Chapter Text
“Are you planning on eating that eclair or pulverizing it?” Benedict’s amused voice called out.
Eloise startled, not having felt his presence until his comment. She cleared her throat hurriedly and turned towards her brother, giving him a quick once over.
Benedict gave a cheeky smile at Eloise’s unimpressed gaze. He looked as put together as he usually did for the first ball of the season - their mother would have had his head otherwise.
“Whatever do you mean, dear brother?” Eloise gritted out.
Ben gave a quick smirk and said, “I mean that if you were to squeeze any tighter on that eclair, the contents may explode all over everyone here.”
Eloise cleared her throat, loosening her grip on the pastry and said, “I’m unsure what you mean brother. I’m just holding an eclair as I normally would.”
She took a solid bite of the dessert, giving Benedict an unseemly chocolate covered grin.
“Ah, my apologies,” Benedict said, mockingly. “Most likely my bad eyes.”
“I mean I should have known I was seeing things when I could have sworn I saw you here glaring at that corner of the ballroom,” Benedict continued, pointing towards the alcove with his head.
Eloise, eyes narrowed, followed his line of vision towards the current bane of her existence.
Penelope Featherington.
With her new friend Cressida Cowper.
“The argument between you and Penelope must have been more serious than I thought if she’s willingly spending time with Miss Cowper,” Benedict said dryly.
Eloise sniffed.
“It looks like I knew her even less than I thought I did,” She said, sending the two girls a nasty look.
The pair quietly stood in a corner, chatting with each other in whispered tones. About what - Eloise would never know. After all, what thoughts could Cressida Cowper of all people have? There was more air between her ears than fabric in one of her oversized sleeves.
“You know Eloise, you could always go talk to them,” Benedict said gently.
Eloise shot him an angry look as she huffed and started walking away, “I think I shall rather pass on that wonderful venture, brother. If mama looks for me, please tell her I went outside for some air.”
Eloise shuffled further behind the tree, biting back a curse. Why did the material of her dress have to be so heavy? And why did there have to be so much of it? It made it almost impossible to hide unseen amongst the foliage. She ducked down as she heard approaching footsteps.
And a familiar voice.
“Lord Greer?” Penelope’s worried voice called out.
“Yes. if I do not succeed soon, I fear what fate awaits me,” Cressida responded.
Eloise’s interest piqued. What fate awaited Cressida? What could the two be talking about?
“I’m sorry Cressida,” Pen said softly, reaching out to link arms with the much taller girl.
All curiosity Eloise had felt suddenly dissipated as she stared at Penelope’s small hand softly patting Cressida’s own.
That was their gesture. That was what Penelope and Eloise did.
And now Penelope was doing that with Cressida Cowper ? Her once hated bully?
“We should take your mind off it,” Penelope continued, entirely unaware of Eloise’s internal conflict. “I know a spot close to here where we can get a really wonderful view of the stars.”
Eloise bit back an angry gasp, already bristling with indignation. Penelope was going to take Cressida Cowper to their secret spot? To the spot where they met up to speak about their spinster dreams and what their future would hold? Cressida Cowper, the she-viper, was going there?
Oh absolutely not.