Chapter 10: Unexpected Allies
As Eloise, Todd, and Daisy discreetly retreated from their observation point near the local pub, their quiet exit was unexpectedly thwarted by a familiar voice calling out in a mix of disbelief and concern.
"Eloise! What on earth are you doing here?" The voice belonged to none other than Benedict Bridgerton, who appeared from around the corner, his expression a complex tapestry of shock and disapproval. The area, known for its working-class patrons and gritty atmosphere, was the last place he expected to find his sister and her servants.
Eloise, caught off guard but quick to regain her composure, faced her brother with an arched eyebrow. "Benedict, the same might be asked of you. This is hardly a fitting place for a Bridgerton, is it not?" Her tone, while light, carried an undercurrent of challenge, turning the tables on her brother's initial concern.
Benedict's face flushed a shade deeper as he glanced around, ensuring no familiar faces were in sight to witness this family quandary. "I, uh, was just passing through," he stammered, clearly caught off guard and struggling to fabricate a plausible reason for his presence in such a locale.
Seeing her brother fluster, Eloise felt a twinge of sympathy mixed with curiosity. "Benedict, whatever your reasons for being here, I promise they will remain between us," she said, softening her stance. "But in exchange, I must ask you to accompany me into the pub."
Benedict's eyes widened at the request. "Eloise, that's madness! It's no place for—" He paused, taking in Eloise's determined look, and he sighed, resigning himself to the inevitable. "Very well. But we send Todd and Daisy home. It's not proper for them to be involved in whatever scheme you've concocted."
Turning to their loyal servants, Benedict addressed them with a sincere apology. "Todd, Daisy, I'm truly sorry for the position my sister has put you in. Please return home and rest assured, I will see to it that Miss Bridgerton returns safely." His tone was firm yet gentle, reflecting his protective nature and his understanding of the risks Eloise had taken.
Todd and Daisy nodded, their expressions showing a mix of relief and concern. "Very well, sir," Todd replied, tipping his hat. "We'll head back now. Please, take care of Miss Bridgerton."
With the servants dispatched back to the safety of the Bridgerton household, Eloise turned to Benedict, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Now, shall we?" she prompted, gesturing toward the pub's welcomingly lit entrance.
Benedict let out a resigned sigh, adjusting his coat as if bracing himself for battle. "After you, Eloise. Let's just make this quick," he murmured, his voice low to avoid attracting any more attention than they already had.
As they approached the pub, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses grew louder, a lively testament to the working-class camaraderie that thrived within its walls. Eloise's heart pounded with a blend of excitement and nerves, not just at the prospect of entering such a place, but at what she might discover about Sebastian once inside.
The pub's interior was warm and boisterous, filled with the rich aroma of ale and the earthy scent of tobacco. Men and women of various ages shared stories over pints, their faces animated and voices rich with the accent of the common Londoner.
Eloise and Benedict, trying their best to blend in, made their way to a less crowded corner of the pub. Eloise scanned the room, searching for any sign of Sebastian and his workers, her eyes sharp and observant.
Benedict leaned closer, his voice a whisper. "Eloise, are you sure about this? What are you hoping to find?"
"I need to see for myself who Sebastian truly is, beyond the ballrooms and polite society. His actions here, among his peers, might tell me more than any rumor could," Eloise whispered back, her gaze never wavering from the crowd.
As the chapter closed with the siblings nestled in their covert corner of the pub, the stage was set for revelations and insights. Eloise's quest for truth about Sebastian Foxworth was about to delve deeper, with her brother Benedict, an unexpected ally in this venture, at her side. Their journey together in the humble pub promised to peel back layers of society's façade, revealing the raw and unvarnished truths of the industrial magnate who had captivated Eloise's thoughts.