(Author's Note: Pretend Prince Friedrich wasn't in Daphne's story in Bridgerton. I want to give Kate a rival love interest because frankly, I want Anthony to squirm with jealously (I also want Edwina to have somebody to pair up with at the end). Friedrich is perfect for Kate in every way- in theory.

Enjoy!)

I marched inside, determined to find my sister. Of course, she was nowhere to be found. I searched all over the dancefloor for her and nothing! Alarm bells started to ring in my head; he'd likely be entering back in soon and I didn't want him to catch me…. er, see me again. I'll find Edwina later- this is taking too long! Nugh, why hadn't I brought my phone with me?!

Seeing no other recourse, I exited the ballroom from the front entrance this time. It led to a foyer with lots of hallways and passages; I picked the least-crowded one to wander down. I'm not really sure what my plan was. I suppose I thought I'd just explore aimlessly until I found an open door somewhere. The first one I found was further away from the ballroom than I anticipated. There was this solid, dark oak-wood door left open a crack; a dim light shone from inside. Reasoning this was the perfect hiding place- I mean place to wait for my sister…. somehow- I went in, and you can imagine my delight to discover that it was a library!

But not just any library; one of those old ones with lots of ancient books kept behind those crossed, thin metal bars. It looked just like the forbidden section in the Harry Potter movies. The place was dark, with only a few lamps to light the way. I stepped forward, immediately enthralled by it all. I loved books; this is exactly the kind of room I'd like to spend an evening in, and for some reason, I assumed I was in here alone. While I wandered up and down the bookshelves, ogling the rows of volumes, I suddenly flinched, freezing at the sight of a man.

Oh my god! Unthinkingly my feet stumbled back a few steps in shock. His head lifted up, equally startled by the sudden noise. The man- a young man, roughly my age- was sitting in one of those Victorian brown leather chairs by a window with the curtains drawn back. There was an old book in his hand, and judging by the cover and binding I'd say it was some sort of novel. He glanced my way, alarmed and somewhat embarrassed. For what? Probably being caught in here instead of well, out on the dancefloor- much like myself. I stumbled back a few feet, lifting my hand up to my gasping chest.

"O-Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see you there," my voice was strained. The man stood up, closing the book and holding his place in it with his finger. "No, no, that's quite alright. It's my fault; I was sitting here so quietly. You couldn't have known I was here," he had this thick German accent which I immediately recognized.

He was handsome, though in truth he couldn't hold a candle to…. well, you know. Let's just say he didn't get my gears ticking. That's not to say he was ugly though! Far from it. He had a slender figure, creamy skin, light curly hair, and tall legs. He kind of reminded me of the type of men my sister was attracted to; he'd certainly get her gears ticking. He had a pleasant, almost puppy-dog smile, and his eyes were shallow but kind; not like the deep, frosty ones of he who shall not be named. The man gazed my way, instantly grinning once he saw me relax.

"I didn't think anyone else would come here," his voice was low and soft; it had this friendliness to it which I appreciated. I smiled in return, brushing out the front of my dress. "It's a surprise to me too. I hadn't expected to find a library; had I known where this was, I would have been here hours ago." "Oh, you like to read?" He asked and I chuckled. "Well I like it more than dancing."

He nodded in total agreement. "I too prefer reading myself. I came here with my aunt, but I must confess I'm not very fond of dancing; that, and I don't really know anyone here." "We also have that in common. I was dragged here by my younger sister." "Heh, so it wasn't your choice either?" His grin widened and I shook my head. "Oh, I'd never come here if given the option… Well, I'd come here, to this library!" "Yes, me too. It reminds me of the libraries we had back at my old university," the man peered up at the shelves around us in a wistful fashion. He spoke with such sincerity; it was charming in its own way. Too bad Edwina wasn't here; she'd REALLY like him.

"If you don't mind me asking, where are you from? I detect a German accent?" "Ah, you're right. I just flew in from Berlin; I'm around there." "Oh, Berlin?! What a beautiful city." "Yes, I quite like it. You've been to Germany then, I take it?" He inquired. "Yes. Well actually I just moved from Vienna; my sister and I lived there for the last year and a half." His eyes widened a sliver. "Really? Wow, that is quite extraordinary. Why, may I ask, did you move to Vienna?" "We moved there after I finished my Masters in Amsterdam."

"Amsterdam? The University of Amsterdam?" His eyebrow raised and I blushed slightly, suddenly feeling a tad shy. I didn't want to humble-brag, after all. "Uh…. y-yes." "Ah, very good! You must be very smart to graduate from such a prestigious institution." "N-No, not really," my eyes were kept low, still embarrassed. A quiet, somewhat awkward lull fell between us until he broke the silence again.

"I just finished at ETH Zurich myself." I literally gasped, blinking at it him in amazement. "Really?! That's incredible! Good for you! That must have been so hard." "Yes, but I like academia. I'd stay in it forever, given the chance….." His eyes met mine again. It was my turn to nod in agreement. "So would I," if only….. I said this, and he smiled, seemingly pleased to hear this.

His hand brought the book he was holding around to his back, so he could clasp it in both hands now. His upper body leaned forward a tad in a respectful gesture. "Ah, I shouldn't keep you any longer. Your sister is missing you perhaps….?" "She probably hasn't even noticed I've left the room," my eyes rolled and he chuckled softly, giving his head a small shake. "I've never enjoyed balls and galas. I'm always so awkward at them, and I never know what to do with myself." "Well I think you found a splendid way to spend the evening, hiding out in here. This is exactly where I would want to be too." "I'm sure there's enough room for both of us," he chuckled yet again sweetly, and that's when reality came crashing back for me- again.

This was a coded sentence; I knew enough about men to know that, and it didn't feel…. good. It's like when your friend is about to confess to you; that sort of feeling. It's this weird, unsettling rumbling in your gut, and you just want it to go away. I'm not sure why I reacted this way though; he was handsome, whoever he was, and obviously very kind. Much kinder than jerk-face back there. And such a good education! That should have been enough to make me swoon. He had all the right things going for him, and yet…..

Bah, I'm overthinking this. He probably was just trying to be polite; that's all. This rationalizing immediately relaxed me once more and I grinned equally friendly back at him, resting my shoulders down a tad. "Well now I know where it is, just in case for next time." "Good, I shall like the company," he replied, making my grin grow. He sure was kind and gentle; really the perfect sort for Edwina. If only she wasn't engaged….

His free hand reached around out in front of him, holding out for mine. "Forgive me, I neglected to introduce myself. My name is Friedrich Mecklenburg-Strelitz." "That's a mouth-full. Kate Sharma," we shook hands. "Kate? That's a fine name. Very English, heh and German." "I should have liked to have stayed in Vienna for the summer….. but my sister wanted me to move back to London with her," I sighed in disappointment. His tender grin returned as he slowly retracted his hand. "You were an ornament to the city, I'm sure." "Heh, and now I get to be an ornament here, do I?" I jested and his face flushed mildly, like he thought that wasn't something he should have said. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend….." "No! No, you didn't! I'm just teasing. You didn't do anything wrong," I guess he doesn't know how to banter. REALLY reminds me of my sister. His smile returned as he face shown in relief. "Oh good, I am still learning the customs of the English language."

"I'd say you got a good mastery of it already. But unfortunately I really should be getting back. Edwina might FINALLY realize I'm gone and be wondering…" His head lowered a sliver; his eyes fixed keenly onto mine. "Shall I walk you back?" "Heh, I think I can find my way on my own, but thank you all the same. I don't want to pull you away from your reading." "Not at all. I enjoyed the…. brief break," he was referring to our conversation. Sending him one last grin, I went to spin around and head for the door. He watched me the whole time, never letting up his smile. When I paused at the door, I also gazed back in his direction over my shoulder.

"It was nice meeting you, Friedrich." "Please, the pleasure was all mine," he instantly replied. "Maybe I'll see you in here at the next ball." "Or sooner," he added and that weird gut feeling tingled through me again. Just to be polite, I gave him a head nod before exiting the room, being mindful to shut the door behind me. But before I did he had just enough time to say one more thing to me. "Have a good night…

Kate."