Eloise x OC / penelope x collin

Dear reader

'Mama, can I go to Eloise?' Penelope asked Lady Featherington while they walked past them in the park.

Lady featherington sighed. 'Fine, but not too long.'

'Of course not mama.' And off she went.

The Bridgertons were enjoying the sunny weather. They had brought seats, parasols and some treats. Daphne, Simon, Anthony and Kate were in attendance as well.

'A splendid afternoon, isn't it?' Penelope said.

'A splendid afternoon indeed. Good to see you again Penelope.' Lady Bridgerton said.

'Good to see you too, Lady Bridgerton. It's lovely to see you all together.'

'How have you been?' Colin asked enthusiastically.

'I've been quite well, thank you. No crazy travels this time?'

Colin laughed. 'I'm afraid not. Mama here,' Colin looked at Lady Bridgerton teasingly, 'insisted I stayed home for the wedding season.'

'Men hardly know what is best for them.' Lady Featherington said, chin up.

'I couldn't agree more!' Eloise yelled from the back.

Penelope sat down next to Eloise. 'Any suitors?'

'Yes, I found it hard to believe, but yesterday I had not one, but two visitors. Two incredible dorks.

'Eloise!' Daphne shook her head. Meanwhile Kate tried her laughter.

'What? You've seen them.' Eloise turned to Penelope. 'One of them sang a song for us. It was absolutely terrible. Daphne even left and pretended she forgot something.'

'So that's what I heard, how peculiar. I thought he brought a dog.' Kate couldn't hold in her laugh anymore while Anthony spit out his drink.

'Well, at least it wasn't boring.' Penelope said.

Eloise stood up. 'Mama, could Penelope and me promenade?'

Lady Bridgerton took a deep breath. 'Of course darling, but please be careful what you say around others.'

'Yes, mama, don't worry.' Eloise and Penelope stood up and took a walk around the lake.

'Today I heard the maids about the outskirts of the city. They told me the people were so poor they sometimes even couldn't afford food. You have been there right? Is it true?' Eloise was not ready yet to tell her everything.

'Well, I'm not sure. The place where I went for you know what was more like the middle class. It could very well be possible though. Why do you ask?'

'Because that's dreadful! We have to do something.'

'But how? Mama is not going to donate to charity and I don't think asking will do much.'

'Well then we must earn our own money. You've done it before.'

Penelope stopped walking. 'You want me to write again! Absolutely not!'

'Nobody has to get hurt. Just write the usual stuff, but don't ruin anyone. That way you don't hurt anyone and we can help hundreds of people. I can help you.'

Penelope shook her head. 'I don't know. It's really risky and if I have nothing interesting to report, people will stop reading soon enough.'

'If you don't want to do it, that's fine, but then I will. We could meanwhile come up with a different idea. Please Penelope.'

'That's still risky! Please don't.'

Eloise folded her arms. 'I'm going to do it. I know it's risky, but I am not going to let them starve.' Not going to let him starve.