Chapter Text
Penelope smiles sadly at the couple on the altar. Colin stares at his bride like she’s the moon and marina stares back at colin in a smiling relief, like he was the answers to all her problems and prayers; figuratively speaking.
“You may now kiss the bride” The priest announce.
Colin smiles wolfishly and leans in for a kiss to seal the union of marriage under the eyes of God and the ton. Penelope briefly closes her eyes to mask the hurt in them. She opens her eyes and masks a smile quickly before anybody notices. She wonders again who would notice her, since she’s a wallflower. The crowd erupt in cheers for the happy couple and they march out the church as the newly Mr & Mrs Bridgerton. She politely claps and follows the crowd to the exits and hops on the feathrington carriage. Portia feathrington still wearing her brown mourning dresses due to The Baron Feathrington passing away a month ago sighed in relief“ Thank god for this marriage, its a blessing in disguise, despite of the misfortunes we faced this past few months.”
Lord Archibald Feathrington recently passed away due to multiple debts that he hasn’t paid, he met his demise by betting on the wrong side, with the wrong people. Hence the reason why Marina was in London to make a debut, she was part of collateral damage as a pawn to pay for Lord Featherington debts. Penelope discovered this one night while searching for some content for Lady Whistledown . She was out of her wits trying to figure out how to break the courtship between Marina and Colin Bridgerton, she finds herself in her fathers office and comes across the list of debts and accounts of dowries being gone and the contract between Lord Feathrington and Mr Thompson; if Marina gets married to a eligible gentleman, Mr Thompson will pay for three fourths of the Feathrinton’s debt. That’s where Lord Feathrington found Penelope with the contract in her hand, tears in her eyes. Archibald hugs a crying Penelope, he kisses her head and tearfully says .
“My apologies darling, that i failed you and your sisters, especially your mother. I’m truly sorry.”
She wiped her tears and look up to him.
“Papa, what do we do..Philippa will be devastated, the family, the household, Mrs Varley….Papa I-“
Archibald smiles sadly at his favorite child. “Darling pen, it is the only way.. i know you fancy mr bridgerton but family must come first… “
Penelope looks into her fathers eyes, it's full of determination, sadness and farewell… it dawns on her, that this will be the last time she will see her Darling Papa. She hugs him tight “ papa, i will try my best, for the family….”
Archibald touches her cheeks affectionately.
“Penny, I want you to have this pocket watch and this locket, to remember me by.” She looks at him, tears free flowing.
“Papa, I can’t…. I’m not the first born, nor a boy..its too much.”
“Darling pen, indulge your dear old papa one last time.”
Penelope smiles sadly
“Alright papa”
Archibald feathrington hardens his voice “Now chin up darling, you’re a feathrington. I have to go.”
Archibald feathrington, stands tall and walks with determination, but was stop by words from his daughter.
“I love you, papa”
He smiles sadly. “I love you too, penny”
That was the last time Penelope Featherington saw her father. In that study.
She sees the happy couple greating their guest with smiles and laughter, standing in her designated corner between the refreshments and biscuits. She observes the entriety of the ton and its family, catching any gossip to write for the next article issue of Lady Whistledown. This article will be different from any other things she published, for she will not do this out of entertainment and laughing purposes but she has to do this for a living, now that the featheringtons savings money has been drained next to nothing. As far as she knows the debts are paid, but regular expenses to run the house, servant wages, food, clothing, horse and carriage maintenance still needs tending to. During the reading of Archibald’s last will and testament, Penelope was named the financial controller of the estate. This caused laughs across the room from Featherington relatives and family alike.
“What finances ?”
“There’s nothing left, was Archibald making a jest?”
“We are still a joke amongst the Ton mama, nobody will take us seriously.” scoffed an unamused Prudence.
Penelope took the role seriously and read carefully the family ledgers and finances to end up with no understanding of these things. She asked for an audience from Anthony bridgerton, asking desperately if he knows how to read these number even if there’s any crumbs left of money. Anthony smiles at Penelope’s pleading eyes.
“I would love to help Penelope, please sit !”
She sighed with relief and Anthony looked at the accounts.
“Well it seems you have some tenants. It would help you with expenses in the house, servant wages and leave you with some spare money for food and hopefully small leisures.”
Penelope perks up, having hope for once, ever since that fateful day she was made a financial controller. She stands up, tearfully thanking Viscount Bridgerton.
“Thank you lord bridgerton, I don’t know what I would have done without your family’s presence and help this past month.”
Anthony smiles a bit at Penelope.
“Oh its nothing, we are basically family, now that Colin is engaged to marina and will be married in one week time.”
Pen smiles and says “oh it seems so, i keep forgetting since i have much to sort out… ever since Papa passed away… It seems the responsibility has landed on my lap and -“
Anthony looks at Penelope with the same heavy look she has in her eyes. know exactly what you mean, I’m here whenever you need help with any financial questions or how to run an estate. My door is always open, Ms Featherington.”
Penelope smiles at the memory of Anthony’s big help. As she looks up she sees Colin laughing with Benedict about something when Eloise slides to a halt in front of her.
“Pen I’ve been looking all over for you!! I have to escape Mama’s talk about the next wedding plans for Daphne and The Duke . I don’t know how to arrange flowers, let alone about color schemes. Also I still have yet to add theories about my lady whistledown hunt… I can almost feel her getting close!! It’s like she’s familiar it seems. Maybe she’s in this very room!!”
Penelope chuckles at Eloise’s every determination to find Lady Whistledown but indulges her best friend nonetheless.
“I always thought it was Lady Danbury, for she has dirt on everybody.”
Eloises scratches her head.
“You see, I thought about that!! But she’s too obvious!”
Penelope laughs at this, “hmm Elle, what if it's a man?”
She gasped in shock.
“Pen, that’s impossible!! A man in this society can never come up with this kind of genius!! Besides it has a feminine undertone of speeches that clearly states, she is tired of the social norms in this men run society.”
“Hmmm, maybe.” Penelope thoughtfully, “I do feel inspiration and draw strength from her from time to time when I read her gossip.”
Eloise smiles towards her best friends and slyly says “see!! I’m not the only one who’s inspired by her, hell even Daphne felt inspired by her and finally talked to Simon!! God knows they needed to talk, it was feeling awkward.” Penelope grimaces and sadly thought, at least her column is fixing problems amongst the Ton even if hers is front and center in a tragedy play.
“Pen what’s wrong? Are you thinking about you Dear Papa ? I know the feeling of grief and I can imagine the hurt, whatever your feeling. I’m here, even our mama.”
Penelope wipes her a stray tear.
“I will be fine Elle, thank you.”
“Of course, anything for you.” Eloise holds her hand in sympathy.
They hear a clearing of the throat.
“Hello, sister!! And Ms Penelope Featherington!!” Eloise rolls her eyes while Penelope smiles sadly
“Ahh Mr Bridgerton, how is the newly married gentlemen?”
Colin smiles widely,
“Quite well!! I’m here to thank you Pen, without you. This wedding wouldn’t have taken place without your approval and for that I thank you with all my heart.” Colin smiles so wide, his green eyes crinkle in delight.
“My congratulations are in order, I wish you true happiness colin. I will pray for a long happy marriage.” Penelope says in true confidence, no fake emotions. For she wishes true happiness for colin even if it isn’t with her. For sarcrificing your happiness for the happiness of the ones you love, is by far the truest type of love their is. She might like him but she loves her family more than anything.
Colin looks at her and says
“Can I offer my gratitude with a friendly Dance ? “
“Oh I don’t know… “
He raises his eyebrow “ i will not take no for an answer Ms Featherington.”
“Oh alright!!” Penelope laughs
Colin Bridgerton leads Penelope Featherington to the dance floor and she imagines this is her wedding reception. This crowd, laughing and celebrating for them, just once… to feel happy in the arms of the man she likes. To not be invisible in his eyes
