Bros Before Bridgerton . . . Wives

[Sir Phillip Crane]

Tag: Derrick Kenworthy
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i would merely

BE DOING MY DUTY

This was . . . overwhelming. To say the least. Phillip was so used to the solitary, country life. The solitude of him, his children, and of course Eloise. However months after their wedding and here they were. At the Bridgerton estate in London. For the new season. Something else that he was mentally preparing himself for. Speaking of preparation, he had to talk to his children before attending, expecting them to be on their absolute best behavior.

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To be fair, they had drastically improved ever since Eloise came into their lives. It did not seem they would be chasing their current governess away . . . unlike the others before them. In addition to that, they got along quite well with the others, already playing and thrilled at the company of so many cousins. And a grandmother. Another figure in their life they had never had. Truly, it was touching to see with just how much ease the Bridgertons accepted his dear children.

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But with that said, this was all a great deal. Eight siblings, their children, spouses of the siblings -- most of them. Phillip had thought the encounter with the four brothers to be more than enough. But now, here he was, thrust into the rather chaotic household. And . . . he needed a moment. A quiet moment. Which, would not be found within the walls of the estate. So he managed to sneak out, towards the one place where he felt he could breathe: the gardens. He was already missing his greenhouse. There, he could dress down, enjoy the feeling of the dirt in his hands and not have to worry about maintaining appearances. Here in London . . . was quite the opposite indeed. But for Eloise, he would do absolutely anything.

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Yet, that did not mean he was above sneaking into the garden for a moment's peace. However, he took notice of another figure who was standing by the shrubbery and could not help but wonder . . . if he was out here for the same reason. He did not really know the man, though introductions had been made. He was a Duke and husband of the eldest Bridgerton sister, Daphne. "Your Grace," he greeted with a slight lowering of his head. "What uh, brings you out here?" He could at least attempt to make conversation . . . for Eloise's sake. Besides, his curiosity also got the better of him, hoping that everyone hadn't decided to bring their little party outside to the garden.

[Derrick Kenworthy]

Simon had been married for quite some time now, and had children of his own. His world had expand from when he had rather been on his own. If you had told him younger self that this would be his world one day, he would have ran away with his coat tails tucked and never came back to English soil. However, now that he was married and happy in his life, he was learning to love the chaos--and to escape it when needed.

Hearing someone approach, Simon turned his head to see the newest member of the Bridgerton tribe walking toward him. Sir Phillip. "For the silence," Simon told him, in his usual slow cadence wile nodding toward the rambunctious house. Even from out here you could heard children's laughter and activities. He was honored to be taken in by such a family.

And grateful for the ability to live apart of them as well. They were a lot for a man to handle when they were not used too it. "As appears you do as well." Seeking silence that was. Simon held out his hand in greeting. They had meet before, but never in a one-to-one setting. "And here, please call me Simon."

^{Sir Phillip Crane}

[Sir Phillip Crane]

Tag: Derrick Kenworthy
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i would merely

BE DOING MY DUTY

"For the silence." Suddenly, Phillip did not feel as guilty. Hearing that a member of the family, one longer part of it than Phillip, even required a moment's peace. It filled him with a relief he had not even known he needed to experience. Furthermore, the Duke seemed to recognize Phillip's own need for it, without judgement. Though he must have been in a similar position too, especially when first joining the family.

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"They are a lovely family," Phillip commented, not wanting to seem ungrateful for their hospitality, especially now as he was recognized for needing a moment away. "I am, merely unused to such high numbers." He would take the blame for not being able to handle it. Hell, for so long he had not even been able to handle his twin children. The man further instructed -- or encouraged -- Phillip to call him by his first name. The younger male was unsure how easy that would be, to call a man of higher rank by his Christian name. But instead of arguing the fact, Phillip just gave an ever so slight twitch of a smile as he took his hand and gave it a firm shake.

[Derrick Kenworthy]

Sir Phillip assured Simon that he thought the Bridgerton's lovely, and he was only unused to their numbers. "I doubt the British Navy is used to their numbers." Simon added on dryly. Not meaning offense to his wife's family but they did seem to double in numbers every year.

Simon released Sir Phillip's hand, and tucked his own back in his jacket to causally rest it there. "I met the Viscount in school, and later married his sister. In the years I have known them, they have welcomed me. Yet still I understand the need to step away at times."

Step away and go home at the end of the night, were he could relax. Simon never did care for society and the crowds. He enjoyed the country, but came during the season as that was when the house meet (and as a peer of the relm he had a seat in the house of lords), his wife enjoyed the season and he enjoyed his wife, and because Will lived here and he enjoyed boxing with his friend.

^{Sir Phillip Crane}

[Sir Phillip Crane]

Tag: Derrick Kenworthy

i would merely

BE DOING MY DUTY

A brief flash of amusement crossed Phillip's features. The ability to smile and laugh had becoming considerably easier since marrying Eloise, since being with her. But he supposed he was a work in progress. Still learning to just . . . be among others. Without fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. The last thing he wished to do was offend anyone in the family. Ironic. Considering the first meeting he had with all the siblings. But then Simon went on to explain that he had known the Viscount from school and married his sister.

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Ah. So the man had an advantage of knowing the brother before hand. Or . . . was it a disadvantage? He had seen first hand the wrath of the brothers and their overprotective nature. Phillip had quite literally been strangled by two of them for it. He could not help but let the curiosity in his mind linger as to whether The Duke had experienced similar . . . attacks.

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But he did state that they welcomed him. A comforting thought to hear from one who had once been in Phillip's position. "Was it at an advantage or disadvantage of knowing the Viscount prior to your union with his sister?" Yes. That lingering curiosity came to voice. Perhaps, being the victim of their broodish ways was something they had in common. "I can certainly understand if it was the latter," he mumbled, though fairly certain that the Duke would have heard him.

[Derrick Kenworthy]

Simon was a fairly intelligent man, and he could make an assuption that if one needed to ask such a question that one was aware of the 'Bridgerton Passion' for protecting their own. While he was not aware of how much Crane knew about it, he assumed that words were said at the least.

Folding his arms over his chest, and making his stance more at ease by widdening his feet, Simon thought over his courtship with his wife. They did not admit to any of their ruse, but instead let it be what it was--a love match. Simon did not mind as that was how it ended after all. Or well, began.

"I could not say." A advantage? Disadvantage? Simon supposed it depended on the moment, the mood, the retelling, or even the candle lighting in the moment. "It did not kept him from shooting at me." Since Crane was family now they might as well be honest. Besides, Simon had every intention of asking him the same question shortly.

^{Sir Phillip Crane}

[Sir Phillip Crane]

Tag: Derrick Kenworthy

i would merely

BE DOING MY DUTY

Phillip looked at Simon with a brief flicker of curiosity when he spoke of how he had shot at him. Had Crane not had his own encounter with them all . . . perhaps he would have been more surprised at such a thing. Though, there was still an element of it; just not as strong as it would have been otherwise. His mind went back to having practiced shooting with the Bridgerton men, Crane having been able to aim nearest to the target . . . that is, until Eloise had joined them.

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Apparently, The Viscount may very well having been shooting at the target with a clear image of someone in mind. If not Simon, then maybe Crane at the time. "Is it safe to assume that he missed?" Phillip asked. Not having been directly in the city for so many years, he was not aware of any events that would have made the news and spread among conversations throughout the ton. But his question, also asked for further detail without being too intrusive -- at least Crane hoped. For the Duke could certainly reject his questioning of the subject. But should he wish to elaborate . . . well, the botanist was rather curious to hear the story.