Sun streamed in through the blinds right into Katherine's eyes. Groaning at the intrusion to her sleep, she turned away from it until it clicked inside her brain. She should be up. She should have been up a long time ago. Her eyes pop open, looking towards the clock that sat on Anthony's nightstand. "No!" She gasped, throwing the covers back as she jumped out of bed.
It was way past dawn. The sun had officially been in the sky for a full hour which left plenty of opportunities for things to take place. She pulled her hair up as she hurried out the bedroom door and raced down the stairs. Only paying attention to her feet so that she wouldn't trip on the stairs, Katherine looked up last minute and practically ran right into Anthony.
They stumbled back as he caught her. As she took in the other three siblings, her eyes widened at the realization that they were already back. She started to pat along his back, causing him to laugh as he pulled her away. "Kitty, everyone's okay."
"And Simon?" Katherine asked.
"Has agreed to marry me," Daphne said.
Katherine nodded. "Good."
"Yes, so we all need to go back to bed and act like nothing happened before we all get our typical wake-up call." Benedict piped up, urging Daphne forward and pushing Colin ahead.
"I actually need to go. I have a meeting this morning. I'll stop by later to check in on everyone?" Katherine offered to the group although she was mainly looking at Anthony.
"What time's your meeting?" He asked.
"Nine."
Anthony draped his arm around her shoulders so they could make their way to his car. "I'm taking Kitty home!" He called out over his shoulder.
She started to head towards the study to pick up her dress but he steered her back towards the direction they were originally headed in. "I will send it to the cleaners and have it delivered to you," Anthony promised.
Katherine groaned, looking up at the ceiling. "People are gonna talk if you do that."
"People already talk, Kitty." He smirked down at her.
"You are truly insufferable." She let out a huff, getting into the car before he could open the door for her.
Instead of just watching out the window, Katherine took a look around the car. She couldn't remember riding in it before. She swore he owned an SUV and not some sleek black sports car. It was nice though, very nice, as it should be for being a Porsche. "Is this new?" She finally asked, looking over at him.
Anthony chuckled. "New to you. I got this while you were traveling. Do you like it?"
"I do. Very sleek." She smiled.
"Other than this morning meeting do you have anything else on your schedule today?"
"I've got to go check on the clean-up at Trowbridge's and then check in with Simon."
Anthony sighed. "How about this. You call Trowbridge, check-in that way. Meet Simon for lunch and then take the rest of the day for yourself?"
"I'll see what I can do," Katherine said, not wanting to make any promises because as last night showed, anything could pop up.
"Kitty." He glanced over at her.
"What?"
"You need your sleep."
"I got some which is more than you can say."
Anthony sighed, knowing he couldn't argue with that. "Will you just try to take it easy today?"
"I will do my very best." That she could promise.
Once he was parked in front of her building, she quickly pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Thanks for the ride. Now go back home and rest before your day gets too hectic."
"Anytime." He smiled at her, giving her a quick hug. He wondered if he tried to confess to her now if she would listen or cut him off again. Even before Benedict went to speak with Will, he made sure his brother was going to look out for her if he had to leave for a while. The sound of the car door slamming jolted him from his thoughts. Just another moment missed. He made sure she got inside her building okay before driving back home. Maybe one day he'd be able to ask her.
Katherine dressed quickly so that she was back out the door in no time. She stopped by Mrs. Trowbridge's home and checked in on things. When she noticed that the woman was handling things just fine on her own, she slipped back out and texted her to let her know that she had checked in. She didn't need for word to get out that she didn't make good on her promises.
Arriving at the Featherington's casino, Katherine couldn't help but laugh at the added security at the front door. She wasn't sure what they had been promised or where they were even pulled from since Archie had no money to properly pay them. As Eddie opened the door for her, he glanced over his shoulder. "Do I need to escort you in, ma'am?"
Shaking her head, she patted his shoulder. "We're not going to let Mr. Featherington's clear scare tactics work because they do not. It honestly makes him look more pathetic in my book."
"Do you remember our code?" Eddie asked, still a little uneasy about letting her in on her own.
"I'm to send you 'fgh'." She replied earning a nod from him. They had chosen that because they were the first three letters she could easily send since they were in the middle of the keyboard if she needed to send something quickly.
Katherine walked into the casino as if she owned the place. Eyes followed her all the way back to Archie's office. Instead of scaring her like he probably wanted, all it did was make her amused and the smirk on her face showed that clearly. They were aware of the severity of her being here, good. "Mr. Featherington, I'm so glad we were able to sit down to have a chat."
"Miss Gibbs, I know you are helping my wife with a certain situation and you seemed to have impressed her but I honestly don't see where this concerns you. I didn't even agree to the account switch from your father."
That made the laughter finally bubble forth. "Mr. Featherington, you're lucky that I'm not my father or you would have been long gone by now. Hiding your failings from the organization, falling behind on debts, you would have never received a courtesy call or even a meeting much like this one to discuss how to fix your problem if I were my father so I highly suggest that you proceed with caution."
Archie chuckled. He knew he had promised his wife to have this meeting but the woman in front of him was young compared to the mongers of their organization. His pride, however, kept him from listening to this young woman in front of him. She had spent most of her time traipsing about the world while most stayed here and worked hard to be where they are. Even Prudence had started to learn a little about their business so she could help explain it to her future husband and make sure that things continued.
Katherine stood at his laughter, a grim expression on her face. "Very well then. If that's how you want to do things. The only thing that I will be keeping an eye on is this building. I require daily financial reports and if I see if any of the money in the safe that is to be used for winnings is touched, I will have to report you and you can kiss your standing in this organization goodbye. You are to inform your wife that I will provide no further aid to the situation but I will still provide transportation and healthcare because I don't think that Miss Thompson should have to hurt for your lack of judgment."
With that she turned on her heel and walked out of the office, going straight to the employee working the cash in and out station. There she set up the parameters she would receive the reports and got a list of employees that worked the counter so she could contact them. Archie watched from his office doorway, letting out a sigh as she left the building. He once more had just let down his family. Now he needed to figure out how to make enough money to return everything that he had used.
Simon couldn't meet for lunch but he promised that they would catch up soon after he also assured her that he was fine. Katherine was disappointed that they couldn't meet but on the other hand, she was quite excited that she could also go to bed. Her conversation with both Portia and Marina were emotionally draining. They were upset for various reasons and they had every right to be. Colin was courting Marina now though and Katherine felt that it would be a good match, even urging the girl to tell Colin about her condition. That didn't get her the most promising reply but she'd take it.
Once she got back home she went straight to her bed, flopping down face first into her pillows so she was sprawled out diagonally across her bed. She was just about to fall asleep when she heard her phone chime. She slowly opened her eyes and brought the phone in front of her face to see a text from Ronan.
Probably going to hear from Henry soon but wanted to ask if you wanted to be my plus one tonight?
Sure enough, Henry's text came through right as she was about to reply asking Ronan what he was talking about.
Weatherby told me how you worked more at last night's party than you got to enjoy it. Throwing a little get together tonight if you're up for it. You could even find someone to help you relax ;)
Katherine smirked replying to Henry and asking what time before replying to Ronan and letting him know that she would see him there. She then set herself an alarm and buried herself under her covers. It was time to take a nap because it was about to be another long night in the best way possible.
Ronan stopped by to pick her up before heading over to Henry's. They both hid their more appropriate attire under trench coats with their pockets full of the supplies they would need. Henry greeted them both at the door and soon they were off to find what entertainments were provided for the evening.
They mostly stuck together, helping each other out if needed but so far had only spoken with friends. As they moved about their trench coats came open, revealing what they each wore underneath. Ronan had gone into the art room, hoping to find some new inspiration for his poetry and Katherine had found Genevive who had made her friend show off her outfit a bit in the hopes of helping her get laid.
Their laughter was cut short when Henry approached, placing a hand on Katherine's shoulder. "I just wanted to let you know that Benedict Bridgerton has arrived."
Katherine turned to her friend with wide eyes, pulling her trench coat closed. "Why didn't you tell me he was invited?"
"Because I wanted you to still come. You deserve it." Henry rubbed her back before heading into his study so he could spend some time with his husband.
"Do you want me to distract him?" Genevieve asked.
"Would you?"
Genevieve laughed and agreed, heading towards him. Katherine ducked behind a statue, watching as her friend lead Benedict to the stairs. Once he was occupied, she hurried to where she last saw Ronan.
"Benedict is here." She whispered to him as she leaned over his shoulders where he was sitting.
Ronan looked up at her in surprise. "Oh, shit, really?"
Katherine nodded.
He let out a small noise of acknowledgment as he turned back towards the nude models. Katherine knew that he had a crush on the second Bridgerton sibling but the fact that he was here at this event made him a little curious and a whole lot nervous. "What are you going to do?"
"I think I'm gonna just go home. Even if someone pulled me into a dark corner I'd be too conscientious of him being here to actually enjoy myself so one of my toys will just have to do."
He pouted up at her. "You got all dressed up though."
"This one will just have to be appreciated some other time."
"You want me to take ya home?"
Katherine shook her head. "I'm a big girl. Besides if you stay maybe you could get lucky." She gave him a wink as she pulled away.
Just as she left the room, however, she bumped right into Benedict who was pulling Genevieve somewhere more comfortable. His eyes widened as he took her in. Her trench coat was open just enough to tease what was underneath, luckily the only real part of her he could see was her belly button. "Kitty?!"
"Fuck!" Katherine exclaimed, wrapping her coat tighter around her. "I hope you're enjoying yourself." She smiled up at him.
He chuckled in bewilderment. "I am and now I know even more so that my brother is a fool."
Katherine laughed. "Enjoy your evening, Ben."
"This stays between us?" He asked, worry now etching into his features.
"Of course. What goes on in this house stays in this house. I'm surprised Henry hadn't told you that rule."
He let out a sigh of relief and Katherine patted his shoulder as she walked by. Benedict turned towards Genevieve and apologized before opening the room he was planning on going to when he saw Henry and another man kissing. Henry looked over when he heard the door opening and gave Benedict a small smirk before returning to his husband.
Quickly closing the door, he leaned in the doorway trying to gather his thoughts. There were so many things running through his head. Wasn't Henry married? Did his wife know? Was he jealous? He had remained ready even after talking with Kitty, didn't he? Genevieve broke him from his thoughts and with a smirk he joined her on the bench nearby.
As he was leaving, he noticed a familiar face pulling away from his own tryst which made him laugh at the absurdity that this night held. It probably wasn't the best reaction since Ronan's partner turned and took a step towards him. Benedict held his hands up to show he meant no harm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. It just seems I keep running into people that I didn't expect to run into."
Ronan patted his partner on his shoulder as he stepped around. "You ran into Kitty then I take it?" He asked as he tied his trench coat.
"Yeah, from her reaction I think she was trying to leave before I saw her."
Ronan chuckled. "She was. You headed out?" Honestly, he was proud of himself for remaining so calm and acting completely normal. Then again maybe it was because he was coming down from a very pleasant orgasm.
"I am." Benedict motioned towards the door. "Walk you to your car or do I need to call a ride for you?"
"I drove," Ronan said as he walked out, making his way to where he parked.
They walked in a bit of an odd silence for a bit, not quite awkward but not fully comfortable either. Ronan was slowly starting to become very self-conscious about walking next to Benedict in practically nothing but his underwear when luckily Benedict finally spoke up.
"How do you know Henry?"
"Through Kitty, actually. What about you?"
Benedict laughed. "Technically through Kitty."
"Technically?"
"She played a prank on me at the opening of Somerset House with him and then we ran into each other again at the club where he invited me to his studio."
Silence fell over them again until they reached Ronan's car. "Well, this is me." He motioned towards the much older car in the lot.
Benedict nodded. "Have a good night, Ronan."
"You too." He smiled and started to unlock his car door when he heard footsteps nearing him again.
"Actually," Benedict started, "I have a question that I'd like to ask but promise me this won't get back to anyone?"
Ronan looked towards him, brows furrowed. "Yeah, of course."
Benedict looked down at his shoes, running his fingers through his hair. "I saw something tonight that has me questioning some things and I was just wondering what it was like to be with a man?" He looked up at Ronan, worried that his question might be offensive or if it came out wrong, and quickly tried to backtrack. "Not that you have to answer, of course."
Ronan smiled reassuringly at him as he gave a comforting squeeze to his arm. "It's like being with any other person. There're some slightly different motions to do with your hand or mouth but other than that it's still all about trying to figure out what gets the other person going."
Nodding, Benedict smiled his thanks.
"I wouldn't mind helping you figure things out," Ronan said, without even really thinking. This could quite honestly wind up being the death of him so he hoped that he either agreed or saved him some embarrassment.
Raising his eyebrows at the suggestion, Benedict wasn't entirely sure what to do with this new piece of information. He still needed to figure some things out for himself. He was curious, yes but he also enjoyed himself with Genevieve. "I'll text you." He landed on before wishing him a good night once more.
Ronan said his goodbyes and got into his car. Leaning his head against the steering wheel he couldn't believe what he had done, what he had said. Benedict thankfully had been nice about things but he didn't expect to ever hear from him.
Just as he was about to head home, he received a text. To his surprise, it was from the second oldest Bridgerton.
Want to meet for drinks tomorrow night? Say 9?
Maybe he didn't mess things up after all.
The next morning Katherine made her way towards Will and Alice's home, a duffle bag filled with clothes and toiletries to freshen Simon up for his appearance in front of Charlotte King. It wasn't the meeting she had hoped for with her best friend but it seemed like they were trying to rush the wedding so she wouldn't be able to really talk with him due to his now very busy schedule.
"So how much of a hangover are we dealing with?" She asked once she and Alice made their way into the kitchen.
Simon looked up from his plate towards Will. "You called Kitty?"
"You're not listening to me so I thought you might listen to her. Besides, she's also here to make sure you're presentable for your meeting later today." Will smirked.
Simon looked over to Katherine who smiled and patted the duffle bag resting against her leg.
"You can use our room," Alice said when Simon sighed as he got up from his seat.
Once the bedroom door was closed, Katherine pulled her best friend into a tight embrace. "You are such an idiot but I'm so glad you're okay."
Simon wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. "I trapped her Kitty all because I couldn't control my bloody feelings."
Katherine rolled her eyes. "You didn't trap her. Did she kiss you back?"
Simon nodded.
"Then you have to believe that she returns some of those feelings. She's not going to do something she doesn't want to do."
"I suppose."
She chuckled, nudging him back. "You know I'm right now go take a quick shower; you still smell like the whole bloody bar." She handed him the toiletry bag she brought and urged him into the master bathroom.
While he was freshening up, she laid out his clothes. She had pulled out her favorite suit of his and grabbed a burgundy vest and tie. He would look his absolute best and none would be the wiser that he had gotten incredibly drunk the night before. She made sure of that too. Word of Simon being kicked out of the bar would not do anyone any good.
"You've been wanting me to be your dress-up doll for years and you finally got your chance," Simon said once he emerged from his shower.
Katherine rolled her eyes. "I wanted practice for any client needs I may be faced with and would you look at that, it's come up just like someone said it wouldn't." She smirked, moving away from the bed.
"I knew you were always a fan of this one." He said, looking over the pieces she had laid out for him.
"As if I would dress you in anything less than impressive for your meeting in front of the boss." She said as she walked towards the bedroom door to wait out in the hall.
"Hey, Kitty?" He called out.
"Yeah?" She walked back into the room.
"Are you going to be there?"
"In spirit." She smiled softly. "I've got other things I need to tend to."
He sighed, nodding. "We always knew that you would be kept busy when you returned. Any luck on finding a match for yourself?"
She shook her head.
"Kitty."
"I'll be fine! Now, hurry up and get ready. I have to drop you off at Lydia's." She waved him off, making her way out into the hall.
Ronan began to pack up for the day when he noticed someone roaming around on the security feed. He kept close watch, trying to see if the man would ever show his face but it seemed as though the trespasser knew what he was doing. He wasn't dressed distinctively, and the back of his head looked like every other male who was trying to look cool with longer hair.
But then he disappeared for a bit.
Grabbing his gun, Ronan kept watch of the screens as he crouched below the windows of the booth. Whoever this was, was good but Ronan had been at this for nearly a decade. Noticing a shadow, he timed it just right and kicked the door so that it would swing out and hit the intruder.
A grunt was heard and Ronan jumped into action. He charged out of the booth, cracking the butt of his gun against the other man's jaw. The man dropped and Ronan aimed his pistol at the man's head. "Who are you and what do you want?"
The man moved his jaw from side to side, rubbing along his chin before answering him. "Who I am isn't important right now. I just need you to get a message to Katherine Gibbs. Tell her that someone she left behind is coming back."
"And why would I do this?"
"Because if you don't," he slowly stood, "then everything she's worked towards will crumble. And don't think about shooting me either because if my contact doesn't hear from me in the next thirty minutes, all hell will break loose."
Ronan kept his gun pointed at the man, not letting his guard down for one second. He jutted his chin out, motioning for him to leave. "Then go. You did what you came here to do."
Once the man was out of sight, Ronan returned to his booth and returned his gun to its proper place. He did not like this one bit, especially since he was targeting Katherine. She wasn't the one people targeted, she targeted other people. She didn't make messes, she cleaned them up.
Katherine sighed, leaning against the elevator wall. Daphne and Simon had gotten Charlotte to change her mind about their marriage which meant their wedding would be happening the next day. After rearranging her entire schedule and making sure she even had something to wear, Katherine decided that it was time for her to get home.
Her phone began ringing just as she stepped off the elevator and after rummaging through her bag, she finally answered it. "Ronan, please tell me this is a social call. I can't remember the last time I had a full eight hours of sleep and I really, really want to start that tonight."
"Fraid not, Kitty. There was a man down here and he wanted me to give you a message."
"Did you not get his name? What did he look like?" She asked, looking around, making sure that no one out of the ordinary was nearby.
"No, and he looked very basic. Should really give up trying on growing facial hair because it was not a look."
Katherine sighed. "Did you at least get his face on camera somewhere?"
"No, he knew what he was doing. He said that someone you left behind is coming back."
She paused in the middle of the walkway. She didn't know how to feel. Logically she knew that it couldn't be the child she gave up nearly a decade ago. But the next logical choice made her blood boil. She did not leave him. She was the one that was left behind. And she most definitely didn't want him coming back.
"If he comes round again I need you to make sure you get a picture of his face. I need to know who it is before I can do anything. And Ronan?"
"Yeah, Kitty?"
"Be safe, please."
"You too. Do I need to alert the Bridgertons or the Trowbridges?"
"Not yet. I'll let you know."
"Okay. I'm going to do a sweep of things just to make sure nothing has been tampered with. I'll text you updates."
"Thanks. Talk soon." And with that, she hung up the phone and continued on her way home.
Katherine leaned against the closed door, eyes sweeping the apartment. Her gun was in the safe in her bedroom, she could handle herself until she could get to it. But he wouldn't attack her, would he? Not physically at least, she hoped. He never laid a hand on her when they were together so surely he wouldn't start now. Then again he did just threaten Ronan.
But she didn't know for sure if it was him.
Then again she didn't know anyone else she could have made this upset unless Archie Featherington sent someone. No, he wasn't that smart or well, he could be that stupid. Should she inform Charlotte of their debts?
She growled in frustration, pounding her door in frustration before pushing off of it to stride forward into her flat. She was not going to let this get to her. She couldn't.
Pouring herself a glass of water, she took a few deep breaths. She needed to calm down. She couldn't get derailed by a little threat.
At the sound of her phone ringing, she startled before realizing what the sudden sound was. Laughing at herself, muttering how she needed to calm down, she looked over to see who was calling. The sight of Anthony's name should not have calmed her down as much as it did but she wasn't going to focus on that right now. "Hey. What's up?"
"Daphne has requested your presence to help her get ready for the wedding."
"And Daphne couldn't have called me herself?" She teased.
"She's currently with Gen getting a final fitting for her dress and asked me to call you."
"Whatever you say." She laughed before an idea popped in her head. She bit her lip, nails tapping against her glass as she waited for him to sober up as well. "Hey, Anthony?" She asked.
"Yes, Kitty?"
"Would you mind if I stayed over a couple of days? I mean so she can have some of the fun wedding traditions."
"You're going to corrupt my sister aren't you?"
"I have to fine-tune my crazy wine aunt ways somehow." She laughed.
Anthony laughed, shaking his head. "Of course you can stay a couple of days, Kitty. You know you're always welcome here."
"Great, I'll see you soon then."
Once she hung up, she let out a sigh of relief. Until she figured things out, she wouldn't tell Anthony knowing he would go overboard in making sure that she was safe. She could keep watch to see if any strange men came in or out of the Featherington home to test her theory. She refused to believe the other one. Why would he come back nearly a decade later and cause trouble for her? He didn't care about her enough then, so why would he now? Either way, she'd be in a safe place for a few days so she could do some digging and plan out her next move. Yes, everything was going to be just fine.