Bridgerton - A Girl To Remember

Chapter Twenty-one

I leave the competition with a racing heart, I realize I must have hurt his feelings but I stand by my words, it is too risky. I could feel the people watching, trying to find out who I am. Eloise is busy with her research and I know she is smart enough to find out it is me, she could uncover me and that could lose me the only family I have left. I adore riding, I truly do, but it could ruin me.

I take a bath after my very long 'walk' and during dinner, the plans for the upcoming weeks are being discussed,

"the ball at the Montgomery's takes place in three days, we must buy new dresses for then"

"new dresses? Again mama? Whatever for? We both have plenty of gowns!" Eloise speaks loudly,

"Please, lower your voice darling..."

"sorry mama"

"there have been rumors, the prince may enter this ball, I must secure you look at your finest my dear"

"mama, Olivia and I both do not desire a prince..."

"you have never met him, Eloise, he must be very nice, please give him a chance and try to be kind to him, agreed?"

"agreed mama" Eloise sighs and I cannot help but agree with her, I imagine the prince as an arrogant boy, talking posh, trying to impress all the young girls, taking advantage of them, and leaving them with a broken heart. Maybe it is wrong of me to judge, but I do not trust him.

We indeed bought new gowns, I could not stop thanking Violet for allowing me to choose the color this time. I have always wanted a royal blue dress, I only never got it because it is too dark, or at least not delicate enough. Luckily, Violet agreed after the modiste added a few gold decorations and I returned home smiling.

The days pass swiftly, yet I have not stopped thinking about Christian, I wish I could talk to him, tell him everything, explain the mess I got myself in. I would want to tell him I am not poor and that my name is not Julia, I would want to tell him everything. Even if that meant he would hate me for eternity.

The carriage stops and I am taken out of my thoughts, Chris must wait, I have a ball to attend. I secretly hope for lord Harvard to be there, he could make me forget about Chris for a little longer, and maybe I would be able to enjoy this ball.

When I walk in, I can feel the eyes stinging and I hear a whisper,

"what color is she wearing?" I cannot figure out if it was meant nice or mean and I look at Colin on my side,

"you look wonderful, Olivia, they cannot stand it"

"it was a bad decision, I look... different.."

"you stand out, that has never been something bad" he smiles and lays his hand on my shoulder, "do not change because other people make you feel like you should. You are a Bridgerton now, Olivia, there is nothing you cannot do.." I look up at him,

"thank you, Colin, you are the best brother one could wish for"

"thank you, I would love to hear more of your compliments, but I believe someone else is waiting for you.." I look to the side and find lord Harvard looking my way,

"I believe he is" I take a deep breath and take a step in his direction,

"good luck"

"do I need luck you think?" I ask teasing,

"no, maybe not," I notice Penelope looking,

"I believe someone is waiting for you as well.." he sees whom I am referring to,

"I believe she is" Colin and I nod at each other and then go our own way. I meet lord Harvard at the table filled with cake again,

"you look flawless in this gown," he says before kissing my hand,

"thank you, my lord, you do not look bad yourself"

"do you wish to dance?"

"I thought you did not dance.."

"I will allow myself to make an exception for you, miss Bridgerton"

"I feel honored" I smile and he takes my hand, leading me to the empty dance floor,

"It seems as we are the first.."

"I hope you can dance, now everyone is watching you"

"you think so? Because when I look around, all eyes are on you"

"must be the dress..."

"or your angelic face"

"Please stop, I came here to dance"

"as you wish" lord Harvard is, to my surprise, one of the best dancers I have ever danced with and although Anthony advised me to keep my options open and spread my attention, I dance a little more with lord Harvard than the rest. After three dances we take a little break and he offers me a drink. While laughing I can hear some gasps and whispers, my intuition tells me the prince has arrived and I decide to keep my focus entirely on lord Harvard, leaving the prince looking at my back. I recognize Anthony's voice from afar and when the words 'this season's diamond' come out of his mouth I know it will not be long until I am asked to turn around and politely smile at the talk of this ball.

"I believe I must go," lord Harvard says all of the sudden and I can simply feel it, Anthony gave him his famous 'you are I the way' sign, and now I am left alone,

"I will find you, I am sure" I smile,

"you look perfect tonight miss Bridgerton" he compliments me and leaves. I take a small sip of my drink and I hear Anthony's voice close,

"Your highness, may I introduce you to my lovely cousin, who, as I told you earlier, has been chosen as the diamond of this season. I believe the two of you would make an exquisite couple. Olivia, could you please great the prince..." Anthony says persevering. I turn around swiftly and I bow straight away, too scared and uninterested to look this man in the eyes. He takes my hand and I prepare my smile, I have no other choice than to look up,

"How nice to meet you, miss Br-..." our eyes meet, "idgerton..." his appearance takes away my ability to talk and my mouth opens partly. His eyes grow a little bigger and his hand is still touching mine. I cannot believe my eyes and yet I know what I see is true.

The gentlemen only one inch away from me is not a prince, and certainly not the man I expected him to be. This is Chris...