" courage is within us all. "
if kate were truly honest with herself, she would be moved to admit that her time at bridgerton house had been equal parts exhilarating and entirely lonely. although she had her husband and his lovely family to thank for their hospitality, she often found herself longing for the familiar company of her mother and sister. they had been her world for so many years that her new life in the ton was proving difficult to adjust to. she found herself pacing back and forth in anthony’s study, worrying her lip, an hour before the first ball they would throw as viscount and viscountess when daphne found her. kate quickly apologized for her absence but when her dark eyes met with the clear blues of the duchess it compelled her heart to spill all its worries into the space between them.
her gloved hands gave daphne’s a squeeze at the words of reassurance. she couldn’t express just how much she appreciated the elder daughter’s calming presence and what she’d give for her to visit more frequently. “ sometimes it feels as though that courage is purposefully evading me. when i urge myself to be the lion, it seems as though i become the mouse. ” her corners of her lips twitch upwards as she adds. “ and unlike a small mouse, i cannot bury my head and go into hiding. ”
her sights turned to the ajar door, the nervous habit of chewing on her lips resumed. when she turned back to daphne her eyes were wrought with concern, brows pinched tightly together. “ i kindly request you to be honest with me please. how do you reckon the ton will receive their new viscountess ? what with …. ” she trailed off distantly, her thoughts turning to edwina’s wedding followed by her own. even now the doubt and guilt gnawed at her heart if she lingered on the memories for too long. “ … everything. ”
