Often

Changing

Benedict could hear the hushed voices as he made his way towards the sitting room. Normally, he would be delighted to hear them, knowing that his siblings had done something of note, but today, he was sure the whispers were about him.

He couldn't blame them. Before his encounter with Miss Blackmoore yesterday, he hadn't really done anything of note. He was able to skirt by on being a 'Bridgerton' as long as he kept his affairs secret. There was no need to do better.

He had spent all night drawing. His once treasured pastime had laid, gathering dust for the past few months, nothing sparking his interest . That is until Adalia, her eyes centered the sketch, a focal point, and the first thing one noticed on the paper. 

Yes, Benedict was feeling like a changed man, and if one meeting with the beguiling woman could set off an inner explosion so great in him, then he looked forward to future interactions. 

Making his way into the pale blue and beige room, all eyes cut towards him.

"Good morning, family!" he said brightly.

He took note of Miss Featherington sitting alongside his sister, dressed in a loud yellow colour. His younger siblings greeted back, with Hyacinth sending a special smirk his way, one that spoke of trouble.

"Benedict, you've slept in quite late this morning, I hope your affliction is not worsening." Eloise smiled at him.

"I assure you that I am cured of any such illness, and I was just up late last night drawing, I think I might enroll at the arts school, I have found a new determination." His joy could not be contained.

"That is good brother, you have been idle for far too long." Anthony stated, always having to get a dig in.

"Benedict, I am so proud of you, my dear. Your father always loved your drawings, and I fear that in his absence, you've lost your ambition. Whatever has brought about this change must be celebrated!" His mother cheered.

The family changed greatly with his father's passing, none as out worldly so as Anthony. His older brother had changed from the happy young man he had once been to a stern, short tempered rake.

With his new resolve to marry this season, a shadow had darkened Anthony's eyes. He was doing so to uphold the family name. A feeling that Benedict hadn't had to feel and could only imagine the weight it carried on his brother's soul.

They were interrupted by their younger brother making his way into the drawing room, doors flung open behind him, and delighted squeals and calls sent his way.

Colin Bridgerton was back.

His eyes took in the changes to his family in his time away. His gaze stopped on one brightly dressed redhead, someone who was not an unwelcome sight to him. A person who had been on his mind quite often on his travels.

As the short redhead made her way towards the door, trying to slip out unseen, Benedict watched his brothers slight distress at not being able to say hello to the family friend. Maybe there was something in the ton's air, for it seemed the Bridgerton men had been put under a spell.

His stare wandered over towards his eldest brother and debuting sister, a chuckle leaving him at the thoughts of either of those two settling down properly, finding a love match as his mother so wished for.

He once would have thought the same notion preposterous of himself, but the idea of settling with Miss Blackmoore was starting to sound better by the minute. 

His family chaos died down slowly, genuine smiles on everyone's face as Colin told them stories of his ventures and produced gifts for each person in the household.