After delaying it as long as she could, Isabel Asturias is ready to make her debut onto the marriage market. Like every other mama in town, Lady Asturias hopes to gain an audience for her daughter with the season's most eligible bachelor, the Viscou...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The next few days at the Bridgerton household were tense to say the least. Eloise had not left her room since the latest Whistledown about her. She scarcely touched the books that her family purchased for her in hopes of improving her disposition. To make matters worse, several maids had left their post in light of the scandal. Anthony's failed wedding was already a stain on the family, but this had significantly reduced their formerly high standing in the ton.
No Whistledown came after that fateful one. Consequently, Benedict and Isabel's engagement remained hidden. Anthony and Violet were content to keep it that way, knowing that the news may not be received favorably amid the storm they were weathering.
Still, Isabel wanted to play her part as the fiancée. She came over to do poetry readings for Eloise, hoping that would ameliorate her countenance.
"I appreciate you coming," Benedict told Isabel on the third day of her visits, "even if Eloise may not allow you to read more two stanzas."
Isabel mustered up a small but sincere smile. "I want to be part of this family. I know now that that includes being present for the hardest moments as much as the happiest ones."
Benedict stepped closer to her and took her hands in his. "You are very much so a part of this family, Isa. And soon enough, it will be official. But I am sorry that our engagement has been overshadowed by all of this."
Isabel sighed but kept her smile up. "I appreciate that."
Benedict gently drew her to sit on a sofa in the drawing room with her. Isabel obliged, knowing that Eloise wasn't exactly waiting for her.
"Why must there always be an obstacle?" he expressed with frustration.
Isabel's expression became tinged with sadness at her fiancé's displeasure. She had been grappling with similar thoughts but not had the will to voice them out loud. Still, she wanted to comfort her lover.
"I suppose that is the weight of familial duty overtaking all else," she settled on as a response. She scooted a bit closer to him. "Perhaps you may understand your brother's choices now."
Benedict sighed and just rested his chin on his hand. He stared at Isabel for a long while, his blue eyes and soft pout conveying thoughts he would not yet say. The ever-expressive man had become conscious of what he did and did not voice aloud and how that affected Isa.
"Oh, Benny," Isa finally said, unable to take the melancholic silence any longer. "I did not want to admit it, but I lay in bed each night wondering if this is all a sign that we are not meant to be together. It is like the universe is plotting against us more than Lady Whistledown could ever dream of doing. She has turned out to be cruel, but the universe is crueler still." Her voice began breaking at the end, her eyes glistening with tears.
Benedict caressed her cheek with his hand. It was soft yet marked with indentations formed by artists' tools. "Isabel, don't tell me Lady Whistledown has gotten to you," he spoke softly to her.
This garnered a small chuckle from the teary-eyed woman. "These are my own thoughts, thank you very much." "I did not mean it like that, though if you are bantering with me, that is a good sign." This elicited a small smile from Isa. Benedict continued in a more serious manner. "I just hope that you are not soiled on the Bridgerton name. And know that my love is true, always."
Her smile grew bigger. "As is mine, Benny. It is just that love has proven harder than I anticipated."
"It will be worth the wait," he said with a wink.
Isabel snorted. "Benny, are you referring to—"
"Marriage, obviously," he quickly replied. He then leaned in closer to her, their faces centimeters away. In a low, sultry voice, he added, "And all that comes after."
"Benedict!" Isa exclaimed. "You're practically ruining me with your words."
Benedict leaned backed. With this view, he was able to take in his betrothed's blush. "Good thing we are to be wed."
Isabel shook her head at her fiancé's antics. But his cheeky persona was one of the many things that made her want to marry him.
"I think it is time to check on Eloise, " Isabel said, promptly standing up and walking away to force Benedict to do the same. He pouted like a puppy dog, but he obliged.
"Eloise! I have a new book for you," Isabel called out as she neared the location of Eloise's bedroom.
"Is it another poetry book?" Eloise shouted from the chaise in her room. "I am not particularly interested."
"We can read a women's rights book if you prefer," Benedict hollered against the door.
At this, the door swung open, nearly hitting Benedict.
"Do not mock me, brother," Eloise said with umbrage.
"I am not," Benedict protested. "I am merely offering support for your interests. You would do the same for my art, would you not?" he countered.
Eloise tilted her head and pressed her lips together. "Support is a strong word."
Benedict crossed his arms and sighed. Isabel nudged him to keep trying. He was supposed to be her favorite brother, after all.
"Okay, how about I offer you my finest cigars, and we can all go out and smoke and read together."
Isabel's eyes went wide. "Benedict!" she whisper-shouted. "Is that really the solution?"
"It's worked before," he muttered.
Eloise looked between them with some skepticism, but ultimately, she gave in. "Okay. Let us head to the garden now. We must not be seen by mother or she will have my head."
Eloise suddenly walked past them, her pace quick and her footsteps light as she made to evade other family members on her way to the garden.
Benedict turned to Isabel with a smug grin on his face. She rolled her eyes at first, but she couldn't help but grin too as he pulled her closer.
"I told you," he said in a low voice.
"That does not mean I endorse this behavior," Isa said, "nor will I admit that you were right."
"How about you kiss me instead?" he said softly, his lips particularly close to hers.
"Well, we are to be wed, so I suppose one little kiss couldn't hurt," Isa said cheekily.
Benedict laughed, and Isabel could practically feel his chuckle ricochet within her due to how close he was to her body.
"But only one," she swiftly added, "or else Eloise will reprimand us incessantly, and we can't risk that."
Benedict sighed with a smile. "You are too thoughtful for your own good."
And then he proceeded to take her lips between his.
❀
A/N: soo i may have had some insane writer's block with this story and now season 2 is two years old 😵💫 but i'm back !! unfortunately benedict has like five minutes of screen time in season 3 part 1 so i have turned to fanfic for my fix until part 2 comes out and hopefully teases his season 🤞
