The Artist's Muse

Terrifying Acceptance

The dance floor appeared to be the site of many squabbles at tonight's ball. Miss Cressida Cowper appeared to have accidentally stepped on the foot of an elderly gentleman when they took a turn on the floor. The elderly gentleman had to be helped to a chair after the incident. Miss Francesca and her choice suitor spent much of the night dancing or talking with bent heads on the edge of the room.

All eyes, however, were on this season's two most eligible bachelors: Mister Lander Thyne and Mister Benedict Bridgerton. The pair were both seen on the dancefloor with Miss Flor Hardinge. While they appeared to have been having a grand time prior to Benedict's turn to dance with Miss Hardinge, tensions arose throughout the dance. Mister Bridgerton escorted Miss Hardinge to her carriage and was seen leaving moments later with his brothers Colin and Anthony. Perhaps Mister Bridgerton shall be available to wed another after all...

LADY WHISTLEDOWN'S SOCIETY PAPERS, 26 AUGUST 1815

x.x.x

Benedict had worked his way through several pints of delicious liquid and was sinking into a glorious oblivion. He had not realized how tense he had grown until the alcohol had begun to work its magic upon his body. He sat sprawled in the chair, watching his brothers banter over the latest polo match. It felt nice to not be bogged down by conflicting feelings for those he could never have.

As Benedict slid another pint of alcohol toward himself, Anthony's hand reached out and caught the mug. "I believe, brother, that you have reached your limits for the time being."

Benedict slowly raised a finger and pointed it at Anthony. "I am a grown man. You are not allowed to tell me what to do!"

"I am your brother and the head of the family," Anthony said as he pulled the glass from Benedict's hands. Benedict tried to hold onto it, but his fingers would not cooperate.

"You know Mother is the head of the family."

"On paper, it is me," Anthony replied as he kept the pint out of Benedict's reach. Benedict's eyes slid to Colin's half-finished glass. Colin kept the glass just out of Benedict's reach.

"Regardless, it is unimportant!" Benedict declared. "Just as most aspects of life are."

"Why are you so down, brother?" Colin asked in mock concern. "You are normally so cheery after balls."

Benedict's eyes narrowed on his younger brother. "Do I sense sarcasm?"

Anthony snickered. "You are in quite a state, Benedict."

"A state of bliss after a state of misery," Benedict informed him as he sat up straight, supposing he could perhaps reach Colin's drink now. "I truly needed this."

"Did she break your heart?"

Benedict was in a drunken state, but he was aware enough to know he should not blurt out it was not just her who had broken his heart. He might have trusted his brothers with his life, but he knew even they were not immune to society's standards. Benedict could not risk one of them accidentally saying something and putting his life at risk.

"I just will never be enough for her," Benedict told him. His hand slowly slid across the table toward Colin's drink as Colin exchanged looks with Anthony. Benedict did not care to decipher their silent conversation. They could say what they wanted as long as he obtained the drink.

"Well, then perhaps she is not the one for you," Colin said as he turned around just in time to snatch his drink from Benedict's grasp.

Benedict allowed his head to fall forward onto the table with a groan. All he wished was to be able to forget about the night and his brothers were constantly bringing it up. Why could they not see that was not what he wanted? He wanted to have a night with his two eldest siblings and ignore the events of the night for a little longer.