Chapter Text
When asked why the Bridgerton brood had been named alphabetically, Violet Bridgerton’s simple remark was always “that it seemed quite orderly”.
Yet the Bridgerton siblings were anything but.
The Bridgerton house was a flurry of motion as the family prepared themselves for Daphne and Delilah’s debut into society.
Daphne and Delilah were the only twins in the family, and therefore the only two siblings whose names started with the same letter. But that was where the similarities stopped.
Daphne was the perfect child, who never fussed or cried any more than a baby was wont to do.
Delilah was very loud. She cried and yelled and laughed like a force of nature. It was a wonder the entire ton couldn’t hear the way she wailed when her brothers played tricks on her in their youth.
And now that the girls were eight and ten, their differences were quite stark indeed. They were fraternal twins, the only features shared being their wide eyes and delicately sloped noses.
Where Daphne was willowy, Delilah was quite round. Where Daphne was demure and docile, Delilah was confident and raucous. And where Daphne was elegant, Delilah was decidedly…
“Eloise!”
Not.
Delilah rubbed a hand on her back as she stood. Eloise had yelled, loud enough to wake the dead, for Daphne to hurry. In her surprise, Delilah had slipped down the main stairs and landed rather unceremoniously on the marble floor.
“Do you think she heard me?” Eloise said, smug grin on her face.
Benedict had rushed to Delilah’s side, righting her with ease.
“I think the entirety of London heard you.” He said snarkily.
“Oh Eloise,” Delilah said, readjusting her corset. “don’t rush her. You know this is an important day for her.” While Delilah was just as delighted to be presented into society, she knew that for Daphne it was a far more important affair. Daphne craved a home, craved children…and even more importantly, she desired a love match. But she knew she’d have to be the picture of perfection in order to have as many options for her future (and for their siblings’ futures) as she could.
“I thought you were excited about all this fuss too.” Eloise said, raising a brow.
Delilah sighed.
“I am, truly. But Daphne will be sure to find a match far quicker than I. I can only hope she will leave behind a suitable option once she’s spoken for.”
Delilah was no match for Daphne’s looks. She certainly wasn’t an ogre, but in comparison, Daphne always seemed to burn brighter.
Daphne was the sun. Delilah was the moon.
Delilah more than made up for their physical disparity with her loud and boisterous personality - and her penchant for being the clumsiest woman this side of the Thames.
Yes, Delilah thought, she was quite excited about all of the fuss. But the fuss never seemed to be much excited for her.
They stood huddled, the three of them: Violet, Daphne and Delilah. The two sisters held hands and shared quiet messages of comfort. Like any other set of twins, Daphne and Delilah were able to express themselves without so much as a whisper.
Daphne gave Delilah a look that said “I’m so proud of you.”
Delilah gave one back that said “Don’t make me cry, I’ll ruin my rouge.”
Violet looked into her daughters’ eyes and gave them a blinding smile.
“Oh my girls. Did I ever tell you why I gave you both a D name?”
The girls shook their heads no. They had wondered, over the years, why they were so special as to share a letter.
“Maybe because we’re twins!” Daphne said, 10 years old with chubby little cheeks and large doe eyes.
Delilah had leaned toward her conspiratorially. “Or maybe because we’re special.” She was missing a tooth but still smiling wide as ever.
Daphne had shaken her head at that.
Back in the present, Violet laid a hand on each of her daughter’s cheeks.
“Edmund wanted to name you Daphne and Elizabeth. But I said I wanted to name you Delilah and Elizabeth. We fought so long on the names that we realized we’d forgotten which one of you came first. And then Edmund suggested we give you both a D name, and then we’d both get the names we wanted. There were about twenty other Elizabeth’s that year anyway.”
There were, in fact, many Elizabeth’s their age. Daphne and Delilah found themselves very lucky to have such unique names - there wasn’t a girl in the ton they shared a name with.
The sound of trumpets brought them out of their reverie, as names began to be called. Girl after girl walked forward to present themselves to the Queen.
Daphne shared a giggle with Delilah as they queued up behind the Featherington girls.
The Featheringtons had a rather unfortunate lot in life, seeing as their mother had very eccentric tastes in clothing. Delilah felt the most sorry for Penelope, who was her younger sister Eloise’s closest friend. Penelope had grown up with the Bridgertons, and Delilah found herself wishing she could change Penelope’s last name so she could be separated from her gaudy mother and prissy sisters.
The Featherington girls walked up rather awkwardly, but weren’t doing so bad. That is, until Prudence fainted right before the queen. Delilah remembered Penelope whispering something about a tight corset to Eloise when they’d met outside.
A flurry of whispers broke out among the guests, but once the four female Featheringtons were out of sight, order was restored.
And then it was the Bridgertons’ turn.
Their names were called, and Delilah and Daphne shared one final look of support.
“Daphne if I mess this up for you-“
Daphne scoffed. “You won’t.”
“Yes but if I do..if I trip or fall into something, promise me you will keep walking.”
Daphne have her a very serious look.
“We may not share a face, but we do share a heart. And if you fall, I will fall with you.”
Delilah squeezed her hand, too overcome to say anything else. And then their names were called and they smiled before gliding into the room.
Both girls expertly sauntered towards the queen, their smiles demure and their eyes telling but not giving everything away. They had been trained righteously by Violet since they were toddlers, and the proof was being paraded in front of the members of the ton.
Soft whispers emanated from the corners of the room.
“What a gorgeous face…”
“Both so elegant! I must say..”
“The larger one is surprisingly graceful.”
The Queen herself looked rather pleased with them as they made their way up to where she was seated.
Her eyes scanned both girls hungrily, before she placed her eyes on Delilah.
She gave her a simple nod.
While it wasn’t a declaration of perfection befit the Diamond of the Season, it was still high praise indeed.
Then her eyes settled on Daphne.
Daphne had always been perfect. Delilah never resented her sister for that - in fact she had always supported her sister with all the love she had. So when the Queen said, “Flawless, my dear.”
Delilah almost broke her picture perfect pose and wrapped her twin in an affectionate hug. Almost. They weren’t done until they were out of the room.
Daphne also could barely contain herself. As they bowed and turned, Daphne whispered,
“Did that really just happen!?”
Before Delilah could respond their mother told them people were watching. So the girls instead continued on back to the foyer.
Once out of sight of the ton, Delilah bombarded Daphne with a bear hug.
“Flawless!” She cried, as Daphne laughed.
“My sister! The diamond of the season!”
Daphne pulled back to look at her sister fondly.
“She gave you a nod, Delilah! That’s the next best thing to a Diamond! A jewel in your own right.”
Violet joined them then, tears in her eyes.
“Oh my perfect girls! You were magical.”
Delilah felt magical. All those years of lessons and training had certainly paid off for her and her twin. Daphne was sure to secure an exceptional match, and if Daphne did well in her match, Delilah was sure to do well for herself indeed. Their matches would set the tone for all their other sisters, so that one day Eloise, Francesca and Hyacinth would marry well - or perhaps even above their stations.
Later in the day, as Daphne and Delilah gushed about each other over their family meal, that word came again unbidden to her mind.
Magical.
She looked over her family, from Gregory subtly flinging peas at Hyacinth, to Colin and Benedict riffing on Eloise, Delilah thought there was no better word to describe her feelings.
The Bridgertons were truly magical.
But if anyone was able to break the spell, it would surely be her brother Anthony.
Anthony had always carried a great weight on his shoulders since the day their father died. It was as if, overnight, he had gone from a grinning schoolboy to a somber gentleman. Delilah favored fun and laughter, and she found herself to be the complete polar opposite of Anthony in every way. Because of this, Delilah elected to make Anthony smile as much as humanly possible.
She remembered when she was but four and ten, and Anthony had spent long hours in his office. Delilah didn’t know back then what exactly a viscount did, only that it seemed dreadfully boring. She had peeked her head into the office, noting the vein on Anthony’s temple throbbing away. So, in typical Delilah fashion, she had let out a great big roar.
Anthony had jumped, utterly startled by the intrusion, but when Delilah had stomped inside the office, hands up to look like paws, he had begun laughing.
“I am the king of the jungle!” She cried, leaping all over the place.
“And I command you to get iced cream with your favorite sister!”
Anthony, recovering from his fit of laughter, had waltzed over and thrown Delilah up over his shoulder.
“Pray tell, where will we find iced cream at this time of night?”
Delilah giggled as he tickled her rib. “The kitchens! Anita made it special for me.”
It was not known by any of the Bridgerton siblings at the time, but Delilah had spent all her free time with the servants in the kitchen. They taught her how to make biscuits and prepare tea, and shared gossip with her about any and everything (barring it was appropriate for a young girls ears).
Anthony had paused at that. He set Delilah upright and looked her square in the eyes.
“Have you been hanging around the kitchens?”
Delilah nodded. She knew it was improper, but she also never ever lied. Every time she ever made mischief, she served her time.
“Delilah..” Anthony started, and there was that vein again.
“Anthony.” She mocked, nudging him with her foot. “I like it there. I know one day I will need to be a lady and be in society. That is my duty. But for now I wish to be a little improper.”
Anthony couldn’t help his fond grin. He ruffled Delilah’s hair affectionately and pulled her in for a hug.
“Alright, just a little while longer. But no one can know.”
Delilah grinned mischievously, and Anthony saw a bit of Colin’s grin in it as well. It was their father’s grin.
“You’re the only one I’ve ever told. I trust you.”
Delilah never saw the way Anthony’s face had shifted, the emotion he felt as his younger sister entrusted him with the only secret she ever kept.
Delilah had always been Anthony’s favorite sister.
But Anthony was not Delilah’s favorite brother…at least at the moment.
Daphne was not too fond of him either. He had meddled in Daphne’s prospects.
Delilah had spent the ball dancing with a few men, but none so much as Daphne. The Diamond of the Season had a full dance card right away, but while her card was full her dances were rather short. Anthony was giving all of Daphne’s suitors the third degree.
After dancing with a rather awkward but relatively attractive gentleman, Delilah retired to the side of the ballroom, finding her brother Colin.
“Sister!” He greeted. “Whyever does your face look so ugly?”
“Colin!” Delilah cried, smacking him in the ribs. He placed a hand where she had hit him, and she noticed with satisfaction his groan was quite real. She’d hit him hard.
“And if you must know, it’s Anthony. He’s ruining everything for Daphne.”
Recovered, Colin passed his sister a lemonade. “Ah, yes, ever the overprotective brother. I’m surprised half the men have lasted this long.”
Delilah chewed her bottom lip rather garishly. Young ladies did not chew on their lips for it was unseemly, but at present Delilah did not care.
“What about you?” Colin asked, biting into his biscuit. Hasn’t he inquired as to your suitors?”
Delilah sighed. Men were so ignorant sometimes it blew her mind.
“Well obviously Daphne is the diamond therefore Daphne needs the most shepherding. It would be a miracle for me to make a match before her. Daphne sets the tone for all of us - even if she isn’t older.”
Because Daphne was…well, Daphne.
Daphne was the sun and Delilah was the moon. Everyone basks in Daphne’s warmth all day long, while most are asleep when Delilah should shine.
It had always been this way. And Delilah didn’t mind it.
Or did she?
She’d always been supportive of her sister in every endeavor, and Daphne had shown her the same. So why did she suddenly feel a weight in her stomach that wasn’t there before?
Anthony was hemming and hawing at every man who so much as looked at Daphne, but Anthony was Delilah’s brother. He was both of their brothers, yes, but Anthony was her favorite brother. Her special brother. The one she had trusted with her one and only secret.
So why did it suddenly feel like she wasn’t special at all?
Irritated, she slapped the biscuit out of Colin’s hand.
“Oi!” He cried, but Delilah was already walking away.
She loved all her siblings. She supported them wholeheartedly. There was no way she was going to let this ridiculous feeling get under her skin. She was going to help Daphne find her match, like any good sister. And then she was going to find one of her own.
How hard could it possibly be?
The next morning gave her her answer: it could be very difficult indeed.
No callers had come for Daphne. Anthony had paced the length of the room several times, agitation clear in the set of his shoulders.
“Would you like me to do the lion?” Delilah asked, half-joking.
“I would like to know why every man in the ton is currently at the Featheringtons home and not ours.” Indeed, out the main window they could see several carriages pulled up across the way.
That included Colin…Delilah thought, but she did not wish for Anthony’s heavy glare to be placed upon her. So instead she remained quiet.
But then, there was a set of footsteps from the hall. Everyone turned in great anticipation.
“A caller for Miss Delilah Bridgerton!”
For a moment, Delilah didn’t know what to do.
“Me?!” She cried.
“Oh wonderful Delilah!” Daphne said, her voice genuine. Her mother and brother looked quite pleased too.
The gentleman, whose name was Alexander Jameson, was the same awkward though handsome man she had danced with the night before. Unfortunately, with no suitors for Daphne to distract him, Anthony was able to give Alexander the full treatment.
By the end of the call, he looked a little put out. Delilah did not expect him to call again.
Perhaps Anthony’s attentions on Daphne were somewhat of a blessing. She hadn’t realized quite how much of a nuisance her brother could be if he wanted to.
“Anthony…” Violet said. “You know I have done this before. And I am perfectly capable-“
But then there was another caller. This one was for Daphne.
“Lord Berbrooke to see Miss Daphne Bridgerton.”
Delilah and Daphne’s eyes met lightning fast.
Daphne’s eyes were saying "this can't be happening".
Delilah’s eyes replied, "I’m right here if you need me."
Daphne did her absolute best to be polite to Nigel Berbrooke, but he was a lecherous, uninteresting and, quite frankly, smelly man.
The call lasted no more than a half hour, when Delilah finally decided it was time to retire to her room for a nap, and accidentally smacked right into a very delicate vase on the way out.
Delilah had broken almost everything in Bridgerton house, such was the nature of her clumsiness. This was, of course, the first time she’d ever done it on purpose.
“Oh Delilah!” Daphne cried, knowing instantly what was afoot.
“Oh Mister Berbrooke it has been so delightful to make your acquaintance, but I must tend to my sister.”
Anthony had lunged right to her, and was already lifting her up.
“Delilah, are you alright?” He was asking, his face a mask of concern. No matter how many times Delilah had fallen or broken something, her family was always just as concerned as the last time.
So Delilah winked.
“It happened so suddenly. But I would like to lie down.”
Delilah never lied. But sometimes, she did choose her words carefully, so as to avoid the truth.
Anthony looked as if he might throttle her or laugh out loud, but before he could choose one Daphne had taken Delilah round the waist and was leading her out of the room.
Once they had reached the upstairs hallway, they dissolved into giggles.
“Oh thank you.” Daphne said, taking Delilah’s hands in hers. “You are my savior.”
Delilah bowed gallantly. “My lady.”
“You aren’t hurt, though, are you?” Daphne’s face shifted to one of concern.
Delilah waved a hand dismissively.
“It was nothing compared to the time I fell out of the willow.”
That had resulted in a broken bone and lots of crying. But she was rewarded handsomely for her bravery in the form of chocolate biscuits.
“Daphne..” Delilah said, becoming serious. “Anthony wants to help but I fear he is making things worse.”
She huffed out a breath. “I know…and now I fear I’ve lost my momentum. I’m not sure what to do.”
Delilah, ever the optimist, gave her sister a brilliant smile.
“There’s still time. It was one ball. You can turn this around in no time.”
Daphne smiled at her sisters’ confidence, but internally she wasn’t sure if she could muster the same brave front.
But Delilah knew otherwise. Daphne was the sun.
Surely the ton would bask in her warmth again soon.