Elizabeth shined tonight. Her father was off on business and decided it was best for her brothers to accompany her which meant she had free reign. She wore an elegant pink dress scattered with golden designs of flowers and a large white rose was tucked into her hair. She had beautiful pearl earrings and a necklace to match. Daphne had already made her way in, perfect as ever in the signature Bridgerton blue, and the Duke at her side.
"Simon's ogling again" Elliot leaned down and whispered to her,
"Hush, leave him be" She scolded as her twin snickered.
"Lady Sheppard" A voice caused her to twist around "Lady Danbury" Elizabeth smiled brightly "It's so wonderful to see you out again" She shooed the boys away and curled her arms around Elizabeth's.
"It was a tolling time Lady Danbury"
"Mhmm" She cocked an eyebrow to show her "And father didn't want me getting anyone else sick"
"I'm sure, and the bruise?" The older woman rolled her eyes as Elizabeth's widened
"Don't think I don't know everything dear, you mustn't worry about him anymore" She patted her gloved hand to reassure her "Tonight just focus on having fun, flirt, drink, dance" Elizabeth looked to Daphne on the dance floor.
"It seems my dear friend has taken all the suitors tonight" She sighed, slightly disappointed but happy for her friend
"But her eyes are only on one" Elizabeth smirked as she looked over to Simon whose eyes were filled with jealousy, "He is smitten"
"I think so my dear"
"I don't believe I have asked to dance with you yet" Simon held out his hand,
"You've never asked your grace" Elizabeth bit back sarcastically as she took his hand and walked to the dance floor. But as they began to dance Elizabeth noticed Simon's eyes were glued onto Daphne who was currently dancing with another Lord.
"Am I your excuse to get closer to Daphne?" She inquired,
"What?" He turned his back towards her, "Can't I dance with my dearest friend?" He asked but she rolled her eyes slightly.
"I am your excuse" She wasn't angry or upset, more just annoyed that he was keeping up his walls and ignoring the fact that he loved Daphne.
"You have to stop lying to yourself" She pouted, "It will only bring pain and heartbreak" Simon clenched his jaw at her words and pulled away from her.
"You don't know what I feel"
"Yes I do Simon, I know you, I've known you since we were kids-"
"That doesn't mean anything Lizabeth. Time passes, people change, I've changed" Elizabeth sighed, spinning around him and placing a hand on his chest.
"You may have but it's for the better" The music died down as Daphne excused herself, Simon's eyes still locked onto her figure as she dipped back into the crowd.
"Go, follow her" The Duke didn't need a second push from Elizabeth as he swiftly left the floor without so much as a goodbye. Elizabeth grumbled under her breath,
"Miss Sheppard? May I have this dance" Elizabeth excitingly turned to see Benedict standing like a knight in shining armor
"It would be my pleasure Lord Bridgerton"
"The Duke seems...upset" Benedict sighed as they began circling each other, "Simon is stubborn he is just too stubborn to admit it" She gave him a reassuring smile as they switched hands and turned the other way.
"Sounds like someone I know" He let out a laugh as she scrunched her nose "Please he is more like Elliot than me"
"Isn't Elliot your twin?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes playfully as they returned to the proper waltz.
"The Queen is holding an event at Somerset, can I hope to see you there?" He asked.
"I would die before I missed such an event" She began to grin like a giddy toddler "All those paintings, I could look at them for days" Benedict tilted his head,
"You've been before?"
"Oh yes when I was little, I only remember bits and pieces but the beauty is still perfectly clear in my mind" Benedict nodded, his eyes grazing every feature.
"Benedict" She hushed, her breath feeling electric against his skin "Benedict" She raised her tone, now jolting him a bit. "You've stepped on my toe" She pouted
"Oh! My apologies. I am so sorry, are you alright?" Elizabeth laughed at his frantic apology.
"You are fine, you just seemed to daze a little...are you feeling alright?" She looked up at him concerned,
"No, I am fine Lizzie I just seem to be lost in thought is all" "And what entangled your mind so easily?" She teased leaning towards him a little more.
"You" The words took her back a bit as her entire face became red hot, and it was as if everything faded. Nothing else mattered except him
"You are the air that I breathe, the paintings I create, the inspiration in my mind. You Elizabeth Sheppard are the reason my mind has become so entangled. Only You" Elizabeth remained speechless, and Benedict could tell it was in a good way as her eyes seemed to light up.
"And you, Benedict Bridgerton, are the greatest man I have ever met" She watched his cheeks turn a tinge of pink "So much so that I cannot put it into words" And with their proclamations in the air, the music died down and Elizabeth saw Lady Danbury waiting for her.
"Excuse me Mr. Bridgerton it seems I am being called" Benedict nodded, kissing her gloved hand, the heat of his lips leaving a permanent reminder for Elizabeth as she walked away.
Elizabeth settled back into the comfort that was Lady Danbury "Lord Bridgerotn was quite the gentleman, saving you from the Duke's quick exit" The older woman smirked.
"He is indeed" Elizabeth sighed, trying to find Simon so she could give him a piece of her mind. But the crowd then parted to reveal the queen with her nephew, a prince from Prussia who was making their rounds about the room. They made their way towards Daphne, the Queen introduced the Prince who kissed Daphne's hand elegantly. The pair only exchanged a few words before Daphne fumbled and snorted slightly, leaving the queen horrified as she quickly dragged the prince away.
"Lady Danbury" The queen arrived, the young Prince's arm around hers,
"Your Majesty" Elizabeth quickly bowed along with Lady Danbury.
"Allow me to introduce my nephew Prince Frederick of Prussia. Frederick this is the jade I spoke of Lady Sheppard, the current Marchioness of Norwich" Elizabeth slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. He was fairly handsome with a head of blonde hair and dazzling. He slowly reached forward, kissing the top of her hand.
"It is so lovely to meet you, Miss Sheppard, your beauty is just as my Aunt described" He spoke in a Prussian accent but his words still made her blush.
"The pleasure is all mine" She smiled softly at him.
"We must make our way around the room but if I may ask for a dance later?" He cocked his head "I would be honored" And as the prince left Elizabeth turned to be congratulated by Lady Danbury.
"Well done my dear" She squeezed her hand, "Thank you" Elizabeth smirked, her eyes drifting to the crowd to see Benedict's, his jaw was clenched and his eyes narrowed as jealousy filled him.
"Lady Sheppard" Prince Frederick's voice caused her to turn around. "I believe I promised you a dance" He softly smiled holding out his hand.
"Thank you for remembering Your Highness" Her smile widened as he took her onto the dance floor. His eyes seemed tired and his demeanor was slightly rugged compared to before.
"You seem distressed" Elizabeth tilted her head as he sighed.
"My Aunt is determined I dance with all the beautiful women in the country" He rolled his eyes slightly grabbing her arm with a slight squeeze and spinning her around.
"A toling task I assume?"
"It is more than toling" He joked causing her to giggle "My Aunt tells me you are a Marchioness? At such a young age?" Elizabeth's eyes flickered to the floor for a moment.
"My mother died when we were young, when I was 18 my father gave me the title since he never remarried" The prince frowned,
"I am so sorry-" "It is no trouble at all, I only have fragments of memories so, in the end, it does not hurt that much, only stings. I have Lady Danbury and the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton to thank for that, they've been a wonderful support for my family for years" The Prince's lips turned upright
"I take it you know Miss Bridgerton well?"Elizabeth nodded,
"She is only my closest and dearest friend, I think of her as a sister" The Prince nodded now shifting the pair to face the other side of the ballroom "I'm sorry you are forced into such silly dances" Elizabeth hushed, her words took the prince back a bit.
"It is quite alright, I have...gotten used to it I assume. I would frankly rather sit and talk, you learn much more about a lady when you talk" Elizabeth raised a brown.
"And Ladies do not talk when they are with you?" Frederick slightly chuckled and shook his head "Ladies talk of their future as wives like they are cattle, unlike you who seem to speak without a goal" Elizabeth shrugged.
"I've never seen a point in luring in a gentleman. My father always said marriage should be like a partnership, both sides give and take"
"Well your father seems like a great man" He smirked his eyes trailing towards Daphne.
"I take it your attention has fallen upon Miss Bridgerton?" The prince's eyes widened, "I'm sorry I did not mean to offend you-"
"It is quite alright Your Highness, I see the way you look at her, there is no offense here" The prince nodded as the music stopped and the couple bowed "But if you ever need a lady to have a proper conversation with I am always available" The Prince kissed her knuckles and smirked
"I would like that Miss Sheppard, have a wonderful night"
"You as well your highness"