Chapter Text
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Bridgerton man in pursuit of a purpose, must be in need of a true love match. Because of that, at 4:06 pm on a rainy Friday, Penelope Featherington vowed to never love Colin Bridgerton ever again. She was adamant on not having a broken heart on the day he was to find said match and marry another. That day, however, never came.
Deep inside, she was a different woman when those vows were made. Penelope had just moved to Lilach Town and was ready to start anew, none of her beloved Bridgertons in sight. Although Eloise came to visit regularly and always kept in touch, it was clear this was an opportunity to become her own woman. And that, she thought, had gone very well so far, thank you very much.
Inevitably, the vows to never love Colin again were kept for exactly five years, four months, six days, an hour and twenty two seconds. It was made easier by his absence, his adventurous spirit never growing roots anywhere close to her sight. Her valiant effort, however, was doomed to implode once Colin’s soaking wet figure knocked on her front door. She cleaned her sweaty hands on her green flowy dress before opening the door.
The first thing of note about his appearance was his height. He was taller than she remembered. So tall, in fact, that it made her low-ceiling house look like a child’s toy. There weren’t any built homes for sale or available beds for rent in Lilach, so it came as no surprise to Penelope when Violet requested she gave the third son a place to stay while he settled into his new job.
"Pen!" Colin smiled excitedly, while droplets of rain slid down his lips. Penelope quickly realized she was parched.
"Colin Bridgerton, the one who traveled to Greece and back, now stuck in Lilach. The scandal!" She teased. It was inevitable to draw a smile mirroring his, while warmness filled her chest. She pretended not to notice his drenched clothes revealed the skin beneath it. "Come in before you catch a cold."
A child-like sneeze escaped his nose. "It is a little late for that, I’m afraid," his smile only grew larger. "Shall we?"
"Come in? Of course," she laughed nervously and stepped out of the way. "Leave your things in the living room while I go fetch you some towels. I'm sure you'll want a hot bath." Pen's mouth couldn't help but tremble on the word hot.
"Sorry for all the trouble, I'll wait for you here," he reached for her right hand before she could leave the room. "Truly, Penelope, thank you for having me. You didn't have to. Thank you."
His cold touch sent an electric shock through her body, making it hard for her not to recoil. She nodded, slowly retrieved her hand and fled to the bathroom in elegant fashion. Or so she hoped.
***
Left alone, Colin's eyes surveyed the room. The living room was cozy, if not a bit stuffy, with a small emerald sofa at its center. Puddles of water now decorated it's entrance, leaving dark spots on the beautiful rug underneath his feet.
Apart from the wet mess he was to leave behind, Colin felt he had been the perfect gentleman. For that, he couldn't help but nod to himself. Even though he had no idea how one was to behave when seeing their best friend after five years, he was sure this had been a perfectly good reencounter.
Penelope's figure entered the room and interrupted his thoughts like it had done so many times before, two white towels rested on her soft arms. "Here you go, Col," she said, her eyes not once leaving the ground.
"Thank you... again." Col took the towels, the skin of their arms rubbing against each other. On his way to the bathroom, he realized there was a funny feeling about it, something familiar had started stirring deep within him.
Shrugging it off, he prepared himself for the best bath he had taken in years.
***
Alone in her bedroom, Penelope couldn't help but gasp aloud.
Colin Bridgerton was right there. Colin Bridgerton was showering inside her home. Colin Bridgerton was naked just two doors from her. A giggle broke loose from her lips and made her feel like a schoolgirl again.
The redhead cleared her throat hastily. She was a real woman now: independent, with her own house, and a content life - happy even. Her adulthood could also be proved by her presence in every Saturday's volunteering work. Everyone in town got together to help where they could - and she was best at reading books to kids and teens in the public library.
Tomorrow, Pen was to read one of her own original works. The story told the tale of a girl that got lost in the woods and had to feed off of plants she never heard about to stay alive. At its core, the story was truly about the young girl discovering solitude and resourcefulness, being obligated to grow up by herself.
Suddenly, the sound of running water coming from the bathroom stopped. Her blood freezed in her veins for no apparent reason.
It was time for dinner.