𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓.

[ꨄ @lostaffections]

don’t leave me here alone. don’t go where i can’t follow.

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“you made dancing at a ball enjoyable since i tend to avoid these.” benedict said with that charming smile of his, bowing again.

“perhaps i shall call on you eventually someday soon?” he suggested with a head tilt. he didn’t intend on dancing with anyone else that night.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
( … ) herself with a smile , “ benedict . ”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“he is married now, but at times i do take on some duties, but it seems as if i’m not groomed for it.” benedict chuckled as the song came to an end.

he didn’t let go of her hand, however. in fact, he laced his fingers with hers. his gaze softening.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
( … ) manner .

“ perhaps you can ask your brother , sometimes . he might say he does not require your help , but at least he will know that you are willing to give it to him . ”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“my oldest brother was forced to take on all the responsibilities at such a young age. sometimes i wish i did more for him.” benedict had a chip on his shoulder.

but it was nice talking to sophie. he never opened up to anyone like this before.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“ i have few stories of my mother , ” she explained , “ and i have her necklace . i wear it every day to remind myself of where i came from . ”

she found it rather easy to open up to benedict , somehow . that was quite unexpected .
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐧𝐞 @OFTHEGEMSTONE]

𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“there are eight of us so naturally the younger ones don’t remember father very well or at all.” he said, dipping her gently.

“but we make sure to tell stories.” he said with a smile, lifting her back up.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“ well . . benedict , then , ” she said , the name sounding strange in her mouth at first . but at the same time , it felt like she was always meant to be saying it .

“ it is rather odd . i do not remember my mother very much , but everyone else does . ”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“i’m not one for formalities or tradition.” benedict said with a chuckle, beginning to dance with her and keep in tune with the steps.

“my sister eloise gets told she looks just like our father, so i understand a little.” he explained as he continued to dance with her.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
( … ) mamas who all insist on telling me that i look identical to my mother . ”

a small , rather sad smile appeared on her face at that . she missed her mother , especially on nights like tonight when she should have been here as her chaperone .
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“call me benedict, please.” he insisted as he took her over to the dance floor, bowing before he began to lead them with the dance.

he knew eyes were on him, but he didn’t care. “i’m glad to have noticed you. the only other gentlemen here are my brothers if i’m being honest.”

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
her lips curved into a smile as she placed her hand in his .

“ i would be delighted to , mr. bridgerton , ” she answered .

“ you seem to be the only person to have truly noticed me , this evening . ”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“do you wish to dance?” benedict felt they had been conversing long enough. he smiled as he extended his hand out to hers.

“unless… there is another suitor i’m aware of…” he said, taking a look around.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
( … ) shift simply because of his surname .
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

benedict took a step back and nodded as he listened to her explain herself. “you’re lord penwood’s daughter? nice to meet you.”

taking her hand, he brushed his lips along her knuckles as he kept his gaze on her. her eyes were simply dazzling.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“ i have only recently made my debut , ” she explained . her debut had been slightly delayed , as she had been mourning her father still .

“ i have not yet introduced myself , ” she realised , “ my name is sophie gun . ”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“i haven’t seen you here before.” benedict made sure to keep a distance just to be on the safe side.

“first time for everything, right?” he offered her that charming smile. although, he found it nauseating when other ladies fawned and swooned over him.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
she couldn’t help but smile at the gesture . she was rarely treated with such kindness .

“ thank you , sir , ” she whispered , “ it is only . . quite overwhelming , being here . it seems i was not as prepared as i thought i was . ”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“wait here.” he rushed over to grab her a few tissues so she could wipe her eyes. “a woman with such beauty shouldn’t shed tears now.”

he offered her a smile as he gently dabbed her eyes. “perhaps you might need an ear?” he wanted to make sure she was alright.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
she forced a smile , though her eyes were still shining with unshed tears .

“ i am quite well , sir , i assure you , ” she said , “ i only needed some . . air . ”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

benedict noticed the woman standing there troubled. so, he approached her and frowned. she seemed to not be enjoying herself.

“i’m sorry, miss. are you alright?” he asked, tilting his head. he made sure that he wasn’t overstepping.

[‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐄. @N0BLEFATE]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
she has taken refuge in the corridor in the middle of the ball to wipe her tears —— gasping as she turns around , now facing the ( *reader ) .

it is not the best first impression as she meets them for the first time , mere weeks after her debut .
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚 @OFTHEFIORE]

𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀
⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍.ᐟ

♡ 𝗂𝖿 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗇 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗉𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗐/ 𝖻𝖾𝗇𝖾𝖽𝗂𝖼𝗍. 𝖼𝗅𝖺𝗌𝗌 𝖽𝗂𝖿𝖿𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗉𝗋𝖾𝖿𝖾𝗋𝗋𝖾𝖽. 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗉𝗌 𝗐/ 𝗌𝗈𝗉𝗁𝗂𝖾 𝖻𝖺𝖾𝗄.

[𝑺𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒆 @thladyinsilver]

⠀

⠀⠀⠀ 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝑰𝒏 𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓

𝘚𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘦𝘬. 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 & 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘴.

⠀ ⠀

[𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓. @anotoriousrake]

“at least you called me benedict.” he said as he stepped closer to her. “i wanted to see you.” he simply said.

[𝓈𝑜𝑝𝘩𝑖𝑒. @donsinsilver]

"You shouldn't be here, @anotoriousrake. Why is it that whenever I need you to stay away, you do the 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵 opposite of what I ask. It is agony, Benedict!"