A few days had passed, and time felt like it had stood still. There had been no balls, the weather had not been great so promenading through the ton was put on hold and i tried to keep my Lady Danbury and i's conversation to a two words minimum. I thought the silent treatment would work to suede her mind, but alas, nothing has changed.

But time had not been still for Simon. I believe him and Daphne were getting on quite well. Lady Whistledown writes that they should soon be engaged... If only Simon would ask.

I've had six callers so far, all of which i had nothing in common with. In all honesty, i had been quite lonely these past few days. The only company i truly had was the maids and even they were quite dull now that they believe i am a woman of status.

Simon had been absent of late. If he wasn't spending all his time with Daphne, then he would stay with his friend, Will Mondrich, at his boxing arena. I heard he was one of the most skilled fighters in all of England, his wins were countless.

But solitude was not all bad. I spent all my time reading and painting as much as i can. I also sent many letters to my sisters, i even got some replies but they kept it to a minimum. They did not wish to "distract me" i suppose.

I was sitting in the drawing room about to start a new book when Lady Danbury walked in. "Miss Bennet" she greeted. "Lady Danbury" i nodded. There was a minute of silence. The tension building as time went on.

"I've noticed you've seemed rather idle these past few of days" she said. "Well yes Lady Danbury. When no one in the house speaks to me, not even the maids, i suppose i would get lonely" i muttered with spite. Lady Danburys face scrunched with disgust.

I suppose i had let my tongue get the better of me, but as i said my temper is one i can not fight.
"Then i'm guessing you would like some company then" she said. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I did not want her company at this minute.

"Please Lady Danbury, i'm feeling rather tired. I can't see any new suitors at the moment" i resister still looking at my book. "Juliet" i heard a familiar voice call out. I looked up to see Beth standing in the doorway. She had her cat in her arms, and a daisies tucked into her thick braid.

"Beth!" i said throwing my book away and launching towards her. She giggled running towards me, meeting me a long overdue embrace.
"What are you doing here?" i asked with a smile.

Beth looked to Lady Danbury who had a cunning smirk painted across her face. "Thank you, Lady Danbury" i thanked sincerely. "My pleasure. Sometimes all one needs is family" the lady said, almost looking as if she did not believe the words that left her mouth.

"Where is Emma?" i questioned. "Emma had to stay home with mama. And she can not be seen here i'm afraid" Beth said. For a second, i had forgotten all about our ruse. "Now Miss Beth, I am afraid you can not wear that dress while we socialise. I had the modiste make you two new dresses that should be suitable for our outing" Lady Danbury said. "New dresses?" Beth exclaimed in awe. "Come on Beth, i'll show you around the house" i said grabbing her hand as we toured the grand mansion.

A couple of hours had passed, which Beth and i spent speaking of the ton. I told her about all the new people i had met, all the new things i has seen and of course, i warned her of Lady Whistledown. After Beth had settled in, she tried on her new dresses. Beth had never worn a corset before so it was a struggle to try get her in one.

I waited in the hall for Beth to finish dressing until she came out looking as beautiful as ever. She was in a dark, red dress with small lace designs which suited her. "God sister. I must shrunk you back down" i said taking her into my arms. "How can you be a woman this soon?"

Suddenly, Simon came out of the room next door. "And who's this?" Simon questioned. "Simon, this is my sister, Beth" i introduced. "God, how many of there are you?" Simon muttered before storming off.

Beth and i chuckled and headed out to the carriage. I could tell Beth was nervous about attending her first ball, but i assured her, as long as she remembered our back story she would be fine.

When we arrived, Simon made his way straight over to Daphne. They do make a handsome pair i must admit. I took Beths arm in mine as Lady Danbury strayed behind us. I watched my sisters eyes widen at the sight of the luxurious ball. I almost scolded myself for feeling so used to the sight. It was nothing new for me now.

We spotted Eloise standing with her mother at the other end of the room. I quickly ushered Beth towards them so i could make introductions. I felt proud that i could show off my sister to everyone. Now she wasn't just a tale i would tell to get conversations going.

"Well, don't both of you look splendid" Lady Bridgerton declared seeing us both. "Splendid?" Beth began. I knew she was going to run off on one of her tangents. "I feel as though i can not breathe in this corset. It's a symbol of-"

"Repression" Eloise finished her words. "My thoughts exactly!" Beth exclaimed. Lady Bridgerton shook her head as a smile tugged at her lips at their wild thoughts, i copied her movements.

"I have a feeling we will get on quite well" Eloise said with a smile dragging Beth away. I was glad to know Beth wouldn't be as alone as i was at my first ball. "Miss Bennet" i heard a voice from behind me.

I already knew who it was, but i did not want to look. I saw Benedict standing there with one of his devious smiles. "Mr Bridgerton" i greeted with a small bow. I looked around to see Lady Danbury giving me a stare worthy of death. "If you shall excuse me" i muttered walking away. Benedict stood there in shock.

"What have you done now?" Lady Bridgerton whispered angrily to her son. "Me?" Benedict exclaimed. "I have not done anything!... I believe."

As i trudged through the crowd, i heard a Featherting sister laugh so loud it caused me to jump back just enough to trample someone's toe.
"My apologies, sir" i said with a bow to the man. "No, no it's quite alright" the man trying to hide his pain with a smile.

The man looked quite innocent. He had curly blonde hair, a bright yet sweet smile and eyes that looked like they were made of an oak tree.
"My name is Harry Brookes" the man introduced. "Juliet Bennet" i answered. "Well Miss Bennet, would you do me the honour of this next dance? I believe i deserve one after almost loosing my feet" he jested. The man seemed to be sweet and not too intolerable.

"Of course, my lord" i said. We made our way to the dance floor and began to join in on the dancing. "May i say, Miss Bennet. I have seen you at many of these balls yet never gathered up enough courage to speak with you" he began.

"Well, you have now my lord" i said. "I saw your painting at Lady Danburys ball. You have quite the talent. And i am not just saying this because you are in front of me" he said. I chuckled at the compliment. "Why thank you, my lord."

Everything was going great until i saw Benedict staring at me with a drink in his hand. A string one i would presume as i saw him wince at the flavour. Why did i feel guilty? It was then i accidentally stood on the mans foot... Again.

He groaned slightly whilst i cringed. "My apologies once again, my lord. My mind seems to be elsewhere this afternoon" i said refusing to meet his eye. "No, no not a problem just... May we sit and speak instead? I believe i've had enough dancing for one night."

I helped the man over to a seat whilst Benedict made his way over. "I saw the accident out there. She didn't break your toe Mr Brooke's, did she?" he asked in a mocking tone. I gave him a glare and turned my back to him. "I really can't apologise enough" i repeated. "No Miss Bennet really, if my toe is broken, not a lovelier woman could have broken it" he said with small laughter.

Benedict was not so proud anymore. He had a cold look on his face, standing awkwardly to the side. "I can tend to him on my own, Mr Bridgerton" i found myself snapping. Benedict scoffed as he shook his head. "Could i speak with you, Miss Bennet?" Benedict said in a eager tone. "Maybe later, sir" i answered with a fake smile.

Benedict looked offended giving up his fight. I was quite rude but i knew there was no other way to get rid of him. I watched as he stormed off to god knows where.

I sat with Mr Brooke's for a while and we conversed in some pleasant conversation. I told him about my love of art and he told me he had always wanted to learn how to paint but never had the time.

He also told me he grew up with seven sisters and was the only man in the family. He seemed to be a very genuine man who was actually interested in what i had to say. But my eyes every now and then would search for Benedict.

As my eyes scanned the room, i saw him talking to that cruel woman Alice Carter. I had told Benedict how she had made me spill my drink on my dress so he knew how furious i would be. I did not even realise i was staring until Benedict looked up at me with a smug face.

I looked away quickly hoping it looked as if i did not care. When i looked again, Benedict was still staring. "If you would excuse me just for a minute Mr Brooke's, i must find my sister" i said. "Of course" he said sounding disheartened. I made my way over to Benedict, my feet stomping like an angry ogre as i did.

"Could we speak now?" i asked not caring that i had interrupted them. "Excuse me, we are in the midst of a conversation" Alice snapped. "She is right, perhaps after?" he said with a smirk. I was sick of these games as i grabbed his ear and pulled him away.

I dragged him into the empty hall. "Ow, ow, ow" Benedict called out as i yanked his ear the whole way there. "I must speak with you" i began. "That was very rude you know. I can add that to the list of all the other rude things you have done tonight" he hissed. My cheeks grew hot with anger.

"If you must know, i have been warned to stay away from you, Mr Bridgerton" i said looking down. "If i do not stay away, i'm afraid Lady Danbury will not be my sponsor anymore."

"Why on earth are you not allowed speak to me?" he questioned. "It... It is a long story" i said still not looking at him. Suddenly, i felt his hands reach for my chin. He tilted my face to look up at him as i gulped.

"Well then, we will have to keep this a secret, won't we?" he proposed"Keep what a secret exactly?" i questioned. Without warning, i felt the man's lips collide with mine. I should have pushed him off, i know i should have.

But i had never been kissed before. It felt as if all the butterflies that had been caged in my stomach had been let free. I felt his hands run through my hair as i clutched onto his shoulders.

When he pulled out of the kiss, i felt breathless. "Good evening, Miss Bennet" he said about to take his leave. I was not going to let him think his charms has worked on me. I ran over and grabbed his face ferociously and our lips met once again.

This time it was more aggressive. He grabbed my waist wanting more until i pulled back. "Mr Bridgerton" i left him with a nod. I couldn't help but smile when i turned around knowing i had now left him wanting more.

I found Beth with Eloise and the curly, red headed girl. "Hello ladies" i greeted. "Juliet! I have had the most magnificent time" Beth exclaimed. "Do you know what Beth, me too" i said.

"Hello Miss Bennet, i do believe i have not properly met your acquaintance. I'm Penelope Featherington" the girl said with a smile. "It's lovely to meet you Penelope, You must call me Juliet" i said. "Now Beth, i do think it's time for us to take our leave."

Beth said goodbye to her new friends as we found Lady Danbury and Simon at the door ready to leave. I couldn't hold in my smile on the way home. "You seem extra cheery tonight. Is it that Mr Brooke's you were dancing with?" Simon asked. "Oh yes, it was quite the night alright" i said with a bright smile.

When we arrived home, i said my goodnights to everyone. And once i was finally alone in my chambers, i let out a happy sigh. Tonight was not what i expected, but aren't those the best kind?

I was about to get into my night dress until i heard a noise coming from outside my window. At first i though it was nothing until i heard it again. I ran to the window to see what it was.

I then saw Benedict standing outside with stones in his hand. He was trying to mime something out. "Would you like to go to a party with me?" is all i could figure out from his twisted actions.

Well at least i hope that's what he said. He was quite poor at charades. I grinned and nodded. Everyone had already gone to bed and the maids had gone home. I knew that Lady Danbury always kept the window in the drawing room open because the room would get stuffy.

I found myself climbing through the window, my heart thumping out of my chest with the fear i would he caught. I crept my way through the bushes at met Benedict on the other side.
"You ready?" he asked. "May i ask, what exactly am i agreeing too?" i questioned with a grin.

"Well, a party of course."