The Courtship Scheme

Chapter 2

A deafening silence fell over the Featherington sitting room, as Colin stood confidently before Lady Featherington. He dared not look at Penelope, as he had not conveyed to her his brilliant plan prior to arriving. Knowing her as he did, she would not be pleased with him going rogue.

"You wish to court Penelope? My Penelope?" Lady Featherington asked in disbelief. Penelope starred at Colin as if he had two heads. What the Devil was he doing?

"I do, Lady Featherington, should she allow me the chance to prove myself of course."

Lady Featherington turned to look back at Penelope, allowing Colin to send a wink in her direction. Eyeing him suspiciously, she turned her attention to her mother and nodded.

"Well! What an interesting turn of events," Lady Featherington smiled. "I shall ring for tea at once."

Penelope waited until her mother had stepped out of the room before approaching Colin.

"What are you doing?" She demanded. He held his finger to his lips to remind her that they were not the only ones in the house.

"Pen, they will not keep us apart if they believe that I am courting you."

"Are you mad?" She cried. "How on earth is that going to work? We can't fake a courtship for the rest of our lives! What happens when they demand that you ask for my hand?" Colin shrugged his shoulders.

"I uh, don't know."

"You don't know?"

"Look, I haven't gotten that far yet okay?" He cried. "Just follow my lead, Pen, please." They both shut up when her mother returned to the room.

"The tea will arrive shortly." She informed Colin.

"Thank you Lady Featherington."

"Also, now that the two of you are courting, I can no longer leave you alone. I shall act as your chaperone but fear not, for I shall retreat to the back of the room. Please carry on as if I weren't here." With that she grabbed a book and walked away.

Colin stared blankly at Penelope, clueless on how to proceed with his charade. Penelope gestured to the bouquet in his hand, silently instructing him to give it to her.

"Miss. Featherington, may I present you with this flower bouquet?" He cringed the moment the words came out of his mouth. Penelope closed her eyes in frustration, utterly horrified and emabarrased for her friend.

"How thoughtful of you Mr. Bridgerton. I do not believe that I have ever seen a more beautiful bouquet." She batted her eyes at him, and he had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Unamused by his reaction, she shot daggers at him.

"You, you look breathtaking this afternoon." He told her sweetly. Penelope nodded in approval and took the flowers from his shaking hands.

"Thank you, Mr. Bridgerton. Please do be seated." Colin followed her lead and joined her on the couch. He looked over at Lady Featherington, ensuring that she was distracted by her book.

"What now?" He whispered. "Should I talk about the weather?"

"No! Do not talk about the weather!" Penelope said dumbfounded.

"What shall I speak of then?"

"This was your plan was it not?" She hissed. Colin wiped his palms on his pants, surprised by how nervous he was. He hadn't expected this to be so hard, not with Pen.