One kiss is all it takes...

Summary:

Penelope lost her best friend and Colin at the same night, she goes to sleep feeling desperation, but wake up in her First season.

Colin didn't started court Marina. She must decide what she wants to do about Eloise and how to spare Colin of Marina and Portia trap, even if he was crass in rejecting her to his friends, he was her friend and did protect her family.

Penelope is feeling terrible, first she lost Eloise, she suppose that she could have included her best friend, but Whistledown was something hers and she was protective of it. She thinks about what she could have done about Eloise and the queen situation, but nothing else comes to mind.

Ant then Colin saying that to his friends! If she had any hope to wed, she would have lost it. Even if he only saw her as a friend, he should have been more courteous about it.

She knows she will forgive him, but It hurts so much! She cries herself to sleep and have a terrible night.

Penelope is waked up by his mother's screams and is confused by seeing Lady Crane sleeping in a bed in her room.

She observes the room and concludes that she is in her first season. She does not know if she is dreaming, lost her mind or if It is really happening.

She rises, nobody really notice that she is out of sorts. She looked at the journal and confirms that she is indeed back in time.

Penelope has a lot in her mind, but she thinks that she will take this weird thing as a second chance. Tell Eloise before the debut about Lady Whistledown. Try harder to counsel Eloise about the Theo thing.

She must help Colin to avoid the Marina situation. She put all his actions to her and about her in to weight and decide that his careless comment didn't matter, his care and kindness to her were greater still. This Colin didn't do It anyway and perhaps if she is more fortcoming about the desire to wed, he will be more careful about how he talks about her prospects.

She knows that the ball where Colin rescues Marina is today. She must stop it. She will tell him the true and ask for his discretion.

Maybe ask for some help. For all she did not regret stopping the farse that would be Marina marrying Colin, she does feel bad about her cousin situation.

The day passes in a hetic manner. She decide also to try reasoning with her father. Penelope knows that while he ignores the family, he has a soft spot for her as his youngest.

Penny! I am surprised that you are not getting ready for the ball.

Papa, I will. I know about the debts!

Penelope! That is not for you to worry.

Papa, please, if you have any love for us, you must stop gambling and betting. If Anything happens to you, what will be of your daughters?

Penelope's father is rendered speechless. He frowns, but do not lashes out. He seems to get some sort of resolve.

Penelope is not naive enough to think she can prevent his death, but she had to try something.

Nothing will happen to me Penny! But if It will have my bright Penny peace of mind. I will make a will for one of my daughters sons to inherit.

It would papa! I do hope that there is no need. I was just disturbed by the amount of debt!

It is not for ladies to worry, for certain!

Penelope go to get ready, Marina is to her side and she knows that she should be making conversation, but she can't bring herself to do it.

She knows that it was due her unfortunate circunstances, but Marina were so cruel to her. It was jarring being submitted to cruelty after months of kindness. If felt worse than her mother and sisters cruelty for at least she expected It from then.

She take a look at the abomination that she is suppose to wear tonight and decide that even if she must suffer the yellow, the monstruosities with bows and citrus tones were too much.

She choose one of her pink dresses, longing for the Future money to buy a new wardrobe.

You are being quiet today Penelope. Everything is all righ?

Marina asked smiling.

Yes, I am just thinking. And taking courage to defy my mama about my desses.

Then I wish you good luck! Your mother is difficult to defy. Tonight will be dreadfull.

Portia take one look at Penelope's dress and tights her mouth. She starts to say something, but look at miss Thompson and abort the speak.

At the party, Penelope does not wait for the Marina situation to happen, she search for Colin and is not disappointed, for he asks her for a dance.

Thank you Colin!

For what?

Always dancing with me! You are the only one who does.

Do not thank me Pen, I enjoy dancing with you.

I enjoy dancing with you too! Colin, we are friends right?

Of course! You are a dearest friend Pen.

I need to talk to you, tell you something. And then talk with you and Eloise both.

Colin looks at her with curiosity and kindness in his eyes.

Tomorrow we can talk, when you go for tea with Eloise.

I am afraid that I must talk with you and her tonight still. Could we please leave early?

Pen! You are worring me. Of course we can. But...

Do not worry. People won't notice me leaving. And no one will think you of all people would compromise me!

Penelope! I do not like the way you are talking about yourself.

I am tired of lying to myself Colin! But this conversation can wait. Please meet me at gardens in a quarter hour?

Of course not. We will circulante and then I will find you again when its time. We will go together for the gardens.

And so they circulated. Penelope decide not to publish tomorrow, but she still gathered the gossip. She felt Colin's gaze all night. Their talk must really have worried him.

They take a hired hack and go to the Bridgerton house. Penelope and Colin are still in the garden when he asks:

Tell me what you want to Pen.

Colin, you are my dearest friend. I want to ask you a favor. But promise me that you will not think ill of me. And please feel free to say no.

I promise Pen. Tell me.

Would you kiss me?

This surprises Colin, he looks shocked. Penelope knows that he didn't see her like that, but still hurts a little.

Penelope...

It does not have to mean anything!

Pen, why?

Colin, I am mocked and ignored by everyone. No eligible gentleman is going to call me. I will likely be an spinter. Please, I just want to know what is like to be kissed!

Pen, this is your first year in the marriage mart...

I could die tomorrow...

You will not die!

And it would kill me to never have been kissed!

You would be dead...

I want to be kissed and I trust you. Would you?

Ok... Pen... Ok...

Colin stand near, touch her face in a delicate manner, lift her chin. Their mouths find each other. Kissing him is everything she always dreamed. He pauses the kiss and go after her again, her lips opening when his tongue touch then. The kiss turn more passionate. Penelope is the one that break the kiss.

Thank you Colin!

She wants to kiss him again. She wants to go to her room and cry for her unrequieted love. But she need to tell her friends about Lady Whistledown.

Colin looks dazed. He frowns at being thanked, but seems to not know what to say.

Can we wake Eloise now? I need to tell something to both of you.

Came with me, I will leave you in the library and fetch my sister.

Colin left her in the library, coming back with a sleepy Eloise, that says:

I don't know why this could no wait for tomorrow, so color me intrigued!

El, you and Colin are my closest friends. I need and want to tell you a secret.

A secret?

Exclaimed Eloise animated. Colin just keep looking at Penelope in a odd way.

I am Lady Whistledown!

Eloise gasped and Colin looked troubled.

Pen! Tell me you are serious! That is brilliant! How you do it?

Eloise asked and something that broke inside Penelope with the fight with Future Eloise healed. This El reaction was a relief. Penelope explain her operation, the Bridgerton siblings seen in awe, even with the glint of concern in Colin's eyes.

You are! And now that I think about it, Lady Whistledown style does look your letters! But Pen, please let me help you, your safety needs to be a priority!

I will think about it Colin. But thank you! There is another thing. I didn't want to tell because is not really my secret, but I need advice. And I ask for your friendship and discretion.

This sounds serious!

Says Eloise frowning.

You can tell us Anything!

I trust you, Its just, this could be a disaster for me and my sisters.

Tell us.

Very well. Marina is with child. She received a letter rejecting her and the baby, but I think It is forged.

Colin and Eloise gasped. Colin had a strange look of relief. If Penelope didn't told him he would have been in danger of being trapped. Scratch that, if Penelope didn't ask for that kiss he would have been in danger, but after that kiss he forgot about Marina's existence.

After that kiss, all of he could think of was Penelope's lips and her curves and he is thanking the heavens that his sister is with them, or he would probably be hard already. For Pen! How could he have not notice How lovely and pretty she is, How he always search for her company, how he is attracted to her!?

Penelope continued speaking:

I don't know if he even received the letters. And writing to him will not be fruitfull. But what to do?

I thought ladies needed to be married for a pregnancy to occur!

Weird I know.

Says Penelope. Colin really hopes that they don't ask him. Well, to be honest, he hopes his sister don't asks him. He would love to teach Pen. He close his eyes, now it is not the time to be thinking like a rake!

You said he is a earl? We could write to his state!

Said Eloise. Penelope looked conflicted.

But what if someone intercept the letters. It would ruin my family!

I can deliver the letter!

Colin?

We have one ball next week, after I will stay that I am arranging things for my tour and go to the Crane's state to inform of miss Thompson condition and appeal for their honor!

Colin was still talking when he finded himself with an armful of Penelope. She hugged him and he felt blessed. The way he looked must be very telling for Eloise cerrate her eyes at him and then smiled in a happy and knowing way. Well, at least she would not be put out by him courting Pen.

They escort Penelope to her house and all of them go to sleep. Penelope happy with her choices, hopeful about the Future. Eloise elated with the news. Colin feels like a enlighted Man. He firms his new resolve and plan his next steps.

--

Penelope is living on edge, she will not rest until Marina is lady Crane. This time Colin didn't pay her much attention, so there was no talk of trapping him. She did try to engaje him a couple of times, but Colin new desimterest must be jarring to her cousin.

Marina is entertaining her suitors, when Penelope, at the windows, see Colin coming with a beautiful bouquet. Her heart ices and drops to her stomach. Well, at least this time he had a choice. She will do her best to be happy for him, for even with her romantic feelings, Colin is her dear friend.

A mister Bridgerton her for miss Penelope Featherington!

Penelope blink many times, she must have Heard wrong. But he didn't want to court her? Did something changes? The kiss...? Maybe it is about the Marina situation. But she can't help the hope that fills her heart.

Penelope's sisters are open mouthed in surprise, looking at her and then at Colin as if they could not understand why he would call her. Their disbelief doesn't even hurt anymore.

Portia drops her fan and looks shocked, she glance at Marina, but then looks at the way Colin is looking at Penelope and her face seems contemplative, somewhat softer.

Penelope glance at Marina and she is frowning, confusion written all of her face. A hint of annoyance in her eyes. But her too looks at Colin and Penelope, then to Colin again and her face softens too, resignation and understanding in her eyes.

Pen! Those are for you!

Says Colin giving her a red rose bouquet.

Thank you Colin! They are beautiful!

Not as beautiful as you!

Penelope blinked and her cheeks turned rosy. Her heart became so full of love for Colin and awe that their kiss really meant a lot to him as to her.

Lady Featherington, may I ask permission to court Penelope?

Of course mister Bridgerton.

Pen, would you accept my courtship?

Yes Colin. I am delighted to accept your suit.

The sit together and talk easily about nothing and everything.

Pen, must confess that I could not take you or our kiss of my mind, I analyse myself and my feelings and your bravery in asking that kiss openned my eyes and made me realize that I love you. I was maybe too green as Anthony would say, to realize that. But please, let me court you and give me a chance to fall in love with me!

Colin! I can't believe It! This... You make me so happy! I already love you! I didn't think I had a chance when I asked that kiss.

Colin whole face lights up when he hears that she loves him!

I must be getting ahead of myself, but I am serious about this courtship and pretend to ask for your hand.

You are not, know that I will accept when you asks!

That is what I want to inquire about Pen! As you know, I have a tour planned. Would you want to go with me or do you want to marry as soon as I came back? I assure you, that if I was to travel engaged, I would be the most loyal fiance

Colin! I would love to travel with you, but you were so keen to take this tour. I would like to be engaged as soon as possible, but we can marry when you came back. As a engaged couple We could exchange letters more freely.

Pen, I would love to travel with you! I also love your letters! Are you sure?

I think you must go on the tour alone, but we marry as soon as you return and we can go on a honeymoon tour at the end of the season! Then you would be my guide in our travels!

That sounds esplendid. I will ask for your hand after two weeks and it is the most I can wait. And you must promise me - says Colin lowering even more his voice - that you will allow me to kiss you for all our engagement!

Penelope giggles.

I would insiste that you do!

An so, Colin Bridgerton court Penelope Featherington, doting on her in balls and promenades. His love so loud that the Ton surprised didn't last much.

Marina Thompson is called by Philip Crane, who take her to spain, when she marries a very wounded and ill George Crane and she rejoice with her beloved, enjoying being her wife, even uncertain of It will last because of his health. And she is also in peace for her and her baby safety are secured.

Colin asks Penelope to marry him in two weeks time as he said, much for his family delight, even Anthony supported the match, pleased that Colin and Penelope choose to have a long engagement period.

And their families prepare everything for having the weeding as soon as Colin came back.

Colin is a content and fullfiled man and Penelope can't believe that I she needed to do to have his love was be herself, ask for what she wanted and that kiss was all it took for Colin to pursue her!