In the Gardens ~ Bridgerton

VI

Flashback

"Breathe, Your Grace." The humidity within the bedroom was excruciating. The screams of the woman drowned out by the yelling around her ,"Push! Breathe!"

"Someone must tell me something! I must know if I am at long last to have a son." The dukes words overthrowing that of his wife's.

"I can see the head. Push!" Everyone sat on the edge of their seats. Praying that a healthy child would be born.

"Tell me!" The duke pushed further yearning to know the gender of his child.

"Push, Your Grace! Push!" The stress could be felt throughout the household as they all held their breaths.

"What is it? What is it?" The duke yelled.

"It's a girl, your Grace."

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There will forever be just two words that come to this author's mind the morning after any good party, "shock" and "delight." Well, dear reader, the scandalous accounts from last night's soiree at Vauxhall are quite shocking and delightful indeed. Emerging, phoenix-like
from the ashes of irrelevance, is one Miss Daphne Bridgerton. The illustrious debutante was seen dancing not once, but twice with the season's most eligible and most uncatchable rake, the Duke of Hastings. It seems as though the duchess will be moving over for a new member of the Hastings household may soon emerge.

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Josephine awoke with an awful headache having entertained her habit of dissolving her feelings in alcohol. It was the one behaviour that her and her brother unconsciously adopted from their father, and neither of them were proud of it. She groaned as Anna, Josephine's maid opened her blinds.

"Josephine, your brother has gone to promenade with Daphne Bridgerton. I told him you would meet him for lunch on the grass once you have cleaned up." Anna said as she swiftly pulled the covers from Josephine's head.

"The light how it pains me!" Josephine sighed dramatically pulling herself out from bed and ready for the morning.

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"Good morning sister how lovely you look." Simon laughed as his sister tried to hide her scowl. "I had some fish and bread made to soak up the alcohol."

Josephine gagged at the smell of fish as she slumped into the chair opposite Simon. "Why so cheery this morning Simon? You haven't proposed have you!" Josephine was merely teasing her brother but her smile faltered as her brother looked seriously at her.

"That is what I wish to discuss with you Josephine." Simon gulped as he placed his lunch on the table and steadied his hand on the arm of the chair. "I have made an arrangement for you to marry."

Josephine's heart sunk into her feet. Absolutely not. Will she never under any circumstances marry for anything other than love. "I think you are mistaken Simon." Josephine sternly said to her brother.

"It is time for me to act in your best interests and that is to marry, Josephine try to understand." It pained Simon to see his sister look so betrayed.

"Who is it? Simon? WHO WILL YOU BE SELLING ME TO?" Josephine yelled at her brother pushing her seat up ready to run from the whole ordeal.

"Benedict Bridgerton." Simon sighed looking down at his hands. "He will be a worthy husband and a good father, he is the most responsible Bridgerton."

"When did this happen? It has been mere hours since we saw each other!" Josephine choked trying to hide her emotions.

"I discussed it with him last night at the ball, i though it was an appropriate time as any." Simon justified trying to make Josephine see reason. "I was going to tell you last night but you left early."

With that comment Josephine stormed into the house, running up the stairs to her room. Sliding down her door she felt tears flood her face.

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Meanwhile in the Bridgerton household.

"I will not marry Nigel Berbrooke!" Across the ton Daphne Bridgerton was having a very similar disagreement with her brother.

"I have acted in your best interests, sister.
One day, you will understand. One day, you will be most appreciative. The contract to Berbrooke will be drawn up,
and you shall marry him." Anthony responded with no where near as much sympathy as Simon had to Josephine.

Clearing his throat Benedict Bridgerton thought it a better time than any to break the news of his arrangement to his family. "I am also to be engaged soon. I have made arrangements." Benedict clutches his hands as he glanced at his eldest brother. He knew he was about to destroy their bond.

"Oh Benedict how wonderful!" Violet was relieved to distract the conversation from the previous. But she would not be for long.

"I am too marry Josephine Basset." Benedict exclaimed trying to sound joyous. But he was far from it, he wished to be free and experience life. As much as he loved Josephine, it was the love of a dear friend nothing more.

Benedict wished nothing more than to disappear as the entire Bridgerton families eyes were trained on the two eldest brothers. Sadness was the overwhelming emotion felt in the room, after news that one would hope would be joyful.

Before anyone could utter a word Anthony Bridgerton stormed out the drawing room doors.

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Hey! Sorry this update has taken so long I wanted to take some time to decide on where to take the story.

Soooooo what do you thinks gonna happen??