The Blossoming of Penelope Featherington | A BRIDGERTON Fanfic

Chapter 16

It had been days- a week and six days to be exact- since Colin had proposed to Penelope and was rejected by her as well. Almost two weeks of being left in the dust without an answer, and it was driving him mad. He had found a best friend in Penelope, and now that he ran his mouth, he might just lose her. He felt like he was losing her.

He knew his solution was juvenile and rash. But he also knew he was right. She needed protection, and he would more than gladly give it to her even if it meant throwing away his plans of living out the rest of his bachelor life out the window. And although it is commonplace within their family to marry for love- or close to it- Colin never truly put much priority in that. Mostly because he hadn't actually thought about it yet.

While ruminating over what had happened, he thought about the gravity of his proposal, he still stood firm with his decision. It wasn't so bad to marry one's friend. Daphne had once told him all about her and Simon and how their romance bloomed after their unexpected friendship. And now they have been happily married for five years and have friendship (and passion) to thank for. He could not imagine what it would be like to marry Penelope in an intimate fashion as that of the Hastings. At least not yet...

After a day of finally making up his mind, he tried to reach Penelope. He would send notes and call upon her but would always be turned away by their butler- he seemed to still hold a grudge against him for that one drunken night- after an excuse of her feigned sickness. He had half a mind to call upon her with a physicist in tow in order to cure her maladies that seemed to change every single day.

When Monday arrived, he went to Number Five hoping to find Penelope. He had finally moved to his new lodgings, a snug little terrace house in Bloomsbury, surrounded by scholars and doctors and lawyers; people who made him want to do more with his life and inspired him to work for his keep just like how Benedict has found his way in life as an acclaimed painter; people like Penelope who made a name for herself even without anyone knowing.

He had already welcomed Eloise and the rest of his family that resided in London at the moment to his home. All except for Penelope. He sped up his walking. He really needed to see her.

"Hm?" Eloise asked, busy with her reading

"Penelope. Is she here?" Colin asked, rather impatiently. "Aren't you supposed to have your afternoon tea?"

Eloise set her papers down and looked pointedly at Colin. "First of all, our afternoon tea is, believe it or not, in the afternoon. And as it is still a little before noon, I'm afraid we'd all have to wait." She gave him a regretful expression, to which he rolled his eyes at. "And second, because I do believe it is my business, why are you looking for my dearest friend?"

His eyes shifted from her. "Well... you're not her only friend." He could still feel his sister's stare so he gave in with a soundful sigh and looked back at her.

"Colin," she said somberly, "you are my brother, and I do love you greatly. But Penelope is my closest friend." There was a sort of warning in her voice that made his brows furrow together. "I know you two have become closer as of late, and I know how you are with ladies-"

"What do you me-"

Eloise raised her hand to stop him, and continued, "but please be more mindful of Penelope's feelings." Her eyes were close to begging.

Colin was quiet for a bit. "Mindful how?" He knew Eloise didn't know what happened between them, but maybe he could get some insight from her about what Penelope was thinking or how her mind works, because, at the moment, he was at a loss.

"I..." She looked away in deep thought, looking a tad conflicted. "I- it's not my place to say this, I know, but I say this with utmost consideration for Penelope's disposition." She sighed deeply and said, "For a while, back then, I have noticed the way she looked at you like...like she was smitten with you." She shook her head as if the whole exchange was too awkward for comfort. "I thought it had faded away...but now I feel like those feelings have resurfaced. Or are in the process of..."