next chapter coming soon! please note that i am in college and sometimes chapters might be delayed (around finals season). please be patient during this time, i appreciate it! <3
Summary: after a harsh ultimatum by your father, you are sent to Mayfair for the social season to be hosted by your aunt. There, you find yourself surrounded by the shallow gentlemen of the Ton, until you bump into a gentleman who seems to be actually more sensible than the rest—Benedict Bridgerton.
Word count: 2.5k words
Contents: fluff, me trying to attempt bridgerton-esque english, takes place during season one, y/n's last name is Aldridge for convenience, angst, mentions of abuse, period typical sexism, reader likes to writes, marquess aldridge is a bad bad man, might not follow season one in exact, reader is in her 3rd year on the marriage mart, eventual smut
Warnings: not that I'm aware of for this chapter, but I probably glossed over it
A/N: please let me know if you want another part!
Mayfair, London, England
A town that you've only heard of through the letters that your aunt wrote to you as a young girl. It was much more lively than what she described in the letters. You were on your third year on the marriage mart and have already put yourself on the spinster shelf after a disastrous first season. Being an only child to marquess—and to be a girl, you know that you'd be comfortable for the rest of your life. All while your eldest male cousin will take over the title. You thought that this was going to be your future.
You were wrong.
It was a few months ago when you realized. The social season was on the rising and your mother has subtly ask if you're ready to head back to the marriage mart, but you refused—already comfortable with your single life.
"Are you sure, my dear? I have no problems getting you new dresses for it" your mother, Marchioness Aldridge, asks with hope in her voice as she sat down her tea cup on her saucer. "I heard that an-"
"Enough mother," you sighed, setting down your book to look at her. "I'm perfectly fine. Alone."
Your mother bite her lip in frustrated—which you later figured out was more distressed, as she picked up her tea once again and took a small sip of the earthy liquid. "I'm just asking because-"
"Y/N!" Your father, Marquess Aldridge, spoke as he entered the drawing room. Whenever your father entered a room, he demanded power and control—something that he always got. It didn't help that he was tall and had a menacing stance, which you still question the stories your mother tells you about him being her season's incomparable and how she and the staff always shrink in themselves every time he's near. You quickly sat down your book on the table in front of you and quickly stood up, smoothing out your dress—something your father conditioned from when you were young. "Yes, father."
"You know how the next social season is coming up?" He asks with his voice steady, a tactic he uses to confuse you in what mood he's currently in.
"Yes I do and do not plan on-"
"You are. You're going back on the marriage mart at once!" He commanded, giving you a hardened stare.
You stared at him is disbelief. Marquess Aldridge always seemed tense around the social season and always looks at you expectant to change your mind. But you didn't know what he had plan—until now.
"I-I will not, father! I've decided and it's my choice!" You argued, causing the maids and your mother to shrink even more in their bodies, not knowing how this is going to end up.
"Yes you will! You're either going to enter the marriage mart or marry my good friend, Earl James Ashburn!"
Your mother looked at him stunned as she gasps, "Not James Ashburn. Dearest, you have to be jesting! Right?"
Earl James Ashburn is one of your father's eldest friends. You met him a handful of times and those meetings weren't pleasing. His reputation is not that great with him going into brothel's almost every night and left his ailing wife in her last moments, alone, for that places as well.
"I am not," he speaks turning towards your mother, "he desires an heir that his useless wife couldn't bring to him, so what not a better choice than our darling daughter?"
Your chest started to heave and the room felt more warm than ever, your nails dug into your palm as you looked up at him. "No! I won't do it and you cannot make me!"
"It's either you enter the marriage mart and find yourself a husband, or hasten the whole process and go ahead and marry Ashburn. Or, be cut off from the family for good and I'll make sure to spread to word to your cousin—since he'll take over once I'm gone" he threatened, gripping your arm tightly as his gaze hardened at he stared at you.
You were trapped. Even if you don't find a husband, you're still force to marry that man. You wanted to cry, scream, and throw something at the same time. You glared at him and forced yourself out of his grip and ran up to your room.
You had to get out of there—and fast!
Luckily, you had an aunt on your mother's side you can go to. Last time something like this happened, you ended up writing to one of your father's sisters asking to stay with them for a bit. In the end, they always ended up writing your father about it and you were always afraid of the consequences that were to happen once he found out.
"My Lady, we're here" one of the footman tells you as he opens up the carriage. You took his hand with a smile and gave him a polite smile. "Thank you."
You walked inside your aunt's home. It felt much warmer than your home. Maybe because it doesn't have the lulling presence of your father in the air. "Lady Aldridge has arrived, my lady."
Your aunt jumped up and engulfed you in a hug with a smile. It was a tight, yet warm hug and smelt of lilies and honey. She held you at the arms and overtook you. "You have blossomed, Y/N. A true lady indeed.'
You smiled with a light falter at her compliment. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."
She noticed your slight falter in your smile and how you shifted nervously. She knew your visit to Mayfair was all but friendly and catching up. "What has happened? Has your mother fallen ill again? Your father?"
She was hoping for the latter, but she was surely going to be disappointed and more enraged when she learns the real reason of your visit. "What's going on, Y/N?"
"My father wants me to marry Earl James Ashburn, but I refused. So he gave me the choice to either find myself a husband before the end of the season or just go ahead and marry him. But the former is not a choice because even if I don't find myself a husband, I will still be forced to marry him!"
You cried—you actually cried. Your aunt looked at you in worry and took you into her embrace. She wiped the tears from your face and gave you a gentle smile. "No need. You will find your husband. I'll have one of the maids show you to your room for the season and you can rest up before the first ball of the season."
A smile graced your face. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
-
She held your arm as the two of you entered Lady Danbury's ball. You have learnt she usually hosts the first ball of the season and is a great friend to your aunt as well. You were dressed in a beautiful pale pink ball gown that sparkled underneath the lights—your aunt specially picked out for you. She felt your nerves through your gloves and gave you a reassuring pat on your hand. "Don't worry, you got this."
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
You danced with two gentlemen, but they weren't as expected. The first mostly talked about himself and seem not to want to get to know you, while the other wasn't over his last engagement falling apart and you ended up having to comfort him for the rest of the dance, earning some stares from others. After the dance, you walked towards your aunt who gave you an empathetic smile. "Maybe they weren't the type for you. But I want you to meet Lady Danbury. She's a great friend of mine."
She grabbed your arm and walked you towards a woman in a dark red dress talking to some other people—siblings, you guessed as you two got closer, earning her attention. "Ah, Lady Lennox, wasn't expecting to see you here after your children successful triumphs last season."
"Yes, Cecilia, is doing well as a Baroness and I've been told that she is with child, and Andrew shall be returning back to Mayfair shortly with his wife" your aunt says with a graceful smile and then gives you a gentle push. "Lady Danbury, I want you to meet my niece, Lady Y/N Aldridge. She's joining me for the season."
"Pleased to meet you," you acknowledge to older woman with a curtsey as you tilted your head up, you didn't make eye contact with Lady Danbury's dark brown ones—blue ones instead met your gaze. You strengthened your posture, presenting a gentle smile. "I am enjoying your ball. It is quite lovely."
Lady Danbury had a thoughtful look on her face before she smiled at you. "Thank you, my dear. You wouldn't be Marquess Aldridge daughter? He was quite the cold one."
"I-I am," you replied hesitantly nervously, not noticing someone had notice your hesitance when replying.
"Well, he and your mama were their seasons incomparable and they left Mayfair shortly after you were born" she replied before peering over her shoulder, where the four people she was previously talking to were still standing, "ah, where are my manners? Lady Aldridge please meet Daphne, Benedict, Colin, and Viscount Anthony Bridgerton."
Benedict—you finally put a name towards the blue-eyed gentleman. You smiled politely at the four of them. "Pleased to meet you all truly."
"Same as well! I hope we can become great friends" Daphne says with a smile as she gently grab your hands with a polite smile.
You returned the smile and slowly retracted your hands as your aunt guides you away towards the refreshment table. Benedict stood there watching you walk away. Lady Danbury noticed and slightly leaned into him. "She comes from good standing from both sides of her family and that father of hers is quite a man—and that's not a compliment."
You held a glass of lemonade in your glove clothed hand as you watch your aunt be warped into conversations by other ladies and misses. Maybe she wouldn't notice if you left for a moment. The terrace welcomed you with cool air—different from the stuffy air of the ball. Your hand slightly grazed the railing as you looked up at the sky—stars scattered along.
"Beautiful night, isn't it?" A voice asked behind you. You turned your body towards the voice and saw Benedict walking towards you with a small smile on his face. "Much to think about with a sky this beautiful."
"Many verses that I am thinking about. Yet, I don't have my quill or a book in my hands," you spoke gently, slightly leaning on the rail.
"So, you dabble in a bit of writing?"
"I wouldn't say dabble," you replied with a small laugh. "I quite enjoy it and many of the art forms. I'm guessing that a gentleman such as yourself also enjoy the arts. Am I right, Mr. Bridgerton?"
"Enough with the formalities, Benedict is just fine," he replied, joining you on leaning on the terrace. "And you're right, I also do enjoy the arts as I do paint from time to time."
"So you're an artist?"
"I wouldn't say that" he says with a little doubt in his voice.
You noticed the shift in his tone and stance. You can tell how unconfident he was when talking about his artwork, as same to you whenever it comes to your poetry. "Nonsense, Benedict. You're still consider an artist, no matter how small it is. My first piece of writing was about my favorite flower—lilies. Whenever you managed to get the courage to finally show it, may I be the first?"
"Of course, my lady," he replies with a smile gracing his face, sincerity laced in his voice.. "As long as I get to read your first novel as well."
"That's a promise," you replied, mirroring his smile. There was a beat of silence between the two of you, aside from the noise that was coming from the ball. You leaned off the railings as you sighed. "As much fun I had talking about art. It is really scandalous of us to be alone and unchaperoned. I shall take my leave."
Benedict stayed outside for a few more moments. Even with your presence gone, it was like you were still there with him. He stared at the area where you once stood and smiled.
Maybe calling hours won't be boring tomorrow.
-
It was the crack of dawn when your aunt woke you up for calling hours. You were deep in sleep, until she had one of the lady's maid open the curtains for you—waking you up in the process. "What time is it?"
"It's time for you to get up dear. I'm sure there are callers excited to meet you," she said to you with a smile before turning towards the lady's maid. "Can you please pick out that light green dress with the white roses embroidered in them? Lady Y/N will look exceptionally beautiful in it!"
Before you could even process clearly, you were already in the drawing room with a teacup in your hands. Calling hour went as you expected—boring. Every gentlemen tried to win you over with bragging about their wealth, land, or possessions they had, but it never stuck out to you. It just felt disingenuous. You slouched on the couch as the last gentleman left. You heard your aunt chuckle as she took the seat in front of you. "Tired?"
"Yes of course!" You replied, sitting up properly. "None of them stood out to me! At this rate, I might have to marry that Earl."
"My ladies, there's actually one more caller that has just arrived" the footman spoke once he entered the rooms, holding his hands behind his back looking between you two. "Should I let him in or dismiss him?"
Your aunt turned to you and gave you a reassuring smile. "We can turn him away or let him in. It's up to your decision."
"Fine" you sighed, now looking at the footman. "He can come in."
He nodded and disappeared to let the gentleman in. You mentally prepared yourself to hear another monologue about things that the gentleman might want you to hear, but your thoughts stopped once you actually saw him.
It was Benedict Bridgerton, with a bouquet of lilies in his hands. You couldn't believe that he remembered your favorite flower, something that you have mentioned offhandedly. "Sorry for my delay. I'm not late, am I?"
"Not at all Mr. Bridgerton!" Your aunt says in a chipper tone as she stood up. "If you two shall excuse me, I'll be partaking embroidery over there."
He smiled at your aunt before turning towards you and handed you the flowers. "Here. I hope these will make your mood a little better. I've seen how tiresome calling hours can be."
"Thank you, Mr. Bridgerton," you smiled as you gently rubbed your fingers between the petals of the flowers.
"Benedict is just fine, my lady, just like last night," he assured again as he took a seat beside you with a smile. "I'm perfectly fine with you calling me by my first name."
"Right, only if you call me Y/N" you replied before staring back down at the flowers.
"Of course, Y/N."
As you gently rubbed the petals of the flowers, a small smile graced your face. Maybe finding a husband would be as bad as you thought. You probably won't have to marry Ashburn after all—maybe the tides are in your favor.
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