Love me not

PROLOGUE

Penelope stood there, her heart heavy in her chest as Colin's lips left hers, the coldness of the kiss lingering far longer than the moment itself. The guests erupted into applause, but to Penelope, it felt like an echo from a distant world, a place where dreams were made of something more than just duty and obligation.

She had imagined this moment for years, dreamed of Colin looking at her with affection, with longing, but instead, it was a cold, calculated union—a match made for propriety, not passion. Penelope turned her head to glance at Colin, his smile wide and rehearsed. He was everything she had ever wanted—handsome, charming, intelligent—but in this moment, he felt so far away.

As Colin took her arm, leading her down the aisle, the weight of the moment felt suffocating. She looked up at him, trying to find something—anything—that resembled affection, but all she saw was the coldness that had marked their union from the start.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she kept them at bay, not wanting to make a scene. Penelope Featherington had become Penelope Bridgerton. But she wasn't sure if she had gained a new identity or lost herself entirely.

°°°°°°°°°°° 2 weeks earlier °°°°°°°°°°

Colin took hold of her hand, led her out of the ballroom and into a room, shutting the door behind them. Penelope's mind raced, her thoughts clouded with disbelief. The dimly lit room, quiet and distant from the laughter of the ballroom, seemed to close in around her as Colin's words sank in. 

"But... cousin Jack?" Penelope's voice faltered, disbelief written across her face. "Are you sure He's always been... kind."

Colin's expression softened, but the concern in his eyes was evident. He could see how shaken she was, but he also knew how important it was for her to hear the truth, no matter how painful. "I understand this is difficult, Pen, but everything points to him. It seems he's been living a lie—siphoning money, taking advantage of others. The wealth he claims to have is all a facade."

Penelope shook her head, unable to fully comprehend. "This doesn't make sense," she murmured. She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the weight of the news crushing her.

"But if what you're saying is true... what does this mean for us?" Penelope's voice broke. She could not even finish the thought. The future of her family was at risk. She had never feared the gossip of the ton before, but now, the implications of the scandal were enormous. 

Colin looked at her, his brow furrowed. He stepped closer, his presence offering some comfort amid the chaos. "I'm sorry, Penelope," he said, his voice low.

Penelope's heart ached at the idea of losing everything she had known. Colin's heart clenched as he saw the tears welling up in Penelope's eyes. Without thinking, his arms moved around her waist, drawing her gently into an embrace. It was a natural response, driven by instinct. He wanted to protect her, to take away the sorrow that clouded her expression. He hadn't planned it, but as soon as her head rested on his chest, he felt an overwhelming need to comfort her.

Penelope stiffened at first, unsure of how to react. It was not proper for a young gentlmen to be so intimate with a young debutant that is not his betrothed. The room's door swung open and Penelope and Colin broke their embrace immediately, turning to face the door.

Cressida's voice echoed through the room, laced with feigned surprise.

"Ohh... what is happening here?" Cressida exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with the unmistakable pleasure of witnessing an uncomfortable scene.

Portia followed close behind her, her face quickly shifting from confusion to disapproval as she took in the scene. "Penelope?" she asked sharply, her tone colder than Penelope had ever heard it. "What are you doing alone with Mr. Bridgerton in a closed room?"