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She hesitated, partly because of the worries she had about how whispers would spread around the ballroom like wildfire to have Benedict Bridgerton dancing with a ladies maid, not that she thought any of the Bridgertons would take offense to it, but also because the last time she had danced with Benedict had been the night of the masquerade ball and her identity had been concealed by a mask - she was afraid that them dancing again would bring those memories back and her identity as the woman from that night would be revealed. But then she looked at him, and saw the way that he smiled at her and offered his hand, making the other ladies gasp and whisper among themselves so much so that she sighed and took it, letting him lead her to the dance floor. "Benedict, people are staring..." she murmured, worried about the looks they were getting as she got closer to him and joined her hand with his as the music started to play.

With an evening of indulgence, the company allowing Benedict to indulge in far too many scotches, in hope of relief of social expectation. He was one to enjoy such social gatherings, however, with the Bridgerton name came high expectations. He did not wish it let the family down, his own ambitions often leaving a lot to be desired. His recent behaviours caused his mother despair, he knew this, and thus was doing his best to remain under the radar.

Though, as the night crept onwards, he was succumbed to overstimulation, the noise, the crowds, he had done what he knew best and vacated the vicinity to explore the grounds. However, when he realised he had spent too much time away, not wishing to rose suspicion, he had brought himself back to the familiar ball room. His gaze quickly captures another's, a smile rising almost too swiftly to his lips. He wastes no time in venturing to her, hand held out as he dips a bow to her.

"Forgive me, but what sort of gentleman would I be if I did not invite you to the dancefloor?" He smiled, tilting his head. "You'd be doing me a favour." He pouted his lips, hand held out for her to take.

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Closed Starter; At the Ball || Sophie and Benedict @theyflourished

The last time Sophie had been at a ball, she'd been on the dance floor with a mask covering half of her face, being swept around the room in Benedicts arms, and as happy as she was in her current position in the Bridgerton household, being there just made her think of that night. So much so that from her comfortable and safe corner of the room trying her best to blend into her surroundings and not attract too much attention in the simple gown that had been lent to her in the classic Bridgerton hues, she found herself catching Benedict's eyes without meaning to.

Blushing immediately and trying to divert her eyes, she willed the heavens to keep him from approaching her, but the second that she looked in his direction again she knew it was too late. People were already parting like the red sea around her making way for the second Bridgerton son as he made his way to her.

Dipping her head slightly, she just gave him a look questioning his motives. "Benedict really, what are you doing? Go back to the dance floor..." she murmured, knowing that the Bridgertons generally were amazing at treating their staff like members of their family, but that didn't stop her from trying to shoo him back to the group he'd left when he caught her staring at him.

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Sai Bennett photographed by Lucia O’Connor for Hello! Fashion Monthly, March 2017

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Sophie needed a break, and the whole point of being a ladies maid was to be around when you were needed and scarce when you were not so after a quick check towards Eloise, Violet and Francesca, she slipped away, thinking she could have a moment to breathe by herself when she heard the voice suddenly pierce through the silence, jumping at the sound of another person being there as she adjusted her gown and held her hands up against her chest to steady herself. "I-- my lord, I'm so sorry I didn't know that anyone was here..."

john knew his duty was to find a bride, to continue his line and avoid the threat of uncles or cousins attempting to take over the clan. only this pomp and circumstance was not his style, he much preferred the highlands to any of this. but they were trying to assimilate into the uk further, and thus the 'duke' was here. and by here, he was sitting in a drawing room away from the festivities with a glass of wine. " please, there is plenty of room for another. " he speaks out when someone begins to creep into the room.

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"Colin, I feel obligated to tell you that there are countless ladies I've caught staring wistfully at you waiting for an invitation to dance while you've been paying more attention to the appetizers," Sophie murmured, smiling politely at people around them as she whispered the words to Colin and gently placed a hand on his arm to direct his attention to the ball and away from the sandwiches.

colin bridgerton was beyond happy to see his favorite sandwiches at this party. ham and cheese. he took a few of them, some biscuits, and a few other treats, and said, mostly to himself ❝the best part of these parties... the food❞

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She was glad to see Eloise stepping away from the crowds of people, but something about how she was sitting so occupied in thought made Sophie tilt her head as she approached, quickly raising her hands to prove her innocence as she got close enough and stepped into the light for her presence to be known, "Just me, Eloise" she called out, smiling at her and taking the chance to sit next to her. "What are you doing out here? Something on your mind?"

the woman stopped mid-inhale as she gathered her thoughts - something about lady whistledown and her own theories did not match up - but ended up just sighing as she lost her train of thought. eloise has probably stayed up too late again to form any logical explanations. a rustle from her right side caught her attention and she turned -- "hello?" her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "who goes there?"

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sai bennett. cisfemale. she/her. ― is that SOPHIE BECKETT i saw during this years first ball of the season? the TWENTY FOUR year old is avoiding finding a suiter this social season. They are known to be CHARMING , but also STUBBORN, but focus on the positives when finding their chosen one. ]

i. the stats.

full name: sophie beckett

title: previously ward (daughter) of the Earl of Penwood, currently ladies maid to the daughters of the Bridgerton family and Violet Bridgerton

home country: England

martial status: Single

sexual orientation / romantic orientation: heterosexual / biromantic

birth order: illegitimate daughter of Richard Gunningworth, Earl of Penwood

ii. the head canons.

a year back Sophie met Benedict Bridgerton at a masquerade ball that she attended in secret, dressed in a dress that belonged to her father's family and a silver mask, she enjoyed the night spent without having to worry about who she was, and the trials that life threw at her, meeting Benedict and spending the night dancing and laughing with him, she had to leave quickly and without introducing herself, leaving him behind with a single kiss and then dashing off at midnight to get home before her Stepmother realized she'd been gone. She now works for the Bridgerton family and has never told Benedict that she was the girl at the ball.

She's incredibly loyal and kind, unfailingly unprejudiced because of her upbringing - she was practically raised by the servants in her father's household and works hard just as she was taught to. She doesn't feel entitled to her birthright as her father's daughter, and doesn't mind her simple life working for her place in the world.

iii.  history

Sophie was born the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Gunningworth and a maid. She was raised by her maternal grandmother after her mother died in childbirth, but when her grandmother passed away she was taken in as the Earl's ward despite everyone in the house knowing who she really was based on her features favoring those of the Earl's family.

The Earl was kind to her, despite never fully acknowledging that she was his daughter, and did his best to make sure that she was cared for as his ward. He remarried and his new wife was horrible to Sophie, making her a servant in her father's home when he passed away.

Sophie was able to run away and find work as a servant with another family in town, keeping her head down and hoping to never cross paths with her Stepmother and stepsisters again, she gradually worked her way up to become a ladies maid and was hired to be the ladies maid to the Bridgerton ladies. She's been with the family for a year now and finally feels like she's found the kindness and acceptance that she's always searched for.

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Sai Bennett for MINE