An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)

by Julia Quinn

Everyone knew that Sophie Beckett was a bastard.

inch resting way to start a book

“Please,” whispered over her lips. Please let her love me.

i’m gonna cry

“Just my girls,” the countess interrupted, her voice somehow hot and cold at the same time. “I will speak with Sophie alone.”

do not pmo

but you are nothing but a bastard, and that is all you will ever be. Don’t you ever, ever make the mistake of thinking you are as good as the rest of us.”

LET ME AT HER

And found himself facing what had to be the most breathtaking woman he’d ever seen.

Her beauty came from within. She shimmered. She glowed. She was utterly radiant, and Benedict suddenly realized that it was because she looked so damned happy. Happy to be where she was, happy to be who she was.

IM CRYINGGG

This woman knew joy. And Benedict had to know her.

“Excuse me, gentlemen, but the lady has already promised this dance to me,” he lied.

rizzzzz

But she just smiled at him, a wide, radiant grin that pierced his skin and traveled straight to his soul.

“Come,” he said. “Dance with me.” She took a step forward, and he knew his life had been changed forever.

He was handsome and he was strong, and for this one night, he was hers.

“I like to watch you smile,”

“We shall have to take a stroll together,” Benedict said.

His voice grew so quiet it was almost a whisper. “Do you want it to change?”

He took her hands and brought them to his lips, gently kissing each one in turn. “Then we shall begin right now,” he vowed. “And tomorrow you shall be transformed.”

Benedict drew her close and dropped the softest, most fleeting of kisses onto her brow. “Then we must pack a lifetime into this very night.”

“The same way I knew you were happier in the country.” Benedict reached out and touched her cheek, one gloved finger trailing slowly along her skin until it reached the line of her jaw. “I can see it in your face.”

“Benedict,” she replied. “If indeed Lady Whistledown is correct when she says that you are tallest among your brothers.”

SHE CALLED HIM BENEDICT AND NOT NUMBER TWOOO

“My sisters have done far worse,” he assured her. “Don’t give up.”

😭😭😭

“You won’t,” he promised. “I won’t let you. Look into my eyes.”

🥺🥺🥺

Sophie stumbled, but she never took her eyes off his. “My soul,” she whispered. “I see my very soul.”

“Don’t say anything,” Sophie cut in. She didn’t want him to tell her that he felt the same way, didn’t want to hear anything that would leave her pining for this man forever. But it was probably already too late for that.

He took one of her fingers and rubbed it gently against his lips. “I want to see you tomorrow,” he said softly. “I want to call on you and see where you live.”

“I want to meet your parents and pet your damned dog,” he continued, somewhat unsteadily. “Do you understand what I mean?”

“I want—” His voice dropped to a whisper, and his eyes looked vaguely surprised, as if he couldn’t quite believe the truth of his own words. “I want your future. I want every little piece of you.”

And saddest of all, gone was her fairy prince.

“I would allow my children to marry paupers if it would bring them happiness.”

team violet

“You’re lying to me,” she said with a smile, “but I forgive you. It’s so nice to see you in love.”

His mother never said any such thing, but that was probably because all of the Bridgerton servants were treated very well and thus were utterly devoted to the family. But Benedict nodded all the same.

“I wasn’t aware that slavery was legal in this country,” Benedict murmured.

“Oh, for the love of God,” Benedict snarled. “Will you let go of her or will I have to shoot your damned hand off?”

“My heart is breaking,” Benedict drawled.

BOTCHHHH

He was a man, after all,

real

“To you, perhaps. To me it was everything.”

When he’d held her in his arms and twirled her around the balcony in her very first waltz, he’d felt something different inside, a fluttering, tingling sensation. It should have scared the hell out of him. But it hadn’t. It had left him breathless, excited … and determined to have her.

He’d watched for her at every ball, party, and musicale he attended. Hell, he attended twice as many functions as usual, just in the hopes that he’d catch a glimpse of her. But he’d always come home disappointed.

His name was Benedict Bridgerton, he had seven brothers and sisters, was rather skilled with both a sword and a sketching crayon, and he always kept his eyes open for the one woman who had touched his soul.

“My Cottage.”

“Not very …” He coughed again, this one lower and deeper than before. “… gentlemanly of me.”

“It’s all right,” he said soothingly. “You’re safe now.”

Benedict started to thrash again, and then, out of nowhere, he murmured, “Kiss me.”

She glanced back at Benedict, still sleeping quietly in his bed. Did he realize how lucky he was to have been born into such a large and loving clan?

Good God! Sophie gasped, thunderstruck. It was her!

TGE LADY IN SILVERRRRR

Benedict felt something squeeze suspiciously in his chest at the thought of Sophie-the-housemaid, with her breeches ’round her ankles. He gulped uncomfortably when he realized the tight sensation might very well be desire.

Sophie didn’t even wait to see if her aim had been true. But as she stalked out the door, she heard Benedict explode with laughter. Then she heard him shout out, “Well done, Miss Beckett!” And she realized that for the first time in years, her smile was one of pure, unadulterated joy.

“And do you long for romance?”

He realized he wanted her. He really, really wanted her.

He ought to buy her a new dress. She would never accept it, of course, but maybe if her current garments were accidentally burned

This Author certainly does not make up the guest lists at society parties, but it is difficult to imagine that the Penwoods will be invited to Mrs. Featherington’s next soirée.

real

He grinned. “Not at all. I would have done precisely the same thing.”

NOT VERY GENTLEMANLY