Chapter Text
“Have you heard about Colin?” Eloise asked as Penelope descended the steps of the Featherington house. Penelope felt her face begin to flush at the inquiry. It had been just over a week and a half since Colin had kissed her. Though his abrupt exit had seemingly confirmed Penelope’s long held belief that Colin would never come to love her, he had been surprisingly attentive and supportive at the ball a few days after the kiss. No matter how hard she tried to tamp down her desires, Colin’s affectionate ways were always able to spark her hopes once more.
“What about Colin?” Penelope forced her voice to be as neutral as possible. Since the ball, she had only seen Colin once.
Three days ago, Penelope had been reading in the nook by her window when she witnessed something rather peculiar. Glancing out her window in appreciation of the lovely weather, she caught sight of Colin along the street near her house, and a happy warmth spread through her chest.
What happened next was something of a mystery. While Penelope was busy staring at Colin, Cressida Twombley had approached. Colin had turned to face her, and Penelope wished she could hear that conversation. She knew Colin had never been fond of Cressida. In fact, the entire Bridgerton family held contempt for the spiteful, cruel woman. Penelope hoped he was making mention of her most recent Lady Whistledown column where she had called out Cressida’s false claim of authorship.
Colin’s back was to her house, and his body blocked Cressida’s face. From the distance, she couldn’t see much, but she did notice Cressida hand Colin some sort of paper from the basket she was carrying. It wasn’t until Cressida held her hand out that Penelope realized Colin was carrying flowers. He gave them to her, and they quickly parted. It was hard to tell without more context, but Colin’s body language looked angry as he walked away.
Penelope had been wondering what happened between Colin and Cressida for the past three days, and was hopeful that Eloise would finally fulfill her curiosity. Why would Colin hand Cressida flowers? Was it an exchange for the mysterious paper? Why did he have flowers in the first place? Why did he seem so angry afterwards?
She had conjured so many scenarios to explain the bizarre interaction, but even her wildest suppositions paled in comparison to the reality that Eloise shared. “He’s engaged to marry Cressida Twombley.”
“What?” The words floated around in Penelope’s mind, but she couldn’t bring order or sense to them.
“Colin is marrying Cressida. And yes, I know, it is absolutely preposterous!” Eloise repeated with great frustration that seemed directed more at Colin’s behavior than Penelope’s confusion.
“He… what? That doesn’t make any sense at all.” Penelope mumbled.
“I know!” Eloise exclaimed loudly enough that a passing couple turned to look at them. “Let’s walk.” Eloise responded in a quieter tone as she started walking in the opposite direction of the couple.
“Have you any idea how this happened?” Penelope asked as she took quick steps to catch up to her friend.
“No, no one has any idea. Mother and Anthony are furious. I do suppose they might know something of what has happened and are angry at the circumstances, but, from my observations, it seems that they are equally at a loss.”
“I just can’t believe it. Cressida, of all people. I have always believed Colin thought rather poorly of her. It would have been surprising to learn he said a pleasant word about her, but marriage...marriage seems unthinkable.” Penelope’s stomach churned as she tried her best to comprehend what was happening, but she still couldn’t accept the news.
“I can hardly believe it either. We must find out what has happened!” Coming to a sudden halt, Eloise turned to her friend and spoke with familiar determination. “The engagement ball is to be this Friday. I propose we begin our investigation there. In the meanwhile, I will continue to listen out for any clues from my own family.” Eloise smiled at Penelope’s nod and began walking once more. Sighing, she continued, “It is a shame Lady Whistledown has retired for surely she would have an explanation for this folly.”
Penelope cringed at Eloise’s words and was glad her friend’s gaze had been distracted by a woman tripping on the corner of the street. Taking advantage of the distraction, Penelope steered the conversation away from Colin and her secret gossip paper. “Yes of course, that sounds like a good plan. Oh my that poor lady took a tumble. It reminds me of what happened to Phillipa at the Havendish ball the other day. For once, you truly would have enjoyed attending. I know my family is notorious for our rather citrus colored gowns, but between the lemonade and the tarts, Phillapa’s dress truly was citrus by the end of the ordeal.”
Eloise chuckled, “Oh do tell.”
Bidding farewell to Eloise, Penelope hurried up the steps to her house. Shutting the door behind her louder than necessary, she hurried up to her room. Something compelled her to walk toward the window from which she had seen Colin only a few days before. Bright sunshine shown on the street, and two young children were playing under the watchful eye of a young couple. Penelope willed the past few hours to disappear. She wanted to go back to when she saw Colin and stop him before he made such a terrible mistake. A few tears began to fall from her eyes, and she collapsed onto the window seat. Why Cressida, she asked herself as she began to cry even harder. Pressing her face into a nearby pillow, she muffled her growing sobs.