Love Conquers All
Benedict Bridgerton x Reader (Fem)
~ Part 2 ~ ~ Part 3 ~ ~ Part 4 ~ ~ Part 5 ~
~ Part 6 ~ ~ The End ~
~ Part 1 ~
Y/N strode into the ballroom, her Pa, Richard, on her arm acting as her chaperone for the evening. A surreal notion for Y/N as her Mama would always be the one to do so before now.
“Are you nervous?” Richard asked, a concerned scowl on his face. Like Y/N, this was a new, surreal feeling for him. His dear wife would always be the one to take on this role.
“Partly, but do not worry Pa. I will disguise the nerves with grace and hold my head high.” Y/N spoke with such confidence that even she was convinced by her words.
Richard smiled, a genuine one before ushering the two of them further into the room.
This was their first encounter with Mayfair and all its grandeur. Having moved away from the country recently they decided this was the best fresh start for them both.
A few eyes were cast their way as they made their debut. Lots of hushed whispers and words behind hands were shared between members of the Ton.
“I fear they mock me Pa.” Y/N mumbled, using her free hand to smooth down the front of her dress.
“If they mock it is only out of jealously my love. You are the most beautiful here.”
Y/N smiled shyly at her father’s kind words.
“You have to say that, you are my Pa.” Y/N sighed.
“I speak only in truths Y/N. You are eight and twenty years old. You should know this of me by now.” Richard chuckled, scooting the two of them over the marbled floor to stand away from the entrance.
Just as he did so, a lady came bounding over with such confidence. Y/N was impressed by how she seemed to carry herself, a cane by her side as she made strong strides.
“Good evening to you both.” The lady curtsied, to which Y/N and her father followed suit.
“Good evening.”
“Forgive me for being so blunt but I fear do not know either of you? I am Lady Danbury.” The stranger smirked slightly.
“No do forgive us. I am Lord Richard Pembrooke and this is my dear daughter Miss Y/N Pembrooke. We recently moved to Mayfair.” Y/N and her father both curtsied once more.
“Pleasure to meet you Lady Danbury.” Y/N cooed.
“Well… the pleasure is all mine. Mayfair has become somewhat ‘normal’ as of late. Some fresh blood may shake up this town. And if the fresh blood is as charming of face as you my dear, well… it will be very shaken up indeed.” Lady Danbury smirked once more, before spinning to stand next to the new members of the ton.
The three of them watched as couples waltzed around the dance floor, charmed smiles and nods shared between other members strewn around the room.
Through the doors across the room entered a large party. A beautiful, older lady strode in with a handsome man on her arm. Another equally handsome man behind, a younger lady on his left and an even younger lady on his right.
It’s like the room had to stop to take notice of them, everyone exchanging pleasantries with the new partygoers.
“Pardon me Lady Danbury but who might they be?” Y/N asked quizzically. The man with the two ladies on his arm catching her eye.
Danbury watched as Y/N’s eyes followed the man across the room. That familiar, cunning smirk on her face still.
“They Miss Pembrooke… would be the Bridgertons. A well endowed family, whom I am quite well acquainted with. Their mother Violet Bridgerton, Anthony on her arm, Benedict behind with Eloise and Hyacinth. Hyacinth being the youngest lady of the family.”
Y/N nodded and hummed, continuing to watch as the Bridgertons made their way around the room. She noticed that Violet took Hyacinth by the arm and paraded her around. Anthony accompanied them. Benedict sunk into the shadows with Eloise, the two of them laughing as they picked at the food.
“Quite the duo those two it seems.” Richard chuckled.
“They do make quite the double act. This is Eloise’s third year on the marriage mart. Although she would much rather be anywhere else. Likewise with Benedict.” Danbury stated.
“I do hope we may have hope for you Y/N? Hmmm?” Danbury continued, glancing over at Y/N.
“Oh.. I… uhhmm… my apologises but I am not interested in all of that. I am just happy at home with Pa and my books.”
Danbury glances between Y/N and her father with a disapproving stare.
“Hmm. Despite what society may lead us to believe, age may just be a number Miss Y/N. Do not count yourself out yet.” Danbury hummed, before exchanging her goodbyes to speak to other people.
Y/N glanced at her father.
“Well… she was quite the woman.” Richard coughed with a slight chuckle.
“She is… brilliant. If I am to be an old spinster I would like to be just like her.” Y/N announced proudly.
Despite the need to keep his daughter close and keep her in the nest, he knew Danbury was right. Y/N was an incredibly bright, beautiful woman and deserved to find love. Just as he had done with her mother.
“Lady Danbury has a point Y/N. As much as I would love to keep you at home for as long as I shall live…” Richard paused, realising the power of those last few words.
Y/N frowned slightly.
“Life is incredibly short my dear and you deserve to be happy. You also deserve to find love.”
Y/N huffed in annoyance before replying.
“I’ve told you Pa. I am not interested in love. Love is all well and good but it doesn’t last. Something always comes to destroy it. Take yourself and Mama. I do not want to experience that kind of heartbreak.” Y/N let go of her father’s arm and began to walk away in a huff.
Her feet carried her away from him and further into the grandness of the ballroom.
She was so distracted by what had just happened that she had not seen the handsome Bridgerton, known as Benedict, standing close by.
Her shoulder collided with his arm, causing them both to stumble but Benedict had managed to reach out his hands to steady Y/N in time.
“Steady. Are you alright?” Benedict cooed, staring directly at Y/N. His hands holding onto her arm.
“I… I… am… alright. Apologies.” Y/N mumbled out, curtsying rather clumsily.
Benedict smirked before releasing his grip and straightening up.
“Oh that is quite alright Miss…”
Y/N was just staring at him. She’d missed her queue to tell him her name.
“Y/N. Y/N Pembrooke!” She bowed once more.
“Y/N Pembrooke.” Benedict repeated in a soft whisper. The way he said her name and the hushed tones he used caused goosebumps to rise on Y/N’s skin.
Benedict now turned to his sister who had seen this whole event go down.
“Eloise do you know of the Pembrooke’s?” Benedict asked.
“I do not know. Are you someone new?!” The tone in Eloise’s voice had indicated that she was excited by the prospect of someone new in town.
“That would be correct. Myself and Pa just moved here from the country.” Y/N had also now straightened up.
“The country? We always visit when the season is over. How have we never crossed paths?” Eloise continued to quiz Y/N.
“I do not know.” Y/N chuckled at how giddy Eloise seemed to be. From first meetings it seemed Eloise would be a great confidant to have. Someone to rely on and possibly become friends with.
“Brother would we not have remembered such a face as Y/N?” Eloise pushed for Benedict to join back into the conversation. He had just been eating a handful of grapes as he stared at Y/N as she conversed with his sister.
He paused chewing and glanced between the two women now. A confused look on his face.
“What was that sister?”
Eloise grinned.
“We would have remembered someone like Y/N had we met before. Would we not?”
Benedict glanced between them once more. He most certainly would have remembered a face like Y/N. Her features were soft but her eyes seemed to tell a different story. He could see the hard, tough persona she seemed to have built. It was clear she was clever and carried herself well, a trait that Benedict couldn’t help but adore.
“I certainly would have.”
