London 1815

Dearest gentle reader,

Alas! Another season has brought upon London. The ton has returned after a grueling journey from their own respective country estates.

This author can only watch in the shadows as the ambitious and persistent mamas of the society once again exhibit their debutantes in hope of a match for a husband this season.

What better way would it be, than to welcome and see who the diamond of the first water will be tomorrow at the presentation party? Should there be one to satisfy her Majesty the Queen's eyes that is.

This author had also heard that a certain Featherington lady had come back with an inheritance enough to console her from last year's scandal.

Now dearest readers, should we wonder, with a big dowry at hand, would this young feather be part of the fantasies from the ton's most eligible bachelors?

That we will see.

Yours Truly,

Lady Whistledown

Back at their Mayfair estate, the Featherington family have slowly descended from their carriage inhaling the most familiar London wind. The widowed Baroness, Portia Featherington could not be more frantic to prepare for the upcoming festivities, now that there are still two unwed daughters under her wings.

Their housekeeper Mrs. Varley welcomed the red-haired ladies as they take upon the steps of their home. The old maid bowed and greeted each to Portia, followed by Prudence. Philippa missing on the scene as she had already been wed to Albion Finch last season.

However, the loyal maid has come to silence when the youngest miss showed upon herself. Penelope was still the same shy, plump third daughter, but something about her has mysteriously changed. Varley noticed that the kindest lady on the house have embraced a light lilac dress opposite to the bright yellow her mother often enforces her to wear. Penelope's ginger hair had been laid down reaching almost up to her waist, leaving her curls straightened out to waves. Ever since young, Varley knew that Penelope Featherington is the nicest and most sensible among those she serves on the house, but never has she realized in her life-long service that the youngest miss had this beauty hidden until now.

Exhausted from the journey and the unending yapping of her mama during their travel, Penelope entered their home without noticing the dumb-founded look on their housekeeper's face.

"Was that Penelope?" Violet Bridgerton asks as she noticed the young lady entered the mansion across. Just like the Featheringtons, all of the Bridgertons have come back in their Number five estate in Mayfair to welcome this year's social season.

"Hmm.. I think so mother. Unless both our eyes have contracted a weird disease during this travel to make us see otherwise." Benedict responded as he took a glance on their long-time neighbors' steps.

Eloise, the second daughter of the family, tried as hard not to take notice of what her mother and brother have been staring at. Penelope was her dearest and closest friend, however, after her own discovery of her friend's secret identity, they were no longer on speaking terms. Though curious as to what made Penelope gain such reaction from her family, Eloise turned around to come inside their home and not gave herself a chance to join in on the conversation. She figured, whatever there is to the red-haired girl, she will see it on the upcoming balls. Only if Eloise herself, will come in attendance.

The next morning, a loud knock on her door woke up Penelope from her sleep. They just arrived in London yesterday from their country trip where she, her sister and mother stayed at her distant Aunt's estate in Cornwall. Her Aunt Virginia may not have been titled, but having plenty of estates under her name, no children, and a widow as that, they were able to extravagantly spend the off-season comfortably. Especially that Aunt Virginia Dowding had bequeathed all her assets onto Penelope, being enchanted by the latter's wits, poise and perfection, treating the young lady as her own.

The Featheringtons' stay at Cornwall had made Penelope recover a bit of her self-esteem and love for herself. Spending time with their distant Aunt made her realize what is there to look forward to and somehow helped her be equipped to face the ton again after the unfortunate events that took place on her mama's ball last season. Now that she has become publicly wealthy without the use of her Whistledown money, their family was able to support their estate again and should not have any trouble easing in back to the society. If no other scandal would transpire on them, that is.

Varley opened the doors and the maids alongside her went straight to open the window on Penelope's room. The morning rays shone across the room making it brighter, thus, forcing the young miss to get up from her bed.

"Good morning, miss. Your mother had instructed for us to prepare you. A visit with the modiste she said." Mrs. Varley said.

"I'm not even coming to the ball tonight.." Penelope is rarely to be grumpy during the morning. But the idea of seeing the judging and menacing eyes of the ton just as they arrived back in town makes her feel tired even when coming from a good long sleep. Especially more, that her partner of a wallflower does not speak with her now.

"Must I come? Would you remind her that she gave permission for me to miss the Cowper's ball?" Penelope's pleading sweet voice could not stop the workings of their maids as they help her get dressed and fix her red-ginger hair.

After a good ten minutes of working on her, the maids were able to finish preparing Penelope for a visit around town. She took the steps down from the staircase leading to the dining hall where her mother Portia and her eldest sister Prudence had already started their morning meal.

"Ah, look at our Penelope. Finally ready. Come now. We must not be late to our appointment with Madame Delacroix." Ever since Penelope became the heiress of their distant relative, Portia has become less stern with her. She even let her youngest daughter select her dresses from now on, a freedom Penelope had long hoped for. How could this mama not? With Penelope Featherington's inheritance, they were able to substantially sustain all of their estate's expenses without having to worry in the future years. Little did Lady Featherington know, that all along, even without the inheritance, her timid and wisest daughter had already been truly wealthy, pocketing the ton's pennies using Lady Whistledown's social gossip.

"Mama, didn't you give your word that I will not be forced to attend tonight's ball?" Penelope questioned her mother as she takes a seat on the dining.

"That I said is true. Only Prudence will I chaperone tonight at the Cowpers."

"Then why must I go along to the modiste today?"

Portia gave her daughter a questioning look. These last months she saw how Penelope evolved in front of her eyes. With few encouraging talks from their Aunt Virginia, Penelope had slowly developed a bit of confidence on herself. She was able to speak her mind and stand by her decision, sometimes irritating the widowed Baroness, exactly just as now. But alas! Before coming back to London, Penelope had told Portia herself that she will change this season and finally have thoughts of getting a husband!

"The Cowper's ball is not the only ball to attend this week, Penelope. That aside, how can you get a suitor if there are no new dresses to showcase your looks."

Normally on these kinds of situations, Prudence will burst out laughing whenever their mother comments on the size and looks of her youngest sister. Now as a new season starts, the eldest Featherington daughter can only envy in silence as she sees how Penelope blossoms beautifully. Adorning herself with pastel-colored dresses and a change from curls to waves of their ginger-colored hair. It was hurtful for Prudence's pride to admit that Penelope has become a beauty more than her.

It took about fifteen minutes for the Featherington family's carriage to arrive at the doorstep of Madam Delacroix' boutique. They were welcomed and greeted on the door by the Madame herself.

"Now now, I want to see all the brightest yellows and pinks you have." Portia proudly says as she takes a seat on one of the sofas, picking up a cup of tea Genevieve Delacroix had served for them. Prudence started to look around and tried to feel the different fabrics showing around the boutique. As for Penelope, Genevieve could not help a smile upon seeing the change on the young lady's appearance. The latter's natural beauty is being brought upon by her pastel green dress matched with an emerald set of jewelry. Despite being one of her supporters, Madame Delacroix even before could not easily influence the change on Penelope's wardrobe, as her mother, Portia Featherington's, say on the matter is firm and absolute. A say that makes it difficult for her daughters to excel in the marriage mart.

"Are you not going to choose?" Prudence asks her sister as Penelope seems not to join her and their mother in picking from the yellow and pink fabrics presented to them.

"I.. I'm thinking of a different palette.."

"Ugh." Prudence feels sick for being the only one gorged with the distasteful colors.

Penelope was trying to hide her relief as she answers her oldest sister who just gives out a grunt.

"Very well. Just choose a happy color, my dear. Suitors do not want a gloomy wife." Portia said. Madame Delacroix involuntarily coughed hearing the widowed Baroness' words.

After their measurements were taken, Portia and Prudence left the boutique as they were planning to visit other shops while on the town, leaving Penelope and a maid on the hands of Genevieve.

"I'll try to not to take much of your time Ms. Featherington, so you can go along with your mother and sister." Genevieve says.

"Not need to do that Gen.. I'd rather stay here and shop alone." Penelope smiled. Over the last season she and Genevieve Delacroix had somehow gotten close which started from her being the real Lady Whistledown. The modiste have been instrumental in helping her ensure the safety of her identity.

"But you are not alone?"

"Ah." Penelope was reminded and thought of what the famed dressmaker meant. She turned around and quickly looked back to face the modiste upon confirming that one of their family maids are still inside the boutique to guard her.

"Well.. an unmarried lady should not be left without a chaperone." Penelope wryly smiled. The youngest Featherington thought that she could speak with Genevieve about matters on the printing shop, but shove off the idea upon realizing that there are still eyes and ears that might report back to her mother.

"Hmm. Must I believe that good things happen upon your stay out of London Miss Featherington?"

Penelope just gave a confused look on the modiste. Genevieve then mentioned about the green dress she's wearing now. A unique color from all of the Featheringtons' wardrobe combined.

"Ah yes. I have told my mama that I will strongly give an effort to find a husband this season. Given, she lets me pick my dresses from now on."

Madame Delacroix genuinely smiled at the intelligent young lady. Even as a wallflower, Penelope had brought enough entertainment at the society with her gossips being the anonymous writer, Lady Whistledown. Now that the youngest Featherington will be actively joining the marriage mart, things at the high society will only become more interesting.

"Is that so? But didn't Lady Featherington mentioned that only she and your elder sister were to be at the ball tonight?" Genevieve inquired about tonight's party at the Cowpers' estate. It is one of the most anticipated ball every season as it sparks the official start of the nightly parties of the aristocrats. It is also being held the night where new debutantes are being presented to the Queen by the day and the diamond of the first water is announced to the ton. Surely, it is a ball not to miss especially for those persistent mamas trying to marry off their children.

"That said is true. I-I.. I still feel the toll of the long journey from the country. But I gave my word to mama that I'll be attending all succeeding invitations." Penelope answered.

Though it still pains her to relieve the memory of her encounters at her mama's ball last year, Penelope Featherington is determined to change her image in the society. She wanted to move on from her lingering feelings for her childhood crush Colin Bridgerton, all of the unwanted dismissive comments from rest of the ton, and to prove herself that she is something more. All can be done by having a marriage their family can be proud of.

Seeing the unwavering fire on her benefactor's eyes, Genevieve then helped the youngest Featherington choose designs for her dresses. She took out a dress in a baby blue color with silver linings and white laced ruffles on the end of its puffed sleeves. The madame had Penelope wear it together with all of its ensemble; the thin silky gloves, the silver narrow belt that wraps her high waist augmenting the beauty of the young lady's bosom. Its neckline is just enough low to the proper rules of etiquette and the skirts flow on the hips is a bit narrow letting Penelope's curves shine through.

"Ah! Truly a perfect fit! Just a little adjustment on the hem's length but that I can do within the day." The famed modiste proudly says as she takes the final measurements for the young lady. This dress has been kept on the shop's inventory as Genevieve is reserving the design for Penelope. She knew that there will come a time that the young lady will choose a dress to her liking and now that time has finally arrived. She can now freely help Penelope be more confident with the dresses she will make which would be all fitting and complimenting the young lady's hidden beauty.

"You look so beautiful, Miss Featherington." Genevieve Delacroix smiled at Penelope who is still with a shock on her face, not believing how different she looks at the mirror.

Receiving no response from Penelope, Delacroix inquired if the dress is not to her liking.

"Does it not suit your taste my lady?"

It was then Penelope Featherington came back to her senses. She could not believe how beautiful the dress is. It is quite unforgiving that this is the first time she got ahold on a dress as pretty like this. She did not realize until now that the color blue looks good on her porcelain white skin.

"Oh no.. it is so beautiful Madame.." Finally hearing a positive response from her customer, Genevieve breathed a sigh of relief.

"It is you who are beautiful Miss Featherington. The dress just merely accentuates it. Now, I have few more different light colors I must present you. We do not want to have anything yellow now, do we?"

Penelope chuckled. She is truly glad that Genevieve Delacroix is with her in agreement that the color her mother enforces her and her sisters are truly terrible.

"Anything but yellow please."