Chapter 16

Penelope stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom; still not believing the image in front of her as Madame Delacroix finished fastening her dress. Her red, copper hair hung down, in light, bouncy curls with a pearl comb clip pinning the hair back off her face.

Her dress was an ivory silk with a tuille overlay, embroidered with a wildflower pattern and a few pearl beadings for decoration. The cut emphasised her figure and also flattered. Her ears were adorned with pearl earrings will her neck was dressed with a single row pearl necklace.

Madame Delacroix stood back, admiring her work. "Perfection if I do say so myself." She simply stated. "It may be my best work."

"Genevieve, I cannot believe this is me." Penelope sighed, looking back over of her shoulder at her friend.

Madame Delacroix gave Penelope's shoulder a little squeeze. "Believe it." She simply replied. "Now the fastenings of the dress will be easy for you to open without your lady's maid…please do not let Mr Bridgerton tear it in his eagerness."

Penelope began to blush. "Miss Featherington…Penelope, are you feeling nervous about your wedding night?" Madame Delacroix asked. "I am sure your mother has given you the talk…"

"Yes, to just lie back and think of England." Penelope interjected, with a frustrated sigh. "So, I guess I am lucky that you gave me that book."

"Penelope, if you have questions…I will try to answer the best I can." Madame Delacroix offered.

Penelope turned around to face her friend. "The book has definitely helped." She assured her friend.

"But?" Genevieve queried.

"I am still confused about how it will go in there; you know?" Penelope said, her blush increasing. Genevieve smiled. "Colin and I have not…but I have seen and touched him and it seems quite big."

Genevieve gave a little laugh. "Just like his brother." She stated. Penelope's eyes widened. "It was Benedict…not Anthony, although I have also heard stories of Anthony from my friends."

"So, I will be okay?" Penelope asked.

"I am not going to lie to you." Genevieve said. "The first time…it may be uncomfortable and hurt, there may be bleeding but if your Colin does his job right, you should be lubricated enough for it to slip in."

Penelope smiled. "My Colin…I still cannot believe that after all these years, he will be my Colin."

"You deserve the happy ending, Penelope." Madame Delacroix stated. "Now, is there anything else or can I head to the church?"

"No, thank you…I really appreciate you dropping by to dress me." Penelope replied.

"Well, I had to make sure your mother would not 'Featherington' you." Madame Delacroix joked. Penelope gave a little laugh. Genevieve gave Penelope's shoulders one last squeeze. "Good luck…not that you will need it."

"Thank you…for everything." Penelope replied, before turning back to her own reflection. Taking a deep breath, awaiting Eloise to call, letting her know Colin has already left for the church and it was safe to go without bumping into him.

Xoxoxoxox

It happened; they were finally married and Penelope could now officially call herself a Bridgerton. The ceremony had gone perfectly; her family did not embarrass her and Anthony delivered her down the aisle to a fresh-faced Colin, who almost cried at the sight of her.

She had been worried; remembering how ill Colin had been at Anthony's first wedding but today, it was only Benedict that was feeling a little bit delicate. Gregory had taken his best man duties very seriously and would not let Colin drink too much the night before with his older brothers.

Gregory had been surprised when Colin asked him to be his best man as he was so young compared to Colin but Colin felt it made sense. Benedict had already been a best man for Anthony and knew Anthony would probably return the favour for Benedict when the time came.

Now they were enjoying their wedding breakfast in Hasting House. Daphne had insisted in hosting as the Hastings did not have a ball this year and she was worried if she did not have a role in the celebrations, Violet Bridgerton may insist she stay in confinement and there was no way Daphne was missing her favourite brother getting married.

Penelope smiled warmly as she watched Gregory and Hyacinth dance; as they were still young, they very rarely got the chance to dance amongst the adults and they were making the most of the family event.

Anthony and Benedict were also on the floor, dancing with Lady Featherington and Prudence; ensuring the families were mixing now the union was official while Kate was with Philippa at the refreshments table; both nibbling on ginger biscuits; just like Daphne in her early stages of pregnancy.

Penelope was sure both of them were with child and would not say to as they did not want to overshadow the wedding. A gesture she would expect from Kate but she was surprised by Philippa; unless her sister did not realise yet. Afterall, she did receive the same talk from her mother as Penelope did.

Francesca was at the edge of the dancefloor with Violet and Lady Danbury deep in discussion; the poor girl looked terrified. Francesca had a very soft, shy demeanour and was dreading coming out in society next season, even though Penelope was convinced she would be the diamond.

Then there was Eloise and Colin; Colin had his nephew August in his arms and was desperately trying to get Eloise to engage with her nephew. Eloise however, had very little interest so instead Colin passed August back to his parents and Colin headed towards Penelope.

"Are you okay, Mrs Bridgerton?" He asked as he joined her and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

Penelope smiled; a warmth spreading throughout her body. Mrs Bridgerton? She was Mrs Bridgerton now and she wondered if she would ever get used to it. "Wow! That sounds weird…a good weird…but still weird." She said.

"Does it now, Mrs Bridgerton?" Colin teased, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close into him. He nuzzled into her neck and nibbled on her ear. "You know, we have performed all the formalities of the wedding breakfast. We can leave whenever you want."

"Colin, we cannot just slip out!" Penelope exclaimed. "We have guests."

"No…Daff and Simon have guests…they are the hosts." Colin retorted. "We are the bride and groom…no one expects us to stay to the end."

"How long do think it will take the carriage to get ready?" Penelope asked, raising her eyebrow.

"We could be out of here in 5 minutes, tops." Colin replied, with a cheeky smirk.

"Well then, we should start our goodbyes now." Penelope replied, with a teasing smile.

Xoxoxoxo

Colin and Penelope made their exit from their wedding in a timely manner. Of course, both their mothers had cried; Benedict queried if Colin had any last-minute questions; Hyacinth warned that she wanted a present from Paris while Eloise told Penelope she would call before they left for Paris; then Anthony quickly added, glaring at Eloise, that Eloise would not be calling and the couple should enjoy their time alone.

It was only a 15-minute journey from Hasting House to Bedford Square but it definitely seemed like a lifetime to Colin; his eyes eagerly glancing out the carriage windows every few seconds, trying to will their journey to go faster.

Penelope smiled as she glanced up at her husband, raising her finger to gently graze his jawline, before stretching up to press a few butterfly kisses along his neck. "Do you remember the last time we were alone, in a carriage?" She queried between kisses.

Colin groaned and shifted his breeches before he turned towards Penelope and cupped her cheek with one hand and crashed his lips against hers. "How could I forget?" He mumbled between kisses. "I almost took your innocence…"

"And then assumed I would marry you." Penelope teased, sliding onto his lap as they continued to kiss.

"I got the ring on your finger in the end." Colin shot back, his hand gripping her backside as his lips began a trail of kisses down her jaw and neck.

"I really should have made you court me." Penelope retorted, her lips trailing his jaw while her fingers ran through his hair. "I have pined after you for years; I should have made you suffer a little longer."

"What can I say? I am an idiot!" Colin shot back, nuzzling her neck with soft kisses.

Penelope pulled back and cupped Colin's face as she looked into his eyes. "But you are my idiot." Her thumb traced over his swollen bottom lip. "My Colin."

"I am sorry Pen that it took me so long to open my eyes." Colin softly said, the fingers of his right hand, gently stroking her cheek. "But now you are my wife…you have forever to make me suffer…I am forever yours."

Penelope smiled and leaned in to gently kiss him; just as the carriage came to a stop, outside the apartment in Bedford Square. "And just like that…we are home." She whispered and slipped off his lap and back on her seat beside him.

"You really are the master of distraction." Colin replied with a smile. "I forgot we were even travelling."

"Imagine what we can achieve with the time it takes to get to Paris?" Penelope teased, arching her eyebrow.

Before Colin could respond, the coachman swung open the carriage, revealing Banks, Penelope's lady's maid and the chef standing outside the apartment, waiting to greet the newlyweds.

"Mr and Mrs Bridgerton, welcome home." Bank said.

"Um, thank you Banks." Colin replied, slipping out of the carriage.

"Here are your keys." Banks stated, handing Colin the keys to the apartment. "The kitchen has plenty of snacks and sandwiches prepared to see you through until the morning and Mrs Bridgerton's belongings are already unpacked. We will return in the morning."

Colin gave a small laugh while Penelope blushed; their staff obviously aware of the need for privacy. "Thank you…please enjoy your evening."

All three staff nodded and left.

Colin turned his attention back to Penelope, who had her hand out, awaiting his assistance to get out of the carriage. He ignored her hand and scooped her into his arms.

"Colin!" Penelope squealed.

"You must be carried over the threshold." Colin replied with a smirk. "You are my bride after all."

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Penelope walked through the apartment, her fingers grazing over the furniture; her mind still not quite believing that this was now her home…well, at least until they moved to their new house after their trip to Paris.

She felt Colin's strong arms wrap around her from behind and engulf her in a hug. She smiled as he placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder and then rested his chin on the same shoulder.

"I have lit the fires." Colin stated. "Do you want a cup of tea and sandwiches or…"

"Or would you like to help me out of this dress?" Penelope interjected, smirking as she spun around to face him; placing her arms around his waist.

"So you want to get straight to the consummating?" Colin teased. "And you said I was insatiable."

"Well, we can just read?" Penelope shot back with a smirk.

Colin scoffed and cupped her face in his hands before lovingly kissing her.

Penelope pulled back. "Oh, but please do not tear the dress." She stated. "Genevieve wants to show the dress to a fashion house that might employ her…she thinks the dress is her best yet."

"It definitely is a beautiful dress…but not as beautiful as the woman modelling it." Colin shot back, nuzzling into her neck with soft kisses.

"No need for the charms Mr Bridgerton…you already got me." Penelope retorted.

"It is the truth." Colin stated, between kisses. "But I do think the dress will look even better on the bedroom floor." He quickly scooped Penelope into his arms; smirking at her little squeal as carried her into the bedroom.

He placed her down on the floor and spun her around so he was facing her back and Penelope was facing the mirror. His fingers began working on the fastening of her dress; his lips delivering a soft kiss against her back with every button he opened.

The dress slipped off Penelope's shoulders and down her waist onto the floor, leaving her in her stockings and corset. Penelope blushed at her own reflection in the mirror and her blush grew deeper as she felt Colin's hand on her hip, his fingers sliding over her thigh towards her warmth while his other hand untied her corset and let it fall to the floor.

"Co…Colin!" She gasped, her knees taking weak as one of his hands fondled her breast and the other was teasing the soft curls gathered between the top of her thighs. His lips were nuzzled into the crook of her neck but his eyes were on the mirror; looking at her reflection.

"You are simply stunning Pen…I cannot believe you are mine." He whispered before continuing his trail of kisses.

Penelope pulled away from him and spun around to face him. She tugged on his shirt and began to pull it over his head, with Colin's assistance. Once the shirt was removed, her lips crashed against his while her hands made their way down his body and began to undo his breeches, letting them fall to the floor and free him.

She stepped back, taking in the view before her, her eyes widening. "Wow…and you are mine." She gasped.

"Forever and always Mrs Bridgerton." Colin replied as he stepped towards her.

He hungrily kissed her as his hands cupped her backside and lifted her up. Penelope automatically wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist; groaning in his mouth as his manhood grazed her warmth.

He carried her over to the bed and lay her down; his knee nudging her legs apart while one of his hands pinned her arms above her head. He looked her in the eyes. "Pen, you can tell me to stop at any time…there is no rush."

"I know." Penelope panted. "But I do not want you to stop."

Colin smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and then began a trail of kiss over her body; taking his time to cover every inch of her body with his mouth while his other hand began a trail over her thigh and towards her sex.

Penelope wriggled under his hold, her gasps and groans becoming louder before she tensed as she felt his fingers slip inside her.

"Do you want me to stop?" Colin asked, concern in his eyes.

"No." She gasped, getting used to the new sensation within her. "But please let me touch you."

Colin released her arms, his free hand now fondling her breasts while his other fingers teased her warmth.

Penelope's fingers explored his hair, his back, his body; her back arching with the pleasure coursing through her body. She could feel the tip of his manhood grazing against her sex.

"Pen, I think you are ready but it may hurt…" Colin began to say.

"Please Colin, I want you inside me." She begged.

He slowly edged himself into her and paused as he watched her grimace and then adjust; before glaring at him to continue. He fully entered her; feeling her warmth wrap around him and then leaned down to kiss her on the lips before beginning to thrust.

It only took Penelope a few seconds to adjust to his rhythm as she arched her hips and matched his thrusts, her fingernails gripping onto his chest; her eyes locked on his. It did not take her long to feel the waves of pleasure to travel through her body causing her to shudder and press herself into Colin and Colin quickly followed; both of them spent.

She felt Colin slip out of her and collapse beside her, taking her in his arms to spoon her and place a soft kiss on the crook of her neck.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I am wonderful." She replied, lacing her fingers through his and bringing his hand to her lips for a gentle kiss before letting the hand settle on her waist, their fingers still entwined. "When can we do it again?"

She could feel Colin's laugh against her neck. "Give me at least 10 minutes Pen." He said before nuzzling into her again.

The End…

Well, almost…epilogue to follow