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“Colin has done the same with Penelope Featherington. It does not signify!” Anthony shouted from the drawing room, pulling Colin to a halt mid-step. He wracked his mind to search for anything he could have done near Penelope that might be construed as improper, but could not recall anything about which his brother could be yelling. Fearing her reputation might be unfairly tainted, Colin stepped inside the room.
His mother had just opened her mouth to respond, but pursed her lips when she saw Colin enter. Daphne stood next to his mother, arms stiff at her sides and fists balled in frustration. “What is it that you believe I have done?” Colin inquired calmly, for fear he might spark the simmering rage of the room into an inferno. Pen was a dear friend and a sweet girl who did not deserve his family’s judgment as a result of nothing more than baseless rumors.
“What?” Anthony furrowed his brows at Colin.
“With Pen?” Colin clarified, but his brother shook his head, face contorted in a puzzled expression. “What is it that I have allegedly done with Penelope Featherington? I heard you say something from the hall.”
“Mm” Anthony acknowledged with a nod, standing straighter and smirking haughtily toward Daphne and their mother. “You danced with her twice at last night’s ball.”
“Oh.” Colin swallowed thickly as his face grew warm. It was true. He had danced with her twice. Once after Cressida had rudely spilled her drink on Penelope’s dress and another time after the display of lights when Colin noticed he was still holding her hand. The first dance had been so enjoyable, he found himself quite excited at the opportunity to swing her around once more, though their second dance had been slower than the earlier lively jig. “Yes. I suppose I did dance with her twice. May I inquire as to what that does not signify?” Now Colin was confused. He could not fathom why his brother had yelled such a thing if he was not angry at Colin for doing something improper with Penelope.
“It does not signify that you are courting her, correct?” Anthony elaborated.
Colin pressed his lips together. Second dances were typically reserved for courting couples, though the thought had not entered his mind when he pulled Penelope onto the dance floor once more. In fact, the thought of Penelope being courted by anyone much less himself had never occurred to him before. Whereas Colin had attended several balls during the prior season, this was Penelope’s first season out. Of course he knew she was out, for he had danced with her at a ball. But somehow, his mind had not connected the idea that upon her debut, Penelope was eligible for courtship.
He had known Penelope for half his life, and though Eloise would most certainly deny it, he and Pen had formed a friendship of their own over the years. Was his mother not always praddling on about marrying one’s dearest friend? Colin smiled at the thought.
While Miss Thompson was beautiful and enigmatic, she was certainly not his dearest friend. He hardly knew anything about her. And Penelope had always been pretty, with her red hair that gleamed like fire in the sunlight and the pale freckles that dusted her nose in the summer and that smile that always made him grin like a fool. The only thing that detracted from her appearance was the ridiculous dresses her mother forced her to wear. Garish colors with unfashionable cuts and overly embellished designs. Penelope’s preferences, like the pink dress she had worn the night before, suited her far better.
And now, Penelope Featherington was eligible for courtship.
“Colin.” Anthony snapped his fingers, demanding Colin’s attention.
“Yes?”
“You danced with the girl twice, but you are not courting her, correct? I am attempting to make a point regarding the attentions of eligible men. If you insist on inserting yourself into this conversation, I ask that you at least cooperate.” Anthony repeated his question before trailing off into his grumbling complaint.
“Oh, then yes, courting her sounds like a good idea.” Colin nodded emphatically. It was, in fact, a great idea.
“You think it is a good idea for Daphne and the Duke to court?” Anthony groaned bringing a hand to his forehead and shaking his head in frustration.
“No.” Colin corrected. “Or yes. Maybe. I do not know. I meant Penelope and myself. I should court her.”
“What!” His brother demanded as his mother simultaneously exclaimed, “Oh, how wonderful!”
“She is one of my dearest friends, and mother always said we should marry the person who is our best friend.” Colin stated simply, but Anthony’s thunderous face indicated that his explanation was not convincing enough. “I always look forward to talking to her, and she is my favorite dance partner.”
“You danced at one ball! You may have danced twice, but it was only one ball. How can she be your favorite dance partner?” Anthony argued.
“She often visited when mother brought in the dance instructor for Daphne, Eloise, Fran, and myself, and I always had the most fun dancing with her. Pen spends enough time here that I would think you should already know that it would be a brilliant decision to court her, but if I must convince you…” Colin shrugged before continuing. “She is absolutely brilliant. You should watch her win an argument with Eloise about literature. Often when she wins, she does so using only a quarter as many words as our dear sister. I know she seems shy, but once she feels more comfortable around you, she is incredibly witty. It still shocks me sometimes when she makes particularly pointed barbs. You would never expect it coming from someone so sweet.” Colin shuffled, feeling the tips of his ears burn as he added, “And, of course, she is very pretty.”
“Oh, the two of you.” Anthony sighed pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger. “And before you ask, I am referring to you and Daphne. Colin, you are nineteen years old. You may be excited, but you are still green. Now is not the time to make hasty decisions. You have several years until people even begin to expect you are looking for a serious courtship.”
“Yes, but Penelope is already out.” Colin countered.
“Then you can court her next year if you are still interested, but not now.” Anthony offered in an attempt to appease Colin while delaying further discussion of his interest in Penelope, but Colin had made up his mind.
“No. I understand what you are saying Anthony, but I cannot afford to wait. Pen is an eligible young lady and any gentleman in the ton could come along and swoop her up while I stand idly by listening to your advice. No, I cannot take the chance that she might marry someone other than me.”
“Marry her?” Anthony threw up his hands.
“It is as if you did not listen to my explanation at all, brother. Yes, I wish to marry her. Hence the courtship.” Colin crossed his arms over his chest. While he did not wish to stir up further conflict given his brother’s poor mood, he did not appreciate how dismissive Anthony was towards Penelope.
“Colin, you are being rash. Mother, please tell him he is being rash.” Anthony pleaded with their mother, but she was still beaming with delight.
“Nonsense. Your father and I were married at Colin’s age. A love born out of friendship is the strongest kind of love. Colin has known Miss Penelope for years. And I have long thought she held something of a fondness for him. They will make a wonderful match.” His mother dismissed Anthony’s concerns. She beamed so brightly, Colin thought she might embrace him had Anthony not been standing between them.
Colin grinned when his mother mentioned that Penelope might have an interest in him. That would certainly help make for a smoother courtship. Turning back to Anthony, Colin stood tall as he defended his position. “The entire season lies ahead brother. How can you call me rash when I plan to spend months courting a girl to see if we are suitable for marriage? That is anything but rash.” Colin was sure he and Penelope were more than suitable, but if it appeased his brother to know that Colin would pursue a lengthy courtship, he was happy to make it so. Given their young age, Colin had already thought he ought to draw out her courtship, for he would not be surprised if Penelope was nervous about the idea of marriage.
Eyes narrowed in confusion as he shook his head, Anthony stared at Colin. “Fine. Do what you wish. I have more pressing matters to deal with.” Anthony waved a hand dismissively towards Colin.
With a shrug, Colin stepped toward the door, calling out “I’m off to visit the Featheringtons.” as he left the room.
---
“I am afraid Miss Thompson is still unable to see visitors, Mr. Bridgerton. Might I pass on a message.” Lady Featherington apologized as she raised her eyebrows at the collection of three mismatching bouquets Colin held clumsily in his arms.
Somehow Miss Thompson had slipped from his mind entirely during his argument with his brother. “Oh, that is of no consequence, Lady Featherington, for I am here to call on Penelope.”
With all the grace of a drunken marmot, Lady Featherington collapsed to the ground.
“Oh dear!” The housekeeper, Mrs. Varley, exclaimed from further inside the foyer. “Oh, do come in, Mr. Bridgerton. Please make your way to the drawing room. Lady Featherington shall join you in a few moments once I… revive her.”
“Uh, very well.” Colin cocked his head, peering down at the unconscious woman and shrugging when he noted that she was still breathing regularly. Portia Featherington had always been the dramatic sort, he thought, as he awkwardly shimmied around her body. A few stray flower petals escaped his bouquets, drifting through the air and landing around Lady Featherington almost as if they had been tossed in celebration. He supposed it was fitting as the fainting from excitement could be celebratory, maybe.
Swinging into the drawing room, Colin greeted the rest of the Featherington family with a bright smile, “Good afternoon Lord Featherington! Ladies.” Colin acknowledged, tipping his head toward Prudence and Philippa before turning his attention to Penelope. “Miss Penelope.” His hands were starting to feel sweaty. He gripped the bouquets tighter to keep the flowers from slipping out of his grip and rocked on his feet as he waited for Penelope’s response. She was watching him from the far sofa near the window, surrounded by a rosy halo as the rays of sunlight bounced off her bright hair.
“Oh, Colin, did my mother not inform you that Marina is remained unwell. She is not receiving visitors.” The corners of her mouth pulled down as Penelope explained Marina’s absence.
“She did in fact inform me of the matter, and I told her it was irrelevant, for I am here to see you.” Colin did not let her initial disappointed expression faze him, sending her his best flirtatious smirk. Penelope blinked at him while her sisters gasped. He heard a rustling noise from beside him and turned to see that Lord Featherington had set his newspaper on his lap.
“You are here to visit with Penelope?” The man asked neutrally. Colin was taken aback, only nodding in response. Lord Featherington had never expressed much interest in his daughters, leaving Portia to prepare them for their entrance into society and guide them through the balls and social events of the London season. “And may I inquire as to the reason for your visit?”
Colin wet his lips, glancing at Penelope before turning back to her father. He had not been prepared to discuss his intentions with the man today as he expected Lord Featherington would hardly pay any attention toward his actions while Lady Featherington would most likely busy herself lauding his decision to pursue a Featherington rather than Miss Thompson. It was no secret the woman wished for her daughters to marry up if possible, and the Bridgertons were certainly on her list of eligible families.
“I wish to give her these flowers and speak with her because -” Colin broke off to gulp down a breath, “I hope to court your daughter, sir.”
“And your intentions are serious?” The man questioned, reminding Colin of Anthony.
“Yes. Very serious, sir.” Colin nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. He snuck another glance toward Pen, the person he thought he would be sharing these words with. Her mouth hung slightly open while her face had turned adorably red like a cute tomato. Maybe next time he would bring her tomatoes.
“Hmm.” Lord Featherington acknowledged, standing up from his chair as his eyes searched Colin’s face for something Colin could not be sure of. “Very well. I would like to speak with you briefly before you begin your visit. If you would follow me to my office.” Lord Featherington tilted his head toward the door. While the her father folded his newspaper, Colin reached Penelope in a few strides.
Thrusting the bouquets toward her, Colin smiled softly, feeling the tips of his ears begin to warm as he realized the three bulky flower arrangements were so large, he could not see her face behind them as he held them out. “These are for you. I am excited to spend a delightful afternoon with you, but it seems I must first speak with your father. I will return as soon as he allows me.” Colin winked as he left her holding the colorful arrangements.
Following Lord Featherington into his office, Colin could feel his palms sweating again. This felt very similar to the way Anthony had confronted him earlier. Colin knew he was young, but he was capable of providing Penelope with a good life. Now he just needed to prove it.
“Lord Featherington, I want to assure you that though I am young, I am fully capable of being the loving and supportive husband Penelope deserves.” Colin started as he watched Lord Featherington sit in the chair behind his desk, leaving Colin awkwardly standing in front of him like a student performing an oration as their schoolteacher watched on in judgment.
“So you are serious then.” Lord Featherington nodded as he leaned back in his chair. “Truthfully, Mr. Bridgerton, I do not worry about your young age. Everyone knows the story of you parents courtship when they were the same age as you and my daughter, and I think they are evidence that a well-raised gentleman can provide a suitable life for a lady even at a your young age. However, I feel we must discuss some things before I can agree to allow you to formally court my daughter.”
Colin smiled. Perhaps this conversation would not be as brutal as he feared. “Of course, sir.”
“Penelope is my youngest daughter. She is different than her sisters, as I am sure you know. Though I may not have spent as much time with my daughters as men such as your father, I did try to make time for Penelope while her mother focused on Prudence and Philippa. She often enjoyed reading while I held meetings with my solicitor and inquiring about our discussions after. She is bright and witty and a dedicated student in her studies, but she also does not fit into society’s conventions.” Lord Featherington caveated, making Colin frown. “Do not mistake me saying that as insulting my daughter. Regardless of the state of affairs between Portia and myself, it is important to me that any daughter of mine who leaves this home goes somewhere that I know she will be cared for.”
“Yes, of course. That is very honorable.” Colin agreed with a nod.
“But you must understand, that Portia and I believed it was far more likely that Prudence and Philippa would be married before dear Penelope. They are older and more conventional even if they may be a bit dim. Not all men wish for an intelligent wife. They can be challenging.” Lord Featherington drew out the word, leaving Colin to wonder if Lady Featherington was perhaps more cunning than she appeared on the surface. “Since it has been a priority for us to find matches for Prudence and Philippa, we only have a very small dowry set aside for Penelope at this time. While I want Penelope to be happy and well taken care of, I do not wish for this courtship to proceed any further if marriage is not a possibility due to the size of her dowry. It would break her heart.”
Colin felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Clasping his hands behind his back, he forced himself to stand straighter. “The size of Penelope’s dowry does not matter to me or to my family. Truthfully, I do not care if Penelope has any dowry at all. I know that I am only a third son, but my father left a profitable property to me upon his passing. I shall be more than capable of providing for the both of us and any children we may have in the future.”
Lord Featherington narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Colin’s words in silence before nodding. The room remained quiet making Colin uncomfortable as he could hear the sound of his own heart thumping in his chest. Clearing his throat, Colin kept his voice steady and serious as he asked for Lord Featherington’s formal permission to court Penelope with the intent to marry her near the end of the season.
“Of course. I would be glad for you to court Penelope.” Lord Featherington stood up, reaching over his desk to shake Colin’s hand. “Now I suggest we return to my family’s drawing room, such that you may make your intentions clear lest my daughter or Portia believe I have scared you off. I would never hear the end of it.”
By the time he and Lord Featherington returned to the drawing room, Lady Featherington was fully recovered and sending a maid to obtain a third vase to hold the final bouquet of flowers Colin had brought for Penelope.
“Mr. Bridgerton, it is so wonderful of you to visit our home today. I apologize for the spell that came over me. It is this heat.” Lady Featherington flapped an arm in the air, vaguely gesturing toward the window as she spoke in an overly saccharine voice far gentler and higher in pitch than the way she spoke down upon other women as she gossiped in the corner of every ball.
“Oh yes, it has been very warm indeed.” Colin agreed, doing his best to be amiable to the woman. He was growing more impatient by the second in his efforts to speak with Penelope, and he did not think he would survive another lengthy conversation with one of her parents.
“May we get you anything? Tea? Biscuits?” Lady Featherington offered, already sending a footman off with the flick of her wrist.
“Uh yes, that sounds very nice. Might I speak with Penelope now?” Colin was happy to accept the tea and biscuits as long as he could share them with Penelope rather than the rest of the Featherington family who seemed determined to occupy his time.
“Yes, yes. Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable.” Colin grinned striding over to Penelope with no hesitation as soon as the first ‘yes’ came from Lady Featherington’s mouth.
“Pen!” He exclaimed as he plopped down into the chair next to the sofa where she sat admiring the final bouquet as it awaited a vase. She held the bundle of pink roses in front of her chest, covering the neckline of her mustard dress with their much more flattering shade. Their color matched the rosy flush of her cheeks. “Do you like the flowers?”
“Oh, they are wonderful, Colin!” Penelope’s voice came out at a much higher pitch than he remembered. He smiled at the knowledge that his gift had flustered her so. “But you did not have to bring me three bouquets.”
“But all three of them reminded me of you! How was I to choose?” Colin smirked, letting out a light chuckle as Penelope’s face blushed a deeper shade that reached the tip of her nose. “Daisies because I remembered you once told me you thought they were the happiest flowers.” He gestured to the bouquet that had been placed in a transparent vase made of blue glass on the window sill behind her. “Honeysuckles,” He pointed to the wildflower bouquet on the nearby mantle – a smattering of yellows, purples, and red mixed with fluffy white baby’s breath, “because they are my very favorite flower, and I wished to share that with you. And pink roses because they are as pretty as you.”
“Colin!” Penelope squeaked, before lowering her voice to a murmur that only Colin would be able to hear. “You cannot say such things!”
“Why not?” Colin shook his head and laughed when Penelope had no response. “Well it seems that you do not have much of an argument, so I shall continue to say such things as much as I want. And I think that will be fairly often, indeed.”
Penelope beamed at him, and he noticed her shoulders had begun to relax. Smiling in return, he stood up and extended his hand toward her. Penelope’s hand hovered a few inches above her lap as she stared at him, eyes wide in confusion. “As your mother said, it is a rather hot day. Might I entice you to accompany me in pursuit of some ices?” Dropping his voice he continued, “And slightly less nosy company.” He smirked, flicking his eyes toward Penelope’s mother and sisters who had not stopped staring at them since Colin had entered the room. They were not the least but subtle.
Letting out a sweet giggle that made his heart jump, Penelope appeared to find her normal voice once more as she accepted his offer. “I would be absolutely thrilled.” She placed her hand in his, allowing Colin to help her to her feet. Bidding the Featherington family farewell, Colin forced himself to reign in his frenetic energy lest he end up dragging Pen down the streets as her much shorter legs would inevitably struggle to keep up with his hurried pace. Instead, Colin took a long breath and looped his arm through Penelope’s as he stepped through the door of the Featherington home ready to begin the first of many relaxing strolls during a beautiful courtship that had started with the two dances they shared the night before.