Lady and Lord Whisledown

Chapter 16: 2 Proposals Mr Bridgerton?

Penelope reflected upon the weekend following her stay at Aubrey Hall, her thoughts keeping her restless in her bed at Featherington House. The pillows here were far less comfortable than those she had grown accustomed to at Aubrey Hall over the past week. Her heart felt unbearably heavy with sorrow. She replayed the events over and over again, trying to find a logical reason, trying to find hope.

This was her Colin—the Colin with whom she had shared intimate kisses two nights prior. This was the same Colin she had yearned for over the past ten years, always wishing he were hers. That kiss had meant everything to her, even if he did not love her. In that moment, it mattered not what the kiss signified; she would have done anything to prolong it. And Colin must have felt the same; after all, he had sought her mother's permission to marry her, or so she believed. But he did no such thing. In fact, he was not even present to welcome the guests to the Bridgerton country seat.

Speaking of welcoming the guests to Aubrey Hall, her mother had arrived just after noon. In true Portia Featherington fashion, she had embraced Penelope hesitatingly, but did not remark on her earlier words. Avoiding the elephant in the room was Portia's way. And quite honestly, Penelope could not find it in her care at that moment. The only thing on her mind was Colin.

Penelope found it slightly alarming that Colin was absent the entire day, but she convinced herself that he would soon speak with her mother to solidify their engagement and eventual marriage. No, he hadn't declared his love for her yet, but she couldn't imagine a more perfect night than the one spent with him under a willow tree in the middle of nowhere.

By the time morning and afternoon had passed, Penelope began to suspect something had gone awry. She searched for him throughout the property, checking Colin's favourite secluded spots, but to no avail.

Penelope concluded that Colin was not at Aubrey Hall at all.

She awaited the men's return from their hunt, which lasted at least four hours. She wondered how they could occupy themselves for so long. When they returned, Colin was still nowhere to be found. Not wanting to create undue stress, she put on a fake smile and played cards with Gregory and Hyacinth, all the while keeping an eye out for him.

Despite the stress and uncertainty regarding Colin's whereabouts, Penelope couldn't help but feel elated. Nobody knew it yet, but soon everyone would. Colin Bridgerton wanted to marry the wallflower, the 'ton joke,' Penelope Featherington, and she couldn't have been happier.

That was, until Cressida's announcement at Lady Bridgeton's ball on the final night of their stay at Aubrey Hall. The declaration was so shocking that all 253 guests in the ballroom audibly gasped. The loudest gasp, accompanied by a look of utter confusion, came from Lady Bridgerton. Known in Mayfair for her perfect composure and elegance, she did not let her facade slip even for a moment under normal circumstances. But this, Penelope realized, was far from normal.

"Colin Bridgerton has asked for my hand in marriage," Cressida began, a smirk so large that Penelope wondered how her lips had not fallen off. "And I said yes."

Penelope saw Lady Bridgeton's eyes dart around the ballroom, taking in each of her children's expressions before finally resting on her. Penelope stood still, unsure if she had taken a breath since Cressida's announcement.

Of course, nobody believed Cressida. Why would they? It was well known among the ton that the Bridgerton men, especially Colin, had valid reasons to dislike the Cowper family. Except for Eloise, apparently. Penelope quickly found Eloise's eyes looking directly at her, full of emotions. Knowing Eloise so well, Penelope could immediately tell this wasn't something pre-planned or organised, and it was clear that Eloise had been left in the dark. A closer look revealed a fire and rage in Eloise's eyes.