Chapter Text
Colin was quite out of sorts when he found himself on the doorstep of Their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Hastings, and was then shown to Daphne's bedroom, where his heavily pregnant sister was trying to talk her toddler, Augustus, into having a bath, but he was refusing, clinging to his mother and screaming loudly, his nursemaid attempting desperately to calm him.
Simon then walked in, and swept the child away, after kissing his wife and greeting Colin with a weary smile, saying that he would leave them to chat.
An exhausted Daphne ordered tea and something to eat, settling herself on the chaise as her brother took the chair.
‘Forgive me for not meeting you downstairs… My confinement grows more confining every day, and Augie seems to be taking it personally.’
‘Of course…’ replied Colin, gently, ‘If I remember rightly, mother was the same with Francesca; hardly left her room for a month or two but to see to us.’
‘Indeed… I would have preferred to stay at Clyvedon at this stage, as the rooms there are much bigger and feel less restrictive, but with Simon’s business keeping him in London so much recently, he would not hear of my being there alone. And I am grateful to be close to our family so I may have some entertainment, though I was sorry to miss Fran’s Debut.’
‘You did not miss much,’ he sighed, sitting back in the chair, ‘The Queen was rather unimpressed, even with our dear sister. Much more interested in the return of our most notorious scribe…’
Colin mentioned Whistledown with a scowl, while Daphne laughed, which seemed to hurt a little as she placed a hand to her swollen belly. She waved a concerned looking Colin away as he looked to come to her aid.
‘I am well, Colin. Being with child is nothing if not uncomfortable. And if not for Whistledown, or the visits from our mother and Lady Danbury, I would not know much of anything, in all honesty,’ a little smile stole over her mouth, ‘I was rather diverted to read this morning’s issue, in fact….’
Colin groaned as Daphne’s eyes glittered, and the tea arrived, with a plate of sandwiches and one of pastries stacked high.
‘You must tell me everything,’ she said excitedly, as she poured them tea, and Colin helped himself to some of everything and then filled in the story for her.
Daphne was quite enthralled.
‘The Emerald of the Season? How well that sounds… So you are courting her in earnest then? This is not just some flirtation or support for your friend? You mean to marry her?’
‘Well I should hope so, Daphne…’ he said, gruffly, ‘I gave her our grandmother's necklace…’
Daphne looked rather taken aback.
‘You do not mean the Macintyre Emerald, Colin?’
‘One and the same…’
‘Then you are certain of her love?’
Colin did not look her in the eye as he nibbled on the sandwich he was eating.
‘Good gracious…’
‘Perhaps it was foolish of me, Daph,’ huffed Colin, ‘But in the moment it felt as if Grandmother had given it to me so that I could give it to Pen, not unlike when her father had given it to her mother, saying that they were destined…’
‘Oh yes… I remember now… They fell in love quite young, but had not been permitted to marry, until a twist of fate made it possible. The emerald had come to him in some unlikely fashion, and he had given it to her as proof of his love, promised her he would return and marry her, one day, once he had made his fortune, third son as he was. She agreed to wait for him, even though he might be gone for years. And then both his elder brothers died suddenly from a fever, without heirs, and he returned to inherit his father’s estates, much to his sadness at losing almost his entire family. But he married the lady of his heart, who had waited for him for almost ten years. It was a favourite story of mine growing up.’
‘It was one of mine too. Grandmother used to tell it to me while I sat in her lap and played with the jewel. Pen reminds me of her. That is why I thought it fitting…’
Daphne nodded as she shifted in her seat to get more comfortable.
‘If you love Penelope so, Colin, why not just propose? You have known her for a long while, surely you know something of her heart? ’
‘I keep asking myself that… Why not just offer myself now and have done with it?’
‘And…?’
‘Pen has several lords fluttering around her, Daphne… The Queen may possibly have someone special to introduce her to as well. Perhaps even a prince? She is the Emerald, the Incomparable, and I am merely a third son who is living off a stipend from a trust left to me by our father, managed by our brother, and who has no purpose in life but to gallivant across the Continent… Meanwhile, Lord Debling is so wealthy he can afford to fund entire expeditions that will take him halfway around the world, while barely making a dent in his fortune, his estates so vast it would take a day to walk around them… And here I am with nothing but myself, a terrace in Bloomsbury, and a single jewel to offer her. Even Fife has more to recommend him. I hear his seat in Scotland overlooks the prettiest parts of the River Forth…’
‘Fife?’ she asked, incredulous, ‘Do not tell me that rake is courting her too?’
He nodded.
‘I cannot imagine him making any woman a good husband…’
‘That’s what Penelope said… Or words to that effect…’
‘Then you spoke about it?’
‘Oh yes, she is quite adamant that she does not consider him eligible… But Basilio, Debling and Remington, them she gets on quite well with.’
Colin looked rather gloomy.
‘Be that as it may,’ said the Duchess, ‘It was not one of them who was named as the season’s most eligible bachelor, Colin. Fife is an irredeemable rake… Remington is charming, I suppose, but he can be somewhat pompous from what I hear… Basilio is obsessed with horses, and Debling? Well… To marry a woman and then leave her for several years, alone, to manage his estates, and even bear his heirs without his presence or support… I cannot say that he would be my choice… However rich or handsome he may be.’
Colin made a dismissive little sound at that, for which he received a stern look.
‘Yet, according to Whistledown, you have been singled out as the most eligible, most desirable of suitors, something that has been apparent since you came home, if my own sources are not mistaken?’
He let out a long suffering sigh.
‘I just wish I could give her more.’
‘What makes you think she would want more, Colin?’ smiled Daphne, gently. ‘You are a Bridgerton. That means something. You also gave her your most priceless worldly possession, which is a declaration of intent, if not of your heart. You cannot just walk away from that. And from what I know of her, Penelope Featherington has suffered cruelly at the hands of Fate… Losing her father under the most horrific of circumstances. Being embroiled in family scandals that were not her fault. Enduring her mother’s tastelessness, which she is forced to bear… You cannot abandon her now, surely? Not if you truly love her?’
Colin leaned forward.
‘It is not that I would ever walk away… It is more that I want her to experience what it is to be treated as exceptional, to have many prospects… But with that comes the knowledge that she may not choose me, Daph. And that is what is restless in my heart.’
‘I see…’
Daphne pursed her lips and regarded him for a long moment, as Colin sat wretched under her gaze, his legs crossed, his chin propped up on his knuckles.
‘How long have you felt this regard for her?’
‘Oh, I hardly know,’ he sighed, ‘Certainly more than mere days, I believe. Months? Years, perhaps? This morning Eloise made me realise the truth of it… As if every word, every dance, each laugh we have shared, each letter sent back and forth, all contributed to my falling in love and not even realising it… And when she never wrote me back over this summer, I felt adrift. Lost without her as if she were my anchor, my North Star. Yet in all of my sadness at her silence, it did not occur to me once that it was my own callous words that had come between us. Then I came home and she would barely speak to me, barely even looked my way, yet, just as I was trying to think of some way back to her, she walked into that ball last night and suddenly she was all grown up. And all the pieces of what I thought I knew of us came crashing together as I saw her through new eyes.’
‘As an eligible woman, ready for marriage?’
He rolled his bottom lip between his teeth and nodded, as he got up to pace the room, Daphne watching him thoughtfully.
‘Indeed…’ he conceded, ‘Debling put words to it first, made me face the truth I was blind to: That my friend was not just as eligible as any young, well bred lady, but beautiful and desirable too. And I realised so very late that I had been starting to see her as such before that moment and yet, denied it to myself,’ Colin ran anxious fingers through his thick hair, sending his carefully coiffed curls quite wild, ‘When Fife was needling me last year at the Featherington Ball, I could have named her my friend, and left it at that. Brushed it off. Let him think what he liked without consequence… Yet, I chose to hide the fact that Penelope had become special to me, by forsaking her instead.’ He leaned against the window frame he'd found himself at, staring down at the perfectly manicured gardens which the Duchess's rooms overlooked, and sucked in a quivering breath, ‘Perhaps I have always felt something for her, but was just too green to see it… Anthony was right, Daph, I have been such a fool...’
Daphne took a sip of her tea, and tossed her head a little.
‘Let us not give our dear brother too much credit, Colin. Our Viscount has his moments of wisdom, of course, but this is the same man who almost married the wrong woman, all to spite his own heart, and caused an o utrageous scandal involving the Queen in doing so.’
Colin chuckled at that, turning to her with a smile tugging at his mouth.
‘Well, yes… He even outdid my own ill conceived notions of marriage by quite a margin last year. Even got all the way to the altar. But bungled nuptials aside, he married Kate and he is blissfully happy now… They both are.’
‘My point is that it is easy to see when those we love are doing something foolish, but we have all been fools in love. Each of us has erred by rushing into what we thought was a blissful, perfect love and have borne the pain of finding out otherwise.’
Colin pursed his lips, uncomfortably.
True.
He sat back down in his chair, fidgety as he locked his gaze with hers.
‘What are you saying, Daphne?’
‘You have only just discovered these feelings for her, yes? Realised them for what? Less than a day?’
He fidgeted some more, pursing his lips, cocking his head a little in thought.
‘I suppose so…’ he said, ‘While it feels like an age just now, it is barely any time at all.’
‘Then what is your rush?’ she asked, raising a perfect eyebrow, ‘Do you really think that Penelope will make a decision so soon? Our Penelope? Is she that eager to marry, would you say?’
Colin seemed to deflate, and shuffled in his seat, a little sheepish.
‘Well, no, I do not think so. She is overwhelmed, mostly. I have offered to stay with her as much as I can during the Calling Hours to help her feel more comfortable.’
‘Indeed? That is certainly kind of you. And if your goal is for her to enjoy herself in this game of courtship, is not continuing to court her, at a measured pace, doing just exactly that?’
‘Well… Yes. She enjoys my company, I am sure of that at least.’
‘In that case, I sense there is something deeper here that is bothering you… Has she mentioned an attraction to another? A partiality perhaps?’
He shook his head.
‘Not particularly… I asked her if she would consider Fife, and she said she would never marry a man she does not like.’
Daphne snorted with glee.
‘And rightfully so…’
‘The rest she seems to enjoy speaking with, as I said, but I cannot decipher a favourite amongst them. Not yet…’
‘That is encouraging.’
‘I also asked her what her criteria for a husband is, and frankly it was underwhelming. Do you know she did not so much as mention passion… Or love? Just kindness, and gentleness. Intelligence. To be set free. I'll admit I was quite unhappy on her behalf.’
Daphne made a little scoffing noise, and Colin frowned at her.
‘It appears that we have been quite spoilt, Colin… In the best sense.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well. We grew up in a loving family, did we not? Believing that the greatest benefit of marriage was to find your happily ever after, your one true love to make a life with, to marry your best friend, to burn with passion for them, to cherish each and every moment…’
‘Yes…’ he agreed, incredulously, as if she were trying to catch him in a lie.
‘What I have learned since I married, is that us Bridgertons, with our loving family and penchant for thrilling love matches, are quite the exception. We are not the rule, Colin. Most marriages in our society are merely convenience and matters of business. If love is to be found, it either grows in time or is reserved for offspring alone… Take Simon, who despised his father so much, was so abused as a child, that he swore never to marry and sire an heir. And it was only our love that changed that, our marriage. But it took work and almost broke us before we found happiness.’
‘I did not know that.’
‘Few do. Even mother does not know all of what happened then,’ she squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, as if to rid herself of the awful memories, ‘My point is that Penelope does not come from a home where she has been taught to wish for a love match, Colin, never mind to expect one. That does not mean that she does not want it or deserve it, but it is a rare thing, as we should all know. As a practical young woman she is hardly remiss in keeping her heart guarded, now is she?’
‘Well, no. I suppose it is only sensible. Yet, she said she did wish for love… With much the same point as you just made.’
‘Then all you can do is to give her time to love you. You have known each other for years as children, many as friends, what is a week or two to show her who you would be as a husband?’
‘Well that brings me to another point. I love her, Daphne, but while spending time with her these two days and in hearing her speak with others, I realised that I have been remiss, in that I have never taken the time I should have done to get to know her as she knows me. She has been so good to me, spoilt me with her company in fact, and yet I have neglected our bond. I did not know that she had a dream to write romance novels, for instance. Or that she enjoyed riding as a girl, yet never had anyone to take her out. Nor that she felt so trapped in her life she feels marriage is her only way to be free. Neither have I been privy to her cutting opinions on members of the Ton, like Fife, for example, whose charm was an object of ridicule to her, not the exciting new prospect one might expect. I could not even tell you her favourite colour, or flower, or poet…’ he huffed, irascibly, ‘What sort of friend have I truly been to her?’
Daphne was smiling widely at him as he sat back again with another sharp exhale.
‘My, my, big brother… If I had not already heard enough to convince me you are madly in love with her, that passionate declaration would have been more than enough…’
‘Do not tease me, Daph..’
‘I am quite serious, Colin. You are all but foaming at the mouth! If you do not declare your love to her soon, it may come pouring out of you in the most uncivilised of ways…’
‘Daphne…’ he practically growled, warningly.
‘What I mean to say is that most men do not honestly care about what a woman’s favourite colour, or flower, or poem is, unless it gets them closer to their goal, whether honourable or not. But you genuinely care so much about this Miss’s every thought, that you cannot bear not knowing. And that is a good thing.’
‘Is it?’
‘Yes… You have an advantage most men in your position do not. You are interested in her beyond her physical existence as a woman and care about who she is too. There is nothing more attractive than that in a man. Not wealth. Not titles. Not even a handsome face… Do you know what drew me to the Duke?’
‘Do I want to?’
She hummed dismissively.
‘I disliked him on the spot, do you not remember?’ Colin nodded in response, while she continued, ‘He was handsome. Arrogant. A Rake of the First Water. Condescending to the point where I wanted to throttle him. But he never spoke to me as if I were merely a girl. He invited my opinion though he knew I would likely not agree with him. He was my friend before he was anything more. And that is why I love him… And look at Kate!? She fell for our brother even though he was stubborn and idiotic for the best part of their early acquaintance. And when I asked her about it, she said that she loved how fiercely he loved all of us, and how he looked at her as if she were his entire world. She was just waiting for him to admit to it.’
Colin smiled, sighing wistfully, ‘So, you think that Penelope might rank our friendship higher than she would a title, for example? That she would likely choose a man who thinks her intelligence of equal value to her beauty, as opposed to a simpering suitor who would flatter her?’
‘Well, exactly. You may not know her as intimately as you would like to, but you still know her much better than anyone else who might court her does. If you want her love then that is the key… Anything you want to find out can be part of your courtship, can it not?’
He nodded, slowly.
‘Thank you, Daph, I am glad I came to ask your advice,’ Colin smiled happily, and practically inhaled another sandwich, relieved.
‘And you certainly have one other advantage too…’
‘Which is?’
‘Well, that she clearly likes you, of course...’ chuckled the Duchess, reaching across for another pastry, ‘Which is more than we can say for a certain Baron Fife….’
>>~~~8)O(8~~~<<
Colin left Daphne's a while later, spending some time with his sister and her family, and got home just in time for a late supper.
He went to bed that night lighter, knowing that he had time, that he could take things at a measured pace.
It gave him some much needed space to reflect on these very new feelings, on what it truly meant to love Penelope Featherington.
And that night he dreamt of what it would be like to finally have her in his arms…
>>~~~8)O(8~~~<<
Penelope was much more prepared than she had been the day before, to have so many gentlemen call on her again, hoping fewer would turn up, but she couldn't help but admit that it was a little thrilling to be the centre of such attention.
She wore a deeper green today, a silk day dress in the dark bluish green known as viridian, one that was edged with gold and had the occasional golden butterfly or flower delicately appliqued into it.
It matched her necklace perfectly so she wore the Emerald too.
She was relieved to have less callers, but enough still that her mother had organised the old breakfast room to be set up, which was bigger and more comfortably furnished, a spread of sweetmeats and cream tea was put out and her sisters with their husbands were settled in a corner around a table, looking shocked that Penelope was being treated like royalty.
Fortunately, stunned enough too to be mostly silent, except to grumble amongst themselves.
Albion Finch, Phillipa's husband, was of course quite pleased and proud that Penelope was receiving so much attention, and had congratulated her vehemently on being named as Incomparable.
Even Prudence had given her a grudging compliment that morning, noting the prettiness of her ensemble.
Colin was the first to arrive and her heart fluttered.
He greeted her family then took her hand in his,
‘Pen, you look well this morning…’ he smiled, holding what looked like a letter as he bent over her fingers, brushing his lips across her knuckles.
‘I am in high spirits, thank you, Colin, mostly thanks to our walk yesterday… How are you?’
‘Better for seeing you, of course. That colour is rather resplendent on you. And matches your necklace rather perfectly, I think.’
‘A happy accident. Although I have generally been partial to mints and sages, these more brilliant shades that Madame Delacroix insists suit me well, are becoming rather dear to me.’
He smiled, leading her to the sofa and they sat down, Lady Featherington serving them tea.
‘Indeed? So then green would be your favourite colour?’ he asked, stirring his tea.
‘It is… The particular shade may change occasionally, but I do love it. You know, Colin, I do not believe that I know what your favourite colour is either?’
His smile widened.
‘Can you not guess?’
She cocked her head as she looked him up and down.
‘Prussian blue?’ she asked, which wasn't far off the colour of his eyes.
He chuckled.
‘I like it, but no…’
‘Navy?’ she guessed.
‘Wrong again…’
She pursed her lips.
‘Teal?’
‘Pretty, but not my favourite.’
She huffed a breath, starting to get a little frustrated.
‘It must be some shade of blue, surely?’
He merely grinned enigmatically, sipping his tea.
‘Duck egg?’
Colin laughed gently, shaking his head. ‘Not even close.’
Her eyes widened, and she regarded him shrewdly.
‘How do I not know this small thing about you? We have known each other for almost a decade…’
‘We have, indeed…’
His eyes flashed mirthfully and she narrowed hers at him.
‘Umber?’
‘Nope.’
‘Mauve?’
‘Ha! No.’
‘Burgundy?’
‘Hmmm? Nah.’
He looked so smug it was infuriating, his head tilted to one side, as he was served more tea by Rae.
‘Orange?’
‘Not the one, Pen…’
‘Violet?’
‘My mother would approve, but no.’
He shook his head, regarding her with amusement.
Then she had an odd thought, her lips twitching.
‘Is your favourite colour yellow, perchance?’
She'd said it jokingly, expecting him to say no, of course not, but he grinned and nodded, satisfied.
‘Yes, well done, Pen! Yellows, and golds and champagnes. A nice, warm sienna too. Followed by blues, you were right about that, comes with being a Bridgerton.’
Penelope smiled, warmly, this admission from him making her feel tingly all over.
‘My second favourite is blue too, actually…’ she admitted, ‘Though I cannot imagine why yellow would take your fancy?’
‘Can you not?’ he said, ‘Well, it is a great secret…’
He was joking, and she was about to insist he tell her, but she could not grill him further as more gentlemen started to arrive.
He took the opportunity to give her the letter.
‘I pulled some excerpts from my journals for you, as you said you'd like to read some? Just a few passages for now…’
‘Oh? How thoughtful of you.’ Pen grinned happily and took the offering, noting there were multiple pages, eager to read them but unable to just then, suddenly impatient to get through Calling Hour so she might be alone a moment to enjoy this new gift.
She stood as Colin rose to move to another chair, across from her, so she could greet her guests.
Lord Basilio was first, whom she had much to discuss with, as he would be taking her riding with him the next afternoon, after her morning tea with Queen Charlotte, noting Colin's interest in this conversation, distracting her with little smirks and eyebrow raises at Lord Basilio's love of his equine friends.
In truth, it was taking Penelope all her concentration not to laugh.
‘I have a lovely bay mare that you will get on with very well,’ Viscount Ricardo Basilio was saying, ‘She is my sister's horse and is used to a delicate rider… Such a sweet temperament too. I am eager for you two to meet!’
‘Your sister?’ said Penelope, trying her best to keep a straight face.
‘No, no, Molly, your steed! You will get on famously, I know it!’ he cried happily, and Penelope nearly lost her composure as Colin bit down on his knuckles, watching him blink away tears from the strain of not bursting out with laughter.
‘Oh, of course,’ she said, serenely. ‘I too look forward to it. My maid will be joining us as my chaperone,’ she added, pointing Rae out, whom she was glad could ride or she'd have had to be accompanied by one of her brothers in law.
‘Indeed?’ he said, happily, Our Bessy will be perfect for her then. My valet will enjoy the company to be sure…’
Penelope assured him that she was very much looking forward to it.
Next were a Mr Chalmers and a Lord Loxley, whom she'd never met, but were handsome men in their late twenties, giving her flowers and chocolate and complimenting her on her new jewel, which she said was a gift from a very good friend, which Colin seemed comfortable with, as he gave her a little nod as she’d looked to him for approval, not knowing if he wanted everyone to know he’d given it to her.
She had a pleasant conversation with them both, and promised to dance with each of them at the next ball, her dance card filling up rather quickly at this point.
To her surprise, the next gentleman to present himself was Lord Fife.
It wasn't lost on her that Colin immediately stiffened as soon as he heard Fife's dulcet tones.
‘Miss Featherington, how goes the day?’ he said, jovially, and she smiled at him.
‘Well, thank you, Lord Fife. Entertaining is its own sort of pleasure…’
‘Good to hear it!’ he accepted a cup of tea from Varley, nodding his head to a Colin whose countenance was suddenly dark and stormy. ‘I see you are wearing that lovely Emerald I saw you in yesterday, it does become you so well… It looks familiar though, is it one of your mother's jewels’
‘Thank you, my Lord, and no. It is a Bridgerton gem, as a matter of fact.’
‘Of course!’ cried Fife, as he turned to Colin, who was looking rather pleased with himself as he tilted his head to the side, giving Fife a little smile and a nod. ‘Was it not your father's mother who wore that jewel, Bridgerton?’
‘Yes, indeed. Quite the memory you have, she died fifteen years ago.’
‘Very elegant woman though… She always wore green, that I certainly remember.’
‘That's right,’ said Colin, clearly surprised he'd recall that.
‘She was great friends with my own grandmama,’ said Fifemostly to Penelope, ‘Hence the familiarity. A very warm woman, where my grandmama was quite stoic. But my apologies, Miss Featherington, I neglect you.’
‘Not at all. I was quite interested in such recollections.’
‘Still, I came to see you, alone, and I come bearing gifts…’ he smiled and handed her a package.
Inside were gold and emerald hair pins that matched her present from Colin.
‘Thank you, my Lord, they are quite lovely,’ she smiled.
‘I saw them in a jeweller’s window and thought of you immediately,’ he said, happily, ‘You must wear them to the opera Friday. I would love for you and your family to attend with me in my box. I am quite partial to the opera…’
Colin made an odd sound then as if he'd momentarily choked on his jam tart.
‘Are you quite well, old man?’ asked Fife, turning toward him as if concerned.
‘Ahem, yes, thank you,’ said Colin, raising an eyebrow at Penelope who smirked at him.
She could read the expression of incredulity on his face, and she too thought it an odd assertion since Fife was rarely seen at the opera, his box usually occupied by one or other of his relatives. And as the biggest busybody in London, she would know. But now she had to think of some excuse to get out of it.
‘Thank you for the invitation, my Lord, but I-’
‘Of course we would be delighted to attend, Lord Fife,’ said Lady Featherington, cutting her off, who had appeared just then behind the settee as if out of nowhere.
Penelope pasted a soft smile to her lips as plans were being made on her behalf, but she caught Colin's eye and was glad to see her discomfort mirrored in him.
He gave her a reassuring smile when he realised she was looking his way, though the glances of annoyance that he was tossing at the back of Fife's head did more to lift her spirits.
They seemed silently in agreement that Fife's apparent resolution to court her was distinctly odd behaviour for him.
And in her three seasons as Lady Whistledown, this was the first time she had ever known him to properly court a lady.
Why her?
Why now?
But, she could not fault his manners at least, as he seemed keen to be getting to know her, her mother leaving them to chat, as Colin silently glowered in his chair, legs crossed, sipping his tea with a frown.
Lords Debling and Remington had already given their apologies as they were both previously engaged so she did not expect them, Fife staying another ten minutes, talking animatedly of the opera and about how he was looking forward to dancing with her at the next ball, and also a little of his estate in Scotland, asking her about herself too, if she was eager for children amongst other thing.
It was a pleasant conversation, and she was interested in what he had to say, as she tried to be measured but truthful with her answers.
‘I have always wanted a family, my Lord, but I cannot say that I am keen for children straight away. It would be nice to spend time with my husband first, but then children seem to arrive when they will and I am content with whenever that may be.’
‘Quite so, Miss Featherington, I believe most gentlemen look forward to their honeymoon the most, so it is good to know we are in agreement there, and what is your favourite pastime?’
She did not see a dark look pass over Colin’s face at that, nor did she observe the stiffness of his jaw, or his entire body tense.
‘I admit that I love to read, though I am quite partial to the elegant chaos of a ball. Running my own house or an estate I believe will also be greatly fulfilling.’
Fife seemed quite pleased with her answers, before he took his leave.
As she then greeted Mr Farnsworth, whom she'd met the previous day, albeit briefly, she saw Colin stand and straighten his attire rather abruptly, give her a little nod, and then follow Fife out of the room.
That gave her pause, but she could do nothing but pay attention to the studious young man who was now before her, offering to read to her from a book of poems, so she quieted the dread in her belly at what may be occuring downstairs, and a little flutter that Colin may be warning Lord Fife away from her.
Did that mean that he was serious about his suit?
As she listened to Mr Farnsworth quote some Byron, she couldn't help but gaze at Colin's empty chair, only settling when the man himself appeared again a few minutes later, and settled back into it with a wink for her.
But she really did not like that his smile faltered almost immediately, or that he kept his gaze turned inward for the rest of the hour.
She was glad that he would be her escort on the promenade again so that she might ask him why he suddenly looked so very glum.
>>~~~8)O(8~~~<<
‘May I have a moment, Fife?’
Colin had followed Bertram Fife down the stairs and caught up with him in the entrance hall, anger making his whole body taut and hum with energy.
‘Bridgerton…!?’ replied Fife as he made the bottom step, turning to greet his friend, ‘Are we to have the pleasure of your company this evening at Mondrich's?’
‘Not tonight…’ said Colin, briskly, ‘Am I to understand that you intend to court Miss Featherington, Bertie? In earnest?’
Fife looked towards him and smiled.
‘I am indeed. I appreciate you are close with her in some sense, and I have admittedly not been all that keen to wed, but my intentions toward her are honourable, for once.’
He gave Colin a conspiratorial smirk, which did nothing but irritate the Bridgerton more.
‘But you are keen to wed now?’ he asked.
‘It is more that it is clear that I will miss my chance if I do not.’
Colin was quite surprised at this.
‘Then… Your interest is in Pen, alone?’
‘Of course. I was not planning on hanging up my bachelor’s braces any time soon, but since the lady is making it clear she will marry this season, and the Queen has endorsed her as a prize, I have no choice but to act now.’
Colin was quite taken aback.
‘Are you saying this was always your intent?’ Colin realised he’d been taken for an absolute fool, ‘Then your question to me last season, your needling…?’
Bertrum rocked on his heels, a smug little smile on his mouth.
‘You had me worried for a moment there, Bridgerton, looking so cosy with her, I was convinced that there was an understanding between you, but you soon put any thoughts I had that you would ask for her hand to bed, with that very loud declaration that you would not think of courting her even in my wildest fantasies…’ he chuckled while Colin glowered at him, ‘Though you have since changed your tune, it would seem, giving her that stone.’
‘It was a foolish thing to say and they were not my true feelings then, or now.’
‘Evidently, though you have not yet proposed…’
‘I do not want to cut her moment in the light short, she is getting the attention she deserves.’
Fife contemplated him a moment, before he smiled.
‘Brave of you, to give her the opportunity to slip away… Unlike you, Colin, who had her so close for so long and did not know what you had, I have merely been waiting for the opportune moment. She is grown and ready to be courted, so it is time to show myself. I thought I had more time, but here we are.’
Colin was utterly speechless, staring wide eyed at the man.
‘Oh do not think me the sentimental sort, my friend,’ continued Fife, pulling his pipe from his pocket, ‘My interest has always been more of a practical, and physical nature. And it wasn't until yesterday when I saw you with her that I decided I would make my move. I have always considered her a beauty though, with childbearing hips and a figure that could send a gentleman wild, and more so because I appeared to be the only one who could see her, especially through her mothers attempts to keep her a girl forever…’ he smiled, conspiratorially, ‘Though if a lady were ever to be able to tempt me into love, she has more than enough charms to make the falling sweeter. And making her my wife would certainly help in that…’
Colin did not like the lascivious way Fife talked about her, or the emphasis he put on charms.
‘Then your interest in Penelope is merely superficial? You only want her for what she can give you, and now for the status of marrying the Emerald…?’ spat Colin, angrily, ‘You do not deserve her!’
‘But you do?’
Colin recoiled but brushed it off. He loved her after all. But he wasn’t going to admit that to the likes of Bertram Fife.
‘And your plan if she had never decided to discard her cocoon of girlish ribbons was to what?’ he tossed at Fife instead, ‘Swoop in once you'd decided that raking about London was no longer such fun?’
‘Well, let's face it, old boy,’ said Fife, amusedly, lighting the new tobacco he’d pressed into his pipe, filling the hall with the scent of it as he took a puff, ‘Had she not shown her maturity recently, had she not risen swan-like in front of your very eyes, you'd never have seen her as more than your little friend, whom you ignore at your leisure. I may be a rake and a scoundrel, Bridgerton, but I have always wanted her. I have a title and wealth, and when I marry, my wife will have my devotion, for a few years at least, while I secure my estates with an heir, or three,’ he grinned lasciviously, ‘She will have her security and all the amusement she might want. What more could any woman wish for?’
‘You cannot expect she will choose you, surely?’ scoffed Colin, incredulously.
‘In all honesty, I cannot see a reason she would not. Your longstanding acquaintance with her is admittedly a hurdle, but Debling is an eccentric and she will tire of him, Basilio is oblivious so will irritate her, and Remington I do not think is serious… When I first settled on her, I was not quite prepared to have such competition for her affections in you though, I must say. But having it is rather diverting, to be sure, and will make my victory all the sweeter when all her suitors, especially you, my very good friend, must watch me take her to the altar to make her mine...’
Fife smiled widely and took a puff on his pipe, giving a stunned Colin a convivial slap on the back and then walked out, leaving Colin unable to do more than merely blink after him.