P. A. Featherington

(24) Queen's Judgement

After a moment had passed. Pen repeated herself, in case the Queen had not heard her the first time "I am Lady Whistledown"

Her eyebrow twitched "You?" She made it sound like an insult as if she were not a good enough adversary.

Pen sat back "You appear displeased"

"Apologies Miss Featherington but that is not the secret I thought you would divulge to me today"

"What else is there?"

"Oh I don't know" she's jests "The child or the real reason you ran away perhaps"

Pen looked surprised, which tickled the Queen somewhat "I am a mother, I recognised the glow the moment you walked in. So I will let you keep your scandal sheet if you elaborate on either of my points"

Pen did not wish to indulge the information of her child's father. It was none of her business and was she certain she would have figured it out soon or less.

"I will answer your point with a question"

The Queen nodded at the challenge.

"Have you ever felt like you needed to escape. That your family do not listen. Your friends are truly not your own and no matter what you say, you will never be depicted as anything but a girl. With her head in the sky and no worthy standing"

The Queen knew that feeling all too well.

"I see. But you must not run from your problems Miss Featherington. They always come back, twice as strong with a larger bite"

"What of your mother's recent fortune from your aunt.." she looked to Brimsley "Petunia, Your majesty"

"That's the one" the Queen gave him a smirk. "She did not leave you any money, did she"

"No your majesty. The money was mine and I would rather my mama not find out"

"You have my word. Why though, would she not open her loving arms to you?"

"Have you not been acquainted with my mama?" Penelope spoke matter of factly.

The Queen chuckled to herself "I see your point"

"I do not wish to live in a faux life. With a mother who pretends to care"

The Queen sat a little straighter "Do you not believe she looked for you?"

"I believe she probably didn't even realise I was gone your majesty" once again her tone detached and unfeeling.

The Queen sighed, her tone soft. Almost maternal "How wrong you are"

Pen looked perplexed as her majesty continued "Lady Featherington came to me herself to beg for assistance finding her lost child. Perhaps you do not know her as well you might think"

"My mother" Pen questioned. "Perhaps she was bored and wanted an outlet"

"I have seen many a woman try to fool me. Trust me girl. She was showing genuine concern for your safety"

Pen had to hold herself together, before she crumbled right there on the hard wooden floor. She mumbled to herself "She was worried"

Pen had to change the subject she could almost feel a tear burning "What are you to do to me, your majesty"

"I do not follow"

"Whistledown must be punished!"

"You wish me to throw you in the dungeon, burn you at the stake" The Queen tried to rattle her, let her at least show another hand.

Pen stood there, statuesque, "I could leave and never come back"

"No. Your punishment is to stay, build bridges with your family. Be the strong and cunning adversary I know you to be. I have always thought myself as knowing Whistledown more than I know myself. This I know is a torture, you are willing to obey"

"Yes your majesty" Pen curtsied and walked with a sense of purpose. She needed to see El. She craved her forgiveness a lot more than her own family.

The Featherington Home

I do not wish to stay, I have merely been here a day and already I want to run as far as my legs would take me. Pen walked into her home, her head held high. Waiting for her mothers unkind words and punishment.

To her astonishment, her family were out. Why should she expect anything less. She took her bags to her room, let the staff know she would be in her room when her mother returns.

Pen sat at her desk, looking over her writings. Some seemed to have thrown her papers around the room in anger and disappointment. Once again not expecting more than the harsh expression on her mothers face. Pen could feel herself being pulled back into anger, her eyes went across the square to the Bridgerton home. I hate being home. I hate my family. I hate 'them', meaning her family.

Just when all seemed quiet and her anger was slowly subsiding, a knock came to the door.

"Come in" thinking it would be Rae, her handmaid. But standing there perfect as a picture was Miss Eloise Bridgerton, who had been notified by Colin that she was home. Eloise positively skipped to her home. Hoping to embrace her friend once more.

"Pen" Eloise's eye's looked overjoyed, she walked slowly over to her. Pen put her hand up in defence. El had to blink. What was wrong.

"I wish never to hear or speak to you again" Pen stood up and spoke slow and sternly.

Pen's words repeating back at her from last season hurt like gunshots

"Pen, I.." Eloise started. But Pen can't her off.

"No. You do not get to speak" her fists clenched "I protected you and Colin, and what do you do in return. You broke my heart" Eloise felt like her heart was crumbling to her words "You know my situation, it could not have escaped your notice that you two were the only ones I have cared about in my life. Now I have nothing" she motioned to the door. Her tone calm "Leave"

Pen had fire in her eyes and a tone, Lady Danbury would be proud of.

Eloise didn't have a retort. What could she do to apologise for the damage.

Instead, her voice trembled "Then why did you return?"

"Why don't you ask your brother!"

Eloise left, with her head down. She had to stroke her fingers along the wall to stop herself from falling in shock. Something else was happening.

Her eyesight started to blurt. She squinted trying to focus. Before collapsing the only word she called out was "Pen."