Chapter 8

Several days after the promenade with Penelope, Colin came downstairs to find his mother with an issue of the gossip columnist Lady Whistledown in her hands.

"Good morning." He greeted her before he turned to the breakfast food along the table. His family teased him about his appetite, but he had long stopped worrying about what they thought. The truth was that Colin was always hungry and ready to sneak a treat. This breakfast spread looked delicious.

Violet looked at him without a smile, "You should read this."

He moved toward her and took the paper while she pointed to the intended section.

"Good mothers are always on the lookout for excellent matches for both sons and daughters. These can be hard to find. But Mistress Fife has been clearly duped in her efforts as it is now known that her son, Lord Dominic Fife, is away from town on a flimsy pretext of business in order to avoid the ton's certain disapproval of his relationship with Lydia Warren, a musician with the National Orchestra. I have it on good authority they eloped in Nottingham no more than a week ago. This obviously leaves his recent escort, Miss Penelope Featherington, alone and back to her overripe fruit-colored yellow dresses trying to find a suitor that may never come."

Colin wanted to swear. Remembering that his mother was still in the room, he held back, "When did this get published?"

"This morning." She told him.

"I need to see her." Colin tossed the paper onto the table. He headed for the door already forgetting about the meal set out for him.

"Colin!" Alarm rang out in Violet's voice.

He turned to look at his mother, frustrated, "What?"

"Your coat." She gestured to her son.

He looked down and realized he was only in his shirtsleeves. He called for a servant.

Violet's eyes studied him, "Fife is a friend of yours is he not?"

"If he has done this…if he has broken her heart..." His body tensed, but words failing, "How could he?"

A moment later a servant appeared with his coat and hat that Colin angerly yanked on and spun around for his mother, "Do I meet with your approval?"

Mother nodded, her mouth in a tense line. She looked like she wanted to say more but Colin didn't stay to listen, instead heading for the Featherington household. He hurried along the cobblestone street toward their former neighbor, wondering what Penelope was thinking at this news.

"Miss Penelope is not accepting guests at this time." Briarly told him when the guest stepped into the foyer.

Colin stared at the butler. He had known this man for years and knew he was loyal to the family.

"Forgive me, Briarly." Colin stepped past the man and bounded up the stairs two at a time.

"Mister Bridgerton!" Surprise and shock echoed in the elderly voice behind him.

Colin realized this was a bad idea as he glanced down the halls toward the private rooms. I do not know what room is hers! Which way?

"Penelope!" He shouted.

It felt like a long moment of silence but a door opened and a shocked Penelope stared dumbfounded at the intruder, "What are you doing here?"

"I just saw Whistledown." He moved toward her and rested a hand on the doorframe.

"Please do not ask me about it." Penelope tried to shut the door but he was stronger, holding it open.

"Talk to me Pen, I am your friend." Colin's eyes searching her face.

"I cannot." She whispered.

"Is it true?" Colin pushed, "Have you heard from Fife?"

She swallowed, perhaps holding her emotions at bay. She pursed her lips, a sure sign that she wanted to say something. But the butler made it to their side, "Mr. Bridgerton! This is entirely improper!"

Penelope stared at her friend and Colin was not sure what to do now.

"He does not deserve you." He told her.

"Then who does?" Her harsh voice struck a nerve in Colin. He blinked. He was speechless because he instinctively wanted to say, "Me."

Me?

He stepped back as he stared at her face.

This is folly! This is Penelope Featherington! His friend, the person he loved to talk with, who always encouraged him to be the best version of himself.

The woman he had declared that he would never court.

Colin blinked at the memory: It was the night he had revealed her cousin Jack's fraud to Penelope. He had taken Pen to the dance floor to distract her. "You are special to me." His words burned in his memory. At the end of the event, in the garden, Colin was being teased by a group of friends. "Are you courting the girl Bridgerton?" It was Fife who questioned him and Colin had snapped back, "Are you mad? I would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington."

Did Fife decide to pursue Penelope after that conversation? Is her heartbreak my fault? Colin's head was reeling at the thought.

"You need to leave." The butler stood in front of the woman protecting her, pushing Colin back. His eyes sought out hers.

"The right man…" Colin started but he choaked up. Her eyes were wary but hopeful and there was another emotion swimming around in the background that he could not place as he tried to gather his thoughts.

"You deserve to be treasured." Colin told her.

She blinked; her mouth opening in surprise. The butler pointed him toward the stairs, "Out."

Colin stepped back and looked at Penelope but she did not speak.

"When you are ready to talk, I will be there." He promised. Then he moved back down the stairs and out the door.