AMORE ET HONORE
By: tweety-src-clt9
A Dark Mirage
The night was a little chilly as the wind made the leaves on the trees rustle to the whisper of the breeze. Colin felt rather melancholic as he sat beside Eloise and his mother in their large carriage. He just couldn't understand why his wife was not with him but he could recall his sister saying that they would be meeting Penelope in the ballroom.
As to which ballroom, he could hardly care. Nor did he want to know.
What bothered him was the fact that his wife decided to go to the ball before him. Surely there wasn't anything amiss, right? He couldn't recall doing anything or saying anything that could have upset his sweet wife.
Maybe she has a surprise for me, he forced himself to be optimistic. After all, Penelope Bridgerton nee Featherington was full of surprises. She had always surprised him with something more that he never expected. Like the fact that she was the wittily sarcastic writer, Lady Whistledown.
He smiled internally at what Penelope being Lady Whistledown had meant. Sure he was only one of the few people who knew his wife's secret but to him, her nom de plume was a clear indication of how much she cared about him. After all, she placed her own family's reputation at risk just so he could be saved from his folly of an infatuation with Marina. Indeed, he was so lucky that Penelope loved him so much that she placed his own happiness above that of her own family. Even above that of her own self.
It was so flatteringly heart-wrenching, his Penelope's love for him. A love that was so pure and true. A love that she never even expected to be returned.
He sighed.
He had the rest of their lives to show his wife just how humbled and honored he was to have been given her love. He vowed to love her as much in return. He would devote every second of his days making sure that Penelope knew just how much he loved and cherished her.
Thinking about his wife's suffering at the cruelty of her mother, he gritted his teeth.
Portia Featherington had a lot to answer for. And Portia will never ever harm his Penelope ever again. The goddess that was his wife deserved all the best in the world after suffering for so long. And so, he vowed to make Portia pay, or at the very least, to be truly sorry for all that she had done to his dearest wife. If not, well then he would just make Portia so jealous of the happiness that Penelope will surely have - of the family he will build with her.
When the carriage suddenly went into a stop, he mumbled, "I sure hope Penelope is already inside."
"Why ever are you looking for Penelope?" Eloise inquired archly.
"Why wouldn't I?" he retorted snarkily. Why in the world wouldn't he look for his wife?
Before Eloise could bite his head off with a nasty remark, their mother intervened. "Children! I will not have you acting like ruffians in a ball hosted by Lady Danbury," the sternness in their mother's voice settled their burgeoning argument. For now.
As soon as the footman opened the door, Colin eagerly stepped out of the carriage. He was itching to be enveloped in the calming presence of his wife once more. He held out his hand to help his mother and sister step out of the carriage, offering a grin to the latter. With hastened steps that could easily be mistaken for his desire to partake in the pastries served at balls, his mother chuckled at his antics. Eloise grumbled about his bottomless pit of a stomach but he didn't care. His Penelope was somewhere inside the formidable castle that belonged to the feisty duchess. So, he just had to find her. Immediately.
The ballroom was decorated with lush flowers in beautiful vases as the candelabras and chandeliers covered the hall with some light and warmth. With the moonlight seeping through the balcony and the windows, the candlelight hit the marbled floors in an ethereal romantic way as couples glided along to the orchestra.
"Lady Danbury," his mother greeted the duchess with a curtsy. Eloise followed their mother's example as he too offered a bow.
"Lady Bridgerton, always a pleasure," the duchess smiled, a rare genuine one.
"You do host the most exciting party, Lady Danbury. Besides, if it's validation, Colin always eagerly attends the balls you host since you serve the best pastry, or so he says," his mother eyed him with mirth.
"Indeed," he quickly added with his signature cheeky grin which made Lady Danbury snort.
"Do eye an eligible lady and not just a pastry, Mr. Bridgerton. You ought to find someone in this ball," the duchess said in a mixture of teasing and scolding.
"But I'm - " before he could finish insisting that he was married to the most wonderful woman, there was another guest who stepped forward to give their greetings to the hostess. And so, his mother pulled him and Eloise away.
Something was most definitely not right.
Why in the world would Lady Danbury hint that he should find a lady at this ball? He was already married, damn it! Something was just not adding up.
First, Penelope was not with him in their carriage.
Second, Eloise had the audacity to ask him as if he had no right to make comments about Penelope's presence, or show excitement to see her.
Lastly, there was Lady Danbury. The woman who adored Penelope like she was some successor of sorts to her place as the snarky wise lady of the ton. Surely the duchess wouldn't urge him to find someone when she knew that he already married her protege.
He had to find Penelope. She would make all of this craziness right.
Using his height to his advantage, he eyed the refreshments table. "Mother, Eloise, please do excuse me. I need to grab some lemonade," he mumbled an excuse before heading in that direction. Penelope usually found herself in these corners so he would wait for her there. And then, they could spend the rest of the night dancing away.
He was about to grab two glasses of lemonade, one for Penelope since it's her favorite, and one for himself when he saw something that made his jaw clench in fury.
There was his Penelope, resplendent in a dress that was obviously Bridgerton blue in the arms of Theo Sharpe!
Of course, Penelope could bloody dance with other men. He knew how much Penelope loved to dance and she's usually just ignored by the men as she lingers in corners. But no! This was Theo Sharpe! Theo fucking Sharpe who wanted his wife for himself!
He settled the two glasses on the table, fearing that he would smash them on the marbled floor in his rage. While he wanted to pummel the bloody bastard within an inch of his life, he was still a gentleman. And gentlemen, just don't punch gits in the middle of a bloody ballroom. No! He would do this with finesse and class.
He took a deep calming breath, counting to ten in his head as he glared daggers at the back of Theo's head. He was about to walk away from the refreshment table, to join his older brothers, but then something in the way Penelope stared at the bastard made him halt.
Penelope, his Penelope, was staring at Theo Sharpe with so much love in her eyes. There was a certain tenderness and adoration in the way she looked up at the bastard, the same way she did whenever she graced him with one of her loving gazes.
It made his heart clench in pain.
No! This is not happening! It just cannot be!
His brain was trying its hardest to conjure rational explanations for the way his wife was acting but he couldn't think of anything that made sense. Why was this happening? Why would Penelope, his dearest wife, look at another man with so much love in her eyes? That look, it belonged to him.
He clenched his fist in anger as he forced his desire to pull his Penelope away from this lecher. Because really, he didn't want another scandal to be linked to their marriage. It would hurt his wife's reputation if he made a scene in front of the whole ton.
"It is such a delight to see the new Mrs. Sharpe so happy, isn't it?" Colin's jaw clenched as his eyebrow practically shot through the roof upon hearing Lady Danbury's words.
"Indeed… I am truly delighted for the former Ms. Featherington," he heard Queen Charlotte's reply.
What in the world is happening right now? He wanted to scream right in the middle of the ballroom that Penelope was his. Penelope was a Bridgerton! She was his wife and not Sharpe's.
"Yes, although I feel rather saddened upon losing this bet, your majesty, Lady Danbury drawled.
"Oh?" the queen sounded amused.
"I honestly thought that Penelope Featherington would end up marrying that third Bridgerton boy," the formidable countess muttered with disappointment.
"It would have been an excellent match but the Bridgerton boy is not mature enough. Besides, after that whole engagement with Mrs. Sharpe's cousin, the one who was pregnant, their potential relationship was doomed from then on. I mean, if I were the Featherington girl I would never marry a man who was engaged to my cousin first… Also, I heard some rumors that if true, is truly heartbreaking," the queen continued conspiratorially.
"Please do share, your majesty," Lady Danbury sounded intrigued.
"I am not aware if this is true or not but there's been some rumor that Colin Bridgerton vehemently announced that he most certainly would never marry the then Penelope Featherington, and the girl was present during said declaration!"
"How horrid!" The countess was scandalized.
"Indeed! Now, if that had happened to me, no matter how much I feel for the man, I would never ever be prevailed upon to marry him after that," the queen said with all certainty.
"Hear! Hear!" Lady Danbury tapped her cane to the floor to show her agreement.
Caught in his guilt and confusion, Colin was startled to see that the couples on the dancefloor have started to adjourn to the corners for some refreshment or to mingle with other guests. His eyes immediately searched for a curly head of ginger hair and he spotted Penelope standing by the refreshment table. Noticing that she was finally alone, he hurriedly made his way towards his wife. Surely there must be some sort of logical explanation to all this.
"Penelope!" he said with urgency.
"Oh!" Penelope exclaimed before she turned to face him. "Mr. Bridgerton," she curtsied in a very formal and nonchalant manner. Her shy blushes and adoring eyes are all gone.
"Darling, what has happened? Why are they - " before he could finish his rant, Penelope cut him off by lifting her gloved hand in a motion to stop him from speaking.
"Mr. Bridgerton, please! I don't know what has happened to you but surely, endearments such as the one you uttered are only meant for betrothed or married couples. I beg of you - "
"But you are my wife!" Colin insisted and Penelope's eyes widened in surprise.
"Mr. Bridgerton! You clearly are ill! I am not and most certainly never was your wife… Besides, you most certainly will not marry Penelope Featherington, remember?" Penelope's voice turned cold.
"Pen, please - " he attempted to reach for her hand but she immediately pulled away.
"I have to go find my husband. Please stop referring to me in such an intimate manner. Good day, Mr. Bridgerton," and with that Penelope walked away. He attempted to follow her but he was immediately surrounded by matchmaking mamas and debutantes he didn't care to know.
"Pen! Pen! Please!" he called out as he craned his neck to look for his wife but she was gone.
"No! Pen! Please! I love you!" Colin screamed for his wife, his back drenched in sweat, as his eyes opened.
Good God! It's just a nightmare, he thought as he panted heavily while he pressed his palm against his steadily beating heart. His heart clenched at the pain of seeing Penelope belong to someone else.
"Penelope!" he exclaimed as his eyes turned to his wife's side of the bed only to find it empty.
"Pen? Where are you?" he called out, thinking that maybe she awakened to quickly relieve herself. When a few minutes passed and still, there was no Penelope in sight, he stood from the bed so he could look for his wife.
He grabbed a robe that was haphazardly discarded on the floor so he could cover his nakedness and took the candelabra in one hand. It was unsettling to wake up all alone in the dark, with Penelope's side of the bed all cold. Truth be told, he was scared.
What if all the events of the past month were just a very elaborate dream? What if Penelope was not really his wife? Or worse, what if Penelope was passed out and sick again in some corner of this house?
His heart was beating wildly in his chest as he took large strides. His first thought was to go check in the library since it was Penelope's favorite part of the house. Hopefully, he would find her all safe and in perfect health. Because really, if Penelope was to get sick again, he was afraid that his heart could not bear to see her in pain once more.
Colin gently pushed the door open, making as little noise as possible. He was afraid to startle Penelope or wake the members of the staff that was staying in the house with them. As he stepped inside and closed the door, he noticed that there was a slight humming sound that he could hear. He carefully made his way to the sound of happy hums and indeed it was Penelope sitting by a desk near the window.
"It's not the flowers, wrapped in fancy paper…
It's not the ring I wear around my finger
There's nothing in all the world I need
When I have you here beside me."
"Hmm… That sounds nice," Penelope sounded happy and Colin bit his bottom lip to stop himself from chuckling.
"Let's see… Something about flying. Love and flying, I need a good metaphor," Penelope mumbled as she tapped her quill to the desk. Since she was sitting near the window, a candle by the corner of her desk, her smooth porcelain skin seemed to glow like she was sculpted in sparkling ivory. Her long curly hair was all tied up in a messy bun, ringlets tantalizing on her nape highlighting her elegant neck and the supple skin of her shoulder.
Colin Bridgerton, you lucky bastard! Colin couldn't help but lick his bottom lip as he eyed his wife up and down. She truly was a goddess and he was damn lucky that no other man snapped her away from him.
"So you could give me wings to fly,
And catch me if I fall,
Or pull the stars down from the sky
So I could wish on them all.
But I couldn't ask for more
Because your love is the greatest gift of all."
"Sounds good but it still needs a little something… Two stanzas more, I think," Penelope mused.
Under the moonlight, as he leaned against a shelf lined with books, Colin could only sigh wistfully as it finally sank in that he, Colin Bridgerton, third Bridgerton brother who was only known for his charms and chaotic behavior was married to the legendary writer, Lady Whistledown. Who would have thought that his silly and foolish self would marry the most brilliant woman in England?
He just wanted to savor this quiet moment as he observed Penelope in her element. He could only imagine the myriad of thoughts running through her head as she searched for the right words. He wanted to shout from the rooftops, "that's my wife!" because he was just so bloody proud of Penelope.
"In your arms, I found a strength inside me
And in your eyes, there's a light to guide me
I would be lost without you
And all that my heart could ever want has come true."
"Now for the last one…" Penelope stretched her arms, moaning as her shoulder made a light popping sound that relieved the tension along her neck. With this sound she made, it reminded Colin of her moans of pleasure as she writhed under him with every deep thrust of his body. And just like that, he was aroused - all needy and wanting to immerse himself in the carnal pleasures of his wife's passion.
"I thought Lady Whistledown was the siren of the pen but in reality, she's the goddess of the night," his voice sounded husky and clearly laced with sensual promise.
"Colin! You startled me!" Penelope squeaked as she nearly leaped from her chair in surprise.
"You don't need to write in the dark anymore. I can help you keep your secret so you can write in the daylight," his voice was laced with a tinge of reprimand. Surely it must be bad for his wife's health if she kept on staying out late.
"I know that… but I - I couldn't sleep," she sounded sheepish. He smiled slightly as he walked the short distance between them. He knelt on the floor, his large hands caressing her shoulders. He smirked when she whispered a light "oh" as she gave a slight shiver.
"You should've woken me up for company," he whispered against the delicate skin of her shoulder, making her whimper.
"I didn't want to be a bother," she mumbled as she tilted her neck to give his lips easier access.
"You're never a bother," he lightly grazed his teeth against her skin and she moaned, "Colin."
"I didn't want to disturb your sleep," she breathed.
"I had a nightmare and when I woke, you were gone," he said with a pout as his hands slowly pushed her robe further down her arms to expose more of her skin.
Penelope tensed and then she craned her neck so she could look into his eyes. "What did you dream about?" she sounded concerned as her small hand cradled his own.
"I arrived at a ball looking for you, only to find you there dancing… And you-you're Mrs. Sharpe," he mumbled.
"Oh, Colin!" her other hand cradled his face but realizing that her movements were restrained by the chair, she decided to stand.
She held out her hand for him to take which he eagerly accepted. Penelope used her free hand to settle her bottle of ink on top of her parchments before leading him to sit on the chaise lounge by the window. Once they were seated, she could only yelp in surprise when Colin tugged on her hand so she would end up plonked on his lap.
She was about to reprimand him but whatever she was supposed to say was immediately halted when she felt his arms wrap around her waist. Penelope sighed as she thought about what to say.
"Col?" her whisper broke the silence.
"Just let me hold you, Pen. Let me bask in the light of your presence… I just - that nightmare. It seemed so real and I - "
"Colin, who's lap am I sitting on right now?" she interrupted him.
"Mine," there was a hint of possessiveness in his voice and Penelope rolled her eyes.
"Who's name am I carrying?" she asked again.
"Mine," this time he sounded smug and she fought the urge to giggle.
"Who did I marry?"
"Me," he chuckled lightly before pressing his lips on her collarbone.
"That's right. And do let that sink in your head," she patted his hand that was wrapped around her waist.
"But he wants you," he whined.
"So, if someone like Cressida Cowper wants you, does it mean you'll be with them?" she retorted.
"Of course not! I don't even like Cressida!" he said with disgust and she couldn't help but giggle at that.
"See? Then clearly there's nothing to worry about," she said patronizingly.
"But you're friends with - "
"Keyword being friends. And that's just it. There's nothing to be jealous about… Besides, I'm in love with someone else so it's really no competition," she said coyly.
"Is that so?" she could feel him smirking against her neck.
"Yes… the man who gave me this beautiful ring," she held out her hand as the moonlight reflected on the gems making them sparkle even more.
" Amore et Honore, " he whispered against her ear.
"Love and honor?" she queried.
"I had that engrave at the back of your engagement ring... Didn't you see it?"
"Well, no… I never took it off yet," she shyly confessed.
"I thought it symbolized us best. Amore for you and Honore for me. But then, I believe I got it wrong," he snorted. '
"Why?" she was confused.
"Along our marriage, I realized I was in love with you and as for you, my little vixen, you need to honor your husband by not thinking about escape plans," he reprimanded and she chuckled.
"I do love you, Col," she sighed wistfully.
"Se agapo. Je t'aime. Te quiero. Ti amo. Ich liebe dich," he whispered back.
"Did you just - "
"I just said I love you in the languages of all the countries I have visited so far," he explained.
"Do you still wish to travel, Col?"
"Yes, but only if you'll come with me, darling," he said huskily as he released his hold on her waist. Right now, his focus was on lifting her nightgown up.
"Colin…" she giggled when her nightgown and robe were now bundled on her lap.
"What? We've never made love with your hair flowing to the rhythm of the wind yet," he nibbled on her earlobe.
"But there's no wind in here," she mumbled as she lifted her arms up so he could pull her clothes away.
"We're sitting by a window," he said naughtily.
"Fine," she giggled.
"Treat this as practice for when we make love under the moonlight near Lake Como," he coerced with a wink.
"And pray where is Lake Como?" she inquired with an eyebrow raised.
"Italy," he wiggled his eyebrows playfully.
"And when should we be leaving then?" she challenged.
"Right after the end of the season… Just before Lady Whistledown releases her explosive story on the lecherous Duke who preys on innocent women," he said in all seriousness.
Penelope paused as she stood on Colin's lap. "Does this mean you're fine with my being Lady Whistledown?"
"You know, wife, you shouldn't make a habit of using your feminine wiles to get your way," his eyes were now drawn to her naked form as he untied the knot on his robe, letting it fall on the carpeted floor.
"Oh!" Penelope forgot that she was in a state of dishabille since she was truly stunned by his words.
Before she could reach for her robe on the floor, Colin tugged on her hand and this time around, she was straddling him. Her breasts were pressed against his chest and his erection was straining so hard that she could feel it touching her abdomen.
"Pen, listen to me," he tilted her chin so she could gaze into his eyes. Penelope's breath got caught in her throat as she saw the intensity of his desire, his love, and his sincerity shining brightly in his emerald green eyes.
"I accept you for who you are. I respect you and your talents. And of course, I will never get in between you and your passion. Although I have to admit, I feel scared that something bad may happen to you if people were to find out that you're Lady Whistledown. But then again, that's what I am here for, aren't I? As your husband, I am to protect you and support you… so yes, of course, you can continue to do so if you wish. I just, I just wish you take more precautions to keep your secret safe," he sounded so earnest that Penelope could feel tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.
"You truly are the finest of men, Colin Bridgerton," she said with emotion before pressing her lips against his.
"I do try for you, Pen, for you, are my sun, my moon, my stars… the center of my universe," he whispered as he pressed his lips on her forehead and Penelope had never felt more loved than in this moment.
" You could offer me the sun, the moon, and I would still believe you gave me everything when you gave your heart to me," she said tearfully.
"I do have to step up my word game since my wife is a literary genius," he lightened the mood with his signature charming quips and she laughed.
"Remind me to write that line for later, that's my last stanza right there," she pecked his lips happily.
"Pen?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do the honor of opening the windows, will you?" he said cheekily.
"Let it be known that you indeed are my husband," she rolled her eyes as she stood on the chaise lounge so she could open the windows. Since she was settled in between his legs, her womanhood was at the perfect angle for his mouth to reach as she reached for the windows. Before she could fully push the windows apart to let the wind seep in, Colin's tantalizing tongue was already teasing on her mound that she could only moan out loud as she gripped the drapes to steady herself.
That night, Penelope fulfilled her husband's fantasy of making love with her hair being blown by the breeze as her skin was bathed in the moonlight. She could only bask in delight at the carnal pleasures that Colin was showing her, thinking that if his plan of exposing the duke in Lady Whistledown's Society Papers would work, then her life couldn't be any more perfect.
November 17th, 1817
Grand Knight,
Your newly anointed pet, Ms. Penelope Featherington, recently married the younger brother of the Viscount Bridgerton. The lad's name is Colin, apparently, your Penelope and this lad had been childhood sweethearts of sorts.
If you've already purchased torture devices for her new chambers, then maybe you can abandon your purchases in Moscow to save cost. If not, then we only await your orders so we could kidnap your chosen pet. After all, you did promise us that she was a new form of delicacy you haven't shown us yet.
Always eager to render my services.
Orbis Unum,
The Keeper of Secrets
William Bellenden-Ker the second, the 4th Duke of Roxburghe angrily crumpled the short missive he received from his comrade. This had never happened before! All the women he claimed as his never escaped him. As the Grand Knight of the most powerful secret society in Europe, everything he wants, he could so easily get.
Penelope Featherington was to be his pet, and no one should stand in his way.
He clenched his fist in anger as he formulated a plan.
He would let Penelope enjoy the presence of her dear Colin for a few months, and then, he would have that bastard killed.
No one defies the will of the Grand Knight and gets away with it. No one.
A/N:
So, I haven't updated this story is so long and it's because life got in the way as always.
I got sick last July and then just when things got better, I was asked to move to another project for work which made things more hectic.
Anyway, this chapter isn't edited yet so please read at your own risk. I'll be doing final edits tomorrow.
To all the readers of this story, thank you so much.
Alrighty, here are important things to note in this chapter:
1.) Penelope's new poem contains lyrics of the song, "Your Love" by Jim Brickman.
2.) These words mean "I love you" in the following languages:
Se agapo = Greek
Je t'aime = French
Te quiero = Spanish
Ti amo = Italian
Ich liebe dich = German
3.) William Bellenden-Ker is the real 4th Duke of Roxburghe but he died without having offspring. So, William Bellenden-Ker the second is not a real person. I just made him up.
4.) Urbis Unum means "One World" the Latin motto of the secret society of villains the movie, "The Legend of Zorro".
With that being said, tell me what do you think?