I woke up that morning to find Simon and Lady Danbury eating their breakfast in silence. "So, is anyone going to tell me what happened at the Bridgertons yesterday evening?" Lady Danbury questioned. Simon looked at me but i just kept my head down and kept eating. "Fine, i suppose we will never know. Keep me in the dark after i invite you into my home. Why should i care?"

"Nothing happened. I felt ill so Simon and i left. That is it" i snapped. "Is this what happened Simon?" Lady Danbury asked. Simon paused. He in truth did not know the real reason either. "Yes, that's what happened" he said. Lady Danbury knew i was lying but she gave up and accepted she would never find out why.

That day, Simon and i went on a ride. We talked about everything in each other's lives one another had missed when i lived in the country and him living from place to place. Simon has had quite an interesting life. He's been to many party's and been with many woman whilst i had never even been touched by a man which i was fine with. Emma used to say the minute a man touches you it's like your under a spell that will never break.

"So, shall we talk about last night?" Simon finally gathered up the courage to ask. I sighed. "For someone who says he keeps such 'great company' you couldn't be more wrong about that Mr Bridgerton" i said.

Simon did not understand my meaning. "Was he the reason you wanted to leave? Did he do something?" he questioned. "Nothing terrible. The man is just foul. I don't understand how you count him as a friend."

Simon found this funny. "He may seem foul, but he has done me good. He was a fun yet gentile man in Oxford. Once you get past the arrogance, you will understand he is a good man" he said.

We continued our ride avoiding the subject of the Bridgertons. When i had brought up Daphne, Hastings shut me down right away. It seemed the rake was vexed by the woman.

As always, there was a ball that night. I tried to act ill so i wouldn't have to go but Lady Danbury was already mad that i had lied to her about the dinner. So we went. When we got there, the ball was situated in the gardens which i liked. I could finally breathe in this corset.

I was standing on my own when i felt someone tap me on the shoulder. It was Anthony. "Miss Bennet" Anthony began, staring at his shoes.
"Viscount Bridgerton" i said with a nod. "I wanted to apologise for my actions yesterday" he uttered. "No sir really i-" i began to say but i was cut off quickly.

"No, truly Miss Bennet i did not want to disrespect your honour and for that i am truly sorry. I should have listened to you instead of reading signals that did not even exist. You seem like a lovely young woman and i can understand why you do not like me. You have every reason to hate me now. And i shall not hold that against you."

The man seemed sincere with his apology. An apology from a Viscount was something unheard of. Especially to a woman. "Thank you Mr Bridgerton. And if you must know, i do not hate you. I have some troubles of my own which i decided to blame on you" i said.

The truth was i did dislike Anthony for what he had done to Emma in the past. But i can not hold being a rake over his head forever. Anthony gave a soft smile before taking his leave.

I was grateful for the apology but now i wanted to try and find Benedict so i could speak with him.
I walked into the private parts of the garden to see if Benedict was there. I felt as if i had looked everywhere for him so i sat down on the bench. "Hello Miss, have you seen Daphne Bridgerton around here? Young girl, smooth skin, pleasant bosoms?" a man asked walking over to me.

The man looked like a living rat and i found it terribly distasteful how he described Daphne. "No, my apologies i haven't" i said back fighting the urge not to roll my eyes.

"I haven't seen you before have i?" he questioned with a smirk. "My name is Lord Berbrooke and you are?"

"Miss Bennet" i replied. "Well Miss Bennet, you have a lovely figure don't you" he said looking me up and down. I stood tall. "Excuse me?" i questioned hoping i had misheard him. "I'm just saying, Miss Bridgerton has a nice face but you have the body" he said. "How dare you?" is all i could get out.

I walked past the man until he grabbed my arm tightly. At this point, i was sick of how every man in the ton thinks it was acceptable to just grab a woman to make them do what they say. Before i had time to think, i slapped him across his face causing him to let me go. I quickly walked away not knowing what he would do.

When i saw him waking towards me i sped up not looking where i was going until i crashed into someone causing me to fall on top of them.

"We have to stop meeting like this" the man jested as i laid upon him. It was no other than Benedict Bridgerton. I looked behind me to see Lord Berbrooke had left once he'd seen Benedict. We both got up and i looked at him not knowing if he would hate me for what happened last night.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" he asked. "Oh you know, just thought i'd go for a nice run before i make my way back to the ball" i teased trying to see if he'd laugh. Thankfully he did. "Are you alright after yesterday?" he asked.

"Yes, Benedict you need to know i didn't want any of that to happen. You must know that, right?" i said in almost a plea. The man stepped closer and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "Of course i know. I mean, if you enjoy my presence then there is no possible way you'd enjoy Anthony's."

"And who said i enjoy your presence?" i questioned with a teasing smirk. Benedict mimed getting stabbed in the heart playfully which made me laugh. We decided to make our way back to the party incase anyone had saw us and got the wrong idea.

When we got returned, i spotted the woman with red, curly hair from the Queens ceremony. She was dancing with Collin, another one of the Bridgerton brothers. I honestly couldn't tell you how many children are in that family. "A dance m'lady?" Benedict asked. I rolled my eyes and took his hand as he lead me onto the dance floor. I had been taking dance lessons for months and honestly i believe they worked. I somehow did not miss a beat.

"Now you must tell me, Miss Bennet. How long do you plan on staying in London?" he asked. "Until i find a husband, Mr Bridgerton. Until then i have no reason to leave."

I saw a smile tug at this lips. "A husband? I suppose Lady Danbury wouldn't settle for anything less than a first born, wealthy lord for you" he said. He spun me around as i grinned. "You must know her well then" i jested.

The dance grew quicker, but i found myself only focused on Benedict. "And tell me, apart from Lady Danbury, what are you looking for in a match?" he found himself asking. His questions gave me some home he enjoyed my company just as much as i did his.

"Let us see," i began. "I enjoy painting so i worked have to have my own painting room. Somewhere with big windows so i can look out upon the fields. I am also partial to the country side but i could settle for the city. But i would need a swing upon the tree. I won't settle for anything else. Also no cats."

He laughed at my last comment. "And what is wrong with cats?" he asked almost sounding offended. "They're dreadful beasts! I don't understand why my sister forces the thing to be let inside. All they do i leave rats at my door and leave me with scrawls upon my arm" i said.

Benedict shook his head, his gaze softening. "But that is it? That's all you want?" he asked. My smile faded as i realised his seriousness. "I suppose, yes. That's all i ask" i said. He nodded, whispering in my head, "As you wish."

All of a sudden, the whole party went quiet except for the music. Everyone turned to see
Simon hand in hand with miss Daphne Bridgerton making their way onto the dance floor. My mouth fell open. I did not expect this match at all. Whenever i saw them together, they had been bickering. I couldn't wait to tease Simon about this later.

Benedict and i continued to dance for the rest of the evening. When it was time to leave, i must admit i desperately just wanted to stay with him. But, Lady Danbury ushered me away. She seemed quite angry actually which i did not understand.

She was the woman who wanted to see me dance with prestigious, marriage worthy men. Once we got into the carriage, i noticed she would not meet my eye. "What is wrong?" i questioned. "You have been dancing with that Benedict Bridgerton all night!" she spat in a furious tone. "What's wrong with that?" i asked in confusion.

"Your sister had only one rule for you this season. You are not to marry a Bridgerton!" she snapped. When those words came out of Lady Danbury's mouth, my heart sank a little.

"So this is Emma's rule?" i snapped back. "Well, Emma isn't the one who has to marry. She sent me here to find a man who wants to marry me, and i believe i have. Was that not my duty?
I should be allowed to marry whoever i please as long as their respectable"i mumbled crossing my arms.

"Don't take that tone with me young lady. I am giving your family a chance to have a future. I must respect your sisters only request. You are not to speak to Benedict Bridgerton again. Do you understand?" Lady Danbury questioned furiously. I stayed quiet. "I said do you understand Miss Bennet?" this time more impatiently.

"I understand."