Chapter Text
Prologue
Penelope
Sitting at her usual spot, by the window of the families common room, Penelope did what she had been doing for weeks now- nothing. She hadn’t been going out anywhere, not that she usually wanted to, didn’t pick up any of the books left on what was now a dusty table within her quarters. Most importantly, she hadn’t been writing. The one thing that she enjoyed more than anything else, that made her feel like she truly was someone. Yet nothing.
The last time a quill touched her fingers was when she made the announcement of actually not putting it down in the first place. She meant it too. Still, there resided an empty space inside her now, previously filled by the kind of friendship only her dearest Eloise could provide. After a couple of days had passed, their horrible fight would not stop replaying within her mind. It was devastating, cruel and life altering in a way Penelope herself hadn’t fully understood yet. What she did know was that her emotions ran high.
She felt hurt, incredibly so. Angry. Angry at Eloise and everyone that was not Eloise. Betrayed, an emotion Penelope was quite sure she hadn’t felt before. Lastly, guilt. It were especially these last two, that made her fear the moment she would pick up her quill again. As much as she stood by her words, Penelope couldn’t quite figure out how to be Lady Whistledown, without Eloise having to feel the way she was feeling right now each time she wrote a letter.
So instead she just sat there. One could say she was blessed with fortune. Well, sort of. After everything that happened with the Bridgerton’s and Sharma’s, things did simmer down for what was a considerable amount of time. Especially for Londons high society. Nothing here was quiet. Ever. Perhaps the involvement of the queen, and the scrutiny that might’ve been felt due to a failed marriage set up by the majesty herself, prompted this incident to be handled a little bit more … discreetly. Not to mention that it was the diamonds elder sister, Kathani Sharma, who’d taken her place instead. It truly was a spectacle to witness as much as it was miraculous to be kept quiet in the manner it had been.
Some were scandalized, but none were surprised.
The Bridgertons were in a class of their own. They were a class of their own. There was no family around here more wealthy, reputable and influential. With the assistance of Lady Danbury as well as Queen Charlotte, and they’ve assisted- have no doubts, things have slowly been returning to something resembling normalcy. Not for Penelope. Nothing was normal for Penelope anymore. As the seasons started changing, autumn was approaching fast, and with it came another wave of banquets, balls and other social gatherings Penelope equally adored and dreaded.
Fears had overcome her almost daily now. The fear to speak to Eloise and to never speak to her again. The fear of being Lady Whistledown and being Penelope Featherington.
Even so, deep within her heart no hesitation was present. You were alone in this world, but she would take it upon herself to have her own back. She didn’t know what the future held, but she knew she would try to always stay true to herself from now on. She would always be Lady Whistledown.
She would always be Penelope.
Colin
As he watched the familiar residency of his home getting closer through the carriages window, Colin couldn’t help but wonder why he returned so early.
No sooner had the wedding of Anthony and Kate been officiated before he found himself on a ship on its way to tour the entirety of Europe, a long journey for sure. Yet here he was, no three months after he left. Now Colin always returned home, but he also always knew why. At least he thought so.
Missing London. Missing his family. Missing something.
This time, he couldn’t quite pinpoint exactly what made his desire to be home such a strong one. To be fair, there were numerous reasons to be concerned when it came to his “ oh so endearing” brothers and sisters. The youngest two were doing just fine to his knowledge and the same could be said about Daphne. But everyone else? Colin felt a headache coming upon him just thinking about it. Franscesca would be next to make her debut when the new season began. That particular event was somewhat far ahead, but time moved fast. While Francesca seemed composed, if not almost aloof to it all, he’d be keeping an eye on his sibling nonetheless. Speaking of sisters, Colin knew something happened to Eloise. She seemed fine in body, but bruised in soul. Her wittinesses and unwillingness to bend or obey fooled a lot of people, but not him. Something upset her even before he left, and now that he was back, it would be his mission to figure out what it was, why it happened, and how to fix it. Eloise was strong, but she would always be his little sister. While he truly wished this were the end of things, they were simply not.
Instead he also worried about Anthony. The man couldn’t be happier if he tried- that, he’d surely never been before. Yet other people would attempt to step onto said happiness, leaving no remains. He had no idea how his families relationship with Queen Charlotte stood, how people would react once Anthony and Kate managed to leave their marriage bed. Usually Colin wouldn’t bother, but Bridgertons always took care of their own. He also still felt bad about the money he’d almost lost indefinitely to Jack Featherington.
Next there was Benedict. Now there wasn’t really anything going on here, but Colin worried about his elder brother on principle. So careless, so free. It was worrisome and admirable all at once. Despite being younger he’d never quite managed to accomplish that stance himself. But this wasn’t about Colin. This was about everything else but him. As he watched the Hyacinths all over their home come into focus, watched the servants assembling outdoors to greet him and transfer his luggage, Colin knew, that even while he was in a state of utter confusion about himself, he would always have this. He would always have his family.
He would always be a Bridgerton.