Season's Feather

Chapter Forty-Nine

The next day Delilah was back at the Bridgerton estate waiting for the arrival of Francesca. Anthony had come in a few moments prior and greeted her with a kiss to the head and sat down next to her, his arm draping along the back of the loveseat.

"How was your day, dear?" Delilah asked.

Anthony smiled and leaned down to give her a brief kiss, "Perfect now that I am with you."

Delilah giggled and leaned into his side. He was comforting and warm, Delilah loved it. Everyone was there. The Bridgerton brothers, the Bridgerton sisters, and the two unconventional siblings - Simon and Delilah.

"Sister!" Hyacinth gasped running up to hug Francesca as she entered.

Delilah looked up at the girl with a smile. Her hair matched Daphne's but her eyes matched with Eloise. She was a beauty in the mix of her older two sisters. And yet, still a beautiful girl on her own.

"Francesca." Delilah greeted as she stood from Anthony's side to give the girl a hug, "Welcome home."

Francesca smiled up at her returning her hug, "Delilah! It's so good to see you."

She then turned to Daphne, giving her real sister a hug as well. Her eyes turned to Simon next, "I thought returning to four brothers enough, but returning to five is quite nice." She smiled.

Hyacinth ran up behind her with a big smile on her face. "Simon! When will I able to visit Clyvedon?" She asked.

Delilah shook her head with a laugh, "Allow the duke to find a seat before you trouble him."

But, Simone merely smiled back at Hyacinth, "You are welcome to visit at any time."

Delilah smiled, taking her seat next to Anthony again. Violet had asked Francesca to show her how her pianoforte had been coming along. And with the smile of Francesca's face she could tell how proud the girl was.

Daphne had noticed it as well and smiled over at the younger Bridgerton, "Sister, your pianoforte is quite impressive."

Francesca smiled back then turned to Colin. "Join me, Brother."

"Yes, Colin, why not a song?" Violet encouraged.

Colin sighed standing to move over to the piano, "If I must."

"Now we are met, let mirth abound and let the catch and toast go round, and then the catch, and then the catch."

Gregory stood bringing Hyacinth with him. "Spin!". The two exploded into fits of laughter. Delilah smiled widely.

She stood up dragging Daphne up and began to dance with her, "Spin!" She laughed. The room around them laughed as well, memories of a younger Daphne and Delilah flooding back through the doors.

The she turned to Simon and dragged him up. All of the Bridgertons were granted a small tidbit of what their early childhood had been like. How they were all the other had. How they had become the siblings they were today - unconventional or not.

"And let the catch and toast go round. Now we are met, let the mirth around, and let the catch and the toast go round."

Delilah smiled over at Anthony before she turned with a teasing smirk to Daphne. "Move!" She exclaimed. "I want to dance with the Viscount."

Simon laughed and moved over while Anthony stood and took Delilah into his arms. Hyacinth coming over to take up the empty spot as Simon's dance partner. He spun her and swayed with her. The two formed their own little bubble in the joyous drawing room of the Bridgerton estate. It was a bubble of joy. Anthony's loving gaze on Delilah. Delilah's laugh flowing through the air.

"And then the catch, and then the catch. And let the catch and toast go round."

Colin finished along with Francesca and the room burst into applause. The siblings making over dramatic bows and taking mock thanks from empty stands in their minds.

Anthony bowed down before Delilah as she curtised and even the couple got a few claps and whistles from their family and friends around them. Delilah smiled at Anthony as they took a seat. He pressed a kiss into her temple and sighed sitting next to her.

Happiness. That is what surrounded the room at that moment, happiness.