Chapter 26: Reflections in Wartime

A month into the war, the Bridgerton drawing room became a haven of warmth and familial chatter, a stark contrast to the tension permeating the nation. The entire family was present, a rare occurrence these days. Daphne and her husband Simon had come from their estate, and Anthony and his wife Kate had just returned from their extended honeymoon. Adding to the assembly were Lady Danbury and Lord Marcus Anderson, who had become almost like extended family.

The room was elegantly appointed as always, with fresh flowers on every surface and the comforting crackle of the fireplace breaking the silence when conversations paused. Everyone was catching up, laughter mingling with the clink of tea cups and the occasional bark of laughter from the more animated stories.

As Daphne helped herself to another scone, she turned to Eloise with a curious expression. "I'm rather disappointed I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting your fiancé, Eloise. How is Nathan?"

Eloise, who had been somewhat quiet, offered a small smile. "He's well, thank you. With the war, his old mines in Cornwall needed to be reopened to supply the army with necessary resources. He's there overseeing the operations. It's crucial work, but I do miss him terribly."

Simon, who had been listening, chimed in with a thoughtful frown. "It's commendable what Nathan is doing. I only wish Sebastian had chosen a similar path to aid the war effort from here, rather than going off to fight."

This comment drew a confused look from Anthony. "Wait, what do you mean, Simon? Wasn't Sebastian required on the front lines?"

Lord Anderson, who had been quietly sipping his tea, set his cup down and addressed the room. "Actually, the Queen offered him a significant role to oversee the logistics for the army—an essential position, given his expertise in supply chain and resource management. But Sebastian chose to refuse, insisting instead on fighting with his old regiment."

Lady Danbury, sitting upright in her armchair, sighed heavily. "The boy is both foolish and stubborn," she lamented. "While his sense of duty is admirable, it's also deeply worrying. He's always been like that—determined to prove himself, no matter the personal cost."

Her words hung in the air, a shadow of concern crossing her features. "I worry for him every day," she added, her usual formidable demeanor softened by genuine fear for Sebastian's safety.

The room fell silent for a moment, everyone processing the gravity of Sebastian's decision. It was Benedict who broke the silence, his comment thoughtful and a bit distant. "Maybe he's trying to serve England in his own way," he mused, almost to himself.

Eloise caught the underlying meaning in his words, and a pang of guilt surged through her. Despite their complicated past and the mixed signals, Sebastian's actions spoke of a man deeply committed to his principles, perhaps even to the point of recklessness. Her heart ached with worry for him, and she wondered about the burden he carried, the need to prove his worth in such a perilous manner.

The conversation gradually shifted as the family discussed other matters, but Eloise found herself distracted, her thoughts lingering on Sebastian. The image of him, vibrant and full of life at various social events, clashed starkly with the vision of him in the muddy, brutal trenches of war.

As the evening drew to a close, Eloise excused herself and walked to the window, gazing out at the starlit sky. The quiet of the night seemed to echo her internal turmoil, filled with worry and what-ifs. She realized then how deeply Sebastian had embedded himself in her thoughts, not just as a memory of what might have been but as a significant figure whose safety and well-being mattered deeply to her.

In the solitude of the night, Eloise made a silent vow to herself. If Sebastian returned safely, she would seek to understand him better, to bridge the gap that had formed between them due to misunderstandings and rash judgments. She hoped for peace, not just for the world at war but for her own conflicted heart, yearning for resolution and maybe, in time, a chance at reconciliation.