#wcnderstrck

at times her life felt like a dream. bridgerton house had never meant to be hers and never had she considered it. when the pieces had fallen together in the way they did, it was as though she had stepped out of a haze into stark clarity. and in the center of that all was anthony bridgerton. her dark eyes watched him as he paced around the seat his youngest brother slouched in, hounding him for whatever he currently deemed unsatisfactory. she couldn't help the way the corners of her lips twitched upwards at the sight. in the eldest bridgerton she saw a reflection of herself and the thought made her heart pound against her chest. she almost missed the comment from her right and startled back to her senses.

warmth spread across her cheeks and she pressed her lips together to bite back her embarrassed laughter. " is it really that obvious ? " she took one more glance at her husband before turning in her attention to the duke of hastings. the two sat at a table with a delicate tea set put out before them, outsiders peering into a family they had just barely begun to infiltrate. she found kinship in simon's presence and it helped that he knew anthony so well. it was a shame she didn't see more of the duke, but kate did her best to make most of their time together.

" thank you. truly. " his voice is low, careful not to wake the sleeping patient as he closes the door behind them. " your assistance has been... invaluable. " there is a current, perhaps, beneath his words. not quite surprise at finding her skill to be so unquestionable, but something more akin to... relief. in his experience, country folk - those who might travel for days before finding a trained physician - would turn to any resource out of necessity. a village wise woman, a traveling peddler with useless concoctions for sale. but she... she was far from any of those things. and he could not help but be a little in awe.

when he had set up his practice in scotland, he'd hoped to gain wider experience than what his london apprenticeships and lectures could offer. but her work had proven to be a lesson indeed...

" you are studied in natural remedies... more than studied, " he says, admiration plain in his voice. " would you take offense if i asked where you gained such expertise? "

my cottage has felt like a dream .      one big fantastical dream that she has never let herself dare to feel since she was but a child . then it was because she thought it would be best to not bother the new lady of the house , now she knew it was because she hadn't a right . ❝      mr. bridgerton ? what are you doing out here ?      ❞ the very man stood before her in less than appropriate attire , which in turn had her abruptly spinning to find the leaves of a bush the most interesting thing .      ❝      and does mrs crabtree know ?      ❞ even on the best of days sophie would never get on the wrong side of that woman , she ruled with a healthy loving iron fist . she slowly side stepped the man , still refusing to look back at him in fears her eyes would stray to less favorable areas . ❝      it is far too chilly for a wounded man to be out here .      ❞ she grimaces .

❝      you don't need to keep checking on me .      ❞      he relaxes back into the chair rightfully so belonging to the eldest brother . his sketches of the mysterious woman scattered many pages in most of the books that he was quite grateful the said brother wasn't here to witness what he had done . nevertheless he rolls his head to the door where his dear poor mother stood at with a knowing look . one that has him questioning if he truly was a mad man on a fruitless journey .      ❝      i think it is about time i halt my search , permanently .      ❞ he takes a peak at the poorly done sketch of a face with a missing mouth , relevant to the fact that he could no longer remember it . that was rather shameful of him . ❝      don't you think ?      ❞

hosting the first ball of the season seemed awful .      and she's quite glad that has never come to fall on their shoulders , and even more so delighted that her mother was given the task . her mama is an amazing woman , and if anyone could pull this off and appease the queen , it would be violet bridgerton herself .      ❝      i think they'll be rather astonished by our appearance tonight .      ❞ she begins , stepping into the room with the mask held delicately in her grasp . both of them had decided they'd surprise everyone by making an appearance at the masquerade ball . ❝      do you think anyone will recognize us right away ? i'm quite excited to see .      ❞ she wore shades completely different from her usuals , even as far as going something a tad bit more abstract in her frock and less of a theme .

translating a diary from another language comes with strain .      especially since the last time she actually sat in on an italian lesson was with her governess many many seasons ago . she was rougher than what she initially thought , which didn't help her current predicament . gareth showing up in the bridgerton home foyer in the most ungentlemanly way that would have her brother's head rolling . people already thought they were courting .      ❝      what are you doing here ?!      ❞ tone is a whisper ... or attempting to be one . she reaches for his wrist and tugs him along to one of the halls that are partially hidden by the main stairs . ❝      i told you that i'm still working on the diary . i am but one woman with skills predating two social seasons .      ❞