Have some love || Bridgerton

Loved

"The first ball, are you ready, Elenora?" Charlotte smiled, knocking for her daughter.

Charlottes hair had grown in the off season. More grey. Matching her husband's already silver grey hair. However, the maids had skilfully hidden it in a neat bun atop her head. Whereas Elenora had curls tied into a low bun.

"Yes, mother." The door opened revealing Elenora in a turquoise dress.

"I'm so glad Violet is the host. All for her daughter. I hear she did well for her first season. I believe you may have competition for being a diamond, dear." Charlotte smiled, holding to her daughter's hand.

"It is not a competition. Francesca is gorgeous and very talented on her own. If she gets the title I will be proud." Elenora shook her head softly. She knew if Francesca was given the title she would struggle with all the people she would have to deal with, but Elenora would try and help in anyway she could.

"Yes, yes, well... ah, dear, here is your mask." Charlotte smiled, passing a turquoise mask to her daughter. Leave it to Violet Bridgerton to throw a masquerade party as the first choice. It was clear she wanted her daughters to find love this season. A perfect chance was a ball to find ones personality match, rather than through recognition. Safe to say Lady Danbury wasn't happy with the idea of not being helpful.

"As long as you find Eloise or Francesca, I'm sure you will be fine through the night, yes?" Her mother smiled, watching her daughter tie the mask. Elenora sighed, remembering what Eloise had said to her the night before. Maybe she had been too harsh to her friend. I'm sure Eloise had a reason for saying what she had.

She found herself in awe of the decorations of the night. Some guests were easier to tell from others. She could spot Anthony and Kate canoodling in the corner, easily. She found Penelope adorned in yellow. Her two sister sporting similar brighter colours. However, finding any other Bridgerton was a harder task. Of course, Violet had greeted the Clifton's as they walked in.

"Oh my goodness, i am so sorry!" A voice spoke, accidentally hitting into the side of Elenora. "Oh god, I mean, your dress is gorgeous. I'm sorry."

"Please, I'm fine, you can stop apologising." Elenora turned to the dark skinned woman. She had never seen this girl before, she was clearly new to the area. Her first season out most likely.

"Sorry." The girl mumbled, before laughing. "I just apologised again."

"I'd ask for your name, but I don't think we're allowed." Elenora sighed, playing with the card hanging on her wrist.

"Well I'll keep your name a secret if you keep mine?" The girl giggled, Elenora nodded. "My name is Mabel. Mabel Burford." Elenora had met the Burford's before. They were relatively wealthy.

"Well, Mabel. Mabel Burford. I am Elenora Clifton." Elenora smiled, offering a hand to the girl and shaking it. Mabel grinned, revealing the cutest smile a girl could have.

"Would you care to dance?" A voice spoke, offering his own hand to Elenora. Elenora gave a smile to Mabel before taking the man's hand.

She had yet to meet this man's eyes, already recognising his voice. "I didn't think you'd go to this tonight." She answered, placing her hands on his shoulder.

"Mama forced me to. She wants me off. Married. If she sees me dancing with a lady, she won't question me any longer." He answered.

"Benedict she will still question you." Elenora rolled her eyes at his antics. Their eyes finally met. Benedict dressed in a dark blue suit with a black mask over his green eyes.

The dark colour complimented his light eyes. She liked looking into his eyes. He liked looking to hers. He wanted to create a painting just of this moment and he wasn't sure why. He wasn't sure he could anymore. He hadn't painted or drawn barely anything in months.

"You look nice tonight, Elle. You know?" He asked, his hand stroking her waist.

"I do now." She hoped the mask was able to cover the blush that slowly settled to her cheek. As Benedict spun her she found the familiar face of Eloise Bridgerton stood by Violet and Francesca.

"Eloise told me you two had a spat." Benedict pulled her back, closer than before.

"She believes that i focus too much on the aspect of marriage. Less time on studies." Elenora sighed, growing upset.

"She told me you had let society mold you. She also told me you tried to talk about flowers." Benedict held her watching her face grow with guilt. "I told her you enjoy your ponies."

"Peonies, Benedict and how do you know them?" She smacked his chest.

"I hear things... from birds or however the saying goes." Benedict smiled, watching her confused face. He loved when she was confused. She had the cutest squint.

"I was quite selfish now I think back. Talking about marriage with Eloise is like bringing a hurt puppy to Matilda. Neither is a good response." Elenora looked down with a sigh, glancing back to her friend Eloise again.

"Elenora." Benedict used his hand, guiding her face to his. "You wanted to talk about the season and then tried to speak about something dear to you. It is not your fault you stood up for yourself. It is not your fault Eloise is mad at the world in these recent months." His hand was still holding her chin. So delicately. She loved the feeling. The feeling he cared. The feeling of his hands on her.

"Benedict..." She tried, but she was at a loss for words. As he stood there, looking at and treating her with such care and compassion, she felt her whole world shift to his.

"The queen." Benedict let her go, easily moving to bow. Elenora was in shock, blinking away the emerging feelings from before. She moved to curtsy, almost stumbling.

The queen sat on the large chair made for her and her only. She scanned the crowd. Searching for a diamond, with luck it appeared.

A/N
Long chapters are back 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️