AMORE ET HONORE

By: tweety-src-clt9

Playing To Win

Colin watched as Penelope hugged Eloise tightly. The two friends who had barely been apart ever since they were little girls cling to each other as if this was the last time they will be together. He watched the two women, making plans of seeing each other as well as writing correspondence. It was sweet really. Eloise was lucky to have found a dearest friend outside their siblings. He never had that relationship with anyone. He supposed that Penelope was his closest friend as well. Because really, who else would be his closest friend but the woman who had saved him from a deceitful marriage and who encouraged him to pursue his passion of traveling.

"You are welcome to come and visit any time," Penelope said to his sister and he noticed the tears on both women's eyes.

"Of course, I will visit. Remember, you owe me some Peneloise time after you get your initiation into the Bridgerton Wives Club during Daphne's all-expense-paid shopping spree," Eloise squeezed his wife's hands.

"You better take care of Pen, brother," Eloise playfully glared at him.

"No need for threats, sister," he snorted as he opened out his arms for an embrace. Eloise stepped into his arms and he hugged his sister.

"You're forever my favorite brother for saving Penelope," she whispered to his ear.

"And you are my favorite sister for bringing Penelope into my life," he whispered back, careful to not let Penelope hear his words. He was yet to confess how much he loved his wife. He wanted his confession to be perfect, romantic, and sweet since she deserved nothing but the best.

When they pulled apart, Eloise turned to the couple with a bright smile. "Well then, lovebirds, I am off to leave you two alone. I'm sure that Colin is already eager to have you all for himself, Pen," with a wink and a wave, Eloise entered the carriage. With a respectful nod to the couple, the coachman drove off.

"Should we adjourn to the study, Mrs. Bridgerton?" he smirked at the tiny woman standing by his side.

She rolled her eyes before tilting her head to look at him, "I shall be ready in fifteen minutes. I just have to grab my list of questions."

"I'd wish you luck, darling, but I do want to win this game," he crossed his arms cockily.

"Keep thinking that, Mr. Bridgerton. Quiet confidence trumps smugness all the time," she smirked before walking away.

If only he didn't desire to win their game so badly, he would have run after his wife so he could have his wicked way with her. The way she said Mr. Bridgerton in that sarcastically teasing tone of hers never failed to make his cock twitch. The worst part, he was certain that she had no idea what she was doing to him every time she did that.

With the knowledge that Eloise was no longer a guest at their home, along with the certainty that Penelope was truly recovered from her illness, there was a tense and scorching air that reverberated between him and his wife. It was like the moment when they first arrived here in their home when he initially introduced the carnal pleasures a man and woman can share in their marriage bed. He shivered. He wasn't an idiot, if he would win their game, he wouldn't ask for Penelope to finally make love with him. He needed Theo Sharpe to be out of the picture. Besides, innocent and sarcastic she may be, she was confident that Penelope Bridgerton, how he loved the sound of that, was not immune to his charms. He knew that he could easily seduce his beguiling wife.

And so, he called for Dunwoody so that snacks and tea could be sent to his study before entering the room. Since Penelope was still busy upstairs, he opened the safe and he took out her contract along with his travel journal chronicling his adventures in the Mediterranean. He also grabbed the parchment that contained the first poem he wrote for her. The one he dabbled when she was still suffering from her scorching fever, the first night of Eloise's arrival in their home.

Settling the items on the desk, he took out the chessboard hidden underneath a cabinet containing books and other documents. He cleared his desk and he settled the chessboard in between. He didn't bother to set up the pieces since he reckoned he and Penelope should do it together. Besides, some form of teasing would be in order. He believed that acting all cocky would rile his wife up and she wouldn't be able to concentrate. It was a dirty trick, but Bridgerton's never played clean during family games.

If he were honest with himself, he was wary of Penelope's chess abilities. His wife was bloody brilliant, as evidenced by her writings as Lady Whistledown. And so, he was willing to use dirty tactics just to ensure his win. Getting rid of Theo Sharpe was for the greater good after all. Also, whenever Penelope got angry, her chest would heave, her cheeks flushed, and her blue eyes glinted with so much energy that it made his loins ignite. An angry Penelope was such a sight to behold.

Penelope gathered the list she created last night before Colin entered their bedroom. She knew that he too was up late preparing his questions since she couldn't remember him entering their room. When she woke up this morning, however, he was snoring lightly as his arm was wrapped around her torso, his palm cupping her breast. She chuckled at the memory of prying his hands off her but he remained to clutch her tightly until she called out his name. When he opened his eyes, he smiled but when he realized he was squeezing her breast, he cursed, and then he turned away. At the moment she was also embarrassed so she only bid him good morning before she left the room.

But now, when she recalled the memory, she couldn't help but giggle. She heard of Colin's talents in chess and she had long wanted to spar with him. However, as a lady, it wasn't proper to challenge a man, especially someone who was not your relation. But now, since he was her husband, it was fair play. Besides, she'd rather battle Colin in some game than exchanging angry screams with him. She had witnessed that in her mama and papa's relationship, something she always promised she would never do if she got married.

Penelope was miffed at Colin's adamant demand about ending her friendship with Theo. His audacity to just make such a command made her most displeased but she didn't want to fight someone so stubborn. And so, if Colin would pull out all the stops in this chess match, she would do the same. She had never witnessed a Pall Mall match amongst the Bridgertons but per Eloise and Kate's narrations, she knew that Colin was very competitive, petty and that he played dirty. And so, Penelope Bridgerton would shed off her wallflower persona this afternoon if she wanted to win. Instead, it was time to bring Lady Whistledown to the forefront.

"Clarisse, can you help me change into this gown, please?" She called her ladies maid. Since Colin's weakness was her bosom, she chose a dress that had a lower bodice which hinted at a generous view of her decolletage. She had the perfect plan, she would let her hair loose, letting it cascade on her shoulders to cover her chest. When the game heats up, she would feign nonchalance as she flipped her hair just to tease him. You're not the only one who can play dirty, Colin, she smirked.

"This is a very pretty dress, mistress. Master would be most pleased," Clarisse grinned as she eyed the dress and Penelope giggled.

"Well if he will be most pleased, then maybe I will get my way around here," she muttered as her maid helped her change into her dress of choice. Once she was dressed, Clarisse brushed her hair and fluffed her curls behind her back. She stared at her reflection on the mirror and she couldn't help but blush at the daring bodice that showcased her bosom. She had never done this before, use her feminine wiles to get a man's attention. Well, it's not like I'm asking for Colin's attention. I just want to distract him so I can win, she mused.

"Oh, mistress! You truly are so beautiful. You are like those pretty porcelain dolls in those expensive toy shops, what with your red hair, flawless skin, and large blue eyes. Master is a lucky man indeed!" Clarisse gushed.

"Oh, Clarisse. You are too kind," she blushed.

"I am only being honest, mistress. Besides, from the way the master stares at you, I couldn't remember seeing a man who's more in love than he is," her maid smiled brightly.

"Are you sure he's not looking at food? He gets dreamy-eyed when he looks at pastries, maybe I was just sitting in the way or something," she said self-deprecatingly.

Clarisse giggled. "Master does have a large appetite doesn't he?" Penelope could only nod at that.

"Can you take Minnie out for a walk while Colin and I play chess? I do want to win very badly and seeing my baby will only distract me," she remembered another crucial part of her plan. Minnie's playful barks would be a great distraction since her little baby was such a sweetheart. And so, with Clarisse's nod, Penelope was confident that her plan was foolproof.

Colin looked at the grandfather clock getting bored by each second that Penelope was not in the drawing-room. Fifteen minutes had long passed, in fact, it was nearing thirty minutes now. It's a good thing that Dunwoody had already sent the snacks since his wife seemed to be taking her precious time to come downstairs. Maybe she's distracted by her beloved Minnie again, he smiled as he thought of Penelope giggling as their dog licked her fingers. It was adorable seeing his wife dote on the cute yet mean puppy. It amused him that the puppy didn't like him, most probably because he was competition for Penelope's attention.

Finally, he heard footsteps behind the door. And so, he took a seat in front of the chessboard. The pieces were still scattered to the side, along with some helping of tea. When the door opened, Penelope walked in with a bright smile but his eyes were immediately drawn to how beautiful she looked in this dress that was Bridgerton blue. The best part was the fact that the dress gave a very generous view of her decolletage. And then, he mentally cursed. How in the bloody fuck can I concentrate on besting this little minx at chess now?

"You look very beautiful, wife… But why the change of clothes?" his eyes were still so preoccupied with devouring the sight of his wife that he didn't see the smirk forming on her deceitfully angelic face.

"I was rather sweaty in my other dress, running after Minnie and all that," Penelope flipped her long curly hair to show even more of her chest and he gulped. He forced himself to stop staring at her chest and to look into his wife's blue eyes instead. When he caught this mischievous glint in her sparkling blue eyes, he frowned. This minx is using her feminine wiles to make me lose focus, he thought. Well played, Lady Whistledown. Well played indeed… However, two can play this game.

"Indeed! 'Tis a rather scorching day is it not, darling?" He played along as a plan formed in his head.

"Too true, husband," she nodded while fluttering her eyelashes at him. Good lord! This woman will be the death of me!

"You wouldn't mind if I get more comfortable would you, darling?" he asked sweetly.

"Of course not, darling," she retorted with a coy smile.

Big mistake, Mrs. Bridgerton, he thought as he removed his coat and then his cravat. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Penelope's eyes widened in surprise. He bit his bottom lip to stop himself from chuckling. If he had a weakness for Penelope's breasts, she too had a weakness for his shoulders and his chest.

"What are you doing?" her voice was breathy.

"It's rather hot so I reckon I can just sit here with my shirt unbuttoned. It's just you and me in here after all," he winked.

"Sure, go ahead," she feigned nonchalance but he saw her walk to the refreshments table for a glass of water.

Since she was facing away from him, he thought of a petty yet brilliant seduction plan. She wanted to win and so did he because there was a lot at stake here. When she finished drinking her water and turned to face him, her face almost bumped his chest that was peeping through his shirt with the buttons all unfastened.

"Oh!" she squeaked and he smirked.

"Alright there, wife?"

"Of course, husband. I was just thinking that I can't wait to start this game," she looked at him and bit her bottom lip. He too bit his bottom lip to stop himself from growling. The little minx stepped aside and took the seat across from the lord's chair.

Left with no choice, he decided that it was no use prolonging the agony of watching his wife in that sinfully eye-catching dress. So, he took the lord's seat and followed Penelope's lead. She was already setting up the white pieces so he quietly did the same with the black ones. He was almost done when he heard her adorable giggle. And so, he looked at his wife whose eyes were now sparkling with mirth.

"Care to share your amusement with the rest of the party, Mrs. Bridgerton?" he arched an eyebrow.

"Are you sure you know how to play chess, darling?" she smirked.

He huffed. "You are looking at the Eton chess champ, my love," he said with arrogance.

"If that is the case, it's either the boys at Eton do not know how to play or your age has affected your memory," she said teasingly as she pointed to the black queen and black king whose places he had switched. Eyes off bosom, Bridgerton, he mentally cursed himself as he rectified his mistake.

Trying to salvage his pride, he said with bravado, "I was merely testing you, darling, if you do know the basics. After all, I wouldn't want you to pout at me when I win."

"How considerate of you, husband," she leaned closer, playfully fluttering her doe-like eyes at him and his emerald orbs darkened with lust since at this angle, he could so easily imagine her pink nipples. Licking his bottom lip, he promised that he would make his naughty wife pay for this torment after his victory, along with the assurance that she was truly well and healthy of course.

"Should we set some ground rules, my love?" her sultry voice broke his reverie.

He cleared his throat and looked into her eyes, "of course."

"I can only think of two. Touch move and thinking time per move should not exceed ten minutes," she suggested.

"Sounds reasonable… I have another one though," he hummed.

"Yes?"

"In the event of a draw, we go again, this time the thinking time is shorter, at only five minutes," he continued.

"You got yourself a deal, husband."

And with that, Penelope made the first move. She moved her white pawn two steps forward. Her eyes were full of innocence but he could see a hint of defiance there. Ah, Mrs. Bridgerton is more experienced than I expected, very well… Time to play dirty.

He reached out to his parchment filled with questions and asked a hard-hitting one. He reckoned his Penelope was not easily susceptible to her lust so maybe it's best if he distracted her with questions that demanded lengthy answers.

"We can ask questions anytime, right?" He interrupted the silence.

"As long as it's not chess-related," the cheeky minx smirked.

"How did you start being Lady Whistledown?" he started with the most obvious one.

"Okay, we're just diving right in then," she rolled her eyes.

"This game and interrogation session is your idea, wife," he smirked.

"It's better than us shouting at each other," she retorted.

"Agreed. I don't want to yell at you either," at his words, she smiled at him, a genuinely warm one. The smile that he always associated sweet Penelope with.

"It started before my first season. When I accompanied my sisters to the modiste. I heard women, well Cressida Cooper and her friends pointing at me and making fun of me for being fat… As you know, my mama is a big gossipmonger, always ranting about the events she attended with my sisters. And so, I decided to write something silly, something like a satirical commentary on the events my mother and sisters attended, along with my personal observations… I had written quite a few of them by then but there was never any intention to publish them. However, in my first season, just three weeks before my presentation to the queen, my father's late solicitor read my work by accident and he found them hilarious. At first, I thought he found them silly but then he suggested that it had a lot of potential… He helped me in arranging everything and the rest is history," she explained.

"You sure are devious, wife. That innocent and sweet face of yours doesn't match the salacious and sarcastic tone of Lady Whistledown," he lifted his glass of water in salute.

"Thank you," she replied clearly pleased with the praise before her eyes widened when he moved a knight.

"Hmmm… an aggressive player," she bit her bottom lip.

"Scared?" he smirked.

"Remember, I'm Lady Whistledown," she shrugged as she moved her rook forward, placing it behind her charging pawn.

"Hmmm… touche, my lady." Damn! She's good, he thought. He had to rethink his entire strategy since his wife was playing to win, bringing forth her cunning side.

"My turn to ask questions, right?" he only nodded as he thought of his next move.

"Why did you really marry me, Colin? After your remark last year, the one where you publicly declared you most certainly will not marry Penelope Featherington, why the change of heart? I know you… You have been wary of women ever since, Marina. So why? Why did you give up your traveler lifestyle just for me?"

"You are like the sun to me. You are warm and you shine bright. But like the sun, we're always used to it being there that we ignore it… When I received Anthony, Benedict, and Eloise's letters, I just… I had to marry you. I can't have the sun die out," he replied.

"But I don't understand, I'm not important - "

"You are my closest friend, outside that of my siblings… You are important to me. And more than that, Benedict shared nasty details about how vile that lecher of a duke is. I can't… I can't let you suffer like that. Besides, I may not trust women after Marina, but I do trust you," he confessed.

"Didn't you ever consider that marriage is forever?" she retorted.

He shrugged. "Forever with you doesn't seem so bad. Besides, it doesn't matter anymore," he turned his focus on the chess pieces since he knew that he was blushing.

"Why doesn't it matter?"

"Because marrying you made me realize that I might have been in love with you all this time, I just never knew when it started… So, you're stuck with me forever, wife," he smiled shyly.

"Oh...Wait, did you just say that you love me?" her eyes widened in surprise. It would have been funny if he wasn't hanging on the edge of his seat here. He was certain that he was in love with her, and he knew she loved him before, but what if she didn't love him anymore?

"I believe I did say that, yes," he tried to be suave about the whole thing but he could feel his palms start to get sweaty.

"Wow… You actually love me," she was stunned, and then she turned quiet.

Good lord, maybe I shouldn't have said anything, he was internally panicking now.

"Colin Bridgerton actually loves me," she muttered again and he was contemplating whether or not he should run or stay. His fight or flight mode was making his feet itch.

"Er…" he started to say but he couldn't think of the right words.

And then, to his utter relief and delight, she smiled so brightly. It was the brightest smile that he had ever seen gracing her angelic face, "I always loved you, Colin… I just - I just never thought you'd ever return my feelings for you," her face tinged with the adorable pinkish hue that he loved so much.

"So…" he prodded. It was better to be sure than to assume anything after all.

"Do you even have to ask?" she chuckled.

"Pen…" he whined.

"Alright! Alright! - " before she could say anything more, he interrupted.

"I love you Penelope Bridgerton, " he sounded so smug when he said her last name that she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"I love you too, Colin… But I'm still beating you in this game," she smirked.

"I don't think so, darling," he retorted and his eyes sparkled with joy.

"Last five minutes for you to make your move," she gestured to the board.

"Right…" he focused on the board once more but in truth, he wanted to jump up and down in happiness. Finally, he confessed his feelings for Penelope and the angel that she was, she returned his love. Now I only need to get the competition out of the way, he thought. He trusted Penelope, for many years she remained steadfast and loyal in her love for him. However, he didn't trust Theo Sharpe. And so, he wanted that man away from his beloved wife. Really, Penelope was too innocent and naive about the lustful stares of men.

Since Penelope was taking on an aggressive approach, he moved his bishop in preparation for an attack on Penelope's queen. Once he was done with his move, Penelope nodded in appreciation as her blue eyes focused on the chess pieces, thinking of her next move.

"If you love me, why did you think of a way to have our marriage dissolved?" He threw his second question as a distraction. Also, he wanted to hear her reasons.

"How did you - " she gaped like a fish and he wanted to pinch her cheeks but he needed to look serious.

"On the way to our new home, when you were tipsy from the after-effects of champagne, you talked to Dream Colin about your plans," he smirked when her beautiful face went pale.

"Oh, god!" Penelope groaned as she hid her face with both hands.

He chuckled. She really was too adorable. She then peeked at him as she mumbled, "did I say anything embarrassing?"

"Well you asked about what consummating a marriage means but it's nothing embarrassing," he shrugged.

"What else did I say?" her voice was so tiny, clearly she was mortified.

"You had all of these plans for an annulment, using fraud as the reason. That way, I can be free to marry someone else. And then, you said, if that doesn't work, we can either do the no consummation route or you'll act insane or something," he explained.

"That's why you demanded that there will be no divorce, annulments, or any form of separation as soon as we arrived here," she muttered.

"Yep!" he said popping the p.

"I feel like an idiot," she mumbled with a pout.

"Well, it was a great idea. I mean you did think of all the loopholes. However, it was silly of you to blurt out all your plans," he smirked.

"I wasted all those sleepless nights for nothing," she whined.

"There, there, darling," he placatingly patted her hand and she glared at him. It only made him chuckle.

"Stop patronizing me," she pouted.

"It's petty revenge for stomping on my ego. I mean seriously, wife! I must be the only husband in London whose wife had contingency plans about breaking up… It burns really," he dramatically rubbed his chest but his eyes were sparkling with mischief.

"I only want you to be happy," she countered.

"And you think that leaving me would make me happy?"

"Well, we married for unorthodox reasons and - "

"Did you even check your ring?" he frowned.

She looked at the shining emerald surrounded by tiny diamonds on her dainty finger. "It is beautiful but I don't understand - "

"I had it engraved… If you only saw the words, then you would have realized that unorthodox or not, I am committed to this marriage," this time, he didn't conceal the hurt in his voice.

Penelope was about to remove her ring but he stopped her. "You can do it later, we have a game to finish," he said.

"For what it's worth, I am sorry Colin. I didn't mean to hurt you," she sounded so contrite and she looked very cute so what else could he do but sigh.

"Every time you'll do something wrong, you'll be doing this adorable pouty contrite face of yours?"

"Huh?"

"If our children would be as cute as you, I'd be in so much trouble," he muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing… You are forgiven, wife. Besides, even if you tried to leave me, I'd follow you around anyway. As I said, you're stuck with me now. You'll be my wife forever… And to think you were the one warning me about regretting this," he said smugly.

She glanced at the clock and eyed him suspiciously. "I see what you're doing here, husband. You are distracting me," she frowned.

"Is it working?" he wiggled his eyebrows playfully and she snorted.

"Not a chance," and with a smirk, her rook took out his knight.

"Damn it!" and the little minx giggled.

With one knight gone, Colin knew that he had to up his game. He was an idiot for thinking that beating Penelope at chess would be an easy win. Since a knight played an important role in his gameplay, he couldn't lose his remaining one. Also, he needed to take out one of her pieces, maybe her rook or even just a pawn. Something to just balance the scale a little.

"Your move, husband, and my turn to ask."

"Of course," he was thinking of a strategy in his head and he was about to touch the chess piece when Penelope cleared her throat.

"Remember dear, touch move. Don't be too hasty," she tutted.

"How kind of you to remind me, my love," he retorted but deep inside he was bloody thankful. He was still undecided on his move so if he touched that pawn, he would be forced to just go along with it.

"I do want to win, fair and square," she grinned.

He rolled his eyes, "fair and square, sure."

"Do I hear complaints, Mr. Bridgerton?"

"You are playing with fire, darling," he warned.

"I don't think so," her voice was sultry, and then she flipped her hair to expose her decolletage even more, "I call it, playing to win."

He groaned. "Fuck it! I surrender! You win!"

Penelope gasped, her eyes widened in surprise, when he stood from his seat, pushed the chessboard and chess pieces off the table, and then, he leaned forward so he could capture her lips in a passionate kiss. When her hands clutched the hairs on the back of his head, he couldn't help but moan as his tongue probed her mouth. He needed his wife to be closer but he also didn't want to stop kissing her.

Penelope was the one to pull away first since they both needed to catch their breaths. Their heated gazes were connected, their chests heaving, and the temperature in the room was scorching with the desire that's coursing through their veins. With their faces merely a few inches apart, they could feel each other's breaths on their heated skin which escalated the lust flowing between them.

"Pen, please…"

"What do you want?" she whispered huskily.

"Tell me to stop… I beg of you," his lips were on her collarbone, fighting with all his might to stop himself from just ravaging her on this desk right then and there.

"What if I won't?" she said boldly, her blue eyes darkening with a glint of a challenge and a hint of sensual promises.

Licking on her collarbone, he then hissed against her skin, "you're not yet fully recovered… the doctor said - "

"I know my body, Colin… I'm ready."

"Fuck! I don't want to hurt you," he groaned.

"You won't," she said with certainty.

"Are you sure?" he was so hard that the feel of his cock straining against his breeches was so bloody uncomfortable but he wanted to do this right. So, he held onto his restraint. He loved this woman, his wife. He could overcome his body's urges since he wanted her, all of her, heart and soul. This was more than just an exchange of pleasured grunts. This was Penelope and this was love.

Penelope pulled away and he died inside. He didn't show it in his countenance though. He promised that he would wait. Besides, she had just recently recovered from her illness. As a gentleman, he would uphold his promises to his beloved.

"Why don't you find out?" she winked at him before walking towards the door. Before she closed the door, she made a come hither gesture with her index finger as her eyes spoke of the fulfillment of his carnal imaginings.

When the door closed, he cursed as he looked down at his breeches. He was so hard that he could barely walk up the stairs. Also, it would be bloody mortifying if the servants caught him with a raging erection. Penelope Bridgerton, what will I ever do without you, he chuckled to himself as he took deep calming breaths.

Penelope was certain that Colin would follow her to their bedroom but she knew that she still had time to change. Since her dress only needed a half-corset to just support her breasts, it was easy to remove her clothes by herself. Walking to her wardrobe, she spotted the see-through ice blue nightgown that she was supposed to wear during her wedding night. She easily put it on before she grabbed a robe. When she heard heavy footsteps drawing closer to the master chamber, she hastily used the connecting doors so she could wait for Colin.

When the door opened, she breathed deeply as she mentally prepared to fully give herself to Colin. Today, she would be his wife in every sense of the word. She had a feeling that if she wouldn't initiate their intimacy, he wouldn't do anything since he was too afraid of hurting her.

"Hello, husband," she greeted cheerfully, feigning innocence but then, she untied the knot on her robe and let it fall to the floor.

Colin devoured her with his eyes as he walked toward her. He stared at her like a man lost in the desert who had just found an oasis. She was anxious, excited, and nervous about what was to come. Their passionate encounter on their wedding night made her skin tingle with want. However, she was certain that whatever happened that night would be nothing compared to what is to come. Colin was like a predator ready to pounce. Unlike an innocent prey, she didn't want to run away. Instead, she wanted to be captured by Colin. She wanted to be trapped in his orbit. Forever.

Her heart was beating wildly in her chest but she strengthened her resolve. She was ready and this was Colin, the man of her dreams.

When he was mere inches away from her, he smirked, "hello, wife."

A/N: This story, along with my other Bridgerton Fanfics are first published in my A03 (Archive of Our Own) website under the name tweetysrcclt9.