Chapter ten
The queen's luncheon

            "I cannot believe it."

            "What is it, Sister?" Carlotta rushed to her sister on the couch, holding the newest Lady Whistledown.

            Fleur pushed the paper into Lola's hand and pointed at one of the first subjects in it. Carlotta started reading out loud. "The ones we love have the power to inflict the greatest scars. For what thing is more fragile than the human heart? Blah, blah, blah, the bond between man and bride, I understand . . ." Her eyes scanned the paper impatiently. "I have learned that a grave fraud is afoot. As if the Featheringtons did not have enough to be dealing with, Miss Marina Thompson is with child and she has been from the very first day she arrived in our fair city. Oh, my God!"

            "Poor Colin. Poor Eloise. Poor Bridgertons," Fleur shook her head in sympathy. "I shall need to visit them, see how they are dealing with the news. And maybe Penelope as well."

            "As much as I love how much you care for your friend's family, we have an appointment with Madame Delacroix this afternoon," Zahara looked up from whatever it was she was doing. "I assure you that you have plenty of time to do so afterwards."

            Mama was right. She couldn't abandon this appointment. But she made sure to remind herself to visit both her friends right after.

            Walking into the modiste, Fleur spotted a brunette standing on the platform. She could've seen from miles away that it was Eloise, not to mention her Mama was standing next to her. The Viscountess was the first to see her and waved elegantly. It made Eloise turn her head as well and wave.

             Fleur walked towards them, since Madame Delacroix couldn't help her now anyway. "Good afternoon, Eloise. Lady Bridgerton," She made a quick curtsy, then looked at Eloise's dress. "Are you finally dropping your hems? Is it finally happening?"

            Eloise turned, which made Madame Delacroix (who Fleur had not yet seen) say. "Hold still, ma chérie."

            Fleur's sentence had clearly started up a thought in Eloise's head. She smacked her lips, looking at her Mama. "This scandal could very well tarnish my debut, Mama. Perhaps we should delay my coming out altogether a few years."

            "Hush, child, all will be well," Lady Bridgerton was already used to Eloise's attempts to convince her not to make a debut. "Just keep smiling."

            "How are you holding up? How is Colin?" Fleur asked, her tone hushed. Seeing as there were others in the shop who were not allowed to hear anything.

            Lady Bridgerton answered. "Recovering. Confused. But he's absolutely shattered."

            "So I can imagine." Fleur said. Lady Bridgerton was not afraid to share this information with Fleur and Zahara, who had now joined them. Their family had proven themselves loyal to the Bridgertons long ago. And their mouths had kept close about any business revolving a potential scandal. Besides, Lady Bridgerton knew Fleur would never do anything to intentionally harm Eloise, even if it was through her brother.

            But Eloise was still stuck on a few sentences ago, before Fleur and Lady Bridgerton's small conversation. "Can a smile be enough to save the Featheringtons? Penelope and her sisters did nothing wrong, but their reputation's destroyed."

            "You should be worrying about your own family's fortunes at present. Even Miss Fleur is more worried about your own brother. We are in just as perilous position," She now smiled at Lady Richmond, who stood from a distance watching them, but pretending not to. The ladies of the ton always worked like that. "Good day, is it not, Lady Richmond?" Zahara added a wave to that.

            Lady Richmond smiled politely, but Fleur, and likewise Lady Bridgerton, could see it was just that. Politeness. Fleur had received enough to recognise them. These were kinds of smiles they gave you when they did not want to speak to you, but could also not say so.

            "It's this Whistledown." Eloise said through gritted teeth. Lady Bridgerton maybe thought Eloise didn't care enough about her own family. Fleur, however, knew this was her way of trying to deal with it. Not talking about it was Eloise's way of saying she cared.

            Madame Delacroix agreed. "I certainly never want to cross the woman. Her word as good as gospel."

            "Certainly is." Zahara nodded.

            "Though, perhaps if she can destroy a reputation . . ." Eloise thought out loud. "She can restore one too."

            She was obviously planning something again. Fleur could tell by the expression her face made. She remained quiet now, hoping to catch Eloise alone later on the day.

            Madame Delacroix stood up from her crushed position, gasping theatrically. "Très élégante, Miss Bridgerton. What a debutante you will be!"

            Eloise was able to step off of the platform. Madame Delacroix walked away with her needle, walking to help some of the ones waiting for her. Zahara and Violet walked away as well, speaking to each other.

            "I take it you have made up with Penelope then?" Fleur asked Eloise, who tugged on her dress.

            She nodded. "She came to me last night. Do you not think people gossip plenty in here?" She changed the topic.

            "I see what you are doing, Eloise, but you cannot suspect everyone in the ton." Fleur laughed silently.

            "I'm not suspecting everyone, Fleur," Eloise said absentmindedly. "But I am adding one name to the list. I'll see you at the Queen's luncheon, I'm sure?"

When the Lachapelles arrived at the Queen's luncheon, chaos had been present.

The family was in full attendance that day. Henri had heard the Duke of Hastings was back in town for some business (though he doubted it was just that) and decided to join his parents and sisters to a social event for once. He already regretted it by the time they arrived. And the fact that neither the Duke nor the Bridgertons seemed to be there yet did not help.

Fleur looked around to find her dear friend Eloise in the crowd. She spotted who she thought was her, but once she'd surpassed the mass, she was gone. Fleur sighed, turning the other way. Now she couldn't even see her family anymore. The crowd was starting to become consuming.

Someone from behind cleared their throat. Fleur turned back around to the small man. "Her Majesty requires your presence." He said. Fleur recognised him to be the queen's right hand, Brimsley.

"Oh— Okay." Before Fleur could finish her sentence, Brimsley grabbed her by her arm and lead her further into the crowd. There, on a throne under a big tent, the queen sat. Speaking to someone. Eloise.

"Child, come," The queen said once she saw them approach. She turned to Brimsley. "Shoo."

Fleury hurried into a curtsy. "Your Majesty." She said. Her mind couldn't fully comprehend that the queen had asked for her presence after their previous relations. But since Eloise was there also, she could have a guess at what this was about.

"So . . . I have heard rumours you have asked Miss Lachapelle for help in your search." The queen said.

"Search of what?" Eloise replied bluntly.

"Whistledown, El, what else?" Fleur rolled her eyes. She then realised who she was standing in front of. "My apologies, Your Majesty."

Then something unsuspecting happened. The queen laughed. And laughed. And laughed. "I can see why you asked her. I do sure hope she'll hasten you along."

"Believe me, I am intent on locating her and am angry at myself for having not yet uncovered her identity. But I— we were thinking—" Eloise rambled while Fleur stood there, feeling beside herself.

The queen interrupted her. "Clearly not fast enough. My patience has limits. Get me an answer Your queen commands it."

"Of course." Eloise nodded, curtsying.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," Fleur stepped forward. She cleared her throat. "As much as I appreciate being in your presence, I do wonder why I am here."

Charlotte stood up from her throne, which surprised both Fleur and Eloise so it seemed. The queen walked until she stood in front of Fleur. "You might not be pretty, but you are smart, my dear. Know your values. Use them. God knows your partner needs them."

For a moment Fleur could not do anything other than blink at the regal woman. She had been the one to strip her from her confidence, now she was complimenting her — in her own way. She could find some comfort in that.

She managed not to show her excitement on her face too much (her eyes gave her away, though). "Thank you, Your Majesty. You will not be disappointed."

"Give me something, then I'll believe you," The queen returned to her seat. "Now, off you go. Shoo."

Eloise and Fleur walked away from the tent, baffled into silence. "I suppose I should call you Sherlock now that you are to be my formal partner." Eloise joked.

"We already were partners, El, don't you remember? The queen reminding us of it does not change anything." Though the smile on Fleur's face merely thinking of what she'd said told Eloise differently. It changed everything. Someone on the other side of the garden caught Fleur's attention. "You did not tell me Daphne was back in town."

"I didn't think it mattered. Besides, she's only here for a few days until Colin's scandal dies down." Eloise said, now looking at Daphne as well.

Fleur tilted her head. "I suppose that is true. But I do wish to speak to her now that she is here," She said. "I'll be back in a jiffy."

"A jiffy—" Eloise sputtered as Fleur left. She was already out of hearing distance when Eloise muttered to herself. "Who says a jiffy?"

Fleur walked towards Daphne and the Duke. She had not yet seen her, which was why when she arrived, Daphne was surprised to see her there. Daphne's ever so gracious smile reminded Fleur of her own sister. She supposed Sloane would be glad to see Daphne as well, if she could find her in the crowd.

"Daphne," Fleur smiled back and curtsied. That's what she was supposed to do now that Daphne was a Duchess. As if called upon, the two linked arms, sauntering away from Daphne's husband. "How is married life treating you? Still alive?"

"Alive and well," Daphne replied. "Marriage is so wonderful. I cannot wait until you experience it yourself."

There were a few problems with her statement. It might've been a Bridgerton thing, but whenever Eloise or Daphne lied, Fleur could sense it. She was holding something back, at the very least. Fleur decided not to push her into telling her if she did not want to. And for the second part, Fleur would need a suitor before she could even think of marriage. And at the moment, she was not interested . She hadn't ever been interested in marriage.

Daphne and Fleur had circled the gardens, talking about each other, and Simon, and everything related. When they came back where they came from, Daphne joined her husband. Fleur greeted him, but she had no further relationship with him, and therefore had nothing to discuss with him. She stood next to Daphne instead.

They stood there for five minutes when whispers erupted. Fleur's head shot to the entrance, where the Featheringtons entered. Immediately everyone hushed around them, except for the whispered insults. Beside Fleur, a woman said. "The audacity."

            "After they tried to entrap poor Mr. Bridgerton into marriage with a woman with child." Lady Cowper added, scoffing

Fleur spotted Penelope walking behind her family and then Eloise running up to her and running away with her. Fleur excused herself with Daphne and Simon and ran after them.

            Eloise stopped around the corner from the crowd, in an abandoned tent. "How are you faring? Has it been terrible at the house?" Eloise was asking Penelope when Fleur arrived, panting.

            "We've not had a caller in three days," Penelope looked down at her hands. "My mother swears we are ruined."

            "Don't fret, Pen, I haven't had a caller in two years, and I am fine also." Fleur attempted to make her feel better. She caressed the girl's arms to soothe her.

            Penelope thanked her, then turned back to Eloise. "But what of Colin? Is he in pieces from the news?"

            "His pride is wounded, but he will be quite well. The gentlemen always are in these matters, but . . ." Eloise grabbed Penelope's hand. "Pen, you have not heard what people are saying. Lady Whistledown has gone too far this time."

            "And I thought you her greatest admirer." Penelope tried to lighten the mood, but failed, miserably.

            "Not when she has smeared the name of my greatest friends," Eloise now looked at Fleur also, holding her hand with her still free hand. Lady Whistledown has said plenty about Fleur after all. "When we uncover Whistledown's identity, we will convince her to publish a retraction and restore your family's reputation. All will be well again, I promise you."

            Promises in the likes of such should never ever be made. For one breaks one's promise before one has even turned the last page on one's book.

we are already almost half done with episode 7 which is insane. there'll be more chapters for S2 because she'll be in there more. especially romantically 👀