Chapter Sixteen: A Visit at the Bridgertons'

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"Don't say a word," Franny wasn't surprised a bit by Eloise's strange way of greeting. Her eyes darted to both sides as she looked nervously around, then grabbed Franny by the hand and yanked her in. Without offering a further explanation, she started dragging her in the direction of the stairs. Franny wouldn't dare to question Eloise, especially in this state, so she followed her without a sound.

"What do you think you are doing, Eloise?" Snapped a voice in a tone that could only belong to a mother. Eloise stopped dead in her tracks, huffed and let out a big sigh.

"Well, I guess we are busted."

"We certainly do not drag guests around in this house," the viscountess continued her scolding as she walked by the stairs while the two younger ladies descended.

"Mother, this is Frances Granville, I have invited her for some tea so we should be on our way."

"Nonsense," Mrs. Bridgerton flashed a kind smile at Franny, who bobbed a nervous curtsy, "Welcome to our home, I am glad to have met you, Frances."

"The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Bridgerton. You have the most impeccable taste; your home is lovely."

The elder lady smiled at her politely, but Franny saw that she genuinely enjoyed the compliment, "Thank you, dearest. And please call me Violet."

Franny nodded gratefully.

"Come, sit with us, the tea is still warm, and the biscuits are fresh. Have some refreshments and then you can go about your mysterious business. Penelope is already in the drawing room."

"That would be lovely, thank you, Violet," Franny replied, and her nervousness started to be dissuaded by the viscountess' welcoming manners.

"Oh, so it is Penelope who ruined our plan. She could never properly sneak around," Eloise murmured, while rolling her eyes, still huffing.

"This is my youngest daughter, Hyacinth, and our friend, Penelope Featherington. Dearests, this is Frances Granville."

Mrs. Bridgerton introduced everyone in the light-blue and crème themed drawing-room and took a seat at one of the sofas. Eloise dropped herself in a very unladylike manner next to a red-haired girl wearing a yellow dress that did not do good for her complexion, while the youngest Bridgerton in the room was covered by an easel.

"I am pleased to meet you all, please, call me Franny," Franny introduced herself, as she took a free seat across the lady of the house.

"Hmm," Hyacinth, who could not deny that she was a Bridgerton even if she wanted because of her dark black hair and a mischievous smile very similar to Colin's, cocked her head at her, "our sister is also called Frannie."

"Francesca is currently in Bath, so now with Daphne gone, I only have two daughters left to keep me company. And Eloise is insistent on cutting her presence to the very minimum."

Eloise's eyes narrowed, but she wouldn't dare to grimace at her mother. Franny was served some tea and biscuits, but she was too nervous to have any. Mrs. Bridgerton, who had a talent and years of experience in reading people, quickly picked up on her mood.

"I do love my children's company, the house if not the same without them. Do you have a big family, Franny dearest?"

"Not really," Franny replied hesitantly, tapping the side of a beautiful teacup, "I am an only child, though I suppose I should soon have a new sibling, should the efforts of my father and his new wife succeed. I do, however, have my uncle and aunt."

Mrs. Bridgerton registered how Franny's voice deepened as she spoke about her father, but her smile remained impeccable. She chose to pick up on the second part of the sentence.

"Oh yes, the Granvilles. I haven't yet the fortune of being introduced to them, but I heard that your uncle is a renowned artist. Indeed, I saw his works at Somerset House and was rather impressed. It is the most kind of them to chaperone you during the Season."

Franny decided not to point out how she didn't have a choice in participating in the Season, and smiled, "I consider myself immensely lucky to have the Granvilles as my family. I have yet to discover the limits of their patience and kindness, even if I come perilously close to it from time to time."

Mrs. Bridgerton cast a heartfelt smile at her because she understood familial attachment very well.

"Yes, a loving family as well as many loving children are the greatest blessing in a woman's life. Do you plan to have a big family, Franny?"

Franny gulped on her tea but was saved by Eloise who threw her hands in the air indignantly, "Mama, we have more important matters to discuss than how large brood a woman should have. Franny did not come here to be interrogated, but to help me unmask Lady Whistledown."

"Eloise, this is an important matter to discuss, and you will understand it once you are finally out in society. I am sure Penelope would agree with me, wouldn't you, dearest?"

Penelope, the quietest participant of the conversation, smiled bleakly, "Of course."

"So," Eloise continued, leaning forward in her seat, "You are all saying that it is more important and interesting to discuss how many children should be running around than to unmask the brilliant writer who keeps the whole ton on edge?"