Hosting a Bridgerton

[ridofthethrone]

There is no shortage of beautiful houses in London, if you're part of the aristocracy. Even a prince from a country as remote as Albion can keep a handsome residence within the city. It is, of course, the royal residence for his family rather than his alone. Which is why it's as large and well situated as it is, sitting a little further out than some of the smaller homes to account for its garden and unnecessarily large rooms.

Since his arrival, Logan has made strides in repairing and renovating the building to bring it back up to its former glory for the sake of maintaining appearances, and to ensure the building's longevity. It is not the largest or the most beautiful of buildings that England has to offer, but with Logan's help it is the best lit. Any guest will be hard pressed to find a room which cannot be swiftly lit beyond comparison once darkness falls.

Despite it being a perfect building for a ball, none have been hosted here since becoming part of Albion's royal estate. Eventually Logan suspects he will have to relent to that particular requirement. For now, however, he prefers solitude. And, perhaps, the very occasional, very specific guest.

Eloise's imminent arrival has sent a flurry of previously unknown activity through the building. There are rooms to be prepared, food to be made ready, and maids who will actually have a lady to look after for once. As soon as her carriage arrives Eloise is greeted by several of the staff standing ready.

Logan, dressed smartly in deep purple and black, stays put until his guest approaches whereupon he offers a shallow bow. "Welcome. I hope your journey was not too arduous."

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[ridofthethrone]

Logan sighs in turn and sits up, pondering the difficulty they find themselves in.

"I fear that you believe that now, that you would choose this, but that a lifetime of it will make you resentful. If I were another man, I could release you from such a thing, but as a prince... Once you are my wife, you will always be my wife." And just saying that aloud makes him thrum with joy and knot with worry.

Looking at her, his troubled gaze scans over her face and he lifts a hand to brush the hair away from her eyes. How nice to be able to touch her freely like this. How lovely.

"What will we do if you regret this choice?"

[bridgertons]

Her voice is calm and her tone carries steady conviction. She does not reach for him, but her presence is quiet and sure. “You think that fear makes you less, but it does not. It only means that you care enough to want to keep someone who matters to you safe. I think most people would call that human.”

She looks at the floor for a moment before meeting his eyes again. “I will not let fear make my choices for me. The world is uncertain, and it always will be, but we cannot stop living because of that. We can still choose to move forward, even when it feels impossible.”

Eloise lets out a slow breath. “You have faced more than most, but you are still here. That is not weakness, Logan. That is strength. I hope you are able to see that, with me.”

[ridofthethrone]

She still wants to be with him. Regardless of what she might regret in later years. Regardless of the risk of tragedy. What else can he do but accept it, embrace it? He could insist that they part, for her sake. And then what? He stays alone forever? Or he marries someone who he cares less for? Could he really do that to someone? Perhaps. If he had no choice. But he does have a choice.

There is enough standing in their way without him doing the same.

Logan takes her hands in his, patting hers gently before he looks her in the eye. "If you are certain, which it seems you are, then I will court you properly, Eloise Bridgerton. I will give you all that I have."

[bridgertons]

Eloise feels his hands close around hers, and her first instinct is to pull back. For most of her life she has avoided anything that felt like it might trap her. She has watched others rush toward marriage while she stood apart, certain that such things were not meant for her. The idea of tying her future to someone has always made her uneasy, as if she might lose herself in the process. As if she would lose everything that ever made her Eloise Bridgerton in the first place.

But she does not pull away now.

“I am certain,” she says, though her voice is quiet at first. “You know I never planned for this. I never expected to want something like this at all. Most days the thought of marriage or courtship still makes my stomach twist.” She pauses, steadying her breath. “However.”

Her fingers tighten gently around his, a sign of resolve rather than comfort. “If you wish to court me, then I will meet you in that choice. I will not only meet you, I will run toward it. I feel like this is the first choice I've made for myself that's challenged me to actually hold every possibility in my mind. You. You are that choice.”

She holds his gaze without looking away. “I am nervous. But I am ready.”

[ridofthethrone]

One of these days he'll get used to Eloise's ramblings, and wait until she finishes instead of hanging on to every word. For a moment he thinks that it isn't just marriage or courtship as a concept which distresses her, but the one offers. Then she continues, clarifies, and he relaxes again.

When she finishes speaking her resolve aloud, Logan smiles and though he resists kissing her on the lips he presses a kiss firmly to her forehead. It's all he can do to focus his energy, forgetting that they're not under scrutinising eyes as they were at the fair.

"And I choose you in turn," he assures her. "I wish for nothing more than to begin making plans to ensure you and the world know that wholeheartedly, even though it is too late to act. I am afraid I'm not sure where to go from here, in this very moment."