𝐀 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄

"𝑨 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒚?"

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍'𝐒 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 and at the end of that last night, Maria felt much more light on her feet. Theo, on the other hand, felt rather ill after the being stuffed in the crowded room and had retired to their sleeping quarters for the day, leaving Maria to do all the work today.

The girl was happy to do it, though, because she now knew she didn't have to worry about Theo walking out of the store and into her and Eloise's conversation. It had been quite awkward whenever he had before.

But she didn't want to think about that right now, she much too happy to deflate her mood. Then, as she loaded up the sack truck with more pamphlet packages, a girl hopped down from a large carriage before walking towards Maria with a pile of books and purse in her hands.

"My, my. Is it not Eloise Bridgerton who has travelled all the way to this side of town at..." Maria looked up at the clock tower that loomed just a few streets away, then looked to Eloise with a smile. "Five in the morning."

"It was the only time I could leave without being seen," the girl defended herself before placing down the pile of books on the sack in front of Maria, a pointed look on her face.

Maria got the idea and feigned shock. "So, it is you Miss Bridgerton who has been leaving me these books? How could I have been so stupid as to not have guessed before?"

A bright laugh escaped Eloise's lips and butterflies swarmed Maria's stomach, feeling as if this must be the best feeling in the world.

"Yes, it is me," Eloise spoke proudly. "And I have come to take you upon your offer of thanks."

"Well, of course."

Ducking back into the shop, Maria walked up to her own work desk and picked up a white rose that she had spied just yesterday evening when she walking from the meeting. She had picked it, knowing that there was no better thanks than good, old fashioned romance.

The girl walked back out and Eloise smiled expectantly. Maria bowed down before her, her head turned to her feet until she revealed the flower and her eyes looked up at the Bridgerton.

"A flower for my lady?" Maria asked quietly and Eloise felt herself go giddy.

Her cheeks were burning pink, she was sure of it, but she couldn't help herself when it came to the Sharpe girl. "Why, of course, Miss."

Smiling widely, Maria stood up right, tucking the girl's hair behind her ear before placing the rose there. Eloise looked up into the girl's stunning eyes, and all she found herself wanting to do was lean forward and kiss her.

But she wouldn't. She couldn't.

"Is this enough thanks for you?" Maria whispered, leaning forward to the girl's ear.

Eloise felt her breath get caught in her throat as she felt the girl's lips brush her earlobe.

"More than enough," she whispered back, voice coming out husky.

Maria drew herself back to her own height and smiled, innocently. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Miss Bridgerton?"

Shaking herself out of her trance, Eloise smiled back and got back to her usual authorative tone. "Well, first, you need stop calling me that. Second, I need your help discerning some words in these pamphlets?"

"Their ideas can be quite new and unsettling, especially to someone of a fragile mind," Maria teased, stacking up sacks again.

"Or perhaps your means of communicating them leaves much to be desired," Eloise retorted back before sitting herself down on one of the piles of sacks.

The brown-haired girl opened up her copy of the pamphlet and started reading, making the brunette sigh and stop her work. She walked up behind Eloise, reading from past her shoulder whilst also admiring the girl's obvious beauty.

"Or perhaps you are simply not looking deep enough," Maria spoke and Eloise turned back to meet the girl's eyes.

They both knew that the interaction that had occurred earlier had been far too risky, but neither would exchange it for the world. It was intimate, it was personal and it would be treasured with their deepest darkest secrets, never to be found by anyone.

Except one person. Penelope Featherington who glared from a couple metres away. She hid from sight, watching the two girls as they discussed Women's Rights and she felt betrayed. She had no issue with the obvious feelings between the girls because that wasn't the problem.

Maria had promised to misdirect Eloise from the shop, but had instead been selfish enough to use as her own entertainment. She had warned the brunette of what could happen to Eloise if they were to be found out, but she had obviously disregarded it. And Penelope didn't like to be disregarded.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Night had fallen and Maria only thought of Eloise's visit for the whole day. She had found that the girl plagued her thoughts day and night, yet she could only thank her mind. She loved having the girl in her mind, but it would never compare to her in real life.

And so, while she was starting to close up the shop and pack up the sacks of newsletters outside, a voice snapped her out of her thoughts of Eloise.

"Miss Sharpe!" the voice shouted in as quietest of a whisper as they could.

Maria's head turned and she found herself meeting the angry eyes of Penelope Featherington, who was hiding behind her usual crates.

Sighing, the girl knew she was in trouble and she could only blame herself. She walked over and hid behind the crates herself, looking to the girl.

"Hello there, Penelope," Maria greeted, nonchalantly. "Fine evening, isn't it?"

"Quite, but I am not here to exchange pleasantries," the red-head said through gritted teeth. "You have continued to see Eloise even after my warnings. Why?"

"I am sorry, Pen," the brunette sighed, rubbing her face with her hand. "I did not mean for it to go on this long. It's just... she is intriguing, is she not?"

"Yes, she is," Penelope agreed. "I think I would know a lot better than you, since I am her best friend."

"Yet she knows nothing of Lady Whistledown."

"Are you blackmailing me, Miss Sharpe?" Pen asked in disbelief.

Maria widened her eyes at her friend, shaking her head wildly. "No. God, no, Pen. I would never do that to you."

"I know. I've just been having a stressful time lately," the girl muttered, pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "I should not have taken it out on you. I am just worried of what will become of Eloise."

"Believe me, so am I," Maria nodded. "I have wanted to warn her off, but you know Eloise will not leave it alone until she has got what she wants."

Penelope sighed and she stared at the other girl. Eloise had in fact being speaking of nothing but the Women's Rights since she had met Maria, which meant she did not seem as fascinated with Lady Whistledown. But she also knew that the Women's Rights was also not the only thing Eloise wanted, and if the girl was in fact right, Maria would have to be break her heart.

"I saw you earlier," Penelope confessed and Maria looked back, confused, so she continued. "When you gave her that rose... You were smitten. I know the look that you had because I have worn it many times myself."

The brunette opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She couldn't disagree with the girl, Penelope knew when someone was lying, but she didn't want to agree because that meant admitting the truth.

"You don't have to say anything," Penelope spoke again, as if she was reading the other girl's thoughts. "I just want you to know that it is impossible, Maria. I would only wish you happiness, but you will not find it with Eloise. I assure you."

"And why not?" Maria finally asked, her voice desperate, begging for a reason. "Because we are two women? Because she is of a higher class? Because she... does not love me back?"

"All those reasons," Pen answered, swallowing, knowing that the last reason was not at all correct. "But I do not judge you, please remember that."

"I just don't understand, Pen. Not at all. Why is love so..."

"Terrifying? Reckless? Unwanted?" the red-head finished.

"Exactly."

"I think that's one question that will never be answered, Maria."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*