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"Dearest Reader, this author finds herself compelled to share the most curious of news. It seems our diamond requires a closer inspection. As such, an even rarer jewel of only the most remarkable brilliance, fire, and luster has been unearthed. Her name unknown to most, yet soon known to all, is Miss Marina Thompson.

This author is left to wonder whether Her Majesty might reconsider the high praise she once afforded Miss Bridgerton for we all must know what the Queen despises more than anything... Being wrong. And the drawing room at Bridgerton house currently appears to be emptier than the muddled head of her dearest King George.

"Father," Aurora sidled up to the man as he occupied himself with reading the latest scandal sheet. "could I possibly pay a visit to Daphne before the day is over?" Her brother Jasper distracted the four suitors who had paid her a visit with a charming story of his days spent at school. "I believe my suitors have fallen deeply in love with Jasper." She gestured behind her as she giggled and Jedidiah chuckled, amused by the entranced young men. "Please? I won't be long."

"I suppose that shall be fine." Jedidiah agreed. "According to today's scandal sheet, I don't believe she's been faring well."

"I know, I read it this morning." The girl sighed softly. "I fear that would be Anthony's doing. He kept her from dancing at Lady Danbury's ball. Her dance card remained empty and he made her leave early."

"Tragic." He commented, not finding any interest in the gossip. He merely read the scandal sheet to ensure his daughter's name remained untarnished.

"Very much so!" Aurora exclaimed. "This is supposed to be her introduction to society and he's completely mucking it up for her." She grumbled. "I do hope she's faring well today."

"How about you sneak on over to check on her and I will have Bailey usher your suitors with some halfhearted excuse."

"Have I told you recently how much I love you?" She wrapped her arms around him as she quietly squealed into his shoulder. "I shall leave quickly. If you should need me, you know where I will be."

"Take care." She glanced at the men young men still distracted by her brother and quietly snuck out of the room. She was greeted by Bailey in the foyer and she smiled politely at him.

"Leaving Miss Aurora?"

"Yes, I'm due for a visit to the Bridgerton home." She informed him.

"I shall have Edmund escort you." He gestured for one of the houseboys to come forward and Aurora greeted him kindly. "You are to accompany Lady Hanford to the Bridgerton home and wait until she is ready to return home." The boy nodded and Aurora bid Bailey goodbye before heading outside.

"I apologize for taking you away from your work, Edmund. I fear Bailey is overly cautious these days." He held the gate open for her and stood beside her as they crossed the cobblestone street.

"It is quite all right Lady Hanford." He didn't say anything more and Aurora was pleased that the Bridgertons were just a foot away, she couldn't handle awkward silences. Edmund knocked on the door for her and one of the Bridgertons housemaids allowed her in without question. Aurora smoothed out her baby pink dress adorned with crystal flowers as she walked through the home, heading to the stairs.

"Should I announce you Lady Hanford?"

"No, I shall make it a surprise." She giggled.

"Very well. I believe you can find your own way?"

"But of course." She smiled. "Edmund, you may return home if you wish. I shall ask one of Daphne's brothers to escort me when I am ready." He nodded and bowed before leaving. "Thank you." She thanked the man before her and held up her skirt as she walked up the stairs, her golden hair bouncing around her shoulders as she chose to leave it down for the day. She passed a bumbling Lord Berbrooke as she walked down the hallway. He gave her a fleeting smile but didn't stop to greet her. An act she was grateful for, the Lord made her feel uneasy whenever she was in his presence. She noted quickly that no other men occupied the hallway so she made her way into the room.

"Fear not Bridgertons, I have come to offer my hand for Daphne's." She smiled widely as the family turned to look at her, Daphne rushing towards her in relief. "Do make me a happy woman and marry me Daphne."

"I happily agree." Daphne grinned as she played along.

"Surely I am a much better option than the babbling buffoon I passed in the hallway." Aurora briefly hugged the girl before making her way to one of the couches to take a seat. "Forgive my intrusion, my house was becoming crowded and I desperately needed an escape." Daphne sat beside her, astonished at her words.

"You are ever so lucky! Anthony has turned away every man that comes through the door."

"She said rather pathetically." Eloise commented as she sat in the empty spot beside Aurora. "Just how many men did you run from?"

"Eloise!" Violet scolded her.

"It is quite all right." Aurora dismissed her scolding with a laugh. "As heroic as it may seem to you Eloise, I'm afraid it was rather easy. They were all enamored by Jasper to even notice I had gone."

"Then they are simply unworthy of you Aurora. Perhaps you are here to find a match in one of us? We are by far the better looking of the ton." Benedict boasted as he sent a quick wink to his twin brother who occupied a seat by the window.

"If only you had signed my dance card Benedict. You would've been considered." Aurora teased him as she sighed softly. "Now we may never know."

"A true loss." He placed a hand over his heart in mock pain.

"Where is Colin?" She inquired as she noticed all of the elder siblings seated around her minus Anthony Colin.

"He's out trying to win the heart of Miss Thompson. He's simply enchanted by her." Daphne grinned excitedly.

"How wonderful for him!" Aurora beamed. "Have you met her yet?"

"Afraid not. I only know of what Lady Whistledown has said." Daphne slouched in her seat, her mother ignoring the poor posture.

"So Aurora, tell us how things have been faring for you?" Violet was quick to change the subject.

"Quite well surprisingly. I met six men yesterday and eight today. Jasper is enjoying it far more than I am though. He's been the complete opposite of Anthony, he just loves the whole process." She sent the lady a kind smile as she met her gaze. "I still have not secured a husband. I must confess that I am holding out for love rather than convenience."

"If you ask me a lady should care more about an education than having a husband." Eloise muttered.

"Thats why no one is asking you." Daphne retorted as she stood to her feet and began to pace around the room. Everyone watched in silence as Violet went to comfort her and Eloise left the room, groaning in exasperation.

Benjamin took the moment to sit beside Aurora, his book opened as he read quietly. Benedict watched the blonde girl shift closer to him as she peered over his shoulder and had anyone else been watching, they would've missed the way the blue eyed man's cheeks reddened slightly as his eyes widened at her close proximity.

"What are you reading?" Aurora asked as she leaned away from him.

"A book." He answered quietly, only loud enough for her to hear him. Benedict left the two alone, a sly grin on his face.

"I deduced that." Aurora grinned. "I meant which one."

"Jane Austen."

"You read Jane Austen?" She gaped at him. "I must admit I find myself impressed. I didn't peg you as the type to enjoy the words of Mr. Darcy."

"Eloise recommended it to me. Claimed it was worth the read." He explained. He shut his book before she could say anything more and he turned to face her. Her blue eyes met his piercing ones and he fought the urge to lean closer to get a better look. "Do you read often?"

She was mildly surprised as he chose to engage in conversation with her and she nodded. "I do. It happens to be a hobby of mine. Father indulges me each week with a new read."

"No wonder Eloise admires you so." His lips twitched upwards slightly and had she blinked, she would have missed it.

"Her affections are rather endearing. She is one of my dearest friends." She smiled thoughtfully. "All of you are."

"Am I included?" He inquired, his eyebrow quirking.

"I daresay you are Benjamin." She smiled. The two shared an intense stare before it was broken as Daphne rushed to drag her from the room, gushing over her new dresses. She sent Benjamin a smile on her way out and the man felt his chest fill with warmth at the sight.

"I see the way you eye her." Violet sat beside her son with a loving smile.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." Benjamin reopened his book, pretending to read the pages as he tried to avoid the conversation.

"You fancy the girl Benji, there is no shame in admitting that." She patted his leg as she moved to stand. "I know a perfect match when I see one." She left him with those words and a frown adorned his face as he repeated them to himself.

"I daresay we are not." He concluded, his focus returning to his book.

As the sky darkened and the ladies of society dressed for the Opera, Aurora readied herself at the home of Lady Danbury. Neither her father nor brother were keen on making an appearance, so Aurora had just the one option left. "I do have to thank you again for allowing me to be your guest this evening Lady Danbury."

"It is a pity your father could not attend but alas, we shall make it an evening to remember regardless." Lady Danbury assured her. "Now come, we must go." Aurora trailed behind her. Her dress was a soft lilac color, her shawl being made of a slightly darker shade.

The ride to the Opera was quiet, neither Lady making conversation. The inside of the Opera house was lively and Aurora immediately recognized the many suitors she had seen traipsing through her home. She followed quietly behind the elder woman and smiled politely at anybody who caught her eye.

"Your Majesty." Aurora quickly snapped out of her daze as she curtsied before the Queen. "You must remember Miss Hanford, she is to be my guest for the evening."

"Oh yes, I believe I do." The Queen regarded her. "My true beauty. I trust you're having a good season."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Aurora smiled.

"Aurora has had no shortage of suitors. She is highly sought after." Lady Danbury confessed.

"Pleasing." Was the only comment she received. Lady Danbury slyly nodded in approval and Aurora had to suppress her grin. She moved to stand beside the Lady and looked around at the patrons in amusement.

"Lady Bridgerton!" Her interest was captured as she saw Violet and Daphne head their way.

"Good evening, Your Majesty." They curtsied. "You must remember my daughter Daphne."

"Yes." The Queen answered simply. "She made quite the intention, however fleeting it may have been." She snorted quietly. She moved away, her entourage trailing behind her.

"I would like to welcome you to my box this evening." Lady Danbury smiled at them. "Lady Hanford will be in attendance as my guest, surely the girls can enjoy the evening together." Violet went to argue but Lady Danbury interrupted her. "I insist." The two women agreed and followed her to her seats.

As the opera began, Aurora and Daphne watched in awe, Violet and Lady Danbury conversed behind them. "The Duke is not what Whistledown writes." Lady Danbury insisted.

"Nor is Daphne!" Violet agreed.

"It would seem the two of them have that much in common, then." Lady Danbury admitted. "Matches have certainly been made with far less."

"What are you suggesting?" Violet inquired, confused by the statement.

"Lady Whistledown merely writes what she sees. Perhaps we need to help her see things a bit more clearly." Lady Danbury whispered to her. "The Duke is quite fond of gooseberry pie."

"The very dish my cook is renowned for." Violet commented.

"I must also mention that Aurora is quite fond of strawberry tarts." Lady Danbury grinned to herself.

"Funnily enough, so is one of my sons." They shared a quiet chuckle as their plan came to be. The Duke and Daphne would be a match made in perfection, and Aurora and Benjamin would be one formed out of love.

"A perfect evening, indeed."