#eloise knows penelope exposed marina and she knows colin and penelope are close and that she lied to both of them

[dollypopup]

I'm sorry but. . .Eloise is not gonna be on Penelope's side when it comes to Colin finding out about Lady Whistledown. She was very justifiably hurt to know her best friend lied to her and published all that she did as LW

I understand the desire wanting Eloise to stand up for Penelope and her endeavors after Colin finds out, but if anything, post-LW reveal may be a wonderful time for Colin and Eloise to actually bond! Eloise had time to mourn and process with the entire situation, so she'd have more empathy for Colin in those circumstances, and I have a horrible need for us to finally get Colin and Eloise sitting out on the swings, smoking and talking and relating to each other. what better than knowing that that they loved her and she hurt them? That they trusted her and she betrayed that?

I think Eloise, in realizing Colin finally knows about LW, may actually have the most tenderness for her brother she's had since they were 9 and 12.

[stephsbridgerton]

Confessions

My take on how the Lady Whistledown reveal between Pen and Colin could go in s3p2!

TW: Angst

Let me know if you want a second (smutty) chapter in the comments!

Thanks to @barbiewritesstuff for betaing!

Check this story out on Ao3!

Pen was breathless by the time they made it to what she assumed was Colin’s room. Her panic did not allow for her to take much of it in as she turned to face him in the soft light of the moon.

“Colin,” she said, her voice breaking on a sob,”I-”

His eyes were icy and his voice hard, as he cut her off,  “How could you? How could you expose Eloise? Marina?” 

Penelope closed her eyes, taking a breath, her answer surprised even herself, “Because I love you, I’ve loved you from the first day we met. You fell off your horse and even though you were covered in mud, you laughed. You showed me kindness when others would have been cruel.” 

“Pen-” he started, confusion and shock painted his features. 

“Please,” she replied, her voice rough and broken, her eyes pleading with him to let her explain. 

At his silence she continued speaking, “Marina was using you, when my mother found out she was pregnant they decided to trick a young man into marriage and hoped that he wouldn’t notice when the baby came early. I tried - I did everything I could think of. I - I couldn’t let them use you Colin…” she trailed off as she broke down in sobs, hugging her arms to her chest. 

Warm arms enveloped her in a tight hug, “Shhhh,” he breathed into the top of her head, “It’s okay Pen, I-” Colin let out a shuddering breath, “I didn’t realize how far her scheming went.” 

Taking a deep, gasping breath, Pen nodded, trying to calm herself enough to continue, once she had quieted her crying, Colin prompted her again, “What about Eloise? Does this have to do with your apparent falling out?”

A lone tear fell on to her reddened cheek, her heart breaking as she continued to lay her sins bare to him, “She had drawn the attention of the Queen. She thought El was Whistledown, she threatened to ruin your family. I knew that if what El was doing was printed, the Queen would leave your family alone. I didn’t want to publish it, and I published a tame version of the events at that, but I did it to protect your family.”

With that she stayed silent, the occasional hiccuping breath escaping the confines of her lips as a steady stream of tears flowed down her face. She couldn’t bring herself to look up at him, especially with the next statement that left her lips, her voice nothing but a pained whisper, “I would understand if you felt differently now. If you travel for a year I’m sure the scandal would die off, I won’t pose a threat to your future.”

She felt his grip loosen as he pulled away from her slightly, “Pen,” he whispered, as he lifted her chin with a finger, their gaze connecting as he made a confession of his own, “I love you, I’m sorry it took me so long to see it, to see you. I would be a fool to let you go. Let me protect you, as you have protected my family and I.”

The shock of his confession found Penelope on the verge of sobbing again, but the quivering of her lip was put to a stop as Colin crashed his mouth down on to hers, their kiss all consuming, sealing their fate together. 

Colin broke away first, “Pen if I had known, I -” 

“Shhh,” she said, placing her finger on his lips to silence him, “It is alright,” she said with a sad smile.

He brought a hand up to pull hers from his mouth, “No, it is the farthest from alright,” he said, his hold on her getting just a bit tighter than before, “God, you were protecting me, and Eloise, and look how we have treated you. Hell, up until ten minutes ago I was ready to dance on Lady Whistledown’s grave.” 

“You didn’t know,” she said, “I couldn’t tell you, I had to protect you, and El, if the Queen finds out who I am, everyone we know will be threatened. Colin, are you certain you still want to marry me?”

Pen’s heart stopped as his look turned almost dark before she felt his hands shift lower, from her waist to her bum, and she let out a surprised squeal as Colin picked her up with ease, her legs wrapping around his trim waist on instinct and her hands clutching at the back of his neck. 

“You are my dearest friend, and fierce protector, there is nothing that will keep me from marrying you now,” he said, his voice deep and heady, “I only wish I had plucked up the courage to tell you I was interested in you as more than just a friend sooner, much sooner” he ended in a whisper, his lips seeking hers out passionately.  

Footsteps in the hallway brought their embrace to a stand still, Colin’s grip on her vice-like as they both held their breath, the footsteps fading down the hall until they were left in silence once again. 

Colin quickly put her down on her own feet once more, “Forgive me Pen, I should not have- You are too precious to me for me to treat you this way, now and in the carriage, I am a gentleman, I should-” 

Pen gripped his collar with her fingers and pulled him down into a softer, slower kiss, “I find I am not sorry in the least,” she said, a smirk finding its way onto her face. 

Puffing out a laugh, Colin’s gaze fell from her lips to her breasts, and on down. She felt his hands shift on her waist, turning her until her back was tucked tightly against his front and she could feel the hard planes of his body against her feminine softness. Penelope’s breath caught in her throat as she saw them standing in the mirror. 

Colin’s hands framing her hips, his lips pink and slightly swollen from their passionate kissing, how tall his frame was in comparison to her own. While Pen wasn’t one to be caught admiring herself in the mirror, she couldn’t keep her eyes from taking in her own flushed cheeks and chest, how her lips looked slightly puffy and darker than usual, and how dark her irises had become in the face of their passion. 

She continued to watch as Colin traced a finger from her ear, down her neck and across her shoulder, to the strap of her dress, the roughness of his voice surprising her, “I do believe we have some unfinished business, Pen.”

[sukibenders]

https://www.tumblr.com/sukibenders/753357046866411521/seeing-marina-gush-to-penelope-about-how-in-her

marina knew Pen feeling towards Colin. I know probably you had been in love and the other person doesnt love you back but i did. And it so painful to see another person making fun if that love you have. marina did that with the unrequited fantasy line . And now, don`t play it like marina really care or love Pen. There, Marina was making fun of Pen too, she was wishing her a life without love. it was Eloise wish to remain spinster but not Pen, she wanted love with all her heart and marina want her to be there watching her married with the man she loves with her friend being a spinster!! BE FOR FUCKING REAL!!!!

(This is going to be long)

No, no, no, let's not solely villainize Marina and go "Oh, sweet Penelope" as if she [Pen] isn't grown enough to know the extent of some of her actions. That's a big reason why I can't stand her character is because of the way fans deny her actions having consequences in comparison to others. I've never said that Marina wasn't wrong for what she did, such as attempting to marry someone and pretending their kids are yours, that's wrong on a lot of levels. But this is set in the Regency era where women don't have many choices, especially in her standing. She was literally about to be thrown out on to the street if she didn't find a suitor. And I'm supposed to care more about Pen getting her feelings hurt over a crush that, sorry, was unrequited at the time? I don't think so. Again, painting Penelope as the poor victim gets really annoying because, okay yeah, she has a crush. Everyone does in life. But that doesn't give her a right to act entitled to said crush's feelings at every turn (nor does it give the fandom the right to do so either), it doesn't give her the right to try and sabotage any other attempts said crush might have with other people behind their back, and it doesn't give her the right to expose their information on a public gossip sheet for everyone to see (both Marina's and Colin's). People get so caught up in Penelope's feelings, and demonizing Marina in the same breath, but also don't take into consideration the impact, while not as severe as Marian's, of what Penelope did to Colin as well (when they aren't busy villainizing him) I'm sorry, but me personally, I wouldn't want to be around someone who leaked private information about me (and someone I was close too) and then continued to talk about it on their gossip sheet, reaped the financial benefits of it, and gave me fake sympathies knowing they were the cause just because they had a crush. Would you? Let's be for fucking real, as you say.

And I'll be honest, I do extend a little more grace towards Penelope now than I did back in the day, but not my much. I would be more inclined of her ending up with Colin if her actions were rightfully called out and she had to work through the consequences of them. But no, that can only happen in fanfic because, apparently, it's wrong to view her actions under anything but a sympathetic lens. And, back to your point, correct me if I'm wrong, but Marina gushing to Penelope earlier in the season about Colin, after their first dance and no realization of Penelope's crush, held no mean attributes to it. Her statement was meant to create a loving bond because, whether you like it or not, Marina and Penelope were close because Marina didn't make fun of her or downplay her at every turn like her mother and sisters. Marina knew exactly how it felt to live under that household, saw a perfect opportunity for escape, and in that escape, not only, thought of bringing Penelope with her or at least providing her shelter, but with her best friend, of whom we can assume Marina knows more about Eloise than she did Penelope's relationship with Colin, because that wasn't revealed until later. So no, Marina did truly care about Penelope. Bringing it back to Colin, who made it clear that, at that point, he had feelings for Marina (and don't deny that he did) why should she throw that away over some crush? Like yeah, what Marina said was a little harsh (and she does apologize later for it), but you're ignoring the fact that, prior to this, Penelope made every attempt she could to be spiteful and rain on Marina's joy (again, before the crush was found out), even turning any positive compliment that Marina gave her as some form of pitty, which it wasn't. At that point, I'd be annoyed too and Marina was far better than me at those points. Now, again, I state this was the Regency era and Marina was running out of time with the only good and less dangerous option of a good life growing farther and farther away, she has to make tough decisions because it's not only about her but her unborn children as well, and I'm supposed to feel more sympathy for Penelope? Her calling Penelope's crush a "childish fantasy" came about when Penelope was trying to withhold Marina from doing something that could have ended up with her finding a good life because Philip showing up was something that no one expected and she was led to believe that Goerge no longer cared for her anymore. But she was supposed to throw that away over a crush? And calling it what it is, even if it was harsh, was not Marina making fun of Penelope. Let's not.

Yes, I have had crushes before, but in no way did I act THAT entitled to someone as a person, especially enough to where I purposely risked someone's life and have said crush still not even consider my feelings. And even if they did, that still doesn't warrant that behavior, and I'm tired of people justifying what Penelope did. I've had a crush on someone, they didn't know about it, moved on with different people one being my friend and you know what I did? Worked on moving on too, because they both were happy for however long they were together, the crush wasn't entitled to returning my feelings, and I knew at a certain point that I had to let go. Was it kind of sad to see Marina diss Penelope's feelings like that? Yeah. And would it hurt if someone did that to me? Yes, but I also won't lie and pretend that that could have been a reality check for Penelope if the show did right. I would have wished that Penelope didn't realize that so late, but sadly that didn't happen. And it's also sad that the fandom to won't let her have an opportunity to move on because, what do you mean Marina was denying her love? I'm sorry, but love exist in many other forms, which Penelope had, and even without Marina in the picture, Colin is clearly shown to not reciprocate Penelope's feelings that way. It's sad how dependent Penelope and some fans feel about that, when it's been shown that, when she tries (get into that later), Penelope can attract people outside of Colin. Personally, at a certain point way before s3, I would've been trying to do that a long time ago. Now, because you said that Penelope didn't want to be a spinster, the statement is kind of laughable because, until s3, we hardly see Penelope make any attempts to find a match with someone who isn't Colin, who still isn't returning her feelings. In fact, we hardly see her with anyone who isn't Eloise, and there are more scenes of her dodging attempts to find a suitor than actually looking for one. She literally uses Marina as a shield in s1 to prevent from doing so so that she can spend time with Eloise! (Ngl, if my friend did that for most of our lives, I too would think that she would want to be a spinster, but Eloise still could have talked about it more with her). It also ignores how, when Colin entered Marina's life again and basically went "Hey, I'm not against playing the second step daddy" Marina still went and pushed him to go and be with Penelope, even though, from what we can assume, they probably haven't seen each other since Marina got married and had her twins.

The reason I don't care much for Polin is because I hardly get to see much growth on Penelope's side at all in the ship, especially due to the fandom making it their life's mission to make Colin grovel for every little thing (some in which he really shouldn't). We got to see opportunities even before s3 of her associating with other characters, one being with Marina and the other being Edwina but they all get thrown out the window as soon as Colin enters the fray. Heck, even when around Eloise, as soon as Colin is mentioned or shows up she's eager to dip and make her way over. She wanted love with all her heart WITH COLIN. She had opportunities to be with other people, but she wanted Colin so bad that she was willing to do anything. Perhaps if the fandom addressed this, if they stopped trying to paint her actions as overly sympathetic and let her be morally complex, then I could get behind it. But no, we have to put the blame on others.

[dollypopup]

The parallelsssssss

I think this has been set up all the way from Season 1, honestly. Colin broke the engagement with Marina not because he necessarily wanted to, but because he was left with no other choice. So I know he's not going to drop Penelope and end the engagement. He'll be hurt, he'll feel wounded, but he's ultimately going to try to understand her after the pain of being lied to fades a bit

I agree with you, both of them had well-intentioned actions, with varying directions for where or for whom those intentions were for, and it's definitely going to be a wound that gets pried open for Colin. He's going to be very betrayed, and honestly, I understand both their perspectives. In the same way I don't blame Marina for hiding her secrets from him, I also don't blame Penelope. All of us would do the same, and the bravery in fully exposing who you are, good and bad and neutral, is difficult to muster up. Not only are her emotions all over the place, but she's already had one very close relationship bellyflop after discovery of the news. Eloise blew up, and their bridge was burned in the aftermath, so of course Penelope is hesitant. She also knows that she slagged off Colin in her publication and she's expressed that she regrets that. Her 'She has never been more wrong than anyone' was said in reaction to his 'Do you still want to continue our lessons after what Lady Whistledown wrote about me?' and it obviously exposed some of his insecurities.

Penelope as his friend knows just where to prod to find the soft, bruised parts he doesn't want to deal with or face about himself, and so I'm really interested to see how they play the blowup. Because ultimately, he hasn't really felt the consequences of LW the way others have, so that's not what he's going to be most hurt over. I think it'll be a different flavor to what Eloise's reaction was. Where Eloise was mostly betrayed and infuriated at the treatment of women in the publication and how hard the consequences go for them, I feel like, though Colin claims he won't forgive LW because of what she published about Marina and Eloise, he's really just infuriated by his bruised ego at her hands.

It'll be the fact that Penelope kept it from him that really breaks his heart. Depending on how far it goes, the longer she holds out on telling him, the worse that reaction will be. There's already something to be said about the fact that she's in pursuit from the Queen, and so her consequences will be Colin's consequences, thus making it his right to know so they can face them together (a foil to the way Lord Featherington kept Portia in the dark to his problems, and then when it all collapsed, she had to grind her way to any semblance of security), so there's an added element of worry for her, but like. . .are they intimate together and she doesn't tell him? Does he confide in her all his insecurities and fears and she doesn't tell him? He did a part of this, with his 'I've spent so long trying to feel less, trying to be the kind of man society wants me to be' speech, but does it go further? Does he confide in her and she withholds?

I think for Colin, he sees love as the ability to be fully honest and open with someone. It's what he craves. He doesn't want to mask and hide, he wants someone to see the entirety of him and go 'Yes, I choose you', and he wants to do the same. Finding out Penelope is LW is going to be painful for him because he'll likely question if Penelope's feelings for him are truly genuine. If she hid this from him- what else can she be hiding? Does she care for him? Does she like him? Does she even want him? Does he consider her more of a friend than she considers him?

I do think it'll be a satisfying reconciliation, because it provides them an opportunity to see the mess of each other, for him the publication and lies, and for her his blowup and spiral, and decide that they still want the other, and all the muddle included. It'll only strengthen their love story and connection, and I think after they pass that hurdle, Polin vs. The World is truly set. They know they can overcome big fights and differences, and come out the other end caring for one another.

I get the anxiety. But at this point, I'm doing a trust fall into Polin's arms. I think they'll deliver.

i have genuine anxiety over colin finding out about whistledown bc that is precisely why his last engagement ended. like other than the obvious, where whistledown exposed marina and ruined their engagement, there's also the fact that she was lying to colin, leading him on to think that she loved him instead of telling him the truth.

both pen and marinas actions, while misguided, were well-intentioned (i will not argue more about this). and the fact that colin still doesn't know that pen is LW is going to open a whole old wound up and i don't know how that is going to go down. i don't think he'll end the engagement, but i'm so worried at how mad/sad he might get because she didn't tell him before agreeing to marry him.

i don't blame pen, obviously, for not telling him before he proposed, because her emotions were all over the place, but i do wish that she had done it, or that he figured it out before their engagement.

i have hope that the writers are just dragging it out to make us feel precisely the way i'm feeling and in fact will make a satisfying reconciliation between the two, but it still doesn't make me less anxious.

[thekatebridgerton]

Something to say about Penelope’s flaws

So this might touch a little on people’s sensibilities, you all know I’m a Penelope Stan, so if you don’t like Penelope, skip this post, because #Queen she’s a problematic character and that there’s nothing I love more than a complex character who has no moral high ground to stand on. Incidentally it’s also the reason I Like Anthony so much. 

So yeah I pretty much love Penelope (and Colin). It’s up there in the blog header. 

So I’ve been reading a lot of people keep talking about how bad exposing Marina was because she did it for revenge and she shouldn't have exercised her power like that and frankly I made another post about that ages ago, that could be summarized in the sentence : Marina was wrong in hurting Penelope, Penelope was wrong in exposing Marina, neither of them was right in the situation I accepted that and I got over it. That’s not what I’m going to talk about today.

It’s just that the problem seems to be that where there is a crime there is supposed to be a punishment and in the eyes of many people, Penelope wasn’t appropriately punished. At least not like other characters who at least got punched for their misdeeds.  

As Lady Wistledown Penelope is also in the unique position of doling out punishment herself when she publishes things like the Berbroke scandal, or Anthony’s moral double standard in restricting Daphne while having an affair with Sienna. And that ticks people off a lot. It’s meant to actually. I mean who puts the secrets of society in the hands of a teenage outcast and expects it to go smoothly?. 

It’s almost as if people want to willfully ignore that the narrative itself is punishing Penelope for what she did. In the last ep, Marina goes off with Phillip and from the audience perspective, we assume she will have a moderately better life in the future. But at the same time that Penelope exposed Marina’s pregnancy, she also loses her father, her dowry and the love of her life. In a narrative sense she IS getting punished just not as a direct result of her own actions. because the writers framed what she did as wrong and they made 'karma' happen. Leaving room in S2 for Penelope to experience the repercussions of all that 'divine retribution'

I say not as a direct result of her own actions because Lord Featherington is shown to have had a gambling addiction since way before Penelope became LW, so losing her dowry and her father had nothing to do with what she did. But Colin leaving WAS a direct result of Penelope’s actions towards Marina. Since the scandal of almost marrying Marina left Colin heartbroken and in need of distance, especially from people close to Marina, that even without Penelope’s suggestion of traveling, his family would most likely have come up with the idea themselves. Penelope still lost access to Colin because of what she did. 

Penelope stans are not brushing that under the rug we love our problematic fave. Frankly Penelope has growing up to do and it makes for a more interesting plot to see her face her own karma. In S2 Penelope is going to be in a really tough spot, youngest of 3 sisters, unmarried, with no dowry, no male protection to make up for it and hopelessly pining for a man who she knows will hate her if he ever found out her secret. 

It’s just that as a character Penelope only shows her good side in public (and bless Nicola for understanding this about Penelope and playing it up on screen), she is very good at hiding her true self from people, even from Eloise. So much that in the books it’s only Lady Danbury who notices that internally Penelope is sort of a b*ch (A nice one, but still, a b*ich). She’s had to be, considering all she’s written about people over the years.

And Penelope herself says that when she first started LW it was because she was angry and venting out her frustrations on paper. Think about it, LW first publication was written by an angry teenage debutante. I’m actually surprised that Marina’s life was the only one she ruined during her first season. If in 2021 there is nothing scarier than an angry teenage girl with multiple social media accounts. In regency England it must have been the same. 

Sidenote on the subject of Lady Wistledown: until Penelope’s book, where it is revealed that it was not Agatha Danbury all along, LW is treated largely as an invisible antagonist in the series. She’s used as a plot device to inspire a healthy dose of fear of scandal in the Bridgertons, her unknown identity written as an excuse for lovers to be on their guard. LW is the hidden antagonist figure, lurking in the shadows with ambiguous intentions. That’s what Lady Wistledown is. 

I’m sorry if it makes people uncomfortable to see Penelope portrayed that way especially because she’s a main character’s future love interest and it’s a sin that she is destined to eventually marry the love of her life.( You know, after she grows the f up, same as Colin. )

Penelope might look cute and cuddly next to Eloise, making jokes and listening to other people’s rants, but she was never meant to be squeaky clean, everything LW published were in fact her thoughts, her publishing alter ego is just another version of who she is. And who she has been since she started publishing LW at age sixteen. Doesn't make Penelope stans love her any less. 

In fact, Romancing Mr Bridgerton is the equivalent of Colin falling inlove with a villian (or at the very least a morally grey anti hero) and trying to get said villain to leave behind the life of villainy in the name of love. And lets not forget Penelope ALMOST DIDN’T DO IT. Her villain alter ego was heard, and seen and she had power over the ton. She let Colin know that. If Cressida hadn’t put her foot in Penelope would have been more than a little reluctant to close shop. 

Penelope isn’t intentionally mean, she doesn’t want to hurt people, her character isn’t written as someone who derives pleasure from other people’s misfortunes, but the fact that she writes Lady Wistledown means that it’s still in her to hurt people, especially those who she perceives have hurt her, or her loved ones.

In that sense, she might actually be very relatable. 

Just as Anthony doesn’t respect women, he just respects Kate and the female members of his family. Penelope doesn’t seem to care much about who Lady Wistledown is affecting unless it’s herself or someone she cares about. 

In the books we don’t get to see that. We are not shown the darker sides of the main characters because they are the main characters, but the show is doing it. Sure it’s very disappointing to see that our beloved JQ characters have pretty ugly flaws (Anthony’s misoginy, Daphne’s pretty priviledge, Eloise’s inmaturity, Penelope’s vindictiveness) but that’s what makes a great narrative.  

To people who keep saying that Penelope deserves to be punished for what she did because she was vindictive enough to use LW to ruin Marina. Take a look at the direction that the narrative is taking for Penelope’s character. It’s almost exciting to see her painted as a villain who does wrong things and gets away with it because she can. But at the same time a lot of bad things she has no control over happen to her.

I personally love the genderbent take on the trope, because when S3 comes around it will technically be Colin’s job as a love interest to push for her redemption arc. And that’s never been done properly in TV. I mean girls plead for the male villain to reform with the power of love all the time. But I really want to see how a man can convince the female villain to reform for the sake of their love. Because reforming a rake would be easier than reforming Lady Wistledown that’s all I’m saying. 

Maybe I just love characters like Penelope, maybe I also want to see her deal with her own bad Karma, because she earned a lot of it with her Marina stunt, I want her to eventually learn that power like hers should be used with caution, because she made an awful mistake and she should grow from it. But if she doesn’t, I’ll still support her with #YesQueen because I am okay with her doing whatever bad things she wants.

I’m a fan of Penelope end of story..

End note:

My choice in favorite characters doesn’t indicate my morals or actions in real life or depicts a valid representation of my state of mind. Many people act like it does and that is concerning.

I shouldn't have to defend myself for liking the characters I like. Truthfully half of the time guys, there’s really not much I can use. Other than the argument ‘I happen to like fictional problematic assholes very much’. And in case you're wondering, yes I’m fine with that, I’m okay with shipping and stanning characters that don’t have one single moral high ground to stand on. Again, I shouldn’t have to defend myself, because a) the character is fictional,  b) the person writing this post is real and c) The difference between a and b is something I am very clear about. 

I personally have no trouble defending myself or my preference for certain characters because saying “I like Penelope, with her vindictiveness included” doesn’t cost me much. Or says anything about my person in real life. It’s just a bit tiring. And I’d rather spend that time simping over the character instead

[polinlover]

Not My Brother

By Storyhadmelike

Chapter 8

“Oh, Pen. How did you get wrapped up with these brothers of mine?” Eloise sighed after listening to her whole story.

“I’m not sure,” Penelope explained. “I just feel so stupid for not telling you everything. For not telling you that I am Lady Whistledown. At one point I felt like I was untouchable but at the same time, one wrong move, and I was done and destroyed. If that happened and you came down with me… I… I wouldn’t have known what to do with myself.”

Eloise nodded. “I’ve been thinking a lot about this. What you did was so hurtful. But I’m not sure if I would have told you if I was in your shoes. Everyone wants to know who that is. Including the Queen. She came and pulled me off my own house steps Pen. She threatened my whole family,” she explained with a sigh. “I can’t forget what you did. Instead of telling the truth, you used my personal secrets against me and created a scandal in my family. But what you did for Colin exposing you’re own cousin's secret saved him from being an illegitimate father.”

“I feel so terrible about all of it. I think of your family as mine. They treated me that way. I have always felt loved here. I should have come to you and told you. I am so sorry. And has for Marina…” Penelope shook her head. “I let my own feelings of love get in the way. My jealousy. I’ve never uttered a single word about my feelings for Colin because I knew they were unrequited. Now he is to…” she felt her eyes starting to water again. “Marry my sister. It’s out of nowhere but I feel like since he’s gotten back from travels I don’t recognize him.”

“He is acting strange,” Eloise agreed.

“Perhaps he does not recognize me. Part of me wonders if I should let go. Marry Benedict? I’m positive he doesn't love me. But I do not love him. However, I do like him and enjoy his company and he’s expressed interest. But would it even be the right move? Would I regret it? Tell me. Please.”

Eloise sighed. “Benedict does not love you. I am sure if the situation dictated it, he would marry you and you’d be decently happy. He’s expressed that you two have become close. But all in truth. He told me he thinks Colin is in love with you and just can't see it. He’s trying to pull out a fit of jealousy in Colin to help him see how much he loves you. The kisses and flirts, while they are not ill-intended. They are a ruse. If the ruse does fail however Benedict has said he fully intends on asking for your hand.”

Penelope thought she would be mad. Though she’d storm out of the room and find Benedict and slap him. But instead, she just felt a wave of relief. She felt like thanking him. “But that does not change the fact that Colin is to marry Prudence.”

“No, I suppose it doesn’t. It’s maybe time to inform Benedict his plan has failed and see what he thinks we should do. For what it’s worth Pen… you deserve the world. Benedict would take care of you. And since I will never marry because I have no interest. I’ll come and live with you. And we shall be sisters in truth.”

The thought of that made Penelope smile wide. Now there was a reason to marry Benedict. To be true sisters with Eloise. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Sure she would have that with Colin but either way, Eloise wasn't leaving her. “Let’s go talk to Benedict.”

There was another knock on her door.

“Hey, I am sure that Penelope is in there Eloise!” Benedict called through the door. There is nowhere else she could have gone.

Eloise went over to the door, opened it pulled him in, and shut the door behind him.

“Penelope!” He said excitedly seeing her in the room. He walked over to her and bent down and placed a long kiss on her cheek. “I am so sorry about everything the other night. I want you to know I am a gentleman and my arrival was not intended on ravishing you. My behavior with Colin was foolish.”

Penelope looked at him and smiled. “It’s okay. I wish to tell you something.”

“Anything,” Benedict smiled down.

“I know,” Penelope said looking at him.

“Know what?”

“About your plan to make Colin see that loves me.”

Benedict’s smile faded. He took her hands in his. “This I am truly sorry for. Penelope let me explain. I know a man in love. I have never been. I’m not sure I want to be. Every man I know that is is unrecognizable. One night I was with Colin and he mentioned you. He had that look in his and I knew. From what I understand not everyone falls in love. When it does happen you can’t control it and it hits you like a lightning bolt.”

“It does,” Penelope confirmed with a sigh.

“You love him?” Benedict asked her with a swallow.

“I did. Very much so," she sighed. "Maybe I still do a bit."

"He is not worthy of you. I am sure he loves you back."

"He does not and I was a fool. He is to marry Prudence.”

“Prudence?” Benedict scoffed.

“He was in my drawing room when I came back this afternoon from shopping with my friend Sarah. My mother confirmed it right there in front of him. I was trying to avoid him all day because of last night. He told me he would help me find a suitable husband. For whatever reason, he thought he’d also call on Prudence today and ask for her hand. Perhaps you picked up on his love for the wrong sister,” Penelope’s eyes were filled with sadness.

Benedict decided he was going to hug her. Right when he reached out though Eloise wrapped herself around Penelope

“I am so sorry Penelope. I should have told Benedict not to do this. I was so upset with you but this all just feels like a cruel joke now.”

“Eloise I have done far worse to you,” Penelope assured.

“Penelope,” Benedict cleared his throat. “I am truly sorry for my ruse. However, I do not wish to leave you on your own.”

[salvatoraesarc]

finished s1 of bton so i have many thoughts !!!!!

sighs so hard bc i loved simon & daphne before they got married…. i was so into them & the pining, the fake dating trope. like AHHH so good. but then…. episode 6 came. & obviously we don’t support what daphne did. like no, i will never ever be okay with that scene or scenario. & i get that it’s “ different times ” & i know she wanted to see how he’d react & to catch him in his lie. which they could’ve had her do any other way ???? like anything else. husband or not, what she did was so wrong & so fucking icky. made my skin crawl. so now i’m ???????? you know… that makes no sense but i’m just ugh. they have good chem & they were a good couple but that scene was so bad like that’s not how you confront your husband !!!!!! it just makes me sad. like i was kicking my feet, so in awe of them & sooooo rooting for them but she ruined it :( & was still angry at him for lying but ms. girl what you did was WAY worse. i don’t support her actions at ALL but as a character i liked her otherwise :/ ( it’s okay to like a character and not support them !!!! or their actions from something they did !!! i wasn’t gonna add this bc i don’t wanna be judged but im saying it !!!! ) anyways i still love simon and would risk my life for him thank you !!!!!! i have so many more thoughts about them but my brain is still spinning about it all

THE LADY WHISTLEDOWN REVEAL…. THE WAY I GASPED. i was not expecting it to be penelope at ALL. like i was a little sus when she exposed marina but i was like nah it can’t be pen… like someone else had to know, you know? and then it was revealed & wow just… damn….

colin is my favorite bridgerton, i love him with my whole entire heart. he’s just a sweet little himbo & i want to kiss his head. & i know him and pen have smth s2, which i’m excited to see 🫢 also eloise is a close second for my fave bridgerton, she’s who i wish i was :’) anthony i’m squinting at….. i like him but i hate him at the same time. i hope he develops in s2 !!!!

siena, my BELOVED. i loved siena, she deserved so much more screentime and so much more in general & i just love her and the little mole on her beautiful face

marina i was indifferent about bc i’m penelope’s number one protecter but she too deserved more than what was given to her and i’m so sad sir george died bc she deserved that happy ending :(

in conclusion, i’m not usually one for period pieces & i was refusing to watch this show bc i thought it was over hyped but damn it’s actually pretty fucking good phew… also i’m considering adding simon, siena, colin, eloise & maybe pen to my muse list… also maybe daphne but i’d absolutely cut out the scene in ep 6 like no ✋🏻

simon basset duke of hastings i want you so bad it makes me look STUPID like… i’m rattling my fucking CAGE for you

[blonde-toddy]

Random and Not So Random thoughts while watching Bridgerton: Season 1, Episode 6

It has taken me a while to do this. But I write this shit down so....

I wonder if they got busy in that carriage.

Probably.

Ok Clyvedon! Y'all are definitely not in the square anymore.

Aww Mrs. Colson. You're so proper and ready to show off and he's just trying to break that back in.

Gahh that place.

Ok Simon, go off!

Aw we're really just diverting there.

You really don't want to know Hyacinth.

Eloise is not here for the shits.

Oh, Colin. You fucking idiot. The one time Violet and Anthony are in agreement.

Colin you happy, dumb boy.

Brothels though?

Colin has a point. He is older than Daphne.

To be fair Colin and Daphne are both getting okie doked.

You horny mfs. I love it.

"You are already Duchess of all this." Yes please.

Ooooh that flip and the way he patted at her hips. They are too good.

Aw Daphne is trying to be proper and Simon is like "fuck all that."

Your Graces.

Jeffries dgaf about this damn honeymoon.

Oh Daphne, she just wants to show you around without YOUR commentary.

Redecorating? Didn't she say she did a bunch of improvements?

"A perfect Duchess." Ok you shady bitch.

Yeah that nursery shit is coming back.

All dressed up and no where to go.

"You're so far away." He wants his WIFE!

They have no chill and the staff don't know how to react.

Mrs. Colson absolutely does not approve.

Girl he hates that place. Gut it!

This man and the way he takes off gloves. Good fucking gawd.

Their poor staff.

I swear I swear I swear that man man is living, breathing, dripping seduction.

Well shit take it outside then.

Queue the rain.

Yes. Remove the wet clothes. ALLUM!!!!!

He is the king of playin with it. And I fucking love it.

"Do you like this?" Fuck yes! Talk. To. Me.

I wonder how many orgasms this man has caused.

"Tell me what you want." Keep talking, yes.

And by "you" she meant that dick.

"Does that hurt?" No boo, it sure doesn't.

But your ignorance on the subject does. Him taking advantage of your ignorance also does.

I love love love Simon but I'm having a harder time with his evasion now that they're actively getting busy.

She's bound to figure it out though, right?

Ahh they're still hot af to me.

Oh shit they're still going.

That picnic. Omfg. Flippin that ass like.....

Head on a ladder?!?!?! Get you some Daphne. Oh sweet Simon....

Sex on a ladder too.

They're really like "fuck the staff." And the staff is like "haha, keep fuckin."

Don't go there Mrs. Colson....

Welp.

That shoe dropping. Gawd yes.

Daphne really went from knowing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to getting that Grade A like a beast.

Though Simon is obviously a withholder, the man is sexually attentive and attuned to her physical desires. He comes to please, indeed.

That tangle.

Ok, girl tell Rose your business.

I do love Rose. I want more of her.

"His physical inability to have children." Oh the sting of lies and ignorance.

"Difficult entanglement." Go head Rose.

Oh Colin, you fucked up lil buddy.

Hyacinth is a treasure.

I like that Violet does try to be supportive.

Penelope and her passive aggressive ass is saucy.

She's mad af.

The sisters do crack me up.

Penelope is dripping salt.

Oh Eloise. They really are putting you out there homie.

Awkward Marina.

Portia is mf hyped! She is all about that social climbing.

But she's gotta negotiate the bag before she pop tags on new Dresses.

Aw shit Marina caught Delacroix. Her French accent was a bit cartoonish.

Curious Eloise.

Oh children.

Oh poor oblivious Daphne. Simon, help your wife.

A fucking tie. Bitch they gotta kill them to eat them. Simon, again, help your wife. Tell your wife THINGS!

Y'all fucking dumb off all that sex and living in la la land apparently.

Well somebody liked his evil ass daddy.

Diplomatic Daphne.

Another sprinkle of kids....and pregnancy too.

I saw that longing look.

Aww she's worried he's hurt by being around children. If only you knew.

"I thought only of you." Really, mf?! As you keep up this lie.

She's so optimistic about her circumstances.

He's lucky he's beautiful. And that I pity him a bit. Because he's a motherfucker.

How did you get so lucky? Well you're lying to your wife and she doesn't know how sperm works sooooooo there's that.

What a beautiful expansive scene though.

Penelope is PISSED.

No belly yet.

Passive. Aggressive.

Oh this dinner is so awkward.

Portia you are not subtle at all.

Anthony is still CLEARLY not here for this engagement.

Oh is she about to snitch.

Well shit. She's kind of snitching.

Aww. He thinks your such a good friend, but hes got this.

You're sneaky and he's stupid.

Marina is hustling.

Eloping is always a grand idea. Colin you fucking dummy.

Marina is so relieved.

Aw where's Simon?

Sad Daphne is not a good look.

Grouchy workaholic Simon is not a good look either....but he does have a lot of responsibility in all fairness.

Mrs. Colson is so sick of Daphne.

Homegirl is just trying to find her footing. At least Rose stays supportive.

Have I said how much I love Rose?

Damn no one wants to talk to Daphne.

Aw she's befriended the pregnant lady with the screaming toddler.

I'm glad someone is finally explaining shit to Daphne. She can't grow if she don't know.

Too busy for his wife now......I'm not liking this vibe.

Aw she's trying to hash it out with Mrs. Colson.

Oooh she's looking for guidance about Simon.

He really hasn't told her shit about his life.

The power dynamic of their relationship is frustrating.

All this talk of being barren.....

She misses Simon's mama.

Strong seed got her thinking!

Penelope you sneaky, lying ass....what are you up to?

She has hope yet again. She about to expose her mother.

She ain't giving up.

Marina is damned and determined to marry Colin.

Oh Marina went there THERE.

You're gonna see your wife, Your Fucking Grace.

Stressy Simon is such a grouch.....but I'm not judging. I'm the same way.

But when they're affectionate, fuck.

He really just tossed her up on that desk like "Fuck work."

And he proceeded to fuckin work that mf thang.

How many people in the world are fucking like crazy right now because their significant others stay turned on by this show.

If I were not single, I would most definitely be pouncing on my partner ALL. THE. TIME.

Ok. Back to the show.

That was a mighty aggressive pull-out.

Relatable Simon. I too like foods after fucks.

Oh shit Daphne connecting the dots.

Rose out here saving the day like usual.

Well at least Daphne knows where babies come from now.

Everything is about to shatter, amrite?

She can't even hear a word he says. She feels so betrayed.

The piglet.

Dat ass though. And those shoulders.

Yeah that's gonna be a no tonight.

Oooh and now he wakes up without her.

She's fucking heartbroken.

The man she loves took away her choice with his deceit.

He allowed her to believe he was unable, not unwilling.

Would she have married him if he told the truth?

He was ready to die about the shit and still lied though.

All he ever had to do was tell her the whole fucking truth.

Everything this WOMAN knows about love and sex, she's learned from this man (and the real MVP Rose). He has literally taught her everything from the start of her sexual awakening. He knows better than anyone how ignorant she is regarding literally ANYTHING sexual in nature. I know he's insanely damaged, but this fucking hurts.

It's a unique feeling of unease and helplessness when you feel or realize you don't have agency over your own body.

An absence of the option to consent if you will.

I know this is a show, and I suppose it's doing its job because it's getting me deep into my thoughts and feelings. And I sure as a mf ENJOY THE FUCK out of watching them literally breathe in the same room with each other....among the many other things they do onscreen together. I guess I'm just heartbroken too. Shit. Plus y'all know I love tf out of my girl Daphne.

Ok back to the show again. This episode is fucking with my emotions.

Daphne is stewing!

But fuck if this isn't romantic as a mf.

These 2 fuck me up every time!

JPOLND - The End. That's this song. And this song is perfect.

Yes y'all! Rip them clothes off.

Daphne looks wild as hell. Carnal. She has a carnal look about her.

Ok bitch. Climb that mf tree then!

Is she anger-fucking him?!

Either way, he's loving it!!!

This song really is perfect.

Oh shit she's not letting up.

Fuck.

This shoe dropping?! Gawd NO!

She was literally like you took my choice so I took yours.

These fucking two.

He's hot with it for good reason for sure, but she is going in!

How the fuck could you think she knew how this worked when she didn't know what masturbation, let alone sex was until you got a hold of her?

YOU. PLAYED. ON. HER. IGNORANCE.

Maybe this conversation should have been had before y'all got naked.

They're both right in their own ways.

But they are absofuckinglutely wrong in so many of their own ways too.

He didn't ask for her pity and she didn't ask for his betrayal.

They are tearing me apart right now!

Big Sean said it best. "I guess drama makes for the best content."

I'm still rooting for them. I love growth and we still got 2 episodes left. They can't stay stuck like this, I'm sure.

Oh hey Whistledown.

Aww go to your friend.

Wtf is going on?

Are they all trying to kill me?

Aw fuck. Marina has been blasted by Whistledown. It's over.

Pure little Colin.

Oh Simon is heartbroken and Daphne.......she's desperate for a baby.

"Can the ends ever justify such wretched means?" That's a great question Whistledown. I'll have to get back to you on that.

I will close this with happiness because I refuse to accept this heartbreak.