Eloise Featherington: Bridgerton

17| Little closer

"Hey! Wake up."

I rubbed my eyes. He gently called me. It was already morning. I was still lying on cozy bed.

"What Pen?" I asked and turned around. I was still sleepy.

"We need to go somewhere. Change dress I am waiting for you downstairs."

He said and turned around. I looked at him for a moment. His presence was enough to give me peace. His gentle smile and his eyes filled with love. I went up and changed. For the first time in my life I made sure that I looked pretty. Weirdly I did not know what he prefers on me. "Am I turning into the ladies of the town that dress up like dolls to charm their men?"I thought.

Quickly I shook my head and went out. Slowly I walked by the downstairs from porch to the ground where Pen stood by carriage waiting for me with a gentle smile. I gave him a nod. He walked forward and gave me a hand that I took readily and entered the carriage.

"How ladylike of you Eloise." He teased me.

"Where are we going?" I tried to hide my shyness and turned my red face away from him.

"We will see." He answered politely while constantly staring at my face.

In a while carriage stopped in front of a building that was still being constructed. Workers were running in and out with materials. It was a little away from town in plain land. As I looked around.

"This is the land I was given by Benedict in dowry . It's your land and the building you can see they are constructing is yours. Why do not you continue your work here that you left in country house? Your own institute! Do you like it?"

I quickly turned around and looked at him. He was standing a little away from me and looking at me with his eyes glued on me.

"Pen? When did you do it?" I asked in shock.

"I will not lie. They are working from morning I got this idea last night after what you said."

"I love it." I said as I turned around and looked at the building. "My own sanctuary, my own institute!" I thought.

"I am happy to know. I do not want you to stay in anyone's shadow. You are Eloise. Why do not you work hard so someone can address me as Eloise's husband?" He said gently.

I put my hand on my head and rubbed it "Why do  you love me Pen? When did you fell for me?" I asked as I moved closer to him.

Anxiously he moved away. I saw a little sweat on his forehead after a little thinking he answered "Why? I do not know. I have loved you my whole life it's just that with time my loved has changed into this. But maybe I fell first because you talked to me when no one did. You made me feel better. I do not think I have a proper answer." His face turned red.

"I like you too Pen." I replied and hugged him. He was taller than me now I was reminded again and it was a little intimidating to stand close to him now. It was just better to hold him and put my head on his chest and feel his fast heartbeat. He held me in return.

"Like you like Gregory, Francesca etc I know." He replied in a sad tone.

"Not anymore. It's different now. You know we can do some things ... you can understand right?"

"Why? Because you are grateful?"

"No... yes... I mean ... I mean I don't know." I hardly answered. I could not find the courage to accept.

"No pressure, Eloise. Why do not we ride some horses since we are already here?" He questioned and pulled me away.

"Sure." I replied awkwardly.

"Let me manage then." He answered and quickly went away. We decided to use the horses from the carriage and ride them for the rest of the evening.

—————-

Tonight there was no ball but I was invited home for morning breakfast.How weird it is to be invited in your own home as a guest. Since I did not had a proper conversation with Benedict yet it was a great opportunity to catch up on things. Lady Portia also attended with me.

After dinner we were enjoying tea in the Bridgerton halls. Finding her chance Miss Portia addressed me "Are you aware of Lady Rutherford?"

"Pardon I am not." I replied neglectfully. But I noted the sudden change of impression on Benedict face. Who was until half slept on chair.

"She has requested me multiple times. Actually she is asking for a little extra time. They do not have a son and daughters are too young and Lord Rutherford is quite old. State wants their title. She asked if Lord Featherington could give them a little favour since he is in royal court often. I felt bad for her." She replied.

"What do you think Mama?" I looked at Mom.

"Well you should Eloise. If you can." She said gently.

"And you Benedict?" I questioned him.

"Oh.. what I have to do with it. You can decide for yourself Lady Featherington." He replied with his smile.

But being this formal it was just not simple. I was sure something was brewing. I thought as I took a sip of my tea elegantly.

"Have you heard about the prize money?" Miss Portia questioned mom.

"About finding Lady Whistledown?" She replied.

"Yes. I saw royal guards looking around. I heard they closed some publishing shops in the market too." She said thoughtfully.

"I do not think it will be easy." Lady Bridgerton.

"Well for the amount. Anybody can do it. Well I would have in the past." She giggled.

"Sure." Lady Bridgerton.

Weird silence surrounded the room again. On my way I noticed Benedict rushing outside leaving for somewhere and I felt bad about it. With a little hesitation I paid my bye and left. But maybe it was the silence before the storm. Something was brewing something that was definitely not good.

As I stood in the balcony staring at the street new pamphlet was published and there was a whole chaos. Street was filled with more royal guards than ever. I quickly took the pamphlet and read it.

Lady Whistledown: "Dear gentle readers! As we know if we will close our eyes a whole mountain will disappear but will it? Or it is that we just are not smart enough to see it with  our eyes open?

New season is being cooked at a nice pace. With new matches made and new debutantes dancing and spreading their charming auras in  the marriage halls. But I fear of living another not much exciting season I say without a diamond of the season. Queen must give us something to excite over Pardon me.

I wonder some couples struggles with the childbirths even after being married long and not having a heir yet how pitiful and yet getting struck in a scandal and getting caught in illicit things. One must pay heed to."

With my cup still filled with tea as I read and wondered that maybe diamond thing or scandal thing have put Queen in rage. But it was surely not good. When a servant quickly entered the room panting without knocking he shouted.

I turned around and I was surprised to see a man in room.

"You are not allowed here!" I said furiously.

"Pardon me Lady Featherington but I could not trust anyone. Royal guards have took Lord Featherington with them. He said he will manage stuff and asked you to be secretive about it and do not worry."

"What are you saying?" I asked as the cup fell from my hand. I looked around the street it was empty and I could not see any royal guard anymore.

"Queen is suspicious of him being Lady Whistledown. I do not know much I am here to deliver the message." He answered and quickly went away.

I felt as if a mountain fell on me. My feet shaking and heart beating as hard as it could. Soon it became hard to even stand losing my balance I fell on floor.

I tried to shout "Pen" but my voice just would not come out of my mouth. "I should have stopped him. I knew Queen wanted to find him but I did not pay heed to it. I was so self absorbed again. What if Queen will hurt him?" I thought as I lie down there and cried my heart out