"Do you enjoy Byron?"
Kate wanted to die.
"I have read some, my lord." Edwina replied. "Though I believe myself a novice when it comes to poetry."
"How fortunate to have found such a well-versed teacher in Lord Lumley, then." Kate said blandly.
"Many find poetry a flat medium." Lumley told her. "Words read silently from a page. But I believe it is meant to be read aloud like music. Here, I carry a small pocket copy of my favorites with me wherever I go."
Where was a weapon when she needed one?
"Lady Danbury."
She turned to see another young gentleman approaching the matron and almost groaned.
"I would be so honored if you could facilitate a proper introduction." He was saying. "I fear my calling card got lost in the shuffle at your home this morning."
"Of course." Lady Danbury replied graciously. "Mr. Thomas Dorset allow me to introduce Miss Sharma and Miss Edwina Sharma."
"A pleasure." He said, bowing.
"I am afraid my sister already has an escort for today, Mr. Dorset." Kate told him, not unkindly.
"That is very well." He replied with a smile. "Though I was hoping to speak with you."
Kate glanced at Edwina, who smiled brightly, and sighed, allowing Mr. Dorset to walk beside her.
"How are you finding the Season, Miss Sharma?"
"It is a season." Kate said with a slight chuckle. "Mr. Dorset, I really should – "
"London is a far cry from Bombay." He interrupted, bring her up short. "It is where you traveled from, yes?"
"Yes." She replied.
"I have visited." He told her. "It is a wondrous place. You must miss it dearly."
"Oh, every minute of every day." Kate replied with a slight chuckle. "But most especially at teatime."
She looked around for a moment, spotting Edwina close by.
"We should find our seats." She told him.
"Allow me to join you."
Seeing no way to dissuade him, Kate nodded her agreement.
"Mr. Dorset, you travel widely, then?" Edwina asked a little while later as they reached their seats. "And continuously, it seems."
"Well, for my studies." He told her. "I find medicine particularly fascinating."
"The helping of others is a noble interest, indeed." She replied. "Mr. Dorset is much like you in that regard, sister."
"In what regard?"
Kate felt tension in her shoulders that she hadn't even known she was carrying loosen at the sound of his voice.
"Lord Bridgerton!" Edwina greeted him happily as he joined their little group. "Mr. Dorset was just telling us of his travels."
"Ah, yes, I heard you were back in London, Dorset." Anthony said. "It's good to see you again."
"You as well, Bridgerton." Dorset replied, shaking the other man's hand.
If it was a little tighter than Dorset remembered, he chalked it up to time.
"If you want to hear tales of travels, my younger brother just returned from Greece today." Anthony told them. "I would like to introduce you, Miss Sharma. Perhaps you and Miss Edwina would like to join our family party? Lumley, Dorset you are of course welcome as well."
"I don't know." Kate said, hesitating.
"I fear my mother and Eloise will never forgive me if I return without you." He told her with a warm smile. "And Benedict will simply kill me. You seem to have made quite the impression on my siblings."
Kate blushed, making him smile.
"Oh, of course we shall join them, Kate!" Edwina declared. "It sounds like a wonderful time, does it not, Lord Lumley?"
"It sounds splendid!" he agreed, smiling brightly at her.
Anthony smiled brightly and, before she could stop him, took Kate's hand and tucked it into the crux of his arm. She glared up at him, but he just ignored her as he started to lead her away. As they grew closer to the stands, Kate started to panic. Why on God's green Earth was he taking her to meet his family?
"Anthony!"
A young girl came running up to them and crashed into the Viscount Bridgerton, grabbing him around the waist in a death grip.
"Gregory took the last of the biscuits and won't give me one!"
"Hyacinth – "
"Don't listen to her!"
A slightly older looking boy came right on her heels and skidded to a stop in front of them.
"The biscuits were mine! She already ate her share!"
"But it's not fair! Mine were smaller!"
"Both of you, quiet!"
The two young children fell silent at Anthony's order.
"We have guests." He told them. "And I would like them to think that the Bridgertons produced well mannered children at least for the afternoon!"
"Sorry, Anthony."
"I'm sorry, brother!"
The two children both looked properly contrite and Anthony shook his head.
"May I introduce my youngest siblings, Miss Hyacinth and Mr. Gregory Bridgerton?" he said as the children gave reasonably good curtsies and bows. "Hyacinth, Gregory, this is Mr. Dorset, Lord Lumley, Miss Edwina, and Miss Sharma."
Hyacinth and Gregory exchanged a look before focusing on Kate.
"Miss Sharma, we've been dying to meet you!" the younger girl exclaimed, reaching forward to grab Kate's hand and drag her away from Anthony. "You must sit with us!"
"Do you know much about horses?" Gregory chimed in, pulling at her other hand. She glanced back at Anthony, who shrugged helplessly with a fond smile. "Anthony taught me to ride! I can help you pick a winner!"
"I'm sure your brother has taught you well." Anthony heard her say as his demon siblings pulled Kate away from him.
"I say, Lumley, why don't you and I fetch some lemonades for the ladies?" Dorset suggested.
Lumley instantly seized on this idea.
"Would you like me to fetch you a lemonade, Miss Edwina?"
The smaller woman smiled up at him brightly.
"That sounds lovely, my Lord." She said sweetly. "I'm sure Lord Bridgerton can escort me to our seats while I wait for you to return."
He grinned and rushed off, Dorset trailing after, leaving Anthony suitably impressed by her handling of him.
"My Lord?"
Anthony held out his arm and Edwina took it, allowing him to lead her in the direction his siblings had disappeared with Kate.
"My lord, I feel I must say something." She said, slowing their pace.
"Of course, Miss Edwina." He agreed, slowing his pace to match hers.
She was quiet for a moment as she gathered her thoughts, making him curious as to what she wanted to speak of.
"My sister is very protective of me." She told him softly. "After Appa died, Mama was inconsolable for quite a long time."
Anthony had to resist the urge to physically shake away the memories of his own mother.
"Kate took care of me," she continued, "made sure I was safe and as happy as I could be. I am not unaware that she sacrificed her own happiness at times to secure mine."
"It is the duty of the eldest to provide for the younger." Anthony told her.
"I thought you might understand." Edwina stopped them so she could look directly at him. "My sister deserves all the happiness in the world, all the happiness she has always tried to give me. I know she is stubborn and outspoken, but she loves with a fierceness I have rarely seen. I want her to find someone who will treasure her, someone who will help her shoulder the burdens she has carried for too long. She often says that she wants me to find a love match; well, I want the same for her. I am not ignorant of your reputation, nor of our lack of dowry and standing. I am asking you to take care. Please do not hurt my sister."
Anthony reached over and squeezed her hand where is still rested against his arm.
"Your candor does both you and Miss Sharma credit." He told her softly. "Not many ladies of the ton would speak as passionately in defense of anyone, even a sister. That quality is one of the first things that drew me to your sister. You have my word; no harm will come to your sister as long as I can prevent it."
"Thank you, my Lord." Edwina said, seeming to relax at his words. "Now, I suggest you take me to my sister…before she comes looking."
Anthony laughed and proceeded to do as she said. They found Kate between Hyacinth and Gregory, each trying to sway her to their side in what ever argument they were now having.
"Everything alright?" she asked as Edwina joined her. "Where did Lord Lumley go?"
"He and Mr. Dorset went to get us lemonades." Her sister replied. "I'm sure they'll be back presently."
"Miss Sharma, Miss Edwina."
They turned to find Benedict approaching with Colin at his side.
"Mr. Bridgerton!" Kate greeted happily. "I trust you've recovered from our last dance?"
"Mostly." He replied, returning her grin. "But I have brought you a new victim. Miss Sharma, Miss Edwina, may I present our younger brother, Colin?"
"A pleasure to meet you, ladies." Colin said, bowing to the women who dipped curtsies in return.
"You as well, Mr. Bridgerton." Kate said. "Lord Bridgerton says you just returned from Greece?"
"I did." He answered happily. "Benedict says you just arrived from India recently?"
"At the beginning of the Season." She confirmed. "It was a very long trip."
"That's the part I dislike the most, the waiting to arrive." He told her. "But once you reach your destination, it's like you've found the place you were fated to be."
"What a lovely way of thinking of it." Edwina said thoughtfully.
The commotion of the crowd was growing, so Anthony held his arm out to Kate.
"Shall we find our seats?"
Kate nodded and took his arm, while Benedict offered his to Edwina, and allowed him to lead her to the stands.
"Miss Sharma, Miss Edwina!" Lady Bridgerton greeted them happily. "It's lovely to see you again!"
"You as well, Lady Bridgerton." Kate said, smiling brightly.
"Did Lady Mary not accompany you?" she asked and Kate shook her head.
"Mama doesn't enjoy horse racing." Edwina explained. "Kate is the real horsewoman in our family. She loves to ride."
"Well, tell your mama that I would love to have her for tea tomorrow, if she is available."
"I believe she is, my Lady." Kate said. "We'll have her send a confirmation when we arrive home."
Violet thanked her before shooing the younger men and women off. Hyacinth and Gregory scrambled to sit on either side of Kate as the group took their seats, but Anthony glared at Gregory until he reluctantly moved to the other side of Hyacinth. Anthony took his seat next to Kate with a smug smile, making her giggle.
"Miss Sharma, who do you think is going to win?" Hyacinth asked excitedly.
"Obviously Nectar will be the victor." Anthony said immediately. "Well-bred, highly trained, and well-favored."
"Nectar." Kate repeated dismissively. "Really?"
"Yes, I have a feeling about him."
Why did he enjoy it so when she argued with him?
"A feeling." She muttered.
"Pardon me?"
"You simply chose the horse everyone else has chosen." She told him with a smirk. "Quite a 'feeling'."
Anthony laughed.
"I made a strategic bet." He told her, utterly enjoying the way she scoffed at him. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had dared disagree with him.
"So, you've considered your horse's temperament, as well as the conditions of the track, in order to properly assess its true potential?" she shot back, clearly having fun arguing with him.
"Nectar is a prize steed." Anthony pointed out.
"Nectar ran well at Doncaster, but that was a firmer course." Kate told him. "The weather was much cooler; thus his size was an advantage."
"Well, who is your pick, then, Miss Sharma?" he demanded.
"High Flyer."
Anthony stared at her.
"High Flyer." He repeated skeptically.
"Yes, High Flyer." She confirmed. "Today the track is soft and it is hot, meaning your dear Nectar will struggle to make headway, over heat, and slow down during the final leg, giving High Flyer, a much swifter, lighter, cooler horse the victory."
"You think too much about it." He told her fondly.
"And you, too little." She replied, amusement clear in her voice.
"Alright, then, why don't we have a wager?" he asked innocently.
Kate didn't even bother to try to reign in her competitive spirit.
"What are your terms, my Lord?"
Anthony grinned a wicked grin.
"If your clearly second rate horse wins, I will provide a gift of similar value to what you might have won today with the bookkeepers."
Kate raised an eyebrow. Given the odds on High Flyer, that could be a substantial amount of money.
"And if your clearly deficient horse wins?"
"If my clearly magnificent horse wins," he said, leaning closer as his voice dropped, "you, Miss Sharma, will reserve your first dance at every ball for the rest of the Season for me."
Kate met his eyes and felt a tightening in her stomach at the warmth shinning back at her from his them. After a moment, she nodded her agreement and he smiled softly.
"I look forward to my dances, Miss Sharma."
"I look forward to my gift, Lord Bridgerton."
Edwina cleared her throat and the two quickly sprang apart, looking sheepish.
"I wonder where Lord Lumley and Mr. Dorest have wandered off to." She said blandly.
Kate cleared her throat and pulled further away from Anthony to look around.
"I think I see them over there, Bon." She told her sister, pointing to where the men were approaching from.
"Sorry for the delay." Dorset said, handing a cup to Kate as Lumley sat next to Edwina, handing her her own cup.
"That's alright." Edwina said brightly. "Lord Bridgerton was keeping us entertained. He and Kate have strong feelings about horses, apparently."
Kate glared at her sister, who just smiled serenely back.
"Do you have a favorite, Miss Edwina?" Lumley asked, drawing Edwina back into conversation as Dorset tried to find a seat.
He was finally forced to take the seat on the other side of Gregory, much to Anthony's amusement.
"Brother, can I bet on High Flyer?" Hyacinth asked.
"Traitor." He replied with mock severity. "And no, you are a lady and ladies cannot place bets."
"Can I?" Gregory asked excitedly.
"No."
"But I'm not a lady!" the youngest Bridgerton brother complained making Anthony sigh in defeat.
"If Miss Sharma's horse by some miracle wins," he studiously ignored her glare, "I will take you both riding in Hyde Park. Fair enough?"
"You are my favorite brother!" Hyacinth told him happily.
"I heard that!" Colin called from his conversation with Benedict. "Not five hours after I've returned from Greece with ample presents and already I've been supplanted!"
"Presents are not enough to keep your place in this family, brother dear." Eloise told him as she passed to sit behind Kate. "Good afternoon, Miss Sharma. I hope you are prepared for the bad sports that are my brothers in defeat."
"I admit I am not particularly graceful in my defeats, either." Kate admitted, pointedly ignoring her sister's snort. "And if there is a chance you are going to see my like that, you must call me Kate."
"And I should be Eloise," the other girl told her, "since my display will likely be as unladylike."
Kate smiled and nodded before turning back as Eloise turned to annoy Benedict.
"I hope you're prepared for defeat, Miss Sharma." Anthony said with a grin.
"Never, Lord Bridgerton." Kate replied, her grin matching his.
~.~
"It seems your guest has caught the attention of the Viscount, Lady Danbury." Violet said as the other matron sat next to her.
"It would seem so." Danbury agreed. "Though not the guest I anticipated."
"No, I was surprised by his choice as well." Violet said, watching as Anthony and Kate laughed at something Gregory said. "But they seem to suit each other well. I can't remember the last time I heard him laugh…" Violet shook her head before smiling at her friend. "It's good to seem him laugh again."
"I am sure." Danbury agreed sympathetically. "You know she has no dowry?"
Violet nodded.
"No son of mine has need of a wife with a dowry. I'd prefer it, of course, but if she is who Anthony wants, I won't stand in his way."
"As the girls' sponsor, I should like to remain neutral." The other matron told her. "But as your friend, I will tell you there may be an obstacle in your son's path."
"Oh?"
"The elder Miss Sharma is slavishly devoted to her sister's cause, to the exclusion of her own. Your son will likely need to demonstrate patience if she is his to be his chosen bride. I greatly doubt she will agree to wed before Miss Edwina is settled."
Violet was silent for a moment, simply observing the couple as they spoke. Something Kate said made Anthony grin and whatever he said in return made her glare at him before laughing.
"I am confident that loyalty to family above all else is a concept my son will understand." She said finally. "She is not necessarily the one I would have chosen, but all I really want is for him to be happy. I hope he will let himself be happy."
"I hope she will." Danbury replied.
The two women fell silent again, just watching the couple below.
~.~
The Bridgerton party was loud and rambunctious, talking across family and guests about everything and anything as they waited for the race to start. As the bell finally rang, Kate and Anthony were on their feet, yelling and cheering, to the amusement of both their siblings.
"Yes, that's it Nectar!" Anthony shouted.
"Come now, High Flyer!" Kate yelled just as loudly. "Yes!"
"Steady! Steady!"
"Come now, High Flyer!"
Kate put her fingers to her lips and let loose an ear shattering whistle that had Anthony turning to stare at her first in shock and then delight before the race stole back his attention as Nectar began to fall behind.
"Come on!"
"Do you think we ought to separate them?" Eloise asked drolly.
"It's all in good spirit." Edwina said. Eloise gave her a skeptical look and she just shrugged. "I think."
"Yes, I am having such fun." Lumley announced, making Edwina smile at him fondly.
"Come on!" Anthony shouted as Nectar pulled even further behind.
"Yes!" Kate yelled. "Oh! Yes! Yes!"
"Come on!"
Anthony groaned as Nectar passed the finish line just behind High Flyer.
"I must say," Kate turned to face him, smug in her victory, "I have never bested a viscount before. Beating you feels the same, but some how smells all the sweeter."
"Come now, Miss Sharma." Anthony said lowly, enjoying the way her eyes darkened as he leaned closer to be heard over the crowd. "I seem to remember another victory lap in a wood not far from here."
"I have no idea what you could possibly mean, my Lord Bridgerton." Kate replied, her grin positively wicked. "I would never be out besting unnamed lords in the woods without a chaperone."
"Of course not." He replied, returning her grin. "My mistake."
"Kate, does Nectar not remind you of the beloved horse I used to adore?" Edwina asked, pulling her attention away from Anthony. "Do you remember the one?"
"I remember you admired him from a distance and panicked any time he drew close." Kate said with a teasing smile.
"Well, he was quite large." Edwina shot back, only a touch petulantly.
"Yes, he was, Bon." Kate agreed, placating her. "Perhaps Lord Lumley would like to see Nectar…from a distance, of course."
Edwina, to her credit, only glared at her sister for a moment before accepting Lumley's arm as he seized on the idea. Kate rose to follow them and was surprised when Anthony followed suit, offering her his arm.
"Clearly, I must meet the horse that has cost me so much money." He told her when she looked at him quizzically.
Kate shook her head, but took his arm nonetheless, allowing him to lead her after her sister.
"You really do not need to give me a gift, my Lord." She told him. "I am satisfied simply in the knowledge that I beat you."
"Now, Miss Sharma," Anthony said with mock severity, "had I won, I would have insisted you follow our agreement to the letter. You must do me the same courtesy." He took a moment to grin down at her. "After all, I already have your gift picked out."
"And what is it that you'll be giving me, my Lord?" Kate asked with a raised eyebrow.
"That is for me to know and for you to find out." He replied smugly.
Kate just glared at him.
"You are an infuriating man, my Lord."
Anthony glared mockingly back.
"And you are an impatient woman, my Lady."
Kate's heart stumbled at the honorific he had used. Surely, he didn't mean anything by it. How could he? She wasn't a lady, not in that sense, just the stepdaughter of one. Edwina would be the Lady, the one who would save them.
Lord Bridgerton must have noticed her silence, because he slowed them, turning to look at her.
"Are you alright, Miss Sharma?" he asked gently. "Did I upset you? I did not – "
"Nothing of the sort." She assured him, forcing herself to smile. "I was simply overheated for a moment. I'm better now."
"If you're sure." Anthony replied, clearly unconvinced but unsure if he should push.
Kate needed to get away from him. He was confusing her, distracting her from the plan.
Edwina.
Kate stiffened her spine and turned away from him.
"I am sure, my Lord."
They continued on, Anthony somewhat reluctantly in his confusion at her change of demeanor, and found Edwina and Lord Lumley admiring Nectar.
"Kate, it is dreadful!" Edwina exclaimed as her sister arrived at her side. "They say Nectar is to be sent to the knacker's yard!"
"That unfortunately happens, Bon." Kate replied.
"But it's so unfair!"
Kate wanted to cry.
"It often is." She said, taking a steadying breath. "I think we should return home, Edwina. I find I don't feel particularly well."
"Of course, Didi." Edwina agreed instantly.
She turned back to Lumley and began to say her goodbyes.
"If you are unwell, allow me to escort you home." Anthony said softly.
"There is no need, Lord Bridgerton." Kate replied, her smile tight.
She took Edwina's arm and began to walk away, but Anthony grabbed her hand, making her stop in shock.
"Please." He whispered. "Tell me what is wrong so I may fix it."
Kate gave him a sad smile.
"There is nothing to fix. Good day, Lord Bridgerton."
With that, she pulled away and he was left staring after her.