Late for Lunch & An Early Delivery

pt 4

Penelope paused outside of the tea room, worrying her lip. She had adjusted her dress, smoothed her hair as best it could be smoothed, and taken several deep, calming breaths. However, she had made the mistake of glancing in a mirror outside the tea room, and now her confidence had withered, her nerves over taking her, her rounded belly tossing painfully with angst. Her glance in the mirror had revealed plump, kiss swollen lips, faint love marks on her still heaving bosom, flushed and rosy cheeks, and that the entirety of her body was still slightly trembling from her multiple climaxes.

The door suddenly swung open, Violet Bridgerton rushing out. Her intent had been to call for a maid to check on her dear daughter in law, concerned that she may be experiencing early pains or sickness. Penelope was, after all, only a month away from preparing to have her son Colin's first born, and bless Violet's discretion - but she would also not be surprised if the baby were to arrive any day now. Colin could not seem to keep his hands off of Penelope as their wedding had neared, and Violet had feared many times that  Penelope would deliver only six or seven months after being married as a result. All of Violet's boys had been rather large at birth, so it was no surprise to Violet that Penelope seemed to grow rounder in the belly by the week, struggling to catch her breath or walk briskly.
However, Violet was surprised to have found Penelope hovering near the door whilst already being tardy for lunch. Tardiness, when her son didn't inflict it upon Penelope, was not a typical character trait of her sweet daughter in law.
"Penelope!" Violet exclaimed, reaching for an embrace. "What are you hovering about for? Please, do come and sit."  Penelope smiled gratefully and walked to the tea table. Violet's eyes narrowed for a moment with concern as she noticed Penelope's odd behavior. She seemed to be walking slowly, and her cheeks were pale yet flushed all at once. Poor Penelope's dress was strained and ill-fitting in the belly and bosom, and Violet pitied her. Surely Colin was allowing her to rest..?
Violet immediately suspected that Penelope's labor was near and was determined to speak with the girl regarding the difficulties that lay ahead, and how to best get through them.

Penelope felt relieved that Violet hadn't questioned her on her tardiness. Unbeknownst to her, Violet immediately assumed that Penelope was feeling unwell and attempting to hide it after she had also made the assumption that Penelope's flushed face and odd gait were a result of impending labor pains. Had Violet known the cause of the flushed cheeks was nothing to do with childbirth, and everything to do with her son and his incorrigible behavior, she may have had more to say.

The two quietly sipped their tea, dining on refreshing sandwiches. Penelope was feeling more relaxed by the minute, convincing herself that she could easily make it through the lunch now without Violet sensing anything amiss. Violet did seem to be observing her closely, but Penelope didn't believe she suspected anything even remotely relevant to what had just occurred in the waiting room.

"And what was Colin's plans during our lunch, dear? Was he to make himself useful perhaps in town?" Violet questioned Penelope, who seemed to tinge pink at the mention of her son's name. Well, then - Violet remembered that Penelope had always been a bit of a blushing school girl. Colin's behavior towards Penelope was often nothing short of inappropriate, and Violet felt a bit of pity for the girl. She had spoken harshly to her son after the stunt he forced Penelope into at their last luncheon, clearly parading her after having his way with her. It was evident to Violet that Penelope had sat in embarrassment and discomfort the entirety of the previous luncheon, her dress and hair clearly disarrayed by wandering hands. Penelope had avoided her mother in law's eyes nearly the entire day, Colin purposely touching her repeatedly and delighting in the blush staining her cheeks and chest.

Colin had been minimally apologetic upon being scolded by Violet privately after the previous luncheon over his treatment of his new bride. "Colin!" she admonished him. "Penelope could have this baby any day now, and you —" Colin cut his mother off. "Mother, WHAT? Penelope has at least two and half to three months left of this pregnancy." He gaped at her. Did everyone think he had compromised Penelope? His eldest brother Anthony had made a similar remark to him. The realization that his entire family believed that he had taken such liberties with Penelope months before their wedding made him hang his head. He had plenty more self control than that, and beyond that Penelope had deserved a proper wedding night. As hard as it had been to restrain himself, Colin had ensured that Penelope's first time with a man had been her wedding night - gentle, private, and beautifully intimate. Colin huffed at his mother. "I do not know how to make it any more clear than to just state facts. Penelope and I were not...intimate prior to the honeymoon. Penelope became pregnant on our honeymoon. She has plenty of time left before this baby is born." And with that final statement, Colin had headed to the gardens for privacy and fresh air, leaving Violet all the more certain as to the need for her next luncheon to be held with Penelope and Penelope alone.