A Loveless Marriage: A Bridgerton Story

Chapter 11

Benjamin turned back toward Kathryn who was looking up at him. This is not at all how she planned on him finding out that she was married. Sure she was going to tell him, but not like this.

"You are married?" Benjamin asked.

"Yes. Lord Bridgerton and I have been married for six months," Kathryn said.

"I apologize," Benjamin said turning back to Anthony, "I did not know."

"It is quite all right," Anthony smiled, "No harm done and now you know."

Benjamin looked back at Kathryn, she could see the sadness on his face. Six months. She had been married for six months to Anthony Bridgerton. Six months...he had been too late.

"I do believe my father is calling me," Benjamin said, "I better get going."

"Benny," Kathryn said.

"I shall see you soon," Benjamin said before walking away.

Kathryn watched as he walked toward the door, not even looking back. She could feel tears brimming in her eyes. She hoped that she had not lost Benjamin as a friend. Kathryn turned back toward Anthony who had an amused look on his face.

"Are you ready to leave now?" Anthony asked.

Kathryn did not say a word and turned around to walk out of the house toward the carriages. She could not believe Anthony had just done that. The night air was crisp as it hit her hot skin. She could hear Anthony talking to one of the footmen to bring around the carriage. She did not wish to even look at his face.

After a few minutes, the carriage was brought around and the footman helped Kathryn up into it. She sat down in the carriage with crossed arms looking out of the window. Out of her peripheral vision, she saw Anthony climb in and sit on the opposite side of her. If he said one word to her on the ride home she might punch him straight in his face.

"Benny," Anthony laughed to himself as soon as the carriage had pulled away from the Danbury house.

Kathryn chose to ignore him, still staring out the side window.

"I mean forgive me for running your time with Benny," Anthony said.

"You have no idea what you are talking about," Kathryn said through gritted teeth, still not looking at him.

"Don't I?" Anthony asked, "Because it looked like you were going to dance with a Lord, whom by the way you did not have my permission to dance with."

"Benjamin is an old childhood friend. We grew up together," Kathryn said looking at the man in front of her, "I did not realize I needed your permission to dance with childhood friends."

"A childhood friend who you just conveniently did not let know that you are married now," Anthony asked.

"It is not like I was not going to tell him," Kathryn huffed.

"When?" Anthony yelled.

Kathryn jumped at the level of Anthony's voice. He had never yelled at her like that during any of their fights. No one had ever yelled at her like that.

"When exactly were you going to tell him? " Anthony gritted.

"I do not know exactly when but trust me I was going to," Kathryn said.

"You do not understand what he wants from you," Anthony said.

"What he wants? We are just friends," Kathryn argued, "Benjamin would never hurt me."

"You do not see the way he looks at you," Anthony said.

"He looks at me as though we are friends. As someone who actually cares about me unlike my own husband," Kathryn argued.

"Maybe you should have married Benny then," Anthony mocked.

"Maybe I should have," Kathryn snapped, "Maybe then I would actually have a husband who is capable of love."

Silence fell over the two as Kathryn looked back out of the window. She could feel the anger radiating off of herself. There was more hatred in this carriage than she had ever felt in her life.

"I do not want you to see him again," Anthony said.

"You cannot do that," Kathryn said.

"I can and I am," Anthony said coldly, "I am your husband you will do as I say. Do you understand?"

Kathryn opened her mouth to say something but no words came out.

"Do you understand?" Anthony repeated.

"Yes," Kathryn said quietly as she sat back in her seat, her gaze returning to the window.

The rest of the carriage ride was spent in silence. When they arrived at the Bridgerton house Anthony went straight for his study and Kathryn went to the room.

Kathryn lay in the middle of the bed as tears ran down her eyes. How dare Anthony tell her she could not see Benjamin again. The two had been best friends since they were in diapers. Anthony did not even know Benjamin. She knew that if he would just get to know him, the two would be friends.

She could not even believe that Anthony thought that Benjamin would ever do anything to hurt her. He was probably the most kind person she had ever met. Now that Benjamin knew she was married he would absolutely never try anything. She was certain of it.

Kathryn knew she could not just stop speaking to him. Anthony had asked her never to see him again and she had agreed but she just could not drop him completely. He at least deserved an explanation, and she was going to give it to him. No matter what Anthony had said, she was going to see him at least one more time.

Do you think Anthony has a right to be jealous of Benjamin? Does he see something she can't?
~A