Falling for Penelope Featherington

6 ~ Unexpected Visit

Two days. That's how long it had been since Colin had realized his true feeling for Penelope. Two long, slow, agonizingly painful days. Days that were filled with nothing but the thoughts of her. How could he have been this stupid, this blind to what was in front of him?! He then thought back to last season... The number of times he talked to her, looked out for her, wanted time with her. Heck! If he was being truthful with himself, the whole freaking reason he took Mondrich's advice about Jack Featherington, was to protect her!

Now lying on his bed, he couldn't help but think about the last dance they shared together. Even then he could see how beautiful she was. How special she was... and hadn't he said so?... but then why did he still feel like crap? Why wasn't she there with him? In his arm, telling him something intriguing or sweet? He groaned as he tried to figure out what exactly went wrong.

"Colin?" He sighed when he saw his mother in the doorway of his bedroom. He could have sworn he had locked it.

"What is it Mother?" He asked returning to staring at the ceiling. What was she doing right now? Considering she had been spending her time with Williams he had a feeling he didn't actually want to know.

"Are you alright my dear?" Violet asked with a small grin, although she had a feeling he wasn't.

"Yes I am."

"Alright..." He could hear her entering the room, which made both of them sigh. "I only ask because you've been rather quiet these past few days."

"I've had a lot on my mind mother." He said now sitting up, trying to look as presentable as possible.

"I see... and this. Perhaps wouldn't have to do with Miss Penelope Featherington?"

Colin tried his best to laugh at her accusation but he knew that she had it the nail on its head.

"No. Why?" He lied. Though it was clear he wasn't telling the truth.

"I only ask because of what I saw at the ball."

"I swear. Nothing improper happened." Colin said standing up. He tried his best to ignore the desire he felt of wanting there to have been.

"I know." She said with a nod. "And while I have kept your little, conversation, a secret,  I cannot help but notice that your attitude has suddenly changed."

"Mother..." He wanted to tell her. He needed to tell someone!

"...I..." Why was he having such a difficult time saying it out loud? What was he afraid of?

"You love her." Violet said more as a fact then a question.

Colin sighed as he looked at his reflection. Damn it was obvious.

"I love her." He said looking at himself. He hadn't looked this bad since Marina. In fact one might argue that he looked even worse.

He then thought about the conversation he had had with Lady Crane last season. She was right. He had been blind. Not only to his family, but most of all to Pen. She was the most beautiful, amazing, kindest woman he had ever met. She really hadn't forsaken him. Except now. Now something had changed. But what? Why was she so mad at him? What could he do to fix it?

"My dear." Violet said snapping the young man from his thoughts. "If you love her so, why not go talk to her?"

Colin thought for a moment. Should he? What if she snubbed him? Was she so mad at him that she would? He knew he had to find out.

"I'll be right back." He said leaving his mother rather surprised.

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