Miss Bridgertons Prince • 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒐𝒏

Tension

Bridgerton

SEASON FOUR
CHAPTER SEVEN

'Tension'

"Miss Elodie, you have a visitor in the art room," the maid announced with a smile, her tone suggesting some intrigue.

Elodie, in the midst of putting on her dress and finalizing her hair, nodded absently. "I will be there shortly. Thank you."

Descending the grand staircase of the Bridgerton estate, Elodie made her way to the art room. Pushing open the ornate door, she was greeted by the sight of Prince Theodore lounging on the couch, a picture of calm confidence.

"Oh, it's you," she remarked, her tone laced with thinly veiled annoyance as she collapsed into a nearby chair.

"Not happy to see me?" Theodore teased, a smirk playing on his lips. "Anyway, I have a plan for tomorrow's ball."

Elodie, despite herself, couldn't hide her curiosity. She shot up from her seat, her eyes narrowing. "I'm listening."

—

The grand ballroom was a sight to behold, adorned with shimmering chandeliers and elegantly dressed guests. The air was thick with anticipation and the hum of whispered conversations. Elodie, dressed in a stunning emerald gown that accentuated her every movement, reluctantly walked into the Queen's ball hand in hand with Prince Theodore. His presence beside her was both infuriating and magnetic, and she hated how aware she was of every brush of his fingers against hers.

As they made their entrance, heads turned, and whispers followed them. Elodie couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on her, scrutinizing, judging. But Theodore, with his usual arrogance, seemed completely unfazed.

"Theodore, are you sure about this plan of yours?" she asked, her voice low but edged with skepticism.

"Trust me," he murmured, his lips dangerously close to her ear. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and she cursed the way her body reacted to his nearness. "Just follow my lead."

They began to dance, moving effortlessly across the polished floor. Theodore's hand rested firmly on the small of her back, guiding her with an assurance that only made her more aware of the tension crackling between them.

"Why do I get the feeling you're enjoying this far too much?" Elodie quipped, trying to keep her voice steady as her heart raced.

"Perhaps because I am," he replied, his tone teasing. His eyes, dark and intense, locked onto hers. "You're not so terrible when you're not constantly trying to prove how much you dislike me."

"Don't get used to it," she shot back, though her voice lacked its usual venom.

As the dance continued, Theodore leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "You're quite captivating tonight, Elodie."

She stiffened, torn between the urge to push him away and the undeniable pull she felt towards him. "And you're insufferable," she managed, though her voice was softer than she'd intended.

He chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent another shiver through her. "Insufferable, perhaps. But you can't deny the chemistry between us."

Elodie glared at him, her cheeks flushing. "Chemistry? Is that what you call this constant bickering?"

Theodore's smile was infuriatingly confident. "Call it what you will, but it's undeniable."

Before she could respond, the music shifted, and Theodore deftly spun her around, pulling her close. Their faces were inches apart, and Elodie could feel the heat radiating from him. She hated how her body betrayed her, leaning into his touch, her breath catching.