Chapter Text
Eloise ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“HELP!”
There was a row of carriages lined along the main street, but the Bridgerton’s carriage stood out like a sore thumb with its gold embellishments. Once their coach spotted her, he came running with their footman. The commotion was attracting attention.
“Shit, get back in.” The small headed man said, limping back towards the carriage.
“Get the girl you idiots!”
“They’re coming, get back in!” the small headed man shoved the one with black eye. “It’s not worth it.”
Eloise scrambled to pull Kate away and on to her feet as the men become distracted. Kate pushed her behind herself while she kept her knitting needle pointed at them. Their staff arrived as the men jumped back into their carriage, the fourth man who controlled the carriage whipped the horses into motion as an argument broke out inside. The carriage disappeared down the street, but Eloise couldn’t stop herself from shaking.
“Miss Bridgerton, Miss Sharma, we must get you into the carriage.” the coach said ushering them to safety. Kate sat close next to her, murmuring comforts into her hair as they rode back home.
“Are you ok?” Eloise asked.
“Don't worry about me. I’m ok, we are both ok.” Kate rubbed circles into her back. “We’ll arrive at Bridgerton house soon.”
She nodded, and to her great shame and surprise as Eloise looked into Kate’s eyes she burst into tears.
Anthony ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“We will do everything that we can, my lord.”
“I expect them to be in cells!” Anthony roared, pacing in his drawing room. “Someone has attacked my sister, my betrothed and they will be punished.”
“Yes, my lord. If we could be allowed to ask some questions, then -”
The rage he felt burned him from the inside out.
“You, both of you.” He pointed to Eloise and Kate. “Neither of you are allowed to go to Bloomsbury. In fact, no one is allowed to leave home without an escort.”
“Anthony - “
“NO ONE!” He rubbed his forehead. Could they not understand how dangerous their situation could have been? Eloise or Kate could have been taken, and awful things could have happened to them. “I trust I do not need to repeat myself.”
“My lord, if I may ask, has anyone made threats to you or your family?” The investigator asked, trying to gain some control of the room.
“No, of course not.” Anthony snarled. “Do you think I would let them walk away if they had?”
“It wasn’t me.” Eloise interrupted. “They weren’t after me, they were after Kate.”
“So you are saying that the men were-”
“Eloise, they grabbed you. There is no reason for them to come after me.” Kate was wrapped in a blanket, her own clothes muddy and bloody.
“You’re Anthony’s betrothed.” Colin said and Anthony wondering if Kate had some type of head injury. There were a thousand reasons for a man to come after Kate.
“I’m replaceable.”
“Kate!” Lady Mary yelled before Anthony had a chance to. “How could you say such a thing?”
“It is merely the truth. I-”
“They were after you, Kate! I couldn’t quiet see him, but the there was another man in the carriage. When they grabbed me, he said ‘not her, the other one’ or some such thing.” Eloise closed her eyes and held up her hands. “I am sure of it, they were after Kate.”
“Eloise-”
“No Kate!” Eloise sat next to Kate. “Look, I know that I was ineffective. I should have done more, I should have been more like you, but I know what I heard. They weren’t after me, they were after you and they still might be. You’re in danger Kate.”
“Eloise, there’s no prefect way for one to respond to a situation like that.”
“You fought them and I -.” Eloise blinked away tears. “I can at least work to make sure that they don’t go after you again. I can help capture them.”
“You will not be doing anything of the sort.” Anthony hissed and then turned his rage to Kate. “And you, what were you thinking? Fighting against grown men. Do you have any sense? What do you think you could have done if the staff hadn't reached you, if Eloise hadn’t called out for them? You should have yelled for help from the start.”
“I was protecting my sister and I will not apologize for it, nor would I change anything about the situation if it were to happen again.” Kate gritted out her reply.
“Anthony, Kate, darlings.” came his mother’s measured voice. “The doctor is here. Perhaps we can discuss this a different time?”
“A doctor? I told you I was fine.” Kate rolled her eyes.
“Kate, please let the doctor have a look at you.” Mary pleaded. “Lady Violet has a room prepared for you and I will be by your side.”
“I am fine, I-”
“Kate.” Anthony swallowed hard. “Please.”
Her face softened a fraction and she nodded, Lady Mary and his mother lead her up the stairs. He watched her move out for the corner of his eye, certain she was moving more gingerly than she normally did, while the London police took notes as Eloise retold her story. He clenched his fist, furious that someone dared to attack his family and furious with himself that he wasn’t there to stop them.
“Perhaps Kate can draw them?” Colin inquired. “She is a very talented artist.”
“That would be very helpful.” The investigator smiled, but it quickly faded away under Anthony’s glare.
“My fiancé might be injured. The memory of it must be frightening and I hardly think putting her through such trauma is proper when it is your job to find these miscreants. “
“Kate’s not made of glass, Anth-”
“Colin, from what I remember I’ve paid for your voyages around the world, not a medical degree.” His brother looked like he was strike back but sucked in his lower lip instead. “We will have to wait to see what the doctor says.”
“Lord Bridgerton, if I could please conduct my interview without any further interruptions, I would be most appreciative.” the investigator’s face was ruddy and red. “The sooner I am allowed to finish, the sooner I can go after the men who targeted your family.”
“No one is stopping you.” the man had the nerve to looked annoyed with him, but Anthony fought down the urge to pick a fight by reminding himself that the man had a point. The sooner he was done asking his questions, the sooner the hunt could begin.
Lady Mary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I shall let Lord Bridgerton know of the results.” the aged doctor said bowing to her before he took his leave.
He was barely out of the door when Kate spoke, “I told you that I was fine.”
“You are not fine, you have bruising. The doctor just said so.” Mary sighed. “We must speak about what you said.”
“What do you mean?”
“About being replaceable!” Honestly this girl. “How could you say such a terrible thing?”
Kate shrunk into herself and stared off into the distance. Kate had been like this, even as a child she would withdraw into herself when her emotions became too strong. Kate would go through the motions of daily life, refusing to share her concerns. “I said it because I am. He could find another, someone more suitable for him.”
“And I? Do you think that anyone could replace you in my heart?” The tears flowed freely, she could have lost her child today.
“I - “Kate blinked away tears. “After Appa passed you took me in as your own, and you never treated me any differently. Everything I... I did, I owed it to you.
“You owe me nothing!” Mary took Kate’s hand and wondered how she could have missed the burden that she had placed on her daughter’s shoulders. “Oh, you never had to earn your place in this family. I loved you from the day I met you. Love is not something that is ever owed. You came into my life...as a daughter, and I never saw you as anything else. It grieves me to think you do not believe you deserve all of the love in the world.”
“I love you too.”
Mary wiped away a tear and pulled Kate in to hug her tightly, being careful to hug her over her shoulders to avoid the bruising on her ribs. Kate let out a sniffled and pulled back, Mary brushed a kiss onto her forehead. “Let me see if Lady Violet has something suitable for you to wear home.”
“Mama - “
“I cannot stand the sight of that blood Kate. You have no idea how it felt to see you like that.” Her worst fears come to life.
Kate nodded and laid back against the pillows of the guest bedroom that Lady Violet had loaned to them for the doctor’s exam. Mary smoothed the covers and walked out of the room to find Lord Bridgerton in conversation with the doctor.
“I assure you my lord, Miss Sharma is well besides the bruising she suffered. Her injuries will heal in two weeks-time.” the doctor said in an exasperated tone that made her think that the Viscount had asked him the same question in 10 different ways.
“But, if there is bruising then there might be more injury underneath - “
“I have checked my lord, I assure you that the young lady does not have any internal injuries.”
“But, how do you know -”
“Lord Bridgerton.” Lady Mary greeted.
“Good day Lady Mary, Lord Bridgerton I will seek Miss Eloise next.” The doctor said quickly, leaving before Lord Bridgerton could corner him again. The Viscount glared at his retreating figure.
“Lady Mary, I assure you that I will find another doctor to provide a better opinion.” Lord Bridgerton vowed, a deep concerned furrow to his brow.
“I think that the doctor assessment is correct, my lord.”
“But surely a second opinion is necessary.” He shook his head. “We must be certain that she is healthy and whole. There is so much that can go wrong, and I would not – Kate must be well. Another doctor will see her.”
“My Lord -”
“Lady Mary we must be certain.” His tone was harsh and left no room for argument. The lines of his face were sharp, and she could understand why this man was one of the most feared men of the ton. When her girls were young and she and Miles would dream of the future, he had only one prerequisite for the men who would seek his daughters hands; that they would love his girls more than he did.
An impossible bar for his suitors, one that Lord Bridgerton had not met ...yet. But perhaps in time the rake that had compromised her daughter in his mother’s gardens would become the type of man that was worthy of her hand.
“When Kate protests, as she surely will, I will be placing all the blame at your feet.” The viscount nodded and then they both stood staring at each other, while she couldn’t claim to be the most attentive mother, she knew better than to walk away and let her daughter’s intended sneak into see her. “I told Kate I’d seek out your mother to see if there was anything right for her to wear when we return to Lady Danbury’s, might you lead me to her?”
He accepted as any gentleman would, but Mary could see the longing glances that he sent in the direction of her daughter’s closed door.
Eloise -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Penelope asked again.
“I am! I swear I am!” Eloise paced. “Anthony already had a doctor check on me, but he’s already calling for another one. He's convinced that Kate is on death’s door or something.”
“I think it’s rather sweet that he’s being so protective.” Penelope leaned forward in her seat.
Eloise made a face as though she would retch. “More like suffocating.”
“But, still it works to your advantage, does it not?” Penelope took a gentle bite out of a biscuit, careful to keep the crumbs off of her evening dress. “With Kate still here, you will be able to ask her questions about what happened - “
“And come up with suspects! Pen you are genius! “She dashed off to find parchment and quills. “We must make a list of questions. Come up with suspects. Who in the world could be after Kate?”
“Well, the other ladies of the ton.” Penelope tilted her head to the side. “Anthony was the season’s most eligible bachelor until he fell for Miss Sharma. If Miss Sharma is removed, he becomes eligible again.”
“Could anyone be that desperate to have Anthony?” Eloise wrinkled her nose. There were plenty of rumors of her brothers, the ones who’s names started with A,B and C anyways. The ladies of the ton always acted so foolishly around her brothers, but none of them had displayed any violent tendencies. “Anthony’s had other paramours before, right? Didn’t Lady Whistledown mention some kind of opera singer last season?”
“Siena Rosso, yes! But she was just his lover, she could never be Viscountess Bridgerton. She was no real threat. Plus, lord Bridgerton hasn’t seen her in almost a year.-
Eloise peered at Penelope.
“- Or so I’ve heard” Penelope moved her plate to make room for Eloises’s stationary. “Kate has his ring, all of you adore her -
“She could do much better than Anthony, honestly.”
“-the wedding is imminent.” Penelope took a quill. “If any fortune hunters were to make there move, it has to be now.”
“So possibly the Rows, Edingtons and Hùngs?”
“But, what about Kate? Does she have any enemies?” Penelope finished off her biscuit. “We don’t truly know much about her. Maybe someone followed her from her past.”
“But that doesn’t make much sense, does it?” she tapped the quill against her chin. “Why would someone travel 6 months to strike her here? When they could have attacked her when she was still in her homeland?”
“Perhaps they couldn’t?” Penelope shrugged. “What about the Sheffields? Lady Mary doesn’t have the best relationship with her parents.”
“Possibly. Possibly.” Eloise wrote the name down. “We should talk to Kate, ask her about her life.”
“Do you think she’s done with the doctor yet?”
Kate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Miss Sharma, despite your minor bruising there doesn’t seem to be anything broken.”
“Nothing broken and just minor bruising.” She smiled widely at Anthony who hovered at the threshold of the room, stone faced. “What spectacular news.”
She had been annoyed when mama said that there was another physician that had to see her. It was nothing but a waste of time and money, and she told Anthony as much because it was clearly his idea. She had asked mama if he could watch the doctor’s assessment, because clearly a physician’s word was not enough. “Would I be able to attend balls and promenade though the park?”
“Oh, you young ladies.” The doctor chuckled at her overly sweet voice. He took it seriously, but Anthony scowled at her sarcastic mocking tone. “You can dance all you like, as long as your intended allows it of course.”
“Of course,” Kate met Anthony’s stare head on. “Isn’t that wonderful Anthony?”
“Wonderful.”
“She will be fine for use, my lord. This incident won’t delay your wedding night.” the doctor closed up his bag with a chuckle and the furrow between Anthony’s brow deepened.
Kate sat up straight, ready to spit venom. Mary put a hand over hers and Anthony responded for them. “That is enough. You may leave now.”
The doctor stilled at the tone of the Viscount’s voice, looking around the room and realizing that the fun and games were over. He quickly wrapped up his things, Kate glaring at his back all the while. He was the perfect example of what was wrong with society, he had intelligence and a platform and used it to belittle women to keep his own station in life.
“I will walk you out.” Lady Mary looked back at them as she glided out of the room. “But I will return shortly.”
Kate could help the frustrated sigh. Mary had ask her to be more tolerant of Anthony’s nature and it was clear that she wasn’t going no for an answer. She could feel Anthony’s gaze burning into her, the fabric of Francesca’s nightgown doing little to shield her. “Are you satisfied now? As you can now tell I am completely fine.”
“And if you weren’t?” She could hear him grind his teeth together and it made her slightly nauseous. “I thought you intelligent, but clearly not.”
“Excuse you!” She snarled up at him. “You would have fought back just as I had. Do not lie to me and say that you would not have!”
He leaned down so that they were nose to nose. “That is different!”
“Why because you are a man, and I am a woman?”
“Yes!” They were both breathing quickly.
“Anthony? Kate?” Eloise called. “Can we come in?”
Eloise asked, but she was already walking in before Kate had a chance to respond. Young Penelope Featherington trailed in after her looking scandalized by the fact that Kate and Anthony were left by their lonesome. “I have some questions for you.”
“Eloise this is not the time.” Anthony stood stiffly by her bedside as she straightened up, pulling the blankets up a bit.
“I disagree, perfect time. Please fire away.” Kate smiled tightly and Anthony looked over his should to glare at her. Their discussion wasn’t going anywhere and if she was going to keep herself from killing her intended, she needed him to stop talking.
“Perfect,” Eloise hopped onto the foot of her bed while Penelope couldn’t find the courage to sit on the bed. “Was there anyone in India who would wish you harm? Did you have any enemies?”
“Enemies?” Kate and Anthony said at the same time, and she felt annoyed with herself for matching him so closely. “No, I spent my time caring for Edwina and Mary. When I wasn’t with them, I tutoring.”
“There’s no one in your life from India who you wouldn’t want to see?” Penelope asked.
Rohit the thought came to her before she could stop it.
“There is!” Eloise announced and suddenly all eyes were on her.
“Just someone I thought I knew, but it turns out I did not.” Kate hyper focused on the stitching of the duvet. “I don’t think that he would - “ That wasn’t true though, was it? He had hurt her.
“He?” Penelope sat delicately on the edge. “An old suitor of yours?”
“No, no, no.” Kate could help but chuckle. “It was never like that between us. I never thought of him like that.”
“But did he think of you like that? Would he want to stop your wedding?” Eloise scooted closer her and Kate stiffened. She looked up at Anthony who was watching her reactions closely before turning her gaze back down. Kate bit her lower lip.
“He told me of his feelings when I told him that we were planning to travel here. I told him that I didn’t reciprocate them, and he didn’t take it well. But, he’s thousands of miles away.” Kate rubbed at her arm where the bruise Rohit gave her once was. “There isn’t a way for him to know of the wedding, either. Any letter would take months to arrive, and last we spoke I told him that I wasn’t planning on getting married – to anyone.”
Kate noticed how Penelope glanced at Anthony's face.
“Until recently of course.” Kate saw Anthony smiled just slightly out of the corner of her eye. “Even though your brother vexes me on a daily basis.”
“What makes this old friend of yours so different from Lord Bridgerton?” Penelope smiled and it reminded Kate of when she would read Edwina love stories. Penelope squinted her eyes, “The security?”
“No, not that.” Kate laughed, “Rohit is the only son and his family is very well off. He’s never met anything or anyone that he couldn’t buy. He was the biggest bully when we were little, the first time I truly spoke to him I slapped him in the face for tripping a childhood friend of mine and told him to buy himself better manners.”
Eloise and Penelope laughed while Kate shook her head, “He was so mean to me afterwards. I suppose he thought I would break, but over time our arguments became more playful, and we just ended up as friends.”
“And the feelings you have for the Viscount are different.” Penelope batted her eyes. “How do you know if a friend is more than a friend?”
“The feelings are different, it’s more ” Anthony’s eyes glittered as he looked at her. Even when she was angry with him, he was still stomach churningly handsome.
“More?” Penelope echoed and Eloise scrunched up her nose, looking uncomfortable as Kate felt.
“It’s -” He was truly cruel. Was he truly going to let her suffer through their questions without any interference?
“Kate, darling I found a dress.” Lady Mary waved a Bridgerton blue dress around, pausing when she noticed the young ladies present in the room. “What are you girls doing in here?”