When i was young, Emma sat me down to talk to me about men. She informed me about how vile most of them are and how you should never let them touch you. A spell she warned. A spell that would make you never want to be touched by anyone else except that one person. Now i know what she meant.

I had my back to Benedict as he began to tie my ribbons up once more. As he did, he spoke of stars. He seemed to know a lot about them. But i was not truly listening. I was much too distracted by this feeling that had grown in the pit of my stomach. A feeling i needed more of by the second.

"Juliet" he he called waving his hands in my face. "Are you quite alright?" he asked. I gave a happy sigh. "Not really because i know what all of the stars are called. I read a book about it years ago" i said with a smirk. "So you just let me rattle on about them for no good reason then?" he questioned with laughter. "Well, i happen to like your voice."

A smile tugged at his lips as he leaned in closer to me. That was until we heard shouting from the across garden. Familiar voices bickering back and forth. "Daphne?" Benedict muttered. We quickly stood to our feet and fixed our clothes whilst running to see what had happened.

When we got to where the noise was coming from, we say Anthony, Daphne and Simon. Anthony was relentlessly punching Simon whilst Daphne was screaming at him to stop.

"What on earth is going on here?" Benedict shouted as i ran to Simons aid. "He was taking advantage of her!" Anthony shouted. "What?" i asked in disbelief.

"No, it was my fault. I took liberties with him" Daphne said pushing Anthony back. "You will marry her" Anthony stated.

"What?" said Daphne. "Immediately. We can only hope no one saw you take such liberties and my sister is saved from further mortification. You will mary her."

"Brother!" Daphne shouted. "I can not marry her" Simon said as i tried to wipe the blood from his face. We all paused at Simon words as i could see Daphnes face grow pale.

"You have defiled her innocence, and now you refuse her hand?" Benedict said chiming in. Simon looked at the ground not wanting to meet any of our eyes. "I knew you were a rake, Hastings, i never thought you a villain" Anthony snapped taking a steep closer to him.

"We must all breathe" i said standing in his way.
"I can not marry her" Simon repeated. I was beyond confused why Simon would not just marry her. He obviously had feelings for her or he would have left her alone weeks ago.

"Then you leave me no choice. I must demand satisfaction" Anthony said. Simon closed his eyes and put his head down in disappointment. "A duel? Anthony, you can not-" Benedict began but was cut off.

"He dishonoured our sister. He dishonoured you, me, Daphne and the very Bridgerton name. I have misjudged you, indeed. You have duped us both, but i shall not see my sister pay for my own misdeeds. We will settle this as gentlemen" Anthony shouted.

"I understand. I shall see you at dawn" Simon said. "No, please you can not" i said tearing up at the thought that one of them would not live tomorrow. "I do not understand" Daphne said i'm confusion looking at Simon. "You would rather die than marry me?" she asked.

"I am truly sorry" Simon muttered finally meeting Daphnes gaze. "We need to go, Daph, before anyone should see us" Anthony said pulling Daphne away. Daphne gave Simon one last look before she left. Benedict then walked away with his siblings turning around giving me a half smile as to say goodbye.

"What the hell did you do?" i spat giving Simon a small punch in his chest. "You would never understand" Simon said walking past me. "Then explain it to me, explain to me why you are such a prick all the time" i shouted. He stopped for a moment. I almost thought we would give me an answer.

But instead he took his leave, leaving me alone.
I stayed there for a moment just to catch my breath before i made my way back into the party. When i got inside, i saw Anthony, Benedict and Daphne taking their leave.

I felt horrible that i could not say anything to make them feel better. I was walking towards Lady Danbury when i saw Henry Brooke's coming towards me. "Miss Bennet, i have been looking all over for you" he said with a warm smile.

"Oh yes, sorry Mr Brooke's i was catching up with some old friends" i said. "Well, i was wondering if i could ask you for a dance?" he asked putting out his hand. I wanted to say no, but i knew the ton would say that's disrespectful. "Of course, Mr Brooke's" i said taking his hand in mine.

We made our way onto the dance floor and i was focused on trying to not stand on his feet like last time. "I was talking to Miss Alice Carter? Do you know her?" Henry asked. "I have had, some encounters with her yes, why?" i asked. "Well, from what she has told me, she is not to fond of you Miss Bennet" he said with a smirk.

"I am not to fond of her either" i muttered. "I wouldn't worry about her, especially since she is still wearing those "vulgar" gowns Lady Whistledown likes to write about" he said. I laughed loudly remembering what she cunning Lady Whistledown had written.

I did not know this at the time, but as i was dancing with Mr Brooke's, Benedict had made his way back inside to try and find me. He scanned the room and saw me on the dance floor laughing with Henry. He gave a disheartened nod but knew i was not interested in him. He left quickly so i wouldn't see him.

"I hope you don't mind me saying this Miss Bennet, but you are by far the most stunning girl in the ball this evening" Henry said with a bright smile. I was flattered at his complement but i also did not want to leave Mr Brookes with the wrong idea.

"If you shall excuse me Mr Brooke's, I see Lady Danbury is calling me" i said scurrying off the dance floor quickly. "I must say Lady Danbury, i have quite the headache, would you mind if we were to take our leave?" i asked. "Of course Miss Bennet, i must say i have grown quite bored with all this bleak conversation" Lady Danbury said taking my arm as we made our way to the carriage.

When we arrived home, i found Beth and Emma were already asleep. I got into my nightdress and went to Simons room to see if he had come home, but he had not. I could only imagine he was at Will Mondrichs boxing club getting drunk. It was at that moment, i heard a knock on the door.

I made my way towards the door to see Henry Brooke's. "Mr Brooke's, what are you doing here?" i asked covering myself up.

"Miss Bennet, i must speak my mind. I have not been able to stop thinking about you ever since we met at the ball. Your beauty, your plans for the future, you're delightful conversation, it is all i have ever wished for in a wife. Now, i don't have a ring with me but i would like to ask for your hand in marriage" Henry asked getting down on one knee.

"Mr Brooke's, please-" i tried to say but was cut off. "Miss Bennet, you shan't have to worry about a thing ever again. I'm sure we could make each other happy and over time maybe even learn how to love eachother" he said.

I was in shock that he had asked me this so soon. "Mr Brooke's i-"
"No, no need, i know what you are going to say" he said looking to me. Suddenly, Henry pulled me in a kissed me deeply. He grabbed my nightdress and tried to scrunch it up in his hand. It took a moment, but i eventually was able to push him off.

"Mr Brooke's, i shall have you know that was not what i was trying to tell you. I was going to tell you that this is all happening much too soon and i barley know you. And, next time you try to kiss a woman, ask her first" i said slamming the door in his face.

I made my way upstairs, but i could hear Henry calling me and the knocking on the door echoing the hall. I know i was forward but how dare he try to kiss me like that, especially without my permission.

That night, i could not sleep thinking about this duel. Every few minutes i would check the clock to see if it was dawn. Around 5 o clock, i decided i could not sit around and let this happen.

I threw on a dress and saddled up one of the horses. I rode to the Mondrichs household to ask where Simon was. Wills wife answered the door and told me where her husband and Simon had gone to.

I rode my horse as quick as i could go go stop the duel in time. When i spotted Anthony and Simon on the hill, i also saw two other figures riding towards them. I quickly realised the two other figures were Daphne and Colin. Suddenly, Daphne stepped between Anthony and Simon and a shot was fired.

"Daphne!" Simon called out. "Sister!" Anthony shouted. I quickly dismounted my horse to go to Daphnes aid. "Daphne, are you alright? Look at me" i shouted trying to turn her around.

Daphne slowly got up. "Are you hurt? Tell me!" Simon shouted. "I am perfectly well, no thanks to you idiots" Daphne shouted furiously gripping onto my arm. "What the hell do you think your playing at?" said Anthony. "Says the man who just shot at me!" Daphne called out.

"You just rode into the middle of a duel!" the Viscount shouted. "Enough! Daphne are you sure your alright?" i said. "I am, thank you" she said.

"I require a moment with the Duke" Daphne said sternly. "Daphne-" Anthony started. "I require a moment with the Duke" Daphne said cutting Anthony off. "Make it brief" Benedict said chiming in.

The pair walked away. I stood beside Benedict. "Well, at least no one was injured" i said. Benedict was looking straight ahead and would not meet my eye. "Benedict" i said trying to snap him out of his gaze. Benedict simply turned his back and walked over to his brother.

I was confused why Benedict was ignoring me, especially after what had happened between us yesterday in the garden, but i presumed he was just making some cruel jest.

"There will be no need to resume" i heard Daphne say from behind me. "The Duke and i are to be married."

Anthony was visibly annoyed but just nodded his head. Everyone walked back to their horses to ride home before their family's awoke. I saw Benedict and grabbed his arm. "Hey, what is wrong?" i asked seeing he was upset with me. He looked at me in disgust.

"Don't play the fool, miss Bennet" he said coldly. "What do you mean? Why are you upset with me?" i asked.

Benedict but his younger as he looked at the ground. "I came by your house last night. I wanted to see you. But when i came, i saw you and Mr Brooke's looking rather comfortable with eachother" he said.

I realised he must have seen Henry kiss me. "Benedict, you don't understand i-" i started to say. "Don't bother" Benedict said walking away.

As he mounted his horse he turned around and looked at me. "I hope you two will be very happy together" he said as he rode off.