/ regalities *

The evening had been slow going , consumed by the ton and their nobility , the noise sending her head pounding. This was further influenced by her distaste for such gatherings , perhaps deep down , such things made her remember what she could not have. She had excelled , gaining her own lifestyle, buying a bakery. Though it may not compare in the eyes of the ton , it was something to her. Though , she was required to work two jobs to make ends meet , which was no life for her. His company was refreshing , no longer did she feel she needed to hide , and in fact , she felt at ease. She guided them down to the cellar , holding a lantern in her hand before placing it on the side. She dusted her hands , gazing to find the empty barrel beneath the bar, then flickering to the new one only a short distance away. Though , she then turned on her heels to face him , features softening at him. " Sorry , I should be more careful than to assume. " she frowned, noting his father's lack of presence. " It is surely a loss that does not compare , I know it well. " She lost her parents many years ago and had been fending for herself ever since. " What is deterring you from settling? " She asked, resting a hand on her hip. " Evenings such a tonight present opportunities , yet you remain with the likes of I. " She chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief.

the  travel  here  had  been  exhausting,  and  john  was  eager  to  arrive  in  their  home  in  london  and  stretch  his  legs.  he’d  thought  that  had  been  horrid,  but  it  was  nothing  compared  to  making  it  through  this  ball.  he’s  much  prefer  being  at  home,  amongst  his  people.  but  then  the  thought  of  his  mother  flitted  through  his  mind,  and  he  remembered  how  much  the  woman  adored  the  children  in  their  family.  his  thoughts  consumed  of  her  with  his  own  children  as  they  traveled  to  the  darkened  cellar.  the  idea  that  he  should  not  be  alone  here  with  a  lady  bounced  in  his  mind,  but  john  hoped  that  none  would  come  and  accuse  either  of  them  of  impropriety.  john  almost  felt  bad  for  souring  the  mood,  but  he  couldn’t  lie  and  pretend  his  father  was  alive  either.  “  no  apologies  needed,  it’s  hardly  something  you  are  expected  to  know.  ”  he  replies  quickly.  his  eyes  sadden  when  she  shares  she  has  experienced  the  same,  and  he  hates  that  they  share  that  bond.  “  nothing  quite  makes  up  for  it,  but  their  love  and  wisdom  live  through  us.  ”  his  mother  had  told  him  that,  and  it  soothed  the  wounds  a  young  boy  possessed.  john  tilts  his  head,  almost  surprised  by  the  woman’s  forwardness but  pleasantly  enjoying  it.  she  was  certainly  nothing  like  the  ladies  of  the  ton.  “  i  was  too  focused  ensuring  my  clan  remained  strong,  marriage  felt  selfish  when  other  affairs  needed  tending.  ”  and  he  didn’t  desire  to  wed  a  random  woman  for  looks  or  wealth.  john  was  afforded  few  luxuries,  not  marrying  someone  out  of  necessity  was  one  of  them.  “  i’m  quite  enjoying  the  likes  of  you,  actually.  ”  admits  the  duke.

it wasn't uncommon to hear such a noise. she had grown used to the nature of each of her offspring. they would find ways to cause mischief, even if they didn't mean the inevitable destruction. as she spotted francesca, she smiled. "i'm sure they will reappear soon enough." she replied, her stern façade failing. it was lovely to have her children there, rather than sending them afar to learn elsewhere. it was francesca who reminded violet of her younger self the most. "what have you been up to, dearest?"

"  they  always  manage  to.  "  cessy  replies  with  a  laugh.  her  siblings  were  always  lively  and  full  of  mischief,  and  she  quite  enjoyed  joining  in.  francesca  was  right  on  the  cusp  of  a  carefree  childhood  and  the  life  of  a  lady  in  society,  she  would  happily  fall  back  into  her  youth  every  chance  she  got.  “  trying  to  picture  what  dress  i  shall  wear  for  the  next  gathering.  i  believe  green  is  quite  suited  to  my  complexion,  but  i  fear  the  deeper  shades  are  too  dark  for  this  time  of  year.  ”  it  was…  not  truly  her  favorite  thing  to  think  about,  and  a  tad  out  of  place  for  the  young  bridgerton,  but  she  also  did  wish  to  look  good  at  each  social  gathering.

With such a retort heard from his sister, Benedict gasped, holding a hand over his heart in distaste. "Truly, painful of you sister." He pouted his lips, sighing deeply as he did. "Though they know better than to believe your elaborate stories." He wiggled his brows, moving to sit beside her. "No desire to socialise, hm?"

francesca  feels  accomplished  with  benedict’s  reaction,  taking  it  as  a  momentary  win  amongst  the  siblings.  “  then  keep  your  match  making  to  yourself.  ”  she  counters  with  a  small  laugh.  truly,  cessy  had  no  desire  to  find  a  partner  this  season,  and  she  had  a  feeling  her  siblings  wouldn’t  mind  that  either.  especially  her  brothers.  “  untrue,  i’m  quite  trustworthy.  ”  but  her  mischievous  eyes  give  her  completely  away.  francesca  leans  her  head  against  benedict’s  shoulder,  watching  the  couples  dance  and  spotting  daphne.  “  it’s  a  tad  overwhelming.  i’m  nothing  like  daphne,  she  looks  so  effortless  and  graceful  out  there.  ”

his interruption was much appreciated , her patience growing thin with whom would not allow her space. she took a moment , a gasp leaving her lips as she watched the male disappear in a disgruntled fashion. " brave of you , you do know his father is an earl , don't you ? " in truth , she did not know who he was , but to tease was all too tempting.

william  knew  his  brazen  nature  wasn’t  the  best.  he  was  also  well  aware  that  his  mother  would  remind  him  to  be  more  behaved.  but  the  prince  was  young,  foolish,  and  he’d  been  told  to  find  a  match  this  season  or  one  would  be  found  for  him.  best  to  enjoy  while  he  could.  a  chuckle  slips  from  him  at  the  woman’s  reaction,  and  the  prince  offers  a  cocky  grin.  “  i  do  not  think  i  have  much  to  worry  about,  love.  a thank you would also suffice. ”  

"You cannot persuade me to dance, but keep trying, it's entertaining to see you fail." Arms fold across her chest, defensive in manner. Though such mannerisms deplete, less guarded as an amused expression crosses her face.

"  and  here  i  was  under  the  assumption  the  young  ladies  of  the  ton  weren't  allowed  to  say  no  to  a  dance.  ”  william  speaks  as  he  watches  the  display.  “  or  perhaps,  you  just  smell.  ”  he  says  to  the  other.  liam  can  get  away  with  a  lot,  especially  in  his  own  home.  “  run  along,  let  those  of  us  who  bathed  today  woo  the  pretty  women.  ”

nicholas smiled nodding in agreement ❝it is refreshing your parents think that way. and its true, you can not really argue with the idea of marrying for love and money. some people find that shallow, but i don't. as long as you are in love, what does it matter?❞

luna  held  a  wistful  smile  on  her  face,  she  truly  did  have  a  good  model  of  a  loving  marriage  to  look  up  to.  "  i  agree,  i  find  some  are  not  as  lucky.  "  which  was  sad,  but  lunara  knew  she  could  not  change  anyone  else’s  situation  either.  “  now,  we  are  still  encouraged  to  marry  well,  but  i  do  not  think  they  would  disown  us  should  one  choose  to  marry  a  commoner.  ”

❝why hide it? it is not as if we english have a dislike for austria.❞ he asked curiously ❝at least not that i'm aware❞ he laughed a little ❝i would be happy to show you when the next one comes up. which should be after this dance.❞ oliver offered ❝i'm oliver fitzwilliams, lord oliver fitzwilliams.❞ he explained ❝my title is still new to me❞ it wasn't that new, but he had spent the last few years only in the country with his family, and they did not refer to him as lord fitzwilliams

"  because  when  one  discovers  you  hail  from  another  country  they  are  quick  to  question  everything  about  you.  i  wish  for  someone  to  find  interest  in  conversation  with  me,  not  my  station  or  accent.  "  she  shares  politely.  sophia  has  never  been  one  to  measure  her  tongue,  honesty  is  a  rather  common  habit  of  hers.  "  promise  me  to  not  laugh  too  hard  when  i  stumble.  ”  she  says  with  a  smile.  the  princess  offers  a  title  of  her  head,  she  grew  up  with  her  title,  it  must  feel  odd  to  fall  into  one.  “  i  would  say  you  grow  used  to  it,  but  i’ve  only  ever  possessed  the  one  i  was  born  with.  ”  she  couldn’t  remember  not  liking  it.

“  call  it  a  woman’s  intuition.  ”  replies  francesca  with  a  small  laugh.  her  eyes  followed  each  movement  of  the  other,  amusement  in  the  entire  situation.  this  was  hardly  the  conversation  cessy  expected  to  have  at  her  first  ball  of  the  season,  but  it  was  an  interesting  one.