Archive of Our Own

In the backyard of the Featherington Estate, it was late in the evening when Penelope stepped out of the servants' quarters in her dressing gown. Snuggled warm in a blanket, she cradled her twelve-week-old baby boy who was extremely fussy.  It was such a beautiful night, with night critters talking around them, and a light breeze in the air.  When the baby started whimpering, she knew that was a precursor to crying so she quickly shifted him up against her shoulder.

"Shhhh," Pen soothed, rubbing his back as she lightly bounced him. When she started pacing about the grass, his whines disappeared. Her pacing, however, stopped when she suddenly heard a branch crack from by the garden archway. She leaned to get a better look and was shocked to see her youngest sister walking out of the shadows, "Hyacinth?"

Hyacinth walked up to her with a determined look on her face, "Yes, it is I."

"What on earth are you doing here? It is so late," Pen said with worry.

"I know it is late."

"Did something happen? Is everyone alright?"

"They are," Hyacinth said with a well-known teenage tone, "What are you doing out here this late, sister?"

"Oh, the baby is quite fussy tonight. He will not sleep, but he always calms down with fresh air so I thought I would try that."

"Colin lets you come out here alone at midnight," Hyacinth said, taking her nephew from her with adoration.

"He is not home at present, but I am fully capable of being alone in my own backyard no matter the time of day. I have been much worse," Pen giggled, "But you should not be wandering out alone ma'am. If your brother knew, if any of your brother's knew that you left home and walked across the square in the middle of the night unchaperoned, they would give you an earful."

"Let them," Hyacinth simply stated as she smiled and swayed the baby who was staring up her with a big-eyed curiosity.

Pen sighed, "Which one has teased you so to cause your ire?"

"No one has been teasing me."

"I know you have inherited the Bridgerton sibling stubbornness, but you sound quite feisty than you normally are. Someone, or something, is the cause of your irritability."

Hyacinth ignored her, "Where is Colin?"

"At White's with Benedict celebrating Will Mondrich's birthday." 

Hyacinth scoffed, "He just leaves you at home, with a baby, while he gets lost in spirits? Men are idiots. Except this little man," she cooed in a baby voice.

Penelope smiled, clasping her hands together in front of her, as she watched her lean down to kiss her nephew's head, "Hyacinth, I do believe you are growing up to exactly like Eloise. If I may impart some wisdom on you, not all men are idiots." Hyacinth rolled her eyes and Penelope continued; "Your bother did not want to go out tonight but I urged him to do so. Ever since we married, we have been practically cooped up together, and even more so since our son was born. He deserves to have some fun with the boys, as they say."

"So, actually you just wanted some alone time since he does nothing but smother you?"

"I would not exactly put it like that. That puts a negative connotation to it, and there is nothing negative about how your brother treats me."

"Benedict has called him insufferable. We all tease him about it, Penelope, the man never leaves your side. And when he does, he grumbles about it."

Pen giggled, "I am aware, but we are quite inseparable, I do not deny that. But it is only healthy to maintain a little space now and then, so I am urging him to go out and do some things, more and more as of late. And as much as I am enjoying discussing parts of my marriage to your 'insufferable' brother..." Hyacinth chuckled at Pen's jest, "...I would like to know why you have come over here. Obviously, something is troubling you." 

When they baby started to fuss again, Hyacinth shifted him into a cradle, "Have you changed him?"

"Yes, just before I-"

He started fully crying now, red in the face, arms flailing up. Pen instinctively knew this was because of the position she held him in. He did not like to be cradled like that when he was fussy, "Hyacinth, hold him-"

"I bet he's hungry."

"No, he just nursed not twenty minutes a-"

"Well, what about gas? I heard you have to make sure a baby burps after feeding? Have you done that?"

Penelope sighed, getting impatient, "I am his mother. I know how to care for him, sister," Pen then took her son back in her arms gently, "Come here, my darling."

The baby immediately stopped crying as she held him up right at her shoulder, rubbing his back again. Seeing the look on her sister's face, Hyacinth started feeling guilty, and she looked down shameful. Her voice was timid, "Apologies." 

Penelope took the younger one's hand and started walking them towards the door, "Why do you not come inside? We can talk in there."

Inside, they walked through the quiet, and dimmed, house up to Penelope and Colin's suite. Shutting the door, Hyacinth removed her shoe-slippers and sat on the bed, resting her back against the headboard as if she were 'right at home'.  Penelope watched as the other girl kept a frown on her face, staring out the window which overlooked the square. She knew Hyacinth well enough to know that asking more questions was not the way to get information out of her. Hyacinth was a child who always ended up revealing her troubles when she was slightly ignored. So, Penelope focused on her son for a moment. She swayed back and forth, running her hand over her his head, before kissing his cheek. He looked at his mother with tiresome eyes, but determined to stay awake.

"I do wish you would sleep, my love. You're fighting a losing battle."

"Sing to him," Hyacinth said with a weak smile, "I am told I always fell asleep when Mama sang to me."

"Oh, unfortunately, this mama does not have a pretty singing voice. But Daddy does. Papa sings to you often, doesn't he, my sweet? Yes, he does," she cooed.

Penelope walked over to her side of the bed and sat like Hyacinth, placing the baby tummy down on her own torso. He held his head up, however, to stare at his Aunt, obviously recognizing a stranger in the bed.

Hyacinth reached over to lovingly pinch his cheek which made him smile at her. She did it again and he let out a squealing laugh making the women smile with him. Hyacinth casually stated,"Maybe I can move in here."

Penelope looked confused but she remained cunning, "You already said your brother is insufferable. Would you really want to live here and see him smothering me, not leaving my side, all the time? It annoys you to just see it when we visit at Bridgerton house."

"It would be better than being sent away, not to see any of my family."

"Hyacinth, what do you speak of? Sent away?"

She gave a hard nod, "Just as I said. I am being sent away."

Pen giggled, "That is nonsense."

"It is not nonsense, Penelope. I saw a brochure in Anthony's study."

Penelope sighed and glanced down just as her son lowered his cheek to her chest, but his eyes remained open, "Tell me what the brochure said."

"It was a brochure for an all-girl's school in Buckinghamshire. Written on it was Anthony's handwriting that spelled out my name. MY NAME, Penelope."

"Hy, it must be a mistake. There is no reason to send you off to a boarding school. Your Mama has not done so to any of her other daughters, nor do I think she would do so to you."

"Anthony is Viscount. He over ranks mother. If he wants me to go, then-"

"Your brother may over-rank your Mama in rank, but in title only. What she decides for her children goes, no matter what Anthony says. I know that for a fact. Besides, Kate enjoys having you around too much. I do not think she will allow it either."

"Then what..."

"I think you need to talk to your mother about it, before jumping to conclusions. I am sure there is a perfectly understandable explanation to that brochure. I highly doubt your brother wants to send you away."

Hyacinth didn't listen as she went on, "Gregory is going to his boy's school soon enough, maybe they want to ship me away with him, so they do not have to deal with children anymore."

"You silly girl, they have their own child. Of course that is not the case."

Hyacinth let out a little gasp and lowered her voice, "He is asleep."

Pen glanced down to see her son, indeed, fast asleep on her chest, "Oh, thank heavens."

"Sister," she whispered, "May I sleep here tonight? Please?"

"Does anyone know you have left home?" Hyacinth nodded a guilty 'no' and Pen went on, "I do not mind, but I must send word that you are over here. If your mother shall find you missing, I do not want to cause her panic."

"Alright."

"I tell you what, stay here with him for a moment, and I will pen a note to be sent across the street."

Penelope, a skilled new Mama, maneuvered her sleeping babe off of her, and placed him on the bed next to Hyacinth. He was not asleep long enough yet to be placed in his cradle, which was next to Penelope's side of the bed. That fussy boy instinctively knew cradle meant 'sleep'. She feared if she were to do that now, and he woke, she would not get any rest. 

After penning a short note to her in-laws, Penelope walked downstairs to find their night-shift Butler of the household. He was the only staff member working at that hour during week days. Rae was living there, but insisted on always being on call during her off hours. 

"Bernard."

He immediately stood up from his post, "Mrs. Bridgerton."

"Would you kindly bring this note over to Bridgerton house, across the street, at once? It is important."

"Of course, ma'am. I shall return momentarily."

"Thank you."

At Bridgerton house, Anthony was in the study, going over paperwork, when Kate leaned against the doorframe. His weary eyes looked up at her and she gave him a knowing look.

"I know, I know, it is late," he stated.

"I'm sure that can wait until morning."

Anthony smiled wicked, "It is morning."

She was about to respond with her own cheeky response when the elder butler interrupted.

"Viscount, Mum..."

"What is it, William?"

"A note for you, Sir, from Featherington house."

"Right now?"

"Indeed."

Anthony immediately got up and rounded the mahogany desk as William handed the folded-up paper to him in his white-gloved hand.

"The Featherington butler just delivered it."

"Oh, dear," Kate said worried.

"Thank you," Anthony said to William who bowed his head and took his leave.

"Is it from Colin," Kate asked as Anthony held it open now.

"No. Penelope," he said a bit confused.

Dear Family,

I do not wish to alarm you at this late hour, but I must inform you that Hyacinth is across the square at our house. She is most upset and wishes to spend the night. I am granting this wish to calm her juvenile worries. Please do not fret. I will bring her back home after we break our fast.

Penelope

Bernard returned to find the Mrs. still in the same spot. She wanted to make sure the note was securely delivered before she returned to her quarters. She would not be able to relax until she knew that Hyacinth's absence would not be unknown. When she returned upstairs, she found her little one still asleep, along with Hyacinth now. Penelope carefully placed her son in his cradle. He stirred, which made Penelope freeze, but then he settled back into sleep. Penelope decided to let Hyacinth sleep until her husband came home, which she guessed would not be too long from now. Opening her book, she started reading by candle light. 

It was half past one when Colin, as quiet as he could be in his half-drunken stupor, traipsed into his bedroom. But, in the doorway, he immediately froze when something was off. There were two figures in his bed. Pen was on her side of the bed but...who the bloody hell...Colin squinted his eyes before he walked towards the bed. He immediately leaned back when he realized it was his little sister. He shook his head, with a roll of the eyes. He was way too half-crocked to figure out why Hyacinth, of all people, was here at his home, asleep next to his wife. Rounding the bed silently, Colin glanced in the baby's cradle, to make sure all was well with his sleeping son, before he tended to his wife. A bit swayful on his feet, he was able to take the opened book from her lap, saving her page like a dutiful husband, kissed her on the cheek and blew out the candles. 

With the sun not rising in the sky just yet, but the morning birds starting to chatter, Penelope woke up on instinct. Usually, the baby would start hungrily start fussing at this time. She sat up and leaned over to peek in the cradle, but the baby was still sound asleep. Sighing, a bit relived, she turned to look at the other side of the bed and found a curled up Hyacinth still asleep. Furrowing her brow, Pen looked at the clock before realizing she never woke to her husband returning home. She hadn't heard a peep. He did come home didn't he? Getting out of bed, Penelope walked across the bedroom looking for any sign of his discarded clothing but found nothing.

Opening the door, Pen didn't even make it into the hallway before she found him. In the guest room, exactly across from their master, his boots lay in the doorway, followed by a trail of his clothing leading to the bed. It was still mostly dark, but she could see a pile of body in the bed. Leaving the door to their master bedroom open, Penelope walked across the hall to the guest room and close the door only half way in case she should hear her son awake. 

Colin was layed out like a starfish on top the bed, in nothing but breeches. Penelope pushed at him as she crawled onto the bed. Still mostly asleep, he changed positions and wrapped his arms around her from behind, spooning, and they both fell back asleep. It was a little less than an hour later when Penelope woke to hear Colin's dissatisfied groan in her ear.

"How are you feeling, love?"

"My head," is all he mumbled into her hair.

"You will take a tablet and eat a large breakfast and you shall be fine. It was worth it, though, right?"

He mumbled something incoherent and spooned her harder.

"You needed last night, I think."

"I'm rusty. I used to hold my liquor well." 

"From what I have heard, that is a fib."

"Well, I used to hold my liquor better than this."

"Did you have fun?"

"I did. It was a good time, but I missed you. I missed both of you."

"We missed you as well," she said and pat his hands, "But a few hours on my own was much needed."

"Good. I know you need your solitude."

"I like my own company from time-to-time but it was not solitude. Our son was quite fussy last night."

"Another reason why I didn't want to go," Colin argued and maneuvered to rest his face into her neck.

"It was fine. I am perfectly able to handle him on my own."

"I know but still."

"You had a great time with the boys, do not have regrets."

"No regrets," he grumbled, "It was entertaining."

Pen smiled, "See."

Colin kissed her neck and drifted a hand up to cup her breast through her gown, "I was hoping to come home and give you a proper good night, but I found someone occupying my side of the bed." 

Penelope sleepily yawned, "We will discuss that later."

"Then I shall give you a proper good morning instead."

His hand drifted from her breast down her stomach but Pen quickly grabbed his wrist and lowered her voice, "No. Your little sister is right across there."

Colin grabbed the skirt of her nightgown lifting it still kissing her neck, "Then we will have to be very quiet."

Penelope playfully fought with his hand, "Colin, the door is open."

He grabbed her shoulder, rolling her flat on her back, and hovered over her, "Then shut the door."

Penelope laughed and pushed him away, "Your family is right, you are insufferable."

"My family thinks I am insufferable?"

"Never mind," she said, and padded across the room towards the door.

"Pen," he whined, "Please."

Penelope placed a hand on her hip staring at her husband pleading for her to come back in that bed when all of a sudden they heard an all-too-familiar cry. She smiled, raising her eyebrows and Colin groaned and placed a pillow over his head in frustration.

"I'm surprised he was asleep this long," Pen stated.

"I don't think he has slept past six ever."

"No. But, he fought sleep for a long time last night. Poor thing wore himself out."

"Penelope!"

Penelope opened the door fully and found Hyacinth sitting up in bed, across the hall pointing towards the cradle's direction, "I am coming."

"If only you were saying that to me right now," Colin said which made Penelope gasp. But his wicked playful expression made her shock turn into a sheepish smile.

"Be good, we have company."

In the bedroom, Hyacinth watched with curiosity as Penelope cradled her little nephew and got back into bed, sitting up against the headboard. She then lowered her nightgown to expose her bosom to feed, "Sweetie, can you hand me that pillow there?"

Hyacinth did, and also helped her sister adjust it under her arms. She watched the infant's cries get louder with frustration at being so close to his feed but not having it yet. Finally, Penelope adjusted his head and positioned him to her breast where he immediately latched on, "There you go, my love."

Hyacinth watched as the baby stared up at his mother and made little grunts as he fed, "Does it hurt?"

"No. Well, at first it was very uncomfortable, and I can become quite tender, but as long as I switch each side, and use an oil afterwards, it is usually fine."

"Is it uncomfortable right now?"

"It is a little strange of a feeling, but a good strange now that I have gotten used to it."

Hyacinth glanced forwards, straight across the hall into the open guest bedroom, and saw Colin sitting up in bed waving her over. She immediately bounced up.

Colin groaned, like the big brother he is, when she bounced into his bed and against his shoulder with a happy cuddle.

"Do you sleep in here often," she asked.

"Only when I find a sloth laying on my side of the bed, next to my wife, in the middle of the night," he teased.

"Did Penelope tell you I am moving in here with you?"

They heard Penelope's echo from the other room, "Colin..."

"What do you mean?" Colin's eyes widened and he looked across the hall, "Pen?"

"Do not pay her any attention, Colin."

"You know, I ran away last night," Hyacinth said proudly.

"What do you mean you ran away? You are here now."

"I ran away from my home. I came here."

Colin sat up more, prompting her to sit up as well, as his voice became stern, "What do you mean? Does no one know you are here?"

"They didn't until Penelope sent them a note."

"Why did you leave home? When was this?"

"Midnight. I-"

"You walked across the square by yourself at night," Colin stated, voice raised.

"It is just across-"

"I do not care, Hyacinth. That is-"

Penelope's sing-singy voice from across the hall interrupted them, "Hyacinth, I told you."

"Brother, do you not care why I left home? Is it not as important as taking a minute walk across to my brother and sister's house?"

"You are all insane," Colin said and fell back against the headboard in defeat.

"What do you mean?"

"All you women. You are all insane. You, Eloise, Penelope...all thinking you can go places by yourself, especially at night. I give up."

"And all you men are idiots. I told Penelope, how stupid of you to leave her home alone with a baby while you go out and celebrate however you were celebrating."

Colin gasped, "Pen!"

"I already explained to her you did not want to go until I persuaded you," Penelope said walking into the room with the baby still feeding, and a thin cloth now draped over him, "Do not get yourself worked up, husband. Hyacinth..."

"I know," she huffed.

"Colin, let your sister explain," Pen said sitting on the end of the bed.

"Fine. Why did you leave home in the first place, sister?"

"Because, your brother, is planning on sending me off to some girl's boarding school in Buckinghamshire. And, I will not allow for it. If I am too much for his Royal Viscount, maybe Lord and Lady Whistledown can persuade him to let me live with you two instead."

Colin looked at Pen in astonishment and confusion. She shook her head, understanding his frustration. He had no words and just ran his hand over his face.

After breaking their fast, Penelope entered Bridgerton house with Hyacinth tucked into her arm followed by Colin who had the baby tucked in his. They were acknowledged by the doorman but the staff knew by now that Colin did not like to be announced or directed where to go. Even though he was no longer living there, he still considered it home and wished to be acted as such.

Gregory came bouncing down the steps with a cheeky smile and immediately came up to Hyacinth.

"Oooo, sister, you...are...in...trou...ble."

Colin gave his little brother a look before he motioned to Pen to take their son, which she did. He then hit the back of Gregory's head.

"Ow," Gregory squealed and pushed his big brother away.

"Colin," Penelope said horrified.

Colin ignored his wife and asked Gregory, "Where is Mama?" 

"In Anthony's study..." he turned to Hyacinth with a big smile, "...waiting for you."

Colin grumbled at his brother while ushering Hyacinth to walk with him. 

Penelope playfully poked Gregory's chest, "Why are you so naughty?"

"Can I come and watch, sister? You know how comical my brothers can be when they are acting like father's."

"They are fathers, and no, you cannot. Go have a biscuit or something. Shoo," she said to which he shrugged defeated and walked away.

In the study, Violet immediately held out her arms the second she saw Hyacinth. Colin gave Hyacinth an encouraged shove to go into said arms. Hyacinth did so, but with a bashful expression. 

After hugging her, Violet placed her hands on her daughters face, "Please do not leave home like that again, dearest."

"Hyacinth," Anthony stated, "Leaving home in the night, alone, even just across the square, was completely-"

"Brother," Pen politely interjected to which Anthony looked at her surprised, "If I may say, we have already discussed that topic at hand. Hyacinth knows what she did was wrong and she will not be doing it again. Right, sister?"

Hyacinth nodded. Violet nodded along with her, as she knew Hyacinth knew it was wrong of her.

Anthony sighed, "Very well. Now," he crossed his arms sternly, "Tell me why you decided to leave without telling anyone."

"What makes you so upset, dearest," Violet asked as she took her grandbaby from Pen's arms.

"Him," Hyacinth said angry and pointed straight at the Viscount.

Anthony's eyes widened and he looked at the others flabbergasted, "Me? What have I done, sister?"

Determined Hyacinth walked around the desk, opened the top drawer, and pulled out the brochure. She then pushed it to his chest.  Violet immediately gave the baby back to his Mama and rushed to her eldest son's side before he exploded. 

"Now, Anthony, your little sister-"

"Has the audacity to go through my private things and act with such rudeness," he stated calmly.

"Brother," Colin said, and took a step forward as well, but Anthony raised his hand to silence him.

"You are sending me away," she got tears in her eyes as she turned to her Mama, "Your son is sending me away to girl's school."

"Oh, dearest, what is this nonsense," Violet soothed as she held her into her side.

"Tell her, brother. Tell her you are planning on sending me away to Buckinghamshire. It says my name on the brochure."

"Anthony," Violet stated shocked, "You will do no such thing."

Anthony exhaled through his nose, and dropped his chin. Penelope's eyes widened and she grabbed onto Colin's arm.

"Brother," Colin chuckled, "You cannot be serious."

"I did not go snooping in your desk. I saw that brochure ON your desk with my name on it when you asked me to grab your pocket watch for you," Hyacinth stated crying. 

"Hyacinth, I-"

"I want to live with Colin and Penelope if I am not welcome here, or Daphne and Simon...but that is further away than I would prefer."

"Hyacinth, you are not going anywhere," Violet demanded, "Anthony, I ask you right now, what is the meaning of all this?"

Anthony walked up to Hyacinth with the most calmness than any of them had ever seen him, "Sister, I am not sending you away."

She sniffled, giving him a double take, "You...you are not?"

He chuckled, "No."

Penelope sighed to herself and held her baby closer, feeling those maternal instincts overwhelm her being. 

"I do not understand, brother."

"This school has a three-week summer camp for equestrian teachings for young ladies. You mentioned you wanted to learn how to ride for sport. I came upon this and thought it would be something you would be interested in."

Hyacinth gasped and took the brochure from him. 

Anthony gave Colin an incredible look and Colin just shrugged, "I told her, all the women in our lives are going to drive us mental." 

A sharp throat clearing caused Colin to turn red, but he didn't turn around, "My wife is giving me 'the look' right now, isn't she?"

Anthony leaned to look before smiling at Colin and nodding. Colin finally turned and was met by Pen's tilted head and raised eyebrow. He walked over and placed his hand on her back, "Hi."

"Mental, huh, husband?" Without answering, all he could do was lean down to give her a quick peck on the lips. "Perhaps it is you that drives me mental," she teased under her breath.

Colin whispered in her ear, "I do not know about that, but I can definitely make you lose your mind, at least for...twenty minutes."

"Prove it," she whispered back and he felt himself twitch in his breeches.

Their moment was interrupted by Anthony's voice speaking up to Hyacinth, "Do you feel better now, dearest?"

"Yes. I am sorry, brother."

"You are forgiven...this time. But do not ever do anything like that again.  Next time you come speak to me or Mama, first."

"Yes, Sir."

"Well," Colin clapped his hands together, "That is settled. Mama, I saw you holding your grandson a moment ago. Would you like some quality time with him?"

"Well, sure, I always do," Violet stated then turned confused as Colin passed the smiling baby from his wife's arms to his Mama's.

"What is the rush?"

Colin took Pen's hand, "I have to show Penelope something that is up in my old room. We shall not be long."

Anthony caught on right away, "Colin..." The couple froze in mid-walk and turned back to him, "Lock the door this time."

Penelope couldn't hide her embarrassed expression as her husband pulled her out of the room.

Violet's eyes widened as she looked down at her grandson, "Perhaps you shall get a sibling soon, hm?"

"Why would Colin need to lock the door to show Penelope something," Hyacinth asked.

"Nothing," Anthony and Violet said in unison.