Chapter Text
“Are you quite serious?”
Colin rolled his eyes and held back an irritated sigh. If he had two quid for every time he’d heard this particular query from his eldest brother, he’d likely be rich enough to do without his trust completely (maybe). “I don’t see what the big fuss is, Ant. This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
Anthony scoffed. “For you to put down some roots, yes. I didn’t realize going on a reality show would be part of that.”
Colin shrugged. “They approached me. For all your bellyaching about my travel influencing and blogging not being a real, lucrative career, it seems to have worked out pretty well for me so far.”
Anthony quirked an eyebrow at him. “Is that so?”
“Well, considering I haven’t touched my trust in years since my work started generating an income. Then there’s the fact that Dwelling Discovery came to me about doing a few episodes with them while I look for permanent housing. Since I have such a massive following, they think it will be a big draw for the show. Not that they’re lacking viewership or anything, but it’s never a bad time to lure in a bigger or younger audience.”
“So what will you be doing exactly? I’ve seen Kate watching so I’ve caught bits and pieces, but I have to admit, I don’t know a thing about how it all works.”
“It’s not that different from buying a home normally, just with some cameras around. I’m doing the international version, so they’ll take me to homes in three cities of my choice and show me properties to my taste. Then I’ll choose between the three at the end of it all. I think they do a follow-up episode about six months later to see how things are going.”
Anthony frowned. “So you’re not settling in London, then?”
Colin sighed. “I’ll pick a property in London, just to see. I don’t want to disappoint Mum. But I can’t guarantee anything, Ant. You know how much being abroad has meant to me.” he paused, fiddling with his hand anxiously. “To be honest…I am leaning toward Greece. It’s been the place I have always felt most free and the most myself. No matter where my travels have taken me, my thoughts always return to Mykonos. But like I said, I’ll have to see. They’ll be showing me a place in Italy as well.”
“So Greece, Italy, and London?”
Colin nodded. “Right. We’ll start in Greece, then hop over to Italy, and finish in London. I’ll make my final choice and that will be that.”
Anthony tilted his head inquiringly. “We?”
“Oh, Pen is coming with me. Did I not mention that?”
Anthony fought back a knowing smile, allowing the corners of his mouth to twitch up only slightly. “No, you did not. What on earth possessed her to do this?”
Colin looked affronted. “She’s my best friend. Why wouldn’t she? Pen is the only one who would be upfront about her opinions without being a total dickhead. We’ll also have a great time. She hasn’t had the chance to travel much because of you know,” he gestured vaguely toward the Featherington home across the street, “and she’s been so busy with work as an adult. It’s the perfect opportunity. And she knows me better than anyone. I wouldn’t trust anyone else’s judgment when it comes to this sort of thing; it’s a huge commitment and I need that kind of insight before putting pen to paper.”
Anthony bit the inside of his cheek to continue holding back his knowing grin and to prevent himself from making a comment he knew his brother would get defensive about. It had been like this for years now and Anthony was not about to make Colin feel weird about his strange relationship with Penelope right before they jetted off to shop for fucking homes together (Jesus Christ, did the man hear himself?). It wasn’t worth bringing attention to anymore because any time someone offhandedly mentioned or pointed out Colin’s possessiveness and/or how moony he was over Penelope, he acted like a petulant child or got weirdly defensive and his moodiness lasted for days. If he was about to leave on a long trip with her, Penelope did not deserve to bear the brunt of whatever that was, so Anthony kept his mouth firmly shut in that regard.
“When does it air then?” he asked instead.
“It’s a bit different than most shows, actually. Since we are going to be between cities, each one is a different episode, so I sort of get my own ‘arc’ in a way. They’ll film and edit it in a few days and air it by the end of the week. So for three weeks, you and the family can gather round the telly and give your own thoughts, of which you all will have many I’m sure.”
Anthony barked out a laugh. “Daph wont be able to help herself. She hasn’t done any interior designing since Augie was born. And Hy has never been short of opinions.”
“Mum, of course, will be thinking about all the gatherings she can host,” Colin added.
“And you’ll let her.”
“Naturally.”
Anthony gave his brother an appraising look. “When do you leave?”
“Day after tomorrow. Then we start filming the morning after we arrive.”
“Well, if you’re sure about this, Col…I still don’t see the need for all the fuss, but if it’s what you want, then who am I to stand in your way?”
“Not that I need your approval, but I’m glad to have it all the same. I promise all will be well, Ant. I’ll put down some roots, like you want, and I’ll be settled somewhere that makes me happy, like I want. Everybody wins.”
Anthony gave his brother’s shoulder a comforting squeeze. “All I want is for you to be happy, Colin. Truly. And if that means you end up in another country, that’s perfectly fine. I’ll deal with Mum and anyone else who objects, alright?”
Colin had never felt more grateful for his older brother. They certainly had spent many years not seeing eye-to-eye and Anthony had never shied away from making his feelings about Colin’s lifestyle and career known, but it meant so much to him to have that support now as he moved forward with his life. “Thanks, Ant. It…it means a lot.”
Anthony slapped Colin’s back playfully. “Now go get packed and spend some time with the rest of the family before you fly off again. If you end up living abroad, they’ll need to soak up as much time with you as possible.”
That was the one thing Colin disliked about the idea of living in Greece or Italy: time away from his siblings and their progeny. He’d already missed significant time with Anthony’s son, who was growing like a weed; the suspicious look Eddie shot Colin every time he came home was so like Anthony that Colin had to hold back laughter every time he interacted with his nephew. He barely knew Francesca's husband, John, though the rest of the family adored him.
But he could invite them all to his new place, right? The reason he'd missed so much time with everyone was because of his travels and if he was putting down roots, buying a place, he would have the chance to host everyone in his new home. They could spend quality time together even if it wasn't in London. It was about being together, no matter the place, wasn't it? They would be happy for him no matter what. It might take some getting used to, if he were permanently in Greece or Italy, but they would share in his joy.
At the very least, Penelope would. He knew he could always count on her for support and encouragement in the face of any obstacle. Even when his family, his mother included, had been wary of his career, she had been his biggest cheerleader and a pillar of support. She'd always been his most faithful reader and follower, sharing and liking his posts across platforms. He often consulted her before posting his blog, trusting her critical eye and writer's voice; it was her job, after all. He shuddered to think about what state his blog might be in without her assistance; he was a good writer, but Penelope was an excellent one; at the very least, she made him better and always had. And she never hesitated to give him constructive feedback, yet it never came across as pedantic or condescending. It was one of the reasons she shined in her role at work and why he wished she would spend time on her own writing instead of dedicating all of her time to the work of others.
As if he had summoned her, Colin's phone pinged with a message from Penelope.
Pen 🪶💛 (Individual Text)
Pen: I'm in "last minute packing" panic mode
Pen: It's all in my bags
Pen: But I'm worried I've forgotten something
Pen: Like what if I need another sundress
Pen: Or jeans
Pen: Should I pack a fancy dress?
Pen: Have I brought enough shoes??
Pen: What if my outfits look bad on camera??
Pen: I cannot have my only television appearance be forever marred by bad outfits! 😫
Colin chuckled at his best friend's spiral; it was so Penelope. He typed out a response to reassure her.
Colin: I'm sure everything you have is perfect
Colin: You will look great in whatever you pack ☺️
Colin: If you want to pack something a little more formal you can
Colin: In case we feel like celebrating 😜
Colin: Unofficially of course
Colin: Since I can't actually make my final selection til we've seen all 3 places
Colin: But I think when you know you know 🤷🏻
Pen: Noted
Pen: Now I'll just focus on the sundresses and jeans
Colin: Go with the sundresses
Colin: Those are my favorite
Fuck, why had he said that? It was the truth but he didn't need to say it. Shit, what if he'd made her uncomfortable? His phone chimed again and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Pen: Well since this trip is all about you anyway, how could I deprive you? 😉
Disaster avoided.
But he couldn't help thinking about how...good she looked in those little sundresses as he drifted off to sleep that night.
Maybe that was why he woke up the next morning sweaty and...confused, a strange, weighty feeling sitting heavily upon his chest.
But...no. He was just restless and unsettled about the trip and finding his new residence. It was a big commitment he was making and he hadn't made a decision that concrete in...awhile. It was natural for him to be feeling a bit unmoored and out-of-sorts.
That was it.
Once he and Penelope left the following day, he would feel much better.
"So this is the Colin Bridgerton travel experience?"
Colin smiled broadly. Penelope was leaned back in her first class seat, stretched out the full length of her five foot frame, holding a glass of champagne. "Just wait until we arrive at our accommodations. Prepare to be amazed."
"I don't know if my poor heart can take much more! I might keel over before we film a single episode. Do you think the producers would enjoy a bit of drama?"
Colin laughed. "A touch of tragedy might make my story even more enticing. They would probably eat it up."
Penelope let out a small giggle. "I can hear the voiceover now: sexy travel influencer Colin Bridgerton has lived a privileged life until the sudden death of his friend prior to filming. Can this man in mourning find happiness once more in the form of a perfect home? Find out on this month's Dwelling Discovery!"
Colin arched an eyebrow and smirked at her. "'Sexy travel influencer' huh?"
Penelope rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean."
Colin crossed his arms and sat back in his seat. "No, I don't. Care to elaborate?"
"Oh, please. You know you're attractive, Colin. You don't need me to inflate your ego."
She wasn't wrong, per se; he was aware of his good looks, but there was something about her saying it that had warmth spreading across his chest. "You think I'm gorrrrgeous, you wanna–"
"Don't quote Miss Congeniality at me, Colin Bridgerton."
Colin raised his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry, sorry."
She took a sip of her champagne. "Let's just cheers to a productive few weeks, yeah?"
He picked up his own glass and clinked it with hers. "Cheers!"
"And...thank you for bringing me, Colin. It...yeah. Just thank you."
"No thanks needed, Pen. Your opinion means the world to me. I can't think of anyone else who I would rather share this experience with."
Her cheeks tinged pink and he admired how well the color suited her creamy skin. He realized he was staring and quickly occupied himself with his iPad while she pulled a book out of her bag.
They sat in a companionable silence until it was time for the plane to land. The flight attendant handed them warm towels to freshen up then exchanged them for a bottle of sparkling water when they'd finished. When they de-boarded, a man held a sign that read "Bridgerton party" near baggage claim.
Penelope's eyes widened. "Did you do this?"
Colin shook his head. "This is from production. They arranged all our transport. They paid for the accommodations, too, but I convinced them to let me select the place given my expertise."
"You mean you charmed them into letting you choose the place."
Colin gave her a wink. "Same difference."
The driver greeted them warmly, introducing himself as John, and helped them with their bags. The drive to their accommodations was short but Penelope was in awe of the scenery around them.
Colin leaned over to look out her window. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
"It's...there are no words. But it's also exactly how you described it. Does that make sense?"
Colin gave her hand a squeeze. "I know exactly what you mean."
When they arrived at the Lovia, Penelope's jaw was practically on the floor. This was where they were staying? She had a room here? It felt like a dream.
"Pen? Are you coming?"
Colin had already begun climbing out of the vehicle and was reaching for her hand to help her out (always the gentleman). She took his proffered hand and exited the car, still taking in the luxurious surroundings.
"Mr. Bridgerton?"
A perky brunette stood at the entrance to the hotel holding a clipboard. Colin smiled. "Holly?"
"Yes! It's nice to meet you in person at last!"
The two shook hands and Colin placed a hand at the small of Penelope's back and urged her forward. "Holly, this is Penelope."
Holly clasped Penelope's hand warmly. "It's so good to meet you, Penelope. Colin's told me so much about you!"
Penelope let out an awkward chuckle. "All good things I hope?"
"Oh, nothing but the best! I feel like I know you already."
Penelope turned and gave Colin a quizzical look, but he just shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"I'll let you two get settled, but I wanted to give you an itinerary for tomorrow so you'd know what to expect. Colin, I know we spoke briefly about some of these things on the phone, but this is much more detailed. I'm sure you both packed your own clothes, but if you'd like us to style you, we have people available for that. Hair and makeup will be done for you so it is camera ready. I'm not sure how much experience either of you have with TV, but everything looks very different from real life. So it's not that we are trying to change how you look or anything like that, we just want to make sure you look your best on camera, alright? You're both knockouts, so you've got nothing to worry about, but I don't want anyone to feel insecure about what the hair and makeup team might be doing, so I just want to reassure you both."
Colin could've kissed her. He knew Penelope probably would've been a total wreck if Holly hadn't provided them with this information and that was the very last thing he wanted for her. She was stunning, but her hellacious upbringing had left her with lingering mental scars that she continued to fight against as an adult.
Holly handed both of them a sheet of paper with their filming details and wished them a good evening before departing. Colin scanned the paper and was surprised by how early their day began.
Dwelling Discovery: Location 1 Schedule – Colin
7 AM: Depart hotel
7:30 AM: Hair and makeup
8:30 AM: Setup at property
9 AM: Exterior shots (entrance)
10 AM: Exterior shots (courtyards)
11 AM: Primary filming
2 PM: Exterior shots (ocean)
3 PM: Discussion shots
4 PM: Reshoots as needed
"Ready for all this?" he asked Penelope, poking her in the ribs with his elbow.
She gave him a small smile, but he noticed the strain behind it.
"Hey," he said, gathering her hands in his. "If you're not feeling comfortable with this, you don't have to do it. I'm happy just to have you along. I can take photos and videos between takes and show them to you after. You can just lounge by the pool here and relax. You deserve a vacation anyway. I don't want you to feel pressured."
Penelope felt her heart swell at his words. He was most assuredly the kindest, sweetest, and most generous man in the world—no contest.
"No, it's...I'm just nervous. I don't want to make you look bad. I don't want to...embarrass you."
Colin shook his head. "Pen, you could never–"
"I'm not as charming as you. I'm an introvert. I'm not used to being in front of a camera. I just...I'm afraid of looking like a fool."
She stared at the floor and shuffled her feet anxiously.
Colin took her chin between his fingers and tilted it up so she was looking directly into his eyes. "Pen. You are incredible. Your presence lights up a room. I have always sought you out because you make me feel at ease wherever we are. You will be brilliant. And if either one of us fucks up, it's not like it's live TV. They'll just do another take. Nobody is perfect in this sort of thing. These guys are professionals, they see this shit every day. You have nothing to worry about, okay? But if you really feel like it's not right, then you don't have to do it. I promise I won't hold it against you. It's completely your choice."
Staring into his denim eyes, Penelope let out a long breath. Of course she would do it. Of course she would. Because Colin had asked her to.
"Okay."
He beamed. "Okay."