This Isn't My Idea . . . Of Fun!

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Kate walked around the house in London, and tried not to like it. She didn't want to like how bright it was, how thick the carpeting felt under her feet (and thus how warm it would be on cool mornings), or how her bedroom had more space then her one at home. She didn't want to like how the house would be perfect for painting in the mornings because the lighting was perfect. She didn't want to like how Newton could handle the steps as they were not too big. She didn't want to like how the garden in the back had the most beautiful flowers and plants.

She didn't want to like any of it.

Because Anthony Bridgerton had picked it out. Over the years they had met during the London off season when her father would host parties at his estate, and had never once gotten a long. Even if there was a rare moment when of them tried to get along the other would ruin it for them both and they were go back to bickering. Her father had died 6 years ago and she had not seen him since.

However, Mary had informed her that Anthony Bridgerton had arranged for their trip, because her father had asked him to see both daughters wed in the event he could not. So here she was, in a house he paid for, and not wanting to like it at all--even though she really did.

^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

From the age of 18, Anthony had known that he would be responsible for ensuring the well being of his siblings, and that they were married off to good, honorable men from honorable families. Especially where his sister's were concerned. Little did he know at the time, that this responsibility would extent to two additional women: the Sharmas. Anthony had never gotten along with one in particular, but their mother was rather kind and the younger sister -- one who had been far too young for Anthony to spend any time with -- was quite lovely.

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He actively ignored any news of the elder sister, uncaring and uninterested. But alas, he took this responsibility with the utmost seriousness, and it was the wishes of both his father and hers. A task that was entrusted to him, and one that he was determined to fulfil. He had even gone as far as to create dowries for both daughters, a fact that remained silent for now. They were not an overly wealthy family which was also what had both daughters come out in the same season, despite Kate's age. Anthony's intention was to have them both married off by the end of the season but . . . he also had to be realistic in that this may not be entirely possible. Never the less, he was far from discouraged.

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He had purchased a home for them a few houses down from their own family's estate in London where they would be residing and hopefully, most comfortable in. Anthony was on his way there now to speak to them, especially as there was an upcoming ball. He would need to keep an eye on which gentlemen they were approached by and ensure that that there were no dishonorable ones among them.

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Arriving at their home, he told them to inform the family that he was here, though was told that Edwina and Mary were out. Trying not to let his frustrations show, he then stated that he would speak to Kate then. Being granted entrance into the home, the butler went to send for her. Perhaps, this could be fun after all . . . considering his current, position of being responsible for finding her a husband.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

He was here. Kate wished her mother and sister was here, because then she'd hae a barrier between her and Bridgerton. Squaring her shoulders she marched down to 'greet' him, knowing that she had to at least play 'nice' for a moment since he had paid for this house that she was living in for the next few months at least.

Walking into the room, she paused. It had been a while, years really, since she had saw him. Gone was the boyish features and dress. The man standing before her was tall, and had thick unruly hair. When he looked at her it seemed as if even his eyes had changed in a way--or maybe she was only just giving notice to how deep they seem to go. How horrible that Anthony Bridgerton would have turned out handsome! Not just a little, either. It was very much a handsome man.

"Lord Bridgerton," she said, taking an unsteady breath and walking into the room. It mattered little (didn't it?) that he was handsome. He was still Anthony Bridgerton--and he now had control over her future.

^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony turned when he heard Kate enter, greeting him upon joining him. She looked . . . different. Well, of course she did, she had grown into a woman. A, rather uncharacteristically beautiful woman. Uncharacteristic, for he had never quite gotten along with her. Had he not known her . . . he could very well see himself infatuated by her. She had seemed to grow into herself and every feature almost perfectly complimentary to the other, creating a rather gorgeous image. And yet . . . it was Kate Sharma. So with that in mind, he was not going to offer false pleasantries as they both seemed to hold mutual feelings towards another. Still. He knew he need remain cordial.

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"I came to see how your family was settling in." If there was one thing he would not do, it was to hold finances over their heads. He had done this to ensure they were most comfortable, nothing else. He had an obligation to them and took his duty quite seriously. "Shame that I seemed to have missed your mother and sister." And was left in her presence, but one Sharma was better than none . . . or was it.

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"I also came to inform you that I shall be escorting you tomorrow when you and Edwina present yourselves to the Queen as well as the ball that follows." It would do well to be seen with them, though it already seemed to be understood among the ton that Anthony was taking on the responsibility for finding them a husband. And thus, they would have to go through him.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

The handsome jaw worked as he opened his mouth and--Yes, there was Anthony Bridgerton. His voice might have been deeper, and even pleasant to hear--which she would not admit to herself, but his words still held that ability to annoy her like no other. "I think normally one sends word when they wish to call outside of visiting hours, so they were unaware of your visit and had not planned to be home." Mary and Edwina were out exploring the town and seeing everything it had to offer. While Kate had wanted some time alone to paint.

However it seemed she would get neither. "You shall escourt us?" Why? She didn't want him there while she was in places that were unfamiliar. Surly he had better things to do then attend a ball? "That is nor needed. I am sure your mother would be more then willing to attend with us, and I am sure she can do just fine without you."

She was already nervous enough. The last thing she needed was Anthony Bridgerton (especially one that was now handsome) to stand and watch her attempt to talk to other men. She didn't want him near.

^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

And there it was. There was Kate. For beneath all that beauty was the infuriating woman that irritated him to no end. And she did not seem to waste a moment. "Well then it seems most fortunate--" His voice was a bit sarcastic upon that last word. "That you, unlike your mother and sister, did not appear to have anything better to do than to receive uninvited guests." If she would insult him, then he could most certainly return the favour.

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In more ways than one. This was going to be a long season indeed. As if her earlier words had not been enough, she continued to say that his escort was unnecessary and though he remained perfectly composed . . . the slightest change in his demeanour would have prompted him to roll his eyes. That day would surely come soon enough; it was an easy reaction to Kate Sharma.

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"I was not asking," he told her simply. "I was merely informing you that I would be." And that she had little choice in the matter -- which was the unstated but hopefully understood, implications of his words. "And you may extend that to your mother and Edwina should I not see them before I depart. I am certain they will appreciate it." Unlike her -- yet again, the same unfinished words yet insinuated. Mary and Edwina were far kinder and more tolerable than Kate.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

Kate pursed her lips at his insult, that she was here with nothing better to do. She might have told him she painted, but she wasn't about to give him any fuel to the fire, and instead did the most unlike Kate thing in the world and let it go. Only because his next words were the ones the choose to foucs on.

He was telling her. She was given no choice. Find, she would be less subtle. "Lord Bridgerton, if I wanted someone to follow my every step I would take my dog to the ball." Newton would not do well at a ball. Too much of a chance to get stepped on. In fact he was up in her room napping at this moment, as the steps were a lot on him (even if they were easier on him then most).

"Surely you have something you could do instead? According to Lady Whistledown, you have lots and lots you could do instead. Perhaps instead of demanding to be allowed near me for the next months, you could instead give her more to talk about?" Meaning she knew what the papers had said about him.

^{Anthony Bridgerton 🌷🏑🐝💕}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Did . . . she just compare him to her dog? And breathe Lord in the same sentence? The audacity. And yet, nothing about her should really surprise him. Not this side to her anyway. The years may have been kind to her in the ways of beauty, but it did nothing to change her personality and sharp tongue. "What you want is irrelevant," he told her simply. "It is very much about what is required." Of him, in this position. So, he cared little about what she wanted and he made sure that much was clear to her. If not so directly stated, then at least in his tone.

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Though if she continued to push him . . . perhaps he would become more blunt and plain in his meaning. Knowing her, and their dynamic . . . reaching that point was inevitable. Oh damned it all, she was yet another keen reader of Lady Whistledown. While it did not surprise him, it continued to irritate him that people held her word so highly and seemed to think that others functioned their lives around her columns. Hoping to be recognized in it, and afraid of being exposed at the same time. "I have little to no care in fueling the scribblings of an anonymous figure," he told her. He knew that Kate was implying, and which column she was perhaps referring to.

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"I was tasked with the responsibility of finding suitable husbands for you and your sister. It is not a duty I will take lightly nor ignore for the sake of giving a reader more to entertain themselves with." He paused for a moment before continuing. "It is my hope, that both you and your sister shall be engaged, if not married by the end of the season." -- Whether you like it or not remained the unspoken addition to this sentence. Of course he wouldn't force Kate into marriage. But still. The thought of his ability to have control over who her future husband was . . . was oddly enjoyable to consider.

[Kathani Bridgerton]

The end of the season?! BOTH of them?! Kate wanted Edwina to find a nice and smart man, and 'Lord' Bridgerton was giving them ONE season to do it? "I will not be married off quickly because you wish to be rid of me!" She demanded. "And Edwina has said she will not marry someone I do not approve of."

Which even Kate knew was silly, but Edwina was a romantic and an innocent. She would be swept away and blinded by the charm rakes had and then end up in a bad match if she didn't watch out. Mary of course would need to approve as well, but Mary approved of everyone!

Kate walked a little closer to Bridgerton and spoke again. "And I will not have her married off to a man who I think will not make her happy." She needed to protect her beloved sister. Apparently from Bridgerton as well as she doubted he cared to let Edwina find a love match!

🌷🏑🐝💕
^{Anthony Bridgerton}

[Anthony Bridgerton]

Tag: Kathani Bridgerton
Note: Better layout coming soon!

i will

ALWAYS PROTECT YOU

Anthony had to suppress the urge to roll his eyes at Kate's defiance. He knew it should come as no shock, considering they had never quite gotten along throughout the years and there was good reason for that. Their clashing personalities for one, and their ability to truly annoy the other . . . which was quite often rather intentional too. "There are a lot of things that you will not do," he pointed out. All the things that she would not do, or not allow, or not permit. How utterly annoying. He remained still as she drew closer, his expression unchanged and stance unmoved.

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"Perhaps it best you keep an open mind. For any man who now expresses interest in courting you and your sister, some with the intention of proposing should they see it suitable, will be required to go through me." He just could not resist the bit of arrogance and smugness of the power that came through that. Had he not been tasked with this, then perhaps any suitor would have to go through . . . Kate. That was an odd notion indeed.

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"So you may believe you know who will make her happy," he continued. "But I know the minds of men far better than you. So it would be best, you accept my judgement in such regards, and focus more on your own prospects to find a husband who is . . . charmed by your defiance rather than off put by it." Because, that was certainly what he was. Off put by her.