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irishseeeker · 2 years ago

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Flawless.

Kate Sharma is the diamond of the season.

Viscount Anthony Bridgerton plans on courting and marrying the Diamond of the season.

Kate is going to make that as difficult as possible.

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chapter 3: the dinner

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“Ow.”

Madame Delacroix smiled apologetically as she continued to pin (trap, more like) Kate into a frock for a ball next week. Kate insisted she did not need more gowns, knowing they would stretch their pockets more than they could handle but her mother dismissed her with a wave of her hand and that stern look in her eyes.

Kate knew to be quiet when Mary Sharma gave her that look.

Kate had been dragged to the modiste for an afternoon of fittings for new gowns. She would have preferred staying in Lord Britley’s carriage where she spent her morning and listening to him drone on about his spectacular season of crops last spring.

Who knew a man could spend thirty minutes going on about potatoes?

She had been standing on the podium for at least half an hour, as Madame Delacroix took her measurements and discussed what gowns and day dresses they wanted with her mother. Elegant and exquisite fabrics were held up against her body, an array of colours and patterns.

They were so beautiful and yet, Kate felt anything but.

She felt like an imposter.

It wasn’t about her looks, Kate knew she wasn’t ugly. There were just girls who were prettier, her sisters included. Her nose wasn’t straight enough. She was just a bit too tall. Her hair was too wild compared to most girls, her curls had a mind of their own.

Then there was her personality.

Most girls were well mannered and behaved well.

Kate was just a good actor. She was too rash. Too argumentative. She had a wicked temper and struggled to hold her tongue when her opinion was dying to be let out.

“Of course, Lady Sharma. Only zee best for our diamonde.” Madame Delacroix said in her thick french accent, smiling up at Kate as she moved a measuring tape around Kate’s waist.

Kate glanced around nervously, at the stacks of fabric and the piles of shoes and purses. “Is this all really necessary?”

“Kate, you have too many engagements for our current wardrobe,” Mother explained tiredly, as she had the fifth time that morning. Kate had not been pleased to find her afternoon activities rescheduled for dress fittings. She had been going to town with Eloise and Pen for some shopping. Seeing her friends was her only solace after a morning of courting. “We need more day dresses and evening dresses.”

Not to mention how thin more dresses would stretch their tight budget for the season.

“Do you not want to look like a pretty princess?” Sophie teased from the settee she was sitting on, smirking at Kate. Edwina and Sophie had been brought along, so Kate wouldn’t have to suffer alone.

Kate threw a pin cushion at her.

Mary Sharma rolled her eyes. “That is very helpful, darling. You are here to help me with her.” She scolded lightly but there was nothing but love in her eyes as she ran her hand through Sophie’s hair.

She did not like that tone. Kate narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Are you two conspiring against me?”

Madame Delacroix appeared to be finished poking Kate with various needles, removing her tape and the fabric she had been pinning onto her body for measurements.

“Always.”

“Mizz Beckett, I will take your meazuremants now,” Madame Delacroix instructed, nodding at Kate to get down as she pulled out

“Why am I getting a new dress?” Sophie asked, frowning up at Mary. Kate could see it though, that sparkle and excitement in her eye as Sophie looked at the podium.

“We are all getting new gowns. For the dinner at Bridgerton house this weekend,” Mother explained, pointing to the podium for Sophie to get up on. “We all have to look our best.”

Kate did not like the look on her mother’s face. She was conspiring and that never ended well for Kate. Her mother did not seem to want to accept she had everything perfectly under control. “The only reason we are going to this dinner is because it is impolite to decline an invitation.”

“Kate,” Mary said in a tone full of warning, reminding her they were not alone. “I would have thought you would be pleased to dine at Bridgerton house. You spend nearly every day with Eloise. She is your friend.”

“She is but she will not be the only one present,” Kate reminded her, wincing slightly at a pin poking her hips. Madame Delacroix smiled apologetically. “I will not be considering Lord Bridgerton for marriage.”

Edwina closed her book, groaning softly. “Please do not let her go on about Lord Bridgerton again.”

“I do not go on about him.” Kate protested, turning to glare at her youngest sister. The accusation made her body tense and her cheeks heat up, adding to her discomfort already from standing exposed on that podium for the past hour.

Complaining about someone was not going on about them.

She did not think about Lord Bridgerton like that. In fact, it was the complete opposite.

That man even annoyed her inside of her own thoughts.

Complaining about someone did not mean anything.

“You do.” Sophie chimed in. As much as she adored her sisters, at times like this they could be annoying pests.

“Daily,” Edwina added, nodding in agreement. “I simply cannot believe he could be as bad as you make him out to be.”

“You are right, I have been kind about him,” Kate agreed, finding herself wishing in that moment she was an only child. “He is much worse.”

“For someone so terrible,” Sophie remarked, raising a taunting eyebrow that she knew would irk Kate. The thing about having sisters is you know just how to get under each other’s skin. “He does appear to be your favored topic of conversation.”

It was beginning to worry Kate that Lord Bridgerton was someone that got under her skin.

“He is not my anything-“

“Whatever you say.”

“I will murder-“

“May I remind you, murdering,” Mother interrupted sharly, narrowing her eyes at the pair of them. “-is not an appropriate topic of conversation. We are going to have a lovely evening with your friend’s family, Kate and act like the polite ladies we are.”

“I am going to browse while you get fitted.” She murmured grumpily, stepping down from the podium as Madame Delacroix stepped away to write down Kate’s measurements and begin on fitting Sophie. Kate stepped behind a curtain with their lady’s maid, Rose, to get back into her day dress.

Kate needed to escape that conversation. She could see her mother was getting ideas and tonight Kate would try her best to kill them swifty.

Being polite to Lord Bridgerton may be her greatest challenge yet.

Kate wandered back into the shop, running her fingers through the hanging silks and fabrics. Kate squirmed as her stomach began to rumble, all that standing had made her hungry. She was in the mood for an ice before they returned home.

“Madame Delacroix has taken ages in the fitting room with the Sharmas. Anything for her Majesty’s precious diamond.”

Kate’s hand dropped mid air as she heard her name. A chilling sense of uneasiness flooded her chest, a tightening sensation making it difficult to breathe. She stepped behind the cupboard of silks, hiding to further eavesdrop. She couldn’t see who it was.

“It is absurd, is it not?” A second voice replied. “Her as the diamond.”

It was an odd thing, to hear your own criticisms voiced out loud. Kate had only thought this about herself but it appeared others did too.

She began fidgeting with a piece of fabric on top of the drawer.

“I am surprised they can afford here. Her gowns always look awfully cheap.”

Kate glanced down at her day dress, a sat baby blue ensemble with a deepand scooped bodice trimmed with lace. It wasn’t as fancy as some of the gowns ladies wore in London but it had been one of her nicest formal outfits back home. It made her feel like herself, it wasn’t too formal but she had thought it passed.

Maybe that was the point, though. That she didn’t pass.

“Do they even have a maid? It looks like she pinned her curls herself.”

“Maybe their gardener did it. It does resemble a bird’s nest.”

They both let out a haughty laugh and Kate hated herself for the hand that reached up towards her pinned hair, a mass of pinned up curls, inspecting it for herself. Nausea clawed at her stomach. She could see the two people speaking were Cressida Cowper and one of her minions, Rosamund Reiling.

“Why would the Queen choose her as the diamond?”

“I do not understand it. I mean, look at her.”

Tears stung behind Kate’s eyes. She looked to her right, seeing herself in the mirror. Through the mirror, she could see it was Cressida Cowper and one of her minions, Rosamund Reiling. Panic flooded her, thinking of Sophie in the back room.

She took a step back, refusing to let them fall.

She needed to get away-

“I would not question her Majesty’s decisions. That is treason, is it not?”

Three heads swung towards the sharp voice, belonging to a young lady with her hand on her hips and a ferocious glare on her face.

Edwina.

“I would keep your unsolicited opinions to yourself, Miss Cowper and Miss Reiling,” Edwina said calmly, taking a step towards them. Kate watched her in awe. “The Queen clearly admires and values qualities such as kindness and intelligence just as much as beauty. It is clear you are sufficiently lacking in all.”

Kate gaped as her sister linked her arm with hers, nodding her head at the two women in front of them.

“Oh, do keep your mouths closed ladies. You might let a fly in. Have a pleasant day.”

Without another word, her sister led her across the shop, back towards the fitting rooms. Kate managed to look back and smirk at the two women, who had made her feel so small a few minutes ago. “Edwina-”

“You are worth a thousand of them. If someone cannot see that, they are a fool. Okay?”

Kate felt her eyes burning again, except this time it was the overwhelming love she felt for her sister. She needed to reassure her that she was okay. She was, she had to be.

“Winnie-”

“Okay, Kate?”

“Okay,” Kate tried to say reassuringly, reaching out to squeeze her sister’s hand. “I promise you, I am fine. I do not care what they have to say.”

Yes you do.

“Say it.”

“Thank you but I am perfectly fine. I promise. They are insignificant. We should find Mama and Sop-”

“Say it, Kitty.”

A lump formed in her throat, doublingin weight at the mention of her nickname.

“Say what?”

“Say you are kind, you are beautiful and worthy.”

Kate let out a small sigh. She glanced around at the otherwise empty shop, bar the two stung girls who remained where they had left them. She couldn’t say that.

“Edwina.”

“Say it.”

“I am not going to-”

Edwina pinched her. “Say it!”

Her forearm briefly stung and flushed red. “Ow! Fine, fine. I am beautiful. Can we please stop this now?”

“Good.”

Edwina tilted her head to the side slightly as she smirked at Kate, looking very satisfied with herself.

“When did you get so bossy?”

Edwina laughed as Kate pulled her into a hug and Kate’s heart burst inside of her chest, that warm feeling calming the lingering anxiety. “I learned from the best.”

Kate scrunched up her nose and scowled, but there was nothing but love in it. “I am choosing to take that as a compliment.”

They pulled apart slowly. “I came to find you, we are ready to leave. Mama promised us ices at Gunters for enduring this afternoon.”

“I will meet you outside in a moment,” Kate said, squeezing Edwina’s hand before making her way back into the fitting room where she found Madame Delacroix, putting away fabric.

“Madame Delacroix, thank you so much for today. I was wondering, could you please add three more gowns onto our bill?”

“Of courze, Miss Sharma. What kind of gowns, madam?”

“I know this may sound foolish but perhaps something a bit more glamorous? Shiny. Dazzling. If that is possible, whatever is in fashion at the moment. What other ladies in society are wearing in London,” Kate explained nervously, having a feeling she was coming across like a complete idiot. “Whatever you think is best, truly. Your judgement is far superior than mine.”

She looked surprised but nodded sympathetically. “Of courze, Miss Sharma. I have just the colours for you. You will be beautiful.”

Kate put on the warmest smile she could. “Thank you. Have a lovely day.”

Kate wasn’t sure if a gown could fix that but she could try.

She had something else to fix.

She charged straight up to Miss Cowper and Miss Jennings, who were still standing in the spots Edwina had left them in after her scorning.

“Oh, Miss Cowper. Miss Jennings. Even if my gardener did do my hair, Mr. Jennings is an exceptionally talented topiarist, it would still look better than the concoctions on top of your heads.”

Miss Cowper squeaked.

Kate smiled wider.

“Maybe it is both of your second seasons because beauty truly isn’t everything and it is simply down to your nasty personalities. Or it is that your hairstyles could take a gentleman’s eye out. Good day.”

Kate walked out victoriously, meeting her sisters and mother as they strolled towards Gunters. It still didn’t change the fact their words had hurt her or remove the fear that they were right.

Kate needed to be better.

Clearly what she was doing wasn’t good enough.

She had to bend and conform to what society wanted her to be.

What her family needed her to be.

A diamond.

“I am exhausted.”

Edwina rolled her head from side to side, stretching her arms out to her fingertips.

They had finally arrived in the ice shop Gunthers, leaving their mother who had left Kate in charge to go run some errands with their maid as they ate. The shop was busy for a Tuesday afternoon with a few empty tables to spare.

Kate gave her an unimpressed look. “I was the one standing on a platform for the past two hours.”

Edwina shrugged, fanning herself with a pamphlet she had been given on the street. “It was exhausting watching you.”

“Please sit, your majesty. I will get our ices. Vanilla and Lemon? What would you like, Rose?”

Their lady’s maid, Rose, smiled graciously. “Mint please, my lady.”

Her sisters nodded and the three went to go find a table.

Kate walked up to the counter, looked inside at all the different flavours. It had been an age since she had had an ice, her mouth watering as she looked at the delicacies.

She needed this, something to make her feel better and ease the anxious weight in her stomach since she had left the modiste. Their words and her thoughts plaguing her, circling around in her head.

What was she in the mood for? There was the classic vanilla or something more exotic like the orange flavour. She had always been a chocolate over strawberry person and the chocolate did look gorgeous.

“It is a hard choice.”

Kate startled at the deep voice, raising an eyebrow at the man beside her, glancing behind her and behind him before looking back at him. It appeared he was talking to her.

“Pardon?”

He was handsome, she could give him that. He was tall, considering Kate reached most men’s shoulders and she only reached his ribcage. He had raven hair with olive skin and a dangerous smile. That was currently directed at her. She hadn’t seen him before, that was for sure.

He was with two little boys, who had their hands pressed against the glass container holding the ices.

“The decision of what flavour will make or break your day. If you choose the right one, you will spend the rest of your day content yet longing for more. If you choose the wrong flavour, your day will be spent regretting it.”

London was so strange.

Men were another thing entirely.

Kate side eyed him before nodding slowly. “That is quite the dilemma.”

He nodded. “Either way, we long for more.”

Kate could do with some distracting after the modiste ordeal so she decided to bite.

“Do you have that much time to spare debating about the significance of decisions regarding ice flavours, my lord?”

He looked deep in thought before breaking out into a wide smile. “It plagues me daily.”

Kate held back her smile, pinching her lips.

“My deepest sympathies.”

He was smiling widely, the skin around his green eyes creasing slightly.

“How kind of you.”

“What makes you think I would regret my choice?” Kate asked, pretending she was still focusing on the selection of flavours in the display case.

“It depends on what you feel like choosing. There is the what if factor or choosing to play it safe.”

The irony of that statement was not lost on her.

“A privileged choice, then.”

“Would you rather be safe or try something bold and risk disappointment?” He was asking rather reflective questions for someone she had met a few minutes ago. Kate didn’t even know his name.

This was the strangest conversation Kate had had in her entire life and it was about ice flavours.

“Not everyone can afford to be disappointed.”

Their conversation was lighthearted and a bit odd but the reality of her words hit hard. She was in London for a reason and what she wanted didn’t matter. It was what her family needed that mattered.

They came first above all else.

“What would you like, my lady?” The cashier asked behind the counter, interrupting their conversation.

“Vanilla, Mint, Lemon and…chocolate, please.” Kate replied, her eyes drifting from the orange flavour before settling on the chocolate one. She liked chocolate. Chocolate was familiar.

The gentlemen stepped forward, extending his arm toward the cashier. “Please, let me.”

Kate shook her head, stepping between him and the counter. “Thank you but no. I cannot let a strange man purchase us ices.”

“You think me strange?”

Obviously. But, intriguing. He was the first man whose presence hadn’t annoyed her within the first few minutes of conversation.

“I do not think about you at all,” Kate said bluntly, shrugging her shoulders. “We met a few minutes ago. We have not been introduced.”

That made him laugh joyfully, a wide grin spreading across his face.

“How rude of me,” He said, putting a hand over his heart playfully. He bowed his head. “Informally, I am Mr. Thomas Dorset.”

She met his laugh with a small smile. Dorset. She didn’t recognize the name from any of her lists. She would have to ask Eloise or Penelope, they knew more of the ton than she did.

“Informally, I am Miss Kate Sharma.”

“It is a pleasure to informally make your acquaintance, Miss Sharma.”

Their intense eye contact and small smiles were interrupted by two high pitched voices which belonged to two young boys pulling at Mr. Dorset’s jacket. They couldn’t be more than seven years old.

“Uncle Tom! Uncle Tom! How many flavours are we allowed?”

“Please please please say it is two.”

Mr. Dorset looked amused as he looked down at his two nephews, putting a hand on both of their tiny shoulders. “Matthew, Christopher I am in the middle of a conversation with a very nice lady. May I introduce you to Miss Sharma. Miss Sharma, may I introduce my nephews, Mr. Matthew Dorset and Mr. Christopher Dorset.”

Kate bowed her head, smiling at the adorable little boys. There was something oddly attractive about men with children, especially ones who clearly adored them. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Dorset and Mr. Dorset.”

They bowed their heads, murmuring a Miss Sharma before turning their attention back to the pressing matter. “May we please have two?”

“You may.” Mister Dorset said, conceding their victory as they dived into a discussion about what flavours they wanted. “I am afraid neither of us is more interesting than ices.”

“Is anyone?”

They both laughed softly, nodding their heads in agreement.

Mr. Dorset was pleasant, had a personality and was not bad to look at. If she did get to know him more and his financial situation was sufficible, he seemed like the type of man she could marry to solve everything. The type of man people would want her to marry.

“That might just be an unarguable argument, Miss Sharma.”

They fell into a silence, Kate shifting awkwardly as they moved further up the line.

“Quite. Do you usually approach ladies at ice counters, Mr. Dorset? Everything about this conversation has been entirely improper.” Kate knew she shouldn’t be entertaining this, she knew she shouldn’t be conversing, laughing and heaven forbid-nearly flirting-with strange men at ice counters.

Yet, here she was.

To be fair, she had quite a dreary and dreadful morning.

“I apologise, Miss Sharma,” Mr Dorset said, clearing his throat. “It was my intention to approach you at Lady Danbury’s ball, Miss Sharma. I am attempting to make up for a lost opportunity.”

Kate turned to look at him properly, evidently surprised. His forwardness was unprecedented but oddly refreshing.

It didn’t hurt that he wasn't bad to look at, either.

“I do not recall seeing you at Lady Danbury’s ball.” Kate had met a lot of gentlemen that evening and danced with a fair few. It was also the night she had met him.

His reply was quick. “I saw you.”

Mr. Dorset let out a nervous chuckle, one of his hands moving to the back of his neck as he shifted on his feet. “I intended for that to sound less unsettling and more intriguing.”

Kate laughed quietly. “It is quite alright, Mr. Dorset.”

“I had only arrived in London that afternoon and attended Lady Danbury’s ball late. I did not get the chance to ask you for a dance before your dance card was full. Which was within minutes, as I was told,” He explained, “If I may say so, you look beautiful in purple.”

Kate blushed, turning her head away from him so he wouldn’t see it. She didn’t know how to accept a compliment. Men knew how to behave and exactly what to say. She would not be a fool and fall for it again. She was waiting for her ices, that was all.

“My sisters are waiting for me.” Kate said, turning back towards him and nodding her head. This conversation was dangering on impropriety. It probably already had but she couldn’t push it too far. She picked up an ice, the rest being brought to her table by an employee.

Mr. Dorset cleared his throat, locking his hands behind his back. “May I be honest, Miss Sharma?”

Kate raised an eyebrow. “Have you not been so far?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “There was another reason I did not approach you that evening. You are quite intimidating.”

Good.

Kate was doing something right.

If she wanted to find a husband that met her standards, she didn’t want him to be intimidated by her. Fragile men were nasty creatures.

Mr. Dorset did approach her today, though.

“You say that as if it is a bad thing, Mr. Dorset. Am I truly intimidating or are you just intimidated?”

“I promise you, Miss Sharma,” He said without hesitation as his eyes flickered with amusement. “That was intended as a compliment.”

“I have not decided if I am going to accept it yet.”

“Please let me know when you decide.”

Kate’s mouth scrunched to the side, hiding her smile.

“Good day, Mr. Dorset.”

“Good day, Miss Sharma.”

Kate nodded her head before her lingering started to feel quite awkward, so she turned around and made her way towards her sisters. She couldn’t shake the weird feeling flooding her body. It had distracted her from the sinking feelings in her stomach from that morning’s events.

“Kate, are you smiling?”

Kate joined her sisters and Rose, who had already begun eating their ices and wasted no time beginning their inquisition.

“Who was that?”

She took a bite of hers, the sweet milk chocolate flavour melting on her tongue. “Probably the strangest person I have ever encountered.”

“Strange but handsome.” Edwina said, tilting her head slightly to the right so she could look at him past Kate.

“Winnie.”

“Fifi thought so too! So does Rose.”

Rose’s eyes widened, suddenly finding the table quite interesting.

Their nicknames had been given to them by their father, who had rarely used their first names unless he was cross with them. Which was rare as even when they were bold, their father had always seen right through their behaviour to the problem.

Kate wished he could see through her now, how desperate and alone she felt. She ached for him, for one of his hugs and comforting words. That she could do this. That they would be okay.

Kate pointed her spoon at Sophie. “You should not be encouraging improper conversation.”

Sophie reached her spoon over to steal some of Kate’s chocolate, wasting no time being subtle as she leaned back in her seat in the direction of Mr. Dorset. “Why not? He is handsome.”

“Stop looking!” Kate hissed, nudging her foot with Sophie’s under the table.

“I cannot look away. It is more out of surprise that there are handsome men under the age of forty in London.”

“Are those his children?”

“No, they are his nephews. Very sweet little boys.” Kate allowed herself to quickly turn around, catching a glance of Mr. Dorset sitting and laughing with his two nephews. It was awfully sweet. Kate had always adored children and longed for them someday. She wouldn’t have the marriage her parents had but she hoped she could have children instead.

“Good,” Sophie said, helping herself to Edwina’s vanilla. “You are awfully young to become a stepmother.”

“I met the gentlemen five minutes ago.”

Sophe shrugged, smirking. “Love works in mysterious ways.”

“You are terribly annoying.”

“Who is he, Kate?” Edwina asked, always the mediator between the elder two.

“He started talking to me. All I know is his name is Mr. Thomas Dorset and that he attended Lady Danbury’s ball but we did not get introduced. He offered to buy our ices. That is all.”

Edwina gasped. “Did you accept?”

“Of course not. That is the height of impropriety. One of the first things Mama and Papa ever taught us was to not accept gifts from strangers.”

“Even the handsome ones?” Edwina asked.

“Especially the handsome ones.”

Sophie nudged Kate’s arm with her elbow. “He is looking over here.”

Kate jumped slightly, turning around. Mr. Dorset’s back was to them.

“Ha. Got you.” Sophie pinched her cheek softly. “Are you blushing?”

“I despise you.” Kate muttered, slapping her hand away. “Rose, please support me here.”

Rose, usually quiet in nature, smiled at Kate. “He is quite handsome, my lady.”

“Oh,” Sophie praised, gleefully smiling. “I do love you Rose.”

“I know another man who is young and quite handsome.”

“Who, Winnie?”

Her sister’s smile was angelic as ever. “Lord Bridgerton.”

Kate scowled as Sophie burst into laughter.

“Thank you,” She said, pushing the melting remains of her ice away at the mention of that man. “Now I have lost my appetite.”

Kate did have some work to do.

Find out about Mr. Thomas Dorset.

He did not have a title, so he was probably a second or third son. A small fortune, perhaps. He might not be an eligible candidate. He might not be able to offer the protection Kate needed for her family.

Still, she was intrigued.

“Kitty,” Edwina asked after a few moments of silence. “Do you think if we go to the bookstore one of your suitors might offer to buy us some books?”

The four women looked at each other before they burst out laughing, earning some stars from the people sitting around them.

Kate chose not to care.

Whatever life lay ahead of her, she would always have her sisters.

“The usual, my lady?”

The day had arrived for the dinner at Bridgerton House. It would be the first time Kate would return since she found out Lord Bridgerton was Eloise’s sister.

Kate had only seen Eloise and Penelope that afternoon. The three of them had become fast friends, Kate’s first true friends in a long time. They were her escape from the endless gentlemen callers and chaperoned days. Eloise had taken to coming to the Sharmas a lot, mainly to escape her mother and Penelope joined them whenever she could.

Penelope was often busy.

With what was the question.

Kate stared at herself in the mirror, wearing a robe and her undergarments. Her new dress was hanging behind her. “Rose?”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Would you please try something different with my hair?” Kate asked, biting her lip nervously. She felt exposed and idiotic, despite it being Rose who had been nothing but kind since they had met. “Whatever you think might be best. Maybe something other ladies of society are doing? What is popular in London?”

Kate just wanted to fit in.

“Of course, my lady,” Rose said kindly, understanding written all over her face. “I know just the thing.”

Kate sat quietly, flicking through her notebook and her list of suitors as Rose styled her hair. She pinned two plaits across the top of head, pinning pink and white around them. It didn’t feel like her at all, as if she was making a statement on the top of her head.

Kate sprayed herself with some perfume, inhaling softly the calming scent of lilies. It reminded her of home, her father and the mother she never knew. It had been the scent her mother had worn, her father had bought her a bottle for her perfume every year after her mother passed. Mary, her mama, had bought it for her every year since her father passed.

It reminded her of who she was.

She could do this.

“Kate! Hurry up!”

Kate rolled her eyes at her sisters’ shouting, standing up as Rose smiled and began to help her into her gown. She glanced at the grandfather clock on top of her fireplace, they were due to leave in a few minutes. “If I do not survive tonight Rose, it was a pleasure knowing you.”

“KATE-”

“What is the panic?” Kate asked as she appeared at the top of the stairs, pulling on her silk gloves as she made her way down to her family waiting in the entrance hall. She could feel goosebumps all along her arms, her palms starting to sweat a little.

Sophie smirked, dressed in a pale blue gown with her hair pinned up in curls at the top of her head. “You look lovely.”

“Why do you sound so surprised?” Kate narrowed her eyes at the glint in Sophie’s eyes.

“I do not recognize that gown, that is all.”

Kate glanced at herself in the hallway mirror, shifting slightly in the tight fabric. It didn’t feel like her, it had too many sequins and the fabric was itchy. Her tight hairstyle, the plaits clutching at her scalp, was giving her a headache.

“It is new. You know, we were at the modiste earlier this week.”

“You look beautiful, dear.” Her mother’s smile was soft and reassuring, one of her hands reaching out to squeeze Kates.

Sophie blinked innocently. “Are you trying to impress someone?”

The Lord Bridgerton jokes were getting extremely old. Sophie and Edwina were relentless, bringing him up at every available moment and how Kate apparently never stopped complaining about him. There was a lot to complain about.

They had argued for his entire visit about nonsense, their main debate that afternoon being about whether cats or dogs were superior. Kate obviously campaigned for dogs and Lord Bridgerton for cats.

Newton proceeded to slobber all over his shoes, which made Kate’s day.

Kate may be a dog person but she didn’t mind cats. Edwina and Sophie had cats growing up. Some tabby, some ginger and some black. Kate had loved them, the ones they owned and strays that visited occasionally.

She wasn’t going to admit that to Lord Bridgerton, obviously.

He had not called on her since Monday, thankfully. He had sent flowers, apologizing for his absence and explaining he was in parliament all week. Her family had cooed over them as Kate rolled her eyes at his games.

“Have I ever told you living with you is like having our own live in jester?”

Sophie stuck her tongue out and made a face, which Kate reciprocated. Their mother let out a deep sigh but there was a small smile on her lips.

“Can we behave like ladies at the Bridgertons, please? By keeping our tongues in our mouths and our conversation polite. We need to leave or we shall be late.”

“How about we do not go at all?” Kate mumbled under her breath, earning a side eye from her mother as the four women made their way towards their carriage and climbed inside.

“What is the plan?” Edwina asked, running her hands down her lilac gown to smooth out the silk fabric.

“Why would we have a plan?”

“To impress the Bridgertons.”

“I suppose the Bridgertons are popular but unusual. Everyone says so.”

“How so?”

“They actually seem to like each other.”

“We like each other.”

“Speak for yourself.” Kate teased, grinning as Edwina scowled at her before taking her hand, squeezing it.

“We do not need to impress anyone,” Kate explained with a frown, pushing a curl behind Edwina’s ear. She hoped she hadn’t made Edwina worry, it was just a dinner. Lord Bridgerton wasn’t a suitor she wanted to impress, Kate didn’t regard him as a suitor. More of a pest. “Besides, the Bridgertons are not those type of people. They are quite kind and welcoming.”

“They are still a part of traditional society.” Their mother reminded them.

“What could they judge us for?”

“Well, for one, they do not have me,” Sophie piped up, staring at her lap and fiddling with her gloves. Kate could see the stiffness in her posture, the tension in her body. “Maybe I should stay home.”

“Unlucky for them,” Kate said, nudging Sophie’s elbow with hers and giving her a reassuring smile. It was as if she could read her thoughts, all the doubts and worries running through her head. None of them were true. “The Bridgertons invited our family for dinner. You are a part of our family. We all go or none of us go.”

“You know, none of us going is not a plan I object to.”

“Kate.” Her mother’s warning tone rang through the carriage.

“Fine, fine,” Kate relented, wrapping her arm around Sophies. “Do not worry. We stick to our story and keep the details vague. We know the plan. They will not pry. Besides, I imagine the entire dinner will be Lord Bridgerton bothering me.”

Kate could practically hear Sophie’s eyes rolling. “He does!”

“Well,” Sophie’s voice lowered, her eyes darting across to Mary and Edwina who were talking amongst themselves. “You do seem to enjoy it.”

“Lying is a sin.”

“Oh Kitty,” Sophie teased, her eyes full of glee with a devilish smirk. “I am sure there are many sinful things you imagine about Lord Bridgerton-”

“Sophie-”

There were a few bangs on the carriage ceiling as the carriage came to a halt, signalling their arrival. The footman opened the carriage door, extending a gloved hand to help each of them down. They walked up the steps to Bridgerton House, the stairs decorated in lanterns and potted roses.

The butler, Mr. Enright, opened the front door and bowed his head as they walked through. Edwina caught Kate’s eyes, her eyes widening as they took in Bridgerton house. It was a stunning house, one of the nicest in London.

Violet Bridgerton stood in the foyer with her family, a wide smile on her face as she opened her arms in a welcoming gesture. “Good evening! Welcome. We are so happy you could join us this evening.”

Kate hadn’t missed the mischievous look on Violet Bridgerton’s face everytime Kate spoke to her, which usually involved making Lord Bridgerton the topic of their conversation.

Kate was desperate but she wasn’t that desperate.

“Lord Bridgerton, Miss Bridgerton,” Mary Sharma said, smiling widely as she bowed her head. “Thank you so much for having us in your lovely home. You have met my daughters, Miss Kate Sharma, Miss Sophie Beckett and Miss Edwina Sharma.”

Kate, Sophie and Edwina dutifully bowed their heads, smiling pleasantly at the Bridgertons as they all made their introductions. Kate caught Eloise’s eye, stifling a laugh as Eloise rolled her eyes at her mother’s babbling.

Kate avoided the man standing beside his mother, a pleasant smile on his face as he spoke to her mother and greeted her sisters. Her breath hitches slightly as they make eye contact, her eyes not leaving his as he steps towards her.

“Miss Sharma.”

He was dressed in beautiful dark clothes, tailored to fit him perfectly. He wore a black cravat with golden pins, and white buttons that trailed down his white shirt. Kate could see a silver watch chain at the front of his blue waistcoat.

Kate regarded him coolly.

“Lord Bridgerton.”

He was still trying to court her and Kate knew it had only just begun. She had been nothing but rude to him, trying to deter his efforts again and again. He was an ideal candidate but he had shown her who he truly was. When someone shows you who they truly are, you believe them the first time.

“I am afraid my daughter Daphne could not join us tonight. She is with her husband, the Duke of Hastings and my grandchild. Did you happen to read about their wedding last season?” Violet Bridgerton asked her mother as the entire party began to make their way to the dining room.

Kate smiled in amusement as the Bridgerton siblings rolled their eyes.

“Did you happen to read about her very short engagement?” Eloise commented, earning a scowl from Lord Bridgerton and a snort from Benedict.

Lord Bridgerton cleared his throat, beginning to extend his arm. “Miss Sharma, may I escort you to the dining room-”

“Kate,” Eloise interrupted, practically pushing her elder brother out of the way as she weaved her arm through Kates and began to lead her down the hall. “How do you feel about shooting?”

Kate glanced back at a disgruntled looking Lord Bridgerton, who was currently being laughed at by Benedict and Colin before turning to look at her friend. Eloise had narrowly saved her. “I enjoy it. Not for killing any animals but I do enjoy target practice.”

“I thought so. It is rare a lady does, afraid of breaking a nail or getting some dirt on their gowns. It is why I like you,” Eloise said, a grin on her face as they entered the dining room. It was a beautiful room, with high ceilings and a long dining table perfectly set. “You are not nearly as delicate as most ladies.”

“Eloise, are you implying women cannot shoot and enjoy parties and dresses?” Kate teased, smirking at her friend. “That is awfully sexist of you.”

Eloise gaped at her, spluttering slightly. Her face moved through the seven stages of denial. “Absolutely no-well, no, what I meant was-Oh, be quiet. How did you learn to shoot?”

“Father taught us to defend ourselves, mainly,” Kate explained, a burning feeling in her chest aching as she spoke about her father. It had been years since he died but the pain remained fresh. “Our home is quite isolated in the country. Father always enjoyed hunting and shooting so we practiced with him. Sophie often joined him for hunting but Edwina and I never had the stomach for it.”

“Marvellous.”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, I was thinking-”

“Ooh, dangerous.”

Kate grinned as Eloise rolled her eyes, laughing as she nudged Kate playfully with her elbow.

“-when we go to Aubrey Hall soon we can shoot together. It will be our private lands so I can do as I wish. Well, to an extent. I usually have to annoy my brothers until they let me join in. It was how I learned in the first place. Now they just object because I am better than them.”

Kate hummed in amusement, turning her head to glance across the room at Lord Bridgerton who was in conversation with Sophie, Francesca and Benedict. She imagined Eloise pestering him until he finally relented. She couldn’t really imagine Lord Bridgerton having fun at all, he was so prim and proper.

Kate watched him glance down at his wrist, a silver chain peeking out of his shirt.

His head turned in her direction and Kate snapped her head back to look at Eloise, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at getting caught.

“What is Aubrey Hall?” Kate asked hastily, keeping her eyes firmly on Eloise.

“My family home in the country. We hold a ball there every year during the season, a week full of activities and courting. It is going to be the event of the season now Anthony is on the hunt for a wife. My mother is already planning every second of it. She is probably rounding up his prospective brides and all my potential suitors to invite as we speak.”

That would be an invitation Kate couldn’t turn down, one her mother wouldn’t dare let her say no to. She hoped to be nearly engaged then and as far away from Lord Bridgerton as possible.

Not Eloise, though.

Kate had grown very fond of Eloise. A good friend and an escape from her daily duties and reality.

“I will pray for you.”

Eloise tutted. “Prayers will not save me from the matchmaking abilities of Violet Bridgerton.”

“I am beginning to see your point.” Kate said, smiling back uneasily as she caught Violet’s beaming smile as she glanced at Kate. It appeared Kate was involved in one of Violet Bridgerton’s matchmaking schemes too. Violet’s smile faded as she turned in the direction of Lord Bridgerton. He appeared to be having a silent argument with his mother, his eyebrows furrowing and head moving in silent gestures.

He seemed to be aware of their mothers’ scheming and to Kate’s surprise, he did not seem to be a fan of it.

“We will not kill anything, of course. Pen is not the biggest fan of shooting but she said she would be happy to cheer us on.”

It probably wouldn’t be the most attractive activity to potential suitors but they could do it subtly. She needed to have some fun in the midst of all the chaos.

“I look forward to it.”

“Oh, we should team up and challenge my brothers. I am the best but if you really are good, we would be unstoppable. I have been in need of some extra pin money.”

Kate laughed, she did like the idea of beating Lord Bridgerton in something. It surprised her too, that Lord Bridgerton would let his sisters do something so improper.

“That sounds like a plan.”

They clinked their glasses, smiling at each other as they had a small sip of wine.

It was as good of a time to bring it up as any before they sat down for dinner. She had been putting it off but her research hadn’t come to any results. Kate might not get an opportunity to ask her the question that had been on her mind for the past few days during dinner. More accurately, who had been on her mind.

“Do you happen to know a Mr. Thomas Dorset?”

Eloise pondered in thought for a second, pouting her lips slightly before shaking her head.

“I do not believe I do. The name does not sound familiar. Why?”

“I met him a few days ago. I had not seen him before in society. I was just wondering if he was possibly acquainted with your family.”

“I can ask one of my brothers. If he is a gentleman from a good family, he probably attended Oxford or Cambridge. I am sure one of them knows him. They remember more of their antics and peers than their actual education.” The bitterness in Eloise’s tone was evident, going to university was a pipe dream women would never be afforded.

“Do not worry, it was just a passing thought. I can ask Penelope tomorrow. I am sure she will know him.”

“Why do you think Pen would know?”

Kate’s eyes flickered towards Lord Bridgerton and Edwina who looked deep in conversation.

“She tends to know everyone.”

Penelope had been an excellent help with her list of suitors, helping Kate fill in the blanks and histories of each gentleman who came her way. Their wealth, their scandals, what their families were like. What they were like, as much as she could find out, Penelope provided.

Eloise looked puzzled for a few seconds before shrugging it off.

“I had not noticed. How do you meet this Mr. Dorset?”

“He approached me at Gunthers earlier this week. It was bizarre, really.”

“Approached you in public? Like a dog?”

Kate chuckled, laughing harder at the disgust on Eloise’s face.

“He has not called on you?”

Kate shook her head. She had expected him to but there had been no sign of him since they met at the start of the week.

Mr. Dorset was a mystery, indeed.

“That is a strange way to go about courting. What did he want?”

“Well, I would not go as far to say he intends to court me. It was a strange interaction but it was not bad. He started a conversation. It was rather nice, actually. Anything is better than discussing breeding horses or listening to them brag about how many acres of land they have.” Kate sighed, holding back the part where there was some flirting occurring. “As for his intentions, I do not know. What do all men want?”

“It pains me to admit when I know little about something but that something is definitely the male species. Thankfully. What did you talk about?”

“We talked about ice flavours.”

“You did what?”

“Then he called me intimidating.”

Eloise scowled.

“Typical. He sounds fragile.”

Kate chuckled then shifted uncomfortably.

“Then he, well, he called me beautiful.”

“Bizarre.”

“That I am beautiful?”

Kate smirked at her playfully.

“Yes, you are rather ugly.”

Kate put a hand over her heart, sighing softly.

“Thank you. You have such a way with words.”

Eloise waved her hand, laughing along softly. Kate was grateful for her, having a friend in the midst of all the madness. Someone she could talk to about things such as this who wouldn’t think too deeply into it or never let her hear the end of it. The last thing Eloise seemed to care about was marriage and courting, much to her mother’s dismay.

“Anytime. Do you like this Mr. Dorset?”

“I am intrigued by him. We had a better conversation than the many I have had to endure at balls and with callers so far.”

“I suppose that is a positive.”

“Be careful, I suppose. I am still of the opinion you should stay blissfully unwed with me but I will support you in your endeavours because I am truly a good person.”

“A true martyr.”

“Dinner is to be served!” Violet Bridgerton announced to the room, tapping her champagne glass. “Let us take our seats.”

They made their way to the long dining table, covered in a white tablecloth embroidered with floral designs and candles. It was a beautiful set up. There was not a fork or spoon out of place as each place setting had a name card.

Sophie sat next to Benedict Bridgerton and Francesca, Edwina opposite them sitting next to Colin. Eloise was on Francesca’s right beside Hyacinth. Gregory sat opposite Hyacinth beside Mary. Their mothers were at the end of the table and Lord Bridgerton at the top. Benedict was to his right and Kate was to his left.

“Let me make just a little adjustment.” Eloise said, winking at Kate as she moved to pick up Colin’s name card and swap it with hers.

“Eloise Bridgerton!”

Eloise jumped, sighing loudly. “Mama-”

“Do not even think about it.”

Eloise rolled her eyes, making a point of walking past her mother to the other side of the table.

“Is it a crime to want to sit beside my friend?”

Colin looked highly amused at his sister’s annoyed expression. “You two spent the entire afternoon together.”

“Good company is hard to come by.” Eloise shot back.

“You can eat outside with the animals if you would like. You would fit right in.” Benedict’s suggestion made Sophie choke slightly, struggling to clear her throat as she covered her mouth with her napkin.

The Bridgertons were a fascinating bunch, that was quite certain.

Kate caught Edwina’s eyes, both of them exchanging a look of amusement. Sophie was too busy stealing glances at Benedict Bridgerton.

“You have put her beside Anthony and Benedict. I was trying to save her. Kate will never want to come back again.”

Kate moved towards the top of the table, Lord Bridgerton pulled out her chair. She met his eyes, his blank expression as he nodded his head.

“Thank you.” She said stiffly, nodding her head as she took her seat. Now she just had to get through this dinner. That uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach and tightness in her chest came flooding back, sitting just a few inches away from him.

The servants entered the room with trays of food, carrot soup and sourdough bread was served as the starter.

“Are you enjoying your time in London, Miss Beckett?” Lord Bridgerton asked Sophie, who seemed surprised at the question. He always made an effort to speak and be kind to her, when many people they met did not.

Rumours were circulating about the third Sharma girl, who didn’t share their name. They had to be careful. The Bridgertons weren’t like that but Kate always had her guard up.

People could disappoint you easily.

Kate didn’t plan on finding things to like about Lord Bridgerton and it was distressing when they made themselves present.

“Quite, Lord Bridgerton,” Sophie answered pleasantly. “There is so much we plan to do here in London. Our next plan is to visit the National Gallery.”

“Do you enjoy art, Miss Beckett?” Benedict asked, the topic catching his attention. Kate liked Benedict and Colin, much more than their brother.

“I adore it. I sadly have no talent for it. Kate has always been the artistic one in the family. She has tried her hardest to teach us all to paint but we are rather tragic.”

Kate felt her cheeks heat up as Lord Bridgerton, Sophie and Benedict’s eyes turned towards her.

“Hardly.” Kate managed, shaking her head and shifting uncomfortably. “I enjoy it occasionally.”

Kate didn’t paint anymore. She didn’t have the time or the will. Painting had once been a time for her to be left with her thoughts and since coming to London, they hadn’t been kind to her.

“You are being modest.”

Kate had no idea what his sister was up to. Her warning glance was brushed off, Sophie just smiled sweetly back.

Traitor.

Sophie turned towards Lord Bridgerton. “Do you enjoy art, Lord Bridgerton?”

“If I have to,” He replied dryly, his eyes glancing at the silver pocket watch peeking out of his shirt sleeve before he looked back at Sophie. “Benedict is the artist in the family. Far more talented than all of us put together.”

Kate’s eyes remained on the pocket watch. It looked old, the silver slightly stained. There was a faint crack on the face of the watch, a tiny line in the top corner.

Benedict blushed at his brother, an uncomfortable expression on his face. “I dabble. We should all take a trip to the National Gallery. I have been meaning to see the new exhibit.”

Sophie lit up at the suggestion, much to Kate’s worry and dismay and Lord Bridgerton met it with everything but enthusiasm. “What a wonderful idea! We planned to go this coming week.”

Kate shook her head, she was absolutely not making plans with Lord Bridgerton if she could help it. “I am sure Lord Bridgerton is busy, Sophie.”

“I can find the time,” He replied quickly, giving Kate a challenging smirk. “I look forward to it, Miss Sharma.”

Kate’s smile was strained, her jaw clenched as she stabbed her bread with her knife.

They were served their main course, a duck dish with a white garlic sauce and plenty of vegetables. It was incredible food, one of the best meals Kate had had in a long time.

Sophie and Benedict were deep in conversation about the exhibits at the National Gallery, leaving Kate and Lord Bridgerton in an uneasy silence in the midst of the many conversations around them.

Kate kept her voice quiet as she spoke, only for his ears.

“I see right through this plan.”

Lord Bridgerton raised an eyebrow. “Pardon?”

“You know perfectly well what I am referring to.”

“Please enlighten me about this apparent plan, Miss Sharma.”

Kate looked around the table, everyone deep in conversation, before turning back to him.

“Making pleasantries with my family. Sending flowers. None of this is going to work.”

He remained so unbothered, just simply taking another sip of his soup and smiling arrogantly. He was infuriating.

“I am just being my humble self, Miss Sharma.”

“I could not make my intentions more clear.”

His tone was clipped. “Nor could I.”

Kate took a deep breath, maintaining her composure. He would not get a reaction out of her. It was meant to be a pleasant evening with their families. The last one she ever intended to attend with his current intentions.

“I am perfectly aware of your intentions, Lord Bridgerton. You announced them to an entire garden.”

His facade dropped, an annoyed expression coming to light.

“Are we still fixed on that?”

Kate shook her head in disbelief.

“There is no we.”

“We both know that is not true, Miss Sharma.”

Her grip tightened around her wine glass, which she desperately needed filled. She shook her head in disbelief.

“Your arrogance is truly baffling. I know what I heard, Lord Bridgerton.”

His nose twitched in annoyance.

“You misheard me when you were eavesdropping.” Kate took a sip of her drink, a wide smile on her face as she glanced at their mothers who were pretending not to stare at them.

“Oh, do you mean when I heard the truth about your intentions?”

Lord Bridgerton shook his head, his voice dropping low.

“You know nothing of my intentions, Miss Sharma.”

“I do not want to know anything about your intentions or, in fact, anything regarding you.”

“Our intentions for marriage are a lot more similar than you realize, Miss Sharma.”

Kate frowned at his ambiguity, an unsettling feeling washing over her. What did he mean by that? What would he know of her intentions?

“Do not worry,” Lord Bridgerton said, leaning back in his chair as he lifted his whiskey glass to his lips. “I can be patient.”

Whatever this conversation was, she didn’t want to talk about it anymore. Kate didn’t like feeling out of control and somehow he had flipped this conversation over.

“Do you know what you remind me of, Lord Bridgerton?”

“I have a feeling you are going to tell me regardless of whether I wish to know or not, Miss Sharma.”

“Disease. No matter how hard I try, it is impossible to get away from you.” If she didn’t have enough to do, now she had to concern herself with firmly putting off Lord Bridgerton and his ideas. She couldn’t have made herself clearer.

She couldn’t seem to stop staring at him, either.

Or that bloody pocket watch.

He let out a humourless laugh, downing the rest of his whiskey.

“Are you ever agreeable?”

“Never around you.”

Lord Bridgerton rolled his eyes before reaching into his sleeve, pulling out the chain of fine silver. The pocket watch slipped into his palm like a natural reflex before it slipped inside of his sleeve, hidden again.

Kate watched him intently, how his brown eyes flicked at the face of the watch and back up at the table again, looking at every member of his family before returning to his meal.

“Do you have somewhere to be, Lord Bridgerton?”

“Pardon?”

Kate nodded towards his sleeve.

“You keep checking your pocket watch.”

Lord Bridgerton took a moment to respond, something uneasy flashing across his face as he looked at her, surprised at her question. His arm moved and then he stopped himself, turning to give her a strained smile. “A habit, I suppose.”

“That is a fine pocket watch, Lord Bridgerton.” Edwina said pleasantly, giving Kate a warning look. She must have caught some of their previous conversation as she and Colin Bridgerton were staring at them. Except Edwina looked concerned and Colin looked amused.

She looked so much like their mother, it was frightening. “Our father had one just like it. Newton always tried to steal it.”

“Who is Newton?” Gregory asked.

“My dog.”

“A beast.”

Kate and Lord Bridgerton answered simultaneously. Kate turned to glare at him, something she had found herself doing all evening.

Hyacinth gasped dramatically from the other end of the table, startling her mother beside her. Her entire face lit up. “You have a dog?”

Sophie sighed. “Unfortunately.”

“I do,” Kate replied, narrowing her eyes at Sophie before she turned to smile warmly at Hyacinth. Newton did not deserve this. Sophie still wasn’t over the pair of slippers he had chewed last week. “Newton is my corgi.”

“His favourite meal is our shoes.”

“And books.” Edwina added.

“My good curtains.” Their mother added, displeased.

Kate stared in disbelief at her traitorous family. Newton did have a habit of eating anything he could find. It had become an unfortunate habit. Kate had to hide one of Edwina’s slobbered copies of Jane Austen earlier this morning. “He is a dog! He cannot help it.”

“Oh, please please please.” Hyacinth pleaded. “You must let me meet him. Anthony, may I join you and Miss Sharma on one of your promenades with Newton?”

Kate’s head snapped in Hyacinth’s direction. Why did she think Kate would be promenading with Lord Bridgerton?

“Not without me.” Gregory pleaded from their side of the table, smiling shyly at Kate. She smiled back, nodding her head.

“You should promenade with Newton, Kate,” Eloise added, looking smug. “You can bring your beast along and Anthony can bring his.”

Eloise looked very pleased with herself as Hyacinth and Gregory glared at her. Colin began choking beside her, clearing his throat and drinking some wine.

“Could we please stop referring to Newton as a beast?”

Lord Bridgerton nodded his head.

“I quite agree, Miss Sharma. I am more partial to pest.”

Kate turned to glare at him as the table laughed but bizarrely, the smile on his face caught her off guard. She hadn’t seen it before. She fought hers, shaking her head.

“I suppose you would know your own kind.”

“Kate.” Sophie admonished, her mouth hanging open. Kate shrugged in response, smiling as she ate her carrots.

Benedict glanced between the two of them, laughing with a wide grin on his face. “Oh, this is fun.”

Kate ignored Benedict, shaking her head.

“You will all miss him when he is gone with me.”

“We will be very grateful to your future husband. He can suffer at the paws of Newton’s wrath.”

“You are a dog person, are you not Anthony?” Colin asked from beside her, grinning at his brother as he took a sip of his wine. Lord Bridgerton’s gaze turned to his brother, his eyes narrowing slightly.

If there was one thing they had in common, it was their mutual hatred for their incredibly irritating siblings.

“Lord Bridgerton is a cat person.”

All eyes turned to her, surprised at her statement. Women also did not speak for men, especially ones they were not married to. Her tongue ran away from her before her head could catch up.

Kate felt her cheeks heat up. “We discussed it earlier this week.”

Lord Bridgerton lay his hand near hers, his fingertips tapping a rhythm against the tablecloth. Kate scrunched hers up to a fist.

“When Kate says they discussed she means they argued about it for an entire hour.” Sophie said to Benedict and Colin, who looked more amused by the second.

The smirk on Colin’s face made Kate feel uneasy. It looked meddlesome. “Who won may I ask?”

Kate and Lord Bridgerton turned to look at each other, the sparks of their previous argument flying in the air. They both looked ready for battle. Kate had thought of at least four new points since they parted ways. Their argument had been reeling in her mind all week.

“Well-”

A potato came flying through the air, landing right in the sauce on Kate’s plate. The large splash it produced hit Kate and Lord Bridgerton, along with some of the food on their plate. The fright caused Kate’s hand to push down the slide of her plate, flipping it over entirely onto her lap.

The table fell into silence.

Kate’s dinner was all over her.

All heads turned towards Hyacinth and Gregory. Hyacinth had her hand in the air, silence engulfing the table except for the potato that slipped from her grip and landed on her plate. Gregory, who looked equally as guilty, had a fist of peas ready for his counter attack.

“I did not mean to do that,” Hyacinth said slowly, fear and panic plastering her face. She didn’t dare turn to look at her mother, who was staring at her stoically. “I am so sorry.”

Gregory put his hands in the air, pushing his seat away from the table. “I did nothing.”

Hyacinth gasped, her hands slamming on the table. “You started it Gregory!”

“Hyacinth and Gregory Bridgerton,” Violet Bridgerton said calmly, fury laced in her steady tone. “Outside. Now. Benedict.”

Benedict nodded, biting his lips to stop himself from laughing as he stood up, Hyacinth and Gregory quickly following him out of the room with their heads down.

Kate turned to slowly look at Lord Bridgerton. He had a soft carrot sliding down his nose, white sauce trailing down his nose, cheek and forehead. There were a few peas on the top of his head.

Kate snorted abruptly, her hand practically slapping her nose and mouth to cover it.

“I do not find this funny, Miss Sharma.” Lord Bridgerton looked at her in bewilderment. He did not look amused whatsoever. That just made Kate laugh harder.

Eloise wasn’t trying to hide her laughter, she was openly laughing with her head in her hands. Sophie and Edwina were biting their lips hard, staring at their laps.

Her mother stood up and reassured Miss Bridgerton everything was fine, walking over to Kate and beginning to pick various vegetables out of her hair as she dabbed at her face with a napkin.

“This may be the greatest moment of my life.” Colin remarked, trying to keep his laughter under control as he pushed his napkin towards Kate.

“What a sad life you lead.” Lord Bridgerton snapped, picking the soggy carrot off his face and practically throwing it on the table. Sophie turned around, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

“Miss Sharma, are you alright?” Violet Bridgerton asked, looking half distraught as she looked around helplessly and glared at her children who were blatantly laughing. “I am so terribly sorry.”

“Please do not apologise,” Kate assured her, shaking her head as she tried to compose herself. Eloise’s cackling made it extremely difficult. “Accidents happen.”

“Two of them happened to be born eleven and thirteen years ago.”

Eloise was now wheezing with laughter, an amused Francesca sitting quietly beside her watching the scene unfold.

“Colin Bridgeron that is not helpful.”

“Here.” Lord Bridgerton said stiffly, extending his napkin towards Kate as she dabbed her face with her own with her mother. There was an intense smell of garlic and it was definitely all over her.

“Thank you but I think you need that more than me.” Kate gestured to the sauce and random vegetables covering his face, chest and neck.

“I am aware.” Lord Bridgerton said stiffly, standing up from his seat as two servants rushed towards him. He waved them off. “Please escort Miss Sharma to a washroom.”

Kate was escorted to a washroom by a maid, making herself look as presentable as she could after removing various vegetables from her person and changing into a green dress one of the maids had provided for her. An old one of their sister Daphne, the Duchess of Hastings who Kate had not met yet. Kate scrubbed at her dress until the stain was mostly gone, now just looking like a damp spot.

Kate made her way back to the dining room, through the foyer and up the staircase. It really was a beautiful home. She paused at the top of the grand staircase, looking at the portraits of the Bridgerton family. The three elder men and the three elder girls. Hyacinth and Gregory in a single portrait.

The portrait held a remarkable resemblance to Lord Bridgerton, the artist had even got the slight crease between his brows right. He wasn’t the worst thing one could look at. From the slight bend in his sharp nose to his long dark eyelashes. The longest she had ever seen a man have, they were even longer than hers.

Lord Bridgerton's eyes reminded her of her favourite milk chocolate, melting and rich.

Her gaze fell on a portrait of two adults, immediately recognizable as the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton and an unrecognisable man beside her, the old Viscount.

“Did your dress survive?”

Kate jumped at the voice, her heart jumping in her chest as she turned around to see Lord Bridgerton standing at the bottom of the staircase. He had changed into a new white shirt and similar jacket. His previously neatly combed hair was slightly damp, curls forming at the top.

Kate thought it made him look a lot younger, a lot less serious.

“Barely,” She replied, slightly embarrassed she got caught snooping in their foyer and staring at a picture of him. Well, of his family. “Peas are quite stubborn.”

“That reminds me of something.” Lord Bridgerton walked towards her slowly, his gaze following hers to the portrait before settling back on her. He tilted his chin up in the air slightly, a small smirk on his lips. “Are you admiring the view?”

So arrogant.

You were though, Kate. Weren’t you?

Kate swallowed before rolling her eyes.

“I thought you looked better with the carrot.”

He laughed slowly, shaking his head as he came to stand two steps below her. “Do you always have an answer for everything, Miss Sharma?”

“That does tend to happen when someone asks me a question.”

“The portraits remind me of the ones we have at home. We complained the entire time we had to sit still. It took hours,” Kate recalled, for a reason she wasn’t quite sure. She should return to the dining room to their families. Yet, she stayed right where she was. “I do wish we had miniatures so I could have taken them with me to London.”

“I have ones of Hyacinth and Gregory, their portraits were painted later than ours.”

Kate looked at him from the corner of her eye, they were both facing the portraits at the wall. They had slowly moved up the stairs to the landing. It was quite sweet that he kept miniatures of his siblings.

“I do apologise for my siblings. I should have known they were up to something. Usually when they are quiet, something bad is about to happen.”

Kate shook her head.

“That was the most exciting meal I have had since arriving in London,” Kate said, smiling to herself at the image of Lord Bridgerton covered in sauce, carrots and peas. “Are they all right? I hope your mother was not too cross with them.”

“Hyacinth and Gregory could get away with murder and still remain the apple of my mother’s eye.”

Kate laughed softly, thinking fondly of the younger two Bridgertons. Eloise often complained about them but she often included them in their outing to the market or the park, whenever they weren’t with their governess. Gregory was currently on a break from school.

They fell into a comfortable silence, neither of them moving to make their way back to the dinner table.

“Portraits are priceless. It is how I know what my mother looks like.”

Kate felt his eyes on her, that crease appearing between his brows frowning in confusion.

Kate froze. Why did she say that?

It was like when they first met, that feeling he had given her. There were some people that made you want to confess everything. Your wants, your needs, your deepest secrets, your sins. The things about yourself that are important and the ones that aren’t but they still exist.

People who elicited that feeling were dangerous.

Lord Bridgerton had revealed who he truly was to her afterwards but in doing so, he had saved her a lot of grief.

He was a suitable candidate but falling in love with someone who would never love you back, Kate wasn’t sure she could survive that. She had no intentions to fall in love, anyway.

Lord Bridgerton was not someone she would ever fall in love with, that was for sure. All he did now was irritate her with some civil moments like now in between.

“Mary is my mother but my birth mother died when I was three. My father was married twice.”

All Kate knew about her mother came from her father. It wasn’t much, her death had been so painful he had always struggled to speak of her. It was rare when he did but Kate held onto every little fact. To fill in the gaps, to try to know the person she never would know, Kate resorted to making things up about her.

Kate would stare at her portrait for hours, filling in the gaps. How she chose to wear a blue dress in the portrait hanging in their main hall because she loved the sea. How she chose to wear the pearl necklace because they were her favourite jewellery.

His tone was the softest she had ever heard it. “I am sorry.”

Kate shook her head. She had been so determined to put him in his place tonight yet here she was, telling him her life story.

“Everything that has happened gave me Mama. Edwina, too.”

Lord Bridgerton was still staring at her. Kate shifted uncomfortably, the situation starting to get overwhelming. Talking of her parents always did that to her, pulling her into a feeling of emptiness and aching. Then the guilt kicked in, reminding her of the three incredible people and dog she should be grateful to have. She bowed her head, turning around to make her way up the stairs.

“I was eighteen when my father died.”

Kate hadn’t expected Lord Bridgerton to speak, much less talk about his father. Eloise rarely spoke of him and Kate never pried. One of the few things she had mentioned was how Lord Bridgerton never spoke of him, ever. Lord Bridgerton looked down at his sleeve, his fingers wrapping around the silver chain of his pocket watch.

“This was his.”

The realisation dawned on her why he constantly looked at it. It was precious. She felt guilty then for prying about something that was absolutely none of her business.

Her hands gripped the bannister. “Eloise does not speak of him much.”

“She would not. She was the one with my father when he died.”

Dread filled her chest for her friend, someone so full of life, laughter and opinions whom Kate had grown to adore in the short time Kate had known her. Having to carry around such a haunting experience.

They stared at each other, not breaking eye contact. There was a silent understanding between them, experiences connecting them in a way neither of them had expected.

Kate’s hand moved to touch her necklace, a gold locket that her father had given to her on her twelfth birthday. “This was my mothers. I rarely take it off much to my mother’s dismay when it does not go with an outfit.”

Lord Bridgerton’s eyes widened playfully. “The scandal. You should be careful or Lady Whistledown might write about it.”

Kate laughed, raising an eyebrow back at him.

“Do you read Lady Whistledown, Lord Bridgerton?”

Lord Bridgerton shook his head, his cheeks darkening slightly but he continued to play along.

“That is a very personal question, Miss Sharma.”

“My apologies, my lord. I hope you can find it within yourself to forgive me.”

Kate needed to be stopped. Not only was she flirting with men in ice parlours, now she was flirting with her nemesis on his stairwell.

“We should return,” She said hastily, beginning to walk up the stairs to remove herself from the situation before she said anything else idiotic. “I am sure Hyacinth and Gregory are waiting to throw their dessert at their next victims.”

“I hope it is Colin.”

“I hope it is Sophie.”

They both laughed quietly, making their way up the stairs and down the hallway towards the dining room. What a strange evening it had turned out to be.

The more time she spent with Lord Bridgerton, the more she discovered about him. This was only the beginning and she needed to put a stop to it.

“Just because we have managed to have a civil conversation does not mean anything has changed for me, Lord Bridgerton.”

Lord Bridgerton turned around, a few paces ahead of her so he began to walk backwards.

“We will see about that, Miss Sharma.”

Kate let out a frustrated sigh, watching him carefully as he made his way back to his seat. She followed him into the room a few moments later, leaving an appropriate minute or so. Sophie gave her a curious look as she walked to her seat, which Kate ignored as she reassured an apologetic Mrs. Bridgerton that she was absolutely fine.

They ate their dessert in the midst of a few ongoing conversations, Kate choosing to ignore Lord Bridgerton as she spoke directly to Colin and Edwina. They finished their meal and Kate secretly hoped they could make a swift exit. It had been a really strange evening.

Colin Bridgerton clapped his hands with a mischievous look on his face that Kate did not like the look of at all. “Now, for after dinner activities. Perhaps a game?”

“I am not so sure this is a good idea, brother.”

They all sat in the drawing room after dinner, Francesca playing at the piano as Colin stood in the middle of the circle. “Nonsense,” He said to Benedict with a grin on his face. “It is an excellent idea.”

Edwina nodded uneasily. She had never been one for competition or competitive games and it was pretty easy to tell how competitive some people in the room got. “I happen to agree with Mr. Bridgerton.”

“Please, please, please can we play?” Hyacinth and Gregory begged, their previous sulks disappearing as they leaned forward in their seats.

Colin spread his arms out, shaking his head.

“What about a game is not a good idea?”

“Some of us,” Benedict began, his head tilting to the side where Lord Bridgerton sat in the chair to his right then towards where Eloise sat on his left. “May get too competitive.”

That just made Colin smile wider.

Kate watched from her position on the settee, in between Sophie and Edwina. She watched in amusement as Lord Bridgerton narrowed his eyes at Benedict, who raised an eyebrow back at him.

Lord Bridgerton appeared to have returned to his serious, solemn self since their conversation on the staircase. Kate still felt strange after it, as if she had exposed her soul to the devil.

In a way, she had.

“Nonsense. It is all in the spirit of fun, is it not?”

“Afraid you are going to be beaten again, Benedict?” Eloise asked sweetly, exchanging a grin with Colin as Benedict rolled her eyes.

“I think it is an excellent idea.” Kate smiled widely at Colin before turning to look at Edwina. “It will be fun. As long as no food is involved.”

Kate threw a smile at Gregory and Hyacinth, who laughed at her until they caught the stern look on their mother’s face and quickly shut up.

“I propose a game of charades,” Colin suggested.

“That is one you are not banned from participating in.” Sophie murmured to Kate and Edwina, laughing to herself as Kate nudged her to be quiet.

She wasn’t banned. More encouraged not to play. Ridiculous on her family’s part, really. She only made someone cry once.

“Banned, Miss Beckett?”

Lord Bridgerton had heard what Sophie had said. Sophie moved her mouth wordlessly, glancing at Kate’s warning glare before turning back to the Viscount.

Be quiet.

Please, be quiet-

“Kate is banned from playing most games in our household, Lord Bridgerton.”

“Sophie.” Kate hissed, shaking her head at the Bridgerton’s amused glances. “That is not true.”

“It is very true,” Edwina agreed, the second traitor of the evening. “She hates losing.”

Lord Bridgerton looked at her sisters, but strangely not at her, widely amused.

Kate leaned back into the settee sourly, crossing her arms across her chest. “I rather hate you both, actually.”

“Miss Sharma could not be worse than Anthony.”

The smile dropped off Lord Bridgerton’s face and was replaced with a scowl at Colin’s statement. It was now Kate’s turn to look at him smugly.

Lord Bridgerton waved his hand dismissively at his brother. “Be quiet.”

“You are terribly competitive.”

He clenched his jaw, his bottom lip disappearing for a few seconds.

“I am not.”

“You cannot play anything simply for fun.”

Lord Bridgerton leaned back into his chair, shrugging his shoulders. Kate stared at him for a few seconds, watching his fingertips tap the edge of his whiskey glass before snapping out of it, momentarily alarmed.

“Winning is fun.”

“Anthony is a sore loser.”

“I am not because I rarely lose.”

“That is not how it works.”

“Why would I want to play a game if I did not try to win?”

“I do hate to agree with Lord Bridgerton but,” Kate inputted, avoiding looking at him completely. “That does seem perfectly reasonable to me. Are we going to play?”

“Indeed we are. I believe everyone knows how charades works. We will draw names out of a hat to make it fair and go sit beside your partner once you have picked,” Colin said, taking a moment to write everyone’s names down and putting the ripped pieces of paper into a top hat. “Miss Sharma, if you would kindly pick first.”

“Please do pick me,” Eloise said, watching Kate stand up. “I do not want to get stuck with Colin again.”

There was only one person Kate didn’t want it to be.

Kate reached into the hat, a smile on her face quickly fading as she read the writing on the ripped parchment.

Anthony.

This had to be rigged. She crumbled up the piece of paper in her hand.

Kate sighed. “Lord Bridgerton.”

“Excellent,” Colin said, moving the hat towards Sophie next. “One would almost think it is fate.”

Kate started curiously at Colin’s mischievous grin then back at the hat. No. How could he have? They had watched him write everyone’s name on each piece of paper.

Fate did not control her life. Kate did.

Maybe it was a good thing they were paired up. If they had to compete against each other, they might end up killing each other.

Lord Bridgerton was blatantly glaring at his brother, not looking at Kate at all. He hadn’t looked at her since they had sat back down for dessert. Not that Kate was bothered by it. Why was he not looking at her?

“Fran is on time keeping duties as she is the most honourable Bridgerton here,” Colin said, bowing his head

Kate swapped seats with Edwina, sitting on the settee closest to Lord Bridgerton. She still didn’t look at him, looking straight ahead instead.

“Kindly do not make us lose, Lord Bridgerton.”

He let out an amused hum.

“I do not lose. Do try to keep up, Miss Sharma.”

She smiled sweetly.

“Oh, I was going to go slow to give you a chance, Lord Bridgerton.”

“You do know you are on the same team.”

Lord Bridgerton and Kate both turned towards Colin, glaring at him.

“My god, there are two of them,” Benedict muttered, shaking his head before he reached into the hat. He smiled warmly, looking up from his piece of paper. “Miss Beckett.”

Kate didn’t miss the glow of happiness on Sophie’s face once her name was read out. That was not good. It was not good at all.

Everyone else took their turn picking out the hat, until everyone had a partner.

“Fran!” Eloise said, evidently pleased it wasn’t Colin.

“Mr. Bridgerton.” Edwina smiled shyly at Colin, sitting up straighter.

Gregory groaned loudly. “Hyacinth. May I pick again?”

“There are no second picks. Eloise and Fran will go first and I will time keep for their round,” Colin said, clapping his hands as his sisters stood up in front of everyone. “Let the games begin!”

It remained peaceful for about five minutes before the madness began to unfold.

“Cheat!”

“You would accuse a twelve year old of cheating?”

“Absolutely.”

“Are you expecting me to believe Greg knows what Pride and Prejudice is?”

“I do love that book.” Edwina interjected, looking slightly afraid as she was completely ignored as Eloise and Colin argued.

Kate kept it to herself that Newton had loved chewing her copy of it earlier that morning.

Hyacinth glared at Eloise. “He knows what it is because you never stop droning on about women, literature and their rights!”

“Oh, forgive me for forgetting Gregory is an educated man. Men are afforded an excellent education, after all. Something women are not afforded-”

There were multiple groans across the room.

“I am afraid this is going to get physical.” Edwina whispered to Kate and Sophie, who were watching the Bridgertons with grins on their faces.

Kate laughed. “My money is on Eloise.”

“I second that.” Sophie nodded in agreement, much to Edwina’s horror.

“Time!”

“Ha!” Eloise shouted victoriously, earning a stern look from her mother that was completely ignored.

“Miss Sharma and Anthony, it is your turn.”

Lord Bridgerton extended his hand toward Kate which she hesitantly took. They faced each other, the hat full of challenges between them. He cocked a challenging brow at her. “Ready, Miss Sharma?”

“I was born ready.”

“Alright, remember you are on the same team. Go!”

Francesca turned the hourglass as Kate picked up the piece of parchment, reading the word bird and immediately beginning to flap her arms wildly. Decorum was thrown out the window when it came to winning.

“Bird!”

Lord Bridgerton and her were as competitive as each other, flying through each card and skipping any of the ones they couldn’t get. One had Lord Bridgerton jabbing his arm back and forth to minic fencing, another had him on his knees with his hand waving in the air to mimic a trunk of an elephant.

It was quite the sight to see the serious Viscount Bridgerton manically waving his arms around, miming various animals and objects.

“Time!”

They were both out of breath, their chests moving up and down as they caught their breath. Her knees ached, the fabric of gown wrinkled from the various jumping and kneeling.

Lord Bridgerton shook his head at her.

“How was that meant to be a dog?”

Kate scowled at him.

“In the way that everyone would know it is a dog except apparently you? You wasted valuable time.”

“You look like you were choking.”

“How was that meant to be a tree?”

He began clapping his hands over his head, his eyes manically wide. “How is this not an excellent tree? Do not blame me for your shortcomings.”

“No, please continue. You are proving my point.”

“Again,” Benedict repeated flatly, his eyes moving between the two of them with a mesmerized expression on his face. “You are on the same team.”

“Be quiet.” They both said simultaneously to Benedict, not even glancing at him as they continued to glare at each other.

“You are also winning after round one, which is probably not a good thing.”

That put a smile on both of their faces before they made eye contact, regarding each other cooly as they returned to their seats.

“We are adding charades to the list.” Sophie murmured to Edwina, making Benedict laugh loudly. Kate watched as her sister turned to look at Mr. Bridgerton, her wide blue eyes mesmerised by him. Kate glanced anxiously between them, not seeing Benedict take much notice as he said something to Lord Bridgerton.

That look on her sister’s face was dangerous.

“What is it?”

Kate had been caught staring at Sophie, who was looking at her curiously. She shook her head quickly but gave herself away with another glance at Benedict. “Nothing at all. Are you enjoying yourself this evening?”

“Very much,” Sophie said, the look of happiness on her face made Kate’s chest flutter. “The Bridgertons are lovely. Mad but lovely.”

Francesca and Eloise were taking their turn in the background, shouting at each other as they each acted out their go.

“They are,” Kate said fondly, glancing around the room before she looked back at Sophie. She could try to be subtle. “What do you think of Mr. Bridgerton? You seemed friendly at dinner.”

Apparently not from the stern look Sophie immediately gave her.

“Kate.”

Kate feigned innocence. “What?”

“He is…” Sophie began, her eyes dropping to her lap as a pained expression appeared on her face. “A dream. Lovely but unrealistic. You do not have to warm me, Kate. I may be an idiot but I am not a fool.”

“I did not mean-”

“I know.”

“You are a dream,” Kate said softly, a horrendous guilty feeling filling her chest as she took her sister’s hand. “I just do not want you to get hurt.”

Sophie nodded quickly, squeezing her hand back.

“Lord Bridgerton must really like you,” She said, swiftly changing the subject. “All you do is snort and insult him and yet he still pursues you.”

“I do not snort,” Kate said, her eyes widening and mouth dropping open in horror. She ignored the part about Lord Bridgerton. “Do I snort?”

“I feel like you have not let your guard down once since we have arrived in London,” Sophie said, ignoring her question which confirmed to Kate she could never laugh again. “Yet, you can be yourself around the Bridgertons. It is nice to see.”

Kate felt herself getting flustered as if she was being exposed. Had she been such an utter failure to everyone in London since arriving?

“I do not know what you mean.”

“It just finally makes sense to me now.”

“What does?”

“Why you do not like Lord Bridgerton.”

Kate froze.

“Pardon?”

“I think you think it is a bad thing but it is not. It is rather wonderful, actually.”

Kate was getting impatient. “Are we speaking in riddles?”

Sophie smiled at her, as if she knew something that Kate didn’t. It was very annoying.

“Why do I not like Lord Bridgerton then?”

“Miss Beckett, it is our turn.” Benedict called across the room, as Eloise and Francesca high fived as their turn ended.

There was a twinkle in Sophie’s eye as she stood up, looking down at Kate with a knowing smile.

“Because he is exactly like you.”

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