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bridgertonbabe · 2 years

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Bridgerton Couples on Love Island

For @sophiebernadotte 😘

Kanthony: Anthony would be one of the OG islanders and pair up with Siena. They would have a tumultuous relationship as their differences outweighed the attraction they have for each other, and eventually she’d pair up with someone else leaving Anthony to kiss and flirt his way through the other girls in the villa; and then cue the arrival of bombshell sisters Kate and Edwina. All the boys are immediately drawn to the younger sister though Anthony finds himself far more drawn to Kate and can’t seem to understand why no one else is seeing what he’s seeing in her. They flirt playfully for all of 12 hours until the islanders are playing a challenge of reading out quotes that have been said in the villa and guessing who said them; and Anthony’s bullish requirements of what he expects from a woman are read out, leaving Kate pissed. They have a massive argument about it and she keeps his distance from him, much to his chagrin. To get back at her for showing him up in front of everyone, however, he decides to pair up with Edwina at the next recoupling. Edwina’s not particularly interested in him, having been more into Lumley, but she decides to give him a chance at least, much to her sister’s horror. When Anthony and Edwina go on a date it becomes painfully obvious just how dead their conversations are and that there is no real attraction between them - but it doesn’t stop Anthony winding up Kate by boasting how good their date went. The TV audience would live for the passion-fuelled arguments the pair get into and how they both live to torment the other. It’s only during Casa Amor when the girls are away that Anthony realises he has 0 interest in any of the new girls and decides to stick with Edwina during the recoupling. Edwina returns to the villa with Matty Bagwell but Anthony isn’t actually that bothered by this - no, he’s far more bothered when Kate returns to the villa with Thomas Dorset - and it’s only then that he finally recognises that Kate’s been the one for him all along. As one of the only single people in the villa, Anthony gets the chance to take an islander of his choice on a date; and naturally he picks Kate, which comes as a shock to no one else but Kate. During the date Kate’s defences fall as Anthony opens up and shows her a more sensitive side than what he’s shown so far and she realises he’s far softer than she ever thought him capable to be. Back at the villa they spend more and more time together, sniping far less without losing their love for teasing one another, and then at the next recoupling Kate chooses to recouple with him over Thomas. As soon as they’re in a couple they’re kissing and cuddling and full on making out all across the villa, but what drives the TV audience wild is during the talent show when Kate is giving an absolutely horrendous flute performance, the camera pans to Anthony gazing at her with complete adoration. People would be tweeting “oh so he’s in love love” and then that night they get picked to go to the Hideaway and well, let’s just saying Kate plays with another flute that night...

Benophie: Benedict would initially be paired up with Gen and while the pair have good fun and banter, they both acknowledge that the spark they’re looking for just isn’t there. He next couples up with Tessa but again, while the sexual chemistry is there, there’s still something missing and once more the pair end things on friendly terms. Benedict would be the islander everyone at home is rooting for, wanting the perfect girl to walk in for him (but he’s not cringe or disappointing a la Dr Alex or Hugo lmao). At the next recoupling he’s the only boy not picked and he’s fully expecting to get dumped until he gets a text telling him Sophie is waiting just outside of the villa for their date; and when he arrives and sees her, he knows all at once that she’s what he’s been waiting for. The conversation flows, they’re both giddy around each other and just from that one date the audience want them to win. During the next few days some of the guys try chatting to Sophie but all she sees is Benedict and they’re practically attached at the hip, trading kisses and playing with each other’s hands. When the recoupling comes, Benedict has no hesitation who he’s going to pick - but he’s left in turmoil when Phillip Cavender gets to pick first and throws a cat among the pigeons by coupling up with Sophie. Everyone is left shook and Benedict has no choice but to be saddled with Prudence in a couple, but luckily his bed is right next to Sophie’s and they hold each other’s hand when they go to sleep. During the Snog, Marry, Pie challenge, Sophie makes it clear that not only is she not interested in Cavender but she’s repulsed by him and pies him with a lot of force, before breaking the rules and opting to marry and snog Benedict just to prove a point. During Casa Amor Benedict sleeps in the day bed along with Hugh Woodson, unable to stand the thought of sharing a bed with anyone but Sophie, and he’d make the audience’s hearts melt when he professes “I miss her” to Hugh. He spends the entirety of their stay at Casa Amor pouting and moping, and whenever any of the new girls try chatting to him all he can talk about is Sophie and how much he likes her. When he returns to the main villa, he’s hopeful that she hasn’t found anyone else, and he wells up as soon as he sees that she’s stood by herself waiting for him. He doesn’t even bother talking to the host, running past her to catch Sophie in his arms and kiss her passionately. That night in bed when everyone else is asleep Benedict asks her to be his girlfriend and she happily accepts, and then, without any fanfare, he tells her he loves her and she returns the sentiment, and the pair kiss before falling asleep in each other’s arms.

Polin: Colin arrives as a bombshell and is immediately taken with Marina. They couple up but it takes a while for him to realise that he’s far more into her than she is into him, as she’s still not over George Crane, who she had a falling out with prior to Colin’s arrival. Though disheartened, Colin steps aside for them to get back together. He spends the next few weeks charming his way into other couples and entertaining the audience with his quips and his talking heads in the Beach Hut, but he doesn’t find a girl who he truly clicks with - at least, that’s what the audience think. Behind the scenes, Colin has grown a fondness for Penelope, the crew member who runs the Beach Hut and who will prompt the contestants if needed. Colin finds himself preferring her company over the rest of the islanders and will spend a couple of hours at a time holed up in the Beach Hut just to entertain her and even get her to forget her job and chat away with him. Soon the best part of his day is spending time with her and he makes multiple trips to the Beach Hut just to see her. It’s not until one day that it’s brought to Penelope’s attention by the mic guy that one of the other contestants, Fife, had been teasing Colin about his constant trips to the Beach Hut and inferring that Colin was crushing on Penelope, when Colin had scoffed that he was far from interested in the red-headed crew member. Having fallen for him, Penelope is devastated and swaps duties with someone else, no longer able to be around Colin. None the wiser, Colin is crushed when he next traipses to the Beach Hut and finds the grumpy middle aged Varley in charge of asking questions instead of his Pen. During his time at Casa Amor surrounded by the new girls desperate to vie for his attention, Colin finds himself bored and uninterested, comparing all of them to Penelope; and only then does it hit him that it’s Penelope he’s in love with. Back at the main villa he holes himself up in the Beach Hut and refuses to leave until he can see Penelope, who eventually storms in with a face like thunder and berates him for causing problems for production. Left alone in the small room, Penelope brings up what she heard him say to Fife and how it hurt her to hear him be so dismissive of her. He apologises and assures her he only said it to stop Fife pestering him and then floors her by telling her he’s in love with her. She tries to dismiss him, telling him the heat must have got to him and that the other islanders are much more his type, but he proves his sincerity by kissing her, and playfully tells her he won’t stop kissing her until she believes him. Penelope teases him by saying she doesn’t quite believe him and so he continues to kiss her and kiss her and eventually the rest of the production crew are confused why it’s taking so long for Penelope to sort the contestant out - until they all hear guttural moaning from the locked room. Penelope gets fired but she doesn’t mourn her job loss for long as Colin declares he’s leaving the villa to be with her, and the pair continue their summer holidaying around the Mediterranean. The audience have no idea what really went on or why Colin suddenly decided to leave until he posts a video on his Youtube channel a year later where he introduces Penelope and they share their story with the public - naturally, the viewers lose their shit but are so happy that Colin found the right woman for him.

Saphne: By some terrible misfortune, Daphne is forced into a couple with Nigel Berbrooke after everyone else is partnered up on the first day; but then that evening Simon enters the villa as the bombshell and without even chatting with any of the girls, steals Daphne to couple up. There’s a bit of drama with Nigel insisting just because Daphne’s now coupled up with Simon doesn’t mean she can’t still get to know him, but Simon points out that Daphne’s got to actually want to get to know Nigel. Despite finding him a bit up himself (and vice versa), Daphne sticks with Simon when she gets to pick at the next recoupling, each of them finding solace by having the other as a safety net. Every new guy who comes in shows interest in Daphne and while she humours them, she keeps finding herself coming back to Simon to laugh and chat with. They insist they’re just a friendship couple but the TV audience know better, and it isn’t until they kiss in a challenge that they both realise there’s something more there. They get closer and become more romantic but Simon’s insecurities get the better of him and he pushes her way. She ends up being comforted by the newest bombshell, Friedrich, and chooses to couple up with him (despite the fact Cressida had opined she intended to couple up with him). It’s only seeing Daphne with another guy that Simon grows jealous and realises he likes her far more than he was letting himself believe. The tension between them is still there and it’s not until a sneaky kiss on the terrace that Cressida sees and goes around telling everyone about that they decide to get back together. Just before Casa Amor, however, Daphne mentions wanting to have children one day, which leads to Simon breaking the news to her that he doesn’t. It’s a massive deal-breaker and they end things before he leaves for Casa Amor. During their time away, neither one meets anyone who they’re as into, and despite parting ways they both remain single at the end of the week. They stay in their couple but before they do anything they have a deep conversation with Simon opening up about his fears of becoming just like his father, but telling Daphne he loves her so much that he wants to work on his issues in order to be with her and one day be in a position to also want kids; if she’s willing to be patient with him. Daphne assures him she is, telling him she loves him too, and they reunite. Then during the baby challenge Daphne enjoys spending the day seeing after Augie, but what she enjoys most is seeing how focused Simon is at the task at hand. In spite of his parental anxieties, Simon takes the role very seriously and takes great care with his plastic fake son so much so that they’re named the winners of the challenge and thus giving Simon the confidence that he will one day make a great father.

Philloise: Love Island is absolutely not a show Eloise ever expected to find herself on but she’s not there to find love; she’s there for the £50k and to take down as many brainless chauvinists as she possibly can. Her nose is constantly scrunched up with the lines and air-headed things her fellow contestants say and she’s not afraid to put any man in his place should he upset one of the other girls. Eloise makes for TV gold as she always has something to say and doesn’t take shit from anyone and she quickly becomes a fan favourite despite falling out of favour with the majority of the boys. The only guy in the villa who gets on with her, finds her amusing, and chooses to couple up with on a friendship basis is Theo. They get along well as he’s the only guy who can meet her on an intellectual level and in Eloise’s head she reckons they can make it to the final and even secure the bag. There’s just one hitch - Eloise makes the shocking discovery that she’s caught feelings for him. She tries to play it cool and doesn’t give him any reason to think she sees him as anything more than friends but she admits in the Beach Hut that she really enjoys kissing him in tasks and challenges. Theo notices she’s gone unusually quiet in recent days and finally she admits she might kinda like him and he admits he might kinda like her too and they decide to give their romance a go. They get on well for a couple of weeks and then Casa Amor happens. Eloise has no interest in any other guy and is confident that Theo will feel the same with the new girls - but when she walks back into the main villa, her hopes shatter when she sees him stood by the fire pit with another girl. When she tries talking to him to try and understand what he sees in this new girl that he doesn’t see in her, Theo turns on her and throws a bunch of stuff in her face and saying he dislikes the qualities that he had once told her he really liked about her (please envision this as the Michael vs. Amber “ya chaldish!” argument lmao). Eloise is anguished by how harshly she’s being treated by a guy she thought she could trust and the audience are sad to see her curl in on herself and be a little less fiery and talkative than she’s known to be. It’s not until a week later that Eloise finds herself left alone at the fire pit following a recoupling and expects to leave the villa with nothing more than heartache when to everyone’s surprise she receives a text to inform her she’s now coupled up with Phillip, who then enters and upon reaching her receives a text informing them they’re going to go and have their first date. Eloise can’t quite believe it as she and Phillip go on a stargazing date and what shocks her even more is that he’s nothing like any other guy she’s ever met. He’s sweet, tender-hearted, and knowledgeable, and wants to know all about her and she keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop, for his facade to slip but it never does. She does query what a guy like him is doing on the show and she’s blown away when he tells her that once he saw her on the TV, he just knew he had to meet her and that to him, she’s the perfect woman. Eloise is stunned by such an admission but then shocks herself when she surges forward and kisses him and discovers all the kisses she had with Theo pale in comparison to this kiss with Phillip. Back at the villa Eloise tries to steady her hopes, thinking Phillip will want to at least get to know some of the other girls but he only has eyes for her and tells her that he came to the villa just for her. The audience is thrilled to see Eloise back to her old self but now all loved up and radiant with happiness with Phillip. Then one night Phillip is with some of the guys when one of them asks; “how’s the taming of the shrew coming along?” Phillip, though clearly rattled, doesn’t raise his voice but firmly puts the guy in his place, telling him to have some respect for Eloise and that there is nothing he would wish to change about her. Eloise is none the wiser about this interaction but in defending her honour he wins over the trust of the public. And then, when Eloise and Phillip do make it to the final and win and he ends up picking the envelope with the £50k, the host has barely finished asking the question when Phillip says he wants to share the money and hopefully the rest of his life with Eloise.

Franchel: Cousins John and Michael enter the villa as bombshells and turn all of the girls’ heads. They each get to pick three girls to have dates with, with each girl preparing a course, and the girl who gets picked by both of them is Francesca. Michael had his eye on her as soon as he entered and he shares a dessert with her after she’s had mains with John. When it comes to the recoupling, Michael hasn’t discussed with John that he wants to couple up with Francesca, seeing as John has been getting on with all of the girls, so he’s thrown when John picks first and chooses Francesca for himself. Michael really has no one else but himself to blame for not making his feelings known to his cousin but he decides to right this by having a conversation with John where he plans to ask if he can still get to know Francesca. However, when they go for a chat, John is so delighted to be coupled up with her that Michael doesn’t have the heart to make his own feelings known and instead decides not to tread on his cousin’s toes. John and Francesca are one of the steadiest couples in the villa, meanwhile Michael goes from woman to woman, having fun and getting embroiled in drama without hurting any of the other girls feelings; but all the while he knows his heart is with Francesca. His cousin and Francesca welcome him quite happily as a third wheel and the trio are always hanging around together, though it doesn’t escape the audience’s notice that Michael is drawn to his cousin’s partner just in the way he looks at her longingly. It’s only after a couple of different challenges that John becomes aware of his cousin’s feelings. During the Twitter challenge, a tweet is read out insinuating that Michael and Francesca would make for a better pairing and that Michael can’t settle because his cousin is with the girl he really wants to be with. Things become awkward between the trio though what was revealed is never discussed, however the suggestion that Michael likes her makes Francesca start thinking about him in a new light. Then, during the heart rate challenge, Michael dominates by spiking all of the girls heart rate, including Francesca’s, meanwhile Francesca is the person who spikes Michael’s heart rate the most, and everyone sees how close the pair come to actually kissing when she was dancing up on him. John takes all of this into consideration and then asks Francesca if she has any feelings for Michael. Francesca is tearful when she admits that there might be something there but she doesn’t want to come between the cousins who are as close as brothers. John then has a word with Michael, finally asking him if he wants Francesca, and his cousin wearily confesses that he liked her straightaway but never wanted to get in John’s way and just wants him to be happy. John mulls everything over before convening with both of them on the terrace and announcing he’s going to leave the villa - and that he wants Michael and Francesca to give things a go. They both try to argue with him, telling him he doesn’t have to leave and Michael even offers to leave instead, but John insists; he can now see just how much Francesca and his cousin mean to each other and knows they can make each other happier. He holds no ill will against them and really just wants what’s best, telling them it’ll be worth it if they do end up falling in love, and he’s sure he’ll find someone else. After a teary goodbye Michael and Francesca recouple together and though initially hesitant of moving too quickly after John’s departure, the heat is ignited between them when they share a kiss. Some of the other islanders voice their opinion that they think Michael just wanted what he couldn’t have but he barely notices anyone else but Francesca once they get together. They then go on to prove the naysayers wrong as Michael remains faithful and devoted to Francesca and Francesca alone (and rumour has it their night in the Hideaway was one of the most explicit visits of all time).

Grucy: Lucy rolls her eyes when the newest bombshell, Gregory, makes a beeline to her best friend Hermione, after every other guy in the villa has done the exact same thing. Just as she’s done before, Hermione humours Gregory’s advances but Lucy knows her heart’s not in it (and she knows of Hermione’s secret boyfriend on the outside - her friend is only on the show for a Boohoo/Pretty Little Thing fashion deal). Gregory does try something new in comparison to the other guys; he seeks out Lucy’s advice and opinion on how to get Hermione to like him. Lucy is surprised and tries to tell him that if Hermione’s feeling it then he’ll know but he keeps going to Lucy for more tips. Lucy feels awful, knowing his efforts will be futile considering Hermione is besotted with her boyfriend on the outside world, but she does think Gregory’s far better than Sam Edmonds, and so she decides to try her best to help him. She talks him up to Hermione and always invites him to sit with them and chat, before excusing herself to give them some time alone (even if it means having to put up with Neville Berbrooke’s flirtatious advances). Little by little, Hermione does seem to be growing fond of Gregory, and as happy as she is with the success she’s been having, Lucy can’t help but wish that she was getting Gregory’s attention. Then, during a challenge in which the boys and girls are each blindfolded and have to rate out of ten a kiss given to them by the opposing team, Hermione gives Gregory’s kiss a 10/10. Gregory’s thrilled and then he gives a 10/10 to the kiss that set off sparks in his heart and soul - but he’s shocked when it turns out he gave such a rating to Lucy’s kiss (and a measly 4/10 to Hermione’s kiss). As thrown as he is by such an outcome, Gregory persists in winning Hermione over, and fortunately his efforts pay off when she chooses to couple up with him. He is thrilled until he wakes up the next day and realises all the girls have left for Casa Amor. Gregory stays faithful but when Hermione returns she’s coupled up with Richard, who turns out to be Lucy’s older brother. Aghast with the result, Gregory lashes out at Lucy, feeling betrayed by her but he stops immediately when she starts crying, telling him she had been shocked to see her brother appear and that she had no idea how he ended up coupling up with her best friend. Gregory comforts her, realising she was none the wiser about any of it, and suddenly he has a crystallizing moment that Hermione was never right for him. Later that night Gregory gets out of bed to get a breath of fresh air and finds Lucy already outside doing the same thing. They chat and Gregory realises how easy it is to talk to her, to just be with her, and it occurs to him that whenever it’s just the two of them the rest of the world melts away; and as soon as this dawns on him, he kisses her. Lucy is surprised and rushes back to her bed, and when Gregory tries talking to her about it the next day she tells him she knows it didn’t mean anything, thinking she was nothing but a rebound for him after Hermione. Gregory is dejected, thinking she doesn’t feel the same way for him, and it hurts him to see her in her couple with Arthur Haselby, wishing he was the one who got to share her bed and get to go on dates with. Then one day, Gregory is surprised to be pulled by Hermione into the pantry and she insists they take off their mic packs, and once they do she quietly informs him that she knows Arthur on the outside; not only is he just in the villa to get a brand deal, but she knows he has a boyfriend on the outside. It’s all the convincing Gregory needs to pursue Lucy without fearing of treading on anyone’s toes and he constantly picks her to do challenges with, tugging her into quiet corners for stolen kisses, and telling her how much he likes her. Lucy is still apprehensive, thinking Gregory’s just trying to make Hermione jealous even though she feels more of a spark with him than with Arthur (and naturally the audience at home are screaming at her to let go and love Gregory back). Eventually Hermione and Richard convince her to follow her heart and at the next recoupling she takes a leap of faith and couples up with Gregory. As soon as they’re together properly, Lucy can’t remember why she had felt so hesitant as Gregory showers her with constant love and affection, and during the prom night ahead of the final Gregory declares his love for her and Lucy just knows she’s going to spend the rest of her life with him.

Hyareth: For the first few weeks, Hyacinth has fun getting to know various boys but none of them are doing anything for her. She spends most of her days with her best friend Felicity and the guy her friend coupled up with on the very first day, Geoff, keeping the pair (and the audience) entertained with her anecdotes and remarks. She laments one evening that she might not find love in the villa but she’ll enjoy the all-expenses paid for holiday nevertheless - and just as she’s finished saying that, in walks the newest bombshell, Gareth, and Hyacinth falls uncharacteristically silent, much to Felicity and Geoff’s great amusement. Initially Hyacinth tries to play it cool with Gareth, not wanting to scare him off (as she fears she’s done with the other guys so far), but he ends up bringing out her true self and what’s more he adores her for exactly who she is. They get along right away but they take things slowly, both wanting a relationship based on friendship first and foremost, and as such they don’t have their first kiss until after they’ve coupled up. From that kiss onwards Hyacinth is smitten and the pair spend all of their time together larking about in the pool, pulling pranks on Felicity and Geoff, and sitting around laughing about anything and everything. During a challenge in which the villa have to fill in the blanks of headlines about the show, Hyacinth is shocked when one headline states that Gareth is only coupling up with her because she’s popular on the outside world; and what’s more, his own father gave the interview. She starts to second guess their entire relationship, wondering if she’s just been his meal ticket this whole time, but Gareth opens up to her and tells her of his fractured relationship with his father who undermines him at every turn and has it out to sabotage every last thing in Gareth’s life. He pleads with her not to believe his father’s lies, not when she’s the best thing to ever happen to him, and Hyacinth chooses to believe him over a bitter old man. Gareth proves to be nothing but all-in with Hyacinth but she’s confused when he keeps reminding her to try to get to know other guys. When Hyacinth tells him she only wants to be with him and demands to know why he’s trying to push her away, he confesses that he fears she can do so much better than him and doesn’t want to hold her back from achieving her true happiness. Hyacinth asks him to rid his mind of his father’s cruel voice and to have faith in her when she says that she believes they are worthy of each other and can achieve true happiness together. From then on Gareth lets go of his insecurities especially after the contestants friends and family visit the villa. Hyacinth’s mother and eldest brother couldn’t approve of him high enough much to his relief, and he can’t help the fond smile he wears as Hyacinth gets on with his grandmother like a house on fire (and not to mention Agatha would be chiding him for ever letting his father’s stupid opinion get in the way of his happiness). Then during their final date he can’t stop smiling across at her, his heart absolutely full when he tells her quite simply that he loves her. Hyacinth exchanges the sentiment and they share a kiss just as fireworks go off overhead - which startles Hyacinth into cursing, making Gareth laugh. She apologises for ruining the moment but he tells her fondly that he wouldn’t have it any other way and kisses her once more.

#bridgerton #love island #kanthony #benophie #polin #saphne #philloise #franchel #grucy #hyareth #kate x anthony #benedict x sophie #colin x penelope #simon x daphne #eloise x phillip #michael x francesca #gregory x lucy #hyacinth x gareth

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shameonmeeguiltypleasure · 2 years

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Saw a post about how Game Night at the Bridgertons would be a war zone while their spouses are trying to deescalate the situation to just eating popcorn and enjoying the show- so what might happen when Gareth and Lucy are invited (meaning no one has learned that Game Night is a bad no good idea).

My guess is that Lucy had long since been exposed to the Bridgerton bloodthirst, so she has it covered. Gareth? No clue. He may have heard the rumors and just a bit morbidly curious.

So this or Game Of Thrones AU (Bridgertons are the Starks or Tyrells?)

Challenge accepted: I’m drunk so please ignore the spelling mistakes. I think I met the brief. Lmao. I do like your Game of Thrones au idea, but I think sober me will do it more justice if ever she has the time. So this is Gareth’s first time at ‘GAME NIGHT’ with the Bridgertons.

Gareth wasn’t sure what to expect. In truth, he’d not been at all worried until Lucy – oddly calm, incredibly patient LUCY, of all people – lowly whispered by his side a very ominous “And so it begins…..”

“So what begins?” Gareth couldn’t help but ask.

But his question was left ignored in favour of the very serious and stern opening speech Anthony felt the need to give.

“Ahem, now that we are all present, I do believe the first game of the night is to be…..”

Gareth was startled by the sudden drumroll Colin gave from his place beside his wife Penelope. He watched with slow creeping trepidation as Anthony fished through a hat and picked out a folded piece of paper. Gareth had turned to Hyacinth, intending to make a joke about the intensity of the entire gathering only to jump at her sudden war cry.

“CHEATER!!” Hyacinth was already screaming.

Kate, Anthony’s wife, let out a loud snort before waving her hand dismissively.

“I’m sure you’re right, but at least let him name the game before we start the accusations.” She said.

Anthony glared at his wife with exaggerated insult and huffed.

“Have you already forgotten that we are supposed to be a team, dearest?” Anthony scowled.

“What!? When was this decided!? In fact, who on earth agreed to that!?” Eloise shouted from where she’d been lazily lounging with her husband Phillip. Phillip was far more interested in the book in his lap titled ‘Gathering Moss’ looking utterly absent in mind to the ongoings around him.

“I would never,” Daphne piped from where she sipped at her juice by her bleary-looking Husband, Simon Hastings. In fact, Gareth thought the couple looked rather flushed – both incredibly red in the face and out of sorts – almost dazed.

“Oh, gods, who among us is responsible for spiking the juice!!” Eloise exclaimed.

It was no secret that Daphne was a lightweight, and her siblings – so long as it benefitted them – were never ashamed to take advantage of it from time to time. Simon, on the other hand, always made it a point to pre-game with a mighty amount of drinks before Bridgerton game night.

“Suspicious isn’t it, the fact that you are the one making accusations after the sabotage you organised last time…..” Colin casually shrugged. The third-born Bridgerton had yet to forgive the fifth-born for spiking his beloved wife Penelope’s pudding with extreme amounts of rum. It had been a memorable night for sure, which resulted in the birth of their second child, but still…. The sabotage was unforgettable.

Eloise turned to her charmer of a brother with a glare but was saved from speaking a word with Benedict’s aiding hand.

“If we are casting suspicions then what is to stop us from suspecting you, brother? Did you not swap the dice for a rigged set two years before?” Benedict hummed as he lazily twirled a finger around a lock of his wife – who was happily snacking on freshly popped popcorn with a grin – Sophie’s hair.

“Is no one going to let Anthony name the game so we may start?” Francesca sighed.

“Oh, hush you, as if any of us are blind to the fact Michael suspiciously disappeared earlier during dinner only to return 15 minutes later,” Kate directed.

“I went to the bathroom, dessert was rather disagreeable with me, unfortunately, “ Michael piped with an innocent shrug.

“And are we to take your word for it?” Penelope added with a sickly sweet grin that did nothing to hide the sharply pointed tone of her words.

“My God, are we not going to start!?” Gregory whined with a sulky huff.

“So eager to lose, little brother,” Benedict couldn’t help but mock.

“HAH! I have Lucy this year, of course, we’re guaranteed to win. Unlike the rest of you, we have the advantage, right babe?” Gregory boasted with a self-assured grin before quickly pressing a kiss to Lucy’s head. To Lucy’s credit, she only sighed at his antics and motioned for Sophie to share her popcorn. Sophie snickered as she did so with eager relish.

“Is this….. normal for all of you?” Gareth warily inquired.

But the Bridgerton siblings were far too busy accusing one another – using past schemes and manipulations as justifiable reasons for their suspicions – to even hear Gareth’s wary question.

He was surprised by the heavy hand that clapped his shoulder, and the sudden comforting weight of another’s arm looping through his own.

“Hyacinth wouldn’t have brought you tonight if she didn’t think you could survive their nonsense,” Simon roughly grumbled.

Gareth tried not to crinkle his nose at the wafting smell of whiskey on his breath.

“The only reason blood is never shed is that Violet would have all eight of their heads displayed in a rather gory exhibition….. all done with love, I assure you,” Sophie teasingly whispered by his side.

Gareth very suddenly felt a cold shiver scramble down his spine, but he couldn’t be sure if it was out of dread or something else.

“You grow used to it of course, for some, it takes years and others well…..” Penelope helpfully added.

“For some the saying ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ comes to mind......” Phillips distractedly added.

Gareth looked across the room to where Kate remained behind her husband while he passionately argued with his siblings. He couldn’t help but liken her to a lioness or something feline enjoying the chaos playing out before her. Or perhaps something like an Egyptian Goddess entertained by the insanity of her followers.

“We’d be liars if we claimed not to be curious as to which category you might fall under…..” Michael snickered.

Gareth swallowed and cast a hasty glance towards the passionately riled Hyacinth accusing Gregory of something he couldn’t be sure of. He could feel the assessing eyes of the Bridgerton’s significant others on his person, so full of curiosity. This truly was madness.

Gareth had never considered himself the romantic sort, but that’s exactly what Hyacinth inspired in him. For her, there was nothing he wasn’t willing to face or accomplish. There were no challenges he’d refuse, no overwhelming insanity he wouldn’t suffer so long as she could be happy. He loved her just as fiercely as the sun loved the moon to spend eternity in a chase, never guaranteeing their next meeting – never promising forever, yet attempting it anyway.

He loved her, more than he’s ever loved anything in his life and so…… for her, he could brave this.

For Hyacinth, he would ensure her victory.

Gareth snapped out of his musings due to the loudly given groan from across the room and the despairing sighs that followed.

“Damn it, he’s committed!” Anthony suddenly exclaimed.

What?

Gareth suddenly found his arms full of a very excited Hyacinth who dragged him into a passionate kiss before all her siblings and their spouses.

“Hyacinth!” Anthony snarled with a warning only to be hushed by a pointed kick to his shin delivered by his wife.

“I knew you’d win them over!!” Hyacinth exclaimed as she pulled away.

What?

Hyacinth then turned to her siblings looking smug and obnoxiously pleased.

“Now pay up, all of you!!” Hyacinth expectantly ordered.

The Bridgertons erupted into another round of nonsensical squabbling, but Gareth was too busy trying to make sense of what exactly had just happened. The return of a heavy hand on his shoulder jolted him from his thoughts and he turned to find Phillip by his side looking sympathetic and understanding.

“Don’t take insult to it, it’s just how they are….. at least you weren’t forced to battle all four brothers in the ring,” Phillips sighed before going back to his seat and returning to his book.

What?

Sophie snorted and threw some popcorn in the air and expertly catching it with her mouth.

“To be fair, I met them while in jail.”

What?

“Fran was married to my cousin,” Michael shrugged.

As if she could read the chaotic state of his mind, Lucy – oddly calm, incredibly patient Lucy – warmly patted his arm with a reassuring smile.

“You’re ok,” she said.

Gareth hadn’t realised until that moment the complicated whirl of emotions he was feeling. He could barely make sense of where his mind lingered or more specifically his temper. In some ways, he felt he was made a fool – invited to a ‘game night’ only to be tested for his devotion to Hyacinth – But…..

Hyacinth was laughing, a grin permanently painted on her lips as she wrestled with Gregory for a piece from a game box. She was beaming with complete joy, alive in so many ways he craved to be touched by.

“I’m ok,” he repeated out loud, and it was true.

The Bridgerton’s were viscously competitive, and incredibly sore losers to the point of sabotage and murder, but….. Gareth could survive it all so long as it meant Hyacinth would remain his.

He loved her.

He chose her.

But most importantly….. out of everyone in the world….. Hyacinth Bridgerton chose him.

And that was the greatest victory of all.

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