#benopie

[wonderlandleighleigh]

sorry you've had a tough weekend! *hugs* I love it when you write Hyacinth, can I ask for her finding out about Benedict and Sophie in ep 8 missing scene?

Thanks for the hugs!

Hyacinth Bridgerton believes in true love.

Of course she does. She has spent her entire life watching her siblings tumble face first into it. Sometimes easily (Francesca), sometimes stupidly (Anthony), sometimes unexpectedly (Colin), and sometimes perfectly (Daphne).

But none ever so dramatically as Benedict.

They sit before her and Gregory in the drawing room, Benedict and Sophie, after having come home from the Queen's Ball.

"We are in love," Benedict tells him. "And we are to be married."

"Sophie is a maid," Gregory comments.

"Well, she is not anymore," Benedict tells him. "She is to be your sister."

"But-"

"Shut up, Gregory, you know nothing about love," Hyacinth tells him.

Sophie blinks, looking at her in surprise.

"Clearly Sophie was always a lady, and was hidden away," Hyacinth goes on. What other explanation could there be. She speaks for languages, reads, knows about science and art. Anyone who could impress Eloise of all people must be special in some way. Special enough to marry her brother, certainly.

Sophie takes a breath. "I...was raised the daughter of an earl. But pushed into service after he died."

"Why?" Gregory asks.

"Why does it matter?" Hyacinth asks, getting even more annoyed at her brother.

"For various reasons that are to be discussed maybe when you are a little older," Benedict says gently. "But the Queen has agreed that Sophie is a daughter of Penwood house, who was raised in the country. And since the Queen believes it, that is what we are sticking to."

Gregory shrugs. "If the Queen approves, then I suppose we are in no danger of more scandal. After Anthony's entire ordeal with the Sharmas and nearly marrying the wrong one, I thought we would be outcasts forever."

Hyacinth rolls her eyes as her brother wanders away, and turns her attention back to her brother and his betrothed. "I think it's perfectly wonderful. Like a fairytale."

There is something tired in Benedict's amused smile. He seems different than he has been; more earnest than normal. But he is still his gentle self, and he reaches out, taking Hyacinth's hand. "It has not always felt that way, but I think we will be very happy together."

Hyacinth beams at him and pulls them both into a hug. "I will make sure of it."

[sea-owl]

Could you imagine an au where the Bridgertons weren't a family of love matches but instead practiced arranged marriages? Like Violet and Edmund still loved each other but they were lucky with their arrangment.

Imagine them interviewing these kids looking for the most advantageous match for their brood and to everyone's confusion they chose these certian kids.

Yeah it makes sense to engage a future duke to their oldest daughter. In fact it is the only engagment to make sense. Really Edmund you have your pick of the entire ton. Instead you have chosen a girl whose family is one bad deal away from becoming fortune hunters, a bastard, a Featherington so shy she might as well be mute, and two spares. Truly Edmund you could do better for your children and the future if the viscounty.

Edmund only smirks because these fools have no idea what gems they are passing up.

While Simon is the perfect option on paper it is nothing compared to the real boy who wants nothing more than to love and be loved. He may be scared but he has love ready to share, and that’s exactly what Daphne has been hoping for all her life. 

Yes, Kate's family is not that well off but there is no one that challenges Anthony like she does. Hell Edmund has seen her out stubborn Anthony when she managed to steal the mallet of death from him. Not only will Kate be a good viscountess, but she will also help shape Anthony into a good viscount.

Sophie is still learning her numbers but she's already better at budgeting than Benedict. So what if she’s illegitimate, that’s fixed by one stroke of the pen or one rumor. Plus, with her dry wit and calm demeanor it is sure help balance Benedict who has his head in the clouds. 

Penelope may be extremely shy, but she has a way of observing others that she is rarely fooled by some mask. Edmund himself has witnessed it when Penelope toddled over to Colin one day and asked what was wrong like he wasn’t putting on his charming persona. Also, the girl is an excellent conversationist for her age once you get her to warm up to you. 

Edmund would very much gladly engage his daughters to the spares. While George may have the charm to be a lord Phillip had the mind of an academic. Eloise would never be bored with him and he can challenge her mentally. The rest of the ton Emdund was not so sure of. 

John is a lovely boy and he will go good things once he is the Earl of Kilmartin but who would be put first, the title or his wife. Michael on the other hand had a way of making others feel seen, something Edmund knows his quiet Francesca struggles with. 

So yes on paper his future children in-laws may not be the best choice for his kids but when you actually get to know them they are the perfect choice. 

[mykingackles]

Happy Anniversary Benedict & Sophie ❤️ 14.02.2015