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It should be known that Mary thought the new bouquets of flowers that seemed to be popping up every few days, were lovely and added another pop of color to Lady Danbury’s sitting room.
Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, on the other hand, spotted the bouquets of roses, carnations, and daisies that were most definitely not from Mr.Palmer’s Flower Shop, the flower shop Bridgertons have been attending to for the past 2 decades, and saw red. A note from Lord Richardson peeked out of the top of a bouquet reading, “To Miss Kate Sharma”.
What kind of imbecile was giving Kate, his Kate, roses when everyone knows her favorite flower was tulips.
Well, maybe not everyone, but the people that mattered, did. Like him.
Besides, Lady Danbury’s sitting room was already lovely enough with the bouquets he brought.
The indignation that initially came from finding out that he had been the only one to bring Kate flowers had faded (how could the rest of these fools not see Kate’s beauty?) and was replaced by a simple sort of pleasure that this was just one more special thing for the two of them. Last week, Anthony was puzzled by the lilies that had shown up at Bridgerton House, not for Eloise (that was a headache for another time), but for an “A.Bridgerton”. It wasn’t clear until he saw his soon-to-be betrothed who questioned if she was the first to send him flowers as well.
He had been the first to bring Kate flowers, but not the last.
It seemed since the Bridgertons were back in the good graces of the Queen- (“I saw that the spark of true love, that fire in their eyes, was missing. And you know all I want is for my subjects to be happy. I called off the wedding, and now look, my diamond Miss Edwina Sharma is happily being courted by my nephew and Lord Bridgerton is free to do as he pleases.”) -all eyes were on them again. Anthony Bridgerton’s eyes were only on Miss Kate Sharma, so the Ton, specifically the eligible men of the Ton, followed.
It started last week, just a few days after the Featherington Ball. Anthony had been unable to join Kate for their secret morning ride since he promised Francesca he would be at Bridgerton House to break fast with her and hear all about her new pianoforte tutor, then stuck in meetings at Parliament arguing about this or that, leading him to be quite desperate to see his beloved.
If the other Lords knew of his desperation, of why he was in such a rush to end their meetings, they would mock him endlessly. Look at how the 9th Viscount Bridgerton has been brought to his knees.
It was their loss; he had gotten a taste of this feeling, this all-consuming love and had never felt more peace, but also more urgency in his life.
It was later in the day than Anthony wished- his secretary stopped him just as he was to walk out the door to inform him that one of the tenant’s farming troubles because of the freeze had only worsened, then having to stop at Mr.Palmer’s to pick up the bouquet they had gotten used to him requesting, before he could finally head to Lady Danbury’s house in a haste.
Anthony slowed walking into the foyer, seeing a tall Mr.Brackley also holding flowers in his hand. He vaguely remembered an uncomfortable dance his mother made Eloise share with him.
“Brackley,” Anthony nodded.
The man jumped at the noise and turned to face him, “Bridgerton.”
Anthony cleared his throat to break the silence as the two men stood in the entryway waiting for the footman to return. It was good that Edwina was receiving callers again. She was still the diamond, after all, and the Queen had cleared up any hint of scandal.
“For Miss Sharma?” he asked with a nod towards the bouquet in Brackley’s hand.
“Yes, we had the most enlightening conversation about my studies on the nitrogen content of clovers at the Cranfield’s dinner last night, and I knew I had to call on her this morning.”
“Ah, I see. I had no idea she had an interest in botany,” Anthony remarked.
“Phytochemistry.”
“Sorry?”
“Phytochemistry. It’s the study of chemicals derived from plants and their effects. Not botany.”
“Right. Of course. Apologizes.”
Anthony shifted his bouquet from one hand to another. Where was the damn footman? Did it really take that long to announce he was here? If it wasn’t for Brackley, he would’ve rushed to the drawing room to see Kate already- despite her scolding, Lady Danbury had gotten used to his dashing through the hallways.
“She’s lovely, don’t you think?”
Well, for a sister-in-law, Edwina was perfectly acceptable. The tension seemed to thaw over the past few weeks, though at times, the awkwardness was still there.
“Yes, of course.”
“I can’t believe I missed out on courting her for almost half the season, I know everyone thinks she’s just a spinster, but she’s so much more than that.”
Spinster? “Pardon?”
Apparently once Brackley got started, he didn’t stop- “And Miss Sharma was saying how Lady Danbury’s cook makes the loveliest lemon cake-”
“Yes I know I’ve had it-” Anthony snapped. The nerve! How dare he call on Kate when she was spoken for?
Technically, Anthony couldn’t call Brackley’s honor into question just yet. They were prolonging the courting period to reduce scandal- it was the least they could do to tame the gossip and calm their mothers. Miss Sharma (Kate, to him, and only to him, Anthony reminded himself) was allowed to entertain callers whilst they were courting.
It was the principle of the matter. Did he need to stand in the middle of townsquare and proclaim for the whole Ton to hear that he was in love with Kathani Sharma?
The drama of it all would be enough to bring back Lady Whistledown, but he would do it.
It wasn’t just outsiders hoping to usurp him. Apparently, Anthony had competition inside his own home-
“What do you mean Kate won’t be able to join us?” Gregory stomped his foot, reminding Anthony that he is, in fact, his baby brother.
“I mean exactly what I am saying, the time got away from us as we were strolling The Park and Kate needed to return home to get ready for tonight's ball. Not to worry, Greg, there will be plenty of tea times in the future.”
“This is all your fault!” Technically, his brother wasn’t wrong there. If it hadn’t been for the excursion behind the hedges from which Anthony and Kate returned looking more flushed and with a few wrinkles in his vest that definitely weren’t there when his valet helped him get ready in the morning, then they probably would’ve made it back to Bridgerton House with time for tea.
“I won’t get to see her tonight and everyone else will! Why do you get all the time with her? ”
“Gregory, I had been busy with my secretary all morning and she is my intended-”
His brother stomped his foot again. “You haven’t even proposed! You can’t go around calling her your intended.”
“I know!” Anthony replied a little too forcefully. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. “I know, Gregory. Trust me when I say that if I could, I would arrange the fastest carriage in London and head to Greta Green tonight with Kate.”
Anthony put a hand on Gregory’s shoulder and pulled him close, “But I can’t, because I want to give Kate the courtship she deserves. The wedding she deserves. I want to stand in front of God, all my brothers”- he ruffles Gregory’s hair- “and sisters as I marry the woman I love.”
Gregory looked up to Anthony and slightly smiled, not quite the smirk that Anthony, Benedict, and Colin had grown into, but it was getting there. “Brother, I think I’m in love with Kate too.”
“Greg-”
“But not like you, maybe it’s more like what I feel when Francesca distracts Mother so I can go outside and catch frogs.”
“Yes, I think it is,” Anthony mused.
“I suppose I can just show Kate my spider collection another day.” Gregory stated, stepping back and heading towards the stairs, picking up his pace as he spoke.
“Collection? Collection! Gregory, get rid of those spiders right now!”
They had already danced together twice at this ball, a quadrille and a waltz that seemed to go by far too quickly. Anthony was reluctant to let go, knowing that a third dance would only bring whispers, but if these dances were the only time he would be able to hold her close for the next few months, he sure as hell wanted them to last.
Kate felt Anthony’s grip tighten slightly around her waist. “My lord,” she prompted, watching his eyes darken when she referred to him by his title, “I do need to give my feet a break eventually.”
Anthony sighed and took a small step back, still closer than propriety would suggest. “Worry not, my feet also need some time to heal after being stepped on so many times,” Anthony smirked, “I shall get some refreshments.”
Anthony turned with a glass of lemonade in his hand, narrowly avoiding the portly Mr.Balfour hustling to the cakes table to retrieve another slice, only to look up and see Kate speaking with Lord Wharton. Wharton gave Kate a shallow bow before reaching over to sign her dance card.
He watched as they conversed, Wharton growing more animated with each passing second, and Kate nodding along with him. The music started up again and Wharton reached out for Kate’s hand, leading her to the dance floor.
Their conversation did not stop the entire time, as they danced in sync. It seemed Wharton was not only a skilled dancer, but also a thrilling conversationalist. Anthony stared at the pair, spinning around, for a long moment.
This is fine. This is perfectly acceptable. Of course, Kate would want to meet other people. She is soon to be a Viscountess- it is important for her to socialize. Meet people like Edward Brandy, the first person Anthony saw when he walked into the ball, as Brandy had been standing next to Kate, and by the looks of her face, having a very fascinating conversation.
Something clawed in his chest making it hard to breathe.
“You look ready to strangle Wharton.”
Anthony jumped, nearly spilling the lemonade still occupying his hand. “Brother.”
He cleared his throat. “Shouldn’t you be out there on the dance floor, wooing the debutantes? It doesn’t matter how many of your paintings end up in the National Gallery, Mother will see you walk down the aisle.”
“She’s far too busy with your wedding arrangements to worry about me right now,” Benedict responded, nodding his head to the dance floor and the woman plaguing his dreams.
The reminder that she was not alone on said dance floor was stifling.
Anthony straightened, “I just recalled, I left some very important work that needs to be completed back at my study. Do give this to Miss Sharma and pass along my apologies?”
Benedict made no move to take the glass from Anthony. He looked from Anthony to Kate and Lord Wharton, then back to Anthony. “No, I don’t think I will. You can tell Miss Sharma yourself.”
Anthony tensed. Besides the lady of the conversation, his brother was the only one who could read him.
“Benedict.”
He did not want to leave Kate’s side but truly did not think he could witness this dance- or any other dance with another man- any longer.
“Anthony,” Benedict sighed, “if you wish to build a life together, don’t you think-”
“Alright, fine, I’ll do it myself.” Anthony tightened his grip on the lemonade in his hand and approached Kate.
“Miss Sharma, your lemonade”
“Thank you, I was just speaking to Lord Wharton about crop rotation- ”
“I must be heading out now.”
“Is everything alright?” Kate took a step closer to him, closer than what may have been appropriate for an unwed couple in public, overwhelming his senses with her signature lily scent .
“Yes. yes, of course.” Anthony gave her a tight smile. “It is just some legalese I must get through, enjoy your night.”
He took her empty hand and brushed his lips against her fingers. When he looked up, the depth at which Kate was staring at him, the knowing in her eyes because she knew that he was holding something back, nearly made him forget the ledgers that were sitting on his desk and whisk her away to the gardens.
He turned and disappeared into the night, pretending like he could breathe.
The bell jingled as another family entered Mayfair’s newest sorbet shop.
He had planned to bring Gregory and Hyacinth here today, but their governess informed him that they’d run off not once, but twice today and caused her to run through mud to find them, he knew he could not reward such behaviors. Tomorrow, however, was a new day.
It was no matter, he was with the one person he would never complain about seeing, unless it was of course, like she was right now. Looking entirely enticing in a rich, magenta dress that fit her curves oh so well, but unfortunately in public with far too many eyes watching them.
The Ton could only watch as the infamous Capital “R” Rake and the spinster sister of the diamond laughed and bickered with their sweet dish.
Everything was above board, ensured by her maid chaperoning a safe distance away. Mostly above board- the tablecloths were long and Kate, that little minx, decided to tease him by trailing her foot up the side of his calf, making Anthony more frustrated by the moment. Kate didn’t even know how each time she licked the spoon of her strawberry sorbet clean, he got closer and closer to snapping. Although, after one particularly sensually lick resulting in a grunt from him and a smirk from her, Anthony wondered, perhaps she did know.
The jeweler had promised that Kate’s betrothal ring would be ready by the end of the week, so that he could finally, finally , get a moment alone with her and get his payback.
It all came crashing down when out of the corner of his eye, Anthony saw Lord Richardson quite appreciatively gaze at Kate, apparently noticing her new pink dress as well.
“I must speak with you.” Kate started.
“You as well.”
“Last night at the ball, I was speaking with Lord Wharton-” The last thing Anthony wanted to hear about was Kate’s enchanting dance with Wharton. All he did last night after returning home, was imagine Kate in Wharton’s arms and drink himself to stupor. He could only imagine her getting swept up, why stop at one dance, they had the whole night after he left.
It should be his arms wrapped around her. His feet that she is stepping on. His jokes that she is laughing at.
Perhaps she had grown tired of him, and realized she deserved better.
No. No, Kate knows how he feels about her and his love for her. They had promised each other honesty and that is what she will get.
“I was jealous,” he spit out, interrupting her.
“I was jealous of Wharton, that was why I left.” He shook his head, “I know, I know we are still courting and you are welcome to dance with other men. Those other men would be so lucky to get a cotillion with you, but I hope you know my intent is still to marry you and love you for the rest of my days here on Earth.”
Kate didn’t say anything, wide-eyed at his revelation, before a small smirk crept up her face.
“You were jealous?”
“Yes, of Wharton, of Brackley, hell even Brandy. Brandy, ” he stressed, “would not know decorum if it hit him in the face.”
“You were jealous of their fertilizer knowledge?” Kate teased.
Anthony huffed, “No, you maddening women, I was jealous of the time they spent with you. I had no idea you were so interested in plants, but had I known, I would’ve read up on it.”
“I’m not interested in plants.” Like he said, maddening woman.
“Then why-”
“But I thought you should be.”
“What?”
“You mentioned the field crops were struggling because of the freeze, and I was just trying to-” Kate suddenly held back, unlike anything Anthony had seen before.
She cleared her throat, sat up straight and started again. “Well, I was just trying to help, like a proper viscountess does. Actually I don’t know if a proper viscountess involves herself in business affairs, but I thought if I could help ease your burden. A couple spins around the dance floor could save you hours of research or hundreds of pounds.”
Kate leaned over and pressed her thumb against the furrow of his brow, “You’ve been so stressed lately, I wished to aid any way I could. Even just enough to give you some serenity so you could sleep through the night.”
She could’ve returned to her teasing, but Kate saw the crack of light from his walls coming down. There was something Anthony needed to hear from her, to be reminded by her, before it was too late and they were built back up.
“My love,” Kate reaches over to grasp his hand, “you should know my intent is still to marry you and love you for the rest of my days here on Earth.”
She squeezed his hand once, “That is why I have been avidly seeking out farming knowledge from books and these other men. I wouldn’t do that for just anyone.”
Kate gave him a small smile, “Now, what do you know about four-year rotation cycles?”
The tightness in his chest unraveled. He let out an exhale that he’d been holding on to for the past several days. “Not much, but I’d be delighted to hear what you can inform me.”
Soon. Soon. Just needed to wait till the end of the week. Three days, seventy-two hours, four thousand something minutes, and Kate Sharma would be his fiancee.
A laugh from behind him reminds Anthony what brought about this conversation, “And Lord Richardson?”
“Hm?”
“Lord Richardson sent flowers to you, did he not?”
Kate takes another scoop from her sorbet, leaving Anthony to only watch as the spoon disappears into her mouth and her tongue slips out to trace her lips. “He did, didn’t he? I had nearly forgotten about that. No, I do not recall speaking to him about the freeze.”
“Then he-” Anthony broke off; his grip tightening around his spoon.
Richardson, once more and I shall demand satisfaction!
Kate knew what Anthony was thinking as his gaze hardened. “Anthony, do not dare-” she glares. “Do something rash.”
She tightened her grip on his hand, entirely too intimate for the public eye, but the only person she was looking at was him. “I’m here with you. Forever.”
“Forever,” he whispered, bringing their joined hands up to press a kiss to her fingers.
“Besides, you know I’m a far better shot.”
“You are not!”