Chapter Text
Anthony woke up to the sun shining in his eyes. He squinted, hoping to get a few more hours of sleep, and he turned to cuddle with Kate when he realized the bed did not smell of lilacs. He opened his eyes and practically had a heart attack seeing Siena and not Kate. He quickly got up and got his clothes on. Feeling sick, he rushed home. Benedict awoke to no children jumping on his bed, or the window opened to let fresh air in, or even Sophie’s humming as she got ready for the day. He went to roll over and cuddle Sophie. He felt a cold side. He looked and saw an empty bed, and he was in his bed in Mayfair. He jumped out of bed, confused. “Kate!” He heard his older brother yell, he ran downstairs and saw Anthony, and actually laughed. “What is so funny and why are you here?” He asked.
”Because I randomly woke up here and you seem to have regrown your sideburns that made you look part werewolf.” Benedict said. Anthony rushed over to a mirror and looked like he was having an existential crisis. Colin came running downstairs, worried, and then stopped seeing Anthony.
”You did not have sideburns last night when we had dinner with you and Kate.” Colin said.
”Yeah, and you seem to have gained back your youthful look.” Anthony shot back. Colin saw the newspaper and looked wide-eyed, grabbed it, looking it over. “What does it say?”
”That it is 1813.” Colin said, turning it around. They heard footsteps and saw Daphne and Eloise, who seemed just as confused, and Eloise burst out laughing, seeing Anthony.
”Were my sideburns that bad?” Anthony asked, already stressed.
“Yes.” Daphne said. “So you guys also woke up here?” Daphne asked, and Anthony ushered them into his study, which felt foreign to him since, in his time, there was a second desk for Kate, and four horse figurines that Benedict made to represent the Viscount and his family.
“Okay, what do each of you remember before waking up here, because the last thing I remember was going to sleep with Kate.” Anthony said.
”Penelope and I were discussing having another child before going to sleep.” Colin said.
”Did you two not just have Thomas?” Eloise asked.
”Is it so bad I want another little Penelope running around?” Colin asked.
“I had gone to bed with Sophie, after having her pose for a painting.” Benedict said.
”Simon and I had just put the kids to bed.” Daphne said.
“Phillip and I went to bed after grounding Amanda for giving Oliver poison ivy.” Eloise said.
“Those babies used to look so innocent.” Colin said, thinking of Eloise’s two stepchildren, who are apparently worse than him and his siblings.
”And now we are somehow in the past before any of us are married.” Anthony sighed and fell back in his seat.
”Maybe this is a second chance, I mean, don’t we all wish we did something differently with our courtship?” Eloise asked.
”I mean, I wish Simon and I discussed having kids and also actually courting.” Daphne said.
”I always wished to fully court Kate and not almost marry Edwina.” Anthony said.
”Realize Sophie was my true love, and not ask her to be my mistress.” Benedict said.
”Married my wife sooner and did not court her cousin.” Colin said. They all looked at Eloise.
“Okay, I sometimes wish Phillip and I met another way and not us writing letters and me showing up on his doorstep after running away.” Eloise said.
“You know it is not hard to understand the kids took to pranking you, I mean, their father did not exactly explain who they were.” Benedict said.
”I do not think we should change anything, I mean, if we change too much, I may not end up with my babies.” Daphne said.
“I don’t think me marrying Penelope years early would change too much.” Colin said.
”Distracting her from Whistledown, she retired after your marriage, and being with a Bridgerton draws attention, just look at Kate and Anthony.” Eloise said.
“Listen, maybe you can all live without your love, but I will perish without Pen.” Colin said they all gave him an unimpressed look.
“I sadly believe you on that.” Benedict said.
“You can not wait maybe a year so she can write about my season and then marry during Kate and Anthony’s season?” Daphne asked.
”Really, you think I do not deserve my own season of just Kate and I?” Anthony asked.
”I think if Colin waits until he originally married Penelope, he’ll chew through the walls.” Eloise said.
”What is going on?” Violet asked, opening the door, and they all turned.
”Just wishing Daphne good luck on her season.” Benedict said.
“And I have had a change of heart and want to debut early.” Eloise said and the people from the future looked at Eloise like she lost her mind.
“Eloise, are you feeling alright? Last week, you demanded that we hold off your debut until Francesca. Now, you want to debut with Daphne?” Violet asked.
”Yes. It would make sense to give me a year to get used to the season and also Penelope will have a familiar face at balls.” Eloise said her case.
”How about you do not fully debut but do join us for a few balls that way you do not debut but get a feel for the functions.” Anthony said, not wanting to have to keep track of his two sisters.
”Oh, that is a splendid idea.” Violet said with a smile. “Now I must help Daphne get ready for the presentation in front of the queen. You four go break your fast.” Violet said, urging the four out of Anthony’s study and taking Daphne upstairs to prepare.
”Are you out of your bloody mind? Since when do you want to debut early?” Anthony asked.
”I could meet Phillip sooner.” Eloise said, and Benedict hit her upside the head.
”No, you are not; he needs to marry Marina.” Colin said.
“Not necessarily, we write Phillip about George Crane and Miss. Thompson, hopefully Phillip can then help get George out of the war and get them together, and I can then be a fun aunt and not grounding for inflicting poison ivy on the other.” Eloise said.
“Never thought of poison ivy being used as a weapon.” Benedict said. “Never tell the boys that.” He said, thinking of his three boys giving each other poison ivy.
"Why would we give your kids that information? They would then relay it to ours." Colin said, shrugging and Anthony nodded, knowing Charlotte would use it on Edmund. Daphne sat with Violet getting Daphne ready.
”Mama do you think I will marry a Duke?” Daphne asked.
”One can dream dear, also Anthony knows most of the eligible men.” Violet smiled at her eldest daughter. The others got ready Francesca and Hyacinth walked downstairs, Eloise had already gotten ready she was playing with the collar.
“I don’t remember these being so itchy.” She mumbled to Benedict.
“We’ll get used to it again.” Benedict said. Anthony smiled at his two younger sisters who looked at him confused.
”Brother are you feeling alright you are smiling.” Francesca said, her only memories being of Anthony frowning.
”I am fine, you two look lovely.” He said, Gregory came up behind and stole Hyacinth’s bow.
”Gregory that’s my bow.” Hyacinth said and chased him. Colin took the bow from Gregory and handed it back to Hyacinth used to in his time Elliot and Agatha being smiliar.
“What is taking Daphne so long, did she take this long in the past?” Anthony asked Colin, Benedict, and Eloise.
”Yes, El you can haste her along.” Benedict said.
”Gladly.” Eloise said, while she was older and a mother herself, she does fall back into old habits with her family. She walked over to the stairs. “DAPHNE!! YOU MUST MAKE HASTE!” Eloise yelled making the servants, Francesca, Hyacinth, and Gregory all freeze in shock. Anthony winced since he was next to Eloise when she yelled and Colin and Benedict had their ears covered. “Should you think she heard me?” She asked.
“I think all of Mayfair heard you.” Anthony said. Daphne walked downstairs.
”You did not need to shout.” She said to Eloise.
”You look so pretty Daphne.” Hyacinth said excitedly.
”Thank you Hyacinth.” Daphne said. They walked out and saw Penelope leaving with her family, she waved and Colin and Eloise both waved, since Colin was just looking at his beautiful wife. He noticed Penelope blushed at Colin waving.
“How it took you so long to realize your feelings for her I will never understand.” Benedict said getting ready to get on the horse.
“You want to talk about being oblivious?” Colin asked.
”And mother wonders why I am so happy we all do not live under the same roof anymore.” Anthony sighed getting on his horse. Colin also got on his to pull the carriage to the palace. Eloise sat inside with Daphne, Violet, Hyacinth, Francesca, and Gregory.
“I am so glad Anthony made it on time he’s been late for things recently.” Violet said.
”Oh trust me mama he will be on time for more things soon.” Daphne said. Eloise was looking out with window and was silently saying the trees and flowers facts she remembers Phillip would do whenever they went somewhere with the kids and Oliver and Amanda while being little terrors loved hearing their father tell them about nature.
“What is so interesting outside Eloise?” Francesca asked quietly.
”Oh well I saw some interesting flowers.” Eloise said.
“Since when have you shown any interest in flowers?” Hyacinth asked.
“Since I have recently learned the lovely language of them.” Eloise snapped back.
”Can you two not argue on my debut day?” Daphne asked them. They arrived at the palace and the three older brothers got off their horses and helped their sisters and mother out. Colin while helping his mother saw Penelope walking her head down, he had to stare.
”Come on Colin, let her present before you becoming her insufferable protective husband.” Anthony said. Violet heard that and she had to hide a smile at hearing Colin was waiting for Penelope to be out in society before courting. The siblings were all standing together. Anthony keeping an eye on Gregory and Hyacinth, he honestly forgot how much of a handful the two were. Francesca stood close to Eloise like a shadow.
“Prudence, Philippa, and Penelope Featherington being presented by Lady Portia Featherington.” A footman announced and the three redhead sisters were led out and curtsied to the Queen and Prudence fainted and Colin not thinking got to go help his sister in law but Anthony grabbed his brother by the back of his coat.
“Not related to them yet.” He whispered the reminder to Colin.
“Daphne Bridgerton being presented by Dowager Vicountess Lady Violet Bridgerton.” The footman announced and Daphne walked flawlessly and confident and curtsied. She walked over to Anthony.
“You will not believe who I saw in the back.” She said to Anthony.
”Who it can not possibly be anyone else from the future.” Anthony said.
”Edwina Sharma being presented by Lady Agatha Danbury.” The footman said and Anthony nearly had a heart attack and looked for Kate and saw her in the background across the room with her stepmother Mary Sharma.
”How for the love of everything did that happen?” Benedict asked whispering.
“No clue but how long till Anthony becomes domesticated?” Eloise asked and Anthony shot a glare at Eloise. After everyone presented they went home, the future group was sitting in Anthony’s study.
”How are the Sharma’s here?” Eloise asked.
”No clue but this means I can court Kate earlier.” Anthony said.
“That would change so much Anthony.” Daphne said.
”Daphne, that is my Vicountess I need her.” Anthony said.
”Daphne think of it this way, at least this time around Anthony won’t be so possessive you have the chance of spinsterhood.” Benedict joked and Daphne elbowed him.
“Do not joke about that.” Daphne said biting her lip in worry.
“We will be fine, Daphne do you want Anthony to do what he did during this season?” Colin asked.
”Since it got me Simon, yes.” Daphne said.
“Okay Anthony what did you do during Daphne’s season?” Eloise asked.
“I am not making you deal with Nigel Berbrooke like last time.” Anthony said.
”Oh no please do so I can see Daphne right hook him this time.” Eloise said.
“Just maybe don’t promise me to him, Ben are you alright?” Daphne asked as Benedict was quiet.
”Sorry Daphne I am just trying to figure out how to Sophie out of Penwood house, she is right now nineteen which Araminta will not give her away right now.” Benedict mumbled.
“Why not?” Colin asked.
”Sophie’s father had a rule that as long as Araminta kept Sophie as a ward until she was twenty she would get a sum of money.” Benedict said.
”That makes sense.” Anthony sighed. Eloise went over to the Featherington house and Varley answered.
“Oh Miss. Bridgerton are you here to see Penelope?” She asked.
”Yes is she in her bedroom?” Eloise asked.
”Yes she is.” Varley said and Eloise walked in and walked upstairs. She opened Penelope’s door and Penelope was writing, she turned and saw Eloise and jumped hiding the paper.
”Oh Eloise you gave me a fright.” Penelope said.
”Sorry I just wanted to make sure you were okay since Prudence fainted at the presentation.” Eloise said.
”Oh yes I am quite alright.” Penelope said.
”You know I was thinking of something fun that we could do in the ton, which is stupid but my mama is letting me go to a couple balls this season so I can see how the ton works.” Eloise said.
“Oh that will be nice I will not be a wallflower alone.” Penelope said.
”You a wallflower, I saw how Colin was looking at you, he will probably want to dance and maybe court you.” Eloise said and Penelope blushed.
”I doubt that Eloise, I am not desirable.” Penelope said.
“Okay by the way what were you writing.” Eloise said and went to look.
”No.” Penelope said and put the paper in her desk drawer.
“Okay, fine do not tell me.” Eloise sighed, knowing pushing Penelope would get her pushed back. “It would be nice if Colin married you, then we would be sisters. Also back during the presentation, I noticed Anthony was looking at someone.”
“The girl Lady Danbury was presenting?” Penelope asked, she had seen Anthony looking at Edwina Sharma with shock.
”No he was looking at a lady in the background on the otherside of the aisle she looked to be related to Edwina. I think he found her pretty.” Eloise said with a smirk, not knowing if Penelope would put that in Whistledown and it would be funny.