Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"How do I look?"

Colin was fidgeting with his waistcoat when he asked the question. He didn't wait for the answer as he started fidgeting with his cravat next.

"Why do you not have a mirror in here, Anthony? No wonder you always look disheveled whenever you come out of your study." 

Colin kept looking around for something that would at least have a reflection.

Anthony scoffed at the implied insult. He looked at Benedict, then at Colin. "With or without a mirror, the usual cause of my disheveled state is because of siblings who have a penchant for driving their eldest brother up the wall with whatever new scandal or headache they can come up with on a daily basis."

Anthony and Benedict continued to watch their younger brother go around the study to try and find a looking glass.

"Colin," Benedict called.

Their brother turned. "What? Did you say something?"

Benedict snickered as he looked at Anthony.

"Unbelievable! He didn't hear a word I said," Anthony said indignantly to Benedict.

Benedict rolled his eyes and gave a dramatic sigh. "Colin! You're wasting your time looking for something that's not here. You look impeccable. Not a stitch or hair out of place. So, can we please meet the rest of the family outside? They are waiting for us. We don't want to be late for your engagement dinner."

Colin finally relented. It was just nerves; he was sure of it. He couldn't stop his fidgeting. He needs to keep moving, though; the thought of making a mistake of some sort during dinner looms as a possible make-or-break for the success of their engagement.

Considering this is his second engagement dinner. 

In the same house.

With almost the same group of people.

It gave him a knotting in his stomach that he couldn't get rid of. The only difference this time—and one he was very thankful for—was that the person he was lucky enough to be engaged to the second time around and also for the last time was finally the right woman.

The one who was right under his nose all this time and the one that almost slipped from his grasp and almost got away.

Colin trudged his way to his brothers. "My apologies, brothers. I'm just a bit nervous." He sighed. "I just don't want this to be like my first engagement dinner." He looked at Anthony. "You were there. You'd remember."

Oh, he did. Anthony thought. And he wasn't entirely helpful to his brother during that time either. He clasped Colin's shoulder.

"It's different this time, Colin. Everything will be alright. This time you have the full support of both families, and you have a wonderful fiancée—who will be very cross with you if we don't get there on time."

Colin nodded. He felt relieved. It will be different this time around. He'll make sure of it. He'll make sure that Pen will also have a good time and will remember only good things with him from now on.

"I'm ready."

Benedict beamed. "Good! You just have a little..." He reached out his hands to Colin's face as if trying to remove something.

"What?" Colin asked. But before he knew it Benedict licked his own thumb and smudged it across Colin's cheek.

"Ack! Ben! What the hell!" He slapped his brother's hand away and stepped back. Colin tried to rub it off his face with his sleeve. Benedict was snickering and proud of his handiwork, while Anthony slapped the back of his head.

Colin glared at his brother. "Really?! My face is going to smell really bad, and Pen wouldn't want to kiss me because of it! Out of all the days you want your prank—"

"What is going on in here?! We have been waiting on you three for the last five minutes!" Kate was at the door with her hands on her hips.

All three brothers started talking at the same time.

"These two are the cause of our tardiness, my dear."

"Benedict is being an arse!"

"It was just a bit of fun. Don't have a cow, Colin."

She held up her hand. "I do not want to hear it." That shut them all up. "We're late." She pointed to the hallway. "Now march."

The three held their tongues as they walked towards the foyer, lest they anger a pregnant Kate further, who had to walk to the study to fetch them. Like children.

---

"They are late."

Portia commented. She looked over to her right behind her, where Elliot was standing. He only smiled in reassurance. "They'll be here, my lady. There's nothing to worry about. It can only be expected from a jovial and rowdy family."

"He's right, Mama." The soothing voice of her youngest on her right added to interrupt her thoughts of paranoia. "I'm sure it's either Lady Violet or Lady Kate who is rounding up all the wayward Bridgertons from each corner of the house." Penelope has witnessed this several times. It takes longer to round up all siblings in one place compared to the amount of time it takes them to finish an engagement of some sort as a family for the day.

Portia sighed. "If you say so." She looked over the rest of her family. The whole family was facing the entrance of the foyer instead of the usual greeting of standing on the side with the lord of the house heading the greeting.

The Featherington women were all in front to greet the guests. From the left, starting with Portia, Penelope, Philippa, and Prudence at the far right. Elliot, Albion, and Harry stood behind them, in between each lady.

His mother was right, Elliot thought. It is always a task to gather all Bridgerton children and grandchildren for an event. Especially for the ones that are mandatory when it comes to attendance. Certain events, like a debutante's presentation.

One such event was his cousin Charlotte's presentation to the Queen. He chuckled at the memory. It was not his best moment, though, since he participated in a celebration at Whites just the night before the presentation of his cousin.

---Flashback---

"Mother, please! Not so loud." 

Elliot cradled his head with both hands as he tried to shield his eyes from the glare of the morning light.

It did not help that the rest of the younger Bridgerton grandchildren—his cousins who were not out of society yet—were running amok all around the foyer of Bridgerton House.

Penelope frowned at her eldest. This was the consequence of pushing the boundaries of being a light drinker. She then looked at the other three people surrounding the small round table. Agatha, Edmund, and August, who were all snickering at Elliot's current state.

She, Daphne, and Sophie have tasked themselves with assisting Kate in making sure that everyone will be accounted for and in attendance for Charlotte's debut so that Kate herself can focus on her eldest daughter. This also means that they are in charge of crowd and crisis control. So far, they have been able to manage one crisis at a time. But even a well-oiled machine has its limits. Penelope's patience has been tested since this morning and so have Daphne's and Sophie's.

Penelope fixed Edmund and August with a glare that rivaled their mothers. "Whatever you have done to your cousin, undo it," she said sternly.

"Yes, ma'am," August and Edmund said and nodded at the same time.

She turned her back to them and addressed her other nephews who were running around. "Alex. Will. Where is your brother?"

Edmund, who was sitting next to Agatha, whispered to her. "Your mother is scary when mad."

Agatha shrugged her shoulders. "She wasn't Lady Whistledown for nothing." She grinned and looked up to see August already instructing a servant to concoct a drink for a hangover.

Edmund seemed to have other plans and sat next to her brother and offered his flask for him to drink more.

"I don't know why you're waving that flask in my face, cousin. It's either you think I'm not hungover enough or it is a magic potion that would clear my headache instantly," Elliot drawled.

"Tsk! It is a simple remedy, cousin. If you continue to drink, there can be no aftereffects." He gave him a pointed look.

A rumble of laughter was heard from August. "And, who, pray tell, told you this wisdom?" He crossed his arms.

"Uncle Ben did!"

He shook his head and took the flask from Edmund's hand and put it in his waistcoat. "I have no doubt, cousin, as Uncle Benedict can outdrink anyone at any time." Then, the same servant who he was giving instructions to earlier came back with a short glass of liquid inside.

"Thank you." August placed the glass in front of Elliot. "Drink. It's Uncle Colin's hangover remedy."

Elliot immediately drank everything in one go. "Blech! Poison!" He said in disgust. "Is this truly my father's concoction? It tastes awful."

"I didn't say it would taste like rainbows." August chuckled as he sat on the vacated seat next to Agatha. "It's not instant. Just give it a few minutes. He gave me one after a very memorable revelry with my Eton friends when I was pressured to drink more than I could handle." The 'revelry' was a secret between him and his godfather. "Uncle Colin learned of it in one of his travels."

"Thank you, Auggie." Elliot could feel the throbbing of his headache ebb away. It was a good thing his father was a well-traveled man.

---End of Flashback---

"The Lord and Lady Bridgerton. The Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton. Mr. Bridgerton (Benedict). Mr. Bridgerton (Colin). Ms. Bridgerton (Eloise). Ms. Bridgerton (Francesca). Mr. Bridgerton (Gregory) and Ms. Bridgerton (Hyacinth)." The footman announced, who appeared a bit out of breath.

The Bridgertons walked towards their hosts, whom the latter met halfway in the Featherington foyer.

"Apologies for our late arrival. Some members of my family were dallying." Anthony chuckled.

Elliot waved his hand to dismiss it. "Please think nothing of it. We're all here. Healthy and safe."

Tentative smiles were passed around as each member of the family looked at one another. Perhaps thinking of the same night and the same event a year prior.

The only ones who didn't seem to be affected were the adults who were not present at last year's engagement dinner. Elliot, Kate, Ben, Eloise, Francesca, Albion, and Harry.

Although they weren't present, they were somehow briefed on what transpired.

Elliot decided to break the ice as the host for the evening. "Lord and Lady Bridgerton. I don't know about you, but that announcement was quite long-winded. Wouldn't you agree?" He smiled charmingly.

Anthony and Kate laughed, followed by the rest of their family, who now had easy smiles. Even his family was laughing genuinely at the jest he made.

"I'm afraid it is one you can expect by having several siblings." Anthony chuckled. "Be thankful that your footman did not include everyone's first names. We'd be here all evening." That earned chuckles all around, their happy smiles still in place.

"All charming names, I must say," Penelope added.

Violet beamed. "Thank you, Penelope," she said softly.

Elliot turned his attention back to the Viscount. "I will keep your suggestion in mind...Anthony." He grinned, and so did Anthony.

"Be sure to do so in the future...Elliot." Both shook each other's hands firmly and friendly. The tension between two families was finally broken.

"Well! I'm glad we are all in such good and high spirits this evening. Shall we commence with dinner? I'm sure you are all famished." As hostess, Portia gestured for Varley to lead them to the dining area.

Elliot led the group, accompanied and fell in step with Anthony and Kate. Behind them, Portia walked beside Violet. Hyacinth and Gregory paired with Francesca and followed behind their mother, while Benedict fell beside Mr. and Mrs. Finch. They were followed closely by Eloise and Mr. and Mrs. Dankworth. This just left the engaged couple at the foot of the stairs.

Colin smiled at Penelope. "I'm finally left alone with my fiancée." He kissed her hand and entwined it with his arm, keeping her close. They weren't alone, per se. There were a few footmen stationed in the foyer.

Penelope grinned. "It sounds as if you have other plans with me, good sir. Do you?"

Colin laughed heartily. "Only good plans, my love. Only good plans." He winked. They started to go up the stairs, albeit slower than the rest. "I'm really looking forward to this dinner, Pen. I'm so happy it's with you."

She could tell he was. She was happy too. "Well, judging by our family's initial greetings, it's turning out to be a good evening. I'm looking forward to it being an even better one by the end of dinner...so as long as Prudence doesn't sing." She hid her laughter behind her hand.

"Pen! What a barb!" And he could see it. Lady Whistledown. How come he never noticed it before? The wit. The intelligence. The barbs. It's all in one woman. His woman.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

The question interrupted Colin's thoughts. He smiled. "That's my little secret, Pen." Penelope was surprised. He managed to turn her "my little secret" comment back at her.

"If you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine," he said expectantly. But it wasn't the time for secrets to be shared as they finally reached the dining room.

"Ah! Finally! The gentleman and lady of the hour." Elliot gestured for the couple to take their seats. Their families have already taken their assigned places.

There have been obvious changes—pleasant changes—that Colin had noticed. The table was longer to accommodate more people as spouses and children have been included in dinner. Penelope was adamant in including Hyacinth and Gregory at dinner—which tugged at Violet's heartstrings. However, the children will not be participating in any tea and desserts in the drawing room after dinner but instead will be going back to Bridgerton House to get ready for bed since they still have a curfew.

Each head of the household is seated at each end of the table. Kate was seated at her husband's right, and seated in front of her was Portia. At the other end of the table, Colin was seated at the left of Elliot, with Penelope sitting next to Colin. Violet was at Elliot's right. The rest of the family was spread throughout the middle of the table...and Hyacinth and Gregory were facing each other's seats...to avoid bloodshed.

---

Conversations were lively. Elliot could not hear everyone, but he could see that everyone was enjoying themselves. This is a dinner that he's used to at home. A mix of families and each member conversing with relatives outside of their immediate family. It felt like home. Almost.

"I heard you came back to the start of the season from your second tour, Colin."

Colin looked up at Elliot. "Yes, I did. Do you travel as well?"

Elliot shook his head. "No, but my little brother had inherited my father's love for travel. He plans to make his way into the world on his first tour as soon as he comes of age." He thought of Thomas.

"A young man already thinking of creating his own mark on the world. How exciting!" Violet said. 

Elliot smirked. "It is. I even spied him marking the continent on his map on the places he wanted to go."

Violet continued to smile with her wide eyes. "It's the same with Colin! Do you not have your own map in your room?" Colin chuckled at his mother's enthusiasm. "Yes, I do. And I take it with me wherever I go."

"What would be your most favorite place to visit, Colin?" His fiancée asked. He looked down at her, then looked up and thought for a bit.

"Greece."

"The place is indescribable. The oceans have the bluest color I had ever seen. Well, only second to another set of blue pools that I've been witness to for a long time."

Penelope tilted her head. "Which place is that, Colin?" She asked with childlike curiosity.

"It's not a place but your eyes."

"Oh. Um." She could tell she was blushing. "Thank you," Penelope said quietly. What else could she say?

"You're welcome, Pen." Colin kissed her hand as he saw her blush and gave himself a pat on the back. Penelope was already turning into a tomato.

"He's got you there, cousin. And I agree." Her cousin smiled, and she looked at Violet as well, who was smiling at her son, seemingly impressed by the compliment.

"I would like to take you there soon, Pen, if you'd like to travel with me."

She gasped. "For your third tour?" He nodded. "I would love to!" She exclaimed. All conversations paused to look at Penelope.

"You would love to what, Penelope?" Kate asked.

Penelope smiled sheepishly. "To travel with Colin." She looked up at Colin, who was still holding her hand beneath the table. He gave her a soft smile in return. "I plan to start another tour after we marry. Traveling alone can be very fulfilling, but I've learned in the past few weeks that I would be happier if I could share the fulfillment and experiences with someone."

"I think it's a wonderful idea." Now all heads turned to Anthony, who was wearing an easy smile on his face.

"There is nothing more gratifying than being able to spend your time and every waking moment with your other half, whether it would be in one place or in different places." He held his wife's hand on top of the table as he said this.

He broke eye contact and turned back to Colin. "In fact, your next tour would be on me. Please think of it as my early wedding present to you and my new sister."

Colin made a surprised choke, clearly shocked at his brother's wedding gift. "Ant, I don't know what to say. Thank you." He grinned at Penelope.

"Thank you. We appreciate the gift. Truly." Penelope beamed.

"You're welcome...sister." 

Private conversations resumed immediately.

"And I appreciate the gesture, Lord Bridgerton." Anthony turned to see Portia smiling at him with a look of gratitude. It was the first time he had seen it.

"What gesture, Lady Featherington?"

Portia sighed. "I think we can both agree that the last engagement dinner held in this house was not the worst one but not the best either."

"And I admit that I had a hand in pushing your brother to Ms. Thompson. My only goal then was to protect my family, but in doing so I have hurt your family and imposed scandal upon you."

"I kept pushing for them to travel in haste so that Ms. Thompson can ensure that the parentage of her children will not be questioned."

She sighed to gather more courage for the next words she'll say. "Back then, I didn't care who I used and who I hurt, all for the sake of family. But now I know better." Anthony noticed that she turned her gaze to the head of the other end of the table. Portia looked back at them.

"Our new Lord Featherington has greatly influenced this household for the better ever since he came here, and we have been following his example on the right way to treat people. I'm sorry, and I hope you can forgive my plotting and scheming that has put a wedge between our families."

Anthony has never seen a genuine smile from Portia—until now. "I appreciate the gesture of your wedding gift to the happy couple. It only means that unlike the last engagement, you fully support this engagement and my daughter."

Anthony looked at his wife and saw her smile and nod. He reminisced about the dinner with the Sheffield’s. A dinner that did not leave something to be desired as well. Hell, it was worse than Colin's. His own wife made mistakes, and so did Lady Featherington. People do crazy things in the name of family.

"I accept your apology, Lady Featherington. I was not forthcoming either the last time I was here in your home. My disapproval of the match was obvious, and it showed. I was suspicious of your suggestion for them to travel almost immediately after the wedding that it raised warning bells, thus my complete rebuff of any suggestions or proposals coming from you."

"I was a guest in your home, and no matter what the situation was, I should have shown the proper respect to the Lord and Lady of the house. I hope you can also forgive my actions back then."

"Thank you, my lord. I accept them as well."

They heard the clanging of silverware on glass, and they turned to see Elliot gathering everyone's attention for a toast.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast to two people whose love match has brought two great houses together. I heard that it is quite rare for friends to become more, especially if one of them is being stubborn." Snickers could be heard all around. "But both have been brave enough to give love a chance, and here we are. Colin and Penelope, we're very happy that you have found each other. May the life that you will start be filled with love, understanding, and respect. I can assure you that more than one family will always be there to support you, whether you ask for it or not. To Colin and Penelope!"

Everyone raised their glasses for the couple. "To Colin and Penelope!"

---

Everyone was in rapt attention as they sat around the drawing room. They listened to the slow, melodic keys of the pianoforte.

Penelope was sitting in one of the settees, facing the pianoforte. She was also facing the person who was playing the instrument. Colin.

It was a pleasant surprise when her fiancée escorted her to sit, kissed both her hands, and told her that he has a gift for her. The Bridgertons appear to be aware of this surprise from Colin, as they just smiled at her and took their places to sit.

Penelope knew she would be a weeping mess before the night was over. She also can't seem to help that her heart seems to grow twice its size as she listens to her husband-to-be.

With Colin's eyes locked on Penelope's, he started to sing from the heart...

Wise men say

Only fools rush in.

But I can't help falling in love with you.

Oh, shall I stay?

Would it be a sin?

Oh, if I can't help falling in love with you?

Elliot looked back and forth at his parents. He could see his mother's cheeks stained with happy tears, moved by his father's declaration of love through music.

Like a river flows

Surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes.

Some things are meant to be.

Take my hand.

Take my whole life, too.

For I can't help falling in love with you.

Oh, for I can't help falling in love with you.

Everyone clapped as the song ended. This prompted Penelope to walk towards her fiancée to embrace him.

"Oh, Colin. It was beautiful. That was the sweetest, most romantic gesture anyone has ever done for me. I love you too." She looked up at him with eyes still glistening with tears.

He smiled and wiped away her tears with his thumb—happy that she approved of his surprise. Colin returned the embrace, not caring for their audience.

"You're worth it, Pen. You're worth everything."