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“Lady Whistledown is Penelope,” Colin explained.
It was all kind of blurry, but Sophie was relatively certain she heard the Duchess of Hastings, her sister-in law Daphne make possibly the loudest gasping sound next to her. Sophie Bridgerton only made a faint smile, that did not escape her husband. Nothing escaped Benedict Bridgerton when it came to his wife. Sat next to her, he closed the small gap between them, his face lingering next to hers.
“You do not seem that surprised,” he stated with his most seducing smile. He took advantage of their proximity to caress her hair. She raised an eyebrow and he just shrugged. “Sorry. Your hair are distracting.”
“Only my hair?” she mused. He leaned forward to lay a kiss on her cheek. “Everything about you is distracting, but as my lovely sister has made the awful decision to seat next to us, I shall not take the matter further.”
“I heard that, Benedict,” Daphne glared at him and Benedict rolled his eyes.
“Well, I am indeed not surprised.” she replied as she grabbed her cup of tea. “In fact, no one should be,” she uttered the words a bit louder and all pairs of Bridgerton eyes were soon upon her. It was funny to her how they all shared the same expression of bewilderment. The Viscount stepped forward, his latest newborn in his arms. Anthony had tried to put the child to sleep after his wife had declared defeat, but for no avail. “What do you mean, sister?”
Sister. She still wasn’t used to the word and her heart couldn’t help fluttering at the sound of it. All the Bridgerton siblings had called her sister as soon as she married Benedict. Sometimes, it felt surreal. After all, Sophie had yearned for a family all of her life and now, she had a tons of brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces.
“Well, Hyacinth had told all of you many times Miss Featherington was in fact, Lady Whisteldown.”
Everyone started to laugh, but Sophie’s serious expression made them dead stop. “Hyacinth is just a child,” she heard Colin say.
“Well, that child knew your wife was Whisteldown,” Sophie retorted dryly as she grabbed a biscuit. Benedict snatched it from her hand and she watched him swallow it. “Benedict,” she growled before looking at Coling again. “I believe you were very blind.”
“Not as much as your husband.” Colin grabbed a biscuit as well. “Even clad with a maid dress, I would recognize Pen.”
Sophie giggled. Her story with Benedict had been the source of many diner discussions within the family until this day, and she believed her husband’s brothers would never stop making fun of him for his blindness. Benedict made a grunting noise as he took another biscuit. “It took you more than ten years to propose to your wife, if my memory serves me well.”
“Nevertheless,” Sophie intervened to prevent another argument between the two brothers, “the fact remains that Hyacinth had been right all along. She is a very clever lady.”
“I’ve never doubted her qualities,” Violet Bridgerton replied, quite proudly.
“You said that for all of your children, mother,” Eloise noted, her eyes still on the book she had opened a few minutes ago. She had not uttered a word since the beginning of the conversation and Sophie wondered if she was alright. Usually, Eloise always had an opinion. Sophie wondered if Penelope had told her about her anonymous identity. If not, it might explain why the young Bridgerton seemed off.
“Nonsense, my dear.”
“Speaking of Hyacinth, where the hell is she?” Benedict asked.
“Language Benedict,” both Sophie and her mother-in-law said in unison.
“I think she’s upstairs,” Anthony told them as he put his child in the cradle brought by two servants. “Finally asleep.”
Not for long. As soon as Anthony left the cradle, a tornado – or rather Hyacinth Brigderton – erupted in the room, causing the newborn to start wailing again. To the utter despair of the father. The young girl tugged on Colin’s jacket, not noticing how eager Anthony was to throttle her. “Is this true Colin? Is Penelope Lady Whistledown?”
“How do you know that?”
“I was listening behind the door,” she casually explained.
“You’re a nuisance, Hyacinth,” Colin said. “Would you let me go of my jacket?”
She shook her head. “I am not.” Her hand still on her brother’s jacker, she glanced at Anthony for help. “Anthony, why are you not saying anything? You ought to defend me.” She didn’t let him reply anything as she looked back at Colin. “So, is this true?”
As soon as a very defeated Colin nodded, Hyacinth exploded with pride. “I was right! I knew it. Oh Sophie, I was right.” She left Colin’s sleeve to hug Sophie, who reciprocated the gesture. Out all the Bridgerton, it was Hyacinth she had the most special relation. Maybe it was due to the fact she had been her maid, but Sophie had immediately connected with the youngest Bridgerton.
“You are a genius, Hyacinth.” Sophie smiled, sharing the enthusiasm of the girl.
“Don’t encourage her,” she heard Benedict say. But Sophie did not care. She clasped her hand with Hyacinth’s and added. “Hence why you remain my favourite Bridgerton,” Sophie told her.
“I don’t think so,” Sophie heard her husband mutter under his breath as he threw her his deadliest glare, arms crossed against his chest. Hyacinth patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I am sure you’re second in her heart, Benedict.”
And for the rest of the afternoon, Benedict and Hyacinth fought for Sophie’s affection.
***
Benedict had invited Colin and his wife for the afternoon. As soon as they made an appearance, Sophie had snatched Penelope, delighted to be able to share some time with Lady Whisteldown herself. The conversation had started as slightly awkward – after all, Penelope and Sophie had only briefly talked prior that. But after some chitchat, Sophie felt her guest relax and decided to bring the discussion further.
“You know, Penelope, I ought to thank you.” Sophie took an another sip from her cup of tea.
Penelope’s brows furrowed, unsure to follow. Clearing her throat, Sophie explained herself. “For keeping my secret. Surely you were aware of my...condition. And yet, you never mentioned in your lovely paper.”
Penelope blushed. “Oh, that was nothing,” she said, waving her hand. “Everyone would have done it.”
Sophie shook her head. “I don’t think so. You have my gratitude. And probably Benedict’s too, although his has probably more to do with you converting Colin to married life.” They both chuckled. “Don’t tell him I told you that.”
“I won’t.” Penelope shrugged. “But you know, everyone has secrets.”
“Some secrets are better kept though. Yet, one secret you didn’t keep very well was your feelings for Colin. He might be blind, but I believe everyone had suspicions. Anyway, you ought to tell me how you did manage to keep your writing so secret. I think the process fascinating. Unless, you do not wish to share it with me, but...I have to admit I was one of your greatest admirer. I kept every paper you mentioned me.”
Penelope blinked. “Really?”
Sophie nodded. “I have personally stored them in my study. By years. Again, don’t tell Benedict.”
Penelope winked at her. “I believe we will have fun together, Sophie.”
“I quite agree, Penelope,” Sophie replied with a smile.