daylight | b. bridgerton

vii | music, macarons

At two hours past noon, Vivienne and Henry left for Bridgerton house. Ambrose was suspiciously missing, but the marchioness saw them off, as she was very happy Vivienne was branching out and Henry was keeping his old friends.

They stepped into the Somerset's crimson carriage, arriving at Bridgerton house in no more than 15 minutes. Henry got out of the carriage first, offering his hand to Vivienne as she followed him. They were greeted outside by the viscount, dowager viscountess, and Francesca.

"Lord Somerset, Lady Vivienne," the dowager greeted warmly, holding her arms in welcome. "Thank you for joining us."

"Thank you for inviting us, Lady Bridgerton," Henry returned.

"Yes, Sommy," said the viscount, "We must thank my mother for organizing a play date for us."

Francesca glared at her brother. "It's not like you would spend time with anyone besides Kate if she did not," she turned her attention to Vivienne now, her expression warming. "I'm so glad you could come though, Vivienne. I want to show you the piece I've been working on for us."

She grabbed Vivienne's hand and brought her into the house, going straight to the drawing room. Vivenne looked around in awe as they walked through the house. There were flowers all over her house, and paintings of their family hanging on the walls. It was evident that the house was full of love.

They entered the drawing room and Francesca went immediately to the piano, beckoning her over. By the time the viscount,  Henry, and dowager joined them, Francesca and Vivienne had already begun playing. Anthony and Henry sat on the couch, immediately starting to talk in hushed voices. Occasionally, a laugh broke out, or a small punch was thrown. The viscountess came into the drawing room at one point, and resolved to stay as she talked to the dowager. Once again, Vivienne was awestruck by her, and she felt the obligation to step up in her pianoforte efforts.

The piece that Francesca had composed was genius. It combined both their favorite parts of their favorite musical eras, into a really fun and enjoyable duet. With some changes to the score from the both of them, they began to create a piece of music they were both proud of.

The dowager and the viscountess listened to the product they had so far. They stood near the pianoforte, in apt attention from the sorrowful beginning, through the dramatic, emotional middle, and to the bright and sprightly end.

"Oh my dears, that was lovely!" Lady Bridgerton exclaimed, turning between them and Kate and clapping her hands together in excitement. She looked to the two men on the couches, who were scheming about their next hunt, or whatever men talk about. "Wasn't that lovely, boys?"

"Mmhmm," mumbled the Viscount, as a "Stupendous," came from Henry.

The dowager rolled her eyes at them. "You two must take a break now. Come eat these macarons, before Benedict eats them all, and then we would all love to hear another piece."

Vivienne smiled, following Francesca to where Lady Bridgerton displayed the pastries.

She had to admit that the macarons were very good. Vivienne reached for her second, and Francesca her third, when someone walked into the drawing room, already holding at least five macarons and a sketchbook in his hands, and eagerly eyeing the pastry table.

"Here he is now!" the  dowager announced. "Speak of the devil–girls, I suggest you make haste, or I fear that my son will take them all."

Vivienne looked up, and  nearly dropped her macarons at the sight of a man who was apparently Lady Bridgerton's son. His hair still looked like his fingers were just running through it, and his blue eyes captivated her entirely.

Lady Bridgerton began to introduce them. "Lady Vivienne, this is my second son, Benedict. Benedict, dear, this is Lady Vivienne Somerset. And her older brother, Anthony's friend from Eton, the Earl Cambridge is here as well."

Benedict just stared at her, processing the situation. The angel was in his house.

Hastily, he put his macarons down on the nearest surface, and dropped his sketchbook.

He bowed haphazardly. "Good afternoon, Lady Ange—Vivienne. I am Benedict.  Well, Bridgerton. My name is Benedict, but our name is Bridgerton," he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

Violet looked between them as her son fumbled over his own name. Vivienne could only look at him, still in shock. Even Anthony and Henry were now looking from the couch, quizzically.

Vivienne blinked, snapping back into reality. She returned a dilapidated curtsy. Henry raised a brow. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bridgerton. I'm Vivienne— Lady Vivienne, I suppose. There's Henry," she added, pointing directly at her brother, who sat shocked on the couch.

Benedict nodded, never taking her eyes off her. And then he did. He bent down, grabbed his sketchbook, and turned away from her.

"Somerset," he bade quickly to Henry.

"Benedict," Henry returned, still confused.

And with that, he turned and left the room abruptly, all without any macarons.

"That was strange," Francesca observed. "He loves chocolate macarons."

"Yes, well," the dowager viscountess brushed it off, "Perhaps he is just having an off day. Would you two like to return to the pianoforte?"

They did, in fact, for several more hours, until the sun began to set.

Henry stood up, "Vivy, darling, time to go."

She glared at him, as she stopped playing. "I suppose you're right," she turned to Francesca. "Are you going to the ball tomorrow?"

Francesca nodded, so Vivienne continued. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Frannie. Thank you for inviting me."

"Of course," Francesca said. "Thank you for coming, I had so much fun."

The  viscount showed them out, pausing right after Vivienne got into the carriage. "Thanks for coming, Soms. I've missed talking to you these past years."

"Yeah, thank you for the hospitality, I'll see you tomorrow. Take care, Tony."

–

"Cat? What are you doing in my house?"

"Oh!"  Cat said, surprised at the sight of Vivienne and Henry entering. She was sitting in the Somerset drawing room, alone. "Hello, Vi. How are  you?"

"What are you doing here?"

Suddenly a voice sounded from outside the room. "Catie! I found the chocolates!" And then Ambrose  suddenly appeared, freezing when he saw his brother and sister standing identically with their arms crossed. "Oh, hello Henry, Vivy. You both are back sooner than anticipated."

notes.

yay macarons and yay ben & vi

also, when i write these i usually  just let the words come out themselves, and this has somehow manifested  as vivienne having a lowkey crush on kate --> no idea how that  happened haha!!!!!! (i would do unspeakable things for her)