A Wedding to Remember - A New Fic by @kmomof4 Inspired by Gregory Bridgerton's Story
Hello all! I'm back with a new Bridgerton inspired story! I know you're all just shocked...
This one is inspired by Gregory's book and I so hope you enjoy it!! The fic is complete with eight chapters, but the chs are very short, so I'll be updating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
All the love and long distance internet hugs to my wonderful beta @snowbellewells!! Thank you so much, my friend!!!
Summary: Killian Jones, younger brother to the viscount, is home from Cambridge and ready to enter society, including finding himself a wife. Perhaps he may find his future bride here, at a weeklong house party his sister-in-law is hosting at the Jones country estate before the London season officially begins.
Rating: M (smut)
Words: Almost 2400 of approximately 16k
Tags: Bridgerton Inspired Fic, Matchmaking, Regency Romance
On ao3
Tagging the usuals. Please let me know if you'd like to be added or removed.
@jrob64 @winterbaby89 @hollyethecurious @the-darkdragonfly @jennjenn615
@donteattheappleshook @undercaffinatednightmare @pirateherokillian @cocohook38 @qualitycoffeethings
@booksteaandtoomuchtv @superchocovian @motherkatereloyshipper @snowbellewells @djlbg
@lfh1226-linda @xarandomdreamx @tiganasummertree @bluewildcatfanatic @anmylica
@laianely @resident-of-storybrooke @exhaustedpirate @gingerchangeling @caught-in-the-filter
@ultraluckycatnd @stahlop @darkshadow7 @fleurdepetite @captainswan-kellie
@soniccat @beckettj @teamhook @whimsicallyenchantedrose @jonesfandomfanatic
@elfiola @zaharadessert @ilovemesomekillianjones @mie779 @kymbersmith-90
@suwya @veryverynotgoodwrites @myfearless-love
Under the cut, unless Tumblr ate it.
Ch. 1 Home Again
Killian Jones alighted from his horse and handed the reins off to the groom who had met him at the front of Jones Hall, the country estate of Killian’s older brother, Viscount Liam Jones and his family. Killian had just completed his studies at Cambridge and was joining his family at their ancestral country seat for a week-long house party before the London social season commenced in ten days’ time.
At the age of six and twenty, it was time that he settled down and married, taking his place in society, and Killian finally felt ready to do so. As younger brother to the viscount, the pressure on him to marry had been nearly non-existent, unless you counted his mother, Alice, who wanted nothing more than to see him in love and happily married, as she had been to his father, and as her firstborn, Liam now was with his wife of five years, Elsa.
In his secret heart of hearts, Killian wholly agreed with his mother. He would also love nothing more than to meet his True Love. For he was quite convinced she was out there somewhere. He had only to look at his parents and his older brother and sister-in-law to know that True Love existed. Liam and Elsa were even more besotted with one another now than they were on their wedding day, and blatantly obvious about it. They never strayed far from one another when in public, and those times when they were apart never lasted more than a few minutes, and their eyes constantly sought each other out. When finally reunited, their countenances were equal parts joyful and serene, as if now that they were together once more, their two halves were complete.
Their affection toward one another was equal parts adorable and shockingly demonstrative. The way Liam would tenderly stroke Elsa’s arm - as if her skin was the delicate bloom of a lily - or the way Elsa would lean into him, adoration in her gaze, whenever they were close. They never failed to dance the waltz when given the opportunity, and it was as common to see Liam steal a kiss from his beloved while on the dancefloor as to see Elsa, the consummate hostess, throwing together a last minute houseparty for all their country neighbors before being confined to the city for the summer social season.
For which Killian was just now arriving.
“You’re late!” Elsa called, making her way down the steps of the terrace at the front of Jones Hall, her arms spread wide to embrace him.
Killian just managed to keep from wincing, because there was nothing he hated more than disappointing his sister-in-law, whom he loved as much as - if not more than, depending on his mood - his beloved brother.
“We expected you before supper,” she continued, wrapping her arms around him affectionately.
“I am sorry, Elsa,” he apologized sincerely. “I got a late start from London.”
“You’re forgiven,” she said. “There is food and dancing on the back patio. I imagine you must be famished.”
Killian smiled ruefully in agreement as she looped her arm in his and led him back up the stairs.
“There you are brother!” Liam emerged from the front doors just as they ascended the terrace. “We expected you some time ago.”
“Leave him alone, Liam,” Elsa admonished. “I’ve already spoken to him about his tardiness.” Killian scratched at the patch of skin behind his ear that always itched when he was embarrassed or nervous.
“Very well,” Liam relented. “You must be hungry. Go fix yourself a plate and then join me in my study, if you would. There are things we must discuss.”
It may have been phrased as a request, but Killian wasn’t fool enough to believe that he wasn’t expected to join Liam in approximately ten minutes' time. With an acknowledging nod, Killian took his leave of the affectionate lovebirds and began making his way to the back patio.
He was grateful that since he resided in London and rarely made it to the Jones country estate, he wasn’t readily recognized as he emerged from the house. And while he certainly wouldn’t mind postponing the conversation with his brother he was anticipating, there was no way to avoid it forever, and he was a firm believer in getting general unpleasantness out of the way sooner rather than later.
For the conversation would most assuredly be unpleasant. Liam was perfectly suited to his role as viscount, and he took his duty to his family and the affairs of the viscount very seriously. Now that Killian had finished his studies, Liam undoubtedly sought to ascertain Killian’s future plans. Of which he hadn’t thought much. When faced with these kinds of conversations in the past, he’d at least had the excuse of completing his studies. But now that excuse was gone, and he expected Liam to hound him regularly until he came up with something to appease him. Tonight’s conversation would consist of many repetitions of the words duty, honor, diligence, and direction. Direction, most of all. He was going to have to do his best to remain awake when the conversation devolved into a monologue.
He filled his plate before returning to the house and making his way to his brother’s office.
“Come in,” came Liam’s muffled reply when he knocked. He was seated behind his desk and rose when Killian entered, gesturing to one of the leather chairs in front of the massive piece that dominated the room. Killian sat and placed his plate and glass of lemonade on the small table to the side. Liam smirked. “Would you like something a bit stronger than that, brother?” he asked, amusement lacing his tone.
“Please,” Killian agreed. Liam came around the desk and poured them both a drink, handing one to him. Killian grabbed one of the small sandwiches off of his plate and nearly swallowed it whole before draining the glass of lemonade so he could enjoy the smooth taste of his brother’s finest liquor he kept sequestered away in his study.
Liam chuckled. “There’s no need to eat like you’re a starving orphan, Killian. There’s plenty more where that came from.”
Killian’s lips twisted into an amused smirk. “Just needed something to take the edge off and fortify me for the conversation ahead.”
Liam nodded in acknowledgement. “I don’t suppose I need to inform you what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“No indeed, brother,” Killian assured him. “You want to know what I plan to do with myself now that I’m finished at Cambridge.” Liam nodded again. Killian’s eyes drifted over to the large portrait of their parents that hung behind Liam’s desk. It was a beautiful painting, commissioned between his and Liam’s births, that captured not only their appearances, but also the clear love and affinity they shared between them. It hadn’t yet been replaced with a portrait of Liam and Elsa because of the rather rapid appearance of their two boys after their nuptials. They’d been married nearly five years now, and little Brennan and Agnarr - named after both their fathers - were three and just turned two. They’d finally sat down for the sessions last fall, but a portrait of this size would take many months to complete, and so the portrait of Liam and Killian’s parents still hung until such time as the portrait of the current viscount and viscountess was finished.
Killian’s voice was soft as he began to speak. “I want to marry, brother.”
Liam’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “You do?”
Killian was as surprised as Liam at his utterances. He hadn’t really planned on sharing those sentiments at this point in time with anyone. But, he supposed, there wasn’t any real harm done. It would at least prevent Liam from suggesting either an appointment to His Majesty’s Navy or for Killian to enter the clergy.
“I do,” he repeated, meeting his brother’s gaze. “When I meet the right woman.”
Liam sent him an unamused look.
“You of all people should understand my desire for a love match instead of a marriage of convenience,” Killian continued.
“I do,” Liam agreed, “but it is also a very fortuitous addendum to abbreviate this meeting.”
Killian wanted to roll his eyes, but didn’t think Liam would respond well to such a show of disrespect. He loved and respected his brother a tremendous amount, but wished he’d give him a slight reprieve between finishing his studies and embarking on his future, however unclear his future might be at this point in time.
“That may be true, but I assure you, brother, it is not my intention to do so.” He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. “I want to marry. I want what Mother and Father had. I want what you and Elsa have.”
“I wish for you every happiness that I myself now enjoy,” Liam murmured.
“You’ve mentioned in the past,” Killian began. “Managing one of the smaller estates.”
“Mmhmmm,” Liam hummed in agreement. “Is that something you’d be interested in?”
“Putting my studies to good use, being able to help you in your duties to our family and the families who depend on us for their livelihood,” Killian said earnestly, “of course. And when the time comes, marry and raise a family of my own.”
Liam smiled. It was good to see. A joy-filled countenance might be the norm when in the presence of his beloved wife, but otherwise, the responsibilities he shouldered showed themselves on his visage as a - more often than not - rather serious demeanor.
“Alright, Killian,” he agreed.
“Can we pick up this conversation towards the end of the season?” Killian asked. The nervousness was back as he stumbled his way back around to, and then through, his earlier unexpected statement. “I haven’t really participated in the season before, and I’d like…” he paused and scratched behind his ear again, “to at least have the opportunity to meet her.”
A soft and indulgent smile tugged at Liam’s lips. “Any thoughts of who this her might be?” he asked.
“No, brother,” he replied. “But I’ll know her when I see her.” He rose and quickly ate two more of the small sandwiches on his plate before finishing his drink. “Are you coming?” he asked as he strode toward the door.
“I have a couple more things to tie up in here before I do,” Liam informed him. “I should be out there in a quarter of an hour.”
“I’ll let Elsa know,” Killian said as he opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
He could hear the distant sound of music from the back of the house and turned to follow it. As he walked, he thought of the conversation with his brother, specifically about wanting a love match with his chosen bride.
Growing up with the vivid picture of True Love between his parents and the clear happiness between them, and then Liam and Elsa following in their footsteps, had all but guaranteed that Killian would refuse to settle for anything less. True Love stories among the members of the ton were few and far between, and Killian could clearly see the difference in the resultant happiness of the households.
There was a peace, a settled-ness, a grounding that he recognized as the bonds of love between the members of a family. And it all flowed out of the bonds of love between the husband and wife. No matter what happened - no matter what storms of life might come, no matter what mistakes were made - the love between the members of the family meant that there was always a home to come back to. A home where one could find safety, restoration, and strength to go back out into the world to make one’s mark.
Family was forever, and by God, he’d have the same as his parents and Liam and Elsa before him, or he’d remain a bachelor forever.
Killian was pleased that Liam had agreed to table the discussion of his future until the end of the season, because there was something in the air around him - and he didn’t mean the clean country atmosphere. There was a freshness, a newness to the gentle, early summer, evening breeze. His final words to Liam were true. He would know his True Love when he saw her, and the quickening of his heartbeat, the spring in his step, and the anticipation flowing through him, awakened the hope inside that he would find her this summer. Perhaps this week before the season even officially started.
This time when he exited the house, he cast his gaze around the patio to see if there was anyone he recognized. It was about as he expected - somewhere in the neighborhood of forty people were gathered as guests for the houseparty. Equal numbers were dancing on the patio and milling about on the green sloping lawn. He spied Elsa at the top of the lawn near the stairs speaking with two young ladies who had their backs toward him.
As he drew closer to his sister-in-law, his eyes lingered on the ladies she spoke with. They were both thin and petite, one with hair as dark as the sky above, the other’s golden tresses rivaled the sun.
“Oh, Killian,” Elsa called, motioning him over. He descended the stairs to the lawn and made his way over to the trio. “May I introduce my brother-in-law, Killian,” Elsa continued. “Killian, this is Miss Mary Margaret Blanchard and Lady Emma Nolan.”
Killian nodded in greeting to his sister-in-law and then took the proffered hand of the first young lady, raising it to his lips and brushing her knuckles with his greeting. “A pleasure,” he murmured.
He then turned his gaze to the other.
The music playing above them on the patio swelled, and Killian’s heart thundered in his chest, his mouth going dry as he met the beautiful green eyes of one he could only describe as an angel come down to earth.
Miss Mary Margaret Blanchard.
~*~*~
😏
I'm ready for the yelling... Ch2 will be up on Monday!
