Eloise Featherington: Bridgerton

21| Fight for your way

She woke up to Pen lying next to him with them both naked. His hand slightly lying on her belly. Everything that happened revolved around her head. She was captivated but she was back in her senses now. She treasured every moment she spent with him. She was more determined than ever to save her man.

Slowly she leaned towards him gently kissing on his lips "oh Pen I love you more than my life." She confessed and walked away. She found her way to the carriage. It was almost dark. She went back home. After refreshing she was going to meet Benedict in Feathrington hall.

Benedict was already sitting there. After serving the tea servants also left them alone. Quickly Benedict started the conversation "Strangely each member of royalty is absent except Queen. I think we might find some secrets there."

"We do not have much time. We just have one day left. At first we need to give names to the Queen." She said.

He looked around for a moment. "It was me. You can tell my name."

"Of course not. It will be useless." She replied.

For a moment they both sat silently looking for a way.

"I have a solution." Portia Featherington. They both turned around and looked at her. She might have heard everything. She walked with a straight face taking a biscuit she took a seat and continued "We can find someone who can take fall for Pen."

"Who?" Benedict questioned.

"A servant." Portia.

"A servant is not a member of ton." With disappointment.

"A royal servant is. We just need to find a servant who is always present on balls." With confinement.

"How can we blame a servant? When servants are not even allowed to enter halls of ballroom?" He was in disagreement.

"If you have read pamphlets of lady whistledown. You would have noticed that they were found in gardens or abandon places of ballrooms where servants can go. We can make them believe it."She replied.

"How will we find that person and even if we will we cant guarantee their safety even if they will say yes for money no one will gamble on their life." Benedict.

"We can ask Queen to tell her name only if she will not kill them. She might say yes since I think she just needs to saturate her ego." Portia.

"How will we find a person like that?" Eloise.

"There is another problem." Portia.

"What?" Benedict.

"Even if we will save Pen's life. We will have a low rank in society. What about all the defame and insults? We need to restore our reputation." Portia.

"I do not think it's a problem. All I care about is Pen's safety." She said ignorantly.

"Pen does. He worked months for this. He will never be happy with all these insults." Portia.

"We will go somewhere else." Eloise.

"Defame will still bother your family. Whenever the name of the families will be called defamation will follow." Portia.

"I think she is right. We need to find a way." Benedict.

For a moment all of them stayed silent. Until they heard a knocking at the door. "Come in" Portia.

Close servant of Portia entered with a young man and lady.

"Are they ready?" Portia.

"Yes my lady." They gave a nod.

"What is going on?" Benedict asked with curiosity.

"Servants know each other. I asked my loyal maid to find someone. These two work at Lord Brown's residence they are ready to accept the blame in return for money."

"How can we trust them?" Benedict with suspicion.

"Because we do not have option secondly because they have kids and they want a better life so they wont cheat." Portia.

"I guess we are somewhere." Eloise with a smile now.

"We should not be hasty but until we find solution for both problems I think we should wait." Portia.

"Okay." They both replied.

"I think I should try harder to find a secret." Benedict. He said and stood up.

"Wait." Eloise

"What?" Benedict.

"Can you drop me at Palace?" Eloise.

"At this time?" Benedict. He was in shock.

"Yes. Take me." Eloise.

"What will you do there?" Benedict.

"I have permission from the Queen. Stop asking questions." In an agitated tone.

"I guess alright." Benedict.

————
Finally the guards dropped him again. She quickly held his hand and took him to the bed.

"Here!" She took out same pastries that she sneak in for him.

"What are we doing here again?" Pen.

"Eat it." She gently took the pastry out and fed him.

"You look so weak, Pen." She said politely.

He silently ate it while avoiding eye contact.

"Is it tasty?" She asked while sitting close to him.

"I feel really selfish, Eloise." He said in a sad tone.

"Do not worry, Pen. Trust me." Eloise. She came especially for him. She did not want him to sleep in a shady cell. Even thinking about him staying in a place like that gave her ache while he ate it silently.

By the time he finished it. She wiped his lips with her finger then lick it.

"Can you sleep..... next to me for the last time?" He asked pitifully.

"No." She said while moving even closer to him. "I am not here to sleep or lie just next to you."

She held his red face towards her and gave him a gentle kiss.  Holding his hands . She offered herself to him again.

After a while..

Lying next to him she put her head on her chest. It was almost morning. She felt exhausted by all the workout they did whole night.  But she has much to do. Leaving her heart with him she stood up and changed. She left him there sleeping.

She entered Featherington hall in a rather messy state. To her surprise Miss Portia was sitting just outside waiting for her. Looking at her state she questioned her.

"I was with Pen at Palace." She answered.

"I know. In fact everyone knows. You must not know. Since you are so busy. But I stay here and face all the gossips. Your mother has been here as well. What should I tell them?
Everyone is talking on the scene. Lady Featherington is enjoying her second honeymoon in Palace of Queen. I guess we do not have much honour but still you should hold onto some manners." In a rude tone.

"I was with my husband with Queen's permission. I do not care about the rest of the people. I never did actually. They can talk all they want. They always do, do not they? Today is the last day we should focus on that, should not we?" Eloise.

She left Lady Portia in the halls and went in. She was already exhausted and now thanks to her not only her body but her head was hurting as well.