A/N: Warning, there's a lot of smut in this chapter. If you don't like explicit sexy stuff, just skip to the last 4 sections below.

AMORE ET HONORE

By: tweety-src-clt9

Secrets and Passions

When Colin cradled her nape and pulled her in for the most heated kiss, Penelope could only think that she was drunk once again. This time, her mind was lost not on champagne. She was now lost in a haze of sensuality, passion, desire, and lust. She was stunned. She had never felt this way before.

Penelope Featherington, even in her most absurd fantasies, just couldn't imagine herself being held, let alone kissed, by Colin Bridgerton.

And now, here she is…

She's in the arms of the one man she's always loved, his hand gripping her curls, his other hand possessively clutching her waist, and the warmth of his body pressed entirely against her own.

When she felt Colin's tongue licking her bottom lip, her eyes widened in surprise as she gasped. Taking advantage of her parted lips, she felt his tongue invade her mouth, and her entire body was scorching with a need that she never thought was possible.

She could only moan, shiver, and grab hold of Colin's jacket just so she could keep her feet steady. If not, she would surely be tumbling on the carpeted floor because whatever this was – whatever Colin was doing to her – it made her so weak in the knees.

She was breathing heavily, her chest heaving when Colin let go of her lips.

"I burn for you, Penelope," he growled against her ear.

"Um… are you certain?" she whispered back. Really, how was she to respond with such a declaration.

He chuckled. With his body pressed against hers, she too could feel the vibration of his laughter against her chest.

He tilted her chin so she could look into his eyes. She always described his eyes as the most beautiful shade of green – like sparkling emeralds – but this time, his eyes were so dark that it reminded her of the richest ebony. She could never recall ever seeing Colin's eyes blazing with something that she just couldn't define.

"You don't believe me, do you?" his voice tinged with naughtiness.

"I – we – you – we were never courting," she mumbled a reply. It was difficult to think of any intelligible response when his eyes seemed to be staring straight into her very soul.

"How about I show you instead?" he challenged.

She gasped when she felt his fingers remove the pins that kept her hair in a chignon.

"Your hair is so much longer than I have imagined," he whispered as his finger twirled a curly ringlet.

She giggled despite the tenseness of the situation and she asked, "why would you ever imagine that?"

He tilted his head and whispered to her, "in my imaginings, your curly red locks are wildly sprawled in my bed as I – " she was panting now when she felt his hands grip both sides of her waist as he ever so slowly lifted her shift upwards.

Penelope could only lift her arms as Colin pulled her shift from her body and haphazardly throwing it to the floor. With her upper torso now bared to him, she quickly raised her arms to cover her breasts.

"No need to feel so self-conscious my darling," he gently cupped her cheek before slowly prying her arms away from her chest.

"My imaginings do not do you justice, Pen," he lifted her right hand and pressed his lips against her knuckles.

"I-imagine what?" she was shivering, not from the cold, but from the anticipation and anxiety of what could happen next.

"Kissing you," he pressed his lips on the back of her wrist.

"touching you," his lips moved higher.

"your hardened nipples in my mouth…"

"Colin!" she could feel her entire body blush at the scandalous nature of his words.

"I thought we were being honest here, Mrs. Bridgerton?" he teased.

"I – well, yes but… but you don't have to be so…" she was at a loss for words because his lips were now pecking her shoulders.

"Brazen?" he chuckled.

"Well, yes… And… and vocal of your… your imaginations," she was barely able to get her words out since Colin's index finger was sensually caressing the valley between her breasts.

When his finger stopped on the knot that tied her pantaloons together, she could feel the erratic pounding of her heart. She didn't know what all this was, but everything about Colin at this very moment – his touch, his words, and the way he was looking at her – sent a tingling sensation up her spine and a burning ache in between her legs.

"So… what do you say, Mrs. Bridgerton?" he muttered against her neck.

"Yes?" she breathed.

"Will you let me pleasure you until you scream my name in ecstasy?" as he whispered those words to her ear, she could feel his hand cup the apex of her thighs.

"Colin, please," she whimpered.

"Please what?" she could hear the smugness in his voice.

"Touch me…"

"At your service, my love," and with that, he lowered her pantaloons to the floor as he lifted her in his arms.

Penelope could only think of this as her heart pounded fast when she was being carried to the plush cushions of their bed, how could mama ever think of England in times like this?

When he gently laid Penelope on their bed – with the gleam of the moonlight from the thin spaces uncovered by the curtain, along with the glow of the candelabra illuminating the room – he could do nothing but devour the bared beauty that was in front of him.

He could only lick his bottom lip as his eyes scanned the naked beauty that was his wife. He wasn't lying when he told her of his carnal imaginings, he was only a man after all. A gentleman, yes. But a saint, he most certainly was not.

Try as he might, even before his proposal and their engagement, he had always been subconsciously aware that sweet innocent Penelope had her own unique brand of feminine charms. Actually, it was easy for him to notice since he was a foot taller than her. Even in her first season as a debutante, with her being the youngest among the eligible ladies of the ton, she stood out not only due to her ghastly yellow frocks that did nothing for her fiery red curls but – to him at least – she stood out for being the most well-endowed lady in the chest area.

He didn't notice what his eyes were always drawn to, until one time, when he was licking his lips staring down her collarbone, he realized that this behavior was really ungentlemanly. And to make matters worse, Penelope was like a sister to him. She was not even eight and ten by then.

And so, when he saw Marina – someone beautiful and who seemed nice enough – he was determined to court her. At least Marina didn't make him act ungentlemanly. Also, Marina didn't make him curse himself for acting like a lecher since she was nearer his age. Most importantly, he was certain that he didn't do the whole lip-licking thing he did with Penelope because Marina was not well-endowed, unlike her younger cousin.

When Marina propositioned him and he was able to resist, he thought that it meant she was the one. He respected her too much that he was afraid to touch her before they were married. And so, he proposed. A wise decision that he thought sarcastically.

"Er, Colin?" his musings were interrupted when he heard his wife's voice.

"I'm sorry, darling. I was lost in my admiration of your beauty," he whispered.

"Can I – can I get under the covers?" she whispered shyly. Her cheeks tinged pink and to his delight, her blushing went further down her chest. Fascinating, he bit his bottom lip.

"Are you cold?" he raised a hand to feel her neck.

"Not really but I – I'm not so comfortable with the light," she avoided his eyes when she said that.

"Would you – would you be more comfortable if it were dark?" he inquired gently.

"I suppose."

"Of course," he leaned down to kiss her forehead as he stood from the bed. He walked towards the curtains, making sure that it was as tightly closed as possible before walking towards the candelabra by the vanity and the one on their nightstand.

When the room was completely dark, he asked, "Is that better, darling?"

"Yes, thank you. I won't feel so – so exposed anymore."

"I promise we won't go all the way until you're fully comfortable with sharing your naked body with me," he promised.

"Thank you," he could feel she was giving him her signature shy smile as she said that.

"Well then, darling, seeing as you are naked, might as well do the same. All's fair in love and war after all," he chuckled.

"Oh, of course," she murmured.

And with that, he tossed his jacket off, removed his cravat, and shed his clothes one by one. When he was completely naked, with his hardness all thick, engorged, and ready for action, he was quite glad it was dark. He didn't want to scare his innocent wife with his manhood. He needed her to be at ease with him touching her body. He wanted her to find pleasure in their marriage bed. And so, her not seeing his imposingly large erection in the dark was a good thing – just for tonight.

With the room all covered in darkness, Penelope's senses were in overdrive. She could hear every single movement Colin made that she could easily imagine his clothing being dropped to the floor one by one. She too was ultimately aware of the steady beating of her heart as she waited with bated breath for whatever plans her husband had in store for them.

As the mattress shifted with Colin joining her on the bed, she remained very still, preparing herself to either run away or to just satisfy this sudden ache between her legs.

She breathed deeply as his fingers touched the valley of her breasts once again. It was addicting, his barely-there caresses. It made her feel hot all over.

"Hi," he whispered.

"Hello," she gave a startled reply.

When he moved closer, hovering above her, his lips pressed against her forehead, she shivered. "Just relax, darling. Tonight is all about you," he whispered.

"Okay," she breathed. His lips playfully pecked their way down the bridge of her nose, her cheeks, and then her lips.

"Colin…"

"Stop thinking, Pen, just close your eyes and feel," and with that, he captured her lips in a scorching kiss once again. This time, it was even more passionate than when he was removing her clothes.

Dragging his lips down her throat, he whispered, "Titian's Venus is a poor comparison to your beauty, my darling." She could only grab hold of his nape and run her fingers through his hair when she felt his tongue licking her collarbone.

Feeling both of his rough hands on her thighs, she moaned.

"Part your legs open for me, Pen," he commanded as he moved his hands up and down her skin.

"O-okay," she muttered as she slowly parted her legs for him. She felt him move on the bed and then she could feel his warm body settled in between her thighs. His muscular thighs pressed against her plump ones.

He hovered above her once again, his hands gripping her own as he laced their fingers together. It may be dark, but she could feel his eyes staring intently at her face.

He kissed her lips once again, this time it was slow, teasing, and coercing her to take the lead. With her hands held by his strong ones, her mouth sensually caressed by his own, she couldn't think of anything else to urge him to hurry along. So, she arched her back, pressing her breasts against his chest and she moaned. Taking the hint, he deepened his kisses this time around. His tongue probing her mouth languidly.

When their lips parted for air, he growled, "you'll be the death of me, Penelope Bridgerton."

"What did I – "

"Open your mouth," he said gruffly.

She followed his command and she felt two of his fingers grazing on her lower lip. "Suck," he growled. Despite the shock, she lifted a hand to press his fingers closer to her mouth before licking the tip and sucking them. It was oddly sensual and arousing, coating his fingers with her saliva.

"Stop," he hissed, and she allowed his fingers to slip away with a pop.

"Colin! What – " her question was halted when she moaned instead. She could feel his teeth lightly biting her shoulder and his fingers, the one she had in her mouth, now moving up and down her sex.

"God, Penelope! If you only know how much I want you… how I long to bury myself inside you…" she could hear the anguish in his voice.

"I – I'm sorry, Colin. I didn't mean to hurt – "

And then he laughed, and she felt annoyed.

"I don't see how this is funny!" she huffed.

"I love your innocence. It is so refreshing," he chuckled.

"Pardon my innocence," she muttered sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Yes, indeed… Although, I'm afraid I have to tarnish your innocence," his voice sounded dangerous this time around.

"Oh?" she feigned courage and nonchalance.

And then, she felt his thumb gliding around her nipple, his lips sucking her other breast, and his fingers rubbing her sex fervently.

"Good god!" she whimpered as her body shook with the myriad of sensations Colin was giving her. His tongue playing with her nipple, his fingers playing with the other, and his free hand was rubbing her nether regions in a way that she never thought was possible.

"Colin!" she screamed his name in pleasure when his teeth bit her nipple and she could feel one of his fingers plunging inside her sex. She supposed she should be embarrassed knowing that she was very moist down there. But she was lost. She was lost in the sensation and the pleasures he was giving her.

She could feel herself reaching for something, an abyss that was not known to her, yet her body subconsciously knew that it needed to be reached. Suddenly, Colin's ministrations stopped. She wanted to protest but at least his finger was still deep inside her.

"Are you alright, Pen?" his voice sounded odd like he was fighting restraint.

"Why did you stop?" she whined.

He chuckled, "just making sure you were alright, darling."

"Well I am alright so carry on," she urged him to hurry along.

To her dismay, she could feel him moving away and his fingers slowly eased out of her body.

She heard him sniff something and then a sucking sound followed, along with a growl. What is happening? Maybe it was a poor choice of hers to ask him to put out the lights. Now she could only guess what was happening.

"You taste delicious, Pen. I can't wait to bury my tongue inside you," she heard him say.

"Colin…" she whimpered both in embarrassment and delight. If my mama could see me now! Such a wanton wanton woman, she thought.

"Sit on my right thigh," he said as he held her hand to pull her towards his body. Since everything that they did was very enjoyable so far, she followed his lead.

"Like this?" she inquired as she felt her tingling and moist sex pressed against his thigh. She blushed at the thought of her moisture coating the hairs on his thigh. It felt wicked, scandalous, and divine.

"Good… now lift your right hand to grab hold of my shoulder and your left, reach it out for me to take," he added. She eagerly held his shoulder and extended her free hand towards him.

"Now my love, I did say we are exploring, correct?" she gasped when she felt his breath against her ear.

"Yes…"

"Well, since I have been touching your luscious body for a few minutes, I reckon turnabout is fair play," he playfully bit her earlobe as his hands pinched her nipple.

"Oh, yes," she moaned in pleasure and surprise that she unknowingly bounced on his thigh, the friction of her movements making her sex tingle.

She felt him licking her fingers, heavily coating them with his saliva. She didn't know what he was doing but it was so arousing that she just had to rub her sex against his thigh once again.

Since she was so busy moving up and down his thigh, she didn't notice him release her fingers from his mouth until she felt his thumb rubbing the apex of her thighs once again. The added sensation only made her bounce against him more.

"Does it feel good, Pen? Rubbing your cunt against my thigh?" his voice was lecherous.

"Oh god, yes!" she hastened her movements as he rubbed harder.

"I can't wait until you're finally ready for me to make love to you," he whispered as he lowered her hand, to something long and hard and throbbing.

"Colin, what – "

"Wrap your tiny hand around my cock, pump it up and down, as you ride my thigh," he growled.

"Okay…" she wrapped her hand around the base but since it was so thick, she couldn't fully circle it. She followed his command though as she pumped it up, and then down.

"Keep bouncing," his voice was muffled since his lips were pressed against her cleavage.

It was all too much, his thumb rubbing her sex in circles while she bounced up and down his thigh, her other hand pumping him, and then his lips were licking and biting her nipples with wild abandon.

"Oh, god! Colin!"

"It will be so damn worth the wait when I can finally fuck you and have my babies inside of you, Mrs. Bridgerton," he growled against her nipple as his free hand grabbed hold of her hips to help her hump his thigh.

"Yes, Colin! Yes…" she whimpered, arching her back to bring her breasts closer to his face.

"You're mine, Penelope… Say it," he demanded.

"Yours, Colin… Just yours," she moaned as she felt dizzy with sensation. She was so close to whatever it was that she needed – a relief in between her thighs – but then, Colin pried her away from his thigh, pushed her on her back, inserted a pillow under her bum, and spread her legs wide.

She was too lost to the sensation that she didn't notice him move downwards. She nearly jumped off the bed, if not for his hands gripping her legs when she felt his breath against her sex.

"Colin! What are you doing?!" she was aghast. Surely, he would not –

"Say it, Penelope! Say it!" he demanded, his thumb lightly moving up and down her moist center once again.

"I'm yours, Colin. Just yours!" she gave him what he wanted.

"Scream all you want, my love... You'll enjoy this," and with that, he lowered his mouth on her aching center as his fingers moved in and out of her body.

And scream, she did.

Colin couldn't help but feel like a god as his wife bucked her hips against his face, her body quivering with need, his name on her lips as she cried in ecstasy. He knew that she already reached her pinnacle, but he kept going at it. Her taste was so addicting that he could easily see himself doing this, eating out her cunt, for many many years.

"Colin… please… stop… can't take anymore… too much… pleasure," Penelope panted, her hand gripping on his hair.

He looked up from her cunt as he watched his wife breathing heavily, her glorious breasts heaving, her peaches and cream skin glistening with sweat, and he smirked.

Giving her cunt one last long lick from top to bottom, he pulled his finger out. "So… did you enjoy that?" he asked impishly.

"You know… I did… you can… keep that… smug look… off your face…"

After licking her delicious juices off his fingers, he said, "since I reckon you enjoyed that – "

"Cocky git," she muttered, and he chuckled.

"I don't suppose you would allow me my turn, would you, darling?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well… you did reach the pinnacle and I didn't," he pouted.

"Oh, god! Did I do something wrong?"

"No! No! You were brilliant… You tasted brilliant," he teased.

"Colin!" he could hear the embarrassment in her voice. It was too bad that it was dark. It would have been so adorable to see her blushing all over.

"Since you had your turn, would you mind if I get mine?" he said coyly.

"What do you want?"

"Just spread your legs again," his fingers drew circles on her soft belly.

"God! No more licking! I can't take anymore! I would surely pass out," she exclaimed.

Colin Bridgerton, you are a god in the sheets! He thought smugly.

"No more licking, I promise… Just some rubbing and kissing," he countered.

"Rubbing what?" she asked dubiously.

"Like this," he rubbed his cock against her sopping cunt, sensually gliding up and down.

"Hmm…yes…" she moaned her agreement and he was so glad she couldn't see him smirking.

"Well then, darling, keep your glorious legs open because it's my turn," and with that, he wrapped her legs around his waist, his face leaning closer to hers so he could kiss her, his one hand pinching her nipples while the other grounded his body to the mattress as he rubbed his cock against her cunt to oblivion.

When he was nearing the point of orgasm, he lovingly kissed her lips as he maneuvered their entwined hands to steady his movements. Together, they screamed each other's name in pleasure, their bodies glistening, and their hearts beating in the same rhythm of lovers in the night.

Penelope was still catching her breath, her arms wrapped around Colin's muscular back when she heard him pant, "are you alright, Pen?"

"I'm alright, Col… I just – I can't imagine that such pleasures existed," she whispered.

"Oh-ho! That's just the icing on the cake, my love… There is so much more ," he said as he lovingly cupped her face.

"If there is much more than what we just did, I don't think I can handle that pleasure," she chuckled.

"Oh, I am sure you would… I will be here with you every step of the way after all," he kissed her sweaty cheek.

"Thank you, Col," she whispered as she attempted to set to rights his messy and drenched hair.

" I should be the one thanking you, Pen," he said cheekily.

"I don't mean that ! What I mean is… for being gentle yet passionate, caring, and… I felt safe with you… I never felt violated unlike… oh, never mind," she muttered.

She could feel his body tense and she wanted to bang her head against the wooden frame of the bed. How stupid was she to let that slip?

"Unlike what, my love?" his voice was all seriousness.

"The duke he – before he left – he… he – " she started to say but she ended up sniffling.

"Oh, Pen! I am so sorry!" he pressed comforting kisses on her cheeks and her forehead. His presence gave her the courage to tell someone of what happened.

"Before he left, he cornered me in the drawing-room… Mama and Lord Featherington, they… they only want to get me married off… So, if it's just at home, they don't chaperone whenever I have visitors… Anyway, the duke, he – he suddenly… he grabbed my breasts and roughly… Oh, Colin! I'm sorry! I can't – " she cried once more and she felt him scoop her into his arms so she could cry against his chest.

"Don't worry, Pen. You're safe. You're here. He can't touch you… And if he does, I'll kill him. In fact, just for what he did, I'll challenge him to a duel – "

"No! You mustn't! He is very gifted with a blade, he told me so himself."

"Does nobody else know about what he did to you?" he asked gently as his hands rubbed comforting circles on her back.

"I never told anyone… If I told mama or the new lord, they would only force me to marry that bastard… That's why – that's why I wanted to run away – the things he said – the way he touched me – I – I can never let him do that," she sniffed.

"What did he say?" his voice was eerily calm, but she knew he was restraining his fury for the old lecher.

"He said he must be off so he could make arrangements for my torture chamber, along with some equipment… He also said something about an expensive ring to show everyone I am his property – " her voice broke as she shivered in fear at the memory.

"He'll be able to do no such thing. Over my dead body. I will protect you from him. From any dangers in this world. You have me now," he vowed in earnest.

"I know. Thank you, Colin… For marrying me. For being my friend in my time of need."

"No need to thank me, Pen. Happy to be here for you. Always," he kissed the top of her head.

"Should we… er, change now?" she asked, and he chuckled.

"You stay here, and I'll grab some nightclothes from your chamber," he said as he gently untangled his limbs from hers and got out of the bed.

He walked to the nightstand and used a match to light the candles once more. With the light now illuminating his body, Penelope gasped. Her eyes were drawn to his manhood. No wonder I can't fit my hand around it!

"See something you like, Mrs. Bridgerton?" he smirked.

" That is supposed to be inside me?" she was shocked.

"When you're ready, yes," he shrugged.

"It will never fit!"

"You flatter my ego, darling," he chuckled.

"If – if that is inside me, I won't be able to walk for a week," she was now frightened at the idea of consummating their marriage. Exploring was one thing. But that – that thing inside her would surely hurt.

"If we want to have babies soon, then you stuck in our bed is a capital idea," he winked.

"Yes, well, not until I'm ready to be – to be impaled by that thing!"

"I so love your innocence, my sweet," and with that, he walked towards the door adjacent to what she could only assume was the chamber of the mistress of the house.

Colin was still chuckling as he searched for some nightclothes in Penelope's chambers. Her reaction upon seeing his cock was so adorable. Yes, he knew that the size of his cock was way above average, but his wife's reactions made him bloody proud. Although, now that she seemed scared, maybe it would be harder to seduce his innocently beguiling wife.

He found a large trunk which he decided to open first. Indeed, he was right. It contained a lot of clothes, all of them looking quite new. He grinned when he saw that there were no yellows and oranges here. He settled the candelabra on the floor as he rummaged the trunk for some nightgowns.

He saw a see-through lace of ice blue and he smirked. He was thinking of the fun ways he could remove it from her voluptuous body, pulling it off her skin using his teeth but then, his eyes were drawn to a thick journal of sorts and some stack of letters.

Setting the negligee back into the trunk, his curiosity got the better of him so removed the envelope on top of the pile of letters.

Bringing the light closer, his eyes widened in surprise. It was from Marina.

Dearest Penelope,

It pains me that while you are now happy to wear clothes that compliment your beautiful hair, you have attracted the attention of the most unworthy man. If only I could invite you to stay with us, then I would. Sad to say, your Mama doesn't even know of our correspondence so it's not possible at all.

I suggest that you find another, a more palatable suitor if you must, my dear cousin. A marriage not bound in love is a most horrid thing. While I will never love Phillip, for my heart is buried with my George, at least Phillip respects me.

That old lecher who is lusting after you is surely a man who does not even respect you at the very least.

Perhaps, you can try asking for help from Colin. For sure he will be willing to help you. He has always been a kind fellow. Plus, he cares for you a great deal.

In the event Colin still doesn't see the diamond that you are, then use your wiles to find a more deserving man. Anyone but that old duke!

Maybe it is a fate to be shared by the both of us to never be content and secured in love with our marriages. While mine is not the most perfect condition, at least I am content. I could only hope you will find contentment and more.

You deserve the world, dearest cousin.

If Colin is not smart enough of a man to see you, then go find someone else. If not, well, you can always run away and I will be willing to help you hide from the cruel clutches of your Mama.

On a brighter note, I cannot express how grateful I am for the beautiful elegy you have written for my George. I am not a writer so my words will never do him justice. However, a professional such as yourself was truly able to capture all my sentiments for the only man who owns my heart until my dying day.

I can only add, please give my best regards to Lady Whistledown.

Sincerely,

Your cousin

Marina

This letter contained a lot of interesting information that stunned Colin. One – Penelope was still secretly in contact with Marina. Two – Marina knew of his wife's feelings for him. Three – Penelope was close enough with Marina to even share tidbits about the lecher's horridness. Fourth – Marina called Penelope a professional writer. Lastly, why would Marina give her regards to Lady Whistledown? Was it some kind of a joke amongst cousins?

He wanted to read more letters so he could get more clues regarding Penelope's secret life at the Featherington estate. He wanted to know how much she suffered so he could have an idea of how to help her. For him to help her be free from her demons, he needed to be aware of the gravity of the situation.

So far, all he's gathered were the facts that Penelope was made to go hungry in preparation for the wedding. In her drunken state, she told him of her escape plans. She had a lot of money hidden somewhere due to some hidden talent. She was constantly exchanging letters with Marina. And lastly, she was abused and threatened by the old lecher.

Oh, my love, what other burdens do you carry deep within your soul?

Promising to investigate this further, he hurriedly looked for another nightgown and then he returned the journal and the letters inside the trunk. Holding the white sleepwear, he returned to their shared chamber.

He could only smile when he noticed that his Penelope was now sound asleep.

He walked towards her side of the bed and watched her in her slumber. She looked so small and so fragile, but he knew that deep inside, she was the strongest woman he had ever known. It takes a very brave woman to survive the harsh upbringing from Portia Featherington. And yet, despite all that, Penelope still always smiled and carried on as if nothing had happened.

He gently leaned down and pressed his lips against her forehead. He carefully tucked the covers around her small stature so she could be warm.

"You're not alone now, Pen. Help me learn how to love you so I could keep you safe always," he whispered into the night before blowing the candles out.

The sun was shining brightly but Penelope felt tired. It's like her legs were burdened by something heavy but she opened her eyes anyway. The first thing she noticed was a snoring Colin, with his limbs stretched out on the bed, naked as the day he was born.

She gasped when she saw his manhood, standing and pointing proudly to the ceiling. She shivered as she remembered the wanton way she acted last night, along with the many ways Colin made her scream his name in pleasure.

Slowly sitting up on the bed, she used the covers to wrap around her naked body as she tried her best to not wake Colin. When she stood, the covers were loosely wrapped around her chest as she looked for the entrance that would lead to her chambers.

Since she was still a bit sleepy, she stretched her arms out. Noticing that she was in front of a mirror, she yelled in horror when she saw the purple marks splattered around her skin. They were everywhere – on her neck, her collarbone, her breasts, her arms. It was too many that she was afraid to count.

Since she was so embarrassed at Colin's reactions if he would see her imperfections in broad daylight, she all but ran to the adjacent door but with her signature clumsiness, she tripped on the covers and hit her head on the wooden drawer near the small reading area.

Boog!

"Huh? Wha – Pen?" Colin wiped the sleep from his eyes as he heard the sound of something crashing on wood. Before that, he subconsciously heard screaming too. Worried that his Penelope was hurt, he groggily got out of bed.

The first thing he saw was an unconscious Penelope sprawled naked on the floor, her head now sporting a nasty bump. He knelt in front of her as he carefully lifted her from the floor.

His eyes scanned her over and he noticed the purple marks etched on her skin which made him wince. I guess I was too enthusiastic last night, he thought. Trying to calm himself as much as possible, he was about to grab some clothes so he could ask the staff to call a doctor, when he heard a knock on the door.

"Master Colin, a Mr. Theo Sharpe calling for Mrs. Bridgerton," Dunwoody called out.

"Tell that bloody stranger to wait! I need you to call a doctor and quickly! Penelope needs help!" he said in fear and exasperation.

Please be alright, Pen. I can't lose you…

A/N: Before anything else, Titian is an Italian painter who created the Venus of Urbino, a painting of a curvy naked Aphrodite leaning against a couch.

I've been a smut writer for the Harry Potter fandom but I'm very nervous about this chapter.
I hope I did the Polin's first ever sexy time some justice.

So... What did you think? Hot or not?
Also, this chapter is a whirlwind, ain't it?

I still need to reply to comments from previous chapters but I'm living for your comments. Y'all are awesome.