Very first page (Reader!Bridgerton x Footman John)
Requested by: Anon Forever tag: @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @sweetheartlizzie07, @floatlosers, @vviolynn, @evilcr0ne, @melsunshine, @ilocuras24, @mysticwitchcraftco, @multifandom-milktea-simp
Summary: Known to be shy, one person seems to draw out a playful sarcastic trait out of you. Crushing growing with linguring glances between you and the footman. Unable to be kept out of plainside, from a mother's eye. [series]
The sun radiated bright. A soft breeze greeted you when you stood at the edge of the carriage. The hem of your skirt slightly lifted. The loud voices of your family and in-laws catching your attention. Distracting you from your task for a moment. “Miss Y/n.”
Slightly turning your head, you met up with a smiling footman John. Still offering you his hand. Making a gesture with his eyes to his hand. Curling up half a nervous smile, you accepted his hand.
Setting a bit of pressure on it to get down. Releasing your skirt so the folds fell back in place. John closed the carriage door behind you. Your family was talking loudly. Being their own whirlwind as always.
Violet waving you over in the midst of the chattering chaos. Getting in motion, you followed them for a family stroll. Hyacinth and Gregory on Violet’s arm. Gregory filled her head with tales of Eaton. Eloise walking in line with Colin and Penelope.
Toying with Colin as Penelope joined the teasing. Benedict was nowhere to be seen, for he was once again late. Francesca and John arms locked. John talked to her in a gentle voice, his hand resting from time to time on her hand. Your sister having a constant soft smile on her lips.
You followed last in line. Having no one to share your walk. Moving your hands to your back, you stretched them out. Releasing your grip, letting your hands flop to your side. Gregory turned around, mingling more with Eloise and Colin’s conversation.
He received snarky comments back from them. Then Hyacinth made herself present. A buzzing bustled around them. Their loud voices and laughter caught the attention of other bypassers.
Fidgeting shyly with your hands, you found yourself straw further away from them. Pace slowing as it increased the distance. Not once had anyone looked behind for you. Not once did you seem to cross their minds. Easily forgotten.
Sure, you weren’t the loudest type, but quiet shouldn’t mean forgotten. Seeing how they engaged with each other in pairs or more. Casting your gaze down, a loneliness settled in your heart.
Sighing softly, you sat down at a bench. Watching them go on without you. Shoulders slouching. Furrowing your brows at the sense of a presence. Turning your head in a few motions, eyes going upwards to the footman.
Hands folded neatly in front of him. Standing by the other side of the bench. Clearing his throat amusingly, flopping on his heels with a quirky bounce. Glancing sneakily your way. “You are not acquired to stay.” You told him.
“Am I not?” John responded, looking confusingly back at you on purpose. His expression made you curl up a smile. “No.” Saying with a wave of your hand. Turning your head in a playful way. John reached for his heart, stumbling a bit back with a groan.
“You wound me miss Y/n.” Showing you his hands as if there was blood on it. Chuckling amusingly at his performance. “I do not wish to set eyes on you.” You said playing along. John pretended to be hurt again, grasping for his heart.
Groaning more. “Miss Y/n, please my heart.” He begged with loud pants. Laughing loud, you grabbed the railing of the bench. “I…I can’t take any more…” Hiding a smirk.
He backed more up, heel kicking against something hard. Sending him falling back with surprise. Back hitting the ground hard, making him release a breathy gasp. “John!” You called out. Jumping up, you rushed over to him. Kneeling beside him in the grass.
“John, John!” Saying loudly, catching his head with your hands. John groaned out a chuckle, softly moving his head. “So you’ve come to the rescue, my lady.” Quirking up a flashing smile. Furrowing your brows with soft bloated cheeks, you punched him in the armpit.
“Auw!” He chuckled out with a groan. “I should let you perish.” You answered, sitting back on your knees. John came leaning on his elbow, tilting his head to get a better glance at your face.
Lips pouted with pity. Trying to make you look back at him for a smile of yours. You refused to look at him, arms crossed. “Miss Y/n.” John said almost singingly with a sweet tone. Cracking a smile, you surrendered to his charming smile. John smiled back. Unaware a pair of motherly eyes were looking your way.
Violet had paused, noticing one of her children had lingered. Observing the scenery. Blinking surprised. Quirking her brows with a delightful surprise. Seeing John jump up to his feet. Dust his hands off at his pants. Offering you his hand then.
You accepted it, getting up. He gestured forwards. You swayed a bit with your posture, getting in motion. Glancing over your shoulder to him one last time. John following a pace behind you.
Smiling downwards, you tried to hide the flush blushing your cheeks. Silently you walked past your mother, joining your siblings. She followed you with her gaze. Looking back at John, who bowed his head her way. Blinking bedazzled, she caught on a feeling.
Following behind on the stroll. When you had walked a loop, you arrived back at the carriage. John helping your younger siblings onto the carriage. Offering his hand to you. Smiling shyly at him, you placed your hand with care in his.
His fingers clasped slowly over yours. Assisting you in the carriage. Coming to stand in the doorway. Only letting go of your hand once you nearly sat down. Violet cleared her throat, making him jump aside.
Taking her hand to help her inside. Violet stared at him, making him swallow nervously. Closing the door. He then grabbed onto the back, standing on the small platform. Horses neighing loud, thumping their hooves on the ground.
Taking off with the carriage to Bridgerton household. Pressing your lips together, you tried to prevent yourself from constantly smiling. Staring out of the window at the passing scenery. Carriage coming to a stop as all of you hopped off.
Hyacinth and Gregory running back inside. Violet waited for you, locking her arm with you. “Did you have a good time, darling?” She asked. You hummed loudly, leaning a bit against her.
She caught you trying to glance over your shoulder to him. Entering the parlor, you came to sit at the piano. Brushing your fingers over the keys. Playing the piano for your mother’s delight.
She smiled, keeping a hand to her stomach. You glanced at the door as it opened. Seeing John enter to join the side of Mrs. Wilson and another maid. He handed them empty cups of tea as the maid poured tea in it. Mrs. Wilson gave one to Lady Bridgerton.
You motioned to the maid with your head for her to place your cup at the small table. Playing further, your attention got drawn to John. Who amusingly used his silk tie to dab any pretend tears away.
Being playfully sarcastic about your music. Letting out a laugh, you quickly pressed your lips together. Violet glancing between you and the footman. John cleared his throat, looking away, quickly cleaning a plate with his sleeve. With him present, you couldn’t stop glancing his way.
Sneaking some silly faces at him whilst your mother wasn’t looking. Or so you thought. Bringing her cup to her lips, she huffed softly with playfulness. Seeing how her ever so shy daughter seemed to bloom open around a charming footman.
Mrs. Wilson ushered the maid and John out. Bowing her head with a curtsy, she then took her leave as well upon the silent command of Lady Bridgerton. Violet set her tea aside, getting up. Joining the piano, extending her hand out to you. Pausing your playing, you took it.
Drawing circles on the back of her hand. Seeing how she remained silent, but with one sneaky smile on her lips. Her smile slowly unsettling you. Pulling your hands away from her. “My daughter, blooming like a flower.” Her smile constantly up. Hiding secrets within them.
Nervously you smiled back at her, unsure what else to do. “I must say I found it rather surprising to see what caused it.” She went on, confusing you. Setting her hand on the piano, she directed her gaze at you.
“Happiness can be found in the least expecting places.” Her voice soft as a whisper. “You must hold onto that, my dear.” As if her words were a warning. A calling to you. “I…I…I don’t understand.” Stuttering out with a slight shake of your head. “He’s a charming young man. Humble but full of life.” Referring to the footman.
With a gasp, your eyes widened. Shooting your hands up that she had caught that. “Mama, I…” You started trying to think of anything to reason with her. Knowing he was below your station and most possibly out of reach.
Violet motioned with her head to the door. Smiling as she brushed her thumb by your chin. Humming loudly to enlighten you once more. Surprised by her blessing you were receiving, you jumped up.
Rushing out of the parlor in search of him. Unable to contain your excitement. Searching the household for him. Curling up a smile when you found him in the dining room. Setting the table.
He acknowledged you briefly with a glance. Leaning over the table to place a fork. The others clutched in his other hand. You came around the table, snatching the forks from him. You backed away, smiling shyly behind the forks.
John sighing softly, extending his hand out to you. “Miss Y/n, I am working.” He spoke, wanting you to give it back. “Do you want this?” You answered, swaying the forks around. “Yes.” He breathed out.
Humming loud, you pretended to think. “Miss Y/n, please.” He begged, taking a step forwards to you. You moved them quickly behind your back. “Miss Y/n, I would love to play, but this table isn’t setting itself.” He addressed, asking for the forks one last time.
Nodding your head in surrender, you moved them forwards. John gave you a glance, daring you to not be playful with it again. You held your hand up in honour.
He neared, reaching for the forks in your hand as you took advantage of the closeness. Surprising him by sneaking a kiss against his cheek. Hoping he would catch on the signal that you wanted it to be more than just a silly crush.
John’s eyes had widened. “Miss Y/n.” He said in hushed tones. Stunned and baffled by your sudden kiss. For a moment, you thought he would be disappointed and repulsed by your gesture. Afraid the bubble was about to pop, leaving you with nothing but shame.
Then his lips curled up to a smirk. “Must I turn into a prince now?” He spoke. Your worries washed away. “No, I’d rather have the frog.” Answering with a cheeky glance.
“If…If the frog wants me?” Looking nervously away. Fidgeting with your hands. John took your hand, stopping you from fidgeting so nervously. “Why want the frog?” He asked.
Taking a deep breath, you turned back to him. “The frog makes my life complete.” Replying with a flush. John raised your hand, kissing the back of your hand. “Then the frog will try to do so.” He finalized.
Moving his hands away, you threw your arms around him for a hug. Swaying your body in his embrace. Catching your mother watching from the dooropening. Nodding once more with a delightful smile. Mouthing a ‘thank you’ at her.
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