The Earl's Daughter (Benedict x OC)

The church bells ring

" Lilith, wake up," Emily urged. But I didn't feel like getting up. " Emily, if she isn't up in two seconds I will be getting a bucket!" Mother yelled. " I'm up!" I replied as I jumped out of bed.

Even though the Queen threw this wedding for us, my sister did fight for say in the matter. She wanted the ceremony to be held in a church away from the castle. Then once they were done, we would take carriages to the castle for the reception and party the night away. Emily had spent at least an hour straightening my hair and putting it into a formal bun, but we decided to finish getting ready at the church so I had placed my overcoat over my nightgown and we made our way to the church to get ready. I could tell Ariel was stressing out. I tried to ease her nerves by giving her a swig of gin when mother wasn't looking but it didn't seem to work. Going through the ton we saw everyone in a cheerful mood and rushing to the wedding of the season. When arriving at the church my nerves started to heighten and sweat was sliding down my back. Our family hadn't gone to church every Sunday like most people did. We only went for the holidays so people knew we were still alive. I could feel the stained glass window Mary judging me for the sins I have made. But I tried not to let it get the best of me, I got dressed sadly in a green dress with ivy and pink flower details all over it since those were the colors of the wedding. My mother knew I didn't like the dress but she tried to compare it to a pond with beautiful lilies on it that didn't help her case. Even with the maids helping Ariel get ready, I went over and placed her hair up and placed white daisies and her diamond crown on top. This was day she dreamed of for years and it was finally happening. I peeked out of the dressing room to see everyone surrounded by vines and pink and white roses in the pews. Lionel was standing in his best tux waiting for us to start.

" Are we ready?" Dad asked, knocking on the door. " Yes," Ariel answered. Dad came in. "You look beautiful." Dad proclaimed. " Thank you, I know we all wish Samuel was here with us but I want to think he is blessing us with this marriage today." Ariel replied. " I think that is perfect," Mother and I said.

Mother walked at first sitting down in the front pew, while I walked out slowly I could see everyone was staring but I forgot we invited the Bridgertons, seeing all of them there made me so happy but I couldn't help but see Daphne, Eliose, and Benedict all looking so sad. I know they didn't like that I was still engaged to James but I couldn't tell them why which hurt me. Suddenly the wedding march came on and my father walked Ariel out. Lionel had some tears in his eyes and it made me happy that he loved my sister. Ariel finally got up towards Lionel and they recited their vows in front of the Ton. When they kissed the Ton cheered and they rushed off to their carriage for the party at the castle. Everyone was happy that the diamond was wed and to a man of good standing of course. Drinks were flowing and guests were dancing, Queen Charlotte of course was trying to get to know James but you could tell she did not approve of him. Ladies kept asking when I was to be wed but my anxiety was getting the best of me so I walked away and stayed in one of the big closets till I calmed myself. Just thinking about marriage with James scared me, he would probably want a heir by the end of the year and use me till I was dried up. Then he would give me an allowance and probably spend his days with whore and gamblers till the night. I didn't want to be like that. I heard someone turn the knob and I hid quickly.

" Lilith, are you in here," Benedict said. " What are you doing here?" I asked. " Run away with me," Benedict confessed. " Ben, that will not work, you don't get it." I answered. " You would rather be with a man that hurts you than with me?" Benedict questioned. " It is not that simple." I replied, I tried to walk out of the closet but he grabbed my hand. " Then tell me!" He yelled. " I want to be with you, but it is against everything I believe in! My brother died protecting our religion and so will I!" I yelled to the rooftops, I finally let my truth out.

"Your religion?" He responded. " I am Jewish, that is why we fled Germany, my brother was killed protecting our secret. My people are considered heathens because we do not follow your god!" I explained, his silence was unbearable. "My sister renounced herself from our religion because she wanted to be normal and stop hiding!" I started to cry. " I don't care about that, I only care about your happiness." He said, grabbing my hands.

Suddenly the door opened, it was James. He pushed me out of the closet to the ground then slammed the door in my face. I could hear them fighting through the door, I couldn't let James hurt Benedict because of my mistakes. Adrenaline entered my body and rushed to open the door to see James holding Benedict by his shirt collar. Blood was flowing down his lips.

" Don't hurt him!" I screamed as I punched James. Everything stopped as he turned around. You and I will be leaving tomorrow, By that time your brother's body will be back and the deal is done." James answered. " But we won't be married then?" I replied. " We will get married in the morning, then you will finally be mine." James answered. " We don't even have a marriage certificate," I replied, standing my ground. " You think I haven't planned for this." He growled. "At least let me clean his wounds, we don't need anyone to see this." I said. "Fine, five minutes and that's it." James stated.

He knew this would happen, this was the reason he came to London. I couldn't do anything about this. I took a napkin and wine from the closet and cleaned his wounds. Benedict was quiet the whole time and did not want to look at me. I turned his face and mouthed I love you and gave him a kiss. That was the first time I have ever said that and that would be the last. I walked out with James and put a smile on my face. We all acted cordially till the end of the night when Ariel and Lionel left for their honeymoon to Greece, Lionel and Ariel wanted to go because Collin kept raving about his travels there one night. To be honest I wanted to go but all I would think about was Collin talking so it was now on the back burner. I drank more wine than I wanted to and was taken home by my parents because they could tell something was wrong. My mother laid me down in my bed when we went home and she thought she closed the door.

" Did she say anything," Father asked. " No, Abe. But do you think if she get married to that monster we can annul it in any way?" Mother said. " Joanne, I don't know but I have a lawyer coming over to see if we can." Father replied. " Abe, I just cannot lose another child," She cried. " I can't either and we won't," He said.

Hearing my mother cry made me cry myself to sleep. My sheets started to come off of me and I could feel someone wrapping their arms around me hold me close. It felt like being a baby again but this person was holding me tight. I started to open my eyes and saw it was James, I was struggling to get out of his arms and crawl to my door. He kicked me in my ribs cage and the air left my lungs. He started wrapping my body up with rope and my bedsheets and started to walk downstairs.

" Mother! Father! Help me!" I screamed, coarsely. They ran down the stairs. " Lily, I'm coming, Abe get the gun!" mother screamed. " You do anything, she dies and you have two children gone!" Jamed yelled. " Don't hurt her," Father answered. " The body will be here today. She is mine. The deal is done. You go to the police and everyone finds out, heathens!" he spat and walked towards the carriage. " Mother! Please save me!" I screamed.

The last thing I saw as the carriage broke out of the house was my mother rushing to us and collapsing on the ground. My father shot the carriage window but it didn't hit James. I was the trapped songbird I feared becoming.