Sweet Honour- Benedict Bridgerton

17. A Mother's Ring And Regret

It is one thing to tell a story after the fact, and another to watch it unfold in real time.
Victoria's mind had been meddled with during that ball, seeing the doctor who's hands were bloody of her mothers death had caused her inner spiral of anxieties to continue far into the night.

As they entered the Bridgeton estate, Victoria held onto Iris for dear life, the overwhelming feeling that the ground may swallow her up was rather intense.
Lady Violet Bridgerton's smile was wide as they walked into the home, it seemed like she was overjoyed to have guests, especially good friends like Victoria's family for company.

"Ah, you bring guests home for once, brother?" Colin asked as he rose from a lounge chair and walked to greet Violet and Iris.

"It is a pleasure." Colin smiled, bowing his head slightly toward each of the sisters, who returned the favour with a curtsy.

"We thank you dearly for your accommodation." Victoria said with a smile, feeling a little more safe knowing the was at a secure distance from the party.

Eloise's eyes lit up as she entered the room, and strode over to them, book in hand.
Victoria thought she was maybe in some sort of trouble with the pace that Eloise was walking to her at, but was surprised when Eloise took her into a tight hug.

"I have missed you." She said as her chin rested upon Victoria'a shoulder.

"Eloise, have you forgotten your manners?" Violet chastised, and Eloise stepped away slowly.

"Welcome to our humble abode, dear guests, tea and toast at your service. What a pleasure to make your acquaintance yet again." Eloise mocked, and smiled to both of the sisters before taking their hands. "Come, we must gossip."

Victoria was slightly taken aback, but was not one to hesitate and began to walk along with Eloise as she dragged them across the room.

"Sister." Benedict announced. "There will be time for that later, but tonight has been exhaustive and these ladies deserve a break." He continued suggestively, making Eloise drop their hands.

"We will reconvene at a later date." Eloise huffed before walking off back into the room she came from.

"I will accompany you both to your room." Benedict said. "Follow me." He smiled.

They trailed behind him along the hallways that would be confusing to a new eye, but to Victoria it was all too familiar.
Spending summers here meant that she could navigate the place like her own home. So then it should not be a surprise that once they were settled in their room on the left wing, Victoria waited until her sister was asleep before setting off for the library.

She walked with a glowing lantern, almost on autopilot toward the large room home to the plethora of books.
She went there because there was quite a massive bay window which faced into the front garden and driveway, so that she could watch for the carriage that her youngest sister Ada would be in.
Victoria perched herself next to the window and waited for the carriage to pull up.
She knew that it might take some time to get Ada there, so not to scare her with urgency, maybe cover it up as a surprise holiday so that she could pack her bag of toys and clothes.

Victoria had sat there for a mere five minutes before she heard footsteps from the hall outside. She thought about hiding behind the couch next to her, but that was out of the question when the door creaked open.
Victoria kept her gaze fixed upon the garden, too frightened to see who had entered, but it was Benedict's voice that turned her head toward the door.

"I am sorry to intrude." He said softly, attempting not to wake anyone that may be nearby.

"You are not, it is your house after all." Victoria said, she patted the space next to her on the wide windowsill.

Benedict closed the door behind him and took a seat next to her.
"You are still plagued with the events of the evening?" He asked, propping his leg up to rest his head upon his knee, keeping his gaze on Victoria.

"Unfortunately, yes. I am looking out for the arrival of my sister." She replied.

"Ah yes," he paused. "You are safe here, your sisters included."

"I know." She said, letting out a deep sigh. "I am truly sorry for dragging you into this mess, it is not reputable in the slightest."

"Do not be sorry, this is not something that you can control. I am merely glad to make sure that you are now secure from that foul man." He looked out of the window, disgust written upon his face.

"I was hoping that Dr Mills would never show his face again." She laughed off the strangeness of the situation, feeling awkward to say his name.

"I agree, he would be doing everyone a favour."

They sat in silence for a moment, allowing the sounds of swishing trees in the night breeze to comfort them.
Victoria had finally calmed, knowing that both of her sisters were safe put her at ease.
She twisted the ring on her pointer finger in an absentminded habit. It was her mothers ring, she always used to say that she would give it to Victoria when she died. Thirteen year old Victoria would never believe that she would have this ring on a mere ten years later.

The sound of the ring clattering on the hardwood floor broke their trance of looking out of the window.
They bent down in unison to get the ring and stop it's loud spinning, their hands grazing against each other in the motion.
Benedict stopped Victoria by taking her hand into his, and simply placing the ring upon her finger. It was a simple thing. A truly simple, small notion. But Victoria's heart skipped a beat.

And there it was.
The classic moment of realisation, of acceptance and burning lust.
Victoria understood that she loved him.
And when she looked back up, and his eyes met hers in complete gentleness, she felt herself slip away into the blue river of his eyes.
Maybe she was drowning in this river, but she did not want to be saved.

They grew closer to one another, and Victoria had an overwhelming feeling to melt into him like sweet cream poured over a cake.
She was breathing in the scent of his aftershave now.
Musk, sea breeze, patchouli, dried acrylic paint.

There was absolutely no stopping this. They were inches away, breathing in one another's air, standing in one another's closest vicinity.
Maybe their lips would touch for just a moment.
Victoria could see that happening, a bursting, igniting moment of lust and passion.
Something that has waited to happen for years.

Rumbling across gravel registered in Victoria's mind while she was still deep in this lustful moment.
But Victoria made a terrible mistake, one that she'd regret for many a year to come.

"Carriage." She whispered and stepped away from him, shaking her head from the confusion that caused her.

She did not look back at him as she walked out of the room and picked up her place to meet her sister at the door.
Leaving Benedict standing alone in the library, confused as to why she took off so urgently.