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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐔𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋. The grounds were expansive, green as far as the eye could see with no other housing near by. The manor itself was grand, it would certainly make a exquisite home for the following days until the ton were to arrive.

The footmen opened the door and she once again followed the sound of laughter and talk which lead her to two added family members than usual.

"Princess." It would forever make her smile to see the entirety of the family bow, all but Eloise who looked to her from her seat across the room, but she politely held a hand up.

"Please, you have invited me to your ancestral home, no need for such formalities," she grinned and looked to the woman who held the baby, "you must be Daphne."

The Bridgerton still curtsied with the baby in hand, "indeed I am and you of course are Anastasia, my family has talked of you, especially Eloise."

Anastasia held a twinkle in her eye as she looked to Eloise who rolled her eyes, "has she."

Violet held her stomach with a laugh that appeared disbelieving, "why, she would not have come if you were not in attendance."

Eloise groaned loudly at her family's teasing, "please stop."

"No, no please do carry on," Anastasia replied whilst letting a small smirk slip at Eloise's reddening cheeks. "And who is this?" Anastasia cooed to the little baby being held in Daphne's arms who babbled whilst staring at the princess.

"This is Augie," she handed him over to Anastasia and he appeared to brighten as he giggled in her arms, his laugh brightened the room. Eloise's heart swelled at the sight of Anastasia with a baby but it only seemed to leave doubt in its wake. Eventually, no matter what Anastasia promised her she would find a man, have children, rare a family, she wouldn't need Eloise.

"Oh, you are just the sweetest little thing," she cooed once more.

Francesca and Haycinth seemed to crowd round her like her eldest children in awe at how the baby was by her presence. "Eloise, come and hold the baby."

The girl had never shook her head so fast, "might I remind you he wouldn't stop crying for five minutes after I did."

Anastasia rolled her eyes at her ignorance and made her way over with the baby nestling into her shoulder, "perhaps that was because you were holding him like a doll instead of a child." Eloise went to protest but the baby was already being passed into her arms and she copied the way Anastasia had held him moments ago.

"That's it," the princess pressed a gentle hand on the low of Eloise's back whilst she scratched at his stomach that made him squirm in delight. "See, natural."

"Wow," Benedict sounded from the room, "she actually listens." It seemed he wasn't the only member of the family to notice as Daphne and Violet looked between one another. Eloise scrunched her nose up in distaste at her brother before looking back to the princess.

"I suppose he isn't so bad."

Anastasia let her hand leave her back before clapping them together, "and I hope none of you mind but I took it upon myself to contribute gifts to each of you." As she spoke those words servants filed in with numerous amounts of gifts, some big and some small but all neatly wrapped with pretty ribbon.

"You may open them whenever you see fit," she laughed lightly as Haycinth and Gregory tore into their gifts and lifted them in the air with bright smiles.

"A tiara!"

"A ship!"

The two turned to Anastasia with giddy smiles and ran to latch onto her waist whilst Violet looked appalled but eased at the princesses smile. She patted their heads, "I hope you'll all enjoy your gifts."

Violet gasped as she held the gown in her arm that was the softest of silks, "how very kind of you princess but we cannot possibly accept these gifts."

The youngest Bridgerton's looked ready to fight with their mother but the princess shook her head. "Nonsense, in fact I order you all to accept them."

Daphne gaped at the bracelet filled with diamonds and the large wooden horse that her son instantly crawled to. "My, my princess you are full of surprises and I find myself enraptured with you already," the two grinned towards one another and Anastasia was happy she could appease Eloise's family.

Francesca unraveled the scroll and toothily grinned at the music notes, "how did you know?"

Anastasia cryptically looked around the room, "you were at the piano when I called the day at the races."

"She is very perceptive," Eloise called over Anastasia's shoulder to her sister.

Colin looked in awe with the satchel for his journey abroad and Benedict clutched on to the paints from far away lands like they were worth more than gold. Anthony had his mouth ajar as he looked down at the cheque that held enough money to pay of five dowry's.

Benedict laughed in his face, "it appears you've rendered our brother speechless."

Anthony closed his mouth and smiled genuinely towards Anastasia, "my family thanks you for your generosity, as do I and if you should like to stay at either manor you should simply ask."

Anastasia mirrored his expression until Francesca appeared to nose in Eloise's direction, "what did you get?"

Eloise held up a book which cover was dark blue with gold embroidery, her sister lost interest but if she looked close enough she would have seen a thicker piece of paper within the book. The Bridgerton looked to Anastasia sceptically who simply sent her a wink.

"Eloise would you show Anastasia her room," Violet asked and Eloise held her arm open for Anastasia to step through which she did so with a nod at her manners.

"Your room is to be opposite mine, we will have a corridor to ourselves," Eloise shut the door to Anastasia's room behind her, watching as she took in the room.

"This home truly is marvellous," Anastasia sighed out as she sprawled out on the bed.

Eloise bashfully took came to sit on the edge of the bed whilst pulling out a picture of her portrait, "and where did you retrieve this from?"

Anastasia sat on her side with her head leaning in her hand, "my mama seemed inclined to believe that you are Lady Whistledown." Eloise looked alarmed at this but a laugh eased her nerves, "calm darling, I easily convinced her that you were not and I couldn't possibly burn such art work so, I sought it fit to return it to the muse."

Eloise stared at the photo in disgust before tearing it in half, "Eloise!"

As the paper fell to the floor the two fell into a rampant laughter that hand them falling into one another before Anastasia was suddenly pulled to her feet.

"Come, you must watch me best my brothers and sisters at pall-mall and afterwards we shall revel in my victory." Anastasia hummed with a chuckle as the girl dragged her throughout the halls and lead them outside.

Anastasia had been invited to join but after feeling the tension between the family she decided she'd rather watched and sat in a chair with Augie in her lap. A heckle left her as Kate called Anthony a child with a blanket and how Eloise lurched towards the remaining wickets first, she was always so cutthroat.

"Look at your mama," she pointed to Daphne but Augie seemed more interested in the curls on her head as he pulled them and watched them spring back up.

"Send it now Eloise, send it. Send it!" Lady Danbury shouted as Eloise hit the ball straight through the wicket.

Cheers went around and Eloise jumped up and down in delight before looking over at Anastasia who nodded eagerly to her whilst clapping her hands, she bowed to her. Daphne laughed at her sisters carefree spirit and the gratitude she felt towards the princess only increased, she was a good influence on her and her family.

Anastasia followed the crowd as they moved with Augie on her shoulders, "sportsmanship is dead to you, Kate," she mused as she watched the eldest Sharma volley Anthony's ball into the forest.

She curtsied to her but as Edwina lined up to take her shot she completely missed the target and turned with a saddened look. She politely excused herself but Anthony was clear to run after her, Anastasia pulled Augie from her shoulders and walked back with Edwina, Eloise's eyes following her figure.

"Eloise! Stop ogling, it's your turn," Benedict laughed as she grumbled under her breath with her ears turning red.

"How are you fairing, Edwina?"

The girl looked up at her with a forced smile, "I fear I am simply tired, my Lady." Anastasia arched an eyebrow and Edwina sighed, she sounded like a wounded animal, "I truly feel as if I am out of place here, I cannot find myself to indulge in such activities like my sister does and I don't even know if the viscount truly admires me, he has not shown any effort in proposing and I will have to return to India as a destitute."

"Edwina," Anastasia nearly laughed at how much overthinking the poor girl was doing, "it is fine to feel as though you are out of place, these people are strangers to you but that is why you have been invited early, to learn what life as a viscountess will be like." She reached her hand out to hold Edwina's in her own, "and even if he does not propose within the time of your stay there will always be more time however, if he does not propose you are the diamond, there will be many more eligible suitors who would gladly get on one knee for you."

Edwina stared up at her with the kindest of looks and surged forward to bring her into a hug, Anastasia let out a surprised huff before wrapping her arm around her.

"You always knows what to say, you really are the perfect princess," the natural beam returned to Edwina's face. "Thank you but I have taken up too much of your time already, enjoy Anastasia."

She gave a simply nod before muttering nonsense to Augie which he replied to with mumbles of his own. "I have won!" Daphne shouted in glee whilst Colin, Benedict and Eloise groaned, Kate and Anthony were still not to be seen

She spotted her son and reached forth to take him in her arms whilst throwing him in the air, erupting giggles from Augie.

"You lost," Anastasia teased Eloise who found herself having to make count for the amount of time she rolled her eyes.

"Yes, I noticed."

"Shame, now you will never know what your reward was," Anastasia shrugged with a sigh and started to walk back to Aubrey Hall whilst Eloise was rendered frozen in her step.

Daphne leaned close to her sister, "if I were you I would go after her." That was all the motivation Eloise needed as she thrusted her wicket into Colin's chest and hurried after her.

Eloise called after Anastasia as she completely deterred from the house and seemed to venture around the grounds and into the gardens.  Anastasia would look back every few steps but as Eloise turned round she once again fell still as she could no longer see the princess.

"Anastasia," she called whilst slowly walking forward, "Anna?"

"Such a constellation was she to me," Anastasia read aloud from behind a tree and Eloise appeared in front of her in seconds. "Since when did you write such poetry, darling."

"That," she went to snatch it out of her grasp but Anastasia held it out of reach with a mischievous grin, "that is not for your eyes." She held it up above her whilst Eloise ferociously jumped to try and grab the paper.

"Say please and I just might."

Eloise's eyes flashed, "never." She tried to reach for it again but Anastasia placed a hand on her stomach and pushed her back into the tree.

"Tell me something, Eloise, who is this about?" Swiftly evading her hands that tried to reach for the paper.

"No one."

Anastasia tutted, "no one? But you see, darling there is rather presumptuous language, here." She arched a brow as she watched the heat creep up her neck with embarrassment clear as day. "And might I add the incessant mention of, her."

Eloise would no longer meet her gaze as she looked to the dirt beneath her feet. Her silence made Anastasia pull the paper from out of her reach, "I apolo-

A yelp left her as Eloise tackled her into the grass whilst snatching the paper from her hand, "I see what masters you."

Anastasia rested her arms behind her head with Eloise's legs rendering at either side of her waist, "what is that?" Eloise looked around before leaning down, her hands came to rest beside Anastasia's head who's eyes widened at her. "Eloise what are you-

"What is it, princess, cat got your tongue?" Eloise murmured lowly and Anastasia felt herself becoming lost in her sweetened scent. Her jaw cleaned as she let her eyes trail further down her lips and cleavage that was a small distance away from her mouth that watered at the sight of Eloise in such a position.

"Eloise," she breathed out, need coaxing her words as she stared from her eyes to her lips.

"Yes?" She pondered lowly.

"I- I

"Eloise!"

A curt and abrupt shout of her name made Eloise jump from the princesses lap who was still calming her racing heart from the Bridgerton's advances. She stood and as Anastasia went to get up she held her hand out, "follow me after," the princess had no time to complain as she showed herself to Daphne.

"Yes, sister?"

"What are you doing out in the floor in the gardens, there is plenty of space inside? And why are you so out of breath?"

Eloise shrugged and eased her racing heart to the best of her abilities, "I simply wanted to enjoy the fresh air and you can find yourself lost in poetry." She flashed a small smile before moving past her sister and into the house.

Anastasia stood and pulled the bottom of her dress down whilst dusting off the dirt from her skirt and holding a hand to her chest. Daphne looked from the princess and back to her sister who had raced inside with her mouth ajar, she followed after Eloise inside, questions dancing through her mind.

𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐇 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐗𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐒𝐄. She had the maids ready her a bath as she felt dirty, the images in her head rendered her unable to stand from the bath that was cloudy with soaps and blue petals sprinkled on the bed of water.

As she plucked a petal from the water and pondered it in her grasp she thought of Eloise's eyes, the colour they had turned when she was on top of her. Anastasia shuddered at the feeling of the weight that had been on her hips and shifted in the water, ripples created at her movement as she held the petal in her hand.

The colour they had turned, it was dark and inky, a metallic blue that entranced Anastasia.

Her illusion shifted to the octave Eloise's voice had become and somehow her scent became all the more illusive that before. Anastasia snapped her eyes open and clenched her jaw before standing and drying herself quickly before changing into her night gown.

She blew the candles out, she heard footsteps echo from outside her door before they stilled and continued on down the hall. Anastasia hadn't realised she'd been holding her breath as it could have only been one person.

She tried shutting her eyes, desperate attempts to succumb to sleep but still she flattened herself on her back before snatching a candle from the stand. Anastasia was a stranger to this place but she managed to gather her bearings fairly quickly and ventured down the stairs into the kitchen.

A jug of milk had been left on the side and she poured herself a glass before gulping it down desperately.

"Save some for the rest of us."

She jumped and turned behind her to see Eloise quietly laughing to herself at Anastasia's fear.

"Eloise," she placed the cup down, "what are you doing down here at such an hour?"

She pushed herself from the door frame and shrugged lightly, "I could very well say the same thing about you, your presence was missed at dinner."

Anastasia trailed her fingers over the wooden cooking boards, "I do apologise, I was simply not hungry." Her words were short and Eloise felt herself become bothered at her attitude.

"Are you alright?"

Eloise's question left the conversation open and in truth the Bridgerton was hoping Anastasia would answer her own questions. Anastasia chewed on her lip, she couldn't possibly truly admit to what was plaguing her mind, Eloise was still an impressionable young woman who didn't even know how children came to be, she couldn't talk of such scandalous behaviour.

"It is simply the country air, Miss Eloise but if you'll excuse me I'm feeling more refreshed and eager to return to bed." Or I may do something neither of us may take back.

Eloise's fingers twitched by her side as Anastasia's own brushed past her, their pinky's wandering and lessening the space between their hands.

"Anna."

She called out softly and Anastasia clenched her jaw at the sound of her name falling from her lips, she turned to look over her shoulder.

"You read it wrong."

Eloise held the paper out, their hands brushing and leaving a scorch in their wake as she took the paper from her.

"Goodnight, princess." Their eyes met and Eloise had to be the first to tear her gaze away whilst Anastasia let her eyes trail over the words, her stare becoming adorning.

But in a solitary life
There are rare moments when another soul dips near yours
As stars once a year brush the earth
Such a constellation
Was she to me

Anastasia stared at the page and without warning tears welled in her eyes, the words were beautiful, so carefully chosen and rich in meaning. The golden thread that had tightened itself around both girls' waist was tightening once more and it would only be a matter of time until it snapped or only drew them in closer, till there would be no stretch of grounding left in between them.