A Loveless Marriage: A Bridgerton Story

Chapter 3

Kathryn would be lying to herself if she didn't say she was a bit nervous to be spending the social season in the ton. She was very much excited to see her family but nervous to spend more time with the Bridgerton's. Sure she had known them most of her life and they all seemed very nice, but what if they all treated her the way Anthony did? She could barely handle her husband ignoring her most of the time. There was no way she'd be able to handle it if everyone else did as well.

Kathryn felt nervous butterflies in her stomach as she stepped out of the carriage. Anthony's mother was standing outside waiting for their arrival.

"Anthony!" Violet smiled pulling her son into a hug, "It is so good to see you."

"As is your mother," Anthony replied hugging her back.

"And how are you, my dear?" Violet asked grabbing Kathryn's hands and smiling at her.

"I am quite well, Lady Bridgerton," Kathryn smiled.

"That is lovely to hear," Violet said with a warm smile, "I do hope my son has been treating you well these past six months and that you two have had plenty of time to get to know one another."

Kathryn felt Anthony tense up behind her. Did his mother not know that they had been apart for the majority of the past six months?

"He has," Kathryn smiled, "You raised an amazing son."

"That is so good to hear. I am very excited that you two are going to be spending the season here. I would love to get to know you better," Violet smiled.

"As would I, Lady Bridgerton," Kathryn smiled genuinely.

"No need to call me Lady Bridgerton, Kathryn. We're family now, call me Violet," she said.

Kathryn just smiled at the woman. Maybe being in the ton wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Hello, brother," Benedict said walking up beside his mother.

"Benedict. How have you been?" Anthony said.

"Oh, you know. Just trying to keep this family together since you decided to go off and get married and leave us here," Benedict joked.

"Well I am here now," Anthony said.

"That you are which means that I am off duty now," Benedict said, "Maybe I can find a wife of my own so I too can disappear for six months."

This made Anthony laugh slightly, "Bold of you to assume you could find a wife, brother."

"If you could find a wife with those ugly sideburns, anyone can," Benedict cheesed.

Kathryn could not help but let out a small giggle. This giggle caught the attention of the two Bridgerton brothers. Kathryn did her best to cover it with a cough as Anthony glared at her but she could not help but smile as she looked over at Benedict who too was trying not to laugh.

"Though if it meant finding a wife as beautiful as this, I too would grow hideous sideburns," Benedict said grabbing ahold of Kathryn's hand and kissing her knuckle.

"You are too kind, Lord Bridgerton," Kathryn smiled.

"Benedict, please, Lady Bridgerton," Benedict insisted.

"Well then you too must call me by my given name, Kathryn," she said.

"Well then, Kathryn, what do you think of my brother's sideburns?" Benedict asked turning his gaze back to his older brother.

Kathryn turned her attention back to her husband who stood beside her. She could tell that he was annoyed with the conversation.

"You would not see me shed a tear if he one day decided to shave them off," Kathryn said making Benedict laugh.