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Angry footsteps could be heard echoing down the hall.
Kate watched with amusement as Colin stormed into the sitting room and started pacing back and forth.
"That husband of yours is complete unreasonable! You would think I was asking for the moon and not a brief trip to Greece".
Any amusement Kate felt disappeared in an instant the moment Colin decided to disrespect her husband. She knew exactly what Anthony had sacrificed and continued to sacrifice to provide for his family and to hear one of them show such ingratitude made her blood boil. But she was a viscountess and apparently it was time to act like one. Wasn't one of Anthony's interview questions about how to deal with a daughter who would overspend? Well it wasn't just daughters who had a tendency to overspend as was becoming increasingly obvious.
With a sugary sweet smile Kate began weaving her web " Colin, it's sweet of you to ask for Anthonys blessing but you're a grown man. You don't need his permission to travel".
"See, exactly!"
"It's your life and your money. You should be able to do as you please".
"Well . . . it's not exactly my money" Colin replied haltingly.
"Colin" Kate replied condescendingly "It is finance 101 that if you don't have enough money to buy something at the current moment you should wait until you have the necessary funds".
"However, I understand the season is about to end so it is a convenient time for you to go. Were you unhappy with the repayment plan Anthony suggested? I can't imagine he would charge you more that 4% interest given that that is what you would receive should you take a loan out from the bank. I'm sure that when you return from your trip you would be able to repay any loan quickly enough. You are a bachelor and can have no great expenses. With a bit of budgeting and discipline you should be able to pay back any debt in no time".
"Well, I mean that is to say. . . I should not think that" Colin stammered.
"That reminds me, I have not had the chance to ask you about your profession. What is it that you do for funds? I should know these things as your sister-in-law." Kate was positively grinning on the inside as Colin started to sweat.
"Well I have not truly found my calling as of yet. I do receive an allowance every quarter and so I use that to pay for my bachelor quarters and some staff". Colin explained.
"An allowance?" Kate asked with some confusion. "Does that word perhaps have a different meaning here in England? Where I come from an allowance is a sum of money given by a parent or guardian. . .
"Yes that is what it means" Colin interrupted.
". . . to a child who is too young to earn their own money" Kate finished. "Do you mean to tell me that you are three and twenty and you do not have an occupation and what's more is that you are living on money that is given to you by your brother?" Kate asked with only partially false incredulity.
"I . . . but . . . how" Colin blustered as he started turning red in the face.
"It's Anthony's job to care for us!" He finally shouted.
"Care for you yes, until such time as you became an adult and could care for yourself" Kate carefully explained "Do you mean to tell me you planned on living this way forever? What happens when you decide to take a wife? Will Anthony be expected to pay for your wife's pin money or trips to the modiste?"
"Of course not but I have no intention of taking a wife any time soon" Colin managed to get out.
"Wait, if your allowance only pays for your bachelor quarters and some staff are you suggesting that you are asking Anthony to just give you the money to travel to Greece?" Kate exclaimed as if this thought just occurred to her.
"That is what he has done in the past" Colin said as pink spread across his cheeks.
"Colin, your brother loves you and wants you to be happy but I think you need to understand that at this point you are taking advantage of him. You have no idea how much Anthony has sacrificed for your family and what's worse is you don't seem to care. You are a grown man who has no job, no responsibility, and no idea of what real life is like. If you went to anyone else and asked for money for a trip with no intention of paying it back they would laugh in your face!" "Why should you be given money for something so frivolous when Anthony is working so hard to make sure your sisters have adequate dowries or that we can pay all our staff?"
"By all accounts you should be working towards making your own way in this world so that you can set up an establishment for your future" Kate continued to try and educate the naive Bridgerton son.
Colin sat down on the settee. His brow furrowed and his hands clenched as he tried to make sense of the alien concepts Kate was putting forth. He didn't like how this conversation was going.
"I suppose I have never really thought about my future" Colin finally responded.
"I don't know even what I would do or where I would start" Colin muttered.
"Start by thinking about what you enjoy doing or what you are good at." Kate encouraged. "I have heard Penelope say that you are an excellent writer" Kate hedged.
"Writing?" "hmm" Colin stood and started to pace again.
Kate sat back and had a sip of her tea, hiding a smile behind her cup.
"I think i will retire to my lodgings. I have much to think on" Colin declared as he was already making his way to the door.
"I hope we will see you for supper tonight brother" Kate asked.
"Yes I will return for supper" He replied absently as he left the room.
Kate hummed.
"That was masterfully done!"
Kate whirled around.
"Anthony! How long have you been there?" Kate cried.
"I followed behind Colin as he left my study. I heard everything" Anthony moved into the room. He strode to her side and took her hands as he knelt before her.
"Never before has someone defended me to my siblings. You are a wonder Kathani Bridgerton and I thank God every day that I have you in my life" he whispered fervently.
Anthony started placing kisses along her hands and wrists. Kate felt her face heat as desire started to consume her.
"Then perhaps we should retire to our chambers so you can adequately express your thankfulness" Kate teased.
Without another word Anthony swept her into his arms as he hurried up the stairs to their room where he spent the next few hours showing her exactly how wonderful he thought she was.