Eloise grimaced as Lord Morrison tightened his grip on her arm, attempting to pull her back towards the dance floor. His face twisted as he near growled at her, "You are to finish this dance. People are looking!" The rise and fall of her chest quickened as she pulled her arm away, "I see what masters you. Next time you try to compliment a woman, try not to insult her entire sex in the process." He made an attempt to reach for her again until he saw Lady Bridgerton make her way towards them. Lord Morrison straightened his back, sneering at Eloise before turning and walking out of the ballroom, allowing the debutante to flee the dance floor followed by her mother.
"Eloise!" Violet called after her daughter who passed her on her way to the staircase. "What?" Eloise breathed out as she turned on the staircase, her mother climbing to try to quiet the conversation. Somehow they had managed to not draw a great deal of attention to themselves as the Hearts and Flowers Ball swayed in the background. "I invited Lord Morrison specifically for you. He is known to share your rebellious spirit." Eloise furrowed her brow at Violet and felt tears begin to spring to the corner of her eyes. She bid them away and rubbed the ache in her left arm, "My rebellion is not some party dress I put on to play a part, Mama, and it is certainly not some accomplishment I have developed like singing or painting to help me attract a suitor. I know...I am a disappointment to you so just allow me to take my leave and go to bed." Eloise felt she could not contain her tears much longer and refused to show the sentiment as she turned away from her mother.
Penelope had been watching the exchange between Eloise and Violet near the bottom of the staircase. Her heart ached for her friend, who was near panic. She called after Eloise when she began to run up the stairs. "I wish to be alone," Eloise gathered the pink fine lace fabric of her gown and hurried up the steps leaving Penelope behind. Violet gave a sorrowful sigh as she looked after her daughter. Her gaze shifted over to Penelope, letting her arms falls to her side. "I cannot make heads or tails of how to guide her this season. Lord Morrison seemed to share her rebellious nature, did he not?" Penelope gave a small nod and used her gloved hand to cover her mouth as she cleared her throat. She turned to go down the steps before sighing and turning towards a saddened and perplexed Violet.
"She cannot be pushed Lady Bridgerton. The more you attempt to conform Eloise to whatever norm society sees fit, I fear the further she will run from you...from everyone. I would truly hate to see Eloise seek isolation just because she feels she must hide who she truly is," Penelope spoke in a soft tone afraid to overstep her place with the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton; however, it was a concern she needent embrace. Violet took in a deep breath and reached out her hand to Penelope, "I do not either Penelope. I do not want any of my children hiding from me." She gave Penelope's hand a squeeze, "How lucky I am to have you watching over Eloise...when it seems I fail to reach her."
Violet moved to climb the steps after Eloise but a tug to her hand gave her pause. "Perhaps, Lady Bridgerton, you could give her a moment. El says what she means." Violet continued to look up the vacant staircase before turning back to the ball. She fixed her face into the ease of a hostess, smiling at Lord and Lady Abernathy as they acknowledged her with a bow of their heads on their way to the hor d'oeuvres. Giving the steps one last glance, Lady Bridgerton walked towards the gathering disappearing into the crowd of her guests leaving Penelope back to her listening.
Eloise shut the door to her bedroom, turning and pressing her back against the oak wood. She leaned her head back and settled her hand on her chest to calm her breathing. Her heart was racing, mind reeling with endless thoughts. She gripped the pink diamond necklace wrapped around her neck and tugged at it until the clasp became undone, allowing the constraining piece of jewelry to collide with the ground. She could finally catch her breath as she pushed herself off the door and walked towards the expansive window seat across the way.
Lifting her skirts, she climbed onto the window seat and stared out onto the expansive gardens. They were her father's gardens maintained now by the estate gardener. The abundance of flourishing lilacs, pale assorted roses, pink silk peonies and white calla lilies bloomed prettily for all to enjoy. Her papa had chosen the pink peonies for her, she remembered that. Her fingers settled against the windows as she relaxed against her pillows, as best she could in her half corset. Eloise wrapped her arms around herself, a brief comfort as she recalled a memory of her father in the garden, her papa.
"Papa!" Edmund Bridgerton was kneeled at his garden, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, as he planted the last lot of seedlings into the ground. He was able to pack the soil tight before he looked up in time to be tackled to the ground by Eloise, his six year old rambunctious little girl. He gave a hearty chuckle as she scrunched her nose and looked down at him, "Papa, you really mustn't let me win so easily." Edmund sat up and settled Eloise into his lap, "You took me by surprise. A true win for you my flower." Eloise tilted her head and tapped her chin in thought, "Very well if you say." She wrapped her tiny arms around her papa's neck.
"Eloise Bridgerton!" Eloise grimaced as she and Edmund both looked up towards the lofty balconies of Aubrey Hall to see Violet Bridgerton, ever the elegant lady, standing with her hands on her waist looking none to happy. Edmund grimaced as he set his eyes on Eloise, "Have you escaped your Mama?" Eloise looked into her Papa's blue eyes that matched her own and gave a slight shrug. "Eloisee," Edmund groaned as he cast his gaze over to Violet, who was clearly making all attempts to stay cross but a smile escaped her, "What is the misdeed my love?"
"It seems Eloise has escaped her piano forte lessons...again!" Edmund looked down at Eloise who chewed on her lower lip and looked away. "We'll be in shortly Love." Violet gave a knowing smirk before dropping her arms and turning back towards their home, "Very well, if you say!"
His eyes drifted down towards Eloise, "Eloise, you cannot continue escaping your lessons." Eloise allowed her lower lip to slip as she looked up, "I do not like the piano forte Papa, not like Francesca. Why must I learn it? I want to fence!" Edmund couldn't help but chuckle, "You want to fence?!" Eloise gave an enthusiastic nod as she stood from her Papa's lap and took a fencing stance, "Penelope and I are going to read Don Quixote and we're going to be knights! Knights do not need to learn the piano forte Papa." After giving a twirl with her make believe sword, Eloise slumped her shoulders dramatically, "Mama says I cannot be a knight because I am not a boy. She will not allow me fencing lessons like Collin. Girls can be Knights as well, can they not?" Edmund opened his arms for his well versed daughter. "It is not the norm of the ton my flower..." He saw Eloise look at him expectantly. Her piercing blue eyes brimming with excitement as she admired Edmund. He cleared his throat and smiled as he stroked his little girl's chubby cheeks, "Not the norm but you, Eloise Bridgerton, you can be anything you want to be. I do not foresee a challenge you cannot overcome in this life and your Papa will always be here to ensure you obtain all happiness." Eloise scrunched her nose again as she smiled, only for Edmund to tap her nose, "I will teach you fencing and I will even teach you to shoot. However, if I do these things, you must do something for me in return." Eloise looked up expectantly as Edmund points in the direction of where Lady Bridgerton stood, "You are to attend your piano forte lessons with your sisters." Giving the biggest sigh her six year old body could muster, Eloise smiled, "Very Well Papa." Edmund gave her a tickle, "If you say!" Eloise giggled before her eyes drifted to the flower patch, "Did you plant my flowers Papa?" Edmund nodded as he pointed out the 12 plots of neatly planted pink silk peonies, "I did indeed my flower just like you wanted." Eloise looked over, "The pink ones?"
"The pink ones indeed. They will always bloom for you my flower," Eloise smiled widely as she hugged Edmund around his neck, "Thank you Papa." Edmund stood up with his daughter in his arms, "Anything for my ladies! Now, let us go to your lessons before I find myself in quite the conundrum with your Mama."
Eloise felt a tear trickle down her cheek as she continued to stare off into the gardens. They held such warm memories for her, ones she shared with her dear Papa. It also held her darkest memory, one that haunts her to this day. Her dearest Papa overtaken by the sting of a bee before her eyes. Eloise squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to recall that memory. Instead, she tried to replace it with those where he was alive, breathing, and speaking with her. Her greatest protector he was. She often wondered how different life might be if her Papa was still with them.
Her eyes drifted off to the far left fields of the estates where Edmund's resting place could be found. She held herself a little tighter as she continued to look towards the fields. "I miss you dearly Papa." The tears that she truly tried to stop now streamed steadily.
Violet stood next to Daphne as they watched Anthony lead the eldest Sharma sister to the dance floor. Violet and Daphne shared a look; however, casting a gaze at Edwina's smiling face, one would think this was all part of her plan. Very well, Violet thought.
The couples began to glide effortlessly on the dance floor. The drift of the women's gowns painting the room in beautiful shades of pinks, white, and lilac. Violet made all attempts to maintain her watch ensuring all indulgences continued to flow and her guests needs were met; however, her every thought rested with Eloise. Her heart continued to pull her away from her ball towards her second eldest daughter. Surely, she's given her enough time on her own.
"Dearest?" Daphne tore her eyes from Anthony at Violet's call, "I'm feeling a little faint. Can you be watchful while I take some air upstairs?" Daphne placed her hand on her Mama's hand , "Of course Mama."
Violet gave her eldest daughter a smile as she walked away from the dance floor, up the staircase towards Eloise's bedroom. She held her hand over Eloise's door to knock, when a sound gave her pause. A sound so rare, it shattered Violet to the core knowing perhaps she was the cause. Eloise was crying and speaking to someone, she could not make out who...but her girl's tears were clear. Gripping the handle and turning it, Violet gently pushed open the door hearing Eloise's statement as she stared out the window, "Perhaps, I'd be a disappointment to you as well Papa...I never..."
Violet slowly stepped into the room, her heels interrupting Eloise who sat herself up straighter in her seat, "My darling girl..."
Eloise wiped at her tears and turned her face to her mother, "Mama?"