Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Episode 2: Off To The Races Chapter 7: Baby Steps
To be fair, he did not have many choices. You forbade him to call on me." Edwina tried. You think he was clever?" Kate asks. "No. I think--You told me appa always said it takes a courageous man to go after what he truly wants." Edwina told Kate. "Appa also said the mark of a true gentleman is honesty. Something the viscount doesn't have." Naomi told Edwina. "Thank you for proving my point." Kate spoke. "but Naomi..He was your friend was he not?" Edwina asks.
"And I was wrong for trusting him." Naomi said before the doors opened and the queen appeared. "your majesty." Lady Danbury spoke. "Lady Danbury. Miss Sharma, Miss Naomi Sharma. And my diamond. This way. There is much to see." The queen spoke.
"She is pompous and arrogant and quite sure she knows best in every situation." Anthony said, fencing with Colin. "She sounds like a terrible nuisance." Colin says. "And what about the sister?" Benedict teased. Anthony frowned. "Miss Sharma sure does have a tough hold on Miss Naomi." Anthony tells Benedict. Anthony soon wins and Benedict comes along.
"Ready?" Benedict asks. "do you know why I win every time?" Anthony asks. "because every time you lose, you claim we cheated." Benedict joked. "Because I know my duties." Anthony said, choosing to ignore Benedict's comments. "What my purposes are and how to obtain them. Which I will do when I make Miss Edwina my viscountess." Anthony continues.
"Miss Edwina and I are well suited. She is a lovely young lady. She wishes for children. She'll make a perfectly agreeable wife." Anthony says. "Are you trying to convince yourself?" Benedict asks. "You take too much upon yourself, Brother. Perhaps your life might be easier if you pursued someone with a less disagreeable sister." Colin suggested. "Why should I be the one to admit defeat?" Anthony asks, aggravated.
"They were called zebras, I believe." Edwina says with a smile. "So it was a pleasant visit, then? I am quite sorry I was unable to attend." Lady Mary says. "Oh I am quite certain this will not be the last time we are invited to the palace. Her majesty seemed to be quite fond of Edwina and Naomi, was she not, Lady Danbury?" Kate spoke.
"I was thinking. A soiree this evening. So Miss Edwina and Naomi may get to know their many suitors better." Lady Danbury asks while there is a horse neighing from outside. "I shall see to everything." Lady Danbury continues as Kate gets up to check the noise. "Sounds delightful." Naomi says. "So long as we are judicious with our guest list. Pardon me." Kate says, excusing herself.
"How much clearer must I be?" Kate says, her voice loud and filled with fury. "I brought a gift for Miss Edwina." Anthony states. "Take your Trojan horse elsewhere." Kate says, earning a chuckle from Naomi who had followed Kate. "I assure you, this is a very real horse. I'd not recommend trying to climb inside." Anthony spoke "Truly, this is all just a game to you." Kate spoke. "Im not here to play games." Anthony told her.
"Then what was Mr. Dorset, if not some deceitful prank?" Naomi asked. "Miss Naomi, please. The business with Mr. Dorset was not as great a deceit as you imply." Anthony spoke. "And now you question our judgement?" Kate said in disbelief. "only because you both questioned mine." Anthony explained. "I have never met a man as brazenly presumptuous--" Kate was interrupted.
"You do not even know me. You both haven't tried to understand me or hear me out." Anthony told them. "I know you are polished. I know you are careful. I know you make promises without so much as uttering a word. There is not much more we need to know." Naomi said. Anthony gave the horse away.
"Is this about what you heard on the terrace again? Or was it the Mr. Dorset thing. You both act as if i'm some kind of villain when every other woman in London aspires for the kind of marriage im offering. You both must know that." Anthony spoke. "The kind of lies and tricks to get your way?" Naomi asked. "Miss Naomi!" Anthony exclaims, annoyed. "You have been exceptionally clear about what you wish and do not wish for. But has it ever occurred to you this might, in fact, be about what your sister wishes for instead?" Anthony asks, directing his focus to Kate.
"Do not give Kate much trouble as you are far worse!" Naomi said, backing up her sister. "Naomi! For heavens sake! I made one mistake!" Anthony exclaimed. "Miss Naomi." Kate says. They all went silent when the saw Edwina coming through.
"Lord Bridgerton." Edwina greeted, bowing. "Miss Edwina." Anthony said, bowing as well. "I have brought you a small token, to remember our fine time at the races yesterday." Anthony continues. "oh." Edwina says, trying her best to sound enthusiastic. "The horse is for me?" Edwina continued. "I thought you loved animals." Anthony spoke.
"I do..But usually the kind that can curl up on my lap." Edwina said with a chuckle. Kate gave a smug look to Anthony. "My apologies. You said something about Nectar reminding you of a beloved horse back at--" Anthony's statement was stopped by Kate. "That horse is a character from a novel. A novel of love, in fact. Something for which my sister is an enthusiast." Kate spoke, her smug smile continuing.
"I adore it, my lord. The horse is a generous gesture, indeed. Perhaps you can give it to Naomi, she does fancy horse riding." Edwina suggested, trying to mend the cracks in Naomi's and Anthony's friendship. "Edwina no. This is your gift." Naomi told her. "You must not let the viscounts efforts be of waste didi. Please?" Edwina asked. Naomi sighed. "Fine. But only for you." Naomi said, glaring at Anthony.
"Come Edwina and Naomi. We must return inside." Kate said, walking away with Edwina. Naomi gave one last passing look at Anthony before walking with them.
