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"There will forever be just two words that come to this Author's mind the morning after any good party, 'shock' and 'delight.' Well dear reader, the scandalous accounts from last night's soiree at Vauxhall are quite shocking and delightful indeed. Emerging, phoenix-like from the ashes of irrelevance, is one Miss Daphne Bridgerton. The illustrious debutante was seen dancing not once, but twice with the season's most eligible and most uncatchable rake, the Duke of Hastings. And lest us not forget our newest arrival in the season, a bachelor with a name unknown to all except for Miss Aurora Hanford. It comes as no surprise to this Author that her smile of innocence has wooed another suitor her way. It seems that the Queen's favorites are managing to do quite well for themselves."

It was a quiet morning in the Hanford home. The patriarch was occupying himself with papers and talk of business with his younger brother. His only male heir was lazying about the study, holding his head as he draped a cloth over his eyes to block out the bright sunlight peering in from the window. His audible groans could be heard every few minutes, much to his father's annoyance and uncle's amusement. "Can't you take your whining elsewhere?" Jedidiah grumbled.

"My apologies. I did not realize my dying was inconveniencing you!" Jasper dramatically moved the cloth from his face and glared at his father.

"Well you are, so please go." Jed smirked slightly before his face became blank and focused back on the papers in his hand.

"No. I wish to die peacefully right here. I want my spirit to haunt you for the rest of your days." Jasper grinned smugly as he placed the cloth over his eyes again and laid his head back.

"I will simply just move homes. I can easily find another manor to spend my time in." Jasper ripped the cloth from his face again and grumbled as he stood up and huffed in defeat. "Go fetch your sister and hasten her along. It is nearly time for her to leave."

"And just where is she going? Surely she can not be busy this early in the day."

"To promenade. Mr. Evander wishes to escort her and Teddy has agreed to chaperone while I finish my work."

"Why did you not ask me to accompany them? I deem myself rather capable of doing so." Jasper gasped, clearly offended by not being an option. He was as protective of his sister as the two men before him so he could not understand why he wasn't allowed to escort her.

"Because you are grumbling like a neanderthal and I do not wish for your sister to come home shouting her grievances about babysitting you during a time where she is meant to shine." Jasper huffed in annoyance as he realized his father was correct and left the room, of course, grumbling the whole way.

"I pity the poor girl that ends up attached to him." Teddy laughed.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Jasper won't be marrying for some time." Jed replied, sharing a laugh of his own. "Though that is quite well, Aurora is the one I am focused on."

"Ah yes, how could I forget our visitor." Teddy grinned as his brother tried to appear indifferent. "Do tell me how it was our girl he's set his sights upon."

"His father is an old friend of mine and he owed me a favor."

"So you called upon his son to be a husband for your daughter as a way to repay that debt?" Teddy shook his head as he stood. "I thought you agreed to allow Aurora to pick her own match?"

"I have. Oliver is just here to present himself as an option for her. No other arrangement has been made. If she chooses him, then far better for me. If she does not, then I pray who she does choose is worthy of her." Jed stood to his feet and buttoned his waist coat as he followed his brother out of the study.

"Brother, I daresay your scheming ways can rival Lady Danbury's." The two men knew firsthand how cunning the older woman could be. Jedidiah's own union with his late wife was conspired by the same woman he knew was trying to pair his daughter with a Bridgerton boy.

"I do my best." Jedidiah smirked, oddly proud of himself. The two men left the study at just the right moment to watch the blonde beauty - a title Jasper desperately tried to claim for himself - of their home descend the stairs. Wearing a dress adorned with her usual flower pattern and colored a rosy pink, she gracefully walked towards them as they found themselves in awe of just how much the girl has grown. "Are you ready, my dear?"

"I believe so. Is Mr. Evander ready as well?" Aurora briefly hugged her uncle as she addressed her father. Her father grabbed hold of her hand as the trio walked closer to the home's entrance.

"I'm right here, lass." His heavy accent alerted them of his presence. He stood waiting patiently by the door, a single pink lily in his hand. "You look breathtaking." He reached for her gloved hand and kissed it softly, staring into her eyes the whole time. "I was told this flower to be your favorite." She accepted the flower with a bright smile on her face, softly breathing in the floral aroma. She knew of a few girls who found the scent overwhelming and unbecoming but the girl had always been enamored by them.

"Thank you, Oliver." His wide smile rivaled her own and her father and uncle shared a secret smile as they watched the exchange. "Shall we walk?" Oliver nodded and offered her his arm.

"Lady Danbury would be impressed by you, brother." Jedidiah smirked but didn't bother with a reply as Teddy trailed behind the young couple.

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"So tell me Oliver," Aurora twiddled with the dainty flower in her hand as she walked alongside the towering Scottish man, "why search for a wife in my lonesome town? Surely they have women where you're from."

Oliver couldn't help the chuckle that left his mouth as he pondered her question. He knew of the arrangement between his father and hers but judging by her curiosity, she did not. "I'm afraid all those women have paled in comparison next to you."

"Quite the charmer, aren't you?" Aurora teased him, though she failed to hide the blush on her cheeks. Unlike many of the other girls in her season, Aurora was not used to receiving attention from men her age. Having spent most of her time in the country where she studied or hers and her friends' homes, she was out of her element when it came to courting and wooing. She had often been told she had a charming and charismatic personality, but she had never held affections from any man before, so when the red haired man smiled or smirked, her heart went into overdrive and flutters enveloped her stomach.

"I try my best." He grinned cheekily. He placed his hand over hers on his arm and walked alongside the river that flowed through the park. It was an unusually windy day and Aurora found herself inching closer to the man as the gusts of cold air hit her. "Is the weather always this way?"

"No, it is usually quite sunny this time of year. We must be expecting rain." Aurora commented as she observed the cloudy sky.

"Are you an expert on weather?" He joked.

"No, just simply observant." She giggled. "I am not uneducated, if that's what you're implying."

"I would never be so daft as to state otherwise." He smirked. They continued to walk, occasionally greeting those they passed. Along their path, Aurora easily spotted the newest and most scandalous couple traipsing around.

"Daphne!" Oliver glanced at her as she shouted the name and followed her line of sight, seeing a redheaded girl alongside who he knew to be the Duke of Hastings - having been informed by the Earl of what man was of importance in their society.

"Aurora!" Daphne shouted back to her. The girls hastened their steps before reaching each other and immediately embracing. The two girls separated and Daphne noticed the man ogling her dearest friend. "Why, sir, I don't believe I know of your name."

"Oh, my apologies!" Aurora gasped in delight. "Mr. Evander, this is Daphne Bridgerton, my closest friend. And this is Mr. Basset, the Duke of Hastings."

"Please, call me Simon." He corrected the girl with a smile.

"Then I insist on you calling me Oliver." The smile Aurora sent him was enough for Daphne to conclude that her friend was retaining feelings for the new man.

"Rora, may we walk for a moment?" Daphne interrupted the simple conversation and the two girls set off walking down the path, their suitors walking steadily behind them. "He is rather handsome."

"I must admit, he is." Aurora giggled quietly. "Oh, Daph, he is quite charming! I do have to tell you, he doesn't believe that I know, but his presence is simply a favor of my Father's."

"He's arranged for you a husband?" The redhead gasped.

"He is certainly trying to. I had my doubts and fears but I daresay Oliver is somehow putting me at ease." Aurora confessed.

"I take it that it's going fairly well then."

"Too well." Aurora bit the inside of her cheek before continuing. "He's certainly made an impression. I just do not want to pursue only him."

"Rora, tell me you're not still pining over the boy from the country?" Daphne knew of Aurora's feelings for a boy in her childhood, she just had no clue that the boy was one of her older brothers. "Aurora, you have a man who clearly wishes to pursue you, you need to stop holding onto hope from a childhood crush."

"You're right, Daph." The two girls shared a smile.

"Why don't you come back with me and you can help me practice my needlework? My mother has been asking for you to visit."

"That sounds fantastic. I could use a break from the many men in my home." Their walk continued quietly, their escorts enjoying conversation with the blonde girl's uncle. It was a mildly eventful promenade for the two girls, both of them coming to the sudden realization that their season was proving to be quite unpredictable and unexpected.

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Later in the afternoon, Aurora found herself seated in the drawing room of the Bridgertons' home beside Benjamin as he read quietly. She held her own book in her hand as she nibbled on a strawberry Gregory handed her. Beside her, Benjamin was trying to focus on the words in front of him and not on the fruit place between the girl's pink lips. He shared pleading glances for Benedict to switch seats with him but his twin was having too much fun watching his distress. As the girl accepted another fruit from his youngest brother, he shifted in his seat as his pants began to tighten. The girl had no clue of the effect she was having on him as she sucked on the fruit, oblivious to his unease. Around them, a conversation between the family carried but it wasn't until Benjamin spoke up that she zeroed in on their words.

"Or could it have been the drool escaping her mouth?" Aurora sent a confused glance his way before looking to Colin for an explanation. The boy merely shrugged and Aurora shut her book, choosing to pay attention to the family. Daphne's piano playing echoed in the background as Hyacinth voiced her concern for her older sister missing out on the family's engagements. The blonde quirked an eyebrow as she noticed Eloise walk in the room, her fingers nervously twitching at her sides as she stopped in the center.

"How does a lady come to be with child?" The question caused a domino effect of pauses. The music ceased, the conversation stopped, and Benjamin hastily shut his book.

"Eloise, what a question!" Violet rushed towards her in an attempt to hush her.

"I thought one needed to be married." Eloise directed her attention to her mother as she desperately tried to get answers.

"What are you talking about?" Daphne inquired.

"Apparently, it's not even a requirement." Eloise whined. Aurora heard someone stifle a laugh and she sent an amused look to Benedict as he cleared his throat. He quirked an eyebrow at her and she sent him a small smirk as she watched Eloise grumble. The inquisitive female sat inbetween her older brothers and smacked their thighs. "I take it the two of you know?"

"Do not look at me." Benedict stared straight at his twin, ignoring his sister's prying.

"Or me." Benjamin added.

"Have you ever visited a farm, El?" The girl groaned causing a giggle to escape Aurora's mouth.

"Rora, do you know?" The three men quickly snapped their heads to the girl as she nodded guiltily.

"I do but it is not my place to tell you." Her answer shocked the three men and their mother as she overheard her answer. A young lady in their society was oblivious to marital relations until she is a wife, her answer wasn't one they had expected.

"I do hope the lot of you are not encouraging improper conversation." Violet glared at her sons.

"Not at all, mother." Benedict answered.

"In fact, we were just heading off to... take our sticks out." While his mother didn't care for his answer, Aurora found amusement in the situation.

"Colin Bridgerton!"

"A round of fencing!" He defended himself. "Come, brothers." His older brothers stood to their feet and shared secret smiles at the commotion their younger sister caused. Before leaving the room, Benjamin turned to Aurora and held his hand out to her.

"My sister will try to pry answers out of you. Its best if you come with us." He told her in his usual hushed tone. She placed her hand in his and allowed him to guide her from the room. He hadn't released her hand as they made their way outside to the garden.

"So tell me Miss Aurora," Once she was seated on one of the many benches in the yard, Benedict turned to her with a cheeky grin, "how does one become with child?"

"Oh, Ben, if you don't know then I fear you're not the cheeky man I presumed you to be." She quipped.

"Who told you?" Colin piped in. He noticed Benjamin take the empty seat beside the girl, opening his book and trying to appear focused.

"My aunt did." She smiled. "I know its rather improper for me to be informed of it but due to my brother's love for lightskirts, I find its better that I am aware."

"How long have you known?" Benedict eyed her warily. It was odd to him that the innocent looking girl knew of sex the same way he did, his mother all but shielded his sisters from knowing.

"A few years now. I was around Francesca's age when I was told."

"The mere thought of our sisters knowing at that age is frightening." Colin shivered as he made a displeased face.

"Lets change topics." Benedict released his own scowl and directed Colin away from the two on the bench.

"So, Aurora," his deep voice snapped her out of her reverie, "how goes your season? I've noticed your line of suitors has stayed constant."

"Are you spying on my home?" She teased. His lips twitched ever so slightly but his expression remained stoic. "Its faring fairly well. They're all simply enamored by my status and not by me. Only one of them has truly suggested an interest in me."

"The man your father has arranged for you?" She sent him a curious glance. "Anthony told me."

"Yes, him." She nodded. "I've been instructed to keep an open mind but I'm not cutting my losses just yet. The season has only just begun, I have time to secure a proposal."

"Hoping for anyone in particular?" The girl hummed but didn't answer his question. He closed his book and turned to her, admiring the way the sunlight beamed upon her. He inched closer to her and he heard and saw her breath hitch as she turned to meet his gaze. "I ask again, who are you waiting for?"

Aurora met his piercing gaze, his blue eyes boring into her own. Her stomach fluttered as she noted their close proximity and her heart hammered against her chest in delight at how he regarded her. "Someone who hasn't shown up yet."

His mind quickly narrowed down the list of those who hadn't arrived on her doorstep and he quickly deduced it was either him or one of his brothers, hopefully himself. "I see." That time, he gave her a small smile. He noticed a stray strand of hair lingering on her cheek and he heard her gasp as he reached up and tucked it behind her ear. "I daresay he won't keep you waiting much longer." He reached for her gloved hand and softly brushed his thumb across her knuckles.

"I hope not." Aurora breathed out. Benjamin's actions had her mind in a tailspin, she was feeling things more intensely than she had with Oliver. She knew her feelings for the man before her hadn't lessened but she didn't realize that her minuscule crush was turning into much more; Love.

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