"For him to enjoy something as small and insignificant as a cup of coffee…..
That's something."
"What the hell happened to your neck?!" I winced at my sister's exclamation as she approached the breakfast table we were dining at outside. Daphne had taken Violet and the youngest Bridgertons out into the countryside today, and Colin was off visiting someone somewhere. Eloise, Benedict, and I were the first ones up and outside, eating together at a small round table underneath an oversized umbrella. I had had the good thought to put a bandage over my ahem, "injury" but couldn't find one big enough to cover all the redness. Edwina looked quite concerned as she came over to my chair.
"I-It's uh…. a bee sting," I answered after setting my teacup down. Eloise smirked behind her own cup drawn up to her lips. "Looks like a hickey to me." "Don't be ridiculous! Kate's never even kissed a boy before," Edwina fired off in my defence and I wanted to die. She then scanned my neck clearly very concerned. "A bee sting? It shouldn't swell like that. Maybe you're allergic and having some sort of reaction?" "It's fine. It's just a little tender, that's all. I think we would have known if I was allergic to bees by now if I was," I reassured her, but she stayed adamant. "Perhaps you should still see a doctor about it, just in case. It's not normal for stings to get that swollen, sis." My hand reached out to grab hers, squeezing it soothingly. "I'm fine, Edwina; it's ok. It looks a lot worse than it feels; it doesn't even hurt that much anymore." "If you're sure….." She did not sound sure. Trying to get her mind off my embarrassing neck situation, I guided her to the empty seat at the table. "Come have some breakfast with us."
"I really should wait for Anthony to get up…." My sister hesitated to sit down. Benedict snored before biting into a piece of buttered toast. "He's been up for hours and likely ate already. Anthony doesn't do "family breakfasts"." Edwina's eyes lit up, and not in a bad or disappointed way. "Oh! Well in that case I'll join you guys," she finally sat herself down and I poured her a cup of coffee, pushing the sugar and cream towards her. "Cream and sugar, just how you like it," I mentioned, and she flashed me a grateful smile. "Thanks, Kate," as she reached for the sugar spoon we heard some whistling come from the back door. A quick glance confirmed that it was Anthony, merrily making his way outside. He walked with a skip in his step and arms loose about him; something we weren't used to seeing. Certainly not his siblings, who watched him strut confused.
After a look around the yard, Anthony spotted our table and immediately came in our direction with a wide grin. "Good morning family, honoured guests," he greeted us with a head nod. "Morning, brother," Benedict cautiously replied. "I trust you all slept well," Anthony smiled. "Very well, thank you," Edwina answered for everyone this time. Eloise's eyes gave her eldest brother a once over; her face contorting with suspicion. "What's wrong with you?" "What do you mean?" Anthony countered back. "You're acting….. happy," Benedict elucidated, also suspicious.
Anthony's arms spread out at his sides. "Why shouldn't I be happy? We're in Bath, you're all here, it's sunny out…" "Since when did you care about any of that?" Eloise's eyebrow raised, and Anthony's shoulders shrugged. "Since always? I've just reminded myself to notice it this morning," the moment he said this the teacup I was lifting up to my lips froze. My whole body froze as I stared out into space for a split second. That sounds like what I told him yesterday….. out in the backyard when we collapsed onto one another. He remembered what I said…..
And more than that, he took it to heart.
My mouth began to quiver as I set my cup back down while everyone else kept their stunned attention locked onto Anthony. Eloise rolled her eyes unimpressed. "Oh, NOW you notice our presence." "You get what I mean! Now hand me that coffee pot, Benedict. A cup of joe would be just the ticket." Still flabbergasted, Benedict did as his brother asked. Everyone witnessed him pour himself a cup, stir in some cream, and smile as he smelt it; something I always did with my tea. Anthony grinned down as his coffee before enjoying that first sip. Then he looked back at us warmly, still smiling from ear-to-ear.
"This is such a fine day. We should all go on a walk after breakfast!" "Seriously, what's wrong with you?" Eloise repeated her earlier question. Edwina ignored her future sister-in-law, gazing up at her fiancé regretfully. "Oh, I'm sorry, Anthony. I promised Kate I'd walk her down to the train station."
It was like a switch had been flipped in his head as Anthony's beaming grin instantly started to fade. He wasn't looking at my sister but directly at me now, slowly lowering his coffee cup down. "Pardon?" He inquired, which surprised me a little by how genuine his tone was just then, like he really didn't understand. "I'm going back to London this morning. You booked me a train for eleven twenty, remember?" I explained to the startled viscount. He gave the appearance like someone had just slapped his across the face, promptly setting down his cup onto the table and straightening up his posture.
"I did no such thing!" "Uh, yes? You did….." Edwina, Eloise, and Benedict all shot back in perfect harmony. Anthony's lips pursed together, his fingers curled into upset fists. I caught his eyebrow twitching ever so slightly as he struggled to think of a response. "Oh… right. Well that's no bother. I'll go cancel it directly, then we'll go on our walk." "Wait, hold on a minute. I thought you wanted me to go back to London. I've already packed and everything," I stood up from my seat, setting my hands down onto the tabletop. Anthony shot me a glare like I was being deliberately defiant presently. "You didn't bring that much with you. It won't take you any time to unpack again," his tone was tart, which mine was also increasingly becoming. "But why the change of heart all of a sudden? You're confusing me." "Yeah, you're kinda confusing the rest of us too with your mood swings," Eloise unhelpfully added. Anthony completely reverted back to his old demeanour, clenching his fists tight like he was about to blow a gasket. He shot Eloise a punishing glare this time.
"I'm allowed to change my mind, aren't I?! I want Kate to stay with us while we're here in Bath, that's all." My sister gasped in happy surprise. "You do?!" "Of course. So go unpack your things, Kate, and we'll spend the day together." I stood there temporarily speechless while Edwina proceeded to squeal, reaching over to give my wrist a delighted shake. "You see, Kate?! I told you everything would work out!" She did not.
Anthony's natural smile began to return as he extended out his arm in my direction, beckoning me forward. "Come on. You go unpack and I'll fetch myself some breakfast. The day's just starting! We have a lot to do altogether." "You're scaring me," Eloise took a bite of her scone. "Me too," Benedict's head nodded in agreement. Anthony fired off a look which told them to "shut up" as we started to walk back toward the back door. When we were out of earshot, I peered over to Anthony curious and perplexed. He'd been walking really close to me this morning and grinning to himself contentedly….
"Seriously, why do you want me to stay? I thought you were eager for me to leave," I asked in a half-whisper, just in case there was anyone around listening. Anthony didn't bother keeping his voice low, instead merely glancing in my direction. "I was never "eager" for you to leave." Uhhhhhhhh…. "Yes, you were." "No, I wasn't," his tone grew sterner, which mine matched. "Yes, you were." "No, I wasn't! I never wanted you to leave! I only thought that I was doing what's right," he countered angrily. My head twirled and our eyes locked. "Right for who?" His mouth shot open to yell a reply, but he quickly realized he was caught. He took a second to say anything, giving me enough time to flash a victory smirk.
Anthony eventually let out a sigh, lowering his head a little. "Look, I feel as if…. things have changed since our little…. "talk" last night….. I've changed. Don't worry, I still plan on marrying your sister," he paused here to inhale deeply before peering over at me again. "But I'm not ready for you to go back yet, ok? Things are easier when you're around….. I can't….. I can't explain it. I just see better, clearer when you're near." "A-Anthony," my lips trembled.
We stopped walking at the same time so we could look at each other better. While my expression was one of shock, he simply, earnestly smiled over at me. His hand stretched up so he could brush away some strands of hair off my face and behind my ear, widening his grin as he did so. "I've had my eyes closed for so long, Kate…. A part of me is afraid that it's been too long. I'm not asking you to do the hard work and see for me.
Just don't so far away, taking the only guiding light I have with you."
