Chapter Thirteen - Another Busy Day

______________________

Lady Whistledown's

SOCIETY PAPERS

These days, the modern young lady must display a miscellany of talents in her quest for a suitor.

She must be a witty conversationalist, an accomplished musician, and an expert in the art of the swoon.

For managing to faint with nary a petticoat out of place is a most coveted talent indeed. Of course, not everyone has fallen victim to the royal fever sweeping through London Town. One diamond in particular seems quite immune. Making this author wonder if the crown has lost its luster.

______________________

"Well, it seems as though Miss Cowper has found her match," Frederick said, glancing towards Cressida and the Prince in realization.

"Yes... Lady Cowper was over the moon when she told my mama about it," I mused, smiling at my blonde friend when she looked at me.

Cressida smiled back and nodded her head towards the Prince, who was busy smiling at Frederick.

I nodded back at her and smiled in agreement before continuing to walk past their tent, smiling at Lady Cowper as we passed.

"It is a rather unlikely pairing, though, is it not?" Frederick asked, glancing over at me with a furrowed brow, "I was invited to a meal with the Queen and Friedrich this morning and all that she could talk about was how Friedrich was only to be matched with the Bridgerton girl... apparently the Queen thinks it the only acceptable match for her nephew."

"Perhaps... but I think that Cressida would make a fine Princess, if she is determined enough," I counter, "and she certainly has the will to do so."

"Time will tell, I suppose," Frederick says, smiling over at me as we continue to promenade through the park.

______________________

"-what I mean is, there are other things," Daphne continues, looking at Simon as she fiddles with the rose in her hand. "Physical-"

"Daphne! How are you!" I say, walking up to her with a beaming smile. "You look lovely! Are you promenading with the Duke this morning?"

Daphne jumps slightly at the sound of my voice before clearing her throat and turning towards me, "oh, yes, um, Florence."

I smile and nod my head before glancing back toward Frederick, who was now happily conversing with Simon. "That's wonderful, oh, will I see you at the upcoming Towbridge ball?"

"I do believe so," Daphne says, looking over at her mama, who was locked in a deep conversation with my mama and Lady Danbury.

"Well, I think it best if we continue promenading... I am still to visit the Featherington's and the Cowper's later today," I say, taking a step back and smiling over at Frederick when he starts back towards me. "But I shall see you and the Duke at the Trowbridge ball?"

They both politely nod their heads and watch as we start to walk once more.

"Whatever do you think they were talking about?" I ask Frederick, peering up at him in confusion. "Daphne just about jumped out of her skin when she heard me."

"I have no idea, Florence," Frederick said softly, glancing back at his friend for a moment before turning back towards me.

______________________

"Lord Featherington-" I am quickly cut off by the sound of cries, which echoed throughout the large house and into the drawing room at the Featherington house.

"Good heavens, what on earth is that- is that Penelope?" I ask, glancing over at Prudence and Philippa in wonder.

"Oh no, that would be Miss Thompson," Prudence says blandly, flipping through her minatures as she sighed.

"Oh yes, she's been going on for about an hour," Philippa says, sighing as she looks up from her minatures to glance at her sister.

Prudence nods her head as she rolls her eyes at the sound of Marina's cries, "and it does make it rather hard to concentrate on our work!"

"I should imagine so," I say sitting down at the table beside them and glancing at the work they had completed, "are you all going to the upcoming Trowbridge ball?"

"I should think so," Prudence says, "there are plenty of eligible suitors that will be in attendance and we must work quickly if we want to find our matches this season."

"Quite true," Philippa says, nodding her head.

I nod my head but don't say anything back, opting to lean back in my chair and peer at the two sisters. It was well known that Prudence had been looking for a husband for the past two seasons, and if she didn't find one this time around then it would be more than likely that she wouldn't find one at all. Of course, no one would admit it to her, but she didn't have a single nice bone in her body. But unlike Cressida, Prudence didn't have the ability to hide it in front of any potential suitors.

Philippa on the other hand was a little bit different. She had only been looking for a husband for one season, so she had more time before she was considered 'out of time' by society. Not only that but, despite her seemingly absent intelligence, she did seem to possess far more compassion than her eldest sister, which would hopefully work in her favor.

I was not nearly as close to Penelope as I was to Prudence and Philippa, but from the few interactions that I had with her, she seemed like an intelligent young lady who had a sharp wit and a large heart for those close to her. It was also obvious that she had a crushon Colin Bridgerton, not that she would ever admit it.

Despite all the excitement around the season, Penelope never quite seemed as into it as her sisters and mother did. No doubt she was pretty, but she was constantly dressed in such childish and gaudy colors, that it seemed to drive away every suitor, which she- and her father- seemed rather content with.

______________________

"What do you think of this?" Cressida points towards some nice-looking pale pink fabric, "it would look wonderful with my complexion, yes?"

"I rather think so," I say, running my hand over the fabric as I glance around the room.

To the side, mama and Lady Cowper were whispering quietly to each other, glancing, every so often, towards Cressida and then to Daphne, who was getting one of her dresses fitted.

"Ah, Lady Bridgerton," Lady Cowper greets, stepping away from Cressida and walking towards her with a small smile.

"Lady Cowper," Lady Bridgerton greets, clearing her throat as she glances from Lady Cowper to Cressida, then to me, before going towards mama, who was watching the entire incident with a curious gaze.

"I must say," Lady Cowper continued, "it is a good thing Daphne is so taken by the Duke."

Lady Bridgerton weakly chuckles as she looks at Lady Cowper. "Oh... well, thank-"

"Cressida would never have a hope with the Prince if your Daphne went for him," Lady Cowper continues, "we all know my darling might have the fortune, but it is your Daphne who has the face."

Lady Cowper chuckles once more before strolling away from the Bridgerton's and looking over Cressida's shoulder at the fabrics that we had chosen.

"Those look... nice, darling," Lady Cowper says, "come along... we must get going if we want to be ready in time for tonight's ball, Cressida."

"You as well, Florence... I heard that the Duke of Windsor will be there," mama adds, ushering us out of the door and into the waiting carriages. "We shall see you at the ball, Lady Cowper?"

Lady Cowper nods her head towards us as Cressida steps into the carriage, "indeed. We shall see you there, Lady Huntingdon."

______________________

"Your friend, Cressida, seems to be enjoying herself," Frederick mutters to me, taking a sip of his drink as he watches her dance with Friedrich.

"Oh yes, she's been going on about the ball all day," I whisper back, glancing up at him with a small smirk. "She's over the moon to be dancing with the Prince. She even recruited me to help her pick out the most perfect dress in order to whoo him."

"Prinzessin Cressida," Lady Cowper sings, smiling as she watches her daughter carefully, "it rolls right off the tongue, does it not?"

"Would you do me the honor of accompanying me on the next dance?" Frederick asks, putting down his glass and peering over at me with a small smile.

"I would love to... Daphne?" My brow raises as I watch Daphne enter the ballroom. Almost immediately, everyone at the party turns to look at her.

The white and silver dress made her shine under the candlelight, and the circlet of jewels and flowers that were placed intricately into her hair made her shine even more, reminding everyone that she was the season's Incomparable.

As she walked down the stairs, Cressida's face slowly turned into a frown, watching as the Prince's eyes shifted off of her and turned towards Daphne. He muttered something to Cressida before walking away from her and starting towards the staircase.

"Miss Bridgerton, I simply must have your first dance," he said, looking at her with a look that I could not name.

"It would be an honor, Your Highness," Daphne replied smoothly, dipping into a small curtsy before accidentally dropping her fan to the ground. Her eyes fluttered towards it with a feigned look of shock appearing on her face.

Almost immediately, the Prince lowered himself onto one knee, grabbing the fan and offering it back to Daphne.

Daphne, ever so bashfully, accepted it, handing it off to her mother, who was looking rather flustered, before stepping out onto the dance floor with the Prince.

Cressida, not one to enjoy being dragged along, quickly pulls herself together, with the help of her mother, and finds another suitor to dance with. Making sure, of course, to send Daphne seething glares whenever no one is looking.

Frederick and I swiftly join in on the dance, falling into tempo with each other almost instantly and smiling up at each other as we continued to dance along with the other season's debutantes.

______________________

Could it be true?

The season's diamond even more precious and rare a stone than previously thought? For it now appears this treasure is set to join the likes of the Queen's ever-so-cherished crown jewels themselves.

The Duke of Hastings, I hear, was left looking rather tongue-tied last night, as Miss Bridgerton seems to have finally grown tired of waiting for him to pose that all-important question.

Or perhaps, the young miss has simply traded up.

Surprising? Quite.

Unreasonable? Of course not.

After all, why settle for a Duke when one can have a Prince?

______________________

_______

don't forget to comment and vote!

-T