Chapter 6

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Bea had been sitting unhappily with tonight's invitation she felt the metal tip of her Grandmama's cane tap her ankle "Stop sulking, we have arrived

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Bea had been sitting unhappily with tonight's invitation she felt the metal tip of her Grandmama's cane tap her ankle "Stop sulking, we have arrived." Marie said adjusting her hairpiece before extending her gloved hand out towards and taking the footman's "Yes, Grandmama." Bea looked down as she stepped out of the carriage after Marie.

"Just in time." Simon said holding out his arm for Marie "Nonsense I need no man, take Bea's quickly." Marie stood tall Simon did as he was told. Bea held back a sigh, "Grand Duchess Marie DeGrave. Her granddaughter Lady Elizabeth DeGrave. Accompanied by the Duke of Hastings." announced the master of ceremonies Bea and Simon followed behind Marie down the steps.

Instantly mothers began to make a line to speak with Marie trying to boast their single sons "Dance?" Simon asked quietly "Do you want me to start digging my own grave?" Bea said through clenched teeth "I'm on a thin line with Grandmama." Bea began to fan herself out of boredom "Excuse me?" A familiar young man approached cautiously and bowed "Lady DeGrave may I have the honor of the next dance?" His eyes darted to Simon who stood straightened "I'm afraid the Duke has already requested that dance." Bea said praying he would go away. Marie gave her granddaughter a look from across the room "I- I see erm, I apologize someone is calling me. Excuse me." He bowed and hurriedly walked away. "You're scaring them," Bea accidentally snorted "good boy." "What am I a dog?" Simon snickered. Bea and Simon remained silent as they disappear into the crowd.

"At this rate the next shriek you hear," Bea said unenthusiastically, "will surely be my Grandmama's." Anthony walked over in time to hear the end of the conversation. "And the thud will be her body hitting the floor in a dead faint?" Simon inquired. Bea scoffed "Of course not it shall be mine." She noticed him "I believe I am being called elsewhere Pups. Oh, Viscount Bridgerton I did not see you there, good evening." Bea hastened her curtsy "Actually I came over to ask if you would- I mean if I could have the honor of having the next dance." Anthony shifted from one leg to the other stiffly. Simon held back from gaping at his friend "Unfortunately Viscount I have two left feet. Simon can vouch for me, I'm coming Grandmama." Bea pretended to see her grandmother. She gave him her best smile before speed-walking away.

"Don't say anything." Anthony murmured discontent Simon shook from laughing silently "Give her time my friend, she is shy and extremely and I do mean extremely adamant, trust me when I mean extremely." Simon said giving Anthony a sympathetic pat on the back.

Bea hid near a tree praying the wall would swallow her. She could still feel the heat on her cheeks "Why did you turn down the Viscount?" a high voice asked "Good lord!" Bea placed a hand over her fast-beating heart "Lady Featherington you gave me such a fright." Penelope suppressed a giggle "Truthfully, I do not like dancing. Nor have I danced in a long time so I fear for my partner." Bea watched the couples on the dance floor.

"I see." Penelope followed her gaze for she rarely got asked to dance as a wallflower of the Ton. "Has Colin not asked you to dance?" Bea turned to her "I- erm..." Penelope stumbled with her words Bea giggled "Forgive me, I only meant to tease." "How did you-" "Know? My dear, you are blushing and I've seen the way you look at him. I've seen that look before." Bea thought of her mother, Penelope looked at Colin with such longing she must feel something for him other than just friendship. "I shall not tell a soul." Bea crossed her heart with her gloved finger "Now, care to take a walk outside? I've heard they have such lovely gardens." Bea held out her arm for Penelope who smiled brightly taking on her offer of friendship.

The night air had a slight chill to it causing the girls to turn around and head back inside. "You know you are much more different than what I had thought of." Penelope confessed, "I get that quite often, Si- the Duke and I have that in common." Bea scanned the room for her friend but found herself with Benedict and Colin headed for their direction "Lady DeGrave. Lady Featherington." Colin said grinning the brothers bowed "Gentlemen, Pen was just telling me about how she hopes to dance this evening," she looked Benedict straight in the eye before signaling to Colin "My am I parched." Bea coughed a little too dramatically. Benedict took the signal "Colin was telling me about wanting to dance what a coincidence! Why don't I escort Lady DeGrave to the drinks and Colin you dance with Lady Featherington?" They didn't even bother to wait for an answer.

When they were out of sight Bea turned to Colin with Penelope in hand headed to the dance floor. "Thank you." Bea said, "It was nothing. Would you care to dance?" Benedict asked glancing at Bea "As I told the Viscount sadly I have two left feet." Bea frowned. Benedict's eyebrows creased "Anthony asked for a dance?" Bea nodded "Well fortunately for us I have two right feet." He smiled Bea hid her smile behind her fan. "Just one dance?" He held out his hand "Please do not let me make a fool out of myself." Bea hesitated before slipping her hand into his.

"Tell me I didn't do you a favor tonight," he whispered in her ear. Despite himself, he flashed her a rueful smile "You wait until I step on all your toes." Bea whispered back. Bea placed her right hand higher on Benedict's right shoulder. They fell in step the second they started moving, letting the rhythm control their movements. Internally she prayed not to step on him "Relax, eyes on me." Benedict whispered her dark eyes met with his, he lead with grace as the music was all she focused on. Most of her jitters melted in the joint swells of music and pleasure. She felt right in his arms, and he was enamored in hers, the steps flowing between them.

All the scenery and people around them dissolved. In those seconds it was her and Benedict, alone. His breaths, short and trembling, brushed her hair, and he saw the laughter glitter in her eyes. Her eyes glistened, and a smile spread across her lovely face. He stepped away not letting go before lightly drawing her back into his arms again. Bea felt his muscles tense as he spun her in the air, she let go of the breath she was holding onto.

The sound of applause broke the spell, each brought back to the present Bea curtsied "Thank you, Benedict." he bowed still trying to hold on to what had happened "There you are dear." Marie appeared "Mr. Bridgerton I beg your pardon have I interrupted something?" Bea shook her head "No, good evening sir." she said "Good evening." he bowed again.

Bea had been more quiet than normal after last night's ball, "My dear you were mentioned in that dreadful gossip sheet again." Paulette adjusted the ribbon in Bea's hair "Do you have it with you?" Bea perked up "I'm afraid your Grandmama tossed it out." Paulette said starting on the bed "Oh." Bea stood she had wanted to see what Lady Whistledown had written about Penelope and Colin.

The day seemed to drag on Bea closed her book now that Simon was betrothed she saw less of him, she went to the piano and began to play. Sometime during the piece Giles had come to announce Anthony's arrival. Anthony placed a hand on his shoulder stopping Giles, left alone there to reveled he sat.

As the song slowly came to a halt Bea began to play a more sorrowful melody "Elizabeth! How many times have I- oh Viscount Bridgerton." Marie lingered in the doorway. Bea looked from Anthony to her grandmother and back, Anthony cleared his throat standing quickly and bowed "I do apologize your grace I came to talk with Lady DeGrave except she was playing. I did not want to interrupt." His cheeks gained a rosy hue. Marie cleared her throat "I shall ignore it this once." she went to her chair Paulette trailed in after with a tray of biscuits and tea. Paulette gave Bea a look as she poured the tea, standing Bea went over "Viscount you have graced us with your presence." Bea said taking a biscuit. The sound of the teacup Marie held clashed with the dish "Elizabeth." "It is alright. Yes, I did hope you would accompany me on a walk through the park." Anthony said "I am afraid Mar-" "She would be delighted to Viscount Bridgerton." Before Bea could object "Paulette have Helen accompany Bea." Marie instructed.

Being in the eye of any public made Bea uncomfortable, "Well?" Bea inquired the pair had not spoken a word since leaving her home "Well what?" Anthony asked she sighed loudly "Why have you really asked me on this walk?" She was being to be irritated "Can a gentleman not wish to be more acquainted?" Anthony tugged on his jacket "With no offense your grace you are the eldest son of a well known family who is single," Bea stopped walking "you are either being made by Viscountess Bridgerton or you actually plan on following through with asking for my hand in marriage." She crossed her arms "So which is it?" Bea knew most definitely it was not the latter Anthony simply stood their flabbergasted by her confrontational statement.

Her shoulders dropped and she gave him a nod "Let us continue in silence then." Taking a few steps she heard him follow "Do you not wish to be married?" Anthony asked quietly "To save your dignity simply do not ask me. Tell your mother I am not to your liking. I'm sure there is something you can come up with. Trust me I am not the one for you, that lady will be your match whether you like it or not." Bea continued to walk.

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⏰ Last updated: Nov 12, 2022 ⏰

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