A/N : Let's all agree. We would have loved a scene between Kate and Benedict.
CHAPTER - 7 - LEMONADE
Kate walked to the Lemonade table soon after the 3rd dance began. Edwina would surely be tired after dancing three consecutive dances, and this would be quite refreshing. It seemed as if she was beginning to become the talk of the Ton, for her dance card had begun to fill up quickly. Kate tried to walk back quickly after picking up a lemonade for Edwina, when she unexpectedly bumped into a tall gentleman.
"My apologies…" she began quickly.
"-No no. It is my fault, I was in a hurry to-", the gentleman stopped, looking at her. "Say, you have not by any chance seen my sister trying to hide, did you?" he asked.
"Uh-, No," Kate responded in surprise. "Why would she be hiding?" words spilled out of Kate's mouth sooner than she could bite her tongue.
"Ah, She dislikes being trussed up for auction in her own words", said the gentleman as he looked around the crowd glumly. "...though I do understand why", he added, gesturing at the men who stood on the sides. "I wouldn't want her to end up with any of them here".
"And why so?" she asked gently.
The gentleman chuckled and looked at her. "Why? Half of them are dimwitted and the rest are just despicable. She says she would rather end up on the shelf, and I can't disagree with her."
Kate looked astonished at this as she turned around to take a good look at those men on the sidelines, yet let out a chuckle. "I think I might like your sister very much".
The gentleman chuckled, taking a note of what she said. "Ofcourse, not all of them are bad. There are some worthy men in the audience", he added.
Kate however, was not convinced. "I myself have a sister at the marriage mart. It is hard to know that with certainty. Do tell me more, sir, if you do not mind?" she requested.
"Alright. Although, do not mind me asking, you not have a dance card? Are you not looking for a husband this season?"
Kate chuckled. "No, I am too spinster for the likes of the ton. But do not let that discourage you from telling me about the good matches of the ton."
"Of course. However, my apologies, Miss…?" he wondered out loud.
"I would have to ask you to refer to my sponsor, My Lord", she said sheepishly. "Lady Danbury would not think it tasteful if I brokered my own introductions.
"Ah, the dragon," he chuckled. "I shall keep that in mind. However, since I am not a debutante sponsored by her, I feel free to give you my name. Benedict Bridgerton. Pleasure to meet you, Miss", he bowed the tiniest bit. Kate curtsied in response.
"Now, where shall I start.." he asked.
Kate wondered indeed, where to start. So first, she must know if the gentleman truly knows the ton. What else could be a better bait than to verify something that apparently was common knowledge among the ton. So she pointed to the man dancing with a blonde woman who did not seem impressed. "How about the Duke of Suffolk?" she suggested. "He is said to be a good catch according to the Debrette's."
"Unless someone who flaunts his mistresses is what you want for your sister, maybe steer clear from him", Mr. Bridgerton replied, offended, as if Kate had suggested him as a match for his sister. "I would not let him within 5 yards of any of my sisters".
Kate gave a thought before settling on the red-headed marquess of Ashdown. "What about him?" she asked.
"Ah. The Baron of Ashdown", he chuckled gently, as Kate nodded along. "Not bad, although he is a bit too young. His uncle, Mr. Viceroy, pulls a lot of his strings. Not so surprisingly, the uncle has a huge gambling debt which he hopes his nephew would clear off. Unless some common sense suddenly strikes the boy, I do not see him handling his fortunes well."
"Hah. I would not have guessed all of that. The gentleman seemed very polite."
"That he is."
"What about Baron Corning? I have not read anything about his family", Kate said pointing at the man who was dancing with her sister.
Mr. Bridgerton looked perplexed at her. "Well, Baron Corning is a fine man, although his family does stay out of the marriage market. There is word around that he was promised to marry a cousin, but he seems unwilling. Intent on finding 'The right woman' apparently", Mr. Bridgerton said, as if he was impressed. He did seem to know what he was talking about.
"Well, I should hope so," she said, not taking her eye off Edwina, hoping she could read her sister's mind.
So far, two of the three pieces of information seemed to tally with Lady Danbury's expectations for them. Perhaps she could rely on Lady Danbury and take a back seat. But that would leave Kate with no way to verify the gentlemen's intentions towards her sister. Afterall, Edwina making a good match was not the only thing Kate desired. Edwina needed to be happy as well.
"Oh. That is your sister", Mr. Bridgerton sighed in recognition.
"Yes", Kate smiled. "I only want the best for her". Her companion nodded. However, the bell reminded Kate that it was time to go. The third dance finally came to an end, and her sister curtsied her gentleman partner.
"Well, that is all the gentlemen I have encountered this evening. I suppose I should thank you for telling me these things."
"Is that all?" Mr. Bridgerton asked. "What about the others?"
Now would be the time for Kate to go to her family. Now would be the time to take leave and stand by, and let Lady Danbury take the lead. But Edwina's future was in question. Lady Danbury would ensure an advantageous match and put all requirements to a rest, but Edwina deserves love. This was a good chance to find out about the ton. She could finally get to know the ton, the way people of the ton know about each other. Kate noticed as men from the sidelines stepped into position, leading ladies by their hands into the ballroom. This was too good of a chance to let go over a lemonade. Lady Danbury certainly would ensure Edwina's well being over this set. But this was her only chance to become a part of the ton.
"Alright, tell me more," she smiled, and Mr. Bridgerton nodded. This would be a long dance indeed.
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A/N : Tell me you liked it. :D