𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆
the bedwyns

Dearest reader,

With the new season upon us, it is imperative we look to the ones that came before, so as to keep from repeating the same mistakes, and emulating the successes.

One only needs to look as far as the Bedwyn family to find both scenarios. They are as notorious as the Bridgertons when speaking of the number of children, with seven to rival their eight, and are also named in a way most call eccentric. Where one is in alphabetical order so as not to lose track of their order of birth, the Bedwyns are named in an outlandish fashion straight out of the literature of old Briton and Arthurian legend, a quirk attributed to the late Duchess and her fondness of reading.

Beginning with the Duke of Bewcastle, also known as an impenetrable fortress to any determined mama. Lord Wulfric is notorious for his cold exterior, and his absolute refusal of having anything to do with the marriage mart. He is hardly ever seen in London during the season, and were it not for his siblings, one might not even have a clue about his appearance.

That is in stark contrast to the second eldest Bedwyn, who had an admirable career in the military but is as of now retired, ever since he married Miss Eve Law. The match was the closest to a scandal this prominent ton family has had, given the fact that Mrs. Bedwyn had little claim to any status but that of a soldier's daughter, but that seemed to matter little to Aidan Bedwyn. The pair already has one child, securing the title that the Duke appears determined to not contribute to, perhaps that being the very reason for his apparent acceptance of the match.

But speaking of determined bachelors, we have one such eluding gentleman in Rannulf Bedwyn, the third eldest of the family. He is far from being as eligible as either of his elder brothers, considering his penchant for attending the less than respectable events of the ton, keeping in his circle mostly actors and artists, and having been known to participate in brawls at James Park. He is the most distinct of the family, with his blond locks never worn in a tame fashion, and were it not for the nose he shares with his two brothers, one might even think him not a Bedwyn.

However, there is yet hope in the new Marchioness of Hallmere, Lady Freyja, the eldest daughter of the family. After a shocking five seasons without even a proposal to speak of, she finally has found love in Lord Joshua Moore. There had been speculations that with her less than ladylike manners, little fondness of dancing, and preference for riding a horse astride, Lady Freyja would never see matrimony, but this author, and so many others, were proven wrong with this spectacular pairing.

I have before spoken of the difference between rakes and Rakes, and the fourth and final son of the Bedwyn family is certainly in the latter category, Alleyne Bedwyn is always described as a perfect gentleman, but I would rather think that a facade to hide his devilish ways. He seems to relish in the season, present in almost all of the relevant events thrown, but alas, he seems far from the altar, and so, I would advise any ambitious mamas to not set their hopes on this particular bachelor.

As for a yet-to-be-determined, we find the other Bedwyn daughter out in society, Lady Guinevere. Making her debut in the same season as the new Duchess of Hastings could not have been easy, but that seems not to have bothered this particular lady. Her poise can put a princess to shame, she is the antithesis to her older sister, but that hardly seems to make the task of marriage any easier, given that no suitor seems good enough for her. Select on her choices of dance partners and callers, it may yet take a few years for her to make a match, if only because it seems that Lady Guinevere will not settle for anything less than what her sister has achieved.

The last Bedwyn has yet to debut, but I have it on good authority that when Miss Morgan Bedwyn finally joins the ton in a few years, we will not be disappointed, given that the family seems to produce rather interesting characters. The young lady is rumored to be very well accomplished, but there is yet any indication whether she will follow more in the Marchioness's footsteps, or Lady Guinevere's.

Who knows what will befall the Bedwyn family in this upcoming season, given that two out of seven have managed to find a match, one can only hope we hear more wedding bells before the season is over. This author will not hold her breath, however, and I would place my bets elsewhere, perhaps with the other family known for their prolificness, after all, only one Bridgerton has made it to the altar, and the odds seem more in their favor.

Lady Whistledown's Society Papers
4th April 1814

𝖆𝖚𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖗'𝖘 𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖊

introducing my favorite family ever! I love them so much you have no idea