They were heading in the direction of the main entrance, when he looked up at the house, noticing all of the lights in windows were off. Suddenly he made a rapid stop, almost making her bump into him. He quickly threw a glance at the direction of her house and tuned back. She felt how he pulled her to the garden. All of this could not be more confusion so.

"Colin…" she started yet again.

"Shhh… Please, not now." Was all he whispered, as they made their way though the garden and entered his house from the exit closer to the bedrooms. Long hallway later and some stair and he opened the door to the room she hasn't been before. His bedroom.

He opened the door and went straight for one of the chairs. He put her gown there, the one he took off her in the carriage. She just uncomfortably stood there, near the entrance.

As he noticed her lost stare at him, he moved closer to her, but only to close the door behind her. He still was holding the envelope in his hand. Her glare followed every of his move, waiting for what shall happen next.

He went to a small table where all of the candles were standing and light up a few, it light up the room just enough for her to noticed more pieces in his room. He had a huge table closer to the window, a few nice chairs… She noticed the bed and inhaled, making the sound loud enough for his to turn his attention back to her.

Just as he did so, he started saying. "You're not printing that, as I said." He help envelope closer to the candle, and that caught her attention away from the bed.

"What are you doing?" Is he really going to…?

"I said. Your questions later." And with that the both watched as envelope with her column inside caught fire.

"Colin!" That was definitely a scream, maybe just too loud for this house.

"Shh… There are people in this house. We don't want to wake them… yet." Yet? What was that supposed to mean? – she thought.

"You don't get to make decisions as to what Lady Whistledown says." Shock mixed with annoyance was playing on her face, as he put the burning piece of paper on the tray and walked closer to her.

"It's not that I'm making decisions for you, Lady Whistledown. I simply want you to see, that you don't have to give up your thing for me." To say that took her off guard, is to say nothing. She held her breath as he continued. "I wouldn't lie, I am slightly mad. But not because it turned out to be you. I am mad for so many other things. But more so I am mad at myself that I didn't provide a safe place for you to tell me, Pen."

"Colin, you don't have to…" She didn't have a chance to finish as he started talking once again.

"I just wanted you to be able to trust me completely, Pen. I want to be the person you can rely on" He took a step closer to her.

"But I do. I do trust you. That's just bigger, bigger than…" There was plea to believe her, visible on her face now.

"And most of all I am completely in awe of you going to the City completely alone. Pen, that cannot happen again. Just promise me, you tell me the next time. I just want to know you're safe." He was so close to her now. Reaching out and touching her cheek. So caring, so warm.

"We will see what we can do." She didn't have a better answer. She didn't even know if she truly wanted to continue being Lady Whistledown. As she said it, their eyes met in a dimmed light of his room. But just as fast as it started, it was over. He took a step back. Took his jacket off, meanwhile watching her face expression carefully. Was it fascination? He went to put his jacket on the back of the chair behind the table, as the comfort of silence filled the room.

It was indeed much more than fascination. It was the first time she felt attraction to him, not only for his personality, but for his appearance. At least the part of the appearance she didn't pay attention before. He was so handsomely breathtaking, she had to take her eyes off him to hold her emotions at place. Place. That was a good thought.

As she continued exploring his room, her eyes reached the large mirror just behind her. It didn't really help, as she saw him in the reflection, lead over the chair, taking something from his table. He slowly walked back to her, as she watched his every move in the mirror. She felt like she was losing the sense of time or everything that was happening right there and then.

"I better get home." She said.

"I checked and all of the lights are off in your house, so I thought you still have time." He was standing right behind her, she could feel his warmth radiating with her back, with her whole body really. "Do you want to stay here tonight?" He asked, as his fingers lingered against her collarbone. Her only response was soundless inhale.

"It seems you find excuses to leave ever so often. So, tell me if it's too much and you want to leave." He felt so comfortable around her, so caring and protective, it took her breath away. "If you want to leave, that's okay. Just tell me. You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do, Pen." As he said it, his fingers slowly moved to her lips.

"I never felt more comfortable than around you, Colin." She said, with his fingers still against her lips. She moved her hand to move it off. "There's no excuses this time." And there was her answer.

"I have something for you." His other hand held a small box that he opened and held in front of her. As he watched her reaction in the mirror, her head looked down. There it was. A ring. The most beautiful ring she had ever seen. A small flower made out of pearls. True Bridgerton style.

Their eyes met in the reflection of mirror. "Penelope Featherington, will you do me an honor and marry me?" A bright smile shined on her face as she said "Yes." Simple, yet elegant.

"I'm so glad you didn't stick to your usual "I should go home" in this moment." He joked and suddenly the moment completely felt theirs. It was so them to laugh wholeheartedly in such an important moment. Still standing behind her, he took a ring out of the box with his other hand. As she held out her hand, he put the ring on her finger and kissed her shoulder.
She turned around and kissed him. Not only did he know her secret, he still wanted to marry her. If that wasn't love, she didn't know what love is.