Contrite & Convicted

Convicted Part I

Convicted Part I

Kate Sharma sat there, amongst herself in Lady Danbury's garden feeling rather lost. All her plans and ideas, gone. She sat there watching the bees and the butterflies flutter about their business.

Kate Sharma was convicted.

Holding the letter in her hand as if it was her lifeline. A letter from her betrothed, Viscount Lawrence Bane. He wasn't an unattractive match, by any means.

With his dark hair, light and kind eyes. In fact she was still reeling inside with how her betrothal came about.

"Sister I do believe Viscount Bane has his eyes on you." Kate turned to meet her sister's eyes and saw nothing but honesty.

"Viscount Bane? You must be mistaken. I've said nothing more than three words with him. Beside's, he is rather gloomy." Edwina came to stand behind her sister as she continued to brush her hair.

"That may be true but he has spoken nothing but kind regard to you. I believe all his time he has spent with me, is to get closer...to you." Kate paused her menstruation with the hairbrush and pondered a moment.

This wasn't what her goal was in coming here, but it would still seal a deal for Edwina. She could see where this would lead but she wouldn't keep her hopes up.

It all seemed to spiral into place after that. Hunting with the men the next morning led herself and Bane into a smooth sailing conversation.

"Who taught a Lady such as yourself to hunt? I myself was taught by my uncle..rather poorly might I add." Bane spoke as he pulled in beside Kate's horse. Kate was watching the oldest Bridgerton but nevertheless listened to her sister's advice. To try.

Turning to face the kind but saddened man she dived into the conversation.

"My father. Back in India." Bane nodded and seemed to want to say something else, but something stopped him.

"You seemed to wish to say something, sir. Please, I will not be offended." Bane smiled and let out a breathy laugh and moved his horse to a slower pace as the group had slowed.

"I merely wanted to ask if your father teaching you to hunt had left you out in society, for it is not common." Kate was shocked by the blunt question, but as said, not offended.

"It has left men confused at my standing and often leave them blundering but I see that my fellow ladies often take it with pride. It is not often women are taught these things and I am happy to know I am one of the few who do." Bane smiled and looked up against the trees.

"You remind me of my deceased wife. She too was strong in willpower and femenine rights as you are, Ms. Sharma." Kate looked at the man and no longer did she see a sad, older man who only talked of his wife. She saw a man who accepted the loss of a wife whose memory trailed with him like a ghost, or trails in the woods leading to an unknown destination with an unknown beginning.

Kate at that moment, looked off into the woods focusing back on the hunt. The trees were so green here. A mist surrounding the air. There on the ground she noticed the tracks. However, the hunting party was going the opposite direction as the marks.

"Why are we headed this way? Should we not head towards the trail if we wish to succeed in our hunt? Look, over there in the moss!" A bunch of men scwabbled but Viscount Bridgerton turned to face her.

"Let us stay with the group. If we find nothing, I shall offer myself up with target practice." Kate tried not to be so obvious in her laughter but a chuckle escaped her lips. Bridgerton turned around, much to Kate's dismay and a sigh left her chest.