limerence || benedict bridgerton

x | reassuring words

"Thank you Clara" Alexandria smiled at her maid who had dressed her beautifully today. "My pleasure" Clara smiled and made her way out of Alexandria's bedroom.

Alexandria walked downstairs where she could hear more than just her mother and father's voices in her sitting room. Alexandria walked in curiously at who their visitor was when she saw her elder sister, Marianne talking to their parents.

"Marianne!" Alexandria said excitedly. "Oh Alexandria!" Marianne said making her way over to Alexandria and engulfing her in a tight hug. "I'm sorry I left you with mother I know what she is like" Marianne chuckled. "Don't worry about it" Alexandria said waving her off. "Tell me everything later" Marianne said and Alexandria nodded.

"Marianne is here as an example on what It's like to actually talk to suitors" Rosalie said directly to Alexandria who rolled her eyes. "Where is my niece?" Alexandria squealed changing the topic of conversation.

"She's here" Marianne's husband, Nicholas said walking into the room holding their child, Lena in his arms.

"How are you Alexandria?" Nicholas asked genuinely. "Same old" Alexandria simply answered and Nicholas gave her a sympathetic smile. "Do you want to go to Auntie Alexandria?" Nicholas asked Lena who was now squealing excitedly and putting out her hands to Alexandria.

"Look at you!" Alexandria said holding Lena in her arms. "You've grown so much sweetheart!" Alexandria said to the one year old. "Can't believe she's one now" Alexandria said. "Time flies" Marianne said.

"Mother?" Marianne said. "Yes dear?" Rosalie answered. "I've decided to go for a stroll in a park for some fresh air, I'll be bringing Alexandria we've got a lot to catch up on" Marianne said and Alexandria nodded, glad to be getting out the house.

"Can we leave Lena with you?" Marianne asked her husband. "Of course, my love" Nicholas said and kissed Marianne on the lips.

"Can I come!" Emmeline asked excitedly, Marianne looked over to Rosalie who nodded and the girls all got ready to leave the house.

❀•°❀°•❀

Alexandria had told Marianne literally everything, they touched base on every topic. Alexandria had told Marianne about her assault to their mama being pushy and downright cruel.

"I am so sorry Lex" Marianne said sadly, she only ever used the nickname Lex when it was serious. "I know what mother is like when it comes to the topic of marriage, she pushed me as soon as I turned eighteen" Marianne said.

"Really?" Alexandria said, her mind seeming to draw a blank at her mother ever being pushy towards Marianne. In fact all she can remember is their mother being nothing but loving towards Marianne.

"Okay well maybe not as pushy as she is towards you" Marianne agreed. "She's more than just pushy" Alexandria huffed and Marianne linked her arms with Alexandria's, pulling her closer.

"I think Mama just wants the Avalon name to continue on. She just wants us to be married off when we're freshly of age just so we can have babies." Marianne speculated.

"Yeah maybe... It isn't an excuse for her to be downright cruel to me" Alexandria said. "That's true" Marianne nodded.

"I think Mama is also angry at the fact I'm picky. I've told her hundreds of times I want a love match, I don't want to be married to a man I don't even know and that doesn't care about my feelings only my womb" Alexandria grimaced.

"That's completely reasonable, I don't understand why Mama would rather her child suffer than be happy" Marianne said. "You know Nicholas was a love match?" Marianne asked.

"Really?" Alexandria said as she had no idea. "Yes. I always liked him growing up we were great friends then he began liking me back. So as soon I debuted he married me before anyone even had the chance to" Marianne chuckled. "I love him dearly and I'm glad I'm married to him. You'll find your love match love, sometimes it takes time" Marianne smiled.

"Thank you Marianne" Alexandria said. "Anytime" Marianne smiled. Alexandria always knew she would never settle if she was married to someone other than Benedict he constantly plagued her mind.

There was a comfortable silence between the sisters they enjoyed the beautiful views of the park, because it was Spring all the flowers had bloomed and the leaves on the trees grew, making the park look picturesque.

"You know after the assault happened..." Alexandria trailed off. "Go on" Marianne said looking up at Alexandria reassuringly. "She accused me of doing something to provoke Mr Wilson" Alexandria said looking down at the ground.

"What?" Marianne said stopping in shock. "Alexandria I will go right back up to the house and talk to her. That's not acceptable at all. I'm so sorry sister" Marianne said looking as if she could kill someone right now.

"I've learnt to deal with her behaviour. I've never known why she's always been so cold towards me" Alexandria said her voice now wobbly. "It's not your fault, It's our mothers she's got some sort of issue" Marianne said comforting Alexandria.

"I know when it comes to Emmys debut, Emmy will be an absolute nightmare for our mother" Alexandria laughed, subtly shifting the focus away from her. "Agreed" Marianne chuckled. "What did you say?" Emmeline said spinning round from where she skipping happily infront.

"Nothing love" Marianne said and Emmeline went back to skipping.

"Lexie" Alexandria heard a man's voice call from behind her. "Benedict!" She said making her way over to him.

"And Marianne and Emmeline!" Benedict noticed. "Hello Benedict" Marianne smiled. "I didn't know you were back in town! How are you?" Benedict asked. "Oh it's just a fleeting visit, yes it's good little Lena is one now and a handful" Marianne chuckled and so did Benedict.

"Emmy let's walk infront to let Alexandria and Benedict talk" Marianne said and took Emmeline hand as they walked ahead.

"I heard you shouting out your window last night at two in the morning" Alexandria chuckled. "Oh goodness" Benedict groaned covering his face in embarrassment.

"You were very high at dinner last night" Alexandria said. "I know Colin told me all about it this morning" Benedict sighed. "You both will never let live this down will you?" Benedict asked. "Nope!" Alexandria smiled.

"Why were you shouting out you window at odd hours of the morning anyway?" Alexandria asked. "I got into the academy!" Benedict exclaimed. "Oh my god! I'm so proud of you Benny!" Alexandria squealed and embraced him a tight hug, the ton turning around to look at them puzzled.

"Don't call me that" Benedict laughed. "I hate that nickname." "You love it Benny!" Alexandria teased. "I'm so happy your talents are being recognised there's no one in the world who deserves it more than you" Alexandria smiled placing her hand on his arm. "Thank you" Benedict said breathlessly.

"When do you start?" Alexandria asked. "Within the next couple of weeks i'm sure" Benedict said. "I'll let you get back to your sisters" Benedict said realising he had kept Alexandria long enough. "See you later Benedict" Alexandria smiled and walked back over to Marianne and Emmeline.

"What was all that squealing about?" Marianne asked eyeing Alexandria suspiciously. "Benedict got into the academy!" Alexandria exclaimed. "Wow that's great!" Marianne said. "I'm just so proud of him he has worked so hard" Alexandria smiled and Marianne smirked.

"And the hugging?" Marianne smirked. "I was just excited!" Alexandria said defending herself. "You like him!" Marianne said. "Marianne" Alexandria warned. "You do!" Marianne smiled as Alexandria practically darted away from Marianne.