athena crauford has been best friends with daphne bridgerton since childhood, they spend every waking moment together. which means the bridgerton's have become very acquainted with the crauford's, benedict bridgerton has always had an eye for athena...
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"Athena! I have to ask you something." I hear a voice, running from behind me just as I am to leave Bridgerton house. "I still do not wish to speak to you Benedict." I call,
Colin steps in front of me, I am surprised to see him. "It is only me." he says, and I smile, "I can see that, Colin." looking slightly downwards, before meeting his eye. "Would you step into the study for a moment? Your maid may wait outside for you." "You have not given me much choice in the matter, however I expect to have no issue with that."
He leads me into the quietude of the study, it was a lovely place. Books lined the walls, from Shakespeare to Tolstoy. It was paradise on earth, it was a far more extensive collection than I had. I have yet to see the royal library, however this was the closest as I would come to have something similar enough to it.
I look back at the boy, who now stood before me, "What did you wish to speak to me about Colin?" "Benedict, actually." "Lord give me strength." I send a prayer to the heavens, "I do not wish to speak of that rake, and if that is all you wished you to discuss, I must bid you good day." "Athena!" Colin firmly yells, "What happened that seems to have you so riled up?" "If you must know," I turn back, "he and another woman were caught by me in an inappropriate situation." "I know." he smirks,
I let out a huff, blowing a small stand of hair from my face. "Then, why did you feel the need to ask me of it?" "Because," he took my hands in his, "he has expressed his apologies on many occasions yet you have not responded whatsoever." "That is because he has betrayed my trust and the innocence of that plain lady, a very ungentlemanly thing to do." "Has anyone told you, you have such a way with words?" he mocks, I smile in a particularly sarcastic manner, "He does miss you desperately though, it is getting quite pathetic." I laugh, "I do miss him as well, but he must earn my trust back. It shall not be easy. You must know, your hands are colder than ice." He chuckles, "Duly noted."
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It was a strange surprise to find Lady Danbury knock upon my door, near dinner time. I suppose Mama must have invited her. Rushing to greet her, I close my book and head to the front door, where our maid has taken her coat.
"Lady Danbury." I smile, and embrace her, "It is good to see you." "You as well my dear Athena. Your Mama has told me of your troubles, and I am here to dine with you and help resolve whatever issues have come about." she has a twinkle in her eye, she knows something that I do not, it is slightly unsettling but I move past it.
Papa, Mama and Delilah dined earlier that evening, due to my lengthy conversation with Colin Bridgerton, I did not partake. So I dined with Lady Danbury, she was lovely conversation, and provided me with extraordinary advice.
"Few people know of what happened, not even his family." I explain, "Who knows, other than the two of you?" "He told his brother Colin just the other day, Delilah knows of course and now you as well." I dig into the mashed potatoes in the corner of my plate. "It seems to me, from my observations over the past few years, and this current information, Benedict Bridgerton is hopelessly in love with you."
Almost chocking on my mashed potatoes, I stumble, "What ever can you mean, Lady Danbury?" "What I mean, is that you two are splendid friends, but he has developed a deep affection for you. Is it not obvious?" "No. Not in the slightest." "From what it seems, he has taken to other women to distract from you. Have you ever displayed a sign of... love for him?" "Not that I can recall. Though, our interactions have always been laced with flirtatiousness, I only assumed it was a playful distraction from our tedious responsibilities and stresses." "He may not have thought the same my dear. Those small acts of affection could trigger a more powerful attraction to the other party." "It is not as if, I do not share that attraction... it is only," I falter, "It is only what Athena?" Lady Danbury encourages,
"It is only, he is Daphne's elder brother. I have known him for a large portion of my life, and if he does not share the affection as you so claim, I fear well, rejection. He is my best friend and I would hate to lose his friendship forever. Though currently there is not much friendship between us."
Lady Danbury sighs, "Rejection is a fickle thing, you must handle it carefully. If he does in fact love you, as I know he does, he will show it in other ways. You must be about your wits, and prepare to notice smaller gestures. Do not expect him to declare love for you in a grand gesture, Benedict is more of a quiet soul, but will do anything for the people he loves, and you my dear are one of those people."
"Thank you Lady Danbury. I do appreciate you advice ever so much." I thank her, "Might I suggest, you reconcile with him. He will respond to you, allow him to make his apology before you are too quick to judge." I nod, and Lady Danbury stands from her seat, "You have been a most gracious host, I thank you for your meal and your company. It is quite tiresome being alone at times." "You are welcome any time Lady Danbury, you've only to ask." I smile, and she exits with a clopping noise of her cane contacting the hollow floorboards. I sink lower into my seat, how will I ever reconcile with him?
