Chapter Text
“Oh Christ” Anthony muttered as he opened the next letter on the pile. So far, he had three requests for broken fences, two crop reports, a letter from Colin and one from Francesca. Colin had stopped over in France on his grand tour and was sure to be filling him in on all the adventures, and Frannie was sure to be giving him a rundown of her life in Bath. He would save them for later; it was only right that he enjoy them properly.
So when he turned back to the pile, the next letter donned the royal seal, it was not unheard of, but not totally welcome. It only got worse when he opened it and began reading.
Viscount Bridgerton,
I am writing to you on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. We trust, as her obedient servant, you will pass on the following message without any undue delay.
As of the fifth day of April in the year of our lord with one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, her majesty has set forth a decree to ensure the future of our noble families.
Her Majesty is henceforth calling upon all ladies and gentlemen of eligible marital age who remain unattached to present themselves before the crown so a determination may be made as to their selection for participation in the royal order.
You will find enclosed the appointment letters for Mr Benedict Bridgerton, Mr Colin Bridgerton and Miss Eloise Bridgerton. I ask you to ensure they receive them and arrive promptly for their allotted date and time slot.
To be clear, this decree is for the arrangement of marriages under the guise of her Majesty the Queen. If selected, the participant will be married on the Saturday of the week they are summoned. At the appointment, they will be given details of the individual they are to be matched with. They can, if preferred, organise a meeting beforehand with their future spouse. However, this is not compulsory.
To show our ongoing support for the nuptials, you will also find a wedding invitation for your family to attend on the sixteenth day of April and the twenty-third day of April. Please do note that these invitations are not optional, and it will be seen as a slight to her majesty if you, or any of your family, are not in attendance without good reason.
Yours, most respectfully,
Walter Dundas, ESQ.
Anthony muttered expletives under his breath and read it all again. Then emptied the rest of the envelope, he first saw the wedding invitations, with no names on them. It was odd, but then again, so was this whole situation. Then he saw the three envelopes for Benedict, Colin and Eloise.
He opened Colin’s; his brother had asked him to open any seemingly urgent correspondence that had arrived in his absence, and this was certainly that.
Mr Colin Bridgerton,
You are hereby summoned to Buckingham House, on 19th April, 1814, at eleven o’clock in the morning.
It is paramount that you arrive sharply for your allotted time. We ask that you do not discuss the results of your appointment outside of your immediate family, and if required, your betrothed and their immediate family.
Yours,
Walter Dundas ESQ.
Anthony lifted his quill and a sheet of parchment and began to write a letter to Colin.
It was time for him to come home.
“My love?” Said a quiet voice from the door, he looked up from the spot he had been staring at on the desk, a smile cracking across his face.
“Kate” he sighed,
“It has gone dark. Whatever is keeping you so interested tonight?” She said, rounding the desk and perching herself on his lap.
He relaxed into her, allowing his head to fall into her neck as his arms circled her waist.
“Anthony, what is the matter?” She said, combing his hair back with her fingers.
He silently handed her the letter and Colin’s summons. Her posture tightened as she read it,
“Oh, Anthony” she sighed, “Can she do that?”
“She is the Queen; she can do what she wishes, within reason. No one would openly refuse her. Some may even be glad of intervention,” he shook his head, “I have sent for Colin, it will take some time, but he must make it home before the wedding next Saturday. And how will I tell Benedict and Eloise? Neither of them wishes for marriage. Not currently, certainly, perhaps never at all. But now the choice may be made for them, and there is nothing I can do to help,” he sighed,
“They know it isn’t coming from you”
“I still have no wish to be the messenger”
“Well, how about we deliver it together then, at the end of dinner. We can send Gregory and Hyacinth to bed with the promise of an extra dessert tomorrow, and we can discuss it…together.”
He looked at her adoringly,
“What would I do without you?”
“Let’s hope you never have to find out” she pressed a quick kiss on his lips and stood hand outstretched. He took it and headed to dinner.
“Right then, are you going to tell us now what has put you in such form?” Eloise said, noticing his ire at dinner.
“Has someone died?” Benedict laughed, but when Anthony’s face didn’t change his fell, “Wait…had someone actually died?”
“No, nothing like that”
“What is it, son?” Violet asked, placing a hand over his.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the original letter and handed it to Violet, then handed Benedict and Eloise the ones addressed to them.
He gave them a few minutes to read, Kate rubbing a comforting hand up and down his back.
Benedict just stared at the paper for a little too long. Violet’s hand had come up to cover her mouth in shock. Eloise was the first to speak,
“Is this real?” She whispered,
“I’m sorry, El, but it is” he said, strained, “I have already sent for Colin; he got one too”
“Well, we shall hope none of us is chosen then” Benedict said jovially, but it was clear he felt anything but.
“I have to attend on Tuesday at two o’clock, you have to come with me, brother,” Eloise said quietly,
“Why does he have to go with you?” Benedict asked flipping his paper over, “I have nothing about that”
Violet was the one to pipe up with the answer,
“Because Eloise cannot sign her own marriage licence”
They all blanched,
“Oh” Kate said, barely audible.
“I am going to my room” she said, standing immediately,
“El” Anthony said, going to stop her,
“Let her go” Kate whispered, “I will look in on her later” he nodded, although it was clear he wasn’t happy letting her go.
“Mine is also Tuesday at half past two, we shall all go together.” Benedict added,
“Colin’s isn’t until the following week; they may have known of his travels and delayed slightly”
“I know I wished to see you all married, but not this way” Violet said regretfully, “I am so sorry”
“It is hardly your fault, mother” Benedict smiled, “and besides, it may work out for the best. Whatever that means”
She nodded,
“I hope you are right”
“I hate waiting” Kate groaned, “it feels as though they have been in there for days”
She was pacing up and down the path beside the carriage, Violet opting to pull at her fingers instead.
“I know they are waiting for Benedict, but I really wish we had gotten some news by now”
Several more minutes went by, with still no sign until…
“Is that them?” Kate asked, pointing to the iron gate,
“Yes, I believe it is”, she held out her hand, “let us go”
The pair rushed over to meet the family, who were to their everlasting relief, smiling.
“How did it go?” Violet asked the second they were in earshot.
“Well, for a start, I have never been so glad to be a second son. Apparently, they are focusing on Lords first. I am not to be married”
“And you, Eloise?” Kate said impatiently,
“Apparently, her majesty wanted to give me a chance on the marriage mart first, I was not selected as it was my first season.”
“So neither of you?” Violet breathed,
“No mother” Benedict smiled,
“Thank goodness!”
“We just have to hope that it is the same for Colin.” Kate nodded,
“If they were focusing on Lords, and they didn’t choose Benedict, then surely they will not choose a third son?” Violet offered,
“We can only hope, but I fear the Queen may not be consistent; his appointment isn’t until much later. Who knows what will happen between now and then?”
They all nodded, the sinking feeling returning once more.
“And do not forget we have two weddings to attend, and we have no idea who the happy, or not so happy, couples are” Benedict said gleefully,
“I am still very glad it is not my own” Eloise assured them,
“Me too, Sister, me too,” Anthony agreed,
Four days later, they were crammed into the pews at St George’s, along with every other member of the ton. It was just about to reach bursting point when Colin appeared in the doorway.
“Oh good” Violet sighed, seeing him arrive and waving him over.
“You are late” Anthony deadpanned,
“I apologise, I unfortunately do not have the power to change the tides, I shall let you know when I master it” Colin shot back.
“Welcome home, Colin” Anthony turned to him, smiling,
“Thanks, Ant” Colin said, his own grin on his face.
“I am sorry it is under such circumstances”
“Me too, but Mrs Wilson told me that Benedict and Eloise hadn’t been selected, there is a chance I will be the same.” He shrugged, “Either way, there is not much I can do to prevent it.”
“That is very mature” Benedict teased, “Who are you and what have you done with Colin?”
“I am simply accepting the possibility. I do not wish to be hanged for defying the Queen. Obviously, if I had the choice, I would rather find my own wife one day.”
“Or the choice for no spouse at all” Eloise chimed in with,
“That is just you, El”, he shot back.
There was a flurry of activity as pamphlets were handed out with the order of service.
Her Majesty the Queen thanks you for your support and welcomes you to the weddings of,
Lord David Ashbourne and Lady Caroline Wilson
Lord James Stanton and Miss Clara Livingston
Lord Alfred Debling and Miss Penelope Featherington
Lord Bertram Fife and Miss Margaret Goring
“Four?” Violet whispered to Kate, “All in one go? I have never heard of such a thing”
“Neither have I, maybe two on the same day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon, but they would be separate affairs”
“Well, Bertie will be happy” Colin remarked, scanning the page, “he had been after Miss Goring for years”
Benedict grimaced, “She hates him, and I rather think marriage was the furthest thing from his mind. He was after a much…quicker…delight”
“Oh” Colin winced, “that is not ideal, perhaps marriage will change him?”
“Not likely, you know what he is like with…”
“Hush, both of you, we are in a church” Violet interrupted, and they both bowed their heads, trying not to laugh.
He was about to say more, but they were interrupted by the sound of a trumpet and a call of,
“Her Majesty, the Queen” The congregation stood, bowing as the Queen took her seat on the dais. Lord Ashbourne appeared at the altar, looking rather nervous, at the same time Lady Caroline began her descent down the aisle.
Then the Vicar began…
The first and second weddings had, so far, gone without issue; the participants did not look thrilled, but the family noted that the newest couples did not look mismatched. Perhaps they would end up happy regardless, or find some alternative path to contentment.
The third one was about to begin as a blonde man appeared from a side room. Colin knew of Lord Debling. He was not a bad fellow, but perhaps a little boring; there were certainly character traits. The familiar music started up once more as his bride came towards him.
Colin hated the smile that had appeared on Debling's face as he watched her being escorted on her father’s arm, and the only thing he hated more in that moment was the matching one that had appeared on Penelope’s.
They exchanged brief words at the altar, and the Vicar began the ceremony when Colin felt a pain shoot through his legs. It was so ferocious that he actually cried out in pain, and everyone around turned to face him.
“My apologies,” he whispered,
“What is wrong?” Benedict leant over and asked,
Colin just shook his head; perhaps it was just cramps from lack of movement on the boat. He had been crammed into the smallest cabin on the ship due to the last-minute purchase of passage.
The pain surged again, but this time he was forced to his feet. It was unintentional, but his body seemed to have a mind of its own as it led him step by step down the aisle. He could feel the frantic stares from his family, the whispered shouts going in his direction, trying not to cause a bigger scene than there already was. But he couldn’t stop.
“Stop!” The Queen commanded, not to Colin, but to the Vicar, “Mr Bridgerton, what is the meaning of this?” She spat at him,
“I apologise, Your Majesty. I am afraid I do not kn…” he began to say, it was true, he had no idea why he was standing there, he just was. But at that moment, whatever ailment was possessing his mind and body kicked in and finished his sentence, without his input., “She should not be marrying him”
“Oh really” the Queen said sarcastically, eyebrow raised, “and who should she be marrying?”
“Me” he said simply,
“You?” The Queen asked, “Tell me, Mr Bridgerton, have you been selected as a participant yet?”
“I do not know yet, ma’am; my appointment is set for next Monday for the determination”
“Brimsley!” She snapped, “Bring me the ledger”
The small man scuttled over and presented her with a rather large, leather-bound book. Holding it out for her to flick through.
“And you are not, Mr Benedict Bridgerton, correct?”
“Yes, your Majesty, I am Colin”
“Ah yes., let me see…. You are Colin Christopher Bridgerton, third son to the Late Viscount Edmund Bridgerton and Lady Violet Bridgerton? Brother to the current Viscount?”
“Yes, that is me”
“I had to double check, there is so very many of you” She nodded, “Since you are here, I can tell you that you have been selected under the marriage decree”
His stomach sank,
“You are to marry a Miss Cressida Cowper”
Colin’s eyes nearly flew out of his head, while a simultaneous gasp of excitement emanated from Cressida herself, as she and her mother beamed from the pews. He felt sick at the thought. There were few worse than Cressida. In fact, if he thought about it, he could think of no one worse. He would have married Lady Danbury quicker, as weird and terrifying as that would be.
“However…” Charlotte said leadingly, commanding the attention of the room once more, “You intrigue me, Mr Bridgerton. You have put on quite a show today, and for that courage, I will give you the option”
“The option?”
“Well, you are still to marry under the degree, you were selected after all. So I will give you the choice of Miss Cowper or Miss Featherington, whom you requested. But there is no changing your mind, boy, what is done is done.”
“I should like to marry Miss Featherington,” he said confidently, his actual mind and whatever feeling that was controlling him agreeing for the first time.
“Very well” she nodded, before turning to the bride and groom who were just blinking at them both, “It seems as though we have a change of plans. Lord Debling, since Mr Bridgerton has cut in front of you, I will give you an option also."
She continued,
“You may walk away today as a single man, and you will be renounced from your duties as a participant under the decree, or you can marry Mr Bridgerton’s intended, as he has ended up marrying yours”
Debling looked out into the congregation, saw the pinched scowl on Miss Cowper’s face and made his decision instantly.
“I should like to leave here, your Majesty”
“You are sure, I know your earldom is in need of an heir?”
“Quite sure, ma’am”
“Ok. Lord Debling, sit down. Mr Bridgerton, you look well enough. Take his place beside Miss Featherington”
Colin did what he was told and moved to the altar, ever so thankful he could not see his family’s faces. He faced Penelope, seeing her properly for the first time; she looked beautiful, her eyes bright, tiny freckles dusted over her cheeks. He smiled, and to his utter relief, he got one back.
“Shall we begin?” The vicar asked, and they both nodded,
Several minutes later, after they had said their names, made their vows, and were pronounced man and wife, they were ushered into one of the side rooms to make way for the next couple. No time for applause, or congratulations, or the kiss.
For the first time, it was just them alone; he was sure it wouldn’t be for long, as he knew his family would be banging down the door in a second, hers too. So he needed to talk quickly,
“I’m sorry!” He blurted out. “I do not know what came over me. I am also sorry you are the only one who did not get a choice today. It is dreadfully unfair”
“It is all right,” she assured him with a kind smile.
“It is not, but thank you for saying it anyway” he said with a sigh.
She looked at him expectantly,
“Oh goodness, where are my manners, although I will say it does feel slightly redundant now”
She let out a small laugh that made his insides feel a bit funny and nearly caused him to keep over on the spot,
“Forgive me, I am Colin Bridgerton. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
She gave a small curtsy,
“I am Penelope Featherington” she hesitated, “actually, as of about five minutes ago, that is no longer correct"
She grinned up at him,
"So I suppose I should say, pleased to meet you, I am Penelope Bridgerton”
And lord above, why did he like the sound of that so much?