Season's Feather

Chapter Two

The Bridgerton girls were all together in Daphne's room. Daphne's maids help her out of her exquisite dress worn to the castle.

"You - absolutely - sparkled, sister!" Hyacinth compliments.

Daphne glances at her younger sister with a modest look, "Come now, I merely simpered and minced in a pretty dress like everyone else." Daphne says.

"Not exactly like everyone else." Francesca corrects.

"I shall need to go and visit with Penelope." Eloise comments from her place reclining in a chair, "Her presentation was anything but... what was it the queen called you and Delilah again?"

"Flawless." Daphne repeated in a dreamy tone, "Or some such. She also said Delilah floated like a feather. Trust I was astonished Her Majesty offered me, one of two hundred young ladies present, a most gracious remark,"

Eloise rolled her eyes looking at her sister, "Yes, it was quite a distinction. And now two hundred young ladies have a common adversary. I wish you luck, sister." Eloise finishes.

"Eloise.." Francesca frowns.

But, Eloise looks at her with a wide expression. "What? it is true. One flies too close to the sun, and-"

"My success on the marriage mart influences all your prospects." Daphne rebutted.

"Well, I thought the morning was perfect. Now Daphne and Delilah will have their choice of handsome suitors." Hyacinth praised.

Francesca looked over to her and had a playful glare on her face, "What would you know of handsome suitors?" She asked.

Daphne went over to her youngest sister, however, placing a hand on her youngest sister. "The morning did not only belong to me, Hyacinth," Daphne said.

"Two hundred tiny little daggers pointed at her back-" Eloise began, "Then once again-"

"Her success on the marriage mart influences all of your prospects. Hyacinth may still have many years to go, but... there are others present who will need to make matches in - oh what is it - say, a year's time, Eloise?" Delilah came sauntering in in a beautiful silver day gown.

"Delilah!" All the girls choused in excitement.

Daphne giggles and goes to loop her arm through Delilah's as she continues to speak to Eloise, "I told her the same thing."

Delilah smiled, "We will all need to find love. One day. Indeed, a love as pure yours and mine dear Mama and Papa once shared, if we are so fortunate." She pauses, "I merely hope that I can hold my family together." She draws off.

Delilah turned to look at her best friend with a running head. She didn't like seeing her best friend stress over financial matters. Even though she had managed perfectly since she had taken the responsibilities from her mother, it was never easier to watch her stress over it.

If there was anything she could do for her friend she would. But, what could she do? She didn't know how to manage an estate. It was Anthony who managed the Bridgerton's estate. Wait. Her head spun faster, "Maybe I can ask Anthony to help you? He would be able to help your family, and you could spend time together!"

Delilah's face erupted into a blush at Daphne's statement. The thought of having Anthony alone with her in the study since there weren't that many people in the estate anymore had all kinds of thoughts swirling in her mind.

"It's okay really. I wouldn't want to impose on his time."

Daphne gives her a worried glance.

"It's fine Daphne, I promise."

As if on cue, The Bridgertons girl's mother enters the room. "Your dresses have arrived!" The two younger girls minus Eloise hurry over to see them.

Daphne pulls Delilah back, "What has been happening at home Delilah? If you need help with something please don't hesitate to ask." Daphne pleaded.

Delilah gave her a small smile, bringing her hands into her own, "Daphne, it is nothing. Mothers health is declining and no one is left to do the taxes. I have been cooped up in my father's old studies since I am the only heir. It is of no concern though, I quite enjoy being able to learn what men are taught to do." She finishes.

Daphne's furrowed eyebrows didn't ease.

"Please come off it Daphne, if I needed help I wouldn't waste time to ask. I can handle as much as a man can, I promise." Daphne nods, and hesitantly walks over to the other room with the others to see the dresses.

Daphne's mood quickly picks up after seeing the dress, "Oh, this one looks ravishing." She compliments. She holds it up for Delilah to see. It is off-white with similar color beading adoring the top part of the dress. Delilah nods her head running a hand over the soft fabric.

"Mary Edgecomb wore a similar shade last season." Violet begins.

Delilah angled her head at Daphne, her eyes never leaving the gown in her friend's hand, "And secured three offers the next day. One from an Earl."

The girls giggle looking through the different dresses. All except Eloise.

"Mary Edgecomb, now the Countess of Fulton, apparently spent last year living in a cottage hundreds of miles away from her Earl. She is miserable." Eloise complains. Everyone in the room looks at her, but she holds up what she had been reading, "It says it all here."

"Do not tell me that is yet another scandal sheet. Eloise." Her mother scolds.

Eloise rolls her eyes dismissing it. "This one is different. This one lists subjects by name. In full." She explains.

Hyacinth reaches for the paper now. "Let me see!" She prods.

But Francesca has already grabbed it. "Lady Whistledown..." She reads the title.

Daphne looks over at her sister's shoulder at the paper with curiosity, "Lady Whistledown?"

Eloise nods, "The author."

Delilah comes around and takes the gossip paper into her own hands, "Franseca please, do we even know a Lady Whistledown?"

Francesca looks to Delilah, "Surely Lady Whistledown cannot be her true name.." She mentions.

Delilah scans over the paper, reading intently for a moment.

"What does it say, Delilah?" Violet asks.

Delilah scanned over the paper once more before turning back to Violet with a rather distasteful face, "She loathes the fact that you have been named alphabetically, oldest to youngest.." Delilah reads.

"Their father and I found it orderly," Violet responded.

"Lady Whistledown finds banality."

"The papers were distributed across town today without charge," Eloise comments.

"Without charge? What kind of author..." Violet wanders off in thought. She reached over and took the paper from Delilah, "Well at least she has something right. She has named Daphne the seasons Incomparable and Delilah a gliding feather. She calls you both... the Diamonds of the First Waters. How lovely." Violet read looking at the two girls.

They smiled at each other walking closer and wrapping their arms around each other. Hyacinth looked at them with pure adoration, a little sister looking up to her older sisters. "I do believe if anyone can live up to such lofty titles, it is my eldest sister and Delilah." She complimented.

Delilah giggles at her comment. However, Eloise leans in again.

"Should any of those two hundred dagger-wielding ladies ever attempt something foolish..you do know where to find me, yes?" She whispers.

The girls all share a quiet smile. That is until Violet bursts out with her comment on Lady Whistledown.

"Oh! How dare this writer say such vile things about the Featheringtons. Even if they are true..those poor young ladies." Violet exclaims. Delilah laughed a little louder this time, covering her mouth with her hand to hide the noise.