* season's incomparable.

       ❛❛ That easy to tell, huh?? ❜❜It really was no secret how Spencer felt about children; he never missed an opportunity to make a small child smile, && that usually involved a display of one of the many, many magic tricks he knew. These talents came in handy when he'd come upon a small group of grade schoolers arguing at the park; they weren't likely to listen to a random adult without reason, so once he'd placed himself in the middle of the arguing children, blocking any attempt of either child escalating a verbal argument to a physical one, he'd pulled out the deck of cards he always keeps in his pockets.

          They had enjoyed his many card tricks, && upon the children's insistence, he had given up his deck ( he has plenty more at home ) so they may attempt to recreate the magic themselves. The outcome had indeed made him positively delighted, his entire form alight with joy as he'd turned to continue on his way, only to be stopped by the woman smiling at him now. His smile doesn't waver as she points out the obvious — in fact, his expression only grows brighter, lips parting to smile with teeth.

❝ Children seem to always marvel at the unknown, especially if it's magical. ❞ Her own smile was just as BRIGHT, Daphne equally delighting in the joy that emanated from the group ; the crows of excitement filtering throughout the vicinity as they attempted to match Spencer's skills against each other, the boy in question grinning CONFIDENTLY at his friends. It truly is a WONDER to witness children experiencing such pure happiness ; they were so easily pleased and that spoke of their innocence, which was a beautiful thing, and something every parent sought to see last as long as possible.

❝ Perhaps we'll see them performing to bigger audiences someday! ❞ She beamed up at him upon Spencer turning to face her once more ; the mood between them alight with their jubilance. ❝ But I do hope you have another deck of cards, because you're definitely not going to get that back. You'd have to pry it from them and I doubt they'll allow that - and I doubt you want to risk any floods of tears. ❞ A PLAYFUL wink was given as she reached out to poke his arm. ❝ Children do so love to make you feel guilty when they cry. ❞ ( a jest, of course ).

Bridgerton Ladies in Every Episode:

PHOEBE DYNEVOR as DAPHNE BRIDGERTON

Ah, yes — Benedict's illustrious enigma of a woman, that who had managed to capture his heart in only a night's time. Day in and day out, he thought of her, wondered just where, exactly, she could be. A woman who could not dance; a woman who had been utterly dazzled by a mere chandelier ... something she no doubt had seen countless times in her own home, being a lady of the ton.

... so why could he not find her?

Benedict plays with the topmost button of his shirt, waving his other hand flippantly at his dear sister's prying. “ What is there to say? ” Those of his siblings that were married had known their spouse — known their face, their name, the family their hailed from. He, however, has absolutely nothing to go on. “ Mother was ... kind enough to aid me in my search. Encouraged it, in fact. She even found a young lady who could not dance. Miss Hollis— ” a brief pause as the second son rights his posture and leans forward to whisper to Daphne. “ —was never taught to dance. Is that not odd? ” A lady who does not know how to dance ... an oddity, and a rarity. And yet, Miss Hollis had not been his Lady in Silver. Hadn't even attended his mother's masquerade.

❝ ...That is rather odd, indeed. ❞ And MORE than one lady, at that? Certainly unheard of as far as Daphne was aware. This Ms. Hollis, however, was clearly not even part of the crux of her brother's plight, though. An issue of MISTAKEN identity was obviously a cause for his frustration, but it was evident to her that he was simply desperate to know WHO this woman was. There was an ACHE in her heart at how her brother sagged into the chair, Benedict not at all his usual EXHUBERANT self & there was a familiarity to be garned from it -- she had also felt the agonies asssociated with love and all its contentions.

To love an UNKNOWN woman, though? She truly must have been the most beguiling creature to have ensnared Benedict so.

❝ Have you tried calling on other ladies? Did you peruse the guest list to ascertain any potential candidates? ❞ There was NO hiding her intrigue whatsoever, curiosity completely piqued and she was wrought with a need to aid her elder brother in any way she could. ❝ If I can help you at all, I will do so, Benedict. What did she look like? Did she have the veneer of a new debutante or was she perhaps older? ❞

❝ ...It is all that I know. ❞ He was correct in his assessment ; good society was an UNFORGIVING beast and any HINT of scandal, regardless of circumstances, could risk utter eviction from it -- it was the cruel reality, unfortunately. However, she was raised within its confines, with expectations presented to her and this belief that she must behave with utmost grace lest she bear punishment ; it was no small task being a woman in this era, rich or poor it seemed every woman was treated as less than their male counterparts.

Breathing a sigh, Daphne fidgeted with the edge of her glove, the fine material smooth against her skin & yet it also felt like a PRISON of sorts. ❝ My family is all that I know. Who would I be without them? Where would I go? I was raised to do one thing - marry well and bear children. It is all I am good for, according to society, anyway. ❞ A WRY smile greeted him. ❝ I'm beginning to sound like my sister. Nobody despises societal expectations more than her. ❞

he's  accustomed  to  being  met  with  such  distain.      the  inquisitors  were  a   small  faction,      disliked  by  the  majority  of  the  galaxy.         their  rule  was  crushing,     dangerous  to   anyone   that  found  themselves  sympathizing  with  force  -  users.     flicking  his  gaze  from  the  doorway  to  herself,     he  isn't  discouraged.      ❝     i  don't  visit  with  the  intention  to   impose.     i  can  assure  you  of  that.     ❞      she  wasn't  incorrect  with   assuming   his  allegiance  to  the  dark  -  side  of  the  force.      his  abilities  were   endless,      not  because  he  was  designated  for  such     -     but  because  he  gave  himself  up  to  the   sith  -  lord   in  ways  that  allowed  limits  to  be  forgotten. 

❝ And yet you are imposing. ❞ The words burst from her in a FLOOD before she could rein them in ; the Senator unable to fight the warring instincts within that BESEECHED her to stand up to injustice. THAT was what this was -- an injustice of the highest order. Hunting those who simply carried the ability to harness the Force was HEINOUS ; it was enough to make her blood boil, but she wasn't IDIOTIC ( she knew she could never lash outright at him ).

The mask, the presence, there was something so utterly INHUMAN about him.

❝ Upon hearing baseless rumours through the grapevine, at that. ❞ She continued, though in a softer tone -- expression DEMURE yet not lacking in resolve, hands crossing over in front of her so that she might ground herself. It was difficult, truly, to ignore that pull, to not allow herself to BE who she was. ❝ I don't understand what is so unfavourable about those who wish to live in peace. They have done the Empire no harm, if they wished for that, they'd join the Rebellion, would they not? ❞

A FORBIDDEN word.

One which those of high - rank never DARED breathe around Imperials ; Daphne's heart tightened at her misstep but she did not backtrack. ❝ ...I know this world, its people. Can you allow me to...assist? ❞ The offer sat like POISON in her mouth. ❝ I would prefer it if you didn't go waving a saber around and frightening the public into submission. ❞

putting away the last stack of papers regarding the tennants, the duke rose from his seat and quietly left his study. the hastings property seemed to have gained true life ever since the birth of his firstborn, with him giving the dutchess permition to redecorate as she saw fit. it seemed like a true home, something alike the bridgeton's home in kent. a home full of life and happiness his mother would've been proud of.

simon quietly made his way towards the family garden outside, rather eager to enjoy a quality time with his children ⸺ it surprised him, how he felt towards them, never once having entertaining this possibility before daphne came along. the vision of his family distracted him enough for belinda, whom had just turned two years of age, coming sprinting towards him with her bouncing dark curls jumping along.

once inside his embrace, the little lady seemed content enough to never let him go anymore. which he couldn't bear himself to complain, after all... " my dear belinda, i hope you haven't been giving your mother a fret with all this energy. " his lips pressed a long kiss on her forehead while her wandering little digits played with his shirt. " how have you been this afternoon, my love? " he inquired his wife, briefly staring at her before bestowing yet another kiss onto his daughter's cheek.

TRUE peace was what she was experiencing in that moment ; a JUBILANT bubble filled with love, adoration, the chorus of her children's brilliant laughter -- there was nothing that could ever compare to this tranquility. HAPPINESS undoubtedly was found with family. Even through trials & tribulations, this was the HOME she coveted and would forevermore cherish. Such was apparent by the way Daphne crowed with LAUGHTER when Augie dashed by her again, his kite ( gifted by his uncle Benedict ) in tow ; soaring high above them with the summer breeze guiding it heavenward. His cries of delight resounded, Belinda's own toddling steps trailing after him -- or rather, they would have, if her attention had not been directed elsewhere.

It was when she started to barrel in the opposite direction, with all the GRACE a two - year old could muster, that Daphne rotated in place to see what had ensnared her so -- hems fluttering in the wind that billowed through the gardens.

Her smile widened considerably at the sight of her husband ; only to emit a CHEERY chortle upon hearing his words to their daughter, the Duchess unable to resist making her way over.

❝ She is an absolute whirlwind. ❞ Her tone was brimming with FONDNESS, a surge of love, however, as she beamed up at him ; reveling in the displays of affection he bestowed to their child ( always delighting in the fact he adored them as much as she did ). ❝ But she certainly keeps me on my toes, more so than any of her aunts or uncles ever did - that's an accomplishment! ❞ PLAYFUL digits tickled at Belinda's underarm and Daphne only laughed once more when the child SHRIEKED in response. ❝ She gives even Augie quite the run for his money! ❞