Insufferable

Chapter 8

Kate fell to her knees in exhaustion. She had been walking around the forest all night and the downpour of rain did not help her in her navigations either. Deciding enough was enough she made her way to a tree and sat at its stump hoping that the weather would change. Her heart thumped loudly in her rib cage causing her major discomfort. She was terrified and hoped that her brother would realise her disappearance.

The three Bridgerton men and Julius had been wondering the forest for almost 2 hours now and had found nothing. Julius was unable to focus properly fearing that harm or worse had come to his younger sister. Benedict placed a firm hand on the man's shoulder in comfort. "We'll find her Julius, I'm sure of it she's not as dim witted as most ladies." Julius barely acknowledged what the Benedict had said and merely nodded his head.

Anthony hated to admit that he felt uneasy, it was unlike Kate to randomly disappear, from what he had learnt anyway. She was smart and hated being wrong and she was certainly not clueless when it came to dangers so he couldn't help but question what made her venture out into the woods without an escort. He just hoped they found her soon before the imaginable could happen.

"Over there! It's Kate's horse, she can't be far from here come on men!" The four men picked up speed and scouted the areas around Kate's horse praying they'd find Kate somewhere.

Kate was still sat on her tree stump, knees tucked in and wrapped up in her cloak to try and keep away some of the cold chill but to her dismay it didn't do much. She shivered in her spot and hoped for a saviour. Kate was no damsel in distress and everybody who knew her knew that, she was much too intelligent to need a knight in shining armour but could this be the downfall of Kate Shaw?

Anthony was beginning to grow tired and he was sure his brothers were too but he was much too determined to get Kate home safely. He had nearly lost all hope before he saw a small foot laying limp in the bushes. "Over here!" He jumped from his horse and rushed over and before his eyes laid a pale faced unconscious Kate. Her lips were blue and her hair damp, her dress was torn and covered in mud and dirt. Yet no matter how disheveled she looked Anthony couldn't take his eyes off her. "Kate! My goodness she's ice cold let's get her back home, quickly!" Anthony didn't stand a second longer and placed Kate onto his horse before climbing on behind her. He kept a steady hold on her limp body as they rode through the forest.

Kate awoke the next morning with a pounding head and a sniffly nose. She didn't pay much mind to it and stretched her arms as she tried to wake herself up. "So this is what you look like in the mornings, I feel sorry for your ladies." Kate jumped, banging her head on the backboard of her bed. "Goodness brother! You're not supposed to be in here this is my private chambers." She rubbed the spot where she whacked her head whilst glaring at her brother who sat contently on the end of her bed. His clothes looked damp and the bottom of his trousers were covered in mud. He looked unwell, like he hadn't slept. "Are you alright brother? You look unwell, you must rest." Julius rubbed Kate's arm. "I'm fine sister. You however! Whatever were you thinking riding alone in the woods like that! You're lucky Anthony found you when he did otherwise you would've been-" Julius held his tongue and bowed his head. The thought of losing his sister shut him up in an instance. "You could've died Kate. I don't want you going anywhere without an escort ever again do you understand?" Kate sat quietly in her bed, arms folded in her lap. She hadn't realised the distress she had caused but she couldn't help but wonder why Anthony Bridgerton had wanted to help find her. They despised each other. He didn't have a heart enough to care for her and she simply didn't have the time for him.

"Yes brother, I understand."