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If it wouldn't be so hilarious Viscountess Kathani Bridgerton would non-stop roll her eyes about her husband.
Her dear, idiot husband, the most honorable Viscount Bridgerton, feared by many in the Ton was acting like a fool. And why was Lord Bridgerton acting like a twit? Because he was not dancing with his wife.
It was a known fact now that Anthony Bridgerton was obsessed with his her.
And she totally besotted with him.
Their whole courtship, engagement and their wedding was scrutinized by the Ton. The Queen was on their side but even that couldn't put all the whispers out. Everyone watched them in the beginning, hoping to see missteps and cracks in the facade. Rumors were flying around why they married, why the marriage between her sister and Anthony didn´t happen and in general about them.
But after a while the Ton realized that there was no truth behind most of the crazy rumors flying around. There was just one truth.
They are in love. And that is the reason for everything.
And how did the Ton first realize that the marriage between Kathani and Anthony Bridgerton was a love match?
Simply, Viscount Bridgerton followed his dear wife everywhere. He was always by her side. Pushed people out of the way when they were in his way to her. Starring furiously at anyone that looked mockingly or rude in her direction and insulted anyone that dared to say something uncalled-for to her.
He was a menace, unstoppable in his pursuit to fight for the honor of his wife.
He also danced every dance with her and didn't care how uncalled the Ton found this. He allowed only his brothers to dance with her and then also only once each. Every other dance belonged to him.
So it wasn't long before the Ton realized how hung up Lord Bridgerton was with his wife.
The family of course knew it before the Ton and all found Anthony's behavior funny. Benedict and Colin especially saw their big brother´s unpredictable behavior as just hysterically funny.
And it didn't take long for them to start to find ways to vex their big brother.
It started simple. Both of them intercepted Anthony when he was getting something to drink for her. Occupied him with trivial small talk, keeping him from directly returning to his wife. To the amusement of Kate were her brothers-in-law able to keep her husband so long occupied till his face almost completely turned red and he pushed them out of the way to reach her again. He was completely irritated and hated it. And because he did, she loved it.
And it kept getting better.
After their first ventures into vexing their brother with simple interception, both Benedict and Colin, add up their play. They started to make him late to different soirees, to balls or any social gathering. Delayed him with the help of their other siblings. They pushed other people in his way when he wanted to reach her. Kept him in conversations he didn´t wanted to participate in. Conversations he couldn't leave so simply. His face and whole demeanor getting more angry by the day. They also started to dance more than one dance with her and motivated other gentlemen to dance with her. It was like a sport for the Bridgerton brothers and not long after for the whole Ton.
Then after the first few meddlings from the two and the hilarious behavior the fearful viscount showed, the Ton decided to participate in the new entertainment:
Vexing Lord Anthony Bridgerton.
Kate suddenly found herself to be the most sought after person at every ball, dinner, opera and even promanading. People started conversations with her, pulling her from her husband's side, started to interfere with Anthony´s plans and made her husband more and more angry and amused Kate more and more.
It started to be her favorite part of any social event she participated in.
Tonight´s ball was just the highlight in Kate´s entertainment.
It started with Benedict keeping Anthony longer at White´s than necessary. When he arrived at home Kate was already on the way to the ball. When Anthony finally arrived was Kate dancing her second dance with Colin. When the dance ended Anthony was surrounded by three gentlemen that started a discussion about a new law. When he finally could detach himself from the group Kate was already dancing again. This time with Benedict.
And this game lasted the whole evening. As soon as a dance ends, someone interferes with Anthony or Kate sends him away for some lemonade, only to be stopped by a family member, a friend or another Lord just anyone. And when Anthony finally could detach himself Kate was on the dancefloor. Again, dancing with one of her brothers-in-law or some gentleman.
And now they are here. She was dancing with Benedict again, Anthony was standing at the side and was fuming. The dance was almost over and like a silent signal Colin and Simon moved to Anthony to keep him again occupied. But when Kate looked over something was different as in the last weeks. Anthony no longer looked angry at the disruption, he looked sad, dejected.
When the last notes of the music were played Kate didn´t wait one second. She directly walked over to her husband. Pushing Colin and Simon out of the way and took Anthony´s arm.
“My love, there you are. I think we should go outside and get some fresh air.” Without waiting for his reply Kate dragged him to the terasse and into the garden.
“What was that?” asked Colin.
“I think Kate just stopped our jest for good” replied Simon.
“Maybe it is for the best. I think just one day more and Anthony would have killed someone.”
Outside in the garden Kate led Anthony to a secluded area. When they arrived she turned around and just looked at him. He looked hurt.
“My love…I have to apologize. We just wanted to have a bit of fun with you. But I think we've gone too far.” She moved closer to him, taking his hands into hers.
“You looked so sad and resigned. LIke you gave up.”
“Kathani. I would never give up. Especially on you. This evening it was just too much. I know I overreacted in a lot of situations in the past. That I was a bit obsessive with you.”
“A bit?”
“Fine. A lot. But I love you so much. I just want to spend all the time I can at your site.”
“Anthony..I love you too! You know this. And I understand you. I also want to spend as much time as I can with you. We made a mistake. We took it too far. Please, forgive us.”
Anthony just sighed and nodded. “I forgive you. And also my idiot brothers. But don´t repeat it. I can´t guarantee for my reaction.”
“Of course!I will not and I will make sure Benedict and Colin too” she said and hugged him. Their lips met in a tender kiss.
“You know, I think there would be a way to show me how sorry you really are,” he said in a seductive whisper, smiling at her.
“We could go now and you can show me your regret in our bedchamber.”
Kate started to laugh. “My o my Lord Bridgerton what would the Ton say?”
“I think it is clear what I think about the opinion of the Ton at this point.”
“True. Now my Lord, I think I have some amends to do.”