The next morning, Katherine worked on her laptop while her parents were waiting for suitors to call. Not only was she working on the Trowbridge ball but she was also working with the company lawyers to sue Nigel Berbrooke for defamation. The man really had been so dumb as to appear on an American news station and to tell all. They were not only working for a case against Nigel himself but against his estate, just in case Nigel wound up in the Hudson River.
Beside her, she had a plate filled with various pastries that had been brought into feed potential suitors. Even after LW's latest post, she highly doubted anyone would come calling. So she nibbled as she worked, doing her best to avoid her father's judgmental stare. It seemed harsher than usual and she honestly had no idea what she had done to warrant it especially since she figured out the Bridgerton Berbrooke problem all on her own. Then again she never could make her father happy.
At the sound of her mother's gasp, Katherine looked up from her laptop to see who had come calling. The moment she realized that it was Simon, her brows furrowed. "What the hell are you doing here?" She was quite certain he should be promenading with Daphne at the park or having coffee at one of the local coffee shops.
"Katherine Marie!" Her father chided.
She motioned to him as she clicked save on what she was working on. "I think with how long he's known me, I'm just fine." She then closed her laptop and looked over at Simon, holding out her plate. "Orange scone?"
Simon chuckled as he picked up the scone from her plate. "I knew you would be here." He said before taking a bite and soon he hummed in approval at the taste causing Katherine to smile. "I was actually hoping to talk in private. I need some of your friendly advice."
"Let's go to the garden then," Katherine said as she stood, motioning for him to start walking that way and grabbed a scone for herself.
"But what about any potential callers, Kitty?" Her mother asked.
She looked up at the ceiling suppressing the urge to roll her eyes. "Then they can wait. A friend of mine needs my help. That trumps everything else in my book." She then nudged Simon further out the door so they could hurry and get out of there before her father could say something or her mother could reply.
Once they made it outside the house, Katherine let out a sigh of relief. "I cannot wait until this is all over."
Chuckling, he offered his arm, which she easily took as she took a bite of her scone. "You and me both. There seems to be a little bit of a hiccup in this ruse you helped create."
She looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. "What are you talking about Simon?"
He looked around to make sure no one had followed them or there weren't any gardeners around. When he noticed they were truly alone, he took the last bite of his scone to keep his confession back a little longer. "I seem to be developing feelings for Daphne."
"Are you not sure?"
"The only woman I have truly friended has been you, Kitty. The others I've either dated or taken to bed. Yet this friendship with her seems different."
"It's obviously going to be different. We're not alike. But how is it different?"
He looked down at his feet as he thought about it. After all, the thought of Katherine also excited him but it was more so because of what they would be doing. They always got into something and he always forgot the pressures to be perfect while with her. He got excited about seeing Daphne because he would get to spend time with her. He wanted to be perfect for her because that's what she deserved. "I get excited just to be in her presence. She makes me want to be a better man, not that you don't, of course. It's just a little different of a push."
"Nice save," Katherine chuckled, "So why do you seem upset about this? It seems like you two have something. You can't exactly fake how you two look at each other."
"Because I can't give her what she wants."
Katherine sighed, slowing to a stop. "Simon, I know you made that vow, and trust me, I get it. You know I will have your back no matter what, but I don't want this vow of yours to keep you from living your life to all that it could be."
"I already told you that I'm not going to be lonely because I have you."
Stepping in front of him, she placed a hand on either side of his face and brought him down so they could look each other eye to eye. "Simon Basset, I want you to listen to me and listen to me good. Your father was an utter twat, but you do not have to let him keep standing in your way of living a life that you want to live. Your life can be full of happiness and love someone for once that isn't platonically or to make sure a primeval need is met."
"Yet weren't you hurt by those same notions?"
Katherine gave him a self-deprecating smile. "Love can burn so that it hurts us which is what I experienced in the worst way possible but love can also burn so that it warms you and your partner for a long time. I'm willing to bet that you and Daphne could have that if you let yourself feel these emotions. Just something to think about, hmm?" She patted his cheek before pulling away and turning around to continue their walk.
Simon slowly returned to his full height, processing what she had just said. "When are you going to follow your own advice?" He asked her, not ready to face what she had told him. "Because I will once you do."
Stopping in her tracks, she slowly turned around. "What are you on about?"
"You and Anthony."
In her utter shock, Katherine began laughing. Every time she tried to say something to counteract that she just started laughing even more. Shaking her head, she tried to catch her breath so she could finally speak. "You have officially lost it. Me and Anthony? Really?"
"I've been watching you two for a long time. Something shifted during the incident and because it was during that time frame you both have been too afraid to actually do anything so you continue to argue and yet still are there for each other whenever one of you needs something. If even LW can see something then you have to know it's there."
Katherine shook her head, not wanting to hear what Simon was saying. "You were there during that too."
"And yet I wasn't the one holding your hand."
"You were helping the midwife."
Simon chuckled, shaking his head. "I didn't have to and yet I was the first one to volunteer leaving you to squeeze the hand of Anthony and the woman who helped us out."
"Which you found, so. This isn't even the same thing. We can either continue our walk through the garden to the side gate to escape or you can go about your day and I'll go back to figuring out a campaign for the Featherington Casino while waiting for callers that will never show up."
"You're a very stubborn woman, you know that?"
"And yet here you stand."
He motioned for her to continue forward. "C'mon, Kitty, we need to go do something to get matchmaking off our brain for a little while."
Katherine smiled and came back to his side, looping her arm around his. "I couldn't agree with you more."
When Howard Gibbs received the email about his daughter's secret child, he nearly blew a gasket. So he did every single background check there was before asking if Luca would keep things quiet and how much child support was needed. He knew that this person emailing him was not a part of the organization so he explained Katherine's current hunt for a husband. If she didn't find a potential match by the time there was only a month left in the season, he would wed Katherine off to Luca so that she may properly take care of her family. While he didn't inform Luca of this, he made a personal promise to himself that Katherine would not go anywhere near the Hastings account until she took over the company. Matter of fact, he would use the Hastings account to help pay the child support if Simon Basset wanted to help his daughter keep secrets.
Luca laughed when he got the reply before responding to the request.
Dear Mr. Gibbs,
I understand that Katherine lives in a very different world than most. I am more than happy to wait and will keep quiet about things. I have to think about what is best for mine and Katherine's child after all. Below is my banking info for you to direct deposit the child support. I hope that I'll be able to see Katherine soon because ultimately I just want to talk with her and to try to make our family work.
Luca smiled proudly at his laptop screen after sending his reply. This was far easier than he had expected.
News that Frederich Prince would be joining the fray spread like wildfire throughout the organization. Everyone that wasn't being courted buzzed with the energy of wanting to claim Charlotte King's nephew as their own. Anyone who would be able to get him to propose would be promoted to the near top of the hierarchy chain since Frederich was the underboss, meaning he controlled most of the international affairs out of the German office.
"You met him while you were traveling, did you not?" Elizabeth asked her daughter while
Genevieve was making adjustments to the jumpsuit Katherine was planning to wear that evening.
"Yes, mum, we did. I had to meet with him to get him and the King's connected to the international Gibbs Communications' offices, especially the one in Germany." She then looked down at Genevieve. "Hey Gen, what do you think about taking away the train and making it so that the cape will have pockets since these pant legs are practically skintight?"
"I think I can make that work. Did you want to take off the sleeve as well and keep it asymmetrical, but it'll be more triangular than a long sleeve?"
"So, it would become essentially strapless?" Katherine asked to clarify.
Genevieve nodded. "Yes ma'am. You've been wearing some rather dramatic pieces this season and I wanted to continue with that, but I thought maybe we could add some more drama."
Katherine grinned despite Elizabeth's unsure looks. "And this is why I love coming to you Gen. You're so amazing. I can't wait to see it all come together."
"Genevieve, might I look at the accessories you have that could complement this vision you two have concocted?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course, Mrs. Gibbs. The table on the right in the middle should offer you many choices that would complement this jumpsuit well." Genevieve smiled towards the older woman. The moment Elizabeth left the room, Katherine squatted down to be at the boutique owner's height. "I have a favor to ask you."
"Well, it depends on the kind of favor," Genevieve smirked.
"Would you mind if I see your other books?"
Genevieve laughed. "When are you going to make a break from this socialite monstrosity and just take over your father's company?"
"As soon as I figure out what's going on with one of my new accounts."
Genevieve slowly stood, helping Katherine stand as well as she went. "Who are you looking for?"
"The Featheringtons."
"Well," Genevieve chuckled, "you don't have to check the books. They haven't used my other services in quite some time. Matter of fact they're beginning to rack up quite the bill and I haven't seen much of it at all."
Katherine sighed. "That's what I was worried you would say."
"Maybe you could take them over instead. I need you ruling the world already." Genevieve joked as she started marking the sleeve. "But then again if you snag this Frederich…"
"Oh, please." Katherine laughed. "Charlotte King has her sights on Daphne Bridgerton for him. She is her diamond after all. I just hope I continue a good business partnership because if Charlotte decides that I'm not good enough for her, there goes practically everything."
Genevieve smiled at Katherine in the mirror. "Then I will be sure that this jumpsuit will scream that you are an HBIC and that you shouldn't be looked over just because you're powerful."
Katherine easily matched her smile. "I have told you how much I love you today, right?"
She smirked. "Once or twice."
Genevieve delivered as she always did, and Katherine was absolutely thrilled to get to wear the outfit. Her parents mistook her enthusiasm for her finally taking things a little seriously and they hoped Katherine would actually make an effort with Frederich.
Heads turned as she entered the venue which caused her to smirk. "Genevieve Delacroix you've done it yet again." She mumbled to herself.
As has come typical, she and Weatherby shared a dance but this time she didn't have to wait long for a second, not that she minded the wait. Her current dance partner, however, would not stop talking about how strong he was and how good he was with a gun. When the song ended he tried to ask for a second, but Katherine immediately shot it down. "I highly recommend if you are to find a wife this season you don't talk about how much of a safety hazard you are to our way of life. Thank you for letting me know that I need to keep an eye out for you but not in a good way."
She turned to walk away, hoping that someone she enjoyed talking to would magically appear. That's when she noticed Daphne who then motioned for Katherine to see who was making their way into the room. Turning to see Frederich and Charlotte enter, she put a little bounce in her step as she made her way over just in time to hear Daphne snort at Frederich's complement of her gown.
Katherine couldn't help the snicker that escaped but quickly stood straighter when Charlotte and Frederich turned their sights onto her.
"Katherine, it is so good to see you again. You look lovely as ever." He took her hand so he could place a kiss across her knuckles. "As you know dear aunt, that she and I worked together to establish Gibbs Communications in Germany. You will be happy to know, Katherine, that they continue to do the best work but I do miss our conversations."
Charlotte turned to look at Katherine more appraisingly. It would seem she had underestimated the woman.
Katherine, meanwhile, was trying not to blush. "It makes me very happy indeed. You have a great team there and I must admit I wish my meetings now could be more like ours were. I hope you enjoy your stay in London."
Smiling, he gave her a small nod before continuing to follow Charlotte around for introductions.
She didn't know what to do. She honestly had no idea she had made such an impression on him. "Did that just happen?" She asked Simon and Daphne.
"I believe it did." Daphne smiled, thrilled that it seemed as though Katherine had finally found a match she wouldn't be disgusted by.
"I can't believe you blushed at being complimented on your conversations." Simon teased her.
Katherine gasped, shoving at him playfully. "Shut up. I did not."
Daphne nodded. "You did, Kitty. It was humbling to see you getting flustered like that."
"I honestly had no idea that I had made such an impression. Did you?" She asked Simon.
He shook his head. "Not exactly but he may have just put you permanently on Charlotte's watch list."
"Well, great, because I don't have enough pressure on me." She sighed.
Daphne placed a comforting hand on Katherine's arm. "You're doing great. It's about time someone appreciated your marvellousness."
Katherine chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to give her a side hug. "Thanks, Daph."
"Anytime, Kitty." Daphne smiled up at the older woman, giving her side a squeeze in return.