Few minutes before Chaos.
Anthony was roaming around maze of mirror trying to find his Love.
" Where are you hiding my love." He calls out but when no reply came back he started to get anxious.
He was about to move fast to search for her when he heard screaming from outside.
Once he was able to find his way outside the mirror house, He quickly found out the source of the panic among the crowd when he saw a bloodied man running terrorizing the crowd and a masked woman chasing him.
As soon he got closer he watched that the man (He now recognized as Prosecutor Willis Herbert) was being approached by a masked woman he now remember called Zetara and Queens guards.
To everyone's horror he snatched a dagger from nearby acrobats and grabbed none other than Penelope Featherington as he placed the dagger on her neck and started threatening everyone.
It took both his and Benedict's combined strength to hold Colin back as Herbert threatened everyone to stay away while Colin pleaded to spare Penelope life.
It all happened in a split-second but suddenly out of nowhere Penelope set herself free by slashing her captor with a small pocket knife.
By the time Penelope ran into safety of Colin's arms, Zetara took out her whip and in few seconds the dagger falls from Herbert's hands and she jumped on him and within seconds they both were hanging on circus pole.
Anthony watched the guards approaching with net to capture Willis Herbert while Zetara stood up on the pole looking down at Herbert's hanging form.
Out of nowhere two shots hit them and in the next second Willis Herbert dropped dead on the net with a bullet stuck on his forehead.
A loud whistle rang from Zetara's mouth and a black horse (Which looked Remarkably similar to Countess horse) Burst inside the fair.
Before anyone could do anything Zetara dropped on the black horse and it galloped away like a fast wind.
For a while there was an eerier silence and then chaos broke through in the middle of the London fair.
The crowd started screaming as they all ran here and there to save their lives.
"Benedict! Colin ! Grab everyone and take them home!" As his brothers disappeared in the crowd he started frantically searching for his loved ones.
The crowd was in complete panic and Anthony was pushed many times to count and suffered tears on his shirt and a few scratches due to the human stampede.
He was still searching when out of nowhere Philip and Michael made their way through the crowd. Both looked worse. Michael had cut on his cheek while Philip had bruises on his face and arm.
"Have you seen Kate?!" He asks frantically. "Last time I saw her ,she was disappear into Mirror house and since attack happened I didn't saw her at all! God! If something happens to her...!"
Anthony couldn't continue at all as tears threatened to fall from his eyes.
He was on the verge of breaking down when Philip grabbed his shoulder. "Calm down Bridgerton. Kate is safe, Jacopo has found her and took her back to the safety of Beaumont house."
"Thank God!" Anthony sighed in relief as Michael patted his back. "Take care of your family safety first Bridgerton and then afterwards you can see Kate once everyone is safely inside their home. Come Philip let get Featherington's and leave this place before things go out of control."
With a nod they separated and Anthony felt relief when he saw Benedict arriving with Francesca and Colin with Eloise.
"Have any one of you found Sophie, I mean Ms, Bennett?" Benedict asks frantically while his eyes search for her in this crowd.
"Sophie has left with Countess." Colin assured his brother. "Philip assured us their safety when he came to take Pen."
Benedict sighed in relief and Anthony knew instantly the cause of it. Patting his brothers back he assured him. "We will get Sophie later Ben but first we need to leave and find rest of our family."
They quickly led their sisters towards the safety of guards and Anthony was glad to see his mother, Daphne, Gregory and Hyacinth along with Lady Danbury under the protection of Queens Guards, they were standing nearby the Queen who looked furious as she ordered the head commander and Brimsily.
"Contain this crowd! Tend to injured! Moved the body away! And Brimsily send your trusted men to arrest Lady Penwood and members of Willis household!"
"Lady Penwood? What she has to do with her brother's crime?" Anthony inquires in confusion and the Queen gives him a surprise look as if he was the last man she was expecting to see.
A look passed between Lady Danbury and the Queen as she told him. "There are many things you do not understand about Willis Herbert but I promise as soon I figure things out I will tell you everything about that monster and the heinous crimes he committed."
Everyone was shocked because no one was expecting that the Queen would think to answer him.
She then dismissed them and one by one as they all settled inside the carriages and left the fair and its chaos behind.
Between the deep woods a horse galloped at lightning speed as its master was just hanging on him, unable to guide him in the right direction but the horse was well-trained for this very moment.
Jacopo was pacing in the clearing in which they trained but that also connected their state with woods. Sophie and Genevieve were both worried as their eyes kept searching through woods.
"That's it! I had waited enough!" Jacopo was heading towards the stables to get his horse so he could begin his search when suddenly they all heard a horse approaching.
"Look Jacopo! There she is!" Gen told her husband and seconds later Horse came into view with Kathani barely hanging on its back.
"Gen! Come help me and Sophie you take her horse away and bring Philip to the outhouse as soon he arrives!"
As he gently pulls Kathani down they noticed her back soaked with blood.
He quickly carried her on his shoulder while Gen moved ahead as she opened the outhouse door for them.
"Jacopo! Get me some alcohol! This wound hurt like bitch!" Kathani gasps as Gen pulls out her weapon, hat and masks from her face.
Sophie, on the other hand, was just closing the stables door when she saw carriage arriving and Philip was first to step out of it.
"Jacopo needs you at outhouse." She told him as Michael was helping Penelope out. Philip didn't waited for them as he rushed towards outhouse while Sophie, Michael and Penelope followed him.
By the time they reached at outhouse Penelope was last to step inside and it was just in time when Gen pulls out Kathani's shirt not knowing that Penelope was standing right behind and having clear view of Kathani's naked , bloody back.
Penelope felt pale and sick as she clearly saw her back. "Oh My God!" She cries out in fear and pain and Kathani's anguished face snapped in her direction as they saw each other through mirror.
"Penelope get out of here!" She commanded the young girl through gritted teeth as she tried to move away to shield Penelope from this gruesome sight that probably scared her for life.
"Stop moving Kathani! You will make your condition worse!" Philip yells at her in frustration as he and Jacopo tried to contain her.
She completely ignores them as she watched Penelope taking Shallow breaths. "Someone get her out of here!"
Michael and Sophie quickly grabbed Penelope and pulled her outside and as they expected in next moment she lurched forward and started vomiting heavily on the grass.
"There, there let it all out." Sophie said in a soothing voice while Michael grimaced at her.
"Did! Did you see her back! What kind of monsters do that!? How can god let this happen to her!?" She cried out and there was no answer to this question.
"Penelope you need to calm down! For Kathani sake! She will be devastated by your reaction to her painful past." Sophie pleads as Penelope looked extremely sick and had trouble with controlling her heaving breaths.
Michael moved fast when he saw her swaying and before Penelope could hit the ground Michael was there to hold her unconscious body.
"Poor girl this entire day was enough and on top of that she had to witness that." Sophie says as she touches Penelope's cheeks.
"Sophie, I think it would be better if I took Penelope to her bedroom. Send Philip to check on her once he patches up Kathani." With that he lifted the young girl in his arms and walked towards the house while Sophie walked back towards out house.
When she entered Kathani was drinking the last drop of an entire whiskey bottle while Philip was stitching her up. "How is Penelope she slurred!"
Sophie was not surprised that she inquired about Penelope's well-being despite being the one who got shot.
"You do know it was you who just got shot?! It will take week at least for you to recover this fatal injury!" Philip told her angrily and like everyone else in this room, it pains him when she brushes off her pain.
She never once screamed or cried no matter how many times she got injured or how many times her blood spilled.
Even today she didn't utter single scream as he took bullet out of her back and then stitch her up.
Even now in reply she scoffs at him as she replied in a slurred voice. "What this? this is just another scar to add in list of war medals that my enemies has given me but this is not Penelope's cross to bare."
"Please make her stop talking!" Jacopo pleaded with Philip but luckily the alcohol and pain of the wound finally succumbed her unconscious.
As Philip bandage her up he looked at Sophie as he asked. "How is she?"
"What do you think!? After witnessing this horrifying proof she first got sick and then passed out."
"That was a natural reaction, after all we also reacted the first time just like her." It was one thing to hear about her painful past but it was harsh truth to see the proof of the horrors Kathani had faced for so many years.
Any human would react like Penelope to know what monsters in this world are capable of.
In another part of town the Bridgerton's has just got in safety of their home.
"I want our guards to be on alert day and night until things got settled down! I don't care if Mayfair is safest place in London! With killer on loose I want my family's safety to be first priority!"
Humboldt nodded his head and before he could leave to follow all these orders he gave Anthony an envelope with Hastings Crest on its seal. "This arrived for you a few hours ago my Lord by His Grace personal messenger delivering it. He said it is of utmost urgent that you send your reply within a day."
With dreaded feeling Anthony was about to open the letter when he was disturbed by his brothers.
"We are going to accompany you." Benedict told him. " It is not safe for anyone to travel alone tonight even if you are only going to Beaumont house."
"And I want to see Pen, she must be shaken after tonight's attack." Colin explains his reasoning and he didn't have the heart to deny his brother when he to yearns to see Kate.
The roads were empty except for guards patrolling the road. Their carriage were stopped and got checked thrice by the time they reached Beaumont House.
It's was strange because this is the first time Anthony entered this house at such a late hour with his brothers by his side.
They saw Jacopo stepping down from staircase when his eyes fell on them. Anthony had this feeling that he groans at the sight of them but still he bowed "Lord Bridgerton, Mr Bridgerton and Mr Bridgerton.
"Jacopo, I am here to see Countess." He began and at the same time Colin asks. " How is Pen? I mean Ms. Featherington?"
The reply did not come from Jacopo but Philip who was just descending from staircase. "Tonight's events took a toll on both of them. They both have succumbed to fever due to shock and terror."
Fearful for his Priyaey wellbeing, Anthony asks in a small voice. "Will she get better soon?"
"I reckon it will take a week's rest before they can go out to their normal routines." Philip told them.
"Can I see Penelope?" Colin asked desperately and Philip gave them a long assessing look before he nods his head. "Jacopo will show you Ms Featherington's room but you will only have one moment to see her because she needs her rest. Your maid Sophie is also sitting with her."
At this Benedict's eyes also look alive as he follows Colin and Jacopo.
Once they were gone Philip's eyes fell on Anthony and then he sighed. " You can Follow me Bridgerton but remember you can only see her for a moment."
Anthony didn't dare to deny him because it was clear that with Countess being unwell the responsibility of being head of this house hold fell on Philip's shoulder.
Anthony quietly followed Philip to the room that was until now was love nest for his and his Priyaey.
When the door opened Anthony eyes fell on bed where Kate was laid unconscious. Her hair was matted, her lips parted, her face looked a little pale.
He also noticed that Michael was sitting on a chair near her bedside.
In quick stride he crossed the room and sat beside his love. "Pr. Kate my love."
Kate didn't wake up but it seems she sensed his presence as she start saying. "Anthony, Sorry Anthony." For a few seconds she kept saying these words and then fell silent.
"Why is she apologizing to me?" He whispered but apparently Michael heard him as he quickly replied. "Earlier when she was awake, she was worried about your wellbeing and a little guilty that she left you in mirror house when that attack happened."
"Oh my love." He gently kissed her palm. "It was not your fault, I just want you to be safe. Please get well soon my love."
"Bridgerton, I think we should leave and let her get some rest." Philip told him while Michael stared at him sympathetically as he says. "I will send you word once she is well enough to see you again."
Sighing he felt pain to leave her as he kissed her hand and with one last look he followed Philip outside of his Countess room.
It was quite late at night when Anthony, Colin, Benedict and Sophie returned home. "You should all go and get some rest." He told them and watched as they went their separate ways.
Instead of heading towards his room he walked towards his study.
Once he was inside he sat down on his chair and took the envelope out.
Opening its seal he took the letter out and began to read.
"Dear Anthony
I hope you and our family are in good health. I cannot explain my gratitude for keeping my family under your protection ( I know you will argue that they are your family too) You can't imagine the relief I feel every time when I think Daphne and Auggie are under your protection.
As we last discussed I have started my investigation from our lands that were lend to Sheffield's by my father's old steward. I am now glad, That I have asked Will Mondrich to accompany me on this journey and it was his idea that we travel as commoners.
It was great advice because the things I saw as common man would have been kept from Duke's eyes. They are harvesting the same kind of mushrooms in our land that you have described me growing in Featherington lands.
So far I have found three things through my investigation.
One, the farmer here looked similar to those slaves who were found In Queen grounds. They looked weak and malnourished, They worked day and night without taking any rest or complaints and if one got sick they replaced him with another.
Secondly, Mondrich was shocked to see those mushrooms. He then confined to me that these are used as toxins between working and lower class but he also told me its another use. He told me that during his boxing days his fellow boxers told him about these mushrooms and some other kind of herbs concoction that can help them grow their strength and energize them during tournaments.
As honourable Will is he never tried that concoction but he did witness its effect and it made that person unbeatable.
Third and most importantly, I need your help. First I need to find my father's old steward. I was unaware until now but my butler Jefferies told me that my father had hired Arthur Smith as his Steward right after you had fired him a week after your father death. Can you tell me what was the reason that you fired him at that time. I am going to find him next.
Also while going through my father's steward dealings I found a Prosecutor name on the ledgers. His name is Willis Herbert and I am told he lives in London. Anthony can you meet this Prosecutor on my behalf as soon as you can and find out why he is involved with my Steward.
Please send your letter as soon as you meet Willis Herbert. I will be waiting for your reply.
Give my love to Daphne, Auggie and our family and reply to me soon.
Your Friend Simon."
Anthony read and then reread the last line over and over again in shock.
Willis Herbert is shot dead in front of entire crowd and now he knows that his involvement and list of crimes run deeper than anyone could have ever imagined.
The question is who will answer for his crimes?
The dawn was approaching as Penelope entered the room.
The candles were almost burnt out but she can make out Philip, Michael and Jacopo sleeping on various chairs around the bed as Gen also seems to fallen asleep while sitting on the bed with her back against headboard.
Penelope supposed Gen was sitting earlier beside where Kathani was laid earlier because now there is only blood spot on the sheet and its occupants was missing.
She was about to wake everyone when her eyes fell on the balcony and saw Kathani sitting on the marble floor while staring ahead.
She slowly approaches Kathani who was sitting so still that she could be mistaken as a statue.
"You should be resting."
Her voice startled Penelope and she gasped clutching her chest. "You scared me!"
"Says the person who was just trying to sneak up on me."
"What are you doing outside? I thought you would be bedridden after being shot." Penelope asks and when no answer came she went to join her on the floor.
For a while they both sat quietly staring as the sun started approaching in the night sky.
"You have seen my back." Kathani began without turning to face her. "You have seen the proof of what I have suffered but that was not all."
She finally turned enough to lift her shift and show her lower abdomen. She then peals a thin potato peel from her skin and there she saw two scars overlapping each other.
Penelope's eyes filled with tears as she touched those lines. "You?! What happened to?!"
"Dead." Kathani told her in an emotionless voice but her eyes raged storm.
"You won't believe if I told you but three times I comprehend suicide in my life during my time in that prison. The first thought came when I was eleven, another when I turned thirteen and last time when I was between fifteen or sixteen. Each time I used my chain to choke myself and each time I stopped in hope to live to see my enemies suffer as I had suffered after I killed them with my hand."
She closed her eyes as she took a deep sigh. "Two things kept me alive Penelope one was revenge and another was Anthony."
Her eyes were hard as she said. "You see revenge became talisman for me. The world is not good and bad Penelope, there are even those who have given up their last shred of humanity. There are people out there who thrive on others' suffering and after everything I have suffered I have promised myself that if I die I will take as many along with me as I can."
She sighed as she looked at stars. "You know through my cell I could only see a patch of sky and sometimes I saw the brightest stars sparkling on them in darkness."
A faint smile etched on her face as she stared at the sky that was slowly getting lit by the approaching sun. "Anthony was that star for me! His memories were my sanctuary and sometimes I used to imagine being with him in a different, in happier world while they would tortured me."
She sighed as she admitted. "I became selfish Penelope. When I saw Anthony after so many years, I thought I could stole some time with him to create real memories, to give me courage while I faced my memories. After everything that was taken from me, I thought that being with Anthony brought back some old part of me but."
Penelope can see a devastating look appearing on her face as she continues. "But after finding out Uncle Edmund was murdered because of me! Because he was trying to prove my father innocence! I cannot be selfish anymore!"
Penelope felt dread rising inside her as she asked. "What do you mean?"
"I." Kathani was about to tell her When they heard her door burst open waking others as well as Brimsily rushed inside.
His eyes looked horrified as he informed them. "Lady Penwood is dead! Someone had burned Penwood and Herbert's house and she perished along with her daughters and household. Same thing happened to Herbert's family his younger sister, his parents and entire staff also perished in fire."
As soon as he said this everyone stayed quiet and then suddenly Kathani spoke up. "Michael, I need you to go with Brimsily and Brimsily make sure that Michael along with your few trusted men guard King and Queen day and Night!"
She then turned to instruct Gen. "Gen, I want you to do two things first encouraged more people from lower and working class to noticed what is going on with those farmers in Sheffield, Featherington and Penwood Lands and find out how these toxin reached to them but not to upper classes. Second thing I want you to do is get access to Lady Kittage house, you can ask for Sophie's help. I want you to get every information about Lady Kittage and her husband."
She then turned to face Philip and Jacopo as she orders. "Pack your bags! We are going to leave as soon as we can and Penelope I am leaving you and Sophie with an important task."
"What? What do you want us to do?"
"In my absence I want you both to find out everything that happened before or after Uncle Edmund's death. Who he was acquainted with after my father's death and if any strange events took place after his death. Also tell Sophie to find out about staff changes before and after his death."
Penelope's head was spinning as everyone started moving at the same time.
"But where are you going?"
Kathani stopped midway in her preparation as she told her. "We are going to visit an old friend of my father who was his assistant in Royal Academy Of Science."
"Who?" She asks.
In reply Kathani gave one name.
"Dorset, Dr Timothy Dorset."