Penelope awoken to see Colin lay by her side. She didn't want to leave, but she wanted to sneak out before anyone else woke up and she had explaining to do. The last thing she wanted to do was answer a load of questions without even having the answers herself.
She left a note by his head,
Colin,
I didn't want to do the sneaking out,
But I thought it was best to avoid the jury in the form of your family this morning.
I look forward to seeing you later,
I love you.
Pen x
She managed to book an uber, and sneak out the hallway. As she approached the door,
"My my my.... Miss Featherington, the walk of shame. Tut."
She knew it was too good to be true, she turned around to see Benedict leaning against the door frame in sweats, a tee and a pair of glasses while grabbing a bottle of water. She sarcastically smiled, raised her middle finger, and continued her walk to the uber. Benedict held his chest in jest at her actions and just laughed.
Bridgerton's Unite Group Chat
Benedict: Just caught Pen sneaking out the front door... in last night's dress. @Colin? Care to share with the class.
Francesca: Well that was information I didn't need to have Benedict.
Eloise: EW Colin! You guy's lasted one day????
Benedict: Not even 24 hours in each other's presence... dirty dirty dirty stop outs.
Daphne: Leave them alone, I think its romantic!
Simon: Well they weren't exactly discreet.
Violet: @Colin!! Why didn't she stay for breakfast?
Anthony: Do we really have to share everything with one another?
Kate: Anthony shh. You'll only ask me for the details later when I get them.
Eloise: MUTING. I'd rather not have images thanks.
Colin woke up and felt the crinkle of paper over his face as he tried to reach for Penelope. He understood why she left, but it didn't make it any easier waking up without her. He lay in the sheets they shared last night, and flashbacks came running to him one after another. His skin still had all her markings, they truly gave everything to each other last night. He couldn't keep a stupid grin off his face. He sat up and his door swung open, and he found Benedict standing munching on an apple.
"Good night?"
Benedict said while moving his eyebrows up and down. Colin threw a pillow towards his head.
"I saw young Penelope rushing out this morning."
Colin went bright red.
"Yes, I've just saw the group chat, did you really have to be the town crier today, Ben?"
Benedict just smiled and leaned against Colin's dresser.
"I'm happy for you, when are you seeing her again?"
He quizzed his younger brother as he watched him hopelessly search for something to cover his dignity.
"I'm seeing her tonight. Date night..."
Benedict smiled enthusiastically,
"FINALLY! But before you venture down for breakfast. I'd shower. You smell of expensive whiskey.... And sex."
Colin just shook his head at Benedict and walked towards the bathroom, because he couldn't argue, he did in fact smell of whiskey, and sex.
After a long shower, and a quick tidy up of condom wrappers before embarrassment of the cleaning staff. He made his way downstairs to the lion's den.
"Oh he is alive."
Anthony said while sitting at one end of the table with a tea, and a newspaper.
He had noticed Francesca and Eloise with their significant others had appeared for the breakfast too. It was probably by force, or the sheer fact to bathe over his embarrassment.
Violet walked over to her son and kissed his cheek, "Good Morning my boy. There's plenty to eat, we all know you'll have an appetite this morning."
Colin gasped at his mother.
"MUM!"
Was screamed in unison by all Bridgerton siblings bar Benedict who was cracking up in fits of giggles over his mother's blatant attempt at embarrassment.
Colin sat down at the table and found himself in between Francesca and young Belinda.
"It's a shame Penelope didn't stay for breakfast."
Violet murmured as she sat down at the table.
"She maybe needed to get home after Colin keeping her up all night."
Simon quickly replied while trying to egg on the embarrassing moment more.
"Uncle Colin?"
Said Belinda as she pulled the sleeve to his t-shirt.
"Why did you keep Auntie Pen up all night? That wasn't very nice."
She frowned at him and nipped his arm out of annoyance.
"OW – Belinda, I think she enjoyed herself very much."
Colin said jokingly.
"Right that is enough, Belinda you go over there and read a story to baby Edmund."
Daphne said while throwing a croissant across the table towards Colin.
"You brother are another breed."
Francesca laughed as she buttered her toast.
"Colin's taking her out on a date tonight."
Benedict quickly slotted into conversation, while Colin sighed with exhaustion.
"Must nothing be kept secret Brother?"
He glared towards Benedict. He had no idea why anyone ever trusted that fool. He could never keep any secret for longer than 5 minutes.
"A date?"
Sophie said as she sat forward to look at Colin. She had remained pretty quiet over the whole thing, he knew that Sophie and Eloise were really protective over Penelope, and with good reason.
"Yeah, I just want to start this thing off properly."
He tried to remain calm, but underneath the table his legs were bouncing like crazy. He had no idea where to take her, or what to do. But he knew it had to be special. He wanted to shower her with all the love and affection he could tonight. He wanted to remain a gentleman, but a moment in Penelope's presence turned him absolutely feral.
"Good."
Eloise said.
Sophie and Francesca nodded. They didn't really have much belief in Colin. Eloise's favourite brother was always Colin, she always saw the best in him. Francescas idolisation of Colin dropped a long time ago, and he had mountains to move before she fully trusted him around Penelope again. She definitely saw a change in him, but she needed to see it progress. Penelope deserved the world, and he needed to be that for her, because if he didn't, she has no problem telling him so. Sophie hadn't spent a great deal of time with Colin, Benedict had told her so many stories that totally contradicted the Colin who broke her best friend's heart, but on the other hand, he was trying. Penelope was happy now, and that's all that Sophie needed to see.
As Penelope got back to the hotel later that morning, she slowly took off her dress and climbed into the shower. She needed to feel the relief of water on her skin. She felt dirty, not in the sexy kind. The walk of shame was the most awkward moment she had ever had in her life, even the way the uber driver looked at her, made her feel uncomfortable. She had hoped that she wouldn't have to relive that again any time soon.
Colin: Hi, I missed you this morning.
Colin: Like I really missed you this morning...
Colin: Did I tell you I missed you this morning?
Penelope: Stop it.
Penelope: I missed you too, but I had to escape.
Colin: Trust me, I get it.
Colin: Tonight? I'll pick you up at 6:30? Dress comfortable & Pack a bag.
Penelope: Ooo Mysterious.
Colin: You got it baby, I'll see you later.
Colin: And Pen?
Penelope: yeah?
Colin: I love you.
Penelope: I love you too dork x
That's when Penelope's stomach dropped. She was going on an official date, with... Colin Bridgerton. What does he mean dress comfortable? Panic was starting to set it.
New Group Chat, FUCK.
Penelope: SOS Colin has told me to dress comfortable? And I've to pack a bag. I've got till 6:30.
Sophie: Calm down. We'll sort it.
Daphne: We'll be over at 2. Make sure you are shaved & hair washed.
Francesca: I'll do hair and makeup!
Kate: I'm Bringing Champagne, obviously.
Eloise: I'll paint the nails!
Sophie: Me and Daphne are going to pick up a few things for you before we head over.
Daphne: Your fairy godmothers have you sorted Miss Featherington.
Sophie: I suggest you get sleep after your extra-curricular activities last night... just in case you want a repeat.
Francesca: EW SOPH
Eloise: Dying.
Penelope climbed into bed, she felt tiny on such a huge bed in the middle of the room. The white sheets slung to her, and she sunk into nothingness. Her mind was settled, her body was comfortable. She just missed the warmth of him.
The door rattled at 2pm, and Penelope sprang from the mattress, she went over to the door and there stood her squad. She let out the biggest smile as they all barged by her to get into the room. She was eternally grateful for every one of them. Daphne was shoving Penelope back into the shower, while Sophie was gesturing her to get a move on. She couldn't help but laugh as Kate was running around tidying up while Eloise was focused on the alcohol. When Penelope emerged from the shower in her robe, she was forced into the chair for her hair, make-up, and nails... all while Kate was forcing a glass of Moet down her throat. Francesca had the music blaring, and Penelope couldn't stop smiling.
"Guys, thank you. I'm... I'm really happy to be home."
Penelope said trying not to cry. He bottom lip started to tremble.
Francesca rested her hand on her shoulder and squeezed it.
"You ae exactly where you belong, WITH US"
Penelope smiled at Fran, while Eloise raised her glass while she sat on the bed flicking through a magazine.
"HERE HERE."
All the girls laughed.
Francesca was drying her hair, Daphne and Kate were giggling while packing a bag, and then leaving out clothes for today.
"We may have picked you up some em..., nice lingerie."
Penelope turned around to see Daphne holding up a red laced lingerie & stocking set.
"You are insufferable."
Penelope said while downing another glass of champagne.
Daphne had laid out a cosy nit cream sweater, with skinny jeans. It was perfect for a comfortable date night. Especially in September. The weather was unpredictable, especially in England.
As she got ready, and the clock six, the girls slowly made their way home. Each with their own semi-drunk emotional goodbye. It was like she was leaving them again for good. She couldn't help but giggle at their love declarations from the end of the hallway.
She grabbed her clothes, and small weekend bag and made her way to reception.
She quickly done one last check in the mirror. The cream jumper was slightly oversized and rested atop of her skinny jeans, then the white trainers and silver jewellery added a little elegance. (Daphne's idea). Her hair had been straightened and left to hang over her back with her hair generously tucked behind her ears.
She made her way to reception, and saw him standing at the velvet couches by the door.
She watched his smile grow, and his eyes widen with delight.
"Pen... you look..."
He said while viewing her from the shoes up.
"Comfortable?"
She said while raising her hand to her mouth in attempting not to laugh.
".... I was going to say, incredible. Those jeans definitely do something to me."
He said while clearing his throat. He walked towards her, grabbed her bag, and slightly caressed her cheeks with his lips.
"I've missed you."
Is all he said as he pulled back, which made her grin like a cheshire cat.
He held her hand and pulled her towards the door, as they made their way to his car.
She climbed into his Land Rover, as he placed her bag in the back.
"You ready Featherington?"
He smiled as he leaned over to pull her legs closer to the console, just so he could rest his hand in between her thighs. The slightly tight grip could have destroyed her right there, especially with that devilish grin he couldn't remove from his face.
"I have no clue where we are going Colin, so I couldn't answer that one."
She said while leaning over closer towards him. She was aware that he hadn't kissed her yet, and she missed his lips.
He leaned over, and got within centimetres of distance, she could feel his breath on her lips, and it made her shiver and tremble with anticipation.
"Well it's going to be... amazing."
He quickly shook himself while replying and pulled away.
"Colin..."
Penelope said while resting her hand upon his.
"Is there a reason you won't kiss me."
She said shyly.
"Penelope I'm about to put this car into drive, and if I kiss you... I won't be able to stop, and I don't want to ravish you in front of a 5-star hotel with everyone watching."
He said exhaustively while squeezing his hand on her thigh.
"Oh I see."
Is all she could say as her blush was more than evident all over her face.
"Let's have an adventure baby."
He winked and put the car into drive, and her heart jumped.
She truly loved this man, and she couldn't wait for whatever he had planned