![Picture](/uploads/1/0/3/0/10305946/published/303309035.jpg?1717364652)
Bridgertons 2
Julia Quinn
Summary from SuperSummary
PROLOGUE
Anthony’s parents, Violet and Edmund Bridgerton, shared a strong love for one another, and the couple were both young when they started their family. Anthony is their firstborn child, and while he was growing up, he treasured the close bond he had with his father. Just before Anthony left to attend Oxford at the age of 15, he visited his family at Aubrey Hall, their ancestral home. Violet was pregnant with her eighth child, and Anthony wondered if, like Edmund and Violet, he and his future wife would keep having children even when they were older. When Anthony entered the main hall, he was shocked to find his younger sister, Daphne, sitting on the floor, crying. Daphne tells Anthony that Edmund died. At first, Anthony did not believe her, but she tells him that their little sister Eloise saw it happen: “He was stung by a bee” (6). Anthony recalled that several years before, he and his father were both stung by bees, and Edmund was fine. Anthony rushes upstairs to find Violet, and she was also in shock. The doctors eventually arrived; they explained that while it was uncommon, it was not unheard of to die from a bee sting. Anthony put his younger siblings to bed, reassuring them that he would step up to take care of them. Anthony sat in the room where his father’s body was laid out, and as he thought about his own mortality, he became convinced he would also die young: “Edmund Bridgerton had died at the age of thirty-eight. And Anthony simply couldn’t imagine ever surpassing his father in any way, even in years” (9).
1. Kate Sheffield hears her younger half-sister, Edwina, giggling while she reads the latest Lady Whistledown issue. Edwina reminds Kate that Whistledown wrote about them recently, as Edwina was named the Incomparable of the 1814 social season. Edwina is 17 years old, has light hair and striking blue eyes, whereas Kate is nearly 21 and considers herself much plainer than her half-sister. Kate is merely grateful the society gossip does not yet mock her for being a “spinster,” since she is several years older than all the other young women debuting in London’s “Marriage Mart” that year. Since Kate’s father died five years prior, the Sheffield women spent that time saving their money to afford the trip to London—a trip they could not afford twice. Kate steals Edwina’s copy of Whistledown, and Edwina teases her for wanting to read about Anthony. Mary, Kate’s stepmother and Edwina’s mother, reminds the girls they have a party that evening. Kate tells Edwina that Mr. Berbrooke complimented Edwina’s gown at a recent party. Edwina is surprised that men pass compliments to her through Kate, but Kate reminds Edwina that while attending a musical, Edwina publicly declared she would not marry anyone that Kate did not approve of. Edwina wants to marry a scholarly man, someone who shares her love of reading and learning. Across town, Anthony enjoys a drink at a gentlemen’s club with his younger brothers Benedict and Colin. Anthony announces that he plans to get married that year, which surprises his brothers so much that Benedict topples over in his chair and Colin nearly chokes on his drink. Since he is nearly 30, Anthony feels it is now time for him to marry and have a son. Anthony considers his criteria for his potential spouse, namely that she should be attractive, intelligent, and most importantly, “she couldn’t be anyone with whom he might actually fall in love” (28). While Anthony knows true love exists because his parents had it, he does not want love to complicate his situation. Anthony declares to his brothers his intention to marry Edwina, since she is the season’s “diamond.”
2. Mary is so excited by the possibility of the Viscount courting Edwina that she forgets their earlier conversation about Anthony’s Rakishness. Kate tries to steer the conversation back to her fears that Anthony is not right for Edwina, but Mary reminds her that Edwina will have the final say. At that moment, Colin Bridgerton approaches the Sheffields and asks Kate if he may have one of her dances later in the evening. Colin and Kate get along well, which surprises her, since she assumed he would be a Rake like Anthony. Kate voices her assumption aloud, but Colin is not offended. He finds her frankness amusing; he takes her banter well and gives as good as he gets. Colin tells Kate of Anthony’s intention to marry, but Kate expresses doubts that a Rake like Anthony would ever truly settle down. Colin says Kate ought to meet Anthony, but Kate says she promised to meet a friend at the ball in a mere moment, so their introduction would have to wait. Colin finds Anthony and asks if he enjoyed his dance with Edwina; Anthony replies, “She’ll do” (42). Colin says that if Anthony liked Edwina so much, he should really meet her sister. Anthony is very surprised by the idea that Edwina wants her sister’s approval of any potential match, since it is traditionally a father, brother, or mother whose input matters most. Anthony sees Kate for the first time and is pleasantly surprised to find her attractive and confident, very unlike the “ape-leading amazon” he imagined (45). Kate and Colin joke with one another, but when he introduces Anthony, Kate’s mood sours immediately. Colin claims to be thirsty, and he asks Anthony to take his dance with Kate. Kate nearly insults Anthony, but he quickly takes her arm and leads her to the dance floor before she says something she might regret.
3. When they begin the dance, Kate steps hard on Anthony’s foot. He tells her that while she has had success managing Edwina’s other suitors, she is mistaken to believe that she can manage him. As the dance concludes, Kate stomps on Anthony’s foot again. Anthony tells Kate in no uncertain terms that he will court Edwina, and he will marry her. The next day, numerous suitors send flowers for Edwina to the Sheffields’ house. Many of the bouquets make Edwina sneeze, so Kate takes them to her rooms. She is surprised to hear Anthony’s voice behind her. Kate is frustrated that the butler did not check first to make sure the Sheffields were ready for visitors. Anthony suggests that their mother probably instructed the butler to let Anthony in no matter what. Kate, frustrated, calls Mary by her given name, which surprises Anthony. Kate explains that Mary is her stepmother, but also the only mother she has ever known. Anthony is unperturbed by Edwina’s absence, as the bouquet he brought is three arrangements: one for Edwina, one for Mary, and one for Kate. She is genuinely touched by the gesture, since everyone who sends flowers to their house never sends any to her or to Mary. Anthony asks when Edwina will return, and Kate divulges that Edwina is out for a ride with Mr. Berbrooke. Anthony is appalled that Nigel Berbrooke would ever be a serious contender for Edwina’s hand: “He’s a nice enough fellow, I’ll grant you that, but not someone you’d want building you a boat were you stranded on a desert island” (64). Kate imagines Anthony on a desert island, and the brief fantasy makes her blush. Anthony asks if she is feeling all right, to which Kate replies that she is anxious that Mary has left her unchaperoned for so long. Kate rings for a servant to announce Anthony’s presence so Mary may join them since he plans to wait for Edwina to come back.
4. Mary joins them in the drawing room, along with Kate’s corgi, Newton. Mary expresses hesitancy about having let Edwina go out with Mr. Berbrooke, and she suggests Anthony go with Kate to walk Newton so that he does not have to sit for an hour until Edwina returns. Mary steps out to find Newton’s leash. Anthony and Newton get along surprisingly well, so Kate says he can put on the leash. They walk in silence. Suddenly, Newton sees something in the distance and takes off running, pulling Kate along behind him. Anthony tries to catch up with them, but Newton speeds up and pulls his leash free from Kate’s hand. Newton runs away in the park, and Kate takes off running after him. Kate suspects Newton is just chasing a rabbit, and he will soon run under someone’s feet and scare them. Sure enough, they soon hear a shriek in the distance. Kate realizes they are approaching The Serpentine, and Newton loves lakes. Kate sees Edwina and Mr. Berbrooke by the lake. Edwina stands patiently while Mr. Berbrooke makes a repair to his carriage. Newton runs at full speed toward Edwina and knocks her over into the lake. Mr. Berbrooke stands stunned on the shore, and Anthony admonishes him for his inaction as he wades into the waters to help Edwina. Anthony blames Kate for Newton’s chase. Anthony says he will ask to borrow a friend’s carriage to take Edwina home, and Mr. Berbrooke can escort Kate home. As Kate and Newton ride home with Mr. Berbrooke, she realizes Anthony was right in his earlier assessment of the man.
5. Edwina catches a cold from her plunge into the lake. She finds it funny that Anthony cannot help himself when it comes to provoking Kate, and she comments that Anthony might be the only man in all of London whom Kate cannot manage. Kate suddenly feels unsure if she likes “this role of mother hen she’d been thrust into” (97). Edwina reminds Kate to look for a husband for herself. Edwina recovers from her cold in four days’ time. After spending the weekend indoors, Mary decides that she and Kate will attend Violet Bridgerton’s musicale. Kate is worried that people will react less-than-positively to them attending without Edwina. She hopes Anthony will not even notice she is in attendance, but he does notice. His first sight of her takes his breath away, and he is confused because he feels desire for a woman he does not even like. Anthony recalls that he dreamt about Kate after the incident at the park. He considers rekindling his relationship with the opera singer since she is in town, believing she will clear his mind of Kate. As he readies himself to go downstairs, Anthony decides he will have to avoid Kate for the whole evening.
6. Mary catches Kate staring at Anthony; she says it is not their business how Anthony behaves, but Kate insists it is their business if he wants to marry Edwina. Mary leads Kate to meet Violet Bridgerton. They thank her for inviting them, and Violet introduces one of her daughters, Eloise. Kate thinks Eloise is probably the same age as Edwina, and she likes her instantly. Mrs. Featherington catches the Sheffields and expresses her surprise to see Kate in attendance given Whistledown’s coverage of the incident with Newton at the park. Mary defends Kate by saying the whole incident was of so little significance she was surprised the column even mentioned it at all. Kate brings Mary and Mrs. Featherington a drink, and quickly leaves for the hallway. Kate has a few moments alone before she hears Anthony’s voice, and she realizes that he will soon be out in the hallway. Kate quickly darts into the closest room and shuts the door behind her. As her eyes adjust, she realizes that she is in an office. Suddenly, she hears the doorknob click, and she realizes that Anthony and Maria, the opera singer, are moments away from entering the room. Kate quickly hides under the solid desk, obscured from view. Anthony and Maria enter the office mid-conversation. Anthony crosses the room to the decanter, which is on the windowsill behind the desk. He can smell Kate’s characteristic lily aroma, and when he turns around, he sees Kate hiding under the desk. Anthony walks Maria to the door, and once she is gone, he turns around to Kate. Kate insists she was not trying to spy on him, and that she meant to hide and did not know the room is his private office. Anthony closes the distance between them to intimidate her, but Kate finds his proximity seductive.
7. Anthony kisses Kate. As the initial shock wears off, Kate relaxes in his arms, and she kisses him back. Anthony feels victorious, and their kiss intensifies. Kate says his name, but Anthony urges her not to talk. Kate tries to speak again, and Anthony thinks she means to argue, and it pulls him out of the mood. Kate says she will never allow Anthony to marry Edwina, nor will she marry him herself. When Anthony says that their kiss was not an offer of marriage, Kate declares he has no honor. Anthony says he still plans to court and marry Edwina. Kate asks Anthony if he loves Edwina; he says he does not love her now, but he might grow to love her during their marriage. Kate does not believe him. Anthony tosses the key to the study at her feet, fully intending for her to be unable to catch the key out of the air. Kate looks up at him, and the disdain in her eyes feels like he has been punched in the stomach. Anthony wants to pick up the key and apologize, but he refrains from doing so since he is so terrified by the spark that he feels with her. Kate finally picks up the key and leaves the office, not before declaring again that he will never marry Edwina. The next day, Edwina receives a flower arrangement from Anthony with a card that reads, “Last night was dull indeed without your shining presence” (139). Kate interprets this as just as much an insult to her as it is a compliment to Edwina. Two days after the musicale, Kate reflects on their kiss and believes Anthony kissed her out of “curiosity, anger, and pity.” Violet Bridgerton sends the Sheffields an invitation to a party the following week at the Bridgertons’ home in the country. Kate is sure Mary would not let her stay alone in London, and Kate also does not want Edwina to go without her now that she knows how unscrupulous Anthony can be. She worries he will try to kiss Edwina and trick her into marrying him.
8. At Aubrey Hall in Kent, Anthony feels a “resigned sort of satisfaction” to see Edwina’s name on the guest list, since he wishes to propose as soon as possible. He also plans to apologize to Kate, not necessarily because he wants to humble himself, but because he feels she deserves an apology. Kate is enchanted by Aubrey Hall, and Mary reminds her to not make disparaging remarks about Anthony since he owns the estate and is their host. Once inside, Violet greets the Sheffields. Violet and Kate bond over their love of gardening. Once the Sheffields are out of sight, Anthony joins Violet in the main hall, and she wonders to herself which of the Sheffield sisters Anthony is interested in. Anthony is glad to have the gardens to himself for his walk, but his solitude is brief: He hears footsteps approaching and is surprised to see Kate out for a walk too. Anthony apologizes to Kate for treating her so rudely, which she takes to mean he is apologizing for kissing her. Anthony does apologize for the kiss, but his genuine apology is for what he said to her after and for throwing the key at her. Kate explains that even if he does marry Edwina, the kiss will always be between them, and it cannot be undone even if he reforms his Rakish ways. Anthony wonders if he kissed Kate right now, would she kiss him back; if he would forever be drawn to his sister-in-law; if there is time for him to find a new bride; or if he should just kiss Kate in the gardens at Aubrey Hall.
9. Colin interrupts Kate and Anthony’s private moment. He tells them that Simon and Daphne have arrived, and that Daphne suggested the family play a game of Pall Mall. They agree Kate and Edwina should join them. Anthony decides to go inside to find Edwina, and Colin and Kate head to the field. Daphne takes Kate with her to set up half the wickets, while Simon and Colin set up the other half. Colin gives Kate first pick of the mallets. Kate picks the black mallet, which the Bridgertons call “the mallet of death” (173). Kate worries that Anthony and Edwina should have joined them by now. Colin tosses the purple mallet and ball in the shed, ensuring Anthony will be stuck with the pink mallet and ball. Anthony waits for Edwina to finish getting ready, and she is now 10 minutes later than she said she would be. Anthony worries about Edwina’s punctuality: “Was she the sort who was chronically late? That might grow vexing after a while” (176). Anthony is perplexed by the fact that he appreciates her beauty but is not attracted to her. As they walk down to the Pall Mall field, Edwina asks him what he studied at university. Anthony says he studied history and literature and is surprised to learn that Edwina loves to read. She reads novels and philosophical texts, and remarks that Kate dislikes philosophy. Anthony says he agrees with Kate on that subject, since he cannot stomach philosophy either. Edwina teases Anthony, saying that she ought to have a notebook to make a record of the first time he ever agreed with Kate about anything. As they come over the last hill before the Pall Mall field, Anthony sees that Kate has the mallet of death.
10. Daphne and Simon introduce themselves to Edwina, and Daphne explains that Anthony usually plays with the black mallet—in fact, Anthony is the one who named it the mallet of death. Anthony begrudgingly accepts the pink mallet, and the game begins. On his turn, Anthony steps on top of his ball, securing it to the ground, and with a strong swing, he knocks his ball into Kate’s, sending hers flying down the hill away from the field. Colin hits Anthony’s ball backwards down the course, and it lands beside Kate. On Kate’s turn, she hits her ball hard enough that it knocks into Anthony’s and sends his flying down the hill into the lake. The group agrees that nothing can possibly top Kate’s revenge on Anthony, so Colin declares her the winner and Anthony the loser—even though Kate was in last place. After the game, Anthony and Kate retrieve the pink ball from the lake. Kate sees that everyone else gone back to Aubrey Hall without them. She and Anthony return their equipment to the shed, and Kate catches Anthony looking at her in a way she does not understand. He says everything is fine, and they begin their walk back to the house.
11. As they walk back to Aubrey Hall, Anthony realizes he made a mistake thinking of her only in terms of how she compares to Edwina, as Kate is quite enchanting in her own right. He steals a glance at her again and finds her frowning at the sky. Anthony asks her what is wrong, and Kate says she wonders when the rain will start, because she hates the rain. Anthony says that because she humiliated him in Pall Mall, she owes him a boon. The boon, he decides, is he will ask her one question of his choosing, and she must answer honestly. Kate agrees. Anthony leans against a tree in front of Kate, and as he asks his question, he eases his face closer to Kate’s with every word: “Do you…still…hate me?” (201). Kate cannot gather herself to answer, and Anthony smiles. Anthony says he will go inside and prepare for the evening, and he suggests Kate ought to stay outside in the fresh air before it rains. He takes her hand, kisses the inside of her wrist, and leaves. As dinnertime approaches, Penelope Featherington and Kate decide to go down to supper together instead of waiting for their families. They became friends after being insulted by Lady Whistledown. When they join the other guests in the drawing room, they see Cressida Cowper, who makes rude comments about Penelope’s gown. Cressida sees Anthony nearby and calls him over; when he joins their group, he greets Kate and Penelope directly and ignores Cressida. Anthony asks Kate to excuse him as he escorts Penelope to dinner, and Cressida angrily blurts that he cannot do that. He turns his back on Cressida, offers Penelope his arm, and declares that he hates bullies. He smiles over his shoulder at Kate and she feels she understands him completely. Edwina joins Kate and asks what happened. Kate responds that Anthony was a hero.
12. Kate is unable to sleep because she cannot stop thinking about Anthony. Kate decides to visit the library for something to read to help her fall asleep. A thunderstorm starts outside, startling her with a sudden flash of lightning. Kate becomes overwhelmed by the noise and hides underneath a table. Meanwhile, Anthony sits in his study, watching the storm while he reviews some documents. He admits to himself that although Kate frustrates him, he respects her and admires her devotion to her family—the same principle he values for himself. Partway back to his rooms, he sees the library door open and a faint candlelight inside. He enters the library to extinguish the candle, and he hears someone’s panicked breathing somewhere in the room. He searches and finds Kate under the table. Anthony gets under the table with her and puts his arm around her shoulders. He repeats, “I’m here. It will be all right” (222). Eventually, Kate’s panic begins to ease, and Anthony encourages her to open her eyes and look at him. Anthony reassures Kate and offers to just talk to her. Kate asks Anthony to tell her about Aubrey Hall, and about his father. Anthony is hesitant at first but tells her that Edmund was “the finest father a boy could ever want,” and that losing him was difficult (225-226). Kate tells Anthony about her father: He remarried a few months after Kate’s birthmother died, because he felt she needed a mother more than he needed to follow mourning etiquette. Kate tells Anthony that she cannot remember ever not being terrified of storms, and while the rain does upset her, her fear really lies in how bad the storm can get. Anthony understands, and Kate sees in his eyes that he is haunted by a similar fear. As they stand up from under the table, Kate and Anthony agree to be friends.
13. When Anthony looks out the window in the morning, he sees Kate walking toward the gardens. Kate finds a private place to sit in the garden and is relieved to be out of the house. She decides she cannot stand in the way of Anthony’s courting Edwina—even though she realizes that she wants him for herself. Anthony enters the garden, and Kate realizes that he sought her out on purpose. Anthony asks if she is feeling better, and Kate apologizes for bothering him. When Kate tells Anthony she gives him permission to court Edwina, Anthony is surprised to feel conflicted. He thinks he ought to be happy, but he realizes he could love Kate if he let himself. Anthony thinks love is too painful for a man destined to die young, like himself, so instead of confessing his feelings for Kate, he thanks her for her permission to court Edwina. Anthony hears the faint buzzing of a bee nearby. He urges Kate to be still, but she laughs it off because “it’s just a bee” (246). Kate accidentally swats the bee, and it stings her on her chest. Anthony pulls the neckline of her bodice lower to see the sting and remove the bee’s stinger. He presses his handkerchief to her chest to push the venom out. Anthony worries he cannot get all the venom out, so he pulls her neckline down farther and presses his mouth to her chest to suck out the last of the venom. Kate protests loudly, and when she looks over his shoulder she sees Mary, Violet, and Mrs. Featherington staring at them in shock.
14. Anthony explains Kate was stung, and Kate insists again that she is fine. Mrs. Featherington says Anthony must marry Kate since they were caught in compromising position. Kate is confused how they will explain this to Edwina. Anthony says Kate can either tell her the truth or she can lie and say they fell in love. Kate is sure no one will believe Anthony wanted to marry her, but Anthony is confident it will work. Their mothers and Mrs. Featherington leave, and Anthony leads Kate further into the garden so they can have some privacy. Once they are alone, Anthony kisses Kate. Kate worries she is a terrible person for enjoying it. Anthony tells Kate she is perfect, and Kate feels perfect. Anthony restrains himself from pursuing any further intimacy, because he respects Kate and feels it is not right for their first time to be in his mother’s garden. Kate privately thinks Anthony still wants to marry Edwina and will only marry her because he now must. Anthony tells Kate he gave his word that he will marry her, and he will keep his word as a man of honor. Kate worries Anthony loves Edwina and not her, even though she is falling in love with him.
15. Edwina is unsurprised that Kate and Anthony are engaged, since she thought it obvious how smitten Anthony is with Kate. Upon returning to London, the Sheffields have callers every day, and most of them infuse their congratulations with rude speculation that Kate trapped Anthony on purpose. Violet assures her that even though the wedding is happening soon, no one will subject Kate to such rude insinuations once she is a Bridgerton. Violet and Kate run errands for the wedding preparations, and two days before the ceremony is to take place, Anthony sends Kate a note asking her to be home that afternoon so he may visit her. Anthony explains that, although their marriage will be based on friendship and respect, it will not be about love. Kate is upset but conceals it well. Anthony presents Kate with a betrothal ring from the Bridgertons’ heirlooms, and places it on her finger. Anthony pulls Kate onto his lap for a kiss. Anthony removes the hat Kate is wearing—he tosses it to the floor, where Newton claims it and begins chewing it. Anthony says he will see her Saturday, the wedding day, since his mother believes it is bad luck for a bride and groom to see one another the day before their wedding. Anthony kisses her goodbye. On his way home, he thinks their marriage will be successful. Kate, however, worries that even though Anthony said he will not love her, he clearly desires her—so she thinks he might be desiring someone else because she was not his first choice for a wife.
16. The night before their wedding, Mary tells Kate what she can expect from her wedding night. Kate says she assumes marital relations are not so mechanically different from how animals have sex, but Mary explains that there is pleasure in it because it is an act of love. Mary is sure that Anthony will be good to Kate because he cares for her and respects her. When Mary leaves, Kate worries that if a man always finds pleasure in sex, then Anthony might think of someone else when he is with her, and she would never know. The wedding passes quickly, and in the carriage to Anthony’s townhouse, he asks Kate if she is nervous. He tells her there is nothing to fear; Kate replies that there is “still much about which to be nervous” (298). Anthony admits he is nervous, too, and Kate asks him to wait a week for their wedding night. Kate says she would like time to prepare, but when Anthony asks her to clarify, Kate is at a loss for words. Kate thinks about her insecurities from having always been compared to Edwina. Kate wants to be first in Anthony’s affections and desires, and she does not feel that way right now. When they arrive at the townhouse and meet the staff, Anthony observes Kate’s behavior and realizes she is afraid. In his room, Anthony asks if she is afraid of him, because he is desperate to make things right between them. Anthony drops to his knees and tells her that whatever she asks of him, he will give it to her if it is in his power to give. Kate asks him to love her.
17. Anthony realizes how much he wanted to hear Kate say yes to him. He carries her to the bed, and they undress. Kate is sure of how much he wants her, and she feels beautiful. When she sees Anthony fully naked, she does not think the mechanics of sex will actually work—and she thinks back to the female farm animals she saw mating and wonders if this is why they did not seem to enjoy themselves. Anthony asks Kate to tell him if it hurts, and when she nods, he worries he actually has hurt her, but she only nodded to agree she would tell him if it did. Kate says it does not hurt, but it does feel “odd.” Anthony asks Kate if she is ticklish, and he tickles her to help her relax and distract her momentarily when he thrusts into her. As they move together, Anthony struggles to not finish before Kate does. Anthony tells her she is beautiful, and Kate suddenly tenses up. At first, Anthony thinks he hurt her, but Kate quickly says she is not beautiful, and asks who he was picturing as they were having sex. Anthony is hurt by the accusation, and he cannot believe Kate thinks he does not truly desire her. Kate asks if he thinks of Edwina, and Anthony holds her face in his hands and says: “I desire you. I burn for you. I can’t sleep at night for wanting you. Even when I didn’t like you, I lusted for you” (321). He tells her if she talks anymore nonsense about not being beautiful or desirable, he will tie her to the bed and make love to her until she understands that she is “the most beautiful and desirable woman in England.” Kate is genuinely stunned. She nods that she understands, and they continue having sex. Kate finishes first, then Anthony. Kate teases Anthony by asking if they were done yet. Anthony smiles and answers they were done for now, “But only for now” (323).
18. Kate and Anthony spend a brief time at Aubrey Hall, then return to London to finish the social season. Edwina visits Kate one afternoon and tells her that she has fallen in love with a Mr. Bagwell, a scholar she met at the Aubrey Hall house party. Anthony joins them, as he has an unexpected block of free time in his afternoon. Kate tells him of Edwina’s new romance, and Anthony says he would like to meet Mr. Bagwell since he is the head of the family. Kate walks Edwina out, and Anthony stays behind in the sitting room. He reflects on his afternoons of late, and how contrary to what he told Kate, he has spent his time at White’s gentlemen’s club playing cards and reading the paper. Anthony thinks about how to maneuver Kate to the bedroom, not realizing that Kate is trying to talk to him. Anthony says he would like to provide a dowry for Edwina, which makes Kate start to cry because she thinks it is the nicest thing anyone has ever done. Kate happily sits in his lap, and Anthony thinks they fit together perfectly. Anthony asks what their plans are for the evening; Kate says they are meant to attend a ball at Lady Mottram’s, but Anthony says they ought to go to bed instead.
19. That night, Anthony and Kate are cuddled in bed when it starts raining. When Anthony sees a flash of lightning, he moves to close the drapes, accidentally disturbing Kate in the process. He closes the drapes and returns to bed, and he sees that Kate’s panic now is much worse than it was at Aubrey Hall. Kate, still sleeping, turns quickly into Anthony’s arms and calls out for her mother. In the morning, Kate wakes up and sees Anthony is already awake and watching her. Anthony suggests she talk to Mary about her nightmares and about her mother, since her father might have told Mary something. Later in the day, Kate and Anthony visit Mary. She admits she only knows what Kate’s father told her but offers to share whatever she can. Mary explains that Kate’s mother became sick on a Thursday and died on Tuesday. It rained the whole time she was sick, and the rivers flooded and blocked the roads. A bolt of lightning even struck a tree in the yard and split it in two. While he was focused on her mother, Kate’s father did not realize she snuck into the room. Kate jumped onto the bed and clung to her mother, and no one could pull her away until she tired herself out. In the present, Mary explains that Kate’s father never pressed her about that night because she seemed happier not talking about it. Mary holds her and they cry together, and when Kate looks up at Anthony, she sees he is crying too. Kate knows in that moment she loves Anthony.
20. That night, Kate tells Anthony that the next time it storms, she thinks she will be fine. Kate tells him the first time she ever felt like she would survive the storm was the night he sat under the table with her at Aubrey Hall. Anthony realizes Kate has a sense of her own mortality just like he does, but he also feels jealous that Kate conquered her fear, and he has not. He is happy for her, but he is now afraid of his looming death because—despite his best efforts—he is in love with her. Kate tells him she hopes they will be like this “always and forever,” and Anthony feels his breath tighten and a panic rise in him. He thinks about what forever really means if he is going to die young, and he jumps from the bed and dresses in a hurry. Anthony stumbles down the front steps and crosses the street in a daze. Once on the opposite side, he looks up at the townhouse and sees Kate in the window. Anthony feels like his heart is cut open. He stands outside looking up at her, frozen, until she turns away. Even when she is gone, Anthony still stares up at where she was, fighting the urge to run back inside the house and beg forgiveness. Anthony feels the rain pick up. He stands for an hour in the rain, and finally brings himself to walk away.
21. In the morning, a footman arrives with a note from Eloise, informing Kate that Anthony is at Bridgerton House and seems upset. Kate decides to visit Bridgerton House immediately. Eloise answers the door and fills Kate in on Anthony’s state. He arrived in the middle of the night and locked himself away in his study. Kate finds Anthony asleep at his desk and wakes him up. He tries to tell Kate to go home, but she refuses unless he will come with her. Anthony becomes frustrated with Kate when she asks again what is wrong, and he stands up so quickly he topples his chair over. He orders her to leave, and Kate refuses. She pleads with him to explain what is wrong. Anthony raises his voice at her, demanding that she goes home. Kate leaves. The next day, Anthony visits the gentlemen’s club with Colin and Benedict. Colin tells Anthony he is being “an ass” and should just go home and tell Kate he loves her: “What could be more simple?” (384). Anthony suddenly realizes Colin is right, and he decides to tell Kate his feelings immediately. He thinks that since he is going to die young anyway, he might as well spend his short life openly and honestly loving his wife. Anthony rushes home, but Kate is not there. She and Newton are out with Edwina and Mr. Bagwell. Anthony decides to find them himself instead of waiting. Anthony prepares his horse and takes off for the park. He crosses to Rotten Row, and suddenly hears a woman’s scream. He sees Kate and Edwina’s carriage take a turn too fast, run off the road, and flip on its side. Anthony urges his horse to run as fast as possible, but he can only watch the accident as it happens. He is certain Kate has died.
22. As Anthony nears the accident, Edwina pulls herself free from the wrecked carriage. Newton is out, too, and Edwina tells Anthony that Mr. Bagwell hit his head, but should be all right. Edwina thinks Kate is trapped underneath the carriage. As Anthony tries to remove Kate from the wreck, he pleads with her to be all right: “This wasn’t supposed to be you. It was never supposed to be you. It isn’t your time” (393). He finds her hand and feels for a pulse: She is alive. Anthony tries to move the last bit of debris, but it will not budge. He cries, and as he pulls with all his might on the broken wood, Kate regains consciousness. Anthony tells her he loves her, and Kate says he has “bloody good timing.” She says she will tell him she loves him too as soon as he gets her out of the wrecked carriage. Anthony does his best to help her out without hurting her; she screams, but she is free. He looks at Kate’s leg—it is badly broken. Anthony tells Kate not to look, but she looks anyway, and promptly faints. Anthony calls for three physicians to tend to Kate’s injuries. Once her leg is set and dressed in splints, she is put on bed rest for at least a month. Anthony tells Kate that when his father died, he spent the night waiting for Edmund to wake up, but by morning when he remained dead, Anthony was sure he would die young too. Anthony is relieved when Kate says she understands. She tells Anthony that it is not silly to be afraid, but that he should not let that fear rule him: “You have to live each hour as if it’s your last […] and each day as if you were immortal” (405). Anthony tells Kate that when he thought she died in the carriage accident, he thought “there was nothing left for [him] to live for” (407). Anthony lays down beside her on the bed and tells her he loves her, and Kate is sure they will grow old together.
EPILOGUE
1. Lady Whistledown reports on the celebration of Anthony’s 39th birthday. Anthony jokes that Lady Whistledown must have a spy in their family. He disagrees with her report on their dismal concert, but Kate says they are always dreadful musicians. Anthony reflects on his birthday: He spent most of the afternoon in his study, talking to his father’s portrait. He told Edmund’s image about his three children, about how Violet is doing, and about how much he loves Kate. Anthony realizes his life now is what his father always wanted for him. At midnight, Kate and Anthony retire to bed. Kate asks if Anthony saw what Whistledown wrote about Colin, and she suspects the writer has feelings for him. Anthony replies that he does not wish to discuss Whistledown when he has “much better things to do,” and he kisses Kate. In a small but elegant house nearby the Bridgertons’ residence, Lady Whistledown begins drafting her next issue.
2. Kate and Anthony have been married for 15 years, and she is confident she can distract him long enough to secure the mallet of death for the day’s game of Pall Mall. Anthony surprises her, revealing that he already claimed the black mallet. The next day, Anthony reflects on the first game Kate ever played, where she claimed the mallet of death and hit his ball into the lake. He did not realize it at the time, but he knows now that that afternoon was the day that he fell in love with her. Every year since, the same players gather at Aubrey Hall to play Pall Mall: Simon, Daphne, Edwina, Colin, Kate, and Anthony. Later, Kate sits by herself, lost in her book. Anthony storms into the room and demands to know what she has done with the mallet of death. As Anthony tries to coax the truth out of her, Colin enters the room and reveals that he now possesses the mallet. On the day of the Pall Mall game, Anthony sets up the course to deliberately frustrate the other players. Penelope, now married to Colin, joins them on the field. When Anthony hits his ball quite far down the field, Kate tells them there is a large puddle down the field, despite it being the driest spring in recent memory. Later into the game, Anthony trips her with his mallet, making her fall into the puddle. Kate is determined to not let him win, despite being in last place. Kate announces that since there is no way she can win now, she has decided to play as unfairly as possible. She first hits her ball up the hill towards Anthony, and on her next turn she hits her ball into Anthony’s, sending his rolling up the hill and down the other side. Anthony declares he does not care who wins or what the rules are anymore, and he hits Kate’s ball into the lake. The rest of the group move further down the course, leaving Kate and Anthony behind. Since neither of them can possibly win now, Kate and Anthony congratulate one another on their impressive endeavors to sabotage each other. As they walk together, they devise a plan to reclaim the mallet of death from Colin, so he does not steal it from Aubrey Hall.