The Ungodly Hour~Anthony Bridgerton

part V: please, you promised

Songs:
Tilted- Christine and Queens
Hit me Where it Hurts- Caroline Polachek
Nunca Me Acuerdo de Olvidarte-Shakira (Happy Birthday literal love of my life!)
Forgive Me- Chloe X Halle
Lo Vas A Olvidar (with ROSALÍA)- Billie Eilish

"The most anticipated social event of the year is upon us, dear reader. However, perhaps the reason the Queen's opening ceremony for the High Society season is so widely attended, despite the monotony, is the compulsory attendance required by all who dare to exist within the delicate ecosystem of Lords and Ladies we have created for ourselves. We have created a bed of yawn-inducing ass-kissing and must endure yet another season of it.

However, do not mistake my deprecation as disdain as even exhaustive and uneventful ceremonies such as these still provide ample gossip and allow betting Ladies such as, myself to cast a vote to which lovely lady will be crowned this season's diamond, and thus the young lady sought after by the most eligible suitors.

This season we have the pleasure of being reintroduced to Eloise Bridgerton. The once self-proclaimed spinster has now hung up her books and quips for the marriage market. However, anyone with half a brain can understand that this is purely a ploy to please her poor mother. Our bets have been placed that Miss Bridgerton will carry on a great charade of rejection this season, perhaps giving the bachelors' who so often toy with hopeful girls' hearts a run for their money. We are most excited to see what dramatics Miss Bridgerton will employ this season as it appears such drama is as strong a Bridgerton family gene as the famous dark brown hair and eyes.

Speaking of the extended Bridgerton family tree, it appears the Duke and Duchess of Hastings have returned from Clyvedon, not only to encourage a good match for Eloise but to bring a most special blessing into this world among the comforts of close family. As it seems the Duke and Duchess of Hasting as finally begun the fateful task of creating a family legacy.

In the most unfortunate news dear reader, even I appear to be at loss for words to describe the newest member of our high society traveling from the countryside for the season. As we know none! We have heard gossip, but no confirmations even of this young lady's name nor face. We apologize dearly, as we too thought we had the juiciest and latest gossip. All we know of the young lady is she is indeed not a lady. It appears this young miss is untitled, not just in the way many women are before marriage. But extremely untitled, for from the whispers we collect, it appears no one within her immediate family is in possession of a title. Even a meager ceremonial one. Clearly, this young lady has some most generous cousins to carry such a burden. Extremely 'generous'. All we can hope is that generosity will be enough to make up for any 'rustic' behavior her upbringing in the countryside has brought."

LADY WHISTLEDOWN'S SOCIETY PAPERS,

26 April 1814

Caroline interrupted the lady's maid that was halfway through reading the paper, "What is this absolute bullcrap?! She said herself she has absolutely no idea who I am, who is she even?!"

Lady Heathman who sat on the ridiculous embellished satin sofa stared up at Caroline with a freak expression on her face. She had never in her life heard a lady speak in such a way. She only sharply cleared her throat, however, maintaining her love of silence.

"My apologies Lady Heathman," Caroline said meekly, perhaps understanding what Lady Whistledown was saying. Why was she here? Being waited on and dressed by lady's maids to meet in attendance with the queen. It made no sense why someone with no proper training in such matters would present to high society at the late age of 22. And just as she had warned her mother, she feared her presence alone in this fantastical ton would mean the humiliating downfall of their family. "Will not behave in such manner in front of the Queen. My temper can– well get the best of me"