Bridgerton - The Lost Royal

Chapter Fourteen

Sophia

It was a little difficult to explain to all the vicious mothers that I would be joining the Bridgerton family for an entire social season when just a couple of days ago I would be staying for just one night. Luckily we had Anthony with us, who had been nothing but supportive the entire day, and he reminded all of the mothers that they should be asking about Benedict instead.

And so off they went, asking how he's doing, what exactly happened, whether's he has a wife yet and most importantly, if he would be willing to marry their daughters. While Anthony was handling all the mothers, Hyacinth took my hand and dragged me onto the dancefloor. She had a man picked out for me already I believe, because she so much as shoved me into him and now here I am, staring up at him, trying not to step on his toes as we dance around the room.

He's a tall man, but it's nothing compared to Benedict. He has blonde hair and blue eyes and he wears a black suit. Very refreshing. He is handsome though, and actually quite nice. He's a good dancer and guides me through the steps as he makes a joke and I laugh. I mean the laugh was a little bit fake because the joke was not that good but at least he wasn't telling me how rich he is or how many women are after him.

He introduced himself as Mister Coleman but quickly told me his real name is Luke and that I should call him that. In return I made sure he stuck with Sophia and not Miss Badger, because something about that just feels wrong.

"So, may I ask, how did you end up with the Bridgertons? Are you related?" he asks as we make another turn. I shake my head,

"No, we're not family. Hyacinth and I are friends, and they invited me to stay with them, which I am very grateful for." I smile.

Luke nods, "What about your own family? Where do they live?" He asks and I can tell he's listening to my every word. I little sigh escapes my mouth and I look away from him, searching for words.

"I'm sorry" he says gently, "You don't have to answer me."

I lock eyes with him, "No it's okay really. I never knew my parents. I never had any... family. But it's okay, you can't miss what you never had, right?"

"I can't imagine growing up alone, I have five siblings so that meant a lot of noise." he shrugs. I smile, glad that he reacts normally and doesn't go all pity on me. The music stops and he lets go off me,

"I would love to dance with you some more, miss Sophia, but I believe that dancing more than twice in a row would suggest that we are about to wed, and although it was a great pleasure getting to know you, that seems a little intense." he grins.

I place my hands behind my back, "Shall I see you next time, then?" I ask.

"We shall meet again, I promise." he says and departs. I turn around and Hyacinth is already right there, beaming,

"So? how did it go? Was he nice?" She asks eagerly.

I laugh, "He was very nice Hyacinth, but can we please get something to drink? I'm parched."

She nods and interlocks her arm with mine. We walk over to the other side of the room,

"And how was the man you danced with? Any good?" I ask curiously.

A groan comes from Hyacinth's mouth, "He was horrible. It was as if he did not have a brain at all. He kept dancing with me, even though I tried to get rid of him. It wasn't until I started talking to him about my research regarding the lost royal that he seemed to just disappear." she explains.

I tilt my head to the side, "The lost royal? Again? Why are you so obsessed with that?" I ask.

She crosses her arms, "Becauseee.... I may never have the chance to obsess again." she says.

I'm taken aback, "Hyacinth? What do you mean?"

She looks away, "Well, when I'm married I'll be stuck. I'll have to, you know, do all the housework and raise kids and have a boring life."

"That is so not true. Not if you find someone who is right for you. And you'll have me, remember?" I hand her a drink and she drinks the whole thing right away,

"Still, I want to solve this. It's important, I can feel it." she says determinedly.

I take a sip from my drink, "Okay, and where is this investigation going to start?"

"At the castle. The queen is hosting a ball there and I want to take a look around" There's a sneaky grin on her face as she says it and my eyes grow big, 

"You want to sneak around the queen's castle?!"

Hyacinth shrugs, "Yes, and I need you to help me do it."