⚘eight⚘

In a town filled with ambitious mamas and fortune-hunting gentlemen, marrying above one's station is an art form, indeed. But Miss Daphne Bridgerton's advance from future duchess to possible princess is an achievement that even this jaded author must applaud. Though this author cannot dismiss the Duke of Hastings quite so soon. He may have let the diamond slip through his fingers for now, but I shall wager he is not a man to ever hide from a fight.

I sit in the parlor the same as always.

"Kindly remind me, my lord, why we cannot simply send Miss Thompson back to her father in the country?" Aunt Featherington questions.

"The matter is not for discussion," Uncle Featherington tells her, barely looking up from his paper.

"A gentleman caller. Mr. Albion Finch."

A young man walks into the room flowers in hand. "Good day." He sneezes. "Daisies always trouble my nose."

"Miss Thompson is not receiving visitors, Mr. Finch," Aunt Featherington tells her.

"That is quite all right. I am here to call on Miss Featherington," Mr Finch explains.

Philipa looks quite surprised.

"Miss Philippa Featherington?" Aunt Featherington asks.

Philipa stands and walks over to Mr Finch. She curtseys before taking the flowers from him. "Thank you, sir."

Daphne and I sit in the parlor of her family's home.

"Is it true? Is my greatest friend to be a princess?" I question. "If I were your sister would I to get to be a princess?"

"Calm yourself," Daphne tells me. I smile. "I am not yet engaged to the prince."

"Will you have to wear a crown?" I ask.

"Perhaps for special occasions, but only if I should marry the prince," Daphne tells me.

"Will you have to learn German?" I ask.

"Perhaps, but only if I should marry the prince," Daphne says.

"Will you have to move to a beautiful castle far, far away?" I question.

Daphne chuckles. "You are worse than Hyacinth."

I laugh. "Philipa had a caller this morning."

"Really?" Daphne asks. I nod. "How nice for her."

"He seemed like... a strange one," I confess. "So truly perfect for Philipa." Daphne chuckles. "So what of you? Are you to see the prince today?"

"Anthony is taking me to a boxing exhibition," Daphne tells me.

"Where does the prince come in?" I question.

"He will be there," Daphne assures.

"Is a boxing exhibition truly where you should be courting the prince?" I ask.

"I don't see why not," Daphne offers.

As we all know, there is nothing this author loves more than a scandal, and tonight's soiree promises more than its fair share, courtesy of the recently widowed Lady Trowbridge. Some may call her celebrations too provocative, and I would caution any young lady from getting caught up in the sensual nature of her fêtes. For one scandalous move between an unwed couple, a wayward touch, or heaven forbid, a kiss, would banish any young lady from society in a trail of ruin.

As we enter the ball Aunt Featherington spots the rather rotund man she hopes to marry Marina off to.

"Lord Rutledge." She grabs hold of Marina. "Miss Thompson has spent all afternoon telling us how eager she is to converse with you."

"I don't need her conversation. I shall like to see how she spins," Lord Rutlegde says before leading Marina onto the dance floor.

Mr. Finch sneezes as he approaches us.

"Mr. Finch," Philipa greets.

"Pardon me, Miss Featherington. Oh! What a delectable frock! Almost the exact shade of double Gloucester your mother served at tea this afternoon. I so love cheese," Mr Finch says.

"As do I, Mr. Finch. Though, I must say, I do prefer a Stilton to a cheddar," Philipa says.

"Perhaps we will have two weddings this season, my lord," Aunt Featherington remarks.

"Oh, I do doubt that," Uncle Featherington says.

I spot Daphne all by herself. "Daph."

"Di. There you are," Daphne says.

I chuckle. "Me? You've been the one busy dancing all night."

Daphne smiles slightly. "Benedict told me to tell you hello."

"Is he not here?" I question.

"No. He said he had something else planned for tonight," Daphne tells me.

"Philipa and her caller are having a rousing conversation about cheese," I inform her.

Much thought she try Daphne cannot stifle a laugh. "And you question my meeting the prince at a boxing exhibition?"

"Daphne!" Cressida walks over towards us. "You look beautiful, as always."

"Thank you, Cressida," Daphne says.

"You could have chosen anyone. You have gentlemen lined up to pay you tribute. Yet you did not hesitate to steal my chance for happiness away, did you? I knew the marriage market would make rivals of us, but I never thought you capable of being my enemy," Cressida says.

"The man made his choice, Cressida," Daphne tells her. "What did you expect me to do?" She walks off towards the prince.

I smile a sickeningly sweet smile at Cressida.

Aunt Featherington is speaking with Lady Trowbridge. "Quite the affair, Lady Trowbridge. You have such, uh..." She chuckles "...striking taste."

"What a compliment, Lady Featherington, especially from you," Lady Trowbridge remarks.

Prudence guides a crying Philipa towards Aunt Featherington .

"Philippa, should you not be on the dance floor with Mr. Finch?" Aunt Featherington pushes Prudence and Philipa away from Lady Trowbridge. "Dry your eyes."

"Such constant commotion with this one, Mama," Prudence remarks.

"Is it worse to faint in front of Her Majesty or to cry at a Trowbridge ball?" I taunt.

"Mr. Finch won't so much as meet my eye. Papa told him something, and now..." Philipa sobs. "I loved him."

"Diana!" I turn and see Anthony walking towards me. "Have you seen Daphne?"

I shake my head. "Not for a while. Why? What has happened?"

"I can't seem to find her," Anthony tells me.

"Well I shall help you look," I offer.

"No. You should stay, people will talk," Anthony says.

I scoff. "Who will talk? Now whether you like it or not I will help you find your sister."

Anthony and I cannot find Daphne anywhere inside. We both head outside towards the garden. I pray for her sake that she is not there. Especially not with a man.

When we find her Daphne is not alone. The Duke and her are kissing. The Duke's hands all over Daphne's body.

"Bastard!" Anthony pushes the Duke off of Daphne and punches him in the face.

"Anthony!" Daphne shouts.

I rush to Daphne. "Daph."

Anthony punches the Duke twice more. "You will marry her."

"What?" Daphne questions.

"Immediately. We can only hope no one saw you take such liberties, and my sister is saved further mortification. You will marry her!" Anthony insists.

"Brother!" Daphne scolds.

The Duke has steady himself on his feet once more. "I cannot marry her."

Anthony gets in the Duke's face. "You have defiled her innocence, and now you refuse her hand? I knew you were a rake, Hastings, never thought a villain."

"I cannot marry her," the Duke repeats.

"Then you leave me no choice. I must demand satisfaction," Anthony states.

"A duel?" I question.

"Anthony, you cannot..." Daphne starts.

"He dishonors you, sister. He dishonors you and me and the very Bridgerton name. I have misjudged you, indeed. You have duped us both, but I shall not see my sister pay for my own misdeeds. We will settle this as gentlemen," Anthony says.

"I understand. I shall see you at dawn," the Duke assures.

"I do not understand. You would rather die than marry me?" daphne questions.

"I am truly sorry," the Duke tells her.

"We need to go, Daph, before anyone should see us." Anthony turns towards me. "You as well Diana."

I sit in Penelope's room with her and Marina.

"Pen, he is kind and funny and a surprisingly accomplished dancer. And, well, I'm sure you've seen him with the small Bridgertons. He will be a wonderful father," Marina states.

Penelope chuckles lightly. "Surely, though, Colin is a tad young for marriage. You do need someone who will propose soon."

"But that is why Mr. Bridgerton is so perfect. Did you see the way he rescued me tonight? He's not like the other young men who play games and guard their affections. He is eager. I believe he will propose soon. I shan't have to marry Rutledge," Marina says. Penelope gets into her bed under the covers. " Oh, I am sorry. Am I keeping you awake with all this talk?"

"Yes, I do feel sleep coming over me," Penelope tells her.

"But, Pen... the best part is, when we wed, I'll be able to stay in town. And since you and Eloise are so close, and Di is so close to Daphne, we will all practically be sisters. Imagine that," Marina says before leaving.

I smile sadly at Penelope. "Do not stop fighting Pen." I laugh lightly. "Love perhaps is the only thing truly worth fighting for." I walk towards the door. "Goodnight."

As I walk down the hall to my room I can hear Aunt Featherington and Uncle Featherington in the study.

"I found your ledgers, hidden under old newspapers, no less. I know of every transaction... every financial account."

"Y... You do not know..." Uncle Featherington stammers.

"I know... everything. I know about your gambling. I know about your debts. I know that you have spent all our money," Aunt Featherington says.

"I shall not..." Uncle Featherington starts.

Aunt Featherington continues, "Including our girls' dowries!"

I know she does not mean mine. When my father died and everything was left to me he made sure in his will that his brother would never be able to get his hands on any of it. He knew of his brother's love of gambling and did not want to put my future in jeopardy by letting his brother handle my finances.

"Is that not why you rejected that perfectly acceptable Mr. Finch for our dear Philippa? Is it not why we continue to keep Miss Thompson in our home? You owe her father too. So the question certainly is not what I know! The question is... what are you going to do about it?" Aunt Featherington questions.

I can hear Uncle Featherington start to cry. I've heard enough as I head off to my own room for bed.