Colin and I take to the dancefloor as Pen tries her new charm skills with a different group of young men.
I smile at Colin. "People are watching."
"They are jealous," Colin states.
"Of you or me?" I question.
"Both," Colin assures. "All the young ladies wish they were you and all the gentlemen wish they were me."
"Maybe one of those gentlemen would call on me," I offer. "Charles keeps asking me about your notable absence from our drawing room."
"I clean forgot," Colin confesses. "I should call on you. I will call on you. I shall bring flowers. For you and Lady Fernside."
I smile. "Tomorrow."
Colin nods his head. "Tomorrow."
Pen rushes towards Colin and I as we step from the dance floor. "Lord Remington has asked to call on me tomorrow."
"Excellent, Pen." I smile as I grab her hands. "Truly. That is wonderful."
"Do you like him?" Colin questions.
"I did enjoy myself," Pen states. "Very much."
"I am certain he did as well," I tell her.
Suddenly I start to hear whispers.
"It is rather unseemly that Miss Featherington took their help."
"Pitiable, I think."
"It is kind of him, but perhaps overly so."
"I wouldn't believe..."
"Pardon me, what are you whispering about?" Colin questions.
"Mr. Bridgerton, we were wondering why an eligible gentleman such as yourself would help a spinster find a husband," Lady Cowper informs him.
"Especially someone who is so beyond hope of success."
"Mmm... It's actually all rather sad."
Before I can say a word to Pen she takes off.
"I cannot wait to know what Lady Whistledown'll write about this."
"It will surely be the main interest of her next edition."
"Pen!" I shout.
"Pen, wait!" Colin calls out to her.
I spot El chasing after Pen. Colin and I make it to the steps at the same time as her.
"Eloise!" Colin shouts. "Did you tell anyone of my helping Penelope?"
"No. I did... I did not mean to..." El says as she stumbles over her words.
"Which means you did?" Colin states.
"I confided in Cressida," El confesses.
"Because you thought you could trust her?" Colin questions. "Why you are friends with Cressida in place of Penelope, I will never understand. What could Penelope possibly have done to warrant such maltreatment?" He storms away from El.
"Ruth," El starts.
"I should find Pen," I tell her.
Lydia and Charles watch me on the carriage ride home.
"You and Colin danced," Lydia states.
I nod my head.
"Does this mean he will finally be showing up to our drawing room?" Charles questions.
"He promised to call on me in the morning," I tell him.
Charles smiles. "It is about time."
"Are you alright, Ruth?" Lydia asks me.
