Letting You In [Bridgerton]

Chapter 2

2

Featherington House
London residence of the Baron Featherington
One week earlier

After the Queen had taken her leave of the Featherington Ball and the last of the errant fireworks were quite finished—Kate was certain she had heard Anthony angrily muttering "Colin!" as he stalked out of the drawing room amidst the last round of intermittent, jarring explosions from the back garden—the Sharmas and Lady Danbury ventured out into the front hall to quietly await the arrival of the Danbury carriage. Quietly, because drawing the attention of the sharp-eyed, gossip-mongering Lady Featherington was the last thing anyone in their little party wished.

Following Anthony, Lady Bridgerton had gone off to round up her brood. Kate had wanted to see him one last time this evening, but of course that was a foolish desire. No one would have permitted them a moment's privacy and she had no wish to merely stand politely beside him under everyone's watchful eye. Not now, not after all he had said to her.

I will humble myself before you, because I cannot imagine my life without you.

I love you.

If she had thought her attraction to him before was unbearable, she could only laugh at herself now, when she couldn't properly focus on whatever the Queen of England had been saying because he was merely in the same room. And if Kate allowed him to catch her eye—no. He was utterly impossible. She was not going to leap upon him, wrap her legs around his waist, and wipe that smirk off his face. She was not. No.

Damn him! The Queen was sitting right there!

So Kate had tossed her head, looked away, and pretended that whatever the Queen was saying was utterly fascinating.

The Queen's commands had been, at the very least, a distinct relief. Kate and Anthony wouldn't have to wait three weeks for the banns to be read.

But that was when more fireworks started going off unexpectedly outside, accompanied by a few startled screams and a chorus of young male whoops of laughter. The Queen's secretary had urged a prudent exit and the royal audience had come to an abrupt end.

Marry within the week, Lord Bridgerton. I wish to hear no more of this nonsense. And the Queen and her entourage had swept out of the room.

So Kate now stood at the bottom of the steps outside Featherington House, comfortable in the pleasantly cool evening air, waiting with Edwina, Mary, and Lady Danbury as the carriage pulled up. Kate glanced back one last time, but Anthony was nowhere to be seen.

Soon, my love. Kate smiled and climbed up into the carriage.

As they rolled down the drive, the four women began the journey in silence. Lady Danbury sat beside Lady Mary, and Edwina sat beside Kate, who really was having the most difficult time keeping the corners of her mouth from curving upward. She looked out the window. They were barely a half-mile from Danbury House; the ride would be thankfully short, and then she could hide in her room—

"We will need to have your wedding trousseau made at once," Lady Danbury announced, and Kate looked at her in surprise.

"But you've already paid for so many gowns for me," Kate said. "Surely—"

"None of them are a suitable wedding dress."

"How can we have a suitable one made in so little time?"

Even in the dimness of the carriage, Kate could see Lady Danbury arch her eyebrow. "You plan to marry in a spinster's colours?"

"They are not—"