I first wanted to start out by saying hello to everyone and thank you for the interest in this fic. I'm fairly new to the Fandom and have only watched the Netflix series so far, but have been reading the wiki notes on the books until I can read them in full because of course I have, I found a new fandom to delve into. I got the idea for this fic after watching the exchange between Lady Danbury and Penelope in the season 3 finale. I found it odd that she would say that she suspected that it was Penelope, because Penelope was the only other one besides herself that loved the Bridgertons as much as she did, when we've barely seen them interact in the show. Then I watched Queen Charlotte and the scene in the Orangery where she turns to Brimsley and says that she can pick her own oranges made me think of the line that Julie Andrew reads about Penelope looking like an over ripe citrus and it had me laughing about Lady Danbury showing up with Penelope at their weekly tea stating that she can pick her own citruses and Penelope being dressed in a completely different color equipping back about being dressed as a completely different fruit that the Queen may not be able to pick. I wrote out the scene and the fic started to take shape from there.
This fic is about three women who are experiencing profound loneliness, guilt, betrayal, and heartbreak during the regency era and the pressures of society that comes with each of their stations. While Queen Charlotte does have significantly more pressure upon her as a ruling Monarch with her son, Prince Regent George IV, the other two face different, but no less significant challenges within their lives. Most of all, three of them are defined by their experiences in ways that closely resemble each other, but they won't see that until much, much later.
Even though this fic centers around these three ladies, this will be Penthony endgame eventually and I want to address this issue now as I have seen how much hate this pairing gets. I personally am not a fan of Polin. Colin spends the first season ignoring her warnings despite claiming to be her friend and then leaves her to go on his tour right after her father dies after, once again, claiming to be her friend. In season 2, he comes back from tour and he says that Pen is the one that has written to him more than anyone else. He invalidates her as a woman with feelings by claiming that he's his friend, she doesn't count as a woman. Finally, let's not forget the final backstab: the "I would never marry Penelope Featherington" while laughing with men who have openly mocked her right after saying that he would always protect her. Then season 3, *sigh* where do I even go with this mess. The last two seasons he hasn't taken her seriously, but now that she's wearing dresses, hairstyles, and make up that fit her now he notices she's actually a woman. By the way, I'm going to pause here and applaud the show for how well they did with showing how the glow up only changed the bullying that Penelope endures for about 20 minutes showcasing the realities that comes with being a social outcast and the designated punching bag when with others. Anyway, moving on. Colin then says that he is sorry that she overheard him, not that he said it while mocking her, that she overheard him. That should have been the end of that conversation. If he's not even sorry that he said it whether she was there or not, that tells you how much respect he has for her as the friend he claims for her to be to him. No, Colin just wants her to be the one who will always be there to wait for him, to pine for him while he's away, but he doesn't want her to be the Penelope to his Odyssius by actually marrying her because he doesn't want to be mocked as the one who married Penelope Featherington.
Moving on to the other problematic and probably more toxic canon fandom: Kanthony. I'm just going to put my issue with the pairing out there: There is only so much hate or angry sex you can have before your relationship explodes. It's hot and passionate until it's not. I'm not saying that all of their sex would be based in fights or frustration with each other, but with how many times they butt heads, saying they hate or vex each other, and try to one up each other, this is not the basis for a healthy relationship.We can see just the type of explosion this relationship can cause in the season itself with Edwina's wedding! And that's before they even get together! Can you imagine the disaster that relationship will be once the honeymoon phase is over and the real marriage stuff has to begin? I get the Enemies to lovers trope. I do. However there are issues that would continue to feed into these feelings: They're too similar in that they need a sense of control of the environment around them, Kate didn't want to be in charge of a family or household anymore, and Anthony is too impatient to allow for her to adjust to being the new Viscountess and a new mother. I swear they coded Anthony to be borderline Autistic with how much he hates changes to his environment, routines, and the way he interviewed those poor girls. Both of them on their own are wonderful characters. Kate deserves to be in a relationship where she is loved and appreciated for who she is and her boundaries respected from the very beginning. We see you using your friend to get around Kate to talk to Edwina, Anthony! She also deserves to be in a relationship where she can rest after having to take over everything for her family for so long and being a Viscountess is not going to afford her that respite, not when there are two households to run balls, parties, soiree, teas, dinners, lunches, etc. to plan for. Sure, she'll have Violet there to help, but that job falls to her now as Viscountess. Anthony had been being prepared and groomed for becoming Viscount, Kate was forced into the role and had to learn as she went. She didn't want children and just needed to be taken care of and looked after.
But this fic isn't about the relationship between Penelope and Anthony. At least, not at first. It's about finding companionship with those that you find a connection with, no matter their age or where they come from. It's about three extraordinary women finding peace and solace with each other in a way no one has with them before. It's about a Queen, a Widow, and a Wallflower being themselves and growing together.
Enjoy
Liselitha Sunweaver
Chapter 2: Where Do I Go? What Do I Do?
Summary:
Now that King George's line has been secured, Queen Charlotte now faces the full weight of her grief at what her life has become. Though Lady Danbury and Brimsley are her constant companions with Agatha being her oldest of friends and confidant, the loneliness of her life has begun to sink in.
Meanwhile, Penelope Featherington has been suffering through her lost friendship with Eloise and hopes of love with Colin in agonizing silence. She was able to focus her grief and pain through her writings as Whistledown during the Royal Baby crisis, but that had ended weeks ago, leaving her cold and empty once more.
Notes:
This chapter takes place about two weeks after they announce that Prince Edward and Princess Victoria are expecting. So London is still going through it's spring thaw, which places the beginning of this story about three weeks before the London marriage season begins in full.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Lady Agatha Danbury was many things but she was not one to suffer self-pity, at least not for long. And that is exactly what her oldest friend in England was doing, whether she wanted to admit it or not. Queen Charlotte of the British Empire was headstrong, intelligent, confident, and capricious in nature and self-pity was not a countenance that did well upon her features. She understood that the passing of Her Majesty's granddaughter and the child she had been carrying had weighed much heavier on her friend than she had allowed anyone to see outside of these private moments between themselves and, perhaps, Brimsly. It was what drove her to push her children to finally take their royal duties to heart when it came to marriage. However, it was at the emotional cost of herself and her children and now her friend sat despondent barely engaging with her as they sat for their weekly afternoon tea. "Your Majesty, when you say that you are contemplating giving up the search of Lady Whistledown, surely you can't be serious?" She prodded. The Queen sighed in frustration. "Two years. Two years she has evaded me, vexed me, and when I thought I had her in my grasp, she slips through my fingers like grains of sand. And while her pen was not so cruel as to the plight of the crown in securing George's line, I cannot help but to think that she tasks and vexes me for reasons of spite or malice." Lady Danbury shook her head. "Perhaps Her Majesty has become too lost in her own sorrows and prayers." Charlotte let out an undignified snort. "Perhaps you are right. We do have a new season coming up and with a new season of flowers ready to blossom." She paused before continuing. "Perhaps something more interesting will happen that shall ease me from my doldrums." Lady Danbury nodded. "Well, you are to be a true grandmother again and it shall be wonderful to have a baby in the palace after all these years." Charlotte smiled gently and reached out a hand for her dearest friend. "Thank you, Lady Danbury. Agatha. I don't know what I would have done without your friendship through all of these years." Lady Danbury smiled and squeezed her hand back. "Neither do I, Charlotte." But then she smiled wickedly back. "Other than spoiling your new grand baby rotten." Both women laughed. Yes, this was a promise Charlotte made to herself: she would be more involved with the child. She would know her grandmother's love and strength of character. She would do better.
Penelope Featherington was, in a word, distraught. It had been lonely and painful during the off season, made more so from previous years by her fairly firm banishment from Bridgerton House by her former friend, Eloise. She missed them. Terribly. She missed the way Hyacinth and Gregory bickered, but would always find a way to create mischief. She missed listening to Francesca playing the Pianoforte after tea when she would visit from Bath, often practicing her dancing with one of the Bridgerton men or singing along with them. She missed quiet moments with Daphne where she could actually talk about her difficulties of being a wallflower vs. her experiences as the Diamond. Things she couldn't talk to Eloise about because Eloise didn't understand wanting to fall in love, get married, have a husband, and children, but Daphne did. And that did not change when she had married Simon. In fact, The Duke of Hastings had become as much a surrogate older brother as Anthony and Benedict. Both of whom she also missed terribly. She missed Anthony's biting wit and had often stolen some of his turns of phrase for her Whistledown column, with some minor changes of course. But where Anthony's wit could be cold and calculated, Benedict's was carefree and felt more like a jibe than a prick. She missed The Dowager Viscountess possibly more than she missed her own father. And oh do I need to confront Mama about Papa! Her thoughts raged before turning back to Lady Bridgerton. Violet Bridgerton was the image of grace and beauty and the loss of her presence in Penelope's life felt like her chest had caved in. She missed the way the Matriarch of the Bridgertons would always ensure that there were just a few extra of her favorite tea cakes when she was over for Sunday tea, how she would soften and meet her gaze just that much longer when her own Mama would call her away, how she didn't shy away from embracing her like her own Mama did, but most of all, how she wished she could call her Mama. Finally, oh how she desperately, desperately missed Colin and Eloise.
She had written to Eloise to explain that she couldn't trust anyone with her secret as Whistledown. Her writings about Daphne were simply what people were saying and she had seen and heard about how horrible Anthony had been treating her potential suitors, poking at the Queen for an outdated ceremony had honestly been a tribute to her. She wrote about how she had supported Daphne and Simon's pairing from the start. She wrote what she did based on the gossip of the Ton and her own observations that the two weren't convincing enough in their "ruse" in the hopes of knocking sense into the two of them. She wrote about how she had been against the scheme her Mama had cooked up for Marina to entrap a Lord or wealthy gentleman into a marriage when Marina was already in love and being courted by another who just so happened to have been called afield. She had befriended Marina and snuck a letter to Sir George to inform him of her pregnancy, had been her friend and companion, been there when a letter had arrived claiming that Sir George had renounced her, and had stupidly drawn Colin's attention to her cousin's plight. She wrote of finding them in the study together and begging Marina not to go through with her mother's plans, of finding that her mother and Varley had forged the letter from Sir George and telling Marina he was still out there, of telling Colin that Marina had been in love with another man and being caught by Marina, being found by Marina looking for her letters from George to remind her of him and finding her travel bag, trying to desperately tell Marina once more to call everything off only to be told that her love of Colin was a childish infatuation, and so with her own pen, she damned her family all to save Colin. As for Eloise, the Queen was nipping at her heels and out for blood. She could not and would not let her friend take the fall for her. As she could not take proof to the Queen without being accused of taking the fall for a friend, nor could she reveal herself to the Bridgertons without the risk of the Queen's ire still falling upon their house. She did the only thing she could think of that would absolve Eloise of being Lady Whistledown and throw the Queen off of her scent: write something Eloise would never write about herself. And going to Labor Union protests would definitely be much less scandalous than going unchaperoned to see a printing press assistant. She wrote about breaking and burning her quill after that. How every time someone had mentioned her paper not being published and being disappointed about it she felt disgusted with herself. That she was so utterly sorry for the words she had spoken at the Featherington Ball and that she missed her friend. Only to never receive a reply. No matter how many letters she wrote saying how sorry she was or how many times she explained, Eloise was thoroughly done with her.
And oh Colin, his words from last season still stung. His stack of letters remained unopened and locked away in her dresser drawer. In a sad, morbid way, she was glad for the passing of Princess Charlotte and her babe. She finally felt a connection to the people around her in a way that she had never experienced before. She softened her barbs at the Queen, choosing to use her pen to support Her Majesty's efforts in spurring her offspring into action, even if it was in her normal acidic tone. Anything, anything to numb the pain of her shattered heart at hearing Colin's words. Any response from anyone to fill the void of Eloise's lost companionship. Any moment of respite from this Hell that both tormented and soothed her, she would gladly take. So she had, and in the end it had been worth it; for Prince Edward and Princess Victoria were now expecting a royal baby. But now, all was silence. For the new season was still yet to start, the crisis had been averted, and no one had any cause to talk any longer. At least, she wished she could say that was the only biting sting that was bothering her -- No. Don't think about it. That's a matter for next week. She stopped her spiraling thoughts. The biting cruel silence from her friends and the sting of bitter betrayal she had found out a short three weeks ago, right before the royal baby had been announced, carved its way deeper and deeper leaving nothing but that wreckage of her once joyful soul.
Notes:
What I wanted to do with this chapter was establish where the characters are mentally and emotionally. Agatha is the exception here, because she doesn't really express herself well, not even to her friends, but I'm hoping with time I can get her character to open up for me.
Chapter 3: A Meeting by The Willows
Summary:
Penelope decides that she needs to go for a walk before the stifling environment of her home makes her do something she will regret.
Lady Danbury wallows in her own misery when the youngest Featherington comes upon her and an interesting conversation ensues.
Notes:
Ok I needed to get chapter 2 up because I was too excited and I wanted to get the meeting between Lady Danbury and Pen out here.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Penelope needed to get away from her house. It had become stifling with her sisters and their dull, clinging husbands. What was worse, they had gotten their husbands in on comparing her body to their wives', as if she needed more reminding that no one in good conscience would dare to court her. She took one of her heavier cloaks. It was turning to spring, but there was still a chill in the air and she had no desire to come down with a cold. With a quick nod to Rae, her lady's maid, she popped her head into the drawing room.
"Mama, Rae and I are going to the Market."
Her Mother waved her off in her usual way, her sisters and their husbands too engrossed with each other to have noticed. Honestly, she could have told them she was going for a walk on the moon and they wouldn't have noticed her leaving. Opening the front door, she decidedly did not make her way to the Market, but to Hyde Park where she could actually breathe! That was the first thing she was going to change once she officially took over as Lady of the House next week: Her sisters were now married and they had their own homes to mind, they were going to be regulated to visiting for Sunday tea and two dinners a week only. She and Mr. Sharpe had been surprised to find that her mother had filed a forged Will on her father's behalf by the Queen's solicitor. Cousin Jack was never supposed to have inherited the title and estate. In fact, there was an estate trust set aside in her name in the event of his death that he couldn't gamble away and her mother knew this. And yet, she still put them on the brink of destitution rather than allow her youngest to take over the household and estate. But she had only found this out a few weeks ago and they had to pay the taxes on the trust and the fines to the crown for her mother filing the false will, and an extra fine to keep her mother and Mrs Varley out of jail. It had taken the better part of those three weeks to rearrange the finances to hide a large influx of her Lady Whistledown earnings to bring the estate back into balance. For his part, Mr. Sharpe had already begun restoring her family's previous holdings and investments and income was slowly beginning to trickle into their coffers again. But now that work had been completed and she felt the empty pit of loneliness and despair again. They finally reached the entrance to the park and Penelope was soon enveloped in the comforting embrace of trees, grass, and water.
The unflappable Lady Danbury had found herself utterly caught off guard by Violet Bridgerton's confrontation. She knew she should have double checked that the silly birthday crown was put away. What had she been thinking!? She should have been honest with her friend about her feelings about her father. She should have told her about the love she had held deeply for him, that she still carries for him. She sat on the bench near her favorite spot in Hyde Park near the willows, overlooking the lake. It wasn't often that she allowed herself to be vulnerable, to cry, but in this instance, she would allow it. After all, it wasn't often one felt as if they were losing the love of a dear and cherished friend.
Penelope walked in silence towards her favorite spot in Hyde Park near the Willows, overlooking the lake. The day was sunny if a bit chilly, perfect for a stroll and a way to clear her head. As she approached her favorite bench, she saw that it was occupied already by a very contemplative Lady Danbury. Intent on leaving her to her thoughts, Penelope began making her way back up to the path, but was interrupted by the sharp voice of the elderly Lady.
"It is rude not to announce yourself when approaching, is it not, Miss Featherington?"
Penelope stopped in her tracks, stunned to be addressed so. However, she did the polite thing and turned around to curtsey and address the elder lady.
"I beg your pardon, Lady Danbury. That was not my intent. I, myself, was in need of some quiet contemplation and saw that my preferred bench was already occupied. I was merely leaving so as to not intrude upon you. If you have no further need of me, I shall make my way to my second favorite within the park."
Lady Danbury looked at the girl with her brows furrowed, then let out a hearty laugh. "I believe I do have further need of you, my dear. I should like to see this second favorite spot of yours."
Penelope's jaw dropped, but she quickly recovered. "Of course, my lady."
She walked back to the bench and helped Lady Danbury to stand. Linking arm in arm they began to make their way to the path and soon to the small grove of aspens that littered the farther side of the lake.
The walk was blessedly silent but companionable, both women seeming to take solace in the shared troubles that had brought them here.
"Miss Featherington, forgive me, but I have not seen you at Bridgerton house for quite some time."
Penelope heaved a great sigh. She supposed if there was anyone she could talk to about her troubles with the Bridgertons it was Lady Danbury. She was just as close with the family as she was.
"There is no reason for me to call upon Bridgerton house. Eloise has made it clear that she no longer desires my companionship and indeed has stated that she no longer wishes to see or hear from me again."
Lady Danbury stopped them in their tracks. "What on Earth could have made her give that declaration? It is not as if you are Whistledown herself!"
Penelope nearly panicked at how close the cunning Lady had come to discovering her secret, but thinking fast she came up with a suitable cover.
"I was the one who spread the rumor that she had been going to the labor rallies and she found me out." She looked close to bursting into tears. Lady Danbury led her to a bench to sit and calm herself.
"Interesting. You must tell me everything."
Penelope nodded. "It started my first season out. Eloise became obsessed with finding out who Lady Whistledown was. So obsessed in fact that she garnered attention from the Queen herself!"
The other woman nodded in confirmation. "Ah, yes. I remember that quite well. Her Majesty was most intrigued by Miss Bridgerton's investigation, but ultimately disappointed."
Penelope nodded again before continuing. "She told me as much. After she told me she had disappointed the Queen, I told her that it would probably be best if she just dropped the investigation. Let Lady Whistledown deal with the business of being Lady Whistledown."
Lady Danbury hummed in approval. "Wise words. Wise words indeed."
The youngest Featherington looked down at her lap. "If only she had heeded them. At first, when she debuted last season she complained that all Whistledown reported was gossip and repeated what others were saying. I believe it was due to being hurt on her brother's behalf and the shame it brought upon me."
Lady Danbury hmph'd in disapproval. "That boy wasn't even listening to his own mother and brother. Ready to run off to Gretna Green, damn the rest of the family. I am so sorry, for the pain it brought you, my dear."
Penelope shook her head. "Don't be. If you must know, I paid the footman from my saved up pin money to spread the word. I was against Mama's scheme in the first place. Even when it was that horrid Lord Rutledge."
A scowl crossed her face before she looked down at her hands in sorrow. "I tried to stop them, you know. Before paying off the footman. I tried to talk to them, make them see reason. They would not listen."
She looked at Lady Danbury with tears in her eyes once more. "I could not let her do that to Colin. I couldn't let her break his heart. To ruin sweet Hyacinth's chance at finding love, put Anthony's position in Parliament in danger? I'm not…"
She had to pause and collect herself and Lady Danbury was amazed, nay, proud as tears turned to determination. "I am not ignorant of the power, influence, and duties the Bridgertons hold. That I was even allowed to befriend them as a Landless Baron's youngest daughter speaks to their humanity and kindness. But I am under no delusions as to mine and my family's position within the Ton and I could not and would not allow Marina destroy a good family all so that she and my Mama could scheme their way to a higher position." Lady Danbury was awed by the fiery passion in the young Featherington's eyes. She reminded her of herself and Charlotte when they were young. Full of life and passion.
But apparently the young Featherington wasn't done, her gaze firm and resolute. "But the same had to go for Eloise. She became obsessed with Whistledown again after finding even the tiniest hint of a clue: finding a pamphlet from the same print shop. I told her she needed to stop, she had already garnered the Queen's attention once, she would likely do so again! She did not heed my advice, but instead went to the printshop on her own!"
Lady Danbury's eyes widened as the young girl rushed on with her tale. "As if that didn't make things worse, that's when she started going to the labor rights rallies. And when she left her own brother's wedding…" Lady Danbury finished for her. "She was caught by the Queen."
Pen nodded, sniffling. "She was panicked, she came to me and started spouting out wild ideas. That she could give the Queen what she wanted, to be Lady Whistledown, and I asked about what she would do if the real Lady Whistledown exposed her, her family would be in danger. She said she needed to talk to the printer's boy who had introduced her to the rallies and I told her not to, but she did. She was beyond reasoning. She was going to get caught and falsely accused, so I did the only thing I could. I-I-I told the modiste!"
She finally broke down into the tears she had been holding back. It wasn't the complete truth, but heaven help her it was close enough that the sting of it ached like no other.
Lady Danbury looked at the girl as the fires of her conviction were brought to heel by thunderous downpour of her sorrows. Do you think our Queen is in need of companionship? The words that Violet Bridgerton had asked her a mere few weeks ago echoed in her head. This girl with her fiery spirit and quick wit might be exactly the sort of companionship that her old friend needed. Lady Danbury tapped her cane loudly, which startled the girl out of her tears. Gathering herself, Penelope dried her tears and comported herself properly.
"My apologies, Lady Danbury. That was quite unseemly to spill all of my tumultuous turmoils upon you when you were in the middle of your own contemplations." She stood from the bench and curtseyed. "I am afraid that I am overdue home. Would you like me to escort you to the carriages? Or would you prefer to continue your walk?"
Lady Danbury waved the girl off. "No. No. I will be along presently, but Miss Featherington," She paused as she looked at the girl intently. "What you have done out of friendship at great cost to yourself shall always be rewarded. And often in the most unforeseen ways." Penelope could only give the widowed Lady a confused look before bowing her head and walking away, her lady's maid behind her. And as Lady Danbury watched her go, a plan began to take shape.
Notes:
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This is going to be a really lengthy explanation into what's going on with the Featheringtons and there will be an even lengthier explanation in a couple of chapters, but this is just the basics.
It felt weird to me that Lord Featherington had a Solicitor but not a Last Will and Testament and Trust set up for his Wife and Daughters in the event of his death. It just wasn't something that a Titled gentleman at the time would do. Given that he would not expect anymore children from Portia once Penelope made her debut to society, it would only make sense that he would need to make the arrangements for naming them as a Regent for the Estate. His Solicitor, having read Penelope's journal writings and setting her up with a publisher, would naturally suggest her and Lord Featherington would agree just out of hand. He would have already set up this trust for the estate when he was married in the name of his heir and it would have been his Solicitor's job to manage the funds in the account. "Wouldn't he be able to touch the fund in the trust and gamble it away?" No. You see the way trusts worked back then, and to a certain degree now, is only the person the trust was entitled to and the conditions were met were allowed to access those funds. For example: The Sheffields couldn't touch Mary's dowry as it was in a trust that had been passed down to Edwina on the condition that see marry a man of society. The trust would have still been released to Edwina upon her marriage to Anthony no matter what the Sheffields did or said because the trust was in HER name and the conditions of the trust had been met. Likewise, because Lord Featherington would have put the funds into a trust with the condition of it not to be released to his to be determined heir upon his death, He would not have been able to touch it. So next comes the question of the Heir. Lord Featherington would of course continue to try conceiving a son with Portia, the problem is they weren't successful and when Penelope debuted, he had to decide which of his daughters would take care of the estate and Title until one of them had a son in the form of a Baroness or Lady Regent. Naturally he would ask his Solicitor for advice and seeing as how his Solicitor has read Pen's journal and helped her get published, he would of course recommend her. I may be jumping the shark with Portia and Varley signing as Witnesses, but it works for some good old fashioned plotting and scheming from these two.
Just add in some good old fashioned forgery and you have a mother betrayal worse than any body shaming can do.
Chapter 4: The Meddlesome Widow
Summary:
Two days after her conversation with Lady Danbury, Penelope is surprised with a new dress and invitation to accompany her to tea with the Queen!
Surely this must all be a mistake, right?
Notes:
Thank you all for the very kind comments on my previous chapters! They really are giving me the motivation to keep writing.
Let me clarify the reason I don't moderate or restrict my comments to registered users (they are limited to members, but I digress). I learned a long time ago that the only way to beat a troll is to out troll them. They don't like it when you actually can turn a phrase, outwit them, laugh at them, and otherwise show that you're unbothered by them. Quite frankly, I love trolling back the trolls, because eventually they run out of their inane strawman fallacies, overdone and uninteresting insults, and weak arguments. Leaving their comments on display is an opportunity for you, my dear audience and friends, to laugh at them and their small mindedness, whether to comment a laughing emoji, to laugh in private, or to not laugh at all is your choice. But someone who is willing to come into a work to insult and harass an author and their audience is deserving of the consequences that they receive.
Remember, dear readers, you have the freedom of speech, but you are not free of the consequences of what you say.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Two days after her unexpected run in with Lady Danbury, Penelope was awoken by her mother frantically pounding at her door. "One moment, Mama!"
She huffed a sigh as she lunged herself out of bed and pulled on a dressing gown to open the door. "Penelope Anne, what have you done!? There are three new dress boxes that have been delivered and an invitation from Lady Danbury herself for tea…with the Queen!"
Whatever Penelope had been expecting it was not that and she needed to sit down before she fainted. "Mama. This must be a mistake. A-a-a joke. Rae and I…w-w-we took the shortcut through Hyde Park and spoke briefly with Lady Danbury, but nothing untoward happened, I assure you."
Lady Featherington placed a hand on her hip and the other on her forehead. As if her family needed anymore scandals, her useless, fat, and unmarriageable youngest was being invited to tea. With. The. Queen. Would she even be able to remember to eat a reasonable amount or maybe even not at all? To hold her tongue? Or God forbid, to actually speak without fumbling her words and getting them all killed?
"I suppose there's nothing for it. We'd better get you dressed and ready, Lady Danbury's carriage will be here in two hours." Without so much as a look back, her mother swept from the room, leaving Penelope in shock.
Lady Danbury was not in the habit of waiting or for her decisions being questioned, so when Lady Featherington began to simper and beg her forgiveness for Penelope's tardiness she lost all patience for the woman's blatant disregard for her and her daughter's time.
"Lady Featherington as much as I enjoy staring at feathered dappled hallways, our appointment with the Queen is fast approaching and Her Majesty is not in the habit of humoring tardiness."
Lady Featherington bowed seeing that she could not delay or curry a trip for herself and her other daughters as well any longer and called for Penelope. As the youngest Featherington descended in a day dress of lilac with her hair delicately styled with the light purple and silver pins and jewelry she had enclosed with the outfit, Lady Danbury couldn't help but see a shadow of herself when she was younger. She truly was just what her friend needed.
"Well, now that certainly does suit you. Do you not agree, Lady Featherington?" Lady Danbury asked. Penelope shot a nervous look at her mother. The look of contempt that flashed over her mother's face was not lost on her nor was it lost on Lady Danbury.
"'Tis a marvelous outfit for a meeting with the Queen. Remember your manners, dearest, and make us proud." Her Mother set both hands on Penelope's shoulders as she said this, but that was the extent of her affections. "I will, Mama." She replied subdued.
"Come! Her Majesty awaits!" Lady Danbury stated as she led her charge briskly from the house and straight into the carriage.
Once sequestered in the comfort of the carriage, Penelope felt herself relax. Why was the prospect of going to tea with the Queen far more appealing than dealing with her Mama's rampage?
"Tell me girl, is your Mama in the habit of inviting herself where she is not wanted or is she just simple minded and impertinent?" Lady Danbury inquired.
An undignified snort followed by unbridled laughter left Penelope in a rush. She couldn't help it; Lady Danbury had just described her mother much too succinctly. Once she had calmed down she met Lady Danbury's slightly affronted gaze. "Forgive my rather inappropriate outburst, My Lady. It is simply that I have never heard anyone describe my mother so astutely outside of Lady Whistledown."
This time it was Lady Danbury's turn to let out her own delighted cackle. "Oh, Miss Featherington. I can now see why you paid your footman!" She paused a moment before continuing. "I'm sure that you have some other delightful stories about the salacious Lady Featherington?"
A wicked gleam entered Penelope's eyes. "I believe I have more than enough to entertain you and Her Majesty should she be interested to hear of my home life."
Lady Danbury gave her a knowing smile. "I believe Her Majesty will be quite interested indeed." Both of them smiled, one firebrand to another, one young, one old.
As the carriage pulled up to the palace entrance, Penelope's nerves really began to set in. She knew that the building was meant to be imposing, a world separate from her own, but seeing it for herself in such an intimate manner was daunting to say the least. Lady Danbury placed a hand on her knee in comforting support and she took a shaky breath. When the door to their carriage opened, Lady Danbury gave her a small smile of encouragement before placing her hand in a white gloved one to be helped out of the carriage. Steeling herself, Penelope did the same after taking one last steadying breath. Once they began mounting the stairs, Lady Danbury hooked her arm in hers.
"I swear one of these days, it will be the multitude of stairs to this bloody house that will end up killing me." Penelope chuckled.
"I highly doubt the Queen would allow anyone who is not herself to die so publicly upon the royal steps leading to her home."
Lady Danbury cackled. "Perhaps you are correct. Though we shall have to pose the question once we are in the room with her for our tea. Ah, Brimsley, How wonderful to see you!"
Lady Danbury had turned her attention to a portly gentleman who Penelope briefly recognized as the Queen's man. "Lady Danbury, Her Majesty is expecting you, but may I ask who is your guest?"
She smiled widely. "This, dear Brimsley, is Miss Penelope Featherington, youngest daughter of Lady Featherington and close friend and confidant to the Bridgerton family."
Brimsley raised an eyebrow at Lady Danbury as Penelope stepped forward and curtsied to him. "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Brimsley. I do hope you and Her Majesty are well on this very fine day."
Lady Danbury spoke next. "I have had Miss Featherington accompany me on this occasion as she is a marvelous walking partner, as you observed with her aiding me upon the stairs, and a brilliant conversationalist."
Brimsley studied the red-headed girl with a calculating eye and Penelope did her best not to fidget under his scrutinizing gaze. Brimsley nodded. "Of course, Lady Danbury. Though I expect such changes to be forwarded to the palace beforehand, not the day of."
The lady in question dipped her head as if thoroughly chastised, but Brimsley knew she wasn't given the smirk on her lips. "Of course, Brimsley. You have my apologies."
Brimsley simply gave her a look that told Penelope that this was an often occurrence between the two of them. It made her smile. Perhaps this wouldn't be so daunting a visit after all. Brimsley cleared his throat bringing her attention back to the present.
"If you will please follow me." He stated before giving them a short bow. The ladies shared a brief look and a smile before following behind him. As they walked through the hallowed halls towards the Queen's sitting room, Penelope could not help but be awed by the portraits that lined the walls. The history, reverence, and overall weight of it all pressed around her like a vice. However, while the vice was different, it was not wholly unfamiliar. Did the Queen also struggle with not being enough? Not being able to face the world? Being uncomfortable in her skin? All while having to play her own part upon the world stage? She was abruptly brought from her thoughts by the sudden appearance of a door and that door being opened. Her grip on the elder lady's arm tightened as the announcement echoed from the room: "Lady Danbury and her guest, Miss Penelope Featherington, Your Majesty."
Notes:
With this chapter, I wanted to showcase the absolute horrendous treatment and disrespect that Penelope receives from her mother and contrast that with how Lady Danbury is beginning to see her. I also wanted a bit more Lady D and Pen time before we add in the Queen and let's face it, some good old fashioned Brimsley banter is always awesome. I also wanted for the feelings that Penelope is having as she is walking to meet the Queen to sink in before we actually meet and interact with her. She's going to have tea with the Queen and she's walking through the hall with all of these portraits of previous Monarchs and their families. I wanted her and you as an audience to sit with that feeling before we actually get them in a room together.
Remember my note above, dear readers: You can say what you want, but if you troll me, I will troll you back.
Chapter 5: Sugar Plum Tea
Summary:
Penelope has tea with the Queen and it isn't what she expects at all.
Notes:
Am I posting this at 3 AM? Absolutely. Do I have any regrets? No. I finished the chapter I was working on to keep my five chapters written buffer in place so I figured, why not post another chapter.
This is going to be a longer chapter because I couldn't find a good way to break it up. I hope you enjoy it!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Lady Danbury and her guest, Miss Penelope Featherington, Your Majesty." Queen Charlotte did her best to hide her surprise and annoyance that her friend would bring a guest to their private tea. And this was not any mere guest such as Viscountess Bridgerton, but one of the daughter of the most scandalized family within the Ton. Had Agatha Danbury finally lost all sense of her wits!? When the ladies entered the room, she was met by her old friend and the plump, petite figure of whom she recalled was the youngest Featherington. How did Lady Whistledown put it? The picture of an over ripe citrus? A distant memory popped into her head and she smiled before addressing them.
"Lady Danbury, I seem to recall having dismissed my staff for the orangery many years ago as I am quite capable of picking my own oranges and yet, you seem to have deemed fit to bring me one."
Penelope couldn't help the slight burst of a giggle that she quickly covered into a cough, but it was noticed. "The orange speaks! Well, Miss Featherington, tell me what it is you find so amusing."
Now under the intense stare of the Queen, Penelope nearly lost her nerve, however something inside her gaze connected to the piece of her that was Lady Whistledown and she spoke. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, it seems today that I am dressed more like a plump plum or fig than a citrus. Though perhaps with my adornments we may also call me sugared."
Her Majesty Queen Charlotte of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Colonies was stunned. The only one who had dared match her biting wit in front of her person was Lady Danbury and that was only because she had taken her into her confidence. Suddenly, laughter like she hadn't had for many years burst from her lips and she was joined with her old friend and the girl. Once she had calmed she ordered for another place setting and invited them to sit. "Tell me, Lady Danbury. How did you come to invite our delightful little plum to our weekly sojourn?"
Lady Danbury launched into the summary of their meeting at Hyde Park though kept the details of their conversation discreet, leaving those details for Penelope to divulge, should Her Majesty ask.
As the tea was served and Lady Danbury spoke, Penelope took her time to study the room they were in. Though it was large and filled with comfortable furnishings, lustrous art, and a myriad of instruments for the Queen's entertainment, it also felt…hollow. As if the room stood locked in a moment of time, cold and alone. As the conversation gradually turned back to her, she brought her attention back to the old friends to find the Queen studying her whom she studied back. While the Queen was made up to perfection as always, her ever observant gaze saw the tired droop at the corners of Her Majesty's eyes, the deep creases that marred the space between her delicately manicured eyebrows, and the way her neck strained under the weight of her elaborate and impossibly tall wig.
"Lady Danbury has given me her account, Miss Featherington. Why do you think you would be of interest to me?"
Penelope thought for a moment. Why would Lady Danbury bring together a Queen and a Wallflower? It was preposterous when one thought about it, especially when she was a Featherington. But then she thought about that day in the park. The all consuming loneliness that she had felt, that she knew Lady Danbury must have been feeling for whatever reason, and the answer came to her. "Because we are both lonely." She stated simply.
Charlotte pursed her lips. Of all the most impertinent answers she had been expecting, that was not one of them. "And what gives you the right to comment on my state of mind?"
Penelope knew she was in dangerous waters, but decided to press on anyway. Perhaps if she were jailed, banished, or beheaded, she would finally have some semblance of peace in her life. "I do not have any right to comment on your state of mind, Your Majesty. You asked a question, I thought of an answer based on recent events and my conversation with Lady Danbury. If you find my answer offensive, I do apologize. That was not my intention." She took a sip of her tea before she could say anything else that may give herself away as Lady Whistledown.
Lady Danbury and Queen Charlotte exchanged a look with each other before smiling like ravenous she-wolves who had been gifted a deer carcass.
Lady Danbury was quite pleased with herself. This introductory meeting was going fairly well, except for her friend's outburst. Now to get on with the really good stuff. "Your Majesty, I believe that Miss Featherington may have a rather interesting insight into why your suspicions of Miss Eloise Bridgerton were wrong."
Penelope's eyes widened incredulously at Lady Danbury as The Queen's gaze settled onto her once more. "Oh? Please enlighten me, Miss Featherington. Or do I have the pleasure of addressing Lady Whistledown herself?"
Taking a deep steadying breath, Penelope now knew she was deep in the lion's den and could either keep up the farce and play the game or give in and allow the Queen her surrender. She chose the former. "It is not so glamorous as that, Your Majesty. Though I greatly admire Lady Whistledown's work, despite her disparaging remarks of myself and my family, I am simply the one who let slip that my friend's comings and goings to that particular section of town was to the Labor Rallies."
The Queen raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Well that does seem to be more intriguing. Come, I must simply hear of it! I am sure that there is more to the tale that was not published by Lady Whistledown."
And so Penelope launched into her tale, spinning the proper embellishments so as to keep the Queen from her identity. "A printer's apprentice! My should Lady Whistledown have found out that little tidbit, the Bridgertons would have been most scandalized indeed. Far more than they had been last season, what with Lord Bridgerton snubbing his nose at my generous offer of a royal wedding to my diamond last year. Then for Miss Kate Sharma to also snub him at the altar."
Penelope shook her head. "It was why I kept that particular piece to myself, Your Majesty. I love the Bridgertons dearly, however there are times that I agree with Her Grace, The Duchess of Hastings and Lady Bridgerton that all of the Gentleman and my dearest friend need a good thrashing to get their heads on straight." She took another long sip of her tea to hide her annoyance as the other two ladies chuckled.
"Do you think that is why Lady Whistledown admonishes them so publicly?" Lady Danbury posed.
The Queen regarded her old friend. "If what you call the salacious barbs that woman writes of the Bridgertons admonishments, then what she writes of me must be out and out thrashing."
Penelope set her tea cup down. "If I may make an observation as a humble Wallflower, Your Majesty?"
The Queen nodded, giving her assent. "Did not Lady Whistledown push Her Majesty into hastening her search in finding suitable matches for her sons, despite her ascorbic tone?"
The Queen paused in the midst of taking a sip of her tea. "She did, though there is much that can be said for her lack of social graces and discretion."
"People, Your Majesty included, do not purchase Lady Whistledown's Society Papers for her niceties." Penelope bit back sharply. "In fact, I distinctly heard several complaints around the Ton when she seemingly disappeared for three weeks."
The Queen scoffed. "I will admit that Whistledown does have a charisma and wittiness to her writing that other social commentary columns lack. I will also agree that her attention to detail is second to none when it comes to providing such scandalous gossip. However, her barbed pen causes more grief and strife amongst the members of society than not and I cannot allow for such tensions to sabotage the mechanisms that hold our society together."
Penelope pondered The Queen's statement for a moment. "Your Majesty, in the weeks during the race to replace your name's sake as an heir to the throne should His Majesty and His Highness pass, how were you able to rally your family and keep your focus so singularly?"
"Lady Whistledown." The Queen answered with a sour look on her face.
"How so?" Penelope asked, refilling her cup and taking a drink.
"She kept writing about my failings of the past two years to make proper matches of my last two diamonds. About how I was lacking as a mother." The Queen huffed.
Penelope sat her cup and saucer back down and studied the Queen before stating: "Perhaps she was feeling something similar to Your Majesty and felt that the crisis of an heir was too important to the nation to be ignored for an overly long grieving period. She may have even felt the need to spur Your Majesty on in her own unique way, to remind you that you cannot fail in this. That our country needed you to be Queen Charlotte first, a mother second, and to set aside all thoughts of grief until the crisis was over." It had been the truth, she used her pen in an effort to push Queen Charlotte through the crisis, channeling her own grief at losing Eloise and Colin to encourage Her Majesty to not rest until the issue was resolved.
Her Majesty sat back down and studied the girl. "You are saying, Miss Featherington, that in this instance, Lady Whistledown was paying me a boon."
Penelope nodded. "I do believe so, yes." Her Majesty's countenance grew thoughtful at first as she and Lady Danbury studied her more. However, thoughtful quickly turned to dour as The Queen continued, "But not my daughters. They have become spinsters in my lack of attention."
Penelope's heart ached for the Queen and her Princesses. They would not know the joys of motherhood or the blossoming of love, but they could come to know their mother, not as their queen, but as the one who bore them. "Your daughters have your strength, Your Majesty." Penelope stated firmly. "Now that there is an heir on the way, perhaps you might come to know them as the women they are and not the women you wish them to be."
The Queen's eyes shot up and a moment of vulnerability passed between them, but then it was gone. "If you are to give me unsolicited advice, Miss Featherington, then I shall do the same. Perhaps you should focus your attention to where the Bridgertons are not, but friendly faces are."
She turned her attention to Lady Danbury rather abruptly. "Lady Danbury, when was the last time you called upon the Duke and Duchess of Hastings? I am sure that young Penelope has not visited Clyveden Hall since they hosted the Hastings Ball her first season out."
Penelope and Lady Danbury shared a confused look until understanding dawned upon them: the Bridgertons would not be at the Hastings home and they could visit with Simon and Daphne until it was time to return with them for the London season in a few weeks time. Her heart fluttered and it felt lighter as Lady Danbury answered, "Much too long, Your Majesty. Young August has begun to crawl in earnest and become quite the troublemaker."
Penelope gave an undignified snort. "It seems he takes after both his father and his mother." She stated.
Both of her elders laughed uproariously and in that moment she felt a connection she had never felt before, a spark of recognition that burned down her spine: they were women in a society that did not grant them the freedoms that men had. Far deeper than that, The Queen and The Wallflower were hidden away and were not seen as the women they truly were, though in vastly different ways. The Widow watched, a smile playing on the edge of her lips as two worlds on vastly different sides of the spectrum began to come together.
Notes:
Whew! How are we all feel after that first meet and greet?
Some things I want to note here: Pen and Charlotte are both despondent in the game between The Queen and LW, so Pen's going to be playing with a bit of fire to get some of that feeling back. The Queen is still hurting from being pushed to the brink by LW and her own panic at there being a question of who is going to inherit the throne when George IV dies. But she's also too tired to be in full on rage mode when Pen snaps at her. Finally, the point of this chapter is to introduce them, not make them BFF's.
I really hope this chapter lived up to your expectations.
Next time: the Featherington fall out.
Edit: The dress Pen is wearing is the one on the far right in the pattern in the link below with the coat in a Lavender and the dress the color of lilac. https//listing/1451876569/regency-sewing-pattern-sew-womens?gpla=1 =1& _source=google _medium=cpc _campaign=shopping_us_b-craft_supplies_and_tools-patterns_and_how_to-patterns_and_blueprints _custom1_k_Cj0KCQjwh7K1BhCZARIsAKOrVqGJjY_G9CkgdGZXxes8dFVEJzzlkAiaMf5IHt9yadpdmPEek6pOLv8aAuLkEALw_wcB_k_ _content=go_12573076003_119953078975_507851769805_aud-2007167693229:pla-322726483858_m_1451876569_524781300 _custom2=12573076003 _source=4 =Cj0KCQjwh7K1BhCZARIsAKOrVqGJjY_G9CkgdGZXxes8dFVEJzzlkAiaMf5IHt9yadpdmPEek6pOLv8aAuLkEALw_wcB
Chapter 6: The Calm Before the Storm
Summary:
Penelope and Lady Danbury share a heartfelt conversation in the wake of their meeting with Queen Charlotte. However, upon Penelope's return to Featherington House she is viciously set upon by her family...
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The carriage ride back was more contemplative than the ride to the palace. The Widow was genuinely pleased with her plan so far, but in order for it to bear fruit, she would need The Queen to see the value of having the Wallflower as her companion separate from herself. But that could wait until after a visit with her nephew. "I shall write to the Hastings about our upcoming visit. Be ready to depart on the morrow. Don't pack overly much, the season begins in only a few weeks. We'll only have a week, maybe a few days after until we must return to prepare."
Penelope nodded. "I suppose a brief visit is better than none at all. And I am grateful, Lady Danbury, truly. The Queen is, well…she is much more than I initially thought."
Lady Danbury studied her. "How do you mean?"
Penelope thought for a moment. "She gives off the air of being imperious and impenetrable, while at the same time commanding and regal. But what I saw today was a woman, like any other woman: trapped in the role that society has placed her in. So trapped, in fact, that she can not even be a proper mother to her children."
Lady Danbury sighed and shook her head. "Miss Featherington, when you are in the echelons of power that the Queen and I reside, it is often that being a paragon of society must take precedence over the needs of being a mother. I myself do not have the best of relations with my own children, but that has more to do with how they were raised and the hate I bore their father."
She sighed at the younger girl's sharp look. "I know that they cannot help their parentage and that I am their mother, however, as they grew older I could not help but see the abusive, cruel husband I was forced to marry at the same age as you are now." She shuddered. "He was fifty years my senior."
The elder Lady finished quietly with tears in her eyes. Penelope took Lady Danbury's hand. "I am so sorry that both you and your children have had to suffer with that man's legacy. I have even deeper sorrow that this man's evil was so corrupt that it poisoned the sacred relationship between a mother and her children. Even my own relationship with my Mama cannot compare to that pain."
Lady Danbury grasped her hand firmly. "Thank you, child." She paused to compose herself, but a wicked gleam in her eye made its appearance when she looked back up. "Though I do not think I hate my children so much as to dress them in so much frockery that they resemble a citrus orchard."
Penelope gasped in mock offense. "Why Lady Danbury! Are you suggesting that my Mama has no sense of fashionable taste?" They both broke down into uncontrollable laughter at the exclamation, only calming down when the carriage pulled in front of her home.
As she was leaving the carriage, Lady Danbury reminded her that they would be leaving on the morrow for Clyveden Hall and to pack lightly. "We'll only be gone a little more than a week, but a brief respite as the Queen suggests will do us both some good, I think."
Penelope nodded. "I agree, Lady Danbury. I shall see you in the morning." With that she exited the carriage, took a few deep breaths, walked into what was sure to be a barrage of questions. And she was correct.
"What did you say?"
"You better not have embarrassed us."
"I hope you didn't empty the snack tray." "We shall have to tighten your corset to ensure you do not embarrass us with your appetite."
"Will the Queen be inviting us next time?" "You better have put in a good word for us too."
On and on until Penelope finally lost her patience and said, "Enough!" Her mother and sisters looked at her gaped eyed, their fast bullet, overlapping questions coming to a halt in an instant.
"Am I not even allowed to properly enter the house before being interrogated?" Rae came forward to take her cloak and gloves. "Thank you, Rae. Can you please go and begin to pack for a a stay at Clyveden Hall? I am to accompany Lady Danbury to visit The Duke and Duchess of Hastings. Make sure to pack lightly, I will only be staying for a little over a week as the coming season will be starting shortly."
Rae dropped into a shallow curtsy and left with a quick "Yes, M'um." With that taken care of, Penelope walked past her mother and sisters and into her father's study. "Penelope Anne Featherinton! What in heaven's name are you doing!? How dare you treat your sisters and I so!"
Penelope ignored her mother as she walked behind the desk and pulled out a pen, ink, and parchment and wrote a missive to her Solicitor, Mr. Sharpe. "John!" She called sharply, continuing to ignore her sputtering mother and sisters. John, their footman, entered the study.
"You are to take my sisters and their husbands to their homes as this is Featherington business." John nodded firmly. "I take it the charade is over, Ma'am?"
Penelope nodded firmly. "Indeed. after they are delivered to their homes you are to take this note and deliver Mr. Sharpe back here in all haste. Tell him that I will pay triple his rate for the sudden appointment, but circumstances being what they are, I will not have time to settle our affairs before the season begins."
John bowed. "Mr. and Mrs. Finch. Mr. and Mrs. Huxley. If you will please follow me, I will have you home quickly." Both couples began to protest loudly along with the Dowager Baroness. "Enough!" John spoke firmly. "Lady Penelope Featherington has issued her orders as Lady of this house and you are to obey her or I shall call the Bow Street runners and have you forcibly moved."
The room grew deathly quiet. "P-P-Penelope? What is he talking about?" Penelope shot her mother a warning look. "As I stated, this is Featherington business and shall not be discussed in front of the Finches or the Huxleys."
She looked pointedly at her sisters and their husbands, making it clear that they belonged in their homes, not here. Being thoroughly chastised, the Finches and the Huxleys left the study. "Mrs. Varley, two glasses of wine and then leave us to our discussions. I shall figure out what to do with you later as I am sure you had a hand in my mother's deceptions."
She noticed that they both winced which only confirmed her suspicions. She bowed "Yes, My Lady." and practically fled the room. Once Varley came back with a tray of Wine, cheeses, and biscuits and left, she returned her attention to her mother who was looking panicked.
Notes:
So that was a thing...
Here was my thinking with this chapter: Pen was just told by the Queen to essentially put up or shut up when it came to giving advice and she's leaving with Lady Danbury to see Daphne and Simon tomorrow. She doesn't have time to be timid with her family anymore if she wants to be ready for the coming season. She knows she's going to have a lot of new responsibilities starting in the coming weeks and the brief rest with the Hastings is going to cut into that. This meeting with the Queen and Lady Danbury in a very subtle way highlighted this with Danbury's line of "When you're in the echelons of power."
I hope you enjoyed thos chapter and the next couple as we see Penelope in her true element of running things behind the scenes.
Chapter 7: The Rise of Baroness Regent Penelope Featherington
Summary:
Penelope confronts her mother about filing the false Will with the Queen's Solicitor's office.
Portia Featherington is offered a choice about her future
Notes:
I want to thank everyone for their wonderful comments. They really do inspire me to continue writing, which is why you get a chapter a day. I like to keep a 5 chapter buffer so that if something happens such as writers block or I get sick, I can still post something every few days. That hasn't been an issue so far thanks to your continuing support and lovely comments.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Penelope took a sip of her wine and wondered where to begin. "I believe you asked how I enjoyed my tea with the Queen. I enjoyed it very much. I find Her Majesty to be of quick wit, a good conversationalist, and she has an excellent taste in tea. In fact, it was through our conversation that Lady Danbury offered this rather sudden sojourn to Clyveden Hall."
Her Mother took a sip of wine seemingly regaining her composure. "And future visits and teas with Her Majesty?" Penelope glared at her mother. "That is my business and mine alone. And should you try any of your scheming ways, Mama, I will send you to live in our country home."
Portia Featherington's face went pale again. "Now I believe the next question you have and are thinking right now is…How did I find out about this?" She waved her arms around the study. Portia drank deeply from her glass of wine, instantly knowing that Penelope was talking about the forged will. "Before we begin, you must know that I am Lady Whistledown."
She waited while her mother sputtered and huffed till she had to take another long drink of her wine before continuing. She wanted her mother's full attention after all. "I had been meeting with our family solicitor, Mr. Sharpe, to go over my accounting books while you were out shopping with Prudence and Philippa, Mrs. Varley accompanied you naturally, three weeks ago when the Queen's solicitor came to call about the Heir to Papa's title and our finances. He mistook my financing books for the Barony's and congratulated me on my fastidiousness in investing my allowance, again mistaking my income as Whistledown for my monthly allowance from Papa, rather than spending it as it had saved us from utter ruin. But there was still the question of an heir to Papa's title as the letter you had written made no sense. But do you know what Mr. Sharpe revealed?"
As if on cue, there was a sharp knock on the door and Mr. Sharp allowed himself in. Penelope and Portia stood in greeting. "Ah, perfect timing Mr. Sharpe, I trust you've brought the documents I asked for?" Penelope asked.
"Indeed, Miss Featherington, though I guess since the ruse is up, I should address you as Lady Featherington now." Penelope smiled wryly. "Indeed."
Rae reappeared at the office door. "Your bags are packed, My Lady." Penelope nodded. "Very good. Could you bring some tea for our guest, please?" Rae nodded and closed the door.
"Now, Mr. Sharpe. Could you hand my mother my father's last will and testament? Particularly the section about heirs?" She watched as her mother's breathing became rapid. "What does it say, mother?" Penelope hissed.
Portia's wavering voice came out thin and reedy as she read: "As I have no sons of my own, until such time one of my daughters bears such, the care of my home, country house, residential holdings, and estate shall fall to my third daughter, Penelope Featherington, who shall hold the title of Baroness Regent until such time the first male heir born of my daughters reaches their majority and has completed their education at either Oxford or Brighton. Should none of my daughters produce a male heir by the time of their passing, then my title shall pass on to the next male heir, provided they are a citizen of the British Empire and a loyal citizen of the Crown."
She looked at her daughter's seething gaze and swallowed hard. Rae returned with the tea service at that point and fixed Mr. Sharpe his tea the way he prefered then left the room again. "Now, who signed this document?" Down at the bottom, on the witness line, was Her Mother and Varley's signature. "But this wasn't the will that was filed, was it?"
By now, the Matriarch of the Featheringtons was shaking. "Because, the Queen's solicitor was very confused when looking at the copy Mr. Sharpe had produced. You see, Mr. Sharpe had been under the impression that I was keeping up a ruse, that I had wanted to keep my station as the actual heir a secret so I could keep up with my Lady Whistledown writings, when in fact, I just didn't know." She kept her voice low and intimidating. "My question is, why?" Her voice broke on that last word.
"Because I am your mother, I am the lady of this house, and I…didn't know at the time how bad things were going to be." Her Mother raged at first but then whispered as she felt the full weight of her guilt and shame.
Penelope now had tears running down her face. "You allowed your hate for me to almost ruin this family, this estate. I will not allow it again. Nor will I allow Mrs. Varley to be complicit in your schemes anymore." Dabbing her eyes and taking a breath, she once more took on her firm countenance.
"I offer you a choice, Mama: You can go live with Philippa or Prudence and take Mrs. Varley with you, you can go live in the country house where I will hire a small staff and you can come visit, or you can stay here, but Mrs. Varley will longer be employed here or allowed to visit. If you choose to stay, there will also be much reduced time that Philippa and Prudence will be allowed to visit, that being Sunday Tea and two dinners a week. You may go visit them as often as you like."
Her mother's face grew paler and paler with each option Penelope gave her, but she pressed on. "I will give you the week that I am gone to contemplate which choice you wish for yourself, but I expect Mrs. Varley to be gone upon my return. I have had Mr. Sharpe draw up all the proper paperwork for her termination, along with a 6 month stipend and letters of recommendation. She will be cared for until she finds a new posting for all of her loyal years of service to our family and you in particular. But I will no longer have her in my home after all of the schemes and deceit you have conspired together." She finished firmly.
Her Mother's eyes filled with tears. "So I am to be removed from my home or lose my closest confidant?" Penelope pursed her lips. "Mr. Sharpe, if you please?" She stated before losing her temper at her mother.
Mr. Sharpe turned to Lady Portia. "The estate had to pay a significant sum of money to the crown for filing a false will and to keep you and Mrs. Varley out of jail. The Inheritance Trust that was placed in your daughter's name holds a significant amount thanks to my investments and combined with your daughter's income from her column, the Featherington title and estate has once again been restored to a respectable place within society. I dare say you are nearly even with the Cowpers and had you land and tenants you would be on par with the Bridgertons."
Penelope nodded. "So yes, Mama, because of your schemes and Papa's high debts, the estate has already had to pay a high amount to restore order and grace to the Featherington name. Let me be clear: I will not have you and Mrs. Varley scheming behind my back and endangering the next male heir's chances of restoring and even elevating our house's reputation standing within society."
Portia had no recourse, no way of arguing. Here sat her youngest: cold, firm, and resolute. "Did tea with the Queen and Lady Danbury truly give you such inspiration?"
Penelope thought for a moment before replying. "In part. I was planning on having this discussion next week while preparing for the new season, for I intend to marry, you see."
Lady Featherington's jaw dropped. "W-what? But your new husband…he will take everything!"
Penelope smiled. "Ah. That's where Marriage Contracts come in and being the sole heir of this estate until such time a male is born of my sisters or myself, my husband by law cannot. I dare say I could marry one of the younger princes and still hold the estate."
Mr. Sharpe laughed at that. "You should put that in your next Whistledown after you release the news of your Papa's found Will, your new status, and intent to marry!"
Portia looked between them, scandalized. "This season is going to be interesting for certain." Penelope smirked, then turned back to her mother, her eyes full of the sadness she had been holding back.
"Mama." She said softly. "I do love you. I want you to be happy, even if it means you leave and shun me, too. I know that you have never held me in high regard or believed that I was worth the time and effort to prepare properly for society. But I do love you and wish for your happiness all the same."
Portia studied her daughter as if seeing her for the first time. "I can see why your father chose you versus a stranger." She sighed. "I shall speak with Prudence and Philippa about relocating to one of their residents so long as I can take the cook as well as Mrs. Varley." Penelope nodded. "We shall trade cooks then. I shall hire whichever cook Philippa or Prudence has on staff." Portia nodded back. "Would you still agree to Sunday tea and two evening dinners?"
Penelope thought for a moment. "Yes, but it will take a month or two. I plan to redecorate." Portia looked like she wanted to argue, but then remembered that this wasn't going to be her home for much longer. "Of course."
She took a deep breath. "Penelope, I…I did try to love you in the best way I knew how. I did what I thought was best. I just didn't understand you." She paused before taking a breath. "I didn't understand your curiosity, your need to understand the world around you, or why you always wanted your Papa to show you his books and read them to you. And when we moved here, across from the Bridgertons, I didn't understand how you integrated so easily while Philippa and Prudence just…didn't. I didn't understand why Eloise just took your hand and ran off with you when your bonnet knocked poor Colin off his horse, but left your sisters standing there staring. I just didn't understand what made you so…you. And I still don't. Maybe this is for the best." She stood and curtseyed. "I wish you a safe journey, daughter. When you return, I shall be moved in with one of your sisters. I still expect my same allowance from the estate."
Penelope nodded. "Of course. There will also be money held in a trust for you in case you and whichever sister agrees to your accommodation needs to move into a larger house. If it is unneeded for a new dwelling, it will still be held in trust to help with any unforeseen expenses. I am limiting you to one new dress a month though, mother. Our coffers are doing better, but it will take time to see them fully restored. If you want more than one new dress, you shall have to pay for it out of your allowance."
She handed Portia a copy of all the paperwork detailing the conditions of the trust. "I am serious, Mother. I know Genevieve well. If she sends me a bill for more than one dress fitted for you in a month, I shall be quite cross and you will be paying for your dresses with your monthly allowance with any subsequent dresses taken from your next month's allowance."
Portia nodded seeing the serious look on her daughter's face. "I understand." Penelope returned her nod. "Good night, Mama. I shall write when I have arrived at Clyveden Hall. It is a long journey and I shall see you when I return." Portia came around the desk and pulled her daughter into the first genuine hug she had ever given her. "Please return to us safely. Lady Featherington." Penelope almost broke into tears at hearing her mother acknowledge her new title, but she held fast. She would not break, not like this, not when her Mama could easily use it against her. "I will." Was all that she could manage before her mother let go and left the office.
Notes:
So there are a few things going on in this chapter, but I want to address this one issue first: I hate how they wrote Penelope in Season 3. There are numerous reasons, but the main one being: she grew a backbone over the off-season and in one episode she crumbles, despite working with Gen on her new wardrobe? She'd be working with Gen to get her Whistledown papers published about the Heir race in addition to her wardrobe. It's not too far a leap to reason that Gen would be encouraging her and giving her tips on how to engage with others socially. Why would she need to rely on Colin for charisma lessons?
Back to this chapter: The main conflict in season 3 with the Featheringtons and the Queen's solicitor is that Lord (Baron) Featherington didn't file a Will and Testament with the Royal Solicitor's office naming an Heir to his title and estate. With Jack Featherington's scheme revealed and wanted for fraud and theft, there is currently no default male heir to inherit the Barony. The false papers that Lady Featherington filed in Jack's name are sketchy because he would have had to file them upon taking over the estate. Whereas, in reality this would have NEVER happened as I explained in chapter 2.
Second, I know we want Pen to treat her family as they did her, but that's not who Pen is. She actually does care about her family, even though they emotionally abuse her. Paired with her inherent kindness, she isn't going to be so cruel as to simply kick her mother from her home and banish her sisters from her presence permanently. Not only would that cause her more scandal, it would drive her further into isolation.
Finally, the only way for her to truly heal from her falling out with Eloise and her heart break with Colin is to begin with setting boundaries within her own home and she only realizes this after having tea with The Queen and Lady Danbury, which is why Portia points it out. Portia, for her part, only truly sees her daughter for who she is when she is confronted with the truth of it, much in the same way as season 3. I did give Pen a bit of background with her father to show how much her mother feels disconnected to her, sadly inspired by my own relationships with my parents, and how that lends into her treatment of Pen. That doesn't excuse her behavior, but in the scheme of family dynamics and trauma, untangling the web is how we find our way forward.
Tell me what you think.
Chapter 8: We've Got A Lot of Work To Do
Summary:
Penelope and Mr. Sharpe have a discussion in the wake of their conversation with Portia.
Notes:
It's my Birthday and I'm a Hobbit, so you're getting two chapters today! This one being the first. Does this mean I'll need to write and extra one today and another one tomorrow before I post? Yes. But worry not, dear readers! I have the chapter plots outlined and so far your wonderful comments have kept me fueled.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Penelope pulled out the decanter of whiskey from her father's cabinet and two tumblers before pouring two fingers for herself and Mr. Sharpe. She knocked hers back in one go, hissing at the burn, before pouring herself another and returning to her seat. "Well, that could have gone worse." Mr. Sharpe said. "What caused the sudden change in our plans?"
Penelope sat back down in her seat. "A rather sudden invitation to tea with the Queen and subsequent invitation to join Lady Danbury on a brief sojourn to Clyveden Hall to see their Graces."
Mr. Sharpe raised an eyebrow. "Tea with Her Majesty? I don't suppose you turned yourself in?"
Penelope waved her hand. "Of course not. The Queen and I enjoy the game too much. Though this will make it much more interesting. We shall have to see how the game changes."
Mr. Sharpe smirked in return and raised his glass. "Here's to playing society's games and praying we keep our heads while we're at it." She raised her glass in return before taking another sip. "So this trip to Clyveden Hall. I take it you leave in the morning?" Mr. Sharpe continued.
"Yes." Penelope replied. "Which is why I needed to have the conversation and have the arrangements for the termination of Mrs. Varley's employment settled this evening versus when we had planned to do it next week. I will need you to solicit and schedule the interior designers for the following week instead of next week, I'm afraid."
Mr. Sharpe nodded. "And we shall have to go over the financials and mortgage holdings that week as well. Though how are the holdings coming along?"
Mr. Sharpe sighed. "You were correct about the holdings in Devonshire. They will need to be completely refurbished before we can reoccupy them."
Penelope swore. "How much time and expense do you think?" Mr. Sharpe took out a piece of parchment and did a few quick calculations. "If we refurbish and reoccupy one dwelling every three months the estate will be able to cover the costs and reap the benefits of the refurbished dwellings."
Penelope nodded. "This sounds prudent. Go ahead and hire the contractors to get started. Remember to ensure that the mortgage is reasonable enough to cover our expenses and provide a moderate income, but not so expensive to extort the residents. I shall not have people saying that the Featheringtons are greedy and miserly."
Mr. Sharpe barked a laugh. "As if anyone could call Lady Penelope Featherington miserly. I believe when I found our first abandoned holdings here in London and got them aired, cleaned, furnished, and rented, you ensured that the pantries of each dwelling were well stocked and stuffed to the brim."
Penelope's ears burned bright red at the memory. "I wanted to ensure that they didn't go hungry under my tenancy." She huffed. "And so you did, as well as provided them with a reasonable rent for the area." Mr. Sharpe smiled. "You are the kindest, gentlest Lady of society, Lady Featherington. Never doubt that. Though your teeth as Lady Whistledown would dare say otherwise."
She cackled at that. "Oh Mr. Sharpe. I do so enjoy our conversations, but it is getting late and I have a long journey ahead of me tomorrow."
They both stood. "I wish you safe travels, Lady Featherington. I shall see you upon your return." Mr. Sharpe said with a bow. "Good night, Mr. Sharpe. Please write once the arrangements for the holdings in Devonshire have been arranged and the house designers scheduled." Mr. Sharpe nodded in affirmation and then took his leave.
Rae stood by the door to her study. "M'um it's well past dinner time, but cook has left some soup upon the stove with some bread, would you like me to prepare some and bring it to your room?" Penelope stretched. "Yes please, Rae. But only after you help me out of this dress." Rae smiled. "Of course, My Lady. I shall be up once I see Mr. Sharpe out."
Once Penelope was in her room, she sighed in relief. Her mother had finally been dealt with and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She would have the house to herself and could hire a proper staff again now that she wouldn't be dealing with her petulant siblings draining the family coffers. Being able to show that she was now in control of the Featherington barony as the Baroness Regent and had restored her family's fortune with an inheritance trust her father had set aside for her within a matter of weeks would be a power move the Ton would not see coming. While she knew that her family was of the lowest gentry of the Ton, restoring at least a modicum of respect by holding her head up high, meeting with those investors that had not been recompensed from her mother and Jack's scheme, and taking a respectable husband within her social standing with a marriage contract would do wonders for restoring her house.
Rae knocked and entered and began undoing the laces of her dress. "So tell me the truth, what was Varley's reaction once she left the room?" Penelope asked.
Rae couldn't help but giggle. "She looked like she had eaten an entire lemon and swallowed it rind and all!"
Penelope almost bent over laughing while Rae undid her stays. "She tried listening at the door but John and I waved her off."
Penelope shook her head. "Thank you." Rae grinned at her. "Of course, M'um!"
Penelope sighed in relief when her corset was finally undone. "Do you think that we will ever be rid of these contraptions someday? That we may be allowed to enjoy our days in some modicum of comfort at some point in some distant future?"
Rae sighed. "I hope so, M'um. 'Twould be nice to not have to squash our insides for a proper look just to leave the house. Or even for just lounging in the house. Maybe our future daughters shall even have the luxury of having relations with a man before marriage without being shunned from society."
Penelope blushed. "Rae! That would be truly scandalous!" Rae giggled as her mistress turned around swiftly while she was unpinning her hair.
But her lady's maid pressed on. "Admit it! You would love for there to be no proprietary rules in proper society so that you may have your way with whichever gentleman catches you fancy this season just to ensure that you will be satisfied in the marriage bed."
Penelope turned beet red before she answered in the affirmative before turning around and letting Rae finish undoing the elaborate updo. Rae grinned. "I know you too well, My Lady. Now, if you will pardon me, I shall return with your soup and then it's straight to bed with you. You have a long journey ahead." Penelope nodded, already feeling the effects of the day. By the time Rae returned with the soup, she was already half asleep. By the time she had finished the soup and her head hit the pillow, she was fast asleep.
Notes:
So let's talk about lands and holdings!
In the show we learn that Lord Featherington has sold his lands and his holdings to cover his debts. Being a Baron, he would have been granted a country home (such as Aubrey Hall only smaller) and lands to accomany it where there would possibly be a village or a few farms that would pay him taxes on the land that he would then pay taxes on to the crown.
Holdings, on the other hand, were homes that he either invested in or had built himself to rent to occupants. So when Penelope is called a Landless Baron's daughter, that's exactly what she is: Her father still holds the title of Baron, but he has sold off his lands to pay his debts.
Why is the distinction between lands and holdings important? Lands are tied to the title and cannot be held in the trust, because they must have taxes paid upon them by the Lord holding them. And holding land in those times was EXPENSIVE. How you managed your land and took care of the people tending to its farms and villages mattered if you wanted to reap the rewards. And selling land was a good way to make a quick buck.
Holdings, on the other hand, could be put into trust as any income from the rent would be put into the trust versus the estate funds. Which wouldn't do Lord Featherington any good. What he could do though is sell any holdings that WEREN'T in the trust and strip that Holdings that were bare of anything of worth and selling it leaving Penelope in the position of having to repair the holdings in the trust and refurnishing them, as ensuring that there was furniture in the home was the job of the landlord at the time.
The reason that Penelope and Mr. Sharpe are needing to take care of these issues now are two-fold: she needs to pay back the investors that Cousin Jack scammed and she needs to ensure a legitimate steady income in which to hide her Lady Whistledown income because those expenses are NOT going to be cheap.
I'll be posting a 2nd chapter later, but tell me what you think of this one first!
P.S. The conversation between Rae and Pen came to me as I was writing the chapter and needed to take off my bra and I realized...they couldn't just do that. So it made for a funny exchange.
Chapter 9: It's a Dangerous Business, Penelope, Going Out Your Front Door
Summary:
Penelope and Agatha journey to Clyveden Hall and begin to grow closer.
When they arrive at Clyveden Hall, they connect with their friends for some much needed comfort.
Notes:
Surprise Birthday Chapter as promised with an appropriate Tolkien quote for the title. When Hobbits celebrate their birthdays, they throw a big party and the guests are the ones who receive the gifts.
Thank you all so much for the Birthday wishes. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The early morning came too soon, but Penelope knew that there was nothing for it. She had to be up, dressed, and ready to leave within the next couple of hours. Rae chose to dress her in a comfortable day dress and one of her less confining stays for the ride to Clyveden Hall. It was a long journey that would take them through the day and have them arriving around supper time. Once she was dressed, she quickly broke her fast then headed to her study to write instructions for John, Sylvia the cook, and Mr. Sharpe. By the time she was done, Lady Danbury's carriage had arrived and her baggage had been hastily loaded. Her mother had awoken to see her off and was now waiting for her in the entryway.
"You'll write when you arrive?" She asked tentatively.
Penelope nodded. "Yes. As soon as I am able. We'll be arriving around supper, so I may not be able to write until morning." Her Mother drew her into a hug. The second one she had ever gotten since she was a small child.
"Then I bid you safe travels. I shall write when I have chosen my new residence." She said as she let Penelope go. Penelope sighed and then with a determined look on her face, she walked out of her home and into the awaiting carriage.
Lady Danbury wasn't much for early mornings, but the prospect of riding with the Featherington girl proved to be more exciting than she anticipated. When the door opened to allow the girl in, she was positively buzzing. "Good Morning, Lady Danbury." The young lady greeted. "Good Morning, Miss Featherington." She responded. She then gave a sharp wrap on the roof of the carriage to signal the driver to begin their journey.
They each took a moment to study each other. Both were dressed comfortably, Lady Danbury in her signature burgundy, Penelope in a lovely shade of mint green, and of course Penelope had brought her books with her. "Tell me, my dear," Lady Danbury began. "You mentioned paying your footman to release the information about Miss Thompson's pregnancy, but I'm curious as to how she came to be in your parents' care at all."
Penelope thought back to her first year out in society and meeting her cousin. "At first, we were confused why my father had agreed to take in my cousin, but later it came to light that her father was one of those that he owed his debts to." She smiled before continuing. "Those first few weeks were wonderful. I finally had someone in my own family who understood and befriended me. We would talk for hours about literature, music, art, outside of calling hours, of course." She giggled. "That is, until Mama found out about her pregnancy."
Lady Danbury looked concerned as a hollow laugh tore from her young companion. "My mother confined Marina to her room once Varley found that she hadn't had her courses, wasting very precious time to find her Sir George Crane." Penelope felt silent tears slide down her cheeks.
"I did not know Portia Featherington's cruelty ran so far deep as to confine a child so." Lady Danbury hissed.
Penelope snapped her head up to look at her. "My mother's cruelty runs far deeper than the Ton would ever acknowledge. She just knows how to keep it within the walls of our home, unlike the Cowpers."
Lady Danbury sniffed at the mention of the Cowpers. "I don't think the Cowpers would know decency if it landed in the layers of powder Lady Cowper uses to keep her face looking so young." Penelope cackled in response.
"I'm fairly certain that if Lady Cowper didn't put such efforts into her looks, Lord Cowper would be amongst his friends looking at debutantes his daughter's age to have another go at a son." She replied with a smirk at the elder Lady's mock offended Expression.
"Why Miss Penelope! Are you suggesting that Lady Cowper may be barren or Lord Cowper somehow inept in the bedroom?" Lady Danbury exclaimed.
Penelope grinned before responding: "I'm not suggesting any such thing. I'm merely posing a possible answer to the Ton's greatest mystery: why stop at Cressida?" At that both ladies broke down into uncontrollable laughter.
Their journey went much the same after that with alternating bouts of swapping stories and banter, to quiet reading and naps. They stopped to change horses, relieve themselves, and stretch. They had a midmorning meal, lunch, and tea. Overall, the two women enjoyed each other's company whether they were conversing or not. All too soon, evening had descended and they could see the distant torches of Clyveden Hall and for a moment, Penelope didn't want their journey to end. But that feeling was dashed as they pulled up into the courtyard and saw Daphne, Simon, and little Augie waiting for them with wide smiles.
Penelope thought that the door of the carriage would be ripped off its hinges with how quickly Simon had wrenched it open. But she couldn't fault him for his enthusiasm, it was truly a great relief to see friendly faces again. So great in fact, that she practically leapt into his arms, gasping with heaving sobs.
"Pen!" Daphne gasped, rushing forward as she handed August to his nurse. Simon maneuvered Penelope into the waiting arms of his wife in order to assist his aunt out of the carriage.
"It's good to see you, Aunt Agatha, we couldn't help but be surprised by this short and unexpected visit." He said. "Though things must be dire considering Penelope's reaction upon seeing us." He looked at the petite red-head now being calmed and soothed by his wife.
Lady Danbury nodded. "Indeed, there has been much upheaval, both socially and personally for both of us." Simon offered his arm to her and led her into the house as he listened. "The Queen suggested that we both take a brief respite to visit with friendlier faces before being tossed back into the lion's den that is the Ton."
Simon raised an eyebrow as he looked down at his aunt. "You took Penelope to meet with Queen Charlotte during one of your private sojourns?"
Lady Danbury chuckled. "Yes, my dear boy. And they hit it off quite splendidly! I would even say my old friend was surprised by young Penelope's sharp wit and cunning turn of phrase." She looked up at him with a smirk. "She corrected my dear Charlotte by suggesting that she was closer to being a sugared plum than a citrus when she arrived in a lovely Lavender dress I had commissioned for her with accompanying jewels." Simon barked a laugh. "I hadn't heard Charlotte laugh that hard in years." She finished.
Simon looked down at her. "And what about you, Auntie? You mention there was personal upheaval for you both." Lady Danbury waved a hand.
"'Tis nothing I can't handle, Simon. Spending time with you all, especially little Augie, is truly the only solace I need." She patted his arm. "I am just sorry that it is going to be such a short visit."
She smiled up at him, but inside she felt the loneliness of her life in London sink into her more. If only she could stay here, in this moment, on this walk to the dining hall where their dinner waited, she happily would. She would never feel the crushing ache of being alone while surrounded by people who only offered her surface platitudes. She would never know that pain of seeing people beating a hasty retreat from her, knowing that it was her own sharp barbs that caused such distance. Perhaps that was why she both hated and admired Whistledown. The woman was able to get away with her scathing remarks and pointed barbs without the pain of seeing how those words eventually caused rifts between you and the rest of the world. She felt the blasted sting of tears again and promptly willed them away. She was Lady Agatha Danbury, she did not wallow in self-pity nor did she allow herself to think upon things that were already said and done. Straightening her back, she allowed her nephew to lead her to her seat where a hot meal waited after their long journey. She looked forward to a hot meal, a warm bath, and a soft bed to fall into
For Penelope's part, Daphne led her the longer way through the gardens where they settled on a bench until Penelope's tears had dried and her breathing had calmed. Daphne held her friend through the wracking sobs. She may not have been as close to Pen as Eloise, mostly because her younger sister jealously guarded the youngest Featherington's attention, but she was still her friend. Her mother had written to her of Eloise and Penelope's falling out, but she hadn't known how to write to Penelope to broach the subject. And when she had written to Eloise, the venom her sister had spewed in her response had made Simon want to ride to Aubrey Hall to give her a thrashing himself. Once her breathing had calmed and her tears had stopped, Penelope sat up and took out a handkerchief to dab at her eyes and nose.
"Oh I am so sorry, Daphne. I barge into your home with no care for my sponsor and began to cry on you like a blubbering child." She said demurely.
Daphne laughed, the sound ringing like chimes in the wind. "Do not apologize, Pen. You are hardly the first to attempt a quick escape from Lady Danbury's company. One need only ask my dear brother, Benedict, and he thinks himself a master at it, despite always failing."
It was now Penelope's turn to laugh. Oh how she had missed Daphne. While Eloise was Fire and Brimstone, Daphne was a river: cool and calming most of the time, but could easily become as destructive as a flood that swept away everything in its path when angered.
"Then Benedict would have failed spectacularly on this journey, for I find that the Countess is not only a wonderful conversationalist, but sharp of wit, and has a biting sense of humor that would put Anthony to shame." She finally responded.
Daphne giggled, "I'm going to tell Anthony you said that."
"Good, maybe he'll learn not to vex Her Majesty, her closest confidant, and her sponsored guests all within the same courting season." Penelope stated with an amused smirk as Daphne gasped looking affronted. "Perhaps we should also add asking poor unsuspecting debutants about how many children they expect to have within the first two minutes of meeting as well." She finished and her friend ended up laughing uproariously.
"He is never going to live that down with you, is he?" Daphne asked.
"Not so long as he lives and maybe not even after he has gone to his eternal resting place." Came the reply with a mischievous smirk playing on Pen's lips.
Daphne's face turned serious. "Pen. I know that something dreadful has happened between you and Eloise. I tried to write to her asking about it and all I received was angry words. I know that you just arrived and need a hot meal and some rest, I just hope that while you are here, you'll tell me what's going on. I worry for you."
Penelope felt tears well up again but refused to cry anymore tonight. Instead she pulled Daphne into a hug that her friend returned. "I will at least tell you my part in things, but Daphne, I fear of losing your friendship, too." She confessed.
Daphne shushed her. "None of that tonight. For now, let us go and have a hot meal and then you and Lady Danbury can go get some much needed rest. We can speak of these things tomorrow or even the next day." She helped her friend up and led her to the dining room, encouraging Penelope to talk more of her journey with Lady Danbury.
When they arrived at the dining hall, they found Simon and Lady Danbury awaiting them. "Ah, there is my wife! I thought I would have to send riders thinking you had stolen her way, Penelope."
Daphne walked up to her husband with a light chuckle and placed a kiss on his cheek. Penelope took her place next to Lady Danbury, who was seated on Simon's left side. "Oh I don't know, Simon. There is still plenty of time before the season starts for me to create a truly ghastly reputation wrecking scandal such as stealing away your wife." She smiled at him teasingly.
And that was how their dinner went: trading jokes and barbs, laughing and simply enjoying each other's company. Both Lady Danbury and Penelope felt the weight they had been carrying since London begin to lift from their shoulders as they basked in the love of the family that still held them close. Being very full and sleepy from the journey, it did not take them long to find their beds after a quick bath. The last thought that passed through both The Widow and Wallflower's minds before sleep took them was: The Queen had been right.
Notes:
Whew! So we finally got some Lady D and Lady F time! But of course, we're gonna wait on THAT particular reveal for our characters because the DRAMA! And they just don't have that rapport yet.
Also, I was really disappointed with how little Daphne and Pen interacted in the show despite debuting at the same time. I get that Pen is more associated with Eloise, but I found it weird that she wasn't having conversations with Daphne as well seeing as she is ALWAYS over at Bridgerton house and an unmarried lady out in society. I feel they would have had more in common to talk about being in the Marriage Mart than listening to Eloise rant about it.
Chapter 10: Charlotte's Web
Summary:
Queen Charlotte faces her own emotional aftermath after the unusual tea with Lady Danbury and Penelope as she questions each part she plays in her own life.
Notes:
Get your tissues ready, because I cried while writing this chapter.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Two days had passed since the peculiar tea with Lady Danbury and Miss Featherington and Queen Charlotte was still confused about the maelstrom of emotions the girl had evoked. She had demanded every past issue of Whistledown that had been saved so that she could reread them to discover more about her. She knew the Featheringtons were often a subject of the gossip monger as they were often at the center of scandals themselves or the source of mockery due to their matriarch's lack of societal proprietary and fashion choices. She scowled at the thought of Lady Featherington. That horrid woman believed that she was equal to the Bridgertons or even dared to think herself as grand as a Duchess. Which was why she had been pleasantly surprised to find that the youngest daughter was wholly aware of her station. Why was that? Surely Lady Whistledown held the key and so she read every issue noting each description of the girl. It wasn't until she read that Colin Bridgerton had once more taken pity upon her and danced with her twice despite his higher station that the words took on a new meaning. The girl knew her place well, it was there in black and white and defined her just as clearly as it defined Charlotte herself. Suddenly, The Queen was looking in a mirror and seeing the Wallflower staring back at her.
Charlotte felt her breath catch in her throat as if there was suddenly a vice that held her in place. Lady Whistledown was judging this girl for the failings that she could not possibly help in the same way that she was judged. She strained to breathe. No. She was Queen Charlotte, not some insipid Wallflower. She would forbid Agatha from bringing Miss Featherington to anymore of their meetings. She was brought from the maelstrom of her thoughts when Brimsley opened the door to announce Georgie had arrived for their appointment to go over the parliamentary business that needed to be addressed before the session formally began next week.
"Your Majesty. Mother." He greeted stiffly.
Charlotte studied her son for a moment. Memories of George, her George holding him, smiling down at him, kissing him flooded her from no where and suddenly she felt the need to just hold her baby boy. It was something she hadn't felt since he was a child and his father had nearly broken his arm for tramping through his gardens. Perhaps you might get to know them… the words from the young Featherington girl floated in her mind and something inside her cracked.
"Georgie." She spoke softly. Her first born looked at her confusion written on his face as tears glazed in her eyes.
"Mother. Are you alright? What's happened? Is it father?" George came around her table and sat next to her taking her hands in his. She looked down at them confused. How long had it been since her children had willingly touched her? The crack she had felt suddenly broke and she looked at her son. Her beautiful, beautiful Georgie, who looked so much like his father. And the tears finally came.
"Georgie, I am so very sorry about Charlotte." She reached out to touch his cheek as his own tears began to fall. "And I know that I can never take back the years that I have never been the mother that you have needed me to be. All I can say in this moment is how much I love you. How much I love all of you." She grabbed him and held on to him as if he would disappear too, just like her George, just like Albert and Octavius and Amelia, just like Little Charlotte and her babe.
All George, Prince Regent of Wales, could do was hold on to his mother as she bared her heart to him and sob as if she were afraid to lose him. His own tears were falling from his eyes as held her close as well, afraid that this was a dream and he would awaken to find that she was once again Her Majesty Queen Charlotte of England, Ireland, and the Colonies. He shushed his mother and rubbed her back to soothe her. When all her sobs had calmed, he pulled her from his chest to look at her. "Mother, I know not what has brought this about, but I am glad to finally see you again after all this time." He smiled down at her.
She gave him a trembling smile back. "I have been locked away for far too long, haven't I." He nodded. "You and father both."
She took a shuddering breath. "He isn't…" Georgie shook his head. "I know mother, but we could all do with seeing him more, even with his moods." She smiled at him again and placed a hand on his cheek.
"Do you know that he would lay on my chest and talk to you all hours of the day and night when you were in my belly?" She smiled. "He loved, and still loves you, so much, Georgie." He smiled back. "I know he does. Just as I never forgot how much you loved me. All of us." He sat back from her. "Now, shall we go over which issues Parliament left for this coming session that will prove problematic?"
She straightened up and gave him a mischievous look. "Only if afterward we can plan a family dinner. An informal one, where we might actually enjoy ourselves without all the frivolities expected of us." She paused as another memory floated in her head. "Like I told your father once: Just us. Just Days."
George grinned at that. It would not be easy, there was so much hurt between all of them, but he had just seen is mother for the first time since he was a child and he would be damned if he let her fade back into Queen Charlotte in private again.
The next evening found Charlotte and her children, minus Edward and Victoria due to some pregnancy issues, gathered in the informal dining room. She could sense the tension, but for the life of her didn't know how to begin to break it. Her chest constricted, maybe this was too much all at once. She probably should have started one by one. You've failed as a mother just as you have as a Queen. She could hear Lady Whistledown's acidic musings mocking her. No. She would not fail in this. Not again. She took a deep breath and turned to Frederick, her second son. "Tell me, Frederick, are gooseberry pies still your favorite or has some other sweet taken your fancy?"
The tension tightened as the rest of the children looked at them, waiting on the edge of their seats for their brother's response. Frederick cleared his throat trying to regain his thoughts. When George had told him of this dinner and their mother's breakdown, he could scarcely believe it. But here he was being asked if he still loved his favorite dessert from childhood or if he had found a different one he liked by the woman who only a few months ago had been demanding a new royal heir because Little Charlotte had died in childbirth.
"Well, mother, I still like gooseberry pie, but I've found my favorite dessert to be apricot ice." He answered. She smiled sadly. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to see you try it for the first time."
Frederick took her hand in his. "Mother, are you alright? Has father's illness grown more dire?"
The Queen looked at her children as they awaited her answer. Had she been so locked away that the only persona they knew was "Her Majesty"? She seemed to recall one of them saying such in her mania to ensure George's line would be secure. She looked at all of them and in each one she saw how the light in George's eyes had grown dimmer and dimmer and dimmer when he held them as babes, until the deaths of their last three children had completely broken him. "I'm sorry. Please, excuse me." She stood and walked to the door, leaving her children confused.
She hiked up her skirts and ran. She ran like she hadn't in years, Brimsley trying to keep up with her. She lost her shoes, her elaborate wig fell from her head, and still she ran. She had to get away. Why, oh why didn't she climb over that damn wall? Why did she choose this half life? Why did she continue to choose to live in this Hell of her own making? She fell to her knees and gave out a feral cry. Damn that Featherington chit for making her believe that there was hope! She screamed her pain into the night, to George's beloved Venus. She pounded her fists into the cold ground until she felt herself grabbed and pulled into a warm embrace and rocked.
Sofia, being the youngest of her living brothers and sisters, merely sat and watched as they bickered and squabbled, just as they always did. She couldn't remember a time when her family had truly gotten along. It was times like these she truly missed Amelia. They would sneak out to their father's observatory just to watch the stars that he so loved. Perhaps that was where mother was going. Without a sound or telling her siblings where she was going, she followed her mother out the door and into the night.
She followed the trail of her mother's fallen wig and discarded shoes and that's when she heard the heart wrenching scream that tore from her mother's throat. Sofia dropped the gathered items and ran towards the sound until she found her mother beating her fists upon the cold wet grass. She slowed, then nodded at Brimsley to back away as she knelt down to cradle her mother as she often had Amelia when she was alive. It had just been the two of them, with Sofia playing the most with Amelia. She rocked her mother back and forth singing a soft lullaby her father would sometimes sing to them when he found them in his observatory and he was lucid. Her mother's sobs seemed to stop as she looked up at who was holding her. Sofia could see so much of where Amelia had gotten her features from in her mother's eyes. She brushed some stray strands from where they had plastered themselves on her mother's face. "I believe that it may be safer if we withdraw to a different room where it's quieter, mother. Surely Adolphus and Elizabeth have begun flinging peas across the table at each other and I, for one, do not wish to be in the crossfire when Mary retaliates with either the carrots or the bread when she is inevitably hit." She smirked.
Queen Charlotte laughed. She laughed. She was sitting in the wet grass with her youngest living daughter laughing at the thought of the rest of her children having a decidedly improper, holy unroyal food fight in the dining room. Sophia joined in, their laughter ringing out across the lawn until they calmed. "Come, mother." Sofia said. "let me get you inside and warmed, then why don't we sit and talk for a while. Just us two. I can tell you some stories about me and Amelia sneaking into Father's observatory to watch his stars."
Charlotte felt her breath catch and tears glaze in her eyes once more as she nodded. Arm and arm, The Queen allowed her youngest to lead her to her rooms to change into something comfortable and warm and all the while she learned of Sofia's adventures with Little Amelia who loved to dance among the stars with Her George. They talked well into the night, Charlotte soaking up everything Sophia was willing to share with her. She was surprised to learn that Sophia still snuck into the observatory, especially when she was missing Amelia. Sometimes George would join her and he was lucid, sometimes he wasn't and they would pretend for a little while that Amelia was alive, safe, and happy. It made her heart feel warm that she wasn't as alone as she thought, that Sophia also cared and saw him. "Is that why you made the beaded blanket look like the one from Kew?" She asked hesitantly.
Sofia nodded, tears running down her face. "Mother, that night…I wanted to tell you that I never married because, well, who would take care of father if you died first?"
Charlotte didn't think, she just moved as she grabbed her darling girl and gripped her to herself. "My sweet girl. I have been so blinded by duty to my crown and my worries for you father for so long that I have forgotten that there is an after. And not just an after for the royal line, an after for those who are left behind when we are gone. You…" She choked back a sob. "You thought of something that I had not and I…I was exceedingly cruel to you for it."
Sofia placed her forehead against her mother's. "All is forgiven, Mother. At least, between you and I. I know not how the others feel, but I hold no contempt for you." Tears filled her eyes. "I saw how Amelia's death broke Papa. How it was more devastating than losing Octavius and Little Al. I saw how him breaking, broke you, too. I don't want you and Papa to break anymore, Mama."
Charlotte pulled Sofia back into her embrace and began soothing her just as she had been soothed earlier. "I want to do better, Sofia. I recognize that I have been remiss in being a mother versus a queen. I have ruled over you, rather than raised you. I will need your help though. I don't know how to be a mother. All I have known is being Queen Charlotte."
Sofia pulled back and studied her face. "Then we shall start this journey, tomorrow." She helped her to stand up and led her mother to her bedchamber. "Rest for now, Mama. Everything will be brighter tomorrow." She kissed her cheek and bid her good night.
With Brimsley by her side, The Queen finished preparing for bed and when her head hit the pillow her last thought was that the impertinent Wallflower had been correct and The Widow would more than likely bring her again whether she wanted her here or not.
Notes:
Ok everyone, take a big deep breath. I wanted to again highlight the parallels between Penelope and Charlotte. They are both very much trapped in the roles society and their families have put them in. But then, I wanted to bring some of the elements that we get from Queen Charlotte in, especially that link we get when one of her daughters has made a beaded blanket from Kew to go in the dollhouse. It's a small but important detail that I wanted to zero in on. Also, George has one of his episodes when they are set to have a dinner on one of his "good" days accusing Charlotte of killing Amelia, their youngest daughter. Sofia being familiar with Kew and that being George's residence speaks to her being very close to George and Amelia and I wanted to play with that and tie it in to how little Charlotte knows about her family.
Chapter 11: In Days Gone By...
Summary:
Penelope and Lady Danbury take comfort and confidence in their friends, though Pen gets a bit more than she bargained for.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The third morning of their stay at Clyveden Hall saw Penelope and Daphne strolling through the rose garden in companionable but heavy silence. They had left Agatha and Simon to play with August. The rambunctious babe was so excited to see his godmother and surrogate aunt, but after two days of spoiling him with attention, she really wanted to spend time with her friend.
Daphne studied Penelope as they walked among the roses. Their sweet fragrance was thick in the air creating a heady but calming atmosphere. Penelope had yet to speak to her about what had really happened between her and Eloise. What was worse, she implied that it was so bad that she would lose her friendship as well. She sighed, there was no putting it off any longer. "Pen. What happened?"
Penelope stopped in her tracks. She knew the question was coming, but it also surprised her that it came so soon. When did you think it was going to be asked? On your ride back to London? A meek "yes" followed behind her mental chastisement. Get asked the question on the way back to London that way she could bury herself in the work of reestablishing the Featherington holdings and coffers so that she didn't have to dwell and stew in her loneliness after Daphne's inevitable rejection. She looked back at the Duchess who returned it with such a concerned frown she wanted nothing more than to run. However, if Daphne was really willing to listen about what happened and Eloise was spitting such vemon at her family because of her, she had a right to know.
"Before I tell you this, please know that you have every right as Eloise to hate me, to spite me, and to throw me from your home. All I ask for is your discretion for the sake of my mother and sisters. They had nothing to do with this." Penelope started with tears already beginning to shine in her eyes.
Daphne studied her intently and then took her hands. "Whatever it is you need to tell me, I will listen and what is said here will go no further. You have my word." She led Penelope to a shaded bench. "Now, tell me what happened."
Taking a deep breath, Penelope decided to just come out with it. "Eloise found out that I am Lady Whistledown."
She closed her eyes and tucked her head waiting for the yelling and beratement to begin. Except, it didn't. Slowly, Pen opened her eyes and looked up to see Daphne barely holding back her laughter. "A-are you not angry?" At that Daphne broke into uproarious laughter.
Once she calmed down, she returned her attention to her friend. "Oh my dear Pen." she said while grasping her into a hug. "I had my suspicions after the story about Nigel Berbrooke was printed. You really let Anthony have it with that 'one cannot judge a book by its cover, but in Nigel Berbrooke's case…' line, but I knew it was you when the story about Marina came out." Her hold on Penelope's hands tightened. "There is only one person in the world that would ruin the reputation of an entire family to save Colin and, by proxy, us."
Penelope looked at her in awe. "That's why you helped Marina find Sir George and invited us to the ball." Daphne nodded. "I had reread through all of the previous columns you had written about me and my family with new eyes. I saw that the column about the dwindling suitors was you backing me in my frustrations with Anthony. You saw right through my ruse with Simon, just like my mother did, and continuously barbed the Queen in an effort to champion us." She looked at where their hands were clasped. "You may not have written them in the kindest of ways, but sometimes our society needs the truth given to it in cold and biting tones."
Penelope felt hot tears stream down her face. "I wish Eloise saw it that way. It was horrible Daphne! I walked in to find my room tossed about; my mattress torn from my bed, my desk drawers turned out, my clothes torn from my wardrobe." Daphne looked absolutely enraged. "Eloise did this?"
Penelope was shocked by the anger in Daphne's voice. "Y-yes, but Daphne, I had wronged her. I had kept –" She was cut off by Daphne's sharp reproach. "Do not dare make excuses for her, Penelope Anne!" Penelope winced at the use of her middle name coming from her friend's mouth. "She can be as enraged as she wants, but to go into someone else's room, in someone else's home and ransack it? That is inexcusable and shows me how little regard for your person my sister holds for you." She stood up and pulled Penelope with her. "Come, I will be sending a letter to Anthony about this as well as enclosing the letter Eloise sent to me in response to my inquiry."
There was no arguing with Daphne when she put on the air of her Duchess persona as she did now, so Penelope did the only thing she could do and followed her back into the house regretting that she had started the flood.
Simon watched as Augie played with the hem of his aunt's dress trying to chase the ball she kept just out of reach from him. Her face was soft and smiling with soft, light laughs filtering out every so often as the babe would catch her hand instead of the ball and play with her fingers. He wished there was time for more days like this when they were in town for the season. As it was, He and Daphne had little time for these precious moments with their son when they were in London, though they vowed to make the time and they had kept it. But his Aunt had other duties to attend to as a member of the Queen's court and the Queen's closest confidant and therefore quite pressed for time. When Augie finally caught the ball from his godmother, his delighted shrieks broke Simon from his thoughts. He laughed and clapped which gained his son's attention and little August began to crawl towards him while making little squawks and sounds that were close enough to "Papa" that Simon encouraged him.
"That's right. I'm your Papa. And it's time for you to go have a snack and a nap." He kissed his son on his forehead before handing him to his nurse, who would feed him then place him down for his usual mid-morning nap. Agatha looked on as Simon handled his child. He was so different from his father, from her own husband when it came to their children. The tenderness and love he showed August made her heart clench in sorrow. I hope you can see him and the man he has become, Sarah. Your darling boy is a good and kind man, an attentive, gentle husband, and a loving, tender father. Simon when turned his attention back to her, his face froze at the tears gathered in her eyes. "Auntie, is something wrong?"
That snapped Agatha back to herself and she cleared her throat. "Yes. I'm quite alright. Just feeling my age more than usual today."
Simon frowned at that. "You know, it is odd that you decided to take a respite this close to the season and to bring Miss Penelope with you. I wasn't aware you were acquainted." He guided her to one of the sofas and poured her a glass of water.
Lady Danbury gratefully accepted the glass and took a long drink from it. "I wasn't, however, that changed a short few days ago when we happened to find a common place for contemplation within Hyde Park." Simon raised an eyebrow, but allowed her to continue. "Miss Featherington happened to stumble upon me while I was in the midst of my musings at my favorite bench near the willows overlooking the pond."
Simon knew the area well. It was a favorite of his aunt's when they would go walking and she felt the need for some solitude from the overabundance of attention she garnered. He could see why Pen would seek solace there as well. Instantly a picture of her with a blanket and pillow propped up against one of the trunks and her deeply engrossed in a book filled his head and he laughed, much to his aunt's consternation. "Is there something amusing about what I just said?"
He waved her question away. "Not at all, Aunt Agatha. I merely envisioned Penelope propped up against one of the trees with one of her books open without a care in the world and could instantly understand why you would both be drawn to the same location." His eyes danced in amusement. "It makes a certain amount of sense, Auntie. Penelope has as sharp a tongue as you do when she has a mind to use it."
The Widow laughed. "Don't I know it! Do you know she snapped back at Charlotte during our tea? It was quite a thing to see such a spitfire on display!"
Simon paled slightly. "How is she still breathing?" His Aunt chuckled. "Your dear Miss Penelope merely pointed out the truth: that Lady Whistledown was what kept the Queen from falling too deep into her grief."
Simon smiled softly. "She's good at that, pointing out the truth of things. Gave Benedict a good kick in the pants before the fall out with Eloise." His face turned sour. "God, I still want to ride to Aubrey Hall and give her a thrashing." Agatha gave him an inquiring look. "Daphne sent her a letter after Violet wrote about the falling out between Eloise and Penelope. Daphne sent a letter to ask Eloise what happened and well, here, come with me."
He stood and led her to his study where he produced a letter that looked like it had been written with the intent of the quill to stab through the paper.
Dearest Sister,
I hope that this letter find you and your family well.
I would appreciate it if my family would stop trying to meddle in my personal relationship with Miss Featherington and start to believe me when I tell them that they should also cut ties with such a viper! Penelope is not the person you believe her to be and I advise you to no longer associate yourself with her or the other Featheringtons for that matter. Have you forgotten how they tried to entrap Colin by passing off that tart's offspring as his? Or that so called Cousin's Ruby Mine scheme? Who knows how much of those plots Penelope actually conceived of and how many more she has in store to bring our family to ruin?
I will no longer speak to or of Penelope again, sister. I advise you to do the same.
Yours,
Eloise
Lady Danbury looked up from the letter in shock. "She can't be serious. It's not as if as a third daughter Penelope has much say in these things."
Simon sighed in frustration. "From what Anthony has written, she storms and rages through Aubrey Hall as if the very world needs to be punished for whatever crimes Penelope has committed against her."
Agatha pursed her lips. "Damn foolish, arrogant, selfish child. No wonder Violet was at that church needing solace from her husband that day." She stopped with a gasp realizing she said too much. Simon looked at her with wide eyes. "My apologies, Simon. I ask you to keep that outburst to yourself. It was a very private moment between myself and Lady Bridgerton and I should not have broken her confidence."
"Broken who's confidence?" The question was asked by Penelope as they we joined in the study by the two missing ladies. Daphne walked up and kissed her husband before asking, "Augie?"
"Down for his nap, though he should be waking soon. It's close to lunch time." Simon responded. Daphne noticed the letter. "Why is this out?" She asked concerned.
Simon exchanged a look with her that seemed to communicate something that was lost on the other two. They were interrupted by the announcement that lunch was served and the made their way to the dining room. The Widow and The Wallflower took their normal seats and began filling each other in on their morning pursuits before retiring to rest. The Widow listened to The Wallflower's stroll through the roses, leaving out the reveal of her alternate persona, of course. And The Widow told the Wallflower of Augie beginning to sound out words and could almost say "Papa" clearly. The Duke and Duchess watched the new friends interact and suddenly they understood. A Wallflower was just like any other flower: it needed light, soil, water, and pruning every now and again and a Widow could provide that. Even if the blooms were not large and flashy, what mattered more was the strength of the Wallflower's roots and the connection to those that chose to care for them
Notes:
Ok so a few notes with the chapter.
I don't see Daphne being as angry or even angry at all about the "lack of suitors" barbs by this point. At the time, it gave her the fire she needed to call out Anthony for the way he chased off all of her prospects. Daphne isn't Eloise who just loses her cool and forgets how to think rationally. She was hurt that it was pointed out, but she knows that Lady Whistledown only reports the truth and what the Ton are saying. In fact, she and her mother had even used this to spread the fact that Lord Berbrooke has an illegitimate child that he has sent away and doesn't provide for in order to get him away from her. When the scandal with Marina happened, of course Daphne would have figured it out by putting the pieces together and rereading the articles written. Not just by analyzing what was written, but how they were written as well. Further, by being the friend that she is, she would of course respect her friend's privacy, because let's face it, she just saved her and her family from two different scandals. Which is why she would be absolutely FERAL about Eloise tearing up Pen's room.
Which let's talk about that for a minute: El tears up Pen's room looking for proof that she's Whistledown and somehow Pen is the bad guy in this scene? Did we forget that El was snooping around a servant's quarters and was chastised for it, because it's rude to even do to a servant in your own house let alone YOUR FRIEND'S ROOM IN HER HOUSE! Not only that, but you just had your life threatened by the Queen and your doing this ransacking with a house full of guests who could easily come upon you arguing and find out that Pen is Whistledown? Why in the world did this not come up in season 3? Why did we not see a confrontation between Lady Featherington and Lady Bridgerton about Eloise trashing Pen's room? Because there was no way that Lady Featherington was not going to find out that Eloise Bridgerton had ransacked her daughter's room. She may not care much about her daughter, but she does care about how much it will cost to get any ink out of those dresses that were tossed on the ground.
Finally, we get a few inner musings from Lady Danbury as she watches Simon with Augie. Remember a lot of her trauma is based in marriage and being forced to birth children, so watching Simon and Daphne with Augie and her interactions with Pen are going to be what leads to her connecting the three of our ladies.
Chapter 12: Where Widows Dare Not Tread
Summary:
Daphne writes a letter to Anthony detailing Eloise's transgressions at the Featherington Ball while also filling in Simon.
Penelope and Lady Danbury have a heart wrenching conversation.
Notes:
I just want to pause and take a quick moment to thank everyone for their kind comments and encouragement on this story. Reading them is the best part of my day and tells me that I'm not alone in enjoying this story. In fact, I enjoyed my writing so much yesterday, I hyperfocused and wrote 3 chapters, much to the dismay of my laundry. I love you all so much and I hope you are all just as excited as I am to see where this goes.
In any case, this is your warning to grab the tissues!
Author cry scale: 4/5
Edit: I forgot the first three sections of this chapter. Whooops!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
While Lady Danbury and Penelope retired to enjoy an after lunch rest, Daphne pulled Simon into her study. He gave her a roguish grin at the urgency of her tug. "Well it has been a while since you've allowed me to grace you with my presence in your study, but if my Lady Wife does indeed insist…" Daphne gave him a light smack on the arm, before giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Maybe after I have written the letter I am sending with you to Aubrey Hall addressed to Anthony." She stated, somehow both seriously and coyly as she withdrew parchment, ink, and a quill from her writing supplies and began writing.
Simon's eyes widened. "Aubrey – Daphne, what's going on? Did Pen tell you what happened between her and Eloise?"
Daphne looked at him with a rage he had only seen once in his life: when she had found out he had lied to her about his oath to his father and all that it had entailed. "My beast of a sister tore through Penelope's room looking for proof that she was Lady Whistledown."
Simon was appalled, but also stunned. "Did she find any?" Daphne shot him a glare. "That's your concern? Whether Penelope is Whistledown or not? Not the fact that Eloise invaded Penelope's room without her permission or presence, violating her privacy within her own home?" Simon looked down thoroughly chastised.
Daphne sighed. "Do you know the worst thing, Simon? Pen actually tried to defend her actions." She turned around to look at him. "Can you imagine feeling as if you had been the one in the wrong when someone has destroyed your room? Somewhere you are supposed to feel safe?"
Simon walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You've told me yourself how little regard her family holds for her. To hear that Eloise holds such low esteem for someone she calls a friend is not only disappointing, but cruel." He sighed watching his wife's pen flow over the parchment detailing what Eloise had done. When the ink was dried and the letter was sealed, Simon took her hands in his and stood her to face him.
"If I am to ride to Aubrey Hall, then I shall most definitely need my wife for sustenance." He whispered low in her ear. She shuddered deliciously in response and hummed low in her throat.
"What kind of wife would I be if I sent my husband on such a long journey hungry?" She responded in that low husky voice that made him instantly hard for her. He groaned and picked her up in one fell swoop to settle her on the chaise. "You will surely be the death of me Daphne Basset." He growled.
She laughed low in her throat. "Only if you decide to drown yourself between my legs, dearest." He grinned mischievously at her as he peppered kisses down her chest. "I take that as a challenge, Wife."
Needless to say, the Duke and Duchess were indisposed until late in the afternoon.
Penelope had settled herself in the library with a novel she hadn't read yet by the name of Waverly when she heard the signature tap of Lady Danbury's cane upon the floor. She smiled, set down her book and stood from her place in the window seat to move into the room to sit with her friend. "Good afternoon, Lady Danbury."
Lady Danbury returned her smile. "Miss Featherington, we are alone and in private. You may call me Agatha." She said taking a seat in one of the wingback chairs.
Penelope felt her smile widen as she sat down on the sofa opposite her. "Then you must call me Penelope. Or Pen for short."
The Widow nodded. "How are you finding our retreat, Penelope? I know we have spoken briefly over meals or in the company of their Graces, but I wish to know your thoughts."
The Wallflower sighed. "It has been helpful. I was able to speak with Daphne this morning about my troubles with Eloise and it did help, but I fear I have brought more trouble upon my friend and into the Bridgerton household than I've meant to." At the confused look the elder lady gave her she continued.
"When I told you that I was not Lady Whistledown but had merely given the information to the modiste, that part was true, but there was more to the story." Penelope paused, gathering her jumbled thoughts. "Eloise had torn apart my room looking for proof that I was Whistledown during the Featherington Ball."
Lady Danbury had the same enraged look on her face as Daphne had. Didn't anybody understand that she deserved this? She had exposed her friend, lied to her. Her reasoning be damned. So what if it had saved her friend's life? She deserved Eloise's ire. She had exposed Eloise's secrets, why shouldn't Eloise invade her privacy?
"My dear girl! Did you report this violation of your privacy to Lady Bridgerton or Lord Bridgerton?" Penelope shook her head sadly.
"No. I-I-I broke her trust, Agatha! She had every right to be angry with me! I…" She was cut off very abruptly by Agatha Danbury's intense glare and a rough grasping of her hand.
"Now you listen to me, Miss Penelope Featherington. It doesn't matter what you did or said to Eloise Bridgerton! She was not a Bow Street Runner there on the Queen's business to investigate a crime and therefore had no business being in your room! It is even worse because she was a guest in your home when it was occupied by unfamiliar guests and little known acquaintances. It was not only a violation of your privacy but your family's and should not be tolerated!" She stated vehemently.
When Lady Danbury put it in the terms that her room was part of her family's home and that Eloise had violated her family's privacy, Penelope seethed. It was one thing for Penelope to be Whistledown and hide it from her family, but a completely different story for Eloise to put her family at risk by ransacking her room when there were hundreds of other guests in the house. She had ways of keeping her identity secret: disguises she kept, third parties she met with and trusted, alternative meeting places with her publisher, etc. If her family found her out so be it, she would deal with the fall out: either by using her income to keep her family well taken care of or completely breaking herself from them. If she was found out, so be it, she would face the consequences herself and absolve her family from having any knowledge of any of her activities. But for Eloise to broach her family's home putting her family in further danger when she was a guest instead of speaking to her in private? Suddenly Penelope felt the rage that Daphne and Agatha felt on her behalf.
"She had no right." Penelope hissed angry tears streaming down her cheeks. "She says she trusted me with her secrets, but she never listened to mine!" She stood and began to pace, unable to remain sitting.
"She decided we were to become spinsters together, completely ignoring my desire and pining for my dear Colin! And oh Colin!" She wailed, her heart shattering all over again.
"To declare me unmarriageable after my dearest friend betrayed me." She sank to her knees in front of The Widow placing her head in her lap grasping at her skirts sobbing.
Agatha Danbury looked down at her Wallflower as she crumbled in her lap. She didn't know what to do. She had never been a mother to her children, she didn't know what these tender moments were like. She thought of what Simon might do if his son were crying and gently placed a hand on Penelope's head. The curls were soft and warm and easily twined around her dark fingers. She studied the contrast of the fiery red against her chocolate complexion and tentatively ran her fingers through the thick tresses. Penelope's hair was so different from her own slightly wavy tresses. The thick ringlets were smooth and fine unlike her slightly coarser texture. She must have been doing something correctly as Penelope's sobs had quieted and her breathing calmed to a normal rate. When she had collected herself, Penelope sat up and looked at The Widow.
"I…apologize, Lady Danbury. That was a most unseemly display." She retrieved her handkerchief and wiped her face of her tears and her nose. Agatha studied her, was this what it meant to be a mother? To offer comfort and solace to a child in pain? And Penelope Featherington, for all her worldliness and maturity was still very much a child.
"'Tis no burden upon me to comfort a friend, Penelope. Though I daresay, I shall need to change before dinner judging by the state of my skirts!" Penelope laughed.
"You are not alone in that, My Lady! It seems I have soaked my bodice quite thoroughly!" Agatha joined her in her laughter.
When they sobered, They both stood to make their way to their chambers. Before they parted, The Wallflower said to The Widow:
"For what it is worth, you would have made a wonderful mother, and, if you permit me, there is still time to be one." As The Wallflower closed the door to her chambers, The Widow was left with feelings she hadn't felt in a long time and had never had the courage to face.
Notes:
Alright, alright, alright, put down the tomatoes, you'll get your smut fix later. Maybe I'll write an excerpt for our Duke and Duchess's tryst in her office later and post it. But for right now, let's talk about Pen's inability to accept that she is her own person and Lady Danbury's reaction to her breakdown in the library shall we?
As we have seen in the show multiple times, Penelope is given little to no autonomy or privacy by anyone in her life, including Eloise and Colin. For example, in season 2 at the races, Penelope is having a conversation with Colin, listening to him about Greece when they are interrupted by Eloise stating "Oh, there! I've found you!" and Pen's response under her breath is "you always do." Colin is constantly grabbing her and pulling her around. Her mother nags her about where she sits, what she reads, that she.spends her days writing. She doesn't give her privacy at the modiste for her measurements or allow her to pick her own fabrics, dress designs, or colors. Her sisters constantly talk about her body, along with the Ton.
So why would she expect privacy in her own room? There's a reason she keeps her Lady Whistledown paraphernalia under the floorboards and it's because she doesn't have an expectation of privacy like others in society. But she does expect her FAMILY'S privacy to be respected by others who are in their home and that's what finally breaks through to hear.
Where Lady Danbury struggles here is Pen is still very much a girl. Pen's only 19 or 20 at this point and doesn't really have anyone to lean on that fits a motherly role outside of Lady Bridgerton and she hasn't been able to go to Bridgerton house for the last six months. Lady Danbury has never truly been a mother and has never faced these feelings before. She was so traumatized by her marriage, that all maternal feelings towards her children were effectively cut off and we can see this in Queen Charlotte when she goes to introduce her eldest son to the Dowager princess and he asks to go back to his nanny.
I hope you liked this chapter and I will see you in the next one!
Chapter 13: A Tea Amongst Violets and Hyacinths
Summary:
Queen Charlotte seeks out advice on being a Mother from one of the highest regard with the added inputs of her youngest.
Notes:
So, I wanted to give some foreshadowing on Eloise considering the discussion from the last couple of chapters. So here's another chapter for the day.
Who's ready for some Hyacinth shade?
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The afternoon two days after that disastrous dinner with her children, Queen Charlotte decided that if she were to begin to become more motherly to her children, then perhaps she should call on the best mother she knew within the Ton: Lady Bridgerton. That's how she found herself sitting in the drawing room of Bridgerton house at tea time with the Matriarch of the Clan and her youngest daughter, much to their confusion. "Thank you for allowing me to join you for tea, Lady Bridgerton. Though I am surprised to see you in town without the rest of your family." She said, simply.
Before Violet could answer, Hyacinth decided to speak. "That's because Mother and Lady Danbury are the best of friends and mother wanted to support Lady Danbury while she helped you, Your Majesty! Are you going to be friends with mother, too?"
"Hyacinth!" Violet admonished.
The Queen chuckled, "There is no harm in the question, Lady Bridgerton. Considering that I am here to ask your mother's advice, I would say that we are on our way to becoming friends."
Hyacinth smiled brightly. "Wonderful! Can I come visit the palace sometimes to visit you?" Violet's eyes widened.
"Hyacinth! The Queen is our guest and asking to be invited in return is impolite. Please apologize." Hyacinth looked down thoroughly admonished.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. As mother said, that was very rude of me." She said.
Charlotte watched the exchange with curiosity before turning her attention fully to Hyacinth.
"It is alright, child. I would enjoy having your company at the palace in the future. However, as you now have my full attention, perhaps you would be willing to answer a few of my questions." The young girl smiled up at her.
"Certainly, Your Majesty! Only if you can answer some of mine." She responded.
The Queen laughed. "I think that's a fair trade, Miss Hyacinth. Since I believe you asked the last question, I shall go next. What do you think makes someone a good mother?"
Lady Bridgerton gave her a curious look while Hyacinth's brow creased in thought.
"Well, what makes Mama a good mother is she listens to our concerns, gives us kisses and hugs, and dances with us!" The child answered, but The Queen was confused.
"What do you mean by listening to your concerns?" She questioned, looking for clarification. Hyacinth tilted her head.
"Well, just exactly that!" She scrunched her face.
"I'm here with Mama because I didn't want to be away in Aubrey Hall with both Anthony and Eloise acting like angry elephants. I told Mama, she listened, and she allowed me to stay with her here!"
The Queen was stunned. Lady Bridgerton could have just ordered her youngest daughter to figure out her difficulties with her siblings herself, much like she had with her own children when she had reached the child's age, yet she had taken the time to take the child's concerns to heart and allowed her to keep her company here. Her thoughts were broken by the next question that came out of Hyacinth's mouth:
"Did you really think that Eloise was Lady Whistledown?" Both women looked down at her in shock, but she simply continued talking.
"Because I have to say, she is nowhere near clever enough to be Whistledown. She left Anthony and Edwina's wedding even though you had the carriages being watched. Anyone paying attention would have seen that. Pen certainly did, even told Eloise, but she didn't listen." Lady Bridgerton gave her daughter a scrutinizing look.
"Hyacinth Bridgerton, what do you mean Eloise left Anthony's wedding? And why wasn't I informed?"
"I would like to know more about Penelope Featherington's involvement as well." The Queen interjected. Hyacinth huffed in annoyance.
"I did try to tell you mother, but I kept being turned away by Ben or Colin or Daphne. And eventually the palace guard put me and Greg out in the garden. And by the time we got home, Eloise was home and I thought everything would be alright. Apparently, I was wrong if Pen felt the need to either write about Eloise meeting with radicals or at least spread the rumor about it." She then turned to The Queen.
"Eloise and Penelope have been friends since they first met, never leaving each other's side. I overheard them talking about your threat to Eloise's life and the ruination of our family because you believed she was Lady Whistledown." Lady Bridgerton looked up at The Queen trembling in fear and unconsciously pulling Hyacinth closer to her. But Hyacinth continued.
"Eloise was in hysterics while Pen kept trying to calm her down and tell her not to be stupid." She scoffed. "But if it's one thing Eloise is, it's stupid." Lady Bridgerton gasped out a sharp "Hyacinth!"
The child ignored her mother by continuing on. "But Penelope is terribly clever! She may even be clever enough to be Lady Whistledown. The only reason I don't think it could be Penelope is because Eloise is always glued to her! How can she gather gossip or secrets with Eloise yammering on in her ear all the time?"
Lady Bridgerton looked completely scandalized and horrified while The Queen looked…amused?
"Because I do not know your sister as you do, I can only look at what I see from the outside." She began. "Eloise was looking for the mystery writer the same as I, albeit for very different reasons, and I became interested in her investigation. I became…impatient as Whistledown seemed to take pleasure insulting me in every issue. Then my Bow Runners caught your sister at the printing shop Whistledown uses not once, but twice."
Lady Bridgerton gasped, but then was suddenly confused.
"If I may, Your Majesty?" The Queen turned her attention to the Dowager Viscountess and nodded.
"Why was I not informed as I am her mother and responsible for her until she is married? Or even Lord Bridgerton as he is head of the Household and our Family?"
The Queen was taken aback. She hadn't thought about Eloise Bridgerton being unmarried and still under the care of her mother.
"Is that a part of motherhood as well? Caring for your unwed children?"
Lady Bridgerton and Hyacinth exchanged a look of confusion before the Matriarch answered.
"Well, yes. You do your best to guide them through their childhood education. Then when the time comes for your daughters to be presented to Your Majesty and be available to be courted upon the marriage market, you do your best to guide them towards suitors who best match their personalities and would honor them."
Hyacinth piped up at this point, "It's Francesca's turn to debut this year, Your Majesty! You're going to love her! She's been in Bath perfecting her skills with the Pianoforte with our aunt, you simply must hear her play!"
The Queen chuckled at her exuberance, "Perhaps I will call upon her to play for me and my ladies in waiting sometime during this season." Hyacinth clapped her hands in glee. Lady Bridgerton continued.
"Eloise being out in society does not make her any less my responsibility as her mother, Your Majesty. Especially since she is unmarried." She then smiled softly.
"And, even though he is grown, I still feel a sense of responsibility to Anthony: to ensure he is eating enough, sleeping enough, getting enough air, things a mother worries about." The Queen felt her chest constrict as she thought of Lady Bridgerton's words.
"And…you were able to do this after your Lord Husband's passing?"
The room grew very still. Hyacinth placed her cup down and gave her mother a hug before giving Charlotte a deep curtsey.
"Please excuse me, Your Majesty. I should like to go practice my watercolors. It was very lovely to meet you and I do hope you'll visit again soon." The Queen watched her run from the room, clearly upset. She turned back to Lady Bridgerton confused.
"Forgive her, Your Majesty. Hyacinth never knew her father, having been born shortly after his passing. It is still a tender subject for her. And Anthony…" She cleared her throat as tears began to well in her eyes. "Anthony keeps her close as he almost lost both of us that day."
The all encompassing sorrow of Lady Bridgerton threatened to pull Charlotte down with her. Yet she could not help but feel connected to this woman and before she could even think about it, she whispered,
"How can you be a mother when your husband is dead and yet, at the same time, not? When he is alive and well one day or not even for one hour, and then the next, gone. Yet, his body still lives and breathes? You are lucky that you only had to bury your husband once, Lady Bridgerton."
Violet took The Queen's hand into her own. "When I wake up every morning, I run my hand over the empty pillow where my husband's head used to lay. It even still smells faintly like him 11 years later. I may not have to see him in his mortal body every morning, but I see the ghost of him. I feel the ghost of his hand on my side and lips on my cheek as he kisses me good morning." Her voice began to quiver and tears fell down her face. "Edmund and I weren't like other conventional couples. We did not sleep in separate rooms, Edmund wouldn't hear of it." she half laughed.
"But, eventually, my lady's maid comes in to dress me for the day and I have to bury him again. Sometimes I have to bury him multiple times throughout the day, because I have to in order to care for my children and my household. That doesn't mean I don't take time to grieve or allow myself my moments of privacy to contemplate, however, the needs of my children and my household come first."
The Queen looked at where their hands intertwined. "Motherhood is itself a duty, just as important as your duties to your husband?"
Lady Bridgerton tilted her head. "In some ways, Your Majesty, yes. The work is different and in some ways one should prioritize your duties to your husband over your children, but overall being a mother is more than just birthing children, Your Majesty. I know that many in the Ton don't see it that way, but I think they are missing out on some of the best joys of life."
Queen Charlotte studied her. The way she spoke of motherhood was so vastly different than the way Agatha had. Indeed, it sounded like those Halcyon days when Georgie, Freddie, Liam, and Lottie were young, until the wars and the demands of Parliament began to take an increasing toll on George's mind. The more he left her behind, the more she left her children in her grief.
Lady Bridgerton began to speak again. "After Edmund had passed and Hyacinth was born, I sunk into a despondency so deep that I barely ate or slept or even moved. It was Anthony that pulled me from my motionless state, because he needed me. That's the most important thing about motherhood, Your Majesty: our children, no matter how much they grow, will always need us in some way. Whether it is to seek us out for comfort and strength when their own lives become difficult or to seek counsel when they are facing an unknown situation, our children look to us to guide them."
The Queen finally understood why The Widow and The Wallflower held Lady Bridgerton in such high regard. Her gentle and warm demeanor simply washed over anyone and everyone within her presence and suddenly The Queen felt something within her consciousness click into place. The Widow and The Wallflower had sought solace within these walls of Bridgerton house and with Lady Bridgerton herself, but now due to different circumstances they had lost this place of comfort. Because we're lonely …the words of The Wallflower whispered through her mind.
She stood and thanked Lady Bridgerton for hosting her for tea and to extend her farewells to Hyacinth. As The Queen entered her carriage, her thoughts filled with her conversation with Little Hyacinth on her perspective of what a mother should be and how Lady Bridgerton's descriptions contrasted it. She thought on how she handled her accusations of Eloise Bridgerton being Lady Whistledown and the impropriety on her part, which she commended Lady Bridgerton on taking the news with grace. But what hit her the hardest was the moment she crawled under sheets and placed her hand upon the pillow that George's head had once occupied and the tears came.
Notes:
I had so much fun writing Hyacinth and I love her character soooooo much. I wish we had seen more interaction between her and Pen in chapter 2 considering how excited she is for Pen to join the family in season 3.
The one thing that is established in the show early on is that Hyacinth knows a lot more than she should, she's excited for her debut into society, putting her at odds with Eloise, and she's just as sharp tongued as Anthony and Benedict. Therefore it would make sense for her to convince her mother to allow her to stay in town woth her during the off season just to stay away from Eloise. And Violet being Violet, she would agree giving Anthony some respite from an overload of bickering siblings.
Now let's talk about another plot hole from the show: why WASN'T Anthony or Violet informed of Eloise's capture and the accusations against her? The Queen would have known better as shown in season 3 when she disrupted the wedding to confront them all. It made zero sense for her to just pull Eloise into a carriage and threaten her, when her family home was right there and she's in the royal carriage. Wouldn't that draw WAAAAAY too much attention from her family for her NOT to be confronted. Again, the show jumped the shark in order to make this conflict between Eloise and Pen more forced than it should have been.
Chapter 14: The Duke and The Viscount
Summary:
Simon gives Anthony Daphne's letter and he confronts Eloise.
Notes:
And Here. We. Go.
Random Chaotic Joker noises*
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Anthony wasn't sure which surprised him more: that his brother-in-law was standing in his study having ridden from Clyveden on Daphne's behalf to bring him news of Eloise's incredulously unbecoming and all together foul actions at the Featherington Ball last season or that he had made the trip in less than half the day. "And you can attest to this account?" He asked.
Simon gave him a stern look. "Have you ever known Daphne or Penelope, for that matter, to lie? Think about it, Anthony. Why else would Eloise cut her friendship off with Penelope of all people? The two were thick as thieves. If Eloise believed Pen to be Whistledown, is it so hard to believe she'd tear apart her room looking for proof?"
Anthony's brows furrowed. He did not like where this was going. He marched to the door and told the nearest servant to fetch his sister and Benedict. He pulled out a decanter of brandy and a tumbler downing two fingers in one go before both of his siblings were shown into the room.
"Ah, Simon! I didn't know you were visiting! Where's our dear sister and nephew?" Ben greeted, giving him a hearty hug. Eloise merely took a seat and slouched, her ire at being summoned clearly present on her face.
"I'm afraid Daphne is at home with August, seeing to our guests." He cracked a smile. "I'm just the messenger boy."
Ben laughed. "It must be an urgent message indeed for Daphne to send her Duke with all haste to our door. Did –"
"An urgent matter indeed, Ben." Anthony interrupted him. Ben turned to his older brother who was pinning Eloise with a stare that brooked no room for argument, which Eloise was matching with a glare of her own. "Eloise, did you ransack Penelope's room during the Featherington Ball?"
It felt as if the air had been sucked from the room. Benedict looked between the two of them, before exchanging a look with Simon, who shook his head. Eloise glared her defiance at Anthony and stuck her chin out. "I did. I suspected she was Whistledown and I was right."
Anthony took a deep breath before he actually ended up killing his sister, that is until Ben began laughing.
Eloise turned her glare upon him. "And just what, exactly, is so funny?"
"Pen? Being Whistledown? It's both plausible and preposterous at the same time. Tell me, sweet sister, how is Penelope supposed to have gathered such intimate gossip with you always clinging to her? You do know Whistledown writes about more people than us, the Queen, and the Featheringtons, correct?" Ben questioned.
Eloise's face turned red. "I knew you wouldn't believe me! That's why I went looking for proof! You didn't hear her talking that night, her quips and turns of phrase that sounded exactly as Whistledown writes!"
Anthony raised an eyebrow. "Where did you find this evidence and what did you find exactly?"
"Under her floorboards, I found all of Whistledown's previous printings." She started.
"You have all of Whistledown's previous printings, did you find any parchment with previous drafts?" Anthony countered.
Eloise deflated for a moment, then rallied. "No. But I did find a large amount of money and writing supplies."
Anthony placed his face in his hand, begging the Lord above for patience. "Her Father was a notorious gambler and her mother hates that she reads and writes. Honestly, Eloise, do you not even pay a modicum of attention to your own friend? Of course she would save up her allowance and hide it as well as hide extra writing materials."
Eloise couldn't be wrong though. She refused to be wrong. "But Pen was the only one I told about the rallies and Whistledown stopped writing for three weeks after that. That can't have been a coincidence."
Now Eloise was just grasping at straws. "Penelope could have spread the gossip that you were going to the rallies for whatever reason she felt the need to. Though I highly doubt she would have broken your trust in such a way without really good cause. Perhaps Lady Whistledown, the actual writer, herself was in attendance at the rallies and felt the need to lay low after writing about you being there as well." He said
Eloise began to bluster and argue again, but Anothy had finally reached the end of his patience.
"Enough, Eloise." Anthony stated firmly. "Whether Penelope is Whistledown or not doesn't excuse the behavior of going into someone else's room and ransacking it when you are a guest in their home."
He then turned to Benedict. "I want you to take her, Francesca, and Gregory to get them packed and ready to be back in London tomorrow." Ben looked like he was about to argue. "I know, but I need to finish up things here and mother will know the best way to handle things with Eloise."
Eloise stood and began to protest, but Anthony pinned her with a glare. "Eloise, you either go home and work with mother on the error of your ways or I deal with you here and now, where you will get no say in what is to happen to you. Continue to press me and I will have a marriage contract for you on my desk in my study by the time I return to London." He stated, his barely contained rage ready to explode.
Color drained from her face as she snapped her mouth shut. Benedict gave him a look of disapproval, but at the moment, he really didn't give a shit. His sister had hit on his last nerve. He watched as Ben gathered Eloise to his side and stood her up.
"Come on, little El. Let's get ready to face mother and Hyacinth." Ben wrapped an arm around her and led her from the office, quiet sobs following in their wake.
As the door shut, Anthony took out a second tumbler and poured both himself and Simon two fingers of brandy. Which Simon gratefully took.
"Do I want to know what that was about?" The Duke asked.
Anthony heaved a sigh before taking a large sip of his brandy. "She has been nothing but a raging volcano since we got here. It has done nothing but cause everyone else a headache. Well, everyone besides Ben who somehow manages to quiet her rages." He paused before quietly adding. "and mine."
Simon felt heartbroken for his friend. "I'm sorry, Ant. I'm glad Ben has been able to be here for you both while Colin galivants around the rest of the Mediterranean."
Anthony laughed at that. "Yes. Colin and his world travels, did you know when he last wrote to me he had visited the ruins of Ephesus as he traveled to Bursa?"
Simon's eyes widened. "No! One of the cities at the center of Christendom itself!?"
Anthony nodded. "The one and the same. I wonder how long it took him to tupp the first wench that was willing to have him in order to wash himself of such holy thoughts?"
Simon laughed uproariously at that. "Surely you are not suggesting that your brother is taking over your mantle as The Capital-R Rake, my friend."
Anthony grinned at him. "One of the first things I am doing when I get back to London is washing myself of any and all notions that I am a gentleman. They grow wearisome."
They both laughed again at the declaration. When they sobered, Anthony turned the topic to Simon.
"Am I to assume one of your guests is Penelope Featherington?" He asked, finishing off his brandy and pouring himself another.
Simon smirked, motioning for a refill as well. "Along with none other than my meddlesome Aunt. Sent word not four days ago that they would be visiting us for a mere week before we all returned to prepare for the opening of the season."
Anthony laughed. "Why am I not surprised? How did this even come about? I was unaware that Lady Danbury was acquainted with Pen."
Simon knocked back his drink. "Would you believe me if I said that they have an affinity for the same spot in the park and bonded over their shared love of witty conversation?"
Anthony smirked. "Interestingly, yes. What led to them being your guests?"
Simon tried to keep himself from laughing. "My Aunt invited Pen to one of her clandestine teas with Her Majesty where she proceeded to meet The Queen barb for barb. She dared to give The Queen advice, so The Queen gave her advice to seek friends where they are. My aunt decided to help."
Anthony barked a laugh. "I don't know whether to be impressed that Penelope has intrigued both your Aunt and Her Majesty or afraid that two out of the three most meddlesome women in Britain have gotten a hold of one of the most clever young ladies in the Ton."
Simon tilted his head. "Who is the third most meddlesome woman in Britain, may I ask?
Anthony grimaced. "My mother. If she were involved in this in any way, there would be some plot afoot to get me down the aisle with her after that disaster with the Sharmas."
Simon laughed again. "Knowing Pen, she'd tell your mother to have Ben commit fratricide so she could marry him instead."
Anthony laughed at that. "She has never let me live down what she calls 'The Great Wife Race.'" He sobered before continuing. "How is she really, Simon?"
The Duke of Hastings took a deep breath before looking at his friend. "She's in a bad way, Ant. The first thing she did as soon as I opened the door to the carriage was fling herself into my arms sobbing. She's allowed herself comfort by playing with Augie, reading in the library, and walks through our garden. She's lost somewhere in herself, as if everything that made Pen, Pen, died the night of the Featherington Ball."
The Viscount looked at his friend sadly. "Is there any way I can help? Any comfort I may be able to give to her?"
Simon thought for a moment. "Maybe a letter acknowledging your continued friendship and well wishes. I think what she needs most is to know that not everyone in the Bridgerton family has forsaken her." He paused. "But don't overwhelm her with platitudes or apologize for Eloise, Anthony. I know how you can go overboard and it's not your job to apologize for Eloise. Just simply write to her letting her know she still has your friendship."
Anthony nodded. "I shall do so. Thank you Simon. Why don't you rest until dinner? I'll have someone show you to a room."
He rang for a servant and Simon was escorted from his office to his guest quarters for the evening, leaving him to his thoughts. Penelope Featherington was a friend to all of the Bridgertons, albeit in different ways. He wasn't as close to her as his other siblings, but he respected her wit and intelligence when it came to conversation. He liked that she could word volley with him and even fondly remembered such a bout that involved Kate as well. Kate . His heart clenched painfully at the thought and the memories come unbidden.
They are there in the dining room, the engagement dinner ruined by the Sheffields' repulsive behavior and her betrayal of both him and Edwina. The pain in her eyes is so clear: she has betrayed her family, her sister being the biggest victim in this sacrifice to secure her family's future. He wants to hold her, comfort her, but he is a gentleman who is courting her sister. He is a rake, the Capital-R one, named so by Lady Whistledown herself, damn the consequences. He is so close to breaking and simply taking her. "Do you know all the ways a lady can be seduced?" He hates her. He loves her. Or does he simply lust after her fire? To claim her until their fires burn down all of London around them leaving nothing but ash? He doesn't know, her scent drives him to madness and he's so very close as she admits to feeling the same things he does. So very, very close… You are a Gentleman! His Father's voice reverberates through his mind and he has retreated.
He is at the altar. Edwina looks beautiful and radiant as all brides should. Even more so in the presence of the Queen herself and the morning light streaming down upon them in the Cathedral. Metal hits tile and it echoes through the hall. He bends down to retrieve it and he is caught in her gaze. Her fire catches him again and the Cathedral explodes, Edwina being the first victim of their desires. They watch her run away from the flames that they have caused, agony in her eyes. The Queen watches in fury, unable to stop the raging inferno that destroys the royal wedding she had so graciously provided them.
They are in a closet, they are at the altar after the explosion. She is saying goodbye and yet they kiss. They are dancing, they are making love, and yet in the morning…she is gone. He goes to Lady Danbury's to make things right, to propose as a gentleman should. She has left, gone back to India as she had planned all along. She left a letter for him, thanking him for one last night of passion, that it will sustain her as she forges her own path unbound by duty. He has freed her from her bonds and she will always be grateful to him for that. His heart shatters leaving the flames to rage and burn uncontrollably.
Notes:
Originally I wanted Anthony to go a lot harder on Eloise in this chapter, but I forgot 2 things: one that would be WAAAAAY OOC as he's super overprotective of all of his siblings, and two Benedict and Simon are there to temper his anger.
I am changing Colin's trajectory for his second tour because of another plot hole: The Napoleonic wars. Colin wouldn't be going to Paris during the conflict as the war didn't end until November of 1815. I know that Queen Charlotte takes place between seasons 2 and 3, which is 1814-1815, and the real life Princess Charlotte died in 1817. But the Neopoleonic wars were multiple conflicts that lasted for 20 years and even ended up dragging the US into them with the Louisiana Purchase and the War of 1812. It's a HUGE historical over site on the part of the show, especially since Sir George DIES on the Spanish front in Season 1 during the conflict.
So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I look forward to seeing you in the next one.
Chapter 15: Letters and Conversations
Summary:
Penelope reflects on what she faces when she returns home, while Lady Danbury tries to figure out who exactly Pen is.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Dearest Penelope,
I hope you are enjoying your sojourn at Clyveden Hall. Prudence and Robert have graciously accepted to allow myself and Mrs. Varley to relocate to their residence. It will require the use of the trust you have so graciously set aside to find appropriate accommodations. However, Mr. Sharpe has assured us that such living spaces are readily available and we shall be well moved into our new abode by the time you have returned to London.
Both of your sisters send their warmest regards and please know that I have kept your identity to myself. I hope the rest of your visit with their Graces is peaceful and I look forward to your return.
Kindest Regards,
Your Mother
Lady Featherington –
I hope all is well with your visit to the Duke and Duchess of Hastings. I have done as you have asked and hired the contractors in Devonshire to begin work on the least damaged house. It should be ready for occupancy within the month. The house designers for Featherington house have been scheduled for the middle of the week of your return from Hastings. If I may suggest, you might want to have Lady Danbury or Her Grace to offer opinion on the new color palette of the home and furnishings as well.
I have also received the updated titles and certificates from the Royal Solicitor's office naming you as Baroness Regent. Perhaps once your coffers are healthier, we can begin work on reclaiming those lands your father sold.
Best Wishes,
Mr. Thomas Sharpe, Solicitor Esq.
Mr. Sharpe –
Please find enclosed the titles and certificates due to Lady Featherington giving her authority over the estate and title of the Barony Featherington until such time as there is a male heir. Of course, as you know, this does not grant her the power to sit in Parliament, though she may appoint you as her solicitor to do so on her behalf. Her husband may also represent the interests of the Barony in her stead, should she decide to marry.
As we have discussed, the title, all rights, and all monies shall remain hers, with no husband she weds allowed to access the funds of the estate as explicitly outlined in the late Lord Featherington's will.
It is with the authority of His Majesty's Royal Solicitor's office that I consider this matter closed.
Signed,
Jonathan Lancaster, Solicitor Esq.
Royal Solicitor's Office
Dear Mother,
How are you? I hope you and Hyacinth are doing well and enjoyed your respite from the chaos of our rambunctious family. I have sent Benedict home a few days early due to some disturbing news of Eloise's behavior at the Featherington Ball last season. I have enclosed Daphne's letter to me, as well as Eloise's response to Daphne when she inquired about her falling out with Miss Penelope. I am at a loss of how to handle this particular situation and ask for your guidance on this issue.
I will be home shortly and I am looking forward to seeing you again.
Warmest Love,
Anthony
Dear Penelope,
I hope this letter finds you well. Simon tells me you are visiting him, Daphne, and little Augie with Lady Danbury. I'll admit I'm a bit jealous that another one of my sisters has stolen your company from me as I slave away in my study. We miss you at Bridgerton house, mother especially. For my part, I miss your quick wit and your ready barbs that put Benedict's to shame.
I know that you do not wish strife upon our house because of your falling out with Eloise, but you do have other friends here that miss you. Please do not hesitate to call upon us. You have my permission as head of the house to visit any one of us that you like, it need not be Eloise.
Sincerely Yours,
Anthony
As Penelope finished the letter from Anthony, she couldn't help the tears the started falling down her cheeks. Anthony couldn't possibly understand that it wasn't just Eloise that kept her at bay, but Colin as well. Eventually Colin would return home, and she couldn't face him, wouldn't face him, not after what he said about her. Forget being Lady Featherington now, it wasn't as if her new title was going to garner much more interest than her previous status as a wallflower. Colin Bridgerton had named her unmarriageable in front of most of the eligible bachelor's of the Ton. Those same men who would be rushing at her as soon as she was announced as the Baroness Regent at Lady Danbury's Ball were the ones who were laughing with Colin at her. A point I will relish in reminding them! She thought venomously. Both as myself and Whistledown. And as The Wallflower sat holding Anthony's letter, she felt the all encompassing loneliness press around her once more.
Lady Danbury was still so confused about her interaction with Penelope in the library the other day. Why had she done that? She had never offered such comfort to her own children, she had never given herself an opportunity to, so why had she offered comfort to Penelope Featherington in such a way that she had never done before? She wasn't paying attention to where she was walking when she almost ran into Daphne who was holding August.
"Oh! Your Grace, please forgive me. I was lost in my own thoughts." August immediately reached his tiny fingers out towards her, which made her smile. "And good afternoon to you too, little Augie! Are you behaving for your mother?"
Daphne chuckled at that. "Hardly, I was just on my way to let him crawl around in the garden and let Simon get some rest after his return trip from Aubrey Hall. Would you care to join me?"
Lady Danbury thought about declining for a moment, but if anyone would know more about who Penelope was as a person separate from herself, it would certainly be a Bridgerton.
"It would be a pleasure." She answered, falling into step with them.
The garden was in full bloom now with the wisteria and honeysuckles giving off their sweet scents as their delicate vines weaved through the wall hedges and rose bushes. They found a place for Daphne's lady's maid and August's nurse to lay out the blanket and a few toys they were carrying and then made themselves scarce to a nearby sitting area until they were called for. Once he was placed on the blanket, August began to make for his toys and play his own little games with them, happy to be out in the garden, leaving the two ladies to talk.
"How are you enjoying your reprieve here, Lady Danbury?" Daphne asked. "I know that Penelope has found a great amount of comfort. Thank you for bringing her to us. She is a very dear friend to me."
The Countess waved away the comment. "No thanks are necessary, my dear. To be quite honest, I find myself intrigued by the girl. We made our formal acquaintance in Hyde Park. Of course I knew of Penelope Featherington and had seen and spoken to her upon occasion, even at your own home, but I had never spoken to her at length. I found myself impressed by her honesty, conviction and intelligence as she told me of her troubles with your younger sister. When I invited her to my weekly private tea with The Queen, not only did she impress me with her quick wit and intellect, she impressed my dear Charlotte as well!"
Daphne felt her jaw drop. "Penelope had tea with the Queen. She didn't mention that when I spoke to her!"
Lady Danbury was stunned. That's usually the first thing people that comes out of people's mouths is an association with the Queen.
"Well, that would be another curiosity about her that confuses me." Lady Danbury huffed. "The girl is an enigma to me, Daphne, and I should like to get some insight into who she really is."
Daphne studied The Widow intently. Lady Danbury was actually puzzled about Pen. Well, most people were confused about Pen, even Penelope herself. However, there was something about the way Lady Danbury spoke about her confusion. It was almost as if her confusion scared her.
"What is it about Penelope you wish to know?" Daphne asked.
"Who is she? How did she come to be so…her?" The Countess asked.
Daphne's eyes widened as she understood what was troubling Lady Danbury: how do you reconcile Pen with who she is versus who her family and society has made her out to be? What separated Penelope Featherington from the vapid, self-centered members of the Ton that she would forgo mentioning her tea with Her Majesty or even using her friendship with her family to advance her position within the Ton.
"Lady Danbury, let me tell you how we met Penelope and who she is to us as a family." Daphne said.
And so The Widow listened to the story of how a shy girl had lost control of her bonnet, sending it flying into Colin Bridgerton's face making him fall from his horse and into the mud. She listened as the tale spun into an elaborate tapestry of how Penelope never spoke of her troubles at home, but always sought to bring joy and happiness to Bridgerton house. That she never used her association with them to influence her position on the marriage mart, and abhorred it when her mother tried speaking to her of entrapping one of her brothers in a scandal. When Daphne was done speaking she said:
"Penelope is who she is because she refuses to let others dictate how she should behave in the role she has been forced to play. She may be the Ton's Wallflower and the ignored third daughter of a Landless Baron in a family who is the center of some of the most damning scandals, but she chooses to be the person she is, because it is the one choice they cannot take away from her."
It was then that The Widow finally saw why she acted as she did in the library: because The Wallflower had allowed it. The Wallflower had chosen at that moment to allow herself to be comforted by The Widow. More than that, The Widow had comforted her without feeling repulsed by what she would have perceived as weakness in the past because it had been a choice. A choice she had seen Charlotte make over and over and over again. To allow herself to be comforted or not. And that, more than anything, both awed and terrified her.
Notes:
There's a few things going on in this chapter:
First, I wanted to show that the world outside of Clyveden Hall hasn't stopped moving forward. That they are coming close to the end of their visit and will have to return to town soon to face the coming season. Pen is going to have to face Colin. She is going to have to face the Ton, both as herself and as Lady Whistledown, and she is going to have to do so in a way that is different that being a Wallflower. And she is going to STRUGGLE with it despite enjoying the initial satisfaction of throwing it in their faces, not that she's admitting it right now.
Second, Lady Danbury is so jaded by society that she can't fathom someone who has been treated as Pen has as being gracious, kind, and generous as she is. People who are abused, bullied, and endure the trauma of those experiences have to choose everyday to be kind or to give into their pain and lash out at the world. Pen choosing to be kind because it is the one choice she has is terrifying to Lady Danbury because it reminds her that she too chooses how she conducts herself within her position.
Chapter 16: We Used to Dance Amongst the Stars
Summary:
Charlotte, George, Edward, and Victoria are all brought together for afternoon tea by Sofia where Charlotte is faced with some hard truths about the choices she's made.
Notes:
Grab your tissue boxes. Again I cried while writing this chapter...and again while double checking and editting it.
Author's cry score: 5/5
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Charlotte wasn't sure about this. Her footsteps faltered as she stood before George's observatory. It had been so long since she had stepped foot in here, let alone spent time with George looking up at the stars. Yet, Sofia had insisted that this was where his mind was most at rest. The building stood in front of her, judging her, as if it were her own Tower of London.
"Mother?" Edward's voice came from behind her.
"Edward? Victoria? What are you doing here?" The Queen asked.
"We were asked here by Sofia." Edward explained.
"But –" she was interrupted by her youngest popping her head out of the observatory.
"Oh! Fantastic you're all here!" She greeted before turning her head back inside. "Father! Mother, Edward, and his new wife, Victoria, are here."
They all exchanged confused looks as they came to the doorway to see tea was set up for them, George flitting about ensuring that they would be comfortable as they sat on the floor.
"Father, everything is perfect, let's greet our guests." Sofia gently grabbed his arm and led him over to them.
"Right you are, Sofia, my dear. Where is Amelia, again?" George asked.
"I told you, Father. She has one of her headaches again. But don't worry, she'll meet Victoria in the morning after she's rested, I'll make sure of it!" Charlotte watched as her daughter told the lie to keep her father from going into a rage, her face the picture of pure innocence, but she could tell that it pained Sofia to say it. But to their amazement, the lie worked and he settled into her side and allowed her to lead him closer to them.
She led him first to Victoria, whose pregnancy was now beginning to show in earnest.
"Father, this is Victoria, Edward's wife. She's going to have your next grandchild! Isn't that exciting!?" Sofia exclaimed and George smiled giddily.
"Hello, Victoria. I'm sorry to have missed the wedding. Did I have one of my headaches, Sofia?" He asked.
"Yes. It was a particularly bad one that day, you could hardly get out of bed." Sofia confirmed.
George started to reach out his hand to touch Victoria's swollen belly, but then paused, to look at her. "Oh, er, may I? I would like to greet my grandchild. Are they a boy or a girl?"
"We believe it's a girl, Your Majesty." Victoria said quietly. George tutted her and waved away the honorary.
"None of that, you must call me 'Father' when we are amongst family. For that is what we are, dear girl, family." He then reached out his hand and gently placed it on Victoria's abdomen and whispered:
"Hello there, little Queen. I'm your grandfather and my name is George. I hope that when you are born and are able to walk, I can bring you here to my observatory where I can tell you of the times your grandmother and I danced among the stars."
Charlotte felt the tears swell in her eyes watching George and Victoria. She couldn't help as they fell down her cheeks as he spoke of the many nights they would spend here watching the stars, dancing to music only they could hear, making love, and just being George and Charlotte. She felt Edward grasp her hand and she looked up to see the same shining tears in his eyes and silently falling down his cheeks. All of the children had spent time here with their parents gazing at the stars, watching the annual meteor showers with them until they fell asleep. She remembered how much Edward especially loved watching the small streaks of light zip over the earth. She hugged him to herself. Her Edward. Her shy, beautiful Edward who was more poet and singer than prince.
Edward held his mother to him tightly. He had felt so lost as she drifted away from them. His marriage to Victoria had begun to help ground him again with her calm demeanor and gentle nature, but the wounds were still raw and biting and he found that some nights he didn't want her comfort. This. This was the balm he needed on those nights when he felt untethered: the steady hold of his mother.
Sofia grinned happily watching her mother and Edward as her father chatted eagerly between Victoria and the baby she carried. Yes. Things will be ok. Mother just needs to remember how things were. How things can be again. She thought.
George straightened and looked at the two who were embracing.
"Sofia, who are those two?" He asked.
The Queen and Edward broke apart and shared a worrying look. This was usually when George would have one of his rages. However, Sophia was there to guide him.
"Who do you think they are, Father? Let's make a game of it! If you guess wrong, you have to wear a tea cup for a hat!" Sofia declared and George laughed.
"Alright, sweetling, but if I'm right, I get all the lemon cakes!" He responded proudly and Sofia laughed her agreement.
George walked over to Edward and Charlotte and studied them closely. They each held their breath hoping not to startle him with any sudden movement.
"Well, if she's Victoria, then you must be my boy Edward, but…" he shook his head as if he was in pain. Edward didn't know what compelled him to reach out to touch his father, but he did.
"It's alright, Father. It's been quite awhile since I've visited and I…I have no excuse for that. It's ok if you've forgotten my face." He whispered sadly. George studied him again, a flicker of recognition passed over it this time.
"Eddie? My little Eddie?" He said.
"Yes, Father. Yes!" Edward answered, grasping his father into a hug.
Charlotte couldn't believe it. George barely recognized her on his good days and yet with Sofia's gentle guidance, he had come to recognize Edward. Could he…? Would he…? Suddenly she was under his scrutinizing gaze. He looked at her closely, as if looking for something.
"You remind me of someone. Long ago. She tried to climb a tree." He said. She waited with bated breath for him to finish to come to recognize her.
"But no, you can't be her. My Charlotte would never have left me here. She promised we would do this together. Just us. Just days." He whispered. Charlotte felt her heart clench as it was ripped in half. She wanted to run, but Sofia stepped in.
"Come, Father. The tea is getting cold." She guided George to the small table they had set up with the tea. She passed him the tray with the lemon cakes proclaiming him the winner, passing over the heart wrenching statement The King had just made about his Queen.
They spoke of days long passed, of Christmases and Easters, birthdays and summertime. They laughed and cried together. They mourned little Charlotte and her babe and celebrated the coming of this new member of their family. Most of all, they learned to be members of a family again.
As they were packing up the tea, George, Edward, and Victoria all having left to take their rest, Charlotte and Sofia felt a sense of ease that had been missing for a long time.
"When did you learn to do this with your Father?" The Queen asked quietly. Sofia sighed.
"I've always hated it when everyone fought. And when you and Georgie started taking over more and more for father, everyone started fighting more often. So I would come here to find peace. I would bring Amelia with me too when she could walk. Oftentimes, Father would be in one of his ramblings. Amelia and I were children and we didn't understand, so we played along. When we played along, Father would come to recognize who we were and scold us for being out of the house." She laughed at a memory.
"But then he would proceed to teach us about the stars and planets, botany and biology, agriculture. Keeping us here like his little conspirators. Of course, when nanny came around looking for us, he would become all stern and father-like, but we knew he was playing along with us, just as we had with him." She smiled.
"So in a way, you've become a type of mother towards him." The Queen surmised. Sofia tilted her head.
"In a certain type of way, I suppose one could look at it as such. But Father is his own person, Mother. He does not need admonishment like a child or to be locked away for his bad behavior. He simply needs guidance and understanding. Which is all that I do." Sofia explained.
It echoed all too similarly to what Lady Bridgerton had said to her yesterday at tea.
"What of me, daughter? What kind of mother am I? Tell me true." The Queen asked. Sofia studied her, analyzing her under her soft yet intense gaze.
"You haven't been a mother for a long time from what many of my older siblings have said, Your Majesty. This is the first that I have known you as a mother. Though I have always watched you from afar and dreamed of what it would be like to truly know you as my Mama." She paused and took a steadying breath.
"I meant what I said those few nights ago: I don't want you and Papa to break anymore, because if you break, how am I to know who you are as my mother? How am I to keep Papa from falling further into despair?" Sofia finished. Tears ran down her cheeks and her eyes sought hers as if she would know the answers.
The Queen was just as lost as she was, just as all of her children were. Damn that insipid Wallflower for bringing this uncertainty into her home, into her mind, into her heart! She was going to rip that vine from her life, root and all. She would forbid Agatha from seeing her and if she refused to comply, then she would refuse to see Agatha. Focus! She screamed to herself.
"As you also stated that night, we start the journey tomorrow. And as your father said. Just us. Just days." She reached out her hand to her daughter, who took it graciously.
"Now, I think I could use a walk around the garden and we can let others tidy this up, hmm?" The Queen asked. Sofia smiled brightly and nodded allowing her mother to lead her into the sunlit grounds.
"Have I ever told you how I came to love pomeranians?" Charlotte asked. Sofia shook her head no.
"Well, it all began when your father stole one from this horrid doctor your grandmother had hired to try to fix him…" And so The Queen told The Princess of how The King had won her a deformed bunny from the Evil Professor in order to try to win and keep her heart. The Princess asked for many other stories that The Queen happily obliged and she found that her anger at the Wallflower began to loosen.
When The Queen finally laid down to sleep, she once again begrudgingly admitted that The Wallflower was correct. However, as her eyes drew closed she saw herself once again mirrored with her: both in their vices, strangling to get free, and neither being able to do so.
Notes:
Some Historical background before we get into notes:
The last three of Charlotte and George's children died: Both Alfred (2) and Octavius (4) died from the smallpox vaccine, and Amelia in 1810 from tuberculosis, 3 years before the first season of Bridgerton starts. Amelia was also George's favorite daughter and it's theorized that her death was what led to his final descent into mental decline.
So the inspiration for this chapter actually came from Edwina's interaction with George when he comes into the audience chamber after seeing the fireworks. I wanted to expand on that and add in how neural degradation illnesses are inconsistent in their symptoms throughout a patient's life. I also wanted to talk about how the punishment that George endures in Queen Charlotte made his illness so much worse and that the isolation that he's kept in in Bridgerton is damaging not just to him, but to Charlotte and their family as well.
Princess Sofia has only known her father as this sort of weird happy go-lucky, sciencey fellow who no one else ever visits and her mother as the rigid Queen. So of course she's going to know how to take care of her father and not know how to interact with her mother. At the same time, Sofia makes Queen Charlotte uncomfortable because she reminds her of both Penelope and George when he was young.
Chapter 17: All You Ever Do is Talk
Summary:
Violet confronts Eloise
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Violet Bridgerton considered herself to be a loving, patient, and considerate mother. However, looking at her second oldest daughter after reading the letter Anthony had sent and the tea with The Queen the other day, she was on the verge of sending her daughter to Bath to live out her days with her Aunt.
"Eloise, do you know who Hyacinth and I had tea with the other day?" Garnering no response other than a continued sullen look she continued. "Her Majesty."
Eloise bolted straight up. "Mother, I can explain –" But Violet cut her off.
"Oh Lady Whistledown but already explained it, didn't she? Or at least a part of it, anyway. The Queen just so happened to fill in the blanks. I had wondered why she would print that particular piece about you, as you never truly explained your ire with Penelope." Her mother's voice was icy.
"Do you want to know what I learned, Eloise? Or would you like to tell me?"
Eloise was shaking, she had never seen her mother so angry. Anthony and Daphne yes, but her mother? Now she knew where Daphne got her cold fury from.
"Hyacinth told me that you left your brother's wedding. Anthony's wedding. A day when we needed to be united as a family to face the coming onslaught of scandal and shame. And you had the audacity to leave." She seethed.
"You may not take the rules of our society seriously, Eloise, but I thought you may have a care about your family, especially with how your brother was fairing!"
Eloise bowed her head in shame. She had not, in fact, been thinking at all about her family. It was something Pen had tried to point out to her numerous times. That Theo had pointed out that she would have their protection if they were caught together. But her mother wasn't done.
"Then to be caught by the Bow Street Runners, unchaperoned, at the same printing shop that Lady Whistledown uses, not once, but twice!? Not only could this scandal have caused us ruin, Eloise, but you could have gotten yourself seriously injured or even killed! All it would have taken is a group of ne'er do wells to pin you down, Rob you, rape you, and dump your body in the Thames!" Lady Bridgerton had never used such vulgar language with her daughters, never. And yet, it had been a scenario that had haunted her dreams the last two nights.
Eloise shook as tears streamed down her face. She had been a fool, an idiot. Why, oh why hadn't she listened to Pen? She could have been killed and Pen was trying to protect her. She lied to you! Her mind raged. Pushing back on her fear. It doesn't matter that she was protecting you, she hid things from you! She lied to you! She calmed down enough to look up at her mother's red face, angry tears building in her eyes.
"I'm sorry I worried you, mother and I'm sorry for leaving Anthony's wedding. I just wanted to find Whistledown and make her pay for what she says about our family." Eloise said. Violet shook her head.
"Your obsession with Whistledown not only put your life in danger in a dangerous part of town, but your life and our lives in danger with the Queen herself." She revealed.
Eloise blanched. "How did you –" She was again interrupted.
"Hyacinth overheard you telling Penelope. Eloise, why didn't you come to us?" Her Mother asked sadly.
Eloise shook her head and started crying again. "Because I knew you would be angry. And I didn't know what else to do. Penelope, she tried to tell me to tell you and Anthony."
Her Mother sighed. "Why do you and Colin insist on never listening to her? I swear of the three of you, she is the most sensible."
That made Eloise angry again. "oh that's rich, considering that she's Lady Whistledown!"
Her ire turned her mother's attention to the final issue she wanted out in the open. "Oh and how do you know this?"
"I found the proof of it in her room!" She proudly exclaimed. If Eloise had been more observant she would have realized that this was definitely not the correct thing to say.
"Tell me, Eloise. Are you a Bow Street Runner?" Violet asked unnervingly calm.
Eloise stopped. "No."
"Ah. I thought not. Well, then maybe you had a special warrant from the Queen to search the premises for suspicion of treason anyway?" Her Mother continued.
Eloise did not like where this line of questioning was going. "No. I…did not."
"That's very odd. Perhaps you had permission to be in Penelope's room from Lady Featherington? Because according to this account from your brother, you certainly didn't have it from Penelope." Her Mother finished.
Eloise swallowed hard. She was in for it now. She had done the one thing that was sure to get her so severely punished that she wasn't sure she'd see daylight again. "No, Mama." She squeaked out.
"Then why were you in Penelope's room without permission and felt you had the right to ransack it looking for your proof?" Her Mother hissed.
Suddenly Eloise's rage snapped and she was feral again. "Because she lied to me about being Whistledown, she hid the truth from me!" She screamed.
"I don't care if she was hiding Napoleon or the Catholic Pope under her floorboards! You had no right to be in her room, let alone tear her things apart, Eloise Bridgerton!" Her mother stormed over her.
Eloise shrank back into her chair as her mother made her final point. The tears started again. Once more she was a failure as a Bridgerton, unable to uphold even the most basic modicum of social graces.
"The question is, what am I to do with you, Eloise?" Her Mother asked quietly.
"Why don't you just send me away? Let me be the failure that I am so I don't cause anymore shame to the family." Eloise mumbled petulantly.
Her Mother gave her a hard look. "You would like that wouldn't you? For me to give you an easy way out so that you don't have to actually try. You would rather sit there and complain about your place in society than actually try to find a man like Lord Debling that actually shares many of your views and actively works to advance them in Parliament."
Eloise felt her mouth drop. "Mother, that's not fair. I –"
"Not another word. You are not getting out the easy way, Eloise. And not because you have the last name Bridgerton, but because I refuse to allow you to continue wallowing in your self-pity about being a woman when you have been afforded all of the luxuries that many of our sex go without. I don't expect you to be like Daphne, but I do expect you to do something other than bemoan your fate." And with that she wrenched open the door, indicating that Eloise was dismissed.
"Starting tomorrow your Dance lessons will be doubled along with your studies in French and the Pianoforte. You will also spend two hours each day practicing your embroidery and watercolors with Benedict" Eloise tried to argue, but her mother held her hand up. "Do not argue with me, Eloise. You can either do your studies here or in Bath with your aunt. The choice is yours." Eloise felt all of the fight drain from her as she walked from her mother's study to her room where she cried herself to sleep.
Notes:
One of the things that I noticed early on about Eloise's character is that a lot of her actions are really over the top for someone who is otherwise really intelligent. It really made me think about her as someone who is constantly talking to Penelope but takes no action. More than that, she digs her heels in when she's encouraged/made to take actions that would be good for her. She even goes so far as to take actions that would sabotage herself and, by proxy, her family. Then, I saw a TikTok that pointed out that Cressida tells Eloise the same thing Pen does during their fight: all you do is talk, and it clicked!
Much like Miles Morales in the beginning of "Into the Spiderverse," she talks a big game to fit in with the image of being a Bridgerton and with society as a whole, but she is actively sabotaging herself in order to either get kicked out or become a spinster. She's angry at Pen for publishing the piece because she found a way to have both a chance at love AND be shunned from society. She clings to Pen so jealously because of her Wallflower status and it's already been decided for Pen by everyone else, including Eloise, that she's to become a spinster. She avoids her responsibilities to her family to distance herself, with the exception of Benedict, with the excuse that they don't understand her, when in reality, they probably know her better than she knows herself.
In the end, having Violet place these requirements on Eloise will not only help in her character development (which we really should have seen in the show) overall, but it shows more of Violet's care and love as a mother which, again, I wish we would have seen more of in the show when it came to Eloise.
Chapter 18: The Road to Aubrey Hall
Summary:
Lady Danbury, Penelope, and Their Graces begin the journey back to London and stop at Aubrey Hall to spend the night and pick up Anthony.
Anthony welcomes his guests.
Notes:
I'm just a dog chasing a car. I don't know what I'd actually do with the car if I caught it.
random chaotic joker noises*
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The week felt like it had gone by too quickly, but they all needed to begin their journey back to London before Simon had to present himself to Parliament and the ladies needed to begin their preparations for the new season. Daphne had sent word ahead that they would be overnighting at Aubrey Hall where Anthony would be joining their little caravan, having sent the Bridgerton carriage ahead of him to London. He had foolishly sent a response to Daphne stating that he would just ride by himself to London, which, of course, she would absolutely not tolerate.
Once again sequestered in their own carriage, The Widow and The Wallflower studied each other. Neither of them were sure of how to approach what had happened in the library. They hadn't spoken of it since that day, but it was as if something had changed between them and if they spoke about it, it would make the change permanent. It was The Wallflower who broke first.
"Lady Danbury, I apologize, again, for my forwardness in the library the other evening. I will admit that I was in a rather vulnerable state after my conversation with Her Grace and I –" The Widow held up her hand to stop her.
"Miss Featherington, Penelope. I spoke with the Duchess yesterday as I have to admit, you confound me." Lady Danbury stated plainly. Penelope tilted her head, an indication for her to continue.
"You are the third daughter of Lord and Lady Featherington and yet you act with more propriety befit the station of a Baroness than your own mother. Your family is the center of many a scandal, yet you act with a dignity and grace that the rest of your family seems to lack. You are deemed a Wallflower by the rest of society, yet your cleverness, wit, and intellect have endeared you to one of the most powerful families within the Ton." She outlined. Penelope shook her head sadly.
"No one notices the actions of a wallflower, Lady Danbury. But even if I must be labeled one, ignored, and mistreated by my own family, I can still choose how I comport myself. I choose to show that I know my place within the hierarchy of the Ton, because the rest of my family is arrogant, self-centered, and has no care for how we are seen. I choose to act in such ways to show humility when the rest of my family does not, because what my family tried to do to the Bridgertons by entrapping Colin with Marina and to the rest of the Ton with Cousin Jack's mine scheme was wrong. And as far as the Bridgertons." She smiled wistfully. "They are the ones who chose me, and that speaks more to their kindness than anything to do with mine." She finished.
And that's what still confused Lady Danbury. Did the girl not see how rare these abilities were? To even walk in shadows with integrity was a rarity far more precious than the rubies that her hair matched. Lady Danbury shook her head and laughed.
"And yet still you confound me, child." She grasped Penelope's hand. "Think no more of your troubles in the library! I was not offended. In fact, I was glad to offer you comfort. And…" This was it, this was the turning point if she actually said these words and meant them.
"And, I hope that in the future, if you are in need of comfort, I can be one to offer it." She finished saying. She waited with bated breath, only releasing it when Penelope smiled.
"Thank you, Agatha. And I hope that I can be the same for you." The Widow felt her eyes widen at the return of the offer. She felt the threads to their friendship intertwine with new threads drawing them closer to something that they were unsure of themselves.
When they arrived at Aubrey Hall, dusk was just starting to fall, and the first stars were starting to make their appearance. Anthony hurried down the stairs to greet them, first taking little Augie from Daphne, who was so delighted to see his uncle, he immediately reached for him and almost tumbled out of the carriage
"Whoa there, little scamp. I don't think you have wings, be you devil or angel." He chuckled as he caught the babe
"Given his uncles, I'd say closer to devil." He heard a definitive female voice tease.
Turning around, he saw Penelope, curls mussed and framed around her face making her eyes look ethereal, like they held a glowing light that was all their own. His throat went dry and he suddenly had an urge to be anywhere but right there before he ended up doing something completely stupid. Like seeing if those curves felt as soft as they looked. His mind supplied. Nope. No. No. No. Nope. He admonished himself pressing down all of the unholy thoughts his mind played up for him to unleash upon her body. The first thing I'm doing when I get home is burying myself into the first wench, in the first brothel I come across. He cleared his throat.
"Well, in that case, we can't discount his Aunts, both blood and surrogate." He smirked, handing August back to his mother.
He walked up to Penelope and took her hand into his own and gave her knuckles a kiss.
"It's been too long, Pen." He said warmly. She smiled at him, tears in her eyes. "It really has, Anthony." She replied.
He turned from her to Lady Danbury. "My Lady, you look as ravishing as ever."
She clicked her tongue at him. "Save your flattery for Miss Featherington, Lord Bridgerton. You would do well to remember that I do take the care of my charge seriously and shall not take my duties of chaperoning her in your presence lightly."
She gave a wink to Penelope who giggled in return. Anthony placed a hand over his heart in mock offense.
"You wound me, Lady Danbury! Penelope is a very dear friend of the Bridgerton family and as head of the Bridgertons it is my duty to ensure that she is greeted properly and see that her every comfort is seen to." he proclaimed. "As a matter of fact, since you have advised me to save my flirtations for Miss Featherington, perhaps it is her I should offer my arm to in order to escort my guests in."
Penelope tutted him in admonishment. "And here I thought you a gentleman, My Lord! Do not worry, Lady Danbury. The Rake shall not seduce me from my duties as your lady's companion, even should he be a Capital-R Rake!"
Simon laughed uproariously at that as she took Lady Danbury's arm in hers and gave Anthony a small wink letting him know that she knew she had won the volley as they passed him.
Daphne passed Augie to a nurse and tucked her hand into the crook of her husband's arm, a smirk on her lips and a nod of her head indicating that Anthony should take the lead in showing them into the house. Anthony had been too busy smiling like a loon to notice that he was being left behind by his guests.
Dear God, how he had missed that woman and her sharp wit! Dealing with Eloise throughout the off-season without her to soften the explosions had been an absolute nightmare. Between the two of them he was amazed anything had gotten done. Imagine you, Eloise, and Kate in the same house. He shuddered at the thought. Benedict and Hyacinth would probably find a way to murder all three of them without anyone figuring out how, with Francesca and Greg as a distraction for their mother.
Once he caught up with Penelope and Lady Danbury, he politely offered his arm to Lady Danbury who took it graciously and gave Penelope a mischievous smile, which she returned as she released the Lady's other side.
"My apologies, Lady Danbury. It seems that you will be subjected to my flattery after all. Miss Featherington seems to insist on my being a gentleman tonight." Anthony said teasingly.
"I knew there was a reason I liked the girl! And that was before properly meeting her acquaintance in Hyde Park. She actually has some common sense!" The Widow responded.
"Oh, I don't know," Daphne piped up. "Common sense would dictate that she not poke my brother's ego so, especially in the presence of the other two."
Simon laughed. "Dear wife, how else are Benedict and Colin supposed to keep Anthony's head from filling with hot air without Pen to poke through it once in a while."
Penelope's heart seized at the mention of Colin. It was a cold reminder that this would be her last night amongst friends, people who genuinely cared for her and loved her for who she was. The next two weeks would be full of Parliamentary meetings for Simon and Anthony, planning and preparation for the upcoming marriage and social season for herself, Lady Danbury, and Daphne, and the oncoming storm of her new place within the Ton.
She wasn't certain about this new association with Lady Danbury and The Queen either. It wasn't like she felt no connection with the elder ladies, simply…out of place. Her extended time with Lady Danbury at Clyveden Hall had helped her to understand more about the Countess, but she still remained almost as elusive as ever when it came to who she was. As Lady Danbury had confessed to her in the carriage ride here, she, too, was just as confounded by The Widow.
They finally arrived at the dining room where a hot dinner was laid out for them, ready to be eaten.
"Please be seated. While I know you would all probably prefer a bath first, as would be decorum. However, I figured a good meal beforehand would make finding your beds that much easier. And it is just us here, after all." Anthony gestured toward the laden table. They gratefully took their seats and began to tuck into their meal. The conversation started lively, but as the weary travelers' bellies began to fill, they began to quiet as tiredness seemed to over take them. Soon their meal was finished and servants showed them to the baths, then their chambers.
Notes:
Let's go over a few notes:
Pen and Lady Danbury, despite having spent a week together, are still very much strangers to each other. They're on the road to a friendship, but a week and a moment of vulnerability a friendship does not make. It's also important to remember where Penelope is emotionally and mentally. She's saying goodbye to one iteration of her status as a Wallflower and entering another. She's losing her friendship with the Bridgertons because of her fall out with Eloise and Colin's betrayal of her trust. She's now the head of a family and household and she's having to figure that out as she goes.
Lady Danbury, for her part, has her own mental hang ups. She learned a lot about Pen and it's making her question the choices she made throughout her life. One of the big things she's going to have to face when she gets back is repairing her relationship with Lady Bridgerton. What she's going to struggle with is answering the question of "why."
Finally, we get to Anthony and his reunion with Pen. One of the things I love about the Bridgerton brothers is their teasing and pointed jabs at each other. They aren't mean spirited, they're witty, and it's something that brings out the more playful, less serious side of Anthony. We did see this between him and Kate in season 2, but he would piss her off and she would make a mean spirited come back to piss him off. The difference between Kate and Pen is Pen's own level of snark and wit. No one else may listen to her barbs but Colin does on occasion and he laughs with her. Because she's such a frequent guest at Bridgerton house, it would make sense for her to get into teasing matches with the brothers as we see the other siblings do on occasion. And Anthony being Anthony would consider such bouts of jibes as a competition and would enjoy seeing what witty come backs some ine as clever as Pen would come up with. So of course he would miss her being around after her fall out with Eloise, not knowing about what Colin said.
Chapter 19: I Don't Want To Fall Asleep, Because Then I'd Miss You
Summary:
Not being able to sleep, Penelope decides to make a trip to the library for a book to fall asleep to only to discover a surprise waiting for her.
Notes:
Ok You guys convinced me for some more Penthony fluff in your comments last chapter and it's gonna be a bit before we get some more, so here you go.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Once the lady's maid had finished helping her prepare for bed and bid her good night, Penelope walked around the bedroom the Bridgertons had kept for her here at Aubrey Hall for all these years. She was going to miss her visits and stays during the off-season with them and she wanted to ingrain as much of the details as she could. This room had been hers for as long as she had been Eloise's friend. She picked up a small wooden doll from one of the shelves that held many precious trinkets from her time spent in this house and cradled it close to her. It had been a gift from Colin after he returned from his first year at Eton. He had told her how much he had missed her and that the doll had reminded him of her. The tears began to fall down her cheeks again.
Are you mad? I would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington. Not in your wildest fantasies, Fife.
The cruel words echoed in her mind, just as they did every night. Only this time being here, in her room, with so many gifts, many from him , they were so much sharper, like knives threatening to rip her still beating heart from her chest. She placed the doll back where it had been sitting as if it had burned her and grabbed her dressing robe to steal into the library for one of its many books to lull her to sleep. It had been the only way for her to trick her mind into thoughts other than the worries of the upcoming season or the echoing words of Colin, Eloise, or both.
The house was quiet, peaceful, a balm to her restless thoughts. The fireplace in the library was lit and Penelope was surprised to find Anthony fast asleep on one of the lounges, a book half open on his stomach. She suppressed a chuckle at the image of the very stern Viscount looking so much more like his 30 years than when he was awake. She took the rare moment to study him, remembering the day she had met him.
Her mother had taken her for a walk with Lady Bridgerton when she heard horses racing nearby. She loved horses and loved when her father took her with him to the races, even though mother said it was improper for a young girl to accompany him. Lady Bridgerton was making arrangements for her to spend the off season at Aubrey Hall with them so that Prudence and Philippa could focus on their societal studies with Mama. She wasn't old enough to formally start her studies yet, she was only seven, but she was excited to start them next year! Papa had already lent her some books on French, though he told her not to let Mama know.
The thundering hooves were coming from just beyond the tree line and she itched to just take a tiny peek. Slowly backing away from the distracted mamas, she made her way to where the racing thunder sounded and hid behind one of the tree trunks to watch as the riders rode their mounts like flashes of lightning. She stood in awe. She had never seen horses like these or men like the ones riding them. There were two of them: one larger and one smaller, looking closer to her age. Suddenly, one of them rode past her and the wind left in his wake caught her bonnet sending it sailing into the face of the smaller rider. If that weren't embarrassing enough, the sudden impact of bonnet to face sent the rider straight into a puddle of mud where he landed with a loud "oof!" Ensuring that she wasn't going to be trampled under a horse, she ran over to him to apologize, afraid that he and the other rider were going to be angry at her interruption of their race. To her surprise, what she heard upon her approach wasn't ire, but laughing. The rider she had knocked off sat up, pulled her bonnet from his face, and looked around stating,
"Well that wasn't very well done of me, was it?" When they looked at each other, that was when she fell in love with Colin Bridgerton.
But how she learned his name was when they were interrupted by his brother. "Colin, are you alright?"
Suddenly, the bubble of her focused reality had been shattered and she was afraid again. The man kneeling next to Colin had the same thick, wavy, brown hair but chocolate brown eyes instead of Colin's sapphire blue.
"I'm fine, Anthony. Just a bit waylaid by this poor girl's bonnet." The man studied her as she quivered in fear, but he just smiled. It was a warm smile with mischief twinkling in his eyes. She found herself smiling back and not afraid anymore. She watched as Anthony helped Colin to his feet just as they were found by their Mamas…
Anthony stirred in his sleep shaking Penelope out of her reminiscence. She needed to just grab a book and go, but… the smile on his face from that day stuck in her mind. He hadn't smiled like that in so long, until last season, until Kate. And now she wondered if that smile would ever grace his lips again. She closed her eyes and let her grief flood her quietly for a moment. Grief for him, for her, for Kate, for Edwina, for Eloise, for them all. Looking up, she sent a silent prayer to Edmund Bridgerton asking for him to help his family because she wouldn't be able to be present for them after tonight. Quietly, she took a book from one of the many in the library and smiled that it was Pride and Prejudice, her favorite, but before slipping out, she pressed a chaste kiss to Anthony's forehead and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Anthony."
As The Wallflower fell asleep to Mr. Darcy confessing his love to Elizabeth her final thoughts turned to soft smiles and mischievous brown eyes.
Anthony didn't know what woke him, but the feeling of a brush of lips had felt too real to have been a dream and yet he was alone. He yawned and stretched. He had taken to falling asleep in the library the last few nights, the quiet of the house feeling too oppressive. Though it had served him well to finish his work, it also had the annoying side effect of letting his thoughts stray into places he'd rather them not go. Luckily, Aubrey Hall had a vast library and sinking into a good book always worked to get him out of his own head. Unfortunately, it had worked a little too well lately. Had he really been so tired? No matter. He took the book and placed it back on the shelf where he had taken it only to find a different book missing. Odd. He shook his head, must be in Eloise's room. He'd retrieve it in the morning. But still he couldn't shake off the feeling of those soft lips on his brow, even as he crawled into bed. As he fell back to sleep, he began to dream of dancing blue eyes that glowed with a light of their own and fiery windswept curls that framed a porcelain face.
Notes:
While I love that fics usually portray Ant, Ben, or Col find Pen asleep in the library, I wanted to turn it around for once. I wanted to show Anthony in a position where he isn't under the stress of his family and can actually rest. If you've ever been in the type of position Anthony is where you are moving non-stop, you know what it's like when you finally have that pressure finally release and you have a moment to sit and rest. That's basically what's happened since Anthony sent his siblings home a few day early and all of the tired hit.
Pen, on the other hand, has had all of the stress piled on top of her, so getting to sleep is a lot harder for her. She might be tired, but she's in chambers she's had at Aubrey Hall since she was a little girl. It's going to mess with her head and make it harder to sleep.
I took some author's liberty to how Pen met Colin and the Bridgertons as a whole. The timelines of the show and the books don't match up and there are very few clues in the show to how show Penelope met the show Bridgertons, so I kept the same origins as the book and changed Pen's age to match some of the dialogue in the show that says they've been friends since they were chidlren. Colin in the show is said to be two years older than Pen while book Colin is five: I'm splitting the difference and calling it three and a half so Colin is around 11 in the flashback. I did this for two reasons: 1) Children began to learn horsemanship around the age of 9 or 10 in those days, so Colin learning to gallop after a year or two under his belt fits with why they would be racing in the park. 2) He would need someone to oversee his lessons/practice and Anthony being an excellent horseman and loving to ride would absolutely volunteer for that. And well, I don't know who the second rider is, because I haven't read the books, just the wikis, so if it isn't Anthony, Ssssssshhhhhhhh...yes it is.
Chapter 20: So Wait Each Night And Pray For Me, Till We Meet Again
Summary:
The journey to London resumes and sadly Penelope must close this chapter of her life in order for her new one to start.
Notes:
Don't cry for me Argentina!!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Morning came bright and early for the group of travelers now with one more added to their entourage. Anthony was overseeing his luggage being loaded onto the carriage when he felt a presence behind him. Turning around he found Penelope standing beside him with the wooden doll Colin had given her so long ago.
"Good morning, Pen. Planning on bringing home some of your trinkets finally?" He teased.
She shook her head sadly. "No. I wanted to give this one to Hyacinth. She's always loved it and, well, I feel bad not being able to say a proper goodbye to her."
He frowned and tilted his head at that. "Penelope. If this is about Eloise, I assure you that –" She held up a hand.
"Anthony, let's be honest. So long as Eloise holds this anger in her heart for me, she will never give your family peace. If you continue to push her to be my friend again or continue to try to be friends with me behind her back, she'll hold it against you and come to scorn her own family. I could not bear it." She shook her head before continuing.
"She's your sister, your family, and she's hurting. She needs you right now, her big brother, more than ever. You may be angry with her on my behalf and I am angry, but I did wrong her. It may have been for good reason, but I did and she will have to come to forgive me in her own time."
Anthony felt like a part of his soul was being ripped from him. Penelope was leaving them, leaving him, all because she didn't want them to abandon Eloise or tear themselves apart trying to deal with her constant rages.
"But you're our family, too. You're our Pen." he said softly. She smiled back, tears in her eyes.
"I'm the Ton Wallflower, destined to be a spinster in a few years, I'll get through. But I'll always be the Bridgerton's Pen. Goodbye, Lord Bridgerton." And with that, she placed the doll in his hand and joined Lady Danbury in her carriage.
The carriage was silent as Lady Danbury studied Penelope. Something had obviously happened between her and the Viscount, but The Wallflower wasn't divulging and The Widow was unwilling to press the issue. That didn't mean there weren't other things they couldn't discuss.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I am certainly not looking forward to this return. This respite was way too much fun." Lady Danbury began with a smile.
Penelope was jolted from her stupor by The Countess's words.
"Hmm? Oh. Yes. It was quite lovely indeed. I actually feel much better prepared for going back." She replied.
The Widow raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And why exactly is that, my dear?"
Penelope grinned mischievously. "That, My Lady, you will just have to find out with the rest of the Ton. But I will say, the news I have will most definitely turn everything on its head."
Lady Danbury smirked back. "Oh really? How much chaos are we speaking of?"
"Do you remember Miss Edwina leaving Lord Bridgerton at the altar?" The Wallflower asked.
The Widow's eyes widened. "You can't be serious!"
The Wallflower laughed. "Oh, Lady Danbury, this year, your ball will be one that will be spoken of for ages to come! I assure you, 'tis nothing scandalous, simply so surprising that no one will believe it, until they see it. And oh. Will they see it."
The Widow felt herself giddy with the same glee as The Wallflower. Whatever she was planning to reveal at her ball, she found herself welcoming it. For if Lady Danbury loved anything, it was a shake up of society.
Once they arrived in town, it was time to stop at each residence, starting with the Featherington and Bridgerton houses. As the luggage carriage was unloaded of Penelope and Anthony's belongings they took one last moment to themselves.
"Pen, are you really sure about this?" Anthony asked one last time.
I would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington…
"I'm sure, Anthony. Your family needs you and I…I'm just going to complicate things. I'll be alright, My Lord." She smiled, curtseyed, and then was walking away, into the confines of her house, while he walked into the warm embrace of his family.
Notes:
Let's start off with the significance of her giving the doll to Hyacinth but leaving everything else behind. In season 3, Hyacinth is the most excited for Pen marrying Colin, which speaks to a deeper off screen relationship between the two. I know that in the books Hyacinth has a very close friendship with Pen's little sister and Pen is very protective of her little sister, so it stands to reason she would have just as close of a relationship with Hyacinth as well. (Just a note why she would probably be a better pairing for Anthony than Colin, btw.) Hyacinth is already upset with Eloise because of her fight driving off Pen, that Pen is going to be staying g away for the foreseeable future is not going to sit well with her. So Pen giving her the doll that she's always loved as a goodbye gift is her way of softening the blow. Leaving the rest of her gifts and trinkets behind is leaving her memories and her childhood. She's moving on from the Bridgertons because she can't keep waiting for Colin to finally notice how much pain he puts her through and Eloise isn't going to do anything to help her through the pains of being a Baroness Regent other than try to tell her that she should be using her new status to try to change the laws on women's rights. The other Bridgertons may love and care for her, but Pen is not the type of person to allow herself to come between family members, something I hated in season 3! I swear that stagnation void in Eloise's character arc/growth messed SO MUCH with every other character's personality and decision making skills.
Finally, I wanted to show how Lady Danbury and Penelope's friendship is starting to take shape. They really are going to be the little chaos gremlins to Charlotte's "don't tell me so that I have plausible deniability" facade. But don't count out Charlotte from cause a little mayhem herself, these ladies are definitely going to be causing quite the riot soon.
Chapter 21: A Day in the Life of Househould Featherington
Summary:
Penelope spends the day leading up to Lady Danbury's Ball getting her home in order.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The two weeks leading up to the opening of the season had flown by much more quickly than Penelope had thought possible. In that time, she had managed to hire a butler, a housekeeper, two maids, a footman, and a driver. She still had yet to find an appropriate assistant for Sylvie, who was a lovely cook when one wasn't Prudence, and a groundskeeper. Mr. Sharpe was due to go over the estate finances this afternoon as well as upcoming Parliamentary business that he would be voting on in her stead, because that's all he really had time to attend Parliament for. She was lucky she paid him so well he reminded her constantly. Then there was Lady Danbury's Ball this evening.
Rae came in and pulled her curtains open letting in the early morning light.
"I don't suppose you could let me lie in for another thirty minutes." She groused.
Rae chuckled as she began pulling out one of the other new dresses Lady Danbury had sent, this one a delightful sapphire blue, and laying it out for her to wear for the day.
"Unfortunately, no, M'um. You've instructed John to begin interviewing the final candidates for the groundskeeper position today. You need to review your selections with him this morning before he calls upon them." Rae reminded her.
Penelope groaned. "No wonder Anthony is always so terse." She heaved herself from her bed and made her way to the wash basin to wash the sleep from her face.
Rae chuckled. "The worst part, My Lady, is that you are a lady and unable to relieve your tensions elsewhere, while the Viscount is allowed to do so in any way he should so choose."
Penelope scowled as Rae began to dress her. "I need not be reminded of the looser constraints for which men are allowed to take their pleasure and a woman is not. I heard far too much about such inequality from Eloise to last me a lifetime, thank you."
An almost evil smirk graced her lips before she continued. "Besides, what do I need with a sword between my legs, when a pen in my hand is so much more fulfilling?"
Rae nearly fell over laughing in hysterics causing Penelope to shush her, reminding her that everyone else was still asleep. After she had calmed down, Rae finished with helping Penelope dress and they made their way down to the informal table in the kitchen where Sylvie was finishing breakfast. It was always like this, since it was just them: herself and the staff eating breakfast together at the table in the kitchen to go over the household duties for the day. She knew that if she did find a suitable husband, it wouldn't be like this, so she would cherish it while it lasted.
Sylvie brought over hot coffee, cream, and sugar for the table while the eggs and toast finished cooking. John joined them at the table shortly afterwards looking very dashing in his new clothes she had ordered for him as her new Lady's Man. He would be her escort whenever she left Featherington House to keep away those men who would try to catch her in compromising positions. Once the eggs and toast were done, they were joined by the rest of the staff and everyone began to serve themselves.
"Are we still to go over the list of groundskeepers today, My Lady?" John asked.
"Yes. That's the first business of the day, the second being reviewing the new applications I've received for your assistant, Sylvie. I know it's just been us so far, but with the season starting in earnest tonight with Lady Danbury's ball and my introduction as the Baroness Regent, I'm sure we'll be busy hosting dinners and other soirees, if not another ball." Penelope confirmed.
"And the home designers?" Trudy, the housekeeper asked.
"They will be here at 11 o'clock to work on the drawing room while I prepare for my meeting with Mr. Sharpe this afternoon. Remind them that the goal of the redesign is to ensure the house looks more respectable for someone who is at the proper rank that I am, rather than loud and obnoxious as my parents and cousin liked to flaunt themselves as. I'm trying to improve my family's standing, not make things worse." Penelope gave Trudy and the maids a stern look and they giggled in response.
"Are you saying that you don't want another 8ft gilded horse statue in the drawing room to match the one they tried to place in the living room?" Alma, one of the maids, teased.
Penelope groaned. The house designers had thought that because she loved horses and her father had been a fan of horse races, she would appreciate a marble horse statue with gold inlay as the centerpiece to her living room. She had to ask them what about the statue spoke to not being loud and obnoxious to get them to remove it.
"Absolutely not! If they would like to do smaller accents, fine, but no giant statues." She repeated firmly.
"And any tasks for me today, Madam?" Liam, the Butler, asked.
"Yes, Charles was saying that there was something wrong with one of the carriage horses last night as we were returning from the modiste. I need you to send word to the ferrier to look over the poor creature." Penelope stated.
The Butler nodded. "It will be done, My Lady."
They had all finished their breakfasts and coffee by the time the house meeting came to a close and they all stood together.
"We all know our duties for the day and by the morning everything will have changed." She said while looking at each of them. "But no matter how much things change, what we have built here will always be the foundation of what comes next and nothing can take that away from us. You, in this short time, have become my most trusted friends. Now, let's get to work."
There was a round of "Yes, Ma'am"s before the scraping of chairs and the clatter of dishes sounded through the kitchen. Each of them filed out and went to fulfill each of their assigned tasks all of them happy to be under the employ of Lady Penelope Featherington.
Penelope opened the door to her study and poured herself a glass of water and motioned for John to sit while she pulled out the three chosen candidates for groundskeeper they had settled on.
"So far from what I have heard, none of our candidates have taken any other offers or have changed their minds about moving to other prospective households." She began as she pulled out the list. "You know my requirements and that discretion is paramount in this house."
John looked over the list and cracked a smile. "The Cowper's man? I can't say I blame him, but is there any particular reason he's at the top of the list, other than him being the best in my opinion."
Penelope laughed at that. "Oh God, that's brilliant! Humiliating Cressida's family by stealing their groundsman and he's the best on my list? That would be sweet, sweet justice indeed!"
John looked at her confused. "What has Miss Cowper to do with this, My Lady?"
Penelope sobered. "Cressida Cowper has been the one to torment and plague my every step since I debuted. She hounded me before when we were children in our lessons together, but it got so much worse after I was brought out into society. And her mother," She paused, her breath hitching for a moment, "her mother often encouraged it or even joined in and my mother never stopped them."
She now had tears streaming down her face that she tried desperately to wipe at and stop them from falling. John was now seething. It wasn't enough that her mother had trapped her into the woeful future of spinsterhood, but to allow society to reinforce it? It was beyond cruel. The least he could do was hire on the Cowper's groundsman for her so that the man could live a much better life under the employment of Lady Featherington.
"I'll be hiring on the Cowper's man. He'll be on the grounds by this afternoon. Don't you worry, My Lady." He said firmly.
She looked at him in shock, but then nodded in agreement.
"I'll take my leave now, Ma'am. I'll see you this evening for the ball." John stood and bowed to her.
She stood with him. "Until tonight, Mr. Williams. Don't forget to wear proper attire."
"Of course." He replied before making his exit.
The meeting with Mr. Sharpe went a bit long, but otherwise rather well. The refurbishment of the holdings in Devonshire were progressing on schedule with the first house ready to be occupied by the end of the month. The holdings in London continued to bring in a modest but steady income and her tenants reported no issues with the houses that needed repairing. Her investments in the local sugar processing facilities and coal mining prospects both locally and in the Americas were bringing in a healthy income as well. With her first publication of Whistledown set to be released tomorrow, her accounts would have a nice influx of money to cover the incoming onslaught of Lords who would be demanding repayment of their investments to Jack Featherington. All in all, Mr. Sharpe was hopeful that once the third Devonshire holding was occupied, they may yet be able to reacquire the lands that her father had sold.
It was with this happy news that she began dressing in one of her new ball gowns: a dark, lush green with a layer of gold sewn as the backing making it look as if the colors were changing under the lights as she moved and swayed. Gen had outdone herself with the bead work on the bodice as the beads themselves glittered and added to the effect of making her glow under the candle light. Rae styled her hair so that it floated down the side of her neck and down her front. Looking in the mirror, she didn't see herself, but the Queen. Beautiful, powerful, but still trapped and alone, playing a part for others to toy with. She felt her breath catch for a moment as the vice tightened. The role she played was about to change and yet, at the same time, not. Rae finished with her make-up and then it was time to go and face the audience.
Notes:
So I wanted to bring us back to London in a way that showed the character growth we saw in Penelope at Clyveden in a much more subtle light before we get her at the Danbury Ball. It's important to do this for two reasons: 1) to establish her mindset going into the Ball itself. 2) to establish her working relationship with her employees so that we can see how her home base is going to operate.
I also wanted to bring us back to the realities that Pen is facing here: She's about to face the Ton that hates her and her family with a new title that makes her the most eligible Bachelorette on the marriage mart, most every gentleman in the Ton has laughed at her and called her names and would only marry her for her money, and without anyone who actually respects her to marry she's still a Wallflower, just with a Rrgent title and a pretty new dress. She's terrified, but also ready.
Chapter 22: It's Funny What You Find When You Aren't Looking
Summary:
Lady Danbury goes to make amends with Lady Bridgerton and gains more knowledge than she expected.
Notes:
So I just finished season 4 of Umbrella Academy and let's just say...they fumbled it at the end. And I got a bit distracted with posting this. Like they had the perfect set-up!!! Anyway, here is your chapter for the day!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Lady Danbury stood outside the gate to Bridgerton house gathering up her courage to walk up to the door and knock. She held the invitation to her ball next week loosely in her hand, ready to deliver it personally. She knew she needed to fix things with Violet, to apologize for the choices she made and for hiding her relationship with her father, but she didn't know how. Her thoughts wandered to Penelope and she looked across the way at Featherington House. She chooses how she comports herself because it's the one thing they can't take away from her. The Duchess's words echoed through her mind and suddenly she made a decision. The Countess straightened her back, marched up the walkway to the front steps, and knocked on the door.
Violet was in the middle of supervising Eloise's French lesson when Lady Danbury was announced. She had a servant fetch Anthony so that she could receive her guest and not leave Eloise unattended. They had learned the hard way that if they left her unsupervised in her lessons, she became a royal terror for her teachers. Once Anthony arrived, Violet left to receive her guest.
Lady Danbury sat nervously in the Bridgerton drawing room, the invitation sitting on the table in front of her. When Violet made her appearance in the doorway, she stood, tears in her eyes. Violet regarded her older friend, her eyes watery. She had missed the sharp-tongued countess, despite the hurt that the omission of the past dalliance with her father, Lord Ledger, had caused. In four swift strides, Violet was across the room, engulfing her friend in a tight embrace. Both women began to cry in each other's arms, muttering their apologies to one another, telling each other how much they had missed the other, how it was all going to be ok.
When they had calmed down and wiped their tears from each other's faces, Violet rang for tea and they both took their seats facing each other.
"Well, that was certainly not the welcome I was expecting." Lady Danbury chuckled.
"Were you expecting a raging Eloise? I can fetch her for you. I'm sure she would relish a reprieve from her French lesson." Lady Bridgerton smirked.
The Widow rolled her eyes as their tea set arrived and soon both ladies had made their cups and were sipping at them leisurely.
"I was more expecting an icy Lady Bridgerton, though if you would like to produce Miss Eloise, I have a few sharp words for her." Lady Danbury stated in disapproval. Lady Bridgerton smiled.
"But before we get into catching up with one another. Here." Lady Danbury handed her the invitation to her Ball and grew somber.
"The first time I met your father was at the very first ball Lord Danbury and I hosted at our home, my home. Have I ever told you how it became tradition for me to host the first Ball of the season since Queen Charlotte's coronation?" The Widow asked.
Violet Bridgerton shook her head. "All I remember of the time was my mother being vehemently against going because of her very separatist views and my father and I being at odds with her. She was a very sour and bitter woman who didn't like that my father had more progressive views on the racial divide and the progression of women's education within society. She was fervently against my father's encouragement of my free thinking and voracious appetite for knowledge."
She smiled wistfully. "Penelope reminds me of myself in that way. Do you know when I first brought her to Aubrey Hall, her father had let her sneak books on learning French in her luggage?"
Lady Danbury's interest peaked at the mention of The Wallflower. Forgetting all intentions of telling Violet of her history with Lord Ledger, she zeroed in on this new knowledge of the Featherington girl.
"Oh? Do tell." She encouraged.
Lady Bridgerton laughed. "It was after the 1803 season. Now the Featheringtons had just moved across the street from us earlier in the year and Penelope was really the only one who got along with my children, Prudence and Philippa being very, let's call them particular."
The Widow laughed. "That's putting it delicately."
"Portia wanted to focus on Prudence and Philippa's education over the course of the off-season that year as she felt they were not taking their lessons seriously and asked if I would be willing to host Penelope over the off-season until Christmas and then again after the New Year. I happily obliged, as I could tell even back then how much Portia snubbed the little girl. Her thirst for knowledge and her curiosity knew no bounds." She broke up laughing.
"The little scamp had even snuck away to where Anthony was teaching Colin to gallop during the conversation and her bonnet flew into Colin's face knocking him into a pile of mud!" Both ladies started laughing hysterically.
"When we - when we - when we found them do you know what Anthony said?" Violet barely managed to get out. Lady Danbury shook her head, amusement still glittering in her eyes.
"That Penelope had just given Colin a valuable lesson in learning to duck!" She exclaimed and both of them howled in laughter.
"Moving back to her first stay at Aubrey hall, consider my surprise when I found her up late hiding under a chair in the library, reading and practicing basic French pronunciations by the light of the fireplace" Lady Bridgerton chuckled and Lady Danbury joined her.
"Surely, you jest!" The Countess exclaimed.
"No. Honest to the Saints, she was lying under Edmund's favorite chair reading that book and doing her best to stay quiet while she tried to sound out the vowels." She finished merrily.
"Poor thing thought I was going to punish her by burning the book or whipping her with a spoon for being up late reading when she was supposed to be in bed. Or for sneaking a book that wasn't hers to read yet into the house." Violet shook her head sadly.
"Is Portia Featherington really so cruel?" Lady Danbury asked.
Violet Bridgerton set her tea cup down and gave her friend a piercing gaze. "I have been in the Modiste with my girls at the same time as the Featheringtons and all I will say is that I have seen bruises from how tight Portia will instruct Miss Delacroix to fit her daughter for her corsets and stays."
Agatha took in a sharp breath. "All this time… How does no one know about this?"
Lady Bridgerton scoffs. "Who says that they don't? Portia Featherington doomed her daughter to spinsterhood before she even debuted. The talk of her body, her hair, her propensity for reading and writing, all of those little things that Portia talks loudly about in public about Penelope shaped other's opinions of her. One does not become a Wallflower by one's power alone."
She may be the Ton's Wallflower, a role she has been forced to play… The Widow finally understood The Wallflower. Just as she had been marched to her marriage, so too had The Wallflower been marched to her role by both her mother and society at large. The only difference between them: The Wallflower didn't take a bath after each time she was forced to play her role.
By the time Lady Danbury left Bridgerton House, she felt as if she had a renewed sense of herself. For the first time in years, she was actually looking forward to hosting this ball. When she had left, she invited Lady Bridgerton over to help with the planning along with Daphne. This was going to be her grandest ball yet, plus she couldn't wait for what The Wallflower had in store for them. The following week leading up to the ball went by quickly and as The Widow stood surveying the colorful flowers, the winding ribbons, and the crystals that glittered in the candlelight, she couldn't help but wonder what The Queen and The Wallflower would bring to her Ball.
Notes:
I KNOW, OK, I KNOW!!!! BUT TRUST ME IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!! NOW PUT THE TOMATOES DOWN SO WE CAN GO OVER THE NOTES!!!
Lady Danbury knows she needs to reconcile with Violet and tell her about the relationship she had with her father before the upcoming Ball she's hosting. What better way to do that than by personally inviting her to the very ball where she and Violet's father first met, first danced, first fell in love? But of course, being one to reminisce Violet's going to remember the argument between her parents and how much Pen reminds her of herself and Lady Danbury is going to latch onto that to avoid the more important conversation anything to get away from talking about HER painful past that doesn't make her look like a stronger person, less vulnerable
The problem is this strategy backfires in the end, because Violet Bridgerton sees more than she let's on. Of course, she knows about the abuse Portia is putting Penelope through. Why else would she look the other way when Colin is alone with her or any of her elder sons for that matter? She knows that they aren't going to do anything with her and any "scandal" can be explained away with "The Wallflower was hiding again" and I'm here to escort her back. Because they're the Bridgertons, what they say happened, is what happened. Something that really should have been used more in the show, BTW. For a family that wields power, money, and influence, we don't really see them use those tools to help themselves control how rumors are.spread about them. But I digress, the way that Violet is observant about the way Portia is towards Penelope is how we get to Lady Danbury's connection point to Penelope where she finally see herself more clearly defined than she did than at Clyveden when she was talking to Daphne.
And this is important! Because she now see's that it was PEN's parental figure that orchestrated her misery, just like hers. She was raised in an environment where she was just supposed to accept being cast away, just like hers. Pen is a Wallflower and destined to be a spinster because that is what her mother and society expects her and molded her to be, just as she was molded and expected to be Lord Danbury's wife. This is essential for when our lady's come back together after the events of the Ball, because things are going to happen that they all are going to need to come together to fix.
Chapter 23: The Show Must Go On
Summary:
Queen Charlotte reflects on the last few weeks of getting to know her children and has an idea, but her eldest son, Georgie, has doubts until he comes up with the perfect solution.
Notes:
I am soooooo sorry for posting this late, but I neeeeeeeeeded to get the fix-it for Umbrella Academy series Finale out of my head or I really would not focus on this. Here's the link if you are a fan of The Umbrella Academy and you want a different take on the shows finale. I'll admit that it's rough. Like really rough, but, I needed it out of my head./works/58079488
Anyway! On with THIS show!!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The last three weeks of getting reacquainted with her children as her children and learning how to be with George where he was, not where she wanted him to be had taught The Queen three things: first, that it was never too late for someone to bend themselves to learning new things; second, that true familial solidarity was far more fulfilling than the lies she had been telling herself; and finally, the insipid Wallflower flower had been correct, even if she had to begrudgingly admit it. However, it left her with a new problem, the coming social season. She did not want to stop the progress of this new relationship she was building, nor stop the progress of her children reconnecting with each other. She had seen Georgie, Frederick, and William taking part in shooting just the other day, an activity they hadn't shared since they were younger men. She had even overheard Frederick talking about calling upon his wife. No, she wanted to keep this progress going. It was good for the family.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, announcing Georgie to go over yesterday's parliamentary votes before she began to prepare for Lady Danbury's Ball.
"Good Afternoon, Mother." He greeted, coming around to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"Good Afternoon, Georgie. Please, sit. I have some thoughts I would speak with you about after we speak of the votes from yesterday." she responded, indicating the sofa opposite of hers. He took his seat as tea was set before them and he pulled out the copies of the recorded votes and business for the next week.
"The resolution on the slave taxes on sugar passed by one vote: Mr. Sharpe's on behalf of the Featherington Barony." He started. The Queen smiled and shook her head.
"Of course she would have her solicitor vote to raise taxes on companies that use slave labor." She muttered. George raised an eyebrow.
"You know the Baroness Regent? Mr. Sharpe has been fairly tight lipped about who she is and the Gentlemen in Parliament are confused by her identity." he stated. "The only thing that the man will say is she is in the midst of getting the late Lord's affairs in order and will reveal herself at the Danbury Ball."
The Queen laughed at that. Oh well played, little Wallflower, well played indeed! For that, I shall go along with your little game of intrigue.
"I do know the Lady in question as you did ask me to look into the authenticity of the paperwork submitted by her solicitor when Parliament came into session two weeks ago." she paused to set down her tea and give her son a pointed look.
"I confirmed their authenticity, you allowed her solicitor to vote in her stead, and Her Ladyship has asked for identity to remain anonymous for the time being until her father's affairs are in order. Who am I to deny another woman her privacy from meddling men?" the Queen smirked. Her son smiled and shook his head.
"Well, whichever daughter has been chosen to take up the leads, I do hope that they are prepared to face a pack of rabid hounds tonight. Many who have interests in the sugar industry were quite furious about the vote." He stated.
The Queen smirked. "Oh I believe Her Ladyship will be able to handle herself remarkably well. In fact, that's what I wanted to speak to you about. I would like you and Elizabeth to attend the Ball with me." George looked up at her, shocked, but she continued.
"It has been too long since the crown has been seen united publicly and with Napoleon on the brink of defeat upon the continent, a new royal baby on the way, I believe it best to show a united front, The Queen and the Prince Regent. What are your thoughts?"
Georgie turned the proposal around in his head for a moment. On the one hand, his mother was correct. It had been too long since the family had been seen in public with her or around her, giving the public the impression that the royal family was indeed fractured. It was something that had been a growing problem after Amelia's death and his father's seclusion from the public. On the other, this could send the wrong message to Parliament that he was ready to permanently remove his mother from her seat, which was simply not the case. He and his mother were two prongs on the same fork: one played the face of the crown for Parliament and the other for the general public. And while he was the Prince Regent and ruled in his father's name, his mother was Queen, his Queen. No matter how much Parliament or his brothers hated it, she outranked him so long as his father lived. But perhaps…No! It couldn't be that easy, could it? Maybe.
"We'll need to show that I am not usurping your power from you by encroaching upon what is normally considered 'your territory.' Perhaps using this as a cover for introducing Edward and Victoria to the rest of Society?" He suggested.
"Hmm. An excellent idea. I expect you will make the arrangements? Seeing that it is your plan?" She asked pointedly and Georgie sighed.
"Of course, Mother. I look forward to meeting you at the Ball this evening." They both rose and said their farewells.
Once her son was gone, The Queen departed for her chambers to rest until it was time to get ready. As her maids undid the laces to her dress, took off her elaborate wig and laid out a light lounging gown, she thought back over the two weeks of interactions with her family. It was so much different than it had been the last several years. In fact, she didn't remember the last time she had actually been so open with Georgie. Would this continue? She'd have to ask the Wallflower when she invited her and Agatha for tea this week. She needed to know what happened at Clyveden Hall and there wouldn't be time to talk at the ball tonight. Oh and she supposed they should know what was going on with the amazing improvement George was making. And that she was actually building a relationship with her children. The Wallflower will probably rub that in her face, no doubt. But they had gone to Clyveden and there were probably things she was right about too, so there! And as she took her rest, she felt lighter, freer than she had in a long, long time.
She was awoken a few hours later to take her bath and begin getting ready for the Danbury Ball. Despite still being a bit groggy from her nap, she couldn't help but feel giddy at what was coming tonight. The Wallflower was stepping into a whole new world of villainy and she could not wait to see how she handled herself. Her dress was a blend of golds and cremes with delicate crystals shining throughout the bodice. Seeing herself in the mirror, not even the ever present vice couldn't contain her giddiness tonight. As she made her way to the carriage, there was an amused half smile on her lips. Let the show begin!
Notes:
So I wanted this chapter to mirror Chapter 21, where The Queen is now feeling lighter and not as burdened in her position because she's reconnecting with her family, she's learning how to do things better, and overall that press of power she always carries isn't as tight. While in Penelope's case, she's feeling that vice tighten, she's lost her support in the Bridgertons. She never had her family. She's gained a great staff that she can count on so it's going to help, but there's only so much that a professional level type relationship can offer. The closest confidant she has is Rae and really the only friend she can trust right now is Genevieve. So she is stepping into the Lion's den with basically a wooden sword, a wooden shield, and praying that she can outsmart the lions that are going to come for her by continuously dodging and using her Whistledown skills for strikes of opportunity.
The Queen, on the other hand, now has the backing of her son in Parliament and better support from her overall family. Her relationship with George.is getting better. She's more conscious of the social state of her country and its needs. We're going to see this dichotomy grow between these two characters and how Lady Danbury's cross section influences the relationships on only between the three of them but their relationships with those around them.
Next up: The Ball
Chapter 24: I Was Never Meant to Be Here
Summary:
Penelope is at the Danbury Ball, but can she actually do what she came here to do?
Notes:
Some people just want to watch the world burn.
It's me. I'm some people.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Portia Featherington was beginning to worry. The Ball had started thirty minutes ago and Penelope had not shown up yet. Had something happened at Featherington House? Was Penelope ill? Their relationship may still be strained, but they had at least come to some form of civility and working relationship over the course of the last two weeks. When Lord and Lady Bridgerton were announced, she made her way over to them to inquire if the Featherington carriage had left the house.
"Good evening, Lord Bridgerton. Lady Bridgerton. By any chance, did you see if the Featherington carriage left the House for the Ball? I rode with Prudence and Mr. Huxley this evening, you see. I just wanted to ensure that Penelope made it here." She said.
Anthony and his Mother exchanged glances, as the rest of the Bridgerton brood filtered into the room behind them. Since when has Portia Featherington cared about Penelope? Anthony cleared his throat.
"Er, Yes, the Featherington carriage is here with Penelope inside. I did offer to assist her, but she said she only needed an extra moment or two before entering the Ball." He explained.
Portia huffed. "I see. Thank you very much, Lord Bridgerton. If you will excuse me, it seems I need to fetch my daughter."
She did a shallow curtsey, then turned and made her way out of the Ball.
To say that Penelope was nervous would be a gross understatement. It was more like abject terror. What she was about to do hadn't been real up to this point. More like some distant, far off point in the future. Even when she had been getting dressed for tonight, what she was going to do didn't seem like it was going to be a reality. No, it was as she sat here, now, in her carriage, looking at Lady Danbury's house, that reality sank into her and she froze.
John stood outside the carriage as her sentinel, ever patient, ever strong, ever steady. There was a reason she had chosen him as her Lady's Man; he knew almost instinctively what she needed and when. Suddenly, there was a harsh rapping on the carriage window followed by: "Penelope, open the carriage door this instant!"
She winced as she heard her mother fighting with John. Finally, she had enough, at least this was one situation she could handle. She wrenched open the door and yelled, " What , Mother!?"
" Finally. " Portia huffed, as she clambered into the carriage. John tried to stop her, but Penelope waved him off and Portia took her seat across from her daughter. She studied her for a moment. Penelope looked drawn, with dark circles under her eyes, and her skin not as blush as it should be. She wanted to ask if her daughter was alright, but she knew that wasn't the type of relationship they had. It had never been. But one thing Portia did know about her youngest was her tendency to falter when a big change was about to happen.
"Why are you not inside?" Portia asked, her voice hard.
"I'll be inside when I'm good and ready, mother. You don't get to shuffle me in, to just ignore me the rest of the evening anymore. I'm perfectly capable of doing that myself now." Penelope shot back.
Ah, so that's what this was about. She couldn't just hide behind Portia and sneak off to hide herself away anymore. At least, not initially. She now had to be announced as head of the Featheringtons at every Ball she attended. Well, there was only one way to deal with that.
"Penelope, when you told me that you were taking your rightful place to right the wrongs of your father and create a better legacy for whomever his heir was, I promised myself that I would hold you to that." Penelope gave her a hard look but she ignored it as she continued.
"I can see why your father chose you to take over as Regent with how well you have done with restoring the holdings that were held in trust. But this is also where he failed. He would spend nights in the smoking and bourbon room at Balls gambling until he couldn't attend them anymore." She grabbed her daughter's hands.
"If you want to make our family name better, to move past the scandals, to become the Regent you say you want to be, then you are going to get out of this carriage with me, march into that ballroom with your head held high, and have yourself announced!" She finished firmly.
Penelope didn't know why her mother's words worked, but they did, because the next thing she knew, her arm was tucked into the crook of John's arm and they were following her mother into Lady Danbury's house.
The Queen was getting impatient. If The Wallflower didn't show soon, she'd send her guards to Featherington House to drag her here herself. She leaned over to Lady Danbury.
"You're sure she is attending this Ball, Lady Danbury? I would hate to be disappointed that our little Wallflower promised us a surprise only for her to not be here." she stated.
Lady Danbury chuckled. "As would I, but I trust Miss Featherington is merely getting some last minute nerves sorted through."
She looked to where the Bridgertons had just entered and saw Lady Portia Featherington speaking with Lord and Lady Bridgerton before leaving the ballroom.
She leaned over to her friend. "I believe that Lady Featherington is on the case and if there is one thing more convincing than the royal guard, it is a Mama on a mission."
They both shared a light chuckle before Lady Danbury looked over to where the Prince Regent and his Wife along with Prince Edward and Princess Victoria were mingling with some of the more well liked nobles and socialites.
"How were you able to convince them to attend?" She asked The Queen.
"Georgie and I felt it was time that we presented a united front of the crown. And the best way to do that, was to have Edward and Victoria here to reassure the public that the royal line was secure." The Queen replied. The Widow nodded, but before she could say anything in reply they were interrupted by the harold:
"The Baroness Regent, Lady Penelope Featherington!"
They turned their attention to the top of the stairs where The Wallflower looked stunning in her green and gold gown. The Queen smirked, while The Widow's mouth dropped open in shock. Things really were going to be turned upside down if the sudden silence in the ballroom was any indication.
Notes:
So I had rewritten the Ballroom reveal around 20 maybe 30 times. They would either come out too rushed or the character would be OOC and the chapter would read awkward when read in the context of the whole work.
And it's really important to me that the Ballroom chapters read smoothly as they are a transition from Act I to Act II. Then I figured out what was missing: we got Pen to the ball, but we had to get her INSIDE. And Pen being Pen, well she going to have a harder time with that than she actually realizes at Featherington House.
While I know everyone is waiting for the reactions, I'm still editing and tweaking those chapters to reflect this one, but I'm still on track for my daily post.
Chapter 25: I Didn't Say You Could Speak
Summary:
Penelope faces the first round of opposition to her reveal, can she handle what comes her way? More importantly can she handle the aftermath?
Notes:
The Ball part 1
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It wasn't everyday that Lord Fife wanted to kill a woman rather than fuck her, but today was one of those days. So this is the bitch that uppity Mr. Sharpe represents? Penelope Featherington! Of all people!? That absolute cow of a Wallflower that not even Colin Bridgerton would stoop to court? His thoughts were rampant as he thought about how much of his profits were about to suffer because of her vote yesterday. He swallowed the rest of the champagne he had been drinking when she had been announced. Everyone was still gawking at her as if she would simply disappear from the stairway that she was slowly making her way down. He placed the empty flute on a server's tray and made his way to where the girl's feet had finally met the floor, his angry steps echoing harshly on the cold tile. He didn't notice the confused glances or the whispers that followed in his wake, all he could see in front of him was the bitch that has cost him an absolute fortune in sugar ventures. Well, ok, not just sugar ventures, but his investments in the East India Trading Company would certainly suffer because of the turn out of this vote. Suddenly, he was in front of her, his hand ready to strike her, until his wrist was grabbed by a firm grip and he was brought to his senses by a very furious, very male voice:
"If you dare strike Her Ladyship, My Lord, I shall personally see to it that you are escorted to His Majesty's cells and I cannot guarantee that you will arrive there unblemished."
Chaos erupted. What was once silence as Penelope had entered the ballroom was now an explosion of movement and sound as John protected her from Lord Fife. She was swarmed by both angry gentlemen and those that now wanted to dance with her in an attempt to court her for her wealth. She was overwhelmed and ready to shrink in on herself. She wanted to go back to the carriage. This had been a terrible idea, she should have just operated the estate from the shadows, Let her mother continue to be the face of the family. I can see why your Father chose you. Her mother's words echoed in her mind. They were the first words of acknowledgement and praise that her mother had ever said to her that meant a damn. But this is also where he failed . If this is an area where her father fail, then this is where she must succeed. She would not run, she would not falter, she would face this. Gathering her courage, she shouted over the din:
"ENOUGH!!!"
Once more all was silence as a woman, other than the Queen, had dared to raise her voice so unladylike.
"If any man here wishes to discuss Parliamentary business with me, he must do so at my home during calling hours or after lunch but before tea. Are you men or uncivilized beasts to rush upon me? Have you forgotten all sense of civility towards our gracious host? Or more importantly that we are in the presence of Her Majesty?"
She indicated the dias behind them where The Queen and the rest of the royal party looked on in disapproval. The Queen, in particular, looked like she wanted to murder Lord Fife herself. The group of men quickly began to disperse as Lady Danbury tapped her cane upon the tile next to the dias and her butler appeared next to her. She whispered a few instructions into his ear and within a few moments Lord Fife was escorted from the Ball.
Anthony had been forced to look on at the display with disgust. He and Simon had been engaged with their Highnesses when Penelope had been announced and Lord Fife had charged at her like a raging bull. When half of the men in the room had rushed at her after Her Man had stopped Fife from striking her, his heart had stopped. He had never felt so helpless. He had seen Benedict and Colin join the crowd to try to get to her to protect her, but to no avail. But then she had addressed them as only a Lady in her position should and he felt a swelling of pride in his chest. He had so many questions, but they could wait. After all, he was a member of Parliament; she couldn't use his family to avoid him when he was at her home for Parliamentary business.
His thoughts were interrupted by the Prince Regent.
"Do you know the Baroness Regent, Lord Bridgerton?" Prince George asked.
"Very much so, Your Highness. Lady Featherington has been a very close friend of the Bridgertons for many, many years." He replied.
"So long, in fact, that my wife insisted she come stay with us along with my Lady Aunt three weeks ago." Simon added with a laugh.
"Tell me, what type of Lady is she?" The Prince asked. Anthony and Simon exchanged a look.
"We should really introduce her to your Highness, however suffice it to say, if women were allowed into Parliament, we would not have needed her Solicitor to break the tie in favor of the slavery tax." Anthony responded.
"She is that well reasoned?" His Highness asked.
"And that sharp tongued, as demonstrated only a few moments ago." Simon added with a laugh. They both joined him.
"Then it is settled. I must meet the Lady. Would one of you be willing to fetch her?" The Prince asked.
Anthony tensed. He knew that she wouldn't come with him if he asked so he looked to Simon.
"Of course, Your Highness. I shall only be but a moment." Simon made a slight bow and then turned to go escort Penelope to meet the Prince Regent.
Penelope took another sip of the champagne she had immediately made a beeline for after being rushed at by half the men of the Ton. Her shaken nerves were slowly settling as the cold drink soothed her throat and the alcohol gentled her rushing thoughts. It was nice that she could actually indulge in alcohol now that she was officially titled, not that she allowed herself more than one or two drinks a night. The only times she had more than that and allowed herself to get sauced was after dealing with her family. And really could anyone blame her for that? Unfortunately, she couldn't allow herself to get drunk tonight. She had business to attend to tomorrow on top of whatever added work she had just given herself tonight. She sighed then turned to John.
"We'll need to rearrange tomorrow's schedule when we get home tonight. The staff aren't going to like it, but I have a feeling we're going to have more callers tomorrow than expected."
John chuckled at that. "Well, that comes with the territory of being a new member of nobility, My Lady. Though I believe you handled yourself with much more grace and dignity than those so called gentlemen."
She let out a disapproving huff. "What were they even thinking?"
"They weren't. At least, not with the correct piece of anatomy." A different voice stated.
Penelope startled so badly that she almost spilled what was left of her champagne. Once she had regained her senses she turned around to find Simon grinning down at her and she smacked his chest.
"And it is just as ungentlemanly to sneak up upon unsuspecting ladies, Your Grace." She chided before finishing her champagne. He simply grinned down at her unapologetically and she smiled back.
"That was quite the entrance, Pen. Why didn't you tell us you had been named Regent back at Clyveden?" He asked, sounding a bit hurt.
She twisted her fingers together. "It was always going to be difficult to reveal and I didn't want to complicate matters more with Eloise. I felt that if you all knew at the same time everyone else did, she couldn't accuse you of lying to her."
Simon sighed and took her hands into his. "Pen, when are you going to learn that whatever happened between you and Eloise doesn't justify how she's been acting towards the rest of the family? Or you for that matter?" She tried to interrupt. "We can talk about this more later. Right now Prince George would like to meet you." He smiled at her brilliantly as her jaw dropped.
"You mean, His Highness, the Prince Regent?" She managed to stammer out.
"The very same." He offered her his arm, which she took, and John took up his station five steps behind her. Putting on a brave face, The Wallflower allowed herself to be escorted to the second most powerful person in the country, the first of course being The Queen
Notes:
So there are a lot of POVs and a lot is going on at the ball that I just had to break this up into a couple of chapters or my attention to detail was going to slip. Which is actually the reason these chapters seem so short. Hooray for neurological disabilities that give you cognitive issues!!!
So notes on this chapter. I wanted to start with Fife because 1) he's a dick and 2) I wanted to tie in to what Prince George was saying about the Slave Tax vote in Parliament, hers being the tie breaker through Mr. Sharpe, and how it had made her enemies. Fife made the perfect amount of sense because he's the one that goaded Colin into saying that he'd never court Penelope and in season 3 he doubles down as an absolute asshole by saying that he sees no gentlemen at the table when their in Mondrich's. What better misogynistic dickwad for Penelope to stand up to?
Second, I wanted to showcase Pen in a way that shows her growth is more powerful than she thinks, but that she still has that nervous energy when she uses it. Because she still very much is in that growing into her power state, but she's farther along than she thinks she is and I really wanted to show that from Anthony's POV.
I'm still tweaking the other parts of the Ball, but have no fear! The author is still here!
Chapter 26: And Then The World Comes Crashing Down Around You
Summary:
Eloise has some disturbing revelations. Penelope has her second confrontation of the night. And Anthony has...feelings
Notes:
The Ball pt. 2
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Eloise was seething. Almost foaming at the mouth seething. How long had Penelope Featherington been able to vote in Parliament? Why hadn't she told her? Then again, she should be surprised, she hadn't told her about Whistledown either. She didn't want you to get hurt or killed. Her treacherous mind supplied. Her anger pushed that thought away as she followed her brother-in-law around the edge to where he was making his way to Penelope from where he had been speaking with Prince George. Once she got within hearing range of Penelope, she hid herself.
"We'll need to rearrange tomorrow's schedule when we get home tonight." Her former best friend was saying. "The staff aren't going to like it, but I have a feeling we're going to have more callers tomorrow than expected."
Why would Penelope care what her staff thought about the schedule? The staff was the staff. They did what you paid them to do, whether the schedule changed or not. Why in the world would she be concerned about their feelings on a schedule change?
"Well, that comes with the territory of being a new member of nobility, My Lady." Her Man stated. "Though I believe you handled yourself with much more grace and dignity than those so called gentlemen."
And who was Her Man to talk so brazenly about her new status or the actions of the gentlemen in attendance? Not that she didn't disagree with him, but it wasn't his place to speak on it. Penelope really should put him into his place if she truly was Whistledown and a Baroness. But she didn't, in fact, it seemed like she almost encouraged his behavior!
"What were they even thinking?" She heard Penelope huff. Only to be startled when it was Her brother-in-law who answered. Eloise scoffed. Of course Simon would give such a crude answer. Why was he even over here talking to Penelope? Didn't he even listen to her warnings about who Penelope was!?
Her internal ranting came to a grinding halt when Simon mentioned something about Clyveden Hall. Had Penelope gone to visit Simon and Daphne at Clyveden? It would certainly explain how everyone suddenly knew about her overturning Pen's room to find her stash of Whistledown evidence. Her rage returned in full force. How dare she make me out to be the villain in all of this when she– Her thoughts ground to a halt when the answer to Simon's answer came from Penelope Featherington's lips:
"It was always going to be difficult to reveal and I didn't want to complicate matters more with Eloise. I felt that if you all knew at the same time everyone else did, she couldn't accuse you of lying to her."
Her world started to crack. Was Penelope protecting her family from…her? No…That couldn't possibly be true. She was protecting her family from Penelope, right? She was Whistledown. She had written so many articles that had damaged her family, hurt her, attacked Daphne, besmirched Colin! She couldn't accept that, wouldn't –
"Pen, when are you going to learn that whatever happened between you and Eloise doesn't justify how she's been acting towards the rest of the family? Or you for that matter?"
Simon's words echoed in her ears as her entire world shattered. She hadn't meant, she just wanted… what had she wanted? To protect her family? No. That was the lie she had told herself to keep herself from facing what had truly made her angry: Penelope had outsmarted her. Penelope had proven she was smarter than her at every turn, because she had been right there all long. She had just needed to pay attention instead of listening to herself talk. All you do is talk, at least I did something! The words Penelope had screamed at her ripped through her mind once more and took on a frightening new clarity that she had been running from: if she had just stopped talking and paid attention, she would have seen that Pen was Whistledown and they could have worked on it together from the beginning. But Pen couldn't trust someone who wasn't paying attention to what was around them, which was how Eloise had gotten caught and Pen hadn't.
She was in a daze as she started following them again. They were headed towards the Prince Regent and his family, but she wouldn't make it there to overhear the conversation as Anthony startled her from her haze by grabbing her elbow and before either of them could do anything else, Eloise collapsed into his chest and cried.
"Your Highness," Simon began, "May I present the Baroness Regent, Lady Penelope Featherington."
The Princes and their wives bowed and nodded their greetings before Simon continued.
"Lady Featherington, I am please to present you to His Highness, The Prince Regent George, His Wife, The Princess Caroline, His Highness, Prince Edward, and His Wife, The Princess Victoria, who is expecting our future Queen." Simon finished. Penelope beamed at all of them, especially at Victoria. How wonderful it would be to have a true Queen upon the throne once more like Good Queen Bess!
"Now that my duty is done and introductions have been made, I believe I promised my lovely wife a dance." He smirked mischievously as his kissed her knuckles and winked at her.
She bristled as the realization sank in that the cad was leaving her to the wolves. She composed herself as he walked away from them, but she swore that she would most definitely ensure that His Grace, The Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset would get what was coming for him.
"I am honored to make your acquaintance, Your Highnesses." Penelope greeted as she made a deep curtsey.
"The pleasure is all ours, I assure you, Lady Featherington. I am not a man of subtle nature, so I beg you not to think me rude, I would like to inquire what your reasoning was behind your vote in Parliament yesterday. Lord Bridgerton and Duke Basset have sung your praises of your intelligence and biting wit and I should hear your reasoning for myself." His Highness explained.
Penelope looked at him shocked. She thought the reasoning was quite simple, why would they condone slavery elsewhere when they themselves have agreed that it is uncivilized and inhumane?
"If we have determined that the keeping of slaves is uncivilized and reflects poorly upon our great nation, why does it make it right for us to do business with companies that continue to profit off the backs of slave production? Is it because we truly hold to those ideals? Or simply because it is out of sight out of mind? I voted as I did based on the conclusion that we are a nation that holds true to its ideals, morals, and assumption that we are civilized and therefore slavery and its use for the production of goods is reprehensible." She explained. The Prince Regent raised his eyebrows at The new Baroness clearly impressed.
"I can find no fault with that reasoning considering my own dear mother's lineage, not to mention our host's formidable background within her own country. I find your arguments well founded. I see that Lord Bridgerton and The Duke of Hastings are correct in their assessment of your comprehension of logical discourse. It truly is a shame that you cannot argue your points in person." He praised, which her heart fluttered and she beamed. However, it didn't last as another voice in the opposing coalition to her vote spoke up.
"I don't see why we got rid of the Akrikaan enslavement here. It is not as if those from the wilds are truly human." The rough voice of Lord Cowper spoke up from behind the group that was currently engaged in the discussion between Penelope and The Prince Regent.
Penelope turned a disgusted look towards the elderly lord. If Cressida's countenance was that of a sour lemon, her father's was of a bitter milkweed. She really didn't think that the Cowper's could sink any lower, but here they were, not that their viewpoint was uncommon, merely unsavory. And certainly not to be discussed while within polite company. Gathering herself for what was sure to become a heated discussion, she turned her attention to the Lord in question.
"Afrikaans are humans; they bleed red and cry out when they are in pain." Penelope shook her head in disbelief. Is she really having this argument now?
"All animals bleed and whine when they are in pain, that is not unique to humans!" Lord Cowper argued.
"They are capable of speaking and holding conversation." She continued.
"So can a parrot, should its owner choose to train it." Lord Cowper retorted.
"Well, My dear Lord Cowper, should any Gentleman or Lady in our civilized world still have the view that Afrikaans, or any human being no matter their skin color, should be bought and sold as slaves like animals anywhere in the world, then I dare them to walk up to Lady Danbury or even The Queen herself and call them a trained parrot." She stated pointedly, making their highnesses laugh uproariously.
"Why of all the impertinent –" The elderly Lord sputtered before she interrupted him.
"I may be impertinent, sir, but at least I hold that all humans deserve a modicum of dignity no matter what part of the world they hail from. Now, if you have any further business with me, you may find me at my residence tomorrow. Good evening, Lord Cowper." She returned her attention to the royals. "You Highnesses, it was very lovely to make your acquaintance, but I should very much like to take some air before rejoining the rest of the Ball. I wish you a good rest to your evening." She curtseyed to them.
"It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Lady Featherington. We shall have to have you over for tea sometime. I'm sure our sisters, Elizabeth, Augusta, Mary, and Sofia, would love to get to know you." Pricess Elizabeth said excitedly.
"It would be a pleasure and an honor, Your Highness. Good evening." With that she turned from them and made her way to the back doors that led to the gardens.
Anthony wasn't all that great at comforting his siblings, least of all his acerbic younger sister, but what he had managed to get out of her was that she was so very sorry and that she wanted to go back to their mother, which he was more than glad to do. Once he was able to deposit Eloise into the care of his Mother, he looked to find Penelope fully engaged with His Highness, with no sign of Simon anywhere. He sighed. Leave it to Simon and Daphne to try and be the first to play matchmaker between himself and Penelope. And he knew it was a set up because right before he left to intercept Eloise, Colin had been flirting with every other girl who wasn't Penelope and Benedict had been cornered by Lady Danbury and tricked into a turn about the room…again. He could swear the elder widow had it out for his younger brother and loved toying with him. His thoughts jumped back to Penelope as he saw Lord Cowper edging his way into the conversation. Oh good God, not that old troll. He didn't waste another second as he walked as swiftly as he could to try to come to Penelope's aid. Only, she didn't need it and once again, he was struck with awe at her brilliantly witty barbs:
"Well, My dear Lord Cowper, should any Gentleman or Lady in our civilized world still have the view that Afrikaans, or any human being no matter their skin color, should be bought and sold as slaves like animals anywhere in the world, then I dare them to walk up to Lady Danbury or even The Queen herself and call them a trained parrot."
He couldn't help but laugh. This. This was their Pen. His Pen . He thought. He shook his head. No. She was far too good for a Rake like him. Too good, too pure. Kate had seen it. It was why she had left the next morning. He would marry at some point this season, but it would be with someone who wasn't Pen. Someone who was capable of good conversation, running a household, and a loving, doting mother, but not Pen. He heard her say one more scathing remark to the old kraut but couldn't make it out before she excused herself to the gardens followed by her ever diligent protector. He didn't know why, but he felt as if there was a magnet drawing him along with them, an unknown urge to follow them, to follow her. And so he followed her into the moon drenched garden, where she turned from human into an ethereal being once more that seemed to be destined to drag him down into the depths with her.
Notes:
So first let me dispel a fan theory that I got in a few comments: there won't be a love triangle between Anthony and Prince George, He's married and him and Caroline are kinda trauma bonded after losing their daughter and the baby race. I did play around with a Love triangle with the youngest son Prince Adolphus-Pen-Anthony, but I honestly hated that storyline in season 3 with Colin-Pen-Debling. It seemed so out of character for Penelope to play around with fighting Cressida for attention from Debling to accepting Colin dragging her from the dance floor away from Debling without demanding a proposal right then. It really didn't make any sense for her to abandon calling on the guy in the wheelchair who praised her work.She could have probably talk to him about how much Colin had helped her get the courage to talk to him about Whistledown and their shared love of her. That entire storyline made zero sense giving Pen's character traits over the course of her development.
Anyway, who is ready for some notes!
I'm going to admit right now, that I had to rewrite this entire chapter with a migraine, so if there's any typos I missed, I'm sorry.
I started this Eloise, because I felt that we needed her reaction to spur Anthony into action. Further, I wanted to explore her thoughts on the difference between servants and workers. Because we see that she has little to no regard to servants that work under her, but she respects people like Genevieve and Theo who have their own careers. So is it she doesn't respect the servants because they feed into the social hierarchy, even though they are paid to work just like Genevieve and Theo? Or is it a case of, "oh I see them everyday and therefore they're less interesting"? There was also something about the fight that I noticed: she's genuinely confused and it makes her angry. She can't figure the why. She's supposed to be this smart person and she can't figure out WHY until Penelope blatantly says it out loud and Simon confirms it: Pen is protecting the rest of her family from her recklessness. And it hurts, because she KNOWS but doesn't want to admit it.
Next we have her second confrontation of the evening. Sadly, in post slave and post segregation Britain, you still had assholes like Lord Cowper and they did make their view points very clear in public. It was considered in bad taste, but what can you do when someone is as rich and powerful as he is? And no, there's nothing Georgie can do. Lord Cowper hasn't committed anything that would be punishable by the crown. He expressed an opinion on slavery without saying anything salacious about the crown, which is protected by the Magna Carta. But Pen can shut down his argument by SUGGESTING he say something that would give Prince George that power by insulting a member of the Queen's court or The Queen herself. Further the inspiration for the rewrite of this chapter was Pen's take down of Lord Cowper. I was stuck on the follow up of last chapter and then I just heard Pen's voice telling someone that they should go tell Lady Danbury to her face that she's a talking Parrot and I said "yup! That's the line! That's the line this chapter is revolving around!"
Then finally some Anthony pining angst to end on.
Chapter 27: Shall We Dance?
Summary:
Anthony goes to check on Penelope after her confrontation with Lord Cowper and gets more than he bargained for.
Notes:
The Ball pt. 3
It's all about Penthony in this chapter. Hope you all enjoy.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Penelope was furious as she marched towards a bench that was far enough away from the Ball to give her privacy while she took deep breaths to calm herself and get her raging thoughts and emotions under control. John stood five paces away to stand watch and ensure she was not disturbed or taken advantage of. She knew that as Regent, she would be the target of men who would be on the hunt for a title or a son who would inherit a title. It had been discussed at length with both Mr. Sharpe and John. It was why John would be seen at her back, constantly. A looming figure guaranteeing her safety and her honor. Where a Lady's Maid could easily be overpowered, John as her Lady's Man, could not. A reality that was put to the test tonight by Lord Fife's attempt at harming her. Her thoughts turned back to Lord Fife. That skeeving little cockroach of a male. Why was Colin even friends with him? The pain of Colin laughing with him as he told him he would never dream of courting her ripped through her again. Did Colin know that Fife had tried to hit her? If he did, did he care? Or would he try to excuse it?
She was brought out of her thoughts by someone approaching her. She heard John walk up to whoever it was and a heated conversation began. It wasn't until the conversation slid into almost shouting that she spoke up.
"If you are here to discuss anything that is unrelated to The Ball such as asking if I would like to dance, you may call upon me tomorrow." Penelope said firmly, clearly annoyed that her solitude was being interrupted.
"And what if I merely wished to inquire about my friend's state of mind." She heard a very familiar voice.
She wanted to be worried about how Eloise would react to her talking to her eldest brother, about her status within the Ton because of Colin's assertions at the end of last season that she was uncourtable and her hurt about that. But right now she just didn't give a damn, she needed a friend and Anthony was right here.
"Hello, Anthony. My apologies for my terse words. That business with Lords Fife and Cowper set my temper off and I needed some air before I really did ruin my reputation."
He laughed and waved away the apology. "Be glad you do not have to deal with them on a daily basis in Parliament. They are more pompous and they have back up." he grimaced. "We only won that vote because of your tie breaking one. Do not let their foul tempers make you doubt your resolve."
She smiled up at him. "You voted for the taxation?"
He melted. He wanted her to smile at him like that all the time. "Of course. It's inhumane."
"Well then, it is no wonder that they are lacking in such basic social graces as to attempt to strike a Lady to whom they are not married, especially in public! Or to speak of such distasteful opinions such as believing that people such as Lady Danbury and Simon should still be enslaved! It is rather disgusting." She stated both with conviction and as a barb.
He laughed uproariously. "I assure you, Pen, that those Lords are just as buffoonish on the floor of Parliament as they are upon the dance floor." He responded.
She snorted. "I can guarantee you that none of those so-called 'gentlemen' are nearly half the dancer Benedict is."
He didn't know why he bristled with jealousy when she brought up Benedict. If she should be comparing anyone in Parliament's dancing to a Bridgerton, it should be his, not his stupid brother. Because he was the one in Parliament, naturally. No other reason. Nope. No. No other reason at all.
"And Benedict isn't half the dancer I am, I can assure of that." he said tersely.
Penelope looked at him and then simply laughed. "I'm sorry, Anthony, but unless you have somehow improved since whatever those sorry displays were at the beginning of last season, I can assure you that Benedict is the superior dancer.
"Benedict is a better dancer than me? Surely you can't be serious. My brother is a blundering oaf compared to me." He scoffed. Penelope narrowed her eyes at that.
"Is that so? How come I have only seen you on the dance floor last season then? I certainly have never danced with you and I should know, you have never asked me for a dance the way Colin and Simon do at every Ball." She raised an eyebrow.
"That is because I do not pity you as they do, I respect you far more than that." He stated slightly irked, as if even the thought of her being pitied by his family annoyed him.
She giggled lightly and he gave her a confused look.
"Anthony, Colin may have danced with me out of pity the first time, but Simon genuinely thought my sisters and mother were annoying and wanted to shut them up. Both of them genuinely love dancing with me now because I, and I quote, 'am their best partner of the evening.' Though Simon has sworn me to secrecy when it comes to Daphne and now you are too or I'll tell Benedict you sneak his Chocolate Macarons to Hyacinth when he isn't looking." She said with a gleam in her eye.
Anthony's jaw dropped in horror. "You wouldn't."
"I absolutely would if you don't swear it right now that Daphne never hears from you mine and Simon's dancing partner secret." She replied seriously.
"Alright, alright, I swear!" He said quickly.
"But I am still a better dancer than Benedict." He asserted.
"And I am still the best dance partner you will ever have, but let's put that to the test shall we? Or are you afraid that your brother might be better in an area you are not as practiced in as the bedroom, My Lord." She challenged saucily.
Anthony stared at her in shock. This was dangerous territory, if the challenge and fire in her eyes were any indication. That ethereal light that made her blue eyes glow all on their own was back and he was stuck. She was pulling him into the depths with her and he wasn't sure if he wanted her to let him go.
He stepped forward so that he was almost towering over her, keenly aware of the man five paces behind her that was ready to protect her honor.
"And what, pray tell, would you know about what goes on in bedrooms between a man and a woman." He asked darkly, sinfully. It sent a shiver up her spine her stomach tightened, but she refused to look away.
She knew this game of theirs: the first to look away lost the challenge and was due to give the other a boon of some sort. It was an unspoken game, started on those days in the off season that she boarded with the Bridgertons when Benedict was at Oxford, Colin was off at Eton, Daphne was practicing her pianoforte, and Eloise was off doing whatever it was Eloise did when Pen was hiding from her over talkative friend so that she could actually work on her lessons in languages or writing. She even enjoyed just sitting and doing embroidery when she could find a hiding spot that was close to where Daphne was practicing. But whenever Anthony found her in her hiding place in between his Viscount duties, he would challenge her on her current knowledge, whether it was to start a conversation in the language she was studying at the time or to ask about the technique and pattern of the stitch she was using and why it was the correct one. There were two rules: The first to flinch or be incorrect lost the challenge and whoever lost owed the other a small boon. It was silly things such as Anthony buying her her favorite pastries while at an ascot one time or Pen using her pin money to sneak him a new cravat because she had noticed his current one was starting to fray. So when he looked down at her issuing their silent challenge on top of the one she had just issued, she knew it was imperative she not look away.
"Don't you know how much servants talk when they think no one is listening, My Lord. Especially innocent little Wallflowers." She said. She stepped dangerously close to him. "Even more than that, how many scandals do you think are going on, right now, at this ball as we speak? How many do you think a little Wallflower would seek just to find out how one became with child after that disaster with Colin and Marina in my first season out?"
His throat went dry. "What exactly are you saying, Pen?"
"I'm saying, My Lord, that while I am not in any way experienced, ruined, or spoiled in any manner, after what happened with Daphne and Simon and Marina and Colin, I felt it imperative that I learn exactly what I would be getting into in the marriage bed." She whispered pointedly, her head coming to lean up towards his ear. He leaned down to accommodate her.
"I followed the whispers of the servants and I watched what happens between man and woman and how beautiful and joyous it looked to be. I did not disturb them, for who am I to interrupt their rapture." She finished. Her hot breath ghosting over his ear and as he stepped away, he had to avert his eyes in order to regain control over himself. She smirked knowing she had won his challenge. Damn her. He thought. He was impressed, but also so very irritated that she had won the game between them. Again. Fine. She wants to Challenge him on his dancing, he shall oblige her.
"I concede you point, Lady Featherington, and I accept your challenge. Shall I have the next dance?" He offered her his hand, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
She didn't know why she took his hand. Well, she knew why, but she didn't know it suddenly didn't feel like just a dance. Maybe it was the way his eyes had turned into molten chocolate when he had accepted her challenge. Or his upturned lips when she had issued the challenge in the first place. But issued it she had and to fulfill her end, she had to dance with him. Because she would be the best dancer he would ever dance with. She had spent hours upon hours dancing in secret with Benedict every chance she got, ever since she was teelve and started her lessons and found how much she loved dancing. Anthony may have found her the one time, but Benedict had been her partner more times than not. The only reason they didn't dance more at Balls was because of the rabid Mamas…and Lady Danbury. If the Mamas saw how beautifully he danced, they would demand he dance with their daughters. And Lady Danbury, well. That woman had it out for him. She'd have to ask him or her why the next time she saw one of them.
She was jostled from her thoughts as they approached the dance floor. The Waltz had just been called. It was her favorite, but also the most intimate of the dances. Still, she was not going to let that stop her from proving herself right. She took her position one arm on his, the other outstretched with her hand in his. She was already starting to feel warm as she gazed up at him. Did his eyes always have those flecks of gold in them? The dance started and her muscle memory took over as the swept about the floor, matching each other step for step. He began to do more complicated and advanced moves of the dance, swirls and twirls and she met him move for move, fire in her eyes, staying in tempo. By the time the dance ended they were the only ones left on the floor and they received a rousing applause from the observers. Anthony bowed to her, she curtseyed to him, they then did the same to their audience, before making their way out the front.
The Queen and The Widow watched as The Wallflower danced with the Viscount. They became more and more impressed as the dance evolved into more of a performance of skill between the two than a mere dance between friends.
"You know, Lady Danbury, I do believe they make a most handsome couple." Her Majesty stated mischievously.
Lady Danbury smirked, meeting her old friend's gaze.
"I must agree, Your Majesty, and in fact, I do detect the makings of a love match already in progress, if the way Lord Bridgerton's eyes are glazed over are any indication." She replied.
"Our Wallflower certainly seems responsive to his attentions." The Queen chortled.
The Widow chuckled. "If the way the dance floor has cleared is an indication, I'd say they're challenging each other in a way that only they know."
Her Majesty studied the pair then smirked. "You know, I do believe you're right, Lady Danbury. It is quite interesting and certainly more subtle than that of Miss Kate Sharma of last season."
Lady Danbury felt a tinge of guilt at the mention of the Sharmas, but pushed it away as the performance ended and they joined in with the applause of the audience. She returned her attention back to The Queen when the pair began making their way out to where the carriages stood.
"Now how do we play this game? The Bridgertons are, sadly, too stubborn for their own good. And our dear Wallflower…"
The Queen smiled. "Well that's where we come in, my dear old friend. Have you not told me yourself the interesting connections you made with the Featherington girl over your time at Clyveden? We shall simply foster that! Build her up into the strong woman we know her to be. Surely that shall be enough to drive the Viscount to madness. And with enough luck, it will push her over the edge to finally grasp something she desires for once." She concluded.
"I believe that this will be a fine plan indeed, Your Majesty. Shall we invite The Wallflower to our tea this week?" The Widow asked.
"And every tea afterwards, Lady Danbury. After all, not only is this going to be a long and tedious project, I believe that we also have much to learn from Young Penelope." The Queen stated.
"Agreed, Your Majesty."
And so The Queen and The Widow had set their sights upon The Wallflower in earnest, but what they didn't realize was what they thought was a simple mentorship would turn out to be so much more.
Notes:
Again I am so sorry for the late post today. I'm having to do a major rewrite on this since the characters and the plot are evolving differently than I initially imagined AND THAT'S OK! We go where the character development takes us and shape the story arc around it! After the way last chapter ended and had done a complete read through of the story so far, I'm having to rewrite what I originally had planned out based on previous versions of what I thought how the Ball was going to go. One of the things I do not do in my stories is plan a definite end. I know that there will be an ENDING but how the story ends is up to the characters because the details of their arcs MATTER. The shape of the story MATTERS. For example, I had not initially planned for this much Penelope POV, but it's where the story is currently and where it needs to focus right now. Originally, I had imagined a more equal focus on each of the three Ladies with Anthony coming in much, much later. But then, character consistency came into play with both Daphne and Simon. Why wouldn't Daphne immediately tell her brother about what Eloise had done to Pen's room? Why wouldn't she insist they overnight at Aubrey so that Anthony can ride with them? It's these little details that matter to me as a writer because they have a ripple effect in the larger story.
The only note that I will put for this chapter is for Pen's knowledge of what goes on in the bedroom. Pen is curious by nature. She was really hurt by what Marina had done and subsequently Colin leaving and no one would tell her anything about how women got pregnant. Also, Daphne was having problems. Don't you think she'd try to investigate the issue for her friend? She's Lady fucking Whistledown. If she wants to find out something, she's going to find out.
Chapter 28: I'm Never Gonna Dance Again The Way I Dance With You ()
Summary:
Penelope and Anthony talk after their dance and Penelope has...feelings. Colin DEFINITELY has feelings and goes to confront Anthony. Anthony has more than feelings. And Benedict is just horny.
Notes:
WARNING: SMUT AHEAD!!!!! It's at the very end of the chapter so if you want to skip it, you can stop reading after Benedict and Anthony get out of the carriage.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Penelope had to concede the point: Anthony was the better dancer. He had done some of the advanced steps and maneuvers that she and Benedict had done, only Benedict at times would lose the tempo and throw them off, if only for a second, or he would fumble in his grip or step. Anthony had not. No, throughout the entire dance, his grip and surefootedness had kept them in time with one another. I never want to dance with anyone else for the rest of my life. She shook her head. Where in the hell had that thought come from? This was Viscount Anthony Bridgerton. Sure they were friends, but she was the Ton Wallflower and only a placeholder for her father's heir. Once one of her sister's gave birth to her nephew and she had performed her Regent duties, she was retiring as a spinster to a lovely country cottage to live out the rest of her days in peace. It wasn't necessarily the life she wanted for herself, but it was the life that the world offered her with the most happiness that she could ask for that she was willing to take. She didn't have the luxury for dreaming impossible dreams like Anthony Bridgerton.
As they approached where her carriage stood, she turned to him and her mouth suddenly went dry. She desperately wanted him to kiss her, even if it would be their only kiss. She wanted it. Stop it, Penelope Featherington. You are not worth his attentions. Not when you are several stone heavier than you should be, shorter than acceptable, and hair so red you look more like a plump tomato than a human! That finally knocked her into her senses and she cleared her throat, smiling at him.
"I must concede you your victory, Lord Bridgerton. You are a better dancer than Benedict, if only in the slightest." She smirked.
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Oh? And what exactly does 'in the slightest' mean?" He asked.
"Benedict will sometimes lose the tempo on the turnabout or his grip will loosen during the extended in-turn. You did neither. You also had maneuvers of the dance that while Benedict and I had done, he had not been as surefooted enough for us to practice them consistently." She explained.
His chest puffed up under her praise. But then he came to the realization at what she had said: Benedict had not been surefooted enough for them to practice them consistently.
"Wait, you said Benedict…" he started and she grinned smugly up at him.
"I said nothing about whether he or I were the better dancer between the two of us, My Lord. And I had yet to find my equal upon the dance floor. Though, it was just one waltz and one can hardly judge a partner based on one dance. But I shall let you be the judge on whether or not I am the best partner you have ever danced with." She finished with an amused tone before climbing into her carriage, Her Man aiding her with a wry smile on his face.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Lord Bridgerton. I look forward to seeing you if ever there is Parliamentary business you wish to discuss." And with that the footman closed the carriage, signaled the driver, and she was gone.
What in the absolute HELL was that?
Colin Bridgerton had watched what had to have been the most spectacular waltz he had ever seen and it hadn't been done by professional performers, but by Penelope and Anthony. Pen and his brother. My Pen! His mind raged. What had Pen been doing dancing with his brother? With Anthony of all people? He marched out the front doors, intent on demanding answers from both of them, ignoring the calls of his mother and siblings.
Benedict sighed and ran a hand over his face. He had planned to sneak away to the Granville's while everyone was still distracted and in shock with the dance they had just witnessed. Instead, he reassured his mother that he would follow so that they wouldn't end up killing each other and would see her and the rest of the family at home. Honestly, he had no idea why Anthony and Pen hadn't partnered sooner given they were both by far the most excellent dancers within the Ton. Wait until he finds out her talent upon the Violin! He thought in amusement. He might actually have to change his breaches once he realizes that she can actually dance while playing the instrument. He chuckled at the conclusion of his thoughts as he approached where his brothers were already mid-conversation.
"It is not my fault that you were off paying attention to the other ladies while Pen was being ambushed by the likes of Fife and Cowper, Colin." Anthony was saying. "She challenged me to prove I was a better dancer than Ben and I accepted, nothing more."
Benedict laughed as he approached them. "Is that what happened? Oh Anthony, no wonder it turned into a performance. Penelope is the best dance partner a man can ask for. I'd say she's the best dancer the Ton has seen in a lifetime. And I know your skill at dancing is better than mine." They both turned to him in surprise.
"Since when have you danced with Pen? I've never seen you on the floor with her at any ball." Collin asked testily.
"Oh every chance we get. In secret, of course. Can't let the bothersome Mamas know that I can move about the floor so easily and can't have Pen's mother pushing her to entrap me and cause another scandal." Benedict explained, as if that made any sense to them.
"Portia Featherington has a habit of pushing her daughters to try and catch men in compromising positions, especially Pen. It's why the Marina thing disgusted her so much." He said sadly.
"Is that why she was acting so weird? Was she trying to warn me?" Colin asked.
"And the boy finally understands!" Anthony exclaimed.
Colin felt himself flush with embarrassment, she had literally been trying to save him from a plot to entrap him in a marriage with someone who was just using him for her own ends. And apparently this was how Portia Featherington was with all of her daughters. He felt sick as the realization set in that she must have been the one to leak Marina's pregnancy so that Whistledown would print it to stop him from making a huge mistake.
"Oh I've been a prat." He moaned.
"An outright prig." Benedict supplied.
Anthony turned back to Benedict. "Now about this dancing in secret?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Ah, yes. Well usually we would meet up in the garden at whatever ball we were at where there would be enough privacy, but we could still hear the music. Rae and John, The Featherington Footman would be present so that no one could cry scandal if anyone did come upon us and we would dance until inevitably I would be called away." He shrugged.
"At home, we would dance while Francesca or Daphne played the Pianoforte until we were bothered by one thing or another or they stopped playing." He finished. Colin and Anthony just stared at him.
"What? Would either of you like to be stuck in the house surrounded by Featheringtons or bored at a ball with only Simon and Colin to dance with?" He asked.
Anthony and Colin exchanged a look before shaking their heads. "I rest my case. Now, brothers, if you are quite finished with your pissing match over our dear Pen, I should like to retire where I will not be forced to endure another turn about the room with Lady Danbury or hassled by desperate Mamas." He stated pleadingly.
His brothers laughed, clearly enjoying his slight distress.
"Colin, I believe it to be your turn to escort our mother and sisters home for the evening, while Benedict and I retire home." Anthony declared, giving Colin a pointed look that told him not to argue.
Colin gave him a frustrated sigh, but nodded and trudged back inside. Once he was far enough away, Benedict leaned over to Anthony.
"You're not going home, are you?" He asked low in his ear.
"No. I take it, you aren't either." Anthony responded.
"Not immediately. Share a hack?" He inquired.
"Where are you headed?" Anthony asked as they headed into the direction of the hired carriages.
"The Granville's." He answered.
"That's fine, there's a clean enough Bordello in that area I can walk to." Anthony agreed.
"Or you can just join the party." Benedict teased. Anthony gave him a hard look.
"No thank you. I have no desire to see you beyond your breeches, brother. Nor to hear exactly what it is you do with your bed mates." His brother retorted.
Ben had to laugh at that answer even though he agreed. He didn't want to hear his brother having sex either.
"Well, the more fun for me, I guess." He said, giving Anthony a playful smile. He told the hack the Granville's address and off they went into the night.
The girl Anthony chose was as close to Pen as he could get considering their selections. He asked if she knew the basics of the Waltz and when she said that she did, he paid her price. When they got to her room, he removed his jacket, vest, cravat and footwear leaving him only in his shirt and breeches. He took her in hand and immediately began a slow waltz with her. Fantasies that he had had on the dance floor with Penelope in his arms flooded into his mind. The hand that was resting between her shoulder blades curled until only his fingertips were touching the thin fabric of the lingerie she was in as they danced. He began to slowly stroke up and down her spine softly in time to the music that was playing in his head as he remembered it with perfect clarity from the ball he had just left as he smiled sinfully down at her. He felt her shiver under his fingers that continued their dance along her spine as he gracefully guided the hand that he was holding around his neck then brushed his knuckles softly down her arm to gently cup the back of her head. His thumb softly caressed a sensitive spot at the nape of her neck where the base of her hairline ended and she trembled in his arms. She was pressed up against him, they were dancing, she was holding him tightly unable to move even though it wasn't his Pen, it was an experienced worker, and he knew that once he took her lips he would fall. But that was OK in this space, and so he let himself.
He crashed his lips to hers. They felt wrong. They felt right. A clash of tongue and teeth as she divested him of his shirt and breeches and he of her sheer corset and stockings. Soon he was over her. He was going to ravish like he had in his fantasies about Pen, over and over again these last two weeks. His mind was ablaze with her. His siren. He pinned her wrists with one of his hands above her head as he gave her another scorching kiss to her lips before he began his heated trail downwards. He left nothing unexplored. He kissed, licked, sucked, bit every inch of her neck, taking his time as she writhed underneath him, begging him to take her. When he got to her breasts, he slowed down even further, using his tongue, teeth, and free hand in tandem until he heard her scream in ecstasy. He smiled in his pride. He had been holding back with Kathani Sharma because he had wished to prove that he was indeed a gentleman. But no, this. This was who he was. A rake, through and through. One who knew how to play a woman's body as surely as a violinist knew how to work his instrument's strings.
And oh he was just getting started with his stand in for Pen. He met her eyes and smiled that mischievous grin that he knew Penelope loved and began to run both of his hands down the whore's sides as he sank lower and lower, kissing, licking and nipping her sensitive skin on his way down. She mewled and whined under him and he reveled in it. When he got to her soaking vulva he grinned in delight at what was waiting for him. He settled himself between her thighs, but he didn't start at the center of her. Oh, no. That was best to be savored once he had feasted upon the inside of her delicious thighs and his hands had felt every inch of that wonderful backside. His fingers gently brushed the outsides of her thighs causing her to moon loudly and lift her hips, offering her core to him. Patience, love. He thought. He used the opportunity to gently scrape his nails down the fleshy part of her ass while he licked up the inside of one of her thighs in a diagonal motion that ended up with him following her pelvic bone to her hip and biting it softly. She groaned in barely contained pleasure and when he did it to the other side, she came again screaming at the top of her lungs. Only then did he place his mouth on her delicious cunt. She tried to wriggle away from the intense sensation, but he locked an arm across her hips while the other supported her ass.
He merely just drank of the last orgasm she had before beginning to work his tongue on her. He began with slow deliberate licks around her clit while she moaned and made other beautiful noises above him. Once he felt the bud harden he swirled his tongue around her entrance. One. Twice. Thrice. Then plunged it in while she squealed above him. His expert tongue found the correct rough spot right behind her entrance and began to fuck her expertly with his tongue, being sure to withdraw it every once in awhile to flick and swirl it over her clit. Her moans and mewls grew louder and then this time she came so hard her slick actually shot into his mouth. He grinned, extra pleased with himself. He had only done that once or maybe twice with Sienna.
He watched as the woman playing Pen panted. It was clear that she had never been with someone like him before. Probably never would be again. He swept sweat stuck curls away from her face as he gently kissed her. She responded, slowly coming back to life after her experience with the intense session they were having. He maneuvered her so that they were laying on their sides with him behind her. He hooked her leg up so the back of her knee rested upon the crook of his elbow. He cradled her as she laid down and let him support her neck. In this position he could still stroke her entire body while he thrust within her. In one swift stroke his dick entered her. All he could think about was how complete he would feel if this was Pen. His Pen . His mind blazed with the thought of her as his hands began to roam over the body he was fucking. He was falling. Falling into the abyss of his Siren's song and when he came, he pulled out only to watch as his seed spilled into the sheets, feeling his heart rip into shreds.
Notes:
So let's talk about Pen's mindset first. As someone who dealt with a lot of mental and emotional abuse, including body shaming, put downs, and gaslighting like Pen did, being shown that you can have something or someone good in your life feels absolutely impossible. Sure she has happy moments in her life with the Bridgertons, but as soon as she got home it was always reinforced that unless she could entrap one of the sons, she would never be worth anything to them. They were better than her. She was too fat, too short, her hair was too red, too curly, etc. This was only reinforced by Colin ignoring her feelings and Eloise never listening to her. Putting in these small moments with the other family members are just that: small moments that keep her hanging on. An example from my own life are the trips to Disneyland we took as a family every summer. Yeah, the rest of the time my parents, especially my mom, would pull crap that would put Portia to shame, but those trips to Disneyland would get me through another year. But the mental and emotional damage doesn't just go away because you got through it. After you get told the same thing about yourself over and over again, you start to believe it. And once you start to believe it and you keep being told it, it seeps into your brain like a cancer. It's why her friendship with The Queen and Lady Danbury is going to be essential and her learning to run the estate, parliamentary politics, and gaining the confidence to go after what she really wants is going to be essential in breaking through those mental barriers.
Second, let's talk about Colin. Colin as a character is emotionally and mentally immature. I get that the author was probably trying to draw parallels with the Odyssey where Odyssius goes off to fight in the Trojan war, gets lost at sea, leaving his wife to handle his affairs at home and fend off all of these suitors for 40 years (which we kind of have with Lord Debling in the show). Odyssius's wife is named Penelope. The problem with this is the set up. Colin doesn't want a wife who will pine and wait for him, he just wants someone who will always be there to wait for him. Someone that is always HIS, but not a wife, God no. He wants to go galavant around the world and come home to Pen, not because he loves her or anything, but because she's there and she's safe. And that's an important distinction.
Finally, we get to Anthony. Anthony is in a state where he has fallen for Pen, knows he's fallen for Pen, but refuses to admit it or do anything about it. So what does he do? He goes and has sex about it. Because he's still convinced that there is something wrong with him that drove Kate off rather than it being Kate needing to deal with her own feelings and coming to terms with what it is she wanted. So his thinking is protect Pen from the Rake. Sure dance with her at the balls, have their little bantering competitions, pine for her at a distance, but never ever let her see who he truly is or else he will destroy her.
Chapter 29: My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark
Summary:
The first Whistledown of the season is released and The Bridgertons ALL have feelings about it.
Notes:
So light em up, up, up. Light em up, up, up. Light em up, up, up. I'M ON FAYRRRREEEE!!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Dearest Gentle Reader,
If this writer likes anything more than a salacious scandal, it is a delicious upset to our Ton's hierarchy and at last night Danbury Ball we certainly witnessed such an event as our dear Wallflower, Miss Penelope Featherington, was revealed to be the highly controversial Baroness Regent of her late father's estate. Of course I am talking about her tie breaking vote via her solicitor, a certain Mr. Sharpe, to tax sugar companies who source their cane from slave workers which passed the Parliament last week. A vote so damning that Lord Fife himself deemed it necessary to attempt to strike the newly dubbed Lady Featherington before she had even properly entered the room. This shouldn't be surprising behavior on Lord Fife's part toward Lady Featherington, though. Indeed, He along with Colin Bridgerton were overheard defaming the new lady at her own mother's ball with Mr. Bridgerton stating that he quote: "would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington" in Lord Fife's wildest fantasies. Perhaps Mr. Bridgerton's feelings will have changed seeing as how his brother seems certainly intent on proving exactly how courtable Lady Featherington is.
For her announcement was not the only performance that shook up the ball, but the dance of a lifetime that hadn't been witnessed since King George and Queen Charlotte attended the first Danbury Ball took place when the Viscount Bridgerton escorted Lady Featherington to the floor. The dance was so intricately involved that the dance floor had to be cleared and the rest of the attendees were left in awe as they watched the two expertly perform a waltz that would be remembered for the ages. This author hopes that Mr. Bridgerton was paying attention to his eldest brother, for surely being able to move about the dance floor is more important to wooing a lady than speaking about them poorly to cads such as Lord Fife.
However, in happier news, the Ball was graced by their Royal Highnesses, Prince Regent George and his Wife the Princess Caroline and Prince Edward and his wife The Princess Victoria who is well on her way to glad tidings indeed with the birth of a new royal heir. This author hopes that last night's dramatics did not put too much strain on her Highness and that she is able to get much rest as her pregnancy progresses.
Until next time, as always, my faithful readers, I am always watching.
Lady Whistledown
Anthony fumed at the table as he read the Whistledown this morning. First Eloise, now Colin? These were the two that were supposed to be the closest friends to her! He was about to leave his study to go confront his brother when he heard the front door slam open and angry steps swiftly marching through the hallway followed by panicked calls of "Daphne! Daphne!" by Simon. What in the world? He walked out of his study to find his sister marching towards the drawing room where the rest of his family was gathered with Simon trying to keep up with her and stop her without hurting her. He quickly followed to catch up but not before she made a beeline for Colin and punched him. Hard.
"DAPHNE BRIDGERTON!" Their mother yelled as she swiftly strode over. "What in the Hell has gotten into you!?"
"Ask him ! Ask Colin what he said at the Featherington Ball to Lord Fife!" Daphne fumed pacing back and forth.
"Daphne, I have no idea what you're talking about." Colin responded, now equally angry.
"Perhaps this will jog your memory, brother." Anthony stated plainly, his own anger barely controlled, as he handed Colin the copy of Whistledown.
Their mother looked on while Colin paled.
"Will someone please tell me what is going on?" She asked, completely irritated.
"Colin told Lord Fife that he would never Court Penelope. Not even in Fife's wildest fantasies and since everyone has the impression that Colin is the only one that would take pity on Pen and marry her so she doesn't become a spinster, he basically named her unmarriageable." Hyacinth piped up. They all stared at her.
"And how, exactly , do you know that, Hyacinth Bridgerton?" Her Mother asked with narrowed eyes.
The eleven year old huffed in annoyance.
"Eloise woke me and Greg up in her huffing and puffing about Pen 'betraying' her little escapades to the merchant part of town unsupervised and getting caught by The Queen like an idiot." She started.
"I am not an idiot!" Eloise said through gritted teeth.
"You are when you leave your brother's wedding knowing the carriages are being watched." Hyacinth bit back.
"Why you little –" Eloise was about to rush after her sister when their bickering was interrupted by their mother.
"Enough! Hyacinth, watch your tongue. Eloise, if you can't handle hearing the truth of your part in this, you may go and finish your embroidery in your room. I expect another inch done in an hour." She stated pointedly to both of them.
"But mother…" Eloise began to whine.
"Do not argue with me, Eloise Bridgerton. The only reason you got out of your second dance of the evening was because of Anthony's wonderful performance with Penelope." She beamed at her eldest and Anthony couldn't help but puff up in pride.
"Truly, dear, it was remarkable. I haven't seen you dance like that since your father's death." She smiled softly at him.
"Well, er, it does depend on one's partner and Pen is most definitely –" He started before he was interrupted by Daphne.
"The best dancer in the Ton?" She stated. Then it was her turn to be stared at.
"What? Do you know anyone else who dances the waltz or the quadrille while they play upon the violin and keeping perfect time? We've even played a few duets together. She'll just lose herself in her part and sweep herself away." She shook her head in complete disbelief.
Anthony had to control the groan of absolute, unadulterated desire that washed over him as his cock half hardened in his breeches at that mental image. He remembered the few moments he had caught her practicing her embroidery and she was quite skilled at the art, if a bit unsteady on some of the more complicated stitches and losing her count in spacing from time to time. However, it wasn't that she would be skilled at an instrument that required the same fine motor functions within the hands as embroidery, it was that she danced just as gracefully as she did so, and that got his rakish brain thinking of all the ways they could be dancing in a whole new type of way. The way her hands would move along his body as they did on the strings of her violin and her hips swaying like they did as they had waltzed last night. Oh God, if he didn't stop thinking about her now he would need to swiftly excuse himself to go change his breeches.
The way Benedict, Daphne, and Simon were looking at him was infuriating. They had to be in on this together with all three of them looking so smug. His mother looked absolutely confused and therefore safe. Yes, safe. Safe to continue pressing Hyacinth on what she knew about Colin's statements last season. He turned his attention back to his mother and cleared his throat.
"Back to the matter at hand." So that I can go get rid of the massive issue in my breeches before I have to change them completely. He thought. "What happened after Eloise woke you up, Hyacinth?" He asked.
"Well, of course Greg and I were worried about Pen, so we snuck out, across the street, and into the back garden where everyone was." Hyacinth continued. His mother looked like she wanted to chide her, but he held her off shaking his head so that his youngest sister could finish.
"We saw Penelope come rushing out of the house looking for Eloise," she turned to Eloise at that point, "Yes, she actually came looking for you to apologize for whatever it was she said that had you storming home and waking us up, though I have no idea why. She probably finally stood up for herself and let you have it." She was glaring daggers at her sister.
Honestly, Hyacinth didn't care about Eloise or Colin's feelings anymore. As soon as Anthony had given her that doll from Pen that she had always loved to play with when they were at Aubrey Hall and told her that Pen was sorry she couldn't give her a proper goodbye, she never wanted to speak to Eloise or Colin again. She would never forgive them for driving Penelope away from their home. Pen's home. Their Pen. Her Pen .
"We tried to catch up to her, but then we heard your friends. Pen, Greg, and I heard you laughing with your friends talking about her and laughing at her. They were laughing at the way you danced with her. They asked if you were courting Penelope, which you should only be so lucky to have our Pen for a wife! And do you know what our dear brother said right after Eloise had her temper tantrum?" She asked, but then stopped to think about it.
Actually, I think he should say it. After all, he said it better than I could ever repeat it." She turned her vehemence onto him. She was starting to get angry all over again as she remembered that horrible night. They all turned their attention to Colin now, who looked down in shame and in absolute disgust with himself.
"That I would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington. Never in Fife's wildest dreams." He said quietly. "But I never intended for Pen to overhear us and I certainly didn't mean it the way it sounded!" he said in a rush.
"The fact you even said it is disgusting! And that's not even the worst of it Colin Bridgerton and you know it!" Hyacinth screeched. Colin ducked his head as her full rage descended upon him.
"Penelope ran away at that point and Greg and I couldn't risk chasing after her, so we stayed hidden, and Fife's response to Colin's declaration after they had all come down from laughing at her again was to say 'Well I guess Miss Featherington really is doomed to spinsterhood after all. Most, if not all, in the Ton believe you to be the only one to take pity upon the poor girl.' They laughed and they laughed and they laughed . Gregory had to drag me away so that I didn't give ourselves away. He had to practically drag me all the way back home." She was now glaring at both Colin and Eloise with tears in her eyes.
"You both took Pen away from us that night for your own selfish reasons! Eloise because she couldn't handle whatever it was that Pen did that saved her hide from the Queen and Colin because he wanted to look like he fit in with the likes of that absolute cow that calls himself a Lord. And yes I called him a Cow because the only thing that makes him male is whatever it is betwixt his legs that makes him so!" She raged.
She was panting hard while her family stared at her in disbelief. It had been a long time since Hyacinth had been this angry. "Pen saved both of you and this is how you repay her? I am ashamed to call you family. Do not talk to me ever again." She stormed away and a few seconds later they heard her door slam.
Notes:
You guys didn't really think Pen was going to let Fife get away with almost hitting her, did you? But let's talk about the etiquette of striking a woman in the Regency era, for a moment. In season 3, when Pen discredits Cresida as Lady Whistledown, she mentions a Lord who routinely hits his wife in the privacy of their home. While it was considered acceptable to "discipline" one's wife within the home, it was considered goche and downright salacious for a husband to draw blood or to do so to excess. It was also scandalous to strike your wife in public and depending on the severity if the strike, it could land you in the royal cells for a night or two. What was absolutely illegal and could get you hung, even as a Lord, was striking a Noble Lady who was not your wife in public. Which Lord Fife was on his way to doing, if John had not stopped him, and as Pen's Lady's Man he would have been well within his rights to take certain liberties as to the condition that Lord Fife arrived to the cells in, so long as though liberties did not result in his death. Now the only way for a Lord to avoid a hanging for striking a Lady who was not his wife in public was to either pay recompense to her husband or her father. Penelope has neither and Lord Fife wasn't successful in hitting her, just making himself into a known boar and publicly humiliating himself at the first Ball of the season. No one is going to dance with him after that display and after he's been shown up by Penelope. We'll revist those consequences later, but keep that in mind as the story moves forward.
But with Fife comes Colin's douchebaggery and with Colin's actions comes the fallout of Pen's fight with Eloise. Because if Pen doesn't run out of her room to find Eloise, Pen doesn't overhear Colin, and if Pen doesn't overhear Colin she waited him back and tells him what's going on and possibly gains the confidence to confront Eloise earlier, possible telling Anthony and Lady Bridgerton what's actually going on. Then we would have a whole different trajectory of the story. But that isn't what happened, so who's going to tell them?
This where Hyacinth comes in like a raging exposition plot device in the form of a pent up 11 year old with a grudge against two of her most idiotic siblings. Eloise and Colin need to have the consequences of their actions spelled out for them, because that it who they are as characters and Hyacinth is the perfect sibling to do it. She's pointed, passionate, and highly intelligent. She knows things she's not supposed to because she knows how to squirrel away information until she needs it. She absolutely adores Pen, but she's been holding all of this in for the sake of peace within the family. But now that it's out in the open she can finally let Colin and Eloise have it. She's hurt and upset, so of course she's going to go all out and vent all of her pent up anger at the two people who she, rightfully, sees as the issue for why Pen left.
And Anthony...well...Anthony has his own emotions to work out, but this is a REALLY nice distraction.
Chapter 30: You Don't Know What Will Happen If You Pull The Wrong Thread
Summary:
Both Colin and Eloise get a harsh wake up call that their actions have much farther consequences than they realize in the fall out of Hyacinth's rampage.
Notes:
The final part of the Bridgerton reactions to the Ball and the Whistledown release.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Their mother looked like she wanted to rush from the room, but Anthony stopped her. "Let's give her a moment and then You and I can both go talk to her."
When she had nodded her agreement he turned back to the others. "Well, I guess that's the whole of it."
He then turned to Eloise and Colin who both looked like they were on the verge of having their own breakdowns.
"I have tried to teach you both that how you comport yourselves amongst society reflects not only on yourselves, but on this family. I have also done my best to show you that putting your own selfish wants and needs above the cohesive workings of the family is what causes the scandals that ours and other families have faced."
"But Anthony –" Colin tried to interrupt.
"SILENCE!" He bellowed, his frustrations with his siblings, desires, and own guilt for his own shortcomings had finally come to a head and swirled in a rage all its own.
"I know of my own shortcomings in these areas, but I have dealt with them as a gentleman should. I apologized to Daphne and allowed her and mother to take over her courtship process. I apologized to Edwina and Kate both for my conduct last season. We put aside our hurt feelings, made amends, and for the sake of both families faced society united. For, ultimately, it was no one's fault that Edwina saw very clearly what Kate and I could not."
He said the last sentence quietly. It still hurt. It hurt so, so very much that he could barely breathe sometimes the way she left him. But he soldiered on, because that's what he does. He's the Viscount Bridgerton and he puts his family and his duties to his family above all else.
"I paid my respects to Her Majesty in private and made my amends to her on behalf of both parties, because that is what one does when they have shamed themselves and their family: they make amends." He finished then turned to his sister.
"Eloise, you are a part of society now and nineteen years old. You are no longer a child and the so-called scandal you were put through has not only been forgotten, but was leaked to save not only your life but ours as well. Do you think The Queen would not have beheaded us as well for aiding and abetting your supposed treason? Do you secretly want us all dead?" He asked her tersely.
Eloise's eyes shot up to his in absolute horror. Her mother had not been so direct. Nor had she asked such a brutal question of her. It slammed home a point her mother had made about how dangerous what Pen was doing really was. And she had almost gotten her friend and her entire family killed because of her blatant disregard for society's rules. Her mother was right. Anthony was right . She could have gotten all of them killed. She could have gotten Theo killed. And she had been angry about what? Pen writing about her going to the worker rallies? It seemed all so stupid now that Anthony had been so direct about it.
"I need to find Pen." She said in a rush and she fled the room.
Mr. Sharpe was just leaving Featherington House after a very long day of dealing with the overzealous high hats of the House of Lords who sought to take advantage of Lady Featherington's newly acquired status to bully her into submission of their positions. While his client had held her ground in most cases, he could tell that in some she had been quite intimidated and did require his assistance. It's a very good thing she pays you so well. He thought irritably. Not to be misunderstood, Lady Featherington was a most agreeable client, his best, in fact. However, she was also the one that took up the most of his time, leaving him to long days and sometimes longer nights. She had offered to take him on as her own personal solicitor, but he had rejected the offer. He needed the break from the Featherington/Whistledown madness. Having simpler clients that just needed him to keep track of their investments or update their Wills and Testments and have them filed kept him sane.
His thoughts were interrupted by someone passing by him up the walkway to Featherington House. Automatically he turned to them without looking to see who it was.
"Lady Featherington is no longer receiving guests at the moment as she is preparing for Sunday tea with her Mother and Sisters. You will have to call upon her tomorrow."
"Please, I really need to see her. Wait, are you Mr. Sharpe? Are you related to Theo Sharpe?" A feminine voice asked.
Mr. Sharpe turned around and came face to face with Eloise Bridgerton and had to take a steadying breath to keep himself from striking the girl. He cleared his throat and straightened himself.
"Yes. I am Mr. Sharpe, Lady Featherington's Solicitor and my relationship to Mr. Theo Sharpe is none of your concern. Good day, Madam." He turned sharply away from her only to hear her follow after him. He did his best to stop himself from growling.
"Please, my name is Eloise Bridgerton and I just wanted to know if he's alright." She said.
Counting to three Mr. Sharpe turned around.
"I know who you are, Miss Bridgerton, and you can rest assured that Theo is fine. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other clients to attend to. Good day." He turned away once more and began walking away, but still she followed him.
"Could you give him a message for me? Tell him that I miss him and that I'm sorry." She said. That did it. Mr. Sharpe turned around, grabbed her by the upper arm and dragged her into the Featherington gardens.
"You will unhand me, sir!" She exclaimed.
"And you will never speak to or of my brother again, Miss Bridgerton!" He stated dangerously. Her eyes widened in shock as he let her arm go.
"I will not be passing on any messages to or from you to my brother. You are not to get involved with him or anyone else in the Labor Movement, am I making myself clear?" He asked.
"Theo is your brother? A-and your part of the Labor Movement?" Eloise asked in shock.
"You did more damage than you could possibly imagine, Miss Bridgerton. Imagine my surprise waking up to Bow Street Runners turning up at my door because my brother was seen fornicating with a noble lady at the printing shop he works at. Do you know the penalty for a commoner who is caught doing such an act, Miss Bridgerton?" Mr. Sharpe asked. She shook her head, terror in her eyes.
"Hanging. If you had been caught with him, Miss Bridgerton, it would not have been you who would have faced the noose. It would have been my brother. I would be burying my brother right now if it weren't for Lady Whistledown's timely intervention." He responded fiercely. She was shaking now. Pen had not only saved her life but Theo's. That had been the reason she had told her to stay away from him.
"I-I'm so sorry, Mr. Sharpe. I didn't know." She whispered. He gave a soft hmph in dismissal.
"There are a lot of things you don't know, Eloise Bridgerton, and a lot of things were kept from you for very good reasons, such as keeping you and your family alive and safe. As I said, you did a lot more damage than you could possibly imagine. Stay out of Lady Whistledown's ventures and away from my brother. Also, as a reminder, Lady Featherington is not taking callers at this time as she is preparing to have tea with her mother and sisters. Good. Day. Miss Bridgerton." And with that final dismissal, he left her in the garden. She did not chase after him, instead opting to go home.
The remaining Bridgertons simply stared at the door in the wake of Eloise's sudden departure. Violet placed a hand to her forehead wishing now more than ever that Edmund was alive as she turned to Colin.
"Colin Bridgerton, to say that I am disappointed in you would be a gross understatement. To speak so ill of a friend of the family that we have known since she was just a child barely out of leading strings is not only shameful, it is abhorrent. You will publicly disavow Fife." She declared.
"But Mother –" He tried to argue.
"Do not even think to argue with me on this! He brought the highest shame upon himself last night at the ball by trying to strike Penelope and by your known association with him you have brought shame upon this family. You will publicly denounce your own remarks and apologize to Penelope, disavow Lord Fife, and are to never socialize with him or other associates of his. Do I make myself understood?" She finished, her eyes boring into his.
Colin wanted to argue, he really truly did, but the look on hers and everyone else's faces told him that to do so would get him murdered. Fife did try to hit Pen, so maybe not the best person to spend time with . His mind reasoned. But then who was he supposed to spend time with outside his family? Granted, he loved his family, but there was only so much time he could soend around them without going mad. That's what had drawn him to Fife in the first place. It wasn't like he had many or really any friends. Maybe he could convince Anthony to let him go on his next tour early. He shook his head at the thought while agreeing to write out the statement denouncing his own words and disavowing Fife. That was good enough for his family and it was a start. At least he could begin to make amends to Pen and bring back some sense of normalcy back into their home if he could convince her to come around for tea on some afternoons.
Hyacinth held the wooden doll Pen had given her carefully as she dressed her in a new outfit. Gregory was sitting at her desk writing Pen another letter that he knew he would never get to give her. They hadn't been talking to the rest of the family much since the Featherington Ball, preferring to keep to themselves. The only reason Greg had wanted to go to Aubrey Hall was because Anthony had promised to teach him both galloping and the first maneuvers of fencing. Which Greg said he did and he couldn't wait to show her when he got the chance. He hadn't touched the bow that Colin had gotten for him nor had she used the perfume he had gotten her. Neither of them wanted anything to do with Eloise or Colin.
"Don't you think you went a bit overboard, Hy?" Greg finally asked her. She stopped dressing the doll to consider the question in earnest. Maybe she had, or perhaps she hadn't given that everyone had been miserable since the end of last season. Anthony didn't play with her and Greg as much, Ben didn't joke or dance as often, Colin was a downright prat, Daphne didn't bring Augie to visit as often, Eloise was more fiery rage than not, and Francesca's playing didn't soothe everyone down like it usually did. Not even mother went unaffected. She walked around the house wringing her hands as if one of them were missing, because one of them was. Hyacinth would catch her watching Featherington House and sigh in relief that Penelope was OK whenever she saw her entering or leaving. So she decided no she hadn't gone overboard.
"No, Greg, I don't think I did. I didn't even tell them the worst, worst part of that disgusting filth Fife said and I dare not repeat it else Anthony would challenge him to a duel." Hyacinth finally told him. Greg winced.
"Yeah. Probably right. Do you think Pen will ever come back?" He asked.
"Of course! She has to now that Anthony's starting to fall in love with her! You should have heard Mum gushing about their waltz at the ball last night, Greg. And then the look on his face when Daphne told him about her dancing while she plays the violin? Oh he's smitten! She has to come home now. Anthony isn't like Colin, when he wants something he goes after it. He doesn't run away from it by gallivanting around the world for however long it's going to take him to work out that he actually wants it." Hyacinth said excitedly.
Greg scrunched his eyebrows together. "I don't know, Hy. He seemed pretty upset after Kate left. I think he really did love her. What makes you think it'll be different with Pen?"
Hyacinth grinned at her brother. "Because Pen doesn't confuse Anthony with games or ulterior motives, like trying to secure a dowry for a younger sister or trapping him in marriage to legitimize unborn children. Pen is Pen. She may have private or personal business, but that's her business and she has a solicitor to handle that."
Gregory beamed back at her and was about to respond when there was a sudden knock on the door that made them both jump. Anthony and their mother made their way into the room and both of them stood to face them.
"Hyacinth, Gregory. Let's sit down." Violet said gently, indicating Hyacinth's bed. They obeyed and took a seat on either side of their mother while Anthony remained standing.
"Children, I know that not having Penelope around has been upsetting. It's been upsetting for us all. I also understand that the two of you have been the most affected due to the loss of her extra tutelage in subjects you struggle in and her attention when your siblings are otherwise occupied. However, when it comes to addressing these issues, it should always be brought to me or Anthony, hmm?" She started, while Anthony observed the two preteens. As he expected, Hyacinth was the first to get upset while Gregory turned inward on himself.
"But mother, I tried to tell you about Eloise at Anthony's wedding. I kept getting stopped. And it's not the first time Greg and I try to tell you and Anthony about things that Colin and Eloise do and we get brushed off, then when you find out you get mad that no one told you or upset at us that we didn't tell you." Hyacinth cut back, tears beginning to well in her eyes.
Anthony bent down to one knee so that he was eye level with both of them. "And I am so sorry for those times, Hy and Greg. I will make more of an endeavor to listen to you when there are goings on within the family." He said warmly. He looked at them both in earnest.
"Can we all promise to be better when it comes to being a family?" He asked.
"Including Pen?" Asked Greg.
"Especially when it comes to Pen." He agreed with a smile.
They exchanged a look and nodded at him in agreement before tackling him to the floor, laughing madly at their impromptu play.
Violet Bridgerton laughed at her children's antics before making her way out of the room, turning to look at them for just a moment longer while they were caught up in their antics. Say what you will of the Viscount Bridgerton, but when it came to Gregory and Hyacinth, he was fiercely protective of them. Had he known that they were being turned away from him at his wedding, he would have raised absolute Hell to have them join him in his groom's suite. He was going to make an excellent father and if what she saw on the dance floor last night was any indication, she may have been wrong about their Penelope and Colin. Perhaps she should consult with a certain matchmaking Widow to get her opinion on matters. Nodding her head, she made her way to her room and began composing a letter inviting Lady Danbury for a Promenade tomorrow morning.
Notes:
So notes for this chapter. One of the things I felt necessary for Eloise's growth was to impress upon her that flouting the rules of society was dangerous, not only to her, but for those around her. It was something that REALLY bothered me about season 3. Fans of her character want her to stay this 'Yas gurl!" Or "I'm not like other girls" stereotype and it just doesn't work for her growth as a character, the story, or the world overall. The Queen cornering her in her carriage wasn't an idle threat. The monarch could have literally taken her right there and then for treason and sedition based on the evidence that she was caught sneaking away from her brother's wedding to the print shop that Whistledown uses alone. Her getting caught would have had DEVISTATING consequences for her family, much more devastating than being shamed for a month or two because she was seen Labor reformists. But I also didn't think that hearing it from her family alone was going to drive it all the way home that their society still has lingering rules from its days of feudalism, including what happens when commoners are caught with noble ladies. There's a reason Lady Mary fled to India where her parents couldn't touch her common born husband. I wanted to drive home the point to her so that when she and Pen do reconcile, it can be in a place where Pen can start to trust her with some of the other ventures that Mr. Sharpe was talking about and we can see her growth as a character really shine.
Then we get to Colin. Colin needs to grow away from his toxic friends and the only way to do that IS to force the issue otherwise he'll just continue to make excuses for them. But this opens up whole new avenues for his character for me to explore so, we will see what happens from here.
Finally the big talk with Hyacinth and Gregory. I wanted to showcase how much children actually do absorb from their everyday environments. They are always listening, observing, learning about what's going on around them. It's a survival instinct that we've developed so that more of our offspring survive than not. By observing adults, children are less likely to need to be taught indivually except for minor corrections. Unfortunately, this also means that they pick up on things they they aren't meant the hear or see such as certain siblings being wanted by the queen. At the same time, we as adults often brush off things that children try to tell us, even when they are important, then turn around and blame them for not telling an adult. It's a common thread that I noticed throughout the show with characters who are often infantilized: Pen, Eloise, Daphne during season 1, etc. And I find this important to emphasize as we move forward to the ripple effects the ball had on the rest of the outside world.
It's these little details in this chapter that I would like you as my readers to keep in mind as this story continues to evolve.
Chapter 31: Of Horses and Dreams Long Past
Summary:
Portia tells the girls more about their father's past over their first Sunday tea and Prudence makes a confession.
Later, John goes in search of a missing Anthony.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Penelope wanted to go back into her office and deal with the cads that called themselves gentlemen. It would be the preferable form of torture that she had endured the entire morning after breakfast and the few hours between lunch and tea than listening to the inane babblings of her sisters and her mother. God, she wishes she were a man. She wonders what it would be like to be able to stick –
"And what of you, dear sister? I know that grand entrance into the ball last night must have been terrifying with Lord Fife coming at you like a raging bull, but it certainly did get better as the night wore on. That dance with Viscount Bridgerton was certainly something to behold. Do you have designs on seeking his courtship?" Prudence asked. The table went silent, all of them waiting with bated breath for her response.
Penelope took a sip of her tea before eyeing all of them. "As I have been told most of my life and reminded by several blusterous Lords this morning, I am and shall always be only so lucky to live out my days as a spinster in good standing of the Ton as I am more than two stone heavier than I ought to be, too short by half, and hair so red as to be a plump tomato." Their mouths dropped simultaneously.
"Though I did hear a new one today from Lord Colbert. He said that the only thing that qualified me as being a suitable wife is my status as the Ton Wallflower. The ability to keep myself silent and hidden is a prize most men cherish, though it was a shame such qualities came with such an unappealing figure." she chuckled ruefully.
"Did he really say such things to you, Penelope?" Her Mother asked.
"Why should it concern you now, mother? After all, it was you that started such talk helped along by Prudence. You pushed me into debuting a year early so that you could present me with Prudence and Philippa so as not to have me 'embarrass' myself in front of the Queen." She took another sip of her tea, ignoring the reactions of her family members.
"But I do believe that I've taken to my position within the Ton well. Without having to worry about the Marriage Mart overly much, I was able to do that reading you oh so despised so much, mother, and have been able to work with Mr. Sharpe to bring about our dismal fortunes. In fact, I have some exciting news to share with you all." She said smiling. They all exchanged excited glances.
"Mr. Sharpe and I have been able to secure the first few parcels of land that father sold this morning from some of those Lords that father owed money to. Unfortunately, We weren't able to secure Featherington Hall. However, with the first few land parcels, we can begin to let out the land for farming and if I remember, Father also had a penchant for breeding horses." She informed them with her own sense of excitement.
"Thoroughbreds for racing and the nobility. Quarter-horses for carriages and the working class." Her Mother provided.
"It was how he initially earned his title and we became Baron and Baroness." She said quietly.
They turned their attention to her intently. "Your father was a brilliant horseman. Back in his day, he could have given Anthony Bridgerton a run for his money. This was before he had given into his penchant for gambling. He was already wealthy from the breeding and selling of his horses. They were the best that money could buy– proven on the racetrack, their longevity as working horses were renowned throughout the isle, the smoothness of their gait was a point of pride for him. When the fifth horse he had bred and sold won the Royal Ascot, that was when he was made a Baron. I had just married him and I was pregnant with Prudence." She looked between all of them before continuing
"I may not have loved your father, but at one point I respected him enough to consider him a partner. Someone I could trust with my future, your future. I don't know how or when the gambling disease took him from us, but I am grateful that he took the care to name a Regent and put some of the estate resources into a trust he couldn't touch. I just didn't understand why it was Penelope until recently." She finished.
They all sat quietly for a moment reflecting on their mother's words. But when someone did finally speak, it was Prudence.
"I know why Father chose Penelope and I was jealous about it, angry even." She confessed. They all turned to her, looking confused, but she kept her eyes steady on Penelope.
"You had woken up from a nightmare, it was after that horrible incident with the horse trainer that was teaching you and Philippa at the time." All three of the other ladies shivered in response to the memory of that ordeal.
The trainer had chosen a particularly fractious pony to begin Penelope's lessons and had been teaching her how to mount side saddle properly while Philippa was practicing trotting upon the track beside where they were practicing. Penelope had been halfway into the saddle when something had spooked Philippa's horse and it had gone galloping away wildly. The trainer had panicked and completely forgot about Penelope not being completely secured in her saddle when he jumped onto his horse to chase after her. Unfortunately, this had the unpleasant side effect of sending Penelope's pony racing off in the opposite direction without the training straps secured to her riding boots and her barely managing to hang on to the mane and neck of the beast to keep her from falling. Luckily, both Anthony and Benedict had been out for a ride in the park that day and had managed to catch the pony, getting her off it safely. It had taken all of Anthony's strength to get the pony under control enough to tie a lead to his own mount while Benedict had calmed her down enough to tell them what had happened. Needless to say, both Anthony and her father had been enraged at the man, with Anthony offering to take over hers and Philippa's horse training. Her father asked Philippa if she felt proficient enough or if she would like to continue her lessons. Philippa had then told their father that the man had been lying to him and that she had been perfectly capable of basic horse handling for a year now. The trainer had merely had more amorous intentions. Her father then accepted the offer for Anthony to teach Penelope on the spot with a last threat to the horse trainer to move his business out of London before he ruined his reputation.
Penelope shook off the last vestiges of the memory as her sister continued. "Father had been working the figures in the accounting books and you stole into his study looking for comfort, which he gladly gave. I had come down because I had heard you leave your room and well, I was worried about you." She said, her voice sounding a bit uptight.
"Father began telling you that you hadn't scared the pony because you were ugly or that you hadn't hurt him because you were too fat and heavy. He started to tell you that you might not be beautiful the way mother wanted you to be or the way others expect you to, but that your own beauty was significant all on its own, that it would one day make this family brighter, stronger, whether you were successful in marrying or not. I was angry at father, he didn't say those things to me or Philippa, what made you so special? Then he asked if you wanted to help him with the math again and you said yes so enthusiastically that I thought the sun had suddenly appeared in father's study." She sighed.
"You and father had a connection that none of us understood. That's why he chose you." Prudence ended, taking a sip of her tea.
They all sat in still silence for a moment again before Philippa piped up next.
"So have you seen the new bugs that have taken over the park? They're wings are particularly vibrant this year!" she exclaimed excitedly.
They all laughed. Leave it to Philippa and her eccentric love of butterflies to break the tension in a room.
By the time tea was done, all Pen wanted to do was sleep, but she still had to go over the cook's assistant candidates so that she could send out the letters for interviews tomorrow. At the very least she could scrub her face from the grime of the last few hours before going over them. She sighed again for what had to be the hundredth time that hour. She was drying off her face and looking out the window when she saw Anthony leaving his house in a hack and not the Bridgerton carriage. Curious . In the end, she shrugged. It wasn't her business what the Viscount did or didn't do in his spare time, she had her own work to do.
Looking over the cooking assistant applications and writing the invitations to interview took her well into the evening and almost past dinner. She joined her staff for a light meal and then returned to her study to go over the expenditures and gains that she and Mr. Sharpe had made that day. Many of the lords that had come in had expected her to just roll over and take their word as law. However, not only was she Lady Whistledown, armed with many of their dirty little secrets, she also had the backing of Mr. Sharpe who had kept records of her father's debts and to whom those debts were owed. All in All, they had done fairly well with the estate breaking even and reclaiming the first 5-acre parcels of land that her father had sold was a good start to really rebuilding her father's legacy to pass down to her nephew. Unfortunately, Mr. Sharpe wouldn't be with her tomorrow for the second round of pompous, overbearing lords. She groaned. A clock chimed two in the morning and she stretched. She stood up from the desk and doused the lamps as she left the room. She looked out the window towards Bridgerton House and still hadn't seen any sign that Anthony had returned yet. She had been checking periodically throughout the night to see if the hack had returned or his light in his own study had turned back on signaling he had returned home. She was starting to worry and so she woke John and ordered him to go and search for the missing Viscount.
John cursed as he left the third Bordello of the night. He loved his mistress, adored her even, but being out here at three in the bloody morning looking for a grown man who happened to be a Viscount and able to take care of himself was pushing the limits of his loyalty…until he walked into the fourth whorehouse and saw Lord Bridgerton passed out in a room stripped of his clothes and smelled like a brewery. "Bloody shite." He muttered. He knelt down and checked that the Viscount was still breathing, thankfully he was. Next, he went to check the room for his clothes finding only his breeches and shirt. At least it's something. He thought. He smacked at the Viscount's face to help bring him to. As the other man began to come round, John began helping him to sit up.
"Who…? Mr. Williams?" Anthony asked. "Why on earth are you here?"
"My Lady had not seen your hack return home and sent me to fetch you. Though it looks like you're out of luck with your possessions other than your breeches and shirt." John replies.
Anthony groaned as he stood up with John's help and staggered back into the room to get dressed. Unfortunately, Penelope's Man had been right, the whore was gone along with his coat, hat, vest, boots, and bill clip. Once he was dressed, John helped him into the Featherington carriage and they made their way back to Grovsner Square. When they had pulled up to Bridgerton House, John ordered the driver to return the carriage to the Featherington stable, that he would return across the street momentarily. The driver nodded and moved on while John half guided, half dragged Anthony up the walkway to the door. Pounding loudly on the door, John began losing his grip on the Viscount.
"Lord Bridgerton! Lord Bridgerton! Can you hear me? My Lord, I need you to stand so I can adjust my grip!" He said loudly. He heard no answer. So he pounded on the door again until finally it was opened by Benedict with Violet and Colin right behind him
Notes:
So I wanted to give more depth to Lord Featherington and WHY he would sink deeper and deeper into gambling. As someone who had a parent with gambling addiction, one of the biggest pitfalls is the feeling that all you need is ONE big win and you'll be back to where you were and then you'll never do it again. But that's not how it works, ever. And it's worse when you're flush with cash cause you think you're never going to run out of it. So when you're rich, titled, and have a gambling addiction, it's a dark and fast spiral downward. I also wanted to show that at one point Portia and Archibald's marriage did work, even if it wasn't one of love. Otherwise, how could they have had three children, two of whom, for the most part, were well adjusted. He may not have been as involved as Portia, but he was around so make of that what you will. I also wanted to give more context for why there might be a bit more animosity towards Pen than just outward appearances and Lord Featherington showing favoritism towards Penelope unfortunately would explain a lot of it. Even her mother's more severe actions could be explained by this jealousy towards her daughter.
I got some questions on how Pen would handle Anthony's Raking around the whorehouses. Whelp here's your answer! She's not worried. Should she be worried? Nah she's not worried...He's not home yet...no really he's not home yet. John He's not home yet, please go find.
P.S. Yes. John's last name is Williams in honor of the great composer John Williams.
Chapter 32: When God Closes a Door...
Summary:
Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton go for a walk. Queen Charlotte receives some surprising news, and Penelope deals with being a woman in a man's world.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Violet was silent as she walked next to Lady Danbury in Hyde Park. The sight of Mr. Williams showing up in the early hours of the morning with her son hanging limp off him was not something she would forget anytime soon.
"Something on your mind, Lady Bridgerton? You've hardly said anything since we began our walk on this very lovely day." Her friend prompted.
Violet sighed. "I fear Anthony may have fallen into old coping habits for reasons unknown." She confided.
Lady Danbury gave her a concerned look. "What happened?"
Violet huffed as she told The Widow of yesterday's events with Hyacinth, the fall out with Eloise coming home completely shattered after her run in with Mr. Sharpe, and Colin's breakdown of feeling so misunderstood that he had felt some companionship with Fife when he seemed interested in his travels no matter how much he talked about them. He had been in absolute shock when Fife had tried to strike Penelope and he had wanted to ask his friend why he had done it before cutting him off.
"Thank God Simon and Daphne were there. While Anthony and I consoled Hyacinth and Gregory, Benedict and Francesca were able to talk to Eloise and Simon and Daphne with Colin. By the time we came down with Hyacinth and Gregory, we were able to have Sunday tea. It may have been a quieter one, but with the way everyone seemed to be huddled together seeking comfort from each other, I think our family may finally be one the mend." She finished with a tired look as they resumed their walk.
Lady Danbury studied her friend a few momenta as they walked. The dark circles under her eyes and the pinched lines of her lips told her there was more to the story.
"I am glad that things seem to be on their way to being sorted out with the family, Violet, I truly am. However, how do you know Anthony may have fallen back into his rakish ways?" The Countess asked.
Lady Bridgerton stiffened as she remembered the events of the early hours of the morning and recounted them to her friend. Her son hanging limp off Mr. Williams's shoulders, smelling like he had bought the entire supply of alcohol Mondrich had. The frightening discovery that her son had more than likely been drugged based on his pale presentation, fevered skin, and the way he was sweating. Anthony had woken up this morning with no memory of how he had ended up at the whorehouse as last he remembered Mondrich had cut him off for the night.
Lady Danbury shook her head sadly. "I am so sorry, Violet. Is there anything to be done?"
Lady Bridgerton chuckled. "All I can say is Thank God for Penelope Feaerington. According to Mr. Williams, the poor girl had been up working and had noticed that Anthony hadn't come home yet. She woke Mr. Williams and sent him to look for my wayward son."
Lady Danbury's eyes widened at that revelation. "Really? Do you think that dance affected them more than they think for her to be so concerned and for him to be so… aroused?" she speculated.
Violet studied The Widow, then her face broke into an unbridled smile. "So you noticed it, too!" she said in excitement.
Lady Danbury took her by the crook of the arm. "Not just me, but Her Majesty as well. And I have to tell you, I've already introduced our Young Lady Featherington to The Queen and she is thoroughly intrigued!" she replied conspiratorially.
Violet gasped, shocked. "No! What did Her Majesty say?"
"Would you believe that she wishes to aid in bringing those two together by fostering a friendship with young Penelope?" Lady Danbury revealed in a whisper.
Lady Bridgerton looked at her friend absolutely taken aback, but then when she thought back to her conversation with Her Majesty almost a month back she suddenly began to laugh. It made an ironic amount of sense.
"Oh, Agatha. I wish you and Her Majesty luck. If there is one person more stubborn on this earth more stubborn than Anthony, it is Penelope Featherington." She said with lingering mirth.
"I thought that title belonged to Kate Sharma." Lady Danbury retorted.
Violet laughed. "You may be correct, with Penelope being a clear second."
They both began to laugh and when they sobered they gave each other a conspiratorial smile. "So Lady Danbury, I believe that we are of the same mind?"
"I do believe so, Lady Bridgerton. You need not worry overly much about Lady Featherington. Her Majesty and I can be quite persuasive when we put our minds together towards a common goal." She said with a smirk.
"And I do believe that Daphne and Benedict may already be on the same page if I read the room correctly yesterday. I believe I need not ask their help, they have their own ways of convincing their brother of doing what's best for him." Violet responded.
"Then, I do believe that we have an accord." The Widow chuckled as she took her friend by the crook of her arm and they resumed their walk.
My Dearest Tante,
It is with great joy and love that I write to you of my latest news. My parents have granted my request to become the British attaché to Poland! Edwina and I could not be happier other than to share this news: we are expecting our first child! Oh Tante, I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to Edwina. She is the light of my life and the sweetness to every bitterness that life's difficulties ever bring me. She is so looking forward to returning as well. She misses Ladies Danbury and Bridgerton, as well as a Miss Penelope Featherington. I am not familiar with the last, but if she is important to my Edwina, then she is important to me.
I also have happy news of a different kind! We will be joined by Edwina's sister, Kathni, and her husband Lord Dorset! I shall let them tell you the tale, but they are a wonderful couple and have been a balm to my dear Edwina and their Mother.
You know Tante, things may not have worked out the way that you had planned with Miss Daphne and myself or Edwina and Lord Bridgerton, but sometimes the way we want things to go aren't meant to go exactly the way we think they do. I would never have met my Edwina if you hadn't had the royal wedding and she had been so kind to Uncle George. Likewise, I would not have had near as much the happiness with Miss Daphne as I do with Edwina, seeing as how her heart, even then, belonged to another.
I cannot wait to see you, Tante. By the time you receive this we will be well on our way to London, as Father wishes me to assume my post with all haste while the fighting has lulled. We should be there within two weeks of you receiving this letter.
With all my love,
Friedrich
Charlotte couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she finished reading the letter. This was wonderful news indeed! Her beloved nephew was coming to live with her in England and he had become completely enamored with Miss Edwina as she thought he would. She would need to throw a ball in their honor when they arrived, she wouldn't hear any objections. And of course she would need to invite Lady Featherington and Lord Bridgerton. How else would those two dance and provide them with such entertainment again? Plus, there was the matter of their pairing. Which reminded her, she did need to send the invite to the young Wallflower for tea with herself and Lady Danbury.
"Brimsley! Send an invitation to Lady Penelope Featherington for my regular tea with Lady Danbury at two o'clock this Thursday. Be sure that she is included as a regular attendee."
Brimsley's eyes widened slightly, before they returned to their normal stoic countenance.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Anything else?" He inquired.
"Yes. Prince Friedrich and his new wife will be returning to London on a permanent basis. My beloved nephew has been appointed as attache to Britain by my brother and we will be throwing a ball in celebration!" The Queen exclaimed.
Brimsley smiled at seeing his Queen so elated.
"I shall ensure that the arrangements are made, Your Majesty." He bowed and left to write the invitation to Young Featherington and then began to send the orders to the various vendors that would be needed to make a royal ball happen. After all, one does not welcome The Queen's favorite nephew without anything less than all the splendor Britain has to offer.
Penelope stared at Lord Cho in utter amazement as he continued to speak at her in such condescending tones that she wondered if his vocabulary extended beyond the words "idiotic" and "childish." But still, she let him rant. She had found this to be the best way after the first two men that had plowed through her study had almost struck her for interrupting them during these rants. It had taken both John and Liam to remove the gentlemen from her study and deposit them outside while her driver, Mr. Burberry went to fetch a Bow Street Runner to escort them home. The footman, Mr. Dawson had taken up the position of being in the room with her while she continued to carry on with the grueling business of dealing with these churlish men. Lord Cho just happened to be the five one to many and rage at her after the second incident making him the seventh man she had been made to deal with this morning.
"Well are you not going to say anything in defense of yourself, Lady Featherington!?" He demanded. It seemed he was finally through with his ranting, if his puffed up and sweaty demeanor were any indication.
"I don't know, Lord Cho. Are you beyond the point of anger that we can have a civilized discussion or would you rather continue to scream at me in my own study?" She asked. She could see the anger flare up in his eyes again and he began his rant once more. Apparently, Lord Cho was a close friend of Lord Fife and his ouster from Lady Danbury's Ball had affected his reputation too. It was all getting rather boring, so she simply stood and got a tumbler from her bar and poured herself a whiskey. That seemed to stop him mid-rant.
"Lady Featherington, what on earth are you doing? This is not proper for a lady." He managed to stutter out.
She raised an eyebrow at him "Nor is it gentlemanly to scream at a Lady who is not your wife in her own home whom she is charged with overseeing, but here we are. I have been screamed at and insulted by seven so-called gentlemen so far this morning and two of them have tried to harm my person. If I cannot indulge in the other pursuits of relieving stress that men are able, at the very least there is the kindness of alcohol. And while whiskey may not be a so-called Lady's drink, it is the one closest at hand. Now, are you quite finished?" She asked tersely.
John spoke up then. "You best sit down, boy, or that glass she's holding will fly at your head and I have no qualms of telling the Runners that I was justified at coming to her defense."
Lord Cho finally sat down from where he had been standing over her desk screaming in her face for the last twenty or so minutes. Penelope took a sip of the whiskey feeling the smooth burn warm its way down to her stomach before she began the whole process over again. Work out what Cho actually wanted which compensation for investing in Jack's scheme. Which meant looking at what he actually invested (using Lady Whistledown blackmail everything he tried to swindle his way into claiming he had invested more), calculating the projected interest that was in Jack's notes (again using blackmail everything he tried to cheat in the math), then paying him the sum he was actually due. It was grueling work that took her five times longer than it had with Mr. Sharpe the day before. Where he had been able to keep them focused on the business at hand, when it was just her, the only thing that had mattered was her sex. The only saving grace of the day had been when she had received the invitation to tea with The Queen and Lady Danbury later in the week. At least it was something to look forward to she thought as she fell into her bed in an exhausted heap somewhere around midnight.
Notes:
OK PUT THE TOMATOES DOWN AGAIN! As much as I love getting into the nitty gritty of character reactions and doing character focus chapters, I really do feel like my brain has been going off the rails and getting distracted with the side characters and we really need to get our main trio back together. As much as I love writing Anthony and the Bridgertons, this story isn't about them, despite Anthony being Pen's love interest. They will come into play later, but right now we NEED to transition back to The Queen, The Widow, and The Wallflower.
That's why we only get the overview of what happened with Anthony. C'mon, you guys don't really think I would keep juicy Anthony smut from you, do you? I am not a cruel author. If something had happened between Anthony and the lady, you would have read every single detail. I promise. Further, I wanted to confirm a plot point that will come into play later that may or may not be written out exclusively in the story: yes, Lady Bridgerton will be teaming up with Lady Danbury and The Queen only from different avenue.
Second, we were robbed in season 3 with some vague "oh Edwina met some guy in India and got married" throw out line, when in season 2 The Queen handed her Prince Friedrich on a silver platter. Her favorite fucking nephew married to the absolutely adorably sweet Edwina? How could that not be a match made in Heaven? I was so pissed when I heard that. As for Kate, remember when I said it would perfect for her happy ended for Anthony to show up for her in India to show that he really did love her and want her in his life? Well, I couldn't get that adorable boat scene out of my head and Lord Dorset being completely smitten with her. I could totally see him being like "Anthony did what!? Is she OK? I must to go to India, immediately!" He just looks like such a golden retriever type boyfriend that my heart melted when I saw him interacting with her and begging her to stay. The puppy dog eyes, guys! The. Puppy. Dog. Eyes.
Finally there's Pen. Our girl Pen is just working so hard. She's doing her best, guys. The woman can't have sex, she can't gamble, she can't go out to the bar, and she's stuck with doing pretty much all of the work that it takes to run this shitshow. Most she can do is sneak out to hang with Genevieve, which she's too tired to do, and have a couple of tumblers of whiskey. Maybe day drink a bit to get through the crazy. She has her staff to run the day to day business of the house, but she gets the pleasure of dealing with the assholes.
Anyway as always, thank you so much for reading. I always appreciate your feedback and the love you give for this story. I promise we will return to the Bridgertons in time. There's just some character things we need to also do with our ladies before we can bring them back in.
Chapter 33: We Could've Had It All
Summary:
The third day of dealing with obnoxious men in the Ton brings a surprise visitor to Pen's office.
Later in the night, really just needing a break, Pen comes across some shocking news.
Notes:
The scars of your love remind me of us.
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The next day wasn't much better for Lady Featherington, but she found that a better tactic was to give herself ten minutes between each gentleman to work on the next Whistledown that was due for publishing tomorrow. The reason John gave? To better compose herself for the next gentleman's business to ensure she did not slip into hysterics. She is only a Lady after all. Penelope had to laugh at the utter ridiculous nonsense of that wording. Here they were coming into her study, in her home, screaming at her , and threatening her person. And they accuse females of being prone to hysterics. A pity there is no way to capture a man in the middle of screaming at a woman in such a way that would put a toddler to shame. She laughed and wrote that down to describe the way that Lord Aubrey had been dragged from her study screeching like a banshee. John knocked on the door to indicate that it was time to let the next man in. She sighed and put the draft away, looking at the clock. It was almost lunch time. She groaned. She also had Tuesday dinner with her mother, sisters and their husbands as she promised them she would host. Why did I agree to this terrible arrangement? She thought, but what came out of her mouth was a sharp "Enter!" And the last person she ever thought would be there entered her study.
Colin was nervous as Penelope looked at him first in shock, then in embarrassment, and finally, anger.
"I have no business with you Mr. Bridgerton. I thank you for exposing my false cousin's scheme, but as you did not invest in such, I do not owe you any funds. Father, as far as I know, was not indebted to the Bridgertons. If so, I will need to discuss matters with Lord Bridgerton. Finally, you are not a member of Parliament and therefore should not have any Parliamentary business to discuss. As these are the only matters that I am willing to discuss with any gentleman today, You have no business here. Good day, Mr. Bridgerton." She stated firmly.
"Pen, please. I need –" She interrupted him harshly.
"You do not have the right to be so informal with me, Mr. Bridgerton, not after the humiliation you put me through. And certainly not while I am in the middle of conducting affairs for the Barony I have been entrusted with. As I said, you have no business to conduct here. Good day, Mr. Bridgerton." Her tone was growing more tense.
"Please, Lady Featherington. I just wanted to apologize for my words and actions at your mother's ball at the end of last season. They– They were not meant how they sounded and I am so sorry they hurt you. I know that you're angry and you have every right to be, but for everyone's sake, come home, Pen." He pleaded.
She was not going to cry. She refused to cry. Not when she still had so much work left to do. She felt the vice tightened its hold once more, forcing her to stand straight, forcing her to be Lady Featherington.
"I can't be Pen anymore, Colin. In this study, in society, in the Ton, I am Lady Featherington." She turned to him, her eyes glistening with tears. "I will always be your Pen, but I left her in Aubrey Hall. I'm the Ton Wallflower who has somehow taken over the responsibility of my Father's Barony. And there's no room for both. Maybe at one time there could have been, but it's too late now."
The vice grips her tighter as she sees his own tears start to fall, realization dawning that the damage he and Eloise did was far more damning than they could have ever anticipated. She couldn't be their Pen, because she couldn't trust them to help her with the important work she was doing now. Oh God, he was an idiot! The next words she spoke ripped him apart in their finality as he watched her straighten herself in the exact same way that he had seen Anthony do hundreds of times when he was preparing to return to being "Viscount Bridgerton."
"Are we quite finished, Mr. Bridgerton?" She asked. Her voice was hard, cold.
"I believe we are, Lady Featherington." He responded.
"Then I wish you a good day and request that you send My Man, Mr. Williams in." She stated with a nod.
"I wish you a good day as well, Lady Featherington. Until next time we meet." He bowed to her and left. A few seconds later, John entered the room.
"Please dismiss the rest of the gentlemen for the day. They can return Friday when Mr. Sharpe is available. If they give any trouble, do not hesitate to call the Runners. I am in no mood to deal with cantankerous idiots graciously any longer today." She said irritably.
John laughed. "Gladly, My Lady."
Slipping into Gen's shop through the back way was like slipping into a warm bath. Penelope's shoulder's immediately relaxed and the tightened in her chest loosened considerably. She rapped on the door in the pattern they had come up with to let her friend know that it was her and she was greeted by a fierce hug.
"Miss Penelope, it's been too long! Or should I call you Lady Featherington now?" The seamstress smiled.
Penelope smiled at her friend. "Only when we're in public, Gen. God, I have missed you. I needed to get away tonight."
"Well, come in! I need to tell you that the men screeching in your home has been all the ladies in the shop have been talking about." Her friend stated as she wheeled her into the sitting area and poured them both a glass of wine.
Penelope's eyes widened. "Really? I knew that there would be some talk, I really haven't had a moment to breathe, but for it to be the only gossip?" She took a sip of her wine as Genevieve explained.
"Apparently all of the men that have spoken to you so far that have been showing up have been connected to Lord Fife."
Penelope rolled her eyes. "Well, I figured that much out."
Gen shook her head. "No. You don't understand. Lady Aubrey came in the day after you had her husband escorted from the property by the runners with Lady Cho. She was talking about how she was afraid of the scandal it was going to create for them with Lady Cho answering 'I do hope my husband comports himself better. I told him not to get involved with Lord Fife and that business with the East India Trade Company. Now our investments are beginning to fail because of that self-righteous Wallflower's vote and my husband's involvement with that absolute boar.'"
Penelope's eyes widened. "Lord Fife is involved with the East India Trade Company? The biggest slave cartel still in operation?"
Gen nodded solemnly. "And his investments are losing himself and his compatriot money rapidly."
"And you are sure this information is accurate?" Penelope asked as she pulled out her draft of Whistledown she was dropping off tonight.
Genevieve grinned, she hadn't known that her friend had been dropping off her draft of Whistledown, but she was glad she caught it. "Absolutely. There were four more ladies speaking about it today, two of them were very upset that you had negotiated getting your father's lands back."
If she had any doubts about the authenticity of Gen's claims, that information silenced them. She finished her draft setting it out to dry while she continued her visit before she had to leave to drop the draft off at the drop point.
My Dearest Readers
If you had told this author that Featherington House would be a chaotic hotbed filled with the screams of banshees, I would have told you to seek the aid of a physician. If you had further elaborated that these shrieking wails were coming from some of the most powerful and influential members of Parliament, I would have called the Bow Runners myself to have you taken to the nearest sanitorium. However, seeing as Lords Aubrey and Lannister were dragged kicking and screaming from the residence in such a manner that would have mistaken them for toddlers, I cannot be anything but certain that Featherington House is under siege by men under the curse of hysterics. I thought that it was we women who were only cursed with such an affliction. I am glad to have either been proven wrong or discovered some modern day miracle.
Whatever the case may be, it seems that the ceaseless wailing has yet to shake Lady Featherington's resolve. Word has reached this author from Devonshire that the holdings of the late Lord Featherington have been fully restored and reoccupied lending more weight to our younger Baroness. What will her next move be, I wonder?
In other news of the Ton, it seems that a certain Lord Cho is unhappy with his status after my reveal of Lord Fife's degrading remarks of Lady Featherington at her own mother's ball last season. Unfortunately, his woes won't end there as this author has found other damning evidence of his former associate, particularly one juicy bit of scandal relating to one of his investments in a particular trading company that dabbles in a certain type of illegal paraphernalia. If this author has any advice for those who continue to associate with Lord Fife, it is to cut and run now while you can. For if this author has learned anything about the barbaric trade of human slavery, it is that it always ends. Whether that is peacefully or violently is up to the owners. And then gentlemen, your investments will mean nothing
Always remember, my loyal readers: I am always watching, always listening, always investigating, and I always report the truth.
Lady Whistledown
Notes:
So I felt that this was an appropriate setting to have the Colin confrontation even though I stated that we were gonna leave the Bridgerton's for a little bit. And just to be up front about it, we aren't going to see Colin's reaction, at least not right now. We need to see Pen stand up for herself while she's in her element, but also we can see she's on the edge of breaking and Colin's confrontation is a great way to showcase just how close she is. I didn't feel the need to hash out another family dinner in this chapter because we already have the confrontation with Colin and we already had a tea with her mother and sister's, I felt a dinner scene would disturb the flow. Lastly, I wanted to give Pen a chance to meet up with Gen and get some fresh gossip for Whistledown, as well as let off some steam before her tea with the Queen. That doesn't mean she isn't going to be facing some hardships tomorrow or the day so going to see the Queen and Lady Danbury, but having a chance to catch up with Gen at this point in the story for some juicy scandal material for Fife was a good plot point to end on.
P.S. when I'm writing Whistledown I always hear Julia Andrew's reading, pretend that I'm trolling the trolls, and it always makes the snark sound funnier in my head. I really hope you enjoy it too.
Chapter 34: Hell Hath No Fury...
Summary:
Penelope finally breaks
Notes:
So I got a comment on my author's note about the line of how they coded Anthony to be "Borderline Autistic" because of a lot of his character traits are very similar to my experience to working with Autistic people, being married to someone who is autistic, and having several people in my life who are autistic, and classic presentations of autism in general. They took it to mean that I meant it as an insult or that I didn't think that autistic people deserve love or to find love in their lives.
I want to clarify what I mean by "borderline Autistic": I mean that I recognize symptoms of Autism based on my experience and interactions with people who have autism, but I am not a professional that can diagnose autism. Further, Anthony is a fictional character that has had multiple traumatic events happen in his life and may suffer from PTSD, which may also account for some of his autistic behaviors. I don't know, because I'm not a professional. That's why the term "borderline" is used.
If I have made anyone uncomfortable with this definition or with my statements, please reach out to me at my email
Thank you.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Penelope was abruptly woken from her slumber by a commotion downstairs. Quickly donning her dressing gown, she hurriedly made her way out of her chambers where she could hear raised voices, shouting, and scuffling. By the time she made her way downstairs, she found Rae and the other maids hiding behind them with Trudy and Sylvie standing in front of them like maternal guard dogs. When they spotted her, they waved her over.
"You should go back upstairs, ma'am, and let the men handle this." Trudy advised.
"Why? What's going on?" Penelope asked.
"The gentlemen from yesterday that you dismissed have returned. They are not only demanding to speak with you, but they are demanding compensation for your wasting their time yesterday." Sylvie explained.
Penelope saw red. "Is that so? Well then, if they would like to meet with me they shall. Sylvie, please prepare me a cup of coffee and a breakfast tray. I am afraid that you and Trudy will be taking over the kitchen assistant interviews today. Rae, we shall get me dressed at luncheon since these gentlemen are so eager to see me now."
The ladies looked at her in shock. "My Lady… The scandal… This– This is beyond the pale!" Rae expressed aghast.
"These Men, or more accurately, beasts are practically breaking down my door to cause us harm simply because I dared to call them out on the hypocrisy of making money using a practice we have banded on this isle! I will be damned to be lectured about propriety when I and those within my home are being threatened with harm or possibly even death! Now do as I have ordered!" She glared at them when they didn't move. "NOW!" she snapped and they began moving.
With anger infused with every stride, she marched down her hallway and towards her front door where she was met with the site of John, Liam, Mr. Burberry, Mr. Dawson, and Boothby struggling to keep the absolute horde of males outside of her house. Rage overflowed her, a hot, angry torrent of lava flooding her veins. How dare they attack my home, my FAMILY!!!
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?" She bellowed.
Everything stopped. Every man in front of her gaped at her state of undress as if they hadn't been trying to break down her door or prevent her door from being broken down. It was the first gentleman in the doorway beyond that spoke.
"My Lady, this is most improper–" Whatever he had been expecting, it had not been Penelope picking up the first glass object next to her and throwing it at the door next to his face with deadly accuracy.
"The next person with a stick between their legs to speak to me about propriety when they have just woken me from slumber while laying siege TO. MY. HOME. I will not miss my mark." She sent a deathly glare to each of the gentlemen she could see through the doorway. They didn't look away or cower, but she could tell that she had made her point.
"Now, since you are so insistent on meeting me before proper calling hours, then we shall do as you gentlemen should like. After all, 'tis only proper that a lady give way to a man's requests." She said scathingly. She then turned to John.
"John, see that they form a line. Liam, when the cooking assistants arrive for their interviews, please see them to the servant's entrance and then the drawing room so that Trudy and Sylvie may conduct the interview and please offer them my sincerest apologies. In fact, Liam, go and fetch the card stock and parchment. These gentlemen are going to write a personal apology to all eight of our interviewees for my absence. By name." she sneered.
The first gentleman in line looked at her in disbelief. "Lady Featherington, we are grown men, not children in leading strings!" He flustered.
She gave him a pointed glare that made him take a step back. "Do grown men come into Lady's study and scream at them for upwards of twenty minutes over a vote to punish an inhumane and cruel practice?" She took a step forward towards the lot of them.
Her voice became icy. "Do grown men come to break open a Lady's door when she tells them to return on a designated day?" She took another step.
"I had estate business to take care of today, gentlemen. I may have dismissed you earlier than I intended to yesterday, but I did indeed dismiss you to prepare for it. Like you, my estate does not simply stand still just because I am busy meeting with you all, hearing of your childish and petty complaints. You have interrupted that business and now you are going to apologize to the young ladies I was supposed to meet with to fill the role of cook's assistant and you shall do so before you meet with me as a gentlemanly courtesy!" She finished, leaving no room for argument, as she turned on her heel and made her way into her study.
She poured herself two fingers of whiskey and downed it. It may have been too early for alcohol, but damn it, she was pissed, hungry, and about to face a bunch of children who didn't give a damn about propriety, but demanded that she provide them with such for their comfort. Well to Hell with them. She heard a knock. "Come!" She said tersely. She found it to be Trudy with her tray of breakfast and coffee. She made room on her desk for the tray and began preparing her coffee as Trudy looked on at her with concern.
"If you have something to say, Trudy, get on with it. I suddenly have a very full day of dealing with more men here for Parliamentary business or to harass me for paying off the debts of my father or cousin." She said irritably.
"Ma'am, there will be blow back from their lady wives if you meet with their husbands like this. Please reconsider going upstairs and getting dressed." Trudy was begging her, she knew it was right for her to do, she knew she would have to write about it as Whistledown, she knew that there would be scandal, but damn it all if she wasn't going to take every Lord down with her.
"Damn their wives. If they do not have the wherewithal to join their husbands to at least remind them of their own propriety, then they can deal with the harsh reality that their husbands are no more than beast dressed in fine silks and leathers. I will not be threatened in my own home while you and the other ladies under my care hide from the harm these men will cause you for serving under me. Now, go ensure everything is prepared for your first interviewee. Be sure to bring her forward so that every gentleman in that hallway must apologize to her formally and properly, addressing her by name, interrupting my scheduled time with her, and ensuring that if there was anything they could do for her, including letters of recommendation, that they offer it." Her gaze was piercing, her eyes glowing with bright blue fire the brooked no argument. Trudy bowed to her Mistressa and left the room.
Pen was half way through with her breakfast when the knock came from John that the first gentleman was done with his apology notes. "Come!" she set aside her breakfast, faintly wiping her mouth and hands with her napkin and setting it to the side of her tray before trading its place with her financial books. John took a seat at her side, Liam must be at the door manning the line. She looked up to find Lord Aubrey in front of her once more. She scowled. Of course he would be the one leading the charge to seize control of her home. She seethed.
"Lord Aubrey. I had hoped a trip with the Bow Street Runners would have cooled your temper, however it seems I was wrong." she began. "What business could you possibly be so important that you come to lead a siege upon my home in an attempt to harm my person all before calling hours and before I am properly dressed? Not to mention rudely taking away my valuable time to interview potential applicants to a much needed household position as I ready my home for important social events where such business can be discussed under much more pleasant circumstances." She seethed.
Lord Aubrey refused to cower, no matter how much he wanted to under those intense eyes that glared at him over the rim of her coffee cup as she sat there in her dressing gown. As he had been forced to write those apologies to the girls she was supposed to be interviewing, he had felt more and more enraged, until he felt ashamed, then tired, then enraged again. Now that he sat here under her scrutinizing gaze, he had no idea what he was doing here. He could see her eyes narrow.
"Well! Speak!" She barked.
He cleared his throat. "Lady Featherington, I apologize for my rash actions this morning and the other day. I do not know what came over me as you have stated they are not the actions of a Lord or gentleman. As far as my business with you, I am afraid that there is nothing for it. The bill passed and it was not in my favor. My only question is why you voted as you did?
Pen relaxed her face and straightened up to address the Lord. "The answer is simply this, Lord Aubrey: if we find this practice of owning human beings as property detestable enough that we have banned it as a practice throughout our kingdom, then we should not accept it as a part of those whom this kingdom does business with. And as I stated to Lord Cowper at Lady Danbury's Ball, those who do not believe that such a practice should have been banned should tell Lady Danbury or even The Queen herself that they are nothing more than a trained Parrot; as he did compare or fellow human beings of different shades to trained birds who could talk."
Lord Aubrey blanched at such an outrageous suggestion. As if anyone would have the audacity to say such a thing to the Queen herself or her closest confidant. "My Lady, not to be rude, but what would drive you to give such an impertinent answer.?"
Penelope merely smiled mischievously at the Lord. "Because it is impertinent to believe that people who are the same color as Her Majesty and Lady Danbury are less human than they are simply because they are located on a different part of the earth." She took a sip of her coffee, watching him collapse back into his seat unable to argue that particular point.
"Is there any other business you wish to discuss? I do not believe my estate owes you any funds from my father or cousin, nor do you have any lands that the estate wishes to purchase back at this time." She asked, her eyes boring into him daring him to argue with her.
"No, I believe that is all, Lady Featherington." He said weakly standing.
She stood with him. "Then I wish you a good day, please give my regards to Lady Aubrey and do let her know that she is welcome to tea at any time next week." She stated with finality, nodding to him and then to John who came around the desk to stand next to him.
"A good day to you as well, Lady Featherington. I shall pass along your invitation." He responded, bowing to her in farewell. John nodded to her and escorted Lord Aubrey out.
She looked wearily at her breakfast and began eating again. It had gone cold, but she needed to eat if she was going to get through the rest of this morning. Ten minutes later, she had finished just in time for the next gentleman to enter and the process started all over again.
By the time lunch had come round, she ordered John to dismiss the gentlemen for lunch so she could eat and properly dress for the rest of the afternoon. The meetings had gone much the same way as Lord Aubrey's, though some had business with debts and land deals. She had to rotate whiskey and coffee just to get through every meeting and by the time lunch had come round, she was feeling a slight buzz that told her she needed to stop the whiskey and switch to watered wine for the afternoon. Rae dressed her in unusual quiet, her eyes barely meeting her gaze.
"Whatever you're going to say, say it." Penelope said impatiently. She really didn't like acting like this with her staff, but she was also tired, overstretched, and just a bit tipsy.
"The new Whistledown was delievered while you were meeting with the gentlemen this morning. Is what you wrote about Lord Fife true?" Rae asked.
Penelope sighed. "Unfortunately, yes. Which means he is going to dog my every step at every Ball and social event we attend together because I made that vote."
Rae huffed. "It also explains the parade of men this week. Is there no end to them?"
Penelope sighed. "It does seem never ending doesn't it. But we will get through this. We have to. Hopefully word will spread not to wake me up before calling hours."
Rae laughed at that. "True! You should have seen their faces having to apologize one by one to each of the three applicants that have been interviewed so far. Mary's been the one in charge of escorting the finished candidates down the entire line."
Penelope laughed at the image of stern-faced Mary escorting young applicants down a line of Lords being made to apologize for making her miss her appointments with them. Mary's scowls could give The Queen herself a run for her money.
"Is that why the last two or three have been surprisingly easier to deal with?" Pen asked.
Rae gave her an amused smirk. "Oh believe me, I don't believe you'll be having any issues for the rest of the day. Being made to apologize and Mary standing there with Liam glaring at them like hawks have made them quite contemplative of their actions."
Penelope met her smile in the mirror. "Well that certainly is good news."
True to Rae's words, when she returned downstairs to resume her meetings, there were far fewer men and most of them had actual business with her and the estate. Well, I should have come down and screamed at them in my nightclothes much sooner, if I had known I would get this result . she thought.
By the time tea came round, she had gone through half the men who were left. Again, she had John dismiss the rest for an hour so she could enjoy her tea in peace. She sat back and relaxed enjoying the strong black tea that Sylvie provided her and Trudy.
"How go the interviews? Any good prospects?" she asked them.
"So far there are two that would work well with me, M'um, but there are two more girls left to interview and these gentlemen are proving quite the distraction." Sylvie responded. She was clearly annoyed with their unexpected guests.
"Indeed. Mary, Joan, and I haven't been unable to give the house a proper cleaning because these men are insistent on trying to roam where they are not permitted. We haven't even been able to start on arranging the music room the way the home designers asked and they're due here tomorrow." Trudy scowled.
This was all supposed to be today's work, but men and their egos had to be catered to. Why wasn't Lord Bridgerton's house swarmed for his vote? He voted the same as she. Why was he given a pass and she was not? She knew the answer, but it was bitter upon her tongue as the vice tightened around her again.
"We'll just have to do it together tonight." She sighed. "There's nothing for it. It needs to be done and we'll need to get it done tonight in order for it to be ready tomorrow."
She looked at the time and huffed in annoyance. "It seems our time is up, ladies. Back to your posts. I will see you at dinner." They both nodded and left.
The rest of the afternoon was grueling as she grew more and more tired. Finally when the bell struck seven, indicating that it was time to prepare for dinner, she held up a hand which stopped the man who was in front of her from talking.
"I am afraid that we will need to continue this conversation on Friday, Lord Trowbridge." She said firmly.
He began to sputter. "E-Excuse me, Lady Featherington! But I have waited three days, plus all of today to speak with you, surely–" she cut him off.
"Surely, you can see that it is dinner time. I have put my entire day on hold for you gentlemen. I have been courteous in light of being screamed at, threatened with violence, and the attempt of my home being broken into this morning. I have missed valuable appointments, my house is in a shambles because my staff has unable to clean properly for those three, now four days, and I have to work late this evening for appointments that I was to prepare for today." She spat at him.
"If I were to bring all of the Ladies of the Ton that have grievances with you to your home to break into it after you had specifically told me to return on a specific day because you had important work to do for the good of your household, what would you have done? And please answer honestly." She challenged.
He sat up straighter and met her gaze. "I would have sent my driver to get the Runners, maybe even the Royal guard."
"Have I done anything of the sort this week? Or even today?" she asked pointedly.
"No." He answered.
"Have I done anything that would warrant any of the behavior that has been displayed towards my person this past week?" She asked.
"No." He answered again.
"Have I not acted gracious, poised, and proper as a Lady of my station should, barring my actions this morning?" she asked.
"Yes." The Lord answered.
"Then why should I not be given the same courtesy that every gentleman who conducts such business is afforded to continue it at a later time when it is the end of the day and time for dinner?" She finished.
"I, uh, I…" He stammered.
"It is a simple question, My Lord Trowbridge." She stated pointedly.
"I have no answer for you, Lady Featherington." He finally said.
"If you have no answer, then there is no reason you should treat our meeting any differently than that of any other meeting when the clock strikes the end of a business day. Therefore, we shall continue this on Friday, Lord Trowbridge. If there is an incident like there was this morning, I will not hesitate to call the royal guard." She warned as she stood.
"Good Evening, My Lord." she said with finality in her voice as John came around to escort him from the room.
"Good Evening, Lady Featherington." Lord Trowbridge said with a bow as he allowed himself to be steered from the room.
"John, dismiss whomever is left and repeat that warning. I have tea with Her Majesty tomorrow and I refuse to be late." Penelope made sure she said it loud enough to be heard by those in the hallway. She heard a quick shuffling in the hallway, but didn't breath until she heard the front doors close.
By the time dinner was eaten and the music room had been dusted, arranged, and made ready for the home designers, Penelope wanted to sleep forever. But she couldn't. She needed to go over the picks Sylvie and Trudy had made. There were three and the way they had chosen to decide which would be the best pick would be to have each girl come in and aid Sylvie with cooking for the day. She needed to go over each girl's days off at their current households and schedule them. She looked out her window towards Bridgerton house and sighed, tears falling down her cheeks. She missed them. She missed him . Her thoughts drifted to the feeling of his hand on her waist as they glided across the floor, to the way the firelight flickered on his face while he slept, and the two images combined to create a heady image of him bending over her with those chocolate brown eyes flecked with gold and that mischievous smirk playing on his lips as the firelight danced upon his face. Always that upturn of his lips that he seemed to only reserve for her, not that it made any sense, but she hadn't even seen him smile at Kate with that slight upturn of his lip that she knew with absolutely no doubt that he was thinking of some trouble to cause. Whether it was some bit of snark to start up one of their banters or sneaking her to see the stars late, late at night when they were at Aubrey Hall and neither of them could sleep, that smile told her that he was thinking of her and what trouble they could get up to.
She was broken from her thoughts as a hired hack pulled up to the house just across the street and she watched as Anthony nearly fell from the carriage. She could tell he was drunk as he wobbled his way up the drive and stumbled into the house. She wanted to go to him, to hold him, to kiss him . She shook her head. No. Kissing him was out of the cards. He was the Viscount Bridgerton and she was Baroness Regent Featherington, the Ton Wallflower, a placeholder while she waited for her sisters to bear a son. She turned her back to the window. She had work to do.
Notes:
Hooooo boy. There is a LOT going on in this chapter, so ket's get to it.
Things were eventually going to boil over and Pen was going to have to face this sooner or later. What she doesn't realize is that her status is so tenuous that this tea that she's going to the next day is going to make or break her. The Queen and Lady Danbury don't know what they're in for with a very emotionally raw and fed up Penelope. I'm still working on the details of the next chapter, but you can be sure it will be uploaded tomorrow.
In other news: I've started writing THE penthony scene
And I've gotten an idea for my own novel.
Chapter 35: Now Where Were We?
Summary:
A very tired Penelope wakes up feeling remorse for her actions towards her staff after yesterday's events.
Lady Danbury is shocked by the changes at Featherington House
And Pen ends up with more than she bargained for during her tea with the Queen.
Notes:
I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LATE POST GUYS!!!! I passed out while writing and I just finished doing my second pass through of the chapter so if I missed anything please let me know and I'll get to it tomorrow.
This
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
When Rae came in to pull back the curtains to her chambers, Penelope let out an audible groan of pain as the first rays of the sun hit her face.
"I'm sorry, M'um. I let you lay in as long as possible, but the home designers will be here within the hour and we need to get you dressed." She apologized in a low tone.
Penelope made a noise that sounded like something of an affirmative grunt before throwing back the sheets from her sweaty body.
"Something light, but appropriate for my dress this morning, Rae. I am in desperate need of a bath before my meeting with The Queen." She said. Her voice was gravely with sleep and from the amount of speaking that took place yesterday.
Rae nodded in acknowledgment and pulled out a light cotton dress with a corset that had more flexible boning. As Rae dressed her, there was silence between them, as if both of them understood the gravity of what had happened yesterday. A line had been crossed between both Pen and the men who had been attacking her and what consequences came their way would be dire. She needed to address her staff. They were afraid and she couldn't blame them, especially the ladies under her care. Once she was finished being dressed, she turned around to look at Rae. Her Lady's Maid was her closest confidant and friend, often times closer than Eloise had been when they had still been friends. Rae knew everything about her. She knew about Lady Whistledown, about her struggles with her mother, held her the oh so many times she had cried over Colin, laughed with her about funny stories that she couldn't reveal in Whistledown, and all the other trials she had faced over the four years that Rae had been with her. Before Rae could leave, she reached out, grabbed her, pulled her into a tight hold, and began crying. In all of this, she hadn't cried, she had refused, but now…
"I'm so sorry, Rae. I was an outright beast to you all yesterday and there was no excuse for it. And most of all you never deserve me to speak to you in such a manner. I let them break me and I swore I wouldn't. Can you ever forgive me?" She begged.
Rae looked at her in shock at first, then bursted out laughing. She stroked her mistress's hair and wiped her tears away before saying:
"My Dearest Lady Penelope, our home was under siege with men threatening us with harm. Any beastly behavior on your part was because you were afraid for our safety and yours. After working until dinner, you helped to get done what we had needed to be done in preparation for today's work. Then you stayed up until past midnight to ensure that the invitations for those most suited to work with Sylvie would be delivered today to ensure the best one would be hired on. You are as diligent a caretaker of this estate as any Lord could claim. You are as hardworking as any of us and we snip and snipe at each other all the time." She grinned.
"I think we can afford to allow you to be irate with us evey once in a while." she finished, stroking back her hair.
Penelope sniffled and hugged her once again before letting go to make her way downstairs to have some breakfast. Before getting ready for her visit with the Queen.
It wasn't so much breakfast as a light lunch before the decorators arrived to begin their work on the music room. Penelope was the most excited for the room. It had been so long since she had picked up her violin to play and Trudy had informed her that she was proficient on the Pianoforte. Being able to spend some evenings playing and enjoying herself dancing around the room once more without her mother's disapproving glares would be a balm to her heart right now. She finished her meal in time to show the decorators to the room and allow them to begin their work under the scrutinizing watch of Trudy. Rae had already begun to run her bath and by the time she joined her in the room, it was ready for her with scented oils and flower petals floating in the water.
"Just sit back and relax, M'um. You have some time yet before it'll be time for you to get ready to leave. I'll be back to fetch you in a while." Rae said in a comforting voice.
"Thank you, Rae. You truly are wonderful. You and everyone else." She said as she sat back and let the warm water relax her aching muscles.
"You make it easy, M'lady. Now relax. I'll be back in a bit." Rae smiled down at her as she started nodding off again, the water making her feel weightless.
Soon enough, Rae was waking her by gently washing her hair and running the slightly cooled water through her tresses. She then threaded some scented oil through them and began ringing out the excess water from the thick curls. She then pinned her hair up loosely so she could begin washing her back. Pen took the soap and cloth from her to finish washing, then stepped carefully from the tub and donned her robe. Once they returned to her rooms, Rae undid the pins and began drying her hair and the work to make her ready for tea with the Queen began.
The last time Lady Danbury had set foot in Featherington House it had been full of garish bejeweled greens, feathers bonded to the walls, and pinks and yellows scattered throughout like some sort of splatter painting. Now, though, the color palette was of a tasteful combination of sage greens, lilac purples, with burgundy undertones. The decorations were of modest design and the servants seemed happy as they went about their work.
"Mr. Liam, might I inquire as to why everyone seems to be happy? I've never seen any servant so giddy as to be working." she asked.
The butler merely chuckled. "Those servants have never worked for Lady Featherington, My Lady. She is more than our mistress. She is our ever faithful leader. We rise together for breakfast and as we eat, she goes over the tasks for the day, hearing our reports and issuing her orders. She may wear the fine silks, go to the social events, and be the face of the Featherington Barony, but she works just as hard as we do. And unlike my last Lord I served, she works alongside us, not above us. More people within the Ton would have better servants if they followed her example, Lady Danbury." He finished with a warm twinkle in his eye.
Before she could answer him, the lady in question made her way downstairs in a beautiful sage green day dress with cream underlay for the skirt and gold layers for the collar and wrists. Lady Danbury smiled at her and she grinned back, clearly excited to see her friend.
"Lady Danbury! It has been entirely too long." Penelope greeted in exuberance.
"Indeed it has, my dear. Shall we?" The elder Lady asked.
"Yes, of course." Penelope said. Liam opened the door for them and Penelope offered Lady Danbury her arm.
"Liam, be sure to check in with Trudy to ensure the designers do not go overboard. I've already told them that we do not need a golden filigreed Pianoforte, the one we have is fine. Nor do we need anything else that is of my mother and father's tastes." She instructed before leading them down the walkway where the Danbury carriage awaited, Liam's laughter following them.
Once they were ensconced in the carriage, the Widow turned to the Wallflower and raised an eyebrow in silent question. Penelope huffed.
"As you may have noticed, I've hired home designers to redecorate and modernize Featherington House so that when the time comes to host social events, I don't cause my guests' eyes to bleed." She stated. And Lady Danbury laughed.
"I was wondering what happened to the feathers that were plastered to the walls of the entryway." She chortled.
Penelope groaned. "That entryway was the first thing done when I got home from Clyveden. In any case, the home designers keep insisting on trying to put in garish pieces to show off what I have regained for my family in such a short time. I have to keep reminding them that it was that exact arrogance that led my father down the path of his demise." She grumbled.
Lady Danbury chuckled. "They simply want to make their money and naturally, you want to keep it. It's a struggle as long as there have been merchants and buyers."
Penelope grimaced. "I could almost forgive them if they hadn't tried to decorate my drawing room with an eight foot marble and gold horse statue."
The elderly Countess looked at her in shock before roaring with laughter.
"Oh my, that is a new one! I've heard of home designers going over the top, but I believe that takes the cake!" She was crying with laughter now while Penelope scowled at her.
It really would be a funny situation and Penelope would more than likely be laughing with her under normal circumstances, but right now she just felt hurt that someone she thought was becoming her friend was laughing at just one more thing that was a current annoyance in her life. The carriage came to a blessed stop in front of the palace and the carriage door opened allowing her to escape the raucous laughter of The Widow.
By the time they had made the walk to The Queen's audience chamber, Lady Danbury had finally settled down from her laughing fit. Penelope breathed a sigh of relief when they were shown in and offered to sit.
"Miss Featherington or rather Lady Featherington now." Her Majesty smiled in amusement. "That was quite some entrance, I must say."
Penelope smiled wryly at The Queen. "Well, I did give warning to Lady Danbury that I was going to be giving a shock to the Ton that would turn itself on its head." She stated as she made her tea.
"I should say you did that twice that evening, my dear." Lady Danbury responded, taking her tea in hand.
"Indeed. Tell me, was that the first time you and Lord Bridgerton have danced together?" Her Majesty asked, her gaze piercing Penelope's soul.
She quickly took a drink of her tea, nearly scalding her tongue. "Yes, Your Majesty. I have danced with both Mr. Colin Bridgerton and Duke Basset upon the floor many times. Mr. Benedict and I have enjoyed practicing the more advanced steps and maneuvers of several different dances at Bridgerton House while Duchess Basset or Francesca Bridgerton plays upon the Pianoforte. But The night of the Danbury Ball was the first night I have ever danced with Lord Bridgerton."
The Queen studied her intently. "I have been told that I must simply hear Miss Francesca Bridgerton play. You say she is out in society, Lady Danbury?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lady Danbury confirmed.
Penelope did not like where this was going. She didn't like where this was going at all. She knew they were scheming something with her and Anthony. So she did the only thing she could think of. "Have you read the latest Whistledown?" She interjected.
Both older ladies stopped to look at her as she continued. "It's a shame about Lord Fife, the man certainly is going to be even more unpopular than he already is." she took a sip of her tea, hoping, praying that they would latch on to the gossip, maybe give her more details.
"My dear, I'm more worried about what's going to be written about you meeting with gentlemen in your study in your dressing gown." Lady Danbury had set down her tea and looked at her with worry.
Penelope gave a mental sigh of relief. Not exactly where she wanted to go, but definitely safer than the topic of Viscount Bridgerton.
"If there is to be a scandal of me meeting with gentlemen in my dressing gown, then perhaps at the next soiree I shall show up in one. After all, it is perfectly acceptable to be woken from slumber while one's home is under attack and be expected to dress and be presentable, why should it not be acceptable to attend a soiree or Ball in one's bed clothes?" She asked, then took a sip of tea.
Both Lady Danbury and The Queen exchanged a look before leaning in to hear the tale.
"You threw a glass at Lord Aubrey's head?" Lady Danbury cackled.
"Well at the door next to his head, but yes." Penelope confirmed.
"I've always hated that man. Him and Lord Cowper. I wish Cowper had come to call me a trained parrot. Then I could be rid of him." The Queen said derisively.
"And they had the audacity to call me impertinent." Penelope scoffed.
"You are impertinent." The Queen answered.
"Your Majesty is the only person allowed to call me so." The Wallflower responded cheekily.
"And why is that?" Lady Danbury asked.
"Because she is the Queen. I cannot tell her whether or not to call me impertinent nor can I argue with her assessment of such. But everyone else will simply have to accept my arguments and challenges for their wrong opinions." She snarked. Both of the elder ladies laughed and Penelope couldn't help but join in their laughter.
The Queen studied the young woman in front of her. In just the few weeks since she returned from Clyveden, she had changed from being broody about not having her family in the Bridgertons to having a resolve that the Queen saw within herself. Once more she was looking in the mirror with The Wallflower looking back at her: Tired, afraid, but determined. Like you once were.
"You are intriguing to me, Lady Featherington. Therefore, I am willing to help you. From now on, there will be a royal guard posted at your door. A clear sign that an attack on you is an attack on the crown." The Queen declared.
"B-b-but,Your Majesty, that is really too much." Penelope tried to argue. She was interrupted.
"You have defended the crown from those who would see its values undermined. The Great Experiment succeeded because of those that came before you. I will not see your person harmed because you voted for what is right and that you have defended that vote with such determination up to having your home attacked is deserving of my intervention." The Queen spoke with such finality that it left no room for argument.
They spent the rest of the tea speaking of other gossip within the Ton that she hadn't been able to hear, her dance with Anthony seemingly forgotten. By the time tea was finished, she was surprised when The Queen gathered her into her arms in a light embrace.
"Do not fret, child. I can see that your mind is still focused on these estate affairs. I shall arrange a private performance with yourself, Lord Bridgerton, and Miss Francesca between myself, Lady Bridgerton, and Lady Danbury. She shall let you know the day and time." The Queen said in an almost motherly tone.
Penelope's brain came to a crashing halt. "P-Private performance?"
"Well, yes. You see, my Nephew, Prince Friedrich and Edwina are returning to London to take up residence as Friedrich is to become the new attache to Prussia." Her Majesty stated proudly. Penelope could barely contain her excitement at seeing Edwina again. They had grown close while Anthony had been courting her and she desperately missed her friend.
"Of course I will be throwing a Ball to welcome them and I wish for you and the Viscount to put on a performance as you did at the Danbury Ball. Only this time, I wish Miss Francesca to play the music you dance to as I have heard about her stunning prowess." The Queen finished.
Penelope felt her mouth drop. Oh no. Oh no no. Oh nononononononono . But there was no way out of it. Whatever The Queen wanted, she got, and if she wanted Anthony and her to dance for Prince Friedrich and Edwina at their welcoming Ball, but to give her a demonstration first, then that was what was going to happen. Oh Bloody Fucking Hell .
Pen's dress for Tea
Pen's dress for Tea
Notes:
I didn't want us to get to the tea right away, because I felt it necessary to check in with Pen and her staff. Also to kinda reintroduce where Lady Danbury is in her relationship with Pen, because it's been a few weeks and yeah she's regressed in her friendship with her. Which can and does happen in even the most established of friendships. The same with the Queen. I want you notice much more Pen is closed off in this conversation versus the first tea that she has with them. And how much more closed off with Lady Danbury than when they left Clyveden. It's important that we recognize this because they are trying to manipulate events to steer her towards Anthony and they don't know about her mother's manipulations and scheming. It's not that she doesn't want to be with Anthony or isn't falling for him, it's "I'm being manipulated into trapping someone in marriage who I've been told all my life is above my station and I am unworthy of." And that's where this friendship is going to face its problems, but with all three them together they can and will overcome them.
Chapter 36: We Only See What We Know
Summary:
The ride back to Featherington House is tense to say the least.
Lady Danbury finally sees the havoc that Penelope has been dealing with.
Notes:
Just a quick warning. Tears might be shed during the tall between Lady Danbury and Pen...because I cried while writing it.
Author tear score: 3/5
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The carriage ride back to Featherington House was quiet. Penelope was panicking. The last thing she needed was to be encouraging these feelings for Ant – Viscount Bridgerton. Her thoughts were interrupted by one of the devils who had somehow placed her in this nightmare.
"Are you alright, Penelope? If you are worried about –" She interrupted The Widow. She knew it was rude, but after the week she has had and now suddenly being thrust into one of Lady Danbury's infamous matchmaking schemes was just the icing on the cake.
"Did it not occur to you that I was sincere in my assertions that I knew my place within the Ton?" She asked, bitingly.
Lady Danbury was taken aback. She had not expected such a reaction from The Wallflower. She stay silent waiting for her to finish.
"I have certainly been reminded of it multiple times this week as I no doubt will be reminded of it again when I host these Lords' wives for tea next week as an apology for my actions yesterday. I will be reminded of it when I am finally able to actually leave my study for more than an hour for lunch and tea to go for a walk or to social events. Of which, I am aware I've missed two this week because I've been dealing with those who would rather beat me over the head with the sticks between their legs than actually go enjoy the warm sunshine." She paused to focus a glare at the older lady who simply sat looking at her with a neutral face.
"You and Her Majesty pointed out that you were worried about the scandal that would come out about my actions yesterday and are now wanting me to dance with Lord Bridgerton after he suffered his own devastating scandal last season, not to mention having his heart obliterated soon afterwards? If I didn't know you and Her Majesty any better, I would ask if you both had gone completely mad!" She huffed.
She had almost compared them to King George, but she did not wish to die today. Maybe after there was an heir to the Featherington Barony, but not before. But oh she was so angry with them. How dare they scheme this behind her back!? Were they in on this with Lady Bridgerton? Or mother? She shivered at the thought that this was some plot by her mother. She watched as Lady Danbury studied her with that scrutinizing gaze that most people dreaded, but she knew was simply to determine if they were being authentic. They were drawing close to her house and it wasn't until they were practically pulled up to the front when The Widow spoke.
"My dear, I have been a part of my fair share of scandals in my day and do not forget that I, too, suffered the same falling out with society as Lord Bridgerton. In fact, it put my entire friendship with Her Majesty in danger." Penelope's eyes widened at that information and she felt a pang of guilt for being so harsh with her friend. She lowered her eyes, but Lady Danbury raised her chin to make her look back at her.
"If I had stayed in my place in society, I would not have all that I do in this life. The same is true for Her Majesty. Not every act of kindness is a plot or a scheme to ruin another's reputation in order to lower them so that they must take pity on you." She stated pointedly. Penelope felt the tears start to well in her eyes.
"Sometimes it is simply because one cares for your well-being and sees you for who you are." Tears flowed down The Wallflower's cheeks freely now as The Widow continued.
"That waltz you performed with the Viscount was something Her Majesty and I have never seen. It is something that is still spoken about and should be shared with Her Majesty's favorite nephew. It is a special gift that you both have. Don't you want to share it?" The Widow asked.
Penelope couldn't argue with her logic. It was like every thread had been pulled from her carefully knitted arguments for why she couldn't do this, shouldn't do this. She had loved that her dance with Anthony brought everything to a halt; had felt proud that they had swept the other dancers from the floor. That it was something they had done together: two masters of their craft performing for an audience and delighting them.
"I would very much like to dance for Their Highnesses at their welcoming Ball." she whispered quietly.
"Then you shall." Lady Danbury said kindly.
Penelope met her gaze with a trembling lip and watery eyes, but she refused to collapse into the older Lady's arms. She would steal her resolve and face this as a professional. Because that's all this dance was. A performance for The Queen's nephew, her feelings about Anthony didn't matter. So she nodded firmly and wiped her tears. The carriage pulled up to her home and she straightened herself into the Baroness she was.
"I shall make the arrangements with Lady and Viscount Bridgerton. I am sure they will call upon you soon to arrange practice times." Lady Danbury stated before Penelope left the carriage. The Wallflower took a deep breath and nodded before stepping out to make her way inside.
Once the door to Featherington House closed, The Widow let out a small chuckle. You played well, little Wallflower. You should feel proud that you almost outplayed A Queen and A Widow.
When Lady Danbury arrived at Bridgerton House the next day for tea she was absolutely stunned by the number of men standing outside Featherington House, even with a royal guard at the door. The sight enraged her, she had not realized the sheer numbers of angry men that the young Baroness had been forced to face this entire week. And the Bridgertons have done nothing? She wondered. Well that was certainly going to end this instant. She marched up to the door, knocked, and waited to be allowed in. She took another look across the street with disdain as she was allowed in and shown to the drawing room where Violet was waiting with their tea. Instead of greeting her friend, she launched right into her inquiry.
"Has that been the status of Featherington House this entire week?"
Lady Bridgerton huffed in annoyance. "Unfortunately, yes. And don't think I haven't tried to intercede. None of my family have been able to see her after Colin snuck in. She's deliberately keeping us away from her because of this mess between her, Colin, and Eloise."
Lady Danbury could hear the hurt in her friend's voice. She knew her friend viewed the Featherington girl as one of her own, so for Penelope to have been separated from her so forcefully…
"Where is the Viscount?" The Countess asked.
"In his study. Why?" Violet asked.
"Because we are going to stop this nonsense and call upon Lady Featherington for tea to discuss Her Majesty's business." Lady Danbury declared.
Lady Bridgerton smiled widely and made her way to her son's study.
Anthony and Benedict were going over the latest farm acquisitions when their mother appeared at the door to his study.
"Good Afternoon, Mother. I thought you were entertaining Lady Danbury for tea." Anthony greeted.
"I was and we have decided to move homes and require your presence. And possibly yours Benedict, should matters get out of hand." She stated.
"I did not know things were so contentious at Danbury House." Benedict responded now curious.
"That is because the home we are moving to is Featherington House, not Danbury House." Their mother supplied.
Anthony nearly choked on the brandy he had just taken a sip of. "And why in the world are we calling upon Lady Featherington when she has made it perfectly clear she neither wants or needs our intervention?" he asked tersely.
"Oh don't be an idiot, Anthony." His mother huffed. "Pen is doing what she has always done and shrunken away when she believes that she is at fault for everyone else's troubles. That business Wednesday with those men trying to break into her home should have been a wake up call for you to do something."
He had wanted to do something. He wanted to rip apart every man that had tried to harm his Pen. But he refused to go against her wishes. She didn't want them to tear themselves apart by staying her friend when Eloise and Colin were their family.
"Pen wanted us to support Eloise and refused for us to tear each other apart by remaining her friend while Eloise remained angry with her and I respect her wishes," he said.
"Brother, surely this situation has really gone beyond ridiculous and requires actual intervention." Benedict responded. "Whether or not you're joining in brother, I'm going to go to Pen's aid."
He quickly fixed his shirtsleeves, donned his coat, and made his way out of the study, this time gladly taking Lady Danbury's arm in the crook of his elbow.
Anthony held his mother's steady gaze before muttering "bullocks" and doing the same.
The Quartet made their way across the street, the quiet muttering and utterances of the milling Lords began to grow silent as the formidable figure of Lady Danbury led the charge across the street. As the party began to walk past the waiting Lords, all it took was a well placed glare or remark and it had the offending gentleman bowing and excusing themselves rather quickly. Soon they were in the door and Lady Danbury squared her shoulders looking at the assembled men.
"Well, I daresay, I've never seen such a more indulgent group of layabouts than the one assembled here." She addressed them.
"Lady Danbury! A pleasant surprise. We did not know that you were an acquaintance of Lady Featherington." One of the Lords stated as he stepped forward and bowed.
"I am indeed, Lord Amberly. Lady Featherington has become a close friend of mine and of interest to Her Majesty or did the royal guard at the door not give that impression. Which begs the question: why are you gentlemen still harassing her?" She asked icily.
"Well, My Lady, it is just… We have Parliamentary business and–" Lord Amberly was interrupted when Anthony stepped forward.
" I am also in Parliament, Lord Amberly. And it has been rather curious why none of you have felt the need to be in session this week to conduct the business of the house of Lords and the other legislation that has been awaiting our vote has been put on hold until we can reach Quorum. But now I find that you have been here this entire time giving grief to a Lady who is unable to attend Parliamentary meetings and voted the same way as I did." Anthony seethed.
The Lords in the hallway took a step back. "I do not see you laying seige to Bridgerton House. I did not see anyone attempt to strike me at a Ball. And I certainly haven't had anyone at my house for days on end vying for my time! If I see any Gentleman here that does not have legitimate business with the Featherington estate such as the paying of debts, I shall report your absence from parliament to the Prince Regent as a negligence of duty."
The Viscount's voice was firm and deadly. If they did not report to Parliament next week, He would report them and they would be charged. They could have their titles and lands stripped for not upholding their duties to the crown. Those who were left in the hall practically fled from the house. The only people left were a man that could only be the Butler and a stern looking older woman that if Anthony had to guess, was the housekeeper. The Butler turned a shining grin to the group.
"Lady Danbury, It is a delight to see you again after seeing you only yesterday. To the rest of you, welcome to Featherington House. I am Liam, Her Ladyship's butler, and this is Trudy, the housekeeper. Thank you for your timely assistance." He bowed towards them as Trudy curtseyed.
"Lady Featherington is still meeting with Lord Barton, but she has the aid of her solicitor, Mr. Sharpe today, so they should be just about finished. Might we offer you some tea, Lord and Lady…?" He paused and they realized that he was brand new to her staff and none of them had met yet.
"Ah, I am Viscount Bridgerton. This is my mother, Lady Bridgerton, and my brother, Mister Benedict Bridgerton." Anthony introduced. Liam beamed at the trio.
"Well met, sir! My Lady speaks very highly of the Bridgertons. It is nice to finally put names to faces. Trudy, be a dear and tell Sylvie to prepare a tea setup for our Mistress's guests." Liam said as he began to lead them to the drawing room. Trudy nodded and headed towards the kitchen to tell the cook to prepare tea.
"Is it just me or is everything… nicer?" Benedict asked.
Liam chuckled. "Lady Featherington has been working diligently to modernize and bring Featherington House into a more tasteful state. It helps that she is a kind and generous mistress who leads by example."
When they arrived and found their seats in the drawing room, they were amazed by the difference new paint, wallpaper, and decorations could do to a room to make it lighter and airy. The last time Anthony had been in this room, he had been unable to breathe. But now, with it's sage green walls and soft purple accents offset by burgundy backdrops, he felt lighter than air. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices. Doors were closing, footsteps approached, then suddenly he was no longer in a room resembling an ocean seascape, he was in one and his siren was before him, dragging him down once more.
Notes:
OK, let's go over some of what's going on with Pen. When you have been mentally and emotionally abused into believing that the only way to get someone to love you is by manipulating them, you are going to be hyper aware of how you act around someone to ensure that you are not acting like you are influencing them in any way. She's lashing out at Lady Danbury for this dancing plot because she believes that's she's being set up to entrap him. To manipulate him into marrying her, because she is not worthy of him in her own right. And it is something that her mother does over and over and over again to both her and her sisters.
So Lady Danbury telling her it's a kindness and that she has a gift and a talent is completely disarming to her. She doesn't know what to do with it. Suddenly it's not a scheme to get her and Anthony together, it's The Queen wanting to show her off and no one has genuinely wanted to do that before. She can do a performance with Anthony, she just can't keep falling in love with him. That'll be easy right? At least that's what she's thinking right now, because she really wants to dance and she doesn't want to let the Queen down.
On the Bridgerton side, Lady Bridgerton really just needed Lady Danbury on her side to give Anthony that push to get a move on, because things were getting ridiculous and had gone completely out of control.
But listen guys. Things are gonna be fine. I promise.
Chapter 37: A Very Mad Tea Party...But Who Plays The Hatter, The Hare, and The Doremouse?
Summary:
Penelope is surprised with an afternoon tea with the Bridgertons who came to her rescue and Lady Danbury, but things quickly spiral out of her control when she accidentally invites them to dinner
Notes:
Let the shenanigans begin!!!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The first thought that ran through Penelope's mind when she and Mr. Sharpe were told that there was no one to dismiss tea for was Oh thank God! The second thought that ran through her mind was What? The final thought that ran through her mind was If there is a certain Bridgerton here, I am going to kill him. The problem was she was met with three Bridgertons and a very irate Lady Danbury with Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Williams in tow when she came to the drawing room. Her brain came to a stuttering halt as she was suddenly faced with a brand new situation. She cleared her throat and straightened her back before turning to the two gentlemen beside her.
"Mr. Sharpe, Thank you for your services today. It seems that whatever business we have with the rest of the gentlemen with the Ton shall have to wait for another day."
Not if I have anything to say about it. Anthony thought vehemently. There was no way in Hell he was going to allow her to go back to slaving away in that study. Now that he actually had a chance to look at her, she had dark circles under her eyes and her skin looked pale and sallow. She didn't look gaunt or like her hair had lost its luster, but he could tell that her curls did not look as lively.
"Of course, Lady Featherington." Mr. Sharpe was saying. "As we have discussed, I shall see you Monday at tea after I have received the Parliament docket for the week and the legislations being considered."
"Until Monday, then." Penelope said with a nod as Mr. Sharpe bowed and made his exit.
"John, see to it we are not disturbed. And if any man dares to argue, inform them that Lady Danbury is here and they may argue their case with her for why our tea should be interrupted." She instructed.
John laughed and Lady Danbury cackled.
"Using me as your shield now, Lady Featherington?" The Elder Lady asked.
Penelope smirked at the group as John made his exit.
"Seeing as how you have determined to use yourself as such, I have no reason not to utilize you as so." She responded in amusement.
Anthony smiled at her mischievously, his brown eyes twinkling.
"Well, I should dare say that we should all be named such armaments." He quipped.
She smirked at him. "Indeed, My Lord, though I have no thought as to which you believe you should be in my arsenal, for clearly it is your mother who is the sword of your family."
Benedict And Lady Danbury laughed, Lady Bridgerton covered a chuckle, and Anthony gave her a mock offended glare.
"My Lady, you wound me so! Surely I cannot be so low in your opinion as to not merit such a highly placed position by your side. For if I am not a sword, then truly I must be a spear." He retorted with that damn smile on his lips. Lips that she wanted to beg him to kiss her with.
Thank the Heavens their volley was interrupted by the tea service. She would let him have this round. As she invited them to sit, she instructed Trudy to oversee the rest of the dinner preparations and to remind Sylvie that there is to be no wine served at dinner under any circumstances.
"I don't need Philippa serenading us again, nor do I need mother so far into her cups that I have to send John home with them." She stated with slight irritation in her voice. Trudy looked amused.
"Of course, M'lady. Though one would think you might wish to hear Mr. Finch's dulcet tones upon the pianoforte again." The housekeeper responded, a slight smile on her face.
"Trudy…" Penelope growled in warning.
Her housekeeper merely gave her a slight bow of her head and a cheeky "Of course, Mistress" before dismissing herself to return to her duties.
She cleared her throat once again before joining her guests who looked close to bursting with laughter.
"Well out with it. You're most welcome to stay for dinner. In which case, I'll request the wine and you can once more enjoy Philippa's grand serenading! Only this time, she shall be joined by her most talented husband!" She said sardonically.
They burst out into laughter.
"If you are to be a Lady of a household, you should have better control over your staff." Lord Bridgerton stated.
"If I wanted advice on how to run my household, I would sooner ask Genivieve Delacroix than anyone else within the Ton. She actually works for a living." She sniped back.
That silenced the table. Had they been laughing because Trudy had been comfortable with teasing her? Because she didn't treat her servants as lowly background pieces.
"My servants have been faced with the same hardships as I have this week. We face these problems together and as their Mistress it is my duty to see them fairly treated under my care. They are human beings who are under my protection and employment. They are no different than Madam Delacroix save that they work for me rather than owning their own business. If Trudy wishes to make a barb because she knows that I do enjoy a good volley, then she knows that she is permitted to do so. My servants are not background pieces to be ignored and treated as lower than humans. In my home, my servants are my army, I am their general, and I take charge where I am needed, including aiding them in their work."
Their shocked expressions told her everything she needed to know about how different she was. And it hurt. She refused to treat her servants one step above slaves, but that it was such a novel concept, even to a good family like the Bridgertons, hurt .
"I know that this is not the norm, but I refuse to treat my staff one step above slaves. And if that cannot be tolerated, then I must ask you to leave." Penelope finished pointedly.
Everyone was quiet, only the sounds of the preparing of the tea echoed in the room. Lady Bridgerton studied Penelope and almost wept. Gone was her surrogate daughter who laughed while she "secretly" danced with Benedict out in the garden, in her place was a Lady of a household in her own right. Colin had been right, they were too late in intervening in the fight between Pen and Eloise. And her heart broke. But from what Daphne had told her there was still hope to get her back, she just needed to be reminded. She couldn't be pushed, Penelope was too stubborn for that, but nudged? Suddenly an idea came to her, though it was put on hold as the tea was truly remarkable in its depth of flavor and perfect balance of flavors.
"I think we shall join you for dinner." She said simply.
"What?" Penelope asked, shocked.
"What?" Both of her sons asked next.
Lady Danbury simply looked on amused.
"It has been quite a while since we've had dinner together and since you have extended an invitation, we gladly accept." Lady Bridgerton repeated.
Penelope wanted to argue. Really wanted to argue, but she had no recourse. She just had to open her bloody mouth didn't she. She felt the vice tightening as the role of gracious host suddenly descended upon her earlier than she had planned. She plastered a smile upon her face to hide her disappointment in herself.
"Of course! You are most welcome to join us for dinner. How many shall I be expecting? And Lady Danbury, shall you be joining in as well?" She asked, dreading the answer.
"Oh I expect everyone will want to join for dinner, Pen!" Benedict burst in. "Don't you know how much everyone has missed you?"
Pen didn't answer that. Absolutely refused to answer that, because if she did, she would break. And she couldn't afford to break, not with every person who she wanted to come home to sitting at her table.
"Very well, so ten extra place settings, as I will assume the Duke will be joining us also. And Lady Danbury?" she inquired once more.
Lady Danbury chuckled into her tea. "Oh, I wouldn't miss this. Put me down as well."
Penelope groaned internally. "So eleven in all. Fantastic." Is what she said out loud.
She rang the bell on the table and Trudy came back in. "Trudy, please apologize profusely to Sylvie but it seems we will need to expand the menu as well as the place settings for dinner. We will be expecting eleven additional guests, the Bridgertons as well as Lady Danbury."
Trudy put on a sly smile. "Sylvie and I anticipated this outcome and have already sent Mr. Williams to town to fetch what will be needed for dinner. Mary and Alma are preparing the formal dining room and Boothby has curated some of the best blooms for the table and side bars."
They were conspiring against her. All of them. "Thank you, Trudy. You truly are a wonder." She said, doing her best not to grit her teeth.
"Is there anything else, M'um?" The housekeeper asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"If you have a spare bit of parchment and quill, I would like to send word ahead to my household to prepare proper dinner attire for myself to change into." Lady Danbury said.
Of course, this was not what the Widow had in mind at all. In fact, what she had actually wrote was:
To My faithful friend Charlotte,
There is a surprise dinner now to occur at Featherington House this evening as Lady Bridgerton makes her move to bring the Viscount into our Wallflower's orbit. I shall keep you apprised of how The dinner proceeds.
Yours,
Agatha
She sealed the parchment and addressed it to a completely different household marked urgent and when she gave the note to Trudy, she locked eyes with her to indicate discretion. Trudy simply nodded and took the note to Liam for it to be delivered by a runner. Trudy for her part didn't know what game The Widow and The Queen were up to, but she didn't like it, and she had a feeling that the Queen may invite herself to dinner.
And Trudy was very rarely wrong about her feelings…
Notes:
One of the things we need to realize is that while the Bridgertons are on a whole good people, they are still of the upper class and still have upper class views of servants. They may have personal servants that they are close to or are friendly with, but their servants are expected to be silent unless spoken to or otherwise keep themselves out of sight. Penelope, on the other hand, utilizes her servants in everything she does and actually talks to them. She understands the traditional Ton attitude, she just doesn't agree with it and in her home they are a part of what makes everything work. She acknowledges that they are her employees, that without them her household falls apart, and it's her acknowledgement of this that stuns everyone. And it hurts her because it reminds her just how much of an outsider she is, even among her friends.
Which is why it's also such a sharp reality check for Violet that Penelope isn't who she thinks she is anymore. Penelope is in hard core Lady Featherington mode. They are in her House. How she runs it, how she treats her servants, how her servants treat her is all her business. But the one thing she can grab onto is Pen's mistake in inviting them to stay for dinner and that's their in. See Pen can't retract the invitation to dinner without insulting everyone there and there is no way she is going to insult the Bridgertons AND Lady Danbury in one go. She is not that stupid. Not even the new Lord Featherington will recover from that social scandal. So she has to make good on that invitation and Lady Bridgerton knows it. So she shall host everyone for dinner.
But the question remains...will her Majesty make a surprise appearance?
Chapter 38: Panic! Before the Dinner
Summary:
Anthony and Penelope are both in Panic mode and the possibility of a surprise visit from the Queen Is. Not. Helping.
Notes:
I am so sorry for the late update!!! I had so many distractions today. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The first thing that Anthony did when he got home from Featherington House was panic. The second thing he did was go to his study, pour two fingers of brandy, and throw it back. The third thing he did was panic some more while pacing in his study while praying the brandy would help with settling his rising irritation. It did not. What on Earth were his mother and Lady Danbury playing at? His pacing was abruptly brought to a halt when Benedict came into his office.
"No! No! Absolutely not! No!" He said firmly, his finger raised in his brother's direction.
"I didn't even get a chance to say anything yet. You don't even know if you have to say yes or no to it yet." Benedict said in exasperation.
"I don't need to know. I know you're in on this matchmaking scheme with mother and I will not have it, Ben!" Anthony poured himself another dram of brandy before tipping it back using the burn to focus while Benedict looked on at him like he had absolutely lost his mind.
"Scheme….? What in the bloody blazes are you on about Anthony? You know what, I'm getting Colin." Ben said leaving his study.
That made Anthony panic more and he quickly chased after Benedict in the hopes of catching him before Colin was grabbed for an impromptu brotherly intervention, but too late. Both of his brothers shoved him back into his study and made him sit at the table with their arms crossed.
"Now what is this scheme that you believe that I am in on with our mother, Ant?" Benedict asked. Colin looked between them confused.
"Does this have anything to do with that waltz last week? Mother and Lady Danbury did seem thoroughly intrigued." Colin supplied.
Anthony scowled at his younger brother. "If anyone has a more meddlesome spirit than mother it is Lady Danbury."
Benedict couldn't help but laugh. "Dearest brother, we meddle because we care and we only wish for your happiness, seeing as you refuse to have a care for it yourself."
"I am perfectly content with my life as it currently is, thank you." The Viscount retorted.
"Ah, yes! The good days of toiling away shut up in your study and the long nights of tupping every whore in London town. 'tis a marvelous life. And when you are 60, then you shall take a blushing 20 year old bride to have relations with in order to finally produce a Bridgerton heir." Colin remarked in sarcastic wistfulness.
Anthony glared at Benedict. "Was this truly necessary? How about you bring in the lemons to add the salt that he just poured upon my wounds, why don't you?"
"Because you're being sour enough for the lemons to not even brush the surface." Benedict snipped back. This time Colin laughed.
"Seriously, brother. What does it matter if mother is scheming? Let her do as she pleases. Are you not in control of your faculties?" Benedict asked.
Not when it comes to Pen. Anthony's mind betrayed.
"I am." Is what he responded with though.
"Then we have a dinner to prepare for! Come, Colin! We must look our best for our dear Pen so that she will forget all of this nonsense about not being a part of our family!" Benedict declared as he steered his brother's from Anthony's study, not realizing, or not caring, that now both of them were panicking.
Penelope was also panicking as she went over the newly revised dinner menu with Sylvie.
"Oh for the love of all that is holy! Creamed Artichoke soup served with bread. Braised Lamb, roast potatoes, pickled asparagus, pickled carrot, and pickled radish for the first course. Roast chicken, sautéed carrots and peas, steak and kidney pie, and apple tart for the second course. And then ices for dessert!? When did we get and Where are we even storing ices?" She asked incredulously.
"When we went to town and got them along with the ingredients for everything else." John said.
"You need not worry, Miss. I've got this handled. I'll get these boys moving about the kitchen like my own set of worker ants in no time. Most of this was already on the menu anyway and already started. You just need to go start gettin' yourself all prettied up for that handsome Lord Bridgerton! Go on, Go on. Shoo! Out of my kitchen! I've got work to do and so do you!" Sylvie pushed Penelope out of the kitchen despite her protests, with Trudy looking on thoroughly amused.
"Not. A. Word." She hissed at the housekeeper before going upstairs to her chambers to relax before the arduous task of getting ready became urgent.
Unfortunately, the housekeeper followed her, only the amusement had slipped from her face to one of worry. Penelope stopped to look at her all mild annoyance gone.
"Trudy? What is it? What's wrong?" She asked.
"I'm afraid that Lady Danbury did not send a note to her household, M'um, but to Buckingham House." Trudy informed her.
All color drained from her face. "Are you absolutely sure, Trudy? I need you to be sure."
Trudy nodded grimmly. "I saw the marked destination myself and when I did, Lady Danbury gave me a warning look to keep the missive discreet. I did not open it and I do not know what it contained, but I did inform Sylvie to prepare just…"
Penelope's eyes widened. "That's why the exorbitant menu! You expect Her Majesty to show, why didn't you tell me?"
"And cause the others to panic and possibly have it be the talk of London if my instincts were wrong. Besides, I have the feeling Lady Danbury wanted this missive to be kept even from you." The housekeeper sneered.
Penelope saw red. As if her staff would keep anything from her, especially something like this. But then she smiled mischievously. "Trudy. Ensure that there is plenty of wine to go around and that the Music room is opened and set. After all, if we are to treat our guests to the hospitality of Featherington House, then they should enjoy all of its delights and entertainments."
Trudy laughed. "So we are to enjoy the serenading of dear Philippa accompanied by her husband Mr. Finch."
"Indeed. And I do believe that Mr. Huxley has mentioned that he has written some new poetry of late. I believe he should entertain us with some of his new creations accompanied by my most talented sister Prudence upon her Harp. She should not be so rusty as to not be able to get the hang of things again. Yes?" Penelope responded with a devious smile.
Trudy's eyes widened before she set to laughing hysterically. "Oh, My Lady. I do not think they shall complain about the Smyth-Smith concert for some time after THAT particular performance." Then she sobered. "But what about you, though. You will surely be required to entertain as well."
Penelope grinned. "Well that's the beauty of it. Surely Her Majesty will leave once Philippa opens her mouth to sing."
Trudy gave her a hard glare. "Or she could order you to entertain her instead."
Penelope froze. She hadn't thought of that. If the Queen showed to dinner there was nothing for it, she was doomed to entertain. Whether by playing her violin or dancing with Anthony once more, not that there was much room to dance in the music room, she would be made to entertain.
She sighed. "I suppose rather than resting, I shall be practicing upon my violin in my chambers while the music room is being set. Ensure that there is a dias for Her Majesty."
Trudy nodded. "Very good, My Lady."
Penelope went to the music room first to get her violin, then proceeded to her chambers. As she rosined her bow, the hurt of this newest betrayal began to seep in. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate what her friends were trying to do, she just wished they would leave things well enough alone. She didn't need help in securing a husband, she didn't need a husband, and she certainly didn't need Anthony Bridgerton. She may want him. God, did she want him, but she could not have him. Not if she wanted her house to actually succeed in overcoming everything her parents had done in making the name Featherington a laughing stock within the Ton. She was so close after facing the men of the society this entire week without mercy, without backing down. She had paid the debts to many of the Lords and Gentlemen her father and cousin had scammed funds from. She had reacquired 300 acres of the 1000 that had been granted to her family by the crown that her father had sold. She could not afford to show weakness, not even in this. So she would face this, not as Penelope, not as Pen, but as Baroness Regent Featherington.
She walked to her drawers and pulled out her playing gloves. They were soft double lined silk gloves that protected her fingers from the bite of the strings, but allowed the vibrations to resonate properly. Taking her bow in hand, she began to play Mozart's Sonata No. 30 for Violin knowing that Mozart was Her Majesty's favorite composer. The Sonata also happened to be one of her favorites with its light airy notes and triplet trills that sent her heart fluttering. She closed her eyes allowing the melody to take hold and she began to sway until she was dancing, the familiar sensation calming her nerves. Right now nothing mattered. Just the music and the motion of her body as she moved about her room. When she finished the first movement, she moved on to Handel's Violin Sonata in D-Major. She moved through each piece of her memorized repertoire satisfied that while her skill had indeed been reduced by lack of practice, they were not so far diminished to be unacceptable for performing. She began to simply move through scales and arpeggios after she tested for the pieces she had previously committed to memory. It had been an important exercise that her father had drilled into her: memory is the most important currency you can ever wield. Having a sharp memory and knowing how to use it will move more mountains than currency ever will. The Ton never forgets, so she shouldn't either. So she memorized her music, she memorized books, she memorized people's preferences, she remembered because she would never be allowed to forget.
By the time Rae came to help her dress for dinner, she felt sufficiently prepared for whatever the evening would bring.
When Portia Featherington arrived with Prudence and Mr. Huxley and they were shown to the formal dining room, she was immediately suspicious. She immediately pulled Trudy to the side.
"Trudy, where is my daughter and what is going on?" She hissed.
Trudy looked around and pulled her to the side into the empty smaller dining room that they normally used and closed the door.
"The only reason I am telling you this, Lady Portia, is because I know you can keep your head and will be discreet when we leave this room." Trudy stated matter of factly.
Portia nodded firmly in agreement.
"The short of it is The Bridgertons are joining us for dinner along with Lady Danbury. There is something going on that Lady Danbury felt the need to send word to the Queen during the tea that we were surprised with this afternoon and Her Majesty may make an appearance this evening. Your daughter is in the midst of making final preparations in the music room should this eventuality be the case." Trudy explained quickly.
Portia's eyes widened in shock.
"Her Majesty, here? Why this is marvelous! We should only be so honored!" Portia exclaimed.
Trudy gave her a hard stare. "Do you not understand the position that your daughter is in? She is in the midst of restoring what your husband and cousin lost! Scrutiny from the rest of the Ton is the last thing she needs right now! She has barely made it through this week and next week is more work as she rebuilds what was lost. Plus she can no longer afford to avoid social gatherings. How do you think the Ton will react to The Wallflower being shown favoritism from The Queen?"
Portia's jaw opened and shut like a fish out of water.
"I thought so. You didn't even think about how precarious all of this is. No one does. This isn't a game and this family can ill afford to make any missteps when it comes to digging itself out of the scandals and reputation that it has garnered. My mistress is doing all of this for her nephew that he may take over a Barony that is thriving . Do you understand?" Trudy asked, forcing the Dowager Baroness to look at her.
Portia closed her jaw and nodded once more. "I have news on that front. Prudence is expecting. She and Mr. Huxley pray that it is a boy."
Trudy sighed in relief. "I pray it is too. Come. I hear more guests arriving. Remember, discretion."
Portia nodded in agreement and they left the room. Trudy led Portia to her seat to the left of Penelope's place at the head at the table. The guests who had arrived were the Finches who had just been shown to their seats next to the Huxleys. Penelope had also taken her place at the table. Finally, The Bridgertons, The Bassets and Lady Danbury. The Duke and Duchess should have been seated to her right, followed by Lady Danbury, according to their rank, but they were all insisting that Anthony sit next to her, but she refused to budge.
"My honored guests, I must insist on the rules of propriety and the longer we delay, the colder our dinner grows and I for one –"
"Her Majesty, Queen Charlotte!" The announcement interrupted her objections like ice down her back.
I absolutely hate when Trudy is right about these things.
When Charlotte had received the note from Agatha there were two thoughts that ran through her head. The first being that it was a rather interesting development in this growing saga between The Wallflower and The Viscount. The second being why should she wait for a report from Lady Danbury when she could simply observe the dinner herself? Yes. It had been quite sometime since she had eaten somewhere other than Buckingham House and she wondered if Featherington House had a sufficient cook. If Lady Featherington didn't, she'd simply give her one from the palace. She couldn't have her new friend eating food that was mediocre at best.
"Brimsley! Gather my ladies and inform the kitchens that I am eating elsewhere for dinner! I need to change!" She ordered.
"And where might it be that we are going to dine, Your Majesty?" Brimsley asker.
"Why Featherington House, of course! Do keep up!" She replied, slightly annoyed.
She breezed into her chambers to await her dressing ladies, excited for this new adventure. Brimsley, for his part, simply rolled his eyes and carried out Her Majesty's orders.
Once she was dressed and loaded into her carriage, she noticed Brimsley staring at her.
"What, Brimsley? Speak!" She ordered.
"Are you sure that this is appropriate, Your Majesty? Lady Featheringron seemed quite adamant that she not be pressed…" He began.
"Oh posh! Lady Featherington believes that she cannot have what she wants because of the warped short sighted members of society who refuse to see her potential. We simply need to show her and them that she is more than worthy of their attentions." The Queen retorted.
By the time they pulled up to Featherington House, The Queen was so confident in her plan that she did not stop to think of other factors such as other guests. The house smelled delightful with the delicious scents of dinner and it distracted her enough that when the announcement of her arrival was made, she was startled by the presence of the Bridgertons and the other members of Lady Featherington's family. It was then she remembered the note about the Bridgertons being there and of course her family would be there. But she was The Queen. She would face this. She was going to have dinner with Lady Featherington, watch her dance while playing the violin, and enjoy herself. Other guests be damned!
Notes:
I'll add more notes later but the relevant ones are:
Mozart was mentioned both in season 1 of Bridgerton and is shown as a child in Queen Charlotte playing for her and her Ladies in waiting.
George Freidrich Handel wrote more than The Messiah which is where the Hallelujah Chorus is from. He was born in Queen Charlotte's home province in Prussia. He migrated to London and became a naturalized citizen. He wrote the Coronation anthem for George II that has been played in EVERY coronation since. He is the only composer to be laid in state in Westminster and given a state funeral in Westminster Abby. Mozart had a copy of The Messiah with annotations that's on display at Lobkowicz Palace.
Finally, I looked up Regency dinner courses and did my best to replicate a menu to the best of my abilities.
I will try to do character notes tomorrow. But please be kind to Pen. She's...She's had a bitch of a week and she's being pushed into trying a relationship she feels she's not worthy of. She's having feels she don't want.
Chapter 39: One Does Not Simply Have Dinner With The Queen...Without Some Rearrangements
Summary:
The arrival of The Queen throws everything off, but Luckily Pen was prepared...What she wasn't prepared for was a very annoyed Hyacinth.
Notes:
OK I know it's a shorter chapter...but guys get your tissues, because the author cry rating is a 5/5.
I used so many tissues writing this.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Hyacinth Harriet Bridgerton was not the best at maintaining composure when she was feeling strong emotions, but she also wasn't stupid enough to make an outburst in front of The Queen, that is under normal circumstances. However, these were not normal circumstances. This was the first chance she had been able to even get a glance at Pen in almost a year and Her Majesty had to ruin it. Her face contorted in barely contained rage. This was stupid. It was all. So. Stupid. And she had had enough of the grown ups being stupid. So when Pen asked The Queen where she wanted to sit and Her Majesty was taking too long to decide, she simply marched forward, grasped the monarch's hand, led her to the center of the table facing the entrance to the room, and declared:
"Her Majesty will sit here!" She then moved one seat over to the right and plopped down with no intention to move and turned to Penelope.
"C'mon, Pen! You can sit next to me! Can we start dinner? I'm starving!"
Everyone stared at her in utter shock, to which she paid absolutely no mind. Suddenly there came a giggle. A small one but then it turned into a laugh. Penelope was laughing. She was laughing and crying at the same time as she walked over to Hyacinth and knelt down to her.
"Of course, I can sit next to you. That's where I always sit, right?" She asked.
Hyacinth nodded then threw her arms around her. "I've missed you so much, Pen. When are you coming home?"
Penelope sighed. "We can talk about it later. I'm hungry, too. Plus you just manhandled The Queen. I think you should apologize while I go get the soup with Miss Trudy, yeah?"
Hyacinth nodded. "Yeah, ok."
"Ok. Do you think you can help arrange everyone else where Her Majesty would prefer?" Penelope asked.
Hyacinth grinned. "Of course!"
Penelope smiled and said "Perfect" before standing to curtsey before The Queen.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. It seems my host duties are required elsewhere at the moment and the duty of aiding you with the seating arrangement will have to fall upon Miss Hyacinth. Though I highly recommend that she be kept with her brother, Gregory. Two troublemakers together are easier to keep an eye out for than separately." She stated with amusement.
The Queen narrowed her eyes at Hyacinth giving her a scrutinizing gaze.
Hyacinth, for her part, gave the Queen a low curtsey.
"I apologize for touching and pulling Your Majesty without permission. Please allow me to make amends by aiding you?"
"Very well. You can start by aiding Lady Danbury to my left side." The Queen began imperiously.
And so Hyacinth began her task guiding each guest to where The Queen assigned.
Meanwhile, Penelope walked up to Brimsley who was still watching the entire scene with his mouth open.
"You may wish to close your mouth, Mr. Brimsley, one might think I allow flies in my home. Come! If I am to be hosting the Queen, I need all the hands I can get to do the serving, which means you too."
Brimsley looked to the Queen for help. All she did was raise an eyebrow and he was forced to follow Lady Featherington to the kitchen.
The kitchen was a bustle of activity as dishes for the first course were being lined up to be taken to the table. The soup was waiting on their trays, under their covers, and the cook was busy giving orders on dishes for the second course that would be finished and plated during the first course.
"No. No. No. Boothby! Shuck the peas out of their casings into the bowl, not into the bloody pot!" She was saying.
"Yer gonna be usin' tha pot anyways teh cook 'em I see ne reason teh nah it!" The man Brimsley could only assume was Boothby bickered back.
He had never seen such a disorganized manner of servants, the way they bickered, argued, it was a wonder dinner was even ready. But then Lady Featherington walked up beside him and clapped her hands. All went still in the kitchen as everyone turned their attention to her.
"Boothby, please give Sylvie a break and just do as she asks. She's been hard at work all afternoon to provide us with this wonderful meal." She said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Everyone, this is Mr. Brimsley, Her Majesty's Man. You are to give him the same regard as you give to myself as he aids us in serving dinner. He will be serving Her Majesty personally, so no need to be nervous about that aspect."
He watched as all of the others gave him a slight nod but otherwise returned their attention to their Mistress.
"Mr. Williams as always will be at my right, but we also have Miss Hyacinth and Mister Gregory Bridgerton as well Mr. Williams so they and their troublemaking will need to be accounted for." He remembered Mr. Williams from the Danbury Ball and watched as the man bowed to his mistress.
"Trudy, you would normally wait on my Mother and The Huxley's but I shall have you with Lady Danbury and Their Graces." An older looking woman nodded.
"Liam, you shall be waiting upon The Viscount, the Dowager Viscountess and Mister Benedict." Brimsley recalled that this was the Butler.
"Alma and Boothby you are aiding Sylvie in the kitchen while the rest are to space yourselves evenly amongst the rest of our guests. Do not let my mother and sisters bully you. Remember that I am the Lady of this house and that if they begin to overstep to allow me to handle it. The same with any of our other guests, including Her Majesty."
She looked at him intensely. "That includes you, Mr. Brimsley. You may be Her Majesty's Man, but under my roof, you are just the same as any other under my employ. We work together in this house and I expect the same dedication from you as I expect from any of my other workers. In return, I offer the same protections and loyalty I give to my employees. Don't squander it, Mr. Brimsley." She finished and all he could do was nod.
It was then he understood why The Queen had taken to The Wallflower. It was because The Wallflower was Her.
Penelope took a deep breath after setting the rules with Brimsley. She needed to regain some semblance of control of the situation, some sort of center that she could focus on. Issuing the orders for who was doing what was exactly the recentering she needed after being thrown off kilter by Hyacinth's actions in the dining room. She had not been expecting that. She had not been expecting the absolute pang of agony of seeing the girl she had watched grow from a babe rush to her demanding she sit next to her, demanding she come home. She didn't know how she was going to be able to let them go now that she had them back, but that was a question for after dinner.
She felt the vice of her station tighten, squeezing the very breath from her. She didn't have time for this. She had a dinner to serve. Straightening her back she nodded to the rest of her staff who began picking up the different breads, both savory and sweet, pickled vegetables, and sauces. She then turned to Brimsley.
"If you shall take the potatoes, I shall take the lamb." She said and Brimsley nodded in agreement.
The parade of food was met with delighted ohh's and ahh's, but none more so than when the smell of roasted potatoes and braised Lamb hit their noses. As Penelope set the main first course upon the table in the center, the first round of soup began to be brought to the table and she quickly receded back to the kitchen. As the host, it was her duty to serve the soup to The Queen while Brimsley would fill her place for her the rest of the time. She took the covered tray and followed Brimsley who would serve her once she had served The Queen. As she placed the tray in front of Her Majesty, she met her gaze. She was hurt, scared, and so very, very tired. She didn't want to be hosting this dinner. But she pulled on a smile and said:
"On behalf of Featherington House, I hope you enjoy all of the offerings that we have for dinner this evening, Your Majesty. Bon Appetit."
She pulled off the cover and the delicious smell of artichoke mixed with creamy lemon and thyme filled the room and the sound of the other covers being removed signaled the release of more of the heady aroma. If she had been paying more attention, she would have realized that the seating arrangements had altered… significantly. Now instead of being seated next to the Queen as the hostess with Hyacinth and Gregory to her immediate right. She was now two seats removed from The Queen with the Dowager Viscountess seated to her right and Anthony seated next to her immediate right with an empty space between him and….Hyacinth. The Queen could give my mother a run for her money with how obvious she is being. She thought viciously. Still she straightened herself and took her seat to tuck into her soup.
Now in total there were six Featheringtons: Penelope, Portia, Prudence, Mr. Huxley, Philippa, and Mr. Finch. Ten Bridgertons: Violet, Anthony, Simon, Daphne, Benedict, Colin, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. One Lady Danbury, and one Royal Monarch. Giving the final sum of the dinner party 18. The table in the formal dining room sat 20. The Queen sat in the center of the table taking up two extra seats on either side of her leaving the perfect amount of seats left for the other guests. The seating arrangements then went as follows: from the Queen's immediate right sat Lady Bridgerton, Lord Bridgerton, Penelope, with Hyacinth at the head of the table, a fitting place for the Queen's assistant, or so they both thought. From the Queen's left sat Lady Danbury, The Duke and Duchess of Hastings, and Colin at the foot of the table, which was just as well as it kept him from shoving his foot in his mouth over dinner, or at least that was the hope. The opposing side then went as thus starting from Hyacinth's right: Gregory, Benedict, Eloise (an arrangement that Benedict had tried to object to but was silenced by every Mama in the room, plus Anthony), Portia, Prudence, Mr. Huxley, Philippa, Mr. Finch, then ending with Francesca upon Colin's left side. And thus the dinner party held at Featherington House of the 1815 social season began, much to both Penelope and Anthony's chagrin.
If the soup course had impressed Queen Charlotte, the braised Lamb had certainly taken her breath away. It was cooked to perfection and seasoned with proper balance to compliment the flavor of the meat.
"My dear, I should like to meet your cook. I may steal her from you. I've not tasted lamb this well seasoned since I left Prussia." She complimented Penelope.
"I highly doubt Sylvie would leave my employment unless Your Majesty can meet my employment contract with her." Penelope answered.
Everyone at the table stopped eating to look at her, their mouths agape.
"Oh. Did I not explain at tea? Or have I not explained this to you, Mother?" She asked the table as she continued to eat, ignoring the stares.
"These are not my servants, they are my employees. They have scheduled hours for which they work, negotiated pay, extended time off when needed. I even go above and beyond current labor laws and provide a stipend for when they or their families are sick and they are needed at home. I take care of those under my employ. An overworked and underappreciated staff is an ineffective and inefficient one and I have no time and no room for staff who cannot work with me." She looked around at the table giving each person a hard glare.
"You make it sound as if this Household is a business, not a family." The Queen stated.
"That's because it is, Your Majesty. There is no room for family when you are trying to rebuild something that was never even given the chance to grow when it was first planted into fertile soil. I take care of my Mother and this estate and plan to oversee my nephew's education whenever one of my sisters bears a male heir to my father's legacy. Until then, it is my duty to this Household that I make recompense for my father's debts and my cousin's investment scheme, to vote in alignment with what I believe to be best for England and the crown and to be seen at social events, if only just to be seen." She finished with a piercing glare that The Queen matched.
Suddenly there they were, looking in the mirror at the same time. The Queen and The Wallflower. Time stood still for them each seeing the enclosures that ensnared each other. One a Queen forced to serve her King who doesn't remember her on most days and a nation that defers to her son who still mourns a lost daughter. She faces these trials without pity, without comfort, she must stand strong and mist not show an ounce of weakness, not even in the privacy of her chambers. The other is a Wallflower, denigrated and cast aside by those within their society, even her own family, and yet still expected to conform to the same standards of propriety that even a woman who has been forced to accept spinsterhood like she has must for the sake of her reputation. Yet now, she has been forced into a role she did not ask for, just as the other did not ask to be Queen. She is merely a Wallflower who has been shunted to the side for so long, who suffered two different stings of betrayal so deep that she was faced with this burden alone. Just as The Queen was betrayed by her Brother Adolphus into her marriage and had to face it alone. It was in the mirror they understood one another. It was in the mirror that The Queen took the Wallflower's hand and quietly asked her where her study was. It was in the mirror that The Wallflower led The Queen to the room where her suffering had been the most painful. And it was in the Room that the Mirror shattered and both The Queen and The Wallflower reached out to each other to feel the other's pain, sob in one another's arms, and take comfort in the knowledge that they were no longer alone.
Notes:
OK guys, how are we all doing? Are we ok?
So I know I need to go back and put in character notes for last chapter, but I hope that this chapter explains why last chapter was necessary. I know we didn't get a lot from Anthony's perspective this chapter (that will be next chapter while Charlotte and Pen are having their feels), but I did want to acknowledge that I didn't forget about him. He's there and he does have thoughts, I just felt it more important to focus on the build up and resolution to Pen and Charlotte's not quite so much as reconciliation but ultimate understanding. That cathartic release kind of like we had with Pen and Agatha in Clyveden Hall.
It was always going to be this matchmaking point that was finally going to drive them to this ultimate understanding of each other, I just didn't know how I was going to make it happen. I had seen that carriage scene in Queen Charlotte where she says she's going to impale herself on that ridiculous whale bone bodice because of how betrayed she feels by her brother. And how she gets left by her Brother after she writes to him after being left alone so many times and how she wasn't told about George's illness. It reminded me soooo much of Pen's being left behind by her family, her mother's matchmaking schemes with Marina and Prudence, being betrayed by Colin and Eloise, especially Colin! He betrayed her twice: once with Marina and the other with Lord Fife and the other males.They both get left behind, are betrayed by those who are supposed to protect them, and yet are expected to suck it up and push through. It was such an eye opening comparison that it was integral to this fic and was one of the founding plot points.
Next chapter we'll go through Anthony's thoughts, have a bit of after dinner entertainment...and a bit of after after dinner entertainment
Chapter 40: Sometimes a broken mirror reflects back the best ()
Summary:
Penelope and Charlotte have a deep conversation about their stations in society before returning to dinner.
Penelope plays for her guests, but a wrench is thrown into everything when The Queen makes an unexpected announcement.
Notes:
I am so sorry for not getting this up yesterday, but as you can see, this chapter is a BEAST!!!! I had thought of dividing it into two chapters but there was no good way to do so without messing up the flow, so happy reading. I posted the links to the pieces Pen plays below so take a listen if you're so inclined.
Also...bring tissues...just...bring tissues.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
When The Queen and The Wallflower separated, they took care to wipe the tears from the other's eyes. Penelope offered Charlotte some water and a seat so they could talk properly as women: one old, one young.
"Your Majesty, forgive me I –" Penelope began, but was interrupted when The Queen held up her hand.
"In this moment, in this room, I am simply Charlotte. Just as right now, you are simply Penelope. We have finally seen each other, you and I, I think." She said quietly.
Penelope nodded quietly. "I do believe so, Charlotte."
They both sat for a moment just holding each other's hands: one smooth and plump with youth, the other worn and wrinkled with age. It was Charlotte who broke the silence first.
"When my brother signed the contracts to marry me to George, I knocked a vase off of its pedestal outside the room. When we were in the carriage riding from Liverpool to London, I was in a god-awful dress with a bodice made of whale bone."
Penelope's eyes widened in horror. Whale bone was not only expensive but lethal if a Lady so much as moved wrong. It was a stiff but brittle material when bent and once a corset or bodice was tied to the wearer. If they so much as bent at the wrong angle even minutely, they risked being shredded and impaled by the sharp edges of the broken boning.
The Queen nodded her affirmation of everything that just ran through Penelope's head. "I threatened my brother that I would bounce if we didn't turn around. But the contracts were signed. It was done. I was treated like a broodmare, an outsider, because I was, and they would not tell me what was wrong with my George. Why they had to go so far out of the country to find him a wife. As a last resort, I tried to climb a tree to go over the back wall of the palace to try escaping my wedding. George found me. He convinced me that he was just George and to give him a chance. And I did. I married him. He gifted me Buckingham House…then he left me there. I was alone again." Tears were running down her cheeks again.
"I have been alone, much of my life, save for my George when his mind allowed him to be present. Our children were our joy when they were born and we were young. When the crown did not sit so heavily upon our heads. You reminded me when we first met that there was still time for me to reconnect with my children and I have been. It has been a most wonderful experience." Her face turned somber.
"But when I see you, I am reminded of a deeper truth of myself that I cannot run from: My role was forced upon me by others, I did not learn to become Queen Charlotte overnight, but I chose to do the best I could with what I had. You spoke of your duty to your father's legacy being more important than you finding a husband because you saw how your parents squandered the gift the crown had given them and it needs to be rectified before a male heir is born. It is the same thing I would have done at your age if I were in your situation." She finished.
Penelope looked at her, truly looked at her, and saw the Queen young and vibrant having to navigate her world alone, just as she was doing.
"Why are you telling me this?" She asked.
Charlotte sighed. "Because you reminded me of who I was and who I am." She paused, gathering her thoughts.
"Penelope, I have been struggling ever since I met you to come to terms that you and I are the same. Women cast into roles of society that were not of our choosing but we must play to the best of our ability nonetheless. I am The Queen a role I was thrust into at 18 with no knowledge of how to fulfill such a duty. I had to grow into it. And you?" She prompted.
"A Wallflower that was doomed to spinsterhood before I had even the chance for my societal debut. A role that no matter how much I try to break from it, it encases me, like a vice. It has now been made worse by Colin's remarks to Fife and my vote to recognize that human beings should not be kept as slaves." Penelope answered.
Tears began to gather in her eyes. "I have been made aware of my continued status within the Ton, though my sisters and my mother have begun to reap the rewards of my efforts socially. My mother has received more invites to teas and soirees than she ever did the two years she was in charge of the household. Both of my sisters have hosted many of the Lords and their wives that I have had screaming at me in my study not a few hours prior."
She took a shuddering breath before continuing. "I did not want this. What girl wants to be forced into a life where she is doomed to be alone? But as you say, I am choosing to do the best I can with what I have. That is why, Your Majesty, I cannot marry Anthony Bridgerton. I know the importance of the Bridgerton name and I know my family's status and, more importantly, my status within the Ton. For me to be matched with him or anyone for that matter would be as a curse to that household. You know this as well as I. The memory of the Ton is long. The Sheffields were never able to recover and their line is as long as the Bridgertons. Though, there were other issues with that family." she chuckled and The Queen followed.
"The point remains, their reputation has never recovered, and I don't even think marrying His Highness will stop the tongue wagging about Edwina other than keep it quieter." She said sadly.
Charlotte felt her eyes narrow in anger, but she knew the girl was right. Their society was a harsh one where reputation was everything. No matter how highly placed in the ranks Edwina was now, the issue stood that she had left Anthony Bridgerton at the alter and had now married a Prince, Her Majesty's favorite nephew in fact. For Anthony to marry Penelope after that would mean societal ruin that even the Bridgertons wouldn't be able to recover from. Charlotte wanted to weep again. The Wallflower knew her role only too well. She had known all along, they just didn't listen, which only reinforced the locks in the cage she was forced into.
She pulled the girl into another embrace. "I am so sorry, my dearest Wallflower. I did not understand. I did not see."
Penelope allowed herself to be enveloped. It felt different this time, more motherly, more accepting. She closed her eyes and just allowed herself to feel everything wash over her: the grief, the sorrow, the anger, the fatigue, and the absolute terror that she wouldn't be able to do this. She didn't know how long they stayed like that, but there was a long grumbling from The Queen's stomach that caused them both to laugh.
"I suppose even Her Majesty is subject to the pangs of her hunger?" Penelope asked with a mischievous smirk.
"My dear girl, If I were given to such impertinent displays, I would be no better than yourself." The Queen retorted.
"So you admit that you are just as impertinent as I am." The Wallflower replied, still smirking up at The Queen as they began making their way back to dinner.
"I have never heard such nonsense uttered that did not come from a Whistledown paper." Came the response.
Before they entered the dining room The Queen turned to her with a serious expression. "Do not think that just because I recognize the constraints of your position that I will not have you and the Viscount perform your Waltz for my dearest Nephew. As I stated to you yesterday, it was a most elegant performance that I would see him enjoy upon his return. Do you understand my meaning?" She asked.
Penelope sighed. No matter how much she or Anthony would want to get out of this, Her Majesty was set on them performing. And whatever Her Majesty wanted, Her Majesty got. "I understand it perfectly, Your Majesty. Shall we go inside before your stomach decides that it shall eat me before I have a chance to perform for your nephew?" The Wallflower retorted. She was really starting to wonder if she would get the chance to eat.
The Queen tutted at her. "Such impertinence. I shall have to disabuse you of such behavior. But let us get on with it." She led them through the door and back to their seats. Penelope sat next to Anthony suddenly both hungry and nauseous as he looked at her with concern.
To say that Penelope was nervous to adjourn to the music room after dinner was the understatement of the century. She knew that once ensconced, she would be forced to play for her guests. A thought that was making her feel anxious and overly warm. Thankfully, the music room was adjoined to the Ballroom and terrace and Trudy, Mary, and Alma had opened the doors to both to allow for the room to be both spacious and properly aired. She led her guests from the formal dining room, into the ballroom, and up the stairs into the music room where there were plenty of settes, sofas, chairs, and the dias for The Queen with a comfortable lounge for her to take her ease after the filling meal. All of the instruments had been tuned as part of the home designers jobs the other day and she had seen to the care of her own instrument that afternoon. The available sheet music, including some newer pieces by Beethovon and Franz Shubert, were arranged upon the forward facing shelves and included a variety of songs, sonatas and solo pieces. She watched as Her Majesty perused the sheet music stopping at Beethoven's Sonata No. 5 in F Major.
"I have heard of Herr Beethoven but my Music Master has yet to schedule any performances of his works. Have you played this sonata, Lady Featherington?" She asked with genuine intrigue.
"I have. It sounds best with pianoforte accompaniment I've heard, but I have practiced it solo enough times to manage." Penelope responded nervously. It was not one of her memorized pieces and she had not practiced with anyone else present aside from her father when he had first acquired it her first year out in society.
Her Majesty turned to the assembled guests. "I have heard nothing but praise for the masterful skill of young Francesca's playing upon the Pianoforte. Tell me child, have you played this accompaniment or anything close to it that you may manage to play alongside our dear Lady Featherington?" She asked imperiously.
Francesca stepped forward, head held high just as confident in her abilities as Penelope lacked in hers and took the score sheet in hand to examine it.
"I have not played this particular piece, but it is not so difficult that I cannot play it to accompany Penelope." She said, giving Penelope a kind and loving smile.
Penelope smiled back, determined not to break her composure after having regained it over dinner.
"Then if you would like to warm your fingers by playing some scales, arpeggios, and the first few bars of the pieces while everyone settles in, I shall do the same." The Wallflower declared. Francesca nodded her appreciation and took her place upon the bench to begin her exercises while everyone settled into where they wished to sit to view the first entertainment of the evening.
Penelope did much the same, double checking the rosin upon her bow and donning her playing gloves. She began her own warm up, ensuring her violin was in tune with the pianoforte and when both players were satisfied they began. The sweet high notes and demure beginning quickly gave way to the fast pace and intense but fun runs in both the violin and piano that gave the perfect complex melody to the listener's ear. And with the way Francesca and Penelope were smiling at each other as they played on, it was clear that they were both enjoying the very technically challenging piece.
Penelope's swaying hips, dips of her body, and twists and turns of her shoulders showing how deeply connected to the music she was was enough to set Anthony into a frenzy. He was so hard, his breeches were uncomfortable and watching her sway in that sinfully seductive sapphire blue dress made her even more of the siren that called to him in his dreams. He wanted to drag her from that music room, down the hall to her chambers, sink into the depths of the ocean with her, and never rise to the surface again. How was he supposed to get through another hour of polite after dinner entertainment with that image in his head? He praised the Heavens above that they ended their performance of the sonata after the first movement, only to be thwarted by his brother.
"Oh come now, Pen, we all know that is not the true extent of your prowess upon the violin. Play something with our dear Daphne! Show Her Majesty something truly worthy of a dancer and a violinist." He exclaimed
Penelope went pale. She was going to kill Benedict. But now that he said it, there was no getting out of it as Her Majesty looked on expectantly.
"You are certainly correct, Mister Benedict. Though after myself and Her Grace are finished, I believe you and dear Colin shall owe us a song." She responded with the most evil smirk she could muster. She knew how much he hated singing in front of people, even though he had a very beautiful voice. If she was going to be called out for this hidden pleasure, then he was going to pay a high price.
"I agree. I should like to hear what other talents we have in the room." The Queen decreed.
And so Penelope took her place once more only this time in front of the Piano after she and Daphne chose Mozart's Violin Sonata No. 33. It was one they had practiced many times over, mostly because it was fun to play. As they began, the muscle memory began to take hold and Penelope began to sway to the music. Her eyes fluttered closed and soon she was dancing to the melodic tones. Twirling and spinning while she played the runs to perfection, or prancing about as she played short staccatos, her feet moved her about the smaller space as she kept in time with Daphne. When the first movement ended on its final chord, she landed in a deep curtsey facing her audience with enthusiastic applause.
"I have made a decision." The Queen declared. "In addition to the Viscount's waltz, You shall be performing a concerto of your choice with the orchestra at the Welcoming Ball for my Nephew, Lady Featherington."
That got Anthony's attention. "Excuse me, Your Majesty, Your Nephew? Waltz?" He asked.
Everything in the music room went still.
"Have you not been informed? I thought that you were supposed to be informed." The Monarch said, slightly irritated looking at Lady Danbury for explanation.
"Your Majesty, that's what the tea earlier, though it was waylaid, and this dinner was for." Her friend stated.
Penelope shifted nervously in front of everyone seeing how upset Anthony was starting to get and how explosive the situation was about to become.
"If I might have a moment alone with the Viscount in my study, I will explain The Queen's requests. Please, enjoy yourselves. I turn the duties of entertainment over to my Mother." She met both Anthony and her Mother with a nervous smile before giving the guests a deep bow.
She offered her hand to Anthony who took it hesitantly before he stood from his place on a settee next to Hyacinth and followed her to her study followed by Mr. Williams.
"John, please wait outside, ensure that our discussion is not interrupted." Penelope instructed.
John nodded. He knew that from his mistress's body language whatever happened in that room wasn't for anyone's eyes or ears no matter what it was. He could tell by the gravity of the situation that this was no mere discussion; this was her preventing a cannon from being fired in the house. He watched as they entered the room and prayed to God that whatever his mistress had planned, it worked.
Penelope closed the door behind her, walked over to her cabinet where her decanter of Brandy stood, knowing it was his preferred alcohol, poured them both two fingers full, and held one out for him, which he hesitated to take.
"You may as well take it, you're going to need it for this conversation." She said seriously.
"Pen, this is hardly proper for a Lady to be –" she cut him off with a harsh glare.
"I have been told this entire week what is proper and improper for a Lady to do while within my own home while conducting business on behalf of the Featherington Barony. If I hear one more person speak to me about propriety when all I have done has been to be gracious, merciful, peaceful, amenable, quiet, demure, and for all that is holy proper , I shall commit murder. Either take the damn drink or don't, Lord Bridgerton, but I am in need of such after being bombarded by children in the guise of Lords and other such wealthy gentlemen and meddlesome matchmakers." She finished her tirade and to make her point she downed the glass in one go before switching to her preferred whiskey.
Anthony wasn't sure if he should be appalled or impressed, but either way he decided to take the drink, copy her motion, and signaled for another, which she obliged.
"Are we finished with discussions of my behaviors? Because there are more important matters for us to discuss." She asked tersely.
He wanted to be angry with her for addressing him so, but on the other hand, he was in her study in her home and he had been overstepping. Of course, there was also the little problem of wanting her in a way that was improper for a gentleman, fully erect after watching her dance and play her violin, and now drinking a damn good brandy while in an enclosed space with her honey and roses scent floating in the air. Add in that fiery glow in her eyes and if his Siren didn't get on with whatever the Hell was going on, then he was going to pin her to that desk and –
"If you haven't noticed yet, there seems to be the idea that we would make a good match for matrimony and thus Her Majesty and Lady Danbury had made it their mission to play matchmaker on our behalf. After the incident during the soup course at dinner, The Queen and I have come to an understanding of how I feel about this and shall be speaking with Lady Danbury about ceasing that nonsense." Her voice interrupted his thoughts. So it hadn't been his imagination, but where did his mother fit into this? Unless she had been operating independently of Lady Danbury…
"However, His Highness, Prince Friedrich, has been appointed attache to Britain from Prussia and will be returning to London on a permanent basis with his wife." She paused and looked at him sympathetically. "He's married to Edwina, Anthony and The Queen hasn't told me if Kate is going to be joining them."
He stood up enraged and threw the glass in his anger against the wall while it was still half full. It shattered leaving shards and amber liquid sliding down its wooden paneling. She did not move or react knowing that to do so would only cause him to become more overwhelmed. She had seen it when she was younger and Colin had pushed Anthony too far on getting him a new horse. There had been nothing wrong with Colin's horse, Colin just wanted a new horse because he wanted to show off for a girl. She remembered how much was going on around them. They were at Aubrey Hall, Hyacinth was five or six and they had been playing in the drawing room when the commotion was going on. Anthony was already in a foul mood, Benedict was trying to calm him down, Colin was pestering him about a horse, Anthony said no, Colin kept on it and Following Anthony, until Anthony exploded much like he just did. Hyacinth then started crying, Colin and Benedict started berating their brother and the boys came to blows.
She watched as he paced her study, letting some of his anger simmer off of him.
"And we are to dance for them? Is that it?" He raged. His hands shook, his eyes now the color of melted chocolate, and he looked absolutely dangerous. Yet she knew he wouldn't hurt her.
"At their welcoming Ball, yes. Her Majesty was so impressed by our Waltz that she has decided that we shall perform for Their Highnesses at the Ball her Majesty is throwing to Welcome them back to London." She said neutrally.
All of the anger and rage deflated out of him. So that was it. He had danced with her once, impressing everyone so thoroughly, that he was being made to make a fool of himself in front of his ex-fiance and her new husband. Penelope took mercy on him and didn't say anything as they simply sat together. He watched her lift her glass to her lips and suddrnly remembered why it was dangerous for him to be in this room. All of the thoughts of her hands playing on that damnable violin returned as his eyes focused on how they now grasped the glass in her hand raising it to her lips. Lips that he wanted to devour. He wanted to taste whatever it was she was drinking as it lingered on her lips and in her mouth. He wanted her hands to play him just as deftly as she played her violin. Anthony wanted . She met his eyes and he could almost imagine the same want, the same longing, the same heat rolling off of her for him that he felt for her.
Penelope saw the heat in his gaze, the lust, the primal need, and oh God did she want to give in right here, right now. But she couldn't do that to him. She knew it wasn't her he was lusting after, it was Kate. She refused to entrap him in a marriage with her just to give in to her own wants. She refused to ruin what she was building here for her family's future for one selfish night of just feeling loved and accepted for who she was for once. Because it would be a lie. He wasn't really seeing her. He was seeing his Kate. Because to Anthony Bridgerton, like all Bridgertons, she was Pen. Just Pen. She cleared her throat to get his attention.
"We will need to practice together. Even though our dance at the Danbury Ball was impressive, I am sure Her Majesty will expect nothing less than perfection for her nephew." She kept her voice even and matter of fact, but was not feeling very even keeled as she said the words.
"Of course. When are you most available?" Was the question of the hour.
"I have Sunday tea scheduled with my Mother and Sisters. I have Tuesday and Friday dinner with my mother, sisters, and their husbands. I know that Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays are normal Parliamentary days with Wednesdays and Fridays reserved for voting. I currently have a standing appointment for tea with Her Majesty at 2 PM every Thursday. Mr. Sharpe and I have our appointments set for Monday after Parliament has adjourned at 2 PM for the day and Fridays at 5 PM." She recited her schedule and wrote it down on a piece of parchment.
All-in-all her schedule was the more open of the two of them. However, that would probably not be the case for long, so having a standing appointment twice a week for practicing until the Ball was necessary.
"I believe Sunday and Wednesday mornings will be our best openings. It is when I am the most available." Anthony stated.
"Sunday and Wednesday it is then. Eleven o'clock?" She asked.
"Agreed." He nodded.
His eyes looked down at her lips. She looked down at his. They were both there, panting, wanting, about to move, when there was a sharp knock at the door.
Penelope took in a sharp breath before giving out a sharp, "Enter!" She was about to chastise John when the door was opened to reveal that Her Majesty had come to find them.
"Well? Is anything amiss? You were taking so long down here there was talk of a possible scandal. Imagine my surprise when I saw your man outside your study Lady Featherington." The Queen narrowed her eyes at both of them.
Penelope went back to her cupboard and pulled out two more glasses and refilled all three cups with the Apple Schnapps she always kept on hand. She didn't know why she kept the Monarch's favored liquor on hand, she just did. She handed the glasses to both The Queen and Anthony, then raised hers in a toast.
"To Your Majesty's favorite nephew. May he and his beautiful wife enjoy our presentation as much as we shall enjoy performing for them." She cheered, taking a sip of the overly sweet alcohol.
They both joined her, though dubiously.
"The Viscount and I have secured a standing practice after having the initial discussion of the plans for the Ball. That is what took so long, Your Majesty. We were discussing our schedules to find the optimum time for perfecting our dance for Your Ball." She explained.
"And Why was your Man outside?" The Queen asked again.
"You have been in the presence of my mother long enough. How many times has she snuck down to see what was going on that she finally asked you to intervene?" Penelope asked. Anthony almost laughed.
The Queen smirked. "Too many too count that it grew so wearisome, that I felt it time to retire. I shall see you Thursday, my dear. Good evening, Lord Bridgerton."
Anthony bowed. "Your Majesty."
"Until Thursday, Your Majesty." Penelope responded.
The Queen swept from the room, a knowing smile on her face, and John closed the door after her.
Anthony turned his attention back to Penelope. He ached for her. But the Queen's interruption reminded him that he could not have her. She was too good for him. Too pure.
"Tomorrow is the Trowbridge ball, correct?" He asked.
She hummed in affirmation. "I shall see you there?" She asked.
"Yes. I shall be escorting Francesca." He answered.
"Are you returning up to the music room?" She asked. Her eyes looked so hopeful. He wanted to sink into her, never letting her go, but he needed to get away from her. Now. Before he did something they would both regret.
"No. I believe I shall also take my leave for the night." He said. He wanted to smooth the hurt from her face. To tell her that he was protecting her from him. That the Rake would ruin her. Just like it ruined Kate . He bowed to her and left the house ignoring the soft sobs coming from the study.
Anthony barely made it to the bordello that housed his Pen stand-in before he dragged the real Penelope Featherington to his room and ruined her thoroughly. The image of Pen dancing so gracefully in that gorgeous sapphire gown that made her eyes glow while playing so hauntingly upon her violin had made him almost feral. He could still smell her rose and honey scent as she spun about the room playing that damned waltz, her fingers sliding oh so precisely upon the strings just as he had imagined when Daphne had mentioned it when the first Whistledown had been released. His imagination had nothing on the reality as he visualized those hands in not so innocent places upon his body, stroking him higher and higher!
He was glad to see that she was available tonight and it was clear that she understood the hunger on his face for she immediately took him to her room. The door had barely closed when he grabbed hold of both wrists in one hand and pinned her to the door with her hands above her head. He growled low in his throat then kissed her hard and ruthlessly with no mercy and the woman against the door met him movement for movement, with teeth and tongue, and lips clashing for dominance. His mind filled with Pen's fingers dancing along her violin, the strings and bow obeying her hand's every movement. He groaned as he imagined those hands upon him and oh how delicious they would feel as they danced upon his skin and through his hair. He moved the woman's hands to his hair and began untying the back of her corset begging her to just give him some semblance of what Pen's fingers might feel like. She scratched her nails and soothed her fingertips along his scalp, not at all elegantly or gracefully like his Pen, but he would take what he could get. And that was all that this was…what he could get.
He continued to devour her mouth, running his hands over her body. It was an old dance, one he knew well by now, but he wasn't in the mood to play. He wanted to fuck her, to show her what she had done to him with that little display of dancing and playing. Once the corset was untied and on the floor, he pulled her from the door roughly, but made sure he didn't actually hurt her, and guided her to the bed, making quick work of his jacket, cravat, and vest on the way. Once she was on the bed, he knelt down to remove her stockings, his boots, and his socks at the same time.
When he stood, he took a moment to appreciate how decadent she looked just lying there: her core wet, her nipples hardened, and her shivering under his gaze. He hummed in appreciation and started his climb up her body, placing little kisses and nips along her hot flesh that had her whining and mewling. When his hot breath caressed her breasts, he wasted no time. In one swift, smooth stroke, he lined himself up and impaled his hard erection into her while sucking a hardened nipple into his mouth to swirl it around his tongue. She screamed his name as she came from the sheer intensity of the sudden sensation. In his head it was Pen's voice he heard. Oh what he wouldn't give for this to be Pen under him moaning, gasping, and screaming his and only his name. He licked and sucked and bit at the flesh of the woman beneath him as he pounded into her, setting a wild pace that drove them both higher and higher until they took the drop together.
He didn't know how long he was there between the fucking and the drinking. All he knew was that when Mr. Williams pulled him from the warm bed, he had never felt so cold.
Beethoven's Sonata No. 5 in F Major.
Mozart's Violin Sonata No. 33.
Pen's Dinner Dress only it's properly sized for her...
Penelope's Dress
Notes:
HOOOOOOO BOY!!! So how are we doing after that emotional roller-coaster? Don't worry, I cried so many times during writing it. You are alone.
This is the chapter that we've been building up towards with all of those little thread pieces of why Pen is so focused on how she's been going about the way she's been going about things: She knew that even if she had help from the Bridgertons, she would NEVER be able to marry into the family without causing them grief after Colin said what he did. It's not done very well in season 3, but we do kind of see the repercussions of Colin's actions and words when the whispers about him helping Pen to gain a husband begin. The first words out of the ladies' mouths are "We believe it noble of you to aid in such a lost cause." They had already determined she was a lost cause because of what had happened at her mother's ball.
Guys, Anthony marriying Pen after being left at the alter when all of society KNOWS that she is a lost cause would be like taking a wrecking ball to Aubrey Hall. Remember, it doesn't just affect Anthony, it affects his entire family: Eloise, Francesca and Hyacinth's prospects, his position in Parliament, Hell it could even affect Simon and Daphne. And she KNOWS this. Anthony may think he's saving her from himself, but she's really saving him from ruining his family and the legacy of her own that she's trying to rebuild. I promise I am not trying to be an asshole writer. THINGS WILL WORK OUT IN THE END!!! I PROMISE!!!! Think of this as the end of Act II.
The Queen finally admiting to Pen about seeing herself in her is a moment I have been sitting on and so excited for since I started this a little over a month ago. And I can't wait to start writing the teas and notes back and forth between all three of them in these next few chapters. But of course The Queen being The Queen, she saw what she wanted for her welcoming Ball for her nephew and matchmaking or no matchmaking, she's still going to get it. And Pen knows this, which is why she's the one to talk to Anthony about it, because she knows how he's going to react. And well...see exhibit A.
For his part, Anthony has fallen hard and fast for Pen, is still struggling with the "I ruin every woman I touch" feels cause first Siena, then Kate, and now had the BOMB of having to entertain for his ex-fiance and his sister's ex-fiance who are now married to each other. The man is an emotional wreck and The Queen hasn't even dropped the NUKE on them that Kate will be joining them with Lord Dorset. (See Chapter 32, Friedrich's letter). There's reasons...but I promise, they do find each other...it just takes a bit of practice.
Chapter 41: The House Of Broken Dreams
Summary:
Lady Danbury arrives at Featherington House to call on Penelope for a Promenade after the previous evening's dinner. What she doesn't expect is for her to not be awake or the conversations that are had.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Penelope winced as Rae drew back her curtains. The rest of the after dinner entertainment had gone late into the night and once everyone had left, she had work to finish from the last gentleman that had left earlier that afternoon. She had seen Anthony call a Hack as soon as he left and hadn't seen or heard him return by the time the rest of the guests had taken their leave nor the times she had stood to check out her study window that faced Bridgerton House. When her clock chimed three o'clock she had woken John to go look for Him again. She did her best to focus on the last of the figures of her books until he returned. It wasn't until around four o'clock that she heard a hack pull up to Bridgerton House and saw John half guiding, half carrying a stumbling Anthony up the walkway. Once John had secured Anthony with his own staff, he had come back huffing and groaning, returning swiftly to his bed. Penelope did the same shortly afterwards.
"I'm sorry to wake you, M'um, but Lady Danbury has come to call upon you for a Promenade." Rae said quietly.
Penelope groaned. "What is the hour?"
"'Tis noon, M'lady. We were letting you lie in until you either woke on your own or just before dinner to give you time to eat then get ready for the Trowbridge ball." Rae responded.
Penelope smiled. "You are all too good to me, Rae."
"You are too fine a mistress for us to not take care of, Lady Pen. Sylvie is preparing a Lunch for you and Lady Danbury to take on your Promenade, is there anything in particular you should like for her to pack?" Rae asked.
"Some of those minced beef pies, the small ones that you can eat in two or three bites? I think Lady Danbury should like those. And of course if she has some of her lemon custard tarts tucked away somewhere." Penelope responded.
"I shall relay the message while you begin to wake properly and choose your dress for the day." Rae said before she left the room.
Penelope groaned as she sat up to take stock of herself. She was tired. No, she was drained: physically, mentally, and emotionally. She wished nothing more than to lay back down, bury under the covers, and never emerge into the world of the living again. Last night had been one of the worst in her life and to get up to face Lady Danbury would solidify it as real. However, she was Lady Featherington now and she had the business of an estate to run. One of the businesses of the estate was to answer the calls of those who came to the house. So she pulled herself from the bed and dragged herself to her wardrobe. Considering her options, she pulled out one of her new day dresses from Gen. That is one errand I shall need to make this week. Blast those imbecile men. She thought bitterly. As she pulled out the proper corset, stockings and pantaloons to go under the dress, Rae returned and took the items from her, laying them out on the bed. Pen removed her night gown and Rae brought a sponge and basin over to help wash the worse of the sweat and grime from yesterday from her skin.
"I think a proper bath is in order for tonight, M'um." Rae said.
Penelope nodded in agreement with her assessment. "I believe you are right, though I think I shall take a rest after my Promenade with Lady Danbury. I am still weary after last night's activities."
"You mean that having a surprise Royal dinner and then working until four o'clock in the morning is supposed to leave one feeling refreshed and well rested?" Rae teased as she set the bowl and sponge aside to begin helping her dress in earnest.
"Why yes, of course! Otherwise, how else would Lord Bridgerton function as a Viscount with such vast lands and holdings? They are so much greater than mine!" She retorted back.
"Perhaps a man with such vigor was named a Capital-R Rake by Lady Whistledown for a reason." Rae smiled slyly in the mirror as she began to tighten the corset.
Penelope blushed and let out a sharp "Rae!" while the Lady's Maid simply cackled.
"That man is simply impossible." Penelope sighed. "I understand that he still pines for Kate, but there are times that I get the feeling…" She shook her head as Rae helped her in the dress proper.
"Get what feeling?" Rae prodded.
"That there might be something there." She shook her head sadly. "But there's not, I won't fool myself again like I did with Colin and even if there was…"
"You refuse to be the downfall of House Bridgerton." Rae said quietly.
She knew her mistress. If there was one thing she held above all else, it was her protection of the Bridgertons, even from her own family, especially from her own family. She had ruined her own family her first year out to save them from Colin and Marina's foolishness. And she would do it again. What she was building here was important, because in the end her family would never be able to hurt the Bridgertons again.
"I would sooner die." Penelope said solemnly.
Now that she was dressed, she turned around to hug Rae. "You are my closest friend and confidant. I truly am grateful that you understand my reasoning and why this needs to be so."
Rae held her tightly. "You are a good friend, Penelope. You have been here for me in my darkest times and held me as I cried for my Jim. Why would I not do the same for you?" She asked.
Penelope bowed her head in memory of little Benjamin James, Rae's son. The poor child had died of measles at the tender age of five. Her mother had mostly ignored Rae spending the most time with Pen during her first year of hire in Pen's first year out, both Prudence and Philippa preferring Varley to Rae in helping them dress, but that meant that Rae could bring her child with her as Penelope got to know her. Little Jim was a delight and her mother and sisters were so caught up in themselves that they didn't even notice that there was a child running around in the servants' quarters while Rae worked. Sometimes they would go for walks in the park just so that Little Jim could run around and play in the secluded areas away from watchful eyes. When Little Jim caught the Measles this last November, they were both worried and when he passed, they were both devastated. Penelope would hold Rae on the days that she just cried, sometimes she even cried herself to sleep and Pen would tuck her into her bed just so she would have some peace from her sorrows. Rae never talked about Jim's father, which told her he was either a bastard, his father had passed or left them. In any of those cases, His father had missed out on meeting the gentlest, brightest little boy that this world could have ever asked for. She could only hope her sisters would be so lucky to have a son like him.
Rae had guided her to her vanity and started on her hair while she was reminiscing, maybe she could ask Rae again.
"Rae, you don't have to tell me if you aren't ready yet, but who was Little Jim's father?" Pen asked.
Rae stopped brushing her hair and met her gaze in the mirror. She looked like she was contemplating something, as if torn between actually telling her or not.
"If I tell you, please do not hold it against him. He did pay for the care of Little Jim and he did ask after his wellfair. He was devastated to know when he passed." She said sadly.
Penelope's heart seized, surely not…
"I promise I will not hold it against whomever the gentleman is. I am glad he cared for the child and that he did care for him overall. Not many men do for their bastards." Pen said quietly.
"It was Simon Bassett, The Duke of Hastings." Rae answered, her head bowed low as if ashamed.
Penelope was shocked by the revelation, but somehow unsurprised.
"It was while I was serving at Danbury House and Duke Bassett was visiting from Oxford. Of course, you know what happens between Lords and servant girls." Rae said somewhat bitterly.
Unfortunately, yes she did. She had found a couple of her father's bastards and had to pay them and their mothers recompense. So she wasn't exactly surprised that Simon had at least one.
"He had pulled out, just as he always does before his fluids mixed with mine, but it must not have been enough. He was the only one I had ever slept with and still is." she said as if still embarrassed. She finished with Penelope's hair and Penelope turned around to look at her.
"I don't think that's anything to be embarrassed about." Penelope said.
Rae just nodded. "When I told his grace I was pregnant with his child, of course he tried to deny it, but I brought forth witnesses that confirmed both my purity and my propensity for solitude. He agreed to see the child when he was born. When he saw little Jim, there was no mistaking his parentage. He agreed to provide for the child, but because he refused to marry and he had decided that his line would end with him back then, he would not legitimate the child. I understood. I had heard stories of his father told in whispers amongst the servants of Danbury House. But now there was a problem with my employment. Lady Danbury couldn't have the mother of the future Duke of Hastings bastard living and working in her household. So she let me go with a sizable stipend for me to live on for a year. Two if I was frugal. Which I was. I worked for a short while at Aubrey House, but left shortly after to come work here. All the while, the Duke paid for the care of little Jim and even came to visit a few times before he married the Duchess." She smiled sadly.
"Are you angry that Daphne marries him and he now has Augie?" Penelope asked.
"I was at first. But then I remembered that back then, he wasn't ready to be a father, and we would not have been happy. Little Jim was happy here, Lady Pen. I was and still am happy here. The Duke is happy with the Duchess. They have little August and from what I hear are expecting another little one. I am just glad that Simon got to know Little Jim and maybe, in some way, it helped him." She replied with a watery smile.
"Now, I believe it is time for you to go on your picnic with Lady Danbury. We have been up her for too long and you know how that busy body gets when she is left to her own devices for too long." Rae tried to say while biting back tears.
Penelope gave her another hug. "Thank you for telling me and I promise your secret is safe. Simon was and is a good man. I can see why little Jim was the way he was."
Rae nodded and stroked her cheek. "Go on. I need to help Trudy with putting away the dishes from last night."
Penelope reluctantly pulled away and left her room. Rae stood there for a moment to silently weep over the loss of a child and a future that neither her or her mistress would ever have a chance to have.
As Lady Danbury sat in the Feathering House drawing room awaiting Lady Featherington, she couldn't help but note that the servants went about their business as if she were not here. Oh they came to refill her tea and ask if there was anything else that she needed, but otherwise they did not stand in wait for her. Penelope did say that her staff her were not necessarily her servants but more her employees, however it did not explain why they did not act in such a way as to treat her as if she were a Countess, a Lady of Title. Maybe one of them would be better able to explain as Lady Featherington had been rather short with them yesterday. She rang the bell and the Butler, Liam she seemed to recall, came into the room.
"Lady Danbury, how may I help you? Are the tea and cakes to your liking? If not, I can have Sylvie make fresh tea and she's just made fresh biscuits for our tea come two o'clock." He inquired.
Lady Danbury raised an eyebrow at that. "Our tea?"
Liam laughed. "Oh, yes. I forget that Lady Featherington's household is rather odd for those within the Ton."
He cleared his throat and entered the room proper. "Yes, Lady Danbury, our tea. In accordance with British Labor Law, we are afforded one hour every afternoon at two o'clock to take tea at our leisure. Also in accordance with British Labor Law, we are given Sundays off, or at least we are supposed to," He grimaced remembering this past Sunday. "The only exceptions are Sylvie, John, and Rae and really that is because of their job descriptions, but Her Ladyship keeps their work as light as possible on those days and pays them an extra stipend. Finally, according to British Labor Law, we are released from our duties at seven o'clock every evening, with the exception of Rae and John, again because of their job descriptions. They are the only two who stay in the servants' quarters and live here." He finished with a chuckle seeing the incredulous look on her face.
Once she felt she was able to speak, Lady Danbury blurted out, "but then where do you all sleep?"
Liam burst out laughing. "Next to my wife, of course! I go home, Lady Danbury. I have a boy who started his first year at Eton thanks to Lady Featherington's patronage. I brought him here one day because my wife was going to her sister's to aid in making some simple meals for the house and couldn't take him with her because she had the pox. My Mistress saw him in the library looking at the books, pulled down one of the ones that had maths in it and asked him to solve some of the equations. Now my boy had only done some simple math, but when he saw those new problems his eyes lit up. He read how to do them in the book and even though he got most of them wrong, Lady Featherington complimented him for trying and not giving up. The next thing we know, we're getting a letter from Eaton saying that he starts in the fall." He's smiling proudly, tears in his eyes.
"We are not her servants, Lady Danbury. We are her employees as she stated to you all last night. We have employment contracts that are renegotiated yearly. She is kinder than even many employers as she does follow the law. Strictly. She means it when she says that humans should be treated like humans. We are the proof. That is why no one is in here waiting on you. We do not have wait staff, at least not yet. Last night may have been a reminder for My Lady that there is still quite a bit of staff hiring to do." He chuckled.
It was then that Lady Danbury was reminded of the hard truths of Penelope that she learned while she was at Clyveden Hall those four weeks ago: She was the Ton Wallflower, a position that she did not choose for herself, but she has chosen to make the most out of what life has given her. She and The Queen will never know what it is like to have spinsterhood forced upon you. Honestly, she would have taken it gladly over what she had been through with marriage. She had chosen to remain alone, with the exception of a chosen few. She had chosen to push people away, even her own children. What Penelope had here…They may be her employees, but they were loyal, unwaveringly so. Penelope had chosen to surround herself with that which she was lacking, kindness. However, it was the next thought she had that shattered her heart: Penelope was buying kindness. She was about to speak when Penelope joined them in the drawing room.
"Lady Danbury, forgive me. I'm afraid last night did exhaust me and my staff was kind enough to allow me to lie in. Liam, is John awake or shall I have Rae accompany us?" Penelope asked.
"Mr. Williams is awake, I believe he is in the kitchen with Sylvie finishing up the basket for you and Lady Danbury." The Butler answered.
"Excellent. Shall we go check their progress, Lady Danbury?" She asked, turning to the Countess.
Lady Danbury was shocked. Once again she had to remind herself that Penelope oversaw her household like a business. Of course she would want to oversee how things were going in the kitchen with her own eyes.
"Of course! Lead the way." The Widow answered.
Penelope led them down the hall and a short couple of stairs until they were in a modest sized kitchen with an attached dining area for the servants. John was watching an older woman pack a basket with the "help" of an older gentleman with a grin on his face.
"I swear to the Heavens, Boothby, if you don't stop trying to rearrange the basket every time I turn around, I'm going to hide your favorite Pair of pruning sheers for a month!" Sylvie was snapping.
"An' Ah'm tellin' yeh nah allo' tha' gon' fi' if yeh don'!" Boothby bit back.
Penelope met John's eyes with a pointed look to which John raised his hands while trying not to laugh. She shook her head. She would swear they had been married for years with how they bickered back and forth. Yet, she would find them dancing and holding each other in tender moments ever since they had hired Boothby on from the Cowpers. It was like they had found each other after a long time of waiting and just slipped into each other's lives as if they had always been there. Penelope cleared her throat and both of them stopped their arguing.
"Boothby, the kitchen is Sylvie's area of expertise. You wouldn't want her going around tromping through your garden just pruning things left and right, would you?" She asked kindly.
He shifted nervously. "No, M'um."
"But, Sylvie, maybe actually take a listen and look at what Boothby is doing before sniping at him?" She looked pointedly at the basket where Boothby had been rearranging the dishes to be more symmetrical to the basket, thus giving more space for the items. Sylvie looked between Boothby and Penelope with an astonished look on her face.
"Of course, M'um. I'm sorry, Boothby." She said quietly.
"S'ok, Sylvie. Neh 'arm done. Now, 'oo mi' or ges be, M'um?" Boothby asked with a warm smile on his face. Lady Danbury couldn't help but return the smile. His gentle eyes seemed to hold a genuine kindness to them. The same with who she could only assume was Sylvie, the cook.
"Boothby, Sylvie, It is my honor to present you both to Lady Danbury, Countess and Lady of the Queen's court." She introduced.
Both of them dropped into a deep courtesy and bow.
"M'Lady. 'Tis an honor to have you bless our home again and enjoy my kitchen's offerings, many of which are made possible with Boothby's skills at gardening." Sylvie said.
Lady Danbury raised an eyebrow at that. "Boothby cleaned up the vegetable patch during his first week here and found that a lot of the plants were alive and still thriving, if grown wild. The peas, for one, were terribly overgrown and bursting. There were wild carrots and potatoes. Boothby managed to get everything back in order though. There are plans for an orchard as well." Penelope replied.
"Ah. Well. Yes, Dinner was quite spectacular last night and I look forward to the offerings you and Mr. Boothby have for us to enjoy on our picnic." Lady Danbury responded to them. They both lit up in delight and it made Lady Danbury smile to see them so happy at such a small compliment.
Penelope turned back to address John. "Shall we, Mr. Williams?"
John chuckled as he took the now properly packed basket and followed his Lady and The Widow to the carriage.
Notes:
Now don't we all feel at least a little bit better after some Featherton House staff fluff? Fun Fact: The groundskeeper Boothby is named after the Starfleet Academy groundskeeper. And of course Sylvie is named after Sylvie from Loki.
But onto the notes: I wanted to take a breath and start laying some threads for the next few conversations that are going to be happening between our three gals as well as some of what's going to be happening in the story overall. Lady Danbury meeting Sylvie and Boothby is important because it is going to make her think about what could have been with Adolphus or how she has chosen to push so many people away that finding someone like Boothby in her old age is going to be difficult unless she opens up. On the other hand, it's going to make her struggle to identify with Pen's situation because she chose to embrace her Widow status. She chose to embrace it so much that she's now a lonely, old woman with no contact with her children. It was something she was beginning to understand about Pen in Clyveden Hall, but now she's being forced to actually see it, in person, and it comes with bitter and harsh realities.
And that's why I took the time to have that section with Rae and Pen as a setup for Lady Danbury's section. I wanted to show just exactly how tied up everyone is in their little world that they don't notice even the small things around them. Such as a small child being around the house or in Pen's room. Lady Danbury not recognizing Rae as a former servant. Of course Simon would recognize Rae while she was serving dinner, but he's not going to acknowledge it and embarrass his wife. So when Lady Danbury and Liam are having that conversation, it really is about Pen making a statement that no one in her house is going to be ignored, no one is going to be forced to do anything that is not strictly within their job contract, and no one is going to be treated as less than human.
And that is fundamental to this new understanding that Lady Danbury has yet to grasp about Penelope. Lady Danbury chose to push people away and sit herself higher above them, not because of her role in society or constraints upon her person, but because of what her marriage did to her. Penelope is choosing the opposite, not only because that is the role society is forcing onto her, but because she knows what it is like to be ignored and unvalued. Their juxtaposition is going to be more intense but ultimately show that their connection is stronger than they realize.
Chapter 42: The Privileges of Marriage Are For Life
Summary:
Penelope and Lady Danbury arrive at the Park where Penelope is faced with some of the consequences of her actions in the larger societal world and Lady Danbury has a wake up call of her own.
Notes:
Hi guys, I'm back to writing chapter by chapter and things kind of exploded yesterday. I'm going to try this week to get back ahead, but it may take me a while so please be patient if I'm not updating everyday as usual. I do have a couple of scenes for future chapters written so that does take a lot of the pressure off of me, but life is being life and writing is a bit hard to focus on, but I promise you this is taking priority! I will not abandon this work! Not when I have poured so much time into it and it is honestly one of the things keeping me going right now. But your comments and encouragement keep me going as well. They drive me and keep my brain from going into complete melt down. So once again, My dearest readers, thank you. For everything.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The ride to the park was interesting for Lady Danbury to observe. Penelope and Mr. Williams spent the drive discussing the schedule for the household and her outings over the next week.
"And the dance practices with Lord Bridgerton?" Mr. Williams asked. Well that peaked her interest.
"Sunday and Wednesday mornings at eleven o'clock until one o'clock." She replied.
"Well that's going to make my Mondays and Thursdays worse." The Lady's Man grumbled. Penelope smacked him in the chest.
"Ow! I don't know if you've noticed, My Lady, but I–" He was cut off by their arrival at the park and Penelope's sharp glare.
"We will have this particular discussion later, Mr. William's. For now, be a dear and help Mr. Dawson unload the picnic shade, then carry the basket and lounge pillows for our picnic. If you are a well behaved gentleman for our walk to our favored spot, I dare say you shall be able to have some refreshment while standing at your post as always." The Young Lady Featherington replied, much to Lady Danbury's amusement.
John knew he had stepped in it, for she was rarely so prickly with him or addressed him by his surname. And by the look on Lady Danbury's face, she knew something was amiss. It would be best for him to simply wait until they were alone to discuss Lord Bridgerton.
"As you say, My Lady." Was all he said as Mr. Dawson opened the carriage door for them to be let out.
As they made their way through the park, they walked in a companionable, if slightly awkward silence, with John at his normal five paces behind both ladies with Mr. Dawson at his side. Lady Danbury took a moment to study her young friend now that she was out in the bright sunlight and not sequestered in her home and study. She was pale and drawn with dark circles under her eyes. She hadn't lost any significant weight, but the way she stood with her head high, back straight, and shoulders back made her look taller, less shrunken in and dough ball-like. At the same time, she knew she wasn't eating as heartily judging by the tautness of her skin. Was she even getting enough sleep? She was pulled from her study of her friend as they were approached by Ladies Aubrey and Cho.
"Lady Aubrey, Lady Cho. How are you both this fine afternoon?" Lady Danbury greeted neutrally.
"We are most pleasant, don't you agree, Lady Aubrey?" Lady Cho answered.
"Quite. 'Tis a lovely afternoon for a walk before the ball this evening. And how do you both fair, Lady Danbury…" She paused, a clear sneer upon her face. "Lady Featherington."
"We are quite well, Lady Aubrey. We are just on our way to enjoy a picnic before returning to prepare for tonight's ball." Penelope answered.
Both Ladies giggled, though Lady Aubrey looked ready to throttle her. "Had you not heard? Your invite had been rescinded after meeting so scandalously with several gentlemen in your nightclothes." Lady Cho provided.
"Oh, well that is a pity. How is Lord Cho, My Lady? I've heard you have lost quite some popularity within the Ton. Though I suppose that is to be expected being associated with a disreputable Lord who both tried to assault my person and invested with him in as shady a company as the East India. However, I do hope the funds that I repaid on behalf of my cousin has brought about some comfort to aid you in this difficult time." Penelope responded looking entirely nonplused, while Lady Cho grew more and more mottled before turning pale at the last revelation.
"W-what?" Lady Cho asked.
"Oh? Don't tell me your Lord Husband didn't tell you. I paid my cousin's fraudulent investments back to him in full. I have the receipts of payment at my home should you wish to see them and he was given a copy as well, signed by my Man here as Witness." She gestured to John behind her and he stepped forward.
"I swear upon the word and the blood that what My Lady says is true." He said clearly and simply.
Lady Cho almost fainted and Penelope almost cackled. For John to make such a declaration meant that he was putting his life on the line for blasphemy. Which meant that it was beyond doubt that Penelope was telling the truth. She had the records. Lord Cho had been paid and Lady Cho…Well she wasn't about to discuss her situation with this upstart.
Lady Cho cleared her throat. "Of course I would like to verify that the funds were indeed repaid, so long as you are properly dressed, Lady Featherington."
Lady Danbury watched as Penelope bristled at the dig, but then settled.
"So long as you arrive at proper calling hours, it shouldn't be an issue. Speaking of, Lady Aubrey, what were you doing before breakfast this past Wednesday?" Penelope asked, turning her attention to the other Lady abruptly.
"I should think that none of your business, Lady Featherington." Lady Aubrey responded indignantly.
"Oh, but I do believe it is seeing as I was still abed and your Lord Husband was laying siege to my home with about fifty other men of the Ton. Or did the new royal guard posted in front of Featherington House not cause some stir amongst you?" Lady Danbury watched as Penelope's voice remained steady, cool and neutral, but the biting back of her words were sharper than knives and the icy fire in her eyes made it seem like they were glowing.
Lady Aubrey opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water as if looking for a response.
"If I might suggest a proposal to you and the rest of the married Ladies within the Ton, perhaps it would be best to keep your Lords busy in the marriage bed so that they do not come barging to a known Wallflower's home before it is proper . After all, I am doomed to spinsterhood, am I not Ladies? Surely it is more improper and certainly most ungentlemanly for your Lord Husbands to show up at my home before breakfast. One could almost call it, hmm? What would they call it, Lady Danbury?" Penelope looked over at her with a mischievous smirk.
Both Ladies jumped at the reminder that Lady Danbury had been witness to the entire conversation, which made her laugh inside. "I believe they would call it rakish, Lady Featherington, and if the behavior I saw yesterday was any indication, it would seem that all your husbands seem to want is to be in Lady Featherington's presence. Therefore," she took a step towards them and continued in a low tone, "I suggest that you do take Lady Featherington's advice, turn their amorous attentions back upon you, and ensure that every other married Lady within the Ton does the same. Yes?" She finished with a smirk.
"O-Of course, Lady Danbury. 'Tis wise counsel you and Lady Featherington offer." Lady Aubrey stated nervously. She knew what Penelope was threatening now that she had put it into such blatant terms: Lord Aubrey, a married man, had stormed to Lady Featherington's home and tried to break in. Lady Featherington, while being of marriageable age, had already been judged a spinster by the Ton. If Lady Aubrey did not keep more wifely control over her husband, either by joining him in the marriage bed or simply ensuring that he was not harassing her, Lady Featherington would spread the word that it was her husband that led to Featherington House needing a royal guard.
"And you, Lady Cho? I should hate that Lord Cho would be associated with both Lord Fife, a known supporter of slavery and illicit drug trafficking, and Lord Aubrey, who tried to lay seige to Featherington House should Lady Whistledown catch hear of it." Penelope gave Lady Cho a pointed look.
Lady Cho blanched. All wind and bluster taken out of her for a moment, "It is as you say, Lady Featherington. We Lady Wives are so fortunate to have our Lord Husbands after all. A pity that you shall never have such joy in taking care of a husband or children. We must be on our way. Please enjoy your picnic, Ladies. And we shall see you at the ball tonight Lady Danbury."
Both Lady Cho and Lady Aubrey left laughing. Penelope may have won in spirit by telling them that she would write about Aubrey being the one to lay siege, but the last comment from Lady Cho hurt . Absolutely, hurt . But she would not cry, could not cry. This was part of the role (The vice squeezed around her) . She had dealt with the threat of those who would try to make another scandal for her family (Now there was a noose around her neck stealing her voice) . Now, she would go on a picnic with her friend, before going to the ball to set things straight on that front (Her hands were bound and chained to the vice that now held her so completely enthralled) .
They had made their way to a nice shady spot by the willows overlooking the lake. John and Penelope spread the blanket pulled from the basket, smoothing it over the grass, then John and Mr. Dawson took to setting up the picnic shade while Penelope set the lounge cushions and unpacked their meal. Finally, John and Mr. Dawson took some refreshment in the form of a glass of lemonade each as they took their posts on either side of the shade to ensure the ladies would not be disturbed.
The meal really was just as decadent as Sylvie had promised and Penelope was happy that she did, in fact, have some of her lemon custards tucked away.
"I shall have to have your Sylvie give me her recipe for these delightful mince…what do you call them?" Lady Danbury asked, holding up one of the small minced beef pies with her fingers.
"We've never really named them. I've taken to calling them two bite pies. But they are rather lovely. She's taken to making sweet ones to go with tea." Penelope explained excitedly.
"They are really wonderful." Lady Danbury stated, popping the other end of the one she has been enjoying into her mouth.
Penelope was enjoying some of the cucumber sandwiches and strawberries when Lady Danbury spoke up again.
"Do you really think your invite has been rescinded?" She asked.
Penelope laughed. "If it had, Lady Trowbridge would have had to have sent it Thursday after I told her husband I was meeting The Queen for tea or yesterday after seeing the royal guard at the door as proof."
Lady Danbury cackled.
"You handled yourself quite admirably, my dear. I don't think I've seen Lady Cho turn such a shade of puce since Lady Cowper stated that her son looked as if he had been kicked by a horse at birth."
Penelope laughed uproariously. It took some time before both of them sobered.
"Penelope. Is this truly what you want for yourself?" Lady Danbury asked.
The vice tightened again as The Wallflower looked at The Widow.
"If you would allow me a question first, Lady Danbury?" The Wallflower asked.
Lady Danbury thought a moment before nodding.
"Did you ever have the opportunity to remarry after Lord Danbury passed?" She asked.
Memories of Adolphus flooded her mind. The feelings of actual attraction and want of being with someone who actually loved her for who she was. But the pain of being reminded that she would still have to carry children for him.
"I did. However, the prospect of having to carry more children…" Lady Danbury left the answer unfinished.
"Would this person have accepted Lord Danbury's children as his own?" Penelope asked.
"Well, yes, but he did require heirs of his own. In fact, with how wonderful he was, he would have loved them as his own." The Widow clarified.
"You say he was wonderful, and you did not marry him. Meaning you chose to forgo the chance at happiness, of companionship, because you did not find the duty of bearing your husband his own children appealing. Am I correct?" The Wallflower concluded.
"I wanted to find out who I was independent of anyone else. I wanted to choose how I live my life for once, to not have it dictated for me!" Lady Danbury spat.
"A freedom only a widow can have." The Wallflower stated.
It cut through every defense Lady Danbury had for her choices she had made since her husband had passed. She hadn't needed to think about the social repercussions of turning down a proposal from Prince Adolphus. She had been a widow, a titled Lady in her own right when he proposed to her. Sure she was still young when she had been widowed, not much older than Penelope, her father having married her at the tender age of 17. But going through the trauma of childbirth again after having born four in such quick succession, her youngest still a babe…it had been unthinkable at the time. Unfortunately, it had the added effect of her coming to resent her children and never wanting to interact with them more than necessary. She had traded the potential of happiness and companionship of marriage and family despite its duties and constraints for the freedom to choose how to live her life and it had cost her her family because she could not look past the bitterness of her marriage. Even now, she did not donate to charity causes out of a genuine care for those who would benefit or a love of her family. She did so out of scorn for her late husband. Indeed, Congreeve knew what he was writing when he penned the line "Heav'n has no rage like love to hatred turned," only in her case there had been no love lost between the two of them. She had been made for him, bred for him, turned into the perfect wife for him . And she would be damned if she would do that to herself of her own free will for another man.
But Penelope was not her. No, Penelope was the opposite of her. Condemned and conditioned to be alone since she was young. While Lady Danbury could take any number of lovers to her bed so long as she was discreet, Penelope would never be able to. Realization washed over The Widow that what had been done to Penelope her entire life, Colin Bridgerton had sealed it into place at Featherinton Ball last season. What was worse: She was now head of a family with several known scandals including three high profile ones. For Anthony Bridgerton to court her…My God what had she and The Queen been thinking! It was bad enough that they would now be performing a waltz for the entertainment of Lord Bridgerton's ex-fiance, but to try to push them to courtship and marriage? It had been the height of stupidity on their part, and Penelope had known it.
"Lady Featherington, I do believe I owe you an apology." She finally stated.
Penelope only nodded. "All is forgiven, Lady Danbury. What color are you wearing for the Ball tonight? I believe it proper we match, seeing as how Lady Aubrey and Ladh Cho will ha e spread the word that we were seen together picnicking."
Lady Danbury gave her a smirk. "You know, I believe I was going to wear a wine red this evening."
"Excellent. Closer to a deeper purplish red or a lighter pinkish red?" The Wallflower asked for clarification matching her smirk.
"Oh, Lady Featherington, you know how I so adore my dark reds. And I do believe the darker shade will do wonders for your complexion, especially if your Lady's Maid does your make up in bolder tones to bring out your eyes." The Widow's smile deepened into a mischievous grin.
"I believe she is more than capable of accentuating my colors. Shall we finish here and retire? I believe it time to return in order to rest before another rather eventful evening, wouldn't you say?" The Wallflower matched her once again.
The Widow cackled as she agreed. Oh this ball was indeed going to be fun. They began to pack up what was left of the picnic food and plates, continuing to converse, while John and Mr. Dawson dismantled the picnic shade. Once they were packed, they began the trek back to the carriage, this time without being stopped. When they parted at Featherington House, Penelope noted that it was just after two o'clock which gave her plenty of time to nap before having dinner, a bath, then getting dressed before the ball. As she collapsed after having Rae undress her and pulling on a simple clean chemise, her head filled with thoughts of the ball and dancing with a certain Viscount who just happened to match her steps perfectly upon the dance floor.
Notes:
One of the things that I got frustrated with the show is the nebulous benefits that women had to being married. It wasn't just about the birthing and all of the bad things that women subjected to. Being married meant status, ESPECIALLY in high society. Being widowed, gave you a freedom that even being a wife didn't give you. You and your children lived off of whatever your husband left for you. Hence why the Featheringtons are destitute in season 2, Lady Danbury is rich and would continue to be so even if her son didn't inherit his father's title, and to remarry gave your husband power over all that you owned. So widows were less inclined to remarry, but would take lovers on the side, albeit discretely. It was known, just not talked about, much like a lord's mistress. Essentially, being married had its benefits that lasted after your husband died. It's where we get the term of a woman being a black widow, a young woman killing her much older, very rich husband to get out of the marriage and gain her independence. Which would actually be a GREAT character arc for Cressida in season 4.
And this is what I wanted to express with this chapter, specifically with Lady Danbury's character in contrast to Penelope's. Lady Danbury was raised to be this specific man's wife from the age of 3. It's like episode 21 of Star Trek TNG season 5. The Title is even called The Perfect Mate. Go watch it, it's a good episode on marriage, free will, politics, and duty, even if you've never seen an episode of Star Trek in your life.
Contrast this to Pen who has been told, repeatedly since she was a little girl that she would never be good enough, that she was too fat, too short, her hair was too red, she was too intelligent, she read too much, to get away from the window, she wrote too much, and on, and on, and on , and ON. Her own family put her down so much that the Ton started doing it before she was even presented, so she never even had a chance. SHE was bred to be alone, to be unnoticed, to be The Wallflower. Pen will NEVER have the benefits of marriage, including being a widow. And THAT is what Lady Danbury needed to realize in order to come together with The Queen to truly support Penelope as she comes into her own.
Chapter 43: The Choices Once Made Can Not Be Taken Back
Summary:
Lady Danbury and Penelope cause some mayhem for a couple of the Bridgertons, spurring Eloise to reconcile with Pen. However, she gets more insight than she bargained for.
Penelope comes across some information that throws her entire world upside-down.
Notes:
I meant to post this earlier, but as you all know the servers went down.
Author cry rating 4/5. Grab tissues. I had to pause while writing because I was crying while writing.
If you are a Hazbin Hotel fan I also wrote a Charlistor One-Shot, because I learned that this was a thing, but when I went to check out the Fics...I was SEVERELY disappointed. I'll post a link once it's up./works/58665964
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Anthony's head was still out of sorts when they had arrived at the Trowbridge Ball and the sight of the few men that he had made note of standing outside of Featherington House was making him feel more out of sorts. And where in the blazes was she? Last night could not have run so late for her, could it? Then again he really didn't remember much of last night after leaving and getting to the bordello. He didn't even remember getting home. All he had been told when he woke up was that Mr. Williams had brought him home again. Which was strange and one of the reasons he wanted to talk to Pen. When she finally arrived he breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately knew something was wrong by the look on Lady Trowbridge's face and Penelope's reaction. This won't do . He thought and he began to march over to the entrance.
Penelope hated the Trowbridges. Why were most of the yearly balls in the Ton held by the worst families? The only tolerable balls of the year were the Danbury, The Queen's Hearts and Flowers, and Bridgerton. All of the other yearly balls were held by insufferable, pig-headed families like the Trowbridges. And right now, she wanted to slap the sneering loathsome look Lady Trowbridge was giving her off of her pear shaped face until the two inch layer of powder on her upon it was no more while they waited for Lord Trowbridge to be fetched from the smoking and brandy room. When Lord Trowbridge was finally produced, he let out a small yelp before composing himself.
"A-ah, good evening, Dearest, Lady Featherington. Might I offer you both some refreshment?" He stammered.
"Oh, I would be delighted, Lord Trowbridge." Penelope said coolly before Lady Trowbridge could speak and turned to the man standing guard not allowing her in. "Champaign, please."
The Man looked at Lord Trowbridge for instruction. Lord Trowbridge then turned to his wife having regained his composure.
"And for you, My Dear?" He asked.
"Champagne, as well." She replied and the man left to retrieve their drinks.
"Now, then. What seems to be the issue?" Lord Trowbridge asked.
"I thought, dearest, that I told you to rescind our invitation to Lady Featherington after her scandalous display Wednesday morning." Lady Trowbridge explained quietly.
"I reconsidered and decided not to after being repaid both the late Lord Featherington's debts and Jack Featherington's fraudulent investment monies." Lord Trowbridge answered.
"Besides, if you wish to continue to enjoy having a titled husband, I suggest that you at least remain civil with Lady Featherington, or have you not noticed the royal guard now standing in front of Featherington House." He whispered harshly in His Lady's ear. Lady Trowbridge went pale as her eyes glanced to Penelope and back.
"M-my apologies, Lady Featherington. Of course, you're welcome to join us!" Lady Trowbridge quickly corrected herself.
"Oh, excellent! I knew there had to have been some sort of misunderstanding, as I do see my mother speaking with Lady Cavendish. You wouldn't insult my being the head of the Featherington Barony by rescinding my invitation but allowing my mother to attend, would you?" Penelope said with a smile.
Lady Trowbridge swallowed heavily. "Of course not, Lady Featherington. Please enjoy yourself. Ah, Lord Bridgerton! I assume you are here to escort Lady Featherington into the Ball proper?"
Penelope looked over to see Anthony waiting at the base of the stairs watching them, that mischievous grin on his face as always.
"Indeed, Lady Trowbridge. I wished to ask Lady Featherington if she would like to refill her refreshment before taking to the dance floor?" He responded, holding his hand out to Penelope
"Why, I would be delighted, Lord Bridgerton!" Penelope said, accepting his offered hand. "Good evening, Lady Trowbridge, Lord Trowbridge. I hope to see you both on the dance floor as well. 'Twould be a shame to host one of the year's finest balls and not be able to enjoy the dance." She smirked as she left them escorted the rest of the way down the stairs by the Viscount, a smirking John behind her.
Now that they were away from Lord and Lady Trowbridge, Anthony leaned down to ask her what had happened.
"Oh you know, the growing pains of a Wallflower suddenly being the head of a Barony. I had a handle on the situation, but the additional support is definitely welcome." She answered, smiling up at him with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"I'm to have been of service then, My Lady. Is that all this week has been? Growing pains?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"To put it lightly. To put it bluntly, it has been a week of dealing with screaming children throwing tantrums over the fact that my father actually did have a will and a trust that he left in my care. Who wants to deal with The Wallflower? Who wants to be seen with her other than those whose reputations are above such scrutiny? Between my vote and my status within the Ton, you're ruining your reputation just by walking with me." She answered then nodded her head to the side to indicate the whispers that followed them.
"And what care do I have for whispers when a friend of my family is in need of aid? Or do you believe my status as Viscount to be so lofty as to not be able to come escort you to the refreshment table before we take to the floor?" He stated loudly that the whispers following them stopped and those that had been gossiping turned away quickly with a flush.
"Well said, Lord Bridgerton. Lady Featherington, how nice to see you this evening." Lady Danbury greeted as she joined them. As promised, they were in matching colors and Penelope's eyes lit up at seeing her friend approaching them.
"Lady Danbury, I didn't know we were dressing to match this evening." Anthony quipped, noting their similar dress and color.
"Ah, Yes, well, it was Lady Featherington's idea during our picnic earlier today." She leaned in closer to whisper. "Just to cause a bit of mischief."
Anthony smirked, considering the welcome that Pen received, he really shouldn't be surprised that she would come up with something subtle to communicate to the Ton that while she may be The Wallflower, she was now friends with those in higher positions of power. His Pen was indeed very intelligent. He shook his head sharply at the thought. Their Pen.
"Something amiss, Lord Bridgerton?" Lady Danbury asked, smirking.
"Not at all, Lady Danbury. But I do believe they are calling the first dance. Which I believe is a country dance." Lord Bridgerton answered.
Penelope smiled in excitement. She didn't get to dance the country dance that often, being that she often was taunted for her size, but she did love to dance the faster pace dance when she got the chance to.
"Shall we, My Lady?" Anthony asked her, his hand held out, his brown eyes warm, and that mischievous smile gracing his lips.
"Absolutely, My Lord." She answered, she took his hand, her blue eyes clear as a summer's day, and her smile as bright as the sun.
As he led her to the dance floor, all of the world slipped away from them, and as the dance began it was just the two of them.
Eloise watched Anthony and Penelope dance, both of them smiling like idiots at each other, and obviously in love, to anyone who wasn't blind of course. She had taken to her dance lessons, language studies, embroidery, and all things that a proper woman should know with much more attention this week after her run-in with Mr. Sharpe. Last night's dinner had held its own enlightenment as well and she desperately wanted to mend things with Penelope, especially if things with her brother were looking to be going the way they were. Plus, she missed her friend. She dearly and truly missed her friend. She was so engaged with watching Pen dance with Anthony that she didn't hear the signature cane tap announcing the approach of a certain widow.
"They make a beautiful couple, don't they?" Lady Danbury asked, startling her.
"Oh, um, yes, yes they do. Good evening, Lady Danbury." She said, giving the older Lady a curtsy.
"Good evening, Miss Bridgerton. How are you enjoying the ball?" The Widow asked.
"It's fine. There's a lot of people here." Eloise answered nervously.
"And yet, you've only been watchful of your brother and Lady Featherington." Lady Danbury observed.
"Well, I mean, last night…" Eloise stumbled over her words.
"All that happened last night was a discussion between your brother and Lady Featherington about the Queen's ball to welcome her nephew. Nothing more, nothing less." Lady Danbury said with a sharp look.
"But, but, it's obvious they're in love!" Eloise exclaimed quietly.
"Miss Eloise, it would do well for you to keep your voice down, for one. For two, when are you going to learn to observe more than just the immediate situation and those affected by it?" Eloise looked at her confused, it should be so simple: her brother was the eighth Viscount Bridgerton, surely nothing was so far beyond his reach.
Lady Danbury simply sighed. "Not all families have the protection of the Bridgerton name, Eloise. And even the Bridgertons can be brought low if a certain Viscount, who has already been marked by scandal by being left at the altar once, were to court a certain Wallflower who is from a family known for numerous scandals, one of which involved the attempt at entrapping your brother, Colin, I might add. Not to mention said Wallflower has been doomed to Spinsterhood even before her debut. Tell me, would Penelope ever doom your family to a fate of societal ruin if she could help it?"
Eloise's eyes watered as the dance ended and Anthony escorted Pen off the dance floor, both of them looking as if their hearts were tearing apart at the same time, but Her Man came up to her side and escorted her away, while Simon dragged Anthony to speak with their mother.
"No. No, she wouldn't. She wouldn't even allow me to do such a thing." She whispered.
"Then maybe you should tell her that and stop all this nonsense so that she can have you all back." The Widow said gently.
Eloise nodded before doing the most unexpected thing: hugging Lady Danbury, before setting off to follow Penelope.
Benedict came walking by seemingly in search of his sister.
"Did Eloise just hug you?" He asked incredulously.
"She did indeed, Mr. Bridgerton. Since you are here and she is onto more important matters than whatever it is you came to fetch her for, I suppose we have no choice but to take a turn about the room." The Lady declared with a wicked gleam in her eye.
"You are never going to let me live down trodding on your toes while teaching me the finer points of dancing, are you?" Benedict whined as he took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm.
She laughed loudly. "If I did that, Mr. Bridgerton, I would lose the only gentleman here I am able to bully into being a companion with no excuses as to why that cannot. Not to mention your mother would be most disappointed, don't you think?" She asked with a knowing smirk and a teasing twinkle in her eye.
"One day, Lady Danbury, Pen will marry my brother and be Viscountess, or if not, I may commit fratricide and marry her myself and when she is, I shall be free from your tyranny over my person." He said with mock offense.
"Don't be so sure, Benedict Bridgerton. If you have not noticed, Penelope and I have matched colors this evening. We may yet be partners for a while." Her grin widened and Benedict groaned.
The thought of Lady Danbury and Pen teaming against him suddenly became horrifying. Adding his mother into the mix? Oh they were all doomed. Oh, Anthony. You've doomed us all to shenanigans at the highest level of society.
Eloise found Penelope in the garden by the rose hedges quietly crying, Her Man standing at the proper distance to ensure she wasn't disturbed.
"Lady Featherington has requested privacy, Miss Bridgerton, I must ask you to return to the ball. I will inform her that you wish to see her when she has collected herself." He said firmly.
"I-I only wish to apologize to my friend a-and o-offer h-her c-c-comfort." Eloise replied, ensuring it was loud enough that Pen could hear it.
Penelope's head shot up and looked at her. Her eyes were rimmed red and puffy from crying and her cheeks mottled, but as soon as she saw Eloise there was a mix of emotions: hurt, anger, sadness, loneliness.
"Do you wish to apologize and comfort me or absolve yourself of your own guilt?" Penelope asked, her eyes untrusting and cold.
"I wish to apologize, Pen. Truly. I should have listened to you. I should have taken the time to hear you out on why you didn't tell me." Eloise begged. "I should have listened to Theo." She whispered.
Penelope's face mottled with rage. "Yes. You should have. Do you know what we had to do in order to keep the movement safe? Do you know how much time and money went into keeping Lady Whistledown's involvement in the Labor meeting quiet? That I started investing in those meetings because of you? To honor you?"
Eloise's jaw dropped. Penelope had taken her criticisms of Lady Whistledown's inactivity on social changes seriously and had actually done something with some of her earnings to help promote change. She remembered the pamphlets she read on the Labor organization and thinking back on it…
"You wrote them. You wrote them using my words." She whispered.
"Of course I did. Who knows more about Labor changes than my best friend. I had to update some of the ideas as time went on, pulling from other Labor Movement contributors, but you were always at the core, Eloise. And you almost destroyed it all with your selfishness! I had to bribe specific Bow Street Runners to look away when you had your little escapades to the market district. Those bribes did not come cheap or come with other unseemly suggestions." She said in disgust.
Eloise felt her heart sink as she remembered how vehemently Penelope told her not to continue her investigation. There had been so much more riding on the line than she had imagined.
"Pen, I-I didn't know. I'm sorry. If you would have just told me." Eloise tried.
"Tell me, Eloise. Would you have listened? Well and truly listened? To my reasons, to my motivations, to my goals, to anything I would have had to say?" Penelope asked.
Eloise looked at her friend and thought about her reaction to Lady Whistledown's columns on Daphne, on Anthony's engagement to Edwina, on Colin and Marina . She may have liked and supported the commentary on the Queen and Society as a whole, but when it came to her family…
"No. No. I probably would have had the same reaction, minus tearing apart your bedroom." Eloise admitted.
"So why would I admit to you that I was Whistledown?" She asked.
Eloise hung her head as realization sunk in heavier. She had been needlessly cruel and thoughtless. She heard Pen sobbing again.
"I needed you. I've needed you this entire time to give me new ideas on how to handle all of this. To help me manage this huge responsibility I've been given. To be welcome to tea at Bridgerton house whenever things become too much to bear. And I've needed Colin. I've needed to be able to open his letters in order to travel with him to wherever in the world he went. To write back to him and ask him to tell me what the sunset looked like when he woke up so that I could imagine it when I went to bed after dealing with being hounded all day by these children pretending to be men." Penelope cried.
Eloise marched past John, ignoring his cry of protest and pulled her friend into the embrace she didn't know she had been wanting to give her since their fight at the last season. Penelope sobbed into her shoulder as she cried into her hair.
"You have no idea how scared I was for your safety this past Wednesday. I thought I would lose my closest friend before I had the chance to make amends." She pulled her back to look into her blue eyes.
"I am so sorry, Penelope. I should have listened, not just to you, but to everyone in my life who had told me that I wasn't paying close enough attention to what I was doing. That I was being narrow minded about the world around me." She sighed.
"Mother has been ensuring that I make up for lost time, though. Doubling my dance lessons, embroidery, painting and such." she confessed.
Penelope gave her a watery smile. "Well, I may not be all that proficient in embroidery, but it is something I enjoy, perhaps I can join you?" She asked.
Eloise returned her smile. "I think I should like that. Mother and I usually settle down to do the activity in the afternoon before dinner."
"I think I should like that." Penelope said. "Would you like to come join me? We have a lot to catch up on." she motioned to the bench where she had been sitting.
They talked a while until Benedict finally found them and came to fetch Eloise away to dance with her first partner of the night, something she had disclosed to Penelope was part of her mother's new regimen. Penelope assured her that she would make her way back in soon to continue their conversation. After a few moments of gathering herself, she decided to take the side entrance of the Trowbrige home in the hopes of collecting some good gossip for her issue she would write this evening.
"Fife! I thought you said we would be meeting with Penelope tonight. Why is Mondrich here?"
A familiar voice floated down the hall as Penelope made her way back to the ball. There was a door ajar with a light coming from it indicating it was occupied. Making her way quietly towards it, Penelope settled herself along the wall and looked into the room. The sight she saw was startling.
"Meeting with Lady Featherington is much more complicated than simply meeting with Lord Mondrich to get the funds that we need to get you out of the country and to let me have a simple sabbatical until things cool off." Lord Fife explained simply.
Why would Lord Mondrich be meeting with Lord Fife and her false cousin? John stiffened beside her, but she held him back and shook her head.
"And why exactly would I do that? Why am I even here, Fife, with this criminal?" Mondrich asked.
"That is the question of the evening, isn't it? I would like to tell you both a story of a young lady's father's demise." The Lord started.
Penelope's heart ran cold and John placed a hand on her shoulder. She placed a finger to lips to indicate to him to be quiet.
"There was a certain Lord who had a problem of gambling away his woes. His debts took him to the far reaches of the underworld, where one day, at a boxing match, he convinced a certain fighter to play his part to lose in exchange for half the earnings. The fighter, tired of fighting for tae scraps and watching his family struggle, took the Lord's deal. The Lord, having secured the fighter's promise, made his bet: his very own house. His home where his lovely daughters lived." His smile widened.
Penelope shook with rage. So that's where her father had gotten all that money. He had bet their home with shady bookies after making a deal with Lord Mondrich to throw his fight. But why was her father dead and Mondrich alive?
"He split the winnings fifty-fifty as promised with the fighter and went home where he and his family celebrated his good fortune. His girls got new dresses for the last Ball of the season as their Mama wanted, he spent the evening balancing his books. All was right in his world. Until that fateful night at the bordello, when he took his bag and filled it with the rest of his half of the winnings. No one knows exactly why he went to the bordello instead of the ball with his wife and daughters, well, other than the obvious. But when his wife and three daughters returned, he was dead and they were destitute." Lord Fife finished his tale with a sickening grin and Lord Mondrich looked even paler.
Penelope's rage was barely contained by now, but Mondrich asked the question she wanted to know the answer to next.
"How do you know all of this?" He asked.
"Well, I found them of course!" Lord Fife exclaimed quietly.
"After Lady Featherington's multiple dents in my reputation, I believed it to be prudent to find out exactly what had happened to her father to begin making good on my deal with my business partner to get him out of the country so I could lie low myself for a while. I was going to hold the information on their whereabouts for said funds, but why put myself under more scrutiny when I can just blackmail you instead." He finished.
Mondrich was shaking, from rage, shame, or fear she didn't know, but she'd had enough of this particular farce.
Mondrich was saying something about how Fife couldn't do anything if he just told her the truth and the conversation just devolved from there as she opened the door quietly and made her way into the room without them noticing, John a silent specter at her back.
"Oh, I think the three of you will do exactly as I say." Penelope said as she walked into the room, fury dancing in her eyes.
All three men turned to her, blood draining from their faces, and fear dancing in their eyes.
Notes:
Wheeeewwww!!! How we feeling, guys? I know big roller coaster of feelings chapter so let's dive right it.
I absolutely hated that the show did not have Pen doing more work with the labor movement. They had a story thread there in the first episode of season 2 where she tells the print shop owner to up the delivery boys pay that they could have used to tie her in to backing the Labor Movement as Lady Whistledown. It would have shown her motivations for dissuading Eloise from her investigation and from the Print shop as protecting everyone within the movement, not just her identity. It would have been very interesting Character development for Pen. And It would have really made that line of "At least I did something" pack a punch that much harder for the audience, because we would know what she had been doing. That all being said...I decided to pick up that story thread and run with it, because fuck it. Who says she didn't? With how reckless Eloise was being, she should have been caught a shit ton sooner. I wouldn't put it past Pen to have some of her trusted runner boys, or even ask Gen to keep an eye on her along with bribing some of the Runners to make sure she stays safe while looking the other way.
Many of you asked how she was going to get into the Trowbridge ball. Well, remember at the end of Chapter 34 when Penelope's last meeting with Lord Trowbridge had been cut short? And she had very loudly pronounced that she had tea with the Queen the next day? Well, Balls weren't JUST social events for the Ladies, they were also gathering places where gentlemen could talk business, politics, and trades. Thus, even though Ladies sent the invites and we're in charge of the guest list, it was well within a Lord's right to veto someone on the guest list or rescinding an invitation, he was head of his household after all. So Penelope not actually receiving a rescinsion of her invitation could only mean one thing: it was never sent. Further, as she pointed out, having her mother present, but the Featherington invitation rescinded would have been a huge scandal.
For Eloise's reconciliation, I wanted that to come after Eloise had her final lesson from Lady Danbury: "Sometimes loving someone means that you do hard things in order to protect them." Hence finally accepting that Penelope loves her entire family so much, that she saved them from HER. And this where we're going to see a shift in Eloise's presence in this story as she reconnects with Pen and has to learn who her friend is now. But being engaged in embroidering rather than just sitting and reading at each other, being able to actually discuss ideas and trade information on what is going on in Parliament with her friend who actually cares about that stuff while doing something calming...I think Lady Bridgerton will be very pleased over the next week.
Finally, the Mondrich reveal...which we should have gotten in season 2...or 3...maybe we'll get it in season 4? Seriously, why didn't we get at reveal about Mondrich's involvement with Lord Featherington? One would think they would have figured it out by now.
Chapter 44: The Sins of the Past Will Often Come Back to Haunt You
Summary:
Penelope confronts Jack Featherington, Lord Fife, and Will Mondrich, but she still has so many questions. Questions for Simon that is.
Notes:
Hey guys, sorry that is chapter is so late. I had to rewrite it a few times because it just wouldn't match the flow I was looking for. Also, this story is now too big for me to type on my phone. So it's a bit inconvenient for someone who has back issues and neurological issues that require me to lay down a good 50-60% of the time. I'll still be doing my best to put out a chapter a day, but it may be every couple of days now because sitting at the computer is a bit difficult.
Anyway on with the chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Her blood pulsed in her ears as she observed the three men cowering in fear before her. She didn't know what enraged her more: that Jack Featherington was here and alive, that Fife was helping him to escape justice by blackmailing Lord Mondrich who was a dear friend of Simon's, or that the same friend of Simon's had known of her father's demise and may have known his murderers. She couldn't have cared less about Mondrich throwing the fight in order to take care of his family, but what about the justice for her father? No. That's a question for after she dealt with Fife and Jack. Making a final decision she turned to Mondrich.
"If you have any love for Simon left in your heart, then I will need you to take hold of either my false cousin or Lord Fife while John takes the other." She stated coldly.
All Lord Mondrich did was nod and take hold of both Lord Fife's hands in his huge ones and twist them behind his back. Fife tried to argue, but only for a moment after he saw the look in Penelope Featherington's eyes. John did the same with Jack Featherington, while Penelope located the servant's bell. Finding the rope and giving it a good tug, they waited for what seemed like hours when in reality it was only a few moments. When a servant finally did appear, they looked shocked at the sight of Jack Featherington, the infamous fraud being known by even the servants.
"Ma'am, you do know that this gentleman is wanted by the crown?" The servant questioned cautiously.
"I am well aware and if you'd be so kind, you'll go and fetch Lord and Lady Trowbridge, the Duke of Hastings, and Lady Danbury." She ordered with irritation.
The servant bowed and set off in a hurry to do as she was bid. The minutes ticked by and the tension began to thicken in the air. Penelope had so many questions for Lord Mondrich, but knew that they would have to wait until Lord Fife and "Jack" were secured. Finally, after about ten or so minutes, the requested parties had arrived. Lord Trowbridge looked incensed while Lady Trowbridge looked like she was about to faint.
"Fife! What is the meaning of this? What is this coward doing here?" Lord Trowbridge demanded.
When no answer was forthcoming from either of the men being held, his eyes narrowed. "I see. My dear, I require you to fetch Ambrose and Gerolt. I need them to escort these two to the King's cells."
Lady Trowbridge nodded firmly and left the room. When she came back, she was flanked by two larger men who quickly took over the handling of Lord Fife and Jack Featherington and escorted them roughly out the back servant's entrance. Once gone from the room, Lord and Lady Trowbridge turned to the rest of the occupants to address them.
"Please forgive the interruption of this fine evening, we invite you all to rejoin us back in the ballroom!" Lady Trowbridge stated nervously.
"I require the use of this room to discuss some business with Lord Mondrich, Duke Bassett, and Lady Danbury, if I may impose on your hospitality a moment longer, My Lord, My Lady." Penelope said in a calm and sure voice that left little room for argument.
Lord Trowbridge looked at the other occupants and decided that it was best not to argue with peerage that was higher ranking than he was.
"Of course, Lady Featherington. Take all the time you need." Lord Trowbridge acquiesced, then quickly led his wife out of the room and closed the door.
"John, please stand guard outside the door. I do not wish our business overheard." Penelope stated firmly and John laughed.
"If only our wayward delinquents had thought to be so thorough." He said before stepping out the door and closing it, grinning.
"Thankfully, both my false cousin and Lord Fife are idiots." Penelope sniped at the closed door before turning back to the rest of the occupants in the room.
"Would someone please explain what the hell is going on?" Simon bristled. "One moment I'm discussing going home with my wife, the next I'm being dragged here only to find that cad, Jack, with Fife being held by you, Will, and Mr. Williams. Why did I need to be called?"
"Because I have questions, Simon. Namely, did you know about my father's collusion with Lord Mondrich? Did you know about him throwing the fight so that my father would split the winnings with him? Did, " She paused as the sobs nearly overwhelmed her. "Did you know that he used our house to place the bet?"
The air felt like it was sucked out of the room as realization dawned on him: Pen knew about the circumstances that had led to her father's murder and now…Shit.
"Simon, what is Penelope talking about?" Lady Danbury asked, her voice low and dangerous.
"Last season, the late Lord Featherington had taken to betting on boxing matches. He lost a hefty sum on Will's first fight, but then convinced Will to throw his fight with 'The Beast' for half of the winnings." He explained. "I-I only found out after the match had ended, Pen. I swear it."
"But you did know before my father was murdered?" She asked, her tears were barely contained.
"I-" Simon took one look at her, he had failed her as a friend by keeping this from her and her family and he bent his head in shame. "Yes. I knew before your father was murdered."
Penelope let out a sob, her heart breaking as one of her dearest and closest friends admitted to keeping one of the key pieces that led to her father's demise a secret. Something that could have been used to capture his killers two years ago. Fife had said that he found them, but who knew if they were still in London now.
"I wish to be alone." She said, her voice was rough with tears.
"Pen, I –" Simon started, but was interrupted by Lady Danbury.
"Lady Featherington has requested a moment alone or have you forgotten all of the manners I brought you up with?" She gave him a pointed glare that told him that they would be discussing him keeping the thrown match and Lord Featherington's involvement in it later.
"I believe you and Lord Mondrich will be joining me for tea tomorrow, won't you, my dear nephew?" Lady Danbury asked dangerously.
"Actually, I –" Will began, but Simon cut him off.
"Of course we will, Daphne has been meaning to visit Kent House and have tea with Alice anyway." He answered giving Will a look that told him that they were, in fact, joining Lady Danbury for Sunday tea tomorrow.
"Wonderful! I believe both of you have wives waiting for you to take them home, why don't you go attend to them?" She said, clearly dismissing them. They wisely took her meaning and left before she became more irate than she already was.
Penelope was now curled up into herself quietly sobbing. Lady Danbury's heart broke for her friend and raged at Simon for keeping something this important from her. She walked over to the quietly sobbing Wallflower and gently ran a hand down the loosened waves.
"I shall wait outside the door with Mr. Williams until you are ready, my dear. Don't you worry about my beastly nephew; he shall get an earful, you can be certain of that." The Widow said kindly.
All Penelope could do was nod as another round of tears took her. After the door had closed and the tears had subsided again, she finally sat up in the chair she had curled up in to finally take stock of herself. She knew she had a column to write in order for it to be released tomorrow, but had little motivation for doing so. She was tired, hurt, and felt as if the world was somehow trying to remind her that she was destined to be alone. She heaved a heavy sigh. At least tomorrow morning you have dance practice with Anthony to look forward to. She thought. A smile spread across her face. And then embroidery with Eloise after dinner, won't that be delightfully relaxing? Yes. She sighed in relief. Being able to relax at the end of the day with some embroidery with her best friend after dealing with Barony business all day seemed like heaven to her. It was with those thoughts in mind that she exited the room and greeted John and Lady Danbury.
"Feeling better, M'Lady?" John asked, concern showing on his face.
"Yes, thank you. Though I do believe that it is time that we take our leave." She replied.
John nodded in agreement along with Lady Danbury. "I agree. May I accompany you to the carriages?"
"Of course, Lady Danbury." Penelope answered and took her arm in hand to exit the ball.
After making a cursory stop to thank Lord and Lady Trowbridge for the use of the room and to bid them a good evening, they found themselves in front of the driveway awaiting their individual carriages.
"You know that as soon as he tells Daphne about what happened, she's making him sleep on the sofa, right?" Lady Danbury said to Penelope with a sly grin.
"I don't think Daphne would do that, Lady Danbury. Daphne adores Simon." Penelope sighed.
"I think you underestimate how fiercely protective of you Daphne is. I think she is only second to Lord Bridgerton himself." The older lady laughed.
Penelope raised an eyebrow. "I am highly doubtful."
Lady Danbury was about to respond, but was stopped from doing so when their carriages arrived. Like the gentleman he was, John helped Lady Danbury into her carriage first, before escorting Penelope to hers. Penelope began to write the issue of Lady Whistledown in the carriage, stopping only briefly when they arrived home to make her way to her study. As she poured herself a drink from her decanter, she saw Anthony's study lanterns lit as well and saw his shadow hunched over, more than likely at his desk as he also worked during the midnight hours. She sighed in want, but then shook her head to return to her draft.
By the time the draft was finished and she had sent John to the drop off point, it was close to two o'clock in the morning. Anthony was still toiling away at his desk and she wished for all the world that she could help him with his burdens. She made her way to her bed and she was asleep before she had even collapsed into it, gown and all.
Notes:
This is something that really bothered me in the show. Simon knew that Will had made the deal with Lord Featherington to throw the match. He knows how close Pen is to the Bridgertons, particularly Colin and Eloise. In fact, Colin and the Bridgertons specifically are there to help out Will with his bar and when Mondrich's son inherent the Kent title.
Why is it never revealed that Will worked with her father to screw over the bookies and that's what ended her father's life? Like this is a huge omission of information that could have helped bring her father's killers to justice and they just kept it to themselves? I don't see any of the Bridgertons doing that to Pen and we all know Daphne or Hyacinth would have eventually found out.
Finally, how did Jack Featherington evade capture? Even with funds I doubt with how many rich Lords were looking for him, he would've been able to escape easily. So enter a Lord just as slimy and sleezy as he is.
I wanted this chapter to be a closure of sorts to Pen's past. Lord Fife is gone, Jack is gone, She now knows what actually led to her father's murder, even if his killers are never caught. She may still have her challenges ahead, and boy is she going to be pissed at Simon for a while, but I want you to note her shift in thought towards the end of the chapter before she leaves the room. It's that hope for the future now that the past has been confronted that has been a theme through this story. A theme that will continue to carry on as we march towards the Welcoming Ball.
Chapter 45: I'm Sad, But I'm Happy
Summary:
Rae has some opinions on the state of Pen's overnight attire and Anthony's first dance practice with Pen doesn't go exactly as planned.
Notes:
Hey guys, I know it's been a minute, but I swear there's a good reason for that: RESEARCH!!!! Yes, I've been trying to find dances that were popular in Prussian Ballrooms around the late 18th early 19th century and I have found...Bupkiss. I have found lots of German group dances, many Russian group dances, but as far as Prussian dances go all I could find was references that redirected me to group German dances that would be impracticalfor Anthony and Pen to do. Don't get me wrong, there should definitely be more Schuhplattler in Regency England Ballrooms, but not exactly what we're looking for here. So we're gonna say fuck it and go with the Ländler, even though we know it's from Austria, we can play it off as popular in Prussia too, even though they're kinda assholes to each other right now. Just give me this one guys. I'm tired and I've spent the last few days off an on digging through ballroom dance history just for you. Because I love you. I will find Ländler music for our lovebirds tomorrow.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
When Rae came in the next morning to see that her mistress had fallen into bed completely disheveled and still in her gown from the previous night, she wanted to strangle her with her bedsheets. She marched over to the curtains and pulled them roughly to the side to allow the blazing sunshine into the room awaken her lady harshly, which judging by the sharp hiss that came from the middle of the bed had worked.
Penelope woke to a very displeased Rae and when she looked around to determine why, she realized that she had fallen asleep in her gown from the evening prior. Trying to give off an air of nonchalance Penelope sat up and stretched until realizing how very painful it had been to sleep in such a stiff corset. She winced in pain and Rae gave her an even deeper look of disapproval. Penelope simply ignored her, that is until she tried to stand and almost fell, but Rae caught her with sturdier hands than she expected for her Lady's Maid. Rae simply looked at her with a piercing stare and asked:
"I hope we've learned a lesson about sleeping in our ball gowns?"
"It isn't as if I meant to fall asleep fully clothed. I barely even remember making my way up to bed." Penelope sniped back, but then groaned again as she stood, her back or the corset creaking in protest.
Rae simply shook her head in disbelief. "Perhaps I should yell 'scandal' the next time you and the Viscount happen to be alone. At least then I know you won't be falling asleep in your gowns." Her voice took on the edge of a threat as she walked over to Penelope's wardrobe to pick out a nice, light dress for the day and stays with more comfortable boning as she knewhow uncomfortable her mistress was.
Penelope went white at Rae's threat and didn't say anything as she worked to untangle the mess of ties the back of her dress had become. As she felt the dress finally loosen, she breathed a sigh of relief as the fabric pooled at her feet and she was able to step out of it. However the groan she let out when Rae undid her corset from last evening sounded downright sinful, if one didn't know that her Lady's maid had just found her mistress tangled up in her dress this morning. Rae gave Penelope a moment to breath while she filled the water basin with fresh water and retrieved a cloth to wash her face of the make up from last night. Her face washed and the pins taken out of her hair, at least the ones that didn't get dislodged during her sleep, Penelope felt a bit better and proceeded to allow Rae to help her dress.
"So, how was the ball?" Rae asked.
"It was interesting to say the least." Penelope answered, then proceeded to fill her in on the night's events.
"Oh that's low, even for Fife!" Rae exclaimed while Penelope took her seat in front of her vanity mirror.
"It was a level of disgust that I don't even think we have words for yet. To aid my false cousin? And what did he mean by 'new business associate'? You don't think that Fife's been passing off glass gems as real to keep up appearances, do you? Or worse, negotiating with the East India Trade Company to try circulating those glass gems into the honest economy?" Penelope conjecture.
"I wouldn't put it past them, M'um. There's already shady dealings going on with that lot with both the Colonies and the Opium operations in China. Passing off fake gems in countries they're trying to make inroads in wouldn't be the worst way to make things bad for everyone." Rae answered. She just imagined what would happen here if someone bought bread with fake money and then the baker went to buy meat with the fake money and got caught using the fake money that they were paid with, even though they thought it was real money. Well, then there's no butcher for a week or two at least or the butcher that is in town is too expensive. Meat starts to spoil, and the price of meat goes up anyway. She shuddered at how so simple a plan would bring an entire country, even theirs, to its knees.
"It's disgusting. It's disgusting how we treat sovereign nations as below us simply because of different skin tones and beliefs. And all because men have to prove that they have the biggest piece of land. If they have to prove that they have more power than one another, then maybe they are compensating for a lack of skill in other departments. Certainly there is something to be said about those old and decrepit Lords that have only one child or no heirs at all and yet bluster away all day in Parliament." Penelope stated, irritation lacing her voice. Rae cackled at the assertion that crotchety old Lords have no use or skill in the bedroom.
"Perhaps their bluster is more to blame upon their wives for not knocking enough wind out of them. It does take two to make the marriage bed work after all." Rae countered after she finished brushing and smoothing out her hair.
"Then I would say that it is a damn shame that Lord and Lady Cowper haven't shared the marriage chamber since Cressida was born. Otherwise, he would not be so bold as to bluster his hot wind at a social event and she would not look or sound like a constipated horse." Penelope retorted and Rae had to drop that plait that she was working on else she pull her Lady's hair as she sat down on the bed wheezing.
Penelope couldn't help herself as she laughed along with Rae. It felt so good to laugh. It felt like it had been forever since she had been able to laugh so loudly and freely. The feelings of betrayal from Simon still hurt and she knew she had to talk to him, but today, right here, right now? She was laughing with Rae while they got her ready for her day. She was going to go downstairs and have a nice breakfast with Sylvie, Boothby, John, and Rae. Then, she was going to go over to Bridgerton house and practice whichever dance they decided on today for the Welcoming Ball for Prince Friedrich and Edwina. Did she have Tea later this afternoon with her mother and sisters? Yes. But that was OK, because after dinner, she was going back to Bridgerton house to do some embroidery with Eloise and Lady Bridgerton before coming home to bed. Because Sunday should be a day of rest. And She was going to enforce that this week damn it!
Anthony had found dance instructions for a waltz variation that had become popular in southern Prussia recently, the "Laendler." What was more exciting was that the music store owner also happened to have an assortment of Laendler waltz music from Maestros Beethoven, Schubert, and even recommended some pieces from "The German Waltzes" by Her Majesty's favored composer, Mozart. While he had spent a pretty penny buying the sheet music and the dance instructions, he was confident that he and Pen would be able to master the steps wonderfully over the next few weeks. He and Francesca were in the ballroom listening to her playing one of the pieces when Penelope arrived for their practice.
"Starting without me, then? For shame, Lord Bridgerton! I thought you were a gentleman." Penelope teased. He turned around and his throat went dry. There she stood in a light blue day dress with a matching shawl, her fiery hair plaited down one side of her neck exposing her delicate throat and clavicle leading down to the tops of her full breast that looked soft, pillowy, begging him to lay atop them and just let her deft violinist fingers run through his hair and massage his scalp. He swallowed hard trying to alleviate his discomfort. But oh, what he wouldn't give to just taste her, just once. Finally he managed to clear his throat to return the volley and their banter began in earnest.
"I'm afraid that you are wrong on both counts, Lady Featherington. As I am sure that Francesca can attest. We were merely listening to some of the Waltz pieces I had procured that we may practice and provide to the orchestra, firstly. Secondly, I am not a gentleman for I did not inform you that I have also procured instructions for a different type of waltz popular in Southern Prussia at the moment." He smiled devilishly at her.
She folded her arms over her chest and smirked at him. He had to bite back a groan. She had to know what she was doing to him, right? If so, why was she torturing them both? Was this revenge for having to send John to fetch him from the bordello? A man has needs! Well, a woman had needs as well he supposes, but…he would deal with that thought process later. He just needed to get through this damn practice by picking which damn song they were going to dance to and then begin practicing the steps.
"Is that so? And you didn't think to inform me of this last night because…?" She left the question open ended, a playful smirk still on her lips.
"Because John told me you were having a private conversation with Simon, Lord Mondrich, and Lady Dansbury. I don't trust the four of you together, probably up to mischief of some kind…Pen? Pen, what's wrong?" Anthony was startled as tears began falling down Penelope's cheeks.
Francesca got up from the Pianoforte and moved to her side. "Pen? What happened?" She asked gently.
Penelope held back the sobs that threatened to overtake her because she hadn't thought of the possibility of being betrayed by yet another Bridgerton, but here it was.
"Anthony, did Simon tell you about Lord Mondrich throwing his last fight and the circumstances surrounding it?" She asked, her voice quivering.
His eyes widened and he exchanged a look with Francesca. "No, Pen, he didn't. I wasn't exactly on speaking terms with Simon until the Hastings Ball. The night your father died. He didn't tell me anything. Why?"
She didn't answer him. She merely collapsed into his chest and began sobbing huge tears of both relief and pain. He simply cradled her to him. He didn't know what this was about, but he was going to find out. But first he needed to take care of Pen. After everything that had happened over the last nine and a half months, hi- their Pen came first.
"Hyacinth! Because I know you're watching us, can you go ask the kitchen to have some tea ready in the drawing room, then go fetch mother and Eloise?" Anthony said loudly, listening for the scrambling of feet. Sure enough, both Gregory and Hyacinth popped up out of their hiding space and sighed.
"How did you know we were here?" Hyacinth asked in a whine.
"Pen's here, therefore you are here lurking in the shadows." He answered playfully.
They both groaned. "Fine. Greg, which one do you want to do?" Hyacinth asked irritably. "Kitchen." came the answer before they were both off muttering between themselves.
"C'mon, Pen, we can practice later. Why don't we go upstairs and you can tell us what happened last night, hm?" Francesca asked quietly.
Penelope nodded and separated herself from Anthony. Looking up at him with red, puffy eyes and tear stains down her cheeks, he wanted to kiss all of her troubles away. She looked like she wanted him to as well. The look was hungering, his Siren calling him to the depths of the ocean and oh he wanted to fall with her. Her face was pleading, hurting, her lips trembling as if wanting him to make the first step, the first move. Then the moment shattered when there was a clearing of a throat and Penelope straightened, her face calm and neutral.
"Forgive me, Anthony. That was completely improper. I was in distress and did not have control of my faculties." She shut herself down in front of him again. Back to being the proper, genteel lady that she plays, that she must always play when she is around him and he doesn't understand. And he hates it.
"The tea is ready and Mother is wondering where the three of you are." Hyacinth's annoyed voice came from the ballroom door.
"Pen needed a moment to compose herself. We're on our way." Anthony answered. He offered Penelope his arm, which she took and escorted her to the drawing room where warm tea, cakes, and sandwiches lay waiting.
"Can I get parchment and a quill? I need to write to the Huxleys and Finches to let my Mother and Sisters know that I do not have the head for tea today and to inform my cook, Sylvie, to leave me a simple dinner in the ice box so she may spend the rest of her day with Boothby." Penelope requested. Anthony went to his study to fetch the requested items.
Penelope quickly wrote her missives, then called out. "John, I know you're in there gambling with Benedict, Colin, and Eloise. The four of you have probably gotten into Anthony's stash of brandy and cigarettes as well. I need you to run some notes to Slyvie, my mother, and sisters. If you don't come out now, I'm not giving the others time to run from His and their mother's wrath."
There was a scramble of feet from what sounded like the direction of Anthony's study and John made a sudden appearance.
"How did I do?" Penelope asked.
"It was only myself, Ben, and Colin. And it was only the Brandy." He smiled cheekily.
Penelope rolled her eyes, then gave him some money.
"Go fetch the Viscount his prefered Brandy from White's while you're out delivering these missives. And apologize." She demanded.
John turned to him and gave him a bow. "My apologies, My Lord. Though if I must confess. It was Benedict that broke out the Brandy."
It was Anthony's turn to roll his eyes. He really shouldn't have been surprised. "No harm done, John. Now family, I am off." He announced.
They looked at him with surprise. "Where are you going?" Francesca asked in a panic.
"To find out what Simon did to Pen." Anthony answered in a huff.
"Anthony, don't be ridiculous. I'm perfectly capable of telling you what happened. After all, I'm about to tell your mother, am I not?" Penelope chided.
"Besides, whatever you planned to say or do to him and Lord Mondrich will have nothing on what Lady Danbury does." She finished while taking a sip of tea. Lady Bridgerton and Francesca laughed while Anthony looked on with an expression that was a mix of amusement and horror, but he had to concede the point and took a seat to join the ladies for tea as Penelope told them what happened between her, Simon, and Lord Mondrich.
By the time she had finished her story, John had returned with the Brandy as well as Lady Whistledown's newest column.
Dearest Gentle Reader,
If you were thinking that the tragedy that is Lord Fife's social life couldn't get any worse, then this writer is sad to inform you that you are terribly mistaken. In fact, you are so mistaken, that now it is not only Lord Fife's social life that hangs in the balance, but his actual one. Yes, dear readers, Lord Fife was caught with wanted fraud investor Jack "Featherington" at Last night's Trowbridge Ball! How gouche of Lord Fife to not only bring an uninvited guest, but a wanted criminal at that! Alas, is it not enough to associate with borderline criminals that Lord Fife that he must needs make his bed with the legitimate article? This writer must wonder about the thought process that went into making that particularly bad decision.
Though it is sad that this is the last that we shall hear of Lord Fife's antics for the time being, other tales of interest have also arisen such as the royal guard that now stands in front of Featherington House. With last Wednesday's display of manly vigor to claim suit to young Lady Featherington, I can't say I blame the Queen for wishing to deter suitors from the blooming spinster into the waiting arms of her own daughters. After all, we haven't seen any gentlemen laying siege to Buckingham House have we? 'Twould be a shame for these gentlemen to forgo pressing their suit for one of the very lovely daughters of the Queen, if, indeed, that was their intent.
But where are my manners, we cannot end this column without the delightful news of the impending birth of a new Berbrooke, or at least a new illegitimate Berbrooke. It seems his Lordship has a way of impregnating his maids, but unable to find the time or energy to look for a bride. Or perhaps he is pining away for the one who slipped through his fingers and finds his only solace is in the comfort of another's arms. This author can only hope that Lord Berbrooke either makes an honest woman of the girl or find a suitable wife and move on from his false hope that she who got away shall return. In either case, let this be a cautionary tale, my faithful readers: the heart wants what it wants, but will mend when it is denied. It is up to us whether or not to dwell on our denied pleasures.
As always, dear reader, I am always observant. And I always report the truth.
Lady Whistledown
Pen's dress
Ländler as danced in Sound of Music but completed by professional dancers
Notes:
I figured we could all do with some lighthearted banter with our favorite Lady's Maid as well as some Penthony fluff. As well as a bit of a reminder that Anthony wasn't exactly thrilled with Simon in the second half of season 1, so Simon wouldn't have had a chance to tell him about the thrown match. Because if he did, do you think that Anthony or the Bridgertons as a whole would've kept that to themselves when Lord Featherington turned up dead? I don't think so. They would have told the Bow Street runners about the thrown match in order to help catch whoever killed Pen's father.
I also want to explore this aspect of their relationship as well: he was around the same age as she was when her father died. He was was the same age as she is when he had to take over as Viscount. He wasn't ready to take on that much responsibility, neither is she. All of these little connections that bind them together are going to add more depth to their romance. I promise the wait is going to be worth it.
Chapter 46: Hindsight is Convenient Because it Excuses You From The Present
Summary:
Simon and Will have an eye-openning discussion with Lady Danbury, while Anthony and Pen begin their first dance practice.
Notes:
I am so sorry for the delay!!!! Do you know how many dances Mozart wrote? 200! It took me the better part of two days to find one that matched the BPM of the Sound of Music track AND sounded minutely close enough that it could pass the ear test for me to visualize Pen and Anthony dancing to it. I did listen to some of the Ländler pieces by Beethovon and Schubert and they just didn't fit as well as the Mozart piece did. If you want to go check out some of them, they're really awesome.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Lady Danbury set the column aside and regarded the two gentlemen before her. Irritation and anger simmered just below the surface of her cool facade and their slightly nervous energy told her that they knew a scolding was coming. They exchanged looks at the now discarded paper and she gave a light chuckle.
"Oh don't worry, Lady Whistledown didn't catch word of your involvement with the affairs with Fife last night, Lord Mondrich. Either that or she chose to be discreet." She paused as if something else occurred to her, something about that last line. "Or perhaps couldn't verify with enough sources. John is rather splendid at his job."
Both Simon and Mondrich sighed in relief, giving silent thanks to the smarmy man that Penelope had chosen to be her right hand. But the relief was short lived as they returned their attention to the Lady in front of them.
"What I would like to know is the full story of this nasty business that you had with the late Lord Featherington, Lord Mondrich, and why you failed to report your involvement with Lord Featherington to the Bow Street Runners upon his untimely demise." Lady Danbury regarded him with a scrutinizing glare.
Will felt his resolve crumble under the look Simon's aunt was giving him. He had only met her a handful of times over his friendship with the Duke, but each time she had always proved to be an imposing and formidable figure. So he cleared his throat and recounted his tale of the first time he had met Lord Featherington to throwing his last match to split the sizable amount of the winnings with him for the sake of his family not living from fight to fight. As to the why?
"I had my own family to worry about. Colluding to throw a fight in order to rig it for the betting tables is against the club rules. It's not necessarily against the law, but I'd be the next dead man walking if I had come forward. What would have happened to my family if I had been killed?" Mondrich defended shakily, until Simon spoke up.
"I would have taken them in. Daphne wouldn't have minded, she's often complained about how quiet Clyveden Hall and Hastings House is. I would have gladly taken Alice and the boys in. You were my second, my best friend. You still are." He said quietly, putting a hand on his shoulder.
That turned Lady Danbury's attention to Simon. "And why, my dear nephew, did you not inform the Bow Street Runners of Lord Featherington's familiarity of placing bets on boxing? You could have even left Lord Mondrich's name out of the entire business seeing as how Lord Featherington was a frequent attendee."
Simon winced as Lady Danbury pointed out the obvious. He had danced with Pen the night of the Hastings Ball and he didn't even have the courtesy to give information to those investigating her father's murder about where he was spending his time and money? He felt ashamed of himself. She returned her attention to Mondrich.
"Further seeing how Lord Featherington was your co-collaborator does that not make you responsible to see to the well-being of the man's family in some capacity after his passing, Lord Mondrich? Or at the very least to gather information about their situation." She pointed out.
That was fair. Lord Featherington had made good on his end of the bargain as did he. The man had been married, just as he was, at the very least he should have gone to check on his spouse and daughters. He could have helped them in some small way. Didn't one of them have to wait until that cad, Jack, had gotten here before she could get married? He remembered talk about Featherington gambling away his daughters' dowries or using them to pay his debts. No, he had just been so relieved that he didn't have to get into that ring anymore just to provide for his family that when news had reached him of Featherington's death he felt no responsibility towards the man's family. After all, a man is responsible for the care of his own family. Besides Featherington was a blue blood, a noble. Surely the man had settled his debts and set aside the proper amounts to take care of his own family, right? Apparently he had been wrong.
On the other hand, Lady Danbury was correct, he had entered into the deal with Lord Featherington. He should have checked into the situation, if for nothing else for the safety of his own family. What if those men had come for him and his family next? Speaking with Lady Featherington and offering some of the amount he had along with the information of where Lord Featherington had won the money would have gotten the men off the street and away from his own family. Shame burned in his stomach.
"You're understanding the actual consequences for your silence, aren't you, Lord Mondrich?" Lady Danbury asked.
Simon looked between them, confused.
"What consequences?" Simon asked.
Lady Danbury gave him a pointed look. "How many bodies have been dropped into the Themes because of ill intended men like those that killed Lord Featherington? What if they had sought retribution at Featherington House while Lady Featherington and the girls had been home? Lord Mondrich is very, very lucky that they decided to only go after Lord Featherington, that they were satisfied with recovering half of what they lost. Men like those that killed Lord Featherington usually demand all of what they are owed."
Simon paled at the bluntness of what his Aunt had said. He wasn't ignorant of the darker side of betting and those who would take bets from anyone with a bad reputation of not fulfilling their debts, but to know that his Aunt was far more familiar with that subject…it made him shudder.
"H-How do you know this, Aunt Agatha?" He asked.
She sighed. "I've been alive a long time, Simon. I've seen my fair share of Lords and Ladies who wander into corners of this city that they have no business being in, including houses of ill-repute that have more than gambling and whores on the menu. I just thank God that I never had to have someone drag you out of the middle of an orgy that was followed by a dose of laudanum. I pray Penelope never has to have John drag Anthony out of one." She cast her eyes downward as she spoke the last sentence quietly.
Simon and Will felt a growing dread in their stomachs. How many friends had Lady Danbury had to bury or console because what happened to Lord Featherington had happened to them?
"Lady Danbury, if I could take it all back –" Lord Mondrich started.
She interrupted him with a sharp wave of her hand. "We can talk about all of the ways that we could change that past all we want, Lord Mondrich. What I would like to know is what you plan to do now."
The former fighter shook his head. "I don't know, Lady Danbury. I don't know how I could possibly make amends at this point."
Lady Danbury smiled as she lit a cigarette. "Far be it from me to be idle on a Sunday morning after hearing such a sordid tale about a dear friend's father's sudden demise." She took another puff off her cigarette before continuing. "Nor would it be so unlike me to pay a short visit to one Lord Fife and one Jack Featherington to gain the names and whereabouts of such notorious ne'er do wells."
She eyed them both and placed a piece of paper on the table. "You both want to make amends? You will see these two brought to justice one way or another."
Will and Simon looked between each other and came to a silent agreement: Lord Featherington's murderers wouldn't be walking away alive. However, they were going to need help. More specifically they were going to need John's help.
Meanwhile at Bridgerton House, Anthony was seething and it took all of his control not to go to Hasting House to throttle Simon. When he voiced such, Penelope actually laughed, much to his annoyance.
"There is nothing in the world that you can do that would be worse than what Lady Agatha Danbury has in store for both her nephew and Lord Mondrich. I can assure you of that." She explained In a calm tone that unnerved him. The mere mention of Lady Danbury being involved and that he had almost interrupted her tea with Simon while giving him a dressing down made him silently thank Pen for stopping him. The sheer relief was enough to turn his thoughts to their practice.
"Seeing as you have canceled your afternoon tea with your family, if you are able and still willing, would you care to listen to the pieces I procured and we can choose the one we both like best?" He asked her, hoping the answer was yes.
Penelope smiled and nodded her head. "Would you like to join us, Lady Bridgerton?" She extended an invitation.
Violet smiled back and hugged her daughter by heart. "Not this time dear. I'm afraid I've left Eloise to her own devices when she's supposed to be working on her French, I need to go check on her, as well as track down my wayward sons." She gave an annoyed huff and Anthony chuckled.
"I suppose you two actually want to join us this time?" He asked an eager Gregory and bouncing Hyacinth.
"May we?" Hyacinth asked excitedly.
"Well… I suppose it will keep John out of trouble." Penelope responded, giving her Man a pointed look.
John gave her a glare in return, but knew that if he objected, she'd just order him to the Ballroom or back to Featherington House anyway. Actually, going back home didn't sound like such a bad idea. Home was where Rae was and the house was completely empty.
"Actually, My Lady, seeing as you are well protected here, if you have no further need of me, I'd like to head home for the afternoon." He said.
"I can't think of any pressing matters that need your attention here at the moment. You go on ahead home and enjoy the rest of your afternoon." Penelope responded with a knowing smirk and a humorous glint in her eye.
"Thank you, Mistress. I'll see you when you get home later this evening." He replied back, giving her the same grin before taking his leave.
Anthony walked up beside her and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She took his offer and gracefully tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and allowed him to guide her to the Ballroom once more with Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth trailing behind them. After carefully listening to the pieces chosen, they decided on Mozart's First Dance in B-flat Major in his Four Dance Suite. They would have to inform the Orchestra that they need to play through the piece twice seeing that it was shorter than the dance itself; he did get the advanced steps version after all.
With the dance piece chosen, Penelope took a moment to read through the instructions carefully again. Then, once more for good measure before handing them to Anthony to review. Once he was done with his review he handed the instructions to Francesca who read them aloud. Thus began the longest and most torturous three weeks both Anthony and Penelope ever experienced.
Mozart: Four German Dances, K.602: 1. in B Flat Major
https/youtu.be/x14hvT-VvcU?si=Er0n9mX2XllCJKvj
THE LÄNDLER PEN AND ANTHONY WILL BE DANCING
https/youtu.be/i_Ynd50L1uA?si=sfs3TJGd0YMCbhes
AMAZING GROUP LÄNDLER I FOUND
https/youtu.be/exYpZBfN-Mg?si=qj_zFDxOlEj8DNVX
Notes:
One of the things I hate about the show is we don't actually see the dark underside of the city and why it is so dangerous. With how Lady Danbury acts, not all of her tough exterior can be attributed to her experiences in her early life as we see in Queen Charlotte. We're never told of how she met Sarah, Simon's Mother. We see her running a wives only gambling night. Gambling Halls were dangerous, especially for ladies. By providing a safe space for wives to gamble l, it gives us a hint that Lady Danbury knows exactly how dark and dangerous London's underworld, both inside and outside high society, is. It's with these context clues that I built the first part of this chapter. Lady Danbury wouldn't care if Mondrich had thrown the match and Lord Featherington was either still alive or had been dealing with a fellow member of the Ton. She understood the need to take care of his family at the cost of his pride. No, her anger is his lack of carelessness when Lord Featherington died knowing that he had placed a bet with men who had no scruples with killing entire families just to get what they wanted or make an example of. Which brings me back to why I hate how the show doesn't acknowledge how dangerous the underbelly of the city actually is: Mondrich, at the very least, should be dead along side Lord Featherington. Men like the ones Lord Featherington placed the bet with didn't do things by half. They would have them both killed, including whoever was with them just so there were no witnesses. Which is why it would have been imperative for Lady Danbury to get the information from Fife and Featherington about their whereabouts as soon as possible either because they would have been killed in the King's cells or Mondrich and his family were in real danger. As for them dealing with the bookies themselves, it's simply a matter of "this is your mess, you clean it up."
At Bridgerton House, I just wanted the fluff to continue and I've been thinking about a John/Rae pairing for a while and I decided, fuck it, why not? The Mozart piece I chose is the once that sounded closest to the Orchestral arrangement of "The Lonely Goat Herder" from the Sound of Music, so you can just imagine them dancing to the same music as the movie. I am still looking for the right Concerto for Penelope to perform, but the warring German states are stressful!!! If only CPE Bach, Friedrich the Great of Prussia's Kappelmeister, had written some violin concertos, this would be a shit ton easier. Once I pin that down, hopefully this will be the last of the delayed updates.
Chapter 47: Here's to Odd Friendships ()
Summary:
Simon and Will have a meeting with John.
Anthony and Pen have their first dance practice and things already begin to become problematic.
Penelope reveals more Featherington secrets then takes some of her frustrations into her own hands.
Notes:
I am soooooo sorry for how late this chapter is. Migraines have been bad and my muse decided that I did not want to write this chapter. She wanted me to work on other chapters and plot points in this story and even start another story. Just ANYTHING but this chapter. I tried arguing with her, reminding her that there was a fun steamy scene at the end of this chapter. Then today she just said, "Fine! You want to cry that bad? Fine!"
Soooooo, author's tear score: 4/5
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Will and Simon knew that they were going to need to move fast and that they were going to need John's help. They couldn't exactly put a finger on why, but they both had the feeling that he must have a knowledge of the darker places of the city if Penelope was sending him to fetch Anthony when he hadn't come home after a certain time. When they arrived at Featherington House, the guard informed them that Lady Featherington was at Bridgerton House across the way if they had business with her.
"We're actually here to conduct business with Mr. Williams." Simon said.
The guard, Harvey in this case, raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Williams, as Her Ladyship's Man, is at her –" he stopped and resumed his post as a proper royal guard.
They turned around to see what had caused the man to stop speaking and saw John crossing the street. When he saw them, a look of anger crossed his features and he took hurried footsteps towards them.
"This better be bloody important, because I'm not letting either of you anywhere near My Lady after the utter horse shit you both pulled." The man seethed.
"We're actually here for you." Will said, handing him the paper with the information Fife had given Lady Danbury. They watched as he looked over the paper.
"Well I'll be the son of a whore… I think we do need to have a chat." He led them into the house, then first into Pen's study where he poured them all two fingers of whiskey from the decanter, and finally into the small formal dining room attached to the drawing room where they each took a seat.
"Now gentlemen, in order to hunt out these types of rats from their nests, you need bait and a special type of cat. Luckily, we have both sitting in this room." He looked at the pair of them with a wide grin and suddenly they both felt like maybe this wasn't such a great idea.
Penelope and Anthony had made somewhat decent progress for a first practice. The arm movements along with the steps were interesting to say the least and prancing around Anthony while he clapped had made her face and the tips of her ears burn. But then to have him walk around her while doing the same rhythmic clapping, it only made her face and ears burn hotter. Touching him after that was pure agony. Just the heat coming off of him made her skin burn. Oh I am going to die before we even have a chance to perform if every practice is going to be like this. She thought as she once again stumbled through the ending until her body was pressed against his, one arm wrapped around her back, hers wrapped around her waist to meet his hand and the other two hands were entwined above them, creating the illusion of a framed portrait. He smiled down at her, his chocolate eyes were molten and locked on to hers. Her breath caught in her chest and she desperately wanted to raise up on her toes and kiss him.
The air between them changed as their arms lowered back to their sides, but the ones around her waist didn't let go. Desire, hunger, and want hung between them like the specter that haunted their dreams of each other every night.
"Pen…" He whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. He couldn't do this. He couldn't do this to her. He couldn't ruin her like he did Kate. But he couldn't let go of her either, even with every cell in his body screaming at him to do so, he couldn't. He was trapped in those deep blue eyes. The eyes of his Siren.
"Anthony?" She asked. His control would have broken right then and there if it wasn't for the sharp clearing of a throat. They jumped away from each other to find Benedict regarding the two of them, the others having left the room.
"I suspected some mischief was being had when I saw Greg and Hy dragging Frannie away from this direction." He said casually. "Trying to get yourself caught, Brother? Shall I have to duel him for your honor, Pen?"
Penelope laughed, breaking the tension. "As if anyone would believe that the most honorable Viscount Bridgerton was seen compromising the virtue of the Ton Wallflower and soon to be spinster, Lady Penelope Featherington." Then she smiled that playful smirk at Ben. "You're as terrible of a shot as he is, best let Colin fight for my honor with John as his second. Then you'll have the grand title of Viscount and Anthony will finally get the rest he needs."
Both brothers looked at her in shock and mild offense, but then Anthony started laughing hysterically once he gave more thought to what she said.
"I agree with this. Yes, brother. I have besmirched our dear friend Pen's honor. Fetch Colin! We duel at dawn!" He declared.
Penelope stifled her giggles and Benedict scowled at them both.
"I was coming down to fetch you both for dinner, but now I think I'll go tell mother that you've both taken ill." He said.
"Wait, wait, Ben. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have joked about you becoming Viscount." Pen said seriously, but then her mouth twisted upwards in a truly evil grin. "I truly should have given you both the horrifying vision of Colin becoming Viscount." She flew by them both as soon as the words came out of her mouth, not waiting for them to process what she said until it was too late for them to catch her. She was half way down the hall when she heard them chasing after her, but got to the dining room safely and took her seat next to Eloise. When they arrived to the room they each sent her an annoyed scowl, which she answered with a winning smile, while the rest of the table looked on confused. Eloise leaned over to ask what had happened. To which Penelope responded:
"I merely reminded them that if they both die, Colin becomes Viscount."
Eloise nearly choked on her soup, but managed to swallow before giving her best friend a mixed look of shock and amusement. "And what exactly happened that brought that particular reminder about?"
Penelope laughed quietly. "Benedict caught us after dance practice in a rather intense moment alone. I'll fill you in with the context while we're doing our embroidery." Giving a slight nod of her head that their conversation was being listened to. Eloise nodded in agreement and changed the subject to something else.
She had forgotten what spending the day at Bridgerton House was like. Her face hurt from smiling and laughing so much. Her after dinner embroidery with Eloise had turned into games with the family until it had been time for everyone to retire. They had tried to convince her to stay the night, but she had to insist on returning home for the beginning of the business week tomorrow. Thankfully, Anthony agreed and even escorted her home. After an awkward exchange of good nights, she made her way into the abnormally dark house. There was usually at least one lamp lit downstairs when someone was out of the house, so for there not to be one lit was unusual. She lit the one by the door so that she could see into the entryway.
"John? Rae?" She called out, then laughed quietly as there was a loud thump from the direction of the servant's quarters followed by quiet muffled cursing. She made her way up to her room, lighting the lamps along the way, to give them time to make themselves decent and pulled out her nightclothes. She still had estate work to attend to, but she was hopeful that with the latest Whistledown the gentlemen of the Ton would get the message that her house was not a brothel they could just demand entry into and interrupt her very real business and actually get the work done tomorrow. Rae joined her just as she finished pulling out her nightgown looking disheveled and slightly embarrassed.
"My apologies, M'um. I was expecting you earlier and I must have fallen asleep." She explained, hiding her face while undoing the ties of her dress.
"Oh? Is that why I heard John cursing?" Penelope asked lightly. Rae paused, her face a bright red in the mirror.
"J-John? Oh, n-no, My Lady. John must have dropped something." She stammered.
Penelope's smile widened. "Oh, I'm pretty sure I heard something that sounded like someone falling out of a bed. And I'm fairly certain that the one thing that's heavy enough and curses that much is John."
Rae had just finished untying the dress and pulling it off of her when she met her gaze in the mirror. They stood there staring at each other until they both started laughing. Once they calmed down, Rae launched into her afternoon with John while undoing her corset.
"It was the strangest thing, Penelope. John and I, well, we've been dancing around the subject for the better part of a month now. I don't know when we started to fall in love with each other, but it's been a growing attraction since you and Mr. Sharpe hired him three months ago and yesterday afternoon it just sort of happened. Everything fell into place." She finished.
Penelope pulled her nightgown over her head and smiled at her friend. "I am so happy for you both, Rae. John is a good man." She hugged her close.
"You have to tell me about your dance practice and the rest of your visit." Rae gushed excitedly as they moved to the vanity so that she could remove the pins and let Penelope's hair down. As Penelope began to talk about her own evening, she began to feel her skin grow flush just thinking about Anthony's hand on her as they danced, how warm his body was through his coat, and how he smelled of sandalwood, warm brandy, and earth. Remembering her hands perfectly fitting into his as they learned the steps and accompanying arm movements made a shiver go up her spine as she thought of his fingers brushing other parts of her body. Rae interrupted her not so holy thoughts, with almost exactly what she was thinking.
"Oh good God, Pen! How are you going to survive when you're already flushed from speaking to me? And this is just the first practice!" Her maid exclaimed.
She placed her face in her hands and groaned. "I know! I hate this! What was worse is the way he said my name, almost like he actually desired me!"
Rae shook her head. "If I may be so bold, M'Lady, he does desire you."
Penelope glared at her through the mirror. "If he does, it is merely clouded by his pining for Kate and nothing more."
Rae opened her mouth to object, but Penelope cut her off. "That is all it is and that is all it can ever be, Rae. For it to be anything else would give me hope and I cannot afford to have hope if I am to face the future that has been carved out for me." Tears had welled in her eyes and Rae would normally drop the subject, but something inside her told her that things were on the brink of change.
"Penelope, the Ton and your family are and have always been cruel. I am certain that if your father were still alive, having seen both of your sisters married off and how much you love Anthony just for being himself, He would encourage you to follow your heart." Rae said.
"I won't let Anthony be used by my family! Not again, never again shall a Bridgerton be used to elevate my family's standing! We've had this discussion, Rae!" Penelope had tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You are not your family, Pen. If you could just –" She could get another word in before Penelope exploded at her.
"I am the head of this family! I know the ins and outs of what this family has done, all of its shady little secrets! I know that my mother should be in jail alongside that traitor for colluding with him! That my father didn't just lose our money in gambling but drinking and whoring as well! I have found that he had three bastards that he was secretly supporting!" Pen was panting as Rae looked at her in shock. How could she…what?
"Pen –" but Her Lady wasn't done.
"Marina was just the tip of the iceberg! There are five more family members on my father's side that he owed money to that he negotiated either sponsorships or goods contracts for! One of my cousins was due at the beginning of the season for her debut, but she came down with the pox! Rae – My family is poison, Rae! And because I am the only one who isn't, I got stuck with the responsibility to fix it!"
She broke into great big sobs having spilled every last toxin that she had been holding back for the last few months as she and Mr. Sharpe dug deeper and deeper into her family's financial history and found out every lie, scheme, and secret that the Featherington Barony held. Rae threw her arms around Penelope and began to rock her back and forth soothing her. Damn them! Damn them both for being selfish bastards! They only thought of themselves and those horse-faced twits for daughters and now…
When her sobs subsided, Rae pulled Penelope back, but kept her hands on her shoulders and knelt down to face her. "I'm so sorry, My Lady. I do not know how to help ease this burden that has been placed upon you other than to advise you to lean on your friends, especially The Queen and Lady Danbury."
Penelope gave her a watery smile. "What an odd friendship to be a part of. The Queen, The Widow, and The Wallflower." she chuckled through her tears.
Rae laughed with her. "Very odd, indeed." she sighed, then grabbed a cloth and wet it to wash Penelope's face.
"Get some rest, but for tonight, rest as Penelope, hmm? Tomorrow you can go back to being Lady Featherington."
Penelope nodded. "Thank you Rae."
Rae smiled back at her. "Anytime, My Lady."
"Pen…" Her arm was wrapped around her waist, her hand trapped by his as she was pressed to his side, their arms above them, hand clasped together, framing them in the perfect ending pose.
"Anthony?" He bent down and kissed her, his lips soft and warm and when he pulled back, he had that mischievous smile on them, her smile. They brought their arms down and he brushed the side of her face with his knuckles. She leaned into his touch and sighed as he brought the same hand around the back of her head to tilt her head up to kiss her again, this time more deeply. Her heart fluttered and she felt warmer against his side than before. When they broke apart gasping for air, she let go of the hand that was keeping her arm wrapped around her waist so she could turn into him properly. She felt him playing with her curls on the back of her neck and it sent a shiver down her spine. This time she bent him down to kiss her and she took the time to taste him upon her lips: warm brandy, honey, and something just so amazingly him that there was no other way to describe it. He moaned into her mouth, his movements picking up with urgency and she allowed him to take what he needed, because in the end, she needed him too. He wrapped her tightly in his arms and pressed his forehead against hers and whispered against her lips.
"If I don't stop, I'm going to ruin you."
"This is a dream, Anthony, you can't ruin a dream…"
Penelope bolted up from her bed and looked around. It was still dark and she groaned. She was hot and there was moisture pooling between her legs. She flopped back down and flushed in embarrassment. Well Daphne hadn't described that . She thought. She had been too embarrassed to try the self-pleasing method Daphne had described while her mother and sisters were still here and had been too tired to even think about trying it now that they were gone. But maybe… Oh for heaven's sake Penelope Anne, you are 20 years old and you have heard your fair share of what happens between men and women by now. Stop over thinking it and just imagine what Anthony would feel like doing it. She chastised herself. She imagined them in the ballroom again, his hand brushing her cheek with his knuckles. She copied the motion with her own hand and felt her body start to warm again. She played with the hair on the back of her neck with her hand the way he had and brought her other hand to her lips to run her finger tips over them at the same time. She was transported back to the Ballroom almost instantly, his lips back on hers, her mind taking over and her hands following. His lips moved from hers and down the column of her neck, kissing, licking, nipping, sucking. She used her violinist fingers to mimic the movements his lips were making on her neck and she felt more of the moisture between her legs seep out.
While one of his hands cradled the back of her neck and his lips occupied with her neck, his other began to slide down the other side of her neck and to the soft flesh of her breast. She let out a soft cry, both in her mind and in her room at the sensation of her breast being touched, when they had never been. His lips left her neck and went back to her lips to help settle her from the overwhelming sensation. The fingers that had been playing with her neck stroked her lips once more and she gasped at how sensitive to her touch they were as she softly fondled her own breast, teasing the flesh, pretending that it was him kneading, stroking, and squeezing. When she brushed a finger over her nipple, she moaned and writhed in her bed. Her fingers stroked, pinched, plucked, and swirled around the hardened peak in time to his hands, his molten eyes meeting her, that smirk playing on his lips.
She loved that smirk, she loved that she was the only one that he ever showed it to, ever since she was little and her bonnet had knocked Colin off that silly horse. Now however, that smirk was going lower and lower down her body, kissing and licking its way down. One hand stayed on her breast while the other followed his lips to where her core was leaking, aching for him. He settled himself between her thighs and gave her breast a pinch and flick before sliding down to lick and kiss the inside of her thighs, taking his time to build her up more. Her fingers followed his actions lightly stroking and scratching the insides of her thighs until she was so wet she thought she might burst. Finally, when she thought she could take no more, He ran his long tongue up her slit and her fingers followed. The sound she made she wouldn't classify as human as it wasn't a wail or a moan but somewhere in between. There was a small engorged spot that felt best, that felt right as she stroked it again and again and again. Different images of Anthony came to her mind as she did this. His fingers upon her there, his member between her legs, her atop him as Daphne had described once, and oh! What was that? The pressure and the pleasure between her legs was building! She didn't know what was going on but she felt like she was going to explode. And explode she did! With a cry of his name on her lips a feeling of ultimate ecstasy ripped through her body sending tiny tingles of pleasure cascading down her skin. She was floating bonelessly in a sea of tranquility and the last thing she saw as she fell asleep was his smirk and the whispered words in the dark:
Good night, my Pen.
Notes:
OK so that happened. Let's breakdown the Penelope stuff first. You guys didn't think I would forget the plot between Portia and Jack did you? That Penelope would find out about her mom entering the scheme by looking at the financials and Jack Featherington's notes? That the crown ONLY knows of Jack's involvement with the scheme and Portia's filing of the false will? The only reason Portia isn't in jail alongside Jack Featherington is because she didn't abandon them. Second, we know Lord Featherington went whoring around, because that's where he was found dead. And it would make sense for him to have some bastards out there. The Featherington's had to have been fucking rich if Lady Featherington was sniffing at a four figure dowry. For him to have gambled away their ENTIRE fortune, plus their lands would have been insanely improbable even with all of the over the top spending they were known for. And with how large families were back then, do you really think Marina would have been the only cousin promised a shot at high society debut? With how toxic and narcissistic the Featherington's are, Pen not wanting to pull Anthony into her world becomes clearer the more we understand her trauma. And that's really what this section is about. Often times, we who survive emotional and mental abuse at the hands of narcissistic family members are the ones who have to be the mature ones who either have to walk away or if we're not able to, like Pen, have to be the adults in the room and manage the family. It isn't fair that we have to fix what's broken, but it is what it is. And that's where Pen is. Her family already tried to use the Bridgertons to fix something that was broken (Marina's pregnancy) when it wasn't their job to handle it. What Pen is feeling right now is if she enters a marriage with Anthony, she will be using his status as a Bridgerton to sweep everything her family has done wrong under the carpet and it will make her just as bad as her family. What she hasn't considered and won't consider is that Anthony has a choice too. He can choose to accept her and deal with the fallout of everything her family has done if and when it does. But she is actively taking that choice away from him by not even letting it BE a choice all in the name of protecting him from her. You have the same thing going on with Anthony. He is so convinced that he will ruin her, that he is a monster, that he refuses to give her the choice to be with him or not. Again, another mirror. This time, though, the trauma and hurt come from different paths, one from loving too deeply, one from not being loved the way she should have been.
Chapter 48: Showdown At The Crown and Anchor
Summary:
John, Simon, and Will take care of some business at a pub on the Docks when Anthony unwittingly stumbles in.
Notes:
There is actually a pub where I live named the Crown and Anchor. I dedicate this chapter to them and their amazing fish and chips!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The Crown and Anchor was a pub located on King St. near the West India docks on the Isle of Dogs. It was a fairly clean establishment, even if the clientele was of a rougher crowd. Simon and Will had found themselves roped into a game of cards with a few of the dock workers while they were waiting for John.
"Well c'mon, dandy-boy! We ain't got all night. Unlike you lot, I actually work for a living." The table roared with laughter, Simon joining in. God he had missed this the only person missing was –
"Anthony!" Everyone at the table turned around to see Anthony Bridgerton strolling into the pub with a sloppy grin on his face.
The burly man who had called him dandy-boy grinned widely and called out:
"Oye, hat and boots! Y'may want t'come rescue y'friends from themselves!"
Anthony looked towards them and his eyes widened in surprise and a bit in terror. But before he could escape, John sauntered in behind him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and guided him towards the table.
"Evening, lads! Daryl, is that you!?" He asked the burly man.
"John Williams, you slippery devil! I thought The Count had seen your end in that fight with good old Beastie Boy!" The man called Daryl slapped his back smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Oh nah! It's a long story, but I need to steal these lads from ya, but have a round for the table on me, yeah? For old times sake." John replied throwing some bills on the table.
Daryl nodded, still watching him. "Y'know The Count won't take lightly to ya being here, John. Not with these dandies or Will Mondrich. He's still sore over 'im throwing that match. Only reason he ain't dead is because of his connection to Hastings."
John sighed. "I know. I'm just fetching them. They wandered a bit too far from home and I was asked to bring them home. Didn't know they had come into The Count's jurisdiction. But the longer we talk, the more likely I am to be caught. If you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way." The way out of the pub was barred and they were suddenly trapped between the men they had been playing with at the table.
"I think that was the point, Johnny boy." an icy voice came drifting through the pub and all activity stopped.
A man dressed in societal finery walked into the pub. Simon could have sworn he had seen him somewhere.
"A pleasure to formally make your acquaintances, Duke Basset, Lord Bridgerton. I am Count Dumant." He introduced himself with a sweeping bow. Simon and Anthony exchanged a confused look.
"Oh, my apologies, the Countancy has not been active in Parliament for quite some time. We prefer to be more involved on the local level." He smiled gruesomely before continuing. "You need not worry for your safety, I will ensure that you are returned home hale and whole. The Duchess and Lady Featherington need not know of your little excursion here."
He paused as if thinking about something he may have forgotten, but then continued. "In fact, I am feeling generous for the plight of Lady Featherington and am willing to part with what her father stole from me to offer my sincerest apologies and condolences, if it will set her mind at ease."
Anthony was shaking with rage at the mention of Penelope and her father. What exactly was going on here? He turned to demand an answer from Mr. Williams, but stopped when he saw the wicked smile on the man's face.
"I was hoping you'd make a personal appearance, Dumant, though I am still surprised you're still around. That Featherington job your boys pulled was half-assed. Really your own whorehouse?" John's smile got wider.
"It was a rush job. Plus, I had just lost my number one fixer in a tragic accident. Otherwise, I'm sure you would have made quick work of both families, hmm? John?" Dumant's Prodding didn't budge William's smile, instead it made it somehow more sinister.
"I seem to recall a different conversation, one where I explicitly stated I don't do children. And it's on you that you didn't have your grunts double check whose skull was caved in. Not my fault the boys you chose have been sloppy twice now and the Runners will be on you like flies on shit come the next few days."
The Count scowled at him. "What are you talking about?"
John handed him the paper with the location and names Simon and Will had given him earlier.
"They spilled to a certain Lord Fife, who then spilled to someone not even you can touch. I'm offering to handle them for you. It handles a problem for both of us." John said seriously.
Dumant looked at the paper then back at John as if weighing the options. He finally seemed to come to a decision when he leaned over to one of the grunts next to him and whispered in his ear. The grunt left and Count Dumant made his way into the pub proper, taking a seat at a corner table.
"This will take a few moments, gentlemen. Please, sit. Let us have something to drink. Tell me, what passes for entertainment in high society nowadays? Lady Whistledown is quite the wordsmith I hear." He began. "You know, she used to employ a print shop not far from here before she had to uproot her entire operation." He continued blithely, watching their reactions.
The others at the table exchanged confused looks between each other. A waitress came around with ale for them all.
"Well, you should know this, Lord Bridgerton. After all, your dear sister did figure this out." Dumant leered a look at Anthony and something foreboding settled in his stomach.
"My sister was found cavorting with Labor Radicals, nothing to do with Lady Whistledown." Anthony replied, taking a long draught of his ale.
The Count's unsettling smile never wavered, but only seemed to widen. "Come now, my dear Lord Bridgerton. Do you really believe that's all your fiery, spirited, young, and naive sister was doing down here in this particular part of town?"
Anthony's nostrils flared. "If you are insinuating, sir –"
Dumant waved away the incoming threat. "I am insinuating no such thing. Your sister was perfectly safe. Your friend, Lady Featherington, saw to that." He nodded in John's direction.
John shrugged. "I wasn't under My Lady's employ yet, but she's friends with Geneviene Delacroix and Gen and I have a partnership. I did her a solid."
The Count turned back to The Viscount. "What I am saying is that it is curious that Lady Whistledown reported your sister's involvement with the Labor radicals, but not her dalliance with the printer shop boy who just so happened to be the younger brother of a certain Mr. Sharpe. It could be a coincidence. After all, Lady Whistledown does fund a significant portion of the Labor movement's operations. Hence, since your sister's involvement was discovered, they've had to lie low and relocate."
Anthony nearly choked on his ale at the news that His sister may have been involved with a working class man.
"And you say that this boy is the younger brother of Mr. Sharpe, the Solicitor?" Anthony asked.
The Count nodded. "The one and the same. I do believe that he is in the employ of our dear young Lady Featherington, yes? It's strange, then, that the information
was kept out of Lady Whistledown's column."
"I hope you aren't insinuating that Lady Featherington is Lady Whistledown, sir." Simon growled.
The Count laughed darkly. "It's merely an interesting observation. One The Queen may find of interest should I hear of any further incursions into my, how shall we say," he paused for a moment " lands that isn't to conduct business in the shops during the day and whore and drink at night."
It was at that moment that the two men Simon and Will saw Lord Featherington speaking with the day Will threw his fight being dragged into the bar and roughly thrown onto the floor in front of the table. Then a bag of pounds was placed on the table in front of them.
"There's your two rats and payment for their extermination." Dumont said casually.
John nodded, then grabbed the bag of cash.
"Thanks for your business, Dumant. Always a pleasure seeing an old friend." John smiled wickedly as he said it.
"Oh, I assure you, Johnny boy, the pleasure is all mine. It's only a shame that William here got mixed up with Featherington. He would have made a fine fixer. Better than you I'd wager." The Count laughed.
John laughed along with him. "Oh, Dumant, you of all people should know," no one saw him move or knew where the blade came from, only that one moment Dumant was laughing, the next there was a knife sticking out of his throat. "I'm the best fixer in London town."
Everything moved in slow motion, Dumant fell to the ground in a heap, blood seating from his throat, thick and viscous and his eyes empty. John took four stacks of the bills from the bag and placed them on the center of the table.
"Tell Beastie-boy we're even, yeah, Daryl?" John turned back to the man that Simon and Will had started out playing cards with.
Daryl looked at the four men, then started laughing hysterically. "Oh yer ahn absolute madman! I don know ow y'made th' bai' 'n hook work, but yer a bloody genius!"
Simon and Will looked at each other, then scowled at John. "We were bait?" Will said irately.
John shrugged. "I told you in order to catch this particular rat we needed a specific type of bait and a special kind of cat."
He emphasized the point by spitting on the now completely dead Count Dumant.
"I was not informed of this charade." Anthony spoke up indignantly.
"No. You were just brought over just in case my little gamble didn't pay off. Your family and Lady Featherington would have my hide if anything happened to you." John explained.
Anthony's jaw dropped, but John ignored him in favor of turning to the two men on the floor who had pissed themselves after watching the cold execution of their boss.
"Alright gents, you two are coming with us. You're going to make your confessions and pay your penance to the ladies you wronged before you face the hangman's noose." John said coldly. "And at this point, I wouldn't expect mercy from Lady Penelope Featherington."
John mercilessly shoved the two skeevy men into two different hacks, one in each, deaf to their pleas and cries for mercy. John and Will sat in one hack guarding one of the men with Simon and Anthony in the other.
And that was how Penelope was woken up for the second time that night.
Notes:
Alrighty! I don't have many notes for this chapter other than, I wanted to write a fun chapter where we explore a bit of John's backstory and how he kind of fits into all of this. I also wanted to drop hints of what happened to the Labor Movement and give Anthony some crumbs of "Oh! My sis was doing a lot more down here than just attending the rallies." Further, I wanted to expand on the world of the underground of London and how it worked since Pen does spend quite a bit of time there. Street gangs, bribes, gambling, etc. Things we see today existed back then, just in different forms. Pen not having issues with dropping off her drafts would only make sense if she learned how to manage this system early. Hence her disguise, probably paying off the leaders of gangs to not be bothered or even escorted, maybe even having her drafts run much like Madame Delacroix does.
I also found it weird that the men Featherington made that bet with just happened to have THAT much money on them. It would have made much more sense for them to have been a part of a gambling racket with a wealthy gentleman on top and I wanted to play with that. It was also common place for gambling rackets to pay off competitors to throw their matches in exchange for payouts, only they weren't as generous at Lord Featherington. It was something else I wanted to add.
Anyway, I just wanted to add a chapter that was a romp and that explored some elements that the show really did a disservice to or didn't explain very well that wouldn't really fit well. Next chapter Pen will get some closure, have a heart to Heart with Simon, and we'll have some more Lady D, Queen C, and Lady B shenanigans.
Chapter 49: How We Got Here...
Summary:
Penelope learns more about John's past and finally puts her father's memory to rest
Notes:
Hiya all! So my muse has been sputtering a bit on this story, mostly because of the depressions and migraines and when you have both they suck. But I promise you I have not forgotten you my lovely, lovely readers. This chapter for me is all about Pen getting that much needed closure so that she can forge ahead and say, "This is ok."
Without further ado: On with the show
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"What in the ever living blood of Christ is going on here, Mr. Williams!?" A raging Penelope Featherington was glaring at them from the stairs in her nightdress, her curls mussed from sleep. Anthony was suddenly very distracted with the vision of waking up to her fly away curls resting against his chest, her hair a mess from nightly activities other than sleep. That was until Rae came out of the servant's quarters, took one look at him, and smiled at him knowingly. He silently groaned. This was the last thing he needed, to be cornered by Pen's Maid and, more than likely, confidant and either lectured or threatened. Rae flicked her head back to Penelope as if indicating they should get back to paying attention to what was actually going on.
"And how, exactly, is this an apology, Mr. Williams? I should think His Grace and Lord Mondrich know how to apologize." Penelope was asking.
"Well, Pen, My Aunt made it clear in no uncertain terms that Lord Fife had put you and your family and possibly Will's family in danger again." Simon explained.
Penelope's eyebrows raised. "Ungag them."
John did as he was bid and undid the cloth around the mouths of the two men before her.
"Who are you? And what business did you have with Lord Fife?" She asked them coldly.
The two men looked up at her, fear radiating from them as they realized where they were and who she was.
"Please. Please have mercy on us, Your Ladyship. We was jest doin' our jobs!" One of them begged.
"Yeh. Ya d'know wha it's like workin' for th'Count." The other said.
Penelope's face hardened. "I suppose you mean Count Dumant?"
The three gentlemen in the room exchanged looks. How did Penelope know about Count Dumant? Wait…Was she really…
"Pen, are you Lady Whistledown?" Anthony asked in a hushed tone.
Penelope looked up at him sharply. "I'm asking about the most corrupt Countancy in the British Kingdom that's been missing for the last sixty years and you're asking me if I'm Lady Whistledown? Right now? Really , Anthony." She said exasperated
Well when she put it that way… "Perhaps you're right, another time." He conceded.
She rolled her eyes and returned her attention to the two in front of her. "Well?"
They both nodded.
"I don't suppose you got proof of this before you killed him exjudiciatiously." She was rubbing her forehead.
"Oh there should be a very dead Dumant showing up at the morgue right about now. That particular nest of rats should either be scattering or uniting under the former boxer 'The Beast.' Also fondly known as Beastie-boy." John explained.
"Wait, you mean the boxer I threw my match to was under Dumant's pay?" Will exclaimed.
John laughed. "Of course he was! Dumant was scouting you to be his replacement. If you didn't throw that match, he was going to kill you just to keep his job."
Will's eyes went wide with fear as he exchanged a look with Simon.
John sighed and looked at all of them. "Listen, Here's what went down that night. Or more accurately the week leading up to that night."
He first looked at Will. "You had been on Dumant's radar since the beginning of the season. Now The Beast was a great fighter still in his prime, but Dumant wanted a fresh face in the ring. The Beast had been his boy for three years running. It was time to move Beastie-boy to another part of his organization, perhaps as an enforcer or fixer like I was. But He wasn't having it, he was resolved that if you won your fight with him, he was going to kill you. All in all, lad, you chose the better of the two options." He placed a reassuring hand on Will's shoulder.
"But your conversation with the Duke here about your winnings and your marriage was a little too public if you catch my meaning." He continued, the serious look was back on his face. "And I was the one originally slated for the job, the original job being both you and Featherington and your families."
Penelope raised her hands to her mouth. "John." She whispered, almost terrified.
John shook his head. "I wouldn't do it, My Lady. I would have easily taken down your father and Lord Mondrich here, but I don't kill mothers and children. Though, I probably would have made an exception for your mother and Prudence."
She laughed at that. "So why are these two here? How do they fit into the story?" She asked.
"Well, that's where the whole 'The Beast not wanting to be replaced' comes in. I told The Count that if his boys could be played so easily by a foppish drunk and his next golden boy, then he was losing his touch when it came to picking and choosing who should do which job. I reminded him that I don't do jobs that involve women and children. But I guess he wasn't willing to pay Sharks. Is that what happened boys? Is that why he put you two cock ups on this job?" He had turned his attention back to the two dingy men on the ground who whimpered.
"Y-y-yeah! 'e o-owed Sharks! Sharks 'ad a lot ridin' on Beasty an' when yeh t'rew th'match, 'e not only owed Featherington but Sharks, too. Sharks wasn't gonna snipe someone 'oo made 'im money! If anything, 'e would paid yeh a bonus ta keep fightin'!" The Second man who had spoken earlier said.
"So Count Dumant Had a lot riding on me, this Sharks guy who is a fixer with no moral qualms had a lot riding on 'The Beast' and Dumant already owed Sharks money before that?" Will asked, just to clarify.
"You have to love underworld politics. It's both simpler and more complex than Parliament, but most definitely bloodier." John said with sarcasm.
"Sharks is an independent Fixer, unlike myself who was a direct underling of Count Dumant. If Dumant owed money to Sharks and he tried to hire him for a hit, he would have been dead before he left the meeting." He explained further.
"Anyway, when I refused to do the job, he paid Beastie-boy to take care of me, not knowing that we go back to my days in the ring and he owes me a favor or two, including me throwing my match to him, so that I could get out of the ring." He continued.
Simon looked at him with a furrowed brow. "But why?"
John laughed. "You get tired of the ring eventually kid. The fighting and the fire is fun for a bit and using it to keep your rage at the world at bay works for a little while. But once the rush comes to an end, the punches just hurt, the sweat just stings, and the blood in your mouth makes you want to gag all over again. Some fighters just get there sooner than others." He exchanged a knowing look with Will before looking Simon up and down.
"You remind me of him, you know. Beastie-boy is determined, confident, set in his ways, and when you tell him that he is going to do something or else, he will move heaven and earth not to do it. You would have stayed in that ring until you were too old to lift a glove. Beastie-Boy is the same way. You and him will never understand why people get tired of the ring, get tired of the fight." He smirked before continuing.
"All we can ask is that when the time comes for us to bow out, you give us a pat on the shoulder, a shake of the hand, and meet us at the pub now and again. Just some advice from an old fighter." He clapped Simon on the back. Then turned back to Penelope.
"Anyway, Beastie-boy and I just happened to find a man who was close to his last breath due to pneumonia. He begged us for mercy to either end him or take him somewhere warm so that he might spend his last hours in peace. We did both. We took him to where I was living at the time and started the hearth. I fed him some broth and let him drink his fill of ale. When he was full and he was ready to rest, I gave him some laudanum both to ease his suffering and quicken his death." He paused and bowed his head in reverence for the soul of the man whose life he took in mercy.
"Once the man was dead, our true work began. The Count would want proof that the Deed was done, either in the form of the head, the hands, or the feet. For inside jobs like this, it was the part of the body where the mark of loyalty lay. In my case," He showed a puffed up branding scar on the inside of his wrist. "My forearm. I don't think we need to go into the details of how we did it, but we did. And I was free from Dumant, but now what do I do? Well, I started working some honest jobs when I met Genevieve Delacroix and became a regular delivery person for her business. She started having me keep tabs on your sister at the request of someone she just called 'a friend.' Then about a month or so after the New Year started, I was called upon by Mr. Sharpe for a job with Lady Featherington, the true Lady Featherington as he put it. And that's how I ended up here. Life certainly does work in mysterious ways."
Penelope looked between him, Simon, Will, and Anthony before looking down at the two men on the ground. "Ok. But that doesn't explain why I have two of Dumant's sniveling grunts in front of me accompanied by The Duke of Hastings, Lord Mondrich, and Lord Bridgerton."
John smiled. "Oh. I thought you would have figured it out: these are the two directly responsible for killing your father and His Grace and Lord Mondrich's asked for my help in apprehending them by way of apology."
She raised an eyebrow. "And Anthony?"
Anthony decided to answer for himself. "I was there for an ale and Fish with Chips. I honestly had nothing to do with this."
Damn! Now I'll have to ask Sylvie to make fish with chips for dinner this week now that Anthony's mentioned it. Penelope thought, her mouth watering at the image of the fried treat.
"Hmm." She let loose a resigned sigh. "Thank you both for apprehending the men responsible for the murder of my father, but honestly what were you thinking?"
They looked at her surprised as she continued. "Yes, I was hurt and upset, but to put yourselves in a position where you could have been killed by Count Dumant? And you, Mr. Williams. I should fire you for blatantly putting my dearest friends at risk as well as one of their associates." She chided, then smiled.
"But, seeing as how you have evidence of the Countancy's activities or at least its existence or I would hope that you do…" John gave her a bright smile as he produced the proof of title that he had acquired from "The Beast" on his way to The Crown and Anchor while Simon and Will had been getting cozy with the gents in the pub.
"Courtesy of my former associates, Lady Featherington." He bowed to her with a cheeky grin on his face.
Penelope had tears welling in her eyes, this was it. This was all the proof she needed that the Dumant Countency existed as she had suspected in the two almost three years that she had been Lady Whistledown and that he had been behind her father's murder. She ran to Simon and hugged him fiercely.
"Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me." She turned to Will and did the same.
"I'm so sorry. I had no right to be angry. I was being stupid. You were protecting your family." Will just patted her back awkwardly until he managed to pull her away.
"None of that now. If I had truly wanted to protect my family, I would have done the right thing and come to check what the situation was. They could have come gunning for me and my family next and I would have been none the wiser. You lost your father and I still lived, you had every right to be angry." Will reassured her.
She smiled at him and hugged him again. She looked between the two of them, her happiness blazed in all of its glory. "Wait right here." She went to the front and spoke with the Royal guard stationed there.
The minutes stretched long but were filled in as they told her about Dumant's demise and the role that they each played. John told them more stories about his days as a fixer and how he never let a child come to harm. How he had even made deals with Sharks to move children under four to new families. By the time he had finished telling the story about Beastie-boy arm wrestling a man named 'The Octopus,' The Bow Street Runners had arrived to formally take statements, evidence, and escort the culprits of Lord Featherington's murder to the King's cells. When all was said and done, it was now three o'clock in the morning and Penelope, for one, was very tired.
"If you would all prefer to guest here, you are welcome, otherwise, John, Rae, and Harvey will see you out. I bid you good night, gentlemen."
She didn't miss the way Anthony's eyes bored into hers as he made his way to the entryway. It's nothing. And if it is, it'll pass.
She heard them quietly talking amongst themselves as she made her way back to her bedroom remembering her earlier activities. She was too tired to repeat them, but the intensity of his eyes just now wouldn't leave her thoughts. He is never going to actually want you. This is just him finally getting over Kate and wanting something different and new. And you are most definitely the exact opposite of Kate.
She could not wait until this silly ball was done and over with that way things could go back to normal. She could have her evenings with Eloise, her Thursday tea with Her Majesty and Lady Danbury. She couldn't wait to see Edwina again! They had so much catching up to do! Hopefully they could start seeing each other regularly too. And there would be no more of this ridiculous daydreaming about Anthony Bridgerton.
Notes:
I felt that these last two chapters were important to reground Pen back to who she is as a character through the eyes of her closest protector: John. John isn't going to go back into a dangerous environment for just anyone, especially his former gang boss's turf. And I wanted to illustrate again just how much the show glosses over the truly horrid conditions that Will Mondrich escaped. It's something Simon and Anthony are never going to understand. Pen understands to some extent, but that's only because she's Lady Whistledown and is actively using her wealth and privilege to further the causes of the working poor. No instead, John connects with them on a level that they understand. The fighting ring. Those who fight in the ring, those who don't, and those who straddle the line, like Simon. Pen is the same and John recognizes that or else he wouldn't be there protecting her, not only from others, but from herself as well.
Further, having this take on John just deepens the richness of Penelope's life and something that I feel the show really neglects when it comes to her double life as Lady Whistledown. She the most ignored person in her house and she runs her own business. Surely the show can afford to show her actually doing things with her Solicitor, like going over her investment portfolio or talking to the labor movement leaders, just something. Instead she's just stuck in this Mean Girl/Gossip Girl trope that while she does do things, it's either done off screen or it's so minimal it's no even worth mentioning. It's just frustrating that they can do so much more with the Whistledown aspect of her character and they don't.
Finally, yes The Beast's nickname, Beastie-Boy, is given in honor of the ever righteous, brass monkey loving Beastie Boys.
Chapter 50: While You Were Gone
Summary:
Queen Charlotte approves of the performance pieces Penelope has chosen but decides to have a change of venue for the preview.
Notes:
Good news, everyone! Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. In all seriousness, I had some real life stuff that came up that put a real damper on my ability to write and put me in a time crunch to get some things done. But I am back with an update on our lovely Queen Charlotte. Enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
To Her Majesty, Queen Charlotte,
Please find enclosed our performance pieces for the evening of the Welcoming Ball for Their Highnesses. I look forward to presenting a preview of mine and Lord Bridgerton's dance in two weeks time for your assessment.
Your Dear Friend,
Penelope
Charlotte smiled as she looked over the pieces that young Penelope had selected. She was pleased that they had chosen to perform the Ländler with one of Mozart's German Dances to accompany them. What surprised her was a piece composed by her former Music Maestro, Johann Christian Bach, specifically his Violin Concerto in C-Major. It was a rather simple piece, but quite elegant, if she recalled. However, by the time of his death he had fallen out of favor with British society, was deeply in debt, and she, herself, had needed to step in to save his widow from destitution. She really didn't begrudge extending the favor to Miss Grassi. She was a wonderful singer, conversationalist, and amateur composer herself. Plus, Charlotte really did enjoy bringing down that swindling steward when she found him out.
She shook her head and returned her attention to Lady Featherington's final piece. Oh? Well wasn't this interesting, another piece by Heir Beethoven, this time a piano sonata. Presumably this would be Miss Francesca Bridgerton's contribution to the festivities. While Herr Beethoven was born in Vienna, many were touting him as the natural heir to Mozart's musical genius. At least, that was what little news from the mainland she was hearing in the music world. She was excited to hear a full piece of his as it was meant to be heard, so long as Miss Bridgerton was up to the task of performing. A sudden idea came to her, what if she could make the demonstration a family affair where George could be in attendance as well? His moods were becoming better, more stable as the family came together more often, especially Edward and Victoria with the baby. She knew how much he loved music and he used to love dancing with her, perhaps some music to liven up Kew House would do some wonders for his mental state. A smile passed her lips. Yes. They would do the preview at Kew House, it would do her George some good to see a performance. Perhaps if all went well, they would do more like them. Nodding to herself, she began her reply to Lady Featherington.
Dearest Lady Featherington,
I approve of the pieces and have concluded that there shall be a preview performance at Kew Hall in week's time of all the pieces selected. We shall discuss the details at this Thursday's Tea.
Kindest Regards,
Charlotte
With that out of the way, she now had a preview to plan for next week. She smiled at that. She knew both Elizabeth and Sofia would want to be involved with planning the event with her father. Perhaps she should invite them to tea Thursday so that they might meet the young Lady Featherington and they could have her input on the musical pieces in question that their father would be the most comfortable with viewing and listening to the performance. As she was thinking this over, Georgie was announced. She called for tea as she greeted him and motioned for him to sit.
"The new leader within the House of Commons is going to be the death of me, I swear. The Lords are calling for his head with this new motion." He pulled out his flask and took a long draught.
"Is this the land tax increase for boarding for the poor?" She asked.
"Yes. It's being championed by Lord Debling and supported by many of his progressive cohorts. More moderate members see the value, but are asking for revisions so that the poor must work for their housing. And of course the opposition is complaining the loudest." He took a sip of his tea while his mother pondered upon the information he gave her.
"What did Mr. Sharpe say on behalf of the Featherington Barony?" She asked.
He almost choked at the question. He hadn't been expecting the question and he sputtered for a moment trying to recall the argument Mr. Sharpe had given.
"He said something to the effect of Her Ladyship agreeing with Lord Debling's position. That if one walks down the slums of London town the buildings are dilapidated, old, and collapsing, yet people live in these conditions because they have nowhere to go. That we treat human beings worse than the pigs we send to slaughter, perhaps we should trade out the pigs for the poor if it will get them better treatment, food and lodging."
His mother snorted at that. "'Tis a shame that Lady Featherington cannot speak upon the floor of the House of Lords herself. I would pay 100,000 crowns to see that particular display and watch them all fall into a tantrum."
Georgie sighed. "Please do not make my job in Parliament any harder. It was bad enough that the chamber erupted into chaos after he made that particular declaration only to assert that if they claim to be good Christian men and as loyal subjects to the crown and the Church of England then it is their duty by the blood of Christ and Fealty to the Crown of England that they provide comfort and charity to the poor, the immigrant, the Widow, and the orphan. It may have shut them up, but Lady Featherington may have some angry callers over the next few days."
The Queen laughed. "I think Lady Featherington can handle herself. Come, let us speak of happier things."
She produced a letter, an update on the travel progress of Prince Friedrich and his retinue.
Dearest Tante,
I am delighted to write to you that we have made it safely to Hamburg where we will be boarding our ship in a few days time. Edwina and Kate both need a rest after a very long week on the road and Lord Dorset would like to ensure that there will be no complications with Kate on board ship as she is carrying twins! Oh Tante, it is wonderful! My Edwina and Kate will make such wonderful mothers and with your Victoria having the future Queen, I am so happy that I will be home with my family.
Edwina keeps asking about her friend Penelope, I have told her that I will insist on you arranging tea with her as soon as we arrive. She is so excited. She's brought an entire library of books for her friend, both from India and from Prussia. I love my Edwina so much and I cannot wait to make her friend's acquaintance! The way she speaks about Miss Featherington makes me feel as if she is the very reason I have to thank for Edwina being in my life. We should be in London in two weeks, provided the weather upon the sea is on our side.
Your Loving Nephew,
Friedrich
Georgie smiled up at her. "It's good that Friedrich made it safely to Hamburg. Is the Welcoming Ball still scheduled for three weeks from now?"
"Yes and the preview of the scheduled performances are next week, which I wish to make into a family affair at Kew Hall." She answered.
Georgie raised an eyebrow. "You wish to include Father?"
His mother nodded. "He's made wonderful progress with us being around more and I believe having a private performance with just the family would be a delight that he has not had since Amelia passed."
Georgie mulled it over. Since Little Charlotte had died, there hadn't really been anything worth celebrating for him. But with Edward and Victoria expecting, Friedrich and his family arriving, and it having been so long since his family just sat and enjoyed music with each other without feeling the burden of being royalty, the idea suddenly felt like a much needed balm.
"I agree. When were you thinking?" He asked.
"Thursday next week at 3 o'clock." She stated simply.
"Perfect. I shall inform the family." He stood and kissed her cheek before leaving.
For once Charlotte felt content. Was it the life she had wanted for herself? No. But during her last conversation with Lady Featherington she remembered something vital that she had lost: she might be chained and bound to her position, but she could choose how she behaved. And as she told her son as he stood at the altar on that fateful day: Love isn't a feeling, it is an action. One that you must choose to do over and over again. She had forgotten to choose loving her children while serving and loving her George. A mistake that she refuses to make again. And like with all choices, choosing to love her children and lean in them has become easier as the days pass.
Johann Christan Bach - Violin Concerto in C Major: https/youtu.be/gdR19ffU5XQ?si=s3cxjeWYXtwbH2dY
Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 20 G Major: https/youtu.be/W7WpjF2VILE?si=PitCgHKy4al-9a9p
The Ländler: https/youtu.be/i_Ynd50L1uA?si=EdVjkvvPk5QeXdQO
Mozart's Four German Dances K. 602: 1 in B-flat Major: https/youtu.be/x14hvT-VvcU?si=Er0n9mX2XllCJKvj
Notes:
So I don't have many notes for this other than Charlotte has been doing a lot of self healing and growth outside of the story because the Royal family dynamics would be material for a different story. Which I might do once I have a couple of other projects out of the way. But I needed to set up the next Tea between our three friends as well as check in on our favorite Monarch. I also wanted to drip in the next bout of Parliament drama and some juicy bits of what's in-store for Anthony when his ex's get here. Buckle up buttercups!
Chapter 51: Why is a Raven like a Writing Desk?
Summary:
Colin goes to face Penelope but it's Penelope that has to face a harsh truth.
Notes:
Wow, did writing this chapter feel like pulling teeth. Between a depression spiral, real life events, writing other parts for other chapters of this story, starting three different fics plus a one shot for Umbrella Academy (yes, I'm still pissed about the ending, no, my brain hasn't let it go, and Steve Blackman trying to defend THAT abomination of an ending is worse than the writers for Lucifer AND D & D of Game of Thrones combined!!!) and random info dumps for my novel my brain's been a bit on overdrive. So please enjoy this chapter. I have not abandoned this Fic. And I will be back hopefully sooner than this update took!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Dearest Lady Featherington,
I approve of the pieces and have concluded that there shall be a preview performance at Kew Hall in a week's time of all the pieces selected. We shall discuss the details at this Thursday's Tea.
Kindest Regards,
Charlotte
To Her Majesty –
This sounds agreeable. I shall inform Lord Bridgerton and Miss Francesca Bridgerton.
– Penelope
Lord Bridgerton –
I have been informed that we shall be expected to perform a preview of our full performance at Kew House in one week's time. Full details are to be discussed Thursday during my normal afternoon tea with Her Majesty. Please inform Francesca.
– Lady Featherington
Lady Featherington –
I should like to invite you on a Promenade tomorrow morning after breakfast to discuss your support of the Land Taxes Movement.
– Lord Debling
Lord Debling –
Unfortunately, I am unavailable tomorrow morning. I am available either in the afternoon after tea until supper or Thursday morning until 1 o'clock in the afternoon. I will accept this invitation so long as it is understood that this is not the beginnings of a courtship. I have the affairs of the Barony to attend to here, sir, and I shall not have them interrupted as they were last week with gentlemanly foolishness.
– Lady Featherington
Lady Featherington
You and your family are hereby invited to the Granville Ball on the Evening of the 26th of May beginning at 7 o'clock in the evening. We look forward to your attendance.
Lady Granville
Lady Granville
I am honored and humbly accept your invitation. I would like to extend an invitation to join me for tea on the afternoon of the 21st of May in return.
Lady Featherington
To The Honorable Lady Featherington –
I am pleased to report that after surveying and inspecting the land that you have offered for the expansion of my flock under the supervision of my son, that your terms are agreeable. I shall be returning to London by the 23rd of May whereby we can continue our negotiations. I believe that this will be a most fitting partnership for us both.
– Thomas Lancaster
To Thomas Lancaster –
I am very happy to hear that you find the land suitable to your needs and that we may continue our discussions of land usage cost and profit sharing of your sales. As I have stated, I have connections to a fabrics factory here in London that is in need of high quality wool that we can negotiate with during your time here in town. Please look for the response from my solicitor, Mr. Sharpe, for our scheduled meeting.
– Lady Featherington
Mr. Sharpe –
Mr. Lancaster has sent word that he finds the land parcel that we suggested for his expanding enterprise to be acceptable. He shall be returning upon the 23rd of May. Please see to it that he is scheduled for the 24th or 25th, whichever date your schedule allows.
– Lady Featherington
She had just finished penning her missive to Mr. Sharpe when she heard a knock at the door. Glaring at the small pile of notes and letters that she still had to read and reply to, she took a deep breath before answering the call for Liam to enter.
"Madam, Mr. Colin Bridgerton is here to see you. Shall I show him in?"
Penelope sighed. She had been avoiding a second conversation with Colin, but with the turmoil of yesterday and the need of a break from answering the missives she was just now catching up on, she supposed now was as good of a time as any.
"Yes. Rae may be our Chaperone. Be sure she brings a set of tea, please. Also take these and see that John and Mr. Burberry delivers them promptly." She instructed, handing him the stack of responses with the exception of the one addressed to Anthony. She would just send that one back with Colin.
"Of course, M'um. Anything else?" Liam asked.
"Remind John that this really does need to be completed with haste." She looked at the time and nearly cursed. "We are due at the Somerset Garden Party in two hours and I do not wish to be late."
Liam bowed and exited, closing the door behind him. Penelope took the intervening time to straighten her desk and move to the sitting area in her study before there was another knock and she instructed the person on the other side to enter.
Liam opened the door to allow Colin to enter followed by Rea who carried in a tray with their tea and a small plate of biscuits. Once Rae had poured their tea and made Penelope's cup to her tastes and following Colin's instructions on how he takes his, she took her seat in the corner behind Penelope and took out her embroidery.
"Mr. Bridgerton, it's lovely to see you. How may I help you?" She started.
Colin shifted nervously as she took a sip of her tea, unsure of where to begin. He wasn't accustomed to addressing Penelope so formally and the last time he was here she had dressed him down quite thoroughly. It had only been a week ago, but things had changed rather quickly over the past weekend with Eloise and Pen making amends and Fife being arrested along with Jack Featherington at the Trowbridge Ball on Saturday. Then late Sunday evening and into early Monday morning, the culprits who had committed the murder of Lord Featherington had been apprehended thanks to the efforts of Simon, Will Mondrich, and Mr. Williams. Anthony had been there as well, but he insisted that it had been a case of coincidence. He wasn't sure how much he believed that assertion, but for the moment he accepted it. It was now Tuesday and Colin had finally worked up the courage to mend his own relationship with Pen. He took a sip of his own tea before he answered.
"I'm here to formally apologize for my actions and my words of late, Lady Featherington. It was wrong and ungentlemanly of me to speak of you so unkindly to the likes of Lord Fife and Lord Cho, especially after revealing the schemes of your false cousin and promising to always protect you. To have broken my promise a mere hour later was not only unhonorable, it was a betrayal of our friendship that I have only recently come to realize and understand. While it was not meant in the way that you overheard, the fact that I said it to those that meant to cause you harm is inexcusable. While I cannot expect you to forgive or trust me at this time or anytime soon, I do hope that we might rekindle our friendship in such a way that over the course of our time together we may yet get back to the trust and confidence we used to have with each other."
Penelope set down her cup and studied the younger of the three eldest brothers. His eyes were cast down and contrite as he sipped at his tea waiting for her response. She honestly didn't know what to say to that. It was true that he had disavowed any association with Lord Fife over the last week and he had been making overtures with much more respectable gentlemen as well, Lords Harvey and Bennet came to mind.
"Thank you for the apology, Mr. Bridgerton. It goes a long way to mending our relationship. If you will humor me for a moment, in what way did you mean what you said to Lord Fife?" She asked. After all, she was curious.
Colin was taken aback. Shouldn't it be obvious why he couldn't court or marry her, especially now. Oh sure he had his fantasies about her, what man wouldn't, and he was jealous that Anthony got to dance with her at the Queen's Ball and he hadn't, but he knew who she belonged to. It was whether either of them wanted to admit it or not that was the problem.
"Well, I meant it in that you're too dear of a friend to me too court. Pen, you're more a sister to me than a love match. Besides, I can't court and marry someone who is obviously meant for another, especially now."
Now Penelope was really confused. "How do you mean?"
Colin chuckled. "Oh come now, Pen. Surely you can't be that oblivious."
When she scrunched up her brow, Colin nearly dropped his tea into his lap. How can the most intelligent woman I know be this daft. "Anthony, Pen! Anthony has been in love with you since you beat him to the fourth wicket in the Pall Mall course when we were 15!"
She had to fight to remember that Fall, it felt so long ago, but she could finally picture it. She had been cursed with the orange mallet and ball. Of course, Anthony had the mallet of death. It was a deathmatch game between herself, Anthony, Benedict, Daphne, and Eloise. Colin had decided to sit out as Francesca wasn't old enough to play yet and the Littles were being a handful for Violet. They were on the third Wicket when Daphne had sent Benedict's ball flying, not paying attention to Eloise's ball which went through the wicket with ease. It was her turn when she spied how she could take both the third and fourth wicket, but it would take hitting Anthony's ball at just the right angle and force. She analyzed how she would need to hit the ball and at what angle and devised her plan. She sidled up to Anthony's side and gave him the look she always gave him when she was challenging him and he met her challenge with that mischievous smirk he saved just for her. She held his gaze as she thwapped his ball towards hers at the precise angle and force she had pictured. She heard the balls collide and then Benedict's curse rang out across the field. Anthony broke the gaze losing the challenge…and the fourth wicket. Of course, she hadn't been paying attention to the slack jawed admiration that Anthony had on his face after that. Or the soft smiles, the subtle glances, the way Anthony would just breathe easier as soon as she walked into the room after that moment. But Colin did. So did Benedict. They spoke about it often. In fact, both of them had been at the point of strangling Anthony last season, until he had admitted that he was in love with Kate. And now well. It was all a mess really now wasn't it.
Penelope just stared at him after that revelation. She wanted to scream, to cry, to throw him from the room. But it was no use, he had told her the truth, and now she had to deal with the repercussions of it. She shook her head.
"He may have loved me once, Colin, but he must have grown from it, seeing as how I didn't see him knocking down my door when I debuted. Then, came the Sharmas. He still pines for Kate. And don't you dare deny it." She angrily added when she saw he was about to object. She wiped away an angry tear before continuing.
"I wouldn't be in this mess had any of you declared for me when I debuted, but this is where we are now and I am sick of everyone trying to make things happen that cannot be!" She raged.
"Pen." Colin whispered.
"I am Lady Penelope Featherington, Baroness Regent of the Featherington Estate. I am the Wallflower of High Society, damned to spinsterhood before I even became eligible upon the marriage market. I have accepted this and will perform my duties to my family and my house to the best of my ability with what dignity I have left to my name. I must not give in to hopes and dreams of being saved, because if there is one thing life has taught me thus far it is that no one will. Therefore, I must save myself from the humiliation that my station has wrought upon me through going above and beyond what is required of genteel Ladies in the areas of propriety and grace. My family has brought scandal upon scandal upon itself that I can only pray to have washed clean by the time my nephew is ready to take control of this bloody Barony by paying off its debts and securing a legacy that this family can be proud of once more. What in Heaven's name will it take for you and everyone else to understand that I. Am. Not. Good. For. Your. Family? "
She was panting, her face mottled with angry red blotches and tear trails down her cheeks. Colin could see the absolute despair, rage, and sorrow that she kept tightly bound behind the cage that she was trapped in. He didn't think. He didn't hesitate. He just moved in one swift motion to gather her in his arms as she let out a wail of pure, agonizing grief. It was as if she had been holding back her true fury with everyone because Colin was the only one who could take her full rage. He always had been. Where Eloise had used her to blabber and vent, Benedict made jokes and japes, Colin was her storyteller and she was his. They saw each other for who they were and while neither of them were angry often, but when they were, they were the only two who could understand, who could face the rage, the pain, and the emptiness that came afterwards. It was why she had loved him for so long and she couldn't understand why he didn't love her back. And she had missed that, she had missed this, and she had needed him. God, she had needed him this entire time, just as much as she had needed Eloise to just listen to her babbling to inspire her writings. She needed Colin to face those parts of herself that she had to keep locked down and in control, just as she helped him face his. It's why it hurt so much that he didn't listen to her about Marina. But here, now, she felt spent just having all of it taken from her and she could finally, finally breathe.
Colin just held her, His Pen, his dearest most precious friend, Pen, and he cursed himself. He was an absolute idiot for everything he had said that night and for not finding her after realizing that she and Eloise had fallen out of favor with each other. He knew she had been holding all of this in, that was just how she was, it was how she had always been. He was the same and they always, always did this for each other. And the first thing he was going to do when he got home was punch Anthony as hard as he could for not calling on Pen as soon as she debuted. Because she was right: she wouldn't be put in this position if he had just acted instead of waiting or dallying with the opera singer. When she had calmed down enough to regain her composure, Rae handed her a handkerchief to wipe off her face.
"Colin. I'm sorry. Please, forgive me." She said quietly.
"There's nothing to forgive, Pen. You were right, if things were going to happen between you and Ant they should have happened during your first year out. Now things have changed and we need to make the best of it." He replied, but then he smiled.
"But you can't give up hope, Pen. Miracles and wishes happen everyday and I hope that if you and Anthony can somehow find a way to be happy together, no matter what form it takes, that you will."
She just stared at him for a moment or two. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? He must be daft, but she couldn't help the small spark of hope that lit in her heart. If only, no, but maybe? She was startled out of her shouts by the chiming of the small clock on her desk.
"My Lady, we need to get you ready for the garden party. Shall I see you to your chambers?" Rae asked.
Penelope nodded before turning back to Colin. "I accept your apology, Colin, though as you said, rebuilding the trust between us will take time. Will you be at the garden party?"
"Er, yes, I believe we are planning to attend." He answered.
"Then, I shall see you in a little while. Before you go, can you deliver this to Anthony? It's about the arrangements for the preview of the performance for the arrival of Prince Friedrich. Her Majesty and I are to go over the details on Thursday, but I have been instructed to give Anthony and Francesca at least the place and time of the event." She explained, handing over the note.
Colin nodded and grinned. "Francesca is over the moon about this performance. She hasn't stopped playing that new piece since Anthony got it for her."
Penelope beamed back at him. "I'm glad. Now off with you! I need to get dressed!"
He laughed as he gave her a short bow and left her study being shown from the house by Liam. Penelope shook her head and allowed herself to be led to her bedchamber to be dressed and made ready for yet another droll social event. At least she'll get some good gossip for her next column.