𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔; benedict bridgerton

𝟎𝟖.

__________________
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

VICTORIA'S EYES SPARKED as she glimpsed the large, filled slice of caramel pie on the plate in front of her.

Although she loved all the solid foods her aunt prepared, it was no secret in the family that she wasn't good with liquids. One example, of course, was her remarkably sour lemon juice, which was so acidic that it seemed to scramble the mind for a second.

"Aunt Jolly, this is really delicious," Victoria praised, licking her lips.

The pleasant lady smiled from ear to ear, even though she noticed that her niece didn't seem to have the same enthusiasm for her juice.

"Darling, I'll make this pie once more this week and you'll take one home with you," her aunt said excitedly, about making what she knew was her niece's favourite dessert.

Glinda, Jill and Victoria had already been at their aunt's house for a week and were going to stay for another visit. It was the best place in the world for the three of them, because it represented exactly what they considered to be their family. They didn't visit more often at the time because they were in the wedding season and because Bristol was closer to Bath, the city they lived in, than to London.

"Tell me... how's the engagement going, darling?" Jolly asked Jill, now focussing on the girl.

Jill blushed in a second and pulled herself together.

"Jolly!" Glinda scolded her.

The older woman quickly paled, realising she had said something wrong.

"You're still... not engaged?" She asked almost without courage.

"I think Harry and I are just good friends," Jill replied seriously and firmly

Victoria watched the embarrassment of the three women with amusement. She certainly knew that Jill wasn't engaged to Harry, but they already loved each other, even if her cousin didn't like to admit it.

"Let's stop here," Victoria said, joining in the conversation. "Since they're both adults, they'll know when to confess their feelings."

The cousins exchanged relieved smiles, with Jill evidently happy to be saved.

The three remained silent, knowing exactly what they needed to think about, until Victoria decided to interrupt them with the suggestion of a good game of chess.

"I don't think that's a good idea. We already know exactly who's going to win," Jill retorted angrily, as she always came last when playing with the three of them.

Victoria smiled evilly, she couldn't deny that she was very competitive.

"Oh, Jill... think of the odds. Today we're also with aunt Jolly, who knows who will win?" She asked, feigning innocence.

"All right, let's sort out the boards," Jolly, who also loved a competition, decided. "Victoria with Jill and me with Glinda."

Quickly, the pairs organised themselves and with challenging glances, started the games.

"Look, Jill... what do you think about moving your king?" Victoria suggested, imagining that the younger girl would fall into her trap.

Jill slowly raised her eyes to the other and moved her rook.

"You know, I'm not that silly," Jill warned her and Victoria moved another piece. "By the way, checkmate!" The girl finished the game with a satisfied smile.

Victoria was incredulous, she had never lost a single game of chess to anyone other than aunt Jolly, but it was better to think that for everything, there was a first time.