Chapter 13: Conflicting Confections
The air inside the quaint bakery was sweet and warm, filled with the comforting aromas of fresh pastries and brewed coffee. Violet, Francesca, and Eloise Bridgerton had found a cozy corner where they were surrounded by an array of delicate cakes and colorful macarons, a perfect setting for a light-hearted discussion about the upcoming social season.
Francesca, poised at the edge of her debut season, was aflutter with excitement and nerves. Violet, ever the supportive mother, was equally animated, outlining plans and potential suitors, her enthusiasm as vibrant as the icing on the cakes before them.
Eloise, however, was only half-listening. Her mind was a world away, replaying the scenes from the pub, the sound of Sebastian's laughter mingling with the strings of his fiddle, his genuine smiles. Every so often, a hint of a smile would dance across her lips, a silent testament to her wandering thoughts.
Violet, observant as always, caught these subtle expressions and leaned in with a curious gaze. "Eloise, dear, you seem particularly pleased today. Is there a new book that has captured your fancy, or is it simply the splendid weather we've been having?"
Trying to mask her true preoccupation, Eloise lightly replied, "Oh, it's nothing, really. Just enjoying the thought of my latest read and indeed, the lovely weather." Her answer, though smoothly delivered, lacked her usual enthusiasm for literary discussions, a fact that did not go unnoticed by her mother.
Before Violet could probe further, the chime of the bakery door announced the arrival of Sir Nathan Bromswell. His presence brought an immediate brightness to Violet's face, and she waved him over with genuine delight. "Sir Nathan! What a pleasant surprise. Would you care to join us, or perhaps steal Eloise away for a bit of company?"
Nathan, ever the gentleman, greeted them with his usual charm. "Good afternoon, Lady Bridgerton, Miss Francesca. If Miss Eloise doesn't mind, I would indeed be delighted to have her join me for a short while."
With a polite nod to her mother and sister, Eloise stood and accompanied Nathan to a nearby table, her steps reluctant yet graceful. As they settled down with their coffees, the conversation naturally turned towards books, a safe and familiar territory. However, Eloise found her attention drifting, her thoughts tangled up with images of Sebastian, his innovative factory, and the warmth of his leadership.
Nathan, noticing her distraction, shifted the topic. "Eloise, I've been meaning to discuss something more pressing. It seems more of my workshops in Cornwall are closing, casualties of Foxworth Industries' expansion and efficiency. It's a ruthless edge to business that's becoming all too common."
Eloise tensed, her mind torn. She was about to defend Sebastian, to speak on the virtues she had witnessed firsthand, when Nathan added, "And it's not just in Cornwall. Some of the Featheringtons' workshops here near London are suffering the same fate. They're being edged out by Sebastian's factories."
The mention of the Featheringtons hit close to home. Eloise's thoughts immediately flew to Penelope, her best friend, whose family's livelihood was now directly threatened by the very man she was starting to admire. The conflict within her deepened, muddling her feelings and loyalties.
"I... I need to speak to Penelope about this," Eloise murmured, more to herself than to Nathan. The implications were significant, and she needed to understand the full extent of the impact on her friend's family.
Sensing her inner turmoil, Nathan gently rose from his seat, his expression one of understanding. "Of course, Eloise. I apologize for casting a shadow on your day. Please, take care," he said, before nodding respectfully to Violet and Francesca and making his exit.
Left alone, Eloise felt the weight of her conflicting emotions pressing down on her. The joy and admiration she had felt for Sebastian now battled with the stark reality of his business practices, as relayed by Nathan. Torn between her growing affection for Sebastian and her loyalty to her friend, she knew she had to talk to Penelope and see the extent of the damage for herself.
As she rejoined her mother and sister at their table, her mind was a whirlwind of doubt and determination. She needed answers, and she needed them soon, not just for her peace of mind but for the sake of those she cared about. With a resolve hardened by the complexities of her feelings, Eloise prepared to confront the challenges ahead, knowing that the decisions she made now could change the course of her relationships forever.