summerpearlgirl

[summerpearlgirl]

Oh, that is interesting. In his journal Colin says about the women in Paris "How lucky I am to be surrounded by them" and at the Butterfly Ball he says to Pen "How lucky I am to stand by your side". Colin baby, your repeating turn of phrase is showing. But also, it shows what Sammy Bates explained in her YouTube video that S3 showed all of Colin's slut era interactions with women as being with multiple women and lacking a 1:1 connection. And by S3E8 with Pen he is 1:1 and standing by her side. Aww. Character arc!

Also the word "surrounded" feels like the women/society are imposing on him, rather than "stand by your side" feels like Colin is showing agency and an authentic want to be with Pen.

Colin is such a sweetheart, gratitude journaling his appreciation of the French prostitutes showing him attention and pleasure. And then later expressing his gratitude for Pen choosing him as her husband. Colin's respect for all women, regardless of profession or social status, is so hot.

(almost) every penelope featherington scenes (231/???)

[summerpearlgirl]

My Writing - Polin Fic - My Mastermind

I bit the bullet and wrote my first ever fanfic! It is a Polin fic, naturally. Several lovely people have left me encouraging comments on AO3. I would love if you would give it a read 💙💛💚

I'm smitten with my Polin dorks and I'm determined to do my best. Thank you 💛 🌼

My Mastermind by summerpearlgirl

Explicit. Modern setting. Work in progress. +4,000 words.

Summary:

Penelope Featherington decides to take action to stir the feelings of her long-time crush, Colin Bridgerton. With an elaborately crafted plan, she successfully seduces him. Only to later discover he was aware of what she was trying to achieve the entire time and was 100% onboard. This story explores Colin's demisexuality, Pen’s coping mechanisms, and their love for each other.

Notes:

This story was inspired by the song Mastermind by Taylor Swift.

[summerpearlgirl]

Polin Fic Recs - One Tree 🌳 & Sex Pollen 🐝🌼

Pen wants to climb Colin like a tree. However, in these fics, Colin is the one doing the tree climbing to reach Pen's bedroom. Much like the One Bed fics, we all know where this is going.

I may have gone on a sex pollen (#sex polin?) tangent when making this list 🐝🌼. The pun is right there! Gold stars to all the Polin fic writers who go hard with the puns 🌟

1. My Heart Is Thrilled By The Still Of Your Hand by ShirlyGallagher

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 6,722 words. Under 1 hour read. Classic Book!Colin climbs the tree fic with a steamy late night rendezvous in Pen's bedroom for the engaged couple.

2. Foolish One by LeighAnne_Balsdon

Mature. Regency. Complete. 43,498 words. Set in S1. This fic has got a runaway Pen and Colin & Eloise Bridgerton as the search party. Thank goodness Eloise is along for the ride because this is full force Chaos Colin. Slow burn with eventual tree climbing smut.

3. Dishonest Conquest by lilyeval

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 21,960 words. Set S3. Flirting coach Colin Bridgerton gets very jealous of his excellent student Pen's suitors. The flirting train is off the rails. Pen has no filter and may be more oblivious than Colin for once. Colin has climbed into her bedroom at night and she still thinks this is a friendly flirting lesson between friends.

4. Loudly and Fervently and canyonoflight

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 6,369 words. Under 1 hour read. Set post-S2. The whole of London are overcome by a mist of sex pollen 🐝🌼. Colin tries to be a gentleman, but Pen naughtily displays her breasts at her window towards Colin’s bedroom which gets Colin climbing that tree speedily.

5. Love Is Merely A Madness by Sea_Dragonfly

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 6,900 words (Perfect word count for the amount of smut). Set post-S2. Pen is sequestered in her bedroom because of a mystery fever (sex pollen 🐝🌼) and Colin climbs the tree to Pen's bedroom to check on her. The sex pollen debauchery is offset by lots of trust, consent and tenderness.

6. Bonus sex pollen fic with no tree climbing. Love in Bloom by LillyWhitefield

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 5,250 words. Under 1 hour read. Book!Polin get sex pollened in a greenhouse by a mysterious flower 🐝🌼. Sweet & savvy Book!Pen deserves a sex pollen shag too.

[summerpearlgirl]

You do not understand Colin "My Wife" Bridgerton until you have read Eloise's book. He is adorably pathetic(affectionate). He won't stop declaring - "I am a newlywed, I miss my wife". We get it Colin - you only want to be doing one thing with Pen 🙄 If you want a quick fic, Chapter 12 of gold by Lightleadingme is perfect 👌 newlywed Colin https://archiveofourown.org/works/39566337/chapters/101974119#workskin

I’ve been trying to think about the difference between married Anthony and married Colin and it all came down to the scene in Eloise’s book, where we get full forced Colin ‘my wife’ Bridgerton. Colin could not spend more than a week without Penelope before going insane.

(I’m not saying Anthony doesn’t love Kate and worship the ground she walks on. Rather, they had lives before they married)

But Pen and Colin have known each other since childhood. They grew into adulthood with each other. They are constants to each other. And He almost lost her more than once.

So, now anytime he has to leave her side, he throws a hissy fit and complains to anyone who listened. Because Penelope is his wife and she’s perfection and he wants to spend all his time with her!

[summerpearlgirl]

Working on my Polin getting sex pollened fic recs list as we speak. What a beautiful world, indeed 🌼🤭

[summerpearlgirl]

Yes 💯. Apologies for the lateness of this reply, but this unhinged rendition of the S3 Modiste Bitch-off came to me at 3AM.

COLIN (mad): What were you thinking then?PENELOPE (earnest): I was thinking that I simply wanted the hair that I know back. Not that reshoot wig, which was thoroughly distracting and an atrocity to behold. It's this…thick, curly, occasionally excitable, long hair that I love.

PENELOPE starts desperately fingering Colin's hair. COLIN moans loudly. They abruptly get interrupted and stay still as a man on a horse passes by.

[summerpearlgirl]

Why is everyone not talking about Luke's hair? Thank the Lord, his hair looks fantastic.

[summerpearlgirl]

Analysis of the Character Traits of Penelope Bridgerton (nee Featherington)

I have already posted about the strengths and challenges of the character traits that Colin and Penelope share.

Here I will discuss Penelope's character traits of bravery, curiosity and comfort. Spoilers throughout.

1. Bravery

Strengths:

Overcoming obstacles: Bravery allows people to face challenges and overcome obstacles. Penelope is brave when she stands before the Ton at the Butterfly Ball to reveal herself as the writer of Lady Whistledown and beg for the Queen's mercy.

Effecting change: Bravery can lead to positive change and inspire others. Penelope is brave asking Colin for a kiss in S3E2. Penelope also uses Lady Whistledown to help people who have less power in society to make change such as when she saved Daphne from marrying Berbrooke S1 and it is how she intends to write going forward.

Challenges:

Recklessness: Penelope puts herself and those closest to her at risk of ruin by continuing to publish Whistledown. The articles she wrote about the royals (especially in Queen Charlotte) are treasonous and punishable by death. Colin is rightfully terrified of Pen being executed and his family having their assets stripped when the Queen arrives at the wedding breakfast to reveal she suspects a Bridgerton is Whistledown.

Emotional toll: Facing fear and danger takes a toll on emotional wellbeing, leading to stress. Pen has a panic attack and faints at the engagement ball in S3E5 at she faces the fear of Colin not wanting to marry her when attempting to tell him she is Whistledown.

Arrogance: Bravery requires a certain level of belief that you know better than others who have tried before. Pen influencing the Ton to direct business away from the new modiste towards Madam Delacroix was arrogant and negligent. Nicola Coughlan commented that she portrayed Penelope as arrogant in S2.

Nicola Coughlan in Teen Vogue: “I always thought of her like a little like a yo-yo in S1, that she'd kind of go out to say something, but then she had to pull it back. She'd try and be crafty and try and do this, but it was like I've gotta bring it in, and then in S2 I wanted her to have a little bit more of an arrogance about her but misplaced maybe a little bit because she's like the most famous person in London. Nobody knows that she is, and she sort of then convinced herself that her and Colin are having this love story, which they're really not in S2. But in S3, I wanna drift to feel more grounded, more like a young woman and more becoming comfortable with herself.”

2. Curiosity

Strengths:

Learning and growth: Curiosity drives individuals to seek knowledge and experience, leading to personal and intellectual growth. I really enjoyed reading a fanfic where Colin has a long inner dialogue about Pen's curiosity being really sexy. I cannot find it, if anyone knows please comment below.

Challenges:

Social ostracism: Curiosity can be interpreted as intrusive, leading to potential social rejection. Penelope's use of the Lady Whistledown pen name is demonstrative of her fear of people judging her.

3. Comfort

Strengths:

Nurturing: Comforting people create a nurturing and supportive environment, promoting emotional wellbeing in those around them. What Pen says to Colin after Francesca's wedding S3E8 is one of the most comforting things I have heard: “It's not what you do for me that makes me love you. It is your kindness, your empathy, how much you care. Just being you is enough, Colin. I do not need you to save me. I just need you to stand by me, to hold me, to kiss me.”

Challenges:

Dependency: Penelope and Colin's dynamic can be codependent at times. I read Polin fics to indulge my codependency loving heart, but I try to be more pragmatic in real life.

Neglect of self: In an effort to comfort others, comforting individuals may neglect to advocate for their own needs. Penelope flip flops on this aspect, sometimes she is selfless and sometimes she is selfish. It resonates with the argument that Alfred Adler and other psychology texts make which is that a strong need for control could be a maladaptive coping mechanism to compensate for feelings of inferiority, neglect or lack of control in other areas of one's life.

Quote of Colin appreciating Penelope's bravery S3E8:

Colin: “I simply cannot believe that a woman with such bravery loves me. How lucky I am to stand by your side and soak up even a little bit of your light. If my only purpose in life is to love a woman as great as you, then I will be a very fulfilled man indeed.” 💛

[summerpearlgirl]

Analysis of the Character Traits of Colin Bridgerton

I have already posted about the strengths and challenges of the character traits that Colin and Penelope share.

Here I will discuss Colin's character traits of charm and sensitivity. Spoilers throughout.

1. Charm

Strengths:

Empathy: He has a strong intuition for what other people crave with the briefest of interactions. Colin understands the debutantes feel insecure about their looks and ability to secure a husband, so he compliments their beauty and suggests many men will be competing for them S3E1.

Ease at social occasions: Colin was involved in the Marina pregnancy scandal and the Featherington ruby scandal, yet at the start of each social season he walks “back into society with such ease”.

Challenges:

Superficiality: Charming people may be perceived as rakish or uncaring. The S3E1 Lady Whistledown article about Colin is an example of this.

Difficulty building deep connections: Charming people may find it challenging to form meaningful relationships. Colin is disappointed by the shallowness of the rakish Lord Squad in S3E4.

2. Sensitivity

Strengths:

Compassion: His sensitivity leads to a compassionate nature, making him a caring and supportive friend and family member. When Colin is informed by Pen of the hurt she felt when she overheard him declaring he would never court her at the Featherington Ball, Colin is quick to give her a very compassionate apology and offer to help her feel more at ease at social occasions. This post by rainybraindays inspired me to write this post today.

Creativity: His sensitivity fuels his creativity, allowing him to express himself in imaginative ways. For example, Colin’s sensitivity to his travel experiences fuels his journal writing.

Challenges:

Overwhelm: Sensitivity can sometimes lead to feeling overwhelmed by strong emotions or negative experiences. Colin was an overwhelmed wreck after seeing Pen dance with Debling at the Innovation Ball.

Difficulty setting boundaries: Colin struggles to set boundaries, leading to people-pleasing and overgiving behaviour. Colin tries to please Anthony and society by “trying to feel less. Trying to be the kind of man society expects me to be.” Violet’s talk with Colin on the stairs in S3E4 warns him that he should not allow the people-pleasing armor to rust or he will be trapped and miserable forever.

Ruminating: Sensitivity can lead to overthinking and ruminating on negative thoughts or experiences. Colin ruminates for over a year after Marina’s pregnancy was revealed in Whistledown.

Quote of Pen appreciating Colin's charm and sensitivity S3E7:

Penelope: “I was thinking that I simply wanted the Colin I know back. Not this stoic man you returned as. Acting as if you care for no one and need nothing. It's you, kind and feeling, occasionally excitable, good-hearted man that I love.” 💙

[summerpearlgirl]

Analysis of the Shared Character Traits of Colin & Penelope Bridgerton

I love how Bridgerton explores both the strengths and challenges of Colin and Penelope's character traits. Spoilers throughout.

My personal viewpoint is that all character traits have strengths and challenges. And that good storytelling explores both aspects.

I believe that if you find only the positive aspects of a person's character trait acceptable, you're likely to become frustrated over time. We all make mistakes from time to time. The challenging aspects of character traits will inevitably show up.

A key takeaway from Bridgerton S3 is that a long-term relationship is strongest when both parties appreciate and accept their partners' character traits in their entirety.

In this post I will discuss character traits Colin and Penelope share: spontaneity and romantic natures.

Sidenote: I am a romance girlie with ADHD. I empathise with their struggles and indulgently revel in their triumphs

1. Spontaneity

Strengths:

Adventurous: Both are risk-takers. Colin enjoys his travels. Penelope earns her own money, which is unusual for a noble lady during the Regency period.

Creative: Both have innovative ideas. Colin pilfers Cressida's necklace to prove Lord Featherington's rubies are fake. Penelope writes the Whistledown pamphlet to discredit Cressida in a single carriage ride S3E6.

Quick Decision-Making: Both don't faff around. Colin decides on a wife, house, and baby-making within 24 hours in S3E4-5.

Challenges:

Regret: Impulsive actions can lead to regret. Colin regrets going to see Cressida without making a better plan first with Eloise and Penelope in S3E8. Penelope regrets writing about Marina and Eloise.

Relationship Issues: Impulsive behaviour can strain relationships due to a lack of consideration and time given to others. I believe that if Penelope was aware of Colin's intent to marry her and they had had a longer courtship with more opportunities for safe communication, she would have told him about Whistledown before the engagement.

Difficulty Planning: Impulsive people may struggle with long-term planning and goal-setting. Colin often expresses his struggle to find a purpose, such as when he was feeding the ducks S2E5. Penelope did not plan for the long-term when she started writing Lady Whistledown and finds herself being hunted by the Queen.

2. Romantic Nature

Strengths:

Imagination: Both possess a vivid imagination. Colin's dream about Penelope at the start of S3E3 is epic. Penelope's writing about Cressida being a succubus is hilarious.

Resilience: Despite the Lady Whistledown conflict, both maintain their determination to marry. Colin's talk with Kate is enlightening on this aspect too S3E7.

Challenges:

Unrealistic expectations: Both have idealised visions of love, which leads to misunderstandings. Colin is blind to his love for Penelope because he expected it to feel like a thunderbolt striking him. Penelope thinks Colin has romantic intentions towards her when he says he will always look out for her and is heartbroken when she hears he does not want to court her in S2E8.

Vulnerability: Romantic individuals may be more susceptible to manipulation because of how powerfully they feel love. Colin is manipulated by Marina's exaggerations and love bombing in S1. Penelope is manipulated by Portia to give up her dreams because Portia says that ladies do not have dreams and serve their husband's dreams S3E6.

Difficulty with casual relationships: Romantic individuals may find it challenging to navigate casual or less romantic intimacy. Colin forlornly describes a casual encounter in his journal as “distant”. Penelope looks disappointed when Portia tells her that Debling will propose because Penelope desires a love match.

Loneliness: Without love, they experience feelings of loneliness. Colin exclaims at the Lord Squad, "Do you not find it lonely?" regarding their shallow relationships. Penelope looks very lonely when sitting at her bedroom window after the Lady Whistledown article about Colin tutoring her was published S3E4.

Quote of Pen appreciating Colin's spontaneity and romantic nature S1E8:

Colin: “I must apologise. I did not see it at first, but I know you were only trying to prevent me from heartache with Miss Thompson…But I was a fool.”

Penelope: “You were not a fool. You merely believed yourself in love. One should never apologise for that. If one finds themselves in such an incredible position. One should declare it: assuredly, fervently, loudly.”

It is beautiful that they understand and appreciate these aspects of each other 💛💙💚

[summerpearlgirl]

The Beauty of Bridgerton Season 3

I found Bridgerton S3 breathtakingly beautiful. I appreciate the hard work of the costume department, photography, location scouts, set designers, directors, musicians, choreographers and cast members. Sparkling ✨️

Video by Mari on YouTube https://youtu.be/OHLkWt0AGl8?si=SOXD6RPjuHJPcix9

[summerpearlgirl]

Polin Fic Recs - One Bed

The one bed trope: it's a classic for a reason. These fics quickly ramp up the Polin sexual tension and intimacy with skimpy clothing and shared sleeping quarters, and I'm here for it.

1. one by applepuffsilver

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 16,016 words. Penelope finds herself trapped with Colin at an inn during a snowstorm on the way to Aubrey Hall. One bed. Aware Colin Bridgerton. Post-S3 first kiss.

2. The Storm by Lilyofthevolume

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 37,400 words. Penelope finds herself trapped with Colin at an inn during a snowstorm on the way to Aubrey Hall. One bed. Oblivious Colin Bridgerton. Post S2 Penelope/Eloise fight. (The Courtship is the sequel to this fic, where there are separate beds sadly).

3. A Gentleman’s Guide to Planning the Perfect Romantic Getaway by KatofKanals

Explicit. Modern setting. Complete. 103,698 words. Colin Bridgerton is a popular travel influencer who has been having brief situationship all over the planet. GQ magazine send him on an all expenses trip to the Caribean to write a story about planning the perfect romantic getaway. Penelope joins the trip as his friend. A mix up in the booking means there is one bed.

4. Making It Up As We Go Along by LazyTuesdayMorning

Mature. Regency. Complete. 49,307 words. Due to a string of bad luck, Penelope finds herself trapped with Colin at an inn on the way to Aubrey Hall for several days. One bed. Oblivious Colin Bridgerton. Aware Eloise Bridgerton. (The Temptation of one Penelope Featherington also by LazyTuesdayMorning explores an alternative scenario with a change in one major plot point. This story is equally as tempting).

5. Bedding Mister Bridgerton by Stillpink

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 78,749 words. Post-S2. Penelope and Eloise make amends. One night at Aubrey Hall, Pen is locked out of her assigned bedroom. Colin finds Pen in the hall and offers for her to sleep in his bedroom. One bed and many more tropes - see the AO3 tags.

[summerpearlgirl]

Polin Fic Recs - Cute Comfort Rereads

Sunshine, sugar sweet, cuteness captured in words. My beloveds.

1. Dance Card by Katie_500, Stillpink

Mature. Regency. Complete. 36,712 words. I believe this was written with the specific intent of exploring a world in which S1 Penelope is a guest in Bridgerton House for the London marriage mart season while the rest of the Featheringtons are occupied in another town. Pen feels loved, supported and listened to by the Bridgertons. Lots of unchaperoned time with Colin is the cherry on top. Polin are sweet, innocent and no touchy, but that doesn't mean they aren't thinking thoughts. Puppy love Colin is oblivious and insecure, but it is a HEA.

2. where art thou? why not uponeth me? by maxmayfield

Mature. Modern setting. Complete. 5,001 words. Under 1 hour read. Colin meets Penelope during their first creative writing class at university. They are friends for months before dating. Aware Colin Bridgerton. Sabrina Carpenter's song Bed Chem was on a loop in my head while reading this.

3. My Fairy Lady by rottentiger

Teen and up (rating may change). Regency. Work in progress. +10,000 words. Penelope is a tiny fairy and Colin accidentally traps her in his bag while in a forest in Ireland. When he returns to London he discovers her. Unable to immediately return her to her homeland, Colin promises to care for her until the end of the season. Penelope is a ray of sunshine. They are both so tender and kind to each other it feels like I am being sprinkled with fairy dust.

4. Dancing Around the Truth by WeepingFromACedarTree

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 60,167 words. Set post-S2. Penelope's family leave town and Pen is alone at Featherington House. Pen falls ill with a potentially deadly fever. Colin throws the propriety rule book out the window and stays by Pen's side caring for her.

5. U Up? by DollyPop, Stillpink

Mature. Regency. Complete. 36,709 words. Set post-S1. Sexting Regency style with racy letters exchanged between Colin and Pen. I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time.

[summerpearlgirl]

Polin Fic Recs - Amazing World Building

The world building is insanely good. I gasped and got transported while reading these.

1. In Fragments We Fall by smj

Mature. Regency. Complete. 80,729 words. S2 post the Queen's threat to Eloise, Penelope comes forward, sacrificing all to save Eloise. Politics. Strong Penelope Featherington. Protective Colin Bridgerton. Espionage within the Napoleonic War. Both Pen and Colin being sly & sneaky bastards. Slow burn.

2. Poor Puzzled Moon by everlarktoast

Explicit. WWII setting. Work in progress. +26,000 words. A story of fear, loss, friendship, family, and love during the second World War. Strong Penelope Featherington. Protective Colin Bridgerton. Oblivious Colin Bridgerton. Slow burn.

3. Only You by ktbeets

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 66,655 words. Penelope and Colin wake to find the entirety of London abandoned. All humans are gone except for them. A journey of physical and spiritual survival. ANGST. Lots of unhinged hand holding. They work together as a team. Oblivious Colin Bridgerton. Slow burn.

4. london boulevard by phantomphaeton

Mature. Regency. Complete. 227,034 words. 10 chapters from Colin's POV. Followed by chapters from Penelope's POV. This story has many layers. Investigations, hustling and late-night revelry. Female friendship. Slow burn. European grand tour. Girls just wanna have fun. Convenient plot device that ensures there are no accidental pregnancies. Inspiring song suggestions can be found in the notes. Only AO3 members can access this fic.

5. My Jolly Sailor Bold by rottentiger

Explicit. Regency in the Ocean. Work in progress. +35,000 words. Penelope is a mermaid who rescues Colin from a shipwreck. Hurt/Comfort. Innocent but sassy Penelope Featherington. Aware Colin Bridgerton. Keeps to the principle that in the world of Bridgerton, death is less important than horniness.

[summerpearlgirl]

Bridgerton Inspired OOTD - Blue Flowers & Golden Bees 💙🐝

Princess Highway - Sweet Pea Mini Dress (I love the bees on it 🐝)

Tiffany & Co - Blue Topaz pendant on a gold chain (past birthday gift from my girl gang, no longer for sale at Tiffany & Co)

Amazon - Cubic Zirconia Gold Spinner Ring

Ebay - Gold Bee Brooch + Gold Infinity Hairclip

[summerpearlgirl]

Bridgerton & Pregnancy/Women's Rights

I find myself doing the most random google searches while watching Bridgerton or reading Polin fanfics. I thought it would be amusing to gather these together in this post.

1."I want them to be able to have sex and not get STDs or pregnant."

My Google Search: When were intestine condoms invented?

Answer: Doctors began suggesting that patients use condoms to prevent disease in the 16th century. Condoms made from animal intestines—usually those of sheep, calves, or goats—remained the main style through the mid-1800s. Used for both pregnancy- and disease-prevention, these condoms stayed in place with a ribbon that men tied around the bases of their penises.

My reflection: Rich boy, women respecting Colin should be using those. Ha! Who am I kidding? Colin definitely has a breeding kink when it comes to Pen (67 AO3 works on that topic agree).

2. "I want Colin and Pen to be having sex constantly. But I don't want them to have more than 4 kids because of the risk of prolapse etc."

My Google Search: how effective is the withdrawal method

Answer: Given it can be difficult to withdraw the penis during sex, withdrawal with real-life use is closer to 80% effective.

My reflection: Damn it. They would probably get maximum 10 months pregnancy free between babies. Maybe cycle tracking could help? I will just assume they do 69 or the intestine condoms so I can sleep at night.

Fanfics which added fuel to this fire (I think both these fics are very well written and I recommend reading them): Someone Ought to Say Something by lemonsaltwater. rockabye baby (don't say a word) by DollyPop, Parmandur.

3. "Eloise would thrive at University! She would talk the most during class discussions. Complete all of the assigned reading. Her essays would be jam-packed with footnotes."

My Google Search: when were women allowed to go to university uk

Answer: In 1868, nine women were admitted to the University of London.

My reflection: Damn. Could she dress as a man? No, that is stupid. I guess she could read and talk to people privately. How are they going to honour this part of Eloise in S5? Damned if I know.

4. "Eloise and Pen are the smartest people in that room for charades in S3. I really want them to start their own Royal Society type gatherings for women and outsmart the men."

My Google Search: royal society uk history women

Answer: Founded on 28 November 1660, it was granted a royal charter by King Charles II as The Royal Society and is the oldest continuously existing scientific academy in the world. 

Women slowly gained admittance to learned societies in the UK starting in the 19th century, with the founding of the Zoological Society of London in 1829 and the Royal Entomological Society in 1833, both of which admitted women fellows from their inception.

My reflection: Ok. This could work. But Pen is more into writing and politics, rather than science. Pen and Eloise would be great politicians. The way Pen outsmarted the Queen so many times, that girl has got talent. I don't need to Google when women could vote and participate in politics. I know Pen and Eloise are long dead.

5. "Being locked into marriage after a few weeks of courtship is crazy. So many of these Polin fanfics could be resolved by people being allowed to divorce."

My Google Search: uk divorce 1800s

Answer: Before the mid-19th century the only way of obtaining a full divorce which allowed re-marriage was by a Private Act of Parliament. Between 1700 and 1857 there were 314 such Acts, most of them initiated by husbands.

The Matrimonial Causes Act passed Parliament in 1857, but the grounds for divorce remained substantially the same. Adultery remained the sole ground for divorce, although wives could now allege cruelty and desertion, in addition to the husband's adultery, in order to obtain a divorce.

My reflection: Ok. Colin and Pen will just have to live in the countryside until they get married in 1857. Thank goodness they got their shit together in the Canon book and show. The fanfic alternative universes where they marry/nearly marry other people are stressing me out. That said, the Bridgertons were an influential family, I would be pushing those family connections to get a divorce by Act of Parliament if I was them. What good is it to have social capital if you can't be with the person you love? Violet would be supportive.

[summerpearlgirl]

Pen's letter to Colin makes me so feral. If I received that letter, I would be getting on a boat back to London ASAP. Grabbing Pen's hand saying "Bedroom now. We can get the special license in the morning." Because I could not wait one second to start a sickenly wholesome home life of pretty gowns, bitching about snarky relatives, reading under apple trees, getting wet in rain storms, making her blush scarlet, and cheeky mischief making.

#polin #bridgerton #letters

Favourite scene: Colin reading Pen's letter.

Polin week.

'I shall live vicariously through you as we brace for some unusually cold weather for this time of year. Please write some warmth over our end of the pond.

Prudence has been complaining today for her new gowns are not designed for the wet weather we have been experiencing. El and I got caught in a rain storm while reading under the apple tree in the garden the other day, we were quite well but our books unfortunately bare less forgiving damage. As you can image my mama was distraught as we edged our wet and muddied silks through the halls, those of which had only been collected from the modiste just a few hours prior. I must say with the shade of scarlet she turned, I thought she may combust entirely. I probably angered her further by laughing at her reaction but I could not help it.

Yours truly,

Penelope.'