|| Lumax Oneshots ||

| Bridgerton au |

"Lady Eleanor, might you do me the honor of this dance?" Lord Michal extended a gracious hand to El, whose face immediately exploded into a rosy pink, matching the blush color of her bejeweled dress.

She glanced at me, giving me a 'will you be okay?' look. I gave her a knowing smile and nod combo, turning to Michael. "My lord." I regarded him with a small glare.

"Lady Mayfield." He respectfully responded, not offering me the same plain smile I offered him.

I watched the two make their way to the ball room' dance floor. Despite my distaste for him, Lord Wheeler will make a good suitor for El. He'll provide well for her. Maybe he'll be the love match El's been searching for. I thought with smile. She deserves it, after all the scandal her family had endured last season.

Having no other companions to converse with, and not being willing to give my mother the pleasure of talking with a potential suitor, I found myself wondering out to the balcony of the Manor this ball was hosted at—snatching a bubbly drink from a waiter on my way.

Leaning against the railing, I took in a long, very needed breath of cool night air. My flowing light blue gown blew in the subtle breeze in time with my long red hair. My mother tried to convince me to have my maid do my hair in some ridiculous fashion, but I refused. She might be able to force me to wear scratching and tight gowns, but I draw the line at my hair.

"My lady?" A voice came from behind me, smooth and charismatic. A small smirk forced its way onto my lips. Of course he followed me out, sneaky bastard.

I slowly turned around, my heart skipping a beat as my eyes met his, Lucas, the Duke of York (idk😭)

"My lord," I dipped my head to hide my smile, curtsying.

"You shouldn't be out here." He says in a mock authoritative tone.

"Neither should you, my lord. What would The Ton be lead to think hearing The Duke of York was together with Lady Maxine, a young and—might I add, unsuitable match for a nobleman like you, alone. What a scandal." I finished my speech with a sip of my drink, relishing on the tingly feeling it flooded my tongue with.

Even though I said all of that, I didn't mean any of it. I loved every stolen moment The Duke and I have shared. I could care less if Lady Whistledown or the Queen herself commented on the situation.

The Duke answer with a smirk and walked to my side, so close that our shoulders were almost touching. I turned back to looking over the railing, out into the beautiful garden. "Oh, my Mama would have a fit if she knew where I was right now." I paused, looking down at my hands, before looking back up. "If someone were to see us right now, and assume the worst, you would have to marry me, you know? You wouldn't want that would you?"

"What makes you so sure I wouldn't marry you?" He laughed, his smile so intoxicating I found myself leaning closer.

  "Pray, do not make jest of me." I said, surprised by the lack of poison in her voice. By this point in most of my conversations I either excuse myself or insult them.

  But this conversation felt. . odd. I can feel my palms starting to sweat, and my heart was fluttering like a butterfly in a flower field; not to mention my cheeks, which were no doubt burning with the same rosey tint I observed in El's face not too long ago.

  "I make no jest of you, my lady." He said in earnest, his voice sending shivers of electricity shooting down my back, so uncalled for that i let out a small gasp.

I turned my head to meet his gaze once more, but stoped short when I realized just how close his face was to mine. If i even twitched, our lips might connect and then—

"Oh great heavens!" A voice interrupted the beginnings of my very inappropriate thought. I turned to El, who looked horrified and intrigued all at once.

"Lady Eleanor, its—" The Duke started, backing away from me. I shivered in the coldness the lack of his presence left.

"No, My lord. It's quite alright." El cut him off with a polite hand, shooting him her picture perfect smile. "It's just that Lady Maxine's Mama has been searching for her."

"My Mama? Whatever for, El?" I stepped away from the railing, and away from The Duke. There's something in El's eyes that tell me that everything's not alright.

"It's William (Billy). Max I'm so sorry." The sound of my bubbly drink crashing to the ground shattered through the air. El's eyes leaked, but I could barely see anything through my own blurring vision. The already growing pit in my stomach plummeted. My head suddenly felt light and a feather and as heavy as a ton of bricks. I already know what happened, it was inevitable, but that doesn't make it any less painful.

Somehow, I found myself running out of the Manor, heels and gown and all. Maybe if I run as fast and as far away as I can, I can escape all of the hurt and pain I'll have to endure if I stay. Because even though William was terrible to me, and made my life a living hell every day, he was still my brother.

And now he's gone.

a/n: WHO ELSE LOVES BRIDGERTON CUZ IM CURRENTLY OBSESSED
ANS ALSO 30K??? THANK YOU ALL SM FOR READING THIS AND VOTING AND COMMENTING TRUST ME I SEE EVERY COMMENT THANK YOU ALL SM!! ❤️❤️