Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Moment of Truth

"Well done, you truly lived up to my expectations. Let us hope that the Queen will share my sentiments," Lady Danbury applauded Franny while examining her painting. The sight of an impressed Lady D was enough to convince Franny that her work was up to par.

"Thank you, Lady Danbury," she nodded gratefully, "How shall we proceed?"

"Bring your picture and your Bridgerton tomorrow afternoon," the elder lady shifted her eyes away from the painting, only to see Franny's forehead creasing into a scowl.

Franny knew that "your Bridgerton" denoted Benedict, even if a great number of Bridgertons were growing close to her heart. She regarded Hyacinth and Eloise as her noisy but brilliant sisters, while her bickering with Colin offered an equal amount of fun and annoyance and much to her surprise, even Anthony seemed to abandon his disapproving attitude of her. Was this how it felt to be part of a big, loving family?

Lady Danbury interrupted Franny's wool-gathering, "Hmpf girl, you do not seem to be enthusiastic about the idea of having your betrothed by your side."

"As much as I cherish Benedict's company, I don't see what purpose his presence would serve."

Lady Danbury let out a small, impatient sigh, "If you bring Mr. Bridgerton along, the Queen will believe that you are there to ask for a special marriage licence."

The answer only added to Franny's confusion who felt a prickle of panic rising in her, "But I am not."

Lady Danbury's eyes narrowed, and she did not miss her chance to pull Franny's leg, "Are you certain?"

Franny missed the devilish twinkle in the elder lady's eyes as she tilted her head heavenwards and let out an exasperated grunt. She loved Benedict from the bottom of her heart in an almost painful way. So far, she has avoided forming close attachments with anyone who had the chance to walk out on her, but Benedict has worn her resistance down until she could no longer withstand his patient, sweet assault. He made himself an inseparable part of her that could only be torn from her together with part of her soul. She has never imagined that having a weak spot would feel so undeniably and contradictory empowering. But she had to adjust to the thought of getting married. She has never imagined herself walking down the aisle, despite the societal pressure. Therefore, she needed all the time she could get even if she and Benedict had a hard time keeping their lips and hands off each other. Not that Franny was intent on waiting until the wedding... indeed if their fate was soon to be sealed, there was little point in waiting, wasn't there? Franny blushed, and she willed her mind to get back to the room.

A knowing smile played on Lady Danbury's lips, but she decided to take mercy on the girl, "The hard part is getting her majesty's attention engaged. If she heard that you are asking for an audience together with Mr. Bridgerton, she will be inclined to believe that a pending marriage is afoot. She might or might not be vexed that it is not the case, but what matters is that once you are inside, you will get your chance to present the picture."

Franny gasped in disbelief, "But Lady Danbury, you told me you'll secure an audience with the Queen."

Lady Danbury pointed her cane at Franny, in level with her nose, "Indeed I did, but I did not specify how."

Franny opened her mouth to retort, but Lady Danbury had said what she wanted and set out to take her leave. She said her goodbyes to Lucy and called for her carriage. Franny followed her, sulking, and just before she could disappear into her carriage, she spoke out:

"What if I hadn't got engaged?"

Lady Danbury shot one of her characteristic looks, a sly smile combined with a raised eyebrow, "Then you would have needed to uncover Lady Whistledown's identity. Nevertheless, in your case, getting engaged was surely the more difficult task to accomplish. I will see you tomorrow."

And with that witty comeback, the carriage door was shut and Franny could do nothing but let out a frustrated huff.

✦

"Now this is a surprise," the Queen declared in a voice that was completely devoid of any kind of surprise, or interest for that matter. She was sitting comfortably in her enormous, bright yellow dress standing in sharp contrast with her general state of ennui. Franny was simply unable to fathom how someone could maintain a never-ceasing disinterested countenance and it made fury rise in her.

"A pleasant one, I shall hope," Lady Danbury added before Franny could get all of them thrown out.

"We will see. Nevertheless, I heard a curious rumour recently. Is it true, Miss Granville, that the Cowper girl tried to trick you into a marriage with Lord Berbrooke, but you managed to wiggle your way out of the conundrum and had your share of revenge?"

From the corner of her eyes, Franny glanced at Lady Danbury, obviously the source of this curious rumour, and saw her mouth tilt into a satisfied smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Accidentally, Lady Danbury also happened to offer her assistance, so Cressida got more than a fair share of an earful."

"Ha!" the Queen smiled broadly, "Good. I never liked that girl, she is sneaky and pretentious, not to mention that scowl of hers. She is certainly not good enough for my nephew. That handsome and kind young man only deserves the best."

Franny was not quite sure how to reply to that. Should she say that Prince Friedrich was indeed handsome? That Cressida deserved what she got? Complement how nice and lilac the queen's hair looked like? Maybe God Save the Queen?

"I do hope that soon he will meet his match," was what Franny finally settled for.

Now that the gossip was discussed, the queen seemed to have lost her interest, however little it was, in her. She leaned back in her seat and spoke out nonchalantly:

"I must tell you that if you are here to request a special marriage licence, I don't intend to give it to you. As splendid as Miss Bridgerton's wedding was, I am curious to find out what grandeur event Mrs. Bridgerton would plan if she had the proper time to do so."

Silence fell on the room after the queen finished her monologue and was stroking her lapdog with an emotionless expression on her heavily powdered face. Franny launched forward to inquire if she was not going to grant them the licence then why on earth would she let them in the first place, but before she could do so, Lady Danbury's cane landed in front of her. She could only see her from a peripheral vision, and she offered no explanation, leaving Franny dumbfounded.

"Nevertheless," the queen's voice echoed through the thick palace walls, "I wish to be entertained, so Mr. Bridgerton, plead your case. You must be a penny short or completely besotted to be so eager about marrying Miss Granville, which one is it?"

This time Lady Danbury's cane landed right on Franny's foot whose comeback turned into a painful grunt. Benedict stepped forward with a handsome smile and bowed his head deeply.

"Indeed, Your Majesty, you are right, I am a fool in love. I am not ashamed to admit how deep my feelings run for Miss Granville, despite the multiple times she had either failed to notice or outright turned down my courting."

Franny's jaw fell. Benedict had always the perfectly composed declarations of love up in his sleeves, and the one time he could actually make use of them, he chose not to.

"Hush, girl, let your Bridgerton do the talking. He clearly has more talent for this than you," Lady Danbury whispered while her eyes remained fixed on the queen.