This is set in the book universe, not the television show. I own nothing.

Dear Reader,

Our story starts at the birthday bash for Lady Bridgerton, where the most unlikely of pairings began their love story. It was at this event that, to my surprise and everyone else's, Ms. Penelope Featherington was seen dancing with not only one Mr. Colin Bridgerton, but also Lord Jonathan Brinklow, a Duke no less.

Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, 3 April 1824

Colin couldn't believe she had almost turned him down for a dance. It amazed him even more that he had been so hurt by her words of almost rejection. But as they finished their dance Colin realized he was almost sad that it was over. She did have a way of putting those around her at ease, and while his mother had always insisted he danced with Penelope at each ball he attended, he had never mind doing so, when he remembered too. Colin gently kissed her hand as he bowed at the end of the dance. The crowd around them murmured about this and that, not that he was paying attention to it.

As Lady Danbury's quest, no, really it was a challenge, spread across the room, the orchestra began to prepare for the next dance. Jonathan Brinklow, Duke of Spencer, had always hated balls. It was why, despite himself, he had not attended the London Season for several years. But, since the passing of his mother, he knew it was time to find a wife, someone with whom he could produce an heir and pass the time. He had no intention of spending that much time in London to find such a woman, someone who was kind and would give him attractive children was truly all he needed. It would help greatly if she was intelligent, but it was not a requirement.

He saw a lovely woman across the ballroom, wearing a green silk gown, with red tinted hair, walking away from a tall man with brown hair. It was clear she was heading towards the area where all the other chaperones were sitting. Why yes, there were plenty of women all over the room, many more attractive than the lady in green, but something about the way she carried herself told him this was a woman he needed to meet. Taking several steps in the direction she was heading, he had to change his path several times to avoid the "husband hunting mamas" as Lady Whistledown had aptly called them. He finally reached the other side of the room, where she was.

Penelope, as graceful as ever, jumped, and almost fell over, when he tapped her on the shoulder. Cursing under her breath, she turned to see who was there. She took a sharp intake of breath when she saw him. He was handsome, tall, and had to be looking for someone else, she thought sadly.

"Hello" she said, with a slight curtsey. "How do you do?"

"Very well thank you," he bowed slightly, "may I have this next dance?" he asked her. He smiled, which lit up his whole face; she couldn't help but notice the way his eyes were crinkling.

"Oh," she couldn't stop herself from gasping at his request. He wants to dance with me? she thought. "Yes, of.. of course" she finally heard herself say after a slightly too long pause.

He found himself grinning in pleasure at the shocked look on her face. It was clear she had no attachments, from the lack of betrothal ring on her finger. "Do you have permission to waltz?" he said so low only she could hear. He gently took her gloved hand as she nodded, leading her out onto the dance floor.

Across the ballroom, a crowd of the Brothers Bridgertons had gathered. It was their mothers birthday celebration of course, one of the few times a year where the whole family, and their many partners and offspring, managed to all find themselves in the same place. Anthony, Benedict, and Colin, the three oldest, were chatting about the boxing match from the week before when something caught Anthony's eye.

"Well well, looks like Jonathan is here," he said, nodding his head in the direction of the dance floor. "And it looks like all of the mothers have noticed his arrival as well. God bless the man, I warned him they could be a terror."

Benedict and Colin both turned in the direction Anthony had gestured, and saw a tall man, just as tall as they were, which at over six feet a piece was saying something, waltzing with...

"Is that Penelope Featherington he's dancing with? Good for her!" Benedict said, sounding surprised and feeling horrible for it in seconds. Everyone knew Penelope was, at eight and twenty, on the shelf.

Colins eyebrows rose as he took in the sight before him. It was indeed Penelope, with her hand placed gently on the Duke's shoulder, and from afar he could see she was smiling. He furrowed his brow in thought. Of the hundreds of balls they both had attended, he couldn't for the life of him remember seeing her dancing with someone who wasn't a Bridgerton.

"I heard his mother passed away after Christmas Anthony, is that true?" Benedict asked.

"I believe so," Anthony nodded, "he took some time to travel after that, but I had heard he was planning on taking a wife this season. At six and thirty it is time, he is an only child of course."

At that, Colin turned back to them. "I'm surprised she is dancing with him honestly, she almost turned me down!" he said, shaking his head.

Benedict snorted but Anthony looked at Colin appraisingly. "You know, Colin, at three and thirty you might be keeping an eye out for young ladies to dance with yourself."

Benedict chimed in "You know brother, Anthony is right, as much as it pains me to admit."

Colin sighed and rolled his eyes, "Not this again, you're both as bad as mother!"

Penelope, sensing the eyes of most of the ballroom upon her, prayed she wouldn't step on the Duke's feet. He was an excellent dancer, leading her across the floor in a Waltz with his hand gently laid on her waist.

"So tell me, Ms. Featherington, why are you sitting with the chaperones?" his eyes holding contact with hers, "surely you are participating in the festivities of the season?"

"I am, your Grace, here as a chaperone to my younger sister, Felicity. I have not participated in the season in almost three years. By Ton standards I am ancient." she answered breathlessly, trying very hard to focus on the steps of the dance as she spoke.

"You may call me Jonathan. And if you are ancient I must be close to death." he joked as he twirled her around. "Why, most of the young ladies who I have seen today appear to be children!"

Penelope couldn't help but smile at the comment. After being out in society for over a decade she also felt that the young ladies making their debut at 17 looked far too young for marriage.

The orchestra played the last bars of the dance and Penelope, who against all odds hadn't stepped on the Duke's feet, curtseyed. "Thank you for the dance, your Grace, I mean Jonathan."

As he bowed he took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips, then gently placed it in the crook of his arm and led her off the dancefloor.

"May I interest you in some lemonade? One does forget how hot these ballrooms get. Especially after dancing with such a lovely lady."

She blushed, no one had ever complimented her like that. Well, that wasn't true, the compliments she had received in the past were out of pity. But this was a new experience, and a welcome one at that. "Yes, that would be lovely, thank you." and with a nod and a smile he headed towards the refreshment table.

She turned then and saw Colin coming back over to her, causing her to smile. "Colin!" she said delightedly.

"I see your dance card is filling up." he said with raised eyebrows. "I do have to wonder if you were so churlish with your most recent offer or if that attitude is reserved only for me?"

"Oh," she was unprepared for the slight bite that came with his words. "I wasn't intending to insult you Colin, surely you must know that?"

It was at that moment that Jonathan re-appeared, carrying two glasses of lemonade. "Here you are Ms. Featherington," handing her one of the glasses.

Colin, unprepared for the interruption, looked at the man, wondering what exactly was making him so annoyed. Perhaps his pride was still pricked from Penelope's almost refusal to dance with him. "I bid you goodnight, Ms. Featherington." Colin said shortly with a slight nod of his head in her direction. And then he was gone.

This is chapter 1, if there is any interest in the story I can continue to write more.

I am a BIG fan of Pen and Colin, and we all need more Bridgerton fan fiction :)