Chapter 25: Surprises and Departures
The Bridgerton household was abuzz with preparation and anticipation as the day of Eloise's engagement party dawned clear and bright. Over the past few weeks, Eloise and Nathan's courtship had blossomed beautifully, culminating in a joyous announcement of their engagement. To celebrate, the Bridgertons planned an extravagant affair, sparing no expense. The ton was invited, and even the Queen had graciously agreed to make an appearance, adding further lustre to the event.
As the guests began to arrive at the Bridgerton estate, which was bedecked with flowers and glowing lanterns, the air was filled with the sounds of orchestral music, laughter, and the soft rustle of silk gowns. The garden was transformed into a fairy-tale setting, with twinkling lights strung from trees and elegant tables laden with gourmet delicacies and fine wines.
Eloise, dressed in a gown of soft ivory that complemented her radiant happiness, stood beside Nathan, greeting guests with a grace that belied the tumult of emotions she felt within. The engagement, while genuinely welcomed by her heart, had not erased the complexities of her recent interactions with Sebastian Foxworth.
As the evening progressed, the sudden arrival of Sebastian added a ripple of tension to the festivities. His presence was noted immediately by Anthony, who approached him with a barely concealed frown. "Sebastian, may I ask how you came by an invitation to this event?" he inquired, his tone polite but cold.
Before the situation could escalate, Violet interceded with a smooth grace. "Anthony, I invited Mr. Foxworth myself," she announced, her voice firm yet gentle. Turning to Sebastian, she offered a small, conciliatory smile. "Please, come with me. Eloise and Nathan are just over here."
Violet led Sebastian to the newly engaged couple, where his greeting to Nathan was notably restrained, formal to the point of being chilly. Turning to Eloise, his expression softened imperceptibly. "Eloise, might I have a word with you in private?" he asked, his voice low.
Eloise, taken aback yet curious, nodded her assent. Violet, ever the vigilant chaperone, followed at a discreet distance as they walked toward the relative privacy of the garden.
Under the canopy of stars and amidst the scent of blooming roses, Sebastian turned to Eloise with a seriousness that immediately caught her attention. "I've reconsidered the situation with Lord Hawkins," he began, his voice earnest. "I've decided to forgive the loans. Furthermore, I've made arrangements to finance Lady Featherington's daughters' dowries, in secret, to ensure their financial security."
Eloise stared at him, her confusion mingled with a rising sense of respect. "Sebastian, why are you doing this?" she asked, her voice a whisper in the quiet of the night.
Sebastian looked away momentarily, his profile etched against the moonlight. "Consider it an engagement gift," he said simply, then turned back to meet her gaze. "I wanted to do something worthy of the regard I once hoped to earn from you."
Eloise's heart fluttered, touched by his gesture yet pained by the reminder of what might have been. "Why must you leave the party so soon?" she asked, noting the subtle shift in his demeanor.
"The Queen will explain shortly," Sebastian replied, a hint of solemnity in his voice. He offered her a small, sad smile before excusing himself, leaving Eloise alone to ponder the depth of his actions and the sincerity that had perhaps always been there, obscured by the complexities of their social world.
As she returned to the party, still reeling from Sebastian's revelations, the Queen arrived, her presence commanding the immediate attention of all the guests. After offering her congratulations to Eloise and Nathan, she cleared her throat, signaling a more serious announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the Queen began, her voice resonant and clear, "I must inform you that war has been declared by the Americans. Our nation must once again defend its interests and its honor."
A murmur of shock and concern swept through the crowd. Benedict, standing close to Violet and Eloise, leaned in and whispered, "Sebastian must have been recalled for duty. He's taken up his commission as a captain in the British army."
The realization hit Eloise like a wave, washing over her with a mix of admiration and sorrow. Sebastian's early departure from the party, his contributions to the Hawkins and Featherington families, all spoke of a man who, despite the murkiness of business and social intrigue, acted with honor and a deep sense of duty.
As the party continued around her, Eloise felt a profound shift in her understanding of Sebastian Foxworth. The man she had judged, perhaps too harshly and too hastily, had shown himself to be capable of great kindness and sacrifice. The engagement party, meant to be a celebration of her future with Nathan, had also become a night of revelations about another man who would, no doubt, occupy a part of her thoughts as he served his country.
Lost in her reflections, Eloise resolved to keep Sebastian in her prayers and hoped that if fate allowed, they might one day meet again under less complicated circumstances. Her engagement to Nathan was a promise of a new beginning, but the events of the night had taught her that the heart could harbor many secrets, and people were rarely as simple as they seemed.