A Work Of Art

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Despite the practice Benedict received in the most ideal location . . . he still was dissatisfied with his work. He wished to create something that was truly worthy of Henry's praise. He knew his lines were off, that the proportions were all wrong, and that the positioning was just absurd! ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ But alas, Henry spoke of practice . . . and that was what Benedict intended to do. To what end, he hadn't the faintest idea. He just longed for the day to create something that he would actually be proud to show another. And clearly, today was not it. He had to fight back sounds of frustration and irritation and none other than himself. For the room was fairly quiet. Daphne sat reading a book and why Benedict though her to be the perfect subject for his practice . . . he hadn't the faintest idea. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ To capture her dear sister's beauty on paper was a seemingly impossible task, and he feared the grave offense he would cause her should she ever catch a sight of this abominable work.Still. He attempted, concentrating though well aware that the mind his mind pushed him to believe this was futile, the less he was able to success in its completion. It would most likely be yet another crumpled piece to paper to add to the fireplace. And yet he kept going. Tag L & lennie1 Note: Better layout coming soon!

                        the rules of society.

[lennie1]

Growing up in a large family came with positive and negative things indeed, though Hyacinth had always enjoyed the fact that it always seemed to be busy around her. There was always someone around, never really quiet. But now, when Daphne had married, married a Duke nonetheless, she missed her sister when she wasn't around. Hyacinth was happy for her of course but it didn't make her miss her any less. So when Daphne had the opportunity to visit them Hyacinth didn't bother hiding her excitement.

She sat next to Daphne on the sofa in the drawing room, Benedict sprawled on the settee across from them. While Daphne busied herself with a book Hyacinth couldn't quite see what her brother was doing; he was becoming far too good at concealing his activities, it really wasn't fair. Hyacinth herself was doing her best to stay focused on her embroidery, her mama had reminded her of its importance for days and it was right she had been neglecting and despite its tediousness Hyacinth would hate nothing more than disappointing Violet Bridgerton.

But there was only so long she could stay focused on the little blue flowers she was attempting to create.

"Daphne," she said loudly, calling upon her eldest sister's attention, "What's Clyvedon like? It's nice isn't it? I'm sure it's lovely, you'll tell me when I can visit, won't you? Is Simon well? Are you well? Is there really a pony for me there? Simon said there would be a pony." her questions came at a mile an hour, falling off her lips in a rushed manner anyone would struggle to keep up with.

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[L]

London without the fuss of the Season was a relaxed affair, and Daphne was going to luxuriate in the warm bliss of laziness as much as possible. Gone were the days requiring her to dance and simper, to put on a smiling face and appease the masses of the ton gathered in a hot ballroom. Instead, she and Simon had decided to spend some time for themselves, which was how she found herself curled up in a large chair reading a novel. The words slowly made their way from the page to permeate her mind, as the late afternoon sun made her thoughts hazy. No matter, she was enjoying the feel of the warmth on her face, barely paying notice to her sister or brother. She had made the short journey to Bridgerton House on a whim, deciding that it had been too long since she had seen any of her siblings. She could have saved herself the effort; she was just as likely to doze here as she had been in her own library.

Through the fog of near-sleep, she heard Hyacinth's voice call out to her, the words muddled. She shook her head to clear it and half-turned, the better to focus.

"Slow down, little one." She laughed as she began to answer. Where her sister's seemingly-boundless energy came from, she had no idea. "Clyvedon is lovely, truly. The fields are greener than any emeralds you might imagine from a portrait, green like the gardens at Aubrey Hall when they first bloom. And the air... the air is fresh and unladen from any stink. Were you to visit, you would wake every morning to feel adventure in your blood." She smiled internally. Each word she had said was true -- and it was not. For while the grass was green, its most distinguishing feature was the softness she felt on her bottom as she and Simon frolicked. And it was not adventure she felt in her blood, but something deeper. More instinctual. But such things were not appropriate to discuss with one's sister, much less a sister as young as Hyacinth.

"As for the pony, I cannot say one way or the other whether one awaits you. The gift would be one of Simon's, though were the decision left to me, a pony would be eagerly awaiting your arrival in the stables, dear sister." She felt such pure joy when she thought of Simon's offer, remembering how wonderful he had been with each of her younger siblings. He would make an excellent father, and he was already proving himself to be an uncle of the highest quality.

"What say you, Benedict? Shall you be gracing Clyvedon with a visit in the near future? We should so love to have you in our halls." She did not bother looking at him directly to address him, preferring to let her eyes return to their half-shuttered position. This really was the most wonderfully comfortable of chairs.

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[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict was only half listening to Hyacinth, if that. Not because he did not care what his sister said . . . though, that was sometimes true depending on the conversation among his sisters. But in this particular case, it was mostly due to the fact that she was not talking to him. Which suited him fine. In his mood of already agitation due to his lacking skills, he feared the onslaught of inquiries may cause him to unfairly snap at his dear youngest sister. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Which, would be followed by immediate guilt. So instead, he was glad to remain silent during their exchange though did pay notice to when Daphne asked him about visiting her new home. Benedict's lips curved into a smile at the invitation. "Should you and your husband be so courageous as to invite me at risk of disrupting your peaceful reside--" He began to say, joking of course though could not help the playful remark made at his own expense really. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ He could only imagine how peaceful and quiet it must be for her without all of them present. He paused from his sketch for a moment as he looked up from the paper and at Daphne. "Then it would truly be an honor to come." His words holding sincerity for, he missed her. Despite there still being seven of them, the house did not seem complete without all of them. Daphne's presence was indeed missed. Tag lennie1 & L Note: Better layout coming soon!

                        the rules of society.

[lennie1]

Hyacinth sighed wistfully, freezing in the spot as she listened to her sister, only a wide smile spreading across her features. She wanted to go now. In fact if Hyacinth had her way they would pack their bags into a carriage and leave immediately for the Hastings' estate; Hyacinth knew despite, or perhaps rather because of, her young age she was not going to get her way, not this moment. Once she received an invitation, once everything had settled, that was when their mama would allow her to go visit Daphne and Simon.

The issue of Hyacinth's lack of patience remained. Her thirst for knowledge of the estate was hardly quenched by Daphne's words. She was already imagining herself riding across wast fields and exploring hidden rooms she was sure the estate much have. Clyvdeon was big, it was a castle, all castles had secrets rooms.

"Of course they would want to have you, they'll want all of us to visit," Hyacinth directed her attention to Benedict, speaking with every bit of conviction and superiority a ten year old girl could manage over her adult brother. Pausing she contemplated for a moment looking from Benedict to Daphne, folding her hands in front of her, sweet smile a picture of innocence on her face as she spoke, "though if we must leave someone at home, can it be Gregory?"

She had been skipping around the room as she spoke, excitement buzzing through her frame and when she finally stopped to look around she found herself standing behind her brother. Head tilting to her side Hyacinth looked over his shoulder, and this time the smile which formed on her lips was void of any deception. Hyacinth paused, she observed Benedict, the way he angled himself away from others as he kept the sketchpad near him, seemingly guarding it. Nudging his elbow she sat on the arm of the chair, saying in a quiet voice reserved for him and not Daphne, "that looks lovely, Brother."

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[L]

It would be so lovely to have her family liven the halls of Clyvedon. Daphne hadn't realized how much she longed for someone to break the silence that would await her when she returned, and her heart lurched slightly as she remembered that the house (if one could call a building the size of a small town a house) might forever remain quiet. She and Simon were on better terms, it was true, but she was still unsure if all had been resolved. And then there was Benedict, being lovingly self-effacing. Of course she wanted her brother to visit. She wanted all of them to visit. Despite all of their scrapes and travails, she loved her family madly. Even Eloise, no matter how much her sister made her want to tear her hair out. Even Gregory, over Hyacinth's protest.

Perhaps they would make use of the dreary winter days to come. She was sure that come the heavy rains, or, Heavens above, snows that might cover her grounds, she would be grateful for the distraction they would bring. Benedict surely would love one of the rooms with huge windows overlooking seemingly everything. She would speak to her husband about such plans when next she saw him. She shifted slightly, stretching her small form into a new position to better catch the light. Her dress caught slightly, tucked into some crevice or other after so long in one place, and she opened her eyes to fix it. She nearly missed Hyacinth's bound to their brother, and did miss whatever she had addressed to him. Clearly it had been something meant for his ears alone, and she suddenly felt as though she were an outsider looking in. It was strange to think that this place which she had called home for her entire life had now become a foreign territory, and she a visitor.

She did not enjoy such melancholy thoughts, particularly not on such a beautiful day.

"Just know, you are welcome at any time, dear brother." She paused, then amended herself, "Well, almost any time." She felt the blush creep into her cheeks as she thought of the reasons for her changed statement. Simon would most definitely require some notice before any member of her family arrived. It would not do for them to witness certain... activities.

"Shall we ring for tea?" Though she asked it as a question, Daphne had already forced herself up, and was moving slowly to the door. Anything to hide the pink in her face.

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[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict had been so engrossed in his work, the brief moment of pause to speak directly to Daphne having added to the sudden surprise of Hyacinth's presence behind him. A presence he had only even known because she spoke. Startled, he instinctively closed the sketch book -- knowing it was too late at this point -- and his seated position suddenly jolted into more of an upright one, immediately tensing at Hyacinth having seen his work. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ The compliment in her words belatedly processed in his mind. Benedict was also late to realize that his reaction had only brought more attention to the situation instead of quietly ignoring her, or whispering words of gratitude for the kind words. No. His insecurities would be his greatest weakness, and greatest cause of exposing himself. But now he knew that he would have to say something. He just looked at Hyacinth, trying to recover from having been startled and . . . his work seen. "Do not sneak up on me Hyacinth," he told her, his words not scolding in the least but more so a reaction to her being behind him so unexpected. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "And it's, not finished." That was all he could get out. He could not show any of his work to his family until it was perfect. Unless it was perfect. For that seemed to be an unachievable goal at the moment. Eyes moving to Daphne and trying to recover, he quickly replayed what she had said . . . welcome, almost any time . . . what did she mean by-- Oh. OH! "An invitation most appreciated," he said quickly, now trying to avoid two subjects. Though out of the two, his art was perhaps a less disturbing one . . . maybe. "Tea! Yes. Most excellent idea," he said, sitting up properly, and desperately hoping the topic of conversation would move to something that had nothing to do with art or . . . his sister and her husband enjoying newlywed bliss. Tag lennie1 & L Note: Better layout coming soon!

                       
                         the rules of society.

[lennie1]

Hyacinth enjoyed tormenting her older siblings as much as any other younger sibling did, however torment had not been her intention now and the brunette frowned as her older brother snapped his sketchbook close in a quick panic. She had only go a brief glance at the carefully sketched lines, managed to make out the rough shape of what looked quite a lot like Daphne. It had been good. But based on Benedict's sudden actions it seemed he did not share her opinion. He confirmed it as his words came out scolding rather than grateful and Hyacinth huffed in response, "how else am I meant to find out anything?" she countered, thinking of countless times when it was decided she did not need to know something because of her age.

It seemed while Hyacinth had turned her attentions to her brother rather than her sister Daphne had sunk back into the world of her book, looking rather pleased with the lack of attention. Then, with a flush in her cheeks Hyacinth could not imagine a reason for being there, the room was neither too hot or too cold, Daphne announced her craving for tea. It seemed to prove her dear sister had still remained present in the conversation, still apparently listening because her words seemed to perfectly save Benedict from Hyacinth's furhter interrogation. Later. She would definitely not be dropping this, whatever was in that sketchbook she would find out as sure as her name was Hyacinth Bridgerton. She would have thought by now her family would've accepted hiding secrets from her was a matter of time more than anything else.

As Benedict straightened sharply in his seat Hyacinth nearly fell off the arm of the chair in a pile of flailing limbs, "Benedict!" Hyacinth erupted with a yelp, catching herself on the back of the chair before standing up, narrowing her eyes at him with her hands on her hips, her best Violet Bridgerton impression, she thought it was rather good actually, she had seen the same scolding look on her mama's face directed at her enough times to know what it looked like. With a huff Hyacinth still stomped over to ring for the tea, every step petulantly childish as she did so.

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[L]

Sometimes, Daphne was grateful to have such a large and boisterous family. Surely if Benedict had been her only companion in the library, the day would have devolved into a stunted silence. If only she could have kept her cheeks from flaming, this would all have been lovely. She had not intended to make such a suggestive comment, particularly not in front of her family. Hyacinth had no notion, as was only proper. But Benedict had caught it, unfortunately. Now she would never be able to look at him again. And then Hyacinth -- wonderful, marvelous, vivacious Hyacinth -- had provided such a distraction that it took the attention away from any words Daphne had said. Oh, what a distraction.

Every Bridgerton sibling had some aspect of their mother memorialized in imitation, from her meddling conversation, to the look she gave each of them when they were in the wrong, to the "I do not like your tone" she said when one of them had managed to get the better of her. But Hyacinth... Hyacinth had everything. In an instant, Daphne could see the woman her sister would be in twenty or thirty years time, mothering a barrel-full of children and leading whatever husband she had chosen by the cravat. It made for a splendid imagining, and she found herself giggling at the thought. Poor Mother, she must be at wits end with Hyacinth if this was what she had to deal with day in and day out. At least someone had wrung for tea. Daphne had intended to do it, needing to turn away and perhaps put her hands to use until she could silence her mind and calm her cheeks. She was certain that Benedict had noticed the change in her tone; for certain, he had sat up in a rapid manner. She had no intention, however, of confirming whatever he suspected. And as for Hyacinth, she truly did not wish to explain to her sister why she could not keep her face from turning scarlet.


But Hyacinth had rung, and that was that. All she had left to do was once again bury her face in her book until the trays arrived and hope that by then her features more closely resembled their normal coloring.

"How else am I to find anything out?"

Hyacinth's question hung in the air. If Daphne was lucky, the answer would not be her.

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[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict's abrupt action had caused Hyacinth to loose her grounding and as she fell -- fortunately able to catch herself -- Benedict turned to look at her to ensure she was not hurt. Though when she cast a look at him, he shrunk back in his seat, knowing that look all too well. Each of his sister's had their own look of . . . disapproval. Despite their soft features, the moment they transformed into that look, Benedict would fall silent. Not about to provoke the situation. And it was a look they most definitely received from their mother. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Ah yes. The women in the household were far more terrifying than the men indeed. Daphne remained silent which, was probably for the best before Hyacinth pointed out the flush in her cheeks. Benedict did not want to hear about it . . . at all. But then the youngest Bridgerton sibling asked how else she was to discover things. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Looking back at her when she crossed the room to drink tea, Benedict decided to divert the topic completely from him . . . and bring his other sister back into it. "By asking," he explained to her. "Start with your sister," he added on. "Should you have any questions, spare her the jolting alarm of your unexpected presence, and ask her what you desire." His voice holding a tease, referencing to Hyacinth nearly causing him to leap out of his seat from sneaking up on him. Tag lennie1 & L Note: Better layout coming soon!

                       
                         the rules of society.

[lennie1]

Hyacinth fixed her siblings tea without asking them out of habit, muscle memory guiding her through it and she offered a cup to Daphne and then to Benedict. Preparing her own cup she added enough sugar to the beverage to make her mother shudder. She had always liked her tea sweet, only ever found it bitter if she didn't add at least three heaping spoonfuls of sugar. All while she listened to her siblings, to her brother's advice which sounded entirely unhelpful and without reason behind it.

Hyacinth rolled her eyes, "and tell me, how exactly did I sneak up on you when you were well aware on my presence in the room?" she countered wisely, smartly in a tone which Hyacinth knew she could only get away with using with their mother or her governess not present. She stood by her question though, Benedict knew she was in the room so if her remarks shocked him to such a degree that seemed like something he should look into, it couldn't possibly be healthy.

The ten year old frowned. Daphne did not seem to be hiding something with the same panic as her brother had been; sure there was a suspciously deep flush to Daphne's complexion but that could just be a new rogue she was trying out. Even Hyacinth had picked upon how Rose liked to experiment with the cosmetics and Daphne often was happy to try it all. She phrased her next words like a question, the words curiously inquisitive, "you must see how your actions of hiding what you are doing make it far more interesting than Daphne when she is reading?"

"Besides," Hyacinth declared, pausing in part for childish dramatics and to take a seat with her cup of tea carefully balanced in her hand, "I have already asked Daphne if I shall visit Clyvedon soon and she has promsied me I will have the chance, it's mother I need to speak with next on the subject." If there was one thing younger siblings learned it was pointing out the little flaws in their older siblings logic, taking a finetooth comb to their words and finding the tiniest thing to remark on. Hyacinth did so with a beaming smile sipping her tea after blowing on it gently, remaining careful as to not burn her tongue.

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[L]

Strangling Benedict would be quite an enjoyable experience, she rather believed. It was not often that she considered inflicting bodily harm on another individual, let alone a member of her own family, but dear Lord the man was bringing her to it. Encouraging Hyacinth to specifically direct any questions the young girl might have to Daphne, whatever could he have been thinking? Now there would be no good way for Daphne to dodge a perfectly horrid conversation that Hyacinth had no right to be a part of. The girl was nowhere near the age at which she should even be thinking about such things!

Murmuring her thanks, she accepted her cup of tea from the sister in question, steeling herself against a shocked reaction should the action be followed by an interrogative. Mercifully, it appeared as though Hyacinth had also been vexed by Benedict and had set her sights on ascertaining something or other from him. In her afternoon laze, she had ignored most of the goings-on around her, preferring to settle for the written word or the backs of her eyelids for focus. Benedict was hiding something? Now she truly was awake.

“Benedict, whatever is Hyacinth talking about? Are you keeping secrets from us?” If he was going to tease her, she could tease him right back. If there was one thing a person learned in their family, it was that one had to give as much and as well as one got in order to survive. She took a long sip; the tea was quite good.

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[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict set his sketchbook on his lap, then taking the tea from Hyacinth with a short nod, as he listened to her argue about how she could have sneaked up on him when he was aware of her presence. "While it is impossible not to be aware of you in a room," he said, the tease -- though speaking with truth -- referring to her rather, talkative -- among other things -- nature. "It is another matter entirely when you sneak up on someone from behind." Especially when that someone -- mainly him -- was distracted. It was perhaps his own fault for getting so lost in his work, but still. It was easier to blame a child than take the responsibility. Well, perhaps easier was not the right word. Fun. Yes, it was more fun to blame a younger sibling. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Well, damn. Had he been more subtle perhaps he would have gotten away with it and not drawing attention to what he was doing. Unfortunately in this instance, he could blame no one but himself. "Well, perhaps you should leave there now," Benedict suggested as Hyacinth mentioned going to Clyvedon, another tease. "And I will speak to mother on your behalf," he added, as if he would do her the favour if it meant her leaving, now. Obviously that was not going to happen, but never the less, the tease remained. Taking a sip of his tea, he then turned his eyes towards Daphne as she commented on keeping secrets. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "I am certain you know how difficult it is to keep secrets in this family." Well, that much was partially true. He had been doing what he could to keep his . . . nightly parties a secret indeed. "Whether it be revealed by strong reactions to being startled--" He cast a brief playful glare at Hyacinth before continuing. "Or a flush of one's cheeks to reveal inner thoughts." This time, he gave Daphne a smug smile before nonchalantly taking another sip of his tea. Tag lennie1 & L

                       
                         the rules of society.

[lennie1]

In a very mature moment Hyacinth decided to respond to her brother's jest by sticking out her tongue, grimacing rudely in his direction. "If I am so impossible to not notice and yet capable sneaking up on you perhaps you are beginning to feel the effects of getting old, dear brother," Hyacinth replied, her tone easily matching his, and it was not an uncommon scene to have witnessed in Bridgerton House had anyone walked in to see any of the eight teasing each other in light-hearted voices. Hyacinth pursed her lips, levelling him with a look as stern as she could manage, "I will get to the bottom of this, Benedict."

Hyacinth understood there would be topics of conversations which would go over her head simply because of her age. She had discovered it would be a certainty over the years. But simply because she understood it as being a thing which happened in her life far too often it didn't mean she appreciated it. So when Benedict continued to comment on the stubborn flush in Daphne's cheeks, his words indicating it had nothing to do with their sister possibly just running a bit warm Hyacinth frowned. She was not stupid, she understood he was trying to say something about it, but Hyacinth could not figure out what he was trying to so sneakily reveal about Daphne in order to take the attention off himself.

"Why must you speak in riddles?" Hyacinth accused with a childish whine, she got to be childish she was a child after all, it was her right, and she looked from Benedict to Daphne with a perplexed look in her eyes, "What is he talking about, Daff? He is right, you are unusually flushed, are you sure you are well? Or if you're just warm, perhaps you'd like some lemonade instead of tea?" She asked, what other possibilities were there than Daphne running a fever or simply feeling a bit hot?

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[L]

Daphne froze, horrified at the sudden turn in conversation. She should have known that teasing Benedict would result in equal turnabout. He was a Bridgerton, after all. Wistfully, she imagined all of the places she could have been, rather than in the library, trapped between a secretive brother (what was he hiding?) and an overly-inquisitive sister. And the afternoon had started out so lovely, too. The cup in her hand shook slightly, throwing drops of tea onto her frock and making an odd design on her chair. Drat it, she had made a mess.

Slowly, very slowly, she lowered her cup and glared with all her might at Benedict. Surely if he had not mentioned the change in her complexion, Hyacinth would have been none the wiser. The better for it, too. She placed the tea cup on its saucer and smoothed her skirts, buying herself time to gather her thoughts. Perhaps she could unknot this problem.

“Fear not, Hyacinth. I am well. And enjoying this lovely tea too much to ring for lemonade.” Not to mention that it would make so much unnecessary work for a servant simply to perpetuate a ruse. The day was warm, but a comforting warmth. A warmth that wrapped her up like the arms of her husband and held her close, lulling her to sleep. “I am just so full of surprise at the thought that Benedict might be hiding something from us!" She looked directly at the man, "What was it that Hyacinth was peering at, brother?”

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