In a Crowd of Thousands.
(Eloise Bridgerton x Male!Reader)
Summary: Eloise wished to experience life out side of their high society surroundings, much to the displeasure and fear of Penelope. So she hatches a plot to sneak into the town one night and someone she didn't expect offered to help her.
"Eloise please!" Penelope pleaded as she followed her best friend to the door. It was the dead of night, and most of the staff and family have retired to their sleeping beds. Penelope stood behind Eloise, who was dressed in rather...un-ladylike clothing. Her brown hair has been tied back and stuffed into the cap she had taken from one of the serving boys. With a pair of trousers she had taken from Colin, Eloise was silently thankful for the sewing lessons her mother had forced her through.
"I must do this Penelope, I must know what it's like." Eloise excused, her back still turned to her friend. "You could get hurt! I've heard horrible things about the Ton at night. Please Eloise, let us return before we are noticed." Penelope stated, now clearly afraid. While Eloise loved her friend dearly, she wished she wouldn't take everything her surroundings said as fact. Eloise turned her heel, now face to face with Penelope. "Pen, while I appreciate your concern for me, I have to do this. I, we might end up married one day and I want to experience as much as I can." She said. Penelope's face was enveloped with defeat. "Please come back." She begged, her voice low. Eloise nodded with a smile, giving Penelope a hug before she departed outside.
The cold, crisp night air hit her full fold. Eloise suppressed a shiver. It was now or never. Her feet carried her all the way to a back gate in the garden. She had witnessed Benedict and Anthony use that gate to be rid of... unwanted persons. Moving slowly, Eloise stopped. Someone was approaching. The darkness of night could help her cover, if the person had no lantern on hand. Eloise had no such luck. The person came closer and closer, making Eloise inch closer and closer to the gate. The wetness of the ground caused her to slip, making Eloise fall with a rather loud thud. "Who's there?" The figure asked, and Eloise swore silently. The figure came into view and Eloise recognized him.
It was (Y/n). One of the many servants of the Bridgertons estate. Anthony had brought him in after (Y/n) saved him from a horrible encounter with a street thug. Not that Eloise believed her brother hadn't gotten himself in trouble. "Lady Bridgerton? What are you doing out here at this time? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" (Y/n) asked, his voice laced with concern. It was then that he noticed the way she was dressed . Eloise jumped to her feet. "I'm fine! Thank you, (Y/n). You can be off now." She stated frantically. It was one thing for him to see her but it was another for him to tell Anthony. (Y/n) was a loyal man. " Why are you dressed this way, my lady?" He asked once more.
"Oh call me Eloise. Lady makes me sound so old."
"Alright then. Why are you dressed like that, Eloise?"
The girl sighed. Contemplation occured in her mind, weighing the chance of him telling on her. (Y/n) smiled, something that caught Eloise off guard. She had never seen him smile. (Y/n) was serious, all furrowed brows and stoic faces. It was...nice. (Y/n) placed his unoccupied hand over his heart. "I shan't say a word." He promised, voice dripping in honesty. "I want to see the outside. I want to spent a night on the town, as my brothers say." Eloise explained, half waiting for him to laugh at her and drag her back inside. Instead, he surprised her once more. (Y/n) put his lantern out, placing it behind the gate. " I'm heading out anyways. I could show you around. You'll be safer with me." He winked that last part and Eloise looked away. She didn't want for him to see her blush. Why was he helping her?
"Won't you get in trouble with Anthony?"
(Y/n) chuckled, a deep rumble that erupted from his chest. He wasn't that much older than Eloise, how was his voice so deep? "Only if you decide to tell." He expressed, stepping out of the garden and into the street. His eyes fell on Eloise, seemingly waiting for her. She cast a final glance at her slumbering house, before she too stepped out. The aforementioned nervousness began to slowly fade away. "Right, now Eloise, what would you like to see first?" (Y/n) asked in child-like excitement. Whilst he had seen her around the house when he was performing his duties, they had never spoken. He had heard her argue with her brothers and mother, further showcasing her smarts. Not to mention that she was absolutely beautiful. "(Y/n)?" He heard Eloise call, him letting out a hum in response.
"You're staring."
If (Y/n) could die right there, he would. Steadily turning away, the boy hid his embarrassed blush from her. "My apologies, my lady!" And back to the formalities it was. " Um...you enjoy reading, yes?" Hastily asking to change the subject. Eloise offered a quick nod, eager to see what he was on about. (Y/n) outstretched his hand toward the end of the street. "Then I must show you something." He said. Eloise nodded and without warning, (Y/n) took off in a sprint, telling her to follow. "Wait for me! It's difficult to run in these things!" She yelled. (Y/n) turned to her as he ran, a great big smile on his face. "You're dressed like a boy, so run like one!" He yelled. After some deliberation, Eloise managed to catch up with the servant, though her heart felt like it was going to jump from her chest. They weren't in the Ton anymore. Once they stopped, Eloise seated herself on a bench, shortly followed by (Y/n).
"How in the heavens do you run so fast?" She breathed. (Y/n) breathed a laugh, quite tired himself. "Call it practice. Had to do a great deal of running in my life." He answered, vaguely referencing his life before employment in the Bridgerton estate. Eloise wanted to ask more, before choosing to not pry instead. She wouldn't understand his struggles, if he had any. The silence that took over lasted a while. Eloise studied the people passing. There was some sort of festival going on. People were laughing and smiling, children running about. Everyone looked so happy. This happiness was genuine. Far more genuine than the superficial happiness she had witnessed from many of the nobles. Eloise pondered, thinking that this part of life was always like this.
The sound of movement took her out of her trance. "Come on, it's this way." She heard (Y/n) say. "Where are you taking me exactly?" Eloise quizzed, curiosity slowly getting the better of her. (Y/n) winked, not saying a work, instead outstretching his hand. "It's a surprise." He said. Eloise offered a annoyed look, making the man before her smirk. "It won't take long, I promise." He expressed. Eloise gazed at his hand before taking it, it's warmth a welcomed change from the chill of night. (Y/n) uttered no words and he led Eloise down a rather narrow path, where they both exited to a small square. It was scarce of people and the place was quiet. Still holding hands, (Y/n) turned to Eloise. "I need you to close your eyes." He said.
"What?"
"Please. You won't regret it."
"I may not look it, (Y/n) but I am quite well versed in defending myself." Eloise warned, the threat serving to cover her own nervousness. "Worry not my lady. This shall be a surprise to remember." He teased, using her title as a way of antagonizing her. Eloise rolled her eyes, before placing her hand over them. With the other one held, (Y/n) led her into the building. Once they were in a secure position, he removed Eloise's hand from her eyes. Once she finally saw where she was, Eloise felt her heart sore. It was a library and positively one of the most beautiful places Eloise had ever seen. The shelves were lined with carved flowers, which then were painted gold. Illumination came from lit candles and even their stands looked so beautifully decorated. "Oh (Y/n)...this place is beautiful…" Whispered, the awe struck Eloise.
"I'm glad you like it. Pick whatever you like. It's on me."
"You can't be serious."
"Take as a welcome to the better side of town." (Y/n) stated, smiling at her. The two stood there for a moment, looking into each other's eyes. If she only knew that he was willing to do so much more for her. Though it could never be.
A noble lady and a servant boy. It was like those stories that Eloise liked to read. Eloise couldn't explain what she was feeling. Her heart was pounding in her ears and her cheeks had flushed considerably. Eloise couldn't be...falling in love? Right? No, not the strong and independent Eloise. "I...I can't thank you enough for this." She said, before making haste inside the library, looking for the perfect pick. As she browsed, (Y/n) messed about. He knew what he was going may very well get him killed. Anthony had made it very clear that his sisters were to be looked after at all times. They were the joy of the family. Even the thought of pursuing a relationship with Eloise would be a risk, one that (Y/n) wouldn't mind taking had the circumstances.
But he cared too much for her to ruin her reputation. Eloise was like a caged bird and society was her cage. He snapped out of his thoughts when Eloise walked to him, with a beautifully intricate copy of Jane Austen's Emma. And just as promised, (Y/n) paid for it all, ignoring his friends insistance and the questions of the book keeper.
The night continued with (Y/N) showing Eloise about the town. He showed her the bakeries, the smiths and the tailors. He even got her some flowers from the florist. All in the name of her having a good first time in the town. Now they walked together in satisfied silence, entering their street. "You mentioned you ran a lot as a child...what did you mean by that?" He heard Eloise ask. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her. (Y/n) smiled, looking up at the stay lit sky. "I was rather poor as a child, my mother had barely any money to raise me after my father passed away." He answered. Besides Eloise, his mother was the most beautiful person in the world. Eloise tensed, apologizing if she brought up bad memories.
"No need to apologize...I like talking to you." (Y/n) countered. "I like speaking to you as well. You're very kind." Eloise complimented. (Y/n) could tell that she wasn't used to giving compliments. " It had gotten so bad that we were forced to steal to survive. On one of my ventures, I ran into Anthony." (Y/n) confessed. "It still baffles me that you had to get Anthony out of that mess." Eloise laughed and (Y/n) joined in. Now they stood at the gate, where (Y/n) let Eloise in first. Now they stood in the garden. "Again, I can't thank you enough for this." Eloise whispered, fearful of waking anyone. (Y/n) shook his head with a grin.
"If you ever want to do this again, you know where to find me." He responded. It was then that he noticed that he was still holding her hand. They were closer too. "(Y/n)...I…" she whispered. They began to lean in closer, Eloise even felt her eyes close. A sudden noise from inside made them pull away immediately. (Y/n) coughed awkwardly and Eloise scrambled to regain her composure. She turned her heel and walked to the door, where she then turned her gaze back to (Y/n). She gave him a smile. A smile that meant so much more than Eloise could possibly dream of. Eloise knew that she wouldn't be able to forget this night. The night she fell in love.
Alas, it was a love that could never be. She was a smart girl, she knew that she had to let him go. (Y/n) knew it too. It was better to suffer in silence, than ruin the life of the girl he cared for so much. He wasn't worthy of a lady, much less someone as smart as Eloise. She deserved better. A better man. A better everything.
"Goodnight, (Y/n)."
"Goodnight, Eloise."
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