⚘twenty six⚘

Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton have decided that it is best for both the Bridgerton and Sharma families to form a united front. I am attending a new gallery opening with the Sharmas, Lady Danbury, Lady Bridgerton, and Anthony. I am still angry with Benedict and wish to avoid him a little longer.

Anthony has a rose for each of the Sharmas and Lady Danbury. "Lady Danbury. Hmm. Lady Mary. Miss Sharma. Miss Edwina, I..." Miss Edwina takes the rose from Anthony and immediately hands it off to a footman.

"How thoughtful of you, Lord Bridgerton," Lady Danbury tells him.

"Now, remember, before we are to send out our invitations, we must appear to be enjoying each other's company," Lady Bridgerton says. "Shall we?"

As we enter the gallery all eyes are on the Sharmas and Bridgertons.

"Do not be deterred," Lady Danbury says. "If we can put the wedding behind us, so can they."

I stay with Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton.

"I must ask," Lady Bridgerton tells me. "Things with you and Benedict have seemed a little tense."

I sigh. "It is nothing we cannot work through."

Lady Bridgerton smiles slightly. "Such wise words. They will do you well in your marriage."

"Lady Danbury. Lady Bridgerton. Mrs Bridgeton," Lady Cowper greets. "What a surprise to see you here."

"You do know my family has its very own room here, yes, Lady Cowper?" Lady Danbury asks.

"Over there, is it not?" Lady Bridgerton says as she points to the sign above the door.

"The one with the, uh... Danbury name just above the door," Lady Danbury states.

"How nice it is to see you both. Though I'd have thought you required a respite after the strenuous events of the past week."

"Oh, on the contrary. Well, I myself am hosting a ball later this week," Lady Bridgerton tells her. "Have you not received an invitation?"

Lady Danbury pretends to be surprised. "Oh."

"My. Well... I will see if there is still room. We shall have a full house, no doubt," Lady Bridgerton tells the ladies.

When I arrive home Benedict is waiting for me.

"Diana," Benedict says.

I walk past him not bothering to stop.

"Diana, please," Benedict almost begs. He grabs onto my arm stopping me. "Please."

I finally stop and turn to face Benedict. I wait for him to speak.

"I am sorry, Diana," Benedict tells me.

"You have said that," I remind him.

"What was I did was stupid," Benedict says. "And I broke the promise I made to you."

"Why?" I ask. "Why did you break your promise?"

"I do not know," Benedict confesses. "It was just that I was struggling with my art and... and you told me that my art was rather good while I was on the tea."

"I did not mean for you to drink that horrendous tea every time you paint," I tell him.

"I know. I know. I did not mean to upset you," Benedict says.

"What did you think would happen?" I ask. "Or did you think I would not find out?" Benedict does not say anything. "And do not be angry with Anthony for telling me."

"I am not angry. If anything, I should be happy that my own brother is looking out for you," Benedict says. "I cannot tell you how sorry I am. And I need you to know that I did not sleep with anyone else. I would never dream of hurting you in that way." I nod relieved by the confession. "I think you should punish me how you see fit." I can see a small smile tugging on Benedict's lips.

"Do not get cheeky now," I warn. "I am still angry with you." I sigh. "But we will be able to get over this." Benedict smiles. "If you follow through on your promise and do not drink that tea anymore."

"You have my word," Benedict assures.

"And if you break it this time," I warn. "You will not have to worry about a third time because you will never see me again."

Benedict nods. "Understood."

Since Benedict and I have worked through our issue we are once again visiting at the Bridgerton house.

"The invitations are ready to be distributed, ma'am," Mrs Wilson tells Lady Bridgerton.

"Oh, excellent, Mrs. Wilson. Oh, dear little Augie is still suffering from his cough, so the duchess will naturally not be able to attend. But that is precisely why it is so important that the rest of us embrace this theme of harmony..." Lady Bridgerton starts. Hyacinth stops playing the pianoforte at that exact moment. "...and work together to impress our guests. If we garner enough support, the queen may even be swayed to forget all about this wedding business."

Hyacinth begins to play once more.

Eloise moves to open a window. "It is positively suffocating in here."

"Eloise, dear? Are you feeling unwell?" Lady Bridgerton asks.

"Do not fret, Mama. I'll still be in attendance at your ball," Eloise assures.

"Participating in this farce along with the rest of us," Anthony states.

"I am doing this for all of us," Lady Bridgerton says.

"Perhaps there is still time to change your theme," Benedict offers.

"Has there truly been no Whistledown delivery today?" Eloise asks.

"Good day, Bridgertons," Penelope greets as she walks through the door.

Eloise rushes to grab hold of Penelope's arm and drag her from the room.

What is it about betrayal that excites us so? The ton itself has certainly felt its peculiar kind of frenzy after the promise of the wedding to end all weddings was broken. Yet this author has it on very good authority that the viscount's failed nuptials may not be the only betrayal our dear Bridgertons must manage at present.

Lady Bridgerton's ball is not at all as expected. As we descend the stairs there is not a single soul there except for the servants and musicians. Lady Danbury looks just as surprised as she walks through the door with the Sharmas.

"Well, this is unexpected," Lady Bridgerton states.

"It is still quite early, I suppose," Lady Mary offers.

A man clears his throat as he walks towards Lady Bridgerton. "Would you still like us to play, my lady?"

"That will not be necessary," Lady Bridgerton tells him.

"If there's no need for my presence, I think my wife and I'll head to my studio," Benedict says as he grabs my hand. "I do not wish to be around such misery all evening."

"Wait," Anthony tells us.

"I know of your opinions, brother," Benedict says.

"You will stay for a dance," Anthony insists. "There shall be dancing. A new perspective, yes?"

"Dancing? With whom?" Colin asks.

"Anthony," Lady Bridgerton says.

"Hyacinth!" Anthony shouts.

"Yes, Brother?" Hyacinth asks as she and Gregory stick their heads over the balcony.

"Come down here and do me the honor," Anthony tells her.

"If she gets to dance, so do I," Gregory insists.

Both Hyacinth and Gregory rush down the stairs to join in the fun.

"Come. Show this dowager the benefit of all these lessons I hear you've been taking, Mr. Bridgerton," Lady Danbury tells Gregory.

"He's much better than me, I'll say," Eloise admits.

"Something lively. A country dance, perhaps?" Anthony tells the musicians. "I believe the theme you have chosen tonight is harmony, Mother."

The music starts and so does the dancing. I must say I have not had this much fun dancing in a long time. It is all laughter and happiness. No care for whom is dancing with whom or what it might mean.

"Perhaps a quadrille?" Hyacinth offers as the song ends.

"Perhaps we should start eating some of that food," Colin offers.

I smile as I drag Benedict towards the many plates of cakes.

"Mrs. Wilson? Is something wrong?" Lady Bridgerton asks.

"It was just delivered, ma'am," Mrs Wilson tells her as she hands Lady Bridgerton a piece of paper.

"Is that Lady Whistledown?" Eloise asks. "Has she published, Mama?"

"Indeed, she has," Lady Bridgerton tells her daughter. "And now we may know why we are the only ones here."

Should our lives be distilled down to the sum total of our choices, then Miss Eloise Bridgerton has certainly made a dangerous, perhaps ruinous one. For she's apparently been associating, unchaperoned, with improper company. Political radicals, in fact. It might be that the young miss spent a great deal of time considering her decisions. Or, perhaps, they were made in haste. Whatever the case may be, we all must remember, as one makes one's bed, so one must lie in it.