Work Text:
Penelope's head hurt too much but not only that she wanted to throw up, cry, scream everything at the same time she needs to get home
It was when she saw the Bridgertons' carriage passing in front of her she stood still on the pavement she just had tea with Kate and Eloise at the Bridgerton house as far she know, Violet is in the country visiting Benedict and Sophie with Hyancith and Gregory he was still at school also if she remembers correctly Anthony was at home scolding his two children for hiding his watch so she was surprised to see the Bridgerton carriage arriving at the place
Who was?
Her question was answered by seeing who descends from the carriage
Colin Bridgerton
The traveling brother of the family came home; Penelope doesn't remember Kate or Eloise mentioning that he would be back. She was in complete shock. Colin's blue eyes went straight to her, she choked when she saw him approaching her.
—He...hello—She stutters—Long time no see, Mr. Bridgerton, how are you?
Her breathy voice was an embarrassment but it didn't bother him he just stood there looking at her with a smug smile
—Depends —Immutable —Are you married?
Penelope moves her foot back at the question.
—N... no sir— she answered uncertainly.
—Then I'm perfectly fine — He pass by her side entering the house of his childhood
Leaving Penelope speechless
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
—-Your father would be so disappointed — Portia dramatizes
—It wouldn't be the first time— Penelope looks out the window again, trying to ignore her mother's complaints.
—You were going to marry a Count, Penelope— the woman insists on the subject.
—-If what you want is a daughter with a title, I remind you, mother, that Prudence has already married a marquess—- She grinds her teeth as she speaks
—-What good is a daughter with a title if she's scarred by scandal? —-Phillipa's laugh rings out in the room.
Luckily her sister Prudence was currently in the country to hear her mother's reprimand she would be crying right now for her mother's insensitivity her older sister was the first to marry but not in the circumstances that were planned or with the man who they glide.
Prudence was engaged (although there was never a serious proposal from the young man) with the second son of the Viscount of St Vincent, a man with a lot of money and with many connections in Parliament, something that her late father liked a lot but 5 years ago in which it would be Penelope's second social season her family was involved in a scandal in which for the redhead it was very funny her older sister was found alone on a balcony with marquess Ashdown with his hand on her chest while at the same time he had the hand smeared with dressing as was Prudence's dress but it was worse the next morning when The Ton's gossip column published about the event.
Penelope knew immediately that this "indecent" moment was nothing more than a misunderstanding, surely someone spilled food on Prudence's dress and they were only trying to clean the dress, but that did not seem to matter to society or to the Viscount of St Vincent who after reading the gossip column ended the engagement between Prudence and his son.
But if she was honest with Prudence, she was far from being upset about the cancellation of that engagement. She even looked relieved, but needless to say about his father he didn't like that, it seemed that his favorite dog had been killed. He was sad for days and her mother only lived complaining that she would die of anguish if it weren't for the fact that on the third day marquess Ashdown arrived with a marriage proposal, she believed that they would have to lock his mother in an insane asylum.
For the next season it was her sister Philippa who got married but she did marry the suitor her father chose but a few months after her sister's wedding her father died unexpectedly the doctor said it was the accumulation of a lot of work he died in his desk while finishing a letter, a somewhat dramatic ending for a man who hated novels.
—Are you sure there is no hope?— Penelope sometimes wonders if mother is deaf even though she already told her the same thing 5 times but she keeps asking.
—There isn't—sighs with her back to the window frame.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 years ago
Penelope walks in the meadow that is far enough away that her parents won't scold her but not so far away that her Nana will watch her there were beautiful flowers she wanted to pick some for her sisters and her Nana.
In her search for a white rose that was Phillipa's favorite she saw a tail near a large rock with extreme care on her way to the rock and looked down Penelope smiled brightly a small cat was huddled against the rock trying not to be seen with Very carefully, she went around the rock to try to catch it, but the cat felt its movement, the cat ran and Penelope wanted to chase it, but her feet got entangled in the exposed roots that the gardener warned her many times that there were in that place.
The redhead fell ungracefully and with the sound of a blow hard enough for her Nana to hear her face was against the grass by the time she raised her face she felt the pieces of dirt on her face she wanted to curse the cat but she saw a couple of boots walking towards her she looks up and gasped at who it was.
—Mr. Stirling—Says his name nervously
The treacherous cat was circling Michael's legs
—-Are you alright, Miss Featherington? ---He approaches worriedly offers her a hand to get her up
Penelope lets herself be helped, that's when she felt her nanny's footsteps approaching, and she knows she should go to her before she scolds her.
—-Yes, I'm fine, thank you sir—- he says, brushing the dirt off his face—-Now I have to go back to my nana.
She turns to walk to where the woman was looking at her seriously but Michael's voice stopped her.
—-Isn't you a little old to have a babysitter?—-He asks her arrogantly.
—-Isn't you little old to have a pet? —- She asks ironically, pointing to the cat that was between his legs.
Michael looked at the cat that was rubbing on his foot and looked back at Penelope who owes him the smile before walking away with her back to him.
That was the first time that Penelope met Michael she was 14 years and he was 17 old at that time her parents had already told her that she would marry him but she had never seen him in person but her only concern at that time was that despite being a handsome young man she didn't feel any connection and it was worrying not to feel that connection with the one who will be your husband.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 years ago
—-Who is the redhead? —- Colin asks in his mother's ear so that no one else hears in the church.
Violet looked where her son was also looking, she craned her neck a little to find who her son was asking about.
—-Oh ,Penelope Featherington—Smiles to see the girl talking to her daughter Eloise
—Is she a friend of Eloise's? —He asks his mother with interest. Violet looks at him strangely.
—Yes, they've known each other for a long time but you never see her because whenever you return to the city she goes to Scotland with her family—She tells him with a frown,she doesn't know how to interpret her son's look he seemed dumbstruck.
—-Wait, is that Pen? The one Eloise talks about so much? —- He is surprised.
—Yes, that same one—sighs the older woman—when she debuts next year she will be the most coveted young woman among men
—I think so— He smiled still looking at her
Violet looked into her son's eyes for a moment, not knowing how to tell him that the girl was already engaged but hoping it was just a passing enthusiasm.
Colin spent the entire wedding of his sister Daphne looking at the redhead who had taken his breath away she looked so perfect her blue eyes like the sea her beautiful cheeks he wondered what it would be like to touch them or put his fingers between her beautiful red curls but his mind he fantasize most of the wedding he didn't realize the wedding was over until he saw the person they got up he followed his family all the way to the wedding breakfast of his sister who is now a duchess.
—She's very pretty— The voice of his brother Anthony at his side brought him out of his reverie looking at the young woman.
—Yes, but I saw her first— Colin tells his brother with a half-smile.
Anthony gives him a smile but he stayed watching Colin's look at the young woman, he looked at Penelope and she smiled talking to Lady Danbury there was a certain special aura in that girl and it seems that her younger brother noticed it that's why it hurt him to have to break her heart
—You know she's engaged, don't you? — He says with a smirk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
—So you broke off your engagement? —Colin's voice spread.
It was Lady Danbury's usual first dance of the season Penelope hid in the home office as soon as she and mother arrived the whispers didn't stop she already had enough in her house to put up with the gossiping mothers and even more the silly men who would take advantage the chance of his broken engagement to start "courting" her only to say they beat him to the new Earl of Kilmartin
Many things have happened in this last year of her life, her ex-fiancé's cousin passed away unexpectedly, leaving her best friend's sister a widow, as if that weren't enough, it means that Michael was the new earl, what was the possibility of all this? John was a healthy man and besides he was married he was more than assured that he would have children so the chances of Michael being an earl were nil but now an unfortunate moment left poor Francesca without a husband and Michael without his cousin and as if she didn't have enough problems she kiss Colin Bridgerton in Scotland.
The day John died like almost every spring before the season started Penelope was visiting Michael's mother in Scotland when the terrible news came she saw how Francesca asked Michael to wake up John it was heartbreaking to hear her cries of pain she was glad to be there to give her some comfort but it was more painful when she found out she was pregnant and had an abortion.
It was a very dark moment in her life. Francesca wanted to help her as best she could and Sister Bridgerton thanked her for her company a few days after the funeral. Michael told her that he was going to India and that it was best to end their engagement.
That same night, Colin, who heard the terrible news and being close to Scotland, went to see his sister but never expected to meet the woman he has been in love with for 7 years accompanying his sister in such a difficult moment after dinner, he could not help it. taking her to a dark corridor and kissing her without thinking about the consequences he was holding back for so long that that day everything he felt for her exploded and knowing that Penelope and Michael's wedding was so close his only chance to ever kiss her was there.
The strangest thing of all is that Penelope did not push him away or hit him she continued the kiss it was the best moment in Colin's life.
But like every love story with drama
Penelope came to her senses, she separated from Colin's body to run to her room but he couldn't reach her the next day when he asked his sister the whereabouts of the redhead, she informed him that she was on her way to London.
They haven't seen each other since.
Well until now
—Why do you ask? —She looks away, she din't want to see her eyes.
—When will you stop being so formal with me? —He says with some infidelity on his face.
—As much as I’m a friend of your family, it is not well seen that I speak informally, sir—she continues without looking at him
— it is not well seen either that you look me in the eye?—His deep voice made her shiver—or are you just afraid of me?
—Of course not….—It was a serious mistake to look at him because there he was in front of her, too close for decorum and too close for her own good.
—No what? —He gets so close as he puts his fingers on her chin lifting her flushed face
—Why are you doing this to me? —Penelope speaks with a broken voice.
—Do what? —He asks.
—Tempting me to the point of going crazy, confusing me with your attentions with your inappropriate touches when nobody sees with your sweet flattery to make me blush with your inappropriate comments and your subtlety in wanting me to break my commitment to Michael—she says exalted under the calm look Colin's
Colin took his hand off her chin but didn't stop looking at her they were silent
—Aren't you going to say anything? — She asks even more indignantly.
—What do you want me to say? Everything you said is true except for the subtle part—He tells her calmly
—So you broke off your engagement? —Colin's voice spread.
It was Lady Danbury's usual first dance of the season Penelope hid in the home office as soon as she and mother arrived the whispers didn't stop she already had enough in her house to put up with the gossiping mothers and even more the silly men who would take advantage the chance of his broken engagement to start "courting" her only to say they beat him to the new Earl of Kilmartin
Many things have happened in this last year of her life, her ex-fiancé's cousin passed away unexpectedly, leaving her best friend's sister a widow, as if that weren't enough, it means that Michael was the new earl, what was the possibility of all this? John was a healthy man and besides he was married he was more than assured that he would have children so the chances of Michael being an earl were nil but now an unfortunate moment left poor Francesca without a husband and Michael without his cousin and as if she didn't have enough problems she kiss Colin Bridgerton in Scotland.
The day John died like almost every spring before the season started Penelope was visiting Michael's mother in Scotland when the terrible news came she saw how Francesca asked Michael to wake up John it was heartbreaking to hear her cries of pain she was glad to be there to give her some comfort but it was more painful when she found out she was pregnant and had an abortion.
It was a very dark moment in her life. Francesca wanted to help her as best she could and Sister Bridgerton thanked her for her company a few days after the funeral. Michael told her that he was going to India and that it was best to end their engagement.
That same night, Colin, who heard the terrible news and being close to Scotland, went to see his sister but never expected to meet the woman he has been in love with for 7 years accompanying his sister in such a difficult moment after dinner, he could not help it. taking her to a dark corridor and kissing her without thinking about the consequences he was holding back for so long that that day everything he felt for her exploded and knowing that Penelope and Michael's wedding was so close his only chance to ever kiss her was there.
The strangest thing of all is that Penelope did not push him away or hit him she continued the kiss it was the best moment in Colin's life.
But like every love story with drama
Penelope came to her senses, she separated from Colin's body to run to her room but he couldn't reach her the next day when he asked his sister the whereabouts of the redhead, she informed him that she was on her way to London.
They haven't seen each other since.
Well until now
—Why do you ask? —She looks away, she din't want to see her eyes.
—When will you stop being so formal with me? —He says with some infidelity on his face.
—As much as I’m a friend of your family, it is not well seen that I speak informally, sir—she continues without looking at him
— it is not well seen either that you look me in the eye?—His deep voice made her shiver—or are you just afraid of me?
—Of course not….—It was a serious mistake to look at him because there he was in front of her, too close for decorum and too close for her own good.
—No what? —He gets so close as he puts his fingers on her chin lifting her flushed face
—Why are you doing this to me? —Penelope speaks with a broken voice.
—Do what? —He asks.
—Tempting me to the point of going crazy, confusing me with your attentions with your inappropriate touches when nobody sees with your sweet flattery to make me blush with your inappropriate comments and your subtlety in wanting me to break my commitment to Michael—she says exalted under the calm look Colin's
Colin took his hand off her chin but didn't stop looking at her they were silent
—Aren't you going to say anything? — She asks even more indignantly.
—What do you want me to say? Everything you said is true except for the subtle part—He tells her calmly
"Why?" She looks at him like he's crazy. "Why this cruel game against my feelings and future?"
—I think you misunderstood if my attentions would have made you uncomfortable I would have stopped but you can't say that it bothered you because I know it isn't — and he was right.
>But all my words and wishes towards you are real Penelope that I can swear to you.
—What wishes? —She's confused; it's not the reaction she expected.
—That you be my wife? — That was when she understood.
Michael warned her
“When the men find out that our engagement is over, they will pounce on you like wolves just to get back at me.”
It was no secret to anyone that almost all debutante, non-debutante high society women, married women to matchmaking moms yearn for him, but it was very disappointed that he was engaged to something that many men did not like that Michael had all the attention and they are seen as a second option (and they say that women are the insecure ones) according to her brother-in-law, Mr. Finch apparently that was bet has grown among the men on who can catch her as his wife to demonstrate that they beat the great Earl of Kilmartin.
—How much would you earn if so? I hope more than 1,000— she asks coldly.
—Excuse me? — Colin looks at her with a frown.
—Oh come on Colin, do you think I wouldn't know that the biggest Rake in London would be in the bet against the new Earl of Kilmartin? — She tells him walking away from him to leave the office
Penelope tries to open the door but Colin's body pressed against hers and he grabbed her hand to release the door handle she could feel his breath on her exposed neck.
—Listen to me— he tells her in an intoxicating voice that makes Penelope's legs tremble for a moment.
>It's true I'm a rake but that's just a consequence and about the bet I don't know what you're talking about dear.
Penelope listens even with her face looking at the door in front of her Colin's heavy breathing gave her chills all over her body even though she let go of the handle he is still holding her hand brushing his fingers on the sole of her hand
—Consequence of what? —she asks with her eyes closed, inhaling the smell of whiskey and vanilla.
—Of being in love with someone who was already engaged—He tells her turning around, face to face
With that it was enough for Penelope to launch into a wild kiss, she jumped into Colin's arms where he received her happily while he returned the kiss with more depth, they kissed until they almost ran out of breath.
—Is this seriously happening? Isn’t a dream?—Colin asks after parting their lips even with their eyes closed.
—It's very real— she tells him, smiling, leaning her forehead against Colin's.
—It was worth waiting 7 years—He surrounds her with his arms to hug her a while longer
—7? We met 8 years ago—confusing question
—It wouldn't be very appropriate of me to say that I fell in love with you when you were 17—he tells her humorously, they both laughed
Penelope surrounded him with her hands on his neck. Colin brought his mouth to her cheek to leave a lazy kiss there. The redhead smiled at this, feeling her mouth reach her earlobe and leaving a soft kiss.
"You have always been my dream" he said in her ear