Testing Audio -DK Principessa Chapter 14: Courting Convienence, a 13 to life fanfic

Chapter 1: A New Season

Chapter Text

In tandem with the story of his life since he was ten and nine, Anthony Bridgerton had to be here. As the head of the family, it was his duty to facilitate his sisters' debuts into society. He didn't want to be standing on the sidelines at Lady Danbury's opening ball. In fact, he'd rather be just about anywhere else, but Anthony never really gets what he wants.

~z~

Penelope Featherington didn't want to be here. But she didn't have a choice. Practically, she needed to attend to gather information for her next Lady Whistledown column. More importantly, however, Lady Danbury's ball was where she must be if she had any hope of securing a husband this year. And Penelope needed a husband if she wanted to get out of her mother's house.

~z~

Anthony did his best to stoically bear the stares and whispers as he escorted his mother to a nearby seat while Francesca and Eloise danced. The only reason he hadn't been rushed by the crowd yet is because he knew the mamas were trying to weigh the benefits of a marriage to his title against the risks of a scandal for their daughters if one didn't materialize. He wouldn't easily live down his failed wedding, nor the rumors of the reasons for it.

~z~

Penelope did her best to gracefully bear the stares and whispers as she stood, yet again, by the wall with no signatures on her dance card after her rather dramatic entrance. Despite the changes she'd made to her appearance after Colin's careless remark, the gentlemen of the Ton continued to ignore her. She was used to it, but being left on the sidelines still stung. Pen looked down at her new gown, dark green with a black lace overlay, and smoothed it out, but it was no use. The gown never mattered to gentlemen anyway. Only the size of the body inside of it.

~z~

When the Prince invited Edwina (and Lady Mary, of course) back to his country for an extended visit to see if they would suit, Kate decided that she wanted to go along.

"Please don't go," Anthony had begged.

"She's my sister, Anthony. I have to go."

"Why?"

"Almost losing Edwina this season changed my mind. I don't want to live in a different country than her. If it works out with Frederick, she would have to live there."

"So, you're just going to leave? Like what we have doesn't matter?" His voice broke on the last word.

"That's not fair," Kate, now frustrated, replied.

They stood silently for a moment, tension between them so thick you could cut it with a knife before she blurted, "Come with me."

"What?!"

"Renounce your title and come to Prussia with me."

Anthony scoffed involuntarily at the idea. "You can't be serious?" escaped from his lips unbidden.

Kate, now angry, crossed her arms. "So, what? It's okay for me to leave my family to be with you, but not for you to leave yours to be with me?"

"I didn't say that."

"Well, you're thinking it," she huffed. "You don't need to be the viscount. Benedict can handle it."

"This title comes with a level of responsibility that my brother can't even fathom. "

"Well, you had to learn. He can, too."

"It's just not possible."

"No. It's possible. You just don't want to give it up to be with me."

~z~

"It's just not healthful to weigh more than ten stone at our age," Penelope heard Cressida titter to a group debutantes a few feet away from where she was standing.

One that included Eloise Bridgerton.

Penelope sighed dejectedly.

It was one thing for Eloise to cut her out of her life.

It was another for El to befriend the woman who mercilessly bullied her for the past two years and flaunt said friendship in front of her face.

Pen made a beeline for the door.

~z~

Anthony wished he was capable of renouncing his title for love.

But his title was all he had left of his father and he'd be damned if he'd give it up.

With his father gone, the family was his responsibility.

He couldn't let them down.

But he could get the hell out of this ballroom.

Chapter 2: And So It Begins

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

Instead of continuing to moon over a man who made it publicly and painfully clear he would never want her, Penelope Featherington has buried her girlish fantasies of a love match and decided to treat marriage as nothing more than the business arrangement it is.

Meanwhile, Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, who learned the hard way that love isn't always enough, vows to move forward and do his duty to the family he gave up everything to protect. Love has no place in a marriage, at least not for him, so Anthony resolves to once again seek the marriage of convenience he originally intended.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Thanks for the encouragement on this story! It's been percolating for a week and I ended up writing several chapters last night. So, updates will be frequent, at least for now.

Remember, there are no villains in this story. Kate and Anthony were in love but reached an impasse, which happens to a lot of couples. Colin is just, well, Colin. And Eloise is very hurt, but so is Pen. The only maybe-villain is Cressida because she is a b*tch.

You know what's funny? I've had Colin in just about every story, but none of my fellow Polin fans have called me horrible names for daring to pair Pen with someone else. So, why do Kanthony fans do that? I've taken all mentions of Kate out of the tags hoping this will keep the hate down. Seriously, people, grow up. Heed the very clear warning and find a different story.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Anthony had instructed a footman to let his mother know that he was called away on estate business and was just outside the terrace door (which he was not sneaking out of) when he came across Penelope Featherington hurrying toward the shadows of the house alone.

Intrigued to see his little sister's friend behaving so strangely, he impulsively decided to follow her. Anthony hadn't seen the youngest Featherington in months, as she and Eloise had some sort of falling out, but he felt compelled to come to her aid. Even if they weren't friendly anymore, Anthony knew Eloise would be devastated if anything happened to Penelope.

When she got to the front corner of the house, Pen paused. She reached into her bosom and pulled out a small pencil and scribbled something onto her dance card. She then tucked it back inside (had she always had such ample cleavage?) and peeked out onto the street before heading toward the line of hacks waiting to be hired to ferry guests to places other than the homes their carriages were bound for.

When Penelope reached one, she briefly spoke to the driver and climbed in. However, before he could close the door, Anthony alighted, too, causing the girl to squeak in shock.

"Lord Bridgerton? What are you doing?!"

"What are you doing, Miss Featherington? As far as I know, your perfectly serviceable carriage is lined up out in front of Lady Danbury's property waiting to take you, your mother, and the Dankworth's home."

Penelope bit her lip (had it always been that plump?) before responding. When she seemed to settle on a reply, she said, "My family wasn't ready to leave, so I just decided to head home myself. I'm not feeling well." She chuckled nervously. "Bit of a headache, I'm afraid."

"Alone?" he inquired.

"I don't need a chaperone, my Lord."

"Since when?" He asked in his Big Brother Voice. He isn't really her brother, but she doesn't weasel out of answering him if he uses it on her.

"Since I became a spinster," she replied with resignation.

"You're not a spinster," he defended. She was, what, nine and ten, maybe? Hardly on the shelf.

"I'm in my third season on the Marriage Mart without any prospects. What would you call that?" This time there was fire behind her words. There was a delightful (delightful?) flush of embarrassment (or maybe ire) spreading over her chest and up her neck, but she didn't break eye contact with him.

Of all the people in the world that Anthony ever thought would challenge him, Penelope Featherington wasn't one of them. She'd always been soft spoken and meek around him. Who was this girl?

Anthony ran his eyes up and down her body. The dark green number she was wearing (the one that highlighted her decolletage so nicely) plus the soft waves in her loose hair made him reconsider calling her a girl.

Tonight she was a woman.

And it just so happened he was in need of one to be his wife.

"Marry me," he said, shocking them both.

Notes:

Next: Pen's answer.

Chapter 3: Seriously?

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Pen responds to Anthony's question

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Penelope couldn't help herself. She laughed.

When Lord Bridgerton didn't join her and began to look rather perturbed, Pen stopped. "You're serious?"

"As a heart attack."

"But why?" She couldn't keep the confusion out of her voice. There is no way on earth he would want to marry her.

"Because I need a wife. And you need a husband."

Pen sighed. "But what about Miss Sharma?" She suspected something had been going on between him and Kate prior to her departure.

Pen saw pain flash across his face before he responded carefully with, "Things did not work out between us."

She reached out and lightly touched his knee. "I'm sorry." Pen knew what it was like to have a broken heart.

Eloise's older brother jumped slightly at her touch, but then nodded his acknowledgment for her condolences. Surprisingly, he made no move to extricate his leg from her grasp (why had she touched him?), though.

The two of them rode along in silence for a moment before he laid his hand on top of hers and leaned forward. "So, what do you say?"

~z~

Anthony waited with baited breath while Penelope considered his proposal. He'd been surprised when she touched him and offered comfort over the loss of Miss Sharma.

Something in her countenance told him she knew he was mourning the loss of his relationship with Kate, not Edwina, and that she understood how he felt.

It made him speechless.

How could she possibly know either of those things?

But, more importantly, why did her touch feel so comforting?

Anthony nodded his thanks and then found his voice to ask her again. Because it felt like it made even more sense now than before.

He squeezed gently on the hand he was now holding to pull Penelope from her thoughts.

She glanced down at their joined hands and then back up at him.

"Yes, alright."

Notes:

Next: The wheels are in motion (literally and figuratively)

What do you think so far?

Chapter 4: On the Way to the Wedding

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

In this issue: Anthony and Pen make plans. (And I just had to use this title!)

Thank you to everyone who is commenting on this story. I've been focusing on writing instead of replying to comments, but please know that I appreciate each one. I especially am grateful for the positive support. Now that I took any mention of Kanthony out of the mix, the hate comments have dwindled. I don't know about you guys, but I'm a character shipper before a couple one and I'm generally happy to see these types of unexpected stories.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

As their carriage approached Featherington House, Penelope, who was still holding hands with the viscount, asked, "Will you get a special license?"

He remained quiet as he picked up her hand and applied pressure to get her to turn her hand in his so their palms were facing. Then he laced and unlaced his fingers with hers a few times before tilting his head in contemplation and replying, "No, I don't think so," quietly.

Of course he changed his mind. Pen really should have known better. She went to pull her hand away, but he tightened his grip. "We're going to Gretna Green tonight."

This time she did pull her hand away as she gasped in shock. "What?!"

He smiled as he reached for her hand again. "No time like the present," the viscount stated. "I have no desire to go through a courtship and wedding circus again. Once was enough." Lord Bridgerton chuckled but stopped abruptly to ask, "Unless those are things you want."

Penelope studied their once again joined hands. She knew the gossip would be relentless if they courted, especially after Colin's comments last season. "No."

"It's settled then?" he asked.

Penelope nodded.

~z-

They never stopped at her home.

Once they agreed to head to Gretna Green, Lord Bridgerton had the hack to pull over. After offering the driver an ungodly amount of money to chauffeur them to Scotland, he advised Penelope that they would purchase whatever essentials they needed when they stopped to change horses. At that time, she could also write home so her family wouldn't worry.

Pen snorted when he said that and cheekily jested that she'd bet him twenty pounds her mother wouldn't even realize she was gone. He was aghast at the thought, but took the bet.

Once they resumed their journey, Pen figured if she was in for a penny, she might as well be in for a pound and told him that the reason she and Eloise were no longer speaking was because she found out Pen was Lady Whistledown. Instead of displaying the same horror and contempt his sister did, he merely shrugged. "Well, that makes sense looking back on it. Who else would have known Marina was with child and cared enough about Colin to stop their elopement?"

She then spent the next few hours detailing her business venture to her curious fiancé.

Penelope had just finished explaining her reasoning behind the article about Eloise just before they reached their destination. This time he got angry, but his anger wasn't directed to her. He was furious with his sister for putting their family in jeopardy and not informing him of the threat. The expletives he mumbled under his breath would have made a sailor blush.

~z~

Anthony was fuming while he helped Penelope down from the carriage. How dare his sister put everything he'd sacrificed his youth for at risk like that! She was a little girl playing in an adult world and had no clue about the repercussions of baiting the Queen over Whistledown. But he would definitely enlighten her upon his return to Town.

He was jolted from his internal rant when Pen said, "Thank you, my Lord," once she reached the ground.

That wouldn't do.

Anthony pulled her closer to him and used his free hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. He allowed his fingers to trail down her neck as he leaned in and whispered, "Anthony," in her ear.

Pen worked her throat and replied a shaky, "Anthony," back to him as she gravitated toward his touch. Her acquiescence fueled a surprising spark of desire within him. But before he could think more about that development (let alone act on it), the driver cleared his throat and urged them to take some time to freshen up while he oversaw the change of horses.

Notes:

Next: Going to the chapel (or, rather, the blacksmith)

Re: Kanthony. I love the debate you all were having over Kanthony's breakup. Here's my two cents...

Kate's request was not wholly unreasonable. While the time period dictated that women were property owned by their husbands, women had lives before their marriages. Kate is all about her family, so it made sense to me that she'd want to be within easy visiting distance of them if she and Anthony wed. Edwina moving to another country and her wanting to go, too, seems in character. Asking Anthony to make the same sacrifice she would have been asked to make is not unreasonable. He has brothers the title could go to if he renounces it to be with the woman he loves (either of who could handle it if push came to shove). He could visit his family, just as she could. HOWEVER, Anthony *is* Viscount Bridgerton. Not only is his title his strongest tie to his father's memory, it is his identity. He never got to see who he is on his own the way Ben and Colin are. To give that up is unfathomable to him. Thus they were at an impasse. Neither of them are wrong for needing/wanting what they want. Part of this story involves both Anthony and Pen exploring who they are as people, not just as a couple.

I'm a few chapters ahead, so next update should come in the next day or two.

Chapter 5: Going to the Chapel (er, Blacksmith)

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Here we go...

Thanks again for the supportive comments. I hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

They continued at a breakneck pace over the next two days, only stopping to refresh themselves, eat, and change horses. At the first stop, Penelope sent two letters. One to her lady's maid and one to Genevieve asking each of them to cover for her. They both knew what to do if this situation ever came up. Rae would cover the home front while Genevieve would pitch in professionally. Although Gen had backed out of helping regularly due to the Queen's scrutiny, Pen believed she would assist her in this emergency capacity. She promised to explain to both upon her return and provide adequate payment.

Anthony (she was getting used to calling him that) sent another missive home advising that his estate business was taking longer than expected and he would return in a few days. He was confident his mother would have the family well in hand and his solicitor would handle everything else competently for a few days.

They spent the time between the first and second stops discussing what "everything else" entailed (pun intended) and Pen's respect for the viscount grew. The Bridgerton holdings were far more vast and complex than the Featherington ones.

At the second stop, they acquired ready made changes of clothes. They were fancy enough for lower nobility like her, but quite a drop for him. Ironically, he didn't seem to care. He advised her how he enjoyed working on the estates when he visited and much preferred casual dress to the frippery he was required to don in Town. His casual, "Plus it's quicker to get undressed," made her blush beet red.

They reached their destination in record time, cutting the trip nearly in half. This time when Anthony helped her down, he joked, "Last chance to back out."

She laughed and replied, "I think the last chance to back out was just over 300 miles ago," with a wink.

He snorted at her jest, tucked her arm under his elbow, and led her into the inn - where he booked one room and asked for directions to the blacksmith.

~z~

It took ten minutes for Pen (which he began calling her mid-journey) to become his wife.

There was no pomp and circumstance under the intrusive eye of the Ton, just a no-frills ceremony that definitely made kissing his wife for the first time less stressful.

But not chaste.

Oh, it had started out that way. However, once their lips touched, they were off to the races. Pen was a natural and he was so enamored of the feel of her lips against his that it took the minister clearing his throat, loudly, to get them to stop.

Now, though, they were in their room and it was awkward.

"Are we going to… " Pen started but didn't finish. Instead she pointed to the bed and blushed.

"Yes." His answer was definitive and caused her to squeak the same way she did when he jumped into the carriage. So he added, "But, I'll at least buy you dinner first," with a smirk.

Pen cracked a smile. "How gentlemanly of you," she drolled, seeming to have regained her equilibrium.

He winked. "Well, I try."

After that, the ice was broken. Anthony changed into fresh clothes in the room while Pen ducked behind the screen to freshen up.

Since there was a candle directly behind her, he could see her shadow as she changed.

He couldn't wait to get his hands on those curves.

~z~

Dinner with Anthony (her husband!) had gone a long way to assuaging her nerves about consummating their marriage.

He was a gentleman throughout the meal.

They talked.

They laughed.

They touched.

And every time they did, Pen felt like her skin was on fire.

She never realized how starved for human affection she was until Anthony Bridgerton showed her a modicum of it.

Pen knew he didn't love her. Nor did she love him.

But, by the time dinner was over, love was the last thing on her mind.

"Ready?" he asked, reaching his hand out to her.

Pen looked up at her husband from her seat at the table. His hair was mussed, his collar was open, and his shirtsleeves were rolled up. The lights from the candles around the room adorned him with a golden glow that highlighted his virility. But the thing that got her to reach out and take his hand with her ring-adorned one and whisper a breathy "Yes," was his relaxed smile.

Penelope Featherington had never seen Viscount Anthony Bridgerton this at peace.

~z~

They walked up the stairs slowly.

When they got to the door of their room, Anthony pressed her against it and leaned in to kiss her. Pen thought it was a good thing the door was there to hold her up because the feeling of his body against hers had her ready to swoon. But he must have known that because he wrapped one arm around her waist while he used the other to open the door and guide them into the room.

He immediately turned her around and used their combined weight to push the door closed as he continued to kiss her senseless. But, unlike at their wedding ceremony, his hands roamed all over her body until they settled on her buttocks.

He then used them to pull her lower body into his, which elicited a groan from him and a moan from her. Pen was grateful in that moment for her voracious reading and eavesdropping skills, for she knew what she encountered in the process and why her body reacted so strongly to it.

Anthony broke their kiss and looked at her as if he'd never seen her before. After a shaky, " Good God ," he captured her lips again. This time he used his hands to lift her skirts and pull her legs up and around his waist. Pen let out a shriek from the feeling of him between her legs and yanked her head back - only to bang it on the door.

Anthony started to ask if she was okay, but she just yanked him to her and attacked his lips to let him know she was. They stayed there kissing until the throbbing between her legs became unbearable.

"Anthony… Please …" she begged, knowing she needed something but not knowing what.

Thankfully, he did.

Notes:

Next: The newlyweds head home.

So, Penthony and Gretna Green... Is this OOC for Anthony? As we know him now, yes. But, I can't believe that he would have gone through what he did with Kate and Edwina and not changed because of it. I think he'd want to avoid potential disaster of another failed wedding, as well as well-meaning advice about waiting for Kate to return or finding a new love match. The scandal of eloping would be less taxing than yet another failed courtship, IMO. What is done, there is no undoing. Plus, I think Anthony the person (not the viscount) may be a little more impulsive than everyone expects, especially after his traumatic experience. Plus, how many different secret forbidden rendezvous could he have with a woman that hasn't already been written before? (Other authors are writing that beautifully, so you don't need me adding my two cents.)

Chapter 6: And...We're Back

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Pen and Anthony return to London

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The journey back to London took far more time than the journey to Gretna Green. The driver, whose name was James, was competent and thorough. He didn't mind that each stop took a little more time and never commented on the fact that his passengers looked thoroughly disheveled afterward.

But, it was the fact that he completely ignored the carriage's rocking and the sounds coming out of said carriage throughout the trip that cemented James' future and perpetual employment as he and his wife's driver.

While James was excited to begin his new job, Anthony was less than thrilled about being back.

The bubble he and Penelope had been living in since the night they left for Scotland was about to burst and he wasn't happy about it.

The moment the carriage stopped in front of Bridgerton House, he pulled Pen, who was sitting across from him (to prevent him from undressing her again), into his lap for a deep kiss.

"Do we have to?" he asked petulantly.

"Yes," she answered matter-of-factly. "But I'll be with you every step of the way."

"Partners, remember?" Pen added, tracing his lips gently with her thumb.

He sucked the digit into his mouth momentarily (because he liked how it made her squirm) before releasing it with a pop and replying, "Partners."

They sat there in the carriage for a few more seconds with their foreheads touching before he sat Pen back on her bench, got up, and opened the door.

~z~

Humbolt had been employed by the Bridgerton family since before Master Edmund passed away. Having never married, he loved the Bridgerton children as his own. So, when he saw the viscount step out of the hired carriage looking utterly disheveled and surprisingly at peace with Miss Feathington in tow, Humbolt knew life at Bridgerton House was about to be upended.

He opened the door before Anthony was on the top step. "Welcome back, Sir. I trust your trip was productive?" Humbolt greeted as Anthony passed an unfamiliar overcoat into his arms.

The viscount waited until Miss Featherington was through the door before assisting her with her cloak and handing it to him, too. Humbolt didn't miss the way his lordship's fingers lingered on her body as he did so. "Yes. It was quite productive," he replied with a smile, the genuine kind Humbolt hadn't seen in quite some time.

"Very good, my Lord." Humbolt closed the door and hung up the items while the couple shifted further into the foyer. "The family is in the breakfast room, there is urgent correspondence awaiting you in your study, and this letter," he cut off to pick up a letter that was by the door, "arrived just a few minutes ago for Miss Penelope."

Anthony took the letter from his hands but didn't read it. He passed it to the redhead as he said, "Please inform the staff to air out the viscountess' chambers tomorrow and let the family know I am not to be disturbed the rest of the day."

As soon as he finished speaking, the viscountess added, "And have this reply delivered to my mother, if you don't mind."

Humboldt was surprised to see the same piece of parchment folded back up. Penelope did not have a reticule, so he wondered where she got something to write with. Humbolt was flabbergasted when the young lady aimed a triumphant grin toward her husband.

" No ," Anthony asked incredulously, closing the distance between them.

"Yes." She grinned as she did the same.

When they reached each other, Humboldt saw the viscount lean in and overheard him say, "I seem to be out of cash at the moment. Would you accept another form of payment?"

Miss Penelope tilted her head up until her lips were scant inches from his and replied, "Maybe."

Humbolt gaped at the pair (not very well done of him he knew), who was about to kiss, until he heard the clomping of footsteps down the hall.

He resumed his duties post haste.

~z~

Anthony groaned as he heard his family bearing down on them and reluctantly backed away from Penelope's lips. He was surprised they waited as long as they did to seek him out once hearing his voice.

Of course, Eloise reached them first. "What's she doing here?" his sister asked coldly. "Humbolt was ordered not to let her inside."

Once the rest of the family that was in residence skidded to a halt behind his sister, Anthony replied, "Well, he's not going to be able to follow that order anymore."

She crossed her arms. "Why? What right do you have to override my directive? If she's here to see me and I don't wish to be seen, there's no point in letting her inside."

Anthony laughed, but it was mirthless. "Besides the fact that I own this house, you mean?" As a rule, he didn't lord his title over his siblings, but sometimes they needed the reminder of who was really in charge.

Eloise lost some of her steam at that and actually reeled back.

He stalked over to her. "You and I, sister, are going to have a very long talk in the next few days about a lot of things, but most especially your rift with Pen and the reason behind it," Anthony noticed Benedict mouthing Pen to Francesca out of the corner of his eye.

" You told him ?" Eloise asked Pen angrily.

"Yes," Pen replied quietly.

"Everything?"

Before Pen could answer, Anthony did. "Yes. She told me everything ."

The wind blew back in her sails with that statement. "Well then you understand why I don't want to see her."

"That's going to be kind of difficult now that she's living here." He looked back at his wife and added, "You two could just stick to opposite corners of the house, I suppose." When she smirked, having regained some of the confidence that had ebbed out of her when his sister appeared, he turned back to El. "But that might get awkward for everyone else."

" Whoa . What do you mean about her living here, Ant?" Ben asked. He looked at Pen worriedly and questioned her directly, "Did something happen at home, Penelope?"

"No. Everything is fine," she reassured him as she sent a grateful smile his way.

"Then please explain, Anthony, because we are lost," his mother interjected. "Not that we object to Penelope living here. We just don't understand what's going on."

After Eloise muttered, " Speak for yourself, " under her breath, Anthony's patience broke. He brought out the voice he only uses in Parliament to say, "Pen will be living here because she is my wife. (Gasps all around there.) "If you can't live with that, Eloise, I'm sure you'll be able to stay at Hastings House for the season until you find a husband to move in with."

"You would really kick me out?!" she asked with wide, scared eyes.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Anthony answered honestly. "I would like you to seriously reconsider reconciling with Pen so that we can all remain together. But, if you don't. Then, yes, you will have to find a new place to live. Bridgerton House is entailed. It is my house and Pen stays with me."

When Eloise harrumphed at that, Anthony turned to his family. "Yes, Pen and I are married. And, no, we are not taking questions at this time. We've been on the road for days. We are tired and we are going to bed."

With that statement, he turned back to Pen, grasped her hand, and pulled her up the steps to his chambers.

Notes:

Next: Penthony carve out some alone time

I know I skipped a lot of the 4-day trip return trip. I hope the summary provided some insight into their dynamic as a couple. They're together, for better or worse, so they're finding out what that looks like for them. Much like in Unexpected Curves, they're going with the flow. In today's labels, they'd be considered friends with benefits (lots and lots and lots of benefits)

Chapter 7: It's In His Kiss

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Anthony and Pen have alone time.

If this chapter was salsa, it would be mild.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The slam of Anthony's chamber door reverberated throughout the foyer.

Violet exchanged a look with Benedict, who shrugged. It seemed he was as in the dark over Anthony's actions as her.

After asking Francesca to escort Gregory and Hyacinth into the gardens, Violet reached out an arm to halt Eloise, who was trying to escape to her room. "Not so fast," Violet commanded.

"You're going to tell us what happened between you and Pen and you're going to do it right now," Violet prompted as she guided her daughter to her sitting room with Benedict trailing behind.

~z~

Anthony pulled Pen through the door and used her body to close it as he leaned her against it and kissed her breathless. He knew the sound of it slamming reverberated through the house, but he honestly didn't give a damn. He wanted more time to himself with his wife before the full weight of his title bore down on him again.

"Anthony," Pen gasped between kisses. "This is becoming a habit."

He pulled back slightly as he reached down to rutch her skirts up. "Are you complaining?"

"No," Pen replied as she grasped the waistband of his trousers. "Certainly not. But I thought you were tired from traveling?"

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Anthony asked as he continued on his mission, now focused on ridding his wife of her undergarments.

Pen managed to step out of her pantaloons without missing a beat in opening his pants. "Because of what you said downstairs."

"I was hardly going to tell my family outright that I've been dying to get back into your lovely quim ever since our last stopover," Anthony clarified as he did just that and then pulled Pen's legs around his waist

Pen let out a breathy, "Oh," at his invasion but recovered quickly with, "Okay. Good to know," before locking them in place and leveraging the door at her back to meet him thrust for thrust.

-z-

"So, what did you write back to your mother?" Anthony asked a few hours later as he idly rubbed his hand up and down her naked back.

Pen was sprawled partially on top of him, which is where she ended up after they had finished their experiment on whether she'd enjoy herself more that way. (The results were inconclusive after only one trial.) She didn't bother to lift her head from where it was comfortably laying against his shoulder when she answered, "I told her I was spending the rest of the day with Eloise and that I'd see her tonight at the Cowper's ball."

"Doesn't she know about your estrangement?"

Pen lifted her head and looked her husband in the eyes. "My mother's been so preoccupied with Prudence's wedding and Phillipa being with child that she barely notices I exist, let alone concerns herself with what is happening in my life."

Pen willed herself not to cry as Anthony asked whether it had always been that way.

"I favor my father's side of the family and she and he were not on the best of terms long before he died."

Pen shifted her body so that she could lay her free arm on his chest and rest her chin on it. "My family is not like yours, Anthony. I know they can be challenging even on the best of days, but you are incredibly fortunate to have them. My father was rarely present, my sisters mostly ignore me, and my mother is overly critical of everything I do. I'm not telling you your frustrations with your siblings aren't valid, but, in the end, you know you can count on them to be there. I don't have that luxury."

She willed herself not to cry at her admission and closed her eyes. She thought she'd accepted the lack of unconditional love in her life, but it seems she hadn't.

She felt Anthony's free hand cup her cheek, prompting her to open her eyes.

She expected to see pity or even a hint of anger over her opinion on his frustration with his family, but she saw neither. Instead, she saw understanding and determination. "You do now, Penelope Bridgerton," he declared before shifting his hand to her neck and gently pulling her down for a reassuring kiss.

Notes:

Next: Surprises abound.

5/1/24 Note: You'll be happy to know I've finished Part 1 of this story and am working on Part 2. I've been writing instead of replying to comments because I figure you all want the story more than my 2 cents right now.

You'll also notice that I am stealing book titles as chapters. (You'll enjoy When He Was Wicked, so look forward to that one.) Can you guess what the final chapter will be titled? I have the ending figured out and boy will it be epic. Now I just have to get there.

Chapter 8: Surprises

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Surprises all around!

If this chapter was salsa, it would be mild.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Penelope, in one of Anthony's dressing gowns, stood by his bed studying the two dresses laid out on it. One was the green one she'd been wearing the night Anthony proposed and the other was one of the least offensive yellow gowns she owned that she kept in Eloise's closet just in case they lost track of time before a ball and she had to get ready at Bridgerton House. (Pen was surprised her former friend hadn't shredded it to pieces after the disagreement.) El had her maid deliver the dress to Anthony's chamber a little while ago so she could get ready for the Cowper ball. The gesture had Penelope collapsing in tears in her husband's arms.

Pen was torn. Yellow looked horrid on her even with the rose color mixed in, but she wanted so badly to accept El's olive branch that she was considering wearing it instead of the green one that suited her complexion much better.

"Wear the yellow one," Anthony advised. He laid his hands on her shoulders and squeezed them reassuringly. "Mending your rift with El means more than impressing the Ton."

Penelope looked back at him skeptically. "Everyone will think you've lost your mind if I show up in this."

He bent down to peck her on the lips. "Let them wonder. When we appear together at the hot air balloon exhibit tomorrow with you looking like the goddess you are, they'll realize what fools they've been."

Anthony moved to back away, but Pen lifted her arm to hold him in place by the scruff of his neck with her hand and kissed him deeply.

Anthony growled low in his throat and used his grip to pull her back against his bare chest. One hand tipped her chin to change the angle of their kiss, which had turned hungry, while the other kneaded her breast through her dressing gown.

Pen shivered with desire at his touch.

When his hand traveled down her torso and untied the sash, Pen turned in his arms so that he could slide it off.

~z~

Benedict took advantage of the fact that he and Anthony were riding alone in the gentleman's carriage to finally find out what the hell was going on. "What the hell is going on, Ant?!"

"I got married."

Ben quirked a brow. His brother furrowed his and the two engaged in a staring contest.

"To Penelope Featherington," Ben stated. "Our little sister's best friend. A woman who youve barely said two words to in all the years we've known her."

His brother chuckled. "Well, that's clearly changed."

"I should hope so." Ben chuckled back and then added, "Though from the lateness of your arrival downstairs this evening, I'd venture to guess there hasn't been much talking going on."

Anthony didn't respond. He didn't need to. Ben knew his brother very well indeed.

~z~

Colin Bridgerton wanted to surprise his family with his early return from abroad, but he got the surprise when he learned that they had already left for the Cowper ball. His youngest siblings were in their rooms getting ready to retire for the night and he didn't want to disturb them, so he quickly changed and headed back out.

~z~

Penelope stood with the Bridgertons while Anthony conversed with a gentleman named Lord Debling about a parliamentary matter.

She and Eloise hadn't spoken in the carriage beyond pleasantries, but Eloise had clearly been moved by Penelope donning the dress she'd sent over.

Pen had managed to tone down the gown by borrowing a pair of rose gloves and a matching shawl and reticule from the collection Daphne had left for her siblings. Like the last ball, Pen (or rather Eloise's maid) had styled her hair in loose wavy curls with one side secured back with a comb. Unlike last time, though, tonight she was wearing a matching set of diamond earrings, necklace, and bracelet from Violet's collection (which the woman insisted was now her collection).

She was idly chatting with Fracesca when she heard Benedict exclaim, "Is that our brother?!"

Sure, enough, it was. Colin had apparently returned from his travels unannounced given the surprised, yet delighted, reactions of his mother and siblings.

Pen held a hand against her stomach, which suddenly was nauseous. She hadn't seen Colin since the night he unknowingly broke her heart, as he had left the next afternoon (well before Whistledown came out and revealed his comment).

Pen craned her neck to look for her husband, but he was deep in conversation, so she folded her hands in front of her body demurely and put on a pleasantly fake smile when Colin greeted her.

"Pen," he said jovially. "How are you?"

"Quite well, thank you. And you?"

He smiled the same smile that used to light up her world as he replied, "Happy to be home."

"Well, I'm certain your family is glad to see you," Pen remarked politely but without the friendliness he was used to.

Colin looked confused by her attitude. "Is everything well, Pen?" Looking around to ensure his family was occupied in their own conversations, he added in a quieter voice, "Between us, I mean? I wrote to you this summer, as I always do, but you didn't respond. Admittedly, not that many did." Colin paused and took a breath. "But, if you're going to make me say it out loud, I miss you."

Pen had only managed to reply with a skeptical "You miss me?" when Anthony returned from his conversation. He slapped his brother on the back and pulled him into a tight hug. The two exchanged greetings as his family looked on.

Once they were finished, Colin turned to Pen and asked if he could escort her inside, but she was (thankfully) saved by Violet, who commandeered him to escort her and tell her all about his travels.

Ben motioned for her and Anthony to precede them inside. Colin observed them curiously as Anthony offered her his arm.

When they reached the doorway, Anthony handed the Master of Ceremonies a card. He offered them a private felicitation on their marriage before banging his ceremonial stick on the floor to get everyone's attention. Few guests actually paid any until he'd announced them as Lord and Lady Bridgerton. Then the whole room went quiet, save for the staff continuing to work in the background. Thus, everyone heard Colin's shocked, "WHAT?"

Notes:

Next: The Ton reacts to Penthony's elopement.

Chapter 9: Having a Ball

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Anthony and Pen attend their first ball as a couple.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

It took every ounce of strength Penelope possessed to ignore Colin's outburst and descend into the ballroom without letting her smile falter. Halfway down the Cowper's stairs, her husband covered the hand she had tucked by his elbow with his other hand and squeezed a silent reminder for her to breathe despite the scrutiny she was now under. The looks the Ton were giving her ranged from confused (her mother) to amused (Lady Danbury) to scathing (Cressida). With the room's full attention on her, Pen couldn't help but wonder if being a wallflower was the better end of the bargain after all.

The moment they reached the ballroom floor, her mother rushed her. "Penelope Ann Featherington! What is going on?!"

"Bridgerton," Pen gently corrected her. "It's Penelope Bridgerton now, mama."

Portia's disbelieving laugh echoed around them. She looked between Pen and Anthony (who still hadn't released her arm) critically before snatching Pen's free bicep. "This is not funny," she hissed vehemently, "How you got Lord Bridgerton to go along with this ridiculous ploy is beyond me. But rest assured, there will be consequences for this foolishness," Portia scolded as she pulled Pen from her husband's side and back toward hers.

However, she was thwarted when Anthony reached over and literally pried her fingers from Pen's arm. "Do not ever touch my wife without her permission Lady Featherington or I will ruin you so thoroughly that you will never be able to show your face in Town again." Though Anthony's voice was low, Pen heard gasps echo throughout their immediate vicinity.

"Good God, you're serious? You actually married her?" Portia replied, dumbfounded.

Anthony just raised a brow and pulled Pen away to greet their hosts, leaving her mama gaping in their wake.

As Anthony gave his compliments to Lady Cowper on her lovely decorations (they were hideous), Cressida gave Pen a death glare. Pen just smiled sweetly back at her. When Cressida's dance partner came to collect her, the bitch purposefully stepped on her hemline as she began walking away. Anthony's louder-than-appropriate whisper of, "It's okay, you won't be wearing it much longer anyway," made Cressida stumble.

After a brief conversation with Lady Danbury, which Anthony tried desperately to escape beforehand, Penelope danced with her husband for the first time. Despite their height difference, they glided around the floor effortlessly. When Anthony pulled her body to his scandalously close for the company they were keeping, she certainly didn't mind.

Despite his best efforts, Anthony was briefly pulled away from Penelope by Lord Mottram regarding yet another parliamentary matter, which left Pen alone by the refreshment table. While she did her best to appear nonchalant as she sipped her lemonade and nibbled on an eclair, Pen was wound tight as a drum. She could hear the very gossip she'd been afraid of, but, unlike usual, she was meant to hear it. The whispers were just that much louder, the tones that much higher, and the words that much more cruel.

Eloise kept glancing between Pen and the gossiping debutants she was standing with. Just as Pen saw her begin the motions to extract herself, Anthony returned to her side. He apologized for his delay and then picked up the eclair from the plate she was holding and casually took a bite. After licking the cream off his lips, Anthony commented, "I've had better," in what Pen had begun referring to as his bedroom voice (causing several nearby gentlemen to cough discreetly into their hands) before yanking the plate and lemonade away completely, placing them on a nearby tray, and pulling her to the dancefloor for their second dance of the night.

Anthony's eyes routinely strayed to her cleavage while they were dancing the second time, garnering stares from nearby couples. "Darling, my eyes are up here," Pen joked. She used the unusual term of endearment to get his attention, as she only called him by his name or husband since their wedding (there may have been an occasional God thrown in there, too, to his endless delight).

He made a play of looking chagrined and offered an insincere, "Sorry."

Pen laughed. "No, you're not."

He smiled. "No. I'm really not."

Penelope was so busy bantering with him that she didn't notice he'd steered them to the terrace doors. The moment the waltz stopped, he escorted her outside.

Anthony pulled them into the shadows by the house. "Wanna get out of here?" he asked, tilting his head toward the row of hacks for hire.

Notes:

Next: Anthony gets questions and Pen shines.

Thoughts on their debut?

Yes, Anthony was putting on a show to let the Ton know he's very much in his right mind in marrying Pen. Plus, once you've already caused a scandal, you might as well go all in.

Chapter 10: Something More

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Anthony gets back down to business and Penelope makes a hell of an impression.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The first thing Anthony did when he rose the next morning besides satisfy his wife was visit his mother-in-law. He leveraged the information Pen had shared with him about what really happened with Cousin Jack for her cooperation when it came to his marriage to her daughter. Namely: Portia was to keep her nose out of it unless Penelope specifically said otherwise. He gave up Pen's dowry (he didn't need it) but took her lady's maid and all of her possessions (including the items under her floorboards he carefully retrieved himself).

Afterward, he visited the modiste and commissioned a new wardrobe for Pen. Anthony added a generous tip for emergency services previously rendered on his wife's behalf, too. Madame Delacroix seemed stunned he knew about it, but thanked him and ensured the same level of service in the future, should the need arise. New dresses that Penelope had previously ordered were promised to be delivered within the hour.

After a few more necessary stops for estate business, Anthony arrived home just in time to get ready for the hot air balloon exhibit. Excited about the prospect of helping Pen get ready, Anthony whistled on the way to his chambers, but was stopped short by his mother coming out of the viscountess' room. "She is in her room with Rae getting dressed. You are not to help. Your valet has been instructed not to let you near the connecting door. I expect you both downstairs and ready to go in twenty minutes."

Anthony barely bit back the, "But mom," that almost escaped his lips. When he pouted, she patted his cheek and walked away laughing. "Twenty minutes!" echoed behind her as she descended the stairs.

He may own the house, but he was a fool to think he was actually in charge.

~z~

Once again Anthony rode in the gentleman's carriage, but he was decidedly unhappy about doing so primarily because Colin kept peppering him with questions about his marriage.

When did it happen? How? Why?

Then

You eloped?! Was it because you compromised her? (That one almost got him a punch.) If not, then why would she agree?

Fed up, Anthony groaned and shouted, "Enough!" Then he asked, "Why do you even care, brother, when you were so against courting her yourself?"

That shocked Colin into silence.

~z~

The moment the carriage stopped, Anthony bounded out of it and made a beeline for his wife, who was sitting close to the door of the lady's carriage. He shoood the footman away and opened the door himself.

"Ready?" he asked, reaching out a hand.

She smiled and grasped it, stepping out gingerly.

She looked radiant in a bluish green dress with a gold print design throughout. Her hair was pinned up, which left her smooth neck, creamy skin, and ample cleavage exposed. He was thinking about all the things he wanted to do to her breasts later when a throat cleared loudly behind them.

"Sometime today, brother. It's stifling in here," Eloise remarked. Her tone was teasing despite the frustration in her voice.

"Sorry," Anthony said as he moved Pen away from the door, enabling his mother and sisters to disembark.

He escorted his wife through the entrance and they were once again subject to stares and whispers. However, as Anthony surveyed the scene, he confirmed they were different than last night. The gentlemen were doing double-takes and the women were gobsmacked. Anthony pulled Pen closer and relished in it.

~z~

"Viscount Bridgerton, the Queen would like a word," Brimsley stated.

That was an order, so Anthony followed it.

When he and Pen got to the Queen's tent, Charlotte was blunt. "Skipped the courtship entirely this time, Bridgerton?"

Anthony looked down at Penelope and back at the Queen, opening and closing his mouth like a guppy. How on earth should he respond to that?

Pen answered the question for him when she leaned down and motioned for the Queen to shift forward. Her Majesty raised a brow, but did so, seemingly intrigued. Pen lifted one hand to her mouth the way people did when imparting secrets and said, "Reformed rakes, especially Capital-R ones, make the best husbands you know. Why waste time courting when you can get right to the good stuff?" with a smile and a wink. When Charlotte reeled back, Anthony instinctively tightened his grip on Pen's elbow to protect her.

However, it turned out no protection was needed because the Queen guffawed. She straightened back up, said, "I like you, child," and proceeded to invite them both to dine with her in her tent.

What the hell just happened?

Notes:

Next: Our characters have a few revelations.

You'll be happy to know I'm about 6 or so chapters out from the end of the story. So, as long as I am able to keep writing, I should be done with it in the next few days. You can expect frequent updates from what I have done.

Let me know your thoughts. I promise to respond to comments when I'm finished writing. Am I correct in assuming you'd rather have the story?

Chapter 11: Revelations

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Someone learns Pen's secret and Anthony has a shocking revelation

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"Well, that was unexpected," Violet commented to Lady Danbury as she watched her son and new daughter-in-law dine comfortably with the Queen.

"Yes. Quite," she responded. "But then there has always been something more to the young Miss Featherington than she ever showed the Ton, hasn't there?"

Violet thought about the observation for a moment and then agreed. If what her daughter told her during their conversation (after insisting Benedict leave) was true, Penelope Featherington was indeed much more than she'd ever let on.

~z~

Eloise watched her brother and sister-in-law like a hawk as they dined with the Queen. Penelope had clearly taken charge of the situation that had Ant gaping like a fish and managed to woo the Queen to their side.

It was astonishing to watch.

~z~

Pen had realized pretty early on in her marriage that she couldn't keep being Whistledown as Viscountess Bridgerton unless the Queen knew her identity. So, she carefully chose her words as they conversed, utilizing phrases she knew she'd written in past columns, hoping to make the Queen suspicious. Anthony looked completely oblivious, but Brimsley seemed to be catching on quickly by his lack of poker face every time he recognized something she said.

Suddenly, the Queen stood. "You are dismissed, Lord Bridgerton. Go have a smoke or do whatever it is you gentlemen do at these events. I'd like some time alone with your lovely wife."

Charlotte didn't give him time to react. She began to walk away, Penelope's arm secured in hers, to the enclosed space of the tent behind where they had been sitting.

~z~

The moment Anthony stepped outside the tent, he was accosted by Eloise. "What was that?"

"What was what, sister?"

"She dismissed you?"

"Yeah. Thankfully." Anthony had grown bored over the last half hour as Pen and the Queen conversed about gossip he cared nothing about. "I guess she wanted to continue gossiping with Pen."

Eloise raised a brow. "She wanted to continue a conversation with Pen about gossip without you?"

Oh shit.

Anthony looked from the tent to his sister and back again, unsure of what to do.

"How you can be this much of an idiot and still manage to run the estate competently is beyond me, brother," she huffed as she approached the tent.

Anthony gawked as she was immediately granted access and disappeared into the enclosed space.

~z~

"Ahh, Miss Bridgerton!" the Queen exclaimed. "I wondered when you would join us."

"Do sit down, young lady. It seems we have much to discuss," she commanded as she patted the empty seat next to her and Pen with an enigmatic smile.

Eloise sat.

~z~

His sister and wife were behind closed doors with the Queen for forty-five minutes.

He'd been standing by his brother near the balloon trying in vain to converse about Colin's travels the whole time. Fortunately, doing so meant he didn't have to say much of anything, as Colin was happy to monologue on the subject.

Even if Anthony hadn't been watching the Queen's tent so closely, he would have known the moment his wife and sister emerged by Colin's abrupt silence.

Anthony shifted his gaze from his wife, who seemed fine, to his brother and was shocked by what he saw.

Colin was looking at Pen like a man in love.

Well, he could honestly say he hadn't seen that coming.

Notes:

Next: Anthony doesn't like playing second fiddle to anyone, especially his sister.

I'm going to post the last few chapters of Part 1 because I'm going away for the weekend and probably won't be able to post. You can all enjoy them and then re-read the posted chapters and have a semi-resolution to things while I work on the rest of Part 2. I may or may not wait to post the second part until I have the story done. (It's in the home stretch.) I can't tell you either way because I have an impulse-control problem when it comes to updates. I intend to wait, but just can't because I want it out there in the world for you to enjoy. But, I don't want another Unexpected Curves situation, so I'm going to see how things go writing-wise before I decide. I'm happy you're enjoying this story as much as I am enjoying writing it!

Chapter 12: Second Fiddle

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Eloise and Pen reconnect while Anthony pouts at being displaced for his sister.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"Are you pouting, brother?" Colin teased as they rode home in the gentleman's carriage.

"Pen and Eloise make up and suddenly you cease to exist," Benedict laughed. "This must be killing you."

Anthony harrumphed because it was. After she and Eloise had emerged from the Queen's tent, he'd barely had a moment alone with his wife because the two were once again joined at the hip.

"A woman should leave home and cleave unto her husband … " Colin started.

"…Unless her best friend happens to live with them too," Ben finished.

Anthony's "Shut up or I'll disown you both," was met with peals of laughter.

~z~

This time when they arrived at their destination, Pen and Eloise bounded out of the carriage before Anthony had a chance to get near it.

His brothers patted him playcatingly on the back when they passed him while Fran gave him a pitying look as she made her own way inside.

His mother smiled and took his arm to have him escort her inside. "Leave them be. You'll have her full attention tonight, dear," she reassured before releasing him and heading to her room to change.

~z~

"Are you sure about this, Pen?," Eloise asked as she plopped on Pen's bed in the viscountess' chambers.

Pen, who'd been making notes for the next Whistledown column (which would now be written with the Queen's blessing) at her desk, stopped and looked up. "What?"

"This is a dangerous game you're playing. Why not quit while you're ahead?"

"Because if I quit now, then everyone will figure out it was me. I have to continue at least through the rest of the season to divert suspicion." Pen laid down her quill and turned to face her friend. "The Queen was frustrated because she was out of the loop, but now she isn't. Your family will be safe from her scrutiny and she gets the benefit of having a leg up over the rest of the Ton when it comes to the column."

"But what about you , Pen? The more people who know your identity, the more danger you are in. You've angered a lot of people and they will be bound to want retribution if they ever find out who you are."

Pen rose up from her desk and joined her friend on the bed. Taking El's hand, she said, "It will all be fine. You'll see. But thank you for your concern."

"Please be careful. If I was as angry as I was when I found out, there's no telling how someone who doesn't know and love you like I do will react." Tears started falling from her eyes when she added, "I can't lose you."

Pen, now crying, too, pulled her friend into a tight hug. "You won't. I promise."

Notes:

Next: Anthony stakes his claim.

Chapter 13: When He Was Wicked

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Anthony stakes his claim.

If this chapter was salsa, it would be medium bordering on hot. Read at your own risk.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Anthony tried to think of his wife's reconciliation with his sister as a good thing. But as the hours since their return from the festival wore on and neither woman so much as poked her head out of that bedroom, his attitude on the subject began to change.

He ate dinner with the rest of his family while trays were sent upstairs to the ladies. Ben and Colin spent the whole meal holding back smirks while Francesca and his mother conversed as if their absence was unremarkable. When Hyacinth and Gregory fought over the last biscuit (which Colin ended up taking for himself and sending them both into shouting fits), Anthony pushed back his chair so forcefully that the legs scraped against the hardwood floor. "Excuse me," he uttered curtly before leaving the room and sequestering himself back in his study.

"Uh-oh, Colin, he's brooding," Anthony heard Ben say as he barged his way into the room.

"I'm working," Anthony retorted, pointing to the open ledgers in front of him.

Colin laughed as he closed the door. "No, you're definitely brooding." He then poured three drinks from Anthony's sidebar and handed them to his brothers before sitting down next to Ben in front of Anthony's desk.

The three men sat there quietly nursing their drinks for a few minutes before Ben said, "Look, I don't know about you, but I am glad those two have reconciled. Eloise has been a bear since their fight. It will be nice to have some peace again."

"Why did they fight?" Colin asked.

"Anthony seems to know but has been tight-lipped about it," Ben answered.

"It's not my place to say."

"Well, it must have been something big to go on this long. I mean, I had no idea they were fighting. Last I knew, they were still thick as thieves."

"The Featherington ball, I think," Ben shared. "I only know that because Eloise was inconsolable once we arrived home. I spent the night with her in her room to try and calm her."

"So they fought the night I…" Colin trailed off once he realized the correlation.

"The night you rendered Pen completely unmarriageable with your poor choice of words?" Anthony finished for him. "Yes."

Anthony had been preoccupied by his situation with Kate, but he hadn't missed the fact that his mother's attempts to apologize on Colin's behalf after the Whistledown column came out went poorly. Her letters had been returned unopened and she was advised during her calls before they left for Aubrey Hall that Pen wasn't at home for visitors. Violet was crushed, but seemed to understand Pen's need for space, especially in light of the situation with Eloise.

"I didn't mean to," Colin rushed to defend himself. "I was just surprised and spoke out of turn. It never even occurred to me that it would get back to Pen through Whistledown."

"It didn't," Anthony admitted.

"What?"

"She was there, Colin. She heard you say it." Anthony had been milling around the garden just before his rendezvous with Kate and saw the whole thing. The look on Pen's face as she ran away was indicative of a broken heart. He had completely forgotten about that moment until just now. (The copious amounts of alcohol he consumed in the days following Kate's departure must have had something to do with repressing the memory.)

As he swished around whiskey in his glass, Anthony realized something else.

His wife was in love with his brother.

~z~

Pen and El were sitting on her bed talking comfortably in their underthings and dressing gowns from Pen's closet when Anthony stormed into the room.

He turned to his sister and pointed to the hallway. "Out, Eloise."

She opened her mouth to protest but then took one look between her brother and best friend and fled.

~z~

"You can't just throw her out of here!" Pen exclaimed as she stood up and tightened the sash on her robe.

"Yes, I can," he replied before pushing the door closed and locking it.

She crossed her arms. "Why? Because it's your house?"

"No. Because you're my wife," he declared, closing the distance between them in three long strides and used the ties of her sash to pull her toward him. "And I want you."

~z~

"You're mine , Pen," Anthony declared hotly as he pounded into her. His hands pressed hers into the pillow beside her ears while he dipped his head to the juncture of her neck and collarbone and nipped her possessively. She yelped in pleasure and arched her back, which pressed her breasts into his chest and changed the angle of his thrusts. "Oh, God … Anthony …" she croaked.

She was close. He could tell by her labored breathing and the tenseness of her muscles. "Say it," he ordered, lifting his head to look her in the eyes. "Or I'll keep you on the edge for hours."

"You … wouldn't …" she gasped.

"Try me." He pulled out nearly completely before thrusting back in again.

"Fuh … k," she moaned. "You're wicked."

" Say it ," he commanded again before capturing her lips in a bruising kiss. When he pulled away, Anthony peppered kisses down her chest until he got to her breasts. He licked one nipple greedily before sucking the other one into his mouth.

He circled his hips and Penelope arched again. Desperate for release, she cried, "Yes! Oh, God, yes . I'm yours."

"Now was that so difficult?" he asked before pulling back and slamming home so hard that he saw stars, too.

End of Part One*

Notes:

So, that's the end of Part 1. I hope you have enjoyed it. Part 2 is about Penthony settling into married life and moving forward from there. They'll ultimately be forced to confront their feelings for each other. I'm hoping to write the last few chapters this weekend in my downtime, but I'm not making any promises. I feel like I'm leaving you in a decent place though for now.

Updated Note: I made a small change to the study scene w/ the brothers. No canon divergence now. I went back and watched S2 E8 and it actually showed Pen running away and Anthony walking in her vicinity (about 12:50 left in the show). So, I'm just gonna say he did see/hear the whole thing, his rendezvous with Kate played out the same way, and they broke up after the season ended.

What do you think of the story so far? Are you interested in more? What do you think will happen? What's been your favorite part so far? Let me know below.

Thank you for giving this story a chance and for your lovely comments. They mean a lot.

Chapter 14: Settling In

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

As Part 2 begins, Penthony settle into married life.

If this chapter was salsa, it would be mild.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The household eventually fell into a routine. Anthony would break his fast with his wife and family and then do some work while Pen saw to her duties as viscountess and did whatever else it is that women do (often with Eloise or Francesca). Unlike before his marriage, however, he would consistently take breaks to spend time with his wife, brothers, mother, or younger siblings. In the evenings, the family would either dine together or attend whatever function they'd agreed to go to. Some nights Penelope would attend a lady's soirée with Daphne while he went to the club and others he and Pen would stay in. They would read together in the library, work in his study, or cloister themselves in their chambers.

He and Eloise had their promised talk, which resulted in both of them airing long-held grievances: Eloise over Anthony's need to control and Anthony over Eloise's irresponsibility with the family's reputation. They both found out the other was jealous of their place in Pen's life and were still working through having to share her attention.

He, like Eloise, grew concerned over Penelope's continued involvement in Whistledown. Although Anthony had been relieved when Pen advised him that the Queen had absolved his family of any responsibility, the increased popularity of the paper now that Pen and the Queen were playing their own game behind the scenes worried him. The more popular she was, the more people speculated over her identity and put her safety at risk.

Anthony was still wrestling with his revelations over Colin and Pen's relationship. Pen had begun to warm up to Colin in recent weeks after initially keeping him at arm's length. Her aloofness had bothered Colin tremendously and Anthony had secretly found himself hoping his brother would cut the season short to go gallivanting abroad to lick his wounds (even if Anthony had to fund it). However, Colin seemed determined to stay and regain his friendship with the woman he'd hurt. Part of Anthony was proud of him for exhibiting such growth while the rest of him worried about what his continued presence meant. Was Colin really just set on making things up to his friend or was he subconsciously hoping for more? And what of Pen's feelings? Had they died the night of the Featherington ball or just laying dormant waiting to upend their life together?

Anthony wasn't in love with his wife. Love was a waste of time he could ill afford as the viscount. But Penelope was his and he'd be damned if he'd let anyone take her away.

~z~

"Come in," Anthony replied after hearing a knock on his study door that he knew was Penelope's.

His wife of just over eight weeks popped her head in the crack of the door and said, "I just wanted to let you know your sisters and I are leaving in the carriage with James. Your mother is in her chambers resting, Gregory is slugging through his Latin lessons, and the spares (as she had begun teasingly calling them, even to their faces) are doing whatever it is gentlemen do when out during the day." Pen paused for breath and then added, "We'll be several hours. Please consider popping your head outside at some point, as it is a beautiful day."

"Where are you all going again?"

"Shopping on Bond Street."

Anthony rolled his eyes. "Try to keep it reasonable, Pen, for I am not made of money and my sisters already have too many fripperies."

His wife smirked. "But, darling, a woman can never have too many fripperies." She'd taken to calling him darling whenever they were joking around and he kind of liked it. With that, she clucked her tongue, blew him a kiss, and pulled her head back out, closing the door behind her.

Anthony chuckled to himself and shook his head at her antics. Now that Pen was a married woman, she was able to take over chaperoning his sisters. This both alleviated some of the burden from his mother's shoulders and helped keep the girls busier. If they weren't taking tea at Daphne's, they were shopping or walking in the park. Penelope was eager to be out in society to collect intelligence for Whistledown, but truly seemed to enjoy her time with her new family, too.

Anthony sighed and got back to work, taking advantage of the rare peace and quiet to concentrate.

~z~

Anthony knocked on Penelope's office door, opened it, and popped his head inside before she had a chance to tell him to come in.

His wife was scribbling away, completely oblivious to his presence, so he cleared his throat. Pen looked up and smiled. "To what do I owe the honor?" she asked.

"I'm heading out to Parliament. I expect to be gone most of the day."

Pen scrunched her nose adorably. "Sorry." He'd confided in her a few weeks ago how much he despised the politics that went with his title. "Wanna trade?"

Today was Tuesday. That meant it was Penelope's family meeting day at Featherington House. Anthony blanched. "God no." He'd take pompous windbags over Portia Featherington any day.

Penelope's relationship with her family was complicated, but she loved them. The weekly family meeting was her way of keeping tabs on her mother's shenanigans and seeing her new nephew, who would one day be baron. While Pen believed the Finch family would be good to him, she wanted to provide him with the unconditional love she never got as a child so that he would have at least one Featherington relative to count on. Anthony had attended once, which had Portia preening, but not even Penelope's enticement of sex afterward could get him to go back. (And if Anthony couldn't be swayed by some afternoon delight, then it had to be bad.)

Pen laughed melodiously and waved him away. "Now shoo. The sooner you go, the sooner it will be over."

"One can only hope," he said before exiting with a nod.

~z~

Anthony tapped perfunctorily on the connecting door to Pen's chamber before letting himself inside. As usual, his wife was sitting at her writing desk scribbling furiously. "Is that the new Whistledown?" he asked, coming up behind her and laying his hands on her shoulders as he peered over them to peruse her writing.

Pen dropped her quill, squeaked in surprise, and jumped. She looked up over her shoulder at him and glared. "Good, God, Anthony. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry," he said. But considering it came out as more of a question than a statement, Penelope smacked him on the forearm.

"What are you even doing here?" she asked as he lifted his hands and backed up so she could turn around on the bench. "Aren't you supposed to be at the club?"

Anthony shucked his waistcoat and threw it on the foot of her bed. He loosened his cravat, rolled up his shirtsleeves and unbuttoned his vest before replying, "I was bored."

Penelope crossed her arms under her (rather delectable) breasts and quirked a brow. "Really?"

"Yeah," he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

Pen snorted. "Na-ah, mister," she said. "I've got work to do. You said you weren't going to be home and I have to finish this column or it won't be on time."

Anthony gave her his puppy dog eyes.

Pen shook her head and then uncrossed her arms and held them up in front of her. "No. Not happening." She flicked her wrist in a shooing motion. "Go read a book or something."

When he took a step forward, she added. "Or find one of your brothers and do some bonding."

He took a second step forward, which put him directly in front of her hands. He leaned down and placed his own hands on the desk behind her to box her in. "The only bonding I want to do is with you," he whispered in her ear before sucking on the lobe.

Pen's breath hitched at his words and her hands went from pushing at his stomach to clasping his shirt for dear life. Anthony capitalized on his gain by releasing her ear and peppering kisses down her cheek, jaw, and neck until he reached her collarbone. Pen instinctively tilted her head to give him better access to suck on it. "I have to work," she protested halfheartedly.

"You can work later, baby," Anthony said as he released her neck and removed a hand from her desk to cup her cheek. He applied slight pressure to get her to tilt her head back and then captured her lips in a kiss.

When Pen's hands shifted from his torso to his open shirt collar, Anthony knew he'd won.

Notes:

Next: Adjusting to marriage through Pen's eyes (and really kicking off the storyline)

Casually-yummy Anthony in his rolled shirtsleeves and open vest is brought to you by Netflix. If you haven't seen the still of him with this canon spouse dressed similarly go find it (and try not to drool).

Had a few moments to post this. Wanted to give you something sweet to tide you over. As I was on my drive earlier, I thought of an extra scene I want to include in the story. I wanted to include a similar one in Eminently Sensible Arrangement, but it didn't fit. I think I can make it work here though. Hope you enjoy! Thanks for the lovely comments and all the kudos.

Chapter 15: Transitions

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Pen settles into married life and gives Anthony a shock.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Some days it scared Pen how easily she assimilated to life as a true Bridgerton over the past three months. Once she'd made up with Eloise, the transition from family friend to viscountess was seamless. Violet had immediately taken Pen under her wing to show her how to run the household. While Pen was happy to take the official duties off her plate, she insisted her mother-in-law continue to manage their personal household as normal for as long as she remained in residence. Violet was skeptical at first, but relented when Pen confessed to being overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility. (That wasn't technically untrue. Running the household on top of Whistledown and her official duties seemed to be more of a challenge than Pen felt adequate to take on.)

The one family duty she happily absorbed, however, was chaperoning Anthony's sisters. It gave her the perfect excuse to be out in society as often as possible to collect gossip for her column as well as the chance to get to know Daph, Fran, and Hy better. Plus, it offered Violet a reprieve, which she appreciated greatly.

Things with Eloise were a work in progress. Although they had made up, Penelope was still working to earn back El's trust. Some days were easier than others, but Pen was willing to put in the effort. Now that Eloise knew she was Whistledown, Pen advised her ahead of time when she was going to include her or the family in the column. Pen didn't give veto power to her friend, but took suggestions for wording and context into consideration. They were both still feeling out their boundaries with this new version of their friendship.

Speaking of boundaries, she was also redefining what those were when it came to Colin, who seemed genuinely sorry for his comment. He was putting in a surprising level of effort to earn back Penelope's goodwill. Over the past few weeks, she'd begun to let him back in and they had spent many an evening conversing, playing games, and taking walks through the garden. One day Penelope stumbled upon Colin's travel journal and read it without his permission. After an argument about the invasion of privacy (which led to an air-clearing over Colin's hurtful words last season), he and Pen agreed to work together to edit them into publishable books so that he could begin to make a name for himself outside of Anthony's shadow.

A few days ago, Anthony came back from his errands early and found her and Colin sitting together on the couch discussing a passage in the journal that was spread across their laps and he immediately retreated to his study after a cold-as-ice "Don't let me interrupt." Perplexed by Anthony's reaction, Pen looked at Colin to see if he had any insight, but he just shrugged his shoulders. After offering to pick up where they left off later, Pen followed her husband.

When she got to Anthony's study, she entered it without knocking and asked him what the hell his reaction was about. It was no secret that she was helping Colin, after all. Anthony apologized for his attitude and blamed it on a poor day. Pen nodded in acceptance of his apology (despite the fact that he was clearly lying) and made to leave (so he could brood in peace), however, before she could go, he jumped out of his chair, blocked her exit, and kissed her like she was the very air he breathed.

~z~

The boys had been in the garden practicing their fencing for about an hour when Pen decided to take a tray of lemonade and cookies to them for some refreshment. All four of them were in trousers and their shirtsleeves on this unseasonably warm spring day. Ben was teaching Greg some technique while Colin and Anthony sparred. Though their match was friendly in nature, it was also quite intense. Both were sweaty messes who had unbuttoned their shirts so far that it was nearly indecent.

Pen sat the tray down on a nearby table and watched as they competed. She couldn't take her eyes off of her husband. His movements were lithe and powerful and Pen was mesmerized by the sight of his torso muscles flexing as his core stabilized his body. She could see the outlines of his biceps and quads as he parried and thrust and Pen's mind drifted to memories of how those very muscles worked together last night to pin her against the wall of his bedroom.

Pen mentally scolded herself for allowing her thoughts to stray and then called out to them to come get refreshments. When he saw her, Anthony smiled and made his way over. "Wife," he greeted with a nod.

"Husband," Pen greeted back as she threw him a cloth that was sitting on the table.

Anthony caught it and used it to wipe the sweat from brow and neck. When his hand traveled into the vee of his shirt, Pen made a strangled noise in her throat. Anthony (the bastard) just chuckled as he put the cloth down.

Anthony then picked up his glass of lemonade from the tray and started gulping it. Pen began to feel faint as she watched his Adam's apple bob, so she unfurled the fan that was hanging from her wrist and began fanning herself.

She deliberately employed the technique that her mother had taught Prudence last season, which managed to both help cool her off and cause her husband to choke on his bite of cookie.

Fortunately, Colin came up behind him and patted him hard enough on the back to dislodge the crumb. "Don't inhale your food, brother," he jested playfully as he took two cookies in one hand and lemonade in the other. He winked at Pen, who couldn't help laughing at Colin finally getting the opportunity to lecture someone over food.

Colin thanked her profusely for the food and the thought behind it. Pen smiled and nodded, but didn't find her heart skipping a beat as it usually did at such compliments from him before. She pondered that thought until Gregory and Ben joined and invited her to sit down with them, but Pen excused herself due to having correspondence to reply to and urged them to carry on.

She shot one last hungry glance at Anthony before turning to leave. However, she only managed to go two steps before he was beside her. His quiet, "Allow me to escort you," was in the bedroom voice she could never refuse.

Pen marveled in the fact that they were on the same page and heartily agreed. She wasn't even embarrassed when Ben shouted, "See you tomorrow!" at their backs.

~z~

Well, this was rather unexpected. Or, perhaps it should have been expected. Pen just hadn't expected it this soon.

Anthony was in his chambers getting ready for Daphne's ball when Pen knocked on the connecting door. His valet answered with a scared expression, "The dowager viscountess has ordered me not to let you in, ma'am." He followed it up with a quick, "I'm sorry."

Pen, dressed and ready to go in her favorite Bridgerton blue ball gown, gave him a reassuring smile but pushed past him anyway. "I appreciate your diligence, but I need to speak with his lordship before we depart." When he made no effort to move, she added, "Privately."

This caused Anthony to look up from the cravat he was straightening and eye her concernedly. When he saw the expression on her face (or perhaps the tension in her stance), he said, "For the love of God, man, just go. You work for me, not my mother."

He looked dubious (as he knew who really ruled the roost), but complied nonetheless.

The moment the door closed behind his valet, Anthony stalked over to her, grasped her biceps, and asked what was wrong.

"I'm late."

Anthony chuckled (an unexpected reaction indeed) and dropped his hands from her arms before reaching for his father's timepiece. "No, you're not. We have plenty of time." Anthony then stepped back and reached for his waistcoat on the bed and began putting it on. "I know you're nervous about the ball, but it's just Daph. All will be well."

Pen rubbed her temples frustratedly. "No, Anthony. I'm late ." She prayed he'd comprehend her meaning this time.

He had been putting his arm in the sleeve and halted in midair. "What?"

Pen sighed, exasperated. "With my courses," she expounded, hoping he'd understand now.

"Oh," Anthony replied, arm still suspended in midair. He said nothing for a few more seconds and then finished sliding his arm into the coat. He was silent as he maneuvered his other arm in, walked to the mirror, and used it to straighten his cravat and vest before buttoning up.

"Anthony, say something. Please." Pen begged. His silence was grating on her frayed nerves and had her close to panicking.

He smoothed out his clothes and turned to face her. "Sorry. Just … processing."

"It's quite a shock," she admitted.

"That it is. I figured it would happen at some point, but I admit it's taken me by surprise."

"But it's a good surprise though, right?" Pen asked in a small voice. When he didn't answer affirmatively right away, she began babbling. "I mean, I don't know for sure yet.. And there's no guarantee I'll carry it to term." She began pacing and gesturing wildly. "And we don't even know if it will be a boy.."

Oh, God. She was with child. Maybe. But she never missed her courses, so she was almost positive. Was it getting hot in here? Penelope lifted one shaking hand to her brow and the other to her chest. Her corset wasn't even that tight, but she couldn't seem to breathe.

Suddenly, her husband was there. Once again he'd grabbed her by the biceps, but this time it was to hold her in place. " Breathe, Penelope ," he ordered as he gently squeezed her arms. Pen focused on the feel of his fingers on her body and took a deep breath. And then another one. And another.

"Good. That's good. There you go," he prompted soothingly. Once Pen had gotten herself under control, Anthony lifted her chin. He looked into her eyes and said, "It's a wonderful surprise," before leaning down to kiss her tenderly.

The moment his lips touched hers, Pen poured all of her pent-up, jumbled emotions into their kiss. "I need you," she whispered against his lips before she lifted on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck like a vise.

"You have me," he replied as he started (rather expertly) opening the buttons holding her dress together.

They were late for the ball.

Notes:

Next: Anthony causes yet another scandal.

So, I'm about 3 chapters ahead of this one and figured it was safe to post this. Aren't domestic Penthony just adorable? What did you think about Pen's bombshell?

I'm going to force myself to wait to update again until I have at least one more chapter written so I can stay about ahead. I am also currently figuring out how to work in the still of Anthony lounging in bed shirtless into this story. (Have you seen it? Gah.) I have an idea where, but I'm not there yet. Oh, and I'm currently fighting off shiny object syndrome. I have an idea for a new story and am willing myself not to start it before this one is finished.

See you all soon!

Chapter 16: A Different Kind of Knight

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Anthony causes yet another scandal

CW: language, violence, body shaming

"See, I'm a different kind of knight. You're gonna find your fairy tales are lies. I don't have a white horse, but you can come along for the ride."

- A Different Kind of Knight, Christian Kane

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

A month after Penelope shared her shocking news with him, Anthony sat at White's with Ben, Colin, and Simon celebrating. They'd told his mother almost immediately in order to get her assistance confirming the pregnancy, but waited to tell the rest of the family just in case there were complications.

He and Pen finally shared their news at dinner earlier that night, delighting everyone, especially his youngest siblings, with the prospect of another little Bridgerton running around. Anthony and Simon were having a side discussion about fatherhood while Ben and Colin had a debate about whether landscape paintings could accurately capture majestic scenery when their conversations were interrupted by Albion Finch, who had overheard the news and wanted to offer his congratulations on behalf of the Featherington family (who they hadn't yet told).

Finch seemed genuinely excited for his son to have a playmate, so Anthony happily indulged him. They were actually having a thoughtful exchange on the best way for Albion, who was now running the Featherington estate, to prepare his son for the expectations of a title when Lord Fife interjected. "So you've got the Featherington chit up the duff, huh? Good thing it happened so soon. Now you have a reprieve from bedding her." He shivered dramatically at the last part, as if the thought of bedding Penelope was revolting.

"Thank God, right? She may be passably attractive now that she's not dressing in citrus colors," Lord Lumley added. "But a pig is still a pig no matter how you dress it up." He oinked a few times and then elbowed his mate in the arm before the two men guffawed loudly.

Anthony lunged.

~z~

Anthony growled low in his throat and punched Lumley (who was closer) in the jaw hard enough to knock out some teeth. He then pivoted and pulled Fife into a headlock before kneeing him in the stomach and throwing him onto the floor.

Once he was down, Anthony continued to kick the shit out of him until he was forcibly pulled off by Ben and Colin.

As Anthony panted and tried to break away, he saw Simon pulling a furious Finch off of Lumley. The man had punched the asshole in the stomach, too, and had just slammed his clasped fists into Lumley's bent over back, knocking him down to the floor as well, when the duke got to him. Finch shouted, "That's my sister-in-law!" as he, too, scrambled to escape and continue his assault.

When the proprietor came over to investigate the commotion, he ordered Anthony out - permanently. "I warned you that we would not tolerate such behavior a second time," he stated sternly with a critical eye on Simon, too.

Anthony shrugged off his brothers behind him and straightened his clothes. "Fine. We'll leave. I'm sure Mondrich's would appreciate my membership more anyway."

The proprietor worked his throat and looked to be second-guessing his pronouncement at the realization of the impact losing such influential members would have on the club (as where Anthony goes, so would his brothers, the duke, and several others in their circle).

"But before I go," Anthony declared in his most threatening voice (a combination of his Parliament voice and his Big Brother one), "I want to advise all of you against insulting my wife ever again because it won't turn out well for you."

When Anthony, Ben, Colin, Simon, Mr. Finch and even Dankworth (who had come in in the middle of the melee, apparently) cracked their knuckles ominously, the room fell silent. "I will ruin you so completely that you will lose everyone and everything you hold dear," Anthony continued. (And he could, too, thanks to the very wife they'd insulted, who didn't publish nearly a fraction of the secrets she knew.)

He kneeled in front of Fife and Lumley, who were now sitting up and groaning in pain, and addressed them directly, "Including the mistresses who routinely fake their orgasms because your dicks are as small as your minds."

He stood, stepped around the men, and motioned for the others to precede him out. Once they had, Anthony followed, but not before turning back around and addressing the room at large. "You gentlemen really should give more consideration to the wallflowers because, let me tell you, there is no sight more breathtaking than a wallflower in bloom."

~z~

When Anthony returned home, he went straight to Penelope's room. She was sitting up in bed reading a book and gasped when she saw him. "What happened to you?" she asked warily.

"I'll tell you in the morning," Anthony said as he stripped out of his clothes and padded to his side of the bed.

He got under the covers and laid his head on the pillow with a sigh. He knew he had to tell her (because she'd find out anyway), but he didn't want to bring that ugliness into their sanctuary tonight.

Pen put her book down and studied him for a moment before she nodded and shifted down the mattress to lay next to him.

Anthony turned onto his side and reached over to tug her to do the same. When they were face-to-face, he propped his body up with the elbow on the sheets and placed his head on his hand while he used his free one to brush Pen's hair back from her eyes. "You're beautiful. You know that, right?"

When Pen averted her eyes and shrugged halfheartedly, Anthony added. "Both inside and out."

Pen squeezed her eyes shut and grasped the hand in her hair to stop his movement. When she opened them, her eyes were glistening with tears. "Thank you for saying that. It means more than I can say."

"I wish I'd realized it sooner," he said self-deprecatingly.

"Don't blame yourself. We were worlds apart. The past is the past. All we can do now is live in the present and build our future."

"That's what I want, Pen, more than anything." Anthony turned his hand on her head so that it was palm up and twined their fingers together. He brought her hand to his lips and gave the top of it a soft kiss.

The tears she'd been holding back finally fell as she squeezed his fingers with hers. "Me, too."

Notes:

Next: Penthony exchange the L-word

Here is the song that inspired this chapter: https/youtu.be/SDnFiWQajUY?si=8Sz7JYYwNpH0HHdt. If you give it a listen, you'll likely understand why it inspired me for Penthony given their outlooks on love when the season started.

I wrote another chapter last night, so I felt it was safe to post this one. I have about 3/4 of the story written, give or take. I hope to be done writing it by next week (fingers crossed). Thank you all for reading and for the kudos and lovely comments. I'll reply once I'm done writing because I want to give you this story so badly.

Let me know what you thought of the chapter and where you think we're going!

Chapter 17: Shape of You

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Love enters the conversation.

CW: To be on the safe side, I am adding a dubious consent warning for this chapter. While I believe it's all a "yay" based on Penthony's dynamic in this story, I want to be mindful of audience triggers. Read at your own risk. Salsa level: medium.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Penelope was pulled from sleep the next morning by a tingling warmth spreading throughout her body. When she cracked an eye open, she was immediately assaulted by bright daylight filtering into the room from the drapes that had only been partially closed the night before (due to the lovely full moon Penelope wanted to see through the window). She didn't have much of a chance to concentrate on that, though, because her attention was quickly diverted by the heat within her coalescing into sparks in her center, making her breath hitch and her hips rise in an effort to chase the sensation.

"Finally. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up." Penelope's eyes shot open at the sound of her husband's voice and spied him settled comfortably between her thighs with his chin resting on her mound. Anthony's hair was adorably mussed, his eyes were bright with lust, and his lips were glistening.

"Oh, God!" Penelope rasped as he moved his fingers inside of her and hit the spot that always drove her wild.

"I do love it when you call me that," her husband replied cheekily before licking his lips and diving back between her thighs.

Seconds later, Penelope shattered.

~z~

When Penelope stopped trembling, Anthony placed a gentle kiss on the inside of her thigh and lifted his head back up, utterly pleased at his ability to render his wife speechless.

Anthony rose onto his hands and knees and began crawling up Pen's body. He stopped at her abdomen and nuzzled it before continuing upward and peppering kisses on her stomach, breasts, and chest. When Anthony reached her collar bone, he lightly nipped it (causing Pen to moan) before capturing her lips in a languid kiss.

"Good morning, wife," Anthony greeted as soon as they parted.

Pen smiled. "Good morning, husband." She wrapped her arms around his neck, keeping him close before asking, "What was that for?"

Anthony kissed the tip of her nose. "For being you," he replied before dropping down so he was laying on his stomach on one side with the other partially daped over her.

Anthony tucked his face into crook of her neck and breathed in her scent, feeling a sense of peace enveloping him. Pen ruched the arm that was under him and wrapped it around his shoulders to absently play with the hair at the nape of his neck.

They were both silent for a moment before Pen spoke. "What happened last night, Anthony?" She picked up his bruised hand, which was draped over her waist, with her free hand and brought it up to her lips to kiss tenderly. "Tell me,"

Anthony took a deep breath before sharing the story of what happened at the club. Pen tensed as he told it, but did not speak.

When he was done, Pen said, "I wish you hadn't done that."

Anthony popped his head up from its resting place and propped himself on his elbow, dislodging the hand playing with his hair. "What?"

Her hand fell loosely to his shoulder before she sighed and responded, "It's not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the gentlemen of the Ton have remarked on my weight. You lost your membership over nothing."

"They insulted you, Pen," Anthony retorted. "They're lucky I didn't challenge them."

Pen huffed, pulled herself out from underneath him and rolled to her side to face him. "I love that you defended me, but you cannot get into a fight every time someone slights me. It's not worth it. You will just be courting scandal - and unnecessary injuries - if you do. I know that you are," Pen paused while she seemed to think of the word she wanted to use and then continued with, "content with the way things are between us. That's all that matters."

"Content?" Anthony let out on a breath, dumbfounded by her choice of words. "You think I'm just content." He couldn't help but spit the word back out angrily.

Pen flinched at his reaction. "I only mean to say…" she started but he cut her off.

Anthony scooted closer to her until he had closed the little distance there was between them. He reached out, swiped her hair away, and cupped her neck with his hand. Rubbing her jawline with his thumb, Anthony said, "I am far more than content, Penelope. I love your body. I want you every minute of every day. And I'll be damned if I allow society to believe that bedding you is anything but the privilege it is."

Penelope, whose eyes had grown wide as saucers while he spoke, bit her lip as she processed his words.

Then she lunged.

~z~

Anthony greedily accepted Penelope's fervent kisses and roaming hands. In the three months and change they'd been married, he could count on one hand the number of times she had initiated their marital relations (as she, blushingly, called them), so he welcomed her advances.

Except for the night he'd claimed her as his (which he strongly suspected was the reason she was with child now), all of their intimacy had been gentle and tender because he didn't want to spook her. This Penelope, however, was as far from spooked as one could get as she leveraged her weight to push him down onto the mattress and plastered her body against his, half on top and half on her side just as he'd done earlier. One hand tugged on his hair as the other bit into his bicep. Her hair cascaded around them as her lips and teeth clashed with his.

It was heaven.

Notes:

Next: Anthony has an uncomfortable conversation.

Chapter inspiration: Shape of You by Ed Sheeran. Describes Penthony's dynamic perfectly right now

Updated the chapter count to 25. I think that's where I will end up. I have two chapters and an epilogue to write and then I'm done! Then, it's either onto my new story idea or back to Unexpected Curves.

Did you like the chapter?

Chapter 18: An Uncomfortable Conversation

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Anthony has an extremely uncomfortable conversation.

This is the scene I wanted to put in An Eminently Sensible Arrangement and couldn't work in. I hope you enjoy!

Salsa Rating: Mild to Medium

Embarrassment Rating: Epic

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Anthony was planted balls deep inside his wife, who was writhing and panting beneath him as her orgasm began to crest and squeeze him mercilessly toward his own when the moment he feared his entire adult life finally came to pass.

Through his haze of lust, Anthony barely heard Eloise knock before she barged into her best friend's bedroom uninvited.

Her excited, "Pen, you won't believe what… " was abruptly cut off with a squeak of surprise.

Anthony was too far gone to stop, so he bellowed, "OUT!", before his orgasm overcame him and he collapsed on his wife, sated but completely mortified.

~z~

When Anthony found his sister in the drawing room twenty minutes later, she looked ashen. Good, he thought, as he remembered how embarrassed his wife had been at Eloise seeing them like that. After cleaning up, it had taken him several minutes just to calm her down and explain that, yes, she could show her face downstairs as normal because, thankfully, it had been just Eloise and not his mother or one of his youngest siblings. "Like that makes it better?" Pen had replied, voice rising panickedly on the last word. When he simply shrugged in response (because it really did, as far as he was concerned), she threw a pillow at him and he made a hasty retreat to his room to dress.

Anthony cleared his throat, eyed Eloise, and motioned for her to come with him to his study. His mother raised her eyebrow, but the others in the room, including Daphne who had apparently surprised Violet with a visit, seemed to be none the wiser of the situation. Though they did seem awed when she meekly rose and did as he bade without argument.

Once the door was closed behind them, Anthony asked Eloise to sit and poured them both a finger of brandy. He handed it to her and then walked around to his side of the desk and lowered himself onto his chair. "Drink, sister. It will make this conversation easier on both of us."

She did so with a shaking hand. When she seemed calmer, Anthony stated, "Effective immediately, you will not enter Pen's room withoute the words come in or enter. A yes will not cut it," Anthony began but trailed off when he noticed his sister eying him strangely.

"What?" He asked as he fought the urge to fidget under her stare.

Eloise took a deep breath, gulped down the rest of her brandy, and blurted, "You're a man." Before he could respond with an Obviously, she popped out of her seat and continued with "I mean, I knew it. But I didn't really know it. You know?" before rounding the chair and standing behind it, gripping it for dear life.

Anthony stood, too, wanting to be equals for this exchange, but held his tongue.

"You've always just been my big, and often overbearing, brother. I have struggled to understand why she seems so enamored of you to the point that she would forgo time with me. But, now, I get it." She laughed self-deprecatingly and grew silent.

Anthony nodded in acknowledgment of his sister's observation. He was about to continue with his edict about never entering Pen's chamber without permission even if the door was unlocked (which was the standard they'd been going by until now), when she added. "I wish I didn't, as I never wanted to see you like that," (a statement with which Anthony wholly concurred), "But, I'm glad you make her happy."

Surprised by Eloise's tacit approval of his relationship, Anthony responded, "We are content." He'd hated the word earlier today when Pen used it relative to his satisfaction with their sex life, but it made sense in the context of their overall relationship because, well, they were. Extremely so.

Anthony thought he'd escaped from this uncomfortable conversation mostly unscathed when his sister suddenly opened her mouth and asked, "Is sex always like that?"

~z~

Anthony felt the blood drain from his face. "Ehrm… What?"

Eloise rolled her eyes. "Sex. Intercourse," she raised her arms and air quoted, "Marital relations."

"Um…"

"Pen seemed… pleased. Do husbands always please their wives?" Eloise asked with curiosity.

Anthony coughed. "Perhaps this is a conversation for mother or Daphne. Or even Pen," he replied nervously. "I'm not sure that I'm the best person to…"

She released her grip on the chair and crossed her arms. Raising a brow, she said, "You're a man, are you not?"

"Yes?"

"Then, as a man and, more importantly, a husband, I would think you'd be the ideal person to answer my question."

Anthony blew out a breath. He was not in any way, shape, or form prepared to speak with his sister about sex. But he was the viscount, dammit, and he wouldn't be scared off by her. Anthony closed his eyes and rubbed his temples both to stave off the headache that was coming and buy him some time. When he opened them, Eloise was looking at him expectantly.

Fine. Here goes. "The right partner will always put your pleasure before his own, Eloise. Marriage and the, ah, duties that go with it don't have to be a prison. They can, in fact, open you up to more freedom than you've ever known if you embrace them fully."

His sister pondered his statement for a moment before nodding and letting herself out of the door.

Anthony sank back into his chair in relief and downed the rest of his drink.

Notes:

Next: Anthony and Pen prepare for a night out

With all those people in the house, it was bound to happen sometime, right? Poor Anthony.

Chapter 19: Cabin Fever

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Pen and Anthony go out.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"Are you certain about going out tonight, Pen?" Anthony asked. She was nearly six months gone with child and starting to tire easily.

She frowned at him from the chaise lounge in the corner of the library and snapped her book shut without even marking the page. "Quite," Pen replied. "I need to get out of this house."

Pen had been sick with severe nausea for several months after they announced the pregnancy. While Anthony didn't necessarily hate the idea of his wife being confined to his bed, the fact that she had no desire to be there was upsetting. The past two months of forced celibacy had been some of the most difficult of his life.

The only benefit of removing sex from the equation was the new level of intimacy they were able to achieve in its absence. Anthony would lay next to his wife for hours where they would talk about their childhoods, their favorite things, and what they hoped for their future, among other things. Some nights Pen didn't even have the energy to talk, so Anthony would simply read to her with her head in his lap until they both drifted off.

The biggest downside to his wife's condition (besides the lack of sex) was her inability to regularly gather gossip for Whistledown herself. In turn, she had to rely on Eloise, Anthony, Genevieve, and, surprisingly, his mother (who found out about her identity from his sister) to gather it for her. Her lady's maid, Rae, supplied information from downstairs and sometimes even the Queen herself would share a tidbit or two. Penelope maintained creative control, but seemed glad to have people to share in the responsibility of issuing her pamphlet, which had become extremely time-consuming.

"I cannot sit in this house resting one more minute Anthony or I just might start talking to the walls."

"I have it on good authority that you already do, wife," Anthony responded with a chuckle and quickly found himself dodging a flying book from his irate wife.

When her anger dissolved into tears, Anthony crossed the small space between their seats and kneeled down. He pried Pen's hands down from in front of her face and coaxed her to look at him. "Don't cry, Pen. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made fun of you."

"It wasn't a very nice thing to do," she sniffed. "Especially not when this is all your fault."

"My fault?" His voice rose on the end of fault .

"Well, yes. I wasn't pregnant before I married you. Hence… your fault."

Anthony, whose elbows were resting on the chaise beside her, dropped his head into his hands in defeat.

No matter how he responded, he'd be wrong. So he just kept his mouth shut.

~z~

Penelope knew she was being a bitch to her husband, but she was miserable. There was nothing beautiful or wonderful about being with child the way Daphne described it. She was exhausted, hungry, and achy. Her new dresses barely fit and she felt fat for the first time in her life. She was physically uncomfortable and mentally frustrated by her inability to complete even the simplest of tasks over the last few months.

But the nausea had finally abated and Pen was determined to take advantage of the reprieve to spend some time with her husband and new family outside the walls of Bridgerton House. The window of time between feeling better and being too big to go anywhere was small. She would not miss out on it.

Penelope shifted on the chaise to sit beside where Anthony's head was resting in his hands. She pivoted her body to put her feet on the floor, leaned in to kiss him on the top of the head, and then got up and exited the room to get ready for Vauxhall Gardens.

She maintained that her misery was all his fault.

He owed her this.

~z~

Penelope, hair cascading freely around her shoulders and wearing a deep blue gown with a low-cut (entirely too low for her fuller breasts, according to Anthony) neckline with an empire waist, stepped down from the carriage into her husband's waiting arms. Anthony brought the hand he held to help her out of the carriage up to his lips for a quick kiss before settling his other one at the small of her back. "Are you sure about this?" he whispered. "Because we can turn around and go home right now and direct your new burst of energy to more - fulfilling - endeavors."

Pen pulled her hand out of his and smacked him on the chest before rolling her eyes. She then reached for the hand on her back and grabbed it. After pulling his arm to their sides, she tucked her arm inside. "I am quite fulfilled by the festivities here, my Lord," she said before tugging him into the crowd.

Anthony groaned but acquiesced. Pen did not miss the stares and whispers as they navigated through the throng of people, but, for once, paid them no mind. She stopped often to watch the various entertainers, including a few jugglers, a mime, and even an artist offering silly likenesses of the guests in charcoal. Anthony stayed at her side despite his disinterest in most of them, as he was reluctant to give up his position next to her to Eloise and Colin, who'd been hovering by them waiting for the opportunity to take his place.

When it was time for the main concert to begin, the family made their way to open seats near the front. Anthony sat on her left and Eloise plopped down on her right (much to Colin's consternation). Pen relaxed as she listened to the two siblings bicker on one side while Anthony absently played with her wedding band on the other via their joined hands laying on his thigh. Penelope believed it was a subconscious action her husband had picked up while she had been ill. Since they couldn't have relations due to her constant nausea, Anthony seemed to fulfill his need for physical intimacy by touching her. It was a habit that Penelope enjoyed very much.

Pen laid her free hand on her abdomen and settled in for the show, which was starting. She had heard an excited buzz in the crowd for the surprise return performance of a popular soprano who'd been traveling abroad for the past year, so Pen was thrilled for the opportunity to hear her sing.

Notes:

Next: Pen learns the identity of Anthony's former mistress.

Check out this beauty I capped from the Shondaland video on the S3 glow-up. Wouldn't they just be every damn thing?: https/drive./file/d/1zyKAkc3pcLg7mR36IgNgTFSEs46g4YF5/view?usp=sharing

The story is complete at 25 chapters. Expect one more today because I can't wait for you to read it and then one a day moving forward. That should take us to about the S3 premiere. YAY!

Chapter 20: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Pen and Siena come face to face.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

When the soprano walked out on stage, Anthony's hand squeezed hers so hard that her wedding band began digging into her hand. Pen leaned over and whispered a harsh, "Anthony!"

He quickly loosened his grip and whispered a contrite, "Sorry," back. However, he remained strangely tense throughout the performance.

Penelope couldn't help but notice how the woman's eyes kept straying toward Anthony as she sang.

When the woman completed her performance and managed to bow right in front of her husband (giving him a view of her cleavage in the process), Pen growled low in her throat.

Suddenly, it all made sense.

During her first season, Pen had heard rumors of Anthony's attachment to a singer, but she'd never managed to ferret out the woman's identity.

She knew it now.

Siena Rosso.

~z~

Unfortunately, based upon the chortles of laughter hidden behind coughs from nearby gentlemen (except Simon and Ben, who were trying and failing at exhibiting nonchalance) once the curtain closed, others knew it, too.

Eloise, who was quite oblivious to the brewing scandal, pulled Pen from Anthony's embrace as soon as the show was over and into a turn around the room.

The moment Pen was a few feet away, Siena appeared from backstage and made a beeline for her husband.

Sure, she made a show of pausing to accept congratulations and well-wishes from others who were gathered nearby, but Pen wasn't fooled.

That woman was a cougar and Anthony was her prey.

~z~

Seeing Siena was surreal. Anthony had once believed himself to be in love with the lithe beauty, but, as he looked at her now, he wondered why. Yes, she was an attractive woman, but now she failed to stoke any fire within him. Anthony had grown used to Pen's curvaceous body over the last few months and couldn't imagine laying with anyone else and finding pleasure.

But, he was a gentleman, so when his former mistress brazenly sought him out after El pulled Pen away, Anthony was cordial. He congratulated her on her performance and asked after her health, all under the figurative spotlight of the Ton, (the male) half of whom likely knew he'd been intimately involved with her.

He absently nodded at something Siena said as he craned his neck to look for his wife. Where was she?

~z~

"Hello, Darling," Pen greeted as she sidled up to him from out of nowhere. "Miss me?" she asked, sliding one hand down the back of his waistcoat to rest at the small of his back. She rubbed circles with her fingers and leaned in close so that the side of her breast was against his arm.

"Of course," Anthony managed to ground out as the soft caresses deepened in pressure and made it difficult for him to concentrate.

"I brought you an eclair," Pen shared sweetly as she produced a plate in front of him with her other hand. "I thought you might be hungry," she added with a smile, before encouraging him to take the plate from her. Then she turned her attention to Siena and added, "Lord Bridgerton has a voracious appetite," with a not-so-subtle caress of her slightly distended abdomen with her free hand.

Anthony felt the tips of his ears reddening as the chatter around them stopped when Sienna replied, "So, I've heard," with a swipe of her hand from her neckline to her waist under the visage of straightening her clothes.

"I do my best to make sure he's quite satisfied. It's a tough job being viscount and it's imperative he get the sustenance he needs to perform his duties optimally." Pen patted his stomach playfully and then brought her hand back to rest on her bump to emphasize her point.

Anthony heard quiet gasps and a few snickers at her barb and looked down at his wife next to him. He studied Penelope as she maintained an innocent look while trading sexual innuendo with his former mistress and realized he was experiencing Lady Whistledown in person for the first time.

Siena's eyes flickered up and down Pen's body. "Appetites are certainly fickle, are they not?" she replied. "Especially with men. I mean, one day eclairs are what they desire most and the next, perhaps it is chocolate-covered strawberries. They can be so difficult to keep happy over the long-term."

"I have not found that to be the case with my husband," Pen responded confidently before picking up the eclair and taking a bite of it herself. "He is fiercely loyal to his favorite foods," she added as she held it up to him to take a bite, too.

Anthony felt the tension as everyone waited to see what he would do, as well as the release of it when he took the bite. He was busy chewing when Pen plopped the rest of the dessert into her mouth with a flourish and uttered a low, "Eating for two, you know." When she was done, she lifted her thumb to his lips and wiped a bit of cream off before bringing it to her mouth and licking it clean.

Anthony nearly choked.

Notes:

Next: If the carriage is 'a rockin', don't come 'a knocking...

This chapter does two things besides cause yet another scandal: 1) Makes Pen realize she's not hip to sharing, even if Anthony has no interest in being shared and 2) Show's Anthony that Lady Whistledown isn't just a pen name. She is a part of Pen that is just itching to come to the surface and have a little fun. (A development he is very pleased by. Trust me)

A further note: This chapter was never meant to bash Siena. It is being told through the POVs of Anthony and Pen, who can be unreliable narrators with perceptions clouded by their experiences. Pen may have perceived Siena as a predator but Anthony didn't beyond the discomfort of the unexpected meeting. Even if Siena didn't have designs on her husband, Pen doesn't know that. What this chapter is about is Pen, who has been bullied and ignored most of her life, coming out of her shell and fighting for what she wants. As Lady Whistledown, that rebellious / independent part of her has always been concealed in the shadows. Most of their scandal has been on Anthony so far, as he is naturally more confident due to his station, but Pen finally felt confident enough to risk one to protect her family. Siena, who may be the sweetest person in the world, but even the sweetest person in the world will defend themselves against a perceived threat, which, in this case was Pen.

What did you think of the chapter?

Chapter 21: The Boy is Mine

Summary:

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Pen has a surprise for Anthony

CW: If this chapter was salsa, it would be medium bordering on hot. Read at your own risk.

I have to say that I am nervous about posting this chapter after last night's comment debacle. I was really happy with the way I wrote Pen coming out of her shell and finding herself as a person within her marriage in this mini arc, but now that's been dimmed. That said, I hope you enjoy this installment, which finishes out this arc of the story.

I have turned the comments to registered users only and they will stay that way for the rest of the story in order to protect everyone's mental health.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Rosso," Penelope said after bringing her thumb down from her lips. "Your talent is remarkable and I hope that you have a long, successful career."

The woman, who'd stared wide-eyed at Pen's possessive stunt, shook off her stupor and replied, "Thank you, Lady Bridgerton. That is very kind of you to say."

"It is not kindness, it is the truth. You have forged your own way in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving to women. I admire that and wish you all the best." Pen, smiling, held the singer's gaze for a moment to convey the sincerity of her words before linking her hands around Anthony's arm and looking up at her husband. "I'm quite tired. Would you take me home?"

Anthony glanced between her and his former mistress. After a perfunctory, but kind, "Goodbye Miss Rosso," he led Pen toward the carriages.

~z~

Once they got to their carriage, Anthony helped Pen up. He stepped up to join her, but she stopped him before he could climb inside. Loosening his cravat slightly and running her hand down the front of his chest, Pen leaned over from her seat and whispered, "Tell James to take the long way."

Anthony shared a charged look with his wife before doing exactly as she asked.

~z~

Moments after Anthony boarded the carriage and rapped on the ceiling, two things happened. First, James snapped reins, setting the horses in motion. Then, his wife pounced.

Penelope hiked her skirts up with one hand to straddle his lap while using the other to hold him still by the back of his head as she attacked his lips with her own. Once she was settled, she released her skirts and rose up on her knees, used her leverage to press him to the back of the bench, and cupped his face with both hands as she kissed him.

Anthony's arms reflexively wrapped around his wife's waist to anchor her to him as he enthusiastically returned her kisses.

When they broke apart for air, Penelope loosened his trousers while he pulled her skirts up to her waist. He was astonished to find bare skin where her pantaloons should have been and an involuntary moan escaped his lips. " Surprise ," Pen whispered into his ear as she pulled out his erection and sank down onto it.

Anthony's eyes rolled back inside his head from the pleasure of finally being enveloped in her warmth after months of cold.

~z~

Anthony was on the verge of one of the most powerful (and quickest) orgasms of his life when Pen rose up until she was nearly off of him and stopped moving. " Pen … baby… What are you doing?" he asked desperately.

"Teaching you a lesson," Pen replied. She moved one of her hands from his shoulders to the back of his head so that she could grip his hair and yank until his neck was craned and he was looking in her eyes.

"And what lesson would that be?" he asked haughtily, eyes ablaze, as he dug his fingers into her waist and attempted to use his grip to slam her back down.

Pen, of course, resisted and leaned forward so that her breasts (which were now conveniently spilling out of the low-cut neckline he was a fool to criticize) brushed his chest and her lips were scant inches from his. "That you. Anthony Bridgerton. Are Mine." Each phrase was punctuated by a torturously slow fractional descent back down his shaft that had his eyes crossing.

" Fuck ," he gasped as she crashed her lips onto his for a searing kiss that was meant to brand him as hers. Anthony was too stunned by her surprising display of dominance to do more than sink into the kiss.

"Say it," his wife commanded after pulling away and lifting herself up until she was nearly off him again.

This time when Pen came down, it was with enough force to make him explode. As his hips jerked upward involuntarily and the waves of his orgasm consumed him, Anthony breathed, " Yours ."

Notes:

Next: We check in with Penthony as her pregnancy progresses. What changes will those months bring?

We're getting there, folks! Just a few chapters to go. I'm both excited and nervous to share them with you. Expect an update per day or so until complete.

Chapter 22: Seasons of Change

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

As Pen's pregnancy progresses, so does her relationship with Anthony as we kick off the final (yes, final!) arc of the story.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The remainder of the season flew by and saw the departure of the beau monde to greener pastures outside of London. However, the Bridgertons and the Featheringtons elected to stay in Town due to the baby's impending birth. Pen's doctor advised against lengthy travel so late in her pregnancy and Anthony wasn't about to take any chances with her health. Parliament was set to convene for the fall around the due date anyway and there was no chance he would leave his wife and newborn in the country while he returned to the city, so it just made the most sense to stay put.

Anthony encouraged his family to holiday at Aubrey Hall without them, but they wouldn't hear of it. Violet didn't want to leave Pen with only her mother as a confidant (and where his mother goes, so do his youngest siblings) and Eloise and Colin were stuck like glue to Pen's side. Benedict did manage to lease bachelor lodgings and Francesca, now married and living with John Stirling, was planning to move to Scotland after the birth. Anthony was sad to see them go, but happy both were moving forward with their lives.

Penelope was shocked that the entire Featherington family opted to stay in town. Over the course of her pregnancy, she had grown close to Phillipa and found her mother to be more tolerable now that the stress of finding matches for her daughters had waned. Pen and Prudence still occasionally butted heads, but Dankworth had done wonders for Prudence's disposition.

Penelope seemed to be grateful to be relieved of the responsibility of producing her pamphlet, too, and confided in Anthony that she was considering retiring it. Managing it had begun to become tiring and she no longer needed the validation the pamphlet provided. She hadn't made any final decisions, but Anthony was hoping to put her secret identity to rest. Her safety and the safety of his family continued to concern him. If Pen was ever found out, there would be hell to pay, even with the Queen's protection.

After the night Pen claimed him as hers in her jealousy over Siena (an event that still got him hard every time he thought about it), he and his wife happily began exploring their sexuality. Anthony found he was ridiculously turned on by Pen's emerging dominance in the bedroom, particularly because of the reprieve it gave him from being in charge all the time (which was infinitely more exhausting than one would think). They had been forced to get creative as her pregnancy progressed, but they managed to find a balance that left them both satisfied.

Overall, Anthony was happy.

And he was scared shitless by it.

~z~

Penelope Bridgerton was grateful for the reprieve from society that her pregnancy provided her. She and Anthony had only gone out a few times since the night at Vauxhall Gardens, choosing instead to stay in and put her renewed energy to use in more pleasurable ways. Pen had shocked herself by her scandalous display of possession over her husband, but she'd been so bothered by Siena's attention on Anthony that she couldn't help herself. It was the first time Pen truly hadn't cared about her reputation or gossip and acted on pure instinct.

As they made their way to the carriage that night, she had been worried she overstepped. However, the bulge in Anthony's trousers she'd brushed against as he helped her inside put that fear to bed. So, Pen decided to lean into her instincts and claim him as hers just as thoroughly as he'd done to her. The boldness she'd displayed that night gave her a rush that she was eager to repeat at home.

It turned out that Anthony was more than willing to cede control to her whenever she desired. And she desired it often, as gaining power of any kind in a world designed to keep her powerless was addicting. Pen believed there was a sweet irony in Anthony, who had more power than she could ever dream of, being eager for the freedom surrendering it to her brought him. His burdens were heavy and she was happy to relieve them, even if his relief was fleeting.

Fortunately, no one else walked in on them during their private time. Out of respect for the family, she and Anthony had been extremely careful to keep their amorous endeavors contained to their personal spaces, especially after that day. It had taken Pen nearly a week after Eloise walked in on them to look her best friend in the eye again. However, if that's what it took to change El's opinion on marriage, Pen was glad. While Eloise still thought all the men in Town were imbeciles, she had undergone a radical attitude change about the institution of marriage itself. (And given the sensitive questions she'd posed to Pen and Daphne during a private tea a few weeks ago, Pen believed that marriage was likely now a consideration for El's future.)

Colin had been staying close to Pen throughout her pregnancy. Whenever Anthony was busy with work, Colin was eager to assist her with whatever she needed (though he had to fight Eloise most of the time for the privilege). Pen was appreciative of his continued presence in her life and welcomed his company. He'd become a true friend, which made her realize how little she'd actually known him before she married Anthony. The Colin who existed in her head was not the person she'd gotten to know. He wasn't a knight in shining armor, just a man with the same flaws and foibles as everyone else. When Penelope accepted that she contributed to her own heartbreak by holding him to an ideal he could never live up to, she was able to let him go. Once she did that, they built a solid friendship based on the people they actually were and Colin became the brother she never had.

While there was never a repeat of Anthony's cold behavior from the time he walked in on them editing Colin's journal, he often acted pensive when she and Colin were in close proximity. Eventually, Pen became bothered by his strange behavior enough to question him about it and he told her he knew she was in love with his brother. After Pen got over being flabbergasted that Anthony saw her humiliation at her mama's ball, she advised him that her love for Colin was in the past and that she only wanted him. He was very happy about that.

And so was she.

It scared her shitless.

Notes:

Next: Anthony faces his feelings (finally!)

Are you ready?!?! I know I am. I've been sitting on the ending for a few days now and am nearly dying from the anticipation of sharing it with you. I may cave and post it early because I have no impulse-control.

Lastly, thank you for your uplifting comments on the last chapter. You made me cry, both with your reassurances and how you "got" Pen's possessive display exactly as I intended. You all mean a lot to me. Sometimes it helps to hear from the quiet half of the room (lurkers ) when the trolls get loud. So, thanks again.

Chapter 23: The Viscount Who Loved Me

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Anthony realizes the depth of his feelings for Pen.

You're either going to hate me or love me for this chapter.

CW: That PTSD tag in the description comes into play in this chapter for our favorite viscount. I'm also throwing in a warning for a difficult childbirth / medical trauma given the circumstances.

This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful readers for being such inspirations to me. Especially the quiet corner who came out of the shadows to boost my spirits. THANK YOU!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The entire extended Bridgerton family, sans Violet, Portia, and Eloise (who had insisted she be by Pen's side through the labor and delivery despite her unmarried state), were crowded into the family's drawing room.

Hyacinth and Gregory were keeping Auggie and Phillipa's little boy occupied while Frannie played a soothing tune on the pianoforte and the rest of the men and women engaged in parlor games or conversation.

Anthony, however, was pacing. He really should have insisted on being in the room with his wife, but both Simon and Albion had cautioned him against it. Anthony's nervous energy would likely distract Pen during a time when she needed to concentrate on herself and their baby. So, reluctantly, he relented.

"Anthony, calm down. You'll wear a hole in the carpet if you keep doing that," Benedict joked. "I'm sure Pen is just fine."

"How do we know that?" Colin remarked nervously from the corner armchair he'd been fidgeting in for the past hour. "It's not like anyone has been in to give us news in the last three hours."

Daphne, who was sitting calmly on the couch discussing motherhood with Phillipa, replied, "No news is good news, brother. Birthing takes time."

Colin just rolled his eyes and went back to tapping idly on his glass of brandy, which Simon had given him to calm him down. He tried to give Anthony one, too, but he refused to be under the influence of alcohol during one of the most important moments of his life.

Simon stood and crossed the room. He laid a hand on Anthony's shoulder. "All will be well," he reassured him.

~z~

The blood-curdling scream that reverberated throughout the house two hours later indicated that all was not well.

Anthony bolted from the room and took the stairs two at a time.

He was about to push through the door of Pen's chamber when it opened to reveal a pale, wide-eyed Eloise. She quickly grabbed hold of him and yanked him into the room, "Oh, thank God! I was just coming to get you. The doctor needs to talk to you immediately."

Anthony surveyed the room as his sister closed the door behind them. Pen was standing by the corner of her four post bed hanging onto the wood for dear life. Her serviceable muslin nightdress was wrinkled and damp from the sweat he could see beading on her forehead and chest. His wife's hair, which had been nearly pulled back with a ribbon earlier, was now a loose mess of curls cascading down her body. Pen, face contorted in pain, was bent over with one hand on her abdomen and groaning. Portia and his mother were standing next to her trying to comfort her.

"What is happening?" Anthony demanded, addressing the doctor directly. Eloise had moved back to his side and was clutching his arm for dear life. He could feel her shaking violently.

The doctor cast a worried glance toward Penelope before stepping closer to Anthony. "It's the baby, your lordship. It is not in position."

Anthony felt the blood drain from his face as his heart plummeted. "What?" he whispered in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. Not again.

His vision began getting blurry and he started to feel faint as the doctor solemnly added, "A choice may have to be made."

"I …," Anthony started, but was at a loss for words as the past came back to haunt him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Anthony spied Pen's scared look. She screamed again in pain, the sound shaking him to his very core, before looking frantically around the room. "What?! What's wrong? Is it the baby?!"

Portia tried to hold her daughter still and coax her to lay down, but Pen shook her off. "No! I deserve to know what is happening." Her quiet " Anthony …," was a plea for information.

Unfortunately, Anthony was speechless. He looked from his wife to his mother, who bore a concerned expression as she transferred her attention from his wife to him.

He shook off his sister and backed away from the doctor. Anthony began pacing and repeating the word "No," over and over.

His chest was constricting.

He couldn't breathe.

How could he be expected to choose between his wife and child?

~z~

Anthony raised a hand to his chest, but it didn't help him breathe.

Suddenly, his mother was in front of him.

She cupped his cheeks and forced his eyes to hers. "Anthony, honey. Breathe." She swiped tears from his eyes (when had he started crying?) and coaxed him again. "Breathe. That's it. In and out." She punctuated each phrase with a deep breath of her own.

"Your lordship …," the doctor prodded, but his mother (God bless her) hissed at him to shut up and give them a moment.

"I can't do this," Anthony uttered to his mother as he grasped her biceps for dear life. "I can't ," he whispered lower, desperation in his tone.

The answer should be easy. Save his child. Carry on the Bridgerton line. But the thought of living in a world without Penelope in it was paralyzing.

~z~

Anthony stared into his mother's eyes as his mind flashed back to the night of Hyacinth's birth.

"… the answer, this choice, it's obvious."

In that instant, his choice became obvious, too.

Anthony took one deep breath and then another and another until he could breathe again. The revelation of his true feelings for his wife pulled him from his panicked state and settled his nerves.

Once he regained his faculties, Anthony squeezed his mother's arms gently and nodded once to let her know he was okay. She smiled understandingly and swiped the last of his tears from his eyes before releasing him and stepping away to console a frightened and confused Eloise.

Anthony, resolved, looked the doctor straight in the eye and commanded, "Save her."

The doctor responded with a curt, "Yes, sir," and returned to Penelope, who was looking between him and the doctor frantically. "What do you mean 'Save her '? Anthony, what is going on?" The on was groaned as another labor pain stole her breath.

Anthony walked over to his wife's free side and grasped her shoulder. He motioned to Portia to give them some space before turning his wife to face him fully. "The baby, Pen," Anthony explained, "It is not in position. If he cannot turn it in time…"

"He'll what? Kill him?!" Pen asked hysterically. She pulled out of his embrace and backed away shaking her head. She was white-knuckling the post when she said, "You have to save our son, Anthony. You need him." Pen worked her throat. "You don't need me," she added stoically just before another labor pain engulfed her and she had to bend over with both hands on the bed to endure it.

Anthony rushed back to her side and rubbed circles on the small of her back until it passed and she straightened partially back up. He once again turned her to face him, grasped her biceps tightly, and bent down to her eye level. "I do need you, Penelope. I… I love you."

"You love me?" Pen's eyes were full of skepticism tinged with hope.

Anthony trailed his hands up her body until he was cupping her face with them. "Yes, baby. So much. And I can't live in a world without you in it."

Pen, now crying, sniffled, "I love you, too."

"You do?" Anthony asked surprisedly. "Really?"

When his wife nodded affirmatively, Anthony leaned in and kissed her softly.

Notes:

I knew pretty early on this is where I wanted to get Anthony. It's his full-circle moment. I'm sorry I had to put him through that trauma, but I truly did feel that was the only way to get him to finally acknowledge how he feels about Pen.

I re-watched the scene from S2E4 and struggled with Violet's speech. It's hard to tell, but I think she was implying that Edmund would have chosen her rather than their baby. (Watch it and let me know what you think!) While as a mom (of 3, one who is 4 mo old), I can't imagine choosing myself over my child, I think that her grief profoundly affected her judgment. Would she have advocated for her daughter if she was in her right mind? Maybe. I do think, however, that Anthony would choose Pen over the baby partially because he is not a parent. Fathers often don't fall in love with their kids until they hold them. So, it made sense that he would be inclined, if given a one-or-the-other choice, to choose Pen because they could have other kids. Whereas Pen advocated for the baby 1) because she probably loves it already 2) because Anthony needs an heir and 3) she think's she's replaceable (he can remarry). You'll find out in the next chapter how / when she realized her feelings.

The next two chapters are lighter with an almost disgusting amount of fluff and romance. I'll post "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" tomorrow morning and the Epilogue tomorrow night. I have been sitting on these too long and I just don't have the patience to wait.

What did you think of the chapter? Did you guess this was where I was going? I was convinced making her preggers was a dead giveaway, but I couldn't NOT mention that pretty important fact.

Chapter 24: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

Penthony adjust to the change in their relationship.

CW: Risk of a toothache from the fluff and fever from the level of heat

Here is the last chapter! I hope you find this a satisfying () conclusion to the story.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Anthony remained in the room with Penelope until their baby, a son (just as she predicted months ago), was born. The doctor had managed to miraculously deliver his son and save his wife, a feat for which Anthony was profoundly grateful. Because now that he'd held the boy in his arms, he was deeply in love with him and the thought that he would have had to die to save Pen sickened Anthony. There had to be a better way for both mother and child to make it through childbirth unscathed. And Anthony was determined to use every ounce of influence he had to find it.

He and Penelope named their son Ledger Edmund Bridgerton. He'd always expected to name his first-born son after his father, but now that he comprehended the true strength his mother possessed, naming him after her felt right. Anthony had the privilege of showing him off to his family once Penelope, exhausted from her ordeal, fell into a deep sleep.

Eloise returning, shaken, to the drawing room once Anthony had decided to remain by Pen's side had the family on edge, especially Colin, who Benedict disclosed had practically gone feral when he learned Pen's life was in danger. It took both him and Simon to hold their brother back from barging in until Daphne calmed him down. As the women cooed over Ledger (the aforementioned sister having snatched him out of his hands), Anthony reassured Colin that Pen was well and he could be the first to see her when she awoke. (Since Eloise had already returned to her friend to sit vigil by her bedside as she slept, his statement was technically true.)

Anthony, weary as well, eventually left Ledger in his grandmothers' doting care and gently kicked his sister out of the bedroom (under the guise of resting herself) so that he could curl up in bed next to his beloved wife.

~z~

Penelope awoke to the feeling of her husband's strong arms around her and his breath tickling her neck. Needing the comfort he was providing after the harrowing events of last night, she settled into his embrace, drawing his arms tighter around her.

Her movement, however, stirred Anthony awake, "You're awake," he observed groggily before placing a gentle kiss on her neck and adding, "How are you feeling?"

"Like I was hit by a carriage," Pen admitted honestly. The pain and soreness was like nothing she had ever experienced before.

"Is there anything I can do?" he asked.

"Just hold me," Pen replied softly before allowing exhaustion to overcome her once more.

~z~

Anthony held her for hours as Penelope drifted in and out of sleep. Sometimes he drifted off, too, and others he would just lay next to her and watch her sleep wondering how he never realized the depth of his feelings for her until now.

He didn't even know when he fell in love with her. There wasn't a moment, no lightning bolt of awareness, that he could pinpoint. It must have just happened gradually every day until he was consumed by it.

He would have been satisfied to live the rest of his life loving her even if she didn't return the sentiment, but Anthony had to admit that her unexpected reciprocation of his feelings made him happier than he'd ever believed he could be.

~z~

Penelope's rest was short-lived. They did hire a wet nurse to help with the baby while she healed from the birth, but Pen was adamant about being Ledger's primary caregiver over the long-term. Thus, within a few days after Ledger was born, she insisted on feeding and changing him regularly and his bassinet was placed next to her bed. Anthony continued to be by her side through it all, laying next to her at night and using her desk to work during the day. Not even Eloise or Colin's visits could get him to take time away.

Penelope's annoyance at his hovering was always mitigated, however, by the sheer look of love in his eyes whenever he admonished her for not resting and helped her unnecessarily with even the smallest of tasks. Being loved by Anthony Bridgerton was a heady feeling indeed.

~z~

In the eight weeks since their son's birth, much had changed. Penelope formally moved into Anthony's bedroom and her room was converted into a sitting room and nursery. She still used it to write and get dressed, but, unless she was nursing the baby in the rocking chair there, Pen was holed up in Anthony's room with him. While they had slept together nearly every night since their wedding, it was different now because they were sleeping in their chamber. The boundaries of personal space that had allowed them to retreat from each other in the past were gone. They were one unit now, together for better or worse.

One morning, Pen had been feeding Edmund (which everyone had begun calling him after Colin joked about him being named after accounting books) when she had to urgently use the chamber pot. Anthony gladly took the baby for her. Upon finishing, Pen returned to the room, which was now bathed in early morning light, to find the baby, in nothing but his nappie, laying on his stomach on Anthony's bare chest. Her husband was lounging comfortably against the pillows absently smoothing Edmund's hair and cooing to him in his baby-talk voice. It was the singular most attractive thing she had ever seen in her life, making her nearly cum on the spot at the sight.

It made Pen think back to the moment she discovered she was in love with her husband. Much like with Colin, who she'd developed feelings for when he fell off his horse, her love for Anthony hit her out of the blue. On a morning very similar to this one, she'd been returning (yet again) from the chamber pot at eight months pregnant and spied her husband lounging in bed naked except for the sheet pulled up to his waist. When he heard her approaching, he looked over at her with such ferocious intensity that it stopped her in her tracks. Pen felt her body tingle and her heart jump into her throat at being the singular focus of his gaze. Pen realized in that instant that Anthony Bridgerton saw her (even when no one else had) and fell head over heels in love with him for it.

~z~

Anthony was so engrossed with baby Edmund, who had fallen asleep on his chest, that he didn't hear Penelope return. It wasn't until her hands came down to pick up the baby that he realized she was there. "Don't move," she said as she took their son back into the nursery.

Anthony easily acquiesced to her command. He was too tired to move anyway, as all the long nights with the baby were catching up to him.

When Pen came back in the room, closing the connecting door behind her, Anthony noticed she had changed from her muslin night dress into her silk dressing gown and brushed out her curls so they fell loosely down her back. The sight of her stole his breath, but he did manage to eek out a, "What's this, then?"

His wife smiled mischievously as she advanced on him. "This, my love, is your lucky day."

"Is it now?" Anthony asked through the knot in his throat at the siren standing before him.

"Umm hmm," she hummed, eyeing his prick, which was standing at attention under the sheet, like it was a lollipop.

Anthony couldn't hold back a groan when Pen, now at the side of the bed, yanked back the sheet and licked her lips.

"Or maybe it's mine," his wife said with a wink.

~z~

Anthony stopped Pen before she could finish him off. She looked wounded at first, but smiled when he explained that if he was going to cum, it was going to be inside her. "That is, if it's alright," he added, sensitive to the fact that she was still healing.

"Just go slow," she requested when Anthony sat up to meet her kneeling form and pulled her into a deep kiss. He untied the sash at her waist and slid the gown off her body, relishing in her involuntary shiver as he did so. "Anything you need, baby," Anthony responded as he wrapped his arms around her body and carefully laid her down onto the mattress below him.

Anthony's mouth lavished her with kisses as the hand he wasn't propping himself up with traveled down her body and into her folds. Pen nearly bucked him off of her when her hips rose at his featherlight touch. "Anto-neee," she moaned.

He could tell from that single touch that she was ready for him, but he didn't give her what he knew she craved. Instead, Anthony brought his fingers to his mouth and sucked them clean before capturing her chin between his thumb and forefinger. Looking deeply into her lust-filled eyes, he said, "I love you, Penelope Bridgerton. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life showing you how much."

In response, Pen reached up. She linked one arm behind his neck to hold him still while her other hand traced down the side of his face. "I love you, too, darling," (the term had become one of true endearment since their love confessions), Pen affirmed. "Now get to showing," she ordered as she pulled his lips down to hers for a passionate kiss.

Notes:

Next: In the epilogue, catch up with Penthony a few years in the future where they cause yet another scandal at a ball.

The only thing hotter than Anthony lounging in bed shirtless (have you seen the screencap of that yet?) is Anthony lounging shirtless in bed having daddy time with his newborn son, IMO.

I'd like to think Anthony becomes an advocate and philanthropist for maternal-fetal medicine. He's gonna make damn sure the rest of Pen's births go smoothly and none of his sisters die giving birth.

Are you excited for the epilogue? I am. I can't wait to share it with you. What did you think of this chapter?

Chapter 25: Waste It On Me

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

In the epilogue, Anthony and Pen cause yet another scandal at a ball when they run into someone unexpectedly.

CW: toothache from fluff

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

A few years later…

Anthony's mother was going to kill him. He and Pen were late for Lady Danbury's ball celebrating the opening of the season. Ordinarily, the fact that they were late wouldn't be punishable by death, but this was Hyacinth's debut ball and Anthony had been expected to be there on time to support her.

Now that he and his wife had Bridgerton House to themselves (if you didn't count their children and the staff, that is), they tended to get a little carried away and lose track of time. And with Pen being pregnant (for the fourth time), Anthony's window of opportunity for amorous endeavors between Pen's severe sickness and her being too uncomfortable to really enjoy the experience was limited. He had to take advantage whenever the opportunity presented itself.

So, that was how Anthony found himself sneaking into Lady Danbury's ballroom through the terrace doors with his still somewhat disheveled wife in tow. He hoped that his mother was too distracted foisting Hy on potential suitors (may God help them) to notice his tardiness and make Penelope a widow.

"This will never work, Anthony," Pen loudly whispered to him as they crossed the threshold. "Your mother will know we weren't announced."

At her doubtful tone, Anthony turned around to face her. "Shh. Don't jinx us. Do you want to be a widow?"

Pen tilted her head as she considered his question. Then, with mischief in her eyes, she answered, "While I would hate to foist the title on Edmund this young, I have to admit that becoming the dowager viscountess would have certain advantages…"

Uncaring that they were in public, Anthony leaned in and kissed her soundly to shut her up. "Bite your tongue, woman," he growled after he pulled away.

Pen took a step forward to close the small distance between them and replied, "Why don't you bite it for me?" challengingly.

Anthony yanked her to him and pushed her back into the shadows of the terrace so he could do just that.

~z~

Anthony cupped Pen's cheeks in his hands and lavished her lips with kisses as he walked them back into the inky blackness of the side of the house. Pen was clinging to the lapels of his waistcoat and following his lead as she kissed him back with abandon. It was because of this singular focus on his wife that he didn't realize there was another couple in the way (who hadn't been there on their way in) and bumped into them.

Even though he was no stranger to scandal when it came to his marriage, Anthony wasn't a complete heathen. So, he (rather reluctantly) detached his lips from his wife's and turned his head to apologize only to find that one half of the other couple on the terrace was none other than Kathani Sharma.

~z~

"Kate?!" Anthony blurted before he could think better of it.

"Anthony?" she replied in just as much of a shocked tone as he'd used.

Anthony stepped back from Pen and turned his body so that he could face Kate head-on (or mostly so, as she didn't need to see the bulge in his trousers). He then pulled Pen, who was glancing nervously between them and biting her lip, into his side protectively.

"You're here," Anthony stated, still dumbfounded by the sight of the woman he'd been so enamored of all those years ago.

Kate let out a breath of exasperation. "Yes, I am. As are you."

"Well, I live here," he retorted, hackles raised. Even after nearly a decade, this woman could vex him like no other. And that said a lot considering Pen's talent for it, too. Speaking (or, rather, thinking?) of Pen, his wife laid a comforting hand on his torso and whispered a calming, "Anthony," before addressing Kate directly. "Good evening, Miss Sharma. I hope you and your sister are well."

The kind words seemed to pull Kate from her own vexation and she replied, "Mrs. Wyndam-Pryce. And, yes, Edwina and I have been quite content in Prussia." But, unlike when she spoke to him, Kate had softness in her tone. "And you… Penelope, right?" At his wife's nod, Kate continued, "You are well?"

"Yes, I am. Thank you for asking." Pen's genuine admiration for the eldest Sharma sister was evident in her tone. "Anthony has been a devoted husband."

Anthony thought she would scoff at that, but Kate just smiled wistfully and replied. "I imagine so."

Her unexpected compliment settled his temper and prompted him to rejoin the conversation. He looked at Kate's husband and stuck out a hand for the man to shake, "Anthony Bridgerton."

The gentleman reached out with the hand that wasn't holding onto his wife and shook it. "Wesley Wyndam-Pryce."

Anthony pulled his hand back as he remarked, "Diplomatic attache to Prussia. I've heard good things about your work."

"Thank you, my Lord."

Anthony briefly glanced at the woman he used to love and said, "You're a lucky man to have such an amazing wife."

Mr. Wyndam-Pryce looked down at a beaming Kate and said, "Yes, I am."

~z~

Later, after the quartet had re-entered the ballroom together and caused quite the stir (one Hyacinth admitted to him later that she was grateful for, as it gave her a reprieve from the suitors his mother had been foisting on her), Anthony waltzed with Kate while his wife partnered with Kate's husband.

"You seem happy," Kate remarked as they spun around the floor.

"I am. And you?"

She nodded with a bright smile and then asked, "So, you and Penelope Featherington? I admit that I never saw that one coming."

Anthony smirked. "No one did. Least of all me."

"It was the same for me and Wesley. He is rather reserved and quiet."

Anthony understood completely. "He grounds you."

"Yes. Few people understand me as he does. He knows when to engage and…"

"When to pull back and leave you be," Anthony finished.

"Yes," Kate affirmed. She grew pensive for a moment before blurting. "We would have been a disaster."

Anthony laughed, drawing stares from nearby couples (except his wife, who was engrossed in conversation with Kate's husband as they danced). "Yes, we would have. We are far too alike."

The two finished their waltz in companionable silence.

~z~

Once they were seated in their carriage, Pen asked, "So?"

Anthony played dumb. "So, what?"

Pen huffed. "How was it to see Kate again after all this time?"

Anthony shrugged. "Fine."

Pen raised an eyebrow. "Fine?"

"What do you want me to say? That I instantly regretted not giving up all of this," he raised his hands out to the sides, "to elope to Prussia with her?"

Pen kicked him in the shin. "Ow! That hurt."

He rubbed the sore spot as his wife let out an exasperated sigh. "Good," she replied. Then, "No. Of course not. But it had to stir up feelings for you. I mean, seeing her so unexpectedly after all this time, well, I imagine it would be jarring."

"It was," Anthony conceded before reaching out and pulling Pen onto his lap. Once his arms were locked around her body snugly, he added, "Because seeing her again made me realize how her leaving was the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Really?" She asked, cupping his cheek with one hand as she brought the other up across the back of his shoulders.

"Yeah," Anthony replied, staring into her eyes. "She affirmed my belief that love was nothing but a waste of time."

Since Pen knew it was that very belief that prompted him to propose the night he followed her from the ball, she cracked a half smile and said, "Well, then I'm glad you decided to waste it on me," before leaning in to kiss his lips tenderly.

~THE END~

Notes:

That's all folks! Hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Notes:

1. Chapter title taken from the song Waste It On Me by Steve Aoki, which inspired the entire story. It made me want to explore what happens when two people jaded by love end up unwittingly falling into it.

2. I knew I wanted to do a Kate cameo in the epilogue from the beginning so they could both get closure on their past. (Hell, if I'm gonna get the hate for Kate either way, I might as well earn it, right?)

3. You may recognize Kate's husband's name. Yes, I borrowed Wesley from the Buffy/Angel-verse. I love S3 - S5 scruffy, jaded, yet quietly reserved Wes. Plus, Alexis Denisof is yummy. In my head, Wes was a war hero now working for the government as a diplomat. He met Kate in Prussia and they fell in love. He has the stones to match Kate's personality but also the calm to ground her. They were in England to visit his family when they ran into Penthony. Perhaps the four of them become friends down the line.

Thank you again for your readership and support. I have two new ideas, so we'll see where things go from here. I do intend to finish Unexpected Curves but I'm still having a bit of writer's block there, so I'm focusing on ideas I have inspiration for right now. Look for a new story soon.

Chapter 26: Following In Their Footsteps

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

In this second epilogue, we pick up years into the future when Pen and Anthony share surprising news with their family.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

At one and twenty, Edmund Bridgerton was well on his way to following in his father's footsteps. Anthony, the current Viscount, had been grooming him to take over the responsibilities of the title for years, but that wasn't what Lady Whistledown (fortunately no longer his mother) was referring to when she mentioned him in her pamphlets. Rather, she delighted in pointing out that he was working diligently to gain the capital R in his rake status. Edmund wasn't doing it on purpose as The Lady implied, though. His charm came naturally and he merely capitalized on the advantages it gave him, especially when it came to the fairer sex.

While his father scolded him in public (re: in the presence of his mother or grandmother) for his behavior, Edmund thought that he was secretly proud of him for it. Edmund didn't miss the occasional smirks and winks his father sent his way when The Lady remarked on his rakish behavior (nor the eye rolls and smacks his mother sent his father when she caught him).

It was precisely because he was his father's son that Edmund nearly spit out his tea when his parents shared their news. "What?!" he squeaked out after his coughing fit had subsided.

His father, who was sitting on the sofa next to his mother, pulled her hand into his and brought it up to his lips for a quick kiss before repeating himself. "Your mother is with child."

Edmund brought his hands to his temples and rubbed them. "I don't understand," he murmured to the room at large.

"What's not to understand, Eddie? You're going to be a big brother again," his sister, Ellie, supplied. Ellie was just over a year younger than him and excelled at vexing him at every opportunity, especially when she spoke to him in the same placating tone she uses with their young cousins. Of course, Edmund understood what the words meant (certainly better than she could in her unmarried state). He was simply struggling with comprehending why they were being said in the first place.

"It's so exciting!" Colleen, his other little sister interjected.

Archie, who was the youngest sibling and in the thick of adolescence, merely sighed and rolled his eyes at his family's discourse before sticking his nose back into his book.

"I know that, El," Edmund replied haughtily. "What I don't understand is how."

"The usual way, son," his father offered with a smirk.

Edmund stood. "That's just what I don't understand. You. Mom. Like that. Still. Plus, mom is like forty. Is it even safe?"

This time it was his mother who answered. "I am not much older than your grandmother was when she had Hyacinth," she stated. "The doctor has assured us it will be reasonably safe as long as I avoid strenuous physical activity and get plenty of rest," she reassured him before adding, "and as for that, well, age is just a number, dearest," with a smile.

It was one thing to know what went on behind your parent's closed bedchamber doors (even at their advanced ages), but it was another to know it. You know?

And with this baby, everyone would know.

~z~

"Well, that went better than I expected," Viscountess Penelope Bridgerton said to her husband as she sat on her vanity bench brushing her hair.

She caught Anthony's eye in the mirror. He chuckled and replied, "Yeah. We knew that Eddie was going to struggle with this news no matter how we shared it."

"The fact that he seems to relish in following in your footsteps makes it worse, Anthony. He knows now, you know?"

Her husband, the damnable man, laughed. "Yeah, I do. How do you think I felt when my parents told me about Hy? I was horrified," he shared with a shiver as he undressed down to his trousers and shirtsleeves.

Pen barely held back a smirk at that. "So, I suppose this is another legacy of the viscountancy you are happily passing on? Horrifying your heir with a late-in-life pregnancy to ensure he is overly cautious in his own romantic pursuits until marriage?"

"Damn straight."

~z~

Anthony, who was unbuttoning his shirt,heard Pen snort at his response, causing him to break out in laughter, too. By the end of it, he was nearly doubled-over as he worked in vain to catch his breath. But, since he'd been wound tighter than a violin string the past three months, it felt good to release some of his tension through shared laughter with his wife.

Truth be told, Anthony was scared. He and his wife had worked hard to prevent pregnancy after Archie was born. Not only did Pen always suffer greatly from nausea and low energy throughout it, her births were more often than not difficult, too. While none of the other three children put her through what Eddie had (thank God), the labors were long and took a toll on her body. The doctor's reassurance that everything should be fine didn't really do much to soothe his concern. Eddie was correct. At forty, a pregnancy for Pen was a risk. What if he lost her?

Pen must have sensed the shift in him because he heard her say, "Hey. It's okay," from her perch at her vanity. When he looked over, Anthony saw her get up and start making her way toward him. "It will be fine. You'll see."

"Will it?" Anthony asked skeptically, letting his vulnerability show for the first time since finding out about her condition.

When Pen reached him, she cupped his face in her hands. "Yes, darling. I can feel it."

Anthony lifted his hands to grasp her wrists. "But what if it isn't? I can't live in a world without you in it. You know that."

Pen smiled softly, tears brimming in her eyes. "Nor I you. But it will do you no good to spend the next six months worrying. This baby is a gift. God would not have given her to us if he didn't mean to see it through."

Anthony raised an eyebrow. "She?"

His wife smirked and nodded. She was four out of four in her predictions, so Anthony believed her instincts. "Great. Now I'll be outnumbered."

Pen smirk turned into a full-blown smile. "You'll survive," she said before pulling his face to hers for a quick peck on the lips.

Anthony, however, shifted his grip from her wrists to her face and held her to him, deepening the kiss and igniting the passion between them. "Pen," he gasped when he reluctantly broke away for air.

"Anthony," she panted, as her hands dropped from his face to his partially-unbuttoned shirt. Pen used her grip on the collar to pull him back to her lips (a fact he was definitely not complaining about) before sliding them down to release the remaining buttons.

He was forced to pause in his own efforts to untie her robe when she pushed at his shoulders with her unspoken request to slide his shirt off. However, he quickly returned to his mission as his wife's hands roamed over his exposed chest and torso.

"Hurry," Pen begged. "Please."

He was trying. God was he trying. But the damnable knot was stuck; so, Anthony changed tactics and ripped the panels apart to reveal his wife's delectibe breasts instead. He tore his lips from hers and sucked on the juncture between her neck and collarbone while his hands kneaded them.

Pen squeaked and jumped a mile high at the touch, causing Anthony to chuckle wickedly.

Maybe the next six months wouldn't be so bad after all.

Notes:

Not gonna lie, I'm completely immersed in all things Polin right now (giddily so), but I started this and wanted to share it with you all. Hope you enjoyed it.

Don't worry. Felicity Hope is born six months later with no complications. Anthony is happier than ever while Eddie continues to struggle with the constant reminder of his parent's active sex life.

Chapter 27: Over the Hill (Epilogue)

Summary:

As the London Season begins, practicality wins the day for two members of the Ton who have been burned by love.

All Pen wants is independence from her mother and all Anthony needs is an heir. But, maybe, just maybe, they'll get more than they ever bargained for in the process.

Warning: This is a Pen/Anthony story. If you cannot fathom them with anyone but their canon spouses, then DO NOT read this story. It is NOT for you.

Notes:

This chapter features a short mini epilogue set just before the original epilogue. It is a scene cut from my story "Glasses". I do not normally cross-post, but this is my most popular story of all-time. I want to help ensure that anyone who enjoyed Penthony here gets to see into their married life a little more.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your readership and support. I write as a creative outlet, but you all help make it fun!

Enjoy!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

For the most part, Anthony didn't let his age difference with Pen bother him. Significant age differences between spouses were far more common than not amongst the fashionable set. In the grand scheme of things, thirteen years was a drop in the bucket. But, sometimes, like today, it felt like a lifetime.

Anthony was turning forty tomorrow. His mother, had assured him that his next decade had the opportunity to be just as exciting as his last one and that age was just a number. (Easy for her to say as she was thriving in her second act with Lord Anderson, he supposed.) But Anthony couldn't help but be overtaken by a strange melancholy over the whole thing.

He would be forty while his wife would be seven-and-twenty.

He would be sitting here at his desk needing these damn spectacles to read the numbers in his ledger while his wife could easily read books to their children without squinting.

It was humiliating.

Anthony slammed the book shut with a frustrated growl and ripped the infernal things from his face. He threw them on the desk, buried his face is his hands, and growled frustratedly.

"Uh-oh. That is not a happy sound," Anthony heard his wife say from the open doorway.

Anthony lifted his head, pressing his fingers against his face as he did so, and turned in his chair to face her, backing it up and shifting it in the process. "Wife," Anthony greeted. "What brings you by this late?"

Pen stepped inside the room and closed the door. "Well, the fact that it is this late should be indicative of the reason I am here, darling."

When darling came out in the same tone she used on the children when they misbehaved, Anthony cringed. "Sorry, baby. I simply lost track of time with my ledgers."

"Which you would be less likely to do," Penelope opined as she crossed the room and stood next to his chair, "if you actually wore the glasses instead of growling at them."

"Pen," he whined, looking up at her.

She smiled and then leaned down and snatched up the spectacles from his desk. She carefully slid them onto his face. "There," Pen said as she playfully tapped the wire sitting on the bridge of his nose with her index finger. "That's better."

Anthony scrunched his nose and squinted to see her past the lenses. "Not really. They're useless without a ledger in front of me."

Pen reached out and ran her hands through his hair on each side of his face, tracing the frames with the pads of her thumbs as she did so. Anthony couldn't help but be soothed by the touch and closed his eyes to revel in the calm that came over him as a result. Pen's soft, "Yes. Much better," had him opening his eyes rather quickly though.

The moment he did so, he caught her staring at him the way Colin stares at sandwiches. Well, wasn't this interesting? These damnable spectacles might not be so bad if they had this effect on her.

Anthony abruptly reached up and pulled her body between his spread legs. "Better, you say?"

She nodded and he noticed the tip of her tongue appear and wet her lips. "Yes," Pen confirmed. "Very … distinguished."

He raised a brow (which he wasn't sure she could see behind the frames) and asked, "Distinguished? Is that a good thing?"

Penelope responded softly with, "A very good thing," before bending down to kiss him sensually. Anthony smiled just before her lips touched his. He did not attempt to wrestle control from her. Instead, Anthony willingly submitted to her whims, basking in the feel of them.

When she finally pulled back, Penelope whispered, "Come to bed," before stepping out of his embrace and walking to the door, opening it, and sashaying out.

Anthony did.

Notes:

In the original epilogue, Pen is pregnant for the fourth time. I imagine this is the night that happened.

Just in case you're wondering, Pen and Anthony go on to have five kids:

Eddie

Ellie

Colleen

Archie

Felicity

They live happily ever after.

This story will never truly be over, so keep your subscription just in case inspiration strikes and I add something new.

Also, be sure to check out my other stories, including Time After Time, which features this Penthony as mentors to a younger version of themselves.

If you have an idea of a short epilogue you'd like to see, drop it below and I'll see if I can make it work.