⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅‎♡‧₊˚

To say Jasper was quickly growing tired of making appearances at grand events with his sister was an understatement. He adored the gleam of delight in her eyes every time but he hated the onlookers. Not the stares of the men ogling his sister, no, he despised the ones from the men looking at him. He knew of his reputable ways, the whispers of his love for lightskirts. He heard the rumors, dealt with the stares, handled the cheeky flirts, and he'd had enough. So when he opted not to attend another ball on his sister's arm, only one member of his family wasn't surprised. The only person to know his secret was the one who hadn't made a snide remark about him for not chaperoning her. Jedidiah sneered unhappily at his son, now being forced to court her when he had initially planned not to attend either.

"Will you both stop with the theatrics?" Aurora rolled her eyes. Jedidiah and Jasper were locked in a heated staring battle, neither of them backing down. "You forget I could always accompany Daphne and Violet." Her suggestion captured their attention, both men blinking rapidly in hopes of refreshing their eyes. "Or, I could always attend alone?" She doubted they'd ever agree to it but she didn't see the harm in going alone.

"Bailey!" Jedidiah shouted in response to her suggestions. The short stoutly man barged into the office, his arms firmly by his side as he waited to be directed. "Call upon a Bridgerton. Inform them Aurora needs accompaniment for this evening." Aurora discreetly crossed her fingers as she hoped to see the one brother she pined for. She cheerfully kissed her father's cheek before rushing after Bailey, her blonde curls bouncing around her shoulders and her pink gown flitting around her legs. Her handmaiden Stella followed her out to the gravel entryway where the family's carriage was parked, fussing to herself as the blonde risked wrinkling her gown. Edmund assisted Stella in helping the blonde into the carriage, sharing a secret smile after their hands accidentally brushed.

Seated as comfortably as she was able, Aurora waited anxiously for her companion. Her stomach lurched as she saw a male approaching the carriage, her lips twitching downwards as she caught sight of the flat hair. With his face blank, Anthony Bridgerton seated himself across from the Hanford girl. He waited for the carriage to pull away from her home before meeting her eye.

"You don't need to look so disappointed." He joked, though his face remained impassive. "I was the last to be ready so here I am."

"Thank you for being here Anthony." She was grateful he had stepped in. "Father and Jasper opted out of attending this ball with me."

"I wish I was so lucky as to have that option." He retorted.

She gave him a small smile. "Eloise mentioned that your Mother is trying to secure each of you a bride."

"So she keeps trying." The last thing Anthony wanted was a wife of his own but his Mother was vying hard to find him one. "Luckily for the rest of us, she's caught up with Colin's wooed ways and Daphne's prospects."

"Is being a married man really so horrible for you?" She was genuinely curious. She knew the man before was rather promiscuous, she wasn't as oblivious as the rest of them believed her to be. She knew each of the Bridgerton brothers were rakish men. However, that detail couldn't keep her from falling in love with one.

"Indubitably." He reeled back, almost disgusted at the thought.

"Oh, Anthony," she giggled at his expressive face. "your poor Mother must have a field day with you." She felt for the widowed Bridgerton at that moment, now realizing that it wasn't just her younger children that created such a hassle for her. The Bridgerton man chuckled along with her, his posture relaxing as he leaned back in his seat. The two shared another smile as the carriage rolled to a slow stop. Anthony stepped out first, holding his hand out to assist Aurora, steadying her when she slightly stumbled. The older male's hands instantly reached for her waist, his throat bobbing as her chest pressed against his. She remained oblivious to his reaction and smoothed out her dress, accepting the arm he offered. She gave him a beaming smile, his posture straightening as he guided her towards the event. A couple entered before them and Aurora marveled at the beauty that awaited them.

Feathers whirled around in the air as soft music played, men and women of the ton chatting aimlessly or dancing in circles. Anthony basked in the attention they received, choosing to ignore the way the girl on his arm eagerly searched for another. For a fleeting moment, Anthony lived his quietest fantasy. He gingerly placed his hand over hers before easing out of her hold once he noticed his brothers eyeing them. One confused, the other angered. A flash of guilt spread through him as he gave the Hanford girl one more small smile before leaving her in the company of the man she'd chosen.

"Evening Bridgertons." Aurora greeted the three males with a smooth curtsy. The three brothers bowed in return, each of them sporting a different expression on their faces. "Enjoying yourselves?"

"Not as much as others," Colin spoke up. He excused himself with a smirk to his brothers.

Aurora quirked an eyebrow at the twins, both of them shaking their head in sync. "Where is Jasper?" Benedict spoke up, noticing his twin had remained quiet as he still glared at Anthony's retreating figure.

"Him and Father opted out of attending," she explained once again. "He sent for one of you to accompany me but Anthony seemed to be the only one available." She looked up to the taller twin, gently placing her hand upon his arm. He flickered his eyes to hers, his glare softening as he focused on her bright smile. "Though, I had been hoping it would have been you that arrived with me, Benjamin." Benedict gaped at her forwardness, Benjamin equally speechless. "If you fancy a dance, I'll be waiting." She gave the taller male a fleeting smile before leaving them to find Penelope.

"Oh, Benji, if you don't marry her, I will." Benedict snickered. Benjamin snapped to his twin and gave him the harshest glare he could muster.

"Fuck off," his words were improper and they only made Benedict laugh harder.

"That one will surely keep you on your toes." Benedict couldn't stop smiling at his brother's reaction. "Better find her before her dance card is full of names that aren't yours." Benjamin flicked him on the forehead before leaving to find the girl who rendered him speechless. With his tall height, he spotted her easily. She stood over the catering table, the youngest Featherington beside her. He sidled up beside her, surprising her as he reached for the arm with the thin paper attached to it. He pulled a pen from his coat pocket and swiftly wrote his name upon every line. He released his wrist, a proud smirk on his face. He watched as she read over the words, smiling to herself.

"Kept me waiting long enough," she smiled dreamily at him.

"Never again," Benjamin had concluded that from that moment on he'd be the one waiting for her. He knew what he wanted and a future with her was all he could think of. All he could wish for. He was through trying to fight his feelings, she held his heart in her small hands. It was hers to have, he never wanted it back. He stood beside her as she continued to chat with her friend, nibbling on a small biscuit.

"Oh!" Her excited gasp had parts of him reacting sinfully. He swallowed thickly as he gazed down at her. "How wonderful for them!" Aurora gushed as she watched her best friend enter with the Duke by her side. They immediately joined the dancing couples, Aurora eagerly turning to Benjamin. "Fancy that dance now?" He was bewitched by her smile, holding his hand out without uttering a word. He'd jump into the freezing lake if she asked him to. She slipped her hand into his, both of them wishing her glove hadn't separated their skin-to-skin contact.

He positioned them beside his younger sister, bowing towards the girl who held his heart. He slyly winked at her, her cheeks turning a rouge color as she smiled beautifully at him. They began their dance, ignoring the crowd around them as they stared into each other's eyes. "In all the time I've known your family," Aurora began, "I was never told how fine of a dancer you are."

"I'm a man of many mysteries." Benjamin grinned. Aurora stifled a laugh as he twirled her. "Impressed?"

"Very much so," she beamed. "So what shall happen now, Benjamin?" She was hesitant to ask but she wanted a clear answer.

"Now," he began, his eyes dancing around the room before bending his head closer to her height. "I make my promise to you. What I feel for you is stronger than what any other man has ever felt for another person. I am yours Aurora. If you'll have me."

"And if I decline?" Though they both know she wouldn't.

"I wouldn't give up but I would respect your decision." He muttered, his heart breaking at the thought of her loving another. "You're it for me Aurora. There will never be another."

His blue eyes stared intensely at hers. She believed every word he told her. She knew he never uttered a word he didn't mean. "I've been enchanted by you Benjamin Bridgerton. For me, there will only ever be you."