Benedict was confused.
Anthony had introduced him to the woman he was dancing with, had basically bullied him into dancing with her, and then disappeared.
Anthony with his stupid lists of requirements and his stupid list of debutantes had handed a woman into his arms that was not on either list, while silently threatening him with pain and suffering if he didn't comply.
So, yes, Benedict was confused.
"Are you enjoying the ball, Miss Sharma?" he asked, stalling for time as he tried to work out exactly what was happening with his brother and this beautiful, if mysterious young woman.
"I am, Mr. Bridgerton."
Benedict had to hop out of the way to keep from being stepped on, making him grow even more confused. Why would Anthony be interested in a girl who couldn't even dance?
"I'm so sorry." She told him, blushing. "I warned Lord Bridgerton I wasn't a strong dancer, I suppose I should have warned you as well."
"That's quite alright, Miss Sharma. I have four younger sisters. I assure you I am quite used to being trod on."
He was surprised when Kate smiled and gave a small laugh.
"Lord Bridgerton said the same."
"I hope you maimed him." Benedict told her, grinning. "He deserves it for all the lessons he abandoned me at because he had 'duties' to attend to. Duties which I'm sure were nothing more than hiding in his office."
"Mr. Bridgerton, are you accusing your brother of underhandedness?" Kate asked with false shock. "I am astonished by the lack of familial respect."
"Familial respect tends to go out the window when there are 8 of you." Benedict told her. "There is wisdom in the old adage 'familiarity breeds contempt'."
Kate laughed and Benedict wondered if the look on her face when she was happy was what had drawn his brother in. While not pretty in the classical sense, she was beautiful, especially when she laughed. He wondered if she'd let him paint her.
He'd certainly be in less danger if she was still as evident by the pain he now had in his toe from her latest misstep.
"I'm so sorry." She said, wincing again.
"I shall survive." He lied with a winning smile not unlike the ones Lord Bridgerton had given her. "How could I not when I am clearly dancing with the most beautiful woman here?"
Benedict realized instantly that this was somehow the wrong thing to say as Kate's expressive face went blank.
"You clearly have not met my sister, sir, if you believe me to be the beautiful one on this floor."
He followed her eyeline and saw a lovely young woman dancing nearby, dressed in light pink, smiling beautifully up at her partner. For a second, Benedict did wonder why he was dancing with this Miss Sharma and not the other when it clicked.
"She's your younger sister?"
Kate smiled and nodded.
That was it. Somehow, someway, in the middle of a crowded ballroom, Anthony had managed to find a kindred spirit. There must be more, Benedict was sure, to have caused Anthony to thrust her into the safety of his younger brother's arms, but he now understood exactly what his older brother's purpose was in putting her there.
"I knew she must be." Benedict continued as if he hadn't just come to a massive revelation about his brother's motives. "Anthony often gets a similar look on his face when he looks at our younger sisters."
Kate looked at him with surprise before grinning, a wicked gleam in her eyes.
"And what about when he looks at his younger brothers?"
Benedict laughed heartily.
"An expression that leads us younger brothers to surmise that he is currently wondering how he can convince Parliament to make fratricide legal."
Kate laughed again and Benedict was convinced.
Anthony had chosen well. Now, all Benedict had to do was decide if his dear older brother was worthy of Miss Kate Sharma.
~.~
Anthony was a coward.
Yes, he probably should check on Mother and Eloise. But, then again, his mother had thrown him to the wolves and Eloise was probably hiding from both of them.
He needed a moment to think. He needed to be away from her, but even the pillar he hid behind smelled of lilies.
It was maddening!
He watched as Benedict led her onto the floor and had to fight the insane urge to march over and sweep her away from him.
This was not the plan.
He wasn't even sure he liked her. She got under his skin, had from the moment he saw her astride on her horse. He found himself wanting to irk her just to see the fire in her eyes. His hand still tingled from where he had touched her waist.
This was supposed to be simple. The Queen was supposed to have picked her diamond, he was supposed to have fulfilled his duty, and that was supposed to be it. No need for longing looks, no need for laughter, no need for feelings.
But he heard her laugh at something Benedict said and knew in his bones that he needed to hear it again. Needed to be the one to prompt it.
She was a Siren and he almost hated her for it.
There was nothing for it. He should stay far, far, far away from her.
He watched as something Benedict said obviously upset her and he clenched his fists, imagining punching his brother happily.
This was not the plan.
Maybe if he kept telling himself that, he would finally remember it, but knew it was futile as he heard her laugh once more.
This was going to be a problem.
~.~
Kate was going crazy.
She could feel it, there was no other explanation. She was going mad and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
First, the man from the woods turns out to be the rake with a capital 'R' Anthony Bridgerton. Second, he seeks out her sponsor to learn her name. Third, he asks her to dance and she says yes. Fourth, he makes her smile. Fifth, he introduces her to his brother, who also asks her to dance and also makes her smile. Sixth…
It was spinning so wildly out of control and she didn't know how to stop it…or even if she wanted to.
Her mind was spinning so fast it was no wonder she kept stepping on Benedict Bridgerton.
"I swear, I was doing so much better with your brother." She told him ruefully. "I promise, I'll find you some ice when this is done."
"Nonsense." He told her gallantly. "My shoes were a little big. The swelling will help them fit better."
Kate shook her head at him, but smiled nonetheless.
"So, Miss Sharma," he continued, "why have we never seen you or your dear sister in Town before?"
"We were raised in India." She told him. "The time never seemed right to come back until now."
"And will you be staying in England after the Season is done?"
Kate shook her head.
"My sister is looking for a husband and will remain. I am only here to help and will be returning to India once she is settled."
Well, that wouldn't do.
"You aren't looking for a husband for yourself?" he questioned innocently.
"I'm content to be a wonderful aunt to my sister's children." She told him. "I simply want my sister to be happy with a husband she loves."
The music came to a close and Kate curtsied to Benedict, who returned it with a bow.
"Thank you for the dance, Mr. Bridgerton, but I must return to my party."
"Of course, Miss Sharma." He replied. "I truly enjoyed our dance and hope to do it again in the future."
"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Bridgerton."
She smiled and took her leave. She spotted her sister also making her way back and moved to link her arm with Edwina's.
"Are you having a good time, Bon?"
Edwina smiled brightly at her.
"Isn't it wonderful, Didi? I never thought it would be this wonderful!"
Kate shook her head fondly at her sister.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Have you met anyone you like in particular?"
"Not particularly." Edwina replied thoughtfully. "Lord Bridgerton was quite kind."
Kate felt her heart stutter in her chest.
"Did you enjoy your dance with him, Kate?" she asked innocently.
"I did." Kate confirmed simply. "He was all that is pleasant."
"Everyone here is!" Edwina gushed. "Everyone is so nice!"
Kate smiled at her sister's bright outlook, wishing she could feel that way.
"Edwina, Kate!" Mary called as they approached.
She and Lady Danbury had been joined by another Mama.
"Girls, I'd like you to meet the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton. Viscountess, these are my daughters, Miss Kate Sharma and Miss Edwina Sharma."
"A pleasure to meet you, ladies." Violet said warmly. "Miss Sharma, did I see you on the floor with my Benedict?"
"You did, my Lady." Kate confirmed. "Both he and Lord Bridgerton were kind enough to suffer through my dancing."
"Do not let her fool you, my Lady." Edwina interjected. "Kate is the one who taught me to dance. She dances just beautifully when she remembers to not lead!"
The other women laughed as Kate blushed.
"I only hope I did not permanently damage Mr. Bridgerton's foot. Lord Bridgerton fared much better." Kate told her.
"Both of my sons have been trod on plenty of times." Violet soothed her. "I am sure they will be fine."
"They both said they helped with your daughter's lessons." Kate confirmed.
"Ah, yes, they did, poor dears." The Bridgerton matriarch said with a laugh. "The elder usually force their youngest brother, Gregory, to be the sacrifice nowadays."
"It's always the youngest!" Edwina said laughingly.
"As if you've ever been forced to do anything, Bon!" Kate shot back, also laughing.
"I will admit that you have always been a gracious older sister, Kate." Edwina replied happily, making the others smile.
"You three must come to tea." Violet told them. "I will send the invitations tomorrow. Now, I must find my three and make sure they aren't making a spectacle of themselves. Sometimes I despair of them ever becoming adults. Ladies, Lady Mary, Lady Danbury."
The others murmured their goodbyes and Lady Mary beamed at her daughters.
"I'm so very proud of you both."
"All we did was dance a few dances, Mary." Kate scoffed.
"You charmed the Bridgertons, Miss Sharma." Danbury told her. "That is not nothing. Their friendship will open opportunities for both of you."
Kate couldn't help but think of Lord Bridgerton's lingering final look.
She was definitely losing her mind.
~.~
Anthony quickly tried to pretend like he hadn't been watching as Benedict approached.
"Give it up, brother. You're a rotten liar."
Anthony scoffed.
"I will have you know, I am an excellent liar."
Benedict just shook his head as he leaned against the pillar next to Anthony.
"You certainly have your work cut out for you." He told him, watching the new set of dancers.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Anthony told him, straightening and starting to walk away.
"She's going back to India."
Anthony froze.
"What are you talking about?" he demanded, spinning back to face his brother.
"At the end of the season." Benedict told him. "She expects to marry off her sister and then return to India. All she cares about is her sister, she doesn't even plan on looking for a husband for herself."
"That's preposterous." He brother shot back. "You must have misunderstood her."
"She said she was content to be her sister's children's favorite aunt." Benedict reported. "She's only planning on remaining until Miss Edwina is settled. Then she returns to India."
Anthony's eyes scoured the room until he spotted her, standing and talking with his mother of all people.
"I thought you were determined to marry for practical reasons, brother." Benedict said, drawing Anthony's attention back. "I'm fairly certain your little list of requirements included the ability to dance and Miss Sharma certainly does not have that accomplishment."
"What are you talking about?" Anthony demanded. "She dances just fine."
"Tell that to my big toe." Benedict shot back. "She stepped on me more often than Eloise does. You're paying for my medical bills when I have to have my toe amputated."
Anthony was quiet, his attention across the ballroom again as Kate's laughter drew him back.
"Seriously, what is it that draws you to her?" Benedict asked softly. "She certainly pretty, but so are many of the other ladies of the ton. And most of them actually live in the country of England."
"I don't know." Anthony replied. "This was not the plan."
Benedict pushed himself away from the pillar and clapped his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Then I think it might be time for a new plan."
Anthony could only agree.