The Featheringtons were exactly on time for the Danbury ball. When Penelope's mom was in charge of their schedule, the Featheringtons always arrived 'fashionably late' which drove Penelope crazy. So, now that Penelope was in charge, they would arrive exactly on time.
Shortly after arriving, a certain Mr. Albansdale inquired about Felicity's dance card. Penelope supervised from a respectful distance away. Once he went to get Felicity a lemonade, Penelope shot her a discrete thumbs up. Penelope wasn't alone for long.
The Dankworths quickly found her. As they were chatting, Penelope was getting antsy over their supposed surprise. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
"So! What is your surprise?" Penelope asked once there was a natural lull in the conversation.
"We were wondering how long it would take you to ask." Harry teased.
"I thought you could hold out longer," Eliza sniffed.
"Oh my goodness, please tell me," Penelope begged.
"One moment, Eliza, would you be so kind?" Harry asked.
"Of course, I'll be right back." She said with a smirk before she walked away.
"It'll take her a bit; would you like me to get you a lemonade?" Harry asked.
"That would be wonderful," Penelope said.
No one could say that the Bridgertons don't know how to make an entrance. It quickly swept through the room that the family had arrived, and the elusive Colin was back in town.
"The charming one," and "Bridgerton number three," rang throughout the room in whispers and conversations. Colin was annoyed to realize that they didn't even quiet even when he was standing nearby. But Colin just endured it.
Looking around the outskirts of the room, Colin hoped to spot Penelope. It didn't take him long.
As he walked up, he spotted another distinguished gentleman bringing her a lemonade.
"Here's your lemonade, Pen," Harry said, handing it to her.
"Thanks, Harry," Penelope said and took a sip. She immediately choked when she saw Colin's annoyed face walking toward her.
"Pen!" Harry exclaimed. "Are you alright?"
Coughing quickly to clear her throat, "Yes, Harry, I'm just fine."
"Hi, Pen! Are you okay?" Colin said as he reached the two. He gave a pointed look at the man whom he had not been introduced to yet. He did note that they both referred to each other with informal names.
"Hello, Colin. I'm all set. Colin, please meet Mr. Harry Dankworth. Harry, please meet Mr. Colin Bridgerton." Penelope introduced them.
The men exchanged greetings and pleasantries. Colin may have been slightly curt with his - but he was not rude by any measure.
"So, how do you know Pen?" Colin asked.
"We used to court," Harry said, just as Penelope took another sip. She started coughing again. "And, you?"
"We're good family friends," Colin said, annoyed.
"Ah! Here comes my wife now with the surprise," Harry said with a smile.
Eliza walked toward the group with a handsome man on her arm.
"Penelope, and," Eliza paused. "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."
Harry jumped in with a quick introduction of Colin.
"Thanks, dear," Eliza let go of the man and picked up her husband's arm. "This is Marcus Anderson. He is my cousin. He mentioned that he is looking for a wife this season."
"Eliza!" Marcus Anderson exclaimed in surprise at her bluntness.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Are we not telling people yet?" Eliza teased. "Well, either way, I wanted to introduce you to Penelope Featherington. She can tell you everything you need to know about Mayfair."
"It's lovely to meet you, Mr. Anderson," Penelope said.
"Likewise," Marcus replied.
"Dear, shall we give them time to talk?" Eliza said. "Colin, come with us. I'd love to learn more about you."
"I look forward to making your acquaintance later, Mrs. Dankworth," Colin said, deftly avoiding the societal pressure to leave Penelope and Mr. Anderson alone. "So, Mr. Anderson …" Colin engaged Marcus on a new topic, cementing his place in the group.
Left with no choice, the Dankworths followed social customs and stepped away from the group.