ₚᵣᵢᵥₐₜₑ 𝒹ₑₜₑ𝒸ₜᵢᵥₑ |ᴬⁿᵗʰᵒⁿʸ ᴮʳᶦᵈᵍᵉʳᵗᵒⁿ

• sі᥊ •

sᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ, ᴇᴠᴇɴɪɴɢ

"Would it pain you to wear some colour tonight? The London season is already terribly monotonous as it is. Must your wardrobe be the same?"

For once, Enola was happy to hear Lady Danbury's scolding voice, but only because this time it was not directed at her.

"I was told this look is quite the rage," Simon countered.

"Certainly not mine," the Countess told him, but eventually managed to show him one of her famous juvenile smiles. "Take my arm before we'll be late."

Enola followed the two of them into the carriage with a smile playin on her lips. Over the last weeks, she had come to enjoy Lady Danbury's company, especially when Simon was also around.

She couldn't explain why she felt that way, especially since the woman always found something to complain about - her posture, her eating habits, the way she smiled even - but it felt good to have someone care about her in a way.

Sherlock may have been her guardian when she was still a minor, but no one can deny that he wasn't the most affectionate older brother to turn to. Opposed to their eldest brother Mycroft, however, he cared.

When they were entering the ballroom all the attention was suddenly drawn to the three of them. Enola didn't shrink under the looks, but she also didn't enjoy them.

Only seconds after they arrived, the Bridgertons also entered the same area. Daphne was led by whom else but the Viscount. Behind them, his two younger brothers entered, each on one side of their mother.

"A dance, miss Bridgerton," Simon swiftly asked.

The viscount wanted to fight him off immediately if it hadn't been for Lady Danbury, who stepped in to save the young couple.

"I shall need someone else to seek me a glass of ratafia, then." She exchanged meaningful glances with the oldest and held out her arm. "Lord Bridgerton, do me the honor?"

"Of course, Lady Danbury," he admitted defeat.

With both the young couple and the Countess and Viscount gone, Enola was left alone standing in front of none other than Violet Bridgerton and two of her sons.

She dipped her head a little. "Good evening, I don't think we have met before. Enola Holmes is my name."

"Ah, you're the one our sister cannot shut up about."

"Colin," Lady Bridgerton scolded her son against his harsh language.

The other one chuckled. "He is not wrong, though. Eloise is truly a fan of your brother's work. She was excited after meeting you and quite embarassed about how it went."

"I see," Enola smiled, remembering the stuttering mess she met earlier this week while on a walk to meet with Simon and Mr. Mondrich.

Seeing her awkward state, the former Viscountess felt pity. "Oh, you must be asked about your brother quite a lot. I'm sorry we've brought him up when meeting you is not about him at all."

Enola stared for a moment, taken aback by Violet Bridgerton's consideration. It was true that she was always asked thinks about her brother. How tall is he? Has he always been this smart? Is he married? The last one was the most annoying question out of all of them - and there were hundreds.