"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? IT'S ABOUT TO START!" Hyacinth gripped onto her sister Francesca, creating some distance between her and her professor, as he only chuckled back at Francesca's clear frustration to be separated so quickly.

Bellatrix Bridgerton dazzled in a lilac gown with comets and stars painted on it, a gift from her husband which she absolutely adored and made sure to tell everyone he eas responsible for it.

She seemed extremely joyful that day, as it seemed her parents were pleased by the event, and her siblings were surprisingly getting along and at their best behavior. Nothing could ruin that occasion, she had her daughter in her arms, her husbans by her side, two families she loved deeply.

That is, until the toasts begin.

Thr queen was brief, congratulations, wish you happy years of prosperity and health. Tipical of her. The king only smiled to the crowd, he hated the crowds, and Bella knew it.

Violet Bridgerton was also kind enough to volunteer and say some sweet words about Benedict's childhood, also praise his wife who she grew so fond of.

Now there was only the husband left to speak.  "Um...I must say I am usually a very eloquent man but today...I..."He trembled, more nervous than usual, and Bella squeezed his hand in reassurance, the gesture made him smile. "I like her name. Bellatrix. It means a star, if someone here didn't know already." George celebrated, finally some recognition to his name idea. "I like to think that Bellatrix is the star, the light that brightned my days I was...lost, uncertain, without her. And just like magic, she appeared, glowing and abducting my heart without a warning." He looked tenderly at his wife. "After a year next to her, I am certain it wasn't easy, it's never easy they say but..."He sighed. "I'd rather die trying. I'd rather die than to see your smile everyday, Bellatrix, than to hear you laugh, or watch you dance, ride a horse, even fight." The crowd chuckled. "You became my life, and there is not a moment, not a single fragment of it not attached to you, because the moment I met you, our souls aligned as the astros in that ball evening." Bella's breath escaped by emotion. "Sometimes I like to repeat Bellatrix Bridgerton over and over just to remind myself this is real, that you, even so remarkably perfect are real. My muse, my wife, my star." Some teats reached his eyes. "You gave me the most beautiful daughter, the most formidable wedding, and even a new family." Even the queen seemed admired by his choosong of words. "And I can not help but be excited for our future, to grow old and wrinkled with you, and look behind and smile at the mess we made." The two chuckled.  I am an artist but you are my life's work, the most remarkable piece I ever contemplated, the inspiration that takes over me each day" He sighed completely helpless. "I love you, and I will never be tired of repeating those three words, I love you, Bellatrix, endlessly."

"Oh, Benedict" She tried not to cry, smilimg so widely that the crows cheered excited as she kissed his cheek.

And other couples were also touched by the moment, such as Daphne and Simond holding hands, or the Mondrichs sharing smiles. Some not even married felt the ibtensity of that speech, like Stephen Surrey who helplessly longed for Penelope Featherington, or Mercy Reeves, who contemplated Francesca attentive to the speech, knowing that feeling could never be theirs.

It could never be theirs, he couldn't feel it, conceal it, he told himself, prevent it from happening, it was all pure emotion, weddings had their effect, anniversaries were even worse, maybe the drinking got to his mond, worse, his heart. Do not fall, do not create delusions.

To finish the speeches, the word was given to Anthony Bridgerton, the viscount who allowed the event at Aubrey Hall, the true host.

But something about him vibrated beyond the crowd, and the gazes he gave to Bellatrix Bridgerton were far from the present, back to thr past, back to the resonating tortures of his heart, to the feeling he could not deny yet keep it, lock ot and mourn it each day when he saw her so happily with his brother.

"I'd like to please ask you all to raise your glasses in honor of Benedict and Bellatrix." He asked and the guests followed. "You two." He turned to the couple, his eyes glued to the wife. "What you two have, this love you share, it is something we all may learn something from. With that being said, as your brother, and brother in law..."He let the word flow from an instant. "I will always be here at your disposal, to support you, after all..." His gaze sparkled with nostalgia and hidden offensiveness. "...we are family." Bellatrix gulped by the his stare, it consumed her soul, devoured it. "Bellatrix." They paralyzed. "I swear to you, my companionship and my loyalty until the rest of my days." Someone withiyt the situation's context would almost mistake ghose words with wedding vows. "Be aware that us, Bridgertons, since you joined the family, we could not be happier with your presence." Anthony established. "We love you even more, increasingly each day." But deep inside she knew that the we he referred did in fact meant him. "And Benedict." He turned to his brother. "I'm here for you, always. My right hand man, my best friend, my brother." The two exchanges some fierce gazes conflicted. "You are the luckiest, most blessed within us all to have found your match, I could not be more proud nor joyful for you." Anthony forced a suffering smile as his brother nodded. He turned to th two. "With that being said, I'd like to toast to this lovely couple."

"To the couple!" The crowd cheered.

Anthony's words cut through his throat as knives, bleeding his heart out. "May you always..."He gazed at the love of his life, who would never be his. "...be satisfied."

The crowd exploded in ecstasy a true celebration while Bellatrix was there, as a statue staring back at her previous fiancé. He had no wedding to interrupt, no chance to obtain when she decided to marry Benedict. It was selfish, utterly egotostic to have attacked him so dirty, so childish, but what could he have done?

The damage she did to his heart was even worse, and his brother's comments earlier only made the situation more sour. So Anthony left the room quickly, and Bellatfix sat down still in shock, while Benedict took in a deep breath.

Indeed, he shouldn't have argued with his brother. The gossip in the event increased, without speaking of the menace lurking in the shadows, the unknown Whistledown.

They neeeded to avoid more rumors and Benedict knew what to do.

"Francesca!" he hushed ro his sister who was startled by the sudden call. "I need your help."

"My help?" She looked at him confused. "With what?"

"I need you to play something, distract the crowd."

"Play?" she blushed. "In front of all these people?" Her heart speeded nervous. "In front of the Queen? Benedict I couldn't possibly-"

"Please."He requested as a helpless plea.

Francesca curved her mouth, she knew he appeared helpless, knew that this seemed urgent, but the thought of being watched, being heard, being centered so suddenly felt like the world would end at that instant and she couldn't agree to that.

The 'no' was about to escape her lips when a stronger voice came in. "I'll play with you." It was Mercy, who now was there, next to them, sensing the urgency. "A duet, I can lead it, if you'd like."

"Oh, Mr.Reeves, thank you!" Benedict sighes almosy hugging the man, he firmly shook his hand. "I will compensate your service, I promise."

"There's no need." He shook his head. "Consider it as my anniversary gift to you and your wife." He serenely calmed the artist.

"You're an angel sent to help us, I swear." He smiled. "Well, I shall call the people to enter the house so you may start, we can not waste any time."

With that being said, Benedict quickly left and redirected the crowd into Aubrey Hall again.  Mercy instead could notice the fear growing on Francesca's face, she was horrified by it all.

"We can play something simple." He suggested. "I'll prepare a music sheet, you just follow me."

"I never played to so many people before." she took in q deep beath, eyes to the ground, he feared she could faint at any second. "What if...What if I fail? what if I freeze I...I wouldn't know what do...I would ruin it all, I-"

"Miss Francesca." Mercy spoke a bit louder so she would stop, he didn't touch her, he didn't even need to do it. Just his voice had that calming effect as a drug. "You won't fail, I will be there with you, do you hear me?" he said fiercely. "You are the most remarkable pianoforte player I've ever met, the most...flawless, extraordinary player to ever exist." His praises sent serotonin straight to her brain, she seemed high by his words, her body warmed and felt as never before, it was almost...seductive even. She dared to look at him, his deep vlue eyes piercing into hers. "You won't fail. I will not allow my promising student to do it. Not on my watch"

Her body shivered in electricity of that sentence. Without being able to properly speak she nodded, soft rose lips pursing nervous as Mercy stuffed his chest when their names were announced. He took a music sheet from his pocket.

"What do you think?" He asked and Francesca widened her eyes as she looked at the paper.

"Is this...?"

"The melody we heard at Mayfair." He read her thoughts. "But now arranged as you imagined it." She could not believe it. "What do you think? Should we play this one for them?"

She scoffed at her first, not able to fully process that act. Her smile was so wide, her heart speeded so fastly, it burned inside her, there were so many emotions that she could jump from where she standed, she could jump at him even.

"Yes." She nodded fastly, holding tight to the paper. "Yes."

"Then, let us impress that crowd." He smirked and offered his arm, which she kindly accepted as they made their way towards the challenge ahead.

...

"I'll be returning to the countryside." A familiar voice invaded Anthony's ears when inside his office. He drifted away from the noise at the event and secluded himself after his speech.

He turned around, only to face the dreamy but now nightmarish vision in lilac he suffered for. Bellatrix.

"What?" He mumbled incredulous.

"I am now recovered and able to take care of Aurora properly, thanks to all your family's help." She responded fiercely, as the previous princess she grew up to be. "With that now fixed, I will return to my home with Benedict."

Anthony shook his head, he had ruined it all, his heart speeded in horor. "No, Bellatrix, wait a moment, I ask you to please think about this-"

"It's too soon." She whispered and Anthony was now just in front of her, his dark eyes sinking into hers. "You are right...time has passed and maybe feelings may not have died, but I've made my choice."She reassured him. "Anthony, I want the best for you, and I hate to see you suffering, I hate to see this bad blood between you and Ben." Anthony sighed at her words. "He loves you, deeply."

"I know, I do too" He spoke sadly. "I didn't mean to hurt him, I was just...upset with him..."

"I want you to find someone who will love you even more than I did. Someone who you'll spend your life with till the rest of your days." She held his hands, it made him shiver. "But for that, I believe I must be gone for a while."

"But Bella..."

"I'll visit." She gave a bittersweet smile. "But I won't stay here any longer in your house. Benedict is right I am..acting up too much, almost taking the role of a viscountess when I'm not one." She shook her head. "It isn't right."

"We all love to have you here." He continued helpless. "I...I want you here-"

"That's the problem." She sighed. "Anthony, I love your brother." That broke his heart. "I may have...sone sort of unsolved feelings for you, that is true, but I'd never betray Benedict. I'll never do that." She said fiercely. "Let's not allow this to happen. Please."

Anthony sighed and nodded, defeated, and for a moment he hugged her, hugged her tight, as if he could have fallen for any moment if not in her arms. Bella closed her eyes, inhaling his cologne for a last time, petting the soft brown strands of his hair, before they departured from one another.

"Talk to him." She asked. "He might be looking for you now."

"I will." He said obediently.

She tapped his shoulder. "I'll go announce to the others, I shall leave tomorrow morning." He only stood quiet, and just as that, Bellatrix left the room and his life.

...

Francesca did not even listen when their names were announced, everything seemed blank, a pure void as all the eyes in the room focused on her.

Mercy allowed her to sit first, and then he followed, side by side, bodies brushing on the piano stool as she faced the dark instrument she turned herself to so many times in Aubrey Hall before. But none were just as intense, important as this one.

And even when Mercy put on the music sheet in front of their eyes, she felt like she would fail, her whole body trembled horrified, breath dragged, rapid, almost about to panic when a hand rest above hers.

Francesca frozen, she only listened to the whisper in her ear "It's alright." Mercy said in a hot, soft breath. "I'll be right here. Do not worry"He led her fingers to land on the gelid tiles, and she inhaled a deep breath to gather enough courage. "Think of it as if there is just you and me here." He instructed and Francesca slowly calmed down as he continued. "It's just you and me."

A moment of silence, deep attention, Anthony was now back in the room, talking to his brother amicably, Bella smiled from afar, in peace. Now, a melody would conclude that tormenting event for once and for all, people were expecting it anxiously.

The pastel crowd surrounded the piano, among them the queen and her friend, Lady Danbury by her side. "I did not know Mr.Reeves was Miss Francesca's instructor." She whispered.

"Neither did I." The countess responded. "It seems Miss Bridgerton will increase stunningly in her pianoforte skills then."

Charlotte nodded. "They seem quite close, do they not?" She looked to the two talking by the piano.

Lady Danbury squinted her eyes, she was wearing white and gold that day, sparkling one might say, relying on her cane. "The bond between apprentice and master can be quite tight, especially before challenges such as these." Charlotte agreed.

"Well, I only hope the music is good." She indicated to Lord Samadani, who watched them curiously. "For her own sake."

Francesca Bridgerton had managed to focus only on the white and black pieces in front of her eyes, her fingers brushed against her instructor's ones before they could start.

"Aramintha." Lord Cowper whispered to his wife, who stood by his side as a frozen, tall blonde statue. "That man is quite familiar, have we met him before?"

"That is the musician we saw at the previous queen's ball." She responded. "He's just a commoner, one of Mondrich's friends. Those new lucky members of society, remember?" The blonde responded with much disgust to the family, Aramintha Cowper has always been like that, a woman of power who expected to be superior to others when her own life was miserable. She passed that curse upon her daughter, Cressida, who in that season had alsp no luck to find a proper match.

"Mercy Reeves..." Lord Cowper observed the dark haired musician with much attention, trying to remember something he seemed to have long gone forgotten. "How strange...he reminds me of something I can't quite tell."

Meanwhile back at the piano stool, there was no time to waste anymore.
"Ready?" Mercy whispered and Francesca nodded. "Alright, let's begin. Follow my lead."

Mercy's fingers descended slowly upon the tiles, the ones with softer, lighter tones that created a base for the song. It was almost a ballad, sweet in a crescendo until Francesca could finally tag along, touching the heavier tunes, complementing his harmony.

Her skills made him smile, and Francesca caught herself doing the same. She had never played a duet with Mercy before, never saw him actually playing so close, shoulsers brushing like this, as their fingers met every once in a while, like they battled far from each other only to meet again in the middle of the ballad.

It was touching, almost of sorrow and determonation, it took the crowd by surprise but captivated them at the same time. It was the sort of song you were stuck from the beginning until the end, unable to escape it, hipnotizing.

Francesca caught herself in that haze of notes,  she could get used to this, listening to Mercy playing was almost therapeutical, too sweet for her to bare it, like the melody she has ever wished to listen but never did. To share that priviledge of playing with him, to create such a connection through harmonies...it melt her soul and blend it with his, aligning it as one.

It was pure syncrony, Mercy was focused but from time to time he would grin at her, making the salad ballad actually fun for them both, Francesca almost giggled at his rythm begun to accelarate, it wasn't a competition, more teamwork like, and they fit each other so perfectly it should be illegal.

For a moment Francesca thought, how could she be so comfortable and complement someone else so perfectly when she was meant to marry someone else?

It was a doubt she attempted to forget as she followed the music he prepared just for her. Just for her. She couldn't stop smiling at that thought. Whatever she was to Mercy, a friend, his favorite student, whatever she was...it was special, she knew she was.

And he begin to be special to her as well.

The song was almosy over, the crowd entranced, leading some to tears, overwhelmed, overjoyed, and Francesca felt the melody resonating with her heart, so deeply, so intensely that when it ended her fingers were still there, above the keys just by his.

The crowd erupted with a thundrous applause, but in that brief second all Mercy Reeces could focus was when Francesca brushed her pinky finger against his, a mere delicate touch that craved for more, so much more...

It made him suspend his breath, her gaze lifted towards his, still mysterious, enchanted in their own particular world, before his own aquamarine eyes could navigate until her rosed lips, his body shivered.

When they finally got up, they were quickly separated by an endless sea of people. Praises and greetings everywhere, Mercy Reeves found himself instantly missing his promising student's presence, and so did Francesca, who was now surrounded by many ladies of the ton.

"Miss Francesca, why haven't you told us Mr.Reeves is your instructor?" An asian lady asked, she dressed in fine pale green colors, dark hair tied at the top with greedy eyes to her. "He's just as gorgeous as Lady Whistledown described him to be, how is he like? Tell us everything!"

Francesca felt something pointy stab her in the chest, a feeling she wasn't very familiar with, but didn't much enhoy either, and it was connected to that woman's comment. "He's...uh...very kind. Very yalented." She responded not due to her lack of social skills, but for her lack of wishing to speak to her.

Whatever was her relationship to Mercy or the details she learned about him she didn't wish to share to anyone else. Even id ghose weren't her own details to decide about them.

Across the room, Mercy was suffocated by many nobleman, but it was actually for the better, he received more offers, job offers to play at events, he was enthusiastic, finally he was being seen truly for his talent as he wished for.

He may despise the high peers, but certainly not their money. He could do wonders with it, fix the house, buy Miss Fickle's new clothes, help Jonah and his father, donate to the orphanage...

"Mr.Reeves." Lord Cowper greeted him with a nod. "Impressive preformance I must say."

"Thank you, Mr...?" He didn't recall his name.

"Lord Cowper."  He corrected, sguffing his old chest, the serious wrinkles in his face expressing authority. "We met briefly at the queen's ball at the beginning of the season."

Mercy still did not remember him. "Of course...Lord Cowper, how could I have forgotten?" He scoffed. "What a pleasure to see you. I'm glad you enjoyed the performance"

"So you're acquainted with the Bridgertons? They are certainly a very well known family..."

"I give pianoforte lessons to Miss Francesca, that is all."

"The lessons are paying off by what we heard just now. With those skills she may find a husband in no tome." Mercy's guts twisted at his words. Why did they assume that her talent was only for a man's approval? It frived him mad how people underestimated Franceaca so easily, if she were born as a man instead she would have been even more famous, recognized as him, but as a woman, she was limited to such shallow goals, as marriage for convenience. He despised that. "Tell me young man, how did you get so talented in your craft?"

"It is a long story." Mercy half smiled, but still continued since other gentleman also listened to them. "Studied by my own when very young at an orphanage. My first contact with the piano was when my mother taught me, may God rest her soul."

Other gentleman nodded in agreement, asked other questions about his agenda, all very interested in his work. It was almost a dream coming true.

"Well, give me your card, Mr.Reeves." Lord Cowper demanded. "I must surely keep a talent as yours in mind when opportunity approaches. I believe ny daughter will marry very soon, you see, so I"ll keep this in mind for her ceremony..."

"Of course. Here." He gave his card to the man, who briefly read the title and put in his suit's pocket. "Your daughter you say? Is she engaged already? Congratulations."

"Oh, no, Cressida is not married yet, that girl..."He complained, pointing to a blonde with an exotic dress gossiping across the room. "But she will. She must."

His tone seemed rather radical and Mercy almost felt sorry for the young woman, but those thoughts quickly drifted away as a waiter delivered a note to him.

His eyes read quickly the note, an unexpected smile grew on his face, his feet became agitated.

"Uh...Lord Cowper, if you please excuse me...It was a delight to see you." The man nodded still serious, and Mercy exited the room as fast as he could.

Mercy quickly squeezed between the crowd before escaping outside, the afternoon had ended and the moon had already taken over the dark sky outside. Not a single soul was out there, hence party became indoors by now.

The flowers's scent invaded his lungs, the dark green vision was exuberant, but wjat highlightned the mystic atmosphere was the glistening vision in the middle of the backyard garden of Aubrey Hall.

"You have a pretty calligraphy." Mercy smirked as Francesca turned to him happy to see him.  "Thanks for making me escape that chaos."

"You're very much welcome." She giggled and spinned around showing the garden. "What do you think?"

He admired the garden for a brief moment. "Don't tell me...is this your secret garden?" He indicated and she nodded. "I did not know it was real."

"I used to call it like that whenever my family and I were in Aubrey Hall. I was mostly here alone, escaping from my siblings when I had the chance." She explained as Mercy listened, he always listened, it was like everything she had to say was interesting to him, no one has evee done that to her before.

"It's not very safe though...one can come here easily" He indicated.

"That is because you haven't seen the best part yet, follow me." Francesca said a bit eletric.

She walked ahead and Mercy chuckled, following the unknown darkness to places with more trees and unseen outside. It was a bit hard to follow and pass through the vegetation.

"Where are we going?" He asked, but Frances a did not stop. "Miss Bridgerton..."

"Calm yourself Mr.Reeves, we are almost there."

Green stood as walls surrounding them, resemblong a labyrinth. When was the last time he had been in one? Maybe back in the countryside, surrounded by the cornfield just next to his house.

But this was different. He was with Francesca, alone, even. If someone caught them there together...he did not wish to think about it. He wouldn't dare ruin Francesca's reputation.

But he could not stay away from her either.

"Here we are." She suddenly stopped in the middle of the labyrinth, where a large oak tree stood in the middle.

Mercy admired the large tree, it seemed decades old, maybe older than them both, grandious and tall, a beauty indeed. Within its' wood there were intials written on it.

"V and E?" He asked curious.

"Violet and Edmund." She responded. "My parents intials."

"That is sweet." He smiled observing carefully the letters on the trunk.

Francesca observed the sky above and seemed to be in awe with something. She quickly pulled him by the suit's sleeve.

"Here, sit down!" She forced Mercy to follow her, and in no time she made him fall.

"My Goodness, what has gotten into you, Miss Bridgerton? What is it?" He laughed, unable not to, since ahe was so adorable like this, so freely being able to be herself.

Francesca lied on the grass, not caring for the dress she would ruin when doing that. Her finger pointed to the sky. "Just look at it."

Mercy took off the coat, he would not wish to ruin the present from his friends, he set it aside, at a branch nearx and lied down, wearing the light blue shirt, like a prince who had ridden his horse until dawn and now rest at a near oasis.

His gaze lifted towards the point she indicated and he gasped in awe. It was a pure shade of turquoise and violet, sprinkled with many stars forming constellations and a large glowing full moon in the middle.

The last time he stargazed was back in his mother's village when he was still alive. It wasn't possible to see stars lkke that in London, or other cities, people were always busy, pollution grew, and when you realize, no one ever looked at the sky and properly admired it anymore.

But in that fragment of time spent with the quiet and intriguing Francesca he did it. He watched the same sky that watched him grow and endure over the years, the same sky his mother used to smile at hoping for a better future. She was not there, but the sky was. He had grown, but the sky was remained still.

And he now observed it next to Francesca.

Her hair was loosen on the grass, soft brown locks that were once perfect now messy, her cheeks sculpted as a dimond created dimples whenever she smiled. There was something about lying next to her, underneath such a beautiful night that was so stunningly memorable that he wished for time to stop immediatly just so he could admire her for hous.

"I used to sneak out my room and come here." She whispered to him, even though they were alone. It all made it even more intimate between them. "The stars always had this...easing effect on me. It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Mercy could not stop staring at her. "Yes" He meant it for her, instead. "It's beautiful."

It took a while for one of them to speak again, but did they even need to? It was so dashing, daring but flawless to be out there, just the two of them, in that sweet winter breeze, chilly night while stargazing.

Mercy knew he wasn't supposed to be there. He knew he was perhaps growing too attached to that woman, hearing too much, saying too much. In the end she was just a noble and would marry a noble, while he would not even teach her anymore, nor be able to greet her when passing by in the streets.

She would forget him. He was certain.

Maybe he was just a distraction of a rich girl, a little plaything she enjoyed when sneaking off events like this. In the past, he wouldn't endure an idea like this, but now...?

Now he'd rather be used by Francesca as much as she wished to. Maybe even ask for her to keep on when bored of him.

For a lonely soul to meet one just as them, was as rare as a thousand-year commet to appear.

Francesca turned her head and caught her professor staring right at her. Her cheeks burned, a contrast against the cold, and she felt safe when in contact with his eyes for the first time in forever.

How could it be possible for that man to break her walls so easily, to understand her so thoroughly?

She knew she wasn't supposed to, but was helpless about him. When Mercy Reeves appeared in her life, his presence centered her thoughts that followed her each day, she waited for him to appear by the window, counted down the minutes for their next meeting, to shafe ideas, listen to his praises, watch him smile...

How could she even marry someone else when thinking of him that way? Was that even allowed? Would God forgive her for thinking of that man so much that it consumed her mind, her body...

"Miss Bridgerton." His serene voice contained some concern, they both shared the same thoughts, they had to. "I think we should head back inside."

She knew what he meant. Knew it wasn't appropriate for a lady as her to be alone with a man at the gardens, to have her honor risked by thoughtless behavior as that.

But God, she didn't wish for that moment to end, she didn't want to bid him goodnight so soon, not without...without what? What did she even crave for? She didn't know.

"So soon?" She asked as a plea, her eyebrows frowning.

"People might be looking for us." He tried his best to be reasonable.

"They do not know where we are." Francesca said, as her shoulser brushed againsg his, she secretely enjoyed it. "And they won't find out anytime soon."

"What if they do?"

"What if they don't?"

Mercy mentally cursed himself. God she was tempting, tempting as the forbidden fruit in Eden. And her eyes? What eyes were those that lurked him into a world of no salvation?

Every fiber of his being screamed for Francesca Bridgerton, to surrender to that urge, that tension hanging between them like gravity.

The idea of their secret was too enjoyable for their own good, he needed to stop this, he should stop this.

"We must head inside." He adverted, but Francesca was too stubborn for her own good and too witty to be fooled.

"Do you want to head inside?" She asked instead, making him almost speechless.

"It's not about what I want, Miss Bridgerton."

"You did not answer my question, Mr.Reeves." She remarked more sternly., he shivered by that tone. "Do you want to go back inside to that party?"

He felt the struggle of being honest for once, and it hurt, it killed him. "No." He admitted. "No, I don't, but it isn't right-"

"It does not feel wrong." She whispered instead, unaware od the power she had now on that man. "Being here, with you, feels right to me, Mr.Reeves. Don't you feel the same?"

"Miss Bridgerton..."He sighed, almost in a whimper.

"I want to stay here." She muttered. "Tell me you want it as well, Mr.Reeves"

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because..."He suspended his words, a deep breath. "Because if I do, I'll allow myself...no, my mind, to wonder."

"And what is the matter with that?"

"My mind wonders too much, Miss Bridgerton. It has been wondering for quite some time since we've met. I should restrain it."

Francesca almost snuggled way too close, Mercy was now turned his body to see her, just a bit closer and their faces would only be inches away.

"What does your mind wonder about?" she asked curious, noticing the sparkle of desire in his eyes. It only enticed her knowledge.

"Miss Bridgerton, please..."

"Tell me, Mr.Reeves." She asked. "Do not neglect me of knowing, I want to know it." She whispered gently. "I want to know all about you."

It crushed him, he lost his senses, his mind, his heart at that single moment. He was doomed.

"The things I wonder..."He inhaled deeply, gaze stuck to her lips. "...aren't adequate enough for a lady to listen."

"Well I insist"

"You're my student, Miss Bridgerton..." He shook his head. "It's not appropriate."

"But I want to know."

Mercy hot inboluntarily closer, their noses almost vrushes and her cheeks were a deep red, hipnotized by bis closure.

"I think...about your mind..."He whispered, his fingers trembling as he captured a lock of her hair and put it behind her ear. "I think about your smile...your lips..."He sighed, she shivered. "...your fingertips when touching the minor keys..."His hand now touched hers, fingers intertwined, her heart crossing the moon. "how your legs swoon with grace when dancing at ballrooms...the way you speak, so intelligent and so fast when enethusiastic" He smiled for a brief moment. "It is unfair how you control me, even when unintentionally."

"Mr.Reeves..."

"Praising you when you are playing will never be enough." He spoke determined. "No words may match what I want to describe, what I....I want you to feel my praises, Miss Bridgerton." He whispered under the moonlight. "To make them so clearly, to memorable you'll dream of them just as I dream of you." Franceaca felt her breath escape, her body warm, she has never felt like this. "Each hour, each minute...at each gaze, each touch, I longed and wondered how I could make you feel it." He guided her hand until her lips, the warm touch setting her body on pure fire. "How would I do it? With my hands?" He kissed her fingertips. "With my eyes..."He admired her as he did so, his aquamarine shade was almosy green, a very wild shade never before seen. "With my body..."He whispered at last. "To hand it to you, as a gift, so you may do as you please."

"As I please?" She whispered.

Mercy nodded, closing his eyes for a minute, her hand close to his nose as he inhaled her perfume as a drug. Her skin was so soft, so delicate almost like porcelain, he held it so gently like could break it at any minute.

"However you desire, any moment you desire." He continued. "Anything for my most talented student." She felt her legs squeeze for a moment. "Do you understand, Miss Bridgerton, why I should leave this garden?"

"I do." She whispered, umablr to pull away or reject him. "But I..."She was a bit nervous yet thrilled. "I want you to show me." He raised an eyebrow charmingly questioning her. "Show me all those things you wonder." He blushed by her boldness. "I want..."She took a deep breath. "I want to feel it too. All you dream of...I...I can not contain what I feel, I don't even know what I feel, Mr.Reeves but I...I want this." She mumbled. "And whatever this is, I want it now. More than anything."

He shook his head. "Don't make me, please."

"Mr.Reeves, show me."

"We can't." He lamented, but francesca was even closer now, so close that they shared the same breath, touched foreheads. "If someone sees us...we can't..."

"They won't..."She whispered back. "...They'll never know...Mr.Reeves, please...please, I...I need this, I can not hold back this feeling." She told him breathless, almksy like she was in pain.

He lowered their hands for a moment, allowong full access to her lips, watching her beautiful face only lightned by the moonlight. So close yet so off limits.

He was supposed to teach Franceaca Bridgerton music, not sins, for God's sake.

But what could he do? It wasn't easy to resist her spell, a curse that brought closer, closer, until all he could do was mumble her name..

"Francesca..." He whispered at last.

The instructor was defeated. Their lips brushed for an instant, and at the sensation of the butterflies in her stomach, Francesca leaned forward, neding the gap between them.

She hasn't ever kissed before, she didn't but when she did now...Her whole being melt, her heart burned, thr taste of his lips was nothing she could have ever imagined, it was so sweet, so forbidden, she couldn't stop.

He was gentle, almost even scared to touch her, like she was holy, far from his reach but enticed his apetite. Mercy craved for Francesca, as a thirsty refugee in the desert looking for water.  And when she allowed his tongue to drift intertwined with hers, a low groan escaped his lips.

Her hands tangled between his curls, she has always wished to touch, play with them, while his hands traveled down her waist, bringing her close, chests touching.

"We must stop" He whispered as she interrupted him with kisses. "Francesca we need to stop-" His sentence was cut by a soft moan that escaped his lips when her hands reached his chest, she was even more bold than him. Who would've known that under such a shy façade was hidden such a hungry, dangerous woman?

When he realized, he had rolled on too of her, caging her with his legs on both her sides, her hands on his back, while he explored her curves.  Too close to the edge now.

"We can't-"

"Mr.Reeves..."She whispered, making his body ache for her.

"Francesca, please..."

"Mercy-"

He audibly groaned as she called his name for the first time, lips reaching her neck. Her own moan escaped within thin air. Suddenly the clothes were too warm, his shirt was too annoying, she wanted to quit it all.

To have the most pure flower blooming underneath him wasn't on his plans for that evening. But Francesca only encouraged him, either with her touches or her sounds, and even worse, her eyes. Her eyes begged him to succumb to his most primal wishes.

Hair messed on the grass, heavy breathing, all for him. He could've hust said the word and she'd be his, he could've just done it and it would all be over.

But Mercy stopped.

His senses fell onto him, the shame, the guilt, and as soon as that moment had started, it had ended. He got off her, stood up, and Francesca was there, on the ground, clueless.

"Mr.Reeves?" She asked as she sat on the grass and watched him grab his coat. "What are you doing?"

"This shouldn't have happened, we must stop before we commit a mistake." He spoke quickly, almosts scared by their own desire.

But that led only to hurt the girl. "What do you mean?" Her hair had some leaves attached to it, the dress ruined by the dirt.

"You are my student, our relationship is strictly professional." He established. "You are a promising diamond of the season with an adequate and high rank suitor such as Lord Samadani."

"Lord Samadani?" She looked at him incredulous, like he had just cursed her.

"Yes, Lord Samadani, or whatever other noble you wish, because whoever you aim for he'll be yours." He shook his head. "But not me."

She widened his eyes by the harshness in his tone. "Mr.Reeves, what are you saying?"

"We must rethink our relationship." He suddenly distanced himself from her. "We must maintain professionalism, and advert from...getting attached to one another." he gulped.

That did not only hurt Francesca but also made her mad. She got up from the ground. "Really?"

"Really."

She nodded, her smile was gone, the romance was gone. It was too late, Mercy had already ruined all his chances with her, and he told himself it was for the best. "I see, if that is what you wish." She sighed irritated. "I apologize...if my conduct was inappropriate, Mr.Reeves."

He could notice the hurt in his eyes, they were watering, almost about to cry. "Francesca...I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

She took a step back before he could apprach her. "You should address me as Miss Bridgerton."  She corrected, stabbing his chest with her words. "I thank you for clarifying the situation, If you don't mind I'd like to be alone"

He opened his mouth to speak but all that escaped him was. "Unchaperoned?"

She clenched her jaw. "Yes. Please, leave."

Mercy hesited. At that moment he could've stayed, he could've begged for forgiveness, he could've kissed her until his senses could become numb, he could've loved Francesca, he could'be meant it all he said with words, with actions.

But he put on the coat, faced the cold air, and struggled to escape the labyrinth.

Once Francesca was sure be was gone, she looked back at the tree in her secret garden, at the stars judging her above, and then, cried her heart out.