Author's Note: With all the changes to the show regarding Colin and Penelope, their story will be MUCH different than the book but I really love the casting and the moments/glances/looks between the two so far and want to watch it develop. Here is my idea for how their season will go:

The Girl Next Door

The musical cadence grew louder as Penelope Featherington approached the home. Her mother and sisters had stepped out of the carriage ahead of her and rushed into the ball. She held back. She loved the opulence of the dances and events but she was rarely asked to dance. Occasionally Colin Bridgerton asked for a dance. And then she would spend the whole time with him trying not to reveal her secret school girl crush on him and be a proper lady. Pen knew she had been born for the third born son but he only saw her as a friend. She took a breath as a memory from years ago rang in her mind as he sworn off women, "I am a woman." She felt so hopeful that he would see who she was. "You are Pen." He shrugged, "You don't count. You are my friend." He meant it as a compliment but the words felt like a dagger to the heart.

Time moved on and she tried to push the emotions aside but they still showed up at inconvenient times. Penelope slid her wrap off her shoulders and handed it to a footman as she entered the Bridgerton Ball. Viscountess Bridgerton—just two years ago she was simply Kate Sharma—did an excellent job rising to the challenge of being Viscountess for a popular family and everyone admired her for it. The scandal that had started around her now husband's canceled wedding to her sister had faded from the Ton's memory and the Bridgerton family was back on top. It did not hurt that Kate's sister, Edwina, had recently accepted a proposal from Prince Fredrick, Queen Charlotte's nephew. They were not to be in attendance as far as Penelope knew but the ton would be looking for the pair to attend events together. Stepping into the busy room, Penelope noticed the Viscount watching his bride from a side door as she moved through the guests speaking with everyone. The love and passion in his gaze caused a lump to grow in her throat.

I want that! Why can't I have that? She swallowed hard. It would do no good to imagine romance ever happening to her. Her family while respectable, had no clout though her mother worked hard to pair her daughters off but Penelope hadn't even been close to an engagement. There were many theories as to why: was she too plump, too plain of face or perhaps her pushy mother discouraged suitors or was it the damaged done to the family from the various scandals through the years but she pushed the thoughts aside. Penelope now focused on descending the stairs. She had been in this home often as it had been the home of her friend, Eloise. Unfortunately, they had a fight at her families ball two years ago and Eloise stormed out. She had acknowledged that she hurt her friend and Eloise had been bitter when she discovered the truth of her secret life as popular gossip columnist Lady Whistledown. Penelope had been shocked that Eloise kept her secret but she lived in fear of the day Eloise exploded the news and the Ton discovered the truth and turned on the Featherington's. Penelope's grip on the banister tightened as she focused on the steps. She was not typically clumsy but she also did not want to trip at such a public event.

She reached the bottom of the stairs and glanced at the people swirling around her. She was distracted and nearly stepped onto the dance floor and had to move back to avoid a dancing couple. It was the most recently married Bridgerton member, Benedict, and his bride, Sophie. Their marriage had surprised the town and even Pen and her contacts as the gossip columnist had only unconfirmed rumors about a secret romance. There were whispers that his bride was the mystery woman in silver that had captured his attention at a similar ball almost a year before their engagement. From the servant's gossip it was also believed that she had been arrested shortly before the announcement, although for what, only Lady Penwood and the Bridgerton's knew and none of them were talking.

Penelope looked wistfully at the dancers moving over the floor. Her mother had made sure all three daughters had all the lessons needed of a lady but Penelope was rarely asked to dance in public. In her home and room, she danced just fine. But here she needed a partner and it wasn't her choice, she had to wait on the man to ask. "A sadistic idea developed by men." Eloise had one time grumbled to her as they discussed etiquette and the fallacies behind certain traditions.

Penelope smiled wistfully. Their relationship was not what it had been growing up, but a few weeks back Eloise exchanged pleasantries with her about the weather when they ended up on the same walking path. Eloise even had volunteered the news that the Bridgerton clan was growing. Which member she was referring to, Penelope hadn't clarified in her shock that Eloise was speaking with her. They had visited the next day and while they mostly avoided the topic of Lady Whistledown's vitriol, they were making progress in their friendship.

"Miss Featherington, what a pleasant surprise."

The gravelly man's voice shook her out of her reverie. Penelope turned to look at the speaker, was he looking for her sister? Why was he talking to her?

"Lord Fife." She recognized him and dipped into a curtsey. He bowed, his gaze focusing on her.

"May I have a dance?" The man asked.

"With me?" The woman was thrown.

"Yes." His eyes were kind but Penelope was used to the derision from the ton—especially Cressida Cowper—and was suspicious at his offer so she hesitated.

He offered his hand, "I have noticed you do not take to the dance floor often but I had hoped that was not your choice."

"I do love to dance." She politely smiled as she reached for his hand

"Then dance you shall." He led her into position as the quartet started up a new song.

Colin Bridgerton's gaze traveled along the walls looking for his friend. And then he looked again. How could this be? There were no yellow dresses on any of the women there and Lady Featherington absolutely refused to let Penelope wear anything else. That philosophy to finding a match had been wrong for several seasons but Lady Featherington hadn't relented. He had only once seen Penelope in a dress other than yellow at a ball—and that was only because Lady Featherington had to stay home from the event. He focused on the faces around him trying to find the woman.

He was confused. Kate had told him she just arrived and she was usually at the edge of the dance floor.

Then he heard her laugh. He turned toward the sound. Penelope Featherington was dancing. With Lord Dominic Fife. The man's hands rested on her back as they moved across the floor.

His stomach turned. Was there something wrong with the biscuit he had just finished off? Or something more sinister? Perhaps he was becoming ill.

Colin didn't want to watch but also could not turn away from the sight. Penelope, or Pen, as he had nicknamed her years ago, was beaming her partner, the two apparently in conversation every time they were close. At the end of the song, they laughed together as Fife intimately took her arm and escorted her away from the dance floor.

Colin approached the couple, "Lord Fife, Miss Featherington, how good to see you tonight."

"Mr. Bridgerton…" Penelope greeted him, her face radiating happiness, but he wondered if it was seeing him or her dance with Fife?

"Good to see you." Even Fife looked happy but that just pissed Colin off. He bit his lip to keep from snapping.

Penelope took a deep breath. Fife noticed, "Let me get you a lemonade."

"Thank you." Pen liked the idea but Colin felt protective of his friend and was glad as the other gentleman stepped away to get the drinks.

"I thought you just got here. How did you have time to dance already?" Colin wondered.

"Lord Fife found me just as I had walked in and the band was starting a new song."

"It sounds like he was waiting for you." Colin wondered.

Penelope looked at him with wide eyes, "You make it sound almost sinister!"

"I did not mean that." He tried to back track, "You seemed to be enjoying yourself on the dance floor."

"I was. Lord Fife is an excellent dancer and he has a good sense of humor."

"I don't have any experience with the dancing part, but he has been a fine gentleman for me to get to know." Colin admitted with a smile.

Fife returned with the glasses offering it to his dancing partner, "Here you are."

"Thank you, my Lord."

"Dominic, please."

That really stressed Colin. Penelope did call him by his name—but only in private or around family. Fife already offering that privilege in public was…grating.

Even Penelope looked concerned at the impoliteness of the offer but she didn't address it. Colin hung around for a moment but felt out of place with the couple. Fife asked about her day, the weather and even asked Colin about his visit to the Mondrich social club. Colin eventually made his excuses and stepped away from the pair. But his eyes kept seeking out his friend. After several more dances with Miss. Featherington, Colin noticed Fife guided Pen away from the crowds and onto the terrace as they conversed. Colin tried to stay nearby, for protection he told himself, but couldn't hear any of their conversation. He sighed, this was not how he thought the dance would go and he certainly did not like the change in his friend—either of them.

Colin was happily surprised when he found his sister and Penelope in the drawing room the next day.

"How did you enjoy the dance last night?" Colin asked.

"Why men think dancing with them is such an honor I shall never know." Eloise, lounged on the chair, answered before Penelope.

"It was very exciting to be able to participate in so many dances at one ball." Penelope smiled.

"How could you spend the evening dancing with a man like that?" Eloise raised her eyebrows.

"He was very kind." Pen was diplomatic, "And a good dancer. I enjoyed it."

"How can you enjoy something when one has to spend all their time counting the steps?" Eloise obviously was not a fan of the social events.

"Some dances are harder than others." She reminded, "And I do like to dance but no one generally asks me."

"You should consider that a blessing." Eloise winced, "I had to dance 3 times last night or I'd be facing Mama's wrath."

Penelope looked away.

"How many dances did you have with Lord Fife?" Eloise wondered.

"I did not keep track."

"Six." Colin advised, "I rather think it would be scandalous note in the next Lady Whistledown so you must be careful."

"I certainly hope she won't be bothered by who I was dancing with." Penelope shrugged.

Eloise rolled her eyes and Pen looked uncomfortable but Colin didn't understand. He did not know the girls secret that had nearly severed their relationship.

"Be careful Pen." Colin advised. Her eyes turned to his and he hesitated, "Lord Fife has a meddling mother who has to approve his match and I believe she is very demanding."

"It was just a night of dancing." Penelope looked away.

Eloise reached for her friend's hand, "I thought we would grow old as spinsters together."

"That is still a possibility." Pen looked up as the Bridgerton butler came in with a tray of food.

The man sat it down on the nearby table and Colin snatched up a plate. Pen had to hold back a smile. Colin was always hungry. Which she loved because she also enjoyed the full tables at social events. Most other girls had their mother's guide them away from the treats but Penelope's mother never paid her any mind. She had often found Colin near the table with his own snack and they had discussed his family or his travels.

"I am just glad that I don't have to dance if I do not want to." Eloise reached for some of the fruit.

"You are actually looking forward to being a spinster aren't you?" Colin realized.

"If an intelligent man is so rare as to not exist, I shall be happy and grateful to be alone and will be sure my life has found meaning in things other than a man."

"Do not let mother hear you talk like that." Colin chuckled.

Eloise sat up and glanced toward the door. Penelope looked at Colin and they had to hide a chuckle.