𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 | benedict bridgerton

► je t'aime

Marie left Benedict's side as she decided to return to the ball, determined to - for once - fill out her dance card with potential suitors. Benedict hated the idea, having to watch her dance with some boring pathetic soul who wanted her for her families title and wealth was too much for him. So he decided to stay in the gallery, talking to other artists and art critiques alike. He was attempting to decipher if a silhouette was a woman or man based on the muscle shape when Lady Danbury entered the room. Her cane and heeled shoes announced her presence but Benedict didn't look away from the mysterious painting. "It is a woman," She tells him, raising her cane to point at the golden plate with the title of the painting engraved on it: 'The Woman in Darkness'. Benedict closed his eyes, moving to the next painting whilst picking at his short-cut nails. "I think this one is about sadness, see the clouds and the hint of blue behind them. Like it's about to rain and the house has a bent like structure, like everything a little weighty and the person is frowning, which obviously shows negative emotions but I think it's deeper because the whole atmosphere of the painting is more technical then that because -" "Benedict, I know you hate the fact she's out there dancing with other suitors," Danbury said lightly, placing her withered hand on Benedict's shoulder. "'Don't know what you're on about," He mumbled like a pathetic child. "Will you court her or not?" Danbury asked, making Benedict turn to her and sigh. "I want to be the free Bridgerton, the one with no responsibilities, no wife to take care of, no children to provide for," He sighed again. "Benedict," Danbury said quietly and sharply making his head rise. "You are too stubborn to reveal your feelings. If you court Marie, I know you won't feel those responsibilities because you don't feel them now. Loving someone is not a burden. It is a promise. Something that will lighten you on your darker days, that is, if you truly love them. I can see it on your face , the way you look at her, the way your emotions come to the forefront every time she walks into a room. You adore every part of her". 

►►►

"Okay you are so in love," Eloise gagged, looping her arm with Marie as the two cascaded the hall in search for an open window. "Ugh," Marie sighed in relief as she breathed in the cold fresh air. Eloise pulled out a packet of cigarettes from her sparkling purse, lighting it with a match sat next to a burnt out candle. The room was monochromatic, filled with hues of grey. Eloise offered the cigarette to Marie who took it politely, wafting the crisp air to her nostrils, returning when the chill started to sting at her cheeks. Her face heated up furiously, leaving her with a natural tinge of red all over her face. She took in a long drag, coughed generously before feeling a sense of pleasure run through her. She ignored the burning feeling in her throat and lungs as she took another puff, giving the stick back to Eloise. "Where did you even get those?" Marie asked, looking around the room, noticing the few pieces of furniture were covered in dusty cloth. "Benedict, stole it from his room," Eloise shrugged making Marie let out a short huffy laugh. "Of course you did," Marie could sense there was a burning question, fiery in Eloise's head but she didn't know how to word it. "Out with it," Marie told her sharply. "Why Benedict?" Eloise asked quickly, propping her chin into her hand. "He's immature, clumsy, arty, bloody annoying, argumentative, a liar-" Eloise began to list his negative qualities before she was interrupted. "What a way to make her like me, Eloise," Benedict grinned, nodding at her to get out. Eloise curtseyed, sending a wink Marie's way before hurrying to the exit as Benedict took her place. 

"She, albeit an irritation, makes a valid point," Benedict smiled at Marie softly, noticing her reddish features. "Well, although you are immature, you have a sense of childishness which I thoroughly miss from my non-existent childhood. As a future Queen, I didn't get the chance to be a child, so I never really grew out of it. It's like I can be this small kid again around you. And albeit your clumsiness. It makes everything less perfect with a stain or a scratch. It reflects upon me, I don't have to be perfect because you're used to things being knocked and bumped and irregular. My parents never expected anything less than perfect. They expected a Princess not a daughter," Marie looked down, tears blooming in her eyes. Her eyes met his as he lifted her chin, grinning at her deep monologue. "Carry on". 

"Your art gives us something in common, something for us to bond over to argue over, to talk about, to compete with. My family was so... dull. There was silent dinners and boring conversations. My parents never had anything in common that they could talk about. I have to agree with Eloise, you are bloody annoying," Marie grinned as Benedict barked out a laugh. "But it makes the two of us. If you weren't 'rough around the edges' we would never last. And being argumentative means I finally have some fucking competition. Usually it's just me having a screaming marathon at my dad who then sends me away after I pulled some stupid attention stunt in the news. And even though you can be a liar, I hope that you would never lie to me," Marie smiled. 

Benedict held her hands tight, his fingers laced with hers as he gazed at her with love. "I know you don't express emotions easily, especially after you were brought up being robotic to the press, silent with your family and having nobody to talk to. But I know what you're trying to say," Benedict sighed happily. 

"I love you too,"