It's a very strange predicament to be in. Of course, people have been using marriages to arrange alliances and seal pacts for centuries, and it's certainly not unheard of in Benedict's society circles. So rarely, really, do people ever meet and marry for love. Though Benedict's mother had, and his sister had, and Benedict's enough of a romantic to have hoped for the same for himself.
But when he wanted to find his match outside of the aristocracy, he hadn't really imagined this scenario.
He understands it. From a political stand point, if this is what London - and, subsequently - England and her colonies need to thrive, then it's an alarmingly important position to be given. And, really, what better family than the Bridgertons, who occupy a very unique position between nobility and royalty. Daphne, of course, is married, and Anthony is much too important, but Benedict has the second son status that makes him equal parts important and trivial. If things go sideways, it's not a Viscount they're losing.
Anthony, ever the protective sibling, had been furious. Benedict had been glad for it. He's not certain he's ready to carry the weight of something as vital as this, and knowing that, no matter what, Anthony would have his back had been something of a relief. But Benedict was prepared to act like he could take this in stride. He'd accepted his fate (not that he'd had much choice) and he wasn't about to bring any sort of shame on his family. Which is why he's in the salon at a hotel, sitting and absently sketching to keep himself from pacing nervously. There's a fresh tea service with biscuits, too, ready for when Benedict meets the man he's going to have to marry.
arranged marriage;
But when he wanted to find his match outside of the aristocracy, he hadn't really imagined this scenario.
He understands it. From a political stand point, if this is what London - and, subsequently - England and her colonies need to thrive, then it's an alarmingly important position to be given. And, really, what better family than the Bridgertons, who occupy a very unique position between nobility and royalty. Daphne, of course, is married, and Anthony is much too important, but Benedict has the second son status that makes him equal parts important and trivial. If things go sideways, it's not a Viscount they're losing.
Anthony, ever the protective sibling, had been furious. Benedict had been glad for it. He's not certain he's ready to carry the weight of something as vital as this, and knowing that, no matter what, Anthony would have his back had been something of a relief. But Benedict was prepared to act like he could take this in stride. He'd accepted his fate (not that he'd had much choice) and he wasn't about to bring any sort of shame on his family. Which is why he's in the salon at a hotel, sitting and absently sketching to keep himself from pacing nervously. There's a fresh tea service with biscuits, too, ready for when Benedict meets the man he's going to have to marry.