A/N:HELLO!
I know I KNOW. I have to cover my face in shame as I publish this update; I am sorry it took so long. And it was not even the fault of this chapter, which was surprisingly easy to write (I say that because it is a LONG chapter); it was actually because I took too long writing the last chapter of my OTHER fic, which caused this one to be delayed.
But, listen, I have good news: my other fic is almost finished, and I am on the final chapter. I am still not sure if I will publish the epilogue with the last chapter, but if I do, my next updates will only be for this fic, and the updates will become much more frequent. Even if I don't, that fic will be finished soon, and when it is, I will only be updating this one.
I also feel like I need to comment this: don't ever worry I'm abandoning this fic even if I take too long in updating it (hopefully this will be the last time it takes so long). I have the entire story in my head already so if I take longer in updating it's either because of my work, my other fic, or because some chapters are just harder to write and edit. But I have this fic all planned out.
That being said, about THIS chapter: if i were to compare it to a tv show, I'd say this is the episode where the secondary characters take the front scene for a moment, all while there's something apparently minor happening with the main characters, that turns out not to be minor at all. And that's all I'm going to say, because there will be a LOT of kathony on this chapter (and it won't be common for me to put the secondary couple that much on focus - because it's a polin centered fic. Although kathony will have a lot of moments ofc, as you can see) Anyway, this chapter is built and written the way it is because it's a necessary chapter, it needed to be this way (and the next one is back to polin heavy, okay? remember i said that).
Without further ado, LET'S GO
When Anthony Bridgerton was eighteen, his father took him to a film set.
This was not a new occurrence, as the boy had accompanied him numerous times throughout his childhood. What made that day different was Edmund's excitement as he brought his son to witness the filming of an action scene. The scene would showcase him driving a racing car in one of the intricate sequences typical of a James Bond-esque film.
Anthony never grasped why his father found such joy in acting, as he favoured the directing side of filmmaking far more. Still, Edmund began his career as an actor before transitioning to directing, so Anthony assumed that some passions simply stayed with a person.
"I'm not going to wreck your property," Edmund chuckled, chatting away on his mobile, one of those chunky black and white ones that only the early 2000s could pull off. "I've done plenty of these stunts, Agatha. You're worrying over nothing."
Strolling alongside him, Anthony let out a chuckle. Back then, Agatha was nothing more than a bossy and excessively concerned friend of the family. The occasionally grumpy producer who fretted a bit too much whenever she teamed up with his father on a project.
"No, this isn't a midlife crisis," his father carried on, a charming yet slightly weary grin on his face. "You know what the media's like, right? They're already claiming our film's too American, or too superficial, and it hasn't even hit the screens yet. Let's show them a bit of authenticity. I promise it'll all wrap up in just one afternoon, and your Lamborghini will be just fine for the last scene."
The rest of the conversation was inaudible to Anthony, but his father responded with another smile, switched off his cellphone, and stashed it in his pocket before exhaling deeply.
"One day you'll have to show me how to do that," Anthony said with a cheeky smile and his dad shot him a curious glance. "Beating Agatha Danbury in a discussion. I reckon the future of our family business could be a right mess if I'm left to handle it all on my own against her."
With a chuckle, Edmund's gaze shifted to something a few meters away. "Son, the first thing you need to understand is that if you don't speak with confidence, you'll be devoured on this field, whether it's by Agatha Danbury or anyone else. And the second," he squinted, still staring at the crowd gathered near the set they were approaching. "Stay steadfast in your beliefs, regardless of whatever Agatha may throw your way."
That last piece perplexed Anthony, and he wrinkled his brow until he followed his father's gaze, observing someone moving away from the swarm of film crew members and going in their direction to meet them halfway. Suddenly, everything fell into place.
Before the discussion even began, the head of the Bridgerton family let out a heavy sigh, his voice filled with pleading as he started his case with a single word, "Love—"
"Don't start, Edmund," Violet warned, her index finger raised in the air as her face flushed with anger before she regained her composure. "With all the stuntmen you have, why aren't you allowing them to perform their own tasks?" Placing his hands gently on her shoulders, he looked into her eyes, trying to reassure her, "It's just a twenty-second scene, it will be fine. In fact, I find it even more concerning to see my heavily pregnant wife anxiously waiting for me under the scorching sun."
"I can assure you," Violet replied immediately, "that the sun is a walk in the park compared to the stress of watching your husband in a high-speed car."
"Your husband had been in burning buildings, on fast motorcycles, and even once took a dozen rubber bullets to the head. It will be alright," he said. "And Agatha should have known that."
Violet shot him an exasperated glare, fully aware that he must have realised Agatha was the one who had sent her to the set that day. "She's worried about you too," she said.
He waved her off dismissively, as if Agatha's worries were unfounded. Then, he gestured for his assistant to approach and gave him instructions. "Please guide Mrs Bridgerton to my trailer so she can rest in the shade during the shoot," he said.
"I'll be fine, Edmund," Violet protested half-heartedly, but he simply stared at her, making it clear that resting was not up for discussion. Taking a deep breath, she reluctantly agreed. "Okay, if you assure me it will be a brief scene."
"It'll be over in no time," he reassured her, leaning in for a brief kiss on the lips before she headed off with his assistant.
The two men departed, exchanging another glance. Anthony tilted his head, as if silently acknowledging that he truly needed to learn from his father how to outmanoeuvre Agatha Danbury and her 4D chess. In response, Edmund merely shrugged and gestured towards the filming set ahead, eager to film that blasted scene at last.
Following his father's lead, Anthony found a seat to the right of the director's chair. Witnessing the magic on set from the first row, he marvelled at how his father's voice breathed life into every scene, making it feel like a seamless extension of his imagination. And he gathered that if he were to truly inherit his family's business, this was definitely what he would choose to do.
Unbeknownst to him, nearly an hour later, he would also find himself with a front-row seat to a stuntman's loss of control of a black Jaguar E-Type, resulting in a direct collision with his father's (or more accurately, Agatha's) car, causing it to flip over.
And if someone asked Anthony today, he would say he wished it wasn't true, but the memories from that moment flooded back to him with excruciating clarity. Like how it did not appear real at first, as if it were a part of the scene in some way. And as the filming came to a halt, all he could think about was how common accidents were on set. But then everyone on the crew began running, and the sounds of sirens in the distance became unsettlingly loud. Then he realised it was real, that it was happening.
Summoning his strength, he rose to his feet and dashed through the smoke and overpowering smell of gasoline, ignoring the distant pleas for him to stay away. Urgently, he made his way to his father, who lay on the ground, only his head and upper body visible after being forcefully ejected from the window. His father's face, once full of life and joy, now showed no emotion.
"Dad?" Anthony leaned in close, quickly kneeling beside him and tightly gripping his hand. "Let's get you out of there."
"I-" Edmund gasped, struggling to hold onto his son's hand.
Anthony's blood turned to ice, and he jerked his head upwards, letting out a desperate scream for help, oblivious to the fact that the set's ambulance was already en route, alerted by the crew who had recognised the seriousness of the accident long before he did. Still, it felt as though if he screamed with enough urgency, or with enough volume, someone would suddenly appear and restore everything to normal.
"Edmund?" Violet's voice cut through the noise, drowning out the pounding in Anthony's ears. And he wished it wasn't so, because the desperation in her tone was far worse than the chaos. "Edmund!" She shouted again, crouching beside them, clutching her husband's arm as if she could single-handedly lift him from the wreckage, nine months pregnant and all.
But his body was heavy and unyielding, leaving him trapped in the car wreckage, gasping for air.
"You need to breathe, Edward," Violet pleaded, gently stroking his face as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Just take a breath."
And as his father went limp and the ambulance arrived, Anthony's mind was filled with a million thoughts all at once. Many of them he wished were poetic and wise, anything other than a constant loop ofNo'sandWhy's. Some of them were simply absurd for a moment like that, but they would stay with him for the rest of his life.
I never want to step foot on another film set again as long as I live.
"Cut!"
"What's the problem now?" Kate grumbled, breaking character and placing a hand on her hip.
Anthony, without glancing up from his clipboard, uttered in a bored tone, "Your delivery was too strong."
Kate scowled at him, despite the fact that he was wearing dark sunglasses and gazing downwards. "You weren't even paying attention."
Thomas immediately flinched. "Don't—" he pleaded, his warning barely escaping his lips, as Anthony slipped the sunglasses down to the tip of his nose, fixing Kate with a look.
"I would have to be in a soundproof box with my eyes shut tight to not notice your incorrect tone on those lines." He then threw the clipboard onto the vacant chair beside him and crossed his arms before saying, "Also, there's a bit of hair sticking out on your forehead that's distracting for the shot. I know this, because, you see, I tend to notice things."
Kate gave him a fierce look while he simply cocked his head and smirked, causing Thomas to roll his eyes and desperately long for an escape from the agony of filming any scene with the two of them. After fixing the stray strand of hair and adjusting her posture, she stood tall and locked eyes with Thomas.
"I'm ready," she declared.
"Remember, a gentler tone," Anthony said, clearly just to wind her up.
Without looking at him, she clenched her hand into a tight fist and muttered through clenched teeth, "I know. I said I'm ready."
Wearing a victorious grin, Anthony signalled the cameras and sound crew to resume filming, capturing one of the last moments shared by Kate and Thomas in the movie. It also marked Thomas' final scene for that first film, to his utter joy.
Following Thomas' departure to his trailer, Anthony approached Kate to get ready for her last scene, which would also be the final one they would film for the movie. By that time, the majority of the cast and crew had either already gone back to London or were in the process of doing so. Frankly speaking, Anthony could hardly believe that they had successfully made it through several months without any significant issues. That was why Kate could throw all the barbs she wanted at him, and he would still respond with a carefree smile.
"So, keep in mind, this is one of the first scenes in the film. You're running away from your home and your people, with usurpers chasing after you," he explained, as the hair and make-up team came closer, making sure the blush on her cheeks was just right and letting her hair fall loosely with a slight wave for a slightly dishevelled look. "At that moment, your pride takes a hit as you realise you've always considered yourself to be one step ahead, only to be completely betrayed."
Kate gave a subtle nod, limited by the ongoing adjustment of her makeup. The scene was intended to be short, serving as a catalyst for an action sequence. Since it needed to take place in the same location as an important conversation between her character and Thomas, it made logical sense to film it on the same day.
Genevieve quickly approached them, offering a brown cloak to Kate so she could cover her purple dress, which was the costume her character wore for most of the movie. Kate hurriedly dressed it while Kendrick Nectar approached them, leading a stunning brown horse.
Eyeing the two carefully, he asked, "Everything okay here?"
Anthony only glared at him, silently holding out his hand for Nectar to hand him the horse's reins. The animal trainer did as asked, begrudgingly walking away from the horse to sit along with the rest of the crew.
"Now," Anthony said, adjusting the reins on his hands before focusing back on Kate. "You will walk from that point," he motioned towards what would be the edge of their cinematographic fief. "To here, remembering what I just told you." He then placed a hand over the horse and continued, "You will mount the horse and the scene will end; Riley will take it from there so we can shoot the horse-chasing scene."
Kate then furrowed her eyebrows. She was aware that they should move the horse slowly from that spot to a few meters away before the action scene began, so it didn't make sense to ask her stuntwoman to replace her so early in that scene.
"Anthony, I can ride a horse," she answered, despite being fully aware that he knew this already, as their most explosive fight to date had originated from this very fact.
"I know that," he simply responded, without showing any understanding of why she had said that.
Her brows furrowed even more, and she gestured in the general direction where the other set was being prepared. "I can take the horse to the right spot before the action scene, there's no need for Riley to do that."
Despite the simple and calm reply, Anthony, being familiar with Kate, realised that this argument could cause problems. So he paused, staring at her for a moment before attempting to reason with one of the most unreasonable people he had ever met.
"Horses are unpredictable creatures and you are well aware of that," he remarked, emphasising her claim of having been around such animals since childhood. "And, while this one may be trained, it is not yours. When it really comes down to it, you might not be able to control it. Riley is a trained stuntwoman, so if something goes wrong, she is better prepared to handle it."
"First off, it's ashe, not anit," she said, gesturing to the horse, and Anthony just rolled his eyes. "And it's a fifty metre ride from here to there, are you really telling me I can't manage to ride a horse for half a block?"
With a deep breath, he raised his hand in a calming gesture and clarified, "I'm not implying that you can't do it; I'm saying it's unwise. There's a difference. And there's really no need to take this risk."
"Of course there is," she answered, her voice getting slightly louder, and Anthony glanced at the horse, concerned about a recurrence of their previous altercation in the mud. "If you're planning to edit the scene to swap out the actress and have her riding a bit slower up to that point, you won't be able to capture my face properly. It could end up looking a bit odd or obvious that it's a stunt double."
She made a valid point, and Anthony had also taken that into account a few weeks ago. However, he had also taken into account that it was a brief scene and any problems could be addressed in post-production.
"The scene lasts only five seconds at most, and I'd much prefer to keep my actors safe rather than put them at risk for that," he said.
Kate blinked, her confusion growing as she tried to comprehend Anthony's excessive worrying tendencies. Which were unnecessary truly, as she had explained to him many times by that point. "It's not a risk, it's less than a walk in the park, Anthony," she said, pointing to the nearby set. "I understand that you're not a fan of it, but can't you trust my professional judgment after working together for months?"
Anthony resisted the urge to massage his temples and instead kept his focus solely on her. They found themselves at a standstill: for one, it was clear that Kate had a personal issue with those who questioned her capabilities. After months of collaboration with the woman, that was evident. But Anthony prioritised safety on set above all else, particularly when it involved actors performing their own stunts.
"This isn't a matter of doubting your skills; it's about adhering to safety protocols," he stated, striving to keep his composure.
"But you do understand this is how I will see it if you won't allow me to ride a horse for mere 50 metres," she replied immediately, raising her eyebrows and crossing her arms in her unmistakable gesture of readiness for a confrontation.
Anthony then looked at the animal in question, already realising that if they initiated a full-blown fight near another horse, it would inevitably lead to disaster. Having a stressed horse was even more dangerous than Kate getting her way.
With a sigh, he said, "Fine," and as Kate beamed with triumph, he pointed at her and added, "But if you feel there's anything, anything off, you let me know straight away and I'll stop the scene, understand?"
The actress grinned, and the director made his way to his chair, letting out a deep breath before sinking into it.
In all honesty, it appeared that Anthony was excessively concerned. Because the scene flowed seamlessly, with the crew working diligently and precisely, and Kate fully immersing herself in her character. The filming process was not even disrupted by any annoying bird noises, which had been a frequent problem during the months of filming. Kate mounted the horse precisely as she desired, and they proceeded with filming as she started riding towards the location where the action scene would be filmed.
However, that was the day Anthony realised he had been spending an excessive amount of time with Agatha Danbury. Just before Kate could reach the 'half a block' distance, her horse came to a sudden stop. Anthony blinked and observed Kate as she pulled on the reins, talking with the horse while gently stroking its mane.
"Cut," he said weakly, standing as his eyes kept focusing on the scene, attempting to understand what was happening. He looked around for Kendrick, who was already approaching Kate. Despite what seemed like a minor issue, the director felt his heart pounding uncomfortably in his chest. Anthony couldn't help but feel foolish, recognising that not every minor setback on a set was an accident, and not every accident would lead to the same fate as his father's. But then the horse suddenly took off at full speed, and all sense of reason flew out the window.
"Kate!" His voice rose to a piercing screech as he frantically pursued the horse, as if he could possibly catch up to it.
From a distance, he could faintly hear a chorus of exclamations, questioning his actions. However, their voices were quickly overshadowed by the suffocating weight of despair that washed over him. It didn't matter to him whether he was being reasonable or not. He did not care if people thought he was overly dramatic.
What he did care about was never being late to save anyone in his life again.
With his incredible speed, he managed to catch a glimpse of Kate screaming unintelligibly, her upper body leaning back as she struggled to bring the animal to a stop. The horse let out a loud neigh, coming to a stop once more as it raised its front legs, lifting them into the air. With his voice caught in his throat, Anthony sprinted towards the scene, as if his mere presence could avert the impending disaster. Despite everything, Kate tumbled headlong onto the ground, and the horse galloped away, its hoofbeats fading into the distance.
Anthony's legs instinctively moved him towards Kate, the world around him merging into a cacophony of colors and sounds until he finally reached her. She stood perfectly still, her eyes closed, as memories flooded back to him, almost causing him to vomit.
With trembling hands, he reached for her face. "Kate?" he asked with uncertainty, "Kate, please open your eyes."
And then, almost like magic, and probably for the first time in their relationship, she actually did what she was told.
"What are you doing?" was the first thing that slipped out of her mouth, as blunt as ever.
However, when she glanced at him, he didn't respond with annoyance. Instead, his eyes widened in fear, and he continued to hold her cheeks with his hands.
He anxiously scanned her face and asked, "How are you feeling? Are you alright?"
Noticing the significance of her answer, she furrowed her brows and said, "I am," placing her hands on top of his and giving them a comforting squeeze. "Anthony, I'm alright."
"Are you sure?" He asked, gasping for breath, then glanced down at her body to assess any injuries.
Slowly, Kate sat up, despite Anthony's persistent protests urging her to remain still.
"Yes, I'm sure," she reassured, her attention drawn to the man who appeared to be gasping for breath. "Anthony, I'm sure," she stammered, her eyes desperately searching for his, only to find a look of overwhelming despair staring back at her.
Although she may not have much prior experience, it was clear to her when someone was having a panic attack. His gaze appeared unfocused on her, his chest heaving violently as he trembled, and the issue was that she felt utterly lost on how to alleviate his distress. For the first time in her life, she regretted not heeding her step-grandparents' advice to pursue a career in medicine; instead, she found herself as an actress with no experience in the medical field.
So she did the best she could, which was to take Anthony's hands again and squeeze them tightly in the hopes of grounding him. "I am alright," she said, "Just breathe." Noticing his lack of attention, she gently took one of his hands and placed it on her chest. She started breathing slowly, hoping he would follow her lead. Looking directly at him, she said, "Anthony, just breathe."
Miraculously, even though she had no medical expertise, it appeared to have a calming effect on him. Anthony visibly calmed his breathing to match hers, his eyes refocusing as he stared deeply into hers while she continued to urge him to breathe. Strangely, in the midst of the absurdity, Kate became aware for the first time of the golden band surrounding the reddish hue of Anthony's eyes. They were striking and distinctive, and the depth of their colour stirred something in her stomach.
The distant sound of sirens shattered her moment, causing both of them to jolt slightly before they turned to see the approaching ambulance. As the passenger door opened, the doctor on call quickly made their way towards them.
He enquired about her well-being, and Kate responded affirmatively for what seemed like the fifth time that day. He knelt beside her, illuminating her pupils with a light, and quickly asked a series of questions: whether she had lost consciousness, if she experienced any pain in her back, neck, or head, and if she felt nauseous. Kate reflected that indeed, she felt a wave of nausea. However, for reasons entirely unrelated to a horse-related incident.
"Looks like you've come through unscathed," he said. "Right then, it'd be best if you came along to the office so I can have a proper look at you."
Kate was about to roll her eyes and say it was completely unnecessary, but then she looked at Anthony, who was glaring at her as if silently telling her she had to go whether she wanted to or not.
"I've just heard, are you alright?" Thomas asked as he rushed into the improvised doctor's office, just as Kate was about to be released.
However, it seemed like no one was willing to answer him as Anthony stood by the door, the tension thickening as he locked eyes with Kate. Meanwhile, Doctor Monro carefully hung his stethoscope around his neck and adjusted his glasses.
"Miss Sharma's right as rain," he said, glancing at her and giving a nod.
It was clear that Anthony was only interested in that information as he nodded, spun around abruptly, and forcefully opened the door before storming out of the room. Thomas raised an eyebrow, his gaze briefly lingering on the swinging door before redirecting his attention back to his co-star.
After months of enduring countless arguments and the typical hostile demeanour between them, Thomas anticipated Kate would be directing a murderous glare at Anthony's back, as was her usual behaviour. However, her face revealed an unfamiliar expression, one that he had never seen outside of her acting. Guilt.
As Kate pursed her lips, she turned to the doctor, expressing her gratitude with a quick thank you. Meanwhile, Thomas strolled towards her, his hands casually clasped together.
"I must say, I'm relieved that you're okay," he expressed, "You had us all concerned. I could hear the whole set descending into chaos from my trailer."
She then gave her head a little shake, like they were all fussing over nothing. "Thank you." With her hands folded over her lap, she looked away and quietly said, "I wasn't in that much danger. I just don't understand why Anthony was so concerned."
But she wanted to understand, which was the strangest part.
Her response caught Thomas off guard, and his eyebrows furrowed. Noticing her confusion and subdued look, he couldn't help but feel a sense of perplexity himself. "You don't know?" he asked.
Kate's head snapped in his direction, her undivided attention instantly captured. "Know what?" she replied.
As he scratched his forehead, the actor couldn't help but grimace at the sight of her unusually eager expression. Kate exuded a sense of unwavering confidence, seemingly unfazed by trivial matters such as Cressida Cowper's ego, wardrobe malfunctions, or perhaps even the lives of her fellow cast and crew members. So he had never seen her so interested in anything, which was intriguing to say the least.
What a shame that the answer was so difficult and unpleasant to provide.
"Um," he cleared his throat, his lips pursed as he gathered himself before speaking. "Anthony's father tragically passed away in an accident on set. A car-chasing scene." And as he watched her eyes grow wider, he tilted his head and asked, "How come you did not know? It was all over the news back then."
Kate hadn't felt that stupid in such a long time. Naturally, she was aware of Edmund Bridgerton's accident; however, it had occurred so long ago that she hadn't made the connection. She was most likely in high school at the time.
How could she be so blind? She was so certain Anthony was questioning her again that she hadn't considered the possibility that it had nothing to do with her, and that her actions had most likely sparked one of his darkest memories.
Standing up abruptly, she startled both Thomas and Doctor Monro, causing them to lean back in surprise. Mimicking Anthony's actions, she wordlessly stormed out of the room, her steps leading her in his direction. In an instant, she reached his trailer, making an effort to knock softly on the door rather than pounding on it as she typically would.
To her surprise, Anthony answered rather quickly. However, the moment he turned the doorknob and caught a glimpse of the person standing on the other side, his curious expression quickly transformed into the same unreadable look he had been wearing before. He decided to skip the greeting and promptly turned on his heels, heading back to his trailer without seeming to care if she tagged along or not.
It was the type of antipathy that would normally irritate Kate to no end, but given what had happened, she felt she deserved it for that day and that day only.
So she entered his trailer and shut the door, fixing her gaze on Anthony. He had stopped near the dining table, tapping his fingers on it while staring out of the window.
"I'm sorry," she said.
Finally, Anthony shifted his gaze towards her, arching his eyebrows slightly. Kate pressed her lips together, aware that this kind of exchange between them was uncommon. Stepping towards him, her eyes were fixed on the cabinet to her left rather than meeting his gaze.
"I didn't know about…your father."
A flicker of pain crossed his face momentarily, but he quickly redirected his attention to his fingers on the table, leaving Kate to observe him. But he didn't seem to have anything to say to that other than a heavy silence, which compelled her to take a step closer to him.
"I know we have different opinions on many matters, but please understand that I would never disrespect your past," she said, her voice becoming softer as he continued to avoid her gaze. "It was never my intention to do that."
Anthony gave a nod, and as he glanced back at her, his eyes were slightly moist. "Apology accepted," he muttered.
As fate would have it, Kate ended up uncomfortably close to Anthony for the second time that day, causing a strange, fluttering feeling in her stomach. Even from a distance, she could discern the slight redness in his eyes, revealing the emotions he had been holding back. She also couldn't help but notice how his gaze wandered across her face, causing her breath to catch unexpectedly.
"Anthony, we can—" his assistant director barged into the trailer, the sudden sight of the duo standing unusually close to each other making him pause.
They quickly distanced themselves, Anthony nervously scratching the back of his head, while Kate became fascinated by the wall to her left.
"Nevermind," the AD course-corrected, clearing his throat, "I'll talk to you later."
"No," Kate said, waving her hands wildly. "No need for that, we're done here."
"No, it's alright," the other man said, hastily retreating from the scene as he sensed the tension between the director and the main actress of the movie.
Feeling sufficiently awkward, Kate twisted her lips slightly, trying to hide her discomfort. "I should go now," she announced. "I really need to take a bath after..." Her voice trailed off, no further explanation necessary. The mention of it would either bring back memories of the accident or remind them of their awkward moment.
As she gave him an awkward nod, Anthony's eyes never left her, and he watched as she made her way towards the door.
"Kate."
With a sense of trepidation, she paused and slowly turned towards him, dreading what he might say. Contemplating his options, the man tightened his jaw and mustered the confidence to venture closer to her.
"You're aware of my past, but I lack knowledge about yours." Observing her confused reaction, he elaborated, "So I don't understand why you can't have it when someone even slightly suggests that you lack the ability to do something. And I know it's not my business. But I want you to know that I am fully aware of your capabilities. Despite our first meeting, I knew it from the beginning when we cast you, and you have consistently proven it throughout the months of filming. And we'll be in this together for a long than that, because, mark my words, this movie will be a success. When you come back to this set, you'll be one of the most famous actresses in the world, based on your talent alone."
Kate blinked, feeling completely disoriented by the unexpected turn Anthony's speech had taken, and blushing from the sudden racing of her heart at his final words.
"I am telling you this so that when we return to shooting, you need to know that when I ask you to do something, it is not because I doubt your abilities. It never had anything to do with me doubting your abilities," he said unwaveringly, seeing it as a great sign Kate wasn't screaming at him.
"I understand that you may not like agreeing with me, and you don't have to, but next time can you please promise to at least listen?"
Her lips twisted into a frown, and for a moment, Anthony feared his stroke of luck had ended. But then she looked at him with a newfound intensity, and spoke the words he never expected.
"I promise."
Most of the things about his life, Colin discovered through the news.
When he was ten, London experienced one of the most scorching summers he could recall, making his vacations an absolute delight. He still remembers to this day the countless hours he spent with Daphne, Eloise, and Penelope running around the house playing hide-and-seek or competing in various sports in the garden. Afternoons were often spent by the pool, resulting in them returning inside with wet feet and dragging water all over Violet's pristine floor. At that time, his mother was not only nine months pregnant but also on the verge of losing her patience with four mischievous children, if only she had the time in between tirelessly cleaning their home and tending to a screaming and crying one-year-old Gregory.
To this day, he could recall the exact moment when he was chasing after Daphne inside the house, yelling obnoxiously, until his attention was drawn to something on the TV: a picture of his father.
It shouldn't be anything new, honestly. His father was well-known, and his image appeared on television from time to time. What was remarkable at the time was that it aired on the afternoon news, with the title reading "EDMUND BRIDGERTON, DIRECTOR AND ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, DEAD AT THIRTY EIGHT."
Which was absurd. Colin had just seen his father a few hours ago when he and Anthony were heading to work, so it must have been a misunderstanding. Not to mention that Violet had gone to see him that day, and nothing bad could happen when his mother was present.
"Col?" Daphne's high-pitched voice interrupted his thoughts when she suddenly appeared next to him. She had been waiting for him for a few minutes and found it strange when he went quiet.
However, upon seeing where his brother's gaze was fixed, she paused.
"Col, what is that?" Her voice dropped as she asked, noticing her father's picture in the corner of the screen, while a live camera captured the chaotic filming set. The headline was clear, but it did not make any sense.
"There's gotta be a mix-up," Colin said, but he couldn't take his eyes off the screen.
"... According to reports, the director was behind the wheel of a black Murciélago Lamborghini when stuntman Andrew Honyman lost control of his vehicle, resulting in a collision with Edmund Bridgerton's car in an incident that tragically took his life. Honyman's condition remains unclear following his transport to the hospital."
"Why did you two stop playing?" Eloise asked with a little pout as she came into the living room, dragging Penelope along with her. She looked at her siblings with curiosity, but they looked back at her in a way that made no sense.
Just moments later, their nanny would burst into the room, clutching a wireless phone and wearing a frightened expression. She told the ten-year-old, the oldest sibling in the room, that his brother wanted to talk to him.
"Colin, are you okay?" Benedict's voice came through the phone instantly.
The boy scrunched up his face, bewildered by the unfamiliar seriousness in his sixteen-year-old brother's tone.
"Ben, what is going on?" Colin asked.
"I'm off to the hospital to see mum. Do you and the girls mind staying with Mrs Wilson for a bit longer?"
As his brother asked the question, Colin glanced at his nanny, her worried expression only deepening his confusion. "Mum? Is she alright?" he asked, noticing the puzzled looks from the three girls while Mrs Wilson just closed her eyes and let out a sigh.
There seemed to be a pause on the other side of the line, before Benedict said, "She is alright, Hyacinth is just arriving earlier than expected, that's all."
"Hyacinth?" he said, looking a bit taken aback, and his sisters appeared to inch closer to him. He couldn't quite wrap his head around how the chat had suddenly shifted to his little sister when there was some dodgy journalist on the telly claiming their dad was dead. "Ben, what about dad? Where is he?"
Then there was a second pause on the other end of the line, one Colin would never forget.
"We'll talk about that later," Benedict said in a whisper so soft, Colin could hardly catch it. "I'll be back home soon," he promised just before hanging up the phone.
Colin looked at it, feeling even more bewildered than when he had initially picked up the phone, and a chilling, undeniable wave of fear enveloped him. He didn't get what was happening, like always, but he knew it wasn't good. To make matters worse, his two younger sisters were present in the room, anxiously awaiting answers that he was unable to provide.
Suddenly, a gentle warmth ignited in his heart. And when he glanced down, someone had taken hold of his hand.
He glanced up at Penelope, whose big blue eyes were fixed on his, with a knowing look that seemed far too wise for a seven-year-old. "It'll be alright, Col," she said in her tiny voice.
And then, suddenly, things were a little less scary.
EXCLUSIVE: HARRY DEAN CAUGHT KISSING TRACY ROMANO
More than once, in fact, as what happens in Las Vegas certainly doesn't stay there.
Harry Dean was recently seen sharing a kiss with Victoria's Secret model Tracy Romano during Taylor Swift's concert in London on Tuesday, just weeks after whispers of their encounter in Vegas began to circulate. The 27-year-old American model has recently landed a role in the singer's latest music video, "Melon Syrup," a development that may have sparked the romance.
His initial reaction upon discovering his girlfriend of two years had cheated on him wasn't anger towards her. It was not even that he hated the fact that the British press had learnt it before him. It was that he missed the times when they actually read magazines.
Because back then, he would read this article, roll his eyes, and theatrically toss it into the trash. But there he was, forced to stare at HQ pictures of his girlfriend kissing another man, and all he could do was lock the screen of his phone and throw it over the couch. It just didn't have the same dramatic effect anymore.
In hindsight, he believed he had made the right decision in the past by choosing to keep his relationships private. At least he wouldn't have to endure the usual pity party that came with being cheated on. Instead, he could pretend they broke up because they had drifted apart.
Yes, at least he had that, he reflected bitterly. All while, in solitude, he could contemplate the irony ofhis girlfriend choosing to cheat on him just one week after he returned to London.
Then his phone pinged, and he contemplated ignoring it, suspecting that it might be Tracy attempting to offer a million excuses and plead for forgiveness. But he had absolutely no desire to participate in that conversation. However, his morbid curiosity got the best of him, and he picked up the device, only to find a notification about the Sword and the Heart wrap-up party at 8pm.
Penelope used to love parties when she was younger.
There was something magical about them, a sense of possibility. As if, for once, the movies were right and something unexpected could come true in only one night. However, as she grew older, she realised she was slowly being forced out of the fairytale. If finding more excitement and novelty at work than at a party was indeed easier, then there was clearly a flaw in the entire concept.
Which was why she found it strange that she was excited for the Sword and the Heart wrap-up party. Whether it was the satisfaction of completing a job or the comfort of being home, the sight of a small, contrasting colour on her online calendar, showing an event that wasn't work or a medical appointment, brought a smile to her face.
Perhaps if she were honest, she missed Colin. Which was odd given that it had only been a little over a week since she last saw him, and she had previously gone years without seeing him. However, during the past 8 months, she had become familiar with his company, as one does with the good things in life, and when they are gone, they leave behind a feeling of emptiness.
Nonetheless, she would see himthat night, which made her embarrassingly happy.
She gazed at her new black dress, which lay gracefully on her bed. It wasn't overly extravagant, but its fabric had a subtle shimmer that made her feel radiant. After quickly deciding she was wearing it, she immediately made plans to apply eyeliner and put her black bow in a ponytail, to give her outfit a cute twist. She was going to enjoy that one party, she decided.
Right on cue, her phone started ringing, and to her surprise, the last name she never thought she'd see appeared on the screen. With furrowed eyebrows, she picked it up.
"Hyacinth?"
"What do you think you are doing?"
"Sipping on a spicy pineapple mimosa, what about you?" Hyacinth cheekily replied, slurping loudly on a green striped straw, clearly aiming to wind her brother up even more.
"I'm getting annoyed that my sister is underage and drinking at my party without even being invited," Anthony hissed at his sister, yanking her arm and manoeuvring her through the boisterous crowd. "What are you doing here?"
Despite Anthony's rude behaviour, Hyacinth carried on with her drinking, displaying her usual indifference towards her brother's temperament. "I'm not underage, I'm twenty-two," she commented, fully aware Anthony knew that. Continuing her story, she added, "And I was invited, family of the cast and all."
Her eldest brother came to a sudden halt, his eyes widening in disbelief as he stared at her, his hand frozen mid-air. "Colin… invited you?"
With a shrug, he swirled her drink, the clattering sound of the ice cubes echoing through the air as she casually remarked, "I'm his favourite sister."
"Eloise probably wouldn't appreciate hearing that," Benedict suddenly appeared, causing Anthony to give him a startled look, which Benedict simply responded to with a mischievous grin.
"Please, Eloise doesn't even like Colin," Gregory chimed in, joining Benedict's side and causing Anthony to look at him in disbelief. "And she's not even in the country. I think."
The oldest Bridgerton brother hid his face in his hands, unable to believe what he was witnessing. Despite their differences, he believed that both he and Colin agreed that their family was overly nosy and loud. It was astonishing to him that he had invited all of them to a party that neither of them even wanted to go to.
"Are you all really here?" He asked, his voice muffled as he spoke from under his fingers.
"I believe so," unexpectedly came the voice he least expected to hear, causing Anthony to snap his head up and lock eyes with him.
Before any of the two even said a word, the sound of giggles filled the air as Hyacynth, Gregory, and Benedict exchanged amused glances. Meanwhile, Daphne appeared, her face bearing an unmistakable expression of guilt.
"It's been ages, Bridgerton," Simon remarked, his gaze sweeping over him as if he were analysing the intricacies of defusing a highly sophisticated bomb.
"You've got some nerve turning up here," Anthony shot back straight away, jabbing a finger at Simon. But before things could escalate further, Hyacinth began bouncing about like a madwoman, flailing her arms at someone across the room.
"Pen!" She exclaimed with enthusiasm, instantly grabbing their attention and prompting them to glance at the redhead in question.
Even from a distance in the loud and crowded room, Penelope's face turned red as she became overwhelmed by the sudden spotlight. Shyly, she nodded at the youngest Bridgerton. However, when the girl motioned for Penelope to join them with a hand gesture, she obediently complied. Hyacinth was fully aware that she held the typical position of the youngest child who received special treatment from her siblings and their close friends, and she skilfully exploited this to her advantage on a regular basis.
Penelope intended to approach them, timidly greet them, and then go back to where she was before. However, the moment she moved closer, Hyacinth surprised her with an enthusiastic and tight embrace. And then, so did Gregory. And Benedict.
In a dazed state, she glanced at Daphne, unsure if the petite woman would also attack her, but instead, she was greeted by a warm smile, mirrored by her boyfriend.
"It feels like ages since I last saw you, Pen," Hyacinth complained right away as Penelope was still exchanging pleasantries with Daphne and Simon. "You never come to the house anymore."
"Of course not. She came for Eloise, not for you," Gregory replied acidly, earning a glare from Hyacinth. He responded by stealing the drink from her hand and taking a sip.
"That's not true," Penelope said with a forced grin, doing her best to keep the peace like she always did.
"Right," Benedict snapped his fingers and pointed at her, and for a moment, she smiled in gratitude before he carried on, "She also popped by to see Colin."
Penelope was on the verge of letting her jaw drop in disbelief, but she managed to regain composure. She turned to Hyacinth, desperately attempting to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. "No, I have just been really busy. But, I really missed all of you."
"Nicely saved," Benedict commented with a wink, much to her exasperation. She had completely forgotten what it was like to be under attack by so many Bridgertons at once.
At that point, Anthony, visibly stressed, was rubbing his temples and inhaling deeply before he interrupted them all. "I need to go greet the other guests, will you lot behave for once in your lives?"
Benedict smugly grinned at him, gesturing a cross sign over his chest that had no effect on calming the director's nerves, while the others nodded eagerly, with equally ineffective results. Despite being aware that having all his siblings together at a work event could lead to chaos, Anthony prioritised his director duties and left them to their own devices.
"How'd it go then?" Hyacinth turned to Penelope, her eyes all aglow with excitement as she clutched the actress's arm. "How many people did Anthony let go?"
Penelope chuckled, not really surprised that would be her first question. "Just five people," she answered, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "It wasn't that exciting," she added with a touch of sarcasm.
"The old age is really catching up with him," Benedict commented, shaking his head dramatically.
"Pardon?" Simon chimed in, feigning offence by placing a hand on his chest.
The second oldest Bridgerton brother then flashed a cheeky grin. Initially, he had forgotten that Simon was older than Anthony by a year, but now he could leverage that knowledge to his advantage. With a sarcastic tilt of his head, he quipped, "Time is running out, Basset. Perhaps it's about time to consider tying the knot."
It was a sly remark, deliberately crafted to taunt both his sister and the duke, solely for the purpose of incessantly laughing at their expense, especially considering their relationship of less than a year. However, rather than Daphne loudly protesting and giving angry glares, his sister directed her gaze towards Simon, who reciprocated with a meaningful look.
Benedict's back straightened right away, as if his body was quick to respond to what his mind had just comprehended. Beside him, Gregory and Hyacinth's eyes widened simultaneously as they both came to the same realisation.
"What are you doing here?"
All at once, the entire group turned towards Colin, as if he had startled them. The actor's eyebrows furrowed in confusion when he saw almost his entire family at the wrap-up party, their expressions strangely shocked.
"Er…" Hyacinth trailed off, the only Bridgerton managing to say anything sensible while the others were still trying to wrap their heads around what was going on.
"Didn't you invite them?" Penelope gestured towards the puzzled group, finding Colin's bewilderment strange.
In an almost impossible manner, Colin's brown furrowed even deeper. "Of course not." He would have to be completely insane to want his entire family present at a work-related event.
Barely paying attention to the man, Hyacinth waved him off dismissively. "Pen mentioned on the phone earlier that she invited her cousin, so I figured family members could be invited," she said, a bit absent-mindedly, as if it wasn't the most devious thing she could have said, before turning back to Daphne and Simon.
As she directed her finger towards them, she was on the brink of asking if they were getting married. Yet, Daphne's widened eyes silently pleaded with her not to say anything. Not only were all of her older brothers present, but there were also enough industry insiders at the party to leak the news and make it front-page news in all newspapers the next day.
Surprisingly, Hyacinth obeyed by lowering her finger, while Benedict narrowed his eyes at the couple without saying anything at that moment. Gregory just continued drinking from Hyacinth's glass and followed their lead.
Yet, as they turned to Colin and pretended that nothing was going on, he was already engrossed in a hushed discussion with Penelope. While she was whispering an "I'm sorry" to Colin, they could see him shaking his head, silently reassuring her that it was alright. He then looked at his sister, who had shifted her focus back to them.
"Hya, stop pestering Pen, will you?" He asked, his annoyance clear in his tone.
His little sister was deeply offended by that remark, placing a hand on her chest while Benedict and Gregory chuckled beside her. "She's my friend," she insisted, defending both herself and the phone call.
"I am," Penelope quickly replied, her voice filled with assurance, wanting to avoid Colin's overprotective tendencies from offending Hyacinth and causing any misunderstandings. Then, she shot Colin a significant glance and added, "I told you it's alright, Colin."
As if he didn't believe her, he glanced back at her, their eyes exchanging a silent conversation while the others observed with amusement.
"So, where's she at then?" Hyacinth chimed in, grabbing their attention. "I mean your cousin. I want to meet her," she said, then looked Colin right in the eye and added, "Because I am your friend."
As Colin shot his sister a grimace, Penelope stood on her tiptoes, desperate to spot her cousin amidst the cacophony of people drinking and laughing.
"She was over there awhile ago," she pointed across the room to the spot where she had stood moments before, "I'll introduce her to you guys once I find her."
"Well, at least you invited someone from your family." Hyacinth shrugged, her hand snatching the drink back from Gregory's grip as she cast a judgmental glance at Colin.
As Gregory and Benedict snickered at Colin's ever growing frown, Daphne delicately raised her hands in the air, as she said, "Just to be clear, if I knew I wasn't truly invited, I wouldn't be here."
The actor shook his head and let out a sigh, clearly resigned to his family's nosiness at that point. "It's all good, Daph, if I were to invite anyone from the family, it'd be you," he said, fully aware that if he had to pick the most normal one among his siblings, it would surely be her.
The girl's triumphant smile lit up her face, while the other three cast him offended looks.
"Did you at least invite your girlfriend?" Daphne then asked, her words laced with affectionate teasing, completely oblivious to the way Benedict flinched and Hyacinth's wide-eyed reaction.
"Um…" Gregory turned his eyes to his grey shirt as he adjusted it, "Been off to the desert again, have you, Daph?"
Their eldest sister furrowed her eyebrows, completely bewildered by her siblings' inexplicable behaviour. She then turned to Simon, who seemed as infuriatingly charming and all-knowing as ever. He gently touched her shoulder and suggested, "I reckon we should grab some more drinks."
"I'll go with you," Benedict said in a high-pitched voice, nearly running to catch up with the pair as his younger siblings trailed behind him.
Perplexed, Penelope observed them briefly before shifting her attention to Colin, who appeared engrossed in his own footwear.
"Do they not like her?" she asked, completely missing the point of what was amiss.
Then, Colin released a slight, playful sigh and shifted his weight on his heels as he gazed up at her. "I guess I'm the one who doesn't," he said, and seeing Penelope's puzzled look, he added, "We… ended things."
Which wasn't entirely accurate as it suggested he had discussed it with Tracy, which he hadn't and had no intention of doing so since the result would remain unchanged. The fact that she hadn't even bothered to call or message him, or come up with a fake excuse for kissing another man, made it clear that she already knew.
"Oh," Penelope said, her eyes indescribable.
Although she wanted to be an impartial friend who only wanted Colin's happiness in his relationships, a part of her couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness whenever she found out he was no longer in a relationship. It was truly ridiculous because being single had never made him see her in a different light, and that was definitely not going to change. In fact, at that very moment, she had the unanimous backing of about a thousand individuals who also found her wishes completely ridiculous.
"I'm sorry," she added, making a sincere effort to mean it.
His lips pressed tightly together, his hands nonchalantly tucked into his pockets, his eyes swept across the room. "Don't be. I discovered she was cheating through the media, no less."
"Oh,"Penelope repeated, her eyes widening as an irrational wave of rage towards Tracy surged within her. At that point, she didn't have to fake a single thing as overwhelming guilt washed over her for ever feeling even slightly happy about the breakup. "I didn't… I haven't…"
Colin peered at her, his blue eyes reflecting the low yellow lights in a hypnotic manner that infuriated her. "The article is recent; it was published this afternoon," he responded, already knowing she intended to say she hadn't seen it.
Penelope nodded, at a loss for words on how to respond. They stood together in an uncomfortable silence, surrounded by the noise of laughter and questionable songs. "I guess it's fortunate that the party is happening today," she said, forcing a smile. "There will be plenty of chances to take your mind off her."
He smiled back, somehow genuinely. Penelope had always disliked awkward and sombre situations and made it a point to bring cheerfulness into any given moment. Over time, he had forgotten what that felt like, but in the past year, being around her almost every day, he rediscovered her hope and optimism and grew accustomed to it once again.
Like many others, Eloise had always been too cynical to appreciate such a perspective, but Colin had always been fond of those who saw the world with hope. After all, he had been an optimist for most of his life. He, too, had been mocked by Eloise and others for trying to see the good in everything, for being naïve.
And he supposed he truly was; he had been naive for so long until life had finally jaded him, to the point where his own girlfriend cheating on him did not surprise him; in fact, it hardly affected him at all. It seemed like his life had lately been a succession of disappointments, with her being the latest. And he hated to admit it, but he was tired of it.
He despised even thinking that he wanted to go back. That if he could, he would return to the old Colin, who did not care if it hurt or humiliated him. A portion of him had always been unsettled by the cynicism; a portion of him had perpetually felt locked within the depths of his numerous facades, yearning for liberation once again.
And Penelope somehow always seemed to know how to find it.
So he took in her enormous blue eyes and how they reflected the lights, the loose red strands from her ponytail that gently fell to the side of her face, and basked in his incredible luck to have that woman in his life.
"I'm just glad to be here with you, Pen," he said.
"You're Hyacinth, right?"
The girl in question coughed, nearly choking on her new drink as a woman in a lovely pink flowery dress strolled over to her. She was quite lovely, with delicate features and beautiful curly hair pulled up in a bit of a messy bun. Her rosy cheeks complemented her soft skin and sparkling eyes perfectly.
"Um… yes," Hyacinth said, a bit baffled at being noticed in a gathering filled with a dozen or so more renowned faces than her own.
"I really love your videos," the girl said with a bright smile, her words tinged with a thick Indian accent. "I've got to say, they do make me waste a bit too much time on YouTube during my lunch break."
"I can't believe it," Gregory muttered, his disbelief evident in his tone, while Benedict nodded in agreement beside him. Meanwhile, Hyacinth seemed ecstatic, basking in the joy of apparently finding a fan. Meanwhile, Simon and Daphne were engrossed in their conversation, completely oblivious to the presence of the newcomer.
"Thank you," Hyacinth replied with a brilliant smile, her heart brimming with satisfaction at the thought of making Lily jealous by revealing that someone did indeed watch her music analysis channel. Someone, on the verge of fame, or so it seemed.
"Who is your character in the movie?" Hyacinth asked.
The girl laughed a bit, waving her hand dismissively as she replied, "Oh no, I'm here with my sister." She tilted her head back and waved for someone to come over and join them in the conversation. "Didi, come over here, I want you to meet someone."
Approaching them, the sister in question wore an expression that was a mix of exasperation and fondness. "Edwina, how come I invite you to a party and you seem to know more people than I do?"
Recognition dawned on the Bridgertons as they realised they had seen the woman's face plastered on many news articles, announcing her as the star of Anthony's latest film.
"Kate, this is the owner of that YouTube channel I mentioned to you," the girl now known as Edwina said.
"Oh," Kate grinned, turning her attention to Hyacinth, "For a moment there, you had my sister contemplating a career change. She was impressed by your exceptional musical ear." The youngest Bridgerton smiled, and Kate wiped her hand on her long black pants before reaching out to shake the girl's hand. "Kate Sharma."
"Right, where are my manners," Edwina muttered, her voice barely audible.
"I know who you are," Hyacinth said with a grin, giving Kate's hand a shake while the woman regarded her with curiosity. "Hyacinth Bridgerton."
The actress' smile faltered almost immediately, and her hand went limp before she made an awkward attempt to force a fake smile and retrieve her hand back.
"Hyacinth?" Kate asked.
"Our parents lost inspiration after so many," Benedict interjected, a smirk playing on his lips as he lightened the mood. He then extended his hand, introducing himself to Kate and shaking hers.
"And I'm Gregory. Also Bridgerton," the boy added, casually nodding his head to introduce himself in a more informal manner.
Kate remained strangely unsettled after meeting Hyacinth, giving him a brief smile rather than a response, prompting Edwina to pose the obvious question.
"So you are all Bridgert— Oh," she pointed slowly at Daphne and Simon. Though it wasn't her usual refined demeanour, it was unavoidable as she finally connected the dots and recognised their faces from the tabloid pictures. The pair smiled and graciously nodded at her.
"Hyacinth, what did I say about the drinking?"
They all looked at Anthony, who burst into the conversation like an ill-tempered, oblivious storm.
"I am still twenty-two," she said moodily, rolling her eyes at her brother.
Anthony placed his hands on his hips, annoyance clear in his gaze as he stared at his kid sister. However, his attention quickly shifted when he noticed two unfamiliar faces among his usual family group.
His eyes widened as he stared at Kate, who had the look of a deer caught in headlights. Anthony couldn't help but wonder if he looked the same, even though it didn't seem logical. But the last time they had spoken was less than a week ago, during their strange heart-to-heart on his trailer. And honestly, he still had no idea how he felt about that situation or how it even came to be in the first place. Now, with his entire family surrounding them, he couldn't even begin to think about it.
"So, I just met your family," Kate said, motioning towards them briefly before folding her hands in front of herself and pressing her lips together. "And Colin's," she added as an afterthought.
Anthony blinked and uttered the most intelligent word he could think of, "Right."
Benedict, used to his older brother's never-ending rants and superior attitude, narrowed his eyes at the two of them. He hardly noticed Gregory and Simon, who were both tilting their heads beside him, observing the same strange thing.
"And this is my sister," Kate suddenly said, as if trying to break a tension that none of them fully understood except for the two of them. She turned to the woman beside her, whom Anthony had only just noticed was also part of the conversation. Kate glanced between her and Anthony and said, "Edwina, this is Anthony Bridgerton. Anthony, this is my sister Edwina."
"Pleasure to meet you," Edwina said with a beaming smile. "Kate has only said wonderful things about you."
Anthony almost burst into laughter right then and there, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he glanced at Kate and said, "Did she now?" Happily returning them to their comfortable hostile environment.
The sentiment appeared to be mutual when Kate squinted at him and responded spontaneously, "Well, I suppose my only blunder in raising her was showing her how to lie."
"Didi!" Edwina said, as everyone else stared at the actress in shock.
Anthony, however, chuckled.
And once he recovered, a mischievous smirk spread across his face. "Maybe you could have done with a few of those lessons, Sharma."
"Anthony!" Daphne exclaimed, her siblings' shocked faces quickly morphing into broad grins.
"Oh, I like her," Benedict whispered
Gregory then lifted his hand like he was in a classroom rather than a packed party, "Raised you, she said?"
Hyacinth nudged him on the ribs, silently scolding him for such a blunt question, but it was too late. Edwina's expression changed instantly, her lips parting in a surprised "oh."
"Forgive him," Anthony interrupted, shooting a stern glare at Gregory, before turning his attention to the youngest Sharma, "You don't have to answer that."
"It's alright," she said. "Our dad passed away when I was just about five." A strained smile was plastered on her lips, but as she looked at her sister, it grew bigger and more sincere. "It was hard, but Kate was my rock." She glanced at Anthony, but his gaze had completely drifted elsewhere.
His gaze was fixed on Kate, who looked back instinctively, a silentsomethingpassing between them. It became clear why her attitude shifted so drastically when she found out about Edmund, and why she was so understanding. And, just as Anthony had said, he really didn't know much about her at all.
Kate cleared her throat, unable to bear the director's quiet stare any longer. "Well, it was really lovely to meet you all, but Thomas said he wanted a word with me," she said, swiftly surveying the area before making a quick exit from the conversation.
Anthony frowned, observing her departure and battling the strange urge to follow her and ask for an explanation, regardless of how irrational it seemed or how little right he had to know anything. However, for the first time ever, he chose the ordinary, non-temperamental option instead and stayed put. And amidst the ongoing conversation within their group, his eyes were drawn to her from a distance.
"I do not want to talk about it."
Anthony chuckled silently, he couldn't help but feel like they were still in the midst of an argument, even though hours had passed since they last spoke.
Exhausted from the night, he collapsed onto the bar stool beside her, his collar loosened as he signalled the bartender for a drink by raising his two fingers. To his right, Kate remained motionless, her gaze fixed on the opposite wall while her fingers clenched the cup tightly. Her loose, curly hair cascaded way past her shoulders, adding to her radiant appearance that day. Anthony couldn't help but notice how her skin seemed to glow from within under that light.
"It's alright, I understand," he said, which was arguably the most startling thing to have ever come out of his lips given how Kate looked to him in shock. "I hate talking about it too."
Theitin question did not require clarification. The truth was, he would only bring up his father's death when obligated to; it was possible that he would only contemplate it in the same situation, provided his mind would allow it. So the last thing he wanted was to pressure Kate into discussing it. But, interestingly, he did feel the urge to comprehend her, but given the state of their relationship, he understood that it was an unrealistic and possibly temporary longing.
"He was really unwell," she suddenly said, and Anthony raised an eyebrow at her eagerness to share that with him. "I had a feeling he didn't have long left, but honestly, can anyone ever be ready for that sort of thing?" she said, and to her surprise, Anthony nodded along, which was quite the rarity for them. "I'd already been through it once with my mother and then…"
Anthony felt a sudden tightness in his throat, making it difficult for him to breathe. Kate looked at him, her lips pressed together, as if she anticipated his shocked reaction to the information he had just shared. "But we do what we have to do, don't we? We become the people we need to be for our siblings," she said, her voice filled with understanding.
Clearing his throat, Anthony nodded. The bartender returned with his drink and wasted no time taking a large sip, feeling the burning sensation of the alcohol in his throat, trying to distract himself from the discomfort of being soseen.
"She looks so grown up. Hyacinth, I mean," Kate said, and he understood exactly what she meant.
Given their conversation in the trailer, it wouldn't be far-fetched to assume that the actress took the initiative to learn more about the past and discovered the poignant detail in his father's story. A strange warmth filled his heart, a mixture of surprise and affection for her efforts to learn more despite their complicated history. And that was disturbing, because Anthony had sworn off affection.
Raising his glass slightly, he focused intently on the swirling liquid inside, fixating on the intricate patterns it created. "Yeah," he said, a simple response that had his voice choked up in his throat, betraying his emotions completely. "She's twenty-two."
It was unfair really, how death affected a person. One could spend years reminiscing about someone, filled with laughter and joy, occasionally feeling guilty detachment. Then, in a single moment, twenty-two years later, it could all come crashing down in tears and awkward emotions, right in front of the last person who should witness it.
"She was raised well, Anthony," Kate said, her voice taking on a warm tone that nearly brought him to tears.
He looked at her with watery eyes, and managed to say the only thing he could at that moment.
"Thank you."
As the night drew to a close, Penelope experienced a sense of satisfaction after attending the party.
She was unaware of how deeply she missed them of the Bridgertons until she laid eyes on Hyacinth, Daphne, Benedict, and Gregory. It had been such a long time since she had seen them that the two youngest appeared taller, almost compelling her to remark on their growth and making her feel incredibly old. Nonetheless, the mere sight of them all again brought her an overwhelming sense of happiness, akin to the feeling of coming back home after an arduous journey.
It could also be related to the fact that Colin appeared reluctant to part from her side throughout the evening. He had always been a very attentive friend, but that night it was perhaps the first time he didn't have to leave to greet another group of friends, or inevitably to dance with another girl, to flirt with another conquest. But that night, it was only the two of them. Penelope was unsure of what had caused his change, but for the first time, she wondered if he saw in her what she had always seen in him.
Nevertheless, the Bridgertons eventually decided to leave the party, and she was more than ready to head back home and relax in her cosy pyjamas. This was especially true since she had been shooting for 8 months straight, and no amount of rest ever felt satisfactory.
However, there was a small issue. Her cousin was absolutely nowhere to be seen.
She circled the room approximately ten times, repeatedly asking the same groups of people if they had seen her, to the extent that even Thomas, of all people, was on the verge of losing his patience, suggesting that she might have been in the restroom, although Penelope had already checked there three times.
The most frustrating aspect was that Penelope was unsure whether she should be concerned or not, unsure if Marina's behaviour was typical or not. For years, they had been little more than strangers, but now the girl was finally in London for more than three days. It seemed only right that Penelope would take her to the one event that didn't appear entirely… dull, at least from Marina's perspective. However, now she had lost her cousin, and she was uncertain whether she should be concerned about her small-town relative being kidnapped in the big city, or if she should assume that a thirty-year-old had merely gone home with someone else, and there was no reason for her to worry at all.
Tapping over her contact number for the tenth time, Penelope held her phone to her ear, cursing at each unanswered ring. She moved through the room, her gaze scanning it while she continued to wish for Marina to answer. As the call went to voicemail once more, Penelope huffed, angrily lowering her phone to glare at the screen in offence. Choosing to heed Thomas' suggestion and act the fool one final time, she made her way to the restroom, simultaneously opening iMessage to leave a voice note pleading with Marina to simply answer the phone.
With impatience etched on her face, she flung the restroom door open, ready to call out Marina's name once more, but her eyes fell upon a duo occupying the bathroom, causing her to pause in her tracks by the door.
It is truly fascinating how one can get so many answers in life at once. Things like Colin did not leave the party with the rest of his family, and Marina was not a poor small-town girl lost in the big city.
Because there they stood, arms still wrapped around each other from the make-out session that Penelope had just interrupted, gazing at her with wide eyes as the door behind her slammed shut.
A/N:*finish pulling the rug under everyone's feet*
I'M SORRY SDUJFUGSDKFSDHFSDGFDSJFHSDGFJKHSD
OKAY, remember when I said this chapter was necessary? It is. OKAY? Don't worry because the sad chapters have to happen so the good chapters can be even better. Take my hand, hold it. It will be ALRIGHT. I PROMISE.
Now that y'all hate me a lot, I also made a PLAYLIST for this fic, which is not exactly like my other playlists that have a song for each chapter, it's more of an overall "Mood" playlist but some songs do refer more to a certain chapter or not (and I will keep adding more songs if I find perfect ones for this fic).
Anyways, don't forget your reviews and likes! Don't swear too much at me on the reviews, please *puppy eyes*
God bless you and have a good afternoon!