Across the park Anthony could see her pulling her horse to a stop and turning to see him. The victory made her face glow in the sunrise light and his intense expression changed into a genuine smile; the first one in a long while. There was no time to dwell on the strangeness of that smile; he had an important decision ahead of him. Following her would be admitting that she had won more than a race. But not following her and subsequently losing her in the big city was just as unthinkable.
He spurred the horse forward.
On the soft morning ground, he easily tracked her. Once she believed she was safe from discovery she slowed down. She clearly did not anticipate that a stranger would search for her in that manner, which probably meant that he shouldn't have attempted it, but the pull was so strong that he trusted his instinct against refined social behavior. The circumstances called for impertinence. That was a woman Anthony simply had to know.
She was startled by his abrupt arrival at her side and a word he did not recognize was her response. His wounded pride made him immediately declare his intention to be more competitive in their next round. Her apology for any concern caused by her actions meant to be dissuading, but he didn't view it that way; it didn't serve him to.
Her unladylike riding style was unconventional, but the revelation that she had no maid was even more shocking. There was something anticlimactic at the thought that she might have already been married, but endless other possibilities filled his mind. However, before he could get too lost in the hypothesis of any liberties she was allowed, the small shake of her head rebutted his assumptions. His interest would remain heightened either way.
It wouldn't do to anger her with an insult, no matter how veiled it would be, so any comment on her faulty assessment of her chosen route died in his throat when she mentioned that her destination had been Mayfair. The thrill of her connection to London's society was just too intriguing even though he really did not know what he wanted or expected. What he knew was that he wanted to stay long enough to find out.
Unfortunately she did not share his enthusiasm. She tried to bring their encounter to an early conclusion and suggested they should act as if they never met. It made sense he realized, but he was unwilling to let go of her just yet. As a gentleman he promised to keep her secrets, and she thanked him for it. There was little gratitude in her tone, but he did not mind. It wasn't her gratitude he wanted. Of that he was certain.
He mentioned that he wasn't comfortable with others knowing of his defeat. His performance in the race must have been underwhelming because she dismissed it with a slight scoffing laugh. Annoyed confusion replaced his earlier light mood. With less effort than he thought possible she issued the most obnoxiously delicious challenge when she implied that there could not be a race if not both parties were close in skill. He muttered a few excuses for his inadequacy which only amused her. Her amusement irritated him more and he professed that he, unlike her, wouldn't mind admitting being wrong; a blatant lie.
Finally he succumbed to his earlier urge to correct her on her sense of direction. With an alarmed look she searched the area around her for any signs of the truthfulness of his words. He savored that moment but regretted it soon after. The presence of a few riders nearby made her decision for her and she steered her horse in the direction he had pointed at as the correct one to Mayfair and away she galloped.
"We have not yet been introduced." He called after her.
"I am afraid that is not possible. Not when I have a victory lap to enjoy."
She had the most marvelous laughter. She was quite possibly the most beautiful, most captivating woman he had ever met or ever hoped to meet in London Society. There was no denying that apart from her the rest of the season could not hold much interest for him.
…
Locating her would not be difficult. Mayfair was a place where people wanted to be noticed. Whatever their agenda had been, there was always something they needed to be advertised about themselves. The rest would take their course. He wasn't naively optimistic. For most men this could have been a challenge. For the viscount Bridgerton it was not.
But his certainty was not rewarded. Nothing came from his discreet search. It had come to what he wished he could have avoided.
His mother.
No doubt she would have a friend or an acquaintance whose connections or relations would know her or of her and sooner or later he would have her name and be able to find her.
Of course, the reason he would have preferred to not have his mother involved in the process was that she would begin an interrogation on the precise circumstances under which he met that woman.
Omitting any element of the original story that would get him into trouble was rather pointless because every aspect of their meeting was scandalous. Unchaperoned, in the park, at the break of dawn. It had all the makings of a nightmare for the well-bred society. A completely fabricated tale was his only solution. Something about noticing her when he was promenading during one of his interviews would suffice.
"But why would you ask about a stranger?" Benedict had been laboring restlessly on his doodling but he managed to lift his head to ask that question, his face the very picture of innocence.
"Did she catch your eye?" his mother asked with contained enthusiasm but Anthony could read the signs. He couldn't blame her for it. His behavior that far had been disappointing for her to say the least. And he would like to enjoy a few moments free of censure from her but he would not openly admit the degree of his interest. It was too soon for any of that and he knew Violet Bridgeton could become overzealous in her efforts while he wanted the whole business dealt in the way he preferred.
He sat calmly in his chair, making small circles in the air with the glass in his hand. "I was merely curious. I do not believe I have seen her before."
"And there was no one who could introduce you?" Benedict persisted, this time making actual eye contact.
"No," he replied firmly. "And I could not abandon the young lady I was escorting in favor of another, could I?"
"Of course not." Benedict agreed with mocking seriousness. "You are a gentleman after all. One who merely notices other women when he escorts a young lady. Very gallant."
"Do not tease him, Benedict. He is showing some genuine interest in a young lady at long last. We should be encouraging him." The anticipation for details in her eyes betrayed that in the following weeks more than simple encouragement was coming his way.
"Oh, yes mother." A diabolical smile formed on the corner of his brother's mouth. "We can definitely try to do that. I shall make a note of it for the future and I will alert our siblings on this chosen course of action. The Duchess must be told at once. I will even notify Colin who is currently in the continent-"
With a sharp call of his name by their mother, Benedict was silenced, but remained present. To offer witty but unhelpful remarks, Anthony guessed.
"And you, Anthony. Do not spoil it by saying you are merely curious. No one will think you are not serious about your pursuit if you show some excitement too." She did not wait for an answer and asked for a description of the woman in question.
Anthony fought very hard not to focus on details that would alert his mother to the unchaste thoughts in his head, while trying to ignore Benedicts' continuously rising laughter. His brother was unsuccessfully hidden behind his sketchbook and so Anthony could shoot him an appropriately silencing look.
His mother's eyebrows narrowed in concentration. "Are you certain about the language she spoke in?"
"Fairly certain, mother." For days he had asked any available scholar he could find until one of them had an answer. Dorset was more interested in medicine than linguistics but India fascinated him enough to recognize the origin of the word if not the meaning of it. In fact, Dorset had begun to say, only the other day I, but Anthony did not allow the story to continue. Dorset was a good fellow, but Anthony with the precious information in his possession could not wait to make use of it.
"If that is the case, and she is indeed a newcomer to London." His mother's mind began working the details. "I believe I heard Lady Mary Sharma was set to return to England from India. And I heard from Lady Featherington that Lady Danbury will sponsor her daughter for her first season. It sounds like this could be her, does it not?"
Anthony frowned a little. Her age did not suggest she could be a débutante. Then again, circumstances might not have allowed her to be presented earlier. They might be moving in the wrong direction, but something else worried him more.
Lady Danbury.
Her sponsoring of the mysterious rider could work either way. On one hand she was almost family through Daphne's marriage to Hastings who was her godson, putting Anthony at a possible advantage, but the old dragon was as unpredictable as they would come. There was every chance that Lady Danbury might already have suitors in mind. She always struck him as a person who planned ahead of things, leaving little to chance. The potential suitors could have been selected before the young woman set foot on English soil. He could already picture a list with his rivals. Which meant that he had to be quick if he wanted to avoid finding himself at the end of a long line of gentlemen, waiting for a meeting with her.
"Then I suppose a visit to the Danbury house is required. Post haste." To quell his curiosity if nothing else. The rider might not even be behind the door of the Danbury residence. Which meant that he would have to begin his searching anew and he was running out of time.
"I advise that, of course." His mother smiled at him over her embroidery. "I have an inkling though, that tonight at the Conservatory where Lady Danbury is hosting her ball you will have your chance to meet her."
Anthony returned the smile. "For the first time, I am actually looking forward to a ball."
"Wonders never cease." Benedict's sarcastic tone did not mask his delight.
"Well, that still makes one of us." Eloise commented grumpily, walking in the drawing room, having heard only the last few statements.
Benedict's humorous attempt to comfort Eloise in her unimaginable plight with the promise that he would rescue her if need be, was drowned by Anthony's musings. The memory of that maddening scent brought a strange sensation of intense desire. He thought he could still sense it, days after he had seen her. He wanted to drown in that scent. He wanted to be able to taste it, if possible, on her skin… but there was something else too; it transported him to a world where life was as simple as racing someone in the park and laughing in their presence. If only…
For several minutes he was trying to find which flower it was. He knew it, of that he had been sure. Aubrey Hall's garden was full of it as he was growing up… What was it? It was on the tip of his tongue.
"Lilies!" he proclaimed and everyone turned to look at him with puzzled expressions.
"Dearest?" His mother asked.
Anthony coughed a little, slightly embarrassed. "Nothing. I shall need to arrange for some flowers to be delivered to Danbury House." He made it sound like the greatest idea since inventing the wheel. For Anthony, it was.
…
Kate was in no hurry to get out of the tub. Edwina had presented her with a long list of reasons she should not go riding on the morning of the ball at the Conservatory, Lady Danbury's displeasure being the main one. Edwina feared their sponsor and she had been determined to be as perfect as humanly possible. She was not wrong; her success depended on her perfection.
Kate had no such worries. She would be proper, because her conduct would affect Edwina and she knew it, but she would remain true to herself. Which meant that without her morning ride she would enjoy a long bath despite Edwina's protests about being late for Lady Danbury's inspection. The day's schedule would be heavy ahead of the evening's ball. That should have kept them occupied before Kate could join her sister and try to calm her down as she usually did.
With idle movements she rubbed the soft lily scented soap on her soaked skin. She leaned back and submerged herself in the water up to her neck. She felt she could have fallen asleep and shook her head to stay awake. If she had succumbed to slumber that man with the devilish smirk would appear in her dream. Again. It had been a damned nuisance that she dreamed of him night after night but her thoughts should have been more disciplined. How was it that she could not keep him away during the waking hours?
Him, with his staggering arrogance, which was a contradiction to his pleasant presence. With his quick temper that was softened by his alluring voice. Intelligence, dark eyes and a pleasing smile. Oh his smile. Such fine qualities that almost made him a threat and she could not afford it. Kate was not in London for her own affairs.
Her future had been designed long ago and it would not unfold in England. There would be no revisiting those plans. Of course she could not avoid the issue from rising altogether. Lady Danbury had quickly realized that Kate had opinions on every matter about her and her sister's experience during the Season and she was determined to correct said opinions as swiftly as possible. Their sponsor made it clear that Edwina should not be the only one presented to the Queen at the ball. That meant one thing and one thing only. Lady Danbury intended to find Kate a husband.
Kate had been adamant in her refusal to be included in the marriage mart, but their hostess's persistence was unparalleled. A series of introductions for both girls had been arranged with her mama's blessing. It had been a matter of discourse between them; her mama would urge Kate to reconsider and Kate would say no, accompanied by a demonstration of storming out of the room. It used to be far easier but Lady Danbury provided her mama with reinforcement that Kate could not fight against.
She did not appreciate the violation of her independence but feared no consequences. Her advanced age would keep her safe. At six and twenty she had been branded a spinster and not many gentlemen would see past that number. A few could be tempted by her beauty to overlook her unflattering status and even then there was no assurance that any understanding would form because she knew she was no gentleman's idea of a wife. Not docile enough, not patient enough, too opinionated and certainly too demanding. No amount of beauty, inner strength and resourcefulness could compensate for any of that.
There had been a proposal.
On the ship from India, a widower found every conceivable excuse to spend time with the Sharmas from the first day. At first Kate thought he was interested in her mama. He had been fifteen years her senior which meant that he was at least thirty five years older than Kate and he looked like he could be her grandfather. But she had been mistaken about his purpose. Of course he had been wily enough to make his intentions known to her mama first, thinking that she would be able to sway Kate into accepting him. When Kate heard of that absurdity she did not find it as hilarious as Edwina did but she did not think it was a serious offer either. Her mama had not been willing to see her bound to that man but she was trying to be polite with him. However, with the revelation about
the widower's seven children and his long absences due to his business in the colonies her mama had been the one to reject the man's suit for Kate leaving no room for objections from him.
With him gone most of the time and seven children to take care of I would be a glorified governess. If I want that, I could do it without the burden of wifely duties. The thought of laying in bed with him made her shiver with dread.
A flash of an image interrupted her thoughts. The stranger from the park was holding her, running his fingers through her hair and he was guiding her to a bed where he joined her. Without meaning to, she allowed herself one more moment of that scene. He leaned in and kissed her while his hands removed her nightdress…
One of the maids walked in to bring her towels. Kate thanked her with a startled nod. For the towels and for stopping a very dangerous line of thoughts. She did not feel ready yet to leave the hot water so her mind returned to the men she met on the ship.
A few days before their arrival, came an introduction from a young gentleman, living on the allowance from his titled cousin. He quickly explained that it was expected of him to marry rich. Kate was amused by his presumption that the issue of his circumstances could be of any interest to her but after a few pleasantries had been exchanged he suggested that they could still have some fun. According to him nothing better or near as exciting would be offered to her, at her age, so she had no reason to reject him. To ease her mind he reassured her that there would be no consequences. Kate supposed there were women who felt free to welcome in their beds any lover of their choosing, both of them willing to enjoy each other's company; Kate could not judge them for it. But the entitlement of a man to assume that any woman should be available to warm his bed under such conditions as the ones she was offered, that was an offense she could not forgive. She contemplated mentioning to him the marriage proposal from the widower but it was ludicrous to fight one insult with another especially when neither of those men would understand why she was insulted and why she did not count herself blessed for their attention.
From then and until the moment they disembarked she kept to the family's cabin to avoid a third encounter.
The whole experience made her angry. Why was a woman's life so complicated? No matter how Kate thought of it it did not give her what she wanted. She would have married if it meant that her sister's dowry would be secured and her mama would be taken care of. But the lack of noble birth would not allow for a very wealthy man, who would be inclined and able to cover their financial needs, to truly consider Kate for his wife. (The widower did not offer such security. With five daughters of his own to provide for, he could not afford it even if he would be willing.) So marriage for profit had not been an option and she resorted to another solution that included the Sheffields and their money.
For years she had avoided the question of love. For the briefest period of time she really considered it but her father's death closed that door; it was locked and sealed. Her family's needs were more important.
But sometimes, some nights, Kate would think about what it might have felt like if love was really an option for her. To meet a man and feel free to love him and live even a single night in his embrace.
The handsome stranger intruded her thoughts again. His lips were worshiping her with words and kisses and she was melting in his arms-
"Kate," Edwina called from outside. "Lady Danbury wants to see you now. Make haste."
Kate ran a hand on her face to wipe away the sensation of her daydream. "I shall be a while, bon. I will have to dry my hair."
"Oh Kate, why did you wet it? You knew it would make you late." The disappointment in her sister's voice seeped through the door.
"It was an unavoidable accident, bon." She sat up and let her dry hair loose on her shoulders. "Convey my apology to Lady Danbury." Then she took a deep breath and lowered her head beneath the water.
…
"Thomas Dorset," her mama said.
Kate looked up from Newton's face and smiled. The name of Mr. Dorset was said for her benefit. "What of him?"
Lady Danbury was not convinced by her pleasing demeanor. "He has asked for your first dance."
"Already?" Kate did not manage to hide her surprise. "The dancing cards have not been drawn yet!"
"He is eager." Her mama's eagerness was apparent too.
"Perhaps a little too much."
"Kate!"
Her family's disapproval made her withdraw her dissent. "Of course he is a fine young man, Lady Danbury. I have no objection to spending some time with him tonight. But I prefer not to dance. Tonight is for Edwina."
Lady Danbury seemed satisfied. "I am glad to hear it."
"You should wear that pink dress with the gemstones." Her mama suggested.
"Oh yes, it suits you so well, didi-"
"Indeed. No doubt he will be-"
"I would not order my trousseau just yet if I were you, mama." Kate cast her mama a look.
"Well, of course not." Her mama smiled shyly. "But who knows!"
"I do, mama." Kate said, turning her attention to her dog.
"You enjoyed your walk the other day, did you not?"
"The first and only time I saw or spoke to him? Yes." There was impatience in her tone, familiar enough for her mama and sister to stop their questions. "He was very pleasant company but it does not signify."
"He was very attentive, Miss Sharma. And not for no reason."
"Didi, mama is unwell." Edwina said while Kate was busy trying to keep Newton from mounting the lap of an old lady who interestingly seemed to welcome the attention.
Mama had not been sick during their long voyage but one day back to London and the climate did not agree with her. As if it happened so that Kate would feel even more guilty for bringing them both back there than she already did. But there was no going back; if Edwina's future was to be secured England would have to be their home.
"May I be of help, Lady Danbury?" A young man appeared out of nowhere. Lady Danbury utilized him, reassuring Kate and Edwina that he was capable of offering assistance. And she had been correct. Mr. Dorset was gentle but practical with her mama and she was comfortable in his hands. Edwina was touched by his devotion to their mama's care.
Once she felt better, everyone was more relaxed. Kate appreciated all Mr Dorset did and was glad for his presence there, but she felt that Lady Danbury might have been a little too obvious in expressing their gratitude. He looked pleased with it, Kate noticed with a side glance.
"We should get mama home," Kate said and held her mama's hand.
"I would rather stay here for a while, if you don't mind. I feel a ride in the carriage will not help me much now."
"I am a little tired too," Edwina said. "I will stay with her. You should go for a walk, didi." Lady Danbury had been fast in giving her sister instructions.
"I will not leave you and mama for a walk, bon."
"I am here, my dear, and you have not had the chance to enjoy the day. Mr Dorset, would you mind escorting Miss Sharma for a walk?"
Kate saw no way out without appearing disagreeable and honestly, Mr Dorset deserved better.
"Do you mind if I take Newton with me, Mr Dorset? Only, he will run after us anyway."
"He's a delightful creature." Newton was wiggling his tail as he moved away from him. "We might not be the best of friends, though!" Mr Dorset said humorously. "Shall we?"
Kate put her best smile on and walked along the path ahead of them. Mr Dorset talked about the weather, and just when Kate felt her eyes rolling at the platitude, he commented on the difference between the climate of England to that of India and with interesting details too. She had been prepared to face ignorance and indifference about her home country. It was refreshing to be surprised.
"I wish to travel there one day."
Me too, Kate thought. Soon. "It is my homeland of course so I am biased, but it is beautiful and welcoming."
"And with rich history and culture." He seemed genuinely interested. "In particular I am interested in the medical advances being made there. I follow the field closely and I must say I am more than intrigued."
Their conversation went on for a bit longer and then it had been he who suggested they should return to her family, sensing her concern for her mama.
"Mr Dorset, I will host a ball at the Conservatory soon," Lady Danbury informed him. "If you are in town, we shall be expecting you."
"Thank you, Lady Danbury. I will wait for the invitation. For now I shall bid you good day."
The three women followed him with their eyes. Many comments were made on how handsome and kind and wonderful Mr. Dorset was. Kate was silent. She kept busy with the fresh stain Newton had left on her sleeve.
She had been in England for no more than a few hours and she longed to return home.
"Yes, Lady Danbury. I suspect Mr. Dorset has his reasons." But, no matter how excited Edwina was, no matter how anxious her mama would get and no matter how much Lady Danbury would insist, Mr Dorset would remain a nice gentleman and an interesting acquaintance but nothing more. Kate had no time for nothing more.
The thought of another gentleman, who did not act as most gentlemen would, came unbidden to her mind.
Mr Dorset would have to be a strong and reliable distraction too, because apparently Kate desperately needed one.
NOTES
The flashback when Kate meets Thomas occurred on the Sharmas' first day in England. A couple of days later she meets Anthony and a few days pass between the encounter at the park and the ball at the Conservatory. Enough time for Anthony to search for her (and to intrude her dreams 😉)
-I can't wait to read your reactions. Any ideas, any guesses, any questions? Please, please, please let me know!