BELLA NOTTE
ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ʙʏ ᴋᴀᴛ

❝ IT IS GREAT AMBITION OF MINE TO
FIND WHOEVER CAME UP WITH
PRIMOGENITURE— ❞

(    the summary.   )

❝ —AND GIVE HIM A PIECE OF MY MIND. AND DON'T TELL ME IT
WASN'T A MAN, ANTHONY! ❞

YES, BELLE GRANTHAM had never been one to shy in the face of adversity. Especially when faced with the reality that, in the event of her parents' deaths, all worldly assets pass to her seven year old brother — who would sooner spend it on a dozen pastries over worthwhile investments — and not her. Because heaven forbid a woman be in charge of anything!

      The Grantham and the Bridgerton families had been good friends for years with both viscounts having attended university together, one going on to marry an earl's daughter and the other, the daughter of an Italian merchant. Their bond of friendship never once wavered as they both settled in Grosvenor Square, just three doors apart, allowing their children to grow up very well-acquainted.

By the time the Bridgerton family had three sons; Anthony, Benedict and Colin — named alphabetically to maintain order, naturally. The Grantham family had one daughter; Isabella, her mother's namesake.

To say that Isabella Grantham was headstrong would be all too little of an understatement. Her mother called it spirit while her father elected to call it trouble. After all, what would one expect after growing up with three boys?

It was evident she had always been a determined little miss — from the ripe age of five when she accidentally knocked Colin Bridgerton into a fountain for making fun of her dress — and it was safe to say that the trait had yet to leave her.

And no-one knew more so than the second Bridgerton son; Benedict.

Benedict had always found himself intrigued by the rambunctious daughter of Lord Grantham despite the four and a half years that separated them in age. A fact that surprised both their parents due to her being much nearer Colin and Daphne's age, but Isabella barely paid them a second thought when Benedict was in the room.

After all, he was the one who first elected to calling her 'Belle' and soon after the name Isabella became redundant. Anyone who dared used her full name would be met with a very disapproving glare from the young girl.

The young Grantham positively doted on the Bridgerton boy and he was terribly fond of her too.

However, as it does with so many things, life ended up getting in the way. The Grantham family ended up departing Grosvenor Square for Italy, much to the dismay of the Bridgerton family, but especially the young Benedict.

And though it felt as though the world would never be the same, a new day dawned, the world kept turning and life persisted. Soon, the pain of the departure faded and eventually so did their friendship. It was hard enough to ensure communication to armies across Europe, let alone between two children.

However, twelve years later, when events lead Belle to return to London, it becomes apparent that as time has changed, so has she. And Benedict Bridgerton is not all too sure what to make of the beautiful lady that claims to be his childhood friend.

(    copyright © & disclaimers   )

       I do not own Bridgerton, subsequently credit is due to Shondaland and Netflix for its creation. Original characters, plot lines, and other pieces of dialogue are owned by me.

(    dedication ☆ )

       im dedicating this to my fellow regency fanatic, the wonderful celine ( celineebabee ) who made this *gorgeous* cover — as well as anyone who's been completely swept off their feet by those bloody bridgertons, this is for youuuu ♡

(    author's note.   )

thank you for taking the time to read this book. i am extremely excited to get stuck in with this as benedict bridgerton deserves all the love of the world, and i am contractually obliged to provide him with it! hope you enjoy reading just as much as i have writing!

STARTED 09/02/2021
FINISHED XX/XX/XXXX
——— ongoing ———