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“Will you marry me, Miss Bridgerton?”
A simple question that can either be answered with a yes and a no. However, for Eloise Bridgerton, it is the most difficult question thrown at her during her entire existence here on Earth. She can say yes because of the fact that she is already considered as a spinster in her age, she does not want to be a burden for her family, and the man kneeling in front of her is a good man.
However, she wanted to say no. It was all because of the fact that… He is not Theo Sharpe.
How can she say yes to a lifetime of content and luxury if her heart and mind are yelling the name to her very soul. Sir Philip Crane is a good man and checks all the requirements for her to find a partner in life. He is rich, despises the Ton, intelligent and a good man as far as he knew him in this very short time he courted her.
However, she is back to the same reason in her heart that this man is not Theo Sharpe.
Looking at the crowd in front of her, she saw her mother smiling brightly as if she was happy to finally see a love match for Eloise. Her mother was wrong. Eloise did not love Sir Philip. Eloise loves the printer’s apprentice.
Her glance went to Benedict who seems worried for her. She knew he could read her like a book because of the fact that they knew each other very well. He could see how uncomfortable she is during this time.
Meanwhile, Anthony and Kate seems to just wait for her answer. They seem to support each other and a part of Eloise feels hurt as she wanted to have that kind of connection. She did had that kind of connection but… it was destroyed.
Her eyes darted towards Penelope and Colin who are newly engaged at this moment. She was already in good terms with her best friend but if she is quite honest, it would take a while for her to fully trust her again. She missed her so much during her time with Cressida but it was not enough as her bestfriend made her give up the only good thing in his life.
Theo…
She recalled the look on his face and she knew that if she says yes, she will never have a chance to see him again. If she says the other choice, she will hurt the people around her by causing a scandal and giving up the only man that her family would accept as her husband.
“Miss Bridgerton?” A voice asked.
Her glance returned to the man kneeling below her. Sir Philip smiled as he raised his hand showing her a ring, intended to be her engagement ring. It was shiny and very much expensive. She imagined herself wearing it and all she felt was the heavy weight of the responsibilities and sadness inside her. But would it be worth it so long as she protects and make her family happy?
Eloise finally took a breath as she imagined his eyes looking at her the night they lost contact.
“No”
Multiple people who attended the event gasped at her response. She finally said it.
“What?” Sir Philip was surprised at the rejection.
“I’m so sorry” Eloise cried, “I—I did not mean to hurt you but… it would be unfair for me to say yes if my heart does not agree with it.”.
She soon heard her mother walked towards them.
“I think Eloise just needs a few second before answering your question, Sir Philip” Violet commented as she gently grabbed Eloise’s arm, “Right, my dear?”.
The hurt in Eloise’s heart began to grow as she realized that her mother truly did not even knew her. All of them expect for her to follow the rules of the ton and give up her individuality. To be quite honest, she did her best during Penelope’s season which is why she was able to capture the attention of Sir Philip but she could not live up to herself if she will live a life that does not align with her principles.
“Mother” Eloise turned her attention towards Violet.
“Not right now, dear” Violet hushed her.
This made her feel a bit angry just like the fight they had during Anthony’s season. Her mother always made her feel as if she was a disappointment. She thinks that her thoughts are so simple and just mere acts of rebellion. But it’s not.
“Mother!” She yelled, “I do not need a second because my decision is final. Please do not give the Baron any more hopes.”
“But El—”
She could no longer take it, Eloise ran.
Eloise began to runaway from the scene and found herself on the hallway, away from the prying eyes of the Baron. Her family as always, followed her.
“Eloise, we must talk---” She heard her mother’s voice followed her towards the hallway. The anger inside her seeped out.
“This is my life, Mother!” She cried, “I understand that all of you just want what is best for me. However, please open your eyes. Is this truly what I want? I did try this season to become more lenient and open-minded just to find a husband like everyone but when I heard him ask me that question, it made me feel like my life will finally come to an end. I'll be married and silent. ”
Everyone that is part of their family is now looking at her. Their eyes with worry, judgment, and understanding.
“I am not going to marry someone that I do not love” Eloise says, “I will not throw my life just because he can provide for me. Do you truly wish a life full of sadness for me, Mother?”
“No!” Violet reasoned, “All I want for you is a love match but love may take time. You will soon grow to love him. Right now, you must feel like you will never love him. However, that is because you never felt love. Soon, you shall love the Baron.”
Eloise shook her head in response. “You don't get me, Mother. You are wrong”.
“I think Eloise just needs time, Mother” Benedict says, a way to aid his sister in destress.
“No, I do not need time.” Eloise looks at Benedict.
“How am I wrong, Eloise? This is the first time that a man---”
Before Violet could finish her sentence, Eloise cut her, “I felt love already before.”
The sudden revelation from Eloise collected a gasp from the family.
“I felt it before, and I am feeling it right now which is why I could not marry him.” Eloise added, “I know how it feels like and I am sure that I will not be able to feel it with him.”.
“You are in love with someone?”
Everyone looked on the side and saw Sir Philip standing on the corner. His face looked sad as he was just recently rejected by a lady.
It was Anthony’s turn to speak as he walked towards the Baron and said, “Can you give us some time as we need to talk with our sister.”
Little did they know, Eloise took the opportunity that everyone was looking at the conversation between Anthony and Sir Philip that she ran away from everyone. Realizing her own feelings and thoughts, she must go to him.
She ran so fast to meet her footman by the stables. She smiles as she sees him brushing his horse.
“John!” She called him out, “I need your help.”
John was surprised to see his employer running towards him in the middle of the afternoon. There were talks between the maids and other footman that Eloise is going to be engaged with her suitor today.
“What happened, Miss Bridgerton?” He asks her.
“Take me to him” Eloise pleaded. The moment that she said the word ‘him’, John finally understood what happened. He knew the proper thing for him to do is to advice the lady to wait until her feelings are collected but he knew the truth. He knew that Eloise Bridgerton loves Theo Sharpe. The romantic side within him could not deny her of this.
“Let’s go”
This was all he needed to say for Eloise to smile and ride the carriage. John began to navigate the horses as they started to run away from their home. He did not saw the Bridgerton men follow him which is good because that would mean that Eloise would have enough time to talk with the printer boy.
Meanwhile, Eloise sat inside the carriage.
Her heart feeling nervous at the idea of meeting the man she left behind before. It has been a year ever since she was able to see him. He might be having different feelings already or be married but Eloise could not help herself. She will not be able to live with herself if she was not able to talk to him.
How should she act around him? Would he be forgiving in front of him? Would he toss her aside for hurting him?
These are the questions that bugged her mind. Meanwhile, her other thoughts were about her family. They might be looking for her right now and a part of her wants them to fail. She needs time to talk to Theo.
Once the carriage stopped in a sudden halt, Eloise realized that she is back in the printshop once more. She opened the door as John assisted her to go down, she muttered, “Am I doing the correct thing here, John?”
John looked at her for a second and gave his reply, “If you truly love him, you are doing the right thing here. As your footman----no, as your friend, I will support you in any way that I can. My mother always tells me that the heart always wants what it wants”.
Eloise smiled at John, “You are a true friend to me, John. I want you to know that I appreciate you so much.”
John nodded, “Go and meet your Printer Boy.”
Eloise nervously chuckled. She wanted to laugh however, her heart is pounding so loudly in her chest. What if Theo already moved on from her? It has been a year since they saw one another. She wonders if he already changed and met another person. A person that is perfect for him and would always choose him.
Her steps led her to the opening the door of the Printshop. The moment she opened it, she finally saw him. She felt a lump on her throat as she could not even speak his name. It was as if she says something, Theo will be gone in front of her once again.
Theo sat on the side as he organizes the papers that he will use for later printing. Mr. Harris told him that this will be a short batch so he has a lot of time to organize it but he wants to rest later so Theo worked on it as early as he can. It has been a year since before and his hair is quite shorter than what it was last year. He cut his hair so that it would not fall into curls that he got from his late mother.
When he heard a small noise from the wooden floor, he took a quick glance on the doorway and was almost shocked to see a lady wearing a silver dress, her hair styled upwards with diamond jewels in her ear and neck. For Theo, the lady is as beautiful as the moon in the night sky.
He could not believe it. This is not real for him. It has been months since he last daydreamed her coming here once more to meet him. It has been a year since he last saw her and yet, his memory and imagination could not even compare her beauty in reality.
“Eloise? Is---Is that you?”
Hearing her name on his lips, Eloise did her best to smile. She walked forward as he stood up from his chair to meet him halfway.
“Why?---What?--” Theo could not talk normally. The sudden shock of seeing her made his supply of eloquent vocabulary into a halt. It seems that his mind is still not believing that this is real.
“I came here, Theo because I wanted to see you.” Eloise admits.
Theo, the man who imagined this for a long time could not help but wonder what is the reason for her visit. She ended it with him. There is no need for them to talk anymore. He did his best to move from her and to be quite honest, it was hard at first. He hated himself for being poor. He was not good enough for her. If she wanted a good and comfortable life, he knew she would not find it with him. However, it was futile for him to even think that he’ll be able to move on from him.
Let it be known that Theo Sharpe is still madly in love with the lady named Eloise Bridgerton. Seeing her in this state made him realize it.
He walked towards her, “What would you like to talk about?”
“Sir Philip asked me for marriage” Eloise abruptly stated. The moment she said it, she immediately regretted it as she saw his face and aura become sad. That should not have been the first thing she said to him.
For Theo, he felt his heart broken when he heard it from her. If someone asks him if he is keeping tabs on Eloise by reading Lady Whistledown’s column, he will deny it. However, he does do it. His mind recalled a certain baron named Sir Philip Crane who recently lost a wife and right now courting Eloise Bridgerton. He guessed that Sir Philip finally asked for her hand in marriage. An act that he envied from him.
His glance automatically went on her hands and fingers. His heart immediately started to beat fast when he realized that she is not wearing any engagement ring.
“And?” He asks her to explain even further, “What did you tell him?”. He did his best not to raise his hopes up because how could a lady give up a life of comfort and happiness for him? He is just a printer’s apprentice. He is no one. He has no land nor title or influence.
“I said no” Eloise answered, “I can’t marry him.”
“Why?” Theo immediately asked her, “He is a good man and he could give you the life that you deserve.”
Eloise felt hurt at his words, “Are you saying that I made an error?”
“Yes” Theo exclaimed. He wanted to say no but he must push Eloise to the life that she deserves.
“I could not believe it.” Eloise scoffed, “Why did I even bother to come here?”
“You should marry him” Theo lied.
“Why?” Eloise confronted him.
Theo began to back away because the proximity between them are starting to become closer and closer. Her perfume is becoming intoxicating for her, “You know why.”
“No!” She says, “I do not know why. May I have the pleasure of getting your opinion about who should I marry.”
“I have no idea what you are trying to point out.”
Eloise continued following him inside the Print shop, trying to get his attention.
“Yes, you do. Why are you running away?”
“I am not running away” Theo says as he goes back to work.
“Yes, you do. Why should I marry him and why are you running away?”
“I am working, Eloise”
“I think you are evading my questions.”
“No, I am not.”
“Yes, you are. Tell me the truth. Why?”
“You know why. I do not have to expound it to you.”
“Yes, you do. So, tell me.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No!”
“Yes!”
“No!”
“Yes!”
“IT IS BECAUSE YOU DESERVE BETTER!” Theo exploded, “I WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH TO DESERVE YOU!”. A fire ignited inside of him that only the lady in front of him could do. They exchanged replied like a game of catch.
Eloise could not believe her ears, “What?”
“You heard me” Theo had his hands resting on his hips, “You should marry him because you deserve to be with him. I am not sure what you are trying to accomplish for being with me but you must know that he is rich and I’m just me. You deserve happiness, contentment and so much more. I--- I could not give that to you.”
“I do not care about being rich!” Eloise reasoned. She gripped his arms with both of her hands, “I know that if I say yes that I will be married and silent with him. He is a good man but the life that you want for me does not align with how my heart wants. I want to be with you, Theo.”. She suddenly stopped as if realizing something, “No---I am wrong.”
His heart felt so much emotion. At first, he was happy to hear that she wants to be with him but it broke the moment she said she was wrong. He thought that she finally seen the truth about him and the idea of them being together.
“I need you, Theo.”
“You need me?”, Theo could not believe her statement.
Eloise nodded, “If you can even feel half of how much I love you, you will know that no money or property in this world can make me stop myself from loving you. You are the man I wanted to be with. You made me feel whole and I know that I will regret it if I will not be able to tell it to you. I love you, Theo Sharpe. I love you even if you are as stubborn as an old cow.”
She poured her heart out. It was the best thing she could say to convince him to be with her. She understands his insecurities as much as she as well have her own demons but the love in her heart overcame those thoughts which is why she was able to say it to him. Looking at his eyes, Eloise could not help but try to find an ounce of emotion in him. He looked shocked as if he could not believe her.
"I am not enough" Theo mutters, brokenhearted.
Thinking of a way for him to see the truth, Eloise risked it all. She says, "You are. I'll show you.". Then, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him finally on the lips. At first Theo was shocked at her immediate action. It was all sudden and his mind and heart racing at the feeling of her lips on his. However, it was proven effective. After a second of being shocked, Theo's mind became mush as he finally gave in and kissed her back.
Eloise did her best not to moan when she felt him kiss her back with the same passion she started between them. The way he made her feel was the closest thing she felt as if her heart was about to explode. The feeling of his big and rough hands after years of service and hard labor on her made her finally stop thinking as she just fell into oblivion of his lips.
“You are wrong” He says in between kisses.
“How so?” She replies as she mimicked him, trying her best to respond and using her mind.
“My love for you---” He says kissing him in every second, “----is a hundred times deeper and greater---” He kissed her again which made her moan, “---than what you feel.”
“I think it’s debatable” she says. This made them both chuckle while in mid kiss.
“You know me and my love for heated debates” he joked.
Her arms are now wrapped around his neck so that the distance between them would be gone. His arms are clinging to her waist with a dead grip that makes her want to moan in response.
It was Theo who leaned back as he needed to breathe after what has happened. He could not help but grin to see Eloise still dazed from their kiss.
“I love you, Eloise. I love you so much” He whispers, "Right now, I don't see myself being deserving of you. However I promise you that you will never regret trusting me with you heart. I'll do my best to become deserving of you even if it take me forever"
Eloise opens her eyes and sees him smiling at her, "Then I will have make sure that you'll feel that you deserve me forever."
Theo laughed, "Then we will have our forever where we shall be together."
“Finally coming to your senses, as stubborn as a cow as always.” Eloise jests.
Theo rests his forehead on top of hers, “God, I love that you really know how to push my buttons.”. He sneaked a peck on her lips once more.
She kissed him back, “I’m an intelligent woman.”.
“That I will not deny. But now that you’ve returned, I wonder if ever you will run away from me again?” He asked, looking at her with fear in his eyes. He wants to start things with her again but afraid that she’ll runaway once more.
“Only if you will come with me” She smiles, brushing his cheeks with her thumb. “How can I run away from you now that I’ve realized that you’re the only one that I need?”
“Good point” He says as he steals another kiss from her as she giggled at his hunger for her.