The ball would start in a few hours. And she had way too many people to talk to and way too little time for that. They spent almost all day in bed, simply enjoying each other's company. So now she was in a hurry to the Bridgerton's to talk to Eloise. She comes first in all of the people she must talk to. They made a plan, so Colin was indeed going with her. She wrote a letter to his mother, but she didn't want Violet to read it, before she would have her quick escape. Colin did reassure her he could handle this part alone, and probably it would be better this way. The letter was her idea and she saw surprise on his face when she mentioned his mother.

"Good day." Penelope said first, when they both entered familiar living room.

"Colin! Penelope!" It seems everybody was happy to see them together for a chance. She watched a smile appear on Violet's face, as she wondered how she would look at her the next time they will see each other. Eloise looked up at Pen from the couch.

"Eloise, may I talk to you?" Penelope asked, as Colin already was talking to other members of his family.

"Sure." Eloise said, as she put down her book and they both walked away from others.

They took a walk to the garden in silence. But once they both were sure they wouldn't be overheard by anybody, Pen started telling her the plan. Eloise's face turned from shocked to curious and by the end of her monologue Penelope actually saw something along the lines of acceptance and even… being impressed? As she finished, there was a silence for a small while, as Eloise finally had spoken.

"Well, I actually think this is the best decision there is." Eloise said as they both were still standing near the bench, no one making a move to sit.

"You really think so?" Pen asked slightly surprised.

"Sure. And I'm sure it will all turn out okay in the end. Remember when Queen was thinking I was Lady Whistledown? I survived it. And you can also." Eloise said as her face light up with care and support.

"Thank you." Pen simply answered, as Eloise took her hand.

"And you will always have our support, Pen. You are a Bridgerton now. We tend to stick together no matter the case." Eloise said, looking at Penelope with warm eyes Pen haven't seen for a long time.

"Thank you, it truly means a lot, El." Just as Penelope answered, Eloise let go of her hand, sat down on the bench and asked.

"So, tell me what have you been reading lately?" All of tension seemed long forgotten, as they sat chatting there for some time about every exciting and not so book, they read recently. It felt like old times. Light and easy. They both missed it and they both got it back.

By the time they finished it was almost time to go to the ball. There were still a few hours left, just enough for Penelope to get ready and talk to her mom. Cressida was the last thought in her mind right now. She gave her letter to Colin, but just a single thought of him giving it to Violet frightened her, so saying her goodbye to Eloise, she left.

"Mother, I have something for you." Colin said, as he handed Violet the letter.

"Oh, what is that?" As she took it and opened it, she was reading line after line in complete silence. Her face showed way too many different emotions, as she got to the end. And her only line was.

"Well, glad you have a plan at least."

"Are you mad?" Colin asked as he hold his breath.

"I am indeed surprised, but I guess it makes sense." Violet answered in a calm tone, folding the letter and putting it back into the envelope. There was a complete silence as they just stood there, looking at each other.

"Did you know before you married?" Violet suddenly asked.

"Yes. Yes, I did. I was aware."

"Good. I just want you to be happy. People at this town can be cruel at times, but I do believe there's nothing more important than true love. And I could see it for you and Penelope a long time before really. Everything will be fine, as long as you have each other." She said, as she put her hand on his cheek, caressing it slightly in the accepting way.

Violet might never know, but those words meant a lot for Colin. It meant the world really. Now he was fully content with whatever might happen. Maybe, just maybe all this time the only thing he needed was indeed realization that he did not betray his family marrying the most famous writer in Mayfair.

"I am truly happy for you, son." Violet said as they shared warm hug.

Meanwhile Penelope was ready for the upcoming ball. The only few things left were talking to her mom and mastering her final speech. She had thoughts on how she wanted it all to go, but too many butterflies in her stomach and too many thoughts on her mind were not giving her time to come to her senses. Everything felt rushed. Everything felt like a book she used to read when she was a child. A true fairytale. She married her best friend. They love she felt for so long was indeed shared. And the realisation of a maybe child on a way felt way too overwhelming for her.

As she was about to leave for the ball, Colin entered their bedroom, where she was getting ready. She did not expect to see him before the ball. It was indeed a surprise. She held her breath as a sudden realization that Violet already knew hit her.

"Did you…?" She didn't have enough courage to ask the full question, neither it was needed. They were too good at understanding each other without many words.

"She was indeed surprised, but happy for us. Said she glad WE have a plan." He answered walking closer to Pen. He did roll his eyes on the last sentence, that only made her smile. "She did ask if I knew you were Lady Whistledown before we got married." He laughed lightly. She matched this mood in seconds. Really, how interesting that question was. – Penelope thought.

Colin took Pen's hands in his and asked.

"Are you ready? I thought we could share a carriage to the ball." He smiled giving her the look, only she could understand. She knew exactly what he was talking about. Carriage was their thing now. It would be forever their happy place.

"Yes."

Was all she answered as they both left.

Her head on his shoulder. His hand on hers. The ride was silent, yet completely peaceful for once.

As they entered ballroom, the first person her eyes were searching for was her mama. She spotted her standing alone, looking around.

"I have to tell my mother." She said to Colin, as he nodded encouraging and let go of her hand. Her eyes locked with her mom, as she walked though the whole ballroom alone. Never did she feel some calm and confident walking though entire huge room full of people completely alone. He had her back and that was all she needed.

"Mama."

"Penelope." They nodded slightly at each other.

"I promised to tell you our plan, as soon as we come up with it. I'm sorry it took me so long, but I am ready to tell you if you are ready to listen." Penelope said slowly, as Portia just stood there listening closely. They were talking in a low voice, so no one would overhear them.

"Cut the courtesy, what's the plan?" Portia could not wait, her eyes lighting up with wait hanging in the air.

"We will tell everybody the truth ourselves."

As Pen's words left her mouth, her mama's jaw dropped. Neither said anything, realising the last words.

"It will be alright, mama." After a short pause Pen decided to reassure her mother, as she reached for her hand. "It's for the best. Please, believe it."

"I do believe it's for your best, but what if…" Just as 'what if' part started, Pen cut her.

"No matter what we will be alright. Me and you, we will be alright. I promise."

As Pen's words settled into Portia's head, she felt unique new feeling. A feeling of being alone, but being taken care of still. Suddenly Portia realised, that the child she neglected at times, was indeed the child that would be there for her till the end. Penelope was maybe the single person in this town who could truly understand her, who was the most alike, whether the both liked it or not.

"Okay. Okay." Portia agreed, looking down just for a second. "Good luck, Penelope. They will be surprised, as they should be." Was it the encouragement? – Pen thought. They shared a small smile, as Pen's thoughts got back to her other question never leaving her mind.

"Mama, actually I have one more question for you."

"Yes, my dear?"

Taking a deep breath, Penelope looked up at her mother and simply asked. She was married. She had nothing to be ashamed of, but somehow, she still was. It was just days after their wedding after all. And there she was already asking…

"How do I know that I am indeed with child? Is there a way to check for sure?"

"It's been just a few days after your wedding, Penelope." Portia looked at her with the smile.

"Can you just answer the question?" Pen asked looking desperately at her mama.

"Oh my God, are you telling me..?" The surprise on Portia's face was undeniable. "That's why you asked back then… Penelope…" She looked at her somewhat delighted, somewhat understanding…

"Mama!" Pen didn't want to explain herself, she simply needed an answer, so she looked dementedly at her mother, that stood there once again with her jaw dropped.

"Well, your sisters are right. There's no monthly blood anymore. Some may experience nausea, sensitiveness in your body, change of appetite. There's no way to check for sure. But those are the good enough signs…" Penelope was simply listening, as the realization that her thought might be true after all started to catch up with her. "It's better to wait though at least 7 weeks before saying for sure." And suddenly it hit Portia. "Has it been more than a month already?" Now it was time for Penelope to be speechless. It was definitely more than 7 weeks since her last bleed, but less from their first time. Still now she felt pretty confident it was indeed true. All of the symptoms, all of sensations…

"Thank you."

And with that Pen simply turned around and left. She got her answer. That was all that mattered. Now different kind of thoughts entered her mind. Should she tell him now? Should she wait? Would she be able to wait at all? And with all that upcoming speech coming she was completely lost in her thoughts, as she heard somebody familiar calling her name standing behind her back.