Chapter Text
Penelope Featherington found herself battling a storm of emotions as the days stretched into weeks. What began as hope had slowly morphed into despair. Each passing sunrise reminded her of the promise Colin Bridgerton had made to her before his departure—a promise to court her upon his return. Yet, in the days since he had come back, no such promise had been fulfilled. No tender words, no gestures of intention. It was as though the Colin she had known, the one who had vowed to be hers, was slipping away. The ache in her chest grew heavier with every glance he spared for Maria and her son, Tommy. It was not jealousy she felt, she told herself repeatedly, but a profound sense of loss—of something that had barely begun yet already felt broken.
Maria, with her delicate beauty and graceful demeanor, seemed to draw Colin closer with every shared moment. It was natural, Penelope reasoned bitterly. Maria was a widow, a mother in need of support, and Colin, ever the gallant and kind-hearted man, had stepped into that role with ease. Penelope could hardly blame Maria for clinging to him. But it didn’t make the pain any easier to bear. Each day spent in their company felt like another knife twisting in her heart, a painful reminder that she was an outsider in what seemed to be a growing family.
Nights were the worst. Alone in her room, she would bury her face in her pillow and let the tears fall freely. The memory of her mother’s cruel words haunted her: "Colin Bridgerton would never marry you, Penelope. You’re just a foolish girl with silly dreams." How those words had stung when they were first spoken, and how they stung even more now, as they seemed to take shape as reality. Her mother had always doubted her worth, and Penelope had fought to prove her wrong. But with every passing day, she felt her resolve crumbling. Perhaps her mother had been right all along.
Unable to bear the torment of her thoughts one particularly restless night, Penelope sought solace in the quiet refuge of the library. The familiar scent of old books and the soft glow of candlelight offered her a semblance of comfort. She chose a book of poetry, hoping the lyrical verses would provide a distraction. But her mind refused to focus. The words blurred on the page, her thoughts inevitably drifting back to Colin. How could he have forgotten her so easily? How could he have abandoned the promise that had kept her heart alive during his absence?
The soft rustle of fabric and the faint creak of the library door drew her attention. Penelope’s heart leapt in surprise as she turned to find Maria standing there. The widow’s expression was calm, though her eyes held an unmistakable sharpness.
“Penelope,” Maria began, her voice steady, “it’s good I found you here.”
Penelope straightened, her hands clutching the book tightly. “Yes? Is there something you wish to say?” she asked, her tone guarded.
Maria stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. “I think it’s time we speak plainly,” she said. “I know you dislike my presence. Frankly, I cannot stand you either. But there’s no point in pretending. I would request that you stop holding onto hope for Colin.”
Penelope’s grip on the book tightened. “He promised to court me before he left,” she replied, her voice firm despite the ache in her chest.
Maria’s expression softened, though her words were no less cutting. “Promises made in the past are often forgotten in the present. Circumstances have changed, Penelope. You are an unmarried woman. It would be wise to find another man, one who can give you the life you deserve.”
Penelope felt a surge of anger rise within her. “You cannot stop me from feeling what I feel,” she said fiercely.
Maria’s lips curved into a sad smile. “And I cannot stop Colin from feeling what he feels. My son needs a father, Penelope. Colin has been kind and caring to me from the very beginning. It’s only natural for us to grow closer.”
“I love him, Maria,” Penelope whispered, her voice breaking.
“Then we simply must wait for him to make a choice,” Maria replied coldly, turning on her heel and leaving Penelope alone with her shattered hopes.
The following morning, Penelope’s heart raced with apprehension when Colin sought her out. His request for a private conversation sent her thoughts spiraling. She feared the worst—that he would declare his intention to marry Maria and fulfill the role of Tommy’s father. She could barely contain her dread as they walked through the garden together, the air thick with unspoken words.
“Alone at last,” Colin teased, his familiar grin making her heart ache.
Penelope forced a smile, though her stomach churned with unease. “What is it you wish to say?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Colin’s expression turned serious, and he hesitated before speaking. “Pen, you know I love to travel. It’s a part of who I am. But in the past few weeks, I’ve discovered something about myself… something I didn’t fully understand before.”
Penelope swallowed hard. “And what is that?”
He took a deep breath, his gaze steady. “I want a family of my own,” he said simply. “Taking care of Tommy opened my eyes to that.” His smile softened, and Penelope felt her heart crack further.
This is it, she thought. He’s going to tell me he’s marrying Maria. The thought was too much to bear. She opened her mouth to interrupt but he held up a hand.
“Please, Pen,” he said, his tone pleading. “Let me finish.”
She nodded reluctantly, her hands trembling.
Colin’s hands found hers, and he held them firmly. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while now,” he continued.
Penelope’s breath hitched. “Colin, I don’t think—”
“No,” he interrupted gently but firmly. “Let me say this. I believe it’s time.”
“Time for what?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled, a boyish grin that lit up his face. “Time for me to start courting you,” he said.
Penelope froze, her eyes wide with shock. “What?” she managed to choke out.
“Yes,” he said, his voice full of determination. “I want us to build a life together. I believe I made you a promise before I left. I want us to have a family. Two girls with your beautiful hair, no… wait. Four girls ought to do. And a strong boy who will always protect his sisters from trouble.”
Penelope stared at him, her mind struggling to comprehend his words.
“Tell me, darling,” he prodded, his eyes searching hers. “What are your thoughts?”
Tears welled in her eyes as the weight of his declaration sank in. For weeks, she had prepared herself for heartbreak, for the inevitable truth that Colin would choose another. But here he was, standing before her, speaking of a future she had only dared to dream of.
Her voice was barely audible as she whispered, “You mean it?”
“With all my heart,” he replied, his grip on her hands tightening.
"You are choosing me?" She wanted to be sure again.
“Penelope Featherington, I want to spend my life with you. I want to make you happy every single day. Tell me you’ll let me try.”
"What about Maria? You-you have been so close to her...you-"
"She lost her husband. She does not know anyone here but me," Colin reasoned, "as a new mother, she has been scared. I was trying to help her."
Penelope narrowed her eyes, "She warned me off. She likes you, Colin and wants you as a husband."
"What?" Colin jerked, "I do not see her that way! Trust me, Pen!"
Penelope crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him.
"I only want you. I love you!" Colin declared.
A smile broke through her tears, “You do?"
He pulled her into a tight embrace, "Of course. I apologize that you are doubting me. I will do a better job of showing what you mean to me. Starting now."
For the first time in weeks, Penelope felt a glimmer of hope—a hope that this time, her dreams might just come true, "Oh, I love you too, Colin."
As a final thought, she could not wait to show off in front of Maria tomorrow that Colin indeed chose her.