SNEAKY GLANCES
by: tweety-src-clt9
"Colin, darling, may I speak to you for a moment?" his mother asked. With a cheeky grin on his face, he followed his mother to her private study. He was tired after another ball for this year's social season, but he had fun. Penelope's barbs were the highlight of his night! That girl sure is witty, he mused as his face morphed into a tender smile he was unconscious of.
When the door closed, Colin feigned a sheepish look and his mother chuckled. His mother was the best and the loving sort but when you're escorted to her private study, you know that it is about something serious. Given that he was a mischievous and jolly fellow, he must have done something that warranted a private audience.
"Dearest, I noticed you had a lot of fun at the ball," his mother smiled.
"I did indeed, mother. The food was delicious," he winked playfully.
"You seemed to enjoy yourself engaging Ms. Featherington in what seemed to be a riveting conversation," there was a sly glint in his mother's eyes that almost made him gulp.
"Oh – of course. Pen, er, Ms. Featherington is actually such a witty girl. Much like Eloise, only, er more, less annoying… Not that Pen, er, well – I find her company refreshing, mother. Unlike the husband-hungry females of the ton," he was rambling until he ended with a snort at the thought of the matchmaking mamas and their doe-eyed daughters.
"I do hope you won't take offense, Colin, but – "
"Did I do something wrong?" he frowned.
"Not exactly… How do I put this delicately? Hmmm… When you talk to Ms. Featherington, do you notice that you well – that is to say, you stare at her too long and then well, you lick your lips while doing it?" his mother said gently.
Colin flushed. Good god! Was I really doing that? He tried to think of an answer as if to defend himself, but then he recalled – much to his embarrassment – that because of his and Pen's height difference, he could easily see her peaches and cream skin and the ample hint of her bosom. He couldn't help but be drawn to the light jiggle of said ample bosom when she giggled as her skin turned into the most adorable shade of pink and – What in the world is wrong with me? Penelope is not even twenty! She's Eloise's age for god's sake!
"Mother, I – " he tried to explain but he can't think of any words.
"Oh, hush now, dearest. I guess you were just lost in thought – from your conversation – "
"Of course! You're right, mother," he interrupted, and his mother gave him an understanding smile which he returned. Deep inside his mind was busily chastising himself. Penelope is like my sister! I should not subject her to my – well – newly discovered rakish ways. No, indeed!
"Well then! Best go to sleep now, love. You had a long day," his mother playfully patted his cheek.
"Good night, mother," he bowed respectfully, and he was uncertain if he had heard his mother muttering about a wedding in two years or so.
Colin thought that his mother's observation, which bothered him to no end, would be the end of it. He spent the entire night chastising himself for his actions, whether unconscious or not. He could never recall licking his lips while staring at Marina during that horrible season when he asked for her hand in marriage. To think Marina was much closer to his age than the adorably witty Penelope Featherington and this scandalous behavior never happened with her. Good god! What would Eloise think if she found out about this? Or worse! What if Lady Whistledown saw me licking my lips? I can't stand for another scandal!
Off-limits, Bridgerton. She's just another little sister, he repeated those words over and over again in his head.
Until…
"Hello, brother!" Anthony smirked.
"You look rather, bothered, this fine day," Benedict added.
"Too true. Is the food not good?" Anthony continued and Benedict chuckled.
"Eloise and Penelope seem to be chatting the day away, as those girls often do. Talking about their arguments about going to university or some such thing… But, why are you so out of sorts today?" the second Bridgerton continued.
"' Tis true. Is everything the matter?" nodded the eldest.
"Mother's been hinting, not so subtly I might add, about marriage again," he muttered. He would never tell his brothers about last night's talk. He would never hear the end of it if he admitted the subtle reprimand he was privy to last night because of his actions regarding sweet innocent Penelope.
"Maybe you should just get on with it, brother. That way, you'd be settled here in London, not gallivanting about," Anthony said only half-teasing. Colin knew that his family wanted him home with them.
"Since you seem to enjoy chatting merrily with little Miss Penelope Featherington last night, why don't you just rescue the girl from her horrible mama and make her an official Bridgerton?" Benedict teased.
"What a capital idea, Ben!" Anthony smirked; his eyes sparkled like that of the seasoned rake he once was.
Colin was feeling guilty, angry, confused, and bothered all of a sudden...
And because of that, he exploded.
He couldn't remember the rest of the teasing and the rants, but he could never forget his loud and angry roar.
"I am certainly not going to marry Penelope Featherington!" he snapped.
When he heard a faint, 'oh', he felt his heart stop beating.
Penelope, his dearest friend (and little sister figure), heard his angry cry of denial.
He couldn't even recall what happened after that.
He knew – just by looking at Penelope's eyes – that he had hurt her. And causing her pain, left a feeling of bile deep in his gut.
As his eyes watched Anthony escort Penelope away, he winced.
"That statement can haunt you in the future you know," Benedict said sympathetically.
"Oh, shut up!" he yelled as he entered the house with heavy footsteps.
Colin Bridgerton was never an early riser but when you're married to a goddess – the most beautiful, patient, witty, and forgiving woman in London – he discovered a new secret pleasure. He enjoyed watching her sleep and then waiting for her stunning blue orbs to flutter open as she greets him with a smile.
Cradling his head as he leaned on his elbows, Colin just couldn't believe his lucky stars that this woman – who owned the most perfect set of breasts (and brains for that matter) – was his wife. As his eyes were drawn to her curly ginger locks, her long eyelashes, her pouty lips, her luscious skin, and then to her rounded breasts that were no longer concealed by the sheets, he smirked.
"Colin Bridgerton, you lucky bastard," he muttered to himself.
"Colin! You're talking to yourself again," Penelope murmured in a sleepy voice, her face contorted into an adorable snort.
"Just sleep, my love. I'm just indulging myself in your presence," he said cheekily as he lowered his lips to her forehead. He adjusted the covers so she could be warmer in her sleep.
"You're so weird," she muttered before succumbing once again to the land of dreams.
"I love you, Lady Whistledown," he murmured, as he wrapped his arms around her.
As he thought back to all the memories of his silly youth when he denied his attraction towards Penelope, he chuckled to himself. Oh, Penelope! I thank the heavens that you never realized you can do so much better than me… And for that, I am most truly grateful.
A/N: This is my first Polin fanfic. I can't get enough of Lord and Lady Whistledown.
The first of many drabbles for my favorite Bridgerton couple under the Loving Lady Whistledown series.
Hoping I can add more and more and more...
P.S. To my Harry Potter Fanfic readers, I might focus on Polin for a while. Terribly sorry about that.