Chapter Text
A little respite, that's what Antony felt the night of his sister's wedding as he and Benedict were having a drink in a with other gentlemen while the couples danced and several mothers threw their daughters into the arms of the most wanted bachelors. In a corner he could see his brother talking to his fiancée, the mysterious Miss Thompson, there was something about her that no Bridgerton liked and they would soon discover it. He and his mother would force his hand to ensure a long-term engagement and make sure Colin did not make a mistake that would condemn his life. For a second he desired that his duty to protect his siblings would be simpler, to have someone guide them on the path to follow to be happy, but again, it was Antony duty to ensure the well-being of each one of them. He sighed and took another drink before returning his attention to the conversation with the other gentlemen, that would be a problem for tomorrow.
Suddenly the conversations began to die down, Antony and Benedict followed the gaze of the men around them to the scene that had brought such abrupt tension to the air. A couple approached the dance floor laughing: the taller and rather handsome gentleman with his somewhat scandalous Parisian style was guiding the one he hoped would be his wife because of the indecency of the proximity of their bodies and the path his hand made across her waist and upper back. She giggled, resting her hands on his chest as he crouched down to her height to whisper and although it was necessary to ensure that only her ears would hear since she was so small at his side, he really hoped they were married when he accompanied her laughter by kissing her cheek and caressing her hair. The worst was when the music started, a waltz of all options and the couple did not hesitate to take positions, pressing their bodies together leaving no room to breathe and it was obvious that they had danced at least a million times as their bodies sliding together through the notes with delicacy and grace, he spun her around more times than required making her giggle again and looking at her with adoration, it was as if only they existed. Something inside him moved, it was the same look that his parents shared, that love that is only found in romantic novels, the kind of love that his mother had always wanted for her children, the kind of love that even if he doesn't want to accept it, he had seen between his sister and his best friend. It was Benedict who broke the trance by grabbing him by the arm from his side and asking in a hurried voice, "What the hell do we do now?”. Antony looked at him without understanding the situation and Benedict discreetly pointed him to the dance floor.
Ant- What do you mean? We can't kick out a married couple just because we're uncomfortable with their display of affection.
Ben- Surely we can when it's our idiot brother
Ant- What? What are you talking about?
Ben- oh, no!
Antony looked at the direction of the look of terror on Benedict's face and finally understood everything. The dance had come to an end and the couple were embracing at the edge of the dance floor. The gentleman had her in his arms when Antony finally saw his face: it was Colin! A little more sturdy and his clothing style was different but it was him! And to make matters worse, the lady was not his current fiancée but her cousin! Sweet little Penelope Featheringthon had her hands on her brother's chest, hiding her face in his shoulder flushed with laughter. Her hair was loose in wild red curls, gathered only on one side, and her hideous yellow dresses de were replaced by a blue Bridgerton dress that caressed all of her curves and fitted her breasts that his brother looked without the slightest shame. Both of them looked at the scene stunned like the rest of the room until Colin caressed Penelope's hair and with a smile whispered something that looked like "I love you" and kissed her, there, in front of everyone. You'd think the poor girl would run away scared and hide but to everyone's surprise she laughed and whispered something back to which Colin raised his eyebrows smiling mischievously and took her by the waist, both quickly disappearing down the hall.
Arriving at the family wing hallway , they heard a voice that stopped them, when they turned around they saw their brother, with the same clothes he had early on, with the same hair as always.
Colin- Here you are!Do you know who that man is and why he was behaving like that with a Pen?- He was very nervous- I asked Marina and she said she doesn't know who he is, she's never seen him before - he rubbed his face - What do we do now? We can't let him ruin her in her first season! - He raised his eyebrows in confusion - why the silence?I thought you would be more concerned about someone so dear to our family.
Then there was a sound of something falling inside the room and Colin rushed to open the door but none of the three were ready for the scene they encountered. Wrapped in Colin's yellow sheets was Penelope on the man's lap, her small hands on his shoulders as he held her waist while she rode him quickly. Her breasts bounced against the man's chest as he kissed her, stifling her moans. They would never have imagined seeing the sweet and innocent Penelope in this situation, but the prize for the best face went to Colin who was so stunned by the image that he could not move or make any noise. His older brothers quickly slammed the door in his face and dragged him away from the rink, he fell to the ground with his back against the wall without saying anything, his head falling between his hands. When he finally lifted his head, they could see the tears falling down his eyes that he was trying to wipe away.
Colin- How?...when?...I don't understand- He stood up angrily - that man took advantage of her! I'm going to kill him!
His brothers quickly grabbed him by the shoulders to stop him.
Ant- Calm down, Colin! - he sighs - I know it's hard to see Miss Penelope like this but we have to think calmly and help her.
Colin- How, Antony?Penelope is in my bed on top of another man giving him everything and ruining her reputation! And for what? So that he leaves her after using her? And if he leaves me with Child?
Ant- You don't know what's going to happen, Colin, we don't know him, maybe he's already asked for her hand.
Colin- I doubt it! That man has the word "RAKE" written all over him! and even if it were, he should have waited for her to be his wife.
Ant- Well, one thing is certain, if he has to marry her, we will make sure he marries her.
Colin- Are you serious? Are you going to force her to marry the man who took advantage of her?
Ant- You may not be experienced, brother but we could see that she was enjoying herself
Ben- Oh, she definitely was, that position is quite... -his brothers looked at him angrily- don't look at me like that, I'm not the one under her
Ant- benedict! You don't help -He rubbed his neck worriedly -We need to fix this as soon as possible. Go find the Featherington and Mother, I'll be waiting for you in the drawing room, we'll present a united front and demand answers.
Colin- And you're going to let that beast continue to ruin her in the meantime and I should add in my room!
Ant- We need to get together before he can disappear, Colin, and I don't think he'll hurt Miss Penelope.
Colin- I don't like him! That first time we see him and he's already broken every rule of propriety
Ben- Go find mother, I'll take care of it.
Antony left, he knew that the only one who could get into Colin's head was Benedict.
Colin- Great, now we can stop this madness
He wanted to approach his room but Benedict took him by the arms
Ben- Colin, stop! What's wrong with you? I haven't seen you this angry since we ate your eclairs for Christmas.
Colin- How should I be, Benedict? - He looked at him annoyed - My friend is in my room, in my bed tangled in my sheets with another man claiming her as his!How should I feel?!
Ben- Angry that someone else stole your toy, Colin?
Colin- What?!
Ben- Look, we don't have time for you to figure out your feelings for Penny…
Colin- I'm not... I'm engaged to Miss Thompson! She's the one who…
Ben- The one...? - he sighed- Look, I know it's hard to see it because of your relationship with her but Penny is a woman, she has the right to fall in love with whoever she wants and if she wants to leave this man in her bed, it's her choice.
Colin- Well, I don't approve! We don't even know him, don't you think that's strange?
Ben- Funny you should say that. -Colin raised his eyebrows.- Penny doesn't approve of your engagement to her cousin, who nobody knows about either. Maybe you two are more alike than you seem.
Colin- Pen doesn't approve of my engagement? How do you know?
Ben- I saw her crying in hiding after your announcement - that hit Colin - I guess she decided to stop waiting for you to see her and found someone who wants her.
Colin- I don't believe you, if she... She had told me
Ben- Shy, quiet Penelooe would have told you that she's been in love with you since, I don't know, forever after you proclaimed to all of London how happy you are to be engaged to her cousin who arrived here just a few weeks ago?
Colin- Well, she doesn't seem shy now! With that man
Ben- Maybe because that man can make her feel safe and beautiful, don't you want that for your friend? - Colin was silent with his head going back and forth- come on Colin, let's find your fiancée, maybe she remembers something.
And that's how he dragged his mute brother out of the hallway, unfortunately he had arrived too late and his feelnIgs weren't going to be of any help now.