For many months ever since Kathani started Oxford as her brother she took great care of keeping her identity secret.
There were few strict measures she followed. Like waking up early to take baths until she was allowed to leave for job. She also woke up earlier than her roommate in case her wig came off and she made sure to cover her head when deep sleep threatened to overtake.
Amongst all her strict measures, one she took great care of was to keep count of her monthly bleeding. Now she and Gen understand that monthly visitors do not always arrive on time, so to save herself from unfortunate situations, Kathani used to wear thick rags the week of her day was due and even if it itches on practice day and leave rashes but it was small price to keep her secret safe.
So things were going according to plan even her monthly visitors and for a while she thought that nothing could disrupt these well taken measures.
What Kathani didn't consider was falling in love, getting married and losing her virginity to her loving husband when she made these plans. Yet all these things happen and now Kathani is, Viscountess Kathani Bridgerton and aside from getting titles of wife and Viscountess she is now also active lover of her husband. (Much to Simon's mortification, who often help their escapades)
As her first month of marriage drew closer in her bliss she quite forgotten about her monthly visitors and she figure that out very late during their rowing practice.
It happened week before they were due to leave for London for Queen spring festival and ball. Kathani along with her husband, Simon and Berbrook were in middle of lake rowing their boat when she felt small cramping in her lower abdomen.
Anthony was sitting behind his wife noticed her grip on her oars tightened as she gasped in pain.
Apparently he was not the only one to notice but Bassett and Berbrook also realized something was wrong.
Simon stared concerned at his sister's pale form and it was clear she was in pain. Berbrook who was facing her closer bend down to peer at her face as he ask. "What's wrong with you Sharma?"
All three of them watched as she hunched down and then suddenly she sat straight as she stared at Simon and then turned to stare at her husband as she mouthed. "Help."
Anthony didn't think as he looked at others and ordered. "I think Sharma has pulled muscle or something, come let's row back."
Simon didn't hesitate as he start rowing with his friend but Berbrook looked still confused as he asked. "When did you pulled muscle mate? I thought we were rowing at average speed."
But no one gave him mind and soon they reached the scheduled dock. Simon and Berbrook were first to get out but as Anthony was helping his wife he saw blood spots on her pants and on seat she sitting.
Understanding dawn on him and before Berbrook could noticed the blood too he used his foot to topple their rowing boat along with himself and his wife.
"Bridgerton! Sharma!" Berbrook yells in shock while Simon gaped at his friends emerging from lake water while their over turn rowing boat floats away in the lake.
Before he could understand Bridgerton bark at Berbrook. "What are you staring at!? Go get us some towels and blankets before we freeze to death!"
As he scurried away Simon finally noticed his friends and soon figure out why they were acting strange as Bridgerton helped his sister out from the lake water and he saw her trousers stained with red spots.
"Are you alright?" Anthony inquires while checking his wife's wig but even in distress and shivering in the cold all he could see was gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you. I, I don't know what I would have done if you had not quickly thought about throwing us in lake."
Looking around, Anthony gently kissed his wife before helping her out of the water. "Tell me what do you need?"
"Genevieve, I need you to take me to Genevieve."
Nodding his head, he stared at Bassett who still looked shocked. "Bassett go get those blankets from Berbrook and get rid off him."
Once again Simon didn't hesitate as he rushed ahead and stopped Berbrook from getting any closer. "Berbrook, thank God you are here, look give me these blankets and towels and informed rowing master that we are taking Sharma to Doctor because he got muscles cramp."
"Should I come with you too?" He asked but Simon blocked his path as he said. "No Berbrook, Bridgerton and I will handle Sharma but someone needs to inform rowing master and that's why you need to go now."
It was clear Berbrook wanted to argue but under Simon's stern gaze he thought better to listen to him and left to inform rowing master.
By the time Simon arrived back where his friend were standing Kathani trousers has more red spot and she looked little bit in pain as she leaned closer to her husband.
Anthony quickly covered his wife with thick blankets before turning to stare at his friend. "Come Bassett, we need to take her into our room so she can change, so we could take her to Genevieve's house."
"But why does she need to go now?" He inquires.
"Because Genevieve has ingredients of herbal tea that help me with my fucking monthly cramps." Kathani snapped irritably and after that both men didn't dare to question any further.
After all they are still gentlemen and even though they will help her, it is not their business to ask for details about her monthly visitors.
Kathani was changing her rags and new clothes as she hand over her soiled clothes to her husband.
Anthony frowned as he gingerly held the soiled garment as he asked. "What are we going to do with these clothes?"
He heard his wife groans from inside, weather she was in pain or annoyed he cannot tell as she replied. "Put it in the sack, I need to take these to Gen's house so she can get rid of it."
Nodding his head, he stashed the clothes in depth of her sack before adding more clothes in case someone tried to open her sack.
While he was doing this, Simon hurried inside as he said. "The carriage is here." Anthony sighed as Kathani came outside looking a bit better in fresh clothes but still looked little pale as she ask. "Anthony? Simon? Have you arranged for carriage?"
Anthony pulled his wife close as he checked out her wet wig. "The carriage is ready, come let's take you to Genevieve's."
All three of them were about to leave when Dorset walked inside.
Today classes were extremely tiring and he really needed distractions to refresh his mind. Luckily he saw his friends heading out. "Guys! Where are you three going?"
All three of them gaped at him for a few seconds until Bassett joyously replied. "These two whipped man are heading towards village to see their wives and I am accompanying them to visit my favourite brothel."
"That's great! Just give me a few seconds to freshen up and then I will join you guys."
"What?!" All three of them splutter making Thomas look at them strangely. "Is everything all right?" He asks.
Bridgerton smiled while Sharma grimaced as he said. "Everything is all right. Just hurry up please."
Thomas nodded and left but he didn't notice Sharma groaning behind him.
The entire ride towards the village, Thomas couldn't help but notice something was wrong with Sharma. He looked a little pale and like he was in pain.
He noticed his hand often clutching his stomach whenever the carriage shook. Thomas also noticed that each time this happened Bridgerton angrily shouts at coachman to ride carefully.
"So Thomas tell me what else you learn today in your class?" Thomas narrowed his eyes at Bassett because its third time he is asking the same questions which strangely allied whenever Sharma flinched in pain.
"Guys? What is going on? You seemed in pain and you looked worried for him." Thomas pointed at both Sharma and Bridgerton before moving to Bassett as he inquires. "And I noticed you are trying to distract me with your questions."
His friends began to laugh nervously as Sharma assured him. "You are imagining things Dorset. I am perfectly fine and it's not the first time Bassett showed interest in your subjects." At that he has to agree because ever since they returned from winter vacation it seems Bassett has taken quite an interest in medicine.
So he let go of the matter and started telling Basset all about his classes while he noticed Bridgerton and Sharma sat quietly looking stressed about something.
Soon they arrive at Their wives house and Bridgerton stepped out before giving Sharma his hand.
Dorset looked weirdly at him but Bassett quickly explained his unsaid question. "Sharma pulled muscle during rowing practice."
"Are you going to be alright mate? I know some massages that could help you."
"No!" Bridgerton exclaimed loudly before composing his face as he helped their friend out. "I mean, Sharma will be fine with a little bit of rest, you guys go ahead and enjoy your day."
Dorset looked unconvinced but before he could ask any further questions Bridgerton closed the door and Bassett tapped the roof so that their carriage could start moving again.
Anthony and Kathani sighed in relief as they watched the carriage leave. He then quickly ushered his wife inside and thankfully Genevieve opened the door at first knock.
"What's the matter?" Genevieve asked, surprised by their sudden appearance.
"My monthly visitor arrived a week earlier." Kathani whispered as Anthony gently settled her on the chair. "Genevieve, Kathani was saying something about herbal tea to sooth her cramping."
Genevieve watched their faces and then smacked her forehead. "Of course your courses arrived earlier. My Auntie once explained these kinds of things happened to newly married women."
"Thank you for sharing this information Gen, now please get me that bloody tea!" Kathani snapped, making Anthony and Genevieve winced as she scurried away in kitchen.
Few minutes later she came back with the tea and Anthony watched his wife's face getting relieved as tea started working its magic. "Anthony, can you help me upstairs I need to change and lay down." Kathani says in a tired voice.
Anthony quickly picked up his wife and despite her protests of able to walk he ignored her and start carrying her upstairs but not before making one last request to Gen. "Genevieve, can you send some food upstairs and also take care of her soiled clothes?"
Genevieve smiled and picked up the sack. "Go take care of our girl and I will take care of this." They smiled at each other in camaraderie as Anthony took his wife to upstairs room.
Kathani watched as her husband gently put her down and took her wig off as he asked. "What do you need my love?"
"Can you get me my nightgown from wardrobe, the dark blue one." Anthony left to grab her robe while Kathani left to change her rags and use chamber pot.
Once she was cleaned and in fresh rags she peaked outside and found her nightgown on the nearby chair.
By the time she was dressed Anthony return with tray that had cup of chai and sandwiches for her.
Kathani beamed and as they settled on her bed to enjoy this refreshments he brought she couldn't help but kiss her husband in gratitude. "Thank you."
"For what?" Anthony inquires feeling confused as his wife's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you for taking such good care of me. If it weren't for you then I could easily get exposed today but now I know as long as I have you in my life there is nothing wrong that could happen to me."
Anthony kissed her forehead as he assured his wife. "There is no need to thank me because your safety and wellbeing are my responsibility and I know Kathani Sharma struggled a lot in the past but Kathani Bridgerton will never have to face any hardship as long as I am alive."
And as they laid together in that small bed Kathani knew she and her secret are safe in these arms.