'Since I've laid my eyes on you' | BRIDGETON

too gliterry

Florence's legs were trembling as they waited in the crowd of appealingly dressed ladies, waiting to be announced before the queen of England.
There have been all kinds of thoughts running through Florence's mind. She hasn't even got the chance to wander around her new home and now she's going to stand before the queen in any moment.

'This feels unreal, mother.' Florence spoke quietly, her breaths getting heavier every second. It was hot.

'I know darling but you'll be perfect. You both will.' She made an eye contact with both of her daughters in order to calm them. Celestia had a numb look in her face yet her shaking wrist caught Florence's attention. She gently clasped her sister's hand, giving her a pleasant expression. Surprisingly, Celestia accepted it without objections.

'Lady Featherington.'

'Mama, I believe we are next.' Florence muttered as she let go of Celestia's wrist.

'Lady Everleigh'
Florence and Celestia gently carried themselves towards the queen. Their performance conjured up a tiny smirk on the Queen's face.

'Quite impressive.' Those two words were all they received before Eloise Bridgerton was annoucend. However, the Queen's guards interrupted her presentation with a important message.

'Lady Whistledown.' Florence could hear whispers concerning this exact name all around her.

'Who is Lady Whistledown?'

Dearest gentle reader, did you miss me?
It seems...

Later in the evening the guests were invited to dance, have drinks and food while they waited for the Queen to announce the new diamond.

Anthony Bridgerton joined his brothers in the corner of the saloon. Raymond was sitting down in a chair, clasping a glass of wine. Benedict stood by with a piece of paper and a pen, scratching something down.

'Anyone has caught your eye yet?' Raymond asked with a monotonous tone.

'Not a chance. I refuse to be apart of another meaningless conversation with any of these ladies.' Anthony complained wich made Raymond chuckle.

'Well, that is unfortunate.'

Catherine introduced her daughters to many lords present that night. She has pointed at every single possible candidate for a marriage. It was not as if her family needed to gain anything from a marriage. She simply wanted to ensure her daughters married as every other mother. Florence always thought of the season as a silly competition between the mothers and nothing else.

'And those are the Bridgerton brothers. Handsome, aren't they?' She raved, joyfully.

'Of course.'

'The oldest one would be a perfect match. It is in his intention to find a wife this season.' Florence searched for those boys in the crowd. Anthony Bridgerton was nervously walking around his younger brother, appearing to be quite tense. It was not him who fascinated her but Raymond, the one fixing his eyes at the ground. Florence let herself stare at him before he tilted his head up and their eyes met. Raymond's intense gaze made her escape the eye contact almost instantly.

'Who is she?' Raymond interrupted Anthony intense pondering.

'According to Lady Danbury, she's just moved in the city with her family. Everleighs, I think.' Anthony frowned as he realised his brother refused to lay his eyes off of the lady.
'I haven't been familiar with the fact that you were to wed this season, Ray.' His brother's head swiftly twisted towards Anthony with a displeased expression.

'Because I am not. Just curious.' He argued as he got up, leaving his brother alone to his thoughts.
Raymond moved through the crowd in order to get more drinks. He stopped at a table as a blonde lady named Priscilla approached him.