Spencer sisters :elegance amidst intrigues |bridgerton

hustle bustle

Scene: Mayfair, The Day After the Engagement Announcement

The news of Vincent Ashford’s sudden engagement to Vivian Spencer spread through Mayfair like wildfire. Every corner of the city buzzed with whispers and gossip. Women gathered in small groups, their fans fluttering in excitement and disbelief, as they exchanged the latest tidbits about the unexpected turn of events.

“Can you believe it?” whispered Lady Caldwell to her friend as they strolled through Hyde Park. “Everyone thought Vincent Ashford would end up marrying a Bassett girl, but now, look at what’s happened! Vivian Spencer, of all people!”

Lady Wentworth nodded, her eyes wide with curiosity. “I heard the Bassett girls were heartbroken. First, Augusta gets engaged, and now poor Amelia is left in the cold. It seems they’ve been ditched again by a man. Perhaps they are destined to remain spinsters forever.”

**Scene: Bassett House, Later That Morning**

Inside the Bassett house, a heavy cloud of sorrow hung in the air. The family had just received an invitation to Vincent and Vivian’s engagement party, a letter that felt like salt rubbed into an open wound.

Amelia Bassett sat on the chaise lounge in the drawing room, her face buried in her hands as she wept uncontrollably. Her mother, Lady Bassett, knelt beside her, trying to soothe her daughter’s broken heart. “Oh, Amelia, my dear, it will be alright,” Lady Bassett murmured, gently patting Amelia’s shoulder. “There are other eligible gentlemen. You are young, beautiful, and charming. Do not despair.”

But Amelia could not be consoled. “I’m going to remain a spinster forever!” she sobbed, her voice muffled by her tears. “Why does this keep happening to me? What did I do to deserve this?”

Just then, Lavinia Bassett entered the room, her eyes cold and unsympathetic. A smug smile tugged at her lips as she glanced at her weeping sister. “Oh, Amelia, do stop your crying. It’s quite unbecoming,” Lavinia chided. “You always act so dramatic. Face it, dear sister—you’re never going to get married. You’re going to remain single forever. No one wants you.”

Amelia looked up, her eyes red and swollen from crying, her expression a mix of hurt and anger. “Lavinia, how could you say such a thing?”

Lavinia shrugged, unbothered by her sister’s distress. “I’m just stating the truth. Unlike you, I have prospects. I’m going to marry a rich man and live in luxury. You’ll just have to get used to being a spinster.”

Lady Bassett shot Lavinia a stern look. “Lavinia, that is enough! Your sister is heartbroken. Show some compassion.”

Lavinia rolled her eyes and walked away, muttering under her breath, “Compassion doesn’t change the truth.”

Amelia’s sobs continued, but they were now softer, more resigned, as if she was coming to terms with Lavinia’s harsh words. Lady Bassett continued to comfort her, though her own heart was heavy with worry for her daughters' futures.

**Scene: Spencer House, Vivian’s Bedroom**

Meanwhile, at the Spencer house, preparations for the engagement party were underway. But while the servants bustled about, making arrangements, Vivian Spencer sat on the edge of her bed, her face pale and her eyes staring blankly ahead. She was still in shock, unable to comprehend the whirlwind of events that had led to this moment. Her heart felt heavy, a weight pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Kate entered the room, carrying a tray with a pot of tea and some biscuits. She placed it on the bedside table and sat down beside Vivian. “Vivian,” she said gently, taking her sister’s hand in hers. “You don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to. We can call off the engagement. You don’t have to marry Vincent if your heart isn’t in it.”

Vivian turned to Kate, her eyes filling with tears. “But what choice do I have, Kate? He proposed in front of everyone, and Mama was so happy. I couldn’t humiliate our family by rejecting him. But, oh, Kate, my heart aches for Jasper. I love him so much, and now I’m trapped in this engagement with a man I don’t love.”

Kate squeezed Vivian’s hand reassuringly. “Listen to me, Vivian. You are not trapped. We will find a way out of this. I know Jasper loves you too, even if he’s too foolish to admit it. I will talk to him, and I will make him see sense. Just hold on a little longer, alright?”

Vivian nodded, her tears spilling over and running down her cheeks. “I don’t know what I would do without you, Kate. I feel so lost.”

Kate hugged her sister tightly. “You have me, and you have our family. We will figure this out together. And if it comes down to it, I will do everything in my power to make sure you and Jasper end up together. You deserve to be happy, Vivian. Don’t ever forget that.”

As the sisters embraced, a small glimmer of hope flickered in Vivian’s heart. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but with Kate by her side, she felt a little less alone in her turmoil. She took a deep breath and tried to steady herself, knowing that the engagement party loomed ahead, and with it, a decision that could change her life forever.

After his emotional talk with Jasper, Eugene found himself restless. He paced the hallways of Hamilton House, thinking about Vivian and Jasper, and what he could do to help. Just then, he saw Kate approaching from the garden, her face set with determination.

"Miss Spencer," Eugene greeted her, a hint of surprise in his voice. "I wasn’t expecting to see you here."

Kate gave him a small smile. "I came to see how Jasper is doing. And to apologize for what happened at dinner last night."

Eugene waved her apology away. "There’s no need for that. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I didn’t mean to cause any distress."

They began to walk together down the corridor, the tension between them easing slightly with each step. After a moment, Eugene cleared his throat, turning to face Kate.

Eugene’s expression is serious as he tries to convey his concerns. "Miss Spencer, I feel it is my duty to tell you about Oliver and his behavior the other night at the bar. He spoke ill of women, including you, in a manner that—"

Kate raises her hand, cutting him off sharply. "Mr. Hamilton, I did not come here to discuss my personal life or hear about what others have to say about me. I am here to understand what happened with Jasper and my sister, and to find a way to make things right."

Eugene sighs, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I understand, but I just thought you should know the kind of man you might be associating with—"

Kate's eyes flash with anger. "With all due respect, Mr. Hamilton, my business is my own. I am not here to be lectured about my choices or who I may or may not be involved with. I only want what’s best for my sister and Jasper, and I believe you do too. So let's focus on that and leave our personal dramas aside."

Eugene nods, conceding her point. "You're right, Miss Spencer. My apologies. Let us concentrate on helping Jasper and Vivian."

With a curt nod, Kate turns and walks away, leaving Eugene standing alone in the drawing room, a mixture of frustration and admiration on his face.

**Scene: The Engagement Party at the Spencer House**

The Spencer house is filled with guests, all dressed in their finest attire. The air is thick with gossip as everyone talks about the unexpected engagement of Vivian Spencer to Vincent Ashford. Amelia Bassett, though not formally invited, makes her way to the party, her face pale and her eyes downcast. She tries to blend into the crowd, but the whispers and pointed looks are impossible to ignore.

"Isn’t that Miss Bassett?" one woman whispers to another. "Poor thing, she’s lost yet another suitor. She’ll be a spinster for sure now."

"I heard she wasn’t even invited," another woman chimes in. "Imagine the humiliation, showing up uninvited to the engagement of the man she thought would marry her."

Amelia’s cheeks flush with embarrassment as she overhears the cruel words. She can feel tears welling up in her eyes, but she refuses to let them fall. She takes a deep breath and heads towards the balcony, seeking solace from the oppressive atmosphere of the party.