#lady debling series

[welldonebeca]

Correspondência (1)

Summary: Is it possible to fall in love with someone over simple letters? In the three years of his excursion, Penelope and her husband exchange letters about their respective lives. Warnings: Fluff. Canon divergence. Angst. Comfort. Slow burn.

Read the Prequel about their wedding day "Conveniência" now.

And, of course, as we depart London this season, we might finally get a glimpse of Lord and Lady Debling. It was a surprise that this most surprising pair chose to spend their honeymoon in London and not on the Earl's vast estate. The newlyweds have not left their house a single day since their wedding, nor have they entertained a single visitor – not even Lady Featherington or her daughters, who undoubtedly miss their daughter and sister. Rumour has it that Lord Debling, a man with an affinity for nature, has delayed his much-anticipated three-year-long excursion by half a month to spend more time with his wife before he departs. Such dedication to marital bliss is indeed commendable, especially for a man so passionately devoted to his botanical pursuits. One must wonder if, after such a prolonged time together, there will be an announcement of a new Debling heir in the coming months? Although, given that her sisters enjoyed a more prolonged period with their husbands before such blessings, only time will tell if Lady Debling will follow suit.

Penelope breathed in deep, keeping her eyes closed as she heard the sound of her door opening, but the sound of it closing certainly made her open her eyes.

The room was still dark but… her bed was warm. Differently warm, strangely warm.

She sat up, confused, and froze when she turned to her side and realised that was her husband there, fast asleep, facing up.

Oh.

Of course.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to tame the morning mess of her hair. She remembered now. She had asked him to stay a bit longer last night, and they had fallen asleep together. Had he noticed they had drifted off on her bed?

Penelope took another deep breath, watching him. His hair was a little messy, and her fingers itched to touch it, to pet it.

Well, she… she enjoyed being married. More than she imagined she would, actually.

Alfred was very kind, very gentle and their marriage was everything he had promised.

They had breakfast and dinner together, and she didn’t need to explain herself to him—he asked about her day, and she shared a few bits, and he took it without prying.

If he had noticed Madam Delacroix’s visits after she mentioned needing some adjustments to her dresses, he didn’t seem to mind – and of course, with the little fact she had figured out a few weeks ago, then he would know she was indeed in need of a more… adaptive wardrobe.

The visits kept her business going as usual, though there wasn’t much to write about for Lady Whistledown. Maybe next year there would be more to gossip about.

Alfred breathed deeply, adjusting on her bed, still fast asleep, and she rested her head on her pillow.

He was leaving today. After breakfast with her whole family – the first time they were actually coming to her new home.

She never knew she would miss them, but… well, Mama and her sisters were good at filling up silence, especially with things she didn’t need to pay attention to.

Penelope highly suspected they would have to be the ones filling up her silence in the next three years. Of course, she had different hopes.

She’d bled exactly once since marrying Alfred, and while they were not holding high hopes – well, she wasn’t and he didn’t seem to express much about it – there was a chance she wouldn’t spend the next three years alone.

It was so strange. She always knew he was going to leave, even with his short delay – caused by a few reasons, according to himself, even if she knew she had to embellish it for the paper – and was settled with it. But now that she was looking at him for the last time in three years, she didn’t want him to go.

In fact, Penelope felt the strangest urge. She wanted to lock the house down, get rid of his luggage, break all the carriages, rip all his clothes, hide his itinerary, tie him up, and hide in her study until he was tired of the idea and decided to stay.

The thought made her lips curl down and her throat knot up.

How unfair and ugly of her, to want to keep him from his plans!

Penelope shook her head, trying to dispel the desperate thoughts. Alfred had his dreams and ambitions, and she always knew that, it was not fair to even think about keeping him.

Yet, it made her heart ache to watch him like that, knowing he needed to leave.

He squirmed a bit as if about to wake up, and her eyes widened right before she closed them and positioned herself on the bed, breathing slowly, relaxing, pretending to be still asleep.

Penelope felt him moving and heard Alfred’s deep exhale as he seemed to finally wake up, and there was a moment of silence before her husband’s hand caressed her cheek, and it was so hard to keep her eyes closed and her lips from curling in a smile.

Alfred tucked her hair behind her ear and pulled away, and she heard him moving around her bedroom, probably taking his things, and he opened and closed her doors very softly and slowly, probably not to wake her up.

She stayed in there for a bit, until her door opened again, and opened her eyes when Rae opened her curtains.

“Good morning, Lady Debling,” she greeted her.

“Good morning, Rae.”

The familiar routine of Rae helping her dress and prepare for the day felt like a good moment to steady herself and work through the strange feelings in her gut.

When she came down, the house was already buzzing with activity, with the servants preparing for the family breakfast, people working on the last preparations for the excursion, and Mrs Selby walking around, commanding everyone.

Tomorrow, Penelope would also depart to her husband's estate – a trip of three days by carriage. The trip could be made in two days, but Alfred had insisted they took three days to make the pace better for her, so she wouldn’t tire herself out.

She made it down just in time to meet the butler, and he seemed relieved to have her presence.

“Lady Debling,” he bowed discreetly. “Your family has just arrived.”

Penelope stood by the door just as they opened it, and caught sight of her mother leaving her carriage with Prudence and Mr Dankworth, followed by another carriage with her Philippa and Mr Finch.

Well, they looked… the same.

“Penelope, darling,” Mama greeted her, though her eyes were on everywhere except on Penelope’s face.

She could see the wonder in her eyes while she explored every inch of the room she could possibly look at from her spot, climbing the stairs.

“Good morning, mama,” she greeted back anyway.

They exchanged polite kisses just as she caught her sisters whispering with their husbands.

“Where’s your husband?” her mother asked.

Before Penelope could answer, she heard his heavy steps descending the stairs. Alfred's footsteps were always distinct; she could find him anywhere since they got married.

“Lady Featherington,” he greeted from afar.

Finally, on cue, her family lined up as she turned to catch sight of him.

“Lord Debling,” her mother greeted him.

“Mr and Mrs Finch,” he greeted, stopping by Penelope. “Mr and Mrs Darnkworth.”

Everyone greeted him back politely just as he reached for her hand gently, almost instinctively.

“Welcome to our home,” he said, as Penelope took his hand.

“Quite the beautiful home,” her mother praised. “I wish I had the chance to visit before your departure.”

Penelope wrapped her arm around his, feeling her face pinking.

“Won’t you look at that,” Prudence spoke, bringing their attention to her.

She seemed a bit gobsmacked where she was looking, and when Penelope followed her gaze, she could see why.

Their painting.

Alfred had commissioned a painter to do it for them – two paintings of them, one for their Mayfair home and one for his estate – along with a small painting of Penelope her husband seemed to wish to carry around.

“Our painting,” Penelope breathed out. “To celebrate our marriage.”

The only sight of him she would have for the next three years.

He had chosen her dress for it – green, he loved seeing her in green.

“Earl and Countess Debling,” her mother exhaled, prouder than she had ever heard her.

Philippa grimaced, but Penelope kept her look of pride. That was, until she caught the smell of peach from somewhere and her stomach soured.

“If you’ll excuse me for a moment,” she swallowed down, trying to keep herself from throwing up right there. “Mrs Selby is going to show you the way.”

She let her husband go, making her way out into whichever room she could find, and grabbed an empty vase to vomit into, and was surprised to find a fan right next to it to clear her air with.

She closed her eyes, resting against a wall, but opened them, surprised at the sight of her husband.

“Penelope,” he breathed out. “Are you well?”

Penelope swallowed down, still fanning herself.

“Yes,” she assured him. “Just a little bit nauseous.”

His lips twitched up, but she could see how he was obviously trying not to smile.

Oh, wasn’t he quite the pleasant sight.

“Go on, I know it’s amusing,” she fanned herself.

“What was it?” he asked in a gentle voice.

She looked at the arch. Oh, they were down in a corridor.

“Peaches,” she exhaled, rolling her eyes.

Alfred nodded seriously.

“I’ll ask Mrs Selby to get rid of them all,” he assured her, very serious. “Here and in our estate. No peaches.”

Penelope’s face felt hot. She was so nauseous those days, the faintest of the wrong smells and she was doomed – and morning sickness was not just reserved for mornings.

“At this rate, we’ll be banning everything with a scent,” she breathed out. “I will be eating only boiled potatoes for months.”

He chuckled, and she glared at him in response, but her husband’s face was so soft she couldn’t be angry with him.

“It’s only for another couple of months,” he assured her. “You won’t even remember it once it is gone.”

Penelope nodded, exhaling. He was right.

They waited a bit of time, and he offered her his arm.

“Shall we?” her husband asked.

She took it. Her family was waiting.

They walked off together, and she caught sight of Philippa walking back inside, rushing straight to her in a beeline.

“May I have your peaches?” she asked eagerly.

Penelope paused.

“You have peach trees!” her sister explained. “I want your peaches.”

Penelope looked up at Alfred, who seemed equally amused by the situation. Well, that problem had solved itself.

“All of them,” she agreed. “You can bring them home.”

Philippa clapped, squealing happily and walking off, leaving them again.

“I’ll speak to Mrs Selby,” her husband told her. “She’s Mrs Dankworth?”

“Finch,” Penelope corrected him. “Prudence is the tall one.”

He nodded simply, letting her go, and when Penelope walked into the garden, her sister was already sitting down with Mr Finch.

“I’m talking the peaches home!” she announced.

“Penelope,” Mama called. “Where’s Lord Debling?”

“Speaking to Mrs Selby,” she sat down. “About Philippa’s peaches.”

Her mother looked puzzled for a moment but then shook her head, smiling.

“Well, it seems you’re adjusting quite well to married life, my dear,” she praised, leaning closer to her. “And have you seen the results of such a long time of effort?”

Penelope’s eyes widened.

What?

“Do you have anything to tell me?” mama pressed her. “Any news?”

Her face burned. Was this what Prudence and Philippa had to deal with?!

“Mama,” she protested.

“Your husband is travelling for three years,” her mother continued. “You must know today was your last chance to actually bore any— Lord Debling,” she interrupted herself.

Penelope looked up, relieved, as her husband offered her mother a polite smile.

“Lady Featherington,” he greeted warmly. “I hope I didn’t take long?”

“We were discussing your imminent departure,” her mother said, redirecting the conversation. “Such an extensive journey… it must be quite the undertaking.”

Alfred inclined his head respectfully, taking a seat beside Penelope.

“Indeed, Lady Featherington. It is a significant commitment, but one I have been preparing for a long time. And it calms me to know my dear wife will be here to take care of everything while I’m away.”

Her mother smiled.

“And we will be sure to take care of Penelope,” she affirmed.

They fell quietly into silence

A comfortable silence settled over them as everyone enjoyed the morning sun and the beautifully tended garden. Penelope glanced at her family as her sisters looked around with curiosity, not even looking at the meal when they were served breakfast.

“I can give you a tour of the garden if you wish,” Penelope offered them. “When we are done.”

Prudence looked at her with actual interest.

“We’ll see where you actually keep your flowers!” she celebrated.

Penelope shook her head to herself, unsurprised.

The pleasant aroma of fresh pastries and brewed tea wafted through the air and that seemed enough to get their attention.

The table was set beautifully, with fruits, bread, and various spreads and everyone seemed finally happy to eat. That extended into their walk through the garden, probably because Alfred was right there introducing the place to all of them.

But eventually, it was time to leave.

Something in her felt so wrong when she caught sight of the carriages outside the door.

Penelope would like to not know what the feeling was, but she did. She had felt it before, that longing for something to undo itself and for time to reverse: When Colin was leaving years ago, after Papa died. Oh, how much pain she felt, watching him hop on his horse and go, how much she’d wished she could run after him and stop him.

But this felt even worse, if it made any sense.

Colin was away for less than a year, and Alfred was leaving for three whole years.

So much could happen in that time.

And it was worse than her childish infatuation, he was her husband.

When she married him, Penelope had settled with knowing she would be left alone and was happy about it.

But now, after those three months, she really wished he didn’t have to go.

“Penelope?”

She turned to her side, finding Alfred waiting for her.

“Are you well?” he asked.

She nodded quickly, reaching for his hand without thinking, and he took it, still keeping his eyes on her face.

“I am,” she assured him. “I’m only… thinking.”

Her husband waited and watched her quietly.

“Have you packed everything you need?” she asked, covering up her feelings. “Are you certain everything is prepared?”

Alfred exhaled, his beautiful lips curling into a sweet little smile..

“I do,” he assured her. “Everything was verified thrice. We have everything we need.”

Penelope lowered her eyes, nodding quietly.

“Of course,” she squeezed his hand. “I suppose we should go down now. Everyone is waiting.”

She was ready to go when he squeezed her hand, holding her in place, and Penelope felt her whole body softening when she caught his eyes watching her face.

“May I have a kiss from my wife before I have to say goodbye?” he requested.

Penelope exhaled, stepping back to him, and when Alfred raised her hand to kiss her knuckles, she reached for his face to caress it gently.

He leaned in, and she rested her hands on his shoulders before getting on her tiptoes, and kissing his lips softly.

One last kiss, and then three years apart.

He pulled back, but she didn’t let him go, kissing him once more. And when she let him go, Alfred just wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her for a third time.

They were interrupted, sadly, by the sound of a throat being cleared, and Mr Hawthorne had his eyes down when Penelope looked back at him.

“Sir, ma’am,” he bowed respectfully.

Her husband pulled away, still holding her as he turned to their butler.

“You requested I tell you once the team was ready for departure,” he spoke up. “They are only waiting for you.”

Penelope felt Alfred exhaling, and he nodded simply.

“We’ll be down in a minute.”

The man confirmed, stepping away and leaving them be.

“You should go,” she told him. “You have a schedule.”

Her husband had an itinerary he needed and intended to follow as closely as possible. Indeed, she even had the exact dates he intended to arrive at various places, so she could send her letters accordingly. He lowered his hand to rest it on her belly, freed by her short stays, though nothing had changed in her body yet aside from the restless nausea.

“I’ll write as often as I can,” he told her. “And I’m eager to hear all news about the two of you.”

“I’ll write you back,” she squeezed his hand. “

He leaned in again and kissed her forehead, breathing out and then in deep.

“I shall go,” he decided after a moment, but didn’t move.

Penelope closed her eyes, still feeling his warm breath against her forehead.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispered, half confessional.

“I’ll miss you too.”

At last, Alfred stepped away and guided her down, holding her hand. They joined her family in the foyer, and Penelope didn’t let him go, even when the doors were opened and they made their way down the stairs to his carriage. They stood there, facing one another, until she was the strong one and took her hand from his slowly, stepping back, and the pit in her stomach grew more.

“Have a good journey,” she wished him in a soft voice. “I’ll wait for you daily.”

Her husband nodded sadly.

“I’ll remember you every step of the way,” he told her.

Penelope stepped back, and, at last, his carriage started, and she stood there, feeling a string being pulled and pulled at her.

Oh, dear, she would indeed miss him.

She sniffed, just once, and recomposed herself, blinking her wet eyes away.

It wasn’t that she had any love for him, it was merely… well, he was her husband. And he wasn’t bad to live with.

And he was spending three years away.

That was all.

And she was sensitive, of course. They said carrying a child did that to women.

Besides, it would be no good for her to start telling herself she had great feelings for him, they were not in a romance book.

Still, she didn’t move as she watched him go away until each and every carriage was out of her sight, and a moment more.

She turned back and entered her gates again, and while Prudence looked distracted, Philippa had the decency to give her a sad smile and look at Mr Finch, probably thinking of herself in the same situation.

“Well, now we just hope that you did your job well and you’re now carrying the heir of the Earldom of Debling right there,” mama spoke up, sounding frustrated.

Penelope’s neck snapped in her direction.

“Mama!” she snapped in disbelief. “I have just said goodbye to my husband for three years, won’t you give me some grace?”

Couldn’t she have one moment of respect?!

Apparently not, because she turned to look at her with a look of exasperation.

“Penelope, you must know that your position-”

“Is all you care about,” she spoke up. “Yes, I know.”

Mama froze, looking at her with the widest eyes, and Penelope steeled herself.

It was harsh, yes, but it was the truth. The only way she ever got an ounce of attention from her was by marrying an Earl, and now she was already coming to tell her of all things wrong she was doing.

And once she told her she was pregnant, then she would be tormenting her about having a boy.

Penelope breathed in deep and caught sight of Mrs Selby looking at her with a frown, but she softened it the moment she realised Penelope had caught her, quickly looking away from her.

“I’m travelling to Pebling estate tomorrow,” she informed them, raising her dress and climbing her steps. “I must rest. Thank you for your visit, I’ll be sending the peaches later today.”

You can also read this on AO3.

[maefansblog]

By Popular Demand, I have procured some fanfictions that I enjoyed based on the tropes that I mentioned. It may seem like a lot, but honestly, this is a starter pack.

(If you don’t like one of them, skip it and choose something that you will like! 💕)

I hope you truly do enjoy reading! 💕

1. Colin and Penelope elope.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50966071

Guernsey by MissusTarq

https: 1st//archiveofourown.org/works/55460359

Run Away With Me Honey by Katie_500

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46112719

What happens in Gretna Green by Fire_Lily89

2. Penelope runs away from the ton, Colin Finds her

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55353838

The Disappearance of Penelope Featherington By hippiechick7897

https://archiveofourown.org/works/44388109#main

Let me hope you by PolinxFeatherbridge (not in English, but this is so worth it!)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29520279

Mistress of Choice by some_mad_luge

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53390371

I’d crawl to you by Em_with_a_y

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53416630

With Love, Penelope Anne Featherington by Anna071202

https://archiveofourown.org/works/40376523

Scattered Flowers by cortlandia33

https://archiveofourown.org/works/54640174

Flight of the Featherington By Royal Sorcerer

3. Pen tells the Bridgertons about Marina

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49189453

Colin Sees You As You Are by Gah_gah_gah

(This is my absolute favorite!! Hands down!!! Love love love! They keep raising the bar and adding new elements and I love it!) 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52163260

Butterfly’s Reverlry by Cassandra Goth

https://archiveofourown.org/works/41858946

Ought to Know, Regardless by logogram

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48690097

Love on the Run by logogram

(mix of Marina &elopement)

4. Penelope gets hurt, and Colin gets in protective mode.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56026375

Fair ground Attractions by PenelopeR

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56534680

Attentions Sweet Center by clara_may

5. The unwed/unplanned pregnancy.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/39639282

Fill of Love by logogram (this is a series with different endings. Unplanned pregnancy)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55492477

Ten Fingers, Ten Toes by Em_with_a_y

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56063380

Afterglow by thatgirlinredandgold

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53850778

A Little Piece of You by Mimimoon 2007 (Modern AU/Sad)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56058757

Lost and Found by Booklover 1217 (still in progress)

6. Married Colin Time travels back to Season 1

https://archiveofourown.org/works/39220443

Romancing ever after by georgialee06

https://archiveofourown.org/works/31632029

Lord Whistledown by M_mck

(This is an incomplete fic^)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56429677

Love You With My Past & For My Future by At_the_Gates

7. Penelope and Colin's affair (it's only for this couple... you know the show hinted at it)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56010202

Lady Debling’s Lover by Tinuviel_Undomiel

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55820368

(to be the one) to walk in the sun by DollyPop, starryspindel

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56054719

Penelope married Debling by elhigd

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48389512

Find our Way Back by kermitthefrogstanaccount

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55409005

Illicit affairs by obsidianpurple

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48307435

Stay by LadyThistledown

(Modern AU with Marina)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/39332433

Love Under the Velvet Sky by PaperTulips232

(beautifully written/ Colin and Marina elope, Penelope moves on.)

Lady Whistledown Revealed:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53768401

A Truth You Can't Unlearn

https://archiveofourown.org/works/38398903

turn around bright eyes By threefundamentaltruths

(This is so devastating! I love it! Eloise reveals who Penelope is and the Family turns on Penelope and Colin.)

Amnesia:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53768401

But they were real to me by unsavorablefavors

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

Here is a Truly Devastating Piece of Fiction that I only recommend if you need to cry and want to feel bad about your favorite characters. But it's so well written that you sob through the pain. :

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30490611

Let Me Go Whilst You Stay With Me By Leuqar_RappaPort

🙈🙈Oh Colin... You would have loved AO3. 🤣

Hope you all enjoy! Make sure to leave your thoughts in reblogs/tags/or the message! I love to read them! Have you read any of these? What were your thoughts?

Also, if you have any recommendations, send them my way! 💕

This was an idea sparked from my last post:

@mostharshrepose @karis-the-fangirl and anyone from my last post:

I hope this helps. 💕

[consoledacup]

In order to fully understand Colin's reaction to the Lady Whistledown reveal and how he processes everything moving forward, you have to think about the entire season, the entire series really, through his point of view. I have no problems with the part 1/2 split. It made the anticipation that much more intense, and it worked out perfectly with their love story. But you can't separate one part from the other when you're thinking about his character.

In Colin's mind, the end of episode 4 is his happily ever after. That's it. He did it. He took action. He was the Cupid to her Psyche and played god and rescued her from a loveless match. He made shit happen and told her how he felt and they shared that moment in the carriage, and he gleefully proposed. He saved the girl and got the girl, and what a remarkable, enchanting, beautiful girl she is.

And aside from Eloise and Cressida, everyone's obsessed with their relationship. They're the true love match with a great story, and how lucky he is to fall in love with his best friend. And she's showing hints of unease, but maybe that's just wedding jitters. Or maybe she's mourning her relationship with Eloise which is why he keeps trying to get them to make up. Or maybe she doesn't feel as secure with him as she would've with Debling, even though she'd never tell him that. He is the third son after all. And he still has no idea how in love with him she is.

So when she tells him how she's always loved him, he's warmed but also wracked with guilt. Because if he had only taken his stupid head out of his ass, he would've figured out why her letters meant so much to him or why he was eager to participate in an investment with her family or why her lack of response the past summer devastated him. He thought he was the instigator of their love. He's the one who laid himself bare and was like, is it possible you feel a fraction of what I feel for you? And to find out that she did always love him made him feel so undeserving. Because why would this exquisite siren still want anything to do with him after all that he put her through?

There is an incredible scene that I think deserves a lot more gravitas. The minute Penelope mourns Lady Whistledown and burns her issues, it cuts to Colin getting over his writer's block as he writes with great enthusiasm. It's like, he's unknowingly siphoning her power. He is Cupid and a writer and her protector and her provider and so madly in love. And he will finish his manuscript, and he will make things right with Penelope and Eloise. And he and Penelope will have the perfect life together.

And then everything he thought he knew about Penelope, about friendship, about love, is completely shattered. She rips his power from him, and he is absolutely gutted. She has been the mastermind this entire time, and he was none the wiser. And what part of their love story was even real? At which point was he manipulated into doing what she wanted him to do? And while he was helping her with her confidence, and telling her how changed of an individual he was, she not only saw through him but broadcasted his insecurities to the entire ton?

He's still so desperately in love that he remains steadfast in marrying her. But he cannot get over his fury and hurt and betrayal at that point. Which makes so much sense. It's painful to see him lash out and withdraw from her, but he's absolutely reeling.

And on top of all that, he is humiliated. He thinks about everything she said about his own writing. She told him how he made it seem effortless, which is such a great compliment. And he's like, I don't want you to edit my manuscript because I want to prove to you that I'm worthy of you. And he might be thinking, I can even give her some pointers for her own writing! What fun we'll have with more lessons. To find out that she's the talented, sharpest, most prolific writer in the ton fully emasculates him. He feels like she was patronizing him all along.

He brings that part up, and she's like, no, I meant everything I said about your writing. But he doesn't believe her and immediately switches the conversation to her dangerous predicament, so he can at least, at the very least, offer himself up as her protector. It worked before when he danced with Penelope after Cressida ruined her dress, when he rescued Marina from Rutledge, when he helped save Daphne's reputation, when he saved Penelope's family from Cousin Jack, when he helped save Will's business, when he kissed Penelope, when he saved her from the balloon, when he defended her to her mother... If he can't be the provider, he can be the protector. And she doesn't even want that from him. She's the knight in shining armor. She's Don Quixote. Not him. Never him.

So he is grappling with his role in their union. He figures it out, but it takes him a little bit to get there. And in the process, he not only remains in love with Penelope the entire time, but he also falls head over heels for Lady Whistledown.

[mschievousx]

now and then | b.b.

pairing: benedict bridgerton x ofc, anthony bridgerton x ofc (platonic)

summary: loraine silva always knew she was not normal. she loves unusual things. she loves her father's guns, horses, boxing, climbing a tree, falling from a tree, engineering, astronomy... oh, and a man eleven years older.

series masterlist

v. five: lonely in your company

the young silva did not expect this at all. yes, lady whistledown wrote about quite a lengthy chat that the viscountess silva had with a certain son of the renowned pathologist, sir astley cooper, yesterday. but, for the rest of the gentlemen to flock her now? she was aghast.

while we have so far seen how she loves being in the bridgertons' companies and how she openly enjoy the things she finds fun, it is also as open she shows her distaste to the rest of the population—probably better that we haven't seen that part yet.

"i heard you like chocolates, lady silva."

"i believe we share the same interest in mechanical science."

"we have quite the collection of guns ourselves, my lady."

"a convention in astronomy is happening in the near future. if i may be so bold to have your presence when the time comes?"

honestly, she liked the last offer—had the man been fifteen years younger. it would have not mattered to her though, if only it was benedict.

the men continued to force their offers on her face. a man pulls another to the back to have his turn. a man pushed his bouquet forward. a man yelled his offer from the back. a man—

"excuse me, gentlemen. may i have a moment with the lady?"

a woman's voice stood out from the clamor, causing the men to turn and giving a space for her to take a hold of the younger one.

the ladies did not wait for the men's responses as they easily linked arms and walked away. although they could not do anything seeing as causing a scene in the queen's presence is not to everyone's benefit, they did groaned and cursed that a viscountess got away from their grasps.

"i cannot thank you enough for that, lady arnold."

loraine spoke gratefulness, her mood still marred from the encounter.

"you know there is no need for that. you act like we do not know each other." the widowed woman warmly smiled at her as she gave a squeeze on the silva's shoulder.

"i am simply grateful," she insisted, followed by a scoff, "i talk to another man and the rest of them think they could."

lady arnold chuckled at her stubborness, "i see, you still have not stopped using your father to fend off possible suitors?"

"i fend them off with anything i can. a gun, if i must."

the older woman said an immediate shush as if on reflex, something akin to a fear of being heard about using guns on suitors—although she herself would love to do so, "do you carry?"

"oh, no. the regular size is too heavy and bulky to conceal in a dress." raine said with clear annoyance that she could not carry one conveniently, "i am currently working on a smaller one."

do note that she already finished one.

at the mention of her creating a smaller version just simply because she would like to hide one made her look staggered at the young one, "and yet, you refuse to join the discussion inside."

lady silva moaned in displeasure, "i already went in. all he talks about is the principle of circular motion."

while interesting at first read, it gets boring mean you have understood it. the concept itself is significant, no doubt, in explaining various natural as well as mechanical sciences. however, she simply did not feel up to it today.

"that and i hate balloons."

lady arnold laughed at her honesty, bidding farewell to her as she continues to the dome. raine walks by herself, trying to find the bridgertons. while she did have other friends, she was not as keen to spend time with them as she did with the said family.

and so, she strolled until she found something interesting. eloise, cressida, and penelope; all surrounding the poor man.

"what do we have here?" she mouthed to eloise from the side of lord debling and penelope.

as the bridgerton girl shrugged and gestured nothing to her, the rest of the group noticed her arrival.

"ah, lady silva." the man greeted with a hidden familiarity.

"lord debling." raine tightly smiled at him in return.

miss cowper turned to the young girl, "loraine, you are an enjoyer of science just like lord debling, are you not?"

"oh, cressida," she began with a chuckle. she does not mean any offense to her though. while the said woman was indeed quite ill-natured, so was she. therefore, she is not one to judge the other, "you would be surprised by the amount of different sciences there are."

lord debling turned back to the cowper, "we do not share the same interest."

"we despise each other." raine nodded to that reassuringly, causing the man to look at her with seriousness.

"i do not despise you."

"your loss," the young silva shrugged with a hint of jest, "i despise you."

"such a strong word, my lady."

"i am petty like that." she giggled, lightly tapping the arm of the man in a friendly manner as she continued.

"do continue your conversation. i apologise for the intrusion."

raine stepped back with a smile and neared eloise, "where is your brother?"

"i did not see him. i thought he is with you?" she asked back, trying to look around herself too to catch a glimpse of her brother.

good thing she was looking around though because she had enough time to grab the other girl by the hand as the extraordinary balloon started to fly their way.

penelope, however, was stunned on their place. lord debling did not think twice to cover the girl for safety. while they did not agree with the science, she would give him points for that act.

raine turned to the men pulling the balloon, seeing colin upfront. such a personality he is embracing now, she thought. another bridgerton stole her attention though, because just meters away, benedict can be seen rubbing his palms as if in pain from pulling the ties.

she turned to eloise to bid farewell, thinking to go to him. however, as she turned back to where he was, he was now rushing to walk away.

her confusion was interrupted when cressida suddenly yelped in pain. catching on to her hidden agenda, raine rolled her eyes.

"ugh, i really hate balloons."

━━━ ✦ ❘ ☽ 【❖】 ☾ ❘ ✦ ━━━

after the incident, they all went home, likely to also prepare for the ball this evening. she went with the bridgertons to their home, not wanting to disturb her father for whatever work he's doing again.

the girl grumbled as she laid down on their couch, completely not listening to whatever conversation the family was having. everyone was doing something—gregory and hyacinth eating biscuits and quarreling, francesca playing the piano, colin reading and benedict sketching, and violet and eloise talking.

raine groaned once again before speaking on her own, "my father is so busy. it is almost like he is not here at all."

she continued to stare at the ceiling, only looking at the family after a prolonged silence of whatever they were doing. lady bridgerton was staring at her lovingly as eloise added, "and when he is away, you keep on saying you want him to go home already."

raine feigned ignorance to what she said, acting like she did not say that at all—which she did say, by the way, quite a lot too.

"ben," she called for the man across who seems to be ignoring the entire happenings in the drawing room.

"hmm," he replied with a hum, intent on his sketch.

"will you marry me so that someone will be with me when father leaves again?" she said as she sit up about to go to him.

"no," he replied, looking up from the pad and to her briefly before standing up himself, "i will be painting in my room."

he turned away after bidding farewell to everyone, the sound of his footsteps slowly fading. violet and eloise turned to raine after that, confusion clear on their faces as if asking what happened.

honestly, she is asking the same thing.

━━━ ✦ ❘ ☽ 【❖】 ☾ ❘ ✦ ━━━

her second ball—to be honest, balls are not as fun as the ton made it out to be. with the exception of what seems to be a men's club inside, there is nothing much in it.

"the surgeon from yesterday said he will be writing you a letter." she turned to see astley cooper, looking more dashing in a ball's fit, and still lacking greetings.

she smiled at what he said, "are they really going to study my suggestion?"

"of course, your points were quite strong. why do you seem to be doubting yourself now?"

she shrugged as she placed her glass down, "i was brazen yesterday. i am not feeling like it now."

letting out a sigh, she lifted her glass again and took quite a sip with a new resolution, "well, they better do because i have already boasted to my father that i made an expert pause and think about my ideas."

he chuckled at her changing moods in just five seconds, "oh, he shall prepare to be more proud then."

"lady silva, may i have this dance?" she turned to her right, only to see the brother of who she's waiting for.

"anthony, i told you. i am not going to dance with you first."

the viscount stood straight again, slowly retracting his hand, "you have not danced yet tonight?"

she let out a small groan at the reminder, "should i have?"

he chuckled, crossing his arms as if in deep thinking before chuckling again, "you are so obsessed with him. it is just a dance. he was already your first ever dance."

raine stopped the glass she was about to drink midway. she narrowed her eyes pointedly to the older man, the latter rolling his eyes, "okay, fine."

"viscountess silva, you are needed." a footman called for the lady, gaining the attention of the pair. his voice carried seriousness, yet that is not enough to reveal what it could be about. they all spoke monotonously during working hours.

she tapped anthony's arm before walking across the room, swiftly dodging the ton.

"lady silva."

a soldier strictly acknowledged the young lady. the man was sweating considerably as he pulled a letter from his pocket. he passed it to the girl in front of him without any word.

as raine took hold of the letter, small red stains are noticeable as well as the lack of seal. she opened to see the contents of it written in a hasty manner. her eyes flew from word to word, line to line. the lack of greetings, the lack of complimentary close.

she was not sure if this was done in jest—she would like it to be. however, upon observing the man in front of her now, his hand is visibly shaking. and so, she shut her eyes closed, crumbling part of the paper on her grip.

"name?"

"morgan," he answered with no mention of his rank. perhaps, this is his way of being sympathetic to the silva in front of him. perhaps, offering himself as a fellow person rather than a soldier would offer comfort.

"tell me where they are, morgan." she stared directly in his eyes, voice now void of the festivities behind her.

"i cannot tell."

"oh, you surely can." her volume starting to increase, sarcasm, anger, fear, and grief mixed.

"my lady, i am under strict command to not tell you their whereabouts." he did not break his eye contact, believing it as a form of respect to the girl.

she stepped forward, grasping her concealed small gun inside her dress out as she start to scream, "tell me or i will—"

"raine," a man grabbed her, pushing the gun down before anyone can wander their eyes on it. he swiftly took and pocketed it on his own. he turned to the young one, putting both palms on her cheek as if to call for her, "raine."

anthony crossed the hall as fast as he could after noticing her crumbling the paper, excusing himself from mr. cooper who conversed with him after she left. he was not the best man when it comes to emotion, but he knows anger like an old friend. and raine? she was rarely angry. she despises everything on a daily basis, but never with rage. and so, he knew something was wrong—very wrong.

he looked at her directly in the eyes, seemingly finding her behind it as he whispered, "there is a lot of people present. the ton is here."

"i do not give a hell about them. where is my father?!" he pushed the viscount away, freeing from his grasp but he reached again instantly, as if knowing how to deal with her already.

"darling, do not yell," he spoke in the same warm voice, "what happened?"

"papa has been shot," her voice broke upon saying it out aloud, just as her tears from her eyes, "in the shoulder and chest!"

raine nearly dropped down, if anthony did not pull her to him in time. although they were outside, the ball is still quite crowded. they could not let this go out. they could not let people see and know of this.

"i—" the viscount could not find the right words to say at the moment, he himself now feeling the panic akin to what he has experienced before.

sergeant morgan informed them of raphael's orders, him being the second-in-command of the currently incapacitated general, "colonel montague has ordered to have you stay in the ball. this is surrounded by our men, and the people responsible are less likely to attack a crowded event."

anthony nodded to acknowledge what the soldier said as raine is starting to lose herself, muttering on her own, "papa was shot."

while the general has certainly been shot before, this is possibly the most fatal. raphael knew that the girl would prefer the exact information, even in grievous situations. she hates when people feel the need to protect her from the truth.

and so, that is what the colonel wrote. he mentioned his state in all its actuality. general has been shot four times, once in the shoulder and thrice on the chest, sternum to left. he is bleeding heavily and is currently unconscious. we will be going on another quarters. i ask you stay at the ball. after, be with major thorpe at all times.

she pushed the viscount once again and turned back to the ball inside, "le—leave me be."

before anthony could take a hold of her, she already has entered inside. forcing to assist the girl would only raise suspicions now. she walked slowly, eyes darting from point to point as if looking for something. good thing it is a ball, and people will brush off her actions as a bit intoxicated—which could not be farther from the truth.

"where's...." she whispered to herself, not knowing that she is saying it out aloud, "where is... benedict?"

raine turned and turned, left and right, but she could not find even his shadow in the dance floor or within the hall. so, she continued to walk aimlessly, only to find who she's looking for at the bottom of the stairs, with a familiar lady conversing with him from a few steps higher. her mind was wandering. she did not understand a thing anymore.

"i need to go," she muttered to no one in particular, turning to a corner where a staircase leading to another wing can be seen.

she gripped the bannister, anthony in tow, seeing his wife in conversation with his mother. he gestured for kate to come to them, offering a smile to not raise worry before disappearing from view.

raine continues to find her way to the balcony, breaths already starting to be more noticeably heavy. fortunately, the place was vacated with no other person in sight. she dragged her feet and found comfort on the corner between the wall and a balustrade, sitting down with her knees on her chest.

"an—anthony," she began after a few gasps of air, the said man leaning closer as he crouched in front of her too.

"papa... papa was shot." the young girl reiterated in disbelief and grief. she left first for the ball as armand told his daughter he had some things to work for a bit with raphael. they were supposed to arrive late in the ball.

they were supposed to arrive on the ball.

he continues to comfort her, saying that her father's going to be well. he is a general, after all. the viscountess bridgerton reaches them with a smile, but it is immediately changed with a confuse and worried one when she sees what's happening.

anthony turned to her in a rushed manner, "kate, get my brother."

she knew better than to ask why. kate has always been a smart woman. she does not know, but she understands. and so, she nodded at him and turned on her heel in a hurry.

"you... will not find him. he—he is..." the girl whimpered. she cannot even see anything, her eyes blurried intensely as she fights to hold on to herself, "with lady..."

anthony caressed her hair before leaning his forehead to hers, speaking with the smallest and most serene voice he could, "shh, it's okay, raine. i am here. you can do—"

there were so many things happening all at once. she could not focus. she could not hold on to this for any longer.

"an..." she began, her words dying in the middle as she gasps and gasps, "tony...? i cannot... i cannot hear."

the fear started to settle in more to her. she cannot even hear her own voice. she hears nothing but the beat of her heart, irregularly fast.

she fumbled, trying to find his hands, and as soon as she did, raine squeezed it tightly.

"tony, i'm..."

she does not even know if she was able to say the following words. she has thought of it before, but more strongly now. she is thinking of it now, and she hopes that the thought counts.

"i need him."

taglist: @aadu2173 @imgondeletedis @pumkiinpasties @rebleforkicks

[lillywhitefield]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*New and Improved*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

✧･ﾟ: *✧Lilly Whitefield's Fanfiction Masterlist✧*:･ﾟ✧

Bridgerton

Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington

Doja Cat Modern Songfic Series

Penelope Needs to Know - Explicit, Size Kink, Love Confession, 7/7, 25.6k words

Why Don't You Say So, Colin? - Mature, Masturbation, 2/2, 7.5k words

They've Been Feelin' Freaky Deaky - Explicit, One-Shot, Mirror Sex, 9.1k words

Polin Week 2023

Love Island and a Little Magic - Mature, Modern, Love Confession, 2k words

Rent is Due - Explicit, Modern, Roommates With Benefits, 1.6k words

A Pen Pal Called Pen (or, The Missing Letters) - General Audiences, Regency, Epistolary, 2k words

Never Turned You Off - Explicit, Modern, Flirting Help, Wall Sex, 2.1k words

Olive Like No Other - Teen, Modern, Olive Puns in Greece, 1.5k words

A Visit From Sir Richard - Explicit, Regency, Dildos, 3k words

when you and I collide - Teen, Modern, Intimacy, 1.2k words

Polin Month 2023, Ed Sheeran Edition

learning to speak - General Audiences, Modern, Meet-Cute, Speech Disorder, 2k words

a million more first times - General Audiences, Regency, Developing Friendship, 2.2k words

I see my future in your eyes - Explicit, Regency, Kitchen Sex, 3.4k words

this love won't ever go away - Explicit, Modern, Disney World with Children, 9k words

you will still love me the same - Explicit, Regency, Older Couple, A/B/O, 3.7k words

Polin Week 2024

it's hard to know which one of us is caving - Mature, Regency, Forced Proximity, Arguments, 3k words

linger - Mature, Regency, Lessons, Masturbation, dancing and flirting in Colin's bedroom, 2.2k words

Mr. Brightside - Teen, Fake Dating, Jealous Colin, why does everyone like Debling???, 3.6k words

i wish i was special - Teen, Epistolary, Colin's letters, sad boi hours, 2.6k words

maybe i just wanna be yours - Explicit, Height Difference, Colin goes through Pen's window to propose, 3k words

only fools rush in - Explicit, Soulmate AU, Meet-Cute, Sex under the stars, 5k words

your skin and bones - Explicit, Hopes for Season 3, Mirror Sex, Wedding Night, 2.7k words

Complete Multi-Chapter

Knot Surprising - Explicit, Modern, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Pen asks Colin to help with her heat, it goes super well, since they're great friends and all, 6/6, 38.5k words

The Christmas Cake-Off - Explicit, Modern, Christmas Hallmark Movie, 3/3, 25k words

A Poison Tree - Explicit, Regency, Forced Marriage/Proximity, Only One Bed, Rebuilding Relationships, 19/19, 145k words

Santa Baby - Explicit, Modern, Santa Kink, Lap Sitting, Pregnancy Sex, 3/3, 22k words

It Was a Graveyard Smash - Various Ratings, Halloween One-shots, 21/21, 35k words

Bloodlust - Explicit, Regency, Vampire AU, Blood Drinking, Check Tags and A/N for CW, 4/4, 22k words

Romancing Captain Bridgerton - Explicit, Regency, Mermaid AU, 21/21, 100k words

Summer Afternoons - Explicit, Regency, Coping with Heat, Semi-Public Smut, 4/4, 16k words

One-Shots

my honey bee, come and get this pollen - Explicit, Regency, Breeding Kink, Pregnancy, Colin's turned on by the baby race, 4.2k words

Forgiveness - Explicit, Regency, Spanking, Lady Whistledown Cloak Shenanigans, 4.2k words

Falling for You - Explicit, Regency, Amnesia, Valentine's Day, Love Confessions, 11.2k words

Love in Bloom - Explicit, Regency, Sex Pollen, 5.2k words

you are impossible - Mature, Regency, Love Confession, 2k words

Switch It Up - Explicit, Modern, BDSM, Restraints, Latex, 1.9k words

Kissing the Kettledrums - Mature, Regency, Masturbation, 1.4k words

Baby, It's Cold Outside - Explicit, Regency, Pregnancy Sex, 4.5k words

All's Fair in Love and Pall Mall - Explicit, Regency, Sexual Frustration, 7k words

Works-in-Progress

The Scents of Longing - Explicit (eventually), Regency, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Demisexual Colin, many confused feelings for our sad boi, 4/6, 23.5k words

Twelve Years, One Night - Teen, Modern, Rom-Com (based on Six Days, Seven Nights), 4/?, 11.9k words

Made of Honor: A Polin Love Story - Mature, Modern, Rom-Com (based on Made of Honor), 1/?, 1.8k words

Other Fics

Lord Fife (plz read this fic I swear it's actually so good and gay)

In His Wildest Fantasies - Explicit, Regency, Fife/Ben but also one-sided Fife/Colin and one-sided Cressida/Pen and also Colin/Pen in the background and ends with marriage of convenience for Cressida/Fife, M/M smut, 5.6k words

Queen Charlotte

Agatha Danbury/Lord Ledger

Come With Me - Explicit, no PIV but it's hot I promise, 4.3k words

Call the Midwife

Bernadette | Shelagh Turner/Patrick Turner

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Explicit, Couch Sex, 3k words

may God hold you in the hollow of his hand - Teen, Grief, Loss of a Parent, 4k words

When I Fall In Love, It Will Be Completely - Mature, First Date, 4k words

Talking - Explicit, Married Life, 2.5k words

[lovelyo]

Season 3 part 2 will be Ass. Let me Tell You Why.

Cause in the end, Penelope, Lady Whistledown, the one who has left devastation in people’s lives will get all what she wants. The man that she wants, the attention that she wants, the family she always wanted to be(so envious of them she talked shit about them ), will get her best friend back, might have the heir for that dumbass Featherington plot line, might get the Queen’s pardon and above all else, will most likely not give up LW cause they made LW such an integral part of the show.(so in that case, she’ll be even more filthy rich)

And if we go by leaked spoilers, it is said that Colin will be mad at Penelope for like 1 episode until Kanthony talks some “sense” into him. So that just tells me Kanthony will be OOC because there’s no damn way Anthony would let that beast comment about his wife slide.

There are no stakes when it comes to this season cause we all know how it’s finna go down. If Penelope gets any type of consequences, then her very undeserved HEA is doomed so everything is going to have to go her way for the already idiotic plot to make some form of sense. It’s like the love triangle in part 1, what the hell was the point of Lord Debling when everyone and their ancestors knew Colin and Penelope were end game? So we can see Colin’s cringe angst? If we already know the answer to the love triangle, there’s no point. The “find you a husband” plot line was stupid as shit anyway, but it’s whatever now.

Ugh, then we have to sit through more awkward love scenes between asshat 1 and 2

Eloise threatening Penelope with her LW identity is going to amount to nothing cause we know Penelope isn’t gonna receive any comeuppance. Matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they made Eloise apologize to Penelope for…🤷🏾‍♂️🤷(let’s apologize to the toxic friend for not dealing with their toxicity)

For Penelope to have a happy ending, she has to get away scot free and that’s what boils my blood. I hate in media and literature when a character goes around, creates chaos and receives nothing for it or just a slap on a wrist. I’ve noticed an increase in it lately too. Also, I’m tired of writers not severing their bias from their writing. I’ve been encountering many series lately where the writer(s) have favoritism towards a specific character and gives them the easy route, bends the world for them and pull punches just because they like them so much. It’s really aggravating cause you see everyone else getting put through the wringer and then you see the favored character walking through Candyland. It hurts the story, the character, and frankly makes you hate the character.

Everyone around Penelope is gonna act brain dead in order for Penelope to get what she wants and I’m not here for it. Even the general audience ain’t for it. The only people cheering this madness are the asylum patients called Polin fans with delusions that Penelope deserves the world.

I’m not even looking forward to Francesca and John’s story cause of the Poolin fecal matter I’ll have to swim through to get there. At this point, I’m might just watch spoilers of part 2 cause it’s not worth it.

P.S. Watch Cressida get the short end of the stick cause she’s the “bully” of the show and Penelope is the “victim”. Watch them break Creloise because of the “I don’t want you hanging around Eloise” subplot which will ultimately fuel Eloise and Penelope becoming friends again. Also, Penelope and Cressida competed for Lord Debling just for Penelope to go “sike” and marry Colin so she wasted Debling’s time and made Cressida feel like shit because she wasn’t chosen. P.S.S- Polins are huge ass hypocrites cause they ragged on Eloise being privileged and having “everything” but are silent about Penelope being privileged. By the end of this season, Penelope will basically have everything, even more so than Eloise, but sure, Penelope is definitely not privileged 😑. Penelope is privileged inside the world and outside by production, why are we denying this?

[moirindeclermont]

Third installment in my serie of all Polin first times we didn't see and let's get kinkier, shall we?

Because I think it's time to cover a good spanking session.

The real first time it's more a happy incident that a proper session. They were so both caught up in the heat of moment that when Colin did spank Pen they were both surprised. Pen because she didn't think she would like it and Colin because he didn't think he was the type to enjoy it as well.

After that they talk about it (as one should do). Colin is worried that he won't know when to stop but he trusts Pen to tell him - they agree on Plant as a safe word, because nothing could put Colin out of the mood more than be reminded of that plant Debling gifted her.

Pen is more worried about why she likes it so much. A brief discussion with Gen calms her nerves greatly in that aspect. Apparently, it's more normal than she think it was and if she and Colin are being safe, sane and consensual about it, there is nothing wrong with it.

They agree to try it at least twice, but it takes one time to Pen to actually understand she really likes it and it will become a staple in their relationship. That first time, it is imprinted in her memory. They were re-enacting Colin discovery of her being Lady Whistledown. She was feeling a bit on edge about that choice, but she knew she could stop it at any moment.

They get into character fairly quickly, but when Colin acts the discovery he doesn't turn around like he did the first time. He enters in her personal space and tells her, in a very deep voice she never heard from him "get into the carriage" which is their bed at the moment. She obeys him, his eyes full of desire.

"I won't go about how your lies have hurt me. Thing is, Pen, I'm about to be your husband, and I need to teach you a lesson. Do you understand that?"

She nods, a pit of fear and excitement in her belly. "So, assume the position". The position is on his lap, half laid in the bed, so she can be comfortable but he has easy access to her rear. She starts to feel butterflies in her stomach. "I think 15 would suffice, don't you agree, Pen?"

15?? She's not sure she can take that much but she trusts him. She nods again. "use your words, baby" he tells her and she answers with the softest voice "yes, I agree Colin" and then she waits... And waits... She feels Colin picking up the edge of her dress and expose her rear. She feels vulnerable. It's scary and powerful. Colin is caressing her now, but she doesn't know when he is going to strike.

When he does strike she feels it in her bones. Not because he did hurt her too much, but because something is unlocked in her. "Can you count for me love?" He says, massaging lightly when he did just hit. She can only say "one" as he smirks "good girl" Colin says and Pen had to bite back a moan.

By the 15th strike she is a mess. She is moaning loudly, she is so wet and while it does hurt, every strike feels like absolution. Colin is not unaffected either, she can feel the evidence on her thighs as he goes on and on about it. She loudly say "fifteen" as the last strike hits her, her core clutching around nothing. She has never been so aroused before.

"you've take your punishment so well, I'm proud of you" and now there are tears in her eyes. She doesn't know how they got there but Colin notice and takes her in his lap " did I hurt you too much?" And she shakes her head. "What it is then?" And she collapses in his arms, telling him how much she wants him and how wonderful it feels. "I do understand, Pen" and she looks at him in his eyes and finds that he does understand. "Please Colin, I need you".

Colin doesn't waste time. It takes him some seconds to be inside of her and while her rear still sting, the pain makes the pleasure even stronger. They both come incredibly quick, as they both needed this type of release.

Afterwards, Colin gets a bath for her comfort and some lenient for her rear that he massage carefully. They will talk about what it meant for them in a while, but in that moment they just happy they discovered a way to be ever closer together, if such a thing was possible.

What's a first you want me to write about? Please let me know!

[dollypopup]

bridgerton season 3 part 2 spoilers

I want to preface this with saying that I have loved Polin for two years. Two years, hundreds of thousands of words, and almost 50 stories. I have loved this couple through fan edits, through fics, through rereads, through songs. I have loved this couple so deeply and earnestly and endlessly

And so my disappointment in Part 2 stems, predominately, from the fact that I just wish it had been better.

I wish it hadn't been as cut through with plotlines that went, ultimately, nowhere. Will and Alice with the tension of 'I don't want to give up the club' 'Well, you should to suit the status quo' 'Oh, okay'. Benedict with his 'I love being free. Let's shag freely!' 'I may have feelings for you' 'I still just want to shag freely, but now I'm opening up more options' (tho, congrats on the bisexuality!) Violet and Marcus who are just being set up for the final season. Cressida, who's story tugged my heartstrings so much, and ended up in the dirt.

But more than anything, I wish Colin had gotten more. There were so many moments where he could have been expanded upon, where his character could have shined, and I truly want to commend Luke Newton, he did a phenomenal job with the crumbs he was given, but was ultimately shoved to the wayside for the Lady Whistledown plot.

In truth, this is a writing problem. The actors are phenomenal. They have chemistry, they have passion, and they are all believable, but the writing fell flat. They gave too much time to side plots and, frankly, to Debling, who was such a nothingburger and didn't even return that it was evident he only existed because the series was afraid to lean fully into Colin's complexities. You know what is more compelling and more worthwhile to explore than 'Oh, I could lose her to someone else?'

Losing her to herself.

Colin spent part 2 ultimately SAD. And he had every right to be. But instead of fully exploring that, he was relegated to the sidelines to support Penelope's storyline. And I understand completely that this season was for the Pen stans, but damn, I wish he got SOMETHING. Kanthony's advice to him was useless, Colin started the series knowing he couldn't open up to his brothers and still not doing so by the end. Colin saying that his ultimate purpose was to support and love Pen was a horrific cop out and a disservice of his character. It's a bad plotline when a woman says so for a man, and it's a bad plotline when a man says so for a woman.

I love these two so much, and I feel like they could have had so much better. Penelope now writing the same gossip, tying herself to Mayfair, but under her name now, thus ensuring that people are aware and being different around her for the sake of her publication is bad. To imply that her dreams are Lady Whistledown is lazy- Lady Whistledown is a plot device the writers are unable to let go, not Penelope's ultimate dreams.

You want me to believe that this woman's biggest dreams are to continue writing gossip? Not novels? Not stories? Not an autobiography? Not to travel? Not to make more friends? But to have a baby and write about parties? They tried giving legitimacy to gossip as if Penelope ever had any peer review, as if she is the be all end all of what is and is not true- she cannot possibly know fully.

I wanted more for her than to be a teenage mum tied to a gossip blog. I wanted more for Colin than to publish a book offscreen and take over an estate until his son comes of age. I wanted more for POLIN. Their beautiful moments were truly BEAUTIFUL. That first time scene was lovely- but how much lovelier would it be after he knew who she was in full and accepted all of it? Their reconciliation felt hollow because he was not truly given the time to process it. The pain of separation, sleeping on the couch as she took the bed, was hardly explored outside of a few quick scenes.

No montage of their letters, no Colin standing beside her, and that Lady Whistledown reveal where everyone clapped? I don't understand it. I wish so much that this show took a good story and made it better, and that's where my bitterness lies. Not because I'm a hater, but because I'm a lover. I wanted to love it so, so much.

And I know it could have been better. My couple is better than this. My couple is better than Penelope's ultimate goal being independence and Colin's ultimate goal being an accessory. My couple is a pair of equals. My couple is a pairing of two people who love one another so damn much they can't even stand it. Where is my Penelope who fights for him? Where is my Colin who announces to the world he loves her?

I guess that Polin ended up on the cutting room floor in the edits, because what we got wasn't enough for me

[dusty-daydreams]

This is the second time that Cressida has had a potential suitor drawn away from her by another woman who was just leading them on, and then ditched them.

First was Prince Friedrich - whom Cressida was the leading debutante for before Daphne decided to get revenge on the Duke by pursuing him.

Second is Lord Debling - with whom Cressida was sincerely bonding with about difficult family relationships before Penelope settled on him as her best option.

Both men disappear from the series once the girls leading them on drop them.

Then there is Lord Featherington who was pursuing Cressida before Lady Featherington trapped him with her daughter.

I am really surprised that Cressida is not more bitter

[idobebeinggay]

Ok so my takes on Bridgerton series 3 and my dream scenario for all(some of) the characters.

1) pen tells Colin he’s confused and runs away for an episode we get more fencing scenes with benny baby boy talking through feels but not spilling her secret. He talks to Eloise, pen and Colin make up (he’s too puppy and in love to not) they get married happy happy life.

2) Eloise and pen make up in the last ep of the series, apologies etc

3) I mean my dream scenario for Benedict would be I fall into the TV and marry him but barring that, him and hot badass blonde lady who’s name I have forgotten have a fun time but he eventually realises through maybe a kanthony pregnancy and both Francesca and Colin’s weddings, that he does want to get married and have kids, so they talk about it, she doesn’t want to marry again or have kids and they split up amicably she’s a badass so she’s a bit sad as he is but eventually fine maybe she goes travelling and has fun. Benedict is all set up and ready for his season next year.

4) already kinda mentioned but kanthony pregnancy & baby. (I don’t know why my brain went wouldn’t it be super cute if they had twins). Antony catches up on the working stuff and manages to relax and be a present and brilliant dad even more than he was for his youngest siblings.

5) Francesca marries John it’s cute they’re cute they spend more time together, we learn his interest (other than being adorable and re arranging music for her) some of their time is spent actually getting to know each other, most just chilling, more of those silent calling hours, promenading together quietly, etc generally cute happy them vibes

6)Violet gets to have fun. Maybe her and Lady Danbury’s brother actually court with the intention of marriage maybe they just sleep together for fun. She deserves what ever she wants. (Also If she gets to sleep with him in Lady Danbury’s house that would be hilarious) (also payback “remember when you banged my dad?”) I Just want a happy time for Violet basically. Also sweet Violet and Francesca scenes, also sweet Violet and Benedict scenes generally sweet scenes of Violet being a lovely person to her children. And her and LD (cba typingher name again) being funny bff’s

7) Eloise… now this is interesting. We know Cressida is a raging lesbian. I think Cressida marries Debling, they like each other they get on etc, wedding night happens bcos they think they need to but then th rest of the honeymoon they travel she learns about things read relax she gets to experience freedom for a bit. Then they return to his house and she gets to have a great time living her dream life. And her and Eloise start writing to each other. They were friends with vibes this series we end the series at the start of their letters withe possibilities for the future. (In case u didn’t realise. I ship it)

[thekatebridgerton]

Rewatching s3 I realized that I never actually gave my opinion on the full season to you guys.

Mostly because it was good, every single Penelope and Colin scene was well written, well paced and crafted to bring their relationship full circle. In fact if I could edit s3 into a movie I'd cut everything off and leave the 1 or 2 hours of accumlated screentime that Penelope and Colin had together. Nicola and Luke really brought their A game.

Lord Debling wasa solid character, I really liked him, at first I thought he was going to be like Theo and have no purpose other than make Colin jealous, but he stood his ground as a well developed character ( for the few episodes he was in), I'm sad that he seemingly disappeared after Penelope and Colin got together and I genuinely wish he'd have found a good bride who would write to him and take care of his estate in his absence.

Francesca's storyline with John was also very complimentary, I once said I wanted to see how Eloise related to Francesca who didn't mind being a debutante just like Daphne and I am glad they gave Francesca her own unique charm as well as her own brand of awkwardness, not as obsessed with being perfect as Daphne but also not as antagonizing as Eloise. John was just the right ammount of kind and special that you can see how much Francesca really loves him. ( I'm choosing to ignore what I know of the books and look at Francesca's meeting with Michaela as just another awkward moment Francesca suffers in front of an extrovert .. mostly because I think its weird that neither John or his staff told Michaela he was married and to a Bridgerton sparkler at that, the whole ' and you are' felt really out of place and made me scratch my head)

The featheringtons actually felt more organically integrated into the plotline because this season they are in the position of being the female lead relatives so their shenanigans actually feel more plot relevant. And add levity to what would otherwise be a very dramatic series of episodes

Now on to the things I made fun of: every scene Benedict had with Lady Tilly, is very skippable, and honestly not plot relevant, after 2 seasons of watching him hoe around, a third one is just overkill. Also lady Tilly catching feelings and Benedict activating ' I want my freedom' mode is so hilarious. Gosh I wish him a very sexually frustrated and abstinent season 4.

Eloise friendship with Cressida also felt like filler. I know I've been saying Eloise needs friends since forever but I meant Kate, or Edwina or Sophie. Cressida Cowper was..a choice. And one that ultimately added very little to Eloise character development. But hey at least Eloise tried to make friends this season, I call that a step in the right direction.

Overall it was a good season, I'm sorry if I complain a lot about the parts I didn't like, but for the most part, it was good watchable content with a few snags that can be ironed out in fanfiction. The dresses were amazing and I hope their wardrobe department gets a raise for the hard work they put in these 2 years of sewing and pattern making. Hopefully one day I'll get a documentary about the Bridgerton wardrobe department process of selecting fabrics and making dresses. It would be lovely to see.

So far that's been my very belated season 3 review. And that's the tea

[welldonebeca]

Correspondência (2)

Summary: Is it possible to fall in love with someone over simple letters? In the three years of his excursion, Penelope and her husband exchange letters about their respective lives. Warnings: Fluff. Canon divergence. Angst. Comfort. Slow burn.

12th of August, 1815

Dear Husband, I arrived at Debling family estate on the 10th.YOur state is beautiful. Mrs Selby has shown me most of it in the last two days. I adore our gardens, I didn’t know it was possible for a garden to be more beautiful than our Mayfair garden, but this has proven to be quite wrong. I wish you had told me about it, but I see why you didn’t; nothing could have prepared me for its splendour. Mrs. Selby is a great right-hand. She’s very helpful and has been teaching me about everything very well. There is much to do, but it is pleasant work. While I write this, you are probably boarding your ship to America. I imagine my message will reach you once you are in New York. I hope your crossing was peaceful and comfortable, and that you remember your promise to send me illustrations from time to time. I will wait eagerly for them. Your Most Humble Servant, Penelope Debling.

9th of August, 1815

Dear wife, I arrived at the port yesterday, and thus far, my journey has been smooth and tranquil. The sea is a marvel—both beautiful and formidable, stretching endlessly before me. I find myself awestruck by it half the times I watch them. I asked our illustrator to draw it to you on the bottom of the page. I hope it captures a fraction of the sea's grandeur and brings a piece of my journey to you. There was a slight delay in our departure. If it doesn’t change by tomorrow, I may return home to Mayfair or the in you are stopping by. Perhaps you’ll allow me to steal you for a night before I must return? Regardless of if it happens or not, I hope you are well and you have a good journey to our estate. I hope you enjoy it and that you make it into a good home for your and our child. I hope to hear from you soon. I eagerly await your letters, dear Penelope, to hear of your adventures and the developments at home. Your Most Humble Servant, Alfred Debling.

14th of August, 1815

Dear Husband, I hope this letter finds you well and that your journey continues smoothly. The carriages returned to the estate yesterday, confirming your safe departure, and I am relieved to know you are well. I miss you already. Had I known you were still nearby, I would have sent my first letter directly to you. You are right; the sea is a beautiful sight. Perhaps we can wait for your return and see it together the day your ship comes to port? Life here at the estate has been busy but fulfilling. Mrs Selby has been a wonderful guide; I don’t think I would ever be able to manage it all without her, and I hope she knows how much I appreciate her assistance. The animals and crops are thriving, and our tenants are the kindest people I could have met. They speak very highly of you and are the most respectful. Once everything has settled and calmed down, I intend to visit each tenant personally to understand their needs more closely. I have started to take daily walks through the gardens after breaking my fast. They get more and more beautiful every time I see them, and it is very nice to sit at my windowsill and read with them out the window. Your presence is sorely missed, and your letter was most appreciated. Your Most Humble Servant, Penelope Debling.

19th of August, 1815

Dear Husband, I am happy to announce we are starting with our plans of redecorating the nursery. Miss Rae is helping me closely with it. We found your old crib and bassinet. Is it true you were so particular with when you slept on them? One for the night, one for the daylight? Mrs. Selby told me how your mother used to take you to sleep in her room, sometimes even in her bed. From the stories I have heard of her, she was a wonderful woman, and I would be blessed if I could have met her. If your painting as a baby is any indication of how our baby will look, I certainly might copy her habits happily. You were a very adorable child. I shall have a crib and a bassinet, in case he or she takes after you. The family doctor made us a visit today, and I’m happy to confirm that he does agree with my conclusion, and I am indeed expecting. By his study, he says I am probably on my 11th week now, and birth might take place on the 20th of February at its earliest and the 26th of March at it’s latest. I am certain the nursery will be ready much earlier. I am considering hiring a painter to have a mural on the wall – of a field of flowers or a small forest. Something green, a colour we both enjoy, and quite neutral, I think. I hope your voyage is being good and you are safe. Your Most Humble Servant, Penelope Debling.

 

25th of August, 1815

Dear Husband, I hope this letter finds you well and safe. Our peach trees are thriving and so grown and healthy I have barely been able to leave our home, the outside is all taken by their smell. It is so sad, because I know they are probably so sweet and juicy, but the mere thought of them makes my stomach become a knot. I sincerely hope you’re not having the same trouble in your voyage. I’ve asked the servants to gather them all and send them to Philippa. She seemed delighted the last time I sent her some, and I hope she still enjoys them. I cannot wait for my days of hatred for those fruits to end. Our tenants send you their best regards. Mrs Louis gifted me a chicken – I don’t know much about caring for them, but it seems quite lovely. I have named her Sally. I look forward to your next letter. Please take care of yourself and know that you are in my thoughts every day. Your Most Humble Servant, Penelope Debling.

30th of August, 1815

Dear husband, This is the last of the letters I’m sending to you addressed to New York, so I suppose it means you’re leaving it soon. Things are going well at home and I feel like I’m finally getting used to it being my home and not something like a family home or a place where I’m a guess. That must sound so silly, but I never realised how much I longed to feel comfortable in a place. It is so calming not to be under scrutiny or a watchful glare, measuring every step of mine, every possible moment in which I may falter. I never knew the word home could have such a profound meaning before. I have decided to keep the news of our child to ourselves so far. Of course, our staff knows, but I do not wish to tell my family yet. My sisters have always been strongly reliant on our mother, and the doctor estimates that they are going to welcome their children months before we welcome ours. I truly believe they would benefit from our mother’s full attention for a longer time. Mrs Selby has been a wonderful helper in all things related to expectancy, so I feel very well informed. I hope you understand my side of this, but I do understand if you have a different point of view. How was your journey to New York? I hope everything is going well and that you are safe. Your Most Humble Servant, Penelope Debling.

You can also read this on AO3.

[bloomingdarkgarden]

My unabridged and uninvited Bridgerton season 3 thoughts live as i binge-watched until midnight last night:

fuck this show is euphoric escapism soap opera and idk what whimsical crack they put in it but it always manages to make my heartrate go insane. My expectations were low, maybe because ive been starved for any tiny crumb of this whimsy idk but i feel atrociously fed so here we go:

colin u are acting like an instagram influencer and we all see thru u bye.

Nicola is the most stunning person on television 50 shades of aqua move over boys I'm first in line for her dance card.

I would sell my soul to satan to have a cigarette with Lady Danbury in her afterhours tea room.

ngl the resurgence of the season 1 orchestrals is BEAUTIFUL and hitting harder than the new covers.

cressida's hair needs a dedicated gallery space and im completely here for her humanization she is a ruthless sad hoe and i understand. creloise good morning.

pen and francesca bonding over being introverts>>>>

pen is the people's princess for real, bookish as hell and socially awkward until she has 3 glasses of wine and then she's real as fuck. mood.

OH MY GOD THE KISS THE NIGHT GARDEN THE SHEER STARVATION his hand on her cheek and he's looking at her like he just touched god fucking hell i had to rewind and watch three times.

Pen trying to impress Debling "I LOVE BIRDS' no she did not I spit out my wine. yes penelope yes. don't let anyone tell u you don't have game honey.

omg balloon drama lol what is this shit peak bridgerton nonsense.

benedict has the personality of a rug on someone's back patio, polite and unnecessary. the reason why his scenes are so offputting every season is because he has been depicted as Goofy from A Goofy Movie no i have not read the books but boy they are gonna have to pay me money to digest him as a love interest i swear to god.

ugh penelope is the most relatable female lead in this entire series i am rooting for her SO hard.

thank fuck lady featherington is willing to discuss penetration with her daughters they now stand a fraction of a chance of surviving the world. lady f for president.

i found francesca's placidity / passitivity about the next 50 years of her life v frustrating at first but she grew on me immensely and am looking forward to more of her screentime.

debling has kind eyes and i will be sad if he's truly jilted... bravo netflix for once again making me care about the beta characters.

this danbury man flirting with lady bridgerton hello sire you are gallant as hell, wake up lady b.

colin's entire world being ruined for penelope is actual nirvana.

THE CARRIAGE SCENE THE CARRIAGE SCENE I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING THEM I WILL NEVER STOP I LOVE THEM IM INSANE ILL NEVER STOP holy shit. colin asking if the carriage can just keep going and pen laughing because that's a gd ridiculous thing to say is peak friends to lovers i felt their friendship in that moment and im aching with it ugh they are besties with hormones GOD i will never. stop. loving. them idc idc idc.

can't wait to watch 75 more times goodnight.

[kingdom-of-sins]

Things I didn't like about Bridgerton season 3 part 2

I don't know how you all feel but to me it felt like Polin were not given enough screen time. They felt like side characters in their own season and had far less screen time than Daphne x Duke and Kate x Anthony.

What was the point of Lady Danbury's brother? To show Violet's garden is in need of a gardener? But I kinda like how Lady Danbury was scared her brother is going to ruin the life she has built. I have seen many posts that say that her brother was only 10 when he told their father she was running away, and that she should forgive him, but she was a girl who had no freedom and no say in her life and had to marry an old man against her will. She had valid reasons to be skeptical of her brother even after so many years. Some traumas and betrayals just don't heal even after a lifetime. From her point of view she was being forced to marry against her will while her brother was the favorite, had all the freedom and inherited everything.

Kate and Anthony's chemistry has been through the roof.

Francesca and John had such a sweet build up but the show just ruined it in the last episode.

I have no problem with Michaela but I was really looking forward to Michael since their book was the first one i read from the series. It would be hard to get over that disappointment unless Michaela is portrayed amazingly and doesn't make us feel that "Michael" would have been better.

But seriously, Francesca just got married with the one person who understands her silence and loves her. Was it really necessary to show that she was disappointed in the kiss and immediately started batting for the other team? They could have shown Francesca gradually being attracted to Michaela. How they executed it was disrespectful to John's character.

I was expecting an epic showdown between Penelope and the Queen...not really. But I feel like Penelope meeting the Queen before the public reveal would have been nice. It would have been an interesting scene. And then the Queen coming to reveal her publicly, showing support indirectly.

Too many Mondrich family scenes. Makes me think they might make one of their kids Gregory's or Hyacinth's love interest. I know Hyacinth's love interest is related to Lady Danbury but the show is changing things already so it might be possible

Benedict is still floating around aimlessly. At least his friends with benefits are hot

Colin gave me the ick most of the season. Was expecting a lot more from him.

I kinda feel bad for Cressida but also hated her even more when she started blackmailing Penelope. Lol Colin only made it worse. Would like to see her return to society in a more positive role.

And Lord Debling just disappeared? Did he marry some plants or animals?

Overall an underwhelming season for me. I think next will be Benedict's season and hopefully it will be better

[bridgerton-bard]

Bridgerton Season 3 Rambles

Warning: Spoilers for Romancing Mister Bridgerton and Season 3 of Bridgerton on Netflix

Just a compilation of thoughts that I have had about Netflix's adaptation of Romancing Mister Bridgerton for Season 3.

The combination of writing and/or editing was definitely different, and not necessarily in a way that I enjoyed. I am not a cinematographer, so I can't necessarily say why, but this season definitely felt like a much faster pace than S1 & S2. This is especially true for part 1. Prior seasons felt like they were meant to be watched casually and understood easily on the first watch. This season was so dense that I ended up re-watching part 1 again just to make sure that I didn't miss anything. Part 2 did feel like a slightly more reasonable pace, but still faster and more chaotic than any other Bridgerton season. Given that Netflix controls exactly how many episodes and how long they are, I wish they had decided to do 10 episodes so that the story could be slowed down to a more enjoyable pace and less context for each storyline had to be cut for time.

I liked all of the side stories. There are no characters in this show that I don't want to watch. Knowing the backstory from Queen Charlotte, it was so great to see Violet with Marcus (her garden is most certainly in bloom 🌸) and to see Lady Danbury get some closure from the past. It was also great to see more of the continuation of Lady Danbury and Queen Charlotte's friendship. Watching the Featherington women reconcile with each other was probably my favorite of the side plots. I enjoyed the Mondrich storyline. (🎉 Welcome to the ton, officially, Mondrich family! 🎉) I was a little skeptical about how the Benedict/Lady Tilly storyline was going to prep him for S4 (🤞) at the end of part 1, but fully onboard after part 2! I just wish we had more time to see the romance between Colin and Pen build before and after their wedding.

Side note: Do we think that Netflix/Shondaland had always planned for Benedict to be bi/polyamorous, or do we think that choice was made after they were heavily accused of queerbaiting in their characterization of Benedict?

Colin's realization of love seemed rushed even in RMB, but it seemed out of place as it happened in the series. There needed to be more development. Maybe we were meant to see his feelings growing through Colin's conversations with Eloise about Penelope and Cressida, but due to his characterization as "good guy Colin", it mostly just seemed like an older brother who wanted his two friends to reconcile? There was something missing. If the show had gone in book order and Kanthony/Benophie had been around, Colin maybe could have realized his love based on witnessing how those couples interacted?

In my opinion, all of the time in part 1 spent on the Queen coming up with a new name for a diamond ("sparkler") and then agonizing about naming one could have been put to better use. I know that the show doesn't want to bore watchers by automatically having the female Bridgerton lead of the season being named the diamond on repeat, but it's functionally the same and 10ish minutes of screentime that could have been better served elsewhere. Especially with the Queen playing such a big role in the potential match between Francesca and Lord Samadani as well as the reveal of Whistledown, I could do without the agonizing over the special title the female lead will get.

I really missed Lady Danbury playing the role of encouraging Penelope to be herself the way she did in the books. I know Lord Debling might have taken on some of that role in the Netflix series, but there's a different dynamic when Penelope realizes her worth based on a suitor compared to the objective perspective of a smart woman in the ton. To me, Netflix Pen felt like she gained some confidence simply based on that Debling was interested and not that she actually realized she was desirable. Whereas in the books, Lady Danbury encourages Pen to be more confident and show more of her personality because it makes her more authentic and fun to be around.

Speaking of Lord Debling, we were promised during the press tour that Debling wasn't going to be used as a plot device to make Colin propose, and that Colin would express his feelings to Penelope without that sword hanging over his head. But what we got was Violet mentioning to Colin that Lord Debling was planning to propose to Penelope which prompted Colin to rudely interrupt them and cause Debling to rescind his proposal????? I really did enjoy that book!Colin loved Penelope for being Penelope and proposed to her even though he knew that nobody else would and it would lower his social standing to marry the unpopular spinster girl who read romance novels.

In general, past seasons have felt like even where Netflix/Shondaland changed plot points in the books, the changes were still correct in the characterization. While the above might be correct to Colin's characterization it's a significant downgrade from the story that was already written. Why did that need to be changed?

Speaking of characterizations, I really enjoyed the characterizations for Francesca and John. They're such different characters to the other leads on the show and I really appreciated that both seemed to be characterized as neurodivergent in some way. It's nice to see the show acknowledging that gay people, neurodivergent people, etc. still existed in regency times even if the public awareness/conception of them was different.

I wish we had seen more of Colin and Pen repairing their relationship after Colin learned that Pen was LW. I know they were trying to build the drama, but the whole time it felt like Colin was two seconds from applying for an annulment, which was not even mentioned in RMB. Again, it just felt like too much was implied and not shown here, or that the show's characterizations were off from the books.

I enjoyed the peek into Cressida Cowper's world that we got this season. She's no longer just an antagonist cardboard cutout that's moved around the ballroom to create conflict. It's nice to understand her motivations. I really appreciated her storyline this season and I'd love to see a spinoff about her life in Wales and her eventually making her way to the continent or back into the ton. The scene where her mother threw her under the bus as she was counseling her that it was every woman for herself in the ton was beautifully sad. I think it was only in that moment that Cressida realized the only way for a young woman to do well for herself in the ton is to befriend and rely on her peers. I appreciated the aspect of tragedy that Cressida only realized her bad moves when it was far too late to go back and correct them.

Another issue with the writing: some of the modern language was slightly jarring. I know Bridgerton flirts with the modern/regency dichotomy because there are multiple parts of the show that aren't period-accurate. That being said, you're really on the cusp when a character in a regency period drama says "Don't come for my cane". I'm not saying I want it to be 100% period accurate with bonnets, etc. However, I think maintaining the use of Regency slang and slightly modernized regency phrases/syntax is part of what helps make it feel "regency" even though the fashion, music, and social norms about race and sexuality are not accurate to the regency period. The same can be said for obviously acrylic nails. Not everything needs to be period accurate, but some things are definitely a step too far. Big disparities like this are distracting and remove people from the story.

I know people have a lot of feelings about Michaela Stirling, however, I want to let Netflix/Shondaland cook. We don't know yet whether Francesca is also going to be bi or whether she's going to be a late-to-life lesbian. We truly have no idea. I have liked how they've handled Francesca/John so far, so I'm just going to wait to see how this plays out.

I think that's all for now. I'd love to hear anything you'd like to add, as I could yap about Bridgerton for hours.

Varley . . . release the BUGS!

[decaf-lesbian]

okay so i watched bridgerton (which i said i never would but oh well) and honestly? really fun ngl. season 2 is my favorite and the instrumental covers are all bangers (looking at you give me everything and snow on the beach). but i do have to say that season 3 part 2 bothered me quite a bit, specially regarding one plot point that they never addressed.

SPOILERS AHEAD

my problem with part 2 is that all of the characters completely ignore the most obvious solution to their issues: OFFERING CRESSIDA'S HAND IN MARRIAGE TO LORD DEBLING. i know a lot of people have pointed this out but really. if penelope did that, she wouldn't be exposed as lady whistledown and cressida would escape social ruin and isolation in wales (and she would have the freedom to be with eloise too. i am in fact a shameless creloise stan). and like, lord debling had planned to propose to penelope so he probably was still in town while the drama was happening. most importantly, if eloise wasn't so bothered by colin and pen's engagement, she probably would've helped cressida get with lord debling. they royally fucked up my girls in part 2 and i am very annoyed by this.

i understand why they didn't do it though. i know it follows the plot of the book closer but also. it would've been a 5 episode series if they went the easier reasonable way. it's fine honestly, i love me some unnecessary drama for the plot. i just needed to rant because this has been bothering me and i will in fact write a fix it fic to restore my soul.