Reticence [a.i.] (Bridgerton/Regency Era AU)

Chapter 4: La Seconde

TW: brief mention of sexual abuse/violence

Excitement was in the air as the second ball of the season approached. This one was going to be held at the Doylemount estate just outside of London. A ball at the Doylemounts had the complete opposite reputation of one held at the Cramptons, it was sure to be littered with aristocrats from all over since Lord Doylemount was well connected with businesses internationally. No one was quite sure why he was so well connected, but it didn't seem to arouse any suspicion on his honesty as a man of the court. Rumors of a princess from Prussia and a prince from France attending this ball sent the Ton into a tizzy.

After being preoccupied with the mysterious bouquet, Mallory couldn't wait for the second ball to come around and tried to busy her mind by running errands for her family. She and Amelia made trips to the modiste by themselves to have time away from their prying mothers and make sure that their dresses were perfect. 

"I think you should dance with His Grace at the next ball. I know for a fact that he's going." Amelia whispered to her best friend as they looked at different lace designs.

"Really? Why do you say that?" Mallory smirked.

"Because it would be improper of me to dance with him again, but you're the next best thing. And, perhaps, it will incline Lord Irwin to call if you dance with his mate" she giggled. Mallory rolled her eyes.

"You really have your mind set on the Duke, don't you?" Mallory inquired. Amelia gave a slight shrug and began to browse the dress patterns.

"It would be a dream to set my family up for a brighter future after my father passed. Plus, I think it would cancel out the shame I've given the Bennett name as an only daughter." Mallory nodded. She ended up wandering away from Amelia briefly to talk to the modiste about her dress for the upcoming ball. It was supposed to emulate her debut dress but in blush tones to bring out her green eyes.

"Madame Bellafleur, how is the dress coming?" she asked.

"Ah, mon amie, your dress is as beautiful as you are and will be ready for you demain for ze Doylemount's ball," she said in a crisp Parisian accent. "Ce trés belle, you will not be disappointed" she smiled. 

"Merci" Mallory chirped back in French, causing Madame Bellafleur to blush. 

After the confirmation for their dress pickups,  Amelia and Mallory moved through the different stalls at the market and watched small children play with hoops and sticks and small shiny trinkets they found on the ground. Their little faces covered in splotches of mud and soot. Mallory sighed as she heard them sing innocent rhymes and laugh loudly. Their future seemed bright, and they weren't stuck in a system that would doom them to marriage... at least, not yet. She innocently took Amelia's arm as they walked together and laughed like they were girls again. They bought cheese and fruit in the market and decided to have a picnic for luncheon in the park, watching the most recent young callers promenading.

"My mother is going to have my head when she finds out I took lunch with you in the park rather than one of the callers who has been asking me to promenade for the last few days," Amelia laughed heartily. Her eyes sparkled with the hint of disobedient mischief that had ruled their childhood. Mallory only smiled and took a bite of one of the cheeses they had picked up.

"If my mother finds out I gave Mary the day off and went to the market instead I think we'll both be in trouble. I told her we were going back to yours after the modiste for luncheon," she chuckled. Amelia grinned.

"To mischief, and drawing out our singleness longer than our mothers wish"! Amelia offered a toast with some of the fruit they had bought. Mallory smiled and toasted back before eating the bite she had left.