Love me not

17. I am Lady Whisteldown

After celebrating Kate's birthday, Penelope and Colin spent two more peaceful days at Aubrey Hall before returning to London. They made their way straight to their Bloomsbury home, and after the long journey, both were exhausted and opted to rest for a few hours.

When Penelope woke up in their bed a few hours later, she noticed Colin was no longer beside her. She sat up and, looking around, spotted him sitting at the table, absorbed in what appeared to be a book. Curious, she stood up and walked over to him.

"Colin..." she said softly, catching his attention. He looked up at her, his expression warm. "What are you doing?"

"Darling, I didn't mean to wake you," he replied, his voice filled with gentle concern.

"You didn't wake me," she assured him, moving closer and sitting down on his knee. She peered down at the book in his hands. "Is this your travel journal?"

"Yes," Colin nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You got me thinking about my writing, so I wanted to go through my journals."

Penelope smiled, brushing her fingers through his hair. "I'd love to read them when you're ready to share."

Colin smiled back, pulling her closer to his chest. She leaned down to kiss him softly, and he held her close.

"I also wrote to Lady Danbury, requesting an audience," Colin murmured, his hand gently caressing her back.

Penelope's eyes brightened. "Oh, did she reply?"

"Not yet," Colin replied, his tone thoughtful. "I sent it earlier." He paused, his hand lingering on her back as if offering reassurance. "Are you still sure about revealing yourself?"

Penelope nodded slowly. "Yes, I think it's time. But... I'm worried about your family." Her expression shifted, and she looked down, her brow furrowing.

Colin looked at her with concern. "What about them?"

"I want to talk to them first. I don't want this to come as a surprise to them," Penelope confessed, her voice tinged with worry.

Colin gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll go visit them tomorrow and talk to them together," he said confidently. "Don't worry, Pen. They'll understand and support you."

Penelope sighed, her mind still clouded. "But I've written some not-so-kind things about them in the past."

"Not-so-kind, but true," Colin said softly, giving her a gentle smile. "And you were right to say them."

Penelope touched his cheek tenderly. "Thank you, Colin, for supporting me with this. For everything you've done." She smiled, her eyes filled with gratitude. "You're a good man, and an outstanding husband, Mr. Bridgerton."

Colin smiled, his gaze lingering on her with admiration. "And you look absolutely stunning in your nightgown," he said softly, drawing closer to her. He kissed her jaw, then slowly trailed his lips down to her neck.

Penelope glanced around, a playful hint of concern in her voice. "Colin, what will the staff think? We've been in here all day."

He grinned, his fingers gently brushing against the fabric of her dress. "We're newlyweds, and we're deeply in love." He slid one sleeve of her nightgown off her shoulder, placing a tender kiss there.

Penelope chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "We're not exactly newlyweds anymore, Colin," she teased.

Colin knotted his hand in her hair, and she kissed him back with the same fervor he had kissed her with at the time. Colin's hand in her hair began to move slowly down her cheek, neck, and collarbone, eventually coming to rest at her bosom. She interrupted the kiss and stared into his eyes, which were dilated and filled with longing.