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The Viscountess Bridgerton, Kate Sharma, walks to the veranda overlooking the hills down to the bright cobalt blue-domed Santorini villas. Lord Anthony Bridgerton, the Viscount of Britain, brought his wife, Kate Sharma, to Greece for a six-month honeymoon holiday. The warm fresh, breezy air enthralls them both as they share many lengthy kisses throughout the day in the sun. Everyone in the town knew they were English and newlywed when they wore formal satin attire that caused them to sweat in the Mediterranean air. Later, Anthony purchases light sunny dress wear for both of them to intermingle with the locals who welcome them to sunset festivals as the townspeople for folk dancing. Kate follows the elders, who only speak Greek, as they place local flowers in her hair and teach her the dances.As for Anthony, the men make him sit on a wooden chair, raising him in their dance ritual. Eventually, Kate sits in a chair that comes near him as they gently land close to each other to kiss passionately, where all around them applaud and clap for young love.They scoop the couple to their room, closing the door knowingly with a limpet salt pool with invigorating healing properties. Immediately, Kate’s naked body flex as her clothes evaporates from her body. Anthony grins with anticipation that he will show his wife his seduction of her. “My Viscountess Kathani Bridgerton, you have already seduced me.”“I thought you had something to show me in many different ways?” Kate’s coyness lights her eyes in the starry dark to the purple-blue sky of what remains of the sunset.Anthony pushes Kate into the water with a kiss as he drops to his knees. Kate follows but goes underneath the water wetting her long silken black hair. She catches her breath, and as on the pavilion, she recognizes Anthony’s excitement through his erection. She raises above him with her nubile body and caresses his slightly damp hair. Anthony grabs her ass as he dunks himself underwater and kisses her clitoris, and he makes out with it like his favorite dessert.Underwater, he hears her gasps and yelp from the circling of his tongue that slips down to the most intimate hole inside her body. He injects his saliva inside her with a deep breath to exhale prolonged. He felt her knees buckle from his erotic stimulation, and she topples backward to clasp a wall to steady herself to sit. As his nose rises above water to breathe, he supports her lower back with his extra-large hand. He sits her hips on the built-in alcove with fitted pillow cushions. He closes his eyes for his fingertips to press the sponginess inside Kate. He delights to hear Kate shrill to wake up the neighbors below whose eyes raise to observe their shadowy movements of lovemaking outside. But somehow, the older adults, unperturbed, go about their sleep preparations because they already know that sex acts are what English newlyweds do in Santorini, Greece.The tingly contractions of Kate's pussy walls with each stimulation from Anthony’s tongue and fingers. Without thinking, Kate jumps to feel her hips buck into Anthony's mouth to extend the orgasm she has as she exhales into a groan. Her leg drops to open her body to clasp his curly locks. He never looks up to her as his head bobs up and down in her. She feels her heart leap out of her body, breathless as she leans her head back to rock her body from exploding on his face. All rational thought evacuates her mind as she grips his hair tighter, nearly tearing it off his scalp.He looks up to her passionate face, mouth open, and breaths belabored. He raises his face off her and licks her jelly on his lips and tongue. He feels his erection as he gazes into his wife’s large brown eyes. It is as if he is under the gaze of a beautiful goddess, the Hindi Goddess Parvati. The moonlight shines like glitter strands in her hair. Kate's angelic halo appears similar to what he first saw in the library of Aubrey Hall. Several images pop into his mind of his worth. As if he is Icarus who flew too close to the son, but to touch his worship of a goddess – his goddess – his wife. His heart quickens with the knowledge this woman is his wife, and he palms her face as he leans in to suck her lips into his with her breath enlivening him. “Kathani?” He asks like a request.As if she awakens from a dream, she stares at his curious face above hers. Barely to a whisper, “Yes, my Lord.”Anthony softly smiles. “I want to make love to you. I am going to do what we did not do at the pavilion. I-I want to go inside you. I will go slow.” He pulls a few curls off her face. “Do not be afraid. I will go with what you’re comfortable with, my heart.”Kate nods compliantly. Strange, Anthony asks her. She is his wife. He is her husband. Her protector. The man who promises his love and devotion to her. After much inner turmoil in herself, she finds herself deeply in love with this man. She palms his face with a nod. “Yes, my Lord.” Her large brown eyes shine from the moonlight as if she completely trusts him.His index finger presses her lips and his heart rate increases as he is nervous about his ultimate desire. “Kathani, I want to make sure you understand. If I make love to you the way – uh --,” He watches her eye movement and exhales.“What, my Lord? I am your wife.” Kate sweetly sings with a soft grin. “Be direct, Anthony. I promise I won’t be upset, my Lord.”Anthony grins as his head turns as this conversation embarrasses him, causing him to speak rapidly. “Kate, I am going to put my heir inside you. I’m going to cum inside you, and we’re going to make a baby – if you want – err - please, I want this. I’ve never wanted anything like this with any woman except you. It is a forbidden desire.” He exhales.Kate’s eyes twinkle in the moonlight as she stares back at Anthony. He watches the way of her chin moves when she sorts what he says; then, she tilts it. Anthony can feel his hardness slightly wane from her stare, which turns into a glare.“Kate? I know I can take it from you, but—” He concedes in her rejection.“Anthony.” She holds his face reaching up to kiss his moist lips, then passes his cheek to his ear and whispers. “Teach me these things--” She lowers her torso on the pillow as her eyes follow his without taking her stare from him. Then her hand reaches down between their legs as she grabs his hard sheath to guide his tip on the top of her labia. “—if I am the object of all your desires.”Surprise wells up into Anthony as he sinks his weight slowly into Kate’s wetness, watching her as she arches her back, squeezes her eyes tightly, and moans, grasping his right hand tightly. His eyes study her entire visage as he whispers, “This might be painful for you, but I will go slow.” He realizes that Kate is his first deflowering of any woman, and it feels fresh, clean, and triumphant. He closes his eyes, and he hears her moans as his thrusts increase as she takes her arms to wrap around his neck. “Kate…” He murmurs in deep tenor. “Tell me if you feel me.”Kate feels the extensive sheath reach to the back of her pussy walls quiver around him upon each thrust. “I feel-I feel fine.” She manages to evoke. “Oh my god, Anthony.” She could not get her body closer to him to melt into him to stave off the pain quivering those waves over her. She looks at him only to see him staring back at an even pace, thrusting. She can barely utter, “Faster.”His brows rise how much she enjoys him fucking her. How responsive she is to his touch. He closes his eyes to go deeper inside Kate, raises his hips with his dick tip nearly outside of her, then slams himself back down into her as he stops hearing Kate’s groans. But her lung pumps out air. He opens his eyes to see how she is doing.Kate clasps his neck near his ears, “Anthony. Give it to me. Give me your baby.” She moans loudly with each thrust that starts to pound into her. “I want your baby inside me.”Anthony’s eyes roll wildly as his cock engorges several sizes, and he pulls Kate off his body to gaze into her face as his thrusting pace slams harder into her faster and faster. His eyes slowly close as time stands still as he releases ribbons of his load deep inside her fertile womb. He jerks as he dumps his entire cum from his balls as a loud guttural yell bellows deep from his gut. Life ejaculate extrudes from him in waves. “Viscountess…” As he manages to say but has delight in his voice.Kate's hands clasp his biceps muscles that slowly relax. Anthony smiles, “My heart, I believe you are draining all the life from me.” He feels the remaining slugs squeeze out his cock inside her as her muscles clamp tighter around his sheath. He wants to stay inside her as his cock throbs to her heartbeat. He never wants to leave as the miracle of life develops as an offering to the altar of his goddess Kate. The thought of it causes him to hug her tightly, falling to her side and scooping her into his arm. “I love you, my goddess, Kathani.”After a long moment, she catches her breath as residuals inside her and the slide of cum outside her. She curls beside him as her eyes close. “I love you, too, my Lord.”
They make love every day from their arrival until their fifth month.
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The quiet starry night had a sea breeze whisp around the villa, cooling it from the previous hot day. Kate lies awake unable to sleep, as Anthony next to her snores loudly. The stars like waves smooth over his skin as his half-naked body lie on its side. After what seems like an eternity, she rises and moves to the drawing-room. Anthony leaves for the capital on an investment deal in nine weeks with his files strewn across the white alabaster room. It is a global business deal, he told her. His secretiveness gnaws at her like a wolf chewing its foot. What could be that important that takes him away during their honeymoon echoes in her mind? She lifts the ledgers and opens them to review them.Several questions arise in her mind as she reads the prospectuses. The report shows a map of Egypt and then moves through waterways to the Red Sea. In French, it says “canal to widen for large ships and shipping lanes.” Her father taught her to read maps, coordinates, distance markers, and surveys. She learned French in school while she taught her sister, Edwina. Then the ledgers predicted the price for this project is estimated to be nearly 500 million pounds. Kate shakes her head as she never knew that amount of money existed in England.The build and blueprints show all the countries that will be a part of this project called the “SUEZ CANAL”: Egypt, France, England, the United States, Austria, and Russia. Kate’s mind ruminates absently, “What is this?”Anthony rouses in his apnea and finds he is alone in bed again. He sighs and then groggily rises awake to find Kate reading his ledgers. “Kate, come back to bed, darling.” He pleads.“Who’s de Jessups, and why are the French giving 15% of profits to Egypt? Who is this Suez, and what is this—”Anthony grimaces as he does not know how to explain this technological marvel, “It’s the future, Kate. Ships are only going to get bigger and made of metal. I’ve studied it. The industry will advance at a rate unseen in history, and England must be at its forefront. Our family—must be at the forefront of it.”“Family? Who? You and me?”“The entire Bridgerton clan.” His voice breaks like an adolescent boy unable to give up his blanket.Kate’s face frowns as she looks from one paper in the ledger to another. “You know it says it will take another 40 years before this project starts.”“That is why I want to get in the planning now.” Anthony is now wide awake with his arms over his head, stretching. “It would be what my father wanted. Perpetuity in our family name without the permeance of royal title or class.”Kate glares at him. “How else can the Ton survive?”Anthony sighs, “Royalty is dying across the world. Democracy is rising. Since Featherington with his bogus mines in the Americas and the fact Colin’s attempt to invest in them only prove Featherington is a fraud,” He sees Kate shudder in fear. “Darling, please. Do not be frightened.”“I cannot be destitute, Anthony; I just can’t return to that life.” She cries.He races over to her to hold her in his arms. Her face quivers much like the thunderstorms where she hides under the desk shivering and unable to speak, “Kate, Kate. I’m not going to let that happen. It’s why I brought the ledgers to study. My family will not be able to compete as farmers always. Lands can only be farmed so much before a transition in business. I must think of these things, and you know that.”“Yes. I understand.” She mumbles into his armpit.“Kate, this-this canal, with British naval ships serving as research vessels, will leave European and African ports in the Mediterranean and travel through it to deliver goods to places like-like India. There will be tolls and fees for each ship to pass forever. ” He grabs a ledger and flips to the calculations, “The residuals will be in perpetuity. And I plan to convert some of it into gold to be kept in a large vaulted safe at Aubrey Hall. Our family will never have lean times again.”Kate follows the glint of light from the candles in Anthony’s eyes as she feels his excitement in his embrace. She wants him to be happy, but he speaks words she does not understand, “Anthony, industry? Don’t you mean commerce? Like Featherington’s fake mines?”Anthony crouches below a sitting Kate and looks up to her to explain, “Darling, if Featherington has mines, how does he expect to transport those gemstones to Europe? To the Ottoman? To…India? By ship, right?” The muscles are taut as his fingers open wide like a fan. “Reducing ship travel helps transport goods for fair trade and competition in a democratic society. It strengthens economies, stabilizes them.” He sees her eyes blink in confusion.“Kate, honey, I fill out hundreds of papers each day to keep our family afloat. I have my attendant maintaining them right now because my brothers have no idea how to do it after I have shown them repeatedly. Well, maybe Colin does, but not Benedict. My youngest brother Gregory is not old enough to understand yet. Eloise, Francesca and Hyacinth—”Kate sets the ledgers down and crosses her hands, ready to understand more lectures about what women are capable of not doing. Her jaw shifts firmly as she knows she read the ledgers with ease and pointed out the length in time for this investment and project. If they had children, only her children’s children would benefit. The sacrifices were dizzying. “And what about the Ton? Will they be allowed to participate in this project? Five hundred million English pounds is not money the Ton would understand. Then there is always the French to consider. Will they steal our presence?”“I have asked Hastings; he said he would be interested. Friends from Eton and Oxford. Dorset, of course, if you’re fine with that. Lord Fife, Lord Cho, and Sir Philip Crane. I have signed documents of intent.” He rushes to the file box to show her.Kate grabs them and sees their signatures. “I still do not understand. Why all this and its secrecy?”Anthony reaches her face and kisses her lips, “We are not including the King and Queen of England, hence why we are in Greece in this clandestine meeting. France refused to work with us if told our Royal Highnesses.” He stares into her big beautiful brown eyes to see if she understands. “Not even the Tsar of Russia is allowed to attend, only the businessmen. The United States said they were bringing their people from New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and whatever those former colonies were, along with Virginia with this Thomas Jefferson or John Adams. But we said no enslaved people. It was inappropriate. They will have the laborers, and they will have to pay them fair wages.”“Slaves?” Kate’s brow rises.Anthony bites his lip inside to see if it is clear, “The United States still immolates chattel slavery. If England had not destroyed the slave ports in Ghana and Nigeria, they would still be shipping slaves to their – what is called – ah, Southern colonies – err – states. There are huge grumblings as I hear it in their Congress where the Southern colonies – I mean states are enraged by the Northern states who are investing in this INDUSTRY – it is manufacturing and technology, Kate. Do you realize what that means? New kinds of inventions undreamed of before, and we must be able to transport them with our waterways.”“You have not given me an answer to what you mean by industry or technology?”Anthony thinks about how to explain it to his wife, which can get very contentious. He speaks slowly, “I know that this might sound strange, but a British inventor named Richard Trevithick in Cornwall has invented a – horseless carriage that rides on these metal girders called rails. It can pull several LOADS of material at great distances faster than horses ever could.” His stomach drops to a sickening feeling that Kate will find his description incredulous.She smiles, “You must think me a fool, Anthony.” She rises. “You think I care for reading Penelope’s rag, Lady Whistledown’s gossip?”“Huh? Penelope? Penelope Featherington? What does she have to do with this?”“What? You did not know? I should think that obvious.” Kate’s eyes lighten from the candles as she chuckles. “Why do you think she had no idea about us before your bungled nuptials with Edwina?”Anthony rises as his mouth slightly opens in awe. “She never wrote about you and me, did she? Only after we danced at the Featherington Ball, and by that time, the Queen spoke for us.” He chuckles, “I never thought about it. So, Penelope Feathering is Lady Whistledown.” Then, a cold icy prickle slides down his back. “Kate, Lady Whistledown cannot find out about our plans to exclude the Queen, who would not understand our reasons.”“As Lady Danbury said, you must think me a harridan. As I said, I read the same newspapers as you and the journals from the Royal Society of Arts and Science. I know who Trevithick is and read about his locomotive or train. I even visited the mills to see the blueprints, Sir Phillip Crane took Eloise, Daphne, and me to see it. Marina refused to go. The General’s wife accompanied us, and we all told your mother about it. A week before we left.”Anthony drops the agreement papers on the floor and kisses Kate, “Then you understand.” He kisses her again, and as they release their lips, he stares into her eyes, “It’s not just locomotives or trains. It’s new energy besides whaling. Transcontinental travel. These things operated on steam and coal, and they will make our ships faster. They are called machines. The Bridgerton family must be involved so that it will benefit our great-great-great-great-great grandchildren for time to come. It is better than a title; it’s commerce and law. If anything, the Northern States have more of a foothold in the industry than slaves picking cotton under horrible conditions in the Southern States. Machines work faster, stronger, and more than livestock, even slaves. It will be good for mankind.”“Okay, Anthony Bridgerton, should you do this, and I am your wife, you must not rest on your title to stabilize it, then,” Kate says plaintively as she sits.“What-what do you mean not rest on my title?”“You say this project must be beyond your title, then how does it operate?”“A group from each country?”Kate tilts her head in dismay. “You do not consider future implications and consequences.”“Well, how would you operate it.”“I’d legally for my own company and name it…I don’t know? The Bridgerton Company.” She follows Anthony’s jaws that clench. “Tell me you have not thought about this idea?”“Why a company?”“So that the burden of industry and commerce does not land on the family. Where they cannot take your family’s ancestral estate, but they can take your business. Where the crown cannot make destitute our family as this is a contingency. The Queen will not involve herself in a company unless the laws change. All she can do is create a company to compete, but it still must follow business practices. Her contacts are stronger than ours. But, as a business, she cannot interfere unless the House of Lords agrees.”Anthony blinks several times. “A company? Like East India Company?”“And you can do business with whom you like, which country, however you want – the United States, India, even France, because a company is about commerce and industry, not border disputes requiring some form of monarchy.” Kate lowers her head and paces. “A company is about profit and investment, not fancy-dress balls and high society. A company supports the owners whose experience and vision drive the values and actions. Influences can be heeded or not.”Anthony moves his head back from how Kate knows all this. “Where did you get this knowledge?”“My father was a secretary for the royal family in India. When he did his paperwork, I sat on his lap and learned. After my mother died, I attended school, and when he left for England, the royal family, I was the only one qualified to complete the paperwork.” She stops pacing. “Most of it was commerce and solicitor work.”Anthony creeps a smile across his face, impressed. “My wife knows things some men do not – some ideas I do not know.”Kate rolls her eyes from his silly flattery then her face turns serious. “Anthony, your title is still required now. As Viscount, you can easily pass on the paperwork to form your company.”“So, I name my partners. And, I will have to ask my siblings to take a downgrade from their inheritances for their partnering with the company.”“If you say so, my Lord.” She walks to him to hug his body. “It’s better to put a percentage of what you make in a trust. If your siblings want to be involved, they must forgo their full allowance to a simple trust, and from the business, if they work hard, they will profit. That way, they can’t steal the business, they can’t drain the trust, and all their success depends on what they put into it.” Kate nibbles on his neck. “I am concerned about the obscene amount of money this will be and the forecast prediction to the start of this project. This project will be fully operational by the late 20th or early 21st centuries. Only our descendants will live their lives to their heart’s content; I would do it if--.”Anthony turns her around and wraps his lips on her as his thumb rubs her cheek. “You are brilliant, and I love it, and that alone is why I married you.”“So, let’s do this. For industry and the future.”“For industry, and let’s go make our future, right now.” Anthony spanks a love tap on Kate’s ass as he scoots her back into the bedroom. The day before Anthony’s trip to the capital on Santorini Island, another bright morning where he finds his goddess curled in his arms. He grins, kissing her forehead, and runs to the maids in the kitchen to pick out the food, adding a pink-yellow tea rose to the tray. He races up the stairs and sets it on the table as he watches the sunlight dance on her curls crossing her face. Her eyes blink as she awakens. “Darling, are you ready to break your fast?”Groggily, Kate rises as she smiles. “Yes, thank you.” She takes the freshly made pomegranate juice and gulps it down. She grabs the curds and whey and shovels them into her mouth.Anthony chuckles. “Hungry?”Mid-chew, Kate looks up with her mouth full, “Anthony, we must talk.”Anthony takes her bowl away and stares at her. “Kate. Do you still have reservations about the business meeting in the capital? It will be good for us. For all the Bridgerton family. For English Nobility.”She swallows the breakfast that remains in her mouth. “I want you to go to your meeting. You must be there if it is as you say, Anthony. But—” Her eyes well with tears.“What?” He lowers his head with a deep sigh. “What’s going on, Kate? I won’t go with you like this, then?”“It’s not that—”“Kate,” He sighs. “We agreed we would come here, and I’d do this. Have you—"“I’m pregnant. We have conceived, Anthony.” She interrupts, waiting for his response.Anthony stares at Kate to register the news. He laughs wildly and grabs her, and kisses her lips tenderly. “After this meeting, we should return so we can have our child born in England.”She grins as she sits to face him in joy as she takes his hand and presses her belly. “Anthony, our lives will change.” Kate sighs as she caresses her face, “But it will be a life well worth changing, my love.”“I hope it does.” He reaches her to kiss Kate again.Kate grins. “I have finished my duty to you and this family.”“Ah, but not yet. We shall wait until she is born.”“She?”“Yes. She.”“But she…would not be an heir.”“But SHE will be as lovely as her mother.” Anthony’s hand pushes back her hair.“I want a HE.”“Obstinate as usual.” He laughs, kissing her gently, then rises to leave. “Alas, this meeting will not wait. I shall return in a week, and then we can return home.”“Yes, my Lord. I will be here soaking in the sunshine and wait for you to do all the packing.”Anthony chuckles as he goes to the bedroom. The maids of the villa where the Viscount and Viscountess reside in Santorini, Greece, were about their chores as they changed the linens. For an entire week, the Viscount Anthony Bridgerton met with officials for a new build. A project, unlike the world, has seen. According to Anthony, it would open the whole of southern European ports for the subcontinent and far eastern treasures. Fleets of ships will be able to easily pass through the expanded canals of water to be financed by the power and might of England and the East India Company. Suddenly, the leaders extend the meeting for another week for more negotiations.Kate rises and drinks a tea to soothe the needles in the private area of her body – her womb. The few maids who spoke English said she had morning sickness. But Kate read women vomit during morning sickness after nine weeks. She never vomits, and she was 12 weeks into her pregnancy. The pain seers from her womb up her spine down the nerves of her legs as if needles stab areas along her skin. Deep down, she feels abnormal.She looks out on the cobalt blue domes of the hillside in Oia, Santorini. The plumes of steam venting from the underwater volcano. Suddenly, the scene spins around as her knees buckle to sit on the stairs. She catches herself as she feels the light breeze on her sweaty skin. Then her face contorts with confusion when she feels as if she is sitting in sticky water. When she looks down between her legs, she sees a pool of blood that slides out from under her. Blood now trickles down the stairs. Her entire body freezes as she panics, unable to know what is happening.Then the energy of helplessness surges in her body as she bursts into tears. Her hands hold her face as she covers her tears, bawling. It felt like she had sat for hours when she heard clops of suitcases from behind her and the glee in a man’s voice. Anthony’s voice said he was home, but Kate could barely smile, less move from the pain. She can hear his footsteps search for her in the villa only to find her crying profusely in a pool of blood.“Kate…Kate… Oh my God… Kate!” Anthony shrieks in fear. “Somebody! Get the physician! My wife! My Wife.” He looks at Kate. “Please stay with me. Not again. Stay with me.”The maids rush into the villa to see Kate rise with a large blood stain in the middle of her gown. She collapses to the floor as Anthony panics and snarls at them. “Get the physician…the uh…doctor. Um…giatros…yeah. NOW!”“Yes, Lord Bridgerton. Yes, Viscount.” The maids ran to tell the old.Within a few minutes, an Arab physician who spoke perfect English arrived. He is in a Western suit with black hair and gray temples. He carries a brown doctor’s back with essential physician equipment and elixirs. He reads the room and shouts at the maids in Greek. He kneels beside Anthony and then, in a calm voice, “Let’s move her to the bed, my Lord.” They transfer her into bed, and he yells in Greek, “Bring me several buckets of boiled water and several towels.”Hot steamy water enters as Kate wails.Immediately, she touches her head to examine if she has a temperature. He yells at the maids in Greek, “I require my rubber gloves and the special poppy mixture in the amber bottle.” He lined his surgical instruments on a steamy towel atop a table and dipped them into the scalding water. He then took a bottle out of the bag, added a clear liquid that smelled like alcohol, and put it over Kate’s face to make her unconscious.Anthony jerks as he yells, “What-what are you doing? Are you a surgeon? Do you have to do surgery?”“I must work, my Lord.” The middle-aged tan skin completion has a distinguished. Demeanor calmly replies. “My Lord, you must take a seat.” He flits his hands as two townsmen race to hold Anthony back from the physician. “I do not recommend you watch this procedure.”Kate’s shrills cease, and the physician throws his rubber gloves away as he wipes his hands with a steamy wet alcohol towel. “Lord Bridgerton, your wife had a miscarriage. She has lost your baby, sir. I have her resting now for the moment. I have injected a mixture of Laudanum, Morphine, and Cocaine from coca leaves. She will not suffer shock this way. and the maids will prepare a tea for her to drink to ease the pain, too.”“Not opium.” Anthony’s voice is shaky.“No, sir. Morphine, but it can make her sick.”“How-how do you know?” His hand on his head as he paces to suppress the trauma of losing his father and Kate’s injury to her head. “She was relaxed here in the villa. I made sure of it. She had everything.”“Your wife is powerful, and miscarriages happen.” The physician reassures him.“Not to my wife!” Anthony snaps.“Lord Bridgerton. She is resting peacefully. She lost a lot of blood, but she will live. Many first pregnancies end in miscarriage for old maids of 6 and 20.”Anthony closes his eyes to absorb what he heard as he walks out to the front of the villa with his hands on his hips. “I need you to leave. I will take her back to Britain, where she will be safe.”The doctor collects his items into his bag and confidently walks to Anthony. “Here is the pain medicine I used. It is a new kind of treatment. Be careful giving it to her. It is still under medical examination.” He resigns himself with a murmur, “It’s morphine from Heroin poppy. Quite potent and can be habit-forming.” Then, he leaves.Anthony looks around, rubbing his chin as he thinks of the next steps. He glares at the maids. “Pack our things; we will catch the first boat to Athens in the morning.”“Yes, sir.” The maids curtsies.He plops down on the couch and cries himself to sleep. “Please, do not take my goddess away.”
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After a long, arduous journey through most Prussia to the final destination before Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Anthony and Kate stop in Essen to stay in the Castle of Borbeck from several centuries old. There is exhaustion on Kate’s face as she drops onto the bed in their suite. The service men and women place the trunks and a few crates in the anteroom. Anthony enters, searching for Kate to find her passed out on the bed. He lies close to her, spooning her pained body as he kisses her neck.Kate awakens from his kisses, lifts his face to her, and kisses his lips. It starts with light pecks to passionate deep tongue kisses as they loosen the clothing. Anthony lifts her dress and moves down her abdomen to her crotch and breaths, taking off the frilly bloomers. Kate is bare there as he breathes light air along her clit down her labia and licks to a sucking pattern with his tongue and lips. Kate screams in passion as he presses his hand at the sides and sucks harder. His tongue goes inside her as deep as it can go as he adds two fingers like brushing along her walls. It is beautiful. Kate’s pussy was glorious. The longing for her pussy reached the point that he would have taken it unhealed. But the Arab doctor said he would know by the moisture. Goddamn, she was wet. A wet he never got a woman excited enough to achieve. And that wet, as glistening as her jelly is and Kate’s wetness tastes sweet, it is all his. All from his wife. It is his heaven. He never knew it could be this way.Kate squirms as his tongue licks around her. Her desire increases as she lifts her torso down to him. “Please, Anthony, I want you inside me. Please.” Anthony unlatches to stand. “No. Kate. Until you heal. I cannot risk it.”“Pull out, then.” Kate whines.He sits by her side, “I almost lost you. I can’t lose you. I just can’t.”She removes the rest of her clothing and crawls to the bed to accept his decision to turn away from him.Anthony leans in. When we get home, I promise we will make love all night. But, I need to have you safe.Anthony’s cock is throbs in pain from its stiffness. He could have her suck his dick. That would relieve the pain. He could stick it in her ass, but ladies like his wife are not into such activities. He desires to teach Kate how many ways he could seduce her. Anal is not it with her inexperience, though she is a swift learner.So, they lay there until morning when they move downstairs for breakfast. Lots of pastries, slices of bacon, sausage, cheese, and some new hot drink from the Americas called coffee. Chocolate from the Americas is melted and drizzled on the sweet pastry with apple strudel. Kate cut her chocolate apple pastry with a fork and knife, stabbed her fork into one of the pieces, and delicately placed it on her tongue. Her eyes roll back as they circle, and she yells, “Mmm. Oh my. This is Heaven. Chocolate from the Americas, you say?” The kitchen staff chuckled and nodded, not understanding any English.Anthony takes a piece off of Kate’s plate, and he snickers deviously with the incredible flavors that flood his taste buds. “Say, I must have bottles of this. Understand?” He stutters a moment, trying to know what to say, when—“Ich muss zwölf Flaschen Schokolade haben.” A light male voice says behind him.Anthony’s eyes widened as he saw him, “Prince Friedrich of Prussia?” He stands immediately.Kate stands to honor the Prince.“I heard English nobility was entering Essen, and I wanted to make sure on my way to London to visit my aunt, Queen Charlotte.” He stands stoic. “I, uh…heard, you got…marriage? This must be your lovely Viscountess.”“Yes. My Viscountess Kathani Bridgerton meets his Royal Highness Prince Friedrich of Prussia. He is the nephew of Queen Charlotte.”As soon as Kate could curtsy, the Prince grasped her hand to kiss it delicately. “Your Highness.” Unable to move. Then she remembers Edwina spoke of how the Queen told her about her nephew before Anthony and her married. “So this is him. Nice. More Edwina’s speed that the Rake Anthony use to be.”“Will you be able to join us, your highness? Please. If I may ask.” Anthony replies.“I will be happy to.” The casual regality of a prince from a major country was hard to explain to most people, but that was what Prince Friedrich was. Relaxed. “So, Anthony, you appear to be toned from the sun. Where did you visit?”“Greece. Santorini Island.” He replies. “Our honeymoon.”“Ah, and you return?”“Indeed.”The kitchen servants speak softly to Prince Friedrich, and he says for all. “You know you must try this hot coffee drink from the Arabica beans grown in Hawaii. Strange, I know. From a coastal town by a volcano called Kona. The soil has all the nutrients that any plant will ever need.” The servant sets it down, and Prince Friedrich tastes it. “Ah. A very refreshing beverage. It keeps you alert and ready to work.”Anthony looks at Kate as they both try the drink, and the bitter taste is strange on their palate. They nearly spit it out. Anthony speaks first. “You might have a hard time separating the British from their tea.”Kate knew he was half-joking, but she continued to drink here. One sip and the migraine dissipated instantly. Slowly her taste buds accepted the strange new drink, “Ich werde zwei Taschen kaufen.”Anthony’s and the Prince’s brows rise that Kate knew how to speak German. The Prince venture. “Where did you learn how to speak German?”“I learned several languages will I lived in India.”“Ah, Sie kommen also aus Indien. Gut.”“Ja. Eure Hoheit.”The Prince turns to Anthony, “Viscount, you found a wonderful and beautiful Viscountess very well.”Anthony beams in pride with his index finger on his lip. “Yes. Indeed.”The Prince shifts in his seat. “I must ask you, my Lord, did you attend the Santorini meeting about this 60-year plan for a canal between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea?”Anthony chose to speak the truth without a hint of concern, “Yes, I did.” He looks down and stipples his fingers.The Prince nods. “I notice the royals have been excluded. But not the nobility. Is that because of the Americans?”“Ah no. But, if the Royals were to discover our actions, well, you know.”“But you could have lied to me and not think I would tell my aunt.”“I cannot lie to you because I need your help.” Anthony looks at Kate and then at the Prince. “None of this can be done without technology and fuel. This place, Essen, is prime to be at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution. I read a rather large vein of coal has been identified here.”“I see. My help. What is it you think I can do?”“Give us contracts and exclusive rights for your coal, and we will give you percentages from English concessions for this Canal.”“Hmm? I am to live in London. I will only be born in Prussia.”“Ah. I see.” Anthony’s excitement starts to fade.“But, if you make the arrangements now, they cannot take the aspects of your operations from you, your Highness?” Kate interrupts. “Pardon me, my Lord.”“MiLady.” The Prince grins. “How am I going to get past my aunt?“The world requires men of industry and technical minds to move it forward. You all are some of the most brilliant minds or know someone who is. This world will not be based on inheritance by birthright, but by industrial merit.” Kate states plaintively.“Did you attend this meeting, too, MiLady?”“No. I could not.”“I see. Why do you think this would be good for Prussia? For the world?”Kate eyes the Prince evenly, “Do you like carriage rides, your highness. The lengths of the rides. It took me several months and ship rides from India to England. And if I had my way, I would have sailed back until….”“Until you and I saw eye to eye on something.” Anthony grabs Kate’s hand.Kate blushes amazingly.“With the Industrial Revolution, travel and transportation fundamentally change. Note delivery will change. It will become more efficient and faster. We invest now and, in our futures - our descendants’ futures will last forever. And we will need advanced fuel for that. More powerful than wind or animal labor. Coal. We already have a new way to transport it. Have you heard of Thivithvik’s Locomotive? Ships run of steam, carrying far more tons of goods worldwide. And, of course, for some reason, the United States seems to have unprecedented innovation.”The Prince interrupts, “Ok. I understand, Viscount. But I want in with concessions. Not percentages. And any exclusive rights are limited by time as approved by a governing body.”“Time?”“Yes, for say 150 years. Then the rights go to the people. We here in Prussia believe in the people’s rights. A constitutional monarchy. But by the people and for the people. I know that is a foreign concept to you, English.” The Prince chuckles.Anthony laughs, “Then we have a deal.” He puts out his hand for a shake.“My aunt will not be amused.”“Then take over her science division. Just say you’ve suddenly found a liking to it. Then invest.” Kate replies. “I’m sorry, your Highness, my Lord, but there has been a shortage of scientific discovery in Britain. Do you not think that perhaps we need to be at the forefront of it?”“I like your Viscountess Kathani Bridgerton, my Lord. She is brilliant. You chose very well, indeed. I never thought you would choose a love match. But now I see why you chose her. Both of you seem very in love and love for your families and country.”Anthony blushes and stands as he circles next to Kate with a slight hug. “New World Order, your highness, should be our greatest goal.”“Indeed, as it should.” Prince stands. “I think what I will do, is request to lead both science and technology divisions in Prussia and England. Nothing is being done with either of them. They have suffered neglect for far too long. And then – hmm. I could form a business with you and me being partners. A private business, not any titles, but commerce.”Kate looks at Anthony as if she has already spoken to him. “Indeed, then I know what I must do for my end of the business. Once completed, we shall meet here, in Essen?”“No. Amsterdam. I believe the Netherlanders might be interested in this deal, too. But I will convince them that only through Prussia can they be involved. It is a business deal, not an army. Also, it could not be raided by Napoleon in particular banks. Technology will strengthen our holding in banks, given in a neutral location, such as—” The prince thought long about it. “Geneva, Switzerland. Business is kept private there, and they never release information about funds – only to approve account holders. No one can touch those funds. Given that I am a Prince, they will give me and anyone I say an account, without question.”“Women, too?” Kate jumps.“Women, too, amazingly.” He grins. “Viscount, your wife is very forward-thinking.” He chuckles. “Viscountess Bridgerton, do you have a friend that I can meet who thinks similarly to you – a modern woman of refinement?”“Well, I no longer involve myself in such matters. I am a terrible matchmaker.”“Kate…” Anthony chides her. “Your highness, she is being modest. She knows of one such young lady, refined, smart, and very wise.”“I shall desire to meet this lady you have in mind, my Lord,” The prince smiles. “Why did you not go after her?”Kate looks at Anthony with a grin. “Because this one put a fire in my belly and helped me through some difficulties in my life. The Viscountess is here for me than to abandon me. My former rake days are over. She is everything I need and love.”“And who is this young lady?”“My sister.”“Her sister.”Anthony and Kate both laugh together.“My sister, Edwina Sharma. She is - your aunt adores her.”“Yes, whenever we look in on Kate’s mother, Edwina is serving the Queen in some capacity at the palace,” Anthony replies.“She also loves literature and the arts,” Kate said.“Ah, so you’re the one that the Viscount fell in love with when he was to marry your sister?” The prince exclaims. “That got all the way here. But now I see why. You two were made for each other, so my aunt protected your families.” He pauses. “I shall truly enjoy meeting this, Edwina Sharma. I heard she was a very strong-minded woman.”Both Anthony and Kate nodded together, “Mmm-hmm.”
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Late at night, they arrive at Aubrey Hall, home. They travel from Essen, Prussia, to Amsterdam, then a boat to London, another carriage ride, though they could have stayed in London. They chose not to do that because the Bridgerton family was at Aubrey Hall.They only woke up Benedict and Eloise. The rest were sound asleep. They hugged the awake siblings and got into Viscount and Viscountess’s room, prepared for their arrival. They had an entire wing in the house should they want their privacy. They did. As soon as the last of the man and maid servants left, Anthony pounces on Kate and nearly rips her dress off. Kate grabs his face, unbuckles his pants, and rips off his suspenders. She sees how stiff his erection is as he pants in excitement. She kneels and kisses the tip of his cock, and then licks it until her mouth swallows the shaft and pulls up to look at him.Anthony’s knees nearly buckle as he is exhausted from the trip but desires sex more. It has been almost four months since they last made love. The Arab doctor said she was healed after four months, so he wanted to touch his wife. He thrusts into her mouth and pulls out away from her lifting her up and slowly placing her onto his bed. “We are going to do our duty.” He smiles as he kisses her. “I’m not wasting my seed to go in the wrong place.”“Yes, my Lord.” Kate laughs.He lifts himself and undulates down to her as his tip rests on her labia. He moves it around her wetness. Goddamn, she is wet with lots of jelly, and he slides his manhood inside her. He lifts his hips slightly and repeats the thrust by rocking his hips. He hears Kate moan, and he knows she enjoys it. He wants it, too. But he desires an heir, one who lives in her body, survives birth with his mother, and lives a long time. There were stories from the Greek men that to make sure they impregnate a woman, a different position had to be taken. One where he is behind her, and she is bent like a dog. Ironically, as much as he was called a rake, he never did that position. Never at the brothels. He lifts his torso and looks at her, “Kate, I will turn you around, and you spread like a dog, and I will take you from that position.”Kate looks at him in fear, then slowly turns her back toward him as she bends down on all fours. He opens her legs wide, lifts her, and slides into her. “Ah Kate, it’s—Ah, fuck.”Kate wails loudly as it is a stretch and goes to the back, hitting her cervix. The deeper he thrusts, the better it feels, but his cock girth and length grow, and the pain she feels overwhelms her. She plants her face into a pillow to stifle the loudness of her screams.Anthony thrusts deeper into her as if he is exploring a cave with his cock and slams into a wall each time. Each hit feels like heaven on his tip. Then he feels Kate’s pussy walls squeeze his shaft as a reflex each time he moves in, then out. Suddenly, a hard, nob tyle feeling taps his tip. He had never felt that before. Unsure what it was. It happens whenever her pussy muscle contracts and taps on her tip. Whatever it is, he likes it. So he moves faster and deeper, and the tap gets harder. He rocks his hips hard, and the tap from her feels harder on his tip. Kate is still screaming under the pillow. Then his hip thrusts slam deep inside her pussy, and some ring wraps around his end, and vice grips him. “My god Kate, I will drop my load deep inside you, and you will drain my balls. Oh, fuck, this is good.”Kate felt how deep he was in her and knew her fertile womb opened to him for his seed. She raised from the pillow, “Put a baby inside me, Viscount.”When Anthony sent ribbons into her body, he felt they had to have created life in her fertile womb. His cum filled her up to the brim as he collapsed on top of her, still pumping inside. Kate milked his balls as his dick ligament flexed more for him to keep his orgasm going. “Fuck Viscountess. Oh my.” He lifted her to face him, and he was back into her body, still ejaculating as he fell between her legs. “Viscountess. You have outdone yourself…Would you like to go again?”
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Nearly every day, Anthony and Kate made love. They found a way to make love in the washtub together. Anthony would grab Kate to the side and make out with her there. One day, they called themselves to have a picnic with a lovely food basket. The servants were asked to go with them. They evaded their presents, and they made love splendidly in the grass. They repeated a sunnier time on the pavilion. One day after a horse ride, they went into a stall and rolled around in the hate.For nearly a month and a half, Anthony made love to his wife, Kate.Kate woke up with a slight headache and told the maids to prepare coffee for her. She meandered to the breakfast table where Anthony sat, and his hands were all of her. She tried to laugh and eat, but once she saw the greasy bacon, she ran out of the area to her bed-chamber pot and vomited. She never did that. She tried to process what was going on until she realized what had happened. Then her eyes widen; it is the day before Anthony’s trip to Amsterdam to meet the Prince and iron out the deal. Fortunately, the Duke of Hastings is with him. Kate did not want his tense because of her. And if it is accurate, there are no miscarriages or stillbirths. She had to wait.Anthony’s hands were on Kate all night before he left. He sucked everything on her body. She let him kiss her breasts and lick around the nipples. He let him bury his face into the pussy and suck all that. He wanted not to do “dog style,” but a lift from where he undulated behind her holding her neck. That she liked as it was curved inside of her but deep. In the morning, out of Anthony’s eye, Kate vomits profusely and alone. Over time, a few of the lady’s maids gave her saleratus that settled her stomach. Somehow, they made a unique mix with bubbles like champagne, but it doesn't taste enjoyable with water. It calms her belly, too. Anthony said he would be gone for at least a month.Memories of Santorini flow in her mind when she wakes up in the morning in fear. She rises as a lady’s maid rushes into her room, requesting her desires. “A bath and preparation of a very light breakfast with the family.”“Yes, Mi’Lady.” She stops until Mrs. Wilson enters.“Mi’Lady, a woman and a 3-year-old boy are at the door. She requests to speak to Lord Bridgerton.” Mrs. Wilson speaks urgently.“Is the Dowager awake?”“No, ma’am. Shall I wake her?”“That will not be necessary. I shall handle it. Give her a seat in the vestibule.” Kate says. “Yes. The Viscount is not here. May I inquire as to who you are?” Kate replies.“Siena Rosso and my son, Antonio Rosso. I was hoping to meet with Anthony- -- err – my Lord – Lord Bridgerton.”“Lord Bridgerton has been gone for a month; he shall return soon. Where are you from?”“I live in London. Lord Bridgerton enjoyed the opera, and I sang there.”“I see. So how did you find us in the country, Miss Rosso?”“I sang for families for all the parties.”“And why do you wish to meet the Viscount for?”The little boy ran to Siena and asked for food. “Not right now, Anthony – ee-oh.”A pain kicks inside Kate as he holds her stomach lightly. She looks at the boy and his shiny blonde hair and blue eyes. His lean body frame, slim nose, and thin neck. His back is stiff and straight, and he tiptoes while he walks. Kate realizes what Siena is doing, but she is too ill at ease to fight her. Morning sickness, the stress, and the desire to not miscarry again would lose Anthony from her. Kate did not want to be the Spanish Princess – Catherine of Aragon or Cate herself. “Are you staying in town, Miss Rosso?”“Yes, MiLady. I will be staying with Lady Trowbridge.”“I see. I will let you know when he arrives, at once.” Kate smiles kindly, “I must take my leave.” She looks at the butler, “See she arrives at Lady Trowbridge’s home, and have one of the footmen send a message for me I will give to you.”Kate writes a short note as the butler nods to whom the message is addressed. “It will be delivered expediently, my Lady.”Kate takes her leave into the dining room for breakfast a. Violet Bridgerton sits, drinking the coffee. “I must say, you must have the patience of a saint to allow your husband’s mistress into your home.”Kate glides over for a coffee and a pastry with chocolate, takes a bite and eats it. “Lady Bridgerton. I – I do not want to be a burden and – “ Kate holds her mouth and runs back into her bedroom to vomit. They lack a full meal for weeks and now tiny kicks. It was not like that the last time. But the sting of Anthony’s rakish vile past shows up at her door in the ancestral home. And now, her mother-in-law has difficult questions. Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton stand before the Queen, “Regarding Anthony’s past conflagration—"“And what shall we do with this kind of filthiness entering the stability of the Ton? If it is your grandchild, Dowager Viscount Bridgerton, your son, the Viscount must be responsible for him. It will require resolution.”“And the Viscountess?” Lady Danbury asks.“She will retain all of Anthony’s titles and inheritance. The issue is, is there an heir yet?” The Queen states plaintively.“No, your Majesty,” Edwina enters the room. “I have spoken to my sister, and I wish to ask to manage this situation, my Queen, Lady Danbury, Lady Bridgerton.”The Queen gives a sly grin and addresses Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton. “May I introduce my niece, Princess Edwina of Prussia. In their churches, she chose to marry in Prussia to my nephew, Prince Friedrich. Something learned from the Viscount. However, Prince Friedrich’s and Edwina’s nuptials were an immediate love match.”Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton stand and then curtsy. Then Edwina moves her hand, “Please take a seat.” She is still resplendent positive behavior, and poise proves she is a princess. “Your Majesty, there are serious conditions that Kate is too embarrassed to speak of.”“Pardon,” Violet asks. “She allowed that trollop into our ancestral home.”“Only because she wanted to make certain who this child was. While you, Lady Bridgerton, know your son as a baby to a young man, Kate knows him only as a man. Your son has a slight bend in his back. His posture is satisfactory, but his gait is unique. Not an illness, but a peculiarity.”Lady Danbury replies, “That means very little. We have no way of knowing.”“The boy does not have it. His body habitus is wrong, and he lacks similar hair color. We think the father of Siena Rosso’s child is the last man she was with. This is a ruse now that she has found herself without.” Edwina states.After a long moment of the Queen's thought, she asks, “Edwina, what is wrong with your sister?”“Your Majesty, Kate believes she is with child…again.” Edwina flat.“Again? What does that mean?”“Kate has confessed that she was pregnant in Santorini, Greece, and she lost that child. Nearly lost her life if it had not been for an Arab doctor.”“Arab physicians? Brimsley, contact the consulate and ask them about a doctor in Greece.”“Yes, your Majesty.”“Anything else?” The Queen asks.“Other than Viscount, Bridgerton does not know about this situation. Therefore, I should manage this situation because I know my sister when she is distressed. I do not want her to lose this child, too.”Lady Danbury inquires out of curiosity. “How will you manage this situation?”Edwina’s sweet sly grin slides across her face, “I will speak to this Siena Rosso, myself, and decide her fate.”“Then handle it immediately, Princess.” The Queen announces.“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Edwina bows.Lady Danbury, Violet Bridgerton, and Edwina all stand, curtsy, and leave the Queen's court. Edwina sets up the room to keep the woman at the palace. She has some tea. “I’ve been waiting for you.”“Yes, Your Highness. I arrived once you sent for me. I am at the service of you.” Penelope Featherington says after her curtsies.“Penelope, I know you are ‘Lady Whistledown,’ and I had never balked when you wrote about me. But I will have you smear someone who has hurt my entire family and might hurt the Ton and the crown.” She turns to her, “You will have to be of service to us, now.”“What is it you want me to do?”“Write about this accusation that Siena Rosso accusation. To make what I say favorable. To leave my sister out of it completely. Also, the Bridgertons. I want it scathing. You will do it for me, or your ruse will end.”“I will invite others, including the ladies waiting, and Siena Rosso will have no idea that you wrote the scandal protecting your anonymity.” Edwina ends.“Yes. I will serve, your Highness.” Penelope replied.“Good that now that we have done, we will set up a meeting with her immediately."
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Anthony rode in with packs on his horse into London late at night. He collects a few items from his London home and then sets off to Aubrey Hall in the country. He would get there within six hours with brief respites for the horse. Amsterdam’s gifts include an American-made Collier flintlock gun he received from Elisha Collier, a gun manufacturer. The idea of munitions on new kinds of ships made of metal barges is the discussion.After hours on his horse, he reaches his country home, Aubrey Hall, early at dawn. A few candles glow in the servants’ quarters. He looks to his room, and he chuckles to see Kate kept her promise and lit a candle in the window for him. He settled his horse near the barn and walked into the front down as several of the manservants rushed to meet them. Their excitement to see that Viscount Anthony Bridgerton had arrived safely. They took his back as he looked around with a grin. “Where is my wife?”The housemaid enters and states, “My Lord, I shall awaken her.”“No need. I’m awake.” Kate is at the top of the stairs in a large bulky robe. She rushes down the steps and chases him to kiss him passionately on the lips. ”My Lord, you’re home.”In some ways, she feels different than when he left her. Her face is more filled and a bit more weight than he remembers how her brown complexion shines into a glow pleasurably. He misses her and is ready to disrobe her entirely until all his siblings and mother race to embrace his return. Having grown several inches in height, Hyacinth and Gregory question his age. He holds his wife on her lower hip close to him as he grabs her ass, hiding his sneaky touch, but this time, her butt is more spongy than he remembers. He stares at Kate’s face, her eyes sunken and puffy as if the waters of her body welled down her cheeks all night. It pains her to follow his large, eager smile across his face.Before he could speak, his mother hugged him tightly. “Anthony, we are so glad – what is in your belt?”“Mother, it is nothing. A gift to me.” Anthony looks at his brothers, Benedict and Colin. And takes out boxes. “Come to the library.” He hands them a wood box with the Collier flintlock revolvers. “Keep them clean and safe. You only have five shots without advance. I have received boxes of what they call bullets in the carriage ride.”“Brother,” Benedict says. “The women are up in arms. Except for Eloise, as usual.”“And, what’s unusual about that.” Anthony is evident in what Benedict said. “This box is for Gregory when I can teach him how to shoot.”“Want to know why I never entertained the thought of brothels, dear brother? Colin does not wait for Anthony to answer. “Because your past can show up on your doorstep, along with a--”“Tiny Anthony running around.” Benedict stands next to Colin.Anthony looks at them, chuckling. “Past? What past?”“Siena. Anthony. Mother asked us not to tell you.” Colin said. “But, throughout your laments of duty to the family, when you fooled around with this woman, did you not think of what it would do to your duty or family?”“Siena?” Anthony blinks. “What are you talking about?”“AIE, don’t be stupid, Brother. Kate answered the door, Anthony. I spoke to her.” Benedict rubs his hair back. “We’ve been doing everything we could not have her fall apart. We are trying to save her life, Anthony. Daphne is on her way to take her to Clyvedon.”“Your wife is not doing well.” Colin stands. “I would not blame her for leaving if it was not for Mother’s request.”“Kate’s sick?”“If breaking her heart is a sickness, then yes. Yes, it is.” Daphne enters.“Your Grace.” All bow.“Simon told me the whole situation. Anthony, after all, we have gone; what is family for? Your meretricious relationship with such a person. I would think you had tired of them given all that Kate and you have been through for your marriage, brother.”“Where is she, then? Siena? I will deal with this.”Daphne charges him. “Brother. She has a son she is claiming is yours.”“What? The child cannot be mine. Her rejection of me was a year before I married Kate. I would never betray Kate.” Anthony pleads as he paces. “No-no-no-no… It could never happen. Is that what Kate believes?”“Then tell me, who is that woman to you, Anthony?” Kate enters the library.“Brother.” Benedict and Colin walk past them and leave.“Do you require me to stay, Kate?” Daphne whispers to Kate and glares at Anthony.“No. That will be alright. I shall speak to my husband’s adultery in our marriage or lies about it.” Kate equally glares at Anthony.“Of course. I will be waiting for whatever you decide, Kathani” Daphne’s eyes narrow as she leaves outside and closes the library’s door.Kate’s hair tied in a loose braid to her side moves to Anthony as he watches every move she makes. The memories are vivid during the storm and after their first dance. The moment he confronts Kate about if she does not care for him. That he would walk away, he hopes she remembers that fateful day. The day he knew he loved her but could not find a way to be with her. “Kate…Kathani, you must know I will always love you.”Kate moves around the room to find a comfortable sofa and sits. She covers her body with her robe and leans to stare at him. “Who is this woman, Anthony, and why did she come to our country home?”Anthony lowers his head. “She was my mistress before I met you. I was young, and I thought I loved her.”“So you tried to make a whore into a housewife?”“No. No! Kate. She broke it off with me! She humiliated me and told me to leave her alone and forget her. I did. I let go. And—”“That is why you thought a marriage should never be about love, just duty.” She leans back onto a large pillow. “So what about the boy? He is about three or four years old.”“Kate! She had no children when I met her that I knew of. And I know you don’t have to believe me, but I used sheepskin prophylaxis. They never broke. Kate…Kathani! Please.” Anthony’s tears fall as his whole world collapses, and he cannot stop it. “I would never hurt you.”Kate opens her legs a little as the robe falls, exposing one of her thighs. “Anthony. Please come here on your knees.”Anthony dropped to his knees and crawled toward Kate, staring at her with compliance, hoping she did not sneer at him.“Lay your head down here.” Kate pats her lower abdomen. “C’mon, nothing untoward. I need you to lay your head here.”His confusion on his tearful face long turns, and he lays down on her lower abdomen and sniffs from his tears. “I am so sorry, Kate, for ruining our marriage. I never wanted to be the cause of such strife.”“Hush, you.” Kate runs her hand through his locks. “Calm down and listen to the beats of my – uh – hearts.”Anthony took a deep breath to concentrate on Kate’s heartbeat. Her lower abdomen had become quite spongy. He felt her hand coursing through his head hair as he retook a deep breath to listen. The sound of a deep “Lub, dub. Lub, dub. Lub, dub-dub, lub-dub lub-dub lub-dub, Lub-dub-dub.” Anthony’s eyes widen as he lifts her gown, rubbing over the curvature of her body so that Anthony is breathless and in tears. “Viscountess.”“Yes, Anthony.” She nods and grins as she lifts his chin to his lips to kiss him. “It has been 22 weeks. Longer than the time in Santorini.”He kisses her lips as he rubs across her body, feeling his palm’s slight kicks. As he looks down, her brown complexion of what appears as one bump pushes out, then drops down. A giddy laugh of its newness all leaves his mouth as he kisses her stomach. “That is our baby in you. Ours. Kate.” He turns his eyes to hers and kisses her again with a whisper. “Thank you. I’m sorry. Forgive me.”Kate smiles and palms his face as her forehead touches his. “No one can separate us, Anthony. I must be assured you know that and protect that. Will you make me out to be a fool?”“No, my love, I-I cannot. I will not. I will do everything in my power to make sure our family is protected.” He rises to stand with an exhalation as his mind ruminates that his past haunts him. “I-I will deal with Siena.”Kate stumbles to rise to stand as she pushes her lower back to protrude her belly. “Wait, Anthony. It would be best if you did not speak to her. I demand you distance yourself from her less she finds anything to implicate you.”“If I don’t deal with her, the Ton will rip us apart – the Bridgerton family apart. Nay, this is her threat against me. It is just me, not our family, my lover.”“Anthony, I need you to wait. I am compelling you. If you choose not to heed me.” Kate looks down as she rubs her belly. “Please, Anthony, wait.”Anthony closes his eyes to think as he exhales from the sheer frustration of this nasty situation. “Very well.” He holds her side close to him as he embraces her with a kiss. “Shall we announce our happy news?”Nearly breathless as she nods her head, “Yes.”Together, they exit the library to see most of the family waiting for them. Anthony smiles at them, “Everyone, we will have a new family member by Spring. We are pleased to announce that Kate and I are expecting. I hope it is a girl; Kate is betting on the first born boy who will become Viscount, my legacy.”Kate laughs, announcing, “It will be a boy because I know it is. Mother’s intuition.”Both Violet and Daphe race to hug Kate as the brothers pat Anthony’s back. Eloise spoke first, “That is why you felt unwell?”“You need to rest. Take it easy. Do not stress yourself out.” Daphne replied with her authoritative voice.“When you are ready, we can plan a few events for the baby. The painting room should be your nursery.” Violet looks Kate in the eyes. “Does your mother and her royal highness know?”Kate looks away, unsure to speak of it. “Not yet. I wanted to be sure – err – let Anthony know first.”“Ah, I see. We will tell our inner circle and the Queen that you expect as soon as possible.” Violet replies and pulls her off to one side with a whisper. “Anthony told me what happened to you in Santorini. We will not let that happen here. Do you understand me? I will help you, and you will take bedrest starting now.”Kate’s eyes widen as to why Anthony told her but then realizes how to hurt he was from their ordeal in Santorini.”Yes, Milady.”“Violet. Please. You are about to have my grandson, the scion of the Bridgerton family. I want to help as much as I can. Daphne shows Kate upstairs.”Anthony walks in with his brothers, having heard his mother’s last words, and laughs, “Daughter. She will be my baby girl.”Violet, Daphne, Eloise, and Kate laugh because they doubt it.“It’ll be a boy, Viscount. As the Viscountess said it, I observed how large I am, now.”Anthony rushes back to Daphne and picks up Kate to carry her to the room. “You should rest.”“Yes, my Lord,” She buried her head into his shoulder as he carried her off into their bedroom.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Princess Edwina kisses Prince Friedrich goodbye as her ladies in waiting put on her royal attire for the day. She decided to wear the Prussian Blue dress that the Prince gave to her with her hair in an updo bun with her more enormous tiara. She added her long sleeve gloves and several official jewelry pieces the Prince gave her. Her mind processes the events of the day. Once her makeup had been completed with lip color, she sat to eat breakfast. Then, a small spoon of muhkah to savor for a clean breath. The anise seed flavor explodes in her mouth, refreshing it.She enters her chamber the Queen set aside for her to hear pleas of the community and settle disputes. She rounds the red velvet chair and sits on his plump cushion, picking up the crisp papers where she left them yesterday. In her mind, she speaks, “Land dispute, animal resources, inheritance, failed payment – oh what’s this – parentage of a child.”She remembers that the meeting was to take place today. “Anthony bastard son that looks nothing like him from Siena Rosso.”The Queen enters Princess Edwina’s office, and Edwina immediately stands. “Your Majesty.”“Edwina, I have seen this parentage issue with the Bridgerton’s. Normally, I would not give audience to this, but with the scribbler Lady Whistledown not known, what should we do if this woman writes about the Viscount given the condition of his Viscountess in the family way?”Edwina had not known about her sister expecting. She thought Kate would share it unless she could not. “Perhaps, she required careful watch and rest, your Majesty.”“Indeed so. Do you think you can manage this – woman?”“I have something in mind, and my friend, Penelope Featherington, will assist me.”“I see; you and Penelope have become quite close. It’s unexpected.”“Indeed, it is your Majesty. It is better to make friends with those who can keep an open mind about any situation.”“Edwina, this is your test of leadership. I need a positive outcome with an appropriate review in Lady Whistledown. I trust you will find this process straightforward. Good.” The Queen left Edwina’s office.Within seconds, Penelope Featherington entered. Edwina already knew that Penelope penned Lady Whistledown. Both Kate and her had parsed it out after Anthony married Kate. The process was similar to what Anthony’s sister, Eloise, described. Edwina did not trust her but found a use for her as she desired a friend. Edwina seemed to enjoy time to herself and more for her love for literature. Penelope clung to anyone who showed her attention by always visiting the castle to speak to Edwina. He wants to go everywhere Edwina has to go. The parties that Edwina had to attend. To be friends with royalty affords a lifestyle. At the same time, Edwina felt thrust into the spotlight with her marriage to Friedrich and had so much learned, all that came naturally to her. But with Penelope in tow, Edwina felt like she was the etiquette coach because Penelope lacked the finesse to present herself with confidence. It befuddled Edwina, and she did not mind it.“Well, welcome, Miss Penelope. It is wonderful to see you today, and you look lovely in your light blue with crisps of pink appliques. I’m impressed you chose that corset. It fits you well.” Edwina remains pleasant.“Thank your, highness. I enjoy these colors more than yellow.” Penelope sat in a comfy chair next to where a lady-in-waiting would sit. “Have you chosen your ladies in waiting yet, your highness?”“No. I am still taking my time.” Then she whispers. “I don’t trust anyone near me except Kate.”Penelope giggles, “I’m sure you would be unable to find anyone better than your sister now that she is happily married to your former betrothed.”“Now-now, I am very much over that and….” Edwina takes a deep breath. “My sister is expecting. I am happy for them. It should be a joyous occasion, and I am truly happy for her, but….”“But what?” Penelope is ready to pounce on that gossip.“Well, I need you to leave this out of Lady Whistledown if I tell you. You promise, Penelope. You must swear that you will never speak of this outside this room.”“I promise.”“Well, when the Viscount and his Viscountess visited Greece for six months,” Edwina searches for the most diplomatic words, shrugs, and blurts it out. “She became with child.”“I see.”“She lost the child. It wasn’t good. Her life was saved by an Arab physician who I have a letter to send to the Sultan to thank him and invite him to England.” Edwina lifts her chin, glad to remove that burden off her chest.“Oh, my. I-I don’t know what to say. I am happy she was saved.” A chill sent shivers over Penelope. She cannot fathom what it is like to lose a child. Then she remembers Edwina said Kate is expecting. “And your highness, the Viscountess is expecting again.”“She is.” Edwina smiles. “I am very excited for her; she needs no stress.”“Of course, who would expect less?” Penelope grins but has suspicion there is more to this discussion.“I am concerned about causing her stress with such foolishness as this accusation.” Edwina hands the writ to Penelope.Penelope takes the writ and then reads it. “My god, Edwina! I mean, your Highness. Who is this? This Siena Rosso.”“It does not matter, for I will end this stress caused by this woman. It is already done.” Edwina announces. “I need you as a witness that I am only an interested party to end these accusations and that all that is said reflects accurately in your scandal sheet. Do you think you can do that for me if I include you in these proceedings?”“Most definitely, your Highness. No one should ever interfere with the Ton as this woman accuses one of the highest members of our society. It will send unwelcomed behavior in a peaceful society.”Edwina inhales a breathy response, “Good, because I do not want to order you to do this. Understand? Because this proceeding has been mandated to work effectively by the Queen. You would not want to upset the Queen, would you, Miss Penelope?” She glowers directly into Penelope’s eyes as her voice extends the “e” in the name.“Yes, Your Highness. I will comply with all you ask of me.” Penelope has a tiny amount of fear in her voice. She wonders about the whole meaning of this request and what it would entail. But she believes she cannot fail Edwina, her friend, like she did Eloise Bridgerton. Perhaps saving Kate Bridgerton will reconcile her with Eloise.“Good.” Edwina states. “Send the claimant into the Princesses’ initial hearing chambers.”The guards open the door, where the Siena Rosso enters with Lady Trowbridge as a supporter. She wears a red and black formal dress with excessive makeup and red lipstick. Penelope turns to Edwina, trying to see if she notices the attire. But Edwina smiles without showing any response to Siena’s presentation of herself in ill-repute.r“This proceeding is just an observation. Let us have a tea service set to make it more intimate.” Edwina moves down the two steps to sit on the red velvet couch that is comfortable with one of her small blonde pug dogs that huff as he wags his tail. “Tea? I will pour the tea for our guests.” Edwina pours the tea into the cups of each woman present and sits back in her chair. She did it to allow them to think she was weak, showing her servitude. She wanted them to feel that.The servants present the cups of tea to all the occupants as Edwina watches with kind eyes enjoining her circle. Penelope sits off to the side of Edwina in a separate chair, remaining unable to budge for the fear built from Edwina's kind voice with complete control and slight terseness in her voice. She watched Siena’s and Trowbridge’s faces and fidgety hands sipping the tea Edwina poured for them.“I am glad you came here to meet me. I am unsure what I can do for you, but I am willing to hear your issue.” Edwina smiles innocently. “Why don’t you start, Miss Rosso.”“The Viscount is the father of my son – err –- our son. I know he is married to your sister, but I was his mistress before he met your sister, the Viscountess. My son -- err -- our son is of the age when he left me and abandoned me to give birth. The third year of birth.”“I see. And how do you know about my sister?” Edwina states with a smile.“Isn’t it obvious that the Viscount abandoned you for your sister and displayed their relationship at the Featherington Ball by a dance with the Viscount lasciviously? Especially after your wedding to him ended abruptly, the Queen had planned it for you.” Lady Trowbridge spoke as she glanced briefly at Penelope Featherington.“I don’t recall seeing you there.” Edwina glances with very slight control ire in her voice as she quips. “I thought you were busy with your redheaded children since your husband had died. Is that correct?" Edwina's eyes narrow as she casts her eyes toward Trowbridge. She knows the truth about Trowbridge's scandalous deception she had done to the Ton as to who the real father of her children are since her husband died well before her pregnancies and births of them. Edwina had her investigators, too. "It was the Queen who felt she did not want me to marry the Viscount because she decided I should marry her nephew, the Prince. You know, Prince Friedrich of Prussia." Edwina's voice returns to its pleasant sing-song tone as she orders the servants to refill the tea in everyone's cups. "Happily whisked away in a whirlwind fairytale romance, we are blissful newlyweds.” Edwina reflects the memories of the romance from all the parties. “Lady Trowbridge, how old are your redheaded children? Are you not currently expecting another child?”Immediately, Trowbridge juggles her cup as she knows full well that her husband is dead and there is no way she could have legitimate children. Edwina turns her head to Penelope to see her slightly smirk while drinking her tea.“Brimsley, have Lady Trowbridge escorted out from me. She thinks my tea causes her bilious disposition.” Edwina smiles pleasantly while she watches Brimsley and a guard stand with Lady Trowbridge and hurries her out of the room.“Thank you, Brimsley.” Edwina pleasantly grins. Immediately, Edwina turns to Siena, who drinks her tea at mid-sip and attempts not to look at Edwina directly. “Miss Siena, I brought you here only as a kindly observer. Penelope Featherington is my witness to what we will discuss.”Siena shifts her position nervously and sets down her teacup on the table, refusing the servant for more. “Yes, Your Highness.”“Siena, it would be a mistake to think there will be no consequences for you telling lies about the Viscount. I am not here in any official capacity. I am only here to warn you because you should know what could happen. It could become hard for you to live in London.” Edwina leans forward and stares directly into Siena's eyes.“Your face will be known to everyone. The Ton would associate you as a harlot. One whose brothel residence would quickly become known to all of London. For example, my reports say 22 Lotharios employed you in one year. And those are the ones we know of.” Edwina says plainly.“Also, you had that ugly bout of the clap and the pox. And about your family, your mother's madness from witchcraft landed her in Carfax two years ago. I bet the wardens kept that private as she currently lives as an inmate. See, those lies could hurt you if the Ton learned of them.” Edwina tilts her head with a smile.Edwina re-aligns her posture with a slight sigh and casually places her hand on her heart with genuine concern. “Not all the Ton is as pleasant as me. Allow me to give you some free advice: stop your calumniation of Viscountcy, Lord Anthony Bridgerton, and his Viscountess, Lady Kathani Bridgerton, and all of the Bridgerton family, pack up your son and your parcels, get in your carriage and find a quiet beachside village to live. Become a barmaid, meet a peasant boy, and make some pub friends because your life here in London is over. It is over in the Ton. You are done.”Siena snaps. “But I am a good person!”“Ah, poppet, do you think of yourself as a good person?” Edwina rapidly answers with a sweet voice. “I know of another suitable person, Marie Antoinette, who told the truth, but she still was executed for treason by guillotine.Siena rises and runs out of the room tearfully.Penelope jerks in her seat, and her eyes widen in shock after hearing Edwina mention the guillotine. Penelope chokes as she grabs her throat skin, coughing as if she lost her head in the receptacle.Edwina rises and nods at Penelope as if what needs to be written. “Write exactly what I said to Siena in Lady Whistledown, Penelope. I want it well known that mistresses and whores have no place in a marriage-minded, pleasant, and gentle society. I think the Queen will agree with me, and she might be lenient on your attacks on her.” She gets to the door to enunciate strongly. “No one will dishonor my sister Kate.”Brimsley and a guard escort Edwina to the queen's chamber and await the verdict. "Princess Edwina. Is the problem resolved?"Edwina curtsies and smiles with her hands crossed in the front, "My Queen Charlotte, you know your nephew, Prince Frederich, has requested his engineers to construct an efficient guillotine with stainless steel sharp blade to give to the crown as a gift. The Prussians create the best moutons and counter-weights. I think a strong message can be sent across London that we will not tolerate radicals within our midsts that can upset our status quo.""Indeed, my dear Edwina." The Queen grins proudly. "You have done well, my dear, and for that, you have kept the everlasting longevity of the Ton. Very good, indeed."