Chapter Text
Part 1
Theo snuffed out his candle, sending the modest quarters at the back of the print shop into darkness. He worked, he ate, he bathed, he slept, forever unable to dislodge Eloise Bridgerton from his mind.
Theo had never had any business to attend to in Mayfair, and he most certainly could not start now, which left him no recourse to reach out an apology. Even her footman seemed to have disappeared, whether because he had been identified as an ally in her activities and removed from the family employment or because he too had decided that Theo was no longer to be trusted was unclear. However the end result was the same, Theo had not talked to Eloise for over a month and it was driving him to madness.
A knock, quiet, but very much present on the print shop’s door. It could have been anyone yet he knew it was related to Eloise. No doubt a brother here to defend his family’s honour, having finally made the leap from political radicals to one specific deviant.
Theo dressed, aware it may be his last time, and slowly unlocked the front door.
“Ruin me.”
Theo stared at Eloise, her face still obscured to the outside world by a travelling cloak. “I beg your pardon?”
“Ruin me.” She repeated, pushing him back into the the print shop so she could close the door.
“I…” Theo cleared his throat. “I could not. Will not.”
Eloise sighed, taking off her hood. “I do not mean that you have to keep me. Only kiss me, as you meant to, so I may be permanently ruined in the eyes of my family and banished from the ton.”
“Would they not force you to marry me instead?” Theo asked, confused by her request.
Eloise crossed the print shop, taking off her cloak. “Anthony will refuse to marry me off to a commoner. Instead he will banish me out of London to protect my sisters’ prospects.” Eloise sat down on the desk as she had many times before. “I will not tell them it was you. I would never wish to see you punished.”
Theo hesitated, then crossed the room to sit beside her. “Then why not lie? Tell them it has been done.”
“They will not believe me. Despite being very much the bane of my family’s existence they do know me well enough to sense a lie.” Eloise looked away. “I need a mark. Proof that cannot be denied or refuted.”
“And you wish it to be me who does this to you?”
“Yes,” Eloise said, turning back to him. “You are the only man I trust.”
“Miss Bridgerton-“
“Eloise.” Eloise corrected, feeling the rift between them amplify.
Theo cleared his throat. “Eloise. I cannot do this to you. It would destroy your whole life.”
“You were willing the other day.” She accused, eyes flashing with poorly disguised anger. “Or is it only acceptable when you’re the one making the decision?”
“I…” Theo bit his lip. “I should not have done it then anymore than I should do it now. I owe you an apology. My words and my actions were not warranted.” Theo looked at Eloise pleadingly. “There must be a way to talk to your brother-“
Eloise pushed off the desk. “I no longer care for talking. It has achieved nothing in my life. I must do things.”
Theo took this in. “And what if Whistledown writes of it?”
Eloise scoffed. “Do not worry about that. She would not dare.”
“She would not dare?” Theo questioned in disbelief. “She wrote of your association with political radicals. Surely a…” Theo tried to find an acceptable word, “A dalliance with a shop assistant would be print worthy.”
Eloise turned, tears in her eyes. “I do not care Theo. I do not care for any of it. Society. Marriage. Friendship.” Eloise practically spat the word. “It means nothing to me. I wish to live my life alone outside of London. It’s no different than what I have now.”
“Eloise…” Theo reached for her hand. “You are not alone.”
“I am.” Eloise said, tears burning in her eyes. “Anthony is now married and has a new family to care for. Daphne is in Clyvedon. Colin and Penelope…” Eloise wiped at her eyes. “It does not matter. One by one they will all leave me. Fran will be next, then Hyacinth and Gregory. Benedict will not be a bachelor forever.”
“Your mother?” Theo tried, hating the defeat in her voice.
“My mother holds nothing but disappointment for me. Fairly, I’m afraid. I have not been a good daughter.” Eloise laughed through her tears, gesturing between them.
Theo sighed, still holding her hand. “I am here.”
“Are you?” She asked forcefully. “Or are you waiting for my next misstep so you may take your leave as well.”
“You’re angry.”
“Yes.” Eloise paused. “No. I do not know. All I know is that I have few good things in my life and you are one of them. I do not wish to lose you but I do not see how we can go on.” Eloise looked at their hands. “As we are.”
“And yet you ask me to ruin you?” Theo said, but with a teasing smile.
“I admit to not knowing all it entails but I will do whatever it takes to become unmarriable.”
“And what if I do wish to marry you?” Theo asked softly.
“Then you are the bravest man I know.” Eloise wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “Most would not recommend it.”
“I would you know. Like to marry you.” Theo said, looking at their intertwined hands. “If I you would have me.”
Eloise squeezed his hand. “I know.” Theo looked up in surprise and she smiled sadly. “It is you who I wish for as well. But it cannot be. My brothers would never allow it and I fear they would kill you.”
“I believe so.” Theo agreed, unsure of whether it was a reasonable price to pay.
They sat in silence for a moment before Eloise pulled her hand away. “So instead you get a kiss.” Eloise jumped off the desk and smoothed down her dress. “More if you are willing.”
Theo swallowed heavily. “That is…a most compromising statement.”
Eloise moved towards him. “I do believe that it is the very point Theo.”
“Eloise…” Theo started, with no idea where he was going. But it didn’t matter because suddenly Eloise’s lips were on his. Soft and hesitant, her body radiating heat as she leaned into him.
Theo could not help but respond, placing his hands on her hips as he pulled her in close, the feel of her pressed against him leaving him breathless with anticipation. Eloise’s eyes flew open at the new sensation and Theo smiled against her lips. He might only ever get one kiss but he was determined to make sure they would remember it forever.
Until suddenly she was gone and he was flying backwards towards the floor.
“Get off of my sister!”