daylight | b. bridgerton

ix | dancing, dealings

Once again, Vivienne clung onto her brother's arm as they entered the ball, although this time, she was on Henry's arm. Ambrose argued that his arm was still bruised. Henry was beginning to see what he meant.

He led them immediately to the lemonade corner. "Take a sip, Vivy. I can feel your nervousness cutting off my circulation."

"Sorry," she said sheepishly, taking a sip of lemonade.

"Lady Vivienne! How lovely to see you again," the duke of Essex greeted, appearing out of literally nowhere. "Lord Somerset, lovely to see you aswell."

"Your grace," Henry bowed his head, as Vivienne curtsied.

"If I may, Lord Somerset," started the duke, holding out his hand to Vivienne, "I would like to take your sister to dance."

Vivienne looked at Henry, as he gave her an encouraging nod. She looked away and took the duke's hand. As they made their way to the dance floor, shecould feel the envious stares of other debutantes on her, and the acidic stares of all the men on him. He ignored it, so she did too.

A lively quadrille played, and despite her aversion to dancing, she began to enjoy herself. The duke was an excellent dancer. Then she remembered thatit was probably because he had almost two decades experience, and then she was upset about the situation again.

"You are an excellent dancer," The duke said, as if reading her thoughts.

Gross. "You as well, your grace."

He chuckled. "I appreciate it, my lady." He spun her around once more, and with that, the dance ended. They bowed and curtsied to each other."Thank you for a lovely dance, Lady Vivienne. I shall leave you to your own devices now, but I do hope we cross paths again soon."

Please no. "I would love that, your grace," and she left him and the dance floor with a curtsy.

Once more, she found herself in the lemonade corner, where another lady stood alone. "Hello," Vivienne greeted, "Not feeling up to dancing?"

She ducked her head, her auburn hair falling in front of her face. "Not particularly, I find that the walls are more supportive than a dance partner."

Vivienne laughed. "I understand that, miss..." she trailed off, not knowing her name.

"Penelope," the girl filled in, "Featherington."

Ah. She had heard of their family before. Her father didn't like them very much, which Vivienne attributed as a plus for miss Penelope. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Featherington."

"You as well, Lady Vivienne."

Vivienne did not question how Miss Featherington knew her name, as she was distracted by the girl across the room she just noticed. "It was lovely to talk to you, but if you'll excuse me, I must acquaint myself with a friend of mine."

She left her current commitment once more, moving to the other side of the room excitedly. "Frannie!"

Francesca's face lit up. She had also been standing fairly alone, apart from her mother, who had also just left her. "Vivienne! How are you?"

"Tired of this already."

Francesca smiled. "I'm glad you are here though, I have been thinking about our piece."

Vivienne nodded excitedly. "I have been as well. I think we should add an E section after the portion in F major, and write it in d minor. That way we could tie it into your section in the beginning with the mordents, and it would flow better into the coda."

The gears in Francesca's mind turned quickly. "That is an amazing idea! I was considering something similar, in adding a small scherzo type part in between C and D. It would add a style change from the legato articulations, and it would also be so fun to play. I was thinking we could take inspiration from Handel?"