A Gamble // Benedict Bridgerton

Chapter Seven

Word Count: 2,503 words. 

Warnings: None. 

Edward was reading the latest Lady Whistledown aloud in the drawing room the next morning.

"Dearest gentle reader," he began, and Evelyn sighed, book in hand as she lay back on the nearest chair. "It has been said that competition is an opportunity for us to rise and stand ready before our greatest of challengers. Well, if what this author hears this morning is true then great challenge concerning this season's diamond has been set forth indeed."

"Her grammar needs work," Evelyn commented from her horizontal position. Her siblings shushed her simultaneously as Edward continued.

"Any suitor wishing to gain an audience with Miss Edwina Sharma must first tame the rather prickly spinster of a beast otherwise known as her sister. Of course, the only competition that compels my attention is the game of courtship. So best of luck to this year's players. Do try not to stumble on the starting line."

"Her words are always so inspiring," Augusta commented, already fanning herself down. Evelyn questioned whether she had any other talents.

Sitting up with the book open in her hand, the youngest princess addressed the room. "She did not reveal anything. If you cared to paid attention, you would have known who the diamond was."

"Yes, but the part about the prickly sister," she argued. "No one could have seen that."

"Correction," she countered. "Anyone with eyes could have." Augusta scoffed as Evelyn returned to her lying position.

"What are you reading anyway?" Fredrick questioned from her nearby chair.

"It would not interest you," she countered, turning the page.

"Is that the name of the first or second edition?" Edward commented, walking around to snatch the book from her hand.

"Give that back," she demanded, straightening and holding out a stern finger.

"Oh? Is the princess ordering me?" he questioned.

"Yes, she is." Before Evelyn could jump from the chair to attack her brother, Reynolds knocked on the door and entered.

"My apologies your Royal Highnesses," he muttered, and Evelyn took the moment of time to snatch the book back from Edward.

"Is everything alright Reynolds?" she asked, standing and approaching her servant. She hoped it did not have to do with her father.

"There is a visitor here for you. A Miss Eloise Bridgerton," he informed her, and the young princess smiled.

"Thank you. I will be down momentarily."

"A who and a who now?" Fredrick questioned as Reynolds left.

"Eloise Bridgerton is a friend," Evelyn informed her siblings.

"I ask again, who?" Fredrick countered.

"You have friends?" Augusta asked sequentially.

Rolling her eyes, the princess made for the door. "You are all utterly hilarious," she muttered, unimpressed, before hurrying out the door to great her guest.

Eloise was at the bottom of the stairs, and Evelyn took note of her mother, the Lady Violet Bridgerton beside her. They muttered amongst themselves.

"Eloise!" Evelyn greeted, skipping down the stairs. Reynolds was at her back.