Her name is Bea. Her wish? Make it to spinsterhood, but there's a slight problem well... more like three. Their names Anthony. Benedict. And Colin. Join Bea on a rollercoaster ride in England's most well-known ton during the season. Where beautiful...
Bea was awoken to her sheets being ripped off "Paulette!" Bea cried wanting to sink into the warm comfort of her bed "Your Grandmama summons you." Paulette refused to look at Bea "Oh, Paulette please stop being angry with me." Bea sat up. Palette turned her nose making Bea groan. "I know it wasn't the right thing to do. I am sorry." Bea watched Paulette retrieve her frocks "Wear this." "But that is a hideous color!" this earned a look "I'll wear the navy blue." "Fine, " Paulette pinched Bea's cheek "one toe and we tell your grandmama." Bea grinned happily as she was forgiven.
Giles marched ahead into the breakfast room, then halted abruptly to click his heels together. "Your Grace, Miss Bea," he announced Bea nearly froze in mid stride her grandmother was already at the foot of the table. She was concealed by a wide-open newspaper. Marie's eyes met hers over the rim of the paper, "You have some explaining to do." Bea sat down mumbling something. The paper slammed down on the table "I beg your pardon?" "Yes, grandmama!" Bea yelled, "A lady does not yell Elizabeth." Marie waited.
Bea has lost her appetite "I denied three suitors, went to Uncle Henry's, and knew all along about Simon and Daphne," Giles' eyes widened "please don't take it out on Giles or Paulette they didn't know!" Bea pleaded Marie laid her hand over her chest "You! You will be the death of me. I will refrain from saying his name-" Bea interrupted her grandmother "I am nothing like him!" "That's a bit rich Elizabeth," Marie stood "time is ticking. Giles make sure she is ready within fifteen minutes. We are visiting the Bridgerton's." the sound of her cane clicked on the floor Bea slumped into her chair.
─── ∙ ~εïз~ ∙ ───
The Bridgerton home interior was breathtakingly stunning Bea had to admit, "Please forgive me, your Grace," their butler bowed "Lady Violet is attending to a family matter. She shall join you as soon she is done. Please allow me to escort you and Lady DeGrave to the drawing-room." "Lady DeGrave?" Colin walked out of a room a wide smile graced his face "What a lovely surprise." He smiled only at Bea, slowly she looked away still not used to the attention "Yes, we are here to congratulate Miss. Bridgerton. Your mother must be over the moon." Marie smiled "Most definitely! Mother is extremely happy." Colin answered not taking his eye's off Bea.
"With your permission may I show Miss. DeGrave the gardens, Eloise will be happy to have someone other than us to rant about the wedding." Colin asked delighted "I see why not, if Miss. Bridgerton will be there." Marie gave Bea a subtle push. Colin offered his arm Bea linked it with a small polite smile.
"Sister! Look who has come to visit!" Colin took hold of her hand the soft glove a barrier between the two hands "Oh, Benedict I didn't know you were here." Colin said stopping short "Yes, has our mother had your suit for the wedding tailored yet? I believe you were to go after me." Benedict said unaware that the visit was not Miss. Featherington. "Speaking of guests Pen, she must have arrived already." Eloise stood "I shall go check and ask for more tea and biscuits. I'll send Emily to supervise." "What do mean-" Benedict ceased talking looking up from his sketchbook "Please forgive me Miss. DeGrave I assumed you were Miss. Featherington." He stood quickly to bow Bea curtsied.
"It's quite alright," Bea sat on the chair "thank you." Colin had pulled out "Colin!" Hyacinth popped her head out a window "What?" He called back still standing "Mama wants you to see the tailor!" "Alright." Colin waved her off his attention on Bea. Hyacinth narrowed her eyes "She said now!" Bea hid her giggle with a sigh Colin excused himself.
Bea press your lips together she must not be left alone with Benedict, even if he if wouldn't make any advances or besmirch her name. Bea looked up to see Hyacinth still at the window watching. "Miss. Bridgerton may I call you Hyacinth?" Bea asked Benedict's eyebrows rose to wonder what was going on "Yes?" "Would mind coming down to be my chaperone for a moment?" Bea asked Hyacinth's eyes widened suprised "I've never been a chaperone before." "That's alright." Bea said, "Oh I accept, but give me a moment!" Hyacinth says disappearing into the house.
Benedict stood "May I offer you some tea? Sadly I'm afraid it's a bit cold." "That is fine." "Milk? Sugar?" Benedict asked pouring the liquid "Just sugar please," she glanced at the page Bea's head tilt "Her eyes are wrong." her eyes snapped up to meet his bright blue ones "What?" Benedict asked.
He had been drawing one of her uncle's models what was her name? Lottie? "Forgive me. Those must be personal." "Are you good at drawing?" Bea couldn't help but laugh "Heavens no! Grandmama did try to get me the best teachers, at my godfather's expense of course." Benedict looked confused "Let's just say he's a fan of the arts." Bea grinned. "With the wedding I presume Lady Bridgerton will be quiet occupied leaving the rest of you to breathe?" Bea sipped her tea changning the subject "On the contrary mother is now on the lookout to wed her oldest within the year," Benedict smiled "and how did your grandmother take the news?" Bea placed her cup on the saucer "Didn't even fret honestly she knows Simon since he was a small boy. He made it perfectly clear we weren't made for each other. Probably would end up killing ourselves." they both turned to see Hyacinth walk out with pencils and journal in hand grinning.
"What are we talking about?" She asked "Art, do you draw?" Bea asked nodding towards the journal "No, these are for the mystery of Lady Whistledown. Eloise won't let me in on what she's got so I'll figure it out on my own." Hyacinth opened to a new page "What's your take on Lady Whistledown?" Bea sat impressed at the young girl "Erm well surely she's someone of high class." "But who would write such things about people they know?" Hyacinth asked "That's a good question Hyacinth." Bea said starting to think of the reason one might be behind the gossip sheet. "Benedict mother," Anthony stopped adjusting his vest "What is this? Why has she no chaperone?" his face hardened "I'm her chaperone." Hyacinth piped up "Don't be ridiculous." Anthony said to his younger sister "Anthony." Benedict voice held a tone "Viscount Bridgerton." Bea held back from snapping at him. "Eloise has just stepped away to see if Lady Featherington has arrived, not for one instance has Hyacinth left my side. I really doubt she's dim witted to not notice Benedict's advances had there been any." Hyacinth turned to her oldest brother and nodded.
Bea stood seeing Lady Bridgerton "Anthony what is going on?" Lady Bridgerton asked walking over "Lady Bridgerton I must congratulate you on such wonderful news." Bea smiled kindly "Thank you dear, I just came to let you know that your Grandmama is leaving." Lady Bridgerton looked back to Anthony for an answer.
"Thank you. Hyacinth if you'd like to come over to continue our speculations you are more than welcomed, I quite enjoy your company." Hyacinth's face lit up "Oh mama! Am I allowed to visit Lady Bea?" she asked her mother Bridgerton chuckled amused "We must ask Duchess DeGrave first, but I do not see why not." Bea curtsied ready to leave. "Anthony please escort Lady DeGrave." Violet's eyes narrowed slightly challenging her son "Mother I don't mind escorting Lady DeGrave." Benedict piped up "No need to fret Mother I'll do the honors." Colin said walking towards the party happily extending his arm "Oh for heavens sakes I asked Anthony. Now go." Lady Bridgerton although happy her other two son's were interested she nudged her eldest as Bea pretend to admire some tulips to save the young man some respect.
Anthony's face remained blank as Bea followed him through the house. What point was there for small talk when it was quiet obvious he disliked her. "I can see myself out, thank you." Bea stepped around Anthony, he cleared his throat "My mother wouldn't be very pleased if I did not accompany you." "Viscount Bridgerton we both know you're not one to listen to your mother. If you did you'd already be married." Bea smirked as she kept walking towards her home, Anthony's brow creased in confusion.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
