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The click on the door is the loveliest sound in the entire Bridgerton house that is permanantly alive with boisterous activity. Kate’s lips curve upwards. Sometimes it is a pause midday, before Anthony returns to his responsibilities and lets her focus on the running of the house. Sometimes it is a definite stop of any and all things that are left to pile up while they enjoy the sweetness of their honeymoon that lasts several months into their marriage. It happens daily, this embrace of domestic life. Mostly in their apartments, testing both the softness and the sturdiness of their new furniture, depending on their moods. It is always a fun little game to guess which way it will go.
Anthony walks in and stops by the half open door, gazing adoringly at her. Always with a deep breath of exultation. When he said that she was his favorite view he wasn’t exaggerating. So, every single time, Kate looks as though she is posing for a portrait he would enjoy.
“You’re back…” she welcomes him, being enveloped in his arms. Judging from the faint smell of cigar on Anthony’s clothes, his solicitor has been his latest meeting. “How was your meeting with Mr Brown?”
“Not nearly as good as our bed,” he whispers softly and his breath tickles the skin on her neck. “The thought of which was all that kept me through the day. Shall we return to it?”
A most delectable suggestion, but Kate has another matter in mind. “We need to discuss your mother first.”
“I know.” He sighs. “I know.” Before he lets go to come sit on her desk he traces her back, resting his hands briefly between her shoulder blades. When the contact moves from the fabric of her dress to her bare skin Kate shudders like it's the first time. For a moment she regrets initiating a conversation. What importance do words have compared to his touch, calming and thrilling at the same time…
“I’ve noticed that she's doing everything she can to delay her move.”
Kate has noticed the same. “She enjoys being a viscountess so much.”
Settled against the desk, Anthony rubs the exhaustion from his eyes. A decade’s worth of exhaustion that has not dwindled yet. “Perhaps too much,” he points out.
Kate must allow him a better understanding of his own mother. However…. “We cannot be unkind.”
“It would be unkind to let her dominate the space that now rightfully belongs to you, would it not?”
There's no stiffness in his non negotiating manner. Merely plain logic. Because he is alluding not only to her earlier declaration about her excitement to begin her new life, but also the natural order of things. It is her right to perform the viscountess' duties and he will not let anyone deprive her of it. But perhaps a smoother transition can suit all involved parties.
Kate reaches to twine their hands in a constant movement. “I am thrilled to take over but I have already spent years taking care of Edwina and running the Sharma household. And you…” With even strokes over his knuckles, she watches his reaction; humming with closed eyes. It makes her heart flutter, feeling the tension ease for him. It eases for her too. “I have not seen you happier than when you were away from the duty of running this place. So why not put ourselves first for once?”
“Another honeymoon?” In the midst of savouring his bliss Anthony is all too alert, one eyebrow shot up.
“Would the two of us spending more time together and alone not be the outcome you prefer?”
Hands still entwined, he lightly touches the tip of her nose. It is followed by a soft “nice try.”
It is rather, Kate thinks.
“No need. We can put ourselves first in the comfort of our home.”
“But…”
“My darling wife, we spent a small fortune to redecorate these apartments, overseeing the details for all the functioning aspects of these rooms as well as incorporating everything that reflects both of us, commissioning specific artwork for every empty square on the wall.”
To highlight his point he gestures at the portrait of Newton that took ages to finish because their dog could not sit still unless bribed with Cook’s delicacies. Something that Anthony delights in pointing out and Kate denies strongly even at the face of the strongest of evidence.
“He looks lovely,” she says proudly.
Anthony scoffs. “To the untrained eye, surely.”
“Anthony.”
“He bit me that day!” he cries. “Twice. I limped.”
“Yes,” Kate suppresses a giggle, obviously failing to display the support he expects. “It was a challenging afternoon.”
“Lovely,” he mimics her voice. “He looks like he's about to embark on a rampage but-” He changes the point he tries to make when he notices that Kate has something wordy to say in Newton’s defence. “It is fine because that's who Newton is and that is why I paid double of what Basset paid for his and Daphne’s official portraits as Duke and Duchess. To have his charming likeness in our apartments. In our own little bubble that will be exclusively ours. And I intend to enjoy it and not keep on sleeping in damp old inns across the country.”
Not once did he allow them to be accommodated in unsuitable lodgings but naturally, Anthony's tendency for dramatic statements would rear its annoying little head like clockwork.
“Kate, my beloved wife, I am happy wherever you are. Those are my requirements and my life with you meets them perfectly. Anytime and anyplace. You know that, don’t you?” He really waits for her reply and Kate nods, kissing his palm. “I simply dislike the idea of inconveniencing us for the next few weeks-”
“Months, actually,” Kate mumbles and watches as a mask of feigned horror covers his face. “I was thinking about us extending our honeymoon for a few months.”
“Months?” he echoes. “Is it an extended honeymoon you had decided, Kate, or a campaign?”
“Now, you're being deliberately vexing.” In contrast to her words, her tone suggests a seductive approach but is met with surprising resistance.
“What is vexing, viscountess, is that there are touring regiments that spend less time on the road than we have this past year.”
Kate needs another path. “If travelling tires you so, we could just go to Aubrey Hall.”
Another miss.
“I am neither a frail old man nor a recluse to keep to the countryside during the season.”
“If your whining is any indication you are closer to the latter than you believe.”
Not a very strategic reply but a very honest one. Anthony however doesn't seem to mind the insinuation. He seems rather amused by it.
“And once more, my love, you would be correct. But there's a factor you have not taken into account. Now,” he drops to his knees, nudging her legs apart. “I have the most beautiful and charming woman this city has seen and I fully intend to show you off at my arm at every tedious ball and mind numbing soiree. I will boast of my luck and happiness to anyone who will listen.”
“Like a proud peacock.”
“Like a proud peacock,” he intones. “It is rather fitting, don't you think?”
The feathers embroidered on her teal dress have been regularly replicated in his kerchiefs, waistcoats and cravats. It has become the first choice for a pattern once a new commission is ordered and his tailor has learned to not even ask. It has become a source of amusement among the Bridgertons to the point that Benedict’s idea of a gift just the week before was a pair of cufflinks with small peacock feathers on them.
The way Anthony looks at her indicates exactly what his thoughts are.
“It is difficult for me to stay on the topic when you look at me like that, viscount.”
“Then by all means.” He pulls himself, sighing between the kisses he dots on the top of her breasts. “Undress and speak no further.”
“But-” the word catches in her throat at the sensation that ripples throughout her body. “But we have to-”
“Oh, but I already have. We need our privacy and the opportunity to ease ourselves into the routine of duty and responsibilities. Rest assured, I have worked on the solution.”
Anthony winks at her, revelling in some victory he has yet to illuminate her on.
He is in a hurry to reveal her nakedness to him, pushing her skirt over her knees but Kate places one hand on his chest, fingers curling around his lapel, and one under his chin, tilting his head upwards. She knows that whatever he has decided on, will be the most suitable option but she’s curious for the specifics. “Details,” she demands.
Exceedingly overjoyed with the prospect of applying himself to her pleasure, he catches her thumb between his teeth and bites it lightly. Kate gasps and pseudo chastises him.
“Behave and explain.”
A hearty chuckle nearly throws him off balance but Kate quickly wraps her leg around him, pulling him forward. Anthony surprises her with a kiss.
“Vexing,” she moans into his mouth. “So very vexing, husband. I might have to punish you.”
“Is that a promise Kathani Bridgerton?”
“It will be a threat if you don't watch out.”
Anthony gestures in defeat and Kate relaxes her grip on his waistcoat.
“There's a perfect dowager house,” he begins. It is modest but elegant with a small morning room that resembles the one in Bridgerton house so Violet will appreciate it. Anthony vows it has enough space for everyone, including Colin and Benedict if they choose to stay with the rest of the family. The dining room can seat double their numbers so the family gatherings there will be comfortable whenever they manage to get everyone under one roof. It is situated in the middle of the distance between Bridgerton house and Clevydon house so his mother will feel them all close. The son has done his duty. And apparently the businessman also succeeded because the dowager house comes at a very reasonable price, as a part of a larger business venture he has secured with the owner. A deal that will be the envy among his peers once word gets out. “Mr Brown will draw the contract by the end of the week.”
Kate listens to the details of the plan and is reassured for its merits. But it is the attention he unfailingly pays to the task and the efficiency with which he has tackled yet another matter that improves their family life as well as their status and she melts with longing for him even as she is currently in his arms.
“I have just spoken to mother,” Anthony goes on. “We had an illuminating conversation. She was amenable of course, with little interludes of mild objections until she was very gently reminded of my grandmother's days as Dowager viscountess under the same roof. It was an easy conclusion after that point was made.”
Kate has an almost perfect relationship with her mother in law and she’s certain that Violet, who prioritises her children’s happiness, by the time for their tea she will be excited for the plan. It is what makes sense for everybody.
Life is good. Her life with Anthony is good.
“You have taken care of everything.”
“I did promise,” he says with a serious countenance because he once vowed that he wanted their life to suit them both. And from the morning after his proposal, he has been working tirelessly towards that goal.
“You did,” she says contentedly. “Now undress me and speak no further.”
He lifts her effortlessly and Kate is placed carefully but passionately on her desk. A test of sturdiness, she reckons.
Just what she needs.