My Life As A Bridgerton

Part The Seventeenth

I DO NOT OWN BRIDGERTON

Bridgerton House. London, United Kingdom. 2 days later.

2 days after our engagement was announced, the dowager Viscountess invited the entire flock of Featheringtons over to celebrate my engagement to Marina Thompson. I knew that this was the absolute last chance for me to back out. I knew that I could take Penelope aside, tell her that I loved her more than Marina...more than Melanie herself if i'm being totally honest, and ask her to marry me. The Bridgerton's would be more accepting and the hard core Polin fans would with hold their vile venom from me; but I couldn't.

Thanks to Melanie's reading of the books, I knew that Philip Crane was eventually going to marry Eloise and the only way he could be with Eloise was if Marina killed herself. Philip seemed like a decent enough guy, but Marina did not love him. She was going to be miserable about the life she was to be trapped in and not even the children could give her reason enough to stay.

Marina seemed certain that I was her 1 chance at happiness and I couldn't deny her that, even for a shot at my own. I had to marry Marina and raise her children; come what may. I couldn't afford to be selfish when a good woman's life was at stake. If she didn't marry me, Marina's only alternatives were Philip or the streets; because George Crane had most likely already been gunned down by the Spanish at this point. I was her last hope and I felt that obligation weighing heavy on me when she arrived with the Featheringtons. Marina greeted me with a kiss on the cheek and Pen greeted me with a weak smile as I squeezed her hand. I could tell that my decision was causing her just as much turmoil, but I tried to remain resolute as we all sat down for dinner.

"What were your favorite pastimes in the country?" Lady Violet asked my intended as we ate.

"I enjoyed riding above all else, my lady." Marina replied as it wasn't hard to imagine her on horseback, flying above the ground.

"Please, you must call me Violet now; remember?" My false mother said with what I felt was a plastered on smile.

"Miss Thompson is such a proper young lady, is she not?" lady Featherington said, trying to sell Marina to the rest of the family.

"Have you traveled at all beyond England, Miss Thompson?" Violet inquired. "It has long been Colin's greatest ambition to travel the world."

"Never, though it is now a great ambition of mine as well." Marina replied as I gently took her hand in mine.

"I am sensing a honeymoon in foreign parts. What think you, Lord Bridgerton?" Lady Portia asked as I groaned at her. She was pushing way too hard and Anthony, fool as he was, would pick up on it.

"I would not like to speculate." The viscount replied, refusing to answer.

"Yes indeed, I believe a honeymoon in foreign parts would be just the thing." Portia continued as she turned to me. "Mr. Bridgerton, you might even make the most of this fine weather we've been having if you choose to marry sooner rather than later."

"Colin is still very young." Anthony countered before I could speak up. "I believe a lengthier engagement would be prudent, excellent weather notwithstanding."

"Mother, have I told you Miss Thompson is very accomplished at needlework?" I inquired, trying to change the subject. "She is quite brilliant, puts my sisters to shame."

"I can assure you, that is not true." Marina countered trying to be modest.

"You have not seen my sister Daphne's embroidery; In all honesty, it is like a battlefield." I quoted, earning fake laughs from Marina and Portia; the rest of the family were either bored or uncomfortable.
                                        ***
After dinner, Philippa started to play the harpsichord while Prudence sang. I thought her singing was suckish on the show, but hearing it live; it was pure torture. I quickly excused myself to the hall as I tried to cover up my ears with my pinky fingers. Eventually, I saw Penelope walking out of the parlor and I was relieved to see her, but also anxious because I knew she was going to throw a Hail Mary to keep me from marrying Marina.