The Werewolf Debutante

by brizzer

Summary:

Dear Gentle Readers,
Isn't it funny how True Pairs are rare, yet every Bridgerton seems to have one? What could their secrets be for such a gift? And what of the daughter, Eloise? Doesn't it seem curious, how she seems to be missing balls on only full moons? Is it coincidental or something more?

Notes:

I don't own Bridgerton or any of its characters. I just write this for fun. Hope yal enjoy. Sorry if the grammer sucks.

Chapter 1

Dearest Gentle Readers,

I know you must be shocked to hear from this writer during the off season, but I cannot sit idly by as I have the most horrific news. It seems for those traveling to their country side homes, beware. A large creature has been spotted. Yes, the monster is back, after being quiet for nearly thirty years. I know we've had whispers and those to have claimed to catch a glimpse, but just this morning I've witnessed it's own tracks left behind. The esteemed Bridgertons have already lost two cows this year so far. We can only hope that the beast keeps to livestock and not develop an appetite for the members of the ton. So those traveling, keep your wits about you and hope that the hunting parties are to soon put this disastrous creature to rest.

Bidding all safe travels,

Lady Whistledown

 

...

"Eloise!" 

Violet knocks on the door for the third time, with a huff of indignation. Hyacinth giggles as Violet holds in an eye roll at Eloise lack of response.

"I fear mother that my dear sister must be dead if she has yet to rise. May I get her room, if we find her corpse laying beneath a pile of books?" Hyacinth asks. 

Violet smiles as she gently shoos her youngest daughter away, "You will get no such thing. Now,off to lunch you go."

Hyacinth pouts for a moment, as she skips her way downstairs. The midday sunlight through the window catching beautifully on the sequence in her dress.

Violet looks back to the door and pauses. She knows her daughter is probably sleeping and not dead somewhere in the woods,but after the incident with her husband her heart clenches at the thought. 

Of course, her second eldest daughter, the one with the most independence and awkward charm has the same infliction her husband did.

Violet knocks once more, "Eloise. I've let you sleep in long enough!" She pauses to hear nothing. 

Violet takes a steadying breath before opening the door with a creak. She is unsure what she'll find. An intelligent young lady or a confused, sometimes violental creature.

The inside of the room as a word? Disaster. Books stacked ontop another, as papers cascade down the desk. The blinds tightly shut, as the heap of white comforters hide a body of a young girl, save for a pale foot sticking out. 

Violet looks up, requesting help from her Lord, as she quickly opens the blinds. Light rips through the room and Violet cringes at the laundry decorating the floor. Scratches rake against the wood with mud and what Violet can only hope is not blood.

At least she did not bring any leftovers here this time.  She still has not forgiven her when a poor deer leg fell from a rafter scaring Ginger, Eloise's maid, half to death.

Maids are forbidden to come in until the hours between lunch and dinner for Eloise's room. Its for their own safety. Eloise can be quite possessive and territoral when the mood fits. Violet makes a mental note to tell Anthony to give the staff a raise. 

"Eloise dear, I'm afraid you've slept half the day away."  

No response from the heap. Violet goes to shake her daughter, when she pauses, a faint smile tugs at her lips at the childish thought.

She rounds the bed where the lone foot hangs and drags a fingernail up it. The mass shrieks as a blob of brunette hair emerges from the sea of covers. 

"What!? I'm up! I'm up!" Eloise all but yells. Violet has to simper her laughter at her mess of a daughter.

At least she's fond of this mess. 

Violet clears her throat; Eloise narrows her eyes from the sunlight streaming in to find her mother. Her blue eyes roll, "Mother must you wake me up so early? I fear," with a yawn, "If you want me to find a suitor this upcoming year, I should get as much beauty sleep as possible." 

Eloise goes to reclaim her spot amongst the throws.

Violet crosses her arms at the dramatically claimed daughter, "I fear if you sleep anymore today Anthony would have to start taking on callers in the off season due to them being so captivated by your beauty." 

The lump ignores her.

Violet rips off the covers on the groaning girl, "Get out of bed." 

Eloise tilts her head and looks at the wooden clock on the wall, "Huh. It does seem that I have slept in." 

She stretches she stands, her night cloth coming up to her mid calf. Violet is greatful that she remembered to cover herself this time. 

She sighs, "It seems we will have to get your clothing altered, again." 

Eloise looks down, "Ugh, another growth spurt? If I keep going at this rate, I be taller and bigger than half of the males of ton." 

Violet sighs as she looks down at her, " I think you'll be fine, as we're almost the same height." She looks as Eloise flexes and her sleeves do seem to strain, " We'll say you took up fencing this off-season, against my wishes." 

Eloise rolls her eyes, "Why would anyone believe that? You forbid me from doing that years ago." She picks a dress off the floor and holds it up to her body seeing if it'll fit. 

"Well, you are known to be problematic. You'll have to practice with your brothers starting today. I'll tell the maids to drop off some of Colin's clothes until we get yours or Daphne's old ones rectified."

Eloise turns to her mother to argue when Violet closes the door.

 Violet sees two maids patiencely waiting to go inside. Luckily, they're older, more loyal ones. The new ones always scare so easily. 

"Eloise will need to borrow some clothing from Colin today. Also, can you take some dresses from Daphne's closet and alter them to fit her for the off season," Violet instructs.

"Has Miss Eloise had another moon spurt my Lady?" Ginger asks. She's been around since her husband. The maid knows how to handle Eloise quite well.

Violet has a suspicion that she's more like Lady Danbury than she let's on.

Violet nods, "I'm afraid so."

 

....

 

Eloise comes down the steps wearing her riding boots, and Colin's navy blue pants and white collar shirt. 

She's tucked the shirt into the waistline and has the cuffs rolled out to her elbows. The gold buttons, shining bright, making her pale skin seem darker.

The long dark oak table has been filled with a buffet of sandwiches,fruits and small cakes. Eloise practically drools at the sight. A shift always causes her hunger to be enlarged, especially moon changes. 

"May I say sister, we are honored you've finally graced us with your presence, " Benedict exclaims as he takes a sip of his tea.

Anthony looks up from his newspaper as he looks at her attire, "Do you have anything else to wear today?" 

Eloise growls as she takes her seat, reaching for the stack of sandwiches. Her stomach clenching, "Do you think I'd want to wear Colin's stench ridden riding clothes if I had too?" 

Anthony turns to her appalled, as Benedict laughs, "They do not stink. Your brother isnt even here to use them."

Eloise argues around the sandwich, "I have a better nose than you do. Reeks of mares and....ladies." 

Anthony's lips tick on one side as he tries to hide his amusement.

Violet walks in behind her daughter and hits the top of her braid lightly with her fan, "Don't speak when you're chewing." 

Gregory and Hyacinth giggle at their sisters misfortune as she rubs the top of her head while angerly chewing on her meal.

Hyacinth jumps up in her chair, "Is it true that you ate two whole cows!?" 

Eloise pauses and looks up bewildered, "Where did you hear that?!" 

Gregory smirks as he waves the crumpled Whistledown, "Someones been digging in the trash again." He frowns as Hyacinth flicks him in the nose.

Eloise moves to snatch the paper, "Give me that." Her eyes scan the page. Francesca quickly sits beside her mother. Gregory and Hyacinth bicker.

Penelope. A pang in her heart is deep as she reads the first words of her friend in over a month. 

"Children, enough. And no, Anthony. I will have the maids adjust few of Daphne's old dresses and cut off the sleeves. I'm sure it'll be passable until we get to London again," Violet says as she takes some tea. 

"What's wrong with the sleeves?" Gregory asks as Eloise stuffs her face as fast as humanely possible. Glaring at the parchment.

It wasn't even her who killed the two cows, it was some wild coyotes. Those she killed. If you're going to publish something, might as well make sure it's factual first.

All members at the table show their attention to the girl. Who ignores their looks for the sole focus on the meal and internal dialog.

Violet sighs as her tea cup rattles against the dish, "It seems her physique has gained muscle, as well as height." 

Benedict laughs, "It seems our dead sister will be sweeping her sutior off their feet, not the other way around." 

Eloise snarls, "Great. Not only am I expected to be accommodating to my husband, but weaker in every way my sex is supposed to be." 

Violet pinches her nose, "Eloise." 

Francesca and Benedict share a look as her nails seem to grow longer.

Anthony sighs as he puts down his paper, wishing his wife's carriage would make its way faster to the estate. She's much better at being gentle with these things. 

"Eloise you will not snarl or growl at this present company. I know you do not like this situation,  but this is how things are." 

Eloise puts down her sandwich, " I know you are head of the family, and you carry a burden I will never understand. I respect you for that, I however inherented a gift from father you will never understand the burden of." 

Anthony sits up, "You are right, but as a member of this family you will do as I say. And what I say is, you will do as society expects, because its what expected of us. We must blend in, all of us. For all of our safeties." 

Eloise looks up with bondi blue irises. The silver fork in her hand bending. 

"You think I don't know? You don't think I know I must be in control all of the time? I've been practicing my shifting with Lady Danbury's supervision for years! I've even start to have memory from forced shifts from full moons. Shouldn't I be able to do something in my life the way I want to!?"

Benedict clears his throat, "Anthony, maybe we should let Eloise-." 

Anthony holds his hand up and Benedict shuts his mouth. 

Eloise looks around to the silent members of her family. She stands pushing the long table away from her. It scrapes along the floor, causing the members of the other side of the table to grab to their seat, lease be knocked over. "I'm going for a walk, alone." 

She shuts the door. The windows and dishes rattle from the force.

Anthony starts to get up when Francesca grabs his sleeve, "I believe a moment of reconciliation for our dear sister alone, will be the best." 

 

....

 

Eloise follows the small dirt path through the woods. The birds chirping and the breeze carries the scent of the garden.

"Stupid Anthony! Stupid society! These are your expectations. You MUST follow! Ugh!" She kicks a stone that shoots off into the trees. 

"What about what I want!?"

Taking deep breaths she tries to allow herself to relax. Last nights run still fresh in her mind and heart. Her family will never understand. How's she's ment to be. It's not in her nature to submit. She was born to be wild and free. Her instincts are to run and delight in challenges. 

Not a monster pretending to be human. Not a human pretending to give a shit about the roles of her gender. 

London is great. It has her family, and many things to do. The off season however brings woods and let's a chance for herself to be free.

She unbuttons the top two to create more room around her neck. The material starting to feel suffocating. It might be an scandalous showing of skin but no ones here right now.

Eloise let's herself embrace the world. Her ears grow pointer, canines sharper and eyes brighter as she let's herself breathe. 

The breeze brings many scents of life, the trout in the creek a few meters away, the sweet nectar of the flowers blooming, the birds and creatures of the forest talking of the best berries and fields ripe with the best grasses. The sunlight filling her very bones with warmth. Her eyes refelcting colors that only can express the hidden magic of nature. The trees swaying in a joyous dance. 

If only for a moment, until a large white horse bolts through and takes her off her feet. 

She groans as she sits up. The pain changing her back to normal. God forbid, anyone seeing her. 

Eloise curses herself for focusing on her transformation so much, she forgot to listen for any danger. 

"Oh my goodness, I apologize! I didn't think anyone would be...out." A sweet voice trails off from ontop of the beast.

"Tell that to my contusions," Eloise groans as she sit up onto her elbows. Her right ankle throbbing with her heart beat.

Great.

"Eloise, what on earth are you wearing?" Lavender and hint of whiskey circles her. Dread settles like a pit in her stomach, she knows the scent well.

Eloise looks up and squints at the imposing figure. Blonde hair halo'd by the sunlight and cold green eyes that could cut anyone in half with a glare. They widen as they look at her sprawled form. 

"Miss Cowper, is hitting young ladies with horses you new method of taking out the other debutantes?" Eloise sneers as she gingerly stands. Her ankle did infact twist on the way down. Dirt sticks to the navy material, and stains the side of the shirt she landed on. 

Mother is going to be so pissed. 

Cressida scoffs, "My, what a splendid idea." 

Eloise ignores her, as she starts to turn around. She bites her lip as she limps. The bone will be perfectly normal within the hour. 

She hears a small inhale and the leather saddle creeking. Footsteps catch up. Eloise turns around.

Cressida's own brown riding boots and attire compliment her tack. The outfit surprisingly simple.  None of those horrored puffed sleeves Eloise is used to seeing her in. 

"Wait, Eloise. You're hurt." Eloise shrugs off the gloved hand that went to grasp her shoulder.

"Delightful observation Miss Cowper. Next, I suppose you'll say the grass is green or the sky is blue," Eloise snarks.  

Cressida growls with irritation, "Don't be such a pain." 

Eloise turns around to meet her glare, "I'd rather crawl out of these woods then have you assist me." 

Cressida stops. Flicking her braid behind her shoulder, "I can arrange that if you'd like."

Eloise keeps her head up as shes stumbling her way down the path. Wishing she could shift just to fix her ankle faster.

Her ear gives a slight twitch as the twin footsteps continue to follow. The metal shoes of the horse tink on the stones on the path. Cressida's stepfalls are quite heavy and Eloise forces down a smile knowing that the elegant lady sounds much like an bull raging through a China shop.

So much for her quiet stroll. She wipes some sweat dripping from her brow with the back of her hand. From the heat or the pain is the question.

"Am I going to get an explanation of why you're wearing male clothing or shall I ask Miss Featherington next time I see her? You two have always been peculiar. " Cressida asks as her brow furrows as she follows a drop of sweat down Eloise neck before quickly returning to her face. 

Eloise swallows a growl as her body shivers in rage. The betrayal still a fresh gapping wound. The silence is loud.

"Miss Featherington will fail to give you the answer you seek," Eloise states with a monotone voice.

Cressida pausing in leading her steed, "Has the insipid wallflower developed a taste for better company?" 

Eloise cheeks burn. She stops and turns around, "Funny. How does a young lady like yourself trampse throughout the woods without an escort?" 

Cressida narrows her eyes, "I did come out with an escourt unlike you. I just have seemed to misplace him." She looks through the trees as if they'll pop out any moment.

Eloise tries to increase the distance. Her shoulders growing tense as the aggravation in her leg starts to travel up the nerve. 

Cressida's longer strides make it all too easy to catch up. She grabs the white sleeve of the girl, "Now are you going to let me help you or are you going to continue to pathetically limp to your estate." 

Eloise purses her lips pretending to think, "I'll pathetically limp." 

Cressida eye twitches. However, she continues to follow silently as Eloise slowly reaches the end of the forest.  She pauses, rubbing her leg. Cressida follows the moverment with a frown.

The estate is just across the field. Her excellent vision can see a brooding Anthony glancing towards her direction, as Benedict teases the young Gregory for another bought of fencing.

"It seems you've gotten back in one piece," Cressida states as she goes to remount. 

Eloise takes a deep breath. "Miss Cowper." 

Cressida pauses as she turns, her pale green dress blends beautifully in the forest. She looks splended. Graceful, a way Eloise could only dream of being.

"I'd appreciate your discretion about my attire. My brother's thought it to be funny to throw all my clothing onto the stable roof for me to retrieve." 

Cressida tilts her head, "What an odd thing, brothers are."

 

....

 

"I must say it's unnatural how much faster you are, sister. " Benedict states as he rubs his shoulder from where Eloise acquired a point.

Eloise lifts her mask, "Why must I wear this ridiculous thing?" 

Gregory comments from the stone wall, "Because we can't have anyone see we are teaching a lady fencing." 

Eloise groans looking up, "I thought the whole point of me doing this stupid sport was for me to get caught. "

Benedict laughs, "Yes, but we must seem like we don't want you to get caught. Besides it hides your face. "

Eloise snorts, "Are you calling me unpleasant looking?" 

Benedict taps his chin with his finger, "Ungraceful, undignified, loud, opinionated, yes but never ugly."

Eloise has half the mind to smack him.

"Eloise!" 

They turn to see Violet gesture them inside. Eloise sighs as she hands over her mask and sword as she jogs her way over.

Violet smiles, "It seems you have a visitor. Go change and see what they would like. "

Eloise sighs as she makes her way upstairs, her lady maid hurriedly helps put on a light purple gown and put her hair half up holding it out of her face with a braid. 

The copper haired maid expertly twists her hair as she pins it to perfection. Eloise watches in the mirror as she sighs, "I hope that it's not suitors trying to get an early start of next season."

Ginger looks in the mirror, eyes wrinkling with humor, "I'm sure if you'd show your teeth and growl they'd run for the hills. " 

"Ah, as pleasurable as that sounds. Mother would not be pleased," Eliose smiles with humor. The idea has crossed her mind to let her eyes glow and let her canines grow at balls, but she would not for fear of the ton burning her family. 

Ginger grabs her shoulders, "All done, ma' lady." Her slight Scottish accent rolling the vocals. 

Eloise makes her way down the steps to pause as a Cressida Cowper waits patiencely with her own maid. Cressida eyes the painting in the hallway.

"Miss Cowper, " Eloise stops, "What are you doing here?"

Cressida looks at her for a moment and clenches her fan tighter. Eloise is shocked she can smell nervousness coming from the usually confident lady. 

Cressida clears her throat, "I was invited to a tea party and wanted to see if you'd like to join me?" 

The few days before, Cressida did escape her boring escort in the woods. She needed a moment alone, away from men hired from her father. She was not expecting to run over the tiny girl in the mean time. 

And seeing her limp kept hitting a nerve every stubborn step she took. Let alone the rumpled state to begin with. 

Perhaps that is why Cressida took pity. 

Eloise crosses her arms, "And what made you think of extending the invitation to me?" 

Cressida eyes look to the maid who gives an encouraging smile, "From the last time I saw you, I saw you limping from the final debutante ball of the season. I thought it'd be polite to let you come with me to a more enjoyable event." 

Cressida's eyes are wide with pleading. Eloise raises a brow. 

Is this her way of apology? "I suppose if I go. Who else will I be expecting to be there?" 

Cressida smiles, "Anyone, but a Featherington." 

Eloise hackles raise at the rude remark on her friend....ex friend. She swallows the sneer approaching her face. 

"When are we leaving?"

 

....

 

"And then! Lord Abe fell!"

A boisterous laugh echoes the room as a bought of young ladies cackle. 

Cressida goes to whisper a remark when the smile fades off of her lips as she looks at Eloise. 

Eloise has her face leaning in her hand staring out of the window. Cookies and tea remained untouched as she looks wistfully out onto the garden. 

Her lip locked between her teeth as she pounders anything but here. 

Cressida tries to swallow the irritation at her. A part of her wants to shake the girl, screaming 'I took a chance on my name to bring you here, look like you care.'

And a bigger part wants to ask what had her a thousand miles away. 

"Eloise." 

"Hm? " Eloise turns to the host, Lexie, as she looks to the other girls in amusement, "Any interesting tales from this pass season?" 

Eloise sighs, "Not unless you count my second year of failing my mother on percluding a husband." 

She starts to play with her spoon, pretending to stur something in her tea. 

An awkward silence settles as the girls look over each other. Cressida smiles awkwardly as Lexie shoots her a subtle glare. 

Cressida notes to herself to strangle the little Bridgerton in the carriage. 

Jessica clears her throat, "I bet your mother was not as disappointed as you'd think. You Bridgertons seem like the loyal type." 

Abigail pipes up, "Oh yes, my family thought my sister was born a spinster until she found her husband traveling. Don't lose hope." 

Eliose sighs," Honestly, I think it's the men that should have to dress up as peacocks and strut for us." 

Jessica laughs, "Oh my goodness, no! Do you remember that fiasco at Lady Danbury's?"

Abigail nearly shoots out her tea, "The dreadful 'poem' contest?!" 

The girls all start to make fun at the men and their "talents." Cressida looks to Eloise and leans forward. 

Eloise smiles at their reflection of the young men. Abby and Jessica even get up to try to redo the Duke that tap dances. Both laughing and tripping over themselves as Lexie and the others applaud. 

Cressida leans forward, "I know this is not your...preferred company, but I hope you are having a decent time." 

Eloise picks up her cooling tea, "Yes, I suppose the company," she looks at Cressida, "Is decent." 

Cressida and Eloise waved a friendly goodbye. As Lexie and her maids waved from the porch. Eloise got in the Cowper carriage and sat comfortably across from Cressida.

Eloise sighs and feels her shoulders relax as the small space fills with lavender. There's more of a heavy cigar than liquor stuck on Cressida's clothing this time.

"Was it as dreadful as you thought?" Cressida teases. 

Eloise slouches, "Im afraid, even more so." 

Cressida has half the mind to kick her leg, "Don't be troublesome. What did you and Miss Featherington talk about at your gatherings?" 

Eloise bites her lip to keep herself from flinching. Honestly, she nearly forgot about it. Some days are easier than others when thinking about the betrayal. 

Cressida gives Eloise a moment. She is sure whatever transcribed, they will be back holding hands at their first reunion. You cannot have a Bridgerton without a Featherington. 

"Books, mostly." 

Cressida scoffs, "Why, shouldnt I be surprised."

Eloise glared, "If you are going to ridicule everything I say, then this will be the last social junction I entertain with you." 

Cressida's first instinct is to bare her teeth and fight back. After all that's what they do. Eloise makes a clever comeback to whatever, Cressida says. And it carries to the next meeting. But, Eloise brings her knees up and rests her chin on them.

Cressida's own mother would chastise her the whole ride home if she sat like that. Cressida sits back and maybe, she would prefer her as a friend then an adversary. 

"What kinds?" 

"Pardon?" Eloise asks.  Sweeping her eyes from the land back to the blonde. 

Cressida sighs, "What kinds of books do you discuss." 

Eloise blinks at the olive branch. Is Cressida actually trying to be amicable? 

"Well, I discussed books on people's movements. And Pen-...Miss Featherington would discuss romance." Eloise shivers at the idea of reading about marriage and people flaunting themselves. She already has to live through people trying to obtain their own romance, why would she want to spend her limited free time reading about it?

Cressida bites her lip, never thinking she'd agree with Penelope of all people, "What's wrong with romance?"

...

 

"No! Eloise, I swear to God!" 

Eloise gives a wolfish smile before hitting Benedict's ball so hard it nearly goes into the center of the hay field. 

Cressida swallows as Benedict lands on his knees, "Why?" He whines.

The rest of the family offers sympathetic stares as Eloise cackles towards herself. 

Her light blue dress swishes as she jumps in excitement. Her toes occasionally peak out as she forgo any shoes today. 

"Barbaric, aren't they?" Cressida nearly jumps out of her skin as Kate leans forward on her mallet. 

Anthony steps up with his pink mallet and the family waits as he attempts to get his ball in the hoop. Some jest as he hits. Groans and applauds echo off the house. 

Cressida sighs, "They’re certainly more....energetic than I'm used too." 

Kate nearly snorts, "They bring the best and worse out of each other." She looks over, "You are quite lucky." 

Cressida raises a brow, "How so? Because I'm not in last place?" Benedict is still looking in the tall grass for his ball. 

Kate laughs, "No. Eloise is quite the young lady. I am still getting to know her and she seems to hold onto herself tightly." 

Cressida pauses as her heart flutters at this newer sensation of acquaintanceship. 

The young Vicountess steps closer and Eloise tilts her head. Kate looks over and hides a smile at the nosey girl, "Daphne has been very helpful in keeping me informed infamily affairs and favors." 

Cressida swallows as Kate's eyes darken with warning, "I hope you do enjoy spending this time with us today. I believe it's your turn." 

Cressida steps forward, as Eloise stares at Kate. Who simply shrugs in response. 

Eloise might be the family's greatest protector but Kate will not stop protecting the family; as it's her duty and pleasure to keep all members that are dear to her safe. 

Cressida knocks her ball through and Eloise whoops as the rest of the family claps politely. All members trade glances at the growing friendship. 

"I finally found it!" Benedict yells from the field. 

 

....

 

"I say we should take up a night hunt!" One of Father's pokermates states as he heaves his pint of beer down onto the table. Some sloushes out and Cressida flinches as it soaks through her dress.

She tightens her one hand on her gown. Trying to curl more into herself. It is far past what she would normally stay up, but her father's most esteemed guests are partaking in their dinner tonight.

He would not be happy if she requested to leave.

"Are you daft? It would take the Kings army to destroy that beast! I heard it's as big as a horse!" Lord Chapman argues around his cigar. 

Cressida tries to count the number of lines in the wallpaper. Anything, to keep herself occupied. 

"Ah yes, because you've seen it so." Barron Earl scoffs. Several men bark out in laughter. Cressida glances at her mother who is staring at her lap.

Her father at the head of the table ticks a smile.  He lifts a brow dragging a long inhale with a cigar of his own as he returns her look. 

Cressida sighs internally as she returns to ignore present company. Her cheeks are starting to hurt from the plastered smile. She's had years to practice nods and when to fidget interest in conversations. Especially with men.

Chapman slams his hand down, "Aye. As big as a horse, with teeth as long and sharp as a bayonet. Claws as big as a simple hunting knife. Hide so thick not even a gun shot can pierce it. Eyes that glow with hell fire." He grabs his own fork and moves them in a way to minic claws. 

"Ah yes, do you remember when it slaughtered a whole heard of deer? Carcasses twisted and ripped apart."

 "Prehaps this is not talk for the young ladies present," Lord Jake states as he looks at the only two females. Cressida tenses as the attention goes on them. 

She's lost count at the accidental grab or eyes that trace her figure. She just accepts the feeling of being gazed in an abhorrent way. When she tried to talk to her father about is she had a nice lip split she had to cover. 

"Jacob, calm yourself. They are woman of strong mind. They won't lose their decorum ," Earl says as he eyes Cressida. Cressida swallows as his gaze seems to strip her. 

It's fine, just act meek and they'll lose interest.

"Oh, yes. Miss Cowper what a fine wife you'll make!" One of the men state. As he shuffles his cards around.

Father snorts, "If she can obtain a husband."

Cressida steels herself. Pretending she doesnt feel the spit fly on her face after several of her fathers lectures of how it be so much better if she was born a man. Or not at all. 

"Dearie, if you don't find a husband this season. I'll have to take you for myself!" The men laugh as Cressida's skin crawls with nausea. 

Her father sighs at her mother's pleading look. "Cressida, go take a walk amongst the garden."

Cressida stands ignoring the sticky cloth as she tries to not sprint out. Food barely touched.

She exits the nearest door and makes herself go far way. Far away from the beer and smoke, far away from her father's friends, far away from the expectations, far away from being a Cowper.

She rounds the far edge of the garden, where the forest meets the large pond. The footman put out floating candles, illumating the water. Fireflies decorate the sky along the stars. Occasionally, a frog will churp.

If she was just Cressida maybe it be more enjoyable. She's sure another punishment is bound to happen. 

She takes a seat on a small bench. The guards stayed at her father's request to protect the guests. Anytime she's sent away, at least she's alone. Maids mostly asleep. She rubs her arms, cursing for leaving her jacket inside.

She sighs. Wondering how long she'll be here until she's aloud to return inside. 

A twig snaps. Cressida freezes as the frogs pause in their song. The creak pouring into the pond halts the silence from being completely taken over, but soon Cressida holds her breath as a large dark brown mass inches it's way out of the woods. 

A long snout exits, nostrils flaring, a stream of steam exits with its exhales. Paws as big as a dinner plate step out, so quiet, it's like the beast isn't even there. It pauses half way out and the ears flicker, listening. Cressida heart triples and she is arguing with herself to not scream. 

It stands on its twisted hind legs and Cressida feels her stomach clenching.  It's front claws have four claws with a fifth higher up, almost like a thumb. 

The beast bends down to take a drink. Cressida slowly stands, to run and the bench creaks. It's easily half the size of her great stallion. Lord Chapman's long tales were not so fictional.

The muscles in its body freezes and turns around. Cressida feels faint as water drips from its mouth. White teeth glittering in the moonlight.

Cressida begans to shake. The blue eyes, so blue they do glow with hellfire, widen. 

Cressida swallows, knowing if she screams, if any help would come, they would be too late. Plus, if her mother would come with the men, she would not want to put her in danger. As the creature would not be filled on just her.  

With trembling lips Cressida pleads against a beast with no mind, no heart, "please." 

It lowers its head and slowly, painfully slow, walks to her. It's claws dig into the dirt. The shoulder and thorax huge, briming with muscle under a thick coat. The front limbs long, perfect for reaching and grabbing prey. 

The creature inhales. The abdomen seems to be smaller with hind quarters just as strong with legs build much like a dog. The tail standing straight.

Cressida collapses back onto the bench and stares into the blue orbs, as the creature approaches her. She tilts her head up, refusing to submit to another beast. 

The creature standing is taller than her by a foot when she's standing, at least. Towering over as she sits. Cressida ltoks up as the creature unceremoniously drops. Cressida let's out a squeak. The giant head rests on its own front limbs.  

 Cressida legs shake as she feels hot on this cooler night. The deep breaths brings warmth where it touches. Cressida sits and waits for the inevitable bite, the first snarl and act of aggression that would be the last thing she knows. 

She is unsure how long she stares at the monster. Shes never seen anything like it in any books. Her heart starts to slow a down with time and soon she looks, really looks at the beast of London. She tries to move to a more comfortable place, causing the old wood to groan. 

She feels her own muscles stiffen along side the creature's. There is a pause as it lifts it's head to look at her. Cressida waits as it's cool eyes gaze upon her face, the creature, she realizes, the fur around the eyes are black, making it seem like it has makeup on. The thought of the most feared beast in England has makeup makes her fear overcome with slight humor. 

It heaves a huge sigh and repositions itself. It's head more tilted away from her. Looking at the pond. 

She is unsure of how much time has past, but it must have been quite some, as the stars have changed its position from before. All, if not, most of the candles burned out.

"Miss Cowper!" Cressida sits up as the beast flips over, startled. It's lips curl and Cressida flinches as white daggers show. 

She doesn't want the approaching man to die. 

A whine slips from her lips and the beast stops as it looks at her. A light from a lantern shows and the beast glances at it, to her, before taking off into the woods. 

"Miss Cowper, there you are," a footman states with relief, "Your father's friends have all returned home and you may return to the house." 

Cressida shivers as she tucks her arms in to keep herself warm, "Okay, thank you for retrieving me." 

Before she goes, she gazes back into the woods. Only for it to remain empty. 

 

....

 

Cressida jumps as her arm is grabbed. She let's go of one of the newest creations in Modiste Dress Shop. 

"There you are! I fear you were left in the country side this upcoming season," Eloise sighs as she turns to see if anyone followed her. 

Eloise caught Cressida's scent down the street and she informed her mom she was going to say hello to a friend. She probably should have mentioned, where she was going, but better to ask for forgiveness than permission. 

Cressida shakes her head, "And what? Leave no  good competition this year?" She pulls Eloise around the store, ignoring the girl holding on like a child. 

Eloise rolls her eyes, "Yes, how dare I think of this season's diamond as such." 

Cressida pauses with surprise. She looks down to the shorter girl, "You know that new debutantes are only picked for that." 

Eloise waves her hand, "Who knows? The queen does what she wants." 

Cressida can feel her cheeks warm with pink as she looks back to the material.

Madame Genevieve Delacroix comes around the corner with a stack of colors, "Bonjour girls! How have you been?" 

"I've been well. Thank you," Cressida states as she eyes the cloth greedily. Wanting to get first pick of the latest colors. 

"You know hoping the beast would eat me. So, I won't have to brave my mother's match making. At last, it did not find me very tasty," Eloise whines. 

Cressida pauses, as Madame laughs, "Oh chérie! I'm sure one of theses bachelor's will think you're tastey, indeed!" 

Cressida furrows her eyes as Eloise scrunches her nose. Cressida did infact go sit outside for a week straight waiting for the beasts return,but it never showed. 

She even tried to track it but the prints were nonexistent. How could something that huge just disappear?

Cressida has been harboring this secret. Not even Eloise knows. 

Would she even believe her? That she saw, even got so close she could've touched the beast. 

The bell rings and Madame welcomes the latest customers, "Ah! Ms. Bridgerton and Miss Bridgerton! I believe you've caught up to your daughter." 

"Great," Eloise mumbles and she squeezes Cressida arm tighter, "Please, Miss Cowper. You got to help hide me."

Cressida smiles hugely, "Oh, Mrs. Bridgerton! I believe Eloise just informed me that she think that this fabric would attract the perfect sutior this year!" 

Cressida hold up a pale lavender. Eloise swallows a growl as she bares her teeth, "I really dislike you sometimes." 

Violet gentley takes the fabric with a smile, "Why Eloise! This is such a ladylike color! Madame Delacroix, I believe I would like my daughters to get fitted with this!" 

Eloise looks with wide pleading eyes as both older ladies grab her arms and take her to the back. Francesca hiding a small smile following her distraught sibling.

Cressida gives a small wave as she disappears.

 

....

 

 

Cressida takes a breath as she look around the latest queen's party. Mother wanted her to go out to "scoop out potential sutiors". 

Honestly? She's just happy to enjoy the warm day outdoors. She's wearing the latest dress her mother bought her. Its a bit ridiculous in her own opinion. Her fan an obnoxious lime green. With feathers. Cressida hasn't seen the point in having a fan that can't even cool one down, but mother insisted.

 She swallows the crawling feeling of loneliness as last seasons pairings seem to mock her, as they enjoy a stroll of their own. Catching up with friends.

She has yet seen anyone worth her time.

"You know I'll have to get you back for that." Eloise states as she catches up to Cressida. Cressida hides her smile. Unsure if she's more greatful for the company or because getting under Eloise skin is so much fun. 

A light blue gown swishes with her hurried steps as a cute bow center's over her chest. Arm sleeves are see through and Cressida eyes catch the lean muscle.

I thought she sniveled at books all day? 

"I'm afraid, I haven't had the slightest idea what you're talking about, " Cressida pauses as she delights in the irritated look Eloise throws her. 

Eloise sighs heavily, "I'm sure, when your hair is less tight, you'll remember."

Cressida scoffs, "At least mine has pretty bows and looks like I've runned a comb through it. Your appearance is quite wild." 

Eloise pauses as she subconsciously grabs the end of her bangs. Her eyes flit around and her redden shoulders drop. 

Cressida swallows as a pit of panic hits her, "I was merely jesting."

She didn't actually mean it. Eloise always looks splendid. 

Eloise stops and tucks her hands in towards her body and nervously plays with her gloves. She swallows and quietly says, "Of course. I need to speak with Benedict, if you'll pardon me."

Cressida tightens her grip on her fan as she watches the girl make her escape. A heavy sigh escapes as she looks to the ground. Half a mind to kick some gravel in anger, but don't want to get yelled at for getting dirty. 

To think she actually enjoys the company of someone who would rather die, then be in her presence. Maybe, there's a reason Cressida is so good at keeping people away.

Cressida looks up to try to find Eloise again. Maybe apologize, when a yellow monstrosity of a dress walks in through the shrubbery. All alone. 

Eloise looks down,  talking to Benedict when she stiffens, nostrils flare as she turns.  

Cressida heart tightens as a look of pained longing passes between the too. So, Eloise was correct something did happen.

Perhaps, it was also not one sided? As Penelope stalls, not running to apologize.

Anger tightens her resolve as she walks forward, "Oh, look if it isn't Penelope Featherington," She walks around the girl. Her hair red and natural curls, that Cressida has always been jealous of, is nicely placed.

Cressida sneers, as she moves her fan to demonstrate to all of the Featherington girl, "Back in a dress worthy of the color of-"

Eloise steps between them, "Cressida." She warns. Cressida pauses as Eloise flexes a hand out almost protective of the girl behind her.

Cressida eyes narrow, she walks forward with a spring in her step, eyes flashing towards the concerning little red head in warning, "There you are. I've been looking for you." 

Eloise swallows as she looks down, "And I for you." Cressida watches as Eloise promptly ignores Penelope and turns to smirk at the girl. Before she can make eye contact she feels a slight touch and turns her head back. 

"Shall we go and get some lemonade?" Eloise asks with a polite smile. Cressida's own smile grows as she accepts, "What a splendid idea. I'm parched with thirst." 

Eloise turns and she feels disgust with herself. Pretending to not acknowledge her oldest and who was, her most dear friend. 

Eloise nealry turns around when a scent of sorrow and anger grip her. 

Eloise has learned about herself and about many others these past years.

Lady Danbury has taught her, what she knew on her kind. Plus, Father's journals have helped. She's added more information along the way. Filled with notes of her own experience.

 Learning how each person or creature has a unique scent and heartbeat. If she gets close enough personally or if the emotion is strong enough, she can identify how a person is feeling. Each feeling produces a different pheromone.

The better acquainted Eloise is with the person, the faster she can tell how they truly are, or if their lying, what they ate or if their about to be sick.

She's save her mother many doctor trips by learning what sickness needs what remedy. 

It was not fun being around the Duke and Daphne or Anthony or Kate. Eloise has learned very quickly what lust smells like, and it's very hard to take sutiors seriously when you know they are just horny for you. 

"I do admit, back to what you said earlier. Is it not congenial to be back from the country? All that draft and emptiness." Cressida says thinking mostly of the blank halls that would echo off her footsteps. Her own thoughts haunting her.

If not, they were filled with conversations of her own failures or mothers failure to help percluding a husband. 

The only brief moment of happiness was when Eloise was with her, or the moment when she was hunting for the monster.

Eloise sighs, "You do know others call that 'fresh air' "?"

Eloise has half the mind to grab Cressida's fan to get away of the smell of enraged bewilderment. Penelope stalks them as she would a wounded deer. Eloise nearly wants to run away. 

She does the only thing she can think of to get rid of her ex-friends scent and overwhelming feeling pheromones. She steps closer, trying to focus on the Cressida's scent.

Cressida smile grows as her eyes flicker to their follower, "Of course. Befriending you there was a happy surprise. But ultimately, it is London where I am most at home." 

There's more to do for herself, and keep her Father occupied. 

She walks forward and is nearly beaming. Eloise pauses to look as she turns to walk backwards. Cressida doesn't want to miss seeing Penelope's face. "And the season will be all the better now, I have you by my side." 

Elosie covers her nose, as distraught. Utter loneliness smacks her across the face. 

Cressida pauses as Eloise turns green and she steps forward to take her arm. Least the girl fall over. 

"Of course," Eloise mumbles. Cressida hurriedly pulls her to the stone retaining wall. 

"Sit," she orders. Eloise is pale and sweating. Cressida tries to feel her temperature on Eloise's head through the gloves. Is it the heat? 

Cressida sucks in a breath, Eloise is absolutely scorching. 

Eloise tries to take deep breaths to calm herself. God, why? She absolutely cannot make a show here. Too may eyes.

"Don't move. I'll go fetch the queens physician," Cressida grabs her arm and makes sure Eloise looks at her.

Eloise grabs the wall as she leans down, "No, no doctor." 

Cressida's stomach drops, "Are you daft? You're running a fever-"

Eloise grabs her arm. Cressida flinches at the grip. Eloise tries to smile, but it comes out more of a grimace, "C-could you get me a drink?" 

Cressida opens her mouth to argue. Eloise pushes her bottom lip out as her cheeks grow more flushed, "please?" 

Cressida pauses. She looks away, relenting with a sigh. "Fine," she grits, "But you absolutely do not move from this location." 

Eloise nods. Cressida pauses before going to fetch her a drink. Eloise trys to calm her heartrate as near panic hits. "It's not you, it's Pen," She whispers to herself. 

She shakes her head to separate herself from the strong emotions.

"Eloise, breathe. Remember to steady yourself," a voice whispers in the crowd. She looks up and scans. Lady Danbury has a drink near her lips as she glances over, "Nod if you're okay. If not, start to fan yourself with your hand and I'll send Benedict over." 

Eloise closes her eyes and tries to find an anchor. It was Penelope,but after the betrayal it doesn't, no, it cannot be her anymore. She relied too much on her friend, and for far too long. Her emotions where hard and still are hard to separate from her own. Eloise needs to focus, she takes a deep breath. 

The music pounds on her ears, the violin screeching on the sensitive ear drums. If she were changed, she'd flick them back. She rips off her gloves and digs them into the cool stone. It crumbles beneath her hand. 

She tries to focus on Benedict, the paint he uses smells of clay, always stuck under his finger nails. The texture of a canvas basically coated to his skin. 

But a lighter, more pleasant smell curls towards her. Lavender. The whiskey or cigar is a bit harder to smell on her, with so many others near. But Eloise ignores her other senses and inhales. 

A gentle finger brushes the sweaty bangs out of her face, "Hey, Eloise. You're not going to faint or anything right? That's kind of my thing to get a suitor." 

Eloise makes sure her eyes aren't, "Wolfed out" as Colin helpfully puts it. 

She opens them to Cressida, nealry kneeling infront of her as she holds a drink in her other hand. Cressida offers and Eloise greedily drinks. 

She catches Benedict's eye and waves her towards her face, "I apologize, I didn’t mean to cause a scene." 

Cressida sits next to her and offers her fan, "Don't be ridiculous. I'm sure seeing Penelope Featherington wasn't easy." Cressida looks as Eloise's face almost twists up in pain.

She asks the question thats been on the tip of her tongue for months, "What exactly happened?" 

Eloise tenses, "It's hard. To see her. To pretend," her lip wobbles. 

Cressida bites her lower lip. She's never had a relationship worth losing.

She sits next to the flushed girl. Close enough to steady her if she would sway. 

She doesn't really know what could've happened, but she does know this, "I'm hear now. Whatever happened. It's in the past. I-...I can't imagine torturing yourself of what already happened or what you could've done differently. It doesn't matter, it is what it is. The only think you can change is your future." 

Eloise raises her eyes and Cressida flinches at the tears collecting in them. She didn't say anything wrong, right? Ugh. Why must relationships be so complicated? 

"El. I think I'm going to make my leave. Colin is stealing all of the fun," Cressida nearly glares at the Bridgerton man. He offers a hand as Eloise tries to discreetly wipe her eyes, "Want to make haste with me and slip home before anyone would notice?" 

Cressida nearly growls, that she would notice. 

Eloise sets the drained cup down, "I'd be delighted to brother." She grabs his offered arm and turns to Cressida with a wobbly smile, "Happy husband hunting."

 

....

 

"Eloise! Time for the modiste." Violet yells. As if Eloise couldn't hear her on the other side of town. She has half the mind to tattle on her siblings to keep the attention off of her. 

She looks over her room for her coin purse. Nothing. Perhaps, downstairs?

She grabs her shawl, and trends carefully down the steps, maybe she could miss it if she goes human pace. 

"Eloise!"

Eloise enters the room and sneaks in through the side, just to run into a bemused Colin. "Eloise. Surely,you are not eager to hasten to the modiste?" 

Eloise chuckles mockingly. They both know she would rather chew her own leg off. 

 She fines the leather pouch on the couch. "Ah, there you are!" 

She turns to follow mother, before her temper starts to flare, when Colin steps infront of her. Offering a gift. 

"A rare Bavarian text on the rights-," 

Eloise awkwardly smiles at the gesture. "I am reading something already. 'Emma.' " 

Colin lifts a brow. Book still stretched outright, "A novel. You have never been one for silly romances." 

Eloise's eyes flashes with irritation, "Perhaps, my tastes have changed." Maybe, since she could focus less on not killing anything, she could focus on what she wants. Friends. 

Cressida likes romantic books, so they can't be that terrible.

"To me human rights are the romantic books. To fight for what you want and believe in. Especially the one where woman make their way outside of societal constrains. This? This book as humor and truth....the pains of friendship. It's altogether more probable." Eloise gives a tight smile as she tries to exit. 

Colin steps infront of her. Blocking her path, "And I take it your taste in friendship has changed as well?" 

Eloise takes a breath,trying to clear his confused anger away from her justified irritation.

Eloise sighs. Her brother wasn't there. He doesn't know.

"Cressida surprised me this summer. She showed me kindness in the country when no one else would." In a way, maybe more than even her family could. 

Yes. She was terrified, but she didn't run, she didn't scream, she didn't try to force chains or muzzles. She simply stayed. And for Eloise? That was the moment she knew that she misjudge Cressida. Wanted an actual companionship. 

"And what of Penelope?" Colin retorts. Eloise sighs, heartbreak still there, but starting to scab, "We have simply grown apart." 

Maybe, she could tell him, without telling him, "Lady Whistledown nearly ruined me last season. I lost the battle, and I have no appetite for the war. I've joined the winning side. Not unlike you, I've taken? Or is this the truly new you?"

Eloise sniffs as Colin begrudgingly responds, "A man cannot tell his all of his secrets." 

Eloise nealry howled. Secrets from her? She hums, "Must be lonely." 

 

....

 

Eloise follows her mother throughout town. Trying to focus on the more pleasant smells, young ladies soaps, rose water they bath their hair, the flowers blooming or cut, fresh fruit. 

Occasionally, she suppress a gag at the unbathed personal, or vomit from patrons outside the bar. Or simply the chamber pots that the poorer district throw onto the street. 

She's almost grateful, when they entered Madame Delacroix shop. Eliose looked out the window, taking a breath of the fresh linen. 

When the bell rings, ink and rose.

Eloise tenses, as she turns to see her, Penelope. 

She stares and Eliose cannot seem to look away. She turns to her maid, "Could you please meet me in the carriage, Rae?" 

Oh? She's breaking the unspoken silence. Eloise crosses arms and sighs as her canines throb to grow. Eloise almosts want to smile. Penelope's startle expression would almost match the with of the consequences. 

Penelope slowly approaches, twisting her fingers in nerves. A nervous habit they've picked up from one another, "I've been hoping we would meet." 

Eloise shakes her head in disbelief, "Did not seem so, when you were hiding away in the countryside this summmer."

Eloise made attempts in both forms. When she was turned away in human form, and then her letter went unanswered for weeks. She'd assumed the worse, sniffing her out in the Featherington's humble cottage in the country. 

The scent was fresh and so were the unopened letters in the trash.

"I avoided society, because I did not know if you'd want to see me," Penelope answers. Eloise tilts her head and focused on her heartbeat. 

She normally would feel guilt on spying on a friend in such a matter, but there's no more trust. 

Eloise blinks, not want to see her friend? Her only one at the time? "And because you were worried, I might reveal your secret?" 

Penelope takes a half step back, eyes flashing around. Eloise already checked for prying ears. Not that she would tell her. Fine, let her squirm. She deserves it. 

"I do appreciate you keeping it. Eloise, I am so sorry about everything," Penelope whispers. Her hands in front in a pleading way. 

Eloise eyes narrow. It's the same gesture her family uses when they think she's about the lose control. To calm an uncaged animal. 

"For what you did, or because I discovered it was you who wrote such damning things?" Eloise snarls. She'd never leave, Penelope out the same way she did. 

"You may not understand,but I was trying to protect-" Penelope nearly rolls her eyes at Eloise's dramatics. She would never understand. Protected her from the Crown.

"No," Eloise growls, "I dont need your explanations. I have kept your secret exactly, because I do not wish to keep revisiting the past. Now, you have your life, and I have mine."

"With Cressida?" Penelope snarks. The same girl who bullied the both of them?

Eloise scoffs. How dare she. Cressida might be a pain, but she's never shown anything untrue yet. 

"Are you really friends with her?" Penelope asks at Eloise's silence.

"I wish you very well, Penelope." Eloise states as she turns from her and goes deeper into the shop.

 

....

 

"How are you feeling Eloise?" Lady Danbury asks. She bends down to see if her potion is mixing properly. 

Eloise grumbles as she lays on the wooden table staring at the stone ceiling. 

Lady Danbury sighs, "Grumbling like a tavern drunkard is not a a good trait as a Lady." 

Eloise sits up, "I'm fine! Everything's fine." 

Lady Danbury raises a brow. She make her way over and grabs her wrist. Eloise fights against her nature to pull back. 

"Since, youre so fine. You should be in control, should you not? Let's see it, pinky." 

Eloise sighs as she focuses on just getting her claw to form on it.

"Good, eyes." Eloise blinks as they turn brighter. Vision increases and she starts to see the swirling magic off of the potions. 

"Teeth." 

She smile as her canines grow, "Easy." 

Lady Danbury steps back, "Easy? Then go back to human." Eloise does as she says.

Lady Danbury looks at the girl, "Pick a hand." 

Eloise puts down the right, just as Lady Danbury slams a knife through it and sticks to the table. 

Eloise snarls as her skin tries to shift around the knife. She tries to rip it out with little success. 

Lady Danbury floats herself some tea, as Eloise struggles in the back. She's grateful she magically bolted that table down. 

"Do you want a hint? Or are you going to keep acting animalistic?" She huffs.

Eloise roars before closing her eyes. She takes a deep breath and concentrates on Lady Danbury's tea, Pear with a hint of whiskey.

"I'm fine," she grits.

Lady Danbury raises a brow, "I'd believe you if your eyes weren't promising murder." She looks away and with a flick of a wrist the knife dissappears. 

Eloise holds her hand up and watches as the skin stitches itself back faster than usual. The full moon is rising tonight. 

Eloise suppresses a shiver as her body craves to be let loose. She can feel her instincts beg to go run, hunt. 

Lady Danbury sets her tea down, " Do you honestly think you'll be able to be fine for this evenings event? Not growl or snap anyone? Even if a poor boy steps on your foot?" 

Eloise sighs, "Probably not." 

Lady Danbury frowns as she opens a metal door. The noise making her flinch. 

Eloise stares at the giant cage. She swallows, already feel claustrophobic. 

"I'm sorry  Eloise."

Eloise sighs, "Me too." 

 

Chapter 2

Notes:

Honestly? The first part of season 3? Amazing. Part 2? Disappointing. Hope the rest of you like this part 2 better

Cressida looks around the room for the third time. Sighing in irritation, she takes a hefty sip of her fourth glass of chardonnay.

It's against the social construct, but what does Eloise always go on about? 

Oh, yes. Woman breaking through the societal norms. 

If she finishes a fifth, Eloise would be so proud. 

It's not like she expected Eloise to find and talk to her at every event. No. She just knows statistically it makes it easier for men to approach a young lady if she's hanging out with other attractive girls as well. Prehaps, she should unstick herself from her hiding spot that she's claimed for the past two hours. Or she should start paying rent.

"I did not take you for the wall type of Lady." 

Cressida pauses at glowering at her empty glass to look up in surprise at, "Lord Debling." 

She goes to curtsy and he clears his throat, "That's not necessary."

His blonde hair is slicked back and black coat tailored to fit his broad chest. His beard neatly trimmed. Perhaps if Cressida stopped drinking on an empty stomach, she would've been better at making her parents proud in this moment.

She fixes herself and hopes she can place a convincing smile, "I apologize." 

"Whatever for?" He asks as he turns to face the room. The room bustling as people mingle, dance, and flirt. 

"Why, I suppose that I will fail to be pleasant company tonight," Cressida pauses. Lord Debling turns to her with wide eyes, "That's very bold of you to say."

Cressida covers her mouth with a gloved hand, "I did not mean to..." her eyes shut and she sighs heavily. Why must she be so daft? Just because a friend fails to make her appearance at one event. 

Lord Debling chuckles, "You're funny Miss Cowper." He grabs another drink and hands it to her. 

Cressida holds her hand up, " I cannot."

"Why not? You shall seem like a gentleman as myself is getting you a drink. After all you have been standing here for quite some time," Cressida gently takes the glass," And I shall be having a lovely conversation with a proper lady."

Cressida laughs. Her head getting lighter as the alcohols job is working,"I'm not sure if you'd call me proper." 

Lord Debling smiles. It's quite cute, a more boyish grin. "I seemed to have judge you too quickly."

Cressida raises a brow, "Pray tell?" 

Lord Debling scratches his beard, "I suppose I thought you'd be another lady scampering for a dance."

Cressida smiles, "Why, Lord Debling. Is this your way of asking me if I'm available?"

If Cressida didn't know better she say the Lord looked embarrassed. 

Cressida shrugs her shoulders. She knows that she'll be hating herself tomorrow for many reasons.

"Well, it's no difference to me. I'm afraid that I'm becoming quite attached to this wall," she glances behind herself. The wall paper is an Robin egg color, "as unattractive as it might be."

Lord Debling turns, "Yes,maybe I could rescue you," he holds out his hand, "Could I take you for a dance, Miss Cowper?"

His blue eyes shine with amusement. Pretty, but not the correct shade she likes. 

"I'd suppose I have nothing better to do." She takes his hand.

 

....

 

Eloise groans as she stretches. Her limbs stiff. The floor damp and cold.

She looks up and sees sunlight glittering through the tiny basement windows.

She blinks trying to remember last night. She sighs as she can recall the moon and it's pull. The bones snapping, remolding into her other form.

 The anger at the magicfied bars. How in the past it would cause great bouts of lightning to run through her body. She remembers learning. The pain.

She also recalls the many scents of horses and people as they carted down the street. The distance music echoing off the houses.

Eloise runs her tongue over her teeth. There still sharp.

Smacking her lips she wish that Lady Danbury would at least leave a pitcher or something in the mornings. Or a heap of food.

She takes a deep breath, no one is cooking yet. Her stomach rumbles.

She gets up and tries with a singular finger to test the barrier. It makes the hair on her forearm stick up as it registers her form. 

She swings the door open and inches out. Unfortunately, her very naked form. Covered with grime and sweat. 

She prays for her own embarrassment no maid comes down to the cellar, neighboring this workshop. 

Eloise catches a long man's sleepwear shirt hanging. She puts it on. Trying to not think of where it came from. Or why it's down here.

She listens and when there no passing footsteps, she sneaks up the steps. Her bare feet warm against the cool tile. 

She is sure Lady Danbury has extra clothes for her in one of the guest rooms. She relaxes as she gets upstairs and sees no one in the hall. The guests quarters are up the stairs located in the foyer. She yawns again as she rubs her eyes,  making her way. Clothes or food first?

"Eloise?" 

She jumps and turns, bewildered. Cressida stands from the sitting room. Eloise blinks in shock, her expression mirrored. 

Cressida has bags under her eyes and blonde hair seems to be duller than normal. Still dressed fashionable and hair still styled to perfection.

Eloise nose twitches as the stench of alcohol seems to be hugging the girl. 

"What on earth are you doing here?" Eloise asks. 

Cressida blinks staring at the toned legs. The shirt only coming to mid thigh. She takes a thick swallow. Why does Lady Danbury keep her home so hot?

Eloise crosses her arms and curls inward, trying to cover what the large 'V' cut on the neckline wont. 

Cressida shoots her eyes to a boring fruit painting. Red coloring her cheeks as she tries to ignore the state of undress. 

Was Eloise sneaking from a man's room? But why is she filthy? Is that something she is into? Rolling in the dirt? 

Eloise bites her lip. A part is scared that Cressida has seen her in such a state, but also, half of Lady Danbury and most, if not all, of her family staff had caught her in similar state. 

Oh, the joys of her gift. 

"Cressida, you don't have to pretend to not have seen me. It's a little to late for that," Eloise lets out a deprecating chuckle. 

Cressida twitches as she wants to respect her friends privacy,but more so, she got permission to gaze? No, not gaze like some lustful creature.

Just look in her friends direction. Friends can admire one another's beauty.

Taking a steadying breath, Cressida looks at Eloise's face,  she gives a small smile. Her already sour stomach twists. 

"I'm sure you have questions," the brunette mumbles.

Cressida nods slowly, "Only a few." Gaze flickers from her messy curls to the dirt steaked across her cheeks. How does she keep finding this Bridgerton in various stages of undress?

Eloise nods, "I figured. Were- were you waiting for Lady Danbury?"

Cressida pretends to straighten out imaginary wrinkles in her gown. Doing something other than try to not look past Eloise's neck, "Yes." 

Eloise looks at the ticking clock hanging on the far wall, "It seems you're a bit too late. She's at my family's Sunday brunch." 

Cressida deflates, hopeing to get rid of this awful headache. She won't dare to ask any of her household staff for help, least her parents finding out. 

Eloise smiles, "Let me guess. You need a cure for indulging in drink? Your maids remedies not working?" 

Cressida flushes, brows raise, "How'd you know?" 

Eloise starts walking to Lady Danbury's upstairs office, "Lucky guess. Follow me." 

Eloise turns around and starts up Lady Danbury's stairs. Cressida pauses as the shirt raises even higher. 

Her gaze focuses on each step, careful to not trip. 

Eloise walks to the first room and Cressida follows. It's a modest size. A guest bed made and a desk in the corner. Eloise opens the closet and pulls out a blue gown. She looks over, "I need to change," Eloise goes behind the Folding shoji screen,"You may take a seat on the bed if you'd like."

Cressida goes and sits barely on the edge. She puts her hands clasped together on her lap as she watches her thumbs rotate around another. Is this what it's like having friends? 

More importantly. Where was she last night? Why is Eloise in that state, what could she have possibly been doing?

She nearly spooks as Eloise calls out, "How was the get together?"

Cressida shoulders drop at her own foolishness. Its none of her business, "The party last night was dreadfully dull. As I'm sure you figured out I may have indulge in too much alchol to stave off the boredom."

Eloise walks around and uses a mirror to try to tighten the strings together, "Oh, that's a tragedy. I'm sorry I couldn't have accompanied you. " Dirt still coloring the smirking girl, but at least she's covered.

Cressida feels her lip twitch, "I can tell your heartbroken."

Eloise shrugs as she nudges her leg with her foot, "Come on, drunkard." 

Cressida lightly shoves Eloise or tries to. She ends up pushing herself away. It seem the girl is sturdier than she looks. Eloise laughed as Cressida barely manages to not knock off a vase off a shelf. 

Eloise crinkles her nose, smirking, "Ready to see my favorite room in this place?"

The giant room they walk into has a high glass ceiling with numerous plants. It looks like a miniature forest. A huge shelf full of books and glass bottles litter the far wall. Cressida blinks in amazement. 

Eloise leaves Cressida alone as she examines the several blooming flowers. She opens multiple cabnets before sneaking in a deep breath. A familiar brew that Anthony uses lingers on the top shelf. 

Eloise tries to reach it on top of her toes. She grunts with effort. What's the point of these stupid growth spurts if she still cannot reach the things she needs?

"Oh, let me." 

Eloise freezes as Cressida leans overtop of her and stands on her own toes to successfully grabs the bottle. Heat pulses from her body and Eloise turns to see Cressida's jaw become even sharper with effort. The tendons riple and Eloise feels something primal stur. 

Food. She needs food.

"This one right?" Cressida looks down and Eloise feels her whole body lock. Cressida's eyes widen. They're so expressive, only a few inches away from Eloise's own. It seems she has some gold streaked in those emeralds. Cressida sucks in a breath and Eloise can feel her shaky exhale on her cheeks. 

What good is her being a ferocious beast, if a young lady can make her pause like a deer at gun point? 

Eloise grasps the glass over Cressida's own fingers. The purple liquid swirls. 

"Yes. This is correct." 

Cressida steps away, "Apologies. I did not mean to invade your space." 

Eloise watches as she attempts to fix her attention on the plant life.

She scoffs, "Cressida, you're welcome to do the embarrassing from time to time. Its nice to know your not as perfect as you think you are."

A familiar glare gets shot her way. Ah thats better, "Now, let's go fix your headache and get us both something to eat."

 

....

 

Cressida watches as Eloise thanks the staff. How odd she seems so comfortable in Lady Danbury's home.

Eloise turns to the food. The ham and eggs making her mouth water. She wishes she could scarf the food down like normal.  

She picks up the fork with a shaky hand and stabs a piece and puts tiny morsels in one at a time.

How fast can she eat without seeming rude?

 Cressida for her part ignores the food and takes a sip of the specialized tea. In an instant, her head and stomach settle. 

Eloise turns to her guest, "A question for a question?"

Cressida nods in agreement, " That seems agreeable." 

"Guest's first."

"Why are you so familiar with Lady Danbury's home? I know you're family friends, but it seems different."

Eloise takes a moment to chew, "Lady Danbury offered me an odd apprenticeship. As you saw and know, she's an very accomplished healer."

Cressida furrows a brow, "I won't take you to be a healer. You seem more of a..."

"Radical? Lady Whistledown made it seem like so. Plus, I know I make my opinions on certain matters very clear. I however, won't do anything to risk my family,"Eloise grumps before taking a bite. 

Cressida cringes, "That's not what I meant."

Eloise narrows her eyes, "What did you mean?"

"You have terrible bed side manner." Cressida picks up her cup and takes a sip. 

Eloise gaps. She points the fork threatening, " I have you know. I never get sick and I've helped heal my siblings when they were. Many of times."

Cressida raises a brow, "And if I would ask one of the other Bridgertons how they felt about you’re treatment?" 

Eloise opens her mouth then shuts it, "Just don't ask Benedict...or Anthony.....especially Hyacinth. Besides, I help Lady Danbury make all those remedies! Including the one you're currently using!" 

Cressida mockingly claps her hands, "Congratulations. You know how to handle a spoon and stur."

Eloise cheeks redden and rips through a piece of ham. Angrily chewing, "Bet your not any better." 

Cressida smiles, "Maybe, if you decide to come down with something I'll show you what proper etiquette and manners look like." 

Eloise blinks mid chewing. She swallows her mouthful, "Why did you decide to make me your friend? I mean, we are friends?" 

Cressida looks at the purple liquid. Sighing, "My father never really saw the reason for having company, other than those that can be exploited or be used for a business transaction. When in the country, he allows me to have minimalist freedom. Here it's about showing me off, making it seem we are a happy family. There, it's to go door to door and make me marketable to his colleagues. If I am unable to proclaimed a husband of my own with great values. When I stumbled-,"

"You're miss pronouncing 'ran over with my horse'," Eloise mumbles.

Cressida fights a smile, amusement toning her words now, "When I stumbled upon you and saw how you were dressed and without an escourt. I felt envious." Cressida looks in her lap as she admits the truth. Eloise is floored, Cressida envious of her? 

"You got to do those things and know no one would say a word. I mean I could've gossiped, but I wanted to see what would've happened if I took you as a friend instead. I did try to befriend you in your first season out." 

Eloise looks at her. 

Cressida looks away, "But you rejected my suit." 

Eloise purses her lips. Also reading her mind, Cressida sighs, "I actually do not blame you. I have not always been kind."

Silence fills the air as both girls ponder.

Eloise thinks of how Cressida has changed. Or has she always been like this, but her harshness to Penelope made her raise her hackles. Eloise is nothing if not loyal. 

Cressida twists the empty cup. If only to do something. She hopes Eloise will hear the silent apology. She can't help but make fun of Penelope. It's so fun to mess with her, she's an easy target. However, she feels as if Penelope has a back bone just itching to break free. An worthy adversary, indeed. One day.

Eloise tilts her head and her eyes widen, "Cressida." 

She looks over as Eloise turns to the doorway distraught.

"I see you've made yourself comfortable in my home Miss Cowper," and her glare swings to Eloise, "and Miss Bridgerton."

 

Chapter 3

“I see you’re all alone again.” 

Cressida pushes her umbrella up as she catches Lord Debling tipping his hat at her with a welcoming smile. To be truthful, she would rather be left alone. 

Cressida prevents herself from pinching her nose in annoyance. She is exhausted from unable to sleep from her indulgence. Then waking up early to make her way across town to Lady Danbury's.

Lady Danbury politely escorted her out after asking how her remedy felt and to let her know immediately if there was or is any side effects. Cressida would have taken everything in stride, if Eloise won’t have felled on her face to greet the Lady of the house. 

“ Lady Danbury. You’re home early. Y-you see I was just-“ Eloise foot got caught on the tables leg. She lands with a “Oof” Cressida pauses as she stares at her friend as she leans her head on her hand and tries to act nonchalant. 

”Using my house as your own?” A brow raising. 

Eloise swallows, “How much trouble am I in?”

Cressida's lips twitch upward at the memory. Lord Debling mistakes that as a welcome. He steps closer and Cressida tries to not take one away. He looks over to the growing crowd as they take their seats on the wooden benches.

People rush, trying to get in their last minute bets or to get a good spot to see the horses run. 

The smell of food waves through the air. Horses snorts can occasionally be overheard over the crowd. Cressida holds her umbrella as a means of shade.

Perspiration collecting on the back of her neck. The sun is blistering. 

“Which one do you have in favor today?” Lord Debling asks as he looks at his betting slip. Cressida could care less about the races, but oh, does she love a good game.

”I prefer ‘Trotting with Nightmares’.”

Lord Debling hums, “Interesting choice. What made you-“

Cressida feels a mass slam into her and she grunts out as someone shoves themselves into her side. She stumbles a step to catch herself. Looking down in shock at the top of a brunette head. A breathless Eloise stares back. 

“Thank god you’re here! You have to pretend to talk to me.” She begs as she glances over her shoulder. 

Cressida shifts her arm out as Eloise grips it firmer and tucks herself practically into her side. She adjusts her umbrella to cover both of them. 

“Lord Debling, this is Miss Eloise Bridgerton. Miss Eloise this is Lord Alfred Debling,” Cressida introduces. The man looks down as the girl tries to make herself to be as insignificant as possible. 

He offers a polite, “A pleasure to meet you.” 

Eloise nods, “Hello.” 

Cressida clears her throat, “Lord Debling and I were discussing which horse we picked to win today.”

Lord Debling nods, “Yes. Which one do you think will be victor?”

Eloise twists up her nose, “I really don’t have interest in this. I rather not care for equines at all." 

Cressida and Lord Debling share a look of surprise. Before she can ask, Eloise let's out a quiet groan.

"That would be because every time Eloise would get on one she would be thrown off and into the dirt," Benedict adds as he takes up Cressida's other side, "It's very entertaining to watch."

"Like I said, dreadful creatures," Eloise mumbles. Cressida barely stops herself from rolling her eyes at the girl. 

"It seems to me, they're a good judge of character," Cressida states. She sees Eloise shoot a reproachful glare. 

She can't help to let out a chuckle at the smaller girl. She's so entertaining to pick at. 

"It's a shame you cannot enjoy a ride through the woods." Debling offers in sympathy. 

Eloise shrugs, "It's fine. I think taking a stroll through the bush is more relaxing." 

"Are you sure, you don't want to try one more time, El?" Benedict teases.

Lord Debling turns to her in interest. Cressida pauses as she narrows her eyes. She turns, covering Eloise more, as the girl ignores her sibling. 

She plants a large smile, "I would not take you as a betting man." 

Lord Debling chuckles, "I normally am not, but I have an exploration opportunity coming up and if I can help procure more funds. Then, I figured no harm. You?"

"Girls, are not aloud to bet." Eloise turns to swat at her brother. Who takes a step back. 

Lord Debling furrows his brows, "Nonsense! It's all in fun. How about I place a few pounds on 'Nightmare'?"

Cressida shakes her head," I dont have anything to pay you back with."

Lord Debling chuckles, "I insist. It would be fun betting against myself and if you win ill take half of the winnings. If you lose, then maybe I'll have you repay me with a dance at the first ball of the season?" 

He walks away, mind already made up. Cressida bites her lip. At least her mother will be excited. 

"Lord Debling, quite an odd fellow," Benedict mentions as he watches the man walk away. 

"He seems fine to me. Very polite," Cressida defends. Yes, he wouldn't have been her first choice but at least he has respectful manners. That's more than enough.

Benedict leans forward to gossip, "I hear that he has forbid himself on eating meat. Just consuming plants and the occasional fish. What are your opinions on that sister?" 

Eloise turns to look at her brother, "We both know I prefer a good steak or venison in my life. I would go feral if I restricted myself on that." 

Cressida raises a brow,"Feral? You already are quite unrestrained on your reactions in life."

Eloise cheeks turn red and turns her head to stare at her feet. Cressida sags as Eloise's grip loosens on her arm exceedingly.

Cressida tightens her own hold and leans down to catch her eyes, "That's a compliment." 

Eloise offers a small smile. Benedict clears his throat, "Eloise, prehaps we should go to our family? Leave Lady Cowper to get to know Lord Debling?"

Eloise whips her head so fast Cressida is afraid she hurt herself, "Are you insane? We cannot leave her with an unknown man without an escort! What if he does something unorthodox?"

Benedict stares as Cressida tries to swallow her own embarrassment. Yes, she has been alone with him at the ball,  but did not think about what anyone else would think. Like she said earlier, he's respectful.

He sighs, "Lady Cowper. If you would prefer I can stay as a chaperone," he glances at his sister as she tilts her head. Focusing her hearing, listening to something.

Cressida offers a polite smile. Warmth blooming that she has such a considerable friend, "I would appreciate it."

Lord Debling soon joins as the horses line up on the stretch. He holds up a ticket, "You ready to win or lose?" 

Eloise snorts, "Lord Debling, you obviously haven't met Miss Cowper. She barely ever loses." 

Eloise and she had taken up on playing chess with their tea, every chance Cressida could go over on the off season. 30-8. Not that the blonde was keeping score. 

It was just so gratifying to see Eloise slowly lose her mind as Cressida dominated the board. Each piece she took caused an endearing reaction.

"And there off!"

The ground shakes as the herd races to the finish pole. The crowd screams for their pick to win. Cressida raises a satisfying brow to the Lord as the announcer bellows, "Nightmare for the win!"

Lord Debling claps politely as he looks over, "It seems you're about to win some new money." 

Chapter 4

Notes:

I'm the friend who will read your texts with a smile but forgets to messages back. But I love your comments dearly and appreciate all of you giving it a chance

Eloise hops out of the carriage begrudgingly. She glowers at the back of Anthony's back. He insisted that the family makes a trip to the races today. 

Eloise just wants to be at home resting on her favorite lounge chair. Lady Danbury made Eloise preform the labor in laboratory as she personally supervised her scrub everything. 

Not even complaining that she wasn't some scullery maid or the fact that magic would be so much more efficient stopped Lady Danbury's ire. 

It's not her fault that her mother drilled in good hostess manners. Even if it wasn't her house, what was she supposed to do?

She practically lives there most of the time!  Her training and studying on the human and supernatural nations. There are so many rules in both societies. 

Years of being chained or put into the fortified cage until she learned control. Learning magic and her role in the mystic government. 

"Eloise." She stumbles as her mother's voice rips through her internal dialogue. She looks up from following their feet.

Francesca pauses, waiting patiently. Benedict raises a brow at her. Kate and Anthony are huddled together around the racing sheet, arguing over possible victors. Gregory tries to get his top hat back from Hyacinth's taller reach. Colin scans the crowd looking for possible fans.

Her mother puts on a patient smile, "Do you think you will want to come with Francesca to meet some gentlemen? Or are you still...weary?"

Thank god for some small blessings. Her mother, bless her heart, understands that days between the full moons are trying and Eloise already thin tolerance for the marriage market is non existence today. 

She doesn't know if she wants to take a nap under one of the trees or snarl at anyone that gets too close. 

Eloise tries to hide her smile as she fans herself dramatically, "I think that I'm a bit strained. I fear talking to any bachelors will cause me to be completely spent." 

Benedict rolls his eyes as Violet purses her lips. 

"Fine," she relents. She politely escorts her daughter over to the snack tent. 

Colin waves, "Miss Featherington!" Eloise freezes as a blob of orange can be spotted in the more neutral colors. 

Without thinking she turns her heel and starts to speed walk away. She cannot deal with this right now. 

She can already feel the moons pull and she feels twitchy. Eloise being tired and irritable? Not a good sign. 

She can pin point when her brother gives a warm welcome to Penelope. She stops by a tree. Her one hand grasp onto the tree for support, as her hearing superfixates on them. 

"How are you finding your time at the track?" Colin asks. She can just imagen him tilting his head down at the short girl.

Penelope, like always, will offer a slight curtsy and a smile she saves just for the Bridgertons, "I'm finding the event to be quite fine."

"Missing your books already?" Coling teases.

Penelope let's out a soft giggle, "I don't only read you know." 

Eloise curls her lip. Yeah, she writes about everything and anyone that has any sort of gossip. That's where her and Cressida match. Both love a good story. Unlike Cressida though, Penelope broadcasts it like an old widower.

Penelope pauses, "Have you seen Eloise?" 

Colin clears his throat, "She's here somewhere. If I find her, I'll let you know. What happened between you two?" 

Eloise chooses to tune him out.

The breeze blasts, bringing a nice relief from the blazing sun. With it Eloise can taste the excitement, anxiety, and charge of the crowd and horses. 

Her nose hints at, ugh, seriously? Can't Anthony not flirt with his wife for a second? I get it, honeymoon phase. 

A floral scent sweeps across the bridge. Eloise head turns and follows it. 

Colin quickly sees the blue bow in the crowd, "Eloise. Wait!" 

Eloise finds her target and launches herself. Maybe, if she seems preoccupied he'll leave. 

“Thank god you’re here! You have to pretend to talk to me.” She begs as she glances over her shoulder. Her prediction was correct. Colin spots her with a frown. 

Just to make sure, she tightens her grip and keeps herself close. Go, away. Go, away.

Cressida, as if reading her mind, lifts her arm up to make more room and Eloise is greatful for the welcoming display. She tries to hide behind her friend. Cressida moves her parasol to cover them. Perfect.

“Lord Debling, this is Miss Eloise Bridgerton. Miss Eloise this is Lord Alfred Debling,” Cressida introduces.

A blonde man looks down, “A pleasure to meet you.” 

Eloise nods, “Hello.” She tries to keep up with their conversation, when the distinct scent of paint catches her. She stiffens a groan.

....

Benedict looks at his sister as snuggles? Into Miss Cowper's side. 

He knows about her falling out with Penelope Featherington, but Eloise never went past, 'It's not for me to tell.' between clenched teeth. 

He wasn't one to go digging into his siblings business.

He did find it odd however, how Eloise went from ragging about the crude girl to becoming friends overnight. He could see it from his observations over the off season. How they went to awkward forced conversations to this...comfortably?

He watches as Lord Debling makes his way over to the collection booth. 

Benedict 's own footsteps a breath away from the arm and arm girls. 

Eloise stares as the man goes into the booth to collect his winnings, "I didn't know you two were familiar."

Cressida almost seems uncomfortable, "We met at the last nights gathering."

Eloise pauses, before shrinking into herself, "You didn't mention that before." 

Cressida turns with furrowed brows, "It's nothing serious. I only had two conversations with the man." 

Benedict sucks in a breath as Eloise kicks the ground, "He seems to enjoy your company. Before you say anything, just trust me." 

He puts his hands in his pockets and looks at his sister. It must be so hard that she can tell what people are feeling. To know what the people think. To never know a pretty lie when it's there to spare you feelings. 

But, the interesting thing is, she can only tell if the feelings are strong or if she's familiar with the person.

Do you know how awkward it is, to go wet your wick and have your sister know as soon as you enter the house? 

He still remembers when they ran into each other a few seasons ago. He was walking in from Sir Henry Granville party and she was returning from a hunt. He startled at her glowing eyes as they widen, "Ben. Why do you smell like you had relations with thirty people?" 

He shivered at her shit eating grins those past next days. Her constant subtle jabs enraging, as well as entertaining.

Cressida sighs, "Eloise. I know you're not one for the marriage market, but some of us have to brave the fact they need a husband." 

He notices Cressida's glance to him as she says more gently, "Not all of us has families as kind as yours." 

Both him and Eloise go silent as Lord Debling come out with a thick stack of pounds. 

He offers her, her share as agreed. 

Cressida gasps, "Just how much did you bet?" 

The lord shrugs, "Enough. It seems Miss Bridgerton was right. You don't seem to lose." 

....

Cressida seems to find herself at Lady Danbury's house once again this week. At least, this time she was properly invited.

She looks around. As always, Lady Danbury hosts an infamous first ball of the season. The decorations, music, and food are hard to beat.

The flowers hand picked this morning are put in giant bundles and drapped across the cream tile. Lights perfectly placed as if you've followed fairy's into the woods. The place giving a magical garden vibes.

Most of the ton has already showed and the queen herself has made an appearance. She's safely tucked away on a balister, viewing each of the new debutantes as they enter. A diamond waiting to be picked. 

Cressida does not have to wait much longer for her truely awaited friend to make an appearance. 

The Bridgertons enter, all decorating a light blue. The signiture color of their house. Eloise has hers made with sequence flowers. A lovely additive to match the jeweled pins in her hair. 

Violet greets Lady Danbury's with a warm welcome. Complimenting on her success of a great ball of the season. 

Cressida keeps her hand on her glass. Fighting the urge to go and grab the girl herself.

Eloise hand in arm with Benedict make their way, when Benedict suddenly springs from her and goes with Colin. Cressida watches bemused as the girl huffs.

"Is it a habit for the Bridgerton children to ditch each other or just you personally?" 

Eloise turns and Cressida smirks. Eloise has her makeup done darker then normal.  Cressida frowns as bags seem to stick to the poor girls face. 

She has not had a moment alone to see what exactly happened the other evening, to witness the girl in such a state of grime.

Eloise sighs as she prevents herself from flinching at the loudness of the music. Even though she's on the otherside of the room, she might as well be under their chairs. 

She stops herself from rubbing her eyes as the many lights shine and sparkling from the chandelier. She is sure that Cressida would save her mother herself the effort and chastise her personally. 

She groans as the food makes her stomach rumble.

She hope no one notices, but the fact that green orbs glance down. Eloise feels her ears heat and Cressida leans down with a sumg grin.

"Would you like me to escort you to the table, Miss Bridgerton?" 

Cressidas hair is up in an elaborate style that Eloise is sure hurts. A few blonde strains esacpe the design and hangs down curled in the front. It forms around her face nicely. A pale pearl pink dress with giant sleeves hungs against Cressida's lean form.

One anyone else it be atrocious. However,  Miss Cowper makes it work.

"I suppose, I could go with you. Since you're offering," Eloise folds. She takes the girls arm

Cressida leans in conspiracizing, " I wonder what Whistledown will write about next issue. This season is quite off to a dull start."

Eloise scoffs, " I am sure she will find something. Or make something up."

Cressida pauses as an green object catches her eye. She stops, causing the poor girl to run into her. 

Penelope Featherington, wearing a dress, the color worthy of Emeralds. The queens favorite.

Cressida frowns, "I do not think that will be necessary."

Eliose tracies her stare and the looks of other shocked eyes. She blinks in astonishment as the mouse of the girl, sheds her wallflower persona, and emerges as an elegant rose.

A sparkeld green gown covers her body in a way that deeply compliments her skin and hair. Her hair falls in natural waves over her shoulder. 

Cressida glances at the girl,  and feels a storm of emotions build. How dare she? 

How could a nobody cause such an entrance?

She glances at the gang of eligible men, horrified. Colin's himself is flabbergasted to the point of silence,"I told the Contessa in the homeland-."

This could ruin everything. How can Cressida get the pick of the litter when the Forgettable Featherington steals the show?

....

Eloise scrunches her face at her empty plate, as an another suitor politely rejects another attempt of conversation.

Where Whistledown might have attracted everyone's attention, Penelope still falls short.

Really short.

Eloise turns to the gaggle of girls. They seem to have fallen in step and each one joined as they greeted Cressida first. Eloise as a polite after thought.

Either way. These things are enjoyable with friends. As new or fake as they are.

"You genuinely enjoy embroidery?" Eloise asks. Mortified. She cannot think of a more horried way to waste time.

Maybe, trying to attract a sutior.

Jessica laughs, "Of course I do. There is a simple so much one can do with it."

Eloise looks to the other ladies like she's joking, "For example?"

Everyone seems to be deeply engaged. Cressida even seems to enjoy the girls enthusiasm.

Abigail, jumps at the opportunity, "Since you have asked, the stem stitch, tried and true. 

Jessica adds, "The straight stitch, running stitch, chain stitch."

Abigail practically squeals, "The French knot, if one is feeling bold. 

Eliose looks at Cressida with barley hidden humor. The girls both getting louder and feeding each other positive energy.

It smells better than the rest of the groups emotions.

Jessica Hartigan agrees, "Oh yes!"

Abigail grabs Jessica's arm and gasps, "Ooh! The detached chain stitch."

Chuckles erupt from the group. Eloise pauses as a familiar Lord converses with the girl of the hour.

Oh, no

Lexie turns and asks, "Do you not have a favorite, Miss Eloise?" 

Attention whipped from Penelope to Lexie.

"Wha-- The...uh shift, stitch."

Abigail and Jessica look at each other. The group looks at each other, waiting for another to agree about the unknown needle point option.

Cressida politely helps, "I'm not familiar with that one." 

Eliose grabs her arm, "It's the one that shifts this conversation perhaps to something besides embroidery." 

Snorts and true laughs echo.

Jessica snarks, "Oh, a jest. How, clever." 

The poor girl slumps. It's not often she can talk about her passions. Her only ally is Abigail, but it seems that everyone favors the new girl to the group.

Like a shiny new toy.

"Cressida," Eloise says urgently. 

"Are you-"

"I'm fine, "Eloise mumbles. She takes a breath, "I did not see you going to Lord Debling this evening."

Cressida raises a brow, "No?"

She tilts her head, "Eloise, what is this truely about?" 

Eloise grips Cressida's arms and slowly turns her around. The blonde scoffs, as she sees the blonde male and red head talking. 

She twists her lip. How could she get the two away from each other? An idea forms and Cressida tries to not smile. 

"Eloise," she graces. The girl turns to her, "Yes?" 

She runs a finger down and bats her eyes lashes, "Mind getting me a drink?" 

Eloise hesitate before agreeing, "Sure." She glances back at the two conversing, before dissappearing into the crowd.

Perfect. Cressida should have enough time to extract her plan. 

Cressida pretends to examine the decorations, inching closer to make sure her heel steps on the back of Penelope's dress.

An awful ripping sounds.

"How mortifying! I am so clumsy." Cressida leans down as to help, "My deepest apologies." 

She narrows her eyes as her pout turns downright wicked, just for a second. Penelope stops herself from flinching back.

"Heavens. Well, accidents will happen." Lord Alfred muses," Miss Featherington, I will find a maid to help you."

"It'd be most appreciated," Cressida states as she pretends to help gather the girls dress. She hands the twist cloth to the girl.

"It is a pity you did not choose something sturdier. Perhaps, if you did not buy such cheap fabric it would not have ripped." Cressida winks a Penelope.

Something seems to catch the red heads attention over her shoulder. Cressida turns and pauses.

Penelope glares at Eloise behind the blondes shoulder. The girl holding two glasses of lemonade.

Eloise opens her mouth and shuts it. A deep pained look overcomes her face. Eliose fights with her two loyalties, "Pen I am....I am so sorry." 

Penelope leaves. Hitting her shoulder on the way.

Cressida smipers, "That should show her."

Eloise slams the drinks down. The liquid sloushes over the side, "What you just did was cruel and unnecessary."

Cressida takes a step back. Guilt and confusion starts to naw at her stomach, "But I thought we did not like the girl?"

Eloise snarls, "Regardless of your poor demonstration of manners and false apologies you remain to be the same bullying wench!"

Eloise stomps away hoping to catch Penelope.

Chapter 5

Benedict sits at his chair, fingers tapping gently against the old sketch book. Most of the pages forgotten, empty waiting to be used.

He did come in the sitting room to reminisce on his old artwork. Perhaps he gave it up too soon? He still enjoys art, but is it enough to simply watch?

He sighs as Eloise turns again in her mumbled rant. He glances to the poor floor. She is attempting to wear a hole in with her pacing. 

Eloise arms fly around in her aggravation, "I mean can you believe it? How she could just go back to picking on her? I mean, I thought we were done being petty!"

Benedict raises a brow. She looks at him and slumps onto her favorite chair. 

It's a cream colored lounge chair perfect for naps and to read. No one dares sit in it besides Eloise.

The last time someone made an attempt Gregory found all his hidden toys stuck on top of the house. Mother was furious. 

"Have you told Miss Cowper exactly why it bothers you?" Benedict says.

Eloise shoots a glare," No! But a lady should not conduct such behavior!"

Benedict sighs, "Do you think it could be perhaps she was taught to act aggressive against other debutantes? I mean Miss Featherington was talking quite a bit with Lord Debling. Prehaps she felt threatened."

Eloise huffs as she turns to stare at the ceiling. Fingers playing with each other, "I dont know. Why fight over a man? There's plenty of others."

Benedict opens his book, seeing his attempts of drawing Eloise other form. A tall, bigger wolf like creature snarling.

"Says the top predator." 

Eloise turns with a furrowed brow, "What does that mean?"

Benedict bites his lip, "Think about the marriage market as a hunt. Each of the debutantes are like," he waves his hand. Trying to think of the right word," a predator and us men as prey. Not all prey are alike. You have your hares, sheep, deer but some are a nice cow or buck." 

Benedict can see her mind absorbing the information.

"Your status is kind of what predator you are, a Ferret, a snake, a badger, fox," he pauses and makes eye contact, "a wolf." 

"However, unlike the wild, you ladies can catch prey that my examples usually cannot. A ferret can snag a stag. Or a wolf can get a rabbit."

Eloise seems to have a confused tilt to her head. Benedict sits straighter from his slouch. He gently shuts his book, "Lord Debling would be considered a stag. A health big one. Miss Cowper was able to injury her prey. Then Miss Featherington comes sniffing along. So what would you do if another predator tries to take your kill?" 

Eloise says without pausing, "I would kill them."

Benedict swallows at her harsh, but true remark, "Exactly. Miss Cowper simply just scared her challenger."

Eloise slumps as she taps her fingers together.

Benedict smiles as understanding reflects in her eyes, "You are blessed, El. You are a Bridgerton you metaphorically, and not, are a wolf. You don't have to go find a prey as your pack will always provide. Miss Cowper knows she will be kicked out of hers. If she cannot procure a meal then,"

Eloise finishes, "She cannot eat."

Benedict nods, "Better the catch?"

"Better the meal."

...

"Miss Cowper."

Cressida looks up from her music sheet. It's been three days since Eloise stormed off after Miss Featherington. 

She has tried to not let her heavy heart mess with her time with the different callers. She's only had two this week. Some men with barely any prospects.

The pickings are becoming thinner and thinner. Father is not happy with her unable to catch a 'proper man.'

Her parents are out for few business meetings.

The guard clears his throat, "A Miss Bridgerton is here to see you."

Cressida stands up straighter. Her fingers twitch on her bow and offers a small smile, "You can let her join."

The garden is in bloom. Roses of myriad colors brightly show off their beauty. Ivy crawling up the brick wall. Purple lavender popular with the bees. The honeysuckle sweet on her nose.

She smiles as the sunlight streams through the oaks branches over her head. 

Closing her eyes she let's her fingers take over as her bow drags gentley over the strings . The beautiful notes add into the serenity of the scene.

She plays as she waits for her confidante to emerge. 

Is Cressida showing off? Maybe. 

She takes a breath as the final note is strung. More at peace than before. She looks up as Eloise is frozen. Eloise lips are parted. Shoulders red from the sun and her fingers occasionally twitch.

She swallows, "Cress...that was...entrancing."

Cressida looks down, a slight blush tinges her cheeks. Sure she's gotten may compliments, pretty, beautiful, gorgeous but never that. Especially, a talent she's picked for herself. Piano is just fine,  but she could never find herself in the music. 

Her mother says stringed instruments are not becoming a lady of the house. A lady should have gentle hands. Not one calloused with hours of work. 

The less for  her parents to know the better. Cressida has taken practice with one of her maids, Bree, who occasionally plays for a bar downtown.

She uses her "needle point" time to extract the time to learn. Her needle point is adequate. Enough, to not cause suspicion. 

When she was caught by the guards, they swore they would keep the secret. She's sure that a few have a begrudging relationship with their Lord.

A slight spat to Lord Cowper.

Cressida clears her throat and turns. She picks up the white tea pot and pours a second glass, "Tea?"

She looks up to her maid, Bree nods and goes to get some snacks.

Bree has been a gentle shadow. An unspoken agreement to be friendly with each other and let each other know when the Lord and Lady are in moods. 

Eloise approaches and takes a seat. Cressida sits in a more elegant manner and takes a gentle sip. 

Eloise eyes her. Cressida has a more plain dress on. The opening showing her pale skin of her clavicle. Her shoulder straps hang off dropping to lean arms. Her hair is back in a simple but tasteful braid. Just a light dusting on eyeshadow around her eyes. 

Eloise likes this version of her. 

"Is that the dress you wore when you ran me over?"

Cressida scoffs, "How many times must I say it? I recall I simply seemed to have bumped into you in the wood."

Eloise snorts, "Tell that to the hoof mark on my back." She even makes a show to grab at her shoulder.

Cressida pauses and slowly puts down her cup. It clicking on the plate. Her eyes jump from on eye to an another, "You're jesting."

Eloise nods stone faced, "Absolutely, not. Mother even had to call a physician to help set my ankle."

She swears she'll never tell her that there was brusing in the shape of her horses shoes. It luckily went away throughout the night along with her broken bone.

Good thing it broke right. Because setting those back in right is a pain.

Cressida furrows her burrows, she glances down as if to see Eloise's ankle through the table. Eloise twist her ankles together tucks them in. 

"When I called for you a few days later. You were not hobbling around."

Eloise shrugs, slurping loudly just to annoy her present company, "I heal fast."

Cressida swallows as she looks down. Biting her lower lip.

"I-"

"Stop-"

They both pause and then gently chuckle as Eloise motions towards Cressida, "Go, first." 

"I-I," Cressida looks down and gently exhales. The closes thing Eloise has ever seen as a huff from the girl, "It seems that my actions have upset you. It was my attention to make Penelope get away from Lord Debling, but you're right. I should have gone about it in a different manner. I know she was-is your friend. I will try to respect that going forward."

Cressida looks up. Eloise blue eyes sparkle in the light. Her light grey gown has slight ruffles adding a more feminine quality to the cloth. Her hair up in a twisted bun.

She taps the table with her fingers. A loud silence over takes the area. Bree comes out with a large tray of different finger foods. She sets it and catches the tension. 

She coughs, "If that would be all my Lady?"

Cressida gives a small fake smile, "Yes." 

Bree leaves and gives a slight thumbs up. Cressida clears her throat, "Would it be too much to ask if we're still friends?"

Eloise flinches, "What? Why would you ever think I wouldn't want to be yours?"

Cressida grabs her cup, "I know that becoming a debutante can ruin friendships. I use to have a few before the competition of marriage wedge between us. I hope it would not do the same to us. Unless...I've already ruined it."

Eloise shakes her head, "Don't be absurd. I was simply caught on the fact the great Cressida Cowper admitted I was right."

Cressida has a thought to throw a biscuit at her.

"I'm so elevated that, that's what you took from me," Cressida sits back and absolutely doesn't pout.

Eloise reaches across the table, palms up. An offering.

Cressida glances at it as Eloise blows out air between her lips, "You know no man will get between us. I am sorry for not seeing or trying to see things from your perspective." 

Cressida slowly takes her hands. The contact is warm. Cressida wants to ask, will Penelope? Could her ex friend come between them? 

"I'll accept you're apology if you accept mine? Only on a condition." 

Eloise squeezes her fingers, "Yes?"

"Will you tell me what happened?"

 

Chapter 6

Eloise stared at her best friend...or who she thought was her best friend. The phrasing of the rumors familiar. Like poetry.

Penelope giggles as she leans away from her. Fresh gossip dripping from her lips. Pride making the timid wallflower stand tall, the heart beat strong and true. No signs of deception.

Eloise leans back and stares at the marble dance floor. 

Her nostrils flare. Nothing. The usual begrudging hesitance that sticks to her red haired friend is gone. No more turning the conversation away from Lady Whistledown. She gave the pursuit up, against her nature for Penelope. For herself. 

Why is her instincts screaming at her?

Flashes echo in Eloise's mind. The smell of ink and down town market. The scent of the paper type and texture of the page. The unsteady heartbeat and sweat whenever Eloise even hinted about her hunt on Whistledown, gone. Penelope scent stale in the air at events.

Madam Delacroix pheromones heavy of nervous and stress retching the air with lies. Featherington ink and rose coloring the walls.

Theo's sudden admission of Lady Whistledown no longer printing from his job. 

Eloise heart skips as a growing loss of who she thought Penelope is-was. 

Her stomach lurches and sweat breaks across her brow. Penelope turns as Eloise her smile fades as concerned brows furrow. 

"Eloise-"

"I-I suddenly don't feel well, excuse me." She brushes against Penelope's gown as she goes to the small garden. 

Ignoring the red head's call of worry.

She trips down the brick steps, her heart beats rapidly in her ears. The background noise fades, the colour's and textures morph to microscopic level. She shakes her head to stop her body from flighting.

Claws rip through the material of her dress as her fingers clench tightly to the gown.

She goes to the small corner located under Penelope's room. Its far enough away from the crowd she doesn't have to worry as fangs pierce through her gums.

Eloise can practically taste the truth. Her jaws snapping on the conclusion. The tail of Lady Whistledown in her jowls. Whistledown soon to be cornered.

Unless, she's wrong. And by God, does she hope she's wrong.

She looks up and the ivy, thick and strong, strangling the brick leading up to the window. She looks around and leaps. 

Grunting, she leans forward and the brick cracks as her claws dig around the seal. One hand and feet using the vine as footholds. She blinks focusing her vision into the room, empty, the glowing orbs reflecting in the glass as her sharper ears twitch, listening. 

Her brothers laughing. Mrs. Featherington having a harsh whispered conversation with Lord Featherington. Lady Danbury talking with her mama. 

She uses a finger to push on the widow, testing. Locked. She glares as she uses pressure, careful to not crack the glass or wood. She uses her nail to flip the lock.

Her feet silent against the floor. She scans, looking for hiding spots. Under the bed, closet and drawers empty.  She tosses shoes, no hidden drawer.

The blankets tossed, mattress not showing any hidden seams. The wall behind the paintings solid. 

Anxiety soon turns to anger. The muscles ripple under her skin as she snarls silently as possible.

Eloise turns and rips the gown off as her rage turns predatory. Her transformation has gotten faster as she's embraced her true nature.

She barley manages to not rip the cloth too badly. The dress still passible.

A taller, snarling monster's shadow flickers on the wall by the flame of the fireplace. She leans down and inhales. Her enlarged ribcage extends to the limits. 

She ignores the heavy scent of ink. The scent of Penelope's favorite soap, Rose. Her occasional crumbs from past meals and stains of drinks that were dropped. The ash and wood as the fireplace crackles.

A faint scent. Tons of small scents of multiple people stick to a parchment that reeks of trees and ink. 

Money. And a lot of it. 

Her focus shifts to the floor. Her eyes flicker to the corner of the carpet.

She rushes over and flips a chair out of the way. The carpet flung aside and her claws snatches the board of wood that pulls away with ease. The area stashed with tons of pounds. Neatly stacked hand written copies of Whistledown done with a familiar writing next to the large sum.

Her lips peel back as she holds in a howl of fury.

Whistledown finally caught. She's in Eloise's sight. But it never brings the sweet victory of sucess. Instead, she slashes at the closes object, books and pages scatter as the shelf breaks. Desk chair slamming into the ground as the objects fly.

She grabs a pillow flinging it into the room, wishing she could dig into the mattress with her claws .

Her attention turns towards the closet, it might be petty, but she shreds Penelope's favorite lounge outfit. Just like how her so called friend shredded her heart. 

She heaves as huffs of rage turn into angst. Her body snapping into the smaller form of a young woman. Eloise falls, her fingers clenched as she wills the tears of frustration and betrayal to remain in her eyes. 

Penelope Featherington is not worth her tears. Someone who lies and hides and writes blasphemous things about the town, the queen, her, and most importantly Eloise's family.

She grabs her dress as light footsteps creak on the stairs. A slight skip makes it's way and she turns ready as the door knob twists.

Her prey trapped.

....

Eloise turns to a surprisingly patient Cressida. 

Cressida heart tightens as tears collect at the corners of baby blues.

"I discovered that Penelope was lying about something to me for a long time. I talked about it on occasion and she had ample time to explain. However, she kept silent." Eloise starts. 

Cressida squeezes Eloise's hand in silent way of comfort. Eloise looks at their conjoined hand and offers a watery smile.

"I know I'm being hypocritical because I've also kept secrets from her. I just," she sighs tugging the ends of her hair with her other hand. She blows a raspberry out of her mouth, "Mine never hurts her. I didn't- I couldn't-," she let's go and covers her hand through her face, " It's so hard to explain. I think of how we've been friends for years, and it's gone in a moment. I don't know."

She looks up, "I dont want to lie to you. I can't say, why, exactly. I can just say it's not for me to say what it is. It's just changed our relationship and I can't tell you what happened. I also don't want our relationship to end up being the same."

She steals herself and tell Miss Cowper," I have a secret that I can't tell you. I do want you to know it'll never hurt you personally. I can't explain and I'd appreciate it if you can accept that."

Cressida sighs, so much for nothing. So much back and forth. Penelope and Eloise both have secrets? 

Her usual nosie, curious nature is interested. It's just not worth losing this brilliant young lady.

Penelope Featherington is a fool.

Chapter 7

Eloise inhales the warm summer breeze. The park offers much better views and scents then most of London. She sighs as Colin and Benedict guard her from both sides.

Benedict is happy to get out of the house and Colin in the mood for a stroll. 

His pride still wounded from Lady Whistledown's latest work.

Eloise teeth threaten to enlarge at the thought. 

What the fuck was Penelope thinking?

"Would you not rather promenade with your fellow debutantes?" Benedict asks Eloise as he waves a hand showing multiple girls being chaperone by their maids.

Eloise chuckles as she gives a slight wave to Jessica who happens to be in a boat with a young man. Parents watching from the shore. 

Jessica turns with a roll of the eyes from flicking from them to the gentleman. Ah. Not a good outting.

Eloise chuckles, "Would you ever stop to watch grass grow?"

Yes, it is true, she has become more acquainted with some of the female members of the ton.

But becoming friends? Seems more of a chore than it's worth.

They walk past a group of ladies and several give big grins toward their direction. Benedict raises a brow, as Eloise barely holds back a howl of laughter.

Honest, some girls are just as bad as boys.

"Besides, it's not me who they look to, " she turns her head to Colin. 

He turns to his little sister perplexed.

Benedict gruffs, "I do not understand the limits of your new outlook," his brows furrow, "You're snug with Cressida, but have no interest in other debutantes."

He picks up the end of her curled pony tail, "You wear a ribbon in your hair, but where's your fan?"

Eloise huffs loudly and narrows her eyes, "Why must I be the object of your curiosity?" 

She glances to Colin, "It is not me whose outlook has most changed."

Master at reflection.

Colin smirks, "Did you not promise Anthony you would give society a try?"

Eloise snorts. Agreeing is a lose term to describe their conversation.

More like polite tolerance of her oldest brother's wishes. Isn't she out now? 

Wearing a silly light blue dress holding a white ruffled jacket? Being escorted by two brothers, allowing anyone to come up and talk to her as they please?

Benedict sighs, as her victory of avoiding Anthony's request, but still managing to fill it, irritates and entertains him.

Eloise isn't the one who has to listen to Anthony's rants about the family. He is second eldest after all.

Collin perks up at something in the distance, "I shall see you both later."

"Oh..." Benedict drawls as he watches Colin's brown jacket flicker in the breeze as he makes his way down the pebbled path, joining a familiar silhouette.

He sighs as he turns to Eloise. Her smirk falters and she looks.

His gaze flickers between the two young ladies as Eloise reluctantly states, "Perhaps one of those ladies has a fan I might borrow. Looks like it may become rather warm."

Benedict bites his lip and falls in line behind her to avoid any girls from speaking to him. Eloise is a good shield when she needs to be.

The girls offer polite smiles to his sister before turning an interesting gleam to him.

"Morning, Miss and Mr. Bridgerton," one of the young ladies greets. The small group offers polite curtsys.

Eloise scoffs, "Yes, Morning. It seems I have misplaced my fan. Would one of you happen to have one I might steal?"

The youngest one, who Benedict can only guess just turned the age to be a debutante offers. The act of youth still wanting to make friends in the marriage market, makes her eager.

"You may have mine if you'd like," she offers and Eloise takes it with a thanks. She quickly grabs onto his arm and rushes towards a bench. 

Eloise flicks the fan open and holds it by her face she closes her eyes.

Benedict waits but after several silent moments, "What are you doing?"

"Shh!" Eloise whispers, "I'm trying to listen."

Benedict looks and smacks his face as his sisters ears tips are too pointy to be human nearly sticking though her hair. 

"Are you insane?" 

Eloise looks over with a glower, "Are you not curious of our brother's activities?"

Benedict remember Colin's tales of how alcohol seems to cover the stench of brothels from their sister. 

Benedict sighs, "Not really?"

Eloise rolls her eyes and goes back to focus on her hearing, "Miss Featherington,you seem discomposed."

Eloise snorts as Penelope's fan stutters in its erratic movement.

Benedict pocket his sisters face, "Pst, hey! I want to know."

Eloise bats his hand away as Benedict gets annoyingly closer to her face as if he'll jump on her sensitive hearing range.

"Will you stop it?" She hisses, showing her fangs in agitation.

He points at her face, "Mother said stop baring your fangs at people. It's unladylike." 

Eloise rolls her eyes, "You're unladylike."

Benedict shrugs and then checks his pocket watch, his easy going grin falters, "We better get going if you want to return in time to go to the Modiste with Francesca."

Eloise drops her head to the back of the bench with a groan.

...

 

"Girls," Violet holds the door open for her two daughters to slip through, "Look at this lovely, French blue satin. ," Violet hums as she turns towards her girls. 

Eloise barely suppresses a huff of annoyance, when will mama learn that she will never be in anyone's favor?

Her mother's anxiety and excitement almost screams from her body.

Violet looks to a timid Francesca, "Certainly this will catch the queen's eye."

Eloise raises a brow. 

Violet holds the cloth tightly and charges in deeper to the shop almost frantically.

Eloise turns to her sister with a plain face, and Francesca let's out a puff of a chuckle.

Eloise own escapes her lip, "I am so grateful now that Mother had you to absorb her attention," Francesca tilts her head, "I can delay dealing with suitors at least another year."

Eloise has a thought that promptly brightens, "Maybe, even longer if you hold it as well."

Eloise can already feel that Francesca does not share the same sentiment, "I regret to disappoint you, but the prospect of marriage is the one aspect of the season that I welcome."

She sighs, "I'm eager to find a suitable match and be done with it," she glances over Eloise shoulder, "Before Mother schemes to get the Queen interested in me."

Eloise blinks, " I never thought I'd never say this, but aren't you worried about marrying not to your mate?"

Francesca huffs, "I know it was incredible luck that Anthony and Daphne found theirs, but the connection isn't as strong as father's was. They didn't just look at them and knew."

Eloise swallows, the same fear echoing back to her. 

Father's connection to mother when described, seemed like fate. His journals write how when around her, his beast was at peace. The control of man vs nature was nonexistent when their mate was around. It's something that both aspects of himself agreed on. 

Daphne, not being able to change,  but still had her own version of their father's bond. When she met the Duke, she said, it was like coming home. The conversation flowed easy and they were never strangers.

Anthony the little bit he offered to the family was that Kate matched him. His soul knew that she was his, but his ideology was preventing him from understanding what he already knew. 

Francesca grabs her hand, "I feel like love is love. I don't need a predestinated person to make me happy." 

Eloise inhales. 

Since, she's the only one who has a beast, her aspect on marriage is more complicated. Not only because of her not being human, but the ideas of how human marriage works.

Eloise doesn't want to be tied down. She doesn't also, want to have fate or society determine who is with her. She wants choice.

Mother has been the most understanding with her. She was the only one to have a marriage with a mate bond, a true match in all aspects.

That's why she doesn't mind her children to wait or want them to pick their own partner. So, they have time for their mates to click.

"I-I thought the Queen was under the notion of not picking this season's ladies?" Eloise asks. Her brows furrowing as she thinks on the disappointment that scattered throughout town when the Queen failed to make her announcement.

Francesca tilts her head and lowers her voice to mimic, "Lady Danbury says, 'The queen only waits to be dazzled.'"

Eloise huffs, agreeing with the irritation of her younger sister.

The bell rings as more patrons enter the store. Two of the newest debutantes enter, both give a respectable distance apart but close enough to see what one another chooses.

Francesca nearly startles as a wolfish smirk crosses Eloise lips, "Prehaps if there are others vying for the queen's favor," she glances at her and approaches the other two ladies. 

Francesca hides an amused smile, knowing that her poor mothers plans are crumbling by the second. 

Eloise nearly skips back and grabs her arm. She glances down as Eloise's blue eyes sparkle.

She whispers," The town will soon nearly go feral, as mother's and daughters alike scramble to make sure that the Queen chooses them as this years rare diamond. You're welcome."

Francesca shakes her head at her brilliant sibling and the chaos she chooses to make.

...

 

Francesca hides her amused grin behind her fan as Mama verbally lashes out towards them on how their advantage over the queen had somehow gotten out.

Eloise glances to her for help, but as greatful as Francesca is for Elosie's assistance, she will gladly continue to ignore her pleading looks.

If they look to long at each other, Mother will know it was them. So, she chooses to look out the window to watch the house come in view. 

She will repay Eloise at a later time.

"Do you have any idea? Eloise? Eloise?!" Violet hollers as the girl launches herself out of the carriage as it stops. 

She waits by the door, glaring at the man who sweats as he waits for the Lady of the house, before opening the door.

Violet offers a polite thanks before going upstairs to think of some new strategies.

Eloise turns and sighs, "I believe I did them a great service." 

Francesca heavily inhales, looking up the balister in fear, "Shush. Unless you care to tell Mama about your "Great service." 

Eloise pales as she nods.

Entering, she pauses. Brandy is thick in the air, but the underlining ink makes her hesitate. 

Soon Colin enters, he almost looks ruffled, "Eloise. Francesca. How was Madame Delacroix?" 

Eloise nose twitches. Blast Colin for learning that alcohol seems to cover up more subtle scents. However, she doesn't need her nose to tell he's hiding something.

"Funny. I didn't take you for caring about our state of dress, brother."

Colin clears his throat, "Well, maybe, I care of how your outlooks affect the family."

Eloise stares, as sweat starts to collect. 

Francesca grabs her arm, hating when siblings butt heads.

"-when the city is still, alone at night." A soft female voice reads.

Eloise stops, halting Francesca forcefully. Her more quiet sister pleads with her eyes as Eloise scrunches up her mouth.

"You might want to check out your study brother, I believe a mouse is poking around."

His eye twitches as he tries to make an escape without rushing.

Francesca huffs as she drags her down on the chair, "Must you taunt him?"

Eloise snarls as she grips tighter, enjoying the contact from her sister. They rarely ever get time to themselves. 

"You cannot tell me you did not hear, Penelope reading Colin's diary?"

Francesca lip twitches as she tries to remain serious, "I did. But, unlike you, I don't use my gift to insert myself in other people's business."

Eloise gaps, "What's the fun of having sensitive hearing if I cannot enjoy some good gossip?"

Francesca gets up and sits at the chair by the piano, her fingers press against the keys board and some pretty notes linger, "Lady Whistledown covers that for you and me. I prefer more enjoyable sensations with this enhancement."

She starts to play with her eyes closing. Almost hypnotic, with how she gets easily lost in the music.

Eloise huffs but watches, ignoring the sound of shattering glass, Francesca falters, but continues on with a frown.

Eloise waits as Francesca finishes the song. 

Silence. Her nostrils flare.

Eloise stands, "I will be going to my room now." 

Francesca opens her mouth, but closes it as Eloise already leaves. 

She hears her sister's heart stutters as a familiar Featherington gasps at them running into each other.

With a huff she concentrates on the keys, blocking the loud world around her.

 

....

 

The horses' shoes clip against the stone cobbles as the carriage rocks.

Colin glances at his unusually quiet sister. Francesca insisted that she had matters to discuss with mother, alone. 

Forcing them to take the last carriage to tonight's event.

He stretches out his wounded hand, carefully wrapped in bandages. It will heal in two days time. 

His envy of his sister's multitude of gifts still occasionally pulses. He sighs, as his eyes look to his unusually still sister, her gaze determined to stay out to the window. 

He tries to be happy with the inheritance of vision. He can see better than the other Bridgertons, save for Eloise, but not nearly as strong.

The others, like him, have their father's magic and genetics. Just not the full package.

He clears his throat, "Is something troubling you?"

Eloise purses her lips debating only for a second if she should bring it up. 

Impulse is her middle name, "Penelope was at our house today."

He swallows heavily, hoping that is all the problem consists of, not the...moment he and Miss Featherington shared. 

"I am sorry for that," he look over and can feel the distance spreading them apart, even though Eloise is within touching distance, "But it is difficult to know how to act when, still, I do not know what happened."

Even Benedict has no idea. Colin is ashamed to admit, his older brother is closer to his siblings then he is. 

Benedict admitted that even if he knew he wouldn't break Eloise's trust.

Eloise spits the same excuse the first several times he's asked, "We simply grew apart."

Colin scoffs softly, "Yes. You have said that."

Perhaps,this issue isn't her relationship with Penelope, but his relationship with Penelope?

His heart tightens, "Do you wish for me to cast her out?"

Eloise almost cracks her neck with the speed she looks over, "No!"

Her mouth gaps, like even she can't believe the speed and intensity of her answer, "I do not wish for her to be friendless, and you might be all she has now."

She stalls, her teeth lengthen as the Featherington's scent lingered thought the halls. If she were male, she'd have half the mind to pee on everything, to get the scent out.

"Perhaps just not at the house?"

Colin bites his lip, so much for trying to keep Penelope's safe spot open.

He wishes he could growl back, "Of course." 

He looks to his lap.

Eloise wrestles internally as she doesn't care, but she maybe does?!? Ugh, why is this so complicated? Stupid loyalty. Stupid heart. 

"How is she?" Eloise whispers.

"Penelope?" Colin tries to clarify.

"I mean...I do not need to know details. But I only want to make sure she is not suffering or...despondent."

Colin narrows her eyes. Wishing his sister knew, she wouldn't have to ask if she would just accept her friendship. Get over is ridiculous argument, "She is neither suffering or despondent."

Like he would ever let Penelope get to that point.

Eloise inhales as frustrated patience mixes with her brothers cologne.

"In fact," Colin almost glares, "She seeks to take a husband this season."

"A husband?" Eloise nearly cackles, "Penelope?"

Colin's smug grin, of finally getting to know something that Eloise doesn't, makes his grin bigger, "Mmhm."

Eloise blinks,"That is...so unlike her."

"Perhaps she has changed," thinking of how her copper hair shined beautiful earlier. Her voice so open and soft when she was practicing her flirting.

Eloise's eyes widen. That cannot be lust? There's no way her brother is interested in her ex-friend like that.

"She is not seeking a husband in you?"

Colin shrugs, "No," he thinks, "I'm only helping her find one."

Eloise curls her lip in warning, "Is that wise? What if anyone were to find out about your helping her?"

Colin stutters,"Well, who should help her?" He turns, anger at his sister surfacing, "She does not have any male relatives."

Eloise pinches her nose, "Yes that is correct. You, however, are an eligible suitor," she cocks her head, "Perhaps, the most eligible right now, strangely."

Colin turns ahead, listening but growing deeper into his own thoughts. 

"How do you think that is going to paint her character? It would not look right."

Colin begrudgingly agrees, "No, it would not."

He turns to her, "And that is why we are not telling anyone."

He turns his body and head out the window, closing the conversation. 

Eloise huffs.

 

....

 

They pull up to the party, already bouncing with people rushing to join the festivities. 

Several people laughing as they dance with their partners. Eloise focuses her hearing and nose for a familiar person.

The queen curls her lip as a debutante sneezes from getting up from a bow. 

"If only your curtsy had been low enough in your first season out," Lady Cowper drawls as Cressida bites her cheek. 

Her mother's biting comments getting more vicious and frequent.

Eloise hears Cressida's heartbeat stutter. 

As she goes to join her, her mother grabs her arm.

Walking in stride she voices her concerns, "My dear....you should know it is not my intention to push sutiors on you this season. But perhaps you might become acquainted with a few other young ladies? So, your circle is wider than Miss Cowper?"

Eloise goes to tell her mother that's she's perfectly happy, when her eyes catch the bags under mama's eyes. 

When did she get those?

Her mother's wails and stench of utter despair, from when their father died has almost left the house, but every now and then it will resurface. Eloise knows her mom has been through so much. She doesn't want to cause any more pain, at least intentional upset.

She pauses, thinking of the ladies only event that Cressida dragged her to, "I plan to."

Violet eyes widden in surprise. She expected a fight, "Do you mean it?"

As if hearing Violet's pray, two young ladies pop out of the wood work. One wearing a eggshell colored dress and the other a lighter blue with puffed sleeves. 

"Miss Bridgerton. Would you like to take a turn about the room with us?" One asks with excitement.

Eloise looks to her mother in surprise,"Oh, I do love a good turn."

Violet heart warms as Eloise, though it my not be a suitor, creates relationships that will hopefully remain throughout her life. She just wants each child to be and remain happy, surround by loved ones.

She turns to Francesca with a gentle chuckle, "Then there were two. Shall we greet the queen?"

 

....

 

 

Eloise inhales a calming breath as the two girls lead her through the crowd.

"May I say, we owe you a debt of gratitude," the young lady on her left states.

Eloise raises a brow.

"What Miss Hayes is trying to say, is that we heard from the two ladies that you shared your secret with. We-well the whole ton now has a chance with the queen and it's knowledge because of you," Miss Livingston answers.

"Ah," Eloise grunts. Her eyes catching a bored green gaze, who lights up when they come in contact with blue. 

The small group, meets up with the another girl Eloise is not too familiar with. They hoover by Cressida.

"Miss Bridgerton I feared that you skipped tonight's events," Cressida says as a greeting.

Eloise lets go of the other girls arms and gently grabs onto Cressida's.

She wrinkles her nose playfully, "And what? Miss the show of girls making a fool of themselves infront of the Queen? I think not."

Cressida rolls her eyes, "Is that why I hear you spread that rumor?" 

Eloise sighs, "Does everyone know that?"

Miss Hayes interjects," I'm afraid so. Many mama's are blessing your name."

Eloise groans and the groups looks with concern.

"If my mother knows I told everyone, I'm dead." She hits her head against Cressida's arm. 

"Miss Bridgerton. Stop it. You're ruining my dress, perhaps a marble column will be better suited for you to hit your head against?"

Eloise respond with a glare, "I liked it better when you didn't talk to me."

Cressida clicks her tongue, "Sticks and stones."

Eloise ignores her and tilts her head as Benedict loudly exclaims, "Ladies! And more Ladies!"

The girls pause before faking a laughter.

Her brother reeks of fear and gulps as he whispers to Colin, "They’ve taken to hunting in packs."

Eloise snorts softly and Cressida glances down. Still smiling politely as their group converse. Her brow raises slightly in question at her random giggle and Eloise waves her off. Enjoying the show.

A lady boldly states, "Mr. Bridgerton, I have yet to witness you on the dance floor?"

Colin hides his amusement as he grips Benedict's shoulder, "What say you brother? Time for you to dance?"

Benedict narrows his eyes as he wishes to snarl in his face,"Yes!" 

A silent, fuck you.

 He slams his cup down and offers a hand to the closet girl, glaring at bemused Colin the entire way to the floor.

Eloise smirks, good for Colin. Since, Benedict helped Francesca get her and Colin to take the last ride together.

Don't meddle next time.

She blinks as she observes the decorations. How fitting that they are celestial, considering her being a lycanthrope and all.

Cressida leans down and asks, "How have you been?"

Eloise steps back, letting go of her arm as she crosses her own arms, listening to Penelope's failing match making. 

"I've been alright," Eloise answers.

"Colin?!" She hears Penelope lecture her brother with a laughter. 

Eloise leans back and sees them laughing together.

Cressida goes to smile at her friend when she gets caught on her frown. She glances over to what Eloise is looking at. Her heart pings in sympathy, it must be hard to lose such a long term friend.

"You know, whenever I have a disagreement with an acquaintance, I find the best course of action is to simply to pretend they are dead," Cressida repeats the words that her own mother whispered in her ear.

"I do not think that will be possible with Penelope. Unless I pretend she is a ghost. She was at my house today," Eloise admits as she scuffs her shoes.

"Whatever for?" Cressida furrows her eyes. Surely, they have not made up if Eloise seems so distraught over it still. Did Penelope go over to fight? A sneer appearances on her face.

"It seems Colin us helping her look for a husband. We used to say how we'd be spinsters together," Eloise admits. 

Cressida looks around, catching an interested eye. She steps in front of the brunette. Lowering her voice.

"That is rather scandalous of her. And even more so of your brother," Cressida warns.

Penelope giggles again and Eloise heart stutters as she graps the void that this betrayal has made.

"Well, she may not think you dead, but her feelings toward you are clearly altered. Perhaps you are to alter yours as well?" Cressida gently takes Eloise's hand and squeezes. 

"Yes. You are right," Eloise squeezes back.

"Eloise, do you have any special talents with which you hope to impress the queen?"Miss Livingston asks as her group rejoins them. Eloise quickly let's her hand go. Cressida glares at Miss Livingston, who looks uncomfortable before putting on a wide smile. Her friends cast worried looks.

They know Cressida is not to be crossed. 

"Talents? No," Eloise chuckles ironically, "Unless, you consider a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time."

The group giggles. Cressida proudly smirking as Eloise seems to turn into her charming self. 

Cressida watches as the brunette almost enjoys the attention. 

"Like the time I tried to tell the French tutor he was nice, instead, called him 'une chouette.' 

"An owl! Oh, no," Miss Hayes states.

A quiet laughter fills the group. 

"Mr. Beaufort? He is rather furry," Cressida jokes.

The group blinks. The other girls grimace a smile. Cressida nearly shifts her feet in uncomfortableness.

"Unfortunately, owls have feathers not fur. So even if I had wanted to insult the poor fellow, I would have failed at that as well," Eloise nudges Cressida.

Girls chuckle with the joke. As Cressida gives a thankful grin.

"Yes. Well in truth, I cannot blame my teachers for my lack of talent. It is not their fault I am such a troublesome student," Eloise sighs.

"I think we have found your talent," Miss Livingston answers.

"Indeed. You are a most entertaining speaker. Do not stop." The other girl commands. 

Cressida and Eloise share a hopeful glance.

 

....

 

Just as they get done discussing the different and preferred foods, the queen leaves.

"She is leaving. She has barely spoken to any of us." Miss Hayes whines.

"Finally. Now I can stuff my mouth with chocolates, without the fear of feeling impolite. Excuse me," Eloise says. The talking making her famished. 

"But we've not nearly had enough time to show off our gifts," Miss Livingston says to the others, "Does anyone at least have any good gossip?"

All turn to Cressida. They know that if you want something dirty and new to come to her. Since, the Cowper's are one, if not, the most social family in ton. 

She gives a polite smile, "I cannot think of anything in the moment."

She leaves, hoping she's wrong that Miss Livingston didn't over hear

Chapter 8

Notes:

2 in one day? What? I appreciate all who follow this journey. I have to say I think this is one of my favorite chapters I wrote.
Hope yal enjoy.

The queen looks across the carriage to her companion and her apprentice. The girl is a spitting image of her late father. However, she has to pretend to not know some of her subjects. Especially those she is close to or knows from other reasons.

"Lady Danbury," she purposely ignores the fact she does know of Eloise Bridgerton, "Why is the guard dog wearing that ridiculous facial expression."

Eloise eyes barely narrow as she continues to ignore the royalty and her family friend. 

Lady Danbury sighs, "I'm sure you know of lycanthropes and their foul moods when the moon is close to being full."

The queen hums, "Well tell her to get it off of her face. She should be jumping for joy for being in such close quarters with her queen."

"Human queen," Eloise growls as she turns her head to Queen Charlotte. 

Charlotte purses her lips in displeasure, but her eyes show an ounce of respect.

Lady Danbury sends a quick prayer to whatever diety is listening.

Ever since Eloise first transformed, Charlotte has poked, prodded, and even threaten a duel to get the werewolf to snap.

Her own personal fun is Lady Danbury's own personal test of patience.

"Eloise you will give Queen Charlotte the respect she deserves," Charlotte smirks, but it stutters as her oldest friend turns to her with a glare," And you, stop poking fun at an already temperamental girl."

Charlotte tusks, "She should remember who rules over her human relatives."

"Yes, who are also close friends with me," Lady Danbury counters.

Charlotte crosses her arms and sits back, the carriage rocks for a few moments before she sighs heavily. Eloise tenses as Lady Danbury opens an eye from trying to get a quick moment of rest before the upcoming meeting.

Every solstice the human Queen and King of London meet up in secret with the mythical royalty and discuss trade and politics of their intertwined worlds. 

Lady Danbury has been an ambassador of magic to human world and the chosen of the witch convens for many years.

 She herself, has a monthly meetings the covens every evening of the first new moon. 

The Bridgertons are the continental lycanthrope royalty. Lady Danbury's friendship quickly transfered from Violet to the ever welcoming Mr. Bridgerton. Since his passing, she has taken it to be a voice of Eloise.

It took many conversations for Anthony to respect and understand that his human nature is too great for him to be considered for a meeting of the supernatural leaders and folk. He still is adimet on being on house calls. 

The known population of lycanthropes have dissapeared so drastically that there might be few on the whole island. She is unsure, no word has been spoken to her since Edward's passing.

Not even a howl or whisper from any of the witches she's asked. 

A lone wolf to run in her care. 

Other magical creatures have still trusted the Bridgerton name, but until Eloise claims it, Lady Danbury takes care of the responsibility.

She looks at the young brunette, a sting of sympathy grows as she understands being thrusted into a life you did not want for yourself.

A light tap knocks on the door. Brimsley echoes, "You're highness we have arrived."

He offers a hand to his queen and Lady Danbury, ignoring Eloise, going as far as to trip her.

Eloise bares her teeth at him and he bares his smaller sharp teeth back. 

"Stupid sprites," she snarls.

"Dumb mongrel," he hisses, his eyes flashing sickly yellow. Pupils slanted.

"Now. Brimsley," Charlotte ponders. Her amusement barely covered by fake scolding, "We don't hiss at the help."

Lady Danbury grabs a growling Eloise's shoulders as he sticks his forked tongue out. 

"Why must he come with us? I am more than enough protection," Eloise grumbles as Lady Danbury takes off her shawl. Underneath,is stretchy brown leather pants that hug her legs and a loose white shirt that will be tight on her other form. No, shoes.

Just in case if she needs to fully transform.

 They don't want another incident where Eloise had to run behind the carriage the whole way home. Charlotte and Brimsleys delight was well known as she had to chase it.

It was when she was much younger and the sprite threw a mud pie in her face. 

She didn't mind, but sneaking back into town with loose clothing that Brimsley gave her was a hassel. He purposely gave her clothing that would have her whole family's reputation in regards.

The queen thought it entertaining.

The guards are each given a potion on the beginning of the trip regardless, each are paid heavily and are required to take the memory potion every meeting to forget the past few hours. 

The journey to be unknown to the humans except for the few key members.

"We have been over this. When sprites swear an oath, they swear with their literal life. Now," she rubs her eyes," I will never understand your fued, but please be on your best behavior tonight."

Charlotte makes her way over and has her hand out with a grimace, "I hope you've improved the taste of this blasted potion."

Lady Danbury hands her the small orange vial. 

Brimsley sniffs first, Eloise lips peel back at the thought of him daring to think her teacher would put poison in it. 

He nods, "Clean, but will taste dreadful." 

The queen shutters before gulping it. Soon, her eyes blink before taking a slight orange tone.

She scrapes her tongue on her teeth, "Dreadful."

"You know it's to let you into the magical barrier without side effects," Lady Danbury chastises.

Charlotte spits, "Are you sure there's not a better way to make it?"

"You think after this many years of your opinons, I would ignore you're wishes? Now, let's make our way before we are late," Lady Danbury rolls her eyes before offering her elbow, in which Brimsley surprisingly takes. 

Queen Charlotte grabs Eloise arm as she follows the pair into the woods. Everyone else remaining behind.

The night clear, stars shining bright and the moon waxing.

Eloise inhales as the crickets chirp and lighting bugs glows. An occasional pixie will be seen zooming through the trees. 

"Dog." The queen commands, Eloise looks up as she helps her shift her riding dress over a puddle. 

The queen's boots squelching in the mud.

Eloise gently smiles as the mud runs through her toes. Mother's disapproving sigh already echoing in her head.

They've already talked, since Eloise is big enough now, if a fight were to break out, Charlotte is to ride on Eloise's back until they reach the kingdom. Brimsley to provide cover and Lady Danbury to be on offense.

"What has you in such an abhorrent mood?"

"Pardon?" 

The queen looks over as Eloise scrunches her brows in confusion. 

Honestly? The queen does like the young Bridgerton. Her quips are entertaining and it's nice to see another girl so interested in her own goals, not those that others push onto herself.

"I will not repeat myself. Brimsley informed me he is concerned about your state of being."

Said sprite looks over his shoulder with his skin turning more green, teeth sharper and eyes more reptilian. 

Eloise snorts, "Of course." She ignores the prodding, before the hand on her arm tightens and she looks over to see a raised brow.

"Well. I have seemed to judge my one friend too harshly. I accused her of spreading a rumor that I actually had a hand in."

Charlotte smirks, "Is this of Miss Featherington and your eligible brother help of finding her husband?"

Eloise looks over to the queen. Her face happy to have guessed correctly.

"Uh, yes," Eloise coughs. Cheeks turning red, "That rumor."

"Lady Whistledown must've gotten word of it. Too bad your dreadful nose couldn't sniff her out. Must be defective."

Eloise squeezes her other hand, claws digging into the flesh to keep herself grounded. Brimsley snickers ahead.

Charlotte sighs at Eloise's silence."Did you apologize to Miss Cowper?"

Eloise stumbles and the queen is the one to catch her, "Easy! I don't want to be pulled down into the dirt with you." 

The Queen rolls her eyes, "Don't act surprised. I pay attention to my parties, and yes, I have Brimsley keep an eye on some of the few creatures that attend. I must say, I was surprised to see you take to a pretty little thing like Cressida. Usually you're with the....the...what's her first name?" 

She snaps her finger and Brimsley offers, "A Penelope Featherington."

"Yes! A Penelope Featherington."

Eloise shrugs," Not all friendships are ment to last."

"Not all friendships are with one of the most loyal creatures in creation. Now, unless Miss Featherington killed one of your siblings. There's little to nothing that would break such a bond."

Eloise huffs, "We're not friends, anymore. It can be that simple." 

Charlotte purses her lips, "Fine. Keep that secret. I'll figure it out, one way or another. But this Miss Cowper. That's the one you've upset?"

Eloise nods. Cressida's words haunting her.

"I did not communicate your secret. But I did notice Miss Livingston whispering around the room after hovering nearby. You were rather indiscreet when you told me about Penelope. Perhaps if you were more decided about your former friendship, you would not have felt the need to gossip," Cressida look off in the distance her sharp jaw tensing, "I do appreciate your concern about cruelty, but perhaps you should like to find a looking glass...rather than looking at me."

Eloise swallows her own disgust as she watched her friend make a hasty escape.

A warm blast breezes past as they enter the heart of the woods. 

Eloise's eyes flicker as the magic grows thicker, mushrooms and plants seem to glow as the bugs turn to have more humanoid shapes, creatures sheding their disguise. Deer and even the trees themselves stand and change to join the festivities. 

Charlotte watches fascinated by how the girl's ears grow, longer, sharper, her eyes glow, and teeth lengthen. Her nails still human, she's impressed with her control.

She can remember when the right barb used to cause her to snarl towards her. 

A wolfish features switch from her pretty English one.

Charlotte would never admit, but she used to love watching George's face full of wonderment watching all the myths walk in real time. They share and gossip over which creatures talents would be amazing to have.

The more potent magic has Lady Danbury's cane forgotten. Her skin tightens and Charlotte watches with envy of her friend returning to a time when they first met. Youth echoing the true nature of her heritage. Every year the envy grows.

Even Brimsley shrinks as he sheds his other self, scales forming in patches. Blinking vertical instead of horizontal.

The first time Charlotte witness him she nearly beat him with her friends cane, shreiking.

George's laughter filled the air and apologize profusely to her right hand.

A light music trickles and Charlotte pales as the magic tests her, see if she's worthy. Lady Danbury's potion helping. When she first started to go, it would make her weak and sick for weeks after. 

She tugs on the curly ponytail, held by a blue bow.

"Distract me with your tale of woe. Did your apology to the girl not get accepted?"

Eloise shoulders the paling woman, "No, I did not have a conversation with her since then."

Charlotte gags, "What's making you wait? Are you determined to let go of another companion?"

Eloise bites her lip, canine worrying into the skin.

Charlotte perks up ,"Ah, so it's not of Miss Cowpers character that is upsetting you, It's yours. You need quite the apology then."

Eloise barks, "You think I don't know?"

Eloise has half the mind to drop her, but she doesn't feel like fighting off her little sprite and getting punished by Lady Danbury. 

Charlotte narrows her eyes, "Don't forget yourself. Besides," she pauses thinking of the blondes.

Lord Cowper, a forgettable fellow, mother is just as much so. Married above her station.

Honestly, the youngest Cowper she can find a flick of sympathy for. Her nephew, fiddling with hope, for her diamond of that season as Miss Cowper hoped for the prince's interest.

As she should, he's a wonderful man.

But, if Brimsley's intuition is correct...this could become more fun. Two matches, Bridgerton and Cowper, because of her this season?

What would Lady Whistledown write? 

"Would you like some advice?" She offers the she wolf.

Eloise looks over and Charlotte's own gaze seems to glow, "Maybe, helping find Miss Cowpers match will help with her hurting heart?" 

Eloise nearly snorts, of course. That's all that matters isn't it? The marriage market.

The group enters a clearing, some of the witches, fae and warlocks have lights floating around. A stone table shaped of a Cresent moon sits in the center of the space, circled by thick trees. Each chair has a carving of each beast and the food from each clan has been laid out. A blue fire crackling in the middle of the space between the ends of the table. 

"Queen Charlotte, Coven Leader Agatha, Brimsley of the sprites and little lupine welcome to the summer solstice meeting. I hope you're journey was comfortable?" Jules a tall male tree Nymph greets with a slight bow.

His skin a dark brown, with moss attached to his skin. Kind grey eyes examine the group.

They all bow as well, Eloise mumbles, "Why is my name never announced?"

Agatha gently hits her with her cane, "When you're old and earned it. We'll call you you're title."

"Brimsley, my seat," Brimsley steps to escort his queen to the chair. Quickly to go get her some ginger sweets. Her face turning more green.

Eloise flinches as the Queen groans. Greatful, she doesn't get sick like that when crossing the magical barrier.

Lady Danbury offers her hand, "Always pleased to see you Julie. I hope this season has many of your people blossoming?" 

A familiar caramel smell with a hint of sparks. A known smell of a magic weilder. Eloise takes a breath and twists around.

Her eyes catch familiar curly brown hair. She can feel her face twists in pain as Theo smiles to a pretty Xana. Her blonde hair shining off the fire. His shoulder shake with a laughter as they giggle together. 

Her chest tightens, she thought for a moment last season that they could've been something.

She'd enjoyed their conversations, how'd he opened her world to possible real change, not having to hide who or what she truly is, the trade of forbidden literature. Then, Penelope crashed everything and then her putting him and herself in danger made her run.

She wishes sometimes that she could be just a lone wolf, her family not important, just a girl.

Lady Danbury follows Eloise gaze and grabs her arm, to take the attention off the young warlock. 

"Let's go grab our seats shall we?"

Soon, everyone has their seat. Lady Danbury on the far right, Queen Charlotte with Brimsley standing behind her, Eloise on her left. Then follows the trolls, merfolk, fae, dragons, and so on. 

Jules stands and waves a hand, the music and conversation halt, "Good evening. I hope everyone is enjoying this season's bounty and congrats to any new matches since last solstice."

Eloise holds her eye roll. She is a leader here. Creatures look to her for guidance and support. 

Her spine straightens as she pays attention. Writing notes that Lady Danbury made appear. Her nostrils flare to get a sense of each being,as Julie goes through the notes of the last meeting.

Lady Danbury inquires that she learns each scent of each creature. Mentally go through strengths and weaknesses of each beast. To observe what alliances are new and what enemies are new.

Each term, they go over the history and the results and any changes that need to be made. Then, it's an open market to any disputes and wants from the subjects. Any warring fractions can attempt to find peace of the four days of truce. 

The longest day soon turns to night. Eloise sighs and stretches as the few creatures that are left make their way home. 

Only the leaders and their groups stay to go over the final details.

"Here," Brimsley pushes a plate full of venison steaks and Eloise narrows her eyes as her mouth waters. Medium Rare, her favorite.

"What did you do?" She questions, sniffing for any hexes or poison.

The sprite blinks, Eloise will never get used to it, "Nothing. I just don't want to hear your stomach rumble on the way home."

He turns to leave and Eloise looks up at Theo standing there, with a plate with a single slab of steak. He pauses seeing her already full hands.

She looks at the plate again, and is thankful to the little green bastard.

"Uh." She turns and ignores the brown gaze as she reclaims her seat. She doesn't know if she wants to talk to him or leave it be.

Shredding the meat with her teeth. Using her hands and mouth to eat, it's socially acceptable here. Small blessings. 

Listening, as Charlotte goes over the gold for sap trade.Trolls have a sweet tooth and are forced to live underground. The sun rays causing them to turn to stone during the daylight. 

So, maple syrup is a rare treat and gold is plentiful in their mining kingdom. A fair trade to each group as a demand of necessities commences.

Lady Danbury gently puts her hand on her apprentice's shoulder. 

Eloise wipes blood from her chin as Agatha offers her hankerchief.

It's always startling to see her teachers acutal age. She thinks Lady Danbury seems more mischievous like this. 

Her skin smooth and dark, hair curly and has no hint of gray. Her smile still white and her muscles lean and tone. 

She makes herself seemed aged as she does living in a town for nearly half a century. Many would question if she didn't grow old. 

Eloise stares, "Will I stop aging?" 

Lady Danbury laughs, herself letting loose, allowing her body untense from her constant control.

These meetings always puts her in good spirits. It's like having a pool of water after being stuck in the desert for years. 

"Who knows? Most stop aging when they complete the mate bond." 

Jules comes over and takes a seat next to them, "Oh? Have you found your mate?" His eyes flashing with happiness.

Eloise coughs, meat stuck in her throat. 

Jules wacks her back and tears come to her eyes. She nealry gets crushed from the stone table, damn trees and their excess strength. Brimsley wears a wicked smile at her struggling.

She reaches for a cup of water, taking a large gulp. Waves her hands in a 'X', "Oh, no, no."

Charlotte leans over interested, "She is in the marriage market in my kingdom."

Jules furrows his brows. Tree Nymphs don't wander far. Rarely moving either of their forms, never leaving from their spot of birth. Only if absolutely necessarily do they pick themselves up.

They only get their information from wind Nymphs or other creatures. Knowledge gathered by years.

"This would be your third year correct?" He asks.

Eloise grumbles, "Feels longer."

Lady Danbury pulls out her pipe and looks at her wooden friend, "Do you mind?"

He shakes his head as she snaps her fingers and a flame sports from her fingertips.

Charlotte tusks, "Show off."

Agatha smirks, blowing out a cloud that transforms into a fish and swims away.

Her smile big, "Sorry. It just feels so good to soak in all this magic and life." 

She leans back as Charlotte leans closer, "How could your hunt for a match not be successful? Surely, there's been many who've vyed for your attention." 

Eloise glances at the warlock leaning against a tree in the distance.

Charlotte's eyes narrow as the young warlock flinches as Brimsley gives a slient snarl.

He gets the hint and leaves.

Eloise stares at her plate, "It's not the lack of suitors. I purposely avoid the marriage market." 

Jules ponders, "You do not wish to find your....husband?" Twisting the uncommon word.

Eloise rubs down her face, "No! No, it's not that. It's just that, I'm predestinated to someone. I rarely think I'll find it amongst London high society, " she looks at the queen, "Nothing wrong with that, just the idea of females lives being surrendered to the idea of being bred, and holding off on their whole lives for a husband, disgusts me."

She feels her chest rumbling with a building growls and rips a piece of steak in half with her mouth.

Charlotte opens her mouth and closes it. She holds her hand out and Lady Danbury in surprise gives it over. She takes a deep breath of the pipe and ponders.

"No, woman in there right mind wants that. But that's how the times and human society is now. Did you know that my own brother agreed to a marriage that I didn't even know about? He practically sold me away to a foreign country," Charlotte chuckles and hands the smoke back to Agatha.

"On my wedding day, I tried to climb over the palace walls." 

Eloise and Brimsley blinks in surprise. Jules quietly listens. Agatha absorbing her friends story, having heard it and lived it.

She turns to the lycanthrope, cheeks growing red, "I did not think it would be good for me. I was, however, wrong." 

She pauses as memories surface, "Not all ladies will get paired correctly or as they deserve, but I try my best to help when I think it will be good." 

She looks to the blue eyes as they shine even brighter in the fire light, "I don't expect you to fit into my society. Just don't hate those who have too."

Lady Danbury takes Charlotte's hand and squeezes. 

Julies bows his head, "Thank you for sharing your majesty."

His body creaks as he turns to the young pup.

"I don't know much about human or werewolf mating, but what I've been told from your father when he finally found your mother, that it's...it's own kind of magic. He seemed lighter. He, " the tree chuckles, "used to sneak glances back to his manor, as if we wouldn't catch him. Yearning."

He ruffles her hair, wooden fingers snagging on her locks, "I'm over a thousand-year old. I'm still waiting for my soul match. Don't ever give up."

He stands and bows, "Until, next time." His body lumbers into the wood, dissappearing.

....

 

Eloise groans as her and Lady Danbury steps out of the carriage.

Agatha grabs the door and looks to her friend, with a deep inhale making her mind up of something, she leans forward and tugs a piece of hair off the Queen's head.

Charlotte yelps.

Brimsley leans over from the top of the carriage with his eyes narrowed. 

Eloise points to the witch as she places the hair in a vial and spits in it.

They watch as Lady Danbury mumbles.

Her skin loses its youthfulness and her hair starts to grey, her teeth clench as Eloise helps her stand. Her hand grasps the cane.

The bottle glows a bright white and it shimmers. A light music note echoes and Lady Danbury offers it to her queen.

"Here."

Charlotte takes it and looks to her friend in concern.

"The farmer that stopped a young girl from climbing a wall nearly fourty years ago will be available with this, but only for a few hours. It will take the whole bottle and with food." 

Charlotte swallows heavily, and clenches the bottle as if it's precious,"Thank you."

She clears her throat thick with emotions, "Brimsley let's go home."

Lady Danbury waves as the carriage leaves. Eloise escorts the Lady home.

The street silent, save for the few drunkards. The sun will be peaking up over the horizon in an hour.

"Why did you do that? Why not enjoy your true age longer?" Eloise questions.

Lady Danbury watches her footing on the uneven cobble stones, "I would have to let that magic go one way or another. I might as well make an old friend happy, even if it will be heartbreaking when the effects wear off." 

Eloise stares, "Why would she put herself though that? Why not just accept it?"

Lady Danbury turns to the young girl as her home gets into view, "Oh, Eloise. When will you learn? Sometimes love is worth the inevitable heartbreak."

She puts her hand on the young girls cheek, "I hope one day you'll find someone to hurt yourself over."

 

....

 

Lord Debling hears a loud knock on his door. He groans as he walks and opens the door to one of his guards.

"Yes? What is it?"

The guard clears his throat, "Sorry, for waking you at this hour my Lord, but there's a Lady waiting for you downstairs."

Alfred nearly groans. He knew putting himself out there to find a wife would cause a few headaches this season.

"Get them some tea. I'll be down in a moment."

The guard nods, shutting the door.

He walks down the steps, trying to rub the sleep out of his eyes as he enters his entertainment room.

A brunette with a blue bow carefully blows on the tea before taking a sip.

"Miss Bridgerton?" 

Eloise stops before standing up and curtsys, "I am greatly apologetic of arriving at this hour, my Lord." 

She looks up, "But I've come to ask a boon."

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 9

“Excuse me, Lady and Miss Cowper, there seems to be a visitor,” Bree bows.

Mrs. Cowper looks up, putting her tea down. Cressida pauses as the tea cup halts at her lips. Both are wearing exquisite gowns, too nice for Bree’s taste for simple tea, but the Lady of the house requires her daughter to do many unnecessary things.  

The house is dark, with thick blinds covering the windows. Only candles providing light. The room is dark and books only covering logical dull things. Even the wall's colors reek of bored stoicism.

A room for business. 

The maid clears her throat and steps to the side, “Lord Debling.” 

Shifting his feet as he offers a polite nod, “Morning Ladies.” The sleeves on his grey suit rolled up with a red handkerchief poking through the pocket on his breast. He has a black cane for walking and his blonde hair peppered with a slight sheen of sweat.

Lady Cowper stands, surprised, “I apologize my Lord, but my husband is out on business. I will let him know that you stopped by.”

Lord Cowper has been using this season’s splendid harvest for opportunities that would not usually present. He's been reach out to all of the higher and wealthy men in the area. Causing the man to be very busy and away. Tasking his wife to preclude a husband for their only offspring.

Lord Debling clears his throat, “Actually, I am here for Miss Cowper.”

Cressida tenses as her mother’s eyes shoot to her. Cressida’s own surprise flickers across her face. Lady Cowper smiles, “While it is not calling hour, my Lord. What can we help you with?”

Cressida watches as the poor man seems to freeze in her mother's gaze, she knows the feeling all too well.

A shark circling.

Cressida sets down her tea cup and stands, “Perhaps Mother. Lord Debling would feel more comfortable taking a small stroll with me to the gardens?” She plasters on a fake smile, one when talking to the town.

Exhaustion hangs on her shoulders. Tossing and turning, going over and over the last conversation with Eloise, perhaps she should've been more gentle?

Less biting? 

Her morning tea with her mother, once filled with laughter and stories, changed when her venture to the marriage market hit. Now, quiet. Even gossip and talk of the best Lord’s to be up to her father’s standards a thing of the past.

It’s an hour of silence, before the hour of calling.

That's when the ticking of the clock haunts her the most, during that hour. Each second a failing as a daughter.

Her mother has taken it to follow on gossip and have her study the men of the ton. Their interests, friends, family. 

Lord Debling almost melts with relief. While the young debutantes, themselves are a small puzzle and problem.

The mother poses a bigger threat, and one he’s determinedly avoided for many years.

Until, now.

He clears his throat, “If you would may?”

Cressida walks up and turns to her mother, “I can have Bree chaperone.”

Knowing, that her mother's scrutinizing gaze could make a more gentle man like Debling tremble.

Her Mother twists her lips in a frown, eyeing the Lord, “I suppose."

Her mother walks towards her, fixing a piece of hair already curled to perfection. A dotting mother, "Make the most of this. His estate is vast," she just hisses between a clenched smile.

Cressida glances at the waiting gentleman, "The man talks to birds."

Her mother's smile tightens," Prehaps, you would prefer us to choose for you?"

Cressida swallows. She grabs her trembling hands together with a shaky nod. The idea of marriage to a man her father's age or thrice her own, revolting.

With a small polite smile Lord Debling offers an arm. She skillfully moves the Lord through the house and offers small conversation.

When they make it outside Lord Debling pauses as he looks around. Cressida finds some pride as she watches his eyes widen.

He examines the vast amount of plants. The orchids in full bloom, the sunflowers reaching up towards their food source, the bees buzzing jumping from one bloom to another in the vast amount colors, the small pond in the background making some white noise as the fish jump to get dragonflies, hoping for a drink.

“It’s quite spectacular is it not?” Cressida’s own smile grows as she looks to one of her favorite spots at her home. With summer in full force, the garden is at it’s max bloom. 

She turns to Bree, who examines the pair. Cressida sags her shoulders, as Bree subtlety points towards the house, “Would you mind asking on of the guards to get another maid to grab some tea and biscuits?” 

Bree nods as she turns to go to the nearest one. 

Lord Debling looks down, “That’s not necessary.” He already feels awkward enough coming to a ladies house being presen,t without being in the proper time frame allowed to. He has many things that need to get accomplished before this evening so this was the only time available.

Cressida drags him to the white metal table, he pulls out a chair as she sits down, “Thank you. With the way my mother is staring at me through the window I’m sure she’d chastise if I provided to be such a poor hostess.” 

Lord Debling swings his head to look for the eldest female Cowper, sweat dripping down his brows even more so as his nerves begin to rattle him.

Blasts these females, and God please bless him.

The need to find himself a wife before his next expedition is stressful. If it was up to him he would’ve waited before going on the trip and properly court one, unfortunately, there is not enough time. 

His own proper age and family starting to circle him. Not that he cares for their opinions, but it does help to create more distance.

She leans over and flutters her eye lashes at him, “Do you often come so early to entangle with a woman or am I lucky?"

Lord Debling coughs and looks over with wide eyes, “Entangle?!”

Cressida covers her mouth, “Oh, relax. It was merely a jest. I know you're a proper gentleman and won't ever do anything untoward."

Bree makes her way over with a silver tray and pours both of them a cup. Cressida offers a smile in thanks. Bree looks the Lord up and down. Scoffs and walks away.

Lord Debling looks to the blonde in surprise. The maid leans against the far wall covered in a dark ivy. Watching them but far enough away to give an illusion of privacy.

Cressida takes a sip and offers, ”She’s a tad protective.”

Lord Debling takes a small sip. Peppermint. “Well, it’s good to have those loyal around you.”

Cressida sits down her cup, “Now, not that I’m unappreciative of this visit, my Lord, but why are you here?”

”Ah,” He sets is cup down, “I was told to invite you to tonight’s meet and greet at Lord Hayes house.”

”Told?” Cressida asks with raised brow, “I cannot imagine anyone telling a Lord, like yourself, to do anything.”

Lord Debling furrows his brows, “Did your friend not tell you what she was doing?”

Cressida blinks, “Friend? I’m sorry to admit, but I seem to be having a few these days.”

”I apologize. I was sure you and Miss Bridgertion were quite acquainted.” Lord Debling says as he looks around the garden awkward now.

Cressida blinks, a warmth starting to bloom in her chest, “Eloise asked you to call on me?”

Lord Debling rubs his hands on his pants. Perhaps it was a mistake to follow the girl's instructions, “Yes, she came to my house very early to ask me a favor to personally invite you to tonight’s event. Apparently Mrs. Hayes forgot to send your invitation. Miss Hayes mentioned it to Miss Bridgerton and was too embarrassed to ask you personally. Miss Bridgerton couldn't invite you due to being a plus one herself. Or do I have my story wrong?"

Cressida knowing that the said invitation is opened on her father's desk, smiles. Cunning little Bridgerton.

"Oh. Yes, well I must say, I greatly value the fact that you came all this way to extend the invitation," Cressida hides her smirk with her cup.

...

Eloise rubs her eyes. Their sibling are being extra loud today.

The words on the page, not absorbing in her mind. She's read the same sentence thrice now.

She groans as the fabric scrapes against one another as Francesca decorates her needle point. 

Violet's shoes click against the carpet as she paces. Thinking of, who knows what. Her eyes flash to the clicking clock every few minutes.

The clicking of Gregory's utensil as he fails and fails to get ahold of his breakfast. His arm hanging in a sling by his chest.

Benedict leans forward, teasing, "Was it worth trying to get a glimpse of the balloon?Hm?" 

Gregory lifts his lip, tiny dull canines threatening as Hyacinth's own teasing smirk echoes their older brother's , "I fell off the roof before I could even see it."

"Awe," the elder brother mocks before hitting him with the newspaper.

Gregory yelps as Benedict lightly wacks his wound with said paper. Hyacinth giggles.

Violet takes a sip of her tea that was resting on the side table. Eloise's eye twitches at the slurp. 

She's pushed herself to staying up late before. The most she's stayed awake was five days in a row. Her mother berated her, but it was worth it to read the series that Penelope let her borrow. 

The look on her face as she ranted about the series was entertaining. She thought Eloise mad to have finished so quickly.

With the moon fast approaching, perhaps running errands after the meeting was a terrible idea. 

Maybe she could sneak a nap before tonight’s meet and greet?

Mother waves her hand towards Francesca, "Tell me once more. What precisely did the Queen say to you, dearest?"

"Again? Mama," Francesca groans as her seat shifts as her mother takes a seat next to her.

Eloise sets down her book in her lap. Snarking, " 'She was splendid. She sparkled. Brava.'" 

Her mother almost huffs. Hyacinth hearing about the queen skips over. 

Eloise will never understand her youngest sister's interest in the marriage market or anything royalty. Prehaps, the "fairy tale" of it all. 

Maybe, if she can convince Lady Danbury, she can introduce Hyacinth to some real fae. 

Violet looks towards her little she wolf, "If the Queen has truly granted Francesca her favor, she shall have her pick of the litter. It changes everything." 

Francesca tries to keep her hand steady as her nerves grow. The conversation heading in a direction that will cause an argument. 

She doesn't simply care who she marries as long as they get along and respect her. 

Looks, power, love? Meaningless, to her. A partner, a slient agreement on companionship matters. 

"Who shall you dance with first, sister?" Hyacinth asks. Handsome princes imagine in her mind. 

Mother chuckles as Hyacinth leans closer. Francesca gets tenser at the attention, "Prehaps I'll go alphabetically."

Eloise and Benedict share a snort of amusement.

Eloise tries to read again, as Colin's heavy footsteps lead to the room, "Morning."

Benedict gives a sideways glance, "You slept, late," a simpering smile, "Did something keep you up?"

Eloise gags at the implementation. Too many times, she shivers. She should've been born with a different gift. Maybe a dragon?

Colin pauses, "I slept peacefully." He powers himself a cup and rambles. 

As Benedict and Gregory exchange loaded glances. Eloise nose wrinkles as embarrassment and temptation? Sweats leaks from Colin's pores. 

Colin shoots worried glances towards her. Eloise's eyes narrow.

"Congratulations?" Benedict asks.

Hyacinth skips, "Brother. I know we're not supposed to acknowledge it, but I thought it was a kindness what you did for Penelope the other week," Eloise and Colin both freeze.

Benedict tries to rat out their sister's misfortune of sneaking a Whistledown, but mama too involved with Francesca has Hyacinth avoiding a reprimanding. 

Hyacinth using some of her speed zooms over and taps her brother to get him to, stop talking.

"It was unfortunate Whistledown wrote what she did, or that she found out about it in the first place." 

Okay, Colin, Eloise thinks, I know I messed up. She shifts, uncomfortable, stomach clenching and she shuts her book loudly.

It snaps shut and everyone jumps as Eloise marches to the door, "Uh, excuse me."

Eloise can feel everyone's eyes on her as she leaves, tail tucked between her legs.

...

Eloise looks around the room. She's been in here a million times. 

It was practically a second home. A place to escape her several siblings, were she wasn't her father's only prodigy, a debutante. 

Just two young ladies, bonding over laughter, books and shared understandings. 

Eloise feels her heartbeat stutter as Penelope footsteps grow closer. She takes a deep breath, roses and the ink that always seems to follow her friend.

It smells like home.

Eloise bites her lip, preventing tears, she looks up and over. Knowing a mirror hangs in the Featherington entryway. 

Is this the person she wants to be?  A light shawl draped in her hands, an elegant dress hugging her frame? A small satchel holding a few coins. 

Her hair half up, a small rebellion to her debutante status. She swallows and clenches her jaw. 

Penelope pauses on the base of the steps, before coming closer.

She plays with her fingers. The maids all make a swift exit.

Penelope hesitating, asks, "Eloise?"

"I noticed you have not been seen in society for some time," she watches as Penelope confirms with a slight shake of her head. 

A girl who used to be ever so close, now distance like a gorge. Eloise desperately misses her old friend, but smoke still stings the air from fires that burned through their relationship. 

Eloise looks down on the girl. She has not scented her in town for many days. An isolation caused by her own hand.

"It's not pleasant to have Whistledown write about oneself, is it?"

Penelope swallows and agrees, "No, it is not."

The regret of hurting Eloise still stings, the reason why?  Bittersweet. It was to protect a friend but also to keep herself safe. Her secret safe.

"It's quite harsh, what she wrote about you," Eloise hands tightens on her own clothes, "Unnecessarily so, I think."

"It would have been suspicious if Lady Whistledown did not write of it." 

Eloise hums, "Of course not. However, it was my fault that the secret of you and Colin got loose. It was not my intention to harm you with it."

Eloise steps forward, so Penelope understands that she is sorry.

Penelope shrugs and steps forward. Wanting to close this distance that she made,"I would not fault you if it was."

"It wasn't," Eloise replies firm. 

Penelope pauses and asks half hoping, "Would you like to come in? I have some new books-"

"No. No, I-I," Eloise swallows. Words getting stuck in her throat, "I'm meeting a friend."

Penelope shoulders drop, "oh." Tears start to collect and she takes a shuttering breath, trying to not let them fall.

Eloise swallows the burning in her body, "But I do hope you find what you are looking for this season."

Penelope gives a watery smile.

"With Colin's help or otherwise," she offers before taking her leave. Missing the hopeful look that the Featherington shoots in her direction.

....

 

Cressida and her mother walk into the Hayes house. Their house is a bit smaller, but not any less impressive.

Music playing from the small band in the corner. Finger foods displayed on the back wall. Small groups mingle.

Lord Debling looking distastefully towards the hanging mounts as he quickly looses his appetite. 

Mother turns to her, "Remember, Lord Debling has made his intention on marrying this season quite clear. Be elegant and charming." 

Cressida waves the fan, just barely keeping her eyes from rolling, "I know."

Her mother's smile contradicts her eyes as they narrow, "Cressida your father grows impatient. Do not squander this opportunity." 

Her mother leaves her to join with the other mamas after giving her a push. Cressida takes a steadying breath and approaches the man.

"Are you enjoying this evening, my lord?"

Debling offers a deep sigh as he points to the poor creatures, "More than they are, to be sure."

"I would certainly rather be predator than prey," she quips. Hoping he'll get the joke as only avians and herbivores decorate the wall.

Lord Debling looks away, "I think any life is worth protecting."

Cressida purses her lips, seemingly touched a nerve, "I apologize for my inconsiderate behavior. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable."

He shakes his head, "You did not. I am just used for my ideals to be considered odd."

Cressida leans down and pops in a grape, "I think it's quite brave."

Lord Debling looks over surprised, "Brave?"

Cressida smiles, "I mean, a man who knows what he wants and doesn't care about the social backlash? Only few can obtain such decorum."

"That's certainly kind of you to say, Miss Cowper," Lord Debling bows his head in thanks.

Eloise enters with Benedict in tow. She notices as two debutantes stare with hopeful interest past her shoulders. 

Benedict leans down and grasps her arm, "If anyone asks if I'm here, I'm not." 

He takes a quick leave and she watches with amusement. Her gaze locks onto a wallflower and Colin seems to have found her as well.

She clears her throat, "You should know, I spoke with Penelope today."

Colin turns with interest. She can makeout hope through his perfume, "What? W-what did she say?"

Eloise pauses, his behavior been so odd today, "I apologize for revealing the story of you two."

He opens his mouth in a 'o', before nodding, "Of course. That was kind of you."

Eloise looks at her brother carefully, "Colin, why do you smell disappointed and relieved?"

"Oh, would you look at that. I'm needed else where. Excuse, me," he points randomly and Eloise huffs as he briskly walks away.

Later, she reminds herself.

Having left to her own devices, Eloise sneaks her way past the clusters of people and make her way outside onto the small back porch. 

She takes her seat on a small wooden bench. 

The stars shining, some hidden by a few clouds. She looks at the bright moon, the sliver saving her from having to transform.

Full moons are like when you're hungry and have your favorite meal infront of you. You can fight and ignore the hunger, but you do get to a point when your instincts and biological urges cannot resist the temptation anymore.

Eloise can resist for a few hours before needing to change, but she cannot resist the moon's pull for long.

The moon to her is almost like a friend who lives a great distance away. There's comfort when she thinks of it, but it's a bittersweet, an understanding of never getting to truly enjoy one another.

Lady Danbury says many mythical creatures are lured by the moon and the universe itself. Something about the way how different magic interacts with each other. Like magnets. 

She sighs, enjoying her moment of peace. She was unable to get that nap in when she wanted and is nearly to the point to shift so her mother cannot drag her anywhere else. 

Her plans on meeting Cressida after apologizing to Penelope was put on hold. Her mother saying Lady Danbury needed her help with some spellwork and moving things around. Something about an unwanted visitor and hiding all her good spell books and items?

After helping the witch, and by the time she got home and bathed. It was time to come here. 

"There you are," Cressida greets. Taking a seat next to her on the bench. Arms grazing against one another and legs being forced to press through the bundles of fabric.

Cressida smiles, her white teeth sparkling. It is absolutely not fair how flawless her skin is, Eloise notes.

She playfully bumps her shoulder into the brunette, "Why have you hidden yourself out here?"

Eloise sighs, "I find myself exhausted and needing a moment to respite."

Cressida pauses, and goes to grab her dress, "Oh, I shall leave you to it."

Eloise grabs her hand, "No."

Cressida glances down at the contact and Eloise quickly let's go, cheeks hinting red, "No,I-its alright. I don't mind your company."

Cressida makes herself comfortable once more and looks into the small greenery. There is a grass patch open in the middle and small bushes make a perimeter around the backyard. 

Fireflies glow, and the music and chatter gently echos in the area. 

She glances to the brunette as she had her eyes closed. A gentle smile as she seems to soak up the moonlight like Cressida would the sun. 

Eloise earrings and necklace sparkle. She follows up her elegant neck, to the jawline and her subtle makeup. Eloise has a soft beauty.

"I have come to a decision on who shall be my husband," Cressida whispers. Not wanting to ruin the moment. 

Eloise chuckles, "Splendid. Does this man know he is to be your husband?" 

"Lord Debling."

Eloise eyes pop open and looks to the blonde with shock. Eloise glance flickers away before returning to Cressida’s, "The naturalist."

Cressida smile falters, "You say that with such surprise. Was it not you who asked him to invite me to such an event?"

Eloise opens her mouth and closes it a few times before hunching over and stares at the stone flooring.

"Elosie, I don't understand." Cressida gently probes. Worry coloring her once hopeful thoughts.

"I admit that I did go to his estate in the early morning to have him go to your house. It was a rusè, to get him to call upon you," Eloise admits, "I thought it would help your predicament with your parents."

Cressida gently uses a finger to bring Eloise's face back up, "And I greatly appreciate that. Now, is that all that's bothering you?"

Eloise looks into emeralds before looking down.

"It's is only....you do not seem to care for nature." Eloise admits, "Or for animals. Both of which are apparently his great passion. Which I'm sure you already know."

Cressida already knows a disgusting amount of the man. Her mother having her learn whatever bit of information she could, once he left. 

Cressida leans forward, "I care very dearly for animals. I am fond of those equines, that you rather despise," she smiles, "Plus, cats and dogs are rather nice to be around. The forest and gardens are also enjoyable. I like the quiet. It's the bugs that I could care less for. Plus, I love a good fur."

Eloise snorts, "Oh, I would not tell him that."

Cressida giggles and Eloise smiles, "I suppose there is much I do not know about you," she pauses, "And much you do not know about him."

"Do not trouble me with the details," Cressida waves off, "Lord Debling is a good-natured man and most of all my choice. I would appreciate your support."

The brunette closes her eyes, heart tugging, "I do have a few books on Nature. One might even have scientific studies done by Debling himself. I will drop them off for you."

Cressida beams, glad her friend is supporting her, "Thank you."

Eloise pauses and tilts her head as a familiar laughter sounds. She cranks her neck, turning to look behind her.

In the window, Lord Debling and Penelope talk.

Cressida turns around with her and bites her lip when she sees the two. She should go in there and interrupt, but this is the first time with the Bridgerton in a few days. Plus, she did spend time with the man twice already. 

Don't want to come off too strong.

Cressida sighs, "Come on, Eloise. I am as resolved as you are, to be kind to her, but I am certain Lord Debling simply sees her as yet another wounded creature in need of defense," Eloise tears her eyes away as Cressida looks back to the area, "Proof only of the kindhearted husband he will be for me."

Eloise waits a moment, "Perhaps, but I should warn you. Penelope is not as defenseless as one might expect."

Cressida growing irritated snarks, "Well, neither am I."

The blonde scoffs, "I've stood up against more vicious beasts than Miss Featherington."

Eloise raises a brow, "Oh? Do tell."

Cressida swallows, she was about to say her father. She does not want to tarnish his image or her own. Some things should stay in the house. 

She's not ready to reveal that wound.

"If I tell you, you won't believe me," the blonde admits. It's unbelievable to her still. Even after all these months.

Eloise playfully hits her arm, "You cannot leave a girl in suspense."

"I saw the beast," she admits.

Eloise stills. Not expecting her to say that, "Pardon?"

Cressida looks away, "I knew you wouldn't believe me."

Eloise knows what she is supposed to say. How it's not real. How she must be mistaken. To laugh in disbelief.

But she doesn't want to lie. She promised.

"What did it look like?" Eloise prompts with a whisper. Her own heart picking up speed. Her own family talks to her very little about her gift. Only tidbits of stories or information slips past her mothers lips.

What does she seem like to an outsider?

Cressida looks over to see if the girl is poking fun. However, Eloise face remains in ernest.

Miss Cowper tells her of the beast that night. How close she was, how it could've torn her to shreds, but decided not too. 

Eloise sucks in a hidden gasp as Cressida admits with a look of awe, "It was so beautiful. To know something that powerful exists yet just enjoyed that evening with me." 

"Prehaps it knew you would taste bad," Eloise teases, poking Cressida’s arm, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. 

Cressida pokes back and a comfortable silence hangs over them. They both watch as the clouds float over the stars. 

Eloise yawns.The warmth coming from the girl and the chirping of the crickets with the melody of the music, sways Eloise to sleep.

Her head falls to Cressida's shoulder and Cressida tenses, startled. She looks down to watch gently puffs of air escape the sleeping form. 

Cressida looks behind her and rests her head into Eloise's. She looks up and feels a tingling of warmth form in her chest. 

"Cressida. We're leaving," her mother calls from the doorway all to soon.

Her mother's eyes narrow on the Bridgerton girl. How her mother hasn't married her off already, Mrs. Cowper will never know. Her disobedience known to the other mamas of the ton.

Cressida bites her lip. She does not wish to wake the girl, but her not following her mother's orders with haste, she will not be met with kindness.

"Miss Bridgerton," she slightly shakes the girl.

Eloise scrunches her nose before blinking. She sits up, "Oh, forgive me."

Cressida stands and tries to fix her dress. She glances down and bends to whisper, "Goodnight. Go home to get some sleep."

....

Eloise takes a breath and a lavender scent skips toward her. 

Cressida wearing a pink dress that fades into white flowers, with yellow accents. A yellow shawl to match. A pink fan clasp in her hands as she smiles as she approaches.

Her hair in tight curls on her head.

"Good evening, are you ready for this event?" Cressida asks.

Eloise sighs, "I just hope that all this excitement is worth it. My own youngest brother, broke his arm trying to see the damn thing."

Cressida pauses, "Is he okay? Gregory, correct?"

Eloise waves her sympathy off, "Yes, he'll be fine soon. Have you taken anything from the books?"

Cressida flutters her fan. The books where honestly a pain to get through. Only the flowers pulled her interest, "Oh yes. I'm sure if I mention that silly little bird from the sciene papers you brought me, it'll delight him greatly."

Eloise leans forward, trying to not shout over the wind, "The great auk? A word to the wise. Don't mention his life's work in the scientific journal as silly. He won't appreciate it."

Cressida nods, trying to put herself interested into his interest. Like she should.

"I do hope he wants to talk about birds and not balloons," she tilts her head, "Although they both fly."

"The great auk does not fly," Eloise corrects, "I though you read it?"

Cressida hides her face with her own feathers, "I might have skimmmed."

Eloise almost growls at her when she turns and plasters a smile, an oaky scent soon approaching.

"Miss Cowper. Miss Bridgerton. Good day to you both," he greets.

Both girls curtsy and Lord Debling looks around at the commotion. 

He regrets wearing is wool suit, the grey suit darker than the last one Cressida saw. A scarf circling his neck. He is greatful for the top hat, providing some shade from the sun's glare. The wind helping with some of the heat.

The vendors have tents stacked with food, toys, and different informational booths. 

Even a few people have even taken a boat out on the lake to watch the extraordinary flying contraption. 

He turns to look up, "Magnificent balloon, isn't it?" 

Cressida stutters and looks to Eloise for help. Eloise snatches her friends fan, refusing her to hide behind it. 

Cressida chuckles, "Have you ever...ballooned before?"

"I have not," Lord Debling admits. "The places I favor are so remote, there will be no prospect of returning by the same means. No civilization whatsoever, really."

Eloise chuckles, honestly that almost seems like a dream. 

Cressida frowns, what is she to say to that?

"Is there some reason you are trying to escape civilization, my lord?" Eloise questions.

"Oh. The pursuit of natural beatuy. Magnificent creatures. A place where my family cannot possibly find me."

Cressida feels a real smile grace her face, hope of someone understanding, " Do you not get on with your family?"

Lord Debling bites his lip, "Trying to fit in my family is like to force a camel through the eye of a needle. Rather than shrink my sides, I decided long ago to forge my own path, far away from them," he glances to Cressida, "One might call it brave."

Cressida looks to him with true intention this time. Maybe, he isn't as bad as people portray him to be.

Who doesn't have odd quirks?

Debling clears his throat, "If that makes sense."

"It makes perfect sense," Cressida consoles. Eloise looks over as she can tell Cressida's usual fake front is gone. 

"Miss Featherington, why don't you come join us, " Lord Debling offers.

Both girls whip their heads over. The red head freezes before taking timid steps forward. 

Cressida purses her lips, great. 

Eloise and her both share an awkward look.

"Um, hello," Penelope offers the group, "I do not want to intrude."

She throws a cautious glance to Cressida.

"Nonsense. I am about to embark on another trip with no one but my crew. I would not want to miss out in all of your companies," Lord Debling offers. 

Penelope faces pinch in what she hopes is a smile, "Of course not."

Cressida watches as they share a look. They cannot-

"Elosie!"

The poor girl snaps her head over, "Hm?"

"What is the name of that bird I was telling you I adore?" Cressida asks. 

Eloise inhales, finally a script. She can follow this, "The great auk."

Cressida shoots a glare and Penelope blanches before throwing Eloise a look.

Eloise shakes her head, why does these things happen to only her?

Lord Debling blinks, "I am making every effort to prevent the great auk from meeting extinction."

"I know it's so dreadful," Cressida agrees, "Did you know that they mate for life?"

Cressida flutters her lashes, "I find that...so"

"Touching." Both blondes say at the same time before sharing a chuckle.

"I love birds." Penelope vomits, "As well."

Cressida and Eloise both turn to her, wearing different looks of flabbergasted.

"But do you not think the most beautiful birds are the most common? One mustn't overlook the sparrow."

Eloise tilts her head in disbelief. 

Alfred coughs, "I suppose one should not."

Penelope chuckles awkwardly. 

Cressida gives a tiny mocking one as she turns a sweet smile to the male, "Do you wish to tell us about this exploration?"

The wind blows stronger and more people gather as the small group converses. 

Soon, Eloise has her face pinched as she seems to be stuck inbetween a "whose dick is bigger" for Lord Debling's attentiveness. 

Its amusing and irritating at the same time. She keeps fanning Cressida's fan for something to do. Eloise keeps her attention off of Penelope and wishes she could be anywhere but here.

Cressida crows, trying to fluff up her metaphorical feathers, "I spend all the time I possibly can outdoors. In fact, I find myself quite adaptable to the natural world and all of its splendor."

Lord Debling smiles and softly asks , "Do you now, Miss Cowper?"

Penelope looks between the two blondes, fearing her gain on Alfred's affection might be dwindling, "I do."

Lord Debling turns to her, Penelope stutters, "As well. I much prefer the natural world to the....unnatural one."

Eloise cannot help the slight snort that escapes.

For being exfriends with an literal "unnatural creature" the irony is quite amusing.

The three look over and she squints her eyes as she clears her throat, "Sorry. There was something stuck in my windpipe." 

Cressida furrows her brows as Penelope almost shouts, "Grass!"

The two other humans jump, as Eloise is used to her usual antics. 

"There's nothing I love more in the outdoors than...grass," she trails off. Her wit seemingly failing her this morning. 

Lord Debling puzzled asks to confirm, "Grass? What about it do you love so, Miss Featherington?"

"Uh...," her eyes shoot for Eloise who promptly shakes her head as the cluster of this interaction grows. The brunette's second hand embarrassment inclines the more she has to stand here.

Penelope swallows, "How it's so green?"

Eloise smacks her face with the fan as Penelope continues to fumble her attempts to flirt. 

Cressida biting on her own lip, attempting to keeping herself from howling with laughter. Only years of social practice has stopped the tiny giggles from escaping her lips.

The poor girl, is quite socially inept.

Lord Debling blinks, trying to be polite to the awkward conversation, "It is quite...green."

Penelope smiles as Cressida steps in, enjoying this, "Why, do you have a favorite grass? Blue? Timothy? Lemon?"

Penelope eyes widen as she tries to fumble for answers.

Cressida greatful she took on studying the outdoors for this suitor. Who knew knowledge could be so much fun?

Eloise looks over as Colin glances over to see how his friend is making out. 

It seems that his group is talking about the Lord in question.

A strong gust of wind blow and as it rises in strength, Eloise own hair on the back of her neck rises.

A warning.

Over the whistling she can makeout Colin as he asks his friends, "Do you think that's normal?" 

She follows the stare to the Ballon nearly thirty feet away from herself. The objects twists and jerks from it's restraints.

"Tether it here." One of the worker men say, pointing to their counterpart.

"Gusting up something terrible," he agrees, "Mostly, from the wind."

He points to one of the main ropes, "Grab hold. Grab the guide rope."

Eloise's eye widen and her nostrils flare as her adrenaline spikes. Something is about to happen, her instincts scream.

She glances at her group, blissfully ignorant.

The worker in blue puts a leg on the creation, "Right. Steady it as much as you can."

The one in red responds, "Move it across."

The wind hisses. Eloise tenses.

The Balloon bucks and whips around, the workers shout, "Hold it!"

The red yells, "Jump out!" As a rope smacks him. He lands hard on the wooden platform. The balloon bucks and rushes towards their direction.

Colin bolts to help. 

Eloise grits her teeth as a such surge of protect! Protect! Protect! Screams from her pores. 

At the same time, Colin grabs the thick rope and yells towards the towns men, "Help me! Now!"

Benedict and some of the younger men all scatter for the loose ties. 

Eloise turns and growls at Lord Debling, "Help Miss Cowper and Featherington!" 

Suddenly, the whole ton freezes to watch as the men try and fail to get the man made wonder under control.

Before Cressida can voice her concern, the blonde man practically picks up the smaller red head and tugs her forward.

Cressida's worry flares for the brunette. Who will help her?

As she rips her hand back, the glove slipping loose her feet twist in her dress.

She turns as she falls, waiting for her back to hit the ground.

Instead something soft catches her.

She opens her eyes and gasps, as Eloise looks down. 

Brown curls tickling her cheeks. Bright brilliant blue eyes lock onto her own. Her pretty face twists into a snarl.

"Are you daft?!"

"Heave!" Colin orders. Grunts are overshowed by the scrapeing of the ballon against the platform steps.

Cressida before she can retort, her eyes widen as the balloon quickly makes it's way towards them. She closes her eyes, waiting for impact.

Eloise follows her sight and she flicks her glance over to her brothers.

Colin looks over with gritted teeth, face pinching in anger, "Heave!"

 Benedict tries to subtlety shake his head, fear streaming from his eyes. 

Eloise tucks the blonde in closer with her one arm, and braces herself as she flexes her other hand. Fingers twitching.

She reaches out and her flats dig into the ground, a silent growl of effort escapes between her teeth.

For something that's suppose to fly, it's fucking heavy.

Her hand, careful to not let her nails grow, braces against the wooden basket. Fingertips and palm indenting into the wood. It creaks and cracks against her.

The balloon halts with her grip onto it.

She needs to make it believable, that the men stopped this creation, not her.

With the men all straining, Eloise shoves herself and twists on the way down. 

Breath escapes her lungs, as her spine hits the dirt.

Small pebbles stab into her back.

Cressida waits as a silence overtakes them.

Cressida opens her eyes and looks up. Her nose brushes against Eloise's.

A groan slips past the girls lips, eyes pinched in pain.

Cressida pushes herself up with her arms, their legs a tangle beneath their mess of dresses. 

"Eloise, why on earth didn't you move?" Cressida hisses as she grabs her shoulders. She wants to shake the stupidity out of her. 

Eloise blinks up, her breath catches.

Cressida's blonde hair is silhouette by the sun, causing it to be almost a halo.

Her light green eyes flicker between hers in rageful concern. This close, she can see a light constellation of freckles dusting across her nose. 

Eloise eye catch as Cressida bite on her plump lower lip.

The silence unusual in the Bridgerton. Perhaps she hit her head?

Cressida gently move a piece of hair behind Eloise's ear, "Eloise? Did you hear me, you silly girl?"

Cressida tilts up a brow at the girl. Eloise eyes wide and the blonde watches as she swallows thickly.

"Eloise are you okay?" Penelope Featherington runs up with a huff of air as Lord Debling follows.

Cressida quickly unattaches herself as her brothers run over. 

Lord Debling bends down to help the Cowper girl stand, "Are you okay?"

She brushes the grass off of her dress when she stands, "I'm fine."

"Eloise!" Benedict says as he drops to his knees. Helping his sister sit up. 

Colin glowers, as he hisses, "What were you thinking?!"

The cluster of girls upset at the main bachelor leaving to approach his sibling.

Cressida's own lips curl as she steps between the fallen girl and her brother, "Mind yourself. If it weren't for your sister the three of us could've been hurt."

Colin looks to her irritation leaking from his pores, "If it wasn't for me. You would've been in more trouble."

The announcer yells from the speaker, "And Hawkins is off to the skies!"

Applause sounds as the debutantes rush to congratulate the men on their efforts as the balloon soars overhead. The man waves from the air.

Mainy people buzz with their high of the stressful show. 

Cressida pauses as the hull of the carriage has a chuck of dents. Must be from all the commotion.

Benedict breathes in sharply, hopefully, no one will connect Eloise to that.

Benedict looks up and glances at Colin, "I'm sure the ladies could use a moment to respite from all the excitement." 

Lord Debling steps next to Cressida, "Shall, we all get a drink and unwind from this event?"

Benedict helps Eloise up and she gives a slight wave, "Go on without me. I'll catch up." 

She glances as the blonde opens her mouth, probably to argue.

Eloise grabs onto her fingers, her eyes look to a glowering Colin. 

Benedict rubs his hand over his sister's back for comfort, "I'll be fine. Mind saving me a glass of lemonade?"

"But-"

"Miss Cowper? I don't mind escorting you both to the tent," Lord Deblind offers as Penelope grips her own dress. Her eyes flickering between the siblings.

"Fine," Cressida grits between clenched teeth, grabbing the offered arm, stomping away.

Penelope pauses halfway there as Colin start to berate his sibling.

"Are you insane?" He hisses. He looks around as he whispers, "Anyone, could've seen!"

Eloise inhales, "What would you rather me do? Carry those three away?"

"No?" Colin says rubbing a hand through his curly locks. 

Eloise rolls her eyes. If she was transform she could've easily caught the thing by herself and handled the situation.

Benedict sighs, supporting his younger sister, "There was not much of an option. Let's be glad no one got seriously hurt. Plus, watching us burly men show some muscle was, what I am sure, was a thrilling distraction. No one was even looking at our little sister."

He offeres his arm to Eloise,"Would you like to scamper away or meet them in the meal tent?"

He looks up to his brother, "You should thank Eloise for helping. I'm unsure if we could've stopped Hawkins creation alone."

Colin glares at his brother, who looks meaningfully to their sister and back to him.

Colin growls, "Thank you."

Eloise scoffs, "That was almost as painful to hear, as it was painful for you to say."

Colin steps forward and whisper shouts, "I'm sorry that I was worried for you. Sorry, that I still care for Penelope. Sorry, that I was scared for you and her. And yes, I was even concerned for Miss Cowper's safety."

Eloise blanches at the hostile honesty.

Benedict slaps his brother's shoulder, "That's quite touching, but prehaps we should move? You can check on Penelope's well-being yourself. And Eloise will give me a good excuse to ignore the mama's and daughters coming to congratulate me on my heroic acts."

Colin and Eloise share an eye roll.

...

Cressida clenches the two glasses in her hands. The condensation running down the side of the cup. 

She glances to the opening of the tent for the fifth time. 

Those that witness the event all came flocking, asking how they're doing, even some going as far to commend Lord Debling on his fast actions to get the two girls to safety.

Such bravery.

Positively, swoon worthy.

Cressida knows she should be playing the act of the helpless woman, knows she should be faking an injury to have the Lord's attention on her. Knows, that her parents will hear of the incident and how she acted.

Maybe, in a different timeline she would care more. 

"Are you still holding onto Eloise's cup?" 

Cressida looks down to the petite red head. 

She peers over as the Lord has to pick his food carefully, avoiding anything that is upsetting to his pallet.

"Shouldn't you be using this to take advantage on your advancement on the Lord's favor?" Cressida asks.

Penelope raises a brow, "Shouldn't you?"

Cressida tilts her head as the red head also uses the moment to peak outside the flap.

"Maybe, instead of going after Debling. You could use this life threatening event to admit to Colin of your romantic afflection." 

Penelope chokes on her spit and Cressida feels a chesshire smile stretch across her face.

"W-Wha? Oh, no no no," Penelope shakes her head almost dizzingly, "You've gotten it all wrong, we're not-"

"Not trading moon eyes with one another?" Cressida teases. Enjoying the skin on the short girl, growing in color to match her hair. 

"You could fan yourself when he comes in and act faint. The stress too much. I'd put my pin money he'd leap to catch you. He was quite heroic," the blonde states.

Penelope pauses, thinking. Cressida watches as the idea sinks into her mind.

"Oh, no. I couldn't."

Cressida shrugs, "Then it seems we are back to being rivals." 

Penelope looks up in shock, "Rivals?"

Cressida's mother's words spilling out, "Yes. There can only be one Lady Debling. Every woman only looks out for themselves, in the end."

"What about Eloise?" Penelope asks almost angrily.

Cressida nearly flinches. Yes, what about Eloise?

"I don't know about you, but I'm famished," a familiar female voices. 

The two watch with eagerness as three shadows grow closer to their destination.

The footsteps make there way when Brimsley cuts them off. 

They all bow to the Queen's personal right hand. 

Cressida and Penelope both wear different levels of exasperation. Their waited companion stalled.

"Brimsley," Eloise states with a turned up nose. 

"Miss Bridgerton," Brimsley replies with the same amount of enthusiasm. 

Cressida blinks, how on earth do the two know each other to the point of annoyance? 

Penelope own brows furrow. Then catches Colin's eye as he gives her...ah, yes, a moon look. 

Cressida watches in hopelessness. If only someone would look at her that way, someday.

Brimsley turns to the other two, "Your mother is ready to leave. She is waiting in the Queen's tent with Lady Danbury. If you would follow."

Eloise looks over and waves as her and her brothers take their leave.

Cressida sets the drink down with a huff.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 10

Benedict looks down at the weapon in distaste. 

The revolver that Anthony used in the duel two seasons go, rests loaded, heavy against his inner thigh. He stares angrily at the shiny barrel as it reflects the full moons light.

Honestly, it's ridiculous that he must carry the thing, as he spends the time making sure Eloise doesn't sneak away into town.

Father would have never treated her like this. Why should he?

He's been questioning alot of things recently.

He still remembers when Daphne, Eloise and Francesca would squeal in laughter, as only little girls can do, riding on Father's back as he would race around Aubery Hall.

Their tiny fists twisted in his fur, all smiling and laughing as he would make a big show of sticking his tongue out panting after a few laps. Rolling over carefully causing the three girls to tumble off. 

His lips strech to a small smile as he reminisce.

The bark on the tree that he's leaning against bites into his back, not enough to be uncomfortable,but enough he wishes he brought a jacket to lean against as well.

He looks over to the brown mass as it let's out a hefty sigh.

The blue orbs look down the valley to the miniscule lights twinkling in the distance. 

"Are you planning on mopeing all night, sister?" He asks. Puffing out a trail of smoke from his lips.

She doesn't even so much as glance at his direction as she keeps her gaze onto the town.

He sighs, wishing he brought is sketch book or something to keep his mind occupied.

He twirls the small cigarette in his fingers.

He looks again at the weapon, warm against his palm. Lady Danbury enchanted the bullets with a heavy sleeping potion. So, as long as Benedict doesn't aim to kill, as if a single bullet would kill her, it would just knock out his sister with a bleeding wound. 

She assured the Bridgertons when she brought the shells over that it wouldn't effect Eloise body to heal. 

Eloise face set into stone as she watched as he took the small bag with shaking fingers. 

She bowed to the witch thanking her for her family's safety.

She did not come out of her room the rest of the day, until it was time to get the carriage to take them out here.

Which was full of silence, even he could not consort Eloise into a conversation.

She looked out the window as sweat sweeping down her brow.

Eloise did not wish to spend another month's full moon in the cage, so this was hers and Lady Danbury's compromise.

A great distance away from civilization and a magic weapon to stop the great beast from terrorizing the members of ton if she would choose to pass the treeline.

When Benedict witnessed Eloise's first transformation, it had been hard and violent on them all. 

He still remembers that Anthony and Eloise got into an argument on Eloise's fourteenth birthday.

Something about one of his rules, of how she was upset she couldn't spend the night with Penelope. 

Francesca looked around the room anxiously as Lady Danbury took to watching the spectacle, eating cake. 

Mother and Daphne looked to one another with exasperation.

Hyacinth and Gregory used to the loud house, played a game on the floors themselves. 

Benedict sat watching the verbal combat with slight amusement.

It was a full moon then too.

When their voices leveled into shouting, Mama got up to break them up, suddenly a crack could be heard over. 

Violet froze along with everyone else as Eloise face pinched into severe pain.

She screeched as she dropped to the floor.

Benedict could only watch with fear as his sister's body contorted in ways no human should ever move.

Tears streamed down from Eloise's blue eyes, as she looked around to the different levels of fear and horror.

Daphne quickly pulled Francesca towards her and covered her ears. Humming.

Eloise clamped her eyes shut as time seemed to slow as her body trembled and bones broke, reforming themselves. Dark brown fur with hints of black erupted as claws dug into the wood. 

A creature sat up and shook, a tattered dress dropped to the floor.

It blinked almost sleepy, before freezing, cobalt blue flickering between each stunned person.

The black nose on it twitched as it sniffed the room. 

Benedict's heart dropped as Father's form looked back. Blue eyes instead of gold.

The silence was broken as Hyacinth started to cry.

Gregory not knowing what to do, tried to shush his sister with small trembling fingers, eyes white with fear. 

Both too young to remember the beast of the Bridgertons. How it enveloped them all with love.

Anthony looked to his mother for advice, only to witness her mouth covered with a hand, her own tears dripping silently down her face.

Eloise whined and their mother answered with a whimper with trembling lips, Eloise moved.

She took a step closer and Anthony blocked the rest of the room with his arm out protectively. 

The clawed hand paused.

"Eloise," he said low. His eyes never looking away as Eloise's own seem to glow brighter. 

Her ears now, longer, located on the top of her head, flicked back.

The creature looked past Anthony to their crying mother and it growled.

Benedict stood up and tried to approach her.

Father had control, surely Eloise would too?

With Anthony slowly leaning over to grab the fire poker.

 Benedict watched with stunned dismay as he grabbed it,one might even say a small piece of him broke, a resentment toward his eldest sibling was born that day.

This was a miracle, the lycanthrope throne did not die with their father. Didn't anyone else see that?

"Anthony," he warns.

Next thing he knows, Eloise tries to bolt past him and Anthony, with fear for his family, swings.

A loud howl echoes in the small room and Eloise turns, teeth bared. 

The metal rod bent, dripping with hot iron clangs as it hits the floor.

With a loud snarl she lunges, magical chains whip themselves around her throat and she falls, cracking the floor.

The younger ones scream, Daphne hides Francesca in her chest as she watches from the couch. Face pale.

Lady Danbury's hand stretches out and with a grunt she brings the thrashing, snarling she wolf to the floor. A green chain made entirely of magic wraps around her muzzle.

Benedict looks back to watch as Anthony looks down to his own body, gashes ripped in his shirt, blood leaks from claw marks from his chest. 

His fingers bloody and face turned with controlled stoicism as he looks to Lady Danbury, "Take her away."

Another huff brings him out of his thoughts as Eloise turns towards his direction.

He waits as she gets up and walks over, plopping down as she lays next to him.

He lifts his hand to run his fingers through her fur and her lip curls in response. 

He chuckles, "You're a pain, you know that?"

She blinks. 

He honestly expected more excitement, expected to run out of breath trying to keep the lycanthrope in view as it ran through the woods, a great beast hunting. 

Not Eloise to go into the treeline, her transformation faster, more quiet now, to return in their father's legacy and drop into the grass. 

Clothes dropped from her mouth in a pile. 

He watches in contentment as her breath heaves in another sigh. He smiles, both forms of his sister are dramatic.

"You know, I've always wondered what it's been like to transform. I know we all are different clusters of Father's gifts, except you."

Her one ear flicks back, listening.

He looks up to the full moon, covered by clouds, but the glow still bright.

"What is it like? I know you try to hide this part of yourself from the family. Not that I can blame you, with how we treat this part of you, like it doesn't exist, nothing more problematic than the common cold," he sighs, "Part of that blame is for me to carry. I am the second eldest. Sometimes, I feel that no one helped you besides Lady Danbury. For that I'm sorry." 

He plucks up a piece of grass, something to mess a little with. 

Smoke all burned out.

He waits, almost expecting her to answer.

It remains silent as the dark turns into day. 

Benedict nearly flinches at Eloise stands, she looks down to him. His fingers twitch, wishing to draw the look. 

Very slowly, she leans down and he stills, heart increasing as a wet nose pressed against his cheek and a rumble noise sounds from her chest. 

He balks as she grabs her clothes and disappears.

A young lady returns, wearing the riding clothes she stole from Colin earlier that year.

She looks to him, bags lay heavy under her eyes, "Come brother or we'll be late to breakfast."

....

Cressida watches as hope drains out of her every second as she watches Lord Debling continues to talk with Penelope.

She can image it now, her father writing for one of his horrid friends to come take his unlovable daughter.

"There you are, finally unoccupied. I've been wearied all night," Eloise greets as she stands next to the blonde. She can feel her muscles getting tighter as the moon's call becomes harder to resist.

Her transformation of all last evening helping keep the call to a whisper, but soon it shall start to talk, then shout.

"Surely, he shall return. Any moment," Cressida states.

Eloise frowns as her gaze go towards them, a skip in the blonde's heart beat. Not even the girl herself believes in her lie.

She is about to say, maybe it's for the best but, the stench of fear and hope mixes badly with her usual flowery scent.

Eloise inhales, not believing she's about to do this. 

With determination she grabs her dress and marches over to the pair.

A wide smile graces her features as she bows, "My Lord. May I have this dance?"

Penelope gawks as the question slips past her lips.

The man on the spot, clears his throat, "Well, I'm sure you can see I'm-"

"Please," Eloise grits. Her teeth starting to hurt from being clenched in a plastered smile.

How Cressida does this constantly she will never know.

He sighs and apologizes to Miss Featherington and sets the cup down.

She takes his hand and gets into position, years of muscle memory helping.

"What spurred you to ask me?" The man asks.

Eloise glances to Miss Cowper as she wears a small frown, arms crossed as she watches the unsure pair.

"I have read your scientific journals and I thought I would ask you, your opinons on some things, " she lies.

"Oh?" He asks as his palms rests on hers as they twist around one another.

The time to trade partners for a quick spin around the room comes, Eloise nearly groans.

She twists and a young gentleman with black hair and a dark complexion catches her hand.

He smiles awkwardly as Eloise face equals a grimace.

"Good evening?" He tries to be polite.

Eloise scoffs, "Can we do without the formality for this aspect of the dance?"

The man's eyes sparkle with surprise as he nods. 

She ignores his curious looks as they let the dance take them around. 

She sighs in relief, as she gets passed back to Lord Debling.

"What on earth is Eloise doing?" She hears Benedict ask.

"It seems that she's dancing with a gentleman," her own mother says with surprise coloring her tone.

Eloise tries to fight the blush forming at her family's staring, "Well, what's your opinion on wolves?" 

"Wolves?" He parrots.

Eloise inhales a laugh, "Honestly, my Lord. If you're going to repeat questions as an answer, perhaps I can answer some of yours."

He tilts his head, "A question for a question?"

She shrugs as he twirls her, her back not touching his chest as it should. The gentleman leaves space.

"What's your question?"

He clears his throat glancing at the room crowded full of people, "I'm sure word has gotten around that I'm looking for a spouse this season."

Eloise sighs, holding an eye roll, "Surely, you have seen every debutante and mama's hopeful glance in your direction."

He flushes and looks away.

Eloise tilts her head, "Regretting your choice are you?"

Alfred shakes his head, "No. It's made me have opportunities to meet some ladies that I think I'd wouldn't have."

Eloise bites her bottom lip, her body growing hotter as her magic swirls. 

"I've heard you were friends with Miss Featherington and I don't care what tension alludes you too, but your friendship with Miss Copwer is newer."

Eloise nods confirming.

"What's your opinion on them both?"

Eloise sucks a breath and bows as the dance ends, "Shall we go to the balcony?"

He offers his arm and leads her, grabbing a drink off of a tray in passing.

Eloise takes it with grace. 

Two set of eyes burn the back of her head. They exit, as he turns to her. 

She shivers as the moon light hits her back. It drains and strengthens her at the same time.

She swirls the liquid in the glass, "Well, I cannot tell you which girl is the better choice. Both have good and bad qualities as we all do."

Eloise furrows her brow, "Penelope is stubborn and reckless. Desires freedom and independence separating her from everyone else. She can be harsh, but she cares. Cares too much about opinion of others. However, she is kind and will make you feel like the most importance person in the room. She's smart and quite observate in a way you won't think."

Lord Debling takes a small sip, "Miss Cowper?"

Eloise blows an invisible piece of hair out if her face, "Well, I am still learning many things about her myself. She is harder to read. Just when you think you have an idea, there's a new chapter to be uncovered."

Eloise tilts her head, "She's a bit daft and does unnecessary cruel things. She is stubborn, but she does take things in stride. Her walls are high, but everything I get to see a new part of her it's gentle. She has so much to say that I think her father's expectations hold her back. Her witty comments will catch you off guard. Her protective tenderhearted nature is shown in fleeting moments, but not any less important. She is attentive and would do anything for a friend."

She looks up and flinches at Lord Debling's stare. 

She clears her throat, "Please, take your time courting. Both would make wonderful partners."

Lord Debling slowly nods, his facial expressions and smells pass too quickly for Eloise to get a good grasp on.

"I do not have much on canis lupis ,but I will make sure to drop them off at your house," he offers.

Eloise pushes her untouched glass into his hand, "I believe a young Lady is waiting in there for you to fetch her a drink."

He looks at he in puzzlement and she could sag in relief as her brother steps in, "Ready sister?"

Benedict eyes tic to the sky and back down on sibling.

Sweat starts to collect on her back as the cloth is becoming constricting, "Absolutely."

She bows once more, "Have a good evening my Lord. Please, think heavily on our discussion."

Lord Debling watches as the Bridgerton girl grabs onto her brother's arm.

Since their dance her cheeks have been flush as if some sickness has overwhelmed her in the short period of time.

Maybe, he'll check to see how the girl is doing?

Her admiration for both debutantes lay thick in her brutal honest answer. 

A new respect has bloomed for the family as he looks to the stars, pondering on the girls words.

"Lord Debling?" 

He turns to see Miss Cowper view the empty space save for himself.

"If you are looking for Miss Bridgerton it seems her brother came to collect her, " answering the unasked question.

"Oh," her shoulders sag.

He clears his throat, "I apologize for not returning as promised. Would you like to join me?"

Cressida pauses, before stepping forward to retrieve the out stretched glass. The bubbles fizz in the flute.

"Your friend had quite many things to say about you," the blonde male states.

Cressida heart lerches, "Don't believe a word that she says. I'm sure she was merely having fun."

Lord Debling finds himself smiling, "So, I should not believe that she called you protective and tenderhearted, it was untrue?"

He watches as the girl blinks.

"I see," she bites her lip. Cressida turns her head to gaze at the marble railing, warmth blooming in her chest.

Lord Debling looks to the girl, and seems he has a lot of work to do to meet the girl that Miss Bridgerton described. 

He's gone on many adventures and maybe, he'll start to enjoy this one. To finding the true Cressida Cowper.

....

Eloise sighs as she transforms back to her human self. Bringing her arms over her head in a long strech. 

She gathers the garments and quickly puts them on as she jogs back to her brother.

His face pinched as he tries to read by the small amount of light that the moon provides.

He jolts as she smacks the book shut.

"Benedict, I didn't know you could read," she muses.

Her brother lip jolts out, "Ha, ha." He states dryly.

He stands, dusting of the leaves and dirt, "Not that I'm unhappy about cutting this night short, but shouldn't you be gallivanting through the woods?" 

Eloise scolds her face to an unamused expression, "Instead of mocking me, why don't you come with me to the carriage? Prehaps, we can catch Lady Arnold before a completely improper hour."

Benedict jogs to catch up, "Wha-"

She turns around, walking backwards, enjoying how he trips on the forest floor.

"Did you not honestly expect me to pick up you following the poor woman around like a lost dog?"

Benedict sputters, "I-I, I'll have you know-, I'm not a dog!"

Eloise let's out a howl, eye flicking to enjoy her usual calmest brother lose his composure. 

"Please, don't embarrass yourself. I can tell. You reek of sexual interest."

Benedict rubs his face with a groan, "God, why couldn't you have been a normal girl?"

Eloise stumbles as she looks over as he stomps past her to the carriage. 

She knows he didn't mean it like that. 

Feelings are often hurt more by miscommunication than not. 

She hops in as she tries to swallow down the cracking in her chest. 

....

Eloise watches with interest, Francesca seems to completely wither as the guard announces a caller.

She wants to mock, what about finding a husband dear sister? But she refrains as understanding over rules pettiness.

A young gentleman with a dark kind eyes walks in, eyes hint with nerves until they light up as he finds what he's looking for.

An awkward silence enters as everyone looks to one another, expecting mama to embrace his welcome as she always does.

"Lord Samadani, welcome," Hyacinth word vomits, unable to take this excitement and tension. 

Gregory puffs out his chest, as he is the only male figure in the room and he will make sure to keep the Bridgerton honor.

Mother inaudibly gasps as she turns to her youngest, embarrassment colors in as she cannot stop the words rapidly firing from her daughter's mouth.

"Our cook has prepared some mille-feuille in anticipation of your arrival," the girl in pink states with a wide smile.

Mama steps closer and corrects, "Hyacinth, this is not Lord Samadani."

"Oh," she says. Gregory smiles wickedly as his sister face flush. Eloise eyes focus on the male, who is he? And why does he look familiar?

Scent of the sea and brass, almost the same as Francesca. The miniscule smell of walnut from her spending hours on the piano.

"Please forgive us for the error," her mother greets.

He clears his throat, "Oh the error is mine, I am certain. I've come to call on one of your daughters."

Eloise eyes widden as she recognizes the male, she steps behind Gregory.

Oh bloody hell, it wasn't even a full dance!

Her brother, turns around with a raised brow as she comes to grab his arms, if she has to forcefully use her youngest brother as a shield, she will.

He uses his still healing fingers to gently hold her hand. 

She smiles as a jolt of siblingly love and appreciation swirls.

She looks up as Francesca beams.

Eloise inhales and Francesca shoots her a side eye glare as her sensitive hearing hears her sensory eavesdropping.

Violet looks to the two young people with surprise, "Oh, you mean Francesca."

"Miss Francesca," the man says her name in a way, as if testing it our for the first time.

He hints a smile, "John Sterling. Earl of Kilmartin."

Francesca returns the secret smile and turns to explain to mother who and how they met.

Eloise puts a finger on the page of her book, to not lose her spot as she focuses of her sister. Trying to listen to heartbeats, since Francesca already seems to be touchy about her scenting them.

Eloise joins her family as they take their seat, watching as the two sit next to one another in silence.

"She does not speak to him," Gregory asks confused. She's never seen the most timid Bridgerton almost giddy.

The silence broken by the shifting on the seats and clicking of the grandfather clock.

Her smile grows. Her sister is a genius. It's so interesting, "I am in awe. I've always thought one had to use wit or banter to dissuade a suitor. But simple silence is radically more effective."

"Perhaps, they are enjoying themselves," Hyacinth says looking to see if Eloise would hint.

Eloise raises a brow, her youngest more perceptive than she thought.

Her mother groans, "But how will they know each other if they do not speak?"

Eloise thinks about how in the off season how Cressida and her would bond over tea and chess. Even sometimes Cressida would do needlework as Eloise reads.

"Not all conversations are verbal," Eloise states, "I think just enjoying on another's company can be enough."

The three turn to her in puzzlement as she blinks back. 

"What?" 

"That was almost, romantic," Hyacinth says, rapidly blinking at her.

Mother yells as she whips a pillow at her. 

....

Eloise inhales as she walks in the house, it reeks of paper, ink and dust. She loves it.

Following the improv tour, her fingers gently run along the spines of the books.

A few familiar scent swirls in the air, but only one truly interest the she wolf.  

She grabs a book, pretending to read it and bumps into a tall figure.

"Oh," Eloise snaps the book shut, her face flicking to a wide grin, "If every event was like this, I'd enjoy being a debutante."

She stands closer to the girl to whisper, "I don't know if anyone in this entire library has in fact read a book through to the end." 

Cressida gives a small smile that flickers as her gaze goes to the corner. Eloise follows and frowns as Lord Debling and Penelope talk.

"Perhaps mine will be in the collection soon. The tragedy of a spinster whose father is now promising to marry her to one of his aged friends."

Eloise quips, "Sounds like German literature." Hopeing to hear the twinkling laughter to escape the blonde's lips.

Instead, the girl turns green as her face pinches in sorrow.

Eloise blinks as an overwhelming urge to help stalks forward.

She grabs her hand and tugs, the blonde jolts forward. 

"Eloise-,"

Cressida watches as blue eyes flash with concern, Eloise squeezes her hand,"Follow me."

Cressida looks back to the Lord before allowing herself being lead by the shorter girl.

They enter a smaller room and Eloise let's go to close the doors.

Cressida looks to the girl confused as the blue ribbon haired girl takes a deep breath.

Cressida sighs heavily as her shoulders dropped too tired and stressed to put up with theatrics, "What is this?"

Eloise turns and points to the chair, "Sit."

Cressida swallows her scoff, but listens.  Eloise takes a seat on the chair across from her.

Her friend's skin is more pale than normal, and as gross as it sounds, Cressida is having her monthly bleeding.

Which would be causing the extra sensitiveness flying around the blonde. She's a bouquet of emotions.

When Eloise first smelt monthly blood for woman, she freaked out over breakfast asking why her and Daphne were both bleeding. 

Her brothers twitched, first with fear than with knowledgeable embarrassment as her mother consulted the startled child. 

She understood a month later, the joys of womanhood.

Benedict likes to joke she's a wild beast twice a month. Or a bigger one once a month.

"You seem like you might need a moment."

The blonde shoots her a look with her brows furrowed, "I'm fine."

"Cressida," she says gently, "You're scared aren't you?"

Cressida stands as her heart jumps and quickly goes for the handle, "This is ridiculous."

Her heart increases in speed as the Bridgerton girl barrels through her stone walls. She's been telling her how she doesn't have a family to support her, how she needs this. But never how it made her feel. No one asks how she's doing.

Before she can blink, Eloise has a gentle grip on her wrist.

"Cress, talk to me."

Cressida can feel her lip tremble as she looks to her eyes, so blue and understanding.

"I don't want to be one of those woman in German literature. I don't want to marry a man older than me by decades. I want to enjoy my life without these...these," she clenches her hands.

Without her even realizing it Eloise genlety wraps her arm around her shoulder and let's Cressida lean into her chest.

Leading her back to the seat.

Cressida lets silent tears stream and tiny sniffles escape her.

Eloise nearly whines as she holds the girl as she cracks. 

Feeling hopelessness as she can't tear or kill the problem. 

How her father and mother only sees her as a object. How as the older she gets, the less people see her as Cressida and more as a spinster. Eloise always goes off about the unfairness. And it is, unfair. 

A knock sounds and Cressida swears she hears an animalistic growl vibrate from Eloise's chest.

Lady Danbury peeks in, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Eloise I need you."

"Can't it wait?" She asks, tightening her grip as Cressida tries to wipe away the tears secretly. 

Cressida watches as Lady Danbury holds up a finger, "I'll give you ladies one minute, but we need to go."

Eloise sneers at the witch, who rolls her eyes as the door clicks shut.

Cressida lets herself enjoy the warmth and how Eloise smells of honeysuckle. A reminder of her favorite spot in the Cowper residence.

Cressida sits up and already misses the warmth and comfort that she rarely gets, "I should let you go."

Eloise grabs her hand, "I'm not leaving."

Cressida gives a watery smile, "I don't wish to keep you," she looks up as Eloise face pinches.

Lady Danbury enters, "Eloise."

Eloise turns around as her hand stays on Cressida's, blue eyes glow for a second. 

The witch raises a brow.

The two girls trade a few whispers before the wolf follows the older woman out.

"What do you need?" Eloise hisses, angry.

Lady Danbury turns with a look of sympathy, "The queen called for us."

 

Chapter 11

Eloise grumbles in agitation for two reasons, one she left Cressida when she clearly needed someone to talk to, and two it's the last night of a full moon. 

Her already fragile patience of being pulled away from who she's realizing is a dear friend, is being tested.

Why else would she feel deep pain for the girl? 

Lady Danbury holds the cane and drums her fingers against the smooth wood as she stares at her pupil. 

This is different. 

Normally, Eloise would've been singing her praises for taking her out of another match making event, but instead the Bridgerton girl is being peculiar. 

Biting.

"It seems you and Miss Cowper are close."

Eloise flicks her gaze to the witch, "Yes, you were there in the off season when she came over to get some solidarity from her parents."

Lady Danbury sighs, "Yes, but I mean. Your relationship is much too close for it not even being a year old. You seek comfort in one another."

Eloise hackles rise, "She does not have anyone to confine with. You know her relationship with her father is nonexistent and her mother estranged. I hear the whispers of the more kinder mama's. I am simply doing the duty that you're teaching me. To be a kind and considerate ruler. To listen and learn from others transgressions. I am trying to become proud of the person I see in the mirror. I want to see a good ruler, a good werewolf, a good family member and a good friend."

The witch sucks her lips in as the lycanthrope heaves heavy breaths after her rant. 

Clearly, there's been an issue she was unaware of. Her own troubles with her sibling, sorceress duties, and helping Violet with Francesca has blinded her.

"You know, you're already are those things Eloise," she tells the young girl softly.

The girl flicks a glance before playing with her fingers, letting a claw grow on her clasped hands with extended pointer fingers and retracting the claws. Over and over.

"I need to be better," she states.

Before Lady Danbury can correct, the carriage stops. A footman soon opens the door, "We have made it, Lady Danbury and Miss Bridgerton. "

....

Charlotte tusks as Lady Danbury and Eloise enter the room. 

She feels the lycanthrope tense as she shoots her head to one of the chairs where a young warlock sits quietly.

A part of her relishes in the drama she knew was gonna happen, another feels bad for the young lady.

"You're late," she snaps as the guards close the door. Leaving her, Brimsley, the two warlocks and the two other females alone in the room.

Lady Danbury offers a bowed head, "Apologies. I had to get my student out of a debutante activity."

The young warlock snorts, "I'm sure that was quite difficult."

The she wolf and witch wear matching glares as the boys teacher gives him a similar withering look.

The warlock bows low, "I apologize coven leader and your highnesses on my apprentice's behavior. I will punish him accordingly."

He stands with his hand on his chest, "I'm Jason Hunt, and my trainee here is Theo."

The man is of an Italian heritage with slicked black hair and a well trimmed beard. A blue suit matching his staff with a blue syphoning jewel placed on top.

Eloise waves a hand, "We're already acquainted. Now, would someone please explain to me what's going on?"

Brimsley gestures to the round table where a map and several seats are located, "If you may."

The group takes a seat and he starts the meeting, "Queen Charlotte has taken on a trade agreement with King Bŏg. There is to be a royal shipment tonight and we cannot send human guards and carriers. So, that's where you two, will come in." 

He glances between the youngest two.

Eloise and Theo share a look of apprehension towards their teachers. 

"The plan is simple, your teachers will enchant the map which will guide you towards your destination and you'll make sure the trade goes effectively. Apprentice Theo will be in charge of making sure the correct amount of gold is collected and Miss Bridgerton will be guarding and settling anything on the more diplomatic aspect if they should occur."

Eloise sticks up a hand, "Isn't that going to be a problem if I cannot talk?"

Brimsley face contorts into a devilish grin, "Nonsense you two will be wearing mind melt crystals."

Theo blanches as Eloise scowls, "I would rather not have him in my head."

Queen Charlotte smiles, "Nonsense, you two will just be passing thoughts. You cannot dig into one another minds as long as you build mental sheilds. Did your teachers not cover that?"

Theo looks over to the girl, "Does your studies not contain magical artifacts?" 

Eloise makes a face, "I can only preform minor magic, so why would I study magic that I'm likely to never do? Besides you dont have royal responsibilites."

Lady Danbury interjects before a squabble breaks out, "Prehaps, if we go over it, we can prevent any misunderstanding from happening."

Eloise reluctantly agrees as Theo nods.

Brimsley puts down two milky white crystals attached to gold chains, they sound like almost whispers to one another. 

One voice, but many at the same time.

Eloise increases her hearing and tilts her head. The milkyness almost seems to swirl.

We have not seen one of you in ages. Young, a pup. 

Royalty at that.

She hates it.

Wants to be left alone.

But not.

Hates the idea of not knowing others intentions. 

We shall share.

'I wonder if the wolf will tear apart the young magic user.'

Eloise eyes widen as she can hear Brimsley, but his mouth remains closed. His gaze studying the boy and his master.

'This is so boring, I wonder if any excitement will happen on the trades agreement', Queen Charlotte muses as she glances between the two.

'How interesting. I wonder if Lady Danbury preforms testing or has any information on the lycanthrope. There's so few left. Perhaps, I can collect a sample.'

Eloise shivers and snarls at the Master warlock, "If you touch me, I'll eat you."

Lady Danbury grabs her shoulder, "Enough."

Master Hunt swallows as he glances at the snarling girl. Wicked fangs on display.

She hands one of the necklaces to the Bridgerton and holds onto the other, "When a user uses these with another being, they can share thought telepathically."

Eloise stares at the jewel, yes, wear us.

Let us see your experiences.

'Calm, yourself. I am not fond of Jason or his style of teaching. But you are to remain with a sense of decorum, full moon or not.' Lady Danbury's voice echoes in her mind.

Eloise crosses her arms, 'I'm fine. If he tries to take a single sample of me I will not be restrained.'

Lady Danbury's eyes dart down as she continues to explain, "To protect yourself from wanting the other person to completely have access to all thoughts or memories, think about having a mental wall. Tall and thick with only a slot for notes to pass through."

'You could hear his thoughts by just being by the crystals? Interesting.' The witch notes.

Eloise leans back, 'More than that. The crystals themselves like to whisper to each other. Can you not hear them?'

Lady Danbury's brow raises, 'We will have to test more about your sensitivity to other magic.'

"Let's practice. Eloise build a wall and let me see if I can share a memory," Lady Danbury offers.

Eloise imagines a river, with thorns and a wicked current, no bridges or way to cross. Only a shouting can share something.

In her mind a tall black brick wall forms, a swirl of purple magic brushes her mind as it tries to sneak over the river, like fog would.

A brown creature snarls and pushes her own warning and the purple swirls stop as if hitting an invisible barrier.

'Easy, I'm just making sure you will not expose anything you do not wish to share. Your set up is more unique, but adequate. Well done.' Lady Danbury praises.

Lady Danbury takes off her crystal and Eloise can smell and feel the swarm of pride emitting from the witch.

Eloise gives a small smile that the witch ignores.

Theo and Master Hunt take longer. Eloise can smell the sweat that Theo emits as he has a harder time.

She is unsure if it's because the crystals are more naturally inclined to her or Master Hunt is being brutal against the mental sheilds he's constructed. 

With a satisfying nod, Hunt takes off his crystal and offers it to the she wolf.

Lady Danbury reaches for the crystal and shoves it in her pocket, "No sense in them wearing the things now." 

She turns to Queen Charlotte, now let's go over the plan.

...

Eloise hugs the robe that Brimsley offered. Her clothes folded and being taken care of from the palace maids. Her hair undone, in waves around her shoulder.

Her skin warm on this cooler night. The firelight refelcting in her eyes causing an animalistic glow as she watches the guards load up the barrels of sap.

Theo glances as his master talks dutifully to him, "This is an important task. The warlock society picked you because you have history with the royal lupine. This is a once and a lifetime chance. Don't fail me."

Brimsley steps next to her, blocking the warlock's view.

"What do you want pixie," she mumbles, tired from all the events. Her heart and mind still on her blonde friend.

He sneers, "Silence, furball," his true eyes flicker as he turns to the men, "I dislike magic welders."

A beady eye male comes to mind. A warlock the old Queen trusted when human medicine didn't work. The fear and Charlotte's anger still haunts him. He's never seen his sworn Queen so scared. 

Eloise blinks and looks down to the right hand, "Why?"

He shrugs, "Untrustworthy."

King George to this day still cannot take bath with ice. He must be in a hot baths or be sponged. 

"You trust Lady Danbury," she counters.

"Witches are more intune to nature. Warlocks are humans who can see and manipulate magic. Different," he argues.

The moon gets uncovered by the clouds and Brimsley watches as the she wolf eyes glow. 

"How do you do it?" She asks.

Brimsley tilts his head, "Do what?" 

"Be comfortable with your human skin, all of the time. Do you not wish to soak the sun in your scales? To sneak in the shadows?" She asks. 

Brimsley feels a small wild part of him ping. His mate left, waiting in the woods for him, after King George no longer needed him. His vow revoked.

His own sworn oath not chaining him, but, "It is not so hard. I am bound to Queen Charlotte and it brings me pleasure to fill it out everyday. I do sometimes forget what I look like, or how it feels. The solstice meetings are a nice break, but my vows are more important than me being free. Plus, the castle has many shadows and the Queen keeps up with my mischievous nature. She's a true ally. A rare friend."

He turns to her, "When you accept your mate and make your own vow, you'll understand that all aspects of who you are will be fulfilled." 

Eloise swallows, "I hope so." 

Brimsley can tell it's an honest and hard admittance.

"Eloise!" Lady Danbury calls and Brimsley nods as she trots over.

The witch looks to her, "You ready?" 

Eloise glances at Theo now examining at the crystal around his neck in wonderment, "Ecstatic."

Lady Danbury almost snorts, "Go on then."

Eloise cracks her neck as she takes off and leaps, fur ripples as muscle and bone snaps and grows. Once a slow burning pain, now a quick heat passes throughout her body, she lands. Claws clicking on the cobblestones as she jogs over to her teacher. Cloth dropped to her feet.

Master Hunt and Theo both tense as she narrows her eyes at them. 

The tantalizing scent of fear and the sweet scent of wonder familiar to her. She ignores them. 

The witch offers the necklace and Eloise bows.

As soon as the crystal is around the neck, the river flows through her mind, an light brown magic rests ontop of a brick wall. Honestly, Eloise knows if she wanted to she could-

'Her beast form is a wonder. How does a small girl end up to be a beast that big?' Theo questions.

Eloise snarls as she stands, "For a male, how are you so tiny?"

Even sitting on the cart, the wolf is slightly above Theo's eye level. 

He gaps, "You can hear me?"

Lady Danbury bites a smile and his teacher scowls. One apprentice stronger than the other.

The wolf snorts out a breath of air, "Your mental sheilds are not that good, just don't think too hard."

"You're different than before", he states. 

A small girl with brunette hair with an awe expression. A less knowledgeable Eloise circles in Theo's mind. One craving her own secret. Her own adventure.

Eloise pins her ears back, knowing it's going to be a long night.

....

The horses steps are loud compared to the predatory pads of the lycanthrope.

Her ears flicker as they enter deeper into the heart of the woods. The tunnels for the Troll kingdom coming up in a few minutes.

Eloise sighs, "Can you try to think more quietly? You are screaming your thoughts over to me."

Theo flinches, "I apologize. I did not realize how sensitive you are."

Eloise grumbles, " I have no idea if it's a me thing or a werewolf thing. You don't have to speak out loud you know."

Theo sighs, "It helps. Me doing it physically. It prevents me from thinking of things I'd rather not."

'Im trying to not think of anything to embarrassing or-'

Eloise trips, ears flatten, "Will you stop! I did not need to know, ew eww!" 

She paws at her snout, trying to get the smell and noise out of her head at Theo's latest conquest. Her moans and the warm press of their shared bodies.

He looks over with red cheeks, "Stop prying!"

"Trust me, I would love not to!"

A few awkward silence fills as he tightens his jaw, trying to let the counting of the horses hooves be the only thing on his mind.

He looks to her, Does she occasionally still think of me as I think of her? Does she still read the books that I've lent her? Does she still tremble in anger for woman's rights? Or viciously chase after Whistledown?

Eloise keeps her eyes forward as her tail drops, "I admit I felt terrible how the way things ended between us, but I could not stand it if Whistledown or rumors caused you to be in harms way. I am a woman of honor and you never put mine in jeopardy. I've been told I only talk and I seem to act before I think. I am sorry if I caused any disruption in your life."

Theo looks up as he watches the stars through the tree branches, " You didn't. I just hope - I hope you have found someone to bring you joy."

Eloise stomach clenches, she thought maybe, she had something with him. I mean he was the first person outside of the family and Lady Danbury to know about her other more beastie side.

They both were into questionable literature and he cared about equal rights for everyone. He challenged her in ways she didnt know she could be challenged.

Destiny had other plans and something deep inside knew that it was not him for her.

A flash of blonde in a lavender field flashes in her mind.

They enter a mountain side with torches blaring. A giant stone arch shows the entrance to a tunnel that digs deep in the ground.

Guards stand with hands on the hilts, their tall forms covered in armor stolen from past adventurers of medieval time. Some of the protective coverings are thick bark tied to their forms with vines. 

Green fur erupting on their stone colored skin, thick on their forearms and head. Many have braids in their beard, each braid signifying a victory in a battle. Their lion like tail swishing behind them as their white eyes swallow the minimal light provided.

Eloise stands as Theo waves a hand, "Greetings. I'm Master Sharpe and this is - "

The trolls all bow and Eloise forces herself to not cringe or flatten her ears, "Your highness, it's an honor that you've delivered these personally." 

Theo clears this throat, "She says it's been an honor."

He unrolls the parchment of orders and agreements, "It says here - "

"Easy young one, " a deep voice echoes.

Theo's brow ticks as he is yet again interrupted.

Eloise snorts out a laugh at his misfortune and he shoot sher a look.

A troll with a beard thick with green braids and two gold piercings in his right ear

Eloise nods and bows her head. Theo speaks, "King Bŏg. It's a pleasure for you to greet us personally. We've brought the shipment as requested. Queen Charlotte thanks you for honoring the deal and hopes that much will prosper between our people."

"Good, now let's see how you fight."

Before both young people can react, the King rushes forward and wacks the werewolf in the face. 

"Eloise!" Theo screeches as he magically makes his own staff appear.

Eloise back hits into a tree, causing the trunk to crack and she drops, catching herself on all fours. 

'Is she alright?!'

The rest of the trolls remain still, one clenches Theo's staff in one hand and hold him by a knife to his neck in the other.

A few Trolls stomp out a few patches of fire, that he manages to throw at them, before it spread to the woods.

Three lay unconscious.

Eloise releases a growl so loud that the earth itself seems to tremble. A few birds resting in their nests take for the sky.

A few guard balk and their King laughs, "Marvelous!"

Elosie and the King slowly circle one another, his tail swishing behind in like an irritated cat.

"I'm not sure what's going on, but I'll figure a spell to get us out of here." He thinks towards her.

"Shut up!" Eloise snarls as her eyes stay on her enemy. Not wanting to be distracted.

The King launches with a yell.

Eloise quick to dodge the punch this time, but a wooden club smacks into her side and her rage increases as pain erupts from her ribcage.

She quickly snaps her jowls onto the upper aspect of Bŏg's arm and he grunts.

He kicks, but her muscled leg are planted firmly into the ground, she grabs his other arm with her claws.

He bites her ear and tugs. Ripping flesh and blood spurts.

With a snarl mixed with a whine she let's go as her ear rips.

He spits out a tuff of fur and smiles, red coating his teeth as dark blue covers hers.

"Boy! What is the Lycan Queen thinking?" He asks as his eyes never strain from the she wolf, his grip on his club tightening.

"That your blood tastes like shit."

Many trolls laugh as their King smirks, "Ah, have a sense of humor, do yah?"

Eloise sneers and the King waves his hand, lime green sparkles and Eloise gasps as vines grab her feet and pull.

She grunts as her form gets dragged through the dirt and grass.

She quickly slashes the vines with her claws and the King swings, a small hole in the ground appears where Eloise head was. 

She leaps up and opens her mouth, the King quickly covers his neck with the wooden club, it splinters and cracks easily under her powerful jowls, his arms shake as Eloise uses her slightly taller form to press the Troll back.

His armor squeaks as her nails indent through the metal on his forearms to the flesh.

A determine sneer appears on her face as blue hell fire looks into white. 

A line of dirt forms as she pushed him back towards the cave, with a quick flick if her mouth the club flys and with both of his arms in her grip he widens his eyes as the werewolf roars.

She knows her instincts wants her to lean forward and rip his throat out. She wants to, but only the small aspect of humanity and training is keeping her from ending the threat. 

It be a political nightmare.

A slow clap sounds and Eloise looks over as Queen Charlotte smiles widely from the forest, "My, my must I say that was an entertaining fight!"

Eloise growls low as her eyes flicker from the Queen, to an almost guilty Brimsley, to a glowering warlock and finally a stoic witch.

"What is the meaning of this?" Both Theo and Eloise ask.

"A test," Master Hunt answers.

Eloise let's go of the King with a shove, showing her teeth one last time as multiple cuts and abrasions from the vines, and landings start to close.

A throbbing in her head soon makes an appearance as she leans up to touch her ear. Blood coats her pads and she turns as the Trolls start to take the sap off the wagon like nothing ever happened.

"A test?!" Theo shouts.

Master Hunt levels him with a glare, "We needed to see how you two would react to a diplomatic mission that went hostile. Her highness more than you. Your own feelings distracted you and let you be captured so easily. We will start with defense magic immediately. "

Theo grips his staff so hard his knuckles turn white, she doesn't need the mind melt to understand his feelings on the matter.

Queen Charlotte approaches the King as he proudly shows his bleeding wounds to his warriors, "A rare gift to survive such a wicked bite!"

"King Bŏg," she greets.

He turns and looks down, "Your highness." He picks up her hand and kisses the back, "You're beauty nearly outshines the wonders of the world."

She rolls her eyes, "Yes. I hope this batch will bring much joy to your people and I appreciate your helpfulness with Queen Eloise's training."

King Bŏg barks a laugh, "The pleasure is all mine. Not everyone gets to fight the primordial line and lives to tell the tale!"

Queen Charlotte quips, "Yes. I suppose not."

Lady Danbury steps forward to the heaving wolf, "You did well. I will discuss the following on your assessment tomorrow."

Eloise looks down to the witch and rips the necklace from her neck and drops it in front of her teacher.

Lady Danbury watches as the wolf runs into the woods.

Chapter 12

Eloise huffs out breaths of air as she sits at the edge of the meadow. 

In the night, rows of brick building rest, their occupants inside asleep. Fireflies glow and the nocturnal animals churp as they go about their lives.

Her injuries are a dull pain, over shadowed by the high of her run and the dwindling adrenaline from her fight.

Her teeth ache to sink into something, to rip apart. Her irritation from being a pawn in Lady Danbury's lesson. 

She would've questioned Theo's involvement if his own feelings of betrayal wasn't blasting over the mind link.

The beginning of town only 5 strides away, is she really going to do this? Risk years of careful hiding. Carefully blending into society?

Her instincts tell her to fuck her logic. She is the alpha predator and nothing and no one can tell her what to do.

Isn't she tired of always submitting to human and societal rules? To always follow Lady Danbury's word, without question?

She shifts on her feet, ears flicking away from the biting bugs as she wars between herself.

A tug in the direction grows.

With a snort, she runs and leaps. Her paws land and the roof creaks as she stills. Her gaze looks down on empty streets as some roof crumbles down onto the cobblestone.

Only drunkards or men returning from whore houses are out at this time. 

Even then, their laughter is a few blocks away.

Streetlamps flickering the small amount of light they offer.

Eloise shakes her body and starts her journey leaping between building rooftops. Her body moving on its own accord.

In a flash something rips a dress from a clothes line.

Carrying the cloth in her teeth, Eloise continues until she lands down in a garden.

Large canine ears flicker back and forth, listening for any alarms or shouts of fear. 

At the edge of the garden stands a long oak tree, thick branches spread out and at the end of one, a few feet away is a small balcony. 

Using her claws and strong forelimbs she climbs the oak and perches on the branch.

Inside the room is dark, the wolf's eyes can see silhouettes of a bed and changing curtain.

The scent she's looking for flows out strongest in this room.

She listens, inside a steady heart beats and shallow breaths indicate that someone is inside the room.

Eloise leaps and her body shifts as her toes test the cool marble of the balcony floor. 

The window reflects a naked girl with wild waves, her woman hood covered by holding the dress infront of her. Bright blue eyes blink.

She quickly puts on the material, lacing herself with the strings in the back.

Only to realize it's not a maids dress she grabbed but a harlot's.

The rust red cloth dipping into a low 'U'. Cream ruffle outline it to bring the gaze to the chest. 

Well Cressida has seen her in worse.

Eloise raps against the glass as loud as she dares.

Cressida starts as a tapping sounds from her balcony. Her heart increases as a figure hunching over as they fiddle with the french doors.

She quietly slips out of bed and grabs the firepoker as she holds it up as she undoes the lock.

Eloise looks up with wide eyes as a pale pink robe appears in her vision.

Cressida's own, blink owlishly, her grip slacking. Bewildered she asks, "Eloise?"

Eloise offers an awkward smile, "Hello."

Cressida rests her arm by her sides and the poker gives a little clink as it hits the wooden floor.

Cressida covers her heart as it tries to run out of her chest, "What in the world are you doing here?"

Cressida blinks, before ripping the girl inside. Eloise lets out a whispered yelp as she trips inside by the sheer force of Cressida's tug.

The blonde looks both ways for any of the guards in the garden. Satisfied no one seem to be there or coming to investigate, she shuts the doors. 

Relocking them.

Cressida turns pinching her nose, "Why in heaven's sake, are you out on my balcony in the middle of the night?"

Eloise looks as Cressida crosses her arms, her green eyes wide awake. Her blonde hair down in waves around her face and back. Eloise has an intrusive thought to run her fingers through it.

Eloise cringes, "Well you see - "

The blonde squints her eyes as she tries to focus on the body infront of her.

Cressida holds up a hand, "Wait. I can barely see you."

Eloise mouth shuts as Cressida expertly moves around the room.

Blue orbs look around. Never been in Cressida's house, let alone her room. 

Dark green coats the walls, as library shelves full of different jewelry sits. Mirrors hang and a piano rests in the corner.

A small writing desk, sits next to a lounge chair. Ropes hang on the wall to alert different staff of the young ladies needs.

A small fireplace rests next to the bed. A white quilt rest with pink flowers embroidered in the comforter. 

Everything seems systematic, except the bed sheets. It makes Eloise sad that there's nothing of personal value in here.

It is Cressida's room, surely there must be something in here that's personal for the young lady?

A sound of a match being struck echoes in the space and Cressida shakes her hand after lighting an candle.

"Better," she says more to herself.

She carries the said candle carefully and sits on the edge of the bed. Setting the flame on a night stand.

Cressida pats the area next to her and Eloise slowly sits down, shifting to try and get comfortable.

Cressida raises a brow, "How in the world did you get up on the balcony?"

Eloise shrugs, "I climbed the tree."

The blonde mouths twists open, "You what?"

The idea of bark, splinters and dirt on her own hands make her frown.

Eloise huffs, "It wasn't that far of a jump."

Cressida sputters, "Jump?!" Imagening a little thing like the brunette gripping the marble railing with trouble after shuffling the branch that hangs closest to her room. 

Cressida whacks Eloise's arm. The brunette startles and grabs her arm, "ow!"

Cressida leans closer to whisper shout, "Are you idiotic!?" Eloise rubs her arm with a pout as Cressida's own teeth sneer in anger. The girl could've been seriously hurt.

She leans back and scoffs, "Of course you are. Only a fool would attempt something like that."

Eloise rolls her eyes, "This is the last time I ever check on you."

Cressida pauses before looking to her, the brunette's bottom lip still jutted out. Her hair in waves, the candle's light illumating her face.

The shadows on her skin making the cheeks and jawline on the blue eyed girl to seem more elegant. More pronounced.

Eloise's face is one of natural beauty, Cressida's would understand it if even Aphrodite would grow jealous of.

She flicks her gaze away as Eloise's white skin shines with the candle light. Collar bones pronounced as more skin then she's ever seen on the girl shows. Cressida shifts away, trying to swallow, as she ignores the ample amount of cleavage.

Instead, choosing to focus on Eloise's words.

She bites her lip before hesitatingly asks, "You came to check on me?"

Eloise furrows a brow as a new scent colors the air, she turns to look at the girls face and thanks to her night vision can see red color the girl's cheeks.

Her throat dries, is Cressida being bashful? Cowper's get that emotion?

Eloise barely hears the whispered, shaky words. 

Rubbing the back of her head shyly, "I mean, Lady Danbury did drag me away when you were not up to par with the event. It's only right I make sure you faired well after my absence."

Eloise startles as Cressida leans forward to grasp her hand, green eyes lock on her blue, "You came all this way to see on me?"

Eloise freezes as the candle light makes Cressida's face glow. How could someone who displays such high standards of beauty not have the town battle themselves out for her hand?

A quiet rumble starts in her chest and the she wolf coughs to cover it.

Eloise leans away to get some distance, she looks to the wall with all the jewels.

Not wanting to watch the look of wonderment on her friend's face.

"It's not a big deal."

Cressida gently and slowly cups Eloise's cheek and makes the Bridgerton look back to her, she bends low to look up through her lashes, "I've never had a friend call on me before."

Eloise swallows, "Surely?"

Cressida nods and strokes a thumb across her cheek. It's so subtle she almost misses as Eloise flinches.

Her brows furrows and she looks at what could've caused such a reaction. 

Cressida's whole body tenses as discolored skin catches her attention. The small amount of candlelight almost doesn't illumatie the difference.

A green and yellow blotch covers the upper cheek and goes under the eye.

A cold fury latches onto her heart. She uses her other hand to twist Eloise face more into the light to get a better look.

Eloise eyes get caught staring at the flame flickering in the emerald gaze, Cressida's touch so feather light, so gentle.

"Who did this to you?" Cressida hisses.

Eloise blinks, "Huh?"

Cressida hard eyes flicker to Eloise, "Your face."

Eloise grumbles, "Rude. I was born with it."

Eloise watches with growing nerves as the Cowper girl's nostrils flare with anger.

Her stomach drops as Cressida stands. She opens her mouth, and shuts it with an audible click when cold green eyes flicker to her. 

Eloise's watches as she goes to a door behind the changing curtain, a sound of water hits a bowl and soon the blonde returns with a wet rag.

She gives Eloise the candle to hold and kneels down and holds her face with her hand. 

"What. Exactly. Happened?" Cressida asks tone clipped, a deep anger burns as fear mixes with the smell, "I assumed Lady Danbury took you to meet some gentlemen, but when I asked Miss Francesca. She informed me she had no idea where you went off too." 

The blonde dabs the area lightly, hoping the cold water will help. It's helps soothe her swollen lip in the past, after Father was in one of his more aggressive moods.

Eloise watches as the girl focuses on her task, "I had to help the Queen with something."

Cressida stops and looks over, "Help the Queen? Dressed like that?"

Eloise flushes as the girl raises a brow looking up and down on her attire, before continuing her gentle manipulations. 

Eloise huffs as she nods her head. Cressida looks down as the smaller girl bites her lower lip as she picks at the skin around her fingernails anxiously. 

She stands and sighs, "Eloise."

The girl tilts her head looking up. Cressida swallows at the almost guilty expression the baby blues shoots her. 

She turns her head the other way, "Let's say, I believe you. Can you tell me what happened?"

Eloise looks to her feet and shakes her head. Hair covering her face and Cressida sighs, twisting the soaked fabric.

Not caring if some water drips onto the floor.

She tilts her head up, "Are you okay?" 

Blue eyes widen, "I feel like I should be asking you that."

Green eyes flickers, her hand tightening on the rag as she spots blood coating Eloise's left ear, some crusted into the hair.

The blonde clenches her teeth together so tight she's surprised she didn't crack any.

Cressida goes and rings the bell that's attached to Bree’s quarters. 

Eloise looks to her in question.

Cressida sighs, "You have more injuries than you're letting on, aren't you?"

Eloise huffs, "I heal fast. This isn't anything to worry yourself about."

Cressida growls, "Well I am worried. My friend just scaled thirty feet in the air, wearing an improper gown covered in brusies and blood. Now, you won't tell me what you and Lady Danbury were doing for the Queen."

Cressida can feel her chest heaves as she tries to keep the voice low as she loses her composure on the situation.

Eloise slowly stands, the pain starting to make itself known and takes Cressida's hand, just as a small knock sounds.

Cressida looks towards the Bridgerton before sighing and going to let her maid in.

Bree barrels in with logs of wood in, "I've brought wood to start a fire so we can get a hot bath running. I was hoping the tea you took earlier today would help with the menstrual pain, but -"

Cressida's cheeks turn red as the maid stops and sees a rumpled harlot in the middle of her Mistress's room.

Bree turns with a look of apprehension, "Should I get a guard?"

Cressida clears her throat, "No, that's not necessary. I apologize for disturbing you this late, but it seems we have a visitor. Would you mind getting a bath ready and a change of clothes?"

Bree looks at the brunette in the low light, before sucking in a breath, she bows, "Apologizes, Miss Bridgerton. I've failed to have recognized you."

Eloise waves off the formality, ignoring as her side seems to protest the gesture,"Uh, it's fine. I barley recognize myself at the moment."

Bree shoots a wide eyed look to her Lady before dissappearing into the bath area to prepare everything.

Lighting three more candles to add more visibility to the room.

Eloise sighs as she waits, leaning against the back of the lounge chair. Hunger rumbles her stomach.

Cressida's eyes glance as the brunette tries to cover her stomach, and pretends to watch the moon. 

Bree clears her throat. The two high class ladies turn as she gestures towards the younger girl, "My Lady?"

Cressida eyes follow as she disappears behind the curtain. Steps stiff. The lack of shoes noticeable.

What was Eloise getting up to? She bites her lip in nerves.

Bree expertly undoes the built in corset on the dress. She gazes up as the Bridgerton girl stares at nothing, thoughts a million miles away.

When the fabric is lose, she helps the girl to disrobe, noteing how there's no undergarments. She's have to ask Ginger at the next social gathering what the heck her Lady is up too.

Bree will probably have an easier time convincing a rock to cry, the Bridgerton staff have always been tight lipped.

Bree let's out a tiny gasp as a large blue and black contusion colors the entire left side of Eloise's thorax. The mark wrapping from the front of her abdominal muscles, crawling up and around towards the spinal column.

Her fingers tremble, only picturing the worst, "My-y -"

Eloise grabs the shaking hand and Bree eyes widen as a powerful, predatory aura seems to wave off of the girl.

Eloise says very carefully, very quietly, "No one must know about this. Am I clear?"

Bree makes a motion to reject, before the Lady hand tightens only a miniscule amount. Eyes flash with a warning.

She swallows, "Yes."

Hearing the truth in the words, Eloise releases the maid's hands and allows herself to be escorted to the bath.

The room itself is a decent size, in the corner a fresh chamber pot. A small brick fireplace in the other to heat up water and keep it fresh, the fire already cracking. A small cabinet with a bowl and pitcher set a top to wash hands. That's where Cressida must've gotten the wet cloth from. Then in the center, a giant tub sits. Steam coming from the water as purple petals floats from the waters surface. A small stool for the lady maid to sit rests at the head, probably to make it more comfortable to help their mistress bathe.

Cressida stands outside the door as Bree exits, face pale. 

At Cressida's concerned expression, Bree shakes her head. Something startling must've happened. They both hear the brunette hiss as she enters the tub. 

Eloise slowly enters, she is unable to see herself clearly as something added to the water making it murky. 

She sighs as her sore muscles relax as the heat of the bath, hits.

"Miss Cressida," Bree whispers. Cressida turns as the maid  shallows, "I'm not sure what exactly your relationship with Miss Bridgerton pertains but, " the flash of the trauma the poor girl must of gone through enters her head, "I think she could really use a friend right now." 

Cressida watches as the maids eyes fill with tears. She sets an arm on the woman, "Why don't you make us some tea and maybe scrounge something up for Miss Bridgerton to eat."

The maid shoots her eyes to the washroom and Cressida braces herself, "It'll be fine. I can assist."

Bree looks to Cressida to make sure its okay, before nodding and quickly make her way to the kitchens.

Cressida takes a deep breath, if it shook poor Bree up after witnessing what happens in this house she can only imagine.

"Eloise?" Cressida calls from the doorway. 

"Hm?" She answers. Eloise had her head on the back of the tub with her eyes closed. Enjoying the scent and heat of the bath. The aching muscles greedily soak it up as the cuts go from stinging to content. 

"Would it be okay if I entered?" The blonde questions.

Eloise nearly swishes a good chunk of the water out as she whips her head over to the door. What is she supposed to say? It's Cressida's wash room, she glances towards the cloudy water, surely she cannot see anything? 

Eloise stutters, "You may come in."

Cressida enters slow, careful to keep her eyes locked onto the far corner of the room. Making note of how Bree lit more candles to make seeing easier.

Eloise shrinks down into the water, midface as she sees the older woman swallow as she asks, "Is everything okay?"

Eloise blows out a few bubbles before steadying herself. She's the queen of the lupine line, she's maintaing control under the duress of a full moon. She even just fought the King Troll and won! A mere young lady should be nothing.

Gritting her teeth she slides her hands to the lip of the tub, she makes sure the water laps to her collarbones before huffing, "You can look in my direction Cressida."

The blonde's muscle lock before turning towards her, even then eyes are on the wall in her direction.

Eloise chuckles, "We're both girls Cressida. I'm sure I have nothing you don't."

Cressida purses her lips and inhales the flowery scent she's fond of and glances down at the girl.

A few tendrils of hair float in the tub, the wet arms lay on the upper lip, the water steams as it comes to rest at the girls mid chest. She could kiss Bree for adding milk to make the water murky. 

Cressida watches as the brunette raises a brow with a smirk, "See was that so hard?"

Cressida spine is painfully straight and hands clasp together. Eloise is afraid the wrong word will cause the girl to get so wound up she'll split herself in two, or bolt from the room.

"How bad is it?"

Cressida jolts as she flicks her focus on the blue eyes, "I'm sorry?"

Eloise points to her face, right to the bruise, "This little thing."

Cressida steps forward, glancing at the bath water. The body outline barely visible. 

She leans down, "It's still an unpleasant color, but the swelling does seem to be going down."

Eloise is unsure if it's from her healing or the temperamental treatment.

Cressida goes to lean back when she catches a leaf to be tangled in the brown waves.

She grins as she pulls it out, "You Bridgertons are always so discomposed at times."

Eloise huffs as she turns, as a smirking Cressida twirls the leave in her fingers.

"Well, at least we don't have a stick shoved up our arses." 

Cressida sighs, "No, but you seem to get in different types of trouble."

She looks at the bruise and fingertips nearly touch the sensitive area, wishing she could take away the pain.

She's not as outwardly mad ,but inside she still wants to snap whoever dared to touch the girl in that way.

If Vicount Bridgerton doesn't have the man or woman swinging in the town square, Cressida will personally be doing her own man hunt.

Bree knocks as she enters, a tray of tea and heated beef soup, the brunette's hungry gaze lands on her almost immediately.

Eloise almost drools as her eyes land on the food. Thankfully, she doesn't have to wait long as the woman brings it over.

She nearly rips it from the poor soul's hands, as she doesn't bother with the offered spoon and inhales the stew. Pouring it into her mouth.

Cressida and Bree both glance to each other in surprise as the girl sits up to get more height to tilt the bowl more upward.

Cressida yelps internally as she turns her attention elsewhere.

The top of the creamy, perky flesh, foam from the added soap sticks to the skin. Luckily, she only caught a glimpse of the top of that womanly area, before the poor girl showed off more of her breasts. 

Or unlucky as the indecency seems to stick to her mind as her heart races and she tenses as Eloise moans.

"Oh God's, this is the best thing I've ever eaten."

Heat flushes in her cheeks as her core clenches. 

Bree chuckles, "Do they not feed you over there in the Bridgerton house?"

Cressida can tell the underlying anger in her maid's voice at the thought.

"No, they do quiet well actually. I've just seemed to miss midday and evening meals with my activities of today."

Bree hums, "Well let me wash your hair and I can get you another bowl."

Bree starts to roll up her sleeves and Cressida mind pauses as she invisions Bree’s hands on Eloise's neck and shoulders. Her stomach twists at the thought. 

Cressida steps forward, "That's not necessary. I can do it while you retrieve another meal for Miss Bridgerton."

Bree and Eloise both blink at the blonde.

Bree clears her throat, "Uh, I really don't mind."

Cressida waves a hand, "Nonsense." She steps between the two, "I can handle this."

Bree's brows furrow as she glances between the two girls, "Um, okay miss." She starts to walk away, glancing back, before shaking her head.

Eloise tilts her head as the blonde plasters a fake smile facing towards her, "Uh, Cress. You okay?"

A nervous anger pulses as the girl lies, "I'm fine."

Cressida walks around and plants herself onto the stool. She's witness Bree and others do this a thousand times. Surely, it cannot be that difficult. 

She looks down and sighs in relief as Bree had already set down a container of shampoo,a small cup, and a brush.

Cressida goes to grab Eloise's hair when she pauses, "Um," she licks her lips, "Is it okay if I start to wash your hair now?"

Eloise scoots a small amount forward, before revealing her back to the girl she takes a deep breath and turns around.

Cressida stares as the heat has made Eloise's face have a glow and cheeks red. The moisture causing her wavy hair to curl more. 

"Cressida, when I turn around. Whatever you see, must remain between the two of us. You cannot even discuss it with your hand maid." 

So this is what caused Bree to turn sickly.

Cressida looks down, "I don't know if I can keep the secret. Not if it puts you in more danger if I keep my mouth shut."

Eloise smiles, a small appreciation swirls internally, "You have my word I'm not in any danger if you keep this between us."

Cressida looks for any deception before nodding.

Eloise slowly sits up and grabs her knees to keep herself from revealing more private parts of herself. She tenses as Cressida's gasp.

Shame floods her that she cannot consult her friend with the fact that she'll be healed by no later than tomorrow afternoon.

Cressida covers her mouth as blue and green colors Eloise's side. The pain that's she's gone through.

Nothing but raw sympathy and vengeance spreads as she grabs the cup and shakily fills it. 

"Tilt your head back," Cressida commands as she keeps her promise. That ugly bruise coloring her friend's skin isn't even there, she tells herself.

Eloise listens as a tear escapes, gliding down her cheek as she feels the blonde's thoughts. Grateful and Guilty.

Warm water gets poured over her, Cressida is cautious to keep it from dripping down into her eyes. 

Eloise nearly purrs as long nails scrape against her scalp as the fingers comb through her hair. Carefully plucking out twigs and leaves and detangleing knots.

"It was an accident," Eloise whispers after a long moment.

Cressida bites her cheek, careful to keep the anger internal, "I'm doubtful this was an accident."

"It was a political problem."

Cressida pauses. At her silence verbally and physically, Eloise continues.

"Lady Danbury sometimes goes with the Queen as a buffer, if you will call it that, with some of the other countries politicians. She's been training me to help handle with royal obligations and to be a ambassador of the crown."

Cressida watches as the brunette hugs herself tighter, "It's a secret. No one in my family is permitted to talk about it."

She glances down to the mark and grabs the shampoo, applying it the the ends of the gorgeous hair first.

"There was a trade to be taken tonight. We were supposed to drop it off, make sure all the paperwork was in order and leave."

Cressida's nails scrap against her head, making sure soap doesn't go near or on her face. Eloise arches more into the massage, enjoying the gentle touch.

"Then there was an attack."

Cressida stops as she looks to the side of the younger girl's face. 

Eloise swallows, "It was unfortunately unexpected and it was to be made on friendly grounds of no weapons. They came fast toward us and the other person who was helping me."

"And Lady Danbury?" Cressida asks.

Eloise swallows and grits, "She was unaware, distracted with the contract details. By the time she got there it had ended."

Cressida washes the soap out, "How did you..."

Eloise shrugs, "I fell off the wagon after someone accidentally elbowed me in the face. I landed on the bridge rails on my side, nearly thought I broke a rib." 

Cressida focuses as she twists the water out of her hair, grabbing the brush, "Why you? Must you continue this help of the Queen?" 

Eloise lets out a deprecating laugh, "You have no idea how many times I wish that. Wish things could be different."

Cressida frowns and glances to the wound. She gently touches it and Eloise freezes as she trails her hand up to her shoulder and across her chest pulling Eloise closer.

The blonde sets her back against the end of the tub and gives her a loose hug, "For what it's worth, thank you, for trusting me. You can seek comfort in me for this anytime." 

Eloise lets the girl hug her, a small weight lifting from her shoulders.

A knock sounds and Eloise tenses up shooting her face towards Cressida's bedroom door as she hears Bree say, "Lady Cowper?!"

Cressida's mother turns to the maid, "I thought I heard footsteps and talking. Why on earth are you both up at this hour?! She needs her rest for the social functions!"

Bree blanches, "Well you see Miss Cowper's monthly bleeding - "

Mrs. Cowper tsks, "Tha girl."

She opens the door and now both Cressida and Eloise can hear Bree’s protest, bowl rattling as she carries it, "I have everything handled ma'am. You really don't -"

Eloise and Cressida both look at each other in fear. 

Mrs. Cowper's face pinches in irritation as the maid tries to block her way. 

Three candles lighting the room, causing a dull light. Her eyes scan the bed and sees it's empty. Bree hurries over and kicks the red dress under a curtain.

Honestly, her daughter should've just delt with it until morning, not run her maid ragged. 

"Move out of my way Bree," the Lady orders.

Bree looks back to the bath with wide eyes, unknowingly how to explain, let alone what's going to happen to her mistress once she sees Miss Bridgerton there in the tub.

"I-I, just, y-you see -"

Lady Cowper steps forward and levels a glare, "If you don't move out of my way I will let you go."

Bree shakes as she looks down at her feet and steps to the side, wishing she were braver.

Mrs. Cowper enters the wash room and raises a brow at her daughter as she lounges in the tub.

Her head rest as she seems almost asleep. Water lapping to her chin.

"Cressida,"her mother snaps.

She opens a green eye and looks over, "Oh, what are you doing up at this hour?"

Mrs. Cowper puts her hands on her hips, "I can hear your maid rushing through the halls and your talking. You're lucky it's me and not your father who woke."

Cressida looks down guilty, "Sorry. The tea failed to help with the cramping."

The older woman relaxes, "Well finish up and go to bed. And let your maid get some rest."

Cressida nods as she ignores Bree's eyes dashing around the room, soup still in hand.

They both watch as the Mistress of the house leaves and as soon as the door clicks, Cressida stands up and her bed robe drips down a mountain of water.

Eloise gasps as she sits up from under the water, Cressida slaps a hand over the poor girl mouth as she coughs.

Bree slouches against the wall in relief,"Oh god, you two gave me such a fright!"

Cressida rubs soothing circle on the girl's back, "Are you okay?"

Eloise nods as she turns to the maid with tears in her eyes.

Her eyes sparkle. Her voice slightly hoarse asks, "Is that more soup?"

Cressida and Bree look at each other before muffling their laughter

Chapter 13

It's been five days. Five days, since the Bridgerton snuck out of her room in the early morning. 

Cressida looks up as her linguistics professor writes sentences in different languages for Cressida to say back in English. 

She sighs as she ponders on the event, the one that made her almost become proud of. The moment where she faced her mother without fear.

...

"My mother..." Cressida trails off in horror as Bree stutters out in the main bedroom. She stands from the wooden stool and goes to cut her mother off, but a hand wraps around her wrist.

Fingers tighten.

Cressida whips around, hair flying in her face as she whispers, "Eloise!" This is a moment to be hasty.

Eloise looks up with big eyes, "Get in."

Cressida's brain short circuits, "Excuse me?"

Eloise heart flies to her throat as she hears Lady Cowper growl at Bree, she gulps. Looking into Cressida's eyes guilty,"Sorry."

Before Cressida can ask with a confused look, she inhales a yelp as she gets roughly pulled into the tub. 

Cressida gasps as she gets soaked and the water sloshes. Her legs are between Eloise's and she has on hand on the lip of the tub by Eloise's head. Their other hands ended up intertwined.

Blue eyes widen as Cressida's own blink centimeters apart. 

The footsteps near the entry, and Eloise grabs Cressida's hips and takes a gulp of air.

She plunges underneath as she flips Cressida over and pulls to have her lay ontop. Hoping Lady Cowper cannot see her body in the murky water. 

Thankfully, Eloise is able to hold her breathe for a few minutes. Colin and Benedict taken to see if they could outlast her at the lake in the summer when she first shifted. Mother scolding them on how she was scared if Eloise would never resurface. 

Cressida quickly scoots lower in the tub, trying to hide the fact she has clothes on. She hopes the reddening of her cheeks are chalked up to the warmth water and not on the fact she's laying ontop of a very naked Eloise. 

Cressida swallows as fingers flex on her hips and she can feel where her bottom rests on a soft mass.

The blonde heart beats hurriedly as she prays her mother just leaves so she doesn't drowned the poor girl.

She blinks as her mother exits, relief so big it's nearly a religious experience. 

It's the first time she succeeded in lying to her parent. The rebellious act almost makes her giggle.

Eloise taps her hip and she quickly stands.

When Cressida's weight lifts, Eloise emerges from the tub her sigh turns into a shocked gasp. Soaked cloth seems to stick to the blonde like a second skin. More curves show on the lean girl, more than Eloise has ever had the pleasure of seeing. She inhales, not noticing at how her mouth was still at water level. 

Cressida's warm hand tries to cover her mouth as she turns away from the older girl. 

A warm aroma circles the air as green orbs look concerned for the hacking brunette.

Eloise tries to play off the intense moment by following her hungry belly. 

It works. Bree and Cressida laugh and the Lady's maid helps the blonde get dress.

Eloise eyes flicker away, not daring to look at the backside of her friend. The soaked cloth more of a second skin.

Soon dried and dressed, Cressida sits on the end of her bed. Braiding the wet locks when Eloise emerges, the pink almost makes her smaller, fragile.

Bree sat down to "give herself a quick break" now snores emit from her direction.

A warm smile disappears at the brunette's next words, "Thank you for your hospitality, but I should leave before I get you into trouble."

Cressida balk as she looks at Eloise, her nightgown drowning the shorter girl , "You cannot leave. What if someone sees you trampsing toward your house in these night wear? It'll end up in Whistledown by the end of the week."

Eloise huffs, "I cannot stay. What shall I do? Join you for your morning meal? Thank the man for his daughter's hospitality?"

Cressida cringes, "Well, no. But -" 

Eloise shakes her head and steps forward, "I will not allow you to get in trouble for my error," she goes to squeeze her hands, "I'll be fine . "

Cressida swallows, glancing as Bree sleeps on her lounge chair behind them. Small steady breathes leaving the poor maid, she insisted on staying incase they would need anything else for Eloise. It means the world that Cressida can trust someone else like this.

Cressida sighs, "I shall help you sneak downstairs."

Eloise waves her off as her quiet footsteps lead through the french doors.

Cressida's heart jumps as she goes to quickly pull her back, she's not honestly about to - 

Cressida's stomach drops as the girl leaps from the railing and grabs onto the tree branch. The blonde races forward, knuckles white on the railing as the brunette swings her legs before doing a flip landing on the ground, soundless as a cat.

Cressida's jaw drops as she watches the girl stand up slants her head to the side. 

Her mouth dries, that was...impressive.

The bruised cheek puffs as Eliose smirks up at her with her hands on her hips.

Cressida hisses as fearful anger hits, "Are you bloody crazy?! Do you wish you injure yourself futher?"

Eloise smile dims, "No?"

Cressida almost smacks herself in the face at the girl's imperitance of her own health. 

A guards voice sounds and Cressida swears as she looks over to see a man with a lantern stalk through the gate, when she turns to warn Eloise, she's already gone.

....

"Miss Cowper am I boring you with today's lessons?" The instructor asks with barely concealed irritation.

Cressida clears her throat, "No, my apologies. I wasn't aware you were done."

She picks up the paper and translates German, Russian, French, Italian and Japanese with ease. 

Her father is the head of a merchant company, already speaking multiple languages himself.

He says that Cressida must learn if he'd ever wish to marry her off to "crease his trading port range."

A Cowper must be refined and the best.

So, the best she must be at everything she is taught. Writing formal letters, math, some geographic areas and tons of languages. Then at feminine instruments, needlepoint, riding, running a house and looks.

Looks are specialized, her grip on the latest fashion and hair styles exceeding anyone else's in the ton. The need to outshine everyone and make herself seem like a rare gem, is about the only worth she has in her father's eye.

Her body lean and toned. From taking hours upon hours of dance lessons and a strict diet. 

Eloise once joked about a life of vegetables when talking about Lord Debling, only if she knew that she was almost already there.

The instructor nodded, "Very good. It seems you have done your readings as told. I will conclude today's lesson for today."

Cressida sits up with hope, Mother and Father are to be gone to rest of the evening.

Gone to some opera. Her lessons where to go long into the night, but according to the clock on the far wall it's only three.

She tries to keep the smile off of her face as she nods for Bree to clear the refreshments offered.

A guard escorts the man from the house and Bree turns to her mistress with excitement, a rare opportunity of freedom, "What would you like to do today, ma'am?"

Cressida smiles in eagerness as she instructs, "Get the carriage, let's see how our late night friend is doing."

...

Bree nods to the doorman in thanks as he leads them inside. The Bridgerton town house is bright, clean and most importantly welcoming.

Were the Cowper's looks like a home designed to house Dracula, the Bridgerton's is to hold the more kinder creatures, as its residency.

Ginger bounds her way down the steps into the foyer, carrying a basket of her Mistress's clothes.

She blinks as Miss Cowper and her maid wait patiently for permission to come inside further.

She shifts the basket into her hip, "If you're looking for Miss Eloise she's outside with her brothers."

Miss Cowper, Cressida, she recalls from the summer and few visits, nods in thanks. Feet shifting as she waits. Fan waving in front of her face to help expel some nervous energy. 

Bree looks to her Lady and rolls her eyes. The two have an interesting bet going. The two maids becoming friends themselves.

Ginger bites her lip, an dangerous idea forming.

"Why don't you follow me? I'll take you to her," the red haired maid offers before turning to lead to the back yard.

Higher heeled shoes than her own clank against the tile.

Bree is kind enough to skip ahead to grab the door as they exit the house.

Cressida stops as she sees two people battling it out in white. Both wearing pants, one a brown leather tight against toned muscled legs. Other black dress pants, made with much looser cloth.

Benedict applauding and offering snideing commatary as he rests on the stone wall, next to a stoic Anthony. 

His amusement hidden, except for an occasional tick of the corner of his lip as he assesses the one fencer. 

A young Gregory sits atop the wall, kicking his feet enjoying the show.

Colin grunts as he lunges. The other fencer with a mask rolls on the grass to dodge. Staining their white top with green.

Ginger already scowls at the scrubbing she'll have to accomplish to get rid of them.

Not easy being the young lupine's maid.

Colin tries to pressure the lower swordsman with the advantage of his height. 

The other makes a yawning mouth with their hand towards their mask, "Bet you wish you weren't out all night now!"

Benedict shouts, "Come on, Colin! Where has your big talk gone?"

Colin shoots a glare that will cost him, as the competitor seems to blur, as they stand and flick a point on his chest.

Gregory pats his leg, "That's final point!"

Cressida breath catches as Eloise rips off the mask, her wavy hair in a high ponytail, sweat causes some of the strands to stick to her face as she whoops.

She turns with a devilish grin, "I believe, I should receive half of what Anthony owes you brother. As I am the reason, why you won it."

Benedict ruffles her hair, "Keep dreaming."

Eloise nose tickles as she turns around and looks up to a wide eyed Cressida.

The girl in sea foam green, has the fan in a crushing grip, heart beating mile a minute as she swallows thickly. Biting her lip hard.

Eloise looks the Ginger who wears a shit eating grin. Knowing how fond Eloise is of the blonde. 

Eloise looks towards Anthony and he sighs, "We'll talk later, go."

Benedict snickers at her fond expression as the girl runs to her friend.

Anthony mentally stores the input he has of Eloise's training. She has improved her sword and feet work a lot over the summer, but much still needs to be addressed. Lady Danbury insists now that Eloise has more control over herself, that more physical training is to be taught. 

Sword play, boxing, fighting in both forms, fixing physical wounds, controlling strength and speed.

He wishes he could free her of her responsibilities and obligations of both societies. Let her be a child of the moon freely. 

If she is to be the last, then let her enjoy it.

Eloise dusts the dirt off her palm by patting her hands against her pants, "Cressida. What do I owe this pleasure?"

Cressida glances at the clinging material before bringing her eyes to sparkling blue.

"I finished my lessons early. I was hoping to check in on you," she says as the skin on the brunette seems to be flawless. Her brows furrow in curious.

Eloise stills as she ponders something for a moment, she takes the pale hand, "Ginger would you mind helping Bree bring tea and lunch to my room? I'd appreciate it, if you could get fresh baked goods from the market."

She drags Cressida to her room. The long legged girl has a hard time to catch up with Eloise's enthusiasm.

The brunette shuts the door and presses her head against the door. Her more instinctual nature had been gnashing it's teeth when the flowery scent was detected.

Something is brewing, but she cannot tell what. 

Eloise assumes it's Colin, smelling of bottle and ladies. Multiple ladies.

Agitation bubbles. The sweet victory over her older brother sedates her bloodlust only temporary.

Eloise walks up to the taller girl and launches. The poor blonde startles as she looks down, both arms being held awkwardly in the air. 

"Uh, Eloise?"

Eloise tightens her hug, a hair, "Please, just a moment longer."

The she wolf greedily inhaling the warm scent, shoulders relaxing the first time in days.  

Lady Danbury has been conspiring with Anthony about her physical training, and the increase aggression has made her twitchy. 

She has spent so long locking away her more dangerous instincts and now they want her to embrace them?

Eloise legs nearly give out as long nails comb through her hair. 

Cressida gives a soft smile as Eloise nuzzles into her chest. Normally, she would be a flustered mess, but she supposes with as many siblings as Eloise possess, physical affection is common. 

Friends can hug just as siblings do.

Eloise blinks almost sleepily, as she backs away.

Her cheeks turn rosey, "Sorry, I've had a few stressful days."

Cressida brings her hand up to cup her cheek, "You're face looks remarkably healthy." 

Eloise grumbles, "Ginger is extremely helpful with makeup." 

Cressida looks at her ribs with worry, "Does your brother know of your afflection?" 

Eloise sighs as she sits on her bed,the blonde joins.

The brunette leans back, plopping down into the soft material, "Anthony does. He's been training me to help me "protect myself"." 

Before Cressida can respond, Bree bolts in, the door slamming. 

Eloise jumps up and shoves Cressida behind her. Her teeth enlarge as she bites her lip when she recognizes the maids.

A haggard Ginger not far behind, "Apologizes Miss."

Bree gasps in a breath, "We ran as soon as we heard."

Cressida peaks from behind, "Yes?" Annoyed at the interruption.

Ginger and Bree glance to each other. A silent communication as Bree steps forward, "It seems that Lord Debling plans on asking for Penelope Featherington hand at tonight's ball."

Chapter 14

Ginger twists Eloise's hair in an updo, ignoring the harden glances that are pointed in her direction, reflected in the mirror.

She takes a diamond pin from her mouth and shoves it into the complex bun, the girl curls her lip as it stabs her head, "You can stop giving me dirty glances." 

Eloise grumbles and the exasperated maid tugs a hair from her bangs, "What is it my Lady? You know I didn't think your friend would've bursted out of the house after the deliverance of the news."

The blonde stood and her complexion paled considerable as her maid, Bree, raced toward her. Coaxing her to return home to get ready. 

For the ball or the older Cowper's reaction to the news, unknown. 

Eloise leans backward and Ginger holds the girl's strong shoulders. The red head feeling older than the mere twenty seven years, having started working when she turned fifteen. Then silently supporting the family from Vicount Edward's passing and then being the only one willing to serve under Eloise after the change.

"Regardless, Miss Cowper seems like an unassailable lady. I'm sure even if Lord Debling choses another," careful to not mention the other red head that was in Eloise's life, "she will be fine."

Eloise's bites the inside of her cheek, her instincts telling her the opposite. 

A knock sounds and they both turn as Violet enters, an almost purplish dress covers her figure. Her necklace and earings match as they glitter off of the candlelight.

Ginger curtsys as her mother's eyes flicker to Eloise, "The carriage just pulled up. Are you ready?" 

Eloise turns and Ginger nods, "I believe she is." 

Eloise sighs and stands, taking her mother's arm as they walk toward the carriage.

...

Eloise narrows her eyes as Lady Danbury takes a seat next to her. 

The witch lifts a brow as the werewolf nearly rolls her eyes and grumbles as she looks away.

"Still angered at me since the test?" Lady Danbury queries. The girl skipping or outright remaining in her wolf form as she attends the training. 

The girl's near disrespectful sneers and quiet snarls for the past week are the only warning before she attacks Lady Danbury's spells with scary viciousness. 

Her illusions switching between friend and foe. Eloise has yet to make a mistake in her aggression. 

The witch is almost proud. 

"What gave it away?" Eloise whispers, to not let her mother know of her behavior towards the family friend.

The witch lips tick in a smile as she remains in her composure, "The gypsum orb informed me so," she teases.

Eloise side glances, the only thing giving away to the teasing is the witches scent. Even then it's only because Lady Danbury allows it. The older woman having perfected a defense to her pupil's talents.

Eloise huffs as Francesca's suitor shares a seat next to them, as the crowd takes their final seats. The hopeful male looks to her sister and blue eyes nearly roll out of her head. She doesn't miss the longing glance directed at the dark male as the crowd starts to get quiet.

Everyone, who is anyone is here tonight.

Eloise can scent Penelope and her mother easy, but the lavender scent fails to make it's appearance.

Soon the room darkens and the light focuses and Eloise eyes widen as a male nymph and female fae stand. 

Her nostrils flicker as the two start with music humming from the corner of the room. The dark female starting on the ground with the male with leaves made of gold on his torso. The magic causing a shimmering gleam over their skin as their glamour convinces those of their appearances to be human.

The male acting of bursting magic into the female as they tell an ancient story of the fae king falling in love with a human female, fated mates. 

Eloise looks on, she wants to mournfully howl as something deep, ancient calls to her. Like to pull of the moon, but somehow more intimate. If the moon is an old friend, this is a call of heartbreak. 

The crowd claps as Eloise discreetly wipes away tears as she sniffles.

Lady Danbury leans forward and pats her shoulder, "It's okay to cry. The dance is known for pulling buried feelings to the surface."

Eloise stays as her family stands and mingles. Her blue eyes staying on the dance floor, as she wrestles with herself. 

She wishes nothing but to go into the woods and run whatever is clawing at her chest away.

"Eloise! There you are, I've been searching for you all evening," Cressida greets as she sits down next to her.

The heartbreak, eases.

Eloise watches as the blonde picks up her pink dress, the puffed sleeves make of some type of reflective material. 

Eloise crosses her arms, "Are you sure you want to converse with me? Or should you run away if another suitoor is taken?"

Cressida sags as she looks away, she guiltily asks, "I'm sorry for running out on you this morning. I wasn't sure what I would return home too."

Eloise curses herself for letting her frustrations go so easily, as green eyes look to her so full of sorrow.

Cressida hesitatingly puts her hand on Eloise's gloved forearm, "I am apologetic, Eloise. I couldn't sleep if I knew you'd have ire with me." 

Eloise battles as she grits out, "Fine,but I get your chocolate covered strawberries the next tea party."

The blonde shakes her head, the brunette so easily forgiving. She's everything unlike Cressida herself.

Cressida's returning smile catches Eloise off guard, as the blonde tilts, "Deal. You are unlike many people Eloise, how do you find the courage to be so different?"

Eloise scoffs at herself, "It is not courage. Sometimes I believe it's because people cannot think the way I do."

Cressida raises a brow, "Oh? Like thinking jumping off a two story balcony is utterly normal?"

Eloise coughs, cheeks pinking, "I didn't say all my ideas where good."

Cressida sighs almost in annoyed amusement as the brunette scratches the back of her neck as she chuckles awkwardly.

Her green eyes flicker down as a blonde man and red hair twirl. She sags as she watches her choice, dance with his soon to be fiancé. 

Eloise follows her gaze and bumps her shoulder to the taller girl's, "You will find another. It's is his loss." 

Cressida bites her lip as any hope vanishes, "Perhaps, but I fear my father will not let me choose much longer."

Eloise lowers her head and pouts, "Perhaps, you could be like Lady Danbury?"

Cressida suppresses a shudder, "I'm afraid all of my father's friends are a picture of health. Most are older than him as well."

The wooden rails of the seat creak, as Eloise grabs them, anger and despair build as the blonde seems to curl into herself. 

"I will make sure you get your choice, Cressida," Eloise vows.

Cressida looks over with bitter hope as she gives a watery smile, "Regardless, as long as I have a friend like you by my side. I'm sure I can handle anything." 

Eloise returns the grim smile.

Across the hall, Brimsley narrows his eyes as his Queen sweeps her attention to her diamond. 

"I believe that Whistledown will have to write about this. Of my success," Charlotte muses as she watches her plan work. 

Brimsley glances as the witch talks with the younger lady and back to his queen, "Have you thought of a plan B?"

Charlotte turns around, her crystal swans click in protest against the movement, "Are you saying my brilliant masterpiece is flawed?" 

Brimsley clears his throat, "No, your majesty. I think that it's always good to have a backup in case the game switches from checkers to chess " 

Her eyes narrow as she ponders, "What do you have in mind?" 

Brimsley glances at the two girls, human and wolf before leaning down to whisper.

The queen soon outrage as the glass of lemonade in her picked sutiors hand remains, undrank.

Cressida tries to pay attention as Eloise continues her theories as a tall blonde male stomps his way passed their seats. 

Cressida's eyes flicker between the man, the wide eyed Penelope and her frowning mother.

She doesn't wish to ditch the girl again, but there may not come another opportunity to possibly salvage the chance to get Lord Debling to consider her.

"Excuse me, Eloise. I believe we will return to this conversation at a later time," She hurriedly picks up her dress and marches down to intercept the male. 

"Lord Debling!" 

Like a whip, his form freezes as he turns, his face frowns as Cressida plasters a smile of her own, "You're too handsome for social ruin," she holds out her hand, "Shall I help you finish this dance?" 

Lord Debling sighs and takes the gloved hand. 

Eloise's mouth opens and close as she watches the two turn across the dance floor. Her teeth grit together as she looks away.

Her heart beats as her brother dances with Penelope, his words echo loudly in her ears, "Pen you cannot marry him. You...barely know him."

"They do seem upset do they not?"Cressida ponders as the two blondes look to the pair.

Eloise listens to the conversations of the two most important people in her life.

Her claws threaten to grow as her eyes flicker between the two couples, like a game of catch. 

Lord Debling is to leave for an exploration, Colin is upset of his worthiness, Cressida is left to try to ensure the embarrassed Lord doesn't fall from grace. 

A wounded stag. 

The wolf watches as the buck limps away. Leaving the fox and mountain lion hungry, like any alpha she'll provide for the pack. She gives one last glance to the fox as her brother chases her and the mountain lion sits as her mother growls over her.

"Lord Debling!" She calls, as the man gets into his carriage. 

The Lord either ignores her or doesn't hear her as he shuts the door. 

Eloise growls as she uses some speed and grabs onto the door and the man startles as she rips it open.

The coachman pulls on the reins for the horses to slow and the Lord grabs the girl's dress and pulls her in. 

The coachman gasps as he peers in, "My Lord!" 

Eloise turns and orders, "Go to the edge of the woods on the east edge of the town. Past the orchard."

Lord Debling sits up, wanting to go home, "Miss Bridgerton this is most improper-"

She looks to him and pleas, "Please, my Lord. I will explain."

The coachman waits as the blonde man sighs, deeply, he waves a hand and Eloise nearly grins as the coach listens to her direction.

Lord Debling drags his hand down his face, wishing for a drink, "What is it?"

Eloise turns to him, "What if I show you something here, in Mayfair that's more interesting than anything you'll find on your artic journey?"

Lord Debling blinks, as he looks over her, "Excuse me?"

Eloise leans closer to the man in the already tight space. The blonde man tries to remain proper as he keeps himself back away as the girl gets closer to his face.

Her nostrils flare.

"Miss Bridgerton," he pleas as he looks away. His whole body screams uncomfortably a bit afraid of what "exploration" she means.

She sits back, "You has a tuna salad for dinner and some champagne at the ball."

He opens his mouth, brows furrowed as she continues.

"You wear German cologne, and use honeysuckle scented shampoo. Your left pocket as a single match and your right has a the ring you were going to purpose with. By the smell, it was a family heirloom recently dug out of storage. Grandmother's I'm guessing?" 

Lord Debling looks to her with bewilderment. 

Eloise sighs as she turns to him, taking her gloves off, "I need your absolute word, based on everything you hold dear, that what I show you remains between us." 

The blonde man still has a scent of being skeptical and Eloise growls.

The man startles as glowing eyes and long canines erupt from the girl's mouth as she snarls quietly, her ears pointed and he gaps.

His eyes flicker in wondered fear as the girl sits and lifts her chin. 

She swallows, "Will you listen now?" 

The man nods.

Eloise keeps her form as the man stares in quiet contemption. The carriage rocks on the uneven ground as she looks to him.

"You have questions?" 

Lord Debling swallows, "What are you?"

Eloise shrugs, "A werewolf."

The man balks out a laugh, "That's impossible."

She lifts a brow and points at herself letting a claw grow, "Is it?"

He watches as the talon grows and he flicks his gaze to her glowing orbs.

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you. I swear on God," she holds up her right hand and relaxes her features. 

He sighs as the young lady returns to face him, "Is your whole-?"

"No," she snaps, she looks down and says quieter, "No, just me. Everyone else is boringly normal. I'm the only one whose cursed." 

The carriage stops and the man opens the door, his gaze looks to Eloise with caution, "We're here."

Lord Debling exits and ponders as the brunette hesitatingly offers her hand, "Are you coming my Lord?"

The blonde goes to take it when his man clears his throat, "May I speak to you?" 

Debling looks to the young lady and Eloise nods as they step aside, not knowing that they're practically shouting.

"I've heard of girls doing this my Lord. Bringing good men like you out here to the woods to be sacrificed," the man swallows.

Lord Debling raises a brow, "Sacrificed?" 

The man clenches his hat, "To the devil. Whatever she promised you, sir please return and let us leave."

Eloise nearly scoffs at the man's misplaced nerves. Her heart pumps as she calculates if this goes south, will she kill them? To protect her family. 

How many saw her chase after his carriage? 

Lord Debling takes a deep breath. He was a man of science, of adventure, not of foolishness.

His eyes glance as the young Bridgerton girl waits, he sighs. 

She has not done anything yet, he wouldn't have even suspected anything of her if she did not show him.

What other things can he uncover with her assistance?

He lays a hand on his arm, "It will be fine. I appreciate your concern." He fixes his jacket as he offers Eloise his arm.

"Remain here, until I return."

The man watches wearily as the two venture into the woods, leaving him the horse and the stars for company.

Lord Debling stumbles and Eloise catches him. 

The young man enjoying the hoot of the owls and sounds of the crickets as they sing the woods to sleep. He's not unfamiliar with the nighttime of the woods.

Stress almost leaves him as he finds comfort within the trees.

"You don't seem to have much trouble steering yourself," he comments.

Eloise huffs, "No, we're nearly here."

Her eyes glowing as she spots the great oak, guarding the barrier of the two worlds.

She let's go and grabs the man's shoulder, "Remain here."

Eloise places her hand on the rough bark and whispers a quick spell she waves her hand and grunts as the tree moves.

Cracks and groans sound as Lord Debling balks as the moonlight shows the tree sway and groan before him as a man seems to fall out of the tree.

The man like creature stretches and groans, the silver orbs pop open. 

Shooting to him, he takes a subconscious step backwards and the surprised gaze goes to the creature's face, attire and then to his ears.

Jule looks to the wolf, his face darkening. Deep and old anger rages through his roots, "What have you done, child of the moon?" 

Eloise fingers clenches to her dress, heart beats as she fights her instincts to change, "Please, Jule I need your help!" 

Lord Debling gaps as the tree- the creature seems to loom over the girl. He's torn between grabbing the girl and running. 

He watches in fearful awe. The humanoid body towering over them both. He realizes with a start, that his skin is textured, bark-like. Moss seems to grow in patches over, creating color on the dark body. Whatever sorcery Eloise brought him to is magnificent.

Eloise feels tears collect at her cheeks, she drops and ignores the pain in her knees as they crack the dry dirt, she rips her throat to the side. 

Jules stops. The significance of the alpha she wolf bearing her neck to him causes his anger to pause.

This must mean a great deal to the lupine if she's willing to give herself up, go against her instincts and yield. 

The old tree sighs, anger still shimmering under the surface. His gaze flickers to the pale human male.

Wide eyes flicker between the two. The man scanning the strange face, pausing on his high cheekbones and then finally to grey eyes, bright like silver.

Jules freezes, suddenly his giant form unmoveable, unable to look away from bright blue eyes. 

So blue and vast it reminds him of the long peaceful days of summer where children laughter echoes in the long fields. Where he enjoys seeing the baby deer play with the younger fairies and nymphs under the blue horizon.

Hair the color of the sun, somehow homely and he realizes it matches the color of sunlight. The same sunlight that he feeds from, the very essence that brings him warmth and life. 

Jules looks down to the still pleading wolf. The nymph runs a hand through his hair. Thick dark braids of dredlocks, with bark, and green and vines braided in.

He swallows, his mouth dry, "You may get up young wolf."

Lord Debling furrows his brows at the creature, Jules, looks to him and straightens.

He puts his arms behind his back, his broad muscular chest glinting the smooth skin in the moonlight. Pants that seem to be made out of old brown leaves move as he steps forward to the human.

"Come and walk with me," he states as Eloise sighs in relief. Hopeing her plan will work. 

That the supernatural world will be the greater adventure than the artic. That the Lord will stay in Europe. 

Lord Debling looks to her, "Miss Bridgerton?"

Eloise looks, and blinks as Jule's almost dubious expression towards the blonde male vanishes as he notices her examination. He looks away, patiently waiting.

"You'll be okay my Lord, Jules is not going to hurt you. You're safe with him," she comforts.

The man takes a steadying breath and walks to the nymph who blinks warmly, as his face remains stoic. 

Eloise stays as she watches to two walk painfully slow, each trading questions. Surprisingly, Lord Debling talks more as Jules listens and nods.

The stoic man unusually flushed and a small smile graces his face as the nymph ponders his questions, before answering.

Soon they even get to a distance that she can't even hear. 

Eloise huffs and sits next to Jules second body or first? She's never quite good at remembering these things.

Her blue eyes shift to the sky, she hopes that Cressida is doing okay. She knows that with Penelope out of the way that the blonde is the only other one that the Lord showed interest in this season. 

She rubs her chest as her heart clenches almost painfully. She grits her teeth, her instincts are telling her to protect the girl, so here she is. Trying.

But, why does it feel wrong?

"Lupine," Jules says, she startles and looks up.

He blinks as his only indicater of surprise, he's been calling to her for quite some time. 

"Me and Mr. Alfred have finished conversing," he says as he goes to his tree and touches a vine.

She looks to the Lord in surprise as he watches in awe, as the vine grows and blooms flowers as it twists into itself.

She stands up and dusts any debris that may linger from the forest floor. Her shoes crunche in the dirt as she approaches him, "Did you have a nice conversation?"

He looks to her, eyes shining. Eloise has a thought that he seems younger, more his age as excitement and wonder glows in his expression. 

"Very informative. It seems that you were right, Miss Bridgerton. That Mayfair has more wonders to be explored than expected," his blue eyes flicker as Jules twists with his hands, adding something to whatever he's working on. 

Eloise sags in relief, "Does this mean you'll be staying?"

Lord Debling nods as he constricts himself back into a Lord and less of a youthful young man, "Yes, it seems that I have much to learn."

Jules stands behind Eloise and clears his throat, "This is for you, Mr.Alfred."

The nymph looks away as his hand holds a twisted bracelet made of dark vine with gold mixed into the plant. As if the plant grew around the mineral. 

Eloise eyes widen as Jules shoots a quick glare of warning, she purses her lips.

Lord Debling looks at the offering and slowly takes it and the sheer joy that lights on Jules face causes the human to pause. 

"If you wear this, you'll be showing the world that you're under my protection. You'll be welcomed to come here anytime. I'd be more than happy to show and answer any questions you may possess." 

Lord Debling puts the bracelet on and he watches as the vines move and shrinks, tightening the band around him. 

He holds it up in the moon light and Eloise looks away, as Jules seems bashful, "It suits you, my Lord." 

"Thank you," Lord Debling responds as he looks toward Eloise, "Shall I return you home? It would be most improper if I keep you out late," his eyes flicks to the nymph, "Especially unchaperoned." 

Eloise takes his arm and turns, "Thank you," she says as Jules watches them walk back to the carriage.

Lord Debling is quiet as the driver opens the door, his look questioning to his Lord as the blonde shakes head in dismissal.

Eloise plays with her gloves as she watches the man play with his bracelet, twirling it unconsciously. 

"Are you still planning to be married at the end of the season?" Eloise asks.

The Lord looks up, blue matching blue, and he sighs, "Honestly, I thought about taking a respite from the whole ordeal."

Eloise twitches as she grits her teeth and looks to the window.

"Is that the reason you took me out here? To get me to stay?" Alfred looks closely as the girl shifts in the seat, her determined jaw clenching as she huffs.

"To be frank. Yes." She returns his gaze and he clenches the bracelet, finding it comforting as glowing eyes turns toward him.

"Why?" He asks. The girl carefully says, "Because after you mistakenly went for Miss Featherington, I was hoping the incident would open your eyes to the loveliness of Miss Cowper."

He narrows his eyes, "Did you know about your brother and Miss Featherington?" 

Eloise swallows a growl, "No, I barely tolerate their relationship as of now." 

Lord Debling blinks in surprise, a small part of him satisfied that not only him is jiffed about the situation.

He leans back and clasps his hands, "Well, what do you wish to obtain from me?"

Eloise levels her stare, "I want you to properly court Miss Cowper."

He raises is brows, not expecting that answer, "You put yourself and Jules in possible danger just to ask me to consider courting your friend?" 

Eloise nods, "She did save you from socialize scandal, did she not?"

Lord Debling, "You are the oddest girl I've ever met."

Eloise tilts a brow, "And here I thought you applaud the people that fight against the tide."

The man chuckles, "I apologize, what I ment is that I thought you'd ask me to court you."

Eloise snorts, "No, god, no."

Lord Debling almost looks insulted before a friendly smile appears on his face,  as he shakes his head with amusement. The horse's shoes start to click on the cobblestones as they enter the town line.

She chuckles, "I'm afraid that I'm strictly against all," Eloise gestures around, "this."

Debling leans back and tosses his arms in the same gesture, the bracelet warm against his skin as his amusement grows, "Courting or the marriage market?"

Eloise sags against the seat, "All of it. The dresses, the decorum, the gossip. The parading of one, much like a peacock with its feathers spread, hoping someone will notice enough to molt them away. But the poor bird gets caged instead."

Lord Debling rubs his chin in thought, "I thought the Bridgertons all believed in the love match."

Eloise grumbles, before looking to him, "You know I'm...different. My family is too," she holds her hand in a 'wait'gesture as his mouth opens, "Not like me though. Their more human, I'm the only one like this."

The carriage stops and Lord Debling's couchman opens the door, "Miss?" 

Lord Debling furrows his brow, "I wish to continue our discussion, Miss Bridgerton. Perhaps, I can call on you?"

Eloise looks as she's halfway out of the carriage, "You'll promenade with Miss Cowper, after?" 

The man lifts his brows, "Yes, after."

Eloise shoes crunch on the ground and she grabs the door and turns around, "Do make an effort Lord Debling. Miss Cowper and you both deserve a chance of happiness." 

The man jumps as the girl shuts the door rather loudly.

 

Chapter 15

Notes:

Sorry, it's been awhile. Please leave a comment, or don't! No pressure. Hope yal enjoy.

Cressida has always been a jealous person.

When she was five and her mother took her out to a mother's and daughter's brunch at the Queen's castle. That's where she met Edward Bridgerton. 

The event was the talk of the town and anyone who was anyone was there, she knows because her mother told her father so. 

With a wave of a hand and a strict, "Fine, you and it can go,but no more than ten pounds may be spent for the occasion." 

They got his blessing, a rare treat.

Daughter's and mother's dressed in similar colors and hair styles gathered around. 

All except a thin brunette girl, with an already elegant posture and decorum, giggling with a father with bright pink blush on his face and a tiara to match the girl's.

She remembers her mother's scoff, soon turning into a swoon as the other mothers commented how brave and how sweet that Vicount Bridgerton is going in his wife's place, as she heals from child birth. 

All just so his daughter won't miss her first invite out to a Queen's event.

Cressida watches as the man would use a silly little voice and would almost play with the other little girls at the table.

The man gathering a crowd.

Her future group of fellow debutantes, already swooning and laughing at the man's decorum.

 The brunette, a Miss Bridgerton, shining with a almost diamond like quality, as they take up the spotlight.

Afterwards, she asked her father to join her for tea. 

She was rewarded with a swift spanking for interrupting his study time.

She sat alone, among a lone teddybear and grandfather clock, wishing with an anger that the silly man would join her.

Then there was when she was going for a stroll alone, her mother and father arguing. Their voices echoing in the empty house. 

Arguing over her usefulness.

How she's a female, how she's too chubby, how she's too soft, how she's too much or not enough anything.

Cressida's teenage maid, Bree, giving concerning glances as the ten year old keeps her head up as she walks through the park.

"Watch out!" 

Suddenly, she finds herself on the gravel, stone biting into her palms. Tears form in her eyes as she stares at the red coloring her pale complexion. 

The sound of fabric ripping echoing in her ears.

"Miss?!" The stones crunch as Bree hurries to catch up. 

"Oh my! Are you okay?" Cressida blinks and looks up as a young man offers his hand. 

His brown hair disheveled from his frivolous activity.

She blinks and her green gaze goes from his offered palm to the leather ball tucked under his arm.

So, that was the projectile that hit her. Bree finally catches up and bends down to help her stand.

The other two boys that he was playing with come running.

The slightly older one snorts, "That's one way to sweep a girl off her feet."

The younger one glances to her with a concerned look.

"Anthony!?" 

A brunette woman hurries and let's go of her dress as she looks, "Oh my goodness."

The woman helps Bree getting her up.

The kind eyes examine her form, fixing her dress and brushes her bangs from her face.

She gasps and gentley takes her hands, "Oh, Lord."

She looks into Cressida's eyes and for once disappointment for getting dirty or ruining her impeccable complexion, doesnt stare back. 

"Are you alright Miss Cowper?" The kind warm voice asks.

Cressida blinks, "You know who I am?"

Bree let's out a nervous bark, dusting her lady off. She avoids the woman's eyes, "I apologize Vicountess Bridgerton, it seems that my Lady may have hit her head." 

Cressida eyelashes flutter, as she gaps at the lady. Her brunette hair a brighter shade than her husband, but brilliant blue eyes narrow at the pack of the boys. 

"Gentlemen!" She almost hisses, "I believe you owe this young Lady a proper apology."

"But it was, Anthony who-" 

His sentence gets interrupted by a cuff to the back of the head by his other brother.

All three bow, "I apologize, Miss Cowper."

Vicountess Bridgerton sighs, "Now, go play over there." The three take off and the lady shouts, "And be careful!"

Cressida clenches her hand and bites her lip as she looks down as irritation starts to color the skin.

Lady Bridgerton tsks, she takes out a hankerchief, "Here, dear girl."

With gentleness Cressida never knew, the lady wraps the worst wounded hand, "Where are your parents?"

Cressida shrugs, "Home."

Blue eyes flick up with surprise, "You're out here by yourself?"

Cressida shakes her head, "I have my handmaid."

Bree shifts her feet, two discolored shoes as the Vicountess eyes flicker between the two aged children, "I see. Let me have my own maid walk you home and explain what happen to your poor hands and gown. Have your parents write me a total for the dress, since my boys ruined it."

Cressida shakes her head, stepping back closer to the comfort of Bree, "That won't be necessary."

Her parents would get worse if they saw she bothered with one of the tons most important families. 

Plus she doesn't want anyone to know what her home is like if they follow.

The brunette tilts her head,  opening her mouth to argue. Cressida avoids her gaze as she curtsys, "Have a good day, ma'am."

She walks away quickly, dragging her lady maid behind in hurried steps. The Vicountess calls, "Be safe my dear!"

Cressida looks down and clenches the soft fabric, the bandage will made and a needle point V.M.B. stitched on the cloth. A warmth grazes her cheeks as she recalls the motherly action.

How lucky some children are to experience such a gift.

Her heart tightens as she slowly makes her journey back home. 

But none have burned quite like this.

Cressida's jaw tightened as she watched Eloise, her friend, sprint out the door where Lord Debling dissappeard moments ago. 

With her blue eyes wide, on a shade of panic as she picked up her dress and left. 

"Cressida!" Her mother had growled in her ear and for the first time in a long time, she wished to roll her eyes.

She let out a tiny huff and returned her gaze to the frowning form, but her attention was on the girl that left.

Now, not even a full day later, Cressida freezes as she watches Eloise and Lord Debling share an umbrella in the mist. 

The two barely a foot apart as they snuggle under the item. 

Why was her arm grasping his elbow? 

Why was she leaning so close? Could he see the droplets collect on Eloise's thick eyelashes?

Was her face flushed from the slight chill? Cressida could imagine herself brushing against the girl's blue gown hoping to share her warmth. Was Lord Debling doing the very same?

Her lip curls, so this was it? The unfathomable Bridgerton used her to reach, to get closer to the season's, most prospect male. 

The ploy of wanting herself and him together all lies? 

The bell chimes above her head and she glares as a random man steps out of the pastry shop.

The basket of chocolate covered strawberries she holds, slowly getting soaked as she hides under the overhang.

The man stumbles back and tilts his hat, "Apologies."

"There you are Miss! I found some lavender tea that you love so much," Bree offers as she shakes her own umbrella out. 

Bree startles at the hard look that her mistress wears, she inhales as she follows Cressida's eyes.

Cressida ignores the man's apologies, her hand digs into the wooden material.

Bree swallows as she watches the tendons in her Mistress's neck and jaw flex. 

"Let's go," the blonde mumbles as she follows the pair down the uneven cobblestones. 

The street has fewer people out than usual with the unpleasant weather.

The mist causing a slight blur to their figures as she trails behind. She knows she needs to be getting home, but why on earth are these two out? Together?

She watches as the brunette let's out a mocking gasp, before leaning closer. Surely to deliver a wicked retort. Has Cressida missed the signs? Was there a moment where Eloise expressed her interest in the gentleman and the blonde ignored it? Or was this new development surely a game?

Cressida heart beats rapidly as she nearly runs into a paperboy. 

"Sorry, Miss!" His young voice calls and Cressida almost curses the child. He takes off and Cressida turns. 

Gone.

Her eyes flicker to random strangers, she bites her lip as her hand clenches into a hard fist.

Bree let's out a huff as she catches up to her Lady's hurried walk.

Where did they go?

 A familiar voice sounds across from her, "Cressida?"

The blonde turns around, ignoring the water collecting on her as she observes the two walking in stride with one another.

She clenches her jaw as her nostrils flare at their proximity. 

"Lord Debling," is the only offering of a greeting she gives them. Ignoring the hurt expression, from the girl, that nearly tears through her anger. 

The man tilts his head, as he adjusts his hold on the umbrella. Causing some of the collecting water to pour off onto Eloise's gown.

Cressida almost snarls, 'You're getting her wet!'

Instead she offers a tight nod, "Have a good day. Let's go."

She ignores the wide blue eyes of the Bridgerton.

Lord Debling clears his throat, "Actually Miss Cowper, Miss Bridgerton was telling me about your hidden talent of being excellent in chess?" 

Cressida blinks confused, her stride pausing as she turns around, "Oh?"

Bree steps back to join Ginger a few feet away. 

Cressida didnt even notice Eloise's ladymaid was out as well. Ginger shakes her head at the other maid's questioning look.

He nods, "Yes. Back in my Oxford days I was quite the player myself. Perhaps, I can escort you home and we can have a game?"

Cressida flickers her eyes to Eloise. The girl's grip on his arm is hovering at most and her face is covered by her locks as she ignores Cressida's searching look.

"It seems you're already out with Miss Bridgerton. Perhaps a different day?" Cressida sighs. Feeling foolish for tracking them so, what was her plan in the end?

Lord Debling shifts his feet, unsure how to explain. He's never been good with people.

Eloise untangles herself and steps out into the misting rain, "Don't worry about intruding Miss Cowper. I seem to forgot that Colin has big news to share with the family and I rather be early than late to whatever he has planned."

She curtsys, "Thank you for the stroll,  Lord Debling."

Eloise turns and joins Ginger and simply walks off. 

The basket creaks under her growing grip, the blonde looks down, realizing that she went out to get this very gift for the brunette. 

She calls out, "Eloise wait!"

Cressida looks after her, but the girl never turns around. Eloise tenses, but keeps walking.

Prehaps she didn't hear her?

Lord Debling clears his throat and offer his arm, "Shall we?"

Cressida glances down to his white glove before taking his hand with her own, "Why of course."

She glances to the blonde man as he returns his own look of uncertainty.

Some warmth does leak from his form as they start their slow walk to her father's estate.

The mist occasionally being swept under the umbrella by a light breeze. Cressida sighs as her thick dress does offer some protection, even though it'll soon grow heavy and cold.

Bree occasionally looks back and Cressida ignores her subtle prodding.

The questions burning at the tip of her own tongue, what's your intentions with Eloise? Why were you with her? Why did she run after you at the last ball?

"I suppose, I should thank you for the other night," he states.

Cressida startles, "Pardon?"

"For helping me be less of a social oddity," he explains, "For stopping people whispering about my failure to procure Miss Featherington."

Cressida nearly rolls her eyes, "Word of advice maybe don't say, "procure" when discussing about a woman. You're not getting them at the market. And secondary, Miss Featherington is a fool for not seeing how much of a gentleman you are."

Debling's cheeks turn a pale shade of pink and looks away, "Well, regardless thank you."

Cressida sighs as Bree opens the gate and then hesitatingly offers to take Lord Debling's umbrella and light jacket, as they enter.

"Cressida!" A older woman's voice echoes down the hall, "There you are, do you have any idea what time it is? You're father and I where none too happy that you missed half of calling-"

The mother pauses as she takes in Lord Deblings form in their foyer, she blinks a few times before wide eyes land on her daughter. 

She quickly fixes her appearance, by stretching her sleeves out and quickly running a hand over some hairs that are escaping her updo.

A wide smile graces her mother's face, "Lord Debling, how can we help you?"

The man swallows, "I apologize for making Miss Cowper late. If I would've know she had plans to meet other-"

"Oh, no! It's no trouble!" Lady Cowper cuts him off with a wave of her hand. She launches forward and practically drags him into the sitting room, "Please, please! Come in!"

Cressida follows her mother as Lord Debling stumbles over the threshold. 

"Mother-"

"Dear," she turns around and her eyes narrows with her smile widening, "Why don't you tell Bree to get a pot of tea and bring up some biscuits?"

Cressida sighs, as her mother glances between the two, then her mother says, straightening, "Actually, allow me." 

She rushes forward and slams the door shut,causing the doors to rattle. Leaving the two younger people flabbergasted.

The blonde sighs and look towards the young man, "Might as well have a seat, my Lord."

"Alfred," he says as he shifts on the hard leather sofa, "You may call me Alfred."

"Are we really to be out of etiquette already? Not the other day you were to ask for another Lady's hand?" She asks teasingly.

Lord Debling sighs heavily, "It seems that I was mistaken in my choice. I would've taken a different direction," he locks eyes with her, "If I would've known her heart was beating for another."

Cressida hums, "I suppose you cannot blame them. Those two have been dancing around each other for ages."

He narrows his eyes, "And no one thought to inform me?"

Cressida leans against the doors, "To be frank, opinions of the heart are often ignored. Marriage is about connections and is a transactional sense of business."

The man leans forward, rubbing his beard, "Do you really believe that?"

The blonde inhales, breathing out, tired.

She looks to the wooden floor, "I was never given the chance. I am the only heir of the Cowper line, my aunt childless, my mother a single child. My father has no other male family members, my future boy the only glimmer of hope for the Cowper name to remain. I'm in my third season out, almost on the shelf to be ignored. My father's pride would rather make me a convenient deal piece than let that happen."

Alfred stares at her and sighs, "You should not have told me this."

Cressida shrugs, hope already gone. Why should she care? He will be leaving, and with it any hope. Or maybe he'll try to chase Eloise, before he departs in a few days. She is a better match, a better family name, a better prospect. 

The adventure and the book worm. What a pair.

"Where you trained to run a house?" He asks.

Cressida nearly startles at the question, "I'm sorry?" 

He let's out a tiny chuckle and sits up, "Do you know anything on being a Lady of the house?" 

The blonde looks back to the doors, as if she could see her mother pressing her ear, listening.

She nods, "Every young lady worth anything knows how to run a estate before she can tie her own shoes."

The man watches her for a long moment and then leans back, "My expedition has been...halted. I might find myself in Mayfair longer than expected."

"Well then call me, Cressida in turn, Alfred." The blonde tilts her head as she hears hurried heels stomp down the hall and she looks over with sympathy, "I apologize for this. It seems my mother will try to catch us in an improper position for you to ask for my hand."

Debling blinks as horror sets into his face as he wide eye stares at the door.

"Don't worry Alfred, I'm afraid your purity will remain intact in my presence," Cressida consoles.

He coughs out a small laugh, "Well thank goodness one of us seems to have their wits."

Cressida narrows her eyes with a smile, "Yes."

Lord Debling looks up and raises a brow as Cressida crosses her arms and shifts, "What were you doing with my friend Miss Bridgerton, today?"

Alfred looks away, "I'm not sure if Eloise would want me to disclose that."

"Eloise?" Cressida growls. So, it seems they're also on a first name bases, "I wasn't aware you two were so close."

The door bursts open and Cressida steps sideways to avoid being hit. The green eyes cut to blue. Warning this conversation isn't quite yet over. 

Lady Cowper deflates seeing the obvious space left between the two and her husband looks over her shoulder, "It seems your mother was right Cressida. You have brought a worthy man into my home."

He steps aside and Lord Debling can't help, but notice his attire matches the house, dark, cold and utterly boring. 

A desk full of papers waiting to be handled. 

No sense of wonderment. It's a miracle that his daughter isn't a hell hound or worse a replica of him.

Lord Debling didn't come here expecting to want to court Miss Cowper, Cressida. 

But now?

She is a rare bird in need of rescuing. And Alfred? He does love preserving rare creatures. 

 

Chapter 16

Notes:

Not gonna lie, it's like late and I only skimmed proof reading this. I'll probably edit and correct some stuff later, but I'm impatience and want to get this chapter out.

Enjoy. Waiting for your comments and theories like a kid on Xmas morning.

Cressida watches as the guard's white wig bounces across his red uniform. Her heels clicking behind the man's boots along the marble corridor.

The beautiful gardens peak between the wide white posts showing a different picture between each set.

The large columns imposing and intimidating,much like their owner as she walks towards her.

"Cressida, why on earth did the Queen summon you?" Her mother hisses in a whisper for the thousandth time. 

Cressida feels her eyebrow tick, as her frustration and nerves grow. 

She would hope with Lord Debling apparently courting her, would give her some more freedom against her parents. 

Infact, it has done the opposite. 

A more strict diet, more exercise and a tighter sleep schedule has been her life for a few weeks. Her hair to be in more constricting and in more frivolous styles Dresses more provocative than the last.

She swears her mother wants to test the socialized gossips of her clothes. 

The blonde hasn't seen or heard from her dear friend in weeks, the only word she receives is how she seems from the young Lord. 

At least his courting gift was thoughtful, a new chess set that has been through a few rounds.

She hates to admit it,  but Lord Debling has quite the opponent.

Not that Eloise wasn't, but her reading of her opponent and taking the time to analyze the board was something to be desired. 

Perhaps, Cressida was paying more attention to the Bridgerton, than she was of her. 

"Introducing Miss Cowper and her mother Lady Cowper to her majesty-"

"Yes, yes" the queen cuts the guard off, as he opens the door. 

The guard used to her behavior, bows and shuts the large white wooden doors. 

Cressida's eyes zoom around the room. It's furnished with bright velvet seats made of dark royal colors. The tea set lined with gold and her majesty sturs her cup with a small spoon.

Her lips curls as her eyes flicker to them. Cressida's curtsys low as her mother joins.

"I thought my letter was clear Miss Cowper. You were to come alone." 

Cressida feels her mother stiffen and they watch as the queen turns to her shadow, "Brimsley, I did write that, correct?" 

The balding man nods, "Yes, 'A carriage with pick up one Cressida Cowper this evening to join the queen for tea.'"

The queen nods, her tall, white wig bounces, "I thought so."

"I apologize your majesty, but you didn't really expect me to let my only daughter to come all this way by herself?" Her mother asks. 

Cressida looks down as her queen purses her lips, "You don't trust my men?"

Cressida's mother opens her mouth and closes it, "Well- that's, no, I mean not no- just..."

The queen puts her hand up and she hears her mother's jaw shut with a snap. Cressida almost blinks in surprise. It's not that she doesn't like her mother per say, she does care, but with her father's leash getting tighter and tighter. You know what they say about animals being backed into corners. 

"These men protect these lands, this- your country. They protect you. Goodness! They even protect your Queen! Are you saying they're not good enough for your daughter?"

Cressida peaks a glance up and Queen Charlotte is leaning forward in her seat, eyes narrowed. Brimsley now holds onto the tiny dish of the Queen. 

Her mother swallows, "No, your majesty. I apologize for offending you on my assumptions." 

Charlotte leans back and nods, "You're dismissed. I will have Brimsley escort her to the carriage when we're finished."

Her mother meets Cressida's startled eyes and Cressida hopes her mother doesn't do anything rash.

The older blonde bows once more and exits. 

With the click of the door the Queen almost slumps comfortably into the higher set seat. 

"Well, are you going to stand around all day or take a seat?" The queen asks. 

Cressida startles forward, heart pounding as she lifts her dark blue gown and sits on the couch across. 

Brimsley leans forward and Cressida smile tightens as the man looks up and down on her form, "Thank you for coming today. Her majesty is to ask you a favor. In return you are to be paid handsomely."

Cressida looks to her empty cup, white with small pink flowers painted on the side. She claps her sweaty hands together, "I am unsure what type of favor I could do for your majesty."

She doesn't miss as Queen Charlotte and Brimsley glance at one another. 

Charlotte leans forward and pours the tea into Cressida's cup. The blonde stiffens as the woman speaks, "Miss Cressida Cowper, age twenty and three. The only offspring of the Cowper line. Daughter of a Baron. Father is head merchant of the Eastwood docks. Proficient in several languages, athletic build with dance, horseplay, and Chess. Hobbies include needlepoint, playing the panio, and fashion. 

Friends are a few debutantes, Miss Hayes and Miss Livingston to name. But recently close to Miss Eloise Bridgerton," The Queen doesn't miss Cressida tensing at the name. She slides the tea cup over, "Now, being courted by a Lord Alfred Debling."

Cressida leans down and shakily picks up the tea. She takes a steadying breath, before taking a sip, a pleasant honeysuckle nectar touches her lips. 

"It seems that you know quite a lot about me, " Cressida says as she looks up to the Queen.

Charlotte frowns, upset by the reaction, "Yes, if I did not think you were up to my task, you would not be here. Brimsley, ask her."

Brimsley steps forward, his nostrils flare and he blinks. A small ball of shock surfaces, the scent of the wolf is no where near the girl. His nose might not be as strong as Eloise's, but it's certainly better than a human. 

He cocks his head, "We want you to pretend to be Lady Whistledown."

Cressida lets out a crows laugh, shocked eyes widening. Before green flickers between the two and she stops, "Oh, you're serious."

Charlotte huffs, "Honestly girl. You're almost as daft as your little brunette friend. She's got a nose for discovering secrets, but failed to procure the answers I wanted." 

"Eloise?" Cressida ponders, her brows furrow as she stares at the wooden table between them. Why or when did the Queen enlist Eloise, she doesn't know. And secrets? 

Cressida fingers fiddle with the porcelain cup as Eloise's secret about being a voice for the queen enters her mind. Who knows if a ill willed comment or question could bring a danger to the Bridgerton girl.

Charlotte's brow lifts," Yes, the girl seemed to play dumb or truly didn't find out Whistledown's identity. So, that's why I enlisted you."

"Me?" Cressida parrots.

Charlotte turns to Brimsley, "Prehaps our judging was wrong."

"No!" Cressida springs forward and for a moment she swears a hiss of warning comes from the short man. 

"No," she says calmer and repositions herself down in a seat of elegance, "I can help. You want me to find Whistledown?"

Charlotte smiles cruelly, "No, you silly girl. One cannot just find Whistledown. The fox has been escaping my grasps for many seasons. I want you to smoke her out. Can you do that?"

Cressida ponders, before nodding, "My services are at your disposal your majesty. Do you have a play in mind?"

...

Lord Debling looks at the field in wonderment. He pencils down his ideas as he watches the fairies play along the woodfolk. The flowers in full bloom.

"How do you keep yourselves so well hidden?" He wonders for the thirteen time.

Jules smiling as the children put on a crown of daisy's on his head answers patiently for the thirteenth time, "Magic mostly, some skilled in concealment spells or learning to bend the light to trick those into thinking nothing is there. Some have their own camouflage tactics." 

Eloise ears flick as Alfred's own pen scribbles down into the pages. The book a gift from her, enchanted so only those with knowledge of their kind can read it. Otherwise looks like a blank journal. A gift from Eloise, with Lady Danbury's help.

After making Eloise run into pixie territory for supplies as punishment. 

Eloise still shudders as their booby traps and wicked laughter still haunts her dreams. Dreaded cousins to sprites. 

Lady Danbury's own secret still kept. The wolf would not endanger everyone in town like this. She just knew Jule would be more help than not.

She lays flat, a hand behind her head as she twirls a daffodil over her head, the pollen sweet on her nose. 

Her legs crossed as she soaks up the rare sun on a rarer free day. 

She glances up as Jules watches the human, said male, has his jacket and his sleeves rolled up on his forearms. 

Slight sweat perspirates on his brow as he runs a hand through his unkempt locks. Jules follow its motion and then narrow on curious blue.

Eloise quickly looks away, keeping her mouth shut.

Keeping herself far away from asking the question, why give a courting gift to Debling?

She sighs and Alfred looks over, "Will I ever get to see your other form?"

Eloise mouth twists, his curiosity of her own nature endless.

"Unless you want my teeth to go to your throat it's unwise," She replies.

Alfred blanches and Jules shifts, "What the she wolf means to say, until she finds her mate. Her more brutal aspect of herself can be difficult to command. Eloise has great and rare control, but each time is a testament to her nature. She would rather be safe than put you into trouble, my Lord."

Alfred mouth forms an 'O', "I see. You don't have to call me my Lord. Just Alfred is fine."

Jules's cheeks redden as a boyish smile forms.

Eloise snorts, "Or perhaps I'd rather not show myself off like a show pony."

Both men look over and Jules's frowns, "Yes, perhaps it's best your clothes stay on."

Lord Debling chokes on his spit.

...

Two weeks later...

The Orchestra's final note hums. A brief pause breaks as thunderous applause booms in the theater. 

Lord Debling looks down and Cressida gives a wide smile in return as they both politely clap.

Their seats next to her own parents. A gift from the Lord to her mother. After overhearing how her mother wished to play in the group, in a theater much like this before wife and motherly duties took, holding goals in the woman's life. Her mother brilliant on the cello. 

Cressida didn't even know her mother could play the stringed instrument, her own words of discord of Cressida's love with her own instrument loud in her head. 

Perhaps the words were secondhand hatred and reminder of someone else's opinion.

The thrones of people slowly start to exit the area into the lobby. Cressida takes the offered assistance from the male. 

Honestly, Debling is everything Cressida could want in a husband. Kind, respectful, honest and caring. It's more than she thought she would ever get. 

She's grown fond of him in the past weeks. Only the Queen's meeting breaks her forced concentration on the male.

Lord Debling gently removes Cressida's arm from his once they get into the marbled entrance way.

Turning, he grabs her gloved hand and bends down, dropping a kiss on the back of her wrist.

"I had a lovely time Miss Cowper. May I call upon you some time tomorrow?" He glances up hopeful. 

Cressida swallows, stomach clenching in what must be excitement. 

Proposal surely to come soon, "Of course, Lord Debling."

Debling stands and examines the room, "Would you like me to escort you to your parents? I believe they were only a few paces ahead in the crowd."

Cressida clasps her hands and sets them on her green dress, "I'm sure that's unnecessary. They should only be out of the doors." 

Lord Debling nods, pausing before setting off to procure his own ride. His instincts telling him to watch over the fragile female, but he knows the overprotectiveness would hinder the progress he's made.

Between his meetings with his own estate members, Eloise and Jules and Cressida he's been busy. 

He thought he'd entertain Eloise's request out of duty, but soon craved the blonde's company on his lonesome.

Cressida waits until his own black suit joins the masses, before slumping down. 

Her head beginning to have a slight pounding, all the stress and tension catching up to her physically.

At least her parents will be happy about her progress with one of the more eligible bachelors. 

Her only bachelor.

Perhaps this will let them decide it's okay for her to visit Eloise?

"Miss Cowper?" 

Cressida turns to see a guard with a long red coat on. The bottom of his black boots scruffed and covered in mud. The white collar shirt is slightly skewed. 

His face in desperate need of a shave. Prehaps,  he has picked up on an extra shift and did not have time to clean himself up.

Honestly, she doesn't know much about the other servents and maids besides her own household.

"Yes?" Cressida asks.

People are starting to filter out onto the street where their own carriages lay await. Her mother and father surely starting to get impatience.

"Your father has asked me to walk you home. It seems there was a problem with one of the wheels breaking on the carriage....ma'am," the man gruffs. Shifting on one foot to the other. His gloved hand clenching and relaxing.

Cressida's brows furrow. Why would her father not order another carriage?

"He seemed to have gotten a ride from another family. So, he sent me,  to escort you home." The guard tries to explain.

Cressida sighs, of course. Her house is just a two block distance. She's not completely surprised that they've gone without her.

"Okay." She picks up the sides of her dress as the guard walks ahead to opens the side door.

...

Eloise hisses as Gregory steps on one of her shoes. 

"Sorry!" He flinches as he shoots an impressive glare to his younger sister. Hyacinth doing her best to avoid her brother's and sister's accusing glare. It's not like she ment to shove Gregory into her, just to shove him in general.

"Oh! Take you're time, there's no need to rush," Violet reprimands as her children seem to trade elbows and not so gently shove one another through the crowd.

Even Anthony and Kate seem to have joined this improvised game.

Eloise stops and slowly looks around the room, nostrils flaring as she tries to see where the lavender and oaky scent went off to.

"Mother, would you mind if we went to the gentleman's club before returning home?" Colin asks as Violet watches Gregory and Hyacinth race to their carriage.

"Looking for something?" Benedict teases as he bends down to whisper into his sister's ear.

He knows that Eloise has been missing the snarky blonde more than she'll admit. Her forlorning looks just pitiful.

Her not so subtle glances from their families box as she practically drills a hole through the back of Lord Debling's head. 

Eloise waves her hand, smacking her brother in the face. A emerald green dress catches her attention.

Blue eyes watch as the blonde leaves through the back halls entrance with a lone guard. 

Perplexed, she tilts her head listening. 

Lord Cowper and Lady Cowper are out front. Her father taps his foot in impatience and her mother looks around complaining, "Where on earth could she have gone, now?" 

Lord Debling in his carriage makes it stop as he looks out to the older Cowpers, "Has Miss Cowper not joined you yet?"

He looks around for the young lady, peering out of the door into the growing crowd.

...

Cressida grunts as her shoe hits an upturned brick in the road. The shoes are ment to give her height, not comfort. She leans down to fix her shoe.

The guard ignores her grumbling and she turns, following his coattail, without looking up. 

Careful, to watch her steps in the lamp's street light.

She nearly bumps into the man when she realizes that they've walked into an alleyway.

Boxes and glass bottles tilted or empty on their side, she crinkles her nose at the garbage that was failed to be collected.

"Are you lost?" Cressida asks, "We have to go down another block before we turn." She glances at the dead end. Surely her father's guard knew the way back to the estate?

Before she can say anything, two random people grab her shoulders, she jumps and turns outraged, "What do you think you're doing?!"

A lady with dirty short blonde hair smiles wickedly up at her from Cressida's left, if it were not for her dirty clothes and off putting aura, her gap between her teeth would be charming. 

The man on her right bald, baggy torn clothes hang off his skeletal frame. A five o'clock shadow hiding bags from under his red rimmed eyes. His grip surprisingly strong on her upper arm. 

She looks up expecting the guard to help her when he takes off his hat and dusts it off. His own dark black hair tied in the back with a ponytail. His frame more muscular, but something tells Cressida that he's more dangerous from the other two, in a different way.

"Tell them to unhand me, at once," Cressida voices. 

The man chuckles darkly, as he takes off the guard jacket, tossing it on the ground landing in a puddle, "This is almost too easy." 

She stares, heart starting to gallop as she realizes he's not going to help her.

"Afraid, we can't do that ma'am," the skrawny gentleman says to her right, accent thick.

"Do you have any idea who my family is?" She hisses. Her anger flushed away by fear as the group chuckles. 

"We know exactly who your father is," she turns to her other side as the dirty blonde haired lady scoffs in a polish accent. Dirt smeared across her face and arms. 

If Cressida was in a different predicament she would be surprise about the fact that another lady was attempting to rob from her. 

I guess even females will go down to lower levels when necessary. 

"That's why you were picked," the pseudo guard states. 

Cressida growls, "Let go of me this instant! I demand-"

Her sentence gets cut off by a hard slap across her cheeks. If they other two weren't holding her she probably would've ended up on the ground.

"Shut your whore mouth, girl! It's because of your father we had to starve. He let go a hundred workers last month for budget cuts," the black haired man snarls as he steps menacingly forward.

Cressida wills the tears collecting in her eyes not to fall, cheek stinging.

He eyes her with vemon, "I'm simply just about to get what he owes me back."

He leans down and she winces as he grips her jaw painfully, "What are you-"

He leans close and Cressida leans away, blanching as his putrid breath reeks across her face, "I'm going to get a handsome ransom for you."

She feels her heart freeze, unknown if her father would actually pay to get her back. 

Would his pride and image from the town have him pay to get me back? Or would he let me be stuck with them?

What would become of me?

He lets go harshly and stands, "But first, I want the Cowper's know they don't always get what they want." 

Cressida stills as her gut wrenches. Her body trembles with fear as his hands lower to his buttons on his breeches as he steps back, "Let's have some fun."

Vomit gets stuck in her throat.

Cressida inhales sharply, her mouth opens.

Too quick to see, a knife shines in the moonlight, sharp edge pointing towards her neck, "Scream and I will slit your throat girl."

Her body quakes as she turns in shock to the female member.

The girl nonchalantly shrugs as the man on her left cackles, "I wonder if their pussy matches their dowery worth." 

The first two buttons get undone, before Cressida elbows the girl and she grunts as the man grabs her harder as she tries to flee. Her dress tears from where he grabs.

"No!" She shouts.

She tries to kick at the approaching man, but her one knee gets kicked in from behind. Her knees get slammed down on the hard ground. 

One of her shoes falls off.

She flinches as one of the men covers her screams with a thick hand. Tears start to pour as the first man lowers his breeches.

A tent formed in his undergarment.

The girl grabs her hair and rips it back, holding the knife blade on her skin under her chin. 

"Fucking bitch," the woman hisses, spitting a bloody wad of spit on the ground.

"Hold her still!" The boss snarls. 

Cressida whimpers, as hot tears streak down her cheeks. 

She closes her eyes, not wanting to witness any of this.

Trying to stop her chin from wobbling, she prepares herself for the worse.

The touch never comes, an odd gurgling noise sounds from above.

She opens an eye and looks up to see the man gap at her. He coughs and blood spurts from his mouth.

He tries to talk ,but more red liquid spills onto the ground, his hand gently touching is lower aspect of his throat. 

Two clawed hands appear around his neck and slash.

Hot iron peppers her skin, as her eyes widen.

She blinks as the other man goes,"What the?"

The man drops to his knees, his manhood thankfully covered between his long shirt.

Hands covering his throat as blood gushes through his fingers. He leans over and in his place, further down the alley, bright blue eyes narrow.

The woman loosens her grip and the knife nicks her skin. 

Cressida flinches as a low snarl erupts.

The vicious sound echoes in the area. The sheer power of it vibrates in Cressida's chest. 

Her muscles seize as the eyes move up from it's crouch.

"John? What the fuck is that thing?" The other woman asks,voice shaking.

John shakes his head, but wearily watches as the thing stalks closer.

 Cressida grits her teeth as he nearly rips her shoulder from it's socket, trying to keep her neck still.

The blade ever so close.

Heels clip against the stone as, "Eloise?" 

Cressida asks. Eyes wide in fear. 

No, no she cannot be here! Whatever happened to that man is somewhere here and these two hooligans are a danger to her! 

Eloise eyes glower as she sneers at the men. 

Eyes seeming too bright.

Teeth, too sharp.

The two felonies look at each other and laugh, "You've come to the wrong spot girly."

The brunette shoulders rise and fall, as Eloise peers up from harsh pants. The beautiful dress and jewels sparkle in the minimal light. Cressida watches in odd terror as the finger tips of the silk gloves are stained red.

The lady leans forward gently strokes Cressida's face with the knife. Eloise eyes flash to the weapon, intensely watching it's movements.

"Eloise! Run!" Cressida warns as the lady backhands her. 

She hits the ground, grabbing her throbbing cheek.

She turns as the man,John, lunges for Eloise. Her heart drop, "No!"

Something shifts on Eloise's face. The glower turns into a snarl. Her features ripple as the man goes to grab her.

 Eloise, moving impossiblly fast, dodges and grabs the man's shirt and twists throwing him into the wall. 

His body breaking boxes and bottles scatter. 

The woman lunges, arching the blade downward. 

Colbat blue lock onto the weapon and like a dance, Eloise avoids her strikes. 

Cressida never had seen Eloise's face wear such cold stoicism.

Or move with such elegance. Her body fluid and not an ounce of her usual clumsiness.

The man hobbles out of the debris and shakes his head. He looks as his partner fails to get ahold of the newcomer.

Cressida jumps to help and falls, her head dizzy. Grunting she makes herself use the brick wall to help her stand.

The man manages to grab one of Eloise's arm and punches. 

His shreek echoes as Eloise face turns with the blow, spit flying, barely avoiding the knife. 

The woman lunges, tackling and the two females grapple on the ground, snarls and grunts echo. 

The knife scatters across the stone towards the man. He's angrily glaring at his hand, as it lays limp.

He picks it up with the other hand.

The woman lands ontop and grabs the brunette's head and goes to slam her head into the ground 

Eloise grunts as the stone cracks behind her. 

The lycanthrope lifts her hips, bucking the girl off. The dirty blonde cusses and tries to stay on. Before Eloise lifts her legs up and wraps her ankles around her throat in a 'x' and heaves down. Throwing the criminal away.

She grunts as she lands onthe hard ground, Eloise quickly stands up and rushes forward, kicking the girl.

Ribs crack and the girl screams.

Eloise kicks again, and again. Painful gasps leave the woman's lips, blood spurting out. The woman's hands reach out weakly to try to beg or prevent the hard hits.

Eloise reaches down and grabs the woman by her short locks. The woman reaches up, lip split and blood oozes from her nose and mouth.

"Eloise!" Cressida screeches as the man behind her goes to slam a wicked knife into her.

A snarl echoes off the walls, as Eloise drops the battered woman to attack the last one standing.

The man's eyes widen and his cruel smile leaves his face for a look of fear. 

Eloise's speed easily catches the fleeing man and her claws rip through fragile flesh as she drags him back into the alley. 

"No! Please!"

Cressida watches as the girl throws John into a dirty puddle several meters away, like a ragdoll.

Her breath and body steams, as her form seems to hulk over the shaking man. 

He drags himself with one arm, the other held in the air as he begs for mercy. Bruises form and cuts bleed.

Eloise's teeth gash, "What makes you think I'll let you get away with this?" 

He goes to turn to stand up to run when Eloise lundges. Jumping on his back, slamming his face into the stone twice before grabs the sides of his jaw and twists. 

An ugly crack sounds as his thrashing body stills.

Silence enters the lane. 

Cressida still has her back pressed harshly against the wall. It bites into her skin. 

Green eyes watch as her friend's chest heaves with deep breaths. 

Eloise peeks over and then closes her eyes. Trying to calm herself. 

The same eyes of the beast. Hellfire blue, Cressida realizes.

Cressida takes a small step forward and pauses as Eloise tenses. Her own heart galloping from the fear of what could've happened with Cressida and now from the rescue.

Her secret exposed. Guilt, shame and anxiety clenches the Bridgerton's heart.

If Eloise doesn't calm down soon, she'll have a whole new problem.

A different type of monster will lurk in the alley.

Cressida watches in fascination as the cuts on her friend's face slowly closes. Her bruises changing colors.

Eloise flinches as she turns away from the blonde.

Disheveled brunette hair flys from the butterfly clip. Her ear once round, pointed and exposed.

Her hands bloody, shaking, and white gloves are ruined. Her elegant fingers have long and deadly nails sticking out. Made for ripping and shredding flesh.

Cressida swallows as she examines the new attributes. Eloise quickly hides her claws behind her. 

Ashamed.

"Miss Cowper, " Eloise sighs, "I'm sure you have many questions."

A sharp sting of hurt comes with the formality.

"Questions?" Cressida laughs unbalanced. She runs a hand up her hair, flinching as her fingers get tangled in the blonde locks. 

A flurry of emotions too quickly to Eloise to identify fly across her face.

Eloise sags. Her hope that she will have enough time to explain to her family, before transforming and taking off to the next boat to the colonies. The time is fleeing by the second.

Cressida takes a slow step forward, grabbing Eloise's arm. 

Eloise tries to take a step back, gobsmacked as the noble girl grabs her taloned hand.

"You saved me," Cressida says with a breathlessness. 

Eloise stares at the girl. Worried if her mind is functioning properly. She just turned into a monster, well part monster, infront of her very eyes.

She just badly hurt and killed three people infront of her. All she can say is that?

Cressida's heart pounds. She stares at the rapidly paling face. 

Cressida blinks, curious. She brings her green orbs from blue irises to trembling fingers trying to gently pull itself away from the blonde's hold.

"Cressida-" 

Cressida deeply sucks in a breath as something sparkles.

She rips her hands away. One covering mouth and the other to reach. 

The wooden handle glinting from the flesh of Eloise.

"Eloise. Your back!?" 

Cressida approaches it and goes to touch it, but stops herself several times. The girl nonchalantly tries to see over her shoulder.

The knife, huge, takes up at least a few centimeters in width. Several in height, and seems to be very deep into Eloise's body.

"Oh my god," shock makes Cressida shake, her heart palpitating for a whole other reason.

 "Eloise. I-I... Stay here. I'll fetch a guard." 

"No, no guards," Eloise grunts. She grabs onto Cressida's arm with a shaking hand. The excitement from the fight and anger fading.

She grits her teeth as pain starts to show.

Cressida lets out a disbelieving laugh, "Are you mad?" 

Worry builds as strength seems to drain from the brilliant girl.

Eloise fangs are easily displayed as she grits her teeth as she tries to feel behind her. 

"You have a knife in your back and you dont want me get a guard to help?" She yelps.

Her grip tightens on Eloise's arm. Eloise pauses before pointing a finger downtown.

"Take me to the gentleman's club. It's just down the street," Eloise pants. Her body still trembling with the need to shift. Her heart racing with fear and adrenaline. She needs to get out of here. But first she needs to keep Cressida safe.

Cressida's heart drops as blood starts bleed through the dress.  

The hilt sticking out of her shoulder, a proud claim of harm.  

Bile coats her tongue, but she swallows when Eloise looks up, "Cressida, Please." 

The lights from the street lanterns illumating the pools forming in her blue eyes. 

Cressida sucks in a breath as Eloise rips out her still beating heart.

She has so many questions, but, "Okay," she whispers. She squeezes Eloise's arm before leading them away from the alleyway.

 

....

 

 Eloise waits in the alley. Cressida wanted to argue, but Eloise was persistent that this be handled in a certain decorum. 

It's so hard to fight with her while she's literally bleeding onto the cobblestones. Cressida might be mean, but never cruel.

Cressida knocks on the hefty door. Soon, a gentleman answers. His smile turns to barely hidden disgust.

Cressida can feel sweat starting to form. Eloise's whimpers echoing in her head after each stumble. Cressida steels herself, this is about getting Eloise help. 

"Can you fetch the Bridgertons? Tell them it's urgent." 

The man huffs in exasperation, "Isn't everything with you females an emergency?"

Cressida growls and grabs his collar. His mustache turns in fury, "Excuse me Miss do you have-"

"No." Cressida growls. Hot, burning anger latches onto her heart like a deadly poison. She is too confused, scared and angry to deal with this incompetent fool right now.

 "Listen to me. I am Cressida Cowper. My father is a distant relative of Scottish and English nobility and I will not have you dismiss me like comman trash. I will see you get or escort me to the Bridgerton men with haste. Do I make myself clear?" 

The man's Adam's apple bobs, "Yes, Miss Cowper."

The door opens and Cressida leans over the metal banister to look at Eloise hiding in the alley for a second, before entering. 

Eloise laughs turns into bloody coughs, as she hears Cressida rip into the man. She wishes she could bare witness to her rage. Cressida's green eyes must be practically glowing with promise of destruction.

She cringes as she can feel her body try to heal around the metal.

 Unfortunately, it's buried in an awkward position for her to remove it. The blade scrapes against her bone. Her lung scratches around it. The point dangerously scrapes against her heart. It slices as new tissue tries to form around it.

"Oh my god! Eloise!" Benedict yells as he sprints to his distraught sibling. The alley echoes with his hurried footsteps as he hastes to reach his sister. 

Cressida's footsteps are not far behind.

Benedict stomach twists when he sees the projectile.

"What on earth happened?" 

He shakes off his jacket and looks to the blonde. Cressida looks pale and he sighs. The tale will have to come out later.

Colin and Anthony are not far behind. Two gazes of concern echo and they help Eloise to the wooden crate deeper into the space. Cressida dissmisses the man that answered the door, when he peeks down the street.

She picks up her dress and tries to keep up. Her mask slipping to deep worry.

 Eloise leans forward, careful of the knife against the brick walls. One brother holds her hand, as he glares to Cressida with protective suspension.

Cressida swallows are she looks to Eloise. Eloise's mouth tight with pain. Her brow damp with sweat, causing her bangs to stick to her forehead.

 Cressida's plams shake as blood stains her fingertips. She holds her hands together tightly.

"What on earth happened?" Anthony growls as his face twists up in rage towards the blonde, looking for answers.

Hot, fresh anger rips in a protective manner.  Eloise looks up and snarls, blue eyes flashing, "It's not her fault!"

Benedict steps between Cressida and Anthony with his palms up, "We can figure out the story later. First, we need to get that blade out of you. Perhaps, Lady Danbury-"

Eloise shakes her head "No. Only Anthony can remove it."

Both Colin and Benedict stare at one another. 

Cressida watches in hopelessness. 

 Eloise grabs Anthony's hand,"Brother," Eloise swallows,"I fear. You will need to use all your strength, as its enlodge pretty deep in my back. Don't slice through my heart, please."

Anthony rips his hand from her grasp. Heart breaking and Eloise heart stutters as utter despair echoes. Colin and Benedict seem more upset, if possible.

Cressida steps forward, not wanting to interpret, but needing to know, "What does that mean?"

Anthony tightens his grip before stubbornly says, "Don't be dramatic." 

Eloise shakes, "I could- I've never been stabbed this deep before." 

"Nonsense sister," Anthony says stronger. He walks around eyeing the blade. 

Colin offers some sympathy as his own face whitens, "It seems as if the blade is in Eloise's heart."

Cressida wobbles and leans against the wall, "What? How...," is it possible? She wants to say, but at the same time, Eloise is still alive.

She's never been more thankful. If there is a God, Cressida is hoping they're listening, right now, to her slient prayers.

Anthony face is hard, "This will not be pleasant. Colin. Benedict brace her." 

Both men grab their sister's on her shoulders, as Anthony pushes his sleeves to his forearms. Face is pure concentration.

"Miss Cowper," Cressida looks up as Anthony orders, "It's of the most importance you make sure no one comes down this alley."

With a heavy swallow, she nods. She turns to go, but she can't help but watch. She needs to be there for Eloise.

He grabs the slippy hilt. His fingers straining with liquid copper,  streaking down the wooden hilt.

"Take a deep breath." 

That's all the warning Eloise gets as he yanks. 

Pain, hot as fire, shoots up her spine. She lifts her mouth and bites onto her wrist. Concealing the roar of pain. Blood spurts out of her arm. The humans flinch at the brutality.

Both Colin and Benedict stumble as their sister starts to buck. Their brows coat with sweat from effort.

"Hurry up!" Colin yells. His eyes widen as the muscles seem to shift under his fingers. Bones go to break, but to stop at awkward angles.

Anthony grits, "Don't you think I'm trying!?" 

Eloise throws Benedict into the wall and with a face curled into a monstrous sneer. She leans up and snaps her teeth at her oldest brother. He scampers back. 

Before her attention can be turned to Colin a sudden warmth slams onto her face.

Eloise turns with a snarl, Cressida's palm smacks against Eloise face, again.

The panting men look on with open mouths. 

Cressida strattles Eloise's lap as her one hand forcefully grabs the she wolf's chin.

She curls her lip and growls, "Stop snapping at your brothers and sit still!"

Eloise eyes flick back and she grabs Cressida's hand, claws still on display.

 She takes great care to be gentle and asks, "Are you stupid?! You probably just broke your wrist!?"

Her hand and wrist does indeed throb,but Cressida could care less, "I'm fine." 

Cressida goes to move when she feels Eloise grip her hips. 

"I, uh," she closes her eyes and swallows. Cheeks reddening, "It's easier to stay calm with you close." 

Cressida's heart tightens, "Okay." She gets comfortable by placing a leg on either side of Eloise's lap. She keeps her arms planted at her side, not wanting to overstep.

Eloise leans forward and Cressida feels her nose brush against her collarbone. She suppresses a shiver. 

"Eloise-" Colin starts. 

Cressida cuts a glare, "Don't stand there. I can't obviously stand guard. Let's hurry this along."

Anthony grabs the hilt and pulls. She can feel Eloise muscles lock and quiver as a squelching noises sounds as the knife slowly inches out. Colin and Benedict tense, as Eloise graps the back of Cressida's dress, ripping the material. Her skin left unblemished.

Cressida forgos letting her hands hang and gently places on hand on top of the brunette's head, the other playing with the baby stands on the back of her neck, "I'm sorry. Eloise, I'm so sorry." 

Anthony grunts as he almost falls backwards. The knife free. Blood drips as he stares at is. Rage coloring his face, "Fucking bastards. It's a Gut Hook Knife. No wonder it was a pain to remove." 

Colin stands as he looks at the weapon, before turning to vomit.

A pale Benedict leans closer and places a piece of hair behind Eloise's sweaty face, "Always need to be extravagant?" 

Eloise lightly chuckles, "It's hard for me to resist." She takes a deep breath before attempting to sit up. 

Cressida slowly slides off. Benedict steps forward and covers the Cowper girl with his jacket. The back of her dress is into ribbons. 

Cressida offers an awkward smile in thanks.

Anthony has Eloise's arm over his shoulder. The height difference makes it almost awkward, but he looks at Colin.

"I want you on damage control. Benedict and I will walk these two to the house. Now, sister what and where did it happen?"

Eloise breath stutters, "Up five alleyways to the left, two dead and I think the third, the only female, was at least unconscious." 

Anthony nods, "That's not necessary as bad as I thought." 

He looks, "Bring lots of alcohol and make it seem like they got in a fight. The one alive," he glances at the trembling she wolf, "If she's alive, take to Lady Danbury's."

The third youngest brother of the group leans down and kisses the top of his sister's head before giving Cressida a glance. Jogging his way to the bodies.

"Let's go ladies. It seems we've got quite the tale to listen to."

Chapter 17

Benedict looks to his left, as Eloise's arm is hanging over his shoulder, Anthony on the other side. Face grim as the blood cracks on his hands. 

Eloise tried to convince them that she was fine to walk home, but after three stumbles and one fall that had her gasping in pain the brother's assisted the rest of the way.

They look up with sagging relief, as the familiar black metal fence comes in view. 

Cressida's quiet footsteps falling behind, gate uneven, with having lost a shoe. Her gaze occasionally glinting to the red stained gown of the she wolf.

"We'll use the side entrance," Anthony orders as he cuts around the block, instead of towards the front corridor. 

Anthony reaches through his pocket, pulling out a key, and unclaps the gate. Benedict leans down and picks Eloise up in a bridal carry as Anthony goes to hold it open.

The group passes through the yard, past the swings were Benedict has spend some of his favorite moments with his sibling.

Sweat collects on her brow, "I'm not dying. You two are being ridiculous."

Cressida watches quietly at the disheveled girl, her own state not much better. The blonde's face tight with worry.

The strap of her gown sliding down to almost improper territory, the back shredded from Eloise's claws. Her blonde hair curling sporadically around her face. 

Benedict looks down and offers a fake smile to his sister, "Please, just admit you enjoy the attention."

Eloise grins, "And you like acting like a proper gentleman for once." The joy clouded in her eyes by discomfort of her wound. 

The lone guard straightens and hand tightens on his weapon by their shadows, only to relax when they arrive in his laterns light.

"My Lord," the guard, Henry, Benedict believes, bows.

Anthony looks to Henry and then to the back door to the kitchen, "Please gather the Vicountess and tell her to meet us down in the kitchen. Be discrete, I don't wish to wake the rest of the house."

The guard nods before handing off his light and going to do his task. Anthony escorts them into the house, grateful for the lantern.

"Here," Anthony clears the wooden table and Benedict slowly set his sister down. Cressida hovers by the wall, leaning on the stone, unsure what to do. She bites on her thumbnails as she watches Anthony pump up water and order Benedict to light the two other lanterns around the room. The hiss of a lighting a match echoes in the space as he additionally starts the fireplace.

Eloise looks up and extends a hand to her, Cressida gratefully takes it after a paused moment.

"You're shaking," Eloise murmurs as she squeezes her hands. 

Her adrenaline too high, for her claws to retract. She's barely holding on to this form, her instincts demanding a change. To heal the ripped and torn muscle.

Cressida lets out a choked laugh, "How could I not be? After-"

Eloise looks away, ashamed, "After seeing your friend as a monster."

Cressida tightens her hold to prevent Eloise from letting go, from pulling away. She steps closer and gets in the vision of the blue eyes glowing in the dark of the room. How poetic, the one person who brightens her life also stands out against the natural darkness of the world. 

"I was not going to say that. I was going to comment, seeing my friend get stabbed."

Eloise's eyes flicker across the blonde's face, looking for a sense of lies that her nose cannot pick up.

The Bridgerton offers up a watery grin, "Thank you."

Before Eloise can respond, Kate floats into the kitchen, nightgown rumpled with hair up in a frizzy updo. 

She looks around, face white with the shock of being woken at late hours. Her form pauses and sags when her gaze lands on her unharmed husband, "Anthony, what's going on?"

"Eloise was attacked," he answers, bringing over a steaming bowl of water behind Eloise. Kate's eyes widen as she marches around the table, letting out a gasp at the ruined cloth.

"What-" She brings a hand to her mouth.

Benedict steps forward," Perhaps we can discuss the details at a later time. It is quiet late and I think Miss Cowper's parents are starting to get worried."

Cressida whips her attention from the floor to him. Kate looks over at the girl, her concerned gaze turns questioning.

The older woman doesn't know much about the blonde between what the other Bridgertons think and the few brief moments between her and Cressida. 

She honestly thinks Cressida is a bit lost. Unsure of what she wants and what is expected of her. 

Honestly, Kate pitties the girl. Before she can voice her agreement with Benedict, something in her expression makes her pause. 

The blonde bites her lip as her eyes look towards Eloise, dress bloody and torn, almost falling in tetters past her shoulders. Face pale, as her feet shifts, unsure what to do as the boys warm up another pot of water by the crackling fire in the corner.

Kate's eyes drop low to their tangled hands, "I say we send a footman to the Cowpers letting them know that Miss Cressida will be staying the night."

Everyone looks up at her, and she ignores the hopeful expression that Eloise has as Cressida stiffens. 

Anthony's brow furrows, and Kate nearly gasps as a knife in his hand, bloody, gleams in the minimal light. 

"Are you sure that's wise my love?" He whispers, knowing Eloise can hear every word.

Kate nods and grabs his arm, "Look at how their standing."

Anthony's own looks over and Eloise tenses as he does when he notices their proximity. She smells his surprise. Her clawed hand twitches, the ears flickering low as his eyes hardening. Blue eyes close tight. 

His own instincts almost rumble with warning at the human girl who dares to stand so close to his wounded little sister. 

Kate's hand tightens and she knows, based on the stories that Eloise is showing remarkable control. Gentle, very much in control. No snarling or verbal threats, yet.

"Fine, Benedict go with a footman and personally inform them, that Cressida is staying over. Say that Eloise and her caught got up and with my personal blessing that they are planning a strategic plan to help with Cressida's courtship with Debling. After all, we are friends with the Lord."

Benedict opens his mouth, but shuts it at Kate's subtle glare.

He looks and stumbles at the doorway when he follows their shocked looks to the she wolf's grasp. 

He's seen his sister's claws, even had them directed at him in threat, daring him to take the last berry tart. They come out in times of stress, fear and even playfulness. But never, never, has Eloise touched anyone with them. 

Never has gotten close enough, not since her first transformation. Always having a carefully crafted distance.

He's seen Anthony's notes of the brutality they cause during Eloise's training. How they slash through tree trunks and peirce metal with ease.

For Cressida to graps the clawed hand, without even a fearful whine or growl from his sister is truly a wonder.

Eloise sighs, "I will heal by tomorrow, you know. This is all unnecessary." 

Her blue eyes flick at her family, the attention unwanted more than anything. She just needs a good meal and some sleep.

Kate takes up the cloth and wrings it out before dabbing the area. She watches as the werewolf tenses, muscles shifting as she cleans the blood. 

The wound already pink with granulation tissue, as the muscles and skin sink back into itself, thicker, a scar.

Anthony watches carefully as he pokes the fire, the flames illumating his strong jaw as it flexes.

Cressida steps forward and says, "You were so stupid. Why would you rush in? You, yourself could've been hurt. You were hurt!"

Eloise scoffs, "You're foolish for following a random man. What were you thinking?"

Cressida looks down, ashamed to admit that Eloise is right. She should've been more careful.

"I-" Cressida bites her lip, worrying at the skin as her other hand clenches so tight, her nails dig into her palm. 

Her actions caused pain and unknown consequences to the Bridgertons. 

"Regardless, Eloise. Your choice of intervening has brought problems that we need to deal with," Anthony says as he steps and peers over his wife's shoulder. Thank goodness that Eloise's own supernatural healing doesn't require him to call Lady Danbury at this moment. He isn't even sure what he'd tell the woman or how she'd react. 

"I think it's late and we should save that and other heavier discussions tomorrow after everyone has some sleep," Kate interjects as she lifts a brow at her husband.

Anthony stares and she narrows her eyes a tiny bit, daring him to deny her suggestion. She smiles when she notices the tell in the drop of his shoulders that's she's won, as he mumbles, "I suppose you are correct."

Kate chuckles, "One day, he'll learn."

Eloise snorts, "Anthony, yielding? Please it's a miracle. I'm sure it's only because your stubbornness matche's his."

Kate shrugs, "Perhaps."

"I think it's a Bridgerton trait. Honestly, Eloise. You kept demanding a game regardless of your streak of losses," Cressida states as she ignores the ripping of fabric, so Kate can clean even lower on Eloise's spine.

Eloise rolls her eyes, "Lord Debling informed me he bested you on a few matches. You're not as perfect as you say you are."

Cressida furrows her brows, "I never claimed to be."

Kate and Cressida share a look of mutual entertainment as Eloise grumbles to herself. 

Cressida looks carefully at the new features adoring the brunette. 

The pointed ears on the sides of her head, that occasionally flick or lower depending of her answers. The claws in hands, dried with blood. Capable of ripping men, yet, Eloise holds her hand father light. Cressida squeezes and Eloise softens.

"Where's Colin?" Kate wonders.

Anthony peeks out the window, "I sent him on an errand, he should be returning at any moment." 

He should've told his brother to return at the side, hopefully he'd run into Benedict on the way back. 

Kate turns towards him, "Well I hope he returns shortly, he has a big day tomorrow."

Eloise tilts her head, "Tomorrow? What's tomorrow?"

Anthony narrows his eyes at his wife as she cringes. With a heavy sigh, he waves his hand in a get on with it motion. 

"Well, you where gone all day helping Lady Danbury, apparently Colin asked permission to purpose," Kate teases as Anthony's gaze softens, as he's once more distracted by the beauty of his wife. 

Eloise sits up straighter and turns, "Colin found his mate?" 

Cressida looks as Eloise turns to her brother. Mates? As in partners, like for animals? 

Kate pauses as she sees steam waft off of the skin, "It would seem so." 

Eloise brows furrow, "Who-"

The door opens, Benedict and Colin walk in, "Look who I found sneaking in by the door on my way back."

Anthony relaxes, setting the knife down, "How'd it go?"

"Fine. The Cowp'ers seemed displeased, but kept their mouths shut on their thoughts," Benedict jokes as Colin steps around.

He looks to Anthony, dried blood staining his shirt. Hair rumpled out of his earlier, neater style.

His pale form looks to his older brother, "We have a problem."

Eloise freezes as a scent enters the room as her brothers walk in. 

A growl rips from her chest and she jumps down, slowly stepping toward her now wide eyed family members. Letting go of Cressida's hand.

"Colin, why in God's name do you smell like Penelope? And more importantly why do you smell, as if you've been copulating with her?" 

Anthony's eyes dart to his brother and he quickly pulls Kate behind him as Eloise teeth once again lengthen to a deadly quality.

"Fuck," Benedict prays as he pins himself to the wall. 

Colin swallows and puts his hands out in a pleading gesture, "Eloise, we have a bigger problems."

Eloise lets out a barking laughter, "I guess nothing really sets the mood as hiding the bodies that your sister caused, is that it?"

Anthony goes to step infront of him, but Kate grabs him. Her breathing shallow as hesitation enters her blood stream. She knows Eloise, she loves Eloise, but the tales of Vetalas. Of skinwalkers. Still permeate in her fear.

Eloise drags her nails across the wood as she steps closer, causing grooves as her face and features shift even more, the whites of her eyes turning black. 

Blood leaking from the stretching wound.

Cressida steps forward to warn her friend but someone grabs her arm. She turns and Benedict puts a finger to his lips. 

"Eloise calm down now!" Anthony orders and the she wolf spares him a glance.

"You knew of this? Of how Colin defiled an unmarried maiden? A person who I have strife with? And you accepted it?" Each word clipped as Eloise fights to maintain the language of man.

Colin passes his brother's arm, "I love her!"

Something snaps inside, something bitter and sad. 

Eloise grabs her head as the first crack echoes in the room. 

Her transformation much faster, but just as painful as the first, human tears leak from the eyes of a growling beast. 

Anthony grip on the knife tightens as the group shout as the snarling wolf pins the third eldest to the door. 

It shakes on the metal hinges and Colin grunts at the impact. 

Luckily, the room is tall enough that the tips of the she wolf's ears to touch the ceiling. 

The wolf growl rumbles throughout the room.

Colin's own eyes burn with fear, "I'm sorry, El. I did not think it would cause you this much pain. I did not mean for it to become a secret." 

'What about the bottles? You knew the scent would cover Penelope's? You knew and you still choose her over me!? Do you even know? What she's written? Who she really is?' Eloise mind flits, wishing he could hear. 

A small hand lands on her shoulder and Eloise nearly snaps at the approaching appendage, when she locks onto forest green.

"Cressida," Benedict warns, and Eloise eyes narrow on his hand going to grab her back. She let's go of Colin and gives a snarl of caution to her favorite brother. 

Cressida looks up and gasps as the creature from so many nights ago looms over her. 

Not with fear, but with awe.

Should she be checked out by a doctor? Probably. Does she care? No.

Eloise settles down and turns. Her eyes land on Anthony's hand, white knuckled on the blade. She snorts and dust from the floor picks up.

"No, one make a move," Anthony whispers as he calculates how to protect everyone in the room, "Anything could potentially set her off."

"What?" Cressida questions. Benedict whinces at the normal volume.

Anthony pushes Kate and Colin towards the door slowly, "Eloise, isn't herself."

Cressida looks and is marveled by the intelligence, the magnificent of her, "I think you're the one who isn't acting himself. This is still Eloise, the same sister who you all know."

Anthony narrows his eyes, "Not in this form, she's.....different."

Cressida steps closer to the wolf, "You were going to say monster."

She takes a breath and slowly, ignoring their whispered concerns, puts a hand on the dark brown fur.

Everyone freezes.

Cressida shocked at the heat and softness of the fur. Eloise closing her eyes, a low whine at the sheer gentleness of it all. A slight tremble of emotions that this form is unable to physically output bundles up. 

Benedict mouth drops open as he witnesses a beauty taming a beast.

 

Chapter 18

Notes:

Hope yal enjoy. I wrote most of this drunk at my friends wedding.

Kate turns around once she reaches the end of the hallway. The two lanterns lit in the narrow passage, illumating the shadows of the wolf as it creeps forward. 

The wide blue eyes flickering back and forth in every direction, as if hesitant, uncomfortable in its own home. 

Uneasiness, crunches in the she wolf's gut as the top of the stairs creek and Eloise freezes. 

Still as the portrait of her father in the hall. Cressida stops as she looks at the two females, Kate, stoic but a little tilt in her head as she pacently waits for them. The flared nostrils and wide eyes of the beast next to her makes Cressida pause.

The blonde knows she should be scared, but she's more curious, furious, and relieved that the Bridgertons odd behaviors make more sense. 

A bloody werewolf.

It seems that Whistledown doesn't know everything.

The blonde steps forward and looks down, her gaze lingers at the white fur on her back, the jagged design, "Shall we get you to your room? You must be tired."

The wolf's ears flick to pay attention and then creeps forward after a pause, following her strides. Warmth brushes through the gown and Cressida feels the muscle and power that the beast provides as it nearly leans into her.

Cressida frowns at the wolf's every flinch, tensing from the noise that the wooden floor makes, sometimes to something beyond her human ears can pick up.

Kate steps to the side, indicating that this is one of their rooms.

She goes to open the golden handle, then watches as the wolf regains standing on its two hind legs and opens the latch with ease for her. The she wolf's already large form doubling in height, having to bend down to enter the doorway.

Kate smiles awkwardly, "I can show you to your room Miss Cowper, if you'd follow me."

Cressida goes to turn when she feels a gentle tug at her sleeve. 

She looks down and Eloise lets go quickly, as if ashamed. 

Such a human gesture.

Kate blinks, trying to solve through what she knows, the tales from her people, the world and the tales from Anthony of the lupine. 

All horror, all ending with disaster. The reminder of the danger that his own sister carved into his skin. The raised scar tissue that she kisses every night, greatful that he's alive. 

But, she also has hear stories of love and of kindness from Violet of Edward. How he was never a beast, just her beloved no matter what form.

"Perhaps, you should stay with Eloise," Kate offers. Something inside telling her it's the right thing. 

Cressida whips her head around, "What?"

Kate offers a bemused smile at the affronted expression.

"Well, we've never had Eloise in the townhouse as this form and I would think she would want to see a friendly face when she transforms back, to help her out. I mean her handmaid is out for the weekend, " Kate ponders tapping her chin with her pointer. She ignores the show of teeth behind Cressida's shoulder at her lie.

"I-i," Cressida stutters as she turns to look at the wolf, who immediately stops snarling.

Cressida ponders. She does also not want to leave Eloise alone. 

She has so many questions.

The blonde sags, "Would that be okay with you?"

The creatures only response is to sit and tilt her head. 

Cressida can't help, but snort, "Very helpful, Bridgerton."

Kate chuckles, "Well, of you need anything my room is on the right side of the stairs, second door to the left."

With that, she shuts the door and the two debutantes stare at each other. 

Cressida looks around, the dying embers in the fireplace, once lit to keep the mistress of the room warm. Not much has changed since the last time she's stepped foot in the room.

"You know, I never thought you had the capability of being silent for so long. I think I prefer this form," Cressida states as she tries to break the tension that seems to be swirling around them. She looks at the ground, a dark grey rug covers part of the wooden floor.

The wolf pins it's ears back and snorts.

Cressida scoffs back, "What? It's nice to get a bloody moment of silence after all the excitement of tonight."

The blonde curls her arms around herself as she closes her eyes, trying to block out the rough grabbing she can still feel on her skin. 

She opens her eyes, that she didn't even realize she shut when a cold nose presses against her cheek. 

She blinks and colbat burns back at her, the black skin around, highlighting the worry and kindness in the glowing orbs. 

Cressida blinks as furred hand? Paw, brushes her cheek.

Eloise slips a whine at the tear shining on her finger as the blonde stutters away, "I-apologies." 

The lycan walks towards the blonde, who steps back until she nearly falls into the girl's bed. 

"What-"

The werewolf, jumps up onto its hind legs and pushes the blonde into the comfort of the matress.

Cressida's heart increases in tempo as the girl hovers over her. Hot puffs of air hits her cheeks. 

Mouth suddenly parched, she swallows heavily as the wolf blinks and slowly lowers itself on the floor. 

The room shakes slightly as the creature drops fully, huffing as it closes its eyes. 

The older woman puts a hand on her chest, trying to slow the pumping organ. 

What is her deal? This isn't the first time seeing the beast.

But, it is the first time knowing it was Eloise.

Eloise, the crass, snarky, smart, wonderful girl.

A heat blooms on Cressida's cheeks and she peeks down as the wolf lays down with her head prompt on her crossed arms. 

"Eloise," Cressida whispers.

The wolf's ears closest to her flicks, the blonde furrows her brows, "Eloise."

The wolf grumbles dramatically and lifts its head up, ears flicked back.

Cressida stands, "This is your room. You should have the bed."

The wolf narrows her eyes as a flash of teeth shine. 

The blonde pauses before pointing, "Don't. You might have the rest of the town and your family fooled, but I know better. I've seen you spit out a banana because there was a brown spot. The idea that you bite me is humorous."

The wolf slowly stands, glaring, lips curling and fur raising. 

Cressida raises her head, holding her wrists to prevent any shaking from showing. The wolf steps forward and Cressida steps to the side futher away from the bed. 

Blue eyes narrow.

Before she can blink, Cressida finds herself shrieking as the lupine grabs her and throws her over her shoulder and pins her to the bed. 

Cressida looks up as the wolf holds her wrists and tilts it's head.

The blonde snorts, and then starts to laugh, putting her head into the comforter to soften her noise. 

"Sorry, Sorry. It's just a tad ridiculous if you think about it. Men have spent years hunting for you, running and hiding, even pissing themselves and here I am. Being pinned by the same creature, just because we're arguing over the bed." Cressida chuckles and the faint wagging of a tail doesn't escape her sight.

"Why don't we share?"

Blue eyes widen and Cressida nearly misses grabbing the girl, catching by the tail. Eloise growls and the blonde let's go.

Cressida looks over before her lips twitch in bratty amusement, she taps the comforter, "Eloise, sit."

The werewolf tenses before it glowers.

Cressida ignores the offended look, "Come on doggy, won't you be a good house pet and-oof."

Cressida rips off the pillow that ended up getting smacked in the face with and glares. 

The wolf snorts before laying down, green eyes glance towards the beast as it sighs, muscles relaxing as it sinks into the bed.

The blonde holds the pillow close and whispers after a moment, "Good night."

...

"Y-your clothes!?" 

Eloise eyes pop open and she looks up as the older girl inhales loudly, trying to calm her racing heart. The image of brown waves cascading down slim shoulders, to collarbones and tips of hair ending right above-

A choking noise sounds from the brunette's throat and Cressida turns as Eloise quickly rips a blanket to cover herself. 

"Sorry! Sorry! Wolves don't wear clothes after transformation and sometimes when I'm in my own space I tend to forget," Eloise murmurs as pink erupts across her face. She paddles around the room, grabbing a random change of clothes off the floor before ducking behind the changing curtain. 

Cressida coughs, "It's fine, " she tries to ignore the heat in her cheeks, "By the rate we're were going of your state of undress it was bound to happen."

Eloise groans into her hands, "Oh, god."

Cressida looks at her feet, wiggling a dirty sock. Wishing to change out of yesterday's clothes soon,trying to ignore the image that she woke up too.

Slightly tanned skin, littered in freckles across the shoulders, a pouty mouth slightly open as gentle breaths exit the mouth.

"What's it like?"

Eloise comes around the curtain, combing her tangled waves with her fingers, "What's like what?"

Cressida motions towards her, "The transformation, being able to become something else."

Eloise stops, "Oh, well. It's just like breathing, I guess. I mean, I've never been anything different, so I have nothing to compare it too."

Eloise sits down and pats the spot on the bed next to her.

Cressida obedantly joins and Eloise looks over, "I guess, I could tell you how I feel. At first it was painful and hard. Like a part of me, I didn't know was missing, wanted to burst out, and the harder I pushed it back inside, the more uncomfortable it got. Like trying to hold in a sneeze. At first you're bombarded with the tuned up senses and instincts you wouldn't normally focus on, whacks you across the face."

Cressida folds her hands in her lap, focused on the younger girl as she stares up to her ceiling, brown waves cascading around her face.

"Interesting," the blonde says, face still hot.

Eloise looks down and cringes, "Mama would have my head knowing you slept in yesterday's cloth."

The brunette goes to her closet and pulls out a light lavender gown, "I think this should fit you. It was originally made for Francesca but the seamstress made the gown's shoulders a tad too broad."

Infront of the mirror, a chair is pulled to indicate to the blonde of where the she wolf would like her to sit. 

Cressida follows and sits before Eloise as the girl carefully starts taking out the pins. She blanches, "This couldn't have been comfortable to sleep in."

Pale shoulders shrug, "I didn't have much trouble sleeping actually, it must've been the fluffy furnace next to me that starved off any nightly insomnia."

It's true actually, after Cressida got over the overwhelming fact that she slept next to the beast of London and all of the what if's, she slept peacefully.

Eloise avoids the cheeky smile and scoffs," Well, you wouldn't have to worry about that happening again."

Cressida frowns and turns,"What?"

Eloise pulls the last of the remaining hairdo and grabs a brush to gently pull any knots out of the golden locks, "Last night, I lost control. I cannot have it happen again. Now you too will be in danger."

Green eyes turn to lock onto blue, "Danger?"

Eloise sighs, "Cressida, if anyone would ever figure out what I am-....it would put my whole family in danger. Worse they'd kill or trap me and then kill the rest, thinking they were like me or claiming them to be witches. Demon whorshipers. I cannot let that happen."

Cressida bites her lip. Knowing that that's probably true. The ton does tend to start on the side of a mob rather than fascination or understanding of the unknown. Even some where whispering of demonic devices of the balloon, "What about Kate or the Duke?" 

Eloise sighs, "That's different. Their my siblings mates." 

Mates, there's that word again. 

"Is mates different from husband or wife?"

Eloise looks down, "Matches of any sort have always seemed frivolous to me. You call them True love. Some soulmates. Others, predestinated partners. Hyacinth twirls around the house dreaming of what her mate looks like, smells like." 

Cressida looks down, "So every Bridgerton has an actual true love out there?"

"Tragic, isn't it?" 

Cressida sags, thinking of her own failed matches, the prince, Lord Featherington, several others who lost interest, "It sounds lovely, actually."

Eloise doesn't bother to respond as she rakes her nails through the blonde strands and starts to braid.

Cressida bites her lip, "H-have you met yours yet?"

Eloise pauses, flicking her eyes up to see Cressida's eyes focused down on her lap, "My mate?" 

A subtle nod.

Eloise continues, "No, I'm not sure if I'll ever find them."

Cressida swallows, not knowing if she truly wishes to know, "Why not?"

Eloise tightens the braid, "I'm different. A true lycanthrope, my father's pairing was... odd. I'm not certain I'll have the same luck."

"Odd?"

Eloise reaches to grab one of her blue ribbons to end the braid, "My mama is human, born and true. The rest of my siblings have a fraction of the gifts that I obtain. It would make sense for their mates to be human."

She pulls on the ribbon and smiles, satisfied, "Not as elaborate as your usual styles but it will do for today. Let's get you in a different gown."

Cressida turns and watches as Eloise brings the other dress over, "Are you scared?"

"Scared?"

Cressida bites her lip, "Will you know when you meet them? How do you know you haven't already?" 

Eloise face tightens, as if in pain, "Here." 

Cressida accepts the dress. "Eloise."

"I seemed to have ripped through your corset yesterday, so removal of the dress should be easy. Let me know how much I owe you for a replacement." 

Before Cressida can respond Eloise steps out of her room to give privacy. 

The blonde huffs through her nose and decides to let go of the topic for now. 

Cressida finds Eloise downstairs, only Gregory and Hyacinth at the table already eating breakfast.

"Do you have a scar? Is it cool? Does it hurt?" The young man asks as Hyacinth looks up to the blonde with a slight wave. 

Cressida joins as Eloise rolls her eyes, "I'm not sure, I can't exactly see behind my back."

A small amount of white fur pictures in Cressida's mind and a flood of guilt pools into her belly. Cressida nearly jumps as a hand lands on hers as she sits. 

She looks over and Eloise rolls her eyes before giving a squeeze to continue eating. 

"So, I'm guessing you know about Eloise turning into a dog?" Hyacinth asks as said girl chokes on her breakfast. 

Cressida also giggles, "Well, yes?" 

Eloise glares, "Shut up."

Hyacinth grins, "What? Benedict said so himself that the wolf was out of the bag."

Eloise groans, "Does mother know?"

The two siblings shrug in unison. 

Cressida looks between them, not seeing anything odd. Eloise has always had this aura, this feeling of being other. The two Bridgertons infront of her? Not so much.

Hyacinth stands up, "Oh, Cressida are you're in Eloise's favorite gown? Not fair! She chased me nearly out for the house when I even asked to try it on!"

Cressida whips her head over, "I thought-?"

Eloise swallows and hurriedly covers, "Was! Was my favorite but it, uh, looks much better on you,....anyways." The brunette ignores Cressida's blush and Gregory smiles.

"It's nice to have a proper Lady at the table for once, not these sorry excuses as sisters," Gregory compliments. 

"Hey!" Hyacinth and Eloise snarl. Hyacinth flicks Gregory on the nose and before Cressida can see Hyacinth speeds away. Gregory pushing back to chase after her, "Good morning, Miss Cowper. Have a lovely day. Hyacinth!"

Cressida looks over as Eloise reaches across the table to snag her siblings uneaten eggs. 

"Hyacinth has speed to match a diving falcon. She uses it to her advantage to torture Gregory whenever she's able."

Cressida looks over, "The rest of your siblings?"

Eloise pauses mid chew, "Gregory can heal at an incredible rate. Anthony has strength of a lion, Colin can see great distances and details, Francesca can hear a fly buzzing across the room, Daphne can smell bread baking from her bedroom."

Cressida pauses amazed at such talents, "And what about Benedict?"

Eloise mouth twitched, "Father claimed he got heightend instincts. Like someone who had perfect timing or knows it's going to rain so he packs an umbrella. My brothers give him a hard time but everything seems so easy for him."

Cressida watches as the girl finishes her plate, "And what? Are you a proud collection of all these gifts?" 

"Gifts? I wouldn't call Eloise turning into a monster twice a month, a gift. At least, not for the rest of us."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 19

The two look over as Benedict swaggers in cheeky grin on his face.

He cuffs Colin on the back of the head, "Now, brother. Just because Eloise scared you last night, doesn't mean you get to call her a monster. Honestly, menstruation and lupine transformation is all natural in this house, no need to ashame it." 

Colin looks of surprise matches his sister's as Benedict sits across from the two girls.

He glances from his brother's narrowed eyes and apologizes, "Sorry. It was ment more to be a joke than a barb."

Eloise swallows. Appreciation flaring in her chest, "I know."

Violet and the Vicount enter shortly after. The mother walks over to the girls and kisses her child's head, "Anthony said you had a rough evening last night," blue eyes go towards the blonde, "Both of you."

The woman sets a gentle hand on Cressida's shoulder, "How are you holding up dear?" 

The girl blinks, unsure for such open display of motherly affection.

Cressida opens her mouth, closes then clears her throat. Emotions thick, "I'm alright."

"Lady Danbury will arrive shortly. Then we will have a meeting to dicuss last night's events and how to prepare for the consequences. Colin, I apologize. We will have to move your plans for next week," Anthony states as he looks to his family. 

Colin opens his mouth, but clicks it shut in a dramatic sigh. He and the rest start to talk about mundane things that the she wolf does not care about, what food and music they will need for the event.

Eloise stares and she feels a rumble of something in her chest. She doesn't know how to describe it, but ever since she's awoken. It's like the magic, her magic and both sides of herself has settled. 

The brunette glances towards the untouched plate next to her, "Would you prefer something else?" 

Cressida almost jumps, being ripped from her thoughts and gives a tight smile, "No, thank you. It seems I don't have much of an appetite this morning."

Eloise frowns, "Cress, you must at least have something. You haven't eaten since yesterday."

Eloise picks up her fork and cuts her breakfast and offers it to the girl next to her, "Here."

The blonde looks up and Eloise lip tuts out as a pleading gesture overcomes her features and the effect is immediate. Cressida groans at herself as she caves and leans down to accept the offered food.

Unaware to both, a bewildered Benedict gawking at the display. 

His face carefully crafted to seemingly listen to what the rest are saying, but his attention stays with the two ladies. 

Not even the other week, Eloise had Gregory on the floor with his arm cranked behind his back for swiping a pastry off of her plate. 

Benedict adds this to his list of suspicion, as the door opens.

The witch walks in and her sneer darkens as it lands on her student, "Why is it that I had a message delivered to me at the beginning of breakfast that we must discuss Eloise's future?"

Anthony clears his throat, "Yes. It seems that the Werewolf of London made an appearance last night. I thought your input would be appreciated."

"And why is the Cowper girl here?"

Cressida turns wide eyed to see glowing eyes as the brunette stands, meal forgotten, "Anthony, Kate, Benedict, Colin, Cressida follow me and Lady Danbury to the office please." 

Anthony opens his mouth, eyes glancing to their mother when Eloise seems to get taller, "Now."

Cressida follows bewildered as Eloise gently takes her hand and the blonde turns to the others, who seem to be in a similar state of shock. 

They arrive first and Eloise turns, quickly letting go. The heat dissappearing as soon as the touch does.  

The girl starts to pace and ramble with vivid hand gestures.

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to grab you like that. I just think it's important that you're apart of this because it involves you, so you should be here. As if you don't need anymore people telling you what to-"

"Eloise."

"-do because it's your life! I mean we, as ladies, never get a say-"

"Eloise," Cressida tries again.

"- which is total, excuse my French, bullshit! I mean, it's our-your life! And!-"

"Eloise!" Cressida grabs the girl's face and the girl snaps her jaw shut as she looks into wide green.

Cressida huffs a laugh, "It's fine." 

It's not fine. Honestly, the blonde has been freaking out. The less scared part of this was discovering that her friend is a creature of the night. More importantly what happened with the bodies? And what will happen to Eloise if they were discovered?

Eloise grips the blonde's wrists, "You will be fine."

The door opens and Cressida takes a step back, hand grasping her other wrist. 

Benedict looks between them and opens the door wider for the rest to come in. 

Anthony walks behind his desk and Kate follows, leaning behind him. A show of support and partnership. 

Benedict collects into one of chairs, while Lady Danbury occupies the other. Colin takes it to lean against the windows while Eloise stands next to the door with Cressida an arms length next to her.

Anthony sighs, "Why don't you tell us what exactly happened?"

Lady Danbury holds her hand up, "If I may Cressida, I'm assuming you know of Eloise's....condition?"

Cressida raises a brow, "If you're talking about her turning into a wolf, then yes."

Lady Danbury nods and asks with almost a disappointing sigh, "Is there anyone else that knows?" 

Eloise nods, "Debling."

Cressida shoots a surprise look along with the girl's brothers. They all knew that the man was engaging himself more with the brunette, but what they did and discussed was anyone's guess. Anthony whispers a prayer as he pinches his brow.

Eloise looks to the clock, "Actually, he was supposed to have late morning tea with me. He should arrive any minute."

Kate stands, "I shall delay him, while this discussion happens." She bends down and kisses Anthony's head.

"I think the Lord should join us."

Everyone turns to Benedict, Kate pausing before the door.

He rubs his chin, "The man could help us, and given that he knows everything. I say he would be willing to listen."

"We're talking about murder. Not Eloise's swiping some neighborhood cats," Colin gruffs. 

Eloise growls, "They were not innocent."

Colin scoffs, "They were human."

Eloise steps slightly infront of Cressida, "If it was Penelope, tell me you would not had satisfaction in ending their pathetic lives."

The room is silent, the grandfather clock in the corner. Eloise raising her chin, challenging. 

Colin meets her eyes before relenting, staring at the ground. He knows she can smell his answer on him. He was the one to take care of the remains.

A knock sounds and Kate answers with a crack of the door. A footman bows, "Sorry for bothering you, Vicountess. Lord Debling has arrived."

Kate pushes a smile, "Send him up, please."

The door clicks and the attention returns to the younger girls.

Cressida steps close and puts a hand on Eloise's arm. Blue eyes dim and look back. 

The girl offers an stern nod, unsure emotions swirls in her stomach. She walks to the center and takes a steadying breath.

"I suppose, I should wait until Lord Debling joins."

Lady Danbury leans back and shoots her eyes to the tight faced she wolf. Her blue eyes looking worriedly to her friend. 

"You don't have to share with us at all, if you wish, " Kate offers. She can take a guess of what transpired. Unfortunately, crimes of humankind are universal. Same sins, different places.

Cressida sighs, "I'm afraid, I must, for you all to understand why I don't see Eloise's...transformation in the same light as you all do."

A knock sounds, and Kate opens the door.

The blonde male looks down and bows, "Vicountess. I was instructed to join you here?"

"Come in, I'm afraid there's some private matters we need you to be informed of."

Lord Debling walks in, blue eyes kept on the woman, "Is Miss Eloise okay?"

He pauses taking in the company, unsure eyes pausing on the she wolf and Lady Danbury. Finally, landing on the debutante he's been courting.

"Miss Cowper?" He stops blinking in surprise.

Anthony stands, "There was an incident yesterday. Since, my sister has entrusted you with her secret, you should be aware of these events."

Lady Danbury holds a hand up. The Vicount nods his consent, "There might be things you cannot unhear. Can we entrust you?"

Lord Debling bows after thinking for a moment, "You have my word. What I hear here will not leave the room."

Lady Danbury flickers her eyes to her student, who nods. A silent signal of his truth.

Cressida looks to the man, her nerves grow as she swallows, "Yesterday, after Lord Debling said goodnight, a guard approached me. He said that my parents caught a ride home due to an incident. I trusted and followed him. He took me into an alleyway where some counterparts where waiting. He," the blonde stumbles, sweat breaking out as hands reaches for their buttons, the unwanted image makes an appearance. 

A low rumble enters and teary green eyes open with surprise as a warm hand takes hers. 

"You don't have to say. I can inform them," Colin offers gently. The pale body with a ripped out throat with pants undone in a soliders uniform fresh in his mind.

He stands, "The man attempted to take Miss Cowper's virtue. Out off wickedness or other messed up reasons. Regardless Eloise made sure no other woman would be damned by him again. The other man dead in a puddle, bruising at his throat with a snapped neck. I went to the paper district and got a burning potion from a warlock who owed us a favor. I managed to pour buckets of alcohol and water on the bricks. No evidence is left of the crime."

The blonde notes, Warlock? She shoots a look, no one else seems surprised as her.

Eloise looks over, "And what of the girl?"

Everyone looks to the confused Colin. His brows pinched, "You said there was three? When I got there, there was only the two. I thought you might have been wrong from the adrenaline and-"

"Eloise can handle herself under pain and distress. She is not some simpleton Colin," Lady Danbury cuts in as she studies the she wolf. 

Eloise swallows her gratefulness and continues, "There was a woman as well. Dirty blonde, shorter than me. She was unconscious when we left."

Anthony taps his finger on the desk, "Did she see you?" 

Eloise sighs, "Honestly, I am uncertain. I wasn't fully transformed."

"Could she recognize you?" Lord Debling asks.

Everyone turns to him. 

He shifts his weight, "There is a difference between hunting an unknown creature and hunting down a demon possessing a familiar name." 

Cressida shoots a worried glance as Eloise silently snarls, "I'm not sure. I didn't know her or her scent."

"I didn't recognize her," Cressida clarifies, "I doubt she'd recognize Eloise."

Benedict pausing in drumming his fingers on his armrest, "Did you say her name?"

Cressida opens her mouth and shuts it, "I, uh, just said her first name. Nothing relating to Bridgerton."

Lady Danbury huffs, "Well, we have to take it in fact that she knows that you two know each other. There is not many Eloise's in Mayfair."

Cressida's eyes drop and guilt creeps in. She's possibly put her friend into danger, more so than she already is.

"Cressida," Anthony says. His hands interlocked as he stares towards Benedict, thinking. 

The second oldest raises a brow as the monarch continues, "It is imperative that this remains a secret. No one must know of Eloise or us."

The blonde rolls her eyes, "I already know this." 

Benedict stands, "What my dear brother is trying to say, is welcome to the supernatural club. Now, why don't Lord Debling and I escort you home?" 

Kate stands, "I will come with. It will look better if I am apart of this." 

Cressida looks to Eloise and the brunette nods, "I will see you soon."

Kate gently takes Cressida and the two men follow.

When the door clicks, Anthony flickers his gaze, "El..."

Eloise slouches, "I already know."

Colin looks between them, "Know what?" 

The two heads of the family share grim faces as they look to him. 

Lady Danbury answer his question, "It seems we have a human to hunt."

Colin sputters, "You cannot be serious?"

Eloise turns, stomach clenching. Killing the men in the moment was easy. They were in the wrong, but this?

Hunting a human? A sick twisted part of her is, excited. Prey, real prey.

"If I don't catch and kill her, who knows what she will say."

Colin looks to Lady Danbury, pleadingly, "Surely, there must be a potion or something?"

Lady Danbury holds her gaze on the she wolf, "Potions aren't always accurate. And mind spells are tricky, I could cause her to go insane or worse."

Colin laughs mockingly, "Death is better?"

Anthony stands, "This is the best and permanent solution. We cannot risk trusting her."

"You know we must travel to the castle to inform the Queen of our mission," the witch states.

Anthony looks to his sister, "Will you be able to recognize her scent?"

Colin shakes his head, "You cannot be serious?"

With one last shocked look, his brows tighten as he storms and slams the door shut.
Eloise flinches.
...

Charlotte lifts a brow as the lupine sits across from her, "You turned furry in the middle of my streets and expect it to be okay to slaughter my people?"

Eloise lifts her chin up, "You signed the deal. The treaty states that our world must be hidden to those different or those without magic."

Charlotte almost looks impressived. A sly look towards Lady Danbury of her pride of the young girl.

The sprite cocks his head, upset that his playmate is in a rather foul mood. Not even a barb at her dog smell made her sneer.

This must be rather important, something deeper than the surface.

"Fine." She puts her brush down from cleaning her fluffy rat.

Eloise looks up, as the words come out of the monarchs mouth, "You may handle the woman, but only her. If you harm more than her or get caught, know, I will have to put my army to kill the beast. After all, i cannot have my subjects think their in danger."

Lady Danbury frowns as Eloise shoulders curl onto herself.

"But one more thing."

Blue eyes look up as the Queen smiles, "You must take your title if you want to solve this issue. After all, I will only let a fellow Queen in name, personally solve this. Not some random mutt."

Eloise cringes. Her father's legacy has always been a heavy shadow. A burden she's been able to avoid in some parts.

But, her fingers flex, if it is to protect her family. The magical world and possibly Cressida.

"Fine, call me Queen Eloise."

Chapter 20: Halloween special: Violet and Edward's first meeting

 

 

 

The girl gapped as she looked up at the beast. It's huge form hulking over her as hot puffs of air hit her in the face. Iron tangs the air as the creature licks it's chops cleaning any trace of red staining it's teeth.

She glances to the mauled bear, throat ripped out, eyes vacant. 

She was just picking flowers in the woods by her father's cottage she didn't mean for this to happen.

A cracking noise sounds and she shakes her head.

"Are you okay?" 

She jumps and turns. Her wide eyes land on pale skin as she looks down to find the boy holding onto ripped and very loose black pants. 

She blushes and turns, cupping a hand over her eye to avoid looking at the indecent male.

"Are you okay?" He questions again.

She plays with the grass as her dress sprawls around her. 

A broken basket full off wild flowers forgotten at her feet.

"I, um, I'm fine."

She sees in her peripheral as the boy sags, "That's good. I was worried the bear would've hurt you. They can be quite violent this time of year."

She shrugs, "That wolf creature saved me."

She pauses and looks around, "Actually, where did it go?"

The small opening quiet, but for the few chirping birds. A butterfly flaps it's wings and perches on a daisy a foot away from the large predatory corpse.

She looks up and gasps at the blood smeared on the boys mouth. Brown hair slicked back and his feet shifting.

She quickly stands and tries to grab his arm when he takes a step back, "Are you quite alright?"

He nods tightly, "Yes. Well, I must be going."

Bending down He picks up the beaten basket and hands it to her, she nearly jumps as their fingers touch.

A warm sensation grasps over her and she looks up into molten gold.

He stares for a moment before turning. Stride awkward within the shredded pants.

A candle lights in recongization, "Wait! I know you don't I? The Bridgerton boy that lives up the street."

He pauses at the treeline, "Uh, no. You're mistaken."

She huffs, "Well, I've noticed you if you are him."

He tilts his head, much like a dog listening.

She nearly giggles. She knows that she's being quite odd.

Almost being mauled by a bear to being rescued by the London monster just for it to turn into a boy about her age! 

"I'd like to properly thank my rescuer. Do you think he would meet with me? Miss Brider- uh, Miss Ledg- no, no. Wait, a Miss Violet."

She swallows cursing her inability to speak and general awkwardness.

He chuckles and bows, back still exposed to her, she eyes the muslced back and dimples peaking above the mediocre cloth. 

"The pleasure will be all mine. When we officallly meet, my Lady."

With that he leaps and a black wolf creature jumps into the woods, to turn and an almost grin crosses it's features before bounding it's way into the woods. 

 

Notes:

I haven't forgotten about this, life just been busy. Really trying to work on myself: gym, good skin routine, reading more, less time.on my phone. It's been a rough go.
Anyways Happy Halloween!

Chapter 21

"Silver?" 

Eloise looks over, from the couch to the lounge. Book limp in her lap.

"Huh?"

Cressida turns and holds her cheek with a hand, the other hand teasing the fabric on the lounge chair. The rest of the family out for the races, Eloise claimed she was still exhausted from her healing.

In honesty, she just wanted a break from people. A day where she didn't have to keep herself in check and just relax. Cressida was a sudden and not unpleasant surprise.

Their maids quietly playing chess on the table more towards the center of the room with their own refreshments.

The unfinished cross stitch forgotten at the edge of the chair that the blonde resides on. 

"I've been getting my hands on any information I can about-" Cressida's eyes go towards the maids and flickers back," You know."

Eloise tilts her head and sighs. She closes her book sharply and goes to sit next to the girl. Her green eyes widen as she scoots closer to the inside of the chair as the brunette takes a seat.

"Silver?" She tilts her head as her nose flares. The scent of the blonde and the increase heartbeats wants her to lean closer and take a heavier breath. 

Cressida swallows, "Yes, silver. Can it truly hurt you?" 

Eloise raises a brow and lifts up her wrist to show a silver bracelet with a deep blue diamond, "No, just as you can wear it so can I."

Cressida bites her lip and blue eyes trace down with the motion, "So a silver bullet would not cause any harm?" 

Eloise laughs, "A bullet is a bullet." She holds her hand up and closes her eye, pretending to shoot her companion, "A well place bullet will cause harm and depending on the size of the gage, " she shrugs, "We haven't tested it, but I'm sure bleeding out will cause me more harm than the actual shot. Especially, if it's a special bullet."

Cressida creases her brows, "Special?"

The she wolf nods, "Poisoned or magical."

Cressida's brows rrise, "Magic?"

Eloise glances to the maids, who pay them no mind and leans forward, eyes glowing.

"Do you really think I would be able to do this without some sort of magic, Cressida?"

The said blonde freezes as a warm breath hits her collar bone and a pair of darken eyes flicks down to the heaving chest, the blonde's heart skips a beat from the proximity.

"W-what type of poison?"

Eloise chuckles lowly and tilts her head to catch the evergreen, "Why? You looking to hunt me down? Claim the prize of killing every hunters dream?"

Cressida startles and shakes her head, "Of course not!"

Eloise smirks and shrinks back, eyes dimming, "I know, I'm just messing with you."

She frowns her face growing solemn, Cressida pauses at the shift. 

"There are rare plants and chemicals that would stop us moon children. Wolfsbane, mistletoe are the main and only two that I'm aware of. The last is anything that's flammable. Not much survives being burned alive." 

Cressida turns and opens her mouth and closes it, "Doesn't wolfsbane lurk in the park? The deep purple flower."

Eloise smiles grimly, "Yes. The gloves aren't always just a symbol for our virtue."

Cressida balks, "Even touching it is that bad?"

Eloise hums, "Do you not know what caused my father's passing?"

Cressida shakes her head and reaches for a pale hand, "No, I was to small to understand. "

White lillies, rain with thunder rolling in the distant and dark dresses. She gives Eloise's hand a squeeze in comfort. 

The brunette returns the gesture, "My father died of a bee sting with fresh pollen from the flower. After the funeral my brothers, save Gregory, set the gardens on fire."

Cressida shivers, as the gardens at Aubrey Hall are vast, the destruction must have been massive.  

"Are you scared that others with magic would hunt you?" 

Eloise goes to answer, but a winded man stumbles in with a worried face. A guard following behind him. 

"I apologize miss Bridgerton, but your sister sends urgent news."

Eloise lowers the arm she sent out infront of the blonde and relaxes her tensed shoulders. 

She glances to Ginger, the maid already standing with a butter knife in hand. The other two woman too startled to move.

Eloise nods as Ginger accepts the letter and the guard escorts the man out. 

Ginger looks at that the seal, wax stamped askew, but does have the Duke's mark.

Eloise grabs the letter and rips the message open it's short, but rushed.

She looks to Ginger, "Take a guard and rush to Lady Danbury's immediately. Inform her that I need her presence now."

Ginger flees without a second thought, and the door slams in her haste.

 Cressida stands as Bree gathers their cloaks, uncertain if their stay is welcomed anymore.

"Is everything okay?"

Eloise sags and turns, "It seems a mountain lion has been causing trouble and Simon has gotten a nasty wound. She needs my help in delegating a hunting party."

Cressida pauses, "Isn't that dangerous?" Her friend's super natural healing might have made her feel better in days vs the weeks, but she can't imagine her going off into danger so soon.

Eloise shrugs, "Could be worse."

The three look up at a group of people walk in and Anthony stops at Eloise's unsightly expression. 

His gaze drops to the letter.

"What is it?" 

Eloise eyes hint towards Cressida's maid. Anthony straightens, "Ah. Prehaps Miss Cowper if you wouldn't mind-"

Benedict steps forward and slaps his hand on his shoulder, "Actually, brother, I was hoping on calling on Miss Cowper."

All siblings and the blonde turns to him in shock, one suppressing a snarl.

"Excuse me?" Colin coughs.

Benedict gives a charming smirk and turns toward Bree, "You won't mind telling Miss Cowper's parents, Bree, right?"

Bree turns her wide eyed look to her mistress who blinks rapidly, "Uh, no." 

Benedict holds the doors wider, "Excellent. I shall return her after dinner. My sister Francesca shall chaperone."

Francesca narrows her eyes and Benedict nods his head, hoping she'll agree.

The brunette raises a brow, "I suppose I do not mind."

Bree waits as Cressida turns, "I will be fine."

"Excellent. Now. Please hurry, we dont want them to worry."

The confused maid gives one last glance before putting on her cloak and leaving.

Everyone watches as Benedict slumps and drops the smirk, "Just in time."

"For what?" Hyacinth asks as Anthony takes the letter. 

A second later, in a purple swirl Lord Debling stumbles out and Lady Danbury steps out rushing. Ginger leans against the wall, holding a hand over her mouth, green.

"What is it? What happened?" 

Violet helps a paling Debling to take a seat at the table, her blue eyes waiting. 

"Me and you need to go to Simon's estate. He needs healing and I will be hunting down the cougar that's been ransacking his lands."

"No." Both Cressida and Anthony look toward each other in shocked agreement, before the eldest steps forward.

He puts a strong hand on her shoulder, "Me and Colin will handle the cat. You will stay here."

"Actually dear, I will be joining you," Kate states.

"As will I," Gregory says.

Anthony gaze drops to her unshowing belly, "Absolutely not."

Eloise growls, "Enough. It will be, Lord Debling, Colin and Lady Danbury only. Lady Danbury is powerful, but if we are to make it there in minutes instead of hours, less is better. Lady Danbury can only transport so many people at a time."

Anthony opens his mouth and Eloise eyes flash and fangs bear, "Drop it."

He grits his teeth and nods, hating that he must step down.

Lord Debling looks up with mild fear, "I have to transport that way again?"

...

Cressida looks around the room,she's never been in a gentleman's bedroom before. The closest she's ever come to has been her father's office.

She rubs her wrist, as she looks at the writing desk in the corner. The feeling of her father's cane's from failed lessons still lingering her her joints on colder days. Their the same dark oak.

She shakes her head as the papers scattered across the surface. 

Eloise's organized chaos is the same, she supposed she would have similar qualities to her brother. The large windows paint a portal to the garden below. 

Clothes and bed pressed in the corner, surprisingly.

Cressida sighs as she looks down, arms crossed. 

She notices a drawing on the ground.

The paper crinkles as she picks it up, charcoal darkening the white fabric of her gloves. 

Her fingers lightly brush over the image of a snarling Eloise.

Claws posed up threatening as gums show in a dangerous sneer.

She knows the muscles and danger that this creature portrays.

"Oh, that was unfinished."

Turning to see Benedict stand a few feet into the room with hands on a silver tray.

He nods to the drawing, "I don't think I got the shading on it correct. Blending fur is always a hastle."

Cressida looks back down, heart warming at the beast, "I think it's quiet lovely."

Benedict sets the tray down with a click, and chuckles a disbelieving laugh, "Lovely? I don't think I've ever heard anyone describe Eloise as that."

He slides over a wooden chest board to make room for the refreshments.

Cressida swallows, heart increasing as she looks away. Cheeks flaming, "I meant the drawing."

Benedict plops down into one of the chairs and motions to the other, "If you will."

Cressida gently sits down, eyes glimpsing towards half done naked woman and males painted on a canvas hidden, leaning on the far wall.

She notes that the man is very talented.

"I take it you didn't bring me here to talk about your aristic career?" 

Benedict leans his head on his head and looks out the window. His face pinches in pain, "No. I found I am simply not good enough to make it by myself."

Cressida brows furrow as the man seems to get loss in a troubled thought. If his not finished sketched looked that well, how hard must it be to be an artist? 

Prehaps, she does not appreciate the arts as much as she should.

"I can play the volin," She almost shouts, hoping to get the man out of his head.

She isn't sure why, but she wants Benedict to like her. 

He got her out of the house and has been the kindest one to her next to Eloise.

Benedict turns and plaster a half smile, "The fiddle? Lady of your stature?"

She sighs, playing with the fur of her coat sleeves, "My parents would prefer I would be giften in a more talented and elegant instrument as Francesca is with the piano. The sting instrument that I have to hold up and the humming the bow across the strings and feeling the vibrations so close, is more..."

"More outwordly?" Benedict asks handing a poured cup over.

Cressida takes it and nods, "Yes. My..." She looks up and Benedict tilts his head for her to continue, "Bree. My maid taught me. The volin is cousin to the fiddle so," she shrugs.

Benedict leans forward and Cressida sags, "The bow is different from a Volin and the fiddle is used to play more strings in a faster order, the bridge is different."

Benedict smiles, "I hope Francesca is listening. I'm sure she'll have many questions for you."

Almost in retaliation the piano, grows louder, faster in the distance.

Cressida starts and turns towards the open door with a start.

Benedict chuckles, "Did Eloise go through with you the difference display of out talents?"

Cressida nods and returns to him, "Yes. It's still new to me that, how gifted you all are."

She looks down and chuckles, her eyes crinkling in her reflection in the cup, when did she make such a soft expression?

"How gifted she is."

Benedict nods and sits back, crossing a leg, "And did my sister go over the magical world?"

Cressida starts, "World?"

He nods, contemplating, "Haven't you wondered why Eloise dissappears on some nights? Lady Danbury carries this aura? How she seemed to appear in the room?" 

Shoulders shrug, "I've learned that silence is often an way to procure answers and I've been a little occupied."

"Ah, yes courting Lord Debling." 

Cressida bristles, "Yes. Some of us have to marry in order to be accepted."

The man laughs, "Now, you're speaking straight from Eloise's mouth. No wonder you're mates."

The world freezes as the tea cup rattles on the plate and she freezes.

So does the Bridgerton, a slip of the tongue. The birds churp from the outside. The piano keys slip from downstairs.

"Mates? Me and Eloise?", asked in a whisper.

Benedict swears under his breath, "Did El, not talk to you about that?"

At the wide green eyes and the noticeable paling of skin, pink lips tremble.

"Prehaps, brother you should stop while you're ahead," Francesca bites from the doorway. He flinches at her glare and the eyes soften at the Cowper girl.

She rushes in and sits on the arm of the blonde's chair, putting a gentle arm on hers. The skin underneath shakes as Cressida's heart pounds.

He rubs his face, "No wonder, she stayed away from the topic of magic and the whole ordeal of her title."

She turns, hesitate joy and fear clenches her stomach, "Eloise was starting to go over magic when the message arrived. Talk, now."

Benedict looks to her and pauses glancing to Francesca.

The brunette sighs, "I think my brother has said something he should've kept to himself."

Benedict groans, "It should really be her telling you this." He picks at his nail bed, already feeling he got himself in a hole he cannot get out of.

Cressida leans forward and begs, "Please. This may the only time I get something straightforward. I'm tired of the games I've been playing as a debutante and as a daughter. Can't I get this?"

Benedict looks and his waver cracks. He hopes his beating from both Anthony and Eloise is not too harsh. How he hopes he doesn't break his dear sisters trust.

Francesca looks as Cressida grabs her hand and squeezes, "Please. I swear to not utter a word."

He starts when Francesca gives a slight nod.

"I will tell you what I know, but I will admit, you being Eloise's mate is only a suspicion that I have." 

Something breaks, "It's only a guess?" 

Cressida looks between the siblings. "You've heard someone refer to someone as mates here, that I'm sure of it."

Cressida sits straighter, her butt at the very edge of the seat.

"There is a plane that resides over ours, the arcane. Magic. In this, is species and creatures whose blood calls and is infused with it. Every myth and story has come from some truth of the creatures that hide in plain site. Pixies, fae, druids, witches, and more."

Benedict leans down and picks up the bishop, "Each group had a leader, and the leader meets up with the others to provide safety, trade and allies just like us. Eloise is our leader. Our alpha."

Cressida's lower stomach tightens, "What's an Alpha to us?"

Benedict flicks over the king, "The main ruler, but she wasn't ready until recently."

Blonde brows furrow, "Why? Was it her gender?"

Benedict and Francesca snorts, twirling the piece in his hands, "God, no. Her very nature fights against the human constrictions on society. A werewolf is more animalistic than the others, ruled by instincts over logic."

Cressida shakes her head, "That can't be right. She's always had control from what I've seen."

Benedict snaps his fingers, "Exactly."

Cressida shoots him a glare.

"Eloise, has always had great control, mainly around you, but only for you. Don't you think it's odd how some maidens give her wide bearings, how she's made men cower in fear, even us her own blood have some hesitations. Not you, though."

Not, me. 

Eloise has never made Cressida uncomfortable, say for the first meeting, because she didn't truly understand the predicament. Even then, she knew to keep it a secret, something deep down inside, knew it would cause horrible things if she did tell anyone.

"What does her being Alpha reflect back on me?" 

Francesca sighs, "What my idiot brother is trying to tell you, Eloise is royalty."

Cressida sets her cup down, and turns toward the girl, "Pardon?"

"She's the sole heir to the lycan throne."

Cressida stares at her lap, "She's a princess?"

"Queen," Francesca corrects.

Cressida slumps down and stares at the two, "Are you also?"

Benedict laughs, "No, no. Since, Eloise is the only one able to completely transform in our family, she is the lone Bridgerton heir. At least in the supernatural world."

"If the rest of you could shift, would it be different?"

Benedict nods, "Anthony would be the main choice unless one of us would challenge him."

"Challenge?"

Francesca listens, learning also of the politics surrounding their heritage.

"When father was around, he cautioned me and Colin after Anthony hadn't shifted. He states that a wolf can challenge one another for the throne, to climb the social ladder. Bridgertons have remained on the throne for generations, never losing to other lycanthropes. So, we could've challenged our brother from the title if we pleased, but we are not true werewolfs. Regardless, father caution how family is more important than power. He wants us to defend each other, not rip each other apart."

Cressida smiles, "You're father sounds like a great man."

Benedict clears his throat, glancing to Francesca with teary eyes, "He was." 

"Did you know your grandfather shunned him? For being mated to a mortal."

Francesca startles as they all turn to Violet. 

Benedict stands, "Mama. I- we-."

She holds up a hand and stops staring at Cressida. 

Benedict walks around and offers his seat to Violet, she gives a loving smile and sits.

She tilts her head, "You know it's unusual. For such a match to be made outside of their species. Often, frowned upon. Love does not care for the petty mannerisms and minds of those who deem themselves greater than others matches and choices."

Francesca looks to her, "What happened?"

Violet smiles, and Cressida cannot help but see a little bit of her smile in all of her children.

"Well, I met Edward before. In town, and at balls, but we truly didn't bond until the day were he saved me from a bear. I was by the stream picking flowers, blowing off my lessons," Benedict smiles, "Then a great shadow stood over. I turned and before I could even scream, a great mass grabbed me and shoved me out of the way. I looked up as a whine echoed in the clearing, the bears paws were bloody and the mass between me and the bear, nearly as large. I remember eyes looking back and I got sucked in them. In that moment nothing mattered, except the molten gold and who owned them. After the bear was deceased, your father was about Gregory's age now transform, "Violet chuckles, "Trying to hold up tattered pants and endearingly trying to be like his stoic father, but failing," She looks down smiling bittersweet.

"After that day, seeing who he truly was, touching both forms, something here clicked," she taps her chest, "I don't know if something like that happened, but Eloise is more easy around you. All I ask, is regardless of who she is to you,  please be kind to her."

Cressida swallows a lump, and bows her head, "I swear, I will do my best to respect her and what she needs."

Cressida jumps as watery blue eyes shine, and warm hands grasp both of hers, "Good."

"How was father shunned?" Francesca asks.

Violet chuckles, "There was another powerful lycan family living here. Your father had an arranged marriage, but after refusing your grandfather challenged him into a duel. He won at a great cost, dont think it barbaric, but unlike our's there is no satisfaction unless someone is dead. Edward never forgave himself. The other family left, for the Americas and the rest is history. That why after we had you lot, he swore to keep this family together, wanting nothing but love and the best for each of you all."

"Is that why you're always making us chase after true love?" Benedict asks leaning down giving his mother a kiss on the cheek. A rare display of affection.

Violet smiles, "You all deserve your missing parts of your souls."

...

Lord Debling ends up puking on the tile when they appear in the great hall.

A few maids shreik at the sudden appearance.

Colin grabs the back of the blonde's suit, "There, there." 

Lord Debling murmurs apologizes and Lady Danbury steps away as quick footsteps come towards them.

"Eloise?"

A brunette with a round belly rushes forward and Eloise leaps, careful as she hugs her sister.

She rumbles as she inhales Daphne's sweet honey scent, a hint of pine from Simon. 

"Where is he?" Lady Danbury asks when the two step back from each other.

Daphne's face tightens, "This way." 

She rushes through the halls, "It was all so sudden. Simon pushed a young lad in his party out of the way, it got him from the shoulder down." 

Eloise pauses as Simon lays in bed, his dark skin pale as sweat glistens from his forehead.

"Telling tall tales again?" He croaks with a small smile.

Lady Danbury steps next to him, snapping, "Sit up."

Simon, whincing with careful care from Daphne rises. 

Eloise crinkles her nose as the sickly sweet scent of infection hints from his skin.

Lady Danbury face tightens as she looks, "You're lucky an inch higher it would've gotten you in the jugular."

Fabric tears as she rips off the bloody cloth.

She tsks, "Whoever is your healer, fire them. Idiot didn't even put an antibacterial on it."

Daphne holds his hand, as he gives a weak chuckle, "He was my father's doctor."

Lady Danbury huffs, "Even better."

Eloise looks over and blanches as the slices carved into his skin, four long angry lacerations. The edges red and hot.

Eloise looks to Lady Danbury and taps the side of her nose. 

Lady Danbury's eyes narrow, "Daphne, why don't you escort Eloise and the two men to the kitchen's before taking them to Simon's hunting room?"

Eloise listens through the door as it shuts with a click. 

"I apologize my Lord, I will have to scrape away the dead tissue so I can stitch it properly."

Daphne looks to her, "It's bad...isn't it?"

Eloise grabs her sister's hand, "If he can survive having you as a wife. He can put up with almost anything."

Daphne chokes out a watery laugh and Eloise leads her away from the door.

Colin stands from the sitting room, "How is he?" 

Daphne hugs herself and his eyes furrow as he steps up to hug her. A hiccup emerges from Daphne's trembling lips as he embraces her.

Eloise looks over as Lord Debling sips on ginger tea as he looks on with concern.

"Lord Debling and I will go. Colin I want you to stay with Daphne."

"Wait-"

Eloise shakes her head, "No, I brought you here for this reason. Daphne needs someone and it can't be me."

Daphne looks up and tries to push away to argue, but Colin looks down and kisses her head.

"Why don't we let Eloise boss us around this once? Come tell me all about this new kid you're growing in there."

She watches as he leads them out. 

....

Lord Debling looks to her. Feeling better, face already having color returned to it, "Why did you bring me?"

"Why where you with Lady Danbury?" Eloise counters. Nose twitching as she sniffs the air. 

The musky scent faint. The trail thin in the kaleidoscope of colors.

Lord Debling watches the girl's nostrils flaring and ears twitching. Her semi transformation still so interesting.

"I was asking her questions about nymphs," he grumbles.

Eloise turns with a raised brow, "You couldn't ask Jules?"

She watches in slight amusement as red barely colors his cheeks, "I don't wish to bother him."

"Them." Eloise corrects.

"Pardon?" The man asks stepping over a cluster of fallen sticks. The blonde is a natural in the woods. If he had half of this much grace in the ball room Eloise is sure he would've been married after the first party.

He shifts the sling of the rifle on his back, unused to the weapon.

"Nymphs, don't have genders. They can change their preferences. They aren't very picky. That's why most have gender neutral names, Alex, Jess, Hayden, Ryan, Jules." 

Her eyes shine as Lord Debling stops, "A species who survives not based on gender?" 

Eloise stops, a strong smell blowing from the breeze, "Think on it." 

She speaks quieter, "Plants produce asexually. Wind, Water and Fire do not have an ordination, why would their other form?"

Lord Debling opens his pocket book and writes down the information, "But they're okay with male pronouns?"

 Eloise shrugs, "Listen, I don't make the rules. I just respect each person or creature and what they do, as long as I get the same respect in return." 

Lord Debling nods, "And wanting me to come? I don't eat meat, what makes you think I'd kill?"

Eloise smiles as her heart pounds as the trail picks up, "Oh. I don't expect you to kill." 

Her skin trembles as excitement courses through, her mouth watering at the challenge.

She looks over, "You're my cover. In case we run into another group. I need you to keep them away from shooting at me. Now, turn around."

Alfred furrows his brows before Eloise starts to strip. He tenses and turns, he flinches at the sound of low groans and bones snapping.

He goes to ask when a blue gown hits him in the face. He grabs it off and goes to say something when words gets stuck in his throat. 

He's seen it, but the night hid most of the details. 

Eloise shakes and stretches up.

His mouth dries as he looks up. Nails raking long, deep marks into the bark as she pushes off of the ground. 

The deep brown matching the tree bark almost exact. No wonder no one can find her, he glances down to the near invisible prints.

"Astonishing."

Eloise flickers her ears and nods his head in a "come" gesture before she lopes off. 

He curses trying to keep up. 

Sweat beats down his face as he glances around. He unslings the gun, shoulder sore from the unuse to weight.

Soon, he hears growling and yowling. 

Branches crack and he ducks behind a boulder as he looks over. Above is a giant rock formation, Eloise stands ontop had the mountain lion pinned by its throat, standing on hind legs. 

The cat kicks it's back legs and the claws scrape across the soft flesh by the hip.

Eloise looses her grip with a yelp and, like a demon, the cat uses its flexibility and gets out of the hold. Drops from the cave down to the forest floor. 

Bones of cattle and sheep litter the cave and forest floor.

Lord Debling looks and pulls the long stick and pours black powder with shaking hands, trying to fetch the wax paper to put the bullet in the next moment as Eloise leaps down.

The two predators crash into each other. 

He manages to load the rifle and gets it ready as he keeps moving the gun back and forth, the two moving rapidly as they fight.

Eloise grabs the scruff and flings it into a tree. The cat yowls, hissing.

Eloise one eye is shut, blood leaking down from a good time swat. 

Her lip curls and Lord Debling watches as his father's voices echoes, 'Point with confidence. Take a breath and shoot."

He swallows and prays to God to forgive him from breaking his vow and shoots.

Notes:

Fun fact:
Historical Context:
In the past, women who played the fiddle (or other instruments) were often perceived as being independent, unconventional, and potentially challenging traditional gender roles.
"Fiddle" as a Symbol:
The fiddle, or violin, was sometimes associated with a certain type of woman who was seen as being "other" or not conforming to societal expectations.
The phrase "lady playing the fiddle" is a common trope used to suggest a lesbian, and this association is rooted in the historical and cultural context of women's roles and sexuality.

Chapter 22

Notes:

Um, im not dead?

“My Lord and Lady” Bree says as a greeting when Eloise and Colin walk in. Eloise nods tiredly, her sister’s dress a tad too big, hanging off of her shorter frame. 

Bree notices the dirt and blood smeared across her Lady’s face, “I’ll start a bath for you.” She steps forward and says more quietly, “I believe Miss Cressida is still with your brother and sister upstairs.” 

Eloise looks up and she cannot help, but smile as the thought of Cressida still in her home. She starts up the steps when her brother clears his throat.

She pauses and turns as Colin shifts his feet in hesitation. Eloise takes a breath trying to rein herself from ignoring him and continuing her way up, “Yes?”

”Are you coming to mine and Penelope’s party tomorrow?” He looks up with wide eyes, his heart beating faster. He doesn’t need his sister’s approval, but he does want it. Not just for him, but for Pen as well.

While Eloise and Debling were out, he and Daphne had a long conversation of him and Penelope. His eldest sister’s joy was palpable, but she shared some of his concerns to his fiancés strained friendship and the confusion of how Miss Cressida fits into all of this. 

Eloise pauses as the question washes over her, she’s doubtful that Pen told him the truth and did he tell her the truth of them? “I-Of course.”

He smiles, relieved, “You can bring Miss Cowper to attend with you.”

Eloise nods and goes up the stairs, laughter soon echoes down the hall as she nears Benedict’s room. She pauses as Benedict question’s rang out against Francesca, “Oh? Does the tall dark and handsome know of your feelings?”

”Benedict!” Eloise hears their mother correct as a joyous laugh mixed of her siblings ring like a melody. Eloise pokes her head in and is surprised to find her youngest siblings sitting on the floor as Cressida and Francesca sharing a chair as they look to Benedict winking at his mother as their siblings face reddens.

As if Cressida senses her she turns and her smile grows as her face lights up, “Eloise!” 

They all turn as the blonde gets up and goes to greet her, her smile slipping as she notices a fading bruise with, what once was a wicked scratch. Her hands come up and cups her face, gently rubbing her cheeks, she tsks.

Eloise leans forward into the contact and a deep rumble escapes her chest. 

“Oh, Eloise!” Her mother groans as she takes in her dirt and wounds littering over her daughter. Cressida regretfully steps back as Gregory asks, “Was it a mountain lion? Did you kill it?”

”Gregory!” Violet states as she looks to Cressida in a fond exasperation mixed with apology. 

Eloise groans and growls, “No, unfortunately the killing blow was all Lord Debling.”

Cressida’s eyes widen and she asks, “Is he okay?” 

Eloise face snaps up and she swallows a sneer at the caring in her friend’s voice. She knows that Cressida wants to marry him, it would only be logical to care about him breaking his no-animal harming vow.

The man was quite pale as Eloise carried both him and the cat out of the woods. The poor man emptying the contents of his stomach after making sure she was ok. 

Eloise steps out of Cressida’s space and sighs, “I will have Bree prepare a carriage for you to check on him. She shall go with you to make sure that it’s properly chaperoned.” 

Everyone looks over at her change in tone, she knows she’s using a hint of her wolf voice. The type to twist magic to know the command cannot be challenged or there will be consequences. It’s similar to the allure of vampires, Eloise typically does not use it often. 

“El-“

Eloise nods curtly, “Goodnight.”

Cressida watches as the brunette turns and hugs herself down the hall. Her stomach drops as she wants to reach out, but her mouth stays shut.

…

Cressida nods to Bree who takes off her coat, the maid red hair flickering in the light of Debling’s home. The ride over was quiet and awkward as the maid attempted to cheer her up.

If Cressida was truly Eloise mate, won’t there be a sign? Wouldn’t the girl fight for her?

“Miss Cowper?”

The blonde looks up and fakes a smile as she looks to Debling’s maid, “I apologize for arriving without an invitation,  but I was hoping to see the Lord?”

She smooths out her dress skirt as the maid shrugs, “Sure, we seem to be having lots of those tonight.”

Cressida’s brows furrow as she opens her mouth, “Is he entertaining another?”

The maid nods, “Yes, a strange fellow, a Duke Jules? I haven’t ever heard of him, but what do I know?” She gestures into the room and then disappears down the hall. Bree waits patiently a few feet behind.

Cressida pauses along side of the entryway as she peers into the open sitting room. There’s a dark skinned gentleman sitting close to Debling. The other gentleman is slightly bigger than the Lord. 

The blonde is hunched over as he stares into the flames in the fireplace. The man’s face can only be described as devilishly handsome. His hair unusually long in dreads with gold clamps and his face pinched in concern. His suit a swirling of greens and browns. Each button a golden acorn. 

Cressida does not know this man, and she has studied Lords from neighboring countries on the off chance they would be invited to one of the Queen’s gatherings. 

She watches as Lord Debling plays with a golden bracelet and the hand that was rubbing his back pauses and she covers her mouth as the man gently, fondly pulls Debling’s face over with a finger. 

Her heart beats as she watches as redden eyes look up into the face of the stranger. His eyes so blue as they scan Duke Jules’s face with feelings that reflect in Cressida’s own heart.

The man’s face pinches as if it’s Debling’s pain he feels, “I’m sorry that you were put into that position.”

Lord Debling glance flickers down and then away, “It was the right thing to do. Any man would’ve taken it.“

Duke Jules frowns and he leans closer, the man’s leg touching against Debling’s own, “Not all men broke a personal vow today.” 

Lord Debling looks down and then up, his eyes widden as their faces are so close. His heart stutters as something pulls, the bracelet warm against his skin. 

A movement happens in the corner of his eye and he looks up and a wide eye’d Cressida looks back. 

“Cressida.”

The man follows Debling’s lead and stands. Cressida turns, grabbing Bree’s hand and she runs. 

Who was that? Was Debling about to kiss that stranger? What did this mean for her? For them?

”Miss Cowper?!” 

Bree looks back and she drags her feet causing Cressida to stop, “What are you doing?”

Bree sighs, mumbling to herself and then looks up, “Talk, I’ll get the carriage.”

Cressida goes to argue, but the blonde man grabs her arm, “Cressida.”

She turns with a hiss, ripping her arm back, “Don’t touch me!”

Debling takes a step back with his arms up, “Okay,okay I wont.”

She looks to see the stranger watching a few feet away and her heart crumbles as the safe future disappears. Her lip trembles as she looks up, “Who is that?”

Debling turns around and then back gapping, “A friend, but-“

Cressida steps forward, “A friend?”

Her green eyes narrow as the man tilts’s his head up, not backing down. 

She looks to him, “What am I?”

Debling looks to her and then rubs his face. His whole body seems to take a hit of exhaustion. 

The man steps closer, the stones crunching under his feet, “Perhaps, we should leave this conversation at a later date. It's been a long day."

She slits her eyes and hisses, “How long have you been courting Lord Debling?”

Debling himself freezes and the man stands up straighter, his wide form imposing but she doesn’t back down, “Well?”

Jules tilts his head and he smirks, “You must drive Eloise crazy.”

Cressida’s eyes widen and when she turns to Debling, he only looks guilty. 

“Eloise?”

The Duke smiles, “Yes, we are quite close.”

Every muscle in Cressida balances and she hisses, “Stay away from her.”

The Duke gives a low chuckle, “My child, I am not your enemy. Your courtship with Debling is safe.”

Cressida looks as Debling seems distraught, and she looks down, knowing one way or another it’s over. The concern and visible breaking down of his character is plain to see that he’s looked at the stranger with more fondness than he’s ever looked at her.

She knew that she would never love Debling like how the Bridgerton’s did, but she was hoping for something. 

Cressida turns and bows, “I came to see if you were alright my Lord, but I can see that my company is unneeded, for now and for the future.” 

She looks to the Duke, “You better keep him happy.”

With that she climbs into the waiting carriage accepting the cloth that Bree offers.

Notes:

I apologize that update’s have been so slow, wellness winter and life has kept me distracted, and I might have fell into the Gelphie rabbit hole.

Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Notes:

I am sorry for the wait and there is a trigger warning for this chapter. There is a big scene where dog fights are happening. I will not be writing the actuality of the fight and sadly this was a part of entertainment for people back then. I do NOT condone this.

Eloise paces the room back and forth, “How could she?!” 

Penelope watches in growing concern as the brunette runs her hand through her failing hairstyle for the fifth time in the past half hour.

The brunette had offered sympathy as Colin rejected her for being Whistledown, putting her’s and Colin’s relationship at a strained endearment as it faces an obstacle.

A blonde, tall obstacle.

Penelope sighs as she looks at the clock ticking, nearly an hour has past since Colin has left to talk to Cressida. Everything is a mess, the love of her life, who she finds out is her mate, her soul-mate, hates her, or at least a part of her.

Her best friend is apparently the Beast of Bath or London?

Cressida is trying to take credit for her work.

The red head sighs as she looks down to the untouched tea, “Eloise, your pacing is going to create a hole in the floor if you continue.”

The brunette looks over, and Penelope can’t help, but wince. Dark bags are under her eyes, ever since Cressida had announced at their party about her being Lady Whistledown, Eloise has been a mess. A snappish, growling mess. 

How ever did she keep this secret from her? Penelope will never understand. Eloise walks over and crawls onto the couch, putting her head on the red head’s lap and Penelope mouth quirks up into a small smile as she plays with her hair. 

Eloise sighs as she bares a hole into the floor with her glowering. It was quite a shock as the blonde sprung up at the party to announce that she was Lady Whistledown.

Eloise quickly, dragged the girl away from the room, nearly carrying her in the process. 

“What are you doing?” Eloise hisses as she steps into the blonde's space.

Green eyes widen as she steps back, hitting into a table. The door clicks behind her and they are in a small study of some sort, Eloise steps so close that her breath hits the blonde’s collarbone.

Cressida swallows, “What?” The warm scent of Eloise entering her nose, making her momentarily forgetful.

Eloise huffs as she looks up, and she pauses as pale skin flushes, “Why did you tell them you were Lady Whistledown?”

Cressida blinks, “Oh, because…” The blonde pauses, should she tell her the truth? How her family is pushing her to a marriage with a Lord Reed? A man thrice her age? How she is to be gone at the month’s end? Away, alone and far,far away from Eloise?

The thought unbearable, not because of them being…mates, but because the blonde would rather die than not having the Bridgerton in her life.

”Because, I cannot keep the secret no longer,” Cressida whispers, tilting her head and lowering it closer to Eloise.

Eloise freezes and steps back, “But that is a lie.”

Cressida's eyes widen and she grips the desks edge, “Why would I lie?” Her voice is shaky and unsteady, a lump grows as the brunette shakes her head.

”For attention ,” Eloise states as she tilts her head up and the blonde freezes. She wants to yell, ‘I’m, doing this for us! I’m using the money for your dowry, if you even have one? I cannot bare not knowing what this is between us, do you not feel it as I do?’

Instead the blonde lifts her head, angry at the rejection, “It is a lonely life living in secret, as I know you know. I was wondering if you want to join me?” She steps forward and grasps Eloise hands, the contact warm through the material, “You so enjoy words…reading, at least.” 

Cressida bites her lip pausing, takes a breath before asking, “Perhaps, you would like to help me write the next column?”

The brunette looks down, "What about Debling?"

Cressida cannot hide the flinch, and she looks away, "We-...it's not a possibility for me to be with him anymore, but it's a reality that we could do this together."

Eloise mouth gaps as she takes a step back, hands leaving her’s, “Cressida, do you not remember what was written about me? The reason we became friends? What you are claiming to have written?”

A slight gasp leaves pale pink lips, “O-of course.” Green eyes look to the floor in shame as she plays with her hands, a habit that she’s picked up from the brunette, “Forgive me. For I don’t know why I wrote it. Really.”

Cressida steps forward, frowning how the she wolf steps back, “But we can remedy it! In our next issue, nothing but bolstering praise about you and your family. Even congratulating the new Bridgerton couple.”

Eloise sighs looking down, “I do not wish to be your accomplice in this…farce.”

Cressida looks down in disappointment and Eloise steadies herself as she looks up, trying, hoping that the blonde sees reason, “I cannot be your friend if you wish to go on this path.”

Cressida’s heart rips, as she takes a step back, tears line her eyes as the brunette looks anywhere, but at her, “But-“

Eloise looks up, “Many things where said about my family, many awful things. How do I know you won’t write about my secret after one bad argument?”

Cressida's head shoots up, “I would never.”

Eloise steps up, “Then stop this charade, and tell them it was a twisted joke.”

Cressida's lip trembles and looks to the floor, she can’t if she wants her plan to work. To get the money for herself, to get Eloise. To match a suitor’s offer. The deal with the queen, echoing in her head, “Is this truly about Whistledown?”

Eloise pauses and raises a brow, her own heart beating, her wolf clawing to make this right, to fix whatever crack is forming between them.

”It’s no wonder Penelope abandoned you,” Cressida states, ignoring how the tiny flinch of the girl’s jaw makes her heart break more, “All you ever do is talk. You have the power, the money, to do something, yet here you are. Snarling and gashing your teeth at any male attention. Acting human when we both know that you’re anything but. I think you’re envious that I did something and you did not.”

Eloise chokes out a laugh, glowing blue look up and Cressida freezes, not in fear, but something close. She watches as the girl closes her eyes, and takes a breath, the glow gone. “Perhaps , I am envious of Whistledown. After all, each season I make sure I stay invisible to protect my family, hiding my true nature so they may live better lives. I am tired of thinking I can maybe have more,” blue eyes flicker as they look towards her with longing, “…that I’m not constructed by stupid human laws and expectations.”

Cressida swallows a lump as Eloise turns toward the door, “Congratulations, on your hard earned success.”

The door opens and the girl’s turn as Colin walks in, based on his scent, it did not go well. 

…

Eloise pulls the hood over her face and knocks on the door harder, shaking the hinges nearly off. A dog barks in the distance and a cat hisses as it runs through the alleyway. 

Theo, in baggy pants opens the door as his staff points threateningly at her stomach. Without waiting for an invitation, Eloise barges in and looks at the small space. The whole apartment can fit into her bedroom. 

The warlock sighs heavily as he puts the staff next to the door and he rubs the sleep from his eye, “Do you have any idea what time it is, your majesty?”

Eloise takes off her hood, and turns. Theo's eyes widen as glowing teary eyes stare at him and he steps forward, "What happened?"

A canis whine rips from her lips and he catches her as she breaks. He moves her to sit on the bed as he rubs her back, their past complicated, full of what if's, but at this moment it doesn't matter.

"What happened Eloise?" He asks gently after a few moments. Her shoulders no longer shaking as she sniffles, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand. 

"Someone has threaten to expose a secret that could destroy my family," she admits staring at the wooden floor. 

His eyes widen as a surge of protectiveness wards over, "Who knows about your secret? Are you in danger?"

Eloise shakes her head, curling brown locks covering her face, "No, not mine. At least, not now. It's about Lady Whistledown."

Theo can't help, but scoff, "Of course it is."

Eloise looks up with a glower and she growls, "Its not about that. Its about who knows and who it'll affect if it gets out. The person has requested a sum of money that is too much for me to respectfully ask my sibling for, without him asking questions, and Lady Danbury will not let the royal funds be used in that manner. I need your help in finding out where to get a sum quickly."

Theo stares at her before sighing heavily, "How much?" 

Eloise swallows, "20,000."

Theo blinks before scoffing. He stands pacing and looks at her before shaking his head again, "Are you out of your mind?"

Eloise stands, "I wouldn't be here unless I was desperate. Please, Theo!"

He runs a hand through his hair and drags a hand down his face, "Okay, okay. There might be something."

Eloise steps forward, "Anything."

The man looks to her and pauses, "The Queen has requested that me and my mentor put a stop to the illegal cage matches that are happening in the city."

"Cage matches?" Eloise questions back.

Theo nods, "Yes, mainly dog fights. But sometimes roosters, rats and other animals are used. On occasion people."

Eloise rubs her head, her instincts going wild with what to do. She wants to storm to Cressida and scream, roar. Also get on her knees and beg for something, a different option, an understanding, but her pride won't let her. 

"I can easily win any of those fights if I transform. Is the money huge?" 

Theo sighs, "Patheticly so. Many bet on them, they've grown more popular with their illegall status."

Eloise looks to him, "What's your plan? I can't exactly blend in as a typical creature."

Theo whinces, "I've been working on something...but it's still in a prototype stage."

Eloise tilts her head, calculating at his nerves, "What is it?"

He walks over to his far wall, a small alchemist station and he pulls out a leather collar that has bruned symbols and a large crystal embedded into it, "This, it's supposed to twist your shifting. So, you blend in better here." 

Blue eyes flick up as he looks up to her, shifting his weight, "I didn't know if you still got locked up in Lady Danbury's basement or not, but I wanted to give you the option to run free here without as much fear of consequences."

Eloise takes the collar, and the magic sparks against her skin, "Will it work?"

Theo shrugs, "In theory."

Eloise sighs as she pulls a small bag out of her cloak and drops it into his hand, "I stole it from my brother Benedict, his emergency stash for when Anthony won't pay for his drinks and woman anymore for the month." 

Theo looks into it and lifts a brow at the sum, "Do you think he pays for men as well?"

Eloise pauses and turns with a frown and he lifts up his hands in defense, "I'm jesting....kind of."

Eloise looks to him, "Do I put this on before or after my transformation?"

Theo puts down the coins and goes over to put on the nicest shirt and vest he has, "Before, the runes should help guide the shape and the crystal will soak up any extra magic that your body pumps out in defense to the spells."

Eloise nods and puts the large collar around her neck and takes off the cloak, "I'll let you know when you can turn around."

He stares at his shirt, "Eloise, if we do this. I can't guarantee your safety. Are you sure we can't come up with an alternative?"

She closes her eyes and focus, the hot magic swarms into her veins and her breath catches as pain, much like her first changing hits. She grits her teeth to prevent a scream as her bones crack and stay stuck as her body fights Theo's spell. She grips her head as her knees fall to the ground, and Theo turns.

He ignores her half naked state at the torn clothes as blood and sweat drips off of the broken body, "Eloise!"

He tries to rip the collar off, but a pale bloody hand covers his wrist in a harsh grip as harded blue eyes look at him, "No. D-don't."

Her head gets thrown back as a whine rips from her lips. He stays leaning on the ground as dark fur spreads and her voice changes to growls and yelps as tattered cloth falls to the floor. 

A panting wolf heaves as he stares, "It worked."

No longer does the lycan have long front limbs and muscles to compete with the largest of men. Instead a dire wolf stands in the small apartment, not longer a beast of myth. 

The wolf's huge head looks up and he asks, "Eloise, is that still you?"

She nods her head and he relaxes, "Thank god."

Standing he grabs the coins and mutters a spell to transform his staff into a cane and he turns as he hesitates, "Do you trust me?" 

She looks up and tilts her head. He opens a draw, "Like I said, we've been preparing to stop this for a while."

A large leather muzzle hangs from his fingers, and her ears flick back as he looks apologetically, "I need us to be believable."

...

“For the record, I still think this is a bad idea,” Theo states as he eyes the long strip of catacomb. They entered through a drain opening by the west docks, the only way into the under city without going through the man holes or the graveyard. 

An occasional lantern hanging for light and thanks to her hearing the yelling of people is easy to pick out.

They got stopped by two huge guards at the entrance, their stares obvious as one kept glancing back to Eloise, expecting her to go feral. Theo explaining he wants to enter his prizes hunting dog.

One of them leads him around the back. Eloise peeks and see that they carved a hole into the ground, maybe 30 feet in diameter with wooden benches. They are full with different types of people yelling in all languages as the sounds of snapping jaws blend into the crowd. 

Large lanterns light above and below the arena. Casting a bright view of the area. 

They enter a hollow hall, cages stacked with whining and barking dogs, litter the one alleyway, as a distance crowd roars with the sound of growling and high pitch yelps echoes in the area. 

Eloise snorts, the collar jiggling against the chains as she adjusts against her weight, unused to this form of transformation.

The magic feeling tight as it squeezes the lycanthrope to the more common wolf shape. She fights the urge to bat her paws away at the muzzle that Theo put on with a wince. 

This needs to be believable for them to pull this off. She needs to get the money for her family without jeopardizing the Bridgerton name. 

Her heart clenches as she thinks of Cressida and her betrayal. She really thought that being her mate-, she shakes her head, no, she won’t-…can’t think of her as that. Not anymore.

Blonde hair glittering in the sunlight, a bright white smile, prettier than any jewel glittering with a flowery gown showing off her elegant features. A sigh of devastation lodges in her throat as a man on a table calls, “Next!”

Theo steps forward, lightly tugging her forward. The man is filthy with dirt and other scents that Eloise does not want to try to identify where they belong, his dark gaze lingers on the young warlock as he lifts his dark cap away from his face.

”Name?” 

Theo swallows, “Henry. I will be putting in my dog for the pits.”

The man lowers his gaze, which lights up hungry at the presentation of the dark wolf. Eloise lifts up her lip to show the man her teeth as his gaze burns into her. She knows that even stuck as this she’d be considered a prize, she easily matches or is bigger than a mastiff.

“Are you sure that’s a dog my boy? That’s more like a beast, heck I’d love to buy her to breed her with tonight’s winning stud if your willing,” he drawls, as he fishes in his pocket for a pouch of coins.

Theo shifts his weight as he almost covers Eloise up away from his view, “She is not a bitch for you to get profits for. I want to enter her in the pits to win tonight’s jackpot.”

The man tsks, “I dunno, even though she’s big I don’t know if she’ll last long given her being so docile.”

The man scratches his neck and others soon start to look at the werewolf with attention, she pins her ears back and snaps at a hand that was coming to pet her side.

The man falls and Theo manages to stop her from landing on him, her anger burns as she growls at the men. Eyes flickering from one to another. They pause and the man grunts out a huff of laughter.

Theo lifts the bag and drops it onto the chest, gold spilling out. The men turn their greedy gaze onto the metal as one picks a coin up and bites it, he stares at the others with disbelief, “It’s real.”

Theo scoff and Eloise brushes against him as they turn to them, her hackles rise. Maybe, this was a bad idea. “I believe that this will cover my entrance fee and the rest to add to my bets on my dog for winning.”

She can hear as his heat picks up, the smell of his nerves nearly matches the greed that the men around them portray.

She tips her hat off at Theo for being able to keep a straight face as her senses pick up on how he’s actually feeling. His knuckles white on his cane.

She nearly wants to comfort him, but refrains, keeping an eye on the strangers instead.

The large man scoops the bag and feels the weight, “You know the final rounds is to the death right? Wounds are for the first few bouts. Boss wants us to clear the set with the Crown cracking down on our ring.” 

Theo crosses his arms, “I’m aware.”

The man shrugs, “Very well, put her in an open cage and we’ll see if you get lucky tonight. What is her name?”

“Nyx.” 

The man that bit the coin laughs, “That’s not a very intimidating name.”

Theo lifts a brow, “I’m surprised you’re able to pronounce that word with that many syllables,” Eloise snorts out a laughter as the man’s brows furrow, “Besides, she doesn’t need a terrifying name to win.”

The man shrugs,” Whatever, follow me,” Theo and her follow one of the workers and she glares at the man as Theo takes off the muzzle and chains as the man points a stick, end carved to look like a spear as he pokes her to get in.

She snaps and gets awarded a quick slap to the face and Theo grabs the stick, “That’s not necessary, she listens.”

The man sneers, “If you cared about her well-being you should reconsider and let us breed her instead, theirs good money from that.”

Theo looks to the man, ignoring his statement, “No harm will come to her until she fights correct?”

The man shrugs, “As long as she doesn’t turn to attack on of us, we’ve had incidents where men beat the poor buggers until something snapped. I value my life more than your bitch’s, don’t care how much money you’ve got.”

Theo sighs as he looks towards the blue eyes, he leans down, “It’s not too late. We can still leave.”

She tucks her ears back at his concerned whisper and slightly shakes her head, he huffs in agitation, “Good luck.”

She watches at her friend disappears. She lays down and looks to the cage next to her, an emaciated pitbull with long scars down the muzzle looks bleary back to her. Her heart clenches as he looks to her and turns away, waiting for his meager meal or next fight.

Sympathy grips her heart as she pumps out soothing pheromones and those dogs and other animals near her settle as the echoes of the area and drips of water fall from the carved out ceiling land on the floor. 

Eventually, the jiggling of keys stop in front of her cage, she stands only for the four men to lift her cage onto a cart. She tries to memorize the layout as they push her along.

A roaring crowd grows louder, and the scent of blood, piss and other fluids become overwhelming. 

Her heart beats as they lift the one side of the cage up and the only way out is into the bright arena.

She yelps as they poke her with the spears and she turns and grabs one and is rewarded with another jab. She walks backwards as she keeps an eye out only to whip around to see another dog also being harshly poked into the circle. 

Eloise looks around, the screaming people deafening and her nostrils flare, their so many emotions and her ears back as her instincts roar.

Her nails dig onto the dirt floor as her face turns and she quickly turns away from the small body laying in the dirt that they couldn’t even bother to clean up. 

The dog across from her has broad shoulders and a wide head, it’s wide white eyes look to her and it’s mouth drips with saliva from nerves as a deep rumble of warning worms it’s way from it’s chest and it lunges.

…

Cressida looks to the small group and asks Benedict again, “What do you mean Eloise ran off?” 

Penelope tightly grasps her husband's hand and looks to her hotly, their friendship was just starting to rekindle when this…witch had to throw everything into a loop, “Maybe, she won’t have ran off if someone didn’t threaten to double their fee for keeping Whistledown under wraps.”

Benedict whips his head and mouth drops open, “You? you are—?”

Colin rolls his eyes, “Yes brother she is, but can we get back to the more important topic? What did Eloise say to warrant her leaving?”

Benedict shakes his head and looks down, “El, left me this note on my desk. And when I checked, my stash of coins was gone."

Penelope holds out her hand and Benedict pauses as he gives it to her, the red head reads it as Colin looks over her shoulder, 'I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. I should've been a kinder friend to you and Cressida, perhaps this would've never happened. I'm going to fix this. Ben, if something happens, I'm appointing you King regent.'

Love, El.

Penelope looks up with wide eyes, "What is she getting herself into."

Cressida steps forward and snags the letter, "Let me see that!"

Green eyes flicker over the letter and they widen as her heart tightens as she looks over the note. It crumbles when she turns to older brother.

Her face is pale and breathing picks up with anxiety, as he stares at the floor, "What does this mean?"

Penelope stands and points to her chest, "If you would've never had this stupid Whistledown drama, this never would've happened!"

Cressida narrows her eyes, "Well if you would've been a better friend then this wouldn't have happened either!"

Penelope takes a step back and her face reddens, "I'm not the one who broke her heart."

Cressida heart drops and she lifts her head, "Maybe, but you did break it first. I spent all summer fixing it."

"And good what it did you," she snarls back and Benedict pinches his brow, "Enough."

He looks up and over towards the blonde, "This is not why I called you over Miss Cowper. Colin, and Penelope you too are involved and I'm not sure of what exactly happened, but we need to find Eloise, before she gets into something that we cannot get her back from."

Cressida bites her finger, debating before sighing, preparing to lay all cards on the table, "It was not my idea to announce that myself as Lady Whistledown." 

Penelope blinks as all attention goes to the blonde, Cressida sits. The green gown compliments her skin and simple hairstyle makes her seem younger, "Queen Charlotte is getting impatient with finding Whistledown. So she approached me."

She swallows, "I-i made a deal with her."

Penelope narrows her eyes, "You sold me out for what? Money?"

Cressida looks over and Penelope's anger pauses at the sad look, not anger or taunting like usual, but grief. 

The blonde shakes her head, "No. I made a deal, that if I find her find Whistledown, she'd change the laws of inheritance."

Cressida smiles as she looks down, "Eloise inspired me, how her talks of change and unfairness. I wanted to do something worthy of her. So, I struck the deal, Whistledown for the first born, even if it's a female, to inherent the title and state."

The room goes quiet as Colin murmurs out, "Holy shit." 

Penelope looks over and sighs, "Perhaps, that was a great deal, but you're still a bitch trying to out me."

Cressida's eyes narrow as the red head shrugs, Benedict scoffs a laugh.

Penelope takes a breath, "Okay, heres the plan."

 

 

Chapter 24

Charlotte raises a brow as the newest of the Bridgertons kneels before her, and turns her gaze to the kneeling blonde beside her, "Are you to tell me that you've actually manage to find Lady Whistledown?"

"Miss Cowper stubborning nature seemed to outdo my own cleverness," Penelope lies as her eyes burn as she keeps her gaze to the floor. Her grip on her dress shakes with anger. This is for her husband, her best friend and her new family, she repeats in her head like a lullaby.

A lullaby that doesn't comfort as much as calm her.

Charlotte hums, she looks to Brimsley for confirmation. He shrugs his shoulders, his ability to detect falsehoods not nearly as good as Eloise's. 

The Queen scoffs and rolls her eyes at his inadequatance, "Miss Feather-"

"It's Bridgerton," Cressida cuts her off to the surprise of the room. The red head glances a wide eyed look to the blonde. Who's pale jaw clenches even more so.

Benedict, their escort sucks in a breath behind them, still bowing at the waist.

Charlotte brows raise as the guards all draw their weapons at the tone. The woman waits a moment before flicking her wrist, they all return their swords to their scabbards with a clink.

She taps a long nail to the wood of her throne, "You've woken me up in the middle of the night to bring me this girl? Claiming her to be Whistledown. Do you have any proof?"

This is where Cressida stands with a sigh. Penelope hesitates a moment before standing as well. 

She shoots a look at the blonde who stands tall amongst the most powerful woman in the country, maybe the world.

"I think the question is how you will be portrayed in Whistledown tomorrow my queen," she speaks with a steadiness that she doesn't have. 

The finger stops tapping and she leans forward, "I beg your pardon?"

Penelope cuts her off, "What Miss Cowper is trying to state is that we need your help."

The Queen stares at unflinching green eyes, "And why would I help?"

"Because Whistledown will write you as a heroine. A Queen who scrubbed the streets of vulgar animal cruelty while her people rest, safe knowing even in the night, when they're at their most vulnerable, their Queen still watches as the country sleeps," Penelope finishes, her fingers twitch for a quill. 

Charlotte let's the thought roll around before laughing, "You do have a way with words. Perhaps, you are who you claim to be...fine ask what you will."

The two young ladies nearly sag in relief, "It's Eloise Bridgerton-"

Charlotte scoffs, "Yes, I know who she is. My almost diamond, maybe we could even call her my emerald of last season."

Penelope's mouth purses, "We talk of her not as your jewel, but as someone....else."

Charlotte quickly holds up her hand, "Everyone, but Brimsley out!"

The guards quickly leave, as well as the doorman. Benedict shoots them a concerned look before waiting outside.

Charlotte leans forward, hissing, "Are you two trying to give away state secrets!? No one must know of what we speak."

She turns, "Brimsley, if you may."

Brimsley draws a hand down and pinches his fingers, as if grabbing a zipper, and drawls his hand down, his human disguise falls. The two woman's eyes widen, but neither shreak or faint. 

"Good, based on your reactions you know about our closest allies then."

Two snake-like eyes blink, as he smiles. Penelope pales, her experience to the wonders of the supernatural is only from what Colin has told her about them, her new family. Not of the other creatures there might be. 

Cressida takes in a breath, if she is to commit to Eloise, then she is going to right everything she has done, "What about our original deal? Will you honor it?"

Charlotte scoffs, "Once, I have my proof. Your father will be the first house to receive my decree. No lawyers or fancy scandal will get him out of oweing you, your birthright."

A wicked smile lines her face, "I'd rather love to see all the old bastards squirm when they realize that young woman will no longer be subjected to marry them on protecting their own status or be labeled as a spinster."

The Queen shakes her head as if to get herself back on track, "Now, what has the Wolf Queen gotten herself into?"

....

Eloise pauses from licking the particular nasty laceration that her last opponent gifted her, as they roll a cart full of victims down the hall.

Probably to be dumped somewhere in the sewers. 

Her magic is fast to fix the wound and she hopes that her thick fur and dark color will keep the men from looking too closely at her remarkable recovery.

Honestly, her skin is starting to become tight, like a shirt that shrunk in the wash, it's uncomfortable the longer she's forced to be in this form. 

A part of her wonders if she dies, will the spell wear off, will she revert as a naked woman or stay as a wolf? What will her family think? What would Cressida think?

A savage part of her cannot wait to deliver her winnings, to see the blonde's face. The shock as she prances away, done with whatever they had.

She growls at the part of her that wants to see her, to bask in her presence. She's been holding off that part of herself for too long, she and her wolf agree. No more hiding, whatever the outcome.

Cressida was right, all she ever does is talk about meaningless things. She wants to do something worthy and maybe a bit selfish. 

How is she to explain to a woman, who chased after the most sought after bachelors,  that she wants the same attention? The same affection?

Her wolf doesn't care about that, she wants to flex her status and magic, and preen her capabilities to provide and protect. 

She's already done some of the courting traditions of her kind.

She's protected her in both forms. Gave her some of her food. And most importantly, the blonde accepted her wolf.

But, can she really claim her? Could Cressida be her mate?

Boots click as her cage rolls again. Eloise's heart races as he nears closer, already?

Her muscles ache with the beatings and the spell twisting them in an unnatural shape. Her ears flick as the announcer talks over the loud crowd.

"Now, to what we've all been waiting for!! The final round!" 

The crowd roars and she swallows as she goes into the bright area, the ground wet with the blood and piss from all of the fights before. Her gaze finds Theo. His face has grown more taunt as the night goes, his eyes meet hers and he straightens. Pretending as if he isn't rolling with nausea and his leg isn't trembling with anxiety to see if he's to witness his friend to die.

"Our dark and new challenger, Nyx!!!"

A hush goes over the crowd as he puts his hand up to his ear cupping it, "Do you hear it? The paws of the champion growing closer? The silver fur, as pale as a ghost? Who hasn't ever lost?"

He points as the gate opens, and a figure emerges. Eloise sucks in a breath as she stares at them.

Long ears flick back as snarling lips show wicked white teeth. Long claws dig into the dirt as hackles raise in warning. 

Gold eyes narrow as they appraise her.

"Lady in Silver!"

Eloise nearly faints as she stares at the werewolf across from her.

...

Cressida can't help, but cover her nose as she follows the man? Goblin? Whatever terrible creature he might be through the tunnels with Benedict taking the end of their group behind her.

She tightens the cloak around her as the air is chilled against her skin.

Penelope has stayed behind with the queen as collateral to make sure Brimsley returns in one piece. Honestly, Cressida thinks it's just so she can get more secrets out of the red head. A true fan girl and gossip at heart.

Benedict looks infront of them, "Are you sure you know where we're going?"

Brimsley rolls his eyes at their insistent talking, "Yes, unless you know how to track magical signals, shut up."

Benedict and Cressida glance at each other in shock as his face changes as he glares at them with the reptilian eyes and continues.

She tightens the cloak around her as she grimaces as she steps in the puddles of god-knows-what.

Eventually, sounds of a crowd can be heard. The guards have even stationed themselves inside of the opening to watch the final fight. 

Brimsley, cracks his neck as he puts his human face back together, blinking at the poorer eyesight.

Cressida grabs Benedict's hand as they walk into the large opening. Smells of people, alcohol and a metal tang of blood make her wish for the stale air of the tunnels.

The people roar as they stand and shove each other as snarls of horrible beasts sound above the crowd.

They push and shove their way, Cressida desperately looking for dark brown curls. A blue of her beloved Bridgerton.

Benedict's eyes catch a dark green cloak, and he narrows his eyes as this man's body language isn't the excitement of the people around them. His knuckle is in his mouth as he stares intently to the pit.

Benedict's hand tightens and Cressida turns to ask when a blur and a loud snarl sounds, she turns naturally drawn to the noise. Her body stiffens as her stomach drops as Eloise, her Eloise, ducks under a snap of jaws. 

...

Benedict follows the man's look, Theo he believes if Eloise's description of her maybe friend is to be true.

If he ever meets the man, he is to make sure that he's to show him exactly what it means to be a protective older brother. He might not have claws and fangs like his sister, but he does pack muscles that many have complimented him on.

He would be impressed of the black market fights housing of such an unground infrastructure if it won't, you know , involve his sister foolishly trying to sacrifice herself. 

He bends over the horribly made railing when his hand tightens as a dark brown wolf snarls. He knows that shade and curl of the fur anywhere. He isn't sure how Eloise managed to change her form into that, a large dire wolf, but that's not what makes his knees buckle and his throat tighten.

He's not gifted like his siblings. He doesn't have good eyesight, or small or even hearing. Not a lick of any lupine power, but in this moment. As he gazes with the silver fur, that he swears will be softer than silk, makes his hand twitch. 

A scent of blueberries and coffee is the only thing he can smell.

Muscles flex with such strength and grace he's momentarily frozen in awe. 

Then everything changes when golden anger looks up to him.

...

Eloise huffs as her head lowers, so far the lupine had only shoved and gotten bites of fur as Eloise slips out of her hold.

She wishes she could talk, to plead with the other lupine to wait! Can't they see that Eloise is just like them?

Can't they smell the magic? Sense the danger and wanderlust of their species?

She tries to stop, to put on a show. 

Lady Silver's intelligent eyes stare as drool falls to the ground, shaking with excitement? Fear? Anger?

Eloise refuses to not look away, her father would not back down. Not to another one of them in need and neither will she.

She tries to step forward, to show them that she doesn't mean any harm.

It does the opposite as the wolf lunges. Eloise feels the graze of death at her throat and snarls a warning as the wolf leaps onto their hind legs to claw at their shoulder, to gain advantage.

A smell enters her nose as she shows her teeth in warning. 

Eloise whole body freezes as she looks up and wide fearful green eyes stare back. 

No. She can't be here.

With the momentary distraction, Silver goes for her. Eloise's whine rips up as the silver wolf's teeth latch on.

...

Cressida swallows the fear as she turns to Brimsley, "Do something!"

The man turns to her and holds out his hands, "Like what?!"

Cressida looks down desperately as Eloise's shakes her head, blood spurting from her ripped ear, as blood coats the other wolf's muzzle. The two start to actually fight and Benedict next to her pales and his breathing quickens as he stares in horror.

Cressida screams, "Anything!"

Brimsley frowns and looks around, Cressida teeth bares in frustration as she looks between him and the others. She looks down and her stomach clenches as she closes her eyes.

No, that's so stupid.

But...

She lifts up her dress and starts to climb the railing. 

Benedict's momentary statue spell breaks, "What are you doing!?"

He grabs her arm and she pulls back with a look of determination, "I'm going to help."

Benedict scoffs out a humorless laugh, "By dying?" 

A whine sounds and Cressida's heart beats loudly as the silver wolf has Eloise pinned by the throat, thrashing her.

She looks up and kicks, the momentum causing her to fall backwards. The air gets knocked out of her as she looks up from the top. People murmur and gasp as the two beasts don't even realize, "Is she crazy!?"

Cressida flips onto her stomach and she shakingly stands. Eloise kicks as she tries hopelessly to get the other wolf off. Their teeth getting tighter as she struggles.

A man shouts, "Get her out of there!" 

Cressida shakes as she holds two finger to her mouth and pierces a whistle.

...

Eloise whines as her vision darkens and pain grow, then a piercing nosie makes her opponent pause.

Blue eyes widden as the massive wolf turns to the smaller girl in the arena. 

No! No! 

Cressida trembles as she keeps her head high, a cold green glare pierces them. Eloise heart squeezes in fondness as fear overcomes it as she looks the other lupine down.

The wolf takes a step towards the blonde, and something snaps.

The magic that was so desperately hiding her form breaks as her mate, her true pairing stands in face with danger. Her Cressida.

Eloise feels as her magic whips around with her desperation, with her as her legs twist and her arms grow longer, and her nails turn to razers as she stands and roars.

"The beast!" Someone yells and chaos breaks out. People push and shove each other as they try to run away. 

Ripping the collar off of her neck, the leather easily rips. The wolf turns and it's golden eyes widen as it looks up to the snarling monster.

Eloise steps forward and raises a clawed hand to swipe the approaching danger away from her mate as Benedict yells, "No! Please!"

She looks up as her brother trembles as his gaze locks onto her, per heartbreak latches onto his face as he pleads with her.

She's never heard such desperation from her brother before. She lowers her arm and walks forward as people scream and run, trying to get away from such a monster.

Theo scrambles against the crowd to get to her.

Many of the people running the pits grab what valuables that they can and rush out. A few brave grab their muskets and fire. 

Eloise leaps and covers Cressida as she ignores the bullets, hurting more like annoying gnats.

The other wolf snaps at the air and pins herself to the wall.

Theo pulls up his staff and pounds it down on the ground as he leaps onto the pits floor. All of the guns get ripped out of their users hands and flys in random directions. Theo swirls his hand and says a word in arcane, snapping his fingers causing the left over people to crumple. 

Finally, the noise settles and Eloise slowly steps away from the blonde, who looks up with tears in her eyes as she grabs onto her muzzle.

Green flicker between the two blue and a sob rips from her throat as she hugs the girl infront of her, "Eloise! How could you do something this idiotic!?"

Benedict jumps down and he nears his sister, laying a hand on her shoulder. She turns her head and he smiles, "I'm glad to see you're okay."

His face turns to the silver wolf and Eloise follows his gaze. She genlty pulls Cressida back as she nears the trembling creature.

Change. She pushes the thought, the order to the lycan. Gold eyes widen as she looks up before snarling. 

Eloise grabs her throat with her teeth and forcefully makes her submit and yells, Change!

Twin cracking of bones and flesh can be hear. Theo quickly undoes his cloak, but Cressida drapes hers first around her mate, glaring at the man.

Her arm drapes around the shorter girl protectively as Eloise stares at the other werewolf.

She sniffles as she curls her dirt covered body around herself. Her amber eyes shut forcefully as whines turns into sobs as she curls into herself.

The warlock pauses, before draping it around the other woman. 

Eloise steps forward and offer her hand, "What's your name?"

The blonde looks up, and with a voice hoarse with misuse answers, "Sophie."