Chapter Text
Danbury House
Kate felt like a prized calf ready for auction. Her hair was styled in a luxurious half bun with tendrils falling on her face, a tiara on top of it. She was wearing a light blue pastel colored dress that Lady Danbury commissioned without Kate's knowledge and had a neckline a half inch away from being scandalous.
Ever since Lord Bridgerton proposed to Edwina in front of Kate and his family, Lady Danbury was on a mission to get Kate suitors.
Lady Danbury did not waste time once they arrived in London from Aubrey Hall. She barged into Kate's room and declared that it was her turn to be an active participant in the marriage mart as a debutante rather than a meddlesome spinster sister. Lady Danbury had insisted that even if Kate was determined to live out her life as a spinster, it was not an excuse to enjoy the season especially since Edwina had found a suitable match.
Before she could argue, Lady Danbury left without even a backwards glance to execute her mission.
Lady Danbury's maids were instructed to prime and polish her within an inch of her life for the first part of Lady Danbury's plan - Kate's 'official' launch at the Marley Ball.
One of the highlights of the Marley Ball was that the eligible misses of the ton were encouraged to 'reintroduce' themselves to society. Lady Danbury said that it was similar to what they do at the Queen's court; eligible misses were paraded in their best dresses. However, for Lady Marley's ball, there was no age limit and did not matter if you were 'out' for more that one season.
The eligible ladies will line up on the top of the grand staircase with the ton watching under them and their names will be called for the whole party to hear.
It was absolutely terrifying and ridiculous and when Kate told Lady Danbury her honest opinion on it before she got dressed and was has hit by her sponsor's cane.
Lady Danbury threatened to have a servant sleep in the stables so that Kate would not be able to go on any more of her early morning escapades. Kate was almost willing to let go of her favorite past time until Lady Danbury threatened to bring Kate to every social engagement they were invited to, in addition to making sure that Kate would play a more active role in Edwina's and Lord Bridgerton's wedding preparations.
That shut her up.
Kate should have known that Lady Danbury would notice her minimal participation in her sister's wedding preparations. In truth, she had been making excuses to be elsewhere whenever Edwina and the Mamas titter on about wedding plans, opting to stay in her room to paint or read or anything else. Both Mary and Lady Bridgerton had graciously accepted her lies but Kate noticed the disappointment in her sister's eyes whenever she gives her one of her silly excuses. She tried not to dwell on that too much.
Kate sighed at her reflection in the mirror. She must admit, the maids did a wonderful job in prepping her for the ball.
"Hmm. This is good.", said Lady Danbury, her eyes looking at Kate shrewdly from head to toe.
Kate rolled her eyes, "Is this really necessary?"
"Now, now, Miss Sharma. We've discussed and all of your attempts on stopping this had been futile. I already arranged Edwina and your Mama to go ahead to the ball so you will have a grand entrance"
"But WHY-"
"I think a set of suitors and a series of promenades with a semi decent gentleman will do you good." Lady Danbury said, cutting her off. "At the very least, it will keep you from thinking about things that is troubling you. You need not marry the sap."
"I do not know what you mean."
"Stop lying to me, girl. Most importantly, stop lying to yourself." Lady Danbury thumped her cane on the floor. "You will dance five dances tonight. As soon as you do, we can go home."
Kate gaped at her. "No one had asked to dance with me the whole season! How do you expect me to get five in one night?"
Lady Danbury gave her another assessing look from head to toe, a small satisfied smirk in her face. "With the way you look tonight, only a blind man would be able to resist."
The foyer at Lady Marley's Ball
"Stop fidgeting," Lady Danbury chastised as Kate lined up to her doom.
There were still a few unwed misses in the ton as well as some new comers who arrived mid season who were waiting for their turn to go down the steps of the Marley House. There was an air of trepidation as the Mamas and sponsors fuss over their wards. Kate even caught a glimpse of Penelope Featherington in the front of the line wearing an unfortunate yellow frock while Portia Featherington, her mother, tuts at the state of her.
"I'm the oldest one here," Kate spat. Kate would like to think that she was a confident woman but there was something about being judged by the ton that did wonders to her self esteem.
Lady Danbury raised an eyebrow at her. "So? You have raised a Diamond who is marrying the most eligible bachelor in town. You are by far the most accomplished among all of them."
"I do not need to be patronized."
Lady Danbury stood to full height, looking as formidable as ever. "You of all people should know that I am not in the business of patronizing people, Miss Sharma. Least of all to ungrateful young ladies." Kate bit her lip at the word 'ungrateful' which her sponsor might had caught because her next words were much softer. For her, atleast. "I truly believe that you deserve a chance to live your life and I think you can outshine them all. It's just the ton."
Kate was caught of guard. What was she supposed to say to that? Lady Danbury does not give compliments quite easily and truthfully she was flattered. She was also scared, nervous and very much annoyed.
However, she knew that it would do her well to stay in Lady Danbury's good graces. Besides, Kate truly believed that there was nothing to come out if it. What's one night anyway?
So she nodded and gave Lady Danbury a forced practiced smile that she has not used in a while.
When the procession started, Lady Danbury put a hand on her chin and lifted it up.
"Head up high, girl" she said and disappeared to the ballroom downstairs.
The door outside the grand staircase landing
Kate wanted to vomit as she waited for her turn to be presented.
She wasn't used to the attention. She never liked it, prefering the comfort of her own company or with her family.
Ever since her Appa died, she had taken a backstage role in the production of Mary's and Edwina's lives.
Being a spectacle of the ton was never something she aspired to be. Kate already knew she was accomplished by the ton's standards and she see no reason to prove it.
Kate spoke multiple languages, played musical instruments (except the flute, which nobody liked to hear her play), was a strong equestrian and had a good head for numbers and more.
What she was not was a simpering debutante.
Kate had taught herself extensively without the help of tutors and then taught Edwina to save their funds. She had made sure their dwindling finances were in order to actually afford being in London. She secured Edwina a dowry. She had said goodbye to childhood friends and promised in her Appa's grave that she would return once she was sure their family was happy. She need not be in the equation.
Where did it all go wrong?
If Kate was honest with herself, she would blame Anthony Bridgerton for everything.
Ever since the viscount decided that he wanted the diamond, which was unfortunately Edwina, Kate's well planned controlled life completely disintegrated.
His presence alone can make her do and feel stupid irrational things.
If it were not for the fact that he proposed to her sister, she wouldn't be in this debutante's line in first place.
If he didn't confuse her, thrill her and made her feel seen and desirable for the first time in her life just so he can deny that nothing happened between them, then Lady Danbury would not have felt the need to interfere with Kate's current affairs.
If Anthony Bridgerton had just chosen Kate, then things would be much more easier.
A foot man had gestured the debutante in front of Kate to move forward for her turn down the stairs, ending her dangerous trail of thoughts. Kate was up next. She checked her surrounding once again, and caught her reflection in the mirror beside the door. Kate really did look good.
The Kate in the mirror did not look like a coward. She was graceful, beautiful, competent and worthy of someone's attention. She just needed to act like it.
Hang the ton if they thought otherwise.
Kate took a deep breath and stared back. For the first time since she arrived in the land of dull tea, Kate decided to take back the control in her life. Even just for the night.
As she stepped into the landing of the grand ballroom, she remembered Lady Danbury's words of encouragement.
Head up high, girl
And so, she did.