bb6794

[bb6794]

Falling for you - Bridgeton Brothers

The ballroom was crowded, not so much that you were falling over people, but just enough that it was hard to catch your breath. You floundered for a moment. This was your first ball, Violet Bridgeton was acting as your chaperone, you did not have much family, just a dear aunt who you lived with -she happened to have been violets nanny whom she loved dearly so the viscountess was only too happy to house you for the season. You had befriended her daughter Elouise, who had flatly refused to attend tonight. It was just you, Violet and Anthony, Benedict and Colin. Benedict and Colin were like your best friends- they were charming and playful and had a way of making you feel at great ease. Anthony was hard and stern, he slipped you a smile occasionally and acted like a gentleman. You knew of his reputation but he was softer than the stories, polite, charming and dapper yes, but also gentle when he was playing with Hyacinth and Gregory, protective over Daphne and El, doting on his mother. You couldn’t help but stare at him transfixed, talking with his mother. It was just as he often did you- when you were laughing with El or dancing gracefully with a suitor.

“Hey” - you turned round sharply to see Benedict’s crooked smile and twinkling eyes. “Let me see your dance card” he smirked, you offered your wrist and he read through the names grimacing at some and raising his eyebrows suggestively at others. “Room for one more?” He joked. You smiled “always.” He scribbled down his name and took your arm. “Shall we take a turn about the hall?” You walked slowly with him, feeling glad to have something to hold on to- your hands shook so you gripped onto his jacket tighter. “Are you well?” Benedict suddenly asked, stopping in front of you to peer into your eyes, he was frowning. “Yes, quite well, thankyou” you ducked your head down. “Are you su-“ Benedict started but did not finish because Colin had jumped in front of him. “Good evening” he kissed your hand and smiled brightly. “Colin!” You so tried to look pleased, even though Colin was slightly spinning. “Benedict and I are going up for the next dance, why don’t you join us with Penelope?” Colin grinned “what a marvellous idea!” As he walked away to find Pen Benedict fell back into your view “are you sure you are quite well, you look a little pale”, “it is a little cold” you said quickly, “I will be better after a dance!” Benedict smiled, unsurely, but took your hand and headed onto the floor with you. Colin and Pen stood beside you.

Your heart was going a million miles an hour, your head was spinning, your legs were weak, you were almost gripping onto Benedict. The dance was a blur. You tripped over Benedict, his strong arms shot out to catch you and saved you hitting the floor, you banged into the back of Colin who turned around. You had all stopped, Benedict let you go. “You are not well” he said, taking your hand. You were stood still, your eyes were wide, chest heaving and legs shaking. Colin walked up behind you and you fell. Strong arms wrapped around you “catch her” a voice said. You were lowered onto the floor where you crumpled, you saw a pair of boots running towards you from the other side of the room. You lay motionless.

Benedict had a close eye on you, his usual persona replaced by a protective and serious older brother character. He gripped your hand tightly as you clearly struggled your way through the dance. You lost your footing, he thought you’d topple over but he caught you just in time. Colin turned around when he was nudged, his mouth almost dropped open when he saw the state of you. He moved to your side. “You are not well” said Benedict firmly. Anthony had been watching the whole scene play out, of course, he knew something was wrong with you all night but now he kicked himself. He should have invited you outside or for a refreshment. It was clear you were going to faint, if ever he saw a lady about to swoon this was it. He started towards you before he could take a second thought. He saw you fall, almost in slow motion. “Catch her” urged Colin. Benedict caught you right around the waist, your body bent back and Colin helped Benedict lower you to the floor. Anthony was running now, crouching down by your head made him panic, your face was pale and your eyes were flickering. He put your head in his lap, brushing your hair out of your face and feeling how clammy you were. Colin crouched beside you, Benedict the other side, someone had given him a fan and he was flapping it somewhat violently at your face. Penelope went to get a drink for you and Violet and Daphne tried to move everyone away from the area. “Let’s go” said Anthony - he scooped you up in his arms and led the other two boys to the large hallway. He never really wanted to put a Lady on the floor but he really didn’t have much of an option, he laid you back down with your head in his lap. Colin held your legs up in an undignified fashion which he swore was legitimately medical and something he had learned on his travels. Benedict continued to fan you. “Why did you take her onto the floor, couldn’t you see she was unwell” Anthony hissed. “Brother what was I to do, she said she was well.” Benedict said calmly, he knew Anthony was panicking.

Suddenly your eyelids fluttered and your head moved slightly, “that’s it my darling” soothed Anthony, stroking your hair. “It’s alright.” Colin and Benedict looked at each other in disbelief that Anthony had just called ANYONE darling. You moved and whined slightly “shhhh” soothed Anthony. “It’s alright.” Benedict shuffled closer “can you hear me?” You nodded your spinning head and looked at the two faces looming above you. “Oh my god” you spoke before you could help yourself. “You’re fine, you’re okay” said Anthony. “You just fainted” said Benedict, grimacing. “In front of everyone!?” You groaned. “Regrettably, yes” said Colin from your feet. “How do you feel now?” “Not well” you covered your face. “I’ll call the carriage, let’s go home” said Anthony. Benedict chuckled at your face “it’s okay, many ladies have swooned in my presence before” he tried to joke. “Can you stand?” Asked Colin. Anthony carefully helped you sit up and he and Benedict pulled you to your feet. As soon as you stood there was a painful rush to your head, your vision blacked out and your knees bucked “woah” a voice said in your ear as you felt a bicep curl around your waist. “Hold on a second, just stay with me” he swayed you side to side. Slowly your vision cleared and you tried to stand by yourself, Anthony’s arm remained around your waist. And his eyes met yours “Are you alright?” He said tentatively. You nodded and took a shaky step before your knees gave way again, your head lulling and eyes rolling. Anthony sighed and picked you up again, taking long and quick strides to the carriage with Benedict and Colin hastening after.

The coach ride was quiet, Anthony had not let you walk a step, carrying you all the way and insisting you lie down in the carriage to avoid further incident. You found yourself with your head on Benedict’s lap, he was pressing a cold cloth on your head which the ball hosts had provided under Anthony’s instruction. “Close your eyes, it’s okay” Benedict shushed. You shut your eyes and tried to let the embarrassment wash away. All you could hear was “darling,” all you could feel were Anthony’s arms tightening around you as he held you into his chest. Movements woke you up and you realised it was in fact Benedict’s chest you were held into, you swayed as he took steps into the large house. Maids were flitting around, fussing and rushing upstairs after him, Anthony was a few steps infront and insisted you be taken straight to bed. Maids rushed to get you undressed and into bed, three respectful gentlemen stood outside the door. “Call a doctor” Anthony requested from a valet who nodded. Anthony took off his jacket, he was shaking a little. “Were you scared Brother? Surely not?” Benedict joked, although his heart had also raced when he lowered you to the floor unconscious. “Many a girl has swooned over you before brother, what’s so special about this one” Colin chuckled. They both knew, it was hard not to know how Anthony felt about you. Anthony walked away, taking a deep breath. “You’re right, women are always fainting, there’s nothing wrong with her, surely?” he tried to laugh. “Brother, she was just overcome” said Colin seriously, he knew Anthony was fretting. A maid came out the room “may I go in?” Asked Anthony. The maid nodded and Anthony crept in, you looked rather angelic really, sickly but angelic. Anthony sat beside your bed “how are you?” He asked “I am not sure” you replied. “You worried me” Anthony said shortly “I am sorry” you replied “it was so hot and there was little air, it’s unlike me to cause such a scene.” Anthony stopped you with a smile “I don’t care about the scene, as long as you are well.” He took a cold cloth provided by a maid and held it to your head. “Rest now, I’ll be here.” You closed your eyes and visions of boots running towards you, strong arms and handsome faces looming above you took over. For the next few hours Anthony, Benedict and Colin watched over you- just in case of any problems. It seemed, after the doctor had been, that you were in fact just overcome by your first ball, the tightness of your corset and the packed ballroom.

When Anthony finally got into bed he thought of holding you in his arms, your perfume and your warmth. He smiled, he was glad you were okay, but he had relished the chance to fuss around you. Maybe he should make his feelings more clear, he was sure you had already guessed that he felt strongly for you after his fit of passion tonight. Benedict and Colin certainly had, they had teased him all night.