MERCY REEVES SUPPRESSED A LAUGH. His mouth was only a thin, little thing that created wrinkles all over his skin as he looked down before each suitor tried to approach Francesca.

The reason for his great mood was rather her lack of one. Whenever a suitor entered the room and startes talking, Francesca's semblant would fall, becone stone, until the man would be too intimated and end the meeting immediatly. Her mother, Violet, would be positive and expect her to eventually open up, but if was no use, Francesca despised it all.

Luckily, in those small pauses between the change of suitors (since she had quite a large line), she could play with Mercy at the piano. Now he did not only instruct her, but sat by her side on the booth and guided with practice, so she could observe him doing it.

She almosy drooled at the sight.

"Francesca, another caller!" Violet would say, before Francesca could sigh audibly and loud for her to listen and Nercy chuckle.

"It can not be that bad, come on." He tried to help, but she killed him with her eyes. "Or maybe it is." He grinned.

She left the booth again and started talking to the new stranger. This one claimed to play the flute, had a nice semblant, young and well mannered, and he wouldn't push too much.

Violey had a feeling that maybe Francesca would like him even better than Lord Samadani, plus, he was pleasing to the eyes as well, a kind baron who would treat her daughter right, they would be perfect together.

Mercy played some soft background music, but still listened attentive to their conversation, sometimes he'd even gaze at them from time to time, a bit too curious.

"Which composer is your favorite?" He asked gently.

"I do take a liking for Bach's pieces." Francesca looked down briefly, her lahses fluttering whiel thinking of his question. "I do loce Vivaldi's work as well."

"Excellent choices." The young man smiled. "But I must contrary, Miss Bridgerton, what about the notorious Fréderic Chopin?"

Francesca felt slightly excited with the discussion. It wasn't everyday a gentleman would ask about her interests so deeply (except Mercy) neither diverge from them so openly.

Mercy furrowed his eyebrows at the conversation. Since when a spoiled noble knew how to be so kind enough to talk so freely to her? His melody trembled, slightly out of tune as he got distracted by the conversation. That man was a charlatan, he couldn't be any good, just a fraud as the others.

Francesca fidgeted a bit nervous, then continued "I enjoy more complex arrangements." She spoke and he nodded. "Chopin is very...delicate."

"Romantic, you mean." The gentleman smirked. "I do think he is extraordinary." He looked at her in a charming manner. "Has anyone ever mentioned to you that you are the embodiment of Clair de Lune, Miss Francesca?"

Mercy pressed down the keys way too strong, causing a sudden, loud noise that startled all the people in the room, who turned to them.

"My apologies...my fingers slipped" he said with no emotion whatsoever, his eyes burning on the man across Francesca's seat.

She gazed at him, then at the gentleman who spoke to her, still puzzled. In a matter of minutes, the man, Mister Edgar Dallas, had to leave, but Violet Bridgerton still was hopeful.

"So, what do you think?" She smiled to her daughter, who was still in silence, drinking the remaining tea left in her cup. Mercy organized some music sheets at a corner. "Isn't he wonderful? And also shares so many interests with you."

"He is...interesting, I suppose." Francesca declared, and Mercy Reeves dropped the papers all over the ground. The ladies looked astonished.

"I am quite clumsy today, my apologies again." He mumbled embarrassed, hiding his frustration as he grabbed the papers from the floor.

Francesca analyzed him for a moment, the shoulders rigid, serious, as he did not utter a word while organizing the music sheets. Something was off, he did not seem like his usual self.

"And you, Mr.Reeves?" Violet turnes to him joyfully. "You saw Mr.Dallas...what do you think of him?"

He looked at her a bit stunned. "Think of him..as a person? I do not know him" He played dumb.

"No, no, I meant as a potential match for Francesca." She touched her daughter's shoulder, Francesca and him exchanging silent loud gazes to each other. "Does he seem like a gentleman? I mean you as a man, would know right? Do you think they could be a good couple?"

Mercy opened his mouth to speak but failed. It was like a wave washed ofd the sand castle he built and now he was left with nothing but emptiness. A match for Francesca? Why was she even asking for his opinion, for God's sake he was supposed to be just a mere instructor and now she was asking for his opinion. He could not choose who Francesca would marry, actually, just the thought of participating into this nonsense gave him a headache.

"I believe it is too early to tell." Mercy eloquently established, avoiding the question. "He has proper title and lands...some topics in common...but as my mother would say, one must know the other first in order to dedicate their lives to them." Violet smiled tenderly at the resposnse. "But still, that is my opinion. In the end, it is Miss Francesca's word that matters"

The two looked at the girl expectantly, with both diverging ideas, as Francesca felt cold sweat run through her back, staining the dress.

"Lord Samadani is still a better match." She said instead, causing curiosity to the duo. "Mr.Dallas is indeed nice, but quite daring, very risky I'd say. He seems to be unstable in his life choices." She tilted her head to the side. "Lord Samadani is well established and has life goals, I admire that."

Mercy did not know if he felt happy or outraged. After all, he was repulsed by the marquess. But Francesca still did not choose Mr.Dallas, that was a good thing.

Good thing? why did he even think that? Wasn't he supposed to cheer for her? Be happy for her?

But the mere thought of her marrying made him want to die.

"Well, if you say so, dear, I'll respect your decision." Violet pondered sweetly, as she expressed concern towards her daughter. "Just know that we are not only seeking for titles, but a true love match for you. I only want you to be happy."

"I know, mama." Francesca nodded before briely and involuntairly gazing at Mercy's figure, who collected his tbings ready to leave. "Is the lesson over already?" Violet nodded. "But...we barelt had enough time for practive today" Her semblant darkened frustrated, feeling her heart ache to see him leave so soon.

Mercy looked back at Francesca, holding his briefcase in his hands. Just one word of hers and he'd stay, he wouldn't be able to say no to her. Just one word, and he'd be hers for the rest of that day.

"Mr.Reeves must be busy dea" Violet said instead, taking the lead and breaking those young hearts. "Besides, you have tea with the ladies of the ton today, remember?"

Francesca had completely forgotten, Cressida Cowper and other ladies would have tea at her residence. What a nuisance, she despised those gatherings, they pushed her to talk when she didn't feel like it, to share when she felt bo comfort at all.

She would kill to exchange an afternoon with those ladies to an afternoon alone with Mercy at the piano, that would be a dream come true.

"Right...I forgot about it"Was Francesca's last mutter.

Mercy clicked his tongue, all set to leave, stoping on his tracks to say aomething he couldn't say out loud, fists closing pondering.

"Well I should take my leave now. Have a delightful day, Lady Bridgerton, Miss Bridgerton." He bid his farewells to the two, a soft broken smile across his lips as he crossed the door.

Mercy Reeves entered the chilly afternoon breeze of London's street with a grey expression, not very friendly, as he recalled the events of that morning.

Mr.Dallas...he scoffed while thinking to himself, what a pathetic man.

...

"And The Viscount of Willubem will most likely ask for my hand at the next ball." One of the girls bragged, her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, a beautiful sight but such a boring soul. Francesca was almost laying on that table and falling asleep.

"I thought you were aiming for the Earl of Surrey." A black haired girl, Adele, mentioned Francesca' cousin, and just then she woke up to the gossip.

"I was, but he seems quite picky when choosing a wife." The dark haired girl with asian traces, Josie, responded. "Besides..."She leaned closely and whispered to them. "...rumor says he only has eyes for Penelope Featherington."

The group let out a surprised gasp. Not that Penelope Featherington wasn't suitable, but she was the less seen of them, a wallflower that curiously had started to bloom this season. Strangely, even with the Earl becoming such great friends with her, some would say she had interest in another man. Ouch.

"Let's talk about more interesting subjects." A redheaded, Fay, smiled through her freckles with excitement. "Apart from titles and ranks, who is, in your opinion, the most astonishing man of the season?"

The other ladies giggled as if they were doing something incredibly naughty. Francesca's face expression screamed TAKE ME AWAY FROM HERE.

"I quite like Lord Debling." Cressida said, as the ladies grinned. "What? He has some...exotic charm and is quite sweet." She gave a tiny smile. "Lord Surrey is also a wonderful suitor."

The other ladies agreed. "I wish Prince Ernest would look for a wife, just as Princess Bellatrix did in her season." Adele sighed. "Hace you seen those eyes?"

"Don't be mad. Haven't you heard of the prince's temper?" Josie looked concerned at her. "Only a maniac would marry that man." She turned to Francesca. "What about you, Miss Bridgerton?" The ladies became quiet and anxious for her answer. "Who, in your opinion, is the most attractive man of the season?"

Francesca's face became a bright red, first thought that flashed on her mind was...

"Miss Bridgerton?" An imaginary Mercy would appear with his dashing smile on her consciounrss causing butterflies on her stomach.

"Um..." Francesca mumbled as the ladies waited. "I...well..."

"Come on, say it already." Cressida furrowed her eyebrows impatiently. "Who?"

Francesca bit her lip. "Lord Samadani?"

The group blinked. A genetic answer, yet safe. "He's the marquess the queen recommended, isn't he?" Adele askes and Francesca nodded. "He is quite charming, I must agree."

Fay nodded. "And remarkably rich, oh, I envy you, Francesca!" The girls giggled excited.

"If you do marry him, you'll turn out the best paired in the season." Josie leaned closer, quite happy for her, which was a surprise. Francesca always thought the season was battlefield, as Daphne used to say, but these ladies were not as she thought, each one had their own match in mind, enough suitors for everyone. Well, most of them, Cressida Cowper still hasn't gotten her match yet, and this was her third season out. Poor thing. "That reminds me..."Josie smirked maliciously. "...are you still being lectured by that Mercy Reeves?"

Francesca frozened into place. Not Mercy. They wouldn't speak of him...or would they?

She only nodded.

"Oh he is heavenly!" Josie giggled. "When I witnessed him at the queen's ball I was wonderstruck."

"Reeves?" Adele furrowed her eyebrows confused. "I don't quite recall."

"The musician, the same that played in the first ball of the season, the one Lady Whistledown wrote about." Fay explained.

"Oh, him!" Adele snapped her fingers. "It is too bad he doesn't own a title, I souldn't think twice before pursuing him"

"Adele!" Fay giggled and the ladies laughed, except Francesca. "Well it is true, he is so handsome."

"And single." Cressida added.

"How do you know?" Adele questioned.

"My father knows." Cressida took a sip of her tea, Francesca watched silently. "He seems to enjoy his music...maybe he might hire him in the future to play at my wedding." She bragged.

"Your wedding?" Josie scoffed, making Cressida's smile weaken. "What wedding, if you don't even have a possible suitor, Cressida?" The other two ladies laughed. Cressida continued still in silence.

"I shall have the most exuberant and exclusive wedding of the season, you'll see." She threatned, but no one listened. The omce influential Cressida, whose enemy who only paired with her was the first Diamond water, Daphne Bridgerton, was now only a delusional
spinster. Even Francesca felt sorry for her.

"What do you think Francesca?" The Bridgerton girl was suddenly awakened from her thoughts, realizing she has been spacing out for some time now.

"Think...of what exactly?" She questioned.

"Of Mr.Reeves, of course!" Fay chuckle. "How is he like? Do you get butterflies when you're together? Have you ever felt...tempted?"

The other ladies gasped but still remained curious to know what Francesca's response would be.

"Tempted of what?"

Cressida rolled her eyes. "Of being close." Adele whispered. "Maybe..."The ladies giggled. "Hold his hand?"

"Hold his hand?" They nodded.

If only they knew that Francesca Bridgerton have gone way further than holding hands with her professor...

"No, not at all" She lied blantly, not facing them directely.

"Really?" Josie said disappointed. "Do you not find him dashing?"

She did, he was probably the most beautiful man she has ever witnessed, and her body heated up in ways she could not control next to him, but, in the end, he was still only her instructor, and she could never be anything else than that to him.

"No, I...I've never thought of him that way." She lied again. And multiple frustrated sighs circled the tea table.

"Seriously? Oh, you must be blind Francesca!" Fay complained.

"Indeed." Adele nodded. "We should go to your house and he could play for us soemday Francesca." She suggested. "That way we can all admire him."

Francesca forced a smile but did not aay anything in agreement, only drank her tea to avoid the talk.

"I should request my parents to hire me as my instructor as well." Josie grinned mischievously. "I'd be a very good student to him" The ladie shriekd excited.

But they stopped abruptely by the sound of a teacup resting in a loud way at the table almost breaking its' chinese porcelain. Francesca.

Her face had no polite smiles, neither the effort to do so. She was composed but strict, direct and cold.

"Mr.Reeves is a busy man." She elegantly established. "He does not only lecture me, but also plays in events and helps an orphanage." The ladies smiled. "I hire him for his talent, not his looks, that is why he manages to be my instructor." She responded fiercely. "A trivial matter such as admiring one's looks would be worthless and only a waste of time to him."

The girls looked stunned at her, never Francesca had spoken that way, and worse, to speak so much. It was like they had triggered a small engine of her brain.

"Calm yourself Francesca." Cressida mocked in a rich laugh. "No one is stealing him from you."

"I did not-"

"Does anyone want more biscuits?" The host changed the subject and the ladies engaged in other matters.

There was only Francesca there, paralyzed snd listening oblivous. Stealing from her? He was not his property, he was barely her friend...

Then what was that bitter sensation she felt just by the thought of sharing?

What a selfish childish behaviour, she thought to herself. He was not her toy to claim as hers.

What a shame.

...

"What is even the goal in all of this?" a black cat would follow his golden retriever couple of friends. "Walk under this hellish water while greeting foolosh people...I'd rather stay at home"

"What a surprise." Alice rolled her eyes at Mercy who walkes behind them, a little black dressed dot at the park they were promenading.

"I agree with him." Will tilted his head to the side. "It is kind of futile to keep  walking circles in this weather, sooner or later the rain will fall."

"We are part of the ton now." Alice decided, she was quite determined to make the best effort for her family to get used to this life. "We must do what we do. And this is what they do."

"My theory remains correct: the ton is a bunch of brainless well dressed clowns." Mercy retorted and Will laughed loudly. "Why did you even drag me here anyway?"

"You wouldm't leave your home but for work." Will retorted. "We thought it'd be nice for you to join us and take some fresh air."

"Fresh air?" He raised an eyebrow. "What am I now? Your pet?"

"Always has been."Will teased and his friend only did not push his shoulder because Alice was next to her husband, he wouldn't her falling in front of everyone because of their stupif playful fights. "Lighten up and keep attentive, we may find a lady for you."

He stopped at his tracks, the couple turned to him. "Excuse me?" He scoffed. "Find a woman? In this absurdity you call promenade? I'd rather not."

"It is more common than you think." Alice explained. "Why don't you try to smile and talk to someone? There are plenty of beautiful ladies-"

"Barely no one came here today."He explained with much reason, gesturing to the cold park, where the trees shaked with fury. "And besides, smile? If I do find a bride, she'd better get used to my grimmace, or else, she won't be able to endure a life by my side."

Alice sighed shaking her head, Mercy knew they wanted the best for him, to be happy as they were, but he did not enjoy this set ups, neither this stupid attempts to make him want to find a bride.

He never felt the desire to find one. He had his encounters in the past, some trivial, temporary passions, not maby to be called a rake, but enough to be considered experienced in post matrimonial acts without beind actually married. But in the end, it was mostly useless to him, as he didn't feel the urge to find a woman anytime soon.

The only woman his heart ached for and that his dreams couldn't rest being about, was out of his reach, and the less he thought about herx would be for the better.

The sky slowly became darker, and Mercy's words proved to be correct. "A storm is approaching" Will mumbled. "We should return home." Alice nodded. "Come, my friend."

"Actually." Mercy turned to them, feeling the rain breeze and it's unique fragrance. "I'd rather stay."

"Do you wish to perish in this weather?"

"It would be a lovely way to die." He teased. "But no, I'll actually head to my home by feet, it's close and I won't drift you from your trajectory, so do not bother."

"But Mercy-" Alice tried to say.

"I'll be fine." He assured them. "Take your carriage, do not worry."

With much insisted and failed attempts, the couple finally got to their carriage and left within the grey horizon. Mercy stood there, facing the lake and the leaves that fell on it's surface creating small water spirals surrounding it.

When closing his eyes in times like these, he could feel himself at Willo Creek Village again, the shouts from his mother at some distance "Mercy! Come home! A storm is coming!" His little boyish figure would enioy the sensation of the raindrops ob his face, giggle and enter the home, feet full of mud, but she would not even yell at him, only laugh at his dirty state before serving him a warm soup to brush away the cold.

He opened his eyes again, now only facing the wind become faster and the sadness still filling his heart with longing. If only he could turn back time and see his mother's smile once again, just once more...

A rapid vision passed through his eyesx a white structure that he took in his hands, only to be revealed as a white, decorated ladylike umbrella that was being taken by the wind. He furroed his eyebrows to the object, wondering about its' origins.

That's when he felt it, small humid drops falling fron the sky, at first delicate, then more violent, faster, erasing the volume of his hair and drenching his clothes.

"Ah! No!" A feminine voice shouted behind him, and he turned around, an audible gasp escaped his lips.

Francesca Bridgerton was there, being consumed by the rain, her umbrella had been taken by the wind, as she looked up at the sky desperate, she did like the rain,but now it eas too strong, almost hurting her skin, and she was too far from home to endure it while returning.

"Miss Bridgerton!" He shouted, as she didn't listen to his voice muffled by the storm. He hushed to her promptly, trying to put the umbrella over her head, but it was useless, she was already soaked, her gowns almost see through.

Francesca looked up, now in pure shock as she saw Mercy standing there, next to her, trying to save her from the storm. How embarrassing.

"Mr.Reeves?"

"What are you doing here?!" He shouted, almost seemed mad at her. He took of hie coat and held it above her head, easing the drops that fell on her. "You shouldn't be outside in a weather like this!" He complained. "Where is your carriage?"

"I-I don't have one" She muttered delicately.

"What?!"

"I-I came unchaperoned..."

"What do you mean unchaperoned?! Are you out of goddamn your mind, Francesca?" He shouted her first name, eyes gelid with fury, her body shivered. He looked up at the sky, the wind became more brutal. "We must leave at once, it'll only get worse." She nodded. Mercy thought for a moment, the park was too far from the main streets or establishments, especially far from thr Bridgerton residence. He was rather close to his neighbourhood though, the more poor neihhbourhoods of london. It wasn't like he had much choice. "Stay close and come with me." He ordered.

Francesca walked with him, trying to escaoe the rain. "Where are we going?" She asked confused, a bit intimidated by his authoritary tone.

"Somewhere we can escape from the storm" He informed, before letting his eyes meet hers in a rather desperate shameless aspect. "My residence."