Hope for the Hopeless

Debutante

April came a lot quicker than Sophie had been expecting and as the carriage rumbled into London, she felt a little queasy at the thought of being presented at court.

It was what she'd been raised to do, her governess had taught her everything she needed and she'd heard enough from Eloise and Daphne on debuting... there were different accounts on it but still, she knew what was coming in the next few days.

Violet had taken her to get measured in the off season and her father had told her that she'd be given a full new wardrobe, something that was fit for her status as the daughter of an Earl.

It was just... this wasn't what she'd wanted.

She'd hoped that her presentation to the Queen would just be a formality, something to ensure her place in society and then her engagement to Benedict would be announced and she'd live happily ever after...

But he didn't see her that way, he'd only ever seen her as a friend, and that was all he was ever going to see her as...

So she knew that this was what had to happen. Violet was to present her to the Queen, even if her own mother had been alive, she'd not have been able to present Sophie to the Queen having never been presented to the Queen nor had her paternal aunt so she had to have a sponsor.

Violet had offered for them to use Bridgerton House as the base but as Kate's confinement was getting closer, Violet had decided to give up Bridgerton House to her son and his wife for their family and look for another place so she'd be at Penwood House with her father and brother.

Violet and the Bridgerton's would come to her. Once the initial presentation was done Charlie and her father could act as chaperone during any visitors from any suitors. Daphne and Kate had offered to come sit with her as well if needed but Sophie didn't want to have too many people there thinking it would be a bit overwhelming.

She was fidgeting in her seat and Charlie shoved her "you know Fee if you fidget anymore you're going to wear a hole in the seat"

"Oh shut up I am not"

"Are too"

"Charlie, stop winding your sister up... it's understandable that she's going to be nervous, she's never really been in London before... you've done this a few times now so just... behave and you should really be keeping an eye open as well, Anthony and Simon are both married and settled now... it's your turn soon..." Richard said to his son

"Yes, i am sure I could ask Violet to give you a list of the eligible ladies that would be suitable for you..." Sophie teased

"Sophie... if your brother is not allowed to tease you, you are not allowed to tease him"

"I wasn't teasing Papa, I was being deadly serious. I heard her saying to Benedict that she would be doing him a list soon" Sophie said, trying to keep her voice jovial.

"Oh sweetheart..."

"No Papa, don't... I am not thinking about him. I am coming to London to find a husband, who is not a Bridgerton" Sophie said in a resolute manner that had both Richard and Charlie looking at one another in a knowing way.

They knew Sophie's preference, she'd told them as much when she was 16... but they promised not to say anything to Benedict and they hadn't, no matter how much Richard wanted to shake sense into his godson, he'd kept his word.

"Very well... but your brother is right you need to stop fidgeting, you are prepared for this. The Queen is going to love you, you've met Lady Danbury so many times and she loves you and she's just as formidable as the Queen so you're going to be okay... just breathe" Richard said to Sophie who just let out an unladylike snort, picked her book back up and disappeared behind it muttering something unsavoury in French.