Chapter Text
Colin had no clue as to why Lady Trowbridge decided to theme her annual ball to birds this year. According to loud guffaws he heard around, it had been Lord Trowbridge’s idea, but why the widow decided to entrust her four year-old son with a ball theme was anyone’s guess.
If the rumor was true, at least Lady Trowbridge had enough taste and sense not to have actual birds running or flying around her ballroom. As amusing as it was to picture the idea of several debutants and their mamas running afraid from a flock of angry swans, Colin knew in reality it would just mean a lot of shit for servants to clean up. Instead, peacock and ostrich feathers decorated the flower arrangements. Paper birds hung from the ceiling- away from the candles, of course. They were fine, delicate things that resembled absolutely no bird he had seen on his travels.
Large feathers also adorned many of the women’s hair pieces and fans. Colin could foresee the danger to taller men, like himself, of having their noses constantly tickled throughout the evening.
Benedict forwent that concern entirely by directly going to the card room after being greeted by their host. Eloise huffed to Anthony about the unfairness of it all, only for Kate to shepherd her off to introduce her to Mr. Dorset. Their mother took charge of chaperoning Fran. Colin was honestly impressed how quickly Anthony and Kate had stepped back into their roles of heads of the family.
“Do you have anything you want me to do?” Colin asked his eldest brother, now that they were alone. He didn’t know why he asked; it wasn’t as if Anthony often trusted him with actual responsibilities.
“Oh, just the usual,” Anthony said, “Stay out of trouble. Keep an eye on our sisters. Don’t get engaged to girls you barely know.”
Colin tensed. “I have learned my lesson from that, thank you,” he said tersely.
“I should hope so,” Anthony said with a laugh.
“Need I remind you that you almost married the wrong sister?” Colin challenged. Anthony’s expression soured. “See? That’s how I feel when you bring up the situation with Lady Crane. I feel foolish.”
Anthony sighed and rubbed his temple. “All right, I apologize. That was a bridge too far. Just stay out of tr-“.
“Bridgerton!” Someone interrupted Anthony’s oncoming lecture. The two brothers turned their heads to the source of the sound. Normally, Colin would be glad to avoid whatever sermon Anthony felt like giving, but seeing Fife and Cho head his way made him want to flee. He hadn’t spoken to them since that evening where he insulted Pen and he truly wasn’t in the mood to chat with them now.
“Finally back from your honeymoon?” Cho leered at Colin’s older brother.
“You would know if you actually attended Sunday services,” Anthony said, “Both of you.”
“What bachelor attends church when they’ve been out with their mistress the night before?” Fife scoffed.
“Fife, you are two and thirty, certainly you’ve considered starting a-“
Since none of the three men were paying attention to him, Colin slipped away. While in some circumstances he would enjoy watching Anthony finally tell off other rakes, he still felt embarrassed for his behavior at the Featherington’s ball last year and did not want to be reminded of his desperation for public approval. He wandered aimlessly in the slowly-filling ballroom for a few minutes until his eyes caught Pen and Lady Danbury in the line to greet their hosts. He decided to lean on a nearby column with a good vantage point to the front hall. What had surprised Colin most so far about Pen staying with Lady Danbury was that the two ladies appeared to get along rather well. Pen rarely seemed intimidated around the countess- something most people in the Ton could not claim. He watched as Pen said something witty- the smirk that Colin recognized from when she told barbs graced her face- and Lady Danbury laughed with her. He was happy that this arrangement was going rather well for Pen. He knew her mama was not the most affectionate woman. Lady Danbury wasn’t either, but he knew she had her favorites and Pen was clearly one of them. What was it Simon called them at the Queen’s ball? Her Ducklings? No, her Foundlings? Colin could not remember as he had been shaking with nerves, seeing Pen again.
Penelope could claim that all she needed was a kind enough husband all she liked, but Colin knew that wasn’t what she needed. She was so sweet and sacrificing despite her hardships. What she needed was a properly affectionate husband. A doting man who would worship at her feet. It’s what she deserved. His beliefs were only strengthened as he watched her interact with the little Lord Trowbridge. She would be a good mother, he was certain, but she should have a man by her side that would be a good father. The Ton was filled with absent, if not downright abusive, fathers. Penelope should not have to deal with that.
As soon as he saw Penelope and Lady Danbury enter the ballroom proper, he knew it was time to get his instructions for the evening.
Lady Danbury spent the carriage ride to Lady Trowbridge’s ball harping on the theme. “If there truly are live birds squawking about, I would almost insist we leave.”
“Are you scared of birds, Lady Danbury?” Penelope asked. It was a normal fear to have. She had witnessed more than one debutante or gentleman shriek on the Serpentine when an angry swan came upon them.
“Of course not,” Lady Danbury sniffed, “I just find them irksome. Squawking, dirty things more fit for a table…”
Penelope’s mind slipped while her chaperone continued onwards. She was worried. There was, of course, the entire matter with Cressida. Was the Duchess of Hastings’ threats enough to keep her quiet? Daphne confided to her at church that morning that she planned to snub Cressida until Penelope and Prudence received a sufficient enough apology- and advised her family to do the same. The new Lady Bridgerton seemed thrilled with the plan. She had joined Penelope and Daphne’s conversation and said, “I know we are in a holy place and should be thinking of forgiveness, but Miss Cowper’s words crossed the line.”
Daphne clearly told the dowager viscountess and Eloise as well, as they both glared daggers in the Cowpers’ direction throughout the morning service. All of the Bridgertons fussed over Penelope that morning as if she was one of their own. It was both heartening and uncomfortable to be the object of so much support. Her own mama’s expressions of support when one of them were wronged was usually revenge on the other party.
The other thing that worried her was Lady Danbury’s bet with the Queen, namely what would happen if she and Lady Danbury won. Getting the Queen to stop her hunt for Whistledown was a massive carrot to marry well. However, her options of suitors thus far were hardly the level of Miss Fairfield’s. She told Eloise no more secrets, so she knew she had to inform her friend of the matter. Church had not been the opportunity to do so; Eloise had been so furious about the events with Cressida that Penelope feared she would fail to keep her voice down. Of all things, Penelope did not know how her friend would respond to the news. Eloise did not have a high opinion on marriage to begin with and marrying for status was an even more foreign concept to her. Would Eloise even want her to continue on with Whistledown? Depending on who she married, there was a good possibility that she couldn’t. Safety was safety, however. Even if she did stop her column, there was no guarantee that the Queen would stop her hunt.
“Miss Penelope, are you well? You have hardly even acknowledged what I have been saying,” Lady Danbury said.
“My apologies, Lady Danbury,” Penelope said quickly, “I was just worried about Cressida.”
Lady Danbury gave her a sympathetic look. “If she attempts to go after you or your sister when you are under my protection, never mind the protection of the Duchess of Hastings and the Bridgertons, she’s even more foolish than I thought. Besides, you were right, she has been out just as long as you and has failed to marry just yet. Either she and Lady Cowper are aiming too high or she has yet to receive a proposal.”
“Thank you,” Penelope said.
“Do not thank me. It’s a fact.”
It wasn’t long until Lady Danbury’s carriage arrived in front of Trowbridge House. In the receiving line, Penelope surveyed the area.
“It looks like most of the mamas did not know what to do with the ball theme beyond feathers,” Penelope commented to Lady Danbury.
Almost all of the surrounding debutants had at least one feather ornamenting their coifs. It was a sea of rainbow plumage. Penelope assumed that most were either fake or dyed because she doubted there were birds the size of ostriches colored magenta. She feared what her mama and sister would be wearing.
“This theme is absurd,” Lady Danbury said.
“At least I do not hear squawking?” Penelope offered, “Other than the mamas of the Ton, of course.”
Lady Danbury chuckled.
“Mama! She has red hair!” the little Lord Trowbridge excitedly exclaimed as they reached the front of the receiving line.
“Yes, darling, I can see that,” Lady Trowbridge said to her son. She explained to her two guests, “He gets excited when he sees others with red hair.”
“Well, we are not that common, are we?” Penelope said with a smile. She pivoted to speak to the little boy. “It makes us special, does it not?” The little lord nodded proudly.
Penelope’s heart melted. As a child, there was a moment when she was proud of her auburn curls. That hadn’t lasted long. Overhearing her mama despair after their unfashionable hair enough times had long instilled an insecurity about it. Maybe she could learn to like her hair again.
After giving Lady Trowbridge their final thanks and Penelope grabbing her dance card, the two ladies entered the ballroom. The first few hours of a ball were typically valuable to Penelope to gather intel for Whistledown, but with Lady Danbury beside her circling the ballroom would be nearly impossible. At least she had instructed Eloise to keep her ears open for any gossip she might overhear.
“Your Mr. Bridgerton is approaching,” Lady Danbury said with a smirk.
“He’s not my Mr. Bridgerton,” Penelope whispered sharply back.
“Are you certain?”
Before Penelope could find a proper retort, Colin came up to them.
He gave them a slight bow. “Lady Danbury, Miss Penelope. Good evening.”
“Good evening, Mr. Bridgerton. What brings you to our little corner?” Lady Danbury asked.
“Other than the fact that I enjoy conversing with witty ladies?” Colin asked, “I came to inquire Miss Penelope whether she would like me to complete her latest task tonight or some other time?”
After her discussion with her Prudence, Penelope wanted to know why their mama seemed to disapprove of Mister Huxley. If Colin could sniff out information on him, she could take that information to her mama. She had heard no gossip on the man, but what men spread around is different from ladies’ gossip. In Lady Danbury’s carriage back from the musicale, Colin had happily agreed to the plan, praising her for her kindness towards her sister and her clever idea.
“You may start tonight, if you wish, but I do not expect you to gather everything tonight,” Penelope told her accomplice.
Colin nodded. “I shall try my best. At least he should be easy to spot.”
“That’s an understatement,” Lady Danbury murmured. Penelope could hardly argue on that. He was easily one of the tallest gentlemen in the Ton. Not to mention one of the loudest.
“My apologies, Miss Featherington, for forgetting to say how lovely you look tonight. As do you, Lady Danbury,” Colin said.
Penelope thought the idea of feathers as too on the nose for the theme. Instead, when Gen had gone over the known ball themes, Pen was inspired by one of the birds she had seen plenty of in the woods of her ancestral home: the Eurasian blue tit. Her underdress was white with a shimmery, bright blue overlay on top. In order to represent the bird’s yellow belly, Lady Danbury let her borrow a dainty topaz necklace and earrings. It was as much yellow as she was willing to wear.
“Thank you,” Penelope said.
“I think you will have many men flocking to you tonight,” Colin said with a knowing tone.
Penelope laughed loudly.
“At least someone appreciates my jokes. Eloise and Francesca both glared at me. And Benedict slapped me upside the head.” Colin was practically beaming at her.
“It seems to me that you have run a-fowl of their good humor,” Penelope punned back.
“That’s why I enjoy our conversations, Pen. We are birds of a feather.”
“Why is it always puns with you two? Especially of the avian variety?” Lady Danbury sighed. The two young people giggled.
“You do not sound very egg-cited about our jokes Lady-OW!” Colin bent down to rub his shin where Lady Danbury hit him with her cane.
“My apologies, Mr. Bridgerton. My hands must have slipped,” Lady Danbury said smugly.
“Of course, Lady Danbury,” Colin said, then turned to Penelope, “May I sign your dance card, Miss Featherington?” Colin asked Penelope once her giggles died down.
Instinctively, Penelope withdrew her hand. “Oh, you needn’t feel obligated to do so.”
Lady Danbury coughed pointedly at her rudeness.
Colin furrowed his handsome brow. “I have never felt obligated to dance with you, Pen,” he said, “I danced with you because I wished to. Every single time.”
“Oh.” It was as if he had stolen her breath away. “Stupid, silly girl,” a voice in her head that sounded much like her mama’s, “Do not get your hopes up on that boy again.” It was hard not to feel the old surge of affection when he looked rather intensely at her like that.
There was a moment of silence where no one knew what to do. Colin didn’t dare grab her hand without permission and Penelope was too shocked to offer it.
Penelope jumped hearing Lady Danbury slam her cane. “Oh for heaven’s sake, girl, let Mr. Bridgerton sign your dance card. It gives further proof of his apology,” the countess instructed.
Penelope held out her wrist with the ostentatious peacock-shaped dance card dangling from it. It utilized the fan-style dance cards that were popular in the warmer months to create the famous peacock plumage, but the fan was attached to a golden trinket box in the shape of the bird itself. It was a ridiculous weight to put around one’s wrist.
“This is not a dance card,” Colin said with a laugh. Back to sweet, friendly Colin. “This is a paperweight.”
“You are not the one tasked with carrying it all night,” Penelope grumbled.
“True. My apologies,” Colin conceded. He studied the list of dances before writing his name on a spot towards the back. “I will claim the quadrille towards the end of the night. That way I can update you on my progress.”
“That is acceptable,” Penelope murmured.
Colin smiled at her, “I am certain I will see you before our dance, as I still intend to find partners for you.”
“Thank you.” She was concerned that even Colin wouldn’t be charming enough to convince the men of the Ton that she was worth courting, but she wasn’t going to argue further. “I will see you later then.”
Colin bowed to them and went on his way.
“Are you still certain he is not your Mr. Bridgerton?” Lady Danbury smugly asked Penelope, “He’s certainly eager to please you.”
Penelope felt her face heat up at the older woman’s almost suggestive word choice.
“Col- Mr. Bridgerton likes everyone to be happy,” Penelope retorted, “and I appreciate his commitment to our friendship. But I am trying to find a husband and Mr. Bridgerton made it clear last season he was not ready to become one.”
Lady Danbury seemed to realize Penelope wanted to drop the conversation. “Of course, Miss Featherington. Let us see if we can find you one.”
What became apparent to Penelope as Lady Danbury introduced her to man after man as the ball continued was that she had no idea how to talk to them. She especially had little clue how to flirt. For all of her life, Penelope had been talked over by others. Her mama and sisters never listened, putting their interests before her own. The attention given to her by her family had long been negative, so the only way to avoid getting attention was silence. That habit had long been established by the time she met Eloise, whose family was so loud and boisterous that she failed to notice silence. Conversing was a challenge. Words came easy when she wrote, but she always second-guessed herself when she spoke. Penelope knew her faults as told to her by her mama. Her tongue was often sharp. Her thirst for knowledge would be deemed “unnatural” for a woman. She was too clever for her own good. But she knew she had her strengths: she was fiercely loyal and cared so much for others. The hard part was how to show that to potential suitors.
It was of some comfort to her that Captain Warbeck was also a terrible conversationalist. He may be wealthy and handsome, but he was not as charming as the men who spent most of their time in genteel society. He wasn’t cruel by any means, but he was occasionally awkward and definitely blunt at times. After their reel, she asked about his opinions on the Smythe-Smith musicale. Apparently he attended because Hector Smythe-Smith, a brother of the percussionist, was a member of his crew. Captain Warbeck expressed confusion over the entire thing. He did not understand the heckling of the girls. Nor did he understand why the musicale happened every year if the girls were so untalented. Penelope didn’t have much of an answer for him- society was often cruel and sometimes traditions were given priority above common sense. However, he seemed to appreciate the explanation. He thanked her warmly before moving onto his next promised dance partner.
Other than Captain Warbeck, she had a few other dance partners. Most of them were prompted by Lady Danbury to ask her to dance, about half seemed resentful of that fact. Whether their problems stemmed over dancing with her or dancing in general could not be ascertained. None of them moved with Colin Bridgerton’s ease on the dance floor. Her only dance partner not prompted by Lady Danbury was Mr. Abercrombie. She had never been around a man so boisterous before. He practically swung her around the dance floor. While he did seem like he could be a great deal of fun, he also seemed like he could easily overpower her, both physically and vocally, which was of some concern. Mr. Abercrombie was very, very loud and very, very big. Not to mention he failed to ask her any questions about herself. After he returned her to Lady Danbury, he went off to find his next dance partner.
Never having danced as much as she had here, Penelope knew she’d need a bit of respite before her dance with Colin. There was plenty of space near the open doors to the garden. It was a perfect spot to get some air. Maybe once she could catch her breath, she would seek Eloise out before she met up with Colin.
Colin knew just the place to go to get information about Huxley and other men: the card room. A place where men of all ages, plus married and widowed women, gathered with copious amounts of alcohol was the place to find out any scandalous information not intended for genteel ladies’ ears. Or at the very least, it was a place to discover who was struggling financially and if someone else caused their troubles. Men loved to complain in card room thanks to alcohol and tobacco loosening their lips. Colin had spent part of his day crafting a story so his questions would not be unusual. As Huxley had not made any attempts on courting his sisters and Colin did not want to appear interested in courting Prudence Featherington, he would claim that he was interested in getting a new hunting dog for Anthony and Kate as a belated wedding present. He was even willing to follow through on the claim, if it came down to it. Anthony and Kate were both fond of hunting and would be unlikely to turn down a good dog.
It was almost shockingly easy to get information. Fortunately for Prudence, it seemed like everyone liked Robert Huxley. Lord Allingham happily recommended the dogs Huxley bred as clever and easy to train. Lord Tarbuck agreed, saying they were his best hunters. Huxley’s neighbor, the widowed Lady Cottonwood, complemented his well-run home and his kind parents. Major Redford said he “was a bit daft but a friendly chap”. Colin was curious about the man’s finances, but he still had time to find out.
With the free-flowing liquor, it was easy to get other bits of gossip, both witnessed and overheard. Some of the gossip was relevant for Penelope to know. Others were just too tantalizing not to share with her. He always enjoyed how observant she was and her barbs. Maybe he could shock her? The prospect made him giddy.
Their host for the evening spent a good amount of time on Lord Corning’s lap. It was clear they must be lovers by the possessive hold he had on Lady Trowbridge’s waist. Not that he thought Corning was a serious contender for Penelope’s hand, but Colin knew he had to tell her anyway. She deserved many things and fidelity from her husband was chief among them. He heard little morsels of gossip that caused him to cross names off an imaginary list of potential suitors for Pen and his sisters. Lord Morrison was recently caught in bed with a ballet dancer and an opera singer at the same time. Lord Cho drank so much at the Smythe-Smith musicale that he vomited in his neighbor’s prized rose bushes. Barnaby Fletcher’s gambling debts were getting too high, so his father cut off his pin money until he could learn to control himself.
He heard and saw other things too. Lucius Downing married Matilda Winstead less than four months ago and Lady Cottonwood thought she appeared to be in the advanced stages of pregnancy. The newly widowed- yet very young- Lady Briarwood seemed rather close to her stepson, the new Lord Briarwood, batting her eyes at him across the table playing whist. Benedict was holding court in a corner of the room with the artistic set, two women flanking him on either side and both flirting outrageously. Benedict was clearly enjoying the ladies’ attention.
Looking at his timepiece, Colin realized he had spent much longer in the room than he had intended. A wave of guilt washed over him. He intended to keep an eye on Pen and find her proper partners. He supposed Lady Danbury was more than capable of doing that job. The ladies had asked him to find information on men, after all. He shouldn’t feel guilt. Satisfied of what he gathered and desperate to flee the smoke-filled room, Colin returned to the ballroom. Almost immediately, he found Eloise hiding near a planter.
“Sister, I see you have escaped Kate and Mama’s clutches for the moment,” he greeted.
Eloise bristled. “I will have you know I have been good so far tonight. I have even danced. Thrice.”
“Did their toes survive your stomping?” Colin teased.
Eloise proudly raised her head, “I only stomped on Lord Morrison’s toes and it was well-deserved. His hands went lower than they ought to have done.
He nodded in approval at his sister’s ferocity. At least Eloise was able to put up a fight when men went beyond propriety. He should probably warn her off of him, but she didn’t seem to like Lord Morrison anyway. “Who were your other two partners?”
“Mr. Dorset, who might actually be tolerable, even if he is a friend of Anthony’s.”
“That’s high praise from you. When will the wedding be?”
“Ha,” Eloise said dryly, “The other was your friend, the mathematician. He’s dancing with Penelope right now. Did you know he has a sister?”
Did he? “I don’t recall him mentioning one,” Colin admitted.
“Well, he does, Mrs. Melville. She’s a widow and a member of my charity group. Her husband passed in battle. I rather like her. She is just as good at mathematics as her brothers without a university education. Anyway, after I danced with Mr. Abercrombie, she found me and advised me to stay away from him. Apparently, he has more traditional views on women’s education than herself and their eldest brother,” Eloise explained.
Something wriggled in the back of Colin’s mind that this might not be the entirety of the sister’s concern, but it was hard to tell without knowing Mrs. Melville. She could easily be concerned about her brother’s views, but her explanation could also be an excuse to keep clever Eloise away from the man if there were more pressing concerns that were not intended for a young lady’s ears.
“If Mr. Abercrombie seeks you or Pen out more, see if Mrs. Melville has more concerns about her brother than just his views on women’s education. I will seek to do the same from other avenues,” he advised.
“You are not going to tell me off?” Eloise asked, surprised.
“It could be nothing serious, as I do not know their opinions about education. Nor do I know Mrs. Melville or Lord Lomond and whether they are sensible people. However, I do know you and Pen value learning and bettering yourselves. If Mr. Abercrombie does not appreciate intelligent women, we know he would not be the best choice for either of you. We will proceed with caution on this matter. Your new friend’s reasoning to stay away from her brother could also be an excuse to not reveal something more scandalous. I do not know Mr. Abercrombie well enough to vouch for his character. I only spent a few days with him in a little Greek village.”
“I never expressed an actual desire for him to court me,” Eloise argued, but then turned softer, “But I appreciate your concern for my happiness. Anthony is already being irritating. And I appreciate your concern for Penelope. If she must marry, I would rather he be a good man with good values.”
“I am glad we are in agreement on this,” Colin said, gently knocking his shoulder into Eloise’s with a smile.
“I can’t believe we are in agreement on this,” Eloise mumbled, “You know, things would be much easier if you just married Penelope yourself. That way I would be guaranteed to spend some time with her.”
A warm feeling sat in Colin’s stomach. Eloise’s idea certainly was intriguing. He knew he would be an affectionate husband to Pen. Hugging her had been very pleasant and he was known to be generous with his affections. However, it was best not to think too deeply on the idea in a crowded ballroom. He needed to be less impulsive. It was something to think on. Maybe he could offer his hand should his and Lady Danbury’s assistance fail at the end of the season?
“Wait a moment,” Colin said instead, using an opportunity to tease his sister, “Does that mean you consider me a good man with good values? Did you just compliment me?”
“No!” Eloise snapped. “You’re just less hopeless than other men.”
“That sounds like a compliment to me,” Colin goaded.
“It’s not, trust me.”
“Hmm, are you certain?”
“Oh, go bother Fran,” she huffed.
Out of the corner of Colin’s eyes, he caught Pen being returned to Lady Danbury by Mr. Abercrombie. The man went one direction and after speaking to Lady Danbury, Pen went in the opposite. She was clearly flushed. Colin was annoyed that the man clearly couldn’t be bothered to offer the lady some refreshments.
“Alright,” Colin said as he left his sister’s side, “I will leave you to your sulking.”
Colin was a man on a mission. He weaved through the crush of the ballroom to the refreshment table. After pouring two cups of punch, he looked around and almost immediately found Pen standing alone near the open French doors to the garden. Fortunately, it was not too far from where he was.
“I have some tantalizing gossip for you, Miss Penelope,” Colin murmured as he approached her. He offered her a glass of punch, “But first, you look parched. I apologize it’s punch. I know you prefer lemonade, but there was not any.”
“Thank you. I would take anything to drink at this moment. I have been dancing quite a bit,” she said.
“Have you been having a good time?” Colin asked. Her face was delightfully rosy, proof of all the dancing she must have done.
Penelope shrugged. “It’s been fine, I suppose,” she demurred, “But I was promised tantalizing gossip, Mr. Bridgerton. You cannot keep me waiting.”
Colin wanted to delve into Pen’s earlier answer. What did she mean by “fine”? Was it good? Was it awful and she was hiding the truth from him? She had to be upset that Mr. Abercrombie ignored her clear needs, as Colin was on her behalf.
“I believe patience is a virtue, Miss Penelope,” he teased, “and I do not believe you truly answered my question.”
“Will you reward me for my honesty?” she asked sweetly.
Colin enjoyed when Penelope was playful like this. “Oh, of course. I am a man of my word.”
“Truly? I seem to recall you being otherwise.” Something must have flickered across his face because Penelope gasped and softened, “I am sorry. That was too far.”
“No, no. It wasn’t,” Colin reassured her, “I did break a promise to you and I should be reminded of that fact.”
Penelope used her free hand to touch his arm. “Regardless, you have been very sweet to me in how you’ve helped me thus far with your labors. I truly do appreciate it.” She dropped her hand and took a sip of punch before continuing, “As for this evening, I have been struggling at conversing with gentlemen. I often found myself at a loss for words. And my skills at flirting are practically nonexistent.”
“But you and I always converse so well.”
“Colin, we have known one another since childhood and have written to one another at length. Our rapport is long established. I am comfortable with you. It is different with these men. They are strangers to me.”
Sadness and insecurity colored her voice. Colin wanted to wrap his arms around Penelope like he had after Cressida insulted her, but he knew that would not be allowed in such a public space. It should not surprise him that she professed discomfort talking to men as she had always been shy, yet it had. She was able to talk to Lady Danbury of all people. She held her own against the Queen. What were some gentlemen compared to them?
He decided to tell her just that. “Pen, you are so much stronger than you know. You were brave enough to tell a close friend when he hurt your feelings. You have managed to impress Lady Danbury with your wit. You told off your biggest tormentor. And you suggested to the Queen of England that she was Lady Whistledown. Who are some lords compared to all of that? If they cannot appreciate how clever, intelligent, and loyal you are, they absolutely do not deserve you as a wife.”
Penelope blinked at him in shock. “Thank you,” she eventually said, “You have truly put things in perspective.”
“Good. Now I believe I promised you some gossip,” he said with a smile.
“Please tell me Mr. Huxley is scandal-free. My heart cannot take another fake ruby mine in Georgia.”
“Fear not, dear Pen,” Colin reassured her, “He’s perfectly boring, unless you have strong opinions about hunting dogs. Then, he’s the diamond of dog breeders. A diamond in the ruff, you might say.”
Pen let out a loud guffaw, which pleased immensely. No one got his humor like Pen. “Good,” she said with a smile.
“I intend to talk to him myself to confirm he’s safe. I may end up having to buy a hunting dog, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. I would likely gift it to Anthony and Kate, as they enjoy hunting.”
“Why not Gregory? He should be old enough to begin hunting, should he not? I heard he was fond of Newton. Or perhaps Eloise? If Kate is allowed to hunt, I am certain Eloise would advocate for herself to be allowed to do the same. She could use a companion, should I marry,” Penelope said.
“I know I say this often, but you truly are too good, Pen. I had not considered either Greg or Eloise as an option and it is tempting. Greg with a puppy would be the cause of some wonderful chaos. I think the only reason Anthony has not allowed Eloise to hunt before is that she’s the best shot of all of us and he does not want to be bested,” Colin laughed. Penelope giggled.
“Speaking of the Viscount, I have a tidbit for you,” Penelope said, “Earlier, I saw Lord Lumley and Miss Sharma having a long chat with your brother and his wife. I would not be surprised if he was asking their permission to waltz with Edwina. They have only danced once tonight.”
“Interesting. How soon do you think he shall ask for her hand?” He was happy with the development. Edwina was like another sister to him.
Penelope thought for a moment. “I say by the end of the month,” she said.
They traded more gossip while what appeared to be the world’s longest country dance played out in front of them. He told her things he found out in the card room and she made stray observations about the surrounding members of the Ton. Nothing she had was as salacious as her suggestion two years prior that the father of Lady Trowbridge’s son might not be her elderly husband but a strapping footman. He was impressed how good she was at reading people. As much as he enjoyed dancing and flitting from group to group, trading barbs with Pen was one of his favorite things. Doubtlessly Penelope was a kind soul, but seeing her being sarcastic, sharp, and playful felt like he was seeing her true self. It almost felt like a mirror image of himself. Publically, he was the most charming and gracious of his brothers. He had a habit of saving damsels, he knew. But sometimes he just wanted to be mean and stubborn and a little bit selfish. It was exhausting being the “nice” and “easy going” Bridgerton sometimes. Hogging Penelope’s attention as they quietly insulted their betters and complained about their families was a lot of fun. He knew he should be introducing her to other gentlemen, but he frankly didn’t care at the moment. Neither did she.
Finally, the country dance ended. Their quadrille should have been next, but the conductor announced the musicians were taking a short break. It appeared that the violinist had suffered a snapped string and it needed to be fixed posthaste. Collectively, it seemed that many couples decided to make their way to the gardens for a spot of air.
“It seems we will need to abandon our post,” Colin said, indicating the people coming their way, “Do you wish to go outside or stay in?”
“Let’s stay inside, so we will be ready when the musicians return,” Penelope said, “I think there are a few open chairs near that vase of hydrangeas.”
Colin offered her his arm, which she took. Considering the oncoming crush of people, taking hands would be more appropriate in terms of safety. Unfortunately, Colin knew it was likely one of his siblings- or Lady Danbury, God forbid- would be keeping an eye on them. He didn’t understand how holding gloved hands would be more inappropriate than Penelope huddled close to him and holding tightly his elbow.
A mere yard from the decided upon chairs, they were stopped.
“Bridgerton!” Fife’s smarmy voice said in greeting. A pretty brunette was on his arm. Colin hoped she was smart enough to not go anywhere alone with him.
“Lord Fife, how nice to see you again,” Colin said with false enthusiasm. He felt Penelope’s hand squeeze his arm before she let go for propriety’s sake. Colin wished she hadn’t. Her gentle support would help him survive this.
“You escaped when Cho and myself were conversing with your brother. Why is that? I thought we were friends.”
He had been caught. Damn. It was time for classic self-deprecation. “Oh, I assumed you and Cho were more interested in getting reacquainted with the Viscount than conversing with a lowly third son. My apologies,” he said with a laugh then changing the conversation, “I have not been introduced to the lovely lady on your arm. Have you, Miss Featherington?”
“I have not,” Penelope said shyly.
Fife smirked. “Of course. Mr. Bridgerton, this is Miss Angelica Fairfield. Miss Fairfield, this is Mr. Colin Bridgerton.” Ah, so this was the Queen’s Diamond. Of course Fife was even more smug than normal.
After waiting a moment to see if Fife would acknowledge Pen, Colin withheld the urge to roll his eyes that Fife ignored her entirely. What an ass. “Nice to meet you, Miss Fairfield. This is Miss Penelope Featherington.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Fairfield,” Penelope said, “Such a shame that there must be a pause in the dancing, is it not?”
Miss Fairfield responded almost condescendingly, “Yes, such a shame.” She then set her eyes on Colin, “I have heard many stories about the Bridgertons. Which one are you?”
Colin was not certain how to answer her question. Among his siblings, he did not stand out, except for his two massive mistakes. Even then, his mistakes were hardly at the level of some of his siblings. Anthony made it down the aisle before his engagement was broken because he was in love with his bride’s sister. Colin almost running off with a young lady pregnant with another man’s children hardly compared. He wasn’t the Viscount. Benedict was the wild spare. Daphne was a Duchess. Eloise was a radical. His youngest siblings were still establishing themselves. He waded through life.
Fife beat him to his answer. “Oh, Mr. Bridgerton is just the third son with no responsibilities. He has an easy life,” he said with a laugh.
“That’s hardly fair, Lord Fife,” Penelope spoke up from his side, “Mr. Bridgerton is still young and has plenty of time to establish himself. Only men fortunate enough to be born first to titled parents know what their lives shall entail. The rest of us must make our own ways. It is not as if Mr. Bridgerton has done nothing with his time, either.”
Colin took her prompt. “I have been fortunate to travel on the Continent,” he said to Miss Fairfield, “Greece, Cyprus, and Italy, for the moment. But I would love to travel more in the future.”
He was pleased to see the shocked look on Fife’s face as he stared at Penelope. Clearly, he hadn’t expected a wallflower to talk back to him. Penelope was not even looking at the lord; her gaze was turned to him.
“Italy, did you say?” Miss Fairfield asked, fluttering her fan slowly near her neckline. The large feathers demurely caressed her skin. Colin knew what she was trying to do, but he wouldn’t take her bait. It wasn’t as if her breasts were anything impressive.
He kept his eyes on her face as he nodded. He noticed Fife had gotten over Penelope’s defense as his eyes were focused on Miss Fairfield’s breasts.
“My mama is Italian. Did you know?” Miss Fairfield simpered, “I have always wondered how I compare to Italian women. I have heard they are very beautiful.”
Colin heard Penelope give a quiet huff in disapproval. He felt much the same as his friend. Why was she fishing for a compliment from a nothing like him? A rich and handsome Bridgerton he may be, but he didn’t have a title or land of his own. He knew her father wanted to amass more power. It was hardly a secret. The Bridgertons may have respect and great connections, but they did not have the power her father wanted. Did she not have enough male attention? He refused to be seen as an easy mark again.
Truly, Miss Fairfield was pretty. She clearly knew it too. Her Italian lineage was evident in her dark brown curls, inky lashes, and olive skin. However, she was not anything extraordinary. He had kissed a few Italian barmaids that looked similar to her and they hadn’t stirred much desire in him. She might be the Ton’s ideal woman, but she wasn’t his.
“If I may speak honestly, Miss Fairfield, I did not take much stock in the women of Italy,” he played bashfully, “Much like the court of Navarre in Love’s Labour’s Lost, I forswore the company of women to focus on my studies. Most of the women I interacted with were friendly innkeepers’ wives who were insistent I never ate enough. Of course, I did see pretty women strolling down the markets and you certainly resemble them, Miss Fairfield.” The Diamond looked pleased enough, though Colin had to go for the kill, “Although, looking at the paintings of the Italian masters from the Renaissance, their depictions of Venus and other goddesses did not look like the pretty women I saw in the towns. The women in the paintings more resembled Miss Featherington. Red or golden curls with porcelain pale skin that seemed to glow in the light. It is fascinating how the standards of feminine beauty change over time, is it not?”
A hard look flickered in Miss Fairfield’s face before she managed to school her face into something serene. “Yes, fascinating,” she murmured.
“Well, I know nothing of the Italian masters and I think Miss Fairfield is the most beautiful woman I have ever gazed,” Fife said.
“Thank you, my lord,” Miss Fairfield simpered as she caressed his arm, “I find myself in desperate need of air. I would be ever so grateful if you could escort me to the gardens.”
Fife grinned widely. “Of course,” he said, offering his arm. He looked at the two wallflowers superiously. “Bridgerton. Featherington.”
They bowed and curtsied. Pen seemed to have murmured something akin to “Good night.” They stayed quiet until the other couple was well out of earshot.
“That’s not how the play goes,” Penelope said.
“Pardon?”
“The play? Love’s Labour’s Lost? It’s not how it goes. Well, I suppose it’s how it starts. The men of Navarre forswearing women to focus on their studies. But they almost immediately break it when the French princess and her friends arrive.”
“They do not cave immediately,” Colin pointed out, “There is plenty of denial of feelings in the process. Of course I know that. I wagered neither of them would. Fife is practically illiterate. Who knows about Miss Fairfield, but I did not care for her flirtations.”
“You did not need to lie to her for my sake,” Penelope said softly.
What? Her eyes did not meet his and she fiddled with a stray curl. He realized she was talking about the paintings he mentioned. “I did not lie to her, Pen,” he said gently, “I saw plenty of paintings in my time abroad that reminded me of you, most of them were of Venus and other women of myth. Benedict has even mentioned that he wanted to paint you for his portfolio, if it would not be so scandalous. Your beauty was just appreciated more in a different time.”
Benedict admitted to wanting to paint Pen when he was drunk out of his mind and Colin tackled him to the ground for being ungentlemanly, but Pen did not need to know that. He also did not mention that in most of these paintings, the women had been in various states of undress, which had led to plenty of confusing thoughts.
Finally, she looked up at him. She looked appreciative, but hesitant.
“I suppose I shall have to take your word for it,” Penelope said, “as I doubt I shall ever see Italy.”
“You know I would take you if I could,” Colin said. He had to get this conversation to a happier place, “Thank you for defending me to Fife, by the way. I could not believe his face! I had to stifle my laughter. ”
“You are welcome,” she said sweetly, “I could not let him talk badly of my fellow third-born, could I? He knows nothing about what it is like to be us. Besides, I do think you are more than capable of finding your purpose.”
“I hope you are right.” After minutes of hearing only chattering around them, music started to play again. “It appears we might finally get our dance.”
“Shall we?”
Thanks to the unfortunate violinist’s snapped string causing many people to leave the ballroom for fresh air, there were only a handful of dancers present for the quadrille. There weren’t many chaperones either, but Lady Danbury was present. So was the Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton. As such, they were some of the few people present to witness what was blossoming between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton.
Lady Danbury took her chaperone duties seriously. She never failed to keep her sharp eyes on her charges. Well, that was not quite true; she could be lax when she believed a proposal was imminent, like when she did not stop Kate from slipping into Lady Featherington’s garden with Lord Bridgerton.
But she would not be lax with Miss Featherington just yet. She had watched the girl interact with many men throughout the night. Miss Featherington struggled with all of them. Sometimes she tripped over her words. Other times the topic of conversation was awkward. It was frustrating because Lady Danbury knew her ward was more than capable of holding a conversation. She just needed to get out of her own head. There were some men she was not entirely helpless around, but no one held her attention as strongly as Colin Bridgerton. Even from a distance, she could see how much the two young people lit up around each other. Penelope was relaxed in his presence, a rare thing for her. The boy was different too; his smile towards her was different than the smiles he gave others.
They danced with an exceptional ease together. Despite their discrepancies in height, they instinctively knew to adjust their strides so they could return to each other smoothly, trusting the other would be there. It was either an immense amount of practice or the way they seemed to naturally gravitate towards each other, anticipating their needs. Lady Danbury had watched earlier when when Mr. Bridgerton offered a tired Miss Featherington refreshment at just the right moment. She had seen couples married for several years less attuned to each other.
These two were either going to be her smoothest match yet or her most difficult.