Chapter Text
Penelope Featherington had never wanted to disappear as much as she did the moment that carriage stopped in front of the house. Her head had been plastered in a book much to her Mother’s dismay, the only thing pulling her out of the trance being the abrupt end to Prudence’s singing. Her eyes trailed from her Mother and Sister to the window, revealing a lavish carriage parked in front of their house.
It took all of her will to not run away, instead opting to slowly stand and walk calmly across the house. Mama had been too preoccupied with panic to notice that she had left until she was already up the stairs, but Penelope ignored her Mother’s call as she shut her bedroom door.
Maybe she isn’t here for you…
Even Penelope knew that was a lie. She had saved Eloise from the accusation, but she knew it would eventually catch up to her. Taking a deep breath, she set the book down on her vanity.
With her hands slightly shaking, she forced herself to shove open the door. If she was going to go down, she decided, she was going to go down with the written confidence of Lady Whistledown.
By the time she had gotten downstairs Mama still hadn’t opened the door, only offering Penelope a glare as she tried to gather Prudence to the door. Penelope couldn’t help but anxiously straighten out the light pink dress she was wearing as her Mother cleared her throat, telling her to stop.
It was much easier to be confident when you could hide behind a quill and parchment.
It was much easier to critique the crown that way as well…
She had hoped that she had simply misunderstood the situation, but with the Queen and her footmen in their doorway she knew it to be true. The Queen walked in with cool confidence, her purple dress hitting the doorway as she entered.
All the girls bowed, Penelope not daring to make eye contact. “The Queen is requesting a ride around the town with Miss Penelope Featherington”
Penelope did not know how to respond, so she did not move. Her eyes still fell to the floor, her breaths small and short as she waited.
She did not have to wait long however, her Mama quick to respond with a resounding yes. The words were like a flare, with a sea of people now moving around her and sweeping her out the door. She watched the Queen enter the carriage, hesitating a moment before she entered the carriage of her demise.
The silence was deafening. Penelope could feel the Queens eyes burning into her as she stared deliberately at her lap, tracing the flowers in her dress with her fingers.
“Girl,” the Queen began, “look at your Queen.”
She wished she could channel the confidence of her writing in that moment, to look at the Queen with defiance and grace. Instead, she looked up at the Queen like the terrified 20-year-old she was, her eyes pleading with her to not have this conversation.
“I know it’s you.”
Penelope was much calmer in that moment than she thought she’d be. Ever since Eloise’s run in with the Queen that had left their friendship unresolved, Penelope had imagined scenario after scenario of being exposed. In some scenarios she denied it, in others she was proud. The common theme amongst them all however was that she was terrified.
Except for this one. This one did not feel real, it felt like an odd dream that she would wake up from at any moment, so she used it to her advantage.
“Your Majesty, I – “
“Don’t play the fool, I know you’re Whistledown” The Queen interrupted, waiting for her reaction.
“What makes you think it’s me?” Penelope knew she couldn’t lie or write her way out of this one, but she at least wanted to know what could have tipped the Queen herself off. She attempted to keep her face as still as possible, knowing that if she heard her old friends name as the answer that she would crumble.
“I’ve had my eye on you for a while girl, and the expose on that Bridgerton girl last season was the nail in the coffin. She would never write such a thing about herself even to save face, but a friend trying to save the Bridgerton girl from my wrath? Only she could know and write such a thing.”
“Why did you wait until now? That was written months ago.” Penelope challenged, the Queen’s look noting the lack of attempts to deny her claims.
“Whistledown has a tendency to return with the new season, and with that being only a few days away I wanted to know where her loyalties stand.” The Queen returned, staring back at Miss Featherington with an undefined look in her eye.
“Whistledown is not returning this year.”
Penelope almost wished she were lying, but it was the truth.
“I’ve heard a rumor that you’re not participating in this year’s season, is that true?”
“I’m glad rumors still find their way to you Your Majesty even without Whistledown’s assistance,” Penelope remarked, knowing that she was cutting it close. “It is true though. With everything that happened with Cousin Jack, Mama has decided it best for Prudence and I to sit this season out.”
“You will return this season.” The Queen said, as if simply speaking it into existence.
“Your Majesty, my Family has no money for a dowry or dresses or – “
“When you work with the Crown certain things don’t matter anymore Penelope,” she said, giving it a moment before continuing. “I think you and I could get along very well, if you work with me this season.”
“You would have me discontinue Lady Whistledown once and for all?”
“Heavens no child, I want you in this season to continue your work, I just want you to be conscious of what you say.”
“You would have me censored.” Penelope said quietly, more to herself than to the Queen.
“Censored is a bit harsh. You would simply have to be conscious.”
“What if I say no?”
“My footmen have already given a letter to your Mama explaining my desire for you to redebut this year as a fresh start. Do you really think she would deny her Queen?”
Penelope knew her Mother would pounce at the opportunity, even if it was with her least favorite child.
“What if I kept my writings unconscious, as you say?”
“You, my little Dove, would be playing a dangerous game. I can make your season a wonderful experience, or I can make it a living hell. If I exposed you for who you are, nobody would accept you back into high society due to the fact that you have talked about every family in the ton. The choice is yours my dear.”
“Little Dove?” Penelope questioned, deciding to focus on the least important aspect of the conversation.
“Little Dove is catchy, isn’t it?” The Queen asked, Penelope giving no response. “Maybe I’ll have to declare a dove instead of a diamond this year since a certain writer was so opposed to the idea of diamonds.”
“I really think it would be best if I sat this season out, given everything that has happened to –“
“Hush little Dove, it has already been decided.”
As if she had timed it out all along, the carriage came to an abrupt stop, the door opening to reveal the Featherington estate once again. Penelope stole one more glance at the Queen, almost terrified to know what she had in store.
Almost.