Pretty in Blue

The Plan

Featherington house

Penelope did everything to keep her busy. She wrote. Read books. Ate food. She even helped Varely with house chores. Each and every task kept on returning the memory of Colin and her at Lady Arnold's ball. She couldn't keep her thoughts and feelings at bay. It was ripping her to shreds being reminded constantly of such an emotional night. She had to hold to the promise she made to herself. She would not be fooled by Colin ever again. 

"Are you almost ready Penelope?" Lady Featherington asked.

Oh. She forgot that they were going to promenade at Hyde park today. Maybe interacting with the ton will help keep her head screwed on. 

"Yes, Mama! Just a minute." Penelope replies.

She hoped as she jumped into their carriage, that the Bridgerton's weren't going out today. She hoped that she wouldn't see Colin nor Eloise. She just couldn't bear seeing either of them. 

As their carriage pulled up to the park she promised herself that today was the day she would bring attention to herself. She must interact with some Lord's so that she may gather attention and change her status from wallflower to married wallflower. 

Hyde Park

"Mama, must we keep walking? My shoes are heeled and they ache. I demand we sit!" Eloise pleads.

"Eloise, I do so love to hear your screeching this early in the morning" Colin says.

"Dear Colin it is past noon. You must of forgotten that morning is before noontime. What an education you have." She bites back. 

Colin grunts in response, rolling his eyes.

"Oh! there is Lord Debling. We must go say hello to him Eloise. Come." Violet says while pushing Eloise to what she believes to be her impending doom.

Thus leaving only Colin left. He enjoys the silence while he walks. It's a lovely day out and he sees why his mother was so keen on getting Eloise out. He though it best for him to come with because both of his older brothers are busy. 

As he is walking he gets held hostage by a few hungry mama's and eager daughter's. As he is interacting with Lady Vivian Lee and her mother Lady Juliette Lee, he spots Penelope. He can't help it back stare at her as she stands awkwardly near Lord Anderson. It seems she is trying to get his attention but to avail seeing that there are multiple ladies crowding him already.

Colin excuses himself from the Lee Ladies and heads over to Penelope. 

Trying not to once again scare her like he did last time he softly touches her shoulder. He feels her jolt before turning towards him. 

She first smiles which gives him a sense of relief. That relief does not last long. She then turns her back to him. 

"Lady Featherington, might we enjoy a promenade around Hyde park together?" Colin asks.

"No, we may not." Penelope answers roughly. Back turned still.  

Penelope walks away from him. 

He watches as she walks off. He follows her. 

"Too bad. I shall walk with you whether it pleases you or not."

Penelope rolls her eyes and tries to keep a smile from sprouting on her face.

"So, where are we headed. I would thoroughly enjoy an ice right about now." Colin says.

"Mr. Bridgerton, I would rather jump into the lake. Plus it is unfit for a lady in waiting to eat in public in front of eligible suitors." Penelope replies.

"I've seen you eat many times before. What would make this time any different?" Colin asks.

"I'm saying that eating an ice right now would not help my chances to finding a husband."

Colin ponders her words. Why would she be actively looking for a husband. Isn't it her and  Eloise's plan to grow old and be spinsters together. She has enjoyed ice's with him and Eloise before during a Hyde park event. What makes this any different? Is she truly trying to find a husband, why? He didn't notice that Penelope had stopped walked and was actually heading towards another Lord. He turns back just as Penelope approaches Lord Dankworth. 

"Hello, Lord Dankworth. What a lovely day it is, is it not?" She asks him.

"Oh um. Yes?" he says back almost as a question.

"Would you like to promenade with me?" She asks. Eyes hopeful.

Dankworth clears his throat and then says, "Who are you? I'm sorry, I just don't believe we've met. And by formality shouldn't I being asking you to promenade?"

"I'm Penelope Feathrington, we met when you came and tried to show your interest in my cousin Miss Marina Thompson. Would you like to ask me to promenade?" Penelope questions.

Watching their exchange made Colin uneasy. He couldn't look away but it gave him the feeling like he was watching two carriages hitting one another and all of the people in them go flying across the street. It was a wreck indeed. 

"I do not believe I have the time to promenade. I was actually just heading back to my study." Lord Dankworth replies, clearly lying through his nice white teeth. 

"Oh. I see." Penelope says, trying to hide her disappointment and shame. 

Lord Dankworth walks away just as Colin heads towards Penelope. Penelope stands there trying to keep her dark thoughts at bay.

"Pen, what was that all about? Do you really hate my company that much?"

"Use my proper name, Mr. Bridgerton." 

"You and I both know how much of an idiot Lord Dankworth is. Remember when you first came out into society. That first ball he spilled nearly a whole gallon of lemonade because he was so 'thirsty'" He quotes. 

She laughed in response. She actually laughed and he couldn't help the grin that grew on his face. 

"He shouldn't be someone you waste your precious time on."

"And you are someone I should waste time on? I believe I have been doing that for one to many years Mr. Bridgerton." She replies stone faced. 

Colin doesn't know how to respond. What does he say to that. Does he diminish himself so that he might get back in Pen's good graces or does he tell her how cruel those words are. Before he can reply she looks at him and says.

"I'm sorry for being so cruel. Although you hurt me deeply, it gives me no right to treat you this way. I do not care if he has half a brain. I plan to get married this season and I want to have a kind and thoughtful husband. He is well-mannered and I do not believe he would raise a hand towards me. Sadly, most men of the ton want nothing to do with me. It's a fools wish." She says trying to hold back tears.

"Oh, Pen. I'm sorry." Colin comforts.

"I would marry you if I didn't think of you like family." He says, trying to give her hope once again.

It was the wrong thing to say because her body language shows him it was. He should have just left it at he would marry her. Why didn't he have to bring the whole family part into it. He might be even more stupid then Lord Dankworth. He keeps on messing up. 

Trying to soothe the situation he blurts out that he can help her.

"Help me with what?" she questions.

"Um." trying to find an answer of what he will help with a fire is lit. Maybe he's not such a idiot anymore.

"I shall help you find a husband. I will show you how to flirt and get men's attention. They will all fall on their knees for you once I'm done teaching you." He says proudly.

Penelope, a little stunned in his idea replies back, "I guess that might help."

"We shall start lessons tomorrow. Meet me at Chapling clearing. Bring paper and pencil. You will want to have notes!" He says excitedly.

"Okay." Pen replies, thoroughly confused on why she agreed to this arrangement.