[song for chapter: Wonder-Shawn Mendes]

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Narrator''s POV:
Dearest gentle reader,the ton is abuzz..
Tonight is the Bridgerton family's night gala under the stars..
It's also the season's biggest masquerade ball...
I hope everyone has their masks ready..
It is said,Violet Bridgerton entrusted Lady Danbury to assist her in event planning this time around..
We all know Lady Danbury's impeccable style and flare,so the evening is said to a splendid one indeed.
As the sun grows stronger,the days get warmer and the marriage mart begins..
The women of the ton have prepared their daughters for this night,as their daughters will be presented not only to the court for the first time of the season,but for the queen herself who is to be in attendance for tonight's ball.
Everyone's been hard at work getting dresses at the local modiste,god help her soul as she deals with dozens of dresses and anxious mothers.
The night has arrived to celebrate Anthony & Kate's arrival..
This author will be on the lookout for any scandal that may occur during the event,if any ill deed or scandal falls onto these author's ears I shall tell you all soon, in tomorrow's column..
Tonight will make or break for many of our debutantes,it will also prove to the queen who is the Diamond of the season..
~
Imogene's POV:
I gasp as my mother tightens my corset snugly over my slip leaving me barely any room to breathe.
"Must this be necessary?" I ask my voice barely audible as I choke out the words.
"Yes! You must look amazing tonight!" My mother says after finishing my corset and tying the laces.
She grabs the dress that's nicely wrapped up and placed in a box from Madame Delacroix's shop.
I slip into the blue long length dress that was sewn beautifully,thanks to Madame Delacroix.

My mother gasps as she eyes me up and down.
I slip into my blue heels,I wince in pain as the heel digs into the back of my foot.
I'll possibly have a blister by the end of tonight,why do women have to continually suffer for men's attention?...
Men.
I picked my hair up in a bun and my mother comes behind me to put on the family heirloom necklace.
I gasp seeing the sight of diamonds.
I've never seen something so delicate yet stunning like this before!
I apply some lipstick on my lips to bring color to my face,although my face stands out enough already.
A bold red lip can never hurt nobody...
I grab the blue matching mask with diamonds dazzling throughout the outlines of the mask.
"Are you ready darling?" I hear behind me as my mother watches in delight and awe.
Her oldest daughter is out for her first season..
Bittersweet however it was a day both of us saw coming eventually...
"Yes" I say biting my lip nervously.
"You'll be great I promise..if the queen doesn't love you then I frankly believe the queen has gone mad" she says pushing some of my hair back so I can put my mask on correctly.
I smile into the mirror in contentment.
I walk down the stairs to meet my brother,sisters and father downstairs holding onto my mother's hand for support.
I look up to see them smiling in awe.
"My,my...my princess is all grown up" my father sniffles and he reaches his hand out to walk me outside to the carriages that await us.
"Nicolas and Mother will be at your side I must attend to Selina and Aurelia in the meanwhile" he says and I smile.
"Your presence alone at the ball shall make me feel protected enough father" I say leaning my head against his shoulder.
"You look beautiful mi princesa" he says and I crack a smile at him.
(My Princess)
"gracias papa" I say back and he smiles.
(Thank you dad)
We've never spoken the native language outside of our island,it was our little bubble.
We knew English since it was the second language however it still wasn't the first language we spoke to each other with in the household.
So it was exciting to speak it again in a new place like this,Mayfair...
A place where the melting pot seemed to pour into itself and mend together different people from different countries to live in Mayfair thanks to the Queen and her King.
~meanwhile~
Benedict's POV:
"Benedict!! Did you grab Hyacinth & Gregory yet?" My mother shouts from downstairs.
"Ben?!" My mother shouts again and I groan in annoyance.
"I'm coming mother!" I shout back and race downstairs to find her frantically looking for us.
Anthony and Kate waiting downstairs with their infant.
"Ah we're running late again because of you dear brother,the people shall be arriving any moment now" Anthony says before kissing his wife's forehead.
"excuse me that I've been haggard since your son's cries filled the halls in this house with his outbursts" I say and he looks at me in the eye.
"Your nephew. He's your nephew as well..he's been experiencing trouble sleeping as we all do." He says.
"It's not your matter to comment on either brother.." he adds and grabs his infant.
He caresses Eddie's head and I sigh in relief knowing I'll never have to deal with a screaming child...
"Benedict...there will be dazzling girls this evening since the queen has requested it to be the gala where she'll decide the Diamond of the season...I do hope you'll consider your mother's suggestion perhaps?" Lady Danbury says to me.
"Oh Lady Danbury then whom will I dance with at the gala?" I ask winking at her and she blushed.
"Forever a charmer I see,use those charms and you might win over a future wife tonight!" She says and leaves me with my mother.
Who's adjusting my outfit.
"Mother I assure you it's fine-"
"Benedict. My dear,I do want you to know it's not that I'm pressuring you..-" she starts but I cut her off.
"Mother. It's fine really." I say smiling faintly.
I'm doomed.
"Just try your best darling and if not this season,I'll never bother you again until you find a love you desire on your own.." She reasons.
My eyes light up and she noticed by her small chuckle when I smiled at her.
"Just don't leave me waiting too long.." she says touching my face.
"I'm not getting any younger nor are you.." she says softly.
"Yes mother." I say smiling and I reach my arm out as we make our way downstairs to get ready to greet our guests...
"The guests are arriving! Shall I let them in?" The footman asks me and I smile.
"Let them in! The ball begins now!" I say as I twirl my mother around and she bursts into laughter happily.
~meanwhile~
Imogene's POV:
The carriage couldn't had been slower,as I heard the sound of the horse's hooves clicking into the ground while we made our way to Bridgerton House for their masquerade ball..
"How will anyone ever see who they're dancing with if everyone is wearing a mask?" Nicolas asks me as he's wearing his own mask.
A mask adorned with black crystals and gold accents to match with his black attire.
"Everyone knows each other in Mayfair..maybe they'll know by their eyes" I say smiling at Nicolas's confused face.
"Well they don't know us.." he says and I kick his leg with my foot.
He winces in pain.
"Ouch! What was that for?" He complained.
"Of course we're new brother however we must fit in if I even want a chance of the queen picking me as the Diamond so I expect you to behave.." I say warningly.
"Of course sister" he says lowly remembering his place and how I'm the eldest therefore I have more say amongst him and the other siblings we have.
The carriage stops abruptly and I hold on tightly to avoid falling onto my brother face first.
"My word!" My mother exclaims.
"You've arrived at Bridgerton house ma'am" the coachman says and Nicolas scolds him for his parking of the carriage.
The footman of the Bridgerton house arrives to greet us.
"Welcome to Bridgerton house!" He says and helps me,my mother and Nicolas get out of the carriage.
We walk with the footman who explains some details about the Bridgerton house before escorting us to the outdoor garden where the masquerade ball is being held at.
"My...god." I say as I'm speechless.
The carefully dimmed lights feel romantic and gentle amongst the darkness of the night.
The dancefloor beautifully decorated with purple and blue lilies in every end of the corners.
There's a orchestra performing already when we arrived and as I can tell by the large crowd of masked people with their dates....we're late.
I sigh in defeat knowing already I screwed up my first appearance at a social event.
All eyes are on me as I walk closer to the edge of the dancefloor with my mother.
The masked people mumble to each other as I keep my eyes down refusing to make eye contact.
"Hello,welcome to our ball! I'm Lady Bridgerton I'm the matriarch of the Bridgerton family.." the hostess approaches and greets us.
"Hello,this is my mother Lady Betancourt.." I introduce my mother and my mother dips her head in respect.
"Ah yes the new family who arrived in Mayfair not too long ago!" She says smiling.
I giggle nervously.
"No need to worry darling I'm harmless" she says holding my hand softly and I smile warmly.
"I'm Imogene Bridgerton,eldest daughter of Lady Betancourt and Lord Betancourt,it's a honor to be invited to such a wonderful event" I say dipping my head to her as well.
"You taught her well" she says to my mother.
"She'll win over the queen I'm sure of it!" She adds and my mother smiles at me.
"I would love for you to meet my son-" She starts when suddenly horns blare into the garden.
"Your majesty...QUEEN CHARLOTTE has arrived!" The queen's royal footman announced as she walks into the ball.
We all bow down and I lock eyes with the queen as she walks past me.
The large hair would make the queen unmissable to say the least.
Lady Bridgerton rushes to the queen to greet her.
"So I see you two are enjoying the party!" I hear a unfamiliar voice from behind me and I see a woman with a cane smirking at me.
"I am..so far! excuse me..who are you?" I ask.
"I'm Lady Danbury and you?" She asks me eyeing me up and down.
"I'm Imogene Betancourt and this is my mother Lady Betancourt" I say bowing slightly.
"Ah yes the Betancourt family,we all read Penelope's papers about you" she says.
"Is this Penelope girl trying to mess with us on purpose or?" I ask.
"Oh no she's not messing with you,she's a gossip columnist and mostly just gives what the ton wants which is gossip. She's remotely harmless..granted she's had her own scandals or two however no one in this world is born perfect as god himself" she says and I sigh in relief.
"That's a beautiful dress!" She says smiling and I smile back at her.
"Thank you" I say bowing slightly.
"Fear not darling I'm not the queen you do not have to bow to me.." she says nudging her cane softly against my arm so I can stand straight in front of her.
"There we are. A dazzling Diamond the queen will have her eyes on you the entire night I'm sure of it" she adds humming to herself in delight.
Taking in what I'm wearing,how my hair is styled and how mother made my makeup look.
Not overpowering,soft and delicate like a doll.
I feel someone shuffling through the crowd of people and amongst us women,a man with blonde hair and green eyes stares down at me.
"Good evening" he greets and I smile.
"Good evening" I greet back and lower my head slightly before rising to face him in the eyes.
"What's your name love?" He asks me.
"I'm Lady Betancourt,Imogene Betancourt to be exact." I say and his eyes light up.
"The newly titled girl yes! I heard about you from the court!" He says and I raise a eyebrow at him slightly glaring into his eyes.
I could only imagine what they were gossiping about now...
"Good things were said my lady you mustn't worry" he says softly and my face softens from his words.
"Your name?" I ask.
"Ah yes,my name is Xander Eggerton my lady.." he grins at me while lowering his head to me.
"Is there a reason you've approached me other than wanting to chat with me Mr. Eggerton?" I tease with a wicked smile and he smirks.
"I was coming to ask my lady if she would like to dance with me" He says with his hand extended for me to grab.
"Well..would you care to dance?" He asks me finally after a brief moment of silence.
I never been asked before to dance on the ballroom floor in front of people,other than my sisters or my own brother.
Never a male outside of our immediate family.
So this was new,my stomach was bubbling and flipping...
I gently placed my slightly shaky hand in his as we approached the dancefloor,my eyes avoiding his gaze as it terrified me to even glance upon his green eyes staring at my face.
With the most gentle smile on his face,it intimidated me as I never had someone even glance upon me the way he did.
We swayed slowly to the sound of strings,his arm resting on my lower back.
"Are you enjoying the night so far?" I ask as the silence builds and it's strange being this quiet.
I look around the room to see everyone talking to each other as they dance among us.
"I am so far,hopefully tonight will be even more enjoyable" he says slyly with a smirk and I raise a eyebrow.
"How so my lord?" I ask and he chuckles deeply.
"I'm hoping to propose to you tonight so we shall..." he eyes my cleavage area and i scoff.
I push him away from me.
"How dare you? You think I'm some sort of a object you can easily pull and play with?" I ask him loudly causing some of the members of the Ton to stare.
He angrily storms off and I leave the dance floor visibly upset.
I storm off to the garden and hide away as tears come rolling down my face.
All those eyes watching me scold a man on the dance floor,we could've dealt with it privately sure..but what he was insinuating was absurd.
I would never bed a man I barely knew...
Let alone accept a engagement just to bed someone...
I never bedded with anyone,always hiding in my house with my nose in a book or helping mother around the house.
Never bothered me much,mother taught me to stand up for myself as a woman.
Therefore him thinking I was going to easily bed with him that quickly was wrong.
I hear someone rustling around in the garden and I stand up from the garden bench.
"Excuse me? Are you okay?" A unfamiliar voice asks me and I look up to see soft green-gray eyes staring into mine.
"I'm okay." I lie as I sniffle.
"I can smell a lie from anywhere,I can tell you missy,you are not okay" he says smiling softly and sitting right next to me.
"Are you the new girl?" He asks me.
"What is it with you people and new people? Must you ask every single time" I say rolling my eyes and sighing.
"Well you are new,I never seen a face like yours here before" he says smirking.
"If you're flirting with me I'd like you to know I'm not interested" I say crossing my arms across my chest.
"I'd say you're lying through your teeth again,because according to the papers you are Ms. Betancourt...you and your sisters are on the marriage mart this year,trying to win over the queen am I wrong?" He asks me.
I groan at his arrogance laced in his tone,I can't tell if he's teasing me or actually stating facts.
"If you must insist of knowing who I am..I suppose it's polite of me to introduce myself however as the gentleman in question you should introduce yourself first am I wrong?" I ask him smirking looking at him.
He stares at my face for a bit before clearing his throat.
"Alright you got me there,I'm Benedict Bridgerton,son of Violet and the late Edmund Bridgerton..." he says grabbing my gloved hand and places a light kiss on it.
The gesture sending fireworks through my body as he keeps eye contact.
It's annoying how attractive he is...
"Bridgerton? Hmm" I say humming to myself.
"What?" He raises a eyebrow at me.
"Nothing,just heard stories" I say smirking.
"If the ton loves anything it is gossip so you,miss Betancourt are definitely apart of the ton now if you believe such nonsense.." he says.
"Say what you want but there's truth in gossip...50% of the time.." I say shrugging and he sighs.
"Your turn" he says with a smirk again.
"My name's Imogene. I came from a little island in the Caribbean. My entire family and I used to own a farm back home,now we inherited titles after my mother's estranged family passed down the titles to us." I say.
"That's a big gesture considering you were estranged..." he says amused.
"Don't be smug,my grandfather had a soft spot for my mother despite their rift...therefore secretly he had a will established with our titles in them.." I say.
"Enough about me..more about you what do you like?" I ask him.
"The arts,a dance or two...,pretty women" he says the last part staring at me.
"Of course you do" I say rolling my eyes at him.
"Seriously though,I'm a serious man I love education..books are fun for me sometimes" he says and my eyes light up.
"You love books too?" I ask.
"I'm assuming you're a book worm as well?" He asks me smiling at me.
"I am!" I say with excitement.
"We should visit the library sometime soon" he says.
"We should.." I say and I glance over to see my mother signaling me back inside.
"I must return to the dance floor.." I say softly trying to stand up but he stops me.
"Why did you leave?" He asks me.
"It's none of your concern.." I say directly staring at him.
"It is if you were visibly disturbed or upset by it.." he says.
"Why do you care? I'm nothing to you.." I say.
It hits him in his chest,I can tell by his expression on his face.
"I'm a gentleman first before anything,so bare with me if I must inquire about your sudden and abrupt departure from the dance floor?" He says with some confidence in his voice.
"Fine! I was dancing with a man and he had intentions to bed me" I say throwing my hands up in defeat.
"And that was the reason..." he starts but I cut him off.
"He tried to touch my...bottom without my permission and I feared my safety so my anger took over and I lashed out at him in the middle of the dance-floor with all of the ton watching and I knew at that moment I was ultimately done for,the queen wouldn't want me now...I wasn't "perfect"...I yelled at a man." I ramble and he stops me by hugging me which snaps me out of it and I can hear my heartbeat racing.
His arms carefully not touching my back out of respect.
"I'm so sorry." He apologies.
"It's not your fault my lord,you had no idea.." I say pulling away slightly.
"Who was this man?" He asked me.
"Some man named Xander Egg-"
"Xander Eggerton" he says bluntly and I nod silently.
"You know him?" I ask him.
"Invited him personally,we bonded over art at the local tavern..he must think he's at one." He says glaring at the dance floor.
"I must go before they suspect anything.." I say.
"Yes you may go,my apologies again for a horrid night.." he says bowing at me.
"It's not entirely horrid I met you" I say bowing back at him before retreating back inside.
"Where were you?" My mother asks me pulling me to the side quietly.
"Outside in the garden" I say.
"Alone? Are you mad?" You could've gotten lost!" She scolds and I look at her.
"Mother I needed air,the ton is a bit overwhelming you know?" I tell her.
"I know my dear,but the queen is here so we must remain calm and collected okay? We'll talk about why you ran off later right now..we need to show the queen your strengths if you want to be picked the Diamond of the season." She says and I nod quietly.
- after a while -
I walk over to the corner of the room as I grab something to drink,it's become boring the gala as the dance floor fills up again.
As other girls get picked to dance,it's nearing midnight and I haven't been asked since that incident with Xander.
I fear I scared off potential husbands...
Oh well..now to try to win over the queen if she didn't see my outburst earlier..
"Bored as well?" I hear behind me and I jump.
I look back and it's Benedict leaning on the table with the bottles of champagne on it.
"It's unfortunate that your mother's gala turned so boring after such a good beginning.." I say placing a glass on the table.
He pops open the champagne and pours some of the champagne in his mouth.
"Benedict!" I scold smacking his arm playfully looking back to make sure no one is watching us as it's only us two back here grabbing drinks.
Everyone is pre-occupied,even our own parents...
"What? Live a little missy" he says sassily before titling my head up slightly.
"What?" I ask laughing and he taps my mouth slightly with the top of the champagne bottle.
"What do you want Benedict?" I ask him.
"You can call me Ben love" he says and my stomach gets butterflies at the "love" nickname coming from his mouth.
"Ben." I correct smirking.
"Open your mouth so I can pour some champagne in it.." he says.
"This feels lewd" I say laughing before titling my head back and he pours the fruity yet spicy liquid falls into my mouth,buzzing as it smoothly makes it's way down my throat and I swallow it.
I accidentally locked eyes with Benedict which was a mistake as our gaze turned into something different than of that from the garden.
I turn around and clear my throat as he does the same.
He awkwardly pours me a glass of champagne avoiding my gaze as I stare at the floor.
"You should go dance" he says.
"No one asks me Ben" I say sighing as I take a gulp of my champagne.
He snatches my glass out of my hand and places our glasses on the table.
"Then we shall!" He says and I raise a eyebrow as he pulls me to closer to the dance floor.
Careful to make sure nobody notices that we were alone together talking,we play a charade as if he's asking me to dance..
He approaches me slowly and raises his hand.
"Lady Betancourt. May I have this dance?" He asked...
So formal yet so sly with his delivery.
I smirked at his confidence,I found it amusing.
I dared to challenge him just to tease but for tonight,I chose to follow him onto that dance floor.
"Ben you do not have to do this" I whisper as I avoid everyone staring at us.
"But I do and I shall." He says smiling and bowing at me.
I bow back and give in.
I wrap my arms around him and he does the same.
We dance to the music excitedly and I can't help but feel the burnin eyes of the ton staring at us,more importantly me.
He notices me looking over his shoulder and his finger pushes my face towards his.
"Look at me and only me. You got this,forget everything and everyone else" he says gently and I nod before sighing softly.
I stare into his eyes as the music changes suddenly to slow music.
Romantic music.
We waltz along to the music...
With the entire ton in sight,everyone staring at us as we waltzed across the floor.
My gown effortlessly twirling around the floor,brushing him lightly against his trousers.
He swooped me down and picked my head up gently,our eyes locked in together like a perfect puzzle.
I was his from this moment on and he had no idea yet.
As that night carried on,I felt his hands on my waist and it felt like poetry that not even Shakespeare could've written.
It was perfect..
His lips carefully close to mine,our breaths harbored from dancing across the floor alongside the ton's members.
We stood still staring into each other's eyes and the world stopped,as if time stood still.
It was like we were alone,we were not at a ball and it was just us against the universe..
Once the music stops we all stop and clap at the violinist.
I turn around to face Benedict but he was nowhere near me.
I look back to see if I can find him,but at last...he's gone.
He's swallowed up by the crowd that I can no longer spot him among the other men in the ton.
I accept defeat..
Knowing I may have fallen in love with a man I barely know after just a chat or two and a waltz...
~
Benedict's POV:
"Ben! Your art was accepted to be displayed at the gallery you must come urgently to meet with me and the curators!" Victor tells me as he's standing next to me on the dance floor as we cheer and applaud the violinist.
"No way Victor!" I say beaming with excitement.
"But wait-" I say as I'm pulled away by Victor...
I look back to see Imogene still clapping with her back turned so she has no idea,that I'm not near her.
"She'll understand my lord...we must make haste!" He says.
Victor being my longtime friend,I sigh and leave with him and his carriage to meet with the curators.
"Is it ok to be meeting at this hour?" I ask him.
"Of course Ben! they work almost around the clock" he says.
"Ok.." I say staring at Bridgerton house as the carriage leaves...
I can't get over her eyes,her voice or her soft and innocent face yet snarky and confident personality...
I must get to know this girl more...
This Imogene Betancourt girl..
~
Hello readers!
I hope I do the show and fandom justice by stepping my feet into this realm of storytelling I've never done before..
It's so special for me to share a piece of myself into this book while still maintaining it a fanfiction novel!
That's why the main OC and family are Puerto Rican 🇵🇷 like myself.
I'm so excited to bring you all along on this journey.
Peace & Love Always,Xoxo..
~Chrissy 🎀🧿💙⭐️💫✨