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Dearest Readers,
it has come to this author’s attention that Lady (y/n) (y/l/n) and Lord Benedict Bridgerton were seen promenading earlier this week. We all know Miss (y/l/n) to be a close friend to the Bridgertons, but will she officially become part of the family? Rest assured, if there is an engagement this author will find out.
Your’s Truly,
Lady Whistledown.
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YOUR P.O.V.
“This is absurd!” you exclaimed. “We were seen walking and now we’re to be married?”
“Calm down, (y/n). You know Whistledown is just a gossip, no one will remember this in a week.” said Benedict, putting down his sketchbook to look at you.
As soon as you woke, your lady’s maid showed the infamous society papers and you all but ran to the Bridgerton estate. Benedict was, as always, in the drawing room sketching away. He had already read the paper, but thought nothing of it. He was calm, so calm it irritated you.
“Ben, you don’t understand! If people think I’m engaged to you, they will stop courting me and, unless you plan on marrying me, that is a disaster! I have to marry this season!” at this point Benedict stood up and caressed your arm in an attempt of calming you down. To anyone else, this scene would be scandalous and incredibly improper, but you and Ben have known eachother since infancy and were the best of friends, so there was nothing romantic about the gesture.
“(y/n), my dear, what is this rush? We are still young, you can see so many more seasons before being considered a spinster. You are beautiful, smart, accomplished and any man in the ton would be more that lucky to have you as his wife. If they don’t see it, it’s their loss. As for the rumors chasing them away, I believe it will do quite the opposite.” he said with a smirk.
“Whatever do you mean? If they believe I am to be married, how would it attract them?” you asked, incredulous.
“Well, not to brag, but I am a Bridgerton. If they think you caught my eye, they’d be curious to know what’s so special about you. So, don’t fret. All will be well.” With one last reassuring squeeze, he turned around and sat back down. “Now, are you going to Lady Danbury’s ball this evening?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at his sketch, not quite contempt with the shading.
“Of course I am, it’s the biggest ball of the season!” you exclaimed, sitting down on the sofa in front of him.
“Thank the heavens! If my mother tries to push eligible ladies my way, I’ll run in your direction.” he said, still sketching. Benedict stopped for a second and looked up at you “I heard a certain Duke will be there.” he stated with a smirk.
You rolled your eyes and said “We all know he is bewitched by Daphne, it does not matter if he will be there.”
“Of course it matters, you are in love with the man! And, to be completely honest, I don’t believe it is my sister who his heart belongs to. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, it’s the same way Colin looks at maps or Eloise looks at books.” He was leaning forward now, elbows on his knees, hands loosely clasped.
“Like I’m an object?” you said, kidding of course and dying to change the subject. You had the tendency to get your hopes up and the last thing you wanted was to believe your friend and end up with a broken heart.
“Like you hung the moon and the stars.” he had a serious expression and your heart skipped a beat with the thought that Simon would ever look at you that way, but you knew it would never happen. So you waved your hand, smiled and said “I think all the charcoal and paint is going straight to your brain, Mr. Bridgerton. I expect to see your hands all clean if you are to dance with me to trick your poor mama.” Standing up, you curtsied mockingly and said your goodbyes before walking out the door.
SIMON’S P.O.V.
Simon woke with news from Lady Whistledown. He was never one to believe in gossip, but Daphne was always talking about the society papers during their fake courting, so his curiosity got the best of him. What he did not expect was to read (y/n)’s name.
He had sworn to himself that he would never marry, but arriving at the beginning of the season he couldn’t help but be smitten by you. He tried to fight it, but every time you smiled he saw himself smiling along, every time you wore his favourite colour he forgot how to breathe, and every time he saw you with Benedict Bridgerton he couldn’t control his jealousy.
He confided in Daphne about it and she guaranteed (y/n) and the second Bridgerton son were just close friends, but Lady Whistledown seems to think differently. To be married? Was this true? If so, he knew it was for the best. He would be able to keep his promise to himself, but he could not help the ache in his heart as he dressed for the day.
(Y/N)’S P.O.V.
You looked at yourself in the mirror, pleased with the outcome. Your lady’s maid had weaved delicate flowers in your hair, that was pulled up loosely and you wore your newest dress, long white gloves and the family diamonds. Madame Delacroix really outdid herself this time. It was your favourite colour, with princess sleeves, only slightly puffed, and had embroidered tulle at the hem and bottom part of the skirt. You looked truly beautiful.
“(y/n), it’s time to-” your mother paused at the door and looked at you. She smiled softly at your reflection. “You look so beautiful, my dear… Do you think a certain Lord might like it too?” she said smiling softly.
“It is not the Lord’s attention I want, mama. You know Ben is just a friend” you said, playing with the skirt of your dress.
“I know, sweetheart, I just don’t want you do get hurt. All I want is for you to be happy and what better than to marry your best friend?” she hugged you from behind and kissed your cheek, still looking at your reflection.
“To marry the one you love…”
SIMON’S P.O.V.
“You really have outdone yourself, Lady Danbury.” Simon said, looking down at the woman who practically raised him.
She was wearing a white gown, a tiara and long white gloves, radiant as always, leaning on her cane.
“I always do, my boy. Now, look at that! Your beloved has arrived.” she declared with a small smirk.
“I have already spoken to Daphne” he said, nodding in the Bridgerton family direction, however his heart was beating out of his chest as he turned to look at (y/n).
It seemed impossible, but she was even more beautiful than the last time he saw her. Simon looked away before he was caught staring.
“We both know I’m not speaking of the Bridgerton girl. You are not as discreet in your brooding as you like to think.” he looked at you again, but you were already speaking to Benedict, who was leading you to the dance floor. “What is bothering you, boy?”
Simon stared at the pair dancing for a moment before responding. “She does not belong with him.”
“Than who does she belong with?” (y/n) was laughing at something Benedict said and Simon could not bare the view anymore.
“…With me.” he mumbled before heading to the gardens.
(Y/N)’S P.O.V.
The song finished and you curtsied, smiling at your best friend. The smile slowly turned into a frown as you saw Simon walking out, into the gardens.
“Go after him.” Benedict whispered.
“What? We would be unchaperoned, it would be scandalous!” you answered, only loud enough for him to hear.
“I’ll stand at the door and make sure no one sees. Go!” you smiled and wished you could hug you best friend.
“Thank you, Ben.” you said as you went into the garden after the man you love.
The weather was pleasant and the garden was completely empty, with only the Duke passing back and forth close to the bushes.
“Simon?” he stopped in his tracks, looking surprised as he gazed back at you and stepped closer.
“What are you doing here, if we were to be caught unchaperoned yo-” you stopped the nervous man by saying
“Benedict is at the door, no one will see.”
“Of course he is.” he mumbled, but you heard.
“What does that mean?” you asked, not understanding his sudden dislike for the lord.
“It means he is always around, always with you.” he spat out.
“Well, he is my best friend.” you could not believe what he was saying.
“What do you have against him?” you questioned.
“Are you truly to be married?” he demanded, ignoring your question.
“What?” you replied, completely incredulous.
“Please don’t.” he murmured.
“Simon, I-” you tried to answer but he cut you off.
“Before you say anything, please listen to me. Don’t marry him, please.” he paused for a second, adjusting his posture. “I love you. You…” he shook his head. “You don’t even know what you do to me. Ever since I can remember, I have promised myself I would never fall victim to love, would never marry, would not let my family name carry on. Then came you.”
Simon took a step closer and continued to speak. “You changed my plans, awoke desires I never knew I had, you have stolen my heart and my soul… I burn for you.” he took your gloved hands in his, caressing them softly. “Don’t marry him, marry me.” he gazed into your eyes, waiting your answer.
“Simon… It was never my plan to marry Benedict, I was completely honest when I said he is nothing but a friend.” you smiled up at him before saying “you are the one I love, always have been.”
Simon grinned before pulling you into a passionate kiss, one hand on your back and the other behind your neck. It was a good thing Benedict was at the door, if anyone saw this scene and the rumours reached Lady Whistledown… You didn’t even want to think about the ruin it would bring upon your family.
When you and Simon finally parted you managed to mumble “We truly have been oblivious, haven’t we? I thought you were in love with Daphne.”
He chuckled. “And I thought you to be with Benedict. Good thing you followed me out here, my love.” he said, tucking a stray hair behind your ear.
“From now on, it’s all I’ll ever do.”