The Artist's Muse

The Opera

'Tis no night such as one spent at the opera! The lovely music. The beautiful dresses. The handsome suits. It is sure to be a night to remember! It provides the perfect opportunity for young suitors to spend quality time together without words to disrupt the chemistry they have created.

A new suitor has entered the marriage mart for the weekend. Lady Danbury's niece, Miss Victoria Danbury. She has captured quite the attention from the ton's eligible bachelors. Shall we see more drama unfold such as it as between Mister Bridgerton, Mister Thyne, and Miss Harding? We will have to wait and see what the night has to hold...

LADY WHISTLEDOWN'S SOCIETY PAPERS, 25 AUGUST 1815

x.x.x

Benedict stood in the back of the theatre, watching as the crowd streamed in. He had escorted his family into the large theatre, but he had left them in Colin's capable hands as it began to feel as though every eye in the room was on him. Some were. When he had glanced around the room, several people turned away just as he met their gaze. Benedict was unsure if it was because they had perceived him as having lost a woman, which would be unprecedented in many of their eyes, or for another reason.

Nonetheless, Benedict had felt the need to leave the spotlight when he had noticed Lander enter with Flor on his arm. While he had become determined to wed another, it was not easy for forgo previous emotions. He was not going to subject himself to any unnecessary torture.

"Mister Bridgerton!" an all too familiar voice said all too cheerfully. Benedict winced before he turned and found Lady Danbury looking up at him with an overly eager smile on her face. "You are just the man I was searching for."

"Well, lucky you that you found me!" Benedict responded, finding fake cheer in his own voice.

Lady Danbury stepped aside and nudged forward the small girl standing beside her. Her dark curls were neatly arranged on top of her head. She wore a dark blue gown that glittered beneath the light of the oil lamps.

"This is my niece, Miss Victoria Danbury. She is going to be visiting me for a couple weeks. I thought perhaps you might wish to accompany her tonight as she knows no one other than myself. What young suitor would wish to spend her evening with me?" Lady Danbury laughed as though the thought were absurd.

Benedict's smile froze on his face. "It would be my pleasure."

"Perfect. I shall leave you two to it!"

Lady Danbury disappeared into the crowd before Benedict could utter another world. He cleared his throat and glanced down at the woman who was curiously glancing about the room. When he had decided to wed another, he had not intended for that person to be Lady Danbury's niece. It was only one night, however.

"Well, shall we?" Benedict asked as he cleared his throat.

Victoria looked up at him brightly. "Absolutely!" She slipped her arm through his and allowed him to lead her through the crowd to two seats.

x.x.x

Benedict felt uncomfortable throughout the opera. He sat as still as possible throughout its duration, laughing when appropriate and giving sad looks or surprised looks to Victoria when necessary. He did not want to move for fear he would accidentally brush her arm and have her interpret it out of context. There was no immediate connection. While he wished to wed, he wished to have a slight connection with his betrothed.