Amore Et Honore

Penelope's Convalescence

AMORE ET HONORE

By: tweety-src-clt9

Penelope's Convalescence

Penelope's eyes slowly fluttered open to a brand new day. The sun was shining brightly outside. She could easily tell from the light seeping through the thick curtains that covered the large windows of the master bedroom. Maybe whatever higher power that existed had wanted to make her feel better, for she loved bright sunny days. The weather seemed to match her mood, hopeful and cheery. She was certain that she was feeling so much better now.

"No more eating of that vile goop," she murmured as she carefully sat on the bed. It was better to move slowly and to be sure. After all, in the short minutes that she gained consciousness yesterday, there was a lingering dizziness that matched the throbbing of her forehead. She sat quietly, just observing her body's strength or the lack of it, and she smiled brightly when the nauseous state that tormented her yesterday was gone. Sure she still felt a bit tired, but it was so much better than seeing double.

Since the master chamber was quiet, she felt her ears prick when she heard noises most likely from the drawing-room downstairs. She chuckled to herself thinking that it was Eloise and Colin bickering once again. She so wanted to thank her best friend and her husband for caring for her last night. Because of that, she had this strong urge to surprise them by joining their party. She was certain that her presence would make them happy and more importantly, ease their worries over her health. No one cared for her when she was sick, well, her father did, but it seemed that he had been dead for so many years. And so, it made her heart swell with gratitude and delight knowing that her new family, Colin and Eloise in particular, valued her too much to dote on her when she was sick.

With a look of determination in her countenance, she slowly stood from the bed and walked to the door, hoping to find a maid that could help her get ready for the day. It must be her lucky day indeed when she merely took less than ten steps from the bed when suddenly, the door opened.

"Mistress! You are awake!" her ladies maid exclaimed.

"Good morning. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you before," she smiled kindly.

"It is a pleasure to see you up and about, mistress. My name is Clarisse, your ladies' maid," the tall woman said with a curtsy.

"Hello, Clarisse. I'm happy to meet you. I hope Colin, er, Mr. Bridgerton hasn't given you much trouble when I was indisposed," she quipped.

"Master Colin was very worried about you, mistress. He clearly loves you very much," Clarisse had a wistful look in her eyes.

"Er, he is very kind... I have known him for a long time, ever since I was a little girl," Penelope didn't know what to say about Colin being in love with her.

"That is so romantic! Childhood sweethearts," Clarisse practically gushed. Penelope could only smile at her maid's starry eyes.

"Not exactly but... we're good friends," she muttered. She didn't want to crush Clarisse's wistful imaginings but it was best to gently introduce her maid to the harsh realities of romance and marriage. Most of the time, love is unrequited and marriages happen for convenience.

"Oh, how clumsy of me! Mistress, the master said that you should rest," Clarisse's eyes were focused on her as if expecting her for new bruises or some sort of pain.

"I am feeling much better actually but I am quite hungry. That horrid soup tea thing that Colin has been feeding me is vile," Penelope made a face and her maid chuckled.