Penelope – Courted
Penelope was so confused. Colin had danced with her as soon as she had arrived at the Danbury ball. Then Benedict had asked for a dance, followed by Viscount Bridgerton, the Duke of Hastings and then Mr Kentington. It almost appeared as though Colin was ensuring that nobody would dance with her apart from members of his family and a happily married new friend.
If she had been anyone else, she would have thought that Colin was courting her. She was so certain that Colin had just been friendly that she went out to the printer to submit the next issue of her gazette and went about her daily business. She was stunned to arrive home to find that Colin had left flowers for her. Her mother was thrilled however.
"Mr Bridgerton wished to wait but I was not certain when you would return?" Even the minimal staff they had seemed surprised by the gesture.
"I was not expecting anyone so felt no need to remain here." Penelope would normally have asked Eloise what was going on with her brother but things were still strained between them. Besides Violet Bridgerton was probably hoping that some suitors would be coming by to see Eloise so had insisted her daughter stay home.
Was this what it was like to be courted? It was not as though she had a lot to compare it to. Philippa only had one suitor and Prudence only had Cousin Jack which hardly counted. She supposed there had been Marina but she had tried to block that whole deceitful episode out.
They were beautiful flowers. Nobody had ever given her flowers and she couldn't help but be flattered. That they were from Colin made her heart flutter a little. She had always dreamed of Colin courting her. She just hadn't expected to be questioning herself as to why.
"Who were the couple you were conversing with at the Danbury ball?" Portia had been surprised to look across the ballroom to see her youngest in quite an animated conversation with someone who wasn't a Bridgerton. Penelope was known for her shyness if nothing else.
"The Kentingtons. I believe they are attending the Hearts and Flowers Ball." Today was full of surprises. Her mother had never expressed any interest in who she spoke to at the balls.
"They seem very friendly with the Bridgertons." Portia had always wanted one of her girls to marry a Bridgerton. She just hadn't thought Penelope would be a likely candidate.
"Colin made their acquaintance. If you know one Bridgerton, you know all of the Bridgertons." Especially if you were a pleasant acquaintance. Cressida Cowper was beginning to feel the effects of getting on the wrong side of a Bridgerton. Penelope had noticed that one of the Bridgerton men usually came to ask her to dance when Cressida was being vindictive.
"That is true. There are so many of them." Portia walked away deep in thought.
The Hearts and Flowers Ball came around and Penelope was no less confused by Colin's attention. He had promenaded with her and usually with the Kentingtons in attendance. She was growing very fond of their little boy who took great delight in teaching her a few signs.
Dearest Gentle Reader
It is that time of the year when we look forward to the Hearts and Flowers Ball. A warning to the marriage minded Mamas that Lord Westbridge of the wandering hands and Sir Derryworth of the excruciating breath are still available.
It was with some trepretation that Penelope looked forward to Lady Bridgerton's ball. After all last season Colin had visited Marina. His comments after her enquiring on his visit still rang in her ears. "Perhaps if Lady Whistledown hadn't rushed to print her gossip, things may have turned out differently for her. For all of us in fact." Yes, he would have been married to a woman who did not love him with children that he believed were his and yet were not. Seeing Colin married to someone else was one thing but being because he had been deceived was entirely another.
Violet and Daphne stood greeting guests as they arrived. It appeared that the Kentingtons had arrived before the Featheringtons and Violet and Daphne were already enchanted by young Marcus.
"I think mother has outdone herself this year, has she not?" Penelope had not heard Colin walk up behind her and barely managed not to shriek.
"She has indeed." Was one supposed to be this nervous when being courted? She saw several gentlemen making a bee line for Eloise, who looked highly irritated. "Somehow I don't think your mother can use the excuse of being a host with Eloise this year."
"No. Eloise has already turned down two proposals this season. Shall we go and rescue her?" Colin held out his hand to her.
Penelope was about to state that Eloise probably wouldn't consider her presence much of a rescue when she recognised one of the gentlemen. "Is that not Lord Westbridge?"
Colin glanced over. "Westbridge! Hands where I can see them." All glances turned to the groping Lord who at least had the decency to look embarrassed. A few seconds later Antony walked up and removed his sister from the group much to Eloise's relief. "Since we no longer have to rescue Eloise, let us greet the Kentingtons." He took hold of her hand and led her towards the tight knit family.
"Careful Colin. Someone might think you are courting me." Although her hand felt wonderful being held by his.
"Well, since I am courting you, it will not be very shocking." Colin grinned at her before greeting the Kentingtons. "So glad you could all make it."
"Thank you for the invitation." Gerald tightened his arm around his wife. "Your family are so welcoming."
"It should be an eventful weekend." Colin chuckled. "My mother and eldest sister have thought of everything."
The events of the weekend began. Lady Trapp took Marcus to play with the Bridgerton grandchildren before going to join the other mothers and grandmothers.
"Some of the men are going hunting if you would like to join them." Colin offered Gerald. "I was hoping Penelope would join me for a walk."
"Perhaps I could chaperone the two of you." Rose looked highly amused by the thought.
"I don't mind staying with you Rose." Gerald looked a little concerned. "You barely ate anything this morning and you're looking a little pale."
"Go and enjoy yourself. Mother is watching Marcus. I will be fine." Rose kissed her husband. "You should have some fun and perhaps even make contacts for your business."
Gerald considered it for a moment before nodding, although he looked as though he would have preferred to stay with his wife. "Alright. Take care of my wife for me Mr Bridgerton." Kissing his wife, he headed over to where the men were gathering for the hunting party.
"Are you quite well Mrs Kentington." Penelope now noticed that Rose was looking paler than usual.
"Penelope, please call me Rose." Rose squeezed her hand. "I just need some fresh air. So Mr Bridgerton, which way are we heading?"
Colin had not let go of Penelope's hand so he gently tugged her in the direction of the flower gardens. "Why don't I show you my mother's pride and joy next to her children and grandchildren of course."
This was actually quite pleasant walking hand in hand with Colin. Rose walked at a discreet distance behind them. "I thought you said you would never court me."
"I was an idiot." Colin shook his head. "Every time I want to tell someone about another country I want to visit, you are the first person I think of. You know me better than anyone in my family. I miss seeing your eyes light up when I walk into the room. You have such beautiful eyes." He turned to get Rose's agreement and stopped.
"What is it Colin?" She was just beginning to enjoy his complements. Turning she saw that Rose was bent over in pain. "Oh my God! Rose! What's wrong?" She ran over to her friend.
"I'm not sure." Rose was trying to breathe through the pain.
"Can you walk back to the house?" Colin reached out his hand to steady her. When Rose tried to stand upright she cried out in pain. Without pausing a second Colin swept her into his arms. "Pen!"
"I'll go ahead and get the Doctor." Penelope was terrified. Rose had turned a ghastly shade of grey. "You need to go around the side of the house so that Marcus doesn't see his Mother like this."
"Good idea, but hurry." Colin had gone white. They hadn't gone far but Colin was carrying not only Rose but also the weight of a substantial amount of material making up Rose's dress.
Penelope had never run so fast in her life. She didn't have many friends and was not willing to lose such a new one. Eloise was trying to avoid possible suitors when Penelope got near the house. "You look as though you've seen a ghost."
"Doctor." She panted. "Get a Doctor."
"Is it Colin? Has he been hurt?" Eloise started backing towards one of the footmen.
Penelope shook her head trying to catch her breath. "No. Rose. Get a Doctor quickly. And quietly. We don't want to alarm anyone."
"You heard her." Eloise nodded to the nearest member of staff. "What happened?" Once the man had run off for the Doctor, Eloise was all questions. "Is she badly hurt? Where's Colin?"
"Carrying Rose back to the house." Penelope was slowly getting her breath back. "He's taking her to the side entrance so that her son doesn't see her. She'll want her mother though." Penelope started to head towards the terrace.
"Let the Doctor know when he gets here." Eloise started issuing orders. "Someone go and meet my brother at the side entrance."
Penelope took a deep breath and headed towards Lady Trapp. She was not good with groups of people, but this was important.
"You facilitated an excellent match for your daughter Lady Maria." Violet was impressed that unlike a number of the Ton's mamas, Lady Trapp seemed unconcerned regarding Mr Kentington's wealth or lack of it.
"Not at all Lady Violet. My daughter chose Gerald when she was all but eight years of age." Maria Trapp smiled over at her grandson. "I still remember how she dragged young Gerald by the hand to her Father and I and informed us that this was who she was going to marry when she was of age." She chuckled. "Gerald, bless his heart simply nodded in agreement."
"Has she always been so tenacious?" Violet enquired.
"Always. She gets that from her Father." Maria smiled sadly remembering her dear husband. She spotted Penelope and Eloise coming towards them. "Penelope dear. Is Rose not with you?"
"Not at the moment Lady Maria." Penelope smiled what she hoped was reassuringly. "Might you be able to meet with Colin inside? He will be at the side entrance shortly. I can stay with Marcus." She glanced over at Violet hoping to indicate the urgency of the matter without alerting anyone else.
Violet nodded immediately. "Why don't I show you where it is."
Lady Maria caught on quickly. "Thank you. I would appreciate it."
Eloise followed Penelope down to where Marcus was playing. "Do you think it's serious?"
"I am not sure. Remember that Marcus can read lips so best not to mention his mother until we know for certain she will be alright." Penelope was amazed that Eloise hadn't gone elsewhere to avoid suitors, but right now incredibly grateful for her company.