you are in love, BENEDICT BRIDGERTON

THE FALLEN OAK

sunday teas at bridgerton house were most enjoyed by the driftwater girls and penelope featherington. whilst the younger group of girls would actually sit around and drink tea with lady bridgerton and hyacinth, alison would race-off to benedict's study to accompany him.

but today, that was not the case. the two sisters arrived at the house like always, unplanningly meeting penelope at the door.

"pen!" edith exclaimes, rushing over to the red-head who was about to knock on the door, pulling her into a tight hug. "i feel i have not seen you as of late."

that much was true, ever since the queen's ball a few days ago edith has been spending a considerable amount of time with miss edwina sharma. they would promenade and go for walks, hangout at lady danbury's home, and even pass notes through maids. most of which edith would normally do with her two best friends, minus the passing notes. this bond was rather odd and a friendship unlike she had with any of the young ladies of the ton, but it was a true connection they had found in the midst of the ton's chaos - and for that, edith was greatful.

"hello, pen." alison greets the younger girl with a kind smile.

the two always thought sisterly of eachother, and as benedict had began to go to parties last season penelope and anthony were rocks for alison.
though she had considerable friendships with daphne and colin, the two were far more distracted by their prospective matches last season.

penelope knocks on the door, and the three are let in by a household maid. "let us get inside." penelope giggles, linking arms with edith as alison walks close behind.

once they are inside the sitting-room, penelope creeps up behind eloise and places a hand on her shoulder. "is that a copy of lady whistledown?"

"yes, i thought the same thing. were you not done with her, el?" edith speaks as she sits on the chair beside eloise, joined only a second later by pen.

"hello, you." alison chuckles as she stands beside her best friend's seat on the couch. "shift your feet."

benedict jokingly rolls her eyes and makes room for her. "is that better?"

"profoundly, yes." she giggles as she sits, making him smile. benedict found out very early on in their friendship that he rather enjoyed when she would laugh at him, and in turn decided that he would always try to make her laugh just to hear the sound that was like music to his ears.

"what are you working on?" alison looks over his shoulder at his sketch book.

"just some sketches. painting ideas that aren't quite there yet." he speaks honestly.