Linger in love

(21) The Hurt

The Featherington Home

"Penelope, Mr Bridgerton is here to visit you. Make it quick dear. We are to travel to our estate today"

"Yes mama"

Penelope slowly got ready. Feeling a need to take longer getting dressed than usual. He deserved to wait for his foolishness. He had upset her. He had hit her friend, Thomas who deserved nothing more than what he ever shows which is respect and warmth. She was disgusted by his behaviour. I hate you Colin Bridgerton.

She opened the door to the drawing room.

"Pen!" he stood up quickly. He was shocked by the stern look she was giving.

"Mr Bridgerton"

"Ah, I deserve that" He sat back down "I came to apologise for the events that happened this past week. That have given you that ire. Please can you forgive me"

"Of course Colin, will that be all" My expression betrays me. What I thought would look like sincerity was hinted with a small amount of distaste and anger.

It had been boiling for days and I am not one to show my true intentions when I know they may hurt another. But from years of this fake facade, I am ready to make my true intentions known.

Even if it burns the world to the ground. At least then my voice will finally be heard.

"Actually, I lied. I do not accept your apology, how ever true you make it to be. You hurt my friend, you embarrass me and then you wait until now to apologise. I need you to leave, now"

"But Pen..."

"You do not deserve to be so informal with me anymore Mr Bridgerton"

"Pen.."

"I said leave" she growled.

Colins head went down "I am sorry for taking up so much of your time Miss Featherington"

Varley watched him leave, she glanced back at Penelope. I force a smile with everything I have left "I am well Mrs Varley, do not fret" before I rushed back upstairs to pack.

I love being at the edge of the balls. But with this one being my families, I know for a fact my mother will make me try to be more involved. That is not me. Perhaps, Thomas or Eloise can save me from her disappointed glare. Ah Thomas. Thomas is so wonderful. There is nothing about that man I dislike. He would never fight another man, that is for certain.

What gave Mr Colin Bridgerton the audacity to do such a reckless thing. I growled to myself at the complete madness of his actions.

Mr Colin Bridgerton on the other hand was feeling low. He cant remember a time in his life where he had ever felt so lost. Pen hated him. Hated him.

I do not know what to do to earn her friendship back. I screwed up, big time. The way Pen spoke to me, like she wanted to wring my neck at any point. I never want to feel like that again. The way her lips trembled as her anger grew. It was torture. I just wished to hold he tight. Embrace her. Breathe her in and say sorry.

There it is again. That dream lingering in the corner of my mind. Touching her lips, her breath moaning my name. Her red curls twirling in the light. The yellow petals and bedsheet coving her curves. Now that dream is even further away, than before.

My whole body aches for her. To feel her touch, to softly smooth her cheeks with my fingertips. Bringing my lips to her and tasting her sweetness. Is this madness. Is this lust. If so I wish it not hurt so much.

The Featherington Ball

Miss Penelope was looking forward to seeing more of Thomas at her mothers ball. He had been so kind and a good man. Considering Colin's blunder. He did not see anything wrong with Colin's reaction to what he had seen. He told me that it just proves what he was worried about all along. That he cared for her more than he had led her to believe.