Eloise Featherington: Bridgerton

11| Honeymoon begins

It was the new day he woke me up. Sun has already taken its position in the sky with everything basking in his light. Pen asked me to come for breakfast and to hurry as we were getting late already. Usually I hate when people make haste but I loved it when he asked as I could not wait to see the foreign lands and foreign sites.

Wearing my empire-waist gown and adding a shawl in it. I made a bun and wore my gloves. It was all new and elegant. I could see Mama put a lot of effort in arranging all this. As a final touch I wore light makeup and added a smile on top of it. Slowly I went out I could see the heaviness was lifted as I pour my heart out last night.

Passing through the halls he was sitting on a big dining table with eleven chairs on each side. He was sitting in the middle wearing tailcoats,breaches and waistcoats and adding a cravat to it. I simply could not find the reason behind his overly dress up. It was just silly. He gave me a nod.

Palace was not empty today there was a retinue of servants taking things in and out to the carriage and horses. They were taking care of the luggage. I never imagine Pen being this responsible and managing important matters. We indeed have grown up. I took a look at him while the servant set my plate.

Table was filled with tea, chocolates, fresh juices, toasts and potted meats with nuts. I took a bite and steal a peak at Pen. He was hardly eating and he was staring at some documents. He was totally not focused on me. A minute later he quickly left the table and went out. He was dealing with the servants ordering them around. He has hardly eaten anything.

I made a roll of pastry and bind it in tissues carefully. As I knew he loved pastries. I was thankful to him for a lot of things I at least owe that to him. Holding the pastry roll in my hand I took my seat in the carriage. Arrangements were done. In a minute he said "We are heading to France first because I know you like it there most. I have arranged things to do there but if you have any particular things we can do that as well." He said in a formal way.

Sometimes he would feel so distant just like now. As he avoided eye contact and I could see how a lot of things were running in his mind. "Here" I offered him the roll. Surprised by this "What is this?" He looked at me surprisingly. "I noticed you did not eat much and you like pastries so I took some for you." I answered.

"I do not eat much nowadays but thank you I appreciate it." He gave me a smile. "Why don't you? I asked.

"I am trying to lose weight. I want to look good with you." He replied.

"How stupid! Why should not you eat? What is wrong with being a little healthy. Why do you even care? I do not care about such stuff." I agitated.

"People do and people talk and they giggle. I do not want them to talk about that. I can lose a lot of things just for you anyway." He smile at me again.

"How stupid! Here eat it! I hate your tone." I tried to hand it to him again.

"I cannot I am losing weight." He denied again.

"You can be as skinny as you can but I will still hate you. I hate this new you, your tone and this feeling. As if I do not know you. You even avoid looking at me now when I speak how disrespectful." I was offended.

"I am sorry." He said and turned his head down.

I could see his attempt on my ego. For some reason I wanted to flush all of these things and find my friend again who used to listen to me. I quickly held his face in my hands and tried to open his mouth then forcing the roll in his mouth. Some of the cream slipped out and spread on his face and it looked really funny. To have more fun I forced him to eat all of it. While he stayed motionless.

His eyes widen up and his face turned red. "Here" I handed him tissue. "There is cream on your face clean it." He quickly grabbed it and started wiping it.

"It was not ladylike Eloise do not do it again. You did cross a line here." He was serious.

"Excuse me?" I was shocked by his tone. What has gone into him.

"You were almost pushing yourself on me. You were so close and holding my face in your hands. I could see a little under your dress. Now my heart is beating fast and I am thinking bad things. You should not play with me like that. You need to understand that I am a man with feelings and I am resisting and controlling because I love you I do all this to make you happy so you might fall in love with me someday." His tone was harsh.

He knocked at the door and quickly went out for the rest of the ride he stayed out with the horsemen while I stayed inside alone. I was unobservant and I might have really lost Pen I need to remember that now.

It was going to take three days to France. It was almost midnight when the carriage stopped. We stopped our journey at a countryside Palace that he has booked. During the dinner and even after that he avoided me. I tried to ignore him as well and tried to read my new found books. Until I heard knocking at the door.

"Yes?"

"Pen here! Can you unlock the door?" I heard his voice.

I quickly placed my book and opened the door. He was standing with a sad face and wet hair. He looked at me for a second then quickly questioned: "when you get sick? Does Lady Bridgerton stay with you through night or your any sister?"

It was a weird question "Yes Mama stays with me. Are you sick?"

"No does she hug you to help you sleep?"

"Sometimes." I stare at him. He was definitely being weird.

"Does it feel good?"

"Yes it's always good to have someone by your side." I stare at him suspiciously.

"Other day you said that I am soft. What does it mean?" He kept looking away while his face was flushed.

"It means what I said that your skin is soft. Why do not you get to the point?" I asked straightforwardly.

"I cannot sleep. I was wondering if I can spend the night here in your room... on your bed and if we can cud....cuddle. I will not misbehave I swear on my Mama." He stroke his hair. I raised my eyebrow it was totally unexpected.

"Come in we can share bed but about cuddle I do not know we can see that. But you must know I see you like I see Francesca or Gregory or Daphne." I answered him. For some reason I felt bad for him too.

He came in. I locked the door and took my seat again. I could see his hesitation. "Come on now."

He sat on the other side then slowly put his feet on and lie down.

"Why is your hair wet?

"I did exercise. I sweat a lot so I took a bath." He said while he stare at the roof.

"You look so restless all the time."

He stayed silent. Slowly I slid close to him. I held him with a hand and tired to hug him. It was awkward. I felt some weird things but he was really warm and it did not felt bad. I could do that. I held him tightly.

"Yes I can sleep like this." I said.

Pen: "Can we sleep like this every night? I want to sleep next to you. To have someone by my side and I want to see you first every morning."

"Okay. Now do not make it weird." I asked him. I could feel his heart beat that was really fast and now it was slowing down. It certainly felt good.
He wake me up while I grabbed him even tightly with my eyes closed.

Pen: "We need to continue our journey." He said politely.

In a minute I opened my eyes. I was holding his waist tightly and it was definitely a little intimate. He was lying still I quickly let him go and went in the bath it was a bit weird now.

After few days we finally reached France. The books I read until now about it definitely did justice to its beauty and marvel. We visited its balls, museums, art theatres and cultural and historical sites. It was a treat to the eyes. Dining with the socialites and some intellectuals at night and we traveled a lot and the best part was that it has just begun.