It was a rare day when Simon found himself alone in his room without any of his roommates accompanying him.
He may pretend to be a social animal in front of other guys but the truth is he is a lone wolf and prefers solidarity moments to crowded ones.
He was finishing with his lessons while enjoying a drink from his flask. More than that he was enjoying these quiet moments with Dorset busy with biology practices, Bridgerton visiting village and Sharma off to wherever he goes.
His quiet moments soon ended as the door of their room opened and Bridgerton walked inside or more like glided inside while whistling a merry tune.
Simon observe his friend's lit up eyes, smile etched on his face as he removed layers of his clothes until he was only left in shirt and breeches.
Once he was done, Anthony flopped on his bed and stared at the ceiling while sighing both in happiness and longing.
Simon stared at him hard and then stood up to sit on his bed which was next to Anthony's.
"So I believe Yours and Fife visit to the village was successful." He asks.
He watched as Bridgerton sighed dreamily as he replied. "It was more then successful visit Bassett, it was everything and even more."
Simon raised his eyebrows at his friend's love struck attitude. "So which prettiest chit of Brothel is the reason behind your merry mood?" He asked, remembering well what Cho said about Fife planning to do at village.
"What?" Anthony looked surprised and a little offended. "Simon, I didn't accompany Fife to Brothel."
"You didn't? Simon inquires feeling confused by his answer. "Then why did you look like a guy who had just experienced best shagged with the most beautiful chit ever."
"You are totally wrong in your assessment mate. I have not accompanied Fife to any brothel nor do I plan to visit there in near or far future."
"What? But why?" Simon looked shocked as Anthony sighed happily like some love struck fool. "Because I met the most beautiful girl ever in my life! Simon you should have seen her! Her molten dark eyes, the curve of her perfect lips. She is tall and beautiful and her hair are long dark ringlets that I want to wrap my fingers around them and her scent."
Anthony took a deep breath because it had invaded his sense. "Simon her scent is intoxicating and I swear I was constantly aroused in her presence, while strange sensations run inside my body."
Interest piqued in Simon's mind as he asked. "And may I ask where you met this girl of your dreams."
"At village, she works at that tailor shop where Fife and I went to order our fencing suits but Simon I couldn't concentrate on anything! The second our eyes met and she accidentally fell in my arms, it seems like my entire life had turned upside down and now I am longing to see her again, to know about her, to have long conversations with her, to kiss those lovely lips that I couldn't forget."
Anthony groans and Simon could clearly see how much he longed for this girl. "Then what is stopping you? Go to her now and charm her with your smile and Impress her with your wealth and titles."
"I can't because he will find out?" Anthony told him in dejectedly.
"Who? Bridgerton what are you talking about?"
"The girl I was telling you about is Kathani Sharma. She is the twin sister of our roommate Karan Sharma."
Simon's eyes widen at this news. "Kathani Sharma! Karan Sharma twin sister but I never knew he had a twin."
"Yeah I didn't knew about her at first but apparently Sharma's beautiful sister is staying in village with his beautiful fiancé."
"Sharma is engaged?" Simon asked, feeling even more shocked.
"Yes Simon, her name is Genevieve and she is local tailors daughter and Sharma's sister is working there as an apprentice, while Sharma is going to complete his studies here and work part-time at a lumber yard."
"I still don't get what is stopping you Anthony? Sharma is not going anywhere for four years and that means his sister is close by for making it easier for you to dally with her."
"But I can't because Sharma and I are forming a friendship and I can't dally with a friend's sister, beside I just don't want to dally with her."
"Then what do you want!?" Simon asks impatiently.
"I want to woo Kathani Sharma and if she was not Sharma's sister then I would already showering her with flowers and gift because I feel Kathani Sharma is the girl my heart was searching for."
"Mate you are way to young and green to fall for first beautiful girl you saw." Simon tried to reason with him.
"Not when you meet the perfect girl, my father met my mother when he was young and he never had to look anywhere else and I feel it in my heart that Kathani Sharma is one for me.
With that Anthony was once again lost in his daydreams and Simon knew his friend had lost his heart back at tailor shop along with his mind.
At the same time, in other part of town, Kathani and Gen saw off her father as he went to spend time with his friends, drinking and playing cards all night long.
At first Genevieve used to be irritated by her father's habits but now it helps her hide the truth because her father came home completely drunk to ask questions about Kathani and by the time he wake up to open shop Kathani would arrive as Karan.
" It was great we told him Kathani arrived a few days ago as soon you were allowed to do part-time job." Genevieve says as she watched her father walking away from their house.
Once they made sure he was gone Genevieve helped Kathani as she slipped back in Karan's attire.
"Is wig working well for you?" Genevieve ask while braiding her hair in two then pinning it tightly before putting the wig on her head.
"It is working fine but during rowing practice it gets itchy and these tight braids give me headaches." She complains.
Gen feel sympathy for her friend. "Wel, you will get used to these tight braids and as for itchiness I can't help you much because sweat makes wearing wigs itchy so better learn to endure it."
She noticed Kathani frowning as she mumbled. "Great! one more thing to endure during practice."
"What do you mean one more thing? What else is you enduring?"
When she didn't replied Gen looked even more curious as she urged. "Kathani, what is the problem?"
"Its that Viscount Anthony Bridgerton that is the problem! At first he vexed me with his snobbish attitude but then he showed his gentle and kinder side. How can someone make concentrating on sums being so adorable? He is a full-grown man but there is child like wonder and cuteness in his eyes and his smile lit up his surroundings and on top of everything I have to endure, I have to endure being surrounded by his strong arms, his sandalwood scent, his hard body at each rowing practice! My body heated up in his presence Gen and not feverish kind but that kind of warmth you feel after the coldest winters! My belly aches and I am constantly searching for something I couldn't find out whenever that man is anywhere nearby or whenever I just think about him!"
Kathani was heaving heavily as soon she was done complaining about how much Anthony Bridgerton is affecting her life and plans but then to her surprise Genevieve burst into a fit of laughter. "Oh My God! When I saw you two earlier I suspected this but what you just said is just truly amazing!'
"Amazing!" Kathani screamed outrageously. "What is so amazing about my suffering?!"
At that Genevieve gave her sweet, elderly sister a kind of smile as she gently cupped her face. "This suffering you called is what every girl experiences when she is falling in love with a man."
Stunned Kathani blinked as her heart started beating faster. "Love? You mean? Are you saying I am falling in love with Anthony Bridgerton."
"Yes, sweetheart and after what I witnessed today I think the Young Viscount is taken with you too and soon the more he meets you the more he will be falling in love with you."
"But he sees me everyday? We studied together." As soon she said these words Gen's smile dropped and Kathani's heart started cracking. "He sees me everyday as Karan."
"Oh Kathani!"
"No, it's okay, I can't let these feelings distract me from my true goal beside he is Viscount and there many high born ladies waiting for him back home , he won't think about a simpleton like me who he just met."
"Kathani, that's not what I saw today, what I saw between you two is what I felt between Karan and me and these feelings only grew stronger and not disappear."
Kathani didn't reply because she knew how optimistic Genevieve is so with sad smile she says goodbye while dreading how she will contain these feelings around Anthony Bridgerton.
It was during dinner time Anthony saw Sharma entering the dinning hall and its remarkable how he can see Kathani features her brother's face. 'That's because they are twins you idiot!' A voice reminds him and once again Anthony was lost recalling his brief meeting with Kathani while still staring at Sharma as he quietly ate his dinner alone at a corner table.
Simon, who was hearing Dorset's latest biology experiments, suddenly noticed his friend as he stared at Sharma in a weird longing way.
"Get a grip on yourself Bridgerton! Simon hissed in his friend's ear. "You are going to make Sharma uncomfortable with your loving gazes!"
"Sorry but I can't help my self when staring at Sharma reminds me of his beautiful sister!" Anthony groans and Simon shakes his head as he informs him. "Then you are in great trouble."
He was in great trouble indeed when they were getting ready for bed. Sharma passed him and he got a whiff of that same lilies scent that he smells on his sister.
"Still using your sister soap?" He blurted out before he could stop himself and to his horror Sharma looked shocked while Simon and Thomas made choking noise which they tried to pass as cough.
"I beg your pardon?!" Sharma asked while narrowing his dark eyes and Anthony hearts flipped flopped as he realized they are same beautiful eyes as his sister's.
Before he could make a more fool himself Simon took pity on his friend as he intervenes. "What Bridgerton meant to say is that he met your sister and fiancé when he visited village."
"Ah! Yes, my fiancé mentioned that you and some other student went there to order fencing suits."
"And your sister? Did she mention me?" As soon as he ask this question Anthony wanted to sewed his mouth shut, Simon shook his head at his friend's idiocy and mentally face palm himself while Dorset looked confused at this scene.
Sharma, on the other hand, stared curiously at Anthony as he inquires. "Why would my sister mention you?"
"No, of course she not! I just meant it was nice to meet your fiancé and sister, your fiancé seems nice and your sister is so beautiful and I..."
"The point is, he met your fiancé and she and your sister were really nice." Simon pulls Anthony away before his friend start shouting sonnets about Sharma's sister's beauty and how besotted he is with her after just meeting her one time.
Anthony let Simon pulls him away and as they all settled in their bed he could feel Sharma's eyes on him and he prayed to god to give him strength for upcoming days so he won't harm his friendship with Sharma by betraying him by exposing his feelings for his friend's sister.
It was moonlight night as Anthony walked towards his room at Aubrey Hall he noticed that he was walking towards his room and not Viscount room and Anthony guessed now he is Viscount one day he will take them but it seemed not tonight as he opened the door and stepped inside.
At first he didn't notice anything out of ordinary. His bed was made, his desk held his neatly organized books.
His windows were open and it was then under moonlight he noticed a girl standing as she stared outside.
Anthony noticed she was dressed in a purple nightgown and her long dark hair was completely unbound.
Before he knew it he was walking towards this girl and then the sweet scent of lilies invaded his senses as wind blew from an open window.
"Kathani?"
The girl turned to face him and Anthony was struck by her beauty, her dark eyes and her dark skin glowing under moonlight. She gave him a smile as her eyes raked through his body. "Anthony."
Anthony couldn't help self but moan as pleasure racked his body as he heard his name coming from her mouth. He quickly crossed the distance and pulls her in his embrace.
"Say my name again." He begs and she wraps her arms around him as she brushes their noses. "Anthony, my Anthony."
"Yours." He agreed while hugging her close. "only yours just like you belong to me, am I right Kathani?"
"Yes! I am yours my love." As soon as she said this a prideful growl ripped from his mouth and he pulled her close so there lips were almost touching. "Can I kiss you my love." In answer she tilted her head and Anthony quickly touched her lips with his.
The kiss started slow and sweet but once Anthony coaxed his tongue inside her sweet mouth the passion took over.
To his surprise she kissed him with equal favor while clutching his face close so that there was no distance left between them.
Anthony was so lost in her that he barely noticed their bodies rocking into each other.
Picking her up he carried her like a bride towards his bed and all this time she was prepping him with sweet kisses.
Once they both toppled on bed Kathani looked at him with anticipation as he laid on top of her. She gently cupped his face and traced his lower lip with her thumb. "Anthony, make love to me."
By this time Anthony was impossibly hard and was ready to explode and as soon as she said these words he thanked his lucky stars before kissing her passionately and then trailing his lips to her neck where he inhales her scent.
"Anthony!" She moans as her hips rise to meet his and he felt pleasure rocking through his body as he groans.
"Kathani!"
With a gasp, Anthony's eyes open up and instead of his room at Aubrey Hall he found himself in his room in Oxford.
On his right Simon and Dorset were sleeping in their beds and on his left where the source of his torture, that maddening scent was coming from Sharma, whose sister was just invading his dreams.
He couldn't help but glare at his sleeping form and tried to willed his arousal away but he could still vividly remember each detail of that dream and how beautiful Kathani Sharma looked in his arms and in his room.
With a sigh, he put the pillow on top of his face and prayed to God for strength to stop himself with these feelings that would ruin his friendship with Sharma.
Anthony soon finds out that these feelings will not disappear as over the upcoming weeks he day dreamed about Kathani Sharma and even at night she became star of his most sinful dreams.
Annoyingly he never found his completion because every time things were about to progress he would wake up. His only saving grace in all this messed up situation is that he haven't yet released in his pants but being in state of constant arousal is quite painful too.
On the other hand, his longing for Kathani increases tenfold whenever he is around Karan. It was not like he never saw twins before but similarities between Karan Sharma and his sister is one of the God remarkable creation and curse for him because Anthony couldn't help but stare at Sharma and his features reminds him of Kathani.
The only difference he could detect was Sharma has short black curly hair and Kathani has long hair.
"Bridgerton? What are you staring at?" Sharma sudden question snapped him out as his ears turned red. "Nothing, just trying to understand this question."
"Then concentrate on the book and not on my face if you want to pass this exam!"
Anthony could hear Simon snickering on his bed as he tried to concentrate on the question and not on the fact how similar both Sharma siblings looked and smelled.
Besides his obsession with Kathani, her brother manages to make sure that he was well-prepared for upcoming exams and Anthony felt weight lift of his shoulders when mid term examination was finally over.
"I am so glad we are done." Dorset says as four of them return to their room.
"Agreed with you mate." Anthony replied as he laid down on his bed. "Now all we have to do is wait for results and concentrate on upcoming autumn tournaments."
"Yes but tonight calls for celebration and we are all heading towards the village!" Simon announced excitedly as he stared at his roommates, especially Sharma. "Even you Sharma because you studied harder than most of us and did part-time job too! If anyone deserves respite it's you!"
"Um, guys, I am really tired." He began to make excuses but Anthony and Simon quickly got him and pulled him on his feet.
"No Sharma you are joining us and that's final." Simon told him.
"Come Sharma! it will be fun." Anthony insisted and then to everyone's delight he smiled. "Alright! Let's do this fun night."
"Yes Sharma! That's the spirit!" the boys cheered and together with some other guys they left for village.
Upon arriving at village, many boys head towards the Brothel while others head towards the local Inn to enjoy dinner and drinks. Anthony noticed that not only men but girls from the village were also there enjoying meals and conversation with local men.
Apparently the innkeeper Daughter was quite popular as she danced with local men dressed in burgundy dress.
"Who is that?" Dorset asks, eyeing the girl in interest. "That's Sienna Russo." Simon informed their group. "Innkeeper daughter and rumors are she was the daughter of famous Aria, Maria, before she fell in love with Mr Rosso and settled in this village. Some say she got her mother gift to attract any men she wants."
Simon notices that the only men who were not seem to be interested in her are Sharma and Anthony. "Oh! Come on! Tell me your loins didn't tingle at a sight of her?" Simon asked and both gave him an amused look.
"She is all yours mate." Anthony says and then he notices a beautiful woman dressed in dark green accompanying her father. "Beside Sharma here is already taken. Look his fiancé has just arrived with her father."
Simon and Dorset stared and then gasped as a most stunning woman was walking towards their table.
"Karan!" She beamed at Sharma . "My lord." She curtsied at Anthony.
They watched as Sharma stood up and kissed her cheek before turning to face them. "Genevieve darling you have already met Bridgerton but let me introduce you to my other room-mates. Simon Bassett and Thomas Dorset. Guys this is my fiancé Genevieve."
"Nice to meet you sir." Genevieve told them.
Before they could reply a seductive voice disturbed them. "So this is your fiancé Gen? No wonder you were hiding him from me, were you afraid of competition."
The guys watched as Sienna eyed Sharma with interest while Genevieve glared at her. "I was not hiding anyone Sienna! My fiancé is student at oxford."
Her interest seems to pique. "A well read commoner? How fascinating. I thought that posh university is for only posh people but hearing you were able to study there made you even more interesting in my eyes."
By this time everyone was watching this exchange as Sienna was trying her best to lure Sharma away from his fiancé as she step closer and put her hands on Sharma arms. "How about we sat at corner and I can offer you our best meal while you can tell me stories about yourself studying there."
They all watched as Sharma gently extracted his arms from her clutches. "Thank you for the offer but unfortunately I am more tempted in spending time with my beautiful fiancé then some strange girl who openly tries to seduce another woman's man."
Sienna glared as rest of the people burst in laughter as Karan led his fiancé away from the inn.
"I must say Sharma is one lucky fellow because his fiancé is extremely gorgeous" As much Anthony wanted to agree with Simon but he can't because for him there is only one woman extremely gorgeous and that is Kathani Sharma.
As it got late at night, Anthony along with Simon and Dorset decided to head home.
"Don't you want to visit Brothel?" Anthony inquires and Simon waves his hand. "Nah! Today is night for my friends and beside I can visit those pretty lady anytime I want."
The three of them gathered their things when Dorset noticed something. "Look, Sharma left his coat behind."
"Let's take it with us then." Simon said but Anthony got another idea. "We should give it to Sharma!"
Simon and Dorset stared at him so he quickly made an excuse. " It is getting cold and if Sharma gets sick before the Autumn tournament then he will be sent back to India."
"Okayyyy." Simon drawled while giving him a knowing look. "Let's give this to Sharma but where will we found him?"
"His fiancé house." Anthony quickly ask for tailor's house address from local villager.
"Come, his fiancé house is nearby." Simon and Dorset watched as Anthony rushed outside and they both hurriedly followed him.
Sure enough they reached soon their destination but apparently Anthony's enthusiasm has vanished as he nervously stared at the door.
"What is he doing?" Dorset asks and Simon, who was waiting for his friend to knock, groans as he answers. "Being love struck idiot!" Simon replied as he marched towards Anthony.
"Move aside you moron!" With three sharp rap he waited while Anthony anxiously stood beside him. Simon finally found out what the fuss was about when door opened and there in front of him dressed in simple blue dress was the most exotic and beautiful girl he ever saw , the same girl who apparently is twin sister of their roommate and Darling of his friend's heart.
Ignoring his friend's reaction Anthony eagerly stepped forward. "Good evening Ms Sharma."
He watched as she looked surprised but then curtsied them. "Good evening Lord Bridgerton and Good evening?" She looked questioningly.
"Oh, they are not important." Anthony told her, which earned him laughter from Kathani while Simon and Dorset looked offended. "Not important! Need I remind you that I am the future Duke ! Viscount Bridgerton!"
Anthony looked sheepishly embarrassed as Simon introduced himself. "I am Simon Bassett and this my friend is Thomas Dorset and apparently you know Viscount Bridgerton who thinks he is really important."
"Bassett! Anthony hissed embarrassingly but his heart jumped when She giggled as she introduced herself. "Nice to meet you all, I am Kathani Sharma."
"Sharma never told us about his beautiful sister." Dorset says and Anthony was to punch him as he snaps. "Maybe because it was not our business."
He then turned to face Kathani who was watching him with amusement. "It's really nice to meet you again Ms Sharma, I hope you are faring well."
"I am fine my Lord, thank you for asking. Please come inside."
All three men followed her and Anthony found the house was neat and cosy despite being small.
"Can I offer you some tea or refreshments?" She asked and Anthony really wished they were alone so he could accept her offer and spend some time with her but unfortunately they were not alone. "Thank you but maybe some other time, we just came here to give this to your brother."
He grabbed the coat from Dorset and held it out for her.
"How kind of you gentlemen." She smiled and then extended her hand to take the coat from him but gasped as their hands brushed with each other.
For two minutes Simon and Dorset stood there as they watched Bridgerton and Ms Sharma lost in each other eyes while still holding the coat between them.
Simon mischievously took the coat and found their fingers clutching each other. "I think I will give this to Sharma myself?" He spoke loud enough to break the trance as they both dropped their hand and jumped apart.
"What! No!" Ms Sharma begins but Simon was already heading towards stairs but then he abruptly stopped as loud screams started coming from upstairs room along with banging noises.
"Yes! Yes! Oh Karan! Oh God Karan!"
All three men looked Flustered while Kathani Sharma blushed hard in embarrassment.
"Looks like your brother is busy at a moment." Simon joked, which earned him a well-deserved glare from his friends as Ms Sharma blushed harder. "Um, I can give him his coat, later."
"Yes! Capital idea." Anthony praised as he snatched the coat from Simon and gave it to her. "Here you go."
Once again they both stared at each other until Dorset disturbed them. "If we are done with delivering coat then shall we leave."
"Yes! Let's go! Good night Ms Sharma." Simon was the first one to go and Dorset followed him after he said goodbye.
Anthony lingers but then another moan and banging noise reached his ear and being extremely flustered he grabs her hand and kissed it. "Sweet dreams Ms Sharma because I know mine will be."
He smirked when she gasped and then with a quick bow he stepped backwards. "Goodnight Ms Sharma, I hope we meet again soon."
With that he left but not before capturing the delightful look appeared on her beautiful face as she rushed towards the door and waved at him goodbye.
He was whistling by the time he joined Simon and Dorset near there carriage and Simon was giving him a knowing look. "You were right my friend and now I understand why you fell for her so hard and fast at first glimpse."
Back at Genevieve's house, Kathani was closing the door and sighed dreamily while not noticing that Gen had come down from upstairs after acting that most embarrassing act of her life.
"Well ! Well! Well! It's seem that Viscount is smitten with a low born common girl despite many high born girls waiting for him back home."
Kathani tried to be annoyed but with Anthony's sudden visit left her heart with too much happiness to be annoyed and all she could do is run into Gen arms and be excited as she told her everything that happened.
That night as Anthony dreamt of Kathani Sharma on his left side Kathani Sharma was also dreaming about Anthony Bridgerton and it was really the sweetest dream they had.