Pretty in Blue

The Return

The season returns- 1815

"Mama, must I wear this," Penelope groans while pointing to the big hideous bow atop her fiery head. 

"It looks beautiful, I do say, why must you whine all of the time," her mother says. "You are nearly zero and twenty, start to act like it."

"But it makes me look like I have yellow wings that are about to fly me away" she responds.

"You are much to heavy and round for it to do that," prudence says. Her mama and prudence start to laugh.

Oh how she wished she could quip back. she wished she could fly away, suddenly reminded of her bow once again. 

"If I wear this bow tonight, may I please pick out my next dress for Lady Arnolds ball?" she bargains.

"Alright, alright. Varley please do get our carriage ready for our departure." says Lady Featherington

The first ball of the season- hosted by Duke and Duchess of Hastings

"I dare say, brother, this lemonade might be the most delicious and refreshing liquid my mouth has ever tasted" Benedict smiles.

"Are you drunk Ben?" Colin asks.

Benedict shrugs and shows Colin a sly smirk.

"Have you seen the Featherington's yet?" Colin questions, while looking around the room. 

Benedict lowers his voice and whispers, "Why are we concerned of the whereabouts of the Featherigton ladies dear Colin?"

"Pen did not write to me the entire time I was away in Italy" Colin says, "It worries me, she is a dear friend and I am worried for her well-being"

"Ah. Thus we are searching for her, understood Col. I will have a drunken eye out for some red hair women tonight." 

"I shall take my leave, seeing as my bladder is quite full. Maybe I shall find your Penelope in the bushes I decide to relieve myself in" Benedict grins. 

Colin, however, does not hear him seeing as he is pre-occupied trying to find Pen. 

Later in the night 

"Ah-ha, I found her!" Benedict yells. Not just scaring dear Pen right out her skin, but also the entire ton.

The tons peering eyes look at Benedict as he smiles and waves proudly. "Just trying to help a dear brother of mine" He tells the crowd. "Colin!!" he yells loudly. "I have found Miss Featherington."

Colin strides over and pulls Benedict to the side.

"What are you thinking! Are you trying to tell everyone in London Pen's location. I suggest you go home and sober up and quick at that because so help me" he threatens

He goes back to face the ton and Pen.

"Nothing to see here Ladies and gentlemen. I believe my brother had a little to much of a certain liquid tonight. Everyone laughed and went on with there activities. 

He looked back to find that Pen had left.

He did see the yellow of her dress turn to the gardens, the motion seemed as if she was running. He chased after her. 

"Pen! Wait, may we please have a talk." he pleaded.

Penelope stopped where she was. She turned and faced him. Colin expected to see her smile but was faced with a stare he was not familiar with. It made him very uncomfortable, as if he was being scolded for taking the last biscuit on the plate. 

"I do not want to speak to you" Pen whispered.

"Well I gathered that much when you never wrote to me while I was traveling." Colin replies. "Which by the way, I was deeply hurt because of it. You are my dear friend, Pen. I adore your letters and I wish to know why I didn't hear even a word out of you while gone."

"You were hurt," She scoffs.

"Yes, I was indeed hurt. I enjoyed your letters very much the last times I was traveling. I looked forward to them. What did I do for you to act so coldly towards me?" Colin asks, looking deep into her eyes. Trying to find an answer there.

"Have you ever thought to think more about those who you hold dear then yourself, Mr. Bridgerton?" Penelope questions.

"Excuse me? What did I do to be given this behavior, Pen?" Colin glares.

"Do not call me Pen. You are not my friend nor family." Penelope glares back. 

"And as for why I am treating you this way, Maybe look to see if the statues have eyes before you laugh at my expense Mr. Bridgerton." She says, "I bid you farewell."

Colin watches in utter shock and confusion as Penelope walks away. 'What did I do?' he questions himself. The last time he saw Pen was at the Featherington ball. A ball, he must say, was one of the best he had ever attended. Not only did he protect Pen's honor but also her sisters and mother. Then he began to think of what events occurred after his dance with Pen. He talked with the men and discussed many topics, mostly discussing the ladies that faired well on the marriage mart and horrible mama's. He was standing near a statue, he recalls. And as the night went on he does remember being badgered about his standing with Penelope. Thus to that he responded quite cruelly. He looked upon the Hastings garden until a light finally went on in his brain. 

"Oh no" Colin remembers his words. How could he say such mean things about such a dear and beloved friends? Quite the Bridgerton he was.