Chapter 3

Penelope was sitting at her desk in her bedroom, quill in hand staring at the blank paper before her. The soft glow of the candle illuminating her face, showing the concentrate and concern on her face.

It had been almost a week since her last conversation with Colin and he had not attended the two social events in that time. Not that she was looking for him, she told herself, she was far too busy.

She had been busy, trying her best to get some content while also trying to be more personable at the balls and garden parties. She was really struggling to get the gossip she needed. She was not sure if it was because she was no longer the wallflower, blending into the background or simply because, without being rude, this season was actually boring.

The lack of interest in the season was probably not helped by the fact that the Queen had not named her diamond out all the new debutantes this season. But then, Penelope herself had not found anyone worthy of the title either so she doubted the Queen would not give the title if no one was worthy.

She looked down at the paper before her. She really had to write something. She had already failed to publish once and it caused quite a furore in the ton. There were worries that Lady Whistledown was sick…or even, God forbid…dead.

Penelope did have a few choice titbits to share but she was hesitant as she was involved in the story and she really did not want to report about herself again. If she constantly wrote about herself, she would surely give up her identity.

She had been invited to visit Lord Debling's home with her mother and Prudence. It was all very peculiar; after all, if a man wanted to court a lady, it was his role to visit the lady in her own home. However, Penelope quickly learned Lord Debling did not follow the social norms.

She did not feel right accepting his invitation to his home and although it did not sit easy with her mother either, his £15,000 a year meant Portia Featherington would break with social norms for him if it meant he would marry one of her daughters.

However, when they arrived at his home, they found they were not the only attendants, there was 4 other ladies and their mothers invited too, including Cressida Cowper. The allure of the title of a Lord and £15,000 a year was too strong not to attend.

Lord Debling's home was very grand…very masculine and missing a lady's touch but it could be a wonderful home. But some of his behaviours were questionable…she had heard rumours that he had some quirks and the visit seemed to confirm this.

He kept a monkey as a pet. Yes, she knew the Queen had a ménage of exotic animals but they were almost an exhibition that you would attend the palace grounds to view. But this monkey…it lived in the home with Lord Debling, just like a cat or a dog.

Penelope did consider that if they were to marry, his home was so large that she could declare areas the monkey could and could not go. But the monkey was the tip of the iceberg.

She was sure a good portion of his £15,000 a year went on replacing his crystal glasses. Every time he finished a drink, he smashed his glass on the ground and shouted, rather than placing the glass back on a table or a tray.

The first few times he did it, the ladies in attendance squeaked with nerves but they soon got used to it. Penelope however, struggled to hid the horror on her face each time he did it and was poked by her mother a few times to close her mouth and smile.

And then there was the display of his archery skills. Nothing unusual for a man of his breeding but Lord Debling did not believe in using stands for his targets; no, his own staff had to hold the targets.

Thankfully, he was a good shot and no servants were harmed. But it was a bit too much for Lady Josephine Jones, who fainted when one of Lord Debling's arrows soared perilously close to one of the servants' manhood.

If these behaviours had happened at a garden party or ball, Lady Whistledown would happily report them. But they did not. There was too small a number in attendance at Lord Debling's that she could not write about it as she would surely expose herself.

She did promenade with Mr Bamford one afternoon. Her mother was delighted and acted as chaperone. However, Penelope felt uneasy as Mr Bamford was barely out of short trousers. Thankfully, when he suggested they go fly a kite, her mother stepped in and made their excuses. Even Portia Featherington had her limits and Mr Bamford was definitely not ready for marriage.

Then there was Marcus Anderson. He had appeared at Lady Whitley's Garden Party. No one seemed to know who he was or how he got invited. He was tall, dark, handsome and his air of mystery only made the ladies swoon more.

To add to his mysterious ways, Marcus Anderson did not interact with many of the ladies in attendance but he did come to Penelope's aid when her heel caught in Lady's Whitley's lawn. He helped free her heel, his fingers grazing her ankle as he did so…and his smile…oh what a smile.

Penelope definitely felt the odd flutter in the stomach at that moment; the same flutter that used to only be reserved for Colin Bridgerton. She sighed as Colin came to her mind. As much as she told herself she was too busy to realise he had not attended the last garden party and ball…she had realised and she had missed him.

She shook her head, determined to shake out all lingering thoughts of Colin Bridgerton…if only it was that easy.

She looked down at the paper and quill before her. She knew she had to write something and deliver it to Madame Delacroix, who would take it to the publisher for her, at least until Madame Delacroix took her own break to Paris in a few weeks. Penelope would then need to come up with another way to get it to the publishers by herself.

"Penelope, think…there must be something." She silently told herself. Then her mind drifted back to Marcus Anderson…the ton's man of mystery. Not for much longer if Lady Whistledown had her way.

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Colin and Eloise walked into a small but very comfortable drawing room, with minimal but practical furnishings. "So what do you think?" He asked.

Eloise wondered around the room, her eyes taking in all the details. "So this is why you have been so distracted and absent from society in the last week?" Eloise asked. "You have been on the hunt for your own lodging?"

"Huh?" Colin muttered. Honestly, finding this home was not so time consuming or distracting. The distraction had come from his previous discussion with Penelope and what he could do to return to her good favour again. He could not avoid her all season but seeing her and not talking to her was too painful so he had kept his distance the last few days. "Yes…I was trying to find a home."

"Colin, you have a home." Eloise retorted, looking him in the eye.

"Our home is actually Anthony and Kate's home now." Colin replied. "We cannot stay there forever…especially once they start a family…"

"Is Kate with child?" Eloise asked, her eyes widening.

"How would I know?" Colin quipped. He was a man; he could not tell these things and if he queried at the wrong time, he may get a slap for questioning a lady's weight gain.

"I suppose mother will accept your plan to move out." Eloise stated. "She was convinced you were planning on leaving to travel due to your behaviour recently so just moving a few streets away will soften the blow. However, she will not like your location."

"What is wrong with my location?" Colin asked. "Bedford Square is a perfectly safe area of town."

"Yes, but not the home of a gentleman…doctors and lawyers yes, but not a Bridgerton." Eloise answered.

"That is why I like it." Colin stated.

"Yes…I do too." Eloise agreed. "Maybe when I am finally considered a spinster, I will be able to move into Bloomsbury as well."

"Eloise, you will not end up a spinster." Colin laughed.

"Do not kill my dream brother." Eloise retorted, flopping her body onto the sofa. "It is bad enough Penelope has abandoned our spinster plan to try and become a wife. Although if you ask me, she is only leaving herself open to hurt. It is not going to plan for her."

Colin's fingers traced over the desk, placed to look out the window. "I am sure Penelope will find a suitable suitor." Colin softly said. He glanced at Eloise with his side eye. "Lady Danbury told me that her nephew was quite complimentary about Penelope while she was in the country."

He was hoping to gauge Eloise's reaction. He was sure Penelope would have told Eloise about Lady Danbury's nephew and he wanted to know the strength of Penelope's feelings for the nephew.

"Matthew?" Eloise scoffed and Colin felt a pang of relief. The nephew must not be a contender for Penelope's affections. "He is but 10 and 5. Of course he was complimentary. He developed quite a crush on Penelope when he taught her how to ride."

"Penelope learnt how to ride a horse?" Colin asked, shocked, looking at Eloise.

"I suppose there was little else for her to do in the country." Eloise replied, her eyes and fingers studying and teasing the lace trim of her dress. "Maybe that will be a skill to help her land her husband because as much as I love Penelope, she needs all the help she can get. I mean…riding a horse worked for Kate…"

Eloise continued talking but Colin was no longer listening; his mind was back on Penelope and how he might help her land a husband and earn her friendship back in the process. After all, it was his fault the men of the ton found her undesirable. He just had to make her desirable to men again…and Colin had an idea how to do it. He just had to get her to agree to his plan.

xoxooxxoxoxoxxoxox

Penelope stood by the refreshment table at Lord and Lady Pitcher's ball, holding a glass of lemonade in her hands, silently cursing herself for wearing her new sage green gown. She might as well worn her lemon gown, it was not like anyone was there to notice her.

As soon as she arrived at the ball, she had seen Cressida Cowper with Lord Debling and she had not left his side since. No other girl was getting a look in.

And Marcus Anderson…he was a no show. Was it possible he was so mysterious that Lord and Lady Pitcher did not know how to invite him? Was he even still in the 'ton? Penelope hoped he was.

She really hoped her column about him in Lady Whistledown did not scare him off. The column had created quite a buzz with her readers wanting to know more about Marcus Anderson…or maybe they were just so relieved there was a new column published.

There was one upside from the evening, as no one was looking at her, she had heard a few titbits of gossip that would definitely keep the Whistledown readers happy. One was that Lord Fife's ungentlemanly ways had caught up with him and now a housemaid was with child. The other was Lady Anne Wilkes was soon to accept a proposal from Mr Downing. Not exactly the stature Anne had aimed for but it was better than ending up with Lord Berbrooke.

Penelope could see Eloise rushing towards her through the crowds, panic-stricken. Penelope wondered what gentleman she was trying to avoid…or maybe she was trying to avoid Lady Bridgerton.

"Pen…Penelope…" She was gasping for breath as she finally stopped before Penelope.

Penelope softly laughed. "Are you okay Eloise? Who did your mother try to press on you now?"

Eloise shook her head and grabbed the lemonade out of Penelope's hand and gulped it down in one go, taking Penelope by surprise…that was definitely unladylike. She took hold of Penelope arm and began to tug her towards the nearest exit. "We…need…to…talk!" Eloise stated, still finding her breath.

"So talk to me." Penelope replied, pulling her arm out of Eloise's grasp.

"I really do not think you would like to have this discussion in such an open venue." Eloise hissed through gritted teeth, her eyes pleading with her.

Then Penelope realised it was something to do with Lady Whistledown…and it must be something big or important if Eloise wanted to discuss it. It was an unspoken rule between the two friends that they did not discuss Lady Whistledown. Eloise had finally reached an agreement that although she did not like what Penelope was doing, she respected her choice, she just did not want to be involved.

Eloise understood that occasionally Penelope would publish something about Eloise or the Bridgertons but it was done to stop others suspecting the Bridgertons of being Lady Whistledown, just like Penelope would often poke fun at herself and the rest of the Featheringtons in the column.

Penelope nodded and followed Eloise into the hall before they both slipped into a vacant room. "So what has you so panicked Eloise?" Penelope asked.

Eloise held up her hand to silence her friend as she checked around the room, behind the curtain drapes and everything, ensuring they were alone before she spoke. "I had a visit today from the Queen." Eloise said, spinning around to face Penelope.

"Oh!" Penelope sighed. She knew this could not be good, the Queen was desperate to uncover Lady Whistledown…it was her fault that Eloise found out the truth and almost destroyed their friendship.

"This season has been quite boring and she has found Lady Whistledown quite lacking this season." Eloise stated.

"Well I have been trying my best." Penelope shot back defensively. "I actually thought my column on Marcus Anderson was some of my best work."

"I know Hyacinth and Francesca enjoyed it…you had them swooning and they had not even saw the man." Eloise said. "But Penelope, these are the words of the Queen, not me."

Penelope nodded, relaxing a little. "So what has you so panicked?" Penelope asked. She was sure Eloise was not in a state about the Queen finding Penelope's writing lacking.

"The Queen wants to create a buzz this season and she has no Diamond to pour her attentions into so..." Eloise paused. "…she is going to issue a decree…£1000 to the person that unmasks Lady Whistledown."

"Oh, is that all?" Penelope retorted, coolly.

"Penelope, she is going to start a crazy manhunt…and they will be coming after you!" Eloise exclaimed.

"Eloise, I will be fine…they have not discovered it was me for the last two and a half seasons." Penelope replied. "I highly doubt a £1000 bounty will change that."

"Penelope please…just think about this." Eloise pleaded. "Maybe it is time to retire Lady Whistledown?"

"Eloise, even though you do not agree with my column, I thought you at least understood." Penelope replied. "Lady Whistledown is me…she is my achievement…my purpose. I cannot give it up."

"Even though no one knows she is your achievement…your purpose." Eloise shot back.

"Exactly! No one knows and it will stay that way, manhunt or no manhunt." Penelope retorted. "I know and that is all I need."

She exited the room to return to the ball.

Eloise shook her head, disappointed by her friend's reaction. Penelope did not understand. The stakes were now raised, and Penelope was in danger of ruin if the truth ever came out.

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Penelope stepped into her home, already beginning to remove her pumps from her feet. Her feet were aching. She forgot the strain that she put on her body, standing still in the corner. Her feet ached when she danced but not like this.

Her mother and Prudence were still at the ball but Penelope had to leave to start work on her Lady Whistledown column and she really wanted to rest her feet. Her mother had let her go home with Eloise and Benedict.

She spotted Mrs Varley crouched behind a pillar, motioning Penelope to come towards her. Penelope did, confused. "Miss Penelope, you have a visitor in the parlour." Mrs Varley. "He refused to go home. Said he really needed to see you."

"Oh!" Penelope gasped, already beginning to put on her dreaded pumps again. A male visitor at this time of night?

"I can chaperone if needed?" Mrs Varley added. "I am doing some mending to one of your mother's dresses next door, but I will stay with you if needed."

Penelope peered into the parlour and sighed when she spotted Colin Bridgerton, standing, looking out the window. For the first time in her life, she was actually disappointed Colin Bridgerton called to speak to her. She had hoped Lord Debling had come to his senses about Cressida Cowper or Marcus Anderson had sought her out.

"Thank you, Mrs Varley." Penelope replied. "It is only Mr Bridgerton. I would hate to interrupt your work. I will leave the door open and will call if I need assistance. "

"If you are sure?" Mrs Varley asked, her eyes questioning Penelope. She was not exactly comfortable leaving a young lady with a charmer like Colin Bridgerton.

"I will be okay." Penelope reassured her, with a gentle nod.

Mrs Varley nodded in return, following her orders and went back to her mending, but not before one last glance to Penelope, making sure she was ok.

Penelope gave an exasperated sigh and walked into the parlour. "Mr Bridgerton, do you really have no concern for my reputation to call to my home at this hour, with no chaperone?" She stated, her voice strong.

Colin jumped a little and spun around to face her, surprised by the fire in her tone. This was definitely not the sweet and innocent Penelope he thought he knew. He stuttered a moment at the sight of her. Had her red locks always glistened like this or was it the sage green colouring of her dress bringing out the shine?

"I suppose you already made me undesirable so what does it matter about my reputation?" She added.

"I um…I would never bring your reputation into question Penelope but I needed to speak to you about a private matter." He replied, fidgeting with his hands as if he did not know what to do with them. Finally, he settled with putting them behind his back.

Penelope's face softened as she was suddenly feeling concerned. A private matter? He seemed nervous. Was Colin sick? Was he in trouble? Eloise had briefly mentioned Colin was planning on moving out of Bridgerton House. Was he going to take on a mistress? Or worse…get married?

"Pen…Penelope I know my idiotic and ungentlemanly actions have caused you a lot of hurt and may have hindered your desire to marry." Colin stated, walking towards Penelope but he stopped as Penelope stepped back, maintaining the distance between them.

"They have definitely hindered my search for a husband!" Penelope interjected.

"Um, well yes…they have." Colin stammered. "But I meant every word I said to you Pen at your family's ball, before I was an idiot with those other men. You are special to me…I will always look out for you and I will do everything I can to earn your good favour…your friendship again."

Penelope gave an exasperated sigh. "We have had this discussion already Colin…I am not sure that is possible." Penelope softly stated.

Colin smiled. She had called him Colin…it was music to his ears. "But I think I can help you Pen…I have a plan to get you a husband…a husband that you want."

Penelope scoffed. "Do you realise how foolish you sound?"

"Penelope, listen to me…" Colin pleaded, stepping forward. This time, Penelope did not step back, her mind was already whirling to even notice. "I want to help you. I mean I am a man…"

Penelope scoffed again. She nearly muttered. "You are Colin", just like he said "You are Pen" when she told him she was a woman. Instead, she said "And it took you almost 20 and 5 years to realise that?"

Colin rolled his eyes at her sarcasm but then regretted it when he saw the fire flare again in her eyes. "What I mean is…who better to help you land a husband than a man who knows exactly what a man wants in a wife?" He retorted.

"What exactly are you suggesting Colin?" Penelope asked, her eyes narrowing.

He smiled again. Two 'Colins' in one conversation. He was making progress. "You think you are undesirable to men but with my help…my teaching…coaching…I will make you what every man wants and you, will have your choice of husband."

He could see her brain was trying to process what he had just offered. He felt brave, so he stepped forward and reached out, taking her hands in his. He looked directly into her blue eyes…they were so wide as she still tried to process his words. He never noticed how blue her eyes were…and suddenly his mind was back on the beaches in Greece…in the sea…just from looking in her eyes.

He gave her hands a little squeeze. "What do you say Pen?" He asked. "Will you let me fix this mess I created? Prove my worth as a friend to you?"

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, Penelope's lips began to move. "Okay." She softly muttered.

"Okay?" Colin queried.

"Okay Mr Bridgerton…be my teacher." She replied, her voice growing a little stronger. "Make me desirable…get me my husband of choice."

"Class begins tomorrow." Colin replied, a smile forming on his lips. Still holding her hands in his. He was going to prove his worth to Penelope. He was going to win back her friendship.

To be continued…if you want me to!

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