As I walk to my place at the alter, I reflect on the past few weeks. What would have happened if I never spoke up? Was this inevitable? Or would I have lost her to some other gentleman, maybe a Lord? No. If anything, this was meant to be. I just wish my father was here to see it.
I think he knew, he knew the day we met. I talked of nothing but the beautiful redhead angel that knocked me from my horse with nothing but wind and a bright yellow bonnet.
'Penelope helped me up.'
'Penelope smiled.'
'Penelope has the brightest blue eyes I've ever seen.'
'Penelope loves to read just like Eloise.'
It was that statement that had my Mama introducing Eloise to Penelope and them becoming best friends. But she was also my best friend even if El hated to share. Then I would kindly remind my dear sister that it was, in fact, I who met her first. That never failed to annoy Eloise.
I'm smirking to myself when I look out to see everyone in attendance, my family and hers. I've already decided that Albion is my favourite of the brothers-in-law. The way he champions for Penelope especially warms my heart.
I see my mother smiling at me, tears already welling in her eyes. Eloise looks just as emotional which makes me smile more. Anthony gives me a proud smile as Kate's kind eyes find me as well. Benedict exudes happiness as Gregory pouts at something Hyacinth has just said. I find Francesca and John looking on with a quiet look of contentment they've found in their union. Then it starts.
The quartet begins to play a soft melody I can't quite place, but then the flower girls walked down the aisle. Pen's cousins from her mother's side had the most adorable little girls and we could not choose between them, so we opted to have them both in our wedding. The curtains parted and there she was. My beautiful bride, my everything, my Pen.
"You look so beautiful my sweet baby girl." Portia had been extra emotional lately. Penelope assumed it was more that she was going to be bored and lonely than anything else.
"Thank you, Mama." She smiled at her mother and Mrs. Varley through the mirror. "Mama?" She turned towards Mrs. Varley, "Could you guve us a moment alone, Mrs. Varley?" The elderly woman nodded her head and left the room, closing the door behind her. She tirned and walked to her mother.
Portia, her eyes filled with tears, took her daughter's hands in hers. "From the moment I lain eyes on you, you were always my most beautiful child. Maybe a little lost in her books, but always, so beautiful. Now look. Marrying for love to a Bridgerton at that." Penelope shook her head. "What is it?"
"I hope it is not just that Colin is a Bridgerton. That that is the only reason you finally seem roud of me." Portia huffed a laugh.
"My darling girl. I have failed in my mothering of you. I am sorry. I was always so harsh on you. It is because I saw so much of myself in you. It is how my mother treated me. Her only daughter and a disappointment in her eyes. I loved a young man once. He was the son of the local clergyman. No title, just Killian. Killian McMurray. Killian loved me and wanted to marry me, but my father was a Lord. His daughter must marry someone like him. So he refused and found me a match with a friend of my mother's son who had just become a Baron. I never even got the chance to say goodbye to Killian."
"Oh, mama." Penelope gasped.
"I know. You must know that even though I did not love your father, he gave three daughters to love instead. And he did love you all as well, but he just had never felt enough so he gambled and drank and warmed the beds of whores." Portia sighed. "I'm sorry to burden you with this before you set off towards your happily ever after, but i just want you to understand."
"I understand Mama. You stayed close but not too close. You love us but never knew truly how to show it. We survived. You survived." She pulled her mother close and embraced her. "I love you, Mama. Thank you." Portia released a cleansing breath and breathed in the scent of jasmine and lavender that her daughters always smelled of.
"I shall miss seeing you in the windowsill reading in the drawing room. Promise me you will still visit me. You may no longer need me, but," Penelope cut her off.
"I'll always need you, Mama."
Portia beamed at her daughter, "Let's get you married then."
The ceremony was beautiful. Simple. Quaint. Beautiful. Colin stood proudly outside the carriage waiting to bring his wife into Bridgerton House for their wedding breakfast. Anthony and a glowing Kate stood at the bottom of the steps. Penelope took his hand as she descended from the step out of their carriage. "This is it, my love. You look so radiant. We shall stay for about an hour or so then make our escape. I can't wait to get you alone." He looked and saw his brother and Kate waiting so he pulled her towards them.
"Beautiful wedding Colin, Penelope." Kate said as she leaned in to kiss them both upon their cheek.
"Cannot believe my little brother is married. And to Penelope, our sweet neighbor and practically a sister to us already." Colin made a face of slight discomfort.
"I never saw her as a sister." He pulled her closer by the waist. "But, I always saw her as mine." Penelope shivered with delight at knowing she was his; she had always felt like his. Until recently, she never let herself believe he had always been hers. She knew it now. Felt it deep within her bones. "The most perfect day, isn't it?"
Penelope smiled and agreed, "Isn't it."
Anthony abd Kate smiled at the smitten newlyweds. "Shall we?" The viscount annoynced before leading them inside.
They were both swarmed with well-wishers the moment they entered. Luckily, theyd been able to convince their mothers for a large church ceremony but a smaller, more intimate wedding breakfast. Only the Featherington's, the Bridgerton's, Lady Danbury, and The Hastings were present.
Daphne and Simon came ovef to congratulate them. Augie and their daughter Belinda were in the nursery with their third safely nestled in her mother's womb. "Anthony and Kate are next. How about you two? Will you start your family immediately or take a long honeymoon first?" Daphne asked as she rubbed her swollen belly.
"Daphne, love? You're embarrassing poor Penelope." Simon said with a sly smile and a wink to the newlyweds.
"Oh! Penelope! I am so sorry. How forward of me. I am just so used to being brash with my other siblings, I didn't think. Well, not that you are an actual sibling but you've always felt like a sister to us. Well, not all of us. I think from the moment dear Colin told us about meeting the 'most beautiful, angel' that you've always just been, well, you have always felt like his."
"And here I thought I was just me." Penelope giggled. Colin hugged her to his side.
"You are you, yes, but so much more as well." He couldn't help but kiss her then. As he pulled away, Penelope blushed as tears swam in her eyes. "And now I can do that anytime I wish."
"Must you paw at her in front of everyone! Ugh!" Eloise screeched and everyone else started to chuckle. "Honestly, Pen, tell him to leave you alone so you can talk with your favorite Bridgerton and best friend." She held her hand out for Penelope to take.
"Excuse me, Eloise, but i beg to differ!" Colin held his wife tighter not wanting to let her go even if it was just across the room woth his own sister.
"Oh, please! Just because you're married does not a favorite make!" Eloise argued back still holding her hand out but now shaking it to show that she was growing impatient.
"Stop, please." Penelope kissed her husband's cheek and took Eloise's outstretched hand. "I am not going to be in the middle of this useless squabble." As they began to part, Penelope stopped. "Besides, you're both wrong." She took in their shocked faces and continued, "Gregory is my favorite Bridgerton." She winked at the youngest male Bridgerton as his dimples deepened in the most adorable shit-eating grin and a blush upon his cheeks.
They waved before the carriage started toward their new home, a townhouse in Bloomsbury that had been used formerly as Anthony's bachelor lodgings. It would not take them long to arrive, and Penelope was a bit nervous. It would be her first time being fully with Colin. Other than kissing and some light groping, she had zero experience with marital relations. Luckily for her, Colin was gentle and caring. He wished for nothing but her complete and utter satisfaction. And he would be sure she would be extremely satisfied.
Colin pulled his wife (HIS WIFE!) closer. "Just a few more minutes, my love. I cannot wait for you to see our study." Penelope perked up at that.
"Our study? You and me?" She smiled at him, her eyes shining.
"Yes, Pen, our study. It is fantastic! Somewhere for you to edit my journals at my side. Continue your writing, maybe a novel or two? What do you think, my love?" She pulled his lips to hers in a sound kiss.
"i think that sounds perfect."
The carriage pull up front to their townhouse. They both wore brilliant smiles as the carriage door was opened. Colin hopped out and took Penelope's hand, helping her down from the steps. She looked up at the three story building in awe. "Welcome home Mr. and Mrs. Bridgerton!" An elderly gentleman said as he met them at the bottom of the front steps.
"Ah! William! Thank you for this warm welcome. This is my wife, Penelope. Penelope, this is William Stock, our butler." Penelope curtsied to the older gentleman. He had a sweet smile and she instantly felt safe around him, like the grandfather she never had.
"Mrs. Bridgerton," she stopped and asked him to call her by her Christian name, "Penelope then. Let me introduce you to the rest of the staff." They went inside where she was introduced to the housekeeper, Mrs. Jensen, a widow with seven grown children. They met their cook next. Miss Harrison was middle aged, never married, and childless. Her passion was cooking and she was very sweet tempered. Lastly was the scullery maid, Farrah. She was the granddaughter of Mrs. Jensen and just turned seven and ten. Rae was there as well, being Penelope's ladies maid.
"As requested, we have left you a small repast of soft cheese, roast beef, and buscuit crackers. There is a carafe of lemonade in your suite as well. Miss Harrison will return to the house at five o'clock this evening to serve your dinner. We will leave you to it then." William winked as he ushered everyone out of the house.
"Colin? Where did everyone go?" Penelope looked at him in confusion.
Colin pulled her into his arms. "Well," he kissed her cheek then her jaw before capturing her lips. They got lost in their kiss as Colin backed Penelope to the wall by the entrance to the downstairs receiving room. "I did not think you would want the household to hear us making love for the first time." Penelope gasped as her husband sucked and licked a path down her neck to her heaving breasts. "Come. Let us go up to our bedroom, shall we Mrs. Bridgerton?"
Colin fed her a piece of cheese before returning to kissing her neck. After their first time, they had worked up quite the appetite. Penelope giggled as he made his way down her body. He kissed down her neck, then down the valley between her breasts before sliding off the chaise they were lounging on, onto the floor. "Colin! What are you doing on your knees?" Sge couldn't help but giggle at her husband.
"I want to try something." He smirked at her before sliding his hands up her thighs. She gasped as his warm hands slid between her legs. "Trust me. You're going to enjoy this." Penelope felt her lower belly tighten in anticipation. He slowly opened her legs and could already see her glistening. Penelope became red. "Don't be embarrassed." He said gently as he touched her softly.
"Colin!" He chuckled as she gasped at his tentative touch.
"I'm going to taste you now." He said it before lowering his head between her thighs. It was as if every nerve ending in her body became alive. Her moans only increased as his tongue laved over her delicious cunt. She became beave and grabbed ahold of his wavy chestnut curls then ground against his face.
"Oh my god, Colin!" She whimpered and she started feeling her clit throb in the most intense feeling she had ever felt. "Colin!" She screamed his name as her entire body felt aflame. Penelope watched as he wipe her juices from his chin. He smiled as he watched her lustful stare. "Oh my. Well, I liked that very much."
Colin stood up and pulled her up from the chaise. Leading her back to their four posted bed, he looked over his shoulder at his wife. God, he felt like the luckiest man in the world. After laying in their bed, he curled her to his front. "I don't want to leave this bed until I have put our child into your belly." He murmured inti her neck. She smiled thinking of carrying their child. She hoped they looked like him. "A little girl with your beautiful hair and sky blue eyes. Our little baby girl, a miniature version of you." He kissed her neck, and she felt him growing hard again. She pusged her bum into his erection causing him to groan.
"Practice makes perfect." Penelope said, giggling as her husband pulled her on top of him. She straddled his waist and bent down to kiss him. Colin reached his arm around her amd grabbed her ass, urging her to grind against his cock. "God!" She moaned as he raised her over his awaiting erection. She took the hint and grabbed him to guide him into her awaiting cunt. She slowly lowered herself onto her husband's cock. They both groaned as he became fully seated. "Tell me what to do." She said shyly.
"Whatever feels right. If you need help I could," but she started moving then. Slow at first but then as she became more confident, she picked up speed; even tightening her muscles to give Colin an even more pleasurable experience.
"Fuck, Pen, just like that." He breathed out with a whimper. This woman, she was incredible. He knew he wasn't going to last long at that point. Penelope started to mian louder as she reached her peak, and as they both climaxed, they screamed out the others name. Colin came and Penelope collapsed on top of him in exhaustion. As they got comfortable once more, Penelope yawned. Colin chuckled as he setlled her next to him. "Sleep, Pen. Sleep."