Wooing Lady Whistledown - A Bridgerton Story

Chapter 2: Of Guillotines & Hairpins

Eloise sat in the Featherington's drawing room, squirming under the gaze of Mrs. Featherington. Penelope, not anticipating callers, was elsewhere, meaning that Eloise had been stuck under the eye of her friend's mother, desperately hoping Pen would return home soon.

Mrs. Featherington pursed her lips, equally uncomfortable at having to entertain the Bridgerton girl.

"Your sister" she began, her sweet tone forcing itself through hesitant lips "is she well?"

Eloise nodded, a half smile seemingly stuck on her face

"And your mother?"

Eloise nodded again "Very well, she is, thank you"

Out of topics to discuss with Eloise, Mrs. Featherington sucked in a large breath, and Eloise knew she was about to be the unwitting victim of a lengthy monologue-- the kind that is all exposition and no feeling, filled with half-true anecdotes and gentle jabs. At that moment, thankfully, a noise in the front room suggested her friend had returned home. Eloise lept up, bumping into a table and giving her hostess an almost-polite nod before vaulting to find her friend.

Penelope, entirely unaware that her presence had been waited upon, took a step back when Eloise came bounding out into the hall. Penelope was in usual form, her unfortunately-styled saffron dress doing nothing to dull the warmth of her cheeks and the laugh that escaped when she saw the desperation in Eloise's eyes.

"Are you...quite alright?" she asked Eloise, choking down what was left of her laughter

"I have been attacked!" hissed Eloise, grabbing her friend's hand. "I am in mortal danger and it is imperative that you take me to safety at once!" she continued into Penelope's ear.

"I have been gone not half of an hour, Mama could not have done too much damage in that time" Penelope returned, a grin overcoming any semblance of sympathy in her face.

"Half an hour? You have been gone a fortnight, at least!" Eloise insisted, only half teasing "At least it feels as though I have been waiting here with your mama for at least that time, her eyes boring into my very soul as I prayed to God for your safe return from the journey that kept us apart. Pen-- you mustn't leave me again, I cannot bear it!"

Penelope, now giggling mercilessly, patted the back of Eloise's hand "I will never again leave your side-- though I must remind you that you are the one who intruded into my home without notice."

The girls' dramatic reunion was interrupted by the sound of Mrs. Featherington's footsteps, which sent the girls and their laughter peeling down the corridor.

--

"My knight--" wheezed Eloise as Penelope too caught her breath, "--in shining armor."

Penelope and Eloise had found themselves in the Featherington's less formal sitting room, Penelope sitting in a chair by the window and Eloise taking up as much space as possible on a settee.

Penelope eyed her enviously.

"Mama would have my head if she caught me sitting like that" she remarked as Eloise draped a leg over the side.

"So would mine" Eloise laughed "Though at least my mama would feel sorry as she marched me to the guillotine-- yours I think might gleefully construct one of her own."

"That's a horrible thing to say!" said Penelope, hardly serious, as Eloise sat up, imitating a falling blade and crumpling to the floor.

"I do not think you have ever taken a single moment seriously!" chided Penelope as Eloise stood up and bowed.