Work Text:
Colin and Anthony were anticipating chaos in the sitting room. Violet was sitting with Penelope, Kate and her two newest grandsons (the future Lord Bridgerton and current Lord Featherington). She was holding both while their mothers waited to pounce at the slightest need.
Penelope asked, “Is Daphne coming over?”
“Yes dearest, and bringing August and Belinda with her.”
“Thank goodness there is one girl cousin, these boys will need a firm hand,” Kate laughed.
Just then the main door opened and the Hastings family breezed in. Daphne apologized for their delay. Simon hung back and looked towards the Bridgerton men. Anthony quickly jerked his head towards his study.
Simon nodded, but moved towards the women first. He greeted everyone and said, “I need to talk to Anthony, I’ll be back soon.”
The three men sighed with relief in the quieter space and Anthony pulled out the good brandy. “A toast to the next generation!”
“I’m sure you must be relieved you had a son, eh?” asked Colin with a smile.
“What?” Anthony spluttered.
“Well, it took you so long to get Kate pregnant, it must have been a relief that if you could only have one, that you had a boy.”
“What do you mean it took me so long?”
“Months, brother, months. I know you’re much older than me, but I didn’t think your virility would decrease so much after 30.”
“Is this a strange Bridgerton rivalry I didn’t know about?” Simon asked with a grin. “I never expected to have children, but Daphne was insistent. If there is a prize for the first male heir, we win. Plus August is a future duke, so we outrank you.”
“You took advantage of Penelope, anticipating your vows the way you did.”
“I did no such thing. We knew each other for years before we were intimate and I considered her my wife the minute she accepted my suit. I did not expect her to get pregnant that one time …and I didn’t know about the Featherington Heir race, but either way, we are young enough to have more children without issues.”
“Are you suggesting I am having issues?” Anthony was furious.
“No, I think he is being quite direct,” Simon chortled.
Anthony glared at his brother and best friend before sitting down with his drink.
“Fine, Colin, I will concede your success for the speed of your endeavors, but I do not regret the time I spent with Kate with no additional responsibilities. However, you cannot claim to be the most potent until after Benedict and Gregory complete their families. Then we will determine who is the most virile of us all. Simon will be the arbiter.”
Colin tipped his glass at his brother, but just as he went to say something, there was a loud crash from the sitting room. Violet started yelling for her sons.
The three men downed their drinks and stood for a moment smiling at one another. And then they headed back into the fray.