Bridgerton - A Girl To Remember

Chapter Fifteen

I return home just in time, the sun is already starting to rise and I tuck myself in. Today, Daphne and Simon go out to visit the prince of England and Hyacinth finds it a very big deal. While they're gone, she asks us questions we are never able to answer, not one of us has met the prince before. Daphne nearly gets attacked when she and her husband return from the palace, so curious is Hyacinth. Violet demands Hyacinth to let them sit down and the whole family joins to hear more about this prince Louis,

"he is very kind, good manners, a little quiet and reserved but I do not think that is a bad quality" Daphne summons,

"does this mean he would be suitable for Eloise or Olivia?" Anthony asks straight to the point,

"considering his age, yes, but please Anthony, do not force them to marry out of his title.." Daphne says strict,

"I am not, sister, just making sure I can introduce them to him.."

"Anthony, I think the prince is a wonderful young man, but Daphne is right, no one should marry out of money, power or a title. Besides, the prince may have already fallen in love with someone else" Simon says,

"He is in love?! With who?!" Hyacinth is all ears,

"I do not know, but I know what it looks like to be in love.."

"sure, Hastings, but as long as he has not entered society yet nor has he proposed, I see him as a suitable candidate" Anthony says direct,

"what does he look like?" Francesca wants to know. Daphne starts talking about his dark brown hair when I zone out, I am sure the prince is nice, but I could never marry him, it would mean I lose my freedom, the one thing I love most about my life. I am glad he has not entered society yet, now I may be able to find a proper husband before Anthony pushes me forward to talk to him.

I have that chance today, we will be visiting a gallery and because I am fond of art, I cannot wait to go. Violet tells my maid which dress to wear and the whole family gets ready, except for Hyacinth and Gregory who stay home. Not very much to their liking,

"you cannot leave me here mama!" Hyacinth tries, but there is no going in against Violet. We leave an hour after lunch and it is crowded when we arrive, we clearly were not the only ones considering this a good event to show our faces. Together with Eloise I walk past paintings, where we smile and nod at a few gentlemen. Eloise tends to roll her eyes but I poke her in the stomach to make her stop, Anthony would murder her if he saw it. Penelope is there too, and I lose Eloise out of sight, whilst they talk about Penelope's horrible mother I make my round in the gallery.

More people start to leave, but since I am focused on the paintings and not the people, I barely notice I am all alone in the fifth room I have entered. The paintings are much more colourful, yet they sense something calming and I find my favourite painting of the afternoon. I take a second to look at the breath-taking piece of art when I hear a voice behind me,

"miss Bridgerton, is it not?" I turn around and see a man about twice my age marching in the room, followed by two other men, who I suppose are his mates. The third man closes the door, and my intuition starts to sense danger,

"I am, indeed, sir. Can I help you?"

He laughs, "I think you may..." he gets closer and as a reflex I step backwards,

"oh look, she is scared.." the second man smirks,

"no need to be afraid darling, we will not hurt you" he looks me right into the eyes, "yet.." my intuition was right, I have to get out of this room quickly, I do not know what they are planning but it certainly is not something I agree on,

"I would like to leave" I attempt to keep my voice from shaking,

"it would be a shame, would it not? To be dishonoured so early in the season..." he ignores me entirely,

"I must go" I try to walk past him, but he uses his hand to push me back,

"I do not think your family would appreciate it... maybe they have no other choice than to kick you out.." his voice is intimidating, and I start to sweat, if he touches me.. if he does something to me....

"let me go" I desire to sound brave, but it is no more than a squirt,

"unfortunately, I cannot let you go. But no need to worry, I am sure you will enjoy it just as much as I do" he walks closer and my back hits the wall, his hand raises, and I gasp when his hand wraps around my throat firmly. My heartbeat fastens and I am frozen out of fear, my muscles stop working and I can hear the two men behind him laugh,

"I knew she would be an easy target" one of the two says. I feel hopeless, knowing they planned to do this and I fell right into their trap makes me miserable and I would like to slap him in the face. I attempt to raise my knee, yet he holds me down and the look in his eye changes, he is towering all the way over me, and I feel smaller than ever before,

"not trying to escape, are you?" I am terrified and my legs are shaking, I open my mouth to answer but he lays his finger on my mouth. His lips are next to my ear, and he whispers creepily, "now let us have some fun, shall we?"