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bella notte
act i , distant memories
chapter five , a night at the opera

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"I MUST THANK YOU ONCE more, Lady Danbury." Belle grinned, addressing the older lady as they ascended the steps of the opera house up to the mezzanine.

"Nonsense, my girl. Your company is most welcome." Lady Danbury dismissed her thanks, "When your uncle divulged your affinity for the opera, I thought it only right to extend an invitation."

"Yes, I found it awfully good natured of him." Belle muttered slightly.

She knew that, in truth, her uncle's behest for her to attend the opera was no doubt to rid himself of her for a night.

As the recent days past, Belle found that tensions had been running quite high between herself and her uncle regarding the matter of the marriage mart. It seemed as though Leopold thought that Belle's initial defiance would have gradually declined the longer she sojourned in London - alas, he was mistaken.

Still, Belle was hardly complaining about the separation. She found that she too would appreciate a bit of distance, and attending the opera to do so seemed almost too much of a treat.

"He told me you were quite the expert." Lady Danbury continued as they navigated their way around other bustling members of the ton with polite smiles.

"Well, I wouldn't go as far as that." Belle shrugged, modestly.

She certainly had a passion for the arts although had never engaged in them herself. Of course, she sang within the confines of her family home in Italy, but she assured herself that she was far from expert.

"We would attend Teatro della Pergola very regularly back in Florence." She went on, as Lady Danbury received a programme from one of the ushers standing by. "In fact I saw La clemenza di Tito not even a fortnight before we departed for England."

"And how familiar are you with this evening's piece?" The older lady asked, passing the pamphlet of a programme into her grasp.

Scanning the front of the pamphlet, Belle regarded the portrait of the piece's lead soprano, Siena Rosso, and briefly theorised that the performer must have had Italian roots of her own, before her eyes landed on the title of the night's piece with recognition.

"Iphigénie en Tauride?" Belle voiced aloud, before looking back to Lady Danbury. "I know Piccinni's version but Gluck's is far more popular, I assume this is Gluck's version, I doubt Piccinni's ever left Italy-"

"Her Majesty is known to share your interest."

The lady had cut her off, as her eyes having wandered to elsewhere on the mezzanine where a regal-looking woman stood accompanied by several other eccentric looking companions.

Belle's eyes widened in slight panic as she recognised the woman as the Queen of England, as Lady Danbury placed a hand on her left arm.

"Her Majesty? Lady Danbury, I hardly think-"

"Perhaps an introduction concerning the subject would earn you favour?" Lady Danbury suggested as they surveyed the monarch who looked rather unimpressed with her current company.

"I have the overwhelming sense that this not up for discussion, is it?" Belle winced, as Lady Danbury linked their arms together and shot her a smirk.

"Certainly not." She replied, straightening up and Belle fought every urge in her that told her to groan. "Come."

Belle found herself mirroring Lady Danbury's manners as they walked across the floor do they mezzanine; straightening her posture, placing a polite smile on her lips, swearing to herself that she would not open her mouth unless absolutely necessary.

"Your Majesty!" Lady Danbury announced once she and Belle had arrived before her, both of them sinking into deep curtsies.

"Lady Danbury." The Queen replied, a slight smile playing at the edge of her lips at the notion of a new face.

"A most delightful evening awaits us, does it not?" Lady Danbury smiled as she and Belle began to straighten back up from their curtsies.

"Indeed." She acknowledged, before she quirked an eyebrow, her eyes scanning over the unfamiliar girl at the lady's side. "And, who is your guest? I pride myself on my omniscience and yet I find I am drawing a blank."

"Your Majesty, allow me to present Miss Isabella Grantham, daughter of the late Earl of Grantham." Lady Danbury stood back ever so slightly, allowing Belle to step forward and nod her head in polite greeting, desperately hoping the apprehension in her eyes wasn't showing.

"Your Majesty."

"Miss Grantham shares your affinity for opera, Your Majesty." Lady Danbury added, stepping back to the girl's side.

"Is that so?" The Queen asked, narrowing her gaze ever so slightly on the girl. "Of Christoph Gluck?"

Belle gave a quick nod before a slight nudge from Lady Danbury informed her that the Queen would require her words to answer her query.

"I was fortunate enough to see Alceste some years ago and found it a most captivating piece." Belle replied, her hand tightly grasping the fabric of her dress as she attempted to deliver her sentiments calmly. "His work is truly awe inspiring."

"You hail from Italy, do you not Miss Grantham?" Her Majesty persisted with an almost interrogation-like manner.

"I do, Your Majesty."

"Then, are you subject to the opinion that Gluck's work sullies the name of Italian opera?"

Belle furrowed her eyebrows slightly as she stomached the Queen's rather stimulating question, her reserve calming as she pondered her answer.

"It is certainly unlike most traditional pieces I have seen, but I do think the influences of French opera in his work create a most unique synthesis." She replied, concisely. "Far more engaging than some opera seria I've seen. I suppose I think him more a pioneer."

The Queen didn't reply for a moment, as she stomached the Grantham girl's response with a small smirk playing at her lips.

Belle prided herself a brief moment for recalling that the Queen hailed from Germany much like Gluck himself, and her approach of paying compliment to his work would only compliment the Queen in turn.

"Well then, it seems this evening's entertainment will prove enjoyable for both of us." The Queen said with that same small smirk, at which Belle smiled in response, a light chuckle on her lips.

"I have high hopes, Your Majesty." She agreed.

In her fixation upon the monarch, Belle had failed to notice Lady Danbury's attentions shift elsewhere.

"Lady Bridgerton!" She called across the mezzanine, causing Belle to turn around to see Lady Violet and Daphne walking across the mezzanine in the direction of their box. "Join us."

Violet Bridgerton spared Lady Danbury a small smile before beckoning Daphne to follow as they made haste in the direction of Her Majesty.

"Your Majesty. Good evening." Violet smiled, sinking into a cutesy with Daphne following suit. "You must remember my daughter, Daphne."

"Yes. She made quite the impression." The Queen replied, surveying the Bridgerton girl before muttering under her breath. "However fleeting it may have been."

Belle winded ever so slightly upon the Queen's words but quickly discarded the expression as the monarch turn her attentions back to her.

"I should hope you enjoy tonight's performance, Miss Grantham." Her Majesty addressed the girl with a knowing smirk, "Perhaps you will let me know your thoughts at a later date?"

"I should be most flattered, Your Majesty." Belle replied with sincere smile, nodding her head in acceptance.

The Queen surveyed the four women gathered before her one final time before turning away with her companions following suit.

Belle found herself letting out a breath she wasn't fully aware she'd been holding as the imposing figure walked away.

"Oh well done, Belle."

Lady Danbury placed a hand on Belle's arm before moving to stand beside her and turning to attentions back to the Bridgertons.

"I would like to welcome the two of you to my box this evening, to join myself and Miss Grantham. I insist."

"We should be delighted, Lady Danbury." Violet replied, with a small smile, taking Belle's hand in a quick greeting as the Grantham girl moved past her and fell into step with Daphne.

"I see you've managed to charm Her Majesty?" Daphne spared the girl an excited smile as she linked their arms together and proceeded in front of their chaperones in the direction of the box.

"I wouldn't assume so, I merely rattled on about Gluckist operas." Belle waved her hand in dismissal before lowering her voice slightly. "She's rather imposing, isn't she?"

"Yes." Daphne agreed, her smile flattering a little, no doubt as she reflected on Her Majesty's dismissal of her, moments prior.

"How are you?" Belle asked, her gaze softening as she squeezed the girl's arm.

"How am I?"

"I thought I'd better ask." Belle explained, nodding her head in thanks as an usher pulled back the curtain to Lady Danbury's box. "I've read the latest Whistledown."

"You and every other single person of the ton." The Bridgerton girl gave a disheartened sigh as they stepped down into the lower level of the box. "Anthony is quite frankly ruining all my prospects."

"So I've heard." Belle muttered, earning an inquisitive look from Daphne, urging her to explain. "Benedict paid me a visit the other morning and disclosed such matters."

Content with the answer, Daphne let out another sigh and the two of them sank into the seats as Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton sank into the seats behind them, immersed in a conversation of their own.

"He's managed our social calendar through June." Daphne disclosed at which Belle's winded before attempting to offer a positive.

"Well, at least you've managed to escape him this evening."

"I should be so lucky." She scoffed before leaning forward and beckoning Belle to do the same, peering over the balcony into the stalls.

It didn't take Belle too long to spot Anthony conversing with a number of gentleman in the stalls- all sporting the same intriguing sideburns as himself - boisterously laughing and sipping their brandy.

"Men are awfully dull, aren't they?" Belle scrunched up her nose, as Daphne tugged her arm and pulled her closer, her voice lowering.

"The only man who sets his cap at me is Nigel Berbrooke." She muttered, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the crowd beneath them.

"And who is he?"

"A swine of a man."

"Oh, Miss Bridgerton!" Belle let out an expression of fake outrage at her manner.

"No, look for yourself." Daphne chuckled, nudging her arm once more before pointing out into the stalls once more. "See, he's there."

Belle's eyes followed the direction in which the Bridgerton girl pointed, and found her gaze landing on a peculiar little man, with flushed cheeks that must have been at least fifteen years their senior.

"Ah."

"You see?"

"There is certainly something about him." Belle agreed, her voice lowering to a whisper as they sank back into their seats. "Although, you pay him a compliment calling him a swine. I, for one, have definitely seen wild boar more handsome."

Daphne spluttered ever so slightly at the Grantham girl's statement before her shoulders begin to shake in a light chuckle at which Belle couldn't help but join in.

"Ladies?"

The two young ladies turned around to face Violet and Lady Danbury who surveyed them it's curious gazes.

"Is all well?" Violet asked, at which they both nodded, as a light applause started implying the start of the opera.

"Perfectly, Mama."

***

"I CAN ONLY ASSUME THIS is your doing." Simon muttered as he shot Belle a pointed look.

"My doing?" She repeated with an innocent smile as the two of them progressed arm in arm behind Nicholas and Leopold across Grosvenor Square in the direction of the Bridgerton residence.

"Why else should I retrieve an invitation to dine with the Bridgertons?"

"You are good friends with the Viscount, are you not?" Belle countered, turning to him with an arched brow.

The Duke merely narrowed his eyebrows in suspicious response.

"You're up to something."

"Usually, my dear Simon, you would be correct. She conceded, patting the man on his arm with an amused smirk on her lips. "But I hate to tell you that as for this invitation, I too am completely in the dark."

Simon still seemed unconvinced as they passed through the wisteria-lined front gates. Belle regarding the house with a look of fond familiarity.

"Nonetheless, I am more than happy to attend." She filled the silence that stood between them, as they ascended the steps to the front door upon which Leopold had already knocked. "I suspect we will have a most pleasant evening."

"See, this is why I'm suspicious." Simon muttered, at which Belle arched a brow. "You just sounded ladylike."

The Grantham girl let out a horrified gasp at his words just as the front door was pulled open by Humboldt, before she narrowed her eyes once more at the Duke, who looked all too proud of himself.

"You take that back."

***

THE FORMALITIES OF GREETING once they had stepped into house went by in a whirlwind of conversations, with Daphne and Violet moved over to compliment Belle's dress before Eloise scolded them for making such a vain comment when they could instead compliment a woman's mind. Belle replied earnestly how very refreshing it was to see Eloise again, which earned her a bashful smile in responses.

The Grantham girl had also taken note of Colin moving over to her younger brother and beckoning him to make acquaintance his youngest siblings, whom Belle had yet to meet as neither had been born before she left for Florence. Nonetheless, she knew they to be Gregory and Hyacinth.

The Duke had been approached by Anthony with an look of confusion expressed through his furrowed brows, but nonetheless shook his hand and feigned a smile.

All the while, she could see her uncle engaged in conversation with Francesca who was mentioning something or other about Bath.

She had yet to see a certain face until she found herself seated beside him at dinner. Benedict had explained how he had stayed out of the fray of greetings, preferring to observe when he could, nonetheless offered the sentiment that it was pleasant to see her once more.

However, the hustle and bustle conversation from all the greetings that the second eldest Bridgerton had hoped to avoid only carried on once everyone was seated, and he too found himself becoming enthralled and enjoying the rather jovial meal and the company.

"For all we know, Whistledown may be some interloper living in Bloomsbury of all places." Anthony voiced another theory on the identity of Whistledown - a topic of conversation which had arisen since they had been seated.

"And what should be so terrible about Bloomsbury?" Belle furrowed her eyebrows in curiosity.

"It's because people there actually work for a living." Benedict explained to her whilst shooting a pointed look at his brother.

"She does seem to be someone with access." Daphne offered an new suggestion, dismissing her brother's theory.

"Who knows if Whistledown is even a she?" Colin proposed another thought into the fray.

"Fair point." The young viscount commended.

"Oh, because she is simply too good to be anyone but a man?" Eloise retorted casting a stern look at her brothers who merely scrunched up their faces in retort causing Belle to snicker into her champagne.

"I think it rather obvious that the writer is Lady Danbury." Francesca shrugged from the other side, but Belle shook her head in disagreement as she set down his glass.

"A good theory but alas, Lady Danbury enjoys sharing her insults with society directly." She explained, earning a humoured chuckle from Simon who knew her words were nothing but the truth. "She would never bother herself writing them all down."

"Could it be Lady Featherington?" The youngest Bridgerton asked eagerly, wanting to put forward a suggestion herself.

"No!"

A general consensus replied as everyone broke into amused chuckle at the young girl's of the writer's identity.

"You have yet to read what Whistledown writes of the Featheringtons, little sister." Eloise replied, with a small smirk at the young girl whose curiosity was still not satisfied as she turned around her, looking for her answer.

"What does she say?"

"Awful things that would not do to dwell on your pretty ears, Hyacinth." Belle assured her with a fond smile, at which the young girl reciprocated before her attention became preoccupied with her older brother who had elected to start tossing peas at her.

"Gregory, you must stop tossing peas at me!"

"Those peas were already there!" The young boy retorted. "And you cannot tell me what to do. I am older!"

"And I'm taller!"

"Children!"

Their squabble ceased once it had caught the attention of the Viscountess, who shot them a soft yet warning look causing them to sink back into their seats.

Belle surveyed them with a light chuckle before her gaze faltered towards her own brother, who was eyeing the peas on his plate and slowly raising a hand to flick them. She made to speak but heard her uncle voice her thoughts without so much as a glance at the young boy.

"Nicholas, don't you even think about it."

Belle chuckled at the young boy's disheartenment as he too slumped in his chair like the other two children at the table.

"What of you, Belle?"

The sound of her name tore her attention away from the children and back along the table to where Anthony was sat. She shot him a brief smile of acknowledgment, beckoning him to go on.

"You dismiss our theories, but what of your own regarding Whistledown's identity?" The Viscount asked, raising his own glass to his lips.

"You forget I'm rather unfamiliar with those that occupy Whistledown's pages, let alone who could be behind the scribbling." Belle replied with a defeated sigh, but continuing with a slight smirk. "I rather admire her, nonetheless. Whoever she may be, let her stay anonymous and keep providing us with ample entertainment as long as she may."

Her statement earned a slight sound of agreement from Eloise who had attempted to respond with a mouthful of boiled potato.

"I think her rather a nuisance." Anthony retorted, at which Belle quirked an eyebrow.

"She has yet to scorn you, has she not?"

"The same can be said for you." The viscount countered, "You've done an awfully good job of steering clear of her attention."

Belle merely chuckled before taking a sip of her drink and letting out a light tsk.

"Alas, perhaps I am too enigmatic?" She offered up an answer to his question, her words laced with light-hearted sarcasm. "Mere words cannot do my presence justice."

"Either that or you are too dull for words to describe." She heard Benedict retort from her left, at which she gave a light scoff, while he shot her a smug smile.

"Here." She smirked, turning her attention to the second eldest and reaching a hand forward to her own plate. "Have a pea."

She lightly tossed the vegetable towards him and watched it bounce off his waistcoats, all the while he continued chuckling at his antics.

"Or perhaps you are the scribbler." Anthony went on making his case, his serious manner refusing to leave, despite the light-hearted chuckled of those around him.

Belle acknowledged his words with a thoughtful hum before deciding to play along for her own amusement.

"Foiled once more by the incomparable Viscount." She replied, putting her hand to her chest, earning a roll of his eyes. "I wonder whatever gave me away?"

"Your cheek for one thing." Anthony retorted, dismissing the topic as he shifted his focus back to his food and Belle followed suit.

The Grantham girl took a bite of one of her boiled potatoes and let her gaze drift towards the other end of the table, where she spectated Daphne and Simon engaged in conversation.

"They seem to be getting on." She muttered aloud, unintentionally catching Benedict's attention who followed her gaze, before narrowing his own and looking back to her.

"What are you up to?"

"Nothing." She answered with a small smirk, looking back to her plate.

In truth, she had not lied to Simon when he had asked her if she knew why he had received an invitation to dine that evening. But she had pieced everything together rather quickly once everyone had sat down for dinner and Simon had taken a seat beside Daphne much to the Viscountess' glee.

She could also see Lady Danbury's masterful mind at work as well in suggesting that he attend with the Granthams, making it seem as though it was nothing more than a friendly dinner, much less a covert match-making mission.

Belle had to applaud their efforts, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try her own hand at stirring the pot.

"Are you meddling?" Benedict asked her in a low voice, an amused tone lacing his words.

"Benedict, I am a lady!" Belle quickly replied, straightening up in her chair. "Of course I am."

The man only shook his head and stifled a small chuckle before turning his attention back to his plate, casting the occasional at the girl beside who was wearing a smug smile as she surveyed his sister and the Duke.

"Belle?"

The brunette tore his attention from the duo once more and brought instead now to face her uncle, who was dabbing his mouth with a napkin before sparing her a quick smile, upon realising he'd caught her attention.

"I was meaning to inform you, I spoke to Lord Allerton at the club yesterday and promised him a dance on your behalf."

Her uncle's manner was rather nonchalant as he went straight back to focusing on his plate once he'd finished speaking, whilst Belle continued to keep her gaze on him, thoroughly puzzled.

"And why should you have done that?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she stifled a nervous chuckle.

"He enquired after you."

Belle felt her jaw hardened slightly as her chuckle vanished, and her nostrils flared in frustration at her uncle's continuous disregard for her wishes.

"I have never even met the man."

"Then, you shall meet him at Vauxhall."

"We are attending Vauxhall?" Belle repeated, her tone becoming rather bitter. "I do not recall an invitation."

"I took the liberty to answer on your behalf." Leopold replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Of course, you did." The Grantham girl muttered before diverting her gaze away from her uncle and inhaling deeply.

She pressed her lips together tightly, her jaw still tight, suddenly feeling remarkably out of place in such a jovial environment.

"I might just-" Her words were barely more than a whisper as she tried to find the right words, unaware of Benedict's concerned gaze that immediately fell on her the second she started speaking. "Please excuse me, I need some air."

She delivered the statement with casual enough conviction that it didn't seem to alarm any of the other dinner guests to pursue her, which was a relief.

Belle spared a slight smile at the butler who held the door open for her before she stepped out into the hallway. A large exhale left her lips once the door shut behind her, and decided to continue on in her quest for fresh air.

Surprisingly, she had found that very little of note had changed in the Bridgerton house since she had last visited, which made all the more easy for her to remember the way through the house to get to the garden.

The door was unlocked much to her fortunate, allowing her to slip out into the summer night's air, a slight chill shaking her at first before she began to walk along the pebbled path, in attempt to exert her frustration.

A light smile emerged on her lips only after mere ten seconds of walking. Craning her neck, she recognised the tall oak tree that sat at the edge of the grass and the two swings that hung from one of its lower boughs.

Moving forward, Belle let her finger touched the splintered rope that hung from the tree and slowly sank onto the plank of wood that made up the seat.

She remembered asking the late Viscount to push her as high as he could in order to prove that she was better at the swings than his sons were. He had made an admirable effort, Belle remembered swinging so high she could have mistaken herself as flying, and then of course the inevitable happened. He had pushed too hard, she had flown too high and promptly fallen causing their mothers and ladies maids to rush from the house and put an end to their silliness. Belle was upset, however it wasn't due to falling or their game being put over but the fact that she was the best at swinging.

Although, on reflection, Belle supposed that wasn't really a way to be the best at swinging.

Oh, what she would give to have things be as simple as they once were; to have her biggest problem be how to beat little boys at swinging.

Belle kept her gaze firmly on the dark garden in front of her, in attempt to reorganise her thoughts. That was until she heard the sound of pebbles crunching underfoot and a moment later, a figure sat down in the swing beside her.

A moment of silence passed between them before Belle turned to look at him, and when she did all Benedict could offer was a sympathetic smile.

"I take it Leopold is unawares of your current agenda regarding potential suitors?"

"Oh no, he is well aware." Belle sighed, her voice soft. "My uncle is just an awfully defiant man."

"You must he only has your interests at heart." The man tried to play devil's advocate at which she quirked an eyebrow, and pursed her lips in response.

"Is that what you think of your Mama whenever she drags you kicking and screaming to make conversation with doe eyed debutantes?" She quipped back, cocking her head to the side awaiting his reply.

"Fair point."

She let out a small sigh, shooting him a apologetic for her harsh tones before casting her gaze away from him and back out into the garden.

"What am I to do?"

"Give up?"

"Sorry, I thought you came here to console me?" She replied, her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief, a slight chuckle shaking her tone.

Her gaze fell back to the man whose manner had softened slightly as he shot her an apologetic look, causing her own shoulder to slump and a tired sigh to leave her lips.

"Oh Ben, whatever am I to do?"

The man said nothing. But there was something about his silence that wasn't hopeless. Belle turned her head slightly to see his eyes narrowed in thought and lips pressed together as the cogs turned in his head.

Her eyes widened in slight surprise, sitting up straighter and angling herself more towards him, before furrowing her eyebrows in curiosity.

"What is it?"

"Suppose I volunteer to assist your uncle in finding you a match?" Benedict replied, arching a brow at the girl, a small smirk appearing on his lips.

Belle pressed her lips together before cocking her head at him, and letting out an exasperated sigh.

"I'm not quite you are understanding that I am against such a thing-"

"No, heed my words." He cut her off, outstretching a hand in attempt to silence her rebuttal. "Suppose I offer to sponsor you as such? Take you off his hands? Leopold can go back to discussing whiskey or brandy or some such thing with Lord Chamberlain. All the while, I help you garner suitors."

Belle furrowed her eyebrows.

"And by that you mean...?"

"The two of us can have a dance, drink our weight in champagne and snicker at every misstep on the dance floor while he is none the wiser." Benedict smirked, folding his arms in an expression of triumph while Belle let out a mildly impressed scoff.

"Benedict Bridgerton." She mirrored his smirk, "You are quite simply ingenious."

𝖙𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖆 𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖆𝖐𝖘!
this fic has received a
load of love in the last
couple of weeks so big
thank you from me and
expect more frequent
updates <33

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