Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Seven

Sophia

Although I had attended finishing school, getting a dress made for me was a first. All dresses I've ever worn were either second-hand or I'd made them myself, and they barely ever looked good.

Now I get to choose from the most fine fabrics, with the most interesting designs. My body is measured in at least twenty different ways and before I've even had the time to take it all in we step outside, promised to have the dress delivered to Bridgerton House before the sun sets.

As I close the door behind me, a high-pitched voice sends a shiver down my spine.

"Lady Bridgerton, how delightful to see you here with your youngest daughter and... who might this be?" A woman with tan skin and blindingly white teeth takes in my appearance and seems displeased. Though as the wrinkles in her forehead are twice as deep as those of Lady Bridgerton I assume she may be displeased a lot of the time.

"This is my friend, Sophia, she will be staying with us for the night." Hyacinth answers quickly. I nod,

"Pleased to make your aquintance, Lady..." I begin.

"I am Lady Highmore." She states clearly, then continues, "Does this mean I shall see you at the ball tonight miss Sophia?"

"She will, we have just secured her a dress." Hyacinth speaks before I can.

"Well, I believe we shall meet again tonight then." There's a vicious undertone beneath her voice, I can hear there is something about me that highly upsets her, yet I can't imagine what it could be. Lady Highmore leaves and we enter the carriage waiting for us.

"What an awful woman is that." Hyacinth sighs.

"Hyacinth Bridgerton!" Lady Bridgerton exclaims, "Lady Highmore was being polite as ever."

"You call that polite? She looked at Sophia as though she wished death upon her." Hyacinth retorts.

"Why would she do that? Wish death upon me? What did I do?" I ask curiously.

Hyacinth laughs, "Becasue you're gorgeous of course, she thinks you're competition to her two dreadful daughters."

"Hyacinth!" Lady Bridgerton warns again.

"Surely I can't be any competition, I am far older than all the regular debutantes, not to mention I'm... different. Besides, I shall only stay for one ball." I say, placing my hands in my lap, secretly dreading my return to my old life.

"We'll see about that..." Hyacinth flashes a grin my way and I am about to protest heavily when the carriage comes to a stop and Hyacinth jumps out, making her mother groan. Then the footman appears, extending his hand to assist Lady Bridgerton. Once she has descended I step outside the carriage as well, which goes most swiftly. Until one of the heels I borrowed gets stuck between the steps.

I duck to pull the shoe out, but happen to do this with so much force that when the shoe suddenly comes loose I so much as fly backwards off the steps.

"If you weren't so eager to leave all the time, I would think you are doing this on purpose to get me to ask for you're hand in marriage." Benedict has caught me in his arms. Once again. How lovely.

"I have no intention of marrying you, rest assured." I say clearly.

"Good," he replies as he sets me down on the ground, "Did you manage to find a dress?"

I straighten my back and walk with him towards the entrance of the house, "I did. What were you up to this afternoon?" I ask.

"I visited my brothers, they were incredibly pleased to hear about your arrival." I can hear a hint of sarcasm in his voice and I stop walking to turn towards him.

"Well who would not be delighted to have me living in their family home, spending time with their beloved family members. I am merely a criminal." I shrug.

Benedict smiles. A smile that seems so real and so rare that his entire face lights up as he does so. "An educated criminal" He corrects me, still with that same breathtaking grin stuck on his face.

"Right. So I apart from stealing all your family heirlooms and jewels I shall take some literature with me as well. Unlike ordinary thieves." I nod.

"Very sophisticated of you," He agrees.

Then Hyacinth appears out of thin air and takes my hand, "We must start to get ready, there is so much to go over. I must inform you about everyone attending tonight, so you can pick a nice husband to marry." she speaks quickly and I have trouble keeping up as she drags me away.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" I ask helplessly. I look at Benedict who, instead of rescuing me simply raises his hand and waves me goodbye. Worthless man.