𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔; benedict bridgerton

𝟏𝟎.

__________________
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐍

THE LAST DAYS IN BRISTOL were short-lived for Victoria. Aunt Jolly was constantly negotiating with galleries in England, and her success made Victoria feel bad for first trying to hide her feelings for Benedict from her.

Clearly, the woman wouldn't let certain secrets like that go unrevealed for long.

Despite everything and trying to forget Benedict, Victoria felt proud of her sales and honoured to be praised for her not-so-amateurish work.

"What are you painting today?" Jill asked interestedly, analysing the canvas carefully.

Victoria sighed as she noticed the small mistake she had made, but corrected it carefully before answering the younger woman.

"The lake in front of Barts' house," she replied, and her cousin nodded, remembering that she had a photographic memory so she could paint whatever she wanted even if she wasn't there.

Jill smiled a slightly proud smile that insisted on appearing.

"Come and have coffee with me, I realise you love to paint before you eat, but you need to replenish your energy," she advised, approaching the girl with a smile still on his face.

"It's what I want most at the moment," Victoria smiled nasally as she felt the hunger rising.

"Wait, how are you?" Jill asked, stopping Victoria before she could leave her seat.

Victoria analysed her with curiosity, she really loved her family because even though she hadn't grown up living with her parents, she was proud of who she had lived with.

"If you're asking about him," she replied, emphasising the pronoun, "I want you to know that I love to talk, to solve problems in this way and I'm sure I'll find the right moment to do it."

Jill sighed, disguising her relief. It had been a week since the fateful meeting with Benedict, and since then the older woman had masterfully avoided talking about it.

Thus, the two finally felt free to have their coffee in peace, with one of them knowing that the other's decisions would be reported to the two women who would want to know how the young woman felt afterwards.

"Nothing better to start the day," replied Victoria, slicing off a generous piece.

"I'd really love to have aunt Jolly's talent. She doesn't even need cooks" commented Jill, sadly.

Victoria looked at her thoughtfully, licking her fork.

"In fact, I think that if you ask her for a few tips, she'll make as many pies as you want," he advised, once again amused by the girl's endless search for talent

Jill sighed in frustration, looking again at the letter she had received from her almost-fiancé, Harry, a few days earlier with discreetly passionate words.

"These lines are very special to me, you know, I love Bristol but I can't wait to get back to London and have a chance to talk to him," she confessed to the other girl who wasn't so enamoured.

"You'll have an incredible conversation and the wedding, well, it'll happen in less than two months, I think," she wagered, happy with the other girl's expectations despite her efforts to look excited.

They finished their coffee some time before Glinda and Jolly arrived with great news.

"Our tour was successful, we met more buyers interested in your work and we were invited to a small meeting," Glinda said euphorically.