[2] The Queen Mother of Württemberg | A. Bridgerton

Chapter 20

Written In The Stars

Dearest gentle readers,

It seems the whispers of romance have lingered far beyond the final waltz.

One engagement has fluttered its way into the light—and it is one so unexpected, that even this Author must take a moment to catch her breath.

Her Majesty Queen Charlotte The Queen Mother of Württemberg, has become engaged—to none other than Viscount Anthony Bridgerton.

Yes, indeed.

The King's oldest daughter, once the jewel of two kingdoms, now plans to trade her royal tiara for the modest title of Viscountess Bridgerton.

Bridgerton House, London

Everyone had gathered in the drawing room for breakfast, the usual lively chatter dampened by the somber atmosphere that had settled upon them since the arrival of Lady Whistledown's Society Papers. The usually vibrant room now felt oddly cold and distant as the family perused the latest scandal to grace the ton. Not even Francesca's attempts at melodious music in the pianoforte could cheer up the room.

The Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton sat at the center of the room, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she stared at the piece of parchment before her. Her expression was unreadable as she skimmed the words. Across from her, her third-born-son paced back and forth, clearly agitated.

A Queen descending from her lofty throne to marry a Viscount?

One cannot help but wonder what could inspire such an unprecedented act.

Surely, even solitude is preferable to the indignity of trading royal palaces for the far more modest Bridgerton estate.

For one who has been adored by entire nations, it seems inconceivable that Her Majesty would willingly demote herself back to the rank of Princess—and a Viscountess, no less.

Let us not forget, dear readers, that this is a woman who has dined with Emperors and dictated policy with Kings.

And now?

It appears she will spend her days hosting tea for the Bridgertons and ensuring the linens at Aubrey Hall are properly pressed.

"The way she phrases it, you'd think Anthony forced her to give up her crown at swordpoint," Violet couldn't help commenting and scoffing at the scandal sheet she just read.

"As if Charlotte doesn't have the right to choose who she marries! Why does Whistledown care so much about her title? What about love?" Colin tossed the paper down onto the table, his face flushed with frustration.

"Lady Whistledown writes as if Charlotte is some desperate spinster, instead of, you know, a Queen," Gregory commented. "But I suppose it's not surprising she'd try to turn this into a scandal."

"It's appalling. As though love could be measured by rank and privilege," Benedict said with a mixture of disbelief and disgust. "I'll be honest, I thought Whistledown had some measure of integrity, but now I see she's no better than the others who hide behind their assumptions."

Eloise was sitting by the window with her arms wrapped around her knees, had yet to speak. Her face was pale, and her lips pressed into a tight line as she reread the article for the third time. Unlike the rest of her siblings, she wasn't simply angry; she was deeply disappointed.

"Eloise?" Her mother's gentle voice broke through the chatter, drawing everyone's attention to the usually outspoken young woman. "Are you alright, darling?"