Chapter Text
The day of the engagement party finally arrived.
Butterflies have been residing in her belly since this morning. This morning! Colin left before the sun rose. She heard him putting his clothes back on and felt him kiss her shoulder. Lips lingering as if he didn't want to leave her side. "I'll see you tonight, my love."
She wasn't able to respond as she was still half asleep and was exhausted due to their 'enthusiastic' activities last night, which made her blush at the thought. She shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind and continued to look at her reflection in the mirror. "Rae, you did wonderful. Thank you." She really did. She looks and feels like a princess from a fairytale. This was her night... hers and Colin.
"It was not that hard to help you get ready, Miss. Especially since all we had to do was highlight all the beautiful things that were already there." Rae was as proper as expected of a lady's maid, but her words are always supportive and kind. Penelope also didn't expect her loyalty to extend to Colin, particularly during the start of the season. Even before her engagement to him, it seems that Rae already had an idea of how he felt about her.
"Thank you, Rae. You don't know how much your presence and support mean to me and to us. Are you ready for your new role soon?" Rae blushed and nodded. "Yes, miss. Thank you. I never expected for you and Mr. Bridgerton to bring me with you to your new residence and be the new head of the household no less. I'm very grateful."
"We're also grateful for you, Rae. Colin wouldn't have been able to accomplish any of his secret plans of comings and goings in my room if it weren't for your help." She giggled. Her fiancée would really have a hard time if it was just himself doing all of the sneaking around without his accomplice. Rae, still blushing, looked down on the floor and just nodded her head, knowing well that she has achieved the full trust of the future Mr. and Mrs. Bridgerton. She's very happy for the couple, especially for Miss Penelope, who deserved the world.
Mrs. Varley knocked and informed them that Lady Featherington is waiting for her daughter downstairs so they may depart for Bridgerton House. "Thank you, Varley." She looked back at Rae; the butterflies in her seemed to be growing in numbers. "Enjoy yourself, Miss."
The excitement of seeing Penelope again cannot be contained. Colin has been bouncing off the walls of Bridgerton House since this morning. His family appeared to be none the wiser when he came back from his betrothed's residence that morning. He took advantage of the sun not rising yet to sleep for a few more hours. When he woke up, it was late morning. And it was the start of his insufferable and infectious happiness in anticipation for their engagement party, to the annoyance of some of his siblings.
Everyone who's invited is already in attendance. They're just waiting for the bride to arrive. He was in the company of his mother and Kate. Violet was commenting on how the party was prepared and organized so well. "I love the flowers that you've picked, my dear, and I'm excited to try the courses that you've chosen for tonight's dinner, don't you think so as well, Colin?" knowing that the mention of food would garner a reaction from her distracted son.
Kate beamed at the praise. High praise indeed coming from the Dowager Viscountess. They both turned to Colin and tried to hide their snickers at the apprehensive look on his face. His eyes keep darting towards the entrance, willing for someone to magically appear.
"Colin, dear." He turned quickly as if caught in the act. "Yes, mother?" Violet's eyes were twinkling. "I was asking what you thought of the engagement party that your sister has happily prepared for you and Penelope." Colin's attention finally returned to their conversation. He looked at Kate and gave her a genuine smile.
"I couldn't have asked for a better engagement party, dear sister. You have outdone yourself. Pen is not here yet, but I am sure she shares my sentiments in thanking you for preparing this for us in a swift manner." He kissed her cheek in gratitude, which she accepted with a smile that was replaced with a knowing grin when she saw who was at the entrance hall.
"It seems that we can finally start the party since everyone is already here." She gestured with her eyes at who just arrived. Colin looked back, and they saw the look every Bridgerton man shares when looking at the love of their life. They barely heard what Colin said since he was already walking towards his intended. "Please, excuse me."
He halted as he saw another person walking towards his fiancée. Colin and this person both looked at each other, scowling. They moved forward, at the same time, closer to Penelope without breaking eye contact. And both stopped. They gauged their distance to their target and moved forward as fast as they could to reach each of her hands.
"Mr. Bridgerton! Ms. Bridgerton!" Lady Featherington squeaked. She swears, these Bridgerton siblings have an obsession with her youngest that she doesn't understand.
"I caught her hand first," grumbled Eloise.
"I'm engaged to her." Annoying his sister further and ignoring her, he kissed his fiancée's hand. "My bride-to-be."
Eloise scoffed and saw her mother glaring at her from across the room. She relented. "Good evening, Pen, Lady Featherington. I shall see you...'my best friend', later." Eyeing her brother, she gave a nod to the Featheringtons and walked to the other side of the room.
Feeling triumphant that he won against Eloise, Colin looked at his betrothed and was about to compliment on her beauty when he was interrupted. "Your mother's eye for organizing is definitely on par with Lady Danbury." Lady Featherington spoke, looking around the decorations. "This would be my sister, the new Viscountess' doing, I'm happy to say. She has really outdone herself in planning our engagement party." Colin looked at Penelope and saw her eyes widen and looked around as well to appreciate what Kate had done in a short amount of time.
"Well! Everything seems to be in order. Now where are the drinks?" Portia wasted no time in looking for the refreshments table and left the two of them alone.
Finally! Alone with his betrothed. Colin stepped closer as was allowed by propriety, held both of her hands, and whispered. "You are so beautiful tonight, my love." He offered his arm, which she happily took. "I must admit, as you are the most exquisite woman of my acquaintance, I must keep you by my side, lest anyone else tries to pry you from my arms."
"Is that so, Mr. Bridgerton? What if I need to speak to some of the women or wives here with their husbands to congratulate me on my engagement?" Raising her eyebrows at him in mock challenge.
"Well, they must be prepared then, for I will be glued to your side, sharing your happiness with their congratulations," he handed her a glass of champagne, while he picked one up for himself, "and I will also regale each individual or couple with a colorful account of how we met as children and how that fateful meeting has cemented you in my life forever." At this point she was looking at him dreamily.
"Let's start with the yellow bonnet, shall we?" Penelope's little dream bubble popped. "What?" But Colin was already guiding her to the first of the many couples of the evening to whom he will recount the day they first met. "Mr. and Mrs. Bramston!" He shouted jovially.
***
"How are you this evening, my dear?" Penelope gazed at Colin. They were outside by the door of Bridgerton House, giving farewells and thanks to their guests. They were waving at the last set of people who were boarding their carriages. She turned to him fully. "Very, well. I only wish you would not call me 'my dear'." She huffed.
"Why not?"
"Because it's what my father would call my mother when he was cross about something," which was every day. She looked down, remembering when her father was still alive. She would always hear that sneer whenever he would say it to her mother. To some, it may be an endearment, like how Lady Violet would call her children. She'd assume it's what she calls her late husband as well. But she never wants to hear it from Colin when he calls her. It can be anything, except that.
Colin pondered her answer. He knew her family was the complete opposite of his. The way they grew up was different from each other as well. He can't imagine having parents who never loved each other, because that is all he grew up in. Love. And he will make sure that his Pen will know nothing else but love and happiness from him until his last breath. And it will start tonight.
"Oh? What endearments am I allowed?" His teasing tone made her look up and pull her from her melancholy haze. He had his charming smile fixed on his handsome face. To his relief, Penelope's lips slowly turned up into a smile that reached her eyes.
"Well, let me think. Pen for every day. My Pearl for Sundays and... Goddess Divine...but only for special occasions." She bit her lip, giggling. This is fun, she thought. He's always on the same page as her on any type of banter they were enjoying.
He chuckled. "And what should I call you when I'm cross? Mrs. Bridgerton?" He pulled her closer, not caring if any of their family or staff could see them.
"No." Her eyes widened as she caught herself saying it a little too loud. She tried again. "No." She looked down at his chest and started playing with his waistcoat buttons. "You may only call me Mrs. Bridgerton..."
She looked back up at him, "...when you are completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy." That look of adoration was back on his Pen's face. If he could have her look at him like that every day, he would be the happiest of men.
"And how are you this evening, Mrs. Bridgerton?" He held her cheek and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Mrs. Bridgerton." On her left cheek. "Mrs. Bridgerton." On the tip of her nose. "Mrs. Bridgerton." On her right cheek.
And finally on her lips. "Mrs. Bridgerton."