My Life As A Bridgerton

Part The Twenty-Second

I DO NOT OWN BRIDGERTON. THIS IS THE CHAPTER THAT ALL OF YOU POLIN FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

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

Eventually, the 1813 social season finally came to an end. The last event of the season was to be the Hastings ball, hosted by my sister and brother in law. For once, I was eager to go because I knew that in canon, this was when Pen tried to tell Colin how she truly felt about him; only for him to announce that he was going on his world tour and leaving her alone with her bitch mother and bitch sisters. I'd been thinking for a while about taking Pen with me on my travels, but I knew that the Ton would frown upon an unmarried couple traveling alone. Maybe if I could convince Eloise to accompany us as a chaperone, it might not cause as much scandal. I just felt I owed it to Pen to give her an adventure that she might otherwise never get to have.

Anyway, the Hastings Ball was decent enough, for people who enjoyed regency era balls. The appetizers were rather tasty and the orchestra was still playing regency versions of modern songs. Hearing those covers always made me laugh and I always had to put my champagne glass up to my mouth to hide my chuckles. While I searched for Pen, I saw someone that I didn't expect: Cressida Cowper. She hadn't appeared in the show after Queen Charlotte's luncheon, so I was surprised to see her at the Hastings ball; especially considering how Daphne had shut her up at said luncheon.

"Mr. Bridgerton, how lovely to see you." She said in her sickly sweet voice as I bowed my head.

"Miss Cowper, I trust your evening is pleasant." I replied, trying to be polite.

"Much better now, I believe you still owe me a dance." Cressida said as I knew I was stuck. We were in a public place and Melanie had told me that it was rude to refuse the offer of a dance, unless you were married or courting. At the moment, I was neither.

"I'd love to." I lied as I took Cressida's hand and led her onto the dance floor. We shared a dance and I was forced to engage her in pointless small talk. I'll do anyone reading this a favor and skip all that. After the dance finished and I excused myself, i finally found Penelope being her usual wallflower self. I quickly made my way over to her.

"Enjoying your evening?" I asked as she was started by my presence.

"What?" She asked in return.

"Are you enjoying your evening?" I tried again.

"Yes, I just came from the dance floor." Penelope said awkwardly.

"I did not see you." I said as we both knew she was lying.

"I was in the back of the dance floor, it was quite crowded, so..." Pen lied as we both chuckled awkwardly before doing the classic romance trope of saying each other's name at the same time.

"I owe you an apology." I said as I took Pen's hand in mine. "I know you were only trying to prevent me from heartache and humiliation with Miss Thompson, and...I know that it must have hurt you, to see me pursuing her so vigorously; due to your feelings for me." Pen grew nervous at the mention of our confessions that night of the dinner.

"It was painful indeed to see you both pursuing each other...I had to watch the man that I...go after another woman. It broke my heart." Pen replied as she fought back the tears as I groaned, knowing how badly i'd screwed up.

"I never wanted to cause you pain. I just wanted to be a hero for Marina...and all I ended up being was a fool." I replied as I realized that I should have just let Marina's chips fall where they may; suicide or no suicide.

"You were not a fool." Pen insisted as she took my hands in hers. "You merely tried to save a woman from ruination and lovelessness, One should never apologize for that. You should not apologize for your feelings either. When one finds oneself in such an incredible position as...being in love is...and...well, one should declare it assuredly, fervently, loudly." She started to laugh as I saw the look in her eyes. I knew what she wanted to say.

"Colin, I wish to tell you something."

"I have something I wish to tell you as well, Pen." I said as she looked at me with eyes full of hope. "I love you. I was sure of it that night at Bridgerton house and I am sure of it now." Pen looked at me with a starstruck look as she took in the words that she'd no doubt dreamt of, but believed would always be in Marina's words. "an unrequited fantasy". She was silent for a moment before she squeezed my hands.

"Are you serious?" she asked gently as I caressed her cheek.

"I am, Pen. You are beautiful, kind hearted, intelligent, and the only girl in the Ton I would ever want to court." I said as she leaned into my touch.

"I was afraid that night in the foyer...you had regretted it, so that was why you did not call upon me..." Pen explained as I felt more guilt laid on my heart.

"Pen...I must apologize for not realizing that you loved me for so long." I said sincerely as it had been what I had hated most about Colin. " I know how horrible your family is to you and I should have been there for you sooner; to support you."

"You are here now." Pen replied with as tears rolled down her face.

"Penelope Featherington...may I court you?" I asked as Penelope shed tears of joy while laughing at the same time.

"Yes, yes!" She exclaimed as I picked her up off her feet and held her close. For the first time since being dumped in this body, in this world, I finally had a perfect moment.

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