A Loveless Marriage: A Bridgerton Story

Chapter 5

It was now dark and Kathryn had arrived back at the Bridgerton house. She felt bad for missing dinner and having to sneak back in but she enjoyed the time she had spent with her sister. Her mother and sister needed her now more than ever.

Kathryn quietly walked the halls toward the bedroom she and Anthony would be staying in. It was late so she assumed Anthony would most likely already be sleeping.

She opened the door and saw Anthony lying on the bed. Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief, not really feeling up to talking. She walked over to the dresser, pulling out her nightgown.

"We missed you at dinner," Anthony said behind her making her jump.

"You scared me," Kathryn said putting her hand up to her chest.

"Where were you?" Anthony questioned standing up out of bed.

"I told you I was going to my parent's house," Kathryn said.

"You said you would be back for dinner," Anthony said raising his brow.

"I did. I apologize, I got caught up talking with my sister and..." Kathryn trailed off.

"And?" Anthony asked.

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Anthony about her father's sickness. But his accusing tone made her almost furious.

"Did you think I had lied to you about where I had gone off to?" Kathryn questioned.

Kathryn stood there staring at Anthony.

"I'm going to do some work in my study," Anthony said walking toward the door.

"You are not going to accuse me of lying and then run away when I confront you about it," Kathryn said.

"I am done speaking on the topic," Anthony said glancing at his wife.

"Well, I am not. You of all people should not be accusing me of lying," Kathryn huffed.

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Anthony asked fully facing her now.

"Shall I remind you about your mother's comment about you being good to me the past six months...she hopes that we have had time to get to know each other," Kathryn said, "You seem to have left out the detail where you left a week after the wedding only to finally return a few days ago."

"I did not say anything because I do not feel as if it is any of her business," Anthony said, "How I conduct my marriage is up to me."

"Your marriage," Kathryn laughed, "It seems as though you have forgotten that a marriage is between two people who both should get a say on how it is to be conducted. Either that or you just do not care enough about me to want my opinion on how this should be conducted."

Kathryn was absolutely furious at this point. She could honestly punch Anthony right in his face.

"So which is it, Lord Bridgerton?" Kathryn asked.

Anthony stood there staring at his wife. He could tell that she was very angry by the way her chest was rising up and down so quickly.

"I believe we are already in the marriage so we must do what we can to survive," Anthony replied.

"To survive?" Kathryn laughed, "Marriage is supposed to be about love. About spending the rest of your life with that one person and being able to go to them with anything"

"I do not believe in love," Anthony said, "And I think you would have a much better time if you learned not to believe in it as well."

Anthony walked out of the room before Kathryn could say anymore. She stood there, staring at where he had just stood. The person who she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with, just told her to stop believing in love. Something that she had believed in since she was a little girl, and now, she would never have it.