Linger in love

(45) Engaged

The carriage ride back started with silence. Pen was in her own thoughts. Agatha looked at her with a wolfish grin.

"So Lady Fairaway, I could not help but notice the disappearance of Mr Bridgerton straight after tea. Is there some news you wish to disclose" her eyes penetrating Pen's so much she could visibly see her gulp. Her face bright red.

"An engagement, perhaps?"

Times like this Pen could swear that Lady Agatha Danbury could read minds. She always seemed to know what everyone is thinking. Obviously her expression must have reeked of guilt. It caught her off guard "How did you know?"

"Oh my dear girl. That boy is falling off of every word you say. Love makes people crazy, not themselves. It seemed the obvious explanation"

"You are very smart, Lady Danbury" Pen knew that Agatha would agree with her. She also knew that Lady Danbury could keep a secret.

"As are you" Agatha knew Pen so well. She was glad for her friendship. She only wish she sought it out sooner. She would have scared the shit out of Mr Norton with a mere judgemental eyebrow raise and a sneer. Lady Danbury feared no man.

"We would like to keep it private for the time being"

Agatha couldn't help feeling a little disappointed "I completely understand. Just know that you have my full support. The Bridgertons as well"

"Thank you. You and Lady Bridgerton have been so kind to me"

"You make it easy" she took a breath "So how long are we to wait?" her impatience clearly creeping in.

She sighed. "I do not know. My child is growing fast. How will I even fit into a dress"

"Madame Delacroix does wonders. As you should know. Is that all that restrains you"

"Mr Norton will not give up. I've known men like him before. Angry. Vengeful and wrong"

"You speak of your father"

Pen saw her father nearly every day of her like, yet never really knew him. She only knew, the things she overheard in the night. Archibald and Portia tolerated each other.

Lord Featherington's nights flaunting his wealth around the boxing world were well known. Also of his resentment of herself and her sisters. He loved putting people in their place. He could be unkind. Pen was just glad he never showed distaste towards her in front of company.

"He never could let things go" Pen choked out "Blamed others for his misfortunes, which were his fault entirely. Everything had to be done his way. No matter how much money we would loose" she sighed again "He spend our dowreys"

"Mr Bridgerton will not care about that. He wants you. Not your worth. Anyway are you not the one with all the wealth of Mayfair" Agatha smiled warmly "I do so miss the gossip"

Pen shook her head "You have told me this before. I am sorry, I am not ready to be at odds with the Queen quite so quickly after returning"

"It is a shame, to be sure" Agatha regarded Pen "The day you are ready to pick up your quill. I will be there. If you need me in your corner" Agatha tapped her cane on the carriage floor. "If it helps with your decision in any way, the Queen is in need of your writing too. Something of a distraction is what our Queen needs at present"

Pen looked worried. King George had been ill for so long, so could only hope he makes it another year. No one wants to loose a husband. Pen knew this more than most. Pen did not feel it prudent to ask Agatha to share the secret. The Queens business is her own.

In the separate carriage. Anthony was getting rather annoyed with his brother. Colin refused to give any details of the conversation and Kate felt like she was going to have to open a box with two pistols for the men to just shoot each other and get it over with.

"Children!" Kate exclaimed. Which made the boys scowls stop "You two are brothers, start acting like it" she held Anthony's hand "Whatever has happened between Colin and Penelope. It is their business. If they wish to tell us later than it is their choice not ours!"

Anthony growled "very well"

Trust his wife to see sense. She was the only one that made him truly happy. Hands touching was enough for his worry lines to disperse a great deal.

Colin smiled "Like you have said in the past. Kate was made to be Viscountess"

Kate laughed loud "I am surprised you two have survived so long without me"

Anthony squeezed her hand a little, she put her head to his shoulder. The way Anthony looked at his wife sometimes would make Colin feel rather awkward.

"For goodness sake, I knew I should have gone in the other carriage" Colin declared with a little smirk. It may make him feel awkward, but he couldn't help but be truly happy for them both. So in love. He never thought anyone would marry his eldest brother. He was always wound so tight. Fortunate for Anthony that Kate took that pressure of duty off his shoulders a little. Letting her share the burden of running the home.

Once they arrived in Mayfair. Pen took Colin by surprise by following him in his home with Lady Danbury. Then he remembered it is Sunday today. Pen enjoyed tea on a Sunday at Bridgerton house.

Violet was over the moon when she saw the two she loved nearly as much as her own children walk in together.

"My dear" she pulled Pen to her and gave her a big hug. Agatha twerked her eyebrow "If only everyday we were greeted with such intensity" Lady Danbury cooed. Violet looked at her and held her hand "It is so lovely to see you Agatha"

"And you, Violet"

Violet smile got bigger. I will ring for tea. She almost skipped to the dinning room. To the amusement of the ladies still standing at the door.

Colin looked back. "I didn't get a greeting like that!" Anthony laughed "You barely leave the house these days"

"Well that is true" he nodded his agreement.

Kate walked up to the ladies.

"Ah Kate. Are you joining us. Mrs Wilson is getting the tea"

"I would love to" Kate smiled before giving Violet a side hug. "Nothing I like more than cake, I here the cook made a sponge"

"She did. Lemon, I am told"

"Wonderful" the ladies sat together. Penelope explained the situation with the mysterious Mr Norton.

Pen never thought Violet would look so mad. Hopefully this issue with the man gets sorted first otherwise who knows what Lady Agatha and Violet will do when they get their hands on them.

Mama's take care of their flock. For all intense purposes, Violet includes Penelope in her nest at present. Penelope frowned for a moment.

I fear for the vulture that comes picking on a fight he cannot win. If Vultures can cry, then this one would surely come home with its head between its legs kissing its ass goodbye.

In his study, Colin was debating an excuse to extricate his fiance from his mothers clutches for a moment. He had only just seen her moments ago, and already he wanted to see her.

Would Pen be disappointed if she was dragged away from her soon to be mama. He better not upset her yet, they are not yet married. She may still change her mind.