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ACT ONE chapter six
In Aubrey Hall – a most wonderous country estate homed by the Bridgerton's – is where Violet hosts her annual Flowers and Hearts ball. But for the time before such event, the Bridgerton's, alongside Mabel, settle themselves in with the joyous company of the Duchess of Hastings and her son, Augie.
Everyone but Eloise swarms Daphne, fussing over the baby with gentle coos and soft love.
"Oh, come and see the baby, Eloise," Francesca chides.
Mabel hides an amused smile behind her palm as the Bridgerton miss finally pulls her eyes from her book and questions, "Why? Has he changed since I saw him last?"
"He's grown at least an inch, haven't you?" Daphne speaks to her child sweetly, Mabel admiring the two with a grin. Oh, how she can't wait to start a family of her own.
Eloise reluctantly stands from the chaise lounge and wanders over, though regretting doing such almost instantly when she's handed the baby and he starts to cry.
"Might I?" Mabel asks the mother quietly, Daphne giving a pleased nod, watching closely as the French miss, handling with great care, takes the baby into her arms and gently swaddles him. "Oh, aren't you just precious?"
Eloise eyes them with a discomfort drawn on her face, though not quite knowing why, excusing herself to a new chaise lounge with Benedict following not far behind. Mabel hands Augie to his grandmother then.
"You are good with him." Lady Bridgerton comments, cooing to her grandson.
"Merci, I cannot wait to fill a house with laughter and joy." Mabel smiles softly, "I do not hold my parents against it, but being an only child has its loneness. I wish for my children to find friends in each other, like yours."
"Just don't have as many as I. They will make you wish to rip your hair out." Violet jests quietly, and Mabel giggles, knowing fully well that Violet wouldn't wish her life to be any different than surrounded by her own offspring.
Meanwhile, Daphne says to Anthony, "Enjoying your brief respite from the ferocious packs of marriage-minded young ladies, brother?"
"Quite the opposite, sister." Anthony replies, rather smug to be telling Daphne that she is wrong, "I have invited one such you lady and her family to join us today."
"Anthony has invited a young lady to Aubrey Hall?" She questions, glancing over to where Mabel and Violet remain standing with Augie while the rest of the Bridgertons have found seats on the morning room's chaise lounges.
"Yes, and she is quite lovely."
"My word!" Mabel's tempted to giggle at the clear astonishment on the Duchesses face. "Well, I cannot wait to meet the woman who has captured your heart. Tell me, what is she like?"
"Miss Edwina is the picture of grace, beauty and charm." Anthony lists, though adding, "Unfortunately, she has the most annoying sister who has styled herself who has styled herself as something of a gatekeeper." He turns to the other's then, them failing to hide their individual amusement, "I'm afraid you must all help me win over both sisters, if I am to find my bride."
"And now you appeal for help. My, you must be smitten by this miss." Daphne teases.
"Or the sister is a formidable obstacle, indeed." Benedict suggests unhelpfully.
"Well fear not, Anthony. Seeing as though you were such a help to me last season, it would only be fair of me to return the favor." Daphne throws Mabel a wink when the French miss has to turn her back to them to hide her muffled laugh.
"Is that a promise or a threat?" Anthony is rightful to question, and doesn't help in quelling Mabel's growing mirth. Daphne simply shrugs coyly.
. . .
After greeting the Sharma's and Lady Danbury, Daphne takes the miss Sharma's and Mabel round the back of the home to set out wickets for a round of pall-mall. A traditional made-competitive game between the Bridgerton siblings and now, them too, though Mabel is very much leading to be a spectator. Still, she would like to know the rules of the game.
"Pall-mall is less about the rules, more about the goal," Daphne tells them after shoving a wicket to stand in the grass. "Which is, of course, to hit your ball through each wicket. The first player to send their ball through the last wicket wins. Simple enough. Though if you are feeling devilish, you can use your turn to knock an opponent's ball as far away from their next wicket as you would like."
"Why waste a turn if the point is to get one's own ball through the wicket?" Edwina asks, puzzled, arm in arm with Mabel. It seems they're both on the same boat about the game, though Edwina feels as though she must partake out of obligation to prove herself to the family she very well may be marrying in to.
"To infuriate your opponent, I gather?" Kate, Edwina's elder sister, quires in good humour.
"Precisely. It is a poor player who plays the game, and a wise one who plays their opponent."
Mabel turns pondering at her words, "Wow. What a wise saying."
"I believe I shall rather enjoy this game." Kate smirks.
"Right," Daphne clasps her hands together, leading them across the grass, "Now, Benedicts is a solid shot, but he avoids conflict. Colin is crafty. He will strike when he thinks you are least suspecting it, so always be expecting it." She points over to them as the other Bridgerton participants wander out onto the vast field behind the house at a distance, "Eloise concentrates entirely on defeating her older brothers."
Mabel smiles at that, "A surprise."
Daphne laughs, "Truly. The hope is that she gets so absorbed by them that she forgets about you. I, of course, am a complete enigma who will divulge none of my secrets. And... Well, then there is Anthony."
"Let me guess," Kate drones, "A most ruthless, cutthroat player."
Daphne and Mabel chuckle, "Why, you have made his acquaintance." Though when seeing the worry pulling on Edwina's face, Daphne adds, "That is not to say he has no honor. He is usually the most genteel sportsman. Except as far as this field is concerned."
"I'm sure the Viscount is an excellent player." Edwina replies in a soft voice, looking over at her sister at her next words, "We will all pass a very pleasant afternoon."
Kate nods in agreement, though Mabel guesses there is more of an underlined meaning behind her words. A warning, perhaps?
