limerence || benedict bridgerton

xv | alls revealed

Alexandria had decided to wander around aimlessly looking for either Eloise or Penelope as they had all mysteriously vanished. Alexandria had gone down one of the corridors down the Featheringtons home where she found Eloise pacing up and down looking furious.

"El?" Alexandria approached cautiously and Eloise spun around to look at Alexandria, her eyes manic. "Goodness! What's happened?" Alexandria questioned taking in Eloise's appearance.

"It's Penelope." Eloise got out her teeth gritted. "What's happened to her?" Alexandria said now panicking something had happened. "Nothings happened to her she's fine." Eloise scoffed.

"Then what happened? Why do you look so angry." Alexandria asked truly at a loss. "She's Whistledown." Eloise said bitterly.

"What?" Alexandria laughed in disbelief. "Why are you laughing? this isn't funny Lex." Eloise said seriously. "I'm not. I'm just shocked is all." Alexandria shook her head.

"How do you think I'm feeling?" Eloise snapped. "Isn't utterly appalling she's Whistledown?" Eloise asked Alexandria who just stayed quiet.

"You don't think it is?! She's lied for years to all us. The quiet little wallflower we all know is a viscous gossip!" Eloise shouted. "Don't be horrid, Eloise!" Alexandria snapped. "Me being horrid? The stuff she has written about my family!" Eloise exclaimed.

"Yes I admit what she wrote about Colin was harsh! But having a spat with her over this is so utterly stupid, It's not like she's tearing families apart El!" Alexandria shouted back in defence for Penelope. Eloise scoffed back and went silent.

"Look, this places me in a difficult situation because I am friends with the both of you. But I'm not picking between the two of you I just won't!" Alexandria said. "You're still going to be friends with her?!" Eloise said in utter disbelief. "Yes! I'm going to still be friends with you, I'm not picking sides. I've been friends with both of you since we were in nappies for goodness sake!" Alexandria exclaimed.

"Unbelievable." Eloise muttered. "Don't make me choose Eloise, don't be difficult about this." Alexandria looked to Eloise who was looking down at the floor. "I love you Eloise you're my bestfriend, but so is Penelope I can't choose. I'm sorry." Alexandria said stepping closer to Eloise.

When Eloise didn't look up, Alexandria walked out to go look for Penelope. She figured since the guests were leaving Penelope was most likely in the garden.

"Penelope! There you are." Alexandria said when she spotted Penelope who was walking speedily.

"Pen? What's the matter?" Alexandria asked grabbing onto Penelope's arm to stop her. Penelope had tears streaming down her cheeks and looked frantic.

"It's nothing!" Penelope lied. "Pen. Let's sit." Alexandria said guiding them to a bench. "It's Colin." Penelope admitted and Alexandria's face dropped.

"What's he done?" Alexandria asked. "I overheard him, talking with that godawful Lord Fife." Penelope began, Alexandria's face screwed up at the mention of Fifes name.

"He said 'I would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington' and then I ran off and that's how you found me in this state." Penelope sniffled. "I'll kill him!" Alexandria exclaimed her tone sounding murderous.

"He didn't see me and I would prefer to leave it that way. This has just sealed it for me that he'll never love me back." Penelope cried. "Aw Penelope, I'm sure he will." Alexandria reassured. "Forget about him right now, the boy doesn't know what he's saying." Alexandria grimaced and pulled Penelope closer to her and hugged her.

"I know you're Whistledown, Pen." Alexandria said breaking their peaceful silence and she swore she saw all colour drain out of Penelope's face. "I ran into Eloise and she told me." Alexandria said apologetically.

"I'm sorry." Penelope said sincerely and Alexandria dismissed her apology. "Do you hate me?" Penelope asked in a small voice. "I could never." Alexandria reassured. "So are you going to stop being friends with me?" Penelope said anxiously picking at her skin.

"Of course not! I've already set the record straight with Eloise that she can't make me pick sides and that I'll continue being friends with both of you." Alexandria said. "Thank you" Penelope said sounding relieved.

"I best head home now it's getting rather late." Alexandra said standing up from the bench. "Thank you again, Lex." Penelope said squeezing Alexandria tightly.

❀•°❀°•❀
a few weeks later

" I cannot believe you're leaving me." Benedict pouted. "Benedict I am only leaving for a couple weeks, I'll be back in time for Autumn." Alexandria laughed. Her family (mainly her mother) had decided to plan a spontaneous trip to the south of France to visit an Aunt.

"That still feels like forever." Benedict groaned and Alexandria giggled. "I think my mother's intention is to find me a French husband over there. She hasn't outwardly said it but I know what she's like." Alexandria shook her head.

"If you do find a suitor, I'll be truly happy for you." Benedict smiled but his eyes told a different story. "Never going to happen." Alexandria reassured. Alexandria was holding out for Benedict even if he would never court her or marry her, she still had that hope left in her.

"I'll see you in a couple weeks, Bridgerton." Alexandria said pulling Benedict into a hug. She saw Eloise looking over at them sceptically.

"I'll miss you most of all." Alexandria said approaching Eloise and giving her a bone crushing hug. Eloise was still holding a tiny grudge against Alexandria for picking sides but that grudge was dissolving, however Eloise and Penelope's friendship was still in tatters.

"Don't forget about me over there. You better not find a new bestfriend!" Eloise smirked. "I could never!" Alexandria smiled.

Everyone seemed happier, despite Eloise and Penelope friendship falling to pieces, it was a lot calmer at the Bridgerton household. Anthony and Kate had finally admitted their feelings and then married eachother the week after. When the revelation came out that Anthony and Kate were getting married, Alexandria had said 'Told you so' to all the Bridgertons who ever doubted her.

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We've finally reached the end of part 1! so utterly excited for part 2 you're in for a ride ;)

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