Chapter Text
The Bridgerton estate was buzzing with activity that morning. Maids scurried about, dusting gleaming surfaces and polishing brass fixtures. Footmen delivered trays of letters and invitations, and Lady Violet’s voice floated through the air as she directed preparations for the upcoming dinner.
Kate had no patience for any of it. She had risen early, determined to take action and call on the Bridgertons, but this was no social call. Her mission led her to the art studio on the east side of the house.
She had heard from one of the servants that Benedict Bridgerton was sketching there, and she needed him, specifically him, for what she had in mind.
When she entered, the scent of paint and turpentine greeted her, along with the sight of Benedict standing in front of a canvas. He turned at the sound of the door and smiled.
“Miss Sharma,” he said, wiping his hands on a rag. “What an unexpected delight. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Kate shut the door behind her and crossed her arms. “I need your help.”
Benedict’s eyebrows shot up, his expression equal parts intrigue and amusement. “My help? I must say, that is not something I hear often. Or, well, ever.”
“This is serious,” Kate said, stepping closer. “I need to find a way out of this engagement.”
Benedict blinked, then let out a low whistle. “You do not waste time, do you? Are you always this direct?”
“When the situation calls for it, yes,” Kate said firmly.
“Interesting,” Benedict murmured, leaning casually against the easel. “But I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong Bridgerton. You see, my brother is the one honoring this arrangement, not I.”
“Exactly,” Kate said, her eyes narrowing. “Which is why I need you. You know him better than anyone. Surely you can help me convince him that this engagement is a mistake.”
Benedict chuckled, shaking his head. “Ah, I see. You want me to meddle in Anthony’s affairs. A dangerous game, Miss Sharma. He does not take kindly to interference.”
“Neither do I,” Kate said sharply. “But your brother has already interfered in my life to an unacceptable degree. It is only fair that I return the favor.”
Benedict tilted his head, studying her. “You really dislike him that much, don’t you?”
Kate hesitated, caught off guard by the question. Did she dislike Anthony? Certainly, he infuriated her. His arrogance, his high-handedness, his maddening ability to get under her skin, all of it drove her to distraction. But dislike?
“I dislike the situation ,” she said carefully.
Benedict’s lips twitched. “How diplomatic of you.”
Kate scowled. “Are you going to help me or not?”
“That depends,” Benedict said, folding his arms. “What exactly are you asking me to do?”
Kate took a deep breath. “Lord Bridgerton values your opinion, doesn’t he? If you were to suggest to him that this engagement is ill-advised, he might listen.”
Benedict laughed, the sound rich and unapologetic. “You give me far too much credit. My brother is as stubborn as they come. If he has decided this engagement is necessary, nothing I say will change his mind.”
“But you could at least try,” Kate pressed. “Surely you can think of some way to make him reconsider.”
Benedict tapped a finger against his chin, his expression thoughtful. “Well, I suppose I could paint a scandalous portrait of him and threaten to display it in the Royal Academy. That might do the trick.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “I am being serious.”
“And so am I,” Benedict said with a grin. “Anthony hates sitting for portraits. The idea of being immortalized in an unflattering light would horrify him.”
Kate couldn’t suppress a small smile at the mental image. “As tempting as that sounds, I need something more practical.”
“Ah, practical,” Benedict said, his tone teasing. “How boring.”
Kate sighed, exasperated. “If you’re not going to help, I’ll find another way.”
Benedict straightened, his grin softening into something more sincere. “Miss Sharma, I may not be able to solve your problem, but I do sympathize. My brother can be a little difficult.”
“That is an understatement,” Kate muttered.
“But,” Benedict continued, “he is not without reason. If you truly wish to change his mind, you’ll need to appeal to that reason. Show him that this engagement is not the solution he thinks it is.”
Kate frowned. “And how am I supposed to do that?”
Benedict shrugged. “You’re clever. I have no doubt you’ll think of something.”
Kate was not entirely satisfied with his answer, but she had to admit that he had a point. If she wanted to extricate herself from this mess, she would need to approach it strategically.
“I’ll give it some thought,” she said at last.
“Good,” Benedict said with a nod. “In the meantime, if you change your mind about the scandalous portrait, do let me know. I’m always up for a bit of mischief.”
Despite herself, Kate laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
As she turned to leave, Benedict called after her. “Oh, and Miss Sharma?”
She paused at the door, glancing back.
“For what it’s worth,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically serious, “Anthony may not deserve you, but I think he knows it. That’s something, isn’t it?”
Kate didn’t know how to respond to that, so she simply nodded and left the room.
The corridor outside the studio was quiet, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Benedict’s words lingered in her mind, unsettling her. Did Anthony truly feel unworthy of her? It seemed unlikely, given his arrogance.
But if it were true.
No. She couldn’t allow herself to dwell on such thoughts. This wasn’t about Anthony’s feelings, or her own.
It was about regaining control of her life.
As she made her way back to Lady Danbury's estate, her resolve hardened. If Benedict wouldn’t help her, she would find another way. Their fathers might have deemed this arrangement a necessity, but she did not. Whatever reasons they had for forging this bond, they weren’t hers, and she wasn’t about to let their past decisions dictate her future.
One way or another, she would put an end to this engagement.
For now, though, she allowed herself a small smile at the memory of Benedict’s teasing. At least one Bridgerton was tolerable.