Better Them Than Us

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

The house was unnervingly quiet, though Benedict held no complaint. Daphne had just been married and Colin . . . had announced his engagement. Well, that had certainly caused a ruckus. Anthony was displeased -- to say the least -- and their mother was shocked. Fortunately, there were only two present in the drawing room: him and Eloise. Benedict was currently laying on the couch, his legs stretched over it and due to his height, went a little over one end, while his back was against the opposite end. He had his sketchbook out and was practicing, attempting not to get frustrated with each mistake and each part he didn't like. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Eloise was also in the room with him, and he was enjoying her company, as always. It was peaceful, relaxing and well . . . neither were the object of attention at the moment. Anthony and their mother was preoccupied with Colin, Daphne with her new husband and Hyacinth and Gregory . . . probably with each other, driving their tutor mad. So yes; it was nice sometimes to simply fade into the background and not be the source of attention. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "What do you suppose mother is saying to him?" Benedict thought out loud, unsure as they had never been in this situation before with Colin and . . . well, Benedict couldn't hep but wonder. Benedict had been happy for his brother, but that did not seem to be a common emotion among the others who displayed displeasure over the sudden promise of union. Tag authorflies Note: Better layout coming soon!

                        the rules of society.

[authorflies]

Where Benedict was sitting Eloise could not, instead pacing back and forth, writing journal and quill and hand. She, though, could not find the words, quill resting in the center of the opened book. More than anything else Eloise longed to write, to create, but her mind could not find the words instead preoccupied with mixed emotions on what had occurred during the last few days. Daphne being engaged had turned out to be a far more bittersweet thing than she had assumed it would be. Sure she had gotten her oldest sister's room, but without her sister here was a certain emptiness to the house that had never been there before. She thought that it might feel like how it felt when Colin left but… it didn’t. It was more strange. Sad. There was also this strange anxiety in the fact that she was next, she was going to be thrown into society and expectations. She was going to have to find a husband. Then there was Colin and Miss Marina Thompson, Pen’s cousin. Sure the news had been a shock, but she was excited for him. That was until she looked at her mother and older brother. And then there was Penelope-



Her brother’s words were what snapped her back to the moment, taking a moment more to fully process what he asked. It was a good question and one that she could not even begin to answer. What could mother and Anthony possibly be discussing? “It’s probably a scolding or a lecture of some sort. Perhaps both. Though I can’t imagine why.” If the arrangement was an arrangement made to preserve Marina’s honor then she would understand… but she knew her brother and she didn’t think he would do anything that could harm a woman’s reputation. Sure, their courtship had been short, but if they cared about each other, Eloise saw no problem.


Sitting on the ground nonchalantly, trying to get a peek at his sketchbook, journal set in her lap, frustration and slight worry clear on her face. “The idea of it all is a strange one, don’t you think?” She paused, shaking her head. “I think it’s all strange. Daphne is married and calls somewhere else her home-“ And now Colin would do the same. The smallest pit of sadness stirred in her stomach at the thought, Eloise opening her journal up in favor of expressing it, deciding to try and write. “It’s all overwhelming, but not surprising. There never had been a dull day in our family, after all. There's too many of us for that.”


~ Benedict Bridgerton ~

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict knew without having to directly look at her, that Eloise was indeed worried. As if the pacing wasn't enough, the way -- and speed -- in which she talked, the manner in which she held a quill and paper, or her journal rather. And the eventual way she sat on the floor. All noticed through Benedict's peripheral as he was mostly focused on his sketch, somehow even feeling Eloise's wandering gaze as he nonchalantly tilted it in the opposite direction so she could not see. More out of playfulness than anything else. Out of anyone in the family he was comfortable sharing his work with, it was her. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ But despite his focus on his own book, he was listening to every word that Eloise said. And he was inclined to agree. A lectured mixed with a scolding . . . and the uncertainty as to why. If Colin would be happy with Marina then perhaps it should be left at that. But . . . even Benedict knew it was a naïve mindset, mainly due to the knowledge of his family. The expectations. "Mother may come around," Benedict said, trying to hold some hope . . . though perhaps it was futile. Maybe it was his own wishful thinking that the elders in their family would release some of this rigidity when it came to who they were to marry. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "Who knows. Perhaps Colin will even pave the way for you to marry your first choice," he told her teasingly, unable to resist the urge to tease her about such things since Eloise's time was coming soon enough, especially now that Daphne was married and the focus would start to shift from her, to the second daughter. But upon Eloise speaking of how strange this all was . . . Benedict continued to silently agree. Half of them were at -- or near -- the age of marrying now, and one by one, they would part ways from the house to start their own life with their spouse. Benedict knew it was inevitable, but that did not mean it was any easier to watch the house empty of their family, one by one. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Benedict smiled with amusement as she pointed out that there was never a dull moment among them. "Quite true," he agreed, pausing from his sketching as he turned his head to look at her seated on the ground, scribbling in her journal. "I suppose it will be even less dull as our family grows." Through marriages and children. "But if there is one thing we can currently be grateful for sister," he said as he returned to his sketching while continuing to speak. "Is that for the time being, the focus has shifted elsewhere from the two of us." Because he knew, that neither of them desired this life that seemed to already be paved out for them. Tag authorflies Note: HAHA Eloise is precious! I can picture her in your post perfectly!

                        the rules of society.

[authorflies]

    It was perhaps the only bad habit she would admit to, her pacing. Whether she was deep in thought it started and it never ceased until she was snapped out of it, this time by the question that he asked and the increasing frustration that she felt. All that she wanted was to write, to finish a chapter in her novel, or heavens she would take even a page at this point, or something new. Eloise couldn’t get passed her worries, wanting to figure things out in order to help her older brother as well as just figure things out in general. There had to be a reason that mother and Anthony were so upset- or were they worried too? There was so many questions to figure out in so little time. The only thing she could do was observe at this point and interrogate Benedict, toss ideas around. He was the most clever in the family in her opinion, or perhaps second cleverest, next to her.

    There was a soft noise of protest, a groan accompanied by a roll of her eyes, that left her mouth as she moved to try and look again, focusing on her brother’s words and letting them settle in her mind. “Mother will come around. Probably before the sunset.” All she wanted was her children in secure and happy marriages, and Marina Thompson was a noble, was she not? Colin’s face when he announced their engagement was without doubt joy, so what did mother have to worry so much about? “I do believe it’s Anthony who will not soften and I cannot figure out why.” Was it because he did not discuss it with him? The speed? All of which was reasonable but something was off and she despised not knowing what it was.
    
    “My first choice of marriage would be to wed myself so if Colin and Marina’s are going well then I am certain I have no objections to their union.” Her words were partially serious as much as they were a joke. If she were not a Bridgerton then Eloise would fight her mother at the idea of even ‘competing’ in the marriage season next year and welcome spinsterhood with open arms but Eloise had younger sisters and so next year she made a solemn vow with herself that she was going to try her best to find her match. Still, with Benedict she would and could joke, if only to ease his sketching should he be in a worry about it as she was. “That being said, even that would be a far from perfect match considering I would be arguing with myself too often. Though perhaps the same luxury will be granted to you.” If it was not already. She hoped it was and thought it should be, but wishful thinking could only do so much on matters such as these.

    Leaning against the couch, Eloise let out a bit of an exasperated sigh, trying to catch another glance at her brother's book, this time much more discreetly, letting both her brother’s words and the facts settle in her mind. All she could do was nod- Yes, it would be less dull, their brother bringing Marina into the family and then the pair of them having babies but still her shoulders tensed at the thought and the once amused smile faltered from her lips. “You are not incorrect.” And it was a relief, with a wedding to plan her own coming out to the Ton would be temporarily on hold, but she still did not like the idea of losing another sibling to the entrapped life of matrimony . Not one bit. Clearing her throat, she looked up at Benedict, her shoulders relaxing slightly but not fully, changing the subject. "Maybe we'll be lucky as to avoid the marriage season for a whole year before we will wed, but why do you suppose they were so… off put by this? Mother and Anthony, I mean?”


Tag ~ Benedict Bridgerton ~ 
Note : Ah! Thank you!! Same with Benedict!! I! Adore their banter!! So much! 

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Yes; Eloise did indeed have a point. Their mother would most likely offer support sooner than their eldest brother. But hopefully . . . even Anthony would come around. Perhaps it just needed to be understood and accepted that this was truly what Colin wanted. "He bears responsibility," Benedict began to say, understanding only because Anthony had attempted to prepare him for taking his role as Viscount when that entire duel ordeal had happened. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "Or at least he believes he does," Benedict added on. "And thus, any union we should have as it reflects on the Bridgerton name." Benedict's voice made it clear that he didn't quite agree with the entire thing but merely, offering explanation to explain the undesired position of Viscount. One that Benedict would never want; especially upon discovering these new found . . . freedoms he often explored. He smiled, slightly chuckling as Eloise spoke of her first choice of marriage, before speaking of their brother and now fiancé. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "Perhaps it would be a blessing if you were to argue with yourself. It would be less arguing with me," he told her teasingly, rather amused with his own words and notion of it all. Her latter question however, required more explanation. It was indeed a fair question . . . and the idea of avoiding marriage season a highly appealing one, as this was one of the many things they seemed to have in common. Having been distracted in his own thoughts, he did not notice Eloise's wandering eye, but he did draw over the same line a few times, thoughtful in his response to her. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "I have certainly been avoiding it for as long as possible." He paused, this time looking up at his sister. "You however dear sister, will be most fortunate if you manage to evade marriage next season." She was a Bridgerton, and her sister had married in her first season and furthermore, with a Duke. The pressure was indeed high but Benedict did not want Eloise to be wed if she was not ready or of the mind. Despite age. "Though let us say you meet someone in your season, would you desire to get married?" Or would she deter it because she was not of mind to embark on such a path. Benedict often wondered the same of himself. It was merely mindset or lack of finding the right person. Bringing his attention back to his sketch, he proceeded to answer her question. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "I believe it is the shock of the news," he started. "And the, unexpectedness of it, particularly considering it is Colin as he had made no previous indication that he is ready for marriage. As well as the, unfamiliarity of his intended." His brother enjoyed travelling and exploring . . . who knew that he would be so ready to settle. "But I suppose, that is what love must do to a man." If it surely was that; but then, what else could it be that would make him wish to marry with such haste. "Now mother and Anthony only need understand that." He paused, looking back at Eloise for a moment. "Do you know anything of Ms. Thompson?" He inquired, considering she was remaining in the Featherington house and Eloise and Penelope were practicalyl inseperable. Tag authorflies

                        the rules of society.