Chapter Text
Good Morning Londoners,
It’s Lady Whistledown here, your one and only source on the scandalous lives of the Ton’s elite. Spotted: Kate Sharma getting off the train at King’s Cross. Why did she leave? Why did she return? Send me the deets. You know you love me, XO XO Lady Whistledown.
“Someone saw Kate Sharma get off the train at Kings Cross” said Cressida Cowper who showed the post to her circle of friends at another of their parents’ parties. Kate’s return was the most eventful thing to happen to the ton since her departure a year prior. The ruling class of Hanover Academy were gathered around the Sharma’s living room with the exception of Edwina Sharma and Anthony Bridgerton who had absconded to her bedroom.
Anthony and Edwina were in a heated makeout session when Edwina’s mother Mary knocked on the door.
“Kate’s here, come out and say hi”
“We should go say hi” Anthony says as he puts his shirt and jacket back on and leaves the room. Edwina sat back in a huff. There was always something keeping them from getting closer and she wondered if he still wanted her. Edwina soon composed herself and joined Anthony outside where they saw Kate walk up the stairs. Anthony and Kate’s eyes met. He had not seen her since she abruptly left before the beginning of the previous school year. Kate went over to her sister and broke the silence.
“I’ve missed you, Bon”
“As I have I, Didi” There was noticeable tension between the sisters. It was not only the Ton that was in the dark over Kate’s departure but Edwina as well. She had woken up to find out from their mother that Kate had left for boarding school in India. Anthony walked over to his best friend, Simon Bassett, who had been watching them from afar .
“You better hope Lady Whistledown doesn’t find out”, Simon says before taking another sip of his drink.
The next morning in the Sharma house, Edwina and Kate woke up with anticipation for the school day but in much different spirits. Edwina did her morning ritual and put on her outfit she had chosen the night before. As the Queen Bee of Hanover, she had to look impeccable. In the room next door, Kate slowly got out of bed and put on her uniform. It had been a year since she had worn the school’s crest and it felt heavy on her chest. When the Sharma sisters sat down for breakfast, there was a noticeable tension. They mostly ate in silence with their mother occasionally interjecting with small talk. They rode in the family car to Hanover Academy, the most elite school in London for the richest families. As they arrived, Edwina got out to greet her friends who complimented her on her impeccable taste. Penelope Fetherington greeted Edwina and handed her a box.
“Thank you for doing the invitations. And as promised”, Edwina said as she handed one to an eager looking Penelope.
“Invitations for what?’ Kate asked as she walked over.
“The Diamond Ball, of course,” said Cressida Cowper.
“I’m sorry Didi but there are no more invitations left. If I had known before yesterday you were returning, I could have saved you one” said Edwina with a sneer.
“She can have mine”, Penelope started to say before Edwina shut her down.
Spotted: Sister showdown on the Academy steps. Didn’t K know there has been a regime change in her absence?
Anthony arrived with his brothers Benedict and Colin and sisters Daphne and Eloise. The Bridgertons were one of the oldest and well respected families of the ton. Their family had been attending the institution for generations with Anthony expected to go on to Oxford as his father had. He felt the burden to lead the family after his father’s sudden death two years ago. Benedict and Colin had certain expectations but were largely free to do as they pleased. Daphne had solidified her place in Edwina’s inner circle and had tamed one of the most notorious rakes in town. Eloise was a free spirit who was counting down the days to graduation to be free of teenage drama. Her childhood best friend, Penelope, was desperate to gain entry to the inner circle and their friendship was no longer what it once was.
Anthony headed straight towards Edwina and gave her a kiss with Kate watching. The Sharmas and Bridgertons had all but arranged their marriage as kids and Anthony and Edwina had practically been together since nursery school. Anthony, being the obedient son he was, continued to pursue the relationship. While he did love Edwina, it was not the passionate love he had seen between his parents.
“Dearest”, greeted Edwina which Anthony responded with a chaste kiss. At Hanover, they were the golden couple with Anthony expected to attend Oxford as his father did and Edwina to follow the next year. The plan was perfect, too perfect maybe. Anthony was to lead the family business with Edwina to serve as his trophy wife. Kate had never been a fan of the relationship and believed that he was merely using her sister. Anthony and Kate never saw eye to eye and would be competing for the top spots in all their classes and extracurriculars. In her absence, he had become Student Council President and Head Boy. Their competitiveness had led to a loud fight at a party where they gave into bubbling feelings and continued an ongoing affair. The only person who knew was his best friend, Simon who had seen them at one of their parents’ events. The next day, Kate had left with no notice to anyone.
The other arriving students were all looking at Kate, who stood uncomfortably to the side, and all wondering the same thing: why did she leave and why did she return? Kate entered the school alone with all eyes on her including Anthony.
At lunch, Anthony, Edwina, Daphne and Simon sat at their usual table in the center of the cafeteira. Benedict and Colin sat with other year 12 girls they were hoping to shag, Penelope and Cressida sitting not far from Edwina, should the queen need anything and Eloise sat with her own group of friends. As Kate walked in, tray in hand, it's as if the world stopped. Any conversations, makeout sessions, texting came to a halt. The silence stopped with a ding, indicating the latest Lady Whistledown blast.
Spotted: A former queen surveying her former court. Will even the jesters accept her?
The energy in the room resumed and as Kate got closer to her sisters’ table, Anthony got even closer to Edwina, increasing the PDA. Simon and Daphne stopped their conversation, watching to see what would happen.
“Bon. Bridgerton. Daph. Basset”, greeted Kate. Daphne cringed at the nickname; the two girls used to be close but like their other friends was hurt when Kate left without a trace. Simon gave a polite smile but seeing the look on his girlfriend’s face, quickly stopped. Kate was not surprised by the hurt look on her former friends’ faces but it still hurt just the same. She walked away and found a table to sit by herself.
The day proceeded with students whispering and staring at Kate, her arrival being so sudden and coming with many questions. Anthony wouldn’t even look at her in any of the classes they shared together. As the last bell rang, Anthony and Simon went off to Student Council and Edwina and her friends went to a cafe to discuss the upcoming Diamond Ball. Usually, Kate would be involved with one of more activities but after a year away, she didn’t know her place anymore. As she prepared to leave, she saw Anthony getting something at his locker. She apprehensively approached him.
“I thought you had Student Council”. Anthony looked up as she spoke.
“I had to get something…why am I explaining myself to you?” Anthony replied snidely.
“I know that I have some explaining to do”.
“Explaining? Yeah that’s an understatement”.
“I want to be honest with you about why I left”, Kate started to say before Anthony cut her off.
“I know why. You shagged your sister’s boyfriend and couldn’t handle telling her”. Anthony said before slamming his locker and walking away.