Often

Are you a witch?

"I do not know who this, Anthony, you speak of is, but I was just passing by."

At the sound of the woman's voice, Benedict whipped his head around at an impressive speed for someone who was hungover.

"Woah, the world is spinning." he said, sitting up and holding his head.

The woman came closer to him, hesitating a couple of feet away. He peeked his eyes through his hands and was able to get a good look at her. The sun hit her just right, illuminating her womanly figure. Her dark curls had a golden hue to them from the suns rays, and her dark skin seemed to glow as well. Her dress was not tight, but her curves could still be discerned through the simple clothing.

A light dusting of sun spots lay across the bridge of her nose, and her dark brown eyes were encased by long black lashes. He took note of the grass stained pinafore and baskets of foliage that sat upon her horse.

"Um, well, I thought you were my brother." he responded

"No, sorry, just a stranger." she laughed

he chuckled lightly, thinking it was not a shame to see the goddess before him, over the angry sight that would be his brother. She rocked back and forth lightly on her heels, a sign that she was impatient. He noticed the picnic basket in her hands and figured she had a purpose for coming here.

"We can share this spot. The tree is certainly big enough for the both of us." He said, gesturing to her basket with a nod of his head.

The small movement caused a jolt of pain to run through him, and he hissed aloud at the feeling.

"Okay... Are you alright?" she asked in worry.

"Ah, yes, well, you see, I ran into some old friends from university last night, and we may have partaken in too many libations." He answered, bringing a hand up behind his head.

"Oh, so you're hungover?" she giggled at him. "I might be able to help with that."

The woman sat down with her basket and pulled out a blanket from the basket, and spread it flat on the ground. He watched as she pulled out a tea set as well as a small kettle. She set up a plate with meat, cheese, bread, and jam, then she jumped up and grabbed a couple of flowers and herbs from her horse.

She set to work making tea, it fascinated Benedict as he had never seen tea prepared this way, normally it came already prepared, just waiting for sugar and cream. His eyes couldn't leave the scene before him if he tried, not that they wanted to.

Once the tea was steeping, she continued to unpack her picnic basket,  setting up two plates for eating, napkins, and pillows for comfort. When she finished, she smiled at him.

"I do hope that you're hungry." She said.

Benedict couldn't help looking her over, thinking he was very hungry, just not only for food. "Starving." He responded.

"My name is Benedict, um, Benedict Bridgerton. I am utmost grateful for you, my lady. You see, I left my house in such a rush this morning to escape the incessant noise of my siblings, and I did not even stop to grab food or a map." He rattled on.

She nodded at him in recognition. The Bridgerton name was well known.

"I just walked until I saw this tree from a distance, and I knew it would be a great spot for me to try and rest off this ailment, but I fear I am quite a ways from home and unsure of how to get back, so you have actually saved me from perishing in this, lonely, but albeit lovely spot." He continued.

If the ground opened up right now and swallowed him whole right now, Benedict would not mind. He had a habit of talking too much and not knowing when to stop, a trait that seemed to run in his family, Eloise the next best example of that.