Pretty in Blue

The Green Dress

Bridgerton house 

"Have you seen your brother, Eloise?" Violet asks while trying to calm a fight that broke out between little Hyacinth and Gregory.

"I can not say I'm aware of his location at this moment. Have I been give the job of being his maid, mama?"

Violet scoffs, "Well if you're not doing anything better with your time by trying to find a suitable husband you might find great comfort in caring for your siblings."

Eloise glares.

Colin finally walks into the family room and hurriedly sits down near the biscuits and tea. Getting ready to pounce and fill his plate up, his mother gives him a stern stare.

"What? I'm hungry." 

"Colin, it is nearly noon and you have just awoken--"

"bu-"

"Don't give me excuses, I can tell by the way your hair looks and the awful smell you have on you. Go clean yourself then you can come and eat." Violet pleads.

"Fine." He pushes off his seat and heads for the door but then he hears his mother discussing functions with Eloise and that damn name comes out of her mouth.

"You and Penelope should go promenade, find some good suitors."

Eloise looks up from her book and stares a little while until she says, "I would rather jump off the top of this home."

Colin doesn't want to listen any further. He doesn't want to be reminded of Pen. 

--- 

"Dammit!" 

"Are you okay Mr. Bridgerton." his valet asks. 

"Oh, um. I'm fine, thank you Lionel."

He stares down at the soapy water he is submerged in. He simply can't think straight any longer. Ever since his mother brought up Penelope, he hasn't been able to forget about her. Not that his mother brought this upon him. Who is he lying to at this point? He's been dreaming of their fight every since the night it happened. Cursed to constantly replay it even when he's sleeping. 

That stupid red hair and those awful dresses have been putting him deeper and deeper into a guilt. How does he subside these memories from resurfacing. He must talk to Penelope, today is Lady Arnold's ball but he could call on her. Then again her horrible mama and even more horrible sister will be there listening to his apology. Penelope is usually unsupervised because her mama thinks Prudence has more luck finding a suitor. He must speak with her, put this craziness behind them and once again become good friends.

Lady Arnold's ball

Penelope was finally wearing one of the dresses she had paid for with her Whistledown money. It was a beautiful green that she believed looked very nice with her hair. She thought possibly by wearing this dress that she might get some attention and enjoy a few dances. Alas, her wallflower status has not changed as of presently. So, she stands by the refreshment table and enjoys a wonderful lemonade. She can't exactly eat any of the actual food present seeing as that is unfit for a young lady looking for a husband. And on top of that she doesn't want Cressida to pick on her even more for being a "unhealthy weight" as she says it. 

She is secretly wishing that something exciting might happen. Maybe a scandal. Maybe a celebration of a marriage announcement. She would thoroughly enjoy to print something of interest. She doesn't want the ton to get bored of her writings. Hopefully something will turn up eventually. 

"Penelope Featherington" she hears the snake say.

"Cressida, what a lovely necklace you have on." She says, scared to cause Cressida to humiliate her any further. 

"I see that Lady Featherington finally got you a nice colored dress."

"Than-"

"Although just because you wear a beautiful dress doesn't all the sudden make you beautiful, let me remind you that you are going to become a sad, lonely, fat spinster." Cressida smirks and she walks away. 

Sometimes she wished she could stand up to her. Say something cruel. Give her a taste of her own medicine for once. Cressida wasn't exactly wrong though, was she? She can't make her prospects better just because of a pretty dress.

As she is thinking up a plan, a Mr. Colin Bridgerton is walking towards her. She of course didn't see him approaching. 

"Hello Pen."

She turns fast almost falling into the refreshment table. Counting her blessings that she didn't cause a commotion. But while thanking her luck she notices that she is still falling. Falling towards him. Her arms flail trying to balance her unbalanced body. 

Colin catches her. She looks up and it's not just her hair that is red. Colin looks down at her with a little bit of a blush himself. He then clears his throat. Reminding her the awkward situation they are in together. She stands from his grasp. She then reminds herself of his words that horrible night last season. 

"I'm happy I ran into you" Colin says with a light-hearted laugh. 

"Mr. Bridgerton, I believe we already discussed that I didn't want to speak or hear from you" She says while trying to stop her fast heartbeat.

"Pen, I am sorry. For everything. It was so wrong of me to laugh and make fun of you."

"That it was, thank you for your apology but I still do not forgive your actions."

"Don't you think I've suffered enough? I spent the entire time traveling absolutely hating it because I couldn't enjoy because I was so worried for you. I wondered if you had fallen ill. Or had possibly been attacked. Or taken hostage." 

She finally looks into his eyes. She can't forgive him, she won't forgive. She was hurt. But him being so worried made her eyes a bit watery. 

"I'm sorry, I just can't." she says.

"What are you sorry for? Just help me out her. Let us become good friends once again and I promise you I will never speak of you in that way again."

"I can't forgive you. You were the one man I thought actually saw me differently. Hearing you say words that I've heard my entire life, how do you think that felt."

"I need to honor myself. You are a person that dishonored me, I was tricked by your charms. Thinking that you held me higher then saying what most men of the ton already say about me. I felt betrayed, I will not feel that way again."

She walks away trying to calm her nerves. She can feel his stare as she walks more near the door of the ballroom. She really is trying to keep the tears from spilling over. One tear travels down her cheek.