Lost in Translation (C. Bridgerton)

Chapter 13: I thought we had no chance

August 4, 1816 – It is with a touch of disappointment that I must report the utter lack of excitement brought by the Montclairs this season. The French family arrived in London with a promise of brilliance, only to leave us wanting in the absence of any true spectacle. One would expect that such a distinguished and intriguing family would set the ton ablaze with stories of romance and intrigue. Yet, all we have is a chill in the air and a longing for what could have been.

Young Louis Montclair may still be too green to set hearts aflutter, but Lady Y/N Montclair, with her grace and charm, should have at least gifted us with a simple love story, if not the grand epic we so eagerly anticipated. But there is still time for her to find a match, and with so many eligible bachelors in Mayfair, the possibilities are endless.

You scoffed at the gossip column in your hand, scandalized.

"I'm not that boring, am I?" you wondered aloud.

Eloise snorted, looking up from her book as she sat across from you in the Bridgerton sunroom. "I assume you read Whisteldown? She was particularly ruthless this morning, I will admit. It is your first season, after all!"

You grumbled in annoyance, once again displeased by the expectations this mystery woman had placed upon you. It wasn't like anyone knew who you were before you arrived in London. It wasn't until her column that people started spreading rumors and believing you had something to offer that the rest of the ton did not.

But alas, what were you to do about it? If everyone in the ton expected you to have a magical love story and find the love of your life, they could have been so kind as to provide you with someone to fall for.

And that had not been the case so far. You had not found anyone to grow feelings for yet. No one suitable, at least, you mentally corrected yourself as you looked at Colin, who had just walked through the door. But it wasn't like you actually had feelings for him. He was just Colin, the man who regularly drove you insane, initial misunderstanding or not.

"Are you ladies ready?" he asked, placing his hands behind his back politely.

You smiled to yourself at his gesture, but quickly shook the thought away as you looked at Eloise.

"Thank you again for chaperoning, Colin," she said, smiling a little too wide for someone who was simply going to a gallery with her friend and her brother.

You narrowed your eyes slightly. "I still don't understand why we needed another chaperone. Elizabeth is quite enough on her own," you said, referring to your lady's maid, who was going to come with you as well.

"Each of us needs a chaperone," Eloise responded as if it was obvious.

Not entirely convinced, you raised an eyebrow archly and turned to look at Colin, who just shrugged in response.

"And you wanted to come? Willingly?" you asked him.

He laughed, highly amused at how suspicious you were of him. "I promise you, I was not forced to come against my will."

"Well, let's go then," urged Eloise, hooking her arm in yours and dragging you out of the room.

---

Colin looked around the room, eyes searching for you. It had become second nature to look for you in every room he was in, and he could freely admit to himself that you were too captivating to look away from.

Being friends with you might not have been his first choice, but it was yours, and he was more than happy to comply. He would find love again, eventually. Or maybe he wouldn't. But he would rather respect your wishes and never be with you romantically than pressure you into something you could never want.