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The early autumn air was crisp and cool, leaves rustling softly under Cressida’s boots as she strolled through the quiet streets of Mayfair. Much to her dismay, Bethany had proven herself to be a very early riser over the last six months. While she still loathed rising with the sun, Cressida truly enjoyed taking her daughter for a walk across the park not far from their home, relishing the precious moments alone before most of the ton was out and about.
Eloise and Aubrey would eventually join them most mornings, but there was something special about spending time with just one of her girls. She dearly hoped the bond she had with each of her daughters would only strengthen over time and vowed to always be present for them, loving and supporting them. It was hard to believe not even a year had passed since Eloise proposed; so much had happened in the ensuing months. Though at last settled in their new home, sleep still was a precious commodity most weeks but they were slowly getting used to their new normal.
So lost in her memories and smiling at her daughter whose bright blue eyes were busy taking in the scenery, she did not see her own mother until she almost ran into her with the pram. After their last encounter at the Queen’s Palace, she of course thought of her parents often; wondered about what they thought about her now, if she would ever have any type of relationship with them again.
After the whirlwind of the twins’ birth, Eloise and she retreated to Aubrey Hall earlier than planned, their main goal to keep the girls out of the spotlight for the rest of the season. The time away allowed their young family some peace and quiet, and soon all their focus was on the babies, on learning how to be parents and partners all over again. Of course, they inevitably returned to Mayfair and its ever present gossip mill. Cressida had known this day would come sooner than later but still she found herself wholly unprepared to come face to face with Araminta Cowper.
She quickly lifted Beth into her arms, needing to feel her close and protect her from whatever vitriol her mother was sure to spew. Much to her surprise, her mother’s gaze softened faintly when it fell upon the baby, who curiously returned the look, almost as if she were saying hello.
“Mother, what a surprise,” Cressida said stiffly, wishing she had just waited on Eloise to leave the house today.
Her mother’s posture almost instantly returned to the rigid manner she was used to, and the familiarity somehow gave her just a bit more confidence. She shifted Beth in her arms, turning her away from the woman who was supposed to have loved her as she now loved her daughters. Who was supposed to protect and shield her from harm, but only treated her as cattle to be sold to the highest bidder. Who raised her to be cold, to not have thoughts of her own, and consider herself only a means to an end.
Who had failed her time and time again.
“Cressida, dear. I did not expect to see you out this early,” her mother said in an uninterested tone, though her eyes flicking back to Beth betrayed her. Cressida knew she should respond with kindness, that her mother was trapped by society’s unforgiving standards just as she had been and had never known any other way. Yet, she and Eloise had the courage to plead for a better, a different future and though it was hard won, she would never make any different choice. Now, embracing her young daughter, whom she loved more fiercely than she could have ever imagined, Cressida could not find any grace for the woman standing in front of her.
“The fresh air is good for Bethany, mother. I find a nice long walk keeps her in uplifted spirits for the rest of the day,” Cressida replied, keeping her tone polite but guarded.
“And you do so unaccompanied? That’s scarcely proper, Cressida.”
She sighed; it took no time at all for her mother to fall back on her old ways. Married women walking their children in the early morning was hardly considered inappropriate, even by the ton’s standards.
“Though she is a fine-looking child,” her mother continued, voice softening briefly as she looked upon her granddaughter. “It seems you have done well, Cressida.”
Cressida tensed at the backhanded compliment, though she ought to be used to it. Her mother was always sparing with her approval, and there was an edge to her words that made Cressida wary. “Thank you,” she said quietly, though her guard remained up.
“And, I am glad to see you did not follow the silly Bridgertons tradition,” Araminta continued coolly, the formal tone much closer to what Cressida expected from her mother. She ground her teeth and took a deep breath to avoid responding too quickly, very much wanting to avoid a verbal sparring this morning, especially with Beth in her arms.
“And what tradition would that be, mother?”
“The ridiculous alphabetical order of the children’s names, what else? Though I suppose, if you choose to continue to remain in this sham of a marriage, she shall be your only child and it matters very little,” her mother replied, boredom coloring her voice.
Cressida was too stunned to reply right away and at a loss which of her mother’s words to confront first. She could not believe the gossip mill had not made it to her parents’ door to inform them she had given birth to twins, though with their quick retreat to the country and her parents staying in London for the summer, it was possible. Cressida decided to address her mother’s other grievance instead.
“Mama, my marriage is no sham. The Queen herself sanctioned it into law; you were in the room when it happened,” she said, standing tall, holding Bethany a bit tighter.
“Oh please, we all know that woman’s whims sway like sails in the wind. Surely, she will not indulge in supporting this little movement for much longer once something else catches her attention,” Lady Cowper dismissed Cressida’s reply, waving her hand in an aloof gesture to emphasize the point.
Willing herself to stay calm for Beth’s sake, Cressida kept her voice even when she said, “I do not think the Queen will take lightly being spoken of in such a manner, Mother.”
They’d heard the rumors, of course, that some pockets of society were campaigning for a return to what they esteemed the traditional, normal, society rules. Meeting in each other’s homes, stirring contempt and hate in their circles, even among their staff. Their own governess came from such a household, but Jane knew the woman and vouched for her, though Cressida remained somewhat weary. She privately thought all this so-called activism was rooted in fear of change, of the unknown, but what she now witnessed in her mother’s eyes was neither.
This was pure, unadulterated disdain and hatred toward Cressida, the woman she loved, and their children for heaven’s sake.
Her mother’s tone now barred no misunderstanding of possibly wanting to be part of her life at all.
“You listen, girl. We can only hope England has not become the mockery of the world when the Queen and Parliament wake up and realize this Great Second Experiment is a farce. You’d be well served to acknowledge your mistakes now, while you still have the chance.”
“And what, pray tell, do you think will happen to me? To my family?”
Lady Cowper scoffed at that, completely blinded by her disgust.
“On second thought, please do not answer that. I do not want to waste more time on you than I already have this morning,” Cressida continued, swaying a now restless Beth in her arms. Her daughter clearly sensed her distress and expressed herself the only way she could, made evident by the tears marring her precious face. She steadied her breath, closed her eyes to calm herself, and fervently wished for her wife’s calming presence at her side.
As if summoned by her thoughts alone, she heard the faint noise of a child’s pram breaking the tense air and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Turning, she took in the familiar silhouette of Eloise, striding along the path with purpose in each step. The sight of her wife with Aubrey sustained Cressida’s resolve and was a reminder they always stood side by side. That their family, though unconventional for now, was also just as ordinary as any other.
Eloise came to stand beside her wife, taking in Cressida’s worried expression with soft eyes and laid a comforting hand upon Bethany’s back to calm their daughter, their fingers entangling as always. Once assured her wife was well, she turned her attention to the woman who was her mother-in-law, a title Eloise was beyond certain Lady Cowper did not relish.
“Good morning, Lady Cowper,” Eloise greeted her, tone smooth and diplomatic, but with an undercurrent of firmness that made it clear she would not tolerate any disrespect toward her family. She paused, resting her hand on the handle of Aubrey's pram firmly. “It seems you have already made the acquaintance of one of your granddaughters. Perhaps you’d care to meet the other?”
Cressida watched the flicker of shock cross her mother’s face as Eloise stood beside her, the rest of her precious family a tangible reminder that her life had grown beyond anything Araminta Cowper could control. Her mother’s eyes darted from one child to the other, and for a moment, the cold veneer cracked, revealing genuine surprise.
“Another?” she asked, her voice strained. “Twins?”
Cressida nodded, her grip tightening slightly on Bethany. “Yes, Mother. Aubrey and Bethany. Though it seems your disgust for our family kept you from realizing that we’ve had not one, but two daughters since we last spoke. And as you can see, we did honor the silly Bridgerton tradition; it is very dear to us.”
Her mother’s lips thinned into a grim line. “I see.” She glanced at Aubrey, then back at Bethany, her contempt barely concealed. “And I suppose you expect me to simply accept all of this? To do away with tradition and rules altogether?”
“We don’t expect anything from you,” Eloise said smoothly, voice steady. “The world has moved on, Lady Cowper; the rules have changed. Many others have married as we have, embracing a future where love, not rigid tradition, defines family. Whether you choose to accept us or not is your choice, but those facts remain.”
Lady Cowper’s eyes narrowed; her voice sharp as a blade. “You think society will continue to tolerate this absurdity? That this so-called marriage of yours will be accepted by anyone of true standing? You’re deluded to think this will last.”
Eloise stood her ground, gaze unwavering, though inwardly she was pained by the words on Cressida’s behalf. Her wife had the most tender of hearts, and Eloise knew her mother’s words cut her deeply, even when they both knew she was in the wrong.
“Society has accepted us, Lady Cowper, it is your will not to. You and a few small-minded friends of yours are the ones who remain stuck in the past. As you well know, Queen Charlotte herself authorized our marriage, and so many other couples have followed in our footsteps. Like it or not, accept us or not, this is the world we live in now. The world you will have to adopt to, or be left behind by.”
Cressida felt Bethany stir in her arms, still restless on her behalf, and she adjusted her daughter, gaze still fixed on her mother. Her voice was strong and full of conviction when she finally said the words she wanted to say.
“You may believe this is some temporary arrangement, but what you fail to see is that your bitterness only isolates you, Mother. You will be the one missing out on seeing your granddaughters turn into fine young women of their own. You will be the one to fail to love them, and you will regret it.”
Lady Cowper’s eyes again flicked between the girls, her face betraying nothing more than contempt.
“Do not presume to lecture me, Cressida. These children,” she gestured toward them dismissively, “May be yours, but they will never carry the Cowper name. They shall be forgotten as easily as this preposterous marriage of yours.”
Eloise’s eyes flashed, but she kept her voice calm. “Whether or not our daughters carry the Cowper name is beyond irrelevant and could not be less important to us. The only thing that matters to us is that they will be raised with love, with freedom, and shall thrive immensely regardless of whether you acknowledge them or not.”
Cressida could feel her heart pounding in her chest, but she refused to let her mother’s words rattle her. She took a deep breath, standing tall with Bethany leaning on her shoulder, the trust her baby girl had in her allowing a sense of calmness to settle over her. She would do right by her daughters, so unlike what Araminta had done by her.
“And you seem to have forgotten, Mother, that I am the rightful heir to the Cowper title per royal decree, should I choose to accept it. And if I do not, then Aubrey, our eldest daughter, will have the choice to inherit after me.”
Her mother’s face twisted with a mixture of disbelief and indignation. “You cannot be serious,” Lady Cowper spat, her voice trembling with barely concealed fury. “You would dare pass your father’s title, your legacy, to one of them? Children with…,” she cast a venomous look at Eloise, eyes narrowing, “With her?”
Cressida’s jaw tightened, but still she refused to rise to her mother’s bait. She would never allow this woman to make her feel small again, to belittle her family and everything her and Eloise were building together.
“Yes, our daughters. Both of them,” she continued, calm but firm, “will have the freedom to decide their futures, whether that means carrying on the Cowper name or forging their own paths. They will never know the lack of love I suffered, or the constant pressure to conform to society. We love them beyond measure, and they shall know it every single day of their lives.”
Lady Cowper scoffed, her gaze hard and unyielding. “As if the title will mean anything when you have thrown away everything our family ever stood for.”
Cressida’s resolve only strengthened, Eloise’s steady presence giving her a boldness she rarely felt when confronted with her parents. “The title and so-called Cowper legacy will mean what we choose to make of it. And rest assured, Aubrey and Bethany will never know the hatred and bitterness you hold within you, as long as I draw breath.”
“One day,” she said softly, feeling sorry for her mother whose ignorance had blinded her so completely that she would never understand her only daughter, “you will realize what you’ve lost. But by then, it will be too late. Our girls will have always known the love of a family that accepts them as they are. You, on the other hand, will be left behind.”
For a long, heavy moment, Lady Cowper said nothing. Her eyes darted between the twins, her expression cold and distant, but she had no reply.
“We’ve said all we needed to,” Cressida said quietly, heart steady now and resolve unshaken.
“Goodbye, Mother.” With that, she gently lowered Bethany back into her pram and turned away.
Eloise settled her hand on the small of Cressida’s back, allowing her comfort in a moment she knew Cressida had waited for a long time. She was unbelievably proud of her, even though she knew the sadness from her parents’ lack of love would continue to linger long after today. For now, she led Cressida to leave the park and Lady Cowper behind them.
The tension from moments earlier began to ease with each step they took. Cressida felt the cool breeze against her skin, a welcome contrast to the heated confrontation with her mother. Eloise remained by her side, a comfortable silence settling between them as they made their way home.
After a few minutes, Eloise turned her head, gaze soft and filled with pride.
“You were magnificent back there,” she murmured full of admiration. She’d lost count how many times she’d held Cressida in their bed, comforting her through conflicting emotions about her parents, the title she was to inherit, the way it would impact their family when it eventually came to pass. They still did not have all the answers, but Eloise knew today was cathartic for Cressida in a profound way.
Cressida let out a soft sigh, the weight of the morning finally beginning to lift. “I don’t know about that,” she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “But I couldn’t let her have the last word. Not this time.”
She shook her head slightly, “Though, honestly, every word she said felt like a blow, like I was right back to being her daughter, the girl who would never say no to her.”
Eloise gently touched her arms, her touch grounding Cressida in a familiar way. “But you are not that girl anymore, Cress. You stood proud and tall and told her exactly what she needed to hear, exactly what you have been wanting to say to her for so long.” Her eyes sparkled as she continued, “I know how much courage that took, darling, and I am so proud of you. You are much stronger than you think.”
Cressida glanced over at Eloise, heart full of gratitude and relief. “It didn’t feel like strength at the time. Just stubbornness.”
Eloise laughed softly, “Well, stubbornness or not, you defended our family. You reminded her that she does not have control over your future, or the girls'. That was bravery, whatever it was brought upon.”
Cressida sighed, her expression softening as she looked at Bethany, who had fallen asleep after all the excitement. “I suppose I had to - for them. The idea of her having any influence over their lives…it terrifies me.”
Eloise’s gaze shifted to Aubrey, eyes wide and curious as she observed the world around her. “She won’t,” Eloise promised, voice firm. Araminta Cowper would never get near her children again if Eloise had her way.
“We have our whole family on our side, and you and I know Benny would fight your father to defend you. Cress, the girls will grow up with love and freedom you never had, and certainly not the rigid coldness your parents tried to instill in you. They will always know what it’s like to be truly seen for who they are.”
Cressida smiled softly, the tension beginning to fade as Eloise’s words soothed her. “I don’t know what I would have done without you today. Just having you there, seeing you with Aubrey, it made everything easier.”
Eloise moved to intertwine her hand with Cressida’s as they walked, the gesture ingrained in her muscle memory as breathing was. “You’ll never have to face her alone, or anyone else who doubts us. You and me, Cress, always. Your parents and others like them cannot touch our family, I will not allow it. I promise, love.”
Cressida’s heart swelled at the words, emotions rising in her chest. She looked at Eloise, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve given me everything I ever dreamed of, Eloise. Our love, our girls - it just feels so perfect.”
Eloise smiled, her thumb brushing gently over the back of Cressida’s hand. “We are doing it together, my love. You’ve given me a life I couldn’t dare to dream of. And it might not always be perfect, but we will be together every step of the way. I cannot imagine my life without you. Not for one moment.”
Cressida felt a lump in her throat, eyes beginning to glisten with unshed tears. “I love you so much,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “And I promise, no matter what happens, I will always be by your side. For you, for our girls, for their happiness. I won’t let anyone take that away.”
Eloise’s eyes softened, filled with a tenderness that made Cressida’s heart ache in the best way. “I love you too. More than I can put into words sometimes. And I’ll always be right here with you, Cress, always.”
She leaned closer, her voice a soft caress as she added, “We’ve come so far, haven’t we? From meeting at our tree, sneaking out at night…to this.” Eloise smiled at the babies, both peacefully asleep now, her heart full of love.
Cressida chuckled, a bittersweet laugh escaping her lips. Had it really only been a little over two years since they began their friendship? “It feels like a lifetime ago. And yet, in some ways, it feels like only yesterday.”
Eloise smiled, her gaze warm and knowing. “We have so much more ahead of us, so much more life to live. The girls will keep us on our toes for who knows how many years to come, and I promise you, even amidst chaos, or stress, there will always be love in our home. Not titles, not society’s rules - just love.”
Cressida squeezed Eloise’s hand, feeling the weight of those words settle in her heart. “I'm so happy, El,” she whispered. “Whatever comes next, as long as we’re together, I’m ready for it.”
Eloise lifted Cressida’s hand to her lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. “Let’s go home, my love.”
And as they continued their walk, side by side, they left the bitterness of Lady Cowper far behind them. Only their family, the love between them, the children they shared, and hope for their future, remained.