Madeleine and Benedict spent over four hours on the lake, both ever so happy to have a little escape from life and to simply spend time with one another. It seemed that they had not had time to proceed their newfound feelings for one another, life just continued to get in their way. As they walked back to the carriage, the sun was beginning to set. Madeleine smiled as she noticed and grabbed Benedict's arm.

"Could we wait a bit? I would like to watch the sunset." He smiled at her and nodded, sitting down on the grass and pulling her to sit between his legs, knees bent. She giggled softly and leaned into him, resting her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and softly kissed her head before resting his chin on top of her head.

"I'm glad we are doing this, Benny, this relationship. I do not know how I would've gotten through these past few weeks without you. You have always been here for me and now, even more so." She spoke softly and he smiled, running his hand up and down her arm.

"I will always be here for you, Mads. You will never have to face anything alone ever again. I promise you that." Her heart filled with warmth at this and she snuggled into his embrace, resting her head back in the crook of his neck. She sighed contently, watching as the various colors and hues seamlessly blended together in the sky.

"I wish the sky could always look like this." She whispered. Benedict hummed softly in response.

"But then it would not be so special when it does happen, would it?" He chuckled and she let out a soft laugh, nodding.

"I suppose you are right. I do not think I could ever get sick of this, though." She said with a soft smile and he nodded, admiring the view.

"It certainly is beautiful. I can only hope that some day, I can create something as wonderful with my paintbrush."

Madeleine scoffed at this and sat up, turning to face him and placing her hands on his cheeks.

"You already have." She whispered, staring into his eyes. "Your paintings are absolutely incredible and it saddens me that you do not see that the way everybody else does." He gazed at her with eyes full of love, silently wondering how he got so lucky. He leaned forward and kissed her nose, making her giggle.

"I suppose it is true that we are our own worst critics." He noted, raising an eyebrow. She nodded and stroked his cheek softly.

"If you are your own worst critic, I will continue to be your most fervent supporter." She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone and he smirked, reaching up to brush a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I love you, Madeleine. I have always loved you as my dearest friend and closest confidant, but the love I feel for you now.. it is different, to say the least."

Madeleine blushed and leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight embrace. "I love you too, Benedict. Always have and always will." She whispered as he wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly. After a moment, the two separated and Benedict kissed her forehead before standing and offering her his hand. The sky had begun to darken as the sunset faded and the two walked back to the carriage. Benedict sheepishly apologized to the footman, who responded that he did not mind stopping to watch a sunset himself every now and then.

As they sat in the carriage, Madeleine rested her head on Benedict's shoulder and he intertwined their hands, rubbing the back of her hand slowly with his thumb. The ride back was silent, the both of them feeling completely and utterly content. They did not have to say anything, and they did not want to, never wishing for this happiness to end. The carriage eventually stopped in front of the Bridgerton house and neither of them moved.

"I wish we did not have to go in." She whispered, so quietly he barely heard it. He glanced down at her as she stared down at their hands before he rested his head on hers. He knew what she meant, he had even thought the same many times. He loved his family more than anything, but this life, this society, it was too much to handle at times.

"I wish to marry you, Madeleine. I wish to marry you and run off to a farm away from all of this where we can raise a family and simply be happy together. Or, we can have a dog. We do not need to have children if that is not what you want. All I need in this life is you by my side." Benedict's voice was a gentle whisper and he held her hand a bit tighter. Her heart jumped at his words and she smiled at the thought.

"Children sound wonderful. That all sounds absolutely wonderful." She smiled, lifting her head and kissing him, a soft and gentle kiss. He smiled at her and the two got out of the carriage, his arm wrapped around her waist to steady her.

They entered the house and Madeleine could not seem to ignore the feeling growing inside of her, like vines of darkness slithering into her gut to warn her that something bad lay ahead. Her premonitions were confirmed when Anthony walked out of his study, his eyes meeting hers with a gleam of sympathy. He sighed and walked over to the pair, not taking his eyes off of hers. He held a piece of paper in his hands and she glanced down to it and back up to him, not entirely sure that she wanted to know what the letter said. He handed her the letter, pressing his lips together as he gave her an apologetic look.

Benedict's concerned eyes darted from Anthony to Madeleine as she stared at the letter in her hands. She took a deep breath before slowly sliding her finger under the already broken seal to open it.

A letter from The Royal Courts of England on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.

This letter is addressed to and shall be at once delivered to: The Viscount Anthony Bridgerton.

Viscount Anthony Bridgerton,

Her Majesty The Queen acknowledges your request of urgency for the cease of ownership of Lord William Alaister III in the case of the household previously in ownership of Lord Jonathan Sinclair. It is with sympathy that Her Majesty rejects this request and orders that Lady Madeleine Sinclair be placed under the guardianship of Lord Alaister in the aforementioned dwelling.

Lord William Alaister III has long served as a welcome friend and an immaculate guide in the world of business to Her Majesty The Queen. It appears to be in the best interest of all parties involved that this decision has been reached.

Most sincerely,

Her Majesty The Queen in accordance with The Royal Courts of England

Madeleine's eyes widened as she read the letter and she felt as though a terrible weight had just plummeted down onto her chest. She read it again, tears stinging at her eyes as she prayed that she was interpreting it incorrectly.

"Well, what does it say?" Benedict asked, his voice laced with worry. She blinked away the tears and looked up at him, his heart sinking at her pained expression.

"She has denied our request and ordered that I be placed under the guardianship of that awful man." Her voice broke as she said it aloud and she thrust the letter back into Anthony's hands, running up the stairs and into Benedict's room, closing the door behind her. She sunk down to the floor and a tear rolled down her cheek as she considered what this meant.

Lord Alaister would be her guardian from this point forward. He would act as her father, controlling everything she did. He would have the final say in where she went, what she did, and what scared her most, who she was to marry. He would certainly not allow her to marry Benedict, not after their altercation that morning.

Benedict watched as she ran up the stairs and his lips parting, about to call out to her.

"I am deeply sorry, brother. There is nothing more that I can do." Anthony's voice was low and he put a hand on his brother's shoulder. Benedict nodded at his brother, thanking him for his help, before running up the stairs after Madeleine. The doorknob was locked as he attempted to enter and he sighed softly, leaning against the door. He could hear Madeleine's quiet whimpers from the other side and it absolutely broke his heart.

"Mads, please let me in." He spoke softly and when she didn't respond, he spoke again.

"You will not face this alone, I promised you that I will always be by your side and I intend to keep that promise in the face of all hardship. Let me in and we can talk about this, we can figure something out." He heard the girl sniffle as she moved, standing to open the door.

He took in her face, eyes watery and red, cheeks stained with tears. He sighed and pulled her into his arms immediately, holding her in a tight embrace. He wished to keep her in his arms forever, to protect her from any danger that threatened her happiness.

Her body trembled as she cried softly into his chest. She did not understand how this could happen. It did not seem fair at all that her future was now certainly doomed, along with her happiness, all because her uncle was a friend of the royal family.

"It will be okay, my love. We will figure this out together." He kissed the top of her head, whispering soft comforts to her. He couldn't help but feel as though he was lying to her. He was not sure that it would be okay, but he knew one thing for sure. He would fight until the day he died to be with her and to keep her safe.