Chapter Text
There are secrets that not even Lady Whistledown dares to reveal, the power that the pen has given her is not one that she uses to destroy lives. Revealing a little scandal or criticizing society properly is very different from destroying someone; for that very reason Penelope slowly moves away from the scene in front of her.
She knew that the marriage between Ms Lucy and Mr Henry Granville was not one for love, but it was not until she saw Mr Granville in the middle of a passionate embrace with another gentleman that she did not understand the real reason behind said marriage. There are secrets that must be kept and this one in particular would stay in the labyrinth of Lady Trowbridge's ball.
It was not the first time that Penelope encountered this type of scene, as the perpetual alelí always went unnoticed and as Lady Whistledown her job was to seek scandal. But tonight she was in desperation for some privacy and a little peace, she did not enter the labyrinth to find scandal, she entered to hide her tears.
The night before at Lady Gardiner's ball, her cousin had decided that Colin Bridgerton would be the one to save her from the scandal and give her baby a name. Penelope could understand it, Colin is attractive, young, rich, well-born and pleasant, but above all he is a kind soul; always with a smile and a dance for the neglected ladies, always with a laugh and a humorous comment for his friends, always a kind arm with his brothers. He is a good man and Penelope loves him. That is another of his secrets, or was until Marina noticed it.
And Penelope understands, she is not the diamond of the season and she will surely end up as an old maiden, but Marina's words remain nailed in her heart. She knows that Marina wouldn't be so cruel if she wasn't desperate, yet Penelope is in Lady Trowbridge's labyrinth, silencing her sobs.
Marina's plan could work, Penelope knows it, Colin is captivated by his cousin. Pray to God he doesn't have to choose between saving Colin or Marina. The Bridgertons have been their family much more than their own: Eloise is more her sister than Philippa and Prudence, Anthony has cared for her more than her father, Violet has loved her more than her mother, Colin has been her friend and protector ever since met her. Penelope wouldn't be able to meet their eyes if Mariana manages to fool Colin.
Within the dance Daphne swirled in the prince's arms, each word that came out of his mouth leaving her more and more overwhelmed. A prince wanted her as his wife and all he could feel is a tightness in his chest and that he was gasping for air. She needed to escape.
The fight she has with the Duke returns oxygen to her lungs as she did not rip off his necklace. She's not going to be fooled about that man, not one more time. Never mind that a single argument with him makes her feel more alive than all the prince's attentions. Once again she need to escape.
He follows her into the maze and when they meet her eyes, her will melts. She does not know who initiates the kiss, if it was that I brought her closer to him or if it was she who touched his lips first. That magical first kiss was followed by a more passionate one that was abruptly stopped by a furious Anthony.
Her brother hit Simon, she was sure Anthony would continue hitting his best friend if it weren't for Penelope. Eloise's best friend runs into my arms with tears in her eyes and her dress torn apart, her face has dirt, her neck is red and her hands are stained with blood.