one track mind, one track heart.

growing up among older brothers and the rest of her family, eloise was quite surprised that most of the suitors -- or the fashionable society in general -- did not think that way. she admired the other's thoughts, nodding. "i completely agree with you," the woman said, holding a glass of what seemed to be some imported juice. "not that the society as a one would agree to change the norms, but it is nice to hear someone addressing it."

she could not help but laugh a little at the other's gesture. "oh it is so nice to see you, sophie," the woman greeted the other, patting her hand on the swing beside her. "there is so much and so little in my mind all at the same time. one thought overpowering other thoughts, proving myself right and then crashing the whole progress i had because it all does not add up." eloise was rambling. god, she despised that she could not stop it sometimes. "i'm sorry. theories about whistledown, among other things."

eloise lowered the cigarette in her hand as she stood up and bowed her head ever so slightly as a greeting. "thought it would be good for me to feel the breeze outside instead of a window," the woman smiled and flicked the ash off, the swing under her rocking back and forth with her feet slightly touching the ground, barely reaching. "no--, i definitely do not mind, have a seat." she gestured to the swing beside her.

" no apologies needed. " she says gently, but is quite thankful the smoke has begun to dissipate. luna nods knowingly at the description, her own chaperone had been very clear about where she could and could not go. " well, now you are not alone, and we could use the excuse of wishing to see the beautiful gardens. " at least if they were caught, it would be less suspicious than if one was alone or in the company of a man.

"oh, please," eloise genuinely smiled for what felt like the first time that day. "i would love nothing more than to get away from the ball for at least a little while." a quick glance towards the window once again before turning around towards the other again. "lunara, is that right? lunara demir? --i am eloise. bridgerton."

what was it, what was it... the woman's mind stirred as she tried to remember what her mama had taught her. "-- a proper introduction," she barely whispered, mostly to herself, as she nodded her head. "eloise bridgerton, my lord." the other, at first glance, definitely did not seem like most of the suitors at the ball, with their eyes prying every woman as a prize to be won to prove something to other lords and alike. "a greenhouse?" she asked, slightly surprised. "what do you grow in it, if i may ask?"

ELOISE BRIDGERTON Bridgerton — S01E04: An Affair of Honor

SQUINTING  INTO  THE  DARKNESS,  daphne  could  have  sworn  she  saw  the  outline  of  her  sister  in  the  distance.  while  the  darkness  painted  a  picture  of  her  desire  of  madness,  the  scent  of  a  cigar  being  smoked  was  aromating  the  air.  she  didn't  need  to  close  the  distance  to  be  made  aware  that  it  indeed  was  her  sister  whom  was  hiding.  the  ringing  of  her  voice  was  enough  indication  for  her.  "  eloise  ?!  what  on  earth  are  you  doing  ??  here  alone  in  the  utter  dark  !!  what  mustn't  the  ton  think  ?!  you  ought  to  be  more  careful.  "

oh no. ohhhhh no. eloise quickly put out the cigarette and chewed on the piece of fruit - she was not even sure what kind of fruit, as she turned back around. "daphne! what a pleasant surprise, my dearest sister." it was clear she was not supposed to be here, but eloise was caught red-handed. "i know, i know... but the crowd can feel so smothering, do you not agree?"

eloise hit her brother's arm lightly, a small laugh escaping her lips. "oh yes, brother, i am all for some lord taking me away to the country and making me his wife that plays the pianoforte and spends her days cross-stitching flowers," her tone sarcastic, she rolled her eyes. "no, brother, i have not changed my standing on the subject too much." the woman glanced at the dish her brother was eyeing, and took a small portion of it. "hm," she nodded as she took a bite. "it isn't that bad at all."

Anthony's mind was a whirlwind of restless thoughts, each vying for attention. The relentless question of how long he could dance on the edge of societal expectations, dodging the institution of marriage, whirled through his head. These reflections accompanied him like shadows as he meandered through the garden. His stride halted when a familiar silhouette materialized in the distance, unmistakably that of his younger sister. "Seems I'm not the only Bridgerton seeking solace under the open sky," he mused with a light chuckle. His eyes then drifted to the cigarette delicately perched between her fingers. With a smile, he quipped, "I'll turn a blind eye to that little rebellion."

clearly startled, eloise gasped for air for a moment, almost letting go of the cigarette in between her fingers. a quick eye-roll and she turned back around towards the gardens in front of her. "you scared me, anthony." her feet gently pushed away from the ground, swaying the swing beneath her. "--and thank you for that. i promise it is not becoming a habit. i just could not stand another moment inside without some fresh air to gather my thoughts."

"it is clear, if we had been blessed as social butterflies, we would not be reeling with discontent." she smirked at her friend, exhaling a chuckle before inevitably, sighing. "nor an expert am i, it's quite sickening to watch."

"that is quite probably true." eloise answered promptly after lingering with the thought a little. "sickening indeed." the woman nodded, turning away from the subject of their conversation. "how do you think they do it? how do the ladies manage to just -- do it?"

she scurried to put the cigarette away, turning around slightly after she did so, with a small smile of politeness. "there is no need to apologize, my lord," eloise straightened her dress before looking back up. "i was about to go back inside either way, mama is probably looking for me as we speak -- you may have the spot. it has quite a view." it was not like eloise to give her peaceful spots up, but she could never stay alone too long as it would be considered improper, and her mother or one of the brothers would probably come looking soon enough.

" those are horrible for you, you know. " lunara shares as she slips from the party. luna loved a good ball, it was enchanting and everything she ever dreamed about, but even the social butterfly needed a small breather. the fresh air she sought seemed sullied, however, and while she didn't judge, nor would any doctor confirm it, nobody should cough as much as many did after inhaling smoke.

"please accept my apologies." she flicked the lit end of the cigarette to the ground, quickly stomping it with her flat. "i tried to get further away as much as possible -- to a place that would not be considered for a lady improper to be alone in, that is." she sighed, glancing towards the window she recently saw her mother in, hoping she did not yet catch on to the fact that eloise was gone from the ball.

siena raises her hand in surrender. "only a poor performer hoping to give her vocal chords rest." the corner of her mouth curls at the contraband in the young woman's hands. "is it poor taste to request a lady to share her cigarette?" eyes turn flinty. "i suppose i could always mention to a mamma inside that i saw a young woman smoking outside..."

eloise's heart rate managed to steady itself as she let out a small sigh, thankfully not being caught by someone who would actually care about what she was doing. "oh. good," she nodded, more to herself than the other. she then extended the cigarette to siena, curious. "is it not said that cigarette smoke damages the vocal chords?"

" this is why i love you. " she teased gently. in truth, cessy loved each of her family members equally, but it was fun to jest. francesca laughs lightly, it was hardly unlike her to do precisely what eloise painted. " perhaps it is a bit of both. " she admits, but only to elle. a gentle sigh slips from the young lady's lips, eyes surveying out across the beautiful scene before the pair of bridgerton women. it's peaceful, a perfect break from the ball inside. " not particularly. i'm not sure what i expected for my first ball, but it's a tad overwhelming. " for a girl who thrived in smaller situations, it was more than she bargained for.

"of course you do," eloise giggled before her expression became ever so slightly concerned for her sister for a split second, placing a hand on the other's shoulder. "if any woman in our family would understand balls being overwhelming, it is quite possibly me. it is the second year for me and yet..." she shrugs half defeatedly. "i still cannot manage to decide on what i want, really. so if anyone understands, it is me."

"One thing is certain, they are smitten." With an exhaled sigh, Penelope raises the drink to her lips, deterring profanities, envious comments attempting to leave her lips. She did not wish to seem ungrateful, or perhaps the 'green eyed monster' was appearing, and yet no public interest was beginning to wear against her ego.

eloise glances at her friend, her own glass in her hand as she swirls the drink inside around. "or one of them is too polite to say no," she suggests before turning back to the pair in question. "not that i am an expert in... these interactions." oh how she sometimes wishes she was. would make her life much easier.