LIMERANCE,, benedict bridgerton

iv | emerald of the season

"Have you seen this?" Eloise asked sitting down next to Alexandria on the sofa. "Yes I have, I'm not diamond of the season as you and Penelope predicted I would be" Alexandria huffed handing back the scandal sheet to Eloise.

"But you've been named better than that" Eloise smirked. "What could you possibly mean?" Alexandria asked confused now placing the book she was reading down. "Lady Whistledown has crowned you 'Emerald of the season'" Eloise said. "Emerald, you say?" Benedict asks butting into conversation to which Eloise nodded. "Impressive." Benedict added which made Alexandria cock her head to the side in confusion.

"An Emerald isn't better than a diamond." Alexandria sighed. "No, but I think it's prettier." Eloise smiled. "As do I." Benedict agreed which made Alexandria blush a little.

"Perhaps I shall go to this ball tonight in an emerald coloured gown!" Alexandria suggested. "Perhaps you should." Benedict said. "I have been dying to wear my emerald gown ever since I bought it, I just have not seen an opportunity to wear it." Alexandria said, remembering fondly the day she went into Madame Delacroix's shop with her elder sister, Marianne and fell in love at first sight with the dress and purchased it.

"Well tonight's your chance!" Eloise exclaimed.

"Right I best be off I have got to get dressed for tonight!" Alexandria said bouncing up. Benedict's eyes followed Alexandria all the way out the room. "Why are you looking at her like that?" Eloise asked, a slight tone of disgust laced in her voice. "I'm not looking at her in any way!" Benedict said defensively.

❀•°❀°•❀

"Is this tight enough Alexandria?" Alexandria's maid, Clara asked. "No, Just tighten it a little more wouldn't want my breasts falling out" Alexandria joked. "Now that would be quite the scandal!" Clara chuckled.

"Oof. That is most certainly tight enough now Clara." Alexandria said feeling like her ability to breathe had just been taken away from her. "Beauty is pain Alexandria" Clara laughed sensing Alexandria's discomfort. "Quite" Alexandria said.

"Now are you positive your hair and makeup is the way you like it?" Clara asked. Alexandria's hair was tied into a soft half up half down hair style and makeup was quite minimal. "I'm positive, I'll see you downstairs." Alexandria said to which Clara left the room.

Alexandria walked over to her mirror and admired herself fondly in the mirror. Her dress was a stunning emerald colour which was different from her usual soft pastels, the material was silk which Alexandria adored.

"Is the carriage here yet?" Alexandria asked walking into the sitting room. "Yes." Rosalie answered. "Mama, please can I go with you!" Emmeline whined, she was desperate to go to a ball but she was too young. "You're still too young Emmy, In a couple years time you'll be able to make your debut into society and you'll be absolutely perfect!" Alexandria reassured Emmeline.

"Shall we get going?" Rosalie asked and Alexandria nodded and both women got into the carriage. "My dear, please make an effort when talking to the men tonight." Rosalie basically pleaded. "Mama, I know how desperately you want me married off and out of your house but patience is a virtue." Alexandria bit back which shut Rosalie up.

"Oh great we're here." Alexandria said and got out of the carriage before her mother, strutting inside to get away from her mother as fast as possible. Alexandria made her way gracefully down the steps, she looked around the room and seen all eyes on her which made her look down out of embarrassment.

Benedict had noticed that Eloise was no longer listening to him and was instead looking at something in awe. Benedict followed Eloise's eye and he too was in awe at Alexandria's beauty. She had worn the Emerald gown like she said she would.

Alexandria hurriedly made her way towards Benedict and Eloise. "Everyone's looking at me." Alexandria said embarrassed. "As they should be, you look beautiful and also partly because you made the most out of being Emerald of the season." Eloise said to which Alexandria smiled.

"Lexie! You look amazing!" Penelope said making her way over with Colin following close behind. "Thank you" Alexandria smiled. "No one knows to look at you or Edwina Sharma." Colin observed. "That's what happened when there is both a diamond and emerald of the season." Alexandria shrugged.

"My mother says I must make an effort speaking to the men here tonight." Alexandria said rolling her eyes. "Oh don't listen to her. Us three shall be spinsters forever!" Eloise declared. Alexandria nodded but looked to Penelope subtly who shook her head.

Benedict raised an eyebrow at Alexandria surprised as he recalled what Alexandria had said to him days before. "I'm lying." Alexandria mouthed which made Benedict chuckle.

"Eloise dear!" Violet called. "And that is our queue to go!" Alexandria said linking her arm with Penelope walking off. "Traitors." Eloise whisper shouted. "Let's get some refreshments I'm absolutely parched" Penelope said as they made their way to the lemonade stand.

Alexandria and Penelope decided to go outside to get air as the room all of a sudden felt stuffy and hot. "Penelope!" Colin said making his way over to the girls. "How are you enjoying the ball?" Colin asked as Alexandria stood a little to the side trying to pretend she wasn't listening.

"It's good so far! I am so glad I get to wear this dress." Penelope said pointing down at her pink dress. "Although It is not yellow enough for my mama" Penelope chuckled.

"Mr Bridgerton" The voice of Cressida Cowper said. "Oh here we go." Alexandria muttered. "I believe you owe me a dance this evening, and I only have one more space remaining on my card." Cressida said to which Alexandria rolled her eyes.

"How convenient!" Penelope said sarcastically to which Cressida spilled her drink all down Penelope's dress. "Penelope I did not see you there!" Cressida smirked. Alexandria could see Penelope holding back tears.

Alexandria pretended to walk by Cressida before spilling the entirety of her full glass all down Cressidas expensive gown. "Oh Cressida I didn't see you there!" Alexandria mocked. "You bitch!" Cressida exclaimed and Alexandria smiled sarcastically. Penelope looked gratefully at Alexandria.

"I'm afraid I cannot offer you that dance Miss Cowper." Colin said. "I am to escort Miss Featherington to the floor." Colin said and took Penelope's hand and walked off. Cressida stood dumbfounded and embarrassed.

Alexandria began walking back to the house as she was bored outside now alone. "I seen what you did there. Quite the hero indeed." Benedict smirked walking beside her. "I hate bullies and Cressida Cowper." Alexandria said simply.

"Any lucky men on your dance card yet?" Benedict asked. "I've been running away when I see any approaching." Alexandria confessed which made Benedict chuckle.

Once they were inside they both got a glass of champagne and stood at the back of the hall observing everyone. "Miss Avalon." Alexandria heard a man's voice say and she internally groaned.

"Mr Wilson! To what do I owe the pleasure." Alexandria said politely. "May I dance with you?" Mr Wilson asked. Alexandria looked around the room subtly and saw her mother who was watching and nodded encouragingly.

"Of course." Alexandria said and took his hand and walked to the dance floor. During the dance Mr Wilson stepped on her toes a couple of times which made her suck in. She caught Benedict's eye, he was dancing with another lady. "Help!" She mouthed to him and he nodded back agreeing.

"Let's take a walk around the garden." Mr Wilson suggested after the dance was over. "Oh, okay." Alexandria said feeling a little nervous and he guided her by the arm outside. Alexandria looked back and saw Benedict's eyes following them both.

*****
Just adding this in quickly to say the scene with penelope, colin, cressida was originally from season 1 but as this book starts in season 2 , i seen it best fit here and alexandria pouring the drink over cressida best fits alexandria's character!