when he proposed to kate, anthony was well aware that their wedding would be the most talked about. after all, this was the viscount who was getting married and he was aware that most of the ton would be beyond mad that he was off the market. anthony waited for everything to settle down between them; wanting to take the time for their relationship with edwina to heal before taking that step. and he planned out the perfect proposal. one fit for the woman he wanted to marry.
and it was safe to say that anthony wanted everything to go according to plan. it took lots of planning, lots of nerves as anthony almost scrapped numerous ideas he had planned. he just hoped that his family wouldn’t tell kate the fuss he was putting up, the hours spent in his office worrying about the perfect moment, the perfect day. but anthony simply hoped they didn’t tell her how much he bossed them around, for he’d never hear the end of it from her. he had taken a spontaneous trip to aubrey hall, making sure everything was in perfect preparation for the wedding before anyone else had even arrived. the servants thought he was mad, his siblings thought he was ill, yet violet realized that her son has found his love match and wanted to do everything in his power to make the right choices.
anthony knew kate wanted a wedding that focused on her traditions as well as his own and their mama’s had worked long hours to ensure that it was perfect and that everything would be up to their standards. with just two days away, anthony was growing anxious, just wanting to marry the love of his life and spend eternity with her : but the former rake was more than aware that this was kate’s big day and she deserved to have everything up to her standards. aubrey hall was in full running as people worked endless hours to ensure everything was perfect.
spotting his future wife, the man wanted a few moments alone with her knowing that he wouldn’t be able to see her before the wedding. it was tradition and this week had been more than strenuous on both families. he was certain that violet was hounding kate for details as well. ❝ i did not mean to startle you. ❞ he has a soft smile on his face, his hands immediately moving to brush her arms , wanting to pull her towards him. anthony chuckles at her words ❝ and in two days we are to be wed. ❞
Hands jerk away from his, and it’s a strange pang of guilt. It feels like the stolen glances, stolen kisses that never should have been but now so thankful it was. She holds her hands up for him at the damp henna laid precisely along her skin, including the tips of her fingers. “My mother has insured nothing untoward would occur before the wedding. Of course, I insisted long ago. It is tradition,” she says. A quick smile upon her face. “I should be thankful. It’s the only reason why I am allowed some time to myself.” Her body gently swings in Anthony’s direction, gently bumping her hip against him. “Or ourselves. I must say I am surprised they have no wrangled you up in my stead this time,” she giggles.
Of course, he must be busy with something. It is not as though she was the only one their mamas were actively keeping away. A joint effort, surely, given how stubborn both of them are. A backup plan must be in order. She wonders if Edwina might have any role to play in that, who now seems more comfortable with the idea of Anthony as a brother-in-law than she ever did with him as her husband.
“I am glad that you found me whether that was your intention or not. It is something we have a habit of,” she says with a small smile pushing up the apples’ of her cheeks. “It is all over my hands, but it’s still hard to wrap my mind around the knowledge that there are two days left.” And she’s never felt more sure of anything in her life. It is far from the life she had meant for herself, and it’s a reality she has grappled with. Life is a river and rivers have many tributaries to take one down.
Kate’s eyes look out at the evening sky. Shoulders stretch as lungs intake the crisp air. “Are you ready?” she wonders, attention shifting back to her husband to be. “Ready to put your Rake days behind you,” she teases. “Have a family of your own?”
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