Lost in Translation (C. Bridgerton)

Chapter 6: in a world of boys he's a gentleman

May 30, 1816 – One week has passed since the unfortunate revelation of Lord Barlow's true nature, and Lady Y/N Montclair has yet to make an appearance at a ball. Could it be that the Duke's betrayal has left her too disillusioned? Perhaps the eligible gentlemen of London have failed to meet her exacting standards. One can't help but wonder if Lady Y/N be present at tonight's ball, where the ton's most eligible bachelors will undoubtedly be vying for her attention now that she is decidedly searching for a new suitor. Who among them shall be lucky enough to capture her attention? This author does not know, but hopefully, this evening reveals more of Lady Montclair's intentions.

Colin was grinding his teeth, his right eye twitching slightly as he glared at Eloise, with whom he had been arguing for the better part of the last hour.

"It's not like I haven't tried to be agreeable! She's just impossible," he ground out.

Colin was about finished with having to face criticism from his sister when you were the one who had ignored his attempt at a truce.

"It certainly doesn't help that you rile her up every single time you see her. She's trying to find a husband, mind you!" Eloise shouted back.

She had grown quite close to you in the past weeks, and she knew the kind of pressure you were under tonight. It was your first ball after finding out the Duke had sneaked away from the Bridgerton ball with Miss Barrington, and your full focus would be on finding a new suitor. Eloise generally preferred to stay out of your neverending conflict with Colin, but she knew he would never understand what you were going through. The very least she could do was ensure that he acted decently toward you, though it seemed like even that would prove a challenge.

"Exactly! I was the one who wanted to warn her about Lord Barlow's betrayal, and now she thinks I'm the one who gave him access to our courtyard," snapped Colin.

He couldn't believe Eloise. How could she not see that you were one of the most infuriating, unpleasant, and insolent people in the ton? Why was she so intent on defending you? Colin was irritated beyond belief, and he wanted nothing more than to never speak with you again after the horse races. You had promptly ignored him after accusing him of orchestrating Lord Barlow and Miss Barrington's escapade, and he spent the rest of the afternoon angrily stealing glances at you as you chatted pleasantly with his sister.

And to learn that you still wanted to find a husband? You could become a spinster, for all he cared. And he didn't. He didn't care. About you or about Lord Barlow, or frankly, about anything that had transpired since the Bridgerton ball. All he knew was that tonight, he would be forced to watch you bat your eyelashes and giggle softly as you talked to countless men when all he got from you were angry stares and sarcastic laughs.

"She's the one who doesn't want to be on good terms with me," he added stubbornly, crossing his arms.

Eloise let out an exasperated groan and rolled her eyes. "Colin! Can you not find it in yourself to set aside your dislike for her and understand that she is an unmarried lady who just lost a titled man she was practically guaranteed to marry? She is in a precarious situation, not to mention feeling heartbroken and betrayed."

In truth, Colin thought, he didn't understand. He couldn't even begin to. He had never faced that kind of pressure before, certainly not about something as trivial as marriage, and suddenly he felt guilty for wanting to spend the entire evening tormenting you so he could avoid watching you amass suitors.

Sensing that her words had struck a nerve, Eloise took advantage of her brother's waning resolve. "You are Colin Bridgerton, Mayfair's sweetheart! I don't understand why you can't act that way with her."