A/N [This is a quick reminder that we're playing with the timeline. Even though an event may have happened in season two to the book, it'll be placed wherever it fits in this story. Enjoy!]
With Penelope's focus on telling Colin the truth, she keeps to it for years. Despite that, one would think that Penelope would have tried to lie to Colin before now. However, it's her second season out, and this is the first time that she actively tries, with emphasis on the word, 'try,' unfortunately for Penelope.
Colin has just returned from his first trip abroad. And, his question is fairly tame.
"Brother, what did you do while abroad? Your face is covered in this weird thing." Eloise said, poking fun at his beard.
"I think my facial hair looks good. Penelope, what do you think?" Colin cuts in turning to Penelope.
'It looks fine, Colin.' Penelope actively tried to say. It's not that it didn't look fine. It's just that she, truly, thought "It looks quite distinguished and handsome, Colin." Unfortunately for her, that is exactly what passed her lips, in quite a breathless tone as well.
"Good joke, Penelope!" Eloise chimes in. "Yes, Colin, you look quite stunning." Her voice is dripping with sarcasm.
"Ha, ha, ha," Colin faked a laugh. "I guess I'll just have to shave. It hasn't been so easy while traveling, I'll have you know."
But the rest of the conversation passes her by. Penelope feels as if a bucket of water has been dropped over her head. It was a lovely dream, but now that it is a reality …
She can't lie to Colin. He's her soulmate. Penelope can't lie to her soulmate. That's fine. It wasn't like she had a major secret to keep from Colin anyway. Right? Yeah, this is going to be a disaster.
She's Lady Whistledown. Yeah, Colin is going to take that well. Not.
Colin is the one who helped Daphne uncover a hidden duel between Simon and Anthony. The same Bridgerton who helped Anthony realize his feelings for Kate as the man nursed a hangover, then forced their stalwart older brother to go apologize to her. That's not to mention all the shenanigans he likely got swept up in while abroad. The man is too clever by half.
In fact, the only secret he couldn't solve was Marina's lies.
Penelope goes quiet around Colin. Until she has this under some semblance of control, she can't speak around him. Who knows what she might let slip? It takes a month before she has a handle on it.
This will require some experimentation. At the next ball, Penelope actively tries to lie to him. Maybe that one instance was a fluke. It's possible he isn't her soulmate. Maybe she remembered it wrong?
"Our host looks a bit fussy," Colin walked up behind her. "Do you think if he goes to bed we'll have to leave?"
He nods his head at the hostess and the baby in her arms. "She's lucky to have produced an heir before the old Earl croaked."
'Lucky indeed, that's clearly the late Earl's child.' Penelope tries to claim.
Unfortunately, again she is stymied and something else entirely comes out. "Lucky indeed, but do you not think the young heir bears a passing resemblance to the footman rather than the Earl?" Oh no. She had confirmation of that, but she hadn't put it in Lady Whistledown as that would be downright cruel to the grieving family.
"Penelope," He pauses and looks away from their host and down at her. "What a barb!"
Penelope partially basks in his praise - it's clear he enjoyed the gossip - and partially, she is full of dread.
At least, she is clever. There are many routes she can take from here. Lady Whistledown and Penelope Featherington won't just roll over. She'll think of something smart, something unique, something that will never lead him to suspect her.
Unfortunately, that isn't what happens. It's at the horse races that Penelope accidentally lets another piece of juicy gossip slip.
"How on Earth could you know that?" Colin asks. He isn't looking at her.
"I am Lady Whistledown." Penelope tries not to panic with what just came out of her mouth.
Colin bursts into laughter. "Yeah, right. Good one, Penelope."
And, oh. That's it. Sometimes the simplest solution is good enough. She can work with this. It isn't as though she can lie to him anyway. But if he thinks it was just a grand joke … it'll become their new inside joke.
Colin believes it is hilarious. Penelope never laughs. He doesn't notice.
When the Queen opens up her gardens and invites the whole ton, Penelope is happy to be invited. She is less happy to be drawn into a conversation about the true identity of Lady Whistledown with Colin and, of all people, the Queen.
"Ah, yes, the youngest Featherington." The Queen comments in her regal tone. Penelope tries to keep her composure. Colin is next to her. "Who do you think the illustrious Lady Whistledown is?"
Colin turns to her. "Yes, Penelope, who do you think it is?"
Oh no. She can't lie to him. He just had to ask her directly. "Clearly it is me."
"Is that true?" The Queen has renewed her focus on Penelope.
Colin cuts in with a loud and clearly fake laugh. "Penelope stop, you can't just say it like that."
He pretends to catch his breath. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness. It is but an inside joke between us that Penelope is Lady Whistledown. Why she is no more Lady Whistledown than I am a bear in a suit." Colin says. "Isn't that right, Penelope?"
"You're not a bear in a suit." That is all she can say without lying. She lets a scowl come across her face. She can't deny being Lady Whistledown under these circumstances.
The Queen lets out a "Harrumph" and walks away from the two of them.
Colin, on the other hand, as soon as she is out of earshot, starts immediately on a lecture. He has never sounded more like Anthony than at this moment.
Penelope lets the words wash over her. Eventually, Colin seems satisfied that he convinced her not to share their joke with anyone else and walks away from her.