The Earl's Daughter (Benedict x OC)

An Exchange of Words

Everyone was celebrating the beautiful feast we just had, Kate also had announced that she was with child and Anthony could not have been any happier. Even though this was a joyous occasion I wasn't happy to be in the moment. James had his eyes on me everywhere I went making sure I would not misstep. Father made sure I was close to him as he was my protector and couldn't bear to lose another one of his cubs. But as the party progressed, he was getting tired and I knew my shield towards James would soon disappear. Slowly one by one everyone was leaving to go to bed, so I followed so I wasn't alone with James. But the hallways were so confusing that I lost track of where my room was. Footsteps were coming towards me and I knew James was right behind me, I started to quicken my pace and hurry to my room. James had gotten me stuck between a hall with no doors and only a window. He truly cornered me for once.

" So what do you want?" I questioned him as I turned around. " Oh Rose, don't be so sour tonight," He said, brushing my cheek. " I told you I never wanted to see you again" I spat. " Do you want your brother's body or not?" he questioned. " What happened to my home?" I questioned him. " It will be mine soon, hopefully as will all its assets." He answered. "And my brother's body?" I asked, fearfully. " He is in a casket sitting for you to answer." He instructed. "What do you mean?" I questioned him. " Marry me and become my Lady," He replied. I spat in his face. " After what you did, you expect me to say yes?"

He pushed me into the cold window and choked me out. I tried to grab the vase on the pillar next to me but I was starting to get weak and starting to go light headed. With the strength that I had left my fingers barely touched the vase before James grabbed it and whispered into my ear.

" If you want your brother back you will do as I agreed." He instructed. I had no other choice. " I expect your proposal, but let's not announce it tonight, let me tell my father first." I answered, trying to breathe again. " You will make an excellent wife," He whispered in my ear then kissed my lips.

If you want your brother back you will do as I agreed. Those words rang through my ears like a siren. I know my father and mother did everything they could to get my brother's body when they went back to go rescue my grandmother. But it is hard enough to carry one dead body across Europe. I was heartbroken when I heard the news but my family had to keep a united front. He escorted me back to my room and as soon as he closed the bedroom door I let out my rage by throwing a cup or two out the window. I couldn't believe I just accepted a marriage proposal from the man who helped kill my brother. My family would be furious but they knew the sacrifice I was making to finally make this family whole again. I went to sleep knowing that I would be the thing I hated most. I only slept for a few hours, when the thunder woke me, I didn't want to go back to sleep with the noise so I explored the great Bridgerton home looking for something to do. A dim lit candle was peeking out of a room and to my surprise Benedict was in there with his paints out, easel, and canvas. How could he be up this late still doing work?

" What are you still doing up?" I asked. Benedict panicked. " I'm just having a bit of a block," Benedict said. " May I see what you are trying to create?" I asked, walking into the room. " It's nothing much." He said getting up from his stool. It was still a bare canvas. " Why don't you paint me to get your block to go away." I suggested. "You would have to be very still," Benedict instructed. " Don't worry," I assured.

I sat down on the tiny wooden stool and looked straight at Benedict. He started to sketch every part of my body, from my big nose to the tiniest little mole on my forearm. I told him he could paint my nightgown in any color that he wanted and of course I could see he put blue paint on his pallet. I sat stiff as a board waiting for him to give me the signal that he was finished. The way he focused wanted to make me laugh but I could not move. He finally allowed me to move around so I looked at the canvas. He was not yet finished with it but when looking at the brush strokes and the way my face looked I knew he was the painter I saw in the park on my first day. I couldn't believe he had this much talent because every mother boasted about their child. But he was brilliant. It made me a little happy on the inside to know that he painted that just for me. I sat down on his lap and just looked deep into his eyes. He placed his hand on my jaw and pulled me in for a kiss. The warmth of his lips soothed me but for once I didn't want to do this. After the promise I just made but I could sense something else was on his mind.

" Can you tell me about Nachtnebel?" He asked. A deep shock went through my body. " What do you want to know about him?" I questioned, jumping off of his lap. " I can tell when you get nervous and scared around him." He said, as he stood up. I walked towards the window.

" James, or Lord Nachtnebel, was of lesser nobility in Hanover but he was considered in high regard. I was seventeen when I started the relationship and he was thirty-three. We started a secret relationship. I thought his kindness and lust was enough for me, but our situation ended in my brother's demise." I answered.

" Your brother?" Benedict asked. I let out a sigh of pain. " Please don't think of me any differently," I begged. " I could never." he replied.

" I had a twin brother, Samuel. He was my best friend, my twin flame. But people found out secrets about my family. Samuel's pride got the best of him and he challenged Lord Scholz to a duel." I started to choke up but I needed to finish. I needed this to finally come to light.

" I went with him to the duel and he shot lord Scholz but it only grazed him. Meanwhile Scholz killed my brother. I didn't know how to react so I shot my pistol at Nachtnebel and Scholz. I killed Scholz, but only grazed Kames" I finally explained.

The tears could not be held back anymore so I just planted my face into his shoulder and cried, letting everything out that was bottled up. It was relieving to finally talk about my brother, with someone who wasn't part of my family and I was glad it was benedict. He told me some embarrassing stories of his family while I told him mine. It was some of the best fun I had in months. After our talk I felt better but I knew this would be the end of these moments with him so I pulled him in for more, he picked me up and took me to the velvet sofa. I started to rip off his clothes as he ripped my nightgown by the collar exposing my breast. When he kissed them I let out a soft moan from my lungs. The whole trip I had been longing for him to whisk me away and just spend every moment doing things to my body that no lord or lady has ever thought of doing. Finally he entered me and I let out a huge moan of pleasure. But I quickly became quite knowing what would happen if we got caught. Once we finished we laid on the couch for hours just in bliss, Oh how I would miss these moments. Benedict was sound asleep laying on my chest, but the sunrise was about to happen soon so I walked back to my room and got dressed. I put on a long sleeve cranberry red dress, I was going to put my hair up but I noticed some bruises all around my neck. Tears surrounded my eyes knowing that I let a man do such a terrible thing to me. Finally after crying, I was able to go to sleep only to be awakened to men running around. Before I could join anyone I covered my bruises from a bit of makeup I found lying around the room. All I kept thinking about was being with Benedict all last night but after this engagement this would be the end of our friendship as I was now an engaged woman. James was waiting for me at the bottom and guided me to the dining room where everyone was eating breakfast. He started to clear his throat which alerted everyone to stare at us, he finally got what he wanted after all this time. I was now to be a cage songbird longing for the wind beneath her wings.

" I would like to announce my engagement to Lilith Radcliff!" James yelled. My heart started to crack.