P is for Penelope

chapter 25

His breath was taken away by Miss Penelope Featherington looking like a beautiful enchantress. Her dress a pale lilac with deep violet trims and her hair!  It was most definitely not following current fashion as her red curls were pulled up into two pretty buns with ribbons matching the violet trims of her dress. A few curls framed her face, and two butterflies, one on each bun, fluttered as she walked in. Wait, those were definitely real.

      Anthony turned to Benedict immediately after greetings. "Please paint her brother." He whispered to him. Benedict looked mesmerized himself but nodded.

"Miss. Penelope, would you do me the honor of allowing me to paint a portrait of you?" Benedict asked charmingly.

"Of course, Mr. Benedict! I have brought snacks for everyone to try. Perhaps we can spend some time outside eating and I can sit for the portrait. After we can all elect the art pieces for your portfolio, " Her hand gestured to her maids, who each had 3 boxes in hand. The youngest cheered, and Anthony gave instructions so that the tables outside would be set up.

   Once everyone was settled, they each tried a variety of snacks prepared by Penelope.  She smiled at them as she presented each snack to them and even explained the ingredients. Anthony could not very well focus as he felt himself become more and more lost in the vision that is Miss. Penelope Featherington. She prepared a plate, placing some treats on it delicately before turning to him.

She smiled at him, dazzling him all over again. How he became so entrapped was a mystery, but perhaps she had the powers of the fae. Her everything entices him to forget it all and follow her into the depths of the forest, never to be seen again. He cleared his throat. He needed to stop being so dramatic. She handed him the plate, and their fingers touched.

A warmth spread through him as if he finally saw the light through the storm. If he had been unsure, he was not now. He wanted her. He wanted her to smile at him, let him hold her, let him love her. He wanted her to be his. His wife.

"This one is a cinnamon roll. This one is a strawberry rose tart, and this is a chocolate brownie." She identified the treats on his plate before turning away and sitting on a bench placed by the rose arch sitting perfectly as Benedict wiped his fingers and started on the portrait. 

Anthony watched as he ate the treats Penelope picked for him. The sweetness of the treats and the vision of Penelope simply being was enough to distract him completely until he heard Miss. Thompson mention Penelope.

  "Cousin Penelope has taken over most of her father's duties it is nice to see her so relaxed." Her voice carried as his mother and Colin engaged the conversation further.

"Oh my! Is her father well?" Anthony felt his heart stop. Had something happened?

"Oh worry not Lady Bridgerton! He lives. He broke both legs and an arm( his writing arm I believe) but he shall make a full recovery." What!

"What!?" Colin spit out his tea. He really needs to work on his manners again.