Chapter Text
Lady Whistledown’s Society Pages
3rd May 1815
Dearest Gentlereader,
The subject that has set the ton abuzz and has left everyone bereft of answers may soon be coming to its conclusion yet. Naturally, I would hate to have to print any retraction, as you all trust my information has never been in doubt. However, it seems this writer, too, may have to reconsider concerning one of the more astonishing matches that has been occurring this season: the one between Viscount Anthony Lockwood and Ms Lucy Carlyle.
Lord Anthony Lockwood was seen making his way to Bridgerton House wearing quite the stern expression earlier this week. It is no secret that Lord Lockwood's family has been well acquainted with the Bridgertons since the children were in their cradles. It should not, therefore, come as a shock to anyone that he was spotted there but for the slight oddity of his timings. Lord Lockwood, despite his penchant for causing chaos with his bizarre fashions, prides himself on his polite manners. So what reason could he have had, dear readers, for alighting on the Bridgerton's doorstep so early in the morn?
When he left, quite a few hours later as this author would like to have it be noted, he seemed positively delighted. One should not be so presumptuous so preemptively but perhaps it wouldn't be inaccurate to say he looked like a man in love. The subject of his affections should come as a shock to many readers, as it did to me, for as we all know Viscount Lockwood has been seen on the arm of Ms Lucy Carlyle since the beginning of the season. Her mysterious past and quiet disposition made her the envy of many a young lady and the object of curiosity of many male suitors. Yet the only one she entertained was Viscount Lockwood who, up until now, appeared utterly besotted with the curious upstart. This author, admittedly, was of the opinion that if a ring were to appear on any young lady's finger anytime soon it would be Ms Carlyle’s, despite her shaded history and rural origins. But perhaps this author underestimated the stirrings of childhood love, one too strong to ignore, far too soon.
Many readers should already be well aware, Ms Francesca Bridgerton and Lord Lockwood have been friends since infancy as have the Duchess of Hastings with the late Ms Jessica Lockwood. Since the beginning of the season, Ms Bridgerton and Ms Carlyle have been compared for their handsomeness. Yet, one must admit, comparable though they may be in beauty, Ms Bridgerton is the one with the dowry, upbringing and connections that any Lord would covet even beyond a shared history together. Ms Bridgerton has had her fair share of suitors in her riveting debut season but has been fickle in her attention to each one. While previously assumed it was merely the young lady considering her variety of options as the Diamond of this season; perhaps it was because her heart had been taken by another all along.
This author hesitates to presume anything concretely, yet the row between Mr Squire and Lord Lockwood at Whites following the Finchley Ball has become notorious to nearly every individual of the ton. Ms Francesca Bridgerton was seen talking discreetly with Lord Lockwood at aforementioned Ball after which curious eyes noticed the young Lord cut into Ms Bridgerton's dance with Mr Squire far too quick for it to be polite. Jealousy perhaps? Or maybe the young lord and lady finally decided to stop hiding their emotions? A row between Lord Lockwood and Mr Squire nearly escalated to a duel at the gentlemen's club consequently followed the day after.
Did our handsome Lord Lockwood finally open his eyes to exactly all he had to lose at the Finchley Ball? Certainly, there can be no other reason for his interference with one of Ms Francesca's potential suitors, not when she has a brood of brothers to guard her if the matter concerned her honor. Paired with his early calling at Viscount Bridgerton's house and ecstatic exit, perhaps wedding bells may be in Lord Lockwood's future after all... just not with the surely broken-hearted Ms Carlyle.
I’ll let you be the judge, Dear Readers.
Lucy set the gossip rag aside, lips pressed together as she ignored the stinging of tell-tale tears welling in her eyes. Her mother’s barrage of insults became white noise in her ear as she processed the shock of what she'd just read. She didn't want to believe it, she refused to believe it. Anthony could never… would never… He’d promised her. But the Whistledown brokered no lies.
She had thought he would be different. She had thought they were on the same page. Was she a fool have waited and hoped? But Whistledown had yet to be wrong yet, at least during this season, the only one Lucy had been there to actively witness in person. And the truth of her station compared to Ms Bridgerton’s as well as Lord Lockwood’s childhood friendship with her… Lucy knew that to be truth.
She couldn't, wouldn't, be upset about Lord Lockwood's proposal to Ms Bridgerton... But oh did it hurt. It hurt so badly. She hardly noticed the tears dripping on to the ink of the blasted gossip rag that delivered the news to her. Lord Lockwood, because that’s who he was now, no longer just Anthony, hadn’t even bothered breaking things off with her himself. But then again what was there to break off? They’d never officially labeled their relationship as courting. But the signs… the flowers, the gifts, all the times he’d called on her.
Lucy had expected too much. Lord Lockwood was simply a kind friend. She must have misread his intentions.
She had no one to blame but herself.
Lucy had known from the start it had been too good to be true. Any sign of happiness for her usually was.