Gentle Reader, it is said that fools rush to judge while the wise watch and wait. Years ago, Miss Henderson, once thought to be on the shelf, triumphed over many a deb to marry Earl Fraser. Miss Dunham had been doomed to spinsterhood until she married Baron Ely. And Miss Kathani Sharma, at the ripe age of six-and-twenty, still managed to capture the heart of none other than the Viscount Bridgerton.
The truth is... that which some dismiss as common rock, time reveals to be precious stone. A fact the new Baron of Kent and his family are learning this very week. At other times, what appeared to be priceless, under pressure, shatters like glass. What this author knows to be true is that diamonds are not the only gems that sparkle.
I sit in the drawing room with my brothers and Lydia. Charles has informed everyone that Colin and I are courting. Though Peter seems to be having some trouble believing it.
"If you two are courting should he not be calling on you this morning?" Peter questions.
"Should you not mind your own business," I remark. "Or better yet. Worry about the young ladies you should be courting."
"The young ladies of the ton are lining up to dance with me," Peter insitis.
Lydia laughs. "I must have missed the line at last night's ball."
"Truly where did this misplaced confidence come from, brother?" Charles questions.
"My good looks," Peter informs him.
Charles, Lydia, and I laugh.
"I should desire to have half as much confidence as our dear brother has," I remark.
"You do not need it, Ruth," Lydia assures me. "You will surely marry before Peter."
"That has always been the plan," I assure her.
Penelope and I are promenading on Rotten Row. We are waiting for Colin to join us.
"You did not have to get Colin to agree to help me," Pen insists.
I wave her off. "Nonsense. The only thing better than my help is the help of both of us."
I smile as Colin walks towards us. "Ruth. Penelope."
"So... how do we begin?" Pen questions. "Perhaps there is a book I might read on charm?"
"Are you certain you want my help after what Lady Whistledown wrote?" Colin questions.
"She has never been more wrong about anyone," I tell him.
"Let us pay her no heed," Pen agrees.
"Indeed. Sooner or later, she will be caught, and we shall dance on the day of her demise," Colin states. "Now, no more talk of books. If you are to secure a match, you must engage in real life. Ruth and I shall need to see your skills as they are first."
"But I have none," Pen insists.
I make a face. "That is not true, Pen, and you know it is not. Like every young lady you know how to wave your fan. Flutter your lashes."
"Often, that is all it takes," Colin offers. "Men are quite simple beings."
"Well, I just suppose I can show you. I..." Pen starts.
"Not me." Colin points to a group of young men. "Them." Colin leads Pen and I to the group of me. "Gentlemen. I believe you know Miss Featherington and Lady Ruth."
Pen laughs softly. "How delightful to see you all. Such splendid weather we are having." She flutters her fan in a rather unappealing way. "Such..."
"Miss Featherington, you seem discomposed," one of the gentlemen offers.
"No." Pen shakes her head. "And, if you forgive me, I am quite well, my lord." She laughs rather oddly.
I sit in the Bridgerton drawing room with El.
"I saw you yesterday," El tells me. "Promenading with Colin and Pen."
"Would you like the details of all that we spoke about?" I question.
El shakes her head. "No."
I smile. "Then tell me about your season, El. Have you set your sights on anyone?"
"No." El shakes her head. "Heavens no."
"Yes it would be rather unfortunate should you be forced to dance even just once with someone," I remark.
"May we move on?" El remarks.
I laugh. "I suppose."
El reaches out and grabs a book from beside her. "I have finally finished Emma."
I smile. "Then let us discuss."
Colin thought it best that Pen's lesson continue at the market.
"Are you quite sure you wish to resume my lessons?" Pen questions. "I would not be angry if you found me to be a lost cause."
"Pen to not talk that way about yourself," I tell her.
"The truth is, you do not need a lesson," Colin states.
"You agree. I am unteachable," Pen remarks.
"You are very teachable," I assure her.
"You simply do not need to be taught. You already know how to do this," Colin reasons.
"I assure you, I do not," Pen insists.
Colin laughs. "Do you remember when we first met? I was riding my horse, minding my own business, when I was assaulted by a devilishly yellow head covering."
"It was not my fault. The wind blew it off my head," Pen argues.
"Wind or not, you certainly seemed pleased when I landed in the mud," Colin remarks.
Pen laughs. "I apologized."
"Yes. And you were so very charming about it," Colin says. "Teasing me. Mercilessly, in fact. And I think I know why. Because we were children. Before the self-consciousness of adulthood set in. Before we started caring what others think."
"Colin, it is impossible to be in society and not care what others think," Pen insists. "Society is entirely composed of the judgment of others."
"Do you know what I discovered when I was abroad?" Colin questions. "No one knew me. No one knew who I was supposed to be. I was entirely freed of being the Colin Bridgerton the ton knows me to be. Which is how I became myself. Pen, living for the estimation of others is a trap. Once you break free, the world opens up."
"You make it sound so easy," Pen states.
"Pen why do you desire a husband?" I question.
"So that I may have my freedom," Pen tells me. "So I may feel comfortable in the world."
"I see. And it will be finding that comfort in yourself will get you there," Colin states. "What is the one thing in the world that makes you feel most comfortable now? Most at ease?"
"It used to be Sunday teas at Bridgerton House," Pen answers. "It was one of the few places I could go unchaperoned and truly be myself. But... that is no longer a possibility."
"I am sorry about whatever might be coming between you, Ruth and Eloise," Colin offers. "What exactly happened?"
Pen does not answer the question. "I should get back. Before we are noticed."
As Pen leaves I turn to Colin. "Do you remember the first time we met?"
Colin laughs lightly. "I do believe it ended with Benedict and Charles tying us together at the leg."
I laugh. "I believe I then punched you in the cheek when you called me a whiny little girl."
Colin nods his head. "I remember that as well."
"Will you come see me tonight?" I question.
"You are trying to get me into trouble," Colin remarks.
"And if I am?" I question.
Colin smiles. "I would not mind."
