A Loveless Marriage: A Bridgerton Story

Chapter 7

Kathryn walked into the drawing room at the Bishop house to see her sister sitting reading a book.

"I did not expect to see you again this morning," Alia said.

"I told Papa that I would come back today to see him," Kathryn replied.

"He is sleeping at the moment," Alia said.

"Where is Mama?" Kathryn asked looking around the room.

"She went to the market, she should be back soon," Alia said, "This is one of the only times she has been out of the house in weeks."

"How is she?" Kathryn asked her sister, "Truly."

"She is not doing well. I can tell she is overly exhausted. She has been worried about Papa being sick, she has not been sleeping," Alia said.

"Well it is good that she is out of the house then," Kathryn said.

"I have tried my best to help her how I could. She always tries to push me away and tells me not to worry about it. I do not think she wants to face the reality," Alia said.

"He is the love of her life," Kathryn replied, "If the love of my life was dying I would not want to live either."

"You mean Viscount Bridgerton?" Alia said.

"What?" Kathryn asked.

"You speak as if you have not yet met the love of your life," Alia said looking at her sister, "Anthony is the love of your life, if he not?"

"Oh, yes," Kathryn replied.

"You know Papa and Mama would not want you to be in a marriage that was not filled with love right?" Alia said.

"I know," Kathryn said.

"So is it?" Alia questioned.

"Is what?" Kathryn asked hoping her sister was not asking what she thought she was asking.

"Your marriage with Anthony. Is it full of love?" Alia asked.

"Yes," Kathryn replied quickly.

Alia looked at her sister with narrow eyes. Kathryn had never been a good liar. One time when they were kids their mother had this beautiful vase that their father had given her as an anniversary present. The girls were playing around in the halls, chasing after one another, even though their mother had told them countless times to stop. The two had accidentally bumped into the table the vase was sitting on and knocked it off breaking it. They both ran away hoping they would not get caught. And they would not have if Kathryn would not have cracked under Katie's questioning.

Alia opened her mouth to question her sister's response when Beth, their housekeeper walked into the room.

"Hello, Beth," Kathryn smiled, glad for the interruption.

"Hello Mrs. Kathryn," Beth smiled, "I did not think I would see you back here so soon."

Beth had been working for the Bishops since before Kathryn was born. Though her mother was very hands-on with raising them, Beth played a big part in that too.

"Yes well, the Viscount's younger sister is making her debut this season. We had to come back for it," Kathryn smiled, And I am so glad we did with my father being sick."

"I am sure he is so glad to have you here," Beth smiled, "I came to let you both know that your father is awake."

"You should go see him," Alia said, "I am sure he is tired of me coming and reading to him."

"Nonsense," Kathryn said, "Papa has always enjoyed listening to you read. I doubt he would ever grow tired of it."

"You are probably right about that," Alia smiled, "But you go. I shall wait here for Mama to get back from the market."