The sound of rain drops hitting on windows made Anthony wake up. The room was dark but according to his watch it was almost six in the morning.
Turning his head he thought he would see his love, his fiancé sleeping peacefully beside him but found the bed empty.
Feeling panicked he sat up thinking that maybe he dreamt the entire thing last night but then his eyes fell on his engagement ring. He can still see their clothes on the chair (minus his shirt which she borrowed last night ).
Getting out of his bed he grabbed his robe and wore it before starting searching for Kate. He soon found her standing beside the door of an open balcony staring outside watching rainfall.
He didn't move as he admires how stunningly beautiful she looks wearing his shirt.
Her long legs enticing him as he recalls how he mapped each skin of her legs with his lips.
Her hips were shapely and then his eyes fell on her covered back, the only part of her body that he still haven't seen or touched bare. Well that and her belly which she always makes sure is hidden in her shifts.
Even last night amidst of their love making she halted their passionate moment as she requested to borrow his shirt. It was hard for him to concentrate but something in her eyes made him pull his shirt off his body and gave it to his fiancé.
With a quick kiss he watches as she disappears in changing room but not before ordering him to get naked and on his bed. He had never stripped so fast before and by the time she came out dressed in his shirt he couldn't control himself anymore.
He blinked that memory away and once again stared hard at her back trying to figure it out why she won't let him touch or see her there but it was still too dark and all he can make out is unsmooth skin. 'Maybe she has burned marks or some kind of scar?' He reasons with himself because even though his Countess is not vain she is still a woman.
"Are you done staring at me?"
He jumped and then she turned her head a bit to smirk at him.
"You left me alone my love." He said instead and soon he had his arms enveloped around her body as he kissed her neck.
For a while they stood their in silence both enjoying morning rain and the scent of wet earth mixed with their own.
A Few seconds later she turned to face him and then gave him a sweet smile as she stared at him with loving eyes. "Good morning my love."
"Good morning." He hummed against her lips as they continued kissing each other. One hand on her face and another started moving downwards. He cupped her breasts through his thin shirt earning a sweet moan out of her mouth. Smiling, he reached down until he was cupping her supple derriere, giving it a squeeze which earned a sweet gasp as she lifted her leg and wrapped it around his hip as she started grinding her hips into his.
They were completely lost in each other, their lips devouring each others lips, their hands gripping each other, their bodies intertwined sensually. In a swift moment his Priyaey opened his robe and then pushed it off his body.
Cool wind hit his naked skin but he was to warm feel any chill especially when the temperature increased as her hand started roaming on his bare shin until she reached his ass and gave it squeeze to push them even more closer.
In the next second he lifted her in his arms and pressed her more against the door. He watched as she gasped while tightening her limbs around him as she braced herself against the balcony door.
The rain started falling hard, covering the sounds of their screams as he slid inside her warmth.
If last night he made gentle love with his fiancé then this rainy morning he was fucking her hard! Out in open, claiming her under open sky. "Fuck!" He swears as he thrusts like man possessed and his Countess was matching his thrust with thrust in perfect synchronization.
"Ah! Ah! Oh God!" She screams as he moves deep inside her. Gripping her head he gave her the filthiest kisses while one of his hands squeezed her pert peaks. "Anthony! Please!"
"What darling?!" Tell me what you want?!" He ask while squeezing her another breast.
"Touch me there." She pleaded desperately and he brings his hand between their bodies and start touching her where she needed him most, earning him most pleasure as his fiancé start bucking wildly her hips.
He groans her name when her walls squeeze him hard as she found her release while screaming his name.
He quickly pulls out planning to finish on his shirt but apparently his fiancé has another plans as she switches their position. Pushing his body against the door.
With a sly smile, she start stroking his manhood while trailing kissing on his skin until she reaches down on her knees.
He watched with lust and love filled eyes as she gave him a loving look and then enveloped him inside her mouth giving it sinful suck.
"Kate! You are so good to me!" He groans while moving his hips inside her wet mouth. She hollowed her mouth and licked his underside skin with her tongue and slowly pulled him out.
He watched with hooded eyes as she made him slide on the floor. "Are you ready my fiancé?" She asks while opening his legs as she crawls between them.
"Yes! Please darling! Let me peak!"
She then open front of strings of his shirt and to Anthony's delight her breasts completely spilled out before his eyes. He tried to touch them but his love shakes her head and then played out one of his wildest fantasy as she kneels down and laid his manhood between her breasts. "Oh ! Fuck!" He moans loudly as his hardened members slid between her sweaty peaks while she sucked its head in her sweet mouth.
Just the sigh was enough to unravel him and after a few more thrusts he spills inside her mouth.
By the time his vision cleared after experiencing the most powerful orgasm of his life he felt his fiancé in his arms as they both sat on floor against door.
"Now this is truly good morning." She told him and he has to admit he is looking forward to seeing all his mornings with his Priyaey in his arms.
It was after breakfast that Kathani announced that they should return home. As she expected, Anthony eagerly agreed with her and soon the message was sent and preparation to journey home began.
By the time it was afternoon both parties were ready to leave but not before making one last stop.
"Why are we visiting Dorset." Anthony whined and she couldn't help but roll her eyes at him while Duke, Philip and Jacopo stared at him in amusement.
"Doctor Dorset and his family have been so good to us and I really consider them good friends and I really want to say goodbye and formally invite them to our wedding." As soon she said our wedding Anthony's eyes lit up and he looked extremely pleased as he led her towards the house.
Inside they were greeted warmly by Lady Sarah and even though he is still shy, Thomas sincerely congratulated them as soon as Anthony informed them of their betrothal. "Congratulations Countess and Lord Bridgerton, you really look like you were born for each other."
While Anthony beamed and shake Thomas' hands, his words hit Kathani's heart because she was indeed born for Anthony even when fate tore them apart.
"Can I see your father before we depart?" Kathani asked and Thomas smiled as he led her towards his room while others stayed behind Lady Sarah.
"I am really happy for you Countess and I hope you and Viscount have a joyful life." He told her and Kathani couldn't help but smile at him. "Thank you and I would be really happy if you and your family could join us at my wedding."
"We would be honored My Lady." He then opened the door and this time Kathani walked straight to the bed where uncle Timothy's eyes lit up as they fell on her face. "I come to say goodbye but only for a short while. You see I am getting married to Viscount Anthony Bridgerton and Your Son has promised me that you all will attend my wedding."
"My Lady?" Thomas began to correct this misunderstanding but she didn't give him chance. "Please Doctor Dorset! you have to bring him and do no worry I will personally make sure he is well taken care of and maybe you can show him to some specialist in London. I am sure my cousin will help you out."
Thomas didn't knew why but the way his father and Countess eyes glisten up he couldn't deny this request. "Very well Countess, I will make arrangements for travel as soon as invitations are sent to us."
In just that moment Anthony arrives with Lady Sarah and Philip and he immediately noticed his fiancé's eyes being wet. "Kate? What is the matter darling?"
"Oh! Nothing dear, I was just convincing Doctor Dorset to bring his father to our wedding too and I am really glad that he agreed to my request."
Anthony's eyes fell on Doctor Timothy Dorset and he fell sad to know what happened to him. "Good Afternoon sir, it's seems my fiancé is quite taken with you and your lovely family and I hope you all will honor us with your presence on our wedding day."
They both watched as he blinked and Kathani knew that he was happy for them and their news. Soon they said their goodbye and Thomas assured them that he and his family would attend their wedding.
When it was time to settle in their carriage Kathani turned to face Simon. "Your Grace if you don't mind can you switch places with me and travel in my carriage with my cousin?"
Philip and Jacopo looked extremely uncomfortable while Anthony looked giddy at the prospect of spending entire journey alone with his fiancé.
Simon, on the other hand decides to test his new sister in law. "What will you do if I deny your request?"
"Bassett!" Anthony growls but his Countess stopped him as she wrapped her arms around his. "Well I was asking this for your own protection because I will travel with him either way but I don't think His Grace would prefer to stuck with newly engaged couple for such a long journey."
Simon laughed and then embraced his new sister. "Well played Countess! You were born to be Bridgerton and as this family son in law and Anthony's oldest friend I welcome you to our family."
She smiled and soon Anthony was helping her inside while Simon joined Philip and Jacopo.
Once their carriage started moving, Anthony kissed her lovingly before pulling her in his embrace. "I cant wait to tell everyone about our engagement. I still can't believe that we are returning as engaged couple! That you accepted my proposal."
He kissed her forehead and pulled her closer in his embrace. "If this is a dream then I will never want it to be over because anything else will break my heart."
As they stayed in each other embrace in silence, Kathani couldn't help but feel guilty how close she comes to break his heart! In fact, breaking his heart will become inevitable when he finds out about her betrayal and the real reason why she agrees to marry him.
( Flashback Previous night
Kathani and Jacopo returned to their residence where Philip was already waiting for them. "Kathani! You won't believe!" Philip began...
"I know! I know! Jacopo has given me the letter but you won't believe what we have discovered."
She then began to tell Philip everything they discovered at Dorset house and shows the Gen/Michael and old uncle Edmund's letters to him.
"We need to pack and regroup Jacopo! Write to Gen and tell her that she and uncle Brimsily need to search for this Arthur Smith and also Write to Michael and Sophie and tell them to leave their post and join us in Kent."
Jacopo's eyes widened while Philip was still staring at both letters.
"You want them to abandon their post?" Jacopo ask as if he heard her wrong. "But why? Who will spy on our enemies?"
"Penelope can handle that! Besides, we are at dead end and I need people on my side to search for this evidence."
"But how?! The Bridgerton wont return to Aubrey Hall without any big reason!"
"And that's perfect because that means we can sneak inside easily without many people hovering around. Look, I know that house like the back of my hand and I have this plan. We can apply for different jobs and together search for this evidence for as long as it takes."
"But that could take months and beside deadline is for the end of the season." Jacopo reminds her.
"I understand Jacopo and that's why I need all of you and if we need more then we will call Gen to join us later." She tried to explain.
"What about Viscount? Are you going to abandon him in search of this evidence?" Philip finally raised questions since she started planning.
Kathani averted her eyes as she said in a determined voice. "Its better like this Philip! I understand my this plan is going to completely take me out of Anthony's life and with Michael gone he will have no way to find me and hopefully he will think I have left him and I know he will be hurt but Anthony is strong enough to survive this heart break and hopefully over the time he will found himself a nice girl who will be perfect for him and not damaged beyond repair like myself."
Philip merely stared at her while Jacopo looked sad as he told her. "You are trying to protect him by breaking his heart."
"You can't protect him Kathani because it seems your Viscount is already on a dangerous path!" Philip informed her.
"What?!" She yells while Jacopo stared at Philip who handed him those letters back. He stepped closer to Kathani as he told her. "Earlier when you left I overheard the Duke of Hastings asking Thomas about his father. At first I thought it was just an ordinary question but when Dorset informed him that his father is bed ridden, His Grace seems quite affected by this information and he insists he wants to meet Thomas's father and ask him about his wellbeing, it was then Thomas informed him about his father's paralysis and Duke was too shocked to ask anything further. Still once it wore off I saw him making his way to Duchess, Thomas aunt who fills him in about his father's robbery attack."
Kathani felt dread rising inside her as she asked. "I don't understand why His Grace is interested in uncle Timothy?"
"That's what I wanted to know, so I followed him and soon his Grace finds Viscount Bridgerton and informed him that their investigation had failed because of Thomas's father being paralyzed."
Kathani gasped in horror while Jacopo looked confused. "Investigation? What kind of investigation?"
At that Philip points at letters. "Apparently form their conversation it seem they along with Viscount's brothers are having investigation on Sheffield's harvest too. I don't know full details but His Grace told Bridgerton that since Thomas's father can't give them answer about quarrel between late Viscount Bridgerton and his Steward Arthur Smith about Sheffield's investment, then they have to find another way to find truth about this matter and to search for Arthur Smith."
"No! No!" Kathani was not only horrified but for the first time in long time a strange fear gripped her heart.
"Anthony and others cannot investigate in this matter! They cannot search for this truth when this very truth took life of my Appa and Uncle Edmund! When it destroyed so many lives! No! They cannot! I will not let history repeat itself! I won't let Anthony or anyone put themselves in this dangerous path."
"And how will you stop them when you are planning to take yourself away from their lives." Jacopo inquires feeling perplexed by this new problem.
"Jacopo is right." Philip agreed with him as he tells her in plain words. "You cannot protect Anthony or others when you cannot stop him and others from following this path."
"I will! I will protect him from himself if that's what its come too." Her voice held promise.
"How Kathani?! Just a few moments ago you were planning to abandon him for the sake of truth and his happiness!? So tell me how will you plan to search for this evidence while at the same time thwarting Anthony and others in this search! Even you with your many names and abilities cannot do this at the same time!"
At that moment something clicked in Kathani's brain, a most devastating betrayal to protect the one she loves most. Standing up she told them in a clear voice. "You are right Philip, Kathani, Zetara and even Countess of Beaumont cannot stop Viscount Bridgerton from following this dangerous path but I know someone who can."
"Who?" Both Jacopo and Philip ask at the same time.
Reaching out inside her pocket she bring out a ring box where Auntie Violet betrothal ring was glinting as she answers in a heavy voice. "His wife, Viscountess Bridgerton."
End of Flashback)
Kathani blinked and stared at her Anthony who was sleeping peacefully beside her while his head laid on her shoulder.
She promised herself that she would protect him and his family with everything she got and she prayed that the day he found out about her betrayal, would be after she would be long gone from this world but only after she vanquished all her enemies, leaving a better and safer world behind her for him and their family.