Kanthony Imagines

A returns home.

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Kate sat and gazed out of the window, patiently waiting for the carriage to turn the corner and begin its journey to Aubrey Hall. She had tried to distract herself with mindless tasks all day; she had taken a trip to the modiste with Eloise and Francesca, and even attempted to help Gregory with his latin (which he so often complained about). 

Now, however, she was restless. 

She looked down at her hands. The Bridgerton engagement ring was something she would never tire of seeing on her finger. She and Anthony had been married for eight months - they had only returned from their honeymoon two months ago - and he had been gone for a week, forced to return to London to deal with finances and other boring matters. 

She would be lying if she said she hadn't missed him desperately.

Not that she would ever admit that to him. 

Kate convinced herself that perhaps if she stopped staring out of the window, he may appear. She pushed herself to her feet and began to pace the room, slowly. It was stupid, really, that he had only been gone for seven days and yet it felt like a lifetime. She had hated lying in their cold bed, with no warm presence beside her. She missed his arms wrapping around her waist, his mutterings in her ear when nobody was looking, his endless kisses, his smiles which were only for her. 

The third night without him, there had been a storm. She had struggled to get any sleep. Anthony knew of her fear, and usually he would take extra care to keep her close to him. He would whisper reassuringly into her hair, and would stay awake until she dropped off herself. Without him there, she had buried her head beneath the bedcovers. Midway through the next afternoon, she received a note, and somehow before she opened it she knew exactly what it would say.

Kate, 
I am aware it was storming badly last night. I hope you are feeling alright, and I aim to return home as soon as possible, perhaps by Friday. Do let me know if you need anything at all.
All my love, Anthony

It had made her heart flip in her chest. He was so attentive, so caring. She didn't know of anyone else in the ton who received such love from their husbands besides Daphne, from Simon. Then again, perhaps it was because she knew them well and could see their longing for each other first-hand. 

Suddenly, one of Kate's maids knocked on the door and called, "Lady Bridgerton? Lord Bridgerton has returned. Would you like me to send for tea?"

Kate's chest hitched. Anthony was home. 

She opened the door a crack and smiled. "That will be quite alright, thank you. I believe my husband and I may need a while to... discuss matters." 

The maid flashed her a knowing smile, which made Kate blush. In fact, the news of Anthony's arrival had made her quite nervous indeed. She lingered by the door, allowing it to fall back closed, and sat on the bed. She clasped her hands, then unclasped them, worrying that Anthony would find it strange. She didn't want to seem awkward; it was just that she had missed him so much, and was unsure how she would react to his presence after a week of craving it. A week of touching her lips with her own fingertips, wishing it was his mouth covering hers. 

Perhaps she should have asked the maid to call for tea, after all. Then there wouldn't be so much pressure to be alone, and of course she was in the bedroom-

The door clicked open.

Kate stood up so quickly she felt breathless. Or perhaps she lost her breath purely at the sight of him.