Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Colin sighed softly as he looked into the mirror. He had hoped his trip to Greece would help him discover what his purpose in life really was. But even though he had been to the most beautiful places and learned a lot about himself and the world, he still felt a great emptiness inside. The only thing he knew for sure was that, after all, he had to thank Lady Whistledown for revealing Marina's pregnancy before he could marry her. Even though he had thought he loved her at the time, after he had a bit of time to think about it, he knew that what he had felt for her had little to do with love. He had wanted a family—a woman he could give his name and children of his own. Colin had wanted to prove to his family that he was a man they could take seriously, but in his attempt, he had allowed himself to be taken advantage of and had almost fallen into a trap.
He turned his gaze away from the mirror and left his room. His sister was expected to visit with her husband and son. The only bright spot he'd had since his return was finally meeting his first nephew. And so he made his way to his family's private drawing room. When he entered, only his mother and his two youngest siblings were present. He kissed his mother on the cheek and then sat down next to Hyacinth and Gregory, who immediately demanded all his attention.
Before he knew it, his favorite sister was standing next to him with his nephew in her arms, greeting him with a bright smile. Colin stood up and took August from her. He sat down with him on one of the sofas and stroked his hair. “Hello Auggie, I'm your Uncle Colin!” The baby babbled something, and Colin laughed. “I'm happy to finally meet you too!”. He glanced over at Daphne, who smiled at him and then turned to her mother. Colin had spent a lot of time with Hyacinth and Gregory when they were babies. Daphne knew her son was in the best hands with Colin. Colin turned his attention back to his nephew and only looked up when one of the servants announced that Penelope Featherington had arrived.
He gave his best friend a joyful smile. “Pen!” he called over to her. She had come to have tea with his family, as she often did. Penelope turned to him and smiled back. “Colin!” she said softly, walking over to him. “It's good to have you back. You've been deeply missed!”. “Have you met Auggie yet?” he asked quietly, pointing to the baby in his arms. Penelope shook her head. At that moment, Auggie reached out with one of his hands and grabbed Penelope's red hair. “Oh!” Penelope said, looking surprised. The little boy began to squeal and babble.
Penelope laughed and carefully sat down next to Colin so as not to disturb August. “Would you like to hold him?” Colin asked. Penelope looked uncertainly at Daphne. The Duchess nodded gently. “Auggie seems to like you. He's usually shy around strangers!”. Colin carefully picked up August and placed him in Penelope's arms. As soon as he let go, his nephew reached out and grabbed his thumb with his small hand and held it tight.
Daphne had watched the scene with amusement. Her son had snuggled his head against Penelope's chest, holding a strand of Penelope's hair with one hand and Colin's thumb with the other, as if to make sure neither of them would leave. She exchanged a glance with her mother, who was also smiling at the scene.
Colin looked at Penelope thoughtfully. "You hold a child well!" he said, smiling. Penelope's face darkened. "Did I say something wrong?" Colin asked. Penelope shook her head. "No, it's just... I don't think I'll ever have children of my own. No one sees me as a marriageable woman!".
Colin could see the pain in her eyes and felt his heart ache for her. He didn't understand the men of the Ton. Penelope may not have fit the Ton's ideal of beauty, but she had become an attractive young woman. "The men of the Ton don't know what they're missing!" he said quietly. Penelope smiled gently at him. "What about you?" she asked. "I always thought you wanted a big family like your own!".
Colin sighed. "I always thought I'd fall in love and start a family one day. But after Marina, I don't think I'll ever trust a woman enough to marry her!". Penelope shook her head. "Oh, Colin. I know Marina broke your heart, but you'll fall in love again!". "I don't know if I want that, Pen!" he confessed. "I thought I loved Marina, but now I know that it wasn't love. Maybe I wasn't born to find love!".
Penelope looked at him, stunned. "Colin, you love so much. You love each of your siblings so intensely. You deserve to have a family of your own!". The two were silent for a few moments and turned their attention back to August. The little boy had fallen asleep by then without letting go of Penelope or Colin. "I could marry you!" Colin finally said into the silence.
"What?" Penelope asked. She was sure she must have misheard him. "It would make sense. Think about it. We've known each other for so long. You're probably the only woman outside my family I can trust unconditionally. We both want children. But most importantly, I know that with you by my side, I will never be bored. We'll always be able to laugh together!".
Penelope swallowed. He seemed so excited about the idea. She knew the gleam in his eyes well enough. But she also knew she couldn't say yes—not until he knew her secret. "Colin, you don't know me as well as you think you do!" she whispered, avoiding his gaze. Colin looked at her, confused. "Pen? What do you mean?".
Penelope swallowed and glanced around the room, but none of the other Bridgertons were close enough to hear her. Finally, she looked at Colin. "I am Lady Whistledown!" she finally blurted out. Colin stared at her open-mouthed for a few moments before he started to laugh. Penelope felt her face flush. "Forgive me, Pen!" Colin said when he had calmed down. "I can't believe how blind I've been. Of course you're Whistledown; who else would it be?". She lowered her gaze. "You're not mad at me for keeping it from you?".
Colin took his free hand and placed it under her chin. He forced her to look at him. "No, Pen. I'm not mad at you. In fact, I have to thank you. I know you tried to warn me about Marina and I didn't believe you. You still protected me, and for that, I owe you my gratitude!". Penelope shook her head firmly. "You don't owe me anything. I couldn't stand by and watch Marina use you. You're a good man; you didn't deserve to be betrayed like that!".
Colin looked at her. He didn’t fail to notice that she didn't answer him until he knew the truth about her. She had been honest with him. He felt his heart begin to beat faster. Wasn't that proof enough that he could trust her?. "You still owe me an answer!" he said. Penelope looked up and met his gaze. Just like when they were children, she couldn't say no to him. "All right!" she whispered softly.
Colin's face began to light up. "Really?". She nodded. "Yes, let's get married and start a family!". Colin grinned at her and then leaned down toward his nephew. "Auggie, did you hear that? Penelope will be your aunt!". Penelope burst out laughing, which woke little August. "Oh, I'm sorry!" she said to the little boy, who began to cry.
"Don't worry!" Daphne said as she walked over to them and took her son from her. "It's about time to feed him anyway. I'm surprised he's been quiet for so long!". "I think he likes his Aunt Penelope!" Colin said, looking at Penelope tenderly. Penelope felt herself blush. Daphne looked between Colin and Penelope. "Colin?" she asked quietly, and her brother grinned. He stood up and reached for Penelope's hand. Penelope took his hand in hers and stood up as well.
Colin glanced at her before turning to his family. "Family, I have news!" he called out in a loud voice that made everyone present turn towards him. "Penelope and I, we are getting married!" he announced. Penelope watched his family's reactions with mixed feelings. Violet clapped her hands over her mouth, Daphne's face broke into a grin, the Duke of Hastings looked at his brother-in-law in surprise, and Gregory seemed confused.
But it was Hyacinth's reaction that surprised her the most. The young girl jumped up, ran over to her, and threw her arms around her neck. Penelope instinctively caught her. She heard Colin laughing next to her. "Hyacinth, you have to let her breathe!". Hyacinth pulled away from her slightly but didn't release her from her embrace. "You'll be my sister!" she cried happily. "All these years I've wanted you to be my sister, and now you will be!".
Penelope didn't know how to respond; she simply continued to hold the little girl tightly. Daphne laughed softly. "Just wait until Eloise hears you're going to be our sister. You'll never get rid of her again!". Hyacinth broke away from Penelope, only to then throw herself at her brother. "Thank you for marrying her!" she said in such a serious tone that Colin had to laugh.
Daphne had approached Penelope. "I can't imagine anyone better by my brother's side!" she said so quietly that only Penelope could hear her. Penelope gave her a grateful smile. Finally, it was Violet Bridgerton who came over to the two of them and hugged first her son and then Penelope. "Even though I didn't see it coming, I always hoped that you two would find each other one day!". Penelope felt tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you, Lady Bridgerton!". "Call me Violet, Penelope. After all, you'll soon be my daughter!".
Penelope nodded and glanced at Colin, who was still standing beside her. Their eyes met, and she couldn't help but beam at him. Colin Bridgerton would be her husband. He might not love her, but she knew it would be enough for her. And in the end, she loved him enough for both of them.