Anthony and Kate remained hidden in the garden for a while after she had made the promise to him. Few words were spoken: they kissed and smiled, and Kate started to marvel about how beautiful the fireworks were; Anthony started to marvel about how beautiful she was whilst watching the fireworks. Eventually, when the show was over and Kate started to shiver, Anthony insisted that they return inside. They had decided that they would not tell everyone immediately. Kate wanted to tell Edwina before anyone else, and Anthony respected this. He told her to send word in the morning to inform how the conversation had gone, and they would go from there.
Not long after, the Sharmas had returned from the ball and were preparing for bed. Kate was awash with emotions- she was exhilarated and her face ached from smiling so much. But she was nervous about how everyone (and particularly Edwina) would take the news, given the complex history she and Anthony shared. After the maids had bid her goodnight, she decided to steel herself, and walked the short distance down the corridor to her sister's bedroom.
"Edwina?" Kate said gently, knocking as she pushed the door open. Her sister was sat on the windowsill, prettily gazing out at the night sky. When she noticed Kate, she turned and smiled.
"Is everything ok, Kate?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you," Kate said, moving into the room and closing the door behind her. She sat gingerly on the edge of Edwina's bed, as her sister turned to give her her full attention. "I do not know how to go about telling you this. I am worried about saying the wrong thing, and you know I do not want to hurt you. But I have learnt that I need to be honest with you."
"Is this to do with the viscount?" Edwina asked.
"Yes," Kate said, almost in a whisper. "Edwina, he…he asked me to marry him."
She looked up nervously at her younger sister, dreading her response. But Edwina merely sat there, with that gentle smile still on her face. "And what did you say?"
"I said yes," Kate mumbled. She stood suddenly and made her way close to her sister before kneeling down in front of her. "I am telling you this before anyone else, Bon, because you know how important you are to me, and I know this must be hard for you and I do not want to cause you anymore pain than I know I have done already, and I was going to return to India but you told me to choose myself for once and if I am choosing for myself then I am choosing him, and please say something." Kate looked close to tears.
Edwina, much to Kate's surprise, let out a small giggle. "I would say something if you would stop rambling long enough to allow me to. Do you love him, Kate?"
"More than I ever realised was possible," Kate replied, sincerity shining in her eyes.
"Well it is more than obvious that he loves you," Edwina said laughing. "Ever since I woke up from my naive dreams about my future with the viscount, I have seen how he looks at you. How the two of you gravitate towards each other. How animated he is when he speaks with you, unlike when he speaks to anyone else." She knelt down by her sister and took Kate's hands in her own. "I appreciate how nervous you must have been to tell me this, Didi. But I meant what I said at the ball: I want you to be happy. And it is obvious that the two of you cannot live without each other. So do not worry about me: I see now that the viscount and I would not have made a good match. But the two of you…you are a true love match."
Kate launched forward and hugged Edwina harder than she ever had before in her life. "Thank you, Edwina," she said in between sobs. "You are the most understanding sister I could ever have wished for."
Edwina merely giggled again. When the sisters finally separated, Edwina sat down on the floor, looking almost as happy as Kate. "It is so good to see you so delighted, Didi. I hope the viscount will keep you so for the rest of your lives."
Kate sat down opposite her sister. "I hope so, too," she smiled.
"Now," Edwina continued. "Tell me all about the proposal,"
—-
Anthony could barely sleep that night. He felt as if he were floating- all the worry and stress from the past couple of months seemed to finally be being resolved. He had asked Kate, the woman he loved, to marry him. And she had said yes. He tried to bring himself to feel anxious about the fact that he had broken his most sacred rule of not falling in love, but he found that now he had accepted that his attempts to do so had been thwarted the moment he saw her riding through the park that morning, he felt more free than ever before. The doubts were still in his mind of course: the fear he felt after her fall still running through his veins, the whispers about how he would be the cause of her devastation were he to die. But whenever he felt in danger of drowning in these thoughts, he remembered why he had fallen in love with her.
He thought about the smirk she held whenever she had bested him. How she carried herself. How she laughed with his siblings. The fear in her eyes and the way she bit her lip whenever she was unsure. The scent of her, irresistible whenever she was in a mile radius of him. How it felt when she was in his arms, the pure adrenaline taking over his entire body when their lips had met. How breathless he felt when she had looked up at him, nothing but pure love in her eyes and that beautiful smile on her face, when she promised him her forever. Kathini Sharma owned him now, and he found he could not be upset about that.
After a restless night's sleep of tossing and turning, and dreaming about his fiancee, he was finally woken by his valet, telling him he had received a note from Miss Sharma. Anthony ripped the paper from his valet's hands, eagerly unfolding it. He let out a sigh of relief at Kate's word that Edwina had taken the news well and had given her blessing. Anthony didn't really mind whether he had Edwina's blessing, but he knew how important it was to Kate, and therefore it was now important to him. He tried not to be distracted by the fact she had signed the letter 'Yours, Kate', instead getting up and dressed, and going in hunt for his mother.
Anthony knew his mother had never approved of his stipulations for marriage, but she had gone along with his engagement to Miss Edwina in the attempt to support her son's decisions. But she knew him: he couldn't hide his desire for the elder Miss Sharma, or his devastation at her accident, or the way the two would barter with each other. Given how invested she had been in Anthony's recent romantic exploits, he thought it only fair that she should be the first in his family to hear the news.
When he entered the drawing room he wasn't altogether surprised to see his eldest sister sitting with his mother, both engrossed in their books. Ever since Daphne had been in residence in London in Hastings House, she often spent her days in her old family home, preferring the chaos to her current comparative solitude. When Anthony walked in, both women lifted their heads and Violet immediately crossed the room to greet him.
"Anthony!" she exclaimed. "Come and sit down, would you like some tea? How did you sleep? I hope you enjoyed the ball last night."
"What have I missed?" Anthony asked his sister, grumbling at the level of attention he was currently receiving.
"Oh, nothing," Daphne said absentmindedly. "Mama was just telling me how splendid you and Miss Sharma were at the ball last night. She said you danced most beautifully. She was also wondering where the two of you disappeared to during the firework display."
Trust Daphne to get straight to the point. Anthony looked back at his mother, whose eyes were shining with the anticipation of news from her dear son. "Do you have something you would like to ask me, Mother?"
"Me?" Violet replied, doing her best to look innocent. "Not at all, dear, merely curious as to how your evening went. Carson said you looked rather happy when you returned home."
Blasted servants, always ratting him out to his mother. He had been in a particularly jubilant mood last night, no wonder his mother was now on the edge of her seat.
"Well if you must know," Anthony began, "I did actually come here with the aim of sharing some news with the two of you. Yesterday at the ball, Kate agreed to marry me."
The two Bridgerton women sat in silence for just a moment, before breaking into beaming smiles and, on the part of Violet, tears. "Oh, Anthony," she sobbed, "I knew you would do the right thing, she is such a lovely girl and will make a perfect viscountess and you will be so happy."
Daphne was far more composed, but Anthony could still see the delight in her eyes when she leaned towards him and said "I told you so,".
Anthony rolled his eyes, smiling affectionately at his sister. "I wish I had not been so stubborn to refuse to see what you did weeks ago," he told her.
"So do I," said Daphne. "But you are finally to marry the woman you love, and I could not be happier,"
"Neither could I," smiled Anthony.
—-
A couple of hours later, Anthony was standing on the steps leading up to the front door of Lady Danbury's home. He felt much relieved at how ecstatic both his mother and sister had been, and now it was time to tell Kate's stepmother. As a footman ushered him towards the drawing room, Kate came bounding down the stairs, almost running into Anthony in her haste to get to him.
"That desperate to see me after only 12 hours apart?" he smirked.
His fiancee rolled her eyes. "I'm beginning to wonder whether my head injury may have been worse than I thought. Why else would I have agreed to marry such an obnoxious man?"
"Because you're madly in love with me?"
"There is that, I suppose," she admitted, smiling. The two of them looked lovingly into each other's eyes and Anthony was once again struck by how much easier it felt to breathe when he was in her presence. He wished they were already married so he could simply whisk her off to a private room and show her just how easy she was to love.
Unfortunately, Kate, ever the pragmatist, still had their original objective in mind. "Come, I think Mary and Lady Danbury are both having tea. I've told Edwina of our intentions to tell them the news this afternoon. I believe she wanted to attend to show her support."
Anthony smiled, chastely kissing her on the cheek before allowing her to escort him into the drawing room, where the two older women were indeed enjoying their tea.
"Lord Bridgerton!" Mary exclaimed, looking up in surprise. "I wasn't aware you were calling on us this afternoon?"
"Judging by the nervous expressions on both of their faces, I would guess they have something important to share with us," Lady Danbury's eyes gleamed with curiosity. The woman, while old, never did miss a trick.
"Am I late? Have I missed the announcement?" Edwina rushed into the room.
"Announcement?" asked Mary. "What announcement?"
"Lady Sharma, Lady Danbury, Miss Sharma and I are here to ask for both of your blessings. Yesterday evening at the ball I asked Kate to marry me, and she said yes." Anthony started his sentence looking at the two matriarchs, every inch the viscount. By the end, however, his gaze had softened and moved towards his betrothed, who was looking back at him, equally enraptured.
Anthony took their silence as disapproval, and immediately launched into his defence. "I know I have caused this family more turmoil and pain that you should have ever been put through, and my actions towards Miss Edwina have been unforgivable, and I brought dishonour on both of our families, but…I was confused. I lost my head. I have never felt the way I do about Kate before. I did not know how to handle it, and in my lapse of judgement, I dragged everyone along on my emotional turmoil with me. I do not deserve Kate's hand. But I asked for it anyway, because I love her, and I do not think I could live without her. I need you to know that I promise I will protect her and provide for her and cherish her for the rest of my life."
At this point, all three Sharma women seemed to be in tears. Lady Danbury was dry-eyed, but Anthony thought her expression seemed softer than he had ever seen it. "Well it's about time," she stated. "I knew from the first moment I watched you interact that there was something there. And you've only got worse at hiding it."
"Indeed," chimed in Edwina. "I was blind, but now that I see the way you two are in each other's company…that is the kind of love young girls dream about. I wouldn't dare stand in the way. It is truly a joy to see my sister so happy."
"Oh, Edwina," cried Kate, and moved forward to embrace her sister, both with tears rolling down their faces.
Mary was the only one who had not spoken. "I agree with Edwina," she said, turning to her stepdaughter. "I only hoped that you would one day find your true match. And I think we can all agree the viscount is the only one who may hope to match you in wit and intellect."
The group laughed, as Kate moved back to her fiance's side. "Then you approve of our decision?" Kate asked.
"Wholeheartedly," replied Lady Danbury. "Now, Lord Bridgerton- I assume you have informed your mother?"
"This morning. She was equally as delighted at the news."
"In that case," she summoned a nearby footman. "Send word to Lady Bridgerton that I am calling this evening. We cannot waste a moment. There is a wedding to be planned."
And with that, Lady Danbury, Mary and Edwina all became engrossed in discussions about dates and venues and dresses, while Kate and Anthony simply stood and smiled at how much love their family was giving them.
—-
After leaving the Sharma women in Lady Danbury's competent hands, he decided to hunt out his brothers to inform them of his impending nuptials. Given the time of day, he thought it likely that they would be at White's, and so he headed towards the club.
Sure enough, when he arrived he could see Benedict and Colin sitting, thankfully, alone, playing a game of cards whilst drinking brandy. He made his way over to them, both of them only looking up once he took a seat.
"Ah, brother," said Colin. "Perfect timing. Benedict is trying to cheat."
"No, you're just a sore loser," Benedict replied, annoyed. Of the two, Benedict had always been the better at sensing emotions, and so when he looked at his elder brother's face, he could see the anticipation on it. "Has something happened, brother?"
"I have something to tell you both," Anthony started. Even Colin put down his cards and started paying attention. "I am getting married."
"Again?" asked Colin, unable to help himself. "Do you actually intend to be wed this time, or do you merely enjoy the ceremon- OW!" Anthony had whacked his younger brother round the head, and not gently.
Benedict was trying to control his laughter. "We are truly delighted for you brother."
"Are you not going to ask who it is I'm marrying?" Anthony wondered.
"Well, I'm assuming it's the elder Miss Sharma. If it's not then I'm afraid we may have to actually step in this time, Anthony. Even our family can only withstand the scandal of one failed engagement."
"Why did everyone seem so sure that I would end up marrying Kate?" asked Anthony, bewildered, as he took Colin's glass of brandy and downed it.
"Well it seemed the two of you were the only ones unaware of how in love with each other you were," Colin chuckled. "It was hard not to notice the tension between you two. I'm glad you have both finally embraced it."
"Well, thank you," said Anthony. "I am confident that this wedding will be a success, and any jokes otherwise, especially if uttered to Kate, will result in either one of you being cut off from your finances."
Both brothers simply laughed, knowing Anthony was nothing but empty threats.
"Please," said Benedict, "why would we go about trying to upset Kate? I couldn't think of a better sister-in-law, or a better viscountess. Plus, you are so much more fun to irritate."
Anthony was starting to wonder if Gregory was too young to be his best man.
—-
It came as no surprise to Kate when her mother announced they would be going to dinner at Bridgerton House. Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton were both even more about the upcoming nuptials than they had been about Edwina's. This time, they had full reign on all decisions, and Lady Bridgerton was so excited that Anthony was finally marrying a woman he loved that she wanted it to be perfect.
So, Kate and Edwina joined the mamas and Lady Danbury later that evening. Everyone was gathered in the drawing room, waiting for dinner to be served. As soon as Kate had walked into the house, Violet had engulfed her in a hug so tight it was a wonder she managed to survive. Daphne, too, had embraced her, though much more gently and with a Bridgerton-esque smile on her face as she informed Kate that she had, in fact, knew her and Anthony would marry all along.
Kate merely laughed and made her way into the drawing room, where Benedict and Colin were quick to ambush her with congratulations and warnings about Anthony's worst habits. She replied with the quick wit and humour she was known for, and the brothers knew for certain that the viscount had made the right choice.
The only people present who were unaware of the engagement were the younger Bridgerton siblings: Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth, although Eloise was looking around in great curiosity, clearly noticing something was going on.
"What have I not been told?" she asked Kate, coming up to the young woman and eyeing her suspiciously.
"Your ability to detect a secret is really second to none, El," Kate replied. "Maybe we should wait for Lord Bridgerton, he is the one who always has the interesting news."
Just as Kate was saying those words, Anthony strolled into the drawing room, looking far more carefree than he had in weeks, thought his mother. Almost on instinct, he walked right up to Kate and greeted her with a smile, before turning to look round at his family.
"Ah, how convenient that everyone is here," he started. "I suppose, seeing as how the majority of people present are already aware, we should make it common knowledge."
He turned to Kate, allowing her to continue. She turned to the younger siblings and announced "Anthony and I are engaged."
Hyacinth and Gregory jumped up, shouting with delight.
"Can I be a bridesmaid?"
"Does this mean you'll teach me to ride?"
"You will look so pretty in a dress."
"I will forgive Anthony if you promise to invite me to any future balls."
Both children were crowding around Kate, who looked flustered, but delighted nonetheless.
"Calm down," Anthony said, shooing them away from his bride-to-be. "We have time for organisation later."
Once Hyacinth and Gregory had retreated to argue about who would be more integral to the wedding party, Francesca stepped forward, beaming brightly and engaging both Kate and her brother in a hug, and offering her congratulations.
Eloise then stepped forward. For some reason, Kate had been nervous about Eloise's reaction. Not that she thought Eloise disliked her in any way, but more that they seem to have bonded over their independence, and now Kate was signing herself up to a lifetime of matrimony.
"You know, I generally dislike the institution of marriage," Eloise started.
"We know," came a number of grunts from across the room.
"But this marriage I wholeheartedly support," she continued, as if no one had uttered anything. "Anthony needs an intelligent woman around, and I personally do not think there is anyone more suitable to become viscountess in the country."
Kate found her eyes filling with tears again as she embraced Eloise, and then all her soon-to-be siblings, and then her own sister and her mother and Lady Bridgerton, finally reaching Anthony.
"Well," she whispered to him as everyone returned to talking amongst themselves, "I believe that went rather well."
"Indeed," Anthony agreed, "all we have to worry about now is the ton."
"Who cares about the ton?" Kate said, whilst taking Anthony's hand in her own. "We are more than a match for them."
And with that, the Bridgertons and the Sharmas continued on with their family dinner, filled with raucous laughter, teasing and a fair bit of food throwing (on behalf of the younger siblings). It would be the first of many to come.