Chapter 21: Doubts and Defenses in the Park
The park was in full bloom, the scent of fresh grass and new flowers mingling delightfully under the gentle warmth of the early afternoon sun. Eloise and Penelope strolled along the well-tended paths, their conversation flowing as freely as the small stream that meandered alongside them.
Penelope, ever perceptive, noted a certain lightness in Eloise's demeanor today. "You seem quite taken with Nathan recently," she remarked with a smile, watching a pair of butterflies dance above a bed of tulips.
Eloise blushed slightly, her mind replaying the comforting conversations and shared moments with Nathan. "Yes, he has been a great support, especially with all the recent... complications involving Sebastian."
"And what of Mr. Foxworth?" Penelope prodded gently, her curiosity piqued by her friend's troubled history with the man. "Where do your feelings lie now, especially after all that's transpired?"
Before Eloise could respond, they were interrupted by the approach of Cressida Cowper, her posture perfect and her smile calculated. "Eloise, Penelope, may I join you for a stroll?" she asked, her tone polite yet somehow imposing.
Though neither was particularly fond of Cressida, politeness dictated their response. "Of course, Cressida," Eloise replied, masking her reluctance with a nod.
As they resumed their walk, Cressida wasted no time steering the conversation towards the topic of Sebastian. "I couldn't help but notice, Eloise, that you've been keeping your distance from Sebastian. Quite a change from the ball at Lady Nelson's, isn't it?"
Eloise tensed, but kept her voice even. "If you find him so agreeable, Cressida, you are more than welcome to pursue him."
To her surprise, Cressida shook her head, a sincere look crossing her face. "Oh, I see Sebastian as nothing more than a brother. But I must say, I don't appreciate how your family has treated him. He's not the villain some make him out to be."
Both Eloise and Penelope exchanged a glance, taken aback by Cressida's defense of Sebastian. It was uncharacteristic of her to speak so earnestly, especially in defense of someone else.
After a moment, Cressida excused herself with a polite nod, leaving the duo to digest her words. "That was... unexpected," Penelope murmured, her brow furrowed in thought.
Eloise, however, was skeptical. "It's just a trick, Penelope. Cressida always has an angle. I wouldn't put it past her to use this as a way to stir up more drama."
Yet, as they continued their walk, Penelope seemed troubled. "Eloise, why do you think she would defend him, though? And what about his actions affecting my family's finances? There's more to this situation than we know."
Eloise stopped, facing her friend. "Why do you defend him, Pen? Especially considering everything?"
Penelope hesitated, her eyes conflicted. "I... I can't say much. Mama asked me not to share, but I think Sebastian might not be as culpable as we believe. There's more going on, Eloise."
Despite Penelope's evident inner turmoil, Eloise remained steadfast in her judgment. "I've seen what his actions have caused, Penelope. No amount of behind-the-scenes explanations can change the hardships they've brought about."
The conversation left a rift of tension between them as they made their way out of the park. Eloise was resolute, her experiences and observations of Sebastian forming a firm picture in her mind—one of a man whose business acumen often overrode any personal connections or considerations.
As they parted ways, Eloise felt a twinge of guilt for possibly dismissing her friend's insights too quickly. However, her convictions seemed too strong to allow for doubt, reinforcing her resolve to maintain distance from Sebastian Foxworth. The complexity of their interactions, once tinged with potential for something more, now felt definitively strained under the weight of business decisions and familial loyalties.
Walking back to the Bridgerton house alone, Eloise pondered over the day's discussions. Cressida's unexpected defense, Penelope's hidden concerns, and her own firm stance against Sebastian painted a picture of a social landscape riddled with hidden motives and undisclosed truths. Determined to uphold her family's interests and her own moral compass, Eloise prepared herself for whatever challenges lay ahead, her heart heavy but her resolve unshaken.