After their dance was over. Simon was again pulled away by other bachelor's who were already drunk. Penelope laughed as he saw his face scrunch with annoyance being dragged away.

" Pen"

She was here. Penelope spun around to face her best friend ever...

" Eloise! " Penelope rushed to embrace her friend.

" I missed you so much. "

" I'm sorry I was not here soon enough, I hope you forgive me. " Eloise faltered she was never good at accepting she was in the wrong.

" I'm just happy you're here. I missed you terribly. " Penelope smiled at her friend.

" So you won't ditch me, now that you're married? " Eloise asked her doubtful.

" Of course not! We have been friends for so many years.. Marriage will not change a thing. " Penelope assured her.

" I don't want to loose you Pen... Your my best friend in the whole world. " Eloise voice trembled with emotion.

" Look who it is! The Duke trapper! "

A sharp shrill voice echoed behind them followed by a gaggle of laughter.

Cressida and her minions which also included her own sisters.

Penelope turned around to face them, Eloise standing along her side.

" Cressida! " Penelope whispered.

" How can you face anyone after what you have done? " Cressida remarked. " Aren't you ashamed of yourself Penelope? "

"Why would she ashamed?" Elena snapped.

" Oh you poor girl, you don't know do you?" Cressida laughed.

" What do you want Cressida? " Penelope asked frustrated.

" What I want is for you to accept that you trapped the Duke of Hastings to marry you. How I can't fathom to understand. " Cressida looked at her minions.

" He must have been completely drunk. " One commented.

" Why else.. who would want to marry the wallflower of the society. " another commented.

" This is so unfair to the rest of us. " Complained one

" You should not even speak to her Eloise she stole the Duke from your sister... She is a thief and light skirt. " Cressida added.

" Even her own sisters think she is worthless why would a wealthy man marry her if not forced. " Someone else added to the list of insults hyrled at her.

Penelope had had enough.

" That is enough.. This is my Wedding feast you are attending, you dare make accusations against me. " Penelope snapped at them.

. " Accusations??? We are only stating the truth Penelope Featherington! " Cressida took a step forward.

Penelope came two steps towards her aggesively.

" You will address me by my 'Your grace' Or 'Mrs Penelope Bassett'. Do you understand! " Penelope said in a threatening yet calm voice.

" Or you will regret you ever crossed the path of a Wallflower... Never again do I ever want any on you to make comments against my husband or my marriage. It's none of your business. So I warn you.. as a Duchess I have far more power and leverage than any of you combined... Take my advice and stay the hell away from me. " Penelope looked at all of them.

"Oh come on Penelope... " Prudence laughed.

" It's ' Your grace' sister do not forget your still out in the society. It wouldn't look nice for the society to know of you're vicious attributes to your fellow debutants" She made sure her message was received by everyone.

" You'll regret this! " Cressida threatened her.

" We will see about that, first you should focus on finding a husband for yourself. " Penelope smirked at her.

The group of women finally left all murmuring under their breath. Once they left she let out a sigh of relief.

" That was great!! " Eloise exclaimed with delight.

" You think so? " Penelope smiled a little.. " Do you think I went overboard? "

" Absolutely not they everything... In fact I probably would have done worse. " Eloise laughed, Penelope joined.

" You most certainly would have El. "

" I never knew you had this side of yours. " Eloise stated thoughtfully. " Maybe marriage is good for you! "

"Penelope where is Simon? " Lady Danbury asked them, Violet was also with her.

" I'm not sure some men took him away for drinks I believe. " Penelope answered.

" These bachelors I tell you! " Violet exoressed her displeasure.

" I'll go find him, the queen will be here soon.. You should be each other side all day. " Lady Danbury seemed worried.

" I'll join you, I have not seen my sons either... Eloise check oon the little ones will you... If you see Daphne send her to me.. I have not seen her all day. "Violet looked worried at Eloise then quickly put up a smile for Penelope. Penelope was able to see Violet's pain. She felt a surge of guilt overcome her. She was left all alone with that guilt as they all dispersed in different directions.

" Penelope come with me! " Portia Featherington dragged her away to the library.

After 15 minutes behind closed doors that felt more than a century long, Penelope come out scared, doubtful and broken in spirit.

She stayed by the sides in silence.

" There you are! " Simon walked up to her.

"We've been searching for you all over the place, Aunt wishes for us to greet the queen together. " He took her hand in his.

" I'm so sorry. I.. I slipped away for a little air.. It won't happen again.. I promise. " Penelope pleaded.

" You don't have to apologize, you can do whatever you'd like.. Now let's go. " Simon walked by her side with a smile.

They were heading to Clyvdon.

Simon was excited and nervous, mostly worried. Penelope had been acting strangely all evening after their dance.

After dodging all the ridiculous questions he was asked by his so called drunk friends about his relationship with Penelope, about his sanity from courting a diamond to marrying a wallflower.He was close to causing a brawl in her honour if only Anthony and Will had not been there to stop him.

Once he was able to get away from them, his Aunt and Lady Bridgerton lectured him on his duties as a husband and tasked to go find his wife.

He found her by the shadows of the pillars od the far left of the Ballroom all by herself, seeing her made him forget all his previous agitation minutes ago.

From that moment he felt that something was eating at her, she seemed more nervous than ever. She was restless and seemed worried about something, she kept removing her hand from his, after the brief interaction with the queen. She seemed to be more scared. He wanted to talk to her but kept getting interrupted by the guests. After her brief conversation with Daphne she would not take his hand. After the Feast they were finally alone by themselves on their way to Clyvdon for their honeymoon.

"Are you okay? " Simon asked her unfastening his jacket, it was going to be a long journey he might as well get comfortable.

" Yes I am " Penelope whispered not looking at him.

" No your not. What's going on? You've been restless all evening since our dance " He moved a little closer towards the window she was facing.

" I'm perfectly fine just tired. " Penelope sniffled as she answered.

" Say that looking at me Penelope! " Simon gently took her hands in his, Penelope faced him, tears in her eyes. Simon panicked.

" What's wrong? why are you crying? have I done something to upset you? " Simon fired away worried.

Penelope looked at Simon in the moonlight that fell on his face through the window, he looked breathtaking to her, even worried he exerted confidence. She would never match up to that. She thought to herself with a helpless smile.

"Now your smiling! You want to give me an attack is it? " Simon asked a little more relaxed.

" I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you. " Penelope smiled a little.

" Don't be sorry tell me what is bothering you... You promised me. " Simon asked.. he knew her well enough that she good at hiding her thoughts from the world. That would have to change with them if they were to spend a lifetime together.

" I'm.. I just feel guilty... " Penelope looked down.

" About what! " Simon pursues.

" For so many things... Let's just forget it. " Penelope forced a smile trying to be cheerful.

" I'm not letting go till you tell why you feel guilty and who nade you feel that! " He now was sure someone must have said something to her.

" No one.. " She whispered.

" I'm a stubborn man Penelope I can do this for a long time. " He stated in a stern voice.

Penelope finally explained the interaction between herself and Cressida.

" What Cressida thinks or anyone else for that matter should not affect us. We are married and that's the ultimate truth. Cressida is a bitter vile women... whose just jealous of what you have. " Simon moved across and sat beside her. " And the way you handled her... should keep her in place... If you feel it's going out if hand you only need to tell me so... You are a strong woman Penelope... people like Cressida are wild dogs who only bark... It's better to ignore them. " Simon looked at her hoping his words would make her feel a little more confident.

" bitches!! " Penelope giggled.

"I beg your pardon" Simon laughed

" Cressida... she would be a bitch.. " She smiled at him.

"Thank you for correcting me and smiling and what else? " Simon ured her on.

Penelope turned to face him, she looked uncomfortable.

" There is nothing more.. " She lied.

" That was not the complete truth so spill.. " He teased.

" I feel responsible for hurting Daphne's feelings... If we hadn't got caught.. " She fumbled.

" It would not make a difference, I wouldn't marry her anyways.. " Simon replied plainly.

"You courted her Simon.. I saw the spark myself. " Penelope argued.

" Courting does not always end in marriage, hence its courting.. What you saw between Daphne and myself was mutual respect and friendship nothing else.. " Simon replied firmly..

" I know that's not completely true... She loves you... I stole her chance away , I stole your chance away at a much more compatible companion, " she cried.

" Listen to me Penelope... Daphne and I never had a future... that's the truth... you did not steal anything from her because she never had it in the first place. " Simon patiently explains.

" What of your happiness? " Penelope looked at him eyes blazing.

" What makes you think I am not happy? I am very happy that it is you I will spending my life with... the only regret I do have is the way we ended up here. " Simon wiped away the tear from her cheek.

" I won't be able to keep you happy... you deserve " Penelope looked away.

"Bullshit!!! Who told you that? Do I look like a man who is unhappy?? Why do think this way? Am I making you feel this way? " Simon was concerned, he never wanted her to doubt herself or him.

" No but it's understandable Simon you have seen the world.. been with women far more beautiful than ne your were courting the diamond of the season!!! How can I ever compete or satisfy you!! "Penelope rattled away.

It took a few minutes for Simon to actually register what she said. He pulled her closer by the waist, his palms covering her cheeks. Temple resting on hers.

" Penelope Simon Bassett your beautiful and more just the way you are. " He looked into her eyes.

"You don't have to"pen began, Simon interrupted.

" I will say what I feel... I will have what I want.. Penelope I feel happy in your companion ship, I want you for all of you, all you quirks , for these beautiful freckles on your cheeks. " Simon vreathed slowly rubbing his thumps across her cheek.

Penelope took deep breath she was feeling the same heat when he kissed her in the church.

"For your fiery red hair" He slowly loosened all the pins letting them fall to the floor till the hairdo completely came undone.

"These eyes that remind me of the season I have often travelled across... " He gently kissed of bith her eyes.

"This beautiful flawless skin that turns red whenever you blush... I love it when you blush" He trailed his finger from her forehead to her earlobes down her neck till her shoulderbone. Penelope shivered at his touch yet the heat rising within her was increasing exponentially.

"These soft pillowy lips the very definition of perfection. " Simon rubbed his thumb across and over her lips. Penelope gasped, she grabbed on to his shirt for support.

" I want you Penelope with my every fibre.. do you trust me now when I say that I'm more than happy to be married to you whatever the circumstances. " He looked at her waiting for the words to leave her lips. He wanted her!

" I trust you Simon!! " Penelope looked back at him with equal desire as he had in his eyes.

He picked her up, plopped her in his laps.

"Simon" She gasped.

" No more arguments not now.. " Simon blurted out pulling her face down to his crashing his lips against hers.

Penelope let go of all her inhibitions, doubts giving herself up in the moment.

She clutched on to his shoulder hard as his lips ravished hers. She mimicked him the way he tugged her lips. Simon seemed to like that she reciprocated. His hands glazed all over her back. The sensation spreading sparks all over her body.

Simon slowly let his tongue enter her when she opened her mouth to takya breath. She tasted wonderful cake and lemonade and something just her. She matched his movements with equal fervor, his body ached to be buried inside of her..

he slows descended from her lips to her to her neck to her Pulsepoint... Every time he sucked and kissed she cried his name ,making him go wild and hard. She dug harc into his shoulder trying to get as close as possible to him.

" Simon! " She cried.

" Say that again! " He asked her to repeat.

Penelope wasn't in her senses, she was overwhelmed with this desire she could not explain or express.

Simon tralied down to the top her breast , bitting her gently.

"Simon!! " She jerked rocking against him.

" Better!!! I want you to only have my name on your lips, only my hands on taking over your body my love bites that will remind you that I want you only you. " Simon pulled away to look at her.

" Do you understand? Your mine! My redhead! "

Simon said in the most possessive way possible, it made her heart flutter.

" I'm yours Simon.. all yours! " She looked at him with new confidence.

" As I am yours Penelope... Always and forever! " Simon kissed her one more time.

"As much as I would love to take you completely here right now. This place is not fit for a Duchess, for your first time... most importantly our first time. " He kissed her on her forehead, loosening her dress.

'Now sleep! " Simon rested his back. Penelope started to move.

"What do you think your doing? " Simon asked his hand firmly on her hips.

"Getting off of you, so we can sleep " Penelope said matter of factly.

" Don't move "

"I'm heavy Simon you'll be uncomfortable" she looked at him confused.

" You're not heavy... get that in your pretty little head you just Mine now sleep. " Simon picked her up to make feet face the right of the carriage, sitting towards the side. Penelope rested her head on his chest.

" Good night Simon "

" Good night my redhead "

That night they both slept with a peaceful smile rocking gently in the carriage as they rode the treacherous trail.. hopeful for the good days to come and ready to face the worst 'Together' as one.

If only the world would allow them the time and space.