The prince leaned in to press a gentle kiss to flesh, a teasing notion in effort to give her comfort but also to tease as well. A free hand moved to unclasp the back of her dress, starting at the top and unzipping down a long her back. Another kiss had been placed upon flesh then the brunette had whispered in her ear, "All done."

                                       francesca was an observer .      she had always been attuned to the people around her , from her blood family to the extended friends . she always knew more than she let on ─── and that counted for right now . sophie was beyond lovely , she was sweet and endearing , and both she and her mother enjoyed her company ( even with the restrictions of one's duties )  , but there was something that had the brunette questioning .         ❝         sophie ?         ❞ it was a saturday late afternoon , francesca had stayed behind for the day when the rest of her siblings were to be enjoying a promenade . ❝ are you busy ? may we talk ? ❞

❝  to  be  honest,  the  way  you  speak  of  him  is  what  truly  gives  it  away.  i  would  have  never  assumed  otherwise  until  you  denied  it.  perhaps  you  are  close  friends  or  more,  or  nothing  at  all.  but  may  i  give  you  advice  ? ❞  and  usually,  penelope  would  wait  for  a  response.  it  seemed  this  night,  however  -—  that  her  patience  was  wearing  thin.  ❝  the  bridgertons  -—  they  are  truly  kind,  each  and  every  one.  even  the  viscount  .  .  . ❞  because  DESPITE  her  falling  out  with  eloise,  and  subsequently  her  irritation  with  colin  bridgerton  at  the  moment;  the  crux  of  penelope's  fatigue  was  that  she  simply  loved  them.  ❝  whatever  is  going  on  with  you  and  mr.  bridgerton,  i  am  sure  it  will  all  be  fine,  in  the  end.  and  if  you  truly  wish  to  deceive  people,  perhaps  not  speaking  of  him  at  all  would  be  best. ❞  offered  with  a  genuine  smile,  she  reached  over  to  take the  girl's  shoulder  and  gave  her  a  comforting  squeeze.  hoping  it  would  convey  what  words  could  not.

"Miss Beckett," Violet smiled politely at the young lady, "how have you been finding your time here?"

Slender brows wiggled at those words, his gaze locking on to Aisling's as he moved closer to her, "I'd rather have you in my bed as well, if we're being truthful." The prince spoke softly as his hand raised to cup her face, "I'd rather you be with me entirely, but we know that has to wait." Kili had finished, leaning in so their noses gently brushed against the other.

But she had. She was growing up. With a sigh of defeat the sandy haired male simply tilted his head and looked to his sister, "Listen, you are my only family, Aisling. I don't want you getting hurt, that is all. Regardless of whom I've been with, you think the same way. So forgive me if I'm a little on the fence about this."

The brunette was fighting back a grin as he looked the redhead in the features for but a moment or two. "Oh. Are you, now?" His words held a teasing lilt to them as he leaned a bit, resting his chin to his fist. "You sure you're not drunk on me?" Kili once again teased the woman, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

At that moment, Much had stepped in behind Robin. Confusion upon his features until he looked over Robin's shoulder. Oh. Oh. Well then, this was a surprise. His friend was angry, that was certain. "You do know she is an adult, don't you?" This had garnered a glare from the other, making the second in command quickly look away and shut his mouth.