A Bountiful Season (Bridgerton Season 3 Rewrite)

Return to Mayfair

I bequeath upon ye a new chapter! 5.2 k words, and we've barely covered the first ten minutes of episode one, lol. There's going to have to be more than one chapter per episode if I want to do the show any justice, but I've no idea how long this will end up, as I haven't even finished rewriting episode one yet. You'll notice that this follows the show pretty closely so far, with only minor changes. Tbh, I think the first couple episodes are pretty alright and only need slight tweaking. It's the latter two thirds of the season that'll really start to diverge from show canon. Mostly, I'm adding bits in for character growth and development down the line.
As with last chapter, I have footnotes for historical context and my thoughts on the characters, so read the end note if you want to hear those!

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Early February 1815

Mayfair, London

Mayfair had once more become lively with the hustle and bustle of the incoming upper-class. The season (1) had been set to a peculiar start, and families less in the know had found themselves quite rushed in their journeys to and from the ton. Carriages came in droves from the still winter-frozen countryside as eager families raced to officially start the social season. The permafrost in the soil had not yet the chance to melt, much to the relief of the coachmen who led the horses and carriages on roads of rock-hard frozen soil. It was not especially pleasant riding, the hardness and immovable texture of the frozen dirt made the trip far bumpier for the passengers, but most coachmen – and horses – agreed that frozen roads made for quicker and easier travel than the spring muds that would trip the horses, sink carriages, and rip wheels straight off an axle. With clear skies and not a snowstorm in sight, the gentry descended rapidly on the ton like flies upon a day-old ham hock.

The excitement for the season was palpable as people hurried about their day. There was much to talk about, as there often was, and even the women could not be kept from hearing of the daily politics. For one, that foolish war (2) in the Americas seemed well on its way to settling down, to the great relief of many a parliamentary lord; for they would much rather worry about the greater military issues of the day. Namely the looming cloud that was Napoleon's fall. The so-called Emperor of France had been exiled and replaced by a proper monarch (3), yes, but the Congress of Vienna had dug its bureaucratic heels into the ground and failed to make any progress whatsoever with what to do next, and it troubled the politically minded gentlemen a great deal. The social season, in its own odd way, gave the gentry a pleasant escape from their troubles and worries, and many had been looking forward to the chance to shift their attention to the breathtaking balls and beautiful debutantes they knew were soon to arrive.

Always perfectly timed for the utmost convenience and drama, the first Whistledown pamphlet of the season had arrived only a few short days after the first of the respectable ton members. Paperboys flitted about the London Uptown with poorly concealed glee; their best source of income had finally returned. Upon familiar pages read:

Dearest Gentle Reader,

We have been apart for far too long. At last, London's fashionable set has made its return. And so too, has this author. Have you missed me as greatly as I missed you? Well, most of you. I have at the very least, missed the drama that ensues when you find yourself together for the season, and I suspect you feel very much the same. It is not quite as exciting in your quiet country homes, is it? As the season begins, the question on everyone's mind is, of course, which newly minted debutante will shine the brightest? This author finds herself practically chomping at the bit to see the fresh batch of respectable ladies who will make their appearances. The crop this year appears to be rather dazzling. There is the exquisite Miss Malhotra, said to be quite a catch. Miss Stowell is thought to be a most accomplished young lady. The mild-mannered Miss Hartigan will certainly appeal to genteel suitors. Miss Kenworthy is a welcome entry, brimming with confidence and charisma. And then there is Miss Barragan, who certainly stands out in a crowd. And let us not forget, should we all need a little excitement, there is another Bridgerton making her debut this year. Alas, we must wait for the Queen's patient discretion to truly start the festivities.