The week before the Sharmas and the Bridgertons were to escape to the country was packed to the brim with balls, parties, and soirees. Kate's current plan was to put Edwina forward as much as possible, so that her absence would be all the more noticeable. Given the number of suitors that arrived in Danbury House every day, the plan was going swimmingly.
And for every step, dance, and idiot that Kate wanted to throw out, Anthony Bridgerton was at her side.
His steadying presence was something she was most grateful for during those days, always there with a quip or soothing word. When her urge to hit one of the men of the ton grew too strong, he was there to offer a walk or to sweep her onto the dance floor.
Dancing had never been as easy as it was with him.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for dancing with his brothers.
"I am so sorry." Kate whispered, horrified, as she stepped on Colin for the third time.
"It's alright, Miss Sharma." He told her valiantly. "But you must tell me of India to distract me from my pain."
Kate shook her head fondly. She really did enjoy the easy-going nature of the younger Bridgerton brothers, even if she did find herself longing for the quiet presence of their older brother.
"What do you want to know?" she asked, just narrowly avoiding his foot once more.
"Tell me about your favorite place." He replied.
She thought for a moment, executing the next turn of the dance without even coming close to maiming anyone.
"There was a river near where we lived." She said finally. "The heat in India is so different than English weather. Some days, it is so unbearably hot that you cannot even consider staying inside. On those days, I would sneak down to the river to walk in the water. It would drive Mary mad, but the turtles and I grew to be tremendous friends!"
"It sounds wonderful." Colin told her, smiling. "I hope to see it someday."
"I hope so too." Kate replied, returning his smile warmly. "I long for everyone to know the beauty of my home."
"I hope you have managed to find beauty here as well," Colin said, "but I perfectly understand your longing. Everywhere I went, there were so many things to see, to do, and places to explore. I thought I might go mad trying to do it all! But…in the quiet moments, I missed England. I missed Aubrey Hall and our gardens, and the calm of tea taken on the balcony. Some days I was so homesick, I thought about abandoning the whole pursuit and returning to London and the stifling embrace of my family."
Kate laughed at that.
"You are a rambunctious lot." She agreed, making him laugh with her.
"You have not seen us at our worst." He replied. "That will be next week. If you still deign to speak to us after that I will be shocked."
The dance came to an end and Colin bowed as she curtsied before taking her arm to lead her back to their families.
"You know," he said softly before they reached them, "I found talking about home always helped. If you ever want to speak of India to a willing ear, come find me. I'll be happy to listen as long as you like."
Kate smiled at him warmly, squeezing his arm in thanks as they rejoined the group. Colin left her side to ask Penelope to dance and Kate found his place quickly taken by Anthony.
"You know," he said softly, and Kate had to marvel at the difference between when these two words were spoken by Colin and when Anthony Bridgerton whispered them to her in a crowded ballroom. Colin was lovely, but he didn't produce the heat that rushed through her at the sound of his brother's voice.
That was only Anthony.
"I may have to request you stop smiling at my brothers." He continued, not noticing her distraction. "Or really any man who isn't me."
"Oh?" she replied with an arched eyebrow. "Why ever is that, my Lord?"
"Because," his voice dropped even lower and it was all Kate could do to remain standing, "when you smile at them, I can't possibly be held responsible for my actions. It's maddening."
She perfectly understood his sentiments.
"Dance with me?"
Kate nodded weakly, taking his hand and letting him pull her into the crowd. For the rest of the night, her smiles were just for him.
The week passed quickly and, before she knew it, Kate was in a carriage on her way to Kent.
A carriage ride that felt like it would never end.
Kate idly wondered if it was possible that she had died and was now in hell, which was apparently this carriage ride for the rest of eternity.
"Do you think the Viscount will propose, Didi?" Edwina was asking her.
"I seriously doubt so, Bon." Kate replied patiently. "The Viscount is a friend. He is just trying to help us make the most of the Season."
"I must say, Miss Sharma," Lady Danbury commented dryly as Mary and her sister shook their heads, "your powers of self-delusion are quite extraordinary."
"The Viscount is well aware that my focus is making the best match for Edwina, not myself." Kate told them. "He understands this and is willing to help. I am extraordinarily grateful for his friendship."
"I do not want you sacrificing your happiness for mine, Kate. I never have!" Edwina told her strictly. "Anyone with eyes can see Lord Bridgerton has fallen for you! Even you must see this! Just because I am the Diamond, that does not mean that you should not seek your own match and the Viscount would be a magnificent catch!"
Kate thought of their moment in the woods and blushed.
"I…will admit that the Viscount has shown a preference for my company, but he cannot offer for me, Bon!" she protested. "I would bring nothing to the marriage, and he must marry someone who will be accepted as his Viscountess. Anything else would harm his sisters' chances and he loves his sisters no less than I love you. He will not choose me. I would not choose me."
"I rather think it is up to Lord Bridgerton to decide who he thinks would make the best Viscountess." Mary told her gently.
"Either way," Lady Danbury interjected, "despite what you believe, I believe Lord Bridgerton will be asking a question soon and you, my girl, best have an answer for him."
Kate would have given anything for the carriage ride to be over.
After a longer time than she would have liked, they arrived at Aubrey Hall. Kate had expected to be impressed, but she had not expected to be charmed. She now understood the warmth in Anthony's voice when he spoke of his home.
She almost wished it could be hers.
Kate shook herself. Anthony Bridgerton may have ruined every plan she had made, but he would not ruin this one:
She would not get her hopes up.
Lady Danbury, Mary, and Edwina may think whatever they like. Kate had no delusions about her place in life, and it was far below Anthony Bridgerton….
No matter what her heart was telling her.
Anthony watched from the top of the stairs as the Danbury carriage arrived and his family moved to greet it. Lady Danbury was the first to exit, eager to see her grand-godson, making her godson shake his head as she completely ignored him. Next, Lady Mary was greeted warmly by his mother as Edwina exited behind her, looking up at the house with youthful excitement before being distracted by Eloise.
Finally, Kate appeared and Anthony realized he'd been holding his breath. He watched as she said something to her sister that made both her and Eloise laugh, before moving away to look at the house with a small smile. He took that as his cue and bounded down the stairs.
"You're smiling." He said, warmth filling him as she turned her smile on him. "I see my plan to win you over is working."
"I thought your plan was to give me all the gossip I could ever want on the men of the ton." She replied, her smile turning into a smirk. "But as it so happens, I was smiling at the view. A view which you are now blocking."
"Are you sure my 'pleasing smile' is not the view you truly wish to see?" he asked, giving her that slow smile that made her melt.
"I believe, my Lord, that we agreed that it was Newton who found your smiling pleasing." Kate told him archly.
"I agreed to no such thing."
"No, that's how I remember that conversation going." Kate was grinning fully now.
"Then your memory is faulty, madam." Anthony told her, just barely containing his own grin.
There was a bark and they both watched as footman led a straining Newton over to his mistress. As soon as they were close enough, the dog collapsed on Anthony's shoes with a huff of contentment.
"At least someone is happy to see me." Anthony said with a raised eyebrow as the footman handed Kate the leash and left.
"Well, there's no accounting for taste." Kate shot back.
"You wound me, Miss Sharma." He said, playfully clutching at his chest.
"I am relatively sure that your ego shall survive, Lord Bridgerton."
"You must be Miss Sharma!"
The two combatants were distracted from their verbal sparing by Daphne joining them.
"I am, Your Grace." Kate replied, dipping into a small curtsy.
"None of that, now." The eldest Bridgerton daughter said. "You shall call me Daphne. I've heard so much about you from my siblings, I feel we are friends already."
"Then I am Kate."
"Brilliant!" Daphne linked her arm with Kat's and turned to look at Anthony. "Now, where should I begin with the embarrassing Anthony stories? Would you like them chronologically or in order least to most?"
"Hastings!" Anthony called loudly. "Kindly come corral your wife!"
"Oh no, old friend." Kate turned to see an attractive man approaching them and assumed he was the Duke. "When she is residence at Aubrey Hall, my wife is a Bridgerton and therefore your problem."
"Simon!" Daphne exclaimed, smacking her husband's chest. "You'll make Kate think we're all heathens!"
"Are you claiming you're not, my dear?" he asked innocently.
Daphne glared at him for a moment before turning back to Kate.
"Kate, shall I introduce my husband? Simon, Duke of Hastings."
"It's a pleasure, your Grace." Kate said, dipping another curtsy as Simon bowed.
"The pleasure is all mine." He told her, smiling. "Anyone who can get my old friend to smile on a regular basis is someone I am happy to meet." Anthony glared at him, making Kate giggle as Simon ignored him. "Besides, I find myself in need of an ally against the heathens, as my wife called them, and I am hoping to co-opt you to my side."
"I said we weren't heathens, husband." Daphne protested. "Kindly do not try to ruin my new friend's opinion of us before we've had a chance to do it ourselves!"
"She's been in London for the Season with the rest of the clan." Simon said, laughing. "I'm sure she's had ample time around your darling siblings to know exactly what you're all like."
"Perfectly charming all around." Kate interjected, making Daphne beam. "With the notable exception of one elder sibling who seems to take great pleasure in vexing me."
"And what, Miss Sharma, is it that you think you do to me?" Anthony shot back with a grin.
"I am shocked, my Lord." Kate said with wide eyes. "Are you implying my behavior is anything less than perfectly ladylike?"
Anthony glared playfully at her as Simon clapped his shoulder with a laugh.
"You're fighting a losing battle, Bridgerton." He told him. "Let's let the ladies get settled and you can join me in your study to lick your wounds."
"Yes, do run along, Anthony dear." Daphne said with a wicked smile. "Kate and I have much to speak of."
Anthony did seem to pale at that and opened his mouth to respond but Simon grabbed his arm, dragging him away while Daphne giggled.
"I believe, Miss Sharma, that we are to be great friends."
"I believe so as well, your Grace."
Fifteen minutes later found Simon and Anthony sipping brandy in the eldest Bridgerton's study.
"I thought you had declared you wouldn't marry for love, Bridgerton." The Duke said. "What changed? Because you clearly care about Miss Sharma."
"I don't know." Anthony admitted. "I just…How did you realize you loved my sister?"
Simon was surprised by the question. While their relationship was vastly improved since last year, Anthony had never been one to talk about his feelings or to seek advice.
"When I saw her showing favor to the Prince." He replied finally. "I had been running from my feelings for a while by that point. When I saw her smile at him, I knew I had loved her for weeks. It was slow, sneaking up on me until it was so obvious that even I couldn't deny it any longer."
Anthony was quiet for a moment.
"I don't think I've ever told you I was sorry for how I behaved." He said. "I should have seen what you felt for Daphne. I should have helped both of you instead of holding on to my foolish pride."
"You wanted your sister to be safe." Simon said. "Even if you went about it in the completely wrong way, I can understand your desire. And what is done is done, old friend, so let it stay in the past and focus on your future. I can tell you that your sister will be overjoyed to know you have decided to abandon your plan to marry without love."
"I didn't really have a choice." Anthony replied ruefully. "The idea of walking away from her is abhorrent to me. From the moment I saw her in the woods, I couldn't stay away even if I wanted to."
"In the woods?" Simon asked, surprised. "I thought you met at my godmother's ball."
"That's where we were introduced. I met her in the park two days before hand. She was galloping through the woods, and I thought she was in trouble, so I followed. It turned out she was just riding. I tried to catch up, but she's the better rider."
"She beat you in a race?"
"Handily." Anthony said with a small smile. "She was so beautiful in the morning light, I wasn't even sure she was real. She doesn't care that I'm the Viscount. If anything, I think it makes her like me less!" He took another sip of brandy. "I had a plan for how the rest of my life would go at the beginning of the season and then I saw her at that ball and I knew I had to know her. I had to make her smile and laugh. I think I have loved her from the moment I saw her in that park and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it."
"Does she love you?" Simon asked.
"I believe so." He replied. "She obviously hasn't said so, but I believe she feels the same."
"So, ask her to marry you and your mother can throw the engagement ball she has always wanted to." His friend told him, but Anthony was already shaking his head.
"If I ask, she'll say no."
"I highly doubt that." Simon scoffed.
"That's because you do not know her." Anthony shot back. "Everything she does is for her family and she spares no thought to herself. She came to England to find a husband for her sister, to save her family, and when she's done that, she plans on returning to India. It's ludicrous! But, then again, I understand it perfectly. She's protecting her family the only way she knows how, no matter what she has to sacrifice. How can I blame her for that?"
"It sounds like she is very similar to another eldest child I know." Simon said, studying his friend. "So, what are you going to do?"
"I invited her here so she could relax amongst friends. My siblings already adore her and Miss Edwina, and I'm hoping you and Daphne will like her."
"I believe Daphne is already planning your wedding, so I doubt you have to worry about my wife." Simon said dryly.
"Good. I want her to feel comfortable here and maybe that will convince her that she has another option than returning to India when Miss Edwina marries."
"You're willing to fight for her?"
Anthony nodded.
"Everything I have done since my father died has been for my family. Beyond the fact that I think she would make an excellent Viscountess, a perfect partner to help my siblings, and a wonderful mother to my children, I want her for me. I want her to choose me…because I honestly don't think I can do this without her anymore."
Simon set his glass down and clapped Anthony on the shoulder.
"Daphne and I will support you. Whether you like it or not in Daphne's case, most likely. You Bridgertons are utterly incapable of not meddling in each other's lives, so be prepared for at least one scheme on my wife's part. But whatever you need, just ask."
"Keep your wife in check?"
Simon just laughed.
"Within reason, old friend. Whatever you need within reason."
Anthony just shook his head, drained his glass, and let Simon lead him out to rejoin the rest of the party.
Kate marveled at the rooms she had been given. They were nicer than her rooms at Danbury House, which were far more opulent than her rooms at home. Even when she had stayed at the place of the Maharaja, her rooms had not been this nice.
"Your Grace – "
"Daphne." The eldest Bridgerton daughter interjected. "You must call me Daphne, for I refuse to call my new friend by anything other than her name!"
"Daphne," Kate tried again, "This is too much!"
"Nonsense." The Duchess replied brusquely. "You're our guest and we want you to be comfortable. Anthony picked out the flowers. Lovely, aren't they?"
Kate glanced at the bouquet of lilies on her bedside table and saw a note sticking out of them. Briefly forgetting Daphne was in the room, she eagerly snatched it up.
So that the last thing you see at night and the
first thing you see in the morning
continue to be my lilies.
A. Bridgerton
Kate huffed, making Daphne giggle, and returned her attention to the other woman.
"Your brother is an incredibly frustrating man."
"That he is." Daphne agreed brightly. "But for all his faults, of which there many and I shall take great pleasure in telling you of them all, my brother is a gentleman. More than that, he is a good man. He has sacrificed so much of his own happiness so that all of us could have the things he thought we deserved, far more than we ever would have asked of him." She came over and took Kate's hands in her own. "I have seen his smile more in the hour since you arrived than I have in the last decade. True, genuine smiles that I thought had died when our father died. And as thrilled as I am to see them return, I would be remiss in my duties as a sister if I didn't ask you to take care with my brother's heart. I couldn't bear for it to be hurt when he finally found it again."
Kate stared at her, stunned.
"I assure you; I have no desire to cause your brother any type of harm." She assured her. "But you must know, as his Lordship is perfectly aware, that my focus must be on my sister. Her happiness is paramount to me. Your brother has been a tremendous support to me and a staunch ally, I am so grateful for his friendship, but I am a daughter of a secretary with no dowry. Lord Bridgerton can have no designs on me."
Daphne just shook her head.
"Kate, my parents were famously a love match." She told her gently. "Despite a rather rough start, I love Simon desperately and he loves me. If my brother decides you are the one he wants, no one in this family will care where you come from or what kind of dowry you have. What's more, we'll stand with you both in the eyes of the ton. Bridgertons stick together and all we care about is that he loves you and you love him."
Kate could feel tears gathering at the corner of her eyes and Daphne smiled before squeezing her hand and letting go.
"Now," she continued briskly, "I've done my sibling duty, so get yourself refreshed and join us girls for tea so that we may tell you all the things the boys don't want you to know, including their weaknesses when it comes to Pall Mall."
"Does this mean someone might actually explain what Pall Mall is?" Kate asked dryly.
Daphne just gave her a grin and left. Kate took one last look at her lilies and prepared herself to be immersed in a week alone in the country with the Bridgertons.
God help her.