A/N : Now that we arrive at the scene of the races, there must be some wonderful change to the series in store, should it not?

Here is Anthony, being less of an ass, yet being hounded by his fate and not-so-past mistakes nonetheless.

CHAPTER - 17 - OFF TO THE RACES

Anthony arrived at the Royal Ascot by Quarter past twelve. The race was set to begin at one in the afternoon, after which the ton could enjoy the luncheon. The Bridgerton's, including even Hyacinth and Gregory were in tow. Now Anthony had only one goal. To somehow bring Edwina to meet his family. Lady Danbury seemed to have accompanied them to the races alone but Lady Mary was no where to be seen. Nevertheless, the matriarch was standing a bit away, mostly engrossed in conversations with everyone who greeted her among the ton. So it seemed as if he would need to approach her chaperone for permission, who was none other than Miss Sharma herself. That was a task-and-a-half itself.

"Mondrich", Benedict declared, capturing Anthony's attention. "If only you had not retired."

"Are you planning another foray into the ring," questioned Colin as Will finally came to a halt in front of them. His wife Alice was tagging along and stood beside the gentleman.

"Into business, in fact", said Will, allowing Anthony to wonder for a moment as to what business a boxer could offer to the ton. "I am opening a gentlemen's club. Set to rival even the select haunts on St. James street, if we are fortunate".

Ah. Another club. That is the only profitable business these days.

"You do know we have all been members of White's since birth," joined Anthony.

"I do. But exploration only opens new doors, Lord Bridgerton; it doesn't close those already open."

"Anthony Bridgerton! Why, it is the Viscount."

Anthony turned suddenly towards his right to witness the owner of the voice he suddenly recognised from somewhere.

"Dorset", recognized Anthony, immediately reaching for a handshake. "Good to see you here, old friend. Everyone, this is Thomas Dorset, we went to Oxford together."

Once Anthony brokered all the introductions, Mondrich took his cue and continued. "Anyway, our grand opening is tomorrow night. You are all invited."

"My apologies, have I missed something," asked Dorset.

"Will is opening a gentlemen's club. I wish you the best of luck. I shall try to swing by."

"Well, Lord Bridgerton, news has it that you are looking for a Viscountess this season," began Alice. Word travels fast. With Whistledown, maybe he would be able to soon see into the future.

"Ah yes", Anthony acknowledged. "The queen has announced the diamond. If I find myself lucky, my wife shall stand by me by the end of the season". His eyes darted around the ground to find Miss Edwina nearby.

"Oh my, what a beautiful young lady", mused Alice as she looked where the Sharma family was standing, and the rest followed suit. "I shall wish you the best of luck then, my Lord," she smiled.

Thomas however, caught hold of Anthony, tugging him aside.

"Are you planning to marry, Bridgerton?"

"Yes, why?" asked Anthony. Dorset seemed to be sitting on something uncomfortable. "Out with it", he said, hoping to trigger the man into revealing the source of his conflict.

"I mean to ask, are you introduced to her?"

"I am. They are represented by Lady Danbury. You know that she is practically a part of our family. She was the one who brokered an introduction."

"So, they are her guests from India. Well, I do not want to enter the lion's den. Perhaps your mother could introduce me then?"

"What, to Miss Edwina?" Anthony questioned in shock.

It was one thing to ask a gentleman to introduce one to a young lady on the marriage mart, but to ask a gentleman to introduce one to the woman they were courting was highly inappropriate. Dorset had sometimes bent the etiquette in school when they studied together, but he simply must have gone mad, for this was a forlorn request.

"No, no," huffed Dorset. "The young woman in deep blue standing beside her. Her sister, I believe?" he questioned.

"You wish to get acquainted with Miss Sharma", asked a bewildered Anthony. Not even in his wildest dreams did he imagine a day would come, when someone would ask him to be introduced to the thorny spinster.

"Yes," said Dorset, keeping his eyes on Miss Sharma. "Why?"

"No. But …" Anthony began, yet soon trailed off, as he focused on the comprehensive look Dorset had on his face.

"I saw her a while ago. She was discussing prized steeds and was in want of placing a wager on one of them. Seemed charming."

Anthony unfurled his eyebrows that he had stitched together since some time. Of Course Miss Sharma was charming. She had a playful quality about her, that if not for her vexation and arrogance would come out quite nicely. And Dorset for one would be charmed with her. The man lost his heart every time he made a new trip to another continent.

"I would like to get acquainted with her", Dorset said determinedly. "If all goes well then.. Well," he smiled.

Something pricked Anthony on the inside. What a fool one must be to plan a wedding with a woman he did not even know yet. Miss Sharma would throw him out in one fell swoop.

"Well, you would be better off with Lady Danbury introducing you to her. In fact it would be better altogether if you refrain from mentioning my name at all if you decide to befriend her. She is rather thorny towards me."

Dorset looked at him questioningly but did not prod. "Alright, I'll charge the lion's den then", said Dorset walking towards.

Anthony watched as Dorset walked towards Lady Danbury, who was now standing alone since the Sharma sisters trailed off towards the benches, asking to get acquainted with the Sharma sisters.

"I did not take you for a cheater brother," walked Benedict. "Except for when it is family games".

"Whatever do you mean?"

Benedict scoffed. "Do you mean to imply you did not set Mr. Dorset up to distract Miss Sharma? She seems to have taken the bait", he pointed.

Anthony noticed Benedict was right. Miss Sharma walked hand in hand with Dorset towards the stands and was making polite conversation. Much more polite than she ever conversed with him. "I did not. He was interested in her," he bit.

"Hm, I thought you wanted to converse with Miss Edwina somehow."

Anthony suddenly realized the truth in Benedict's words. He did not set Thomas Dorset up to distract Miss Sharma, but now that she was being escorted herself, he could easily bypass Lumley at the stands.

Fate somehow did work in his favor. Thomas would not mention anything either, for he now knows that any chance he has to charm Miss Sharma would dwindle if he mentions being acquainted with Anthony. Miss Sharma would be busy thwarting his courtship, hence distracted to pay attention towards Edwina. Lady Danbury, who would find herself chaperoning both of the sisters would not dissuade him from charming Miss Edwina.

Game, Set, Match.

And so Anthony began walking towards the stands where Miss Edwina was seated, as his plan to boot Lumley from her side as clear as day.

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A/N : Do I think Book-Anthony is so cruel as to hire a friend to be interested in Kate so that he could get some time with Edwina? Nuh-uh. He was Penelope's hero in his own book after all.
But do I think he would absolutely use any distraction Kate found herself tied to so as to get a chance to spend time with Edwina? Absolutely. He did make use of Colin distracting Kate with pall-mall in the book, so that he could go get Edwina.

LMK if you like it. And your guesses for what might happen next.