Season's Feather

Chapter Nine

"Lady Goring was quite taken with Eloise's dress last night, Madame Delacroix. She would keep saying how well it complemented her complexion." Violet smiled between the three ladies - Eloise, Delilah, and Madame Delacroix. Her eyes then focused on Eloise, "She said you reminded her of Daphne, dearest."

Delilah and Anthony accompanied the Bridgerton women in the Silvester drawing room. as Violet pampered Eloise. It seemed she was so happy with the turnout of Daphne's marriage, that she forgot Eloise had completely separate views.

"I am not Daphne," Eloise mumbled. Her head was pointed down into the book she held.

"Anthony, do you think I should pin it here, or here?" Delilah asked, trying to get a glance at herself while holding a part of the dress back in different lengths.

Anthony looked at her before shaking his head, "Darling, I don't think my opinion will matter if I give it."

Delilah paused for a moment before nodding her head, "True. I do not believe I will listen to it anyway." She smiled over at Anthony. Delilah smoothed a palm over the fabric laying next to her and handed it to Violet, "I think this is the one."

Violet nodded with a smile and handed it to Madame Delacriox who took it with a smile, "Pleasure, Lady Bridgerton. Lady Silvester."

Delilah watched the modiste walk off before she turned to the current Bridgerton debutante, "Might you enjoy the ball, Eloise, if you were to dance?"

Violet nodded her head, "Meeting new people, it can be thrilling."

Eloise looked up from the pages, "Yes, because it certainly seemed as though the new Lord had a thrilling time. Swept away by many a nimble-footed young lady, Delilah?"

Delilah scoffed, "The Lord does not know what he wants. Besides, if he acts the same as he has so far. He will be the same as Anthony."

Anthony turned to her eyes, "Like me?"

"Yes. He will shun love until love slaps him in the face and demands its attention."

Anthony grumbled, "Well, Lady Silvester, I can hardly feel my toes if that is what love is. I thought you ladies were taught to dance."

Eloise scoffed, "I thought you gentlemen capable of worthwhile conversation."

Delilah laughed, "How sad both of your hopes were dashed. And, oh how depressing it is that Anthony Bridgerton fell for the orphan of the town."

Anthony frowned at her, "Delilah-"

"Don't chastise me, I know what I said," Delilah looked down at her hands, "Lord Aevery might not be able to feel his feet either. He questioned me as well if we were taught how to dance or not."

"How both of our hopes were dashed," Eloise repeated.

Hyacinth came over and plopped next to her sister, "I think Eloise would make a brilliant diamond."

"I couldn't agree more, Hyacinth." Violet spoke, "Perhaps Her Majesty will take note at her ball tomorrow night."

Delilah let her head cock to see Eloise look to Hyacinth with a calm - murderous - expression, "I despise you." She said bluntly.

A small laugh escaped Delilah before she turned to the youngest Bridgerton, "How was the garden?" Delilah asked.

Hyacinth beamed at her, "Lovely. The flowers are your signature, yes?"

Delilah nodded with a smile, "White roses. Yes, they are."

Benedict then walked in and took a look at the modiste with a pause. Delilah watched carefully. Why did he pause? Then Delilah smiled, oh, how lovely.

"Madame Delacroix, I didn't know you were back in town." He greeted the modiste.

Madame Delacroix nodded with a nervous smile, "Bien sur! Who else could dress these delicate debutantes for the season?"

Delilah watched the interaction with a raised brow. Her eyes peered at Anthony who inconspicuously nodded his head. Oh joy, Benedict was seeing the modiste. So after Madame Delacriox finished with Delilah's gown. She headed to the sun room of the estate where Benedict sat before a painting.

"So, you and Madame Delacroix? Interested in stitching?" She teased walking in.

Benedict gave a low laugh before shaking his head, "Apparently not. Have you found your husband yet? Or are you planning to wait until everyone else has wed so you don't have to."

"Touchy." Delilah frowned, "Anthony hasn't proposed so I suppose I am waiting on him."

Benedict looked up at her, "You won't have to wait."

Delilah sighed, if only Benedict knew about the trouble concerning her visitor. Speaking of Lord Aevery, as her eyes peered over the garden, there stood the strands of Williamson lurking around innocently.

"Formed under pressure, desired by many, yet possessed only by a fortunate few, there is nothing on earth quite so envied as a diamond."

The argument of the other morning still not forgotten, so when Williamson made connection to Delilah's eyes and sighed in sorrow when she looked away he knew he had to apologize. Delilah was doing more than enough hosting his season and for him to be so rude over the troubles of a woman with the manners of a pig would not do him any good.

His father was dead, he did not have to marry Lady Silvester. She was to marry the Viscount Bridgerton, but it had him wondering who would take hold of Lady Aevery. He had siblings to provide for.

He sighed, first he had to apologize. So he waited until the Bridgerton family had left and it was time for the last meal of the day. Dinner that night was held in the dining room. Delilah had arrived in a simple evening gown and did not look up when Williamson arrived in the room.

As the food was brought out she kept her gaze low and took sips from her wine. Williamson cringed slightly at the silence. He didn't want to be on bad terms with the Lady. He didn't want to be on bad terms with anyone.

"I'm sorry."

Delilah peered up, "Mm."

Williamson sighed, "I am sorry. I should not have said what I said."

For a moment Williamson thought he had lost his stay in the Silvester Estate. His mind briefly flashed to the mysterious woman, stop, he scolded himself. His eyes refocused on Delilah's soft smile.

"There's a girl, isn't there?" She asked.

Williamson sighed and relaxed upon seeing Delilah speaking to him again. "No, there is not."

"Well there were lovely ladies in attendance last night, were there not? Lady Abigail has beautiful manners, and I hear Miss Goodrum is very accomplished in her needlework. Although I do have to discredit that as she has tried to switch her stitching for mine." Delilah grumbled playfully.

Williamson laughed lightly, taking a bite out of the food served.

"Perhaps you shall get to know them better?" Delilah asked.

"Lady Abigail can barely string a sentence together, and Miss Goodrum thinks that Napoleon fights for the Spanish." Williamson frowned across the table.

"Abigail was always shy."

"Well, for Lady Abigail and every other eager chit pushed in my direction, I'd happily never lay eyes on them again." Williamson stated, swiftly emptying his glass of wine.

"Williamson-"

"I look for perfection, Delilah." Williamson continued, "The woman I marry shall be Lady Aevery, the Lady of my house and responsible for launching my siblings and later my children. I have only seen one who appeases me and yet she has the attitude of a cow!"

Delilah laughed, "So there is a girl."

"There is not!" Williamson huffed.