Chapter Text
Grovner square
London, England
May, 19th, 1811
Violet was preparing Daphne for her entrance into polite society. Eloise and Penelope were set to return from their promenade shortly, Violet had agreed to allow Penelope to have her lessons at the same time as Daphne and Eloise.
The angry neighs of horses could be heard echoing through the streets, as a carriage landed on the ground. 'Daphne stay here with Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth' says Violet as she motions for her 3 oldest to come with her outside.
'PENELOPE WAKE UP PENELOPE' could be heard. Violet stood horrified by her house as she looks on at the sight before her. 'Eloise come here' is what Violet could hear from Portia as the mother brought her crying 5th child to her arms.
'The cab driver was drunk and he was throw from the cab. Penelope pushed Eloise out of the way but the cab landed on Penelope's legs, my darling husband is trying to keep Penelope awake until the cab can be lifted off of her' says Portia as she tries to hide her tears.
'MEN LIFT ON THE COUNT OF 3
1
2
3' cries Colin as he gathers the other men of noble birth around the carriage, the Featherington carriage was waiting a distance away. It was too take Penelope and Archibald to the hospital, the men lifted the carriage just enough that Archibald and Anthony could free Penelope from under it.
The poor girl's legs were in a horrific state, 'Lady Featherington bring Prudence and Phillipa over. You and your children may stay over for a few days' says Anthony. Portia smiles as she returns to her house and she has with her, Prudence and Phillipa.
The 2 girls are in tears as they had witnessed their sisters accident. 'Eloise can you tell us what happened' asks Daphne later that night after Gregory, Hyacinth and Francesca were in bed, the 2 sisters were in the presence of their mother, Portia, Prudence, Phillipa, Anthony, Colin and Benedict.
'Pen and I were talking with Rae trailing behind us. We saw a carriage that was be driven rather erratically, we ignored it as we believed that we were safe on the sidewalk. Suddenly I heard a strange noise and a slight blur of yellow. I turned around and I saw that Penelope had pushed me down, in doing so she saved my life for the carriage would have killed me.
I raced to the Featherington's and Lord Featherington got the attention of Lord Cowper and the Duke of Hastings. I made my way to Penelope's side as I tried to keep her awake, Rae was a sobbing mess not that I blame her, Lady Featherington called me to her as Lord Featherington made his way to Penelope's side. Lady Featherington brought me to mama' says Eloise.
Daphne gasped in muffled shock, 'Archibald is going stay with Penelope until the doctors release her from the hospital. Come along girls, let us retire for the evening' says Portia to her daughters who had calmed down.
'Mama may we send flowers for Penelope' asks Colin to his mother and Violet smiles at her son. 'Of course brother and we can all sign the card for Penelope' says Benedict with a smile, 'I will go to florists tomorrow' says Anthony.
'Now go to bed children. I am sure that the Featherington's will appreciate our support in morning' says Violet to her children. In Guy's hospital, Archibald Featherington was allowed to visit his daughter.
'Lord Featherington, your daughter will never walk again' informs the doctor to the Lord. 'What of the man who did this to her' asks Archibald as he was felt rage towards the man who nearly killed his daughter.
'That man has a history of driving cabs while drunk. The Bow Street Runners have petitioned to his Majesty about having this man executed but nothing has come of it. This man will continue to do as he pleases until he is executed' says the doctor in annoyance.
Archibald was led to a room in which his daughter was the only occupant and he realized that Penelope would never walk again. He had found her writing supplies and a letter to the Wm. Davies and Sons print shop.
Penelope's once yellow -but turned orange from the blood- dress was removed as it was too tattered to be saved. 'Oh Penelope please awaken for I miss you terribly' says Archibald as he kisses his daughters head before he returns home.
2 days later
Prudence and Phillipa watched excitedly from the window as they waited for their carriage to arrive. 'Girls sit down' says Portia as she sips her tea, 'Yes mama' says Prudence as she and Phillipa go to sit down.
They anxiously waited to see what had happened to their little sister when she was taken to the hospital. Their papa and mama were rather secretive about the situation, flowers were delivered from the families of the Ton.
'Mama, Prudence. Papa's home' says Phillipa as the 3 ladies make their way to the street. Eloise's family came out to see Penelope return home, 'Mama can we..' asks Eloise and Violet smile at her daughter.
'Of course we may' says Violet as Hyacinth and Gregory held her hands. Anthony, Benedict and Colin unload a rather odd device from the back of the carriage. 'Benedict, Anthony can you help me to get Penelope out of the carriage' asks Archibald. The 2 brothers share a look with one another, 'Of course Lord Featherington' says Benedict. 'Colin hold the wheelchair sturdy' instructs Anthony.
'Ready my pretty penny' asks Archibald as Anthony and Benedict get ready to lift her up. 'Yes papa' says Penelope, as she puts her arms around Anthony and Benedict's shoulders. The brothers stepped out of the carriage one after the other.
Penelope was placed in the wheelchair, 'Lord Featherington if you ever need backing in Parliament then you only have to ask. I cannot thank Penelope enough for saving Eloise's life' says Anthony as Colin brings the wheelchair onto the sidewalk.
Eloise and Daphne hugged Penelope tightly. 'Thank you Pen for saving me and at the cost of your legs' says Eloise as she hugs her friend. 'Yes thank you Penelope' says Violet which is echoed by Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth.
Daphne smiled at Penelope, 'Thank you Penelope. I do believe us Bridgeton's are now in debt to you' says Daphne as she looks to Anthony who nodded his head. 'Violet would you and your children mind watching our girls. We have an appointment with the King and Queen about catching the man who did this' says Portia.
'Of course and my boys can dance with Penelope' says Violet as she dared her boys to escape. 'Colin and Benedict carry the wheelchair while I carry Penelope' says Anthony as he picks up the sad girl and her face brightens up.
Archibald and Portia left with smiles on their faces. 'What are we going to do dear' asks Portia to her husband and Archibald sighs, 'We will appeal to the King and Queen. We will figure out Penelope's future as the days go on' says Archibald as he lovingly kisses his wife.
'We will have to hire a strong man to carry Penelope up and down the stairs' says Portia and Archibald nodded his head. They arrived at the Palace for their appointment with the King and Queen, 'Lord and Lady Featherington what do we owe the pleasure of this surprise visit' asks King George in his rare moment of mental stability.
'Your majesties our daughter was recently in a horrific accident. Our daughter Penelope saved Miss Eloise Bridgerton from being killed by a carriage but our daughter lost her legs in the crash, we would like to petition a nation wide manhunt from the man responsible' says Archibald.
King George and Queen Charlotte looked shocked at this information. 'Our daughter is 14 your majesties' says Portia. The couple shared a look with one another, 'Give a description of this man and his carriage' says George as he summons a servant to write the information.
'The man was tall with black hair and brown eyes. He wore a black overcoat with brown trousers and a faded white shirt. His carriage was brown with the Royal Seal and the logo for Barker and Co' says Archibald.
'We can assure you that this man shall be executed from his crime' says George and Charlotte looked at her husband. 'Lady Featherington when your daughter Penelope is presented to court, I expect her to look beautiful even in her wheelchair' says Queen Charlotte kindly.
Featherington Estate
1813
Before the season begins
Penelope was wheeling to her father's office. 'Papa' calls Penelope to her father, 'Come in my dear' says Archibald as Penelope opened the door to enter the room. 'Penelope how is it going for your story my dear' asks Archibald to his youngest.
'How do you know about it papa' asks Penelope curiously, she had taken great care in hiding her works. She was paid wonderfully for her novels, Penelope wrote novels under the Pen-name Lady Whistledown.
'Dearest I have known since before your accident. I also know that it is you, who has been filling the family coffers' says Archibald kindly. But before Penelope could speak, Archibald raised his hand to silence her protests.
'You are not in trouble. I want you to expand your stories some more, write monarchs who once ruled our lands. I also want you to write a gossip column for this coming season' says Archibald to Penelope.
Archibald puts new paper, ink well and quills on his desk. 'Are you sure papa' asks Penelope curiously, Archibald gets out of his chair and approach's Penelope. 'Darling you are most gifted and talented child. The Ton would be fools for ignoring or snubbing you' says Archibald.
'Let's go darling your mama wishes for you to have the final fitting of your dress for you entrance into society' says Archibald. He and Penelope go downstairs to the waiting carriage which takes them to the dress shop in Nottingham.
Portia, Prudence and Phillipa were already there having been shopping in town. 'Is there anyway that this dress can look stunning but not cause her problems with her wheelchair' asks Portia to the dress maker.
She motions to Penelope's gown which stops just below her knees, the carriage had landed on her lower legs which were promptly removed. Penelope still had her knees and above but she hated how her dresses always stopped at the knee.
'I can make it longer and add a design to the bodice' offers the shopkeep and Portia smiles as Rae helps Penelope into the dress. The dress had and empire neckline and it showed off her natural physic.
'Oh Penelope you look absolutely stunning' says Portia with a wide smile. 'Ladies let's return home so that we may be well rested for our travel tomorrow' says Archibald and he proved to have a fair point.
Come morning light, the Featheringtons were packed for the coming season. Penelope had her writing desk which proved to be helpful whilst in her wheelchair, she had been writing for 4 years and she has saved a vast amount of money whilst helping her families accounts.