One Week Later.
Ever since he decided to get married, Anthony imagined his wedding to be a small but joyful affair at Aubrey Hall.
He didn't care about details just that his wedding would mark one more of his duty to be fulfilled.
He sometimes cringes inwardly when he recalls his almost wedding with Ms Edwina Sharma. Aside from his dread of getting married to wrong sister he still can't forget the circus show their Queen has planned for their wedding.
Yet looking back now, never in million years he imagined this kind of wedding which was happening, after midnight, At Lady Danbury's house, inside his Kathani's room.
Today was supposed to be the happiest day of his life, a joyous occasion to be celebrated by their family and friends and yet his mother and siblings' faces were filled with sadness and uneasiness.
Lady Danbury looked quite uncomfortable, as if she was hoping to be anywhere but at this wedding.
The most painful faces were of Lady Mary who looked completely distraught as tears were leaking from her eyes. Miss Edwina eyes were filled hatred and anger for him, regret and guilt for herself and pain for her sister who laid unconscious on her bed.
The Queen was the only one neutral in this entire matter as she cleared her throat. "You may began." She told the priest they brought from Greta Green.
The priest seems to be hesitating but when the Queen glares at him he begins. "Dear beloved we are gather here on this joyous..." He paused looking extremely uncomfortable but under Queen's commanding stare he continued. "Occasion. To bring this man and woman into holy matrimony."
The Priest once again stared at the bride who was lying unconscious and her groom who sat quietly beside her.
The Queen was getting impatient with priest's continuous pausing, as she commands him once more. "Can you proceed any faster?! We don't have all night!"
"Yes your Majesty." He speaks very quickly after that and when the time comes he stared at them once more. "Who is going to give away the bride's hand?"
They all waited as Lady Mary wiped away her tears and stepped forward. "Me." Her hands were shaking as she took her daughter un moving hand and with heavy heart placed it on Lord Bridgerton's hand.
"My Lord if you repeat after me." Anthony looked startled at being addressed. He was lost in another life where he imagined Kathani as his bride waiting for him to speak his vow. With a shaking voice he started repeating after priest. "I Anthony Bridgerton take this woman as my lawfully wedded wife. As half, As whole. In sickness, in health. For Richer or for poor. For better or for Worse. Until death do us apart." A few tears escape his eyes and he felt Benedict hand squeezing his shoulder as he stood silently beside him with his sketch book in his hands.
The priest then turned to face the bride but then seemed nervous as he asked. "Who is going to say vows on be half of this bride?" They all stared at each other with horror-struck expressions. Lady Danbury cleared her throat as she stepped closer. "I could say the vows on brides behalf, since I am not blood relative to either party."
The priest blinked twice as he asked. "Is your husband alive My Lady?"
"No." She told the priest who then looked deeply troubled as he informed her. "In that case I am sorry my Lady but you can not speak on bride's behalf."
"Why not?" Violet inquires.
"This is quite a unique unorthodox wedding my lady, there is no record of this situation where one party is in an unconscious state. The only other way I can help you to perform this wedding legally by following rules if one of the party is mute. Even in those conditions the vows can be said by a person who is not blood related but also currently married to a living spouse."
The priest could still feel they are not getting his point, so he speaks in plain words. "Since Lady Danbury is widowed, her saying vows will confuse this unique situation and we will find her married to the Viscount instead of our unconscious bride.
Anthony looked horrified and Lady Danbury flinched as she stepped away. "Apologies everyone as much as I want to help in this situation, I cannot risk getting married again." His younger siblings start giggling and even in this tense moment his lips twitch as he considers this outrageous possibility.
"But who will speak on Ms. Sharma's behalf?" Daphne asked out loud.
They were all looking at each other in dilemma when Queen finally spoke up. "It's seems Lord Bridgerton once again I will take important role in your wedding."
"Your Majesty? "
She ignored the groom as she turned towards the Priest. "I am the only woman present here who is not related to Viscount and also I am married with living husband. Can I fill the role on Bride's behalf."
While many mouths fell opened in shock, Lady Danbury knew her friend was enjoying being in the spotlight.
"Yes your Majesty." The priest told her in an unsure voice.
"Splendid!" She clapped her hand and stood up to join the bride and groom on the bed as she touched their joined hands. "You may proceed now."
The priest blinked in surprise as he began. "Um, Your Majesty, you will say the vows like this." And Queen Charlotte started repeating words after priest. "I say the vows on behalf of this woman Kathani Sharma, as she takes this man as her lawfully wedded husband. As half, As whole. In sickness, in health. For Richer or for poor. For better or for Worse. Until death do them apart." With that Queen kissed on both Kate and Anthony's forehead as she resumed her seat.
"Do you have a ring my Lord?"
Edwina watches in disdain as she waited for Viscount to take out her old betrothal ring but she was left surprised when he opened the box and inside laid gold ring surrounded by emerald stones, It was perfect replica of her Didi's Amma Bangles that became cause of her revelations.
Mary couldn't believe her eyes. Not once Viscount ask for Kate's Bangles and yet he remember each detail perfectly to make this ring, which he was now gently placing on her daughter's finger. "With the power vested in me I now pronounced you husband and wife."
The priest did prayer and watched as the groom burst into tears as he kissed his bride's hand, especially the ring he just placed on her finger.
Finally when Priest was paid handsomely as he hand overs wedding documents of earlier dates for them to sign.
Queen watched as Anthony signed first and then Lady Mary forges her daughter signature perfectly on document.
"Very well Viscount Bridgerton. Now it's best you and your family leave before anyone can see you here and I expect you and your Brother demanding urgent audience with me, along with Lady Danbury, Duke and Duchess of Hastings, As you all disturb my morning breakfast with Arch bishop tomorrow.
She watched as they all bowed to her and as she left she knew by tomorrow her plan will succeed.
Dearest Gentle Readers.
This season is quite scandalous but interesting and yet what I am going to tell you will be the biggest news discovery this Author could find out.
According to sources from none other than Palace itself. Today the Queen was disturbed while she was having breakfast with none other than our Archbishop.
You may ask who would dare to demand such an urgent audience. Well this Author will tell you it was a man she previously wrote as Capital R Rake. Oh how this Author was wrong about Lord Bridgerton this season. Yes, he makes many mistakes, which cost him his bride and reputation almost on the verge of ruin.
You must be thinking what happened to make this Author eat her words like this? Well let me tell you that today Lord Bridgerton along with his Witnesses (That was his brother Benedict Bridgerton, his sister Duchess of Hastings, his brother-in-law, Duke of Hastings and Lady Danbury) and documents from Greta Green were presented in front of the Queen and Archbishop. It was proof of his wedding, yes wedding with none other than Kathani (Kate) Sharma.
I understand readers you must be feeling confused and shocked because that's was this author reaction was but I think the stone we overlooked among many diamonds turned out to be precious jewel for our Viscount.
He confessed that he fell in love with her while he was courting her sister. He confessed how he caused pain to the Sharma family because he made a wrong decision. I guess we as society are to blame because we insist on following our duties while we forget that true happiness can only be found by following our heart and in the end that what Viscount and Ms Sharma did.
The week after the wedding when ton thought that both families were hiding in shame, the truth is that Viscount and Ms Sharma ran away to Greta Green. Now he confessed that he lied to his family that his brother and himself are going to visit their sister in Clevedon and Ms Sharma who took Lady Danbury under her confidence left to visit her father's old friend's.
Apparently these five people were witness to this wedding that happened in Greta Green and Benedict Bridgerton showed beautiful sketch of the ceremony with wedding documents signed by Priest of Great Green, bride and Groom.
Lord Bridgerton Confessed that they were going to announce their wedding at night of Harmony Ball but since the ton was punishing both families for something that was none of their business. No one attended that ball and Ms Sharma or we can now call her Viscountess Bridgerton was so heartbroken and scared that this ton would never accept her, well its sadness this author's when she thinks her state of mind as she left next morning for ride in dangerous weather.
The rest as you know is history as Viscountess laid unconscious in Lady Danbury's home three months after that accident.
Now you may ask why Viscount came out now with this truth. Well recently her Doctor told them that Viscountess is expecting. You were thinking why suddenly I am praising this man well let me tell you! This author has written about many men of this ton who wronged women and didn't take responsibility but now it's bring me pride and hope to see a man for not only taking responsibility for his mistakes but responsibility of woman and child that may or may not survive. A true gentleman an honest Man who clearly loves his unconscious wife and unborn child So much that he came forward to accept them.
It being said that both the Queen and Archbishop were moved by Viscount's confession and love for his family.
The queen has assured him that his wife will be acknowledge as Viscountess whenever she wakes up and that his child legitimacy won't be questioned. The archbishop has announced a special prayer for the Viscountess and her unborn child and this author encourages this ton to stop being petty and be human for once in their life and show sympathy towards both families.
Yours truly Lady Whistledown.
"Thank you so much Penelope! You have no idea how much this will help both our families."
Penelope smiled as she watched the peaceful face of Eloise.
"It's the least I can do after every mistake I made since starting this column."
Eloise sighed. "Penelope. "
"No Eloise, I want to thank you for trusting me with this truth after our fall out a few months ago. The truth is I always felt guilty whenever I got carried away with my power but writing this with you suddenly made one thing clear."
When Eloise looked confused she smiled at her. "That I need someone like you, a conscious eyes and voice who edit whenever I got carried away with my writings."
Eloise gasps as she stutters. "You, you mean? I can?"
"Yes! Eloise Bridgerton will you be my editor? This column gave me inspiration to write columns to make ton better place, especially for girls. With your help I could bring positive influence in this society."
"Yes! Oh Penelope together we both could do so much good! Thank you so much my friend for making me part of this new journey."
Both girls beamed as they embraced each other and Eloise thanked her lucky stars for trusting Penelope again to write her brother's meeting with Queen in good light.
Since then, the ton attitude has changed for both families and they were showing lots of support and affection towards them.
Both girls wiped their tears away and Penelope asked. "So now what is going to happen?"
Eloise sighed as she looked outside the window. "Now Anthony is going to bring his wife home. I just hope that he won't face any problem."
Truth to be told it wasn't easy bringing his Kathani home.
The hurdles he faced were in form of Sharma family.
While Mary Sharma implores to let her daughter stay with them, Ms Edwina shows her disapproval by accusing him. "You took advantage of my sister's feelings my lord! It's because of you she is in this state hanging between life and death!"
Anthony felt she had struck him with these painful yet truthful words. "I can't explain how sorry I am Ms. Edwina." He began but she cut him off. "Of what my Lord?! For tearing our family apart! For courting me or for loving my sister."
It was a moment when even Edwina knew she said something wrong because Viscount's face contorted with rage. "Enough!"
She flinched at his raised voice as he stepped closer. "Blame me for everything Ms Edwina! Punished me with anything you desire but never and I say never blame me for regretting loving your sister because the truth is Loving Kathani is the only right thing I did in this entire mess!"
He took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself down before turning to face Lady Mary. "I am taking my wife home Lady Mary. If you want, you and your daughter can come and stay with us or if you still want to stay here then please remember that you both are welcome anytime you want."
He watched her eyes watered before she slowly nods her head.
He left and walked towards Kathani's room. "Take Viscountess things downstairs will you." He ordered her maid before gently picking up in his arms as he carefully carried her downstairs.
Once she was comfortably settled inside the carriage with his mother he turned to face three women. "Lady Danbury, Lady Mary and Ms Edwina. I know my promises hold no value in your eyes but please believe this I will take care of your sister and our child with the best of my abilities."
He was about to leave when he turned to say one final thing. "Ms Edwina, I know you have anger and guilt in your heart but know this, your sister truly loves you more than anything in this world and one day when you find your one true love, maybe then you will appreciate and understand the length of sacrifices your sister made for your happiness." Edwina broke into tears but Anthony was already turned around as he left with his wife and child.
The days after that turned into weeks and weeks turned into months.
Time has now new meaning for Anthony. He woke up made sure that his wife was fed with broth and milk. He made sure that her nurse and maid are taking good care of her and when he had to leave for some reason he made sure that one of his family members would stay with his Kathani all the time.
He was happy that over the time Lady Mary had accepted him as her Son-in-law. She even stays for days looking after her daughter.
His relationship with Ms Edwina maybe not worse but still not mended. It seems she now like him is waiting for Kate to open her eyes. She is not concerned about anything even of prospect of meeting Prince next season couldn't lift up her spirits.
"Gave her time Anthony. "Daphne advised him one day when she came to see Kate and he mentioned her sister. "Poor girl must be feeling guilty for how she treated Kate. Like all things, time will fix your relationship with your sister-in-law "
He truly hoped that Daphne was right. Not for his sake but for Kathani because he knows how much it pained her to see Edwina in pain.
Still these issues were the least of his worries because as time passed his dread of losing Kate and his child grew stronger.
As the month grows closer her Doctor keeps warning him that his wife and child's chances of survival are minimal. "We have to perform surgery as normal delivery is out of question and even with best of surgeons looking after Viscountess and your child it's my duty to inform you that anything could go wrong and maybe you have to make a choice. So be prepared."
No matter how many times he heard these warnings he was not prepared as every night he lay beside his wife talking with her and their child.
"Please don't make me choose!" He wept as he touched her growing stomach. I won't be able to bare if anything happens to you both."
He then closed his eyes and prayed. "Please God! Please take my life instead but keep my wife and child safe."
Kathani Sharma used to love turtles she found in river. They were her friends when she was child and sometimes she used to pick them up and play with them.
Sometimes she pretends she was their Amma and they are her children. She feeds them and sing lullabies to them but every time she felt sad when she had to go home and leave them behind.
As many things they become part of memories as Kathani grew up and her life filled with family and duties but sometimes when she was deep in sleep she would dream about her turtles floating inside river.
After long, long time Kathani was sleeping deeply again and this time she is not waking up. It's not like she didn't want to wake up.
She sometimes hears voices and she wants to answer them but something is holding her back. So she stayed in this strange dreamland.
Here she was not Kathani but river flowing freely where ever she wants. It was easier to ignore those voices because here she is finally free and the best part is she is not alone but there are three turtles inside her.
She knew she loved them, almost as she loves hearing those voices coming from above surface.
She noticed her turtles love one particular voice too and it pleases her immensely because that voice was her favorite out of all.
Here in her dreams land time has no meaning, for what it meant to flowing water but she do noticed it meant something to her turtles as they slowly grew stronger and bigger, as they were swimming near the surface.
She sometimes got scared and wanted to stop them but it appears she has no control in this land.
She didn't knew when but she knew a change inside her land. Suddenly she was in pain. She watched helplessly as her turtles floated closer towards the surface. She wants to protect them to keep them safe inside but they seem stuck on the edge.
It was then in despair she heard her favorite voice. "Kathani you can do it! I will protect you all! Just don't gave up my love." That voice gave her the strength she needed. She pushed a great waves within herself and then watched as her turtles reach outside the surface.
She knew she succeeded when she heard her favorite voice and three different cries. She wanted to see if her turtles made it safely so she fought her darkness and reached towards the surface.
It was a strange place. Everything was blur but she could make out a man holding her in his arms. His eyes were not on her but something a head. So with the last bit of her strength she looked where he was looking and it was not three turtles but three beautiful babies in someone's arms.
And as darkness took her back to dreamland she was alone but happy to see those beautiful faces.