Stepping inside her old home Kathani felt stepping back in time. Its true she only spent a few years of her life here but those were the best times of life and Aubrey Hall was like a dreamland for her.
This place was best home in the world for any child to grow up as it was filled with love, laughter and protection of the family.
She remembers spending time with Anthony and his siblings. She and Anthony used to play a lot in these grounds, they mostly like to spend time at their secret tree house they build with help of their fathers a place just four of them knew about. She used to go Horse riding with him.
A part from him she sometimes spend time with other sibling. Painting with Benedict, teaching piano and flute to Daphne, stealing cakes and biscuits with Colin, Helping auntie Violet and Mary taking care of Eloise, Francesca and Dina.
The best part of living at Aubrey Hall with Bridgerton's was playing pall Mall with uncle Edmund, auntie Violet, Appa, Benedict, and Anthony and eventually Colin and Daphne start playing with them.
She was distracted with her past thoughts when a voice called her.
"Come Countess. Let me show you and your party yours room." Violet told them as she led her through hallways towards east wing.
Anthony pouted while thinking their rooms are on opposite sides of the house.
Violet first showed Philip and Michael their rooms. Then she showed rooms allotted to Featherington's.
Finally she led her towards two rooms. "This one is yours Lady Danbury and the next to this room is yours Countess."
Anthony was about to follow Kate when his path was blocked by Lady Danbury's cane. "And Where do you think you are going Lord Bridgerton?"
"Um?" He wordlessly pointed at his fiancé's room.
His mother sighed as she told him. "Anthony, just because you are engaged does not mean you can enter your betrothed's rooms."
"What!? But that's not right! Lady Danbury said to me herself, once we reached here,we can spend our time together." Anthony complains.
He watched as all three ladies started giggling and his Priyaey scrunched her nose at him as she says. "Well my lord, your betrothed wishes to freshen up before you give her the tour of the house you promise."
"Yes, Countess we will leave you for now and my son will give you a tour later." With that Violet and Lady Danbury left and before he could say anything his Kate gave him a quick kiss. "I will see you soon."
He watched as she smiled and then closed the door of her room. Sighing, he walked towards his rooms for a much-needed bath and nap.
Just before lunchtime Anthony took his fiancé for the tour of Aubrey Hall. "This is the Library and over the next hallway situated our guests and children's room." Anthony explains as he showed her next room.
"Benedict, Colin and I used to stay at this wing while girls used to stay in nursery which was closer to Our parents' quarters."
"Your parents shared a room?" She asked in surprise and Anthony smiled. "I don't think my parents ever spend a night apart aside from if one was travelling and I hope you will prefer to share my room but if you don't then you can decorate old Viscountess room."
He watched as she didn't answer while thinking hard about his request. Finally she smiled as she said. "I will decorate Viscountess old room. You know to use it as Countess study and private relaxing room."
"So you will share my room?" He asked while trying to contain his happiness. She gently ran her hand on his clothed chest.
"My darling Anthony, if you recall we have been sharing room ever since our affair started but yes I would love to share a room with you after we get married."
"I can't explain how happy these words make me. I am glad we both are in agreement." He told her in a low voice.
"Yes, We are." She hummed and bring his face to kiss him.
They then turned and stopped at a door next to Anthony's old bedroom door.
He immediately stepped away and led her in the opposite direction. "Come Priyaey, lets join our family for lunch and then I will show you the grounds."
But his love was inquisitive as she stared at the door that he was trying to hide. "Anthony? What's in there."
"Nothing. Just old guest room." He said little forcefully and thankfully she dropped the subject and let him lead her away.
While Anthony was already talking about gardens and stables. Kathani turned back and wondered why Anthony reacted like that in front of her old room?"
Kathani can see Anthony was distracted throughout the lunch and try as he might he could form a smile for more then few seconds before his eyes etched with pain and sadness again.
She wanted to ask what was the matter with him but before she could utter a single word he stood up and excused himself saying he had some work to do in his study.
"I will show you the gardens in a few hours. The view of sunset is quite spectacular from our lakeside." With that he gently kissed her forehead and walked towards his study.
"Come Countess let us discuss some flowers arrangement and few other things for your wedding ceremony."
Kathani quietly followed Violet as she led her towards sitting room.
"First thing first, I want to know your favourite flowers and the flowers you are allergic to. Anthony has already insisted to contribute Tulip and Lilly's but not in bouquet arrangements but potted arrangement as he prefers. I am thinking we can gift those to our guests after the wedding is over as a gift for them to take home."
"Excellent idea lady Bridgerton. I think our guests will appreciate these flowers as token of our appreciation and as for my favourites, I too myself love Tulips and Lilly's but I would love if you add Roses, daisies and Hyacinths in them too."
Violet smile at her daughter- in-law's request of flowers. "I think Anthony and Hyacinth will appreciate your choice of flowers. Is there anything else you want to add."
"Yes, I want to talk about the wedding bouquet. Since Anthony didn't like to tear flowers can my cousin Philip make our bouquets? He also loves to preserve plants and he knows a way to plant those flowers once the ceremony is over."
Violet couldn't help but be touched by her daughter in law thoughtfulness. "I am so happy you care so much about things that Anthony believes in."
"There is no need to thank me. In fact it is I who should thank you for raising such a remarkable man."
Violet felt herself getting emotional as both women beamed at each other and she knew her son is going to be well taken care of and loved by this woman.
For a while they worked together finalizing a few more details. It was when they were served tea, Kathani finally asked. "Lady Bridgerton."
"Oh, Countess, please call me Violet."
"Only if you call me Kate."
She smiled and sipped her tea. "Alright Kate. Is there is something you want to discuss."
Kathani nods her head as she asks. "Earlier when Anthony was showing me house, we come across his old bed room and there was a room next to his which he didn't show to me. He brushed it off as an old guest room but something about that room affected him and ever since then he seems lost."
Violet sighed understanding completely well which room she was referring to. "That was Kathani Sharma's room. You see my Edmund gave them small cottage on these grounds where Sharma family used to live but they also have rooms here At Aubrey Hall. Kathani used to spend most of her time here and sometimes sleep in the nursery with girls or that room next to Anthony's. After the first year my husband told me to help Kathani decorate that room and so it became hers."
She sadly sighs as a few tears spill from her eyes. "She was staying in that room after Milan left her and even after we found out about his death. After she was taken away, Anthony locked himself in that room and cried. He didn't eat anything and only came out when Edmund went to talk to him. Oh Kate, you should have seen his face when I told the maids to clean that room. Anthony was furious. He snatched the keys from me and locked the room and threatened the entire household that no one is allowed to step inside Kathani's room."
Kathani's heart clenched as she heard about Anthony's suffering.
"My son was shattered and we often found him in Kathani's room. We can hear his cries from the closed door. The other children were too young to understand what has happened. We told them Kathani Sharma has left for India. Even after a while Benedict stopped asking questions about what was going on but that pain didn't left Anthony. My Edmund tried everything to bring her back but when we found Kathani died at that ship it was like part of Anthony died too. When he returned home he became inconsolable, he locked himself in her room for two days. No matter what Edmund or I say or do we couldn't bring him out. After third day just when Edmund was going to break the door Anthony came out. He told us that no one will ever enter this room again and true to his words no one not even Anthony ever went inside Kathani's room. No one can get in there because he still has the key in his treasured possession, a room full of his best friends memories locked in that room forever."
By the time Violet wiped her tears she could see Countess was lost in thought with her eyes wet.
Violet gently grabbed her hand as she assured her. "I know my son's past was painful but I am happy that his present and future is going to be filled with love and happiness and for that I am grateful to you my dear."
Countess burst into tears and she moved to embrace the young woman not knowing that her words only bring more guilt and pain in Kathani's heart.
Feeling better after spending some time alone in his study to compose himself.
He went to find Kate in her bedroom. There he stopped as he watched all the women of the house gathered together showing her various patterns of fabric.
"Anthony! You can't be here!" His usually quiet sister Francesca shrieks at the sight of him bringing everyone's attention to him.
"Why?" He asked in confusion and Daphne sighed with a shake of her head she explained. "Because we were in process of selecting Kate's wedding gown and we cannot do that with you around because it will bring bad luck if you see it before wedding."
"Which is ridicules superstitions, If you ask me." Eloise mumbled being the only girl disinterested in talk of wedding gown and more interested in her book.
"Its tradition Eloise." Violet reminds her child and then to stare at her son as she asks. "What are you doing here Anthony?"
"I came here because I promised my fiancé to give her tour of gardens and show her stables so she could pick horse for herself for her morning rides."
Lady Danbury tutted while giving him a knowing look. "I hope this is not one of your lame attempts to lure Countess away from important things."
Anthony's eyes widen while everyone laughs. "You wound me Lady Danbury. Ask my dear fiancé if you don't believe me. It was her wish to see gardens and stables."
"Yes, it was I who requested to see gardens and stables." Everyone watched as Kate stood up and joined Anthony as they both smiled mischievously at each others before turning to face them.
"We can select my wedding dress some other time but you all should carry on without me and choose your dress fabrics."
Violet stared at amusement as her son and his future wife rushed away. "Very well, Madame Delacroix, please show us fabrics for brides maids dresses."
"Oi, Lady Bridgerton." Genevieve smiled and amused look passed between herself, Penelope and Sophie as she begins to show them colourful fabrics instead of white ones.
Once they reached outside, Anthony began showing the massive gardens to his fiancé. "These are my mother's pride and joy and I am grateful to our gardeners and staff for taking such a good care of these lands in our absence."
"Its a beautiful home Anthony and I cannot wait to explore more of it over upcoming days."
Anthony kissed his love's lips as they stopped by Tulips gardens."I cannot wait to start our lives together. I want to make our home again and I hope we both spend most of our time here when the season is over."
She gave him sweet smiles as they continued their walk on gardens and Anthony pointing out some special places to him.
Soon they reached stables and while watching some horses a brown horse got his Countess attention. "Priyaey stay away from that horse! He is wild and won't let anyone near him."
But she walked closer and the stablemate and Anthony watched as she gently caressed its mane and laughed when the horse gently licked her fingers.
Anthony stared at her in astonishment as he asked. "How did you do that? Toofan won't let anyone touch him except stablemen and me and even then we have to be careful around him."
He could detect surprise in her voice as she fed him an apple. "Toofan?"
"Yes." He felt sad as he joined his fiancé and caressed the horse. "Its Hindi word which means storm. This was Kathani's horse. She named him herself."
"If you don't mind can I have this horse for our rides?" She asks with a hint of hesitation as if fearing his refusal.
Truth was that no one has ridden this horse since his last owner but the way after many years Toofan has bonded with his Countess filled his heart with hope. "I think Kathani would wanted her horse to be ridden. You see he is our fastest horse and I think it will be great that he will be once again ridden by someone he likes."
The horse seems to be in agreement as he gently nudged his new owner and to his surprise Kate climbed on top of him and the horse began to gallop away and for a while it was he stepped back in time as if he is seeing Kathani riding her pony. Her laughter reaching his ears.
Anthony blinked because that laughter was coming from his Countess as she joyfully galloped around him in circles and a confused feeling start rising inside him because he may seeing his fiancé but everything about this moment is reminding him of Kathani.
Dinner was lively affair at Bridgerton's house. Simon loves how the entire family, children included, sit together and enjoy meals. His heart flutters as he watched his wife trying to feed some mashed potatoes to their son.
"Soon you will be eating solid food." He told his son and his wife beamed at them. "I just can't wait for him to be old enough so he could play Pall Mall with us."
Simon tried to stop himself from groaning as the entire family perks up at the name of famous Bridgerton game.
"Oh Brother! Can we all play tomorrow?!" Hyacinth pleaded with her brother and before Anthony could answer Michael seemed intrigued as he asked. "What's Pall Mall?"
"Its a French name of lawn game of Croquet." Francesca explains to him in a gentle voice bringing the attention of her male family members.
Trying to distract them, Penelope quickly asked. "Countess are you familiar with this game?"
"I am, although I think the rules are different of this game in this family." She replied while giving a knowing look to Anthony, who smirked at her.
"You have no idea sister." Simon warned her. "They became their worst and best at the same time."
"Oh my?" Edwina looked little worried as she ask. "This game seems quite temperamental."
"In that case this game is perfect for me." They watched as Countess looked pleased by this game idea."
Daphne looked even more excited to see her new sister interest in this traditional game. "I think you will fit marvellously with us! Brother let's have game tomorrow after breakfast."
Anthony tried to think even though he was excited about the idea. "Okay fine, but you will wait to play after Kate and I return from meeting with Pastor."
"So it was decided!" Daphne clapped her hand as she announced. "Tomorrow we will all be playing Pall Mall and as last year's winner I will be placing all the wickets for us."
All of a sudden the siblings start complaining and amidst this uproar Kathani quietly whispered to Philip. "Tell others to begin the search while others are distracted with this game."
"Where do you want us to begin?" He asked.
"The Study."
After dinner everyone retired for the night.
Penelope was going to get a book for reading when she saw Colin sitting there assembling various old papers clipping.
"Colin, what are you doing?"
"Penelope! Come here, let me show you my collection of news pieces about masked hero Zetara."
Penelope stared at him surprise as she read his collection. "Are you sure this pirate and our masked hero are the same woman?"
"Absolutely Pen! All the proves is right here. Our masked hero is famous Pirate Zetara Priest. She was not only respected and feared amongst other pirates but many country naval forces also respect her to. Here are different written accounts from these officers who confessed in their interviews that she saves naval officers from warships regardless which country they belong to."
He then showed her five old clippings. "These are old interviews of Italian, Spanish, Greek, Turk and French naval admirals. All of them have their path crossed by Zetara Priest and her crew members as they rescues them and their crew from sinking ship. She was literally the sea hero before she became the hero of this land. Although I still couldn't figure out why she came here in the first place?"
"Maybe she knew something was going on?" Penelope said without giving away her interest to know more about Kathani and others time in sea.
"Probably but where is she hiding? Is she still alive after that attack?"
Seeing how worried Colin seemed to be, Penelope quickly assured him. "Do not worry Colin, I think if she can survive a live as pirate then she can survive a bullet wound."
While Colin and Penelope discuss more about Zetara priest, Benedict was in the gardens trying to paint a full moon surrounded by beautiful stars.
"You really have a talent Mister Bridgerton."
Benedict was startled when he saw Sophie walking behind him. "Ms Bennett? What are you doing outside?"
"Apologies Mr Bridgerton, I did not mean to disturb you. I was just walking under the moonlight when I saw you painting and my curiosity got better of me. Your colours palate is fascinating. The way you dabble blues until you get the perfect colour of the night sky is truly remarkable."
"Do you paint Ms Bennett?" He asked, feeling impressed by her knowledge.
"No Mr Bridgerton." She replied embarrassingly. "I am sorry to inform you that I do not possess a talent like yourself but I do have good eye and appreciation for art work."
Benedict couldn't help but smile as he patted bench next to his chair. "Then if you don't mind to give me company? I would love to discuss art with you since I have no one here to share my passion."
He could see Sophie was being hesitant so he urged with his charming smile. "Please join me, I will share my plate of shortbread with you."
She shook her head and gave him a tinkling laugh. "Now how can I refuse to that offer."
Benedict smiled as Sophie joined him and when he turned to stare at the moon he felt strange because it was shining even brighter then before.
While Benedict was enjoying painting under moonlight with Sophie to accompany him, Anthony was walking towards his bedroom.
In all honesty he wants to go towards his Priyaey room but he thought she deserved a goodnight rest after their journey and day activities and honestly he is scared of getting caught by Lady Danbury who threatened him to hit with her cane if he tried to sneak in his betrothed's room.
Sighing he opened his room only to find his Kate laid on his bed waiting for him.
"How did you?" He asked in shock while quickly locking his door behind him.
She smirked at him and twirled her curl. "There is more to me that meets eyes my love."
Crossing the room he sat beside her on the bed as he astonishingly asked. "But how did you get passed the Lady Dragon?"
At his curious question she burst into laughter as she replied. "Simple, I make sure she indulges in some hard sherry and by the time I was sneaking out she was snoring quite deeply."
Laughing at her measures to be in his (soon to be their room) makes his heart filled with joy. "I love your witty mind my love."
"Then you won't mind showing your fiancé tonight how much you love her?" She asked while fluttering her lashes at him.
Anthony kissed her nose and face before claiming her lips. "You are only asking for tonight, I will instead spend my entire life showing you how much I love you."
He could feel her shivering as she held his face. "Then show me."
True to his words, Anthony spend most of the night showing his fiancé how much he loves her and afterwards as they both laid stated in each other's arms Anthony can only feel his love growing for this woman who will soon become his wife.