LIMERANCE,, benedict bridgerton

ix | special dinners

"Why do you both look so suspicious?" Alexandria asked Benedict and Colin who were currently sat at a table the opposite side of the sitting room, talking lowly.

"Never mind them." Eloise said, used to their behaviour. Alexandria slumped back against the sofa and let out a great big sigh. "What's the matter with you?" Eloise asked. "Oh nothing." Alexandria sighed again.

In all honesty, Alexandria had Benedict on her mind ever since the ball and she couldn't stop thinking about him. She was internally battling with her feelings for him but she couldn't outwardly express them, in fear they weren't reciprocated and she couldn't even tell Eloise either. Penelope and Colin were Alexandria's only friends she could tell.

"Children." Violet said entering the sitting room and the three Bridgertons looked up to their mother. "This is very last minute but we're having the Sharmas over for dinner tonight so please be on your best behaviour tonight." Violet practically begged.

"Mother, we're always on our best behaviour!" Colin said putting his hand over his heart in fake hurt. "This shall be interesting." Benedict smirked and looked over at Alexandria who chuckled. "Another dinner?" Eloise groaned. "Yes dear, you are not wriggling your way out of it this time!" Violet exclaimed. "That will be a very full house tonight, I best go." Alexandria said.

"No my dear, Please stay. Another mouth to feed is not a problem." Violet smiled. "Are you positive?" Alexandria asked. "Absolutely." Violet said and Alexandria smiled. "Good, Eloise darling please go and get changed," Violet said. "What's wrong with this dress?" Eloise asked, a little offended and Violet simply just raised her eyebrow. "Fine." Eloise huffed and made her way out the room along with Violet.

"Okay, Seriously what are you both doing?" Alexandria said once Violet and Eloise had left the room and made her way over to the table where the boys were.

"If it is a clear mind you seek brother, I may be able to help you." Colin said to Benedict stiring a cup of tea. "Why do you need a clear mind?" Alexandria asked curiously. "I need new ideas for my art and to also get into the academy." Benedict said. "Oh the academy! I have seen your art they will be a fool not to have you." Alexandria smiled sweetly.

Colin sprinkled a bit of what looked to be herb into his tea, Benedict took the bag and smelled it before pulling away in disgust. "Smells rather foul, does it not?"

"What is it?" Alexandria asked curiously looking at the little brown bag. "These are special herbs." Colin simply said and Alexandria understood. "It only takes the smallest of doses to feel the effects." Colin said. "Give me a cup then." Alexandria said confidently. "You're sure?" Colin asked and Alexandria nodded.

They had all drank from their cup and Benedict simply shrugged. "Benedict, be patient." Alexandria said looking at his bored expression. "Whatever is the point? I hardly think a tea will distract me from the momentous decision the proctors at the Royal School are making at this very moment." Benedict huffed.

"Or.. Perhaps it will allow you to escape the thoughts that have been plaguing your mind?" Alexandria said giving her insight and Colin nodded. "The doubts, the questions that seem to linger, no matter how far you go to escape them." Colin added.

"Are you quite well brother?" Benedict asked. "This tea is quite the elixir." Colin smirked. "I found myself meditating for hours on a single blade of grass." Colin chuckled and Alexandria bursted out laughing. "That is the most ridiculous but the most Colin thing I have ever heard." Alexandria laughed.

Benedict grabbed the brown bag and poured its entire contents into his tea. "Uh.." Colin said in shock. "Benedict! You're not meant to drink the entire thing you will be as high as a kite!" Alexandria said in disbelief at Benedict who was downing the entire cup in one.

Alexandria had excused herself and made her way outside to the patio where she saw Kate and Eloise. "Can I ask you something?" She heard Eloise say. "Was it your choice you never married?" Eloise asked. "Eloise!" Alexandria said in horror at Eloise's directness.

"My brothers say I can be rather direct. But everyone tells me it is fate worse than death to end up a spinster." Eloise asked genuinely and now Alexandria is interested in the topic. "But you seem perfectly content with your situation." Eloise said and Alexandria agreed.

"You must know it is hardly ideal. The world is not exactly welcoming to an unmarried woman, there seems to be no place in society for us." Kate said. "That rather seems to be society's flaw, not a woman's." Alexandria contributed to the conversation. "Indeed it does." Kate chuckles.

❀•°❀°•❀

"Have you noticed Col?" Benedict said darting his eyes madly around the room. "Oh here we go." Alexandria whispered under her breath to Colin and his eyes widened. "The twinkle of the candles, it's as if we sit among the stars!" Benedict exclaimed and Alexandria stared down at her dinner trying not to laugh.

"What is wrong with you?" Eloise asked in amusement. "I was just telling Benedict how amazing the stars were in Greece!" Colin said and Eloise nodded.

The rest of the family were in conversation with Alexandria and Eloise chatting amongst themselves when the sound of Benedict practically moaning over his food was heard by the entire table.

Benedict proceeded to knock his entire class off wine over and covered his face with his hands. Eloise and Alexandria both put their hand over their mouths chuckling.

Anthony had made a toast and then everyone was finished eating and was excused from the table and Alexandria decided now was best to go home.

❀•°❀°•❀

Alexandria had returned home and darted up to her bedroom to begin getting ready for bed. She took out the pins which were securing her hair up into a tight bun and let her curls cascade down her back. Alexandria massaged her head to try ease the tension from her tight hairstyle and gently brushed her curls. She had changed into one of her nightgowns which she had in all different colours and opted for a blush pink colour.

Deciding she was not yet ready for sleeping just yet, Alexandria had made her way over to her writing desk and decided to begin writing the novel she had been putting off for a long time, all the ideas suddenly flowing into her head.

It felt like Alexandria had only just blinked and she had wrote pages and pages of her novel. She didn't realise how late it had become, there was a stillness in her house now indicating everyone was in bed and the streets were now silent.

Feeling accomplished, Alexandria made her way into bed where she felt the moment her head hit the pillow she would sleep forever. Suddenly, Alexandria heard what sounded like a man's voice shout quite loudly in the streets.

She got up from her bed and walked over to the window and seen one of the windows of the Bridgerton house was open wide and Benedict was practically hanging out of it with Colin and Eloise trying to pull him back. She chuckled and made her way back over to bed, deciding she'll ask Benedict why he was shouting at two in the morning the next day.

*****
I kind of got the order of the events of the episodes wrong but just imagine this dinner took place after Anthony had already proposed to Edwina!