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Sophie just needs a moment.
She adores the Bridgertons, she truly does, but they are a lot to contend with and following the last few days she has endured, a drawing room full of them is overwhelming to say the least.
The loud noise of Hyacinth arguing with her youngest elder brother who has just returned from Eton, combined with Colin and Benedict bickering about some run-in with Penelope Featherington, as well as Violet quizzing Sophie herself about every last wedding detail is too much for the young lady. The night in jail has taken its toll on her and the following evening spent in Benedict’s bachelor lodgings were not exactly what she would describe as peaceful, as delightful as it was.
She has been fighting a terrible headache since Araminta spotted her outside Number Five, however, and the prison and the ensuing argument did nothing to alleviate it. It seemed to dissipate when she was alone with Benedict but it has returned full force when faced with a room full of Bridgertons.
She manages to excuse herself for some air, stepping out into the garden and standing in the same spot where Benedict kissed her for the second time, her breath heaving as she tries to expel the pain from her head.
There is a guilt that accompanies her pain. Violet has done so much for her and threatening Araminta, a countess, all for Sophie… She can hardly imagine how she will ever repay the woman for her kindness. Benedict she understands has acted out of love and perhaps she can come to comprehend why he does not feel he needs retribution for his help but Violet? Sophie feels as if she will spend a lifetime trying to repay her and to sit in her drawing room and listen to her explain all the money she wishes to spend on Sophie and Benedict’s nuptials, she feels a heavy weight on her chest.
“Edmund Bridgerton, stop running this instant!”
Sophie whirls around at the sound of a voice calling out and her eyes widen as she realises that she left the door wide open when she stepped outside. A small figure flies through it and Sophie’s eyes widen as she recognises him to be the Viscount’s young son.
Whilst she was working as a maid at Number Five, Sophie overheard the boy’s father joke that he appeared to only have two modes, running and asleep. She can see what he means now as the young boy hurtles towards her, clearly not looking where he’s going as he slams into her legs before she can think to stop him.
“Woah there, Mister,” Sophie freaks, reaching out to steady him before he falls. Master Edmund looks up at her with wide eyes, clearly noticing her for the first time.
“Sworry!” He pulls back, his eyes widening as he looks between Sophie and the doorway, worry clear on his face.
A figure appears at the door, just in time and Sophie’s eyes widen at the figure there. She has met almost all the Bridgertons, with Gregory’s well timed return from Eton that very morning. His arrival leaves but one, the newest addition to the family, the Viscountess.
Lady Kate Bridgerton has been cooped up in Bridgerton House, recovering from the birth of Violet’s fifth grandchild, the young Master Miles Bridgerton, so Sophie has not yet met her. Hyacinth regaled many stories of her newest nephew to Sophie when she had been acting as her maid, going into immense detail of all of the baby’s features and who she thought he most resembled.
Francessa was more forthcoming with the description of his mother, not so caught up in the excitement of the baby as her younger sister. Having flipped the Viscount’s worldview on its head when he had embarked on a quest to find a wife three seasons prior, Sophie knows that Lady Kate Bridgerton is a force to be reckoned with. The other Bridgerton siblings describe her as a strong and formidable woman, who can silence any Anthony (or indeed any Bridgerton) with a mere look. Eloise, Francessa, and Hyacinth speak freely of her wit and great elegance, Sophie was half expecting a statue the way they describe her.
She certainly was not expecting her to be as short as she is.
Stood in the doorway to the garden with a bundle of fabric held tight to her chest, her face softens as her eyes lay sight on her eldest son, a picture of motherly love.
She is beautiful, that much is clear to Sophie even from afar. Her dark skin seems to glow underneath the sun, her hair only pulled back at the front and the rest left to tumble elegantly down her back. Her purple gown is simple but elegant, her hands devoid of gloves as she handles her youngest son effortlessly.
Sophie often wondered when the Bridgerton girls spoke of their sister-in-law whether they are merely enamoured by the Viscountess due to the vast change she has brought about in their eldest brother but as Sophie looks at her across Number Five’s small garden, she can tell Lady Bridgerton deserves every word of their praise.
“Edmund, you know this is why we do not run, especially in houses which are not our own,” The Viscountess addresses her son directly as she steps into the garden, rushing over to them with impressive speed despite the babe in her arms.
“Sworry Amma,” Edmund flushes, falling back to his mother’s side with a sheepish look. He smiles softly up at Sophie and she swears her heart melts when he murmurs, “T’ank you Miss ‘Ophie.”
“It is honestly no bother, Mister Bridgerton, I am glad you managed to stay on your feet,” She finds herself replying, still bent to his level in slight shock at the turn of events.
“I fall a lot,” He comments with a shrug and Sophie stands as his mother chuckles, running an affectionate hand over his wayward dark curls.
“That you do, my love. Now, I believe I know who you are but I suppose we should make a proper introduction. Kate Bridgerton,” The Viscountess smiles, adjusting the bundle in her arms as if to apologise for not extending a hand.
“Lady Bridgerton, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Miss Sophie Beckett,” Sophie greets, dropping into a polite curtesy.
“Kate, please, I understand we are to be sisters after all and I have heard so much about you from everyone already, I feel as if we are already friends,” The Viscountess, Kate, waves her off and she fixes Sophie with such a genuine smile that it throws her off a little.
Goodness, even the married in Bridgertons are uncharacteristically kind for the Ton.
“Oh I am sure all accounts have been vastly exaggerated,” Sophie blushes, still overwhelmed by all the kindness this family has shown her. After over twenty years of being told she is nothing but a waste of space, it is a lot to take in.
“I have known you but a few minutes, my dear, and I can tell that they have not. Benedict, in particular, has been particularly descriptive in his attendances to Bridgerton House, my husband once threatened to turn him out if he spent another half an hour detailing the exact curl of your hair,” Kate snorts in a rather unladylike manner, her eyes darting to Edmund as he steps towards one of the flower bushes.
Sophie laughs at her words, her blush deepening, “Goodness, I should turn myself into an art school if such a simple feature can inspire such a lengthy discussion.”
“I should think Benedict might have something to say about that too,” Kate grins, her eyes sparkling.
“He is forthcoming with his prose, I shall admit.”
“It is a good sign. Benedict has always been more eloquent than his brothers but even Anthony has been known to recite a sonnet or two when drawn by the right motivation.”
“Yourself, you mean?” Sophie suggests but frowns when the Viscountess throws her head back in a laugh, clearly remembering something amusing.
“Oh no, my sister actually, though I suppose that is a story for another day, it is rather lengthy.”
“I have not met the Viscount many times, but I find the image of him reciting poetry rather difficult to conjure,” Sophie frowns, trying to reconcile the image in her mind and Kate laughs, levelling Sophie with another look of such kindness that the younger girl feels her heart swell.
“I believe you shall fit in splendidly.”
“Amma?” Edmund asks, his question clear as he gestures towards the path.
“Go on then, but only where I can see you,” His mother relents before she turns towards the bench a few feet away, “Shall we sit?”
“Of course, I should have suggested it myself, I apologise,” Sophie blushes, hovering in case Kate should need assistance with the baby before she sits herself.
“Not at all, it is nice not to be treated like an invalid. Anthony hovers because he cares, I know, but he is so careful it is a little maddening at times,” Kate chuckles as she settles, adjusting the baby in her arms with a small smile at his sweet face.
“So I have been made aware,” Sophie giggles herself as she sits next to her and Kate levels her with a knowing look.
“Hyacinth?”
“Hyacinth.”
There’s an affectionate, almost motherly, tone to the shake of Kate’s head, “I do hope she grows out of that perchant for listening at keyholes soon. Anyways, is there a reason you are out here all alone?”
Sophie blushes at that, shame at her need to escape such lovely company flaring up once more, “You may think me silly.”
“I hardly think that will be the case.” There is no judgement to Kate’s voice, merely support and affection with a no-nonsense undertone that Sophie knows has been known to put more than one Bridgerton in their place.
“The past few days have been extremely eventful and sitting in the drawing room full of people, it was a little overwhelming. I wished for some air,” Sophie explains with a light blush, afraid to look at the elegant woman before her until a gentle hand brushes over her shoulder.
“That is the least silly thing I have heard. I shall have to show you Simon and I’s hiding spot at Aubrey Hall.”
“The duke?” Sophie’s brow furrows, trying to comprehend what she could mean, but Kate sends her a knowing smirk.
“Of course, we are most looking forward to a third member of our married in Bridgerton team, we know better than anyone how overwhelming they can be when altogether. We adore them, of course, but to have not grown up around such constant noise, it is no wonder we all need a break sometimes. Plus, considering the events of the previous few days, I am surprised you have not keeled over, my dear.”
Kate’s voice is not putting in the way Sophie worried it might be, merely concerned and a little motherly… well, from what Sophie has seen of others being motherly.
“…I did not wish to appear ungrateful,” Sophie explains and Kate’s expression softens further, her hand reaching out to squeeze her shoulder once more.
“Oh Sophie you sweet girl, it is not ungrateful to take a rest when you need it and considering your circumstances, I imagine you are desperate for a good rest.”
“I did rest last night,” Sophie jumps to defend even as her mind jumps back to the feeling of Benedict’s skin slipping over her own.
Kate sees straight through her, grinning with a knowing look, “Sophie, I am a married woman, goodness I am holding my second child. I know you were at Benedict’s lodgings last night and I can guess there was very little rest involved.”
“Well there was some.” Sophie knows she must be the colour of the roses next to her by now, the heat spreading across her cheeks and down her chest. Kate does not seem mad or to be judging Sophie, but the younger woman feels an obligation of shame at her actions before her marriage.
“Good, else I should have to beat Benedict the next time I saw him,” Kate grins and Sophie relaxes a little at her easy tone.
“Wow, sister, what could I have possibly done to inspire such animosity?”
They both jump at the sound of another voice, turning to see Benedict stood next to them and the viscount at the door. Benedict’s expression softens as he looks to Sophie, smiling in the way that makes her stomach twist.
“Sisterly chats, my dear Benedict, you shall never know,” Kate informs her brother-in-law with a pretend snottiness to her tone, her eyes sparkling as she looks over to Sophie.
“Oh that is how it is, is it? Sophie?”
Sophie almost cracks at Benedict’s gentle eyes but Kate’s teasing is more fun and she mimicks her nose in the air, “I believe I have been sworn to secrecy.”
“Hmm, I am not sure I enjoy this,” Benedict huffs but Sophie can tell from his eyes that he is enjoying this too. He steps closer, a hand landing on her shoulder as he smiles warmly down at her.
“Kate! Are you alright in this heat?” The viscount questions as he reaches them, nodding politely at Sophie before he turns to fuss over his wife.
“Perfectly fine, my love, as I have been in the garden of our own house for the past week. Now please stop your son from eating that peony,” Kate mentions in almost a bored tone and Sophie holds back a giggle as he darts for the small boy who is indeed trying to eat the flower in his hand.
“Edmund!”
Benedict draws her attention back to him with a gentle hand running over the back of her neck, “Are you alright? You have been gone a while.”
“I needed some air. I do not wish to appear ungrateful, I am a little tired is all,” Sophie smiles up at him, glancing at Kate before she swallows her nerves and turns her head to press a kiss to the slither of Benedict’s skin exposed at his wrist.
The smile that spreads across his face makes it all worth it.
“You should retire if you wish, it has been a taxing few days, for none more than you.”
“Your family has been so accommodating, I would not wish to slight your mother’s hospitality by retiring early,” Sophie worries, looking back to Kate as Benedict’s expression melts, something akin to pride also shining in his eyes.
“Violet will understand, Sophie, I promise. It is no slight, merely what you need,” The viscountess assures her as Benedict gently squeezes her neck.
“I would like to lay down,” She admits after a long moment, looking back to Benedict who nods with a gentle smile.
“Let’s get you up to bed,” He grins, his hand reaching for hers to help her up from the bench.
“I will take her, Benedict,” Kate jumps in, shaking her head as she holds Miles close to her chest to stand herself.
“Kate…”
“From what I understand liberties have already been taken and frankly, I do not fully trust you to leave her to rest,” The tone of her voice is clear and leaves no questions. It is truly impressive the way in which Kate commands the space she is in.
Benedict looks a little taken aback, his cheeks flushing, “I would never…”
“I never said intentionally. Now hold your nephew. Come on Sophie, let’s get you to your room,” Kate cuts in, handing the baby over and turning to Sophie.
Benedict flounders for a moment until he rights Miles in his arms, taking a moment to admire the baby before he looks to Sophie. There is something like loss shining in his eyes and she smiles reassuringly at him, trying not to focus on the effect the sight of him holding a baby has on her.
“I will see you later, okay? I believe we are all staying for dinner,” He tells her and Sophie smiles. She glances back to Kate, the question clear in her eyes and the viscountess nods, turning to pretend to inspect the rose bush beside her.
“That sounds wonderful,” Sophie counters, stepping closer to her betrothed with a slight blush.
“Get some rest, I love you,” Benedict is clear, his voice not wavering and Sophie takes a shaky breath with a smile.
She rises onto her toes, her hand landing on his cheek to balance herself as she presses a quick kiss to his lips, “I love you too.”
They pull away with light smiles, Sophie feeling as if she is a child running through the grounds of her father’s house once more. Benedict bends, brushing a kiss against her forehead before they separate completely and Anthony comes over with Edmund balanced on his hip.
“You are not supporting his head properly,” The viscount comments, prompting Kate to turn around and step up to Sophie with a kind smile.
“I am too, do you forgot I have five nieces and nephews?”
“Oh yes and who out of the two of us is actually a father?”
“Men,” Kate rolls her eyes, grinning at Sophie as they link their arms and head back into Number Five.
She is looking forward to resting but she also feels stronger knowing these wonderful people will soon be her family too.