Bridgerton: early years

How she met El

The sun filtered through the trees in Lady Danbury's garden, casting soft, dappled shadows on the grass. Penelope Featherington, feeling more comfortable among the willows than amidst the ton, sat quietly on a stone bench, engrossed in a book. Her escape from the more tedious parts of the garden party was a small victory, one she cherished.

As she turned a page, she heard footsteps—light, quick, and confident. Looking up, she saw Eloise Bridgerton marching toward her, her face alight with curiosity and unmistakable determination. Penelope's heart skipped; she knew of Eloise, of course. Who in the ton didn't? But she hadn't expected to be sought out by her.

"Featherington, isn't it?" Eloise asked as she approached, not bothering with any formal introductions. She had a way of dispensing with trivialities, Penelope had noticed.

Penelope nodded, carefully marking her place in her book. "Yes, that's me. Penelope Featherington."

Eloise didn't sit right away but hovered near, hands clasped behind her back as she tilted her head. "I thought so. I remember you from that... incident in the park the other day. Colin, my brother, made quite the spectacle of himself, didn't he?"

Penelope's eyes widened, and she blushed slightly. "Oh, you saw that?"

"Everyone saw it," Eloise replied, a mischievous smile creeping across her lips. "Colin crashing into the mud like a sack of potatoes—all because of your bonnet, if I recall correctly."

Penelope, despite her usual shyness, couldn't help but giggle. "It wasn't my intention! But yes, my bonnet did rather get in the way."

Eloise's laughter was infectious, and she finally sat down beside Penelope. "I should thank you, actually. He's been going on about that fall for days, complaining about how 'undignified' it was. It's been highly entertaining for the rest of us."

Penelope smiled, trying to hide her amusement. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble for him."

"Oh, don't worry about Colin. He has plenty of dignity to spare, or at least he thinks so," Eloise said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "But I must say, you handled the situation well. Most people would've just stood there and stared or run away. You're not afraid to speak your mind, are you?"

Penelope hesitated. "Well, I don't know if I'd say that..."

Eloise waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, please. You gave my brother a piece of your mind in the park, didn't you? I like that."

There was something about Eloise's openness that put Penelope at ease. She wasn't sure what she had expected from the second-youngest Bridgerton daughter, but it certainly wasn't this bold, frank conversation. It was refreshing.

"You're not... normal, are you?" Eloise mused, her eyes narrowing slightly, as though inspecting Penelope more closely. "Not in the bad way! but not trying to fit in all the time. Other girls are all so focused on marrying well, on impressing the right people. But you—you seem more interested in your book than in the garden party."

Penelope glanced down at her book and smiled. "I do like reading... much more than small talk."

Eloise let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Thank heavens! Finally, someone who understands. Books are far more interesting than the piano forte or what cross stitch method is the best, and gossip is the worst of it, don't you think?"

"Most of the time, yes," Penelope agreed. "But... some gossip can be quite compelling, if it's the right kind."

Eloise's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, now I see it! You've got a bit of a sharp tongue hidden beneath that shy exterior, haven't you?"

Penelope blushed again but didn't deny it. "Perhaps."

Eloise grinned, leaning in conspiratorially. "You know, I think you and I are going to get along just fine, Penelope Featherington. And, just between us, don't let Colin's fall fool you. He's not nearly as graceful as he likes to think. Next time, if you ever feel like knocking him over again, I'll gladly help."

Penelope laughed, her shyness fading a little more with each moment spent in Eloise's company. "I'll keep that in mind."

As Eloise continued to chat, telling Penelope stories of her brothers and their antics, Penelope realized something important—this was the beginning of a friendship she hadn't expected, but one she was already grateful for.