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Through the tragedy of his fathers death and his mothers difficult birth, Anthony Bridgerton is by definition hyperconscious of his families health. Though she has never said it, Violet worries the day that Kate announces she is pregnant. She does not doubt Anthonys devotion and love for his family but understands perhaps better then anyone how life and death have shown him how quickly the former can become the latter. Anthony had already lived through potentially losing Kate. Anything that so much as threaten to make her sneeze made Anthony tense and anxious. That fear of loss often highlighted the separation between Anthony and Viscount Anthony Bridgerton. But Kate had pulled Anthony out of his self imposed exile from his true feelings and Violet would forever be grateful.
However, if Anthony Bridgerton did not cease his exhausting and downright suffocating “care” of his sick wife, Violet was resolved that Benedict would be Viscount before the week was up.
Let it be known that the proud Kathani Sharma never suffered illness since she was a small child. Almost through determination alone she never spent a day in bed when Mary and Edwina relied on her so. It seemed especially ironic that on her honeymoon when she was supposed to be spending all day in bed naked with her husband, she instead spent it layered in multiple blankets unable to utter a word. Anthony had yet to leave her side which in any other scenario would warm Kates heart except this time she was ready to throw one of her many pillows at his head. She knew her husband was fraught with anxiety, she recalled the bee sting as vividly as he. Kate had tried, really she had, to prevent Anthony from ever getting to this point. Sniffles could be passed off as allergies, but then every flower in the house disappeared overnight. When she felt cold in the middle of July she blamed a near lifetime of Indian summers and a desire for her husbands arms around her. Her headache could only be from the copious amounts of wine they had swigged directly from the bottle before falling into each others arms. Kate herself hadn’t realized how significantly things had progressed until she fell heavily back against her pillows, head spinning, and the pallor of her skin washed in grey. Understandably, Anthony had bellowed for the staff and a doctor. He was by extension furious with his wife’s stubborn dismissal of her initial symptoms, but took it upon himself to solely care for her until she was better - by his determination alone.
Kate gently pet Newtons head as she watched Anthony slowly measure out her masala chai from the bed. Anthony had taken it upon himself to learn exactly how she made her chai the first morning of their honeymoon. It had touched Kate so much that she couldn’t even laugh at his fierce determination and unwavering gaze in the bright morning light.
“Good morning, husband,” Kate murmured softly. Anthony glanced up quickly, a small smile pulling at his lips. The worried wrinkle pulling at his eyes had been a permanent resident of her husbands (usually) relaxed and happy face. It was one of her least favourite looks to see on Anthonys face.
“How are you feeling, my darling?” Anthony said quietly, slowly pouring the chai over the metal strainer over her cup. Kate could see the toast sitting on a plate next to the tea set. She could tell he hadn’t been awake too long before her, his hair was still sleep rumpled and he hadn’t even bothered to dress. The light was aggravating the headache she couldn’t seem to shake but Anthony still brought a smile to her lips.
Kate stretched lightly under the…third blanket that was layered on top of her. Rolling her eyes at the eccentricity of her husband, Kate attempted to shuffle out from under her down filled prison. Anthony could tuck a mean corner if it meant keeping Kate’s fever regulated.
“Anthony, we are married there is no need to keep me trapped in this bed, I am not going anywhere” Kate huffed, pulling her legs from out under the bedspread. Anthony jumped up from his chair, making his way quickly over to Kate before she could get her feet on the floor.
“Kate, I can bring you the chai. You’re supposed to be resting,” Anthony admonished, holding onto her shoulders. He could feel how warm she was despite the cool summer they were having. It worried him even more since finding out she naturally runs much colder here in England than India.
Kate scoffed and looked at her husband expectantly, “I have been resting for 4 days straight, Anthony. Stretching my legs will not kill me,”. A flicker of fear crossed over Anthonys face and Kate winced outwardly at her blunder. Joking of her demise or harm didn’t amuse Anthony on a good day, let alone a near week of constant fevers, coughing, and dehydration. Kate sighed deeply and sat back on her heels before reaching forward to wrap her arms around Anthony’s waist and pull him forward, laying her head on his chest.
Heaving a deep breath Anthony curved around Kate, dropping a kiss to her head and gently tightening his arms around her. He spent so long without her not knowing how deeply he belonged to her even before their first meeting in the park.
Sliding his hands up her back Anthony cupped Kates face and slowly massaged her temples. Anthony had noticed the tightness around Kates eyes when she had first roused and made a note to ask Sarah, Kates maid, to hang heavier curtains. She groaned lowly and slumped forward gratefully into his hands. Anthony felt his body relax and the dark feeling in his chest quickly abated with Kate in his arms.
“Us being married is precisely why you would be confined to this bed, albeit under different circumstances,” Anthony chuckled and grinned at Kates half hearted scowl that was undermined by the grin pulling at her lips. Capital R Rake indeed.
Kate sighed into Anthonys chest murmuring, “You’re going to get sick, if you aren’t already. I don’t know why you won’t just sleep in the rooms across the hall -“
Anthony continued his ministrations but interrupted Kate, “You won’t be rid of me, Lady Bridgerton. If you recall I swore an oath, ‘in sickness and in health’. My honour as a gentleman would not allow it,”.
Kate pinched lightly at Anthonys side making him yelp, “I know first hand what your honour does allow as a gentleman, my lord. But if you would be so kind, Lord Bridgerton, I believe the chai is ready but I am told I require an escort” Kate offered her hand with a flourish and a small sniffle. Anthony offered her the handkerchief on her night table before taking her hand.
“It would be my honour, Viscountess Bridgerton” He bowed with a smirk and steadied Kate as she slid into her slippers on the floor. Kate reached behind her to wrap one of the blankets around her shoulders.
Anthony regarded her carefully before wrapping an arm around her waist and walked them over to the table in front of the gently flickering fireplace. Kate eased herself into her chair with a heavy sigh. Maybe she wasn’t as 100% as she initially thought.
Anthony quickly stirred a small amount of milk into the strained chai before handing it off to Kate. He dragged his chair to be closer to her, a hopeful expression on his face. It was his third time making it for her and he wanted it to be to her liking. Kate had tried to assure him that it was perfect but he was diligent in ensuring its perfection.
Kate sipped the warm chai, eyes flicking up to Anthonys expectant gaze, “Its perfect, thank you my darling,” Kate reached for Anthonys hand to gently squeeze it. He graced her with a smile that finally lit up his eyes. How they ever managed to deny themselves of this, these mornings, this uninhibited joy could almost make Kate laugh. Almost. She had been without him for too long and committed to finding him in every life to make up for time lost. One lifetime would never be enough, she would not allow it.
Anthony poured himself a cup of chai and took in the quiet morning they were carving out for themselves. He was tired but the crackling of the fireplace and Kates breathing settled over him like a warm blanket. Anthony leaned back in his chair and turned to gaze at Kate who looked over her teacup at him with a raised eyebrow. The braid Anthony had plaited the night before was coming undone, her inky curls framing her face in the sweetest way. It was his favourite look on her. She of course was beautiful no matter the state of her dress and hair but it reminded him of their first meeting. Kate had rolled her eyes when he told her he believed he was born loving her, even if he did not know it. That morning was proof enough to him that his spirit was owned by Kate. Happily and willingly.
“I know that look. You’re thinking about our first race,” Kate commented, taking a sip of her chai. It really was quite good.
Anthony leaned towards Kate with a mischievous smirk on his face and said, “I thought that I was not worthy enough competition for our meeting to be a race. Thank you for reconsidering, my love,” Anthony’s smirk widened to an outright grin at the affronted look on Kates face.
Setting her tea cup down roughly on the table, Kate drew herself up straight and levelled her husband with an unimpressed stare.
“Labelling our first meeting as a race is as accurate as your shooting in the field and skills in Pall Mall, Anthony. You have much to learn and catch up on,” Kate knew she was smirking by the end but the put out look on Anthony’s face was too good. He knew he couldn’t even argue her point. She had bested him far too many times and they both knew it.
Kate leaned across the arm of her seat to rest her head on her husbands shoulder. She intertwined their hands on his lap and murmured gently, “Thank you for caring for me this week. I know it hasn’t been easy,”.
Anthony sighed and covered their joined hands with his hand, gently rubbing his thumb over Kate’s ring. He picked up the habit nervously over the course of the week Kate had been sick.
“There is no place I would rather be,” Anthony quietly said into her hair. He had been running himself ragged until Kate had firmly put her foot down and forced him to care for himself. Kate knew he had been denying his need for sleep, a proper meal and judging by the state of his hair, a decent bath. She had to deny him entry in their bed until he had a proper meal, bath and nap in that order. Anthony had felt guilty that she had taken on caring for him when she was the one sick in bed but if there was one person he could accept care from it was Kate.
Kate raised her hand to place it gently over Anthonys heart. She felt his heartbeats steady and strong from under her fingers. It was her favourite sound in the world. It was her companion on stormy nights when Anthony would read to her and she laid her head on his chest listening as his voice rumbled in her ear. It soothed her in a way that nothing else in this world could and assured her that as long as her beat in time with his, everything in her world was as it should be.
Feeling her eyelids begin to droop, Kate let her body relax. Anthony knew Kate was not far off from falling asleep and moved to readjust her without disturbing the blanket wrapped around her body. He silently lifted her into his arms and held Kate close to his chest, tucking his head over hers. She sighed gratefully and curled further into his open sleep shirt. Anthony walked over to their bed slowly to let Kate down, all without her waking. Anthony pulled the blankets over her and gazed lovingly at her sleeping face. Despite the gentle wheeze coming from her chest and the faint sheen of sweat on her face, Kate looked so peaceful and safe. Anthony stroked her cheek with the back of his hand before dropping a kiss to her brow.
“Goodnight, Kathani,” Anthony murmured, moving to turn back to the abandoned tea set by the fire. But before he could take a step away he felt Kates hand grab his gently.
“I don’t remember dismissing my escort,” Kate said quietly, eyes barely open. Anthony huffed a silent laugh and bent to bow apologetically to his wife.
“My apologies, Lady Bridgerton,” He kissed the back of her hand before letting it go to make his way around to his side of the bed. He slid under one of the three blankets he had layered and wrapped his arms around Kates shivering form. She sighed with content and let her hands rest over where Anthonys had settled over her stomach. Anthony tucked his head down to rest his lips against the curve of her shoulder and felt the vestiges of sleep pull at his body.
Everything else would keep for another few hours. Anthony was in dire need of Kate within the circle of his arms and she in need of rest and his steadfast company. An arrangement that suited them both in every way. A life that suited them both in every way.