LIMERANCE,, benedict bridgerton

xxiv | mr possessive

Alexandria walked out at a brisk pace so that no one would look at her weirdly. She rushed out into the garden finally feeling like she was able to breathe. The night air was crisp and the smell of smoke lingered, it wasn't a bad smell it was actually quite nice.

If Alexandria walked the gardens herself it would raise suspicions even if there was only a couple people out there with her. She settled for sitting on one of the benches instead, choosing one of the further away ones so no one could find her easily. She sank down onto the bench crossing her arms in a childlike way. Alexandria gazed out at the rather pretty garden, replaying the scene of Benedict dancing with that woman over and over again. And questioning if everything she had with Benedict was real?

"Lex." A man's voice said. She recognised the softness of the voice to be Colin's. "Colin." Alexandria sighed. He took that as his cue to sit beside her. "Bad night?" He asked. "Yeah. You?" Alexandria enquired back. She could see hesitation in Colin to agree but eventually gave in.

"I know you were away with Benedict that weekend." Colin said suddenly and Alexandria whipped her head around so fast do face him. "Who told you." She sighed letting up as she knew Colin wouldn't drop the accusation.

"I figured it out myself." Colin stated. Alexandria looked at him confused, how could he have possibly figured it out? Seeing Alexandria's confusion, Colin continued. "You both came back from the trip suddenly surrounding eachother at all times and being extremely touchy."

"You caught us." Alexandria laughed. "I know you and my brother are in love with one another." Colin said. "You have both never outright said it, but the way you look at eachother. It's as if you both settle and like there's no one else surrounding you both. That's what love is." Colin finished.

That sounded familiar, Alexandria thought as it reminded her of the way Penelope and Colin look at eachother. "A tad like you and Penelope then?" Alexandria said putting it out there. Colin didn't even try and deny it he just looked at her with so much sadness, Alexandria understood well.

"Damn you Debling." Colin muttered under his breath but Alexandria caught it. They both remained sitting on the bench looking up into the night sky. Alexandria and Colin's bond was always a special one, it was different from her bond with the other siblings. They were both sensitive souls and understood what one another was feeling perfectly. It's why they didn't have to say much words when it came to these situations, they understood.

"I am sorry about my brother being such a big oaf." Colin spoke up, referencing the incident in the ballroom. "Why would he do that to me?" Alexandria said tears welling in her eyes. "I know we're not out yet and we're trying to be as secret as possible, but I thought I knew where we stood. He could have at least told me, he looked so smug up there with that woman." Alexandria said her voice cracking a little.

"We are in the same boat then?" Colin asked and Alexandria solemnly nodded. She then went on to relay her and Benedict's weekend to Colin, his face softening with the more details she added.

"We could fake courting eachother?" Colin light heartedly suggested. "That would just be totally out the blue for us, no one would believe us." Alexandria laughed. "And I couldn't do that to Pen, no way." Alexandria said.

"You are not the brother I am in love with, It would not be convincing. And lastly, ew!" Alexandria exclaimed finishing on a lighter note. "Harsh." Colin fake pouted.

"Well the offer stands any time." He shrugged to which she laughed. "Thank you for being there for me Colin." Alexandria said in all seriousness. "Ditto" Colin smiled and Alexandria gave Colin's hand a light squeeze.

"Should we make our way back inside?" Colin asked for which Alexandria agreed and they made their way back inside together. "Yes, enough wallowing!"

Upon arriving back inside, Colin had promptly took off in the direction of where Penelope and Debling were stood talking. Alexandria observed that Colin shooed Debling off to talk to Penelope but it was quite obvious it had gotten heated.