Chapter Text
A Bowman’s Love (A Bethyl Bridgerton AU)
A Whistle in the Wind
London, 1813
Dearest gentle reader,
The height of London season is upon us! Oh how joyous an occasion it is to have our marriage-minded individuals of the ton pour out such a vivacious response to the pomp and circumstance. Many of the ton’s mamas have already started to seek out the finest of fabrics for their light-hearted daughters in order to capture the attention of a worthy gentleman for their equally soft hearts.
There is no home more excited for this occasion than the house of the widowed Lord Hershel Greene. With a son already married, Lord Greene has already experienced the marriage mart in an essence, however, the younger Lord Shawn Greene caught the ton by surprise by leaving London and instead living in his estate in Scotland with his bride, leaving his dear old papa to take care of his two younger daughters himself. One might say a scandal is a foot! However can you explain of the reason why younger Lord Shawn Greene would simply stow away to Scotland without a nary and peep of such? Especially with two younger siblings to be aided to be wed? This author has her thoughts, but I daresay they are too scandalous to be placed in this paper.
However, I must say that this author is quite excited to witness the youngest Greene daughter take the stage in her own debut this season. At the ripe age of eight and ten, the youngest of the Greene jewels is ready to flutter and shine amongst the lesser gems of the London mart. Oh such an illustrious beauty she is, with hair as golden as a beguiling sunset, eyes as blue as the crystal clear waters of the Azure bay and a voice that may very well be crafted by angels themselves. I do not know about you, dear reader, but this author is certainly more than captivated on the match that Miss Elizabeth Greene will be able to catch this marriage season.
Yours truly,
Lady Whistledown
Elizabeth “Beth” Greene’s eyes were practically attached solely on the little pamphlet she held in her delicate hands. Who was this Lady Whistledown chit that had the audacity to judge Beth Greene and the entire Greene family like that? Even the mention of her elder brother and his less than stellar “abandonment” of his family definitely left a bitter taste to her mouth in what was usually so sweet and gentle.
She never really minded such gossip and scandal sheets before, that was Maggie’s favorite hobby as of late what with her nosy and gossip filled head that was nothing BUT gossip these days. But this particular day she practically ran to Beth’s bedroom to hand over the sheet of paper to her as she panted to catch her breath.
As Beth finished the gossip rag she met Maggie’s worried-filled eyes.
Their family’s name, though still very much noble and good and respected, was placed into the public’s eye with their elder brother’s marriage and long-extended honeymoon. Their mama’s death just a few months prior to the wedding just added salt to the wound when Shawn just up and left them alone with their papa. Now, it was just her, Maggie, and their aging father to wade through the ton’s scrutiny and eyes.
“What shall we do, Bethy?” Maggie ask as they sit down on her bed, the sheet placed between them, pratically burning an imprint unto Beth’s silky blanket.
If there was one thing that Elizabeth Greene was, it was that she was brave. Far braver than the delicate flowers of the ton. Perhaps even braver than her elder sister in some regards.
She looks squarely into Maggie’s eyes.
“They want this season to be the most interesting one yet? Then they shall witness the greatest spectacle they have ever witnessed, courtesy of the Greene family je ne sais quoi.
Maggie’s eyes suddenly sparks with a hint of mirth and squeezes Beth’s hand.
Yes, this was definitely going to be the most interesting marriage season that London has seen yet.