Love me not

5. Face to face

He was even better looking than she remembered him, his skin was darker from the sun he had been exposed to, his hair was longer and his messy curls gave him a youthful air. Though much thinner than on the wedding day, he nevertheless appeared healthy and the moment he stood up and approached her, Penelope took a step back. He was really intimidating.

Colin, however, was unable to look away from Penelope. He could not resist placing his eyes on her breasts because she was wearing a bright pink dress with a more noticeable neckline than before. He used to do that a lot in the past, because his wife has incredible curves. She had longer hair, which he noticed was worn loosely with her red curls cascading in a lovely manner. How could he have missed her beauty all these years?

Colin: '' Penelope...'' muttered as he approched her.

Penelope: '' Mr. Bridgerton...'' stated in a grave tone.

Colin: '' I am glad to see you well. I had no news from you in months.''

Penelope: "I didn't think it would be necessary," Penelope said, reversing course and asking, "What are you doing here?"

Colin: ''I came back home, I assumed someone told you about my return.'' said, his tone doubtful.

Penelope: '' Yes, Kate informed me but I assumed you will go back to your house.''

Colin: '' This is my house, Penelope! '' state irritated '' What do you mean?''

Penelope: '' Forgive me, Mr. Bridgerton, I assumed you would not like to live here with me.''

Colin: '' What...I...'' he replied, unable to actually utter anything.

Penelope: '' Perhaps, I should return to my family house since you are so determined to live here and it is your house after all.'' stated looking at him and his confused expression.

Penelope thought that he appeared worn out and that his raw aspect had nothing to do with the person she married, the boy she had fallen in love with years earlier. They both knew that they had changed during the previous few months.

Colin: "There is no one leaving." With a hint of anger in his voice, he said, "For God's sake, Penelope, we are married and this is our family's house."

What Penelope was proposing was ridiculous. She couldn't move in with her mother, and he wasn't going to move in with the Bridgerton family. Since they are married, they must reside together.

At Colin's statement, Penelope could not contain her laughter, and Colin stared at her bewildered but relieved to see her temporarily shift her attitude. Though he didn't understand her laughter, he became aware of how much he had been missing it.

Colin: '' Did I said something amusing? '' inquired as he glanced to Penelope, who put her gloved hand to her mouth to hold back her laughter.

Penelope: "Excuse me, it's not important." her voice turned to serious as well as her gaze '' I should go instruct the staff to prepare you a room. Would you prefer the main bedroom? I have been using it, but I can very well stay in one of the other rooms.''

It dawned on him then that they would be sleeping in separate rooms. It was normal; he had not given it much thought until Penelope made it clear. Married couple rarely ever slept together and, well, they were hardly a couple. Yes, she was his wife, he could force her to sleep in the same bed with him and she would have obeyed him because she was raised in a society where women didn't have much to say in front of men, but he would never force her to that. How could he? It was more than obvious she despises him, he was able to see in her eyes that she was not the girl that used to look at him with kindness and admiration.