Chapter Text
Eloise and Theo had the chance to see each other more often now that her family was aware and, generally speaking, approving their relationship.
They were even meeting at her house.
Francesca had a successful debut season and was likely to get a proposal sooner or later.
Benedict was officially to be married with Sophie two months after the end of the season.
Kate gave birth to a beautiful, healthy boy. Baby Edmund was as beautiful as his parents and Anthony couldn't be happier and prouder of his son and wife.
Will Mondrich was really happy with Theo's work and every second month he paid him some extra money. Also Theo's pamphlets were becoming more and more popular which also increased his income and helped him to organise his surprise for Eloise earlier than he expected.
Eloise was getting better and better with her writing. She was considering the idea of writing a book. She always wanted to write a novel, but Theo had a better idea.
He told her it would be better, if she wanted, to write a book about inspiring and revolutionary women of their time. Eloise got excited by his idea.
~•~
It was the last event of the season and of course Violet Bridgerton was hosting a masquerade ball at her house. Violet informed Eloise that she had invited Theo at the ball.
Eloise couldn't believe that she would really be happy to attend a ball for once. When Theo arrived he was looking for her. He felt completely unwelcome between those people.
Benedict was the one to recognise him and approached him.
"Nice mask Theo, but it can't hide your awkwardness. Let me take you to Eloise."
Theo always appreciated Benedict and his behaviour towards him. He was a smiley man with good manners, not because he was a member of the ton, but because he was a good-hearted man.
"I hope we'll see you on my wedding. You'll get an invitation soon. Actually you are the one to print them", Benedict said.
"Me?"
"Is the question about you coming to the wedding or printing the invitations?", Benedict asked.
"Both I suppose", Theo answered still confused.
"Well, I consider you a friend, and you are courting my sister. Of course you are invited. And I've read some of your pamphlets. If you are half as good in printing as you are in writing you'll do a great job."
"Thank you, sir", that was the only thing Theo could tell. He was always so grateful to Benedict.
"Nonsense, I really like you and please call me Benedict", he said and smiled.
Soon they found Eloise. She was talking with Penelope and Cressida.
"Here he is!", Benedict said showing Theo to the group of the ladies.
Theo bowed towards them and said;
"Pleased to see all of you, my ladies."
Penelope and Cressida greeted him back.
"The printer boy", Cressida said almost whispering so that no one could listen to her.
"Well that's me, I guess", Theo said with a smile on his face. It was good to be around familiar faces.
"We didn't have the chance to be properly introduced the last time", Cressida said.
Eloise thought that Cressida was flirting Theo.
"Well, this is Cressida Cowper and this is Theo Sharpe", she said really annoyed by Cressida's interest.
Penelope gave Eloise a gentle nudge with her elbow;
"You are too obvious", Penelope was enjoying teasing Eloise.
"Don't worry Eloise, I won't steal your boy. My family wouldn't accept him anyway. No offense, mister Sharpe", Cressida said to calm Eloise.
"No problem, miss Cowper"
Theo and Eloise excused themselves and she took him by the hand and the two of them together walked away. He was feeling uncomfortable, it was clear.
She was telling him about her next article and the research she's done so far for her book. Theo was listening to her carefully, as always, and gradually they both felt as if they were alone in the room.
He was discreetly holding her hand and that made her feel comfortable too.
It was a ball hosted at her house but she was still feeling unwelcome just as in every other ball.
Her presence made him feel more comfortable and his presence made her feel more comfortable.
"Oh, you should write you name here", Eloise said showing him her dance card.
"So that we can dance", she added reluctantly.
She didn't know if he wanted to dance with her. They hadn't talked about it before.
"Is that so?", he asked in his usual charming way. He took the card and wrote his name.
"Should I fill the whole card?", he asked "or should I leave room for other suitors too?".
"Oh please, leave some space for the rest. Benedict always dances with me in this specific ball. You better leave some space for his name otherwise I can't guarantee your good relationship will stay unharmed", she explained and they both laughed.
When the music started Theo took Eloise's hand and they moved to the dance floor, alongside the other couples and they started dancing.
He was a good dancer, and it was probably the first time that Eloise was enjoying a dance that her partner wasn't one of her brothers. At some point everyone stopped and were simply watching them.
You don't usually see Eloise Bridgerton enjoying dancing and talking with her partner. She was even laughing with what Theo was telling to her.
Everyone in the room was talking about a beautiful couple and of course they were wondering who that man was.
Eloise had one more dance with Theo and then one with each one of her brothers. She was in such good mood that she couldn't reject any of them, even if they had the talent to constantly vex her.
It was the only dancing card that Eloise kept. With Theo's name on it, it was one of her most precious belongings and a souvenir of a beautiful night with her favourite people; her family and Theo.
~•~
The season was finally over and during the next few weeks the Bridgertons were finalizing the preparations for Benedict's wedding. Sophie had already developed friendly relationships with his family, especially Kate and Eloise. The marriage would be a closed event; only family invited.
Theo had now successfully completed his apprenticeship and was a printer. Will Mondrich, who appreciated the young man and wanted to help him to fulfill his dreams, made him an offer.
He asked Theo to print the invitations for the exclusive member events at his gentlemen club. Initially, Will wanted to offer Theo some money, as an investment, to help him with this new start, but he knew that Theo Sharpe would never accept to build his future with someone else's money. Theo wasn't against a business deal with Mondrich and the two of them could definitely make some future plans together for their respective businesses.
~•~
It is the wedding's day! How exciting!
Daphne and Simon arrived the night before and helped with the last details. Theo visited the Bridgertons early in the morning on the wedding day. This made Eloise very happy.
They could spend the whole day together. He helped Benedict to prepare himself and the two of them had a few chats at the altar, while Benedict was waiting for Sophie, his future wife.
Benedict and Sophie were finally husband and wife and everyone in the family was extremely happy for them. Even baby Edmund was clapping with his small hands.
Theo took Eloise by her hand, after they had congratulated the married couple, so that they could talk. They moved a little bit away from the rest of her family.
"I know that when I started my second job I had even less time to see you, but I did everything for you, never forget that"
"Don't apologize, Theo, I would never accuse you for being such a hardworking man. Don't forget that I had limited free time because of the season preparations too", Eloise said, trying to make him feel better. She hated it when he was strict with himself.
"I've been working as hard as I can that's true, and mr. and mrs. Mondrich have been very kind with me. I know that no matter how hard I try, I'll never be a good match for you. You deserve the world and I'll try to offer you as much as I can, be sure about that", he was clearly very emotional already.
"Theo..." Eloise said almost in tears.
"Please, let me finish. Actually I want all of your family to know", he said and they moved closer to the rest of her family.
"Eloise Bridgerton, I am perfectly aware that in this world you and I could never be accepted as a couple. Also, I know that I am a selfish person. I shouldn't allow myself to catch feelings for you and when I realised that I do, I should have let you go, because I don't deserve you."
"Theo, you understand that you speak nonsense now, right?"
"Eloise, I want to enjoy every moment I spend with you but I know this can't last forever", his shaky voice made it clear that he was in pain just by the thought that one day they could break up.
"Theo Sharpe, I made the mistake to lose you from my life once. I don't like to repeat my mistakes, you know. And to make it clear, unless you want to leave there's no way I'm letting you go. You are in trouble, sir", Eloise tried to joke, hoping that her fear of losing him wasn't obvious on the tone of her voice.
"Leave you? Eloise, when you hugged me for the first time, I felt like your hug was the place I was looking for to feel loved and safe. Your hug is my sanctuary and I feel helpless away from it, away from you"
He took a deep breath before he continued. Some of the ladies were already in tears listening to him.
"The title doesn't make the man. You have to find a husband like him", lady Danbury whispered to the young Bridgerton ladies and Cressida, who were standing next to her.
"I was saving some money in order for you to go a trip around the country and see new places. To see the things we've talked about, the things you've read about, to meet new people. The money I saved will be enough for you and another person of your choice that can come with you."
"What do you mean? You don't want to come with me?"
"If you want me to, of course I will", Theo said and a tear dropped from his eye.
"Why would I ever choose anyone else if you are an option?" Eloise, who was crying too at this point, asked.
"Because, Eloise, for as long the two of us are together you will always have the option to choose. And even when you don't choose me, I'll try my best to support your choices."
"You will always be my choice, Theo. I love you." Eloise said and couldn't help herself. She kissed him, in front of everyone.
Theo whispered with such a quite voice;
"I love you too", so that no one could hear him saying those four words.
Not because he was ashamed of declaring his love.
No.
But there was only one person that he wanted to say those words to, only one person that he felt so strong feelings for and only that person should listen to those words. Eloise smiled.
~•~
Eloise had finally found a man that suits her. A man who was willing to show her the world with conversations, travels and books. And that made her the happiest woman in the world and when Eloise was happy she radiated an even brighter light than usual. Theo then realised that Eloise wasn't just a star. She was a universe, his whole universe.
The best thing about them is that they didn't complete each other, they were accepting each other completely.
They managed to be together against all odds, they treated each other as equals.
Every time they kissed they sealed the agreement their souls made; to be together for ever.
Theo and Eloise would live their happily ever after by writing pamphlets, going to protests, fighting for equality, meeting new people and traveling around the world.
Not bad for a lady and a socially inappropriate boy.
--The end--