,wallflower' • BRIDGERTON

chapter 30

"Do You Remember The Rain?"

[30]

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SUNSHINE.

That's all Hope could see for a moment, and it was... sunlight. The hot hissing rays nearly blinded her completely till she was left utterly vulnerable. It was like the sun insulted every fiber of her being and gave her no sense of mercy.

The sun's gentle rays filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow that danced upon the walls of Hope's bedroom. The soft intrusion of daylight stirred her from the grasp of sleep, and she found herself silently wishing for the retreat of the giant ball of fire in the sky. Alas, she was not a deity capable of commanding such cosmic phenomena, and so she resigned herself to endure the unwelcome intrusion of the morning.

With a languid awakening, Hope's eyelashes felt the caress of sunlight, and her eyes fluttered open. The familiar patterns adorning her room came into focus, a tapestry of intricate designs that had witnessed both the joys and tribulations of her life.

Yet, as her gaze traversed the room, a subtle shift in the atmosphere caught her attention. A warm breath brushed against the back of her neck, and her eyebrows furrowed in momentary confusion. Turning her head, she discovered the source of the unexpected warmth – Benedict, peacefully immersed in slumber, nestled amidst her silk sheets.

Hope's conflicted emotions from the previous night resurfaced, a turbulent sea of thoughts and uncertainties. The situation at the Royal Art Academy had laid bare the doubts that lurked beneath the surface of her consciousness, and now, with Benedict sleeping beside her, those doubts hung in the air like a delicate veil.

She breathed in, contemplating the complex web of emotions entwining her heart. The warmth of Benedict's presence, though comforting, became a poignant reminder of the intricacies and challenges that lay ahead. The silent room bore witness to the unspoken tension, a moment frozen in time where the past and the uncertain future converged.

Hope's gaze lingered on Benedict's peaceful expression, a contrast to the storm within her. The morning sunlight bathed the room in a soft glow, casting a delicate hue over the scene. In the quietude of that moment, Hope grappled with the aftermath of revelations and the uncharted territories of her heart, all while Benedict remained blissfully unaware, cocooned in the serenity of dreams.

Why was he here? He could be out there, nursing the mother of all headaches, entangled in the sheets with his lover.

Hope's teeth almost ground together, echoes of what everyone had been telling her since Benedict's proposal resonating in her mind. He cherished her, cared for her – a man willing to sacrifice his own happiness for hers. Hope turned her head forward, deciding to extricate herself from the warm embrace of Benedict. Rising to her feet, she walked over to the bedroom door, opening it to reveal two servant ladies with beige towels in hand.

"Could you lend me a hand with undressing?" she asked softly, prompting them to nod and enter the room. Their eyes caught sight of a half-naked Benedict in her bed, making them quickly avert their gaze as if caught in an unintentional intrusion. "We... we're so sorry, princess. Should we come back later?" one asked, covering her eyes.

Hope, finding amusement in their reaction, reassured them, "No scandal here, I promise. He's still somewhat dressed; you're safe." The servants hesitated but then stood straight, avoiding eye contact with the sleeping secondborn as they made their way toward the mirror.

Facing her own reflection, Hope observed the lingering shadows beneath her eyes, testimony to the tears shed in the quiet of the previous night. The skilled hands of the servants efficiently unfastened the ribbons holding her dress, and it fell with a soft thud, creating a delicate pool at her feet. The reveal beneath unveiled a white see-through nightgown, leaving little to the imagination.