emeralds and diamonds ♔ bridgerton

Part 7

i learnt from the second that i was introduced into the french court that we live in a man's world. and it's very hard to live in a world that is not designed for you. i've had to cheat, lie, and claw my way for my position now and you would be a fool to think i would let it slip away easily.

growing up in french court taught me a lot more then how to be as graceful as a dandelion, or how to smile as if the heaves had fallen onto earth. it taught me how to sneak away, how to lie without getting caught, how to keep a secret that would never be heard by the rest of the world, how to forge a signature, and most importantly how to make a man fall in love with you. yes, it may have been a man's world but i knew how to make it seem like it was my world. like i was the one in control.

it was the day of arrival at aubrey hall. most of the families had arrived, all of them converting in the fields. i was standing with the duke & duchess of sutherland, lord campbell, and baron coleman. "i wager that the cowper girl still won't be married by the end of the season." duke sutherland commented. it was a shame though, she really would make a good wife to someone. she gossiped too much though. she would spread every secret if it came for the right price.

"she was after lord featherington earlier in the season, but then there was talk that he was going back to the americas." the americas? i heard they were still in a disarray.

"lady howard what do you think of the matter?" elizabeth, duchess sutherland, asked me.

"hm? what matter?"

coleman let out a slight chuckle, "i believer her head is still wrapped around the prince." he was speaking about my not paying attention.

"well we can't all have a family who was sent away and then be able to come back and be a prized possession." campbell said with a sort of ill taste on his tongue.

i nearly spat out my sip of the lemon sugary drink that had come out of my porcelain cup, "that's right, your uncle was shooed away from the danish court, was he not?" i responded before he scoffed. i believed that was my cue to walk away.

i picked up my skirts to walk up the steps before a tall person stood ahead of me, "victoria? are you alright?" it was benedict. benedict was the one who was standing in front of me.

"i'm fine please, i just need to get inside." i persisted, but still he stood ahead of me.

"i'll walk you in, i need a break from all the commotion as well." he stepped out of the way and offered his arm.

i linked my arm around his and we stepped inside, feeling the breeze stop. "what did campbell say this time?" he looked down at me and it made me feel like we were back in that first night that i met him. that night felt like decades ago.

"it's more like what i said in response." i explained to him everything and all he could do was laugh.

"i believe you are the first to do so." he teased as we began our trek up the stairs.

"to do what?" i smiled looking back down at my feet. who knew there could be so many stairs in one's house?

i could feel his eyes peer down on me, "bring his uncle into a conversation, but i do believe he was meaning-"

"i know what exactly he meant, i'm sorry i have been born into a family that has not have the best past with the crown but i plan on giving my name a better reputation." i stopped to turn and face him.

i don't know why, but i felt almost offended that he brought it up. i couldn't change anything about it so why was it still following me? it's been almost 300 years. you would think that they would forget, but i guess not that easily.

"i believe i can walk myself the rest of the way, good day mr. bridgerton." i left him standing there. just standing there. and i didn't even look back. sure, i've had arguments before but none where i felt like this.

could i be falling in love with benedict bridgerton?