wildest dreams | BRIDGERTON

𝟎𝟒 | 𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫

Dinner soon arrived at the Carrington household. It was precisely 6 o'clock when the large welcome home meal was laid out on the stretched dark oak table. There was much food on offer, starting with all sorts of vegetables ranging from cooked carrots that had been soaked in fine butter, to many green plants that had been spiced up with salt and different herbs. A pot full of steaming potatoes sat in the middle of the table cloth down the centre, with platters on either side. On the platters laid either sliced chicken or slice pork with gravy boats near by. Not only was it all a sight to behold, but the smell was addicting. They sat down for dinner in their usual respective seats. Gwen had left them to help clean in the kitchens as she felt that this was a family by blood discussion to have. As a few servants walked around them all, offering them the food to take, Adeline was the first to spark up a conversation.

"So... dear brother, are we to wait any longer before you inform us all about this business discussion none of us know nothing about?" She sat across from Sebastian who sat beside Louise. Scott sat beside Adeline, fidgeting in his seat as Matthew, one of the servants, placed a pile of steaming vegetables on his plate. In an instant he reached over for the gravy and covered the lot with the thick sauce, trying to fade the taste away. From the end of the far side of the table, their father was giving Scott a stern look, noticing his son's disgust towards the vegetables. Some may have seen this as disrespectful to the chef, but it had nothing to do with the cooking, but in fact thee actually food itself. Scott hated vegetables with a passion. He always had. Despite being told on numerous accounts they were good for him, he always seemed to find a way out of eating them. Grandfather, however, was chuckling to himself from the opposite end of the table, at the other head.

"You're rather curious Adeline. You've never been this interested in business talk before?" Their father questioned his only daughter.

"Well, I just assumed it was too significant to miss out on, seen as though Sebastian has thought it wise to visit us in person to discuss his thoughts." Adeline replied smartly, hinting a dig at her older brother. " Care to begin elaborating brother?" She turned back to Sebastian, picking up one of the silver forks. "Enough gravy Scotty," she took it away from her younger brother, placing it back in the middle of the table. He pouted at her, using a fork to push around his now flooded vegetables. It might have been best for him to eat it with a spoon, seen as though it now looked like a soup.

"Right... well, I'll just get straight to it if you so keen on knowing." Sebastian cleared his throat and used the white napkin to dab at his mouth before throwing it back down onto the table. "Adeline is to marry this social season." Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing.

"I beg your pardon?" Grandfather's voice raised ever so slightly.

"You all heard me. It's about time Adeline found a suitable man to marry. The Carrington's have a name to uphold and I am afraid we may be going down the drain a little."

"And do I not get a say in this ridiculous and diabolical decision of yours?" Adeline kept her voice low, but it was still heard and everyone could tell just how angry she was. When he didn't respond she stood up curtly and threw her napkin down onto the table before storming away. She ignored the calls of her father and instead made her way to the kitchen where she knew Gwen would be.

"It may not be so bad Addy," Gwen tried to comfort the girl while washing up some pots. Adeline was sat at the table in the middle of the kitchen, messing with some of her gears she had left the other day.

"How can you say that Gwen? Do I not have a choice in who I am to marry and when I am to marry? I am not ready for such a big commitment. I have my whole life ahead of me." Adeline huffed, her voice full of anger but passion.
"Maybe if you had stayed to listen to your brother, he might have further explained." Gwen suggested.

"He didn't need to further explain. He's forcing me into marriage. And he'll probably burst out with the fact that he will be also choosing my husband for me." She threw her hands up a little.

"And would that be the end of the world? He loves you and will make sure you are taken care of by a kind hearted man."

"Gwen, I love you like a sister, but I do not and will never need to be taken care of by a man." Adeline corrected her friend strongly.

"I know you don't." Gwen sent her a smile. "Now, if you're done complaining about the oh so ravishing life you live, why don't you help me clean some pots? There's plenty to go around?" Gwen sent her a cheeky smile. Adeline went to stand up to help her but a voice from the door stopped the two girls.
"Do you speak to all of the Carrington's that way Gwen? My you have changed." Sebastian stood at the doorway, a playful smile covering his face.

"I am so sorry, I was only joki-" he cut Gwen off, who had began to rush an apology.

"Gwen- it would do my sister some good to learn how to work in a kitchen." He smiled at the maid, while Adeline growled at him, pushing past.

"You're an insufferable and intolerable arse." Sebastian began to rush after her, having wanted to seek her out prior to finding her.

"Adeline, please stop. Gosh you're fast." He eventually caught up to her, the two now in the gardens. "Will you let me explain."

"Only if you give me a reasonable answer." She turned to face him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Look - you've put social season off for two years now. I'm just worried that eventually all the most eligible and suitable men will be taken." It wasn't good enough.

"No - you're worried the Carrington name isn't being gossiped about enough. You just want some big fancy wedding which only I could give you because you're married and Scott is eight years old." Adeline corrected him.

"Okay... so, yes, you're right." He stuttered. "But... please, do this for our family. I will find you the perfect husband." Adeline stared him down. "Okay - I will help you find a perfect husband." She carried on with her fierce stare. "I will input comments and opinions as you find your one true love."

"I suppose I can agree to try it out." 

...

Beginning of the Netflix adaptation next chapter!