Flawless My Dear ( English version )

Chapter 12

Penelope closed her luggage with all the things she was going to need for those days at the Bridgerton residence. To tell the truth, she was looking forward to spending time away from everything and everyone. Still, Portia wasn't entirely convinced.

"I still think I should go with you Penelope," suggested Portia.

"Mum, you can't leave Felicity alone and I've been invited alone. Besides, what could happen? Nothing at all, you can rest assured," she said taking her mother's hands.

Portia nodded doubtfully at Penelope's statement, and as she left, Eloise was already waiting for her in the carriage with Kate.

"I think we're going to have a very interesting few days together, Pen," said Kate, as the carriage door opened. "We'll look after your daughter, Lady Featherington. Don't worry," she said, turning to Portia Featherington.

The three ladies set off for their destination, and while Penelope was silent, she noticed that Kate and Eloise kept glancing at each other the whole way. Something that struck her as odd.

"Hey Pen, apart from your clothes etc. what's in your bag?" asked Eloise.

"Well, I'm carrying books and my pen and paper," Penelope replied.

Eloise wrote an L and a W on the dress with her finger, to which Pen nodded.

"Only Penelope can take letter-writing things to a retreat. You're one of a kind," laughed Kate.

"What can I say, I'm pretty predictable," the young woman confessed.

Eloise was a little excited to know that Penelope was taking Lady Whistledown with her to write; this time she would be able to watch from the front line as Penelope did it, which held a certain fascination for her. It took them a long time to arrive, but what was Pen's surprise when, on alighting, she found Viscount Bridgerton's carriage at the door.

"What is Anthony doing here?" said Kate in surprise.

"I have no idea," confirmed Eloise, looking at Kate.

They went inside as they had left their belongings inside, and Anthony came out to meet them.

"Viscount," said Penelope, "I wasn't expecting you here."

"Nor did I, Penelope, but our mother has had a last-minute problem with the little children and asked me to come and look after you," said the viscount at last. "Don't worry, I am as harmless as you will see all day." He turned to one of the maids, "Show the misses to their rooms, please."

Kate obviously settled with Anthony and Eloise, two rooms away, but Penelope, however, was in another wing of the house.

"This is your room, Miss," a maid opened the door.

Penelope had never seen a room like that before, it certainly had the most sunlight in it due to the large window and from it, she could see a small lake a few yards from the house.

They left all her belongings inside and the first thing Penelope did was to hide the paper and pen in a safe place in the room so that no one would find them.