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Hi hi! I'm trying to start and review every Inky nom that I didn't get to during the review event, so here I am! I did actually see season one of Bridgerton, but really didn't like it, if I'm honest, so please take this as a massive compliment when I tell you I really enjoyed this chapter! To be fair, Eloise was one of my favorite characters, and you've done her so well here. I love this shared moment of openess between her and Benedict (who... I don't remember distinctly from the other brother's, if I'm honest, but I like him in this story either way)! Truths like this back then I'm sure were even more difficult than they are now to be honest about, and so both of their bravery to be honest with one another is admirable - especially Eloise, who goes first. And I just think you capture the vibe of Bridgerton, of the era, but with a more modern feel to it, so well. Your writing is really beautiful too, the metaphors and analogies made are beautiful, and the dialogue is great and believable and natural, and it's just a wonderful start!
Again, I really loved how you’ve shown the progression of the relationship between the siblings here! In the first chapter, I felt like Eloise was often waiting with bated breath for Benedict’s response, because she couldn’t tell what it was going to be, but now, she knows all his little tells and can read him with ease! There’s so much familiarity and a level of comfort packed into that little detail, I love it!
This is true for all of the chapters, but it really stood out to me here: I really love how you show all of the little ways in which communication can fail, how things can come across harsher or in a way completely different from what we intended – it really makes all of their interactions feel so real, and adds such a depth to their dynamic – how they’re still fond of each other, and get each other, even if they don’t always understand right away what the other meant or intended.
The comfort they provide for each other, that tenderness and genuine care – even throughout the miscommunications – is so lovely to see, especially as their both in a rough spot right now! Can’t wait to find out what happens next!
This was lovely, good luck with the inkys!
Oh, Benedict, my poor darling! You portray his grief and despair so well here, I really feel for him! Sometimes, we just can’t help but indulge in the things that we know will hurt us eventually, whether that’s Benedict’s relationship with Marcus, which he knows was doomed from the start, or his downing Madeira, which he knows will lead to an inevitable hangover – loved the parallel between that!
I loved getting to read Benedict’s interior monologue in this, especially how all of his pauses and looks are so deliberate, and carry so much significance – it really adds to their interaction in the previous chapter too, to see how his pauses are not just to give himself room to think, but also to give Eloise room to speak, if she wants it! I don’t know if that made sense, but it’s a detail I really loved!
I loved the return of the cigarette motif, too! I’d have to go back and check, but it feels like in this chapter, the cigarette is offered more often, where it was usually taken more abruptly in the previous chapter, that feels very telling of how Eloise and Benedict’s relationship has progressed, and how they’re now even more comfortable with each other, and eager to share instead of nervous. Their whole interaction was so bittersweet, how they manage to cheer each other up, even in the face of heartbreak, but ultimately, being stuck in the society they are, there’s only so much comfort they can provide – because they’ll be forced into an arrangement they’d rather avoid sooner than they might hope :(
This was beautiful, loved this!
Oh, this was so lovely! Benedict and Eloise are my favourites of the siblings, both individually and their dynamic, so I was very excited to read this, and I absolutely adore your portrayal of them here!
Eloise’s interiority is brilliant, you’ve conveyed this feeling of dread and nervousness that persists even if you’re fairly confident it’ll be fine so well – this balance of ease and familiarity with Benedict’s company, and her nerves and beginning panic is exquisite! I really loved the phrase “tiny thread of doubt pulling taunt, like a starting embroidery stitch”, it conveys that feeling of tightness that you get in your heart when you feel nervous so well, and it matches the setting so perfectly!
This shared vulnerability between them, once Eloise has cracked through Benedict’s teasing and deflecting outer shell, is lovely, too. I loved how you use the cigarette they’re passing back and forth (like some kind of reverse talking-stick :P) as a focal point, how it’s so central to their conversation, but shared and intimate between them, and then the parallel of its butt being gone by morning, because they’re not ready, or don’t want to share with the rest of the world yet. Delicious!
I enjoyed this immensely, thank you!
It looks like I need to catch up on my Bridgertons. I love Eloise’s bluntness with her brother. I’m mean she’s a more forthright than acceptable for the time being, but between her and Benedict, there are no secrets. . . except he’s opened his house and is familiar with the new maid.
Eloise has excellent detective skills with her manipulating questions and observations. (Perhaps we should introduce them to Charlotte and Thomas Pitt (by Anne Perry. I think they’d get along splendidly) I don’t think Benedict had a chance with getting away from this conversation without at least a small confession.
Great job. I look forward to the next chapter.
You’ve portrayed Benedict as a very passionate yet wise character. (Despite the fact he feels foolish.) He’s right in that an artist in residence would be foolish. Any attempts at having a solid marriage would be devasted and I would be surprised if he and Marcus’s relationship survived either.
Once again, you’ve demonstrated the camaraderie between these two siblings. Neither judges the other and give empathy and support for the unusual situations they find themselves.
I can’t believe the Eloise agreed to partake (but not purchase) in the marriage mart. She might have only agreed to one season, but I’m sure Mama will make the most of it.
I knew, from the moment that she said she kissed someone, it was going to be more scandalous that a simple kiss. I haven’t watched all the seasons, but I know Eloise enough to know that she doesn’t shy away, and Benedict is the most worldly of them. I doubt much shocks him. I really liked his reply, not that he’s surprised she kissed a girl, but that she kissed that girl. (Honestly, Smythe-Smith. Could her family not decide which spelling they liked better?)
You’ve established what a great relationship these two siblings have (despite the number of times she stomps on his feet and steals his cigarettes) and you feel that he will support her no matter what her decisions, even if it isn’t accepted by society. I look forward to seeing how Eloise deals with her new self-discovery (and how Benedict handles it with her.)
Hi, Courtney,
So we're back at the swings again, a good locale for discussing our sad but inescapable problems. Swings >> dessert wine. This situation as described by Benedict is a good laying-out of the marital arrangements of the upper class. I can't say that all their marriages were loveless unions impelled by financial considerations, but I'll bet a lot of them were.
Poor Benedict. But if Marcus can make this decision of practicality, Benedict can also be practical. Yes, a menage a trois would never work.
Eloise, on the other hand, is luckier so far, needing only to participate (but not to purchase) in the "narriage mart." It will be interesting to see how that turns out. Do you suppose she will get any lucrative offers? So lucrative as to be tempted to accept them?
I will check out the next chapter also! :)
Vicki
Hi, Courtney.
I thought I'd reviewed his story before, but I guess I just read it.
Eloise and Benedict sound very close, for siblings, if she thinks she can trust him with this particular secret.
I like your description of the locale of this conversation -- a pair of swings, outdoors, in fair weather, away from any onlookers or eavesdroppers. Calm and peaceful, a good setting for uncomfortable confessions.
I liked the humorous moment about needing to nove a body somewhere secluded. :)
Good for Benedict, that when his sister reveals the identity of her lover, he objects, not because the lover is female, but because she plays the violin poorly and has ittle in common with his sister. That must hve been reassuring to Eloise.
But she worms the truth out of him that he too is in a same-sex relationship. He is more reluctant to confess his secret than she was to confess hers. Was it more of a stigma for men than for women in those days?
I also Googled the history of tobacco in the UK to get an idea of how prevalent smoking was among women in those days, but...no information.
Two little fix-ups that I noted. "...a tiny thread of doubt pulling taunt.." The word You're looking for is 'taut' ('tight, under tension') rather than 'taunt (to mock or jibe at'). The past tense of 'tread is 'trod'.
A fun story, well-written as you always do. I will go on to the next chapter.
Vicki
Back once again!!
Does this count as a happy "ending" for Benedct? I'll admit, I have never read the books, only watched the show, so I vaguely know what happens in his story but definitely not enough. But now I may just have to find out because what was going on with Sophie?? What were they talking about??? This is honestly the first time I've actually been intrigued enough to possibly crack one open (or you could just write some more....)
Aw, poor Eloise. It makes sense why Honoria would have not wanted to continue things but damn, that's still gotta hurt. I feel like it almost would have been better if it was over them both beng woman than her political views because like...she just dislikes who she is as a person? Fucking ouch.
Have I said this in every single review? Probably. But I just love the sibling relationship the two of them have. And Eloise openly admiting that they're the closest? Ugh, I'm just an absolute sucker for sibling dynamics and you've just expanded on this one so much. I could read the two of them just doing anything, honestly. And god, those last two lines? Just stab me in the heart, that might hurt less.
This is just so good, Courtney!! I can't wait to read more <3
~Ashley
(written for Project Tempus Linea)
Hello, Courtney!!
Aw, yes, Benedict's pov this time. I love him so much and I will be indulging in any fanfic from his pov until his season because we are working with scraps lol.
I love the difference in tone between this chapter and the last one. Eloise was all nervous energy and on the defensive and Benedict's situation is just a complete 180 from that. I just want to wrap him up in a hug. He's trying so hard to pretend like he's totally fine with the situation but it's so clear that he wants nothing more than to take Marcus up on his offer. It's just heartbreaking that he understands so well why Marcus is doing what he's doing and that he cares enough about him to know that he can't move in with them. In another universe, they have lived happily ever after and that's what I will be imagining.
Damn, I just love him and Eloise so much. They just get each other so well and honestly, so much better than their other siblings. Just being with each other seems to make them feel a east marginally better, even if Benedict is clearly trying to pretend like he feels much better than he actually does.
I swear, Courtney, if he doesn't get a happy ending in the next chapter...
As always, I love it!!!
~Ashley
(written for Project Tempus Linea)
Hello, Courtney!
I will admit, I have not really read and Bridgerton fanfic before but obviously I had to when I saw this was about two of my faves. And the fact that they're both queer?? Immediate read.
I love the easy sibling relationship you wrote for them here. I always loved how close they seemed in the show and the way you've expanded on that here makes so much sense. Barring even the fact that Eloise picked Benedict because she thought she saw some similarities between them, they just seem so close and obviously they were going to confide in each other. They way he's "sneaking" her the cigarette and it's very clear that they've done this before, I just love it so much.
God, I just love Benedict's reaction so much. What a perfect big brother response to just go "you deserve better, let's get that fixed" to such a deep secret that she just spilled to him. It just fits him so well and then immediately going "okay but why me?" It's just so clear that they both care about each other so much and I love that Eloise was the one who figured it out about him. Their relationship just means so much to me and I love how you've written them here.
I love this so much, Courtney!! I can't wait to stop by again.
~ Ashley
(written for Project Tempus Linea)
hi,
aw! eloise and benedict's relationship is so wholesome here, like eloise is still able to have that teasing brother/sister dynamic but she understands and comforts like a friend. they do feel like friends as well as family. i love the flashback scene between benedict and marcus, you can very easily see the chemistry that brought them together in the first place! marcus feels like an interesting character. eloise seems to be having a little more luck in her current situation but i wonder how her compromise to join the marriage market properly will play out. there was some lovely dialogue in this chapter. spice and angst! it's got it all :P
abbi xx
courtney! here for tag <3
aww, my heart aches so much for benedict here. i can only imagine how much it sucks having someone you want, but given the times and all of it being about duty and honor etc, not being able to have them. and the fact that you can clearly see they both want each other, at least for whatever time they have, in that flashback. i'm glad benedict ultimately said no - he deserves happiness and not to be kept away as someone's artist, and i'm glad he saw his self-worth there despite the temptation. but, god. it sucks
i'm glad we mirrored the previous chapter to have another benedeict/eloise moment as the main focus. and she, of course, knows him better than anyone; she knows why he's sulking and she offers to be there for him, as someone who understands better than everyone else. i'm glad she was there to distract him and to offer him comfort, even if it doesn't really ease all the pain. i can't imagine how isolating it must be for them to have all of these feelings for someone of the same gender and not being able to act fully on it
you did such a great job of showcasing that, and highlighting the siblings' relationship in this chapter. even if everything else kinda sucks, at least they have each other - although things don't appear to suck for eloise ;) i'd be very curious to see how her time goes in brighton and what kind of shenanigans she gets into
this was a delightful (if angsty) installment in this story! great writing, friend <3
Author's Response:Jill, thank you so much for this review! Yes, Benedict is a "traditional bi dude." He just wants to be a one person lover, kind of thing. And Eloise GETS THAT. Because in a way, Eloise is like that too, a bit, I think? Anyway, while this is angsty, I think it gave me a chance to show that these two are here for one another, no matter what. :) I'm glad you enjoyed this, thanks again!
<3 Courtney
hi courtney,
here for some winter gifting!
I love this piece so much, it's almost everything that i want to see on screen for these characters. i think they're a delightful and underrated friendship within the series and they have wonderful sibling chemistry. you've brought all that across from the screen onto the page perfectly and everything about this just works for me. i'm not sure we'll ever get this moment on screen but thats what so damn wonderful about you. your natural talent brings it alive in the most vivid and gorgeous way. you truly have regency banter down too.
i love how you positioned eloise's confession, all the thoughts that were going through her head. the swings seem the perfect setting too. she was ready to come out to him but also ready to defend herself if reaction wasn't quite as she hoped. she is obviously very proud of who she is and that's bloody wonderful. i love benedict's main reaction is just to tease her about it straight away. it's not an 'emotional' coming out but rather joyful one. i think benedict seems like he has a bit more to unpack in regards to his own personal journey than this conversation holds but this is eloise's moment right now. it was the wholesome bi bestie moment that i craved. everything about this works for me <3
Abbi xx
Author's Response:Abbi! Thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful review! I am delighted you felt like this reads as it might (but probably won't, sadly), be on the screen! I was sort of just drawn to how easily Benedict and Eloise share things with one another that they won't really with the rest of the family. It makes their sibling relationship very special, I think. Which made me feel like a confession like this, would feel pretty natural, even if it wasn't an openly acceptable thing for the time period.
And yes, Benedict is a bit more difficult to read. Part of him feels like he ought to protect Eloise in some way. Being the big brother and all that. And while she might come to learn that he fancies men as well as women, I still think he'll conceal the finer details. Besides, it's a little ick to think about your siblings in that way. But I wanted to show that they feel relief in being themselves with one another, where they might not be able to otherwise.
Anyway, your review was incredibly thoughtful and I am so glad you enjoyed this introduction chapter! :)
<3 Courtney
courtney!! i'm here for review tag <3
i've been very eager to dive into this story. i love both eloise and benedict, and the sibling relationships they've cultivated on the show - i haven't read the books, but i still feel like you've nailed their characters here. i can just see them sitting on the swing, having heartfelt conversations they know their other siblings wouldn't understand. i've always loved their bond and you did such a great job showcasing that
and i love how you built up the tension here. there's a nice balance between real conversation and sibling banter, all while building up what eloise actually wants to confess - and how difficult it is to tell your truth to someone you love. but you did a fantastic job with that, which is no surprise; and i love how benedict focused on eloise's choice in woman rather than the fact that she was a woman; it was a very brotherly thing to do, and i love that this was done with very minimal angst - just the turmoil that's clearly been going through eloise's mind as she works on accepting this part of herself
the swing setting was absolutely perfect, too - it's clearly their spot and they're stolen away in the night, away from the family and anyone who might overhear them. i can't imagine the pressure eloise - and benedict, for that matter - is under due to society, especially in the time they live in. but i also appreciated how eloise wanted to tell penelope and daphne, but knew they wouldn't understand - not necessarily because they wouldn't understand two women, but because they loved their husbands so muchi also really appreciated that benedict just remarked that eloise was too observant, and eloise took it as a compliment - as she should! and then that was that, they just sort of accepted that about each other and their relationship doesn't seem to have changed at all, just brought them closer together
this was an excellent opening chapter, friend! a fond moment between two siblings and i'm excited to see where it goes <3
Author's Response:Hi Jill! I just wanted to stop by and thank you for this lovely review!
In terms of show versus books, Benedict and Eloise have a better relationship on the show than they do in the books, so you aren't missing much of anything by not having read the books. :) Your thoughts on the feelings were exactly what I was trying to convey, so I was excited to see that! They were always going to support one another and be this little escape from the high expectations of society that they can't quite uphold all the time.
Benedict's suggestion that she tell Penelope or Daphne just shows his inability to see that just because they are women, doesn't mean they would understand. I think societal norms at the time didn't really have men and women discussing such things. So that was just me trying to give further reason why Eloise and Benedict can share this part of themselves with one another.
I loved the ending with Benedict sort of grumbling about how Eloise figured out he might be interested in gentlemen. So I am glad you enjoyed that too.
Anyway, I am so appreciative of you checking this out and reading this new(er) story of mine!
<3 Courtney
Tag <3
You have absolutely nailed Eloise and Benedict’s sibling dynamic. It’s perfect. The way they tease each other, the way they have this deeper connection to each other than they do to the rest of their siblings, the way they really trust each other with their secrets.
Some of my favorite scenes in the show are when Benedict and Eloise are sitting on the swings smoking together and telling each other their secrets. They don’t have to pretend with each other at all. It’s great to see in this chapter.
I also love that you are making them both queer. I feel like there was some strong implications, especially in season one of the show, that Benedict and Eloise were queer, and then the show runners decided they needed to mess with that in season two, which was very frustrating. It makes so much sense that Eloise’s kiss here is with another woman, and that Benedict would be the only person she feels comfortable confiding in. I also LOVED that it was with a Smythe-Smith, lmao.
Benedict and Eloise’s reactions to Eloise’s confession were perfect. Benedict makes a joke about Honoria’s musical abilities (or lack thereof) and Eloise IMMEDIATELY goes on the defensive, and gets all prickly. And it takes Benedict a minute to calm her down, and reassure her that he loves and supports her and is totally cool with this.
And I thought it made good sense that Benedict was a little prickly when Eloise comes right out and asks if he is attracted to men. Even if he has accepted that part of himself, he isn’t quite ready to have anyone else know about it, even if it is his sister who always seems to understand him.
I really enjoyed this!
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:Hi Noelle, I wanted to thank you for your review!
I'm glad you felt like the relationship between Eloise and Benedict was in character. I really had fun writing them in this scenario. I wanted them both to have a safe space to come out to one another and to share these parts of themselves that they normally cannot to the rest of the world.
Including Honoria was fun. She has her own book. I haven't read it, but I just love the idea of someone not being a particularly accomplished young lady, somehow connecting with Eloise. Because she seems very driven and motivated in these "unconventional," ways by Regency standards. And Honoria, at least in my mind, seems more traditional in how she wants to be successful, but isn't particularly good at it. At least, where music is concerned LOL.
And yes, Benedict doesn't want to reveal himself so easily because to admit such things...well...it's scary. Even though she's admitted it first, speaking your own truth can be difficult. You're giving someone else the power to hurt you. So I figured it made sense for Benedict to just slyly admit it, to put them on the same page and to open up this safe space where they can discuss these things that they cannot with anyone else.
Anyway, thank you so much for this thoughtful review! I so appreciate it!
<3 Courtney
hihi!! tag :)
ahhhh poor benedict!! i feel so sorry for him - though god, starting with the madeira is a hardcore decision :P ah i just - it's so sad that he and marcus just can't be together, though i don't necessarily get the sense that it was a huge once-in-a-lifetime-romance, yk?? though any heartbreak is still not fun and takes time to heal from - and hopefully he will through this story?? (i also feel a bit sorry for miss penbrooke, who likely has no idea that marcus was planning that - and that would be kinda harsh for her, sharing her husband with essentially a live-in mistress :/) damn marcus and his selfishness :P
the note about benedict stealing the wine by saying it's for anthony made me laugh :P i don't know much about bridgerton, but even without the canon context, i get that anthony is perhaps unlikely to be drinking madeira and ahhhhh who hasn't done that as a sibling before?? :P
and ofc it's eloise who finds him :) i lovelovelove how you write them - i think i said this last chapter too lolol - but it really is so true: the calm, quiet comfortable relationship between the two of them is so so good :)
you've set so much up in this chapter for future events - the marriage mart with eloise in brighton, the aftermath and fall out from benedict's breakup with marcus, the masked ball... i'm so so curious as to what will happen next!!
laura xx
Author's Response:Laura, thank you so much for this review!
Marcus was Benedict's bisexual awakening, in my mind. And I think that in some ways the feelings were very intense. Especially in Regency England where one had to be careful about these kinds of attachments. There's a desolute feeling I was trying to convey that Benedict will never find another man like him again. And yeah, Regency marriages weren't always happen...and poor Miss Penbrooke may or may not have a faithful husband? I honestly didn't think too far ahead or plan or account for any possibly future there beyond Benedict's POV. I think Marcus is trying to have the best of both worlds. I don't think he was malicious in offering it to Benedict, just desperate. It's not *right*, but he's looking for happiness in a way he feels he can easily have it.
Anthony, being head of the house and first born child, can likely get away with whatever with the servants. Benedict is the second born son and using him as a shield essentially LOL. Not that the servants would tell him no either, but I think he's also trying to be funny. The bromance between Anthony, Benedict, and Colin is hilarious (mainly with Benedict and Colin eye rolling and snickering behind Anthony's back about how self-righteous he is). Whether or not Anthony would do what Benedict's done is irrelevant, because who you're right, who hasn't blamed a sibling for something they did LOL. Especially young adults still living at home and having to abide by your parents rules.
I'm glad you are enjoying these confiding moments that Benedict and Eloise are having with one another. :) They do have these little conversations about life, how society is unjust, etc., on the show, and I needed it to exist in other ways as well. :)
Thank you again for this review! Hopefully I will find some time/brain power to continue this! ;)
<3 Courtney
hihihi!!! dropping by for tag :)
ahhhhh i love this!! i admit i haven't watched bridgerton (steamy romances aren't really my thing, regency or otherwise, unfortunately :P) but - even fandom blind, this is such a fun start?? and i love the premise of this: these two siblings, so much more alike than they thought, the way that once the confession's made they can confide in each other is so sweet?? i'm a big sucker for family- and friendship-based stories and i love that they - as a pair of siblings - are sort of the focus for this :)
they have such a good dynamic as well!! even though this first section is only short - and it's a naturally emotional starting point too, with eloise coming out to benedict - there's still this banter between them which is so good and so true to being siblings, haha, with them still able to tease each other despite everything :P and i loveloveloved benedict's reaction haha - the way he was less interested in the "it was a girl" than the "it was this girl" - there's something really nicely anti-climatic about it, yk, and eloise's discombobulation is so clear :P
i looooove the way you wrote this too - there's so much room in this chapter to let the emotions of it all breathe: and there's parts where you speed it up and then slow it down, like right at the end when you're describing benedict's facial expressions in between his dialogue - it just drags it out a bit, making the admission weighty and serious and it's so good!! it just works so well, and it's so clever :)
such a good first chapter - i will be backkkkk
laura xx
Author's Response:Laura, thank you so much for reading this! I totally get what you're saying about steamy romances. Tbh I didn't even know that Bridgerton was essentially historical romance smut until I was on episode 3 of S1 and then it was like WELL OK THEN I GUESS THIS IS WHAT THIS IS lol. But anyway, I wanted to create something that was very feel good family vibes with these two. Because the familial vibes the show gives off are absolutely heart warming. So anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to check this out. <3
I am glad that you could get so much of their characters, even reading this fandom blind. They are very banter-y with one another. But there's an understanding and a push-pull to their dynamic where they also want the best for one another. Of course, I don't know that I showed all of this upfront. But these were just some things that were percolating in my mind as I wrote this piece.
I never really gave much thought to the pacing of the dialogue, but I am so glad you commented on it. Now I'm likely going to become more self-aware of that and how it affects the piece hah. I appreciate you really dissecting that moment and analyzing it...I geek out over stuff like that all the time. :)
Anyway, this was an incredibly thoughtful review! I appreciate you checking this out, even if this fandom isn't something you're particularly into. Means a lot!
<3 Courtney
God, that is a dilemma.
I can understand Marcus' need to put duty before pleasure and his whole "be our resident artist" was honestly kind of hot haha But really, where would that leave Benedict? He'd always be receiving the left over of Marcus' attention. It might've been enough for a while. The sneaking around might've been exciting for a bit. But eventually, I feel like Benedict would want more out of a relationship, which is probably why the and what he would be forced to settle for hit so hard at the end.
I love that he can talk about this with Eloise though. Even though he chooses not to do so, it's nice knowing there's someone who recognizes he's going through something tough and is willing to be there for him.
Another great chapter <3
Love, Quilly.
(and tag, maybe.)
Author's Response:Hi Quilly! Back to show some appreciation for this review of yours!
Marcus is hot in my mind too hah. And he's not necessarily a bad person (though we don't really see it in this snippet of this brief mentioning). He cares for Benedict and is willing to provide for him in a way that he feels he can while maintaining this image of himself that society expects. But Benedict in my mind has always been something of a romantic. He's searching for individual purpose as well as companionship. But he would compromise either by choosing to accept Marcus' proposal. So you definitely got what I was trying to convey with him in this chapter. :) And Eloise is that one person he can share some aspects of this relationship with for sure. Even though it is a bit awkward at this stage because she is so happy with Honoria. They're both able to sort of set that aside in order to find comfort with one another in this moment.
Again, thank you for your thoughts on this! I appreciate you checking it out!
<3 Courtney
I'm loving the siblings dynamic already! I loved the fact the balance between Eloise's outer dialogue and her inner dialogue. Outwardly, she was the same witty, strong, funny Eloise that we love. Inwardly, however, we get this sense of vunerablity that the moment surely called for. She wants to talk about her experience and share it with someone and she feels like she knows the right person to do so with but there's still this nagging feeling of, what if they don't approve? which is totally valid and relateable.
This was a really big moment for Benedict too. By choosing to tease her about her choice, he sort of makes light of the situation, and makes her feel as if it's the person she's chosen that he's worried about and not their gender that's a big deal (which is as it should be.) He could've also chosen not to confide in her in return but he returns the respect and trust she's given him and that creates for a beautiful bonding moment between the two.
This was such a lovely start to this story & I can't wait to be back for more!
Love, Quilly.
Author's Response:Hi Quilly! Thank you so much for this review!
I am glad you felt like Eloise and Benedict were in character in this moment. I always worry about authenticity. Even though this is more of an interpretation of the show versions of their characters and not from the original source material. Anyway, I feel like their sibling dynamic in the show is amazing and I wanted to show that in my own way. I'm glad you felt it too in reading this. :)
I'm also glad that this "coming out," to one another is believable. It's always challenging to write positive queer representation in historical fiction because social conventions were different then than they currently are. Society was far more rigid and unforgiving. But I wanted to give both of these characters a safe space to positively explore this side of their identities.
I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thank you for checking it out!
<3 Courtney
NaNo tag!! <3
Ohh ok I love that this is shaping up to -- maybe? -- be like a series of glimpses of them at different moments, and we can sort of see the progress of their lives and loves as we skiip around to different chats in different moments on these swings.
Marcus's offer to Benedict had me all skdjfhkaj :staring eyes: "Be my live-in, personal artist" OH OKAY. People definitely won't ask any questions about that. XD And like... on the one hand, okay, nice that Marcus is like "I still want you even though I have to marry this lady for Society Reasons" but also it's a bit... idk, reductive for Benedict? Here, be my kept mistress, basically (though tbh, obviously there was a lot of that happening and it was a good gig for some women, but anyway I digress. Benedict doesn't want to be someone's #2 love.)
Eloise/Honoria still! :more staring eyes:
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:Boop! Hello, thank you for this review! <3
You're absolutely right about Benedict wanting the romance and to matter to someone more than just being their second best. I feel like he's a lot like Collin in the books, both of them are searching for their purpose in life, and this journey makes them feel a little useless/melancholic. I feel like show!Benedict figures out himself much sooner than book!Benedict, but neither is better than the other, both are just different because they appear in different mediums. So I wanted to show him sort of being a bit of both in this? I also feel like him being the sensitive soul that I interpret him to be, he could totally try to be someone's mistress, but also, he would totally fail in the end because he would get so deeply tangled into his own feelings.
And yup, Eloise and Honoria are just living life for the time being. :)
Thanks again for taking the time to read and review this!
<3 Courtney
Taggggg!!
Yassss for the sibling love and support here. I like that it's Eloise who breaks this ice first, for a lot of reasons. First, Benedict as the older brother, because of this sense of responsibility of having to look out for her, and not necessarily knowing the extent of his sister's knowledge about romantic/sexual things, I don't know if I could see him ever being the first to bring up this topic. But Eloise does because she's bold like that, and because Benedict makes her feel safe, and she knows he's got her back.
But even then there's that "oh shit" moment where she's wondering if this wasn't some horrible mistake. And Benedict could tell her yes, she completely misjudged him, but he doesn't, and that speaks to their respect for one another I think. Also I liked his quips about Honoria, it felt like his own way of accepting Eloise -- like, I don't care that you kissed a girl, but *her*?? :P
Look forward to more of this. :eyes:
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:Hi Melanie, coming to thank you for this review!
I am glad that, you, our in house Regency expert approves the overall message of this fic, hehe. Sibling relationships are my jam and the shows done a great job laying fanfiction foundation for stories that deal with Benedict and Eloise having a great sibling dynamic. And when I went down the path of "Benedict isn't 100% straight," I knew he would be able to recognize the magnitude of what Eloise was saying to him and I didn't want him to react like a douche. So yes, it's more along the lines of "how could you and Honoria absolutely have anything in common/be suited?" And I thought that was kind of funny. Especially since in the books everyone (minus our gem, Penelope) is like URGHH THE SMYTHE-SMITH CONCERT MUST WE? So I sort of liked bringing Honoria into this as another major minor canon character and bringing some humor that way as well. Plus I'm also sort of like "eff you netflix, don't you bait me," on a personal level, so that's always a good reason to fuel a fanfiction LOL.
Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read and review my stuff!
<3 Courtney
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