Bridgerton

After the rain- Part 2

Adelaide POV

"Move! I want to dance with the duke." Hyacinth says as grabs onto Cole while we all sing along to the piano and Collin. 

"I finally found her." Eloise says as she pulls me towards where Penny sits

"Morning Penny" I say as I sit down next to her 

"Morning" she replies 

"Lady Whistledown. Who is she?" Penny says when Eloise sits near us as well 

"She is Madame Delacroix.  Madame Delacroix is her. The modiste and Whistledown are one and the same. And she is going to print something in your family's favor. She told me so." Eloise says and I look at her with wide eyes 

"Well, that certainly is an impressive feat, running two businesses." I say laughing 

"We should both aspire to be just like her: Unmarried, earning our own money." Eloise says and I nod but Penny looks very uncomfortable 

"Look, I'm happy you found her, El, but I do not think I can ever be like that. You now have a duchess for a sister. That makes achieving the life you wish for all the more easier. The status of my family, however, is an entirely different story, which will not be changing in the foreseeable future." Penny states and I feel awkward as hell I quickly get up and walk over to where the rest of the family plus the Dukes are seated 

"And exactly how many horses do you have? Might I have an extra one? Your horses are the prettiest." Hyacinth says to Cole and he smirks 

"I believe the duke has heard enough." I say trying to get Hyacinth move from where she was seated next to Cole 

"Would a pony do?" he states and I look at him with wide eyes 

"I could not fathom..." Hyacinth cries 

"Your Grace!" Lady Bridgerton states but when I turn to look at Cole he smiles at me with mischief in his eyes 

"Now, here's the tricky one." he says folding a piece of paper and I smile placing my hands on my hips when I realise what he's doing 

"And...There you go" he says handing it to Hyacinth she looks at him with admiration in her eyes 

"You do realize it is only made of paper?" The youngest Bridgerton says 

"Is it?" Cole says before looking me in the eyes and mimicking horse noises I shake my head at him smirking. 

Lady Whistledown POV

The final ball of any season is distinguished by one of two things, anticipation... or dread. For, while those who have been successful
in the year's marriage market look forward to flaunting their perfect, joyous unions... others shudder at the thought of spending one last night before the discerning eyes of the ton. As they know, indeed,
just what the evening signifies, that their time is officially up. And yet, to those who may still find themselves out of both choices and hope, fear not. For who knows when and where one's fortunes may change?

Adelaide POV

"I will never understand" I say looking at the picture of Cole and I 

"Me neither" he states 

"It's not even our ball why would they force us to have a picture together" I say smirking and he shrugs 

"Mr. Granville did seem to omit the gray hair or two I've surely gained from the emotions of the past few weeks." he says 

"Perhaps a few wrinkles too." I say smirking and he mockingly glances at me 

"Oh! You wound me." he states placing his hand against his heart 

"We should discuss the order of events this evening." I say and he nods 

"Naturally." he states 

"I think it wise for us to engage in three dances, would you say?" I ask 

"Two." he says and I sigh 

"It is the last ball, Your Grace. I do fear two dances may leave our guests terribly unexcited." I say and he shakes his head 

"It is better than the opposite, leaving them overly excited and terribly unruly. Two dances at most." he says and he turns around and laughs 

"You were wonderful today with Gregory and Hyacinth." I state out of nowhere "They adore you."