Work Text:
December 13th, 1814
“Even you have to admit, the lack of balls and dip in the social events makes for a dull off season,” Kate says with a sigh from her spot on the settee.
Kate, Anthony, and Benedict are the last ones in the drawing room at Bridgerton house following a lively dinner filled with the whole family. Since Kate's surprise arrival in London the previous morning, Violet tittered about claiming they must have a dinner with all of her children.
Anthony shakes his head. “I said you could stay in Kent and enjoy the trappings of Aubrey Hall in the winter!”
"Your letter said you will need to stay in London for another two weeks per a big vote in Parliament. You did not marry a woman who sits around waiting for her husband to return home. If you’re in London, I’m in London,” Kate replies with finality.
Anthony's expression turns soft as he stands up from the chair adjacent to Kate and takes a seat next to her. "I am not arguing that, darling. I love that you're here, and I am well aware you are not one who remains idle. I just did not think you would want to return to the city when I know you prefer the country."
"I may not enjoy the city, but I would always prefer to be with you," Kate says, taking Anthony's hand and squeezing it. The pair sigh softly as they look into each other's eyes...until Benedict clears his throat reminding them of his presence.
Kate snaps out of the reverie and continues, "Nevertheless, I am quite bored."
“Well, as long as you’re both here, have nothing to do, why don't you come with me to a soirée a friend of mine is hosting,” Benedict offers with a sly grin.
Anthony scoffs while Kate's face lights up. They speak at the same time.
"Absolutely not."
"Yes! We shall join you."
It must be a testament to how much wine he drank at dinner, his desire to please Kate, and, (though he would not admit it), he would also not mind some excitement. With Anthony's reluctant agreement the trio pile into a carriage and venture off into the night.
"Now, what kind of 'soirée' is this? And please tell me it's not what I walked in on when I visited you at the Academy," Anthony asks, eyeing his brother warily.
Benedict hums and replies in a sing-song voice, "You'll just have to see."
"Oh this is already thrilling! Isn't it, dear?" Kate says, looking at her husband expectantly.
Anthony huffs. "Yes, dear. It's very exciting." Still, after all of the stress and heartache he put Kate (and himself) through last season, witnessing her unbridled excitement next to him is a revelation and he can’t take his eyes off of her.
After a fairly quick ride across town, they pull up to an unassuming town house. Immediately stepping out of the carriage they can already hear rowdy voices coming from inside. Anthony looks down the road and recognizes the area from his days as a notorious rake.
"Benedict," he growls, "where have you taken us? Will this even be safe for Kate? Need I remind you our family does not need another scandal, and if someone spots Lady Bridgerton entering a party such as this, it could ruin-
"Oh, relax, Anthony! Lady Whistledown hasn’t written in months, and by the time spring comes around there will surely be greater scandals than this,” Kate reassures, not bothering to hold back an eye roll. Benedict snickers.
“It’s perfectly safe, brother. We’re just here to have a good time. It’s like White’s, except with music and dancing…and a bit of undignified behavior, but that’s neither here nor there. Let’s go!” Benedict swoops in and slides Kate’s arm through his as he leads them inside.
Benedict knocks on the door three times, waiting for someone to open it from the inside. After a few seconds he shrugs and turns the knob.
Immediately upon entering they are assaulted by smoke and the loud voices of the party, with the sound of women squealing cutting through the noise.
Anthony scans the room, noting the filled space with people smoking, drinking, and mingling around. He nods, accepting this isn’t exactly the bohemian den of inequity he expected…until he sees the couches in the far corner of the room. Scantily clad women and men embracing each other. He looks to Kate whose eyes widen upon spotting it and turns to Anthony in shock (which is a bit of a surprise to him considering she was the one who showed him the Kama Sutra and continues to prove to him that he doesn’t need to teach her nearly as much as he thought he would). Anthony immediately lifts a hand to shield her eyes and turn her away.
She laughs in response swatting his hand away, bringing her attention back to Benedict.
“So-” Kate begins to speak until another voice interrupts.
“Ah, you made it!” A tall, handsome man cries as he approaches Benedict.
“Of course, Henry! I also brought my brother and sister-in-law. Allow me to introduce to you, Lord and Lady Bridgerton,” Benedict replies, then leans closer to Henry, “But they’ll be going by Anthony and Kate for tonight.” Anthony bristles at the brazenness and Kate snorts, patting his arm in reassurance. Her husband and his delicate sensibilities.
Henry reaches down to take Kate’s hand and kiss her knuckles. “A pleasure to meet you,” he says with a wink.
Kate dips her head and stifles another snort as she feels Anthony’s arm wrap tightly around her waist.
“You lot seem much too sober. Thomas, bring over the brandy,” Henry calls out to a man carrying a tray with half-filled glasses of brown liquor. He passes them out and raises his glass in a cheers motion.
Anthony’s mouth falls open as he watches Kate down the drink in one go.
“Yes, Kate!” Benedict laughs. Anthony can’t help but snicker when her face blanches from the harsh taste.
“This is brandy?!” Kate whispers into his ear.
“Yes, darling,” he answers.
“This does not taste at all like the bottle in your study. This must be a lower quality,” she says in a serious tone. His lips quirk up and he feels proud of his family fortune that he can give Kate the best of the best in life, just as she deserves. Although there’s also an amusing and semi-dark thought that he’s turning Kate into a bit of a snob.
Kate takes his cup and replaces their empty glasses with two full ones on the tray.
Anthony quickly downs the next glass, then takes Kate’s and throws back her drink. His grin widens at her affronted look. He gives a quick, hard kiss to her temple before turning back to Benedict.
“So, we’ve had a few drinks, taken in the space. We can head home now, yes?”
“Oh no, no, no. The party is only starting. Follow me,” Benedict leads them towards a narrow staircase on the left side of the room that he did not see before. Letting his arm drop from her waste, he takes Kate’s hand and they file up.
“This is why I brought you,” Benedict says with a cheery grin. He opens the door at the top of the stairs and gestures dramatically for the pair to enter first.
Kate gasps lightly. It is much louder than the first floor, despite there being fewer people. A man plays a lively tune on a piano next to the door, encouraging people to dance. The candles lit along the walls give the room a soft glow, while a fireplace in the back corner adds to the warmth. Fluffy couches and chairs line a makeshift dance floor in the center of the room.
Benedict removes his jacket and sticks his hand out to Anthony, asking him to do the same. Anthony grumbles and passes it over to him.
“Not to worry, there’s a closet over there for the coats. Untie that cravat, brother, and enjoy the music,” he says.
Taking a breath and surveying the space, Anthony can admit it’s nice. The alcohol has his body feeling warm and light.
“Alright,” Anthony replies with a slight grin. Instead of of untying his cravat fully, he simply loosens it.
Turning back around he finds Kate accepting a drink from another tray being passed around. She nods a thank you and takes a few sips before joining the brothers.
“What do you have there, sister?”
“I’m not sure exactly, but it tastes wonderful!” Kate smiles and takes a big gulp. She looks over at Anthony appreciatively, pleased to see him relaxed (and admiring his arms and shoulders in his thin white shirt). He raises an eyebrow catching her gaze, and she blushes in response.
Benedict takes the glass from her hand to take a sip and he suddenly has a guilty look on his face.
“Sister, do you remember the special tea Colin brought back from Greece?”
Kate giggles in response, “Of course, you were a right fool that night.”
“Well…” his voice trails off and he gulps when he sees Anthony’s expression turning murderous.
“Benedict, what is in Kate’s drink-
“Come on, let’s dance!” Kate puts the rest of the drink on an empty surface and grabs Anthony’s hand. He’s relieved to see she at least did not finish the spiked liquor.
Her eyes glimmer and her smile is bright pulling him to the dance floor. Too late to do anything now. May as well embrace it.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” he says with a resigned chuckle. He wraps an arm around her waste and pulls her close, swaying to the music. Suddenly, he spins her away, then brings her back into his arms, making Kate laugh loudly. They continue to dance, with him twirling her at random, both smiling when he has her pressed to his chest again.
Kate has not had this much fun since before her eighteenth birthday when everything became serious and all about duty. On the next spin a few curls escape her hair pins. Instead of fixing the pins, she decides her hair should be as free as she feels.
Anthony’s mouth goes dry as Kate faces him with a mischievous grin and pulls the pins from her hair, allowing the curls to flow down her back. The scent of lily's fill the air and all he can think is beautiful. She then steps back from his arms and points towards the coats to put the pins in the jacket. He simply nods in response, too stunned to speak.
Once she turns away Anthony quickly grabs a drink from a nearby tray, confirming it was not spiked, then downs it. He sees her swaying to the music as she looks for him. He takes the moment to admire her: her dress perfectly draped down her body, highlighting her curves as she moves, her long hair framing her face gorgeously, and the low neckline with her corset pushing her already perky breasts up in a maddening way. He’s both pleased she switched dresses before she came, while also wanting to hide her from the eyes of the men in the room. All thoughts cease when she meets his gaze and smiles brilliantly, pushing her way through the crowded dance floor. He quickly takes another glass off the tray and drinks that one too.
The moment she returns he takes her hand and pulls her even closer than before. She brings her hands up around his neck to play in his hair and he can’t help but squeeze her bottom. She squeaks in response, then peels of laughter ring out. She’s mesmerizing and he can’t help but lean down and catch her lips in a hard kiss. She immediately moans into his mouth in response. He drags his face away before he gets too caught up in the moment.
“Not here,” he says. He grins at her pout as he unwraps his arm from around her to take her hand and find an empty chair. He pulls her down onto his lap unceremoniously, her legs hanging over the arm of the chair. One arm resting on her stomach and the other around her lower back, his hand resting on her outer thigh to squeeze her closer.
She looks up at him startled at the swift move, her big doe eyes filled with amusement and shock. Her giggles return and he thinks she’s never looked more adorable. The hand on her stomach comes up and he gently turns her chin towards him to resume the kissing, this time more passionate than before.
Kate bites his lip and his decision is made.
“Okay, we’re going home.” He makes to lift her off of his lap, but instead her arms go around his shoulders.
“Noo, not yet! I want to stay,” initially her eyes are on his, but by the end of her sentence a candle nearby catches her focus and she looks at it dreamily.
"Please don't start talking about stars," he mutters.
“Ah, I see you’re nice and comfy,” Benedict says with a smirk as he saunters over.
“Ben!” Kate cries and leaps off of Anthony to give her brother-in-law a hug. He fully feels the alcohol as soon as he stands up. And he knows he’s drunk when he feels his mouth drop into a pout.
“Ant is talking about candles and moonlight, and now he’s saying he wants to go home and stargaze?” Her voice goes up by the end as though she’s asking a question. “But I don’t want to leave! We can see the moon from here!” She points to the window all the way on the other side of the room, partially blocked by the crowd.
“Nonsense! You can’t leave yet!” Benedict looks at Anthony, appalled. “I haven’t had the honor of dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room." Kate giggles as Anthony’s pout turns into a scowl.
“Please, Anty,” she pleads, blinking up at him in the way she knows he can’t resist. The thought that he’s never heard her beg outside of their bedroom hits him so hard he doesn’t even register the ridiculous nickname that she’s never once called him. The longer he looks at her the more his lips turn up into a sloppy, tipsy smile. She can tell he’s acquiescing (as he always does with her). The uncompressed joy radiating off of her as she looks between the two brothers is the only thing stopping him from making a fuss. He cannot think of anyone else more deserving of happiness than his Kate.
“Fine,” he sighs as he turns to Benedict, “one dance with you, then I’m taking my wife home,” he wraps his arm around her shoulders and gives her a quick kiss on the lips before releasing her.
He stands on the side with his arms crossed watching the magnificence that is his Kate, twirling around the dance floor with her hair flying around her. He can’t help but smile as he hears her laughter over the music.
Kate almost crashes into Benedict when he suddenly stops moving, and gazes at something over her shoulder. Kate pats his face.
“What’re you lookin’ at?” She turns around and sees a woman with wavy black hair talking animatedly to Henry (is that his name?) and an older woman who might be her sister.
“I’ve seen her before,” Benedict mumbles, not taking his eyes off of her. He then walks away towards the woman as though in a trance, leaving Kate. However, she’s not alone for long when Anthony arrives and takes her elbow to bring her gaze back to him.
“Ant!” She says, pulling her elbow away to wrap her arms around his neck as though surprised he was there. He gives her a squeeze then takes her arms down and looks at her imploringly.
“Can we go now?”
“Of course! What took so long?”
Anthony rolls his eyes and slips his hand through hers to pick up his jacket.
Settled in the carriage, Anthony taps the roof to get them moving. Kate immediately climbs to straddle Anthony’s lap.
“Husband,” she says running her hands along his shoulders and biceps.
“Yes, wife?”
“You had fun tonight,” she mumbles, leaning her face closer to his with a teasing grin.
“I-
“Admit it!”
“Don’t tell Ben, but I did,” he answers finally, making him and Kate giggle. “Though it has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with you,” he pulls his face back and taps her nose, then continues, “dancing with you, seeing you laugh and smile. I didn’t think I could love you more. How grateful am I to have a wife as bold and incredible as you.”
She blushes in response and looks away shyly. She’s never shy? He thinks.
“Hey,” he takes her chin with two fingers to bring her attention back to him.
“I never had a chance to experience something like this. Feeling such happiness, leaving my responsibilities- no, forgetting my responsibilities? No, that’s not it-
“Focus, Kate,” Anthony brings her eyes back to him. He has the prettiest eyes.
Apparently she says this out loud.
“Thank you, but what were you going to say about feeling happy?” She grins at him and his mouth turns up in a goofy smile.
“I love you, thank you for tonight. I haven’t had this much fun since…before…you know…you always know, Anty-
“Oh no, I forbid you from calling me that,” he interrupts, shuttering.
“Orders, orders, orders,” and Kate is back to giggling. Anthony kisses her forehead and she leans her head down to rest in the crook of his neck. She kisses his neck softly before closing her eyes.
“I’m glad you had fun, darling,” he mumbles, kissing the top of her head.
Anthony hops out of the carriage, stumbling slightly, then raises his hand for Kate who, of course, scoffs and jumps down as well. Anthony’s hands are already out and catching her by the waist before she falls head first into the ground.
“Come with me,” he says, taking her hand and intertwining their fingers. He leads her around the back of the house, through the servant’s entrance and to the kitchen.
She leans back against the counter as he gets her a cup of water.
Naturally, she shakes her head, and fills up the tea kettle instead. She taps her chin, looking at the cabinets. Anthony watches her with amusement.
“Ah!” Kate cries triumphantly as she finds her pouch with chai spices.
“Shh, darling,” Anthony chuckles. She looks over her shoulder and sticks her tongue out.
He relishes her look of concentration and sure hands as she adds spices to the steeper.
With a fond shake of his head, he draws over to her and wraps his arms around her waist from behind and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
She turns the stove on, then sighs and leans back into him.
“I love you so much,” Anthony mumbles into her hair, making her smile contently. “I did not say it before, but truly, thank you for coming to London.”
“I did not want to be apart-
“Neither did I, darling,” another kiss to her cheek, another content sigh. “In two weeks the village of Kent puts on a Christmas fare, with music and dancing. My father used to take us every year.” Kate squeezes his hand for comfort. “I have never had a desire to go again after he passed, until now.”
Anthony leans down to kiss her lips. “I wish to take you. I wish to experience it with you.”
“I would love that,” she replies, her eyes wide and glimmering, thoroughly enjoying her husband’s boyish grin in response.
He bends over her shoulder to kiss her again, from her mouth to her cheek. She melts in his arms and whispers in his ear, “Anthony.”
With a jolt, he turns her around and grabs her hips with his large hands, pulling her flush against him. Their mouths collide, and Kate lets out a soft moan. He lifts her up onto the counter and his lips travel down her neck and towards the tantalizing neckline of her dress-
“I will get started in the kitchen, Mrs. Wilson.”
Kate gasps and Anthony swiftly picks her up from the counter. He leans his forehead against hers and growls, “we must get back to Aubrey Hall, where we will not have any interruptions.”
Tea forgotten, she takes his hand and rushes out, trying to stifle their laughs and make it to their bed chamber without being seen.
“There you guys are! I was wondering where you went,” Benedict’s voice booms when he runs into them in the hallway, two doors from their bed chamber. “Henry has your jacket, by the way. He asked if you could drop his off today.”
“I don’t have his-
Anthony looks down, and sure enough.
Looking back at his brother, he notices something.
“Benedict, what is that on your neck?”
Before Benedict can answer, Mrs. Wilson spots them and walks over in a determined stride.
“Lord Bridgerton! I am glad I caught you."
He glances over at Kate who simply shrugs, to which he mouths “later?” She nods quickly and he tries to keep his gaze from her bosom. You can wait, Bridgerton. She’s not going anywhere.
"My lord, we have Hyacinth's new lady’s maid, Miss Sophie, starting today. When would you like to meet her?” Mrs. Wilson cuts off when she sees Benedict.
“Mr. Bridgerton, what is that on your neck? I will have a salve made and brought up to you."