P. A. Featherington

(6) Matters of the heart

Gloucestershire, England

Sir Philip Crane, was going over his ledgers when an unexpected visitor arrived. Miss Eloise Bridgerton.

She was directed to the drawing room and awaited his arrival. She had already received refreshment when Philip made his way down to her. Her face was unreadable.

"I am so sorry for my unexpected arrival. It is only, I had written a letter to Mrs Marina Crane and I have yet to receive a response. It is an urgent matter" her words ran from her mouth like a stream. Philip had to focus just to realise what she had said.

"I am sorry, but Marina has not left her bed, she has a cold" he lied. She did not want to come down since they had a moment in his bed last night that made him feel repulsed with himself. She was not quite ready to see him again, yet.

"Well, perhaps you can help me" she passed him her invitation of the Featherington's Ball last season.

Philip looked at it confused "Are you aware of the situation with Miss Penelope Featherington" she spoke softly but with urgency.

"Marina's cousin?"

Eloise nodded.

"I have not been made away of anything. Is she quite well"

"I regret to be the bearer of bad news, but you see, she had been missing for nearly a month. I thought, where Marina is family. She may have come and stayed here"

"Unfortunately not" his eyebrows furrowed "I'm dreadfully sorry. Penelope is a charming young lady, I met her briefly in Mayfair"

Eloise smile was tight. She was heartbroken "I am sorry for wasting your time.."

She started to stand up ".. you have not. I will write if I hear of anything including correspondence to Marina. I promise" he gave a warm smile. Before realising she was unchaperoned.

"You have come alone?" He looked stunned.

She nodded. Clearly this was her last hope before losing it altogether.

"I will notify Marina's maid to return with you"

El nodded, she looked up into his dark brown eyes "Thank you, Sir Crane"

"You are welcome, miss"

"Please return safely"

"You have another visitor" his footman announced. "Mr Bridgerton"

Eloise and Philip both looked surprised.

"Mr Bridgerton"

"Brother"

"Sir Crane, I had hoped to speak with you, but it seems El, has made enquiries before me"

"How did you know..."

"Oh El, you should know by now that I miss her. As much as you, and I had made a list... that I know you saw me writing, Mrs Crane being on the top of it"

"I thought I was being subtle"

He smirked "As subtle, as a gun" he jests

Sir Philip choked a laugh "I have informed Miss Eloise, that I would contact her when I hear of anything"

"Thankyou"

"You are welcome" they shook hands and El followed Colin out.

As soon as they got in the carriage, Colin looked at Eloise disappointingly "El, you cannot just wonder off unchaperoned, mother would kill you if she knew"

"I am perfectly well Colin, I can take care of myself"

"Be that may, Penelope disappeared. Now you just wonder off, what are we to think"

Eloise realised the reasons for Colin's tone "I am sorry, brother. It is just I am concerned"

"I know. What you did is purely out of love"

She put her head down.

"I miss her too Eloise"

"Really, you?"

He spoke sternly, so sternly in fact that she wondered what was going through his mind at the moment "Yes. You think you are the only one that cares for her. You think this month has not been torture on me. Perhaps, sister. You do not know me at all" Colin took a breath. He did not mean to be so direct. It was just in Eloise's mind, Pen was her friend. It seemed to escape her mind, that Colin in fact, met her first. Enjoyed her conversation, even though, the majority of the time Eloise would drag her off. Pen was his friend first. His, not hers.

The rest of the carriage ride. They did not speak.

Featherington House, Mayfair

Portia sat in Penelope's room. Like she had done frequently of late. She sat at Pen's desk and written to the Queen begging for her help.

She had not received anything in return.

Prudence was being courted by a Mr Harry Dankworth. Who Portia found extremely irritating, the similar annoyance she gets from Mr Albion Finch.

When Mr Dankworth had proposed and had a small wedding. The missing Miss Penelope Featherington made what should be a wonderful day, awkward and uneasy between guests. When Prudence was walking to the isle, her eyes caught Philipa. Who gave a small smile. As if she expected Pen to be there, she tilted her head a little. How hurtful she was to her younger sister. Now when she needed her the most, she was nowhere in sight.

With the wedding festivities out of the way, Prudence made her way to her new accommodation. It was a very small home, with not many staff but it was comfortable and Harry was a fine man. He was adoring and cared for her a great deal. With Pen's disappearance, she found herself embracing him more. Which he enjoyed immensely, his new wife using him as comfort blanket, of sorts. Her mother, Portia had already mention babies at least four times after the ceremony which was making her feel frustrated. Perhaps, if Penelope was home she could at least distract her mama. She was not one to admit when she was wrong. Penelope, she was cruel. Intentionally and rather hurtful. Now all she wanted was for her to be home and apologise for her faults. She missed her.

At the Featherington home, Portia still sat in Penelope's room. Archibald's death was a blessing compared to her nightmare she was facing. Failure as a woman and most importantly as a mother. How could she leave her like this with nothing but a note. She clenched it tightly in her fingertips.

My dearest Mama

I am leaving. I will not be returning in the foreseeable future. I wish you, and my sisters well but the time has come. I have never fit in here, in Mayfair. As you are very much aware. Time to make something of myself and make you proud to call me your daughter. I am sorry I have always been such a disappointment to you. Please let me go.

Farewell mother

Your daughter

Penelope

The word 'disappointment' hurt the most. Is that truly, how I made her feel. Like she had no worth at all. I only ever tried to make her strong, to stop foolish endeavors like with her friendship with Mr Colin Bridgerton. I only want my three girls to do better than I ever did. Now I have lost one, and I feel it will not be long before my other girls follow suit.