#eighthbrn

She was still young and deserved to be as free as was possible. John had slowly come to enjoy the young Bridgerton's company whenever he took his walks along the estate. Hyacinth was intelligent - even he could admit that, but a beautiful young woman who any man would love to have at their side. Shaking his head to rid himself of the negative thoughts, John had simply put on a small smile for her, "Perhaps you will find out soon enough. Your mother was keen in setting up a dinner for a guest - possible it could be your betrothed."

Her break in the garden is paused when she notices Hyacinth, and a smile comes across her delicate expression when she sees her. "Miss Hyacinth," she says to alert the girl of her presence rather than startle her. "You've found my hiding spot, or perhaps it's yours I've found?"

"Oh, then you have ABSOLUTELY come to the right person, my lovely." He switches very quickly to giving her his full attention, concern and reassurance threaded both into his tone. "Are you okay, what's going on?"

yes. she did. that was the plain truth of the matter. and though he considered himself an honest man - or at least he strove to be one - he quickly swallowed the blunt honesty. " you look - " he began before hesitating. she looked as if the last place she'd intended to be seen was at an elegant soiree. but his manners held back the questions immediately rising to his lips. foremost among them being: how could she possibly choose this over whatever more engaging pursuit had been occupying her. " you look... as though you may have been in a rush. " it is a feeble reply but, he decides, likely the safest.

" and why must you? " she replies, one dark brow lifted half in challenge, half in amusement. there was not much she could say she envied the girl for. financial security, perhaps. maybe even the fondness the bridgertons apparently held for one another... but the need to marry was certainly not among them. and so she cannot now resist teasing her for her misfortune. " what good do husbands do? unless it is your dearest wish to have a man lay claim to all your funds and become master of all your comings and goings... " her lips curl into a smirk. " but if that is the case, then i suppose you would be foolish not to tether yourself to one... "

“Have you been staying up?” He asked, raising a questioning brow. She didn’t necessarily feel hot to the touch so a fever was ruled out for now. “Is there something exciting you so that it keeps you from sleep? If so - elaborate and allow me to assist towards a proper solution.”

while it didn't necessarily confuse her as to why hyacinth was calling them a great team , regina was slightly surprised at the statement . " well , i do believe so ms . bridgerton , " the elder of the two was always welcoming teamwork between her and others , but it was strange when they were not as close as one may think . ms . george frequented the bridgerton house over the years , and watched young hyacinth grow , and now truly respected the young lady . " what teamwork are you considering us joining forces in ? "

" hyacinth . . . " regina was known amongst the ton as conniving and ruthless when it came to getting what she wanted . it was also her only way of protecting her truth from the gazes of all the others , and to see hyacinth walk the line made her try to jump in . some things are better left private . " you must protect yourself , and i fear you are not . "