Daphne was going to leave with Auggie to open Hastings house. A letter arrives earlier in which Simon instructed to prepare a few rooms as he was bringing guests with him.
The same day Daphne got Simon's letter, another letter arrived from Anthony informing them of his and Kate's arrival.
"Can't you stay to greet them." Violet inquires as she watched her daughter getting ready to leave.
"No mother, Simon could return at any moment and I have to be there at Hastings house to welcome him and his guests but I promise I will see my brother and my new sister later when they arrived."
As Simon's carriage entered London he dropped Mondrich at his house.
"What are you going to tell your wife about these guests?" He asked.
Simon stared at the other three carriages as he replied. "I will tell her to wait for answers because first I need answers from Sterling brothers and Kate who is the main reason these men are in our lives."
As Simon said his farewells to Mondrich in another part of Mayfair, Benedict and Colin arrived at Beaumont house with letter in their possession.
The moment they entered the house they heard raised voices and found Kate's butler Jacopo and Brimsily scolding Philip and Michael while the Dorset family, Penelope, Sophie and Genevieve stood there looking a little worried for the guys.
"We left you two in charge and what did you do?! Bring Bridgerton into our fold even when she strictly forbids it!" Jacopo yells in frustration.
They watched as Brimsily wiped his sweaty brow. "This is not good. This is terrible! Everything she did is to protect that family and if she found out about this! Then..."
"She is not going to do anything Brimsily." Timothy Dorset (who was lot better now) assured Brimsily and Jacopo. "After Sophie and Penelope truth came out it is only a matter of time they did something reckless and luckily these four were there to save the day. I think our Kathani will be first and foremost grateful that her Brother-in-laws are safe."
"He is right Jacopo, instead of scolding them let's just figure out what are we going to tell her?" Genevieve ask the group and it was then Colin spoke up. "Well you better figure it out soon."
All eyes snapped towards then as Benedict showed them a letter in his hand. "Anthony and Kathani has left Aubrey Hall and they could arrive soon."
He and Colin then walked towards the group and stared at their anxious faces as Benedict informed them. "We will not keep Anthony in the dark, he needs to know the truth about everything, about our father's murder, about our uncles' involvement in this matter and most importantly the truth about his wife's identity."
" Benedict, Kathani didn't want Anthony or your family to know this truth." Sophie tries to reason with him.
"And we cannot hide truth this big from him." Benedict replied sternly.
When no one says anything, Colin and Benedict stared at each other in understanding as Colin gave them an ultimatum. "The moment they arrived you all better informed Kathani and figure out how to tell Anthony otherwise we will tell him everything we knew."
"Colin, please try to understand." Penelope began but he shake his head as he told her. "No! We are not keeping secrets anymore! You all need to understand this that keeping this truth will hurt my brother and we cannot be part of this."
With that they left leaving these people to figure out how to deal with this problem.
That evening Bridgerton carriages arrives as Violet and her children gathered around to welcome the head of their household.
Violet smiles flattered when Anthony arrives on his horse just as the carriage door opens and footman helped the Countess out.
Violet watched as Anthony and Kate smiled at the family as they approached them but somehow she could see their smiles are not reaching their eyes.
She waited as they greeted the children before she takes him aside to inquire. "Anthony? Why were you travelling on horse instead with your wife.?"
Anthony glanced at his wife before giving his mother an assuring smile. "Its nothing mother, I took horse as we enter London to get some fresh air."
Violet knew he was hiding something but before she could open her mouth to ask she remembered something else. "Well it's great you both arrived just in time for Queen's Ball which she is hosting to celebrate Edwina's and Prince Fredericks Engagement."
While Anthony looked happy, Kate gasp as she hurriedly stepped forward. "Engagement?! What Engagement! When did this happened!"
Before Violet could understand her reaction Eloise replied. "It happened last night at a private gathering according to Lady Whistledown, although how she got the update from inside the Palace baffles me."
Violet could see how this news come shock to her daughter-in-law but before she could ponder on it Anthony cleared his throat to gathered everyone attention. "I think its better we leave all conversation for later and get ready for tonight's ball."
"Oh, yes. Come children lets get ready."
As Anthony watched his mother taking everyone inside he grabbed Benedict's arm as he told him. "I want the entire family to gathered after we returned from ball. There is something I want to tell you all."
Benedict frowned because he and Colin wanted to tell him something too. "Brother there is something Colin and I want to tell you too."
"Later brother, it's important that you all heard me first. Just be ready and informed others to not retired once we returned from ball."
Anthony didn't wait for his brother's reaction as he walked towards his chambers.
Upon entering he saw her pacing in distress. Her eyes snapped when he respectfully knocked and enter inside.
"Anthony! Edwina is engaged to that..." She began in a distressed voice. But Anthony was in no mood to hear her as he cut her off and informed her. "I am telling the family tonight so be prepared."
He was turning to leave when he heard her distressed voice. "Anthony! Please do not do this! I never wanted to hurt you or anyone in this family if this truth came out."
"When will you realize that keeping us in the dark is not what we want! Kathani we, your family is strong enough to handle the truth! I want to share your pain! I don't even know the extent of your pain and it is breaking my heart that you don't even trust me to comfort you!"
She was crying as she tried to step closer but Anthony halted her by raising his hand. "We don't keep secrets in this family Kathani and it's about time you acknowledge that."
With that he turned around and left his room while Kathani wonder how she could tell her family the truth that will break their hearts and destroyed their happiness.
At night the entire London was lit with fireworks to celebrate Engagement celebrations of Prince Frederick and Miss Edwina Sheffield.
The Sheffield's were standing strong and proud beside their granddaughter and her new fiancé as ton congratulated them for their engagement.
"Finally! All are dreams are coming true." Lady Sheffield beamed as Cowper's left after congratulating them on their good fortune.
"You did well darling! You raised Edwina into perfection and Thanks to your upbringing we are this close to achieve our goals."
While Lord Sheffield was praising his wife he didn't notice a glare send his way as Simon kept a hateful eye on him.
"Simon, what is going on?" Daphne asked once again as she noticed her husband glaring at the Sheffield's. "Is Lord Sheffield the reason those people are staying in our home?"
Simon sighed as he turned to placate his wife but then his eyes fell on the entrance as the Sterling brothers entered the party.
He was just going to confront them when suddenly his wife's excited voice reached his ear. "Oh look! Anthony and Kate has arrived with our family."
Everyone indeed noticed when Bridgerton's arrives at the ballroom.
The Queen smiles as her eye fell on Earl Bridgerton and Countess Bridgerton dressed in midnight blue gown.
"They truly looked lovely together." The Queen said to Lady Danbury who wholeheartedly agreed with her friend. "Indeed they are, they certainly looked like match made in heaven."
The Bridgerton's approached the Queen and bowed to her before Anthony turned to stare at Prince Frederick and little Dina. "Congratulations on your engagement." Edwina smiled but it flattered when she noticed Countess worried eyes on herself.
She wanted to ask what is the matter with her when suddenly the orchestra begins. "Come darling, lets begin this ball with our first dance." Edwina let Frederick escort her towards the dance floor but as she passed the Bridgerton's she felt Countess eyes on her.
"Lord Bridgerton, why are you not taking your wife to dance floor?" The Queen inquires making Anthony and Kathani fidgeted under everyone gaze. "If I remember you two are quite famous for your dances. Now go on, let us see the famous magic you both always created while dancing with each other."
As everyone watched these two dancing a waltz they can feel the magic their love creates but only those who knew them intimately can tell their is a deep pain tonight between these two lovers. "Is everything alright between them." Portia inquires while Violet tried to answer. "I think so, they just returned a few hours ago and maybe tired from their long journey."
While this excuse was enough to settle both elder ladies, the other notices something was not right.
"Has anyone talked with Kathani yet?" Penelope ask Philip, Michael and Thomas who like her looked a little worried. "We didn't get the chance yet." Michael told her.
Philip can see distress in Kathani's eyes as he instructed others. "Penelope stay close to her and Michael, Thomas you both keep an eye on her, I am going to have a chat with Benedict and Colin and inform them we need more time because clearly something is wrong with her and until we figure that out we cannot tell her the truth about Benedict and Colin."
As Philip left the group to find Benedict and Colin at that moment they both were standing with Eloise, Daphne and Simon as they observed their brother and his wife dance and noticed the entire time Anthony looked stiffen.
"Do you think they have a fight?" Eloise asks. "She is clearly unhappy about something and our brother looks more brooding than usual."
"Married people fights all the time Eloise." Daphne tried to reason with her but Benedict knew something is not right as he told his siblings. "I think something is wrong because earlier Anthony instructed me to a family meeting when we returned home from this ball. He even left instructions for Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth to wait for us so he could talk with us together."
"He wanted children to be present at this meeting?!" Colin inquires in disbelief as Simon considers this matter as he told them. "Must be something utmost important if he want everyone to be present at this family meeting, including children."
The moment the dance ended Violet wanted to take his son aside and demand some answers but then a footman speaks loudly to the audience. "His Highness Prince Regent, Prince George has arrived."
A collective gasp occurred as Prince George appeared dressed in his finery with medals a sword and flowers boutonniere.
"Mother!" Prince George bowed before kissing his mother's hand. "Such a joyous occasion I have chosen for my arrival."
"Its good to have you back son. Your father would be pleased to see you after so many years." The Queen replied feeling happy to have her son back even if they do not see eye to eye.
Prince George then turned towards a voice. "Uncle George it so good to see you!"
"How can I missed my favourite nephew engagement ball and what a beautiful girl you have chosen for your bride."
As he took Edwina's hand to kiss on her wrist. Among the crowd Anthony noticed Kathani looking at this scene with transfixed gaze.
Despite his previous anger, watching her so unsettled is upsetting him. "Please tell me what is troubling you! Let me help you out!" He pleaded and then felt his wife's hands gripping his palm as she pleaded. "Help me protect her!" She cried out in a low voice as tears escapes from her eyes.
He wanted to wiped them off but they were disturbed when a music began and this time Prince George took Edwina for a dance as Prince Frederick approached them. "May I have this dance with you Countess?"
It was remarkable how her mask appeared on her face as Anthony watched Kathani smiling at Prince before giving him her hand. "It will be my pleasure."
A dance began and this time everyone's eyes were on the dance floor as they watched this dance in which partners were to be changed with every beat.
Anthony was watching his wife worriedly who was dancing with a smile on her face but then a few times her face changed into one in fear as she looks around.
Simon finally corner Michel and Philip as he interrogate them in hushed tones. "You are not brothers! Tell me who you are because at this moment yours respective family members are residing at my house!"
To his surprise they didn't look shocked but relieved as they both said. "Thank you for rescuing them!" Philip told him while Michael looked teary eyed. "Are my mother and aunt well? What about John? Is he alright?"
Before Simon could reply they were disturbed by Thomas Dorset who looked quite worried. "Something is wrong with her!"
They all watched at dance floor and indeed there was something wrong with Kathani who was looking here and there while trying to concentrate on the dance floor.
As everyone watched her no one could understand what is wrong with Countess who was stumbling in her dance.
Kathani's head was spinning as fear rise inside her heart, her mind playing strange tricks because for one moment she was dancing with gentlemen of the Ton and next moment she was back in her dark prison, chained to the wall as her rapist tortured her surrounded by dozens of flowers that she could now faintly smell on that dance floor.
The Queen couldn't understand what is wrong with Countess tonight? who was always a picture of grace and poise. "Lady Bridgerton? Was Countess feeling well when she arrived from her honeymoon?"
Whatever Violet was going to reply was drowned when a gut wrenching scream echoes around the ball.
Everyone gasp in shock as they saw Countess Bridgerton screaming while clutching Prince George.
"Aaaaa! Aaaaaa! Don't hurt me! Please leave me! I beg you stop hurting me!"
She kept screaming while shaking Prince George who looked completely baffled as he yelled. "Get this woman off me!"
It was then Anthony, Philip, Michael, Benedict, Colin, Simon and Thomas arrived and tried to pried her hands of Prince uniforms and in doing so they teared his pocket as she then screamed in a high pitch voice. "Anthony! Anthony! Anthony please help me! Anthony save me!"
"I am here! Look, I am here my love!" He cried as they tried to drag her away but she was not listening as she kept trashing and screaming while trying to fight them off. "Do not touch me! Do not touch me! Anthony save me please! Anthony! Anthony!"
"Why is she not recognizing me?!" Anthony cries.
But while no one could understand enough to answer him, Philip seems to figure out what is wrong with her as his eyes got horrified as he gasped "She is hallucinating! Everyone we need to get her home now!"
With great effort, all seven men carried this woman away who seem far away, trapped in her own nightmare as her screams could be heard far and wide.
"Anthony! Anthony! Anthonyyyyyyyyy!"