Chapter One - The Start of The 1814 Season

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"Are you sure that we packed everything?" I peer over Frederick's shoulder and gaze at the list.

"I am certain," Frederick says, offering me a reassuring smile. "If we do- for whatever reason- forget something, then Mrs Clipton would be more than happy to send it over for us."

"Of course, Your Graces," Mrs Clipton says, nodding her head and offering us both a small smile.

Mrs Clipton and I had become somewhat friends over the months that we had spent together at Frederick's country home. After a rather rocky first few weeks, we had both settled whatever differences we had held and were quickly learning how to adapt to each other's particular tastes.

After that, the weeks quickly turned into months, which quickly led to the end of the summer. Much to both Frederick's and I's displeasure. The carriages were prepared and our journey back to London was soon approaching, a fact which neither of us was particularly happy with admitting.

"At least you shall be able to see Anthony and I shall be able to see Daphne and Cressida... I have missed them. Oh, and there is so much to catch up on since I had last seen them!" I gush, smiling over towards Frederick as we both step into the carriage and settle in for the long journey back towards London.

"I am happy that you are so excited, darling," Frederick says, glancing out of the window and looking longingly towards the Harding Summer Manor.

"We shall be back," I assure him quietly, "we both find too much joy here to leave forever."

"That we do... far too many memories wrapped up in the halls for us to forget anytime soon, too," Frederick says, winking at me and laughing as I feel my face heat up.

"Frederick!"

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We had arrived back in London a few days ago and the 1814 season was already beginning. The presentation of all the debutantes for the year was happening in just a few hours and we were meant to be in the carriage and on the way towards the Palace, but we- like normal- were running a bit behind schedule.

"Frederick! Are you ready, yet?" I look up the staircase and let out a huff when I hear nothing in return. "FREDERICK!"

Right on cue, Frederick rushes out of his office, straightening his coat and offering me a flash of a smile. "Here. I am here. Alright, shall we go, darling?"

"I have only been waiting for ages," I loop my arm with his and start towards the carriage. "I cannot wait! Eloise is debuting this season!"

"What a season it shall be then," Frederick mutters, stepping into the carriage and watching as the door closes behind him with a snap.

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"Miss Cordelia Patridge," the caller says. Just as we had for what seemed like ages, we all turned and watched as a pretty young lady walked out, accompanied by her mother to be shown to the Queen.

"How much longer do you think this will go on for," Frederick whispered, watching as another young lady walked in front of us towards the Queen, falling into a rather ungraceful curtsy.

"I think we are almost halfway through," I whisper back, watching as the caller was handed yet another small slip of paper. He read it over for a second before clearing his throat and beginning to call out the young debutante's name.

"The Lady Abigail Evans."

"Miss Mary Ann Hallewell."

"Miss Margaret Goring."

With each name that was called, the Queen's face fell further and further. The frown became a far more common appearance on her face.

"How was Eloise this morning?" I whisper, leaning over towards Hyacinth and Francesca, "I never asked you..."

"She stole my fan from me," Francesa muttered, huffing as she tried to discreetly fan herself.

"You were fanning her rather slowly," Hyacinth confessed, shrugging when her sister looked at her in mock hurt. "Sorry."

The caller cleared his throat as he is handed another piece of paper, reading it over before starting to call out once more. "The Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton and Miss Eloise Bridgerton."

"Oh, this is it!" I grip Frederick's arm a little tighter and peer toward the door with wide eyes.

Frederick watches her take a small step forwards and pause, sucking in rapid breaths before leaning over towards me with a slightly furrowed brow. "Does she look a little pale, darling?"

Beside me, Daphne tries to offer Eloise a reassuring smile and a quiet word of advice. "Smile."

But before Eloise could even take another step- let alone her sister's advice- a side door swings open and a footman walks in carrying a silver tray.

Queen Charlotte looks at the intrusion with horror as the footman walks over toward her. "What is the meaning of this?"

When she sees what is laid on the tray, however, she quickly changes her tune, grabbing it and ripping it open as she scans the sheet.

Frederick gasps as he looks at the page a little harder, his eyes squinting to look at the small icon that is printed on the front sheet. "Is that-"

"Lady Whistledown?" I finish. "I think that it is, dearest."

The Queen offers a small smile of relief, as she glances back up at the waiting crowd. "I've seen enough."

"But Your Majesty, there are still-" a man studdered, looking towards Charlotte with wide eyes.

"I have seen enough!" Queen Charlotte declares, standing up and rushing out of the room, her eyes never once leaving the gossip column that had been delivered to her.

The crowd quickly breaks out into a quiet chatter as they begin to talk about what had just transpired before them. The hasty exit of Queen Charlotte. The rather mysterious return of Lady Whistledown. The unexpected end to the official first look of the season's debutantes.

"Does this mean I can go?" Eloise asks breathlessly, glancing back at her mother with relief.

Lady Violet Bridgerton looks towards her, then to the now empty throne with wide eyes. "I don't know what this means."

Eloise quickly turns on her heels and rushes out of the room without a second thought.

"Eloise," Daphne watches as her sister rounds the corner and disappears from view, before sighing and allowing her hands to fall back beside her.

After a few moments of confusion, a small handful of footmen quickly enter the room, each of them holding a silver tray filled with the newest Lady Whistldown columns, offering them to the crowd.

Daphne huffs, sharing a glance with me before leaning over towards Anthony and sharing a small look with him. "Truly, I cannot say I will long for any of this. Best of luck to you, Brother. You shall certainly need it this season."

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Lady Whistledown's

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Dearest gentle reader.

Did you miss me?

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woohoo! season 2!

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-T