#The Viscountess’ Sleepover

[triviareads]

HR Sleepover Asks: Compare and contrast your new fave HR heros list with your old one 👀

EXCELLENT. Here is a link to my original list from April.

So top hero-wise, I'd say Ralston, Rhys Winterborne, and St. Vincent remain consistent. But to ADD to the list:

Lysander Blackstone ("Stone") from Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard: So underrated, classic Outwardly Proper Man who is just so deeply affected by the heroine, a ballerina and wow does the longing pay off. He's a gentleman but will bend you over a desk (not his desk; A desk).

Duke of Clayborn from Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean: Gentleman, and again outwardly proper, another hero that's just obsessed with the heroine (like right off the bat; we're talking kissing about 20 minutes into their acquaintance, and doesn't hesitate to make that known in a variety of most excellent ways.

Crispin from Duke of Depravity by Scarlett Scott: What a MESS this man is. Falls drunkenly asleep on the heroine's tits after calling them "bubbies". Steals her fichu and uses it for unspeakable things. Cries. Eventually cleans up his act enough to become delightfully spanky near the end. A+ redemption arc.

Duke of Gracewood from A Lady For A Duke by Alexis Hall: Another (initially) messy man, but infinitely more sympathetic. I remember Viola thinking something along the lines of Gracewood "being pleasing towards women and women pleasing him" or something like that and that tracks; he's like, very comforting/reassuring and just really really romantic.

Grey from The Millionaire Marquess by Scarlett Scott: Basically imagine a hottie marquess who's chasing after his friend's housekeeper and asks her to be his mistress for a month, but he's so smooth and hot enough so you're not at all insulted by his indecent proposal.

Sterling from Surrender to the Devil by Lorraine Heath: idk, a man who immediately propositions a woman upon meeting her just speaks to me as a concept. Similar to Grey, actually, and is that right level of persistent while not being uncomfy.

Clay Madden from Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe: It's always fun to see a hero lean into the "bit o' rough" bit and this man absolutely does when he's all like "I gotta warn you Florence, I'm not one of your pampered uptown gentlemen" and she's just like "yes plz". Excellent dirty talker, even when it takes a weird turn into satyrs (?).

So I think compared to my previous list, I've a) diversified in terms of authors, and b) leaned into the hot mess express heroes. They don't need to be Val (from Duke of Sin)-level problematic but they're messy men and I'm down for that as a concept.

[livingonfanficseyra]

Season 3 Kathony and baby Edmund Headcanons

Kate likes to complain that their son, whom she carried in her stomach for nine months, looks like a miniature Anthony even though she secretly loves it. Kate finds it adorable when her 3-year-old gets frustrated at something silly. His face screws up and a thin crease appears on his tiny forehead. Kate has to bite her lips from laughing out loud.

Anthony disagrees with Kate when she says that Eddie looks more like him than her because when he watches his toddler son walking with Kate, his tiny fingers clutching the skirt of her dress, his dark curly hair bouncing, all he can think of is how much his darling son resembles his wife.

Edmund Bridgerton’s first word was Katie. He used to follow her around, calling her Katie instead of Amma until he was four, four and a half years old. When he's older, he calls her Katie and smiles innocently at her on special occasions when he knows that she’s mad at him. Kate knows his trick very well, but she still falls for it.

Mary Sharma loved babysitting her grandchild, saying that he was such a sweetheart who would never cause any trouble. However, one incident made her change her opinion about little Eddie. She had left him alone with Newton for two minutes to fetch biscuits and on return, she was met with a boy and dog, fully covered in mud and dirt. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry as Eddie smiled mischievously at her, showing his cute dimples.

This started as HCs for S3 and ended somewhere else. If you liked these, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Also check out List Shenanigans for Kanthony and Baby Edmund short stories 💜

Thanks to the wonderful @viscountessevie for organizing The Bridgerton Sleepover 2.0. I had a blast sending asks and making posts.

[viscountessevie]

Sleepover 2.0!

Okay so we're back to our usual programming!

Based on the “feedback” hate and also we saw people saying they missed out the day itself, we just wanted yall to know that we’re starting it up again if you missed it before and wanna join! 

It’s just a night of fun (or nights/days - at this point you can do it whenever you want: it’s really a state of mind now ahahha) just putting out content based on our question prompts and sending them to your friends, moots, followers - whoever you want really! I am also making another set of banners in a bit but its blank however with different colours for the ships and icons to rep each book like I initially wanted to do! These banners will be plain so you guys can add in your own questions and personalise them :D Since I’ve started writing a fic for Mr. Malcolm’s List 👀 I would also like to expand this sleepover to include other HR books, shows and movies if you’re into them! 

You can find the original question banners here (also feel free to add colour filters to it - not to drag myself but I am sick of seeing that pale pink everywhere ahahha WHY didn’t I try harder with the colour combos ahahah): 

Also you can just tag us once then we’ll track the rest of your posts with the tag!  We’re tracking the tags: Bridgerton Sleepover & The Viscountess’ Sleepover (if you’re making posts for general HR media) 

Another thing: I can’t remember for the life of me why we didn’t state that non-canon ships were also welcome even though we did send asks about other ships but yes, I am explicitly stating now that it is open to ALL ships - book canon, show canon, fanon and crack ships! [Just be respectful of all characters and everyone participating] 

Finally this is OPEN TO ALL and again all we ask is be kind and respectful. 

[noellawrites]

Become A Bridgerton - Yandere!Colin Bridgerton x reader

requested by: @ilovechickenwings & anon

summary: Colin does something horrible to you on your eighteenth birthday which forces you to marry him.

warnings: rape, noncon, somnophilia, manipulation, drugging, baby trapping, forced marriage, breeding

author's note: this is really dark so please take care of yourself before and after reading <3

As you entered the Bridgerton home, you were struck with awe. Even better, today marked a special occasion. Today, you were celebrating your eighteenth birthday with your best friends, Eloise and Penelope. Your parents had allowed you to have a small sleepover to celebrate your age, and of course Viscountess Bridgerton and the elder brothers would be watching over you three.

You walked in through the foyer to the parlor, where most of the family was gathered.

"Oh, (y/n), welcome and happy birthday," the Viscountess said, embracing you in a warm hug.

"Officially marrying age, how exciting?" Benedict teased as he turned away from his easel and looked at you.

"Leave her alone, Ben!" Eloise groaned. Her and Pen stood up from the settee and hugged you as well.

"Do you ladies have any special plans for tonight?" Viscountess Bridgerton asked the three of you.

"I thought we could roam around the gardens and read a bit. Perhaps play pickleball or another yard game," Eloise said.

Behind you, Anthony and Colin entered the parlor. Hyacinth all but jumped into Anthony's arms, and Colin walked right over to you.

"Happy birthday, (y/n), and congratulations," he added, smiling at you and making intense eye-contact. You hadn't seen him since before he had left on his travels, and you had to admit he was now very handsome.

"Congratulations? What for?" you inquired teasingly.

"You are now marrying age, correct? Your mother told mine that you would be entering society next season."

"Oh, well yes, I suppose. I don't feel ready yet at all," you confessed, twisting a lock of your hair.

"If we want to walk in the gardens, we must leave soon," Eloise urged impatiently.

"Oh, right, sorry. I'll see you later, Colin," you added before being pulled away by your best friend.

Even long after, you were left daydreaming about how tight Colin's shirt looked, allowing you to see the outline of his strong chest. You liked the light facial hair he had grown and the new styling of his hair, which suited him much more. You thought about him even while Pen and Eloise were debating about Lady Whistledown, and all throughout your garden walk. What was this feeling blossoming in your chest?

---

"I'm not ready to be a wife, I feel like I have so much more fun left in my life!" you groaned, stretched out on one of the parlor settees. The Viscountess had allowed you three some time to socialize in the parlor alone after dinner, so you all took the opportunity to get comfortable and talk.

"Being a wife can be fun sometimes," Pen volunteered.

"And how would you know?" Eloise snapped, setting her book aside.

"El!" you scolded.

"There's the marital act, which none of our mothers have explained to us, but it is supposed to feel good. And if you have a nice husband, he might let you enjoy it, too," Pen shrugged. She began to take some of the pins out of her hair, causing red locks to fall around her shoulders.

"The marital act," you shuddered, "those words alone scare me enough."

"Colin, Benedict and Anthony know but they won't tell me. And of course Daphne won't, either. But I assume it has something to do with the process of carrying children," Eloise said.

All of a sudden you heard a loud knock on the closed door. The three of you gasped.

"Bedtime, ladies," Anthony commanded in a stern voice.

"Fine, brother!" Eloise shouted back, rolling her eyes and standing up from the settee she had been laying on.

---

The Bridgerton house had a quite a few guest rooms. It was one of the reasons you enjoyed staying there, as your home was definitely not as fancy. You made your way to a small guest room the maids had made up for you at the order of the Viscountess.

Taking a deep breath, you shut the door behind you and turned on the oil lamp. You changed into your nightgown and began undoing your hair, twisting the pins and decorative ribbons out of the style. Your mother had done your hair in a special style for your birthday.

A slight knock sounded at your door. Who could it be? Perhaps Penelope needed more sanitary napkins.

"H-hello?" you asked, opening the door slightly. Colin.

"Good evening, (y/n). I was wondering if we could talk? I brought some tea for you."

"This isn't a good time, I'm getting ready for bed," you whispered.

"Just a few minutes?"

"Alright," you agreed. Colin closed the door behind him and sat down on the bed. You sat down next to him, taking the tea saucer from his hands and sipping tentatively.

"You never told me, how was Greece?" you asked, looking up at the man beside you. Although he was only twenty-three, he felt like a grown adult compared to you. Even at eighteen, you still felt like a little girl.

"It was beautiful, (y/n). Maybe I'll bring you there someday. Would you like that?" he asked, eyes trained on you as you took another sip of the tea.

You nodded, wanting to speak but finding yourself unable to. You tried to set down the tea saucer but Colin took your hand and raised it up to your mouth again.

"W-what are you--" you stuttered before he made you take another sip.

"Shh, it's okay my love. Just drift off to sleep," Colin urged. After you finished the tea, he helped you lay comfortably on the bed.

You fought to keep your eyes open, but the last thing you saw was Colin staring at you with a sickly smile.

---

You awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the sun streaming through the guest room's shades. As you rubbed the sleep from your eyes, you realize there was a sharp pain in your lower region. It was not yet time for your monthly cycle, but perhaps you were early?

The shooting pain was still there as you hobbled to the washroom, hoping a quick urination might relieve the pain.

You looked into the bowl after you were finished, a small bit of blood there. You must be starting early, there was no other explanation. Maybe Colin knew something, as he was there with you before you fell asleep. You went to sleep a lot quicker than you'd been meaning to, but perhaps it was because you had a long day.

---

About six weeks later, you still had not gotten your monthly cycle since before you'd stayed at the Bridgerton's, aside from the small bit of blood from the toilet. You felt fragile and constantly sick. You looked bigger and your breasts felt heavier. You'd never felt anything like this, and you were scared. Did you have the plague? How could you have even gotten it?

After a few weeks of worrying, your parents were able to get a doctor out to your house to check on you.

The doctor, a stern old man, examined you, asked questions and inspected you thoroughly. When he was finished, he took your parents aside.

"You stupid, stupid girl!" your mother yelled from across the room. You looked at her, confused and surprised.

"What are you talking about?" you asked innocently.

"Who did you have sexual relations with?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

"The marriage act, who did you do it with? Oh my, we must find the boy and ask him to do the honorable thing and marry her. Or else she'll be a soiled spinster!" your father shouted.

"I didn't do the marriage act, I promise! I don't even know what it is, I've never even kissed a boy!"

"If you will not be honest, we must take this into our own hands as soon as possible. You are pregnant, stupid girl," your mother spoke. She yelled back and forth at you with your father, but your brain couldn't comprehend it anymore.

You were confused, having been sick for almost six weeks straight. Six weeks ago was your birthday, when you had fallen asleep by Colin. Could that be the marriage act? You would have to speak with him as soon as possible. How does one get pregnant?

---

"I need to see Colin," you tell the butler urgently once you arrive at the Bridgerton estate.

The butler nods and escorts you to what you assume is Colin's study, as he is sitting there at a desk, writing in his journal.

The butler leaves and you make a guttural noise, alerting Colin of your presence.

"Oh, hello! It's great to see you again, (y/n). I've been expecting you."

"Y-you have?"

"Yes. I heard the doctor was coming to your home to check up on you. I knew it meant my seed had taken."

"What?"

"Marry me, my love. We can travel with our baby and eventually settle down. You will have a luxurious life with me, more than with anyone your parents could pick for you. Come on, (y/n). Become a Bridgerton."

"What did you do to me?" you cry, reaching your hand gently down to touch the tiny bump of your stomach.

"The tea I gave you put you to sleep and boosted your fertility. I picked it up at a bazaar in Greece, when I first had the idea to do this. I consummated our marriage, though a bit early. You would be wise to accept my proposal. This is your only chance at a good life, (y/n)," Colin explained with a slight smirk on his face.

You slid to the floor, dress cushioning your fall. You nod through the tears, in disbelief that Colin had taken advantage of you. You didn't even know what he'd done to you. You weren't sure you wanted to know, either.

[sea-owl]

Something inspired by @yellowdressesandyearning post found here.

Portia pursed her lips. Penelope had not come home for dinner. That Bridgerton boy must still have her. Honestly, did he have to keep her away after dark? Now Portia can't turn a blind eye like she does when he sneaks into Penelope's bedroom.

Honestly, the things she ignores for a grandchild.

Walking across the street, Portia asks for Lord Bridgerton or the Dowager Viscountess. Either will do. If her daughter is where Portia suspects better to have one of them with her.

"Lady Featherington," Lord Bridgerton and Violet greet her.

"My Penelope didn't come home for dinner. Is she still here?"

Violet and Lord Bridgerton looked confused at one another. They tell her they had not seen Penelope all day.

"Then do you know where I can find, Mr. Colin Bridgerton? He had picked her up for promenade this morning."

"He is in his bedchamber," Violet answered. "Has been there since this afternoon."

"I can grab him," Lord Bridgerton offered.

Portis shook her head and began following. She knew that's where Penelope was, no reason holding off the wedding any longer. "I rather speak to him myself sooner than later. I do need to find my daughter."

They stopped at the door in the family wing. Lord Bridgerton opened the door. "I assure you Lady Featherington Penelope is not in Colin's bedchambers-"

Portia raised an eyebrow at the scene while Lord Bridgerton and Violet's jaws dropped.

"WE ARE ENGAGED!" She heard her future son-in-law exclaim, holing up her daughter's left hand, which now had a ring.

Thankfully, both Penelope and Colin were still clothed. Though they definitely dressed down to be more comfortable. She was just down to her chemise while he only wore trousers and no shirt.

"Finally!" Portia herself exlaims. "You have only been sneaking into my house every night for the past two weeks."

"Dear God," Lord Bridgerton muttered pinching the bridge of his nose.

Violet sighed, "I need a drink."

Portia turned towards her daughter. "Penelope, I expect you back home before sunrise. We have a big day tomorrow to start planning the wedding."

With that, Portia walks back towards her house. The Bridgertons can host the sleepover tonight.

[triviareads]

I don't know if you can even tell us yet but the Crazy Russian Prince (I know he has a name but I do adore calling him that until you publish x)

The book Prince of Dreams actually gets into this but Nikolas has an illegitimate child with a dairymaid who worked on his farm (from before his marriage), and the kid is eventually sent to him. At first he spurns the kid because he reminds Nikki too much of of his dead brother, but then he warms to him and outrageously spoils him, and then finds a happy middle ground after shit goes down.

So:

Nikolas would be inclined towards spoiling kids and Edwina would actually have to curb the spoiling. He's also a relatively unorthodox parent and does things like have his kids sit in on tutor/governess interviews (which happens in the book).

I like the idea of Nikki doing the St. Vincent-esque method of soothing his fussy baby by crooning that he'll fuck up anyone who upsets them.

If Edwina has daughters she will perpetually be reminding them about the fickleness of reputation and that they should be careful, but they are privileged enough to not have to completely reject self-expression in favor of reputation.

It's definitely an uphill battle for Nikolas in terms of being emotionally available to his children, especially his sons, because of his own fucked-up childhood. Edwina, on the other hand, is forever conscious of how she treats her daughters and ensuring no undue burden is placed on any of them.

[triviareads]

@starry-sky-stuff putting this in a separate post because I do have some thoughts.

I think all the kids have a strong sense of noblesse oblige instilled in them, for better or for worse.

The expectation for Gabriel, how much ever Charlotte and Clairmont try to make it as unburdensome, is that he'll sit as an MP in the Commons and distinguish himself there until his dad dies and he can sit in the Lords as the next Earl of Clairmont. I think his way of rebelling is that he's a really sport/land/nature-focused guy and that especially comes in handy with the ongoing industrialization of the country and how large landowners like their family deal with farming and other such matters.

Lady Caroline, who goes only by her middle name Alexandra/Alix, receives the brunt of her mother's attentions especially when it comes to her education. She finishes her education in France at Marie Souvestre's progressive school and comes back an even more glamorous deb than her mom was back in the day. She uses her popularity to fundraise and champions cause like the New Hospital (founded to help poor women receive medical care and supported female practicioners), and Girton College, Cambridge (women's college). She's probably quieter about her thoughts on female suffrage until she's older and wholeheartedly supports the movement.

I wanna go the completely HR route with Julian, and say that he's an edgy child and an edgier adult who manages to out-edgy his parents and probably opens some kind of gambling hell/sex club or something.

[triviareads]

This question for your favourite historical romance couple

See I would go with Evie and Sebastian here but Lisa did a stellar job of showing how they were twenty years into their marriage in the Ravenels series. So instead, I'll be discussing Gabriel and Callie from MacLean's Nine Rules to Break When Romancing A Rake

Are they still adding things to accomplish to their debauched "list"? ABSOLUTELY. Plus, their kids as so well-adjusted that they're not even embarrassed by their parents.

I'm fairly sure Callie was a burgeoning voyeur in Nine Rules so they've probably figured that out by the twenty-year mark.

Callie and Ralston not *quite* empty nesters after 20 years but they're close, and once they get there, they probably travel a lot because Callie's all about venturing into the unknown and adventures and whatnot. Ralston's just here to enable her lol.

If this remained within HR-verse, maybe Callie secretly backs a club open to all genders? Who knows. She was so curious about men's clubs that she broke into a couple times.

That being said, as promised, Callie never binds her tits again 💀

[triviareads]

This question for your ocs Charlotte and Clairmont (not sure if you have any headcanons about them as parents but if so I would love to hear them)

I do actually have some HCs, and have written a bit of them as parents in my yet-to-be-published fic, 1846!

Charlotte Bridgerton and Lord Clairmont have at least 3 kids who are as follows:

Gabriel David Frederick De Courcy, Viscount Harville (named after David Basset, the Earl of Clyvedon, and Frederick Fitzalan) Lady Caroline Alexandra De Courcy (named after Caroline Basset; goes by Alix) Julian Hugo De Courcy

Since the De Courcys live primarily in London, they love being around the extended Bridgerton family and visiting with the kids.

Charlotte is the kind of parent who takes her kids seriously right from when they're little. Even when they ask difficult or weird questions, she tries to explain it to them in a way they understand rather than humoring them or dismissing them.

Clairmont was an only child to a single mother so he probably gets a kick out of having a full house. That being said he's literally thrown in the deep end when he has kids but luckily Frederick Fitzalan is a very present, very cool uncle in the kids' lives.

Charlotte is deeply involved in the education her daughter receives and makes sure it's not a lacking one like the one she received (aka the standard for aristocratic girls). She sends Alix to finish her education at Le Ruches in Fontainebleau, France. The headmistress Marie Souvestre was known for her progressive, feminist education that instilled critical thinking skills and rigorous standards (one of her later pupils would be Eleanor Roosevelt, who basically learned everything she knew from Marie).

[triviareads]

Hey Triv!🤍

Which HR novel do you wish to see adapted on screen if it's guaranteed that they will do complete justice to it?

My first instinct is to say Kleypas's The Wallflowers series and tbh I'm sticking with it. The series is an endless delight and has *actual* female friendships and just 4 very different love stories in unique settings (I mean 2 of them mostly take place in Stony Cross Park, but there's also Jenner's, the foundry in London, wherever St. Vincent gets his ass beaten, etc.) that would be great as a short/limited series/anthology.

But also, I'd really love to see any HR series that's set around a club setting, like the Scarlett Scott's Suttons, MacLean's Rule of Scoundrels, Lorraine Heath's Sin for All Seasons, or possibly even Joanna Shupe's Uptown Girl series. ACTUALLY, if anyone adapted Joanna's Fifth Avenue Rebel series and did justice to the French Ball scene especially, they have my eternal adoration.

[livingonfanficseyra]

Favorite HR heroes?

Lord Westcliff is the first name that pops into my mind after reading the question. Though to be fair, I'll be giddy to marry date any Lisa Kleypas hero.

Marcus is a confident, ambitious, self-made man who is caring and loyal to his family. That is a top-class HR hero. It also doesn't hurt that he is handsome and extremely hot.

Also, I love that despite being aware and always been in control of his emptions, Lillian makes him lose every shred of it. It's hilarious, fun, beautiful and so damn hot.

I don't want to butcher how he is a perfectly balanced hero with my mediocre explanations. You know he is brilliant and for any of who doesn't know him, read It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas. I promise you, you will fall in love.

[viscountessevie]

Hey Vi! 🤍

I think I have an idea of who they are, but my ask is how do you relate with your favorite character.

If you guessed Kate, Anthony, Francesca, John and Michael then you're right!! Okay so this can become a whole essay and I actually wrote one for Kathony somewhere I can post it another time, so Imma just do TLDR versions!

Kate & Anthony - Eldest Sibling Complex with complicated familial relationships and the pressures, stress and burn out that come with that.

Kate - Her book insecurities and then her relationship with her show version of her family which was very hurtful to watch since my family treats me the same way and the Book!Sharmas were like a healing balm and show just ripped that from me. Anthony - His relationship with death and making peace with dying young. In the show we're basically the same except I would have proposed to Kate only but in the vein of running from our problems and then that fucking up things so much more for us? HARD relate but it is something I am working on!

Francesca, John & Michael - For me these three are more aspirational and I want to be more like Frannie - at least terms of her quiet humour and confidence. That being said their wit and their dynamic is very relatable to me I like to think I have their sense of humor especially Michael's from what we've seen. All my friend groups are close like their and have similar love shared between us (not romantically lol but like the affections there)

Francesca - I relate to how lonely and isolated she feels from her family at times and I too might just elope and show up at my family house someday lmao. I do love the support system she has with John and Michael and I'm the same. I created my own family. John - We never really got to know him but he's just so lovely and kind and I hope I'm the same so I related to how lovely he is with his loved ones and I pride myself on being a good friend and always being there for people I care abt and vice versa. Michael - We're both little shits and while I'm not Michael HOT, I like to think I'm attractive-ish shkjdkj is that too over-confident sounding?? Eh after years of being insecure over my looks, I own it now just like Mikey does. We also have very similar sense of humour and also of course he loved running away as do I oop. Also if I wasn't demisexual, I'd prolly be a Merry Rake too ahahah kidding, or am I?? I dunno the pandemic ruined it for me

[viscountessevie]

Favorite HR heroes?

Trivia my beloveddd you knew exactly what you're doing with this question after we both got it bad for Cassie so you know our new HR boyfriend is going to be on this list <3 Also thanks for waiting; the last few days have been hectic and I have been out of it but all sleepover asks will be cleared tonight! 

Okay sorry to anyone new who followed me for my new HR blogging brand because I have such a limited range right now as I only started with Bridgerton, am branching out to Kleypas' books and currently am besotted with ALL the characters from Mr. Malcolm's List so I'll be listing heroes from those three!

1. Lord Cassidy from Mr. Malcolm's List (2022) - I would like to say he is my favourite right now because I have a feeling that once I expand my HR library I will develop an all time favourite. That being said, I am in love with Lord Caswell Cassidy (no, that is not his canon first name he didn't get one 😭😭 but its the one I gave him in my fic - its canon to me now I don't make the rules!). He's THE Regency Himbo and we all know how much I love my himbos! He’s also everything you would want in a man to be honest. He's so kind, lovely and most importantly he makes me laugh. Also this is the gif that made me wanna write a fic for him because Cassie, I’d love to warm you up,,,[Horny Viscountess Incoming ahaha]

2. Viscount Anthony Bridgerton from The Viscount Who Loved Me (and a mash of Bridgerton S2′s version) - He is me and I am him. We both love and adore Kate - although I would have wifed her up a lot quicker than this dumbass. I related a lot to his feelings about death, accepting his death by a young age and feeling like he’s running of time. Yes, we both have issues lmao but he and Kate made me feel seen and for that I’ll forever love them. I definitely love Anthony in the show a little bit more even if he didn’t have the edginess I saw myself in the books because this one grew from his misogyny from S1. Also him going down on Kate and this ENTIRE SCENE?? SIGN ME UP

3. Lord Marcus Marsden, Earl of Westcliff from It Happened One Autumn - He and Lillian have big Kathony vibes and I love them so much for it. I also love how different they are that I can love all the characters and couple on their own! As for Marcus, I may not relate to him as much as Anthony but oh boy does he get my engine going ahaha. Every single sex scene in their book delivered and I am a whore for Lord Westcliff! [Spoilers for IHOA below so feel free to skip:]

Who else would get into a bar fight for you??? Like yes he’s a little bitch at the beginning but once he’s in love, he’s just such a vibe and the perfect HR hero to be honest. I just adore him so much so yeah he and Anthony are on the same level for my affections, I just put Ant higher cos I’ve loved him longer and relate to him more deeply. But 10/10 I love Marcus as much tbh. 

[Yes that is Sope as Mr. Malcolm in MML but listen and GC agrees with me that they’re very similar in vibes and Sope played him perfectly he can pull off Marcus!!]

4. Michael Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin from When He Was Wicked - Full disclosure; I haven’t finished WHWW yet,,,, LISTEN John’s death had me in shambles and I just started crying uncontrollably in the middle of the book and had to stop. I haven’t been able to pick it up since. That being said I do know the plot and what Michael is like and he is EXACTLY my type in fiction. Hot, witty, worships only one woman - Regency bad boy with a heart of gold essentially. Always I’m forever pushing the Raymond Ablack and Rahul Kohli are the Stirling cousins I mean, LOOK AT HIM IT’S THE MERRY RAKE: 

5. Cam Rohan from Mine Til Midnight (first appearance Devil in Winter) - Cam would definitely rank higher if I knew him better but at the moment I only know about it from the first half of Devil in Winter but I’m already in love that he made Top 5 so you can tell how much of an impact he’s already made on me. He’s just very sweet and gentlemanly also has a mysterious vibe to him. I also adore his friendship with Evie she needs more people like that in her life. I’m excited to read his book! [My friends thinks Cam needs to look rougher but nah this IS Cam or at least how I pictured him in DiW before I even found this actor, Jan Cina]

Honourable Mentions: John Stirling, Former Earl of Kilmartin - I know I know JQ didn’t even fully flesh him out BUT I LOVE HIM. I knew him well enough in the first couple of chapters and through Frannie and Michael’s grief to love him just as well and be still grieving him. Also Triv I love our versions of him so that’s mainly the Johns I was picturing when I put him on the list. Johncesca should have gotten their own book tbh like if anyone deserves two books about their love stories, it’s Francesca! 

Mr. Jeremy Malcolm - would have put him on the list but he did irritate me a bit on my rewatch recently and as @jeanvanjer pointed out, mans needed to be sluttier to offset his arrogance at times. But we still love you Malcolm! Captain Henry Ossory (but I would have preferred him to be played by Tom Hiddleston) - the potential was there and he could have been more stern with Julia; a Captain Von Trapp type but I dunno Theo James’ performance paled in comparison to his other co-stars but if Hiddles had played him, his chemistry with Zawe and his acting skills would have been evenly matched with the rest of them! 

[triviareads]

You get a Sleepover Ask, everyoneeee gets a Sleepover Ask!!

Tbh I'm kinda curious about this for Poly JohnFranchel

Minus I'm Your National Anthem AU; who of ANY characters (can be outside the main couples too) would make the best politician and/so the one who is competent and makes the most difference

My fave viscountess! Hello and thank you for the (very thoughtful) asks!

Why would Michael/Francesca/John fight and who apologizes first?

So I think the initial arguments when they're trying to figure out their relationship is mostly about Michael feeling insecure about his position within the poly rationship and going like "you just wanna use me for sex :(" and John would probably apologize first for his "machinations" in getting Michael and Fran together and then stress that he's family and he loves him like a brother and Francesca is in love with him, and Fran would apologize for making Michael feel initially used.

Who would make the best politician among the Bridgerton characters?

None of the main characters, tbh. The Bridgerton clan and their spouses are split between people who are loud and confident but wear their hearts on their sleeves, or quieter people who have zero interest in something as "underhanded" as politics.

The closest was probably John Stirling who, in his twenties, was already taking meetings with the Prime Minister at the time (beginning of WHWW), and actually, Francesca seemed to have politics opinions that she'd discussed with John. So I think by the time she's remarried to Michael, she has a deep interest in local politics and a love for the land since she'd technically overseen estate matters for years before. And with the ongoing highland/lowland clearances in Scotland, I think she'd urge Michael to do his utmost to keep rents fair, I'm sure she'd have Opinions on the Corn Laws, and also be a voice for modernization especially where their lands and farms are concerned. So Fran isn't like, a glittering political hostess down in London (she only comes down for the season), but she has a keen interest in local politics.

[viscountessevie]

This Town - A Johncesca Songfic

A/N: Dedicated to the fic idea genius that is Miss Lil @sharmasandcorgis !! This fic is literally over a year in the making and thank you to her for being so so patient and bouncing ideas off together! Love you so much bestie <3 Shoutout to my sprint buddies and beta readers for helping me shape this fic to what has become a year later (esp making it EVEN more sad at times): @hptriviachamp @sophiamariabeckett @jeanvanjer and also thank you to @kateandanthonyaremyparents​ & @isdathriantionnsgnadh​ for listening to me screech tonight while I edited this in time for the Sleepover ehehe (which I didn’t lol I’m half an hour late) 

To set the mood, please listen to this version of This Town: 

[There’s a piano version also linked below when it plays but here you go if you prefer an full instrumental instead!]

Warnings: Angst, Major Character Death, Intense Grief, Description of Panic Attacks. [Minor Spoilers but:] Hallucination/Dreaming, Puking mention

Happy and safe reading everyone!! [Tag list in the comments] 

Waking up to kiss you and nobody's there The smell of your perfume still stuck in the air It's hard Yesterday I thought I saw your shadow running round It's funny how things never change in this old town So far from the stars

Francesca Bridgerton tossed to her bed’s right side and craned her neck to the pillow next to hers. She was stuck by the cold emptiness of that side of her bed. It was no longer their bed but hers. She still couldn't get used to that change. It had been a month and it still surprised her to find him gone. 

She turned back to her side of the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her chest tightened and she couldn't breathe. It was happening again, She thought to herself. Everyday for the last two weeks, she had been wrecked with such devastation which gave way to panic attacks. She remembered the breathing exercises she found online and put them to use. The feeling in her chest only grew worse. She curled into her body - some delusional part of herself trying to hide from the pain. 

Finally, she yanked up the oversized shirt she had on to her nose. She took a deep breath. John's familiar scent filled her nose and she started to calm down. She mentally listed off the types of smells she detected. 

John's CK cologne, fresh laundry and a hint of whiskey. 

There was just something about his cologne and the smell of clean clothes that made her nostalgic for John. She continued with her grounding exercise of listing the things she saw, heard and felt around her. Her hammering heart started to slow and her chest pains started to ease. It was easier to breathe. She didn't feel like dying. She felt safe enough to deduce her panic attack had come and gone. She took a quick whiff of his shirt again before getting up for the day. 

It was hard but she had to do it. She took her time to peel his nightshirt off her body, unable to part with it so soon. She folded it carefully and placed it in her pajama drawer. She quickly got dressed and ignored the aching in her heart. It was always the same every morning since he had passed. 

Francesca rubbed her chest in a futile attempt to ease the ache. She adjusted her sleeves, pulling them up an inch before sighing. She didn't like how reliant she had become of it but opened John's drawer nonetheless. She pulled out his last cologne bottle and did two quick sprays on each wrist. Wanting to relish in his scent for a moment longer, she brought up both wrists to her nose and sniffed them. With closed eyes, she tried to imagine he was still here. He had gone too soon, and her mind could barely process it. 

Entering the kitchen, she could have sworn she saw a shadow. She rationalised it as her mind playing tricks. She had spent the last 3 years waking up to John cooking breakfast every single morning. It was odd to walk into an empty kitchen. 

She shook her head and dragged herself over to the cabinets. 

"I know how to cook….sort of." She tried to reaffirm herself. She scoffed at herself as soon as she said it. Who was she kidding? She knew how to cook on a basic level. John, however, was the chef between them. He always knew what she wanted on any given morning. He would whip up world class breakfast dishes for her. She could make scrambled eggs…kind of. John taught her once. 

Looking around her flat, she remembered a time this kitchen was filled with such laughter every morning. She took out the pan, butter and eggs. She pulled out her spice drawer to retrieve the bottle of mixed herbs.

The morning he taught her how to cook scrambled eggs was one of the funniest. He always teased her about her lack of cooking abilities. She remembered him wiping raw egg on her nose. It was so silly they burst into laughter. His laugh still echoed through their apartment halls. She lost herself in the flashback, cooking on autopilot. 

She hadn't even realised how long she had been sucked into the past till she smelled burnt eggs. She reached out to grab the pan handle instinctively but accidentally grabbed the pan itself. She yelled in surprise as the heat burnt her. 

"Goddammit!" She cursed. She wasn't usually one to swear but she didn't care. She was angry. She wanted to feel every bit of that anger. She hated how lonely she was. She hated that he had left her behind.

 Most of all, she hated how everything in her house seemed the same yet everything had changed. 

~

And I want to tell you everything The words I never got to say the first time around And I remember everything From when we were the children playing in this fairground Wish I was there with you now

After Francesca had managed to save the burnt eggs - they were only slightly burnt, she reasoned with herself - she just mindlessly did her tasks. Eat her breakfast, wash her plate and put it away. She hadn’t come off autopilot since John’s funeral. Finally after staring at her dish rack for what seemed like hours after breakfast, Frannie decided to snap out of it. She despised her empty apartment. The only way she knew she could find some reprieve was a certain Stirling cousin. She picked up her cell and called him. 

Honestly after trying to reach him for a month now, she was expecting another decline or getting his voicemail. If she heard her own voice saying “You have reached Michael Stirling, I am too busy right looking in the mirror, try again later.” one more time, she might just throw her phone into a lake. It was the funniest thing she ever did and loved that he still kept it. She especially adored that she could hear John’s laugh in the background. Maybe that’s why she called Michael more than she should have - knowing that he wouldn’t pick up - just to hear John’s laugh whenever she missed him. At the same time, she hated listening to a version of herself that no longer existed. She knew he was grieving but so was she. She gave him the time and space he needed. But she needed her best friend too.

 Michael was the one person who had known and loved John the way she had. The only person who had loved him just as fully. He was her one link to the husband she had lost, and she hated him for staying away. She could never hate him but in this instance she just found him so selfish for shutting himself away when they both knew they would be better off supporting each other. 

After having been ghosted for over a month, Frannie was surprised when Michael picked up. He didn’t say anything, just let out a quiet sigh.  “Michael, are you there?” “Yes, Francesca.” She couldn’t place why it stung so much that he used her full given name. He sounded exhausted. Which is exactly why she didn’t bother chiding him for ignoring her after John’s funeral. She didn’t realise how hard it had become to talk to him until this moment. She gathered every bit of courage to ask him over for some company and mentally prepared for a no. 

“Would you like to go out for a walk around Hyde Park or something? I could use the company.” She asked, quietly hopeful for a yes.  He hesitated in responding, before finally saying, “Sorry, I’m busy.” 

She knew he was making up a lie before he even said it. She wasn’t one for loud and accusatory confrontations. Why yell when the other person can hear you perfectly? It was a matter of picking the right words and tone to get her point and annoyance across about his avoidance. 

“I understand, Michael.” She pursed her lips, her tone was neutral but they both knew her better. She was frustrated with him, she didn’t have to tell him that. She never did. It was scary and marvellous how well he knew her, just as well as John did. She let out a quiet breath, reminding herself to be patient with him, “You know where I will be if you need me.” She said and before he could respond, she clicked the phone off. It wasn’t her finest moment but it is what it is. She just wished he would let her be there for him, her own selfish needs aside. Shaking her head gently, she took a deep breath and got dressed to head out. 

~

“And I want to tell you everything//The words I never got to say the first time around//And I remember everything.” The song played into her ears as she wrapped her arms around her cream overcoat, pulling it tighter around her body for comfort and more warmth. She donned one of John’s beanies while her chin & neck disappeared into her favourite red scarf. She hummed along to the song, admiring the trees and fighting the urge to break down at the words. 

Her mother/aunt-in-law, her own mother and Michael aside, there was truly only one person she wanted to talk to about John’s death. And he was no longer here. Every day for the past month, she would turn to John’s side of the bed or just call out to their empty house to tell him whenever something happened. It was such a natural instinct to tell him everything that she couldn’t just unlearn in four measly weeks. 

She walked and walked until she reached the playground she played in as a child with her own siblings. She had little flashes of it. How El and her would always team up to chase around Greg and Hy as toddlers. How the older four would indulge them in playing hide and seek sometimes. She missed her siblings in times like this. They were extremely supportive the first few days after and still are, the check in texts don’t stop. But it was one of those times she needed to sit with this on her own. All of them knew that and respectfully gave her the space to do so. 

She found a little bench, overseeing the park and she just kept her playlist playing as she relaxed against the backrest and people watched. Soon, the people before her started to fade away. All she could see was him. Gone were the memories of her childhood spent playing here. Instead, she was confronted with ghost memories of when they were babysitting Kate and Anthony’s children a year ago. 

John and her had brought the kids to this very playground. Edmund II and Mikesh - or as the family affectionately nicknamed them Neddy and Keshy - were practically climbing all over John. Neddy was on his Uncle’s back with his little arms wrapped around John’s neck, yelling triumphantly as if he was riding his uncle like a horse. While Keshy was squealing with giggles as her husband swung him back and forth like a swing. It was such a wholesome sight. Francesca remembered how much tenderness she felt for John in that moment. She also recalled how he had let them run loose around the playground and came back to her on the bench. While keeping an eye on them, he turned to her slightly. 

“What’s that look in your eye?” He asked curiously. He could guess, knowing her well enough but wanted to hear it from her directly. She could have said anything, “You were so good with the kids” or “You look cute.” instead what came out was:  “I want a baby.” She shocked herself as soon as the words materialised before them. John simply blinked for a moment before breaking out into a grin.  “Let’s do it.”  “Really?” 

She blinked up at her husband. He nodded, each bob of his head more sure than the last. When they got home after dropping off their nephews, they didn’t waste any time at all creating a little Bridgerton-Stirling. 

Absentmindedly staring at the empty swing set before her, her hand went to her abdomen. Her fingers grazed over it ever so slightly. She yearned for what could have been. Wishing and hoping for one last piece of him. As soon as the thought entered her mind, she chastised herself for being so selfish. How could she wish for a child - their child - when he wasn’t going to be around to watch them grow? When she was a barely functioning adult herself  at the moment, let alone being able to be a present mother. She would push past the grief for them. She knew she would. Like how Mary did for Kate and Edwina. Like how her own mother did after a few years. 

She interrupted her own train of thought. There was no point in thinking about this when it will never happen. John was gone. And he was never coming back. Francesca was still grappling with the fact that this was her new reality. 

If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you Drive highways and byways to be there with you Over and over the only truth Everything comes back to you

The walk in Hyde Park was unhelpful so she decided to go back to the lesser of two evils. The empty apartment. She didn’t know why she was feeling particularly masochistic today, but had decided to torture herself even more by putting on their wedding video. 

She clutched her throw pillow close to her chest, burying the lower half of her face into it. Her cobalt eyes peeking out ever so slightly from it to watch John, handsome as ever in his tuxedo, dancing with her younger self. Her mind went back to that exact moment. She had relished in how he only had eyes for her. How he was looking at her as if they were the only two people in the room. Oh, the way he made her laugh as he spun her around and dipped her. 

They were inseparable from the moment they had said ‘I do’. All through their reception, they always had their arms wrapped around each other. She especially loved how he would hold her with both hands. He would have his right arm around her waist and she would have hers around his torso as one does. However, it was extra special when he linked their left hands together behind his back. 

It's so hard So hard And I want to tell you everything The words I never got to say the first time around And I remember everything

Frowning at the screen, she felt the resentment creep up on her. She hated the happy versions of themselves on the screen. They were so happy, unaware of what’s to come. She would give anything to have John clasp their hands together behind his back as they walked down the streets together again. 

There was so much she didn’t get to tell him. She just wanted to tell him she loved him again. It was the little things. She missed talking to him during their nightly routines. She just wanted to lay against his warm body and tell him how her day was. Tell him about the funny little questions the kids asked her in class that day. Then it would be his turn to tell her about how much grief the city council office was giving him. He would sardonically compare his rivals to the worst kind of toddlers. 

She remembered it all. Sometimes if she loses herself in her mind long enough, she swears she could feel him again. Lazy fingers grazing up and down her arms. They finally end up settling over the back of her hands, brushing them along her knuckles. A stifled giggle would end up escaping her lips. He would smile down at her as he turned over his fingers to play with hers. 

Over and over the only truth Everything comes back to you And I know that it's wrong That I can't move on But there's something about you

Goosebumps were littered over her arms as she saw and felt him cuddling her like he used to. The very same way he would affectionately smile down at her. She blinked, not believing it. It was him. The sight of him, his signature scent and touch filled her senses. 

Letting his presence wash over her, she started to hum softly at the small comfort. Before they both knew it, she was composing a new melody. Her fingers laced in his started to twitch. He grinned, knowing exactly what was going to happen. Bringing up her fingers to his lips, he kissed them softly and nudged her to the piano. "Go create a symphony, my little composer."

Everything about this felt like their normal nightly cuddles. Yet something in her gut told her she couldn't leave him. She turned into his side, burrowing into his soft jumper.  "No," she said quietly and if Francesca Bridgerton did whine, he would have said that sounded vaguely like a whine. "I don't want to leave you."  "I'm right here." He coaxed gently. She felt the feather soft kiss against her hair before her body pulled itself to her favourite instrument. 

She sat by her prized pianoforte; rested her foot lightly against the pedal, flexed her fingers before placing them on the keys in a graceful cascade. She decided it would be played in G. She pressed one of the pedals under her heel to transpose it to +2 up. Then the music overtook her. Her fingers danced delicately, staying in the middle of the keyboard while her instrument produced the most heart-aching tune she has ever heard. 

Slowly, she opened her eyes. She wanted to stay in the moment just a little longer. The feeling of something being lost within her had returned. She couldn’t dare turn around - she didn’t have to, to know he was gone. Her music had always grounded her. This was an unfortunate consequence.  

She wanted him back. To do their night routines again, to hear about his day again, to hear about how Michael had called him one too many times to pick him up from a bad hookup. Just one more time. 

Time was all she wanted. Deep down, she knew. She could never have it back. 

You still make me nervous when you walk in the room Them butterflies they come alive when I'm next to you If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you Drive highways and byways to be there with you

The next few days were her own personal hell. After seeing him - she felt him for crying out loud - her grief came back tenfold. She consumed everything that had even a hint of him. Flipping through photo books, rereading their texts and the love letters he wrote while he was away on business trips and of course, rewatching their wedding video. She memorised every part of it until they were deeply ingrained in her very being. Every feature, laugh line, wrinkle, and the sharp lines of his jaw of his pictures, then every single word he ever wrote for her and moments made together with him - all committed to her memory forever. 

As hard as it was to grapple with the loss, she took comfort in the fact that every reminder of him, especially the memory of spun around on the dance floor, still gave her butterflies. A nervous but excited pit at the bottom of her stomach. She loved her husband - well most people loved their spouses but she found it so special that they always had crushes on each other. A small smile graced her features how there were some days they just couldn’t stop staring at the other. There was even one weekend where she simply couldn’t function because her husband was just so gorgeous and lovely, it overwhelmed her. A couple of months later, he had dropped a plate - thank god it was plastic - when she walked into the room and all he could do was gape. 

She could see his exact expression in her mind so clearly. A stray giggle escaped her lips. She widened her eyes. It was the first time she had laughed since he was gone. She didn’t know how to feel. Before she could decide, bile quickly rose up to her throat, silencing any coherent thoughts. Racing to the washroom, she threw herself against the toilet bowl. Her hand gripped the top of the seat against the cover as she emptied her insides into the bowl. 

As she washed herself up, she didn’t even question if it was a stomach bug or food poisoning. Opening up her phone and tapping her period app, it confirmed what she already knew. 4 Weeks Late, the screen read. 

Her body started to be wracked by sobs, unable to control the trembling. She had to tell someone. Turning over her phone in her iron grip, her screen blurred as her hands would not stop shaking. By some miracle, the contact page opened up and she clicked on the first name on her Favourites list. 

“Michael, please… come over right now. I… need you.” The tears would not stop pouring down her face. It became even worse as she struggled to get through her words, choking up on occasion. She was too wrapped up in her devastation to discern if it was an actual call or his voicemail. She promptly hung up right after and buried herself in her blankets on the sofa. Having the weight of her covers seemed to start to still her hysteria. She focused on her breathing and just let herself become one with the blanket and sofa. 

~

Thirty minutes later, the swift and hurried knocks came at the door before one Michael Stirling came tumbling through the door after violently wrestling his spare key into the knob. Francesca had completely disappeared under her duvet as she heard her cousin-in-law fight her door. Once the door closed shut behind him, she peeked out gingerly. She watched as his expression fall even more at the sight of her. He crossed the room in two quick, large strides and made his way next to her on the sofa. Arms reached out in comfort when she stopped him. 

She wrapped her own arms tightly around her abdomen as she saw her husband’s face in her mind once again. John was going to miss everything. All the milestones of firsts - steps, laughs, cries, dates, birthdays and weddings. She stared hard at her wrapped arms as the tears blurred her vision once more and then she spoke in the quietest whisper. 

“Michael, I’m pregnant.”  Everything comes back to you.

[viscountessevie]

Bridgerton Sleepover Question Banners!

A/N: THEY’RE FINALLY HERE!! I know a couple of yall have already answered questions but worry not I’ll tag you and feel free to edit your post to include the banner accordingly! Sleepover Details Here [EDIT: I know everyone’s alr reblogging this but I’m adding this anyways and also its in the comments for the reblogged version without this edit!]

So I specifically made these to be downloaded and reposted on your posts as you answer the questions but all I ask is that: 

You credit me by tagging (also I wanna see yalls’ answers!!), DO NOT crop out my username at the bottom of each banner and reblog this post please!

[I know I said I would colour code them by ship colours but my art brain was not working today sorry yall also I took so long to get these out so I didn’t want to drag it out for too long! Can you tell this sleepover was super impromptu and I’m extra as hell? AHahha anyways enjoy answering and asking and have a GREAT sleepover :D]

Feel free to also use this post to answer the qns in a reblog or comment and I’ll reblog/post it!! Tag me or @kateandanthonyaremyparents​ if you guys do use these! 

Taglist aka people who have answered qns: @sophiamariabeckett @minim236​ @isdathriantionnsgnadh​ @brooklynviscountess​ @pinkmallet​ @livingonfanficseyra​ (you can use them when you answer your ask E!)