Blooming Penelope Featherington

Maybes.

"I could but know his heart, everything would become easy." – Jane Austen.

Violet had retired for the evening after seeing the other guests out. Everyone had been playing summers games most of the day, and the competition was nothing but fierce. Pall Mall was extremely competitive, especially between the Bridgerton siblings, but then again, it always was. Penelope and Eloise on the other hand, just sat in the corner having fun, and mocking the display of who had a bigger... 'mallet'.

By around 11pm the fire pit was surrounded by the Bridgerton siblings, some of their other halves, Penelope, and Jake. Penelope wasn't sure when it happened, but a few drinking games were already being suggested.

"NO we are all related, Spin the bottle is not a good idea Gregory," Eloise shouted at her younger brother while grimacing.

"Creep," Anthony couldn't help but laugh, but then he picked Gregory up by the arm. "It's just because he wants to kiss Pen," Hyacinth shouted. Gregory went bright red and scurried up the stairs away from Anthony. Anthony and Kate followed Gregory into the house retiring for the night too, while laughing their heads off. Anthony stopped at the deck and then gestured Hyacinth to get in the house too.

The only people that were left for the night-time shenanigans were Daphne, Simon, Benedict, Penelope, Jake, Colin, Eloise, Francesca, and Michael (her childhood sweetheart). It was a good crowd, each of them was so different, yet somehow, it worked.

"Ok so now the boring farts are gone, never have I ever?" Eloise suggested as she held up a bottle of vodka. "Let's do this," Jake grabbed the vodka and poured him and Penelope large glasses. Colin just rolled his eyes.

Penelope won't be needing that he thought.

Everyone filled their drink and they all looked around and waited for the first one to be brave enough to pose the question to the group. Benedict quickly took a drink and made a statement before the questions started, "Could we please remember that you are my sisters, and even though I love you dearly, I don't want to know anything that will want to make me jump off that roof."

Everyone laughed as Benedict said his peace.

Simon coughed and braved the first go, "Well on the note, never have I ever gave oral?"

"JESUS SIMON," Colin shouted.

Everyone drank... bar Penelope. It didn't go unnoticed.

"Ok my go," Eloise paused, "never have I ever, had 'adventures' in a public place?"

Everyone drank again, bar Penelope.

Penelope thought to herself... 'Great. Now I'll be sober in an hour'.

It's not that she had never wanted to do anything with anyone. It's just the opportunities weren't one she took up. Her mother was right, she obviously did read to many books. She had been holding out for that idolised love, for that feeling, but she hadn't felt it.

Not yet.

There had been some heavy make out sessions with some intense over the clothes groping, but apart from that, she couldn't bring herself to go any further. Something about it was just too fast for her. She wanted it all to be special and she didn't feel completely safe yet, and that is something she needed to move her along.

She wanted safety.

She wanted romance.

__________

Even through Colin constantly shutting his eyes to avoid his sister's answers to the questions, Colin couldn't help but notice how uncomfortable Penelope was beginning to get. He watched her wince after every question. Was it possible that she still was a virgin? There's no way Penelope Featherington still hadn't had sex. She must have men flinging themselves at her constantly...