Linger in love

(34) See what others cannot

Danbury Ball

"Colin?" Pen gasped

Colin shook his head, with a mischievous smirk "Pen"

"You said you wish to be discreet"

"Indeed"

"Then why have you been staring at me while looking over me for the past half hour like I'm an eclair"

"Well, Pen. I have an appetite and by god I'm hungry" He thought better not be that blunt, so he simply decided to add on "Apologies" although not really meaning it.

He stepped closer. The air got thick. Pens eyelashes fluttered and she was starting to blush profusely

Colin regarded her. Her bust quickened. He enjoyed her reaction.

"Now, who's not being discreet?"

"That was your fault entirely"

"You blame me?" Colin stared her down.

"How is a man to focus.." he continued ".. when the most beautiful woman is a mere ten feet away"

Pen's stomach was doing cartwheels. This man, will be the end of me.

"Stop talking" she whispered in a husky voice.

"What will you do if I don't" he smirked.

Pen bit her bottom lip, suddenly very heated "Don't" she shook her head.

"Is that a threat?" Pen would have happily let Colin take her right here in the Danbury ball but thought Lady Danbury may frown over it.

"Mr Bridgerton... "

Thank god, I needed the interruption. My eyes fluttered. Shit. It was Lord Debling, he spoke briefly at the Bridgerton Ball, he was rather handsome.

"Would you mind if I took Miss Featherington for a dance?"

"Of course not" he lied.

He took Pens hand and lead her away. Colin stood at the edge of the ballroom watching Pen, Violets eyes were on him.

"So how are you finding the ball, Miss Featherington?"

"It is Lady Fairaway, actually" she did not like correcting the man, but she needed to be honest with herself at some point.

"Apologies, I only assumed"

"Your assumptions are granted. My husband has sadly passed away"

"My deepest sympathies"

"Thankyou" she realised that she had not answered his question "It has been surprising good. Your presence is a refreshing distraction" she remembered him speaking of his adventures across the continent.

"Well thank you. Yours also" his eyes looked to the distance, then back at her "I believe we have an audience"

Pen looked to where Lord Debling was looking and smirked "He is tenacious, isn't he"

"Indeed. I was thinking the word Jealous would be more accurate"

"Colin Bridgerton?" She shrugged "He is a flirt. Perhaps, I am just his latest victim" she joked.

"... or perhaps, he is yours"

"You think I'm a flirt?" She looked rather disgusted by his assumption.

"Not at all. I only mean that you have more than one gentleman's attention this evening without trying"

"Perhaps, I am entertaining. I have no idea why. I have yet to trip on my own feet tonight"