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If there is one thing in this world that Eloise Bridgerton knows, it is that she knows she can make a difference even if she is a woman. In the polite society of London, one can be sure that being a woman would mean that they should just think about being married or spew gossip towards other women. Never did it occur to anyone that any woman just like Eloise Bridgerton have something to prove to the world and that she is just as smart and innovative as the next man on Earth
As a born Bridgerton, she is expected to be the perfect daughter to her family and a lady to be married to the next eligible bachelor suited by her eldest brother.
If she could say it out loud, she wanted to say fuck with that idea.
It is important for woman that they believe that they are more than just a lady or a wife. Not that it is a bad thing but Eloise wanted to destroy the barriers that is build in society on what a woman should do and be in the future. A woman can be anything that they wanted to be and they could be just as great or better than any man in this world.
This is the reason why Eloise Bridgerton, who just danced multiple times during the night with bachelors that her mother thrown at her, hoping that one of them would ignite something or a spark for her daughter. However, it did not. One look or glance from Eloise, she could just immediately hear the expectations shoved into her by this cruel life.
Just like before, Eloise sighed.
Looking over outside, she saw by the window the city out the nearest distance. Even if she is in the wonderful and spacious room where sparkling champagne and multiple dancing couples enjoy themselves with all the luxury in the world. Eloise Bridgerton longs to be in the city.
In an instance, a flash of him working in the printer shop came into her mind. Like reflex, she shook her head, trying to shake the image of him out of her mind. It is too dangerous and she could ruin his life and her family if she ever thinks of him. However, a wishful part of her could not help but wonder what would her life be like if she could just finally stand on her own two feet and decide something for herself?
With the idea of her two feet, she could not help but wince as she felt pain on her ankles. Eloise assumed that because of all the dancing, she might have hurt herself. Looking over, she looked on her side and saw Kate walking towards her.
“Are you well, my dear?”
Kate has always been a kind soul towards Eloise and she could see how perfect she is as the new viscountess. They had a conversation before that she would support her decision if she ever decides to become a spinster due to bachelors not being suitable enough for her. She even mentioned that Anthony supports this as well.
Eloise responded with a fake smile, “I’m fine”.
Noticing her discomfort and the way Eloise look over at the city lights outside by the window, Kate gently held her arm comfortingly and smiled, “Do you wish to go home now?”.
Eloise finally hearing a chance to go home, instantly smiled but her happiness faded away when she realized that she does not want to go home. She wants to go to him and meet him once more.
“I’m alright, Kate. Thank you for offering me a chance to escape from this but I do not wish to go home as of the moment.” Eloise replied, finally being honest to someone for months since she fell out with him. Her actions betrayed her as she looked over once more at the city lights by the window which has been noticed by the viscountess.
With an instinct in her heart, Kate led Eloise on the side by the window. Once they stood on the side, she whispered, “Is there someone you want to visit?”.
Panic began to rush in her mind as Eloise grown red, “I--- I--- I’m not sure what you mean”.
Kate knew that kind of look. Eloise looks as if she longs to be somewhere instead of here. She knew it very well since she also had the same look when she was longing to be with Anthony Bridgerton.
“I am only speaking in the matters of the heart and out of my instinct as a woman but…” Kate started to speak, trying her best to be gentle almost afraid to scare the lady, “I know when someone is longing to be with another just by the way they look. I felt and did the same way and from what I am seeing, I can see it in you.”
Eloise looked at Kate in the eyes and saw nothing more but genuine concern, “I--- I can’t see him, Kate. It would not be fair for him and for the family. As much as I want to be selfish but I know I can’t if it would hurt him or you or everyone in the family.”
The matriarch of the family hugged the distressed lady who is finally pouring her heart out. Everyone in the family could tell that Eloise is hiding something. She began to avoid Penelope at first then began to throw herself to whatever her mother is pushing which is out of the ordinary from her. Lastly, they noticed how the lady keeps on looking over by the window and at night, they could hear her cry from time to time.
“You poor soul.” Kate cooed, “I understand perfectly well how you are feeling. I had the same thoughts when I was still pushing Anthony to marry my sister out of duty and love for her. However, you must understand that in the matters of the heart, it is not always being selfish that is happening but only truth showing itself from all the things that is covering it.”
“I—I do not understand.”
“True love is not selfish that is true. I know that you love your family and this man but love finds a way to bloom in its truest form. If you love someone, it is important for you to tell them the truth. In time, it will all work out especially if two people really loves one another. Regardless of any concerns.”
“What about you? What about the family?” Eloise cried, “What about Anthony?”.
Kate smiled, “You must not worry about us. All we want is for you to be happy. Whatever challenge comes in our way, we will always prevail because we are Bridgertons. Always remember that. Besides, I can handle Anthony.”
Finally, hearing the support from Kate, Eloise chuckles, “I knew I would like you.”
“I feel the same thing” Kate responds as she releases the lady in her silver gown, “I guess you have to see someone right now, is that correct?”. Her gaze trails towards the city, bustling with light and sounds.
Eloise looking over, with new found courage and knowledge that Kate supports her in all possible way, nods and finally replied, “Thank you… sister.”
This comment made Kate grin as she sees acknowledgement from the young lady as a sister. So she pushes her forward for her to run towards the person she wanted to see and speak.
As such, Eloise Bridgerton finally began to walk towards outside of the mansion that they are currently staying at and finally ventured outside so she could meet her footman so she could be transported towards the printshop where he is certainly working. With all the courage that she could muster, she rode the carriage and waited patiently as the footman led her towards the same place that she wanted to go to ever since understanding that she was deceived by her best friend.
Finally, the carriage stopped and looking over the window, her heart began to beat furiously. Telltale signs of him working in the printshop late at night is evident because of the lights inside and the sounds of the printer working so meticulously that she knows far to well. Like always, Eloise walked towards the printshop leaving the smiling footman, offering his support for the lady as always. She could not help but walk towards inside just like before as she opens the door.
The moment she sees his back with the same clothes that he was wearing during their fateful night, she could no longer breath. For a moment, she could not think of a way to greet him. Should she call him the right way or the way she calls him openly in private. Realizing, she is dumbfounded.
Trying to speak something as she looks at him working while not noticing her presence, she could only speak her mouth. As if her body decided how to greet him without her mind, she could only say his name.
“Theo…”
It was instantaneous.
Eloise Bridgerton saw how Theo Sharpe immediately stopped working over the printer. His body began to grow rigid, muscles contracting on his linen shirt that distracted her for a bit. In a second, Eloise faced a surprised Theo Sharpe as if they were back in that fateful night that she pushed him away.
“Elo—Ms. Bridgerton”
She winced as she noticed him correcting her greeting towards her. If they were back before, he would have called her by her real name nonchalantly. However now, she is back to being Ms. Bridgerton.
“What are you doing here?” Theo asks, not believing what he is seeing. For a month, he has been fantasizing and day dreaming of her returning back to him, telling her that she was wrong and wants for him to be back into her life. He longs for her presence once more as she brought color to his black and white life like the paper and ink he daily faces in his job.
Finding the courage to walk forward, Eloise took a few strides, creaks on the floor can be heard in the quiet room, “I would like to speak with you about my thoughts.”.
Theo wanted to laugh, they were back to talking about… thoughts. He recalled the day she went to him with a question if he is also wondering about her thoughts just like her. It was the day that he realizes that Eloise Bridgerton is not just a lady he met. She is the woman who captured his heart. The moment she said that what they were doing was absurd, it hurt him multiple times however, he understood her. She was protecting him and her family so he respects her decision to let go of him but one fact remains after all this time…
Theo Sharpe is madly and irrevocably in love with Eloise Bridgerton. Even he could not deny the truth however, she does not need to know it as it will just complicate things for her and her family. He needs to protect her and her loved ones even if he needs to bury his feelings deep within the Earth.
Placing the paper on his hands, he walked towards her. Carefully trying to remove his thoughts about how beautiful she looked in her silver gown and headdress as the candlelight flickers on her dress and jewels. For Theo Sharpe, Eloise Bridgerton is a goddess in this world.
“I thought that whatever this… this thing between us is absurd and finished?” Theo counters. Noticing the way she winces at the word ‘absurd’, he could not help but regret saying it. He should be gentler towards her and let her down to protect her.
“I know I said those things, but I wanted to finally clarify something between us.” Eloise risking everything right now.
Theo felt his heart quickening at what she is going to say.
“I don’t think we need to clarify anything, Miss Bridgerton.” He says as he faces his back on her, denying her attempts to rekindle their… romance?
This line infuriated Eloise. She could not help but recall her conversation with Penelope before how she does not even know what the man in front of her is feeling about her. It was infuriating and exhilarating at the same time.
“No!” Eloise denies him, “You will talk to me, Theo Sharpe.”
The sound of his full name made him spun his body towards her. He was surprised to see her eyes full of passion and her body fuming towards him, angry at his words.
“There is no need----”
“Yes, there is!” Eloise cut him off, “I--- I did not come here for you to turn your back on me and deny me to speak my thoughts about you, about us! I wanted you to know that I was not talking about the idea of you and I as absurd but what I was doing is absurd. My own bestfriend told me that I would be hurting you and my family because of me being selfish just to be with you.”
“I know but---”
“I am not done speaking! You will let me speak and you will listen” Eloise pointed her finger to his chest, “Do you hear me?”. She could not figure out how she found that voice nor the temerity to speak that way to him. A woman should be polite and gentle speakers but this time, she is being true to herself.
It was magic, Theo Sharpe nodded in agreement, shocked at her actions.
“You need to understand that there are certain expectations of us, ladies of the ton to marry rich and be this perfect lady without any scandals or else, it will affect her loved ones and her family.” Eloise started to explain, “For the past month, I have been doing my best to forget about you, this place, and all my thoughts about women being something more all because of my gender. My mind is racing every time because of thoughts of you and how I reject this idea thrown to me however, I have realized that even right now, even my body or my feet particularly is rejecting these expectations.”
The mention of her feet made Theo’s gaze look towards there which was noticed by Eloise.
“What happened at your feet?” Worried that something bad might have happened.
“My ankle hurts but never mind that” Eloise replied fast, noticing him crouching down, her hand immediately grabbed his shirt so he would stay up. Feeling his gaze on her eyes, she continued, “As I was saying, I came here to clear it to you that it was never you and I being the problem or being absurd in my eyes but the idea of me possibly hurting my family and you for my selfish desires. So here I am asking you to be perfectly honest with me if you are still the same as before? Do you still want to share your thoughts to me? Do you still feel the same way as I am where every morsel of thoughts inside my head would be filled with wonder of you? Do you feel something for me… Theo?”
Theo could feel a lump forming on his throat.
“I---I---- This is improper” he replied.
“Damn, propriety!” She curses for the first time, “Answer me, Theo. Do you feel something for me? Is it just me? Is it only me that feels this way? I need you to understand that I am not here being selfish, but I am here because I wanted to reveal the truth between us”
“I understand.” Theo started, carefully grabbing her arms on his chest.
“Understand what?”
“I understand that you are protecting your family and me which is why you left that night and stopped us from… whatever it is becoming. So you do not need to explain nor try to reveal the truth between us because it will only lead to ruin. The truth can hurt.”
“Then you do not understand me, Theo” Eloise counters, “If I don’t stand on my two feet to speak and learn the truth from whatever it is between us then you have led my life already to ruin. I—I’m in love with you. Answer me, Theo. Do you feel the same way?”
“I---I would ruin you. This is me protecting you---” Theo shook his head, doing his best not to give up the strength inside of him to protect her. Hearing her telling him that she is in love with him destroyed all barriers that he built up to protect her.
“Theo, Look at me!” She did her best to make him look at her, “Tell me, I need to understand the truth! Don’t you dare to deny it to me because I know you even if we only just met. Help me understand, Theo!”
Feeling all the pent up emotion inside him, all the frustration of his dire situation and how he is poor to be with her. All the sadness and days that he misses her finally blown in to his own mind.
“You want to understand?” Theo raises his tone as Eloise nods, “Then I need you to understand this. You are what I treasure most in this world. It is not because of your intelligence and not of your beauty but because you are the only person that made me feel sense in this world. I---- I did my best to deny this to protect you but now you’ve pushed me too far to the point of insanity now that the truth is finally revealed.”
Eloise stood as she let him speak out his thoughts.
“The truth with our situation is that you love me, and I am helplessly in love you. There! I finally said it!” His tone higher than normal as he fume with all the frustration built up inside of him.
Finally hearing the words she wanted to hear, Eloise could not believe it. “You do?”
“Yes, I do! I am in love with you, Eloise Bridgerton and I know I have the potential to ruin you and your family because of this selfish desire but you are the only woman in this world who made me feel like this and I know even far beyond the future that you will be the only person to torment me in my dreams and reality. The very fiber of my being revolves to the idea that I love you! I did my best to stop falling for you but you--- you are so pushy and meddlesome to the point that I could not help myself to be annoyed---”
“So it’s my fault?” Eloise replied, ignoring the way her heart beats faster as she could finally feels his warm breath on her lips.
“Yes! The moment you came into our doorstep here led me in this spiral abyss to fall for you.”
“Then what about me? You made me fall in love with you!” Eloise pointed out.
A smirk played on Theo’s lips which was noticed by the lady as he replied, “How can you not, I am charming and devilishly handsome. I have a way with words and---”
“Oh Shut up!” Eloise could not longer help herself. Taking the matters in to her own hands, she gripped his linen shirt on his chest and yanked it towards her. Within a second, Eloise Bridgerton is now kissing with Theo Sharpe.
The gentleman was shocked at what the lady did but the moment he felt her soft lips melting on his made him forget about what they were talking about. It seems that the fight between them was momentarily stopped as the lady finally kissed him which made him stop thinking for the very first time in years. All he could do is feel the way her lips melted on his own. She kept on gripping on his shirt as if the action would only just deepen the kiss. Meanwhile, his hands were now exploring her waist and hips. The moment he squeezes her hips made her moan which felt delicious to hear and to feel as the vibrations were felt on him.
The kiss ended the moment they needed to breathe once more.
Theo could see her eyes fluttering as he opens his. He wanted to curse the need to breathe because kissing Eloise Bridgerton felt like a necessity to live and right now, he wanted to live once more. Meanwhile, Eloise was feeling the same. She wanted to do it once more but she knew that right now, they must make it clear even more.
“So… what’s next?” She asks, looking over at his lips once more.
“Anything you want…” Theo still hazed at the moment of passion they shared, “I promise I will do everything you want me to do.”
This made Eloise smile, his sentiments made her stomach flutter with butterflies, “I swear Theo Sharpe, I will curse and burn your body if you ever break your promise.”
“Maybe a kiss to seal the promise?” He winks at her.
They shared a chuckle. As if their bodies were yearning for one another, they enveloped each other in a tight hug as lips meet once more. Both know that this kiss will be the start of many more kisses with them till the moment they leave this world.