Theodosia Blackwood had celebrated her 26th birthday a few months ago and which was also the time that she took her place back into society. Having been in London for more than a year the young widow spent most of her time at home, dressed in black, and taking the daily walk or ride through the park, as was proper. As her mourning period was ending, she started to accept informal invitations to a tea or a carriage ride through the park. However, this ball would mark her first entrance back into society, her presence in the ball room indicating that Lady Blackwood was open to invasions, callers, and general social gatherings.
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Women were expected to mourn their husbands for at least a year after they passed and stay out of the public eye. This practice was mostly to verify that the recently departed did not leave any heirs behind, but also so the emotional outburst were kept in the home.
At 25 Thea already knew that there would be not heir, having failed Johnathan 5 times before, thought the those first few weeks after the accident she could not help, but hope. She selfishly wanted a child to have a part of him, but as her courses came and went that first month, she resigned herself to the fact that she had failed him and they were out of time. Thea found herself leaving his…well now her estate in Bristol for her lodgings in London, Johnathan’s father having passed on and having no siblings he left her everything that he possibly could in his will.
Thea now a very wealthy widow, was looking for an escape from the memories her husband as she settled into her home in the city. Although, she could not participate in typical social gatherings for a lady of her class for the next 11 months she liked being close to the action, it was a nice reprieve from the countryside and her husband’s ghost.
As her mourning period ended Thea noticed more attention being paid to her, specially by men trying to advance their station or the occasional mama fighting for her son. It had been odd, being sought after at the age of 6 and 20, Thea had been thinking she would lead a life close to a spinster now. However, as she came out more and more, she learned that apparently widows, at least wealthy widows, enjoyed a great deal more freedom and attention…though she was not sure how much she enjoyed the attention.
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Lady Blackwood decided to make her ‘official’ re-entrance at one of the largest and most talked about ball of the season. Thea expected that the event would offer good cover to go unnoticed for a widow, and if she was mistaken on that assumption she knew enough people there to hopefully save her from the overly ambitious bachelors trying to gain land and maybe a new title.
For the first part of the night Thea thought she did well mingle with the other Widows, most of them being of a more advanced age, and therefore hiding her like a zebra among their ranks. However, somehow, she had been herded out of the group of women and was being passed from mama to mama hearing the accolades and praises about all their sons.
Thea was surprised at how many mothers eagerly tried to marry off their son’s even if the man was closer to touching 50. She had always thought most of the focus was on the young ladies, having been one herself, but all of this was enlightening.
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As the night went on one of her most relaxing conversations was with the oldest Bridgerton brother. Having been a friend with her late husband he had checked up on her throughout the year and she liked to think of him as a friend now, having helped her settle into the city.
When he excused himself from the conversation, she gave him a tight smile knowing that she would be caught up in conversation with another mama or a man old enough to be her father. Which she took in stride. Her smile never faltering as she engaged in conversation, feeling tonight’s ball was more tiring and stressful than when she was a young debutant and the night was still young.
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Once Anthony returned, there was a slight relaxation in her shoulders, not having to focus on her smile or tone as much. Thea glanced to the man that Anthony returned with assuming it was Benedict or Coilin, as it was obvious that it was one of his brothers. She did not have to wonder long as Anthony made introductions and she offered Benedict her gloved hand and instructed him to call her “Thea” as she barely tolerated being called Lady Blackwood by her servants.
As she dropped her hand and Antony excused himself, she gave him a side eye. She had quickly come to 2 conclusions, either he really to set his brother up with her like the rest of the ambitus mothers or he was trying to save both of them from the overbearing mothers. Thea was sure that any mother with a young unmarried woman in the house had their eyes on the Bridgertons, even she had her eye on them at one point.
“The Ball has been lovely, some of the guest…Well I can’t say the same” smiling as she clasped her hands together in front on her. Thea always felt unsure of what to do with her hands and had developed the habit of just holding them together, not wanting to be to expressive.
“I think you’re brother is rather smooth don’t you think?” wondering if Benedict had come to the same conclusion as she had. Thea taking the smallest of steps forwards, hoping him to follow. Wanting to walk around the room rather than stay stationary so that they had a lesser chance of being interrupted by another mother, and she was not going to wait for him to ask.
