HIS FUTURE

He was too late.

He'd lost her.

"I've made my peace with what Lord Debling has to offer. I'm going to accept his proposal."

Going to accept. Going to accept. Going to accept…

The words swirled around and around in Colin Bridgerton's head, much like the dancers that now whirled around and around him where he still stood in the middle of dancefloor.

Exactly where Penelope Featherington had left him.

Going to accept…

He blinked. The people moving in front of him came sharply into focus and his stomach lurched unpleasantly. Glancing to his side, he became aware of the curious looks and not so quiet murmurings from the other members of the Ton who had witnessed him rudely cutting in on Debling and Penelope.

He should have been mortified about his actions, but couldn't find it within himself to care. Ever since his mother had told him that Penelope would be receiving a proposal that evening, he hadn't been able to think of anything else. In truth, he'd expected to have more time but, clearly, Debling was a man of decision.

And so, knowing what he did of the Lord leaving for three years, he had hurried to the ball and hoped that it would have been enough of a deterrent for Penelope. Unfortunately, he'd underestimated just how much she was aware of her suitors' plans…and just how determined she was to secure a match.

And now he was torn. What right did he have to try and ruin her chances? If Debling was who Penelope really wanted, maybe he should just step back. Do the proper thing.

He gave a slight shake of his head. Thinking back he's not sure he'd ever really done the 'proper' thing when it came to Penelope. He'd been forever crossing lines and none more so than this season.

Still, it did not sit well with him. That man just wasn't right for her…whereas Colin knew that he was!

True, it had taken him some time to wade through all the confusing feelings that had plagued him the past few weeks, but the simple fact was that ever since he'd kissed Penelope, absolutely everything had changed.

For him at least.

More than ever he cursed himself for not telling Penelope how he felt a few nights earlier when he'd had the chance.

Fear had held him back though. Fear of her not feeling the same, of her rejection. Of losing their friendship altogether because having her in his life in any capacity was better than not having her there at all.

But where had that got him?

Left standing alone…again.

Like an idiot.

A flare of irritation, along with a healthy dose of jealousy suddenly rose like bile in his throat and before he even comprehended what he was doing, Colin started moving. Clearly his heart knew better than his head.

Walking quickly, he deftly dodged the swaying couples who were coming to the end of the last dance of the ball. Taking the steps off the dancefloor in one stride, he hurried in the same direction that both Penelope and Debling had taken mere moments before.

Each room he passed through, his glanced around, half hoping, half dreading to catch sight of the couple. When he approached the main door without having once glimpsed either, he wasn't sure whether it was a good sign or not.

A million questions ran through his head as he got to the door just in time to see a Featherington coach pull away in the distance. He knew it wasn't her mother or sisters as he'd seen them all together celebrating…something.

Had Debling proposed then?

Had Pen accepted?

Surely if she had, the happy couple would be with her family still?

Or maybe they had gone off together…

A sick feeling lodged deep in the pit of his stomach at that thought and he broke into a run along the torch lit carpet laid outside. Reaching the end, he watched as the coach disappeared around the turn that led to the main drive and knew that this time he couldn't just walk away.

This time he needed to be brave.

Just as his father had been.

He loved Penelope. He knew that with every fibre of his being. It had taken him a long enough to realise it, but now that he did, he wasn't going to give her up without a fight.

Breaking into a sprint, he cut across the lawn and headed to the main drive to intercept the carriage. Needing air, he untied his cravat and roughly pulled it from neck, leaving it to fall to the ground. Heart beating near out of his chest, he wasn't quite sure whether it was purely down to his haste or the fact that he was almost to the carriage and finding out if Penelope in any way returned his feelings.

Dear God he hoped that she did.

"Wait!" he shouted, raising a hand to signal the coachman. The carriage rolled to a halt and Colin grabbed the door handle. Yanking it open, he saw her sitting there. Alone. Relief coursed through his body and he burst out her name, "Penelope!"

She was clearly not happy to see him.

"I do not wish to speak with you."

He wasn't deterred.

"Please," he panted, trying to catch his breath, "let me in."

He nodded to the opposite side of the carriage and it felt like eternity before she shot him one last glare then finally sat back in her seat giving silent consent.

Inwardly rejoicing that one small victory, he climbed quickly into the carriage then sat down and, finally, without reserve, he faced his future.

END