A/N : Here is where I think I made some interesting changes. I hate the fact that Kate and Anthony never got to dance the night of Conservatory ball, when in the novel, Anthony dances with Edwina first and Kate next.

P.S. - I request you to watch Darcy and Elizabeth's dance from Pride and prejudice (both 1995 and 2005 versions). That is what inspired me as to how to write this dance scene with a conversation. You can also view youtube tutorials on Moneik's maggot dance and Hole in the wall dance to get a rough idea about how this particular Kanthony dance plays out.

CHAPTER - 12 - HOLE IN THE WALL

Anthony Bridgerton was shaken to his core. He never thought someone would dare question his values, let aside his horsemanship. And this woman did both of them in the same breath. It was unbelievable as to how he, a Viscount of nine-and-twenty years of age, seemed to find no retort for once. Of course part of that was the suddenness of the whole ordeal. She was eavesdropping and caught him off guard, and did not leave him any room to explain before marching off into the Conservatory.

So Anthony decided he would follow the woman he met at dawn. And his agenda was twofold, first, to find out her name, and then to explain the misunderstanding. Soon he entered the conservatory again, eyeing for the woman in the pool of matchmaking mamas, with whom she certainly was standing. But no one could have prepared him for what he saw, for she stood right next to Lady Danbury and seemed to be in a conversation with Miss Edwina. Was she telling on him? Did she see that he was dancing with Miss Edwina just the prior set? If so, he would soon have to explain to the whole ton that this was a mere misunderstanding, which she for one, did not even allow him to clear away immediately.

"Lord Bridgerton," Lady Danbury startled him from his thoughts. The woman seemed to take note of him immediately, and stood shocked. "May I present Miss Kate Sharma,-" Oh lord "-Lady Mary's eldest, and Miss Edwina's-"

"-Her sister", completed Anthony with a tethered look towards her. This was a nightmare. This was the sister whom Miss Edwina wanted to introduce. And Anthony needed to fix this mess urgently.

"Pleased to meet you Miss Sharma", he began instantly without wasting a moment. She might have left him speechless on the terrace, but he would not let her get a single word in before he explained himself, he thought. "May I have this dance?" he added immediately, extending his hand and looking at Lady Danbury for permission.

"Of course, Lord Bridgerton, Miss Sharma would be delighted", pushed Lady Danbury. Something told him that Miss Sharma was not so delighted, maybe it was the scorn on her face, maybe it was the fire in her eyes, or maybe it was just a feeling. But he did not miss the opportunity as Miss Sharma raised her hand ever so minimally, and he led her to the floor.

Be it fortunately or unfortunately, this was a Maggot Dance. Which meant that there would be two partners for each man and woman, with whom they have to dance the set, and wait for their turn. This meant that while he could only have a conversation with her when he was partnered with her, she could also not dress him down publicly.

"Miss Sharma", he greeted again, as they lined up.

The other pair they were partnered with were Baron Corning and Miss Goring. Anthony felt like the gods were in fact challenging him. He could only hope that Miss Sharma would allow him to speak, while he was wondering what he would speak to Miss Goring about, for she spoke about nothing but the harp, and read no books whatsoever. At this point he was just thankful that he did not have to converse with Baron Corning. Although Anthony did wonder why the Baron was interested in Miss Goring when he had avoided her like the plague the whole evening. Anthony would find out soon, for the set had begun.

While Anthony unfortunately had to pair with Miss Goring first, who went on to ask him about whether any of his sisters played the Harp, Miss Sharma took to Baron Corning, who seemed quite pleased to be dancing with her. Anthony could not help but overhear snippets of their conversation over everything Miss Goring was telling him - Baron Corning had danced with Miss Edwina in the first half of her evening, and wanted to get to know the sister she held in such high esteem. Miss Sharma did not waste a moment's time to cross question him on his family, his lands, and his viscountsy. Why was Miss Edwina not asking these questions herself?

Soon, the partners changed and they all went around in a circle. Anthony was standing right behind Miss Sharma, and however inappropriate this might seem, he decided to begin the conversation.

"Miss Sharma, I would like to clear up a misunderstanding we had earlier", he placed, as politely as possible. Even if others overhear, this would seem polite.

"You are mistaken Lord Bridgeton, there was no misunderstanding", she replied curtly, putting all the extensions Anthony had thought for the conversations to a rest.

The direction reversed and the pairs rearranged themselves. He was now paired with Miss Sharma. And there was a small window of opportunity to speak.

"Miss Sharma, I am well aware that you are aware of what I am trying to convey", he paused to look around the room. He needed to make sure their actions did not appear hostile to others, however much Miss Sharma seemed to want to behead him the very moment. Ascertaining that no one seemed to find anything out of place with their dance routine, "I request you to please listen to what I have to say", he said sweetly to her.

Kate turned about him, "So that you may present me with mis-truths, My Lord. There is no other way to explain anything you said".

Anthony could not respond now, that he and Kate had exchanged places, the set would repeat from the start, and he was paired with Miss Goring again, until the long awaited turn about in a circle.

"There is another answer. One that you are unwilling to accept", he said as he followed her for the second time.

"And what is that?"

"The fact that you misunderstood. What you heard was not meant for your ears. There is certainly -"

"-Not for my ears was it?", and Kate turned around to face him and stepped back to take her place to be paired with Anthony. Then, both of them moved forward. "Then I certainly think whoever was meant to hear it, enjoyed it very much then."

"You are trying to trap me by twisting my words. That is not what I -"

"You trapped yourself when you let out how you truly felt about the marriage mart, My Lord. There is no mistake in that, would you not agree?"

"I did not say -"

"Oh you most certainly did. I remember you describing this whole ordeal as lackluster." Kate fell back into her place, trapping Anthony with Miss Goring again. It had to be now, Anthony thought, as the final set approached.

"Mi-" he began as he followed her around for the final time.

"I would suggest you not spend your energy in convincing me, My Lord. Words hold great power, you just said a few too many of them."

"Miss Sharma -"

Kate faced him for the final time. "Allow me to make myself clear, Lord Bridgerton. I do not believe there is anything that can be said by a man such as yourself, after saying that he views women as chattel. I understood your character, and thankfully it was quick".

This enraged Anthony. He was the one who came here to clear up a misunderstanding politely. But Miss Sharma seemed to have become very unsociable and taciturn towards him.

"And what have you understood?"

"That you. Have no honor", she spat. And Anthony would be lying if he said that the daggers being thrown by her eyes hit him straight in the chest. "And my sister deserves an honorable man."

"I hope you allow others a little more time to explain themselves rather than jump to conclusions, Miss Sharma", he offered boldly. "My apologies for having taken so much of your time", he added. If she did not want to hear his explanation, then he would not offer it to her anymore. He would find a way to charm Miss Edwina that doesn't include climbing up the ranks in Miss Sharma's books.

Anthony bowed alongside Kate's curtsy. There was nothing more to say. The dance had come to an end, and both of them knew what they had to do.

Kate approached the matriarchs of her family immediately and Anthony followed her along to reach his mother.

Even though Anthony was at a distance, he could hear clearly. "Edwina, we must go, there is something I need to talk to you about soon. Mama, it is time for us to go", she had said, pulling the younger miss towards Lady Danbury. Of course. His behavior through the night would be the topic of their conversation today.

"Miss Sharma. This is Lady Violet Bridgerton-", began Lady Danbury.

"Charmed", she replied curtly. And if Violet Bridgerton was not his mother, Anthony might have almost felt sorry for the poor woman who had to face Miss Kate Sharma.

"Lady Danbury, we wish to go home. Mama has headed towards the carriage already."

"Child, whatever has gotten into you -"

"We are woefully under prepared, My Lady. Leaving now would only help us, and allow them to want more. Thankyou for the wonderful soiree", and Kate Sharma clicked her heels together and walked away.

Both the matriarch's looked puzzled at each other, and his mother chuckled nervously. "It seems both of us have our hands full this season".

"Not if I have something to say about it. And as you very well know, I always have something to say," came the determined reply from the lioness.

And that set Anthony Bridgerton on to do what he chose.

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A/N : I hope this was as fun for you to read, as it was for me to write. Please please please let me know how you like it so far. Also, This is the end of episode number one for me. Atleast where Kanthony us concerned.