The Carringtons were a noble Scottish family of very high standing in society when the late Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Wessex looked for a wife, he had joined the social season in London and married the then, Miss Jocasta Cowper.
It is 1813 and t...
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The Carrington matriarch was quite content with how her day had turned out, her daughters' callers were polite and her sons were stern but did not outwardly kick them out. They did, however, turn down three proposals already, two from viscounts and one from a rather ambitious Baron.
Her dear late husband's ghost would forever haunt them for ever entertaining the idea of suiting his precious daughter with a mere English Baron of all people.
Nay, Elisabeth was meant for a greater life. Jocasta had made her join her in her duties as a duchess ever since she had flowered, and those lessons will serve her better in married life than any tutor or priest's sermons would ever manage.
It was a lovely day, and the sun softly glared at the ton who chatted lively in the park. The Bridgerton family joined the Carrington ones in their rather large tent, and the dowager duchess could not help but coo at the adorable miss Hyacinth, whom she learned, was fascinated about being in the presence of a duchess. And so, Jocasta had decided to address the lovely girl as Princess Hyacinth till further notice.
Her son, who was promenading with Elisabeth and Eloise, quite enjoyed eavesdropping on his sister's conversation. The young debutante, whilst not against marriage, had always wished for more in her life. And it seems that the second eldest Bridgerton girl shared the same views, and so they were in a heated conversation about women joining university.
Eloise was rather envious when she learned that James had given his sister, all of the books he was required to read while studying at the University of Edinburgh. While society would never allow a woman such liberty, the Carrington Miss was as educated as any man in the ton.
Once the three arrived at the tent, the duchess ushered her son and pointed towards the youngest Bridgerton child. "James, have you had the honour of an introduction with Princess Hyacinth?" she asked with a cheeky smile, making all of the people present smile endearingly at them.
"No, I believe I have not yet, mother." He replied in the same tone, before looking at the young girl and dramatically bowing."Your Highness, it is indeed an honour. Your gown is exquisite. You must save me a dance!"
Hyacinth giggled in joy and blushed softly at having a duke compliment her, but her joy was soon interrupted by her older brother Gregory, who pulled at her braid, making her jump off Jocasta's lap and run after him.
Elisabeth made a passing comment to her mother about her shared values with the Bridgerton girl, and so, she allowed her to be invited to an afternoon tea. The duchess allowed them to visit the estate's large library and offered Eloise the chance to borrow any book she liked, under the condition of telling her about its' content once she decided to return it.
