CALISTA | Bridgerton

TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO - WITH A BANG!
(06/04/2021)

"You have been rather reserved all evening,
Your Grace." Lady Danbury noticed the Duke was miserable as he stood from a distance, eyes glazing over the whole evening as mamas annoyed his presence without a doubt.

"I have decided to leave England earlier than expected—"

His sentence was interrupted as he noticed the Bridgerton sisters skilfully walk down the grand staircase.

They were both a sight for sore eyes, Daphne was dressed in virtuous white fabric; elegant like a swan. Her hair was lightly curled producing a soft ringlet that framed her face like the angel she was yet her sister, Calista had a stronger yer passionate fabric caressing her figure, crushed black velvet suited her extremely well, she could almost feel the men foam at the mouth with desire yet they knew they would never have her- it was a sad truth. A thigh split was the star of the show, not moving an inch, staying in place just as it had been designed. Her brothers weren't a fan of said dress, they had called her reckless yet she paid no attention, she did not care for society, currently nor had she ever.

Her hair was tightly pinned up in a high sleek ponytail, she wanted all attention to be on her upper body which was enhanced with crystals encrusted on the collar of her gown, she was the complete opposite of her sister.

Jaw drops were apparent in the ballroom, all faces turned white with surprise and shock at how alluring the Bridgerton sisters were tonight, they were really living their best lives.

It wasn't missed that Calista had recently, too quickly recovered from an illness that had her bed ridden for more than a few nights but she refused to mope around in bed over a man who after tonight would never see again.

She wanted to make tonight count for at least something.

Prince Frederich approached Daphne, "Miss Bridgerton, I'd be honoured if you let me have this first dance."

It was no secret that before tonight's evening, Daphne had asked her sister for tips on how to appear innocently charming. Daphne let her fan fall out of her hand delicately as the Prince automatically got down in one knee and picked it up for her which was completely absurd for Society.

"Follow me." She held out her hand, almost leading the way which made the ladies and gentlemen gasp at her new found confidence.

"To the ends of the Earths, Miss Bridgerton."

He was wrapped around her pretty little fingers, Calista thought with a small smirk on her face. He was definitely propose before the Season was over, it was practically a given.

Calista stood beside her mother as they began to move around the room to socialise. She refused to dance tonight, making it absolutely clear that she was still recovering from the influenza but had promised a few dances for the upcoming events which made some gentlemen extremely happy to hear that they would be dancing with the infamous Calista Bridgerton.

"Apologies, Lady Danbury, but I believe it is time for me to go." Simon glared at the woman who he had ultimately lost and embarrassed. Truly, he did not mean it but Lady Danbury was right- he was leading her on, he would never marry nor did he want to ever have an heir, he wanted his fathers name to end with him in spite of his father.

"Dear gentle readers,

Could it be true? The season's diamond even more precious and rare a stone than previously thought? For it now appears this treasure is set to join the likesof the queen's ever-so-cherished crown jewels themselves. She was as radiant as could be dancing with her Prince Charming all evening.

On the other hand, the angel of the season, Miss Calista Bridgerton resumed her place as the most desired woman amongst the Ton as she not once danced with a suitor. The Duke of Hastings, I hear, was left looking rather tongue-tied last night, as Miss Bridgerton seemed to have finally grown tired of waiting for him to pose that all-important question.

Surprising? Quite.

Unreasonable? Of course not.

A certain Lord Ramsey was seen at tonight's ball, with his newly engaged debutant. It had been said that they are planning a December wedding, as Lady Elizabeth Montgomery loves the winter seasons more than she does the Summer. Needless to say that his fiancé is completely different to his former lover, I wonder how Calista feels now. She had been abandoned by The Duke of Hastings and forgotten in the eyes of Lord Ramsey."

Yours truly,

Lady Whistledown."