In This Pain There Is Healing

[lennie1]

In a way Hyacinth understood why she had thus far been excluded in her siblings' games of Pall Mall. For a while, when she was even younger, the main argument she had been given why she could not take part had been her inability to hold a mallet. Later on she had been told the game was not for little children. After spying on her siblings while they played Hyacinth had come to the conclusion the game itself was perfectly suitable, however the way she had blushed and gaped upon hearing how her siblings talked to each other proved it was their conduct which was rather inappropriate.

She was older now. She was ten.

Satisfied with the way Anthony confirmed he would not only teach her but would play along in her games of letting her truly win she flashed him a bright grin. "You are my most favourite brother, did you know that?" She mused cheerfully, and again Hyacinth was sure Anthony knew those were words which while she meant them for the moment it would come a day and a time when she declared the same thing to Benedict or Colin, perhaps even Gregory. But regardless her bond with Anthony was different, he was her brother of course, but he had also had to fill the role of the father she never knew, her protector in life.

"Oh, yes!" Hyacinth nodded animatedly, wide grin on her face. If it was up to Hyacinth they would've spent far more time out in Kent at Aubrey Hall, there was much more to do out there. "Will you speak to Mama in the morning? It should not take too long to get everything in order for us to arrive? And we'll all go together, it is not as much fun if we are not all going together." She spoke quickly now, hardly taking a breath between her words as she gesture animatedly.

tag Anthony Bridgerton .

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: lennie1

Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony smiled at her words of being her most favourite. He knew all too well how fleeting the notion was. With eight of them, there was often a favourite for the moment, that would swiftly change within the day . . . or even within the hour. Still, the words drew a smile from him. He would gladly take it for the moment, even though there was not much to compare considering it was only the two of them who remained awake.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"And you my most favourite, youngest sister," he told her. Because . . . well, she was indeed the youngest of them all. That, came with it a very special place in his heart. Seeing her excitement caused his smile to remain, though he knew it was perhaps counterproductive to what he was trying to do as they neared her room. "Oh dear," he said thinking out loud. "Perhaps I should not have suggested this tonight. You may be too excited now to find sleep," he told her teasingly, though not without truth.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"But yes," he assured her. "I will speak to mother tomorrow, and we shall see when we can make arrangements for us all to go." As they grew older, Anthony knew that the times in which they could all come together would be more and more scarce. Especially as they married. "Some time outside of the city will do us all well," he added on. And of course, as he previously thought . . . a most wonderful way to honor Edmund -- despite how difficult it may be to be at a place that held such fond memories.

[lennie1]

If Hyacinth was able to figure out his returned sentiment was really the title she'd hold forever by default she didn't say anything about it. Instead the younger brunette beamed brightly, wide smile on her lips more of a grin than anything else. Despite the heartache at the centre of the time she had gotten with her brother now Hyacinth was content. Her mother had told her many times that they found their strength and happiness in the love they all shared for each other as a family. As in most cases Hyacinth would have agreed Violet was correct.

"I'll sleep," Hyacinth insisted stubbornly, if it was a requirement to leave London for a few days she would will herself to sleep without any complaints or strange requests for whatever she could think of. She missed chasing Gregory around playing in the vast gardens at Aubrey Hall, the flowers her mother so lovingly tended to, hearing her siblings use words which made her maid cover her ears in horror and steer her away from listening to them as they played Pall Mall.

Hyacinth missed Aubrey Hall and all the joys within the estate.

She nodded firmly, in a way which seemed oddly regal for a ten-year-old, "I believe you are correct," she informed him, playful smile playing on her lips, "besides, some fresh air is healthy, and also even I know Papa loved Aubrey Hall so really we should be there for him," she knew Anthony had already agreed, given her his word they would make the trip soon but it didn't mean Hyacinth's mind stopped working and finding reasons to present.

tag Anthony Bridgerton .

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: lennie1
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

There was something rather amusing about hearing Hyacinth so confidently state that he was correct. But, it was also entirely unsurprising. The girl was wise beyond her years, and he knew it was most probably attributed to the fact that she had so many older siblings. Another may be surprised by her reaction, her words, her demeanor . . . but to Anthony -- and most likely the rest of the family -- it was just very typical of their dear Hyacinth. "Well I am glad you agree," he told her teasingly when she stated that he was correct. He of course did not mock her, nor would he try to confine her to withhold herself -- withhold who she was as she grew -- and would continue to grow -- into a find young lady.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"Yes," Anthony agreed, knowing it would be perhaps what their father would have wanted at such a time. It had been some time since he had walked through the gardens, or enjoyed the country air. Though, knowing himself . . . apart from keeping his promise to Hyacinth in teaching her Pall Mall, he may very well immerse himself in business and the work
he had to upkeep, if only to drown himself in distraction from the very reasons that kept him from returning to Aubrey Hall so frequently. "He would indeed be quite proud of you Hyacinth," Anthony told her with a small smile, repeating his earlier words but wanting the sentiment to be restated.

❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖  ❖ 

"For bringing the family together in a place of such joy." For had it not been her asking him to teach her Pall Mall, or even bringing up the subject of his father to him in such a way . . . he may never have considered going to Kent all together. Once they reached her room, he pushed open the door for her, letting her go in first before he followed her inside. "You assured me you would sleep," Anthony told her, knowing this was the more paternal side of him to make sure she received adequate sleep, his words holding her to her own.

[lennie1]

This time when Anthony told her their father would be proud of her Hyacinth believed him. She always believed Anthony, no matter what he had told her she had believed his every word for as long she could remember. But earlier in his study with her emotions running wild and fear pounding in her little heart, she had not really been ready to hear it. Now, however, the words made her smile and Hyacinth nodded, "thank you," she said, her voice soft with sentiment. Hyacinth had never known Edmund Bridgerton personally but she knew of the man her Father had been and, the man described to her would have been proud of his children simply for existing she knew that.

"You assured me both milk and a story," Hyacinth countered, he may have dazzled her with the promise of a trip to Aubrey Hall to soon take place but that did not mean she forgot his earlier promises. Hyacinth said the words before she let a victorious smile form on her lips, the upturn of the corners of her mouth which said so clearly Hyacinth had been paying attention to what had been said and knew exactly what she wanted.

"I would be willing to waver the milk for another story if you would like to avoid waking someone else," Hyacinth declared, she said it so sweetly, showing deep care for the staff getting a few hours of sleep before they would be up to prepare breakfast. Pushing the door to her bedchambers open and letting go of her brother's hand she left him behind and with light feet she trodded to her bed, kicking off her slippers, a guilty grin passing over her features as they flew across the room, and climbing into bed.

tag Anthony Bridgerton .