Penelope was making sure her flat was spotless, the kitchen was already clean; her living room had books everywhere so she stacked a few on to the coffee table and the rest on to the shelf.
She quickly looked for something comfortable to wear but decent since she was having a visitor, Her silky green cami would work she thought. She wore matching sleep trousers (she didnt want to wear the shorts, especially if Colin was coming over). And threw on a cardigan over her shoulders so she didn't feel exposed.
Around 8pm, Colin was knocking at her door. She looked in the mirror to make sure one last time to check if her hair wasn't messy and nothing was on her face.
When she saw him he looked freshley washed out of the shower, his hair was a little damp, he was dressed in handsome brown suede jacket and dress olive green trousers his casual attire. She felt a little under dressed and blushed immediately.
"Pen."
"Colin."
They acknowledged at the same time.
"Come in," Penelope smiled. Her and Colin were usually never alone and it made her heart flutter even more that he was at her flat.
He looked around at her flat as he walked in, bookshelves onto one wall, the kitchen to his right had a plate of biscuits, which made him smile that Penelope remembered, then just ahead was her living room where a sofa sits facing away from the balcony outside. Her place was peaceful at the site.
"I want to start over Penelope. As in I didn't like how things left off between us the night of the wedding... nor the year you left," he looked down at her with sincere apology; noticing she looked gorgeous even if she was in modest pyjamas.
She admired Colin for being so direct and being easy to talk to, she didn't have to worry all the time to find the next words to say. She was just comfortable. "I do too. Colin, I'm also sorry. I couldn't explain it at the time and I'm not ready to talk about it yet-"
"And that's fine. I just want to know how you been? How were your travels? How was the Americas?"
She lead him over to the living room after she grabbed a plate of biscuits from the kitchen, where they sat next to each other on her settee. He talked about his expedition and competitions, he won at least 2 out of the 3 major races. He saw different cultures and tried different foods, he shared that Edwina (Kate's Sister) and her boyfriend had given him a tour around India and attended a festival both in India and China; he even made friends along the journey. Making it easier for business proposals in different countries while he was away.
Penelope talked about the Americas, how just a little bit of their American words was rubbing off on her, he noticed when she said cookie instead of biscuit when she had offer him some.
She said she had signed many copies to the point her wrist hurts for a week. She talked about the different animals like buffalo, eagles, and skunks or even their deserts and coastal scenery they had, things she forgot to tell debling about she told Colin to.
She talked about parts of the country had different states she went through and experiencing their city life. She also mentioned her Cousin Jack who was currently living in New York, Colin frowned (Cousin Jack came to visit the Featheringtons for a family event and he didn't like his facade when they met).
They laughed and talked just like they were friends, and by the time they were through it was almost 10 PM. "I should go," Colin said and Penelope frowned slightly, she got up from the sofa to walk him out.
-
Colin didn't want to leave but it was getting harder to focus when Penelope looked beautiful and he kept focusing on her lips when she talked. It was dangerous grounds that they were even alone and he didn't want to try anything.
Penelope led her to the front door, as Colin spoke,"Pen are you and Debling a thing?"
Penelope smiled,"Friends? Yes."
"No I meant are you guys seeing each other?" Penelope laughed, he was starting to sound like Eloise. "No, he's a good friend. Speaking of which how did you persuade Eloise again?"
"After she saw the blog she was confused but she believed the blog to be true, she said you fancied him at the wedding. And I told her I was trying to make amends with you the night of the wedding, which is not a lie," he smiled mischievously. He then leaned down, "So you don't fancy Debling?"
Penelope can tell now he was jealous and being playful at the same time," And what if I do?" She koied.
"Hmm," he moved to her ear," Are you sure about that?" Then looked her in the eyes. He leaned down, Colin was craving her for so long he was trying to hold back from touching her. As she leaned further in he pulled away,"Pen, I hope you have a goodnight."
He was fighting against his will to leave but he knew he needed to before it becomes much heated.
*knock knock*
"Pen? I know you're in there, if you don't let me in I will knock until your neighbors complain. And you know I will."
Both Colin and Penelope were terrifed, Eloise was here at the late of the hour.
"Coming," Penelope called as Colin went to hide.
-
"Eloise, it's late."
"You never go out late so I knew you would be home, I guaranteed it," Eloise walks in as if she owned the flat.
Penelope was internally freaking out, she didn't see Colin and no idea where he hid. "I'm not leaving until we talk? Here I thought you were with Colin, and you were actually with Debling? Explains perfectly well we didn't see each other this week, he's taking up your time," Eloise went on.
Her best friend was clearly upset but she couldn't lie to her, she looked over to the kitchen she can see Colin's foot sticking out as Eloise paced in her living room.
"I'm spending the night, you owed it to me," Eloise said as she was about to head to her bedroom, "I'll explain everything in summary. I did in fact had a long day Eloise," Penelope said.
"Ow," Penelope fake yelped. Eloise came running to her, "Are you okay?" Penelope rubbled her belly,"I'm hurting a little I think,"Colin can hear her faking the incident he was trying not to chuckle loudly. "Can you help me to the restroom, I might need- ohhh I wonder if it was cookies I snacked on earlier."
Eloise helped Penelope over to the living room,"I'll look for it, you can stay here." Eloise went straight to the bathroom, the only one in the flat was in her bedroom. "What am I looking for?" Eloise Called. Colin rushed out from behind the kitchen island and Penelope looked over to him, "I'm off," he whispered, "hopefully you feel better," he encouraged and nodded before quietly leaving through the front door leaving Penelope to glow in happiness.
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Penelope Featherington's Silky Cami & Cardigan
Colin Bridgerton sneaking off to Penelope's