𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 | benedict bridgerton

► danser avec l'ennemi

*re-edited*

"What? Why?" Daphne's neatly combed brows furrowed at her usually-joyous younger brother. "She is frankly distasteful and rude, not to mention her awful mannerisms," He fretted and Daphne smiled. 

"Is this about Lady Whistledown's paper?" She asked, humoured, and Benedict shook his head, spinning his sister. "I do not wish to talk to the woman ever again, she denied my help and insulted my pride," He rose his head high, a grimace present on his face. "God, you're beginning to sound like Anthony," Daphne shook her head giggling. "I do not," Benedict denied but Daphne just smiled, spinning herself off to another man. 

"Oh God," Benedict complained as Marie spun into his arms. "Do not use the Lord's name in vain," She smiled childishly, her joke humourous to herself.

"Do not tell me how to speak about people," Benedict snapped, not happy about his predicament. Marie looked up at Benedict, realising he was the mysterious man from the previous ball. She couldn't help but notice the way the sunlight lasered through the conservatories round glass ceiling and made his hair glow.

"Oh, you," She smiled softly, watching his large brown eyes narrow at her. He span her, her dress fluttering out in a beautiful arc before pulling her into his chest. "I would like to apologise about yesterday, I was in a fret," She smiled, showing her polished teeth. "You do know you have caused my family terrible publicity problems, we cannot afford a scandal when my sister is in look for a husband," He argued through his teeth, looking down at her. 

Marie's brown eyes widened when she recognised his tone. Her eyes hardened, spinning before walking back into his chest. "How dare you speak to me like that. I have heard of no such scandal," She bit back, confused as to where his anger was coming from. 

"Do you not read Lady Whistledown?" He urged, rolling his eyes at the foreign girl. "Qui?" She raised her eyebrows, getting more and more fed up with his attitude. She had apologised, "God, never mind" He mumbled sulkily. 

"Well, I am sorry if this apparent scandal has got you all riled up," She joked, but Benedict didn't sense the sarcasm. "Yes, I'm sure your parents have had enough of you with those awful unladylike manners," He seethed through his teeth. 

Marie visibly stepped back, hurt displayed across her face. This stranger had no right intruding on her personal life. Benedict however, was too angry to see the distress on her features. 

"I take back my apology, espèce de chien" She seethed at him, letting go of his hand and storming off the dance floor, casting eyes looking at them. Benedict watched her leave, breathing harshly before noticing all the public eyes on him. He quickly left the dance floor, bumping into Anthony who placed a large hand on his shoulder. "Benedict, what was that? You're damaging our reputation!" Anthony scolded. 

"Yeah well keep our family away from her, and we'll have no issue," He spat making Anthony soften slightly. "Brother, what troubles you? You are the more care free of us, why don't you head out and relax yourself?" Anthony suggested and Benedict nodded, confused at his anger. 

►►►

Marie stepped into her carriage, Bertie taking control of the reigns as he settled himself on the carriage. "Bertie, mind taking an old friend home?" A strict voice asked and some mumbling was heard outside the carriage before the door opened and a woman joined Marie in the seats.

"Excusez-moi?" Marie's eyebrows shot up in surprise, shuffling up and lifting her dress from the floor. "All these years, I guess you won't recognise me," The woman laughed, settling her red dress pooling around her. The cane was a major giveaway. 

"Lady Danbury?!" Marie beamed as she noticed her other God-mother. "Ahh, so I see my beauty still resonates with me," Lady Danbury pointed to her wrinkled face sarcastically, making Marie snort. "You have grown to be a beautiful Lady, if only your mother had sorted out your manners at a young age," Lady Danbury smiled at the girl who frowned. "Although you were always stubborn, like your father I presume," She smiled, beating the carriage floor with her cane twice and the box moved steadily. 

"What happened on the dance floor?" Lady Dunbury started but the roll of Marie's eyes was enough for her to realise it was better to ask another day. Instead she pulled out a small roll of paper and gave it to Marie. Marie looked at it suspiciously before opening it and seeing the words 'Lady Whistledown: Social Papers' at the top of the page. 

"The man I was dancing with mentioned her," Marie spoke quietly, her French accent the only thing present in the carriage. "Why don't you read it?" Danbury offered but the girl was already half way through the first paragraph. 

A few moments later, Marie finished the paper and was angered. "And everyone in the Ton reads this?" She asked, watching Lady Dunbury nod. "The audacity! Who does she think she is? 'Full-filling my love story?' That man - Mr Bridgerton - did no such thing. I do not plan to marry, and I certainly won't marry such a truie!"

"Now now, girl. We cannot help what Whistledown writes in her paper, but we can control what we do in public. Including, storming away from a dance," Danbury raised her eyebrows and Marie looked down, thankful when the carriage stopped. "I hope to see you at my ball tomorrow night," Danbury smiled as Marie nodded and left the carriage without another word.

►►►

"Bea?" Marie called from her room. The maid appeared moments later. "Yes Marie?" She asked politely, holding a dry towel. "Please can I get a copy of Lady Whistledown's new issues every time she publishes?" Marie asked, and Bea nodded. 

"Anything else, Ma'am?" She asked, clicking her heels together, a recognised habit. "Yes, here," Marie brought out a pound from her purse. "Go and treat yourself tonight, you deserve it," Marie placed the coin in Bea's hand, laughing at her shocked face. 

"Why thank you Ma'am, but I couldn't possibly-" Bea stuttered out a way to return the money. "Shush now," Marie interrupted her. "Goodnight Bea," Marie smiled and let the excited maid walk off to go and tell her downstairs friends. 

Once Marie was sure Bea had left with some of her friends, she snuck into the large closet for new employees. Inside was a selection of clothes, maid outfits, butler suits but what caught Marie's eye was a large blouse and trouser combination for Lords or Gentlemen which may have stayed the night and brought one pair of clothes. 

Marie smirked and grabbed them, roughly changing and adding a hunter's cap, stuffing her brown hair under it with a pin. "I'm going out," She announced to any staff who were still in the house. 

Marie quickly ran down the steps, pushing the cap far down on her face in order to not get any glances of people who might know who she was. She slumped forward and attempted to walk how she saw Anthony or Benedict walk. 

Before heading out, Marie had figured out where the painting club for men was through a mixture of asking and old maps, and that's where she was headed. The girl eagerly walked up the steps, slipping into a round dimly-lit room which helped her massively. 

"What a scandal it would be, to be caught at an only-men's club," Marie thought humorously. She wished her mother could see the ruination she was bound to cause in the Ton. She slipped into a chair, disguising her presence with an easel. 

Marie smiled as she overheard the men's conversations. "I think Cressida Cowper is looking for courting this season," One said eagerly, "Daphne Bridgerton too," Marie smiled but her grin dropped, her heart freezing when she heard his voice. 

 "Don't talk about my sister, Thomas."