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“I have Daphne's reply—she is unable to attend our wedding,” Benedict announced as he entered the Bridgerton family drawing room waving the aforementioned letter in hand.
Lady Bridgerton sighed then set down her own letter from Daphne. “It seems her physician is being overzealous, her words not mine. Daphne is devastated.”
“Is it not a male physicians general occupation to be overzealous when it comes to women's health?” snarked Eloise from the settee across from her mother. Her statement earned a roll of eyes from both mother and brother, though neither disagreed with the observation.
“If the physician is concerned then I can only imagine Simon is too.”
Benedict hums his agreeance as he pulls a chair to the card table where Sophie is sat with Hyacinth playing a lazy game of Vingt-un.
“Darling, we have not discussed a bridal tour—perhaps we could visit Daphne, that's if you would like? I know we both wished for quite after...”
“I'd love to visit your sister,” Sophie interjects enthusiastically. “That's if we would not be imposing on her confinement?”
“Daphne would be overjoyed to have you both visit and it will be towards the end of her confinement. I imagine she'll be begging for visitors,” said Lady Bridgerton approving of the idea.
“Bridal tours require a chaperon, do they not? I believe I'd make a good one.”
Lady Bridgerton laughed at her youngest daughters offer. “Hyacinth, you are much to young to chaperon anyone! Benedict and Sophie will end up chaperoning you.”
“And don't for a minute think to ask me, please,” Eloise pleaded pathetically.
“And I was not going too,” replied Benedict while leaning over to look at the cards in Sophie's hands. “Remember the last family visit to Clyvedon? Daphne had the grand idea for us to visit the seaside but it rained so much we had to divert our plans.”
“I do like a visit to the shore. It's always a joyful adventure,” Eloise said.
“Sophie, do you like a visit to the seaside?” asks Hyacinth while laying down a card with confidence.
“I've never seen the sea.” Sophie replies without a hint of malice or regret, only stating the simple fact. Then after a beat and a quick glance towards Benedict she adds, “only a lake.”
“Have you had any memorable visits to lakes?” Sophie was the only one able to see the cheeky glint in Benedict's eyes when he asked the question.
“No, nothing remarkable or memorable.”
“Hmmm,” Benedict smirked with a hint of wickedness while holding Sophie's gaze, who had sucked in her lips to stop herself from laughing. “Would you like to visit the sea, after our time with Daphne?”
The area around Benedict's heart blooms with warmth watching Sophie's face light up at his suggestion. “Oh, Benedict, yes.”
“It is settled, I will take Sophie to the seaside. Though I wonder if you'd prefer shallow waters by the sandy shore or to wade out deeper?”
The memory returns immediately. There is no teasing smile from Benedict or playful reply by Sophie. They sit in tender silence, both remembering the night they met. While the room waits for Sophie's response Benedict does not expect one, knowing already the answer to his question before it was asked .
Hyacinth leans forward waving her hand in the space between Benedict and Sophie's face. “Is this what happens when you are in love? Talking in riddles? Going into trances?”
Sophie shifts her attention back to the card table, a rosy glow coming to her cheeks. Benedict stands up, his own face now noticeably warmer in colour and feeling very aware his mother was smirking in his peripheral.
“I shall go reply to Daphne asking if we may visit. I'll also inquire of a cosy inn by the shore.” He leans down placing a kiss on the top of Sophie's head, then hovers by her ear whispering a string of words not fit for repeating out loud in their present company.