Chapter 5
Mr Dashwood, the 2nd son of Lord Dashwood (the host of this evening's ball), led Penelope back to her chair after they finished their dance. Penelope gave her thanks and sat back in her chair, inwardly groaning at how the night was going.
Tonight, was meant to be the night she built upon her success on her many suitors. She wanted the attendees of Lord Dashwood's ball to have their eyes on her; she practically had a full dance card.
Instead, everyone was talking about the Queen's decree to unmask Lady Whistledown, throwing names all over the place about who they thought it was. Thankfully, not one Featherington was suspected.
She spotted Colin across the room; he was by himself, which was rare for a Bridgerton. Then she realised why, Benedict was dancing with Eloise, probably to save her dancing with someone the Bridgerton brothers thoughts was inappropriate.
Penelope smiled, knowing they had done the same service for her a few times too. Her eyes widened as she saw Cressida Cowper heading straight towards Colin. Lord Debling was keeping his distance from Cressida tonight, possibly to indicate to Penelope that he was interested in courting her. They had already shared 2 dances this evening and he only danced with Cressida once.
She had always hated seeing Colin dance with Cressida; usually because he wanted to do the right thing and it was ungentlemanly to leave a lady without a dance partner. But Cressida had always been her enemy and she was not going to let Cressida get her claws into Colin. He may not want Penelope but Penelope was not going to risk him falling for the fake charms of Cressida Cowper.
She moved towards Colin herself, arriving after Cressida. She could see Cressida dangling her dance card in front of him. Penelope swallowed hard and prepared herself to intervene with confidence.
"Mr Bridgerton, I hope you did not forget that you promised me a dance." She stated loudly as she walked towards them. "And I only have one spot left…this next dance." She fought the urge to smile smugly as she saw the panic and fear of rejection spread across Cressida's beautiful face.
She could see the relief on Colin's face as he realised that Penelope was offering him an escape. He was fighting a losing battle not to smile. "Of course, Miss Featherington and a gentleman must keep his promises." He said before turning back to Cressida. "Apologies Miss Cowper."
He led Penelope onto the dancefloor, awaiting the start on the next song. "So, you kept a space for me on your dance card." He stated, looking a little smug as he glanced sideways at Penelope. "And here I was thinking you did not want to be seen dancing with me anymore."
"Do not act so smug Mr Bridgerton." Penelope replied, taking their positions as the music began to play. Penelope inwardly groaned as she realised it was a waltz and he would be holding her close, feeling nothing for her. "I am just returning the favour…do not expect this to be a regular occurrence."
"So, you thought I needed saving from Cressida Cowper?" Colin retorted, a cheeky glint in his eye.
"Did you not?" Penelope shot back, teasingly.
He did not respond, instead, he asked "Why am I back to being Mr Bridgerton? I was under the impression that I am earning back your good favour…that I could be your Colin again."
She caught her breath at "your Colin" and thought if only that was ever true, especially as he looked into her eyes with that cheeky, flirty glint. She gave a small cough and glance over his shoulder to break the gaze.
"Christian names in public are only acceptable if we are courting." She replied. "And it is pretty clear we are not."
She could feel him inwardly sigh, knowing that he picked up on the upspoken dig she implied; referring to him publicly declaring he had no romantic interest in her. She felt his grip on the small of her back tighten.
"When have we ever followed the rules?" He shot back.
She sighed and knew he had a point; they have called each other their Christian names, they wrote to each other, she had refused to dance with him; they did not follow the rules and they would be breaking even more to continue their current scheme.
"Are you still coming to my apartment tomorrow so we can continue your lessons?" Colin asked, breaking the silence, desperate to get the conversation going again.
"Yes, but I may be a little later than planned." Penelope replied. She could feel his eyes questioning her. "Mr Anderson has invited me on a carriage ride in the park."
"Unchaperoned?" Colin exclaimed.
"Of course not." Penelope quickly retorted. "My lady's maid will chaperone." She could feel the tension in his hold, slightly relax. "I do not know why you are so worried about my reputation anyway? You are asking me to attend your apartment…without much care for my reputation."
"That is different." Colin quickly replied. "I am a gentleman…and your reputation is always on my mind."
"And Mr Anderson is not a gentleman?" Penelope shot back.
"We do not know that yet." Colin retorted. "And if you are uncomfortable with coming to my apartment then I will come to your…"
"No!" Penelope interjected. The last thing she needed was Colin in her home, giving her mother false hope of an engagement. "It is arranged; my lady's maid will wait outside for me…I trust you…I know you are a gentleman."
"Just please be careful with Mr Anderson." Colin pleaded. "I do not need a duel…my shot is shocking."
She knew he was teasing with the offer of a duel but she could not help but ask "You would duel for me…for my honour?"
"Of course, Pen." Colin replied, looking her in the eye. "You are special to me."
The music ended before Penelope could respond, not that she knew how to respond. She knew Colin Bridgerton had no romantic interest in her but then he could go and say something like that? Again? Her mind was so befuddled.
Now he was leading her towards a group of people, including Lady Danbury and she inwardly groaned. It was not that she did not want to talk to Lady Danbury; she was quite fond of Lady Danbury; no, she just did not want to talk about Lady Whistledown's identity.
"I thought my eyes were deceiving me Mr Bridgerton." Lady Danbury said as they approached her. "For a moment I thought we were back at last season when I saw you both on the floor."
"Miss Featherington was being quite the heroine, making space for me on her busy dance card." Colin replied with a smile as Penelope began to blush.
"Yes, she was quite the heroine, saving you from Miss Cowper." Lady Danbury said.
Colin stifled his laugh while Penelope's blush grew stronger. Maybe this was one of the reasons why she liked Lady Danbury…her open distaste for Cressida Cowper.
"Do you know some people actually think Miss Cowper could be Lady Whistledown?" Lady Danbury continued. "How absurd!" She stamped her walking stick on the ground, making her point.
"Quite absurd." Colin agreed, again, stifling his laughter while Penelope shifted awkwardly on her feet; hating the idea that people could actually think someone as vapid as Cressida Cowper could be Lady Whistledown.
"So, who do you think is Lady Whistledown?" Lady Danbury enquired.
"Um…I never really gave it much thought Lady Danbury." Colin replied, honestly. He had not given it much thought; yes, at times, Lady Whistledown had caused hurt to him and his family but her anonymity was quite an achievement in this society. He was actually in awe of what Lady Whistledown had achieved.
Lady Danbury rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Penelope. "Miss Featherington, please tell me you are not going to be as boring as Mr Bridgerton here." She said. "Please tell me you have an opinion on Lady Whistledown to share."
Penelope felt the eyes of not only Colin and Lady Danbury on her as a few others had also joined the conversation and were now awaiting her answer. "I think Lady Whistledown is you, Lady Danbury." She answered.
At first, there was silence, then a little nervous laughter from those that joined the conversation late, then Lady Danbury began laughing and stamping her stick on the ground so the other joined her laughing. "Oh Miss Penelope, I knew there was a reason I like you so." She laughed.
Penelope gave a little laugh herself, silently hoping every social event was not going to be speculation of Lady Whistledown's identity, because if it was, what could she report on?
xoxoxoxoxxoxo
Penelope sat beside Mr Anderson as they rode through the park on his open carriage, with her lady's maid perched on the back. It had been quite a smooth ride, with Mr Anderson displaying his good driving abilities.
And the conversation was flowing. Mr Anderson was definitely charming and did throw in some polite flirty innuendoes to make her blush. However, something did not feel right with Penelope.
Mr Anderson was asking some random questions, about the lifestyles of some of Bridgerton's widows and at one point, Penelope was so confused she asked "Mr Anderson, are planning on dying young and leave your wife a widow?"
He had laughed off her question, and apologised, stating at times his mind went off on tangents, especially when new to town. She accepted his apologies and laughed off his reasoning but the whole carriage ride left her with more questions than answers and she was beginning to wonder if it was time to back off from pursuing him.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Penelope followed Colin's butler into his front parlour, clasping the small black book in her hands tightly in front of her. She could tell the butler was not exactly pleased to be showing an unchaperoned young lady into his master's parlour but he was following his orders.
Her lady's maid had the same look on her own face as she convinced her to wait in the kitchen. It had taken Penelope a lot to convince her lady's maid there was nothing untoward going on between herself and Mr Bridgerton. It was strictly platonic.
Now, Penelope was all alone in his parlour as Colin was running late after a fencing session with his brothers. She looked around parlour; it was definitely decorated for a man; with dark wood and shades of brown and gold.
Her eyes fell on the brown leather journal lying open on the desk in front of the window. Although she knew she should not look, curiosity got the better of her and she edged towards the desk.
She began to scan the pages, her eyes widening. It was a journal of Colin's travels…and although his letters were good, this journal was even better. She felt like she was there beside him.
She heard the parlour door creak open and she jumped back. "Pen, I am so sorry…my fencing session ran a little late." Colin apologised and he walked into the room, buttoning the cuff of his sleeve, his hair still a little wet.
He finally looked up from his cuff and saw Penelope standing at his desk, looking a little sheepish. "I um…I see you found my journal." He mumbled, a little embarrassed.
"I am sorry but it was lying open and you know what I am like with a book…" She replied, apologising as she stepped towards him. Then, she eyes fell on the closed door and she stopped in her tracks, suddenly aware that she was alone in a room with a freshly bathed Colin Bridgerton. She chewed her lower lip and felt a slight blush spread across her cheeks. "…it was really good Colin."
Now it was Colin's turn to blush. "Penelope, there is no reason to be polite." Colin stated. "It is just my thoughts."
"Your amazing thoughts. Reading it, I felt like I was there on your travels with you." Penelope continued. "I mean, I thought you were a great writer in your letters but this journal…you could publish it." He scoffed. "I mean it Colin…you have a talent."
He could see it in her eyes…she was being genuine…and it was strange to hear someone tell him he had a talent…he was just used to being told he was a Bridgerton. "Thank you." He replied.
There was an awkward silence; here they were; without a chaperone, in Colin's home. Colin cleared his throat and sat down, gesturing for Penelope to do the same on the seat opposite his, separated by a coffee table. Penelope sat down.
"So, um…how was the carriage ride with Mr Anderson?" Colin asked, ending the silence. "Is he the chosen one?" Colin gave a nervous laugh, hoping he did not hear a "yes".
Penelope gave a small smile, taking comfort in Colin's nerves, reassured that she was not alone in feeling nervous about this meeting. "I am thinking not." She replied, noting the relief in his eyes. "At least not right now…there are still too many questions left unanswered."
"Pen…so far, our lessons have been working…you have some options" Colin said. "Even Lord Debling has come crawling back…although he would not be top of my list of suitors for you…but then, neither is Mr Anderson."
"So, who else would you suggest Colin? Because so far, you have created options for me but you have not liked them." Penelope teased.
"It is not that I have not liked them…I just think you deserve better." Colin retorted.
"You do realise I am Penelope Featherington." Penelope stated.
"Which is why I know you can do better…you deserve better." Colin shot back.
Again, Penelope caught her breath. Did he have no idea how confusing he was? He did not want her but he was constantly making her feel like she was more than she was; that he could see a woman that no one else could.
"There has to be some eligible bachelor we are missing." Colin continued.
"I do have this." Penelope said, waving her small black book in the air before placing it on the coffee table for Colin to pick up. "I have been compiling information on the eligible gentlemen of the 'ton…Bridgertons excluded of course."
"And there I was getting excited thinking I was going to read your thoughts on me." Colin teased, picking up the book.
Penelope blushed. "You would only be disappointed." Penelope teased back. "I was trying to wait for Gregory to come of age but time is not on my side."
"Gregory always gets the girls." Colin shot back, playing hurt. He stood up and walked over to his desk. He lifted his journal and handed it to Penelope. She looked at him questioning him. "If I am reading your thoughts, it is only fair that I share mine."
Penelope softly smiled. "Thank you, Colin." The gesture meant a lot.
He shrugged his shoulders, feeling a little embarrassed and exposed as he sat back down. His fingers quickly flicked through the book, his eyes widening at the detail included. "Never…ever show this book to my mother." He stated. "It may give her ideas."
Penelope smiled, pleased at his appreciation. "You will probably notice there is a few men in there that have not been here this season." Penelope began to explain. "I thought they may have come for the season but so far, they have not…"
Colin nodded, showing he was listening to her and he continued to scan the book…the name Harry Dankworth drawing his attention. He was at Eton with Colin…and although he was not exactly smart, he was what his sisters would deem 'handsome' and he was going to inherit a title from his uncle. If Colin could convince him to join the season, he could just be the distraction Penelope needed from Marcus Anderson as Colin did not trust him.
To be continued…if you want me to!
As always, please feel free to comment, speculate and review.