#penelope x colin
Random thoughts
Colin having other men question whether he’s courting Penelope might be the first time anyone has brought that possibility to mind for him. Now that the idea of Penelope as a wife is in the back of his head, I want a scene in season 3 where Philipa has a newborn daughter & Colin sees Penelope holding the tiny redheaded baby and smiles at how happy & beautiful she looks with a baby in her arms. It could be the first time he truly considers Penelope as a woman ready to become a wife & mother.
Better yet let the scene mirror the scene from season 1 when Colin & Penelope saw Lady Trowbridge and her redheaded baby (who looked like her footman). Let’s see Colin & Penelope notice the baby crying and instinctively team up to soothe the child and it’s basically a glimpse of how they would be with a child of their own.
Since we can’t know exactly how the show plans to have Polin’s story play out, I was thinking if they do intend to make Colin jealous, how fun would it would be to have, “Single Ladies, (Put A Ring On It)” playing at a ball while Penelope’s denying Colin a dance or ignoring him altogether.
I have a whole Polin inspired playlist I WISH I could share with whoever selects the music for the show… instead I’m sharing it here.
Phil Colin’s “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) is another great song for Polin while Colin feels disconnected from Penelope and is missing her. There’s a reason this song is a classic.
Colin’s going to miss being able to talk to Penelope, take her hand, and dance with her so much when she’s not so accessible to him.
I’m talking about a “Careless Whisper,” level of longing… for me, this song even without lyrics fits the vibe PERFECTLY.
Polin forever
“Lady Crane was right about you.”
“Lady Crane? What did she say?”
“That you cared for me. That you would never forsake me. I’m beginning to believe that now.”
The next time Polin speak he’s visiting her house and when she walks him out he says they’re relationship has developed so naturally that it is easy to take it for granted. I don’t know if he realizes how true that statement really is yet because he’s still not quite ready to recognize exactly how deeply his feelings for Penelope run.
Colin’s never had to consider that Penelope is actually very important to him, she’s been constant in his life like part of his family for years. I really think it’s going to take a major reality check for him to understand that Penelope doesn’t owe him her presence in his life. I think Whistledown is going to write how Colin said he’d never court her and he’s going to feel terrible for the embarrassment it causes her and try to apologize.
It’s my hope that when he does, Penelope accepts the apology but insists for the first time ever that he observe proper etiquette with her going forward. He’ll need to stop referring to her by name & call her Miss Featherington, and refrain from taking her hand, touching her or pulling her into a room alone again since it would be improper and maybe she’ll even refuse to dance with him anymore to avoid giving anyone the wrong impression.
Basically I want Colin to be cut off from his friend Pen completely and feel the loss hard because she’ll be right there in front of him yet completely inaccessible & when he stops to think about how much he misses the closeness of what they had before, he’s going to be devastated.
I need Colin to fall so hard and fast for Penelope that he doesn’t know what to do with himself. I’m just gonna say it, I need Colin to cry and be visibly fearful that he’s ruined his chances with the one woman he knows he can’t live without.
I love Polin.
There was a scene in season 2 where they mentioned snow coming in the winter… I really hope that was foreshadowing because I’d love a Season 3 Polin kiss under mistletoe
Ooh maybe even a Bridgerton Christmas wedding!
Before we get our, “I miss my wife,” moment.
I need to hear Colin say, “I miss my Pen.”
Season 3 Predictions
Since Polin has been announced as the main couple for season 3, my previous list of “Things I’d Like to See in Season 3” is now better for season 4.
So here’s some predictions now that it’s confirmed that Polin will be taking center stage! (And I bet most if not all will be disproven).
This got long, so I’m putting it under the cut!
1- Penelope Cold Shoulder
The first time we see Colin approach Penelope at a party or a ball, he’s going to be in for quite the shock of his life when his “Pen” addresses him as “Mr. Bridgerton” instead of Colin. Eloise isn’t talking to Penelope, so she’ll be of no help and Colin will try to visit the Featherington residence to call on Penelope and get answers.
2- Featherington Matchmaking (?)
There is a Featherington sister from the books who is absent from the show: Felicity Featherington. And in the book Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, Portia gets it into her head that if 33-year-old Colin Bridgerton decides to marry that year, he should marry early-20s Felicity Featherington. Since Felicity doesn’t exist in the show, it’s possible that Portia might take Colin coming to the Featherington residence the wrong way and try to push him towards Prudence.
3- Eloise Will Tell Colin About Penelope
From some comments Colin made in season 2 toward Eloise, I’m inclined to think that he suspects his sister of being Lady Whistledown. He confronts her in the book about this, too. But at this time, nobody knows about Penelope’s alter ego.
I think in the show, Colin will confront Eloise about being Lady Whistledown. She’ll deny it vehemently, they’ll argue back and forth, and then she’ll exclaim in a fit of anger: “I’mnot Lady Whistledown! It’s Penelope!”
Or he could find out on his own like he does in the book.
4- Another Baby Gender Swap
This is based entirely on Portia’s reveal in the final episode of season 2 that the first of her girls to bear a son will automatically inherit the title of “Lord Featherington” instead of Cousin Jack. I think that season 3 could end with Penelope and Colin and a baby. In the books, their first child is a girl named Agatha in honor of Lady Danbury. While I sincerely hope they keep baby Agatha, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that they’ll have a son first instead. They’ve already done this with Daphne having a son named Augie instead of a girl named Amelia like in the books.
So instead of Amelia being the firstborn (again, I hope they don’t change this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did), maybe their son Thomas would be.
5- Masquerade (?)
So far Bridgerton has done a build up to/foreshadowing of the next season’s couple alongside the main couple’s storyline with both of their seasons. If they continue with this trend, it’s entirely possible that the masquerade ball where Benedict meets Sophie could be in this season. Maybe in the final episode? That could allow for a time cut in season 4 and maybe some flashbacks to Sophie’s childhood and how she got to the ball.
This one honestly seems the least likely to me and they’ll probably hold off until season 4 for the masquerade. But who knows?
6- Introducing John Stirling (and maybe Michael)
I was not surprised by the Francesca recasting news. The actress seems in high demand. I believe they intended for her to be in more episodes in season 2, but conflicts with other projects meant she was only in 3 episodes. And since she landed the lead role in a different show and Francesca’s storyline won’t come around until much later, it’s understandable that she’d want to take the opportunity instead of being a background character for the next couple of years.
With Francesca being recast with an older actress, I think we’ll see more of her in the show. Season 3 will be the perfect opportunity for Francesca to debut and be presented to Queen Charlotte. Then her subplot, while the Polin drama is going on, can be her relatively tame romance and engagement to John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin. And if John is introduced this season, maybe a later entry into the season will be Michael Stirling.
I can’t wait for 2023, where all of my predictions will be proven wrong.
Reasons Why I’m Okay With Polin Being the Season 3 Couple
It has been confirmed that the main couple of season 3 will not be Benedict x Sophie after all and instead, Colin and Penelope will be taking center stage. Now, book purists are probably incensed that the show is screwing with the book order, but I don’t think it’s going to be the end of the world for them to shuffle things around this way.
Here are a few reasons why I’m okay with Penelope and Colin (Polin) being the main couple of season 3.
1- They already set it up to happen in the final episode of season 2
Colin stated quite loudly to the Asshole Brigadeat the Featherington Ball that he would “never dream of courting Penelope Featherington.” This is already a departure from the books since in An Offer From a Gentleman, he said something similar, but it was to his brothers on a relatively empty street.
Another departure from page to screen is that in the books, Colin was made aware pretty much immediately that Penelope had heard every word he said. But in the show, Colin doesn’t know that Penelope heard him.
This will set up the conflict at the beginning of season 3 when Penelope is giving Colin the cold shoulder and Colin will be very confused as to why it’s happening.
2- It makes more sense for Eloise’s story to follow right after Benedict’s
In the books, Eloise decides to try and see if marriage to Phillip Crane would suit her after Penelope marries Colin. But she also states in To Sir Phillip, With Love that the reason she went so long without getting married or accepting a proposal was the love story between Sophie and Benedict. If she was ever going to get married, she wanted a romance like theirs.
In the show, Benedict is Eloise’s favorite brother and the Brigerton sibling she feels closest to. In the context of the show, it makes sense that Eloise would move her romance forward following the marriage of Sophie and Benedict.
3- Happily Ever Afters
(I would like to preface this point by saying I’m a white woman, not a person of color, but I’m going to try my best here. I’m mainly just repeating some points that people of color have already made.)
We’re all well aware at this point that Bridgertonis not your typical period drama. Up until recently, most productions that took place in this era had a fully white cast. And when period productions do have people of color in more prominent roles, their plots tend to have them going through something traumatic. Like they have to go to hell and back andmaybeget a happy ending kind of traumatic. And it’s almost always about how that trauma affects the white lead or drives the plot of the white lead forward.
I think we can also safely say that women probably make up more of Bridgerton’sviewership numbers than men. And to paraphrase Charithra Chandran from Netflix’s TUDUM event, she never imagined that someone who looks like her would ever be in a production like Bridgerton. As someone who always had the luxury of seeing women who look like me getting their happily ever after onscreen, I can only imagine what it must feel like for women who look like Charithra and Simone.
Now, if the Bridgerton show remained in book order, then there would be four seasons in a row where women of color did not get to see other women of color in the starring role get their happily ever after in a genre they aren’t normally seen in. These four women in the leading role would be Penelope, Eloise, Francesca, Hyacinth. If Colin’s season comes first, that leaves room for a woman of color to be cast as Sophie in Benedict’s season. It would still be three seasons in a row without a woman of color in the leading role, but it’s a step up from four seasons.
And even with a three-season gap of women of color in the starring role, there are still other women of color in the show that will have more prominent roles, even if it’s not the starring role (Kate, Lady Danbury, Queen Charlotte for example).
(I’m aware of some of the concerns that the Sophie/Benedict storyline could tread into white savior territory. But I don’t want to overstay my welcome treading into a talk about representation.)
TL;DR: Polin is next year’s main couple and that’s fine with me.
I think one of the reasons I love to HC Colin as the most homicidal when it comes to jealousy is because Colin is the only Bridgerton who doesn’t know what life without knowing his significant other looks like. I mean Anthony, Benedict and Gregory, arguably all met their wives later in life. And Daphne, Francesca, Eloise and Hyacinth also met their husbands after they were out in society.
But Colin, he has known Penelope since way way before she had her debut. She’s always been there tied at the hip with Eloise and Colin is so used to Penelope just being near. He doesn’t know a life without her living next door. Basically Colin has never been subjected to any “before” and “after” meeting the love of his life. He’s the only one in his family that can truly say that.
I mean sure he’s been an idiot and she’s gotten mad at him for a couple of months. And he’s been traveling too. But Colin has always known Penelope’s general location and she has always known his.
And that’s exactly why Colin Bridgerton would be the most feral and unhinged jealous man in the universe. Because the very idea that he could be deprived of Penelope, that somehow, she could just, be snapped up and not be around and just be happy and cutesy with some other man, away from him, would drive him crazy. She’s such a constant in his life that just thinking about another man stealing her away, would make him want to murder all his possible love rivals.
Penelope Featherington is HIS, ONLY HIS….(friend? Really?)
A lot of people think that just because Colin has known Penelope all his life he’s very secure about their relationship, when it’s actually the opposite. This man is away too aware that he doesn’t know what life looks like without her and he doesn’t want to try finding out so he’s really really prone to jealousy.
HIS WIFE, she’s HIS Penelope!, only FOR HIM, every man better get the memo. And stay away from her seductive presence. He shares her with the masses out of pure benevolence on his part, but make no mistake, he married her, and he’s keeping her forever. (Go away Eloise!)
This is how I see Penelope finally snapping at Colin (can’t wait for the angst )
Story Rec: Polin - U Up?
U Up? - DollyPop, Stillpink - Bridgerton (TV) [Archive of Our Own]
Title: U Up?
Summary:
Gentle Reader,
The most shocking news has reached this author’s ears. It would seem the ton’s most eligible gentleman and its confirmed wallflower have begun what they would claim to be “friendly correspondence”. However, these letters tell another, much more scandalous, tale.
AKA: The Regency Sexting AU that you were all waiting for.
— Review
You guys know I don’t usually recommend anything that’s not done yet but this is a masterpiece! 10/10 hands down.
*very spicy
*very well written
*excellent imagery and word choice
*very spicy
Happy Reading!
Polin Drabble: Wallow
Chapter 20 - Wallow aka The one where Anthony and Benedict are too old for this sh*t
—-
Penelope so wanted to stand here and wallow in self-pity but she had to put up a facade of joy in the face of the new Viscountess.
“I think they make a most agreeable match, don’t you Miss Featherington?”
“Oh yes, indeed,” Penelope has had enough practice to not let her smile become a grimace.
On the dance floor, Edwina Sharma and Colin Bridgerton danced with joy on their faces. Their laughter carried past the two women as Colin twirled Edwina, his eyes focused on his dance partner.
It felt a little like Marina all over again.
She had gotten closer to the younger Sharma sister due to their love of literature, so much so that they would find themselves spending a large amount of time at the Sharma’s new home in Mayfair or in Penelope’s residence.
It was not yet the closeness she had once had with Eloise but it was very nice to have a female companion once again who she could have interesting conversations with.
It was one of times they were walking behind the Viscount and his wife that Colin walked over to say hello. He had just recently returned from a trip abroad and was sporting a tan on his now scruffy face.
His laughter rang out as Anthony quipped ahead of them about unkept brothers. Her heart hurt to look at him due to the words she had overheard last season but it did not stop it from racing at seeing his handsome countenance.
She had kept to herself as Colin and Edwina bantered beside her.
She could not help that feeling of dread in her heart as she looked at Colins singular focus on her new friend. It got worse when she caught Kate looking at the two with interest.
Later, Colin would stand beside her as he looked on at Edwina leaving with her mother.
“Miss Sharma is quite beautiful isn’t she Pen?”
With his eyes still on Edwina, Colin did not see the hurt flash on her face.
“She was last season’s diamond after all,” She tried to answer nonchalantly.
“That she was. Pen do you think it would be improper for me to court Miss Sharma?” His gaze finally turned and looked at Penelope,” After all, she was engaged to my brother.”
She bit the inside of her lip to keep her composure before replying,“ Would that stop you if you felt a connection with her Colin?”
“I suppose not,” He turned his gaze back at the retreating lady.
Penelope blinked quickly to bat away any tears that were starting to fill her eyes and swallowed quickly before continuing,” Your happiness is important too. If Miss Sharma is a lady you can imagine yourself courting then you are already halfway there in your decision. As you said, she is beautiful and it looked like the interest is reciprocated.”
Seeing Anthony make his way to his wife, Penelope made her excuses to Kate, and with one last look at the happy couple, Penelope turned away and made her way to the gardens.
Alone in the quiet silence she could finally let herself cry. She had replayed Colins words inside of her head multiple times every day since that night and she thought that she could shed no more tears over him, yet here she was crying over Colin Bridgerton.
“Is this a way for you to punish yourself for your sins?” A female voice interrupted Penelope’s soft cries.
Wiping her face quickly and with her heart on her throat, Penelope turned around to see Eloise standing just a couple feet from her.
She has been the best of friends with the taller girl for years so she knew the look of concern hidden behind sneer.
She drank up the sight of Eloise, she had missed her dear friend so very much.
“I am so sorry for my words to you from when we last spoke, I said things in anger that I did not mean and I hurt you. I am so sorry Eloise,” Penelope took a step towards her.
Eloise crossed her arms in front of her before waving off her words,” So, will you be writing about it for tomorrows papers?”
She looked at her in confusion,”Write…?”
“My brother and Miss Edwina Sharma,”Eloise raised an eyebrow,” You know, the man you love?”
Penelope froze and looked at Eloise in terror. It seems that the other girl had a penchant for finding out her deepest secrets.
“Don’t look so surprised, you didn’t hide it very well,” the taller girl rolled her eyes then sighed,” The only one who probably doesn’t know is my oblivious brother, himself.”
“Eloise…I..I..I…,” Some writer she was.
“…am in love with Colin Bridgerton. Yes we’ve already concluded that,”Eloise face was like a marble stone,” You really are a coward aren’t you. You stand there looking like you are a victim to his cruelness when he doesn’t even know of the depth of your feelings for him.”
Penelope took a deep breath to center herself,” I know that Colin would never look upon me as a woman much less turn his eyes to court me. Trust me I know, I heard him say so - much to his friends delight last season.”
At that, tears fell silently on her face which Penelope wiped just as quickly. There was a crack in Eloise’s icy exterior.
“What are you talking about?”
“I was looking for you that night to apologize when I overheard Colin with Lord Fife and his entourage of gentlemen. It seems that one would have to be MAD to court me. Laughable too. So yes, I know your brothers feelings well when it comes to this matter. I hold no hopes or illusions otherwise. “
“Yet you still love him?” Now Eloise sighed.
“…yet I still love him,” Penelope looked at her friend sadly.
“He’s an idiot,”The other girl frowned.
“ But a handsome one,” Penelope grinned softly to lighten up the mood.
Eloise made a face of revulsion,” Well, your view on that matter is both disgusting and objectable.”
“You are erroneous about the former but your opinions of the latter is understandable,” Penelope nodded before her face dropped again,”My love for Colin, I find, is quite enduring with no hopes of it being reciprocated. He doesn’t even see me as a woman. I do not count. I am …Penelope.”
“What does that even mean?”Eloise starts to tap her left foot impatiently.
“It means that when it comes down to it, your brother would never …could never imagine me as someone he could love with a passion. It’s not even that he finds me lacking in some way, I’m sure. Eloise, I do not doubt his platonic affections towards myself, it is simply that I could not ever be even considered comparable to the likes of Marina Thompson and Edwina Sharma because he simply does not see me in that light.”
Eloise was now looking off to the side but Penelope continued, “I hold no ill will or resentment towards him. He was being truthful that night and at least I now know for sure where he stands. I still wish him happiness and for his love to be returned to him tenfold.“
Silence stretched between them.
“As I said, my brother is an idiot.” Penelope saw that Eloise was not looking at her but over her shoulder - behind her. She felt her eyes widen as she gasped. Not wanting to know but needing to know - Penelope turned around with fear as her heart started to race.
And then she wanted whatever deity or higher power there was out there to strike her down, have the earth swallow her whole, or better yet for her to just disappear into thin air as her eyes locked onto green ones.
NOPE.
Eloise was most definitely correct in her assessment of Penelope it seems.
This was her thought as her feet made haste to put as much distance between her and Colin Bridgerton.
She WAS a coward.
Finally luck was on her side as she hopped into a carriage to take her home. She looked back briefly to see that his long strides almost caught up to her before he stopped in the realization that he could not catch up to her now.
Penelope dropped her face to her hands and wished this night never happened.
——
Penelope tossed and turned all night, dreading the morning.
How long has he been standing there? What did he hear? What he must be thinking now?
She was mortified.
Maybe if she asked nicely, her Mama would let her move in with a very distant aunt in Scotland?
And so she waited, all day.
Nothing.
Colin has made himself perfectly clear with his words so Penelope could not understand why she thought or hoped he would come.
One day, stretched into two and before she knew it - it’s been a week and neither he nor Eloise came to visit.
Penelope had feigned sickness and has been able to convince her Mama that going to another ball in her constitution would not look well for the family.
And so they went, leaving Penelope at home alone.
It was quite late and so she dismissed the staff as she knew her Mama and Prudence would not be home until the early hours of the morning.
She was on her bed trying to read a book to keep her mind preoccupied when she heard a muffled curse. She stopped to look up and easily dismissed it.
Going back to her book before another muffled curse rang out - this one a little louder.
Finally putting the book down, Penelope stood up and made her way to her window.
It was then she heard a loud whisper, “Colin! Get down here!” And an arm startled her as it came inside from her opened window.
“Colin! (Muffle curses)”
Colin’s inebriated and grinning face popped up as his other hand grabbed the windowsill,” Pen!”
He was looking at her as if he was both surprised and pleased to see her face.
Oh good God!
Penelope rushed to help him get inside before the DAMN fool fell from the tree branch that he was precariously standing on.
He fell inside in an uncoordinated and disheveled heap on her bedroom floor.
“Colin Bridgerton!” The male voice outside was now frantic.
Penelope peeked her head out of the window to see Benedict, looking quite inebriated himself, looking down on the ground as he ruffled his hair in frustration.
Arms wrapped around her middle pulled her back in and with a yelp she tried to dislodge herself from its grip.
“You smell so nice, Pen!” She felt Colins breath above her ear just before she felt him use his cheek to nuzzle the same space.
“Colin, this is highly inappropriate,” Penelope placed her hands on his arms that was wrapped around her middle to pry them off of her when he continued to talk.
“But you always smell good. Pen..Penny..Pen Pen..Pennnn-elope. I’ve missed you. I wish I could put you in my pocket and take you with me when I travel. I’m sure you’d appreciate that places I’ve been to more than anyone else. My Pen, my Penelope,” with that, Colin started to sway behind her as if they were dancing to a song only he could hear.
“I am too old for this…”(muffled curses from outside, a thud, then a groan)
“…Colin,” Penelope whispered. The air around them felt too intimate.
She felt his arms loosen before she was spun around, his hands now on her shoulders as he peered down at her. His green eyes searching her face and it made her self-conscious and highly aware that she was wearing her night chemise.
“Pen, you love me? Truly?” He was looking at her in wonder.
She kept silent as he lifted a finger to tuck an errant curl behind her ear, then drag the same finger from the side of cheek, down to her jaw, and rest under her chin. His thumb now lightly caressing her lips.
She licked her lips in nervousness and saw his pupils dilate - his dark gaze flicked back up to her eyes before going back to her lips.
“What do you mean he’s bloody inside her room!” Anthony’s unmistakable voice from outside pierced the silence.
Her eyes widened in terror while Colin seemed unperturbed,”So do you Pen?”
“Do I what?” She whispered as her thoughts become fuzzy once more as he lowered his face so that she could feel his breath on her lips.
“Do you love me?” He was so close…She blinked repeatedly at the closeness of his face.
“Yes,” He pulled the breathy answer from her right before closing the distance between their lips.
His lips were soft but demanding. His hands now rested on her jaws as he tilted her face up - using his experience to make her first kiss more amazing that she could have possibly imagined.
She raised her hands and let it rest on his chest, fingers curling as they used his shirt to keep her standing and steady.
He tilted his face as his tongue asked for permission to taste hers.
Oh this was very nice.
They both let out twin moans.
“Colin! If you don’t come down right now I shall refuse to fund any trips abroad for the foreseeable future!” Anthony’s harsh whisper floated up to their roam.
“Colin, you should go” She reluctantly pulled back, not wanting this stolen moment to end but she knew how much his travels mean to him. Tomorrow he will sober up and regret his actions. No doubt, he would want those funds to travel as far away as possible from her person.
Colin surprised her yet again,”That’s fine. I am not planning on going anywhere. At least not without my wife.”
He was smiling so wide that it hurt,”…you are getting married?!”
He nodded.
She was going to start crying. Why was he doing this?
His face transformed to concern before his eyes widened in realization,”..to you!”
“What?” Penelope was so confused.
“My wife. You. (Takes a deep breath) I’m doing this all wrong,” Colin got down on both of his knees, his face now showing a serious expression that is seldom seen on his face.
He looked up at her and held both of her hands,”Penelope, I love you too. I’ve come to a realization that my feelings for you are far more than what one would feel for just a friend. I love you as a man would love a woman, as I would love my wife. MY WIFE. Please forgive this fool in front of you for realizing so late how much he loves you. Please put me out of my misery, I cannot imagine a life without you by my side. I love you Penelope. I need you. I want you. I love you. “
He punctuated those last several words with kisses to her hands, eyes never leaving hers,” I would be lost without you. In return I promise to love you until my last breath and beyond. I will worship the ground you walk upon. Cherish every moment with you. I promise to be the best husband to you and father to our children. “
She was crying at this point.
“So what do you say, Pen?” She looked down at him, sniffling and nodding her head, “ is that a yes?”
“Colin Bridgerton, when I get my hands on you…” They were startled by the THUMP of Anthony falling inside her bedroom from the window. He stood up, one hand behind his lower back and groaning.
They watched wide-eyed as Anthony took in Colin still at his knees and Penelope standing in front of him, their hands still intertwined. His face turning a shade of red that they didn’t know was possible.
“Pssssst! Anthony! Colin! They’re home! Come back down now!” Benedict’s frantic whispers could be heard outside. Portia Featherington could be heard going up the stairs already.
Anthony grabbed Colin by the collar and was pushing his brother out the window with record time.
“I love you! I’ll be back tomorrow with a ring!” Bang Colin’s head hit his head on the open window where Anthony was trying to stuff him to go outside.
“Penelope? Are you still awake?” She heard her Mama’s footstep head towards her room.
“Good evening Miss Featherington, I do apologize for the inappropriate intrusion!” Anthony then followed Colin out just as her Mama opened the door without knocking.
“What in good heavens are you doing?” Portia looked at Penelope who was standing in the middle of her room smiling at her open window.
“Oh nothing Mama. I was just about to go to bed. How was the party?”
Thud
Groan
Thud
Yelp of Pain
Muffled cursing
“Did you hear that?” Portia started to walk over to her window.
“HEAR WHAT MAMA?” Penelope raised her voices, causing her mother to pause and look at her incredulously.
Silence
Portia shook her head and headed out of the room, muttering to herself about how many drinks she must have imbibed that night.
Penelope closed the door to her room and ran to her window.
She looked out just as Anthony, Benedict, and Colin come out from behind the big oak tree. It looked like Anthony had just smacked Colin upside the head because he was rubbing it with a sheepish look on his face while Benedict looked at them with amusement.
Colin had looked up - a smile already lighting up his face when he saw her.
“Pen! Pen! I LOVE YOU!” He started to sing before Anthony put his hand over his mouth.
“You bloody idiot, let’s go!” Head shaking, the older man dragged Colin away as Benedict shuffled after them. The artist gave her a small smile and a wave.
Then the three figures are lost in the shadows of the night.
As Penelope laid in her bed that night, she pulls her pillow to her chest and allowed herself to dream of tomorrow.
TBC ???
Thank you so much for all the likes, kudos, reblogs, and comments for my Polin Drabbles. The amount of love and support I’ve received for them has brought me so much joy!
The Polin Drabbles are winding down - never fear I will finish Transcendent and Formidable as they are part of the Words series. I do love writing shorts/drabbles/one shots so keep an eye out of a new series from me much like this one but with another theme.
I am screaming!
**Main Character Energy**
Story Idea: Polin #51 - Roomates
With her best friend moving in with her boyfriend across the hall, Penelope was in dire need of a new roommate. Enter Eloise’s older brother Colin who just moved into the city.
Polin Drabble - Shrewd
Shrewd - aka the one where a bonnet landed on the wrong brother
He was her undreamable dream. A lasting infatuation that wouldn’t go away even as she tried.
He has never looked at her and will never look at her as a woman. To Anthony Bridgerton, Penelope Featherington was his younger sister’s friend. If that was not bad enough - their age difference of 12 years was like a vast ocean that she could not cross.
She had just turned 16 years old and was out for a walk at Hyde Park with her mother and sisters when a gust of wind had made her bonnet take flight!
Her flying bonnet, much to her horror, had landed on a gentleman whilst he was racing another on a horse. The poor man fell off his horse and onto a mud puddle.
Utterly mortified and concerned for the man, Penelope was near tears as she ran up to him.
Hearing a slight curse as the man groaned and stood up, his clothes ruined by mud, the man took off the bonnet that was still on his face and turned to glare at her.
It was then that his face soften as she apologized profusely and tried to explain her flying hat when she heard her mother.
“What have you done, Penelope Featherington!” Her Mama came screeching and she knew that she would be hearing about this for the foreseeable future.
Viscountess Bridgerton and her daughter Daphne had walked up to them, “Oh Anthony, are you alright?”
“Viscount Bridgerton, I do apologize for my dau-“
Oh no she won’t have a future - her mother will just murder her when they get home.
It was then that she heard the Viscount cut her Mama’s apology,” It is no trouble. She is not some would be bonnet assassin. A simple unintended accident, no harm done.”
Penelope looked up and saw the most handsome smile on his face. It took her breath away. He was so kind.
A loud laughter followed the Viscounts assurance,”Not a word Brother!”
“Colin!” The Viscountess scolded her son but with a smile on her face.
Colin Bridgerton just laughed and laughed. She didn’t know it yet but he would be one of her best friends.
In fact it was Colin that knew of her infatuation with his brother. He told her that he had deduced it by watching her interactions with Anthony.
It would also be Colin who would be secretly holding her had under the table as Anthony announced his engagement to Kate Sharma.
Penelope was happy for Anthony to have wooed such a beautiful, shrewd, and kind woman of the Ton. She was the key to his lock and she’s never seen him so happy.
It was later that they would slip away so that Penelope could cry on his shoulders.
Her dear friend Colin was ever so loyal and such an integral part of her life. She missed him terribly when he would go to his travels. It was only his constant letters that made them bearable.
Yes, Colin was so very important to her and she knew that she trusted him implicitly. That is why on an unremarkable Friday afternoon, she had asked him for a favor.
She had never been kissed before and at this point it’s looking more like she never would be.
She had almost taken back her words when she saw the shock on his reddening face.
But this could be her only chance at having experience such a wonderful thing - a simple kiss.
“Please,” She looked at his green eyes as an emotion she could not name settled in them.
Then with a steady stride, Colin had put both of his hands on her jaw, thumbs caressing her plump cheeks, before tilting his head down and brushing his lips on hers.
It was glorious.
She had never felt this way in her life. Her heart beat rapidly on her chest and a warmth seemed to spread throughout her body.
She had gasped before he brought his lips down once more. She heard a noise and she was surprised to find out it was coming from her.
In response, Colin tilted his head the other way and deepened their kiss as his right hand moved to the back of her head - getting lost in her hair, and the other went down her neck, down her shoulders, and to her back where it rested even as it pulled her closer.
She felt his tongue asking for entrance and found herself letting him in - letting him have a taste of her.
She heard and felt a rumble on his chest as he moaned - her moans joining him right after. Her hands that were uselessly on her sides now found themselves wrapping around his lower back to pull HIM even closer so that there would be no space in between.
She never thought it could be like this. It was hot and wet and oh so delicious. It was when their need to breath pulled them apart.
Gasping, Penelope looked up at Colin and felt her whole world tilt on its axis. Time seemed to slow down as her blue eyes met his green ones - searching his face as to why she’s never truly seen him before.
He licked his lips before moving his hand from the back of her head and put them on her chin, his thumb now caressing her swollen lips, “I’m going to kiss you again, Penelope and if you don’t stop me now - I never will.”
His eyes flicked from her lips and back to her eyes, asking for permission.
“God yes,” She breathed out.
Then he was leaning down and pulling her for another kiss. She didn’t know what this meant but it was as if everything was as it should be. She was only starting to realize that she may be in love with Colin Bridgerton and mayhap loved him for a long time.
She had let herself be blinded by infatuation for his brother and pushed away any thoughts of Colin beyond friendship. He was her friend, confidant, partner in crime and she had known him inside and out. His flaws as well as the multitude of wonderful traits she had appreciated but never associated as Colin - a man instead of just a friend. How could she have looked elsewhere when he was right here all along.
He pulled back and gave her 3 quick kisses to her lips, a big smile on his face - looking at her in wonder, like she was beautiful and precious to him,” Allow me to court you. Let me convince you that I am the one for you.”
She shook her head and before he could pull away, eyes already showing hurt, she corrected him, “ You don’t need to convince me Colin. I don’t know when it happened or how but I believe I may already have loved you. I just didn’t see it. Oh I have been so blind. Please forgive me!”
She looked at him in desperation. Now that she knew that she loved him, she couldn’t bear it if he decided to change his mind. Her worries were for naught as he picked her up and swung her around as he laughed and laughed.
“Oh I LOVE YOU PENELOPE FEATHERINGTON!”
A/N about next Transcendent Update also TCaFoCB preview
SoTranscendent was about 3/4th done but I wasn’t feeling where the story went.
I know I can do better. Penelope deserved better. You guys deserve better.
So that means it will be a little while before I’m satisfied to post the next chapter. Fear not- the next several chapters is actually done but I would like to be further ahead before posting.
Otherwise, please enjoy the Double Update on Formidable and new Polin Drabble -Pragmatic (a Supernatural inspired drabble)
also here is a preview of The Care and Feeding of Colin Bridgerton
Penelope woke up to knocking on her front door. She blearily grabbed her phone. It was 2 am in the morning.
Who the bloody hell knocks on the door at 2 in the the bloody morning!
Shaking her head, she got out of bed, put on her fluffy white rabbit slippers, and grabbing the matching long, white silk robe to cover her modesty.
Making sure that she had her phone on her in case she needed to call for help, she walked slowly out to her living room where the knocks could be heard louder.
“..Pen. It’s me. Let me in,” A weary male voice come from the other side of the door.
Jerking her head back in surprise and waking up fully, Penelope walked faster towards the door. She knew that voice, every inflection seared into her mind - Colin.
She opened the door wide in her haste to let him in not realizing that he was leaning on the door with his weight.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she found herself with an armful of her favorite Bridgerton.
Any other time this would’ve been a dream come true; however, she only had a split second to see Colin’s eyes widen just inches from her face before she and he starting falling.
Twin groans rang out as they fell unceremoniously on the floor, limbs tangled, and pressed against one another.
“Good God, Penelope, are you alright?” She peeked with one of her eyes as she felt the warmth of his breath caress her cheeks.
Yep this isn’t some odd fantasy of hers. She was really lying flat on her back on the floor with Colin Bridgerton cradling the back of her head to soften the fall. He was using that forearm and his other hand to keep his weight from her body, crushing her. Not that she would’ve minded that.
She couldn’t help but gasp softly as she peered up at his face, his green eyes looking at her in worry. She could feel his flat but taut abs against her own soft and plump stomach. His thick thighs entangled against her own. She couldn’t help but feel the muscles on his arms either.
Since when did he gain so much muscle? Colin has always been fit but now….
