Bridgerton One Shots

Benedict Bridgerton- I Love You, I'm Sorry

"Aurelia! You must make haste! The ceremony cannot begin if the bride to be is not present!"

Her mother yelled from down the stairs

"Just a minute MaMa!" She yelled down as she stared at herself in the mirror

Her wedding dress was exactly as she dreamed it. It was lacy and flowy. Her vail was embroidered with flowers and was just the right length. Her venue was the most grand church in the entirety of London and her reception area was the Queen's castle itself. The only issue was the groom. Lord Township was a lovely man. He was handsome, funny, kind, and held a title...but her heart called another's name. Even if she wished it did not. Do not get her wrong Lord Township would not be a horrid man to marry. He would make a good husband and father...but he was not the guy she wanted. However, it was impossible for her true love match to occur...as he was the second born...he held no titles...which was an issue for her PaPa, so he arranged the marriage she was about to go through with before he died of influenza. She was trapped.

Her older sister Amelia snapped her out of her thoughts

"Aurelia, MaMa is awaiting you"

"I shall be right down" she said trying to hide the hesitation in her voice

Amelia sighed

"You are thinking of Benedict again...are you not?"

"Amelia please-"

"I understand how you feel."

Aurelia's eyes widened

"You do?"

She walked over to her and held both of her hands

"I never told this story to you...but I feel it is proper today. When I was your age...I too caught Bridgerton fever" she laughed "Anthony Bridgerton and I courted for a very long time. It was said that I would be his Viscountess before the season's end. However, an eligible Duke came along...and well....PaPa worked his magic. Anthony Bridgerton and I did not speak again after that...He believed I was using him...that's when he began to be a capital R rake. So it is my fault he is the way he is"

"Amelia...it was not your fault"

"But it was...and that is okay...I am older now....I am a Duchess now...I am a mother now...and I am a widow now. I have learned and I have lived" she smiled sadly

Aurelia sighed

"I am sorry Amelia"

"No. I am sorry Aurelia that I could not keep you from wielding the same fate"

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At the wedding venue

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Aurelia was in the backroom pacing back a fourth. She had asked for some time alone before she was to walk the aisle. Amelia's words echoed through her heart and her head. As hard as she tried she could not stop thinking about Benedict. She was doing this for her father...or at least that is what she told herself. I mean, it is not as if her future husband was an awful man. Many girls get married off to men twice their age. She continued to pace, lost in thought until the door creaked open.

"Now is not the best time, I am very busy-"

"Giving the floor a new pattern? I would say so."

That voice. She could recognize it anywhere. Her head snapped over to see Benedict.

"Ben?! What- What are you doing here"

He took in a deep breath

"Aurelia, I could not forgive myself if I allowed you to go through with this wedding and did not tell you how I feel"

"Benedict-"

"Please, just allow me this"

She nodded

"From the first moment I saw you I was enchanted by you. I was so drawn to your eyes, to your smile, and your gorgeous face. Then I got to know you and was charmed by your wit, humor, and personality. I have not stopped thinking of you since that fateful day. You inspired every painting I have painted and every poem I have written since that day. I- I know it is your wedding day, and I know you have an amazing man with titles, land, money, and a great heart waiting for you at the end of aisle. However, while I cannot offer you much of that I can offer you any and everything else. I would give you every star in the sky if I could. I would give up painting for you. Hell, if you said the word I would become a new man. I told myself I would not give you problems as I know these are your late Father's wishes but I could not allow you to make this leap and not know how I was and still am feeling. I think what I am trying to say is I love you...I'm sorry."

Her mouth was agape. She could and at the same time could not believe what she was hearing. She had so many questions. Why would he say this now as she was about to walk down the aisle? What was she supposed to do now? What could she do now? How much scandal would this put on her family name? How disappointed would her family be?

However, when she opened her mouth to speak, the only question that came out was

"You love me?"

Benedict who was studying her face attempting to figure if the reaction was good or bad, lit up

"Of course I do. How could I not?"

She placed her head in her hands and rubbed her hands across her face

"I'm not sure what to do"

"Follow your heart-"

"Do you think I do not wish to?! It is so much more complicated than that! I wish nothing more than to grab your hand and run as far away from this town as I possible can! But my family name is on the line. It will be in ruins. My mother will live in shame. Lord Townships name will go to ruin, hell the Bridgerton name will be at risk! You have many siblings and-"

"Aurelia, do you love him?"

Suddenly her mouth was dry.

"Ben-"

"If you can look me in the eyes and say you love him...then I shall return to the audience and allow you to marry Lord Township," he took a step closer to her "but if you cannot...I refuse to allow you to do this"

She looked him in the eyes and opened her mouth to lie and say she did love Lord Township....but when she saw the eyes of the man she truly loved....she knew she could never love another. A tear slipped down her face. She could not tell if it was out of frustration or of sadness

"It does not matter how I feel-"

"It matters more than anything"

"Even if it did, what will Lady Whistledown say? What will your family say? What will my family say?"

"Who cares about Lady Whistledown? She is nothing but a gossip writer...we will be the talk of the Ton for a week and then they shall forget. My family can handle it...we have been through much worse scandal before. Your family....they will understand. Aurelia, allow yourself to be happy. Do not surrender yourself. Come with me. Let us get married in Paris and return when the heat dies down"

She took a deep breath, she looked down, and the back up at him and smiled

"Let's go"