Chapter Text
Safe and Sound (In his Arms)
Just close your eyes
the sun is going down
You’ll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come Morning light
You and I’ll be safe and sound
The sounds of the night filled the air, as Colin stepped out of his carriage and headed towards Mondrichs. He had just returned from his latest tour and his brothers had been begging him for a night of revelry.
Colin found himself quite tired of revelry as of late. Whiskey and woman, all seemed so meaningless and empty. It was different for his brothers, he assumed. Both of them already had found their love matches, a fact they would not let anyone forget as they spent most of the time apart from their wives, speaking of their wives.
Colin could not truly fault them for this.
In fact he could not deny that he found himself quite jealous of their closeness. It was something he had always wished and dreamed of for himself. A love like his mother and fathers had been.
Colin approached Mondrichs, removing his leather gloves as he reached the door, when suddenly a blood curdling scream filled the night air. He stopped, his hand on the door handle, frozen as he turned and listened.
The screams continued and he turned again, listening in the direction of the sound, his long legs already taking off running down the street.
He followed the sounds of the screams till he reached an alley and he could hear men's voices and laughter, taunting and loud, as they encouraged each other on.
Colin’s eyes turned black as he saw one of the men had his hands on his belt, about to unbuckle his trousers, and on the ground before him, a small woman covered in a blue cloak.
Before he could even think, Colin was in the middle of the men, catching them unaware,his fists flying, he sent the man to the ground with one forceful punch.
His fist raised he turned to the other men, towering over their small frames and they put their hands up and pleaded, before turning and running quickly down the street.
Colin thought for a moment to chase them, to bring them to justice, but a small whimper at his feet brought his attention to the woman on the ground.
He turned quickly and knelt by her side, eying quickly the man beside her, still out cold from the force of his punch.
Around the woman was a small pool of blood. Colin moved quickly, knowing he needed to find her wounds and stop the bleeding.
He felt her shiver under his hands, as he turned her carefully onto her back, thanking the gods that she was still alive. She whimpered in pain with the movement, and he reached up to remove her cloak while saying gently.
“It’s alrite, I've got you.”
His voice stopped instantly , as the hood of her cloak fell from his hands and a familiar voice whispered.
“Colin help me.”
His heart stopped.
How was this possible?
The woman laying in front of him on the ground bleeding, could not be Penelope Featherington, it simply could not.
His mind is just playing tricks on him, conjuring her up, since he had missed her so much on his last tour and not seen her since last season. Nothing else made sense. For why would she be here, in a maids cloak and dress, laying in an alley, instead of at home safe in her bed chambers.
Her voice week again, broke through his racing thoughts
“Colin please”
His body moved then as if on its own accord, as he saw her beautiful blue eyes roll backwards into her head, and her body quieted.
“Penelope!! Pen!! Please I’ve got you” he screamed as he gathered into his arms and stood, trying as much as he could to not hurt her anymore then she was already and he raced down the street towards Mondriches carrying her close to his chest, screaming for help as he ran.
The door to Mondrichs opened, and a crowd of men gathered, Anthony and Benedict among them as they had recognized their brothers' scream from inside. Their faces white as they saw their brother's crazed expression, carrying an unknown woman in his arms.
“Please Anthony,” he shouted, “help me, call the Dr, it’s Pen!.”
Anthony's jaw dropped at this as he stood frozen for a moment in shock.
“Its Pen!” Colin screamed again, as he pushed past them and into Mondriches.
“Will please help me!” He yelled as he saw Will and Alice approaching. Will quickly guided him in an empty drawing room closing the door behind him away from the eyes of the prying gathering crowd.
“Send for the Dr at once!” Colin shouted as he strode across the room in giant strides and placed Penelope carefully on the settee, before quickly untying her cloak.
“Colin, what are you doing?” Benedict's voice came from beside him as Colins hands started to tear at Penelope's dress, ripping it as if it was paper in his hands.
“I need to find her wounds.” he said, “I need to stop the bleeding.”
“Colin this is most improper,” Benedict objected his hand on Colin’s shoulder, but Colin merely turned and shoved him backwards
“Proprietary be damned!” he said, his face red with anger and panic. “ This is Penelope, Benedict, she is lying there bleeding. She could die and I can not wait for a Dr, I need to help her now. Will you help me or must I leave you on the floor as well?”
Without waiting for a response he turned once more towards Penelope, removing her stays the best he could, as a blood filled chemise was revealed.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned in anger once more, ready to swing, but his brother spoke in a quiet voice.
“It's alrite Colin, let me help.”
Colin nodded quietly and returned to Penelope.
Benedict raced from the room calling for a maid, some warm water and rags as Colin reached Penelope’s stomach, and he could see her soft skin already black and bruised, with a single knife wound on her side.
God's Penelope, he groaned as he held a piece of her chemise against the wound tightly, trying to stop the flow of the bleeding from her side.
“You can not do this to me please Pen!” He begged as his eyes searched her face.
“Come back, I have not even had a chance to tell you how much I missed you.”
“You are the strongest woman I know, Pen, don't go to sleep on me, please.”
He felt another soft hand on his shoulder and he looked up to see Alice Mondrich at his side, her face was pale but determined in her hand she held a basin of water and some rags.
“Let me help Colin,” she said.
Colin stepped aside for a brief second, allowing her space next to Penelope's body but he did not move away from her fully, still keeping his hand tightly on the wound on her side.
Alice moved quickly beside him, taking the wet rags and gently, washing the blood from her stomach and side, before moving to her face.
Colins eyes followed her for a moment and he realized that both of her eyes were bruised and swollen, and blood was trickling down her lips.
“God Pen” he cried, “ Who did this to you? How could they?”
His eyes darkened and his voice went low as he continued, “ I will kill them Pen,” he said, “I promise to you, I will find them and I will make them pay for every finger they laid on you.”
Alice turned to him and spoke quietly
“It's alrite Colin, please, I need you to be strong for Penelope. She needs you to be strong for her right now.”
Colin nodded,
He could do this, she was right, he needed to focus on Penelope right now .
His hand never left the wound on her side as he stared at her face, how had it come to this?
He heard hurried voices around the room, as Anthony and Benedict spoke in quiet whispers with Will in the corner, and a maid fluttered around them , helping remove the remainder of Penelope’s bloodied dress from around her, and covering her lower body gently with a blanket. Colin breathed in relief at that, he could not stand to think of her laying that exposed to everyone's view as she bled.
Suddenly a stern voice at his said “You've done well Lad, now let me do my job.”
He looked up to see the Dr at his side, his leather bag in his hand. Colin nodded without responding, standing quickly , as the Dr took his place, inspecting the wound in Penelope's side.
“‘Will she be alrite?” He almost whispered and the Dr spoke in a low gentle tone, without removing his hands or eyes from Penelope.
“Time will tell Mr. Bridgerton.”
Colin moved to the top of the settee and dropped to his knees, his hands gently running through the now loose curls of Penelolopes hair.
If he had looked he would have seen his brothers looking on with shocked expressions at his actions, but he did not, nor would he have cared. All he needed now was to be close to Pen. to touch her in any way he could. To talk to her. And tell her that he was there and that he would never let anyone hurt her ever again.
Anthony and Benedict stood quietly by the fire, as the Dr worked quickly over Penelope's body, their brother on his knees by her head, his hand gently tracing circles in her hair, they could see he was whispering into her ear.
“I have never seen him like this,” Ben said, his eyes full of concern.
Anthony nodded in agreement, his face pale.
“Nor I”, he said.
“I'm afraid I do not know what to do.”
Benedict shook his head, as they both stared at their younger brother, feeling helpless.
“Does he still not realize that he loves her?” He asked and Anthony turned to him with widening eyes.
“I think he is the only one to still not see it. I pray it is not too late.”
Anthony then strode quietly to Colin’s side and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Brother”, he said quietly.
Colin did not move, his eyes still locked on Penelope's face, and whispering into her ear. Anthony could hear he was speaking to her of Greece.
“The sky matched your eyes, Pen”, he said. “You can not leave until I have taken you there to see it yourself.”
Anthony's heart dropped at the pain in his brother's voice and he knelt closer to his brother's ear.
“Colin.” he said a little louder this time, and Colin jumped startled as he finally realized that his brother was kneeling next to him.
Colin stared up at Anthony , his eyes red and wild and Anthony could finally see that there were tears streaming down his brother's face.
“I will not leave her, Anthony,” he said, his voice hoarse and pained, Anthony had never heard him speak in such a manner before.
“ I do not care what you say,” Colin continued. “I will not leave her, you can not make me.”
Anthony nodded.
“It's alrite Colin” he said quietly trying to reassure his brother the best he could.
“I am not asking you to leave her. I will not, unless the Dr requires it.”
Colin nodded, sighing deeply before whispering,
“I can not lose her Anthony, I can not. She is everything to me.”
Anthony simply nodded in return, his hand tightening on his brother's shoulders in silent support.
“ I know brother, tell me what I can do, and I will do it.”
Colin looked up at him his eyes darkening, as he said
“Find them Anthony, if I find them I will kill them.”
Anthony nodded once more and walked back to Benedict's side and spoke in a low voice.
“Come Brother, we have work to do.”
Penelope.
She hated leaving so late for her Whistledown delivery, but she simply had not been able to sneak away with her usual ease. Eloise had remained by her side the whole evening, and even though she knew of her being Whistldown, Penelope did not want to let her know she had to deliver the column herself to the printer at night. She knew her fiercely protective friend would not agree to it. Worse still, she might try to accompany her, or even follow her, putting herself in danger and Penelope could never allow it.
The carriage stopped with an abrupt jolt and the driver knocked on the roof, letting Penelope know they had arrived.
“I’ll wait here for you, miss, " he said and she nodded as she gathered her cloak around herself.
She always had her hired hack wait a few streets away from the printers, to bring less attention to herself. Usually she did not mind the small walk, but tonight there was something in the air that made her feel uneasy.
She had the feeling she was being watched as she walked as quickly as her short legs could carry her towards her printers. Her reticule full of coins for the column and delivery boys were clenched tightly to her chest under her cloak as her eyes darted back and forth. The streets were quieter than usual, and it did not help to settle Penelops sense of unease. perhaps it was only the later hour she tried to tell herself. Another reason why she strongly disliked having to deliver her column so late.
As she walked quickly, head down, a hand reached out from the dark alley, grabbing her wrist tightly and pulled her into the alleyway forcely.
“There you are lady whistledown” a deep voice said, and she trembled as the hand around her wrist tightend to a bruising squeeze
“Unhand me!” she said, trying to sound stronger than she felt.
The man holding her jeered.
“Oh she's a feisty one fellas.”He said, and Penelope watched in horror as two more men emerged from the shadows, grins on their faces.
“We knew you would be coming today and we could catch ya,” one of them said, as the other laughed.
“Thought she was supposed to be something of a smart lady.”
“Guess not.”
“Please” Penelope begged, her eyes wide, “ take my money, I have it here.”
“Oh no worries, we plan to”, the man who held her wrist said as she threw the reticlue full of coins to the ground at her feet.
One of the men lunged for it smiling widely
“Now let me go” she insisted, pulling her arm against the man’s hand.
“And miss the chance to unveil Lady whistledown herself to the queen I think not” one of the men laughed , as he came closer to Penelope, and ran his finger down her cheek.
Penelope swung at him with her free hand, and his fist came up and punched her squarely in the face.
She screamed and tumbled backward as the men who had been holding her hand let her fall, laughing as she struggled.
She could feel her head begin to throb as the men approached her in a circle, their faces grinning as she tried to fight them off as best as she could. She wanted to be brave and strong but she could barely see past the blinding piercing pain now exploding in her head.
She felt a sharp pain in her stomach as she bit down on of their arms with all her strength, as they tried to turn her facing the wall, their hands on her skirts.
She would not go down without a fight, she could not.
She swung herself around and started to fight with everything in her, the world spinning as she screamed and bit and clawed until she had nothing left.
Circles of light exploding behind her eyes, she finally felt nothing, and fell to the ground.
Everything was black. She could hear the voices of the men laughing. They echoed as if there were hundreds of them, and they were all far away and yet somehow still right beside her.
Then everything faded and went silent.
Then there was Colin
She struggled to move, to stay awake.
Because by the gods she could hear Colin
Why could she hear Colin?
He was not there, it was not possible, he was still in Greece.
She used every ounce of strength left in her body to open her eyes, praying that it wasn't just a dream when she saw him above her, and she knew it could only be his beautiful blue eyes, staring into hers as she managed to whisper.
“Colin, help me” before everything faded into darkness once more.
Violet
The drawing room door burst open with a bang and a breathless Anthony barged in, followed by benedict. Both of their faces were pale and serious.
Violet startled her hand raising to her chest, with fear as she took in the sight of her two eldest sons
“Anthony?” she said, rushing to his side in concern,
“What happened?? Is it colin? Is he hurt?”
“No mother,” he said, shaking his head firmly. “ Please mother, we will need your help”.
“Of course dearest, what is it ? she said, her voice full of fear
“There was ..,there's been an incident” Anthony continued, his voice low. The last thing he needed was for the servants to hear and word to spread before anyone else had even been informed.
“Its Penelope, “
Violet gasped
“Whatever do you mean Anthony? I just saw Penelope not even two hours ago at the Cowper's ball?”
“I do not know what happened Mother, I just know that Colin found her in Bloomsbury”. His voice trailed off as he stared at his mother.
“She was..well she was attacked. “
Violet's legs grew shaky beneath and she drew a deep breath before repeating.
“Attacked? Anthony, whatever do you mean?”
“Colin found her in the alley, we do not know what happend, but he fought off three men, she was on the ground, bleeding.”
VIolet swayed and Benedict swept in to grab her arm leading her gently to a nearby chair.
“He brought her into Mondrichs, and Will and Alice are assisting him with her care. We had called the dr who had only just arrived when we left.”
“Is she? Oh gods is she going to be alive” she asked in a tiny voice as she held back her tears.
“I do not know mother, " Anthony said, in a low voice. “The doctor was attending to her, and she had not awakened once before we left
Violet set up straight her eyes wide and she whispered
“Colin? Is he alrite?”
Anthony glanced at Benedict who gave him a small nod, as he answered
“No mother, he is not, frankly I have never seen him in such a state, he will not leave her side even for a moment.”
Tears fell down Violet's face and she nodded.
“My poor boy," she whispered. “He loves her so.”
Anthony nodded as he knelt at her side and grabbed her hand softly.
“Mother, Colin asked me to find the men that did this to penelope”
She nodded in understanding before agreeing
“Yes Anthony you must. They must receive justice for what they have done”
Anthony nodded in agreement.
“Yes, exactly, will you go to colin?” He asked, his eyes meeting hers.
“Of course” she said quickly, without a second thought as she stood “Ring the carriage for me, I will fetch a few things quickly and be on my way.”
“Thank you mother” Anthony said, as he leaned in and planted a small kiss on his mothers forehead
Violet stopped abruptly before turning back to Anthony and asking.
“Has anyone told portia?”
Anthony shook his head.
“We did not think it was best at this time. Well you know how she is, it may be best to let her know after.”
Benedict nodded in agreement.
“She probably does not even realize she is not asleep in her bedchambers, " he said, rolling his eyes slightly.
Yes, Violet agreed. “Perhaps we could send a message to her lady's maid, who appears to care for Penelope. I think we could benefit from her help.”
“Consider it done, " Anthony said, as his mother turned back, giving them both a small kiss on their cheeks before turning and leaving the room in haste.
Colin woke to the feel of someone shaking his shoulder gently, he startled and opened his eyes to see his mother standing in front of him,
“Oh Colin, my darling boy,” she whispered before throwing her arms around him.
He let himself fall into her embrace, his body racking with sobs as he cried.
“They hurt her Mama, they hurt Pen.”
“I know darling, she said soothingly, rubbing circles on his back as he cried. “She will be alrite”
Colin jumped up at that, his eyes wide as he searched the room,
“Where is she? Where did they take the pen? “He shouted, as he realized the settee where Penelope had been laying was empty, aside from the cover that had been on her legs, and her dirty dress still laying on the floor.
“Shhh Colin ! its alrite,” Violet said, rushing to his side and grabbing his arm softly. “They moved her just a few moments ago to one of Will and Alices' bedchambers where she could rest better.”
Colin breathed deeply, and he nodded. He whispered
“Take me to her please. I need to see her.”
Violet paused before saying
“Darling, don't you think you should go home and rest? Penelope is in excellent hands right now, I promise, I will sit with her myself, no harm will come to her.”
Colin brought his hands up to his hair and wrangled them through his curls.
“No mother I can not, I will not leave her, I need to stay by her side.”
Violet nodded in understanding,
“Alrite Colin, come I will take you to her," she said as she guided him gently towards the bedchamber where Penelope had been moved.
She opened the door quietly, and he saw Penelope's ladies maid, jump up from the chair beside her bed.
“ I brought Rae with me,” Violet explained. There is no one I trust more to help take care of penelope.
Colin nodded as he strode quickly to the side of the bed and dropped to his knees at Penelope's side.
Violet smiled gently at Rae and gestured towards the door,
“We will be right in the hallway dearest, " she said to Colin, but he was already not listening to a word she said.
All he could see and think of was Penelope.
She had been changed into a fresh white nightgown, and her hair flowed around her shoulders like red waves. Her face was swollen and bruised and he wanted nothing more than to find the men who had done this to her and tear them apart one by one with his bare hands.
He had never been a violent man, but seeing her like this, made his body course with anger and rage. If only he had finished the one man off the night before when he had the chance.
He took her hand into his gently, and he could see scratches and bruises on her wrists and arm, in the shape of fingerprints.
None of this made any sense.
Who would want to hurt Penelope? And why was she there unchaperoned in the middle of Bloomsbury at such a late hour.
“ I need you to wake up Penelope,” he said quietly, staring at her face. His eyes are full of concern and care. “
“ I need you to help me find who did this to you?” Please. It's been six months since I have heard your voice. I missed you so much, please wake up for me Pen?
He pleaded, once more tears flowing down his cheek, but she did not stir, just lay there quietly breathing, her face so swollen that if he had not known her so well, he might not have even recognized who she was.
He could not help but remember the day he had met her for the first time.
Her bright yellow bonnet had flown into his face as he played with his brothers in Hyde park causing him to fall and scrape his knee on a rock.
She had rushed to his side, her big blue eyes full of tears as she apologized profusely over and over. He remembered how he had been so surprised to see her, as he had never seen someone before with hair so bright red, or eyes so blue. She was wearing the brightest yellow dress, it reminded him of the brightest spring day.
She was his sun. How was he supposed to live in a world without a sun?
Still holding her hand in his, he lay his head on the bed at her side and started to weep.
Violet turned to leave the room, her hand on her heart, her eyes filled with tears at the sight of Penelope Featherington laying swollen and battered on the bed. She had known Penelope for what felt like ages now, as long as she could remember she had been an ever constant presence in their family.
She was close to every single member of the family in her own way, and all of her children viewed her as simply another sister.
Well all except Colin.
She had always known that Penelope held a special spot in Colin’s heart. She would watch as his eyes would light up as he spotted her familiar yellow gowns and red hair at a ball. He would smile his cheeky smile and grin, and be on his way to Penelope’s side. It was properly improper, their closeness sometimes she had reflected. But the ton did not seem to bat an eye at it, so used to them being a pair from such a young age, it was simply custom to look for one where the other went.
And of course Violet had noticed how Penelope's soft white cheeks would blush when Colin looked at her a certain way, her eyes aglow.
Violet remembered how she used to look at someone like that once too when she was just a young girl.
Edmund.
She had watched and waited, in the hopes that they would one day find the love that had grown so closely between them, but then Colin had traveled. She had seen Penelope’s face across the square, full of tears and sadness, as Colin had looked up to her, his eyes filled with an expression that mirrored her as he raised his hand toward Penelope shouting across the square.
“ 3 months Penelope! “
Penelope had smiled, a brave little forced smile and waved back, but even from the small distance between their houses, Violet could see the poor girl's heart was breaking at the loss of her dearest friend and love.
Violet turned quietly before closing the door, and watched as Colin fell to his knees and gently took Penelope's hand into his own. His hand was so much larger than her small one from her vantage point at the door, it almost appeared as if her hand had simply disappeared.
As she watched, Colin reached his other hand out slowly wiping a curl from her cheek and tucking in ever so gently behind her ear.
Violet's heart broke for the pain on her son's face. She had never seen him so broken, even after the passing of his father. He had cried of course, and grieved as they all had. But this was something more.
She saw him silently whispering to her, and it looked like he was begging her. Tears fell down his face, as he gently laid his head on the bed beside her and wept.
Violet closed the door behind her, not wanting to intrude any longer on her son’s grief.
She turned slightly and startled when she saw Rae still standing there quietly in the hall.
“ Oh Rae, you startled me” she said, her hand clutched to her chest as she reached up and wiped a spare tear from her eyes.
“I’m sorry my lady” Rae said, her voice was low and quiet, she fidgeted with her hands nervously scrunching her skirts back and forth,
“Is everything alrite Rae?” Violet asked kindly.
Rae nodded and then looked up to meet Violet's eyes.
“It’s just that, there is something I think you should know. It is about Miss Penelope, and maybe it can help the Viscount find who did this to her.”
Violet's eyes widened and she nodded reassuringly .
“Please tell me Rae, rest assured that anything you know, no one will know it came from you, you have my word.
Rae nodded quickly.
“Thank you my lady, I promised Miss Penelope I would never share this with anyone but I feel now it is for the best”
Violet stepped slightly closer and placed her hand gently on Rae’s arm.
“ Yes , if it can help us in any way find out what happened to Penelope we must know what it is.”
Rae reached into her skirts and handed up a worn wrinkled bloody piece of parchment.
“Maybe this will explain it" she said quietly , “ This was in her skirts that they cut off last night.”
She handed it over to Violet, avoiding her gaze and her hands trembled slightly.
Violet seemed surprised to be handed writing but opened the paper gently and began to read,
Her face grew pale and she whispered.
“Oh Penelope.”
“Did you know about this ?” She asked, looking at Rae.
Rae nodded, “She made me swear to tell no one. She is very brave, but she was always worried that maybe someone would try to hurt her because of something she had written.”
Violet gasped slightly at this
“And now you have cause to think this is why she was hurt?”
“I do not know my lady, but she had delivered her columns many times before, I did not like it but she is a very stubborn miss. I just thought…” she looked up, meeting Violet's eyes bravely as she continued.
“ I just want to make sure everything that is possible is being done to help Miss Penelope and keep her safe.”
Violet smiled kindly at Rae ,
You have been most helpful, Rae” she said lightly, “Penelope is very lucky to have someone to care for her. I will take this information to the Viscount, I am sure it will help things greatly. “
Rae nodded as Violet turned to walk away before stopping and looking back at Rae,
“Did you tell Lady Featherington that Penelope was hurt?”
Rae looked slightly guilty, as she answered “no my lady, she… well she has gone.”
“Gone?”
“Yes lady Bridgerton, she decided to take the two Miss Featheringtons with her to visit her aunt in Ireland. She left a month or so ago.”
Violet gasped in shock at this.
“And Miss Penelope has been alone this whole time?”
Rae nodded sadly.
“We have been taking care of her the best we can, my lady. I asked her to inform all of you, but she did not want to burden you. And if I may speak plainly?”
Violet nodded in agreement
“Well I believe she found happiness in being alone without her momma and sisters. They are not the kindest to her.”
Violet's heart broke upon hearing this. She had known Portia Featherington was not the kindest of mamas, a fact she had seen on several occasions herself , amongst other stories that had been told to her by practically all of the Bridgeton children.
“Thank you Rae, we are all even more lucky than we know that Penelope has you. Please do not worry about telling Lady Featherington, as soon as Penelope is able to be moved she will be staying with us at Bridgerton house until further notice.”
Rae’s eyes lit up a little at that and she gave a small courtesy before turning and headed down the stairs
Violet sighed as she watched her scurry away down the hall. Glancing one again at the paper in her hand. She needed to speak to Anthony st once .
Colin
The moments turned into hours as Colin sat next to Penelope. He had pulled the old worn leather armchair as close as he could to the bed and leaned forward to still hold Penelope’s hand.
Maids come and go, sending him quick knowing glances as they check over Penelope . Wiping her brow with wet rags quietly checking her wound for signs of infections.
The Dr had come once. His usual quiet demeanor seemed even more somber than usual.
Colin had begged him to tell him she would be alrite.
“Why hasn’t she woken up yet?" he asked? His voice desperate
“Her mind is healing Mr Bridgerton," the doctor said with a kind but firm voice. “Just as her body needs time to heal.”
“How long? How long will she stay like this?”
The Dr turned towards the bed at the still unmoving Penelope, laying there as peacefully as she could be , her body marked and riddled with the signs of her attack, but her countenance appeared to be peaceful in sleep.
“I can not tell you Mr Bridgeton, I have seen cases where people do not awaken for quite some time.”
“It appears Miss Featherington suffered at least one debilitating blow to her face. She is such a small thing, it wouldn’t take much for a man.”
He eyed Colin quietly for a moment as if judging his ability to handle information at the moment before he continued.
” If her wounds heal without infection, then I am most assured that her body will be well. If I may speak plainly Mr. Bridgerton my biggest concern right now is for her mind.”
Colin nodded.
“I understand, what can I do? How can I help her? Is it better for her to keep sleeping?”
The doctor nodded reassuringly , reaching out his hand, placing it firmly on Colin’s shoulder.
“All you can do my son.” He said kindly, "Be there for her, be here for her when she wakes up. She will need you near”
Colin nodded before turning back to the bed to look at Penelope as he said quietly,
“There is nowhere else I would rather be right now. I cannot leave her until she is well.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Back at Bridgerton house, Eloise flew into Anthony's study, the door banging open behind her with a large loud bang.
“What happened to Pen?” She screamed as Anthony looked up tiredly from his desk, his face, pale full of worry,
“Eloise.” He said his voice was low and tired, “Please this isn't easy for any of us. I need you to be calm.”
Eloise strode quickly across the room to stand at the other side of his desk. Her arms crossed against her chest. She stared at him, her expression, one of anger and fear and confusion.
” I don’t understand Anthony,” she said angrily. “Why won’t anyone tell me what is going on and what is happening to Pen?”
Anthony stood quietly as he stood quietly walking to Eloise‘s side and took her hand into his,
“El” he said this is not going to be easy for you to hear, but I need you to remain calm. This is for Penelope. She needs her best friend to be strong for her right now.”
Eloise‘s eyes wide, and she responded “ I will try my best to be strong, but how can I be strong when I don’t even know what will happen? Why will no one tell me anything? Mother is gone. Benedict is gone. You have been stuck in your office for hours and no one will tell me one thing about what is going on”
Anthony sighed again as he took her arm and guided Eloise to the armchair by the fireplace.
“Eloise, Listen, " he said “ Last night Penelope was attacked in Bloomsbury. Eloise's face paled. Her eyes widened.
“What do you mean she was attacked in Bloomsbury? I spent most of the night with her at the ball last night. She told me she was going home because she was not feeling well. How would she be in Bloomsbury? Anthony if it could not be Pen!”
Anthony‘s eyes met her with kindness and he continued “Eloise. Colin found her. He was on his way to meet us at Mondrichs when he was well… I don't think I should tell you everything right this moment but thank the gods that he was there, he saved her.”
Eloise stared at him for a moment, her eyes wide, and wondering as she took in what he had said, before she whispered. “She was attacked?”
“ Yes, Eloise, she was hurt badly. Mother is there now. She went this morning first thing to check on Colin. He is not doing well at all, Eloise. He was hysterical. Imagine, well imagine how you would feel if you had been the one that found her.”
Eloise nodded her eyes feeling with tears. “What can I do? Why can’t I see her?”
“ You will get to go to her Eloise. That I can promise you but right now, well Penelope has not even woken yet. There is not much any of us can do but wait.”
Eloise jumped up from her seat angrily, wiping her tears from her face as she shouted
“I do not understand, why is Colin there then and I cannot be! I am her best friend not him’
Anthony stared at her for a moment deciding what to say before sighing deeply.
“El. he continued "Can you tell me that you have truly never seen how Colin and Penelope look at each other?”
“What do you mean how they looked at each other? You mean besides Colin always trying to come and steal away my best friend.
Anthony sighed deeply again pinching his fingers against the bridge of his nose.
“Eloise I love you sister,” he said “but I am afraid you have the Bridgerton blindness as do we all. Collin is in love with her. “
Eloise stopped and simply stared at Anthony without saying a word, her eyes wide.”What do you mean? He is in love with her? She practically screeches. “Anthony Penelope is in love with him!”
Anthony's head snapped up and now it was his turn to look surprised.
“How do you know that?”
Eloise looked slightly smug as she responded.
“She’s my best friend Anthony. I’m not as blind as you think” She paused before continuing “and well I am afraid that I confronted her and she admitted that she doesn’t think he feels the same that he sees her as his dearest friend and nothing more. “
Anthony nodded in understanding
“So you see, the blindness I was speaking of”
“He does love her El. I have never seen him like this. Last night when he brought her in, he was like a madman. Benedict and I were truly scared of what he might have done. Well what he might still do if she does not wake up.”
Eloise sank into the chair and sighed, staring into the fire as she tapped her foot anxiously against the floor, her hands scrunching the skirts of her dress tightly when she suddenly bolted straight up in her chair as if she remembered something.
“ Anthony said there’s something I must tell you, but you must promise to not tell anyone else unless it is absolutely necessary.”
Anthony simply stared at her for a moment before responding,
“El. Perhaps it would be better. If you told me this later I need to focus on Penelope right now. Colin asked me to find the man that did this to Penelope, and Benedict and I have been searching for leads since last night.
“No, you don’t understand Anthony.” She said adamantly.” This could be helpful. I know something I don’t want you to be angry with me or Penelope but what if this could help find who did it?”
Anthony stared at her curiously.
“ I found out last season.” Eloise said quietly “I was mad at first, well, angry, and I did not speak to her for a few weeks, but she’s my best friend. I cannot live without her and everything she has done has been to protect us.”
“What is it Eloise ?” Anthony said losing his patient slightly. “I do not have time for these games, please just speak plainly”
“ Fine but you must promise me. You will not speak of this to anyone else unless it is absolutely necessary”
Eloise” Anthony said darkly.
“Promise” she insisted.
Fine, I promise.”
“ Penelope is… Penelope is Lady Whistledown”
Anthony bolted up into his chair,
“ What?” he said simply.
"Penelope is Lady Whistledown” Eloise repeated simply calmly and emphatically.
” I discovered her pamphlets in her room at the end of the ball last season and she admitted it. She is a lady whistledown, and she always has been.”
Anthony stood up quickly, returning to the other side of his desk quill in his hand.
“Anthony. Do you think maybe the people who attacked her could've had something to do with her being Lady Whistledown?” She asked. “Possibly they could have wanted to hurt her for something she had written. I am sure there were people that were angry at her. I had discussed it with her many times.”
Anthony continued scratching upon his parchment.
“Yes, Eloise,” he said. I think it is a very great possibility. Thank you for telling me this”
“Are you angry with her?” Eloise asked quietly
“Angry? " he said in a somewhat surprised home. “Why would I be angry?”
Eloise appeared to be surprised herself at his question.
“ I mean, for all the things she has written about us in her column. She wrote about Daphne and well, she called you a rake with a capital R and well she spoke about me and Colin.
Anthony’s eyes twinkled slightly. “ Well she didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. Did she?”
“ Well no, I guess not. She promised me that she never wrote anything that she hadn’t heard that people were saying or that wasn’t true. She doesn’t create stories. She simply tells them.
“ Thank you Eloise, truly, you have already done your part to help your friend.”
Eloise smiled at this. She had been so worried, pacing back-and-forth all morning. Debating on telling someone what she knew, but no one would be even clear with her about what had happened with Penelope. If no one would take her seriously enough to tell her her dearest friend had been hurt, how could trust them with her dearest friends, deepest secrets?
“ You cannot tell anyone else Anthony," she said, pleading.” I promised Pen I wouldn’t tell anyone and I hate breaking a promise to her, especially knowing that she may not wake up. I couldn't bear it Anthony, I could not live with myself.”
Anthony looked up and stared into her eyes sincerely speaking in a low earnest tone.
“All will be well Eloise.I know it.”
Tears came to Eloise‘s eyes again as she nodded at Anthony. She turned to leave his study when the door opened and Violet stood in the doorway, staring at them both. Her expression was unreadable.
“ Mother, is everything alright?” Anthony asked. “ I thought you were to be at Mondrichs with Colin?”
. “Yes I was dearest, I left him there. He is with Penelope. She has not awakened yet”
“Mama, is she alrite? Eloise asked.
“We do not know yet dearest, the doctor just left. He said her mind needs time to heal.”
“Her mind? Eloise said . “I was only told she had been attacked, what happened to her mind?”
“ Now dearest, she is not well at all “Violet said. “I hate to tell you these things, but I must be honest with you. they hurt her quite badly darling. She needs to rest. The doctor said in some cases it has even taken months for patients to wake up”
Elouise cried, “oh Mama how can I live without her?”
“ I know, darling, I know we must be strong for her and there is something I need to discuss with Anthony, something that I found out that well. It could explain what happened.”
Elouise glanced at Anthony her eyes widened and he glanced back before glancing to his Mother
“Mother I think, well El just told me something about Penelope as well, I wonder could we possibly be discussing the same thing ?”
Violet startled for a moment at that, then without another word, she simply handed a worn crumpled piece of paper to Anthony. Anthony glanced at it quickly before turning his eyes back to Violet and nodding.
“Yes this is exactly what she told me”
Violet turned to Eloise in surprise. “Eloise. You knew? That Penelope was Lady whistledown?”
“ Yes mama I found out last season. I was angry with her for quite some time.”
Violet nodded at this. She had wondered what had happened between her daughter and her closest friend. She didn’t think she could recall the time they had ever gone so long without seeing each other and yet they had gone weeks without a single call or a visit or tea.
It had been most unlike them and then one day they had simply returned to their normal self as if nothing had happened.
It all made sense now.
“Dearest” she said “I am glad that Penelope was able to confide in you about this.”
“ I was not a good friend to her. Mama” Eloise said, breaking down into tears once more.
” I was angry, and I said some horrible things to her that I still regret, even though she forgave me. If something happens to her I don’t think I can forgive myself. I haven’t had enough time. I need more time. I need her to know how sorry I am.”
She burst out into tears at this point, flinging herself in Violet's arms, crying hysterically and Violet embraced her in her arms tightly rubbing small circles into her back.
“ It’s alright she will be alright. She just needs time.”
Penelope stood at the edge of the water, her feet in the sand warm against her toes, the sun setting beyond the ocean, sending waves of red fire throughout the sky, reflected into the deep blue of the sea. It was everything, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and it was everything that Colin had described to her as being
“Colin”, she said, smiling up at him, her eyes wide and bright.
“This is beautiful. You are right”
“ I told you Pen,” he grinned. “But can’t you see how the ocean matches exactly the color of your eyes? And how the sun matches the color of your hair?”
She threw her head back and laughed.
“You are so silly. Colin seems like everywhere we go there’s something that reminds you of me.”
“I cannot help it, Pen,” he laughed.
“I see you everywhere I go”
She smiled as she took his hand into her, wrapping herself into his body.
“Where shall we go next? “She asked and he leaned down and whispered into her ear as he placed the smallest of kisses on her cheek.
“Anywhere you wish my love”.