A Loveless Marriage: A Bridgerton Story

Chapter 16

It had been a week and she still felt like she could feel his lips on hers. Kathryn could not believe that Anthony was right about Benjamin. She did not think she would ever give him the satisfaction of knowing that though. Nevertheless, if Anthony ever found out that Benjamin had kissed her, he might kill the man. Even though she never wished to see or speak to him again, she did not want him dead.

Kathryn held onto Anthony's arm as they walked around the ball. It was the first one she had been to since her father's passing. The two still had not spoken. That made for a very awkward and quiet carriage ride.

"Bridgerton," a tall dark dark-skinned man said walking up to them.

"Hastings," Anthony smiled.

"Where is your sister?" the man asked.

"I do believe she is getting a drink with Benedict," Anthony replied.

"This must be your wife," the man said turning toward Kathryn.

"Yes," Anthony said.

"Simon Basset," the man greeted.

"Kathryn Bridgerton," Kathryn smiled.

"Please do tell me Mrs. Bridgerton, how did such a lovely woman end up with Anthony here?" Simon joked.

"You are too kind," Kathryn laughed.

"I speak only the truth," Simon smiled, "You found quite the lovely lady, Anthony."

"Yes," Anthony smiled, "I am quite lucky."

Kathryn had to hold back a laugh at Anthony's words. If he really thought he was so lucky maybe he should act like it. Not talking to your wife for over a month did not show that you were quite lucky.

Daphne and Benedict walked up to the group. Daphne smiled at the Duke as he returned it.

"Would you care for a dance?" Simon asked Daphne.

"That would be lovely," Daphne smiled handing her drink cup to Benedict.

"You two should go dance," Benedict suggested.

"I do not think..."

"We should," Anthony said smiling at his wife.

Kathryn looked at him, a deep furrow in her brow.

"That is if you would like to," Anthony said.

"Sure," Kathryn said taking his hand as he led her to the dance floor.

Anthony led Kathryn to the dance floor. She was not sure what kind of game he was trying to play. The two had not said anything to each other all night and now he wanted to dance.

"Is something the matter?" Anthony asked.

Kathryn looked at him like he was the dumbest person she had ever met.

"What?" Anthony asked.

"Did you really just ask me that?" Kathryn said.

"Yes. It seems like something is bothering you," Anthony said.

"Oh, I wonder what it could be?" Kathryn said a bit annoyed.

"I am not sure. That is why I am asking," Anthony said.

"Please stop talking," Kathryn said as the two continued to dance.

The couple finished their dance in silence.

"I am going to talk to Benedict quickly," Anthony said, "I will be right back."

Kathryn just nodded her head letting him know that she heard him. She was still angry about him asking if she was all right. The more she thought about it the angrier she got. After a few short minutes, Anthony came back like he had said.

"Are you ready to leave?" Anthony asked.

"Leave? What about Daphne?" Kathryn asked looking to see the girl was still on the dance floor with the Duke.

"Benedict and my mother will be with her," Anthony said, "As well as Colin."

"I suppose I am ready to leave," Kathryn said.

The carriage ride back to the Bridgerton house was quiet. Kathryn just kept replaying that comment from Anthony over and over again in her head. How dare he ask her what was wrong. Her father died over a month ago and the two had not spoken during that time. By the time they arrived at Bridgerton house, Kathryn was absolutely fuming.

"I am going to be in my study," Anthony said as they entered the house.

Before Kathryn could say anything, he was gone. Off to hide in that stupid study of his. He always spent all of his time in that stupid study. He had been sleeping, eating, and basically living in that study. And Kathryn was tired of it.

"What exactly is your problem?" Kathryn asked busting into the study.

"I did not know I had a problem," Anthony said.

"Well you do," Kathryn said.

"Please do enlighten me on my problem," Anthony said.

"You leave me at Aubrey Hall right after our wedding and are gone for six months. Then you sent me a letter one day saying you were to return home. I was nervous but excited to see you again. I thought that maybe we could finally start being a married couple. Then you return just to tell me we will be joining your family for the social season," Kathryn ranted, "Which I was fine with because that meant that I got to be back with my family whom I have missed dearly."

"All I have heard is that I reunited you with your family which you are happy about," Anthony said.

"I am not finished," Kathryn said harshly, "I come here and live in a house with your family. I had to lie to your mother when she asked how the marriage was going as well as my own family including my father who was very sick. When I found out that my father was sick the only thing you cared about was that I did not tell you. Not even that he was sick. After you found out you did not even ask about him once. Then when my father died and I lay falling apart on the floor you so much as would not even look at me. Your own wife was falling apart right in front of you and you could not even give me a reassuring look that it was going to be okay."

"I--

"I do not want to hear your excuses anymore. I do not pretend to understand why you do not and cannot love me. All I ever wanted as a girl was to have a loving marriage, and that is the exact opposite of what I have received from you, Lord Bridgerton," Kathryn yelled, "I once thought that every marriage could be filled with love if the two parties just tried hard enough. Well, I guess you got exactly what you wanted. Because I no longer believe in the love that I saw my parents share when I was younger. They were both just lucky enough to find someone who believed the same."

Ope! 👀

Can you tell I'm from the Midwest? 😂

~A