Season's Feather

Chapter Eighteen

The next morning Mary walked into the Bridgerton study to find Violet sitting there looking at a letter. A letter from the palace. One Mary had received herself.

"Are you ready Violet?" She asked.

Violet looked up in alarm but calmed at the sight of her friend. She looked down at the letter in her hand before sighing, "I guess as ready as I shall ever be."

"Then join me," Mary smiled, "The queen is not that scary."

At the palace, Violet and Mary walked in with their handmaidens behind them. Mary walked calmly and with a small smile on her face. Violet walked more in apprehension, her gaze wandering around to every detail. They were led to one of the many drawing rooms where the queen waited.

Both of the mothers walked up and bowed.

"Your Majesty," Violet mumbled.

A moment later and with a tense piano note to follow, the three were sitting over tea and pastries. Mary was quite amused at Violet's tense posture infront of the queen.

Her Majesty looked motioned to Violet, "What do you think?"

Violet lowered her teacup slightly, "Of the music? I find it quite beautiful."

"Is it Mozart?" Mary asked.

Her Majesty nodded, "I became acquainted with Mr. Mozart when he was not ten years old. The boy accompanied me as I sang an aria, and I declared then and there that he should become one of the finest composers in Europe."

"And certainly you were right," Violet said.

The queen looked over at her, "I'm rarely wrong about such matters. Do you know why?"

Mary took a sip of her tea.

"Because when I choose to extend to someone my favor, I expect them to make good on it."

Violet let her teacup settle into her lap as she looked out the window, "Your Majesty, is this about-"

"Brimsley!" Her Majesty called, "Fresh snuff."

The three were in silence as the footman took the box of snuff, and walked out the room. The queen waited a moment before looking between the two women, "That one is a terrible gossip. If we were to speak freely in his presence, before long, the whole of England would know our business."

Mary had to keep herself from laughing at Violet's shock.

"I see." Her friend mumbled out.

The queen leaned back in her chair, "I suppose you do see. I expected a great future for your daughter upon her entrance into society. A future with someone like a duke, perhaps."

Both of the mother's eyes watched the queen carefully.

"A pairing like that," Her Majesty spoke, "Well, it would certainly be most enchanting indeed. If certain rumors were to be removed."

Mary shook her head, "Delilah is not fraternizing with the duke. I only hope Lady Whistledown doesn't catch wind of those words flying."

"We shall hope she doesn't." The queen nodded her head.

Violet perked up, but the footman came in and Mary shook her head at whatever Violet was about to say. He came over with a few tins of the mysterious snuff and then walked back to his place when the queen selected her choice.

"As I was saying," Her Majesty continued, "The glow of the success benefited not only the young maestro. Surely the entire Mozart family would felt the repercussions had their boys stayed forever in Salzburg, even his friends would have felt it if you think wide enough."