That night, Benedict Bridgerton dreamed of her. He dreamed of her song. He dreamed of being with her in every aspect.
Of waltzing with her.
Of drawing her.
Of embracing her.
Of holding her hand in his.
Of kissing her red lips... of dragging her to his bed where her moans of pleasure, of his name, would turn into a song just for him to hear. And he would beg for it every night, just to hear it once more.
Benedict.
Benedict.
Benedict.
"Benedict!"
The man jolted awake, sweat caking his body as he let out heavy pants, trying to recover from the visions that plagued his mind.
A loud knock echoed throughout his bedchamber, and the voice rang out again, "Benedict!" That was Eloise, always trying to interrupt his beauty sleep.
With a huff, he collapsed back onto the bed, pulling the blanket over his body, "What!?" He exclaimed, wanting nothing more than to continue to indulge in his fantasies during his slumber.
"Mama wishes for you to join her downstairs!" Benedict groaned, "But why?" "She wishes to discuss last night-wait, why am I even explaining myself! Make haste, Benedict!"
Knowing his sister would stop at nothing until he did as she asked, Benedict rose and began to prepare himself for the day. As he bathed and dressed, he found himself humming Lady Campbell's tune.
He also found himself wondering how she was fairing. Had she made it home safely? What was she doing this very moment? Was she thinking of him too?
"Ugh, maybe Charles was right." He murmured as he grabbed his sketchbook and headed out the door. He barely knew this woman and yet she was the only thing on his mind.
Was this how Anthony is with Loren? He'd have to ask.
Making his way down the corridor, he headed toward the dining room, where his Mother and a few of his siblings were waiting. Eloise was seated beside Loren, who were discussing something he could not bother to eavesdrop in, Hyacinth and Gregory were seated near the end of the table, bickering over their food. And there sat Violet at the head of the table, with a seat and a plate beside her ready for Benedict.
She smiled at her son, beckoning him over. And he listened, taking a seat beside her, not hesitating to shove a biscuit into his mouth.
Violet stared at him in distaste, "Good morning, Benedict." She greeted. Around a mouthful of biscuit, he replied, "Good morning, Mother."
"I'll skip the small talk and instead ask about last night."
Benedict reached for another biscuit, "What about last night?" He shoved another biscuit in his mouth, "You know what exactly what I mean, Benedict." The man shrugged, reaching for yet another biscuit. Violet exhaled deeply, giving his hand a light smack, "Ow!" He exclaimed, "I just wanted a biscuit!"
"Enough with the biscuits! What happened last night?" She was eager to know. One second her boy is with Charles Baird, and the next he's running after the performer. And when he'd returned, Benedict seemed to be in a daze. His Mother was now determined to find out why.
"Benny fell in love with Lady Campbell."
Both Violet and Benedict glanced at Loren, who was the one who had spilled the secret information. Violet was surprised whereas Benedict was sitting there wondering how the hell she'd known.
As though Loren could read his mind, she shrugged, "Charles told me." Benedict pursed his lips, "Can't trust that man with anything." He murmured.
"Wait a minute, is this true? Benedict in love?" Eloise questioned, a surprised look upon her face. Benedict ran a hand through his unruly hair, "I-I do not know! I hardly know the lady!"
"No one does." Violet commented. The man furrowed his brows, turning his gaze upon his Mother, "Whatever do you mean?"
"I mean, no one knows who she is. After her performance, which was wonderful up until.. well.. you know.. some of the ton began talking, and no one has heard of a Lady Campbell."
This intrigued him. If only he'd been able to find out her first name. "Wait, so Lady Campbell doesn't exist?" Loren questioned to which at the end of the table, Hyacinth called, "Obviously she exists! You saw her last night!"
"Hey, the adults are talking." Benedict said, to which Hyacinth stuck his tongue out at him. "So, Benedict is in love with a imaginary girl. Since as of right now, Lady Campbell doesn't exist." Eloise said, trying to process the situation.
"Could it be a different identity?" Loren suggested. Violet narrowed her eyes in confusion, "Whatever do you mean, dear?"
"Well, I mean, maybe she's just a girl trying to escape a poor life? Not to sound rude, but I cannot be the only one who noticed the cheapness of her gown. It was beautiful, but nothing like you'd see in the ton."
Eloise nodded along with her words, "It does make sense." She agreed. Benedict glanced around at the trio of ladies, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I understand... what is going on?"
Eloise rolled her eyes while Loren took it upon herself to explain. "We are thinking, that maybe this Lady Campbell lives out in town, and had made a name for herself to try and escape her life. It's believable but, strange."
A laugh escaped Violet's lips, and the trio glanced at her, "What's so funny?" Benedict questioned. "It's just-you have all these theories, but I could very well just ask Lady Danbury what she knows."
Why hadn't they thought of that? Knowing Lady Danbury, she would've interrogated the young woman before allowing her to perform at her ball.
She'd have to know something.
"So you think with Lady Danbury's information, I'd be able to find her?"
"Aww, Benedict wants to find his love!" Eloise teased, to which Loren shushed her, "Oh come on now, Eloise, it's romantic!" Benedict rolled his eyes, "And now, I'll be taking my leave."
"Where are you going??" Violet questioned as the man rose from the table, "I am going to search on my own. I'm sorry Mother, but I cannot wait til tea time to learn more about this woman."
"We shall go with you!" Loren and Eloise chorused. "Oh no, absolutely not." Benedict stated, crossing his arms. Eloise groaned, "Come onnn, brother. You do not know the proper questions to ask!"
"And you do?" He countered.
"I think it would be a good idea. Three heads are better then one, darling." Violet added. Benedict pondered it a moment before sighing, "Alright, fine. You can come."
"Look at you, Benny, about to have your own fairytale romance!" Loren gushed teasingly as the trio exited the dining hall.
"Oh, shush." He shot back.
"I'm just being honest, Benedict. Seeing a girl one night, left with only her song, and now on a search to find her, it's like Cinderella!"
They heard Eloise scoff from in front of them, "And Benedict's supposed to be Prince Charming?"
The man shook his head, "No, no, no, this is not Cinderella alright.."
Loren nodded, "Hm, you're right. Maybe it's similar to.. oh, what's that new story called.. oh! The Little Mermaid! You see, she falls in love with a prince, and is turned human to have him love her... but.. i'm afraid it doesn't have a happy ending, but maybe yours will!"
"Whatever you say, Loren."
And with a roll of his eyes, Benedict shoved past the girls and toward the door, eager to begin the search for his missing lady.
———
i did some research and found out that the little mermaid was written in 1837....
FOR THE SAKE OF THIS STORY ITS BEEN AROUND IN 1813
thank you for reading! comment, vote, and just to let y'all know, i have a farmer george story up my sleeve! so be prepared!
love y'all!!
-av