LIMERANCE,, benedict bridgerton

xxii | essence

Their weekend of bliss had ended, and Alexandria and Benedict were now on the carriage ride on the way back home. Before they left, they said their goodbyes to the Crabtrees and assured them that they would be back soon. Moira insisted they be fed before they went on their long journey home, so she had gave them both a delicious slice of cherry pie.

In the back of the carriage, Alexandria and Benedict couldn't keep their hands off eachother. They hadn't went beyond kissing just yet, but they were both comfortable were they were at and not rushing into things. They felt the carriage come to a stop and knew their time was up. The carriage had stopped outside of Alexandria's home, she dreaded going in.

Benedict could sense Alexandria's hesitation and thought it would be best to get out her and potentially even walk her inside. Benedict stepped out the carriage first and held out his hand for Alexandria to take as she climbed out which she gladly took. Benedict had dismissed the carriage driver as he may be awhile and his home was just across the street.

"You do not need to come in with me." Alexandria said turning to face Benedict, smiling appreciatively. They had to keep up a facade in public now, which should be easy considering they've always been relatively touchy which everyone is used to.

"I want to. If I know it would make you feel better?" Benedict said shrugging his shoulders. "It would. But I need to be brave and face whatever is waiting for me when I go through those doors. I would not want you to see the ugliness." Alexandria sighed casting a glance over to her front door. Benedict hated when Alexandria spoke like this, he wished he could be like the princes Alexandria read about and swooned over. He wished he could swoop in and take Alexandria and protect her forever, hide her from any evil.

But this was not a fairy tale.

"I do not like this." Benedict grumbled and Alexandria gave a little shrug of her shoulders in response. "I shall hope to see you very soon." Alexandria smiled flinging her arm softly around Benedict's middle- which she never usually does she always throws her arms around his neck for a hug, but new doors had opened in their relationship. Benedict secretly and gently planted a kiss to the top of Alexandria's head.

"What are you doing?!" Alexandria whispered when she felt the sensation of the kiss. "Sniffing your hair of course." Benedict joked. "It smells great by the way." He added.

"Shut up you big oath." Alexandria giggled shoving him slightly. They gazed into eachothers eyes once more somehow conveying secret messages, then Alexandria approached her front door.

"Wait!" Benedict exclaimed and pulled a folded piece of paper out his pocket. Alexandria furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and was about to unfold it when Benedict stopped her. "Just wait until you're inside." Benedict said, rather frantically.

They bide eachother goodbye once more and Alexandria opened her front door and walked in with an air of confidence. "Oh Thank goodness!" Rosalie exclaimed jumping up from the sofa and walking over to Alexandria.

"Where have you been?!" Rosalie shouted waving her hands around in the air articulating like a mad woman. "You know where I've been!" Alexandria shouted back."You only left a note! You could have been anywhere for crying out loud!" Rosalie exclaimed.

"Well at least I still had the decency to leave a note!" Alexandria exclaimed not backing down. "A stupid one at that." Thomas jumped in calmly. Alexandria scoffed feeling utterly helpless that no one was on her side.

"You know what? I am not even going to ask where you have been for real! I know I will not like what I hear regardless." Rosalie said coldly crossing her arms. "Fine then do not!" Alexandria shouted.

"As punishment, you are not allowed to leave this house for two weeks. You are banned from the balls until your two weeks are over." Rosalie sneered. "You cannot do that!" Alexandria exclaimed, feeling tears brewing.