Chapter Five:

Colin held his soon-to-be wife close to his chest as she slept. Their activities had worn them both out, and they had fallen asleep together. He had woken up just a few moments prior, and was relishing in feeling her body against his. Her curls had fallen out, her cheeks still red, and her skin glistening with sweat, but he had never seen her more beautiful. She was perfect, and she was all his. He couldn't wait until they never had to part again. The thought of having to return her to her mama's house made his stomach turn. They would see each other the following evening at their engagement ball, however. It had been thrown together quickly at his mother's insistence. She wanted them to have all the wedding experiences other couples would, despite the hurried ceremony. Colin was half tempted to admit what they had done just a few hours before, hoping they'd be forced to marry even sooner. He wouldn't do that, though. Penelope deserved a real wedding, and celebrations leading up to it. And, he didn't want anyone to think her to be promiscuous when it was him that led them to an unchaperoned house.

"Colin, how long have I been asleep for?" Penelope asked as she slowly came to. Her sleepy face made him smile.

"We took a bit of a nap, I am afraid your mama will grow suspicious if we don't get you home soon." Colin told her. He placed a kiss on top of her head. "How are you feeling?"

"Wonderful." She smiled.

"No regrets?"

"None at all, my sweet man." She told him. She looked at him curiously. "Was, was it good for you?"

"Pen, are you quite serious? That was the most amazing pleasure and love I have ever experienced." He assured her. She smirked.

"Even better than the women in Paris?"

"By tenfold, my heart and soul. I did not love those women, so they could not even begin to compare to what I did with you." He promised. She kissed his bare chest, working her way up to his jaw as she sat up a bit. She kissed his cheeks, and finally his lips. He pulled her fully on top of him as they continued to exchange kisses. "Love, we should get dressed."

"As you said, my mama is probably already suspicious, we might as well get out fun in," Penelope reasonsed, grinding herself against him. "Besides, we likely won't get another chance to be alone until after the wedding, so I do think it would be wise to take advantage of the situation."

Colin found no good reason to argue with her, and so he allowed her to do her worst to him. After another round of love making, bringing their total rounds to three, they finally drew apart. He helped her redress, and fix her hair. She was impressed by his ability to put hairpins in, and he reminded her that he did have four younger sisters. He couldn't help but picture their future daughter. He imagined a little red haired little girl with striking blue eyes, asking her papa for help fixing her hair. The thought made him giddy.

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Penelope barely made it home for supper, and when she sat at the table with her mama, she was starving. Her mother hadn't commented on how long Penelope had been out for. Penelope was certain Portia had an idea of what her youngest daughter had been up to. Still, her mama had been very careful in how she spoke to Penelope since their altercation.

"Penelope, are you happy?" Portia asked as they ate their dinner. Penelope was surprised, her mama usually preferred to eat in silence when it was just the two of them. "Does Mr. Bridgerton make you happy?"

"Yes, mama. He makes me very happy, happier than I ever knew possible." Penelope gushed as she often did when talking about her beloved.

"That's all I could ever want for you, my dear. I know we don't agree on much, and I have done some things I am not proud of, but you are the best thing I have ever done. Mr. Bri-Colin was right the other night. You are the most eligible of us, and the kindest. It is no wonder he chose you to be his wife." Portia said. It left Penelope speechless for a moment. "I was angry when you told me you knew more about love than I did, but it was because you were right. I have never had the love that you share with Colin. I hope I can learn from you how to accept and give love so easily."

"Thank you," Penelope managed to say. "It means so much to hear that from you."

Penelope and her mother finished dinner before they went their separate ways for the evening. Penelope needed to print the latest Whistledown, so when she was sure her mama had retired for the evening, she snuck out of the house. Her paper in her hands.

Dearest Gentle Reader,

It is with great anticipation that the ton awaits the marriage of Colin Bridgerton to Penelope Featherington. Mr. Bridgerton was seen as the most eligible match for the season, and no one could be more surprised than this author that he has chosen Miss. Featherington to be his bride. While it was no doubt to anyone that she fancied her neighbor, one cannot forget how he declared his intention to never court her just last season.

Their engagement ball is sure to be the event of the season thus far. Rumor has it, Miss. Featherington has trapped the young man into marriage, despite his insistence otherwise. All eyes will be on the pair tomorrow, as everyone hopes to catch a glimpse of the truth. This author does not believe the marriage is for reasons other than love. A love match does not come often, but when it does, we are all enamored by it.

In other words, it seems that Lord Debling has left on his newest exhibition of the arctic. He likely felt betrayed by the betrothal of his intended to another. Cressida Cowper is perhaps the most upset by his departure. It seems even a man who will be away for years at a time cannot commit to marrying her. And, let's not forget how many times Miss. Cowper asked Mr. Bridgerton himself to dance at balls, only for him to ask for Miss. Featherington's hand instead. It is surprising that Miss. Featherington had not one suitor, but two this season. Not even this eagle eyed author could not have predicted that.

Yours truly,

Lady Whistledown

"Stop the carriage!" A voice called before they could depart. Penelope froze when she realized Colin was stepping into her carriage. "Pen, you cannot go alone."

"Colin, I have been doing this for many years now." She reminded him gently. He shook his head.

"Not anymore. I will not stop you from publishing, but I will not allow you to get to dangerous parts of town, alone in the dark. I will accompany you henceforth." He said, sitting back against the seat. He reached a hand out. She looked at him in confusion. "Come on, doesn't your husband get a sneak peek at the newest addition?"

"You are not my husband yet." She smirked as the carriage began to move.

She handed over the pamphlet to him. She anxiously watched as he read through the column. His brows knitted together a few times, but she noticed his lip twitch in a smile once. When he was finished he handed it back to her.

"You are too hard on yourself, I do not like that." He said. She shrugged. "I wish you could see yourself the way I see you."

"I have to write the truth, or at least what everyone believes." Penelope said. Colin looked at her for a moment.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked. She nodded. "Will you explain to me why you wrote about Marina, and about Eloise. Was there no other way?"

"Marina was going to trap you, Colin. I had tried to warn you, and I had tried desperately to stop my mama and cousin from their retchous plan. No one wanted to listen to Penelope Featherington, but they would listen to Lady Whistledown." Penelope began. Before continuing, she needed a question of her own answered. "Do you wish you had married her?"

"Pen, of course not," Colin assured her, taking her hands in his. "I thought I loved Marina, but I didn't even know what love was until you. I was blind, truly. I just needed to know why you didn't tell me. I see how foolish I was when I brushed off your warnings. You were trying to help me because unlike Marina, you have always cared for me."

"Love, Colin. I have always loved you." She corrected with a smile. He grinned at her words. "As for El, I knew the queen was coming for her. She believed Eloise to be Lady Whistledown, and despite my warnings about what Eloise was doing, she wouldn't listen. Trust me, Col, I did everything I could to stop things, but it was too late. All I could think to do was publish something about Eloise that she would never publish about herself."

"You had to ruin her to save her." Colin realized. Penelope nodded, suddenly feeling tears in her eyes.

"She'll never forgive me. She hates me, and has befriended Cressida. It's been so horrible watching them snicker about me, knowing they have what El and I used to." Penelope cried. She hadn't been able to talk to anyone about her friendship with Eloise, and it felt good to finally let it out.

"Eloise is stubborn, but I think she'll come around, Pen. You are to be her sister, and I will stop at nothing to fix the rift between you two." He vowed.

Penelope smiled, and leaned over to kiss him gently on the lips. She had never had someone in her corner like this before. Colin was there for her, and would do anything for her. For the first time, Penelope realized she'd never have to be alone again.

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Colin's breath caught in his throat when Penelope exited her carriage the following evening. She was dressed in a Bridgerton blue gown that complemented her eyes perfectly. Her hair was pinned half up, leaving some of her red curls loose. He approached the carriage, taking her hand and placing a kiss on it. He wished he could kiss her for real, but in the presence of both of their mothers, he knew he couldn't.

"Hello, my dear," Violet smiled, coming to take Penelope's arm. "You looked beautiful."

Colin gestured for Penelope and his mother to head inside while he waited for Portia. Prudence and Phillipa would be arriving with their spouses, so it gave him a rare moment alone with his future mother-in-law. He offered Portia his arm and led her up the stairs into the house. Just before they entered the room where everyone was waiting, he paused outside the door. He spoke low, but clear.

"I know she thinks it was nothing, but listen carefully, if you ever lay a hand on Pen again I will make sure you are exiled from society for the rest of your life. Do you understand me?"

"Mr. Bridgerton, it was a mistake. Surely your mother has striked you when you misbehaved as a child."

"No, actually she did not. And Penelope is not a child. You are her mother, and if she wants to forgive you and keep a relationship with you, I will support her. But, you will not hurt my wife ever again, is that clear?" Colin warned. Portia nodded, seeing that there was no arguing with him. "Good. Let's enjoy the party then."

Once they entered the room, Colin returned to Penelope's side. He placed a hand on the small of her back to let her know he was there. She smiled up at him, and the two conversed with Kate and Anthony.

Eloise soon entered the ballroom with Cressida Cowper at her side. Colin felt Penelope tense up. He pulled her tight against him, not caring if anyone thought it was improper. If she needed comfort, he cared nothing about what was proper. He knew why his sister was angry, but if she would just hear Penelope out, Colin was certain they could mend things. He hated how much this was killing Penelope. He vowed not to let it put a damper on their night.

"My love, it seems a crime that we have yet to join the dance floor, and I do believe a waltz is about to start. Might I have a dance with my wife?"

"She's not your wife yet," Anthony teased his little brother. "Though, I must say the dance floor does look enticing. My dear, shall we join them?"

The two couples quickly took to the floor. Colin held Pen as they danced happily together. Now that they were engaged they could dance for as long as they wanted, and they didn't have to share their time with anyone else. He was having a wonderful evening with his perfect girl, not caring about anything else.

"Let's make some toasts," Violet suggested as the pair took a break from the floor. "We should thank your guests."

Colin agreed, and he blinked his glass. Colin thanked everyone for coming, and for supporting their engagement. He also toasted to Pen, declaring her love for her in front of the entire party. Everyone swooned, unable to deny the love he had for her. Violet toasted, welcoming Penelope to the family, as did Anthony. The couple assumed the speeches were complete after a moment, and were about to return to the dance floor when they heard someone speak.

"Everyone! Please, just one more moment of your time," Cressida called, moving in her obnoxiously pink dress to the center of the room. "As you all are aware, the Queen has announced an award for anyone who can catch Lady Whistledown. I am here to tell you that you needn't look any further. I am her!"

Colin felt Penelope stagger beside him. He grabbed a hold of her to keep her steady. He could feel how quick she was breathing, and knew her heart was racing. There was nothing they could do at that moment. Everyone was talking at once.

"Colin, I cannot breathe." She told him.

Quickly, Colin directed her through the crowd. He led her to the gardens outside, making certain no one was around. He helped her sit down on the wall, ensuring her breathing was returning to a normal space.

"I think I might require some water," Penelope said. "Would you mind?"

"You'll be alright alone for a moment?" He asked. She nodded. "I'll be back in a jiffy, I swear it."

Colin didn't notice the figure coming outside as he rushed in.

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When Penelope saw Eloise coming outside she knew she needed to get Colin to leave. Eloise wouldn't speak her mind in front of her brother, not after he had yelled at her. So, when the coast was clear, Eloise joined Penelope outside.

"Cressida has some nerve." Eloise said. Penelope felt hope rise in her chest for a moment. "She's about to make a lot of enemies."

"I cannot believe she is trying to take credit for my life's work." Penelope replied.

"That's what you call it?" Eloise scoffed. "You're not seriously still defending your words are you?"

"I won't pretend there aren't things I would do differently, but El, Lady Whistledown is power. How many women do you know that can say they are capable of caring for themselves financially? How many women can say they have a voice?" Penelope looked at Eloise, hoping she was getting through to her.

"You think Lady Whistledown is a voice? You can honestly say you are proud of her?" Eloise asked. Penelope nodded. "If you believe it so much then you must come clean with my family. Colin might know but your marriage will not only affect him. The others deserve the truth, then they can decide for themselves. Perhaps once they know, they will no longer be supportive of this union."

"Colin and I are going to marry, Eloise." Penelope said firmly. "We love each other, and, and I would be ruined if we did not marry."

"I expected as much. Listen, Pen, I don't want to be the cause of your ruin, but I will not stand by and watch as you trick my family."

"Your family has always been accepting of me. I do not mean to trick them, truly. But, I am going to marry Colin."

"If the family disapproves of who you really are, things might change," Eloise said. "Colin would never go against our family. And if you loved him, you wouldn't ask him to."

"El, I love Colin. And he loves me, all of me. I know you don't understand, but we are happy. Please, don't ask me to do this." Penelope pleaded.

"They have a right to know, Penelope. You know it, and I know it. Give them the chance to decide for themselves. And if they can't accept that you are Lady Whistledown, you must let Colin go."

A/N As I said, El will have a redemption arc. It's coming very soon, I just needed some more angst before the wedding! And, it's going to lead to someone very important learning the truth about Pen.