This Is A Masquerade Party, After All. Violet @ Francesca! @strxngertogether

this is a masquerade party, after all. Violet @ Francesca! @strxngertogether

"I think I wear a mask often enough if everyday life," Francesca muttered to herself.

All she wanted was to sit quietly and avoid the ball, but her mother was not having it.

"I'm really not feeling well, may I pleased be excused, Mama?"

"That dance is just the beginning." Daphne said with a smile, it would be easy enough to get the family's social calendar out of her mother and invite Thinya as her guest, the tricky part would be nudging Benedict in Thinya's direction without being obvious.

"Are you going to attend the Queen's art exhibition on Tuesday?"

"It is no trouble, Thinya." Daphne squeezed the brunette's hand and watched her friend slip away before returning to the role of hostess. The next afternoon Daphne went to Thinya's home with the excuse of inviting her to promenade with her and then join her for tea.

The Duchess had been planning most of the night, Benedict was going to notice Thinya if it was the last thing he did.

Gracie rolled her eyes and was about to shoot back another retort, when duty called.

Jumping into action, Gracie took over the frantic mother an turned to John. Him standing here wasn't going to help anybody or calm down the woman, Gracie could take care of things here while John took care of looking for the daughter.

"You pass on the message to the rescue team, I got her."

"And in all the time you've been asking me out, have I ever said yes?" She liked John well enough, and she knew people often dated people they met through work.

"I've been a little too busy lately to date."

"I suppose, though I don't mind, I want my siblings to do well for themselves, and if I can help with that I will. Though I will say if my mistress has a say, history will remember me not as a dutiful daughter but as a diplomat." Leanora said, only half joking, her mother may not see it, but Ella often leaned on Leanora for support, as did the king.

"If you could, what would you do to bring honor to your name?"

" I know my value. Anyone else's opinion doesn't really matter.". - Eloise - Leonora @storyofwhoiam

"That is how it should be, certainly, though don't tell my mama I said that, I may be lady-in-waiting to her majesty. But I am still supposed to care about what others think of me and my family, if I want my younger sisters to be happy I must bring honor to my family name in one of the only ways a daughter can in this world."

"Awesome, I might know a place we can go," Gracie said with a conspiratorial smile.

"Meet me in the lobby in ten? We'll make our get away." The blonde said, collecting her stuff and heading for the door, she only stopped to say her goodbyes to the host quickly and collect her coat, so she could wait for Eloise to slip out.

Eloise Bridgerton was an interesting girl, not too much younger than Gracie, there was a spark in the brunette that Gracie liked and wanted to see more of.

"Shall we take a break and get some refreshments?". - Eloise - Gracie @storyofwhoiam

"We could, or we could get out of here." Eloise seemed like the type of girl that liked to cut loose from time to time.

"Go somewhere much more fun."