Duty vs Desire: Kanthony Fanfic

Chapter 6: Love the way you lie

Summary:

Crazy Stupid Destructive All Consuming Love

Notes:

You're the same as me, when it comes to love, you're just as blinded
Baby, please come back, it wasn't you, Baby, it was me,
Maybe our relationship isn't as crazy as it seems

Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano
All I know is I love you too much to walk away though

Chapter Text

Kate was furious with herself. How could she let herself fall for Anthony again, after everything he had done? And after everything she knew? Did she really think she was any better than all the other women who believed his lies?

She had heard rumors of him discarding his mistresses cruelly after promising to protect them. Not that his promises meant anything, after all he was breaking his marriage vows to her sister, with her. Her tears flowed from anger and self hate, how could she have been this stupid?

She recalled how he made her feel the last time she was in Aubrey Hall. She had fallen hopelessly for him but then he swept right past her and proposed to her sister. He even made her sister fall in love with him. How she wished she had never set eyes on him. Her bane of existence.

She was just another one in his long line of conquests, to be discarded and replaced by another. And his plan to dispose of her was quite clever, passing her off to his friend. As if her feelings did not matter, as if she could be with just anyone he chose for her.

She would leave rather than be coerced into courtship or marriage. She counted the money she had. She had enough to go back to India, but risked Edwina coming after her. No, that would not do. She must instead go to America. The funds would be more than enough to cover her fare and she might still have enough leftover to get by until she found a job there. The trip to New York took just under a month vs the six month sailing to Bombay. She wondered if Anthony might come after her, since he might know where she went? But why would he bother following her, if he planned to get rid of her anyway? Yes, New York was the better plan.

She started packing her belongings. She would need to book a carriage to Liverpool and try to make the next sailing which was just a few days away.

"Didi, what are you doing?" She heard Edwina's voice and turned around to see Edwina walking into her room looking alarmed. She asked again "Didi, where do you think you are going?" Kate replied "Bon, I have long delayed my return. It is evident you don't need me anymore. There is no need to arrange for my courtship or marriage to get rid of me. Just let me leave."

Edwina cried "Didi! It is only my desire to keep you here that makes me accept Mr Dorset's request. Why are you being so difficult? Why can't you accept a man who clearly adores you. I know you have feelings for him as well. Why wouldn't you give him a chance?

Kate responded hotly "Edwina, I do not have any feelings for Mr Dorset or anyone else. I am here only because you asked me to. I am not looking for courtship or marriage. "

Edwina tried again "You don't have to marry him. Let him court you. You can get to know each other and then decide. Why do you want to run to the other side of the world? Will it be so awful for you to marry someone and live here, close to us? How can you even think of abandoning me over and over again?"

Kate did not respond and continued packing and Edwina started taking Kate's things out of her box and putting them back on the shelves. "You are not going anywhere, do you hear me? I won't let you. And do not even think of sneaking out. I will tell all the footmen, not to let you leave this house unless I am with you." Edwina then hugged her sister and started weeping.