My Life As A Bridgerton

Part The Thirteenth

I DO NOT OWN BRIDGERTON.

Bridgerton House. London, United Kingdom. 3 days later.

On the day before the Trowbridge ball, which also happened to be the same day that Marina Thompson would officially decide that Colin Bridgerton was the prize she wanted, I woke up with a sense of melancholy. The other night, I had been reading a novel about Mary, Queen of Scots and it got me thinking about my dear friend; Nolan Ayers. There was a show called Reign which was a dramatization of the life of Mary Stuart and it had been 1 of his favorite shows of all time. I had no idea what had happened to my good friend or if he was even still alive. I could only hope that whatever he is...he is well and happy.

I told all of this to Eloise after breakfast as we watched Daphne and Violet fawn over the idea of her marrying Prince Friederich of Prussia. From what I had seen on the show, he seemed like a decent enough dude, but he just seemed entirely too posh for my proletarian sensibilities. Eloise, on the other hand, was anxious about it because she knew damn well that once Daphne had been married, Violet's marriage mindedness would be turned fully upon her.

"I know you're a feminist, but would marrying someone truly be that wretched. Trust me, the single life ain't all it's cracked up to be." I informed her as she rolled her eyes at me in return.

"Those are my only options, either be married off or spend the rest of my days as a spinster." she griped as she looked at me with utter jealously. "If I lived in your time, I could be at university with you, taking classes, acting exams..."

"I'd probably be copying your statistics notes in class." I teased with a smirk on my face, imagining how much Eloise would enjoy getting into debates with any male professors unlucky enough to pretend as if they knew more than she.

"As if I would let you, you can take your own bloody notes." Eloise shot back with a smirk of her own. I had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that there was a small part of her attitude that was a tad endearing.

                                                                                           ***

Trowbridge Ball. London, United Kingdom. The next day.

The Trowbridge ball was the next day and except for Eloise and the little ones, all us Bridgertons went to it. Everyone's attentions were on Daphne's courting of the Prussian Prince, so no one really noticed when I sneaked off to find Penelope; who was getting herself a glass of lemonade.

"Pen, glad to see you here." I said as she turned and smiled at me.

"Colin, I was hoping that you come." Pen said eagerly as the orchestra strummed up a new tune that was neither too fast, nor too slow; just the way i liked it.

"Pen, would you honor me with a dance?" I asked as she was only too overjoyed to accompany me to the dance floor. As we danced, I had to concede that I enjoyed how our movements seemed to be in sync. Pen looked so happy as we danced and I was glad that I could give that to her. With the way i saw her bitch mother and bitch sisters treat her throughout the first 2 seasons, it was a miracle that she was as kind as she was.

"I've never much enjoyed dancing...until I started dancing with you." Pen admitted as the song came to its end.

"I can honestly say the same of you, Pen." I replied as I took her gloved hand and gently planted a kiss on it. I wanted her to know that no matter what happened with me and Marina, that I cared about her. The cruel words of Prudence and Portia from the season 2 premier still played in my head.

"Colin is my friend!"

"As if he would ever waste his ink on someone like you."

"Colin Bridgerton is no more your friend than I am the next Catherine the Great."

"Colin...someone might see." Pen said as her cheeks were bright pink at the hand kiss.

"Let them...Pen, I don't want you to ever think that I don't care about you." I insisted as I wanted to give her what strength I could to withstand the Portias, Prudences, and Cressidas of this world. "Promise me that you won't let anyone make you think that you are not my dearest friend in the world."

"I promise." Pen said solemnly as she held my hand tightly. We walked off the dance floor as I saw the Trowbridge bastard fussing in his mother's arms.

"Our host looks a bit fussy. Do you think if he goes to bed, we all have to leave? I asked in teasing as Penelope chuckled in response. "It's lucky the lady produced an heir before the old earl croaked, no?"

"Lucky indeed, But do you not think the boy bears a passing resemblance to Lady Trowbridge's footman?" She asked with a smirk as I couldn't help but laugh my ass off as the kid clearly took after her side piece.

"Penelope, what a barb!" I remarked as i saw Marina out of the corner of my eye; having another dance with that shit head Rutledge. "I've tried to get in front of Miss Thompson all night. Surely she cannot be interested in Lord Rutledge, can she?"

"I think the only thing Miss Thompson is interested in is a swift rescue, indeed." Penelope replied as she looked with disgust as Rutledge clearly only cared about making Marina his breeding mare.

"I believe you are right." I said as i decided to make my move as the song was coming to an end.

"Oh, Colin, I did not mean.." Penelope started to say, but i was already gone as Marina tried to turn down Rutledge's offer for a 3rd dance.

"Miss Thompson, could I have your next dance?" I asked as i offered my hand to a relieved Marina.

"I would be delighted to dance with you, Mr. Bridgerton." She answered as I led her into the floor and we began to waltz. I enjoyed dancing with Marina, but it wasn't quite the same as when I was dancing with Penelope. I guess I just didn't feel the same sort of passion.

"Are you well recovered, Miss Thompson?" I asked, feigning concern for her illness.

"Oh yes. Um, I was quite ill." Marina lied in turn as she didn't want to risk me hauling ass after finding out she was knocked up.

"And what a suspicious illness you came down with. It seems to have manifested as a walking spittle factory with very large teeth." i quoted from the show as Marina rewarded me with a smirk.

"Am I the only one who can see it?" I inquired as we moved closer to each other.

"Alas, I can as well; But spin me away, and perhaps I shall recover." Marina replied as I did as commanded. Even though she was not as pretty as Pen, Marina was lovely in her own way and I didn't want her to suffer needlessly if I could help her.

"Surely you can not be interested in a codger like Rutledge?" I asked as Marina shook her head.

"I would rather die than marry that beast...but Lady Featherington thinks him to be my only prospect." She admitted as i looked deep into her eyes.

"Well, she's wrong...because You are a charming and beautiful woman and I would gladly court you; if you would have it so." I offered as she reached up and caressed my cheek with her gloved hand.

"I would be honored to be courted by you, Mr. Bridgerton." Marina assured me as she rested her hand on my chest as the music wound down, leaving us in silence.

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