Linger in love

(1) Hello Mayfair

April 6th Hyde Park 1812.

Two day before her sixteenth birthday to be more precise. That was the day Miss Penelope Featherington fell in love.

She was in no way interested in becoming one with society, she hated the concept of the ton as much as its disapproval with her. Soon she would be presented to her majesty, Queen Charlotte, it made her sick to the stomach just thinking about it.

Penelope hated being the centre of such attention, she had moved to Mayfair with her family a mere week ago and had already stood by her belief that she did not like it. Surrey, Mayfair. They are all the same. Places where she would be ignored, bullied, talked of or about. How could this new home be any different.

Miss Penelope Featherington was taking a stroll with her mama Lady Portia Featherington and her friend Lady Violet Bridgerton. She was relieved that her two sister Prudence and Philipa were not in attendance. After Prudence's third jab at the day regarding her complexion and weight, Pen found herself in need of a discretion by something else. Anything else. Then her sisters cruel words.

She noticed two large horses in the distance. The sun shine so brightly, making her sight blurred that she could not see the riders clearly. She walked ahead to take a better look, her hand trying to shadow her eyes. She turned around a tree trunk holding onto it firm hoping not to be scene. Penelope so loved horses and she wished to learn to ride but her father frowned upon it, which frustrated her so.

As she gripped the bark and took another attempted glance, a sudden gust of wind caught her by surprise, taking her bonnet flying. She muttered a few words as she attempted to chase it before her muma notices her blunder. "Mama is going to kill me!" not more the words left her lips when she saw the yellow abomination hit one of the riders square in the face.

The rider hit the ground with a thud. Penelope noticed the mud on the ground.

Please can the ground swallow me up.

Penelope ran to the edge of the puddle "I am so sorry sir, I apologise for my blunder" She winced. The other rider was stifling a laugh when Pen heard laughter coming from the puddle.

It was then she saw his face.

Oh my god. He is so handsome.

His smile.

Time stopped and her heart was beating faster. The flutter in her stomach led her to believe that perhaps, she had somehow come down with an illness during her carriage ride.

Good god. Penelope, do not swoon right now. You will make a fool of yourself and possibly not for the last time. Smile. Damn it woman.

He smiled up at her while still chocking laughter "Well, that was not well done of me, was it"

Penelope started apologising profusely "I am so sorry, sir. I was the wind you see" she paused. He wasn't expecting the apology, in fact he had been blaming himself for his misfortune.

He picked up the bonnet "I believe this is yours Miss..?"

"Featherington. Miss Penelope Featherington" she gave a cute curtsy.

"Well Miss Featherington, I will get this cleaned and returned to you" there is that charming smile again.

"Thank you sir"

The man smiled at her while he attempted to slowly get back on his feet. He was so tall. With a charming smile "Mr Colin Bridgerton and this.. " he gestured his brother, flicking a piece of mud at him ".. is my brother Benedict"

"It's a pleasure to meet you both"

Benedict was starting to feel rather invisible as it was clear the young girl was already swallowed up by Colin's charm. Like most ladies in the ton. He rolled his eyes back as if this was a regular occurence.

Colin looked down at the bonnet "I am certain it can be salvaged" Pen gave a small giggle, looking at the mud dripping from the hem.

"I believe they call that wishful thinking, Mr Bridgerton" Pen gave a side smile.

He giggled, Colin realised he did not know where to return the bonnet to "Where is it you reside Miss Featherington?"

Pen was about to give the handsome man her address when she heard a familiar tone of "Penelope!!" shouted with it's usual amount of spite.

Pen jumped a foot. She would have thought that she would have been used to her mothers tempers by now. Yet, they still caught her off guard. Now would be no exception. She could only hope that her new acquaintances had not noticed her discomfort.

Benedict and Colin regarded the Lady stomping towards them. Her eyes fierce and her hair a little too tight, pulling her wrinkles back. She is what Colin would think of as an depiction of an evil creature from Greek Mythology. They needed to escape. The mamas at the ton could be quite cut throat. Worse if this one did actually breath fire, her face certainly looked red enough.

She walked closer and grabbed Pen's arm "What have you done now, child!" her tone acidic.

Violet grimaced. The tension and embarrassment was over Miss Penelope's face. Colin had never felt an instant need to save a young lady before but this girl needed him. Her eyes told him as much.

Colin's voice trying to sound humorous "It was my fault entirely. I could not save your daughters head covering nor my current muddy disposition" he saw Miss Penelope's face showed an instant relief. Her eye's looked as if they were burning from holding tears back.

Portia forced a smile.

"Mama, this is Mr Colin and Mr Benedict Bridgerton"

"My second and third child, Lady Featherington" Violet tried to hide the slight growl in her voice.

"I see" Portia looked alated. Colin and Benedict knew that look. They swiftly made their leave. Colin looked back before climbing back on Neptune "Good day, Miss Featherington" he forced himself to look at her mother "Lady Featherington" and they trotted off.

Since that day her feelings for him intensified and even though she knew a man like her would never love her back. It did not stop her from dreaming about it. For being hopeful that one day he will return such affections.