It was around morning when Cho found Fife passed out in the middle of hallway near their room when he was heading towards great hall for breakfast.
Shaking his head, he and his few friends carried him back towards their room.
"Looks like Fife won't be attending his classes today." One of their friends said as Cho stopped trying to wake him up.
They left Fife snoring and headed towards the great hall.
The day went by and by the time afternoon rolls. Fife entered great hall around lunch time, nursing worst hangover and back pain of his life.
He settled down beside Cho and his friends while clutching his head. "Last night was the worst night of my life."
"You and me both mate." Cho grumbled while stabbing his meat angrily. "Plus it is not over as we have to endure punishment."
Fife groaned at that reminder as he angrily glared at Bridgerton, Sharma and Dorset sitting with Basset and their group of friends which was increasing rapidly after last night incident.
"People are treating them as heroes but I don't understand why Bridgerton tried to protect Sharma?" Fife asks and Cho scoffs. "You still think it was Sharma who tried to protect Dorset?"
"I know it was him." Fife insisted while glaring at Bridgerton. "Bridgerton only jumped in the end but he lied to the Principal and everyone else."
"Why would he do that?" Cho asked but Fife was not replying as his mind went on to his strange dream last night.
Fife stared harder at Bridgerton as he shared his dream with his friends. "Last night I had this strange dream. I saw Bridgerton in the bathing area naked while a naked woman with long black hair was straddling him as they fucked each other."
His friends stared at him in amusement until one started laughing as he asked. "Looks like you drank a lot last night."
Cho joined in laughter as he agreed with his friend.
Fife knew it was a dream after all university grounds are heavily guarded and it impossible to bring a girl inside. "If it was easy, then we didn't need to leave university ground to venture into the village every other day".
Fife frowned because what his friends were saying was true. Shaking his head, he finally admits. "I guess it was one of those vivid dreams I had last night."
Suddenly they saw Basset and Dorset along with other students congratulating Bridgerton and Sharma.
Frowning Fife and Cho stared at each other when Bassett stood up on the table and started announcing. "Gentleman, I want you all to congratulate my two dear friends Bridgerton and Sharma, who are getting married around the Christmas holidays."
Many students start cheering while Fife glares at them.
"Well it looks like it was a dream after all. I mean if he recently got engaged then there is no need for him to smuggle his mistress inside the university grounds." Cho said as he watched Sharma and Bridgerton being congratulated by students and teachers alike.
"I guess you are right." And even though he agrees with his friend, something still stirring in the back of his mind.
It was Sunday morning when Simon woke up and saw Sharma and Bridgerton dressed in suits ready to leave. "Were are you guys going?"
It was Sharma who replied. "We are going to meet my father-in-law to inform him about my sister and Bridgerton's engagement and to discuss my wedding with his daughter and Bridgerton's wedding with my sister."
Simon stared at Bridgerton looked who looked a bit tense. Turning his attention back to Sharma, he asked. "What's the matter with him?"
"Nothing." Anthony replied. "I just want Mr Delacroix to understand that wedding need to take place soon before anyone can start gossip against girls, you know with Ms Russo obsession with Sharma and not to forget how vile Fife and Cho can get to have revenge."
Simon understood his friend's predicament as he wished them best of luck and saw them leaving the room.
Once outside, Anthony and Kathani used horses to travel quickly towards the village.
Once they were deep in the woods Kathani suddenly stopped and turned her horse closer to Anthony's as they ride side by side. "Do you think we will be able to convince him?"
Anthony looked around before grabbing her hand as he assured her. "Trust me, I will convince him and soon you and Genevieve will be under protection the better."
He then noticed her eyes down cast as she looked deep in thought.
He gently nudged her and Kathani lifted her face as she said in a sad voice. "You are going through so much trouble for me. I never wanted that for you."
Anthony smiled as he kissed her cheek. "Yes you are trouble but from now on you will be my troublemaker and soon you will find out that us Bridgerton loves causing all sort of trouble."
They both smiled at each other and then she leant in to kiss his lips before giving him a mischievous smile. "Race to Gen house."
With that she galloped away and as Anthony chased her their laughter could be heard through the woods.
Soon they reached Genevieve's house and were received by her father who looked delighted to see them.
"Karan!" Like always, he hugged his son-in-law and then bowed to the young Viscount who had somehow become his regular customer. "Lord Bridgerton! It's so great to see you here. Unfortunately, Genevieve and Kathani left earlier to travel to another village to visit a friend who had just given birth to a daughter. I missed them as I woke up late and found a note with my breakfast tray."
He watched as Karan shifted nervously as he told him. "Genevieve mentioned this trip. Both her and my sister were looking forward to meeting that baby. Actually we were visiting today to speak with you on urgent matters."
Mr Delacroix looked momentarily surprised as he asked. "What urgent matter are you speaking of?"
He watched as Karan and Viscount shared a look and then Lord Bridgerton cleared his throat as he informed him. "I asked Sharma for Kathani's hand and I am happy to inform you that he gave me his blessing to marry his sister."
"Congratulations my Lord! I always knew you liked our Kathani. Karan trust me when I tell you this, Viscount Bridgerton is quite smitten with our Kathani as much as you are with my Genevieve. Oh this is such wonderful news! We are all going to be family in a few years!"
As soon he said these words both Karan and Viscount's smiles fell as they looked seriously at him.
Karan and Viscount wordlessly stared at each other and then Karan turned to face him as he started speaking. "Sir, I don't know if you noticed but for past few days, Inn keeper daughter Ms. Russo is trying to come between Genevieve and myself. Now I assure you that I have made my intention and loyalty towards Genevieve clear but I am afraid Ms. Russo is holding grudge against Genevieve and she will try to sabotage our relationship."
Mr Delacroix looked deeply troubled as he suggests. "I could talk to Mr Russo."
"We are afraid Ms Russo is not the only problem." Viscount intervenes as he begins to fill him in about recent problems. "You must have heard about Florist daughter getting assaulted by two of Oxford students, Fife and Cho. Well the another student Dorset who saved the girl is our friend and he was attacked by Fife and Cho later at night and Sharma and I rescued our friend but since then things are a bit tense between us and I fear Fife and Cho will try to target Genevieve and Kathani to take revenge from us."
He was now feeling scared for his girls as he asked Lord Bridgerton and Karan. "What do you suggest we do?"
He watched as Viscount quickly started explaining his plans. "Mr Delacroix its important to protect both girls and for that they had to married to us soon. I am taking Kathani to my ancestors state Aubrey Hall during Christmas holidays and I was thinking there we along with Genevieve and Sharma can get married so when we return everyone knows that both girls are under our protection even if they live with you while we are studying at Oxford. This way we can visit them without giving anyone a chance to create scandal."
Mr Delacroix looked troubled by the suddenness of this plan. "Lord Bridgerton, I have recently been taken ill and I cannot travel that far so how can I be present for my daughter's wedding?"
Karan stood up and sat beside him as he gently assured him. "Sir I understand your predicament because I am also sad my family is not here to see us married but sir I assure you we will have small ceremony at Aubrey Hall and in one or two years time Bridgerton here is arranging for passage so my mother and sister could join us and then after we graduate we can renew our vows in big ceremony in front of our entire families."
" For now it is important that we get married in haste before anyone tries anything against us." Lord Bridgerton tried to stress the importance of this situation.
Seeing how determined both boys are to protect the girls, he sighed as he nodded his head. "Okay you have my blessing to take the girls and get married. After all, there is nothing more important to me then your happiness."
At this both boys beamed and together they embraced him making him smile and as He patted both boys back he was happy for these children.
Weeks passed as Dorset healed but the bruises on his arms were too severe for him to carry on with his sports activities for next few months.
Since nothing could be done with the Winter tournament in a few days, the sword master approached Sharma in the great hall.
"Sharma my boy!" He watched as Sharma along with Bridgerton, Basset and Dorset stood up to greet him.
"Sharma as you know Dorset arm injury will take months to recover and that's why I want you to fill his spot in fencing club."
Sharma's eyes widened in surprise while Bridgerton gulped as he said. "Fencing? You mean Sharma will be near of swords?"
At this sword master frowned while Basset and Dorset snickered.
"Bridgerton thank you for enlightening us that swords are part of fencing?" Bassett teased as Sharma glared at his friends before shaking his head. "Sir, I will be honoured to take part in the fencing team."
"What?" Bridgerton spluttered but everyone ignored him as the sword master shook hands with Sharma. "Then welcome to the club and I will see you at practice after you lot return from winter holidays."
The sword master returned to his table and as all four friends settled back down Anthony lean in as he whisper furiously. "Are you trying to kill me by constantly worrying for you?"
Kathani scoffs as she discreetly squeezes his thigh making him stiffen underneath her hand as she whispered. "You know how much I like to play with danger."
Anthony shook his head and looked away only to meet Fife and Cho's eyes who were glaring at their table as the news spread that Sharma is going to join fencing team.
Few days later they all participated in winter tournament and this time Anthony was able to represent chess club thanks to his fiancé who was coaching him to master this game.
By the end of it they managed to win the tournament as most trophies were won by their group.
Principal Hector cornered them after the award ceremony to personally complement them. "Sharma, Bridgerton, Bassett you three are special assets to this university! Well done my boys ! Well done!"
Since it was last night of freedom as they were leaving in the next two days for holiday Simon and Dorset along with a few other friends decided to throw a combined Bachelors party for Bridgerton and Sharma.
"There is no need!" Sharma began but Basset was not listening to them anymore. "Come on guys! We friends deserves a party before you both go and get married to the girls of your dream."
"Plus Basset has arranged exotic dancers for us." Dorset informed them cheerfully.
Anthony laughed at Kathani's horrified expression as they all walked towards special brothel. "Do not worry, I will save your virtue from those beautiful girls."
He soon howl in pain when his fiancé elbowed him before speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. "Let's do this! I want to see how faithful Bridgerton is to my sister when a exotic dancers tried to lure him."
Basset, Dorset and their friends laughed as He watched Kathani walking ahead of the group.
"Bad luck mate! It seems you can't have any fun otherwise Sharma wont let you marry his sister." Simon teased and felt for his friend as he replied. "These Sharma's are making me crazy."
It was one crazy night indeed because Basset somehow managed to find a group of beautiful middle eastern dancers.
Anthony was trying his hard to refuse the approaching girl wrapped in sheer clothing while he watched as Basset, Dorset and to his annoyance Kathani were having the time of their lives as they indulge in drinks and tried to mimic dancers.
He would have laughed if he wasn't worried about his fiancé who was forgetting to control her laughter the more she got foxed.
To his luck, others were too drunk to notice that a guy between them started sounding like girl as Kathani hugged Basset and Dorset. "This is the best night of my life!"
Anthony quickly stood up and grabbed Kathani before anyone could notice anything.
"My Anthony! Are we sneaking away to kiss." Anthony's eyes widen as he keeps looking around before reprimanding her. "Keep quite before anyone realizes You are sounding like Kathani and not your brother."
She put her finger on her lips and swayed closer to him as she whispered. "If I be quite will you kiss me?"
Anthony shook his head in frustration as he managed to get her out and walked her to Genevieve's house.
As soon they were inside Kathani looked delighted at the sight of her friend as she embraced her tightly. "Gen! I wish we were men because they are allowed to have lots of fun! Do you know tonight Basset, Dorset and I danced with dancers?"
She started wriggling her hips to show her friend how she danced and while they knew Kathani would be mortified when she remember Anthony and Genevieve couldn't help how adorable she looked being so happy and drunk.
Pulling her in his arms Anthony picked her up and carried her upstairs as Genevieve followed them while smiling as she watched Kathani trying to kiss her fiancé's face with so much affections.
Somehow he managed to lay her on bed and as he took her wig off Kathani was trying to pull him closer as she prepped his face with small Kisses.
"Kathani! Anthony tried to contain her as he undid her braids. "Please darling, we can't kiss while you are in this state."
She pouted while complaining. "Why?! Don't you like kissing me?"
Behind him Genevieve giggled while he sighed and kissed her forehead. "You know how much I adore you but I can't kiss you while you are like this."
He gently laid her on bed and got up before she could tempt him any further.
Turning away, he asked Genevieve. "Can you take care of her?"
"Do not worry, I will take care of her and tomorrow we can tease her together."
With bow Anthony said his goodbye and as he left he couldn't wait to start his new life with his trouble maker and for that life he will happily give up his bachelor title forever.
Sure enough, next day Anthony and Genevieve teased Kathani mercilessly and she was so embarrassed by her behaviour but also touched when she found out how much Anthony took care of her while she was intoxicated.
"Thank you for taking care of me." She told him the next day when he came to pick her up and Anthony smiled as he sweetly kissed her.
"You are lucky, you are so adorable especially after few drinks."
Kathani scrunched her nose in distaste as she says. "Promise me you won't let me near alcohol ever again."
"No, I will never make a promise of that kind because watching you drunk and so out of control was maybe stressful but also the most entertaining thing I have seen in my life."
Kathani rolled her eyes as Anthony teased her more as he told her details about her drunken shenanigans.
The next tow days fly fast and with last of his luggage packed Simon walked outside and saw Anthony and Sharma loading their luggage in one carriage.
"So my friends, are you both ready to begin a new adventure in your life?"
Bridgerton and Sharma smiled at each other and then together said. "Yes!"
"Come here give us a hug!" Dorset told them and all four friends embraced each other.
"Give our regards to your fiancé." Dorset told them as Simon added. "'Along with our well wishes for your wedding."
"Thank you guys. It really means a lot to us." Sharma told them and for a second both Simon and Dorset thought that Sharma's eyes got wet.
Before they could say anything Bridgerton patted their back as he said. "Okay lads, it's time for us to head towards the village so we can get our future brides."
"All the best Bridgerton! You to Sharma!"
"Goodbye!"
Simon and Dorset watched as Sharma and Bridgerton enter the carriage and with the last wave the carriage start moving, taking their friends towards their future.