An Offer From a Gentleman (Cinderella)

Posy, who had been ignored for most of her life.

Posy, who had spent years feeling guilty for not standing up to her mother.

Posy, who was still a little bit plump and never would be as beautiful as her sister, but who would always have the kindest eyes.

Araminta had disowned her on the spot, but before Posy had even a moment to wonder if this constituted good or bad fortune, Lady Bridgerton had invited her to live in her home, for as long as she wished. Posy might have spent twenty-two years being poked and pricked by her sister, but she was no fool. She accepted gladly, and did not even bother to return home to collect her belongings.

As for Araminta, well, she'd quickly ascertained that it was in her best interest not to make any public comment about the soon-to-be Sophia Bridgerton unless it was to declare her an absolute joy and delight. Which she didn't do. But she didn't go around calling her a bastard, either, which was all anyone could have expected.

All of this explains (in an admittedly roundabout way) why Lady Bridgerton was Posy's unofficial guardian, and why she considered her a unique case. To her mind, Posy had not truly debuted until she came to live with her. Penwood dowry or no, who on earth would have looked twice at a girl in ill-fitting clothes, always stuck off in the corner, trying her best not to be noticed by her own mother?

And if she was still unmarried at twenty-five, why, that was certainly equal to a mere twenty for anyone else. Or so Lady Bridgerton said.

And no one really wanted to contradict her.

As for Posy, she often said that her life had not really begun until she went to jail.

This tended to require some explaining, but most of Posy's statements did.

Posy didn't mind. The Bridgertons actually liked her explanations. They liked her.

Even better, she rather liked herself.

Which was more important than she'd ever realized.

Sophie Bridgerton considered her life to be almost perfect. She adored her husband, loved her cozy home, and was quite certain that her two little boys were the most handsome, brilliant creatures ever to be born anywhere, anytime, any... well, any any one could come up with.

It was true that they had to live in the country because even with the sizable influence of the Bridgerton family, Sophie was, on account of her birth, not likely to be accepted by some of the more particular London hostesses.

(Sophie called them particular. Benedict called them something else entirely.)

But that didn't matter. Not really. She and Benedict preferred life in the country, so it was no great loss. And even though it would always be whispered that Sophie's birth was not what it should be, the official story was that she was a distant-and completely legitimate-relative of the late Earl of Penwood. And even though no one really believed Araminta when she'd confirmed the story, confirmed it she had. Sophie knew that by the time her children were grown, the rumors would be old enough so that no doors would be closed to them, should they wish to take their spots in London society. All was well. All was perfect.

Almost. Really, all she needed to do was find a husband for Posy. Not just any husband, of course. Posy deserved the best.

"She is not for everyone," Sophie had admitted to Benedict the previous day, "but that does not mean she is not a brilliant catch."

"Of course not," he murmured. He was trying to read the newspaper. It was three days old, but to his mind it was all still news to him. She looked at him sharply.

"I mean, of course," he said quickly. And then, when she did not immediately carry on, he amended, "I mean whichever one means that she will make someone a splendid wife."

Sophie let out a sigh. "The problem is that most people don't seem to realize how lovely she is."

Benedict gave a dutiful nod. He understood his role in this particular tableau. It was the sort of conversation that wasn't really a conversation. Sophie was thinking aloud, and he was there to provide the occasional verbal prompt or gesture.

"Or at least that's what your mother reports," Sophie continued.

"Mmm-hmm."

"She doesn't get asked to dance nearly as often as she ought."

"Men are beasts," Benedict agreed, flipping to the next page.

"It's true," Sophie said with some emotion. "Present company excluded, of course."

"Oh, of course."

"Most of the time," she added, a little waspishly.

He gave her a wave. "Think nothing of it."

"Are you listening to me?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Every word," he assured her, actually lowering the paper enough to see her above the top edge. He hadn't actually seen her eyes narrow, but he knew her well enough to hear it in her voice. "We need to find a husband for Posy."

He considered that. "Perhaps she doesn't want one."

"Of course she wants one!"

"I have been told," Benedict opined, "that every woman wants a husband, but in my experience, this is not precisely true."

Sophie just stared at him, which he did not find surprising. It was a fairly lengthy statement, coming from a man with a newspaper.

"Consider Eloise," he said. He shook his head, which was his usual inclination while thinking of his sister. "How many men has she refused now?"

"At least three," Sophie said, "but that's not the point."

"What is the point, then?"

"Posy."

"Right," he said slowly.

Sophie leaned forward, her eyes taking on an odd mix of bewilderment and determination. "I don't know why the gentlemen don't see how wonderful she is."

"She's an acquired taste," Benedict said, momentarily forgetting that he wasn't supposed to offer a real opinion.

"What?"

"You said she's not for everyone."

"But you're not supposed to-" She slumped a bit in her seat. "Never mind."

"What were you going to say?"

"Nothing."

"Sophie," he prodded.

"Just that you weren't supposed to agree with me," she muttered. "But even I can recognize how ridiculous that is."

It was a splendid thing, Benedict had long since realized, to have a sensible wife.

Sophie didn't speak for some time, and Benedict would have resumed his perusal of the newspaper, except that it was too interesting watching her face. She'd chew on her lip, then let out a weary sigh, then straighten a bit, as if she'd got a good thought, then frown.

Really, he could have watched her all afternoon.

"Can you think of anyone?" she suddenly asked. "For Posy?"

She gave him a look. A whom-else-might-l-be-speaking-of look.

He let out a breath. He should have anticipated the question, but he'd begun to think of the painting he was working on his studio. It was a portrait of Sophie, the fourth he'd done in their three years of marriage. He was beginning to think that he'd not got her mouth quite right. It wasn't the lips so much as the corners of her mouth. A good portraitist needed to understand the muscles of the human body, even those on the face, and-

"Benedict!"

"What about Mr. Folsom?" he said quickly.

"The solicitor?"

He nodded.

"He looks shifty."

She was right, he realized, now that he thought on it. "Sir Reginald?"

Sophie gave him another look, visibly disappointed with his selection. "He's fat."

"So is "

"She is not," Sophie cut in. "She is pleasantly plump."

"I was going to say that so is Mr. Folsom," Benedict said, feeling the need to defend himself, "but that you had chosen to comment upon his shiftines

S."

"Oh."

He allowed himself the smallest of smiles.

"Shiftiness is far worse than excess weight," she mumbled.

"I could not agree more," Benedict said. "What about Mr. Woodson?"

"Who?"

"The new vicar. The one you said "

"—has a brilliant smile!" Sophie finished excitedly. "Oh, Benedict, that's perfect! Oh, I love you love you love you!" At that, she practically leapt across the low table between them and into his arms.

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