Bridgerton

Oceans Apart- Part 2

Adelaide POV

As if our trip couldn't get any worst we had decided to go to the Queens ball 

"Oh, is this not lovely? All of us together again." Lady brigerton says pulling me closer to me and I roll my eyes 

"Lovely, indeed. We should tempt scandal more often." I whisper and she looks at me sternly 

"Let's go Addie" Cole says pulling me away from them as we entered through the crowd the Queen walks up to me 

"Cole, Lady Waters" she states smiling 

"How are you your majesty?" Cole says charming her and she looks at him flirtatiously 

"Good, but I must worn you I have a bet that you two will be together by the end of the month" she states and I straighten my back in shock 

"We should hope to see our queen soon satisfied." Cole states and I almost have to laugh at his charm 

"See to it that you do." she says before walking away I turn my smirk to Cole 

"Your duplicity comes so naturally." I say laughing and he smiles 

"I seem to have learned from the best." he says and I turn to him with mock offence covering a hand over my heart 

"Sha'll we go to the drinks table?" Cole asks and I laugh 

"God you know me too well" I say and he nods 

"We have been under the roof way too long" he says smirking 

"So, you have returned. Excellent timing, what with all the tittle-tattle concerning your brother." Lady Danbury says interrupting us 

"Oh, a mere coincidence, Lady Danbury, I am sure" I state 

"Mm. Your plan is working. I have heard nary a peep about Mr. Bridgerton's unfortunate entanglement with the Thompson girl. Oh, I almost forgot. I am hosting a party I would very much like you to attend." she says pulling me in for a kiss on the cheek and I smile 

"We love a good party. We will inform the graces" Cole says and I look at him in horror 

"I am not sure when the Graces will be accepting invitations." I state and Cole looks at me confused 

"It is an invitation for women" she states 

"Only you and Daphne. A special soiree with the married ladies of the ton, of which Daphne is the newest member and you of course are invited for your pleasant company" she continues and I laugh but the laughter dies as I see the Featheringtons walk through and the whole place goes dead quiet 

"The audacity. After they tried to entrap poor Mr. Bridgerton into marriage with a woman with child." I hear the whispers speak and I feel Cole place his hand on my lower back and his body moves closer in a protective manner. When I see Lady Featherington walk up to Lady Bridgerton I feel Cole move me forward closer towards them. 

"My dear Lady Bridgerton... is this not a dreadful circumstance, for us both to have been so duped by that scheming hussy? To think that Miss Thompson would take advantage of my kindness after I opened my home to her. You must believe, I had no idea of..." Lady Featherington says to Lady Bridgerton and I watch her start to panic and she turns and walks away from the red head 

"Lady Featherington, I must ask you to leave." I say approaching her and I hear her scoff 

"But I have an invitation." she says 

"Not anymore." Cole states standing next to me now 

"I am sure you wish to avoid any further unpleasantness" I whisper so that only she can hear it but as she walks away I hear laughter near me 

"That should teach them." Miss Cowper snickers 

"Teach them what, Miss Cowper? Judging not, lest we too be judged?" I state before walking away feeling myself become frustrated. As I walked to find Lady Bridgerton I bumped into Daphne who was broken down into tears 

"Daphne you're ok" I whisper as she sobs into my arms again 

"She prepared me for nothing Adel, I'm useless" she says and I feel my heart break