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Eloise has a problem. Edwina Sharma.
There was nothing wrong with the girl. That was precisely the point. Eloise could find fault in every other girl her age on the marriage mart.
So she would try to be friendly as Anthony instructed.
Edwina was sitting in the drawing room, reading a book in a language Eloise did not recognise because, of course she had to be multi-lingual. She could not be a mere ornament. Benedict was reading a book of poetry, acting the chaperone.
Why was she thinking of her brother as a chaperone? She scolded herself and looked back at Edwina, who was looking up at her.
A nervous chuckle escaped her mouth, and she sat down next to Edwina on the chaise, "Um, hello."
"Hello." Edwina smiled at her.
"You did well for your first time playing. Don't be disheartened." Eloise said gently, and Edwina mustered a small smile, "I used to be terrible at it."
"I apologise; I was being dull." Edwina quickly said, slipping back into the mask of the perfect Diamond. She didn't enjoy Pall Mall.
"No! Not at all. People enjoy different activities." Eloise does not know why she wants to reassure her. She should not care. She doesn't care, this is just her being a good host.
"Will the Viscount..." Edwina began, and Benedict's ears pricked, "Be disappointed?"
"I try not to put too much stock into my brother's opinion, but he also knows that we all enjoy different activities." Eloise assured, "What do you like to do?"
"Thank you," Edwina smiled, "I have always preferred books to sports."
"As have I. What are you currently reading?" Eloise asks, and she reminds Edwina of Newton when he wants a treat or walkies - excited and wide-eyed, eager to
"Well, a few books. I enjoy learning from fictional and non-fictional accounts." Edwina explained, turning fully to her. She holds up the book in her hand, "This is a book called Valmiki Ramayana. It is an epic story about a prince in ancient India and written by a woman."
"That sounds fascinating." Eloise said, "I have just finished a romance novel of all things. Why don't you tell me what you think?"
"Why don't we swap?" Edwina suggested, "I have an English translation unless you read Sanskrit?"
"I do not," They both chuckle at one another.
Kate had been looking for her sister and was glad to see her with Eloise and Benedict, happier than she was after playing Pall Mall.
"Edwina, time to change for dinner," Kate says gently, and Edwina nods.
"Let's switch books later," Edwina suggested before skipping over to her sister.
Benedict furrows his eyes at his sister's change. She hated women of the Ton; she hated the title of the Diamond and, by that extension, did not like the women who primmed and primed themselves to look for a husband.
"That was nice of you, El." Benedict snarked. She hit him with her book, and his old sister was back.
"He's awful."
"That is reductive! He is merely trying to gain her attention."
"I am sure flowers would do the trick, not locking her in the house with his wife in the attic!"
They both end up laughing about the romance novel Eloise had given her. Upon reflection, it was far more ridiculous than she originally thought.
"Do you really want some man to stalk you to gain your attention?" Edwina challenged playfully.
Edwina pretended to think, "Yes!" They were in a fit of giggles again. They knew these books were not meant to be enlightening in any way, but for once, Eloise was not looking for enlightenment, merely enjoyment.
"I still cannot believe there are educated female writers in India," Eloise said when they had calmed down, holding the book Edwina had given her.
"I knew you would enjoy the book," Edwina said, "Anurupa Devi is a brilliant writer. I wanted to be a writer..." She trailed off, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Eloise looked at her with sympathy. The whole marriage mart crushed the dreams of so many ambitious women.
"Why not stay in India, write?" Eloise asked, "I mean, marriage cannot be all you think of?"
"We had to. We do not have the protection of a male relative." Edwina explained, "You may view your circumstance as oppressive, but I will always miss my Appa. We were safe. It is why being the Diamond is so important to me."
Eloise bit her lip. She had not thought of it like that. She supposed the freedom of thinking about that, given she had three male relatives in a position to keep them all safe, as well as the Duke of Hastings.
"I did not mean to insult you. I'm sorry." Eloise said, and they shared a small smile.
"Are women better educated in India?" She wanted to help Edwina focus on happy memories. Anthony was not proposing, despite him making it his personal mission. He seemed more interested in vexing the elder sister.
"To an extent." Edwina mused, "Kate and I were extremely privileged. Ap- Our father worked for the Raj, so we were educated by the royal family's tutors. Kate was allowed to hunt, as did the Raj's wife. I was allowed to learn what the boys were learning."
"She can hunt?" Eloise was even more interested in the elder Sharma sister.
"We did not learn how to ride side saddle," Edwina admits sheepishly. She was not an enthusiastic horsewoman like her mother and sister but could handle herself on the animal if needed.
Eloise giggled, "Could you teach me to ride astride?"
"Ask Kate. She's better than me," Edwina said.
"That is not true. I admire your sister for her independence, despite how society treats women who do not want to marry." Eloise said and grabbed her hand, "But I admire you too. For coming into the vicious world of the Ton, in a country you only from anecdotes and well, winning the Queen's favour. Like my sister, you are perfect, so some of us do not have to be."
"I do not feel I am winning." Edwina admitted quietly, "I just wish to be loved, I suppose. Your brother... do you know his mind?"
Eloise does not know what to say. She seems to love her brother, who would not love her back. What was wrong with the men of this city? She thought her brother was kinder than that.
Gently, she takes Edwina's hand and squeezed it. Edwina held on.
Eloise hates her mother's Hearts and Flowers Ball. Daphne and Penelope want her to go on the floor and mingle. She wanted to be in her room with her books.
She glances at Anthony, who has Edwina by the hand. She glances at Eloise and smiles.
Lord Mormont is an ass. She can't do this. She cannot do what Daphne does. She cannot be happy for Anthony if he proposes tonight. So she runs, because she knows her mother is disappointed. She goes up to her bedroom and just cries.
Benedict followed, having seen his sister flee the floor and their mother.
"Just leave me!" Eloise sobbed, but Benedict ignored her, sitting down next to her on the bed and wrapping her in his arms.
"I know, it's okay." He murmured into her hair. This season has been difficult for Eloise. He knows that she hates the pageantry and pretending.
And she could never be attracted to any of them men.
"Would you like me to punch him?" Benedict asked, making her laugh. She looked up at him, and he wiped tears from her cheeks as she sniffled.
"I ruined your shirt," She said quietly, looking at the stains her tears left on his white shirt.
"Good, now I don't have to go down." They remain in silence, the noise of the ball very distant. Eloise manages to stop crying.
"She deserves better. She's so good and intelligent and kind. She thinks the best of everyone and everything and has been trying so hard!" Eloise rambled. Benedict furrowed his eyebrows.
"Who?"
"Edwina." Eloise said quietly, "We both know Anthony does not love her, and he'll either propose and trap her or not, and it could ruin her."
"Do you know why you care so much for Edwina's future?"
"I just..." Could she say it to Benedict? Her favourite brother, who never mocked her for her sincere beliefs. Who was an artist. He would not mock her.
"I know why and don't worry, there is nothing wrong with it." He said gently.
She widened her eyes at him, "It's our secret. It's always been our secret. I'm a bit like you in that way, I prefer the company of both sexes. I know women who prefer the company of other women,"
"She does not feel the same, and I am fine keeping her as a friend." She whispered, "I have not felt like this before. Please, talk to Antony or Kate! Kate doesn't like him, she'll listen to you."
Benedict sighed. Getting Anthony not to do something was a difficult task.
"I will see what I can do." He said but made no promises, "You stay here. I will tell Mother that you went to sleep." She nodded, and he squeezed her tightly before leaving her to rest.
He thought about how to approach this. He could speak to Miss Sharma and Lady Mary. But he would have to go to Anthony because he would stubbornly pursue Edwina to get one over Kate.
Walking into a hall, he saw Daphne arguing with Anthony, who looked far more rumpled than before. The two were arguing - not new. But what they were arguing about is what shocked him and made him realise that Eloise was right.
"...I will propose to Miss Edwina. There is nothing between Kate- Miss Sharma and I."
"That did not look like nothing," Daphne snapped, and the Viscount stormed away.
"Daph..." Benedict called cautiously, and the Duchess' eyes widened at the sound of her second brother. She downs the whiskey before turning to him, stressed.
"Anthony is being..." She sighed, pouring another glass. He took it from her, drinking it himself. As funny as seeing his sister in her cups would be, the Duchess of Hastings could not be.
"Dear God, what is he about to do?" Benedict asked, handing her the glass.
Daphne sighed, "Something foolish. Where is Eloise? Mother invited Lord Mormont here to dance with her. Apparently, he is quite the radical. Simon says so too."
"That's his name?" Benedict mused as they walked back to the ballroom. She looks up at him suspiciously.
Daphne tries not to laugh when Benedict trips him up as he tries to go to the dance floor and then 'accidentally' causes him to spill his drink.
They are leaving. Eloise can see how upset Edwina is. She approaches her as the footman takes her bag.
"It was really nice to spend time with you," Edwina mustered a small smile.
"You can have my book." Eloise said earnestly, practically shoving it in her direction, "I can get another one, and this is one from my father's library. I want you to have it as a happy memory of Aubery Hall,"
Their eyes met, and Edwina smiled, "Well then, you can have my book." She opens her purse and pulls out a small handbook of poetry, "I know you do not believe in marriage, but Ghalib has always been great guidance. My appa thought so too." She kissed the cover before handing it to her, and Eloise smiled.
Kate and Edwina walk to the carriage, but as they do, someone calls out, "Miss Sharma!"
But it is not the Viscount. But the second son.
"Miss Edwina!" Benedict gets there before Anthony can, and it confuses everyone. Violet and Daphne look at him, confused. His other siblings were surprised and confused, Eloise most of all. Mary and Lady Danbury watch in anticipation, the former leaving the carriage.
Benedict is down on one knee, and Edwina's eyes widen. Kate is just as befuddled by this.
"What on earth are you doing?" Anthony hissed angrily, pulling his brother up roughly, "Are you out of your mind?"
"I believe we all need to go. Inside. Now." Lady Danbury argued, stopping any sort of fight between the brothers.
"Violet, I know you did not exactly approve of my decision to leave but to allow your sons to treat my daughters like this. To humiliate them!" Mary's tone is sharp and authoritative.
In the Viscount's study, the Sharmas are scattered. Edwina stares out of a window, her cheeks flushed in shame, hurt and embarrassment. Kate matches Lady Danbury's glare. Anthony is angry and an unapologetic Benedict is draped across a chair.
"Mary, I have no idea what is happening!" Violet argued earnestly and then glared at her son.
Benedict stood up, "Lady Mary, my intention was not to embarrass Miss Edwina or Miss Kate Sharma, I assure you. It was to save her from a world of unhappiness."
Edwina turns around at that, looking at him, confused. Benedict met her gaze, speaking to her directly.
"You and I are alike. El told me that you wish for a love match. My brother does not want love in his marriage. He chose you because you are the Diamond. In good conscience, I did not want the two of you to be in a loveless marriage," He explained, then he looked to his mother, "It is not what father would have wanted."
Kate looks vindicated and relieved, whilst Anthony is hard to read. A mixture of relief, anger, and embarrassment.
Edwina blinked. Eloise must have gone to him. To save her.
"Is this true, my lord?" Edwina asks the Viscount, who cannot meet any of the Sharma women's eyes - and how could he? The youngest is hurt, the elder sister is slightly smug, knowing he will not dishonour her sister, and the matriarch would like to kill him.
Anthony cleared his throat, "My intention was never to mislead you.
"Why do we not all stay here for one more evening? To come up with a plan of how to proceed," Violet asked.
Mary thought for a moment. She did not want to spend a moment longer with the Viscount who had toyed with her youngest, but she was no fool. They had to stop a scandal, "Yes. That would be productive. I would like my daughters put in rooms further away."
"That would be a good idea." Lady Danbury said sharply, her eyes sliding from Kate to Anthony's. Mary notices and knows she and her old friends have much to discuss.
Kate and Edwina look at one another as their mother takes charge. This was the Mary Sharma before she lost the love of her life. Like any diamond, sharp to touch, beautiful to look at.
"I presume this courtship is over," Edwina said steelily, swallowing.
"That is certain." Mary said, "Is it not, my Lord?"
"Yes," Anthony said, relief in his shoulders. Edwina was allowed to leave the room as the three older women sat down to plot and plan.
Eloise nervously fidgeted, walking back and forth. Why did she speak to Benedict? She should not have said anything. Oh God, she was going to ruin Edwina and Anthony when she was only trying to help.
Edwina enters the drawing room, and she instantly approaches Eloise. They look at each other, Eloise nervous and Edwina confused.
Unexpectedly, Edwina hugs her tightly, and she returns the hug, holding on tightly to her.
"Thank you," Edwina whispered. Eloise had saved her. Her own knight in shining armour.
"I'm sorry, I should have just come straight to you. I didn't know what to do but ask Benedict," Eloise rambled, "I care for you. I didn't want you unhappy."
"In the prison of marriage?" Edwina joked, and they both laughed, "Thank you."
Their eyes met in a way that they only understood. Edwina had felt more affinity and care for Eloise than she did for her elder brother.
"Can we go for a walk?" Edwina asked nervously, "I feel some fresh air will do us good."
They hold hands during the walk.
Bonus Kathony - because I love them.
Anthony followed Kate and Benedict out of the study. This entire day was confusing. He was sure Daphne had something to do with it.
"Did the two of you have a nice memory of what occurred there?" Benedict snarked lowly, and they both glared at him. He smirked and walked away. His work was done.
Anthony spoke up first after a while, looking at Kate who was avoiding eye contact, "So, you got your wish. I am not marrying your sister."
"No," Kate confirms, every bit the victor, "No, you are not."
He cleared his throat "I want to discuss-" But she held up her hand, stopping him.
"You will have to try harder than that, my Lord," Kate smirked, walking away with a curtsey, and he watched his maddening woman walk away.
He hated when his sisters were right.