Days Gone By

Learning

April 1944 - Aubrey Hall, Kent

Sophie had never laughed so hard during a family dinner in all her life. The rest of the Bridgerton's were lovely and Sophie enjoyed a lively debate with Eloise and Benedict about Byron and Blake, even Hyacinth had tried to join in but as her knowledge of poetry was limited she was struggling and made Sophie promise to teach her about poetry.

Sophie promised, on the condition that Hyacinth ate all the vegetables that were on her plate and the rest of the family had watched with open eyed amusement as Hyacinth, who would rather throw a vegetable at her brother than eat them, promptly devoured every last vegetable on her plate.

Violet just blinked at Sophie "are you some kind of witch? I've been trying to get her to eat her vegetables since she began eating solid food..."

"I'll let you in on a little secret my governess taught me" Sophie said whispering to the Bridgerton Matriarch, "It's all about a trade off, if there is something she wants... then you get her to do what you want her to do first... and then reward her with the thing she wants, provided it is reasonable of course"

Violet let out a loud laugh "Jeepers! oh Sophie, i like you" she said as she placed a hand over her hand and squeezed it.

"Thank you, that means a lot" Sophie beamed at her and Kate smirked and gave her the thumbs up.

The following day Sophie started her lessons with Gregory and Hyacinth and it was the quietest Benedict had ever known his siblings to be as he went to make sure that Sophie was okay and that she hadn't fallen foul of any of their pranks as their previous governesses had.

When he found them, Hyacinth and Gregory were writing on paper and listening intently to what Sophie was talking about and he couldn't help but listen at the door "Romance is not the only reason to write poetry, some use it for humour, some use it to convey sadness and some just because they like the sound of it... Romance is just what gives poetry it's popularity. Many people associate it with wooing and courting, much to the dismay of some, people rather like the romantic works of Lord Byron..."

Benedict couldn't help but snort at the door and found the door opening wide and Sophie standing with her hands on her hips looking amused "are you joining the class or just eavesdropping?" she asked which made Hyacinth and Gregory giggle.

"I... i... I wasn't eavesdropping..." Sophie raised her brows "well I was but not intentionally, just the house was so quiet and i came to make sure that you'd not fallen victim to a prank" he explained "and then i heard you talking about poetry and couldn't help but listen in... and Bryon is nothing but nonsense and twaddle"

"Well then, Mr. My Poetry is far superior... why don't you come and show us what you think good poetry is..." Sophie smirked

Benedict flashed a wicked grin "Swell... I would not make for a very good Gentleman to deny a ladies request, nor would I be a good brother to not let them hear what good poetry is..." he said a little smugly.

Sophie stepped aside to let him into the room and he winked at his brother and sister, "Poetry, is the art of revealing precious truths, with words..." he started to explain before he looked at Sophie and something tingled and the words fell out of his mouth before he knew what was going on...