𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 -- 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧

𝑋𝑉

Dearest Reader,

It has been announced that Mr Benedict Bridgerton and Miss Esther Hackley are to be wed. This comes to a great surprise for the Ton as Mr Bridgerton had been courting Miss Hackley's young sister all season. One cant help but imagine the poor diamond's reaction.

Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, 1st July 1815

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"I cant believe that you are to be married!" Marie exclaimed with a wide smile as her sister stood in front of a golden framed mirror in her wedding gown.

The pale white dress trailed along behind her, the fabric pooling at her feet when she was stationary. Embroidered along the hem were golden marigold, her mother's favourite flower, and a long veil was pinned to her dark curls. Her parted lips were rose tinted and her cheeks were crimson, both from rouge and nerves.

Marie was able to convince her family that her foot was strong enough so that she could at least hobble into the church. She refused to miss her sister's wedding because of a stupid broken ankle.

The door to her bedchambers opened slowly. "Are you ready, Esther?" Anne asked sweetly. She let out a single shaky breath as she turned and smiled at her. "Certainly."

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The carriage ride to the church seemed to take centuries and she felt even more sickly than every; maybe due to the winding carriage ride or the nerves. Most probably both.

At the front of the grand medieval church, Anne placed a kiss upon Esther's cheek with a smile. "Good luck, dear. Come now, Marie." And with that she led her into the church to take their seats.

Henry stood beside his daughter smiling proudly. "Esther," She turned to her father. "I am very proud of you." Esther thought of making a witty remark on how she was saving him by the marriage but she chose not to ruin the moment.

Instead she smiled and nodded before taking her father's arm for him to walk her down the aisle. It was not a big grand ceremony, neither of them wanted that. It was only the Bridgerton and Hackelys, including her grandmother who was a frail old woman now yet still sharp and stern.

Every time she met Esther, she despised her as she was the double of the scandalous first wife of the Earl.

As a piano played gently in the background, the notes echoing through the ancient church, Benedict watched warmly as Esther walked down the aisle towards him.

She was beautiful. More gorgeous than the first time he had saw her, it seemed that her beauty was only truly setting in, it seemed to hurt.

Henry then took his daughter's hand and placed it in Benedict's. As she stepped up opposite him, she forced herself to let out a deep shivering breath.

"You alright?" He quietly whispered. She nodded and smiled at him through the veil which he then lifted up. The archbishop, who stood in front of the pair, then began to announce their vows for them to repeat.

However, Benedict was too enchanted by her full smiling perfect lips and warm dark eyes that he was not focused on the vows he repeated.

"You may kiss the bride." Was the only word he actually focused on before pressing his lips against hers.

Esther began to chuckle as her lips were still connect to his as his younger brother, Gregory, let out a fake throwing up noise.

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After the ceremony, Esther's belongings had been packed and stored upon the back of a carriage which that pair travelled on to where they would spend their honeymoon, My Cottage.

"My Cottage? That is a peculiar name for your estate." Esther laughed. "On the contrary, it is an entirely normal name. I bought the estate from an old groundskeeper who had named it that before; and ,well, the name suited me too." Benedict explained.

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Esther must of fallen asleep some time during the journey because she woke up to Benedict gently nudging her and the sun seemed to set hours ago.

"We are here." He softly said before getting out of the carriage and holding his hand for Esther, his wife, to take.

It was too dark to see My Cottage clearly but through the dim moonlight she could recognise the old bricks which were suffocated by vines. "Shall we, Mrs Bridgerton." Benedict smirks as he took her hand and gave her a quick tour, introducing her to the housekeeper and maids.

It was clearly My Cottage was certainly not a small quaint cottage but an impressive manor above all else. Esther smiled and shook the staff's hands but it was clearly Benedict was inpatient to finish with introduction and go up to the bedchambers. Their bedchambers.

The large four poster bed was located by several large windows that had the velvety curtains covered. At each end of the bechambers were dressers and a vanity table which had been moved in there earlier that day.

"Now, should we begin?" Benedict asked with a tilted head and raised eyebrows. "With the act between a man and wife?" Esther asked him.

"An act?" He scoffed loudly. "You call making love an act?" Esther only shrugged. Anne, like most mother's before their daughter's wedding, informed her as to what she should expect but she was still rather clueless.

"That is what Anne described it as." She replied, rubbing the side of arm, beginning to feel incredibly stupid. Benedict rolled his eyes as he took her hands into his.

"Trust me, the feelings you will show will not be an act." He whispered in her ear, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine. His voice had become dangerously low and hoarse.

And then he leaned down and pressed his lips hard against her, more passionately than he had ever had kissed her before.

Esther let out a sudden gasp and her lips parted slightly as his explored her mouth more intensely. Her hands moved up to his neck, his slightly long chestnut hair curling around her fingertips.

Benedict gripped his hands around her waist before he moved up to her shoulders then cupped her in his hands. "Benedict," Her whisper was airy yet heavy and lustful.

"Do you want me to stop?" He asked her with a whisper. "No, no. Please, don't ever stop." She gasped. "Never." He vowed. "Never."

His lips traveled along her neck and her jawline as he pulled the sleeves of her dress off of her shoulders, the dress falling to the floor, leaving her in a thin chemise.

He could be feel the warmth of her skin more through the cotton fabric. The amber light of the candles showed through the chemise, showing the silhouette of her curves.

Carefully, he lifted the fabric over her shoulders leaving her to be exposed before him. She shuddered which made him smirk before his kisses traveled down her breasts and to her lower stomach, his hot fingers tracing her rib cage.

"Lie down." Benedict ordered hoarsely, but she couldn't help but make a witty remark. "And if i don't?" She let out a squeal as he suddenly picked her up and threw her onto the bed beside them.

Esther watched as Benedict undid the buttons of his shirt and allowed his briefs too fall to the floor. She let out a sharp exhale when he took a step closer, his floors in a pile by the rug.

She shuddered as his large body loomed over her. "Now this may hurt at first." He warned her as she slowly spread her legs for him. She bit onto her bottom lip as she nodded; it was the first time he had ever see her eyes nervous.

"But it is worth it; I promise you." A moan escaped her parted lips as he placed kisses in her inner thigh and lower stomach before his tongue circles the centre of her femininity.

"B-Benedict," She was able to stutter out. The pure lust filling her eyes made him more eager to make entry, to take her for himself, make her his.