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They had just returned to London and it was their wedding ball that the Duchess and Duke of Hastings were throwing in their honour.
It was to be the last ball of the season and Daphne wanted it to be in honour of her brother and newest sister in law, to help set them in a good standing with the rest of the ton. Daphne knew most people wouldn’t approve of Sophie with the Charles Beckett story much less the truth… but she also knew people would not cross a Duchess or a Viscountess and both she and Kate adored Sophie.
Sophie was in her and Benedict’s room at Bridgerton House. Whilst they were on their honeymoon, Benedict had closed the lease on his property at Number 10 Bruton street and had his things, and the things he had bought for Sophie sent over to Wiltshire and to My Cottage, ready for their arrival in two weeks time.
The ball had been posponted a few weeks due to the children all having a fever, then the Viscount himself, Kate had written long letters to Sophie to complain about how bad a patient her husband was, the letters had amused Sophie and made Benedict laugh at hearing how bad his brother had been. He had the pox as a child and he had been miserable for the week…
Sophie was a ball of nerves, this was actually the first ball she had been invited to, the first ball she was allowed to attend and the first ball as a wife… and to top it all off, it was a ball being held in her honour and was closing out the season so almost anyone who was anyone would be there…
Sophie stood in the little dressing room off from her and Benedict’s room looking around the mounds of dresses that were around her. She had never seen this many clothes in her life, let alone the fact they were all hers…
So many dresses, so many different colours and it was all a little overwhelming.
“I thought I might find you in here” Benedict said leaning casually against the door, his eyes trained on his beautiful wife as she stood there in her stays, slip and stockings. It took all of his self-control not to grab her and take her back to their bed and ravish her, worship her like the goddess she was, the queen of his heart.
Sophie turned around and smiled at her husband “would you close the door please. I am not dressed for anyone to see me” she said. Edmund and Miles had been ecstatic at Sophie’s return and had barely let her go for 5 minutes since their return two days ago, Sophie adored her new nephews and loved sitting and telling them stories.
Benedict pushed the door closed and walked in towards his wife and wrapped an arm around her waist. “As much as I appreciate the view, and seeing you in naught but what you have on, we have to leave shortly my love and you cannot go out in public like this” he said with a smile, his hand trailing over the fabric that was holding her stays together, running his finger over the loose silk of the ribbon that kept his wife’s naked flesh from him.
“I am not dressed because I do not know what to wear!” Sophie said in a little panic. “This is technically my first ball!” she said, hysteria in her voice.
Benedict rubbed the bare skin of her arms and made soothing noises at her “Sophie… please take a breath my love. It is fine, it is Daphne, she had no dress code, no costume party… you can wear whichever dress you would like” Benedict said as he let ihs eyes roam over the different colours of fabric in front of her.
“That’s not the point Benedict… Daphne is a Duchess, she is throwing this on our behalf, for our wedding, for the ton to see me… and I do not wish to embarass you or your family… I mean my dancing is likely to do that anyway!” Sophie said in mild panic.
Benedict had been teaching her more dances on their honeymoon, in preparation for the ball and she knew what she was doing but she kept stepping on his toes. His brothers and Simon had been warned…
“You’re dancing with no one but family tonight Sophie… so our toes you need not worry about… but if you need help to pick a dress… may… may i?” he asked tenatively as he looked down at her, his chocolate brown eyes looking into her green ones.
Sophie tilted her head, Benedict was an artist, she knew that… she knew he had amazing taste, she loved the presents he had bought her… he… he might be the answer.
She nodded “go on then Husband, you may choose as the lamb is lead to the slaughter” she teased
Benedict rolled his eyes “not funny Sophie…” he said as he leaned down and kissed her. “You are not a lamb, you are my goddess and I cannot wait to walk in there with you on my arm, to show you off to the world. To show the world just how beautiful you are” he said.
Sophie could have swooned. “Oh Benedict I love you” she smiled at him.
Benedict smiled “I love you too” and he walked away from her, walking between her dresses looking at the colours and then back at his wife.
“Who thought to get you that?” he said pointing at a dress that was this ridiculous shade of pink, something Portia Featherington would have picked.
“Daphne…?” Sophie said softly watching her husband pick the dress up and Chuck it in the corner.
Benedict shook his head “absolutely not. I’m sorry but that colour would not suit you Soph… it would literally drown you out”
Sophie giggled.
“Why are you laughing at me…?” He pouted at her.
Sophie walked to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“You keep trying to tell me you are not an artist… yet you know what colours suit, what colours compliment skin tones” she said, love and adoration in her eyes.
Benedict blushed “maybe I am a little”
“Benedict my love you have the soul and heart of an artist. I just wish to nurture you and your talent but now… I need a dress so please…” she smiled as she raised herself to her toes and kissed him softly.
Benedict nodded and turned bending to pick up a stunning dark green dress “this will make you look even more beautiful than usual and will really bring out the colour in your eyes” he said softly handing her the dress
“Help me with it?” She asked. She still didn’t have a ladies maid.
10 minutes later Sophie was dressed and looked impressed, “you know… I may have to get you to always choose my clothing” she giggled as she took in her appearance.
“Sophie, my darling when we get back to our home…” he said, wrapping his arms around her carefully to place a delicate Pearl and emerald necklace on her neck before stroking her collar bone causing her to shiver “you are not wearing clothes for at least a week”
Sophie giggled and blushed “you promise?”
Taking his wife’s arm and leading her through Bridgerton House “oh I absolutely promise” he said placing a kiss on her ring fingers.