LIMERANCE,, benedict bridgerton

xxxxiv | something blue

Gradually throughout the morning, people had started arriving at My Cottage. Violet, Penelope and Marianne had stayed overnight so that they would be there for Alexandria first thing.

Marianne was fussing over Alexandria's hair, ensuring that it was perfect and not single hair would be out of place or come loose throughout the day. "Ow!" Alexandria exclaimed as Marianne had yanked a bit of hair too tight. "Do you want lovely hair or not?" Marianne asked, rolling her eyes.

"I suppose..." Alexandria grumbled as Marianne continued pulling pieces of hair back with not so gentle fingers. "Beauty is pain!" Violet chimed in, she was in that moment sitting next to Alexandria eager to help her into her wedding dress.

Penelope was offering reassuring words and helping Alexandria fix up her rouge. Penelope proved to be a great comfort, even in her gentle ways. Her presence was—Alexandria thought—always needed.

"I am here!" A voice announced, bursting through the doors and breaking the a pleasant chatter. "Eloise! You made it!" Alexandria squealed running over to her bestfriend and falling into her embrace.

"I have been away for not even a month, not years!" Eloise exclaimed, smiling at her bestfriends. "But of course I would come, I was not missing this for the world."

Eloise had came in wearing a baby blue dress, something which made Alexandria smile immediately. "You are my something blue!" Alexandria beamed. "I suppose I am!" Eloise smiled as she looked down at her dress and connected the dots.

Eloise sat off to the side with Penelope, Violet pestering her about her dress and nagging her to sit up straight. Alexandria laughed at Eloise slumped over in the loveseat. "You are going to get creases in your dresses." Alexandria warned, examining the way Eloise was sitting.

"You sound just like mama." Eloise said rolling her eyes. "I will take that as a compliment." Alexandria smirked. "Thank you, dear." Violet beamed, placing a hand on Alexandria's shoulder.

"Now, I think it is time to get you into your dress." Violet smiled, taking the dress that Madame Delacroix had so generously took the time to perfect and hem in time and handed it to Alexandria. "I cannot believe I will be wearing this dress in a matter of moments. It does not feel real." Alexandria said completely in awe at her dress, staring at it like it was the most precious thing she had ever held.

"You best believe it, Lex. You are going to look so beautiful." Eloise smiled, acknowledging the look on Alexandria's face. "Thank you, Eloise. That is strangely kind coming from you..." Alexandria said, purposely pressing Eloise's buttons.

"Oh shush!" Eloise exclaimed, sticking her tongue out at Alexandria who just laughed in response.

"Let us make haste getting you into this dress!" Violet said cheerfully, clapping her hands together in excitement. The women had all gathered around Alexandria and watched her as she got the dress on.

She shed the dressing gown she had been wearing and Violet helped Alexandria step into the dress, Marianne coming over and tightening the back of her dress up with careful and nimble fingers. "I think my airway has been restricted." Alexandria said, her voice restrained.

"Sorry baby." Alexandria thought to herself as the waist of her dress was cinched in completely and she could not breathe. The relief she knew she would feel later would be immense.

Violet had made sure the hem of Alexandria's dress was completely dropped and not an inch of skin showing and smoothed down any little creases that appeared. A wave of sadness came over Alexandria in an instant, It should have been her mother doing all of this. Ensuring she looked perfect for her big day.