Chapter Text
How stupid can Colin Bridgerton really be? Does he know the word consequences?
When she discovered that Colin is planning to elope with no other than her dearest cousin, Marina, she knew she had to save him from a loveless marriage. He will discover that she is not pregnant with his child. He is not extremely stupid. He can count to ten. At least the rest of the ton can.
Now she has to risk her perfectly crafted cover for him. Not only for him. For his whole family.
Damn it! Did he even realise that he's risking his family? How can he choose a girl he barely knew over the safety and happiness of his family?
As Penelope sits in her carriage on the way to her printer, her image of Colin Bridgerton is crumbling apart. The fantasy died. If it weren't for his family, she would risk everything for him. There is a goddamn reason she doesn't deliver her columns by herself anymore. There are too many bachelor longings in Bloomsbury. Even Viscount Bridgerton has one.
Fuck! There is another way! Hopefully I don't regret this.
~*~
Anthony was sure that the events of the last few days would usher him to an early grave. He needed this night with Siena. These are the only moments when he can forget the weight on his shoulders. He can't even remember the last time he slept for more than five hours straight.
Intoxicated by the sweet scent of sleeping beauty in his arms, he is about to fall into a deep sleep. The closest thing to a restful sleep he has.
*Knock knock*
Roused from sleep, Anthony decides to do the only sensible thing at that moment. To ignore the knocking and dive deeper into the warm body next to him.
*Knock knock*
Damn! Now he is fully awake.
He stands up. Grabs his robe and goes to the door!
Oh, I hope everyone has died. Otherwise, this was the last night for the person who so brutally dragged him out of bed.
‘What?!’ Is the only thing he says to his terrified servant.
‘Excuse me, my lord. But she has said that the matter is of the utmost importance and cannot wait any longer. She is waiting in her study.’
Oh, he really hopes it's something of the utmost importance. And who the hell has the nerve to just wait in his study in the middle of the night? He doesn't even know if there's a good explanation for that.
Furious, he opens the door to his study. He is very determined to throw whoever that is out as quickly as possible.
"I hope for you that this is really an emergency or ..."
And then he sees her.
Penelope Featherington
~*~
What the hell! What is Penelope Featherington doing here? Is this a dream? It must be a dream.
He's starting to get dizzy, too. Luckily, he still has a firm grip on the doorknob.
‘How?’
Is the only thing he can manage. While he looks at Penelope, who is sitting comfortably in a chair at one of his desks. Fortunately not his chair. She still seems to have a bit of sense. Wait a minute, is she wearing a maid's uniform? Since when does Penelope have such beguiling feminine curves? No! That's a thought for another time. What's happening here?
Penelope must have realised that he is hopelessly overwhelmed by the situation. Which is exactly what she expected. In a thoughtful and calm tone, she relieves him of his misery.
‘My lord, thank you very much for taking the time to see me! I hope you will forgive me for being so invasive. But we shouldn't have this conversation without a drink. Please have a seat.’
She points to his chair. As he walks round the table, he notices the two full glasses and the documents in front of her. Now he is intrigued. This is going to be an interesting night.
‘Miss Featherington, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? Has one of my brothers compromised you?’
‘My lord, of course not.’ She added with a little smirk. ‘If I were an unmarried lady looking for pleasure, I would not seek it from someone who could impregnate me.’
Did she just imply that she sleeps with women? Where is the shy and delicate Miss Featherington? And who is this bold and witty woman?
‘But the reason for my visit is quite a delicate matter. You're right to worry that I'm here because of your brother's stupidity. I don't want our families' reputations to be tarnished.’
Fuck! What the hell has Colin done again?
‘I found out a few hours ago that Colin wants to run off with Marina. They should be busy with the preparations right now.’
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
‘The big problem is that Marina is pregnant.’
Damn! I really should have dragged Colin to the brothel.
When Penelope raised an eyebrow questioningly, he realised he'd just said that out loud. Damn it! He needs more than a glass for this conversation.
‘Marina arrived here pregnant. My father had to take her in because of his debts. I don't think he knew about Marina's condition, or if he knew at all. Marina found out about it in the first few weeks of her arrival. So did my mother. Since then, my mother and Marina have been planning a quick wedding. Mother wanted to find Marina an old man who desperately needs an heir.’
Anthony felt sick.
‘But Colin remained ... stubborn. He's trying to be a hero and making a fool of himself in the process.’
He hadn't heard such an accurate description of his brother in a long time. Impressive.
‘I think we mainly have three options. Firstly, we do nothing. Colin and Marina elope and are married in a few days. In a few months, everyone will know about the pregnancy. Everyone in the ton will think that Colin is responsible. Which will damage your sisters' prospects. After a while there will be rumours about whether Colin is the father at all. If it is a girl, then that should be bearable. But if it's a boy, then a non-Bridgerton in the line of succession. Especially with you and Benedict as unmarried rakes, it will be a disastrous scandal.’
Penelope took a quick sip from her glass. Anthony realised that this was not the first time she had drunk hard liquor. Who is this woman?
‘For my family, any marriage between Colin and Marina would be a catastrophe. You, my lord, and Lady Bridgerton are no fools. You would realise at once that my mother has betrayed you. I can't even imagine what rightful punishment you'd have in store for us. That's why I tried to warn Colin personally. But he dismissed me as naive. I told Marina not to go ahead with her plan. But she's just a mother who wants to protect her child.’
With a lump in his throat, Anthony tries to answer.
‘Miss Featherington. Thank you for putting your trust in me. You have analysed the situation impressively. But I think we can agree that doing nothing is not an option. I assume that you have come up with two real solutions. Please continue.’
‘My two solutions are based on an advantage I am prepared to stake for the Bridgerton name. I am Lady Whistledown.’
Penelope Featherington is Lady Whistledown. With that realisation, everything went dark.
~*~
Anthony's face was abruptly covered in liquid. He recognised from the smell that it must be his drink. Then he heard Penelope's soft voice.
‘My lord, are you all right? Let me help you up.'
He gratefully accepted Penelope's gloveless hand. She gripped his bicep firmly with the other. With his other hand on the edge of the table, he lifted himself back onto his chair.
‘My lord, please excuse the liquor in your face. I panicked for a moment. Are you all right?’
Anthony nodded briefly and gestured lightly towards her seat. Now he knew who he was dealing with. Lady Whistledown is sitting in front of him. And she's been hiding under his nose the whole time.
‘Miss Featherington, don't be worried. You just presented me with a lot of concerning information in a short space of time. And I'm not sure how Whistledown can help.’
‘Firstly, I'd like to thank you. For still trusting me despite Whistledown and not being furious.’
‘Oh my dear Miss Featherington, I am furious. Don't underestimate me. But we have another problem to solve right now.’
Penelope takes a big gulp to hide the fear on her face. She's not sure she'll succeed. Perhaps she should have prepared an escape plan. Gen will surely be able to help her somehow.
‘So ... to my suggestions then. Originally, I wanted to bring out a special edition early this morning. In it, I would have revealed Marina's pregnancy and made it clear that Colin is not the father. Lady Bridgerton would then have enough time to stop Colin. That would also give you every reason to break off the engagement. The scandal for the Bridgerton family would be quickly forgotten.’
She hands him the draft of the column. He raises his eyebrow higher and higher as he reads it.
‘You can't print this.’
‘That's what I thought, too. That's why I'm here.’
‘Then I hope for your sake, Miss Featherington, that your last idea is useful.’
‘You have to confront Colin with reality. He certainly won't believe you. That's why I've prepared a letter. Signed by Lady Whistledown.’
‘So the plan is for me to go to Bridgerton House. Stop Colin from eloping. And then? How do I know your mother won't let everyone know that Colin is responsible for Marina's condition?’
There was an oppressive silence in the room. Anthony could see Penelope thinking. It was fascinating. How can someone so young act so tactically? He wondered how the delicate young creature before him had built an entire empire out of nothing. Is he admiring Penelope right now?
‘You have the letter. My mother would never go against Whistledown.’ She added quietly, ‘At least I hope so.’
‘We must have given your mum something she's always wanted.’
He took another good look at her. A mischievous grin appeared on his face. He had never been so sure of a decision before.
‘Marry me.’