"I Warned You Once You Could Be A Duchess' Friend Or A Duchess' Enemy." Daphne Said. She Felt So Stupid

"I warned you once you could be a duchess' friend or a duchess' enemy." Daphne said. She felt so stupid for thinking Cressida was dealt with after she married Simon.

"I don't believe that you're sorry, I don't even believe that you were really Eloise's friend. Your heart is black and cruel."

@flashbacksech0es continued from here

Cressida felt a pang of regret at Daphne's words. I…" She hesitated, "I never wanted things to come to this. I understand why you can't forgive me." She looked down, unable to meet Daphne's gaze. "And you have every right to despise me. I just… I wanted you to know that I do regret what I did. Truly."

If she has taken an interest in Lady Whistledown again, perhaps she's interested in what she has to say about the season's available gentlemen too. I cannot think of any cleverer way to say this, but no. BRIDGERTON (SEASON 2, 2022)

"Hm. So many suitors in Lady Danbury's drawing room." Kate smiled, she had come to England to find Edwina a match, and yet somehow found her own.

"But despite all that, I wouldn't change a thing about last season, it got me this amazing life and family. But if the queen were to choose a diamond, I honestly would not be shocked if it was my sister Francesca."

"It's the ton, there are always gossips." Kate said sitting beside Thinya and holding out a wine glass for her to fill.

"I did hear that the queen is refusing to choose a diamond, though as someone who experienced living with a diamond I'm not too heartbroken about that."

Francesca couldn't help herself, burying her face in Anthony's shirt as the tears poured forth.

Her eldest brother had always taken such good care of her, as much of a father figure as a brother.

So Francesca clung to her brother and wept.

How could Anthony help? Francesca didn't know. He couldn't fix her.

"I wish I could just be me, that people wouldn't judge... I wish the world was kinder."

[ rub ]  –  for the sender muse to rub up and down the receiver’s back / shoulder as a means of comfort. Anthony @ Francesca! @strxngertogether

Francesca's head came to rest on Anthony's shoulder, after the disaster of tonight's ball she hadn't expected her older brother to come check on her, but come he had.

"I wish I was more like the rest of you, I'm just... not like the rest of you. What's wrong with me?"

𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒.

All sentences were taken from different sources about romance, marriage and specially arranged marriage and what that entails. Mentions of affairs, mistresses, wedding ceremonies and medieval talks of what marriage entails follow. Change names, pronouns and locations however you see fit.

Marriage is a marriage, whether it is arranged or not. Both necessitate the same level of dedication.

It’s not an option to be best friends with your life partner; it’s a requirement for a firm foundation in a long-term relationship.

Arranged marriage is not always a bed of roses, but it is possible to achieve with love and faith.

It’s different for women, isn’t it? They have no choice where they go. They grow up in a prison and then get married into one.

Is there anything more courageous/stupid than saying yes to spend your life with someone you have no idea about?

The country was as much of a mystery to me as the man I had married.

One day you’ll be in love with me.

You could be a titled lady. 

I have avoided the fate my father had planned for me. Surely it is I who has won, not he.

I do not care about power and wealth, father. I want to marry for love.

But if you were matched, what do you think she'd be like?

We're supposed to be unable to keep our hands off of each other. 

In this case the time is not so important for me, the person asking for commitment is.

We are trapped by convention and must marry another.

Every good child knows: duty before your heart's desire.

I am to be a bride, but whose? 

I married you to stop the bloodshed, and you keep killing. When will it be enough- when?

I found out soon after we met that Leah’s father had promised her in marriage to some young Pole.

If I ever get into an arranged marriage, I want it to be like theirs.

Arranged marriages require effort; constantly and every day. And where there is love, you want to make these efforts.

A successful arranged marriage can help climb the biggest mountain and build the biggest empire.

An arranged marriage is like wine; it tastes good with time.

You will marry him and do your duty to your House.

You are my daughter and you will do as I say. End of discussion.

Love? What does love have to do with marriage?

He'll honour his duty to family and swallow it.

I was three when my parents promised me. When a deal was struck. 

 So I was raised to be his wife. I was taught my favorite color was gold because his favorite color was gold. I was told my favorite foods were his favorite foods

I never thought what it would actually be like to have him... be gone. 

I was raised for him, and now I am... new. I am brand-new. And I do not even know how to breathe air he does not exhale.

A bride at her second marriage does not wear a veil. She wants to see what she is getting.

Marriage is a financial contract; I have enough contracts already.

The dowry, not the wife, is the object of attraction.

Arranged marriages work like this. The girl is hardly asked and is expected to follow whatever her parents deem fit.

Marry, that marry is the very theme I came to talk of.

Maybe she'll be beautiful. Maybe she'll be rich. As long as she brings swords and men.

Perhaps love is a minor madness.

It doesn't matter who the seed is. The important thing is that it has a place in your womb.

Her maidenhood will seal an alliance and must be kept safe.

Every married woman knows a man can have mistresses and we must look the other way.

All I ask is, that you do not cast me aside. Have mistresses and lovers as you please, but confide in me as I am to be your wife.

A husband’s first and foremost job in a marriage is to protect and love his wife.

Touching without looking had been incredibly arousing.

In my opinion, most marriages are based either on money or the fear of being alone.

I want you in every way there is to want. I want you in any way you choose to share.

I'm free to do with my wife as I fucking please.

The marriage of convenience lasts until you become an inconvenience.

Ours is a marriage of convenience and nothing more.

From now on, you're sleeping in our room. There's no chance in hell I'm letting you sleep far away from me again.

You agreed to this marriage and didn’t even dare to ask my opinion on the matter.

You're going to bend, and so am I. We're going to compromise, negotiate, and distract each other.

Being together means our priorities are going to change.

Men marry because they are tired; women, because they are curious: both are disappointed.

I don't think I am likely to marry, Harry. I am much too in love.

It is certainly romantic to be in love, but there's nothing romantic about a definite proposal.

They are royals, whoever they marry is not their choice but who is better for the crown.

That is a match made in a boardroom.

Once you are wed to another, you will forget me. 

I will marry a man who desires me but I have no interest in. 

I will not be a secret kept in shadows. Once you are wed, I will leave.

How can I marry them, when I am in love with another? It is not fair to them, that I think of you when I’m with them.

Ever since I met you, no one else has been worth thinking about.

Behave yourself, out here, we are wed and what you do, reflects on me.

You are being sold like a mare and do not care.

Once I bore him a son, he shall be happy, I know it.

We hate one another but for peace, we must wed. At least, let us enjoy this part of the contract.

I am doing this for my family and for the terms you offer.

A marriage is simply an alliance.

All will be well, love can be found in a marriage. If not love, at least, good company. 

Do your duty and give him sons.  That’s all men want.

I will not be paraded around in a bedding ceremony. I will wed them and bed them, but I will not be humiliated. 

You think this title gives me power, but you forget, I am a woman.

I am lucky enough to have options. None who please me but at least, I can choose one.

Come to bed now, husband. It is our wedding night, after all.

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked. She didn't understand. Did Gregory think someone chose a baby's gender?

"No one decides these things. They just are." Daphne had been old enough to remember Gregory insisting on being a girl as a toddler, but Daphne had thought it had just been a phase toddlers went through. A small child figuring out the world.

"Take a breath for me, I want to understand."

[ no tears ]  –  for the sender to cup the receiver’s face and brush away their tears with their thumbs. reverse Gregory @ Daphne! @strxngertogether

Daphne wasn't sure what was wrong but she'd seen Gregory storm out and now found her youngest brother clearly upset.

Shutting the door behind her Daphne sat opposite of Gregory and gently took his face in her hands and dried his tears.

"You don't have to tell me anything, but I'm here if you wish to."