𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 ❦ eloise bridgerton

𝐱𝐢𝐢 ❦ 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆

。.✧ ゜ ⋆  .  。・゜⋆。. ✧・

PAYING THE FOOTMAN TO take her to the Roseborne estate at first light didn't seem the wisest, especially when she couldn't explain what she was planning to do.

So, Eloise walked. The fresh air helped calm her nerves and the exercise distracted her mind, though she was beginning to regret her decision when she was nearing Margot's house and found herself quite parched.

When she got to the door, she lifted her fist to knock but found it frozen in mid air.

It took several breaths for her to try again, this time successfully knocking on the door. Her knocks were not loud enough, though, as no one came. Eloise briefly considered turning back and giving up on this idea, but she reminded herself of her promise to Benedict.

She lifted her fist and knocked three times with much greater force.

At first, nothing happened. Eloise was beginning to sweat again. Then, a doorman opened the door and, upon recognizing her, let her in.

Eloise stood just beyond the entrance and fidgeted with her hands while she waited.

Margot emerged from the dimness in her night clothes with a robe wrapped around herself. Eloise's breath caught in her throat at the sight.

"Eloise?" Margot said sleepily. "It is barely dawn. What are you doing here so early?"

Eloise's mouth was so very dry and she could hardly breathe, let alone coax the words off of her tongue.

"Margot," was all she could utter.

"You look pale," Margot said with concern. "Would you like to come in and sit?"

"No. I mean, yes. I just– I need to say something before I lose all of my courage." Eloise's words nearly tripped over themselves, but it was enough.

Margot took a few steps toward Eloise, which didn't exactly help, but when El's blue eyes met her brown ones, everything else faded away.

Eloise took a deep breath and kept her gaze steadily fixed on those eyes. She did not dare let her eyes wander to Margot's soft pout.

"Your eyes are richer than the tea we drink every day," Eloise began. "They hold more wisdom than the words in the worn-out pages of your favorite books."

Eloise took in a shaky breath, willing herself to maintain eye contact as she continued. "Margot, when I look into your eyes, I cannot think about anything else. What I'm trying to say is... well, I don't quite have the words for it."

Eloise could hear her own heartbeat at this point. She truly couldn't think of what to say to express her vast array of feelings. Just as she was starting to lose faith, another idea popped into her head.

"Perhaps I should just show you what I mean," Eloise said. She took a step towards Margot, now close enough to feel the other's breath.

She carefully took Margot's ungloved hands in her own. They were cold but sturdy, unlike El's presently shaky, sweaty palms.

Margot breathed in sharply at this motion. Her lips remained parted. As she searched Eloise's eyes for clues, she let out her breath and gripped the girl's hands tighter. She took a small step forward to leave only a minute gap between them.

Eloise moved her head forward and closed her eyes. The realization suddenly hit her that she had little idea as to what she was doing. She hoped Margot could guide her in this.

And she did. As Eloise's lips brushed against Margot's, the older girl cautiously took her lips between her own. After that, Eloise quickly figured out the appropriate motions. It seemed to be programmed deep in her brain where her newfound realizations had stemmed from.

In her arms, everything finally made sense. Eloise had never felt so much love — or lust — as she did in this moment. The thought of kissing boys made her nose turn up, but this... this was soft and warm and sweet and sent shivers all over her skin. Eloise didn't know how she'd gone so long without a taste. Now that she knew how it felt to be this close to Margot, there was no way she would ever give her up.

Margot pulled away to catch her breath, which led Eloise to inadvertently pout. Who knew one kiss could change her so profoundly?

"You would not believe how red your lips are," Margot said with a quiet chuckle. This made Eloise's cheeks turn just as red.

"Maybe we should sit down," Margot said.

"I am feeling a bit lightheaded," Eloise said, still filled with elation.

Margot took Eloise's hands in hers and guided her to the drawing room. Light was beginning to stream in, illuminating Margot's strong jaw and delicate nose.

"Are you sure this is what you want, Eloise?" Margot said carefully.

"I have never wanted anything more in my life," Eloise proclaimed.

Margot broke eye contact for a moment. "You do understand how difficult this would be. We would have to keep it an utmost secret. We could never get married."

Eloise sighed. "I do not believe marriage is in my future anyway."

"Eloise."

The younger girl sat up straighter. "I do not jest. You are all I want, Margot. My mama has only ever wanted me to find love. I have it now, and I will not give it up."

"And what about Whistledown?" Margot said. "Your brother told me how she nearly ruined you before. You could be ousted from society if we were discovered."

"I'm not afraid of her anymore," Eloise declared. There was no hesitation in her eyes.

Margot smiled. She knew Eloise spoke from the heart. Margot did not question her further, for she was glad to have finally found someone who reciprocated and wanted only her.

"Okay." She squeezed El's hand and it felt so natural.

"Shall we try the kissing thing again?" Eloise said slyly.

Margot rolled her eyes before pulling the girl closer. She knew then that if they could stay like this forever, nothing else in the world would matter.

。.✧ ゜ ⋆  .  。・゜⋆。. ✧・