daylight | b. bridgerton

xvi | expulsion, gardens

To Vivienne's absolute horror, she was lying on Benedict Bridgerton's chest. It appeared they had fallen asleep outside, on her balcony last night, and it was horrifying. The sun had barely risen.

She stirred, putting her hand fully on his chest as she pushed herself up. Then she shot up in absolute horror, ripping the blanket off both of them. "Wake up. You have to leave."

"Huh?" Benedict rubbed the tired out of his eyes.

Vivienne began pacing on the balcony. "You need to leave before anyone sees you, before I..."

"Alright," he said, propping himself up, groaning. His back had never hurt more than it did right now. "Give me a moment, though, my back feels pulverized."

"No," she insisted. "You must leave right now. Please." She was pacing faster, and began to hyperventilate.

His gaze turned soft, and he stood up, despite his back telling him to lie down forever. He put his hands on her shoulders. "Breathe," he said "Breathe with me." She did, her breaths slowing down. "It's going to be alright. I am going to leave right now, and no one will see me. I'm very discreet, angel." He added that last part a bit too cheekily for Vivienne's liking.

She nodded. "Alright," she said, calming now. "Alright."

Benedict bent down to be eye level with her. "Yes?"

Vivienne nodded again. "Yes."

He smiled, giving her a quick kiss on the top of her head, that could be interpreted simply as a friendly gesture. But her stomach did flips as he pulled her closer. He turned to move towards the rope ladder, before she called him back.

"Benedict?"

"Yes, angel?"

"Your cravat's crooked again."

–

Later in the afternoon, Anna was finding it very difficult to help Vivienne get ready for the ball tonight, when she was so obviously mentally absent.

"My lady," Anna started tentatively as she pulled her hair back. "Is something the matter? I cannot help but notice you are not as enthusiastic as you normally are?"

Vivienne sighed, her defenses crumbling. "Forgive me, I am just distracted."

Anna smiled knowingly. "Ah, by a certain man of the ton, I presume?" She continued at Vivienne's telling, and very pink blush. "I have heard the duke is a good man."

"Where did you hear that from?" Vivienne asked, coming back to her senses, her eyes snapping to meet Anna's in the mirror.

"Oh, you know," Anna said, nonchalantly as she adjusted the rouge on Vivenne's cheek. "Servants talk, my lady."

Vivienne did not respond, lost in thought once more. Anna kept talking nonetheless, "Besides, I saw those tulips you are keeping next to your bed. Only a good and thoughtful man would have brought you a beautiful bouquet of your favorite flowers."

"Yes, Anna," she conceded, "He is wonderful."

–

Once again, Ambrose feared for his life as Vivienne gripped his arm like a vice. As they entered the ballroom, Vivienne made a beeline for where Francesca stood near the lemonades, dodging all the stares of the bachelors vying for her hand.

"Francesca!" She said, approaching the table. "I've missed you."

"Hello, Vivienne," Francesca greeted equally zealous, "It does feel like ages doesn't it?"

Vivienne hastily agreed. "I have so much to fill you in on," she whined. And then she began spitting out words to Francesca. When she was done, Francesca did the same. Eventually, Catherine came up to them both, and the three debutants began to air out their turmoils.