Anthony and Kathani spend the last few days of their vacation making sure Mary and Edwina are well-adjusted in their new home.
Edwina quickly form friendship with Daphne, Eloise and Francesca. All three girls were delighted to have a friend of their age.
Luckily, Edwina's sweet nature, her love for books and her interest in learning piano forte made her find connection with her new three friends.
Mary, on the other hand, found close friendship within Violet as both women knew each other when they were young ladies but now were grateful to their children who made them reconnected again. Especially now when they both understand each other better having lost their husband, the love of their life.
Kathani was happy that Mary and Edwina had settled down with her family.
On the last night she hosted special dinner for the entire family as not only they were leaving for Oxford the next day but also taking Benedict with them as he too was about to start the first year of his Oxford.
Since now he is attending Anthony and Kathani explain him everything and at first Benedict was surprised as he stared at his sister-in-law in wonder. "You have been posing as a man at that university for the last two years and no one figured it out?"
Kathani looked embarrassed but she has to admit. "I am lucky so far but also I am really good while I pretend to be a man, you can ask your brother and Simon. Your brother only find out after I tell him and as for Simon." Benedict noticed how they both went red as she continues. "He only finds out when we have no option but to clear his misunderstanding."
Benedict was about to ask but Anthony beat him to it. "Do not ask! All you need to know is that Kate is really good at hiding her true identity and Simon and I had helped her a lot."
"And I hope you will help me too?" Kathani ask her brother. "Do not worry sister, your secret is safe with me." Benedict assured her and soon found himself in the embrace of her sister. "Thank you Ben, it is great to know that you will be there too."
The next morning after tearful goodbye especially between Sharma family and Kathani and between Violet and Benedict the three Bridgerton departs for Oxford.
The rest of their journey went smoothly and during the last stop just when they were ready to leave the inn, Benedict's mouth hung open in shock when Kathani appeared dressed as Karan Sharma. "Wow! You She's the man!"
Anthony patted his brother's back as he reminded him once again. "Now remember you must call her Karan or Sharma while we are there."
"Karan or Sharma, got it." Benedict assured them as they continued their journey and soon reached the gates of Oxford.
As they were unloading their baggage they heard a voice greeting them. "Bridgerton! Sharma."
They turned and saw Bassett and Dorset walking towards them. While Benedict knew that Simon was in secret he was unclear about the other roommate.
"Does he know?" He whispered to them.
"No." Kathani replied back before all three of them greeted the approaching men.
"Ah! So Mr Bridgerton has also joined the ranks." Simon inquires while Thomas shakes his hand. "As your brother's friend I welcome you to your first day at Oxford."
"Thank you and I cannot wait to start my lessons and to join sports club. I have been practicing rowing and fencing with my brother and Karan all this summer."
"Too bad all that practice is not going to help your brother and Sharma this year."
Benedict noticed the tense stance all four of them took as two new men approached them.
"Fife, Cho! What you both want from us." Anthony inquires as he tries to move in front of his wife and brother.
"Oh just want to warn you and your group of overachievers friends that this year if anyone is going to represent Oxford during sports it will be us."
"Right! Like you were doing that for the past two years." Simon mocked.
"We are done being second best to you lot Bassett." Cho warned as Fife stepped forward in a threatening manner. "This time it will be us who will be crowned champions no matter what we have to do."
"We will see." Kathani replied in a hard voice as they watched them left.
"Well Benedict, welcome to Oxford." Anthony told his brother as they led him inside.
It's been a month since classes began and everyone is preparing for the upcoming autumn tournament.
As October approaches the rowing master asked Anthony, Sharma, Bassett and Dorset to help him teach first years. Benedict was excited when he saw his brother and sister- in-law walking towards the lake along with Bassett and Dorset.
"Anthony! What are you doing here?" He asked excitedly as his brother ruffled his hair. "We are here to help rowing master to train you lot."
Kathani put her arm around Benedict's shoulder. "Come, let us find your teammates so we can work on your rowing skills."
Together all four friends choose their team and start training them. The training started smoothly but soon turned into a race when Anthony yells at them. "Let us see whose team can row faster!"
While Kathani was neck to neck with her husband's team she felt her head spinning and vision getting blurry.
She shook her head and concentrated on teaching her team and apparently Benedict and other members started noticing something was wrong. "Sharma are you all right?"
"I am fine." She assured them and once again concentrate on training.
By the time they docked their boats Anthony noticed Benedict helping his wife out who seemed to be struggling to stand on her feet.
He rushed towards them to help his brother out as he asked. "What is the matter with him?"
"I do not know brother, he was al right at first but soon started feeling dizzy."
"I am fine guys. I guess I have less breakfast today and that is why I felt a little dizzy." Kathani quickly assured them as rowing master along with Bassett and Dorset. "Are you alright Sharma?"
"Yes sir, I just had small breakfast that is why I am feeling unwell."
"Maybe we should check you to university doctor." Dorset suggest. "No!"
Four collective voices screamed at once until finally Kathani tried to assure everyone. "I am perfectly fine everyone, come let's finish this training."
So with that assurance everyone left to train while Kathani tried her best to keep her head clear.
Two days later Kathani woke up feeling nauseous. As they sat on breakfast table, Dorset noticed Sharma looking pale and not touching his food. "What's the matter mate? Is oatmeal not your liking?"
"I have no idea but I think I got a stomach infection." Kathani told them and then at that moment Elliot Marston suddenly stood up and rushed outside to vomit on the planted pot.
"Looks like a stomach infection is spreading around." Anthony guessed while looking worriedly at his wife.
"Must be really severe because last night they took Berbrook to the University doctors after he complained about stomach aches." Simon told them as they watched Elliot being helped by a few students as they took him away to the Doctor.
"Maybe you should see a university doctor too." Dorset suggested Sharma, who quickly stood up, his voice seems panicky. "I will see him later, now come we are getting late for class."
After that Kathani avoided Dorset for the entire day and by the time she headed towards the village (using a carriage on her husband's insistence) she hoped to start feeling better again.
It seemed for a while she was getting better but then while she and Genevieve were working on dress she suddenly felt bile rising inside her mouth.
Genevieve followed Kathani as she rushed towards the chambers pot and started emptying her stomach.
By the time she was able to breathe freely she noticed Genevieve staring at her with a worried look. "I am fine Gen, there is a stomach infection spreading at university and I think it affected me too. I was feeling sick the entire day and having dizziness for the past few days?"
"What? Kathani! Stomach infection just spread yesterday and those who had stomach infection are not suffering from dizziness."
Kathani tried to frown while Genevieve placed her hand on her belly as she suddenly inquired. "When was the last time you had your monthly visitors?"
Kathani stared at her friend in shock as she tries to remember when her bleeding came last time.
Finally, after waiting for an answer for a long time, Genevieve shake her friend to bring her out of her trance. "Kathani?"
"Three weeks, It had been three weeks since I last bled." Genevieve's mouth hung open and then she grabbed her friend's hand as they rushed outside while she screamed at her father. "We are going for an urgent errand!"
Mr Delacroix stood shock as both girls disappeared down the road.
It was after nightfall when Anthony arrived at Genevieve Delacroix's house after receiving an urgent note from an errand boy which had his wife's handwriting, demanding he came to her as soon as possible.
The door opened after one knock and Genevieve pulled him inside in great urgency before pushing him towards the upstairs bedroom. "Go! Kathani needs you!"
Bewildered, Anthony rushed upstairs and opened the door and sure enough a soft body with long curls crashed against his body as his wife clung to him like a lifeline.
"Kathani? Darling?" He tried to comfort this woman in his arms who was still holding him tightly as if afraid of letting him go. "What is the matter my love? Why are you crying?"
She finally lift her face and to Anthony surprise despite tears falling from her eyes Kathani was smiling brightly then ever. "I am alright." She hiccups as she touches his cheek. "I am more than better because I am so happy as if all the happiness is nothing compared to this happiness!"
Anthony laughed in relief but then frowned in confusion as his wife burst into tears. "But I am so scared! I had no idea this wonderful thing would happen to us but despite fearing the unknown I cannot wait to share this shocking great news with you."
Now Anthony was feeling thoroughly confused as he inquires. "News? What is this great news you are talking about?"
At that Kathani grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly while she gave him the happiest teary smile. "I am having your baby."
Kathani watched as her husband's eyes widened in shock and then tears of joy filled his eyes as the most beautiful smile graced her husband's face. "Baby! We are having a baby!"
He swooped his wife up in his arms and spun around in joy until they both were laughing while happy tears spilled from their eyes.
Finally he put her down and claimed her lips for sweetest kiss before prepping her face with more sweet kisses. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much for giving me the greatest news of my life! I cannot wait to tell everyone! Our family will be so happy and I bet Bassett and Dorset..."
She watched as he trailed off and smile slipped from their faces and Anthony finally realized why his wife was scared too.
Anthony gasped and stared at Kathani and then at her flat belly which will soon grow as their child will grow inside her. "What are we going to do?!"
