Prologue

Kate decided that she would not attend the Featherington Ball after all. Anthony had not visited again after that day he proposed out of duty. Out of duty! It was after he left that Kate realized, if she were to marry, she wanted to marry for love; not for duty. Anthony Bridgerton does not love me. I was a fool in submitting to his seduction but I will not succumb to a life without love! …Yet I do love him. It was with this realization that Kate's heart ached as she walked up the passenger plank of the Duke of Malborough.

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Anthony Bridgerton had been stalking the edges of the ballroom floor for an hour now. His gaze cut through the crowd; He was looking for Kate when she would arrive. He saw Lady Danbury arrive with the other Sharma women at the start of the ball. It was then that he inquired about Kate's attendance. He was told that, due to her recent injury, her movements were a little slower. So, she was not ready by the time they were leaving. Edwina, however, assured the Viscount that Kate would be attending, albeit later in the evening.

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Chapter 1: Title Inherited - Part 1

It was the year 1823 when Mrs. Thomas Dorset stepped into the grand foyer of Dorset House in the early hours of the morning. Grosvenor Square had not yet awakened to the day. The journey back to England had been a long one. It was one that she had not wanted to do again. However, it had to be done if she were to secure her son's place in the world.

"Mama? Are we home now?" asked a tired little voice from behind her.

Kate turned around to see a footman carrying her son, Alexander, in his arms. She smiled at the little face and nodded yes.

"You can put me down now please," Alexander said to the footman.

The footman complied. He then bowed and exited to fetch their belongings from the coach.

"Lady Dorset…you have finally arrived!" Mr. Brown, the Dorset butler greeted them, already in full uniform.

Kate turned in surprise…more at the title than at the outburst.

"I hope you were not waiting all day and night for our arrival, Mr. Brown," Kate said in a gentle tone. "Our ship encountered a big storm and we had to dock in Lisbon for a couple of weeks. Our ship needed some repairs and replenishment before continuing on. I sent a letter advising you of that but I guess you have not received it yet. Also, I am still Mrs. Dorset. My husband's death doesn't afford me the title of 'lady', does it?"

Mr. Brown looked at Kate. He never met her in person but knew of her when Thomas wrote to him from India. She was a beautiful woman. Her exotic looks could not be found anywhere in Mayfair, to be sure. Behind her almond-shaped eyes, he could see a sharp mind that would be able to handle what was going to be coming her way.

"Lady Dorset…that is your title and has been when Lord Tennyson Dorset died. You and Thomas had been married for 3 years already. Did Lord Thomas not advise you of this when the event occured?" Mr. Brown asked.

Kate shook her head with a frown. She knew of the family title. However, Lord Tennyson, Thomas' brother, was supposed to inherit the title and live a long time.

Thomas was happy to live his life as the second son. Thus, he moved to India to practice medicine. He found Kate. He fell in love with her like he knew he would and married her. Kate did not know that Tennyson, however, was a captain in the Royal Navy. The Wellington War required him and his ship, the Mountbatten to join the war. The ship was destroyed in a battle at sea and all lives on the Mountbatten were lost.

Kate only came to know of the title being transferred to her son when she received a letter from Mr. Brown; since Thomas and Mr. Brown were corresponding on a fairly regular basis, unbeknownst to her. Mr. Brown knew of Thomas' death from an agent that was hired to look for him when the letters ceased. Thomas had fallen ill with malaria. The illness took him swiftly before any medicines were known to be administered to prevent the death.

For Kate, the title of 'Lady' was not what she came back for. Kate knew that her son would inherit the Dorset estate. However, because he was still young, she would be the one to handle it until he became of age at eight and ten. She had just hoped to remain as Mrs. Dorset so that she wouldn't have to fully engage in society. Kate let out a tired breath.

"Alright, Mr. Brown. I will not argue with you at this moment. I am too tired from our journey. However, please let me introduce you to Thomas' son, Alexander."

Alexander stepped beside his mama and bowed to the butler.

"Good day, Mr. Brown. I am Alexander."

Mr. Brown bent down to look at the boy. The boy's colouring was dark. He had cream-coloured skin with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. His features were pleasing now and most likely will form into a most handsome face when the boy became a man. However, there was something that Mr. Brown could not discern. While Kate's eyes were also dark, one would think that the boy inherited his colouring from his mother. However, generations of Dorset men had steel-blue eyes regardless of what colour their mothers' had been. They could still turn yet…

Mr. Brown stood up and said, "Good day, Master Alexander, and what is your age?"

"I am 9, sir." Although Alexander's title didn't require him to address Mr. Brown as 'sir,' his manners, instilled by his parents, elicited him to show respect to all elders.

Mr. Brown smiled, "You must be weary. Let us go up to your room so that you can rest and get more shut eye."

"My very own room?!" Alexander asked with excitement.

"Yes. Your mama has her own room and you have yours." Then to Kate, Mr. Brown said, "Mrs. Brown will meet you at the top of the stairs and will show you to your room. Since you came upon us early this morning, she rushed to have a bath waiting for you."

"Oh, that is lovely! Thank you! Alexander, you go now with Mr. Brown."

"Will you be alright by yourself, Mama?" Alexander asked, trying to be the man that his mother told him he would grow up to be. Kate bent down to his level.

"I will, Chintu. I will see you at midday." She kissed him on the forehead and stood up to watch Mr. Brown lead her son up the stairs to the east wing where his room was situated.

Kate let out a sigh. I guess I should go up myself to rest after my bath… She turned to the footman who was still bringing in their things.

"Can you please direct me to the stables? I would like to assess the state of the horses now that my son and I are to live here."