"oh you are hilarious," pausing he shook his head will giving her a sarcastic smile, "i truly forgot to laugh." but her words were not wrong for he would have been a brooding bachelor if kate hadn't come along. "are you okay with her being my choice?" he questioned softly, though he seldomly sought it but he would always value his siblings opinions.

a wide grin graced the younger's face as she listened to her older brother's words , " i have been told that the most quiet individuals are often to the most observant . " francesca could not help but tease anthony . at his next words , a softer and more genuine smile appeared on her lips , " dear brother . we are always going to be okay with your choice in bride as long as she makes you happy . it is clear that she does make you happy . does she feel like your best friend ? " their mother always reminded her children to marry the person who felt like their best friend .

frannieb·:

She appreciated her kind nature, knowing that her history with her brother did not make this easy. She wished for peace and appreciated her kindness. “You must try one -- I insist.” She plated one, alongside some clotted cream and jam, and passed this to her. “I do hope your time at the fete has treated you well.”

the younger bridgerton accepted the scone from the older woman with a soft smile , " thank you . " as she lifted the scone to her mouth , frannie took a bite on the pastry and immediately enjoyed the taste of the scone . she made sure to finish her bite completely before she spoke , " it has been well . i do have to seek out the gentleman who brought my basket . did you submit one ? "

a curious look fell upon the strawberry blonde's face as she observed the male before her . she knew who he was straight away ; after all , who was not aware of andrew harmon and his rakish charms ? " what is the hilarious and completely entertaining something , my lord ? "

He only grinned wider at her answer, happy enough to be walking with her at all. "I'm asking a friend," he disagreed with a shake of his head, "we are friends, are we not?"

the younger bridgerton could not help but continue to have her eyebrow raised as she assessed the male who walked beside her , " is that you wish for us to be , my lord ? friends ? " her tone was curious . francesca was certainly surprised by his words as she had truly not felt that the looks that he aimed in her direction were entirely friendly .

"So, are you planning on telling me what you found?" He said, peering into the small bag the woman carried with a teasing grin.

@frannieb

" are you asking a young lady what she is carrying in her bag , my lord ? " frannie jested as she aimed a single raised eyebrow in his direction .

" I have been craving cherry scones lately, care to join me?" She had taken refuge at one of the patisserie stalls, hoping to sit and refresh before returning to her responsibilities of the ton.

a soft smile graced francesca's face , " i do not believe i have ever tasted cherry scones before . are they delectable ? " she enquired curious as the strawberry blonde moved to stand next to the older woman . she had known the woman once a long time ago and despite the fact sophia had hurt her brother , she had not minded the other . plus they had both moved on .

It's meme weekend again! Time flies! Please reblog this post and share your characters links if you wish to take part .

colin smiled  ❝yes, once i have things settled, you should come by.❞ colin had heard about francesca’s possible misbehaviors with michael sterling, but he wasn’t going to jump to conclusion, nor judge her. after all, that would mean someone would have the right to judge penelope, and he would never let that slide. ❝just because its nothing to worry about, doesn’t mean you have to keep it inside. i’m here for you fran.❞

" i can not wait to see how you decorate the lodgings . perhaps , you have always been an homemaker at heart all these years , " she jested as she pulled the blanket tighter around her as though it was a protective shell . a soft sigh left her lips as cornflower blue hues glanced up at the sky above them , observing the numerous stars in the sky , " i appreciate it , col . i truly do . however , there are some items of conversation that can not be spoken about with one's older brother . "

"do your brothers always buy that innocent act?" he asked with a deep chuckle, "though do tell, how is the sterling home? treating you well i hope?" there was nothing but a teasing tone to his voice.

" lord reeves , " her tone was filled with scandal as her eyes widened to almost comical proportions . francesca shook her head slightly before she answered his question , " i share a strict friendship with mr sterling if you are curious . "

"So you'll accompany me then?" The Earl asked, his smile hopeful as he rocked back on his heels, "through the gardens, I mean. The maze, to be specific." He ducked his head, chuckling at his own awkwardness.

@frannieb

a wide and kind smile graced the strawberry blonde's lips as frannie nodded her head in agreement , " it would be my pleasure , lord sterling . " it was surprising to her how different the two cousins were . she could see a lot of similarities between her and the male before her . " and please call me frannie or francesca . miss bridgerton is awfully too formal . " a soft laugh left her lips as she held an arm out to john . " shall we go , my lord ? "

lucia rolls to her side, peering sleepily at the girl beside her with a small smile. ❝ no, just you frannie, just you, and you continue i am going to fall asleep. ❞ and she very much wanted that.

cornflower blue hues glanced away from the printed words and to the woman on her side , " it sounds like you wish for me to continue humming to you . " frannie jested before she begun humming yet another song she had learnt over the years .

eyes widened slightly as frannie turned to face the male . " i do not know what you mean , my lord . " she played coy and flashed the other a smile .

eye lids are heavy and she cannot help but stretch her legs across the large window seat the pair basked in. ❝ how is you have the sweetest voice and the prettiest eyes. ❞ she mumbles sleepily.

a soft and melodic laugh left the young bridgerton's lips as she continued reading the book that was in her hands . francesca had noticed lucia grow sleepy and had decided to hum a lullaby she knew well . " are you always so flattery to the people who sing you to sleep ? " she jested .

colin had been walking out for the evening, he was going to be spending his first night alone in his new place, when he saw francesca outside. it was a cool evening, and she did not have something to keep warm. he grabbed a small blanket, and wrapped it around her shoulders. ❝actually just heading out soon, but i did not want you to catch cold.❞ he smiled warmly ❝you look deep in thought.❞

" your new lodgings , " frannie had briefly recalled colin's announcement of him finding himself bachelor lodgings . she was surprised by the announcement but at the same time , she was not . it was normal for a gentleman of colin's age to wish to have his own space . " i had a few things on my mind . none of any worry , " she reassured the older bridgerton .

the fireplace roared with the sounds of flames crackling amongst the two best friends. being friends since infancy, the thought of having a stay over wasn't uncommon for these two. by now, the bridgerton could rather see augusta as a family member rather than a family friend. sitting down next to their best friend, the danbury granchild look to one of the younger bridgerton before smiling slightly. "fran, perhaps, you must tell me about the affairs that have been happening in your life. do tell, i find myself in need of some entertainment tonight."

it was not uncommon to find augusta within the bridgerton home when the sun had set and most had long gone to bed . it was one of the many perks of their decade and more long friendship . she had been the first friend francesca had made who wasn't her siblings or one of her siblings' friends . sitting on the floor by the fire , the strawberry blonde glanced over at her best friends as a soft laugh left her lips , " it would seem that i have captured the attention of two cousins , " her tone low in case anyone was listening in on them , " the earl of kilmartin and his cousin . " augusta was the first person frannie had confided this to .