𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄 | ᵇʳⁱᵈᵍᵉʳᵗᵒⁿ

Tʜʀᴇᴇ

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Tᴏ Aɴɢᴇʀ A Fᴀᴛʜᴇʀ

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          THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Cornelia was invited to spend the morning with the Bridgerton's, once again, unaccompanied.

Daphne sat at the pianoforte, Hyacinth and Gregory seated nearby, enjoying their biscuits and scones. Colin and Benedict sat on one of the couches near the fireplace, Cornelia sat opposite of them, her nose in a book. Though, it was rather difficult to focus, due to the conversation of The Duke that was at hand.

That is, until Eloise burst in the room with a rather obscene question. "How does a lady come to be with child?" Causing Daphne's playing to suddenly cease and the room falling quiet.

"E-Eloise, what a question!" Her mother faked a smile, horrified.

"I thought one needed to be married." Eloise spoke, pure worry dripping from her words.

"Whatever are you talking about?" Daphne asked, she too now curious.

Eloise turned to her elder sister, laughing nervously, somewhat glad she was not the only one in the dark. "Apparently, it's not even a requirement."

"Eloise, that is more than enough." Violet halted her daughter's ramblings. "We have a guest."

As if that would stop Eloise Bridgerton.

Cornelia wiggled her fingers in a wave to her dear friend. Eloise plopped down between her two brothers, slapping them both on the knee. "I take it the two of you know?" But her eyes focused on Cornelia with suspicion.

"Do not look at me." She spoke, becoming nervous under the brunette's gaze.

Eloise's eyes widened and Cornelia quickly covered her face with her book. "You know! How do you know?" She practically screamed.

"Have you ever visited a farm, El?" Colin came to Cornelia's aide, though it only got him a slap from Benedict and an angry groan from Eloise. Cornelia hid her wide smile.

"I do hope the two of you are not encouraging improper topics of conversation." Violet warned her children.

"Not at all, Mother." Benedict answered with an innocent smile.

"In fact," Colin stood. "We were just heading off to..." He looked down at his sister. "Take our sticks out."

Violet spun around in the fastest of speeds, her eyes wide and tone sharp. "Colin Bridgerton!"

Cornelia could no longer hold it in and let out a short laugh, gaining the attention of both Eloise and Benedict.

"A round of fencing." Colin explained, before he and his brother left.

"Miss? Humboldt is coming." One of the Bridgerton's housemaids rushed into the room.

This caused Daphne's playing to stop once more. "Humboldt is coming?" She grinned.

"Humboldt?"

"Why is Humboldt coming?"

"Who?" Cornelia asked.