Often

Morning Tea

Adalia crept down the stairs the next morning, being sure to skip all the old creaky spots. She had made it to the bottom, shoes in hand, when she heard a clearing of a throat.

She turned to see Horace flanked by her next two brothers, Cedric and Eldon. The disappointed glares couldn't overshadow the glee she felt at seeing her brothers again.

"You're back!" She squealed, throwing herself at them both, an arm around each neck.

Cedric was the first to crack from his stance and grab her back, spinning her lightly before depositing her into Eldon's waiting arms.

"You must quiet your voice, sister!" Horace hissed out at her. "Imogen has been up all night with the twins, and they all need rest."

"Yes, of course, I'm sorry, brother." She said, still beaming at her family reuniting.

"Has Layton arrived yet?" She asked, looking around the hall for him.

"Ah, yes, well, he was the first to arrive, but he caught up with some old school friends and has been confined to his chambers since his return." Cedric answered.

A giggle escaped her mouth, and she wondered if he was one of the school friends that Benedict had been out with.

"I shall check in on him. Maybe a tea might settle his nerves." She said, making her way towards the staircase.

Her three brothers watched her, expertly avoid the creaky spots once again and make way towards their brothers room.

"She's getting way too good at sneaking out." Eldon stated.

Her brothers nodded in agreement.

"I guess we must find comfort in the fact that she is just going out to be among the plants and wildlife. Unlike us when we snuck out." Cedric chuckled, remembering his teenage dalliances.

"Oh, you would think so, brother, but it seems our dear sister has finally taken interest in the human race. Unfortunately, it is in the form of Benedict Bridgerton." Horace supplied.

"No! Not our sweet sister?" Eldon gasped.

"Yes, she apparently came across him in the woods yesterday afternoon, lost and hungover, and helped him make his way home." He gossiped. "Anthony Bridgerton, then supplied her with a horse and carriage for safe passage home."

"The Bridgerton Men are gentlemanly in their ways." Eldon pondered.

"Unless, of course, you are an opera singer." Cedric countered.

"Or a ballerina, any dancer, really." Horace added.

"Hmm, maybe it's best we keep a close eye on Benedict and his intentions with our sister." Eldon decided.

All three brothers agreed, nodding their heads.

"Just wait until Layton finds out. You know a rake like him will have some thoughts on his precious Adalia speaking with men." Cedric chortled.

"What an interesting season this will be." Eldon couldn't help the grin that came across his face.

----

Upstairs, Adalia had quietly made her way into her youngest brothers room. He and Adalia had a bond unlike any of her other brothers.

Being that they were so close in age and Horace had taken on a fatherly role, he was the brother she spent most of the time with. He taught her how to sneak out, and any wrong she did in her her youth, could all be attributed to him.

After the death of their mother, he brought humor back into the fractured home. His pranks and devilish ways kept everyone on their toes, but paired with his charming boyish smirk, he rarely ever stayed in trouble for long.