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The carriage door swung open, revealing a sight that sent a shiver down Eloise and Mary's spine. Prince Edward, resplendent in royal blue, stood at the top of the steps, his hand clasped with that of his soon to be wife, Miss Lilith Grimes.
Instinctively, Eloise and Mary straightened, their hands brushed against each other as they bowed low. "Good Morning, your Highness" they spoke in unison, their voices as smooth as the silk of their gowns.
Prince Edward returned their greeting with a warm smile, his judgmental gaze lingering on Eloise for a moment longer than expected. He then turned to Lilith, his expression softening further. Leaning down, he gently kissed her hand, a gesture that spoke volumes about their growing love.
"Farewell, my lovely Lilith" He then stepped into the ornate royal carriage, a wave of his hand a final goodbye.
As soon as the carriage disappeared, Lilith turned to Eloise and Mary, her blue eyes flickering over them with an intensity that sent shivers down their spines.
"Mary, is it?" she said, her voice low and clipped, her gaze never leaving Mary's face. "I've heard much of you. Eloise just could not shut up about you" she grinned, a hint of venom coating her words.
Eloise watched as Lilith placed her hands behind her back, her intense gaze scanning the fiery haired woman beside her. A subtle grimace twisted upon her delicate features.
"Come along ladies, unless you wish to catch a cold" she finally spoke, her voice regaining its usual clipped tone. She turned away, her back stiff and unyielding, and began to walk towards the home, her movement as graceful as a swan but as cold as an icy winter wind.
Eloise exchanged a nervous glance with Mary, a question simmering in her eyes. But Mary simply shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes and a hint of a teasing smile playing upon her lips.
—
The air hummed with the gentle clink of spoons against porcelain, the murmur of conversation, and the soft rustle of silk skirts. At the elegant tea table, Eloise Bridgerton, her cheeks flushed with a soft rose hue, sat stiffly, her gaze darting between the ornate teacups and the delicate pastries before her. Beside her, her dear friend Mary, dressed in a bright gown that seemed to echo the summer sky, was telling Lilith a fabricated tale of how they met in Scotland.
"It was a most peculiar encounter, I assure you" Mary declared, her voice bubbling with feigned excitement. "Eloise was wandering through town, quite lost. She found me on the steps of a soap store reading poetry"
Lilith listened with a half-hearted smile. Her gaze, however, drifted from Mary's animated face to Eloise's, lingering on the curve of her neck and the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Her lips curved into a knowing smirk, and her eyes filled with a lustful glint.
"And i assume Eloise was immediately captivated by your love for novels and poetries" Lilith purred, her voice a low, alluring rumble. "Or perhaps how well you lead? She's always fancied a bit of...dominance"
Eloise's blush deepened, and she nervously reached for a pastry, her fingers trembling slightly. "I- Mary is very well at guiding me" she stammered, her voice a barely audible whisper. "She is an exemplary woman. Truly"
She took a hastily bite of the pastry, the sweet filling doing little to soothe the fluttering in her chest.
Lilith chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Eloise's spine. "How well can she guide?" she murmured, her eyes tracing the delicate curve of Eloise's collarbone.
Eloise's gaze darted to Lilith, then back to Mary, who seemed oblivious to the undercurrent of tension that crackled between the two women. "Very um well" she cleared her throat loudly. "We are... quite the pair, aren't we?" she stuttered, trying to sound casual.
"You are indeed" Lilith purred, leaning forward, her eyes fixated on Eloise. "And Mary" she said, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper, "You are quite blessed to have someone like Eloise. She has so much to offer."
A knowing look flickered across Lilith's face as she pointedly glanced at Eloise's bosom. Across the table, Eloise felt her cheeks burn even hotter.
"Speaking of blessings" Lilith continued, her voice regaining its usual sharpness, "Will you two bless us with your stay this weekend?"
Eloise, caught off guard by the question, choked on her tea. A coughing fit wracked her body, and she clutched her chest, her face turning crimson. "Y-yes" she managed to gasp, her voice trembling.
Lilith raised her teacup in a silent toast, a charming smile dancing on her lips. "Perfect"
She turned to a passing footman, her voice ringing with the authority that came with wealth and influence. "Please take Miss Bridgerton and Miss..." She paused, a hint of amusement in her voice, " Miss... what was it again?"
"Mary" Eloise choked out, her cheeks still flushed.
"Yes! Miss Mary" Lilith continued, her eyes never leaving Eloise's. "Please take them to their sleeping quarters. And remember" she added, her voice dropping to a whisper, "I expect to see you both downstairs for dinner"
The footman, his expression impassive, bowed and gestured for Mary and Eloise to follow him. As they left the room, Eloise could practically feel Lilith's gaze boring into her back, a silent promise of a weekend filled with unspoken desires and forbidden passions.
The air was thick with a tension that crackled between them, a silent acknowledgment of a forbidden attraction that was as potent as it was dangerous. And as Eloise walked away, her heart pounding in her chest, she couldn't help but wonder if this weekend was truly just about a social visit... or the start of something much more daring.
