The house was beautiful and decorated with white and blue decorations. Kathani was in awe of the feeling of home for some unknown reason, but as she was surrounded by their innocent, curious eyes, she could not help but ask straight away. "Can I ask you all something if you do not mind?"

The older lady smiled kindly at her as she assured her. "You can ask anything, dearest; I am sure we will love to answer your questions." Kathani put her cup down and looked around, especially everyone in regency attire. "This lifestyle that you all, I mean people of Mayfair, have kept alive, I am wondering why go to such an extent to persevere at that particular time in history?"

As soon as she asked this question, their smiles dropped, and she noticed some looked sad while others were too conflicted to reply. It was the quietest girl in the family, Francesca, who finally replied. "We stay like this to humble ourselves; the world is passing by us, Miss Iyer, but we are trying to hold on to something that the world tends to forget each time."

Kathani tilted her head as she stared intriguingly at this girl, who gave her a sad smile as she elaborated. "That there is always light after darkness, and hopefully one day, when we learn that lesson, we will finally get that light."

Like others Kathani's eyes were also wet with such a beautiful statement. "You really explained it beautifully, Miss Francesca, but lessons aside, how about you, Miss Eloise, come with me for the night? We three, along with my friend Sophia, could hit nightclubs in London for girls night out."

"Wait a minute, girls are allowed to go to the gentlemen's club!" Eloise inquired in fascination, but Violet cleared her throat as Benedict and Colin looked uncomfortable for some reason. 'We cannot leave Mayfair, Miss Iyer." Benedict informed her. Eloise's excitement vanished as Kathani stared at them in confusion. "Wait a minute, why can you not leave?"

It was Colin Bridgerton who explained her. "Miss Iyer, we lived like this for a long time. I am certain people outside of Mayfair think us odd, like we do sometimes if anyone ventures into Mayfair." "Oh, I see." Kathani says as she recalls how spooked Sophia has become of these people, it's really sad if people judge them harshly for preserving their traditions. It was then that another thought came into her mind. "Can I ask where your eldest son is? The one whose big portrait is on the wall?"

Suddenly she noticed a shift in everyone's energy as they stared at her as the youngest girl, Hyacinth, eagerly asked. "Have you seen my brother?" 'Um." Kate did not know what to say; she was about to tell her truth when suddenly the youngest boy, Gregory, snapped at her sister. "Of course she hasn't met him; otherwise, she would know how much he hates all of us!"

"Gregory!" Violet began to scold him, but he became more angry. "You know it's true, and the worst part is that we deserve his hatred because where were we when he was in pain? We failed him! You failed him, and that's why we deserve his hatred!"

The youngest girl burst into tears and rushed outside, followed by her brother, who glared at his mother and older siblings before storming out in anger. After that fight, Kathani felt terrible enough to poke her nose in their family matters. "I am truly sorry; it was not my intention to cause a rift."

"No, dearest, none of this is your fault." Violet assured her, but Kathani was already on her feet as she gathered her things. "Thank you for tea, but I think it's time for me to leave."

They all stood up as Violet reached out to squeeze her hand. "I am extremely sorry for my son's outburst, and I hope you visit us soon." "I will, and that's a promise." Kathani assured everyone as she left with Benedict, who offered to escort her safely towards the Mayfair borders.

The sun was setting, and Kathani was surprised by how much time she spent today at Mayfair. "My offer still stands; I would love to take you all to New London, and I am sure young people here will like to visit there too." Benedict smiled as he hopefully stared at her. "Maybe one day, but for now, let me escort you safely to your vehicle."

Kathani chuckles as she is still getting used to their impeccable English language. It was getting dark when suddenly the carriage stopped, and they heard a worried voice from outside. "Mr Bridgerton, we have a problem!"

Benedict looked alarmed as he turned to her. 'Stay here; I will see what is going on." He then got out of the carriage, and Kathani heard more frantic voices, and she could not stay inside anymore.

She opened the door, and the first thing she noticed was that the carriage was stopped near the Mayfair borders. She could see a crowd huddled near a tree, and as she lifted her face, a terrifying scream left her mouth. "Ahhhhh!"

Kathani was horrified, gripped in fear, because right in front of her, those two beggars who earlier in the day terrorised her were now hung on a tree. Their necks snapped as their lifeless bodies dangled from the tree while blood was oozing from deep gash's where huge chunks of their necks were bitten away.

"Hey Bhagwan!" Kathani cried as Benedict rushed by her side. "Miss Iyer, please head inside the carriage; I will take you back to Bridgerton House while you recover from this shock." Kathani, on the other hand, was shaking her head as she kept staring at those beggars bodies. "Who would do such a thing?" Come with me! We need to report these murders to the police"

Apparently, this distressed Benedict and other people in the crowd as Benedict tried to reason with her. "There is no need to report any crime; we have different laws here at Mayfair." "Oh really!? Then where is your police, because I cannot see anyone doing anything?"

"Miss Iyer, please do not get involved yourself in our matters; it will do no one any favour!" Benedict, who was earlier so friendly to her, snapped at her in a harsh voice.

It was then Kathani finally realised Sophia was right all along. "You all are part of some cult! Am I right?"

Benedict looked confused as he tried to step closer, but Kathani flinched away. "Get away from me! Sophia was right; it was a mistake to come here!"

Kathani turned and ran towards her car, and surprisingly, no one followed her. She began to drive as fast as she could, putting space between herself and that place. Kathani was trembling; her body was still in shock after witnessing the aftermath of those killings, and her vision was getting filled with tears of fear as she furiously wiped them away. It only took a few seconds, because next thing she knew, she had taken the wrong turn and found herself face-to-face with another approaching car. "Oh No!" She wails and turns her car in a sharp turn as both cars stop at the same time. Kathani was still shaking in fear when suddenly a knock on her window startled her, but the voice she heard was most comforting. "Kathani? Is that you? Are you alright?"

"Oh Anthony!" She cried in great relief and struggled with her seat belt before finally opening her door as she all but fell into his comforting embrace. 'Sush." Anthony cooed as he gently rubbed her back. "It's alright, let me take care of you."

"Can I stay with you?" Kathani asked in a small voice while still hiding in his arms, and he felt it tighten around her as he gently kissed her head. 'Of course, darling, come, let me take you to our home."

Kathani thought she may have misheard him, but before she could comment on it, he advised her to inform her friend she was staying with him tonight. Once settled in his car, Kathani sent a quick text to Sophia about her plans, and once she was done, Anthony held her hand as he drove towards his home. "Do not worry about your car; I will ask my driver to drop it off at your hotel."

"Thanks, I am lucky that I accidentally found you; you have no idea what I have gone through just now." He keeps driving while squeezing her hand with his. "There is no need to speak about it; it's clear how upset you are. Let me first take care of you, and then when you are better, we will talk about it. Alright?"

Kathani gratefully nodded her head, and soon they arrived at his house. "Welcome Kathani." He said it sweetly as he opened her door and led her towards his house. The house was white and beautifully decorated with lots and lots of artwork that she had never seen in her life before. It was surprising how many paintings reminded her of India. "Wow! I did not know you were interested in Indian art."

"Well, Miss Iyer, Britain may be my home, but my heart and soul both belong to India." Kathani beamed, wanting to explore more, but before she could ask more about himself, a voice got their attention. "Woof! Woof!" "Newton." Kathani gasped in delight and picked up her furry friend. "It's so great to see you, buddy."

Kathani then sniffed and held him closer as she stared at Anthony, who quickly reached out to pull her into his embrace. "I am really glad to see you both." "Please tell me what I can do for you?" He inquired earnestly, and Kathani gave them a weepy smile as she squeezed both of them closer to her. "Just please stay by my side."

Anthony nods his head, and Newton licked her face as she was led towards his bedroom, where she was comfortably tucked inside the blanket as Anthony sat beside her while she cuddled Newton. "Thank you for bringing me here; I truly feel safe around you." She felt a soft kiss on her forehead, and before she knew it, she was falling into a peaceful sleep.

Once she was asleep, Anthony couldn't help but smile to himself as he stared at his love finally in his arms, in their home, where she always belongs. "I promise you my love, I will always keep you safe from all those people who think they could try to take you away from me. From now on you will never step inside Mayfair ever again.