Baby, I'm yours - Benedict Bridgerton

An empty dance card

I am impressed by the ball, as I was told it would be, it is large and there are many people and drinks and lights and food and all the things that I could possibly think of. Daphne sticks close by the side of me, as I walk forwards with her. Anthony is on her side and Violet is on mine, as we enter the ballroom. I feel all eyes on the group, not on myself, on Daphne. But I suppose any attention I gained from possible suitors because I was stood next to Daphne was probably a good thing and it should be beneficial to me in the long run.

"Anthony, you shall stick with Daphne and I shall accompany Matilda." Violet decides and speaks to her eldest son. He agrees, taking Daphne's arm and pulling her away with purpose. I do feel sorry for Daphne, and I am glad that I am with Violet and not Anthony for that should make for an even less enjoyable evening. Violet guides me towards the table where we each collect a drink. "The trick is, Matilda, to make these men come to you. If you chase them around then they shall not want you. Men want what they cannot have, that is why we shall wait here for someone to approach us."

"And what if no one does approach us?"

"That shall not happen, I am sure of that Matilda. You are beautiful, and you are elegant, and you shall be just fine."

Violet says this, but I am not full of hope, especially as no body does approach me. I can see that Daphne is constantly in conversations with men and suitors and I am not jealous, but it is disheartening at the very least. My dance card remains empty. Violet stays stood with me, looking around the room to spot her daughter. "Lady Bridgerton, I shall be fine alone if you wish to go with Daphne. I am sure I shall be able to handle myself." I give her a reassuring smile, and that is enough to convince her to do as I suggested. And so I am stood alone, taking another drink from the table and grimacing. Benedict now approaches me. "You have come to gloat that I have not in fact been swept off my feet by all these suitors you told me of?"

"Gloat? No, why should I gloat?" He reaches past me and takes his own glass of champagne, smiling. "Perhaps it is time I show everybody how well you can dance and quite how much they should all wish to dance with you." He offers me his hand and scribbles on my dance card, helping me to the dance floor. The dance begins, and once again, my body is pressed close against his as he swings me around. "Now, if we have any luck, everyone shall look at you and see that you are dancing with a Bridgerton and that you must be as flawless as I am."

"It was Daphne that was flawless, not at all you." I laugh, but I am thankful that he has decided to dance with me. I did look rather sad being stood there alone and he has saved my dance card from being completely empty. That would have been rather embarrassing for me to show to Violet. "You really think that people shall look? You are only the second born, Benedict. If I should like to make people jealous and make them want me then I must be dancing with Anthony instead... where has be got off to?"

"You should rather do anything than dance with Anthony, do not be so silly. Even dance with me again... how is your head? Perhaps that is the reason no one wishes to dance with you, that rather large red bump on your head!" He teases me, bowing as the dance finishes and grinning as I am indeed approached by a man.

I am thankful at least that he is young, as I glance to see Daphne is currently being followed around by an ugly old man. I do not like to call anyone ugly, but he certainly is the epitome of it. "Miss Dawson, may I have a dance?"

"Oh, yes. Of course, my lord." I hand him my dance card, and he leans over gently to scribble onto it. Benedict stands and watches for a moment until he catches my eye and winks at me, before he retreats and heads to find his youngest brother. I watch as he does, feeling a little strange as he does. I am still thinking about what he said earlier, about us only being friends. I suppose that saving someone from being stood alone probably is a thing that friends would do for each other and so I absolutely must stop thinking about him in any other way. "I am sorry, my lord, I am rather new to town. You shall have to introduce yourself to me and tell me all about you whilst we dance."

"Of course, miss. I promise to talk your ear off."