Anthony has long since fallen out of love with ballet.
Ever since his father, a renowned dancer and head of the Bridgerton Dance Academy, passed away, Anthony has taken over his responsibilities. He rarely dances anymore, too focused on taking care of his family, keeping the academy running, and training the next generation of dancers, some of which are his own siblings.
One day, he's approached by his mother's dear friend Agatha Danbury, who asks if he wants to star in her upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. He tries to decline, saying that he's far too busy with the academy, but in typical Danbury fashion, he ends up agreeing before he's even realized it.
His mother thinks it'll be good for him to dance again. "Maybe it'll get you out of whatever rut you've been in," she says. Anthony rolls his eyes.
"I'm not in a rut, mother. I've simply been busy."
Upon showing up for the first day of rehearsals, he meets his Juliet: Edwina Sharma, an up-and-coming dancer from India who is just making her debut in London's professional ballet scene.
She's talented and lovely with work with. She's graceful and the very image of excellence. She never seems to misstep or slip. Anthony could never dream of achieving such perfection, and he's been dancing in some form since the day he learned to walk.
She's kind, as well. When they arrive, during their breaks, and when they're preparing to leave, they get a chance to talk. When she asks him if he wants to get dinner with her after rehearsal one day, he finds no reason why he shouldn't.
She tells him about the stories she's been reading, and he tells her about his work at the academy. Usually, he'd be preening at the attention of a pretty, smart, and kind woman who is possibly into him, but for whatever reason, he isn't.
He has to, though, at least on stage. He has to lift her and press his body to hers and kiss her.
It's fine, but Anthony certainly doesn't feel any of the passion he once felt for dancing. He can't wait to tell his mother 'I told you so.'
Until two weeks before they're set to open, that is. Anthony is lifting her like he's done a hundred times before, but this time, she pushes off a bit too hard, sending them both off balance.
He has neither the reaction time nor the grip to keep her from falling. She falls to the ground with a loud thud and a gasp of pain. As Anthony stares down at her in shock, he winces. Her ankle does not look right.
He drives her to the hospital, where he waits with her until she can be seen and sits with her in the exam room as a doctor examines her ankle.
That is where he meets the older sister he has heard so much about. Kate Sharma.
She's like a storm, bursting into the room with who is presumably their mother in tow, demanding to know what happened and if Edwina's okay.
"I'm okay, didi," Edwina assures her. "It was just a lift gone badly, it's alright." Her face turns a little sad. "They think my ankle is broken, but they're doing an X-ray to be sure. I also have a concussion from my head hitting the floor. but I'm okay, I promise."
Anthony knows that there is no chance of her being well enough to perform in just a few weeks. But in this moment, he doesn't have much of a chance to think about it, because Kate turns to him. Her eyes are burning.
"May i speak with you in the hall, Mr. Bridgerton?"
Anthony snorts at the overly formal name. "Certainly, Miss Sharma."
As soon as the door closes behind them, Kate starts talking. "So, a lift gone badly. What happened?"
"Well, I had her, she pushed off a bit too hard, we both lost our balance, and I wasn't able to catch her."
Kate stares at him. "So you're going to blame her for you dropping her?"
Anthony frowns, his mind spinning. "Excuse me?"
"Don't think I don't know what's happening here, Bridgerton. I know you didn't want to dance again. I know you probably want a way out of this."
When Anthony processes what she's insinuating, he laughs. "You think so lowly of me that you think I'd drop Edwina on purpose?"
"Considering the way you've led her on, yes, I do."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Anthony asks. "I've just been nice! I've never given her any impression that there was anything between us other than friendship. Would you rather I be rude to her?"
"No, but I'd rather you not take her to countless lunches and dinners."
"Do you end up kissing every single person you go to lunch with? Uou don't have to do that, you know."
Late, breathing heavily with her rage, groans. "You are insufferable."
"Then you must be looking into a mirror."
Finally, Kate storms off, and Anthony shakes his head. Unbelievable.
He says a quick goodbye to Edwina, telling her to let him know about how her recovery is going, and heads home.
The next morning, rehearsal is surprisingly still on. He arrives, his heart dropping into his stomach as he sees who's sitting on the floor, pulling on her pointe shoes.
"You have got to be kidding me."
Kate looks up at him, her expression hardening. "I don't like it any more than you do, Bridgerton. But I know this show, and we only have two weeks until opening night."
This is going to be a long two weeks.
As much as Kate makes it her life's mission to piss him off, he does have to admit that she impresses him. She hasn't done the choreography in years, and yet she picks it up quickly.
But even with her fast pace, she still stays long after everyone leaves, rehearsing steps.
One night, against his better judgement, he agrees to stay late and practice with her. Despite his lack of passion, he does want to show to be as perfect as it can be.
That night, with just the two of them practicing passionate scenes over and over, Anthony truly sees her.
Kate is everything Edwina is not. She's stubborn where Edwina is easy-going. She's rude where Edwina is nice. She's reserved where Edwina is open.
Finally, he gets a glimpse of his old passion. Their steps become routine, allowing them to focus on the emotion of the scene. Their bodies press together, and Anthony feels warm for the first time in a long time.
Their touches last longer than they should. They're closer than what's necessary.
As he walks forward to kiss her, they're both panting heavily, and his approach is much slower than it usually is. He can't help but savor the sight of her. Her cheeks are red and her hair is messy from the exertion. The blood leaves Anthony's brain.
Their lips connect, his hands going to grab her waist as usual, but this time?
Instead of leaning back and extending her arms out, she wraps both arms around his neck, going off pointe and burying a hand in the back of his hair.
He moans, tilting his head to deepen the kiss, and she groans against his lips. His brain has completely shut off, and doesn't kick back into gear until Kate pulls away.
They're sitting on the floor, their feet and legs aching, and Kate straddles his lap. She seems to have lost herself, too, since she laughs breathlessly. "I think that's enough for today," she says, her gorgeous eyes constantly flicking between his eyes and his lips.
"Agreed," he whispers, leaning in to give her a brief kiss before hovering his lips by her ear, his voice lowering. "I know you've been sore since we started rehearsing. I could introduce you to my bathtub. A warm bath does wonders."
Kate shakes her head. "I shouldn't."
After a moment of hesitation, she sighs. "Your bathtub better be big enough for two."
Anthony grins, his heart fluttering.
From that moment on, their late-night rendezvous become routine. It's the first time in a long time that Anthony has looked forward to dancing, and the sex that follows certainly helps with the passion. But between rehearsing and sex, they do get to know each other. And while half the time, they're arguing, the other half consists of deep conversations and jokes.
It's nice. Her humor is dry and witty, and Anthony's delighted by their constant banter. Unlike Edwina, Kate challenges him. While he doesn't enjoy being bested by her as often as he is, he can't help but be thrilled by the competition.
"I'll be sad when this is over," he admits softly during one of their breaks, sitting on the floor side-by-side and sipping water.
"So will I. It's been fun." She presses her shoulder against his, and he smiles, unable to take his eyes off of her. "I'm- I'm sorry I came off so strong during our first meeting."
"It's alright, Kate. I'm a protective older sibling, I get it. If it was my sister who was dropped by an asshole, I would've been pissed, too. But for the record, it really was an accident. and I hope she's back to dancing soon."
"Her doctor says she should be alright," Kate replies, nodding. "But thank you, Anthony. As much as it pains me to say this, you're not as bad as I thought."
Anthony rolls his eyes, but grins, bumping his shoulder against hers. "You're not so bad, either, Sharma."
When the show comes to a close, Kate stays over at Anthony's apartment before the closing night of the show. With their bodies pressed together, their limbs completely entangled underneath the blankets, Kate lifts her head from his bare chest and looks him in the eye.
"I don't want this to end, Anthony," she whispers, placing a hand on his cheek.
"Then we'll still see each other after the show ends?"
Anthony grins. "You won't be able to get rid of me."
Kate matches his grin and leans in to kiss him.
Anthony loves dancing again, and he also loves Kate Sharma.
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