Kathani was playing hide and seek with other kids when she found a room that she never saw before.

Stepping inside she saw many shapes and sizes of wood and a man's back working on a table. "Uncle Edmund what are you doing?"

Edmund yelped being startled for a moment and then he relaxed with a smile. "You scared me young lady, thank God I put the hammer down otherwise I would have hurt myself."

She walked towards him and peered at the table. "Is that a birdhouse?"

"Yes, it will be a birthday present for Daphne so don't tell anyone."

Kathani made quite gesture and watched as he continued working on bird house. " It is really pretty uncle Edmund, you made beautiful things out of wood like Anthony and mine secret tree house."

Edmund smiled at being praised. "Its a hobby dear or you can say my passion, I believe everyone should have one to make you distinguish from others. I maybe Viscount, Husband, Father and uncle but here in this room working on woods makes me feel just Edmund and here the things I make are mine creations and these tools are my precious possessions. My grandfather gave me this set on my eight birthday."

Kathani smiled as she learned about things that make her uncle Edmund feel like himself and as she watched her uncle handling those tools she knew her uncle is very special just like her Appa.

Kathani gasped as she came back from her memory lane as her eyes fell on the old birdhouse while she was searching for evidence in Daphne's room.

In a past week since everyone left Kathani has searched many rooms at night while Anthony was in deep sleep.

It was the only time she could get because otherwise her husband is always by her side. Making love to her or showing her around his lands and favourite places.

In the last three nights she has searched all Bridgerton's children's rooms and tonight Daphne was her last stop.

Even here she felt hopeless until she saw that birdhouse and suddenly she remembered a very important room in this house. A place that was used by her uncle Edmund and was kind of his domain.

Picking her candle she all but ran towards Uncle Edmund's crafting room, praying that no one had used or changed that place.

The door was locked but through glass window she could make out the room was still the same. She expertly picked the lock with a lock pick she used like a pin on her hair and with a little push opened the door.

Just as she thought no one used this room in years. It was old and dusty and at the table she could see an abandoned piece of work. Kathani thought it resemble jewellery box but it was unfinished for reasons she cannot think right now.

She quickly started searching the room. She searched the cabinets. She searched the shelves. She even searched for a hidden compartment on the floor but found nothing.

In the end she was looking at the crafting table searching for some hidden compartment when her eyes fell on the tool box.

She reached out and saw the lid was open or perhaps someone didn't properly close it last time. The tools are rusted over the years but as she surveys a frowned form on her face. "Where is nail wrench and hammer?"

"Kate? What are you doing here?"

With a gasp she turned around, her eyes momentarily widen as she saw Anthony standing behind her dressed in night robe.

"Anthony! You scared me." She told him while trying to calm her beating heart of being caught by her husband.

Anthony raised his brow as he stepped closer. "I scared you or you scared me? I just woke up and saw my wife missing only to find her in my father's old crafting room."

He frowned and stared back at the door. "I thought that door was locked?"

"No, it was open when I came here." She quickly explains while hiding her lock pick back in her hair.

Anthony turned to stare at his wife as he asked in a suspicious voice. "Kate? What are you doing in this room?"

"I, I couldn't sleep and thought of drinking milk but somehow I forgot where the kitchens are situated and accidentally ended up here."

Kathani bit her lips as Anthony narrowed his eyes as he kept staring at her strangely.

He walked closer and she stepped back until her back hit the edge of the table.

He kept staring at her face as he leaned forward and picked the tool box she was looking at before he caught her.

"How did you know two tools were missing from this box?" He asks in a low voice as he himself searched the box.

Fear gripped her heart as he looked up to see in her eyes. "You were saying nail wrench and hammer missing from this box? How did you know about that? As far as I knew, a lady doesn't know much about tools weather she is a Count's wife or a Merchant's daughter."

She tried to remain calm as she wiped her sweaty hand on her nightgown as she replied while feigning laughter. "Oh my dear husband, You should know by now that there is nothing that your wife didn't know and as for your question, my late husband has a crafting room like this and from him I learn about all these tools."

She could see that Anthony was not convinced so she decides another means of distraction. "Well he never thought me about other tools, a tools I learned from you."

Anthony's eyes widen as he asks. "Me? I do not remember teaching you anything about tools."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a coy smile. "Oh but you did. Remember how you show me immense pleasure when you used your fingers and tongue inside me."

She then reached inside his robe and cupped his hard length giving it firm strokes, making it even harder as he moans against her lips. "Not to forget the way you use this tool on me, it makes my toes curl with pleasure each and every time you are using it inside me."

With a growl her husband yanked her and started kissing her passionately.

Anthony felt like losing his mind as his wife started stroking him faster and returned his kiss with the same passion.

They both were getting lost in their passion as Anthony picked her up and placed her on the table.

She rucked her nightgown above her legs making room so he could easily enter inside her.

They both moan in each other mouths as he thrust hard inside her.

"Fuck! Fuck!" They both were moaning simultaneously as he started fucking his wife on the old dusty table.

Kathani thought she was distracting her husband but the truth is she is slowing losing herself in his love. The way he made love with her, the way he fucked her with so much intensity that they both forget where one started and one ends. In these moments they are one body and one sole and as tears fall from Kathani's eyes it makes her realize that only death can separate her from Anthony now other wise she wont able to bare it.

"I love you! I love you so much!" She cried against his neck and Anthony felt something changed in her voice.

He then picked her up and she clung to him as he kept thrusting inside her while holding her entire weight on his arms.

Finally her walls started squeezing his member harder than ever as her head fell back and their screams echoed around the old room.

As soon her orgasm passed away she felt her husband pulling out but before he knew it she was dropping down on her knees and taking his leaking member into his mouth.

She licked him from base to tip while pumping him hard before taking him inside her sinful mouth giving it long suck.

His hips snapped wildly a few times as he gripped his wife's hair and finally when she sucked him deep into her throat his eyes rolled backwards as he emptied inside her mouth while screaming her name.

By the time he got his bearings his wife was standing up on shaky legs before she collapsed on his arms. "Priyaey?! Darling are you okay?"

She gave him a tired smile as she nuzzled herself closer to his chest. "I am fine my love but now I am too worn out to even stand."

He smiled sweetly and kissed her forehead before picking her up in his arms like a bride. "Come darling, let me carry you to our bedroom."

As Anthony carries his wife away he didn't notice her looking over his shoulder towards the tool box that has two missing tools from it.

It been a week since everyone arrived in London and Penelope and Sophie were prepared to distract Benedict and Colin whenever they tried to leave the house for their investigation.

It was almost impossible to keep their track but luckily Penelope recruited trustworthy spies who were helping them out at price of two shillings everyday and asked no questions in return. Everyday Hyacinth and Gregory stole Benedict and Colin's appointments dairy and copied their schedule before placing their dairies back and handing their copied information to Sophie who always sent it to Penelope.

Colin and Benedict were trying for days to go out for investigation but they never got the chance.

Three times Colin was thwarted by the arrival of Penelope. The First time he was leaving Penelope and Eloise found him on doorstep. "Oh! You are going somewhere? I thought you should accompany me and Eloise to book store so we could select new book for our book club meeting." Colin wanted to decline but the way her eyes fell in disappointment he couldn't tell her no.

The Second time he tried to leave he found Penelope again and this time he decline her invitation to tea with her family. "I am sorry Pen but can we have this tea some another time?"

"Oh, its alright. It was just my Mama was concerned you hadn't visited since we returned and I thought if you joined us you could assure her that you are still interested in me."

"Of course I am interested in you Pen and I don't know how much I can make my intentions clear!"

Penelope's face fell at his outburst making him sigh, He kissed her sweetly as he told her. "All right Pen, I will gladly go with you at your house but I have to leave soon."

It turns out he didn't left soon because soon Penelope's mother started discussing Philippa's wedding plans and he couldn't leave until it was late at night.

After two failed attempts, Colin was determined to leave and this time he managed to leave his home until he passed Penelope's house and then.

"Colin." To his horror somehow she missed the step while waving at him and tumbled down the few stairs of her house until she was lying unconscious on the floor.

"Penelope!" He all rushed towards the girl he loves and carries her back inside the house.

Thankfully Philip arrived in time and after he examined her he pulled Colin aside. "Penelope has bad fall. I suggest someone should stay closer to her all the time because if she fell again then I fear something worse could happen to her."

So with that warning in his mind Colin didn't dare to leave his Penelope side and he just hoped that Benedict manages to go out and do some investigation.

It turns out Benedict didn't even get one spare moment since they arrived a week ago because first of all he was managing Anthony's duties and when he finally got time no matter where he go Sophie was always there to distract him.

Ever since they spent time in Aubrey Hall and danced at wedding something has shifted between them.

First day they returned Benedict was just about to leave when he bumped into Sophie. "Oh, Mr Bridgerton are you leaving already?"

"Yes, I have some personal appointments so I bid you good bye."

He was about to leave when Sophie stopped him. "But you promised me that you would show me your paintings and I thought now we both are free from our days work you can show me your paintings."

Benedict blinked, torn between leaving for investigation and staying to spend time with Sophie.

He watched as Sophie's face fell. "its okay Mr Bridgerton, you have important things to do then keeping promise with lowly maid. I promise I won't bother you again."

She was about to leave when Benedict stopped her by grabbing her hand. "No! Please wait!"

She stopped and turned to stare at him with hopeful eyes. "Come, let me show you my work."

So that's how Benedict starts spending his spare moment as he shows Sophie his passion for art and since then they become getting more close until one night. "Your paintings are doorway to your soul Benedict and I am happy you let me part of it."

Benedict looked pleased as Sophie gasped in surprise. "Mr Bridgerton, I am sorry. I shouldn't have call you by your Christian name nor I should commented on your work. It is not my place. "

"Do not apologize Sophie!" He gently cupped her face making her stare at him with wide eyes.

"Only someone who possesses a deep heart can see the beauty in art and I am glad to find you to appreciate my passion and as for my name it never sounded more pleasant to my ears then coming out of your sweet voice."

Her eyes watered as she reached out to touch his face. "I see you Benedict Bridgerton, I see the beauty of your heart and I pray that one day the world can see how remarkable you truly are."

It was not like that he never got praised before but somehow hearing these words from Sophie filled his heart with Pride for himself and even Love for this girl who truly sees him beyond being charming Bridgerton.

Sophie knew this game was started as a distraction but the more she spent time with Benedict the more those lost dreams return that once Sophia Penwood dreamed.

In that moment she felt that woman again as she reached out to kiss the man of her dreams and as he returned her kiss with equal fervour Sophie promised herself that she would protect this man and everything he loves with her life.

While Sophie and Penelope were busy keeping Benedict and Colin distracted they were also making sure to look out for Edwina and to their disappointment Edwina looked happy as she began courting the Prince.

Brimsily kept eyes on Prince and frowned as Edwina, along with Lord and Lady Sheffield, started getting frequent invitations from Prince and Queen.

Brimsily almost dropped his cup of tea one day when he overheard Prince and Queen conversation.

"I believe Ms Edwina is the one for me and if it alright with you I want to propose to her on the next dinner Lord Sheffield has invited me to."

Brimsily watched as The Queen looked surprised. "Frederick! I am happy you found Ms Edwina suitable but what is the rush? You are only courting this girl for days..."

But the Prince was not in the listening mood. "Please Auntie! You know our families are well acquainted for years and Ms Edwina was always kind to me especially last year when I lost Ms Bridgerton to Duke of Hastings. Besides, you know the law, I have to get married by my next birthday in order to get my throne and its father's wish that I got married soon so he can handover his responsibilities to me and return home to spend last peaceful years with my mother while I join uncle George in wars and you know how much Uncle George is forcing me to join him on war front."

Brimsily watched closely as Queen gave him a sad smile. "My son can go hang himself for all I care but Your father really loves your mother a lot and after everything he did to serve these two nations, I think it's high time he retires to spend the last of these years with his beloved wife."

"So can I have your blessing?" Frederick asked in a hopeful voice.

"Yes my dear nephew! Go proposed your girl and I will throw the grandest engagement ball in your honour."

That night Brimsily informed Michael, Philp and Thomas Dorset (Who now knew about their secret) about the Prince's upcoming engagement. "We need to work fast lads because it seems we are running out of time."

Brimsily then stares at Philip and Thomas as he asks. "Is the cure ready?"

Philip looked around as he whispered. "We are working on it but we need some samples from those prisoners to help our cure research."

"What kind of sample?" Michael inquires.

"Blood, Salvia and urine, oh! and some hair and nails samples too and if they passed stool then we could collect those too." Thomas replied, making Michael shudder in disgust. "Okay follow me and be quiet."

While Thomas left with Michael, Philip stared at Brimsily as he asked. "I needed to collect some samples from King and Brimsily after I left, you need to make sure that he stopped taking his previous medicine. I need him off those medicine for a few days while I work for his cure."

"But what if he starts getting episodes again? You think it will make them realise someone is preventing King from taking their medicines?"

Philip smiled in understanding as he handed him a bottle. "Give him this medicine. It will keep him calm and sleepy without harming him and this way no one will suspect a thing." Brimsily grabbed the bottle and as he took Philip towards King room he prayed that they find a cure soon.

Simon and Will Mondrich followed the clues and arrived in Kilmartin. The clues were right and they did find a few shacks providing illegal concoction.

Simon using his contacts called local constable and prosecutor who are honourable and trust worthy men and together they start finding information about Earl of Kilmartin.

For the first few days no one gave them any solid information except he was sick for two years.

It was until they arrived at the inn when an elderly woman who was cook of that inn for many years knocked his room one night.

She was scared and made them promise that no one would find out about her as she began her story. "My sister used to work as a cook there and that day I was visiting her when that attack happened."

"Attack? What do you mean by attack!? Simon inquires while Mondrich calmly asks. "Please do not be afraid of my friend. We are here to help."

The elderly woman decided to trust him as she continued. "They captured ladies of the house along with servants. I barely managed to escape but my sister was caught with others and since then no one has seen or heard anyone."

Simon and Mondrich gaped at each other in horror as they realized that maybe the entire Kilmartin house hold is imprisoned or worse dead.

"Ms, can you tell us anything else about these men?' Will inquires.

"I don't know who they were but I heard the name Sheffield from a man as they were dragging young master away in chains."

While Simon's eyes widened hearing Sheffield's name, Will focused on something else as he asked. "Young Master? I thought you said no one from that household has been seen in two years "

"They haven't sir but the day of the attack I saw them dragging Michael Kilmartin away while I was escaping. He was Earl's only cousin and that man in suite was ordered to send Michael Kilmartin to prison on order of Lord Sheffield."

"Have you heard which prison he was taken in?" Simon finally asked as he started dreading to hear the same name Lady Danbury told him Kathani Sharma was held.

"I didn't know how to say because it was a strange name Mount Desperio. Yes! That was the prison they ordered to take Michael Kilmartin."

"Michael." Simon repeated the name while the name of that prison kept swirling in his mind.

On the last day of their honeymoon Anthony decided to take his Countess to their country festival.

There were many food stalls and people were selling trade goods.

Anthony beamed when his tenants rushed towards them to greet their new Lady.

Kathani couldn't imagine to spend her last day of honeymoon with the man she loves at the place that held so many happy memories, it almost made up for the fact she failed to find the evidence.

She was delighted that Anthony kept the tradition of country festival and it brought back her childhood memories when they all use to attend this festival with the rest of the family.

The villagers thanked their new lady as she distributed baskets to every house.

Kathani was cooing over sheep when suddenly little girls gathered around them. "Are you princess my lady?" Kathani blushed as her husband smiled at the children. "No but she is your Countess Bridgerton."

One girl reached out and touched her long hair bound in braid. "Can we put flowers on your braid." Anthony watched as his wife led the girls towards a stone step and soon many little girls start putting different colour flowers on her braid.

By the time she returned to him she was looking like a woodland fairy. "So my Lord? How do I look?"

Anthony sighed as he traced her face as he breathed. "Beautiful."

Suddenly a country dance begins and Kathani remember how much she and Anthony used to dance on this music when they were young.

Feeling that joy again she grabbed his hand and joined other villagers for dance. Anthony was trying to keep up but truth was that he haven't danced on this festival since Kathani was taken.

The partners kept switching and Anthony was trying hard to keep track of his wife who seemed to be enjoying this dance very much.

When partners exchange again Anthony has to blinked twice because he keep seeing Kathani dancing instead of his wife. The resemblance between their movements were astonishing.

In one particular moment Kate raised her hand and swirl around on one foot exactly like Kathani used to do.

Anthony was getting dizzy with strange emotions as he broke away from the group and stood far in the corner as he watched his wife dancing like his childhood friend.

He tries to rubbed his eyes but sometimes he is seeing Kate and sometimes his Kathani.

"My Lord are you alright?" He looked up and saw Pastor watching him with concern and he was not alone but an old man was standing with him.

Anthony stood straight and composed himself. "I am alright, it was just all this dance was making me dizzy."

"My Lord you look pale, Let me fetch you water my son." With that, Pastor left him with an old man who led him towards chairs.

Anthony was trying to keep these strange feelings in control when to distract himself he looked up at old man. "Apologize sir, my name is Lord Bridgerton."

"Please to meet you, I am Pastor Nicholas My Lord."

Anthony frowned at his accent. "You have a French accent? I know this because my wife has a little bit too."

"Yes, pastor is telling me that he married you recently with lovely woman from France. Can you tell me who she is?"

Anthony pointed at his wife still dancing with other villagers. "The lady in Purple, She is really beautiful. I must say you both make a beautiful couple."

Anthony tried to smile but once again he was lost as he watched his wife dancing.

"My Lord, if you do not mind can you tell me from which family she belongs? Maybe I know her family in France." Trying to distract himself Anthony replied.

"My wife maiden family were merchants from India but her late husband was a nobleman of France. Have you heard about the Beaumont family?"

Anthony was going to tell him about his wife's late husband but before he could say anything the Pastor crossed gravely as he began. "That is one tragic family? I was there at Fernando's funeral. his body was completely charred."

Anthony nodded his head but Pastor continued. "I am holy man son but God forgive me for saying this but Fernando Beaumont deserves to burn in Hell after what he did to his innocent older brother."

Anthony's eyes widen because, according to his wife, her husband and his stepbrother have no conflict. "Sir, are you speaking of Francesco Beaumont the Late Count?"

"Yes Son the very same. Francesco was a kind hearted religious man. He didn't care about wealth and titles and wanted to become a priest. He even joined Parish and I can tell you this because we were together. He was just about to take his vows when he got news of his father's sickness. Poor Francesco abandoned his dreams for the sake of his family but his brother couldn't handle losing the titles and riches almost within his grasp."

Anthony's heart was beating wildly as he asked. "What did he do?"

"No one knows my son but one day Francesco disappeared never to be seen again but Fernando told everyone he retired in country leaving all responsibilities to him but Son that was a lie because everyone knew that their late Father never wanted Fernando to inherit anything because of his greediness and that's why when he couldn't get another heir he begs Francesco to return and save their family legacy."

Anthony stared at his wife because the stories were very different from what she told him. "Pastor does anyone find out what happened to Francesco Beaumont?"

"No son but there were rumours he was kept in prison near French waters. This way Fernando could get his signature wherever he wants but then two years ago something strange happened a Fire in Beaumont Castle and everything perished including Fernando but a woman appeared at the funeral claiming she was Francesco Beaumont widow and she was arriving to settle some affair with Fernando. I don't know who she was but she has all proves and Francesco Beaumont signatures and when close family questions her she knows everything about Francesco and Beaumont family and the way she quickly took command of state no one dared to question her authority but son I am sure she was lying about being Francesco's wife."

At that Anthony looked up as he asked in a heavy voice. "How can you say that?"

"Because Francesco was suffering from impotence, it was one of the reasons no one in his family objected when he desired to join Parish. The Francesco I knew would never destroy a girls life and this woman Katherine was quite young to be his widow, I don't know why she lied but no one said anything because she has no sinister motives and even provide dowry for daughters of Fernando before she left the country."

At that moment Anthony couldn't take it anymore as he excused himself and walked towards his wife who finally saw him and then rushed in his arms as she said breathlessly in his ear. "Thank you my love! Thank you for bringing me here!"

And as Anthony felt her warm arms around him he only had one question in his mind. "Who is this woman?"