Work Text:
What happened to Penelope's dog?
Penelope Featherington has been distraught over the loss of her dog, Sweeney. After the end of her first season, the dog had disappeared. The dog had been a courting gift for her cousin, Marina, who had been allergic and had given it to Penelope.
When she had questioned her mother, Portia, on the whereabouts of her beloved pup, she was evasive and coy. Saying only, "Penelope, I do not have the time nor patience to deal with an animal. I'm sure I do not have any idea where that mangy mutt has run off to. You should have kept a better watch on him."
Two seasons have gone by and Penelope cannot forget her Sweeney Dogg. Although her new husband replaced him with a new pup, Penelope cannot forget her first puppy love and continues to silently despair over his probable demise. 🥺🐶
Several weeks after they return from their honeymoon tour, she and her new husband Colin Bridgerton decide to visit her cousin, Marina and her husband, Sir Phillip Crane. When Penelope steps out of the carriage, she hears a delightful sound. Children laughing, but also a familiar bark. Sweeney Dogg! Has he been here the entire time? Why didn't her mother just tell her?
On her way home, she insists upon buying her mother a pie from Mrs. Mooney's pie shop.
TWO YEARS EARLIER
Penelope was in her Lady Whistledown mode gathering evidence trying to figure out what had happened to her beloved pup. She had last seen Sweeney Dogg with her mother in London walking towards Fleet Street. She had returned that day alone.
As Lady Whistledown, she had heard of a curious pie shop that sold meat pies. Rumors around this shop say that all the stray cats and dogs disappeared and the next day, pies were made in bulk.
"It has come to this author's attention that Mrs. Mooney seems to have a kind heart for animals. Ms. Lovett was overheard saying how all the pussycats and strays seemed to go missing around her pie shop. What do you think, dear reader, could something nefarious be occurring? This author can only speculate, but could Mrs. Mooney be taking them in and giving them a home?
Lady Whistledown
Society Papers"
Could Portia have left this dog at this shop? She did come back alone and with some extra money.
PRESENT DAY
Penelope was determined to set the matter straight. She asked Colin to drop her off at her mother's so that she could deliver her treats. Understanding that he did not wish to bear witness to this display by his lady love, no matter how spectacular, he agreed to pick her up in one hours time.
"Penelope, I wasn't expecting you today," Portia Featherington said breezily as she came into the drawing room. "Your sister just left to promenade with Mr. Albensdale."
"I'm here to see you today, Mama. I've brought you a treat," Penelope smiled, oozing sweetness as she took the pie out. "It's from Mrs. Mooney's pie shop, and when I saw it, I knew you'd want to try it."
"Why, Penelope, that is very kind of you, but I cannot-," eyes widening upon the mention of THAT pie shop.
"Oh, but you will, mother. You see, I've just come from Romney Hall, and imagine my surprise to see my dog, whom you led me to believe was… baked in a pie gone… all these years, happily playing with Amanda and Oliver. Why? Why would you allow me to think something like that?"
Portia visibly paled at the mention of her dog and tentatively took the pie. Gulping, she said, "I-I can explain!"
Penelope laughed and took the pie back, it wasn't a meat pie. It was cherry and she took a bite to show her mother.
