~~Artiste~~(Benedict Bridgerton)

A New Figure

Dearest Readers

Formed under pressure, desired by many yet possessed only by a fortunate few. There is nothing on earth quite so envied as a diamond. Might our Queen finally extinguish the fevered speculation and bestow the highest of honors to a most fortunate young lady tonight? With so many futures at risk, I do suspect this author is not the only one waiting with baited breath

         The queen had announced a royal ball, inviting most of the lords and ladies of the ton. The season began a week ago and she had yet to name a diamond, something that pushed the crowds into unease. The Bridgertons arrived swiftly, the Dowager Viscountess immediately began hounding Eloise with questions, before they met the queen leaving the Viscount, Benedict, and Elizabeth behind. Benedict scanned the crowd, fiddling with his cuff links,

       "So is there anyone here you've not rejected?" Elizabeth asked earning a glare from Anthony as Benedict chuckled under his breath.

        "You're the artists. Do you see anyone remotely inspiring?" Benedict watched as his wife rolled her eyes as she tried to keep up with the Viscountess.  "We shall have our diamond tonight, and I shall have a wife" He hushed, not giving Benedict or Elizabeth a moment to think of a sly remark as their mother had already made her way in front of the queen.

      "Lady Bridgerton, Miss Bridgerton" The queen exclaimed as the family bowed, "Such a shame your presentation at court was so rudely interrupted" Eloise sighed and smiled nervously,

     "A shame indeed"  She lowered her head,

       "I nearly forgot you were making your debut this season. After your older siblings triumph, perhaps good fortune may run in the family"

      The ton whispered at the queen's compliment causing Eloise to freeze, staring at the floor. "Oh, and Elizabeth let me look at you!" The queen held out her hands which the blonde beauty took with grace. She pressed her lips together curling them up in pure bliss. "By the looks of your size it seems like you've been blessed with a large child" Elizabeth's ears turned red as some of the surrounding ladies chuckled at the queen's comment. "I've got 2 zebra's on it being a boy" The Queen continued earning a shy look on Elizabeth's face.

       "My husband and I only hope for a healthy babe" She replied swiftly, watching as the queen obviously smiled,

       "Yes, one can only hope" The queen dropped Elizabeth's hands, allowing her to resign back to her husband's side as she wore a shade of embarrassment on her cheeks. Violet took the opportunity to shove her daughter slightly forcing her to take a small step forward to catch herself. 

      "It-it is a delightful ball, Your Majesty. Very diamond-y" Eloise let out a light chuckle, clasping her hands behind her back and squeezing them tight. "Though I must admit" She leaned in slightly, "I am more of an emerald person myself" She cleared her throat, stepping back with her family waiting to be scolded by her mother, or worse Anthony. But the queen began to snicker, letting out large laughs that filled the room 

        "Oh dear!" She exclaimed, Eloise looked to Benedict or Elizabeth for help but he remained frozen with a thin smile on his lips and her sister stared at the floor with a blank face "My favorite necklace is one of emeralds; how thoughtful of you to know that" The queen complimented. frazzled Eloise nervously smiled, feeling a wave of relief rush over her, yet a small knot remained in her stomach as she realized what she had just done.