Unwanted Love || Colin Bridgerton

2#She has returned

8 years later
Present time

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Angelina took a deep breath as her carriage rolled to a halt in front of her family's townhouse in Mayfair. The façade, with its freshly painted shutters and polished brass fixtures, gleamed in the early afternoon sunlight. 8 years had passed since she had last seen this street, and it looked both achingly familiar and slightly altered. The oak trees lining the boulevard had grown taller, and there was a new row of rose bushes blooming in the front garden.

As the footman helped her down from the carriage, Angelina's heart pounded with a mixture of nostalgia and anxiety. She was no longer the naive girl who had left London in a flurry of grief and heartbreak. She had become a fiercely independent woman, having built a life of her own in the relative obscurity of the countryside. Her return to Mayfair was a testament to her family's rebuilt fortune and reputation, and she was determined to keep her composure, no matter how many memories this place evoked.

"Welcome home, Miss Angelina," said Mrs. Hargrove, the family housekeeper, her eyes moist with tears of joy.

Angelina smiled warmly, accepting the older woman's embrace. "Thank you, Mrs. Hargrove."

Inside, rich tapestries adorned the walls, and opulent chandeliers sparkled from the ceilings. Angelina made her way up the grand staircase to her old bedroom, now redecorated with elegant furnishings and a soft color palette that she found calming. The house was beautiful, a stark contrast to the chaotic whirlpool of emotions she felt inside.

After a few hours of settling in with the help of her maid, her parents, Lord and Lady Brownwhill, were waiting for her in the drawing room.

"You wanted to see me ?"

"Yes my dear, are you well settled"? Asked her mother.

" I am , it feels strangely good to be back"

Her parents looked at her with tender eyes before continuing.

"Here is what we wanted to inform you, As you now, you are about to make your début this year. That is why you will be presented to the Queen in two days with all of the other debutante" Lord Brownwhill said.

"It's a significant event, and we've been planning it meticulously. Your reintroduction into society will be flawless." Added her mother.

Angelina nodded, suppressing a sigh. She had agreed to this return, to stepping back into the world of glittering balls and social obligations, for her family's sake. Yet, the thought of encountering familiar faces, particularly one she had hoped to forget, filled her with dread.

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The day of her presentation came swiftly. Angelina stood in her room, dressed in an exquisite gown of pearly white silk that complemented her soft brown hair. The gown's intricate lace details, delicate pearls and the giant feather added a touch of elegance, and she felt a sense of confidence as she looked at herself in the mirror.

Her maid, Clara, fastened the final pearl in Angelina's hair, arranging her curls with a practiced hand. "You look like a queen yourself, Miss Angelina," Clara said, stepping back to admire her work.

"Thank you, Clara," Angelina replied, turning to leave.

The journey to the palace was quite brief, but extremely stressful. Angelina's mind raced with thoughts of the past and the uncertain future. As they arrived, the grand hall was filled with other debutantes and their families, all awaiting their turn to be presented to Queen Charlotte. They were all elegant and purely beautiful.

When her name was finally called, Angelina stepped forward with grace. She walked down the short aisle, head held high, feeling the weight of countless eyes upon her. Her heart pounded as she approached the Queen, who sat regally on her throne, a benevolent smile playing on her lips.

"Miss Angelina Louise Brownwhill and her mother Viscountess Florence Anne Brownwhill " the herald announced.

" Everything is going to be fine" Her mother whispered to her .

As she walked along the little aisle, all eyes were on her, eyes all unfamiliar, at least ones she didn't recognize. Her eyes moved quickly to the right, examinating every one in the room. Returning her eyes in front of her, her eyes met someone's.
Someone's eyes she recognized very well. All of a suden , she felt strangely uneasy. His eyes were stuck on her, a mix of fascination and guilt.

Angelina sighted deeply, breaking the eye contact and lowering her gaze, bending down when she was close enough to the queen. When she rose, the Queen regarded her with a keen eye.

"Viscountess and Miss Brownwhill" Queen Charlotte said. "You have been away for some time."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Angelina replied after a moment of hesitation. "It is an honor to return."

After a long silence which she perceived as a call to withdraw , the queen stated " You are quite the prime article here". Quiet gasps and whispers could be heard, coming from every angle of the room.

Angelina couldn't believe her ears, she smiled elegantly, with pride, unable to speak, curtsying once more before stepping back.

Once she was away from everyone, she released a breath she didn't know she was holding. What just happened? Did the queen really complemented her ?

Her mother hugged her and then said " I'm so proud of you Angelina"

" I can't believe it... Thank you mother"