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Grovesnor Square was quiet as the evening unfolded. The cobblestone streets were fairly empty as Aurora was escorted across them by her father. She had happily accepted a dinner invitation from the Bridgertons, and though it wasn't uncommon to be included, she did have her suspicions. The footmen at the door greeted her as they welcomed her into the grand estate. Her dress wasn't in her usual color palette. Instead of her chosen pastel shades, she opted for her family's chosen color of maroon. The shade complimented her skin tone nicely and her blonde hair was curled neatly and rested softly against her shoulders.

"Will you be staying?" She asked her father as she heard the Bridgertons in the next room.

"Unfortunately not. I have some business to attend to. I shall meet you at home." He kissed her head tenderly and smiled gently at her. "Enjoy yourself."

"Be careful." She bid him goodbye and walked to the dining room. "Good evening Bridgertons." She smiled widely. Nobody was seated yet and she was caught by surprise at the sight of the Duke greeting Violet. "Am I late?"

"Nonsense Rora, you're right on time." Daphne smiled as she brought her in for a hug. "Thank you for coming." She whispered in the girl's ear.

"Thank you for the invitation. I'm absolutely famished, shall we start eating?"

"Oh, yes." Violet beamed. "Rose has gone ahead and chosen seats for us all to avoid any confusion."

"I deem this rather unfair, I wanted to sit beside Aurora." Eloise grumbled as she took her seat at the far end of the table, seated between Colin and Anthony.

"What a shame." Benedict mocked her. "Now she must be graced by myself and Benjamin's presence for the evening." Eloise stuck her tongue out at him. Benjamin went to take his seat, discreetly pulling out the chair beside him for the blonde. She smiled gratefully at him and scooted herself in. "So, Rora, meet anybody new this morning?"

"Who knew you were such a gossip Lord Bridgerton?" Aurora giggled. "Are you trying to pry information out of me so you may report it to Lady Whistledown?"

"Ah, you've figured out my true intentions." He smirked. Another giggle left her lips and she took a glance at Benjamin, noting his usual scowl plastered across his face.

"How was your morning Benjamin?" She spoke quietly to him. "Present yourself as a suitor for anyone?"

"I would never." He scoffed. She secretly smiled to herself as she took a sip of her drink. Part of her felt saddened by his words but a greater part felt smug. Benedict noticed and gently nudged her side, her swatting his hand away.

"Aurora," she saw Eloise push Colin to the side and reach her arm across Benjamin's body as she caught the blonde's attention. "Any guesses on Lady Whistledown's identity?"

"Oh, I have none!" Aurora confessed as she smiled and leaned closer. Her head was near Benjamin's chest and the man looked to his twin pleadingly. Benedict was smirking and enjoying how flustered he was. Benjamin looked down at the girl nearly on his lap as she spoke rapidly to his sister. He felt that warmth in his chest and he frowned as he mentally begged for it to go away. Aurora happened to remember where she was at that second and she quickly righted herself noticing his scowl. She blushed as she apologized and turned to speak to Benedict. Benjamin's frown deepened at the smug look Colin sent him.

"Well I think it's rather obvious that the writer is Lady Danbury." Aurora tuned back in to the conversation as she heard Francesca voice her theory.

"Lady Danbury rather enjoys sharing her insults directly." Daphne dismissed the idea. "She'd never trouble herself by writing them down."

"Precisely." Aurora grinned. "She does enjoy her gossip but she is rather blunt. She's very fond of speaking her mind."

"Could it be Lady Featherington?" Hyacinth asked. A chorus of no's echoed around the table, everyone sharing a laugh.

"You have yet to read what Whistledown writes about the Featheringtons dear sister." Eloise grinned.

"If she were to be Lady Whistledown, surely she would've described themselves most handsomely. She'd never make them sound so foolish and fussy." Benedict added.

"I don't believe her to be one of the Cowper ladies either." Aurora voiced. "Neither Cressida or her sour mother would compliment Daphne the way she has." She shot her friend a grin and Daphne agreed with a smirk. Aurora noticed her quietly conversing with the Duke and her brows furrowed in confusion, last she knew of Daphne wasn't particularly fond of him.

"So, Aurora," she turned her attention to Violet as she set down her glass. "Having any luck on the marriage market?"

"Not since we've last spoken of it." Aurora grinned. "Father seems to appreciate how slow the process is going, Jasper is the one rushing me."

"Is he not presenting himself this season?" She inquired. "I've pushed for my sons to participate this season but so far only Colin has listened." She seemed exasperated and Aurora offered her an assuring smile.

"He has agreed to but he's been too enamored with my suitors to even bother." Aurora informed her. "I pity the poor girl he marries. He's an absolute nightmare to live with." Colin, overhearing the conversation, turned his attention to the blonde girl.

"Warn him away from Miss Thompson." He spoke with such seriousness, Aurora bit her lip to fight back a smile. An action Benjamin noticed.

"I will let him know." Aurora nodded. She gave Benjamin a curious look and his lips twitched upwards slightly before he looked away from her and continued eating. There was laughter around the table and lively chatter around the table as they ate and Aurora couldn't remember the last meal she had, that had that much commotion. Her dinners consisted of her and her father, occasionally Jasper if he was home. If her uncle Teddy and her aunt Maddie came to visit, the conversations carried, but she wished she had more family.

She looked up as the conversation between Simon and Daphne echoed around the table and she vaguely noticed Anthony signal to his brothers to look their way. Aurora glanced at each of the older Bridgerton brothers before she turned her attention to Daphne.

"Hastings, I'm so glad you were able to join us. Most spontaneous of you." Anthony interrupted them. The sight of them conversing made him feel uneasy. He had to put an end to it.

"Not at all." Simon replied with a thin grin. "With Lady Danbury accepting your mother's invitation on my behalf, however could I have declined?"

Violet grinned smugly at her son. "Oh, you must stay for dessert." She smiled at Simon. "Its gooseberry pie, Your Grace." She sent a smile to Aurora. "And I had strawberry tarts prepared."

"Oh, I absolutely love those!" Aurora gushed as she gasped in delight. "You must have your cook share their recipe with mine! I adore ours so much but they haven't quite mastered the treat. No matter how many times I encourage them to."

"Of course, dear." Violet sent a fleeting smile to her son who sat beside the blonde with a small smile on his face. It was a rare expression, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment. Only two of his siblings caught on and while one was delighted at the sight, the other seemed to feel unsure of how it made them feel.

"Would you come to dinner again?" Eloise asked her as the table quieted down.

"Any day you'll have me. Dinner at home is rather boring compared to the one you host." Aurora smiled sadly as the young girl smiled sympathetically.

"What are dinners like for the family of an Earl?" Simon inquired. "I daresay they can't be no worse than mine." His tone was joking but his eyes held the same loneliness that Aurora's had.

"Quiet." She began, placing her fork down. "Rather pathetic. Its only ever father and I. Occasionally, just myself if he has work so on such instances I practically beg my handmaiden Stella to eat with me."

"Seems we're in the same boat." Simon raised his glass to her and she smiled kindly.

"Well, you are very welcome any time, dear. We love your company." Violet smiled.

"Some more than others." Benedict muttered as he cleared his throat to cover his words. Several confused glances were thrown his way but he paid no mind and continued eating.

"Yes, do come back." Anthony spoke.

"I will, thank you." The two shared a small smile and Benjamin didn't like the look in his brother's eyes as he regarded her.

"Stop being jealous. It isn't a good look for you brother." Colin whispered to his older brother. The blue eyed man turned to look at him and settled him with the same piercing glare he gave to everyone.

"I can repeat those same words to you regarding a certain lady in the Featherington home." Colin instantly lost his cheeky grin and frowned right back at him. "Precisely." It was Benjamin's turn to be smug.

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It was much later in the evening when Violet entered her son's study and stood in the doorway as she watched him work.

"You were a perfectly reasonable mother until your eldest daughter came of age." Anthony didn't look up from his work as he addressed her. "This matchmaking scheme you rather transparently concocted with Lady Danbury, it will not work."

"I can think of worse matches for Daphne than a Duke." Violet commented.

"And what of Aurora then? Which twin have you decided will be her suitor?"

"I believe it a match that could be formed from love." Violet stepped closer to him, peering over the papers he was writing on. "Benjamin fancies her, I know he does."

"Did it slip your mind that Benjamin has refused to enter the marriage market year after year? Why should he this year, because Miss Hanford has become of age?" He knew of his younger brother's crush on the girl, despite how much of a secret he'd always kept it.

"Exactly." Violet smiled. "Why should you believe the Duke and Daphne are not a suitable match? I believed you two to be such good friends."

"We are good friends." Anthony confirmed. "Which is why I know he has no plans of marrying or producing children." It was silent for a moment before he spoke again. "Daphne deserves better. And I know you think you are solving the problem, but you are not. You cannot force either of your children to marry someone they do not wish to. That is all I'll say about the matter."

"The Duke will be joining us as our guest at Vauxhall tomorrow evening. The Hanfords are also going to be in attendance. I admit it was not easy to convince him to come.-"

"You overstep." Anthony interrupted her.

"She is my eldest daughter." Violet informed him.

"And what of Benjamin then, Mother?"

"I have their best interests in mind, Anthony."

"Do you? Or do you simply wish to have them married off for the sake of the season? Daphne and Aurora are the incomparables of the season, a Duke for your daughter and an Earl's daughter for your son. You shouldn't set your sights so high."

"I am simply doing what your father would have. I am securing the best matches for my children, you cannot fault me for that." Violet stood in front of her son as their conversation continued, unaware of the eavesdropper in the hallway, listening intently to every word.

"What are you doing, brother?" Benedict sidled up behind him, peeking around his tall body to peer into the room.

"Nothing." He walked away with his usual frown on his face and Benedict was left confused. He took one last look into the room before walking after his twin.

"What did you hear? More of Anthony's incessant ramblings?"

"Mother wishes to marry me off to the Hanford girl."

"That's how you're referring to her now?" Benedict chuckled.

"What I call her does not matter. Mother wishes for her to be my wife. Are you not understanding?"

"Oh I understand. What I can not understand is why you are so upset about it." Benjamin scoffed and ignored him. "Benji, you like, maybe love, the girl. I apologize for struggling to see the problem."

"I will not marry her. That is the problem Ben."

"You are troubled over nothing. She will make a good wife, be a good fit for the Bridgerton name." Benedict patted his twin on the shoulder and gave him an encouraging smile. "This is your one chance Benjamin. Take it."