Work Text:
Edwina had to be kidding. Or on drugs. Mere alcohol couldn’t be responsible for this. How else could she have ended up in this situation?
When she’d joked about trying out for Love Island, Kate laughed. A few weeks later, when Edwina said the producers had seen her instagram and reached out to her about joining, Kate rolled her eyes assuming that nothing would come of it.
When her sister said she was leaving her job as a waitress to spend – hopefully – two months in Mallorca Spain on an idiotic reality tv show, Kate was gobsmacked. She had tried to talk sense into Edwina, but her beloved baby sister was adamant that it would be fun, and a brilliant way to get some attention for her struggling modelling career.
Kate had helped her pack, told her she believed in her and hoped she would find love- not thinking she would succeed. Because of course, she wouldn’t. No one actually found love on Love Island. There were a few exceptions of course– she had researched the show in detail the moment her sister had declared she would be joining. There seemed to be a one in thirty success rate of staying together more than a year. It wasn’t reassuring. Logic was stacked against Edwina's dreams.
And truly, no one who would deign to be on such a show would be good enough for her sister. Quickly, Kate had been proven correct.
Kate watched every episode, cringed when Edwina passed food from her mouth to another contestant during a challenge, covered her eyes when Edwina was shown hooking up under the covers. She had been hurt when Edwina talked about her overprotective sister, like her lifelong support had been a burden.
Kate ached when the first person Edwina had been coupled up with dumped her for the bitchy cow of the villa, Cressida. Edwina had sobbed on the daybeds and Kate felt ripped apart seeing her sister suffering and knowing there was nothing she could do.
The worst of it all was watching Edwina let herself fall for a smarmy, inept instagram influencer.
In the end, her sister emerged victorious. She won Love Island, returned with 25K and claimed she had met the love of her life. Kate knew it was bullshit, Edwina barely knew the guy! And he had reeked of entitled nice-guy vibes in his first pairing, ultimately swooping in when Edwina was at her most vulnerable. It all left her wondering what they were putting in her sister’s personalized water bottle.
And now she wanted to move in with him?! Her sister was nineteen, too young to be talking about moving to London and into the flat of her trust-fund-baby boyfriend.
Her smart, beautiful sister who had a world of possibilities ahead of her was throwing her life away for an undeserving louse. Kate was outraged on her behalf but forced a smile as Edwina rambled on like a swooning schoolgirl, spouting nonsense about destiny and soulmates.
Two months was not long enough to be certain of anything, but Edwina claimed her heart was a permanent lock and that Colin Bridgerton had the key. It was absurd.
Kate had researched him before she was set to meet him; she hadn’t been able to take time off work to come to ‘family day’ on the show. At the time, it had seemed pointless and she had little interest in appearing on television. She would have loved to see Edwina, but it was so near the end of the show and she’d been so convinced that there was no chance that the relationship would survive.
Inexplicably though, it had. Colin asked her to be exclusive on their last date and told Edwina that he loved her after their weird, six-person ‘prom’. The entire situation left a sour taste in her mouth. She couldn’t reconcile how any of this had happened.
Kate didn’t support it but told Edwina she would give Colin a chance and not bite his head off. Which is how Kate found herself angrily drinking tea, waiting for her sister and her boyfriend to arrive at a cafe.
She grumbled as she stared at the door; they were late– by five minutes at this point. She was already skeptical about him as a prospect for Edwina, but not being able to show up to an appointed meeting on time was a huge dealbreaker. It showcased a lack of respect for the people around him and their time.
Kate had slipped out early from work and this guy who considered himself good enough for her sister hadn’t bothered to show up on time.
Even so, she was excited that her sister would be living closer. Kate worked at a law firm in London and had for a few years now, but Edwina had stayed in Somerset- saving money to move to London.
Kate had offered to pay for university and Edwina was smart enough. She knew she was being a little bit judgy about her sister modelling instead of doing something useful, but Edwina had always seemed capable of more than looking gorgeous and poised.
As much as Kate wanted to, she couldn’t quite push down her judgemental feelings about Edwina's career choice. But modelling made her sister happy and she wanted her sister to be happy.
She wasn’t quite as certain if Colin Bridgerton made her happy. They’d been living in a blissful cocoon where the biggest concern was someone grafting on another person’s partner or cleaning whipped cream off of your boob. Kate would have gone mad there, but Edwina seemed to have thrived and come out of it re-energized.
And now, Edwina had packed her suitcase and was living with Colin, waiting for arrangements to be made to move more of her things.
Finally, after another few minutes of waiting, the cafe door opened and her sister finally burst in, holding hands with the generically handsome, smug yet nebish-looking guy she had watched her sister ‘fall in love with’. Her face was brimming with happiness, to the point she looked like she could explode at any moment. Colin stood beside her, and smiled warmly, letting her lead him over to Kate’s table.
Kate stood, wrapping her sister in a hug, genuinely thrilled to see her despite the awkwardness of the person standing beside them.
“You must be Kate,” Colin said, reaching out his hand to shake hers.
“I supposed I must be,” Kate said, plastering the most unnatural grin on her face.
Edwina moved to stand beside Colin. “Colin, this is Kate. Kate, this is my boyfriend, Colin.”
“Nice to meet you, Colin,” Kate said, trying to remind herself that she would make an effort. She swallowed down the urge to attack him with questions. Or call him out for being an inconsiderate arse and showing up so late.
“Sorry we’re late–”
“It was my fault,” Edwina interrupted. “I’m still getting my things sorted, the struggles of living out of a suitcase. Her sister half-shrugged and laughed. Kate was annoyed that she couldn't blame Colin for being late. Although, she wouldn’t put it past her sister to try to cover for her useless boyfriend.
Kate pursed her lips, fighting to smile. “It's fine, I haven’t been waiting long.”
Colin and Edwina disappeared for a few minutes, returning with a coffee (for Colin) and tea (for her sister). They sat down and Colin pulled out his phone, setting it on the table. Strike two.
He seemed to notice her assessing gaze, turning a little sheepish as he moved to defend himself. “I was just checking in case…. My brother, the eldest, should be here later. He insisted on wanting to meet you before brunch. Interrogate Edwina and make sure she was suitable. He seems to think the younger kids–” Colin moved to explain. “My family is huge-”
“There's eight of you, right?”
“You watched the show!”
“Only for my sister.” Kate smiled warmly towards Edwina. “It’s uh, not exactly my sort of thing.”
“According to Kate, reality telly is garbage,” Edwina explained. “She thinks shows like ours should be illegal.”
“And I’m right,” Kate affirmed. “But continue. Brunch?”
“Yes,” Colin said, with excessive enthusiasm. “We meet up at the family home each Sunday for brunch, most of the time it’s the only time we’re able to see each other. This week, it’ll be Edwina’s first time there.”
Edwina clasped her hands together, gazing up at Colin. “I’m so excited to meet everyone. I just hope they like me.”
Colin put an arm around her. “Everyone’s going to love you. Just as I do.”
They kissed, then parted only to sweetly rub their noses together. Kate resisted the urge to gag.
A voice nearby groaned. “Really Colin?”
Kate was grateful for the stranger articulating her own thoughts.
Colin pulled away from Edwina, “Ant, here to be a buzzkill already? There was a reason why I said half-nine, I’ve barely gotten to know Kate here.” Colin gestured over to her, Kate waved to Colin’s brother.
His gaze passed over her, uncertain but lingering before shifting back to Colin. “And yet you felt the need to make out with her sister in public?”
“Point made. Sorry Kate.” Colin stood and hugged his brother, gesturing for him to take the empty seat between himself and Kate.
“Edwina, this is my overprotective, extremely dull brother Anthony. Anthony, dear brother, this enchanting creature is Edwina,” Colin said, gesturing to Edwina. “And this is her sister, Kate. From what I’ve heard she might be able to take your well-deserved trophy for overbearing siblings. But I have my doubts. She seems perfectly pleasant.”
“That’s me,” Kate said dryly. “Perfectly pleasant.”
“Edwina,” Anthony said sternly, steepling his fingers together in a way that she’d seen so many men do when they’re trying to intimidate. Kate fixed him with her own steely glare. “I have a few questions for you.”
“Of course, It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Edwina answered brightly, her dark brown eyes wide and innocent. “Colin has told me so much about you, I feel like I know you already.”
“And yet I know nothing about you.” He gave his brother a pointed look. “I understand you don’t have a job and are moving into his flat. Do you have plans to work? Or are you planning to live on relying on him to support you?”
Edwina looked a little stricken and Kate burned with rage that someone would treat her sister this way.
Kate seethed, fighting the urge to raise her voice. “I resent the implication that my sister is a gold digger, you posh arsehole. She is the sweetest, most genuine person and your brother is fucking lucky she has deigned to date him.”
“Why would that be so? My brother is-”
Kate barked out a laugh, cutting him off. “He’s an instagram influencer. I don’t even know what that is, but it’s not a real job. My sister has worked as a waitress part-time while moving up as a model. She’s supported herself and is saving money to work full time. We don’t have mummy and daddy’s money to coast on like some people.”
“Didi! Be pleasant.”
“Me? He started it. He’s being rude to you. What kind of bullshit was that?” she spat out, filled with rage and bitterness, eager to direct more of it at that stupidly handsome, awful man.
“Yes,” Edwina said soothingly. “but should we not rise above it?”
Kate groaned and then glared at Anthony. “Fine. I’ll be nice. If he can.”
Anthony returned her withering stare with one of his own. “I make no promises.” He glibly shrugged after a beat.
“That’s my big brother.” Colin slapped him on the back. Kate stifled a laugh at how annoyed his brother seemed, frowning at Colin like he’d chundered in his cereal.
Kate was suddenly grateful that Colin was the brother Edwina was dating and not the older one. He seemed insufferable, blustering and fine– extremely attractive. Kate wasn’t blind. He had darker hair and a more serious polished look- very brooding and handsome. In different circumstances he might have been the sort of guy she would think about taking home; but not because she wasn’t in her early twenties and didn’t do things like that anymore.
Kate had been single, painfully single for over a year now. Too busy to date too old for clubs and one-night stands. Now she was left with fantasies and nights with her vibrators.
For a brief moment, she was jealous of her sister for having found someone good and kind who adored her. Kate didn’t have time to find it, but she did want it.
“I am sorry if I appeared a little harsh,” Anthony said, not sounding even a bit sorry.
Kate huffed. “Of course, you’re an ‘I’m sorry you were offended’ type of guy. Why is it so difficult for white men to apologize?”
His jaw visibly tensed, sending a thrill up Kate’s spine. “I have no qualms apologizing when I’m in the wrong, but I’m not convinced I am. I have the right to look out for my brother and our family name.”
“Where was your concern when you let your brother appear on such a nonsense show?”
Anthony had the gall to laugh. “As if I could have stopped him.”
“And what makes you think that you can stop him now if you don’t approve of my sister? He clearly doesn’t think much of your opinion and I can’t say I blame him.”
“You don’t even know me!”
“I know enough, you’re a rude snob who assumes the worst of people.”
“And you’re much better? If our positions were reversed, you would be doing the same. Yet you’ve done nothing but judge me since I got here, ten minutes ago.”
“Our positions are reversed,” Kate said, irritation flaring within her. “Your lazy, unemployed brother seduced my sweet beautiful sister and she’s somehow decided to move in with him after not even two months together! It’s insane.”
“So we’re in agreement.”
“I don't see how!” Kate emphatically waved her arms at him. “You seem to think Edwina is using your brother for his money. That’s not my sister. She’s been swept up in the romance of it all.”
Anthony leaned forward, a smile playing on his lips. “You make her sound like an innocent victim, but I saw how she made it a point to find out things about him from the other guys in the villa and used them to manipulate him.”
“She was trying to get to know him, she liked him! He was the one who dumped Penelope for Marina and then Marina for Edwina, all the while being a friend to everyone.”
“I feel like I could use some popcorn,” Colin snarked gleefully. Edwina smacked him on the shoulder, but seemed equally amused.
“He was merely being kind, what, are you someone who doesn’t think that men and women can’t be friends?”
“Of course not, but he was clearly using friendship as a way to manipulate girls. What, is that your move too? Sidling up too close to women, taking advantage of their heartbreak and treating sex as something you’re entitled to?”
Anthony looked offended and Kate knew she was taking it too far, but couldn’t bring herself to take it back.
“Are you looking for reasons to hate me?”
“Believe me,” Kate sniped. “I don’t have to look hard. You're a walking red flag who probably thinks his good looks and money can substitute a personality.”
His lips turned into a smile. “So, you think I’m good looking.”
“That’s what you heard from that? I think your ego tells you that enough that you don’t need me inflating it anymore.”
Anthony smugly turned to Colin. “She thinks I’m attractive.”
“Good for you, Ant.” Colin shook his head. “Can we get back to why we’re here? Me and Edwina. We’re a couple.” He gestured to the duo.
“Yes, good idea,” Edwina added. “Colin and I are thinking of hosting a housewarming party when I move in.”
“What?” Anthony blurted out. “He’s lived there for three years.” His gaze flitted over to his brother, who he glowered at. “You can’t have another housewarming party.”
“That was when it was my bachelor pad, we’re rechristening it as Colwina’s place.”
“What the fuck? Colwina?” Kate muttered.
“Kate! You didn’t know, that’s the internet couple name for us.”
“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” Kate pointed to Anthony. “And I’ve been listening to his bullshit!”
“I think it’s cute,” Edwina said, sticking out her tongue.
“I do too,” Colin agreed, kissing Edwina on the cheek.
“I’m with Kate,” Anthony added. “On the name being stupid. But to the point, I’m not getting you another blender! Or houseplant.”
“No need, Ant. I’ve got one. There’s plenty of other things you can bring for the party. Edwina did put a nice stand mixer on our wishlist.”
“Fuck you,” Anthony said, but there was no heat behind the words.
“So, Anthony,” Kate made a show of steepling her fingers together as she stared him down. “What do you do? Besides walk around with a giant stick up your arse?”
His jaw twitched and Kate smiled in satisfaction. “I run my family’s company. We-”
“Of course, living off good old generational wealth.”
“I work extremely hard!”
“Sure you do,” Kate scoffed.
“I employ thousands of people who love working for me. And what do you do that gives you the right to look down on me?”
“Oh, so it’s only a person’s job that gives them the right to be your equal?”
Anthony looked flabbergasted, his brows knitted together so hard it looked like his head may explode. “Do you intend to constantly misunderstand me?”
“I think I understand you just fine. But as for your badly worded question, I’m a solicitor at Danbury and Crown.”
“Ah, you argue for a living, that isn’t at all surprising.” Anthony had the nerve to smirk. “Can you at least agree with me that it’s far too soon for them to be living together?” He gestured over to an unphased, but thoroughly amused looking Colin and Edwina. “They barely know one another. It takes time to know if a relationship is sustainable.”
“What would you know about it?” she muttered before giving a hesitant shrug. “But you have a point. In fact, that might be the only correct thing you've said today.”
“Thanks?” he said with a wry look, that she found a tiny bit alluring.
Shutting it down, she turned to her sister, reaching for her hands. “He’s not wrong, bon. You barely know him, it’s too soon to live together.”
Edwina huffed, linking her arm through Colin’s. “We've been living together for two months. Spending all day, every day together. I know all his little quirks and he knows mine. You don’t have to understand it, but we’re in love and I can’t go from seeing him every day to only on date nights.”
“Madness,” Anthony declared with a shake of his head.
Kate nodded. “Agreed.”
“Kate,” Edwina warned, cocking her head, expression stern. Her sister was too kind sometimes, Kate could already see her making excuses for this arsehole who had been so disrespectful.
“What? It’s true. It’s your life, your decision but I can think you’re making a mistake. I’ll try not to be too obnoxious when it all falls apart in six months.”
“I make no such promise,” Anthony cut in.
Colin rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t expect otherwise, brother. But I don’t see why I have to listen to it now. Do I have your approval to bring my girlfriend to brunch or are you going to continue to be an arse about it?”
“I suppose it’s fine.”
“So happy to have Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s approval.” He gave an over-the-top bow of his head.
Kate choked out a laugh. “What?”
“Oh, you didn’t know. He’s a viscount.”
Anthony looked sheepishly down at the table mumbling, “it’s mostly just an honorary title these days.”
Kate laughed, and couldn't quite turn it off as he seemed to grow more red. Instead of continuing down the road of finding things to tease his brother about, she turned to Colin. After how Anthony had treated Edwina, Colin was in need of an interrogation. “So, Colin. What are your intentions towards my sister? And your life? Do you have any dreams beyond…” Kate struggled to get the words out without cringing, failing spectacularly, “being an influencer?”
Anthony scoffed, conspiratorially leaning towards her. “I’m still not completely sure what it is that he’s wasting his life on.”
“Right?! How is it something that makes money? Just posting bullshit on instagram and getting advertisements for weight loss teas that are just laxatives.”
“Hey!” Colin interrupted. “FiTea works, I hear. Give it a try and then laugh at me!”
Anthony’s smile grew wider, his gaze remaining on Kate. “I don’t think it earns him much, but he’s too lazy to get a job when he can live off his inheritance.”
“I’m right here,” Colin waved both of his hands, before turning to Edwina. “They can see me right?”
Edwina laughed and said something in return, but Kate kept her focus fixed on Anthony. He confused her but intrigued her. Challenged her somehow but in a way that didn’t frustrate her. She wanted more of whatever this feeling was.
He would have to wrench the words from her lips, but she was starting to maybe not think he was completely terrible. He may even be a tiny bit charming. For a posh arsehole with too much money.
And when he rolled up his sleeves, showing off his toned arms, Kate wasn’t completely oblivious to the stirring in her core. She also didn’t miss the way he looked at her at times like he wanted to devour her. It wasn’t a feeling she objected to, though she tried to hide the way her cheeks flushed at the thought of him bending her over this table.
She pushed down the feeling, changing the subject to something a little less unhinged.
Some time later, she was arguing with Anthony over the best technique to make tea and objecting to his coffee preference. She turned to Edwina for support, only to see the space where they had been empty, no sign of her purse or coat. “Wait, where are they?” She turned her head and scanned the room.
Anthony chuckled. “They slipped out ten minutes ago?”
“What?” Kate gaped. “Why didn’t they say anything?”
“You were saying something very interesting about gentrification at the time, I’m sure they didn’t want to interrupt.” He placed his hands to the sides of his face, letting his head rest against his palm. “I know I was captivated. Kate,” he teased her name like it was a secret.
“Yes?”
“It’s almost noon. Do you want to grab lunch? Maybe we can continue this riveting conversation with food, maybe a drink too? Then dinner?”
“Are you seriously asking me out?
“Yes,” he began. “Edwina seems perfectly harmless–”
“Excuse me!”
He put up a defensive hand. “I only mean that I don’t think she’s using my brother, she seems sweet and all of that. Far too good for Colin, if I’m being honest.”
“She really is.”
“But eventually, the relationship will implode,” he continued, leaning forward, his hands settled clasped towards the middle of the table.
Kate arched a brow. “Why does that mean we should go out?”
“Because I like you and I don’t want my seeing you to rely on your sister dating my brother.”
“Why? I’ve been a complete bitch to you since you walked in– not that you haven’t deserved it.” She gave a playful smirk, wanting to play it cooler than she felt.
“I don’t know exactly, maybe I’m into women who are mean to me.” He winked and Kate succumbed to the feeling that brought out in her. “It doesn’t hurt that you’re fucking gorgeous and I’m a little obsessed with wanting you to like me. But never stop arguing with me, please.”
“I think I can manage that,” Kate cooly answered, leaning back in her chair.
Lunch led to sex at his, followed by dinner out and then sex at hers. Phone numbers were exchanged, gifs sent via text when they weren’t together, fights were had– most light and teasing, some intense which led to more serious, if healthy conversations.
She kept waiting for the moment where she didn’t crave his touch, when he was out of her system, but it never seemed to happen. He was an enigma, and with so much lurking under the surface, she had to discover it all.
When she moved in with Anthony Bridgerton six months later, Edwina was smug but not quite as smug as she may have been if Edwina and Colin had lasted more than a month out of the villa.
Later when they became in-laws, the entire situation became a joke in the family.
In a weird way, Love Island had led to lasting love. Just not quite the way any of them had expected.