People Who Hate Happiness for Eloise

[Benedict Bridgerton]

Tag: @eloisebridgerton

i' m    n o t    b o u n d    b y 

THE RULES OF SOCIETY

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈

💔

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈

[Deleted]

[attr="class","shinigami"]

eloise & benedict.

prompt: my muse steals from yours and gets caught.

There was no excuse for Eloise being in Benedict's chamber, there was no reason as to why she should be in any of her siblings' rooms, though she hadn't quite expected anyone to catch her in the act. It wasn't the first time such a thing had happened, after one of the maids had caught her rifling through her things, looking for any sort of proof she may be Whistledown...this time, however, she couldn't explain it away quite so easily. While she and Benedict were close, she doubted if he'd be best pleased that his younger sister was going through his belongings.

She grimaced, pulling back quickly, dropping the flask she'd grabbed before being caught red handed. "I was simply..." she trailed off, aware that he was the sibling who would be able to see right through her, even if she could have gotten away with lying to the others. "Fine. I was going through your things. Are you going to chastise me?"

Benedict Bridgerton

tag

[attr="class","mizocredit"]

MADE BY MIZO

[newclass=.mizocredit a]font:bold 6pt calibri;letter-spacing:1px;color:#b5d1f1;[/newclass]



[newclass=.shinigami]width:540px;padding:35px; border:1px solid #e1e1e1; background: #e1f79d; /* Old breakowsers */ background: -moz-linear-gradient(-45deg, #343c52 0%, #6f667b 100%); /* FF3.6-15 */background: -webkit-linear-gradient(-45deg, #343c52 0%,#6f667b 100%); /* Chrome10-25,Safari5.1-6 */background: linear-gradient(120deg, #343c52 20%,#6f667b 80%)[/newclass]

[Benedict Bridgerton]

Tag: @eloisebridgerton

i' m    n o t    b o u n d    b y 

THE RULES OF SOCIETY

Benedict had just returned home from the gentlemen's club -- more of an obligation rather than a desired outing. There was a meeting taking place and his eldest brother thought it best that he and Colin join. Fortunately, Benedict had the opportunity to swiftly excuse himself from the mundane conversation -- the perks of being a second son leaving his presence or lack thereof rather unnoticed -- and was able to return home.

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈

Not yet checking as to the whereabouts of his mother, sisters or youngest brother, he made his way straight to his room . . . though the sight of what he saw within it had him pausing at the threshold of his door. Slightly raising an eyebrow, he watched her for the briefest of moments before making his presence known. "Eloise Bridgerton," he acknowledged, his voice holding the same tone of disapproval that his expression did. She quickly turned around, dropping a flask. It did not take long for her to admit that she was snooping through his belongings. "Well that depends entirely," he answered, making his way deeper into his room, and picking up his flask. Now standing directly in front of her to block any hopes of her exit. "What exactly where you looking for?" He questioned, prepared to interrogate her for the intrusion.

[Deleted]

eloise & benedict.

“That,” she admitted, gesturing at the flask he’d already retrieved. She was hardly a decent thief, when she’d managed to lose her grip on the one thing she’d been seeking, in her surprise. Usually, she wouldn’t have been looking to steal anything at all, but it was simply a one off. While she was no stranger to a glass of wine at dinner, nobody was going to freely offer her liquor, even now that she was eighteen — and seeing as she shared her cigarettes with him, it seemed a fair trade, even if it was one he wouldn’t have known about, had he not caught her in the act like this. 

Admitting defeat, her attention shifted to her brother, arms folding across her chest. She felt incredibly guilty, considering the two of them were close; considering they were supposed to trust each other, but hopefully any anger he felt would subside soon enough. Of all of her siblings, he was the one she wanted to keep the closest. He always seemed to understand her, and she truly didn't want to ruin that. Sometimes, however, it was much too tempting to see why her brothers spent so much time sneaking mouthfuls of alcohol from the flasks at events she was forced to suffer through entirely sober. “I didn’t think you would be home for hours, and I hardly thought you would miss it. Are you going to tell mother?”

Benedict Bridgerton

tag

[attr="class","mizocredit"]

MADE BY MIZO

[newclass=.mizocredit a]font:bold 6pt calibri;letter-spacing:1px;color:#b5d1f1;[/newclass]

[Benedict Bridgerton]

Tag: @eloisebridgerton

i' m    n o t    b o u n d    b y 

THE RULES OF SOCIETY

The flask? Benedict's gaze fell to it for a brief second before looking at his sister who continued to explain that she did not believe him to be home for some time. That she did not think he would miss it. And then of course, if he was going to tell mother.

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈

"Oh, well then my sincerest of apologies for inconveniencing you," he told her, sarcastic and teasing in his tone. Looking at her incredulously, he continued. "Well that depends . . . " He began, ensuring he would get the whole story out of her before setting this matter to rest. "Was this truly all you were after?" He asked, making sure it was nothing else that she was snooping around for.

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈

"Otherwise perhaps I may find both mother and Anthony in each other's company when I divulge your ploy to thieve." He was of course teasing. He was not exactly the type of get Eloise in trouble. The two had a rather strong understanding and bond. He would not do anything to intentionally jeopardize that. But still. He was her brother after all so could hardly resist teasing her.

[Deleted]

eloise & benedict.

Teasing each other was simply the Bridgerton family way, and Eloise was absolutely no stranger to that. While she could be rather sharp, blunt and quick to grow frustrated, she was always one of the first to tease, to mock, to send a joking jibe towards one of her siblings. There always came a point, however, when the teasing had to stop; there was always a 'too far', and she didn't always know when she'd hit it. Sometimes her sarcasm was too sharp, sometimes she simply stepped too far with her words, and on this particular occasion, she'd worried that she shouldn't have been rifling through her brother's things in the first place. Were it one of her other brothers or sister, they might have been quicker to take offense, but Benedict seemed calmer than most, more understanding than perhaps her other brothers would have been. 

"What else would I be looking for?" Eloise scoffed. Perhaps not the appropriate reaction to being caught snooping, but it was hardly as if she thought he was Lady Whistledown, and hardly like he'd have much else she'd want. She had plenty of pin money hidden away for when she needed it, a stash of cigarettes left too...the alcohol, really, was the only thing of even remote interest, unless he was hiding things she knew nothing about. If he was, however, she hadn't been looking for them to begin with. "The liquor will suffice. Unless, of course, you do decide to tell mother and Anthony, in which case I shall claim I was looking for anything but that. Though I am now eighteen, and I do not see why it is so scandalous to do something I am legally allowed to do."

Benedict Bridgerton

tag

[attr="class","mizocredit"]

MADE BY MIZO

[newclass=.mizocredit a]font:bold 6pt calibri;letter-spacing:1px;color:#b5d1f1;[/newclass]

[Benedict Bridgerton]

Tag: @eloisebridgerton

i' m    n o t    b o u n d    b y 

THE RULES OF SOCIETY

Benedict continued to eye Eloise as she quipped back, questioning what else she would be looking for. "You, Eloise Bridgerton, have a tendency to answer a question with a question," he told her. "Besides, what would I know about what you are searching for," he added, before she went on to explain the excuse she would give should he tell Anthony and/or their mother. Glancing behind him at the door, he took a few steps towards it to close it, before turning back to his sister and extending his hand that held the flask.

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈

"Since you are so mature and such an adult--" His words so very clearly mocking as he teased her. "Go on then." If she so desired to take a drink, best she do it in company of family -- or certain family, rather than being impulsive at a larger social gathering. One could never be too sure with Eloise where her words and actions would take her. Besides, Benedict doubted she would even enjoy the taste of the liquor within his flask. So either way, it would be an amusing sight to behold.

[Deleted]

eloise & benedict.

The mocking way he called her mature caused Eloise to roll her eyes, pulling a face at him. He may have been almost decade her elder, but she was convinced she was more mature than most in the ton. She may have been eighteen, and not particularly worldly, but in her own naïve mind, her intelligence more than made up for it. "If I'm old enough to marry—" she pulled a face at this, naturally. "— and sire an heir, then surely I am old enough to drink whatever I like."

For some time, smoking had been her only vice; she'd been offered a cigarette once and been hooked since. She knew fine well her mama wouldn't approve if she ever caught her, but if she had noticed the smell of stale smoke on her at any point, she'd never commented. Only Benedict knew, as far as she was aware, and perhaps her lady's maid, though she'd never commented on it either. Thank goodness for that. She supposed, if she was going to dip her toe into something else her mama would never approve of, it may as well be around her brother, especially seeing as he would likely be the one to offer it again in future. Her hand curled around the flask, raising it up to her lips, head tipping back as she took a swig — and immediately recoiled. The liquor burned, and tasted absolutely disgusting. Only used to the expensive wine that came at fancy events, it was like nothing Eloise had tried before. She forced herself to swallow it down, pulling a face of disgust, practically thrusting the flask back into his hands. "That is disgusting. How do you drink that?"

Benedict Bridgerton

tag

[attr="class","mizocredit"]

MADE BY MIZO

[newclass=.mizocredit a]font:bold 6pt calibri;letter-spacing:1px;color:#b5d1f1;[/newclass]

[Benedict Bridgerton]

Tag: @eloisebridgerton

i' m    n o t    b o u n d    b y 

THE RULES OF SOCIETY

Benedict had to hold back an eyeroll at Eloise's remark though . . . it was not something he could entirely disagree with. "And you are certainly too old to be rummaging through my belongings," he told her, playful scolding in his voice as he did not actually feel any anger towards her for doing so. Besides, her reaction to the drink brought a rather victorious smirk to the second son's features as he watched her, eyes gleaming with amusement at her obvious disgust for the drink. "Serves you right," he told her, taking the flask back in hand.

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈

"Perhaps next time instead of sneaking about, you simply could have asked me and I would have directed you to a father more enjoyable drink." It was the one thing he rather enjoyed. Eloise held such fascinations with things, unconventional of a woman her age where it came to priorities but he would not have his dear sister any other way. In fact, he enjoyed exposing her to such things, or at least partaking in them with her. Cigarettes', being a prime example. "Best find a mint so that your secret remains secure." Otherwise, someone like their rather perceptive mother may notice the smell of alcohol upon her breath. No. Not may . . . she most certainly would notice.

[Deleted]

eloise & benedict.

Had she been rummaging through anybody else’s things, she’d have been given a scolding far worse, she was sure. Frannie might not have minded too much, but she was certain anyone else would have berated her — or, in the case of the younger two, ran along to tell their mother. There was only the boys, however, who likely would have had what she was looking for, and she’d have been in a far worse position if it were Anthony who’d caught her red handed. Disgusting as the alcohol had been, it was not nearly as bad as dealing with chastisement would have been.

“You underestimate me, brother. Has mama ever suspected me of being a smoker? If I can hide that, I am certain I can hide a single sip of liquor,” she scoffed. Of course, she was underestimating Violet. Their mother could likely find out anything, if she so wished. “And besides, she’d be forced to concede my point. How can one possibly be old enough to be a wife and mother but not old enough to partake in certain vices from time to time? It hardly stands to reason.”

Benedict Bridgerton

tag

[attr="class","mizocredit"]

MADE BY MIZO

[newclass=.mizocredit a]font:bold 6pt calibri;letter-spacing:1px;color:#b5d1f1;[/newclass]

[Benedict Bridgerton]

Tag: @eloisebridgerton

i' m    n o t    b o u n d    b y 

THE RULES OF SOCIETY

Benedict continued to watch Eloise skeptically as she spoke of underestimating her. "If I keep seeming to catch you in such acts -- " Whether it was smoking or rummaging for liquor. "Then it is only a matter of time until someone else does too. Possibly, mother. In which you will have to think even quicker on your feet." As to why she would be doing these things or well, an excuse when getting caught.

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈

"No one would dare underestimate you, El," he said with a hint of teasing sarcasm in his voice. "But you should not do the same." In the same playful, but warning tone. She spoke of being old enough to wed then she should be entitled to other things, such as being old enough to drink. "So are you doing this all to merely make a point? Or is there a part of you who wishes to simply do it because you are told you cannot?" Considering Eloise's rebellious nature, neither would surprise him. Perhaps, it was even both that prompted her to do such a thing. And -- as Benedict had stated earlier -- somehow it was always him catching her in the act. Which, was most fortunate for her.

[Deleted]

eloise & benedict.

If their mama were to catch her, she wasn’t entirely sure what she’d say. Eloise was quick-witted and sharp, but disappointing her mother was her biggest worry. She feared she did enough of that when she refused to dance with suitors and turned her nose up at balls — but what of this? Daphne had been the perfect diamond, and while she didn’t wish to be the same, she didn’t wish to be the black sheep of the family either. She rebelled in that she held different ideals, and felt strongly about the things she believed, but she didn’t want to be shunned by her family. She couldn’t care less what the rest of the ton thought of her, but her family were far more important than anyone else.

“Both,” she shrugged. It was a simplistic version of why, exactly, she was doing this. It ran far deeper than that, as everything with her seemed to. “You are a man, you can do anything you like. I may not be able to travel or attend university, but at least I can do this….” she paused. Perhaps it did sound somewhat childish, but she was a teenager in the throes of rebellion. Her fight for equality was important, this less so. “Cigarettes I enjoy. The drink…not so much. But it certainly seems to help you and Colin get through the dreadfully dull balls we’re forced to attend. I thought perhaps something might take the edge off, if I am to be forced to attend.”

Benedict Bridgerton

tag

[attr="class","mizocredit"]

MADE BY MIZO

[newclass=.mizocredit a]font:bold 6pt calibri;letter-spacing:1px;color:#b5d1f1;[/newclass]