Chapter Text
The subtle knock at her door should come across as a surprise for her, though as she turns her eyes toward the clock on the bedside table and confirms her suspicions that it is a little past eleven, a smile sneaks up on her lips before she even realizes it. Everyone must already be asleep by now, the staff as well, and the many siblings that will soon become hers too have probably gone to their rooms by now.
Therefore it is not surprising when she knows exactly who might be knocking at her bedroom door tonight of all nights, so she does not hesitate to throw the covers off of her body and cross the room to open it with a nervous energy that leaves her slightly giddy.
And there he is, all bare forearms with the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up, messy hair with a single curl falling on his forehead, and a sweet smile that Kate would consider smug if the softness in his eyes did not give away the tenderness in his expression.
“Lord Bridgerton,”
“Miss Sharma.”
And simply because she can, she finds the opportunity to tease him. “To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing such a handsome face at such a late hour?” Kate watches, slightly amused, as the tips of his ears turn an adorable shade of pink at her compliment.
She has made the Viscount blush .
“Well, I was hoping you'd give me the pleasure of your company for a few moments. I believe Eloise has left some books at the library. She made me promise I'd ask you to read them when you find the opportunity. Perhaps you would like to join me so that I can show them to you?” He seems to recover as he stands as a dutiful gentleman, hands behind his back on the hallway of the chambers' wing as she leans on the doorway of her room, and Kate is completely enraptured by the boyish charm that oozes off of him.
“Hmm… And you thought to ask me that at this late hour of the night instead of during the day. Whyever? Or did Eloise just tell you her wishes at this very moment?” Kate smirks, enjoying how his eyes widen slightly before he mirrors her expression.
“Indeed she has not. Is that your way of wanting me to admit I simply wished for you to accompany me to my study?” he mumbles.
“Perhaps. Though I thought it was a sign of bad luck if the groom saw the bride the night before the wedding?” She quirks one eyebrow in defiance, the smile on her lips fighting to let itself be seen.
A dimple sneaks on one of his cheeks. “I believe that became a thing to prevent men from backing out of their arranged marriages should they meet their brides before their weddings took place,” he retorts, all smirks and glinting eyes while taking a step forward to close the distance between them, “Yet with us, Miss Sharma, I believe I am not going anywhere.”
He looks at her in that way again. With the intensity she felt first thing in the skin of her neck and then in every kiss he has planted passionately on her lips. It is there again, and Kate suddenly feels so warm she turns in her heels and gathers the shawl from the floor of her bed simply to prevent herself from jumping into his arms.
“Very well, my Lord. Lead the way.”
—--------
The hallways are silent, as Kate had predicted.
Still, their bare feet paddle throughout the corridors, their hands locked together, muffled giggles echoing in the otherwise silent house. Aubrey Hall is beautiful during the day, of course. But Kate is finding she rather enjoys how the moonlight shines through every large window of the mansion.
Reaching their destination, Anthony lets go of her hand to open the door to the library, letting Kate walk past him before closing it behind them. It's silent, peaceful, and the smell of books and worn-out pages fills their senses with contentment.
“I must apologize for the mess. Gregory has been making his visits here more frequently, to my surprise. Never took him for a poet, yet it seems poetry has been taking hold of him for the past few weeks.” Anthony starts, walking to his desk to put away some worn books. “Cannot say he takes after me, really.”
“Benedict enjoys poetry, does he not?” Kate comments as she takes a seat on the settee next to the window. She notices briefly how clouds seem to be filling the night sky rather rapidly. “Perhaps he has inspired your younger brother to start reading it?”
Anthony turns to look at her and gives her a small smile. “He has been inspired, yes, but not by Benedict,” He walks around the books scattered around the room, Kate following him with her gaze. “I would deny it to anyone else though not to you, but I believe my youngest brother has taken a rather liking to you, Kate.”
Kate huffs out an amused laugh, “To me?”
“Well, given how he not even two days ago barged into my study and demanded that I explain to him how one impresses a lady, and since he has not been around anyone new aside from you, yes, I am sure he has.” Anthony muses, turning to place two books in their rightful places before turning back to her. “I cannot fault him for that, to be honest. In a strange way, I find myself being quite proud. He sees just how beautiful you are and that is just how things are.”
“You are talking nonsense.”
“Are you referring to my little brother having a pre-adolescent affection towards you or you being beautiful?”
Kate grumbles at the winning grin that graces his lips and she wishes she could kiss his smugness away.
Anthony moves toward his desk, gathers the small stack of books from his hands, and brings them to Kate.
“Here. Eloise made it very clear I was to give them to you, and she hopes you will enjoy reading them. If you go ahead and do, please let her know of your thoughts.” He smiles, passing the books to her, and Kate feels a sudden feeling of love surge inside her heart. His family, that will very soon become hers, are showing without telling just how important she is to them. It is a blessing Kate never thought she would have.
She takes the books from him and places them on a table next to the settee so she does not forget to gather them when she leaves. “I will.”
Anthony looks outside, a furrow replacing the softness in his expression once he notices the rain that has started to fall outside. “It has started to storm,” he confirms softly, moving towards her in a second. “Is there anything I can do? Anything you need?”
In a surge of confidence she does not have an explanation for besides feeling immense love for this man, Kate pats the space next to her as she turns sideways. Anthony immediately does as she silently asks, sitting down with his back to the wall as Kate settles in between his legs, her back leaning on his chest. It is perfect, how their bodies fit together like a puzzle.
“Holding me is more than enough.” She finally answers because it is true. Despite the storm taking up force outside, Kate feels surprisingly calm tonight. Perhaps it is because Anthony has been with her since it started, or maybe it is the good kind of nerves for tomorrow that are taking over her negative emotions.
“Then I shall be holding you for as long as you need me to.”
Anthony rests his chin on her left shoulder, relaxed, his eyelashes fluttering against her cheekbone as he sways them gently from side to side, arms holding her closer as if he's sheltering her from the storm outside. He presses gentle kisses to her bare shoulder – the shawl she had been using now in a heap at the lower of her back.
It is so soothing, having him hold her like this, that Kate realizes that she could easily fall asleep in his arms, a storm raging outside or not. In fact, after tomorrow they shall always fall asleep next to one another, come rain or sunshine. The thought sends a thrill up her spine.
“Are you nervous?” Kate finds herself asking in a mere whisper, “For tomorrow?”
She feels him sigh against her skin. “I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.”
Kate lifts her head from his shoulder then, gazing up at him as she studies the mole at the bottom of his cheek. “Were you nervous the other time too?”
A sudden shyness washes through her and Kate bites her lip. It is a sore topic for both but she feels a sudden urge to know.
“I do not believe I was, no.” His answer takes her slightly by surprise, and Kate lifts her eyes to meet his. He is quick to explain.
“The marriage to Edwina was all about fulfilling my role to my family.” He starts gently, “I was more than ready to face my dutiful, companionable marriage and live the rest of my life in relative dullness. I would never love her, not in the way my father loved my mother, and that was all I knew and believed was enough. With you, however, I have so much more at stake,” he averts his eyes to their joined hands on her lap, “I know I have much more to lose if I fail.”
Kate scrunches her brows as she stares at him. “I do not wish for you to fear failing, Anthony. We all make mistakes, I make mistakes. It is inevitable. I do not want you to live the rest of your life in fear of something you cannot control.”
He lets out a dry chuckle and Kate cradles his face in her hands as best as she can in their position. “I do not want to cause you any more insecurities, not when you already have fears of your own.”
Anthony blinks at her, gaze soft, and he seems to understand what she means. His consciousness of his own mortality is enough as it is.
“I know what you are giving up to stay here, Kate. I know I ruined all your plans of returning to India and living the rest of your life the way you had imagined.”
“And I ruined all your plans of living a marriage with no love in it.” She retorts, and because she needs to see all of him right now or else she feels like she is going to explode, Kate untangles herself from his embrace to sit astride his lap, facing him and holding his cheeks properly. A shiver runs down her spine when his hands immediately rest on her thighs. “I see no issue with ruining each other's plans if it is for the better, correct?”
His troubled expression slowly turns into acceptance, and Kate manages a small smile before pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.
"Where I want to get to is that we both gave up a lot to be where we are right now, and that is alright. Plans can change.” She murmurs against his shoulder where she rests her head. “In fact, I am very glad mine changed and I get to stay with you."
Anthony places a loving peck on the top of her head and Kate feels him nod eagerly. "You have no idea."
"Then let us enjoy it, and not worry so much about the future."
Suddenly, Anthony lets out a joyful chuckle. "That is bold coming from you.”
Kate gasps and pulls away, crossing her arms on her chest though a smile forms on her lips unbidden. “And what is that supposed to mean, Lord Bridgerton?”
“Nothing my Lady, nothing at all.” He feigns innocence with an adorable smile, leaning over to press kisses from one shoulder to the other, and Kate is remiss to say he effectively distracts her from his reasoning.
“We both know we will always worry." He concludes, leaning his forehead on hers.
"Well, we will just have to find ways to loosen up every once in a while."
Anthony's eyes darken as his eyes flit to her lips before coming back to hers, "I do not think that will be an issue, Kathani."
Kate takes notice of his gaze and splutters as she takes notice of the desire that fills his eyes "That's not- That's not what I meant!" and swats him playfully on his shoulder. "I meant late night conversations, Anthony!"
He squints his eyes at her and both find themselves laughing like they haven't in years, so incredibly besotted with one another that it still catches them slightly off guard.
Kate bumps her nose against his then, their smiles willing the storm away. "Though I have to admit I am not opposed to your ways."
With a loud chuckle, Anthony pulls her closer. "I love you,"
"I love you, so much.”
And when their lips finally meet before the clock strikes midnight, Kate cannot help but realize there is no other place she could possibly be but here, next to Anthony, kissing under the storming sky, the night before their wedding.