In the other's shoes

Chapter 2

1 month later.

  Bridgerton house.
  Violet paced back and forth, rubbing the silk kerchief with which she dabbed at her tears.  Colin Bridgerton was the reason for those tears.
  Anthony and Benedict dragged Colin into the living room.
  -What can I say brothers.....thanks!- making an excessive bow - without you I would still be in jail relaxing and playing cards with a scoundrel who was cleaning me of the last cents.
  Colin was no longer himself.  Anthony no longer knew how many times he'd had to bail him out and frankly he was losing his temper.  In days he had to leave for the longed-for honeymoon but he was hesitant to leave this hot potato to his family.
  He looked at Colin with a "Viscount" frown as Colin had called him since he was a child.
  Hair left long and beard unkempt, Colin looked more like a vagabond than a gentleman.  It was shocking to see him like this for his mother, that she started crying again.  But the most shocking thing was to see Colin's wonderful green eyes....empty absent..
  -Mother don't cry....- he said going towards his mother- I'm fine, I'm just having fun.  Which the other Bridgerton males don't seem to remember how to do...-
  Violet shivered feeling the thick and heavy body of her son and a sort of rage took her in full chest.
  -Don't touch me, Colin Bridgerton, not until you've cleaned yourself up like a real gentleman -
  -Mother ....-looking condescendingly at her mother.
  -Shut up, you will speak when you are asked.  And you, thanks for bringing it back to me, now get out of here and... close the door.  Violet said firmly
  Benedict and Anthony looked at Colin and then at their mother and seeing that they were smart enough, they left the room.
  Colin paced back and forth with his arms folded, snorting.
  -Oh no Colin Bridgerton, don't even think for a second about trying to piss me off.  You are an adult and as an adult you will behave!  So sit down!  - said Violet, raising her voice and then sighing.
  Colin gasped for a moment but then sat down, proving that he still has salt in the pumpkin.
  -What happened?  -
  "Mother..." Colin shook his head
  -My love, I don't recognize you anymore.  You used to light up the room where you entered only smiling, you don't travel anymore, your younger siblings hardly ever see you.  Who made you like this?  -
  -Do you really want to know mother?  - Colin yelled - do you want to know who made me miserable?  Penelope Featherington!!  That's whose fault it is.  -
  His mother gave him a dumbfounded look and then smiled.
  -And what did that poor girl do, pray tell?  -
  -What did she do??  What did she do?  She came here every single day, and she was always hanging around me.  Then she grew up and became beautiful and I could no longer look at her as a friend .... but as a woman!  And he made me fall in love with her!!  You understand!!.  A month ago I was determined to start courting her and what does she say in front of her friends??  That I'm a wandering dreamer that she didn't need a man like me to court her!!  -
  -She hurt your pride, I understand you, but why didn't you talk to him, big head that you are!!  -
  -Because she left to marry a person she doesn't even know!!-
  -Oh my goodness.  Well today you will see that you will be able to solve the situation, I'm sure!  -
  -What?  Why!?  When?  - Colin said confused
  -We're waiting for you for tea, I'm sure you'll clarify... -
  -I don't want to see her... -
  -But Colin... -
  “I don't want to see her!” he yelled and charged out of the room.