Desire for Love

Chapter 2

    Once we arrived home, Mary begged me to tell her over and over what the Queen said to me. My sisters made it a big deal while my brothers feared it may bring unwanted attention. They want me to find a good man, not someone who wants attention. I change out of my dress and head down to practice the pianoforte. The Queens attention is something that I have dreamt of, but I do rather like to blend into the background. Matt comes running into the room with the latest of Lady Whistledown. "Elle it's here! She wrote about you and Daphne!" She handed me the paper. I have never cared much for the gossip, but she has never named people specifically. I skim the paper , she has named Daphne the Diamond of the First Water. She must bee elated, I know she does not care for the gossip either but this will help her find the love she wishes for. Finally I see my name

    "As for Miss Eleanor Burton, the Queen seemed very found of the young lady. Her older sister was the Queen's favorite last year. Will she live up to her sister's reputation? Will there be a competition between the two friends? Will the Queen finally present her nephew?"

    I roll my eyes and give the paper back to Mary.

    "I do not care what Lady Whistledown has to say. I will prove myself to society. There will never be any sort of competition between Daphne and myself. I also do not care about sister's son for it is a new year and I am my own person." Mary tries to tell me how big of a deal it is to be mentioned, but I do not care. "Please Mary, I must continue practicing." She sighs and runs out of the room. Not only do I feel pressure from my family, but now Lady Whistledown. I do not think I will ever live up to anyone's expectations.

    The next evening we arrive at the first ball of the season. This will be the first impression for all of the suitors. Charles, Matthew. Papa and Mama are here to escort me. Thankfully my family is not being as harsh as Anthony is. Anytime a man walks up to us Anthony must present his flaws and scare them away. Charles smirks at the comments but makes non of his own. Daphne stays by my side the majority of the night trying to escape her brother. I stare in awe of the all of the decorations, the people and the pretty dresses the young ladies wear.

    "Elle, can you believe we are finally here? We have waited so long for this," Daphne smiles as we stand in between Anthony and Charles. "Do you see anyone that catches your eye?" I look around at the men around us. They all seem lovely but none of them stick out.

    "I have not really talked to anyone so I am unsure." I say
"Our sweet Elle could do a lot better than any of these boys here tonight isn't that right Charles?" a familiar voice says behind me. I turn to find Colin smirking at me.
"Oh look who finally decided to show up" Daphne sighs "just more of my brothers to make a fool of me." I giggle and smile towards Colin.
"Miss Burton, would you mind if I have this dance?" Colin asks, holding out his hand, I giggle and take his hand.
"Well of course Mr Bridgerton" I curtsy and follow him to the floor. " thank you for saving me from that mess. I swear Daphne and I will be spinsters if these two are in charge of finding us husbands." Colin laughs and looks at me.
" Trust me Elle you will find someone, for you are too good of a person to not find one. Whoever you marry will be lucky to have you." I smile at him and continue dancing. Colin and I have never really been that close, but he always seems to know exactly what to say and when I need someone to distract me. The song ends we smile at each other and start backtowards our siblings.
"Excuse me Miss Burton, do you have room for me on your card?" I turn to see Lord Silverton smiling at me. Colin nods at me and walks off.
"Yes of course my Lord." I curtsy and take him hand.
"So Miss Burton, what are some of your hobbies?" He asks
"I play the piano forte and I love to read. What about you my Lord?"
"Oh I have not time for hobbies , I manage my estate most of the time and spend the rest at White's"
" my brother spend much of their time there as well. What is it you do there?"
"Well that's is our business, is it not Miss?" He says sternly. My eyes widen, my brothers warned me not to ask of what men do there.
"You are right my Lord, I am sorry."
"It is fine, I must ask, is there something going on between you and Mr. Bridgerton?" I glance over at Colin, who happens to be staring at us.
"Oh no, Colin is just a family friend, he-"
"Colin? You call him by his first name?"
"Yes, I have my whole life"
"I find that a little inappropriate Miss Burton." I start to panic.
"I- uh" I have no idea how to answer, I've always called the Bridgerton boys by their first name and no one has ever corrected me. The people around us come to a halt and stare off to someone in the crowd.
"Is that the Duke?" I hear someone say. I finally catch glimpse of the man they are all staring at. He is quite young and I have never seen him before. I feel someone touch my arm, I turn to see Colin.
" Elle is everything alright?" He asks, I shake my head and grab his arm. I turnt to say goodbye to Lord Silverton, but he is gone. Colin takes me to the side of the dance floor. "What is wrong? Did he do something to you? I've never liked him-" I cut him off.
"No, I just don't feel well, I wish to go home."Colin nods and walks me over to our families. Anthony is telling his mama he is taking Daphne home. I grabbed Charles' arm. "May we please leave as well?, for I am very tired." He looks at me concerned, but knows I will not answer any of his questions.
"Of course sister" he leads me out of the party. We get in our carriage and go home.
I sit in my room looking out the window thinking about my interaction with Lord Silverton. I never thought of my friendship with the Bridgerton as odd or inappropriate. People have always associated the Bridgertons with my family, why did Lord Silverton find it so odd? A rock hits my window breaking me from my thoughts. I look down to see Colin waving at me. I wave back, he points towards the door asking me to come down. I nod and quietly run down to the door. Colin has only ever done this once and it was when his papa passed away all those years ago. He needed someone to talk to and apparently I took his mind off of his Papa. I open the door and smile at Colin.
"Colin what are you doing? Someone might see us" I whisper.
"I only wanted to check on you, you seemed distraught after dancing with Silverton."
"I am fine, Colin, thank you for checking." He raised his eyebrow, he knows me well enough to know I am not ok. "He- he found it inappropriate that I call you Colin and that we were dancing. I told him we are only friends and he did not seem to believe me." Colin looks surprised.
"Friends huh? Eleanor Burton claims me as a friend? I never thought I'd see the day." I laugh and smack his arm. "Do not listen to him, he is only jealous that he does not have friends of his own." We stare at each other for a moment.
"Thank you for checking on me Colin, but I must get back to bed before someone sees us." Colin nods
"Of course, goodnight Elle"
"Goodnight Colin" I smile and walk back inside up to my room. I crawl into bed and fall asleep.

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Oooo the first Colin moment! I can't wait to continue this story and know what you all think of it. Thank you for reading!