Chapter Text
Anthony got into his carriage but didn't leave. He waited inside glancing outside through his window waiting for his arch nemesis to arrive.He very well knew it was not a gentlemanly thing to do,to stalk and jump on other people but when it came to Kate Sharma, Anthony Bridgerton had no logic.
Sometime had passed when a carriage stopped infront of the house and a man came out of it. Anthony's blood came to a boil at the very sight of the man. Dorset.He had flowers in his hand. Anthony scoffed. He didn't recognise the flowers. Chrysanthemums? What do they even signify anyway? Whatever it was, it was nothing compared to the Tulips that he had... never given her. He had followed her half way around the earth and he haven't even given her flowers?He had given Miss Edwina lots of flowers, mostly to flaunt his wealth and occasionally to irk Kate. Look who's reaping what he sow.
He quickly got out off the carriage and walked towards Dorset.
"Dorset!" He called out urgently.
Dorset turned around. A look of shock, annoyance, irritation and tension played on his face. Anthony felt pleased.
"Bridgerton!!? What the hell are you doing here?"
"Oh wouldn't you like to know?"
"Yes I would, it's precisely why I asked. Are you here to see Kate--"
It only took one moment for Anthony to jump and hold Dorset's cravat, strangling him.
"What's your deal with her?"
"What?"
"Are you courting her!?"
"Bridgerton you should let go off me.This is a public place."
"I'm not letting you go until you answer me!"
"I don't have to answer anything. I don't plan to answer anything.This is not London, Viscount Bridgerton, you can't just come here and have your way like you always do."
"Dorset..If you and Kate...I swear--"
"What will you do? I can't believe it Bridgerton.Why do you always show up where you are least wanted? Why do you always show up just in time to ruin things? And if I had to do something with Kate you have no say in it,and you have got nothing on me. And what's between us is between us, you don't have to concern yourselves with it."
"Dorset you--"
"Calm down Bridgerton! You are only reaping what you sow. Now you may want to release me, Kate wants nothing to do with you already, you do not wish to be on her bad side too,do you?"
Anthony released his hands off Dorset. It was involuntary. His body had already given up. There's only too much rejection and hurt one can take a day. He had already exceeded his quota for the day.
"I didn't think so."
Dorset stepped back,straightened himself.
"Good day, Lord Bridgerton."
Dorset said, a smile on his face that Anthony wanted to wipe off with his shoe, but he contained himself.
Is this how Kate felt when he led her on and knelt down to propose to her sister just infront of her, when he walked past her at the Palace like nothing had happened and casually threw words like nothing can keep me away from my beautiful bride. He cringed. Is this how she felt when he discussed his wedding plans right infront of her, took her sister out to promenade and whispered sweet nothings in her ear like couples in their engagement bliss? If it was, no wonder she was cold to him. If it was he had a good amount of work to do to convince Kate.
Dorset felt something unfamiliar. Anger? Uneasiness? Irritation? He had called out Anthony's bullshit. He had known him for a long time, he knew Anthony was proud and always got his way.But he never got into a heated conversation with him ever before.He didn't with anyone. Dorset was kind and pleasant. He knew that himself. What had happened just minutes ago was unlike him and he knew he wouldn't be proud of it tomorrow or ever,but there was also this odd sense of contentment. Kate had told him all about what had happened back in London, how she was hurt so much that she had to flee. She was heartbroken when she left London he knew, so much so that he did everything to make sure she boarded the ship and had a cabin.Since then she became more and more dear to him.She was definitely more than a friend but it was less than a courtship. He was happy to keep that door open though he had suspected it'll never turn out that way because every time she mentioned Anthony there was something in her eyes. A sort of longing.
He walked straight to Lydia's room, Lydia was the youngest of Sir Matthew, she was just five years old and the poor child was affected by seizures. So Dorset visited her frequently and oversaw her medications. Kate was her governess and she loved Lydia so much, and vice versa. As soon as he stepped into the room he saw Kate, there was something different about her, he noticed. When he met her gaze he suddenly felt guilty. Has he outspoken? Did he forget his place and told Bridgerton unwanted things? Will Kate be disappointed in his reaction?
Dorset spend some time with Lydia before going out with Kate.
"Anthony is here."
Kate said after what have been minutes of silence between them.
"So he came to see you, I saw him on the way here."
"Oh."
"Why is he here? Did he say something?"
"I ran away before he could say anything, I have a clue and I'm afraid it will turn out just that."
"Is it what I think it is?"
"Maybe, we'll have to see that."
"What are you going to do then?"
"I don't know Thomas. It took me so much time to unlearn and unattach from so many things, I'm still doing that. You know when you go through so much pain and suffering that you gradually get used to it and when something hopeful or something you wished for before happens you don't want that, like you have become too comfortable with it,you don't want it to change. I feel that, just that."
"Kate you don't--"
"What did he say?"
"He was really angry. He asked about us."
"What about us?"
"He asked me if I was courting you, I didn't deny, I didn't want to give him the satisfaction after everything he did to you, Kate, I may have overstepped.I'm sorry I forgot my place, I was angry and rude to him."
"Thomas, you don't have to apologise for that, atleast not to me. He does need a taste of his own medicine." Kate laughed.
"I can't believe it Kate, this man is unbelievable. He just appears out of nowhere, like nothing happened and does whatever he wants.That's what irks me so much. He's so lucky. No matter whatever foolish things he does he will always end up with good things. He always gets his way."
"No, not this time Thomas, not this time."
"Kate? what do you mean?"
"You will know in time, Thomas."
"But I thought...you--"
"Not everyone's lucky all the time,Thomas."
Dorset saw a determination on her face, there was also pain. He was sad to see her hurting. Whatever doors he kept open for Kate, the first and foremost feeling he had for her was the feeling of friendship.He was happy if it bloomed to something else but he would never force it or ask her of it. He wanted her to end up happy even if it meant it was with Bridgerton. It was unfair. The man owed so much to Kate for everything he did. He has to repent for years. He knew Kate had some hopes for Anthony, he had picked it up way long before. But something in her had shifted now.
Anthony stormed into his lodgings as soon as the carriage stopped. Colin saw his brother and followed him into his room. As soon as he entered it he saw a quite disappointed Anthony pacing back and forth in his room.
"Brother, what happened?"
Anthony was fuming and Colin very well knew he should let him cool down or there will be blood shed.
Anthony kept on pacing, occasionally rubbing his chin and temple.
"Brother,did you tell her?"
He attempted again. No response.
"Did she reject you?"
Anthony looked at him now, Colin shuddered at the look. Bad question.What was he thinking?
"Anthony tell me what happened. Did you tell her?"
"I..I.. didn't tell her. I ruined my chance."
"What? But you--"
"I couldn't. She was not even happy to see me, she didn't even put up a smile for me."
"Well you--"
"No, Colin, no need to remind me. I know, I know my mistakes. I tried.I tried telling her, but when she looked at me, when she looked into my eyes all I could see was her hurt.The pain and hurt I've caused her. I haven't even told her so much as a sorry for everything I've done. How can I ask her hand then? I think she hates me."
"Anthony how can you know without asking her?"
"I think she's punishing me,for everything I did and I rightfully deserve it too."
"Then apologise to her, tell her it was not intentional."
"I saw Dorset too, he came to call on her, with flowers, Oh Colin if I had stuck my finger between a door it would have been less painful."
"Did he say anything? About Kate?"
"Oh we had a conversation, he was angry, very, I have never seen him angry."
"Angry? Mr. Dorset? Anthony tell me at once what did you do?"
"Nothing!"
Colin gave him an admonishing look that reminded him of their mother.
"I..I just..I just stopped him and...held him..by his.. cravat."
"Good God Anthony! We are here to earn Kate's favor, not botch it."
"I know, I was..I was..just so..angry."
"What will you do now?"
"I'm going to see her tomorrow, I'll see her everyday until I clear everything with her and apologise to her and tell her I love her. And if she doesn't want me...
He winced.
...if she doesn't want me, I'll catch the next ship and run from here. I won't stay another minute."
His voice broke.
"Brother, don't worry, you can see her tomorrow, don't overthink too much, nobody rejects Viscount Anthony Bridgerton.Come now, you must rest, I have promised mother I'll take care of you."
Colin said as he smiled at Anthony. He had never seen such a forlorn Anthony.He was always confident in everything. This self-doubting and utter helpless Anthony was a new thing.