Chapter Text
‘Mom, it is not too late, we are still perfectly able to return home.’ Eloise looked around nervously.
Lady Bridgerton looked her in the eyes and smiled. ‘Darling, I know balls are not really your thing, but you must not worry. Every young gentleman will realize soon enough that you are the real diamond of the season.’
Eloise looked at the ground and laughed. ‘Of course they will.’
Lady Bridgerton lifted up Eloise's chin. ‘Just be yourself. Someone out there will be your match and whoever it may be, I will welcome him with open arms. Remember, you’re a Bridgerton.’
Her mom always knew to lift her mood. Without her, this ball would have been impossible. It was hard to show up again after the allegations, the allegations made by her dearest friend.
Eloise shook her head. This was not the time to think about it. She stepped through the big wooden doors and entered the ballroom. Most ladies and gentlemen were already dancing on the decorated dancefloor of Lady Danbury. Everywhere gold and silver with the best orchestras of London. She always made sure everything was perfect.
‘Just ask me if you want me to set you up with someone. I have mastered the art after all those years with Anthony.’ Lady Bridgerton said, shaking her head. She had introduced so many ladies, but he had turned all of them down before looking twice.
‘Yes mama, I know. I’ll look around, alone.’ She emphasized the word alone.
‘Yes yes, I’ll be upstairs with the ladies, good luck dearest.’
Great, upstairs. Eloise already felt mom’s eyes burn in her back. Well, time to walk around and hope no one would notice her. Would any of these men truly be interested in someone like her? Not like she hated herself, but she was… well how should she put it, quite unconventional? If you wanted an elegant and agreeable wife, Eloise would be your last pick.
Penelope was leaning against the wall near the door towards the gardens. Eloise quickly turned around, but Penelope had already seen her and approached her. For the love of god, as if Eloise hadn’t enough on her mind. What should she do?
She hated to admit it, but she had Missed Penelope so, so, so much this off season. She didn’t want to admit it at first, but what did Eloise expect? She was her best friend. But after ruining her, how could Eloise ever forgive her. She wanted to so badly, but the wound still hadn’t healed. Now Penelope was going to beg her for forgiveness and try to explain everything. Eloise really couldn’t deal with that right now. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes
‘How are you doing?' Penelope asked calmly with a sad undertone.
Penelope was calm, Eloise really hadn’t expected that. She was preparing to get mad and send her away, but she changed her mind. Eloise looked at Penelope while trying to not give away any signs of how she was feeling. ‘Could have been better, I suppose.’
‘Same here. I wanted to stay home, but I knew a very important person would be attending today.’
‘Who? The queen? A prince?’
‘Well you are right that they are very important, but not to me.’
Eloise nodded and looked away. ‘I wish this was easier.’
‘I wish I hadn’t made this so difficult. You have been my best friend for sixteen years and look what’s left of it.’ Tears started building up in Penelope’s eyes. ‘I am so sorry.’
Eloise stared into the distance of the gardens and focussed on her breathing so she would stay calm. ‘I know. It’s just… just… I can not. But… at the same time…’ Eloise took a deep breath. ‘I could really use a good friend right now. Someone I know I can trust.’
‘I wish I never crushed it and I know there isn’t a quick fix. But what’s broken can be reforged. If you let me.’ Penelope almost did not dare to ask that question, afraid for the answer.
‘I just do not know where to start.’ Eloise wiped away her tears. How could she ever trust her again? Eloise thought she knew her, but the picture of Penelope she had in her head was shattered into a thousand pieces.
‘What about we start with a hug.’ Eloise already hugged her before Penelope could finish her sentence. She was not convinced everything could go back as it was. The hug showed what she longed for, her old friend.
‘Let’s go to the garden. I am really not in the mood for all these festivities.’ Eloise took Penelope’s hand and walked through the door, away from all the dangerous eyes.
‘Wait, mama doesn’t…’
‘Since when has that ever stopped us?’ Eloise said with a smile.
Penelope smiled back and followed her into the giant gardens. They sat down on a curly iron bench next to a statue of king George. Was he really that handsome when he was young? Hard to believe if you saw him now.
The sky was getting dim and a cool breeze traveled through the air, a strong contrast with the ballroom.
‘Why did you do it? Why did you reveal all those scandals? It’s not like you.’ Eloise said while looking off into the distance.
‘I’m so sorry. If I had known this would happen.’ Tears were flowing down Penelope’s cheeks. ‘I never would have written a single word.’ Her voice became louder, her sentences interrupted by her sobbing and heavy breaths. ‘I was afraid. What would the queen do to me? But it was wrong. You got punished because I was reckless and instead of protecting you I threw you under the bus and betrayed my best friend. If I could I would have turned myself in, but I didn’t…’
Eloise took Penelope’s hand. She was still mad at Penelope, but she could tell that Penelope meant every word. If it were anyone else, she would have slapped them in the face, but this wasn’t just someone. This was her best friend. And even though it was difficult, she was willing to give her grace. She deserved a second chance for all the good she brought into her life.
‘I forgive you.’ Eloise said.
Penelope looked up. ‘What?’
‘I said I forgive you.’
‘But…’
‘I know you care about me and I care about you. It’s just that simple. I’m not going to give you up for one mistake. That does not mean though that everything will instantly be as it was.’
Penelope wiped away her tears. She didn’t know what to say.
‘And you know what, apart from all the drama, I think it is pretty cool you were you know who.’
Penelope smiled. ‘But it was reckless, so I am done with it. No one else will get hurt.’
‘I really don’t feel like going back in there and it won’t take long before mama will come looking for me.’ Eloise sighed.
‘Penelope Featherington, what do you think you are… oh.’ Lady featherington stood surprised in the door opening.
‘Am I interrupting?’ she asked while scratching her neck.
‘I am so sorry lady Featherington…’ Eloise began.
Lady Featherington sighed. ‘No, no, it’s fine. But only for this time, because if I once more see you two sneak into the garden ever again.’
‘Yes mama, I shall go back inside.’ Penelope said.
Lady Featherington shook her head. ‘You two are unbelievable. Now make haste and come inside.’
As we entered the ball room, mama walked down the stairs towards us. Meanwhile Lady Featherington dragged Penelope back towards the dance floor.
‘Uhm… good luck?’ I said and waved her goodbye.
I turned around and mama stood already next to me. ‘Mama, I am sorry, please…’ She didn’t seem mad.
‘Are you still in the mood to dance?’
‘Why aren’t you mad?’
‘Oh dear, you really think I don’t know that something is going on between the two of you? I’m glad you two talked. I can see there is a lot going on in your head, so if you want, we can retire early. Your two brothers are, well, you know. They will be fine without me.’
‘I think you mean they want you to leave.’ Eloise couldn’t hold in her laugh.
Mama looked me in the eyes and I quickly closed my mouth. ‘And I suppose you agree with them?’
‘Of course not, look at them.’ Colin and Benedict were laughing with some girls and holding a glass of wine. And that was neither the first nor the last of the evening.
Mama shook her head. ‘Good lord. What do I do with them?’