First Visit

[Deleted]

Dr. George Bishop makes a good living visiting various residents of London. However, his biggest money maker is meeting the various families of the Ton. He enjoys treating them. Every time he visits for a small illness and he prescribes something for them, it is additional money for his family.

He likes to keep a comfortable distance and prefers it that way.

They know he is considered nouveau riche, or “new money”. His family has the funds, but not the pedigree or land. The moment his family left France during the “Reign of Terror”, they dropped their status within the gentry. He was a Baron’s nephew who was first married to the daughter of a Viscount, then to a gentleman’s daughter. Despite the pedigree, he wanted a career for himself and became a physician.

Being a blue-blood became dangerous in France. His father, uncle, and his sons from his first marriage were all victims of the Terror. He needed to protect his two young children from his second wife by moving across the Channel. Changing countries soon became changing names. No one would hire Dr. Georges Levesque to care for their families. Dr. George Bishop sounds better.

With his son Vincent out to fight, he has his daughter Helena to keep him company. Her focus is not at balls and operas, but in helping women with their health. George would remind her she should find a good man to call her husband, be a mother, and then become a wet nurse or midwife.

On this day, Helena decided to follow her father to the household of the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton and her family. The widow’s youngest daughter Hyacinth was not feeling well. He had visited Bridgerton House on multiple occasions through the years, caring for each of the children at one point in the last ten years whenever they were in London.

Helena always heard wonderful things about the family, so it’s a shame her first visit is during a house call. While her father walked over to the nursery, she waited in the drawing room.

“Would you like another cup of tea, Miss?” One of the servants asked as she placed her tea cup down.

“Yes, please.” She nodded as she continued to look at the pastel decorated room.

She heard the door opening as she got up. Two gentlemen walked in, one as handsome as the other. She is glad the servants are around or else she would think they would ravish her to oblivion. She started to have a correspondence with Penelope Featherington, who would say wonderful things about the brothers. But she also warns her that each has their own reputations.

Lord Anthony Bridgerton may be a young Viscount, but he has a massive reputation of being the biggest rake of London.

Mr. Benedict Bridgerton, the Viscount’s younger brother, is known to sneak out of balls to attend peculiar parties outside of Mayfair and has various liaisons with women and possibly men.

Helena smiled as she looked at them, waiting for an official introduction from them. (Anthony Bridgerton  Benedict Bridgerton)

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @polinshipper82
Note: hope this is ok!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony was frantic. It was no secret that he was highly protective over his siblings and the moment Hyacinth had been feeling unwell . . . concern flooded him. He had barley left her side, having called for doctors and anyone else who may aid in her recovery. He would question them, ensure they were doing everything within their capability to help her. He absolutely hated to see Hyacinth in any sort of pain or discomfort and wished there was a way to take it upon himself to spare her. When Doctor George Bishop came however, it was clear that Anthony's hovering had reached its limit from his mother.

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She suggested entertaining the physician's daughter and Anthony immediately refused, wanting to remain by Hyacinth's side. Anthony did not need to see his mother's non verbal exchanged to know that she shared a look with Benedict who then practically ushered Anthony out of Hyacainth's room so that the doctor may tend to her. "She should not be left alone!" "She is not alone." "Well I should be there!" "You were requested elsewhere." Granted, the request had been made by their mother but still.

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Anthony was of a mood, reaching the bottom of the stars and turning to go back up when Benedict stopped him, turned him around and ushered him to the room where they were to meet the doctor's daughter. "Good afternoon Miss Bishop," Anthony greeted. A lifetime of guarding his emotions -- suppressing them -- and remaining as stoic as ever, had indeed saved him in circumstances such as this where he could appear to be a perfect gentleman. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he further greeted, lowering his head in a polite bow.

[Deleted]

“Lord Bridgerton.” Helena curtsy to the Viscount, seeing how worried he is of his younger sister. “I know you are worried. She is in good hands.”

Anthony sat on the nearest chair as Helena returned to her seat.

“I know this is not the most ideal introduction but if you need an extra set of ears to vent, I am here to hear you out.” Helena folded her hands as she turned her attention to his younger brother. She gave a quick nod to know that she did not ignore him. (Benedict Bridgerton  Anthony Bridgerton )

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

The look he received from his mother was enough to understand what she was asking of him. After all, Benedict had grown rather accustomed to receiving such forms of non verbal communication. Being tasked with 'managing' one of his siblings wasn't entirely uncommon. And where Anthony was concerned . . . well, his stubbornness made him a challenging one to influence. Never the less, Benedict managed to get him out of the room and towards where they were to greet a guest in their home: the physician's daughter. The first success was getting him out of the room, the second success was getting him down the stairs . . . and the third and final success, was getting him into the drawing room where she was. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ For now Benedict knew that Anthony would not abruptly leave out of sheer politeness -- unless of course Hyacinth's condition changed. Benedict smiled in greeting, giving a nod as well at the young woman who did not seem upset or offended that they did not remain in her company while she was visiting. He allowed Anthony to verbally greet her, stepping towards the servant to request some tea for him and his brother, and fresh biscuits and perhaps more tea for their guest. Once everyone was seated, Benedict did the same, knowing that he had to stay here to ensure Anthony did. "A pleasure," he added quickly, not wishing to interrupt the conversation between the two of them. Tag @polinshipper82 Notes: Better layout coming soon!

                        the rules of society.

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @polinshipper82

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony listened as she acknowledged his worry and assured him that Hyacinth was in safe hands. He supposed it was not the doctor's capabilities that he doubted but rather . . . the inability to help. His own inability to help. With a physical threat, there were ways Anthony could protect his siblings. But with something like this -- and illness -- he was completely powerless. Helpless to do anything to make the situation better. To ease their discomfort and pain. And he hated that. "Yes," he agreed. "Your father is well skilled in his field." Anthony of course would not allow anyone . . . inadequate to tend to any of his family members.

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Once Helena was seated, he too took a seat, glancing at his brother who he presumed was requesting refreshments, before turning his attention back to Helena when she spoke, offering to hear him vent. "I appreciate your offer Miss Bishop," Anthony stated. "But I would not do such a thing." As to unload upon her. He seldom did it with his own family members. His emotions, concerns . . . well they were all difficult for Anthony to articulate. Often suppressed and internalized where they came out in rather, intensely heated ways. "I do hope you will forgive and understand why we were unable to properly greet you upon your arrival," he continued, knowing it could reflect poorly or imply impoliteness to not properly receive a guest into their home.

[Deleted]

“I understand, my Lord.” She nods with a smile to both of them. “It’s stressful. If my brother was here, he would be as worried as you are right now. Unfortunately, he’s overseas with the Army.”

Helena took a sip of her tea as continued to look at the concerned brothers. She misses her brother Vincent. Only been gone three months ago, she feels lonely without him. While she is happy to have his wife Bridget to entertain her, she needs a break from spending time with her pregnant sister in law.

“When I was a baby, I hurt my knee on a ship to England.” Helena tells her story to the brothers. “My father was able to stitch the wound but I got an infection from it. My brother, he was around four at the time, would not leave my side if I were to go. We had three older half-brothers who were murdered so I was his only sibling left. A part of me felt that he was the reason why I was alive. That and my father’s medical expertise with the limited resources we had.

“I can say in full confidence she will be alright.” She reassured them as her father appeared with a smile on his face. The smile was enough to give a sigh of relief for Helena.
(Anthony Bridgerton Benedict Bridgerton )

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @polinshipper82

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony listened as Helena began to tell an experience she had about when she was young and injured, as well as the concern her brother had for her at the time. The story took a dark turn when she spoke of how her brothers had all been killed. Anthony had only been faced with one tragic death in his immediate family, so he could not even begin to imagine how devastating it must have been for her and her family to lose so many. So tragically.

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"I am quite sorry to hear that," he said, with genuine condolence. Even if it happened some time ago -- though he could not be certain of course -- the loss of ones family member, or in this case multiple, was always keenly felt. "I can not even begin to imagine how difficult that must have been for you and your family," he added, speaking aloud his earlier thoughts.

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"And it always serves as a reminder to hold the family members you do have close." At that moment the doctor had walked in. Anthony immediately rose from his seated position. Though Mr. Bishop's smile was indeed assuring, Anthony knew he would not be at ease until Hyacinth was fully recovered. "How is she?" Anthony asked, hoping for a detailed -- over detailed even -- report on her wellbeing.

[Deleted]

“Lord Bridgeton, I can assure you that your dear sister is going to be fine.” Dr. Bishop reported to the Viscount. “She had a stomach virus caused by something she ate recently. In the meantime, she is prescribed some rest and plenty of fluids.”

“That is great news, Papa!” Helena smiled, clutching her hands together. “I would hope when she is better, I can bring my homemade crème brûlée for her to try. Of course, that depends on the Viscount. Do not worry. I will make sure to make it enough for the entire family.” Anthony Bridgerton Benedict Bridgerton

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @polinshipper82

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony listened with great attentiveness as the doctor spoke of Hyacinth's condition. He nodded in understanding, relieved to hear that it was a stomach bug yet as previously recognized, he would only truly rest once she was completely recovered and back in full health. "How long do you believe it will take her to recover?" Anthony asked, hoping to get some sort of timeline in his mind, for if it exceeded the expected time of recovery . . . then there would certainly be cause for concern.

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Anthony turned to Helena when she expressed her gladness in hearing Hyacinth's hopeful recovery . . . and offered to bring crème brulee for her to try. "That is most generous of you," he said with a smile. "And hopefully, not too great deal a challenge considering how many of us there are," he said somewhat jokingly, though there was truth to his words. They were after all, a house of nine. "It would be a pleasure to have you visit us under better circumstances, and as guests." Not hired due to illness or injury.

[Deleted]

With a reassuring smile, Dr. Bishop assure to Viscount that Hyacinth will be back to normal in around three to five days. He turns to his daughter, wondering if she can pull off the task of feeding nine people.

“Papa, I have nine chances to impress them with my baking abilities.” Helena grinned as she gave a nods to the brothers. “If it’s okay, I would love to ask the Viscount something of great importance.” With a nod, Helena walked over towards Anthony and sat near him. “My Lord, this may be a little out of my character to ask as I am not a part of the Ton. I am inquiring about a student at Cambridge and want to see if his intentions are true. From my interactions with him, he is very honorable. Before you ask who it is, it’s not your brothers. Please keep this in confidence.”

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @polinshipper82

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony nodded in gratitude as the doctor explained the duration of time it would take for Hyacinth to heal. He would be diligent in that she was following the doctor's instructions. Hyacinth was strong though, of that Anthony did not doubt. He smiled as Helena spoke of having a chance to impress them. "Despite what some may say, fear not. We are not difficult to please," he said lightly. When she stated that she wanted to ask something out of character, he sat back down once she seated herself closeby. He gave a small smile when she asked about a student attending Cambridge.

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While he was hardly one who got involved with other people's matchmaking . . . he was still a brother. And made it his business to know the men of the ton, and all their personal affairs. After all, he knew all too well that one may appear to have honorable intentions but . . . their actions -- discreet or not -- said otherwise. "Of course," he assured her when she asked if he could keep this in confidence.

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"What is it you would like to know? Or about who?" He asked, willing to offer what knowledge he knew . . . should it be appropriate for a woman's ears. And if not, he would find a way to reveal it without any crudeness. For she did not deserve to be deceived if this man was in fact, not as honorable as he claimed to be.

[Deleted]

"I am glad to hear that." Helena chuckled at the challenge. "His name is Mr. Phillip Crane. He mentioned a place called Romney Hall. We are not attached, but if he asked my father permission to court me, should I accept? I do fancy him, but I am only a physician's daughter." 

She looked at the Viscount, hoping for a positive response. Anthony Bridgerton

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: @polinshipper82

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony listened as she gave the man she wished to inquire about, and learn more of. As well as his estate home. Anthony knew the name, but did not personally know the family. He did not see them a great deal during the social seasons here in London. "I can not tell you with whom to court," he began to tell her. It was not his place or business to advise her in such matters. The choice was hers and her father's . . . and anyone else who may be effected by the decision.

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"But I can say that I have heard no dishonorable or ill sentiments regarding the Crane family." That was far better than a family being a source of gossip. He knew only that were two brothers and as Anthony had previously stated, he was not personally well acquainted with them. "I can also say with confidence that I have not see either one a great deal during the social season," he continued. His answer to her inquiries more factual rather based on any personal opinion or judgement.

[Deleted]

She took in what the Viscount said about the Crane family. Hearing they don’t frequent London much gave her a sigh of relief. 

“I thank you for your information, my Lord.” She nods as she smiled that Phillip could be a potential suitor for her. “It is now a matter if he return those feelings. Men at university are usually focused on their studies anyway.”

Knowing what she knows now, she relaxed and started to walk around the drawing room. 

“Is that a painting of your parents?” She looked at the painting above the mantle of a young couple holding an infant son. “I am assuming the baby is you, my Lord. Everyone looked so happy.”

She turns around as she saw Benedict and gave a shy smile to him, making sure he was not ignored. She was giggly when she met the young scholar but there is an air of mystery with the Viscount’s brother she couldn’t explain. But while she couldn’t restrain at Cambridge, it is paramount to behave like a proper lady at the home of a prolific family. Anthony Bridgerton