-

"You know I am going to need your father's blessing before we confirm our engagement." Benedict reminded Elena as they walked arm in arm.

"Oh, you're right." She groaned making Benedict chuckle.

The young couple were now walking back home after that heated, passionate kiss. It was around 8 o'clock in the morning.

"Are you that desperate to marry me?" He teased his fiancée.

She lightly hit his chest. "Oh, shut it."

"I know I am..." Benedict started. "I can't wait to marry you."

"Don't get all romantic on me now, Mr Bridgerton."

They chatted for a very long time, that they didn't realize they were already in front of Elena's home.

"Well..." She turned to Benedict. "This is me."

"Indeed..." He replied, glancing down.

They both stood there awkwardly, thinking of what to say.

Out of the blue, Benedict kissed Elena's forehead. She glances up to meet his eyes.

"Goodbye, my love." He said. He looked around him, making sure there is no one around and pecked Elena lips.

He walked away leaving Elena all red.

-

Later that day, Benedict sat in his seat at a club, desperately waiting for the father of the soon to be bride.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Bridgerton." Benedict looked up and saw Lord Bennet standing in front of him. He instantly stood up and held out his hand.

"Good day, Marquess Bennet." They shook each other's hands. "I appreciate you meeting me here."

"Of course." William replied.

"Please, have a seat." Benedict said as they both sat down. "I hope you do not mind of the location. The club was the only place I could think of."

"Not at all, I used to come here all the time. Now, I may have a small guess to why you called me here." The marquess took out a cigar.

"You do?"

He nodded. "You wish to marry my daughter, don't you?"

"Yes, sir." Benedict nervously answered. "I am in love with your daughter, Lord Bennet. Completely in love with her. My love for her is so strong that I will keep loving her even if you do not give me your blessing."

"Benedict... you have done the impossible. You made my flower happy, something I failed to accomplish. And I know that she'll be safe with you."

"D-does this mean?"

"Yes, Mr. Bridgerton. You have my blessing. I wouldn't have want anyone else to marry her."

Benedict smiled widely as he stood up from his seat. He held out his hand for him to take but Marquess Bennet went in for a hug.

-

"We shall need flowers. Chrysanthemums to be exact." Elena said walking in circles around her room with Miranda following, trying to tie her corset. "We also need to send the letter to my aunt. And oh... I am forgetting something, surely."

"I shall take care of everything, Miss. Just think, you shall be Mrs. Bridgerton in two weeks." Miranda chuckled.

Elena faced Miranda with a nervous look.

"Miss Elena?" They both turned to the servant who called. "Your parents wish to speak to you in their study."

Miranda quickly fixed Elena's hair and went to the study. She opened the door to see her father sitting with her mother by his side.

"You wish to see me?" Elena asked, closing the door.

"Take a seat, flower." William said.

She pulled out a chair and sat across her parents.

"First of all, we wanted to congratulate you for your engagement." Lord Bennet said.

Elena nodded. "Thank you. But why am I really here?"

"We...have offered your brother the title of the next marquess but he has offered you a chance to take it. Our houses, the business, everything. Do you want it?" Her mother asked.

Elena sat there shocked and dumbfounded. She couldn't believe her brother has done something like that. "Wow... I'm not sure, it's going by so quickly."

"You do not have to answer us right away, darling. You can take your time." Lord Bennet said.

-

At the park, a well-dressed Elena waited for her fiancé with her mother who was not looking that excited. Elena wore a beautiful green khaki dress, her hair in a lowered bun while Lady Bennet wore a marron dress with her hair tied in a high bun.

"You don't look so happy, Mama." Elena stated. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"I just want to get over this as quickly as possible, dearest." Lady Bennet answered.

"Mama..." She started. "I am to be married soon, Benedict and I would really appreciate it if you and Lady Bridgerton could try and get along."

Anastasia sighed and glanced down. "Alright, I shall try."

Elena smiled and looked to the front and saw Benedict coming over with his mother. "There they are." She stated.

They stand before the Bennets with a cold gaze.

"A most heartfelt congratulations, Mr. Bridgerton. I look forward to counting you as our family." Lady Bennet said.

"As do I." Benedict replied.

Elena glanced at the mothers and noticed the awkwardness between them.

"Perhaps we should promenade?" She said trying to lighten up the mood.

Benedict gives a nod before holding out his arm for Elena to take. She accepted it and they both started walking ahead, leaving their Mamas behind them.

They started walking but Benedict noticed something wrong with Elena. "Darling?"

"Yes?" She replied, still staring forward.

"You're trembling." He said gently touching Elena's hand. "What is the matter?"

"Normally, other young women would be worried about the wedding. The only thing I'm worried about is..." She glanced back to her mother. "Is our mothers getting along."

He glanced behind him as well. "They seem to be... talking? I believe. Nothing violent." He chuckled. "No need to worry, love. They'll be fine."

-

Although Miranda was responsible for planning the wedding, Elena felt terrible for letting her do all the work, so she would help her from time to time.

"Are you sure you do not need any help?" Elena asked Miranda while following her to the kitchen.

"I assure you, Miss. I have everything under control. All you need to do is to get ready and rest." Miranda told Elena.

"How is it going, Miranda?" Ms. Davis, Lady Bennet's maid asked.

"Going just fine, thank you." Miranda replied.

Ms. Davis noticed Elena standing there. "Miss Elena, you should be upstairs, resting!"

"I want to help, Ms. Davis. It is alright. And besides, it's my wedding." Elena assured her.

Then, the maids and cooks started asking plenty of questions to Miranda.

"What kind of flowers does Miss Elena wish for the ceremony?" A maid asked.

"Uh... C-Chrysanthemums." Miranda hesitantly answered.

"Will it be beef or pork?" A cook asked.

"Is the vanilla mixed with strawberry jam or blueberry jam?" The baker asked.

Miranda was panicking and gave Elena a nervous looked.

Elena smiled at her. "It will be beef and the vanilla needs to be mixed with blueberries." She answered to them. "Miranda, do not be afraid to ask for help. And my fiancé is arriving soon you'll be able to ask him for groom-related stuff."

"Elena! Your lover boy is here!" Thomas yelled from outside the kitchen.

"Stop calling him that!" She yelled back while stomping her feet going up the stairs.