《STAND BY ME ⟦ BRIDGERTON ⟧》VIII. WATERFALLS & RUSES
Advertisement
CHAPTER 8. WATERFALLS AND RUSES
It stirs the passions and moves the spirit and, this author hopes, inspires more newsworthy pursuits. A new wing at Somerset House is to be opened today, where several attractions will be on display... like the lovely Miss Marina Thompson, newly recovered from her mysterious illness and expected to finally rejoin the season. Of course, there is today's royal attraction as well, Prince Friedrich of Prussia. His Highness has come to our shores in want of a fine Fräulein. Could this be the reason a certain language tutor has been seen visiting Cowper House all week?
stool, in the middle of the room, alone in a room, as I silently admire the beauty around me.
"I came in here to offer you my company." Mister Barnes's voice comes, as he walks towards me, sitting down on the stool. "But it appears as if you are quite contempt by your lonesome, Miss Bridgerton."
"Mister Barnes." I greet.
"Do you like this painting?" He question, pointing to the painting I was looking at.
"It's my favorite." I answer, turning to look back at the painting.
"It is quite nice." He comments. "The colors mix well together."
"That they do, but that is not quite why I like it." I reply.
"Then, why do you like it, Miss Bridgerton." He asks, turning to me with a smile.
"Have you ever listened to a waterfall?" I question.
"I've seen them a few times." He answers. "But I'm not sure what you mean by having heard them? Isn't that just the sound of water falling?"
"Oh, it is much more than that." I tell him, a grin breaking out on my face. "When I was little, our Papa took us all for a vacation, and there was a waterfall just a few minutes away from where we were staying." I turn my head to the front. "That was the first time I had ever seen a waterfall, and it was so beautiful. The first time we were there, I just spent wandering around. The next few, I spent reading, and then after, I just used to sit there, and close my eyes. The sound of the water flowing, falling onto the rocks, moving through sand. I find that to be the most peaceful sound the the whole world."
Advertisement
"That sounds fascinating." He tells me, and I look at the floor, still smiling.
"I cried my eyes out the day we had to leave for home." I continue. "I was so devastated, my heart broke because I wouldn't be able to go sit near the waterfall again. So, Papa and Benedict took me there one last time, and I didn't want to leave, but I finally left, and we came home. I just wanted to hear that sound again, and Papa knew it, so he brought me a music box. And as soon as I opened it, the peaceful sound returned. I was so happy."
"Do you still have it? The music box." Mister Barnes asks, and my grin turns into a sad smile.
"Yes, I do." I tell him. "But after Papa's passing, I never had the strength to open it again, no matter how much I wanted to enjoy my favorite sound, it just scared me, that the next time I open it, Papa wouldn't be there to look over me, and smile at how such a small thing could lift my mood."
He puts his hand, slowly on top of mine, and we both look at each other.
"You Father would be proud of the young women you've become, Miss Bridgerton." He tells me, softly. "I hope you know that."
Before I could reply, there's loud gasps, and we both rush to the big hall, where all the guests were, seeing Cressida in the arms of Prince Friedrich.
"What has happened?" Daphne asks, as we both stand next to the Featherington siblings.
"Cressida swooned." Philippa tells us.
"And Prince Friedrich caught her." Prudence adds.
"I dare say it was the most romantic thing I've ever seen." Philippa continues.
Daphne and I look at each other, and let out a laugh, as I turn to Mister Barnes.
"I told you so, someone will faint." I tell him, as we both chuckle.
Advertisement
These days, the modern young lady must display a miscellany of talents in her quest for a suitor. She must be a witty conversationalist, an accomplished musician, and an expert in the art of the swoon. For managing to faint with nary a petticoat out of place is a most coveted talent indeed. Of course, not everyone has fallen victim to the royal fever sweeping through London Town. Two diamonds in particular seem quite immune... making this author wonder if the crown has lost its luster.
on the sofa, my head oh her shoulder, both of us with books in our hands as Daphne off-key, giving me a headache. Eloise shakes her head, hands on her ears, as she walk out of the room.
I shut my book, loudly, as I put my hand on my head.
"Oh! Enough!" I tell her. "I beg of you."
"Perhaps you and Eloise should join me." She tells us. "You need to impress Mister Barnes, and Eloise will need to be proficient on the pianoforte soon enough. You both could use the practice, I'm sure."
"On second thought, continue." I tell her. "You will frighten away Mister Barnes, the Duke, the Prince, and any other eligible suitor clear across the North Sea."
"And you would wish that upon me, would you, Sister?" She asks me, turning around in her seat.
"If it kept Mama's attentions focused on you instead of me, I might." I reply.
"You can take your reading outside." She tells me.
"You say that as if reading were a bad thing." I say.
"I meant no such thing." She tells me.
"But it won't gain me a husband?" I question, defensively. "That what you meant?"
"Diana..." She tries to say.
"You wish to follow your heart, and I wish to nurture my mind." I tell her. "Let us leave it there."
"Can you at least try to understand?" She asks me. "You never see things from my perspective. You are not the only one with troubles, Diana. You have no idea what it..." She cuts herself off. "It does not matter."
I sigh, and get up.
"I know, I am not the only one with troubles, Sister." I tell her. "But It's seems I forgot that as there is so much on my mind."
"Do you need to talk?" She asks, as I sit next to her on the stool.
"I think Mister Barnes is not telling me something." I tell her. "I do not know what it is, but I know it is something, I can feel it."
"Well, how bad could it be?" She asks.
"If he's hiding something, I feel it must be quite serious to do so." I reply, and look at her. "I am afraid of the change, this secret might bring."
She grabs my hand, and squeese it, giving me a reassuring look.
"You should not worry, Sister." She tells me. "It will be fine. I have meet Mister Barnes, and he seems like quite a gentleman, and I believe he makes you happy. He feels like a dear friend, and isn't that what Mama told us" To marry our dearest friend?"
I give her a smile, and she returns it.
"Thank you, Sister." I tell her. "Now what of you? What has you all riled up?"
She sighs, and looks around, turning to me.
"The Duke is not really courting me." She tells me. "It is a ruse."
Advertisement
The Eldritch Horror Returns to Earth, but Things are a Bit Different
One day, Adam B. Windsley was in this world, and then, he wasn't. Suddenly trasported into a strange world called Lutum, Adam finds himself in the body of a small, unassuming slug, and during the course of 600 years, he evolved beyond the scope of humans, becoming one of the Five Evil Gods, worshipped by his followers and treated as a God would. But he isn't happy. And after some time reaquainting himself with humans, he finds himself enjoying their company. But, in a sudden twist of events, he finds himself back in his own world. But he is still a giant tentacle-covered monstoristy. And where did these magical girls come from?... --------- In short, this is a story focusing on a somewhat edgy reincarnated-as-a-monster kind of guy who returned back to his world on the day of his transferral, only for strange, unusual things to happen. Monsters from his past world start popping up out of the blue, and ordinary people are suddenly learning of sorcery, becoming magical girls in the process. In terms of structure, it will mostly be about what happens to Adam after coming back, but at times, there will also be chapters focusing on Adam's life before his transferred, in chronological order. In other words, very typical isekai stuff. The chapters will be between 2000 and god-only-knows-how-many words and will be released every three days at 8 am, CST. I don't actually live in America so if chapter release is off by an hour or so, it's probably either because I messed up with the time, or because I was unable to finish a chapter on time-, The artwork on the cover belongs to yours truly, I drew it myself and I'm darn tootin' proud of it, and Omni is my dear co-writer who got me this far. Couldn't do it without him! With that said, I do hope you enjoy, as I did put way too much effort into it... Enjoy!
8 491Etudie Perpetuity
Cas is a gifted college senior who knows over a dozen languages, studies all sorts of subjects, and has an amazing memory. His only problem? He has no idea what to do with his life. One night, he falls into a river and finds himself reincarnated as an elf in a prehistoric fantasy world. Now, Cas must use his experience and wits to overpower the elements and conquer the supernatural mysteries that plague the world! New chapter every day! Get extra chapters and perks on my patreon: patreon.com/peacefulcatastrophe Join my public discord server to hang out and chat: https://discord.gg/rjRczcpAcu
8 236The Devil, The Witch, and The Wicked World of Delirith
Somewhere in the lost galaxy of Earis, somewhere in the star system of Neula-V, lies the exiled world of Delirith; a planet whose inhabitants perfectly embodied the survival of the fittest, where one lives under their own definition of normality and conform. Not astray from the trigger-happy population is our protagonists; Mako the Little Witch (who practiced no sorcery) and Fyra the One-Horned Devil (who is not a demon and in fact, 100% human), wandering children orphaned by the manic society around them (just like 90% of Delirith's population). Follow Mako and Fyra, as they wandered the lawless world encountering psycho baddies, monstrous wildlife, and stupid conflicts doing whatever crap the plot wants them to do in this Sci-Fi slice of life of the Devil, the Witch, and the Wicked World of Delirith!
8 92The Prophecy Of The Four Kings
the father of gods, only known as Etano, created the world, and along with it the creation of many other gods, due to their loneliness, they created many races, all with different names and characteristics, but the first among them were the humans,many gods had many differing opinions on each race with slot of them taking favourites, then one day etano fell into a deep slumber, some of the gods saw this as an opportunity to make their favourite race the rulers of this new world, and thus the war of the gods came to be, but that was forever agoAster the one who worlds the powers of the earth, calm and observant, Barak who holds the powers of lightning, one who loves to fight, Levant blessed with the powers of fire, quick to act and fiercely loyal and polaris weIlding the power of ice, as such is his nature cold, these four boys have been together since the day they were born and have all ways had a strange connection to each other, now, for the first time in a long time all four of them are together again, but that is quickly overshadowed when they are greeted a strange woman who came seeking their help infiltrates their village, The boys take this opportunity as they have all been seeking to leave the island they call home, like Barak who seeks a way to prove his strength or Polaris who needs to escape his home, But when they arrive at their destination,they find an entire continent embroiled in war, Aluric the young guild master of the Artemis guild, who is is said to have devastatingly ambitious plans for the entire continent, And Ea the Prince of the kingdom who started the entire war,The Dracht Empire, are the two at the fore front of this battle, and unknown to all of them an even deadlier enemy lurks in the shadows, with their targets set in their sights how will each of the boys face and overcome their self and their challenges as the world changes before their own eyes, Join our protagonists in this action heavy story with lots of worldbuildingand even more interesting characters as they all go through their own journeys
8 199Konoha Founders X Reader
Basically konoha founders scenarios and oneshot. Plus some short chapter stories. I am doing Fluff, Angst, Yandere, or Lemon. Hope you enjoy! (Your name will be different with different characters. Keep in mind I am doing this for fun) Includes:Hashirama SenjuTobirama SenjuMadara UchihaIzuna Uchiha ⚠️I do not own Naruto or the 4 Characters in this book! Nor do I own the Pictures! I also do not own you as well!⚠️Started: January 23rd, 2021Ended: May 25, 2021Bonus chapter: April 8th, 2022
8 300The Red Sun Never Sets
ABANDONED.The Cover Art does not belong to me. I found it on Google Images, but could not find the owner of the image. Credit goes to the person that drew it.I do not own any of those things above, except for the story itself.
8 182