in quite deep// featherington oc

one

Dearest reader, the time has come to place our bets for the upcoming social season. Consider the household of the Baron Featherington. Three misses foisted upon the marriage market like sorrowful sows by their tasteless tactless mama.

My mama can be very particular about our appearances. Prudence, my younger sister, is being forced into an impossibly small corset by her lady's maid.

"Tighter," Mama demands. "Tighter!"

"Is she to breathe, Mama?" Penelope, my youngest sister, questions.

"I was able to squeeze my waist into the size of an orange and a half when I was Prudence's age. Your sister shall do the same," Mama insists.

Far better odds might exist in the household of the widowed Viscountess Bridgerton. A shockingly prolific family, noted for its bounty of perfectly handsome sons and perfectly beautiful daughters.

Once everyone is ready we make haste from the house. As we are leaving, so are the Bridgertons, the family who lives across the street from us. There are eight Bridgerton children. All named in alphabetical order from Anthony the eldest to Hyacinth the youngest. The second eldest daughter, Eloise, is a dear friend of Penelope.

The second eldest, Benedict, was a friend of my husband before my husband's passing. Benedict waves at me and I smile. I never found out how the two became friends. Something about an evening at White's and a failed business venture. All I know is Benedict spent a good number of evenings with my husband and I.

Today is a most important day, and for some a terrifying one, for today is the day London's marriage-minded misses are presented to Her Majesty the Queen. May God have mercy on their souls.

This is the year that my sister Penelope makes her societal debut. Our other sisters Prudence and Philippa have already been out for some seasons. Mama has insisted that Penelope is ready. Mama forced all of us to debut at seventeen. In another place and another time Pen would pursue an education. The idea alone would be enough to make my mama's heart stop.

I stand next to my papa in a rather hot and crowded room at the palace. Everyone watches Her Majesty. It is only her opinion that matters today.

"Miss Prudence Featherington, Miss Philippa Featherington, and Miss Penelope Featherington, all presented by their mother, the Right Honorable Lady Featherington."

I watch as my sisters all try to fit through the door at the same time. I grimace but I am unsurprised by the action. After they force their way through Mama follows. They stop in front of Her Majesty the Queen. Mama hits Penelope as she looks at the ceiling instead of Her Majesty. Another unsurprising action on both parts. My sisters all courtesy with each of them varying in posture. Her Majesty does not look impressed.

It is only the queen's eye that matters today. A glimmer of displeasure and a young lady's value plummets to unthinkable depths.

Suddenly with a great thud Prudence falls to the floor. After picking my sister up off the floor the debuts continue.

"Miss Daphne Bridgerton, presented by her mother, the Right Honourable, the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton."

I watch as Daphne confidently walks down the aisle towards Her Majesty. It is unsurprising that the eldest Bridgerton daughter should be more than prepared for this moment. She curtsies and Her Majesty stands up. She places her hand under Daphne's chin and lifts it up to meet her gaze.

"Flawless, my dear."

Her Majesty kisses Daphne on the forehead. It seems as if Daphne is to be the Diamond of the season.