CALISTA / Bridgerton

TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE - COURT ME, IF YOU MUST
(09/03/2021)

Calista Bridgerton found herself dancing with a suitor, an unusual situation to find herself in but change would do her no harm. Her card was filling up quickly much to her dismay. She had only danced with her former lover from the start of the season, his claim on her enough to keep other gentlemen at bay, however, suitors were keen to realise that she wasn't taken, not by Arthur, not by anyone.

A joyful prayer had been answered to those who wanted her the most- those who wanted the magnificent Calista by their side. She had noticed Arthur around the gardens, waiting for the right moment to pounce, yet she was bored of his constant glances and puppy eyes.

With a roll of the eyes, she had accepted a dance with Lord Montgomery, a wealthy Lord whom she had no intention of getting to know, all she wanted to do was create some distance between herself and Arthur.

"It's an honour to dance with such a beautiful swan." Lord Montgomery praised her to the high heavens. She smiled slightly, thanking him. The dance quickly ended, her feet were hurting, she wasn't used to dancing not having practised dancing for a year or two. She curtsied to the gentleman and left the dance floor to go to the buffet, her mother would probably faint as more eyes were on her than ever.

"We meet again, in the strangest of ways. Are you drawn to food, Miss Bridgerton?" The voice which belonged to the Duke of Hastings rang through her ears as she sported a knowing smile and turned around to see the man who had attended dinner with her family yesterday and now, had her full undivided attention.

"Perhaps. Am I to believe that we need food to survive?" She faux gasped, a successful attempt of sarcasm which she wasn't a stranger of. He seemed amused even for a gentleman of high ranking.

"I had a wonderful n-night, your family is close, I haven't seen that kind of family l-love for a while." Simon laughed as he took a sip of champagne.

"Well, we only love eachother on occasion. You only fuelled my brothers hatred for suitors more, congratulations, it's very amusing to watch a proud and annoyed Anthony cut through a steak so angrily."

"Very protective, Anthony, I presume." He laughed a throaty laugh and Calista slowly and secretly melted into her dress. He picked up a tiny square of cheese and popped it in his mouth so elegantly.

A square of cheese.

"I secretly plan to become a spinster, you know. Just to really piss him off. I know I'll get bought off to some gentleman eventually, my brother had his eyes set on Arthur Ramsey- I suppose I'll need to marry him eventually." She shrugged her shoulders, she wasn't as fussed but she would be stubborn the whole season until she was forced. She would never go down without a bloody good fight.

"I would have thought you would be joyful for a marriage, no?" Simon whispered, not understanding the woman in front of him. He was confused, wanting to know more. To him, she was a complex riddle- one that he wasn't sure wanted to be solved. Most women would be fawning over him, making him dance with them but not Calista. Dare he think that she didn't like him nor his station. He had been so familiar with mamas and daughters clawing at him for attention and yet, he seemed to be approaching Miss Bridgerton.

It was a strange feeling.

"I promised my father that I would take care of Daphne- that I wouldn't let her go through Society alone. Hence why I am present at every social event and not at the countryside which I have loved so dearly. Things happen, things change. You would think I would be jumping at the chance to marry Arthur, yet here I am here talking to you and desperately ignoring him." She laughed with a daintiness, she couldn't believe herself that she had turned Arthur down but months of mourning their relationship had proven a success. She didn't need love, love didn't need her, she thought of men as a want but never a need. She wanted their bodies, not their souls.