning to dance with Gregory.
”I met my future wife, Charlotte has her eyes.” Anthony said.
”That’s great when can we meet her?” Violet said happy.
”At the ball tonight her sister is debuting.” Anthony said.
”She’s not?” Benedict asked.
”Claims she’s too old.” Anthony said being impatient to see his lovely future wife in a dress. Colin and Penelope were having brunch with the Featherington’s and Jack was talking about mines he found and wanting Colin to invest.
”I’m sorry Jack but I’m not planning on investing in anything anytime soon.” Colin said, they soon left after brunch and walked to the Bridgerton house and saw Anthony lying on the settee. “Is he okay?” Colin asked his family.
”Met his future wife.” Hyacinth said.
”She’s perfect I hope she doesn’t ask about my past I need her.” Anthony said.
“Do all Bridgerton men fall in love hard a fast?” Simon and Penelope asked.
”Yes, their father was the same way.” Violet said remembering when Edmund had courted her.
”Hopefully little Auggie is not like that.” Simon said bouncing his son who cooed.
”Auggie let’s hope Edmund and Elliot are not like that in the future.” Daphne said. They got to the ball and Eloise looked ready to bolt.
”Quit fussing with your dress.” Anthony said. “You look fine.”
“I look like a prized calf trussed up for auction.” Eloise said.
”Moo.” Benedict said joking and Anthony smacked him upside the head. Anthony then saw Kate.
“Good luck Eloise.” He said and walked over to her.
”Miss. Sharma may I offer to dance with you.” Anthony said.
“Oh I do not have a dance card.” Kate said trying to push Edwina towards Anthony who looked at Anthony wide eyed.
”Nonsense I have an extra card right here.” Lady Danbury said tying it around Kate’s wrist, Anthony smiled.
“Great I wanted to make sure I got the first dance in since you look so radiant this night.” Anthony flirted.
“You are some flirt.” Kate said.
”I just know a gorgeous woman when I see one.” Anthony said as he spun her.
“I am only here for my sister’s season and than I’m planning on being a governess back in India.” Kate said and Anthony knew he had to court Kate fast. Colin went to get lemonade for him and Penelope and as Penelope watched what was going on, Cressida walked over.
”Oh Miss. Featherington, how shocked you are here.” Cressida said.
”Actually it’s now Mrs. Bridgerton, her and Colin married.” Eloise told Cressida.
“Oh yes such a quick marriage I’m shocked it lasted.” Cressida said and Colin walked over and handed a lemonade to Penelope and Eloise.
”Miss. Cowper how are you this fine evening.” Colin said wrapping an arm around Penelope. She huffed and walked away.
”I can’t wait for her to do something to write about.” Eloise said.
”I think before that we might have to write about Anthony and his future wife.” Colin said and Penelope and Eloise nodded. Simon was spinning Daphne smiling at her.
”Glad we came for the social season?” Daphne asked.
”Of course.” Simon kissed Daphne’s nose. The Queen announced Edwina as the Diamond and Kate was standing next to Edwina.
“That explains the note saying do not court her sister.” Anthony mumbled to Benedict.
”Now I need to know what you did in the other timeline.” Benedict laughed.
“I’m worried what you did in the other timeline.” Violet said to her eldest son.