The Viscount Who Loved Me | Anthony Bridgerton

Chapter Eleven

1812

It was a quiet evening in the Arlington estate, the manor enveloped in a serene hush that only the countryside could offer. The year was 1812, and the recent events had cast a long shadow over the Arlington family. The death of Henry Windsor, the Duke of Kent, had left Katherine a widow once again, this time with four children to care for. Eleanor, the Countess Arlington, found herself alone in the drawing-room, her thoughts heavy with worry and regret.

As she looked out the window at the setting sun, the door opened, and her husband, Edward, the Earl of Arlington, entered the room. He was a tall, imposing figure, his pride always evident in the way he carried himself. Tonight, however, there was a slight slump in his shoulders, a weariness that spoke of the strain their family had endured.

"Good evening, my dear," Edward said, his voice formal and distant as always.

"Good evening, Edward," Eleanor replied, forcing a small smile. "I trust your meeting with Lord Hastings went well?"

Edward nodded absently, his mind clearly elsewhere. "Yes, it did. There are matters to attend to, as always."

Eleanor sighed softly, turning back to the window. The silence between them was filled with unspoken words and lingering resentments. Their marriage had never been a love match, but they had grown content with each other over the years. However, the decisions Edward had made regarding their children, especially Katherine, had created a rift that seemed impossible to mend.

"Edward," Eleanor began, her voice trembling slightly, "I cannot help but think of Katherine and the life she has endured because of our choices."

Edward stiffened, his pride flaring. "Our choices? Eleanor, I did what was best for our family. Marrying Katherine to the Duke of Kent secured our standing in society. It was a necessary decision."

"Necessary for whom?" Eleanor retorted, her eyes flashing with rare defiance. "For you, perhaps. But not for Katherine. She suffered greatly, and now she is left to raise four children alone."

Edward's jaw tightened, his temper rising. "Do not forget your place, Eleanor. I am the head of this family, and my decisions are final."

Eleanor's heart ached at his words, but she knew better than to argue further. She was a woman, and her voice held little power in their world. All she could do was support her children and try to shield them from the harsh realities of their father's ambitions.

1814
The day was perfect for a horse race: clear skies, a gentle breeze, and the vibrant hum of excitement that filled the air. The sprawling grounds were adorned with spectators dressed in their finest, eager for the event. Among them, Henry Windsor stood with Kate and Edwina Sharma, their attention captivated by the horses and jockeys preparing for the race.

From a distance, Katherine watched them intently, her focus darting between Henry, Kate, and Edwina. Beside her, Anthony Bridgerton mirrored her stance, though his expression held a hint of smug confidence.

"I still believe Henry will end up with Edwina," Anthony said, his voice tinged with certainty.

Katherine shook her head, her eyes never leaving the trio. "I remain steadfast in my belief that Henry will be drawn to Kate. There's a spark there, something more substantial."

Anthony chuckled. "We'll see soon enough, won't we?"

As the race preparations continued, the announcer's voice boomed across the field, signaling the imminent start. Katherine and Anthony shared a competitive glance.