"Amelia!" Daphne ran to her with arms open wide as she embraced her. "How I have missed you so!" Amelia melted into the hug, a smile on her face.
"I have missed you dearly!" Amelia said as Simon walked towards Benedict.
"To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"We need to hide here for a few days. Or at least until I get Antony out here to be a witness to our marriage. Amelia's father is looking for us. He refuses to let us wed so we intend to go to Grenta Green before he can stop us. Even he cannot fight a legal marriage."
"The Queen gave you her permission to be out of a contract. She will not like been deceived a further time. Her patience will run out." Simon stated. Amelia knew this would cause an uproar and the Bridgerton name tarnished if they went against the Queen.
"Then we ask for an audience with the Queen. I'll write to her" Amelia said quickly. "Do you happen to have any stationary available?" Daphne nodded.
"This way!" She led Amelia to her private study and the two got to writing a letter.
"Her father will not take this lightly! He will come here eventually! There's only so many places you can be"
"By then it will be too late. Amelia will know my love, in life...or death!" Simon's eyes widened.
"Do not tell me you intend to duel her father..." Benedict nodded.
"If he commands it!"
The next few days were spent waiting on a reply from the Queen. Amelia expected a quicker response considering the facts.
"Amelia, I have a bad feeling this will not end well!" Daphne sat next to Amelia. "The Queen should of responded by now!"
"I think myself and Benedict need to talk. This has gotten so ridiculous." Amelia had forgot what Daphne had asked her to do mere weeks ago and felt a small hint of guilt! "Did you end up being with child?" Daphne smiled and nodded, placing her hand on her stomach. Amelia smiled. "I am happy for you Daphne!"
"They are excited to meet their auntie" Daphne squeezed Amelia's hands. She paused for a second before taking a deep breath "Amelia go and speak to your father. It is risky but talk this out with him. Let him understand your emotions. You can't live your life in the shadows. You need to be able to enjoy your marriage."
"There is a letter. A reply from her majesty!" Daphnes maid came rushing in.
"Ah Jane! Perfect timing. Read the letter and then if she gives you her blessing go to your father!" Amelia opened the letter to a single sentence .
My patience grows thin with your relationship Miss Ashgrove, marry Lord Bridgerton in the next week and your marriage shall be accepted.
"She has agreed. I can marry Benedict!" Daphne smiled and clapped her hands together.
"Let us tell him the news!" They walked to the door before been stopped in their tracks.
"DAPHNE!" Jane came barging back in. Running towards the two.
"Jane whatever is it!"
"Miss Granville. Your father came to find you. He told Benedict you would marry him over his dead body...He challenged him to a duel! Your hand in marriage is the wager." Amelia felt sick as she charged out the room towards the door.
"Amelia with me!" Hastings had his horse prepared as he reached his hand for her, pulling her up behind him. "They left ten minutes ago. We may make it on time.!" Hastings could ride faster than most men and knew how to handle a horse well so they arrived with time to spare as she watched the two men step away from one another.
"If you turn and you shoot you will kill me!" Amelia stood in the middle of the two men who turned, shocked to find her there.
"Amelia what are you doing. You could of been killed!" Benedict stepped to her holding her arms.
"Are you seriously this stupid? To duel my father and risk death. Do you truley care for me that much that you would risk your life just to be my husband!" Amelia screamed at Benedict a tear streaming down her face. "I could of lost you!"
She turned to her father.
"And you! Are you seriously so shallow that you would kill a man your daughter loved just to prevent a marriage you didn't agree with. I am 21 years old, I am very capable of making this decision. A decision which mere weeks ago YOU said was mine to make. Your only demand was I marry by the end of the season. Benedict was your friend. He helped you. He admired you. He helped ME after you made a drunken mistake." Her father looked to the floor "This stops now! I am marrying Bendedict. You can be there as my father or you can be a stranger to your future grandchildren"
Amelia walked towards Benedict who held out his hand to her. "You're an idiot and are not free of my anger yet" she said as she walked past him towards Anthony.
"You are scarier than Eloise!" Anthony smirked "well done!"
"Amelia!" Amelia turned to her father. "I'm sorry. You are right. I told you the choice was yours In the end. I got so caught up in who Benedict ust to be that I forgot who you made him into" he turned to Anthony and Benedict. "It would be an honour to be part of the Bridgerton family and an even bigger honour for you to accept my daughter into your home as your wife" he held out his hand to Benedict.
"The honour is ours!" The two shook hands and seperated hastily. "Now we can have a proper wedding that you deserve. Gretna Green is not special enough for you my muse" Benedict whispered to Amelia as he kissed her cheek.
"I'll send the invites"
YOU ARE READING
The second born Bridgerton
FanfictionBenedict Bridgerton was never the settle down type. His attention fully on his art or whores, it was nearly impossible for anyone to capture his loving gaze. That is,of course, until Amelia Ashgrove enters the seasons first ball with her family. Inv...
