It had been a few days since Daphne and Simons wedding. And i haven't left my bed since. I don't want to seem like some young maiden who is so heartbroken that they can't leave their bed but, lately i've just felt as if i had not energy. I don't want to eat, i can't sleep, i don't even want to paint.

Lady Danbury knew something is wrong but she has left me rest for a few days. Today unfortunately, i have no choice but to get up and go to a morning soirée. I used all my energy to get changed and the maids did my hair.

"Miss Bennet, may i come in?" Lady Danbury said as she knocked on my door. "Yes" i called out. She walked in and did a fake gasp. "Well Miss Bennet i must say you look as lovely as ever this morning" she said. "Thank you Lady Danbury, though i unfortunately do not feel it" i said with a fake smile putting my head down. She walked over and titled my head up. "Don't let them see it" she said encouragingly.

I smiled and we headed out to the carriage. When we arrived at the garden party, i saw that it was filled with people. Everyone had drinks and the flowers were as lovely as ever. We walked around and socialised for a bit. It was then i spotted Benedict laughing with his brother. He seemed... happy? How could he be so okay while i felt like utterly dreadful. Did he not care? Was he happy that we weren't speaking?

It was at that moment, Benedict looked over at me and his smile slowly faded. I looked away quickly but it was of no use. I could feel him staring. He started to walk towards me but suddenly his brother Colin started to clang his fork against his glass to make an announcement.

"May i have everyone's attention?" Colin called out. Benedict stopped in his tracks as all eyes were on his brother. "I would like to make a small but rather important announcement. I have happy news to impart. I have asked Miss Marina Thompson to be my wife, and she has accepted" he said proudly.

There was gasps and whispers throughout the crowd. Lady Danbury and i were rather shocked to hear this news. Sure i've seen Miss Thompson and Mr Bridgerton flirt at some balls but i never thought they would marry so quickly. People slowly began to clap and Lady Danbury nudged me to clap aswell.

When i looked at the Bridgertons, i could see they were all as shocked as the rest of us. Anthony especially. I could tell Colin was certainly going to have an unwelcoming journey home.

As time went on, i grew rather bored of all the useless conversation. I had seen Henry Brooke's around but he just smiled and waved. He understood i wished for him to stay away and i was glad he accepted that. But he also must know that Lady Whistledown was quick to write about my absence from society of late.

I looked around the crowd and was rather shocked to see Lady Bridgerton walking towards me. I turned my head hoping she had not seen me, but it was too late. "Miss Bennet, i've been meaning to speak with you" she said with a kind smile.

"Lady Bridgerton, is something wrong?" i asked. "Oh no not at all dear, i was just wondering... Well we all rather enjoyed your company when you had dinner with us a few weeks ago. And i was just wondering if you would like to come again. It has been quite strange without another young woman in the house since Daphne has left and Eloise has been bugging me about seeing you and your sister again" she said.

There was nothing i could possibly think of worse than going to the Bridgertons house at the moment. "Lady Bridgerton, thank you for your offer but i'm afraid-" i was about to say but was cut off by Lady Danbury. "She would love to attend Miss Bridgerton, thank you for the invitation" Lady Danbury said creeping up behind me. "Well then it is settled. We shall see you tonight" she said.

I gave Lady Danbury a cold look when Lady Bridgerton turned back around. "Oh, and i hope you don't mind, the Featheringtons shall be joining us as well."

That's when it clicked in my head that Lady Bridgerton just wanted me there to play peacekeeper. "Why would you do that?" i whispered angrily through gritted teeth. "Well Miss Bennet, you have been lying around moping for days now, it's about time you go out and socialise again. As well, shouldn't you be thanking me? All this time you've been whining about wanting to spend time with Benedict Bridgerton and now you don't want to? Unless, something has happened?" she questioned.

"No, nothing has happened. I'm sure tonight will be... a blast" i said with a fake smile.

That night i wore a emerald dress. I decided to go into Emma and Beths room that they stayed in whilst they were here. I sat on their bed and reminisced about the times we shared when we were young.

Whilst Emma was at work, Beth and i would always make daisy crowns for all the animals in the farm. The cows particularly liked them, not because they liked wearing them but because they always found a way to eat them.

As i was about to get into the carriage, i saw a couple of daisies in the garden. "Wait!" i shouted to the driver. I ran over and picked the daises of the floor. I ran back over to the carriage and hopped in. "Ready miss?" the driver asked. "Ready" i said linking the daises together.

When we arrived at the Bridgerton household, i got out of the carriage trying to put on a happy face for lady Bridgerton. I was not going to let Benedict ruin my night. I was going to enjoy my dinner and be myself.

I knocked on the door and Lady Bridgerton answered. "Miss Bennet, how lovely to see you" she said with a soft smile."Lady Bridgerton" i said with a nod. I was then greeted by Hyacinth who dragged me inside. "Juliet! You're back" the youngest Bridgerton said with excitement.

"I am. And i have something for you" i said handing her the flower crown. She gasped as she took it from me. "Mother, mother look!" she exclaimed. I laughed at the girl as she then showed it off to her siblings.

When we got into the dinging room, everyone was already seated. The whole Featherington family and the Bridgertons. I stood at the top of the room and made eye contact with Benedict straight away. He stood up suddenly as the whole room went quiet. "Miss Bennet" he said with a surprised expression. "Hello" i said trying my hardest to hide my anxiousness.

I uncomfortably sat down next to Hyacinth and Anthony. Lady Bridgerton was talking to Miss Thompson about her interest and hobbies. I felt like i was intruding being there. Every now and again i would catch Benedict staring. I've noticed he does that quite a lot actually.

"Mother, have i told you Miss Thompson is very accomplished at needlework? She really is quite brilliant, puts my sisters to shame" Colin said chiming in to lighten the tense mood. "I can assure you that is not true" Miss Thompson said with a smile. "You have not seen my sister Daphnes embroidery. In all honesty, it is like a battlefield."

Lady Featherington let out a loud laugh. This was now officially the most uncomfortable meal of my life. After dinner, Penelopes sister began to show her "talents" by singing for us all. There is no nicer way to say this but, i would rather rip my ears off then continue listening to her. "If you shall excuse me everyone, i must go freshen up after that delightful meal" i said leaving the room.

I was already prepared for Benedict to follow me so i had a whole speech ready in my head. And j was right. I made my way into the closest room and shut the door, hoping he did not seem me. I heard footsteps pass the door and i knew i was safe.

As i sat down on the floor, i heard voices taking in the hall. It was Penelope and Colin. I know it was rude to eavesdrop but i could not help it. I heard them talking about Miss Thompson. Apparently, she has been writing love letters to someone else.

Now, i am not the type of person that goes gossiping around to people about others business like Lady Whistledown but, that did not mean i didn't want to hear for myself. Suddenly, as i had my ear against the door, it opened. It was Benedict.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked with laughter. I shushed him quickly before dragging him inside. "Oh so that's what we're doing aye" he said flirtatiously. "Shut up" i said pushing him away as i knelt back by the door.

"Are you eavesdropping?" he asked. "Yes, now shut up or we'll both be caught" i said still listening. He came beside me and put his head against the door aswell. The voices had changed. I believe it was Colin and Miss Thompson speaking now.

"What if i told you there was a way?" i heard Colin say. "Scotland, Gretna Green. I know, it is mad but we could be married within a matter of days. We just have to make it to the border. Anthony would be an ogre about it when we first return, of course, but by then, it would be to late. We would be married, We would be together" he said.

"I love you" i heard Marina say. "Allow me a day. I shall arrange everything" i heard Colin say. We both pulled away from the door and looked at each other in shock. Both of us paused for a moment before bursting out laughing.

"So, my brothers going to run away and be married huh?" Benedict said still laughing. "I guess so" i said still laughing also.

There was a moment of silence. Benedict looked at me and slowly began to lean in. It was at that moment, everything came back to me.

"What are you doing?" i asked pushing him back. "I just, i thought that-"
"You thought what? You'd kiss me and everything would be fine? Do you really think that low of me?" i said standing up.

"No! Not at all, i just.. I really enjoy your company Juliet. I don't want this small thing to mess everything up" he said desperately.

"But it's not a small thing is it Benedict. You thought i actually kissed Mr Brooke's willingly, and i bet you wouldn't have believed me unless i told you to ask Mr Brooke's" i said.

He went quiet. "I'm not something you can just play around with when you are bored Benedict. I am looking for a match not a distraction" i said trying to stay strong. "Now please, just leave me alone."

I made my way back to the dinging room with everyone and sat down. Eloise began speaking to me about Beth but i simply wasn't listening. Everything was running through my head. And all i could think about was...

What is going to happen now?