Linger in love

(42) Help from a Queen

In Mayfair, Lady Danbury had recieved a letter from her majesty, Queen Charlotte.

Lady Danbury hastily made way to the palace. Unsure what warranted such an emergency.

Lady Danbury was escorted inside. The Queen could hear the clack of her cane before she saw her. Agatha may have to use her cane as a bit of a crutch, which was the point but it also felt like an object of power.

She would easily beat someone with it if they got in her way. Many a shin had been injured by such a thing. Mr Finch was the latest victim. He rushed too fast to get to his pride and joy, otherwise known as 'his wife' Philipa, he turned a corner too fast and left with the cane leaving an indentation on his leg. He tried holding it together, but it was bloody sore.

He found himself enjoying his caring wife nursing him back to health. I may not be a huge fan of the Featherington's, other than Penelope, naturally. But I am rather intrigued in Mr and Mrs Finch. He seems to have softened her. They are a unique match, to be sure. They have a strange fascination with cheese. Well, each to their own they say.

"Lady Danbury, please sit. I won't take too much of your time"

Lady Danbury slowly sat, her joints had been pissing her off today, by no means. "Thank you your majesty. So you have intrigued me. What is the urgent matter you would like to discuss"

Queen Charlotte smirked at Brimsley and he swiftly asked all to leave. Staying a few feet behind his Queen.

"Lady Danbury, were you acquainted with the late Lord Fairaway?"

"We had met, but I did not get a proper introduction. He seemed a charming man, swept Miss Featherington with his kindness"

"To be sure. I had made a deal with him.."

Lady Danbury's interest was peaked "Your Majesty?"

"Before Miss Featherington had accepted the Lords proposal. He had visited me, in concern"

Lady Danbury drew a blank waiting for her to continue, she lent forward taking in every word.

"He would give me the name of Lady Whistledown..."

"And what may I ask, did he ask of you?"

"To protect the young girl. He knew he was dying and didn't have much time. If Miss Featherington had not accepted then he wished for his title and home to go to her"

"That is 'quite an ask' your majesty"

"He pleaded. So I kept a close watch on Miss Featherington, now Lady Fairaway"

"Your majesty is too kind. What of Whistledown?"

"That is the interesting part, Lady Whistledown is none other than Lady Penelope Fairaway, herself"

Lady Danbury gasped with excitement "Have you confronted the girl"

"No. But I am worried. She took a carriage with the Viscount and Viscountess Bridgerton in haste, this morning"

"Where did they go?"

"I believe back to her and the Lords home in Surrey. Can I count on you to track her down"

She looked at the Queen with her mouth wide "With these knees, your majesty"

"Then take that other Bridgerton to escort you. The third son"

"Mr Colin Bridgerton?" Agatha knew of the Queens meddling, she had been getting as bad as Violet and herself of late.

"Yes, that's the one. Tell no one of our dealing unless completely necessary. Keep it within the family, hmm" Agatha knew exactly what she meant. The Bridgertons were a tight unit. They always thought Penelope, one of them, thank the heavens. Her own family were irritating at best, and cruel, at worst.

Lady Danbury stood up the same time as the Queen "You have my word. Your Majesty"

The Queen gave a knowing smile. Lady Danbury always kept her word. She stooped as low as her legs would allow and then left for the Bridgerton home.

After Agatha left, Brimsley looked at his Queen with sorrow in his eyes. In a way Lady Fairaway and herself had something in common. Caring for a sick husband is more than difficult. It is unbearable. Even though the King is still alive, sometimes she thought it better if he were dead. Not for her sake, but his.

The King had deteriorated more, some days he could not even look her in the face. That broke her heart. In their youth, her heart would flutter when he would look at her a certain way. Now that look became distant and his expression was a shadow of his former self.

Lady Penelope Fairaway, may not be her direct responsibility as they had no relation. But as a Queen. She felt a responsibility to the poor girl. She doesn't know how she would have coped without the friendship of Lady Danbury.

That's who she needed to be. The Lady Danbury of Penelope's life.

The Bridgerton Home

"You have a visitor in the drawing room." Colin left the study where he had already drank three glasses of whisky which shocked his mother considering how early it was.

"Mother" Colin slurred.

"My boy" Violet passed him a glass of lemonade "Drink!" She ordered.

Lady Danbury spoke kindly to Violet "I a sorry Lady Bridgerton, but I require a day with Mr Bridgerton" Violet looked dumbfounded by the conversation but left them alone none the less.

"Mr Bridgerton, you are to escort me to Fairaway House at once"

Colin shook his head a little "Whatever for.." in earnest, he wanted to go anyway, if only to see Pen. His heart ached, the moment she told him that she needed his brother and not him. What could Anthony do that he could not.

He would probably walk through fire if she wished it. Anthony wouldn't. He cursed himself for even thinking such things. Surely it was a matter of ledgers and financials, which his brother was accustomed to.

"By order of the Queen" Agatha added, determination in her tone. She knew that Colin would come, no matter what the reason.

That poor boy followed her around like she was the sweetest of treats. I only hope she sees his affection soon before she finds another, because the man known for his countenance and confidence was suddenly becoming as shy as a teenage girl. It would be pathetic if I didn't find it so adorable and I don't find a lot of things to be.

Apart from the Duke when he was a young boy, his confidence when he made it through a sentence without stammering is one of the memories she would hold on to and always cherish.

Colin Bridgerton, a man in love. If he was not sure of it yet, she wagers that his mother does. She has a way of seeing things clearer than her children ever could. Which is why she is my best friend.

By order of the Queen, Colin could not say anymore. Those words were final. She linked onto his arm that he offered. Colin had to ask himself why was he chosen to escort Lady Danbury. It was an unusual situation, to be sure.

As they sat opposite in the carriage, Lady Danbury passed Colin a flask "Dutch courage and all that, Mr Bridgerton"

Colin didn't ask for her to elaborate. He merely accepted the flask and with a gulp, they begun their short journey toward Fairaway House.