I DO NOT OWN BRIDGERTON. ALL RIGHTS GO TO JULIA QUINN AND SHONDA RHIMES. HEAD'S UP, IF YOU SHIP COLIN BRIDGERTON AND PENELOPE FEATHERINGTON AS A ROMANTIC COUPLE, THIS STORY IS NOT FOR YOU. I HAVE FONDNESS FOR BOTH COLIN AND PENELOPE INDIVIDUALLY, BUT IN MY OPINION, SEASONS 1 AND 2 SHOWED ME WHY THEY ARE NOT SUITED FOR ROMANCE.

RMS Coughlan. Atlantic Ocean. September 5, 1813.

Colin Bridgerton stood on the railing, looking out at the waves as the ship on which he rode made its way towards the Strait of Gibraltar. Once the strait was crossed, Colin and the other passengers on the ship would have to sail through 3 more seas before they made it to the Greek islands: the Alboran, the Mediterranean, and the Ionian. The 3rd Bridgerton son enjoyed the smell and the feel of the good sea air as the ship sailed about the waters. Anyone who knew Colin well knew that it had always been a dream of his to travel and have plenty of exotic adventures.

However, the journey that he had waited for so long, now took on a whole new meaning for him. His voyage that was meant to be one of exploration of savoring unknown pleasures, was now one of escape; from pains both within and without. The social season of 1813 had seem him start out with such hopes. His sister Daphne had managed to find a happy marriage with the Duke of Hastings. Even Anthony had known affection with that opera singer of his, Miss Siena Rosso. Why did Colin's first foray into a serious romance have to end in scandal and lies? His heart still felt haunted by how Marina Thompson had made him the laughing stock of the Ton. The memories of the last time that he had spoken to her still lived rent free in his head

Hastings House. London, England. 4 weeks ago.

"Miss Thompson, thank you for joining us." Daphne, Duchess of Hastings replied solemnly as she had gone to great lengths to bring Colin and his ex fiancé together under great discretion.

"I did not realize I had a choice." Marina replied as she struggled to contain her emotions.

"My brother wished for an audience and I wish to avoid any further scandal attached to my family's name." The duchess replied, keeping a poker face. "I will remain here as a chaperone." Daphne then sat down and began to read a book, allowing Colin and Marina to clear the air.

"Marina...you must tell me that this Whistledown woman is mistaken.What she wrote, it cannot be true." Colin said, pleading for his love to reassure him that Lady Whistledown was a evil lying bitch. However, his hopes were to be dashed.

"But it is." Marina replied calmly as if it was some trivial thing and not his very reputation, as well as the reputations of his brothers and sister that were in jeopardy.

"You are with child?" Colin asked as if the wind had just been knocked out of him. "I do not understand. We were to be wed; You said you loved me."

"Colin, I hold you in the greatest esteem..." Marina started to say.

"Esteem?" Colin asked in outraged. He had been willing to risk his honor and his family's reputation for her and all she could offer in return was esteem? "You are a cruel woman indeed to stand here and talk of friendly affection, as if you have not just committed a grave sin against me."

"Speak not of sin, Mr. Bridgerton." Marina snapped in anger. "I did not come here to be shamed by you, nor anyone else. I did not know better. You may think me a villain, but I did what I thought I must. No one ever truly helped me, or guided me in a different direction."

"Marina..." Colin whispered in pain.

"I had no choice, I needed to wed." Marina declared in desperation. "And you, you were the only man who offered me even a glimpse of happiness."

"So I should feel flattered, then? Consider myself lucky that you chose me, lied to me, tried to trick me into a fraud of a marriage?" Colin asked in anger as he was ready to wash his hands of the scheming hussy, as Lady Featherington had described her. "I shall take my leave of you for the last time, Miss Thompson." Colin related to leave before he turned back a final time.

"You wish to know the cruelest part of your deception?" Colin asked, fighting back tears. "If you had simply come to me and told me of your situationâ I'd have married you without a second thought. Because that is how in love I believed myself to be; but I see now that was all a lie." As Colin left the room, he felt overcome by a wave of sorrow that threaten to drown him to the depths of despair.

Colin spat into the water as the ship continued along its way. He had thought himself in love with Marina Thompson and now he cursed himself for being such a fool. Anthony had been right about everything. Perhaps Colin would have been more wise to the manipulations of women like Marina if Anthony had taken Colin to a brothel as he said. It was of no matter now. All that mattered now was that Colin meant to be as far away as he could from Miss Marina Thompson and all the scandal that would surely fly about the Ton as a result of her deceptions.

Hence, Colin made a vow to himself that his tour of Greece would be one of exploration only. He has no desire to partake in any female excursions. In a twisted way, Colin felt a bit of gratitude towards Marina. She had showed him that he was not as worldly and clever as he thought himself to be. Colin needed this time in Greece to better himself. To shed his naivety and to become a gentleman of reason, as Antony was. Colin could hope that he could find happiness in Greece and vowed to be open to any opportunities that should cross his path.

A NEW JOURNEY BEGINS FOR COLIN BRIDGERTON. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.