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bella notte
act i , distant memories
chapter twelve , wallflowers

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"YOUR BROTHER TOOK you where?"

Belle fought to suppress a smile at the horrified tones of Violet Bridgerton, from where she sat at the pianoforte delicately playing through a duet with Daphne, who had been the one to send her mother into such hysterics after having divulged that she had spent her morning at a boxing exhibition.

"He kept close watch the entire time, Mama." Daphne assured her.

"Did you see a real fight, Daphne?" The awe inspired tones of the youngest Grantham entered the fry as Nicholas regarded the Bridgerton girl with a mesmerised look.

"It was not a fight, Nicholas." Daphne replied, the ghost of a smug smile threatening to creep onto her lips. "It was a boxing exhibition."

"It's a sport over here, Nicholas, can you believe it?" Belle chuckled, amused by the wonderstruck look of her younger brother.

"Gentlemen truly are allowed to fight each other for sport?" The young Earl-to-be repeated at which Belle gave an affirming nod. "Maestoso!"

Since their arrival in England, the two Grantham siblings had spent a great deal of their deal at the Bridgerton residence, frequenting the large house almost daily, if not to seek out particularly company, then to dine or have tea or study.

Naturally, the invitation had been extended for the Bridgerton family to visit their own home, however the atmosphere of the Bridgerton house was all too inviting in comparison - hence why when Leopold had announced once morning that he would be leaving for Florence on account of their late father, he had suggested that his niece and nephew board with the Bridgertons instead of idling about in 'that drafty old house of his'.

Needless to say, once the idea was uttered, Violet Bridgerton was insistent, almost immediately reporting to her housekeeper to make up the two guest bedrooms, and when Belle politely tried to temper her enthusiasm she was only to be met with the claim of how the Viscountess wouldn't be able to bear the thought of two all by themselves in their house - a fact, which Belle couldn't deny, was a rather ugly thought.

So that morning, whilst Daphne had been at her barbarous boxing exhibition, Belle and Nicholas had bid farewell to their uncle before being promptly escorted over to the Bridgerton house where they had settled in beautifully.

"A boxing exhibition is no place for any young lady." Violet continued with her admonishment.

"Is it a place for a prince?" Another voice entered the fray - that if Hyacinth who was approaching the pianoforte. "Was he at today's match, Sister?"

"He certainly was." Daphne fleetingly looked up from the keys.

"It is a loathsome and barbarous form of entertainment." Violet expressed her distaste once more causing Belle to emit a low chuckle, before whispering to her friend beside her.

"I rather think I would have enjoyed it."

Daphne responded with a chuckle of their own as their playing continued, with Belle playing the bass while Daphne played the melody.

"What about the duke?"

The playing ceased immediately as Belle, Daphne and Violet's attention frantically turned on the young girl.

"What about the duke?"

Hyacinth faltered for a moment, clearly startled by the reaction she had garnered.

"...Was he also present?"

"I do not know." Daphne answered rather sharply, Belle could see her tense up, her jaw clenching as she spoke. "If the duke was there, I did not see him."

"That is strange." Belle mused, knowingly, her disbelievingly gaze lingered on Daphne. "He speaks of Mondrich often, I would have thought him a sponsor."

If Daphne had paid any mind Belle's words, she didn't show it, instead beautifully playing through her own part of the duet, while concerned expressions passed between the other persons in the room.

However it was not long before the playing was once yet again interrupted.

"Mother. Daph." Anthony greeted, as he strode into the room with a broad smile, before turning his attention to the Granthams. "Distinguished guests!"

"He's awfully merry." Belle shuffled in her seat a little uncomfortable as the change of demeanour of the viscount.

"Isn't he just?" Daphne spared a light chuckle.

"Did you truly take your sister to a boxing match?" Violet was quick to address the match which they had discussed, however Anthony was just as quick to divert the discussion.

"Your admonishment will have to wait. I have news." His gaze left his mother and instead feel upon his sister, whom he regarded earnestly. "Prince Friedrich has asked for my permission to propose."

Daphne faltered, her attention immediately falling upon her eldest brother with an alarmed expression.

"So soon?"

"Well, what did you tell him?" Violet chimed in.

"That I know better than to answer for my sister." The Viscount nodded towards Daphne with a small smile, his manner never ceasing to amaze. "I have no objections to the man. People speak well of him. Whatever you decide, Daph, you shall have my support."

Belle looked to the girl on her right, with an arched eyebrow as her gaze flitted between her brother and mother, her words faltering as she tried to piece together an answer.

"I... uh..." She cleared her throat. "I..."

"You need not decide now." Violet quickly put her out of her misery. "You have not known him long."

Belle reached out a settled a hand on the girl's shoulder her expectant gaze quickly morphing into one of sympathy.

"Let me know when you have an answer, and I shall convey it." Anthony surmised after a moment, his jovial manner still thoroughly attempt as he turned on his heel.

"Indeed." Daphne muttered as Belle removed her hand from her shoulder, and hastily arose from the pianoforte.

"Anthony!"

Belle had called out, bunching her skirts in her hands as she chased after the Viscount, who stopped in her tracks with a small smile upon hearing his name.

Coming to a halt herself, Belle mirrored his smile and clasped her hands behind her back.

"Where is Benedict?" She enquired, her gaze fleeting to the front door where she suspected he soon might have entered.

"I have not seen him." Anthony replied gently, shooting the gaze a sympathetic glance as he saw her shoulder notably drop in dejection.

"Oh."

The sound of disappointment involuntarily left Belle's lips at the Viscount's response, nodding him adieu with a brief smile as he walked away, leaving her alone in the hallway, wondering what on earth could have the second eldest son so preoccupied that it would have him abandon her.

***

AS WE ALL KNOW, there is nothing this author loves more than a scandal, and tonight's soiree promises more than its fair share, courtesy of the recently widowed Lady Trowbridge.

Some may call her celebrations too provocative, and I would caution any young lady from getting caught up in the sensual nature of her fêtes.

For one scandalous move between an unwed couple, a wayward touch, or heaven forbid, a kiss, would banish any young lady from society in a trail of ruin.

Benedict had yet to show his face at all that day, even as the afternoon blended into the evening, and the Bridgerton had prepared to leave for the Trowbridge Ball, Belle found not a single trace of the second eldest son.

Her feeling of dejection had soon morphed into annoyance, the longer the day went on without her receiving so much as a word from him.

She wouldn't like to think herself dependent as an individual, but the Grantham girl had found herself falling into a habit of seeing the Bridgerton almost daily and upon realising they would be sharing a roof was all the more excited about the exploits they would have together.

And yet here she was, attending the Trowbridge Ball on the arm of the third-eldest son whilst she desperately longed for the company of the second.

Despite his absence, Belle had resolved to not let her evening be spoilt, instead choosing to socialise which is how she had ended up in a rather humours exchange with Colin and his friend and neighbour, Penelope Featherington.

"Our host looks a bit fussy." Colin mused, regarding the young Lord Trowbridge who looked less than impressed while his mother tried to soothe him. "Do you think if he goes to bed, we all have to leave?"

Belle snorted into the glass of champagne she had managed to acquire without the aid of her usual companion.

"It's lucky the lady produced an heir before the old earl croaked, no?" Colin looked between Belle and Penelope who were both trying to mask their chuckling.

"Lucky, indeed." Penelope agreed, before lowering her voice. "But do you not think the boy bears a passing resemblance to Lady Trowbridge's footman?"

"Penelope!" Colin exclaimed, his expression mirroring Belle's who both regarded the Featherington girl with wide eyes and humoured smiles. "What a barb!"

Belle averted her gaze from the pair who continued their chuckling, soaking in her surroundings.

She and the Bridgertons had already been at the ball from at most an hour and aside from a few dances with Colin and polite introductions at the behest of the Viscountess, she had found herself rather uninspired.

Although, she had to admit out of all the balls she had so far attended, the entertainment of a live opera singing arias in her familiar Italian was rather enjoyable.

"I've tried to get in front of Miss Thompson all night."

Belle's attention peaked at Colin's remark, following his gaze only to find it land on a very disgruntled looking Miss Thompson who was dancing with an elderly gentleman, whom she knew to be Lord Rutledge due to a stifling introduction at the beginning of the evening.

"Surely she cannot be interested in this Lord Rutledge, can she?" The Grantham girl grimaced, looking at the duo beside her for answers.

"I think the only thing Miss Thompson is interested in is a swift rescue, indeed." Penelope sighed, looking sympathetically on the lady.

"I believe you are right." Colin nodded, before swiftly setting onto the dance floor leaving behind Belle and Penelope in order to pursue the damsel in distress.

"Oh, Colin, I did not mean..."

Belle noted the deflated look on the Featherington girl's face at Colin's departure, offering her a soft smile.

"Alas, off he strides, ever the white knight." She chuckled, taking another sip of her champagne at which Penelope offered her a meagre smile.

A slightly awkward silence overcame the pair, with the absence of Colin, their common acquaintance, the light hearted conversation they had one held had quickly dissipated.

Belle took a large gulp of her champagne before clearing her throat, trying to summon the liquid courage to aid her.

"I do apologise, I have not until now properly made your acquaintance, Miss Featherington." She turned to the red head with a polite smile, "Colin and Eloise both speak terribly fondly of you."

"It is quite alright." Penelope pardoned her, her attention flickering away from where Colin and Miss Thompson had begun dancing. "I prefer myself more of an overseer at such occasion, I tend to stray away from most of the excitement which leaves me little opportunity to make acquaintances myself."

Belle cracked a smile.

"Then I consider myself awfully fortunate to have made it."

"You're incredibly charming, Miss Grantham." Penelope remarked, a wide smile settling on her features.

"Please, Belle will suffice just fine." The Grantham girl mirrored the same, a small blush dusting her cheeks at the compliment.

"Belle, it is." The red head agreed. "You are without your usual companion, I note."

"Observant, you are." Belle chuckled, before offering the girl a light shrug. "It appears has found himself other activities within which to engage himself this evening - all but abandoning me.

"Inexcusable."

"Yes, I rather think so, too."

"How long have the two of you being courting?"

Belle nearly choked on her drink at the question, a brief cough leaving her lips and she swallowed the champagne before regaining her composure.

"Courting?" She repeated, a smile donning her features at all times so as to alarm her company. "Goodness, no!"

"Oh, my apologies." Penelope quickly replied, "The two of you appear very fond of each other."

"That we are." Belle nodded in agreement, knocking back the rest of her champagne rather ungraciously. "We are dear friends."

Despite the smile on her face, there was an apparent change in her demeanour which the Featherington girl was quick to notice, raising an eyebrow at the brunette opposite her.

"I assure you, Penelope, the circumstance of my relationship with Benedict are not dissimilar from that of your own with Colin." Belle assured the girl, "Merely friends."

Penelope inhaled a short breath, before averting her gaze to elsewhere in the ballroom and bowing her head politely to Belle.

"Excuse me, Miss Grantham."

Belle furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, a slight panic overcoming as she saw the Featherington girl begin to move away from her.

"Did I say something-?"

"No, no." Penelope dismissed her concerns. "I simply find myself needing a drink."

Belle pressed her lips together into a tight smile as she nodded at the girl's reasoning, although not quite believing it.

"Good evening." She excused herself, disappearing into the crowd.

"Good evening." Belle responded meekly, her gaze drifting down the empty champagne glass in her hand.

She gave a small huff - now, she had no drink and no company.

***

"CHAMPAGNE!"

It wasn't long after her discussion with Penelope Featherington that Belle found herself within the company of the Viscountess Bridgerton.

Upon seeing the girl with no one to talk to, Violet Bridgerton had quickly summoned her to her side, whereupon Belle had gathered from her manner and from her breath that Viscountess had had a rather copious amount of the beverage she was now discussing the etymology of ... very loudly.

"It sounds like sham and pain." The Viscountess mused to the group gathered around her, which now included Colin, who had retired from the dance floor. "It is quite amusing, really."

Belle laughed along with her, earnestly, truly finding amusement in her rambles - more so in knowing what had induced them than what was actually being said.

However, Belle's laughter was quick to cease as she registered loud footsteps approaching their group, turning to see Anthony walking over with a grave look on his stern face.

"Our sister has a headache. I am taking her home." He addressed Colin who was stood alert having turned away from the group as well. "See to Mother, will you?"

Belle's gaze drifted away from Anthony, who still regarded Colin, who was nodding at the proposition, and landed on the figure stood a few feet behind him.

Daphne's gaze was stubbornly on the floor, her shoulders moving up and down as she breathed raggedly, her eyes glazed over, seemingly in some far off place.

Belle thought it looked like a little more than a headache - she looked as though she'd seen a ghost.

Pushing past the eldest brother, Belle walked to the girl's side, reaching for her hand in effort to bring her back to earth.

"Are you alright?" She whispered, causing the girl to lift up her head, at which Belle could see that she was almost on the verge of tears. "Daph?"

"Daphne, you look unwell."

A new voice entered their midst, Belle turned her head slightly only for her gaze to land on Cressida Cowper who was regarding the Bridgerton girl with an expression that Belle thought a little too smug for the situation.

"Did you catch a chill in the garden?"

Garden? Belle could have sworn she hadn't seen the girl depart from the ballroom, she had been dancing with Prince Friedrich, wearing the necklace he had given to her-

Belle surveyed Daphne's neck whereupon no such necklace sat.

Her brows furrowed, she opened her mouth to raise the many questions that had come to her, yet before she could utter a word, Daphne's hand was ripped from hers as Anthony hastily escorted her away.

Belle made a small sound of complaint but it fell on deaf ears as within seconds, the pair had vanished, no doubt to return home as Anthony had explained.

The girl felt a presence on her right and looked over to see Colin wearing a similar expression to her own.

"What-?"

"I don't know."

Belle noted her a few heads were turned at the sight of the two of them gazing at the doorway where Daphne and Anthony had just disappeared. Clearing her throat to get his attention, Colin gave a nod and they both turned away, slowly returning to the Viscountess, with the intention of trying to draw less attention to the hasty exit.

"But, it didn't seem anything like a headache to me."

𝖙𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖆 𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖆𝖐𝖘!
merely friends, my arse

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