A/N: Well, hello? If it isn't me *checking notes* showing up earlier even though I thought I was going to show up late.
Well here comes part 2 of Chapter 6, also known as Chapter 7.
For all the guests that sent me lovely reviews and I wasn't able to reply, thank you so so much!
And before we go, please don't be too worried about the Anthony part. Y'all trust me right? *taking your hands* trust me
As Penelope agreed for the two of them to begin a friendship anew, Eloise nodded and casually sauntered back to her original spot, appearing unfazed by the monumental decision they had just made.
Despite Eloise's impassioned speech, doubts lingered in Penelope's mind. "Just to clarify, in case you haven't read any of my letters...You do understand that I never intended to hurt you, don't you?" she asked.
Eloise nodded silently, and that was all that she could offer at the moment.
"Now that we have resolved that matter, may we proceed to the next order of business?" She inquired, and Penelope raised an eyebrow at her; she wasn't even aware there was a next order of business. With a determined look in her eyes, Eloise exhaled deeply, as if she was gathering her strength.
"Cressida Cowper knows who you are," she said.
"What?" Penelope stood up abruptly from her chair, her eyes scanning Eloise's face for answers. "Did she tell you that?"
Eloise grimaced sheepishly. "No," she answered, and Penelope's tense shoulders eased as her friend continued. "But she claimed to know the identity of Lady Whistledown. And she noticed the distance between you and I. While I was having tea with her, she continuously implied your dubious nature, attempting to ascertain if I had any further information about you to share with her. Trust me, Pen, she knows."
Sitting back in her chair, Penelope wore a puzzled look on her face as she mused, "But how on earth would she come to know?"
"That I do not know," Eloise said.
With her hands folded on her lap, Penelope fixated her gaze on them, struggling to understand and accept the information being conveyed by Eloise. Then, she recalled another significant event of the week—one that had slipped her mind due to the overwhelming experiences of the past 24 hours.
Looking up at Eloise, she asked, "Why did you tell Colin to relay that message to me?"
It genuinely surprised the other girl that Penelope hadn't asked about that sooner. Eloise then started pacing again, her voice filled with determination. "Because I have a theory. And do not disregard this as an exaggeration, as it is actually logical," she declared, gesturing wildly as she continued walking. "I believe the Queen's knowledge of your identity may be imminent. She thought it was me, Pen. That cannot be a coincidence. She likely has a specific group of individuals she suspects, and if I happen to be included, you would certainly be included as well. However, the crucial point is this: Cressida requires the favour of the Queen this season."
Confusion filled Penelope's gaze as she stared at Eloise, who seemed to effortlessly understand the unspoken question.
"She is on her third season, Pen, with no prospects in finding a husband she's—"
"A spinster," Penelope completed, her mouth dropping open in disbelief at the strange revelation. In all her time dreading and fearing Cressida, she never realised they shared something in common."How is that possible? Not only is she beautiful, but she also possesses great wealth—"
"Well, apparently they fail to compensate for her unlikable character. Or perhaps the suitors who are attracted to her are insufficient. Lord Twombley appears to be interested in her, but he is not pleasant to the eye, is he? Or skilled in conversation," she added, her hands on her hips, as an afterthought. Lost in her own musings, Penelope nodded while the Bridgerton girl said, "She cannot remain unmarried for another season. Her pride won't allow it. And If she wishes for better prospects, she must obtain the favour of the Queen. It is evident that she is unable to get it through her own natural talents, therefore my conjecture is that Cressida may come to an agreement with her."
"With the Queen of England?" Penelope interrupted with clear disbelief in her voice, "Eloise, what could she possibly offer—"
"You, she can offer you," Eloise replied, pointing at her as her voice raised. "That is what I'm trying to say." Penelope shook her head at the possibility, but the brunette continued, "You cannot deny that there is something amiss, Pen. You yourself have repeatedly exposed the Queen's omission of appointing her diamond throughout the season, which is highly unusual. Unless she cannot select a diamond. Not for the time being, at least."
"Wait, what are you suggesting?" In confusion, Penelope placed a hand on her forehead. It didn't go unnoticed by her that Eloise had apparently been reading her column, despite their fight. However, more pressing matters demanded her immediate attention. "That if Cressida reveals my true identity, she will be the diamond?"
Eloise tilted her head. "I cannot say with certainty if that is the exact explanation, but something of that nature. Think about it, Pen. What could have been her motive for falsely claiming to be Lady Whistledown?"
"She likes the attention, she always has," Penelope replied confidently, as if it were an unquestionable truth.
Eloise shook her head. "But she knows you have listened to her announcement. It is hard to believe that she doesn't anticipate the public humiliation of being called a liar. What potential benefits could she derive from such actions? Unless she is aware that by publicly stating that Lady Whistledown is not her, you are eliminating more potential suspects and narrowing it down to yourself. It makes sense, does it not? If the Queen possesses a list of potential suspects, one that encompasses both of us, it is plausible that Cressida may also be included. She then proves her trustworthiness to—"
"El," Penelope said, raising her hand for the girl to stop. The sheer amount of information and anxiety from the conversation was giving her a pounding headache.
Eloise took a brief pause, observing Penelope's overwhelmed reaction to her rant, which nearly amused her to the point of a chuckle. Despite their recent agreement to embark on a new and distinct friendship, it appeared some things had remained unchanged.
"It is unnecessary for you to believe me at this moment. Just trust me enough to withhold any accusations of falsehood towards her," she said.
"Alright," Penelope said, her gaze fixed on her, "I trust you."
A small smile tugged at Eloise's lips in reaction to that.
Her friend then inquired, "However, if your assertion is indeed correct, Eloise, what course of action should I pursue? Should I cease writing indefinitely because of Cressida Cowper?" she asked, her tone implying that was the last thing she would do. "I cannot do that."
The look on Eloise's face suggested that she had never pondered that question before. To her, it was a straightforward equation: without Penelope's writing, Cressida's plan would come to a halt, no matter what it entailed. But Eloise neglected to take into account the aspect of Penelope that she hadn't previously had to handle. The side of her that needed to be Lady Whistledown.
"I…I do not know yet. But the Blackwell Ball is scheduled for the end of the week," she said. "We may gather more information then."
Keeping her eyes downward, Penelope nodded in silent agreement. If she were to be honest, she would be less worried about it if Eloise hadn't proven to be right in the past. Her friend had successfully uncovered Lady Whistledown's true identity, after all. Assuming Eloise's theory, though fantastical, was validated, it would mean that Penelope had arrived at a crucial juncture.
"May we now discuss the final matter at hand?" Eloise inquired in a soft tone.
Wondering what the matter could be, Penelope furrowed her eyebrows and glanced up at her friend. But as she caught sight of Eloise's expression, a feeling of unease twisted in her stomach.
"When I knocked on the door, were you expecting Colin instead of me?"
"No," Penelope answered immediately, her voice taking on a suspiciously high pitch. "Of course not. That would be… that would be entirely improper."
With a theatrical flair, Eloise opened her mouth in an exaggerated "Ah" of feigned agreement. With a hesitant expression, she bit her bottom lip and cautiously inquired, "What is happening between the two of you?"
Penelope's face reddened entirely as she spluttered, "Nothing, we—"
"Over the course of many years, you two have annoyingly been in complete agreement, and yet now you are causing a commotion in public?" Eloise continued, ignoring the other girl's excuses. "May I inquire about the subject of your unprecedented dispute? Colin insists that Lady Whistledown is not the reason."
"He does?" The redhead asked immediately. She couldn't determine if she was surprised or not.
Eloise stared at her, reading her friend's confused demeanour. "So it is because of Lady Whistledown."
Penelope wrinkled her forehead at her question. There were countless reasons why she was mad at him, but when asked to articulate them, she found it difficult.
She supposed she was angry at Colin for his hurtful behaviour when he discovered her identity, for insinuating that she found amusement at his expense, and for suggesting that her writings proved she was morally corrupt. However, she couldn't ignore the persuasive way he claimed he didn't mean it, even though they couldn't finish discussing it because... because he had kissed her.
Perhaps, that was the main cause of her fury. He had kissed her once again. It had thrown her into a sea of longing, and for what? Just for her to understand how it felt?
Before that season, she had been content with the mental image she had of Colin. Loving him from afar, daydreaming about the concept of being with him, oblivious to the significance of it all. Oblivious to the longing for another's touch.
However, she was starting to comprehend it now, and she wished she knew nothing of these things.
She wished she didn't know how it felt to have Colin's lips on hers, his arms around her, and his fingertips tracing her skin. If she were granted a single wish, she would want to erase the sound of his heavy breathing in that carriage.
But she couldn't, could she? Now she was left with the daunting task of living the rest of her life, haunted by memories of a man who would never love her as deeply as she loved him.
"I do not know," Penelope finally answered, her voice slightly shaky.
In a state of complete disbelief, Eloise scoffed and placed her hand on her forehead. It was the second instance she heard that response within the same day.
But before she could comment, there was a second knock at the door.
Penelope's head snapped towards the sound, her eyes widening. Noticing her reaction, a mischievous grin spreading across Eloise's face. She quickly made her way towards the door, leaving Penelope scrambling to stand up.
The sound of Colin's voice filtered through the walls, its muffled tone barely audible as he said, "Pen, can we—"
The door was thrown open, interrupting him promptly, and revealing Eloise.
In shock, Colin stared at her while his sister, arms crossed, wore the biggest smirk known to men.
"Pardon me, brother, you are aware that this is the designated ladies' cloak room, are you not?" In a satirical tone, she furrowed her eyebrows, enjoying the opportunity to use his earlier jab against him. Colin opened and closed his mouth in an attempt to formulate a response, but she was faster. "Or were you perhaps intending to engage in an unchaperoned conversation with someone?" She turned around, her gaze landing pointedly on a distressed Penelope, before shifting back to him.
"Your imagination never fails to amaze me," he responded with a huff, his eyes fixed anywhere but Penelope's general direction. "I am here simply to inform you that our families will be leaving shortly. Should you desire to reside at Lord Debling's estate instead, feel free to do so," he added dryly, before turning around and leaving.
Ignoring his blatant lie, Eloise closed the door again and directed her focus to Penelope, who wore a panicked expression.
With her smirk still intact, Eloise said, "Do you know what? I've concluded that it's premature in our recently formed friendship to discuss these types of matters."
In the end, Colin's spur-of-the-moment lie ended up being somewhat accurate as their families got ready to head back home.
However, the moment he got back into the carriage and received a furious glare from Anthony, he immediately regretted his correctness.
"Once we return home," his older brother said in a stern tone, "we will have a conversation."
Instead of replying, Colin tightened his jaw and deliberately looked away, focusing on the sights outside.
Meanwhile, as her family prepared to depart, Penelope seized the opportunity to exchange a few words with Lord Debling. And as she approached him with hesitancy, she noticed the clear uneasiness in his eyes.
"I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my behaviour today," she stated, nervously adjusting her shawl. "It is out of character for me to create a scene. Nonetheless, as I previously mentioned, Mr Bridgerton and I have known each other for quite a while. You must know of the intensity that can arise in a conflict between two long-standing friends," she added with a forced chuckle.
Penelope knew she was being dishonest, but she felt grateful to Lord Debling for inviting her family and being so kind. She couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of guilt for spending her entire time there arguing with Colin instead, despite her best efforts to control her emotions. It seemed that all she could do instead was control the damage.
Despite her attempt at lightheartedness, Lord Debling's gaze remained serious as he studied her.
He couldn't comprehend why everyone in London so readily disregarded Penelope and Colin Bridgerton's intimate connection. Perhaps it was the influence of the slanderous writer's words, or maybe there was something more to it. Nevertheless, he was certain about what he had seen at the luncheon. But, he was starting to suspect that Penelope herself wasn't.
"Miss Penelope, if I may humbly express my honesty once more," he said, his voice filled with a hint of hesitation, causing Penelope's blood to freeze. In an unusual manner, he directed his gaze downwards while uttering the following words, "I have arrived in London with the primary objective of seeking a wife, and I must say that there is no lady in this society who possesses such kindness, wisdom, and poise as yourself."
As he looked up at her, saying all the words every lady wanted to hear, Penelope felt a strange sensation wash over her. Her heart pounded, but it wasn't from excitement; it was from fear.
"Please do not misinterpret my words, as this is not a formal proposal yet. Nevertheless, I am providing you with the opportunity to carefully consider matters before it is the right time. And when I do propose, regardless of your acceptance or rejection, I hope it is a genuine reflection of what your heart truly desires," he said.
Lord Debling then gently held her hand and pressed a kiss against it, and he did not linger.
While he was walking away, Penelope turned around and saw that her mother had witnessed the exchange. She stood frozen at the carriage door with her eyes widening, and despite Penelope's inner turmoil, she casually raised her eyebrows at her mother and got on the vehicle.
"Anthony, that is hardly necessary."
"On the contrary," he replied, "it is absolutely necessary." He marched towards the study room, with Colin reluctantly following behind.
With her years of experience, Violet stood in the hallway by the door, Eloise by her side, both acutely aware of Anthony's volatile temper and its effects. In silence, Kate observed the unfolding scene with them, knowing that there was nothing she or anyone else could say to soothe her husband's anger.
As the two brothers stepped into the study room, they looked at each other with various levels of annoyance. With his hands firmly planted on his hips, Anthony stared at Colin, silently demanding an explanation. However, he wasn't able to wait a single second to get it.
"Would you care to explain what exactly has overcome you?" he asked, carefully low.
Colin, however, crossed his arms and averted his eyes, not intending to answer him at all.
"What were you thinking?" Anthony asked again, stepping closer as he got increasingly annoyed by Colin's silence. "Are you deliberately attempting to tarnish the reputation of our family? Is this a fresh ambition for you?"
At that, Colin looked at him, unable to believe that Anthony, out of all people, was accusing him of tarnishing their family's reputation. That sentiment must have been expressed in his eyes despite his silence as his brother continued.
"I recognise that we all have made mistakes, Daphne, myself, and even Eloise, but this particular matter is different. Your decision to attend was deliberate, you continue to bother the Featherington girl and create unprovoked commotion," he listed off, his voice raising by the minute. "The host is an important business associate of mine, and you have completely sabotaged the success of his luncheon, and for what reason?"
Anthony's face turned increasingly red as his voice grew louder, while Violet closed her eyes and let out a sigh. Benedict, Gregory, and Hyacinth suddenly appeared by her side, their eyes fixed on the open doors of the study room, bewildered by the sight of their brothers engaged in a heated fight.
Or at least Anthony was in a fight, while Colin was determined to bear the brunt of it and stay completely silent.
"Mother, what is happening?" Benedict asked her without getting an answer, as the three women in the hall only stared at him before Anthony was back to yelling.
"I simply do not understand you. Is it possible that you are feeling bored? Has the aimless journeying for months on end not sufficed?" he said.
"Anthony!" Violet pleaded, while Colin's eyes seemed to harden at his brother's accusations
Undeterred, the older Bridgerton continued, "Colin, I understand that you are young. However, if you still wish to pursue a life solely based on your whims, I strongly advise you to do so in a place that is far removed from where I engage in any significant business."
That was when, finally, Colin spoke, "You mustn't worry, brother," he said in a clipped tone, "By the season's end, I have every intention of moving away from the house and any important business you may wish to conduct."
With those words, he walked past his brother and left the house. Anthony watched as his brother walked off, still processing the words he had just spoken. He then placed a hand on his face and sighed.
Violet positioned herself near the entrance of the study room and said, "Anthony, I understand that Colin's actions were inappropriate. However, succumbing to anger will not bring about any resolution." Feeling annoyed herself, she added, "Fix this, will you?"
One by one, all of his family members retreated back to their rooms and resumed their previous activities, as they always did when Anthony's temper spiralled out of control. All except one.
With his hand still pressed against his forehead, Anthony glanced at Kate and said, "Alright, you can say it now."
She silently shook her head and closed the doors behind her before approaching him. Taking his hand out of his face and holding it on her own, she said, "I understand."
The events of that day weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he stared at her tiredly, but with a spark of recognition that only Kate could bring about in him. "Only because you have a temper as bad as mine," he said.
His wife chuckled and intertwined their fingers. "Well, yes. But also, you still forget sometimes, my love," she gently brushed a strand of hair behind his ear, her gaze filled with tenderness, "your role is that of a brother, not a father. That is who they need you to be."
Anthony exhaled audibly. Despite his best efforts, he found it difficult to prevent his irritation from seeping out whenever he felt worried. "I concede you are right. But couldn't my siblings try to be less exasperating?"
Kate tilted her head and furrowed her eyebrows. "That is quite intriguing. I was under the impression you were the most exasperating of them all."
Her husband rolled his eyes, but pulled her in for a kiss. "You vex me," he muttered.
She smiled against his lips and leaned away, now holding both his hands. "Besides," she said, "even in the short time I've known your brother, it seems to me that he's not alright. Perhaps what he truly needs is advice from his older brother."
Anthony considered her words and gathered that Kate was probably right again. She always was, annoyingly. Still, he commented, "Based on decades of experience, I can say that if he were to seek guidance from an older brother, Benedict would undoubtedly be his preference." It was no secret that Colin had a stronger connection with Benedict compared to Anthony.
"Perhaps," she nodded slowly, "But there could be certain insights that only you can provide, which Benedict cannot."
That was certainly doubtful, but he liked her optimism. He then pulled her towards him again, feeling the warmth of her arms as they wrapped around his shoulders. His smile grew wider as he whispered, his breath tickling her lips, "I have also noticed something quite intriguing, Viscountess. Only a few days ago, you swore you knew nothing about this family."
Placing her hands on his neck, she feigned a pensive expression. "I reckon I must finally come to terms with the fact that I am a member of this tumultuous family, especially if I am to welcome a new member into it," she stated.
Confused by her answer, her husband's forehead creased in a wrinkle, until she gave him a meaningful look by raising her eyebrows.
"Kate…" he said breathlessly, a gigantic smile growing on his lips.
She then raised an index finger, her voice filled with caution, "So, it would be prudent for you to manage your temper and mend your relationship with your brother in order to channel all this paternal energy for—" Her words were abruptly cut off as Anthony swooped her up, surprising her with a passionate kiss.
Colin spent the entire week pondering his options, unsure of what he wanted to do.
In one moment, he was consumed by anger towards Penelope again, and in the next, an overwhelming urge to talk to her washed over him. Whether he found himself in one minute or the next, the desire to kiss her persisted, even though he knew it wouldn't solve anything and would only make matters worse.
Adding to his frustration was the fact that the entire town seemed to be buzzing about Lady Whistledown's retirement. No matter where he went, whether for a leisurely walk or to Will's gentleman club, conversations about Penelope followed him. Everyone was eager to discuss her true identity, whether she was really Cressida Cowper, and if not, where she could be. They also wondered how they would cope with the overwhelming boredom after several days without her column.
So as the week came to a close, Colin found himself unsure whether he felt relieved or anxious about attending the Blackwell Ball.
"Are you here with me because you and Anthony had an argument?" Francesca suddenly asked, surprising Colin.
Just a few seconds prior, he had been completely distracted, watching Penelope from a distance and contemplating whether he should approach her when she was alone or avoid her for the entire evening.
"I have heard about it from the others, you know," she continued, her attention drawn to Benedict and Violet energetically chatting on the other side of the room, as well as Anthony and Kate breaking away from the group to make their way to the dancefloor.
Shaking his head, Colin replied, "If Benedict, Mama, and Hyacinth were there, it would be astonishing if the Queen of England hadn't been notified."
"We may have to await Lady Whistledown's writings for that," Francesca joked, but instead of receiving a lighthearted response from her brother, he looked down. "Although she is retired now, I suppose. Either way, it's not often that you're seen with the more reserved side of the family," she commented, acknowledging that her own quiet demeanour didn't always align with her siblings' outgoing behaviour.
"First, let me clarify that Anthony and I are not in a state of conflict, but rather, we are experiencing mutual annoyance. And second, it is not due to your reserved nature, but my lack of enthusiasm in assuming the role of chaperone for you and your fiancé," Colin clarified, with a raised eyebrow.
Shifting his attention back to the ball, he unfortunately caught sight of Debling leading Penelope to the dance floor.
"Yet here you are," Francesca commented.
With clenched teeth, he replied, "Here I am," his gaze fixed on the dancing couple.
There was something about the way Debling danced with Penelope that heightened the ache in Colin's heart, especially after having kissed and held her in his arms. It felt as though he was on the brink of stepping forward and forcibly removing the man's hands from her waist.
Noticing his unwavering stare at the dance floor, Francesca said, "If your intention is to partake in dancing, it appears that Lady Arnold has expressed interest in you."
He shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the same point.
"At last, I have procured our drinks," John announced triumphantly, showcasing his impressive skills as he balanced three glasses of lemonade.
He distributed one to his fiancée and another to her brother, then addressing her, he proposed, "Would you like to join me for a dance next?"
Francesca's worried gaze was fixed on the side of Colin's head, while he stared ahead with an enigmatic expression in his eyes.
"I am not sure," she replied.
"Another one? Which dance was that, the fourth one? The fifth?"
Penelope shook her head, her smile widening as she looked at her friend. They hadn't enjoyed each other's company at a dance in what felt like forever, so when she saw Eloise's face eagerly waiting for her upon her return from the dancefloor, it injected a wave of happiness into her. Surprisingly, it brought her more joy than the many gentlemen who had invited her to dance.
"Eloise, I distinctly remember you stating that it would be unwise for us to be seen together today," she said, resisting the temptation to intertwine their arms like they used to. "And it was the fourth."
Eloise scoffed, hands planted firmly on her hips. "I was right, you do like all of this," she stated, recalling their conversation about the dances from what felt like a lifetime ago.
"I enjoy dancing," Penelope confessed. "It is quite delightful."
"I'll take your word for it," Eloise waved her off, then, turning around to survey the room, she continued, "Regarding your first statement, I have contemplated a more astute approach. Provoking Cressida instead of feigning ignorance could lead to a more advantageous outcome."
"Provoking?" Penelope asked. While she had no qualms about provoking others with her pen in private, she was adamantly opposed to doing so in public.
"Do not worry," Eloise replied, seeing the hesitation in her friend's face. "All that I am saying is that being seen together could potentially cause her some level of unease."
"I see," Penelope said, her voice filled with contemplation, then she added. "But, El, I haven't caught sight of her throughout the entire night. Have you?"
Eloise furrowed her eyebrows ever so slightly. "It's possible she is avoiding the public eye. Although, I cannot understand the reason behind it, given that her announcement had no effect on her reputation whatsoever."
"Yes," Penelope answered, a thought that has been on the back of her mind all week finally uttered. "I wonder why that is."
"For one, she has enough wealth to keep everyone quiet. But mainly, I suppose it's because no one believes her," Eloise said and Penelope turned to her abruptly. Seeing the confusion in Penelope's eyes, the brunette continued, "Come on, Pen, it's not as if Cressida was renowned for her captivating rhetoric."
"Neither is someone else we know," her friend muttered, clearly alluding to herself.
"Yes, but there is a difference," Eloise turned to her, speaking in low tones as he continued, "Cressida was always boldly voicing her thoughts to everyone's faces. For what purpose would she choose to mask her identity with a moniker? It makes no sense. Say what you will about high society, but they possess some level of intelligence."
It didn't occur to Penelope that the general public's familiarity with Lady Whistledown could undermine the credibility of Cressida's words. Pondering the validity of Eloise's statement, she refrained from voicing her doubts as she caught sight of Lady Danbury coming towards them.
"Miss Featherington, Miss Penelope," she greeted them with a smile as they curtsied before her. "How delightful to see the two of you together again. Am I to assume Mr Bridgerton was indeed exaggerating?" Penelope felt the weight of her gaze as she asked the question.
The girl scolded herself internally. Why did she have to lose her wits precisely when Lady Danbury was present?
With an insincere smile, Penelope said, "Of course, Lady Danbury. There is a tendency for gentlemen to become confused when it comes to women's matters."
"Hm," Lady Danbury agreed, utterly skepticism was etched on her face while Eloise tried to hold back a scoff at Penelope's fib.
"Regardless, I am pleased to witness your reconciliation. We can't have two of the most intelligent ladies in our society at odds can we?"
Before Penelope could stop herself, she asked, "Two?"
She never realised that Lady Danbury paid any attention to her, let alone considered her intelligent.
The older woman then fixed her a meaningful stare, her eyes conveying a depth of understanding as she replied pointedly, "Yes. Two."
"Is that right, Lady Danbury?" An unexpected voice sounded behind her, causing Eloise and Penelope to immediately curtsy.
Agatha turned around to meet one of her oldest friends. "My Queen," she said with a short curtsy herself.
Queen Charlotte, as always, was encircled by her ladies, their black ornate wigs cascading down their shoulders, perfectly complementing their shimmering black dresses that resembled a starry night. Slightly behind her stood Brimsley, who regarded both Penelope and Eloise with suspicion, even if from afar.
"Feel free to proceed, were you just stating that these ladies are considered to be two of the most intelligent women in our esteemed society?" Charlotte asked, positioning herself besides Lady Danbury as she regarded the girls in question.
"Um," Agatha hesitated, her eyes glancing between the Queen and two girls in question. "Yes, of course. Miss Bridgerton and Miss Featherington have established a reputation for their unparalleled sharp wit."
Penelope's flickered towards Lady Danbury in disbelief. Since when was she recognised for her sharp wit?
"Are they now? I knew that Miss Bridgerton had an inclination towards intellectual pursuits, but as for Miss Featherington..." The Queen paused, clasping her hands together and shifting her gaze towards the youngest Featherington daughter. "I was unaware."
Penelope didn't like this. She couldn't recall a moment when the Queen's gaze lingered on her for such an extended duration, not even during her society debut, when she was formally presented to her. She didn't like this at all.
"Surely, there always exists a common ground among the closest of friends, wouldn't you agree?" Lady Danbury answered with an appeasing smile, and Penelope wished she could magically make the older woman's voice disappear.
"Indeed," the Queen answered, looking meaningfully between the two girls before walking away
With widened eyes, Penelope glanced at Eloise, who twisted her lips in regret, realising that her decision to provoke Cressida had backfired and aroused the Queen's suspicion instead.
"Fear not," Agatha calmly uttered, her gaze fixed upon the Queen's departure, as if she possessed the uncanny ability to comprehend their unspoken thoughts, "I reckon each of us is granted a moment to shine, even those who are often overlooked," she added while directing her eyes to Penelope.
Wondering what was happening, Eloise narrowed her eyes at Lady Danburry, only to be interrupted by the arrival of yet another tiresome gentleman.
"Miss Featherington," Lord Bexley stated with a bow, "would you do me the honour of granting me the next dance?"
In the midst of their conversation, Penelope turned her gaze towards him, a hint of surprise on her face after the interruption. Despite his ill timing, Penelope couldn't help but feel relieved by the welcomed distraction. With a simple gesture, she offered her hand and let him guide her to the dance floor.
Lord Bexley, although an adequate gentleman, lacked the finesse of Lord Debling on the dance floor and paled in comparison to Colin. But still, he maintained a polite demeanour during conversations and was considerate of her personal boundaries.
Their dance concluded swiftly, without anything particularly noteworthy - positive or negative - to be remembered. And upon returning to her previous spot, Penelope noticed that Lady Danbury was still there, seemingly expecting her.
"Lady Danbury, did you have something else you wanted to discuss with me?" she asked.
Agatha seemed to pause at her question. "Not yet, Miss Featherigton. But I have a sense that I need to share something with you tonight."
That was certainly a loaded reply, Penelope thought as she stared at her.
"From my own experience, I have noticed that women such as ourselves tend to feel a lack of agency when dealing with high society. Nevertheless, I have come to the understanding that once we possess a distinct perception of our identity and principles, we should never submit to fear and choose to remain silent."
Penelope furrowed her eyebrows. Women such as ourselves? When it came to the women in society, she struggled to find someone as prominent as that particular woman.
"Lady Danbury, if I may, I have always perceived you as a person devoid of fear," she declared.
With a knowing smile, the widow said. "That is the crux of the matter, isn't it? This may be the initial lesson you must learn, my dear." Her eyes then shifted to something behind them, a hint of mischief dancing in her expression. "However, it might be a subject for another conversation, as I'm afraid we will be interrupted again. Your Mr Bridgerton is coming."
"I was considering white roses and peonies."
"I must emphasise that I am not the most knowledgeable person to discuss this topic with, as I lack understanding in the field of wedding decoration. Moreover, I am perpetually willing to accommodate any of your preferences, regardless of their nature," John said before taking Francesca's hands and kissing it.
Colin groaned, saying, "Explain to me how I became involved in this discussion."
"You decline the opportunity to accompany Benedict and Anthony, as well as the opportunity to dance with any woman present in this room," Francesca replied, reminding him that since the beginning of the night, he wouldn't leave her side.
Her brother grunted, his eyes fixed on both Benedict and Anthony, who talked animatedly. Eloise soon joined them, reluctantly leaving her best friend's side, as Penelope was occupied with Lord Bexley, who was dancing with her.
Colin let out a sigh. That evening was really testing his patience.
"It's not the flowers that concern me the most, but our families," John continued the conversation. "Although I have a strong affection for my cousin, given his nature, it is possible that he will captivate one of your relatives irreversibly."
Francesca let out a laugh. "Everything will be alright. I gather Mama would be quite pleased if he were able to captivate Eloise."
Once again, the couple resumed their discussion about their wedding while Colin took a deep breath and continued sipping his lemonade. Fortunately, the dance was short-lived, and there was minimal interaction between Penelope and Lord Bexley. He watched her intently as she made her way back to her previous spot, where Lady Danbury curiously awaited her return. The sight triggered a quick memory of the first ball of the season, when the widow stood resolutely next to Penelope, looking at him with contempt as he walked towards them.
Before that year, Colin was completely unaware of any connection between the older woman and Penelope, but it seemed that he continuously found himself mistaken. Although he supposed if there was a member of the ton that was more secretive than Penelope herself, it was Lady Danbury.
His wandering thoughts, however, were soon diverted as he noticed someone moving across the room. It appeared that Lord Debling noticed that Penelope had finished her dance and gave her a lingering gaze, as if he was preparing to ask her to dance for a second time.
"No, not again," he muttered between gritted teeth, shoving his lemonade glass into the first person who was beside him before striding towards Penelope.
With lightning-fast reflexes, John managed to seize the glass just in time, preventing it from being forcefully pressed into his chest. Startled by her brother's abrupt movement, Francesca let out an unexpected yelp.
Helplessly, they could only observe as he confidently walked to the other side of the room, while she placed a hand on her chest in astonishment. "What in the world is he doing?" she asked.
"Asking a lady to dance hopefully," John muttered.
The closer he got to Penelope and Lady Danbury, the more Colin felt his sanity slipping away, begging for a much-needed break. He was aware that Penelope could still be mad at him and that there were many unresolved problems between them. And, as he walked, he noticed the piercing eyes locked on him, particularly when it became clear that he was approaching the youngest Featherington daughter. Nevertheless, at that very moment, all his problems were merging into a single one.
He could not watch Lord Debling dance with her a second time. He was no longer capable of witnessing her dance with anyone else at all.
Lady Danbury's eyes locked onto him as he approached, always aware of something he didn't know.
"Good evening, Lady Danbury, Miss Penelope." He bowed to them, fully aware his greeting sounded winded.
Penelope turned to him, her eyes widening, as the older woman's sharp gaze remained fixed on him.
"Good evening, Mr Bridgerton," Lady Danbury said.
He then turned to Penelope, who seemed speechless still. "Miss Penelope, if I may have the honour of your next dance?"
With a bewildered expression, she tilted her head back and regarded him as though he had gone completely mad. In a split second, her eyes underwent a myriad of transformations, transitioning from surprise to disbelief and finally settling on anger.
"No," she said. "No, you may not."
Had he gone completely insane? With all that had occurred between them lately, the idea of accepting a dance with him seemed far-fetched in any conceivable universe.
Glaring at her, Colin realised he shouldn't be the least bit surprised that this was her answer. However, he was discovering something about himself that he had never been aware of before. In a normal situation, he could maintain a proper behaviour, despite any inner turmoil.
That was, unless Penelope was involved.
"Are you currently betrothed to any gentleman, Miss Featherington?" With a tilt of his head, his voice oozed with sarcasm.
With a piercing stare, she refrained from crossing her arms and replied, "No" through clenched teeth.
"Then you must be aware that it is considered inappropriate for a woman to refuse a dance with a man unless she is already engaged. Is that not correct, Lady Danbury?" As he turned to the elder woman, a wave of realisation crashed over him - he had truly lost his mind to seek the agreement of someone who held nothing but contempt for him.
Lady Danbury, on the other hand, arched her eyebrows at him and responded, "Yes... Yes, that is correct."
Colin then turned with a smug grin to Penelope, who seemed like she was about to obliterate him with her eyes. Still, she bravely extended her hand in a clenched fist, her dancing card swaying gently on her wrist, ready to be signed.
With only her last dance remaining, he claimed it by writing the name Colin Bridgerton in prominent letters that sprawled across the page, effectively covering up the names of everyone else.
"Colin!" Startled, she let out a cry and unintentionally blurted out his first name as she noticed his artwork. Disregarding her shock, he swiftly took her hand and guided them towards the dancefloor.
And as they were on their way, she couldn't help but notice the sudden hush that fell over the room.
It was funny because, in the past, she had felt invisible, as if her actions went unnoticed by everyone, no matter what she did. Admittedly, that had slightly changed during that season. But in that moment, all eyes in the room were locked onto them, their presence filling the air with undeniable tension.
"What are you doing?" she muttered, speaking only loud enough for him to hear before they stood face to face.
"Can't you see? I am dancing," he replied unhelpfully.
Penelope sighed. It was clear that he had a hidden agenda he refused to reveal to her. However, at that point, she had come to accept that understanding Colin was a lost cause.
He gracefully bowed to her as she curtsied back, and then they began circling each other. With their hands held up, barely a breath away, they revolved around each other, their eyes locked in a profound connection.
Penelope realised it had been ages since she had locked eyes with Colin like this, and she couldn't help but remember the lessons he had taught her about the power of a meaningful gaze. This time, his eyes were not angrily icy blue, or shining with kindness. In fact, the blue in them was gradually fading as his pupils dilated.
As he placed a hand on her waist and she reciprocated by placing her hand on his, Penelope vividly recalled another lesson Colin had taught her.
This is the primary motivation behind a gentleman's invitation to dance.
He had mentioned before that a gentleman's main reason for asking a lady to dance was the desire to touch her. At the time, Penelope couldn't fully comprehend it. She had danced many, many times in the past. She had danced many times that very night, with multiple partners. Yet, to her, it all seemed the same, just dancing.
Of course, dancing with Colin had always felt different. On previous occasions, she couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness and giddiness as they danced, being close to him and being led by him. But even then, it still felt like dancing, simply following the correct steps and enjoying oneself, with a clear beginning and end.
But this, this was something else entirely.
The moment Colin's hand gripped her waist, a tingling sensation shot through her, electrifying every nerve. Memories of the carriage flooded back, instantly bringing back the vivid feeling of his hand tightly gripping her waist, his fingers gently caressing her back, and his firm grasp on her neck. They circled around each other once more, their bodies inching closer, their breaths blending together in ragged harmony.
And it finally dawned on her. That was the problem with dancing, wasn't it?
She didn't want to be dancing with him at all. She didn't want all those rules about how far apart they should be, where they should touch and for how long.
What she craved was to feel the warmth of his arms around her, the trail of his lips against her skin, to surrender herself to his touch without any reservations.
They raised their hands high above their heads and intertwined their fingers, keeping a strong grip on each other as they spun around. Their bodies pressed closer together, and Penelope's eyes couldn't help but dart to his lips, causing her breath to hitch. Once again, the air felt suffocatingly warm, making it difficult for her to think clearly. His hand slid up, tantalisingly close to her back, sending a shiver down her spine. She took a deep breath, fighting the urge to give in to her impulses, and instead locked eyes with him.
And there was this look in his eyes, one that she had seen a few times before, and now understood all too well. Contrary to her previous belief, it had nothing to do with hating her.
It was a harbinger that he was about to kiss her.
Colin then inhaled deeply and spun her around before succumbing to his impulses. Because he was on the brink of forgetting everything around them - the people, the music, and the dance steps - and simply kissing her.
After she finished twirling, he swiftly pulled her towards him, pressing her back against his chest and keeping her held tightly against him. His gaze moved from her bare shoulder to her neck, consumed by the desire to press his lips against her skin for as long as she would allow. Panting irregularly, he held her hand in a strong grip, as if afraid it would wander off on its own.
With his breath tickling her neck, Penelope instinctively tilted her head towards him, drawing them even closer. The rapid rise and fall of her chest against their joined hands sent a jolt of raw emotion through him, making him believe he was truly about to lose control.
But then, the music was reaching its finale, and with great effort, he managed to guide her back to where they started, their eyes reconnecting in an intense moment. They bowed and curtsied to each other again, their breaths came out in ragged and laboured, as if they had just finished running a marathon instead of dancing.
Overwhelmed, Colin practically sprinted away as soon as the dance ended.
And Penelope was left standing there, her hand clutching her chest feeling her heart pounding against her palm as she watched him disappear into the distance.
A/N:
Well that's it!
Before I say ANYTHING I need everyone to go check the instrumental version of Madness by the midnight string quartet, yes it's on the Playlist , yes it's the song for this chapter. When I first listened to this I just NEEDED it on a Polin dancing scene of them sort of realising their feelings. The lyrics of the original song are so fitting too seriously just do it, wait until minute 1 or go the end of the song; it's fantastic.)
Now more serious matters, I already said it, don't worry about Anthony. I just felt like, with Anthony's personality, it would be hard for him to be 100% relaxed with everything that had happened, it didn't seem realistic to me. He learned a lot on season 2 but he's /still learning. More than that, I feel like Anthony and Colin's relationship on the show has a sort of conflicting dynamic sometimes because they are so different. But we all know how much Colin needs Anthony so I think that for their relationship to evolve, it's better if Colin and Anthony actually have scenes about their relationship rather than just have everything magically sorted out.
Anyways, regarding this plot, and others, just wait for the next chapters ;)
Oh, and before I go let me ask you guys something: at first I planned on adding Daphne and Simon for just a few scenes, but upon learning they won't be on the season it's kind of messing with my vibe for the fic. So let me ask you guys, do you watch to see Daphne and Simon even if just a bit or will it mess up your image of this as season 3 too?
Okay, now I'm good. See you all next time, don't forget to leave your reviews as they always bring a huge smile to my face.
Have a good day and God bless you, guys!