Tied Up in Knots

[L]

It had happened by accident. Mama had been the first to know, of course. Daphne had never been any good at keeping secrets from her mother, and when her body chose to rebel at odd moments, it had been even harder. So, Violet Bridgerton had known two weeks after Daphne herself. And then it had been Anthony. In some ways, it was his right: he was the technical head of the Bridgerton family. Moreover, he was Simon's oldest -- sometimes they even swore closest -- friend. Simon had argued that if Violet knew, then Anthony should know as well. And so Anthony Bridgerton knew.

Benedict, Colin, Francesca, and Hyacinth had all discovered her secret on the same day. Not, however, at the same time, thank God. She would have had a very hard time explaining why two of her brothers had seen her in a heavy state of undress, tugging at her corset to loosen it. She had forced Fran to fetch Rose for assistance, and then promptly sworn both sisters to secrecy on pain of some cruel and vile torture that she was sure to devise at a later date. Colin had pouted so mightily when she had finished all the biscuits at tea one day, that she had simply put on her most haughty expression and mentioned something about "eating for two." He had readily backed off, with his cheeks slightly pink, then dashed away to leave her alone in the library with almost an entire pot of tea and a tray full of crumbs. Later, Benedict appeared bearing crumpets and a paled expression, and she knew that Colin had told him.

For all that Gregory was a year older than Hyacinth, he was still too young to truly understand what was going on, or so Daphne thought. Which left Eloise. These days, Daphne saw little of her next eldest sister. She had welcomed married life with open arms and relished the time spent with her husband. But more and more she had come to realize the things she was sacrificing. And one of those was moments with her family. Which was why she had suggested a picnic in the gardens, just her and Eloise. It would be the perfect way to finally drop the last veil.

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[authorflies]

    There had been so many things going on under the Bridgerton household that Eloise hardly felt as though she could keep up. First Daphne had gotten married, then Colin had been engaged then later said affairs were torn to ruin by scandal and now, much to her annoyance, she was officially out in the Ton, taking part in husband hunting. It was a lot of promanading ( sometimes with Pen, thank the lord in heaven, but not all of the time ), dress fitting, waltzing at ballas and trying her best to turn away suitors who came to call upon her the next morning, all the while trying to find time to write somewhere within the day. It was overwhelming and all consuming, and so in the midst of the never ending dull activity, she did not find time to call upon her sister and so the moment that the invitation came, the second oldest Bridgerton daughter was quick to jump on the invitation, almost squeezing the life out of the duchess upon her arrival and continuing to almost be skipping, insisting to carry the basket as they walked- It was killing two birds with one stone after all- giving her a break from the heinous bachelors and, more importantly, allowing her to spend some time with her dearest sister.



    She had almost been skipping in truth, grin wide on her face as she smiled at the other, asking question after question in her direction- what married life had brought her way, or what her and the duke have been up to lately, what they planned for their next ball, though it was clear that Eloise was completely left out of the news that the rest of her family seemed to already know as her questions had nothing to do with being with child, something Eloise knew nothing about. She rambled on and on, oblivious only seeming to stop for a moment when she had ran out of air.

    “When you see a spot and would wish to set up there, let me know. Anywhere here I would find suitable. I do love the gardens this season.” She smiled oh so softly, her shoulders relaxing oh so slightly as she tried her best to perhaps calm slightly, not wanting to overwhelm Daphne after not seeing her in so long. Clearing her throat, she moved back a little so she walked at her sister’s side instead of a little bit ahead of her, kindness in her grey eyes. “...It’s been far too long. You must tell me how you have been before I dare ask anything else.”

[L]

They had wandered for several minutes before she found it. The perfect spot. It was nestled among the roots of an old tree, overlooking a dazzling array of dark blues and vibrant purples surrounded by a green so lush, it might have been a bed of emeralds. The small hollow had even been protected from the recent rains, and she had no doubt that their dresses and shoes would remain dry and free from mud. Mama would be most displeased if she came back caked as she had during her childhood frolics. And Simon would be displeased if he thought for even a moment that she risked a chill.

"Here, sister. This appears to be quite pleasant." 

Without waiting for Eloise, Daphne gently deposited their basket and sat, sighing softly as her body relaxed into its new position. Her ankles and feet had not begun to swell, as her mother had suggested they might, but these days everything fit just a touch too snugly. It was a relief for her to have a few moments to breathe. Not that this position was significantly improved, but even the slightest of changes made a world of difference.

"I am quite well sister. And, for once, I find myself in total agreement: it has been far too long. What with your entrance into the ton and my duties to Hastings." She smiled, "We are quite the pair are we not? Who would have imagined us grown up from all those years ago in the nursery, playing and braiding hair and listening to the lessons drone on?" Someday soon, she would be watching her own child share in those same experiences. In her heightened emotional state -- again, Mama had assured her and Simon that this was perfectly natural and would occur every time she was pregnant -- the image brought tears to her eyes. She blinked to clear them, hoping Eloise would not see. A though struck her, as thoughts often did.

"Would you like me to braid your hair as I used to, sister?"

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[authorflies]

    Just the walk was something that Eloise had found somewhat relaxing. Though she really knew nothing about flowers, something about the greenery was oh so soothing. Perhaps it was the aroma that filled the air or perhaps it was the company, but she liked to imagine that it was a combination of all of the above as well as the desire to be out of the home and out of their mother’s eyes. She loved their family more than anything else in the world, but still all of the pressure of her having to find a husband was getting to her, as was both mother and Anthony’s desires to help push her in one direction or another. This… this was soothing. Relaxing and she couldn’t help but be thankful for her invitation here.


    That and Daphne… Eloise did not fancy the idea of any of the Bridgerton’s marrying off and moving away, change, but there was very little that she could do of course. Daphne seemed happy as well, so any of her own unhappiness was easily swallowed for the sake of her sister, just as she had eagerly nodded and smiled, sitting down in comfort as well, reaching into the basket and smiling up at her as she talked, nodding along.

    “Let us talk not of my entrance into the Ton. It is far less exciting than all the adventures of married life and being a duchess, I am sure.” Oh Eloise had already known it, but it was becoming more of a certainty now more than ever. She was never ever going to be happily married. Would she walk down the aisle one day? For the sake of Franchesca and Hyacinth she would marry, but married life would never bring her contentment. She would have to carry a child inside of her. She would have to appear joyful and light and everything that she was not. It filled her with dread every event that she attended and so she was trying her best to not focus on it. With her older sister's words, she found herself finding just that escape.



    Eloise nodded and smiled softly, looking to the ground so she missed the look in her eyes. “We are. I still find it rather strange, how much everything has changed from those days.” She missed them too, more than she could possibly say, which was one of the many reasons Eloise felt herself grinning at her sister’s words, eyes falling to hers after they left her mouth.



It would hurt, she knew, but Eloise welcomed the change, nodding, the softest smile growing upon her face. “If you would not mind, sister? I would be rather thankful for it. And the be freed of this terribly tight style.”


Tag : ~L~

[L]

Oh, Eloise. Daphne loved her sister dearly, wished her well in every endeavor she undertook, but their goals in life were so very different. It was what drove them to argue and pick at each other (Daphne distinctly recalled a night in which she had intimated that Eloise was a reason why she might reconsider her opinion of children). Pressed, Daphne might have even admitted that Eloise’s clear views on the institution of marriage and all that it contained had made her wary of relating her happy news. Not that she thought Eloise would speak ill. But she was filled with such contentment that she was loath to even risk a slight puncture in her bubble.

She began her work on Eloise’s hair, taking care to avoid cause tangles. The offer to braid had been impulsive, and so she had neither brush nor comb with which to work. Slowly, her fingers found a rhythm and her mind relaxed.

“Being a Duchess involves so much more than we ever learned from our governess, or even from Mama. I think you would rather enjoy some of the work. There is quite a bit of organizing and arithmetic. Not to mention the wonderful stories I hear every time I go to the village near Clyvedon. Talk of planting, and animals, and the feelings of satisfaction at the end of a good day’s work.”

She had enjoyed each of the properties that Simon had shown her. They were grand and splendidly decorated, and she looked forward to making her own complementary marks. But Clyvedon was the one with which she had fallen in love. She desperately hoped that Simon would allow their child to grow up in such a wonderful place, replacing old, horrible memories with brilliant and lovely new ones. She glanced down and smiled, a few of Eloise’s locks falling from her right hand as she touched her belly. Her child would be loved and be surrounded by love. She was sure of it.

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[authorflies]

    The fact of the matter, despite how she tried to persuade her sister otherwise when they were younger, was the simple truth that this was everything that her sister could have wanted. If their lives were some sort of book, this would have been have Daphne Bridgerton's happily ever after. Eloise may have been opposed to it for herself, but for her sister she was beyond happy.  The look on Daphne's face during her wedding had been enough to rid herself of any doubts on Simon and their future- They would be happy and in love. Something Eloise was not sure she wanted or would ever find, but she could be happy for them. She wanted to be. So, here and now, she was, relaxing as her sister combed though her hair, taking in the garden, half listening to the words that her sister spoke and half thinking on her novel, the scenery inspiring her. 

    " What type of work, organizing and arithmetic? " Despite the fact that it might cause her sister some difficulty, Eloise shifted a little, attempting to meet her sister's eyes with her curious and inquisitive glance. In her head, being a duchess meant a life similar to the one a typical lady would have, being shoved with whatever work their duke cared not to do. Hearing otherwise.... well she thought her curiosity natural, but remembering that her sister was braiding her hair she was quick to shift her glance forward.

    It was not at all what she was expecting, hearing that she got to do work in the village or, rather other work aside from just sitting and attending social affairs. Sure, it made sense, considering they were leaders, but it was still not at all what she was expecting. The though of her sister interreacting with the people brought the softest of smiles on her face. It may not have been her preferred work, Eloise clearly enjoying work that left her hand covered in ink by the end of the day, but it still certainly wasn't too bad of a fate. 

    " You must tell me some of the stories you have heard, or experiences you have. Or all of them if you think we might have time. I am rather curious. " As she often was, but this was something she was even more so longing to know. " What is your favorite interaction you have had with the people thus far? "

Tag ~ L ~ 
Note : Apologies this took me so long!! I am so excited to get back to this thread though!! 

[L]

Her fingers caught as Eloise turned. Gently, she worked to loose them of their bonds of tangled hair, taking care not to cause her sister any harm.

“Working with the housekeeper, Mrs. Coulson, on the accounts involves quite a bit of arithmetic. Far more than I had ever thought to expect. We must account for every purchase, every egg or apple eaten. And then we must take care to balance taste and desire with frugality when planning for upcoming events, or approving future purchases. Even to think on it now makes my hand cramp.”

It was true, arithmetic was not her strongest talent. The accounts took her longer to do than they would others, for she had to double- and triple-check her work to ensure no miscalculation had occurred. Still, she enjoyed the work. It meant that at the end of the day, she could feel like she had accomplished something. Perhaps it was one of the things that would encourage Eloise to look for her match. Surely no ordinary man would do, and to tempt her sister with the pleasure of doing things right might be just the trick.

“As for the village… I had a rather unfortunate introduction involving miscommunication, poor judgment in a pig contest, and lavender.” She laughed, reminiscing on her error now that the ensuing tension had passed. “Luckily I was saved from further embarrassment by a woman named Joanna. She must have… three? four? children. Little Ada has an adorable set of curls, and the new one tilts his head just-so any time you surprise him. As though he is an old soul, considering the world. Much like you, I should think.”

Soon enough, it would be her own child she would be chasing after, laughing as he (or she) frolicked with the children of the village. What a wonderful thought.

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