Chapter Text
Colin Bridgerton loved to travel, the three years he had spent abroad were proof of it. Right now, he was in a local restaurant in a small town in the heart of Mexico. He had been traveling the last few weeks with Horatio Lumley, a photographer he met when he arrived in Mexico City. Lumley had told him about his plan to travel to the country’s hidden gems for a project he was working on, small towns that not a lot of international tourists knew about. That’s how he ended up here, in this town called Xilitla, a place with the most impressive garden full with surrealistic sculptures that contrasted with the lush vegetation. Colin was about to have his breakfast. He had been enjoying the local cuisine a little too much, right now he was about to have some mole with chicken and rice, when he got Anthony's call.
"Anthony, hi!. What's up?"
"Colin, I need you to come back to London, grab the first flight available from wherever you are right now." His tone was bossy, Colin didn’t like it when he used that tone on him, it made him feel like a little child being scolded by his father.
"I'm in Mexico, brother, the nearest airport is like four hours away and I still have some places left on my tour…"
"Colin." Anthony interrupted. You better be in my office in no more than forty eight hours."
"Anthony, I can't just leave."
"Colin, this is an emergency, please, come back." Now his tone was more calmed, which worried Colin.
"What happened Anthony? Is something wrong."
"Just come home, brother." Before Colin could question anything more, he hung up.
"What was that?" Lumley asked him.
" I need to leave now and go back to London, I'll go back to the cabin and grab my things, do you think you could give me a ride to the nearest airport?"
"Of course, Colin. We should finish our meals first, don't you think?" Colin was starving, and the food looked delicious, London could wait a couple more hours. He was not excited to return to rainy cold London, when he was enjoying the nice sunny weather here, but he guessed he didn't have a choice.
When he finally arrived in London, he went straight to the Bridgerton Publications building. Colin felt anxious as he went to Anthony's office on the top floor. The office was enormous, on one side there was a window with a great view to the city, and on the other, a wall full of pictures and awards. There was a photograph of last year’s family golf tournament with all of the siblings except for him. Colin had been in Greece when that picture was taken. There was also Anthony’s cover on Fortune Magazine as the number one on the list of 40 under 40, his CEO award from two years ago, the trophy of the Bridgerton Company at the Workplaces awards, and a number of other recognitions that reminded Colin of how unaccomplished he was in comparison to his siblings.
“Colin!” Anthony startled Colin as he entered his office. “I missed you brother, I'm glad to have you back.”
Colin hugged his brother. “I'm glad to be back, just a little curious as to why I’m here.”
Anthony invited him to sit again as he took his place behind the desk, a solemn look on his face.
“Dear god, did someone die?”
“As a matter of fact, yes, someone did die. Charlotte Quinn passed away last week. It took us all by surprise. Everything at Mode has been chaotic since then.”
“Really? That's sad to hear brother, but what does it have to do with me?” Colin had barely known the woman, he had met her a few times at family events. She had this commanding presence about her that you couldn’t help but look at her whenever she entered a room. There was a reason why she had become such a respected name in the fashion industry and everyone longed for her approval. Colin felt sorry for the idiot who would have to take her place at Mode, the bar that Charlotte set was pretty high.
“Well Colin, I need you to take over her position at Mode”.
“I’m sorry brother, I think I didn’t hear you right. What?”
“I want you to be the new Editor in Chief of Mode.”
“Why?” Anthony was not making sense, why would he want Colin of all people to take charge of Mode?
“I need someone in the family to run the most profitable magazine we have.” He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Why not Benedict? Or Daphne? Or god, even Eloise”
“Unlike you, they already have a steady job, you know fully well that Benedict is in charge of the Arts magazine, as well as managing his Art Gallery. And Daphne, she took time off from her modeling career to start a family, you do remember she just had a baby boy right? And Eloise? Really, do you even have to ask? Besides, she’s about to start studying for her masters degree”
Colin laughed. “I guess you are right, Eloise would turn Mode into a political feminist magazine, not exactly what Mode is known for.”
“And since our other siblings are still in school, that only leaves you. Colin, you've been avoiding responsibilities for far too long, it's time for you to step up.”
“Anthony, I’m sure you can find someone better qualified than me. If you want me to work for our company, I could start as a reporter for Lonely Traveler. I have lots of ideas, if you would just let me start there.”
“No Colin, I need you in Mode. You begin on Monday as Editor in Chief, it's done."
"But Anthony, I don’t have the faintest idea on how to run a magazine, let alone a fashion one."
"Colin, that's why you have a capable team of employees to do their jobs. And if you have doubts, you could always rely on Cressida, she was Charlotte's right hand and has been in Mode for years.
"And if she is so good, why not promote her?"
"Because…brother..Cressida is not ready yet for the position."
Colin laughed at the absurdity of his brother's words."And you think I am?"
"Colin, this is your family's legacy, I trust you will do what's best for the company."
Colin knew there was no point arguing, so he just nodded. "Since I don't have a choice."
Colin Bridgerton, Editor in Chief of the most prestigious fashion magazine in England, that was definitely not the career path he had in mind. He guessed he would have to forget about his plan of going to Guatemala next week.
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Penelope arrived just in time for dinner, she had been at Eloise’s home a few time, ever since they met on their first day at uni, they had been inseparable. Violet had always made sure she felt welcomed at Bridgerton House, and today was no exception.
Penelope sat at the dinner table next to Eloise. It was weird to see the house so empty, only Eloise's younger siblings, her mother and Anthony were there. Benedict apparently had some job commitments, Daphne's visits were scarce since she had gotten married, Francesca had been living with some aunt in Scotland for years now, and Colin was busy traveling the world. Since they were barely in London, Pen hadn't had the chance to meet the last three, she just knew what Eloise had told her about them.
“Colin was in the office today”.
“Colin is back?", Eloise, Hyacinth and Gregory said in unison, all of them surprised by the news.
“Yes, he just got back.". Anthony was annoyed at the interruption. "And mother, it’s done.”
"So he is back and hasn't come to see us?" Gregory was clearly disappointed by the fact that his brother didn't even let them know he was in London.
"He better have some good excuse, and presents, lots of presents for his favorite sister." Hyacinth added.
"Yes, Greg, Hyacinth. He's just settling in his new flat. I'm certain he will come visit you tomorrow." Violet said to comfort them, and then she turned to the eldest brother. “Anthony, please tell me you were not too hard on him.”
“Mother, you've been too soft with him, it's time for him to grow up.”
“Wait what are you talking about? Did something happen? Does this have to do with Ms. Quinn's death?” Eloise didn’t like not knowing things.
“It’s nothing, El. All you need to know is that Colin will not be leaving London anytime soon."
Penelope could tell Eloise was not satisfied with the answer, still she knew there was no point asking more questions, so she changed the subject.
“Pen, how is the job search going?”
“Not good, I’ve had a couple interviews, but nothing has come out of it, I’m still waiting for them to call me, it’s not easy to find a job when you have little experience.”
“Anthony, have I mentioned that Penelope has a degree in journalism? And she graduated with honours."
Anthony had not been paying attention to the conversation until Eloise mentioned his name. “Congratulations Penelope, that’s quite the accomplishment”.
“Thank you Mr. Bridgerton.” Penelope had an inkling on where Eloise was going with this.
"She could be a perfect fit for the company, don't you think?”
“Eloise don’t…please.” Penelope was mortified, she knew Eloise meant well but she feared the Bridgertons would think she wanted to take advantage of her friendship with Eloise.
“Penelope please, don’t be shy, you are currently looking for a job, and you are outstanding, you wrote for the University Paper, and Anthony she even was nominated for an award for young journalists last year. Anthony, do you think you could have something for her?”
Penelope had always admired how direct Eloise was, but right now she just wanted to disappear, even more now that Anthony Bridgerton was looking straight at her.
“Eloise, stop. Let's talk about something else please.” Penelope was really embarrassed.
“So you are not looking for a job?” Anthony questioned her.
“Yes I am, just not at Bridgerton Publications.” That didn’t sound good, damn Eloise for putting her in this position. Anthony raised his eyebrows.
“So you wouldn’t want to work for Bridgerton?” Why did he keep looking at her? Talking to her?
“No, I mean yes, I mean no…I mean, I would, but I'd like to get in on my own.” She felt completely nervous, she had always found Anthony Bridgerton a little scary, and this was the first time he addressed her directly in the few times she had happened to be in the same room as him. He looked at his mother for a moment, a little smile formed on his face as Violet nodded in approval.
“I actually do have something, Penelope. Look, there's no shame in using one's connections to get ahead, everyone has to start somewhere. It doesn’t matter how you get the job, it's about what you do with it once you get it, so I ask you again, would you be interested to work with us?”
“Really Anthony? Would you hire her? You heard that Pen, that's amazing!” Eloise smiled and clapped her hands, too excited for her friend.
It would be foolish to say no, this was a great opportunity, she knew if it wasn't for Eloise, she probably wouldn't have made it through the first filter. This wasn’t how she dreamed of getting her first job, but she was in no position to refuse it, especially considering her family’s precarious situation and the serious debt her father had left them with.
“Yes, Mr. Bridgerton, I am interested.”
“Good, I'll call HR tomorrow, they'll contact you to get the paperwork ready, you start on Monday.”
“ May I ask, what position are you hiring me for?” She guessed it didn’t matter, she would still say yes, but she needed to be prepared.
"Of course Penelope, you will be the assistant for the new Editor in Chief of Mode."
"MODE? You are kidding right? Pen can do so much better than Mode, and who is this new Editor anyway?" Eloise asked.
"It is the only vacancy, take it or leave it, Eloise. And just so you know, Mode's new Editor is none other than our dear brother, Colin." Anthony announced it to the whole family. "Penelope, all you have to do is make sure he doesn’t flee to Argentina or to some other country on the other side of the world."
Penelope Featherington, working in a fashion magazine? She hardly fit the profile for the role. The kind of girls who ended up working at a place like that, had always been mean to her. At least she would be working for Colin. She hadn't met him yet, but according to Eloise, he was charming and kindhearted. So, if he was Eloise's favorite brother, surely that meant Penelope would like him too.
"I will take it, Mr. Bridgerton. Thank you for the opportunity, I won't let you down."
As Eloise squeezed her hand excitedly and grinned, Pen couldn't deny her own excitement. She looked at Eloise and whispered a thank you as she squeezed her hand back. Pen now really owed Eloise. She imagined she would have to accompany her bestie to a couple protests on women's rights or some other cause to thank her properly for her help. But it would be worth it because Pen wanted to work in journalism and, as of Monday, she would be. Besides, how hard could it be to keep Colin in check?