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Chapter Text

    The perfect term that describes his present state was misery. For the past few weeks, this has been his sole sentiment. He does not understand what to do. He has done everything in his power to attempt to stop her from destroying her life. Destroying their life; but she seems intent on ruining what could be their future. A future brimming with love, joy, and togetherness. A future where he could wake up next to her every morning, a future in which he would not be yearning for her presence. Where he can be beside her all day long and without a fear of separation. That is all he wants. All he desires is a lifetime together. Yet, alas he cannot have her. He can not have Penelope Featherington, for she was already engaged to another. 

Colin remembers the circumstances that lead them here. How he keenly attempted to help find her a husband. He coached her on holding conversations with men (men that were not him). He assisted her with her confidence. He introduced her to men he was acquainted with, and he trained her how to…. How to hold the attention of men in particular. Looking back he realizes he is the sole reason for his own despair. Had it not been for him, he would not be watching from the pews as the love of his life married another in a month. He chastised himself for thinking in that direction. He still had a month to convince her against marrying that dull man. A man who he knew was not right for her. He had said that to her as well.

“You cannot marry that man.” He told her on the way back from the Queen's ball. He had chased after her carriage and begged her to let him in. “He will leave you, and he is too particular. And he is… He is just not right for you Pen”. Leaving out the part that he found him tedious and humourless. Well what else would be expected from a man who was known to love interacting with plants more than he did humans? 

She had crushed his heart the next minute. “Despite the scene you caused on the middle of the dance floor, Debling has proposed to me. He wants me as his wife.” She told him with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And I accepted”. She said trying to make her voice sound higher as if she was willing the words out of her. “He is going to be my husband Colin, and there is nothing you can do to convince me otherwise”. Her eyes were determined. Colin stared at her then. Willing tears not to fall out as he proceeds what to say next “But what if I have feelings for you Pen?” He had asked and waited a moment more watching her face fall into that of shock, before falling on his knees in front of her in the spaceless carriage they were currently residing in. “I have spent so long trying to feel less. Trying to be the man that society wants me to be. And I almost succeeded, but these past few weeks have been full of confounding feelings. Feelings like a total inability to stop thinking about you. About that kiss. Feelings like dreaming about you. In fact preferring sleep because that is where I might find you. A feeling that is like torture. But one which I cannot, will not, DO NOT WANT TO give up!” He had practically yelled out the last part. Surely she would’ve understood his sentiments. 

She shook her head, closing her eyes tightly drawing her own tears back. “Please”. She had said as she reopened her eyes. “You do not feel for me Colin”. She whispered. “You are only thinking like this because of that kiss. It is a mere infatuation, one which you will be over in no time.” She stopped to take a long breath in. “You are merely confused. Once you travel again, you will be able to move past this.” She nodded as if to assure them both. 

Colin got back up on the seat in front of her. “You think I do not know my own feelings? Pen, if you do not feel the same way I can understand, but you cannot mock my heart for you. I will not hear of it” he told her firmly. “Only I know how desperately I have had to fight with myself in the last weeks not to run us both to scandal. I love you, Pen, an-” 

“NO! YOU DO NOT! You do not love me!” Penelope interrupted him by screaming exasperatedly. “Do not say things you do not mean.” She had said quieter. 

“But I do mean it. I love you. You do not have to feel the same way, and I…. And I would und….. Understand if you had those feelings that I feel for you for … him” Colin forced out. Watching as she lowered her head and looked away out the window instead of at him. “If you love him then … Forgive me. I will not come between the two of you. But if you even have the smallest place in your heart for me. Not as a friend but rather something more, Penelope, we could work it out. We can figure out how to navigate this hurdle together.” 

She slowly brought her eyes away from the window and back to him. Silently observing. A moment passed with dead silence and Colin was terrified. He did not want to lose her. This was the same woman he had known almost his entire life. Yet he did not know what she was going to say next. Her next words would make or break his entire life. And he hoped to god that she felt the same way as he did. 

“It is too late, Colin.” she whispered. 

His heart sank. The words should make him feel better, it meant she did feel for him in some way. But all he could focus on was her reluctance to see them both happy. Nonetheless he would make another attempt. “It is never too late if we want to be together. Debling will understand, putting aside how monotonous the man is, he is a good gentleman. He will move aside for our happiness.” Colin tried reasoning with her. Penelope shook her head. “I cannot do that Colin. I accepted him in front of my entire family. Not to mention that others were present. Lady Cowper, Dowager Lady Cho, Lady Malhotra if I go back on my engagement now, the scandal that will inevitably fall on my family will leave us in ruin. I cannot be selfish and do that to them.” She reasoned. 

 “Scandals are forgotten as easily as they are created. In another week's time another scandal shall occur and this one will completely blur from the short memory of the ton. I should know, my family and I have gotten into many scandals that we thought would ruin us, only to be left stronger in the end.” It was true. His family had a knack of causing the most outrageous scandals. Each time they had thought the family would wreak, however they got past each and every one. 

She looked at him in distaste. “That is because you are a Bridgerton. Your family gets to move past everything because you have the power and affluence to do so. The rest of the families in the ton are not that lucky. Mine especially does not have the backing nor the money to support another scandal. We are still not over the one from last year when Cousin Jack ran off with the tons money. Or the one I caused earlier this season, by enlisting your help to find myself a husband” She explained. He understood where she was coming from but he did not want to acknowledge a life without her next to him. “Why should the scare of a scandal stop us from a lifetime of happiness?” He questioned her. To him all he wanted was to be able to be Penelope’s husband. He wanted to marry her, and live the rest of his life next to her. “You do like me, Pen? Not just as a friend but as a man?” He asked to which she nodded in agreement. “I have loved you, for a very long time. An embarrassing long time really. And that will never change.” She had whispered not knowing how hard it was for Colin to keep his calm and composure. He wanted to leap from his position, to sit beside her, and to throw her into his arms. She felt the same way he did. And had felt like this for a long time. He would never understand how she kept her patience when all he wanted to do for the past couple weeks was to shout for all of Mayfair to know that he was in love. Colin Bridgerton was in love with Penelope Featherington, who reciprocated his feelings. But they still had a thorn named Alfred Debling in their way, he thought bitterly.

“Then trust me. I will find a way for us to be together. And we will attempt to minimize the scandal as possible. Just trust me Pen. Trust us. The two of us can fight against the entire world together.” He had said. Penelope smiled weary before murmuring “It is not possible. I cannot hurt Debling like that. He is a good man, and he does not deserve this. And I know that my family will not survive another scandal so soon. Maybe we were never meant to be together.” She said with tears falling down her cheeks. “I have waited for you to reciprocate the feelings I have had for a very long time. So long that I had given up completely; on both you and given up on having a love match. Thought I was destined to compromise in marriage like my mother, or truthfully, I had thought I would end up a spinster. That was until Lord Debling entered my life. He was the perfect candidate, he had a large estate, and he is leaving right after the wedding to travel for the next three years. There was never going to be love between us, but at least we would be content. Him and his love for nature and traveling, and me and my books. My mama would be happy to have the little influence his rank in society brings me and my family. He is the perfect person for me, and I can not ruin everything to be selfish. It is true we love each other but it is also true that I love my family. And I will not put them in that position again where they have to be on the brink of ruin.” 

She was bawling. Tears were falling down her cheeks and she raised her hands to put them over her face, inclining her head. Colin wanted to reach out and wipe the tears from her face. Wanted to enfold her in his arms, comforting her. His own resistance crumbling considerably. And he realized with a somber thought, that he had no right. Penelope was an engaged woman. She was not his to comfort. There was another man out there who was allowed to comfort her, and that man was not him. He closed his eyes, willing his own tears to stop, but they kept running like water down a waterfall. Unable to stop on its own. 

They had not spoken for the remainder of the carriage ride. The atmosphere reflecting the inside of Colin’s heart; bleak. Once the carriage had stopped in front of Colin’s house he had stepped out without a word or even a glance at Penelope. He reached the ground and heard a frail voice from behind him “Goodbye Colin”. He did not let it be shown that he heard her. Did not let her see how much it affected him. Simply walking into his house with the storm ongoing in his heart, soul and mind. 

Chapter Text

  It had been an entire week of him being sequestered in his room. Though he did leave a couple times. At night on three separate occasions this past week, he bribed her ladies maid to let her meet him in private. As he had done previously, when she was drowned in scandal and he desperately needed to know that she was alright. Which resulted in them sharing a kiss. A night that will live in his mind for the rest of his life. Everything that night felt like a dream. Her loose ginger curls falling down her form, her mesmerizing eyes that remind him of oceans he had seen overseas, the way her breath hitched higher every second as he weighed down consequences of kissing his dearest friend, her white gown that fit over every curve of her body in the right way, and her plush lips. He did not contemplate for long, because he was pulled in as soon as he gazed upon them. Inviting in a way that Colin could not even think of refusing, as if he would have lost everything, had he decided not to kiss her. Last night, as well, Colin waited outside the back door of the now familiar Featheringtons garden. Only she did not show. He even attempted using Eloise as a weapon to draw her out. She had only gotten her ladies maid to tell him that she knew him better than he knew himself, and that it would not work. So, he had run out of options. He was planning to walk into Featherington house and call on her, in front of her mother. Surely she could not resist that. Could she? Though, he did not want Portia Featherington to meddle between the two of them. He sighed, he would have to find another means to talk to her. Even if it meant throwing rocks at her window.

He walked into the Bridgerton drawing room, where he knew his family was residing at this time. Stepping in, and surprised to see his sister and brother in law sitting snugly on the couch, sipping on tea. 

“Good morning brother. You do know it is well past the time you should be asleep right? Why are you walking in so late?” Anthony asked. After giving the Hastings a hug, Colin sat himself down on the settee beside Benedict. “I slept in. Never mind me, I did not know you would be visiting Daph” He says quizzically. “Well neither did I, but mama thought it would be nice if you saw your favourite sister. Apparently, you have been acting strange of late. Tell me brother, what is going on with you?” She asked, pursing her lips in pure Daphne manor. It was nice to know she had not changed a bit since getting married.  “Whatever could you mean? I am well. I do not recall anything that warrants you to be present. And who says you are my favourite sister? You certainly are not.” He joked clasping his hands together after getting comfortable in his seat. Daphne made a face at him before straightening up.

He looked around, noticing eight different pairs of eyes on him. His entire family (except for Francesca and Eloise who were the only ones missing) were sitting around the room, and staring up at him in a strange way. A very familiar scene from two years ago enters his mind. Though he was younger and did not know any better then. If he could go back in time he would either laugh, or chastise himself for going after the wrong woman. He clearly is wiser now, and knows that he was entirely infatuated at that time, it was not love that he felt. Or perhaps he did feel love then, but utterly confused himself thinking he loved the wrong woman. Sinking a bit into his seat he prepares for what is coming. This is probably what the animals in the Queens gardens must feel, when on display, he thinks to himself. “What? Do I need to know something?” He asks aloud after waiting for someone to tell him what is going on. 

Benedict beside him shifts before speaking “The last time you remotely acted in this particular manner, you were traversing over a broken engagement. Assuming you are finally over Lady Crane, -And might I add, I did not think you truly felt anything cavernous for her in the first place- is our mother indeed correct? Do you feel something for the red head across the street?” He asked, putting emphasis on the word ‘feel’. “A red head who is now engaged to another man, might I add!” Anthony says. He rolled his eyes, the last thing he needed was a reminder of the colourless bloke sprawling over his happiness. “I reason now that all I felt for Lady Crane was infatuation. You were all right to reprimand me then.” He breathes in deeply before letting out the next part. “And I shall speak with Lord Debling to have the misunderstanding cleared” He does not elaborate knowing very well the reactions will most likely not be favourable to him. It was silent for a moment while everyone tried to process his words. Probably trying to figure out what he meant.

“By misunderstanding you mean to say… That your affections for Miss Featherington are misinterpreted, and the two of you are nothing more but friends. Or by misunderstanding, do you mean her engagement to Lord Debling?” Simon, who had not spoken a word, keen to listen, asked for everyone. Great! Now he had to explain himself, knowing exactly which direction this conversation would be going.

“Pen and I…” he started. Unsure of how he should put the conversation forward without sounding wrong. “We both have … feelings … for one another.” He says slowly. “And I would wish that you each support me in my pursuit of the woman I crave to spend the rest of my days with.” He finished. Once again met by silence. Everyone in the room was with different degrees of astonishment on their faces. Seemingly stunned by his beseech. Well everyone besides his mother, who had a proud look on her face. 

“If she feels for you, brother, why did she accept Deblings proposal?” Daphne questioned. He stares at her. Was his family going to blame her, when it was clearly his fault they were in this situation. She had told him that she loved him, and waited for him for a long time, before she decided to move on. “I took too long in realizing what my heart desires, and she thought I would never feel the same way for her. So she accepted his proposal to move on in life.” He explained painfully. Why had he been so clueless? It had taken another man to notice the woman on his arm, for him to discern how much he loved her. 

“I for one, am shocked it took you this long to recognize that what you felt for her, was nothing else but love.” Said Kate. He did not doubt that. He knew she was very perceptive, and had caught her glances at them during balls, when he would seek out Penelope for a dance or for a conversation. “It was clear to see every time the two of you interacted. Even in the beginning of the season, you would search for someone every time we entered a social event, and your eyes would stop searching as soon as they fell upon Penelope.” She said with a small smile. “I am with you. The two of you undoubtedly belong together, and I am willing to do everything in my power to help you.” She nodded. Colin accepted her as a sister and loved her as one when she married Anthony, but he felt the love for her grow even more with this. The best thing his brother had done was bring Kate into this family. She fit right in with the Bridgertons, and loved them as her own. He reciprocated the smile she gave him. If his sister in law was on his side, who was arguably the wittiest (for now, because he believed Pen had more wit than everyone combined) person in this family, he would win this battle. 

“Is that why you reacted strangely when I called Penelope your friend the other day?” Hyacinth questioned from where she was perched on the table. “But I shall agree with Kate. I support you bringing in Penelope as my sister. I have known her all my life, and it excites me to think she will officially be family.” She smiled brightly.

 “As shall I. Though, I am a bit disappointed you will be married before I am old enough to go to one tavern with you brother.” Gregory stated right after. Causing him to laugh, despite the storm that was still brewing inside of him.

“If you truly love her, then I must support you as well.” Daphne beamed at him. She really was his favourite sister. Though he would never voice it aloud. 

“I will support anyone my wife wishes to support. If you need assistance from me, I ought to help you in any way I can.” Simon states, watching his wife as her grin gets impossibly brighter.

“I should have no problem with anything, as long as I do not have to sit and socialize with her mother. Or god forbid her sisters.” Benedict added scandalized. He felt the same way. He will never forget the horror that came from her sisters trying to entertain them during his first engagement. But he was going to endeavor to respect her family, for none other but his Pens sake.

“If everyone else seems to be accepting this, then why should I be the only one to fall back?” Anthony said rigidly. “Though it will cause a huge scandal. Do you really want our family to be scrutinized again brother? Must you really have to do this? I am not entirely sure we will be able to get past this one.” 

“This would still be slight in contrast to the one you created last season Anthony.” Violet reprimanded her eldest son. “One more scandal will not hurt us.” she said before facing Colin again. “I have always wanted Penelope to be my daughter. And I have watched while the two of you grew together. Her affections for you always have been transparent to the point that a part of me always hoped that you would reciprocate her feelings one day. And now that I have watched you fall in love with her. Watched, how tortured you have been since you found out you are losing her. I want nothing more than the two of you to be happy. She has waited for you for far too long, do not make her wait any longer to fix this situation.” He nodded. He would do everything he could to right the problem at hand, he was not going to sit idly by and watch his woman marry another man. 

“That ought to be sorted. Considering we all have given our assent to aid Colin, what must be done to rectify the sitch?” Anthony says while moving in closer to Kate’s side. Perhaps to soothe his vexation. Colin is delighted Kate is here, Anthony was dreadful without her around. “We cannot have Colin maundering about after an engaged woman, and we can certainly not have this end in a duel between Colin and Debling. We must find other means to get out of this conflict.” Utters Anthony, glancing around the room, hoping someone will offer a remedy. Daphne shifts to face her husband and opens her mouth to speak. But Simon beats her to it “We are not going to pull rank to stop this engagement from happening. Colin is a third son anyways even if he may be far richer than Debling.” He pronounces gazing directly at her, Daphne closes her mouth right away and pouts, moving to her original position facing the front. “What should be done then? Why can’t Penelope just say she mistakenly accepted his proposal? It is not uncommon for women to say yes to marriage proposals in haste, only to discern they agreed in zealousness, and not because they fervently intend to marry the fellow.” Daphne articulates. 

Colin shakes his head. “She does not wish for scandal to befall upon her family. She ardently declared that she is not a Bridgerton and that her family will not survive another scandal so soon.” Her glowering face as she spit out those words creeps in his mind. He was no fool. He knew she was speaking in veracity when she uttered them, knew she was going to be infuriated once she learned about the scheme he and his family was going to construct. Even so, he knew once all this was over, she would be content. Perhaps the ton would hunt her family for a short period, but he knew they would move on faster than she thought. All that needed to be done was for him to support her family. “She is not wrong. The Featheringtons do not have a prestigious reputation of late. And another misconduct would not merely smear their name but can lead to absolute ruin for them.” His mother elucidated. “Our family and the Debling family would be able to hold after this. But the Featheringtons surely would not. We will have to think through the best means possible that would not ruin them in the process.” He agreed, he would not do anything hasty that would besmirch her family, or his own. 

The second door of the Bridgerton drawing room which leads to their personal quarters opens abruptly, attracting the attention of everyone present. At first Colin thought Eloise and Francesca must have come home. That is until he hears children bickering. “You must listen Agatha! We are not meant to enter places we have not been.” Said a little boy, who, when came into view, seemed strikingly familiar. He could not for the love of god place from where. “But the bee came here! It wanted me to discover this place! You must believe me!” A girl (named Agatha he reasoned and who seemed to be about five) whined. He watched her in horror. She looked so much like- NO! It was simply impossible. Though he could not stop staring at her. The way this child looked so much like her . 

Her hair was long, curly, and … ginger. The way she gave off a certain innocence that he had only seen in his Pen. The pout he was sure he had seen on Pen’s face multiple times throughout the years. She was like a miniature version of her. He glances around at his family, everyone seemed to be thinking the same, with the way they were staring at the child. Everyone but his mother, who was looking back and forth between the boy and him. He caught her eyes and she stared at him flabbergasted. “How can a bee possibly ask you to follow it? It cannot speak, saphead!” The boy, who he still did not know the name of, yelled at the poor tiny girl. The girl pouted further before scanning the room, her little but huge eyes stopped at him. He watched the way her face changed instantaneously, from a sulk to what he could only discern as hope. She smiled brightly and Colin’s heart leapt with the way she gazed upon him. 

With great haste she unexpectedly began running towards him. “PAPA!” She hollered while jumping on the settee he was seated on. She snuggled into his chest, engulfing her tiny arms around him. “Papa, Elliot is being cruel again” she mumbled. 

He froze stunned. Why was this child calling him Papa ? 

The boy walks rapidly towards them “That is only because she does not listen, Father !” He spoke directly to him. The boy too? “I told them to stay away from places that were obscured, but they both went anyway” Both? He wondered. Who was the other person he was referring to? “We went exploring like Papa does” Agatha countered, snuggling even closer to him. “Yes, which is why me and Edmund had to give up our rounds of Pall Mall to search for the two of you.” he seethed. Then he straightened up, looking more gentlemanly, before continuing. “Edmund and I had to split up. I went after Aggie, while he ran in the direction Pen went.” Pen? As in his Pen? He was about to ask when the boy (Elliot; Colin reminded himself) beat him to it. “It is always like this when we come to Aubrey Hall Father, and you always side with her.” He points in Agatha’s direction. Coming to a sudden realization the boy stops his monologue to take in his surroundings. “This is not Aubrey Hall. How did we get to Bridgerton house when we were just in Au-?” He cuts himself off, before looking back at his sister. “What did you do Agatha?” he exclaimed. 

Everyone was slack jawed. There was much going on in this nightmare Colin was living. Children? Not one but two. And his? No this must be naught more but a jest. His Eton mates must have found the opportunity to get back at him for attracting all the fan flutter after the hot air balloon incident. 

“I did not do anything! I swear it Papa!” She looked into his eyes. Colin did not know the little girl though, the way she said it, and her wide eyes told him she was telling the truth. The way this little girl seemed to place her entire trust in him, tugged at his heart. He did not know who her real father was, but he was positive that he was a lucky man to have such a sweet, innocent little girl. Colin smiled and nodded his head, letting her know he believed her. Elliot groaned. “See, she gets away with everything as soon as she bats her eyes at you.”

Anthony suddenly stood. “COLIN BRIDGERTON!” he snaps. His entire persona was radiating that he was livid. “Since when has this been going on? Is this why you are so often travelling?” He exclaims. Colin aghast stares at him. “Whatever are you even saying brother? You know that is not the case. Look at these children. Do you earnestly believe that I am old enough to have them? Surely my batch mates are pulling a joke for amusement.” 

With a furrow of his brow, Elliot steps up to Gregory. “Uncle Gregory, why do you look like that?” he asks. How does this boy know his brother? Perhaps they were shown portraits of Colins family before they were sent for this lark. “Aunt Hyacinth too. You both look so young for your age. And Uncle Gregory in particular looks …short.” And if Colin did not know better he would say the boy was telling the truth. But Colin did know better and knew that his friends had paid a hefty amount to get great actors. Perhaps these two would become the biggest names in the future, with the way both these children are acting. Howbeit, another more stronger part of him from within was telling him there was more to the story, more sincerity. He did not want to dwell on that just yet. 

Agatha looked up at her brother from where she was hiding away in Colins embrace. She studied everyone around the room, while Colin studied her. Something about her eyes, much like the way he had noticed about her brother, felt familiar. Like he has seen them so very often. Unlike the rest of her, Agatha’s eyes were not similar to Penelope’s. He attempted to figure out exactly where he had seen them. Coming up blank he decided to let it go. “Where is Mama?” She asked, looking up at him expectantly. How was he supposed to know where this girl's mother was, when he did not even know who she was? Though a little part of him from deep inside, tried to voice out that he knew exactly who her mother was. That it was very evident, but he pushed it down. That was not possible. It was a jest, he reminded himself. Not some magical event. 

Before he could even begin to ask her who she meant, Gregory got up to answer Elliot. “I am not young! I am six and ten, and will be making my way into polite society in two years time. And how dare you call me short! I am still inclined to grow a whole lot more, and hopefully will be taller than all three of my elder brothers some day.” His brother commented. Agatha giggled from his lap. “Uncle Gregory you will never not be funny. We know that you are thirty years old.” 

“If you think he is thirty, how old do you think I am?” Hyacinth appalled asked. “Eight and twenty. Your birthday was celebrated only a month ago, remember” Agatha said. It was true they did celebrate Hyacinth's birthday a month ago. But she turned four and ten, not eight and twenty. And these children were not part of the ceremony at all. The research on his family was done sickeningly well. “What? I am not that old! Do I look that old? And you!” She pointed at Elliot. “How old are you? You look like you are of my age! How dare you call me old!” 

“Aunt Hyacinth, you are many years elder to me, you are making no sense. And you do not look like you normally do. You are missing your belly. What happened to your baby!” He exclaimed surprised, as if he just realized that. “ Baby?! You have got to be joking now. Do I look like I am with child to you?” She shrieked angrily. 

“STOP SHOUTING HYACINTH! Gregory, sit down will you, and you, I am assuming that your name is Elliot right?” His mother asked to which he nodded. “Come and sit here. I must ask you a question and you have to answer me solemnly.” Elliot walked up to her and sat down beside her. “Ofcourse Grandmother.” He said. His mothers eyes widened at the endearment but did not comment on it. “Dearest, what is the current year?” She asked hesitantly, placing her arm around his shoulder. Elliot looked up at her confused before widening his eyes. Seemingly understanding what she was trying to ask. “It is still eighteen twenty nine, is it not?” He could hear gasps from all over the room. That was not possible. Did this little boy ( his son ), and this little girl ( his daughter ) travel through time and somehow end up here with them? No, there was entirely no way that a phenomenon like that could occur. It was unthinkable. 

“Mother, certainly a friend of mine, has brought these actors here. There is absolutely no way that they come from the future. And how could you believe they are mine simply from their words alone?” He asked. 

She looked at him and smiled. “Because they are every bit of you.” She said, “Elliot is your doppelgänger. As soon as he entered I was enchanted with his remarkable resemblance to you. The same hair, same nose, same smile, same eyes, even his voice and the way he talks is all you. I think a part of me knew the very minute I saw him that he had to be yours. And Agatha, if her love for exploring is not enough evidence, then her eyes. They are the complete replica of your own Colin. Complete replica of your fathers eyes. The ones you inherited and now both your children, my grandchildren have.” She whispered. He would lie if he said a part of him did not feel that earlier when they called him their father. Somehow his heart knew even if his mind did not initially believe it. 

His mothers eyes glistened with unshed tears. Elliot moved closer to her side and embraced her. Agatha got down from where she was sitting on him and ran across the room to his mother. “Do not cry Grandmama” she said, encircling her with her tiny arms. His mother laughed heartily before picking her up and setting Agatha on her lap. “You, my darling, are very beautiful.” She said, placing a kiss over her head.

Elliot beside her observed the two of them displeased. “How is it that, even after traveling through time and meeting for the first time, Agatha is still everyone’s favourite? Can you all really not see how shrewd she is?” 

“Why do you talk about your sister so?” Benedict who had been watching the drama silently decided to get up and join their mothers side. “And it really is astonishing how much you take after your father.” 

“Yes, it truly looks as if Colin of the same age has traveled to his future, when it is in fact his son.” Daphne agrees. 

“His mothers lineage appears to be wholly absent.” Anthony accords. 

“Not in Agatha though. She looks every bit her mother.” Kate articulated aloud, causing not just him but each person to regard her. The innuendo was clear. His heart beat aimlessly with fervent force. Were these children really his and Penelope’s? He did not want to dwell too much on it, fearing further heart’s lament. “I guess brother, you should not have to worry much about what was discussed earlier.” Benedict lifts his brows in jest. 

“One should not make assumptions based on theory brother. And I dread, I wish not to know if said theory is correct or not.” Colin reasoned. What if he were to ask the name of their mother and it was another woman entirely? He thinks he would not be able to deal with more ache. 

As if saved from more torment that this topic would surely bring, Elliot changed the subject “What year is it currently?” 

“Eighteen fifteen” Gregory told him. “And I know I already have a niece and a nephew but both Belinda and August are too young to promenade with me. I shall like to spend time with you.” He said. “This is why you are my favourite, Uncle Gregory.” Elliot acclaimed gleefully to which both Anthony and Benedict spluttered. “What about me? I thought I would be the fun one” Benedict whined. 

Agatha grinned up at him. “You are my favourite, Uncle Benedict.” To which Benedict laughed and picked her up. “And I can proudly exclaim that you are my favourite Bridgerton as of today” He said.

Anthony groaned. “And what about me? Chopped liver? Am I no one's favourite uncle?” 

“No but Thomas loves Aunty Kate. He loves being in her presence to the point I think you are jealous of your own nephew, Uncle Anthony.” Elliot laughs, to which Anthony furrows his brow. “I am sure you are Alexander’s favourite.” Agatha says. “And who is Alexander? Or Thomas?” Anthony asked. “Alexander is Uncle Benedict’s second son. And Thomas is my baby brother.” Agatha tells them. “And I love you too, Uncle Anthony. But Uncle Benedict is my favourite. You are my second favourite Uncle” she added. Anthony laughed and walked up to Benedict, taking Agatha from his arms. “I can see why your brother calls you shrewd. Though I am glad I rank higher than Gregory.” He kissed the top of her head, the same way his mother had done a little while ago. 

Colin is overwhelmed by the love his family is giving his ( future ) children. He watches as Simon, Daphne, Hyacinth, Gregory and Kate get up and greet them too. Watch as they all ask questions about them. He learns that he has 4 children at the moment ( future moment ). He learns that Elliot is the oldest and is three and ten, Agatha is his second and she is six, Thomas is his second son and he is three, and his youngest is a newborn at only two months, and her name is Jane. He learns that everyone but Gregory is married. Anthony and Kate have 4 children just like him (two sons; three and ten, and nine, and two daughters; seven, and a newborn at 4 months old), Benedict has two and another on the way (two sons; one and ten, and eight). Simon and Daphne have two more after Belinda and August (a daughter; nine, and son; eight). Elliot and Agatha were both very eager to meet the baby versions of their cousins. Surprisingly Eloise gets married too and has two children of her own at their time (two daughters; six and three). Elliot was very uniquely somber when he mentioned Francesca only had one (a son who was two and ten), and Hyacinth is about to have her second child (her first is a boy who is three). 

It had been an hour of interrogation. His children told him and his family multiple things about their future lives. Despite the names of their future spouses, because his mother thought that none of her children should be pressured into finding them. “Let love find you naturally” she had said. He was inclined to agree with her. If they were truly as happy and in love as his children believed them to be, then they would all find their counterparts without difficulty. 

Some of the stories they told were absolutely insane, like the time Benedict had accidentally taken Anthony’s youngest son with him home, to his estate in Wiltshire, leaving his own youngest behind. It had taken two days for a letter to reach Anthony, once he realized it and two more days for him to get back and exchange their children. Anthony had been frantic. But apparently a baby Alexander was the one to calm him and keep him from losing his wits. Elliot thinks this is when Alexander got extremely close to Anthony. Benedict had been impaled at learning he had done that. Though he was more skeptical of the fact that he married in the first place. 

Another story that he could not believe really happened was that Gregory and Eloise apparently lost a bet to Hyacinth and Simon. It was something about Benedict’s condition of affection, which they could not explain, given his mother would deter any topic about their future spouses. They had lost and had to make a feast for one of the days for the annual Bridgerton Christmas month spent in Aubrey Hall. Eloise and Gregory had kicked out the staff and attempted to cook themselves when they knew not how to make anything. Evidently, they overfilled the bakehouse with excess firewood. Kindling a flame that stretched to the chambers surrounding the kitchen. Luckily the servants were alarmed on time and they helped fill buckets of water and stop the fire from spreading over. Elliot and Anthony’s eldest son, were newborns at the time, and so Colin and Anthony apparently ran around the house finding their wives and escorting them and their babies outside and as far away from the estate as they could. Thus, their young sons would not inhale any ash. Simon had assisted Benedict, Eloise, and Gregory to save the estate with their servants. Meanwhile Francesca’s husband helped his wife, Daphne, Hyacinth, their mother and Daphne’s children out. It had been a nightmare for the family. They had to reside and celebrate Christmas from an inn that was nearby the estate, given that it would be a long carriage ride to get to another by Christmas Day. Gregory and Eloise had been scolded mercilessly. Fortunately no one was harmed. And the estate was not completely burnt. It did, though, take three months to mend. Now it is a story that is reiterated every year in jest. 

The looks on both their mothers and Anthony’s face while Elliot relayed this information was jovial. Both seemed as if they were going to yell at them for something that had not occurred yet (or more likely will never occur now, since they knew better). 

It had lulled into familiar comfort, the way his family usually were. Elliot was sitting on the table with a deck of cards in his hands. He was in the middle of a game of whist with Gregory, Benedict, Hyacinth, Kate and Simon. Daphne had gone to check on both her children, where they were asleep in another Chamber. Agatha was perched on his lap rubbing her eyes as if she were tired. Anthony and his mother were beside him, interacting with his spright daughter, until she began to tire. 

“Are you feeling weary dearest?” His mother asked the ginger head. To which she inclined her head in agreement. Turning around in his arms she faced him. “Papa, I miss Mama!” She exclaimed. “Can we go and meet her?” She batted her eyes at him. When she asked like this Colin thought he would never be able to say no to her. How did future Colin ever refuse her? “We cannot. You will scare her. Not to mention, I have no idea who, or where she lives.” He told her, moving some of her locks away from her beautiful, cherubic face. 

Agatha knit her brows and made a pout. “But Papa, Mama is only acro-” she was stopped abruptly by the arrival of Eloise, Francesca, and John Stirling.

“I refuse to promenade with the two of you again. I cannot believe you wasted an hour and a half of my time refusing to speak to both each other, and me . When I could have simply stayed at home finishing my book instead.” Eloise complained. Walking up straight to the refreshments table, and picking up a cupcake. “Do not ask me to come along next time. And how are the two of you planning to marry, when you do not speak to one anoth-” She paused mid sentence, glancing at Agatha and then Elliot. “Who are they?” She asked. 

Colin was about to tell her when Agatha suddenly jumped down from his lap and dashed to her, enveloping her in an embrace. Startling Eloise in the process, causing her cupcake to fall out of her hands and to the floor. “Oh no! Has someone come to visit and left their spawns behind?” Eloise muttered agitated. “Aunty El! Is Penelope here too?” Agatha exclaimed excitedly. 

Normally, he would remain composed, but Colin was now panicking. Which child would refer to their mother by name? And the fact that Agatha specifically asked for Penelope with Eloise meant that she expected her to come with his sister. Of course she would, after all Penelope was his sister’s best friend (or was his sister's best friend until the end of last season). The hope he had begun to form with the presence of these children, was debasing. Perhaps his Pen was not their mother. 

“She has not yet been born, Agatha” Elliot said from his spot. “Yes she has.” Agatha countered. “Not in this time, we have time traveled to the past before Aunt Eloise is married, remember?” he said. 

Eloise looked at him in shock. “ Ma-MARRIED?! ” she proclaimed in horror. “No, there is no way that I would ever be married. And let me correct you, she was born and lives across the street quite happily. Though I would certainly prefer if-” Eloise trailed off confusing him. He could never understand the sudden falling out between his sister and Penelope. Last he saw them together, they were two peas in a pod. 

“She is talking about your daughter, Penelope. Aggie, and Pen are best friends and inseparable. It is the very reason which led us here in the first place. Edmund and I should have watched them closer, but we were so busy playing pall mall with our other elder cousins, that we completely forgot these two troublers were also running around outside in the estate.” Elliot explained. 

Eloise went utterly hysterical. “ My daughter? And I supposedly named her Penelope ?” she let out. “Is this some kind of joke? Let us say that I do end up married, and somehow decide I want children. There is absolutely no way that I would name my daughter Penelope ” She snarled. 

“I do not understand why you are so hostile towards Penelope all of the sudden. You loved her once, in fact the two of you were inseparable. It was always Penelope this, and Penelope that, and Penelope and I are going to read Don Quixote, and going to be knights.” Colin stood to defend her. Eloise took a step back and crossed her arms, sullenly “I was devastated to learn we were not allowed to take fencing lessons” she said somberly. To which he only hummed. Surely whatever the matter was between the two of them, they had resolved it in the future. Why else would his sister name her daughter after her? 

His sister then looked down at Agatha properly for the first time. He could see the way her mind was working through her facial expressions. Confusion, astonishment, shock, and then realization. Colin thinks it is the perfect time to settle her confusion. “They are mine. Agatha is six and Elliot is three and ten. Well my future children. They have somehow traveled fourteen years behind to the past.” he explains to her. Eloise studies Elliot next. “I would not believe it, however he looks like you” she says. Colin looks at his son, catching his eyes. “He does.” he utters with a proud smile. 

While Agatha was innocent and sweet, Elliot gave away a strong and confident aura. He could not be prouder of them, and was eager to meet his younger two. “And you look just like your mother” Francesca suddenly bends and gathers Agatha in her arms. He had completely forgotten others were here. His sister then lets go of Agatha and excitedly walks across the room to embrace Elliot. Before letting go and walking over to him to do the same. “Oh, I am so happy for you brother. It was torturous to watch the two of you so hopelessly in love with one another but act as if you were just friends. I am glad it all works out for the both of you in the end.” She exclaimed excitedly. She lets go and kisses his cheek. Colin smiles at her. He did not think he was being obvious in his affections but if his mother, Kate and Francesca noticed it, he was probably very palpable about the way he feels for Penelope. 

“Affections?” Eloise asks him with a whisper. He does not miss the hurt in her voice or eyes. She watches him as if she’s assessing everything since they were children from a new perspective. He stares at her as tears start to drop down her face. He is about to console her when Agatha suddenly shrieks and runs out of the room. Making everyone follow in the direction she just went. She opens the door and runs outside. 

He watches in horror as she runs down the stairs in haste, and makes her way across the street, screaming “ MAMA!” at the top of her lungs. A carriage comes into view close to her and he is terrified that she would be hit. She freezes mid run shocked by the sheer speed of the horses that are coming straight towards her. He hears various voices shout behind him, but he blocks it out in favour of reaching his daughter on time. He grabs her and is about to run away from the carriage, when another force grabs his arm and manoeuvres both him and his daughter away from it, before they get struck. The power of the force drives him forth, impending him toward it. 

They all fall to the ground, as the carriage stops a few paces away. He misses to hear what the footmen yelled out, before continuing on his merry way. He looks at Agatha and realizes he has her in a vastly solid clutch, and relinquishes his hold on her. She looks up at him and then makes her way out from where she was tangled in between him and … oh. Oh . 

Ginger curls cover Penelope’s face from where she was located directly underneath him. He stares into her eyes. Her beautiful blue eyes, which resemble the waves of the Greecian sea he had visited two years ago. He remembers that was all he thought of while he was there. The way the sea was so starkling blue, and how it reminded him of the ginger head he was awaiting the letters of. The only one he was thinking about, when he chronicled everything that had happened in his day, inside the pages of his journal; so he would not forget a single detail, when sending his own letter back to her later. He fails to grasp exactly why it took him so long to figure out that his heart belonged to her, when it was her, who he thought about the entire time on his travels. The entire first year, all he had done was anticipate her letters, and last year he spent pondering why her letters were absent. 

He slowly swipes his hand over her face, whisking her hair out so he could see the beauty the rest of her face brings. She stares up at him in shock. “Co-Colin-” she stutters. Not finding a fitting statement to remark upon. “Are you alright?” he asks hoarsely, not removing his eyes from her. She was bewitching. He places his hand on her cheek, stroking it lightly. She blinks her eyes shut at the gesture. From their position on the floor he can see the way her bosom moves as she inhales deeply to calm herself. He does not want to, but he cannot stop himself from noticing the way they move up and down with every breath taken. A sudden want convulses within him, and he forces his eyes up to her face to stop it from growing. The last thing he needed was to awaken a certain part of his body that he did not wish for his family to see. 

Surprised, Colin looks up at Penelope to find her wide eyed, and peering up at him in mortification. Had she just watched him gaze at her bosoms like a hungry libertine? Even so, he could not help the hand that was on her cheek from moving lower. Down towards her lips. It had been a little over a month since that day in her garden, when he last got to feel them. Admittedly, he got to feel them much more than just the featherlight touch his fingers were letting on them now. And it would not take him much to bend down, and take them into his own. He would love to feel them another time, would love to hear the soft whimpers she made when gasping for breath, would love to help make her create the moans she made in all his dreams since that day. Losing his senses, he contemplated for no more than a second longer before slowly bending towards her lavishing lips-

“AGATHA ARE YOU SO FERVID TO GET YOURSELF KILLED?!” He heard Elliot furiously declaim. He turns to stone, downright bewildered at the way he almost took Penelope by the lips in the middle of Grosvenor Square. Out in the open, where his family (and now looking up, he perceives), her mother was also in attendance. Dear God! Would she think cynically of him from now on? He cannot help the guilty look that made way onto his face as he looks back down at her. She simply continues to stare ceaselessly at him. He commences to rise, from where he was laying on the ground atop of her. 

“-And our parents in the process” Elliot continued. Once he rose he was about to help Penelope up, but his son beat him to it. “You must learn how to be careful, Agatha. You could have hurt not only yourself, but others around you” Elliot scolded his sister while holding his hand out to help Panelope get up. She took his hand and rose. “Are you well Mother? Are you hurt in any way?” Elliot asked her.

Penelope, who was brushing away the dust and ruckles from her dress, stiffened in spot upon hearing the word ‘Mother’ . He cannot blame her, for he felt a similar way when he first heard Agatha call him Papa. Though, he would be lying to himself, had he said he felt the same way as her currently. Mother. MOTHER! Elliot had called her, his mother . Penelope was the mother of his children. He had two beautiful children with his Pen. No! He had four beautiful children with his Pen. He could not stop the gleam forming all over his face. Definitely in too good of a mood to think about his previous actions. 

“I am sorry Mama” Agatha pouted up at them both. She looked endearing as always, in spite of that he decided it was time to reprimand her. “Your brother is right Agatha. What would have occurred if we reached a little late? You could have been seriously injured. Have we not taught you that running down a street could be menacing?” He rebuked his daughter. Agatha lowered her head in rue. 

Despite his transgressions he picked her up, and embraced her. He really could not be enraged at her for long. He wondered just how fatiguing it was for future Colin to discipline her, whilst it was this arduous to do it for no more than just a minute. Giving her a kiss on her forehead, Colin put her back down. She immediately went to her mother and gave her a hug. “I missed you Mama, so when I saw you from the window I could not help myself from going to you.” She explained.

Though, Penelope did not move an inch from where she was standing. Still too shocked to comprehend what was going on. “You are scaring her, Aggie. She does not understand who we are yet. We have to introduce ourselves to her.” His eldest commented pushing his sister away from where she was hugging their mother. He then stood tall in a gentlemanly posture, before greeting himself. “Hello, My name is Elliot Bridgerton. And this is Agatha, my sister. You do not know us yet, but you will someday. Soon actually. You shall meet me by mid next year.” Penelope looks up at him perplexed. When she kept mum he decided to continue. “We are your future children.” His son adds slowly. 

Colin stares down at Penelope’s face, watching every one of her emotions since the revelation. She looks shocked and at the same time in disbelief. Just as he felt when they first entered the drawing room. She is staring wide mouthed at Agatha first, the resemblance to herself is unearthly. Disregarding her eyes, Agatha is all Penelope. She shakes her head as if to chide herself, that it could not be. Slowly she glances at Elliot. And her eyes grow wide, as if taking in his appearance for the first time. Instantaneously, her head flashes to him. It seems like he can read the turmoil ongoing in her mind. She takes in the features of his face before reverting her gaze back at their eldest, and doing the same. As if her mind rushed to a conclusion she did not wish to accept, she took a step back. Shaking her head in horror. “That is no- That is simply not possible. I am a pawn in some kind of lark you all are playing against me” she brought her eyes back to him. “This is not funny Colin. Please stop with this” She whispered, tears forming in her eyes. She stares at him vulnerably, as if one wrong word will break her in a way she will not recover from. “Please” She murmurs. 

“I do not think that this is some kind of jest, Penelope” Her mothers voice rings out behind her. “The child looks just as you did at age five. The resemblance to you is astounding” She says with her pointer finger in her mouth. “But Mama, how can that be? I am to marry Lord Debling in a month. How can my future children be from another man?” She questioned. “In fact, how is it possible that my future children have somehow ended up here. It is not just unbelievable, but absurd. Nothing can make that happen” she added. “No this is- this is ..” she trailed off, not having a feasible argument.

 He could see onlookers in the area stop and observe the spectacle in front of them. Clearly amused that something was going on with the Featherington and the Bridgerton families.

“Let us talk it over some afternoon tea, at Bridgerton house. We shall not create a scene in the middle of the most prestigious street in all of mayfair. It would not be appropriate for either of our ménage’s.” His mother interrupted gathering his children by the hand and ushering them back inside. The Featheringtons following closely behind. 

He walked in last after the rest of his siblings with his elder brothers in tow. “So about the display you caused in the middle of the street” Benedict started once everyone else, besides him and Anthony were out of view. “I genuinely thought you would scandalize all of Mayfair with the stories that surely would have spread about the two of you.” He laughed, gently elbowing him in his ribs. “I thought you had just promised not to create a scandal that will tarnish our families reputation. How could you be so reckless Colin?” Anthony retorted. “It was fortunate that everyone was so preoccupied by Elliot’s furious words towards his sister that no one noticed much, but Benedict and I, not to mention both ours and Penelope’s mothers saw. You were about to ignominate the woman you love in front of your entire family, and other onlookers.” He seethed. 

Colin decidedly warranted that. “I realize what a fool I had been earlier. And I know I shall ask Penelope for her forgiveness. I cannot infer what happened to me at that moment. All I could think about was our last ki-” his eyes go wide, registering that he just revealed to his brothers that they had previously kissed. He looks up to see both of them gaping at him wide eyed, and mouth parted. Like this he could see when others refer to them as similar looking, for they did look quite like one another at this moment. “So you already defiled the poor woman.” Anthony retorts. 

“Oh you are the last person to be talking about defiling a woman.” Simon came from where everyone had gone into the drawing room. “Did you not defile your wife completely before the two of you were married?” At Anthony’s look of surprise he smiled triumphantly “My wife tells me everything. The fact she caught the two of you in a very compromising position while you were still courting your sister in law, and the fact that your wife told mine, after the two of you married of course, that the two of you did everything before you were wed. Multiple times if I am not wrong.” Simon gazed at him with a hard look. “So much so for the Anthony, that was being impossibly vexing, during the season my wife and I met.” He continued. 

Anthony gaped at him. Clearly appalled. Colin shared a surprised look with Benedict. They had not known this. It was the last thing they expected from their elder brother. Anthony always carried himself as if he was true to every rule known in the book. Looking back at his older brother it seemed as if he was about to retort something back to their brother in law. He decided it was the perfect moment for him to intervene, before things got heated between the two friends. “Well I can assure you we have not gone nearly as far. Just a simple friendly kiss. Though at the time none of us knew we were affectionate for one another.” He remembers the way she whispered ‘ thank you’ and ran off, leaving him standing there to reflect upon what he felt. If only they had talked to each other truthfully the next time they met after that day, they would not be in this position today. Or maybe they would be, given their children somehow managed to travel through time, and that was not their fault. At least he knew they had somehow gotten together. They just needed to figure out how.

“A friendly kiss?” Benedict smiles at him. “Exactly how does one accidentally kiss his friend?” He inclines his head to the side as he mocks him. “We- Nevermind that. What matters is that Penelope is engaged to another man, and our future children are sitting in the drawing room next to her. I have to be with them.” He responds, leaving the three to find his family. His family. That sounded exceedingly well, Colin thinks to himself. His kids were in the drawing room beside their mother. Kids that he made together with Penelope. He was undoubtedly looking forward to that. Making children with her. It seemed pleasant. Very pleasant if he were being truthful. Although he would not let his thoughts wander, if he wanted to enter the chamber they were all present in without making a detour to his bedroom first. 

The first thing he notices when he enters is the way Elliot is engaged in conversation with his mother. Penelope has a wide smile on her face as she listens to whatever it is their son is telling her about. They are holding hands as he explains something to her buoyantly. His own face lets off a radiant beam as he watches the mother and son communicate in front of him. He then looks around to find his other ginger haired girl. She’s sitting on her grandmother's lap, as his mother and Lady Featherington make small talk. Lady Featherington smiles at Agatha and calls her over to sit on her lap instead. He watches as she slowly moves from his mother to Pens mother, who also seems to be completely taken by her. His heart swells at the view. Both the families have accepted his children with warm arms, and he could not be more grateful than that. 

“She seems to have gotten over her initial shock, and accepted them as her children.” Daphne says, coming to stand beside him with Francesca and John in tow. “I have to admit this is an interesting situation. But you are managing it very well” John says. He does not move his eyes from where he was watching them, but nods his head to let him know that he heard. “The only thing is Eloise. She does not seem to take it well.” Francesca adds. He looks down at her with a frown. “Whatever could you mean?” He asks. “Well, she seems to be disturbed for some reason. Perhaps it is the shock of finding out your best friend and brother will marry each other and eventually have children one day. Or perhaps she is not happy about Penelope joining the family in the future.” She says, looking up at where Eloise sat in the corner by herself watching Penelope sullenly. 

This needs to be rectified, he thinks, going up to where she was sitting alone and taking a seat next to her. “What’s with the gloomy look on your face?” He asks her. “I know it is a lot to take in, your best friend and your brother. But I would love to have your blessing, as I am sure, so would Penelope.”

She looks up at him, face completely unreadable. “Do you truly love her?” She asks, shocking him in the process. That was a strange thing to ask; of course he does. “Yes. I do.” He answers her back right away. Leaving no room for doubt.

Narrowing her eyes, she leans in “Do you know her Colin? Fully, I mean?” It feels as if there was an underlying question that she had asked him, disguised in this one. He did not understand exactly what it was that she wanted to know. So he answers her the only way he knows how. “Pen and I have known each other for a very long time El. Despite all the restrictions society has imposed upon us, we still kept correspondence during my travels. And promenaded with each other as best friends, when I came home. We are more familiar with each other than you think we are.” 

Smirking, she looked away, as if she got the answer she was searching for. She then got up and walked over to Penelope. “I refuse to let you shatter my brother's life.” She says suddenly. Startling everyone in the room in the process. He watches Kate who was sitting beside Penelope get up and try to salvage the situation. “Eloise, perhaps you need some rest. Let me escort you to your chambers” she says, trying to take her by the arm and drag her out.

Eloise does not leave though, pushing Kate’s hands away from her. “You know what I mean. You cannot play with my brother like this. I will not you.” She announces directly to Penelope. “Whatever could you mean El?” He hears Benedict walk in with Anthony and Simon from the door. Eloise looks back at them, then around the room to see that all eyes are on her, before gazing back at her former friend. She seems compunctious. “I- I just meant that … well” she focuses back at him “I just meant that I would loathe to see your heart broken, Colin. That she needs to be sincere if she loves you or not. With her engagement to Lord Debling of course.” She smiles wryly.

Stupefied, Colin just nods her way and offers an identical wry smile back to her. Something was amiss. She looks back at Penelope, and Colin notices that the both of them are having a separate conversation, with nothing but their eyes. One that no one is sharp enough to understand. He wishes he was a part of their little circle. That he would also know what the two of them were keeping from the rest of everyone. “I am marrying Lord Debling. No matter what happens I shall go forward with that decision. You should not worry about me breaking your brother's heart” She says to Eloise. 

Not one word is uttered around the room. How could she dare to say that? Especially with their children around? Was it not evident that they are meant to be? “Pen-” he starts. She rises from her spot and faces him. “I told you earlier Colin, we cannot create another scandal.” He shakes his head and walks closer to her. “How could you say that when our future children are sitting in this very room? Can you not see that we are meant to be together?” He could not keep the pain away from his voice. “Debling will understand, just let me converse with him once.” He conveys quietly. With newfound tears in her eyes she peers over at Eloise, who shares a matching expression in her own eyes. Once again communicating with each other in a way that no one else can grasp. “Is there something that is missing? Something the two of you might need to tell me perhaps?” He asks looking back and forth, between his sister and the woman he loves more than anyone else. 

“If you felt so strongly about my daughter, Mr. Bridgerton, why has it taken you this long to realize it? And now suddenly ? When she is happily engaged to Lord Debling? I do admit the children the two of you created together are wonderful. But do you even realize how negatively this scandal will impact the Featherington family?” Lady Featherington speaks to him for the first time. “And Penelope. With the Bridgertons behind us we may lean on them for support as we walk through it. Eventually when the ton moves on you can marry Mr. Bridgerton and have these beautiful children together” she says smiling at Elliot. 

“Mama, I do not think it that simple. There is so much more that I fear we are not taking into account” She hesitates looking at Eloise. “Pen. Do not say a word more” Eloise says walking to her. “But El. The Queen” she whispers, albeit loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Exactly why is she abruptly mentioning the Queen? Last he checked after her own ball last week, the Queen and all her men have been fixated on finding that atrocious gossip monger, Lady Whistledown. He was glad that she would be found soon enough. It is true that he disliked her for ruining Lady Crane, and her attempt to ruin his sister last season. But it was the way she had spoken ill about Penelope that has him vying for the woman's demise. She had not once ever written something good for her, when Penelope was all things virtuous and pleasant. 

“And we will figure it out. I am terri- I am terribly sorry Pen. I acted the wrong way, and behaved like a petty person. If you wish to be with my brother. I shall give you my blessings.” Eloise counters her entire words from earlier. He could not help but think back to what he heard her say. If he decides to brush over it, he will not stop thinking about it later, so he asks what is on his mind. “The Queen? How could the Queen be involved with your engagement to Debling?” 

“In no way whatsoever” Eloise quickly responds for her. “Pen is just worried that the Queen already opposes to Francesca’s courtship with Lord Kilmartin, and that another scandal alongside being on the contrary standpoint of the Queen's favour will completely ravage us.” She says vastly. Almost like she is trying to get all of this in before her best friend can cut in. “El. No. Do not… It is alright. I do not think I am the best for your brother. Even if my answer was different a week ago before I said yes to Lord Debling. I am definitely not the best woman for him now.” She spoke with sorrow. 

Squinting, he irately walks in front of her “Why are you not the best woman for me? And who gave you the permission to assume that?” He sighs, taking his hand in hers. “Pen, I love you. Nothing else matters to me. The two of us will be merryful together. There is no one else but you” he enunciates slowly, hoping she will comprehend his words. 

Removing her hand from his grasp she steps away. “No. You are wrong Mr. Bridgerton. Everything I said a week ago is not valid anymore. I meant these words. I am the wrong woman for you. You will find another woman and will be happy with them. It is no longer the scare for controversy that has me speaking in such a manner. It is time for you to move on.” She may have spoken those words with exquisite clarity, yet he could not help the profound feeling that something was misplaced. “Exactly how are you not right for me?” He questions. 

Without wavering her eyes from him she speaks with as transparency as she had earlier “Because I feel for Alfred.” 

The words hang in between them. As if she had aspired to rip out his heart in the process. She even went by his Christian name, conveying to him just how familiar they had begun to get with each other. However he knew better. He knew her . And she was lying to him. 

Colin smirks at her “You feel for that bloke?” He asks her. Her breaths start to heave as he steps in close. “Is it his love for the wilderness that ignited an affection from you? Perhaps his undying love for vegetables?” He continues without giving her time to answer. “Maybe because he wants to leave behind his wife at home for the first three years of his marriage to go save a random bird species? Only his first adventure after he weds presumably, there must be way more to come, and many more years without him. Is that what you want, Penelope? Is that who you verily love? A man who will be so distant that you will hardly ever know the guy?” He inquires. Silently she remains gazing up at him. He starts to catch a tad bit of fury somewhere deep within her eyes. “What if I told you I did? Alfred is a sweet man. He offered me a life none other could provide for me. A happy life in which he may travel to his heart's content while I could stay here and continue to pu-” She hesitates for no more than a second before continuing “-continue to purlieu indoors. In his, I mean our estate. With my books … obviously” By the end of the sentence her face does not seem as confident as it did when she initially started it. 

“What was it that you kept having your maid remind me? What she told me last night, itself? ‘ I know you, more than you know yourself’!” He reminds her. Her face falls as her eyes widen. “Do not lie to me. I know you more than you think I do. Have known you for more than half your life Pen. You do not want him. And I know not a single person in this room believes that you will ever be happy with that man.” He knows he has many pairs of eyes focused on them, however he cannot stop himself from lifting his hand and stroking her cheek gently. It may be inappropriate, yet he needed to calm himself. He knew everything she said was to derail him, (why he did not know, though he was determined to find that out) even so he felt despondent. As if his Pen was being taken away from him. 

She drew his hand to the side. “You do not need to believe me. No one does.” She says facing the room. “I will marry Lord Debling in a month's time and no one will stop me.” She starts walking out of the room.

“Penelope!” He calls her from behind. She stops mid leave and turns around to hear him out. “If you genuinely loved that man I would have stood back, and let the two of you be happy. However you continue to prove you are doing this out of some unknown reason which I will unravel soon. And when I do-” like every moment in her presence since they were children, he walks up to her. “I promise you, that I will never let you go”. 

Once again they stare at one other. Each of them convey all the hurt, vulnerability, pain that they each are currently experiencing. Both their eyes gloss over with unshed tears. Was love always this hard? Why could they not just be together? Away from societal norms and the world? He does not need another. Just his Pen. Instead here they are, over complicating something that is entirely easy to understand. They love each other, and should be together. But because she accepted another man’s proposal in haste, they must stay away instead. That and whatever it is his sister and her were both hiding from him. 

She gazed away from him towards their children. She looks down intensely at Agatha first. As if memorizing every inch of how she looks to file away into her mind. She then moves away to do the same to Elliot. Colin watches her bite her lip to stop the tears from falling down all over her face. She gives a dejected smile a last time, before walking out the room. He’s left staring at the place she was just occupying for a short while. No one says a word, nor moves from their spots around the room. It is quiet he thinks to himself. So quiet that he hates it. His heart had been on a downward trajectory ever since he realized he loved Penelope. Though, truthfully it was his own fault for not telling her about his affections sooner. Oh how he missed her already. And she was gone for less than two minutes. How was he supposed to stay away from her for the rest of his life? He wouldn’t allow it. Not when he knew for certain she felt the same way.

“Dear God!” Elliot suddenly shouts out loud, breaking the silence. All eyes in the room focus on him. “If Mother does go on to marry this Debling fellow” he looks over at his sister panicked. 

“ WE SHAN'T EVER BE BORN!! ”.

Chapter Text

“WE SHAN'T EVER BE BORN!!”. 

“What does that mean?” Agatha asks, puzzled. “It means we would cease to exist” Elliot explains. Agatha looks up at him and whimpers “Does that mean I will die? I am scared Papa!” Her little eyes start to water up. He walks over to her and bends to her height. “I will not let anything happen to you.” He wipes the tears from her eyes and looks up to Elliot. “Either of you. Trust me. Your mother and I will be together at all costs.” Elliot gives him a weary smile back before nodding. “Perhaps this is the sole reason we have travelled back in time.” Elliot walks up to him.

Anthony, who had been quietly watching from the side, speaks out. “Whatever could you mean?”. Elliot faces him. “We might have been sent back to assist our parents get together.” He says. “What other possible reason could it be that we have reached here just as our mother is engaged to another? And terrifyingly, without a way back. What if we are to find our way back by helping our parents wed each other?”. 

“Like a mission?” Colin asks. “Yes! Like a mission, sent from above.” Elliot beamed excitedly. Colin could not understand the excitement considering their situation, but if his son was going to find something positive to latch upon, he would not be the one hindering him from his blithe. “Dare I ask, who from above would send you on a mission fourteen years to the past, and before either of you were ever born?” Benedict questions to which Elliot frowns “I do not know. But someone must have”. 

“ The Bee!” Agatha gleefully remarked, bouncing up and down. “It has to be the bee!” 

“Agatha, will you stop implicating that a bee is the sole reason we are here? Ever since we have traveled here you will not stop speaking about this bee.” Elliot replied. “I miss Edmund. He would have laughed at your buffoonery with me”.

“That is because you and Edmund are both spiteful.” She said back. Causing Elliot to widen his eyes in astoundment. “We are not spiteful.” He retorted to his sister's harsh words. “Yes you are. Both of you are mean and haughty, and you think you are better than everyone else just because you are of standing!” She shouts at him. 

“Sweetheart.” Colin starts “Your brother does not have a standing. He is the first born son of a third born son.” Surely she is confused. 

Elliot scrunches his brows before he lets out a laugh. “Father, this may be information I should not be telling you as of yet, but I think you should know this.” He straightens his posture. “I am the Baron, Lord Featherington. After my maternal grandfather passed away, and as I heard, it was you who apparently drove away the man who inherited the title after him. I inherited the title by birth, as the eldest born male of the Featherington household. Though, you are still running the estates in our time, while I learn with my cousins how to upkeep them.” he stands proudly.

Colin nods slowly entirely thunderstruck as he takes in the information. “So you have a Barony, and I am managing it at the moment?” That was a struggle. He never paid attention to classes that taught him how to run estates, because he never needed to. He was the third son. Anthony was already there, but if Anthony wanted to leave on vacation like he did recently or god forbid if anything happened to him, Benedict was there to pick up the pieces. He was not needed. Yet here he was told that he was running a Barony. 

“Does that mean that the house across the street is-” Simon starts before Elliot interrupts. “Ours, yes.” he nods. “So the two biggest houses, on the finest street of London belong to the Bridgertons?” Simon finishes with his eyes wide. “Your family's social standing was already high up, but seems like the future holds an even better boon.” John Stirling, who is normally quiet, speaks astonished. 

“Of course. The Bridgerton name is quite the repute. After all, we are the family that has Viscountcies, Baronies, Dukedoms, Earldoms, Baronetcies. Not to mention, putting away the ranks, we are also the family who makes the most money without standings, by having published authors, professors, and accomplished artists within us. Though, the best part about being Bridgerton is that our family is granted the favour of the Queen of England herself.” He beams at everyone, not noticing the way everyone is surprised at his statement. They were even more well off than they currently were. 

His mother clears her throat. “The Queen you say? She granted her favour to our family?” She seems torn between keeping the future as a surprise, and sating her curiosity. She pauses for a couple seconds before continuing. Deciding that she does want to know. “Have we done something that has helped the Queen in some manner?” She questions. Agatha giggles. “Grandmama, obviously we have the favour of the Queen. My mama is close to her because of Whis-” 

“ WHAT!” Eloise suddenly screams, startling everyone in the room. “That is simply amazing. Imagine our family having the favour of the Queen after Daph, and Fran did everything possible to make her loathe us.” She said, hurriedly walking towards where he was standing beside Elliot and Agatha. 

Daphne scrunches her face aggravated. “That is terribly inconsiderate of you Eloise. It is not our fault that Franny or I fell in love with men that were not thrown our way by the Queen.” Franchesca nods her head from where she was standing beside her. “You will not ever know the pressure it is to be the Queens sparkler or diamond.” She joins in. 

“I am for one extremely glad that I am not the Queen's diamond or sparkler or whatever mineral it is, that she likes. I would like to add that it is still a great feat that we have somehow managed to impress the Queen in some way. Though let us keep that as a surprise for later shall we?” She says directly to Agatha. Giving her a look that seems to say do not open your mouth again.  

“I want to know what Aggie was complaining about earlier. Do we now have a tiny Anthony and tiny Colin both walking around declaring their tiny duties to everyone? Is that why you called them haughty?” Benedict asks her to which she nods her head in agreement. “Elliot and Edmund both think they are lords and therefore are smarter than us all. When cousin August will be a lord someday too but he is nice to us.” She pouts.

“I am not even a Lord yet!” The side door to their drawing room is opened abruptly. “ Agatha! ” A little girl around Agatha’s age came running in, squealing in joy. This little girl had certain features that were uniquely Bridgerton. Her auburn hair and her sharp nose. Her blue grey eyes reminded him of his sister Eloise’s. The rest of her were familiar but in a way he could not pinpoint. Like he had seen a similar looking person but could not recall who. “I thought you were lost forever.” She said, wrapping her tiny hands around her. Agatha giggled "I missed you too Pen!”. So it was Penelope. The other one. His sister Eloise’s daughter.

“You two were separated for no more than fifteen minutes. Can you stop being overly dramatic?” The child that came with her said. It was clear this was Anthony and Kate’s son. The colour of his skin was lighter than that of Kate’s skin, but almost similar. His eyes, his hair colour, and his eyebrows were all her. Whereas his cheekbones, his nose and smile were all Anthony. Even his posture and walk were similar to that of Anthony’s. There was absolutely no mistaking it. This was Edmund Bridgerton II. 

“Fifteen minutes? Edmund we have been gone all day. You are mistaken.” Elliot mentions. Edmund just stares at him like he’s lost his wits. “We were just playing Pall Mall with our cousins, before we saw these two run about and followed them. Pen was eavesdropping on the adults. So I dragged her away until she ran off again yelling to me that some bee told her where Aggie was” Edmund ended with a huff. “Could you imagine… A bee? As if bees could suddenly talk.” He rolled his eyes. 

“ See!” Agatha exclaimed! “The bee told you to find me! It told me to come here too.” She happily said. Little Penelope nodded her head in agreement. “Of course the two of you would join together for whatever nonsense you spout.” Edmund snaps at her. 

“I am afraid they are not lying this time. If both of them were led in this direction by a bee, and we all travelled to the past, it must be true.” Elliot says. Edmund looks at him in horror. “Past? What do you mean when you say we travelled to the past? And how are we in Bridgerton house when we were just in Aubrey Hall??” He notes as he looks at their surroundings. 

Elliot and Agatha recounted the tale of how they found themselves here and introduced the other kids to the family. Kate and Anthony took to seeing their son quite well. Whereas Eloise was having a bit of a rough time believing it. “How is it possible that I ever got married? Me? Who runs on the first indication when a gentleman tries to talk with me. And how did my daughter end up here?” She questioned. “It was the bee. It told me Agatha needed my help!” Little Penelope says. It is easy to see how they are the best of friends. They are alike in many ways. The same way his Pen and his sister are.

Eloise nods at her daughter. “You guys do realize that none of these kids belong here. They are from a different timeline, and belong to a different version of us. Even if Edmund says time has not passed quite as it has on their end, we should get them home to their parents. Or future us” She says. He agrees. The future version of him must be worried his children are missing. “I would agree but what method do we adopt to send them back if we do not know how.” He asks. 

“I do not think we will be able to go back until our mission is fulfilled father.” Elliot says to him. 

“We can always try.” Eloise says getting up from where she was perched on the settee and walking towards the second door to the drawing room. From where they all came from. “All four of you, come here” She waves them over to where she’s standing. “This is the door you arrived by. Perhaps this is the door that will send you back. I will open the door and you all shall walk back out of it. Ready?” She asks them to which they nod. 

She opens the door ahead and nods her head to the other side asking them to walk back out. All four of them walk out together before Eloise closes it behind them. She smiles brightly at everyone in the room before opening it again. Her immediate frown indicates it did not work. “It is possible we did this wrong. You all walked in from that direction. So let us try from the side you are all standing in.” She walks to the other side of the door and closes it. It opens and all the kids walk through it, coming back into the room. Before she shuts it again with her still on the other side and reopens the door. “How is it possible?” Eloise says as she walks back in. “ Oh! I know! Perhaps it is meant to be done in the exact same way you all entered as. First Agatha and Elliot you two go and close the door behind you, and then Penelope and Edmund you follow.” She beams, closing the door once again. “Agatha should open it herself.” She gestures for Agatha to once again open the door. 

Agatha opens the door and walks out first, followed by Elliot, who closes the door behind him. After a few seconds Little Penelope opens the door and walks through with Edmund in tow, who also closes the door behind himself. “See I did not see Agatha or Elliot the second time around.” Eloise says happily as she goes to open the door. “Would you look at that no more future spa- AHHHHH” she yelps in horror taking steps back as the four of them come charging at her, roaring loudly and scaring her in the process .  

They all laugh to the look of fright on Eloise’s face. “Which one of you little devils planned this?” She asks, heaving in long breaths, as she gathers herself up. Edmund and Elliot point at Agatha, while Agatha and Little Penelope point towards Elliot. “Me? It was Agatha’s idea” Elliot whines. 

Agatha looks up at Eloise batting her eyelashes. “It was Elliot. Believe me Aunty El! He planned it.” Eloise melts completely and ruffles his daughter's beautiful ginger hair. She turns back in Elliot’s direction and glares at him. “You think that is funny?” Elliot splutters and glares in Agatha’s direction. Maybe no one else picked up on it but Colin saw the mischievous smirk his daughter sent her brother. He repressed the smile that was making way on his face before he reprimanded her. “Agatha. Do not let your brother take the blame for something you did. Apologize to your aunt right now.” She caught his look and pouted her lips. Before looking down to the ground. “It was my idea. Sorry aunty El. It was supposed to be a jest.” She said looking up at her with tears in her eyes. Eloise who was fuming stopped and bent down to Agatha’s height. “It is okay. Try not to scare someone like that again, okay?” Agatha nodded and waited for Eloise to get up and look in the other direction before she smiled in little Penelope’s direction. He shakes his head fondly. His daughter was certainly shrewd. He wonders who she took after. 

Colin takes a seat on the settee after walking in the room. His favourite biscuits were sitting on a platter in front of him. Excitedly he started munching on them. It had been two days since the children showed up in their drawing room. After Eloise’s failed attempt, his son confidently declared they were not going to go back until his parents were together. Who was he to complain? He could use all the help he could get to fix his situation with his Pen. 

“Are you eating the biscuits I specifically asked the cook to make?” Elliot rushes to him and picks up the plate, taking one for himself. “It is my house, I should be allowed to eat any and all biscuits without anyone stopping me.” He retorts. In two days he had seen more and more of how he and his son were similar. 

They doubled the portions of food because Elliot ate just about anything and seemed to eat for two and sometimes even three people. So much so, the first day Colin had slept feeling hungry when he saw that the second portions that were usually made for Colin were eaten by his son. From that day forward the cook was asked to double his portions of food because Elliot had a bigger appetite than anyone he knew. 

Violet, who was sipping tea in front of him, put her teacup down. “Do not worry there are extra biscuits on the table over there”. She pointed to the circular table on the corner. Elliot grabbed two biscuits before putting the platter down on the table. Going over to grab the other one too before taking a seat next to his grandmother. 

“Did you sleep well dearest?” She asked him. To which he nodded “I did”. They had readied the guest rooms for the kids two days ago. The girls decided to room together. Elliot refused to room with Edmund stating he knew how loudly he snored. 

“I was thinking” Daphne walks in. “How about we invite the Featheringtons and Lord Debling to dinner? We could use the pretext that we are happy about their engagement, and wanted to invite them over to congratulate them.” Colin stares at his sister aghast. Why would they call them over? The Featheringtons were no big deal truthfully. However, to invite Alfred Debling, the man who Colin had a patent animosity for, was utterly absurd. Not to mention quite traitorous for Daphne to even think in that manner. This was wholly unacceptable from his dearest sister. 

“Oh do not be such a grumbler brother. I merely put forth this idea so we could figure out the next steps. It would not hurt to show Penelope why you are the better of her two prospects” She voices out. 

“She is not wrong. Your brother and I, last year were pretty stubborn about not being together, but every time we saw each other the flame within only grew stronger. Penelope just needs a small push in the direction towards you.” Kate surmises. 

“Alright. We could attempt that.” he says, not entirely convinced. 

“Attempt what?” Benedict walks in with little Penelope and Agatha. Him and Gregory seemed to enjoy themselves the most recently. Taking the kids here and there and showing them around only for the children to complain later. “Uncle Ben, we’ve been here before. Do not forget this is also our home.” He had overheard Elliot and Edmund whine to him multiple times. Yet Benedict seemed to love taking them around anyways. 

He smiled at his little girl, as her face lit up as soon as she caught sight of her father. It was a contrast to how Elliot acted with him. He would grumble when Colin took extra portions of food he thought were for him, or yell at him when he thought Colin did something wrong. Though the love was still apparent in those gestures. He learned that Elliot was closest with his mother whereas Agatha and Thomas clinged to him the most. Well, when Kate was not in the picture, because his youngest son apparently was obsessed with his sister in law. 

Agatha had told them the story of when Thomas had gone missing a couple months ago in their time. He was a toddler who freshly learned how to run around. With Penelope busy with something Agatha wanted, and Colin busy helping Elliot with his geography homework, Thomas had slipped out of the room in seconds. They searched the house but he was nowhere to be found. Elliot and Colin ran outside to the square looking around for him before Colin decided to enlist Anthony's help, who fortunately lived just across the street. Only to walk into Bridgerton house to see Thomas perched on a heavily pregnant Kate's stomach rubbing his tiny eyes, ready to fall asleep. Kate smiled at him and told him to go home and not to worry about Thomas. The story had made him smile. It was delightful to learn that his siblings and all their spouses cared for one another and each other's children.

“We are calling the Featheringtons and Lord Debling to dinner, to congratulate his engagement to Penelope.” Hyacinth, who was sitting on the other side of Elliot, told him. Benedict stops and stares in his direction. “And you are okay with that?” He asks him. 

Colin just sends a fake smile in his direction “Yes, of course I am okay with that. Whyever would I not be? It is not like I am in love with the woman he is about to marry or anything.” He lets out a derided laugh. Benedict swats at his head as he goes to grab a couple biscuits from the table. Angering Elliot in the process who glares at him. “That was the exact reason I asked. If I were you, I would never agree to having a congratulatory betrothal dinner, for the woman I love, to another man. Either you are the strongest man out there brother. Or the most foolish.” He says. The most foolish works best Colin thinks. Nevertheless, he will listen to his sister and sister in law's advice. After all, they are the married ones. Something that Colin can only hope he will be soon as well. 

Edmund, who was already perched beside his grandmother's other side, sits up and stares at him. “Uncle Colin, you will not remember this. In fact you will not know this but last summer, -in our time-, we went travelling together.” Colin is unclear why he is unexpectedly talking about a trip they went on at random. Perhaps to switch the topic so he could feel better. He decides to join in for his nephew's sake. He will not be feeling better though. “Me and you?” He asks. “Yes, Your entire family, Aunt Eloise, Uncle Ph- Uh Aunt Eloise’s husband, their two daughters. When I heard you were going I decided to join.” Colin smiles and nods his head indicating he is listening. Edmund shifts his focus to Elliot. “Remember on that ship those two obnoxious boys who were envious of us after we told them we were Bridgertons?” Elliot perks up on that. “How could I forget? They kept doing things to trouble us.” He replies. Edmund smiles in his direction. “Remember what we did to get them back?” Elliot’s eyes go wide as he stares at his cousin. “You are not propounding that we-” He stops midway and thinks about something before he slowly starts to smirk. “I should have no objection. Are you sure?” He asks Edmund. Edmund mirrors the look on Elliots face before slowly facing him. “Should I be worried? Are the two of you about to do something menacing” Colin asks them. “Certainly not father. You shall see. We will behave ourselves wholly” Elliot says gesturing little Penelope over and whispering something in her ear. Edmund stands and walks up to Agatha, to do the same to which she laughs nodding her head excitedly. 

“I will do it, but you have to give me a biscuit first.” Little Penelope says to Elliot. “And why would I share my precious biscuits with you? If you wanted one you could have asked the cook to make some for you.” Elliot retorts. “Fine I am not doing it.” She crosses her arms. The reaction is so similar to Eloise that he cannot stop himself from chuckling. Elliot grumbles before picking up a biscuit and waving it in her direction. “Here.” He says. She looks at the biscuit before contemplating something and shakes her head. “You were being impolite.” She replies. Elliot rolls his eyes and sighs, picking up another biscuit. “Happy?” He asks her. She smiles and snatches the biscuits from his hands. “I will do it now.” She says taking Agatha's hand and running out of the room. 

He catches a look the two elder cousins sent each other as the girls ran out. They were indubitably planning something vast. He just hoped it would not harm anyone in the process. 

She asses herself in the mirror one last time before walking out of the door. She looked beautiful in her dark purple dress. Her mother had received the letter yesterday afternoon. The Bridgertons invited them over for a formal dinner to congratulate her on her engagement to Alfred. It was still strange. To call him by his name. The only other man she ever called by name before him was Colin. Although that was different, was it not? After all, he was the only man she ever gave her heart too. The only man she was ever going to love. That was a disconcerting thought. Admittedly, it did not seem fair to Alfred. Having said that, Alfred would never love her either. He was clear about not having space in his life for love. At the time Penelope had hesitated, thinking about all of her dreams growing up reading all the books on romance that gave her butterflies in the pit of her stomach. Without a doubt she was settling for less. The man she loved her entire life, the man of her dreams loved her back. Better late than never. Yet, Penelope could not be with him. He despised Whistledown. She was Whistledown. So in turn, he despised her . 

Oh how she wished that he would never find out. It would break her heart into pieces to watch him loathe her the same way her dearest friend did. She did not know whether or not Eloise had forgiven her. They had not talked since she last saw her at Bridgerton house three days ago. She wondered if Elliot and Agatha were still there? Did they make it back to the future versions of them? That was quite the shock. Finding out about future children she apparently had with the man she loved. What about Alfred? Why was he not the man she ended up with? Or had she envisioned that entire scenario in her mind. 

What an interesting day that had been. Penelope and her mama were on their way back from the modiste when she overheard a little girl screaming on the top of her lungs for her “mama”. She looked back in time to see a small girl with the same hair colour as her running in her direction. Penelope looked around the square to locate her mother, instead ended up catching sight of the carriage that was coming straight at the little girl. Without a second thought Penelope ran forward with as much speed as possible. Pulling out her hand and grabbing on the arm of the man who saved the girl on time so none of them would be hit. Falling on her back with both the little girl and man on top of her. It was not until the little girl squeezed out of the sandwich they created, that she noticed the man was Colin Bridgerton. The man she was ignoring ever since the day they saw each other in that carriage when he told her that he loved her. The man she had been pining for, what seemed her entire life truly. Colin’s face upon learning it was her was perfectly readable. He was overjoyed. Possibly due to the fact she would not meet him, despite all the attempts he made throughout the week. He leant down towards her, and Penelope knew he was going to kiss her again. She should have made a move to stop him. She did not. 

Instead frozen in place from shock and a little roused herself, to get up and away from him. Though, he did not end up doing it, because they were awakened from their trance in seconds by the shouting of a boy. The boy had helped her get up and made sure she was alright. It was then that her world had shattered. When she learned these beautiful kids belonged to a future version of Colin and her. A future version of them who were happily married with four children. It was unbelievable and unthinkable at first. However, after she spent a little bit of time with them in Bridgerton House, she believed it more and more. A huge part of her thought about letting go of Debling and accepting Colin. After all, they were clearly happy together. 

It was at that exact moment that her best friend reminded her of her own pseudonym. All she could think about was the way the Queen was vehemently searching about for Lady Whistledown and how this family -who had been nothing but lovely to her- would suffer the consequences of her actions. She could not do that to them. After almost ruining their reputation more than once throughout the years. After continuously writing about them. After almost ruining her own best friend last year. She could not. They would not accept her. Eloise may or may not have forgiven her actions, the rest of them would not. The last thing she needed was the Bridgertons to despise her. She did the only thing she could think of. Lying to the love of her life that she loved another and walking away. It did not work. Colin did not believe her and saw right through her fib. She was not one to back down however. So she stood her ground and left. It was better than having him loathe her entire existence, for she knew how he absolutely abhorred Lady Whistledown. It would hurt ten folds more once he found out. 

She should wonder how Alfred would feel once he found out as well. It seemed highly unlikely he would ever find out, with the amount of travelling he was bound to do once they were wed. Truthfully, she was betraying Alfred as well. She thought about telling him of the entire Lady Whistledown situation, though she was not sure how he would react. He would not feel as betrayed as the Bridgertons. For he was not in love with her, and did not know her well enough. Perchance, he would think nothing of it, he was leaving for numerous years at a time. It was possible he could think that she would be the only one here to clean up her own mess up if she happened to ever be discovered by another. It was also possible he would annul their betrothal. That would create the same scandal she was hoping to avoid. Not the best consequence considering her family name would fall in society. She desperately wished to avoid that. She refused to let her mother or sisters take the brunt of her actions. 

“Glad you made it down Penelope, Lord Debling should be here any minute now” Her mama says, ushering her over towards her. “You do realize why we are being invited to dinner?” She asks. Of course she does. It is to show Penelope exactly what she is missing out on. Which she definitely does not need to be reminded of. She knows what she is missing out on. Colin, their kids, a beautiful and happy life. Switching it out for a man who will never love her, and stay away for most of their marriage together. Perhaps she will someday have kids with Alfred and then have something to find happiness in, like her mother did. Hopefully she does. “I do mama” she whispers. 

Her mother watches her in silence, then grabs her by the hand. “I do not think you understand what it truly means to be alone, Penelope. I had you and your sisters. You on the other hand have a beautiful future ahead of you. A future with a man who loves you, who can provide for you. Who will give you such charming children. Why on earth would you give all that up, for a man who would not provide even a fraction of that? I do not say it because Mr. Bridgerton is from an influential family, or because he has immense wealth. I say it because I would wish to see all my daughters happy. Why do you think I allowed Phillipa, and Prudence their matches with Albion Finch and Harry Dankworth despite them having nothing? Not because I thought they could not do better. Or maybe a part of the reasoning was that. Albeit, it was mainly so they would be happy. Your father could not give me stability or love. I wish for my daughters to at least find one or the other.” She remarked, pushing out Penelope’s ginger curls from her face. “I admit I told you earlier that Lord Debling was a catch for his status in the beginning. Yet I have to eat my words entirely. You, my darling girl, could do much better. A man who will provide far more than that of Lord Debling and who would love you like no other. A man who will give you such cheerful, clever, compassionate children. You could have it entirely. The life I always wanted but could never have.” 

Penelope does not remember that last time her mother was this raw about her feelings. A part of her composure was falling. She wished her entire life to see the love in her mothers eyes the way she can visibly see it now. A part of her had even started to believe that her mother had not loved her the way she did Phillipa and Prudence. Penelope could feel the water in her eyes ready to drip down. Hurriedly, she engulfed her mother so she would not see the state Penelope was currently in. 

“Oh, my kind hearted daughter.” Her mama patted her hair gently. “You deserve the life I never got. I just hope you know that whatever decision you make, I will always be here to cheer you on. Do not think for a moment about what scandal shall or shant commence. Though I refuse to fable. I do have my hopes. And those hopes came about after seeing those captivating youngsters the day prior.” She pulls apart and smiles at her, before going back in to kiss her forehead. 

“Now, when is that fiancé of yours coming? If you are to marry him, he should try winning some points. After all, he is unknowingly competing against a very strong opponent.” She laughs with her Mama at that retort. 

Debling came about five minutes later. Her mother would not stop staring her way. As if to indicate how terrible of a choice he was. “I do apologize for coming in late. My carriage was stuck in some vines we happened to travel over. I honestly do not know how it happened”. He laughs before handing both her and her mama a bouquet of flowers. “These are for the beautiful women. You both look distinguished tonight”. He had said, to which they thanked him for the compliment. Her mother asked Varley to take them and place them in vases in each of their rooms. After that they made their way across the street. It was literally the house right in front so taking a carriage seemed foolish. The three of them walked across the square in silence reaching Bridgerton House. Once there they were greeted by their footman, who ushered them in, and announced their presence to everyone who was seated inside the Bridgertons drawing room. 

Upon looking around she noticed that her children were still present, including two new faces. Though, it was not hard to decipher who they were. The boy who looked to be about Elliot’s age was unmistakably a mixture of both Kate and Anthony. He had to have been their child from the future. Whereas the little girl beside Agatha looked quite similar to her dearest friend. That, and she could be mistaken but some of her features were similar to that of Sir Crane. Her cousin Marina's husband. That could not be, however. Her best friend was possibly married to a man who looked similar. 

The Bridgertons greeted them as they normally would have any other guest. It was simply strange. She had assumed they would be reserved with either her or Debling, or both of them. Instead, they greeted her normally and were very friendly with Alfred. Colin included, who, although, did seem more dejected than was his normal. That was to be expected though.

It was hard for Penelope to keep her eyes off of her children. A glimpse of them melted her heart and she just wished she could be next to them forever. They were so wonderful. Elliot was Colin’s shadow. They looked so similar and behaved in a similar way that it was hard not to love him. For she fell for his father who was exactly like him. Agatha was her little princess. So similar to herself it was uncanny. She was sure they would resent her for her decision. She resented herself for that decision. But it was not her fault, Colin would hate her forever once he found out that Lady Whistledown was none other but herself. It was truly terrifying to even think about it, surely she would not survive it. 

“Who are these children?” Alfred asks, pointing at where Elliot was sitting with his cousin. “Ahh. Those are my nephews and these are my nieces” Benedict says pointing at each happily. Alfred looks even more confused as he scrunches his brows. “I did not know any of your siblings had children besides the duke and duchess.” He offers. 

Anthony clears his throat and attempts to rectify the situation. “These are Bridgerton children but from a distant cousin. They are visiting for the time being”. Pointing at each as he names them, to which they all bow respectfully. “They are here to visit us and see Mayfair.” 

Debling nods but his glare lingers on Agatha for a couple seconds before turning to face Penelope. He narrows his eyebrows. “Agatha looks a bit like you. But obviously that is not possible. You can not be her mother.” He smiles. Penelope chokes on air, gasping for breath and patting her chest to relieve herself. It lasts only about thirty seconds before she can breathe again. “Are you alright Miss Featherington?” Alfred asks her once she is better. No. She is not alright, because he was wrong. She was Agatha's mother. She caught Colins worried look from across the room. He was about to step up to her but Simon discreetly held onto his arm beside him. Stopping him from maneuvering forward. Looking away from him, she smiles up at Debling. “Yes I just need some water.” She says accepting the glass Eloise had gotten for her. “I think I choked on air.” She says after taking a couple sips and steadying herself. “Is that right? I thought you choked because of my comment.” Debling says seriously. She stops midway about to take another sip as she stares at him. Had he caught on already? That Agatha was indeed Penelope’s daughter?!

“I was just about to apologize. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I do not wish for children either.” He says. Penelope puts the glass down on the nearest table as she relentlessly gazes upon him. “You would not want any children in the future?” Her mama retorts aghast before she could. Penelope looks over at her to find her mother already staring at her wide eyed. With a look that seems to speak very clearly ‘ He is a mistake ’. She tries to control her face to not let her own opinions on the matter show before looking back at Debling. “Well that was not the reason. Anyway I am much better now. We shall sit.” She says about to sit next to her mother on a settee when Violet Bridgerton shakes her head. “Let us all go and have dinner first. 

Everyone follows Violet to the dining room as Penelope closes her eyes and stays back, breathing in air for a much needed break. They had not even been inside Bridgerton house for five minutes and it was already unduly hectic. She feels her arm being grasped as she sighs out loud. She does not need to open her eyes to know who it is. She knows that touch. That scent. Knows the feel of his fingers. Even if she did not feel or smell or even hear the clatter of his footsteps. Penelope’s soul always knew when he was around. She could feel Colin Bridgerton with every vessel in her body. 

“Are you good?” He asks her as she slowly opens her eyes. She nods. “I am alright. For a second there I thought he realized just how Agatha was related to me.” She tells him. He nods as he takes his hand away. “Perhaps it is not so bad. He might be the one to wake up and leave you.” He replies. She narrows her eyes, offended at his words. “And leave my family subjected to the same scandal I wish to avoid? Not very mindful of you Mister Bridgerton” She angrily bites. 

“I will never let any harm fall your way Pen. Nor will I let anything happen to your family.” He says as he steps in closer, into her space. Something he has been doing a lot more recently. He truly fails to fathom what that does to her. Or he knows but decides to torture her anyways. Having Colin so close to her was making her lightheaded. To further torment her being, he slowly brings his arm up to brush his fingers across her open curls. “Trust me Darling” he whispers, moving his fingers lower down to her face. She closes her eyes again. Letting herself feel him as he manages to break her composure. It does not take much. A simple touch from him would evidently do that to her. 

His fingers linger on her cheeks for a couple more seconds before he pulls away completely. “Do not think for even a second that I have forgotten to look into what you and Eloise are hiding from me. Once I figure it out, you will not have a reason to feign being against our match any longer.” He tells her as he walks away. She opens her eyes and breathes in another couple breaths before following everyone into the dining room. 

They were now enjoying the very massive feast in front of them. Turkey, Roasted Lamb, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Vegetables, Asparagus, Bread, White Soup, and Vegetable Pot Pie for Lord Debling who is a vegetarian. The chatter had not stopped since dinner time at Bridgerton house meant that all the siblings were on one table. And now their spouses and children too. Though Lord Kilmartin, Francesca’s suitor, was rather quiet.

It was louder than usual with more people around. Everyone was chatting about everything and nothing at all. She could barely catch up on the conversations around her. Looking around the seating placement was intriguing. She sat beside Eloise and Kate, who were both quick to take up the chairs beside her before Alfred could do so. They had waited for everyone to come into the room, so everyone could sit together. In a way she was glad. She was still not over that comment he made about not having children. Unlike her best friend, she always endeavoured to have her own children some day. Which was most likely the reason she had been taken to Agatha and Elliot immediately upon learning they were hers. She looks infront of her, where Colin was seated with Benedict on one side and Elliot on the other. It was a strange scene. Watching both father and son as they ate in silence. Both of them acted in the exact same manner. Picking up everything besides asparagus, both their portion sizes were similar. In fact the way they chewed was also quite similar. Penelope was in awe. Elliot was an exact replica of his father, in every way. Her heart leaped at the thought of bringing up Elliot, into the boy he is now. 

Future Penelope ( or the one she is desperately trying so hard not to be when that is all she desires ) must be elated with joy. Marrying the man she loved since she was a little girl. Going on to have kids with him, who grew up to be so much like the both of them. She must be the happiest person to have ever lived. But does future Colin know about Lady Whistledown? Is she betraying him still? He would never be with her had he known. And she does not have the heart to break the news to him. Not now, not ever. He must not know about Lady Whistledown. Perhaps that is why they are so happy. It is possible that future Penelope decided to give up on Lady Whistledown, and keep it a secret that it was her all along. Should she go on to do that as well?

Penelope watches as Edmund pokes Elliot to get his attention, and gestures to the girls on the opposite side of the table. Agatha and Little Penelope are sitting beside Eloise. The girls seem to not notice them, and so Edmund throws a piece of his bread in their direction. He finally goes noticed, as little Penelope glares at him and throws a piece of broccoli back at him. Penelope laughs as she watches Edmund glare at her before getting ready to throw it back, but instead Elliot snatches it from his hand and eats it. Gesturing the girls with a look that seems to say do it . She watches as both the girls get up and leave the room, coming back within a minute holding something behind their backs. 

They walk over to Alfred who is seated beside her Mama on the other side of Kate. Which is closer to the end of the dining table to where Lady Violet, The Hastings and Gregory were also seated. “These are for you Lord Debling.” Agatha says while handing him a big bouquet of flowers along with Little Penelope. “This is for taking Aunty Pen from us” Little Penelope retorts as Daphne glares at her and shakes her head from beside her. “I meant to say, this is for making Aunty Pen a happier person” she gives him a fake smile to which he laughs and accepts the flowers. Penelope notices the girls are both suddenly wearing gloves, which they were not a moment ago while eating dinner. Odd, she thinks to herself. “You should smell the flowers. Me and Pen picked them up all by ourselves.” Agatha smiles widely. She hears a snort coming across from her. Only to see both Elliot and Edmund doing a poor job of hiding back their smirks in their hands. She scrunches her brows as she watches the girls and Debling again. Alfred sniffs the flowers before sneezing really loudly. “These are - Aachhoo ” he sneezes again “Such wonderf- Aaachhhooo- flowers” he sneezes again and then again as he tries to compose himself. “Excuse - Aacho- me” he sniffles his nose as he gets up and leaves the dining room. She overheard him asking the staff where the chamber pot was. 

“Which one of you is going to tell us what happened there?” Anthony commands the room. “They were exceptionally enchanting flowers, Uncle Anthony” Agatha says to him innocently. “How were we supposed to know he is allergic to beautiful and elegant flowers?” She continues to frown, as she slides off her gloves. Little Penelope follows her lead. “We just wanted to give him a small surprise. Mama approved.” She says directing the conversation over to Eloise. Everyone stares at her best friend. “They told me they wished to create a bouquet of flowers for Lord Debling and I could not refuse them. Especially with the pout Agatha was sending me. And they are accurate, how were they or I to know Debling has allergies to flowers, when all he ever did was talk about his love of all things plants?” She asks. Everyone agrees, seemingly thinking nothing of it, but Penelope spotted the guileful glance her children gave one another. Peeping in front of her, so did Colin, as his eyebrows widen, in Elliot's direction. Her daughter and son were definitely up to something. 

Debling came back about two minutes later, rejoining the group. “I am terribly sorry I do not know why that happened. There might be a flower inside that bouquet that I may happen to be allergic to. Luckily the staff gave me a concoction to help me get better” he smiled as he spoke. “I would, however, like to still take that bouquet with me home. It was very thoughtful of you girls.” He thanks them. Both girls send him a glum smile back. 

Instantaneously, Elliot gets up from his chair and walks over to Alfred. “I hope not to be too formal, Lord Debling. However, I did happen to notice the awful lack of protein on your plate.” He says reaching for the Lamb and slapping it on Alfred’s plate, before the latter could even begin to protest. “You really should try the Lamb. It is my favourite item on the menu tonight” he says. Alfred is frozen in place, staring directly at the lamb. While looking absolutely nauseated. “Well, actually I prefer to stick to only a vegetarian palate.” He proceeds to tell Elliot. “Ahh. My mistake entirely. I should make a new plate for you, for disrupting your meal.” Elliot speaks with a wide grin on his face, while gesturing to the staff to bring a new plate over. Debling grins back and nods his head at him. Her son seemed to have charmed him quickly. 

Elliot grabs the plate from the staff, giving him a look. “Tell me Lord Debling” he starts as he puts food on the plate “Since you are vegetarian, would you expect your wife or future children to be as well? Forgive me for the direct question. I have never met a person who is Vegetarian before.” He hands him over his full plate. Debling seems to ponder the question in his head before answering. “Truthfully, I would like for my family to follow in my footsteps. It is insanely cruel what is happening to the animals, simply so humans could eat their flesh.” He says placing a piece of bread into his mouth. Elliot hums as he sits in his chair again, putting his elbows on the table and clasping his hands, as he leans forward. “Should you not think that eating the flesh of a fruit or vegetable or any other plant is also equally inhumane? They might not talk, or hear, or speak the way we do. Though, how do we know that they cannot feel and think in a similar manner as us?” He shrugs as he lets go of his hands and starts to eat again. Meanwhile Alfred stopped midway from putting the carrot in his mouth. Staring at it, as if it will suddenly speak to him. “That is a rather good hypothesis. I have never thought in that direction.” He stares down at his food. “But we all must eat something to survive.” He mentioned before diving back into his vegetables. 

“So you would have my daughter turn into a vegetarian just because you prefer to be one?” She heard her mama ask him. She gave her mother a look trying to tell her to leave the topic. Her mother however, was a relentless force when she wished to be. “How would you even know what your wife is eating behind your back, when you will be away for most of your marriage. I am assuming you will leave soon after you come back in three years.” She retorts. “Why should it matter to you what she shall eat.” 

“Mama, it is fine with me. I shall eat anything. I do not mind becoming a vegetarian.” She tries to reason with her. She knows that her mother is emotional after seeing Elliot and Agatha, and as a result desires for Penelope to leave Alfred Debling, in order to marry Colin Bridgerton. Hence she is reacting in a certain way against Alfred. Albeit, she should also understand that Penelope has a reason to act the way she is. It is also incredibly unfair to Alfred, who is unaware about her being Lady Whistledown, the love between her and Colin, and also whose children Agatha and Elliot are. She is dreadfully guilty for all the secrets she is keeping from him, he will marry her oblivious to everything. “No. I do think your mother has a point there Pen.” Colin spoke directly to her. “You cannot expect to give up what you love, for a man who would resolutely abstain from seeing his own wife most of his marriage to her.” 

Penelope sat immobilized at his caustic words. The clinking of cutlery to serveware abruptly was stilled as everyone in the room regarded his utterance. Colin stared back at her unblinking, his eyes narrowed in a scrutinizing expression. Almost challenging her to rebut his claims. He knew very well what he had done there in that sentence. “You cannot give up what you love” as in give him up for a man who he deemed unworthy. They gazed at each other quietly, both unable to be the first to pull away. The emotion in his eyes was clear. As they had been since the day he followed her out after the Queens ball. He was begging her silently to stop torturing him, and herself in the process. He did not know that he would burn harder once he knew of her secret. He would refuse to even look in her direction when her truth would come out. 

“I did not know you so deeply adored meat Miss Featherington. I apologize for desiring you would steer clear of it, in the similar way that I am. Miss Cowper was not wrong. The two of you are the best of friends. Quite enthrallingly so.” Alfred proceeds to say as he surveys between Penelope and Colin. “Say, Mister Bridgerton, do you happen to dislike me? For some shrouded reason? I do understand that Miss Featherington seems to be your dearest friend, but to speak ill of me, as I happen to sit right here, might I add. Does not seem entirely congenial. It goes superlatively against all I have heard of your character. You are said to be the most charming and amiable amongst all the Bridgerton siblings.” He adds. 

Colin gazes in his direction. “And what if I patently happen to dislike you?” He straightforwardly questions him. “Do not be insulted, Lord Debling. You are a very agreeable gentleman. However, I happen to hold in esteem how a man treats his woman to the greatest of extents. You cannot possibly think that abandoning your wife to fend for herself, for a vast majority of your marriage is gallant. Like you mentioned, Penelope is very dear to me.” He turns his head towards her. “It will break my heart to view her lonesome and despondent. My only wish is for Penelope to be happy. Even if-” he trails off. But Penelope knows what he was about to say ‘ Even if it is not with me’ . She blinks out the tears that were threatening to fall down her eyes and looks away. 

The look on Colins face was so clear to read, that she ended up praying Debling would be too unobservant to pick up on it. The gleam in his eyes told her otherwise though. He had caught on to something. “I have yet to meet a man other than yourself who has befriended and cares for a woman the way you do Mister Bridgerton. It is pleasant to say the least. Your concern for my fiance is laudable.” He emphasizes the words my and fiance as if to get that fact out there for everyone to remember.

Colin simply hums at his vice, as he nods his head. “Dare I say, that you seem to be showing sparse concern for her. Pen deserves far more than what you will be endowing her.” He bites back, sending Alfred a wrathful smirk. 

One that Debling returns on an equal degree. “I suppose you are correct. After all it is you who should know their friend best.” He remarks turning to face her again. “You should come with me on my trip after we wed, Miss Featherington. That way you are not left in solitary.” He focuses his attention back at Colin with a distasteful look. “I have to agree with you, leaving her here all alone, would be a preeminent blunder on my part.” He declares. 

The two of them regard each other distastefully. Both of them were aware of what the other truly meant. It is Colin who breaks the silence first. “And did you question her? Of whether she wishes to journey with you that far away or not? You cannot honestly believe that Penelope Featherington, the woman who loves to stay indoors and read for most of her day, would enjoy staying away from her home, for more than two months.” 

“That is a discourse I will have with my fiance separately. I believe she may very well appreciate being away from Mayfair for the time being. After all, I do think she may need time away from people here as well.” Alfred exclaims, not leaving his glare from Colins direction. It is unmistaken, the person he wanted Penelope to stay clear from was Colin. Possibly catching on to some kind of feeling between them. Penelope looks in front of her to find both Colin and Elliot who were seated beside each other send Debling matching furious visages. If expressions were lethal, both father and son could have done a number on anyone who stood on the side of their wrath. 

“You wish my daughter to stay away from me, Lord Debling? I had thought you would leave after you two were wed, but I cannot let you take my child away from me for that long. Especially because I know my Penelope. She will not be serene in that way. Was that not the same reason you got her a plant to place on our windowsill?” Her mama dolefully debates. “Mister Bridgerton knows my daughter well. They have been friends since they were in leading strings. It does not make sense why you, a man who came less than a month ago is wrangling against him, a man who knew her almost her entire life. Should you not think his fealty to his dearest friend and her interests are meritorious?” She continues. 

Penelope closes her eyes, internally frowning. Her mother is intentionally trying to ward away Debling. Her words make it plain that she favours Colin over him. “Mama” She says, opening her eyes and sending her an intense stare of her own. “What I prefer to do after I marry is up to me to tell my future husband.” She turns her head to regard Alfred. “We shall talk about this on a later date.” She tells him. There is no way she will ever agree to leave Mayfair for that long. She herself would never wish to leave, though the main reason would especially be for Lady Whistledown. How was she to write her column if she was going to stay away for years at a time? 

Violet Bridgerton, who was just giving her son a stern glare, clears her throat. “How about we move on to other topics of conversation? I believe my grandchildren had a surprise for you Lord Debling” She smiles his way. To which he scrunches his brows. “Grandchildren? I had thought they were children of a distant relative.” He says looking around at the children. Violet recoils, realizing her oversight. “Oh. Right. Well-” she freezes, not knowing what to say. “They are like our own children, so Violet treats them like her grandchildren and vice versa.” Kate comes to the rescue. Violet sighs in relief, sending her a thankful nod. Kate smiles back at her as she looks at the boys. “Go and grab what you have prepared.” She tells them. 

Elliot and Edmund leave the room, smirking at each other. They were doing that a lot. It happened right before Agatha and Little Penelope gave Alfred the flowers. Almost like they knew the flowers would make him sneeze. “We have yet to know what they have gotten you. They have been dreadfully secretive.” Anthony mentions. Benedict smiles in her direction before announcing to the room. “Yes. They must have prepared something incredibly riveting”.

Hyacinth nods at his comment “I cannot wait for it”. Gregory who was sitting across the room from her snickers. She glares at him, making him sit up straight. Penelope and all of the Bridgerton siblings catch on to it. They know something that everyone else in the room does not. 

As the boys both reenter the dining room space, she notices a box in their hands. Large, wooden with intricate carvings. What could they have gotten him? After the incident with the flowers (which she is sure was done purposefully) she is unsure of whether she wishes to know what the contents inside this box are or not. “We went through quite a bit of struggle to obtain this for you.” Elliot widely grins at him. “Yes, it was a considerable feat on our part. Truly commendable, if I do say so myself” Edmund adds. They hand over the box to him. Gesturing with their heads to open in. Alfred smiles at both the boys before opening the box and espying inside. Only to briskly shut it instantaneously. He looks shocked as he views the boys. They however, refrain from showing any signs of malfeasance as they smile brightly in his direction. “Is it not such a well thought out gift? Did you happen to like it?” Elliot asks. Debling stares at him quizzically. “Well, it is something. I have to ask though. What made you decide that gifting me a real breathing frog was the best thing for me?” He asks them. A frog? Why on earth would the boys get him a frog? It baffles her. At least it was not something poisonous like a snake. Good lords . She hoped it was not poisonous. Elliot may be her son, but she does not trust him one bit currently. 

“Should you not know what it means to give a person a frog, Lord Debling?” Edmund asked him seriously. Debling shakes his head. She thought most customary humans did not happen to know the ideology of frog gifting. “We would have to educate you then, I suppose.” Elliot says with a mocked sigh. “Gifting a person a frog symbolizes fortune, wisdom, and prevailing through formidable challenges.” Edmund tells him. “We had thought since you would be travelling and starting a new research project, this would be the best thought out present for you.” Elliot adds. She had assumed they were playing another jest with him, but it really was a special gift. Very insightful. “Do you not like it?” Her son questioned dismally. 

Alfred smiles at him. “I had thought it was peculiar at first, however the thoughtfulness that went into this gift is admirable. I shall raise this frog as my pet.” He replies as he opens the box once more, longer this time around. Admiring the bizarre yet meticulous creature. 

That proved to be an unwise decision as the frog leapt out of the box it was placed in. Jumping onto Lord Deblings face. He yelped in surprise, leaning his head back as he was startled. Various shrieks were heard all around the room, as the frog bounced off of him onto the table; where all the food was placed. She hastily got out of her chair and took a couple paces back. Noticing her surroundings so did others who were seated near her. Agatha came running in her direction and embraced her tightly. She did not hold back either as she bent down and lifted her daughter. This was an unusual situation. It was natural she was scared. Colin walks up into their side rubbing soothing circles into their daughters back. She catches his eyes as he whispers lightly “It is alright Agatha. It will not harm you”. He smiles again before looking back to watch the scene unfold. Beside them she watches as her best friend picks up her own daughter. Enfolding her into herself.

 The frog leapt over and stood on the platter that contained the bread. Before returning in the direction it came from. Alfred was still seated in his chair from the shock of it leaping on his face. Shaking his head as if to will himself out of it, he charged at his newfound pet. Attempting to grab it. Another terrible decision as the frog moved out of the way on time and he clasped his own glass of red wine instead. Not realizing it he impetuously lifted it towards himself as if he was bringing the frog over. Resulting in red wine spilling all over himself. His clean three piece suit was now drenched with dark red stains everywhere. 

She heard cackles from across the room, looking over to find Elliot and Edmund unable to hide away their mirth. She glared at them hoping they would catch her eyes. Both the boys though, were too busy beholding the phenomenon that they had created themselves. Seemingly amused by the way things were going. “Let me help you.” Benedict says to Debling, walking closer to help him catch his pet. “No! Stay away, my clothes have already soaked. We shan't have another ruin their outfit tonight.” He responds instead. 

Penelope feels dreadful. What did he do to deserve this disrespect? Get in the way of her supposed happiness with Colin? Angering her children for the same reason? Alfred did not deserve this. She watches as he runs across the table and finally is able to grasp the frog. As it gets stuck between the mashed potatoes and asparagus. “Caught you!” He says as he places the troubler back inside its box, and rapidly shutting the lid. He breathes a sigh of relief as the box is tightly sealed once again. 

He chuckles to himself as he looks around the room at everyone. “Rather a memorable dinner is it not?”. When no one responds he speaks again. “I am afraid I have worn myself out. I am also not as presentable as I was when I walked in earlier. I should take my leave”. 

“Nonsense. We can have a change of clothes arranged for you, and you can rest in the guest room upstairs while you wait.” Anthony retorts. Debling shakes his head. “I think I should like to go home and rest.” He picks up his gifts not before sneezing again when the flowers accidentally brush against his nose. He starts to walk out but stops as he reaches where she was standing with Colin. Squinting as he views the position they are in. She had not even realized when Colin had thrown his arm over her and she who held Agatha in her arms moved into it. “There is also much that needs pondering over.” He remarks, still intent on watching them. She moves out of his arms, as if to deny the direction Alfred's thoughts would evidently be going in. She knows he is not dense. Even if the rest of the dinner told him nothing, it was hard not to understand what she and Colin were to each other with the way they were huddled together. “I shall see you at a later date.” he bows down to indicate he is leaving. Before formally bidding everyone adieu, as he leaves the room. 

“He was not wrong there. What an interesting dinner.” Simon chuckles. “We did not even make it to dessert”. He adds. His wife from beside him rolls her eyes. “When I proposed we invite him for dinner, this was not what I meant”. Penelope puts down Agatha. “That is because my children did not wish for it to be a peaceful event.” She sternly glares at both of them. “Elliot, Agatha, what were you thinking?” Colin barks from beside her. 

“It was not just your children. If I remember correctly Edmund had an equal if not more hand in all of this.” Kate glares at her son. To which Anthony joins in. “Do you even realize he is a high standing Baron? You cannot make enemies with gentlemen of the peerage like that.” He shouts at both Elliot and Edmund. “He should not attempt to steal Aggie away from me then.” Little Penelope defends her cousins as she scoots down the hold her mother had on her and grasps Agatha's hand. Anthony looks over at where both the girls are standing. “So you gave him flowers that make him sneeze. Exactly how is that going to solve your crisis?” He asks sternly. “How did the two of you even know he would be allergic to those flowers?” Franchesca asks. 

“The bouquet contained French Roses, Tea Roses, Prairie Crabapples, Rattlesnake Masters, Amaranths, and Daisies. My Papa adores flowers and teaches me about them all the time. That is why I knew which flowers I needed.” Little Penelope perked up as she mentioned her father. Eloise goes still beside her. “There must be some sort of mistake. You cannot possibly tell me that I, a woman who dislikes flowers, married a man who is obsessed with them! There can be absolutely no way.” She shakes her head as if to prove her point. “Mama, you adore flowers too. Papa always brings them home for you.” Little Penelope pouts at her mother. Eloise crosses her arms and shakes her head “I refuse to believe it”. Her daughter replicates her stance, however, nods her head up and down instead. “You like everything Papa brings for you, Mama!”. 

Anthony huffs in a loud breath. “How about you argue over whether or not you love the bouquets your future husband brings you later. I need to understand why this happened tonight. It was not very hospitable of any of you. That is not how we treat a guest who comes to this house”. All four children go silent. Casting their heads lower in contrition. “Your remorseful looks will not turn back time. Anthony is correct. No matter what happens, we cannot insult guests who come to our home, guests that we ourselves invited in any manner.” Colin claims. “This dinner has been nothing but a disaster.” Daphne rages on. “Of course it was. You should have thought about that before putting forth the idea.” Benedict rebuts her. She sends him a saccharine smile, followed by a glare. Indicating him to keep quiet. 

It was Edmund who spoke first from the children. “We did not strategize for him opening the box wide during dinner. He was intended to deal with the frog alone after he got home.” He says looking straight at his father. “Ahh. How incredibly generous of you.” Anthony sarcastically retorts. “Father, you have to understand it was a joke. Surely you have pulled some against men you abhorred. Back when you were my age, about a hundred years ago or so.” Edmund replies as he rolls his eyes at his father. Who stares at him appalled. Ready to tell him off for the comment made ridiculing his age.

“I can assure you that your father is widely known in Oxford for doing far worse to a professor he loathed.” Simon told Edmund, as he cut Anthony off. “Teaching the youngsters well, Hastings.” Anthony glowers at him. 

Colin huffs in a breath from beside her. “At any rate, you will all apologize to him. After all that he still took your ludicrous gifts.” He sternly commands. Agatha pouts up at her father. “But papa, I do not like him”. Colin does not cave in. “You are to ask him for his forgiveness, alongside your brother and cousins tomorrow.” 

Elliot catches her eyes silently pleading her to stop Colin. She shakes her head. “Your father is right. Do not expect me to align with you when you excellently know, it is you who is at fault”. He frowns as he realizes he will not get what he wishes. “Fine, I shall send an apology letter with another flower bouquet tomorrow.” He says. She irately narrows her eyes at him. Ready to tell him off for planning more blunders. When he hastily adds. “I vow not to cause any more disruption, mother. You may rest assured tonight”. Making her smile at him in the process.

Agatha looks sorrowful as she gazes up at her. “Mama. Can I stay with you tonight? I miss you”. She bends down to give her daughter a small peck, before nodding at her. “You are welcome to stay with me, my love”. She smiles widely at her, as she gazes at her daughter's father. Who was watching them with an intense look, full of love and emotion. “Papa, can you join too? I wish to sleep next to both of you tonight”. Her eyes widened. Her and Colin? In the same bed? Before they were married? It was beyond inappropriate. Even thinking in that direction was prohibited to young debutants. She knew married couples shared kisses in the marital bed. Hence, why it was forbidden for unmarried men and women to do the same. Blood gushed through her veins as her body heated, just thinking about it. Her and Colin, laying together, and sharing a kiss. She gulped as she pushed the thought down. She was desperately trying hard not to think about their kiss since the night in her garden. The kiss that had left her wanting. As if there was more to be done. As if she was missing something. The kiss that had made it more than clear to her, how badly she wanted Colin Bridgerton, and how she was never going to get him. 

She heard a clearing of the throat. Turning her head to face Benedict who was attempting to hide his smirk behind his hands. A gesture she had witnessed him do numerous times throughout the years. He motions towards Colin with his eyebrows that he is yet to speak. Colin swallows inwardly, as he composes himself. He bends down at Agatha's height putting his arms around her. “I cannot”. She mopes at his words. Colin smiles at her instead. “Not yet, but soon.” He tells her ruffling her hair. “Do you remember the promise I made you two days ago?” Agatha perks up at that. Nodding her head vehemently. “Good. Just remember that. And I will come visit you tomorrow my beautiful daughter”. He says to her. Leaving Penelope utterly perplexed and dumbstruck. She wished to know what he had swore to their children. However, she had no right to ask. So, she left it as it was. As she bid her goodbyes and left Bridgerton House with her mother and daughter.