"Bee In Your Bonnet."
[22]
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Dearest gentlereader,
If the Ancient Greeks were members of the ton, they might have added to their Olympic pentathlon one additional event. The hosting of a country visit.
This, of course, is the week of Lady Bridgerton's annual Hearts and Flowers Ball, the year's most coveted invitation in the country, and no event better designed to show the might and mettle of its host.
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The house seemed busy, incredibly busy. There were servants all over the estate preparing for this week-long event, the house keepers were dusting or arranging bouquets that consisted of yellow roses, white daises and... Oh lilacs. I scrabbled down the stairs, the slight train of my red dress dragged down the carpet, it seemed to pair well with the red rouge on my lips, in my humble opinion. Violet seemed to be everywhere; with Daphne close on her hip.
I sighed before looking over at a housekeeper sticking in a few bundles of lilacs in a bundle of bouquets that were tied to the railing of the stairs. I walked down the stairs before making my way into Anthony's study, which is where I'd knew he'd be. I entered into the room to see the eldest Bridgerton somehow sulking in a chair no far from Benedict, who was painting on a canvas propped up on an easel. On a side table next to Anthony was a bowl of fruits that consisted of pears, grapes... ooh grapes.
I walked over to the fruit basket and grabbed he cluster of grapes from the bowl. "Ugh... I was... painting that." I heard Benedict try to intercede, but that did not stop me considering that I already had one of the berries in my mouth. I chewed happily. I heard him sigh, he looked to be not dressed... still. But, he did look like he had gotten himself cleaned up, he only wore black slacks, which had tan suspenders attached to them--but they hung low on his waist--and he was wearing a white ruffled white long-sleeved button up shirt.
I chuckled softly before I seen Anthony grab an apple from the bowl. Benedict examined the dress I was wearing, as if I hadn't worn the color red before, he then smirked. "The men in town surely won't be able to keep their eyes to themselves." He said, he looked to be focusing on what he was painting now more than ever, he had changed the color that was bled onto his brush quickly. "I surely hope you do not mean that." I said, furrowing my eyebrows before taking a seat at Anthony's desk. Benedict chuckles softly before looking back at his project.
"What he means to say is that you're beautiful and the mere sight of you will cause even Whistledown to be at a loss for words. You're welcome, brother." He said, my eyes furrowed at Anthony's comment. I looked away from my brother before looking back at the very wide windows that were in his study. It showed the back yard and the many housekeepers and workers sprucing up the place so our guests could be comfortable.
"Do you think this was all mistake?" I heard Anthony begin which made me turn to look at him, something was plaguing his mind, I could tell. But, what could it possibly be? Was it because he failed to engage to Miss Edwina, or was it something else? "This business of inviting the Sharmas out early? It has made the whole affair so fraught with difficulty." Anthony said with a taste of melancholiness.
"The whole marriage-mart business seems entirely too difficult to me. But if one must participate in it why not do it..." Benedict trailed off before setting down his pallet and brush and running towards one of the gaping windows and flinging it open with a strained smile. "...out in the fresh air!" He said before clapping his hands together. I smiled before shaking my head.
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The event was busting with different people all over the ton, the backyard held tables and chairs, food, an orchestra. I even heard the men were going for a hunt. I walked outside, watching children run around happily as the sound of the orchestra filled my ears, my curly hair--which was pinned back slightly--blew in the wind. I could practically smell the grass and the trees.
"Hope!" I suddenly heard my name being called which made my eyes snap to where it came from. Good god.
There, at a table underneath a blue colored tent sat Katherine and Sabrina... my sisters. That happily signaled for me to join them, I writhed on the inside. I could see Benedict standing just behind my eldest sister. "Come sit with us." Sabrina said with the most sweetest smile. I began to hesitantly make my way over to the table. Once I was there I took a seat across from Katherine. I gave them a grim smile.
"We haven't seen you in days, how is our sister?" Katherine said.
"Well, thank you." I said, before suddenly realizing how harsh that sounded. I looked down at my lap before I heard Sabrina clear her throat and look over at Benedict. "Katherine was telling me how she is eager to see more of the grounds of the magnificent estate. After having spent many days away from you... might you give her a tour today?" She asked, Benedict hummed before slightly shaking his head.
"I will be shooting with the other gentlemen, unfortunately. The party is to leave quite soon, I'm afraid." He said, politely declining. I heard Katherine gasp before looking over at me. "Father wrote to me about your rebelliousness in the country. He said you would shoot all the time." She said, Benedict looked at me with a teasing smile. "I wasn't aware of that." He said. I sighed before looking away.
"Long time no see, Miss Buckingham. I hope I am not interrupting." I suddenly heard a voice say which made my head turn. My eyes widened slowly before I had seen a face I hadn't seen since last season. "Lord Davenport... I did not know you'd be here." I heard Benedict say, not even turning around to look at the man, who stood next to him. Reasonably so, I wrote the man at least a dozen letters on why he hadn't been around the ton lately. And here he was, as if he hadn't disappeared from my life like Sir Isaac Riddle did.
"I came back to town because I was homesick, and I heard about Lady Bridgerton's Heart's and Flowers Event and I simply couldn't pass it up." He said, my face turned cold like ice. "Is that the only reason you came to the estate?" I asked, a silent rested in the air. He could not answer my question, how could he? I heard Sabrina cleared her throat. "As I was saying, my sister Hope could join you gentlemen on the hunt. Hope, tell them how good of a shot you are." She said, I gave her a look... I did not want to speak of myself in front of everyone--especially Lord Davenport. Who seemed to have grown a beard since the last time I'd seen him.
I heard Lord Davenport chuckle as if it wasn't true before I glared at the ginger. "Hope is being modest." She said before Lord Davenport chuckled again. I tilted my head. "Do you not think it true?" I asked, on the brink of anger. He hummed before looking down at Sabrina. "Perhaps your sister is an excellent dancer on the dance floor... but surely she would have some trouble managing--."
I was quick to cut the man off: "Why would you assume I had any trouble managing at all, my Lord?" I said, scowling into the very next week. "I only mean to say--,"
I cut him off again: "Because I am a woman?" I questioned him, my sisters looked around, stunned at the current conversation. "No... no. I did not even say that." He tried to argue with a furrowed eyebrow. I scoffed with a grin, knowing I'd one the conversation. "But you thought it." I said, Lord Davenport stood before looking over at Benedict who smirked proudly at me. He chuckled again, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing and he looked back at me.
"Ladies do not hunt." He said, and this was the exact reason why he made my skin crawl. "Do not or not allowed to?" I asked, practically hissing out my words. Katherine chuckled dryly. "I am certain that my sister can manage herself quite well with you gentlemen, I even heard that Miss Kate Sharma will be accompanying the men so my sister will have a lady there if she is in need of it... Oh, what fun you will all have." She said with an excited smile before placing a hand on mine, which was clenched in a fist on the table.
"You two will catch up and get to know each other all the better." Hardly.
Benedict smiled proudly. "What an excellent idea, Miss Buckingham. Surely we can make an exception for my dearest. Just this one time." He said.
My dearest?
"We are on our private lands, after all? And who knows? If you care to join us Lord Davenport I am positively sure Miss Hope Buckingham can teach you a thing or two." He said glancing back at him, I couldn't help but smile at his words. We might bicker but we somehow are a duo when it comes to people we do not like.
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I rode a brown horse who had beige spots on his right side, it seemed to be content with me riding him. Which was necessary for an event like this one. So here we are, all on our own horses, following the dirt path ahead of us.
When I was told the men were going hunting, I did expect ALL of the men. Including the men from the bar Benedict visits.
So you can imagine how I feel right now as I rode next to Benedict who was wearing a baby blue suit jacket with a blue top hat. I wore a red dress coat with brown fur on the sleeves and the collar, I looked to be as if I came from Russia.
The piece of jewelry Benedict gifted me sat snug on my neck and rested just above my bosoms. Anthony was riding just behind Benedict, and Miss Kate Sharma rode next to me. I'd seen my eldest brother ride up to Benedict's left side. "If this goes wrong, it'll be your fault." He muttered to him. Benedict sighs. "I am sure my dearest can handle herself quite well." He said to his brother. Anthony hummed.
"To the right, gents!" I heard the new Lord Featherington say. My eyebrows furrowed, we were going off the wrong way. I looked over at Benedict with confusion. "Where are they going?" I asked, which made him turn his head to look at me. "Toward our camp, I believe." He said. I immediately shook my head.
"There are tracks going off to the left. Look." I said before pointing towards the other quite obvious path. "In the moss. You can see the cloven shape. If we go to our camp now, we may miss our quarry entirely." I said. Benedict glanced at the trees.
"Let us stay with the group... If we find nothing, I shall offer myself up for your target practice." He said with a smirk. My mouth went slightly agape at his words, and I looked away, bashfully smiling. "Very well," I said. I could see in the corner of my eyes that Anthony was giving us some kind of look. A look I did not know of.
A silence settled before I cleared my throat.
"How did you learn how to shoot?" Benedict asked I nibbled on my bottom lip, careful not to wipe away the red rouge on my lips. "Well, since my father hardly ever cared for me... I had taken a liking to a boy in town. Dark hair... hooked nose. He was a bit of a troublemaker but he was never the type to be a criminal... but according to my father, he was. He was... flawed. But, I learned shooting from him. Whenever we were together he'd teach me how to focus on your target... let the wind guide you."
"It's been too long since I have taken a shot, however," I explained, making him hum in understanding. Suddenly another silence settles and our eyes met, nothing was said. Nothing could be said. "Here we are!" I suddenly heard Lord Featherington shout which made Benedict look over at them.
He quickly rode away and I was left with Anthony, who looked puzzled. My eyebrows furrowed.
✑
They were now off their horses and scoping the area on foot. Hope held her shotgun in her arm, propped up against her shoulder as she walked with them. The men were walking aimlessly at this point, their prey wasn't even there.
Hope saw Benedict, Lord Featherington, and Anthony walk up to her side, passing by. "It seems our stag may be eluding us," Benedict said with a grin. Lord Featherington hummed. "The elusiveness is part of the fun." He says with a smirk. Hope rolled her eyes.
"And you cannot fault the sunshine." He mutters. Anthony hums. "No, certainly not." He said. Hope strains a smile. "Ah, the men enjoying the sunshine. A sign of a great hunt, indeed." She said sarcastically. Anthony looked over at her before chuckling.
"I suppose you prefer darkness, sister?" He asked before Hope slowed down her walking before coming to a complete stop. "What I would prefer is to be allowed to follow my own path and instincts on this hunt instead of blindly following the guide." She said, the three men stopped before looking over at Hope who did not look entertained.
Benedict looked over at his brother before walking up to the woman. He splayed out a hand for her to take so she could step over the log in front of her feet. "You are still convinced we have lost our prey?" He asked with a smirk. Hope glared at him before pulling up her skirt, revealing her red silk thigh high stockings that had embroidered patterns. It had clips that connected to what we could assume... is a garter belt.
Benedict's eyes watched almost intensely at her leg—soft to the eye— as she walked over the log with ease. The image still burned into his skull. "I am convinced that deer prefer the edge of the forest. This is much too open out here." Hope said before she turned to look at Benedict who was still staring off, he looked... nearly... unsettled.
"Uh... yes... well." He cleared his throat, Hope looked at him with confusion. His freckled cheeks were... red? "Perhaps you are right, but we should carry on." He cleared his throat before walking away from Hope.
"Certainly there'll be other deer on other paths." Lord Featherington said. She sighed before beginning to walk a different direction than the men. She decided that it was completely pointless to be following these men, they'd be off on a wild goose chase trying to find these deer.
Once she was away from the large crowd of men she was officially alone. The sound of grass crunching underneath her feet filled her ears. The moment of quietness was cut off when she heard footsteps coming up behind her. She turned her head to see Lord Davenport walking with her.
She looked away with irritation. "I have been meaning to speak to you." He said. "You've had the entire social season to speak with me, or we're you just too much of a coward to tell me why you have disappeared from the face of the Earth," Hope said snarkily, Lord Davenport furrowed his eyebrows.
"Last time I remember you were being distant." He said, which made Hope stop in her tracks and turn to look at him. "Which I thought you would understand, but here we are... Why are you even here with me, do you know what the men will say if they find out you and me are missing?" Hope hissed, Lord Davenport's eyebrows furrowed.
"Are you still worried about what the ton thinks?" He said, Hope scowled deeply. "No, I only want to avoid the possibility that someone might stumble upon us and think the worst. Then we'd be inclined to marry." She explained, Davenport breathed in slowly. He examined her demeanor, it was entirely different from the last night they encountered.
Her chin was held high nobly and she wore her red with pride, it was completely unlike her. Or at least it wasn't who she once was.
"I've heard all about your 'Isaac Riddle' business. People talk." He said. Hope rolled her eyes, if she had to spend another moment with him she would go mad. "Are you not going to say anything?" He nearly hissed with venom on his tongue.
"What is there to say?! I do not belong to you or anyone for that matter!" Hope yelled before Lord Davenport's expression flared and he knocked the shooting gun from Hope's arm, it dropped onto the ground with a thud. He grabbed a hold of Hope's arms and pushed her up against the nearest tree.
"What on Earth are you doing?! Get off me!" She yelled, trying to get away from his harsh touch. "Shut it! I am tired of your games Miss Buckingham, if I cannot earn what I want, then I shall take it!" He said he seemed inhuman, like some kind of villainous creature. Hope's eyes widened before he ripped her coat open, revealing her dress.
"Get off me, you oaf!" She yelled angrily, the more she tried to move, the harder his grip became. She winced in pain. He then pressed his lips against hers harshly and Hope turned her head away in disgust. "Do not fight me, Miss Buckingham. We all know you thrive in a situation like this." He said with a sick smirk. Her arms tried flaying about but he was quick to pin my hands against the tree before ripping the top of her dress, the red fabric frayed. She nearly felt trapped underneath his body as he was gripping a squeezing nearly everything.
"Stop it!" She yelled before her knee connected to his torso. A choked groan exited his mouth as he backed a step away, Hope took the chance and elbowed his neck. Sending him down on the ground, completely unconscious.
One thing she also learned back when she was living with her father, is to defend herself. Now Mr. Bridgerton was not the one to teach her these things, oh no. She became friends with a lot of the ton which means she found an occasional couple of women who taught her self-defense. They claimed she needed it, and indeed she did.
"मुझे स्वर्ग." Hope heard a woman say before she looked up to see Kate Sharma looking down at the unconscious man before looking up at her. "I... you must have seen him! H-he was like a drunk!" Hope exclaimed, her hands shaking nervously.
"You do not have to explain anything to me I saw everything." She said, walking up to Hope and pulling her into a hug. The woman couldn't help but stand there, a sick feeling settled into her stomach. Kate separated from them before taking her hand. "Let's get you back with the group." She said before the two of them walked through the trees. Hope was utterly uncomfortable, she could barely recognize her surroundings anymore.
Kate escorted Miss Buckingham to the group of men who curiously looked at them, seeing Hope's unkept hair and torn dress. Anthony looked at them both with confusion. "Hope... what happened to her?" He asked looking at Miss Sharma. "I want to return home immediately," Hope said, her voice practically trembling as she glanced down at her slippered feet.
Anthony continued looking at Miss Sharma before he glanced over at Hope, his face hardened. Something happened to her, something that caused his sister's hands to shake and her breathing tremble. He walked up to Hope before placing his hand on the small of her back, he then escorted her out of the forest and back into the estate.
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Metal.
Metal was all I could taste in my mouth as I stood in my room, hair wild and clothes torn. I couldn't even think, all that could be formulated in my mind was the incident that happened over an hour ago.
I looked down at my trembling hands, bruises adorned my wrist. The yellow, purple, and pink splotches reminded me of smothered fruit, almost like a jam. What am I to do now?
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Dear gentle reader,
Some may say that I have taken a break from writing mainly on our rusted ruby. But, I assure you, the break was merely temporary.
I heard word that Miss Hope Buckingham aided the gentleman on the ton to a rather fruitless hunt, along with the sharp tongued Kate Sharma. The two women have done us a favor indeed.
It showed us that a woman is more than her dancing techniques.