I arrived back home just in time, as moments after I got back in, Lady Danbury and the Sharmas arrived back from their visit in town. I heard their excited voices echoed through the foyer. I moved down the stairs to greet the group of ladies.
"My dearest Florence!" My aunt's voice beamed as she engulfed me in a tight embrace. "You missed quite the day darling."
"Did I?" I raise my eyebrows in curiosity.
"Indeed. The lovely Viscount Bridgerton invited us to stay at their country estate a few days before their annual gala. We shall be leaving in two days time."
I knew of the Bridgertons, however I had only formally met the Viscountess and Viscount, who was currently courting Edwina.
"Florence I know of your disdain for social outings, however I beg, you must come!" Edwina swooped to my side, gently grabbing my hand in an attempt to persuade me. "I cannot speak too soon, but I suspect a proposal from the Viscount on this visit."
I smile spreads across my face in reaction to Edwina's excitement. My eyes then shot to Kate, who has been on the fence with this whole situation. I give her a look as if to let her know that we could discuss this later tonight. In the time the Sharmas have been our guests, I took a quick friendship with Kate.
"That will be no problem Edwina." Lady Danbury gives me a look that I know too well. She is planning something. "Florence, I have always let you stand aside in the social aspect of society, however, you will be joining us on this trip. Before you contest, just know, it is a secluded country estate, and the only other people that will be in attendance will be the Bridgertons. It is up to you whether you would like to attend the gala."
I choose not to speak my mind on the matter. I certainly am not ecstatic about attending this estate, however I find a bit of peace knowing it will only be one other family. When it came to social events, it wasn't that I had social anxiety or feared the people. It was society and the gossip of it all that deterred me,
"Now come along dear, you and I are going to head to the modiste to get you a new dress for this occasion." My aunt takes me by the arm and bids her goodbyes to the Sharmas.
________________________________________________________________________________
The entire afternoon, I tune out my aunt's constant nagging and need for perfection at the modiste and choose to think about the events from earlier. Did I really kiss him? I am replaying each second of our interaction from the moment we arrived in town to the second we got back to the house.
"Is there something on your mind dear? You have seemed a bit distracted this afternoon." My aunt asks as we walk from the carriage to the doors.
"No, nothing is on my mind. I was just simply out of it at the modiste, I believe I am just a bit hungry."
"Well head on to your room to tidy up before dinner then." My aunt squeezed my arm with a warm smile before I headed upstairs.
Instead of going to my own room, I gently knock on Kate's door. I hear her mumble a soft 'come in' before entering the room, her dog Newton immediately greeting me at my feet.
"So what are your opinions on this countryside visit?" I scoop Newton up before walking towards where Kate is sitting on her bed.
" I am over the moon." Her sarcastic tone echoes through the room.
"Kate, I truly love you, but what is your issue with this Viscount? Your sister seems so infatuated with him."
"I do not think the Viscount is in this for the right reasons. He seems to only want a wife to please his family line, and I truly believe Edwina can do far better."
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a love match is nearly impossible to come by. Kate, he is a Viscount with a successful family name. What more can you want for Edwina? I'm simply saying, it may not be wise to set high standards in this society."
"I understand, it's just... I'm not looking for a love match for her... It's a lot more complicated under the surface." Kate's tone grows more impatient, letting me know that now isn't the time to pry.
"On a different note, can I tell you what occurred at the academy today?" I changed the conversation and sit beside Kate on her bed. Kate was the only one who knew of my modeling at the academy.
"I'm all ears."
"Well I was going about my day like usual, simply lying there and being used as a reference, and in one of the classes I caught the eye of this student. Kate, he was the definition of dreamy. I didn't think much of our shared glances, until he snuck up on me in the studio a little while later. We chatted, I didn't think much of it, except he was certainly a flirt. And before I could properly assess the man, he kissed me."
"Well...is that it? Did you kiss him back?" I could see in Kate's eyes she was interested in every detail I was describing.
"Of course I did! It was...wonderful, to say the least. And I may have agreed to meet him in that same studio tomorrow night."
"Florence! You flirt! I didn't know you had this in you!"
"Frankly I didn't know I did either!" I laugh and throw my face into my hands. "Who possessed my body, I am not sure."
"Whoever did, I'm curious to see more of what they draw you to do." Kate rose from her sitting position and took my hands into hers, bring me up as well. "Come along now, dinner is waiting for us."
................................................................................................................................................................
y'all, im sorry this chapter is a little short but the content of the next will make up for it I PROMISE
YOU ARE READING
Strangers in the Night | A Benedict Bridgerton Story
Fanfiction"Strangers in the night exchanging glances Wondering in the night What were the chances we'd be sharing love Before the night was through Something in your eyes was so inviting Something in your smile was so exciting Something in my heart Told me I...
