LIMERANCE,, benedict bridgerton

prologue

1803
"Mother can we please take Gregory out on the grounds for a walk, I am so bored and It's terribly stuffy in here" A 7 year Eloise Bridgerton asked her mother.

"Very well then, but remember Gregory has only just learned to walk so be careful please!" Violet said. "Don't worry Violet we'll be extra careful, besides he's in great hands with me." Alexandria smirked and each girl took one of little Gregory's hands and walked off.

"Where are you both off to with a 2 year old?" Anthony questioned as he passed them both in the entryway after just going hunting with his father.

"We're just going to take little Gregory out for a walk, It'll be great exercise!" Alexandria said ticking Gregory.

Eloise strode out the door first darting down the steps whilst Alexandria was holding little Gregory's hand following slowly behind. Gregory was babbling all sorts of baby nonsense that had Alexandria nodding with excitement.

Alexandria looked up for a moment to see if Eloise was still walking infront but instead she had stopped and was looking at something incredibly still.

"Eloise?" Alexandria questioned but when she got closer she saw the look of absolute terror on Eloise's face along with tear stained cheeks.

"What-." Alexandria went to say before she followed Eloise's eyes. Alexandria's breath hitched in her throat and she felt herself go pale.

Edmund Bridgerton was lying sprawled on the ground pale and unmoving. Alexandria got snapped back into reality when Eloise let out a sob.

Alexandria scooped Gregory up into her arms and ran back into the house. "Lexie? What's wrong" Benedict said rushing over to Alexandria after seeing her glassy eyes.

"It's- Its-." Alexandria said struggling to form words, hyperventilating. "Alexandria?" Anthony questioned walking into the room and looking between Alexandria and Benedict.

"It's Mr Bridgerton" Alexandria managed to get out and she saw both of the eldest Bridgertons faces go pale. "He's..." Alexandria sobbed. At that Anthony rushed out and began shouting for help.

"What is all this commotion?" A heavily pregnant Violet said before she seen her beloved husband dead. Violet could not be consoled and the butlers and servants had no idea what to do. "Fetch my mother and father" Alexandria said faintly.

"Why don't you both go back inside" Benedict said to Eloise and Alexandria, his voice breaking. Alexandria guided Eloise inside and towards the sitting area where Eloise broke down in tears and Alexandria consoled her, cuddling her and telling her reassuring things.

"You're my best friend in the whole entire world" Eloise solemnly said and rested her head on Alexandria's shoulder. Little Alexandria knew that she had to remain strong for her best friend so she tried her best to hold her tears back.

Colin made his way into the room and saw both girls and collapsed beside them joining in on a group hug.

"This is a mess" Colin said and both girls nodded.