keep on waiting, anticipating
word count: 3,577
rating: t
summary: Anthony thinks of Daphne and Simon, of him and Kate. He imagines Eloise, determined to remain alone, and Francesca, already the apple of an Earl’s eye. He thinks of Benedict’s trail of fizzled romances, and of Colin, blind to his own ignorance.
“I will know no peace until my siblings are married,” he realizes. “I owe my mother a bottle of brandy.”
wip whatever-day ;)
I was tagged by the incomparable @ninzied. :)
tagging @winterlovesong1 and @amandabobbsey :D anyone else feel free to join!
It is storming when Queen Charlotte names her Diamond of the First Water in 1815. Ironic, Kate thinks, fists clenched every time a rip of thunder echoes through the ballroom, that anything of “first water” be named in a torrential downpour.
Kate takes a deep, stilling breath and straightens the glittering white lace of her gown layered over gleaming silver silk. Violet had assured her it was of the upmost importance that she dazzle everyone at the Queen’s grandest celebration of the year, so she keeps a serene smile on her face and holds her head high.
“It is far more enjoyable to be in Her Majesty’s presence when one does not have to worry about winning an empty title, is it not, Didi?”
Edwina, beside her, is also dressed in a pearly white gown, but her posture is less rigid and her smile less rehearsed.
“I had no concerns over winning that title last year, Bon,” Kate says snidely.
“And yet you won the most eligible gentleman of the season,” Edwina retorts with a twinkle in her eye. Kate cannot argue that.
Her husband is across the room, conversing with his brothers. Presumably feeling her eyes on him, or perhaps simply because he feels like it, he glances over his shoulder, catching her eye. His lips curl into a small smile, just for her, and her chest warms at the gesture. She’d told him not to hover despite her discomfort from the rain, but Kate will not pretend it isn’t immensely satisfying to know that he is always aware of her, no matter what ballroom or situation.
Anthony Bridgerton is hers.
it had to be you
word count: 7,823
chapter: 6/6
rating: m
summary: The streets of Manhattan are relatively quiet on New Year’s Eve. All of the tourists are at the big ball drop, and the locals are all at their own gatherings already. It’s a good time to window shop, and be alone with one’s thoughts. Well, one’s thoughts and an infinite stream of pigeons and rats.
What a difference a year can make. And what a difference a single moment can make, too.
Because in the span of an instant, Anthony realizes that he was wrong.
(it’s the When Harry Met Sally AU that I couldn’t NOT write)
it had to be you
word count: 6,020
chapter: 5/6
rating: m
summary: Anthony does not know what to expect when he sets foot in his apartment for the first time in weeks after making sure his family is settled at their hotel. Perhaps Kate working on an article at the kitchen counter, sipping on her favorite chai and snacking on pretzels. Maybe Kate, sitting in front of their TV, trying to play one of Benedict’s video games on the hardest level despite having never owned a console before just because she’s stubborn.
One of his expectations does come to fruition — Newton attacks his legs the moment he steps inside.
“Hello, you monster,” Anthony says fondly as he goes belly-up, reaching out and scratching his belly. “Where’s your Mama?”
He does not expect to see Sophie seated alone at the dining room table, seemingly waiting for him.
(it’s the When Harry Met Sally AU that I couldn’t NOT write)
it had to be you
word count: 6,738
chapter: 4/5
rating: e
summary: The rain is relentless, sheer power and destruction before her in dizzying splendor. The thunder shakes the walls of the apartment, and even Anthony’s gifted headphones cannot block that out. Kate, in her room, squeezes her eyes shut and curls in on herself as much as possible, trying to remember to breathe deeply, picturing Appa’s face in her mind’s eye telling her she is strong, that it is just water…
(it’s the When Harry Met Sally AU that I couldn’t NOT write)
it had to be you
word count: 5,882
chapter: 3/5
rating: m
summary: Kate spends the entirety of her lunch break working up the courage to tell Anthony. It shouldn’t make her nervous, not really. Anthony has become, in the span of several months, one of her closest friends, somehow. Honesty really shouldn’t be such a challenge anymore. Except this is big. This is important. This could change everything.
(it’s the When Harry Met Sally AU that I couldn’t NOT write)
it had to be you ch. 2
word count: 6,270
chapter: 2/4
rating: m
summary: Tell me if you’ve heard this story before: the first time they met, they hated each other. The second time they met, they thought they had found the right people. The third time they met, they became friends. They were friends for a long time. And then they weren’t.
And then they fell in love.
(it’s the When Harry Met Sally AU that I couldn’t NOT write)
it had to be you
word count: 4,174
chapter: 1/3
rating: m
summary: Tell me if you’ve heard this story before: the first time they met, they hated each other. The second time they met, they thought they had found the right people. The third time they met, they became friends. They were friends for a long time. And then they weren’t.
And then they fell in love.
what happiness is
word count: 2,628
rating: t
summary: Violet has told Kate that Aubrey Hall is home to infinite memories, moments in time that feel like they could last forever in the right kind of light, or during a certain time of year. Kate did not understand, at first, but has since come to recognize her own memories scattered throughout her new home.
For KateAnthony Week 2022, Day 7: Aubrey Hall.
ready to hope
word count: 3,294
rating: t
summary: Gentle Reader,
If there is one thing that the ton finds more delicious than scandal, it must be envy. And no single figure has garnered more of the so-called Deadly Sin than Viscountess Kate Bridgerton. Having survived their first country visit in Aubrey Hall, the Viscountess and her Viscount (and it is no accident that This Author lists the lady first) have been seen at nearly every society function in London. Even Her Majesty the Queen has been seen summoning Lady Bridgerton to her side. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from Kate Bridgerton’s success, and a warning too. Do not underestimate the ton’s most intelligent women — you never know which one you will be needing to grovel before next.
For KateAnthony Week 2022, Days 5 & 6: Do you want me to reconsider? and Viscountess.
only man of the hour
word count: 2,298
rating: t
summary: Anthony stands in the doorway to the drawing room of Aubrey Hall — his drawing room, he might add — with only one obstacle between him and his destination. That damned dog. Newton. An obnoxious name for an obnoxious creature owned by an obnoxious woman.
or, a short tale of a man and a corgi. For KateAnthony Week, Day Four: He is YOUR dog
shut your mind off and let your heart breathe
word count: 2,680
rating: t
summary: Kate cannot tear her eyes from his face. He looks nothing like the polished, refined Viscount she is familiar with. He somehow looks both older and younger, standing before her, no pretenses or audience present. She gets the lingering idea that this Anthony is closer to his true self than the one she met at the ball.or, three times Kate Sharma leaves Anthony Bridgerton behind. For KateAnthony Week, Day 3: Don’t Leave.
the little things you do (i just love you)
word count: 4,312
rating: t
summary: It is an accident that Kate even finds the bouquet at all. She is walking home from her mother’s flower shop after a long shift, hoping that Edwina is free to meet her at the pub for a drink or two while they watch Palace highlights, when she spots the abandoned bunch of flowers on the sidewalk and a young man very decidedly stalking away from them.or, Kate runs a flower shop, and Anthony is down on his luck in love. Yep, it’s a flower shop AU! For Day Two of KateAnthony Week 2022: Lilies.
the scariest part is letting go
word count: 6,391
rating: t
summary: “So this… game,” Friedrich whispers to Edwina as they watch Anthony try to convince Kate that unless she learns to win with his pink mallet, she can never be considered a true winner. “Is there anything at stake? Money, responsibilities?”
“Something far greater,” she says sagely. “Pride. You might have good luck winning my sister over,” Edwina suggests with a twinkle in her eye, “-by sabotaging Lord Bridgerton.”
or, Prince Friedrich wants to win over Kate during his courtship of Edwina. So naturally, Anthony invites him for a visit at Aubrey Hall.
always stuck and running
word count: 11,489
rating: m
summary: Anthony Bridgerton decides, somewhere between catching Kate’s eye from across the park and Lady Danbury whacking him with her walking cane and instructing him to keep away from Kate for the entirety of his mother’s so-called “harmony” ball, that he simply does not care anymore.