Charlotte Bridgerton

A Pall Mall Ball and a Split Lip

Charlottes POV (5 Years Old)

"CHARLOTTE BRIDGERTON" I heard my papas voice boom across the house as I ran outside in a bid to find some protection,

"Whatever are you doing Lottie?" Aunt Eloise asked and I tried to hide behind my Uncle Benedicts chair,

"CHARLOTTE BRIDGERTON GET IN HERE THIS INSTANT" My fathers voice bellowed again,

"I'm sure whatever she's doing has something to do with that" Uncle Benedict commented as he leisurely read the book in front of him,

"It was an accident. I didn't mean for it to actually hit her" I exclaimed to my Aunt and Uncle as my father stormed out on to the terrace,

"You." He said firmly as he pointed in my direction. "Come. Here." He instructed, making my tummy do funny nervous flips,

"Please papa" I pleaded "I didn't mean to hurt her" I exclaimed as I continued to use my Uncle as a human shield,

"That doesn't change the fact that you did Charlotte" he replied furiously "now come here" he commanded,

"Uncle Benedict help me" I pleaded as I grabbed on to his shoulders fearfully,

"Don't bring me in to this" he said shaking his head and holding his hands up,

"Please papa" I cried "I'm sorry" I cried,

"Not as sorry as your going to be if you aren't next to me in the next three seconds" he threatened "one" he began "two" he continued. I immediately shot to his side, not really knowing what would happen if he got past three. "Find a corner in my office and stand in it. I'll be there to deal with you when I've calmed down" he said as he pushed me off in the direction of his office with a hefty smack to my behind.

I stood with my nose firmly in the corner of my fathers office as I nervously shuffled from foot to foot. I was stood there for around twenty minutes before I heard the sounds of heavy footsteps walk in to the room. I didn't dare move from my place as I heard my father walk around the room,

"Turn around Charlotte" he said sternly and I hesitantly did as I was told "do you know where the young Miss Sharma is right now?" He asked as I shuffled around anxiously,

"On a walk?" I replied with a nervous shrug,

"No Charlotte, funnily enough she's not on a walk." he snapped back in reply "she's up in her bedroom nursing a split lip" he informed "any idea how that may have happened?" He questioned and I shrugged silently "CHARLOTTE BRIDGERTON, IF YOU DON'T START GIVING ME SENSIBLE ANSWERS WE'LL BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU OVER MY KNEE" he roared, bringing tears to my eyes.

"I hit her in the face with the pall mall ball" I mumbled,

"And tell me Charlotte'' he continued "was it by accident?" He enquired,

"No" I whispered,

"Speak up!" He said in a raised voice,

"No, it wan't an accident" I confessed "but I don't like her papa" I exclaimed in defence.

"And you think that gives you good enough reason to split her lip?" He questioned,

"You can't marry her" I stated with a stomp of my foot,

"If and when I choose a wife I assure you that you will not have a say on the matter" he snapped,

"THAT'S NOT FAIR" I exclaimed hysterically,

"DON'T YOU DARE RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME GIRL" he thundered making my mouth fly shut in an instant "now once you have received your punishment you will go and find Miss Sharma and apologise for your inexcusable behaviour" he told me,

"I won't do it" I said quietly,

"Excuse me?" He challenged,

"I won't do it" I said in a louder voice,

"You will do what you're told my girl" he said surely "now come here" he ordered making me walk to the spot where he was pointing directly in front of him. With one last pointed look speared in my direction, he moved me to his side and pulled me face first across his knees "you will receive thirty with my hand, do you understand?" He asked as he rested his palm on my upturned bottom,

"Yes papa" I sniffled. I braced myself for the first strike but it still somehow came as a surprise. I bit my lip but as the swats continued to lay down thick and fast it was becoming increasingly more difficult.

After what seemed like and eternity, but in reality was around two minutes, the smacks came to a halt and I felt a comforting hand rest itself on the small of my back. Papa lifted me up to my feet and I was quick to wrap my arms around his neck, seeking some much needed comfort.

"I'm sorry papa" I sobbed as he rubbed soothing circles on my back,

"There there" he comforted "it's all over now" he assured as he gave me a gently kiss on the forehead "I'm very disappointed by your actions today Charlotte and I never want to see you repeat them, do I make myself clear?" He asked,

"Yes sir" I replied with a sniffle. My father held me close for another five minutes or so before wiping my face clean of tears and insisting that we go and find Miss Sharma so I can apologise. We soon found ourselves stood in the drawing room in front of Miss Sharma and her elder sister (who I prefer a great deal more) Miss Kate Sharma.

"Miss Sharma" My papa said with a bow of his head "I do hope your lip isn't too painful for you" he said and she gave a light smile, careful not to split her lip again and continue the bleeding.

"Thank you my lord" she replied "I assure you that it looks much worse than it feels" she said,

"What a relief that is to hear" my papa replied "I believe my daughter has something she would like to say to you" he prompted as he gave me a firm look. I cleared my throat before speaking,

"I'm terribly sorry for injuring you Miss Sharma" I said,

"That's quite alright Lottie" she said making my hands go in to fists before I checked myself and stopped. Only my family can call me Lottie. "I accept your apology" she assured and I did my best to smile gratefully,

"Thank you Miss" I replied and my father rested a hand on my shoulder,

"Why don't you go and spend some time in your bedroom" papa suggested making my nose wrinkle slightly in disgust. He knows that I hate being cooped up inside when it's such a glorious day! But I could tell by, both his tone of voice and, his face that it was not a suggestion. It was an order. So with a light sigh I nodded my head obediently,

"Yes, papa" I replied before walking up the stairs and in to my bedroom where I sat in the window, staring longingly at the garden below.