Linger in love

(16) The Fall

Thomas and Pen were enjoying each others company, walking slowly along the path before swaying off toward the large weeping willow tree. Pen felt comfortable with Thomas. They had known each other for so long. He was a good man and so unbelievably handsome. Which she hadn't let herself notice until the moment the sunshine shone through the branches catching his face. She felt captivated by the way he licked his lips when they were dry. Her mind was preoccupied on his when disaster struck. Pen tripped. Her face knocked into something hard as she fell. Tears started to fall from shock.

"Oh god, Penelope! Are you okay?!"

Thomas quickly knelt down and helped her to her feet, it did not take long before her face started to change its shade. Thomas winced "We need to get you home"

Pen nodded. Thomas wet his handkerchief in the stream and placed it on her cheek. He was so delicate. She grimaced when the material made contact. Thomas clenched his jaw not wanting to show Penelope how much her distress, upset him. He wanted to take her in his arms, but he knew the moment that happened, someone would end up witnessing it. He did not want to ruin Penelope's day more than it already had been.

"I must look a mess" she forced a smile.

"Nothing some sleep won't fix" he lied.

Pen locked eyes with Thomas. Penelope's smile grew. She appreciated his hand cupping her cheek, the coolness on her cheek making her feel a little better. Her head was thumping. She had to hold him for support. She prided herself on her independence but even she could not shrug off the assistance.

Thomas took the cloth from her face, investigated the wound. It left a small mark.

"It will not scar. Fortunately"

"What a relief. I will not suit a battle scar" she added sarcastically.

Colin, saw a glimpse of Pen's dress. He walked off the path and his pace quickened. Ben and Anthony were walking behind, unsure what their brother was up to, they followed him with uncertainty.

Colin stopped. Frozen. His brother's showing concern, gingerly moved closer. They had no idea where Colin was going. What he was doing or what he had seen. They just followed him like a pair of fools.

They were in an embrace. Thomas's fingers slowly slid down her cheek. He looked down on Pen with a warm smile. People were watching. She would be ruined. She slowly turned.

That was when I saw it. A bruise on her face. My heart raced.

The rage boiled over. I saw red.

I charged at the man. Heart thumping loudly. Growling I starting to punching him, until he hit the ground, I pulled my fist back to take another swing. It took both my brothers to pull me from him.

Thomas and Penelope showed an expression of pure confusion.

What have I done.

"What did you do?" Pen barked. Her face was filled with complete disappointment and betrayal. The only man showing her any kind of interest and this is how Colin responds.

Thomas pulled himself to his feet, his lip split. He wiped the blood off with his sleeve. "You had me believe, you were merely friends. Look what you have done!" Thomas scrambled up and threw daggers in my direction. "What have I ever done to you, Mr Bridgerton?"

"What I have done?" I pointed at Pen, spitting acid back at Mr Fairaway "What have you done to her?"

Pen took a step back. She wanted out of this situation.

"Colin. This is not what you think.. " she tried to explain.

"His hands were all over you, Pen!" I know. I saw him. Why is she lying?

Pen huffed out "I fell stupidly" she raised her hands "I know. I know, embarrassing. I hit a rock as I fell" she moved closer to Thomas "Thomas assisted me to make sure I was well"

What an idiot

What a complete fucking idiot.

I stumbled back, I could not help the burning behind my eyes "I thought... "

My voice trailed off. Shit. I have royally screwed this up. Pen's going to hate me.

Anthony reached for Penelope.

"Miss Featherington, let me escort you to your carriage" his voice low "People are watching"

"Thank you" she looked a little shaken. It was all my doing. She will never speak to me again. Why should she.

Anthony helped Pen into the carriage "Miss Featherington. I will hasten a physician to you"

"There is no need, My Lord" Penelope shook her head, her tone still shaky.

"Yes there is. Colin is not the only one who feared for your safety, on seeing your bruise" Anthony looked to the side. He thought the same as Colin. Although did not react.

If Anthony had noticed the mark before Colin charged. He believed himself to react in much the same way. Miss Featherington may not be his sister, but he would be damned if he let some man injure her. She was special to his family and to him.

"Thank you"

He nodded and let her leave.

The ton was full of brutes. Some violent towards young ladies. Even the notion made Anthony blood boil and seath.

Anthony hastened back to Mr Fairaway "I apologise on behalf of my brother, it was a misunderstanding sir" Benedict intervened "Are you hurt at all, Mr Fairaway?" he touched his shoulder gently.

Thomas shrugged "Do not fret, I will not make Colin's life more difficult then he already seems to have made it himself. He is Penelope's friend, he should have trusted that she is smart enough to take care of herself"

Colin was still shaking. He hadn't moved, he just watched the carriage leave. With sorrow in his eyes. A pain in his heart that would not shift. He was loosing her.

His brothers looked to him, he was not himself. Not the usual care free younger brother they had know their whole lives. Never said an unkind word, never even raised his voice. Yet, here he is. Unrecognisable.

Thomas knew that look well. Regret. He cares for her more than he speaks. Why could he not just tell her the truth. Why was it so difficult to tell her he loves her. What was so damn hard.