in quite deep// featherington oc

two

The season's opening ball at Danbury House is a most highly sought-after invitation, indeed, for every darling debutante from Park Lane to Regent Street will be on display. Titled, chaste, and innocent, this is what they have been raised and trained for since birth. Tonight, we shall discover which young ladies might succeed at securing a match, thereby avoiding the dreadful, dismal condition known as "the spinster."

I am rather excited for Lady Danbury's ball. My husband never liked to dance. I always thought it was a shame. If I begged enough he would relent to a single dance. It was not that he was a horrible dancer. Levi was a fine dancer. He just hated to be in the spotlight. He thought there was no greater spotlight than being on the dancefloor.

As my sisters stand and wait for a man to ask them to dance. I did not have the same problem when I was on the marriage mart. I danced almost every dance when I was seventeen. Even tonight Lord Ashton asked me to dance. He is on the older side at forty but his own wife passed three years ago giving birth to their only son.

I smile at Pen as I walk towards her. "Is this everything you have ever dreamed it to be?" I laugh as Pen looks at me wide eyed. "I am only kidding, Pen. It has not even been an hour into your first ball. I know you may not feel ready. But I am here for you."

Pen smiles slightly. "Thank you. I only wish you were here to dress me instead of Mama."

I look at her yellow gown. "I have tried, Pen, really I have. Mama will not hear of you wearing blue or green." I gesture my own gown. "I am only wearing pale pink because it is a gown I purchased when I was married."

"You are wearing a gown you have worn before?" Pen questions.

I nod my head. "The silks are the same. I had Madam Delicoux change the silhouette and embellishments. It needed an update after four years. I would happily have a gown of my own tailored for you, Pen, if Mama would allow it."

It is suddenly as if the whole room has gone quiet. I turn and See Daphne Bridgerton walking in with her mama and her three elder brothers Anthony, Benedict, and Colin. Whole could look away when the four eldest Bridgerton children are together.

"No one has ever looked at me like that," I remark. "Daphne will only need one season. I am sure of it."

"You only needed one season," Pen states.

I shake my head. "That is not true. I married in my second season."

"After meeting Lord Seton during your first," Pen argues. I wave her off. "How was your dance with Lord Ashton?"

"He was a fine dancer," I tell her.

"And?" Pen asks.

I laugh. "And what, Pen? Do you think he should propose after one dance?"

"No," Pen tells me. "But maybe he is looking for a wife. It has been years since his wife passed."

"He is a kind man but..." I start.

"But?" Pen asks.

"I do not know that I need to rush into finding another husband," I confess. "It has only been a year. I am still young enough."

"Lady Seton."

I turn and see a smiling Benedict walking towards me.

"Mister Bridgerton," I greet.

I turn back towards Pen but she is already gone.

"You are doing well?" Benedict asks. "With your reentry into society and all?"

I roll my eyes. "Yes it would appear that a year of mourning was not enough to cause me to forget how to act in public."

"I saw you dance with Lord Ashton," Benedict tells me.

"You sound like Pen," I remark.

Benedict laughs. "I was simply going to say you would make a handsome pair."