The Reluctant Fall

Four.

The night was eventful to say the least, they all certainly learned a lot more about each other...whether they liked it or not. However, Penelope wasn't as drunk as she thought she'd be after the tequila, due to the face she could still walk in a straight line and wasn't slurring her words like a certain Benedict Bridgerton. Everyone had slowly started to dissipate from around the fire, some went to bed, and others went inside to continue the party (the Scottish ones). Penelope on the other hand, instead of walking back inside, she took a blanket and headed a little further into the gardens. She tried to remain undetected. She remembered a little spot that El took her last time she was here which was a secluded spot near the edge of the lake that was on the property. It was quiet there and Penelope could do with some quiet tonight. There was a small deck with a bench where her and El sat for hours talking all those Christmases ago, Penelope couldn't help but smile fondly at the memory.

She missed her, truly, she did.

As much as Penelope loved her newfound confidence and her ability to partake in these types of social situations, she was still a little bit of an introvert and needed some time to just collect her thoughts and breathe. Silence and calm were something that Penelope greatly appreciated from time to time, and she would need to find at least some moments to herself if she was ever going to survive through the next two weeks with this crazy lot.

Penelope eventually found the sacred spot down the well-lit windy path in the gardens. She decided to sit down on the familiar bench near the end of the deck with the fluffy blanket firmly secured around her. The breeze from the water was cold, but she didn't mind it, the views around her more than made up for the chill. She looked up towards the sky and saw the flickering of stars, the sky was so pretty in country, you never could see the stars properly in London.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, while feeling the cold air pinch at her nose. As Penelope let out a breath, she heard footsteps approaching behind her, "What are you doing out here?" Anthony asked as he started to rub his hands together while blowing on them. The cold was obviously affecting him too. Penelope smiled and moved over a little on the bench to allow him to take a seat. "I just needed a moment," she whispered while looking up to the sky. "I understand," he paused and let out a small laugh, "... the Bridgerton experience can be a major attack on the senses." Penelope chuckled, "you could say that."

They both sat in silence, the only sounds that could be heard were the crashing of the small waves against the rocks on the small shore of the lake.

"How did you know about this deck?" he asked while letting out a shaky breath. Penelope unwrapped herself a little and offered him some of the blanket so he could cover himself. She wasn't that cruel to allow him to freeze to death, I mean, Eloise would never forgive her. He didn't hesitate and came underneath the blanket with her. She had never been this close to him before, it was unfamiliar. She could feel his body brush against her as he shifted a little closer to steal some of her warmth and for some reason, she didn't mind it.

"It was El," Penelope replied quickly.

He smiled.

"Ah I should have guessed," he smirked. "Dad brought us here every summer..." he cleared his throat, "...we'd swim, jet ski, fish, everything you could imagine. But we don't really come down here anymore." Penelope heard the pain in his voice as he looked away from her. She didn't really expect him to open up like this, she never really saw him as the discussing 'feelings' type. But she didn't reply she just listened and nodded. If she was honest, she didn't know how to comfort him. She didn't really know him all that well. Anthony Bridgerton was an enigma, and he had to stay that way.

For her own sanity at least.

A few moments passed before he spoke again. "I-I better get back," he said nervously shifting from the bench. But before he left, he stood in front of her holding out his hand, "Can I escort you back to the house? I don't feel great leaving you out here alone." She looked at his hand and then up to his eyes. I suppose if she didn't leave there was a chance she'd fall asleep out here and die of hypothermia. So taking his hand would be a sensible choice. Penelope nodded and slid her hand into his to help her up. "I'd like that, thank you," she said as he pulled her from the bench. That's when it happened. She wasn't sure what it was, but there was a charge between them. A flicker of something new. Penelope quickly let go of his hand and shook her head in denial.