CALISTA / Bridgerton

TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY - FORTUNE FALLS
(06/04/2021)

"I have always thought that an appreciation of the arts is what lifts us beyond mere animals. It stirs the passions and moves the spirit, and, this author hopes, inspires more newsworthy pursuits.

A new wing at Somerset House is to be opened today, where several attractions will be on display... like the lovely Miss Marina Thompson, newly recovered from her mysterious illness and expected to finally rejoin the season. Of course, there is today's royal attraction as well, Prince Friedrich of Prussia. His Highness has come to our shores in want of a fine Fräulein. Could this be the reason a certain language tutor has been seen visiting Bridgerton House all week? My inside sources claim that the Prince has been sending Miss Daphne Bridgerton gifts.

The excitement is killing me."

Colin placed a shawl on his sister's bare shoulders as she shuddered with coldness, hoping the warmth would make her feel better, she hoped it wasn't the influenza, just a mere gust of wind that made her shiver without delight.

"You really should stay at home, Calista." He sighed, concerned about her health, perhaps she had caught whatever Miss Thompson caught in the last few weeks which stopped him from courting the lovely girl.

"Don't be absurd, I paid good money for this dress and I shall be wearing it. Finally an event that there's no bloody dancing. My feet will be thankful for such joyful times." She said as she nervously dabbed cold sweat from her brow.

"I should inform mama." Colin went to raise his voice to call for their mother but Calista stepped on his formal shoe with her heel which caused him to Yelp in slight pain.

"Indeed you will not, we are going to be late if you keep complaining." She rushed him out the door and stood beside Daphne and Benedict, smiling the best of her ability without seeming too ill.

"Sister, you look absolutely ill." Benedict noticed but Colin nudged him to be quiet. She glared at him quietly.

She couldn't deny the new exhibit at Somerset House was elegant and fascinating, though she rarely connected with artwork, it just wasn't her forte.

"Were I looking for a list of debutantes and their dubious accomplishments, I could have stayed home and read Lady Whistledown." Anthony sighed, Violet was trying to socialise with possible future courtships. Calista would have laughed in his face if she had the energy to do so.

"Miss Bridgerton." The foreign voice of The Prince of Prussia brought Calista out of her daydream and he bowed to Daphne and began talking to her like she was the only woman in the room which made Calista awe.

"Your Highness."

"I was hoping to see you today. It seems the art is not the only beautiful thing on display at present."

While her family were watching the diamond of the season speak to her future husband, Calista felt it was appropriate to leave her mother gawking at the blonde prince.

"I believe there is a gaggle of young ladies waiting for your favor." She spoke out in an empty room where she had found her faux partner gazing into space, quiet.

"Delightful to see you." He muttered back, his eyes trained on the artwork in front of him.

"What are you doing, hiding away in here?" She asked, standing beside him and admiring the work that his eyes were caught upon, it was a beautiful picture, one that she was a fan of but had never seen before. It wasn't like the other paintings where woman were seen as decorative objects. It was peaceful and wholesome.

"Enjoying some culture." He looked at her with a smile, one she was extremely used to. Butterflies in her stomach erupted as she admired him up close, she was his biggest fan. She enjoyed him as though he was a painting made just for her.

"You are receiving glowing reviews
from Whistledown." She admitted, the secretive woman had wrote a few paragraphs about their faux love which was only growing day by day- perhaps Lady Whistledown wasn't lying about that.

"I love fooling Lady Whistledown. She knows everything about everyone, even the queen, and yet we have her utterly convinced that we are mad for each other. We are awfully clever." She laughed.

"Indeed, we are. Excessive pride suits you,
Miss Bridgerton." She stepped closer to him, wanting to feel the closeness which she desperately craved from him.

"Pride is a sin, Your Grace." She whispered, the light taste of champagne lingered on her breathe, it was intoxicating him. He had never wanted to taste champagne on her tongue quite as much as now and so he did.

He leaned down and lightly kissed her.

"One of the lesser sins. But do not worry."

"Lady Danbury is to be believed, this one was a favorite of my mother's. I have never understood why." He quickly changed the subject to the painting in front of them, it was donated by him, of course, he had donated a handful of paintings- almost to get rid of them in his sight for the time being.

"It reminds me of waking up in the country. I loved the silence. I used to listen for the birds chirping. I was alone but I wasn't lonely. Yes, I rather did enjoy my time away.The others are certainly very grand and impressive, this one is intimate." She whispered as she began to feel quite ill, more so that she was near faint with Simon Bassett beside her. Her joints were becoming too sore to move as she felt herself weakening, as her legs nearly gave out underneath her.

"Calista, are y-you okay?" Simon grabbed her shoulder in an attempt to steady her from falling yet she managed to keep herself up was a miracle, she soon became hot, sweaty and feverish.

"Of course I am fine, Simon. Perhaps we should join the party outside." She weakly smiled as he nodded, stepping away from her but she lightly grabbed his hand as they walked back to the party. As soon as they reached society once more, light touches and lingering looks were keeping them from admitting their feelings for one another.

Two stubborn souls were a match, she thought.

Suddenly and with no warning, the fashionable ill debutant fainted surrounded by the Ton, quite an embarrassing feeling washed over her before she clung onto Simon's arm for dear life as she dropped into Simon's welcoming but scared embrace.

"Bridgerton! Help!" He cried out as her brothers came to his aid.