Work Text:
Dearest Theo Sharpe,
I hope this letter finds you well. First, I must caution you about the secrecy of these written words. If this letter falls into the wrong hands, we shall both be in great trouble—though you far more than I. Anthony would no doubt demand a duel, and I daresay you are better with ink and quill than with a gun. So if you are skilled at concealment, you may keep this letter. Otherwise, it would be wiser to burn it—or, if you are particularly daring, eat it.
The true purpose of this letter is to inform you that you must meet me tonight at midnight at my home. Yes, the Bridgerton residence. And no, I have not lost my senses. It would be utterly foolish to summon you without a plan, but fortunately for you, that is not the case.
DO NOT KNOCK UPON THE DOOR. I trust you possess enough sense to know this already, but it bears repeating. Use my bedroom window—I shall leave it slightly open with a book upon the sill as a sign. John will be waiting at the back gate to let you in.
And now you must be wondering why I propose such a daring scheme. Besides the obvious pleasure of seeing my charming face, I wish for us to speak freely, without interruption. And perhaps I desire a kiss from you—but you shall never know unless you come.
With affection and a touch of impatience, Eloise Bridgerton.
P.S. If you do not appear, you shall owe me a most convincing explanation—along with an abundance of new pamphlets and cake.
Theo finished reading the letter, scarcely believing the audacity of her so-called plan.
“Eloise Bridgerton… you shall be the ruin of me,” he muttered to himself with a chuckle.
Even so, he left the print shop without hesitation, heading straight to her house rather than his own. She had him entirely in her grasp, and they both knew it.
As promised, the footman John was waiting at the back of Bridgerton House.
“Listen, lad, if this gets discovered and I lose my position…” he exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Let me remind you—I know where you live.”
“It was Eloise’s idea!”
“A ridiculous idea, and yet here you are.”
“How am I to deny her anything?”
John sighed. “You two are totally obsessed with each other. Now go, before anyone sees me speaking to you.”
Theo soon spotted the window, propped open with a pile of books. He picked up a small stone and tossed it lightly inside. A moment later, Eloise’s face appeared, a smile playing on her lips.
“Hey!” she whispered. “Lean against the lower ledge, and you’ll be able to climb up.”
“I cannot believe I am doing this,” Theo muttered as he carefully followed her instructions, balancing precariously on the windowsill.
“Stop complaining and hurry up!” Eloise countered, grabbing the sleeves of his coat to pull him inside.
“I am attempting not to fall to my death!”
With a slightly stronger tug than intended, Eloise managed to haul him through the window—sending him toppling over her in the process.
“This could have been far less disastrous had we used the door,” he murmured as he stood, helping her up.
“Oh yes, what a splendid notion! Then you could be caught, and Anthony would demand a duel!” she retorted.
Theo arched a brow. “That is a touch dramatic.”
“It is the truth! No one knows about us for a reason, Theo. If they were to find out, I do not wish to lose you.” She stepped closer to him.
“You shall not lose me, Eloise. But do you truly think it was wise to summon me here in the dead of night?” He took her hands in his.
“I have missed you these past days when I could not see you,” she admitted, her cheeks tinged pink.
“Are you blushing?” he asked with a teasing grin.
“I most certainly am not!”
“You are. And you look rather lovely while doing so.”
She met his hazel eyes, then rolled her own before grasping his coat collar and pulling him into a kiss. His hands immediately found her waist, holding her firmly as she sighed into his lips.
She pulled back, catching her breath, and smiled at him.
“You drive me to madness, Eloise. Look what I did just to see you.”
“That is because I am irresistible,” she quipped.
“Without question,” he agreed, grinning before claiming her lips once more.
Before long, they found themselves tangled together upon the bed, their laughter and stolen kisses filling the room. He delighted in teasing her, and she relished every second of it.
“You ought to sneak in more often, Theo.”
“Are you enjoying yourself, Miss Bridger—”
He cut himself off at the sudden sound of footsteps. Eloise scrambled to her feet, her mind racing.
“Theo! Hide yourself!” she whispered frantically.
“Where?”
“I do not know! Anywhere!” She glanced around before pointing. “Under the bed!”
“What? I shall never fit!”
“I do not care—try!”
The door creaked open, and Benedict stepped inside.
“What are you doing awake at this hour, Eloise?”
“Merely contemplating the hypocrisy of society,” she replied smoothly. “And you?”
Benedict eyed her suspiciously. “Are you well, sister?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“You seem… odd.”
“I am odd. Everyone tells me so.”
“That is true. But you are acting even stranger than usual,” he said, stepping closer to the bed.
Theo held his breath as Benedict knelt down.
“What are you doing?” Eloise asked quickly.
“I believe someone mistakenly placed one of my books beneath your bed.”
Panicked, she did the only thing she could think of—she grabbed a pillow and smacked him over the head with it. “Get out of my room, Benedict!”
“What the devil—”
“I wish to sleep, and you are disturbing me!” she interrupted hastily.
“But you were wide awa—” She hit him with the pillow again.
“You may search for your book tomorrow. Now, out!”
Benedict sighed, utterly perplexed, before rolling his eyes and retreating. The moment the door shut, Eloise locked it and let out a relieved sigh.
“Theo? Are you still alive?” she whispered.
“I feel as though my soul briefly left my body, but yes, I remain alive” he muttered as he crawled out from under the bed. “At least I found his book.”
She chuckled, moving closer to him. “I am sorry for subjecting you to such danger tonight.”
“Anything to see your lovely face,” he murmured, framing her cheeks with his hands.
“Lovely, you say?”
“Yes. Your lovely and beautiful, happy face.”
She smiled before pressing her lips to his once more.
“I love you, Theo.”
“And I love you, Eloise.”