Chapter Text
Felicity leaned into her sister, purposely laying her head on her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed on the oblivious Marquess Odysseus Rose of Winchester, who sat across from them. The interloper first came two weeks ago and has been here every other day since! Felicity was sick of him. What kind of cad courts a woman who is spoken for? Does he not know or care that Penelope has . . .what was that word that countess used? An understanding? An agreement? Does not matter. What matters is that the interloper is trying to ruin it!
"Have you noticed the similarities between the myth of Eros and Psyche and the story of the Beauty and the Beast?" Penelope asked the interloper as she flipped through the book her true intended gave her.
The interloper's face lit up. "Yes!" Quickly, he flipped through his own book, fairytales collected and published in 1812 by two men who call themselves the Brothers Grimm. Penelope had gushed when the interloper brought it with him today. "So many elements are the same! A beautiful woman whisked off to a magical castle where she learned she would be living with or had been married to a monster. The very same monster they later fell in love with!"
Penelope giggles and Felicity frowns. That interloper better not be getting any ideas. Being kidnapped is not romantic!
"Though I would not want to be Psyche," Penelope winced. "To be with child during those labors. . ."
Felicity looked up. "I agree! Penelope, never be like Psyche, please!"
The interloper chuckeled. "Though it does show great bravery," he added.
Felicity whipped her head around. Is this interloper planning to leave Penelope with child and have her do some sort of test?! Will he leave like that George cad did to cousin Marina?!
Felicity stands, ready to throw all of her ten year old weight against the interloper when-
"Felicity!"
Felicity pouted. Drat, she gained the attention of their mama.
"Felicity why don't we give Penelope and Lord Winchester some space," Portia suggested. Though it felt more like an order.
Felicity does not want to give them space. That would only invite ungentlemanly behavior from the interloper.
"Felicity."
The youngest Featherington found herself reluctantly walking towards hwr mother.
"We must not interfere less the marquess change his mind and leave your sister with no options," Portia whispered to her youngest.
Felicity's jaw dropped. No options?! Penelope has another option! All the mamas talk about how they don't take Colin Bridgerton seriously as a potential suitor due to his. . .his. . .oh, what was the word several of the mamas used again? Understanding? Yes, understanding! No matchmaking mama saw Colin Bridgerton as a potential suitor due to his understanding with Penelope!
Portia waves Felicity off, her scheming face now in place. Felicity turns towards her father, hoping he would come to defend Felicity's favorite sister and future brother, but of course, Lord Featherington still hides behind his newspaper.
Felicity has to stop herself from stomping to the window, lest her mama scolds her again. Hopefully, her future brother will be here soon. He was almost over as much as the interloper.
Felicity crawled into the window seat and huffed when she saw no sight of her future brother. Was he that secure with his understanding with Penelope that he had no fear of the interloper? Well, Felicity will have to change that.
Thank all that was holy that marquess did not stay long after. But did he have to kiss her sister’s hand?! Felicity felt her hackels raise. No, this man WILL NOT break up her sister and Felicity's favorite future brother! As soon as she watched Marquess Rose drive off in his carriage, Felicity took off sprinting across the street with a quick word she was visiting Hyacinth.
The Bridgerton butler, Humboldt, open the door. "Miss Featherington, Miss Hyacinth isn't here at the moment but I can-"
"I'm here to see Colin!" Felicity blurted out, trying to catch her breath.
Humboldt stared at the ten year old girl for one moment then two.
"Please its important."
Just as she was afraid he was going to deny her the butler let her in and had her wait in one of the drawing rooms.
Felicity found herself pacing. Colin needed to hurry up that marquess could be thinking up ways to ruin her sister at this very moment! Colin needs to go court Penelope more than he ever has before! Should they get flowers? Yes, flowers are always nice!
"Felicity what's wrong-"
"We must make haste to the florist!" Felicity declared, trying to push Colin out the door he just came in.
"Felicity!"
"We must get something beautiful! But no yellow!" Felicity pauses. "AND NO ROSES!" Can't have Penelope associating the flowers with that stupid marquess.
Colin turned around, grabbing hold of Felicity's shoulders he kneeled down so they were eye level. "Felicity what is going on? Why do we need to go to a florist?"
Felicity huffed. Could he not ask on their way to the florist? "Marquess Odysseus Rose," Felicity spat the name, "has called upon Penelope yet again! He will not leave us alone and he is trying to take my sister away! Mama has hinted marriage between him and Penelope and we can not allow that to happen!"
Colin froze before Felicity finished her sentence. "Marquess Rose was at your house today?"
"Yes!" Felicity cried frustrated. "We can not allow him to out court you for Penelope's hand! Now we must make haste to the florist!"
Colin stiffly stood. "Yes, let's. Perhaps we'll also stop at the bookstore and maybe get Penelope a new handkerchief as well."
"Oh yes!" Felicity agreed, taking Colin's offered arm like she would do with one of her sisters. "Something with a pretty lace border! Also may I suggest the Brothers Grimm?"
There is no need for the interloper to bring the book over anymore if Penelope has her own copy, courtesy of her true suitor.