Return Into the Arms of The Viscount Chapter 13: Preparations, a bridgerton fanfic

Preparations

At Will Mondrich's pub, sitting in a chair by the window, Colin was having an afternoon drink. He left the house to let Penelope prepare for their travels to Aubrey Hall in a couple of days' time. The Heart and Flowers Ball was not for another fortnight. However, his mother wanted the whole Bridgerton clan settled in a week before the ball. Colin knew that it would be best to be out of the house when Penelope was in charge. He wouldn't know what to do with himself since everyone in the household would be attending to her requests and demands while the children were to stay in the nursery and out of the way.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Bridgerton. It has been a while since you've been to my establishment for an afternoon drink," Will Mondrich acknowledged as he approached Colin with a gentleman following behind him.

"Mr. Mondrich," Colin said with a smile as he stood up to acknowledge the proprietor. "It has been a while, indeed. Ever since Benedict and Gregory moved to the country, I have been in want for a companion to have a drink with. It seems everyone moves out to the country once they are married off!"

The men laughed at this, including the man behind Mondrich. Colin looked over to the man with a quizzical look but kept the smile on his face. Mondrich saw the look.

"My apologies, Mr. Bridgerton. Let me introduce you to Mr. Atherby who has arrived back from his travels in India. Mr. Atherby, this is Mr. Colin Bridgerton, second brother to the Viscount Bridgerton."

Both men nodded their heads to each other in acknowledgment.

Mondrich continued, "Mr. Atherby is here for family business."

Mr. Atherby spoke, "Yes. I was travelling to see the world. However, the family strings always seem to pull me back."

Colin smirked and said, "The pull of those family strings can be strong…sometimes in a good way and sometimes not. I have seven siblings and, although, we are adults, we all get pulled back together to be in unison for some event…"

Mr. Atherby smiled and said, "Ah, yes, the Bridgerton family. A most illustrious one, I hear." This caused Colin to raise an eyebrow at this.

"Are we now? I would not think so," Colin said and looked at Mondrich. Mondrich shrugged his shoulders.

"I shall leave you two to get acquainted as I need to tend to the bar," Mondrich said as he gave his bow and departed.

Colin turned to Mr. Atherby. Colin assessed that Atherby was the same height as he (standing at six feet and four inches). The man had sandy brown hair that was styled in the day's fashion and the colour matched the light beard that the owner had let grow, probably for a few weeks now. Though Colin was a man that did not necessarily notice another man's features, he could not help but notice Atherby's steel- blue eyes. They were so bright in their blue…It could be because his skin has been coloured by the Indian sun…

"My apologies, Mr. Bridgerton," Atherby said with a smile but sincerity in his eyes, "I did not mean to imply anything untoward about your family's name. It is quite the opposite. When I arrived in London, I was informed what families were members of Whites' and, that if you were not a member of those families, you were not a member of Whites. The Bridgerton name was mentioned a number of times. Perhaps because of the number of siblings you have."

Colin laughed at this. "Perhaps. As Mr. Mondrich told you, I am the second brother of Viscount Bridgerton. I have two other brothers. There are four male Bridgertons, not including our children. Come, let us get you a drink and then sit whilst I list out all of us Bridgertons. You can also tell me about your travels as I was a traveller myself."

"Why, thank you. I will not mind if I do," said Mr. Atherby as he moved to sit across from Colin while a waiter approached them to take their drink order.

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A hive of activity was happening at the Dorset House also. Kate was preparing for their fortnight stay at Aubrey Hall. She still had apprehensions about it all. She only had hired a tutor for Alexander a few days before.

Violet was good on her word for getting Anthony to recommend tutors. However, Anthony did not drop by with his list. Instead, he sent a note saying that, since he was one of the hosts at Aubrey Hall, he had to leave with his mother to prepare the house for their guests. The note went on to say that this one tutor was the only one that she needed to hire, much less interview, upon his word. Normally, Kate would have bristled at his high-handed opinion and would have interviewed more applicants herself. However, a delay in securing a tutor would mean a delay in Alexander's education to get him to the proper levels before the summer was out and, especially, now that they were going to Aubrey Hall for a couple of weeks.

"Lady Dorset," Mr. Brown called out to Kate as she made her way down the stairs, after coming out of Alexander's room. She had just finished picking out clothing for what Alexander would need at Aubrey Hall. She laid them out for Mrs. Brown to finish packing for them.

"Yes, Mr. Brown?" Kate answered.

"Lady Dorset, the wheels of one of the carriages, that would carry your belongings to Aubrey Hall, are too well worn to be kept on. It would not be wise to use the carriage for this trip."

"Why would you say that? Could not the wheels be replaced before the journey?"

"Unfortunately, we do not have extra wheels to do so and there is no time to get new ones made," Mr. Brown informed.

Kate frowned at this. She would have to make adjustments to what they were bringing in order to fit on one carriage now. One carriage would have been for her and Alexander and the other would have been for their belongings with Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Now, Mr. and Mrs. Brown would be riding with her and Alexander along with all their belongings on top of the carriage. It will be quite a tight ride.

"It will be fine, Mr. Brown. I will adjust what Alexander and I are bringing so that you and Mrs. Brown can still accompany us," Kate assured Mr. Brown.

Just then, one of the front door men announced that the Danbury carriage was pulling up out front. Soon, he was announcing Lady Danbury into the front hall.

"Lady Danbury!" Kate exclaimed as she walked over to the dowager and gave a bow.

Mr. Brown gave his bow and removed himself to go into the kitchen to have tea prepared as most likely the dowager would be staying for tea.

"Ah, Kate. It has been a while since my last visit, has it not?" Lady Danbury says as she clasped Kate's hands in hers.

"It has, Lady Danbury."

"My, my, what a flurry of activity is happening here," Lady Danbury observed as she looked around her. She saw a few trunks sitting in the front foyer.

"These are all to go Aubrey Hall?"

"Well, yes. However, one of the Dorset carriages is no longer available now. So, I am going to have to lessen what we are bringing," Kate explained.

"Oh, dear. That will never do. Why do you not accompany me in my carriage? It will be more comfortable for you and Alexander. Plus, I am in want of company for the long ride."

"That is kind of you, Lady Danbury. However, we will be leaving in a couple of days' time. Lady Bridgerton wants us to be at Aubrey Hall a week before the ball. I cannot ask you to rearrange your plans and leave earlier than expected to accommodate us," Kate said.

"I would not be rearranging my plans at all. I shall be leaving at the same time and will be arriving a week early also. The Duke and Duchess will be there with my great godchildren. I shall want to spend time with them before the other guests have arrived. Violet has extended the early invitation to me as well," Lady Danbury informed.

"I see. Well, I cannot think of any reason then of why I would not agree to a more comfortable ride. Thank you. Alexander and I will gladly journey with you to Aubrey Hall."

One of Lady Danbury's eyebrows arched and she said, "Child, should you have tried to think of another excuse to not accept my offer, I would have eventually demanded that you travel with me!"

Kate was taken aback by this and said, "Of course, Lady Danbury. I did not mean…"

The dowager smirked and shook a finger at Kate.

"Now, now, Kate, do not acquiesce. What happened to the woman that knew her own mind and would make it known?"

"I have a son now and I need to make sure that society accepts him. If that means that I must take a step back from doing things my way, or the way I think they should be done, then so be it."

"Kate, Alexander will be a grown man. The world will open up to him…a lot easier than for you and me, that is for sure. Do not lose yourself in this endeavour. Alexander loves his mother as she is. Continue to be the strong woman that you are for him."

Lady Danbury smiled with her eyes and clasped Kate's hands tightly once more.

"Now then…where is the little man? I should like to stay and have tea with him." If Kate was not going to offer tea, I will invite myself.

"My apologies. Alexander is in lessons with his tutor. I was finally able to secure someone and just as the summer has begun. I had decided not to send Alexander away to school early but rather have him spend more time with me before he does go away for school. Therefore, his tutor will be giving Alexander the lessons to get him up to the proper levels," Kate explained.

"I see. You will do then," the old dowager said as she turned and walked into the front salon while Kate followed suit.

Kate pulled on the bell rope and turned around to find Mr. Brown already walking in with a tea set and sandwiches on a silver tray.

"Very good, Mr. Brown," praised Lady Danbury. She went on to say, "So hard to find good help these days, is it not?"

Kate ignored her and thanked Mr. Brown as he made his bow and exited the room. She, then, sat down beside Lady Danbury and started to pour their teas.

"It is quite a boon to be invited to Aubrey Hall one week early along with the family. I tend to think that the Viscount may have had something to do with that?" Lady Danbury asked in a wily voice.

This caused Kate to almost topple the teacup she was pouring into. She quickly steadied herself and passed the teacup once she finished pouring.

"I do not know why you would think that. It is the Dowager Viscountess' ball after all. She can extend her invitations as early as she likes," Kate said hoping that she came across as unruffled by Lady Danbury's question.

Of course, Kate knew that Alexander and she were invited to join the Bridgertons early because, well, Alexander was a Bridgerton himself and Violet wanted her grandchildren all at Aubrey Hall at the same time. However, Lady Danbury did not know this. So, Kate had to come up with another excuse to explain their early attendance.

"Well, I am wondering what the consideration is to warrant such an accommodation. I know the Viscountess can be very generous. However, propriety does rule her nature first and foremost. Unless there is a match to be made with one of her children, and there is only one that is still unmarried, she would not have invited a widow with a child to Aubrey Hall," Lady Danbury explained in her haughty voice as she stared at Kate above her teacup rim, while going for a sip of tea.

Kate had forgotten how direct and cutting Lady Danbury could be with her words. Kate had not thought about what society would think about her attendance and how that would impact the Bridgerton name. She started to think it was not a good idea to go after all.

Kate put down her tea and thought aloud, "Perhaps you are right, Lady Danbury. My and Alexander's attendance would cause speculation amongst the Ton. I would hate to cause rumour mongering during the Viscountess' ball. Perhaps Alexander and I should stay in town and not attend."

"Nonsense!" Lady Danbury exclaimed and loudly plunked her teacup down on the little table in front of them. Then she took Kate's hands in hers and looked Kate in the eyes with a fierce look.

"I shall not be questioned as to why you did not make an appearance. No, we are each other's chaperones and that is that. In any case, you are already the talk of the Ton!"

"What?! Why?"

"Well, you did return to London after nine years in the very early morning with no one knowing. Dorset House had been dormant all those years and, then suddenly, there is activity and running like the inhabitants were here to stay. Naturally, everyone would be curious and would set their minds to finding out what was going on and who had arrived.

Then, at the Smythe and Smythe musicale, Lady Trowbridge was telling people that she had sent out some inquiries and was told that a 'Lady Dorset' now lived here. Then, she went on to say that, a few weeks after your arrival, she saw Viscount Bridgerton, 'one very, early morning', exiting this house."

Kate bristled at the last sentence.

"That is not true whatsoever! He showed up unannounced and ended up inviting himself to breakfast. By that time, it was mid-morning. An incident occurred after the meal, and he probably did not leave until noon!

Who is this, Lady Trowbridge? I do not recall her name at the balls that Edwina and I attended during her first season."

Lady Danbury picked up her teacup again and took a sip before answering Kate's question.

"No, she may not have been invited to most of the balls that season. Widows do not usually go to debutante balls if they do not have a young lady that is coming out for marriage. Lady Trowbridge is a widow. She married Lord Trowbridge while in her youth and he in his senior years. Soon after a year of marriage, she gave birth to a boy. This thrilled Lord Trowbridge as this would mean that the Trowbridge name would carry on. If only he lived long enough to see the boy's hair!" Lady Danbury cackled at her last sentence.

"Why do you say that? Did the baby's hair not match his parents? How long soon after did Lord Trowbridge die that he did not see the boy's hair?" Kate was intrigued.

"Tragically, Lord Trowbridge had a heart attack two weeks after the boy was born. He was quite in his senior years," Lady Danbury emphasised. "The boy was born bald and it wasn't until a couple of months later that his hair came in…strawberry blond at first but now it's a bright red that matches one of the Trowbridge footman's head!" she exclaimed.

"Lady Danbury! I did not think that you were one to spread rumours so!" Kate admonished her with wide eyes.

Lady Danbury waved at hand at her. "Pshshsh! Spread rumours? The truth is already out there for all to see! In addition, Lady Trowbridge dispatched the footman to work at her country estate once the colour of the boy's hair came to be known."

'I do not want Alexander and me to be the talk of the Ton in this way!' Kate thought to herself.

What could she do? She very well could not keep Alexander locked up and away from the prying eyes of Society; especially when Violet Bridgerton was so determined for Alexander to be recognized as a Bridgerton.

"Kate, are you alright?" Lady Danbury asked, bringing Kate back to her present company but did not reply.

Lady Danbury tried again, "My child, you look worried about something all of a sudden. Pray tell, what concerns you?"

Kate could not share her thoughts with Lady Danbury as she still believed that Lady Danbury did not know of Alexander's parentage.

Instead, she said, "I am still unsure about going to Aubrey Hall."

"Do not worry so. Violet had informed me that your Mama and your sister were invited early as well so that the Sharma women could be reunited again before the ball. However, they will only by there towards the end of the week, on Thursday. Edwina did not want to be away from her daughters for so long. Lord Fyfe and their daughters will arrive on Sunday in time to partake in the events that Violet has set up before the ball," Lady Danbury tried to assuage Kate.

"Hmmm…and when is the ball to take place?" Kate asked, still unsure.

"It will be the following Wednesday night after you mother and sister's arrival," Lady Danbury answered her.

Kate thought that maybe she and Alexander should just arrive at Aubrey Hall on the same day as her mother and sister.

"You would not leave an old lady to travel on her own to the countryside, would you?" Lady Danbury rhetorically asked as if reading her thoughts.

Kate looked at her and laughed. "Oh, Lady Danbury! You are wily in your ways. I did not think that Alexander and I had any other option but to ride with you once you issued your invitation."

"It is settled then," Lady Danbury said as she stood up. Kate did the same.

"I shall see you both in two days' time. I am sorry to have missed Alexander on this visit. However, he and I will have lots of time to converse during the trip."

"Oh, you can be sure of that!" Kate says with a smile as she follows Lady Danbury to the door of the salon.

They both stopped in front of the door and Kate pulled the rope. Mr. Brown must have been waiting just on the other side as the door opened right away. He held the door open for both women to walk through into the grand foyer.

Before arriving to the front door, Lady Danbury turned to Kate and thanked her for the tea.

"As always, my dear, you are a most gracious hostess for allowing this old bird to stop by unannounced."

Kate answered with a smile and bowed, "Of course, Lady Danbury." As if I had any choice.

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Lady Danbury arrived in the early morning two days' later to pick up Kate and Alexander. The one Dorset carriage was already packed with their luggage. Alexander was so excited for this trip. He was already standing out front looking out for the Danbury carriage. When it pulled on to the Dorset driveway, he ran back into the house.

"Mama! Mama! Lady Danbury is arriving! Her carriage will be out front momentarily! Please make haste!" he called out to Kate.

Kate was still upstairs in her room with Mrs. Brown making sure her coif was set for the journey.

"This will hold well enough, m'lady. You don't want to be uncomfortable during the ride with so many in pins in your head," Mrs. Brown said as she put the last of the pins into Kate's hair and then pulled the velvet, emerald, green hood over Kate's head.

Kate wore a green carriage dress. On top, she had an emerald, green cape that had a hood which she wore up for now since Mrs. Brown took care to set her coif appropriately.

"Thank you, Mrs. Brown. However, do you not think that this cape will be too warm for the carriage ride and for this time of season?"

"You can remove it while in the carriage, m'lady. It is a beautiful cape to have should you go out on evening walks. The evenings in the countryside can be cool. There was no more room for it to fit in the trunks and it would be a shame not to have it. Besides, colour enhances your beautiful skin tone. You will be envy of all the women at Aubrey Hall," Mrs. Brown complimented.

"Now, Mrs. Brown, there is no need for women to be envious of me. I am but a widow. I will not be requiring to have men sign my dance card as I am not looking for a husband, "Kate explained. "Now, let us go down before my son wakes all of Mayfair!"

"Yes, m'lady," Mrs. Brown bowed as she let Kate walk past. While her lady may be a widow, Mrs. Brown thought that her mistress was a most beautiful woman. Her beauty could not be rivaled amongst the Ton in Mrs. Brown's opinion.

Alexander was at the bottom of the stairs, holding out a hand to his Mama. He was smartly dressed in a white collared shirt under a dark green short jacket with matching long shorts. When she took his hand, he pulled her along to the front door that Mr. Brown was holding out of them.

"Quickly, Mama! We should not keep Lady Danbury waiting!"

"I am coming, Chintu!" Kate says as she tried to keep herself upright while Alexander pulled her down the steps to the awaiting carriage.

"Ah, there you are!" Lady Danbury called from within.

Alexander practically hopped into the carriage with all his excitement, forgetting to let Kate get in first. Once Kate was in, the footman closed the carriage door behind her. The carriage pulled away while Alexander, with a big grin, furiously waved to Mr. and Mrs. Brown who were standing on the front landing waiting for their own carriage to pull up.

Alexander watched the city go by through the window and asked Lady Danbury all sorts of questions about what he saw. She answered him easily and was happy to have the conversation, even with the little nine-year-old.

Once they were out of the city and the landscape was of lush, green, countryside, Lady Danbury said to Alexander, "Well, now, Lord Dorset," Lady Danbury started. "What will be your first endeavour when you get to Aubrey Hall?"

"I shall like to play with Thomas and Agatha, again." Alexander answered her.

He then turmed to Kate, "How about you, Mama? What do you plan to do first when we get to Aubrey Hall?"

"I shall like to take a stroll in the gardens. They are so beautiful there," Kate says wistfully as she remembered all the beautiful flowers that Violet grew and that they were used for the Hearts and Flowers Ball. With this thought, Kate grew quiet and looked out the window.

What will happen at this Hearts and Flowers Ball? Kate wondered. Nothing will happen at this Hearts and Flowers Ball! Kate admonished herself.

Kate could not help but feel apprehensive about their stay at Aubrey Hall. Not only because she was Kate Sharma when she was last there but now the Ton will come to know her as the widow of the late Baron Thomas Dorset. They will be wondering how that all came to be.

Then there's Alexander. Will the Ton see that he is Anthony's son? Violet saw a resemblance right away. Would the Ton see the same?

With these musings, Kate started to feel warm. She lowered the hood off her head and removed the cape from her shoulders. Facing the window, she closed her eyes and took deep breaths to settle her nerves and calm her mind.

Kate stepped out of the carriage and saw that Anthony was standing on the front steps of Aubrey Hall. He wasn't wearing a jacket; he wasn't wearing a vest; just a white shirt that opened at the nape of his neck. The shirt was tucked into fitted navy blue pants that accented his muscular thighs, she noticed. He may have just come from riding as he was wearing riding boots. She looked at his face and saw that he was looking at her quite intently. There was a small smile on his lips, but she could not discern what his demeanor was all about. She looked around and wondered where everyone else was. Usually, the whole Bridgerton family greeted their guests out front of their homes. Where was Alexander and Lady Danbury? Kate turned behind her to see that the carriage she had come out of had vanished. Where did it go? 'How did it disappear from view so quickly?' she thought to herself. All of a sudden, Anthony was beside her. She turned to him with questioning eyes.

"Lord Bridgerton, where is everyone else?"

Anthony looked down at her through his lashes with the small smile still on his lips.

"Kate," he spoke in a low voice. "What did we say about using our given names with each other?"

"My lord, I said that I would not use your given name whilst in company," Kate whispered in case there were people around that she could not see. She found it odd that she did not see anyone around them…no one at all.

Anthony slowly reached out and took hold of her hands. He pulled her close to him and put her hands on his chest. She could feel his heart thudding under her palms while he held his hands over hers. Then he lowered his head until his lips were close to hers and said, "My lovely Kate, there is no one here but us." Her eyes closed as she felt his breath with every word on her lips. Her lips parted and the tip of her tongue wetted them in anticipation of his kiss. However, the kiss did not come. She felt his lips were close but her mind wondered why they were not yet on hers. She spoke, "Anthony…?" and opened her eyes…

Kate found Lady Danbury staring at her with an arched brow from the opposite side of the carriage.

"Did you have a nice nap, dear?" Lady Danbury quipped with a knowing smile.

Kate was not sure if she uttered Anthony's name aloud but proceeded to act as if she did not. So, she tried to straighten up in her seat but found that she could not because of a weight on her lap.

"Careful now," Lady Danbury warned her. "You do not want to push Alexander off now."

"I…I…I fell asleep. I usually cannot fall asleep during carriage rides. I never find the ride comfortable enough to do so," Kate explained as she gently pulled Alexander further onto her lap, trying not to wake him. Fortunately, he did not.

"Mm-hmm…Well, you both have had a lot of life-altering changes recently. You both need the rest," Lady Danbury said as she eyed Kate and then looked down at the sweetly sleeping Alexander.

Kate looked down at her son and her heart expanded as she reached down to move a wisp of his hair off his forehead. She breathed deeply and sighed. Then turned to look out the window as the landscape of continuous green land went by.

A few minutes past in silence until Lady Danbury spoke.

"So, I know that the Viscount has made his reacquaintance with you since your return to England," Lady Danbury started. "Did you receive him as Lady Dorset or as Kate Sharma?"

Kate turned back to her with a slight frown and asked, "Whatever do you mean? I received him as Lady Dorset, of course."

"So, you received him in the manner of Lady Dorset, widow of Baron Thomas Dorset. You left all the inhibitions of Kate Sharma in the past and welcomed Viscount Bridgerton warmly as the mistress of Dorset House would?"

Kate's frown remained. "Of course, Lady Danbury. I am not the girl that I was that season. I am a widow. I am a mother. That is my world now and forever more."

This saddened Lady Danbury while she looked at Kate. Here was a beautiful woman with so many years ahead of her still to live. Yes, Kate has loved and, yes, Kate has lost.

However, she has a chance to find love and be loved once again.

Over the years, when it was just Violet and herself having tea together, Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton did have discussions about Kate and Anthony…what could have been and what did not come to pass. Lady Danbury saw the pain that her dear friend held for her eldest son. Violet wanted all her children to marry out of love. It was the core of Violet's being and, since her children came from her and Edmond's love, she would not accept anything less for them, regardless of title or money. Lady Danbury knew that Violet had conveyed this to all her children and hoped that it would filter down to all Bridgertons, even extended members, for all generations to come.

Lady Danbury treaded softly, "My dear, you are only but five and thirty. There have been widows older than you that have found love and happiness again. Do not close your heart to that possibility."

Kate shook her head and looked out the window again.

Then, she spoke quietly, "I have Alexander and the Barony to think of now. I cannot let anything, or anyone, derail me from that endeavour. Thomas loved Alexander and he left that legacy for him. I must uphold that for Thomas. The Dorset line must continue with Alexander."

Kate then turned to Lady Danbury, waiting for a response.

Lady Danbury did not know what to say to this. She, herself, had the same mindset when Lord Danbury died. While she did not love her husband with the passion that she had hoped she would share with a husband, she fought to uphold the title and Danbury name so that she and her children would be taken care of without she, herself, having to marry again.

However, knowing what she knew of Alexander, and the fact that she heard the viscount's Christian name whispered by Kate while asleep, Lady Danbury knew that the two must find their way to each other again. She may have to help them along…but how?