Chapter 1

As she tossed and turned in her bed, Penelope Featherington felt time slipping away from her. She was a spinster and would always be one. Years and years of her life were spent pining after Colin Bridgerton, but she could never express her true feelings for him that went beyond friendship. She couldn't bear another day in her cold stately home and burned to be away from her picky and proud Mama. There was only one thing she could do; she needed to seek out a husband, even if Colin Bridgerton was not an option.

She threw herself out of her soft, white sheets and glared at her reflection in the mirror. She felt a warm feeling of dread and discomfort when she looked up and down at her reflection. She'd never felt beautiful and felt even worse when she wore the acidic-colored clothes that her Mama loved so much. She just wanted to feel beautiful in her own skin, for someone to love her as she was. She shook off the idea and resolved to make a plan.

In the early hours, Penelope disposed of every frilly lemon-colored dress she owned and stormed to the Modiste for a fresh start.

Madame Delacroix was so helpful and so agreeable about Miss Featherington's idea of a change. She wanted to look like the women in Paris. Even if Colin was not a prospect, the idea of impressing him was very much a high priority. Some would think this laughable, but this was her little secret.

Penelope stared at her reflection in the mirror. She didn't feel as much dread as she had previously. Her copper-colored locks were complemented by the deep shade of emerald green. She showed Rae, her ladies' maid, an image (again like the women in Paris) and requested a hairstyle to complement her new fashionable garment.

As she stepped into the carriage, her heart raced like a stallion. Intrusive thoughts filled her head, and she didn't know whether she should or should not have made this decision. Should she have remained a sickly, yellow wallflower for the rest of her life? Before she could contemplate any more thoughts, her carriage came to a halt, and she had arrived. There was no turning back now.

At the top of the stairs, Penelope was asked to take off her cloak. The anticipation and dread swirled in her body like a tornado, and she couldn't help but feel some excitement. What if Colin saw her? Would he like it? Would he notice?

She took the plunge and swiftly pulled her cloak off, revealing the new version of herself to the ton. Eyes glared at her and all conversation ground to a halt. It was too late now; all eyes were on her and she had to face them all. A ringing filled her ears and she heard a handful of words stand out through the deafening tone. As the sound faded and the voices had more clarity, she heard mentions of Whistledown and knew it was expected that she would be mentioned in tomorrow's paper.

In the corner of her eye, she spotted a quiet space behind the dance floor where she could attempt to hide herself and shuffled awkwardly in that direction. Her eyes remained fixed on the ground, avoiding the gaze of anyone who was in her path. As she was almost in her quiet place of refuge, she felt a thud in her side. She looked up to see a very tall man, with light hair and kind eyes, staring down at her.