Anthony smiles as he leads his Kathani towards her room. Her parents retired to their room soon after Anthony informed them about moving to India, and Sophia left an hour before all the guests left, but Kathani stayed by his side until the last of the guests left. She was glowing with happiness as everyone congratulated them on their engagement.
"This was such a wonderful night! I cannot believe you planned everything by yourself." Anthony smirked as his Kathani kept complimenting him, and finally they arrived outside her room. "I am glad you loved everything about this night, and do not worry; our wedding will be even more beautiful than our engagement party."
She beamed as her fiancé affectionately kissed her lips before opening her door. "Here you go, my love; I bid you goodnight and sweet dreams." Kathani watched as he turned around and left, and she could not help but swoon over his gentlemanly behaviour. It's remarkable how much restraint he showed these last few days because he respected her parents, but she cannot let this night end on a wish of sweet dreams, especially when she has something naughty planned for him in her mind.
Anthony was in the middle of getting undressed, as he still prefers sleeping naked after all these years, but tonight he wonders if he could sleep peacefully. Everything is going according to his plans, and soon they will leave for India, and once again he will give all the happiness of the world to his Kathani.
A knock startled him from his future musings, and scents of lilies invaded his senses with a hint of something else. Smiling, he opened his door and pretended to be surprised as he watched Kathani dressed in her nightgown while holding two glasses and a bottle of wine. "I thought we both should drink to celebrate our engagement."
"Splendid idea, my love, would you like to come inside or should we go to your room?" She entered his room and closed the door behind him. Anthony barely registered a click of lock as she stepped closer to him. "Let's celebrate in your room." "Ours. Everything that is mine belongs to you, my love." He sweetly reminds her, and Kathani knows how much he meant those words.
He led her towards bed, and Kathani watched as he expertly opened the bottle and poured deep red wine into their glasses. "Here to our new life." He toasted, and she clinked her glass with his as she added. "Here's to our love."
"To love." Anthony agreed, and together they drank until it was finished. Once Kathani's drink was finished, she put her glass aside next to where Anthony put his glass and bottle. Anthony felt her scent getting stronger as her eyes filled with desires, and before he could stop himself, he reached out to grab her and crushed her into his arms.
Kathani gasped because before she could even think to act on her desire, Anthony's eyes became feral, and in the next moment she was in his arms as he passionately kissed her. She moans and clutches his body closer, wanting to disappear within him. They both were falling on soft beds, and soon Kathani felt herself laying on fluffy pillows while Anthony's hard body pressed her to bed as they devoured each other's lips.
Finally she gasps for air, and Anthony pulls away as he stares at her reverently. "We should stop, my love; your parents are residing with us, and I cannot disrespect them no matter how much I crave for you, my love."
"Anthony, I know how much you love and respect me, and my family and my parents know this too and trust me; they could never think any less of you, especially when you make me the happiest woman in the world." Anthony's eyes shone as he gently cupped her face. "I truly make you the happiest woman in the world." Kathani nodded her head in assurance and reached out to sweetly kiss him. "The most happiest.'
His eyes shone with pride and happiness as he leaned down to kiss her. The kiss started soft and sweet, but soon passion increased between them as his hands began to roam over her silken nightgown. With one flick, he opened her robe, and he growled when his eyes fell on the sheer peach-coloured lingerie she wore for him. "Do you like it? I bought it especially for you."
Anthony kissed her neck as his hands roamed sensually over her body. "I love you in anything you wore, but nothing could top when you laid bare in front of me in your beautiful glory." Anthony slowly undressed her, and Kathani shivered as he inhaled her scent before prepping it with small sensual kisses. She moans as he trails downwards until he reaches where she was dripping in need for him.
Her desire burned tenfold for this man as he lightly bit her thigh before licking her skin to sooth her sting. "Never knew I was into biting kink." She admitted it lustfully, and Anthony smiled as he bared his teeth playfully before lightly biting her hip bone. "Fuck!" Kathani groans as she threaded her fingers into his hair and guided him until he was where she desperately needed him.
Anthony went in a frenzy as the scent of her arousal invaded his senses. His fangs threatened to burst out and drink her delicious blood, but this was not the time, and hopefully once they moved to India and Anthony revealed his truth, his Kathani would grant him permission to taste her. He controlled his features while distracting her with immense pleasure. Kathani was unaware how close he came to losing his control, and by the time he was able to control himself, Kathani screamed to heaven as he drank her release like a starved man.
Her vision was completely gone as she hazily noticed Anthony licking the remainder of her arousal while humming in pleasure. He gave her a pleasing smile as he shed his trousers and briefs, and Kathani was mesmerised to find him hard and leaking for her. She opened her legs in invitation, and Anthony growled as he all but yanked her roughly towards him and filled her up with one great thrust. "Aiyo!" She gasped as he began to move wildly inside her, moving so deep that she could feel him touching her special place at each pass.
Anthony's muscles flex as he passionately kisses her love while loving her with everything he had. She clutched his back and trashed as Anthony took her higher and higher. Her eyes crossed when his skillful fingers brushed her nub while he desperately begged. "Come for me, Kathani! Let me feel your release, my beautiful Viscountess."
"Ah! Ah!" At the word viscountess, something happens to Kathani, and her entire body seized up as she clutched his body and found herself having the most powerful orgasm of her life. Anthony groans and bites her neck as he finds his release. His fangs burst out, and Kathani hissed in haze when she felt something sharp against her skin, but it was gone in seconds, and so was Anthony as he turned away, releasing all over his sheets while hiding his face in his palms.
She lay beside him for a few minutes, trying to catch her breath as her vision finally cleared. Finally, she turned her head and shakily touched Anthony's back, who stiffened at her touch but did not turn around to face her. "I am so sorry, darling; I never wanted to hurt you." "Huh?" She was confused, hearing distress in Anthony's voice as she sat up and stared at the at the huge mirror opposite their bed. In her reflection, she could see a huge bruise on the side of her neck that looked like the biggest love bite ever. She slowly touched it and let out a small hiss where his teeth bit her harder. Turning back to him, she leaned closer and kissed his back while making him turn around.
"Oh baby!" Kathani's heart clenched when he saw his remorseful eyes. "It's nothing, my love. It's just sometimes a love bite, a massive one indeed, but it's not your fault your teeth are extra sharp." Anthony shook his head as tears threatened to burst his eyes. "Please do not comfort me; this was not a love bite. I know I hurt you when I got carried away, and I swear I never want to hurt you! I swear..."
But Kathani was not going to let him say anything as she gently kissed him. "Enough, you did not hurt me, and I trust you completely to never ever hurt me; there is no one in this world aside from my family and yourself who made me feel so cherished and protected."
She lay in his arms, and Anthony promised that she believed he would never break. "I will never hurt you, my love. I swear on my existence."
Kathani was gasping as she hid a few elderly people of her village from British soldiers who were searching for freedom fighters. For a while she thought they were saved when suddenly the door burst open, and in a few seconds they were thrown out of their shelter by a few soldiers.
"Stop it! These people are innocent!" She yells as she struggles with her captors, who roughly yanked her arm. "You dare to lie to a commanding officer! You filthy low life!" The soldier was about to raise his hand on her when a booming voice reached their ears. "Unhand my wife!"
The soldier holding her quickly left her as everyone bowed respectfully to the newcomer. "Lord Bridgerton, I must have heard wrong; this Indian filth cannot be esteemed Viscountess Bridgerton." Anthony, however, stepped protectively in front of his wife as he shoved the officer away. "Disrespect my wife and my people again, and you have to answer to me!"
"But, Lord Bridgerton, we got information about those hidden freedom fighters and that they got asylum in Krishnaraja."
"Freedom fighters are everywhere, and you better accept this new reality, but remember, Krishnaraja is my territory, and I say this again: if you ever harm this land or its people again, then you will have to face my wrath." The soldier trembled at Anthony's threat before leaving them in peace once they were gone. Village people cheered as Kathani hugged her husband in relief. "Thank God you come back!"
He led his wife back to their house, and once inside, he quickly inspected if she was harmed in his absence. "Are you hurt, my love?" I swear I will kill them all if they try to hurt you!"
"I am fine, my love! But tell me, did you succeed?" Anthony huffed, but he could never refuse his wife. "I have spoken with the king; I think even he knew that India will not stay shackled to Britain anymore; in a few days you will hear the good news." As expected, his wife squealed, and soon their Amma and Appa, along with Newton, joined them as Kathani shared their good news. "Its happening! We are finally getting our freedom!"
But while everyone looks happy, Kathani noticed her husband looked sad for some reason, and once they retired for the night, she finally asked the reason for his sadness. "Anthony? Is something wrong, Meri Jaan?" Anthony sighed as he explained how every British has to evacuate once India becomes free. "I cannot stay here anymore. At least not this time."
She understood what he meant, and as much as Kathani loves her country, she cannot let him leave alone. "Then we will leave for Britain; you are my husband, and I will go wherever you are." Anthony, however, looked horrified at this suggestion. "We cannot go back to London! What if you decide to go to Mayfair? What if you decide to?" It was too painful for him to comprehend, but Kathani gently cupped his face as she promised. "We will go to Aubrey Hall; I swear on our marriage that I will never set foot inside Mayfair again, and I will keep that promise."
Anthony sighed in relief and kissed his wife, and as they made love, Kathani was sure that one day her love would return to his beloved country soon.
Kathani woke up, her mind once again dizzy with a strange dream, but before she could ponder on it, her fiancé entered with a breakfast tray along with steaming chai as he happily announced. "Wake up, darling, and quickly finish your breakfast because we are heading back to London this evening."
"London? But why so soon?" She asked as Anthony began to pack his bags as he joyously replied. "I have a meeting with the prime minister, and hopefully he will allow me to move to India to create diplomatic relationships. Now hurry up! Our future awaits."
Kathani kissed her happy fiancée once her breakfast and chai were finished as she left to pack her bags. Newton was keeping her company when her door knocked and Amma and Appa both entered inside her room. "All packed beta?" Her Amma inquires as Kathani shakes her head. "Just a few more things, Amma, please help me out!" Kavari rolled her eyes as she suggested, How about I finish this bag while you and your Appa take these bags outside?"
Leaving the rest of her packing in her Amma's capable hands, she left with her Appa as they carried her bags outside. "I will miss this place. Everything is so beautiful, and the South Asian and British residents here are so hospitable and friendly, and your Amma just loves the temple." Kathani smiled because Anthony won her Amma's heart a million times over when he took them to visit an old temple that was built in 1948.
"And do you know what we learned today that the temple was made by an Indian Viscountess? People here do not remember her name, but they said she was some sort of freedom fighter in India and that she and her husband, who was Viscount Bridgerton of that time, used their position in court to gain freedom among other freedom fighters and leaders. Isn't that exciting?"
Kathani was stunned because what her aunt was saying sounded similar to her dream. "Appa, you won't believe it." But they were disturbed as Sophia screeched and rushed towards her. "Kathani! Duke is back, and he wants to meet us ASAP!"
Unaware of Sophia's reason for excitement, Milan headed inside to help his wife, and Kathani waited until he was gone before turning towards her friend. "Keep it down, Sophia, Amma, and Appa do not know what happened to our Mayfair assignment, and let's keep it that way; otherwise, Amma will be worried for nothing."
"You are right, but we need to have this meeting to officially end this contract." Sophia whispered, and Kathani suddenly got the plan. "Appa and Amma will love to visit Birmingham Palace maybe Anthony can take them while we go for this meeting." "But Anthony also warned you to stay away from anything to do with Mayfair." Sophia reminds her, to which Kathani simply replies with a smirk. "That's why we will tell them that we are going for last-minute shopping."
And as bad as she felt lying, she needed to end this assignment with Duke face-to-face before she could head home to start her new life.
Alfie was waiting for his guests because he knew this was his only chance. Luckily soon the door opened, and he was relieved to see Kathani and her assistant Sophia walking towards him. "Your Grace."
"Miss Iyer, Miss Bennett, thank you for meeting with me." He says it earnestly, but both ladies looked wearily at him as Miss Bennett cleared her throat. "Your Grace, we are sad to inform you, but we cannot be part of the Mayfair project anymore."
"I can assure you I never did this before, but in my defence, the things I witnessed in Mayfair were quite troubling for me to even visit that place anymore." Kathani adds that Duke looked disappointed for some reason. "I understand, Miss Iyer, and trust me, the blame lies on me because I sent you there unprepared, but before you leave, can you please come with me somewhere one last time? Trust me, please, it's important. There is someone I want you to meet. Someone who can shed a light on what you witness in Mayfair. "
Sophia shook her head, but Kathani held her friend's hand in assurance as she smiled at Duke. "Of course Your Grace."
Alfie smiled and led both girls to his car. He would prefer to leave Miss Bennett out of this, but the fact that she was clinging to Miss Iyer made him realise how protective she was of her.
Kathani watched as he drove through familiar woods, but then he turned his car and drove to the other side of the Mayfair gates. Finally they arrived at a huge house, and Kathani and Sophia quickly realised that this house was half built outside of the Mayfair borders while the other part was inside the Mayfair.
"Ladies, welcome to the house of Hastings built by the second Duke and Duchess of Hastings and his godmother, Lady Danbury." Something flickered in Kathani's heart as she heard these names. Soon they were walking behind the Duke, and if the outside of the house looked strange, the inside looked weird—a fusion between 21st-and Regency-era decor.
Alfie stopped at a line drawn in the middle of the house and then took huge breath as he called out loudly for someone from another part of the house. "I am here, everybody, and I brought guests with me."
Kathani and Sophia watched two wooden doors being opened from the other side, and Kathani gasped when she recognised Anthony's family coming out from the other side along with a girl whom Sophia recognised too. "That's Featherington girl; remember her elder sister commented on our dress?"
Penelope and Bridgerton smiled at them, and finally two older women stepped out, both dressed in dark-coloured gowns, while one was holding a cane and the other was wearing huge wigs like those Queen's of Regency times.
Alfie stepped forward as he turned to his guests. "Miss Iyer, I am told you have met Bridgerton's already, but please allow me to properly make introductions." Meet my maternal family, Lady Violet, her children, and these two ladies are Lady Agatha Danbury and this is esteemed Queen Charlotte.
As expected, Kathani and Sophia gasped in disbelief as Queen Charlotte walked closer to stare at her. "So, we met again, Miss Sharma."