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Chapter 7
Penelope sat in the Bridgerton's family parlour, with Violet, Kate, Eloise, Francesca and Hyacinth, enjoying afternoon tea. She used to join them at least once a week but when things became strained with Eloise regarding Lady Whistledown, she had tried to keep her distance.
Now, that she was amongst them again, she was sorry she had attended them more regularly. They had spent most of the hour laughing and gossiping, with Hyacinth and Francesca desperate for more information on Harry Dankworth.
Penelope could feel herself blush when she talked about him. She was not used to being associated with a man that other ladies were quite smitten with too. She was still struggling to understand why a man as handsome as Harry would be interested in someone as plain as her.
After the garden party, he had called to her home the last 2 mornings, each time with a new bouquet of flowers and he was even tolerating her mother and Prudence. If she was honest, he was charming her mother so much that Portia had not given Penelope any 'constructive feedback' on her appearance or her personality. It was making a nice change.
Of course, ever so often to take the attention off herself, she would engage Violet in conversation about some of the other widows in Bridgerton. She had Mr Anderson on her mind and she really did want to help him on his quest to find the Lady that showed such kindness to his mother, despite her husband's infidelities.
She had shortened her list of suspected to four widows – Lady Harrows, Lady Wicks, Lady Andrews and Lady Danbury. Although with Violet's discussion about the ladies, Penelope was pretty sure it was not Lady Andrews as she did not seem to have a caring bone in her body.
The afternoon tea was winding down. Kate had left 10 minutes ago to get ready for a dressing fitting, Then Hyacinth had been called away for a dance lesson with Gregory and Francesca was now going to practice her piano forte.
As Francesca opened the door to exit the room, Colin almost fell in the door as he was just about to enter the room. "You are too late Col, afternoon tea is over and we ate all the sandwiches." Francesca teased before pushing past him.
"Hello to you too sister!" He called after her. "And I was not calling to eat…I actually came to see my loving family, but now I do not see why I bother." Then, he spotted Penelope sitting beside Eloise on the sofa. "Miss Featherington, you have joined the afternoon tea gossiping session again."
Before Penelope could answer, Violet spoke. "Colin, we ladies do not gossip but we are very happy to have Penelope back in our company." Violet shot Eloise a look. "She has been very busy planning for her future…if only all my children could do the same."
Eloise rolled her eyes while Colin bent down to give his mother a kiss on the cheek. "I have a plan for my future mother…it just does not involve a husband." Eloise stated.
Now it was Violet's turn to roll her eyes before turning her attention back to Colin. "Colin, I will get some sandwiches sent up for you."
"Thank you, mother." Colin replied, flopping his body down onto the sofa beside Eloise.
Violet smiled and exited the room while Eloise called after her mother. "But he is not here for the sandwiches, he is here for his fam…ugh!" Eloise groaned as Colin elbowed her in the ribs, to quieten her.
Penelope covered her mouth to disguise a quiet laugh while Eloise glared at Colin, rubbing her ribs.
"So, Mr Bridgerton, how is your new apartment?" Penelope asked. She knew the answer. She had probably been there more than Eloise but it kept the pretence of their meetings a secret.
"How would he know? He is barely there!" Eloise scoffed.
"It is becoming more like home every day Miss Featherington, thank you for asking." Colin replied.
"What is with you two?" Eloise asked as she looked at both Penelope and Colin, sat between them, confused. "What is with the Miss Featherington and Mr Bridgerton? You are Pen and Colin!"
Penelope and Colin both stuttered, not exactly sure how to answer the question. Thankfully, for them, they were interrupted by Gregory calling for Eloise's assistance.
"Ugh! Brothers! You are so lucky to only have sisters Penelope." Eloise muttered, getting off the sofa and forgetting all about her question. She exited the room shouting "What now Gregory?"
There was silence. Penelope looked down at her dress and played with the fabric while Colin's fingers traced along the arm of the sofa. Finally, Colin glanced over at Penelope and cleared his throat before speaking. "So, how are things?" He asked.
"Things?" Penelope asked with a smirk, glancing at Colin. "Do you want to be more specific? Or are we going to be as awkward as this seems?"
Colin smiled, relaxing with her teasing. "I was just enquiring how your foray on the marriage mart is going…I heard you have had a few busy mornings." Colin retorted, raising his eyebrow. "Anything to report?"
"I am pretty sure Mr Anderson is now off the list of suitors." Penelope replied. "He has not come to the 'ton for a wife." She noticed the smirk on Colin's face. She reached out and gave him a playful push. "You do not need to look so happy about it…my heart could be broken!"
"Pen, I know your heart is not broken." Colin shot back. "And I do not think he was meant for you anyway…anyone that mysterious is probably hiding a very boring, mundane life."
"Hardly." Penelope muttered under her breath but then forced a smile as Colin gave her a look. She continued "But I do not think you were really enquiring about my status with Mr Anderson…maybe Mr Dankworth?"
"Well, you did catch his attention at the garden party." Colin replied. "And I did hear a rumour that he visited you twice at your home."
"Did Mr Dankworth tell you that himself?" Penelope asked, glancing at Colin. She held her breath; they were suddenly sitting very close together and she wasn't sure how they had drifted together, through the space Eloise vacated. How did either of them not notice this?
"Why would Mr Dank…" Colin began.
"Eloise let it slip you were friends at Eton." Penelope interrupted him. "You could have told me he was a friend when you saw him in my little black book."
Colin sighed as he leaned forward, clasping both his hands together. As he did this, he brushed against Penelope's arm, causing both of them to catch their breath. He looked at Penelope, his mouth searching for words.
Penelope slightly shifted on the sofa, creating a little space. "Did you set up our meeting at the garden party?" Penelope asked.
He continued looking at her. He had seen how much confidence her interaction with Harry at the garden party had instilled. He did not want to take that away. Yes, he had set up their meeting but Harry had visited her home the last two mornings on his own accord.
"I did not tell you that I was friends with Harry because I did not know he was coming to town for the rest of the season." Colin replied. "As far as I was aware, he was with his uncle in the country, learning the estate he will inherit."
It was a half-truth/half lie but it was worth it to see the relief and flicker of hope in her eyes. He was just hoping he was correct to trust that Harry would not hurt her.
"Oh, good!" She sighed, relaxing. "I am sorry Colin but I had to ask. It just seemed like such a coincidence that Mr Dankworth should suddenly appear in town and actually be interested in me."
Colin knew he should not, but he was struggling with that look in her eyes; that sadness and doubt. He reached over and took her hand in his. He felt Penelope momentarily resist his touch but he held on. His eyes were locked on hers and he could not look away.
"Pen, I really wish you could see yourself the way I…we…the Bridgertons see you." Colin stated. "You are so much more than you know."
Before Penelope could find the words to respond, the clanging of the service tray with Colin's sandwiches in the corridor interrupted, forcing them to separate to each end of the sofa before the servant entered with Colin's sandwiches.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Penelope galloped along the park, giggling at the freedom of being back on a horse. Harry was following her on his horse and then in the distance was her lady's maid, trotting behind and hating every minute.
She slowed her horse to a trot and waited for Harry to catch up. "Miss Featherington, when you suggested horse riding, I had no idea you were so accomplished." Harry stated, when he finally caught up with her. "I thought you were brought up in the city."
"I was." Penelope replied. "I only started learning in the prior off season while in the country so I not so accomplished."
"Well, if that is you as a beginner, you will be leaving me in the dust in no time." Harry retorted. "But for the sake of your lady's maid, maybe we should stick a gentle trot?"
Penelope looked back at her lady's maid; the terror in her eyes as she slowly trotted to catch up behind them. "Fine!" She reluctantly agreed. "I suppose a gentle trot will be just as enjoyable…it will give us time to talk."
"Yes, that is the idea with courting, is it not? A chance to talk and get to know each other." Harry agreed.
Penelope's eyes widened at the word 'courting'. "And um, are we courting Mr Dankworth?" She asked.
"Well um…yes, I would like to think so…but only if you agree of course." Harry replied, stuttering. "I mean, courting involves 2 people…"
"Well 3 really." Penelope interjected. Harry looked at her confused. "You forgot the chaperone." Penelope gave a teasing smiling.
"Yes, of course…but I would like to court you Miss Featherington, if you agree?" Harry asked, his voice a little shaky with nerves.
Penelope's first instinct was to ask why he would want to court someone like her but she fought the urge. Instead, she smiled and tried to accept that he saw something in her that was worth further exploring. "Yes Mr Dankworth, I agree." She replied.
"Good…great." He laughed a little nervously; a slight blush spreading across his cheeks.
"So, Mr Dankworth, what should we discuss?" She asked. "What would you like to know about me?"
"Oh Miss Featherington, I would not know where to begin." Harry replied. "You are so full of surprises, every discussion with you is like unwrapping a present on Christmas morning."
Penelope caught her breath, his words lingering in the air. She felt a slight flutter in the stomach. His words had made her feel like he could actually see her…the only other person that left her with that feeling with their words in the past was Colin.
She gave a small cough and then looked at him. "Maybe I could start by talking to you about my favourite books?" Penelope suggested.
"Yes, that would be lovely Miss Featherington." Harry replied. "However, I must confess, I am not a big reader…I do however watch plays."
"A few of my favourite books have been made into plays!" Penelope exclaimed. "Not that I have ever went to the theatre to see a play…my mother makes us attend the annual Smythe-Smith musicale which is not as fun as it sounds…"
"Well maybe one day, we can attend the theatre?" Harry suggested. "Maybe we can see a play based on one of your books?"
"That sound lovely." Penelope replied, with a warm genuine smile, which Mr Dankworth returned, still blushing.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Penelope and Harry (and her lady's maid) were making their way back to Featherington House after returning the horses to the stable. Harry was trying to explain the rules of cricket to her when suddenly there was a thud on the ground and a squeal of a lady.
Harry began to run towards the squeal, with Penelope and her lady's maid following. When they arrived around the corner, they found Lady Feeney on the ground, clutching her ankle.
"Lady Feeney, are you okay?" Penelope asked as Harry looked at her ankle, which was beginning to swell.
"Do you live far from here?" Harry asked.
"The next street." Lady Feeney replied. "I think I hurt my ankle."
"Yes, I think you did too." Harry agreed. He turned to Penelope's lady's maid. "Go get the Doctor and meet us at Lady Feeney's home."
The lady's maid ran off to get the Doctor. "How did this happen?" Penelope asked.
"I saw one of those paper boys that sells the Whistledown paper." Lady Feeney replied. "I thought if I could catch up to him, I could get him to reveal who Whistledown is but he was so fast and I tripped on a stone."
"Lady Feeney, if it is okay with you, I am going to carry you home." Harry said.
"Surely I can walk, with you and Miss Penelope for support?" Lady Feeney replied, thinking her husband and sons would not appreciate her being carried home in the arms of a man younger than them. She tried to put a little weight on her ankle and took weak with the pain.
Harry did not wait for another protest; he scooped her up in his arms. "That does not look good." Penelope whispered.
"It is probably broken." Harry whispered back. "And all to try and find the identity of a gossip writer."
Penelope followed Harry to Lady Feeney's home, realising that Eloise was right, it was time to retire Lady Whistledown, at least until the decree was removed.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxo
After Lady Feeney's accident the other day, Penelope went home and wrote her Lady Whistledown column, announcing her retirement due to the Queen's decree and the dangers it was creating in the ton.
Although Penelope had a good bit of her Lady Whistledown money saved, she had not planned to end her column and therefore her income so early. She was already using some of her savings to secretly pay the butcher and green grocers, as well as the modiste for her family's clothing.
She had hoped that her wording would make the Queen withdraw the decree so Lady Whistledown could return at some point. After all, a good Queen would not risk the health of her loyal subjects, would she?
The column was delivered this morning and Penelope was actually surprised at how bereft the majority of the 'ton residents were feeling, knowing Lady Whistledown was not going to provide fresh scandal anymore.
She almost felt sorry for Lady Downing, the host of this evening's ball. It felt more like a wake or a funeral than a ball. Barely anyone was dancing; with the men and women congregating at opposite ends of the room and limited numbers on the dance floor separating the two sexes.
Harry however, had barely left her side, except to get her the odd drink of lemonade. It was sweet how attentive he was acting, but it was also quite suffocating. She had been looking for an opportunity to talk to Mr Anderson but Harry's attentions were hindering her.
Was this what courting was? What marriage would be? Was she going to lose all her freedom? If so, maybe Eloise was right to fight to stay a spinster. But then, as a spinster she would miss out on feeling love, on being a mother…and ultimately that is what Penelope wanted.
Finally, Lady Danbury scared him away, towards Colin, Lord Fife and a few other gentlemen, sensing that Penelope needed a reprieve. It was at that moment; she was able to catch Mr Anderson's eye and he came and offered her a dance.
Penelope could tell as they danced that he was worried that the end of Lady Whistledown also meant the end of his search for the Lady who gave him his future. Penelope reassured him, she had a short list of possible ladies and they would find her. Penelope owed him that; he was keeping her secret.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
The next day, Penelope had called to Colin's apartment as planned. His butler was becoming used to Penelope's unorthodox visits and was beginning to provide better refreshments with each visit, without Colin prompting an order of tea and biscuits. Today, there was scones, jams and cream along with the tea but Penelope had barely noticed.
She was curled up in her regular arm chair, her head deep in Colin's journal. The more she visited Colin for 'lessons', the less they discussed her tactics to attract a suitor. Instead, she would read his journal and he would potter about, occasionally watching her and questioning her about where she was in his journal and then brush off any compliments she would share.
Yes, they would discuss how Penelope was feeling or acting and Colin would sometimes share ideas on how to do things differently but it was a very small part of her visit. And today, they would probably have even less to discuss as Colin had not entered the room yet, until that very moment.
"I am sorry Pen, I got distracted at Mondrich's." He stated, not even glancing at Penelope as he walked in, heading straight to pour himself a whiskey.
"Oh, did the ladies visit early today?" Penelope teased. She had no idea what went on in Gentlemen Clubs. She knew a lot of drinking was involved but she was sure women from the brothels would pay visits too.
"What?" He exclaimed, his head spinning to face Penelope. "No, of course I was not there for women…is that what you think of me?" He looked and sounded offended.
"It was just a tease Colin." Penelope replied softly. "And you should not be worried about what I think of you…you are a single gentleman, living on your own…you have the freedom to do what you want without judgement."
"I do not want you thinking I am that type of gentleman…because I am not!" He quickly retorted before draining his whiskey.
"I know…which is why it was a tease." Penelope replied, her voice soft again, trying to ease his anger. "Colin, please take a seat…I was looking forward to you seeing you."
"You were?" Colin asked, already calming down as he sat down opposite her in his usual seat.
"Yes…I have been dying to ask you about some of the foods you are describing…they sound delicious." She replied.
"You want me to talk to you about food?" Colin queried.
"No, but I want you to get out of your mood so I had to distract." Penelope replied. Colin gave a small laugh. "But I do think the food does sound delicious so next time you come back from your travels, bring the chef too."
"I will see what I can do." Colin replied, his fingers tracing the arm of the chair. Penelope smiled and returned to the journal. After a few moments, Colin finally spoke again. "Where you going to mention that you and Harry are now courting?"
She looked over at him, wondering if that is why he was in a mood? And then she silently cursed herself for even thinking it; Colin would be happy that his 'lessons' were working. "Did Mr Dankworth tell you?" Penelope asked.
"It was pretty evident how he was acting at the ball." Colin replied. "He even quoted Shakespeare in a discussion about taking responsibility with Fife and I am sure that was your influence because he had very little time for the bard when in Eton."
Penelope smiled; it was nice to hear she had an influence on him in such a short time. "This is all very new to me Colin." She sighed, putting down the journal and leaning forward in her chair.
"Yes, but it is a process that must be followed if you want a husband." Colin replied, a glint of sadness in his voice that he tried to hide with a smile.
"But I do not know what I am doing." Penelope replied. "I have tried being aloof, cool, calm, collected…and not share too much. I do not know what I should do to make whatever this is with Mr Dankworth progress."
"You should just be you Pen." Colin replied.
Penelope inwardly groaned; if only it was that simple. "And if he does not like the real me?" Penelope asked.
Colin sighed. She looked so vulnerable before him. He leaned towards her and took her hand in his, a spark of electricity almost making him pull back but he did not. He traced his thumb along her hand in a comforting motion. "Then he is a fool Pen…and I know Harry…he is no fool…dim yes, but no fool."
"You think?" Penelope asked, her eyes filled with hope.
"I know." Colin replied. He knew the only fool was sitting opposite her and he was too late to do anything to change her mind.
To be continued…
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