The Wrong Mr Bridgerton

Chapter 17

"I should leave"
Colin yawned out "I wish you wouldn't"
"Are you not supposed to be visiting my Cousin today"
"Oh damn, you are correct" he sniggered, Colin Bridgerton was never late for a meeting of the minds. Especially when he had to ask him permission for Pen's hand. He was positive he would not be denied that gift.
"How are we to arrive?"
"I have already secured a carriage, I will arrive at the back entrance and sneak to my room"
He suddenly looked frustrated "You mean a hack?!?"
"How do you think I got here"
"Penelope!" He started to scorn
"Do you wish I hadn't!" She interrupted, eyes eagerly awaiting him to argue.
"No!" He tried looking more dignified "I mean no, but it's not safe"
"Would you prefer if I got in a carriage with you" she had a point, but rather a scandal then put Pen in danger "Yes I do"
"But your reputation"
"Pen" he spoke softly as he reached for her hand "What about yours"
She smirked "Its very big of you to assume I had a reputation to be sullied"
He leaned into her flirtatiously "Would you like it to be sullied some more before we leave?"
She gave an approval of a smile and pulled him on top on her.

Penelope Featherington was so used to moving around unknown. She was becoming somewhat of a pro at it, if she didn't say so herself. It was easy to be invisible when the whole of society treated her as such. Clinging to the walls, because at least the walls wouldnt make her feel like an outsider, a pathetic, stupid and naive girl.
She liked being in the shadows. The only place she prefered was sunday tea at the Bridgerton home, which she hope would continue after the wedding. She preferred the Bridgerton company to her own family. Which is a sad statement. But a true one, none the less.

She arrived into her room and quickly laid down pretending she was asleep, when she heard footsteps.

"Penelope, are you to sleep all day"
Pen let out a unappealing yawn "No Mumma"
"Are you sick?"
"No"
"Then make haste, we have a visitor"
As she slowly descended to the ground floor, she saw black shoes, then legs, then a torso, then charming. Anthony?
"Lord Bridgerton, it is so good to see you"
"Morning Pen, your mother has agreed to let me break my fast with you"
She nodded as he took her arm and escorted her into the dinning room.
Anthony sat at the end of the table, opposite to her family.
"It's so good to see you Pen"
"You also, how goes with Miss Sharma?"
It was all the gossip she needed to know. Anthony did seem rather transfixed by her. There must have been a reason he was here so early, very unlike him.
"Pen, I think I want to ask her to marry me"
Pen beamed at him, and gave a small happy clap, "You are not disappointed then?"
"Do you think I wish you not to be happy?" She jests
"Not at all, but what are we to do about our ruse, I know the engagement isn't common knowledge yet. I didn't want to disappoint you before the announcement"
"I think things will turn out equally beneficial for us both"
He let out a curious smile.
He loved how Penelope could be quite cryptic with a plan obviously in the works. He found himself reminding himself daily that Pen was Lady Whistledown, so her mind worked faster and her head was smarter than most.

As if he overheard the conversation. Colin was suddenly being escorted into the room.
He bent on his knee, and asked if he could take Pens hand.

Anthony's face full of a giddy glee "Finally, I'm so happy for you?"
Pen shrugged "Like I said, I wanted you to be happy also"

Colin knelt there awaiting her reply.
"Yes, Colin I will marry you" she added with a shy smile "only if you will allow Viscount Bridgerton to walk me down the aisle" rather ballsy of her to make such a demand.
The brothers looked at each other. Anthony's eyes had suddenly gone a little watery "Really"
"Really. With no brothers and my father dead, you are the closest person to a brother I have"
Anthony looked overjoyed. He was honoured, almost giddy at the prospect. A truer friend there ever was.

Portia on the other hand looked rather perplexed. What the hell had just transpired. Wasn't the Viscount courting her. Now his brother. What. Is. Amiss.
Lady Portia Featherington should be glad that her daughter was marrying but the idea of her not being a spinster and caring for her for the rest of her life was painful.

She knew for a fact that Phillipa and Prudence would eventually marry. But she never thought Penelope would make that long walk, now it was imminent and she couldn't be more terrified for herself.

To be a mother in this house with no one but the Lord for company. He was looking more delectable by the day. He was rather handsome. But who knew what he would be like behind closed doors, not that she wouldn't be open to a bit of, well, opportunities that could arise.
Still she always thought Penelope would be around.

At least she had a sharp wit compared to the other two. She definitely wasn't her favourite though not by a long shot. But a mother shouldn't think of such things.

A mother should love their children equally. But there was something about Penelope, something a little secretive. Something she may be keeping from her. She hated secrets. Especially ones from Lady Whistledown, she seemed to almost read minds. She hated her, always throwing shade at her family, always looking up towards the Bridgertons. Somehow like Penelope.
Mr Colin Bridgerton would make a lovely husband, to be sure. But surely he has better options.

Soon Penelope would be his, only his, he was giddy at the prospect. Pen was, well Pen. She was his friend, and somehow now all he could see her as was his lover. And good god, he loved her. Her skin so soft, her thighs, heaven. He could happily ruin that woman for the rest of his life. What a woman.

Anthony was to walk Penelope down the aisle, and he was over the moon, even his own sister did not ask such a thing of him.

It was just a practical decision. Something an older brother must do. After fooling society for so long. He couldn't think any higher of Penelope Featherington. She was, by all means, elated at being her choice of accompanying her on her special day.

Now he found himself cruel for threatening Colin so, but on his behalf it showed commitment to his and Pens friendship. That she was important to him. He still could not help but feel a little annoyed at himself because of it. She was, after all, extraordinary. Colin was a lucky man. He should as a brother think the opposite, but he did not.

All those conflicting thoughts on Pen, when if he was truly honest with himself, the wedding would have happened a year ago. Sometimes one doesn't know what he has until the circumstances change, for instance his and Penelope's close acquaintance.