Dearest Reader,
It has been said that a competition is an opportunity for us to rise and stand ready before our greatest of challenges. Well, if what this author hears this morning is true, then a great challenge concerning this season's diamond has been set forth, indeed. Any suitor wishing to gain an audience with Miss Edwina Sharma must first tame the rather prickly spinster of a beast, otherwise known as her sister. Of course, the only competition that compels my attention is the game of courtship. So best of luck to this year's players. Do try not to stumble on the starting line
"Ow!" Elizabeth flinched as she pulled her pricked thumb to her lips, licking away the fresh drop of blood that began to pearl at her wound. Violet had tried to help her improve her needlework, a hobby that she had always hated but her mother-in-law loved, so she did her best not to complain whether the Viscountess handed her a needle. Benedict flickered his eyes up from his sketchbook, checking his wife, but the young blonde swatted his gaze away, she was too embarrassed to let Violet know she'd pricked herself...again.
"Is that a copy of Lady Whisltedown?" Penelope's voice peeped from the doorway as she quickly hoovered over to Eloise.
"It is" the brunette spoke in a smooth demeanor, her lips curled slightly.
"I thought we were done with her?" Penelope questioned,
"Do not discourage her Penelope" Violet cut into the girl's conversation.
"If she has taken any interest in Lady Whistledown again, perhaps she's interested in what she has to say about the seasons available gentlemen too" Eloise rolled her eyes and gave an exhausted look, one that sent a small giggle to Elizabeth's lips.
"I cannot think of any cleverer way to say this, but no" Eloise answered rather bluntly before returning to Penelope as the pair continued their conversation.
Elizabeth sighed, putting her piece down and resting her eyes for a moment as she placed her hands on top of her stomach as she listened to the girl continue.
"While her latest is not exactly the philosophical treatise on the rights of the fairer sex I was hoping for, but-"
"I do not think Lady Whistledown has changed her entire style of writing since her last issue" Penelope argued,
"Perhaps not" Elosie flipped the page of the pamphlet "But perhaps she still can"
"Perhaps she does not want to. Perhaps she is quite content; and if she's even sparked your renewed interest El, then perhaps whatever she is doing is working" Eloise huffed,
"Yes but she could be doing so much more. I know I could convince her of it. If I were to find her this time-"
"What you must find my dear, is happiness. Penelope, Elizabeth, assist me here" Violet chimed in, forcing Elizabeth to open her eyes again. "Eloise could find that with someone else could she not?" The viscountess asked, her gaze flickering between the two girls before her,
"I believe she could" Penelope quickly answered, "But not Lady Whistledown but someone more like...Colin" Elizabeth and Eloise looked at Penelope with confused faces.
"My brother?" Eloise disgustingly shriveled,
"No, not Colin-Colin!" Penelope shot up pointing everyone's attention toward two familiar faces.
YOU ARE READING
~~Artiste~~(Benedict Bridgerton)
FanfictionElizabeth Sheppard Has never been one for traditions. She is smart, artistic, and has a bad temper. She is a girl who is cultivated by the love stories her father has put inside her head and wants nothing more than a love match. Little does she know...
