Chapter Text
The diamond of the season would be a perfect addition to their family. To any family really, Edwina Sharma felt like a girl out of a novel. The perfectly polite, intelligent protagonist whose smile sent every bachelor swooning. Anthony enjoyed her company, strategically calculating their lives from the moment he asked her to dance. She would be a perfect guide for his younger sisters in the marriage mart. Perhaps a friend for Eloise who had all but given up on it.
She was kind to his mother, charmed Daphne within one meeting. She had managed to make young Gregory behave with a sweet smile and a hushed tone. Even she and Benedict got on like a house on fire.
And it was becoming increasingly hard to ignore the flames there.
While she was the perfect image of a young girl being courted when she was with Anthony, he saw how her demeanour shift in Benedict’s presence. She became relaxed, eager in a way that wasn’t just politeness - her interest in his opinions and art candid and real. And Benedict in return hung on her words, snuck her novels to read, remembered what flower was her favourite as he sketched a small portrait of it for her during a picnic between the families.
He saw the mournful look she tried to hide when forced away from him by her older sister. He saw the increased worry between his brother’s brow as their courtship continued.
“Will you ask her to marry you” Benedict asked one evening as they shared drinks in the study - way past most of the family’s bedtimes
“No” Anthony found himself saying, the honesty slipping out as the whiskey burned his throat on the way down.
“Then you shouldn’t lead her on” Benedict snapped, eyes wide and angry.
“I want her to have an option beyond me when I do. I’d hardly leave her scorned. I’ve been searching for an appropriate man of the ton to take my place” He lied, watching with fascination as panic, relief, anger and joy flitted across his brother’s face.
“None of them are good enough for her” Benedict exclaimed hotly.
“I know, I‘ve had half a mind to ask you to step in. You’re the only decent man left in the ton”
It took biting his tongue to stop the laugh threatening to leave him at Benedict’s look of pure elation.
“Well, if you asked I’d - well that is to say she’s extraordinary - I mean I’d be happy to, ANY man would be happy to” Benedict fumbled his words, blush growing with each syllable.
“Perfect, it’s decided then. You’ll begin courting Miss Sharma. It will make the rumour mill easy to deal with as well. We can simply say I wasn’t interested and you two had grown close during our courtship and decided to start your own. No harm done” and no lies told Anthony mused.
“What if she won’t have me. I’m a second son. Not a viscount” His brothers insecurity reared its head.
Words stuck in Anthony’s throat, he wasn’t very good at this sort of comforting gesture. He knew how to play his cards and plan his hunts. Not bare his heart.
“Do you really think so little of Miss Sharma that she would judge you for that and not your character” He decided on. Putting the onus somewhere else.
Hope filled Benedict’s eyes at the words.
~~~❀~~~
Anthony arranged a meeting with Kate the next day, hoping to iron out the details. Technically it should have been her mother he was asking but he learned very quickly who the head of the Sharma’s really was.
“I assume you are aware of our siblings affection for each other” Anthony cut to the chase, offering the stone-faced Kate a whiskey in lieu of the tea he noticed she never quite enjoyed.
She took the whiskey giving it a swig. Clearly the topic of conversation was one she was dreading.
“Edwina would never been unfaithful once she’s pledged herself” Kate bit out - shoulders squared as if ready to go to war for her sister. He understood that at least.
“Of course, but I haven’t asked anything of her yet. Nor will I”
Shock slipped over Kate’s face. Swiftly followed by anger. “Are you meaning to say you’re breaking off the courtship. After weeks of her practically being off the marriage market? Do you know the scandal this will cause!”
“Well, some mild amount of scandal is expected when there is a shift in courtship from one sibling to another, but we can dampen it if we are strategic” He took some joy in the widening of Kate’s eyes, how it took her several moments to regain her composure.
And then there, a tiny hint of pleased relief seemed to sparkle in them. A curiosity Anthony couldn’t help but chase.
“You seem happy about this” He remarked, watching a frown immediately slip into place and walls begin forming around the eldest Sharma.
“I am just glad you will not have ruined her reputation and limit her options to lesser men” She bit out - venom notably absent from the words.
“You wished her to marry for love” Anthony pinpointed the issue, reading between the bite to see what the bark was hiding. “it’s all I wish for Benedict as well” He assured.
For a moment Kate Sharma looked disarmed before finally, finally a small genuine smile settled on her.
“I’m glad” Business returned to her tone “Now, shall we talk strategy.
He poured them another whiskey.
~~~❀~~~
It took weeks of groundwork, weaving webs between the gossip mills - grand standing from Anthony while in the men’s club and a truly stunning dance between Benedict and Edwina at the Granville ball. Conveniently coinciding with the triumphant unveiling of Benedict’s first public work
But soon enough the couple were now openly courting - with total blessings from the queen to stop any further doubt that this was truly the perfect match for the diamond of the season.
And more importantly they were happy. His brother looked settled for once. Not drinking so often, never out at whoring hours. His work was consistently getting better and more public.
Edwina was confident in a new way. She spoke her mind more often. What truly was in her mind - not what others would like to hear. And Anthony felt more certain of his decision. She truly would have made a fine viscountess, but she wouldn’t have been all that happy keeping up appearances. She wouldn’t be free.
The matter of her dowry ended up coming up a week before the wedding. Anthony delighted in telling Kate they wouldn’t have it.
“If you need help setting up an account to put it into for her, we’re happy to help but that is hers as far as I’m concerned. Benedict’s inheritance and the profits he’s seeing from his work is more than enough to cover their lifestyle as well as you and your mothers. Of course, if more is needed you are Bridgerton’s now. We will supply”
The look on her face was priceless and precious to Anthony. The Sharma’s were family now and although the beginning may be rocky he appreciated their presence more than ever.
The young couple had decided to honeymoon in India and after a brief return to England to usher in Francesca’s debut they would be off to Italy with the Granville’s. Benedict was venturing to study with an artist’s guild and Edwina was being set up to meet writers and poets alike.
Mrs.Sharma had decided to stay in England, finding solace in Lady Danbury and giving company to his mother. Kate had become like Lady Danbury’s shadow- smile coming easier and seeming truly to find her footing on English soil as she involved herself in court politics and behind the scenes strategy in how the social seasons ran - her sharp mind put to excellent use
Anthony had felt blossoming affection for her. Considering perhaps when the season would start anew if he might try his hand at courting her.
They both understood each other’s difficult positions as eldest of their family. When she and her mother called on Bridgerton house they engaged in playful verbal sparring, containing none of the venom from the when Anthony was Edwina’s suitor.
She was even good at entertaining Eloise. No one, besides perhaps Penelope Featherington, was good at entertaining Eloise.
However, her days at the palace became more frequent and her visits less so. He returned from town one evening to find out the cause.
“Anthony, have you heard!” His mother exclaimed, smile breaking through and small tears in her eyes. Lady Sharma was there as well, face wet and smile even brighter than his mothers.
“Heard what?” He asked wondering what happy news prompted this kind of reaction.
“Kate is engaged to the Queen’s nephew. The prince!” Lady Sharma declared happily, rushing to Anthony to envelope him in a hug. He returned it stiffly, trying to push down the ache that began crawling through his chest.
“If it were not for you, bringing together Edwina and Benedict, showing Kate that a love match is a thing to strive for- not the exception, I cannot imagine where we would be. Thank you, Anthony,” Lady Sharma finally let go giving him a big watery smile.
He tried to give one in return.
~~~❀~~~
“So, it is a love match?” Anthony asked Kate, the next time he caught her alone in Bridgerton house.
She looked changed, and yet better for it. Her cheeks flushed red and he didn’t miss the way her mouth curled up slightly.
“Yes, it is” She tried to sound neutral but the joy in her voice was hard to hide. In fact, compared to the stern and stressed woman he met at the beginning of Edwina’s season- it was as if her whole demeanour had shifted. Her shoulders were not set in a straight line to command attention, but because she felt proud. The permanent furrow of her brow had eased, and her smile was freely given, not so hard won.
“Well...?” He prompted for more info, burying the curls of disappointment in his gut.
Small prompting was all it took. They convened in the living room with tea, and she spilled about a faithful early morning ride that had her running into the prince. She of course had no idea who he was and treated him like any other gentleman of the ton.
It apparently was a breath of fresh air for him, so used to people withholding their true selves. She spoke of his good manners, his gentle disposition but wicked humour that met her pace for pace.
She looked as close to besotted as Kathani Sharma could ever allow herself to look and truly Anthony was happy for her.
He still needed a wife however, he still wanted one. Someone who could carry some of the burden of viscount, who could love his family enough to make room for the days he could not find the energy to be around them. Someone he could raise children with, securing the Bridgerton line and ensuring his art-heated Ben or wayward soul Colin didn’t have to worry about such things.
Perhaps a woman like that within his circle simply didn’t exist.
~~~❀~~~
Penelope Featherington had a rather mild marriage season all things considered. Sure, she was ignored, her family near destitute, her life in danger if her secret was revealed and her only friendship was ruined. But to the members of the ton who had even noticed her – it had been a mild year.
The retreat the countryside for the off season had been good for the Featheringtons. Prudence had managed to secure a match even if she should have been completely ruined. Her mother had found a way to spin a story – false documents and all – about a far-off aunt who took pity on their plight and the distance from the ton helped ease harsh tempers.
And yet even with winds in their favour Penelope found herself sick to her stomach returning to London at the end of summer. The bumpy carriage ride, absolutely stuffed with the Featheringtons and the two newly acquired husbands, did not help in the slightest with her nausea.
Stepping out of the carriage to the fresh air only resulted in her looking across the way at the Bridgerton town house reflexively and immediately being punished by seeing the two people she’d much rather avoid, rushing to embrace each other.
As Eloise pulled Colin in for a hug she couldn’t help but take in the differences in their appearance. Eloise was wearing clothes that were a more mature style, her hair primly pulled away from her face, which had lost some of the baby fat from last season. Colin had lost all of the baby fat in his, his jaw and cheekbones cutting a strikingly handsome face from his tanned skin. His hair was dishevelled and his clothing spoke of wild adventures across the continents.
It infuriated her, that he really had only gotten more handsome, and Eloise more pretty. And here she stood, still the in same citrus dresses and tight curls. Still the same baby fat that refused to leave.
Even with the burning rage she could not turn away from the sight. Even as her mother called for her to hurry up she kept her gaze lingering on the Bridgerton’s for as long as she could. Staring at people she had considered her dearest friends at one point and poking at the hole they had left within her.
“Penelope, come!” Her mother’s shrill tone pierced the air, calling her like she was some dog. With a sigh she replied “I’m on my way mama” and finally turned from the scene.
As she threw one last glance behind her, she was surprised to find her gaze met. Not by Colin or Eloise – but by Anthony Bridgerton. His eyebrows raised as if he was surprised to have seen her, but still he tilted his head toward her in silent acknowledgement. Despite herself, she found a smile slipping into place as she returned the gesture.
The Bridgerton family were good - to their core they were warm. They greeted near strangers who were a street apart with no social obligation to. They were Eurydice, worth looking back at.
Penelope was no Orpheus. She would not go to hell just for the chance to save them.
It was time to save herself.