Thank you for the few that have taken the time to read and review your thoughts. It is much appreciated. Hope you enjoy chapter 2 and please feel free to comment/review you thoughts.

Chapter 2

Colin lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. It had been quite a restless sleep as every time he closed his eyes, Penelope appeared. Why? Why after all this time was she suddenly invading his thoughts and dreams?

Was it because after two years of being his go to girl for a dance, she finally rejected his offer? Her words replaying over and over in his mind. "I would hate to mislead anyone into thinking we were courting. Do you not agree?"

She never had this thought during the two previous seasons when she happily accepted every dance he offered, except for that time she felt ill and had to leave Daphne's ball. Why did she suddenly care if anyone thought they were courting? Unless of course, Penelope was already courting someone? Possibly Lady Danbury's nephew?

That burning sensation returned to the pit of his stomach again. He had convinced himself last night that it was too much whiskey and yes, he was sure that is why the feeling had returned. After all, he nearly finished a bottle after he returned last night.

No, Penelope could not possibly be courting Lady Danbury's nephew in the country. She had danced with 5 other men while Colin had been in attendance at the ball. She would not have done that if she had committed herself to another…she was far too loyal.

So why did she reject his offer of a dance and accept 5 others? It was far too puzzling to figure out on such little sleep.

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As Colin entered the dining room for his breakfast he found his family, including Benedict were already there, eating. He wondered if Benedict even kept food in his bachelor lodgings. He never slept here but was always here for meals.

Colin could not help but wonder that maybe it was time for him to get his own home. He had put it off due to his travels but he knew that even though Kate was happy to share her home with Anthony's siblings and mother, it surely could not be forever…especially once they started their own family.

He grabbed a plate and walked over to the buffet and began scooping some eggs onto his plate.

"I am sure Lady Featherington is delighted with Whistledown's column this morning." Francesca said, in between her nibbles of breakfast.

"I would not be so sure." Kate retorted, lifting her cup of tea. "I mean, Lady Whistledown more or less said that she no style, that Penelope was right to dress herself." She took a sip of her tea.

Colin heard Penelope's name and his interest was piqued. He listened as he finished serving his breakfast.

"Lady Whistledown berates Lady's Featherington's dress sense every year." Benedict stated. "It is practically tradition." He popped a berry into his mouth.

"I was actually talking about Lady Whistledown highlighting the positive attention Penelope seemed to gain from Lord Debling." Francesca stated. She looked over at Eloise. "Is he handsome?"

Eloise shrugged her shoulders as Colin sat down beside her. "I do not know." She answered. "Who is to say who is handsome?"

Anthony scoffed as he folded his paper. Eloise glared at him. "I am sorry Francesca but do you really expect an answer of any validity from Eloise?"

"One may say that he is handsome Francesca." Kate stated, while giving her husband a gentle tap on his arm and glare of the eyes. "He would be a good match for Penelope."

Colin began to choke on his eggs while Benedict scoffed. Eloise slapped Colin on the back and looked at him, her eyes questioning him. Colin, however, decided to ignore her.

"Kate, I can say with some certainty that Lord Debling is not for Penelope Featherington." Benedict stated. "He was the year below me at Eton and his um…interests and quirks were quite peculiar."

Gregory's, Hyacinth's and Francesca's eyes widened, surely preparing follow up questions but Lady Bridgerton coughed loudly and glared at Benedict, ensuring he said no more on the topic.

"I sure he has grown out of his quirks now Benedict. He was just a child." Violet Bridgerton said. "And I am sure his £15,000 a year would be quite beneficial to the Featheringtons, considering their current situation."

"Mother, Penelope is not some prize to be sold for £15,000 a year." Eloise retorted.

"Of course not dear but it would be quite a good match for the family if Penelope was to find love with Lord Debling." Violet retorted.

Colin choked again but this time Eloise did not offer a slap, instead she narrowed her eyes at him. "I am actually surprised that Lady Whistledown did not report on Penelope refusing Colin's offer of a dance." She said with smirk. "I mean, if I saw it, I am sure Whistledown did too."

Colin glared at Eloise while he heard both Benedict and Anthony stifled a laugh. Colin could tell the eyes of his whole family were on him and did not want to look up but he knew he had to.

"Penelope refused to dance with Colin!" Gregory exclaimed while Hyacinth asked:

"What did you do to hurt Penelope, Colin?" Her eyes filled with worry that her brother did something to fall out of favour with Penelope.

"I did nothing. Penelope is my friend." He assured Hyacinth. "And Gregory, it is a lady's prerogative to refuse a dance…a gentleman should always respect a lady's choice."

Both Kate and Violet beamed at Colin, proud that he used an embarrassing moment as a lesson for his younger brother.

"Yes, Gregory a lady's choices must be respected." Benedict concurred with a smirk forming on his lips. "Your brother Colin however, has never had his charms fail him before and it is quite enlightening."

Colin glared at Benedict as he continued to smirk.

"I for one, am sorry I missed it." Anthony stated, stifling another laugh.

Kate swung her arm and tapped her arm against her husband's stomach, rendering him momentarily breathless. "I am sure someone as kind as Lady Penelope had her reasons." Kate softly stated, her eyes filled with kindness as she looked at Colin.

Colin tried to return to his breakfast but he could still feel the eyes of his family on him, awaiting an answer so he knew he would have it give in and supply one. He sat down his cutlery and looked up. "Apparently Pen is worried that if she dances with me, everyone will think we are courting." He answered. "Which is completely ridiculous, I mean…"

"Well no, I do understand it." Violet interjected, interrupting Colin.

Colin looked at his mother in confusion and then the rest of family, waiting for them to agree with him but they did not. They stayed silent.

"Colin dear, I know Penelope has always been there and you have always been her knight in shining armour to save her from the cruel idiots of society. But she is growing into a woman now…a woman by all accounts that wants a husband sooner rather than later." Violet began to explain.

"Which is complete madness if you ask me." Eloise interjected before silencing herself with one look from her mother.

"If she seriously wants to attract a suitor, she must cut her ties from the men that will not offer her any serious consideration." Violet stated. "I mean, you have told me time and time again you would not court Penelope and I have also heard you making that pretty clear to your friends."

Colin opened his mouth to contest his mother's views but then closed it again. How could he argue with her reasoning? He had stated time and time again that he was not courting Penelope Featherington. It just seemed different, difficult even to hear those words from Penelope herself. He had not expected to hear it from her and he had not expected to lose a friend that he was only beginning to realise, he needed more than he knew.

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Penelope sat in the Featherington's front parlour, book in hand, dressed in her new lilac day dress. Her fingers were nervously tapping the spine of the book as she tried to focus on her novel.

She glanced over at her mother, who was nibbling on the sandwiches that were prepared for the suitors her mother (and Penelope) were convinced would be calling after the success of last night's ball.

Penelope's elder sister Prudence was lying on the chez lounge, fanning herself. "This is so boring mama!" Prudence grumbled, pulling herself into a sitting position. "Can I not go upstairs? We are obviously not going to receive any suitors."

"Prudence, it is too early to declare defeat." Portia Featherington stated. "You danced with 3 gentlemen last night and Penelope…" Portia waved her arm in the direction of Penelope. "…she danced with 5 gentlemen…in one night! That is more gentlemen than her last two seasons combined!"

Penelope inwardly groaned. She knew her mother thought she was praising her, but, for Penelope, her mother was again chipping away at her self-confidence…and there was very little to begin with when it came to romance.

Suddenly, the parlour door began to open. All 3 Featherington ladies jumped to their feet in attendance. Mrs Varley peeked her head through to find 3 set of eyes on her, waiting on baited breath for her to speak.

"Sorry to interrupt milady but you asked me to inform you if the butcher's delivery arrived. It has come." Mrs Varley stated.

"And is that all Mrs Varley?" Portia pressed. "Has there been any flower deliveries? Any other calls?"

"Um…" Mrs Varley stuttered. She really did not want to answer this request as she was well aware of the anticipation and hope in the sets of eyes before. Miss Penelope's eyes were particularly hopeful. "…no milady, not yet."

Portia groaned and tossed the half-eaten sandwich in her hand back onto the platter. "Thank you, Mrs Varley." She retorted. The housekeeper nodded and left the parlour. Portia waved her arm towards Prudence. "You are free to go."

Prudence did not need to be told twice, she quickly escaped the room while Penelope stared at the door, her eyes full of confusion. What had she done wrong? She had talked to others, danced with others, had her feet trampled on and laughed at a lot of unfunny jokes.

She could feel her mother's eyes on her so she looked up at her mother, hoping her mother would answer the questions milling around her mind. Instead, her mother waved her arms and simply stated. "You should have worn yellow."

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Penelope walked along the promenade with her lady's maid beside her. After their disappointing morning, her mother and Prudence did not want to promenade this afternoon. Penelope, however, felt the need.

She had been disappointed earlier this morning when she received no suitors but on reflection, she decided that a ball may not be the correct environment for her to project her best self. She was never really comfortable in formal settings. A walk in the promenade was much more comfortable.

Plus, she had spent so much time trying to engage in conversations and dances with other attendees at the ball that she struggled to find content for her Lady Whistledown.

Being a Wallflower had its benefits; people were so willing to spill their secrets when they did not see you in the wings. While trying to gain the attention of a possible suitor meant she was definitely seen, and not privy to others' secrets. She would definitely have to work harder for her content now.

She looked down towards the water and saw the majority of the Bridgertons (minus Eloise who Penelope knew was attending the modiste with her mother). Kate was obviously left in charge of the younger Bridgerton sibling, entertaining them with hand games while Anthony, Benedict and Colin seemed to be having some sort of discussion.

Penelope smiled sadly as she continued walking, missing the days she could just run down and join them. She knew she could go down and join them…they would openly welcome her. But ladies who wanted a husband did not spend their time playing hand games.

Her thoughts started to drift back to Lady Whistledown, wondering if the heated discussion between Lady Anne Wilkes and her brother Lord Wilkes was sufficient content for the column. It seemed Lord Wilkes was considering Lord Berbrooke as a possible suitor. Anne was definitely not a diamond but she could do much better than the dreaded Lord Berbrooke.

Penelope shuddered at the thought. He was one suitor she definitely did not want. She was so lost in her thoughts; she did not notice someone falling into step with her until they spoke.

"By yourself Pen?" He asked.

Penelope stopped in her tracks. There was only one man that called her 'Pen' with such ease. She looked up to find Colin Bridgerton beside her.

"Mr Bridgerton!" She exclaimed, desperately trying to regain her composure that she did not notice his grimace at the use of 'Mr Bridgerton.' She began walking. "I am not on my own…I have my lady's maid as chaperone." She looked to her side but the lady's maid had already fallen into step behind them.

"Of course, you have a chaperone I just thought…" Colin started. "…you were in demand last night, I thought you may be with a suitor."

"Not this afternoon Mr Bridgerton." She replied, her manners making her force a smile even though she hated that he pointed out the obvious…she did not have a suitor.

She heard Colin sigh. "Penelope, are we okay?" He asked.

"Excuse me?" She retorted, her eyes confused and questioning him. "Whatever do you mean Mr Bridgerton? I feel perfectly well…are you not okay?"

She watched him swallow hard and take a deep breath. "Why are you suddenly referring to me as Mr Bridgerton?" He asked, trying his best to not sound as frustrated as he felt. "I have always been Colin to you…and you have been Pen…my friend."

"Friend." Penelope muttered under her breath before looking Colin in the eye. He stepped back momentarily, surprised at the fire in her eyes. "Friendship between a boy and a girl is perfectly acceptable but we are no longer those children."

"We have not been those children for a while Penelope." Colin said. "It was still acceptable for you to be my friend the last two seasons."

"Yes, it was I guess." Penelope agreed. "But this season, I would like to find a husband and frankly your friendship is a hinderance rather than a help."

Colin stopped in his tracks. Although his mother had said as much, it seemed to sting more coming directly from Penelope's lips.

"Colin…" She continued and he briefly smiled, relieved to hear his name on her lips again. "It has been made perfectly clear that although you think I am special, and you will always look out for me…you will never court me."

Colin stuttered. He desperately wanted to say something in his defence but his words were failing him. He felt a pang in his chest. Her words were wounding him.

"And frankly, declaring that you would never dream of courting me to half the eligible males of the ton at my family's own ball…it has made me undesirable." Penelope continued, her voice slightly shaking but she was refusing to spill any tears.

He shook his head in shame. She had overheard him in the garden. His words had wounded her first. "Pen…Penelope…you are not undesirable." He stated, looking her in the eyes.

"Really? Because if I am not desired by Colin Bridgerton, a 3rd son, then what man of any stature would want me?" Penelope shot back, struggling to contain her anger.

"Pen, I have been a fool." Colin stated, his tone apologetic. He reached out to take her hand but she pulled it back, out of his reach. He sighed. "How can I fix this? How can I show my worth as your dear friend Penelope?"

"Unfortunately, Mr Bridgerton, I do not think you can." Penelope softly replied, before walking off at pace, followed by her lady's maid, leaving a dejected Colin Bridgerton far behind.

To be continued…if you want me to?

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