What might have been

Maybe things have changed

Penelope was sitting in her usual seat beside the window, watching the house opposite hers like she always did. But she knew this time it was different. Rather than the familiar warmth or curiosity, her entire body was tense with dread and anticipation of what might happen.

The man the Viscount had stationed at the inn where Colin and Marina stayed had already informed the family. The newlyweds were expected to make their entrance any second now. Eloise had sent a letter requesting Penelope's presence tomorrow. The Bridgertons, excluding the Viscount, had chosen to forgive her.

She knew it was Benedict she should thank for that. He had handled the situation admirably, with more elegance than she could ever possess.

Even Eloise had not directed her ire at Penelope as she had expected.Daphne, who was supposed to be on her honeymoon, had reached the Bridgerton house yesterday.

Now that she could see more clearly the state of things, Penelope couldn't believe her mother and Marina actually thought they could successfully trap Viscount Anthony Bridgerton's brother and get away with it. She knew it was only due to Lady Bridgerton's influence that the Viscount had not yet declared a duel or chosen to use his influence to ruin them.

Colin held a very weak and pale-looking Marina by her shoulders. She had vomited multiple times and even fainted once, causing Colin to panic. He was almost afraid they wouldn't make it back, as if she might die before they returned. He walked as fast as he could while holding Marina. "Call the doctor!" he shouted, his voice laced with panic. His mother and Daphne hurried to his side, guiding Marina to the guest bedroom. Seeing Marina so weak and fragile only heightened his sense of dread, the possibility of death looming over his thoughts. He couldn't help but blame himself—he shouldn't have run away. They could have waited to have a normal wedding; his family would have eventually agreed, and he could have persuaded them with more time. There was no need to rush anything.

The doctor was ushered inside immediately, almost as if he had been waiting for their arrival. Eloise dragged Colin out of the room. As he stepped into the hallway, he saw his entire family looking at him with a mix of pity and concern. Rubbing his face with his hands, he was overwhelmed with guilt. The weight of his decisions was bearing down on him like a heavy burden.

Penelope curled up into her bed. She had seen the carriage arriving, seen how closely Colin held Marina. She was a fool before—why did she ever think she was helping him? Protection he never asked for or wanted. What he wanted was Marina. She had no right to take that from him. He would love her child too, because he loved her, saw her as a woman. That's what he meant when he said things would have been different if Whistledown hadn't interfered. She was a fool, an utter fool.

She wiped her tears away, determined to make a change. She had nothing to do with Colin Bridgerton anymore. She was ready to move on.

Marina looked better now, with more color in her cheeks. Colin tried to help in any way he could, arranging for Daphne's former maid to assist her with anything she might need. Despite his efforts, Marina still seemed irritated by him, but he tried not to let it bother him. She was in a new house, an unfamiliar atmosphere, and probably just needed time to adjust.

She was still vomiting in the mornings, and the doctor refused to speak to him about it, insisting on discussing it privately with Anthony in his study. This didn't sit well with Colin. His mother assured him that the doctor was merely arranging a treatment plan and discussing the costs, which Anthony needed to add to the accounts. She also mentioned that it was likely just a small bug.

Colin noticed his entire family walking on eggshells around him. Conversations would abruptly stop when he entered a room, and everyone was overly polite, seemingly trying not to upset him. It felt like he was being purposely left out. Even Penelope was ignoring him; she wouldn't even look at him. Perhaps she was still mad at him.

Every time she came for tea at the Bridgerton house, she was whispering with Eloise and even Benedict in the corner. This irritated Colin to no end. Penelope was his friend, not Benedict's. It was bad enough that he had to share her with Eloise. Eloise and Penelope were very different—they didn't suit each other like he and Penelope did. Penelope might prefer Eloise because they were both young ladies, but it still stung.

He had been gone for only ten days, and she had replaced him with his brother. She hadn't even asked him if Marina was well or offered congratulations, which Colin found to be very rude. Marina wasn't interested in meeting Penelope either. Perhaps she was upset that she didn't get to attend the wedding. She was supposed to be the maid of honor, after all. Young ladies took that sort of thing quite seriously.

He would have to apologize to her, and then everything would be fine.