Penelope rushed back into party, eager to tell Kathani what she heard today but she didn't get chance because Kathani didn't leave Anthony side.
Penelope tried many times but either Kathani was dancing with Lord Bridgerton or if they were not dancing they were busy conversing with their family or Lady Danbury.
Feeling resigned she then stayed closer with Eloise and Edwina as they discussed their plans for book club or with Colin when he led her towards the dance floor to claim his dances.
Once the ball was over she said goodnight to her family and Bridgerton's once again looking for Kathani but only found Jacopo waiting for her in carriage.
"Where is she?" She asked once the carriage started moving. "I have so much to inform. "
"She left with Viscount so you have to wait until morning after he left, meanwhile I have collected plenty of gossip for your next column." With that Jacopo start giving her tonight's gossip as they waited until Kathani can get free time from her Viscount.
Back at Beaumont House Anthony laughed as he and his Priyaey stumbled inside her room while trying to keep their lips attached. "Aren't you tired darling? I thought all that dancing must have tired you out."
She kissed his neck as her hands took off his layers of clothing. "Tired, not at all. On the contrary, I feel quite energetic tonight. " With that they both began to undress each other until he was standing naked and she was dressed in her white shift and stockings.
Once her stockings were removed and he got up only for his love to jump into his arms as she devoured his mouth and both lovers toppled on the bed to put her energy into good use and by the time Jacopo and Penelope returned, the screams of their pleasure echoing through the walls was enough to warn anyone to venture near Countess's room.
"Well you were right Jacopo, my information has to wait until morning or at least until Viscount left."
In the other part of town, Benedict was first to return home. He was heading towards his room when he noticed someone closing the study door.
"Who is there?" He calls out knowing perfectly well that Anthony had left ball with Countess, so it couldn't be him.
When he got close enough he was pleasantly surprised to see Sophie standing there looking like a startled doe. "Pardon me sir, I thought Lord Bridgerton must be back by now so I came here to ask for something."
He conjured up his most charming smile as he stepped closer. "Lord Bridgerton is busy tonight but I am here at your service."
He bowed his head and watched her face go red as she stepped back. "It's alright sir, I will speak with Lady Bridgerton if Lord Bridgerton is unavailable."
Before he could say anything else she curtsied at him and scurried away leaving him confused, wondering what she wanted to ask at this late hour?
The next morning (or Late in the morning) After Viscount left once he finished his breakfast. Penelope waited impatiently for Kathani to return as she went outside to see Lord Bridgerton as he left.
Once she came back as she sat down and started cutting apple to eat in big chunks, both Penelope and Jacopo sighed in relief as they dropped their pretense.
"You have no shame woman!" Jacopo scolds Kathani as he reminds her. "You forget we have an innocent lady living with us and those noises were enough to corrupt her young mind."
"Is that so?" Kathani smirks not even bothered as she winked and took another messy bite.
Penelope blushed as she clears her throat. "I am not that innocent Jacopo, you forget Lady Whistledown has seen and heard so many scandalous things that will even make you blush like an innocent girl."
Jacopo seemed to give up while both women gave him smug looks.
"Anyway, tell me what you heard last night?" As soon as Kathani asked this question, Penelope started recalling every word she heard from last night.
Once she was finished she saw that dark gleam in Kathani's eyes that she had wherever she is thinking about her revenge. "So that snake went hiding in his mistress bill?"
"That's what Lady Penwood said." Penelope replied although she can't recall Willis Herbert's mistress's name being spoken. "She didn't speak her name just that he went hiding in his mistress home."
"That's no problem Penelope." Jacopo assures her."Genevieve can find out where this mistress lives. Meanwhile we have to figure out what we will do him once we find because? because I just got a message last night that the Queen has ordered to arrest him alive."
As Jacopo and Penelope waited for Kathani to reply, she seemed somewhere else as she kept playing with a knife in her hand.
"Queen won't find him because I have something special planned for him. Just tell Gen to find where he is hiding. In the meantime Penelope I want you to invite your mother here for tea."
"I already did, I just used that as excuse while I went to spy last night but I didn't knew you really want to talk with her."
"Oh, I want to discuss something really important."
"What?" She asks and Kathani looked extremely excited as she explains. "I think it's time we visit your lands."
Portia didn't thought that Countess would ask to visit their lands herself when she offered investments. She thought she would send her steward or lawyer to survey their lands. So it came surprise to her when she suggested visiting their lands.
"Oh, let's make a picnic out of it!" She said excitedly as she ordered her butler. "Send an urgent Message to Lord Bridgerton to clear his and his family's entire schedule for tomorrow because I am inviting them for this trip! I hope you don't mind?" She asked Portia, who was staring at her dumbfounded.
"Mama." Penelope nudged her mother, who recovered instantly as she smiled. "No! No! I mean of course I don't mind! The more the merrier and we will use this trip for work and enjoyment both."
Penelope and Kathani gave each other looks while Portia left wondering what the hell just happened to her?
Next day Bridgerton's, Countess along with their few of their staff members joined Featherington's as they reached their lands. Portia's steward showed them their plantations of grapes and tomatoes which they harvest each year.
"And what's grows there.?" Eloise asked as she looked far away at a brownish greenish fields. The steward seem to hesitate as he explains. "Those lands are under Sheffield's control my lady, hence I can't gave you information about their harvest."
"Surely their is no harm in visiting those lands?" Countess asked Portia, who looked suddenly nervous. "After all they are still Featherington's Lands even if they are in mortgage."
These words seem to give courage she needs as she orders her steward. "Go inform them that Portia Featherington is visiting her lands with her friends." The way she emphasis on word her lands leaves no place for arguments as her steward bowed and run away to follow his orders.
While they waited, Portia distracted them with wine grapes and, seeing everyone interest diverted Anthony pulled Countess aside in much shaded trees. "Why are you so interested in these lands? If you want investment ideas then I can guide you in a much better direction."
She gives him that confident smile as she kisses him. "Do not worry darling, I know exactly what I want. Besides, my late husband used to have vineyard and I was hoping to have one here in these lands."
Knowing that this answer will satisfy his curiosity, she quickly distracts him by kissing him passionately.
Anthony was moaning against her mouth, there was something wild and passionate inside her when she kissed him like this. He was about to lose his senses and take her right against that tree when they broke apart by their name being called as footsteps approached.
Benedict was sent to find them, found them breathing heavily near shaded tree. "My Lord, My Lady, if you are done inspecting that tree benefit, can you care to join us?"
They both looked like naughty school kids getting caught and as they started walking, Benedict stopped them. "I think it's better you fix your hair otherwise mother will drag you both straight in front of priest."
Anthony glared at his brother while Countess laughed as she fixed her hair and checked her dress. "Well, I look presentable Mr Bridgerton and it's better you escort me towards safety before your brother plans to compromise me."
"Me! Should I remind you who started this compromising?" She mocked gasp as she clutched her heart. "You will rat me out and you call yourself Gentleman? Same on you!" Benedict burst into Laughter as his brother's mouth fell open as Countess scrunched her nose and then skipped towards him.
"Come Mr Bridgerton, my honor is in your hand." And as they both ran away they heard an annoying yell following them. "Kate ! you menace!"
The land under Sheffield's control looked like a wasteland. As soon they entered Violet, Francesca, Prudence and Phillipa along with their maids couldn't bare the pungent odor coming from these lands and they went back towards grapes plantations.
Portia wanted to follow them but she didn't want to look weak in front of Countess and Bridgerton men, who were surveying these lands with their critical eyes.
Penelope and Eloise couldn't stand this smell either but they were curious to see what is causing this smell . Gregory and Hyacinth were least affected by smell as they explore these strange lands.
Aside from them, only Sophie and Countess butler were the only members of staff following them and it was then Benedict noticed Sophie picking something from the ground. "It's look like Sophie, I mean Ms Bennett found something."
At Benedict's voice everyone gathered around Sophie who then showed them what was in her hand. "Mushrooms, I think they harvest mushrooms here." It
was then they noticed small brownish, golden color mushrooms growing all over the land. "They are using our lands to harvest these smelly mushrooms?" Portia said it to herself but it was loud enough to reach everyone's ears.
"They don't look edible either." Colin mused as he told everyone. "In all my travels I have eaten many exotic dishes made from mushrooms but never saw these kind in them."
"So why harvest them on this large scale if they are inedible?" Anthony ask Portia's steward but they got answer from Sheffield's steward who just approaches them."
"Because they are used for medicinal purposes. A small amount can help cure many diseases."
"What about large amount?" Gregory asks innocently and steward starts laughing. "Such a curious boy!" He laughs and wiped his forehead as he answered. "I, I think large amounts had their benefits too but Alas I am just a steward and these things are beyond my knowledge."
Kathani can see that everyone can sense something wrong with this man but before anyone could ask anymore questions he yells." Do not take those mushrooms!"
Hyacinth dropped the mushrooms she plucked from the ground as Steward kept yelling at her. "Do not touch them! Master will skin me alive if he finds his mushrooms were taken!"
They can see her lips quivering and Anthony was about to lose his temper at this man who dare to raise his voice at his little sister when Countess put her hand on his arms. "It's okay, we understand. Come everyone let's head back, its getting late."
With one squeeze she calmed Anthony down.
As they were leaving Benedict looked back to glare at the steward but noticed two things. One, that steward was dripping in sweat as he was mumbling something and Two as they left he watched Sophie discretely slipping few mushrooms into her pockets and he couldn't decide why he felt so uneasy witnessing these things.