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Kate bumps into Anthony’s side for the fifth time in under ten minutes. She smiles as he takes it as an encouragement to tighten his arm around hers and pull her closer. As they walk along the Serpentine’s edge, she ignores how the ladies’ gazes linger on him while he allegedly takes note of every gentleman who lets his gaze linger on her.
"Did you know it has been two years since you pushed me into the lake?" Anthony muses all too innocently.
Kate gasps and grips his forearm tightly in mock offence. "I did not!’
"Did so," he says smugly, tilting his chin upward. He gazes at her warmly. "I seem to recall you strategising with your son."
"He’s your son, too," she states indignantly.
Anthony rolls his eyes and mutters, "Only through marriage." But his comment lacks any venom. Despite being the topic of many conversations, Newton remains in the company of her sister and Mr Bagwell a little ways away.
"Besides," she says loudly, patting his arm, "if it wasn’t for that clumsy mishap of yours, I never would have looked at you twice."
Anthony cocks his brow and smiles at her widely. "So you looked at me once." She shrugs, looking away. He laughs. "Are you admitting you are a shallow woman, Kathani Sharma?"
"Bridgerton," she gently corrects. "And perhaps I am." Her skin flushes hotly. Turning her gaze from him, she admires the lake as they continue to walk. "Is that so wrong?"
He smiles and brushes his fingers against the hem of her glove, slipping them beneath the fabric. "No," he says quietly. "Not at all."
"It is, after all, the only thing you have to offer," she smiles purposefully sweet.
Anthony laughs loudly. "You’re incorrigible. But I wouldn’t have you any other way."