The next morning Kathryn woke up in Anthony's arms. A smile graced her face as she looked up at her sleeping husband. If you saw them now you would not know that the two were barely on speaking terms two days ago. How quickly love can change things when you finally let it in.
"You know I can feel you staring at me, right?" Anthony said with his eyes closed.
"I was not staring," Kathryn said looking away quickly.
"You know you are downright awful at lying," Anthony laughed as he opened his eyes.
"I am not," Kathryn said slapping his chest playfully.
Anthony captured her hand on his chest rolling them so that she was lying on top of him. Kathryn let out a yelp at the quick moment that ended in a giggle.
"You very much are," Anthony said with a smile, "But it is all right because I love you regardless."
Anthony proceeded to place tiny pecks all over her face before his lips met hers. The two kissed passionately like their lives depended on it. Kathryn pulled away smiling down at her husband.
"We better stop. I am sure breakfast is ready by now," Kathryn said.
"Breakfast can wait," Anthony said, "I believe we did not get a proper honeymoon."
Anthony leaned up to capture her lips in a kiss making her laugh.
"Let's save the honeymoon for when we get back to Aubrey Hall," Kathryn said.
"One more ball tonight and then we can be on our way home as soon as tomorrow morning," Anthony smiled.
Kathryn smiled weakly. She was excited to be able to go home and spend more time with Anthony but she was going to miss seeing her mother and sister every day.
"Hey, it is not going to be like last time. I will be with you there always," Anthony said noticing the change in her demeanor.
"No, that is not it," Kathryn said, "I know that you will be."
"Then what is it?" Anthony asked.
"I am just going to miss my mother and sister, that is all," Kathryn said, "Without my father here I just worry about them."
Anthony started laughing making Kathryn look at him funny, "I just told you that I am worried about my mother and sister and you are laughing. Did I miss the joke?"
"No, no. I'm sorry," Anthony said clearing his throat.
"What is so funny?" Kathryn asked.
"You know how your father wanted to talk to me before he died?" Anthony asked.
"Yes. I never could get either of you to tell me what all of that was about," Kathryn rolled her eyes.
"Well now you will finally find out," Anthony said.
"Well go on," Kathryn rushed.
"Your father knew that the Bishop line ended with him. His father had passed on and there were no other male heirs," Anthony said, "So when I went to see him he had already had the paperwork drawn up. Everything that he owned, the properties, the estates, was to be transferred to me upon his death. He made me promise him that I would take care of the three of you and that is exactly what I am going to do."
Kathryn could not believe what she was hearing. Why did her father nor Anthony tell her any of this? Why had her mother not said anything, maybe she did not even know.
"Does my mother know?" Kathryn asked.
"Yes. But she did not find out until after your father's passing. He did not want anyone thinking that he was making presumptuous decisions," Anthony said.
"I still do not understand what this has to do with me missing my mother and sister?" Kathryn asked.
"Well now that I am per se in charge I did not think that it would be best for them to stay in the ton with me so far away at Aubrey Hall," Anthony said, "So I spoke to your mother and when we leave they are coming with us."
Kathryn's face lit up in a smile, "Anthony Bridgerton you better not be joking!"
"I am not," Anthony said, "It has been hard to keep it from you."
"Why did you?" Kathryn asked.
"Well up until two days ago we were not exactly on speaking terms," Anthony said.
"And yet you were still trying to do what is best for me," Kathryn smiled.
"Now, we better get down to breakfast before someone comes to find us," Anthony smiled.
Kathryn giggled as Anthony got off the bed.
"Is there anyone you want to see before we leave?" Anthony asked as he pulled on his shirt.
"I do not believe so. Not now that my mother and sister are coming with us," Kathryn said.
"What about Lord Price?" Anthony asked as he was buttoning up his shirt.
Kathryn's body stiffened at the mention of his name.
"I thought you said I was not allowed to see him," Kathryn asked.
"I was being a prick then. I know you two are childhood friends," Anthony said, "I do not exactly trust him. But I do trust you. If you say you are just friends I believe it."
Kathryn took a deep breath falling back into bed.
"What's wrong?" Anthony asked looking over at his wife.
"Well, we are not exactly friends anymore. In fact, I told him that I never wanted to see him again," Kathryn said.
"What happened?" Anthony asked, concerned.
"One night, after my father died, and I was coming back from my mother's I stopped by his house," Kathryn said, "I was crying to him about everything that was going on and he...he...he kissed me."
"He did what?" Anthony fumed, "Why did you not tell me?"
"Well, we weren't exactly on talking terms at the time. I pushed him away immediately," Kathryn said, "I told him that I did not like him in that way and that I was married. Even if we were rocky at the time I think I knew deep down that I loved you and you loved me."
"I am going to kill him," Anthony fumed.
"Please, Anthony," Kathryn said getting up from the bed, the sheet wrapped around her body.
"He cannot just get away with something like that and have no consequences," Anthony said.
"Anthony please do not do anything," Kathryn pleaded, "I could not live if something happened to you."
Anthony stood there staring at his wife. The anger had washed away and sadness replaced it. What kind of husband was he that his wife could not come to him about a situation like that?
"Is that all that happened?" Anthony asked, calmly.
"He did kiss me one more time but I shoved him off of me," Kathryn said, "I am so sorry that I did not tell you sooner."
"Do not be sorry darling," Anthony said pulling his wife into a hug and caressing her hair "I am so sorry that you felt like you could not come to me when that happened. I will forever spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
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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...
