"SPLENDID. NOW FROM THE BEGINNING AND...GO!"

Francesca smiled as she progressively played the chords, the world seemed colorful and bright, and she pressed the keys with such peacefulness that she could ignore easily as her mother told the maids to prepare some special desserts for Lord Samadani, who would probably call upon her that morning.

"That is wonderful." Mercy praised with a smirk as he watched his perfect student continue to shine, his eyes not leaving hers for a minute.

Her melodies, her skill, it almost took his breath away. Never in the music industry, he spent so long in all these years, he had met someone so extraordinary as Francesca. Her love for music was simply otherwordly.

As she ended the melody she flexed her tired fingers as Mercy chortled softly. "Would you like to take a break now, Miss Bridgerton?"

"Oh..."She let out a bit of frustration. "I can do a few more minutes, I am fine." She lied as she was too excited to stop now.

"I believe you deserve some rest, Miss Bridgerton. I insist. Let's make a quick pause." Mercy replied instead and Francesca pouted but obeyed, making him smile at her moody behaviour.

By the time Francesca left the piano stool, Hyacinth stole some cookies in secrecy from the table at the center, already devouring the meal before the caller arrived.

"Mr.Reeves, would you like some cookies?" She offered, as by now Mercy was already used to her interferences. According to Lady Bridgerton, Hyacinth had already wished to have him give her lessons, but Francesca asked to have her instructor be exclusive and not distracted.

His stomach did growl at her offer, but it seemed quite impolite for him to take the meal of an upcoming gentleman, even if that man could buy a thousand more cookies than him.

"That is very kind, but I must refuse."

"You should eat some." Francesca insisted insisted, landing a muffin on his hand with no warning. "Would you like some tea as well, Mr.Reeves?"

His cheeks blushed at her courtesy, a man like him was hardly pampered if not by his old maid who looked more like a motherly figure who scolded him if he ate too much. And the fact that it was Francesca, of all people, who treated him so gently, made him oblivious for a minute.

"Oh...no there's no need...thank you, Miss Bridgerton."

"Mr.Reeves I must ask something that's been stuck on my head for quite some time," Hyacinth said instead, as Eloise, who read at the corner already made a face fearing her next comment.

"Well, go ahead and ask." He responded unbothered.

"Do you have some sort of animal?" She raised an eyebrow. "Eloise and I discussed that you have some black fur on your clothes sometimes, even if unnoticeable since you only wear dark colors."

"Hyacinth!" Violet called her out.

But Mercy didn't seem affected by her question, instead, he laughed out loud. "It is no issue, Lady Bridgerton." He waves his hand to express it. "Miss Hyacinth and Miss Eloise, I do have an animal." Francesca looked at him curious. "I have a black cat, his name is Sharp."

"Sharp?" Gregory asked confused.

"It is an allusion to the piano." Francesca giggled as Mercy smiled at her quick thinking. Eloise rolled her eyes.

"Oh, I must see it! Bring him someday Mr.Reeves, pleeeease!" Hyacinth begged.

Before Violet could educate her once again, Mercy dealt with the situation. "I'd love to, but Sharp is a very fragile little fellow. He was born with only three legs." The others looked amused. "So it is hard to make him travel with me. He is secluded mostly in my home to stay safe."

"That is sweet." Hyacinth declared. "Poor cat, did you buy him like that anyway, Mr.Reeves?"

"Oh no, he is a stray cat." He responded and Francesca listened attentively. "I found him next to some trash one day, struggling to remain balanced and very skinny. So I brought him home."

Eloise almost smiled in approval as Gregory said instead. "Can I adopt a cat mom?"

"Uh..."Violet tried to find an answer.

"But you must understand you must have the responsibility to take care of one." Mercy helped the viscountess and she sighed in relief. "After all, an animal is almost like a baby, you must feed, protect, and clean it."

"Yeah, and you can't even take Aurora's diapers when Benedict asks," Eloise called him out and Gregory was instantly shut down.

Mercy took the liberty to devour the muffin with much satisfaction, enjoying the small laughing of the children but overall the small fragment of piece that was rare in that residence.

Francesca otherwise, approached him at the sofa, where usually the callers remained.

"Is your cat ferocious?" She asked curiously.

Mercy thought for a moment. "Not at all." He responded. "Why?"

She shook her head. "I've never had a cat, I was only curious."

Mercy nodded. "Sharp is mostly quiet, and if he does want to have fun, he does it in secrecy, just as hiding objects. Not a very good runner or liar." The two chuckled. "He would like you."

Francesca took that personally as a compliment. "I'd love to meet him someday."

The idea of giving her private lessons in his home passed through his mind but quickly drifted away. Why a girl who was raised in the town would want to go to his poor neighborhood just to have classes with him and meet a stray cat? And worse, it wasn't appropriate at all.

Francesca was a pure, soft angel he liked to admire, he would never dare create a scandal that could ruin her reputation. Even if unintentionally or accidentally.

"May we remain in silence together?" She asked sweetly as if that was their most enjoyable pastime.

"That is a great idea, Miss Bridgerton." He nodded, and soon enough all his thoughts disappeared, as they stood still, side by side, quiet.

Attending to her wishes, Mercy stood there, very still and quiet, as them two remained there, side by side, soft smiles across their lips, absorving the solitude of thay moment.

Violet looked at them across the room, confused once again by the silent connection shared between student and instructor. "I don't understand why they do that." Eloise also watched curiously, but Hyacinth smiled.

"Perhaps they are enjoying themselves." She retorted, almost finding the two too adorable together.

"How would they enjoy if they do not speak?" Violet furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head. "Mr.Reeves is a great instructor, but sometimes he is simply..."

"Weird." Eloise spoke bluntly.

Francesca barely listened to the critiques, she was too involved in her shared world with Mercy to even care about it, and their shoulders slightly brushed, only fabric, but still, that was already enough to make her heart speed.

"Lady Bridgerton." A servant came in, opening the doors as she got up from her seat. "There is a caller for Miss Francesca Bridgerton." He added and Violet authorized.

Once the servant left, the first thing that popped on the door was Lord Samadani, who they've been waiting for, and that for Francesca's misfortune, was about to ruin her quietness.

"Lady Bridgerton, good day." He greeted warmly.

Violet eagerly organized her children for his arrival. "Good day, Lord Samadani." She nodded. "I shall fetch you a pastry." She hushed. "Francesca, dear." She called her daughter.

Francesca's disappointment was nitid on her face as Lord Samadani continued to greet her siblings, and on that little split of time, Mercy chuckled at her frowned eyebrows.

"He looks...nice" Mercy tried to help, but Francesca looked at him bothered. "Just try to talk to him a bit, why not?"

She sighed. "That's the problem, talking"

"You talk very well, Miss Bridgerton, I don't understand the issue." He whispered. "We speak normally all the time."

"It's different"

"How is it different?"

She turned deadly silent. How could she explain? And why was it different? It was different because Mercy felt different, his presence, his posture, his mannerism, everything about him was different. He was the type of person she would notice immediatly if she stepped into a room, and he wouldn't need to say a word.

Otherwise, with Lord Samadani, she'd have to spend the great effort of actually talking to be understood and seen.

"He's coming our way, hush." He teased and Francesca held a laugh as they got up from their seats.

"Miss Francesca." Lord Samadani came between them. "It is a pleasure to see you." He kissed softly the palm of her hand, and Mercy met gazes with Francesca, almost in a silent mockery, some sort of teasing to his gesture of charming attempt that made her contain a grin.

"Good day, Lord Samadani." She simply responded, words a bit uneven by the laugh stuck on her throat, Violet looked at her confused once again.

That's when Lord Samadani noticed the shy black cat in the room who had the easiest, and most obnoxious smile he has ever seen.

"Good day Lord...?"

"Mr. Reeves." He shaked fiercely the noble's hand, who almost gasped at the strentgh. Mercy wasn't strong as warriors or fighters, but the work he had done in his life before becoming a musician in the fields certainly helped him grow more character than any so polite memeber of the ton who had never washed a dish. "I am Miss Francesca's music instructor." He introduced himself.

"Oh? Music instructor?" He grinned almost in a sort of relief to not have that man as his rival. "Isn't that exciting? So you play what? The flute?"

"The pianoforte." He corrected, looking right into his eyes. "Which is Miss Francesca's most cherished passion, if you didn't know it already..."

Of course Lord Samadani didn't remember. Well, he was informed, certainly, that he would meet some sort of beautiful, young lady, daughter of a previous viscount, who was passionate about music, that he knew, someone had probably told him about the instrument as well, but he didn't give much importance into it. What stuck to him was "beautiful, young, viscount".

And Mercy knew it right away when he stepped into that room.

"Right, yes the piano." The lord forced a smile. "I've heard she's incredibly gifted in it." He looked at Francesca's who tried her best not to be bothered by his presence. "I can not wait to listen to you playing someday if I have the chance, Miss Francesca."

"If inspiration strikes her and the opportunity is given to you, I'm sure your ears will be very much blessed." Mercy retorted at last, with a smile and a gentke nod to the family. "I believe I should take my leave." At this moment, Francesca turned promptly to him, almost showing her clear frustration. "Lady Bridgerton." He bowed and Violet bid him goodbye politely. "Miss Francesca." He spoke in a rather softer, sweeter tone to her.

"Thank you for the lesson today, Mr.Reeves." She responded back, fingers fidgeting at the sight his soft smile.

"It was my pleasure." He responded. "I shall see you tomorrow then." She noded eagerly. "Lord Samadani." He looked at the man, who tried to look more manly and strong next to him. "Great to make your acquaitance."

"I can say the same about you, Mr.Reeves." No he didn't, but good manners were necessary for the ton. That is something Mercy had always found ridiculous and hilarious at the same time. So polite, yet so fake.

Mercy exited the room as quickly as he entered it in the beginning of that morning, silent, subtle, and just as that, Francesca's oasis of solitude was broken.

Now she'd have to listen about the so great Vienna and bussiness of a Lord who moaned while tasting a pastry.

What a delightful call.

...

"You two are making a mess." Bellatrix Bridgerton pointed out, as Benedict dove his daughter's fingers into the ink and then splashed them at the canvas.

"We prefer to call it ART" He grinned happily as his daughter giggled.

How could she even try to reprehend such sweetness displayed in front of her? Her heart melted at moments like these, just watching Benedict as this wonderful, whipped father for his little daughter, who resembled a little angel on earth?

Everytime she looked at them she knew she had made the right choice.

"Beige or white?" She asked a bit stressed, looking at some samples of fabric.

Benedict thought for a moment. "White. Matches better with lilac."

"Golden or silver?"

He begun to think again, but Bella ran to the other part of the drawing room already busy with something else.

"You stress yourself so much about this, relax, darling." He told her, as Aurora splashed her hand in the blue ink. "Blue it is." He announced as he guided her tiny hand to touch the canvas. "Wonderful."

"It's just that I want our anniversary to be perfect." She said anxious. "Our wedding did't have a ceremony"

"And it was perfect."He recalled.

"But this time my parents will be there, your family, the ton will be there." She spoke overwhelmed. "I need this to go smoothly."

"But who says it won't?" He carried the baby in his arms and walked over his wife, chuckling at her anxious face. "Do not let your thoughts speak for you, love, you're incredible, you can do anything." He smiled. "And you know, it's not weakness to ask for help."

"But I can do this."

"I know you can, but sometimes you need to rest and let someone take the lead." He handled her the baby. "Now, you let me choose the decor, while you..."He laughed as Aurora put her dirty hand in Bella's cheek making her gasp. "Make Art."

...

"I find books so captivating"Lord Samadani commented when no one asked. "I have a collection of over a thousand myself."

"Nothing a book loves more than to be collected." Eloise added sourly.

It was the opening of Lord Fuller's collection, and the ton was there, pretending to be cultured about books, when most of them had never even finished one.

Lord Samadani was escorting the Bridgerton family that day, with the presence of Stephen Surrey, who quickly rushed to Penelope Featheringtpn the moment he spot her.

Francesca otherwise, felt more like an open wound between that seamless sea of people who broke the first rule established in a library: be loud.

She was stunning, of course, a vision in silver and light blue, but even resembling a porcelain doll she shattered at Lord Samadani's uninteresting comments.

"I do enjoy music." He suddenly said, and she curiously raised her eyebrows, even when not making eye contact. "It is great for dancing in balls, right?"

Francesca internally screamed. "Yes, you are right, my Lord." She only retorted, looking away, maybe even a dust on a shelf would be more exciting than him.

"Oh." Lord Samadani suddenly reacted, as  he pointed to the other side of the room. "Isn't that your music instructor?"

At these words, Francesca fastly turned to the same direction, and she felt her heart burn as wood thrown to a fireplace. There he was, all suited for the occasion, elegantly so, as a line of at least small 8 children gathered organized.

He smiled, he laughed, he talked with them, and Francesca found herself so oblivious and entranced by the scene that she barely listened to Lord Samadani's words.

What was he doing there? How was he so gentle, so sweet? The way he patiently waited for a child to finish their question or how he organized their clothes while playing not to make them tedious in the event.

There were so many questions that popped up in her mind, but in that single second, all her being focused on him, nothing else.

"Is that Francesca's instructor?" Colin asked confused and  Eloise nodded. "I thought he wasn't a member of the ton."

"Well, he isn't." Violet shook her head, but watched attentively to the next events that would develop.

"May I ask for your attention please?" It was Lord Fuller, owner of that residence, responsible for that occasion. He wasn't such a rich man, only a good collector, spoke many languages, knew many places, it made him overrall inersting to meet, made him relevant to his status. "Today, besides the precious collection of books I invited you to witness, I'd like to also present you the unseen young talents among our beautiful city." He gestured to the line of children all so sparkling and well dressed, along with their mentor, who stood there, as a statue with his hands behind his back. "Behold, the choir of St Claire's Orphanage Home and their choirmaster  Mr. Mercy Reeves."

Applause erupted after Lord Fuller's followed by dead silence to create space for the newest presentation.

Mercy stood raised his hands, as if he was conducting an orchestra, a silly, soft and endearing smile across his lips as he encouraged the kids to begin. Shy at first but delightful later, the ton found themselves in awe and admired by the adorable display of notes that floated in the air.

Francesca found that to be the same sound of heaven. It was so meticulous, so tender and fragile. It struck right in her soul, and the vision of Mercy conducting that little choir only supported her idea.

How long had he spent organizing that presentation? How did he manage for the kids to sign so harmoniously even with their tiny, not fully developed voices? Each of them were like parts of an engine, each tone developed a layer to the melody.

And it swung and captured everyone's attention like those christmas choirs at church that dragged proud mama's to tears. Well, this time it was Francesca who was the most amused, most wonderstruck to them.

"Who would've known common orphans could sing so well?" Lord Samadani whispered ruining her experience.

She clenched her jaw, fists closed when she wanted to scream at him to shut it. But Mercy's joyful figure didn't allow her to do it, watching that figure made the tension flow away, along with the final notes, and soon enough, the thundreous applause of admiration.

She clapped so enthusiastically that almost hurt her palms, the kids and their choirmaster bowed, generously.

"Ah, mesmerizing, truly mesmerizing." Lord Fuller applauded. "If any of you feel touched in your hearts to make a donation to St. Claire's orphanage, home to these young gems, there is a box by the corner with Mother Browyn where you can help. Any value is welcome." He added at last, showing a nun next to the window with a small woodden box of donations, but at least half of the ton did not care and resumed to their gossip.

But half did care, and that only brightned Mercy's smile as he saw the orphanage finally getting recognized and supported.

"Thank you once again for this opportunity, Lors Fuller." He shaked enthusiastically the host's hand. "God bless you."

"Amen, thanks, thanks, young man." Lord Fuller nodded, taking his hands from his. "That is enough." He smiled plastically. "Your little show will offer me a great column in Whistledown's, I can already hear the ton whispering about my excellent honor and generosity." He stuffed his chest proud. "Thank you." He tapped Mercy's shoulder and walked away to meet others.

Well, why wasn't Mercy surprised? That was the ton. Futile, shallow nobles who only carrd about their status. The not rich enough, but interesting enough, Lord Fuller only proved him right once again.

But who cares? After weeks of practice, rehearsing, working, creating, and even buying fabrics (that curiously led him to meet Benedict Bridgerton and grant him his job as Francesca's instructor) finally paid off.

"We did it Mr.Reeves!" A young blonde girl celebratrd with the others.

"Of course we did, Samantha!" He squated on thr ground to be at their height, smiling as never before to them. "You were spectacular, did you see their faces?" He raised his eyebrows as the kids giggled. "Completely stunned, well done!" He clapped.

"Group hug!" Another boy shouted.

"Group hug!!" The others followed.

Before Mercy could react, the 8 kids captured him and a tight embrace of little arms, making him loose his balance and sit on the floor. The ton did look at the scene, sometimes even making faces, but everything was futile next to this, to the real prize to have kids so happily victorious around them, to receive their love and friendship.

To be surrounded by the truly honest and honourable.

Francesca giggled at the sight of Mercy being attacked by so many kids, her heart so warm and fuzzy at their sight...she instinctively turned to Lord Samadani. "Are you going to make a donation?" She asked directely.

"Oh...I..." He stuttered nervous, he did not plan to spend money so carelessly that day, but Francesca Bridgerton did seem touched by the choir's display, perhaps helping them would be one step closer to charm her. "...Of course. Shall we?"

Lord Samadani guided Francesca Bridgerton and she met her family also making donations in the same time. Mercy could catch the exact moment she politely approached the nun and helped the children he was so fond of.

But he was spotted just then, staring at the family, umable to escape.

"Mr.Reeves." Violet Bridgerton greeted him sweetly. "Oh what a thing you've done here, that was adorable."

"That is very kind of you to say, Lady Bridgerton, I am most grateful." He nodded as a little boy being thanked by his promising grade in school.

"I did not know you worked for an Orphanage" She added.

"I voluntairly help in their charity events, such as these. I organize the choir and teach the kids music, pianoforte, singing, you can already imagine." He explained. "St.Claire's was extremely needed of donations, and this event came just in time, so I helped them."

"That is something extremely noble of you, Mr.Reeves." Penelope Featherington smiled, taking notes of the musician's charity work.

He thanked a bit silent, as the ton continued their matters, his gaze shifting to Francesca sometimes, as she tried to escape Lord Samadani's chattering.

When he finally left her presence, Mercy took a step forward.

"Did something happen? Has he lost his tongue?" He joked and Francesca covered her laugh with her hand. "I did not think he would ever stop speaking."

"Neither did I." She added with a mischievous grin. "I asked him to fetch me a lemonade."

"But there are no..."Something snapped in Mercy's brain. "...Now that is truly wicked of you, Miss Francesca." He smirked.

That smirk gace her chills, how was it possible for him to look so flawless effortlessly?

"Did you enjoy the music?" He asked gently, she had been waiting all morning for that question. She nodded promptly, hands glued to one another. "Would you like to share your thoughts with me? Your opinion would be surely very welcome."

"I am not a professional as you..." She tilted her head.

"Foolishness. Look at these people." He gestured with his head to the ton scattered across the library. "Tell me has any of these even read a book their entire lives?" She did not answer. "They contemplate their covers, admire the letters, and soon enough close them. But when someonr asks their opinion.."He turned to her. "...they become the most wise critics to ever exist." He leaned close, making her cheeks blush. "And they do not know a thing." He whispered and leaned back again.

Mercy was right, indred his radical view of the high peers was quite precise that day. But still, Francesca felt quite fearful to give such a feedback to someone that seemed so much more wise, that she admired so much in that subject.

"Miss Francesca." He called her, and she loved the way she spoke her name. "If they had even one percent of the talent and knowledge you do, I'd listen to them for hours." She looked at him stunned. "But it is you I ask, so I'll listen to you as long as needed, hours, days, months even, so please." His smiled appeared slowly. "Enlighten me."

It took all the strentgh in the world for her not to faint right then and there in front of him. He could've been a poet with words like that, charm all the women he wished to, become the most admired of the gentlemen if he owned a title.

Luckily, he was just Mercy. But even just Mercy already caused a grandious impact on her.

It was strangely scary but exciting, all at once.

"I like the layers in their melodies." She finally spoke, and Mercy's eyes were almost a reflection of hearts as he listened. "But maybe the pacing could be faster."

"Faster you say?" He asked intrigued.

"Like a gradient of harmonies. Some slow, some faster."

One step further, eyes glued to her, sly smile across his lips. "Tell me more."

Her body shivered warm, as an eletric wave that pulsed against his presence kept her going and going until there was no air left in her lungs neither words left.

"But it was, overrall, incredibly well excuted." She finished her fast speech, eyes on the ground timid as always, as Mercy was lost on her essence by now. He was so silent that she feared to have upset him. "Mr.Reeves...?"

It took a while for him to speak. "That is brilliant" He suddenly flattered her, making Francesxa raise her eyes and meet his grin of admiration. "For God's sake, Miss Francesca..." He chuckled. "How is it possible?"

"Possible for what?" She askrd innocently.

"For you to be so intelligent and perceptive." He said, and this was for the first time Francesca Bridgerton was noticed not for her looks or her polite doll like manners, but for inner herself.

It was almost like he had broken through an insible cover no one had ever did, entering her mind.

She smiled, awkwardly, trying to avoid the compliment but still delightned by it, as they caught themselves observibg the kids next to the nun, who seemed joyful and grateful for the result of that presentation.

"Mr.Reeves."She called him.

"Yes?"

"...May I ask why did you start helping the orphanage?" Francesca asked delicately, and he looked down. "I mean...it is very noble, but not most common-"

"I'm an orphan myself." He declared, and she widened her eyes.

"I-I'm sorry, I did not know-"

"It is quite alright. I don't mind."He retorted gently. "I was raised in St.Claire's orphanage, the same that kids live in now." He showed the children now sharing some biscuits "My mother died when I turned 8. Tuberulosis."

Francesca knew that bitter feeling, the grief could break us so harshly, even when so little. "I am so sorry for your loss." She whispered softly and Mercy thanked her.  "I imagine it must've been hard."

"It was but...life in an orphanage wasn't so bad as I imagined." He tilted his head. "Of course there are some mean teenagers, and I missed ny mother every single day, recalling the sound of her voice..."He said with a hint of sadness and longing. "But there was this..."He sniffed with nostalgia. "...old, blue piano that barely worked and created dust at a corner..."He shook his head smilling. "...it made me reconnect with her, even aftrr death."  Francesca smiled. "Since then, the gift she taught me, I pass on to them. To give them hope just as it gave me."

Her habd trembled, and it was so subtle, almost unoticeable, that her linky finger, or maybe just the tip of it, touched his hand that stood by his side. And Mercy must've noticed, as his breath suspended, but did not move.

"I'm sure she must be very proud of you."She smiled to him.

Mercy nodded back. "Thank you." He whispered back.

"You were very...fierce and determined to get where you are today." She added. "Not many would have." She tilted her head to the side. "I know what it is like to suffer such loss when young, well I did have my mom and my family but...I felt great pain when I lost my father."

Mercy looked at her through a new prisma of that narrative. "How old were you?" He asked softly.

"Seven."

He nodded. "No matter how many people we might be surrounded by, ut feels lonely, doesn't it?" He read her thoughts and she agreed with him. "Was he a good father?"

"The best."

"Then that is what matters." He spoke warmly. "Hold onto those memories, cherish them. I still remember the banana cake my mother burned in the kitchen..."The two chuckled. "...the smell, her laugh...it is all very much vivid. You have that type of memory with you, and you keep them alive."

It did not occur Francesca to listen to such comforting words that morning when she left her home, neither to witness her instructor so vulnerable for once.

But she was thankful she did.

"...If it does not bother you-"

"You never bother, Miss Francesca." He chortled. "Come on, we are just having a conversation, aren't we? There's no need to aplogize. You did nothing wrong."

The butterflies in her stomach flew all across the olace again. "...What..."She tried to gather courage to ask. "...what about your father?" She finally did.

Mercy's smile drolled instantly, like dark clouds covering the sun, and she was shocked to have witness that, even maybe hurt him.

"I've never met him. So I don't have one." He sharply answered.

"Oh..."She looked at him a bit surprised. "Do you know why or...uh...have you ever wished to meet him?"

"I could not care less if he is dead or alive, to be honest." Mercy showed that cold side again, making her freeze in completely shock again.

A morbid silence followed, not the type they were used to, but the awkward, strange one. He said she used to do nothing wrong, not to apologize, but now she had clearly achieved a sensitive topic that he despised.

She had ruined it all and now panicked.

"Mr-"

"Ah, there you are." Lord Samadani finally reappeared as an obnoxious allergy in autumn. "I couldn't find any lemonade, are you sure you witnessed Cresside Cowper drinking one?" He smiled innocentely, and just then spot Mercy's icy, dark figure there. "Oh, Mr.Reeves" He greetee him. "Great presentation. Congratulations"

"Thank you."He tried to be polite, still a bit cold.

"I must ask are those really orphans?"

The question made Mercy pause for a moment. "Yes...why?"

"It's just that they are so well educated and...I don't know, polished, talented." He grinned but Mercy was petrified as a stone. Francesca watched attentively. "I imagined them to be rather dufferent, do you know what I mean? More...roustic, dirtier, poor, I think." He tilted his head. "How did you even get them to learn how to sing? Was it difficult? I believe it must be...wow...what a hardworking man you are."

The worst past is that there was no sarcasm, no joke in his tone. Only pure prejudice, offense. He could barely look at Lord Samadani's face without feeling a bitter taste in his mouth in disgust.

Francesca was disturbed by the lord's comment, what a narrowed, small way of thinking. And Mercy...my God, the look on his face made her feat for the worse, as if a shadow flashed through his once joyful expression and darkened it in a menacing aspect.

"Lord Samamdani have you ever visisted an orphanage home?" He asked, still maintaining the same posture.

"No, not as far as I remember." He responded. "But I do know they do all look the same." He continued. "Nuns, hundreds of tragic kids..."

Mercy clenched his jaw, he was holding back so much that Francesca could sweat she spot him closing his fist in an act of silent rage.

"Well I do suggest you to visit one someday." The musician responded instead. "To broaden your horizons, perhaps. Might even change your current thinking."

"I rather prefere my european endeavours." Lord Samadani chuckled joyfully, as Mercy looked at him, purely grey. "That reminds me, Miss Francesca, have you ever visited Vienna?"

She had answered that question dozens of times. And her lack of response, lack of attitude, only made Mercy fall back to the same label she expected her to escape. A shallow noble.

"Yes, Miss Francesca, tell us." Mercy said this time in a passive agressive speech that made her frustarted. "How do you like Vienna?"

She did not speak for the orphanage, only pursed her lips, looked down, and without a choicex followed the ettiquette she was taught her whole life.

"Unfortunetely I did not have the opportunity to visit it yet." She responded, and Mercy audibly sighed disappointed. "Could you please tell me about your experience there, Lord Samadani?" There was no excitement in her voice, only the same cold tone covered by politeness.

"Oh, if you insist..." Samadani smirked, although no one wished to listen to him. "You see, the skies there...-"

"I believe I should escort the children home now." Mercy quickly said. "Please excuse me."

Francesca opened her mouth to speak but couldn't. Everything happened so fastly, she could have barely processed the situation while the Lord by her side continued to speak.

What did he expect her to do? To offend the suitor the queen arranged her?

It's not like she ever had the choice to choose him, she only tried to do her best, follow the rules, make her family proud.

That's it, the family.

She needed to think about them, and maybe even, marry to perhaps escape the chaotic loud home she lived in. She could ignore some of Lord Samadani's grotesque comments.

Although...could she ignore him for the rest of their lives?

She decided that was a matter for the future married Francesca Samadani. For now, Francesca Bridgerton only avoided that emptiness in her chest and smiled to the crowd. Give them her best.