Do You Ever Knock?! For Simon

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "Do You Ever Knock?!" ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Tag Derrick Kenworthy

                        the rules of society.

[Derrick Kenworthy]

Simon was not one to sneak about, but nor was he a person who made much sound. Much of his life he had spent quite, so it was not out of the normal for him to move down the halls without making a sound. Were as some boots thudded with power from a man's walk, Simon's boots and walk didn't echo. Which was why he was not sneaking, but simply walking up when he noticed what Benedict was drawing.

Simon was dropping his wife off at the Bridgerton house in London, and thought to ask his friend Anthony to visit White's with him. However, as it seemed Anthony was not at home, he was on his way out when he noticed Benedict there. Thinking to at least make a greeting, and he had walked up slightly behind him only see the drawing.

He had not known that Benedict was one to draw, but he noticed instantly the skill. Yet it was the nudity that surprised him. Which in turn lead to Simon--in a rare moment--speaking without thinking. "Is that my wife's dress maker?"

^{Benedict Bridgerton}

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Being in the Bridgerton estate had its rare moments of silence. Though the place was large enough that secluded rooms could indeed be found, there was always some sort of chaos or sound to fill the air. Benedict had grown accustomed to it of course, having grown up in this environment. He'd usually just drowned it out but today . . . a rare opportunity did indeed present itself. Most everyone was out and with the closing of the season, there was no ball or grand event that everyone need prepare for. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Benedict took full advantage, sitting in the drawing room, his legs outstretched to rest on the table in front of him in a rather relaxed demeanour -- something his mother often tried to correct but at this point, she'd given up on it. He was practicing his sketch, using the best source of inspiration his mind could create. A source of true beauty indeed. To create something more . . . sentimental, compared to the models Granville offered truly made all the difference. For what Benedict drew right, he did so from memory. Genevieve was in France and despite the casual nature of their . . . friendship he did find himself rather missing her company. Not just purely for the physical reasons either. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ And so, lost in his thoughts and creation, Benedict did not hear approaching footsteps. To be fair, when someone did approach -- more often than not it being one of his siblings -- they were less than stealthy and quiet about it. But it was not until a voice broke the silence that Benedict even knew someone was standing behind him, let alone entered the room. "Bloody hell!" The second son immediately shot up from his position, simultaneously snapping his sketchbook closed though knew it was futile based on the man's words. The action done so quickly that he nearly stumbled but managed to stand up straight after all. He spun around, the voice having been both familiar and not, to see none other than the Duke -- his now brother in law. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Benedict was nearly out of breath from the alarm of being . . . caught almost, and his work seen and . . . the figure revealed. "Simon," he acknowledged, in his state of surprise having dropped any formality. Though it was hastily realized as he quickly corrected himself. "Your grace," he added on, suddenly feeling very exposed for . . . his exposed drawing being seen. Dumbfounded, he didn't even know what to say in this moment, knowing it was not going to lead to very coherent sentences, so Benedict opted for silence as he allowed his heart to settle from its heavily beating state. Tag Derrick Kenworthy

                        the rules of society.

[Derrick Kenworthy]

The current heir to the Bridgerton viscountcy seemed more startled than Simon had at seeming the nude in the middle of a family room. It had not been Simon's intention. Bridgerton called him by his name, and then corrected with your grace, causing Simon to hold up a hand.

"Simon, please." He liked that the family was close, and did not plan to press for formalities while in their home. It felt out of place in loud and inviting home. "There is no need to be formal among family." Which they were now, even if the word family still felt odd on his tongue.

"Apologies for starling you. I was attempting to offer a greeting in passing but caught the subject of your drawing." The nude subject. Simon's voice was it's normal slow cadence, as his words were always measured with care to prevent a studder. "Your sister did not mention that you were an artist."

^{Benedict Bridgerton}

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict smiled at Simon's reassurance, telling him to call him by his first name. "Simon," Benedict acknowldged and corrected. Simon was indeed a good man, and the fact that he got along so well with others in the family . . . of course that was a great sign. Course it wasn't the man himself that startled him so much as just anyone lurking about behind him. How had he bloody well managed to remain so quiet when approaching was indeed a wonder. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ It was fortunate that Benedict was not one to blush, otherwise Simon's mention of the subject of his sketch would have caused his cheeks to color. But where Benedict did need not worry about a flush touching his cheeks . . . he did tend to ramble when caught in a situation where he was unsure how to respond. Caught off guard, perhaps. Particularly on the subject of art. So as Simon spoke of Daphne failing to mention that Benedict was an artist, the second son's smile faded a little, subconsciously holding the sketchbook tighter across his chest. For it was filled with imperfections and what could be considered rather embarrassing excuses of art. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "She wouldn't . . . " Know of it for he did not really tell anyone the depth to which he drew. Nor the events he attended that allowed him to practice or the tutelage he received from Henry Granville. "It's not . . . " Art. Good art anyway. But now, he was just rambling without even finishing a complete sentence. The Duke must think him quite a fool. Taking a deep breath, Benedict's lips curved into the smallest of smiles. "Artist is a generous term," he told him. "I merely, dabble in it." He had not yet earned the title artist, nor did the work he produced deserve to be called art. It would place him in the same category as so many talented others and at this point, Benedict knew it undeserving. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "Please do not mention this to her," he quickly added on. It was embarrassing enough that Eloise knew, but the last thing he needed was for his sister to know he drew nude pictures of the Modiste, whom Simon had already identified. Reallizing what he was asking of Simon -- and considering the Duke had no siblings of his own to have similar experiences with -- he continued. "I am sure you are well aware of . . . women, not letting things go and wishing to pry." Which, Benedict did not wish to deal with from the oldest Bridgerton daughter. He could practically hear it now. Why are you sketching a nude woman? Why is the nude woman Genevieve Delacroix? And Benedict was fairly certain it would only go downhill from there in the ways of interrogation. Tag Derrick Kenworthy

                        the rules of society.

[Derrick Kenworthy]

Simon had not spent a great deal of time with the younger Bridgerton, but he could see the differences quickly. Where as Anthony was arrogant and bold, Benedict was confidant in his stance but not arrogant. Arrogance was not a negative trait, but one he noticed quickly was different int heir actions.

"I will not speak of it, if that is your wish." he would not lie to his wife, but he did not have to tell her what he saw. It was a simple enough request. "Especially of the topic of your drawing." It was not said in judgement, but assurance. Simon was not about to tell his wife he had seen the dressmaker naked.

Simon did not know of how siblings were, but he had witnessed the Bridgerton Brigade's passion at . . . . existing. He could well imagine that if they knew that one of them had a secret that they all would try to discover and meddle in his affairs.

^{Benedict Bridgerton}

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict gave a small smile of appreciation as Simon agreed not to speak of it. "Thank you," he responded grateful for the assurance. While Benedict would never ask Simon to do anything to compromise the honesty in his relationship with Daphne, he also knew that this was quite minimal and certainly of no consequence. Yet, would be blown out of proportion if others were to find out that he was sketching nude images of Genevieve Delacroix. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ He could practically hear his sisters interrogation in his head of Who is she? Why did you draw that? Where did you meet her? How do you know her? . . . And those were the more innocent questions. "I fear that mention of it would only cause . . . unnecessary speculation," he further explained. Simon seemed to understand his reasons but he wished to state them none the less, and that Benedict was not one who engaged in blatant lies. Just . . . the leaving out information of his private affairs. Tag Derrick Kenworthy

                        the rules of society.