limerence || benedict bridgerton

vi | secret meetings

"Why did he do that to you?" Rosalie asked Alexandria once they were home. "I don't know he just forced himself on me" Alexandria said, Thomas sat down beside her and rubbed her back.

"Oh come on! You had to have done something for him to come on to you" Rosalie said not believing Alexandria. "Rosalie!" Thomas shouted.

"Mother you can be so cruel sometimes" Alexandria said her voice shakey and she stormed upstairs.

"Are you alright?" Emmeline asked hearing all the shouting downstairs. "Don't worry about it Emmy" Alexandria sadly smiled wiping a tear away. "But you're crying?" Emmeline said walking over to Alexandria.

"I'm okay" Alexandria said. "I love you" Emmeline said embracing her sister in a hug. "I love you too" Alexandria said. "What was that for?" Alexandria asked. "Lexie, were sisters even when you don't outwardly say what your feeling i'll always know" Emmeline said sweetly. "I know" Alexandria said. "You remind me so much of myself at your age" Alexandria said remembering fondly.

"Goodnight Lexie" Emmeline said. "Goodnight Emmy" Alexandria said making her way into her bedroom.

When Alexandria got into her bedroom she immediately changed into her white lace night dress and took her hair down and makeup off, not bothering to get a maid to help her.

Alexandria collapsed on her bed and tears streamed down her cheek. She tried to sleep but found she couldn't, her mind was preventing her.

Alexandria was looking at the ceiling when she heard a loud noise at her window. She got up quickly to see Benedict swinging his leg over into her room.

Benedict paused when he got into Alexandria's room. The way her curls that were usually pulled back were now cascading down her back and her white dressing gown had him too stunned to speak or for that matter move. Alexandria looked so innocent and at the same time delicate at this moment. Her cheeks were stained and her lips were red and puffy from crying but she still looked so flawless and kissable.

From the way Benedict was looking at her, Alexandria felt naked even though she was fully clothed. His eyes gliding across her features ever so subtly but Alexandria knew Benedict so well.

"Benedict what the fuck?!" Alexandria exclaimed, breaking the staring contest they had going on. "I just had to check on you" Benedict said casually as if it was nothing he just climbed into her bedroom.

"But I could wait until the morning" Benedict said. "So you just decide to scale the bloody building and risk getting caught and hurt yourself?" Alexandria said. "Pretty much yes" Benedict nodded. "You never fail to amaze me" Alexandria laughed.

"Take off your boots everyone will hear you walking around" Alexandria said. "Oh yes sorry" Benedict said and undone his boots.

"So how are you?" Benedict asked. "Not good. When we returned mother tried to accuse me of doing something to make Mr Wilson force himself on me!" Alexandria said throwing her hands up.

"That's-." Benedict said shaking his head. "That's absolutely horrible for her to say" Benedict said in disbelief. "I know your mother was always quite mean towards you but this is something else" Benedict said.

"I don't know why she is the way she is with me. She's always been so proud of Marianne and is constantly comparing me to her. Marianne is 4 years older than me for goodness sake" Alexandria said. "No matter what I do I disappoint her. I think it's because I have dreams and Marianne always wanted to be a housewife" Alexandria said.

"You'd think your mother would be happy you're ambitious" Benedict said. "I know" Alexandria sighed.

"Well I best be off." Benedict announced. "Be careful you don't get caught by your family" Alexandria said as the Bridgerton household was just across the street from the Avalons. "Or worse the ton" Alexandria smirked and Benedict shivered.

❀•°❀°•❀
The Avalons and Lady Grant all sat in the sitting room of the home waiting around for callers for Alexandria.

"Why isn't anyone coming" Alexandria huffed. "Am I so repulsive?" Alexandria added singing dramatically flopping down on the sofa.

"Patience my dear" Celine sing songed. "It's probably to do with the fact you left the ball rather dramatically after your little incident last night" Rosalie snapped.

"What did you expect me to do mother? Would you rather me waltz back in with a puffy face and bruised knuckles is that it!" Alexandria snarled and Rosalie waved her off dismissively.

"May I remind you Rosalie that you in fact did not have any callers for atleast a week until lovely Thomas came along" Celine said to her daughter. Alexandria bit back laughter and looked at her grandmother who smirked at her.

Alexandria and her grandmother had an amazing bond and it had been that way ever since she was born. Celine knew the unfair treatment her daughter gave to Alexandria so in turn Celine tended to back Alexandria up and defend her.

"And here I was thinking everyone was falling at your feet mother!" Alexandria exclaimed and Rosalie simply just scoffed.

"Caller for Miss Avalon" A butler announced and Alexandria excitedly rushed to her feet.

Only Benedict Bridgerton popped his head around the door. Alexandria swore her heart rate picked up at the sight of his face.

"Oh!" Benedict said surprised at all the Avalons in the sitting area. "Ah Benedict you're my first caller!" Alexandria said sarcastically.

"Sorry I didn't know you were waiting for callers I'll just leave" Benedict apologised and made his way to leave.

"Wait, I'm having no luck anyway" Alexandria sighed. "Oh I'm sorry" Benedict said sympathetically.

"What was your reason for coming around here in the first place?" Alexandria asked eyeing the flowers in Benedict's hands.

"Oh!" Benedict said seemly suprised. "I was just coming around to check on you after last night." Benedict said secretly winking at Alexandria as he had already checked up on her last night.

"These are for you" Benedict said handing out a bouquet of Lillies. "Lillies! My favourite thank you Benedict!" Alexandria exclaimed accepting them gratefully and hugging Benedict.

"I best be off anyways I'll see you later" Benedict said waving goodbye. Alexandria had completely forgetten that her family was watching this whole exchange. She turned around to all of them looking at her amused, her father was smirking. Thomas Avalon had been rooting for Alexandria and Benedict all this time.

"Do you want me to find a vase for these, Alexandria?" Clara asked smiling at Alexandria knownly. "Thatd be most appreciated" Alexandria nodder. Alexandria had confided in Clara about her lifelong crush on her bestfriends brother.

"You two need to just kiss already!" Emmeline exclaimed throwing her hands up dramatically. "The tension is too much" Emmeline sighed. "Emmy!" Alexandria said. "Stop reading my books! You shouldnt even know what tension between people means" Alexandria said snatching her book from Emmelines grasp.

"Im telling you dearie, You and Benedict Bridgerton will be married someday" Celine smiled. "Grandmother!" Alexandria said embarrassed, She was positive her face was the colour of a tomato.

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This was a "filler" chapter of sorts just to break the chapters up so we aren't always getting ball scenes. For anyone confused, Celine is also referred to as Lady Grant. She is Rosalie's mother. Rosalie is the definition of an absolute cow xx