I wait for Charles and Lydia to retire for the evening before heading out to the garden.
"I feel as though we have been here before."
I smile as Colin walks towards me.
"You desired to see me," I state.
Colin laughs as he sits beside me on the bench. "I wanted to make sure of where I stand with you."
"Were my letters not clear enough?" I question.
"They were very clear," Colin assures. "Which is why I got this for you." Colin pulls a box from his pocket and holds it out to me. "Go ahead. It is for you, love."
I take the box from Colin. I look at it for a moment before opening it. Inside is a beautiful necklace. It is simple with a single blue stone.
I shake my head. "It is beautiful, Colin. The most beautiful necklace I have ever seen."
Colin smiles. "I saw it and thought of you."
"Thank you, Colin," I tell him. "Truly."
"It is from Paris," Colin informs me.
I run my hand over the stone. "You must know I can never wear it."
"You can," Colin insists. "When you are alone." He leans in closer to me. "When you are with me."
I smile as I pull Colin into me and kiss him.
Like every year Lady Danbury is the host of the first ball. Like every year she has outdone herself.
Even more beautiful is Penelope. I watch as she descends the stairs into the ball. She is wearing a dark dress that changes between teal and brown. Her hair is styled in a way her mama has never let her try before. I do not believe I have ever been so proud of her.
"Who is that and what has she done with Penelope?" Lydia remarks.
I smile widely. "Our dear Pen is done with citrus colors."
"She is surely trying something different," Lydia states. "And from the looks of those around the room it is working."
"Pen desires to find a husband," I state.
"I can imagine with her mama being who she is," Lydia remarks.
I smile as I walk towards Pen. "You look beautiful, Pen. Truly. Your dress is everything."
"Thank you," Pen tells me. "I am done with the citrus colors."
"Finally," I remark. "Bright yellow did nothing for your skin tone. Light green makes your hair pop."
"I hope this works," Pen states.
"It already is," I assure her.
"Penelope. Ruth," Francesca greets as she walks towards us.
"You ought to take to the floor," Pen tells her.
"Ought I?" Francesca questions.
"Once one finds oneself on the wall, it is difficult to come off it," Pen explains. "No matter what one does."
"At least the wall is not asking what makes me tick," Francesca states.
"Did you not enjoy conversing with those gentlemen?" I question.
"I expected conversation," Francesca says. "I did not expect to be inspected as if I were some rare insect writhing under a microscope."
"You do not much like attracting notice, do you?" Pen asks.
"Not really. No," Francesca confesses.
"Perhaps that does make you rare," Pen offers. "It seems as though every Bridgerton was born to attract notice in one way or another. I am... different from my siblings as well. It can be difficult, can it not?"
