By the time it was night fall Simon arrived at Genevieve's house while searching for his friends who had not yet returned. He knocked twice and instead of Genevieve it was Bridgerton who answered the door. "Bassett."
"Bridgerton? What is going on? Benedict told me you got an urgent note from Gen? Is everything alright?"
He led him inside and Simon saw both girls perfectly fine sitting on the couch. "Kathani? Genevieve is everything alright?"
At that she burst into tears and Genevieve quickly comforted her friend as she replied. "There is no need to worry Simon, everything is great."
"If everything is great then why is she crying?" He inquires.
"Because you are going to be an uncle soon." Kathani cried and then burst into tears again.
Simon gaped at her and then at his friend who despite smiling looked worried as he confirmed this news. "Its true mate, In a matter of months Kathani and I will have our baby."
He reached out to embrace Bridgerton. "Congratulations mate! I am really happy for both of you!" Simon truly meant this because even though he swear of having children he will now shower his love on his niece and nephews.
He then walked towards Kathani and pulled her in his arms. "Congratulations sister. This is such wonderful news!"
He then pulled away to wipe tears away from her eyes. "Kathani? Why are you crying on this joyous day?"
"Because we have no idea what we are going to do?" She replied fearfully, making him realize the reason behind those tears.
For a while no one said anything until finally Simon stood up. "She needs to leave for Aubrey Hall."
"That is what I suggested but Kathani does not want to leave." Genevieve informed him, making Simon stare at his sister as if she had lost her mind.
He turned around to stare at Bridgerton who looked quite helpless at that moment. "Tell her she needs to leave?! Tell her its madness to stay and risk getting exposure!"
Kathani cried harder at Simon's words and this seemed to snap Anthony into action as he quickly crossed distance and pulled his wife into his embrace. "Shush, We do not need to decide anything right now." He assured soothingly to his wife who took deep breaths to calm her down as she managed to say. "I do not want to leave you. I need you Anthony more now than ever!"
"Then it was decided, you will stay with me?" He assured her with a smile before sweetly kissing his wife who finally smiled at him.
Genevieve and Simon stared worriedly at their friends until finally Simon tried to reason with them. "But what about her secret?"
"We still have time, we will plan something but I would not force my wife into anything she does not want to do." Anthony said this with a hint of finality, leaving no room for doubt that it will be Kathani's decision in the end.
On a crisp autumn morning, Principal Hector arrived at his office when he was informed that two third year students were waiting for him.
He walked inside his office and was surprised to see two of his best students waiting for him. "Bridgerton? Sharma? What are you two doing this early at my office?"
"Sir we have news to share." Bridgerton informed him while Sharma adds. "And we have a request to make regarding that very news."
Hector stares at them intrigued by the seriousness in their voice. "Alright, you may take the seat and share your news and request with me."
Both Bridgerton and Sharma took seat opposite his as Bridgerton began. "Sir my wife is expecting our first child."
Hector's eyes widen in surprise before he beamed at his student. "Ah! Congratulations Bridgerton. A Bridgerton heir is going to be born! That must be great news for your family."
"Truly speaking I just want a healthy child, whether it will be a boy or a girl, but since you mentioned heir I hope you understand how important my wife's pregnancy must be not just for my family but for the crown too."
"I understand the importance of Bridgerton heir and Sharma Congratulations to you too as I believe Viscountess Bridgerton is your sister."
"Thank you Professor, my sister is really happy and fortunate to be with a child, especially a Bridgerton child."
Professor Hector smiled at both of them and then he realized something about the request. "I guess your request is related to this wonderful news?"
"Professor Hector, you are right to guess that. You see according to midwife estimations my wife could have my baby by the end of May or start of June and as her husband I need to be with her during this tough time."
"And as her brother and only living male relation I need to be by my sister's side." Sharma stated making Professor blink at these men.
"Bridgerton, Sharma I understand your situation but that is around the time you both held your final exams."
"Sir we understand but we were hoping if you could grant us permission to take earlier exams." Sharma finally made his request.
"Sir we would never ask if it was different situation but this is about Bridgerton heir, it will be bad for my family reputation if words get out that Viscountess Bridgerton got abandoned by both her husband and brother at her time of need." He explained.
Hector stood up and began to pace as he pondered this situation. "When do you want to take your finals?"
"Hopefully in the last week of February and first week of March." Sharma suggested.
Hector shook his head as he informed them sadly. "I am sorry lads but you take your third term exams around that time."
"We understand sir but given our previous records." Bridgerton began desperately to plead their case.
Hector, however, tries to make them understand. "It is important you take all four term exams to qualify for your fourth year. I am sorry lads but I cannot accept your request and I understand this does not mean much to you since your future is secured by your titles but Sharma cannot afford this slip." He watched as both boys' faces fell, especially Sharma whose eyes got wet. "In that case, I ask for suspensions from this university."
Hector looked shocked even Bridgerton watched his friend in surprise as he tried to make him sense. "You do not need to..."
But Sharma cut him off. "I need too because the birth of this child is more important to me than anything else in this world."
Apparently an understanding passed between both friends and finally Bridgerton sighed sadly as he sat silently with a look of devastation.
"Your sister must mean important if you are ready to throw your future away."
Sharma smiled sadly as he replied "My future at this university meant everything to me until I found out about this child and sir I may regret losing my future here but I will never regret choosing this child."
Something about these words made Bridgerton eyes shone in gratitude and Hector himself felt moved by this love Sharma has for his sister and her unborn child.
"Alright Sharma, you convince me to bend my rules because I would never lose my best student."
Bridgerton stood up with his eyes lit. "Really Professor Hector?! You are accepting our request."
"I am but we need to negotiate your terms."
When both boys frowned, Hector thought it was better to clear their confusion. "I cannot give you permission to take your finals in March but you can take your finals by the last week of April to first week of May, that will give you both plenty of days to head back home and be with the Viscountess during the birth of your heir."
Hector can see Bridgerton struggling with this solution but Sharma, on the other hand, leapt forward to shake his hand in gratitude. "Thank you Professor! This is more than enough I could ask for and thank you for saving my future."
Hector patted his back as he stared at his students. "I hope you both studied hard and please congratulate Viscountess on my be half."
"We will sir." Bridgerton finally managed to smile as he shook his hand and Hector watched as both students left his office with hope and happiness.
It was an average day as Thomas Dorset returned from his class hoping for a long nap since he knew that Bridgerton and Bassett must be in boxing practice as they decided to help class.
Sharma, on the other hand, will be busy studying in the library and on this rare day Thomas will have room to himself.
He hardly slept enough last night because once again Bassett dragged him towards the village while Bridgerton and Sharma stayed behind to study.
They must have studied really hard or so Bassett suggested when once again they found both of them passed out in deep sleep.
Thinking about sleep made Thomas yawn he reached their room and sure enough found it empty.
He just dropped everything and fell face down on his bed and just when he was about to close his eyes he heard a retching sound. "Hello, whose there?"
But instead of reply more sounds reached his ears and Thomas instantly knew one of his friends was sick.
He walked towards the small room that has chamber pots and when he opened it, his eyes popped open in shock.
It was not his friend who was vomiting but a woman dressed in man's clothing. The woman in question finally seemed done as she took huge heaving breaths and stood up finally to face him, giving him another shock of his life. "Lady Bridger ton?! What ? What on earth are you doing in our chambers?"
He watched as his friend's wife stammered in fear and reached up to touch her hair which was neatly bound into two tight braids.
With a gasp she looked down and it was then Thomas finally registered an object she was looking for. "Is that a wig?"
He then noticed the clothes she was wearing and Thomas was sure those clothes were worn by his friend earlier this day.
Finally after a long time or maybe no time at all something clicked as his eyes roam over wig by her feet, to clothes and finally her face a face so much like. "Sharma? It was you all along?"
Before she could reply they heard someone enter their room and sure enough it was his other friends who were apparently in the middle of discussions but stopped when they saw the scene in front of them.
Thomas expected them to be as shocked as he was feeling but apparently all he saw was the same fear of discovery in their eyes that was similar to this woman. "Can anyone care to explain to me what your wife is doing at our university, in our room dress like her brother?"
He then turned to stare at her as he asked accusingly. "There was a brother or do you made up an imaginary persona to cover your true identity?"
"Dorset?" Bridgerton stepped forward angrily but Bassett hold him back while his wife replied tearfully. "Karan Sharma is a real person and he is the real reason why I am here."
"Just here her out mate and then you can judge for yourself weather she did right or wrong." Bassett suggested and only when Thomas gave an approving nod did all four of them settle down as she began her tale.
By the time she finished, Thomas had tears in his eyes and admiration for this woman who took such great risk for the sake of others in her life.
"My Kathani is no fraud Dorset, she is brilliant and best student and it is a shame she had to hide her true identity to fulfill not her family dreams but now her success is the greatest wish of our Queen."
"And we have promised to help her to achieve this success." Bassett added as finally she stared at him. "I am really sorry for deceiving you but it was never my intention to hurt a friend and you Thomas will always be my dearest friend even if today you decide to tell my truth. I just hope one day you will forgive me."
She then burst into tears and Thomas watched how quickly both Bridgerton and Bassett embrace her.
Finally he sighed and joined his friends as he assured her. "There is nothing to forgive My Lady, your secret will be saved with me."
Before he knew it, she leapt into his arms and embraced him tightly. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
He awkwardly patted her back while Bridgerton mouthed Thank you behind his wife.
"Its great you know! now I do not have to endure those boring lectures about bones and organs while these two are shagging here!"
"What!?" Thomas yells outrageously while Bridgerton punched Bassett arms as he replied. "Do not listen to him Dorset but it is great to have you in our side, specially now that Kathani is having a baby."
It was then Thomas remembered something and along with that he finally realized what exactly he witnessed earlier as he stared at his roommate. "You are pregnant?"
"Yes!" She replied joyously, which soon turned into worry gasp as they watched Thomas swayed in front of them before finally falling unconscious.
"Well Sharma, you have the talent to make people faint." Bassett told her as they picked their unconscious friend while hoping he would be better handling this shocking secret once he wake up.