โyou made dancing at a ball enjoyable since i tend to avoid these.โ benedict said with that charming smile of his, bowing again.
โperhaps i shall call on you eventually someday soon?โ he suggested with a head tilt. he didnโt intend on dancing with anyone else that night.
โhe is married now, but at times i do take on some duties, but it seems as if iโm not groomed for it.โ benedict chuckled as the song came to an end.
he didnโt let go of her hand, however. in fact, he laced his fingers with hers. his gaze softening.
โ โ โ โ โ
( โฆ ) manner .
โ 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 . โ
โ โ โ โ โ
โmy oldest brother was forced to take on all the responsibilities at such a young age. sometimes i wish i did more for him.โ benedict had a chip on his shoulder.
but it was nice talking to sophie. he never opened up to anyone like this before.
โ โ โ โ โ
โ i have few stories of my mother , โ she explained , โ and i have her necklace . i wear it every day to remind myself of where i came from . โ
she found it rather easy to open up to benedict , somehow . that was quite unexpected .
โ โ โ โ โ
โthere are eight of us so naturally the younger ones donโt remember father very well or at all.โ he said, dipping her gently.
โbut we make sure to tell stories.โ he said with a smile, lifting her back up.
โ โ โ โ โ
โ well . . benedict , then , โ 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 .
โ it is rather odd . i do not remember my mother very much , but everyone else does . โ
โ โ โ โ โ
โiโm not one for formalities or tradition.โ benedict said with a chuckle, beginning to dance with her and keep in tune with the steps.
โmy sister eloise gets told she looks just like our father, so i understand a little.โ he explained as he continued to dance with her.
โ โ โ โ โ
( โฆ ) mamas who all insist on telling me that i look identical to my mother . โ
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 .
โ โ โ โ โ
โcall me benedict, please.โ 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 didnโt care. โiโm glad to have noticed you. the only other gentlemen here are my brothers if iโm being honest.โ
โ โ โ โ โ
her lips curved into a smile as she placed her hand in his .
โ i would be delighted to , mr. bridgerton , โ she answered .
โ you seem to be the only person to have truly noticed me , this evening . โ
โ โ โ โ โ
โdo you wish to dance?โ benedict felt they had been conversing long enough. he smiled as he extended his hand out to hers.
โunlessโฆ there is another suitor iโm aware ofโฆโ he said, taking a look around.
benedict took a step back and nodded as he listened to her explain herself. โyouโre lord penwoodโs daughter? nice to meet you.โ
taking her hand, he brushed his lips along her knuckles as he kept his gaze on her. her eyes were simply dazzling.
โ โ โ โ โ
โ i have only recently made my debut , โ she explained . her debut had been slightly delayed , as she had been mourning her father still .
โ i have not yet introduced myself , โ she realised , โ my name is sophie gun . โ
โ โ โ โ โ
โi havenโt seen you here before.โ benedict made sure to keep a distance just to be on the safe side.
โfirst time for everything, right?โ he offered her that charming smile. although, he found it nauseating when other ladies fawned and swooned over him.
โ โ โ โ โ
she couldnโt help but smile at the gesture . she was rarely treated with such kindness .
โ thank you , sir , โ she whispered , โ it is only . . quite overwhelming , being here . it seems i was not as prepared as i thought i was . โ
โ โ โ โ โ
โwait here.โ he rushed over to grab her a few tissues so she could wipe her eyes. โa woman with such beauty shouldnโt shed tears now.โ
he offered her a smile as he gently dabbed her eyes. โperhaps you might need an ear?โ he wanted to make sure she was alright.
โ โ โ โ โ
she forced a smile , though her eyes were still shining with unshed tears .
โ i am quite well , sir , i assure you , โ she said , โ i only needed some . . air . โ
โ โ โ โ โ
benedict noticed the woman standing there troubled. so, he approached her and frowned. she seemed to not be enjoying herself.
โiโm sorry, miss. are you alright?โ he asked, tilting his head. he made sure that he wasnโt overstepping.
โ โ โ โ โ
she has taken refuge in the corridor in the middle of the ball to wipe her tears โโ 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 .
โ โ โ โ โ
"You shouldn't be here, @anotoriousrake. Why is it that whenever I need you to stay away, you do the ๐ฆ๐น๐ข๐ค๐ต opposite of what I ask. It is agony, Benedict!"