✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒 ˚｡⋆ ༘˚✧
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𝐢𝐢𝐢.

𝐈𝐓 was an evening to remember, dear readers, as the Bridgerton masquerade ball set the ton abuzz with gossip and intrigue. The stunning Athena Huxley graced us with her presence, escorted by her ever-dutiful brother, Lord Archibald Huxley. Miss Huxley, resplendent in her elegant gown, seemed determined to make a splash, and splash she did.

Lady Whistledown herself observed as Miss Penelope Featherington, despite her vibrant spirit, found herself without a dance partner for most of the evening. One can only speculate whether it was the yellow hue of her gown or a lack of gentlemanly attention that led to this unfortunate outcome.

In stark contrast, Miss Cressida Cowper, all aflutter with infatuation for Archibald Huxley, was seen attempting to monopolize his attention. Alas, the intervention of his sister, Miss Huxley, saw to it that poor Cressida's hopes were dashed—one can hardly blame Miss Huxley for saving her brother from such a fate.

The most delightful twist of the evening, however, came in the form of the Bridgerton brothers. Benedict and Colin Bridgerton made a surprise appearance, causing quite the stir among the young ladies. Benedict, with his characteristic charm, seemed particularly taken with Miss Huxley. Could this be the start of something more?

As the clock struck midnight, masks were cast aside, revealing the true identities of the guests. Among them, Mr. Nathaniel Beaumont, Duke of Richmond, who seemed enchanted by Miss Huxley's beauty and grace. His request for a dance was met with enthusiasm, leaving many to wonder if a new match is on the horizon.

In conclusion, dear readers, the Bridgerton ball was a night of revelation and romance, setting the stage for a most intriguing season. As always, I shall be watching, and rest assured, I will share every tantalizing detail with you. Until next time.

Lady Whistledown's Society Papers,
11 June 1815

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 after several nights had passed, Athena found herself unable to cease dwelling upon the grand ball. It had exceeded her wildest dreams. Her brother, too, spoke of it frequently, though not for sentimental reasons; he found great amusement in teasing her. He took particular pleasure in reminding her of how thoroughly enchanted she seemed by both of the gentlemen with whom she had conversed.

Lost in her thoughts, Athena did not notice her brother entering the room. She held her teacup delicately, staring straight ahead, her mind adrift in the memories of the grand ball.

"Dreaming about Beaumont and Bridgerton?" he smirked, settling himself beside her.

Athena, snapping out of her trance, turned to her brother with a look that spoke volumes of her irritation. "If you must know, I was contemplating the ball itself, not its attendees."

Archibald, now wearing a broad smirk, rose to his feet and sauntered over to the small bar. There, he poured himself a modest glass of cognac. "You were? What a shocker." Laughing at his own comment, he failed to notice their parents entering the room.

"Mama!" Athena exclaimed, springing up, placing her teacup hastily on the table, and running toward her mother. "Oh, I have missed you, Mama."

Lady Huxley, a vision of grace and poise, opened her arms to her daughter. "My dear Athena," she said warmly, embracing her. "I have missed you as well."

Archibald turned, his laughter fading as he noticed their parents. He quickly composed himself, and walked over to greet them. "Father. Mother," he said, giving them a quick nod before returning to his seat.

Lord Huxley, with his usual air of authority, nodded in return. "Archibald, Athena," he greeted, his voice steady. "It is good to see you both."

Their mother could not help but ask about the evening, "How was Lady Bridgerton's masquerade ball?" She looked expectantly at both Athena and Archibald. Archibald, with a playful grin, pointed at Athena, indicating she should be the one to answer their mama's question.

"It was truly wonderful, Mama, and their house is absolutely gorgeous," Athena replied, a smile spreading across her face as she reimagined the grandeur of the Bridgerton estate.

Archibald, already bored, began to look around the room for something to catch his attention. His gaze wandered to the portraits on the wall, the elaborate carvings on the furniture, and finally to the window where he could see the garden outside.

"And what about you, son?" their father asked, noticing Archibald's lack of interest in the conversation.

Archibald snapped back to attention and looked at his father. "Oh, the ball was as expected, Father. A lot of dancing, a lot of talking. Nothing particularly noteworthy from my end."

"Maybe because you were surrounded by mamas and debutantes all night," Athena giggled, recalling how particularly insistent Cressida Cowper had been in her attempts to capture Archibald's attention.

Archibald feigned a grimace. "Cressida is relentless, I'll give her that. She practically cornered me at one point."

Lady Huxley chuckled softly. "Well, perhaps you should consider being a bit more receptive, Archibald. After all, this is the season to make connections."

"Connections, yes, but not with the likes of Cressida," he replied, shaking his head with a smile. "I prefer my conversations to be a touch more... engaging."

Their mama emitted a gentle laugh, a sound like the tinkling of distant chimes, and continued to inquire of Athena concerning the events of their evening.

Athena recounted the evening's events in vivid detail, describing the elegant ballroom adorned with flickering candles and the melodious strains of a string quartet. She spoke of the intricate dance steps performed with grace and precision, where couples twirled and swayed in perfect harmony.

Her mother listened intently, her own memories of social gatherings and balls from her youth intermingling with Athena's descriptions. The warmth of the fire cast gentle shadows across the room, creating a cozy atmosphere that enveloped them both.

As Athena spoke, her mother's thoughts drifted to the hopes and dreams she held for her daughter. She wished for Athena to experience joy and fulfillment in every aspect of her life, whether through the enchantment of a dance or the laughter shared with dear friends.

When Athena finally finished recounting her evening, her mother smiled tenderly. "My dear, you have a way of painting a scene with your words. Your enthusiasm for life is a treasure."

Athena beamed with happiness, her cheeks flushed with the excitement of reliving the night's magic. She cherished these moments with her mother, knowing that their bond was built on love, understanding, and the shared appreciation of life's simple pleasures.

𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 at the Bridgerton house, the air was filled with a sense of warmth and familial camaraderie. Viscount Bridgerton and his wife, Kate, had just returned from a delightful sojourn at Aubrey Hall, their spirits high from the peaceful retreat.

"Tell me, brother, was Mother's masquerade ball as dreadful as I remember?" the Viscount inquired, laughter dancing in his voice, fully aware of their mother's keen presence behind him.

Benedict chuckled heartily, pouring himself a generous measure of cognac before settling into a comfortable chair between Eloise and Gregory, who appeared to be engaged in a rather trivial debate. The rich aroma of the cognac mingled with the scents of the freshly polished wood and the faint floral notes from the garden outside.

"Ah, the ball," Benedict began, a glint of mischief in his eye. "A splendid affair, indeed, though I must admit the masks did obscure quite a few faces. One could hardly tell if one was speaking to a long-lost acquaintance or a complete stranger."

Eloise rolled her eyes, stifling a laugh. "You're simply miffed because you were conscripted into watching Lady Huxley dance with the Duke of Richmond instead of being the one dancing with her."

Violet glanced at Benedict, noticing the subtle shift in his demeanor, the flicker of bitterness lingering from Eloise's playful jab. "Did you fancy Lady Huxley?" she inquired with a teasing glint in her eye.

Benedict straightened, feigning nonchalance. "Fancy her? Hardly had the chance to speak to her before she went to find her brother."

Eloise laughed, a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "She probably just needed an excuse to flee from you!"

Benedict rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "If only I possessed such fearsome powers of persuasion," he replied, shaking his head. "Then I would gladly send the other debutantes away from me and towards others like Colin."

Eloise burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, but Colin does seem to attract them, doesn't he? Perhaps you should take notes from him on how to handle such attention."

Gregory chimed in, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Or perhaps you could simply perfect your art of dodging, Benedict. It seems you have a talent for it."

The banter continued, each sibling enjoying the playful jabs as they shared fond memories of past seasons. The air was filled with lightheartedness, a comforting reminder of their shared history and the delightful chaos that accompanied family gatherings.

𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 that day, Benedict found himself lying on his bed, unable to shake thoughts of Athena Huxley from his mind. Their encounter at the masquerade replayed in his thoughts like a cherished melody, each detail vivid and enchanting. There was something about her—perhaps the way her laughter seemed to light up the room or the spark in her eyes that hinted at a deeper intrigue.

He recalled the way she carried herself, confident yet approachable, and how the color of her lips had caught his attention in an unexpected way. It was more than just her beauty; it was an air of mystery that surrounded her, a sense of adventure waiting to be uncovered.

As he stared at the ceiling, Benedict felt a stirring of curiosity and excitement. What stories lay hidden beneath her playful demeanor? What passions ignited her spirit? He realized he wanted to learn more, to explore the connection that had sparked so unexpectedly.

He had to know Athena Huxley—who she truly was beneath the surface. Benedict found himself captivated by the desire to uncover every detail about her life. What did she enjoy, and what brought her frustration? He imagined her favorite corners of her home, perhaps a cozy nook filled with books or a garden blooming with wildflowers.

He pondered her favorite color, wondering if it was a bold hue that mirrored her vibrant personality or something softer that reflected a more introspective side. Why did she prefer one over another? Each question fueled his curiosity, driving him to envision the moments they might share in conversation, discovering the little intricacies that made her unique.

Tomorrow, he would visit her home in Kensington, determined to have a more meaningful conversation than their brief encounter last monday. 

Lucky for him, he had known Archibald, her elder brother, from his days at Oxford. Their friendship, forged through countless debates, shared escapades, and mutual respect, gave him a reassuring advantage. Archibald could provide an introduction that carried weight, smoothing the path to a more substantial meeting with Athena.

Though Archibald was protective over his sister and typically kept bachelors at arm's length, Benedict hoped he would be the exception. After all, their friendship at Oxford had spanned years, and Archibald was well-acquainted with Benedict's youthful escapades.

𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘 morning, Benedict ordered a carriage and left without telling his siblings or his mother. He knew they would bombard him with questions and comments, and he had no time to spare. The thought of someone else capturing Athena's interest before he had the chance to see her again propelled him forward with urgency.

The carriage ride to Kensington seemed both interminable and swift, his thoughts a whirl of anticipation and nervous energy. What if she wasn't home? What if she had plans for the day? He pushed these doubts aside, focusing instead on the memory of her laughter and the light in her eyes.

Upon arriving at the Huxley residence, he was greeted by a footman who promptly escorted him to the drawing room. He waited with bated breath, the ticking of the clock in the hallway amplifying his impatience.

When the doors finally opened, Benedict did not expect to see who came in. "Archibald?" he mumbled to himself, watching as his old friend walked in and sat down in front of him.

"Benedict," Archibald greeted, "Athena is not here."

Benedict hesitated. Of course, she was not here. Luck was never with him. "Where might she be?" he asked, trying to mask his disappointment.

Archibald regarded him thoughtfully. "She went to visit a friend in Mayfair. She will be back in a couple of hours."

"And who might this friend be?" Benedict asked, curiosity piqued. He lived in Mayfair himself and wondered if he might know this friend.

Archibald smirked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I do not know, I'm sorry. She didn't mention a name. But I will certainly let Athena know you passed by when she returns."

He did a faint bow and left the room in a hurry. Benedict had no time for this; he must make a new plan to get her attention.

"𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐄, look at these," Athena burst out, spotting the most vibrant red cherries she had ever seen. "They look absolutely delicious."

Eloise joined her, glancing down at the fruits in front of her. "I have never tried cherries; in fact, I have never seen them at this market before." She looked down curiously at them. "But I always prefer citrus fruits, especially oranges."

Athena, not listening to the last sentence, was shocked by the revelation. "How have you never tried cherries? They are the best. They are sweet, yet a little sour if you happen to get a good one. When I visited Turkey a couple of years ago, I also learned to make this lip color out of cherries, and it is the best."

Eloise raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Athena's enthusiasm. "Really? I have never heard anyone make lip color from fruits, or in fact any form of lip color. It sounds pretty and tasteful." They both shared a little giggle before Athena turned to the vendor and asked if she could buy a box of the cherries.

"28 pence please," the woman replied, handing Athena the box of cherries. Athena counted out the money and handed it to the vendor, thanking her politely.

As they walked away, both women carried a sense of satisfaction. Athena cradled the box of cherries, already envisioning the delicious snacks and perhaps another attempt at making the cherry lip stain. Eloise walked beside her, still marveling at the idea of natural cosmetics from fruits.

"You know, Athena," Eloise began thoughtfully, "I must say, your creativity with cherries has inspired me. Perhaps I should venture into exploring more natural beauty remedies."

Athena smiled warmly. "I'm glad you think so, Eloise. There's so much we can discover in the simple things around us."

They continued their leisurely stroll through the market, chatting animatedly about their newfound interest in natural beauty and exchanging ideas for future experiments.

"You should definitely come by one day, and we can make lip colors," Eloise expressed enthusiastically.

"I would love to," Athena replied, squeezing Eloise's arm in appreciation for the invitation. "And we should invite Penelope."

Eloise nodded in agreement, smiling at the thought. They continued down the market, admiring the different stands filled with fresh produce, vibrant flowers, and various handmade crafts. The sun cast a warm glow over everything, adding to the pleasant atmosphere of their outing.

They made their way to the end of the market row, taking in the vibrant sights and lively atmosphere around them. As they turned to head back towards the Bridgerton house, Eloise suggested stopping for a cup of tea and enjoying some of the cherries they had bought earlier. Athena happily accepted the invitation, her smile brightening at the prospect of continuing their pleasant afternoon together.

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