LIMERANCE,, benedict bridgerton

xx | the lakes

Alexandria woke with a slow start, she gently peeled her eyes opened and saw that it was now morning. She estimated it to be around five or six in the morning as the sun wasn't quite peeking through the clouds just yet. Instead of darting up out of bed right away, Alexandria allowed herself a moment to take in the comfort of the suprisingly soft sheets and of course the warmth radiating off the man besides her.

She turned to look at Benedict, he was the most still she had ever seen him. Alexandria was used to Benedict constantly fidgeting or moving around a lot, he was a restless person. She took in the features on his face that were usually sharp and masculine but in this slumber looked so soft. Alexandria subconsciously started counting the very few freckles that lined Benedict's nose.

"What am I doing!" Alexandria said internally. Deciding she was being ridiculous she finally got out of bed but being careful as to not wake Benedict.

She decided to explore around the little or should she say massive cottage some more and eventually stumbled across a rocking chair that was sitting out in the garden. She still had her nightgown covering her arms as there was a slight breeze in the air.

The view was breathtaking, she could see why Benedict choose this place to use an escape especially for inspiration. Alexandria was picturing a future here for her and how it would do her writings the world of good. "This is not your house." Alexandria had to remind herself. "But it could be." Another voice deep inside added on.

"Thought I might catch you out here." Benedict said from behind startling Alexandria a little. "You know me so well." Alexandria smiled sweetly at him. Benedict took another chair and pulled it to sit besides her.

They sat like that for a little while, the silence wasn't unbearable or overwhelming it was comfortable. That was the thing about Alexandria and Benedict, they didn't need words just eachothers presence was enough.

"It is going to be a hot day today." Benedict spoke up. "How do you know that?" Alexandria asked. "It's July." Benedict drawled and she chuckled. "I can already feel it getting warmer by the minute." Benedict said. "Shut up you big oath you cannot." Alexandria said.

"Just you wait and see, you will be burned in no time and you would not have thought to protect yourself because you did not take me seriously!" Benedict exclaimed.

"Shall we have breakfast?" Benedict asked and Alexandria nodded and eagerly jumped out of the chair. "Great because I am famished!" Benedict said dramatically.

"Do you actually have anything.... to eat?" Alexandria asked opening and shutting cupboard doors. "I will whisk up something." Benedict said defensively and Alexandria raised her hands in defense. "Do you even know how to cook." She emphasised, remembering back to the time Eloise told her that Anthony and Daphne did not even know how to heat up milk.

"Why don't you take a seat milady and I shall serve your breakfast directly to you!" Benedict said chuckling and ignoring her comment ushering Alexandria to the table.

"This is the best it is going to get I am afraid." Benedict said a little sadly as he placed a plate of scrambled eggs infront of her. "It's still something." Alexandria smiled up at him and gratefully tucked in.

❀•°❀°•❀

The rest of the morning was spent with Alexandria hunched over in an awkward position in the rocking chair writing anything that came to her. Her brain was producing words and thoughts at a rapid rate she couldn't keep up. Benedict was perched on a stool leaning forward and painting the view infront of him, his back was aching.