you are in love, BENEDICT BRIDGERTON

A PARTY NOT FORGOTTEN

the moon-lit sky coincides perfectly with tonight's main event; the engagement party of mr colin bridgerton and miss penelope featherington (soon to be bridgerton.)

the driftwaters, as well as samuel, arrive at bridgerton house right after the mondrich's step through the door - though there is a certain rift within the relationships that tie the two families together, the three women still keep their usual routine of arriving early at this particular home.

kate speaks with her husband, benedict, and colin - just as gregory and hyacinth walk into the foyer.

"hyacinth bridgerton!" alison feigns a joking gasp as she calls out to the younger girl. "have you grown since i saw you last?" the countess chuckles, walking over to hyacinth and immediately giving her a tight squeeze.

"if you must know, i am still taller than gregory." she points out, upon pulling away.

"brother, wherever did you get such a fine hat?" anthony jokes to his youngest brother.

"i'd say it has the potential to be one of yours, anthony." alison says, before tutting at gregory - and positively ignoring benedict, who stands quite literally right by her side (and for some reason, cannot stop staring at her.)

"i will be an eton man soon." gregory announces. "it is high time i begin presenting myself as one."

"perhaps eton will make your brain big enough to fill that hat." hyacinth jokes, making alison laugh from beside her - as well as everyone else.

that laugh, how benedict missed it.

"well, as the man of the house, you must greet our guests." kate walks over to gregory, pushing him and hyacinth over to the mondrich's who were conversing with dianna, edith, and samuel.

"well, i am glad you came, alison." colin embraces the girl his age. she had almost forgotten that benedict was standing right there.

"i wouldn't miss this for the world, colin. you know that, surely." the countess chuckles, before pulling back a second later. "especially after you got me that marvellous gift." she jokes.

colin, oddly, throws a guilty look benedict's way. a look which throws anthony off balance and plagues him with immediate questions.

"brother-"

"ah, tilley is here!" benedict announces to the small group, making alison roll her eyes. "i shall be right back." he walks over to the entrance to greet his friend.

"i suppose i best be off too, i am to find pen and congratulate her all the same." alison offers.

"she has not yet arrived." colin chuckles.