Sleep came with difficulty to Kate that night. The soiree had concluded unsatisfactorily for her, as none of the men seemed to catch Edwina's eye. Her only solace had been Lord Bridgerton at her side the whole night. He had made her smile even when anxiety had begun to overtake her and she was grateful for his solidness as he supported her.
But now morning was here and she was going to tell him everything.
She just hoped he didn't hate her when she was done.
Despite Lady Danbury's obvious dislike for her riding out alone, no one tried to stop her as she saddled her borrowed horse and rode out of Mayfair. Every step took her closer to where Anthony was supposed to be waiting and it took all of her will to not turn tail and run. She had decided to trust him, however bad a decision that was, and she would stick to it.
She rounded a corner and saw him leaning against the tree his horse was tied to, obviously waiting for her. It was utterly unfair how attractive he was, leading her to once again wonder why he seemed to be interested in her.
She knew the moment he spotted her because he suddenly smiled, making her heart skip a beat, and straightened.
"Good morning, Miss Sharma." He said as she dismounted.
"Good morning, Lord Bridgerton." She replied, returning his smile with one of her own.
He took her hand as she reached him and pulled it to his mouth to press a kiss to the back of it. The feel of his lips on her glove sent a heat rushing through her that was hard to control, but she managed to smile and stay still as he released her.
"Now, you asked me here to tell me something, I believe." He said, all playfulness leaving him. "Please, tell me why you will not have another Season."
Kate sighed and hesitated, trying to organize her thoughts, which was made more difficult by his proximity. Seeing she needed a moment, Anthony took her hand once more and led her to a nearby log that was just big enough for them to sit side by side on. He helped her sit before taking his seat next to her, patiently waiting for her to begin.
"I imagine you've heard the rumors about my father and Lady Mary?" she asked, waiting for him to nod before continuing. "Mary and my father loved each other very much. Running away together wasn't some big rebellion on their part, just the only option they had to be together. They just loved each other that much. So much so that it rather destroyed Mary when he died."
Anthony felt a surge of sympathy for Kate, remembering his own interactions with his mother after the death of his father.
"Someone had to step into her role, Edwina was so young and she needed her mother, but Mary couldn't do it. She needed time, so I gave her that. I taught Edwina everything she needed to know to not only survive, but to thrive and I made sure she never knew of any of the difficulties our family was facing. But things got harder.
Kate took a steadying breath.
"When Mary left England, her parents, the Sheffields, cut her off completely. My father managed his affairs well before his death, but he was still just a secretary. While he was alive it didn't matter, but after his death, money became an issue."
Anthony had known they had similar situations, but he had never really stopped to consider the differences. Edmund Bridgerton had been a good Viscount and the Bridgertons had never hurt for money, even with seven children to provide for. Yes, the shock of becoming Viscount at the tender age of eighteen had been hard to bear, had changed who he was fundamentally, but at least he had been stepping into a role that was secure enough to allow him to grow into it.
Kate had not had any such luxury.
"Mary eventually came back to us, but by then our coffers were running dangerously low." Kate told him. "I had to come up with a way to save us, so I wrote the Sheffields without telling Mary or Edwina. They agreed to help us."
Anthony felt his heart sink.
"There were conditions?" he asked softly when she seemed to have a hard time going on.
"As Lady Danbury put it, they couldn't control Mary's marriage, so they want to control Edwina's." Kate replied. "They agreed to settle a considerable dowry on her and to take care of Mary, but Edwina must marry an Englishman of nobility. Everything we had went into the trip to England. Lady Danbury is paying for everything else out of loyalty to Mary. If Edwina cannot find a husband before the end of the Season, we are finished. If we are to be saved, Edwina must marry."
Anthony stood up, moving away as his mind whirled.
"Lady Danbury knows?" he asked, starting to pace.
Kate nodded.
"She wrote to the Sheffields independently of me." She told him. "She was hoping for a reconciliation."
"And I take it Lady Mary and Miss Edwina still don't know about the Sheffields' stipulation?"
Kate shook her head this time.
"If Edwina knew, she would marry the first man to propose and I don't want that for her. It is my duty to protect my family, she shouldn't have to pay for my failings. She deserves to be happy with someone she loves. I won't put this burden on her."
Something Kate said finally clicked in Anthony's brain.
"You said they would settle a dowry on Miss Edwina and take care of Lady Mary." He said slowly. "But what of you?"
"I am not their blood." Kate said simply. "Once Edwina is married and Mary is taken care of, I am to return to India, where I will become a governess."
Rage filled Anthony's body but he couldn't seem to figure out who it was directed at. Lady Mary for leaving her daughter to manage affairs she never should have had to worry about? The Sheffields for denying the bond that so clearly existed between stepmother and stepdaughter? Or Kate herself for accepting it all so easily?
Anthony forced himself to be calm, turning the problem of the Sharma's situation over in his mind like a puzzle. He would leave Kate's matter of fact pronouncement about returning to India for another time.
Right now, a plan was forming.
"My mother is planning a country party at our ancestral home in Kent." He told her suddenly, stopping his pacing to face her.
"Alright." Kate said, clearly confused about the sudden change in subject.
"Mother always invites too many women in an effort to marry off her sons and has to scramble to find enough men." He continued. "But she has been thwarted by Eloise when it comes to matchmaking and neither Benedict nor Colin are interested in marrying this Season. I believe that if I were to suggest that she take an interest in Miss Edwina's prospects, she would expand her guest list to include more eligible men of the ton. I know for a fact she adores you and your sister and has become rather good friends with Lady Mary. I'm sure she will agree to help."
Kate stared at him, surprise clear on her face.
"You're going to help me?" she asked in a small voice.
Anthony smiled.
"I told you last night I would." He replied, squatting down in front of her to take her hands in his. "I am here to support you in any way I can."
Kate looked down at their joined hands, fighting back tears.
"I do have one request, though."
She looked back up at him, suddenly suspicious.
"And what would that be, my Lord?"
"My family and I are leaving a week early to spend some time away from the ton at Aubrey Hall." He told her. "Daphne and Simon will be joining us. I want you to come with us. You and Lady Mary and Miss Edwina. Even Lady Danbury if she amenable. I know Simon would love to see her."
"My Lord…" Kate trailed off, seeming at a loss for words.
"I want to show you my home." He told her softly. "I want to spend time with you, away from the prying eyes of the ton. Most of all, I want to give you time to relax, to not worry about the next party or soiree that you need to chaperone for Miss Edwina. Spend a week with us in the country and then you and I will tackle the problem of the lack of suitable men together. Please, Miss Sharma. Allow me this."
Kate met his eyes and finally allowed herself to see what was there, the thing she had been hiding from.
Love.
Neither of them may have been willing to say it out loud, but she knew in her bones that Anthony Bridgerton was falling for her, and her for him. She knew this was dangerous territory they were walking in, but she couldn't stop. Instead, she found herself nodding.
"Yes." She whispered. "I'll convince Mary. We'll join you in Kent."
Anthony beamed and squeezed her hands once before letting go. He got to his feet and held out a hand to help her up.
"I doubt you'll have to work too hard to convince her." He told her, leading her back to her horse. "I will be delivering the invitation personally and I am known to be quite charming."
"And oh so humble, my Lord." Kate shot back, feeling steadier as they returned to their normal sparing.
"I'm glad you noticed!" He said, smirking. "Honestly, my humility is one of my best features."
Before she could think better of it, Kate reached out and pushed him, causing him to stumble back a step. Before she could apologize, he grabbed her arm, pulling her to him. As he caught her in his arms, her eyes met his and they both froze.
Dangerous territory indeed.
"I should go." Kate said, her voice low. "Lady Danbury will be missing her horse."
"I am expected at Bridgerton House." Anthony agreed, not moving to let her go.
Kate's other hand came up to rest on his chest, seemingly of its own volition. She marveled at the softness of the fabric and tried desperately to not think of how easy it would be to reach up and pull him down to her lips.
There was a sound and the spell was broken, but instead of springing apart, Anthony took her hand from his chest and lifted it to his mouth to press a kiss to her palm. Kate's breathing grew ragged and Anthony's brown eyes were practically black as he let her go.
"Until later, Miss Sharma." He said softly, stepping back.
Kate took a steadying breath.
"Until later, Lord Bridgerton."
She turned and swung herself up into the saddle, giving him one last look, before taking off at a gallop.
She didn't slow the whole way back to Danbury House.
~.~
Anthony made it back to Bridgerton House in time to break his fast with the family.
"Are you planning on going to Danbury House today, darling?" his mother asked.
"I am." He confirmed. "And speaking of the Sharmas, I would like to speak to you about the country party."
"What about it?" his mother asked, confused.
Anthony could understand her confusion, given that he had never shown any interest in what his mother did when hosting.
"Miss Sharma is concerned about her sister's prospects." He told her.
"As she should be." Eloise interjected. "That lot last night were awful."
"Careful, Eloise." Her mother told her. "Your future husband might have been part of that lot and you didn't even know it."
"If he is, I am vowing to remain a spinster from this moment on." Eloise shot back. "I would rather that fate than the worse one of being trapped with one of the idiots that made a spectacle of themselves last night."
"Be that as it may," Anthony interrupted, trying to get the conversation back on track, "I assured her that you would be willing to forgo your usual invitations to only the ladies of the ton and then scrambling to balance the numbers and instead invite a selection of acceptable suitors for a young lady."
"This is important to you?" Violet asked.
"It's important to Miss Sharma." He replied. "Therefore, it is important to me."
Violet beamed at her eldest son.
"Well, I shall have to add some invitations, but I'll take care of it, dear." She assured him.
"I also want to invite the Sharma's and Lady Danbury to join us for the week before."
The whole table went silent.
"Brother, are you going to propose to Miss Sharma?" Hyacinth asked.
"I'm hoping to. Maybe not during this trip, but soon." He answered his youngest sibling who was sitting next to him. "Would that be alright with you?"
"Yes!" she told him happily. "I do like her ever so much."
"I do, too." He told her. "I'm glad you like her."
"Anthony, are you sure?" Violet asked softly.
"I thought you liked her, mother." He replied, frowning.
"I do!" she assured him quickly. "But…she may have a hard time being accepted by the ton."
"But if I chose her, you will support her?" he pressed.
"Of course I will." Violet seemed almost offended. "I think she would make a splendid Viscountess. I'm just warning you that her acceptance in that role may be an uphill battle."
"I have never seen Kate Sharma back down from a fight." Anthony told her. "It's one of the qualities I most admire."
He glanced at the other members of the family at the table.
"I haven't spent much time with her." Francesca said. "But she seems perfectly pleasant and she brings out a side of you that I have missed."
"If we're voting – " Eloise said.
"We're not." Anthony interjected.
"I can't imagine anyone better suited for you, brother." She continued.
"You already know our position, Ant." Colin told him, motioning to Benedict.
"I still think she's too good for you." The second born added.
"Gregory?" Anthony asked, looking to the youngest male in the room.
"I like her a lot, brother." He told him quietly.
Anthony looked around the table, the warmth of his family's approval something he hadn't known he had been missing until it was given to him again.
"Then, as long as everyone agrees, I suppose you should go invite Miss Sharma and her family to join us for a week in the country." Violet said, smiling softly.
"Thank you, mother." He said, getting to his feet and pressing a kiss to her cheek before leaving.
"You know this means she's going to play Pall Mall with us, right?" Eloise pointed out. "You all saw them at the race. This year will end in bloodshed."
"I can't wait." Colin said, grinning.
With that, the family went back to their food.
~.~
Danbury House's parlor was once again filled to the brim with suitors. Kate watched with a keen eye as they orbited her sister, each trying to gain her favor over the others. Lord Lumley still seemed to be leading the pack though, given Edwina's serene nature, it was hard to tell.
The door opened again and Kate sighed, expecting another suitor, only to be pleasantly surprised to see Lord Bridgerton walk in. He stopped to greet Edwina, making the suitors grumble as she smiled brightly at him, before making his way to where Kate and Mary were sitting.
"Lady Mary. Miss Sharma." He greeted them with a bow.
"Lord Bridgerton, what a delight to see you." Mary replied. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"
"My mother bid me come." He told her, taking the seat across from them. "Apparently my lack of duties today was offensive and so I have been gang pressed into delivering an invitation to the lovely ladies of this house."
"What a trial, my Lord." Kate said dryly. "Pray, hurry and deliver you invitation quickly so may return to your day of leisure."
"Are you anxious for my removal, Miss Sharma?" Anthony asked, pressing a hand to his chest. "I am hurt, madam."
She just sneered at him playful, making him grin.
"If you promise to not run me off immediately," he said, reaching into his coat to pull out an envelope, "I shall inform you that my mother is planning to host a country party in three weeks."
He handed the invitation to Mary, who took it with a smile.
"Tell your mother we will be happy to attend and that I shall send our acceptance post haste. It was kind of you to deliver it personally."
"Well, I admit it was not the only reason I came." He told her. "My family is planning on spending the week prior in Kent. We were hopeful that you and your daughters, along with Lady Danbury, would join us."
"That is very kind." Mary said, subtly looking to Kate for her opinion.
"Two weeks in the country sounds lovely." Her eldest agreed. "And Edwina's removal from society may increase her allure."
"I guarantee any potential suitors you could possibly want will be joining us the second week." Anthony added. "Between you and me, I think mother has decided to turn her match making tendencies towards Miss Edwina. Eloise is determined to thwart her at every turn, so she must direct her attentions towards a more willing target."
Mary laughed.
"With an offer of such help, how can I say no? We will be happy to join your family, my Lord."
"Excellent!" He got to his feet and held out his hand to Kate. "A turn about the room, Miss Sharma?"
Kate shook her head fondly but took his hand. Anthony tucked it into his arm to lead her towards the edge of the room, only to be stopped short by Newton, who ran over and flopped down on Anthony's shoes.
"What exactly is this creature?" he demanded, trying to move the dog who simply growled at him and stayed put.
"That is Newton." Kate said, clearly amused. "He's my dog."
Anthony pushed Newton with his foot, making the corgi sit up and…
Smile.
"Traitor." Kate told her pet.
"I think he's an excellent judge of character." Anthony said, laughing.
"I think he is simply susceptible to a pleasing smile." She said with a roll of her eyes.
"You find my smile pleasing?"
Kate felt a tightening in her abdomen as he gave her a slow smile and had to resist the urge to step closer.
"No, I said Newton finds your smile pleasing, my Lord." Kate said primly, grateful that her voice remained steady.
"I believe it is you that finds my smile pleasant and Newton is simply following his mistress's lead." He said, grinning now.
"It is so sad when the nobility becomes delusional, don't you agree, my Lord?"
Anthony just laughed, stepping over Newton, and continued their circuit of the room.
"I rather thought I'd bring Newton with me to Kent, if that's alright." She said. "I thought Gregory and Hyacinth might enjoy playing with him."
Anthony's heart swelled at her words. The fact that she had considered his siblings in her plans made him even more certain of his choice.
"I think you may never get him back." He told her. "Hyacinth's been begging for a dog for as long as she's known what one was."
"And you haven't gotten her one?" Kate demanded with playful surprise. "What kind of older brother are you?"
"The kind that understands that there are eight of us Bridgerton siblings and the last thing we needed was a dog." He shot back.
"I suppose that's valid." She relented. "So, tell me, my Lord, what sort of things do the Bridgertons do in the country?"
"Anything we want." He replied simply. "Riding, reading…Benedict usually paints. We play Pall Mall."
"What's Pall Mall?" she asked curiously.
Anthony's smile turned wicked.
"You'll have to wait and see." He told her cryptically. "Nothing I tell you could possibly do it justice. You should know that we Bridgertons can become rather blood thirsty, though."
"Imagine my surprise." Kate said dryly.
"I think you'll fit right in."
She shook her head at how excited he seemed and he stopped them, moving so he was facing her.
"I'm very happy you're coming." He told her softly. "It is my hope that you will like Aubrey Hall."
Every fiber of Kate's being wanted to reach up and touch him. To truly experience the softness in him as he looked at her.
"I'm sure I will love it, my Lord." She said, her voice just as soft. "How could I not when you so clearly do?"
Anthony brought her hand up to his lips, meeting her eyes as he kissed it softly before tucking it back into his arm and continuing on their way. As they walked, their attention turned to Edwina.
"Who do you think is the front runner?" he asked, keeping his voice low.
"I believe Edwina favors Lord Lumley." She replied, her voice also quiet. "Can you tell me what you know of him? My own opinion is favorable, but I would like to hear yours."
"How much would you like to know?" he asked, leading her to the other side of the room, away from the subject of their conversation. "Nothing I know is particularly awful, but some could be considered unfit for a lady's ear."
"I need to protect my sister." She told him fiercely. "Tell me everything."
"Lumley isn't a bad man." Anthony assured her. "Frankly, he's just what he appears to be, affable if simple."
Kate stifled a laugh and Anthony smirked at her.
"His tenants seem relatively happy." He continued. "His finances are in good order and there are no rumors of large debts. He neither drinks nor gambles to excess." Anthony hesitated before going on. "I do know that he has kept mistresses in the past, but as far as I know, he hasn't kept one since entering the marriage mart. I've never heard of him mistreating a woman. He's was his parents only child and both of them have since passed on. He needs to marry soon and produce an heir, otherwise the title passes to a distant cousin if something were to happen." He looked down at her and shrugged. "Of the candidates, he is far from the worst. I believe he would treat your sister well."
Kate's eyes were bright as she looked at him. After a moment, she wrapped her arm more securely around his, moving so she was right against him. Having her so close, with that scent filling the air was torture that he no desire to end.
"You are a good man, my Lord." She said softly. "Thank you for carrying about my sister."
"Of course." He replied. "Anything I can do, Miss Sharma, you have but to ask."
Kate smiled and ducked her head, but not before he could see her flush. All he wanted to do was stay here in this room with her, but he knew he couldn't.
"I did lie earlier, though, so I hope you will forgive me."
"Oh?"
"I have simply a million things I must do before we leave for Kent." He told her in a rush. "While I would like nothing more than to stay here with you, I should probably return to it."
"Of course, my Lord." She replied, grinning at him. "Thank you for surprising us with your invitation."
"Of course, Miss Sharma." He replied, answering her grin with a smirk of his own.
He led her back to Mary and took his leave. After he was gone, Kate studiously ignored her stepmother.
"Well," Mary said blandly, "I believe our time in the country will be most interesting."
Kate chose to continue ignoring her.