Chapter Text
Gunning hurriedly made his way towards the conservatory.
As much as he hated to disturb his lordship, Sir Phillip Crane, something was definitely afoot.
An unannounced visitor had arrived at Romney Hall, insisting that they have words with Sir Phillip immediately.
Gunning had suggested they wait in the drawing room, but this idea was refused, demanding to be taken to Sir Phillip straight away.
This so called visitor was hot on his heels.
. . .
Sir Phillip Crane and Miss Eloise Bridgerton were engaging in a pleasant and enlightening discussion about the flower Dianthus Caryophyllus.
The specimen being held in the hand of Sir Phillip being of white variety.
He explained that Dianthus, (which is of Greek Origin), translated as flower of the gods.
The white nature of this variety, was apparently renowned for its symbolism of respect and purity of love.
All of a sudden, they were interrupted by an “Excuse me my Lord” from Gunning, followed by a quick explanation that a visitor had arrived
who was following close behind him, and would soon be here. The visitor had demanded to see Sir Phillip at once, on urgent business.
Gunning had barely been able to finish his sentence, before Miss Penelope Featherington thrust her way into the conservatory.
That was a surprise! Both Eloise and Sir Phillip were curious as what was so urgent that brought Penelope here.
Surely, it couldn't be about Colin, or could it?
“Eloise, thank goodness, you are here. I’m afraid Colin found your letter from Sir Phillip”, spluttered Penelope.
“What letter are you talking about? ", asked Eloise a little confused, "Actually I'm more interested in what was he doing in my room”.
Penelope paused before trying to explain, “He hadn't been able to find you and was concerned as to where you were. No-one seemed
to know where you had gone”.
“So that justifies Colin invading my space and privacy?”, stated Eloise testily.
Penelope winced. Penelope knew exactly how Eloise felt in this moment.
(That was how she felt when she caught Eloise rummaging through her things in her bedroom last season).
She decided Eloise deserved a full explanation.
"After Footman John told Colin you were flower arranging with me, he came to Featherington House to catch up with you”, started Penelope,
“When he arrived, he was perplexed to find that you were not there. He made excuses to my mother in order to return to Bridgerton House
with me. At first, I thought he was just being crafty to obtain some alone time with me away from my mother's prying ears and eyes. In truth,
he was more concerned about your whereabouts, all he could talk about was you. I’m afraid it’s my fault. I suggested we check your room.
You know what Colin is like when he sets on a mission. He burst into your room and started rumbling through all your papers until he found
the letter. The one that invited you here. I have never seen him look so shocked. After reading it, he immediately marched out of the room
heading towards the study. I fear he has taken it straight to Anthony. I came here to warn you both”.
. . .
The moment Colin had finished reading the letter, he knew to needed to show it Anthony straight away.
They urgently needed to strategize on how they could save the reputation of their dearest sister Eloise, as well as defend her honour.
A matter Colin deemed so urgent that it caused him to exit the room immediately, leaving Penelope behind.
As much as he wished he could take Penelope with him, this was gentlemen's business.
Colin strode directly towards the study. Thankfully, Anthony could always be found in the study at this time of day.
He briefly knocked on the door before entering the room.
Not another interruption thought Viscount Bridgerton grumpily. What now?
“This better be important Colin", declared Anthony, "As you can see, I have a mountain of Estate business to deal with”.
“I think you might want Benedict in on this too”, responded Colin cryptically.
Anthony looked Colin directly in the eye before rising from the desk.
He promptly made his way to the door and stuck his head out to loudly summon Benedict.
“Good Grief, you are going to alert the whole household that something’s up, bellowing like that”, commented Colin.
“What’s going on? Anthony? Colin?”, inquired Benedict as he entered.
Obviously it was something serious, by the looks on his brother’s faces.
Colin walked over to make sure the study door was closed before beginning to explain the situation.
He certainly didn’t want their mother to overhear this particular conversation.
Unbeknownst to all three brothers, Gregory had heard the commotion, made by Anthony, and had stationed himself in the hallway,
his ear firmly pressed against the study door. It annoyed him to no end, that his brothers were always excluding him when they were
discussing important family matters. Well, if they thought he’d be happy being kept in the dark, they were mistaken.
Gregory’s face became one of deep concern as he overheard them talking about the letter Eloise had received from Sir Phillip.
It was clear his brothers were concerned too. The longer the conversation proceeded, the higher his brother’s voices raised.
Clearly, Anthony was furious and the others were saying nothing in order to calm him down.
This left Gregory to deduce that the matter was very serious indeed. Gregory listened closely to hear what they planned to do.
He heard them all agree that the best course of action, from here, would be a trip to Romney Hall to confront Sir Phillip Crane in person,
and defend the honour and reputation of their sister Eloise.
Suddenly the door burst open, putting Gregory completely off balance, causing him to hit the deck.
They were all surprised to find Gregory had been listening the whole time!
Although Gregory was a little embarrassed being caught snooping, it didn’t stop him speaking up,
“Don’t even think of leaving me behind this time”, declared Gregory, “Eloise is my sister too!”
Anthony, Benedict and Colin looked at each other, then nodded in silent agreement that it would be best to allow Gregory to accompany them
to Romney Hall. That way, no-one else would become aware of Eloise's current situation.
The entire ride to Romney Hall was one of dead silence.
All energy was being conserved for the confrontation that lay ahead. You could cut the tension with a knife.
If felt as if even the slightest movement could activate the hairline trigger, setting of an explosive force of pure rage.
For all four, the carriage could not arrive at Romney Hall soon enough!
As the carriage pulled into the Romney Hall Estate, Colin sensed that Penelope was already here.
He reasoned, if Penelope was here, Eloise was sure to be here too.
. . .
Eloise had noted Penelope’s warning, but she was refusing to panic. She had done nothing wrong!
Sure, she had told footman John a half truth. She was doing a little flower arranging, of sorts, just not with Penelope.
Eloise ambled towards a kind of bench looking table, where there was an array of different flowers in the hues of Blue, Yellow and White.
She then turned to address Sir Phillip.
“Perhaps you could explain to Penelope what each of these flowers symbolize”, suggested Eloise nonchalantly.
Then she pivoted to address Penelope with, “Did you know that each flower has a unique meaning, and it's colour also contains meaning too?
I find it fascinating that it is possible to have a whole conversation without words, merely through the giving and receiving of flowers”.
Penelope couldn't help but stare at Eloise in disbelief.
Here was her best friend Eloise, prattling on about the language of flowers.
Since when had Eloise ever been interested in anything like that? Has she gone mad?
Then it suddenly dawned on Penelope, this might be tell-tale sign of Sir Phillip Crane’s influence.
Penelope's anxiety began to kick in, the Bridgerton brothers would soon be descending on Romney Hall. She was certain of it.
Eloise clocked how nervous her best friend was becoming and attempted to put her at ease.
“If my brothers are indeed on their way, let them find us here. I have done nothing scandalous, certainly nothing serious enough that
warrants them travelling all this way to intervene, extract me, and escort me back to Bridgerton House in shame!”, declared Eloise.
“I doubt Anthony would see things that way”, Penelope replied in an attempt to get Eloise to realise that the arrival of her brothers
would be no frivolous thing.
Eloise merely balked at the suggestion.
Fortunately, Sir Phillip Crane was not so cavalier about the whole situation.
He called for Gunning and informed him that he needed to immediately prepare for a few more incoming guests.
Gunning knew better than to ask any questions, and returned to the house to begin the task he had been entrusted with.
After a brief pause for thought, Sir Phillip chose to address his cousin Penelope directly.
“I think it would be best if you and Eloise simply disappear once the brothers arrive”, advised Sir Phillip, “It is not my wish for either you,
or Eloise, be caught in the crossfire in all of this”.
Eloise quickly nodded in agreement.
She was not keen to encounter her brothers if they were in a foul mood.
Penelope was not so sure it was a good idea to leave Sir Phillip to fend for himself against Anthony, Colin, and Benedict!
One against three was not good odds.
Eventually, the voice of Eloise cut through her thoughts.
“Perhaps Sir Phillip is right. We could distract Amanda and Oliver from all the fuss, by reading them a story or two, leaving the men to their
business”, suggested Eloise.
Yes, thought Penelope, she had forgotten about the children. They needed protection at all costs.
Hopefully with Eloise’s assistance they would be able to keep Sir Phillip’s children out of harm’s way.