Eyes On Me – Richard Marx
I would die and kill
Battle Beg and steal
Baby just to feel your eyes on me
I'd give m secrets up
Be slave to just your
For one more moment of your eyes on me
I don't know why
I don't know how
But you're burning me
From the inside out
And I only live
Oh I live to your say
It's you who lives to take my breath away
Nothing I wouldn't do
For one more taste of you
Yeah, I'm addicted to your eyes on me
I don't know why
I don't know how
But you're burning me
From the inside out
And now I live
Oh I live to hear you say
It's you who lives to take my breath away
Nothing I wouldn't do
For one more taste of you
Yeah, I'm addicted to your eyes on me.
Their engagement party. He practically felt giddy with excitement waiting for her to arrive. It seemed an age since he had last seen her. That was only dampened slightly by Cressida Cowper's arrival. Since he could be certain that Penelope would not have invited her and Kate and Anthony had no interest in earning favour with the Cowpers, he enquired as to why Eloise would invite her.
Eloise was quick to inform him that Cressida had invited herself. Clearly that woman had no shame. He considered telling her to leave but did not wish to ruin Penelope's evening by causing a scene.
The moment she entered the room he excused himself to go and greet her. Thankfully only her mother accompanied her. Penelope's sisters were nowhere to be seen. "My bride to be." He kissed her hand. Though he was aching to kiss those perfectly plump lips of hers.
"Good evening." He loved the way she glowed when she smiled at him. It was as though he were her sun.
"And here is my son to be." How like Portia Featherington to ruin the moment and try and make it about herself when it should be about her daughter.
"Lady Featherington. It is pleasant to receive such a warm greeting from you." Not that he would forget in a hurry what he had heard her say to Penelope when he had called on her.
"I deeply regret my earlier comments." Probably only because he had heard them. "Let us put it in the past. Tonight, we celebrate our collective future."
"Well, if that is your intent, then it shall be mine to honour it." Although he seriously doubted his future mother-in-laws intentions. And the only collective future he was interested in was his and Penelope's.
"Oh, I must tell your mother how much I love what she has done with the decoration." He was about to correct Portia that Kate was behind the decoration, but then he caught Penelope's expression and thought better of it. "Are the drinks nearby?"
He wondered why Portia had even accompanied her daughter this evening; but was relieved when she left him alone with Penelope. She looked stunning. He knew the moment she spotted Cressida Cowper. The colour drained from her face. "Eloise mentioned that Miss Cowper invited herself." He had not been pleased when she arrived this evening. After her consistently tormenting Penelope whenever the opportunity presented itself, he felt she had a cheek turning up to a party for Penelope. "I was not sure I could say no considering."
"It is all right." She was being gracious. He was certain Cressida's presence was less than ideal for Penelope.
"Good. I rather relish her presence, so that she can watch you in your triumph." That brought a smile to her lovely face. After all, Penelope was actually engaged, where as Cressida had no prospects. Even Lord Debling had considered proposing to Penelope. Whereas he had only acknowledged Cressida when she forced her presence on him.
He only left Penelope's side long enough to fetch her a drink, but that seemed long enough for Eloise to have a discussion with her and unsettle her. "Your refreshment." Penelope did not look as though she was enjoying her engagement party. "Is everything all right?" Even though she nodded, he was not convinced.
This was supposed to be a joyous evening for them both. Yet Penelope seemed anxious. He suspected some of that was due to Lady Featherington and Eloise but still there seemed to be something more. Did she doubt his feelings for her? When he had told her that he loved her, she had asked if he was sure. Perhaps she needed further proof. He would understand her hesitation after his unfortunate comment last season.
"Good evening everyone." Now was as good a time as any. "If you will allow me a few words. Most people, when they fall off a horse, are counselled to get back on it again." He saw a smile ease some of the nervousness from Penelope's face. "I say stay down, for in the mud, you may happen to be blessed with your future bride. It was my atrocious riding that led me to meet Miss Featherington, Pen … and I am so grateful to be here with her tonight." God, he could bask in that loving look from her forever. "I look forward to our life together, to knowing each other fully, and to never taking a single day with you for granted."
For a moment they were the only two people in the room, despite the cheers around them. Briefly, all was well in their world. She looked at him as though he were her personal hero.
"Congratulations to you both." What was Eloise up to? "Here is to truly knowing each other. Completely. Before the clock runs out. Hmmm." Eloise wasn't making any sense. "The clock of life, of course. Ticks for us all. To your good health!" Everyone looked as confused as he felt by Eloise's toast.
"Thank you, Eloise. I…" Penelope was looking unsettled again.
"I should like to add how… proud I am of my lovely daughter, Penelope." It hadn't seemed that way this morning. "To the match of the season, and the Featherington-Bridgerton family." More like Bridgerton-Featherington.
"I cannot tell if this party needs stronger drinks or weaker ones." Benedict was jesting but he was certain his future mother-in-law had already had enough to drink. Weak or strong.
"Now, perhaps some dessert and charades in the drawing room." Thank goodness one member of their families was about celebrating their engagement. Kate was a Godsend.
"Shall we?" He offered Penelope his arm. He had been hoping to show Penelope how he felt about her. Hopefully that was the part she recalled in future amongst the other toasts.
"Of course." She managed a tight smile.
It was not surprising that Penelope and Eloise ended up taking almost all of the turns up in charades. What he couldn't work out was why Penelope seemed to be checking the clock every few minutes. Was the amount of people here too much for her? Or was it just Cressida's presence that had her counting the minutes until the evening was over.
"Excuse me." She left the room clearly distressed. He waited a few minutes before going looking for her. She was nowhere in sight but he thought he could hear someone gasping for breath but couldn't be sure. Frustrated he headed back to the drawing room.
Relief flooded through him when she re-appeared. "Pen. Where did you run off to? I was looking for you." It was unexpected this need to be with her all the time. To protect and support her. To make her happy because that was what made him happy.
"I … I only needed a moment." Fear written all over her face.
"I know something is bothering you." He just wished that she would talk to him." I can feel it. All evening, you have been shirking my gaze." Usually they rarely broke eye contact so her avoiding his gaze felt strange.
There it was. She was looking at the clock again. "No, Colin …"
Had he rushed her into this? Did she not want to marry him? "I would understand if you got swept up in the carriage. If you do not now share my feelings." Was this why she was so nervous.
"Colin…I need to tell you something." Penelope seemed to be struggling for air.
"Pen. Pen. Are you well?" She was getting more paler by the second.
"No." Was she ill? Was that what she had been trying to tell him?
"Colin. I need to tell …." Not now Eloise.
"Eloise, please have a servant fetch a cool towel." Was it his imagination of was Penelope swaying?
"Excuse us everyone." He barely registered Anthony. His focus was solely on Penelope.
"I have an announcement." Now he wished he had insisted Cressida leave when she had first arrived. "It is time that I put an end to the speculation. You would like to know who Lady Whistledown is? You shall know. I am she." What a load of rubbish. He may not like Lady Whistledown but she was far too intelligent to be Cressida Cowper.
"Miss Cowper. Surely you jest?" He would have agreed with his future mother-in-law if he weren't wandering why she hadn't noticed her daughter was struggling to breathe.
"I jest not. I am Lady Whistledown. And you are right. I can do whatever I want." Well, she could start by leaving. Perhaps then Penelope could calm down.
"Colin… I cannot breathe." Before he could call for a doctor, Penelope collapsed in his arms.
"Pen." He had never been so scared in his life. He had just realised how much Penelope meant to him. He never wanted to lose her. It appeared Portia had finally noticed her daughter as she ran to her side. Thankfully Penelope came to a moment later.
Although she assured him that she fine, he insisted on escorting her with her mother home. She was still too pale for his liking, but her mother promised that she would send for the doctor if Penelope had anymore fainting spells.
Leaving her was becoming more and more difficult especially when something was clearly bothering her. The sooner they were wed, the better. Kissing her hand he bid her good night. He would check on her tomorrow once he had been to the jeweller.