Societies Sunflower | Benedict Bridgerton

Chapter three

"Miss Kingston? Miss Kingston you must wake." Groggily opening her eyes, Scarlet came face to face with her ladies maid, Miss Morgan, who was wrenching the curtains apart. The bright golden hues of the morning sun broke through the room, lighting up the dark shades of emerald green and white. "Why must I be awake so early?" Scarlet questioned, stretching her arms above her head, resting back against the white head board afterwards.

"Suitors will be calling on you this morning, we must get you ready." Miss Morgan answered, lightly pulling the covers back so Scarlet could step out of the covers. A small smile broke out of her face at the reminder, hoping today may be a good day. 

After a quick time at getting ready, Miss Morgan and Scarlet made their way out of the bedroom, heading towards the drawing-room. Scarlet was adorned in a simple soft green dress, making her lightly curled hair cascading down her back pop out as she walked into the room. The drawing-room of the Kingston Manor was by far one of the best rooms in the manor. The walls were painted a soft white lined with golden trims and a sculpted ceiling. Large, tall windows brightening the room with simple curtains framing them. On one side of the room was a beautiful fireplace, a mantel with the family portrait hanging above, and on the other end of the room was an arch way which led to the parlor. While the drawing-room welcomed many people due to its size, not much of the family spent their time there. The boys were all either at their own place or out in society, exploring whatever they wanted. 

Seating herself on the love seat next to the fireplace, Scarlet allowed herself to look around the room to see assortments of foods, from fruits to pastry's, to simple looking cuisines, all of which were getting picked at by her brothers.  "How are you feeling little honey bee?" Theodore inquired, the words coming out somewhat muffled due to the chocolate pastry in his mouth. "Theodore, do not talk when your mouth is full of food." Their father scolded him, sitting across from Scarlet with a paper in hand. 

"Sorry Papa. Well Scarlet?" Theo plopped himself beside her, putting an arm around the couch. "Quite excited, I wish to see just who should come here today." Scarlet calmly answered. 

"Well I wish luck to any man who does, he must be brave to come here where all your brothers are. Especially to deal with you." Xander teased as he walked into the room. 

Scarlet simply shook her head, her hair moving against her shoulders, before speaking up, "I guess we will just have to see, now won't we?" And seeing they did. 

One gentleman after another came, Lords, Barons, and a Marquess included. "Do you wish to have kids, and how many would you care for?" Lord Marsh asked, leaning back against the seat, intertwining his fingers in his lap. "I do plan for children however I will be glad with one or even more. The amount should not matter." Scarlet lightly answered, copying the man in front of her with her hands. "Should you ever plan to marry, where would you insist on moving?" A soft spoken, Lord Russo inquired, his light blonde hair falling against his forehead. "Well I would love to stay close to my family however a house with a large yard would be lovely and is all I truly seek." Scarlet replied, with a smile on her face. So far this morning has been going in a good direction. It had been a polite 4 hours of conversation with gifts, flowers, and even chocolate. But of course, nothing good lasts forever. A stumpy, snarky, and annoying Lord Spence just had to ruin it. 

"When do you plan to give up your silly activities?" He inquired as he stood next to the fireplace. 

"Silly activities?" Scarlet bit out, already knowing what he was talking about. Her brothers, Vincent and Theo could see how her fists started to close and her jaw seemed to tense up. 

"Yes, the silly activities, such as archery, horseback riding and of course the messy art of sketching and painting." He moved to sit down next to her, throwing an arm across the couch. "I do not intend to abandon those at all, instead I plan to teach my children." Scarlet's cheeks started to turn a bit red in anger.