Pastel Skies {Bridgerton}

Chapter 2

Dear Reader,
It has come to my attention that the lavish home in front of the well known Bridgerton's residence has occupants at last. If my sources are correct it belongs to the famously elegant Duchess Marie DeGrave and her granddaughter, the same rather beautiful young woman, seen last night on the arm of the Duke of Hastings as they strolled around the ball room. I'm afraid even if the Duke has made it clear he does not wish to marry, two young ladies have certainly caught his attention already. The former mentioned above and the other this season's diamond of the first water Miss (Daphne) Bridgerton whom he danced with at the ball. Place you bets ladies and gentlemen for we may have a wedding our hands.
        Lady Whistledown's Society Papers 30 April, 1813

Bea awoke to the blinds being pulled apart "Good morning dearie." their house keeper Paulette walked over to her wardrobe "Good morning, Paulette." Bea stretched to comfortable to get up just yet "Time to greet the day, your grandmother is waiting child." "Naturally she is, I still believe she doesn't sleep even now that I am older." Bea sat up her eyes going to the window, the sun hid behind a cloud in the otherwise perfectly blue sky. Paulette shook her head as she placed two gowns on the bed while Bea freshened up. She chose the simple dark grey frock, Paulette helped Bea tightening the coreset "I'd like to breath Paulette." she gasped "Do not blame me for these darn things, excuse my language dear." Paulette pulled once more "It would be pleasant though to see you wear a different color dear." "It's too soon." Bea said quietly she didn't bother to look in the mirror. She knew she was the spitting image of her mother and what good would it do to darken her mood so early in the morning?

After a light breakfast Bea sat in the drawing-room head in a book, "For heaven's sake sit like a lady." Startled she dropped the book which landed with a heavy thud "Simon?" Bea looked at the doorway. Indeed there stood Simon as he took off his hat "Who were you expecting Saint Nickolas?" "What are you doing here?" She asked reaching for the book not looking up hoping its page had not folded. "It's a lovely day would you care for a walk in the park?" "You? Walk?" she was confused for Simon Basset did not do strolls through parks as a matter of fact Simon didn't even do strolls in general. Simon sighed "I would like to fill you in about last night." This piqued her interest "Let me fetch my hat." Simon grinned knowing she'd agree, she matched his grin placing a mark on the page she'd been on.

All the way to the park Bea adjusted her hat once more. "Will you stop." Simon looked annoyed by her lack of will to not fidget with the awful thing "Will you stop." She imitated him "Tell. Me. What happened! Isn't this the reason why we're walking?" Bea crossed her arms her ladies-maid cleared her throat "Good heavens Martha had I known you'd be scolding me, I would have brought Paulette instead!" Bea pouted ticked. "Don't be so rude." Simon looked around the park once more "Please she'll tattle to Grandmama at her convince." Bea rolled her eyes "So get on with it," she egged Simon on.

Simon glanced at her "How were your travels?" he asked "How do you know about my travels?" She questioned "Lady Danbury," he stated "Your grandmama kept in touch with her. After all these years it's not as if I completely forgot about you." "I suppose that would be natural." Her cheeks flushed "Pardon for never reaching out, you were off at school and I was off at school. Then there was a time I just wanted to keep to myself." she's sighed "I did always look forward to your Christmas and Birthday letter though." Simon nodded.

He had been quiet for awhile "Is it a lady?" Bea inquired Simon looked at her surprised "Pups if it's a lady, like a proper lady," she leaned in "I want to know. Now." She had turned to him stopping in place "It's just last night at Danbury's before when I had mentioned the rescuing of a certain la- person." "Simon Basset what did you do?" Her brown eyes widened "Nothing bad per se." "Oh my god!" Bea clamored, "Don't blasphemy because of me." He rubbed the back of his neck, he had not thought she would have reacted in such way.