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"There was a Prince at the gallery?" Perched atop her bed, Jasper caught his sister up on the latest gossip she'd missed whilst she was off rendezvousing with her betrothed. "Cressida must be having a field day with his presence."

"Oh, you'd be correct!" Jasper gave a wry laugh. It wasn't an unusual sight to see the two Hanford siblings gabbing about like a pair of nosy Mamas. The male held the latest scandal sheet in his hand while his sister read over his shoulder. "She's sunk her talons into him, her ruthless mother has ensured it."

"That poor man," they giggled. "At the very least, Cressida will get the fairytale she's dreamt of."

"You think the poor sap will secure that pairing?" He gave her a look that said he knew more gossip than he was revealing.

"What is it you know!" She gasped, pushing his shoulder.

"Cressida may have his time but Daphne holds his attention," he smirked. "It seems your dearest friend is making quite the roster for herself." Aurora gasped delightfully, her eyes shining at the information.

"Oh, Violet must be loving this!"

"Loving what?" A deep voice interrupted their chatting, the two of them jolting at the intrusion. They faced their father with sheepish smiles on their faces as Jasper tried to discreetly hide the leaflet behind his back. Jedidiah rolled his eyes and held his hand out for it. He watched as his two children shared a look before the paper was in his grasp. He folded it and tucked into his pocket, having a read for later. "I forget how much you two enjoy gossiping."

"You act as if you don't gab yourself," Aurora teased her father. "I've heard from uncle Theo that—"

"That fool," Jedidiah cursed under his breath. "Don't listen to a word he says," he pointed a finger at her in warning before he stomped off to find said man.

"Works every time," Aurora grinned slyly at her brother. She stuck a hand under her pillow and passed her hidden scandal sheet to Jasper. "Have mine."

"Now I know how you kept your courtship with Benjamin hidden from me," he chuckled. "Is he under there also?"

"Hilarious," she deadpanned. Her eyes darted to the ring on her finger. Only the pair's families knew, not even their closest friends. They wanted their engagement to be kept a secret as long as they could, neither of them wanting the likes of the ton inserting themselves in their business. "I truly didn't think I'd be marrying him."

"Sister, with the way he only held eyes for you, I'd be surprised if you hadn't." Jasper scoffed.

"And what of you then? Has Oliver promised you a future?" She knew in their own society that her brother's partnership with the Scottish male would never be accepted but she'd learned that the ginger male had already told his own family of their pairing and not a negative word was said back.

"He has," Jasper sighed heavily, lying back on the soft bed. "It's undecided if I'll accept."

"Why on earth not!" Aurora gaped at him. "Surely you want happiness of your own."

"Of course I do," he frowned. "But you know father will never allow it."

"And what was it you told to me when I was having doubts about his acceptance of Benjamin?" She watched as he rolled his eyes at her, a pillow promptly smacking him in the face for the reaction. "Also, since when have you ever cared for Father's opinions? You've rebelled against him always."

"Yet I'll always have a need for his validation," Jasper grumbled. "It can't happen Aurora."

"You must at least try," her tone grew softer as she laid beside him. "He's a good man for you Jas, don't let yourself lose out on love because of your own fears."

"I wish I was attracted to women, my life would be less chaotic," a heavy sigh left him.

"The heart wants what it wants," she concluded. "You're not alone in this brother, I'm always with you."

"Until your marriage begins."

"Even then," she promised. "We're family, siblings, you'll never be rid of me."

"Oh, joy," he scowled, cursing as the pillow hit him again. As he sat up and reached for another pillow, swiftly hitting her with it, neither sibling was aware that their father stood just outside the doorway listening in. He hadn't meant to pry but as he listened to son speak, he stood there silently, absorbing everything he said. With a deep frown on his face, he strode to his office, immediately locking himself in and knocking back a shot of gin.

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As the day nearly came to an end, Aurora found herself sitting beside Daphne in the Bridgerton home. The blonde sat alone on the couch, a book in her hands as Daphne's fingers grazed the piano keys. The girl had long stopped playing, her mind drifting elsewhere.

"Are you well?" Aurora spoke up, though her eyes hadn't left her book. "You've gone silent."

"Rora, can I ask you something?" At that, the blonde did look to her friend. "It's rather," she paused. "Personal."

"What is it?" Daphne moved to sit beside her, the novel now shut and page marked as Aurora gave her friend all her attention.

"You know of more things than I do when it comes to relationships between a man and woman," Daphne began.

"Are you speaking of physical relations?" Aurora was widely confused, her friend knew of nothing beyond what her Mother's told her. They'd never talked of the matter before and she could only figure that her outings with the Duke had sprung this upon her.

"Yes," Daphne answered. "But with yourself."

Aurora grew more confused. She wasn't inexperienced when it came to giving in to her urges, her fingers being her only form of release —until her entanglements with Benjamin in her family's treehome the previous evening. "Have you ever—"

"No!" Daphne gasped. "But— but have you?"

"I have," Aurora confessed quietly. She glanced around to ensure they were still alone, the doors to the drawing room remained shut. "It's an awakening experience."

"Is it?" Daphne's eyes shifted to her lap, her teeth gnawing at her cheek. "What do you do? What should I do?"

"Whatever feels right," Aurora's answer was vague but she truthfully couldn't explain it. She wanted to shy away from the subject, the taboo of it eating at her despite how scandalous she'd already privately been.

"Just the idea of it is frustrating to me," Daphne slouched in her seat.

"Try it for yourself," Aurora suggested. She could see the discomfort in her friend's face. Her lips were pursed, brows furrowed together, the flash of wariness in her eyes. "Daphne, what's brought this on?"

"I had a conversation with the Duke today during our promenade. He— he said some things, provocative things."

"Did he—" Daphne knew what she was insinuating and hastily shook her head.

"It just created some thoughts in my head, is all," Daphne assured her.

Aurora smiled gently at her friend. She understood her caution, the vulnerability that came with it. "Daphne, there truly is nothing to it. If you are comfortable with exploring yourself in such a way, there's no harm."

"Mama always said that a lady should never have such corrupted thoughts."

"Your Mama has eight children, seems a tad hypocritical," the two shared a giggle, Daphne's worries easing away. "How are things with you and the Duke? Any new prospects being secured with his help?"

"None so far. There's been interest but none have come forward just yet."

"Give it time. I'm sure the men are just waiting to see how far things will go with the two of you. Though, I do hear the Prince of Friedrich has set his sights on you." She nudged her friend with her shoulder, Daphne's cheeks blushing.

"Cressida would skin me alive if i dared venture his way, surely."

"Though Cressida is a beautiful woman, she's not Daphne Bridgerton." In that moment, Daphne couldn't have been more grateful for the Hanford female. They'd been the best friends since they were children and having the blonde beside her as they navigated the societal expectations and marriage mart, made her transition into society so much simpler.

"I'm invading your time together now!" His deep voice announced his arrival and Daphne rolled her eyes as Aurora perked up. Benjamin strolled into the room, planted a kiss atop each of their heads, and slouched on the couch opposite them. "What are you two ladies gabbing of now?"

"Surely not your ugly mug, brother." Benedict joked as he came in, Colin beside him. He plopped beside his twin, Colin remaining standing. "Or are we speaking of the Duke?" Benedict teased his sister, a sly smirk on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Oh, sod off," Daphne huffed.

"Whoa now sister!" Colin gasped dramatically, a hand going to his chest. "Such inappropriate language from such a pristine lady. Someone tell Lady Whistledown of this at once!"

"I shall see you some other time, Rora." Daphne bid her goodbye and left without sparing a glance to her brothers.

"You three just cannot help yourselves, can you?" She gave them an unimpressed look, slightly scooting closer to Benjamin as he claimed the empty seat beside her. One of his arms rested upon the couch behind her, his fingers twirling in her hair.

"What were you talking about, then?" Benjamin inquired.

"That is none of your concern," she informed him. She opened up her book and began reading once more, dismissing the subject and choosing to ignore their presence. She felt Benjamin's arm move from behind to across her lap. Her cheeks reddened as his hand crooked under her thighs, pulling her closer to him. His hand retracted and moved back to its original spot, a happy glint in his eyes. Benedict watching the scene with an adoring smile, loving the love his brother was getting to experience.

"So, Lady Hanford," the blonde gave Colin her attention. "Are you the reason my brother was traipsing in through our home right before the sun rose?" Her hands flew to her mouth, cheeks red, eyes wide, and turned to Benjamin who settled a steely glare upon his younger brother. "Though you are set wed, surely the scandalous—"

"That's enough," though Benjamin knew he was only teasing his girl, he knew just how wary she felt with their late night escapades. She worried tirelessly that someone would know of their private time together and spread their secret to the ton. She worried, not for herself, but for the reputation of her father and the Bridgertons. "She is, you know this, give it a rest."

"Fine, fine. I only jest," Colin rose his hands in surrender before giving a wry laugh and leaving the room.

"Have you two made any decisions for the wedding?" Benedict chose an easier subject. He was aware of how private his twin liked to be when it came to his physical relations with the girl he loved dearly, but he knew every sordid detail anyhow, never there being a secret between the twins.

"Not as of yet," Aurora answered him. "A proposal is more than enough for me at the moment." Her blue eyes met Benjamin's, a secret smile shared between them. The curly haired male brushed a strand of her hair out of her face, placing it gingerly behind her ear. He held a soft smile for her, a matching gaze in his eyes.

"And what of your family's visitor?" Benedict knew his twin had been avoiding the subject regarding the Scottish male. Benjamin glanced at the ring on the girl's left hand, his chest puffing with pride as he noticed her fiddle with it, a small smile on her face.

"What of him?" Her answer had the two men chuckling. "I forget he's there quite honestly."

"I suppose that settles that," Benedict chose to leave the room, leaving the couple to have time alone.

"Thought he'd never leave," Benjamin released a heavy sigh and lifted the girl and placed her in his lap.

"What if someone sees!" She whispered hastily to him. She sat sideways, his arms wrapping around her waist.

"And?" He shrugged. "I've already proposed, there's hardly any scandal happening."

"You truly have no care for how people think of you?"

"Why would I? It is only your opinion of me that matters," his tone was soft as he spoke.

"I admire you so, Mr. Bridgerton." She cupped his jaw, rubbing her thumb across his cheek.

"Not nearly as much as I admire you, Aurora."