Linger in love

(14) The Mood

Miss Penelope Featherington, was attending a ball. With something different on her agenda.

Colin and Thomas have both asked to court her. This was unfathomable. I do not understand what to do. Just seeing them both around the dance floor looking for me was all the incentive I needed. To hide. I am not one to shy away from gossip, but I do not want to be the main conversational topic. Worse to have any harsh words to these fine gentleman.

I have tried to think which gentleman cares for me more, but that is not a question I would know the answer to. I could no more know a mans mind or my own at making the correct decision.

So I found a quiet room of which to distance myself from the party. I opened a door and hid behind a table. Thomas rushed past looking for me. My heart thumped in my chest so loud. What a fool I am hiding from two handsome men behind this large desk on pine. How cowardly of me.

She suddenly heard the door shut with a click.

Pen took a large breath, her lips trembling. Who was that.

"Who is in here?" She recognised the stern voice straight away.

Shit!

Pen was scared and didn't answer.

"Come out, now" Shit Shit. She hit her cane on the ground, which echoed.

Pen came out of the shadows.

"Miss Featherington?.."

Pen was standing perfectly still "I apologise, Lady Danbury, I was merely.. "

"Hiding!" Agatha barked. Looking intrigued.

Pen fused with her skirts "I was merely.. "

"You were hiding, Miss Featherington. Do not deny it. I see right through your facade" she smiled menacingly.

"Is it Mr Bridgerton or Mr Fairaway, I wonder"

Pen looked down "Possibly, A bit of both"

"Hmmmm. Interesting. Ahh. Well I do wish for details. But you should confront them on whatever it is that troubles you. You cannot hide from your problems, Miss Featherington. They will always seek you out in the end" with that she turned and left.

Pen embarrassing shuffled out and moved into the ballroom. Her mother in sight. She sighed with relief.

Colin was suddenly next to her "Pen. I did not realise you were still here" he then noted the disappointment in her face. Pen always thought she was invisible, now I feel I have made a blunder.

"I was hoping to see you" he correct himself.

"You were" she smiled her eyes fluttered up to me. My stomach suddenly felt all knotted up.

"Indeed, may I have the honour of your next dance"

"Yes, Colin that would be lovely"

"I will fetch you the moment it starts" The way he looked at her as he spoke was making her legs feel unbelievable achey. His head tilted and the blue in his eyes seemed to lighted. Good god, she wanted him.

Pen forced a smile at her overly attractive friend, he even looked appealing from behind as he walked away. She wasn't the kind of young lady that would ever give a man 'that' look. But the way the fabric of his trousers clinged to his bottom, she found it hard to look away.

"Penelope!" she spun around hoping no one had noticed her looking at Colin with a need she could not control.

"Ah, Thomas" she gasped.

Thomas stood a foot away. Taking in her appearance "You look breathtaking" Pen was watching his lips intently as he spoke. She felt a flutter in her stomach. She was not sure how much more she could take from all this affection. It made her feel uneasy. These men needed to stop looking at her like she was beautiful, it was confusing her thoughts.