Chapter Text
Today was Colin Bridgerton’s wedding day, and he couldn’t be more elated. He had only found this out a few minutes prior, but his excitement remains nevertheless.
It had been two weeks since he’d decided on his bride to be, and though he’d sent her a handful of letters and received none in return, he’s doing his best to keep his spirits high.
The most he knows about the woman is that she’s supposedly very kindhearted, likes the outdoors, has lovely red hair, generous breasts, and enjoys cross stitch.
Cross stitch.
That was it. That was the only thing listed as her interest. So, he supposed she either lacked personality, or just…really enjoyed cross stitch.
Perhaps she lacked imagination? There are plenty of things to do in the world, just pick one and do it. Simple. Did she not have enough tutors growing up? The footman did mention her father’s gambling reputation…and the fact that her dowry was significantly lower than the rest.
Colin didn’t care. He wanted her. He wanted his Pen.
She’d stolen his heart the moment his eyes laid upon her adorable pudgy cheeks. He was overwhelmed with the desire to squish and kiss them, and wished so very much that she didn’t live so far away if only for the fact he longed for her presence more and more as the days went on.
He wanted to speak with her, get to know her before they had to stand at an altar and utter vows they don’t truly mean.
He wanted to mean them. He wanted her to mean them…
And so, here he was, waiting nervously for her carriage near the entrance of the large palace where he and his royal family call home, and have for generations.
His palms were sweaty, his heart racing with excitement while his foot bounces against the floor.
Technically he’s supposed to greet them in the throne room, where he’d be sitting on his royal chair and ensuring she understands her place as his princess. Ensure she sees the power dynamic in their relationship, their marriage.
But Colin didn’t like that tradition. He didn’t approve of the power dynamic between men and women, and though yes, he obviously will have more authority than his wife, he still wished for her to feel equal to him. Because to him, that’s what his wife should be.
His equal.
His everything.
“Why are you out here?” A voice calls from behind him, soft tapping echoing on the marble floor as heels descend down the curved stairs. “Mother is looking for you.”
Colin looks over his shoulder as he smiles at his younger sister, unable to hide his joy. “Penelope will be here any moment, I just received word her carriage had arrived in town not long ago.”
Eloise blinks in surprise, a small smile forming. “Now? Truly? We will finally meet the woman you’ve been spouting about for weeks?” She laughs a bit, briefly glancing toward the entrance. “But why are you out here, then? Should you not be getting ready? And have you told Anthony, yet?”
“No, no, I want to meet her first.” He says dismissively, waving his hand and shaking his head. “I need to see if I’ve made the right choice.”
Eloise purses her lips, head tilting while her brows furrow incredulously. “You…you do realize you can’t exactly tell them to turn around, right? Anthony has already agreed, and her father had signed the contract.”
A frown tugs at his lips, but he nods nonetheless. “I know. I just- I need to see what she’s like. I need to speak with her, before all the traditions and rituals get in the way.”
Eloise nods, seeming to understand his wishes well enough. She glances back toward the door, then to him. “So…you’ll just stand here until she arrives? How long have you been waiting?”
“Not long, maybe twenty minutes?” He shrugs, pointing to a tile to the left of them, further away. “Have you ever noticed that chip there? I wonder what happened. Something must’ve dropped and broken it.”
His sibling follows his gesture, a small laugh escaping her. “Wow, and they call me a masochist.”
Colin frowns at that, narrowing his eyes as he crosses his arms over his chest. “You are.” He huffs. “No one isolates themselves as much as you do unless they are.”
Eloise grimaces, turning her nose up. “At least I’m not making a fool of myself.”
“I’m not making a fool of myself.” Retorts Colin, tone sarcastic. “If anything, I’m making an impression.”
“And what impression might that be, hm?” She asks, smirking as she leans closer. “That she’s about to marry an idiot?”
Colin growls, opening his mouth to argue something back until servants begin rushing around them, lining up and getting into formation as trumpets are heard sounding outside, signaling his bride's arrival. His mouth shuts quickly, turning toward the door with a straight back and hands held behind him. He glances toward Eloise, frowning slightly as he kicks at her. “Leave.”
“No.” Eloise says, sidestepping away so his legs couldn’t reach her. “I wish to meet my new sister.”
“She is not your sister yet.”
“But she will be.” She chirps confidently, a knowing smile stretching across her cheeks. “She must be.”
Colin swallows, his jaw clenching at the way his stomach churns. He can’t remember a time he felt so nervous, so on edge…he should’ve had a drink before meeting her, bourbon or scotch would’ve worked to fix his nerves. Dammit, is it too late?
The large ornate doors swing open, the sun’s bright rays blinding both siblings if only for a moment as they squint and glance away, waiting for the doors to close behind them before blinking open. Immediately their ears are greeted by the sound of what they could only presume was the lady’s mother, squawking about how gorgeous the outside was and how the interior was somehow even more extravagant.
The loud woman led the way while being escorted, clapping her hands together as she reaches the two royal siblings. Before she could get a word out, Colin steps forward promptly, bowing his head with a charming smile. “Your majesty, it’s an honor to have you.”
“The pleasure is all ours, I assure you!” She says, matching his smile with her own. “My husband could not join us, as he has more important matters to handle.”
Colin wondered what could be more important than handing off your daughter to an entirely new family, but he decided not to question it. He supposed he was the king in his region, but…still. It felt…odd to him.
“Ah, not to worry. His presence will be missed, though thankfully it is not required for the ceremony.”
The woman laughs, throwing her head back as the sound seems to reverberate off the walls surrounding them. Colin did his best not to cringe, while Eloise didn’t even bother to refrain.
“Oh! Speaking of— Penelope!” She chastises quietly, glancing over her shoulder as she gestures for her daughter to stop hiding from behind her. “Now.” She mutters through clenched teeth.
A gentle sigh whispered through the air before a dainty foot pokes out, his bride in question gracefully emerging from the sanctuary of her mother's shadow to take her place at her side. There she stood, radiant and resolute beside her.
Colin was captivated in an instant, his gaze alight with wonder at the sight of her splendid auburn curls tumbling over her shoulders, the charming blush of rose painting her cheeks, and the tender bite of her lip as her eyes shyly evaded his own.
Guiltily, Colin had never seen a red haired woman before Penelope. He knew they existed, had heard of them and seen paintings of their uniquely colored hair. But he’d never really seen red hair before her. Never really realized how absolutely stunning such fiery locks looked on a person. How they accentuate the freckles and the flush of someone’s cheeks.
He wanted to see more people with red hair.
He wanted to make more…
“I love your hair!” Eloise is the first to break the short silence that seemed to settle between the group, taking a step forward to stand beside her dumbfounded brother. “It’s absolutely gorgeous. I love how curly it is. May I?” She asks coyly, taking another step as she reaches out and twirls a loose strand between her fingers.
Penelope’s cheeks darken as her eyes widen a bit, her shoulders tensing but remaining still as stone. “Th-thank you.” She mutters quietly, glancing downward. “I like your dress… it’s a lovely shade of blue.”
“Thank you! Family colors and such.” She says simply, smiling as she takes Penelope’s hand in her own, tugging her closer. “I can help you get dressed for the ceremony, if you’d like? My sisters and I are amazing at braids.”
Colin chokes on his words, quickly clearing his throat in an effort to save himself. He suddenly had a strange, gnawing sensation happening in his chest. “Uhm, well, that won’t be for another hour or so…”
“Oh, right.” Eloise rolls her eyes at herself, shaking her head. “Would you like to join my brother in the gardens for a moment? Our mothers can discuss the wedding in the meantime?”
Colin frowns, feeling embarrassed that his sister had taken control of the conversation rather than himself, but knows it wouldn’t go unnoticed if he tried to steal the spotlight instead…
Penelope glances to her mother, who gives her a look that could only be read as ‘say yes you fool’, before turning her attention back to Eloise and nodding once. “That sounds lovely.”
In the least, Colin could feel relief at her agreement, a small bit of his nerves calming before he steps up and holds out an arm to her. “I will escort you, your lady’s maid may accompany us as our chaperone.”
Penelope’s gaze drifts from one sibling to the other, her dazzling cerulean eyes locking with his own.
He resisted the urge to gasp, his back straightening as he sucks in a breath. Why did his heart feel so heavy? Could she tell he was sweating? Should he have put on more fragrance oil? Less?
“And I shall introduce you to the rest of our family, as well as the King.” Eloise says to Penelope’s mother, gesturing up the stairs as she begins to lead the way, not even bothering to wait until the woman was ready but she kept up well enough.
In that time, Penelope had taken Colin’s arm hesitantly, her hold loose and uncertain. He understands, and holds no judgment for it, but would be lying if he said it didn’t disappoint him a bit…
“So, you enjoy the outdoors, yes?” He asks, beginning to guide her toward the doors. “I thought you might like to examine our gardens, seeing as you’ll be spending a fair amount of time there, I’m sure.”
She was silent a moment, avoiding his gaze as she allows him to lead. “Y-yes… very much so…”
“What do you like about the outdoors?”
Another silence, which made Colin raise a brow. He tries to search for her eyes, but she seems intent on avoiding his gaze. “Th-the birds..and…trees.”
“…birds and trees? That is what you like most?”
“Grass is lovely too.” She adds, as if that added any clarity to her strange statement.
Colin stares at her, his brows furrowed in light confusion. “…right.”
“Do you draw?”
“No.”
“Play piano?”
“No.”
“Ride horseback?”
“No.”
“Read?”
“No.”
“But…you enjoy cross stitch?”
Penelope nods with flushed cheeks, walking beside him arm in arm through the gardens while her gaze remains wholly on their feet. Her ladies maid, Rae, trailed far behind, allowing them plenty of space and privacy.
“What about that do you enjoy?”
“Uhm. Well, th-the…colors.”
“Colors?”
“And the finished product.”
“Mm.” Colin guides them around a decorative statue, slowly leading her through the walls of flowered shrubbery.
“A-and that I can do it almost anywhere?”
“Right.” He says, not bothering to hide his disinterest. “And how do you feel about today’s weather?”
She perks up slightly, looking to the cloudy sky. “O-oh, uhm, h-how do you feel about it?”
He exhales deeply, looking ahead with hooded eyes. “It feels nice.”
“I-it is rather lovely.” She agrees with a timid nod of her head, returning her gaze to her feet while her fingers lightly danced on his bicep.
“You like to use that word, don’t you?” He asks, his tone clipped. “lovely.”
Penelope blinks in surprise, her cheeks darkening as she briefly glances up to him. “W-well…I-it is a positive description, is it not?”
“Do you know what else would be lovely?” He asks, giving a sideways glance down to her, his gaze briefly, unintentionally, lowering to her heaving bosom before forcing them to lock with her eyes. “If you’d be honest about your interests.”
Craning her neck back, Penelope gasps softly, her eyes widening as she seems to trip slightly on the gravel. Colin caught her effortlessly, continuing their slow walk through the gardens as they round the corner and enter a small secluded area with a large fountain in the center.
“I-I do not know what you mean-"
“I believe you do.” He stops them, glancing over her head to see Rae standing a distance away by the entrance of the archway made of leaves, flowers, and branches.
Good enough, then.
He returns his attention back to his bride to be, expression unimpressed. Bored. “Do you even enjoy cross stitch, or the outdoors? Or are you just lying to marry into Mayfair?"
She gasps, taking a step back as her hand flies to her chest in offense. “I do!” She insists, retracting her arm from his own as her lips purse. “I enjoy the weather, and the birds-"
“So does everyone else!” He grumbles with an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head. “That is not a personality trait, nor a hobby.”
“I-I also enjoy…music.”
He scoffs incredulously, rolling his eyes. “Music.” He laughs, unable to help the sarcastic undertone that settled between them. “Well, aren’t you unique.”
Penelope frowns, brows knitting together. “As if you're any better. Who lists ‘travel’ as an interest?”
Colin blinks, tilting his head back as he looks her over. “At least traveling is a hobby.”
“So is cross stitch.” She counters, crossing her arms under her chest. “Your point?” She waits briefly for a response, but when he doesn’t give one, she rolls her eyes, scoffing. “You also listed ‘eating’, as if that isn’t a basic human necessity. So, remind me, who’s the ‘unique’ one between us, again?”
He pauses as he stares at her, expression unreadable. “..yes, but…I also listed horseback, and-"
“And horses are love-" she cuts herself off, cringing slightly before clearing her throat. “Horses are wonderful creatures, but I do not know how to ride one. So, what is it you desire me to say? That as your wife it’ll be oh so entertaining to watch you frolic through the grass on some great steed, or to sit around and watch you jump hurdle after hurdle? Because quite frankly, it wouldn’t. I’d much rather be—" she stops when she hears the sound of a throat clearing, her head whipping to look behind her to Rae, who gives a subtle shake of her head. Penelope frowns, but understands well enough, clearing her throat again before straightening her back and returning her attention to Colin, who was now smirking for some odd reason.
No matter.
“If you have no further questions for me, your highness, I believe it is time to get ready for our wedding.” She bows and turns on her heel, lifting her skirts to make her way toward Rae, but Colin swiftly reaches for her hand, grasping and tugging it.
“Wait-" he pulls her back slightly but forces her to slip on the gravel, her feet flying right from under her. His eyes widen, grunting while he stumbles forward to catch her. “Shit-"
“Oh!”
With a loud splash and shout of surprise, the two land in the fountain together with Colin’s arms wrapped securely around her waist, her back flush to his front. He held her closely, wincing as his lower back hit the stone bottom. She flails gently in his arms, but otherwise seems perfectly fine thanks to him providing her with a rather protective landing.
Penelope pushes his arms away immediately, rolling off of him as she braces both hands on the fountain’s bottom. She blinked in shock as her eyes lock with Colin’s, his expression identical to her own, if not slightly more apologetic. Her brows knit together, her breathing growing more uneven as she growls under her breath, huffing as she begins to crawl out of the fountain. “You- I cannot believe you!!”
He fumbles after her, slipping repeatedly as he tries to get out “I didn’t mean to- please, wait- let me help-"
“You’ve helped quite enough!” She retorts, practically hissing as she throws her wet hair over her shoulder and slaps him right in the face, forcing him to reel back and fall right on his ass, back in the water. Penelope didn’t seem to notice, and if she did she didn’t care. She pushes off the edge of the fountain, pulling herself up. “I will see you at the ceremony. Unless of course you’ve-"
“I haven’t.” He interrupts quickly, wiping at his face as if that would help him dry off.
She groans her disappointment, which does not go unnoticed to Colin in the slightest, a grin splitting his cheeks as he watches her crawl out of the water and squeeze at her skirts in an effort to wring them out. “Then I will see you soon. Good day, your highness.” Her voice was laced with a venom that rattled his bones, her eyes rolling as she turns and storms off toward Rae, who had run closer to try and help but Penelope waves her off and shuffles past her quickly.
Colin stays in the fountain a moment longer, staring after her as she walks out of his view. His wide grin remains, eyes flashing with amusement as a low chuckle rumbles his chest, suddenly feeling much more confident about his choice in a bride.