Reflections of the choices

Chapter five

"When you try your best, but you don't succeed

 When you get what you want, but not what you need."

"Fix You" by Coldplay

Penelope sat in the shadow of the carriage, trying not to reveal her unease. Her gaze was fixed on the entrance of the print shop, where the new assistant of her modiste, who had recently started helping her as well, was inside. In Penelope's mind, the events of the past weeks played over and over as she searched for weak links in her operation, afraid she might have overlooked something important. Few knew that the creation of her column was always under strict control, and Penelope entrusted this task only to the most reliable people. Madame Delacroix was one of the few who knew her secret, but this time she needed additional hands and ears. The new worker seemed trustworthy, but Penelope was cautious: before fully trusting someone, she had to be sure of their loyalty.

Finally, the print shop door opened, and the girl emerged, carrying a small bundle in her hands. She quickly made her way to the carriage, trying not to attract attention. Penelope breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her, knowing that the first stage of their plan had gone smoothly.

"Did everything go well?" Penelope asked as the girl sat down beside her.

"Yes, miss," the girl replied quietly, handing the bundle to Penelope. "I had to pay a bribe and give him a little scare, but I managed to get what that other girl brought. I thought you might want to see this."

Penelope carefully unwrapped the bundle, her fingers trembling slightly from tension. She delved into the contents, and her eyes narrowed in surprise. Cressida Cowper had decided to pose as Lady Whistledown. The thought struck Penelope as both absurd and intriguing. The text Cressida had written clearly didn't match her style, but the content of the article was alarming.

"Cressida, Cressida..." Penelope muttered, studying the writing. She realized that Cressida wasn't just trying to imitate her, but intended to use personal details from Eloise's life. "Oh, Eloise, why are you doing this?" Penelope thought sorrowfully, glancing out the window of the carriage, which was already moving through the streets of London.

Penelope couldn't allow Cressida to destroy what she had so carefully built over the years. Lady Whistledown wasn't just an anonymous gossip, but a real force, shaping the opinions of high society. If Cressida decided to continue her attempts, it could lead to unpredictable consequences. And it certainly wouldn't please the Queen.

Marina was slowly making her way to the grand library where various members of high society had gathered. It was one of those sophisticated events where the latest news and gossip were discussed, as well as important meetings and conversations that shaped the tone of the London season. The library, filled with the scent of old books and the soft light of numerous candles, created an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility, especially for those who found solace in the world of literature. Eloise, a passionate lover of books, felt right at home here. For her, this place was not just a room, but a sort of refuge where she could temporarily forget the rules and formalities of social life.

Marina, however, felt uncomfortable. Her reluctance to be among the guests was obvious, but she understood that her frequent absence could raise even more questions among the Bridgertons and other guests. She took a deep breath, realizing that she couldn't afford to appear too distant. Colin's family, like the rest of the ton, was attentive to details, and any careless behavior on her part could arouse suspicion.

She walked among the guests, her steps soft but confident, as if she was trying to blend into the shadows without drawing too much attention to herself. Marina knew that her every movement was being observed not only by family members but also by those around her, and she understood that she needed to behave with restraint to avoid giving rise to new rumors and gossip.