Moments || Benedict Bridgerton

Chapter 10: Moments from an engagement

The first person you see upon return to Aubrey Hall is Violet. She takes one look at you walking arm-in-arm and knows. She bustles over, announcing James is napping and embraces you, kissing you on the cheek.

"Y/n, I am so happy," she chimes, "I'm so glad my son finally admitted to himself, to you, his true feelings. I will never forget how happy he was all those years ago when he met you and how sad he was after. And, well, anyway, this is the best possible outcome. Welcome to the family, my dear."

"Thank you, Violet," you respond a little bashful, "I'm so happy," you admit freely and squeeze Benedict's arm. He smiles down at you as you look up at him. "So happy," you repeat, holding his gaze.

"I assume we will need to make that announcement to the family after all," Benedict chuckles.

"Less than a week later," you laugh, "they will be confused."

"No, I think it will make more sense than it did a few days ago," Violet opines. "We all have eyes; we all knew."

Benedict rolls his eyes. "Point made and point taken, mother."

She smiles enigmatically and swans away with a wink.

You giggle and kiss his cheek. "See you at dinner, my love."

"Wait, you are leaving me already?" he pouts, pulling you into a loose embrace.

You run your hands up his arms. "Just to freshen up and get ready for dinner," you breathe, "now if you hadn't made that other rule, you could have come with me, shared a bath, and gotten changed together. But you and your rules..." you tease with a smirk.

"You little..." he growls, his grip on you tightening, and you know he is picturing everything you just outlined.

"If you think I will give up teasing you now we are getting married, you are sorely mistaken," you murmur.

He raises an eyebrow and leans in. "No, my love, I think you are the one who is mistaken," his voice is a deep dusky whisper, lacing your fingers with his and locking your joined hands behind your back. "Do you not remember all the times I teased you? Hmm? I've had six years to think of new ways to drive you to distraction. Can you imagine? Oh, my love, you have no idea what awaits you."

It's a delicious, loaded, filthy promise, and you are breathing heavily when he is done talking.

"But please..." he concludes, releasing his hold on you, "go enjoy that bath. Alone..."

"You..." your turn to growl at him as he backs away with the most devastating crooked smile. He winks and turns his heel, bounding up the stairs two at a time.

—

You are sitting at your vanity table, washed and freshly dressed for dinner, when James wanders in from his adjoining bedroom in his pyjamas.

"What's wrong, my darling? Why aren't you ready for dinner?" you bring him into a cuddle on your lap.

"Mummy, I don't want to have any dinner. Can I just go to bed?" he whines, snuggling into your shoulder.

"Aww, my precious child," you indulge him. "Are you not hungry?"

He looks sheepish. "I might have eaten too many biscuits at afternoon tea. Mrs White, the cook, well, she said that I could have as many biscuits as I wanted because I'm so handsome," he grins.

"So you made yourself all full up on biscuits?" you laugh.

"Maybe..." he looks contrite.

"James Darby, you are a naughty boy," you say with mock outrage, hugging him closer as you do.