In the Gardens of Aubrey Hall, at small archways surrounded by beautiful flowers, Anthony stood with Benedict at his side and Colin stood in front all three wearing their father's old suite coats to look like mature men.
They watched as Eloise walked first, throwing her entire flower basket in one turn instead of throwing them with gaps like they practice.
Then appeared Daphne, dressed in pink frock, humming wedding tune while walking perfectly just as they practiced.
Finally Anthony smiled as Kathani appeared and since her Amma's wedding dress was too big for her she settled for her red veil and jewellery which she was wearing over her orange gown.
As soon she was standing by his side Colin cough and started making voice like old pastor as he said. "Dear beloved we are gathered here to bind Anthony Bridgerton with Kathani Sharma in holy money."
"Matrimony!" Benedict hissed as he complained. "You should let me act as pastor."
"Be quiet, you are going to stay as my best man!" Anthony told his brother in a stern voice, making him poke his tongue out at him.
Kathani giggled as Colin continued and when it was finally turn to exchange rings.
They both gave each other matching rings made out of flower twigs.
"Kathani Sharma, will you take this man as your husband? "Colin asked.
"Will you get me Dog if I say yes?" She asked and Anthony rolled his eyes as he said. "Only my wife will get a dog?"
"Then yes, I will marry him!" Kathani beamed.
"Will you Anthony Bridgerton take this woman as your wife?" Colin asks Anthony, who says in a clear voice. "I do."
"Great! Now By power vested in me I pronounce you husband and wife." Anthony kissed Kathani's hand as they walked side by side first followed by Benedict and Daphne and Colin and Eloise but then they stopped when they saw Their father and Uncle Milan staring at them with wide eyes while Uncle Andrew and Uncle George were laughing behind them.
"looks like we missed a great wedding." Uncle Andrew teased.
"Kathani what is going on?" Uncle Milan inquires.
"I am marrying Anthony who unlike you promised me to get a dog if I married him."
Edmund tried to hide his amusement as he saw his son flustered face. "Bribing your friend with a dog so you could marry her? Such a shame"
"But father! Ben and Colin said no one would marry me." Anthony wines while his brother snickers beside him.
"Anthony, you know you can't marry her at this age." His uncle George reminds him.
"Of course I can, we even make marriage contract and all just like you and father made for aunt Poppy and uncle Andrew wedding."
Anthony showed them a piece of paper which Andrew began to read. "I Anthony Edward Bridgerton will Marry Kathani Kumari Sharma and gift her a dog, a horse, new watercolours and five dresses as a marriage gift and will receive four shillings and twelve marbles as dowry."
"Twelve Marbles! How will Milan be able to pay such a huge amount!" Edmund gasp making his friend glare at him.
"Do not worry Appa, I have two shillings and three marbles and Benedict gave me two and Colin, Daphne and Eloise gave me one marble each. that's total eight marbles which we already gave to Anthony."
"If my calculations are correct you own Anthony two shillings and four marbles." Andrew informed while calculating it on his fingers.
"You three have lost your marbles if you think I am paying this to little Lord or let him marry my daughter." Milan replied.
"Hey! What's wrong with my son!?" Edmund asks feigning offense while Milan groans annoyingly. "Kathani you cannot marry him! I will get you your dog once you are old enough and your sister is three years old."
Kathani scrunched her face angrily as she yells. "Appa, I can get a dog now beside We signed a marriage contract and have witnessed signed it too."
All four men checked the paper and saw Anthony and Kathani names and Benedict and Colin names as witnesses.
"Well mate! The contract seem binding!" Edmund sighed and Milan gave up as he yells in frustration. "Madness ! All this is madness! Fine! She is your daughter-in-law hence your responsibility."
With that he stormed away as Edmund winked at kids and walked after his friend to vex him further as he shouted. "But what about two shillings and four Marbles?!"
"Here you go Anthony!" Andrew gave his nephew his paper back. "Keep this marriage contract safe with you, In case your father in law refuses to pay up."
"Its okay I don't really need dowry to marry Kathani." His young nephew told him as he and Kathani shared sweet friendly look as they and their wedding party walked away towards kitchen to celebrate their wedding with cake.
Andrew and George were both remembering the same day as they watched wedding rehearsal taking place in the church where the wedding ceremony is going to take place tomorrow.
Poppy and Billie were crying with Violet as they watched Anthony and his fiancé repeating after Pastor.
"How time flies George." Andrew mused and George gave him a small smile in understanding. "I know, it seems like yesterday when Anthony and children were playing wedding at Aubrey Hall gardens."
"I don't think it was play pretend, remember how serious they look and even make marriage contract and all." Andrew reminds him.
George chuckles as he shakes his head. "Milan was mortified and Edmund was having so much fun teasing him."
Both fell silence as they sadly remember Edmund, Milan and especially Kathani, the girl they all thought would become Anthony's bride but fate had different plans.
They didn't discuss old memories as they watched the rest of the rehearsal in silence.
Later Violet arranged a luncheon for family, close friends and Queen party while the rest of the arriving guests were resting in their rooms after being tired of such a long journey.
After lunch all men retired to Billiards room for a small drink.
Anthony was happy to see his uncles and Aunties. "Sorry your cousins couldn't make it but they send their regards." Uncle Andrew told him.
"How is Greece treating Rokesby family?" Anthony asks, still feeling strange how entire family moved to Greece so suddenly a few days prior to his father's death.
"This is the first time you guys have returned since you left England?" Anthony ask.
"Yes, this is the first time we returned." George replied. "Truth is Greece has grown on to us and beside if you recall our family never cared much about Ton."
"But we wouldn't missed our favourite nephew wedding for world." Andrew told him while patting his back."
George then tried to change the topic as he said. "Enough with sappy conversation tell us what is happening nowadays. We heard an attack happened on London fair?"
It was then everyone started filling them everything that happened this season.
"Wow! so much has happened?" George mused while Andrew said venomously. "Well I say Welsh deserves his calling. Edmund never forgiven him for taking little Kathani from us and then delivering the grave news of her demise."
Anthony and the others flinched but Andrew and George, in their sadness, carried on. "Edmund and Andrew tried so hard to bring her back. Poor Edmund specially went to meet King to protect Kathani but it was too late by then." George couldn't continue.
Andrew on the other hand understand his feelings. "Edmund was devastated that he failed you and Kathani son. But trust me Anthony, your father tried everything he could to bring her back and give her protection of this family. Heck he negotiated with the king and drew a betrothal contract between you and Kathani to keep her safe but..." Andrew never finished his words as he was stopped by an anguish yell.
"What?!"
While the guys were spending time in the Billiards room, the ladies decided to have tea and refreshments in the drawing room.
Francesca was playing piano trying to hide her smile as Prudence and Philippa tried to sing a duet.
Penelope, Eloise and Edwina were discussing a new book for their next meeting.
Kathani was smiling as the Queen was presenting her with jewels as her wedding gift. "It will please your Queen, if you wear these jewels on your wedding."
Kathani can see the Aww and pride in Violet, Lady Danbury, Portia and Daphne's eyes as she stood up and accepted the jewels. "I will be honoured to wear your gifts."
She handed the gifts to Sophie who will take part in her wedding as 'Lady in waiting' while all the other girls will be brides maid and Daphne will be Matron of honour.
"Now tell me how long you and our new Earl will be planning to stay here for our honeymoon after the rest of us depart after the wedding?"
Before she could reply to the Queen the door burst open as Anthony stormed inside followed by his brothers, Simon, Prince Frederick, Thomas Dorset and Anthony's uncles who looked apologetic as Anthony started demanding answers from his mother.
"Did you know?" He roars.
Violet looked baffled as she stared around not knowing what she had done to make her son this angry. "I don't understand?"
Anthony's face turned red as he stepped closer. He didn't even notice his fiancé trying to pull him back. "Anthony, what is the matter?"
For the first time ever Anthony didn't even notice her words as he asked again. "Mother please tell me! Did you know about Father's negotiations to keep Kathani with us!"
Kathani and her friends flinched, their eyes turned horrified and their expression matched with Queen and Lady Danbury who looked extremely guilty.
"Son, I knew your father went to negotiate with the King but he never gave me details about it because soon afterwards we lost Kathani."
Anthony couldn't believe his mother as he asked. "So you never knew Father betrothed me and Kathani to keep her protected in our family."
Violet gasped as tears of disbelief appeared in her eyes. She shook her head as she tried to tell her son. "I never knew, I swear Anthony! Your father never told me about the details."
Anthony scoffs in disbelief and betrayal and Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury exchange looks.
Kathani knew by their faces what was going to happen but she couldn't stop the storm that is going to hit Anthony hard as Queen stepped forward. "Lord Bridgerton, I don't know why your mother never knew details and In fact I myself didn't know about them because the negotiations papers were hidden in my husband's secret archives."
"Your Majesty you know?! For how long? " Anthony asked and like approaching Hurricane Kathani tried to stop the approaching havoc. "Anthony there is no need..."
But hurricane hit and destroyed everything as The Queen says. "I only found out after Welsh confessed his and Herbert hand in Kathani Sharma's abduction..."
"Charlotte!" Lady Danbury gasped horrifically as her friend mistakenly let out the truth they decided to kept from Lord Bridgerton.
Queen Charlotte blinked and realised what she revealed as Anthony's face paled while Violet clutched her heart and sank on the chair faintly.
"Violet!" Billie, Poppy and Sarah reached out to help her.
Edwina swayed hearing about her sister for the first time and like this.
She would have collapsed if it wasn't for Prince Frederick, who reached out to support her in his arms.
Countess was in tears, shaking her head as Lord Bridgerton asks in a hoarse voice. "Abduction? What do you mean by that? Welsh and Herbert abduct Kathani?"
The Queen couldn't believe her foolishness, she looked around and apparently everyone looked paled as they waited for her to speak.
Finally she sighed devastated as she began. "After your fight with Welsh I questioned him in hope to find out who gave the orders of her exile but Welsh instead admitted that he on Willis Herbert orders abducted Kathani from the ship and then lied about her death so your father would stop trying to bring her back. On Herbert's order he smuggled Kathani Sharma to an illegal prison called Mount Désespoir. Please do not ask what she suffered there because it is inhumane to even repeat."
Kathani couldn't bare this anymore as her hold on Anthony tightened, who was shivering in rage.
Anthony couldn't believe his ears as he heard these words. He cannot imagine what kind of horrors she has gone through while they all thought she was dead.
With a heavy heart and pray in his mind he dared to ask. "Please Your Majesty! I beg you to tell me that you rescued her?!"
The Queen felt tears in her eyes as she detected hope in Lord Bridgerton's voice.
Lady Danbury herself has tears as she reaches out and squeezed her friend's shoulder as she gave the grave news to Lord Bridgerton. "Lord Bridgerton I did send my trusted men but by the time they reached that prison all they found out was a pile of old rubble and bones and skeletons crushed underneath its derbies. I am sorry but Kathani Sharma died with other prisoners when that place collapsed."
As soon she said the word Anthony let out an anguish gut wrenching scream. "Nooooo!"
"Anthony!" Several voices cried out as he ran out of the room with unbearable pain and guilt inside him.
The sun had not yet set but strangely all Anthony could feel was eerie darkness spreading inside his heart.
Kathani, his Kathani was alive for so many years, imprisoned, snatched from people who loved her.
The way the queen said it, he could only wonder what exactly she suffered in that prison until her last dying breath!
"Why! Why God Why?" Anthony cried as he laid inside Kathani room, a shrine of a person who died all over again for him.
"Is this is your justice!" He screamed to heaven! "You punished innocent and let them live a tortuous life only to take it without giving them justice! What was Kathani's crime! What was her crime?!"
He burst into tears as he cried on the floor in his best friend's room.
Amidst his tears he saw a figure approaching and for a moment he thought it was a spirit of his long-lost friend. "Kathani?"
He rubbed his tear filled eyes and as his vision cleared he saw Kate standing there on the other side of Kathani's room.
She was about to step inside when Anthony yells. "No! Stay back! This is Kathani's room and no one is allowed here except for me!"
Kathani watched and to her surprise her room had not changed since she was taken that doomed night.
Her old night dress was still hung on the back of her rocking chair. Her books and furniture were matted with dust. Even her bed had the same sheet and bedding that looked old and dusty.
She couldn't believe that Anthony had made sure that her old room remained untouched. She hastily stepped back feeling numb to shock as she watched this shrine in front of her.
"Just leave me alone Kate. I just want to mourn my friend once again." Anthony said as fresh tears spilled from his face.
Kathani too was crying as she watched Anthony being consumed by guilt and pain and sadly she couldn't do anything but watch him cry.
She leaned closer to the door as she plead with him. "Please Anthony! Let me inside! Let me comfort you!"
"Comfort?" Anthony looked up, his eyes bloodshot with grief and rage. "You want to comfort a lesser man like me!? A man who couldn't protect his friend!? How could I believe in Welsh's word? Why didn't I push father to investigate the matter?!"
"Anthony you were young!"
"And so was Kathani!" He screams. "She was only ten and a half! Can you imagine a child like that living in a prison until her dying breath! What horror she was facing while I was mourning her surrounded by comfort and luxuries!"
He watched as she shook her head and tried to come closer but he snapped again. "I said do not come inside! I don't deserve your comfort or your sympathy! Just leave me alone!"
He broke down into fresh tears and after a while Kate started leaving.
Just when she was about to leave she around she asked. "Anthony, if you have a choice that Kathani Sharma could come back? Knowing all the horrors she has faced and she will return to you broken beyond repair then what will you do? Will you choose a damaged woman like her or choose someone like me? A woman who can give you love, titles and riches. Tell me Anthony what will be your choice?"
Anthony couldn't believe that his Kate could ask this question but the answer was as simple as breathing. "There is no choice Kate because if it upon me then no matter how broken or damaged she thinks she is I will still choose Kathani each and every time."
He watched as Kate's eyes flashed at him in disbelief and slowly tears started spilling from her eyes as she turned around and ran away until he couldn't see her anymore.
Kathani has been running all her life ever since she escaped that Hell but never she ran so unfocused and blindly like this.
It was a miracle that she managed to find her room as it was impossible to find her way as her vision get obscured by tears.
She wrenched open her door and to her great relief found all her friends waiting anxiously for her arrival.
"Kathani!" Sophie gasped and rushed towards her but she held out her palm to stop her.
"Don't!" She took huge heaving breaths as she managed to stop her tears so she could say. "Pack your bags! We are leaving by night fall!"
As expected everyone gaped at her until Jacopo reminded her. "We haven't found any Evidence yet!"
"I don't care!" She snapped angrily. "I will kill them all with my bare hands and get that bastard name even if I have to torture those monsters to death!"
The others flinched as she walked and started packing her few belongings.
Jacopo and the others watched each other and at this point they fear that she might go on a murdering spree.
Philip gently stepped forward and asked. "What about Anthony?"
"He has gone mad! He says if he has a choice he will accept Kathani Sharma no matter how broken or damaged she is! Like Hell I will let him make this mistake!"
"Its his choice." Penelope said quietly and stepped away in fear when Kathani's eyes flashed dangerously at her. "A foolish choice that I will never let him make!"
They all looked at one another and they knew they needed to stop this madness until she calmed down to think rationally.
Brimsily finally had an idea but they had to act fast. "Fine everyone pack your bag! I will arrange the carriage but I think until then someone should question Andrew and George Rokesby so we can know for sure why they were corresponding with late Viscount using special seals."
Kathani stopped and everyone sighed in relief as she turned around her mind thoroughly distracted with Brimsily's words. She then wiped her tears away and instructed Sophie and Jacopo. "Sophie, Jacopo go and bring them to Uncle Timothy's room. I will talk with them before we all leave Aubrey Hall for good."
On the wedding day.
The Queen and Prince Frederick were seated first as bridal parties arrived.
The Rokesby settled on the groom's side along with Lady Danbury who was holding Auggie.
The Queen and Lady Danbury stare at each other worriedly hoping that a mistaken slip won't ruin such a joyful occasion.
Violet arrived and she looked a little worried as she walked towards Lady Danbury's and whispered in her ear. "Have you seen Countess and her cousins?"
She looked baffled but before she could reply door opened and Anthony walked down the aisle stopping to bow Queen and Prince before taking his place at alter followed by Benedict, Colin and Simon.
Portia arrives and bowed to the Queen before joining Violet and Lady Danbury as she asked worriedly. "Have you seen my Penelope? I just came from outside and only Prudence, Philippa were standing with your daughters and young Gregory."
Anthony watched as his mother Lady Danbury and Lady Featherington seemed worried for some reasons.
"Where is that Brimsily?" The Queen asks her maid who replied she hadn't seen him since yesterday.
Suddenly the music started and as Anthony watched his mother and other ladies' anxious faces he felt a dreaded question rising inside his heart.
'Have I lost My Priyaey too?'