Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Four

Benedict

When I sat down to converse with my mother about the young woman I'd sneaked into the house, I hadn't expected her to tell me she wanted her to come and live with us.

"I believe I'm misunderstanding you mother, are you sure she can stay?" I ask.

She nods carefully, "Under one condition."

Oh god. "And what would that condition be?" I'm not even sure I want to know.

"She has to enter society together with Hyacinth, I will sponsor her."

"I'm sorry?" I blurt, "What? Why?"

"Because Hyacinth needs a friend," My mother sighs and I observe her face,

"You're worried about her." I state, surprised.

"All her sisters have left the house, Benedict, and no matter how hard she pretends to not be scared, she is. I know it."

"I... hadn't noticed."

"She's good at hiding, always has been. I've asked the maid to get our guest downstairs once she's all clean so we can te-..."

"Lady Bridgerton!" Lucy, one of our maids has rushed into the drawing room, a shocked expression on her face, "She's climbing out the window..."

"Wait what's going on?" I ask.

The maid takes a deep breath before spilling it out, "The girl got scared and is climbing down the vines, trying to run away."

I stand up instantly, "She's doing what now?" I don't wait for an answer and instead I rush out the door. I see her then, her hair is still wet from the bath and she's wearing a shiny new dress that I assume once belonged to one of my sisters. Her feet are bare and for a moment I watch her climb down, swift yet careful, quick yet delicate.

And then she slips. Without noticing my legs move and I'm right there beneath her, cathing her in my arms. I look down and a tiny smirk creeps up on my face as I see her eyes still clamped shut.

I can't help myself then, "You're not going to pass out again are you?"

One eye opens suspiciously and now I'm grinning fully.

"I just took a nap" she insists, both eyes opened.

"In my arms?" I ask.

"Uhm, yes. Accidentally." she says, and seems to realise she's in my arms once again. I put her back on the ground and she makes a massive curtsy, "I'll be going now, thank you for letting me in" She turns and begins to stalk off.

I reach out and wrap my hand around her wrist, "My name is Benedict."

She stops, then turns. "I'd gathered that."

I let go of her wrist, "You can stay here. If you wish."

"I was chased by the cops for a reason, Benedict."

"And what was that reason?"

"I'm a thief. Have been, for some time." She smiles up at me, but she seems far from happy.

"You could be a debutante instead." I tilt my head and I'm surprised to hear her laugh,

"Me? A debutante? Have you seen me?"

I leave a pause, "yes, I have seen you."

She shakes her head, "I'm sorry, this isn't right" she sighs and turns her back on me.

"Can I at least know your name?" I ask as a final attempt to keep her here.

"Sophia." She says, looking over her shoulder.

"Okay. Sophia, will you please come inside to meet my mother? Maybe my sister too?"

"Benedict I'm not meant to-.."

"You don't have to stay, you don't have to do anything. Just meet them, I'm sure my little sister will be overly curious and incredibly impressed with you."

"Who's this?" My younger sister appears behind Sophia, raising her eyebrows.

"Speaking of the devil, there she is..." I say and Sophia turns around. They look at each other without saying a thing and I'm about to introduce them to each other before things get awkward when Hyacinth takes Sophia's hand and starts dragging her with her, "I need your help."

"oh ehm.." Sophia let's herself be dragged away and gives me one last pleading look before disappearing around the corner. How did this happen again?