Chapter Text
"This is disgusting." Eloise grimaces.
Penelope shrugs "You wanted to know."
"I still want to know but this is my brother we're talking about, it's still gross."
Penelope rolls her eyes.
"So what's the plan?" insists the fifth Bridgerton.
"It's very simple...I'm going to seduce your brother." Eloise grimaces again, which Penelope ignores.
"And I'll do it by following in the footsteps of this magazine." Penelope holds up an old magazine from a discontinued publisher.
Eloise quirks an eyebrow "I'm sure if you're honest you'll save yourself a lot of steps."
"I can't, not after hearing him say he doesn't see me that way"
Penelope sighs and Eloise pats her back "This is my last chance, if I don't make it then I promise to give up Colin Bridgerton." Her determination is even frightening.
"As much as I loathe the idea of sharing you with Colin, you being my sister officially makes me very happy."
Penelope hugs her friend "Thank you for your support El."
"And if it doesn't work out, we can always wait for Gregory to grow up, he's already in love with you"
Penelope rolls her eyes as they both laugh.
~~
Step 1: Increase the physical contact, make him notice you, but remember to be subtle, don't jump in all at once, a little touch will do if you do it with style.
Penelope smiled to herself as she looked in the mirror.
Today she would begin her plan to seduce Colin Bridgerton.
She was wearing a pink outfit that consisted of a sweetheart neckline blouse and skinny jeans relieving all her curves.
It was her chance, her last chance The man was in England after finishing his third tour and according to Eloise he would take some time to start his fourth.
She on the other hand was in her last year of college, she barely had time left before she had to restart classes but she was Penelope Featherington.
She would make the most of the time. It was her last chance, otherwise she would give up on the man forever.
"You can do it Penelope" she smiles one last time and goes to the target.
Arriving at the Bridgerton house, the staff let her in with no questions asked, she then instead of going straight to Eloise's room, she goes through the living room, dining room and finally the kitchen.
Penelope smiles to herself.
Knowing Colin Bridgerton for so many years had given her too much leverage for her.
Whenever Colin arrived from any trip the next day he would get up very early and eat like crazy according to him to get used to the schedule again.
Seeing him however his knees trembled.
A beard adorned his scarred face, his green eyes seem focused on the food and he looked like he had gained muscle looking broader, bigger and consequently more attractive.
Penelope swallows.
He ate a strawberry from a bowl overflowing with fruit, Penelope had never been so envious of a strawberry.
Penelope lets out a sigh, before letting herself be seen.
"Good morning Colin, I didn't know you had arrived" she lied.
"Pen, good...
Colin leaves the sentence half-finished as he looks up from his plate and silently faces her.
He looks her up and down pausing on her face too long.
She fakes a smile "Is something wrong?" Penelope wonders if maybe she looks too ridiculous.
Colin clears his throat "Nothing. Good morning Pen, I just arrived yesterday, I was thinking of coming to visit you this afternoon along with El."
"You're very thoughtful" She blinks delightedly and Colin swallows.
Kate and Anthony arrive in the kitchen, interrupting the exchange of glances, too used to the Featherington presence they offer casual greetings.
Kate however lingers longer on the redhead "You look beautiful girl."
Penelope blushes "Thank you Kate."
Anthony smiles at her as he begins to bring out food.
A new wave of confidence relaxes her body.
Penelope accustomed to mornings with the Bridgerton couple, sits next to Colin confidently, close enough that their knees touched lightly.
If Colin notices, he doesn't pull away.
"Did you eat breakfast?" Colin asks him after faking a cough.
"Yes but what you're eating looks delicious."
"You can have whatever you want" without thinking Colin offers his plate in full.
Anthony and Kate share an incredulous look.
Penelope smiles brightly and leans next to him at the table taking a strawberry from the plate and popping it into her mouth as she looks at him.
Colin swallows.
The two share a look that lasts seconds and he quickly averts his gaze.
As if it were a contest, he begins to devour the rest of the food and doesn't give her a single glance.
Penelope purses her lips and sighs.
Seducing Mr. Bridgerton would be an arduous task.