"She brought him back to a state of childhood; that's the only reason I could figure why Anthony started smiling again once Kate showed up.
She reminded him what it was like to enjoy life and be carefree again."
"Tell me what you got your Masters in. I'd love to hear all about your time at UofA." "Well…." I began before the enormous speaker cut me off. "The match will start in five minutes! Please make your way to your seats!" The announcer chimed. I waited for him to finish before glancing around ponderingly, to which Friedrich took notice of.
"Something the matter, Kate?" "It's my sister; I thought she'd be back by now," my eyes scanned over the incoming bustle of fans, which Edwina was not a part of. "Would you like to give her a call?" Friedrich suggested and I shook my head. "I didn't bring my phone with me, and I don't remember her number," nugh! Of all the days for me to leave my phone at home! The gentle German blinked to me in surprise. "You don't have your phone?" "I usually don't bring it with me unless I have to; it's a habit I forced myself into back in undergrad." "You don't want to be distracted?" "Well no, not if I'm talking to you," this was meant to be a general "you", as in anyone and everyone, but I think Friedrich took it personally. In fact I knew he did- his charmed grin told me so. He stood up, reaching out his hand for me to take again. "There's still time. Let's go find your sister." I gazed up at him a tad reluctantly. I wasn't reluctant to go with him, but I didn't really want to leave our seats in case Edwina was properly lost and we'd miss the start of the game. Edwina wouldn't care if she missed it, and I knew she'd be ok- at the very least anyway- with Anthony, so that wasn't a pressing concern. Plus she had her phone on her…. And I didn't want Friedrich to miss the starter either…
But I didn't have to contemplate the situation for long. "Kate!" My sister's voice rang down from the other side of the row, over on Friedrich's end. We both looked to see Edwina hurrying towards us, waving her arm so to grab our, or rather my attention. I don't think it registered in her mind yet that Friedrich was sitting "with" me; not just beside me. He watched her, his eyes widening a little. "Is that your sister?" Friedrich proceeded to ask me and I nodded. But this nod was followed by an immediate frown when I suddenly locked eyes with Anthony, who was trailing my sister. He saw me, and I wanted to instantly disappear. Siena's words still rang loud and clear in my head about him, and I already had a low opinion of his moral character. Sure, he was the hottest, most perfect-looking human to ever walk the earth, b-but that didn't mean anything! Of course it didn't! Beauty, even flawless beauty, was only skin-deep. He was like the devil especially designed to lure me in, and I wasn't having it! I wore a prominent frown as they approached us. Friedrich was still standing up, and shifted in such a way so that he was standing sideways between us now, gazing over at Edwina curiously.
"Oh! Forgive me! I think I am sitting in your seat," he spoke to her, and I listened attentatively to Edwina's tone as she replied. This bubble of hope began to balloon in my chest as she ogled up at Friedrich; I could see it in her eyes. She CLEARLY liked what she saw, not that I'm surprised; men like Friedrich had always been her type, so to speak. Her eyes grew a little, her mouth dropping open a sliver. Heh, she never looked at Anthony like that before. True, he may never smile around her, but she never drooled over him either. This is a good sign! But I didn't want to play my hand too hard, lest Edwina figure out what I'm doing. I had to be sneaky with this if I wanted her to get to know how truly wonderful Friedrich is and how much better a match he'd be for her.
After a second of heh, gawking, my sister's shoulders stiffened up, as did her arms down at her sides. "N-No! That's fine. We'll…. We'll just sit on the other side! No problem!" Oooooooh her pitch is higher than normal; she likes him! Or she thinks he's attractive anyway; that's a start. Friedrich gave a charming, polite smile, stepping out of the way and outstretching his long, toned arm. "Please, you should have the better seat. Take mine; then you might sit beside your sister," he said this, and both Anthony and Edwina blinked to me startled. I was actively avoiding Anthony's stare, instead addressing my sister.
"Edwina, this is Friedrich uh… Erm, I'm sorry! I can't pronounce your last name," I gazed at him unsure, and he cocked a refreshing smile back my way before turning to my sister. "Friedrich Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Sharma," he shook Edwina's hand, making me very happy. It got even better when the skin right beneath her eyes coloured a little- something that rarely happened. "The pleasure's all mine! I-I'm Edwina Sharma, Kate's younger sister." Friedrich grinned before releasing her hand, clasping them behind his back, and glancing over at his shoulder back at me again. "I knew it. Your sister is very agreeable, Kate," the instant this left his lips, Edwina's blushing increased which Friedrich did not notice. Nor did Anthony I'm afraid to admit…. He was instead still staring, or should I say glaring, at us right now, obviously unamused with the situation…..
For some reason.
Anthony's hands also clasped behind his back, mirroring Friedrich's posture- again, for some unknown reason. The two men finally made eye contact. "I was unaware of any party joining us this afternoon." "Ah! My apologizes; I did not mean to show up uninvited. I ran into Kate quite unexpectedly down in the rafters. It was a pleasant surprise on both our accounts," Friedrich innocently smiled; Anthony, not so much. His lips pursed together slight in that annoyed way of his. "Was it?" Oh boy, I could already tell by the tone of his voice that he did NOT like Friedrich, which is insane cause Friedrich is the nicest man on the planet! He could learn a thing or two from such a pillar of the Berlin community.
Rolling my eyes internally, I sensed that it would be wise for me to step in and explain ourselves. "Friedrich and I met at the ball back at Buckingham Palace." "Really?! I didn't see you dance together," Edwina gasped lightly, looking to me surprised. I shook my head. "We didn't meet on the dance floor. No, we met elsewhere, after I sought refuge from a rather unpleasing conversation I had the misfortune to overhear," my eyes were glaring daggers in Anthony's direction when I proclaimed this, causing him to finally glance back at me with equal irritation.
Friedrich also glanced back my way, slightly confused and alarmed by this revelation. "Is that why you came? Oh, my dear Kate; I'm so sorry! Should I have known you were in distress, I would have offered to escort you home," there was real concern in his tone, which made me grin back at the lovely Friedrich. I hope Edwina's listening; this is how a REAL man treats a woman. "That's really kind of you, Friedrich, but I was ok. It all turned out for the best in the end," I said and immediately regretted it. No, it did NOT turn out for the best; what the hell was I saying? I don't even know where that stupid word-choice came from. That weird sensation gnawed in the pit of my stomach again when Friedrich proceeded to flash me a relieved, enchanted, grateful smile. "Yes…. Yes, I suppose it did," he nodded softly.
Both Edwina and Anthony's eyes drifted from him back over to me; both wearing VERY different expressions. Edwina gave me her signature "you did something disappointing" look again, trying to keep a smile.
"You could have at least introduced us. Kate doesn't have many friends here in London, you see. I've been trying to get her out and around people more, but she's too busy reading and going to museums," she spoke to the kind German man. "Oh, Friedrich already knows about my love of museums," I countered with a sly grin. Friedrich also grinned back in my direction once more- he did that a lot I noticed. "Indeed, your sister has fine tastes to be sure. But please do not be offended, Edwina. May I call you Edwina?" And that bright tint returned underneath her eyes as she nodded very quickly. Friedrich continued. "I would not wish to interrupt you party at the ball. Kate and I only met under very unusual circumstances." "You still could have come to the dancefloor to find us," she pressed and Friedrich gave me such a warm, kind glance just then. "Oh yes, very easily so.
I could pick out your sister's smile in any crowd."
"Will you be joining us for the match?" Anthony cut Friedrich right off at the knees here, shooting him another harsh glare, which Friedrich completely misinterpreted, as did Edwina. She blinked, like coming out of a daze, and FINALLY remembered her "fiancé's" presence behind her. And judging by Anthony's tone, I bet he was hoping Friedrich's answer would be "no".
Edwina's hand suddenly lifted up towards Anthony's direction, though she kept her eyes locked onto Friedrich once more while speaking. "Oh! Sorry! Friedrich, allow me to introduce you to my fiancé, the Viscount Anthony Bridgerton." "Your fiancé?! Well I must say, the Sharma ladies certainly have fine taste in gentlemen as well. It is a privilege to know you, sir," Friedrich's hand stuck out, which Anthony reluctantly shook. "Charmed," he was not charmed. I has to suppress a smile from erupting over my lips; this was amusing. Edwina and Friedrich were taking everything so seriously, yet neither of them could see how annoyed Anthony clearly was. Why he's annoyed? I have no idea. Probably a rich-boy problem I'll never understand. But it was amusing to witness….
I liked seeing Anthony Bridgerton squirm like this.
After they shook hands, Friedrich motioned to the two free seats beside us. "Please, sit!" I should note that there was one seat left vacant to my right and left side, and Friedrich was currently to my right. It was me, him, and then the "happy couple" beside Friedrich, leaving me at the end. Which I was perfectly fine with! I'd like to sit next to Edwina but the closer she is to Friedrich- so that she might talk to him more- the better. I didn't mind sitting beside him only if it meant they were nearer together.
Sigh, but of course Anthony had to be difficult and ruin everything. Awe! And Friedrich was sitting right next to Edwina now too! And Anthony and I were at opposite ends of each other, where I wanted to remain. Too bad he had other plans- the sneak.
"Before I do, I could not help but notice the ladies are without refreshments," Anthony stated and I rolled my eyes. "We're fine. The game's about to start." "It is an un-seasonably hot day, and any gentleman would…." As was to his devious plan, the innocent Friedrich cut him off, turning around to face me. "He's right, Kate; it is rather sunny out. I'll go fetch you both something to drink." "Oh, you don't have to do that, Friedrich!" "Nonsense! Can't have you going thirsty. What would you like?"
Edwina and I looked at each other, a bit in awe. "Um, a berry cider?" My sister answered in a timid voice. "Lemonade or water, whichever is easiest for you to find," I then said. He gave me a grin. "Won't be long." "I'll come with you to help carry them," I offered but he waved his hand gracefully at me. "Thank you, but I don't want you to miss the start of the game, Kate. I'll be back very soon." We all watched him go, Anthony finally letting a stupid victory smirk cross his stupid lips once he did. But before he had a chance to say anything I glanced to my sister. "You see, Edwina? Some men actually ask women what they want." "I would have gotten drinks you would've liked," Anthony retorted, making me roll my eyes again. "Suuuuuuuure."
But my frown couldn't have been more unimpressed as he then hastily sat down in between Edwina and I. Anthony meanwhile was acting more casually now, even having the audacity to spread out his arms a little, inching a tad too close to me. "Splendid day for a football match!" His tone earned him a sharp glare. "That's Friedrich's seat." "On the contrary, Miss Sharma. This is MY seat, according to our tickets," he gave me another triumph, mocking grin. I wanted to throttle him; he's so insufferable!
Well, if Anthony's plan was to keep Friedrich away from my precious little sister, it worked. Friedrich returned just before the ball dropped, and he sat to my left. Nugh! This is NOT how I planned to watch this game, sitting here sandwiched in between two men. I was perfectly happy sitting next to Friedrich, but why did Anthony have to sit so close? These seats weren't big either; he was very near me, which made me feel all sorts of ways. I just wanted to watch a football match in peace but nooooooooooo.
Oh well maybe I did enjoy the game more than I initially thought I would. Friedrich and Anthony were clearly having a good time, hollering and cheering for the team. It was weird…. seeing them both act this way. This strange, warm pulse started in the centre of my chest, particularly whenever Anthony smiled without reserve. I took note that it was never at Edwina; a fact which still confused and bothered me. She seemed to be enjoying herself too, though it was apparent that this wasn't really her thing. She was here for Anthony and I; that much was clear. Oh, if only she got to speak to Friedrich more; then she'd see how charming and lovely he is.
The match turned out to be a really good one, but it was only at the end that things got….. weird again. Our team won the game, and the stands went crazy. Everyone was cheering and shouting, including the men we were with. Even I stood up with the rest of the crowd, being lodged there in between Anthony and Friedrich. And that's when it happened.
My eyes enlarged to an enormous degree as I felt two arms stretch out behind my back; one from each side. Both Friedrich and Anthony were extending their arms out pull me in closer, or so they could stand nearer to me; and neither of them was aware that the other was also doing it. It was like an unconscious act of pure glee on their parts- I doubt they were aware what they were doing. Furthermore, Anthony's other arm was securely tucked into his side, not reaching out for Edwina. I was unsure if she saw or not, but I did, and I was horrified.
I have no clue as to why, but just then, I heard Siena's words echo once more in the dark recesses of my mind. Slowly my vision shifted over to Anthony's face, this warm burning in my chest beginning to grow. His arm was still up against my back, not exactly touching it but very, very close to it. His hand was closed in a fist, proving that he hadn't thought of touching me; his arm just jerked that way….. The same with Friedrich. And the only thing they had in common was that they're both acting happy now, merry….
My lips parted a sliver as I continued to observe Anthony's expression discreetly. His own eyes were wide with enjoyment and his smile reached all the way up to his ears. I'd never seen him like this before….. So loose and light-hearted, untroubled….. My sweating heart skipped at beat when his eyes trailed over to mine, looking at me joyously. I think Anthony forgot that Edwina or Friedrich were there with us in that instant. He just gazed at me like I was the only person in the world, staring directly, exclusively, effortlessly at me for a sheer second. One single second.
And smiled.