"Will you please be quiet?!"

Anthony's entire body jolted in shock as his wife screamed at him in frustration.

With surprising strength, she pulled him into her arms, not that he was resisting. She then covered his mouth with her hand for good measure as she told him in a stern voice. "Now! I will talk, and you will listen to me. Do not dare to disturb me."

Anthony was so shocked that he was unable to move as slowly as his wife moved her hand away from his mouth. To his delight, she still did not let him go as he waited for her to say something.

"I can never forget your love confession, and I hope you never forget the confession I am going to make."

Suddenly, Anthony felt fear gripping his heart. Only God knows how much it takes for him to confess his feelings, and if she refuses him now,.

But what she confessed next was something he never imagined hearing in his life. "I love you too.

As soon as he heard those words, it felt like he had died, and then he was given an entire new life.

His cracked heart is now mended by those three words, and now it's beating wildly due to all this happiness.

It felt like he was drowning all this time, and Kate gave him his first breath by pulling him out with the strength of her love.

The same love he feared from all his life now became the reason for his life.

He was so lost in his own elation that he realised it too late when tears started falling from his eyes.

"Oh, my love." His wife's eyes were filled with understanding as she wiped his tears away as she too cried out. "Please do not cry; aren't we hurt enough already?"

"I am not crying because of that." He tried to assure her as they held each other closer. "I just never thought someone like you, who is so kind and so lovable, could love someone like me."

To his surprise, she glared at him. "Who made you feel you were undeserving of love? You were there for me when all hope was lost; you were the first person after my Appa who told me I was special. You always took care of my family like you took care of your own. Then how can you feel so undeserving of love?"

He felt so tall under her praise, but then he realised his mistakes. "I was no better than those Sheffield's when we made that deal. Oh Kate, you have no idea how much I regretted making that deal with you. I took advantage of your circumstances when, truth be told, I was already developing feelings for you. My own past fear stopped me from pursuing you because you were the woman I could easily fall in love with. That deal was in a way for me to have you, but at the same time, I thought it would stop us from falling in love."

He chocked back a sob when he remembered those hurting moments. "When you left me on our wedding night, it was then that I realised how foolish I was because I was already in love with you. Every time you left me my heart breaks a bit more. Then after our honeymoon, when we return you began to change and the more you changed yourself to fulfil my wishes, the more I hated myself because I wanted my Kate back."

She shook her head while her hands held his face with so much tenderness. "I admit I got carried away to be perfect, Viscountess, but it was not your fault. I just wanted to repay you for your kindness, but part of me thought if I became like that, maybe one day you would consider me worthy of your wife. So until then I was maintaining distance to protect my own heart."

"Oh God! Kate, you got this all backwards! You were more than worthy to be my wife. You have had no idea how much we all love you; Eloise idolised you, and if anyone is unworthy of this relationship, it is me."

"But Anthony."

"No buts." Anthony stopped his wife from having another word of self-doubt. As he leans closer, their foreheads are touching. "I wish you could see in our hearts, and then you will believe how much we all love you and how much I love you. You have no idea how devastated we all were when you changed yourself. My siblings, even Simon, helped me out so we could bring the old Kate back."

His wife sighed as she nuzzled her face against his. "I can see it now. I can see how I was hurting everyone at first, but I deluded myself that this change would be better for everyone, but then it all went wrong."

She then stopped when she realised something. "You all were helping me, and suddenly I was forced to remember how I was. Oh god! All our siblings and that horrible courtship of Eloise's made me realise you all need me as I was before and not the person I was turning into."

Anthony smiled because his wife finally figured it out as she continued. "It was going so well, but then Fortuna Ball happened, and whenever I thought about you and Isabella, it made my blood boil every time I think about that night."

He groaned as he cursed Simon. "Trust me, sweetheart, it was all Simon's fault."

She lifted her face in confusion, so he made another confession. "Simon advised me to give attention to Isabella to make you jealous; apparently, it helped him realise his feelings when he saw Daphne dancing with Prince."

"Idiot." His wife huffed as she glared at him. "And you chose to follow his advice so diligently! I was there, my Lord; you had completely wrapped her around your fingers; no wonder she thought she could persuade you to have an affair with her."

Anthony looked a little ashamed, but then he smirked as he tilted her face. "Well, I was not that worried after someone threatened Isabella for my honour."

He watched as his wife blushed. "Daphne promised she would not reveal anything to you."

"She did not betray your trust. I read it at Lady Whistledown while you were unconscious. Apparently she claimed you as a fearless, Viscountess."

His wife blushed harder and hid her face against his chest.

Anthony squeezed her closer as he enjoyed this moment.

A moment was short-lived when suddenly she lifted her face. "Wait a minute that day in your study; who is leaving that causes you so much distress?"

Anthony flinched because this was something he was hoping she would forget about. Suddenly, he was uncertain whether this lovely moment would be enough for Kate to change her decision.

With hope in his heart, he finally replied. "I may have overheard your discussion with Edwina and Lady Mary, and I know you were planning to leave for India even before you mentioned it earlier."

He watched so many emotions pass on his wife's face, and suddenly he could not take her silence anymore. "I was ready to let you go home, but now that I know how much we love each other, I cannot let you go."

His wife's eyes were once again filled with tears. "Oh Anthony."

"No Kate! I beg you, do not leave me. I cannot live without you anymore."

He then fell down on his knees as he begged. "I love you so much, Kate, and if you love me the same, then do not keep us apart. I know how miserable you have been here, so take me with you. I do not care where we live as long as we live together. I will leave everything for you. I will give up Vicountcy to Benedict, and I am sure they will understand our reasoning, I will find some another profession to support our family, I have my personal funds to give you a comfortable life. We can have a life that suits you but please, Kate, take me with you whenever you decide to return to your home."

To his surprise, she began to smile as she dropped down on her knees and kissed him passionately before preparing kisses all over his face. "My sweet foolish husband, you must stop listening to other conversations or at least stay to hear every detail."

"I do not understand."

Kate smiled kindly at him as she told him. "My Appa always used to say that home is where your loved ones are, and for months, the meaning of home has changed for me."

Anthony did not want to hope, but he still asked. "So what does this mean?"

"Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, you are my one and only home, and I will never want to leave my home again."

Overcome with emotions, he kissed his wife as they feel loved in each other's arms.

They were both startled when fireworks began, and they both began to laugh in happiness as he picked his wife up in his arms. "Come my darling wife, let me take you to our home."

By the time they reached their carriage, many footmen were staring at them as if they had gone mad.

"Anthony, put me down!"

"Never! From now on, you will stay in my arms, where you belong."

His wife shakes her head as she mutters Vexing Man, but tonight he does not care because he felt deliriously happy.

The footman opened the door, and if they were not lost in each other, they would have laughed at his perplexed face.

At least Anthony managed to behave himself by the time they were settled inside the carriage.

It was only once the door closed behind them that he quickly closed the curtains.

Kate scooted back as her husband turned to stare at her hungrily. "So, Viscountess, now that we love each other, I think you should allow me to show you how much I love you."

She pursed her lips as her heart fluttered against her chest. "How do you propose to do that?"

She watched as he kneeled down as the carriage began to move. "Let me worship you, my beautiful goddess."

Kate gasped as her husband's hand slowly lifted her gown up. His hand was brushing on her stocking-clad thighs until he met bare skin on the top of her legs.

"Anthony." She whispered his name, which sounded more like a plea.

He gives her his rakish smirk as he leans down to kiss her skin.

"Oh!"

His lips were like fire on her skin as he moved towards her clothed centre.

The carriage lurch and the movement pushed Anthony where he needed to reach.

He inhaled her arousal and licked her through the silk.

"Kate," he moans as, with practice ease, he removes her bloomers. "You taste so good, my love."

Kate was clutching the edge of the carriage window as her husband began to devour her. The voices he made were so obscene that they made her blush for so many reasons.

He slurps her nectar like his favourite ice, and soon Kate couldn't hold back her moans as she found her sweet release.

Anthony looked so debauched as he slithered on top of her while leaving a trail of hot kisses. "I love you, darling; I can never get enough of you."

He smirked probably when she gave him a satisfied smile before pulling his face to kiss him passionately.

They were so gone in each other's taste that they did not realise when the carriage stopped or even when someone started knocking on the door.

With a gasp, Kate managed to pull herself away, but her husband was busy inhaling her scent.

"Anthony! Anthony stop! Look, we have arrived home."

With a grunt, he opened the curtain and saw John looking extremely uncomfortable as he stood a few paces away.

"Ah! Come, darling, let's carry this in our chambers."

Kate laughed in shock as they straightened themselves, and then her husband helped her out of the carriage.

Before they began to leave, he turned to command John. "Informed everyone that Viscountess and I are not to be disturbed for the foreseeable future."

"Anthony!" His wife chided him as she smiled at John, who was now blushing deep red. "Do not listen to him, and tell everyone we will see them for breakfast."

She then tried to pull her husband away, who yelled his counter command.

"Lunch! Tell them lunch or evening tea!"

"Anthony!"

But to John's surprise, his lady voice was muffled when Lord Bridgerton pulled his wife for a passionate kiss.

After that, John and other staff members made themselves scarce, and if anyone did ask, they informed them that the Viscount and Viscountess were not to be disturbed until they resurfaced again and surprisingly everyone was delighted to hear this news.

Back in the house, Anthony's patience has run out as he once again picked his wife up and ran towards his chambers.

Kate was laughing at her silly, eager husband, who would not let her down until the door was securely locked and she was perched on the bed.

"Now, my lady, where were we?" He inquires lecherously while rubbing his hand.

To his surprise, he was yanked down as his wife settled on top of him. "Well, my lord, you mentioned something about showing our love, and now I believe it's my turn."

With practice movements, they both undressed each other, and just when he was ready to position himself inside his wife's wet heat, his wife gave him another surprise. "There is something I want to do first.

With that, she moves down, and Anthony quickly realises what she was planning to do. "You do not need to do that, my love; most wives do not feel comfortable performing this act."

His Kate, however, gave him a smirk that will torment him for years to come. "That's because their marriages are traditional marriages, but we are now lovers, are we not?"

Stunned by getting outwitted by his goddess, his brain could barely form any response. "Kate."

"Shush. Let me love you, my love."

He cannot fight anymore after that, and then his wits entirely disappear when she takes the first lick of his hardened member.

"Lord!" He groans as his wife's sweet mouth envelopes him completely. Her hands began to move what her mouth could not cover.

His own seed began to release as she licked his member again and again.

"Kate stop! I cannot hold it anymore."

His wife gasped, her mouth shining with her spit and a little bit of his seed. The sight made his member even harder under her hands.

Kate's eyes widened as her eyes left his flushed face to stare at her husband's throbbing member.

"Please, darling, I want to find my bliss inside you."

Apparently his wife was as aroused by sucking him as he felt at that moment.

With left-over strength, he pulls her over until they are lying side by side.

Anthony reached out to kiss Kate passionately while his fingers reached between her legs and found her completely drenched for him.

Kate watched as he pulled away and brought his wet hand to run it over her breasts.

"You are incorrigible." She teased as he licked her arousal from her breast. "And you, my darling, taste incredible."

Kate moans and clutches her husband's head as he suckles her breast while fingering her cunny.

He then switched breasts and smeared her arousal on another as he began to devour it with the same hunger.

By the time he was done with both breasts, his wife was rubbing her cunny wantonly against his member.

"Ready to feel my love?" He inquired breathlessly, and his beautiful, flushed face made Kate nod her head.

Kate watched how gently he slipped into her warmth.

"Fuck! You feel so good!" Anthony groans loudly against her skin.

He then began to move inside her warmth, and the more he moves, the more passion there is between them.

"Ah! Ah!" Kate moans as her hand clutches her husband's back.

Never has she felt so out of control, but tonight it seems her body is bursting with love, just like her heart.

In swift movement, her husband's pulled her up.

She gasped as her body jiggled on her husband's lap as he thrust deeply inside her.

In a haze of passion, Kate traced his sinful lips before capturing them with her own.

Their screams of passion echo everywhere. The movement of their vigorous lovemaking makes the bed shake.

Finally, Kate's inner walls started squeezing as she clutched her husband's body closer against her.

"Ready to fall in love." Anthony gasped, and Kate, in that moment of euphoria, screamed out loud. "Yes!"

Anthony gave a few powerful thrusts that touched a special place inside her. Amidst a scream of passion, they both finally reached their pinnacle.

For a while, they stayed still like breathing statues of lovers Kate had once seen at museum.

Anthony watched as his wife finally lifted her face from his shoulder. Both their eyes were filled with wonder and happiness as they sweetly kissed each other.

Anthony sighed against her sweet lips and felt her sigh happily too.

Her eyes crinkled as she bobbed her nose against her husband's nose. "So you really do love me?"

With a huff, Anthony toppled them, and his wife laughed as he pinned her body against his. "You vexing woman! I just gave you my best work, and you still ask me this question?"

Kate laughed and kissed his angry pout. "I do not doubt your thorough demonstration, my love; I was just asking what you love about me."

He looked annoyed, but Kate could see a smile on his face. "Well, first of all, I love your fiery spirit, your lack of regard for following rules, and when you challenge me, it just makes me want to strip you naked and put you on top of me."

"Hey! You called these reasons for loving me.!?"

She tried to tickle him, but her insufferable husband was not done vexing her. "I love your habit of eavesdropping, and it makes me wonder, Are you Lady Whistledown?"

She scoffs and successfully pokes his ribs, making him yell in pain.

"Kathani Bridgerton! Behave yourself!"

"Do not order me, you rakish idiot! By the way, you also eavesdrop on my conversation."

"God, woman, stop interrupting me! I am not done with my list of reasons for loving you."

"It sounds more like a list of insults to me." She huffed and poked him again.

Anthony managed to hold both her hands as he continued. "I love your strong mind, your protectiveness and your caring heart, which is filled with so much love."

Kate smiled as her husband sweetly kissed her eyes. "I love your beautiful eyes, which have always wanted to see the happiness of those you love. I love these hands that strongly hold the reins of a horse but also knows to show tenderness when they pet Newton."

Anthony kissed her hand and then kissed her neck. "I love your scent, which has remained imprinted on my mind since the night of conservatory ball." He inhales deeply as he sighs. "Lilies."

He then sweetly kissed her lips as he gently caressed them with his fingers. "I love your voice that told me I am worthy of your love, and with these sweet lips, I can kiss them forever, and still it will never be enough."

Kate's eyes were watering as he gently held her face in his hand, and Anthony's eyes were filled with adoration for his wife.

"I love this person that I am honoured to call my wife, and I promise if you have me, I will always treasure your heart like my most precious treasure."

For a while, they were lost in each other's eyes, and then Kate smirked mischievously as she held out her hand. "Deal."

Anthony burst into laughter and shook his head as he pulled his wife closer into his arms. "Let's make this lifetime deal, and I think we should seal it with a kiss to make it unbreakable."

His wife seems to be pondering, but with an approving smile, she leans in to kiss him.

Anthony was just about to touch her lips when she remembered something important with a gasp. "First, my lord! Tell me which of our siblings was responsible for planting pregnant mouse in my chambers?"

Anthony gaped, and then under Kate's scary look, which almost seemed threatening to him, he confessed another truth. "It was all Colin's fault."

He did not want to know the reason behind that evil smile. (which he did find out a few days later when Colin screamed as earthworms were discovered on his bed.)

He then tried to add another clause to their new deal. "Speaking of chambers, now that we love each other, can we not sleep apart? I want you to stay in our chambers forever."

His wife's eyes softened as she held his face with the same adoration. "No more staying apart. From now on, wherever you go, you will find me by your side."

"Deal." Anthony asks in a hopeful voice.

His wife smiled and finally sealed this with a kiss, as she had promised.

"Deal."