Work Text:
Eloise Bridgerton was bored. Bored out of her mind in fact. With the mystery of Lady Whistledown finally solved. And with her best friend, coincidentally that very same lady, married to Eloise’s own brother, she had nothing to do.
At least nothing aside from the usual silly pastimes a gentle-bred lady of the ton was meant to occupy herself with during a London season. Eloise had no patience for needlepoint or miniature painting. She held no interest in the pursuit of suitors. And she couldn’t care less which hats were in fashion or which ribbons best matched her dresses. At the ripe old age of two-and-twenty she felt like she needed something more substantial in her life. A true purpose that didn’t involve being a wife and a mother.
So it came to pass that on one dreary Thursday afternoon in Mayfair the young lady made her way to her eldest brothers office.
Lord Bridgerton had many responsibilities. Some of those fit him like a glove. Such as looking after his mother and siblings. Some duties he was perhaps not quite born to do, yet he had still perfected over time. With his magnificent viscountess, Kathani, by his side he had for example become a cunning politician. Over the years Anthony and Kate had managed to use their power to slowly improve the rigid society and laws.
The one responsibility the Viscount never quite got used to though was an extremely formidable foe. Paperwork.
So when his beloved spinster of a sister came requesting something to do, on that Thursday afternoon, he knew exactly what task to give her.
“Bored you say. Well we can’t have that, now can we dear sister”, Anthony proclaimed with a grin.
He swiftly led Eloise to his desk, where he promptly dropped an array of papers in her arms. “Would you organise these for me, please?” He asked. “And when you’re done with that I should like to dictate some letters to you.” Eloise huffed and said: “we’ll see about that, as if I would ever let you dictate anything.”
At first Eloise despised the idea of being at her brothers beck and call. But soon the two siblings found a natural rhythm for working together. Eloise turned out to be an excellent secretary and a savvy businesswoman. With her assistance the Bridgerton fortune grew quicker than ever before.
Soon every gentleman and business associate knew not to mess with the Viscount’s sister. And in time many came to respect her, almost as an equal
“You cannot be serious Eloise. No gentleman would ever wish to marry a lady who has published her political opinions in broadsheets for all of the ton to read.” Violet Bridgerton, the dowager Viscountess exclaimed.
Eloise, now five-and-twenty, merely sighed at the familiar discussion. “Mama that is what you said when I told you I was to become Anthony’s secretary. And look how well that turned out. Do you not remember what I told you then? I have no wish to find a husband. I love my job. I love having a purpose and making a difference, however small. And now I should like to write about my work so that I may inspire other women to perhaps find jobs of their own.”
Violet knew she would not be able to convince her second oldest daughter. Once Eloise had set her mind to something she could be as stubborn as a mule. So the dowager Viscountess acquiesced: “Very well dearest, you know I wish for nothing but your happiness. Have you decided yet exactly what you would like to write in your article?”
“Not quite yet”, the young woman admitted. “But I shall go to the print shop first thing tomorrow and discuss my options”.