Work Text:
The kids were enjoying a morning, Elliot and Agatha were smirking reading the new Whistledown, Miles and Caroline were playing piano, Edmund was braiding Charlotte’s hair, August was reading the newspaper as Belinda had her legs on his lap, and Alexander and Charles were trying to share a singular chair near the window. “You boys do know there are other chairs.” Daphne told her nephews.
”We know but this one has a good stream of sunlight.” Charles said.Colin walked in and saw Agatha and Elliot reading Whistledown.
“How did you two get the latest issue and how come you two are invested in it.” Colin said.
”Whistledown is very informed.” Elliot said.
”And she doesn’t exactly report gossip, just the truth in the ton.” Agatha said.
”Mama should we be expecting papa during calling hours?” Belinda asked Daphne.
”I am not sure Lindy he might be busy since he mentioned redoing Basset home around here.” Daphne said.
“Makes sense we live there during the social season.” August said sipping his tea. Anthony came down and gave each three of his kids hair ruffles not even thinking and hugged them.
“Appa is something wrong?” Edmund asked.
”I do not go to the opera in your guys time do I?” Anthony asked the three kids made a face.
“Amma hates the opera and whatever Amma says goes.” Charlotte said. Edmund pulled Anthony aside so Miles and Charlotte didn’t hear.
“What happened at the opera last night, you went with Auntie Daphne, uncle Colin, and grandmama.” Edmund said.
“Sienna, an opera singer and I am not telling you my situation with her.” Anthony said, refusing to tell his son the fact he was involved with Sienna.
”Appa I don’t want to hear about your love life with an opera singer either, especially since you love Amma so much, so what happened with her.” Edmund asked.
“I went backstage to end things, she was not too happy.” Anthony said.
“As anyone would be when a viscount breaks off an arrangement with them.” Edmund said.
”Yeha but she followed me out of the backstage area, called me a Rake, slapped me, called me a number of other offensive terms, and said I would come crawling back to her.” Anthony said. “I know you say I love your mother in the future but I need to be sure.
“Appa you worship the ground Amma walks on, you even paid to have her grandparents to sail over and meet Miles, Lottie, and I.” Edmund said. “Also I never heard of an opera singer in London named Sienna in my few times in society.” Edmund said. They walked back in the drawing room and sat down. Charlotte came over and cuddled next to Anthony, he smiled and held her. Violet came in and smiled seeing all her children and grandchildren all up.
“I was thinking of inviting Simon and Penelope over for dinner tonight.” Violet said.
“Why we practically see them daily.” Benedict said not thinking.
”Because I think some of the kids would like a family dinner with their parents.” Violet said.
”Oh Bridgerton family dinners are the best.” Alexander said.
”Only because it’s pure chaos and you thrive from that.” Caroline told her younger cousin.
“It should not be that chaotic if only Papa and Auntie Pen are joining.” August said. Violet smiled and handed a letter to Colin to give Penelope, since Colin was going over there for calling hours. Colin left and stopped at florist to get Penelope bluebells that reminded him of her eyes. He got to the Featherington house and Varley saw him.
”Mr. Bridgerton here to see Miss. Penelope?” She asked.
“Of course.” Colin said and she walked him to where Penelope was reading.
“Colin, how are Eli and Aggie?” Penelope asked.
”They are well.” Colin said and sat at the window seat with Penelope and looked out the window and saw Elliot and Agatha were looking out the window at the Bridgerton hour at the Featherington house and they waved and Colin and Penelope laughed. “I brought you bluebells, I saw them and thought of your eyes.”
“They are lovely.” Penelope smiled.
“Also my mother is inviting you and Simon to dinner tonight as a family dinner.” Colin said.
”Oh that is a lovely offer.” Portia said suddenly. “That way your father can discuss a marriage contract with Lord Bridgerton.” Portia said.
“Actually lady Featherington I think it was only meant for Penelope and the Duke.” Colin said.
“Oh nonsense we will be there.” Portia said. Colin didn’t fight back not wanting to get kicked out. Simon was looking at the ledgers his father left him, but his father had horrible hand writing, he made a note to never leave things like this once August was old enough to take over.
“Your grace a letter from the Bridgerton house.” His footman said and Simon nodded and took it seeing an invite to dinner at the Bridgerton home. He wrote he would be there and gave it to his footman to return to the Bridgerton house.
“I should get flowers for Daphne, Lindy, and Carol.” Simon said to himself getting up since he realized ledgers can be done later. Miles was watching Violet do needlework.
”Miles, darling is everything okay?” Violet asked her grandson.
“Just thinking.” He mumbled.
”About what you have been staring at my needlework for the past 10 minutes.” She smiled.
“Well for one my Amma loved tulips so I remember last Christmas you embroidered a scarf to have tulips on it for her.” Miles said.
”I must have a lot of free time no longer being the dowager Vicountess.” Violet said.
“Most likely, you say I always remind you of Auntie Fran, since I am quiet like here, she even taught me piano.” Miles said.
”Guess those piano lessons in Bath pay off.” Violet said. Colin came in after leaving the Featherington house.
”Lady Featherington invited herself, and her family with Penelope tonight she assumed the invite was for all.” Colin said.
“That is fine dearest we can add them.” Violet told her son, Agatha and Elliot heard since they were walking downstairs.
”Wait Mama’s family is all coming for dinner?” Elliot asked and Colin nodded and Elliot groaned, while he loved his mama and her family, grandmother Portia is a bit too much for him.
“At least she will not be calling you Lord Featherington for this dinner.” Agatha said.
“She called me that for five years until I stopped responding to it, I think she forgot my real name.” Elliot said.
“Oh yeah I remember that, we were visiting and grandmama had to remind her that you were a kid and not old enough to take over a lordship.” August said.
”I am still not ready, I’ll take over duties once I wed since papa refuses I take over a lordship at 18 like uncle Anthony.” Elliot said. Simon arrived early, and footman John led him in. Simon handed Daphne a full bouquet and handed Belinda and Caroline smaller matching bouquets, they smiled.
“I thought my future duchess and my little girls deserved flowers.” Simon said.
“I do not get any?” August asked with a smirk that Simon knew had to be a Bridgerton feature, since he almost never smirks in a cheeky way.
“I do not think your mother would approve of me gifting you scotch.” Simon said.
”Mama only allows me to drink during social events.” August said. The Featherington’s with Marina arrived and Colin took Penelope’s hand and kissed it, Elliot and Agatha quickly hugged Penelope. They sat having dinner and the future kids all felt odd since when they were hoping for was a comfortable family dinner and telling Simon and Penelope future family stories, now Elliot and Agatha were glaring at Archibald Featherington who was drinking.
“So are any of you boys out in society I have three beautiful young ladies of marriageable age.” Portia said and August, Edmund, and Elliot choked on their water and Elliot tried to not barf at the thought of marrying one of his aunts or mother of his two older cousins.
“I am sorry Lady Featherington but my cousins and I have a couple years until we are out in society.” August lied.
“Oh well hopefully you will return for to social season when you are old enough.” Portia said.
“I feel like this is karma for when I flirted with Philomena and Phoebe to annoy Eli.” Edmund whispered to Miles and Charlotte.
”Oh it so was.” Charlotte whispered back.
“So Mr. Bridgerton why do you want to marry Penelope?” Archibald said, trying to not reveal he gambled away his daughter’s drowries.
”Well it is simple Lord Featherington I love Penelope with all my heart, I can not have a day without thinking of her everything reminds me of her and I want her to be a forever in my life.” Colin declared and Penelope’s jaw dropped and Eloise gave a small disgusted look.
”I pray my husband is nothing like that.” Eloise mumbled Alexander and Charles near her heard this and smirked, knowing their uncle Phillip.
“No but according to your kids he makes sure he only gives you flowers that mean love.” Charles whispered. After dinner Simon took Daphne on a small stroll with August and Belinda chaperoning.
“Never thought I would have my son and daughter chaperoning me on a walk with my future wife.” Simon said.
”Think how I felt the man I started fake courting to get Berbrooke away turns out to be my husband and I have five kids with him.” Daphne said.
“Five kids all alphabetical order?” Simon asked.
“Yes my mother and father found it orderly and I see the appeal in it.” Daphne said with a smirk.
“Oh I can understand the appeal, also now that I look at them all their names makes sense.” Simon said.
“Something seems to be bothering you.” Belinda said seeing August’s face.
”Why do you assume that Lindy?” August said.
“Auggie what is wrong?” Belinda said.
”Miss. Thompson, I’m trying to figure out when she had Oli and Mandy.” August said.
”Well it is not hard their birthday is December 15th.” Belinda said.
“Yeah and do the math in your head since they are born this year.” August whispered and Belinda did quickly calculations and her eyes widened.
“She is already with child, maybe we should write uncle Phillip.” Belinda said.
”As who?” August asked.
”Her family, keep it vague.” Belinda whispered, Simon and Daphne were looking at them.
”They’re plotting.” Simon said.
“Of course they are.” Daphne said. Elliot was glaring at Archibald Featherington, he remembered eavesdropping one night hearing his father curse that man out, since he apparently would rather gamble and leave his wife and daughters in poverty.
”Eli everything okay?” Colin asked.
”Yes just lost in my thoughts.” Elliot said. Agatha was next to Caroline and Hyacinth. Originally it was odd that their aunt was near their age but they realized she was still the aunt that plays matchmaker and had taken over as the new Lady Danbury with her husband.
“Your brother looks like he wants to kick Lord Featherington.” Hyacinth whispered to Agatha.
“He most likely does.” Agatha replied and stood up to try and find Penelope, she turned a corner and quickly hid seeing Portia and Penelope chatting.
”Mama I do not understand what you want me to do Colin loves me.” Penelope said.
”Yes but your sisters should get married before you.” Portia said.
“He is only courting me we are not yet wed.” Penelope said quietly. Agatha hid in the coat closet as Portia walked past it, Agatha slid out and found Penelope standing there and Agatha hugged Penelope.
“I heard everything, I don’t know why grandmother would be sad you marry papa, he’s perfect, although I think I know the reason.” Agatha said.
”And why is that, darling?” Penelope said three fingers through Agatha’s curls.
“Eli is the reason.” Agatha said.
”Why is your brother the reason?”
“Well you see Elliot is the new Lord Featherington since he’s the eldest boy in the Featherington line, since Auntie Prudence only had one girl and Auntie Phillipa had a girl and then a boy who’s my age.” Agatha said.
“Does Prudence not have anymore kids after a daughter?” Penelope asked.
”Well the one day I was supposed to have etiquette lessons with my governess with my cousins I had heard in passing that Auntie Prudence couldn’t bare children that her daughter must have been a miracle.” Agatha said.
“Her husband must have been devastated.” Penelope said.
”No Uncle Harry, loves auntie Prudence like she hung the moon.” Agatha said.
”I somehow get close to my sisters that you know this.” Penelope said.
”Mama you, Auntie Phillipa, and Auntie Prudence habe a women’s day while papa, uncle Harry, and Uncle Albion go on their bi-monthly men’s day where they eat all of London.” Agatha said.
“Glad to know my sisters find matches that get along well with Colin.” Penelope laughed.
“Of course and my cousins and I are close.” Agatha smiled. They walked back to the drawing room soon the Featherington family left and Agatha and Elliot relaxed and were leaning on Colin.
”That was not the worst.” Caroline said.
”Speak for yourself Archibald Featherington does not respect anyone in his own family.” Elliot ranted.
“Probably did not help that you looked at him like he boils puppies.” Charlotte said.
“Times like these I am glad we do not need to worry about Mama’s family.” Alexander whispered to Charles.
“Yeah at least Auntie Posy has fun cousins we have that comes over.” Charles said.
”Your mother has a sister?” Benedict asked.
“It is complicated.” The twins said to their father. Miles leaned on Anthony yawning.
”Okay kids bedtime.” Anthony said instantly taking on father role.
”Mama can Papa wish us goodnight?” Caroline asked.
”Mother?” Daphne asked Violet.
”I do not see an issue since the kids will be there and I know Simon will not compromise you.” Violet said.
“How would Mama know about compromising she was not aware how children came to be till Mrs. Coulson told her.” Auggie mumbled to his sisters and Belinda and Caroline bit their lips to not laugh. Belinda and Auggie got some paper and ink and a quill and drafted a quick letter to Phillip Crane to inform him about Marina. Simon walked in after he was sure the kids had changed and he smiled at the three kids sharing a bed.
“Night Papa.” They chorused.
“Goodnight my little troublemakers.” Simon said affectionately and blew out their candle. Anthony smiled arms he kissed each other his kids forehead. Colin gave each of his kids a hug and kiss on the forehead.
“I am not going question why you two glared at Archibald Featherington I am guessing he passes when you are babies.” Colin said. Neither Agatha or Elliot decided to correct him on the truth, since it was not something that could be changed with a man who lost his family’s fortune.