I'm really enjoying writing this so I hope you enjoy the read. I'm trying to make the chapters longer. Any feedback is welcomed :)
The next day, Penelope woke and decided to stay in the comforts of her home. She avoided the mirror to avoid disappointment. She peered out of her window, across to Bridgerton House, and caught the beaming rays of the sun in her eyes. It was the perfect day to sit in the garden, so that was what she would do today. She took her latest novel with her into the garden and perched under a tree for shade. She did not want the sun to catch her porcelain skin and cause further embarrassment to her appearance. She carried plenty already.
The sun beamed, and the characters in her book transported her into a romantic tale of love at first sight, the feeling she felt when she first set eyes on Mr. Bridgerton. Ray peered around the corner. "Miss, you have a visitor." Penelope nodded in confusion. Colin slowly approached and asked her for a word. He continued with his apology from the evening before. Penelope disputed his apology and avoided his apologetic gaze.
"Please, Pen, I miss you. I did not mean the words I uttered last year. I have changed," he pleaded.
His words pulled at her heartstrings, but she stubbornly swallowed all the pain and showed no emotion in response.
"I will do anything, anything to make things right between us!" His words began to sound more desperate.
"Perhaps, you should leave," she retorted.
"I am not ashamed of you, Pen. It's rather the opposite. I seek you out at every social assembly because I know you will lift my spirits," he calmly spoke.
"It has been truly vexing, watching you walk back into society with such ease. I pray every year that I might feel that way amongst the marriage mart, and my hopes always fail me," she said solemnly.
"Well...if it is a husband you seek...let me be of assistance," he offered.
"Help me, how?" she implored.
Colin's eyes glimmered with the hope that his friend would return to him. "Tomorrow, we shall meet when we promenade." He exited the Featherington estate swiftly, and Penelope's mind swirled in confusion. What could he mean?
The next morning, Penelope awoke with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. She dressed with care, choosing a pale blue gown that brought out the color in her eyes, and made her way to the park for her promenade with Colin.
When she arrived, Colin was already there, his beaming smile lighting up his face as he saw her approach. He extended his arm, and she hesitantly took it.
"Thank you for meeting me," Colin said warmly.
Penelope nodded, still unsure of his intentions. "What is your plan, Colin?"
Colin led her down the familiar path, the morning sun casting a golden glow over the scene. "I would like to see how you flirt."
Penelope's heart raced with anxiety, and she let out a dry cough. "And what if I fail again?"
"You won't," Colin assured her. "And even if you do, it is just practice. No one becomes proficient at anything without a few missteps."
They rounded a corner to find a tall, well-dressed gentleman waiting for them. Colin introduced him as Lord Daniel Sommerby, a charming young man with an easy smile.
"Miss Featherington, it is a pleasure to see you," Lord Sommerby said, bowing gracefully.
Penelope curtsied, her nerves showing in her tight smile. "The pleasure is mine, Lord Sommerby."
Colin stayed close, offering gentle encouragement as the conversation progressed. He nudged Penelope to make use of her fan. It fluttered haphazardly and erratically, and Penelope appeared discomposed.
"So, Lord Sommerby, do you enjoy reading?" she asked, trying to impress Colin and the gentleman in front of her.
"I do, indeed," Lord Sommerby replied. "In fact, I have just finished a novel by Sir Walter Scott. Have you read any of his works?"
Penelope's eyes lit up. "Yes, I have! I found his characters to be quite captivating."
Encouraged by her response, Colin quietly stepped back, allowing them more space. But as soon as he did, Penelope's nerves returned. She stumbled over her words and laughed a bit too loudly at Lord Sommerby's mild joke. Despite this, Lord Sommerby remained polite and engaging.
After what felt like an eternity to Penelope, Colin rejoined them and suggested a walk by the lake. Lord Sommerby agreed and excused himself to retrieve a parasol for the walk.
Once he was out of earshot, Penelope turned to Colin. "I made a fool of myself, didn't I?"
"Not at all," Colin said with a reassuring smile. "You were wonderful. A bit nervous, perhaps, but that is to be expected."
Penelope sighed. "I just feel so out of place in these situations."
Colin took her hand gently. "You belong just as much as anyone else, Pen. And I will be here to help you until you believe it yourself."
Penelope felt a small surge of hope at his words. Maybe, just maybe, she could navigate the world of courtship with Colin's guidance.
With Colin by her side, she began to believe that perhaps she could find her place in society after all.