The next day, Mayfair was buzzing with excitement as everyone was excited for Queen's Diamond Ball.
Edwina Sharma was busy with her last-minute preparation, and to make matters worse, Didi chose this day to be distracted.
"What do you think, Didi?" She held out two different earrings, but to her annoyance, her sister replied without even looking. "You will look beautiful in anything you wear, Bon."
Edwina sighed and put back her earrings as she walked towards her Didi and sat beside her. "What's the matter, Didi? Ever since we returned from Lady Danbury's ball last night, you seemed quite distracted."
"I am fine, Bon; I'm just stressed about tonight's ball, that's all. It's important we get Queen's favour tonight; otherwise, all this will become a lot harder for us."
This unease Edwina, but while Kate was worried about this, she was more worried about Lord Bridgerton, who suddenly left looking shocked after she made her request. Now Kate worries whether she made mistakes in making her desire known. She wondered what the Viscount thought of her. Was he thinking she was too daring or some kind of shameless wonton harlot who seduced him?
With these thoughts swirling in her mind, they attend Queen's Diamond Ball, and whenever she can, Kate finds herself searching for Viscount.
She was so distracted that she did not notice until her sister was announced as the Queen's Diamond.
Kate watched with a beating heart as many eligible bachelors made cues to dance with her sister, but to everyone's surprise, it was Queen's nephew Prince Frederic of Prussia who stepped forward and kissed Edwina's hand.
Kate could not help but smile as she watched her sister dance with Prince. It was everything they had ever dreamed of for her, and Edwina was shining brighter than any star.
"I told you, I had the perfect suitor for Miss Edwina in mind." Lady Danbury informed her with a triumphant smirk. "Our Queen is also very pleased and is already making arrangements with your mama to invite you all to the royal ascot."
Kate looked towards them and sure enough found her mama's face relaxed as she politely nodded her head to whatever Queen was saying.
"Thank you, Lady Danbury; if this courtship succeeds, then I will be forever in your department." Kate tells the older woman in an earnest voice, who smiles. "Save your gratitude, Miss Sharma. Our journey has just begun. Now tell me where your Viscount is because I can see Violet and her daughter with her second son, but Viscount seems absent from this important ball, which seems so unlikely."
Kate bit her lips as fears started brewing in her heart. "I fear it's my fault; Viscount Bridgerton is not here."
Agatha Danbury gave one sharp look to Miss Sharma before escorting her towards the terrace while everyone was busy admiring the dance between the prince and Queen's diamond.
Only once they were outside did Lady Danbury turn to her ward. "Tell me everything, Miss Sharma, and do not even think about leaving any detail."
She watched as the girl grew flustered as she told her everything—almost everything—that went down between herself and Lord Bridgerton. "After I made my request, Lord Bridgerton looked speechless, and then before I could say anything, he turned around and left."
Agatha felt herself shaking her head. When she gave this suggestion, she was initially hoping that Miss Sharma would first get to know Lord Bridgerton and hopefully he offered courtship (which the boy did offer) and then naturally become amicable to the idea of her marriage, but she never imagined the girl to be so blunt with her request.
"Well, Miss Sharma, this is quite a predicament we find ourselves in, although let me assure you one thing: knowing Viscount since he was a young lad, I could vouch he would not harm you or your reputation by revealing anything."
"Then why is he not here?" Kate inquires in frustration as angry tears spill from her eyes.
"I cannot say for sure, but we should give him time to think about your strange request. You need to consider his predicament because it must be unlikely for him as any women, especially young maids, do not often propose men for an affair. That being said, the blame rests on me, as I did not guide you in the correct manner."
Kate sighed as she confessed something. "I do not think your guidance would help in this particular case because when I was with him, I became a different person, a reckless person, and I really enjoyed that feeling."
Lady Danbury understands exactly what Miss Sharma meant—oh, how she became reckless with Lord Ledger! Agatha sighed and sympathetically patted Miss Sharma's cheeks. "Do not fret, child; if Viscount felt what you felt, then I believe he will reach out to you."
And no matter how chaotic this situation becomes, Agatha knows one thing in her heart: the grandson of Lord Ledger and son of Viscount Edmund Bridgerton will never disappoint the woman he shows affection for.
While Kate was waiting to meet her Viscount again, Viscount Anthony Bridgerton was hiding away in his study, going over and over about Miss Kate Sharma's shocking request.
The truth is, he had never met anyone like her before, and it's maddening how much power she had over him in those moments. It's even more strange that he relished giving up his power as he fell on his knees in front of her.
He ran his fingers absently against his lips, and for a while he could remember she tasted against his lips, how she felt on these fingers, how she smelled, how she sounded, and how she looked.
"I know that look."
Anthony blinked and was surprised to see his brother seated on the opposite chair. "How long were you sitting there?"
"Long enough to observe you." Benedict replied cheekily as he leaned in to ask what interested him. "Now brother? Tell me? Who is the lady who stole your inner peace?"
"Who said anything about Lady?" Anthony inquires defensively as his brother smirks. "I am asking because I noticed your dazed look and sigh filled with great longing, and for a man who was determined to not marry for heart, you suddenly seemed to have lost it somewhere."
Anthony felt agitated because he only wanted his perfect Viscountess, and it's not bad if there is attraction and passion brewing in his heart, but to label it as love? "I am not going to dwell on matters of heart where this lady is concerned."
But Benedict quickly noticed something. "So there is a lady? Interesting?"
Anthony huffed as he raked his hair in frustration as he spilled everything—well, almost everything. "Alright fine! I have found my perfect Viscountess, but there is an obstacle and before you go and jump to silly conclusions, let me tell you that the lady in question did not want to marry at all."
Benedict's smile slipped as he noticed how disappointed Anthony looked as he confessed. "To make matters worse, I may have taken some liberties with Lady, but when I offered courtship again, she refused and instead..."
At that point, Benedict surprised Anthony and suddenly stopped talking. "Instead what?" Benedict urged impatiently.
Anthony shook his head as he looked away. "It does not matter because agreeing with her request will go against everything I stand for. It would be one thing if she accepted my courtship, but this is just reckless."
Benedict's head hurt as he tried to understand what spell this lady had cast on his brother because Anthony was never the one to talk in riddles.
"Anthony, it seems you clearly like this lady a lot, if refusing her is upsetting you so much! Just tell me what she wants. Maybe I could find a solution to your problem."
But before his brother could share her problems, they heard an angry voice as suddenly Colin appeared, holding the latest Lady Whistledown. "What were you thinking, brother? Dancing with Pen!"
Anthony and Benedict gaped at their younger brother, who looked a little bit different after his return as he glared at them. "Well? What were you doing dancing with Penelope right after our mother announced your attention to marriage this season ?"
Benedict turned to stare at Anthony, who blinked back in confusion as he tried to defend himself. "It was just one dance; it does not signify anything, like your and Miss Featherington's previous season dance."
But these seemed to only irk Colin as he threw Whistledown paper angrily at the table. "Exactly! Even those horrid gossip mongers stated that we Bridgerton brothers dance with Penelope because we pity her; it does not matter that she is a friend of this family! In everyone's eyes, we pity her, which is just worse!"
Anthony shakes his head in confusion because how can he explain why he danced with Miss Featherington without crossing his brother, who seems to care a great deal about this? "I swear, Colin, that dance was innocent between me and the girl, who, as you say, was a friend to this family; it's not my fault how that writer spins this out."
Colin huffed, but before he could say more, their mother suddenly arrived as she stared at everyone. "Colin Bridgerton! I told you to get dressed! Anthony, Benedict, did you both forget about Royal Ascot?"
Anthony flinched because he was hoping to hide away here, but apparently now he cannot. "Give us a few minutes, mother; we will be ready soon."
"See that you do." She orders sternly before leaving with Colin. Benedict, on the other hand, was still staring after his younger brother as he tried to make sense of the world around him. "What the hell is going on?"
Kate was walking behind his sister, who seemed enamoured by Prince Friedrich. "I hope you like philosophy too. I have gained biographies of great Greek scholars on my last visit; it's truly fascinating how much they see ahead of things."
"I will be delighted to read and discuss my opinion with you, Your Grace." Edwina said as she glanced back in their direction, giving them a giddy smile.
They watched as Prince led Edwina towards Queen, and Kate was really happy with this outcome as she and Lady Danbury walked to find their own seating. "Well, it seems Prince is taken with Edwina, and Edwina is taken with him."
"Not to forget they share an interest in books and philosophy." Lady Danbury added as she smiled confidently. "A strong bond always develops between those who share mutual interests, and speaking of interest, I have someone I want to introduce you to."
Kate frowned as Lady Danbury walked ahead and tapped on the man's shoulder. The man turned around and greeted Lady Danbury. 'Ah! My favourite patient! I hope you are in good health."
"I am perfect, Doctor Dorset. Now allow me to introduce you to my guest, Miss Kate Sharma; she and her family just arrived from India."
Until this moment, Kate was completely confused, but apparently Doctor Dorset seems pleased about something. "Ah! It's an honour to meet you, Miss Sharma; I myself had just returned from India after practicing medicine there."
Kate gasps excitedly as she inquires. "You were in India? Where did you study, sir?"
"I study herbal remedies under the guidance of Doctor Gupta, who practices in Pondicherry." As Dorset tells them about his practices, Kate gasps when she notices none other than Viscount staring at her.
Lady Danbury, on the other hand, smirked at Viscount Brooding's face as she suggested Doctor Dorset join them.
"It will be my honour." He says this as they walk towards the stands.
"Lady Danbury." Kate began, but Lady Danbury gave her a knowing look, as she advised. "You had taken the first step; now let Lord Bridgerton come to you. Let's see if he accepts your request or not."
As Anthony watched Miss Sharma being escorted by his old university pal, he could not take it anymore as he quickly dragged his family towards where Miss Sharma was going. "Look, I could see empty seats near Lady Danbury."
While everyone smiled, Colin's smile dropped as he realised the other family was already seated on those benches. "Is he trying to find a seat near Penelope?"
Eloise and Benedict frown, and sure enough, they can see Penelope seated on the lower bench next to Lady Danbury, Miss Sharma, and some gentlemen.
Colin stomped after his brother as Benedict tried to catch up with his younger brother. Just in time, they heard Anthony greeting everyone. "Lady Featherington, Lady Danbury, aren't we having nice weather for races?"
"You really think so; I find it quite warm." Miss Sharma says this while scrunching her nose.
"That's because you ladies have nothing to drink on this hot day." Anthony says this before turning to his brothers. "Go fetch lemonade for all these lovely ladies."
Penelope giggled as Lord Bridgerton climbed benches over people to settle between herself and Miss Sharma.
Colin was fuming at his brother, but before he could say anything, Benedict quickly pulled him away to get those bloody lemonades before anyone's blood spilled.
"Did you see what he is doing?" Colin complained as Benedict shook his head. "I am trying to figure it out."
Meanwhile, Anthony finally settled beside the object of his desire, leaning closer to whisper in her ear. "We need to talk."
"After making me wait? How gracious of you?" Kate quipped back before turning her attention towards Doctor Dorset. "Tell me, sir, which horse did you bet on?"
"Um, I am just here for sports." He said that, making Kate huff in disappointment.
Anthony smirked as he turned to Penelope and said it out loud. "Well, I have chosen Nectar; you know, Miss Featherington, he is a three-time champion horse."
"Really?" Penelope mused while Eloise scowled at her brother from behind. "She is not interested in this manly sport."
"Actually, I adore horses." Penelope says back as she recalls someone she saw on horseback years ago. She flushed when that same man came back carrying lemonade glasses.
"For you, Pen." Colin offers, but Anthony quickly grabs glasses and offers one to Miss Sharma and the other to Penelope while taking one from Benedict's hand for himself.
Colin fumed, but then it turned into a smile as Penelope moved to make space for him.
As Benedict settled behind, next to Eloise, looking completely worried, Anthony boasted about his horse choice.
Kate scoffed as she tells him. "Oh, please, you choose this horse because everyone chooses it! There is nothing strategic about your choice."
"How can you claim that?" Anthony asked outrageously as he watched this woman stubbornly give her point of view.
Penelope, hearing their bickering, tried to advise them. "It's just a race; if you doubt yourself, you can always change your bet."
"Well said!" Colin agreed as he pointed at the betting boot. "You must hurry up, brother, if you want to change your bet and go with Miss Sharma's choice."
They all watched as Anthony and Miss Sharma stared at each other. "Never, nectar will win! You all will see."
"Can you bet your life on your decision?" Kate mocked, but as gunfire started, Anthony whispered in her ear. "I can bet on other things."
Kate barely had time to react as the horse race began. It was then that everyone witnessed how Viscount Bridgerton and Miss Sharma were shouting and screaming at their horses to win.
"Should we separate them?" Penelope suggests nervously, while Colin pulls Penelope away as they both start jumping on their feet.
Finally, Kate chose High Flyer got closer to Nectar, and in that moment she started whistling loudly, making Anthony completely distracted from his horse, and before he knew it, he was losing again.
"Well done, Miss Sharma!" Dorset cheered for Kate, who had almost forgotten his presence until now, as he offered his hand. "How about I show you horses up close?"
Kate beamed and glanced at Anthony, who was looking irritated as she accepted the offer. "I will be delighted, sir."
Anthony's heart sank as he watched Kate leave with Dorset. "Come everyone, we better collect our winnings, while those who lose should ponder on their life choices."
Anthony's head snapped towards Lady Danbury, but she gave him one hard look before leaving without saying a saying a word. As everyone left, Anthony got the feeling that her advice was meant for him.
He then ventured where Miss Sharma left with Dorset to see horses, and sure enough, he found them near stables as he overheard their conversation. 'Can I call on you sometimes?"
Anthony's heartbeat went wilder as he waited for her reply. "I am sorry, sir, but I am not looking for courtship."
"How about friendship? Would you like that?" Dorset inquires, and Kate nods her head with a smile.
Feeling like no one else clawed at his heart as he watched them smile at each other. Luckily, someone called Dorset, and as he excused himself, Anthony quickly walked behind Miss Sharma, and before he could stop himself, he reached out and pulled her towards the empty stables.
Kate gasped in shock as she suddenly found herself in Lord Bridgerton's arms, who was glaring at her with his intense gaze. "Are you going to ask him the same question as you asked me?"
Kate felt anger rising in her heart as she shoved him away. "Who do you think I am, huh? Do you have any idea how much courage it takes to make that request, or did you think I was some harlot who opened her legs for anyone?!"
Anthony's anger quickly turned into guilt as he earnestly shook his head. "Pardon me, my lady. I was not judging your character because that would be hypocritical of me; it was just that women do not make these kinds of requests."
"Right? Because our only option is either to get married or become old spinsters! I do not see men saving their virtues until marriage?! Its not fair that we are deprived of basic human desires because society demands that while men are free to do whatever they want!"
Anthony sighed because everything she said was true, but he still could not fulfil her request unless. "Then why not just court me? Miss Sharma If I am good enough to be chosen as your lover, then why not consider me as your husband?"
"Because marriage and courtship are not what I want, but that does not mean I do not want to experience what it truly feels like to find pleasure as a woman."
Anthony sighed as he tried to make her understand, but then she started speaking. "When Lady Danbury advises me, I never want to walk down this path, given the risks, but you are the only one I found myself taking risks for, and I just hope I was enough for you to take risks, but I guess I was not worthy in your eyes."
Anthony could not believe what he was hearing as she shook her head dejectedly. "Forget about this conversation, my Lord, and forgive me for making that request. I promise I will never cross your path again."
With one last longing look, Kate turned to leave the stable when a hand reached out to yank her back as she was passionately kissed by Viscount.
By the time they pulled away, Kate was gasping for air as she stared at Viscount's intense eyes. "My lord?"
"It's Anthony, my dearest Kate; I think as your lover we should drop formalities."
Kate's breath catches as she asks again. "My what?"
"Your Lover?"
And in that stable, Kate Sharma not only won her bet but also won her heart's desire.