A/N: We do still remember that Kate was talking to Benedict, right? Here's more.
CHAPTER - 9 - MEN OF THE TON
"….. Oh, look over there, the man with a peony with his pocket square", Mr. Bridgerton gestured carefully. "Lord Cumberland. He does well with his estates and fortunes."
Kate kept a mental note. Lord Cumberland. Though Mr. Bridgerton continued. "Although he has somewhat of an overbearing mother. Lady Cumberland only wants the best of the best and is unwilling to let any woman come close for the most unwarranted of reasons. She even dragged him away from Cressida Cowper once, and her dowry is incomparable." he laughed, amused at the memory.
"Cressida Cowper?" Kate inquired.
"Oh, look far back beside the wisteria vine, the young woman with blonde hair." Kate looked over without hesitation. "Cunning," he said, lowering his voice and letting out a chuckle. "One must be aware of the women of the ton, as much as about the gentlemen. Word of advice, never let your secrets linger around her", he added.
Kate thought for a while. Even though Lord Cumberland seemed a fine option, his mother might not approve of Edwina given Mary's situation. Or given the fact that Kate was not Mary's blood. She could still keep him on her lists. Who knows when the tide might turn.
"Over there, Lord Hardy. He has good fortune to his name. Although he is rather busy speaking of his accomplishments and fortunes, paying a deaf ear to anyone around him. Lord Ambrose. He charms well, but anyone at the gentleman's club would tell you he is a cheat. Gambles extensively. Never pays his debts. Steer clear."
'Lord Hardy, boastful, Ambrose, a cheat'. Kate made a mental note again. "No good then" she said, looking around. "How about that young man, beside the red headed girl?" she asked.
"Lord Fletcher," he snarled. "He will be after the debutante with the biggest dowry. The bigger his prize, the better for him."
"Noted." She said as her eyebrows raised in alarm. Mr. Fletcher however, might not even set his sights on Edwina.
"You seem to give every suitor a great deal of thought, Miss."
Kate leveled directly at his face. "If men of questionable character would try to court my sister, must I not be thorough? I do not take my sister's happiness lightly."
"Most ladies here would find their happiness in getting married to any wealthy or titled man. One might even say that is what a season in London is all about."
"Perhaps," said Kate, looking into the crowd at hand again, "but finding happiness is not the true problem at all."
"Then what is?"
"That a bad husband can break her heart far more irreparably than a simple suitor". It was the utmost truth. She turned to him and gave him a knowing sort of smile, but Mr. Bridgerton looked at her as if he was trying to recognize her from somewhere. "Don't you think so?"
The gentleman chuckled. "Having never been married, I am certainly not in a position to speculate", he joked. She indulged with a playful look of shock.
"Oh, how terribly you evade my question, Mr Bridgerton", she joined with a smile.
"I rather thought it was my best", he paused. "However, as a brother, I understand you completely."
"Thank you for assuring me of that", she said, pointing at a mousy haired man this time.
"That is Mr. Worthington. Although he is an honest gentleman and does good in trade, he is a second son. However, anyone who marries him will lead a comfortable and fulfilled life."
Mmm. He might not win the approval, Kate felt. "What about that tall gentleman with the mustache over there?"
Mr. Bridgerton's face pinked. "Ah. Lord Radcliffe. He is alright. Although.. he -", he paused. Kate tried to read his face, but there seemed to be a desperation on his face, something he was trying to hold back. However, Mr. Bridgerton seemed to have resolved it internally, for he sighed. "He- is- He seems to be of dubious parentage" he let out politely.
"Oh. I will keep that in mind", Kate responded, and added in a question. "And the gentleman he is talking to?"
"His brother", came the reply. "Though this one is an utter rake".
"Well, I do see the resemblance now. Or the lack thereof", said Kate. The gentlemen looked nothing alike. But Kate's eye soon fell on another man standing on the sidelines. "How about the man in the Aubergine coat?"
"Lumley. Good natured, fine manners. Although, he is very fond of poetry."
"Is that a bad thing?" she asked further.
"No, just a bit too artistic for my tastes", he said and turned to look at her. "That is all this evening, I suppose."
"Mm. I will keep these in mind as I filter my list, Mr. Bridgerton. Thankyou for your time", Kate curtsied in response.
However, Mr. Bridgerton let out a chuckle and shook his head.
"Is it something I said?" Kate asked.
"Oh no. It is just that you remind me of my Brother," he said, as if she would understand instantly. But Kate understood nothing, and continued to stare questioningly.
"Anthony. You are just like him," he said, but understood the look of resignation on her face that she did not understand what he implied. "Right, you mentioned you just arrived so you were not a part of the ton the previous London season. My brother Anthony, shooed away the entire horde of my sister's suitors last year because he was very particular about what constituted a good match for our sister."
"Then why she is hiding from the suitors this year?" she asked.
"Oh no, the suitors were for my other sister, Daphne. She got married last season to the Duke of Hastings. My next sister, Eloise, is the one hiding today," he sighed. "It is just dancing, she might even enjoy a few", he said looking at the crowd in front of them as a sudden realization spread on his face. "Oh, that reminds me, I have to fetch her for a dance. I promised my mother she would be seen on the floor."
"Certainly. Well, this dance seems to be nearing the end and my sister will be parched as well. I would like to thank you once again for your help, Mr. Bridgerton."
The gentleman bowed in response and took a step back as Kate walked towards her family, and he turned around, to fetch his sister, perhaps.
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"Kate, dearest. Where have you been, you just missed our most wonderful company, the Viscountess", said Lady Mary.
"Apologies mama, I went to get some lemonade for Edwina but I bumped into a gentleman on the way back. But I am here now. Where is Edwina?" Kate said as she looked around.
"She is dancing dearest. Over there, look."
Kate followed the line of sight of her mother only to find herself stunned into breathlessness, as an uncomfortable pit began to form in her stomach.
Edwina was dancing with the man Kate had met during her horse ride.
"I think I know that gentleman", she breathed out, too soon for her own good. Lady Danbury however, was quick to catch on.
"Who? The viscount? I do not believe I have yet made an introduction, Miss Sharma."
Ofcourse. Ofcourse! OFCOURSE.
"Ofcourse." she covered up quickly as her heart pounded against her chest. "It must be my mistake, Lady Danbury." Kate thought it better not to meet the matriarch's eyes as she burrowed into Kate's soul to etch the truth out. She would simply maintain her dignified posture, and pretend to have made a mistake in recognizing a face.
"Viscount Bridgerton is wealthy, well-connected, and from one of the ton's most illustrious families. I hear he is hoping to marry this season. He may very well be our most eligible bachelor, indeed."
"He is very handsome, Lady Danbury", said Mary from the other side.
"Yes," Kate let slip and felt a flush climbing up her cheeks. Too soon, she surmised however, and covered up. "I suppose he is."
"He would make an illustrious pair with anyone", Lady Danbury chimed. "The Bridgertons are the good-looking sort, the lot of them."
Wait. Bridgerton? Kate wondered.
Mr. Benedict Bridgerton. Was this his brother Anthony Bridgerton, with whom the gentleman was comparing her to? What is so similar about them, she thought. Edwina seemed to be having a fine conversation with him. And he looked equally interested in her. But somehow, the pit in her stomach grew heavier. As the 4th dance came to an end, she watched as the viscount led her sister towards the lemonade table. Atleast someone had the thought, she felt, as she finally drank from the lemonade she held.
But the heaviness weighing on her was unmistakable. Perhaps a worry that he will reveal her secret horse-ride to Lady Danbury? That must be it. But he seemed respectable and genuine when she spoke with him. He might have simply been close-minded regarding the ways women experience the society and its rules in India. And he did seem to understand that her ride was a secret. Then why was she so stirred at watching the scene playing in front of her?
Kate finished the rest of her lemonade and decided to get some fresh air. She needed to put her thoughts in order, and plan ahead. More so, she needed to get her bearings in place lest she speak out every thought that crossed her mind. There was no way she would allow her secrets to be revealed and lost the only control she had of their situation.
Kate placed the glass aside and gently began. "I shall step out for a moment mama. Get some fresh air."
"Are you feeling unwell, Kate?" asked Mary immediately as Lady Danbury looked on.
That woman would read her like a book, if she kept standing in front of her. "No. I am perfectly fine mama, just need some air", she said, waiting for the nod of approval. And as soon as Mary nodded, nothing stood in the way of Kate walking towards the entrance of the conservatory. Nothing else could be more distressing than this, could it?
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A/N : I have no regrets. Kate seeing Lord Anthony Bridgerton for the first time in the ballroom when he is already dancing with her sister? Game on.