Chapter Text
Penelope stared up at the high white ceiling of Eloise’s childhood bedroom, the glow in the dark stars they stuck up there when they were younger gazed back at her in the darkness. She shifted slightly trying to get comfortable on the edge of the bed, which she was currently perched on whilst her best friend occupied more than half of the double mattress. Eloise’s rumbling snores filled the silent room and only added to the struggle Penelope was having with trying to sleep.
Giving up, she rolled over and reached for her phone currently plugged in on the bedside table, the harsh light from the screen making her eyes squint for a moment. The time read nearly one a.m. and she brushed her thumb over her brow in frustration at her body’s unwillingness to settle. If she fell asleep now that meant she’d get seven hours sleep before their alarm went off, which would be more than enough time for her to look just about refreshed for Benedict and Sophie’s wedding day.
Maybe that’s why she was so restless? Being a bridesmaid for two people you hold completely dear to your heart is a big responsibility and she just wanted the day to go perfect for them. Afterall, their relationship was one of fairy tales already, both of them exclaiming it was love at first sight when they met at a halloween party two years ago. Sophie fit right into the group instantly as if she was a missing puzzle piece and had immediately asked all the Bridgerton sisters, Penelope and her own step-sister Posy to be bridesmaids. Penelope had never seen Benedict this happy before, not since his relationship with Henry Granville which had ended amicably nine months before he met Sophie. She remembers sitting with Benedict as he drank his sorrows over the ended relationship and stated that it had fizzled out and something was just missing. This something, Penelope discovered, was a spark that was ignited when he met Sophie and the two have only had eyes for each other ever since.
To prepare for the wedding, all of the Bridgerton’s were back under the roof of their country house in Somerset, which they would frequent in the summer when they were children. Sophie and Benedict had opted for a country wedding hoping it would decrease the guest size as people wouldn’t be willing to travel far out of the city. However, they underestimated the power of Violet Bridgerton and her determination for her children to have the biggest, most celebrated, memorable unions out of all society. So, even though the ceremony was going to be just close family and friends at the local church, the reception was located in the neverending gardens of the country family home with several large marquees in place to host hundreds of people. With all the excitement surrounding the day you’d think it was a four day festival being planned.
Penelope’s phone let out a little ping as a notification came through. She quickly turned her phone on mute and eyed the brunette next to her to make sure the noise hadn’t awoken her. Luckily, Eloise was still fast asleep and oblivious to the redhead’s restlessness. Looking back at her phone, Penelope couldn’t help but smile at the notification that came through from Colin. He’d tagged her in a video presenting the top five food places to get unique French Fries in London.
Colin Bridgerton: Definitely places we need to check out.
His name still caused her heart to flutter even after all this time. They had grown close after the night he had driven her home, both of them checking in and chatting with each other even whilst Colin was away travelling. Sometimes he would even turn up unannounced to her and Eloise’s flat and stay on the sofa for a couple of days before taking off again, always stating he needed to spend time with his “favourite girls”. And, if Penelope was being honest with herself, she loved having him around. He was fun and carefree, the beginning of their friendship blossoming into an easy comfort with each other.
Penelope Featherington: I’ve already been to two of the places… only three to go! *french fry emoji*
She felt her stomach rumble at just the thought of food. It was only a few seconds later another notification pinged through, this time however it was a private message from the same man currently occupying her thoughts. His contact name still had not changed from when he first saved it in her phone.
Colin (My Real Favourite Bridgerton): What are you still doing awake at this hour? Especially with such a busy day tomorrow…
Penelope: I could say the same thing to you
Penelope watched as the three dotted bubble loaded as he typed but then it stopped. Then it started again and then it stopped. She was about to type something to keep the conversation going when a response finally came through.
Colin (My Real Favourite Bridgerton): Never mind, I can hear Eloise’s snoring from here.
A laughter erupted so suddenly from her that she quickly brought her hand to her lips to try and help contain it. Not to her surprise, Eloise still wasn’t awoken by the commotion, her snores were like cotton balls in her own ears; drowning out the rest of the world.
Colin (My Real Favourite Bridgerton): I heard that as well.
She felt a heat rush over her body, not doubting for a moment that he had actually heard her snortle. Penelope knew he was in the house but it had somehow forgone her realisation how close he was - his bedroom backing onto Eloise’s, the beds mirroring each other off of the same wall. In a moment of bravery, Penelope sat up and lightly tapped her knuckles in a beat of three on the wall. It was quiet enough that it wouldn’t awake anyone but loud enough for the person it was intended for to hear it. It was only a couple seconds later, when he repeated the same beat back to her and she breathed out a tiny giggle as happiness bubbled in her bones. She turned back to her phone to type out another message.
Penelope: I was trying to sleep but then someone tagged me in a video of food… and now I’m hungry.
Colin (My Real Favourite Bridgerton): Massive inconvenience that, now you know how I feel all the time
Penelope: haha! To eat or not to eat, that is the question?
Colin (My Real Favourite Bridgerton): Eat. Always eat.
Penelope: True, looks like I’m going on a kitchen quest.
Colin (My Real Favourite Bridgerton): Good luck, the good cereal is on the top shelf in the corner cupboard. Night, Pen!
She smiled at his helpful suggestion and how he remembered she always preferred to have some form of breakfast food in the evening. One of the few times he had stayed on their sofa, she’d accidentally woke him up in the middle of the night whilst she was trying to sneakily pour herself a bowl of honey cornflakes. He’d looked so confused and rumpled with sleep and when he finally spotted her his defenses dropped as he realised it wasn’t an intruder there to murder his sister and friend. He’d ended up joining her in the midnight snack, their shoulders side by side as they leant against the counter, in companionable silence. She contemplated that night now and turned her phone over in her hands, wondering if she should ask him to join her now? She knew his presence would settle this slight restlessness she was feeling, it always did. But he’d said goodnight which means he’s probably gone to sleep now, not wanting to be disturbed anymore, so she decided to leave it be.
Rolling out of bed, she pulled on a pair of cream fluffy socks to protect her feet from the stone cold tiles of the kitchen floor awaiting her downstairs. She clutched her phone in her hand, hating that her plaid pyjama bottoms didn’t have pockets, and left the room leaving the door slightly ajar behind her. The corridor was cloaked in darkness but she knew the Bridgerton country home like the back of her hand by now, always being invited to join their summer vacations, and she relied on her muscle memory to get her down the stairs and into the kitchen. Once there she turned on the kitchen light, comfortable in knowing that she’d no longer wake up anyone else in the house and ruin their beauty sleep for the big day.
Following Colin’s advice, she immediately headed around the centre island and to the corner cupboard. Just as he said, at the top was the holy grail of cereals from chocolate shreddies to crunchy nut clusters, her eyes didn’t even glance at the healthier muesli on the lower shelf within her reach. She smiled at the fact that the ‘unhealthy’ sugary ones were still kept at the top, a trick from Violet to stop her children from only eating junk food, even though more than half of her offspring were now tall enough to reach themselves. Sadly, Penelope was not fortunate when it came to height, a fact her mother often reminded her during her teenage years stating that she only seemed to grow outwards and not upwards.
In a hopeful attempt she reached up towards the boxes, her fingers only just touching the edge.
“Bollocks,” she uttered to herself in dismay.
“Need some help?” Colin’s voice chuckled in response, breaking the silence around her.
She turned abruptly, not hearing him come in, and wondered how long he had been standing there, leaning against the island with his arms folded in amusement as he watched her. She responded to his cheeky grin with one of her own. Her earlier assessment had been correct as she already feels at ease now that he’s here with her in the room, not to mention that he can get the box of cereal down for her.
Colin had been feeling uneasy ever since his plane landed back into the UK. It’s not that he’s not excited and happy for his second eldest brother, he adored Sophie afterall. It’s the fact that their mother insisted on these overly large receptions that involved all of their distant relatives and seemingly every person they had ever met. Along with all of these guests comes the never ending questions, such as “Are you seeing anyone?” and “When are you going to settle down?” He knows they mean well but it’s just the same question over and over again each time he talks to someone new. Not to mention all the old dears finding it appropriate to pinch his cheeks as if he was still a child. It becomes so draining and frustrating, why can’t they just accept he is happy with the way things are?
Colin was happy, at least he was certain he was, travelling the world as he had been over the last couple of years - he’s living every bachelor’s dream. He made sure to come home for the important events of course, such as weddings, graduations and vital milestone birthdays (he couldn’t come back for all of them, there were nine of them in total afterall, including mother). Sure, he’d sometimes feel disheartened when he feels like things have changed since he’d last been home, such as his nieces and nephews shooting up in height, and that he was missing out on his family's lives. But then he’s on his way onto his next adventure, distracting himself once again.
That very reason was why he couldn’t sleep now, his childhood bedroom feeling much smaller than it used to, making him realise it had been so long since he’d last visited the country house. It was nearly one a.m. and here he was scrolling mindlessly through social media, his attention on a video titled “Top Five Places for Unique French Fries in London”. His mouth was practically watering at the loaded fries and how large the portions were, some with homemade sauces and some even with mincemeat. One even had a deconstructed burger on top which sounded ridiculous but looked like happiness in a box to Colin. He instantly clicked on the comments and tagged Penelope, knowing she would appreciate it as much as he did. He even added that they needed to visit these places together, which made him smile as he imagined her happy dancing after taking a first bite.
It was only a minute later when he received a notification saying Penelope had responded to his comment and he frowned. He knew she was in the house as he saw her briefly earlier when she and Eloise had arrived, laughing when they both agreed to still share Eloise’s bedroom like they were children excited for a sleepover. But he hadn’t expected anyone else to be awake this late, especially with such a busy day ahead of them, so he decided to send her a text to check in with her. Her contact details were saved as the shortened nickname ‘Pen’ which he’d given her since they were children. The last message he had sent her was only a week ago, as he enjoyed staying in touch with her whilst he was away, so she was towards the top of his messenger inbox.
Colin: What are you still doing awake at this hour? Especially with such a busy day tomorrow…
Pen: I could say the same thing to you
He smirked at the sass she gave back to him, he could almost imagine her cheeky grin to go along with it. He was deciding on how to answer; be honest with her and tell her about him dreading the following day and the nagging from distant family? Or bring up the fact she hadn’t answered his question. Just then his contemplation was interrupted by a loud snore coming from Eloise’s room next door and he had to contain his laughter. His sister really could sleep through anything, even if her own snores caused an earthquake she’d be completely oblivious, and his heart immediately went out to Penelope.
Colin: Never mind, I can hear Eloise’s snoring from here.
Just then an eruption of laughter came from the same room and then stopped just as abruptly as if someone tried to stifle it. The smile on Colin’s face stretched even wider at the sound of the younger women’s joy, glad that it was him that caused it.
Colin: I heard that as well.
He could picture her blush of embarrassment as it started at her cheeks and spread to her toes. She never could hide the blooming of her blush as her skin was always so peachy like cream. He stared at the messages on his phone screen, waiting - hoping - for her to respond when a light tap tap tap rippled on the wall behind his bed causing him to jump slightly at the unexpectedness of it. A wave of comfort washed over him as he hadn’t even taken a moment to realise how close she actually was, just one thin barrier separating them. He raised his hand up onto the dark green painted wall and did the same rhythm of tapping back to her. He then held his palm flat against the surface, wondering if he was touching the same area she had just touched herself. A vibration from his phone notifying him of a message brought him out of his musings.
Pen: I was trying to sleep but then someone tagged me in a video of food… and now I’m hungry.
Colin: Massive inconvenience that, now you know how I feel all the time
Pen: haha! To eat or not to eat, that is the question?
Colin: Eat. Always eat.
Pen: True, looks like I’m going on a kitchen quest.
Colin: Good luck, the good cereal is on the top shelf in the corner cupboard. Night, Pen!
He saw that she had read the message but no response came and he sighed, locking his phone and allowing his room to be enveloped in darkness. He heard the door to Eloise’s room open and close, lightly followed by whispers of footsteps trying to be as light as possible as they vanished down the hallway. He really should get some sleep, he is one of the groomsmen tomorrow after all and needs to be as attentive as possible. But his mind kept wandering to the long haired redhead who was now probably pattering around the kitchen. It was like her presence was calling out to him, or maybe he was trying to reach out to hers. Either way, before he could register what he was doing he was up and out of his bed, wandering down the stairs into the kitchen.
There Penelope stood with her back to him, her focus on the cereal on the top shelf in the corner cupboard; exactly where he told her it was. She was in such a world of her own, obviously trying to work out how she was going to get the cereal down, that she didn’t hear him approach and lean against the centre kitchen island. He beamed in fondness as he could see the cogs turning in her mind, a small tendril of hair falling from her messy bun as she did a little hop and stretch seeing how far she could reach, which wasn’t far, causing her to utter a swear word.
Colin found himself letting out a chuckle, “Need some help?”
She jumped out of her skin, bringing her hand up to rest over her heart, and turned to look at him. Before she could respond, Colin had walked up to where she was standing, their shoulders brushing, as he reached up with ease and grabbed the chocolate shreddies she had been aiming for. Thanking him, he got her a bowl out of the cupboard, whilst she got the milk out of the fridge. He started rummaging through the other cupboards, grabbing a frying pan and some eggs, as she poured herself a bowl of cereal.
“The temptation of food too strong for you to sleep now as well?” She broke the silence with a tilt of humour in her voice.
“Something like that,” he eyed her as she hopped up onto the counter beside the stove so she could watch him as she started to eat.
“Eggs?”
“Mhm,” he nodded, “Eggs are the solution to everything.”
She giggled as he cracked two eggs into the pan with a flourish and then danced around the kitchen to put some bread into the toaster.
“A lot of commitment for just a late night snack?”
“Well might as well go all out if I’m already up,” he shrugged, starting to fry the eggs, “I haven’t had chocolate shreddies in ages.” He indicated to her bowl as she took another spoonful, some of the milk spilling out over her lips.
“Neither have I, they’re even better than I remember,” she let go of the spoon into the bowl as she chewed.
Taking the opportunity, Colin reached over grabbing the spoon and quickly helping himself to a mouthful of cereal causing Penelope to let out a muffled “Oi!” as she swallowed. He grinned as cheekily as he could with his mouth full and she shook her head in amusement, but he could still spot the fondness for him shining out of her eyes.
“I swear you could get away with murder with a face like that.”
He laughed at her assessment, their easy chatter and banter reminding him why he was so drawn to her company tonight.
“What can I say? It’s all part of my charm.” At his response she nudged him with her cute fluffy socked foot as if to reprimand him but it just caused him to grin even further, his cheeks beginning to ache.
The toast popped and Penelope, now having finished eating, hopped down from the counter and started to butter the slices for him. He couldn’t help but feel at ease as they worked in tandem together, if you didn’t know them you’d have thought they were like it every day of their lives. The only thing to make the moment better would be a good cup of tea. As if she had read his mind, Penelope then leant across and put the kettle on, whilst preparing two mugs, before handing him the plate with the toast on. He thanked her and placed a fried egg on each slice, finishing it off with some salt and pepper, and then tucked into it from where he was standing leaning his elbows on the centre island. His green eyes followed her movements as she finished making the tea for them, adding one sugar to hers and two for his.
“Your family are coming tomorrow right?” he asked around a mouthful.
He had met the Featherington’s before at several functions and galas they had been expected to attend. Whilst they had always been more than friendly to him, he was a Bridgerton afterall, they had always seemed indifferent to Penelope. He didn’t know the full story of Penelope and her family, only fed pieces here and there from Eloise, but he knows her relationship with them is nothing like one the Brigerton’s have with each other. This is solidified when he sees her back tense just from him mentioning them.
“Yeah they are,” she turns around, but doesn’t meet his eyes, and hands him a mug of tea, “I haven’t seen them properly since I started my new job.”
“Oh?” He was surprised considering she had started her new job with Twombley Publishing House as an assistant over just six months ago.
Despite her not being close to them, he knew she’d go round for dinner with them at least once every month ever since she moved out years ago. He’d caught her and Eloise arguing over it once, his sister asking why she even bothers and Penelope had shrugged with a resigned “because they are still my family.’ And that was that on the topic.
“Apart from Felicity of course, she often joins me on my lunch breaks.”
Penelope smiled when she mentioned her younger sister. The girl truly was her only support and rally behind her within her own family, often being the only brave one to bite back at their mother and sisters when Penelope is yet again the butt of their remarks.
She always struggled to explain her family life, especially her relationship with her mother. It was particularly difficult to explain to any member of the Bridgerton’s, considering they have only ever known a home life full of love and support. Penelope loved her family, she did, but she didn’t necessarily like her family. She knew her mother loved her, deep down, it’s just that… Penelope had always been a disappointment to her. She’d never been stunningly beautiful enough for her mother, she was always too short, too fat and not outgoing enough to charm any man into marrying her. That’s all her mother wanted for her daughters; marriage into another wealthy family, as she believed that was the only way for her girls to excel in life. Her father had never said much on the matter either, he’d been pretty much absent since she was a teenager, as he was always at work and when he was home he was too preoccupied with the newspaper or the tv to show any interest.
She let out a sigh and finally looked up from the mug of tea in her hands, “It’s complicated.”
He nodded, knowing not to pry too much further, “Is that why you can’t sleep?”
His question caught her off guard but if she was honest it was the exact question she needed, as she realised now that it was true. It astonished her how he’d managed to see right through her, when usually it is the other way round.
“Yeah, normally when I’m feeling anxious I bake something, like cupcakes or pastries, to help me calm my thoughts. But this isn’t my house so,” she shrugged.
“I don’t know, you’ve always been here with us, it’s practically your place too.”
She couldn’t help but smile at his sincerity. It’s true, she has always come with them when they have come out to the country during the summer holidays. But it wasn’t her place, she was comfortable here, always has been, but wouldn’t go as far as to use their kitchen to that extent. Especially gone one a.m. with a huge wedding being prepped for tomorrow.
She took a sip from her tea, now that it had cooled slightly, and watched as he teared off a piece of toast and handed it to her. She thanked him and then slided on over to him so their arms touched and dunked the piece of toast into the gooey yolk of the egg. He grinned down at her as she savoured the taste, the boy really did know how to fry a good egg.
“You tired yet?” He asked, she knew he was trying to take her mind off of things and for that she was grateful.
“No, not yet.” And she wasn’t, not really, but she just wanted to stay in his company a few moments longer.
Finishing off his food, he moved the plate to the sink with the frying pan, and picked up his mug. He nodded his head to the corridor leading to the living room, with a gentle “Come on” as encouragement, and left, having her follow behind. She always loved their living room in the country home, it was so cozy and personal with large cushioned sofas and a fireplace with a TV hanging above it. The neutral colour palette always created a sense of calm, Colin turning on the table lamps in the room so the lights weren’t too bright. She sunk down onto the sofa, her back being absorbed into the cushion and her muscles relaxed. For the first time in the whole of the night she started to feel tired. Colin ungracefully plopped down next to her, propping his feet up on the wooden coffee table and turning on the TV to scroll through the channels.
“Ooo, put Pointless on!” she exclaimed and pointed to the telly, “Me and Eloise love a good bit of Pointless, we’re going to apply one day.”
He laughed and put it on for her, “What is it?”
“You’ve never watched Pointless?!” she sat forward again, bringing her legs up to fold under herself, “It’s only one of the best quiz shows on telly.”
She went on to explain the rules of the show, his brow furrowing with more confusion that she thought was the most adorable look ever and which made her giggle.
“So you need to find an answer that is the most obscure?”
“Exactly!”
“And those with the lowest points go through to the next round?”
“You’ve got it.”
“That’s got to be one of the most confusing concepts ever!” He ran his hand through his hair and chuckled at her as she told him to ‘shhh’ with a wave of her hand as the next round started.
It wasn’t until a picture round of ‘Famous Landmarks’ did Colin get really invested. She watched as he sat forward, his hands gesturing wildly as he bombarded her with information about each Landmark and where they are; he had luckily visited all of them. She leant her head onto her hand, captivated as he was clearly in his element as he narrowed down which one he thought would be the most obscure answer. He finally settled on The Bund in Shanghai and they waited with bated breath to see if he was correct, both of them cheering when it was revealed to be the most unknown answer.
“I’m swapping Eloise out for you,” she joked and he laughed, giving her a poke with his hand that she squealed at.
“I won’t tell her you said that, she’d never forgive you!” he teased in delight.
Colin felt absolutely content as he sat on the sofa with Penelope by his side. He enjoyed her smile as he teased her over the smallest things, her smile matching his own as he made her feel back at ease after the conversation about her family earlier. Her body was turned towards him, her legs bunched up underneath herself so she took up barely any room, whilst he lounged out with legs up on the coffee table and his arms up along the back cushions and behind her. They were perfect opposites, yet somehow they worked together.
Just then the host of the show read out the next round which was based around music, specifically focusing on ABBA songs.
“Oh god,” Colin let out a groan, dramatically laying his head back, “Not ABBA.”
A shocked gasp came from the girl beside him, “Colin Bridgerton, you did not just say that.”
The way she spoke was as if he had just committed blasphemy which he couldn’t stop himself from chortling at. Her face was almost frozen in revelation, her mouth open agape as she couldn’t take her piercing blue eyes off of him.
“ABBA have a song for every mood,” she began, her words coming out a mile a minute, “heartbroken? ABBA. In Love? ABBA. Friend in need? ABBA. Money problems? ABBA. Personal Growth? ABBA. Child growing up and leaving home? ABBA. Crush on someone? ABBA. Just every situation in life ABBA have a song for.” She tried to catch her breath, her chest noticeably rising up and down.
“They’re just so overplayed though!” he counter argued.
“No they’re not! They have some amazing songs that you have probably not even heard: Nina Pretty Ballerina? Why Did it Have To Be Me? Ring Ring? Tiger?”
He shook his head in response, admitting that he had never even heard those songs before.
“You wait till I tell Eloise this, she will never let you live it down!” She jabbed him in his stomach and he caught her small hands in his own larger ones to stop her.
“But what about Dancing Queen? That feels like it’s played on repeat at weddings, birthday parties, nightclubs!”
She’s silent for a few moments in contemplation, “Okay, I’ll give you that one.”
He burst out laughing and gave her hands a squeeze, knowing she wasn’t going to jab him again, before letting them go, “Exactly!” He said with smugness.
“Admittedly it’s not my favourite but it is still a good song! I was heartbroken when I turned eighteen and was no longer the young and sweet dancing queen.”
He couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed so much in an evening. He wanted to tell her that she could always be the dancing queen if she truly wanted to be. But instead he said, “So was I.” And he was glad he did because the laughter that bubbled up out of her was infectious and her eyes sparkled.
He carried on, “I am telling you it will be played at the dreaded wedding reception tomorrow.”
“And you will see me and Eloise on that dance floor no matter what,” she challenged him and he beamed internally at the image of Pen and his sister drunkenly singing and dancing to each other. Her brow then furrowed as she back tracked onto his words, “Dreaded? You’re not looking forward to it?”
“Of course I am, I just,” his hand came up to the back of his neck and rubbed it nervously, “you’re anxious to see your family and, well, I’m dreading seeing most of my distant relatives.”
He watched as she took in his words, her brow furrowing in confusion at his admission. Which wasn’t surprising, considering he’d never even indicated he’d felt this way before. And that’s because, he realised, he never had felt that way before, it’s only since he’s gotten older that the questions and drilling became more insistent and overbearing.
“I know they all mean well but they never stop with the never ending questions and grilling about my life. You know, Why are you still single? You should come back and settle down. What are you doing for a career?” He put on different voices for each statement he said, “Why can’t they just accept that I’m happy with the way things are? I love travelling and I’m having fun, I don’t need more than that right now. Besides I hate it when they pinch my cheeks.” He mumbled the last bit like a grumpy child but he knew she heard it as she stifled a laugh.
“Oh but who can resist those cheeks,” she joked as she leant forward and pinched them lightly between her fingers. Somehow, he didn’t mind it when it was her doing it.
“I’m trying to be serious, Pen,” his tone of voice was light with humour though, not quite matching his words.
“I know, I’m sorry,” she gave his cheek one last pinch and a blush brushed her cheeks when she pulled away, “At the end of the day, you know you are happy and that’s all that matters. So, it looks like we’ll both just have to get drunk to get through it. Besides it’s for Benedict and Sophie so it’s worth it.”
He nodded in agreement at that statement, she put it so matter of factly that it instantly made him feel better and when it came to Benedict and Sophie; Penelope was practically part of their family, so he understood that she would just as equally do anything for them. He wasn’t surprised at the heartwarming tone to her voice, but he was still astonished at the warmth that spread through him because of it.
“Hey, how about we make a deal?” he asked her, bringing her out of her own thought bubble, “I’ll save you from your family tomorrow and you’ll save me from mine?”
She turned to him confused, “What do you mean?”
“I keep an eye on you and come interrupt when your family is getting too much, and you keep an eye on me and intervene at any possible cheek pinching moments.”
She worried her lips together, thinking over his words and contemplating their options. He knew it was definitely a good idea, what could they have to lose?
“Okay deal,” she held out her hand and he took it in his to shake as if they were making a business deal.
“Brilliant, it’s great doing business with you Miss Featherington,” he joked, putting on a mocking serious voice.
“And you, Mr Bridgerton.” She laughed and lifted her chin in glee.
At that, she retracted her hand and sunk back into the sofa cushions, her head snuggling down trying to get comfy. He found himself doing the same, his body sinking lower and lower so his head could finally be supported which evidently meant his head was the same level as Penelope’s. Turning his head to the side to look at her, her eyes were shut and her face relaxed and peaceful indicating she had finally fallen asleep. The corners of his mouth twitched up as he realised how much her red hair contrasted the cream sofa, reminding him of sunrises on sandy beaches. He contemplated waking her up so she could go back upstairs but he decided against it, she looked far too comfy. So he stood and grabbed a blanket from the back of the armchair and tucked it around her, which in turn made her hum in contentment. In the spur of the moment he tenderly wrapped a loose tendril of her hair around one of his fingers, wanting to touch a ray of sunshine just for a moment, before letting it go and turning off the tv.
“Night, Pen,” he whispered and turned off one of the lamps, leaving one on for her just in case she wakes up and wonders where she is.
Colin headed back up the stairs to his room and he couldn’t seem to wipe the slight smile off of his face, for reasons he couldn’t seem to fathom himself. All he knew was he was no longer dreading tomorrow after all.