pain is weakness for thomas

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edith & thomas.

Pain is weakness.

Thomas Tawney

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[Thomas Tawney]

541 words • tagged @edith • credits 12 - with a twisted ankle Ever since Thomas met the young lady who wished to learn how to drive a carriage, it was hard to get off his mind. At one point, he even found himself sketching a portrait of her, though that sketch was safely stowed away where no one was going to find it. He didn't have feelings for her in the slightest, and even if he did, he knew nothing about her. It was inappropriate to even think about her in any way other than a wildcat and a good student. He wasn't even sure where she lived, and a wealthy part of London didn't narrow the search down by much. He knew Kensington well, and he certainly hadn't seen her or her carriage there before. Westminster was another guess. The few times he'd ridden around that area, he hadn't seen her, but that meant very little. The only other option where it seemed like most of the ton resided was Mayfair. An irrational fear set in about what would happen if he did chance upon her, and he avoided the area entirely for a couple days. Once he finally worked up the courage to walk around the streets, there was a light dusting of snow and thin patches of ice on the ground. It was unseasonably early for snow, and he was rudely reminded why he liked the warmer weather further south. No snow. The streets of Mayfair were less crowded than they might have been otherwise, but it certainly drew out a younger and active crowd who delighted in the first snow. He was dressed in a new winter coat with a double cape and fell down to his mid thighs. Even compared to his military uniform, it felt bulky, and the thick wool made his movements feel stiff. Part of him knew that this was only a matter of breaking it in, and the heavy garment was welcome to stave off the cold. He walked down the long avenue that passed in front of the Bridgerton house when he stepped onto a thin and nearly invisible patch of black ice. His riding boots didn't offer much grip, and the world turned before his eyes. The next thing Thomas knew, he was staring at the pastel blue and cloudless sky. His senses were dazed, and it took several moments before he fully realized what just happened. The few other people on the street kept walking and left him be, though he couldn't really blame them. No one else wanted to land on the ground as hard as he had. The earl managed to sit up and blink through a blooming headache at the back of his skull. But when he tried to stand, his leg refused to bear weight. He fell again as his leg buckled underneath him, and a sharp pain in his ankle quickly told him why. He swore under his breath and stared around searching for some way to get back to his feet and maybe limp to a cab. But in the wide avenue, there were no such convenient hand holds, and he wasn't about to disgrace himself crawling across the street. The gate to the Bridgerton house was closest, but only if he could reach it.

Please save for me some gallantry that will echo when I'm gone

[Deleted]

edith & thomas.

There was never a dull nor calm moment in the Bridgerton household. Ever since Edith had started working there, she'd seldom known a quiet day, unless the family were off at Aubrey Hall for a portion of the summer. Those days always felt so peculiar, for she was hardly used to the quiet there, and she certainly wouldn't complain about it. She knew, from whispers she'd heard, what a lot of the noble houses could be like – much of the ton was cruel, treated their staff poorly, but there was never that problem in the Bridgerton household. She was happy where she was, busy as it could be.

A smattering of snow was hardly the biggest news of the off-season, but it seemed to have the entire estate all atwitter. It could be dangerous for the carriages, and as such there was a lot of scrambling about to ensure all was well, should any of the Bridgertons wish to go out anywhere. The youngest members of the family had been staring out of the window, excited and eager to be done with their lessons for the day, and Edith could only watch them with a fondness.

It was Hyacinth, with her face pressed up against the window, who had informed her that there was a gentleman lying out just outside of the gate. Edith wasn't entirely sure what she could do about it, but she knew her mistress well, and Violet Bridgerton would likely be quick to insist he was brought inside and seen to. Edith had no clue as to whether any of the family knew the man, but she was quickly shrugging on her coat regardless.

Once outside, each step was careful. The last thing she wanted was to end up falling over herself, that would hardly help matters. She could have sent one of the footmen out to see to the gentlemen, but they were all otherwise engaged, and as a maid, she knew better than to pass her jobs onto someone else. The poor man clearly needed some aid, and she should be able to help him get to his feet – it wouldn't require all the strength in the world, she'd be perfectly fine.

"Are you quite alright, my lord?" Edith asked, once she'd come through the gates, concern written all over her face. He looked to be a nobleman, and the family had faced enough scandal recently. They didn't need someone going around saying it was unsafe around their home. She'd ensure this was dealt with swiftly. "I can get you inside, if you'd like. We can call for a doctor to see to you. Are you hurt?"

Thomas Tawney

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[Thomas Tawney]

290 words • tagged @edith • credits Thomas noticed the young woman come out of the house all bundled up for the weather. Other than the sorry and sypathetic looks, this was the first person to actually try to offer to help. The earl wasn't know for a bad temper, but the pain in his ankle that grew worse the more he thought about it created all kinds of unpleasant thoughts. It was only a matter of self control that he kept them to himself. Of course he wasn't alright. If he was, he wouldn't be sitting on the ground unable to stand on his own two feet. For a few seconds, he looked worried about her coming any closer. There was no telling how big the ice patch was, and two people on the ground was worse than one. "I regret to say that I seem to have done something to my ankle or leg. it's not broken, I don't think. But I can't stand on it. Does the master of the house have a cane I might borrow? Forgive me, Miss, but I wouldn't want to cause you to fall either." He winced sharply from the pain and reached down in an effort to massage his ankle through his boot. It did nothing, but the action of pretending to do something helped occupy his mind. From the way he spoke, it was evident that he didn't recognize the house. That in itself was unusual as was his unfamiliarity with Mayfair despite looking like a respectable gentleman. "Your kindness does you credit, Miss." He guessed she was a servant by her dress, and the facade of the house was well kept. The family had money, but they lived in Mayfair. That alone was evidence of wealth.

Please save for me some gallantry that will echo when I'm gone

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edith & thomas.

"There might be a cane somewhere," she said, wondering whether he knew that Anthony was the man of the house. He was under thirty, and she doubted if he himself had a cane, but perhaps there was one somewhere within the house, something the late Lord Bridgerton had before his passing. Edith had never known Edmund, she was only a teenager when he'd passed, she hadn't been a maid for the household yet, and had only known the family the way it was now. Of none of the sons had one, she was sure they'd be able to find something, somewhere. There was plenty available in the Bridgerton home, someone had to have something that would work for them.

Naturally, she didn't wish to fall either, but she couldn't simply leave him down there. Glancing back at the house, and then to Thomas once more, she inched closer, reaching out an arm. She wasn't sure if she could handle his weight, but he could lean on her, and they could go from there. So long as he didn't mind wandering into the house, she didn't see the family minding either. He was well dressed, certainly belonged among the ton...though it didn't seem he knew the family, or at least, didn't know the house he was outside of.

"Lean on me, and I shall take you inside, have someone look at your ankle. The Bridgertons will have no qualms ensuring you are seen to, my lord," she promised him, hoping she truly was doing the right thing here. She didn't wish to get into trouble for this, though she was close enough with Benedict that she didn't think she'd get into too much trouble. "What is your name, sir? Do the family know you?"

Thomas Tawney

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[Thomas Tawney]

237 words • tagged @edith • credits Thomas inched over to the edge of where he could feel the ice patch and get his one good leg under him. The name Bridgerton brought on a look of clear recognition. So, this was their house. Between the Royal Academy and White's, the subject of residence had never come up. He was acquainted with the elder Bridgertons, and the identity of Eloise still eluded him. "Lord Warrington, Miss. I've had the pleasure of being introduced to Lord Bridgerton and Mr. Bridgerton." Which Mr. Bridgerton was still up for question. But, it was surely enough to ease any concerns about inviting a total stranger into the house. He took her offered hand to help balance as he stood and shifted over to less slippery ground. For a few moments, he stood like a flamingo with his right leg bent and held fully off the ground. "I confess, I'm not often in this part of Mayfair and didn't recognize the house." He let her lead him into the house, and he could just manage a second of bearing weight on his bad foot, though it caused him considerable pain. Each hopping step felt like stepping on sharp rocks, and he could feel his boot getting tighter from swelling. "Is Lord Bridgerton at home presently?" Or any of them, really. It made the whole affair less awkward if he wasn't coming into their house while they were all out.

Please save for me some gallantry that will echo when I'm gone

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edith & thomas.

What a relief that was. Edith would have allowed him in regardless, wishing to ensure he was alright, after falling right outside of her place of work, but it certainly helped to know she wasn’t inviting a strange man into the Bridgerton home. She was not entirely aware of all the etiquette of the ton, always witnessing everything from the outside, but she was fairly certain most gentleman knew each other at least vaguely, and they certainly wouldn’t wish to be caught out turning away a fellow in need.

Still, she visibly relaxed as he mentioned knowing at least two of the brothers, and was quick to lead him in the direction of the house from there. She wasn’t the strongest, but it wasn’t the first time she’d had to do something like this either — it was familiar enough, and she was careful with her footing.

Carefully opening the front door, she glanced into the parlour room, deciding the best bet would be to get him seated near the already lit fire. She was certain the entire family would be home in this sort of weather though she’d not heard a peep from anyone but the youngest two in awhile, and even they had seemingly run off somewhere while she’d been outside. “I believe Lord Bridgerton is working in his office this afternoon. He has been quite busy recently. I can see if he is available, if you like.” The idea of knocking on his door made her more nervous than she cared to admit, not because she feared him, but because any sort of a stern ‘I’m busy’ left her on the brink of tears. “I shall ensure you are comfortable first, my lord. Let’s get you seated by the fire. Would you care for some tea?”

Thomas Tawney

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[Thomas Tawney]

"That would be appreciated, miss. I don't wish to intrude on his house without his knowledge." Thomas awkwardly limped to the couch and fell heavily into it. The pain in his ankle was only worsening, and he couldn't be sure anymore if he had in fact broken it. "Tea would be lovely. Two sugars and milk." From the way she spoke and carried herself, he felt certain that she was a servant and not a member of the family.

Thomas reached down and tugged hard on his boot. Though, from his angle, it was easier to slip on than slip off. He doubted his ankle could take the force of a boot remover. "You'll have to help me remove my boot. I can feel my ankle's swollen. Preferably before the tea." He winced from the pain and settled with his good leg bent correctly for sitting properly and the other outstretched to avoid putting more weight on it. Part of him hoped that he wouldn't need a doctor. He thought he could wrap his ankle well enough on his own with his cravat, but then he couldn't very well leave the house with only one shoe. And he certainly wouldn't be able to get home without calling for a carriage.

The earl let out a long breath to hide his frustration at his predicament. Worst of all would be if he had to stay here while his ankle recovered enough to bear weight. That could take days, and he didn't want to inconvenience the family for that long.

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edith & thomas.

Not wanting to leave a guest alone (it would be most rude, and while the Bridgertons were kind, she didn't want to show them up by not doing her job properly), Edith was quick to whisper to another maid, asking her to check on the whereabouts of the Bridgerton family. At least, with so many friendly staff available in the household, they could ensure each job was taken care of: the man of the house was spoken to, the tea was made, and Thomas was not left on his own, given that he was hurt, and needed someone to see to him. Edith was no physician, but she'd dealt with things such as this before. It was hardly the first time something like this had happened, what with eight children in the family (even if they were not all children).

The tea could wait a moment, and everything else was in hand, which meant Edith could focus on ensuring their guest was as comfortable as possible. Given that she had been the one to find him and invite him inside, she felt responsible now. Besides, she was no senior member of household staff, and she couldn't pass jobs such as this onto anyone else. She wished to help, and not simply try to get out of it.

"Of course, my lord. Anything I can do to help. Miss Arnold is seeing if Lord Bridgerton is available, so I can see to you. Anything you need, my lord," she promised. Many men of the ton were harsher with servants, and she was sure to be as polite as possible, never quite meeting his eye. Kneeling in front of him, she reached for the boot, swallowing thickly as she tried to pull it off without jolting the ankle in any way. 

Thomas Tawney

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