We Cry For Our Futures Lost

[Elizabeth Davenport]

It did her no good to eavesdrop, especially on conversations about her own future. Elizabeth knew that it would only leave her feeling hopeless and upset. It was exactly what she'd gotten when she'd stood outside the door to her father's study as he spoke to her stepmother about how he was going to arrange for Elizabeth to marry someone. The name didn't stick with her but rather the idea that her future was about to be decided and as far as she was concerned, completely over. 

Instead of rushing off to hide in her room, Elizabeth found herself in the music room. It was her home inside her home. She sat on the chaise, trying to control her breathing even though she could feel angry tears slide down her cheeks. This couldn't possibly be happening. Her father was going to marry her off to someone she didn't know and someone she didn't care for. To Elizabeth, anything was to be preferred or endured than marriage without affection.

Hours passed and Elizabeth's mood only worsened. Her crying had gotten under control but she'd remained in the music room and she'd wallowed in her own self-pity. 

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Tag: Benedict Bridgerton  

credit to Laura of Adox

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Leaving the Bridgerton estate was truly such a mission. It was why occasionally he would rather stay as his bachelor lodgings in the city. Though he adored his family, trying to repeatedly explain to Hyacinth why she could not go with him was a rather tedious task. He finally managed to make his exit, aware that he was running late and hoped that Elizabeth would not mind. They were to meet for the afternoon though when he arrived at her home, she was not where expected to receive guests -- though with the frequency in which the Bridgerton and Davenports visited each other, they were well past guests. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Benedict was assured she was home so while someone said they would check her room, Benedict said he would wait for her in the music room for if she was not in her chambers, then the next best place he could guess she would be, was there. And while his prediction was correct, something felt . . . off. He lightly knocked at the door though it was open, so that he would not startle her. Yes, something was definitely off indeed. "Elizabeth," he began to say and he started to approach her. "What's wrong?" They were well passed pleasantries and Benedict did not want to waste any time with them. He'd rather know what was causing her to be so seemingly . . . down -- if that could be the right word to describe her current state or mood. Tag Elizabeth Davenport

                        the rules of society.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

The knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Benedict spoke her name and she realized she had completely lost track of time and the fact that they were meant to spend time together. Benedict was always a welcome face but she was not sure he was the best person to talk to this about. He could sympathize with her for what it was worth, but he would never truly understand what Elizabeth was going through. "Everything," she spoke simply. 

She rubbed at her eyes and wiped away the stained tears on her cheeks. "I overheard my father agreeing to arrange a marriage between myself and another. I do not recall the name but he had someone in mind," she explained. "Benedict, he always promised I would have a choice in the matter." Her voice was strained and she looked at her dearest friend with pain in her eyes. Everything in her life that she would have to give up with a marriage ran through her thoughts. These moments would Ben would likely be one of them. There was no doubt her new husband would find her friendship with Benedict inappropriate and would not allow them to spend time together unchaperoned as they usually did. She would no longer get to frequent with the Bridgerton household as she often did and no doubt she would not get to see her own family nearly as much. 

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Tag: Benedict Bridgerton  

credit to Laura of Adox

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Her initial one worded answer was enough to indicate the seriousness of the situation. Her eyes were red and tears stained her cheeks. Elizabeth was not one who got this upset often, so Benedict's heart ached for whatever pain she was feeling that promoted such a reaction. He remained silent, allowing her the space and time to continue without prying or asking more questions. And when she started to explain what happened . . . it all made sense. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Benedict knew that an arranged marriage such as this was Elizabeth's worst nightmare. To be trapped in a union with a stranger that would compromise her happiness and time spent with family and friends. As she finished, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, passing it to her before responding to her revelation. "Will he not be persuaded otherwise?" He asked. "Perhaps there is still time to appeal to him so that you have say in this matter." If she had overheard him, it meant he had not yet told her so . . . perhaps there was hope. "Surely, your father would honor such a promise he made to you." For a man should be one who kept his word, in all matters. Tag Elizabeth Davenport

                        the rules of society.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth took the handkerchief from Benedict, using it to dab at her eyes but mostly just to clutch onto. Leave it to Benedict to see reason and try to get Elizabeth back into the same thoughts. She had never been the type of girl to wallow in self-pity or let little things upset her. But this had been different and it had completely knocked her off her feet. "I've not attempted to speak with him on the matter," she confessed. "He was speaking to my stepmother about it so I can guarantee that this must have been her idea." Elizabeth had always tolerated the woman but this made her opinion of her go quite sour. 

"He's never broken a promise before but if he's being pushed to make such an arrangement, it would not be unimaginable for him to say that he's given me quite enough time and that now it is starting to look bad for our family name." And he wasn't wrong. The longer Elizabeth remained unmarried the harder it would be. But she'd never worried about it because the daughter of a well-respected Marquis would always be of high value, right?

---

Tag: Benedict Bridgerton  

credit to Laura of Adox

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict listened intently as Elizabeth explained that she had not spoken to her father and this was all overheard. And that she presumed it was her stepmother that set this in motion. Benedict remained silent for a few moments, trying to think of how he could best help her in this situation. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ It was indeed challenging, when women had little say in who they should marry. Anthony had tried to dictate as such with Daphne but their mother would not have it. Unfortunately, other head of households were not as . . . compliant with opposition. "Do you know who it is?" He inquired, wondering if she had any information regarding who the gentleman that her father was going to set her up with was. "Speak to your father first, Elizabeth," Benedict encouraged. "Perhaps he will give you an extension to find someone of your own choosing. In which case . . . we will figure something out." We not her because she was not alone in this. Tag Elizabeth Davenport

                        the rules of society.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Benedict asked who it was and Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't know," she answered. She had tried searching her brain earlier for the name so she could find out more about him, as it was not one she had heard before. Apparently he'd been in another country for the past few years so he had not been attending events with the ton. Then it struck her and Elizabeth wiped at her face. "Nicholas Granger," she said all of a sudden. "That's the name I heard my father say." She wondered if Benedict had heard of him before, but part of her doubted it since the men seemed far less interested in the names of people.

She knew he was right; she needed to speak with her father. He would be cross that she had listened to his conversation but she was cross for him not keeping his promise. She didn't know what he would do when she tried talking to him. "And who am I to choose?" She asked, hands flailing in the air for a moment. Elizabeth sighed and offered him a sad smile. "Thank you," she said. "But this is not your problem. You listening is all I can ask for."

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Tag: Benedict Bridgerton  

credit to Laura of Adox

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

While Benedict was not overly skilled at withhold expressions, certain circumstances called for it. Particularly ones that involved someone he cared about that would potentially worsen the situation or cause them further distress. So in this case, when he heard Elizabeth reveal the name of her father's chosen suitor . . . he truly had to hold back making a face. For he knew the man, and he did not have the best reputation. He drank excessively, gambled frequently, and was known to have a mistress that he changed every so often. No. He was not a good suitor for Elizabeth but saying that now would certainly not be helpful. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ The goal was to get her out of her union, regardless of who it was with. The fact that it was an unworthy man just added more determination to the plan -- at least with Benedict, knowing what he knew of him. He gave a small soft smile to her when she said that this was not his problem. "Come now Elizabeth," he said with soft teasing. "If I were faced with a problem that caused me great distress, would you leave me to find a solution on my own?" The question was somewhat rhetorical for he felt he did in fact know her answer. "Let us come up with a plan so that you can propose it to you father and we find a solution. Do you believe he would grant you an extension? It would at least give us a little more time." To figure out what to do. Tag Elizabeth Davenport

                        the rules of society.

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth was usually  one who made astute observations, so had she been paying attention she might have been able to see that Benedict had kept his features the same. It should have been enough to raise concern but she was too caught up in her own thoughts to see it. He questioned what she would do if he were in a predicament and without missing a beat, she spoke up. "Of course I would help you. You're not nearly as clever as you think." Her facial expression remained neutral before finally cracking a small smile. 

Would her father give her more time? It all depended how much time she asked for. It would be important for her to ask for a good amount of time but not asking for too much where he would deny the entire suggestion. "Perhaps," she replied. "The plan is to find someone that I can stand to be around," she said. "Which is easier said than done, as I have seriously considered many of the eligible gentlemen that have shown interest." And Elizabeth had not liked any of them.

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Tag: Benedict Bridgerton  

credit to Laura of Adox