𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘭.

" my dear, dear annie. if i am trouble, what does it say about you not being able to stay away from me ? " the smirk danced on her lips as her gaze fell upon the smaller girl. she could not help but take the opportunity to tease one of her dearest friends. after all, that's what friends were for. " has anyone caught your attention this evening ? "

what   did   that   say   about   her   ?   it   didn’t   really   matter   what   that   said   about   her,   truthfully,   not   when   hyacinth   was   her   most   favourite   of   the   girls   their   ages.   “   a   glutton   for   punishment,   no   doubt.   ”   she   teased   in   return   .   “   truthfully,   i   cannot   tell   one   from   another   at   this   point   .   ”   t’was   a   lie,   she   could   name   the   men   of   the   ton   as   they   passed,   especially   those   not   much   older   than   the   pair,   but   no   one   had   caught   her   eye,   they   all   blended   together   in   a   sea   of   chiffon   and   silks.  

as she continued to remain in her husband's embrace, contentment flooded through daisy as her ministrations continued on the soft cotton of his clothing. " have i told you tonight how handsome you look ? " words soft and almost reverent as she turned to face him front on and adjusted his cravat slightly, " and your wife will always come right back to your side. nothing and i mean, nothing could ever keep me away from you. " to anyone else, the words may be slightly concerning but to daisy, it was a verbal manifestation of the love they had for one another. many marriages in the ton were loveless but not theirs.

cheeks   pink   and   teeth   catch   lips   as   he   offers   his   wife   with   sweetest   smile,   an   indulgent   grin   as   he   preens   beneath   her   words.   the   soft   fabrics   felt   rough   and   heavy   against   his   skin   but   her   words   truly   made   it   all   worth   it.   the   were   amongst   the   rare   few   in   mayfair   that   married   for   nothing   but   love,   the   title   that   came   with   her   family   meant   nothing   to   him,   she   was   what   he   wanted,   she   was   everything,   and   worth   every   trial   and   every   decision.   “   as   of   i.   ”   he   whispers,   barely   audible,   only   for   the   ear   of   her   as   mouth   moves   against   the   crown   of   her   head,   uncaring   to   the   eyes   as   he   folds   her   into   his   embrace.    

" eloise bridgerton, i would have never thought to find you in a library. the world must have turned upside down, " the tone was one of fake surprise as penelope quietly closed the door behind her. the red headed lady had noticed the exact moment her eldest and best friend had snuck out of the ballroom for a moment of reprieve. no one else in attendance had noticed but penelope had always been the observational type. " needed a moment away from the hustle and bustle of the ballroom ? "

it   would   be   a   lie   to   state   that   the   smile   that   crossed   features   wasn’t   filled   with   something   wicked.   a   grin   that   was   saved   for   only   a   few.   but   her   dearest   friend,   nay   her   chosen   sisters   words   weren’t   far   from   the   truth   at   all,   she   had   escaped   her   mama   as   soon   as   the   woman   had   appeared,   a   lord   fife   on   her   arm   in   eloise’s   direction.   “   mama   almost   foisted   lord   fife   on   me,   and   rather   than   break   his   toes,   lady   danbury’s   library   seemed   the   better   option.   ”   she   was   avoiding   the   entire   ordeal.

thoughts   had   been   elsewhere,   more   so   on   his   wife   and   where   she’d   disappeared   to.   an   ache   in   his   chest   to   get   back   to   her   as   quick   as   possible.   but,   unlike   him,   she   had   friends   here,   somewhere,   he   was   sure   of   that.   “   still,   again   …   my   apologies.   ”   the   awkward   smile   was   replicated   before   a   hand   was   offered.   “   ewan   burke,   you   can   charge   me   the   cost   of   a   new   shirt   if   it   does   stain.   ”   he   tells   the   man.

" her reputation is well earned. one must be completely brainless to even consider offending lady danbury, after all, it does not tend to do well for that individual. " a slight shiver ran down her spine at the pure thought of even being on the older lady's bad side. it was concerning at best. " i am sorry, my love. i shall not address you as such again, " daisy swore honestly as a soft thumb ran along the material of the male's clothed forearm. the action to soothe her husband. there were times where she could not help but curious about what was running through his head but she did not wish to push. " have you tried one of the eclairs ? i hear lady danbury sourced a pastry chef from paris solely to cater them for tonight. "

anxiousness   rampant   often,   flouncing   from   one   thought   to   the   next   before   he   even   has   time   to   process   the   last.   but   the   new   title   gained,   well   that   was   something   else   all   together.   something   he   certainly   wasn’t   prepared   for   like   many   others.   as   simple   as   it   is,   her   touch,   even   beneath   layer   upon   layer   of   cloth   and   fabric,   he   soothes   something,   calms   the   tumultuous   storm   that   rages   within.   he   keeps   her   close,   wanting   her   tucked   into   his   side   if   escape   is   not   an   option.   “   i   have   not,   it   seems   i’ve   been   too   preoccupied   chasing   my   wife   who   wandered   too   far.   ”   what   could   be   considered   possessive   was   certainly   fair   from   it   by   the   jest   in   his   tone,   for   he   never   longed   to   be   far   from   her   side.

" my sincere apologies, i do hope that i did not offend you with my assumption. i simply assumed that almost everyone in attendance was english. " despite the fact she had said her apologies, her tone and the smirk told a different story. isabela knew that her parents and older brother had strong intentions on her behaving and finding a future husband but the desire to be free and do something rebellious curled deliciously in her stomach. " you're going to be trouble, aren't you ? it is a good thing for the two of us that i tend to enjoy trouble, " her words came out almost like a purr as the dark haired princess took a step closer to him. " i am certain that you can think of somewhere to take me. "

mirth   taints   lips   at   her   words,   he   certainly   wasn’t   offended   by   the   assumption,   he   looked   english   and   he   could   thank   his   mother   derisively   for   that.   but   as   if   he   knew   she   was   anything   but   sorry,   apology   is   waved   off   in   favour   of   offering   her   his   hand.   fingers   skyward   with   the   palm   of   his   hand   open   to   meet   hers,   should   she   risk   it   like   he   assumes   she   will.   “   you   do   look   to   be   the   type   to   have   trouble   following   them   often.   ”   he   means   it   jovially,   no   malicious   intent   behind   the   words.   “   tell   me,   are   you   afraid   of   the   dark,   princess   ?   ”

eyes are taking in the extravagance of the event , hands draped in creme satin gloves as she grabs a glass from a passing servant . sipping from glass as she strolls along , eyes scanning for someone she can conversate with . not paying attention per usual as the princess does , femme nearly knocks elbows with a fellow patron , breaking her from her small trance state . " no , no . it is all my fault , really . i was not paying attention to where i was going . the champagne was much too good . are you alright ? "

upon   gaining   a   new   title,   ewan   made   certain   that   he   would   not   be   a   fool.   that   he   would   not   be   clueless   come   the   first   season   he’d   attend,   after   all,   it   wouldn’t   be   the   last.   and   while   the   title   was   certainly   only   temporary,   passed   on   to   his   first   born   son,   he   would   not   be   seen   as   anything   less,   if   only   for   daisy’s   sake.   “   princess,   ”   he   greets,   a   quick   bow   as   he   recognised   the   foreign   monarch.   “   i   am,   of   course,   it   seems   we’re   both   at   fault,   i   myself   was   paying   very   little   attention.   ”

with   a   huff,   he   is   quick   to   straighten   his   jacket.   lest   he   make   a   fool   of   himself   in   such   a   setting,   god   he   didn’t   want   to   do   that.   “   i   really   should   begin   to   watch   where   i  am   going.   ”   he   admits,   but   the   look   of   remorse   dissipates   and   relief   replaces   it.   “   i   am   okay,   no   blood   no   foul,   right   ?   ”

𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴   𝘰𝘧   𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴   𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴   𝘩𝘦𝘳   𝘣𝘺,   nothing   changes   all   too   much.   and   yet,   agatha   danburys   balls   are   very   much   one   of   note   and   she   would   never   dare   miss   such   a   time.   however   this   season   held   more   significance,   after   all,   it   was   her   granddaughters,   both   of   them,   debut   and   as   she   ushered   the   pretty   little   things   on   to   the   dance   floor   as   men   signed   their   names   to   the   girls’   cards,   she   found   herself   lingering   by   the   deserts.   “  careful   now,   some   are   filled   with   brandy   cream   and   knowing   this   chef,   he’s   heavy   handed.  ”   she   smiles.

" is it a part of english custom for a gentleman to ask a lady who he has no familiarity with to escape a ballroom together ? " despite her words, a slight smirk pulled at the corners of the spanish princess' lips as isabela took in the male before her. he was attractive and it would certainly liven up her evening if she were to escape with him. " if i were amenable to this idea of yours, where would we escape to ? "

𝘩𝘦   𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘭𝘺   𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵   𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘺   𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩   𝘵𝘰   create   some   for   of   checklist,   however   he   had   made   it   so   all   eligible   debutants   were   in   his   knowledge,   some   far   too   young   and   he   help   zero   interest   in   that,   and   despite   the   years   that   separate   them,   a   princess   would   keep   his   father   off   his   back.   chuckling   quietly   to   himself,   dark   blues   sweep   over   her   form.   “  considering   i   am   certainly   not   english,   princess,   i   wouldn’t   know   what   the   custom   is.  ”   he   remarks   jovially,   as   if   he   wanted   to   be   there.   “  however   if   the   english   aren’t   seeking   a   private   moment   with   you,   they   are   definitely   dimwitted.   and   escaping,   well   where   would   your   heart   desire   ?  ” 

" and here, i would have thought that you would have been strongly dissuaded from being my companion tonight. after all, are we not competitors now ? " the tone that carried her words was one of mock seriousness and teasing as hyacinth could not help but teasingly nudge her friend secretly. they both had heard the stories of various vicious mamas and their daughters zeroed in on finding the best match possible. something hyacinth could not help but happily judge.

𝘰𝘩   𝘵𝘩𝘦   𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴   𝘰𝘧   𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴   𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘴   and   spoiled   rotten   daughters   were   something   they   both   aware   of   and   yet   until   now,   this   night,   annabelle   had   certainly   not   believed   much   of   it   at   all.   “ oh   the   only   warning   to   stay   away   from   you,   hyacinth   bridgerton,   was   because   you’re   nothing   but   trouble. ”   she   jests,   wicked   gleam   in   her   eyes.   even   if   her   mama   had   tried   to   pit   her   against   hyacinth,   she   knew   there   would   never   be   a   competition,   annabelle   had   no   desire   to   marry.

a soft and quiet laugh left her soft pink stained lips as she patiently allowed for her husband to bring her closer to him, allowing him to seek his comfort in whichever form he so wished to do so. " are you not enjoying your night, my lord ? " daisy's tone was slight concern and curiosity as her gaze observed ewan's face with a soft fondness. " as much as i do wish to be home with you, unfortunately, i do not wish to offend lady danbury by doing so. we would never survive. "

𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩,   𝘴𝘰   𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵,   𝘸𝘢𝘴   𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩   𝘵𝘰   ground   him   for   now.   her   closeness   allowed   a   wave   of   calm   to   setting   into   all   of   him.   the   nervousness   dissipates   when   she’s   near,   though   lingers   lighting   in   the   background.   there   was   no   denying   that   ewan   burke   was   certainly   not   made   for   the   grandeur   of   the   season,   he   was   made   to   care   for   horses   and   yet   here   he   stood,   handmade   attire   and   his   wife   of   his   arm,   a   titled   that   was   not   made   for   him.   “ that   woman   terrifies   me. ”   he   admits,   whispered   softly   so   not   to   catch   the   attention   of   ears   that   shouldn’t   overhear.   “ and   please   do   not   call   me   that,   sweetness.   i   cannot   bare   it   from   you   tonight. ”   he   cares   so   little   for   the   title   bestowed   upon   him,   but   it   came   with   her   love   and   he   would   deny   her   nothing.   married   couples   were   often   allowed   freedoms   that   the   debutants   weren’t,   in   turn   of   course   he   would   push   those   boundaries   for   as   much   normalcy   as   he   could   afford.

𝘢𝘯   𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵   𝘩𝘶𝘧𝘧   𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴   𝘩𝘦𝘳   𝘢𝘵   the   sense   of   familiarity   of   tone.   colin.   she   was   quick   to   hide   the   silver   flask   she’d   nicked   from   benedict’s   coat   pockets   upon   his   drunken   return   nights   ago.   while   the   bitter   liquid   did   not   sit   well,   she   found   in   moments   where   she   sought   refuge   and   to   get   away   from   this   horrid   affair,   she   didn’t   mind   the   taste.   but   upon   noting   it   was   the   third   born,   stiffness   in   shoulders   settled   and   a   wicked   grin   pulled   up   at   the   corner   of   her   mouth.   “ you   believe   mama   to   be   too   preoccupied   with   daphne   and   francesca   that   we   can   depart   early  ? ”   for   even   violet   bridgerton   would   never   say   that   eloise   was   a   lost   cause,   the   second   eldest   girl   knew   the   focus   of   her   mother   would   not   linger   on   her   yet.

𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯   𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴   𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩   𝘵𝘩𝘦   𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸   𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵,   but   the   slight   breeze   that   dances   in   from   the   open   doorways   has   the   baby   hairs   of   her   arms   rising.   she   wasn’t   intentionally   avoiding   suitors,   if   she   was   asked,   that   was.   but   she’d   made   an   escape,   if   only   to   relax   her   jaw   for   a   moment   and   take   a   breath,   feet   began   to   ache   more   so   after   each   and   every   dance   and   the   night   was   still   young.   eyes   flit   through   the   choices   of   beverages,   but   the   accented   voice   breaks   her   own   thoughts   as   she   gives   an   almost   startled   yelp.   undignified,   no   doubt.   “  your   royal   highness,   forgive   me,   i’m   in   your   way.  ”   she   sweetly   side   steps,   dropping   into   a   soft   curtsy,   the   way   her   sister   had   taught   her