Chapter Text
With the departure of cousin Jack, Penelope’s mother had managed to put the scandal in their favor. Which explained the reason that this very minute Penelope found herself entwined from the arms with Philippa as they took a promenade alongside her older sister and mother. She listened as her sister went on about her marriage, Penelope was truly happy for her, the only issue was whenever her sister visited, Mr. Finch was all she spoke about.
“Pen!” A familiar voice spoke her name loudly from in front of her, prying her eyes away from Philippa, Penelope beamed as she noticed her best friend bounded her way.
Thankfully, the two friends were able to talk it out about her secret identity reveal. She understood how her friend felt hurt and betrayed about her not saying anything and basically allow her to go on a hunt about finding her identity, but Eloise had also realized where Penelope was coming from when keeping it a secret for so long, how she took on Lady Whistledown in hopes of changing society but also to build her own confidence up as Penelope.
In all honesty, their little fall out made their friendship ten times stronger. She would not know where she would be without the brunette, but will forever be grateful.
Penelope gently detached herself from her sister and met Eloise half way, now noticing that the whole Bridgerton family were there, she could see Gregory and Hyacinth weaving through the trees about a meter away from the group with Colin and Francesca keeping an eye on them, Violet and Daphne were between Anthony and Benedict with one arm each looped with the boys.
“Penelope, It’s lovely to see you again.” Violet said to the young woman, she always adored the redhead ever since she was little, she thought of her as one of her own. “You as well Lady Bridgerton.” Said words earned her a stern look sent her way as the older woman made polite conversation with her mother, which she smiled at. Violet had been very persistent with getting Penelope to call her Violet. Unfortunately she has not achieved in sinking it into her head quite yet.
Eloise teasingly tutted from next to her, “My dear friend, I’m certain one of these days mama will kidnap you simply to drill in your head about not being so proper with her.” She grinned while she watched Daphne and Francesca try to make easy talk with her sisters, “She can try, but considering I look up to your mother, it will be a long time before I will accept speaking to her with informal titles.”
“What about the rest of us then? Do we get formal terms as well?” A shiver ran down her back at the cool toned voice, she glanced in the direction it had come from to land on the man that has taken capture of her heart since she was sixteen. Coming back to her senses, she smirked, “You are different, I have seen you eat twice the amount of your weight. I also have far too much blackmail on you.” Colin’s laugh was like a beautiful harmony in her ears, he closed the gap by wrapping her into his embrace. She let herself have this, knowing that he did not feel the same as she did. He loved her but in a friend/family way, her love may not be the same but she is starting to realize that she may be able to get over him if she were to really try.
“Colin, let the poor woman go, you are suffocating her with your coat.” A much deeper voice spoke this time, one she was familiar with but only for being around the Bridgertons home, not directly at her like Eloise and Colin’s. She pulled away from her tall friend and curtsied.
“Hello Lord Bridgerton, thank you for the save. If I didn’t know any better I would think he was trying to strangle me.” A fake hurt noise escaped Colin’s throat as he dramatically held onto his breast pocket. She laughed quietly when her ears caught the groan from the man before her.
“You are most welcome, after all I think mother would kill me if I didn’t rescue you. I also would scold you for calling me such formality but after overhearing your conversation, I worry I would be wasting my breath.”
“I Wouldn’t be too sure Viscount, unlike your mother I have witnessed some scandalous scenarios amongst you and your brothers.” A surprised laugh slipped from between his lips, his wide eyes taking in her teasing ones.
Eloise, having enough at being ignored by her best friend, takes her arm, gently dragging her away from the men. “Okay, stop hogging MY best friend. And Pen, you know better than to use your quick wit on my brothers, I told you they would shut down.”
The two laughed as they went, ignoring Colin’s protest as they walked alongside the pond in the middle of the park. “With the season coming to an end, what are your plans for during the off season?” Eloise questioned as she watched Penelope brushed her fingertips with the flowers nearby.
“Mama was talking about visiting some relatives, now with cousin Jack gone, mother has been trying her best in finding a sponsor. This relative had made a deal with her which she will tell us when we get there,” hey eyes glanced at her mother, sighing when she was too focused on what benedict was saying. “ I am worried she might have agreed on something she will not be able to back out if it were to go wrong.” her friend nodding, thinking the same when the redhead had finished.
Eloise’s face lit up as a brilliant idea came to her, “What if you came to Aubrey Hall with us? Your mother can sort out the sponsors and you wouldn’t be in the middle of all the drama. I can have mama send her a personal invite so Lady Featherington can not refuse. You will be with us and will not be stressed about the visit.”
Penelope adored Aubrey Hall just as anyone that has visited, and though she knows Violet is still the Lady of house, she knows it is Anthony that got the final word in said invite.
“Only if you ask Anthony first, if he accepts then Violet can send the invitation.” The brunette agreed to her terms, already planning on asking her brother once they got back home. “If only mama and Ant were to hear you speak so improper of them when they can not hear. I actually think Mother would cry with joy while brother would most certainly stutter.”
The best friends broke into laughter, as their family called them to leave. If they had looked up, all they would have seen were concerned expressions on the others faces as they giggled like crazy.