Bridgerton

After the rain

"I must go with them" I state to Lady Bridgerton and she looks at me with worry 

"Would you like us to go with you?" she asks and I shake my head 

"I should be ok" I say before I walk with Lady Featherington. When we finally arrive back into the house I see a man standing there looking stressed 

"Mr. Crane, how delightful to make your acquaintance. I had no idea a soldier such as yourself was coming to town. And, well, Miss Thompson has not received any correspondence from you in quite some time." Lady Featherington states and I look at the man who looks confused 

"Nor would I have expected her to, my lady." he states 

"I beg your pardon?" I ask moving around Lady Featherington to look at Marina 

"That man is not who you believe him to be, Lady Featherington. It is not George, but his brother, Sir Phillip." Marina states 

"I have come bearing grim news today. My brother George died on the battlefield... several weeks ago, and, uh..." Phillip begins but Marina walks out and I feel my feet following her before my brain has a chance to react 

"Marina? Marina, please, wait." I yell after her not sure how to run any faster in my heels 

"He was writing to me... George... to tell me he loved me... to tell me we could run away together and marry and have our child. Sir Phillip found this half-written letter amongst George's belongings after he, um... If it were not for your recent inquiries, Sir Phillip never would have known I was here, and I never would have known George... He loved me. All this time, he loved me. I thought him a villain, but he was not. He had a perfectly reasonable explanation for not writing back to me. And I was wrong." She says and she begins to break down crying I give her a gentle smile before I walk towards her and wrap her into a hug. I felt defeated as I walked home that night. 

"Your Grace." I say as I nearly bump into Cole on his way out 

"Addie" he responds fixing his cuffs 

"Heading to Will's boxing match?" I questions and he nods 

"Will you be accompanying me?" he asks and I shake my head 

"No. Unfortunately I have much to do for the ball." I say and he laughs 

"Sucks to be you" he whispers and I nod 

"It does indeed" I say and he walks off. He's been acting strange ever since we found out Daphne and Simon weren't pregnant but I guess I should've seen it coming. I walked through the hallway until I heard something moving 

"Daphne" I ask and she jumps back from the desk where she sits and I shake my head 

"What are you doing?" I laugh but her face looks stone cold 

"Come look at these Adel" Daphne says as she waves me over and I quickly walk around the desk 

"What are these?" I ask looking through the mail 

"Your Grace. Lady Waters" Lady Danburys voice comes through and this time both Daphne and I jump back 

"Lady Danbury." I greet trying to pretend like we werent just looking through secret mail 

"Did you forget we were to come and help with preparations for your ball?  Your mama is waiting in the parlor." she says smiling 

"We shall be there momentarily." i state but then Daphne stops her 

"Lady Danbury? Did you know about these letters... the ones the duke seems to have written to his father as a boy?" Daphne asks and I turn to her with wide eyes she looks at me but then returns her attention to Lady Danbury 

"I did. And now, apparently, so do you two." Lady Danbury says giving a small smile 

"I had no idea... that Simon had trouble speaking as a child" I say outloud reading the letters and she lets out a sigh

"How could you have done? He worked so very hard to eliminate the difficulty.  He was... Well, he was so very proud. It is why he wrote those letters in the first place. To keep his father informed of his progress." she says and I turn my attention to the still sealed letters 

"The late duke never even deigned to read them." I whisper 

"How could... What kind of father..." Daphne stutters and Lady Danbury gives us another sad smile 

"One that not only expected but demanded perfection in his son. And when that was not achieved... Well... I shall leave it to you to imagine." Lady Danbury says now taking a seat 

"Simon could not be any more different from a man such as that." Daphne states 

"Of course. We know that to be true, Your Grace." Lady Danbury says smiling 

"You helped him... overcome his... impediment." I say looking at her with awe 

"I merely showed him what he was capable of all along. And if he needed some encouragement, a push from time to time, that was something I was happy to provide. But at the end of the day, the duke's triumph was his and his alone. It had to be." Lady Danbury says before she gets up from the room at leaves Daphne and I in silence. The next morning I sat at the table away from where Daphne and Simon were having a talk 

"I thought you enjoyed breakfast in the morning room." Cole says looking confused as he walked into the room 

"I wished for different scenery today. Plus I did not wish to be disturbed" I say 

"I can go if you would like." he says almost stuttering 

"No I did not mean you I meant Daphne and Simon" I say and the room turns silent as he stands there awkwardly 

"You have already begun. Is something..." he says as he begins to sit down 

"I'm going to Bridgerton House this morning. Dear Francesca has returned from Bath. It seems my entire family is gathering. Would you care to join me?  I must admit, the Bridgerton boys will be excited for your arrival" I say and he smiles looking up 

"Yes. Yes, I shall join you." he states and I feel relieved. When we arrive to the Bridgertons house all three of the Graces seemed to be a little awkward. 

"Adelaide, Daphne" Francescar cries as she runs up to me I laugh as I hug her back at such a young age she was already nearly as tall as me. 

"Francesca! Welcome home." I say lifting her up a little 

"It is so wonderful to see you. And you, Your Graces. I thought four brothers enough, but returning to six is quite nice." she says 

"Well technically only five" I say and Cole almost blushes 

"Cole! When will I be able to visit Clyvedon?" the youngest Bridgerton runs up 

"Wrong Duke" Daphne says and Cole laughs 

"On behalf of Simon, You are welcome to visit at any time." he says and she begins pulling him towards the seat 

"Now, come. Show me what you've been learning all summer." I say looking at Francesca and she jumps up and down before jumping on the piano and starting to play it. Honestly I never got into music myself but it was pleasant to see her turning out like Daphne.