A/N: Yes, I know, I didn't post on Saturday. I'm the worst. I'm in the midst of a hellish move and I've had no time to write. I'm gonna try to be better.

Also, if you want to talk or get updates on the story, follow me on tumblr music-is-love-90

Anthony rubbed his eyes, wishing he could go back to sleep. The report in front of him had arrived early that morning and he knew the moment he read it that it would upset Kate. On top of that, his…guest the night before had kept him from sleeping as he worried about her reaction to that. All told, he had not slept well at all and he now had to tell Kate all of it.

Everything would be so much easier if they were just married.

Anthony sat back, closing his eyes as he leaned his head back. For all his former rakish ways, he had no idea how to tell the woman he loved that his former lover had appeared in the middle of the night at his private quarters.

The night before:

Anthony had goodnight to Kate on the steps of Lady Danbury's house, having thoroughly enjoyed her enjoyment of the night's entertainment. In his mind, he imagined nights spent just like this one where, instead of kissing her hand and letting her walk away, Anthony took Kate by the hand and pulled her into his bed and showed her just how much he loved her.

He had set his jacket aside and begun to pull off his cravat when there was a knock at the door.

"Come."

His butler, Carlisle, opened the door and stepped inside.

"Sir, there is a young lady downstairs, asking to see you."

"Kate?"

Without waiting for an answer, he pushed past the man, bounding down the stairs. Why would she be here? Was something wrong?

He slowed as she saw the woman in the dark cloak standing near the door.

"Kathani, what are you doing here? Is everything alrig-" The woman turned, lowering her hood, and he stopped. "Siena. What are you doing here?"

"I saw you at the performance tonight." She told him, stepping forward. "I just returned to London last week and I wanted to see you, but I was unsure if I would be welcome. Then I saw you tonight and I…I missed you, Anthony."

"Siena." He sighed, rubbing his hand across his face.

"I'm sorry." She told him, a hint of pleading entering her voice. "I made a mistake, Anthony. You scared me and I ran away to keep myself safe. You cannot blame me for that. I am sorry."

"You saw me at the theater?"

Siena nodded.

"I was so happy. I missed – "

"Then you must have seen the woman I was with?" Anthony interrupted.

"Of course." She said, confused. "So?"

"So, her name is Miss Sharma." He told her. "I plan on marrying her."

"And?" she said dismissively. "What has that to do with me? With us? I never wanted marriage, only you." She took a step forward, placing her hands on his chest. "You can have your Viscountess and me."

Anthony gently took her hands in his and pushed them away.

"I am marrying her because I love her, Siena." He told her softly. "I would never disrespect her in that way. I love her. Can you understand that?" He sighed again. "You said I was lost, and you were right, but instead of helping me find my way, you broke me. She was the one to find me, to put me back together again. I love her and I will not hurt her like this. You need to leave, Siena, and you need to never come back."

"You loved me once." She told him softly.

"I did." Anthony agreed. "But you left. And if you ever loved me at all, you will stay gone. Please, Siena. Please leave."

Siena nodded, pulling her hood back up. She started to walk to the door, but she paused.

"I'm glad she found you." She said softly, not looking at him. "You are a good man, Lord Bridgerton. You deserve to be happy."

With that, she slipped out the door and into the night, leaving him alone.

Anthony was fairly sure no one had seen her come or go. Siena was well practiced in the art of not being seen when she didn't want to be, but, still, Kate deserved to know she had been there. With the added weight of the report his man had delivered, it was shaping up to be a long day.

This was going to be a long day; Kate was sure of it.

Daphne had sent her regrets that she would not be able to attend the fete at the lake that day, so Lady Bridgerton seemed to have made herself Kate's champion in her stead. This meant that she had glued herself to Kate's side as she led the younger woman around to all of the other matrons, making her support of her son's choice clear.

Basically, Kate was in hell and there seemed to be no escape as she stood on the shore of the lake, making nice with all the ladies of the ton who seemed to want to curry favor with her just days after snubbing Mary. She didn't even have Newton to distract her as Lady Danbury had strictly forbidden her corgi from promenades.

On top of that, Anthony had not appeared yet. She was becoming accustomed to his work taking up much of his time during the day and even as she missed him, she understood. She rather hoped she'd be able to help him with it someday. Still, it didn't change the fact that he wasn't here, suffering alongside her now.

"Isn't that right, Miss Sharma?"

Kate had absolutely no clue what Lady Bridgerton had been saying, so she simply smiled and nodded, hoping she hadn't just sold her first-born child. She spotted Benedict setting up an easel nearby and quickly murmured her excuses before escaping.

"I will be your friend for the rest of time if you rescue me from your mother." She hissed as he placed his canvas on the easel.

"I am going to need more than that for that feat." He told her dryly. "She's terrifying when she's like this."

"Where is your brother?" she demanded, not even attempting to seem nonchalant. "He told me he would suffer through this with me."

"I am sure he was just held up and will be here soon." He soothed her. "Perhaps your sister will shield you until he arrives?"

Kate glanced over to where Edwina listened to Lord Lumley with one ear, clearly searching the crowd for someone else.

"You have still failed me this day and I will not forget it," she told him playfully as he sneered at her, "but I believe I will follow your advice. Good day, Mr. Bridgerton."

"Good day, Miss Sharma."

She abandoned Benedict and his painting and headed towards her sister, doing her best to avoid any more conversations with the mamas of the ton as she went.

"Miss Sharma!"

Kate sighed and stopped. She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and turned to face Mr. Dorset as he approached.

"Mr. Dorset, how lovely to see you again."

The man in question smiled a perfectly pleasant smile as he stopped in front of her.

"You as well, Miss Sharma. I am surprised to see you without Lord Bridgerton. It is rare to see you out of his company these days."

"Lord Bridgerton was delayed, unfortunately, but he should be arriving shortly." She told him, hoping that would be it, but Mr. Dorset's smile brightened.

"Well, why don't I keep you company until he arrives?" he suggested. "I would love to continue our conversation of India. Perhaps you would be so kind as to accompany me on a turn around the lake?"

Kate glanced back at Lady Bridgerton, surrounded by mamas, and sighed.

"Of course, Mr. Dorset."

She took his arm and let him lead her off.

Anthony arrived at the park in a foul mood. Everything had taken longer this morning than he anticipated and when he was finally ready to leave, his horse had thrown a shoe. Now he was finally here, and Kate was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Miss Sharma?" he demanded as he reached his brother's spot. "For that matter, where is Daphne?"

"Good morning, brother dear." Benedict said cheerfully. "Why, yes, it is a lovely day. It is sad that Daphne, our dear, beloved sister could not attend today's festivities due to our precious little Auggie's colic. Miss Sharma was distressed by your tardiness, but I am sure she will forgive you if you apologize post haste."

Anthony glared at him.

"You really do believe you are a great wit, do you not?"

"I really do." Benedict agreed easily, smiling in the face of his brother's clear annoyance. "But, to your question on the whereabouts of your dear Miss Sharma, she was heading towards her sister last I saw."

Anthony quickly searched the crowd and found Edwina not too far away, chatting happily with Lord Morrison. That was its own problem, but less pressing than finding Kate at the moment.

"She's not with Miss Edwina."

"Well, she was actively avoiding Mother like a true Bridgerton." Benedict reported. "That is all the information I have."

"You are utterly useless to me." Anthony told him.

"I aim to please." His brother replied snidely.

Anthony's eyes continued to roam the assembled crowd until he reached the lake and froze.

"What is Kate doing in a boat with Dorset?" he hissed, making Benedict beam.

"So, you are calling her Kate!" he chortled. "Brilliant!"

"Benedict!"

"Oh, calm yourself, Anthony." He said, still chuckling. "I assume he asked, and she accepted to get away from the mamas. She'll be back shortly."

Anthony watched as Kate laughed at something Dorset said and fought the urge to hit something, preferably his brother since Dorset was still on the lake. He calmed himself by reminding himself that Kate would not like it if he started a fight, no matter how much he would enjoy it.

"I told you they would notice her eventually." Benedict told him. "Apparently Dorset is braver than I thought, though."

Anthony saw that their boat was approaching the shore and he abandoned his brother without another word.

Kate had to admit she had enjoyed her respite on the water. Mr. Dorset was pleasant company and she had enjoyed speaking of India with someone who had actually been there, but now they were returning to shore and the embrace of the ton, who had definitely figured out that their daughters had lost their chance to be Viscountess Bridgerton to an upstart from India.

Kate closed her eyes, leaning back to feel the sun on her face, and enjoyed the last moments of peace as Dorset hopped out onto the dock to tie up the boat.

"That knot will never hold."

A smile broke across her face and Kate opened her eyes to find Anthony kneeling next to Dorset.

"It is perfectly adequate." The other man protested.

"Then I must question your nautical skills, Dorset." Anthony replied dismissively. "Allow me."

Dorset reluctantly relinquished the rope and stepped aside. Anthony quickly finished and stood, holding his hand out to Kate.

"Miss Sharma."

Kate quirked her eyebrow at him before accepting his hand.

"Lord Bridgerton."

He helped her up, but he didn't let go when she was on the dock.

"You are late." She said softly.

"Forgive me, my darling." He replied, just as softly, making her blush. "I was unavoidably detained. It will not happen again."

"I will hold you to that, my Lord."

Kate realized he was still holding her hand, so she gently squeezed his fingers before reluctantly letting go.

"Shall we continue our conversation, Miss Sharma?"

They both jumped, surprised by Dorset's continuing presence. Kate opened her mouth to answer, but Anthony beat her to it.

"I'm afraid I have already secured Miss Sharma's company for the afternoon." He told the other man. "Thank you for keeping her entertained while I was unavoidably detained. Perhaps you can finish your conversation another time."

Kate was torn between wanting to rebel against his high handedness and her lingering joy at his arrival.

"Are you sure, Miss Sharma?" Dorset asked, ignoring Anthony completely. "I am sure Bridgerton could spare you for a while longer."

"I did promise to accompany Lord Bridgerton." She replied, resisting the urge to elbow him as he preened. "But I do look forward to continuing our conversation at a later date."

She smiled as Anthony deflated slightly and Dorset returned her smile.

"Of course." He agreed easily. "I look forward to it. Miss Sharma, Bridgerton."

He nodded to them before turning and leaving them alone.

"What did I say about you smiling at men who are not me?" Anthony asked lowly as he led her away.

"Perhaps you should have thought of that before leaving me alone at the tender mercy of your mother." Kate shot back.

"My horse threw a shoe just as I was leaving." He told her, frustration leaking into his voice. "That was after a hectic morning of things that really require that I speak with you, but only if we're alone."

Kate linked her arm with his and he allowed her touch to sooth him as it always did.

"I was considering a ride before dinner tonight." She told him. "What is your opinion of the weather at that time?"

"I believe that will be a very pleasant time for you to ride." He agreed blandly.

Kate pulled herself closer, knocking her shoulder into his.

"Very well. Tell me you missed me, and all shall be forgiven."

"Only every time I breathed." He replied, smiling softly.

"As it should be, for I feel the same." She told him. "Now, if I have to suffer the displeasure of the mamas, you shall be at my side the whole time."

"There is no place I would rather be." He said, lifting her hand to press a kiss to it.

Kate smiled and Anthony allowed her to lead him back into the crowd.

Lord Morrison had left after only a half hour or so, but that suited Edwina just fine. He had come with the expressed purpose of seeing her and had left without paying attention to any young lady other than her.

With her mama chatting with other ladies of the ton, Edwina was left quite on her own as her thoughts turned to her sister. Lord Bridgerton had yet to make an appearance, even as his mother monopolized Kate from the moment they had arrived. Despite this supposed 'understanding', Edwina felt sure that the Viscount's attention would soon wain, which was why she was glad to spot Kate out on the water with Mr. Dorset.

"What a handsome couple they make!" she said happily to herself.

"Pardon me?"

Edwina jumped slightly, not having realized Lady Danbury had been standing so close.

"Mr. Dorset and my sister." She explained. "I noticed he seemed smitten with her at the race. I simply was musing that he might convince her to remain in England."

"What makes you believe she is still planning on leaving?" Lady Danbury asked. "Especially given that Lord Bridgerton has already put considerable effort into accomplishing that. One does usually require one's bride to reside in country, after all."

"If he marries her." Edwina muttered.

"Why would you say that?" the matron demanded sharply. "Lord Bridgerton gave your sister his word that only his desire to give her a Season and her desire to see you settled were his only hinderances. If you know something to the contrary, speak up child."

"I know nothing to the contrary." Edwina said almost petulantly. "But Kate has no dowry, no title. He may change his mind and it is for the best that Kate has another choice available to her."

"You may be the granddaughter of an Earl, my dear, but as of right now, you have no more dowry or title than your sister." Lady Danbury said strictly. "And you clearly have not been paying attention if you believe the Viscount will willingly give your sister up. I would caution you to keep any doubts about your sister's marriage to yourself. Even a broken understanding could harm not only her, but you as well."

Edwina flushed in anger.

"I simply do not want my sister to get hurt." She hissed. "The Viscount has a reputation and Kate has never been courted before. He might take advantage of her!"

"Leave the protection of your sister's heart to me and your mama." The matron ordered. "We have it well in hand. I would suggest you worry about your own prospects and let your sister enjoy her courtship."

Lady Danbury nodded to something behind her and Edwina turned to see Kate smiling brightly on the arm of Lord Anthony Bridgerton.

"Very well." She ground out, turning away.

"Excellent." Lady Danbury replied, satisfied. "Now, you should mingle. Perhaps you will find your own second choice."

She linked her arm with the vaguely hostile young woman and led her off.

Kate found that being paraded in front of the ton was much more palatable with Anthony at her side. He was always quick with a distraction when it became too much and his hand resting on hers in the crux of his arm was a spot to ground her, which she was very thankful for.

When it truly became too much for either of them, they escaped to Benedict's side. Kate finally moved away from Anthony's side as she leaned over Benedict's shoulder to study the painting of the boats on the lake.

"It's lovely, Benedict." She told him with a soft smile.

"You still need to pain with me." He told her, pointing his brush at her. "You promised and I haven't forgotten."

"Of course." She agreed, laughing. "Perhaps next week?"

He nodded, satisfied, before returning to his work. She returned to Anthony's side and let her gaze wander before spotting a particular boat on the water.

"I knew it!" she crowed, smirking.

"What did you know?" Anthony asked.

"That Mr. Dorset was only talking to me to get to Edwina." She proclaimed, satisfied. "Look, he took her out on the water."

"I think it is actually the opposite." Benedict said, not looking away from his painting and, consequently, not seeing the death stare his brother sent his way. "He is likely hoping to make you jealous."

"Do not be ridiculous." Kate scoffed.

"He's not the only one." Benedict continued, blissfully unaware of the hole Anthony seemed to be trying to burn in his skull. "Lords Allenby and Willingham, as well as Misters Longaberger and Cabot, have all expressed an interest in courting you. Anthony almost came to blows with Cabot at White's the other day over it."

Kate turned to stare at Anthony.

"Is this true?" she demanded. "Have you been scaring off my suitors?"

"I will kill you." He hissed at his brother, who finally realized his older brother was unhappy with him, before turning to face Kate. "I believe scaring is a strong word. Besides, would you really want someone who could be scared off by me?"

He smiled at her, but she kept glaring.

"You are Viscount Bridgerton." She hissed. "I doubt any of the men Benedict just named have the power in society that you do."

"They don't."

"Stop helping."

Kate glared at the brothers and they fell silent.

"You had no right to make those decision for me." She told Anthony seriously. "Choosing you means nothing if you do not trust me to make that choice."

"Kathani – "

"No." she cut him off. "You do not get to make my choices for me, Anthony Bridgerton."

Whatever else she might have said was cut off by a scream and a splash. The whole crowd turned to the lake as the blood drained from Kate's face.

"Where is Edwina?"

She took off towards the lake, Anthony and Benedict on her heels. She spotted Dorset in the water, but Edwina was no where to be seen. They reached the dock and Anthony stripped off his jacket, thrusting it at Benedict, before jumping into the water. Kate watched in terror as he swam to the center of the lake and disappeared under the water. Everything was still for a moment before the surface broke once more and Anthony appeared with a sputtering Edwina in his arms. Kate waited the longest moments of her life for Anthony to deliver her sister to her waiting arms.

"Benedict, give her my jacket." Anthony ordered as Kate pulled the shivering Edwina into her arms.

Benedict did as ordered and Anthony pulled himself out of the water. Mary threw herself down on the other side of Edwina as the young girl sneezed.

"We need to get her home." Kate told her, pulling her sister closer.

"Allow me."

Benedict pulled Edwina into his arms and easily picked her up to carry her towards the Danbury carriage. Mary quickly followed, but Kate hesitated, looking to Anthony.

"Go." He told her. "I'll follow as soon as I can."

She reached out to squeeze his hand before doing as he said.

Kate nervously waited in the parlor as they waited for the doctor to arrive.

"Lord Bridgerton, Miss."

Kate barely waited for the footman to leave before throwing herself into Anthony's arms.

"Shh." He soothed as she shook. "Everything will be alright."

"You don't know that." She told him, her teeth chattering. "She could catch lung fever. She could – "

She broke off, shaking harder, and Anthony started to grow concerned. He led her to the couch and made her sit before heading to the side bar and pouring a glass of brandy. He took it back and handed it to her, sitting down next to her.

"Sips." He told her. "It will help settle your nerves."

She did as he said and her shaking slowly stopped. He wrapped his arm around her, and her head dropped to his chest as he ran his hand soothingly up and down her arm.

"She will be alright." He told her softly. "She is young, strong, and healthy. At most, she might have a cold. She will be alright."

Kate nodded, burrowing further into his arms.

"Thank you." She said, her voice muffled by his jacket. "Thank you for rescuing her."

"I told you," he said, holding her tightly, "she will be my family. There is nothing I would not do for my family."

Kate sighed and closed her eyes, allowing his scent to calm the last of her nerves.

"I will allow this impropriety this once because we have all had a trying day."

The couple sprang apart and saw Lady Danbury watching them from the doorway.

"I also trust that is your glass, Lord Bridgerton?" she continued as she made her way towards them.

"Of course, my Lady."

"Hmm. Miss Sharma, the doctor has arrived, and you mama is asking for you."

Kate leapt to her feet and Anthony moved to follow, but Lady Danbury rapped him sharply on the shin with her cane, sending him back onto the couch.

"I shall keep you company down here, Lord Bridgerton."

Kate turned to look at him and he just shrugged. She sighed and started to turn but stopped.

"I forgive you." She told him. "For what was revealed earlier. Just…do not do anything like that again."

"I won't." he told her sincerely.

Kate searched his eyes for a moment before nodding and leaving the room. Anthony turned back to find Lady Danbury scrutinizing him.

"For what did you require forgiveness, Lord Bridgerton?"

Anthony winced.

"Just a misunderstanding regarding Miss Sharma's…potential suitors."

"Ah. She found out you've been driving them off, did she?"

Anthony stared at her as she smirked.

"If you have not already learned that I know everything, Lord Bridgerton, I despair for you." She told him. "I know exactly which suitors have been in my house for which of the girls, even if they were not aware. Your presence has deterred most of them, but a few persist. Your interest even emboldened some of them, not that she noticed. You are all she sees. If I ever find you are abusing that fact, you shall find that there is no place on Earth where you will be safe from me. Am I understood?"

"Yes, my Lady." He said, swallowing.

"Excellent." She stood up briskly. "Given today's events, dinner tonight will be a quiet family affair, so I will deliver your goodbyes to Miss Sharma, shall I?"

Anthony sighed, but stood as well.

"Please deliver my good wishes for Miss Edwina's continued good health as well, if you wouldn't mind?"

"Very good." Lady Danbury praised. "We may make a gentleman out of you yet."

Anthony just shook his head before bowing and taking his leave.