A/N : So... Kate left fuming. What does she leave behind? P.S. Here begins Episode 3.

CHAPTER - 23 - LETTERS TO MISS SHARMA

Anthony Bridgerton had managed to rattle Miss Sharma. The boy came in marching at the very end of an uninvited soiree, bribed her doorman, and took another chance at impressing the younger Sharma sister. But something told Lady Danbury that it worked. She would not know whether the entire speech was rehearsed or if the boy merely came to read poetry, but something struck some common sense in him and he chose to openly proclaim the truth, which was that his interests were varied from Miss Edwina. Something Miss Sharma had been advocating from the start. Nevertheless, his own acceptance of the same only brought him up head to head with Miss Sharma who had tried to keep him away from her sister holding that very same truth above his head. But now that obstacle was out of his way sine Miss Edwina accepted his honesty. And the defeat of a level playing field squarely hit Miss Sharma for she rushed out of the gallery in disbelief, even colliding into a footman, unimpressively. Her want for a love match on Miss Edwina's behalf would surely spark a wildfire, if one had not caught on already.

"A message for Miss Edwina, Ma'am", came a footman, interrupting Lady Danbury's thoughts. She looked at it to find it addressed to Miss Edwina, surprisingly, and how this came to be was something she did not seem to understand. Miss Edwina did not seem to write any letters and did not seem to be expecting any either. The girl was not acquainted with anyone in England, much less maintain a correspondence with someone.

"Miss Edwina was not expecting any, ma'am." the footman added curiously.

Lady Danbury nodded to the footman, and flipped it over to look at the seal. And needless to say, she was not prepared for what she saw.

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Kate frantically paced through the room as she squeezed her fists shut. Anthony Bridgerton had the audacity to come to an uninvited soiree and proclaim his courtship for her sister. No man in his sane mind would still court Edwina after such public display of being honorable on his part. No wonder why Edwina was taken by his performance. Surely it was a performance! She was young and naive, and always seeing the kindness and good in people, and he ensured she would fall for his charms once again.

"You seem restless, Miss Sharma", came a sudden voice that rattled Kate. Lady Danbury made her presence known, spectacularly, might Kate add. But this was not the time she would prefer to play word games with the esteemed woman, who might as well read her like a book.

"I am perfectly fine, Lady Danbury", she covered with a smile. Truth be told, she was not fine, but that amounted to nothing given the circumstances. She had to find a way to explain to Edwina that the rakish Viscount was not the right person for her.

"Do you plan to ride again tomorrow morning?"

The abrupt question was not something Kate had expected. Lady Danbury usually liked to imply most of the time, rather than be upfront about certain things, but now it seemed like she knew all. Kate remained silent and continued fidgeting with her gloves, not knowing what to say.

"I know all that goes on in my home, Miss Sharma", Lady Danbury turned. "If you insist on sneaking around about everything, then I might as well save us both the trouble."

For a moment Kate did not understand what Lady Danbury was talking about. Sure, she should not have gone alone unchaperoned, but from what Lady Danbury seemed to know, Kate only went out riding on a horse. Could she know that she was seen by Lord Bridgerton? Did he truly tattle on her? Is this how he would seemingly get back at her for not approving his intention to court Edwina? But before Kate could come up with a response, Lady Danbury's next sentence shook her to the core.

"Correspondence from your grandparents, the Sheffields", Lady Danbury raised a hand with a letter in it. Kate's heart sank. How could they know where they were? Moreover, how did Lady Danbury know to come looking for her?

"I must give it to you Miss Sharma, for this did leave me wondering for a while as to why the letter was addressed to Miss Edwina who was not even expecting any letters. Your grandparents -"

"They are not my grandparents Lady Danbury," Kate interrupted, unable to hold back. "They are Edwina's. I have no relation to them whatsoever". There were many things she could take, but this would not be one of them.

Lady Danbury took a deep breath. "You have not been straightforward with me. You still fail to tell me why you have truly come to London with your sister. I am rather more concerned about that", she stopped furiously.

"We have come to find Edwina a husband," said Kate strongly. However, the hesitation in her voice came out anyway, it seemed, as Lady Danbury did not believe her even for one moment

"Is that all?" Lady Danbury implored, and Kate felt it was a hint to reconsider what she just said. "I strongly suggest you reconsider before telling me any more half-truths or forgeries Miss Sharma."

"A very few attempt to outwit me, even fewer succeed", she continued angrily when Kate did not respond. "While living under my roof and my care, relying on my good name and connections in the society? I have vouched for your sister in front of her majesty, all because I thought I was paying a kindness to an old friend," Lady Danbury shook, "whom I could not help a long time ago".

"We truly are grateful for everything you have done-" Kate began. There was no way she would let her mama's name be muddied because of something she did.

"Your Mama misses your father extremely. For a while, I thought of how unnatural it seemed of her to leave all of his memories behind. But she never wanted to come here did she?" She questioned. "You did." Lady Danbury accused, shaking her head in frustration. "I have no interest in being used as a pawn in someone's game."

"That is not what I am doing Lady Danbury, I promise you that", Kate interjected immediately. She must clear this misconception immediately. They were relying on Lady Danbury's good name, that was the truth.

"Then tell me," Lady Danbury dared, "What are the stipulations set forth by the Sheffields with regards to Edwina's match."

Kate looked at Lady Danbury silently. She must already know everything, for she must have read the letter. Was she just testing Kate after all this? Kate's eyes quickly darted to the letter in her hand. The wax seal was still pristine. But somehow Lady Danbury knew that there were stipulations. Kate internally laughed at her own stupidity, realizing she had to give Lady Danbury more credit. Living amongst the ton as much as she did, there would hardly be anything she doesn't know. So how would she miss the self-indulgent nature of the Sheffields?

"Do the stipulations promise great fortune for you and your family?" she chided Kate.

Kate took a deep breath. What could she even hide from a woman who knew almost everything. "Edwina must marry an Englishman of nobility. In doing so, they would not only add a five figure dowry on her, but also take care of Mary."

Lady Danbury looked aghast and sat down on the nearby settee. Though she never looked away from Kate, she looked appalled.

"They could not control your mama's marriage, so they mean to interfere with your sisters" she simply stated in an obvious manner, as if Kate did not know already.

"They never recovered from my father's lack of rank or title. But allow me to assure you Lady Danbury that I am not here for selfish reasons. After Appa, Mama and I did the best we could so that Edwina never faced any of our struggles," she paused. "But what we have now Lady Danbury, it barely amounts to anything. I placed the house we were left with as Edwina's dowry, and we used what we were left with for this journey.

But Lady Danbury continued her silence. Kate hurried. "The dowry they would place on my sister is significantly more and it will allow her to live a comfortable life. And they have agreed to look after my mama. But that is only if Edwina marries properly. I do hope that it would not come to it, if Edwina marries for love. It would not matter how much dowry she had in that circumstance, and her husband would take care of my mama as well. I just hope, that's all," she resigned not knowing what else to say that would break the lionesses silence.

"And what about you," Lady Danbury asked, finally.

"If I could marry for my family's sake, I would. But I am not Mary's daughter by birth. Their stipulations only apply to Edwina, and I am free to do whatever I want", Kate said.

"Whatever you want?" raised Lady Danbury softly.

"Yes, whatever I wish to do." But Kate knew the unsaid truth that lingered in the air. One that the matriarch seemed to understand as well, as her face softened. The Sheffields would not provide for Kate, for there was no relation between them and they had said it aptly. Lady Danbury simply nodded and resorted back to a thoughtful silence.

Kate prepared for what came after the silence. "Your sister has a right to know", said Lady Danbury, raising her head to look at Kate. "It is her life."

Kate somehow knew this was coming. Maybe this was the only question that was missing from the many Lady Danbury has asked so far.

"No… Lady Danbury. That is precisely why I shield her. It is because I know her," Kate beathed. "Should she become aware of these circumstances, she would agree to marry the first gentleman who would be kind enough to ask. She would say yes in an instant, just to take care of us. She is the most kind hearted person I know of and she should have a choice. Telling her of this, it would only take away that choice from her. I simply cannot do that to her. I must not."

Lady Danbury looked at her disapprovingly, although she did seem to understand where Kate was coming from. Her eyes were no longer piercing Kate and she seemed to take Kate's answer more kindly rather than reply with utter disdain.

"She deserves to find love without that burden Lady Danbury," Kate urged. "I request you not tell her."

"The Viscount may be exasperating at times, Miss Sharma, but he has vented an interest in your sister. I shall urge you to not lose this opportunity that has presented itself", Lady Danbury warned.

The Viscount. But he was the entire problem was he not. Had it not been for men like him, Edwina finding love would not have been such a difficult task. "The Viscount-" she laughed. "He is incorrigible. He is not for my sister, especially after the remarks he made. And I will make it sure Edwina sees it too, one way or the other", Kate fumed.

"Some advice Miss Sharma. It is only so often that people realize that an attempt to influence another is usually a trying but fruitless endeavor, only bringing out the worst in us."

"I am aware that I have made a fool of myself today, Lady Danbury. But I do not care what a single person here thinks about me. I only care about Edwina, and once she is married, I shall return to India by myself, and never set foot in this city again."

Lady Danbury moved in disbelief. "Child, you may not yet know, but I for one find it completely disheartening to hear you say that you wish to be alone at a mere age of five and twenty", she cast.

"You do not need to, Lady Danbury," said Kate. "I shall be a governess, and be content knowing that my sister and mama are being cared for."

"Content?" The matriarch scoffed.

"Are you so miserable my lady?" Kate questioned immediately.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I watch you. I see you. Are you not alone yourself? You are more than content."

"That is because I have lived a life. I am a widow. I have loved, and I have lost. I have earned this right to do whatever I please, whenever I please, and however I please to do it. You are not me and you will never be me if you continue on this path."

Kate remained in silence along with the matriarch for what seemed like an eternity.

"You may have decided that marriage is not what you choose, but your sister has chosen otherwise", began Lady Danbury. "And I stand by what I said earlier, that choice must be Miss Edwina's. If she decides upon Lord Bridgerton, then I hope you can find it in yourself to accept her choice". With that she heaved a sigh and made her way to the door, only to look back and finish. "These secrets do not bode well, Miss Sharma. I would suggest you reconsider", she said, leaving Kate the way she found her.

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A/N : I hope you liked it. I'll be back soon with the next chapter. I promise you'll like it. It has an 'Indian touch'.