It was late and Kathryn was walking back from her mother's house. She did not exactly know what drew her to the house but she somehow found herself standing in front of the Price house. She had not talked to Benjamin much since her father's death. He and his family were at the funeral but they had not spoken.
"You could go up and knock but I am not home," someone behind her said.
She turned around smiling as she saw Benjamin standing behind her, "You are out late."
"I could say the same for you," Benjamin said, "It is not safe for a lady to be roaming the streets this hour."
"I am just heading back from seeing my mother and sister," Kathryn said.
"How are they?" Benjamin asked.
"They are doing better," Kathryn said.
"And how are you?" Benjamin asked.
"I am getting better. Just taking it one day at a time," Kathryn said.
"Would you like to come in?" Benjamin asked.
"I shouldn't. It is late and I am sure your parents are sleeping," Kathryn said.
"We shall go to the garden then," Benjamin smiled.
And that is exactly what they did. Kathryn was lying beside Benjamin on the ground of the garden and they were looking up at the sky. They had done this many times as children. Whether that be at her house or his.
"I miss him more than anything," Kathryn said after a long silence.
"It cannot be easy," Benjamin said, "You two were so close."
"I have not painted since he passed. I cannot seem to find any inspiration," Kathryn admitted, "I cannot even bring myself to paint the garden. Something that I could do in my sleep."
"Why not?" Benjamin asked.
"That was the last place I saw him. He looked so happy and healthy that day," Kathryn whispered, "He told Alia and me how proud he was of the both of us. How he was so happy that I found a wonderful husband and that I was going to be a great mother one day."
"That sounds nice," Benjamin smiled.
"Yes except it is not true," Kathryn admitted.
"What do you mean?" Benjamin asked dropping his head to the side to look at the girl.
"I have not found a wonderful husband. Anthony left me alone for six months after the wedding only to return and bring me here. All we did was fight when we first got here over everything. He told me he did not believe in love and that I too should stop believing in it. He has not talked to me since that night my father died. I looked at him and he had no emotions, absolutely nothing at all. I will never have children with that man. I will not allow children to be born from a marriage that has no love," Kathryn let a tear roll down her cheek as she spoke.
This was the first time Kathryn had cried since the night her father passed. This was also the first time she had even said any of these things out loud to anyone. Her talk with Benedict earlier was the closest she had ever come to saying them out loud. Benjamin grabbed ahold of her hand making her drop her head to the side so that she was looking into his eyes.
"I am so sorry, Kathy," Benjamin said, "Why did you not tell me this is what you were going through?"
"I have not told anyone. This is the first time I am actually speaking of it," Kathryn said, "Anyway, does it even really matter? I am married to him, there is nothing that I can do."
"You could have had someone to talk to. I would have been here for you if you would have just let me know," Benjamin said cupping her cheek with his hand and wiping a tear away, "Kathy you are the most amazing person that I know. You are kind, and selfless, and too good of a person to be going through something like this."
"Well there is not really much that can be done now," Kathryn said.
"You do not have to go through this alone any longer," Benjamin said caressing her cheek with his thumb, "I will be here for you day and night whenever you need me."
"Thank you, Benjamin," Kathryn smiled, "You truly are the best."
"I love you, Kathy," Benjamin smiled.
"I love you too, Benny," Kathryn smiled.
Benjamin let out a shaky breath before leaning in and kissing Kathryn. This had been all he had been thinking about since the moment he saw her in her parent's drawing room. When he found out that she was married his hope diminished, he knew that she could never be his. But the minute she opened up to him about her marriage being a mess that hope lit back up inside of him. Maybe he could have her. Not in a they could get married way, but he could be there for her emotionally and even physically if that is what she needed. He would be there for any of her needs.
Kathryn pulled away from the kiss sitting up from the ground, "What are you doing?"
"Kissing you," Benjamin said, "What does it look like I was doing."
"I am married," Kathryn said standing up from the ground and dusting off her dress.
"Yeah and your husband sounds like a real arsehole," Benjamin said standing as well.
"That does not mean that you just get to kiss me," Kathryn said, "I am still married."
"I thought that," Benjamin said.
"You thought that what?" Kathryn asked cutting him off, "That just because I am unhappy in my marriage you could do whatever you pleased."
"No, no. I would have never done anything that you did not approve of," Benjamin said, "I just thought maybe we could..."
"We could what?" Kathryn asked.
"Let's run away together," Benjamin said grabbing ahold of her hand.
"What?" Kathryn asked bewildered.
"Let's run away together. We can go to the Americas and start a life just the two of us. I do not wish to follow in my father's footsteps and run the family business and it will get you away from your husband. We could be in a loving marriage, together. Just like your father always wanted for you."
Kathryn took a step back pulling her hand out of Benjamin's grip.
"Come on Kathy," Benjamin said, "I would risk it all for you."
"I cannot just leave. My mother and sister are here," Kathryn said, "Not to mention that I am still married."
"We can write to our families after we get settled," Benjamin said, "They will understand when we explain it to them."
"I cannot, Benjamin," Kathryn said, "I will not."
"You said that you loved me," Benjamin said.
"I do love you," Kathryn said, "But I do not think the way that I love you is the same way that you love me."
"Please Kathy," Benjamin said, "I just want to make you happy."
Benjamin smashed his lips onto the girls again, more aggressive this time. Kathryn pushed will all of her force pushing the man off of her.
"Get away from me!" Kathryn yelled, "I never wish to see you again."
👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀 👀
Sorry about this 🤭
~A
YOU ARE READING
A Loveless Marriage: A Bridgerton Story
FanfictionKathryn Bishop had a great life. She grew up with loving and supportive parents and a younger sister who she got along with. Mr and Mrs. Bishop were lucky enough to marry for love and Kathryn could not wait until she was old enough to marry someone...
