Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Six

Benedict

As Sophia, Hyacinth and my mother leave for the modiste, I head over to Anthony's estate where I shall meet up with him and our younger brother, Colin. I assume they have yet to discover an unknown girl is living in their family home, but I suspect they will find out sooner or later, which is why I should tell them now.

The door is opened for me before I have the time to announce my presence and Kate greets me,

"Come in, they're in the drawing room," she says and allows me to walk past her.

"Thank you, Kate, how are the kids?" I ask as I take my coat off.

"Charlotte has recently learned how to walk, which is both a blessing and a curse" she laughs, "How have you been?"

We walk towards the drawing room together, "Same as always," I nod, knowing she was really asking whether I've found a wife yet. I have not.

We enter the drawing room and Kate leaves to tend to the children. Anthony stands up to give me his standard brotherly hug, which has been including more and more pats on the back lately, which I've discovered is his way of telling me I better find a woman quick. It was five pats this time, new record.

Colin gives me a normal hug and we sit down. Anthony hands me a glass of whisky, which is rather early and I put it down without taking a sip.

"So, you will be attending the ball tonight? With Hyacinth?" Anthony asks.

"Naturally, as will you two I assume? Neither of you have ever declined an invitation from Lady Danbury." I return.

"True, but we are married, Benedict, so we could." Colin does take a sip from his glass of whisky.

"Alright, save me the marriage talk, I have far more interesting things to tell you."

"Such as?" Anthony asks, already on the verge of boredom, he must think I'll talk about my paintings again, which I must admit I usually do.

"There's a girl. A woman." Oh god I phrased it wrong.

Anthony so much as jumps up and I quickly wave him back into his seat, "No, not like that!" I say hastily, "It's just a very... interesting story."

"well do tell, brother" Colin shifts on the couch.

"I was stood in the garden last night, after the Blackwood ball, and she crashed into me."

"She.. crashed into you?" Anthony raises his eyebrow.

"Yes, she was chased by the cops and she crawled under the bush wh-.."

"Benedict" Anthony warns me, "Please tell me you reported her to the police right away."

"I took her inside, she needed help, Anthony." I realise how stupid I sound but if they had been me, if they'd seen her then surely they would have done the same, "I took her in and gave her a bed for the night."

"Whereafter you turned her in... correct?" Anthony pushes.

I laugh awkwardly, "so long story short, she will be attending the ball tonight with Hyacinth and mama."

Anthony doesn't say a word, he simply brings his hands to his temple and lets out a groan.

"Mama agreed to that?" Colin asks surprised.

"Yes, thank you Colin, she most certainly did. Hyacinth needed a friend and now she has one."

"You gave our youngest sister a convict for a friend? What a splendid idea," Anthony retorts.

I cross my arms, "Hyacinth is as good as I convict herself, she was simply raised in better circumstances."

"Do you even know why the police where after her?" Anthony asks slowly, as an attempt to restrain his rage.

"She told me she's a... a thief." Okay now it does sound really bad, "But she attended finishing school so she is educated." I add quickly, unsure why.

"Ah so she's an educated thief, well that just makes up for it, doesn't it?" Anthony shakes his head.

"It's just one ball, Anthony, and she only attends because Hyacinth begged her to." I sigh, "She'll be gone before we know it."

A heavy feeling sits in my chest as I return to the house. I have known Sophia for a mere couple hours yet she has practically changed my life already, and I don't want her to stop. I want her to keep climbing so I can keep catching her, I want to watch her dance and have fun like I believe she deserves. I want to know everything there is to know about her, both the good and the bad.

Only I won't, because she is to leave after just one night and we shall most likely never speak again. Our lives were never meant to intertwine, but they did, and now I must live with the consequences...