Dear GENTLE Reader, as much as I do enjoy each comment as it shows you indeed do care and want more, I must say I am doing what feels right and the best I can. Maybe I am The Author, but I am also just a human being. I want to write the best I can, not for the seek of just doing it, but for you to be able to fully enjoy it.

Each chapter consists of many things, from creating the plot (which maybe you noticed is a bit different from the book or the show) to finding the right words to describe the depth that keeps you hanging here and wanting more.

So, please, be more Gentle, when it comes to leaving a comment. Saying "hurry up" will not make me create it faster for you. But if you do enjoy it and can't wait for the next chapter do say so. Simple and nice.

And for those of you asking, if I am indeed planning on any other story in this fandom. Yes, I do have an idea or two. If you're interested for me to continue writing for Colin and Pen after this story is finished, please do let me know! I will gladly appreciate those comments a lot, and maybe that will make me write faster, who knows.

Truly yours, a simple human being and also Author of this story.

Now go ahead and enjoy this new chapter. impatient guest, lots of love to you.

"No, mama. That's my decision. No lies. I have a plan." Pen said.

"And what plan might that be, Penelope?" Portia asked in a pushy way.

"It is my problem, mama. Let me deal with it alone, as I started it." Penelope answered confidently. Her back straitened and her posture screamed with unwavering energy. "I am going to talk to him now, if you don't mind, we'll have tea some other time." Pen took one step to the door as she heard her mama say.

"I am going with you."

"I thought I was pretty clear when I asked to deal with it alone." Pen said looking at Portia.

"This situation can affect my name also, so I must at least go with you, Penelope." Portia demanded. And she was heard, as Penelope nodded and they both left to see Colin. It is true. It could have a huge affect on both of their families. – Pen thought. So, they went together. The drive was silent as the darkest night.

As they entered Bridgerton's house they were notified that Colin and Eloise were in the living room, so Portia almost ran there, as Pen tried to catch up with her. This can turn into madness quickly. – Pen thought, as Portia opened the door and entered earlier said room.

"Penelope!" Colin announced getting up from the chair, slightly shocked from such unexpected surprise. "Ms. Featherington." He greeted her mother, slightly nodding his head. "What are you doing here, Pen? I thought I won't see you till evening." He looked down, not truly knowing how to behave when Portia was present.

"I have a thing to discuss with you." Pen said and noticed how Colin tensed right that moment, uncomfortably looking towards her mother. "She knows, Colin, you don't have to hide your ire." Pen said, slightly rolling her eyes.

"Well, perhaps we shouldn't have this conversation around Miss Eloise." Portia suggested looking at the Eloise.

"She also knows." Pen said.

"And why do we suddenly all know that we know?" Eloise asked looking around.

"Because Cressida discovered my secret and demanding 10 thousand pounds to keep it to herself." Colin and Eloise looked at Penelope and the same time with the same shock and fear in their eyes, as Portia just stood there, looking at Pen and holding her breath for what will come next.

"WHAT?" Colin asked at first. "This is blackmail! We should do something about it." Colin started passing at the room, trying to come up with a decision. "I won't stand for anybody to blackmail my wife! I must talk to her." He suddenly stated and took a step in the direction of the door.

"That is kind of you Colin, but there's no need." Pen stopped him, standing in his way, her hand played with her necklaсe as she tried to calm her nerves. It all felt suddenly too heated, too many people in the room.

"Penelope, don't be naïve, your husband kindly offered his help, you should be grateful." Portia said stopping her daughter. "We all are grateful." Portia looked up at Colin with a slight smile.

"What are you proposing we just pay her? How did she even find out?" Eloise suddenly asked.

"It doesn't matter how Cressida found out!" Colin said looking at Eloise, and then turned to look back at Pen. "But if we would pay her now, it won't be over for a long time. She shall just ask for more and more as time goes on. We can't do it."

"This is truly kind of you to suggest you will be the one paying, but it's not what I'm suggesting here." Pen said looking down.

"Wait, you have that high of sum already?" Eloise suddenly asked, as all eyes flew from Eloise back to Pen.

"Slightly more, if we're being honest." Pen said uncomfortably playing with her necklaсe yet again. "But again, no one will pay her. Colin is right, this won't make her stop. So, as I said I have another idea."

"No, wait, you have that kind of money?" Colin asked shocked, looking at Penelope like he saw her for the first time.

"All that time?" Her mother added, moving her hand to her face in annoyance and disbelief.

"Yes, but as I said, I have a plan." Pen tried yet again, as everybody present in that room, were still trying to catch up with earlier two shocking news.

"I think you did enough already, I am going to deal with that." Colin sounded mad and decisive, taking yet another step towards the door, only for Pen to stand directly near him, closing his way out.

"Penelope, he's trying to help you! What are you doing getting in a way? You should be thankful!" Portia said right away, as Colin tried to find a way around her, not even looking at her.

"NO! That's enough." She put one of her hands on his chest, stopping him lightly, as she looked at her mother and continues. "Everyone who's not me or my husband, please, leave the room. Now." Penelope said raising her voice a bit.

Her mother just stood there shocked for a second, but she did as she was told. She did throw at Penelope one last disappointed glance, but she did leave fast. Colin just stood there shocked. He had never heard Penelope speaking to anybody in that tone of voice. Eloise was lost for a second looking at Pen with a silent question in her eyes, as she wasn't sure, if anybody indeed remembered she was still in the room.

"Eloise, I will tell you everything as soon as we talk and will come to a decision. But for now, let us handle this alone, please?" Pen said in a more soothing voice, politely asking Eloise to leave also.

"Sure, sure." Eloise quickly said and almost ran out of the room, closing the door behind herself.

Colin took a step back, as he looked to the floor trying to catch up with everything that just happened in this room. Did she just embarrass him in front of her own mother and his sister? – was his first thought. Not only she did not except his help, but she also did it I front of other people. He felt not needed yet again, and slightly not respected even somehow.

"Did you had to do it in front of them?" Was his first question.

"What?" She asked confused.

"Telling, that you don't want my help, showing off you need No One to deal with your problems, even when it concerns both of our families, really." He turned his back to her, looking in the window.

"Colin…" She started in a calming voice, but he did not turn to her. So, she went and stood right in front of him. He was way taller, so his eyes were still looking in the window. She grabbed his collar and pulled slightly. "Look at me." She ordered and asked at the same time.

And he did. Somehow her confidence right at that moment made her too breathtaking not to follow her order. If he was fully honest with himself, it slightly turned him on.

"Listen, I know I must have talked to you without anybody. My mother just has this power of getting what she wants, and I yet not have learned to say no to her." She said looking down with slight shame. "I know it concerns both of our families now." She looked at up back at him, as she noticed his eyes were still locked on her. "But I do believe we need to figure it out together. For us. Without any other opinions on this matter. It's our life in the end that is at the most stake here." She said, looking for any kind of understanding in his eyes. Her hand still holding his jacket.

"That is why I wanted to talk to Cressida!" Colin demanded. "But you cannot take my help even when it came to blackmail."

"It's not that. I am truly, honestly thankful that you would stand up for me like that. But…"

"But what? Just admit it you don't need me!" Colin got angry again as he tried to take a step back, only for her to enhance her hold on his jacket and pull him back.

"I do need you!" She screamed and the took a deep breath to calm herself down. "I do need you, this is why I said to Eloise that we will come to a decision together."

"Yeah right, the one that you will come up with." He threw those words at her, as he looked up, running his hand over his face.

"No, we will. I have a plan to propose, but if you won't agree to that we will find another one together." She said as she grabbed his hand away with her other hand. "But think about it… Cressida is a cold-hearted person. The only one she cares about is herself. There are no words that will make her change her mind." She started explaining in a calm voice holding his hand at his heart, and her other hand on his chest. And it seemed to bring his view back to her eyes. It seemed to make sense to him now also. "I am just saying we have to play smarter. And I think I am ready to make a decision that will help to put this situation to an end for all." She said as his brows formed a silent question on his face.

"I want to tell everybody on my terms myself. But I do need you to be there for me. I won't be able to do it without your support, without you near." She said as her eyes were almost begging him to understand. His sight was clouded in fear and shock after he heard it, as he felt completely lost for words.

"I know you think this will ruin us. But…" She started as she squeezed his hand in her a bit stronger. "I do believe that with a right way to announce it, and at the right time, everything will be fine."

"Pen…." Colin started calmly.

"I was planning on talking to you about it, even before Cressida came to me this morning. That what I think will be best for us in the first place." She took a deep breath. "This secret is the one thing that bothers you. I see it. I understand. So, I think we should let it go." Colin eyes grew more scared with each word. "There will always be a secret even if there won't be any column. So, we must reveal it on our terms, and then the it will look like we still have the power over it." She said as she felt him put his hand on top of hers. The one that is on top of his hand. Over his heart. He lowered his body a bit, trying to match her height, looked her in her blue eyes and asked.

"Can I take some time to think about it?"

"Sure. But you should know." Pen said, holding her breath. "Cressida plans to tell everybody at the upcoming ball. We have until tomorrow evening."

"So, I have no time, really. Great." Colin stood straight once again. He squeezed her hand back and said. "I need some time. Let's talk in the evening."

And she did give him time. As she left, she only hoped it would be enough for him.