~ 21 ~

                                    

                                          

"Well come now Eloise! You must tell me. Did she like the painting?" Benedict followed his sister Eloise around as they spent a lot of time together when she was home. "Well she seemed touched by my thoughtfulness and she thinks you are quite talented brother, I can tell you that. So she definitely approves of your art and you if that is what you are asking." Eloise smiled at her brother. 
Benedict returned a happy smile and screamed excitingly. "Yes!! I am so proud of my work..!! I knew it would pay off someday, so how are things between the both of you Eloise?" He asks  curious about what happens next in his sisters secret relationship with this women he has yet to meet.
"Her mother forbids me from seeing her..
We have to be in secret..which sucks, I do not wish to be like this always, but her mother is such a pain.." Eloise rolled her eyes. 
"Don't worry too much Eloise, I'm sure everything will be alright soon." Benedict told his sister trying to comfort her from the cruelty of her situation.
Ben was her favorite brother and the one she'd usually be around most of the time, since Colin was out..and busy about with Penelope. Her other brother Anthony had been busy with affairs and arrangements with his wife Kate had been expecting very soon. It was quite exciting though.
Eloise nodded, grateful for Benedict's reassuring words.
"I hope you're right," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "I hate having to sneak around like this. It's not fair that Valerie's mother is causing all this trouble."
She paused, sighing heavily.
"I just wish we could spend time together without all the secrecy and fear of being caught."
Benedict looked at his sister with sympathy.
"I know it's tough, El," he said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But you mustn't let it get you down. You and Valerie care deeply for each other, and nothing can change that."
He paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Besides, a bit of secrecy and sneaking around can be thrilling in its own way. It adds a certain...excitement to your relationship."
Eloise laughs, "brother! Oh my gosh..you are something else." She rolls her eyes and hugs her brother. "You're still the best brother ever." She felt like a child again, whenever she was around her brother. He was really one of the best Bridgerton's. 
-
In the late of night, Valerie waited secretly outside by the woods where Eloise told her to. Her mother was already fast asleep. 
Eloise arrived on her carriage, her heart pounding with excitement and nerves. She spotted Valerie waiting in the shadows, her figure barely visible in the dim light.
She stepped out of the carriage, walking over to Valerie with a nervous smile on her face.
"Valerie," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "You came."
Valerie smiled, feeling a rush of happiness at the sight of Eloise. She took a step closer, her voice soft.
<< Perfect Ed Sheeran playing 
"Of course I came," she whispered back. "I couldn't be away from you, everyday I am away from you the feeling in my heart grows painful each day for I cannot continue to stay away from you like this being with you makes me the happiest I've ever been. I can't let my mother take that away from us. it is such cruelty that my mother forbids us from seeing one another, but in secret here i am, because your the one I wish to be with, I don't care for rules and regulations screw it all if I am to have you." 
She looked around nervously, making sure they were alone and hidden from view.
Eloise stood there, her heart racing as Valerie confessed her feelings. She had suspected that there was something more than just friendship between them, but to hear it stated so plainly was overwhelming.
She stepped closer to Valerie, her voice soft and tremulous.
"I feel the same way," she said quietly. "Being with you is like...like nothing else. I don't care about society's rules either. I just want to be with you, always."
Eloise looked into Valerie's eyes, her heart thrumming with feeling. She slowly leaned in, her lips meeting Valerie's in a soft, gentle kiss.
The sensation was electric, like sparks flying through her veins. She melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Valerie and pulling her closer. It was the most magical kiss of all. This is where it all begun.