Chapter Text
Penelope POV:
“You don’t count, you’re Pen.” Colin’s words echo in my ears even a week after he’s left. My appetite is completely gone and the things that used to bring me the most joy in the world simply do not now. YOU DON’T COUNT. This offseason is going to be all about self improvement. How do I make myself more desirable to the men of the Ton? Unable to answer myself I think about the most desirable woman I know, Daphne Bridgerton, well The Duchess of Hastings Daphne Bassett née Bridgerton.
Dear Daphne,
I hope married life is treating you well. I am aware that this must be most unorthodox, however I am hoping you might be willing to impart some wisdom as to how one becomes more desirable a prospect. If you are not aware, my last season went rather abysmally with not a single caller, however due to your busy season I would not hold it against you if you did not notice.
I am convinced my Mama has already decided I am doomed for the shelf as she devotes all her time and energy to my sisters and their prospects, even last year she focused way more on Marina than she did me. What is even worse is I was told directly by the only gentleman that danced with me all last season that I did not count as a woman.
I desperately need your help Your Grace, even just your counsel would be greatly appreciated. If you do not desire to help me at all I will completely understand, but despite your sisters’ dreams and constant talking about how we shall become spinsters together, as though that might be some great prize, I truly desire a husband and children. My family and the Ton might have me doomed for spinsterhood, but I would like to try and actively avoid it if at all possible.
We might not have been the closest growing up, Eloise and Colin being the closest to myself, but I have always admired you, truly you are everything that a diamond embodies and more. I am aware that I am essentially asking you to perform a miracle, I am aware of how hopeless I am. The invisible wallflower. Truthfully, I fear that trying to come out of the shadows might only bring attention to me causing more pain and heartache than it might be worth.
I eagerly await your reply.
Sincerely,
Penelope Featherington
Sending the Letter to Daphne was truly a moment of weakness. After a week waiting for a response, I questioned the sanity behind doing so. My appetite has continued to decline much to Mama’s pleasure. The amount of time spent outdoors has increased substantially much to Mama’s displeasure, it was during one of the times outdoors in the gardens accompanied by a book about flowers when a letter back from the Duchess was announced.
Dearest Penelope,
Married life is wonderful, thank you for asking. I would love to help you with this off season, even the upcoming season if you would have me. I sent a missive to your mother wishing for you to join Simon and I at Clyvedon Castle with sponsorship next season. I would join you in London, but we have very exciting news, I am with child. Please do not share with my family as we have not yet shared the news but if you decide to join us you will be aware firsthand.
I feel like some correspondence could have worked but it will be much easier to tutor you if I can see how you do in person. Do not worry, should you decide to decline I simply told your mother I missed my friend and wished to see you this off-season. I fear your mother pays much too little attention to you to know anything more about your friendship with the Bridgerton’s to know who your closest friends were out of the large bunch of us. I don’t even know that she knows which of my elder brothers is the Heir, the Spare or the third son. I am not yet in confinement so I shall be meeting with my family in London to share the news likely a few days after this letter reaches you and if you choose to join me, we shall journey back in my carriage together.
My trip to London was already planned due to needing to inform my family of my joyous news. I do not think you are a lost cause Penelope; you are a very beautiful woman inside and out, your Mama is known for her horrid sense of fashion and it works against you in every way. Pair that with your shy demeanor and the fact that you debuted early all work against you. Together we will show the Ton what you look like when you are allowed to bloom.
You mentioned that the only gentleman that danced with you at all last season told you that you do not count? I fear I might cause Fratricide as I was not so caught up in my own courtship to miss Colin dancing with you over the course of the season and until he rather hastily proposed to Marina, I had thought he was courting you. Colin had always been almost as possessive of you as Eloise was.
That is no matter now, we shall endeavor to find you a much better suit than my idiot brother. We all have our favorites you know, Eloise favors Benedict, Anthony sees Hyacinth as his own child and they have a bond that shows it, though I fear her favorite is Gregory due to their close age and her seeing Anthony as a father and not a brother, Francesca and Colin get along well but my favorite brother has always been Anthony. I know he took the last season very seriously and often did not listen to me when I expressed my displeasure with some of the suitors he would push away or pull closer, but Anthony has always held this sense of duty to his family.
Anthony and Simon have been friends since Eton, as such Anthony knew all the worst parts of Simon and because he knew the skeletons in the closet he thought it was a rather unfit match for his baby sister. I fear I have gotten much off topic, should you choose to have me sponsor you next season, a feat I shall much enjoy being honest with you, I will personally see to it that all your outfits are ones you look your absolute best in. Lady Whistledown shall not call you an overripe citrus fruit under my tutelage.
I shall see you in a few days’ time either way, tea with my siblings on the Thursday after you receive this letter.
Daphne Bassett, Duchess of Hastings.
“Penelope! Why is the Duchess requesting your presence for the off season?” Mama yells as she joins me in the gardens almost immediately after I finish reading my own letter.
“Mama, Daphne simply wishes to have a familiar face around her new home, you know of my friendship with the Bridgerton’s that does include the former Bridgerton the now Duchess of Hastings.” I say politely hoping if I don’t agitate her, she will allow me to go.
“Well go pack, you can not deny a duchess’s request. While I might not understand why she requested your presence of all people you will not embarrass the family by snubbing her Grace. Besides with you gone for the offseason, I shall have more resources to put towards Prudence and Phillipa.”
“Mama, Daphne did also mention sponsoring me in the next season. She did not include it in her letter to you but she asked me to bring it up if it was something I was at all interested in being a possibility. If I accept that offer it will free up your attention and resources to my sisters all season long.” I say quietly.
“Very well, go start packing. Do not become a burden to the Duchess, I will be quite cross with you should she send you back early because you became a nuisance to her and the Duke when they offered such hospitality to you.”
“Yes Mama.”
“Do take great care to continue to lose weight Penelope, there might be hope for you after all if you can.”
As I ran out of the garden and up to my chambers holding in tears because while I wasn’t actively seeking to lose weight it seems as though the depression Colin created by telling me I DON’T COUNT, was my greatest accomplishment in life. The only thing Mama sees from me is weight loss. As I start packing up some of the things I will not need the next few days waiting for Daphne, it is currently Tuesday so all but 2 dresses and my night clothes, I begin to day dream about what it will be like staying with the Duke and Daphne.
Anthony POV:
Dearest Family,
The most exciting news I have to share with you, I shall be joining you back in London on Thursday, which should be only a few days after this letter arrives to you. All shall be shared on my visit. I will be keeping this missive quite short as no reply shall be expected but I am most excited to see everyone again as I have missed you all dearly.
Love Daphne.
I read the letter out loud to the family at breakfast Tuesday morning as we were all gathered when it arrived. Directing a maid to ready a room for Daphne to stay in I wonder if Simon will be joining her on her journey or if she would be coming alone. Mother is simply excited and looking at the table I see everyone aside from Daphne and Colin, I almost lost two of my siblings to marriage this last season and I have only one person to thank for saving them both from far worse fates. Lady Whistledown.
Lady Whistledown while vexing at times, like calling me a Capital R rake in her publication also served to challenge Daphne to be herself, to expose Burbrooke for being a garbage prospect and to endorse the union of Daphne and Simon who are a great match. Furthermore, Lady Whistledown exposed Marina Thompson for trying to entrap my brother with another mans children. Eloise who is constantly trying to unmask Whistledown simply isn’t looking in the right direction, thinking of maids, or trades women, when she should be looking across the square only at her best friend.
It wasn’t obvious until the Thompson scandal, the morning before they were set to run away to Gretna Green her pregnancy gets unveiled, there is only one person in the Ton who would care, who could know, to announce such a thing. Penelope Featherington, a good friend of the family, particularly close to Eloise and closer than propriety would allow Colin, she is our families guardian Angel.
My siblings dedicating themselves to the marriage mart only shows a particular duty I have avoided myself. I need to marry. I need someone Tolerable, Dutiful, suitable enough hips for childbearing, and at least half a brain. While it could be easy enough to compile a list of young ladies and interview them, or simply wait for a diamond to be chosen, one requires a lot of leg work and the other a lot of potential competition, both requiring me to tell the marriage minded mamas of my intentions this up coming season. One person comes to mind with out interviews or waiting for a diamond, but my younger brother would likely kill me if I ‘stole her’ from him.
Perhaps I shall confide in Daphne when she gets here. She has always been so open minded, and I shall listen to her counsel on the matter. After finishing with breakfast, I fold the newspaper I did not actually read and headed up to my office. There was a stack of work to be done before we head off to Aubrey Hall for the off season and while it will be much different missing 2 of my siblings it is still home.
The two days leading to Daphne’s arrival went quickly, before I knew it a carriage had arrived with only my sister in tow and as I approached the carriage to help her out, I noticed a distinct lack of luggage.
“Good morning brother! Where is the rest of the family? Colin is in particular need as I must kill him.” Daphne says with a laugh but there was a bit of seriousness to her tone regarding Colin.
“That will prove to be quite difficult Daph, Colin is in Greece on his grand tour trying to find himself after the betrayal that Miss Thompson caused.”
“He shall live another day then, did you know that he told Penelope that she does not count amongst the Ladies of the Ton? Completely unprompted, I’m sure.”
“I was not aware of that; Penelope has been a great friend of the family of Colin’s in particular I am not sure what could have prompted such a statement.” I let my mind drift off to Penelope, how hurt she must have felt especially after unveiling such a secret, at the detriment of her own family no less, to protect him.
“Anyway, let us find our family I have news, and a guest coming for afternoon tea, I hope you do not mind.” Offering my arm, I walk Daphne into the house and realize Afternoon teatime is actually quite soon.
“I have news as well; I have decided I shall take a wife this upcoming season.” I say before we can be swarmed by our family.
“I feel like Mama and the others do not know this, furthermore that you do not wish for them to know.”
“You would be correct. I have also figured out who Lady Whistledown is, she protected our family in ways that if one knows her personally, she becomes the only option. Luckily most of the Ton doesn’t pay her enough attention.”
“Penelope.” Daphne breathes out in a tone of realization and admiration.
“Yes, the Thomson scandal is what made it obvious. However, the amount that was done to have the Ton accept the Duke and you, as well as unveiling the Burbrooke scandal, it all makes sense.”
“DAPHNE!!!” I hear twin voices scream coming from the staircase. Soon we are swarmed by our family on all sides as my favorite sister gets ripped from my arm and into a whirlwind of other siblings.
“How is Clyvedon sister, does the Duke treat you well.”
A complete barrage of questions were thrown at Daphne as I tune them all out. Waiting for it to be quiet again, several minutes later, a delicate knock is heard as a footman comes and announces our next guest. “Miss Penelope Featherington.”
“Penelope! I am so glad to see you, have you made your decision yet?” Daphne says in a frenzy as she runs up to Penelope in a way, I have never seen them behave before.
“Yes, your Grace, my trunk is already with the carriage.” Penelope says with a smile. “Lord Bridgerton, thank you for hosting tea this afternoon, I am uncertain if you were expecting me or not.”
“Miss Featherington, you are always welcome you know that. I am quite shocked at this blossoming friendship; however, I wasn’t aware you were so close.”
“I have offered to Sponsor Penelope this upcoming season. She shall be joining Simon and I in Clyvedon for the offseason and will be staying in our London residence next season. I am quite excited about it all.” Daphne beams.
“That is very exciting news sister.”
“No, it is not exciting that Daphne wishes to turn sweet, intelligent Pen into a mini her. We are to become spinsters together; she is stealing my best friend to turn her into a prized cow to be sold off like the rest of the Ton.” Eloise pouted.
“El, I do not wish to be a spinster, I long for a family of my own, I want to raise children, I quite envy your large tight knit family as mine has always simply seen me as a burden. I reached out to Daphne, after a comment was made from one of the Gentlemen of the ton confirmed that I am not even seen as a potential option for marriage because I am not even seen as a woman. Spinsterhood was something my Mama had already seen me destined for because of my weight, Spinsterhood is something I had resigned myself to because I am virtually invisible to everyone. Spinsterhood wasn’t a fate I wished for but one I saw as the only option because of how everyone around me treated me.” Penelope said a little spice coming out.
A large family, she wants to be a mother, she is certainly tolerable. Dutiful absolutely, she possesses a full brain, not simply half of one. I cannot view her hips but she does possess a bosom unparalleled by any. I will send letters this off season, I wish to also get to know her better. “Daphne, Penelope will you join me up in my office a moment.” I say nodding my head in the direction before simply turning and heading up there.
They arrived a few minutes after me, my assumption is Eloise did not take well to Penelope finding her voice earlier. As they enter the office Daphne quickly makes herself comfortable in one of the chairs across my desk, but Penelope stands awkwardly near the entrance. “Please make yourself comfortable Miss Featherington.”
“Ant, why are we here. I have other news for the family and Tea is about to be served, all the good cakes will be gone before we get back.”
“I promise this should not take long. Daphne as her sponsor you are essentially her acting guardian, especially with you taking her in all off season. I wish to start a courtship with Miss Featherington, Daphne. You were already aware earlier that I wish to take a wife next season, Miss Featherington was already at the top of that short list of potential ladies. I also wanted to thank you Miss Featherington, your publications saved our family multiple times this last season, something I find of great significance. I will keep your secret regardless of you’re answer, but should you need any gossip that comes from places ladies are not permitted, You have a man on the inside willing to report back.”
“Lord Bridgerton, how did you…”
“The Miss Thompson scandal, it was unlikely anyone other than your sisters, your mama and you were aware anything was going on, you are the only one in your family that cares for the Bridgerton family enough to report the scandal. If one pays attention, it was quite easy to figure out.” I say softly. “Do not worry Miss Featherington, I doubt anyone else in the Ton would piece it together, my family is quite frankly the only ones who would have reason to pay much attention to that particular piece of information, thank you for saving my brother from being trapped.”
“She didn’t love him. She was using him to secure what would be in her words a tolerable future. I couldn’t let your family be humiliated when her child was born way to early to be Colin’s if it was also doomed to be a loveless marriage with her not even respecting him. She thought him to be an eager, kind man who would make a decent father and duty would bind him to be decent to them. Your family has shown me much kindness I simply could not let it happen. As for your other question, how would a courtship in the off season even work? We will be at Clyvedon Castle up in Yorkshire, you will be in Kent at Aubrey Hall, surely that is not an ideal set up for courtship.”
“I figure we could send letters, you will be at my Sisters and it is not unheard of for families to visit one another. Daphne and Simon are always welcome to join us at Aubrey hall for a visit, I simply wish to get to know you better, and have a traditional courtship upon the seasons start.”
“Anthony, Aubrey Hall while a lovely idea, might not be the most practical, I am with child. That was the news I wished to share during family tea.”
“Congratulations sister! Perhaps a trip to Clyvedon might me more appropriate as I am sure it would be much to long a journey when you should be in confinement.”
“Penelope will make for the most welcome distraction when that time comes.”
“I would very much like to get to know you better Lord Bridgerton.” Penelope says shyly.
“Please, Call me Anthony. I feel like at least this off season we can be a bit informal. You have been a great friend to the family for years certainly Christian names can be afforded. Come time for the season to start using titles might be the best to not come off improper.”
“Shall we join the others down stairs? Perhaps we can discuss this more later.” Daphne says impatiently.
“Absolutely.” I say standing up and offering an arm to both ladies and making our way to the drawing room for tea.
“Thank god I am starving.” Daphne says hand cradling the most subtle of bumps that I never would have know was there if she didn’t pull her dress closer to her body emphasizing it.
Upon reaching the drawing room Daphne ran to the table with the tea sandwiches and cakes while Penelope stayed on my arm for a bit longer before settling on just a cup of tea and a cucumber sandwich, which Daphne and Eloise also noticed but it was Eloise that said something.
“Penelope, is that all you are going to eat?” Penelope’s eyes widened her mouth hung open in shock and she honestly looked quite adorable.
“We have quite a long way to the inn before our return to Clyvedon Castle Penelope. You really should eat more.” Daphne says in a much more soothing tone and less judge mental.
“I truly am not hungry, my appetite has been quite low lately, I find it hard to eat much at all most of the time.” Penelope says quietly, now simply picking at the sandwich on her plate.
“It is completely fine sisters; we shall send Daphne and Penelope with a basket for their travels to ensure that neither will go hungry should they desire anything. Penelope, it is fine there is no pressure to eat anymore or less than you should desire to.” I say sternly to my sisters before switching to a soft tone when addressing Penelope.
“I have more news!” Daphne starts, “while I was hoping to speak with the whole family Colin has escaped off to Greece so he forfeited the right to knowing that I am with child!”
“Oh my dear that is wonderful news.” Mother says rushing to Daphne and hugging her tight.
“No one has answered my question as to how one becomes with child. Daphne certainly you know now.” Eloise says with a pointed glare. “How do I avoid such a fate. Penelope you and Marina talked, did she disclose how one came to be with child.”
“She told me cake. Certainly one does not become with child due to cake.” Penelope says rolling her eyes at the notion.
“Eloise I am sure you have nothing to worry about.”
“Avoid being alone with any man that is not your brother and you will be perfectly safe. That is all you need to know Eloise, if you ever end up married you will get a much more in-depth explanation but until then stay chaperoned and you shall never become with child.”
“Fine, don’t tell me.”
“Eloise, truly if you ever desire to be courted by a man I will tell you everything you need to know, I will not have your education on the matter left to Mama who left me fully unprepared or to one of our brothers. The Maids in Clyvedon were the ones who told me what I really needed to know. I will never leave you to be in the situation I was left in but it truly is improper knowledge for a young lady to know before it is absolutely necessary.” Daphne says exasperated. “When Penelope finds a suitor that is serious about her I will make sure she knows everything she needs to expect to have a good and prosperous marriage.” I notice a quick wink in my direction and I fear my face might flush. Penelope’s certainly did.
“I simply do not understand why we are not to know.” Eloise pouts further. “We are the ones who are to grow the babies, certainly we should know how one is created.”
“I do not disagree, however it is still an improper subject and we will not be discussing it any further.” Mother says a raised eyebrow in challenge to my sisters to keep them from continuing the conversation at all.
“What time are you planning on staying until ladies. I would like to have the chef prepare a basket and if we can get any preferred foods prepared for the both of you.”
“Whatever Daphne would like in there I’m sure will be fine, I am not picky.” Penelope says a small smile given as she looks up at me.
“We will probably stay for an hour or two longer, I would like to make a decent start before it gets too late.”
“Very well, I will have the chef prepare a basket with the usual provisions.” I say standing up and not even before I can make it out of the room my spot next to Penelope was stolen by Hyacinth who appeared to be quite animated about whatever they were discussing.
On my way back from the kitchens Daphne pulled me into the library. “Brother, were you really considering Penelope as an option before this afternoon as a potential prospect?”
“Yes, sister I was, quite frankly my only reservation was Colin. Eloise scares me still but if Colin told her that she didn’t count to the men of the Ton, or at the very least to him, then she is fair game. I value a woman with a brain, and one that possesses great loyalty beyond anything and if there is anyone that encompasses that it is Penelope, she is a bit quiet but I feel some time spent with people who respect what she says, who do not cast off her opinions or speak over her might help her confidence and allow her to be a bit more certain of herself. She is already sweet as can be and I am certain she would make a wonderful Viscountess.”
“Oh I am certain she would, I was just making sure it wasn’t just that you wanted Lady Whistledown, or that it was an easy way out of the marriage mart next season.”
“Certainly not, I had decided upon Penelope back when I had thought I would have to deal with Portia Featherington next season.”
“Would you court her even if she had been destined to wear the citrus colors she was stuck in all last season.”
“Yes, I told you already, I desire her for her personality, for her brain, her loyalty, her not her wardrobe.”
“Then you have my permission brother. I will send you an invitation, from Simon to join us for a time in Clyvedon, when Penelope is comfortable, it will give you sometime away from the noise of Aubrey Hall, I will even make it so that you are alone for a time before we send for the rest of the family. I know you do not wish to let Mama know your intentions so I will help you. I also understand better now than I did at the beginning of the season what exactly you were trying to protect me from. You knew all the unsavory secrets of the men of the ton due to being friends or acquaintances of the younger lords. Thank you for trying to protect me.”
“Penelope, she is the one who protected you.”
“You did too. I could not guarantee that Simon and I would have started our rouse if not for your protection attempts, and if that had happened, I would have likely ended up with a man I did not love, a man who could have been a lot less honorable than your best friend. So, Thank you.” She said kissing my cheek before giggling at the sideburns on my face. “I never understood the facial hair decisions of yours.”
“Father wore his this way.” I say quietly.
“Anthony…”. She says with a sigh before wrapping me up into a tight hug.
“I just try and keep any memory of him alive that I can.” I choke out. “He left so suddenly, one second we were picking flowers for mother and the next he was dead in my arms and every decision was my burden to bear.”
“Anthony, you have done an amazing job at honoring Fathers memory. Perhaps it is time to do some things for yourself, such as finding your own facial hair style.” She says with a playful smile.
“It’s just so hard to let him go.” I say voice cracking.
“I know Anthony, but truly he lives on in you. You’ve done so well in raising this family, of setting aside your own wants and needs for the needs of the family. If you need this as a reminder of him, that is fine, however, know that it is okay to wear it in a way you like most not just because it reminds you of Father. I also recognize you haven’t changed your hair in 10 years, its okay Ant.” Daphne says rubbing my back.
“I am going to appear a mess when we get back, and then what shall Penelope think of me.”
“You hardly look a mess, and we can take our time going back. When I left Penelope was discussing the pianoforte with Francesca much to Eloise’s displeasure.”
“You know I always hear of the books Penelope enjoys but never of her other interests. Perhaps you can nurture those before my visit.” I mention.
“I will not force any hobbies upon her Anthony. If she detests needlepoint or the piano forte or watercolors…”
“Then she shall remain herself. I do not wish to change her, just to have her explore the things she is interested in, while in a safe and encouraging environment. However, if one of those interests included horses, I would not dislike that to be encouraged most.”
“Oh, Brother, you and your horses.” Daphne laughed as we walked back into the drawing room. “You might wish to brush up on your dancing, to my knowledge it is one of Penelope’s favorite pastimes.”
When we reached the drawing room, Francesca was at the piano doing a duet with Penelope, the tune expertly played. Daphne reaching Benedict who was squished between Hyacinth and Gregory fighting over who got the chocolate macaroons daintily took the last chocolate macaroon popped it in her mouth and then made Benedict get up and dance with her. Walking over to the piano I stand behind Penelope who seems to actually be playing the lead part of the tune before requesting she join me and let Francesca play alone for a moment.
Dancing with Penelope was nothing I had expected it to be like. Frankly I assumed she would have about the same grace on the dance floor as Eloise, to my great surprise she might be more of an accomplished dancer than Daphne. Even with our fairly significant height difference it never felt awkward or stilted. “Penelope, you are a marvelous dancer, you must do me the honor of saving me a dance at each ball next season.” I whisper into her ear just as the steps warrant us being so close without scandal.
“Anthony, a lady is only as fine a dancer as the man leading her. I would be honored to grace the floor with you next season. Dancing is truly one of my favorite activities however infrequently I may be asked to the floor.” Her voice was light and melodic a small smirk playing at the corner of her mouth. After the dance we all returned to tea and before long Daphne and Penelope were back in the carriage making their way to the inn, where Simon had stayed to escort them back.
“Brother, you and Miss Featherington certainly looked cozy.” Benedict says pouring a drink for himself in my office later that evening.
“She is an exceptional dancer, Benedict. I am not sure how much cozier we appeared than simply sharing a dance.”
“You sought her out, you could have danced with Mother, or Hyacinth or Eloise but you decided to seek out Miss Featherington specifically ending the duet between Fran and her for a dance.”
“I do not need to explain myself to you brother. We danced, we have talked, she is an exceptional young lady who I have incorrectly disregarded as simply Eloise’s best friend for a long time.”
“Careful, the Mama’s might hear you say that one young lady is exceptional, and you might be next to the alter.”
“Would marriage truly be so horrifying? I am not getting any younger, perhaps I will find a bride soon.”
“You would leave me with only Colin in bachelorhood? He is as green as Gregory.”
“So, show him the way, or perhaps he is finding his own way in Greece. We cannot force Colin to take a Lover Benedict. I am leaving my rakish ways behind me. I always knew once I found my Viscountess that I would stay faithful, perhaps she has been found and now must be wooed.”
“I always thought Colin would open his eyes and see the girl next door, I never assumed it would be you brother.”
“It is new, Daphne is aware of my desires, as is Penelope. With Daphne acting as her sponsor next season and this offseason I felt it necessary to have her blessing, we will be exchanging letters before we start an official public courtship this upcoming season. Penelope has agreed to my suit. Now out, I have business to see to before we close the house to embark to Aubrey Hall.”