#lord Debling fic

[madhatterbri]

Wedding Night | Lord Debling

Summary: The Lord proves to be quite the gentleman on their wedding night.

Author's Note: Bri, he was going to leave her for three years. And? Let me have my me time. I'm an Aquarius.

Taglist: @theworldofotps @plentyoffandoms

Looking for fluff with Lord Debling? Check out @theworldofotps fic found here.

Looking for answers about his travels for 3 years? Check out @plentyoffandoms work here.

Y/N's wedding day proved to be one of the happiest days of her young life. Lord Debling held nothing back in giving her the wedding she always dreamed of. While they were still learning each other, she was rather pleased with him. The man had his quirks, but he cared for her deeply.

The bride loved what would come to be her new home. A stable, library, and garden to occupy her free time. It was like a dream come true. A fantasy that became her reality.

After dinner, they went to the library. Books in hand, they read to their hearts content. The pair would pause a couple of times to remark on a particular subject in their book that they enjoyed. At the appropriate time, he announced that he would show her new bedroom.

The stomach tied in knots as they climbed up the stairs. She half hoped they would share a bed together. Despite liking her new surroundings, she didn't feel quite comfortable yet. The Lord was the only person she knew, and it was all still very new.

The wedding night also caused her some distress. Her mother and dearest servant told her what to expect. She was to lay with him and expected to produce an heir. Let him have his pleasures and then leave. It may be unfair, her mother told her, but she wouldn't have to work a day in her life.

"I will come back shortly," he assured her and kissed her forehead. With candlelight in hand, he disappeared towards his chambers across the hall.

Y/N changed into her white nightgown. Her fingers shakily buttoned the buttons that were from her neck to below her breasts. She sat in the middle of the bed. Her head propped up on a pillow and waited.

"Y/N? May I come in?" Lord Debling asked and knocked on the door. Her heart pounded in her chest. This was really going to happen. She called for him to enter. The blonde lord came into her room. His wedding attire long gone and now he wore a night shirt. He stood at the foot of her bed.

"A beautiful day for my beautiful bride," he commented. His eyes gazed at her lovingly.

"My Lord, you always have such sweet words to say to me," she blushed and looked away.

"Alfred," he told her. "Please call me Alfred when we are together,"

"My apologies, Lo- Alfred," she quickly caught her simple mistake. He seemingly smiled at the way he voice spoke his name. So sweet, like honey. Her innocent face looked at him.

"Do you know what comes now?" He asked. Her heart picked up its pace again. She shifted uncomfortably.

"My mama told me," she admitted. Alfred noticed her change immediately. The once bright angel was now nervous.

"I did not mean for my question to cause you such discomfort. What has your mama told you?" He asked. Worry written all over his face.

"That you will have your pleasures, and it will hurt and just lay here," she answered. The Lord shifted and rested his hands on the canopy of the bed.

"Nonsense, my dear," he whispered. Alfred climbed on the bed. His knees carried him over to his dainty wife. Once he saw her try to sink to the bed, he stopped. "Are you frightened of me?"

"I'm sorry, Alfred. I know not of what to expect," she answered.

"You will instruct me of where to kiss and touch you. When you are ready, we will continue," he promised. Y/N took a moment before nodding her head. She visibly relaxed. Alfred rubbed his hands up her leg no higher than the knee.

"I wish to be closer to you. I will sit between your legs but do nothing more until you wish to have me. Is that understood?" He asked. His question was answered when her legs slowly parted to allow him his request.

Once the Lord of the manor was comfortable, he leaned down and kissed her softly. Her eyes closed as she melted in the kiss. He always knew to quiet the storm in her mind. Alfred deepened the kiss.

The worry of her enjoying him washed away when she heard her pant. He swore to himself that he would work to hear more of her noises of pleasure. To his amazement, she wrapped her arms around him.

Alfred pulled away to catch his breath. His thumb ran across her bottom lip. He rubbed her bottom lip down softly. "May I taste you?"

Another nod as they went back to kissing. He licked her bottom lip. She parted her lips to accept him in. His tongue slid inside of her mouth. Their tongues twined around the other. She moaned in the kiss. He pulled away and pulled on her bottom lip with his teeth softly.

"What happens next?" She asked breathlessly. The man truly took her breath away. His charm and kindness made up for all the cruelty in the ton. Y/N couldn't explain it, but something was happening in her body. A pressure was building in her stomach.

"This," he answered and kissed her neck. Alfred kissed and nibbled on the flesh. As with bird watching, he listened carefully for changes in her breathing. He wanted to be able to make her sing for him. One particular kiss, gave him his praise.

"Alfred," she whined and moved her head to the opposite side. The lord understood and didn't leave her spot. He sucked the spot, leaving a mark in its wake. The pressure in her stomach built a little more.

"Angels couldn't sing my name as beautifully as you," he complimented. His forehead rested against hers. Something was eating away at her. A little thing her sister told her. Maybe it would help.

"My cousin told me about her marital bed. I thought it was silly, but she wanted to ease my mind. Her husband, he, well," she stammered and blushed. The girls went into a laughing fit once they talked about this. When she couldn't find the words to speak, she grabbed his hand.

Lord Debling couldn't hide the shocked expression on his face. His wife ran his fingers over her clothed breasts. The tips of his fingers barely touched her hard nipples. Once she relinquished his hand, he found his hands back on her breasts.

"Tell me, my little dove. What did she tell you?" He asked. His hands kneaded her breasts.

"That a woman is sensitive there, and men love to touch them," she answered with a pleasured gasp. His thumbs rubbed over her nipples.

"May I unbutton your dress, my dear?"

Y/N nodded urgently. His fingers worked each button. Lord Debling's face appeared pleased. Like a child opening a big box on Christmas. She touched his forearms and rubbed them. Once her chest was exposed, he pressed them together.

"Beautiful," he whispered and leaned down. His mouth latched on to her nipple. His teeth pulled the pebble softly before engulfing it in his mouth once more.

"My Lord," she moaned. Her arms wrapped around his back. She ran her fingers through his hair. Her mind felt like mush. Lost in the pleasures her husband was providing to her. He paid attention to both breasts, moving from side to side when he felt one was neglected of his touch.

The pressure in her lower belly felt heavier. She feared the feeling wouldn't go away. What if something was wrong? This wasn't the only difference she could feel. Between her legs ached for his touch. A throbbing that wouldn't leave her any peace. She blushed and squirmed at the new sensations.

"Something troubles you," he pointed out. He cupped her cheeks. "Tell me,"

"I fear there is something wrong. My body feels as if it is on fire. Have I done something wrong?" She asked, worried. This marriage was important to her. All she ever wanted was for Alfred to favor her.

"My little wife," he smiled and chuckled playfully. "Your body is reacting so well to me. May we go lower?"

Her face heated knowing the time was getting closer. "Yes,"

Alfred moved her legs to bend at the knee. He lowered his hands to the hem of her nightgown. Painfully slow, he raised the dress higher up her body. Kisses were left in the trail of where the dress was once covering. The nightgown bunched around her waist.

Her breath hitched in her throat. No man had ever seen her like this before. So completely exposed. He was modest about her embarrassment. Alfred kissed between her inner thighs. His beard scratched against her soft skin.

"This may feel weird at first, but you will enjoy it. You have my word," he promised. He kissed higher on her legs before stopping between her legs. She felt his breath on her pussy.

Lord Debling ran his thumb between her sex. He was pleased to see her body was wet for him. Unashamed, he sucked the slick from his finger. Y/N was so perfect for him. His little dove.

With his fingers, he exposed her clit. She tensed yet quickly relaxed when his tongue made contact with her bundle of nerves. His virginal wife made a breathy moan. His tongue swirled in a circular motion as if licking an ice cream cone.

"My Lord," she moaned and gripped the sheets. Her head drifted off to the side. Alfred didn't afford her an opportunity to get used to his actions. His tongue licked side to side before moving up and down a short time later.

He tongued her entrance briefly before finding her clit once more. She melted at his actions. Nibbles and sucks on her sensitive body, caused her to squirm.

"Look at me," he ordered. She stared down between her legs. His blue eyes stared at her intently. While she was distracted by his skilled tongue, Alfred inserted a finger inside of her. He only pushed into the middle of his finger to get her used to it.

He never let up on her as he watched her enjoy herself. The Lord was patient with her. After her walls comfortably accepted his fingers, he added one more. They scissored inside of her to get her ready for him.

Alfred pulled himself away from her. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Do not be afraid, my dove," he comforted her. Y/N nodded and watched as he removed his nightgown. Her eyes took in his body. She enjoyed the hair on his chest along with his muscular body. "I will go slow,"

Alfred positioned himself between her legs. He rubbed the tip of his length between her folds. Once settled at her entrance, he slowly slipped the head inside of her. He took deep breaths to steady himself.

Once her walls accepted him in, he shoved more of himself inside of her. He leaned down and kissed her lips. Any distraction for her in case he caused her any discomfort. Alfred made short thrusts to get her used to his actions. They moaned into each other.

Each thrust allowed him to slide in a little more. He continued his crusade of peppering her lips and face with kisses. With one final thrust, he knew the deed was done. A pained moan escaped her lips.

"You are doing so well," he praised. His forehead rested against hers. Alfred waited for her body to adapt to him. He pulled out halfway before thrusting once again. Y/N remained silent while he praised her. What felt like an eternity to the Lord, she moaned his name. A voice of the angels.

"I'm here, darling. You look beautiful," he complimented. His thrusts picked up. The bed squeaked under them. Their sounds of pleasure fueling the other on more. Her arms found their way around him. Her nails connected to his skin. He hissed yet didn't complain.

"Alfred, something is happening," she warned. The pressure in her belly felt like it would snap.

"I know, darling. I feel it. Give me everything," he assured her.

Her mother nor her cousin could tell her the full experience of her first orgasm. She felt like she was floating in the air. Her eyes were half closed as her body tightened around him. In her distraction, he gripped her hips and buried his head in her neck. With one last thrust, he spilled his seed inside of her.

They remained still for a while to catch their breath. He removed himself from inside of her. Her nightgown was placed properly while his was placed back on. He moved to leave her bed, yet the look in her eyes stopped him.

"Are you in pain?" He asked with great worry. Despite all his measures, he feared he caused her pain that she wouldn't admit.

"I do not wish to be away from my husband. Please stay with me just for tonight,"

Her heart sank when she stood from her bed. Tears pricked her eyes, yet he slid under the covers next to her. He raised the covers to envelope them around her.

"But just for tonight," he reminded. His arms wrapped around her. She nodded and cuddled into her. They talked about their hopes and dreams for the marriage. His soft snore lured her into a peaceful sleep.

[storiesaplenty]

Take a Flyer

Lord Debling x f/Reader (18+)

Bridgerton Masterlist

“Flyers” were shoes, so this phrase describes having sex while still dressed or “without going to bed.”

Just like all my other stories, has not been proofread, but please enjoy.

Warnings. Smut below the cut. Unprotected sex. P in v. Creampie

WC 583

From my previous account plentyoffandoms.

©️ storiesaplenty 2024: do not repost or translate my work. This is the only place I post my work.

Summary: Lord Debling did not care that a dinner party was happening in the next room. He has been gone from his wife far too long, & he is going to make up for lost time.

"Alfred, please." She whined as I bent her over the arm of the settee, bunching up her skirts.

"Please, what my darling?" I questioned as I undid my own breeches

"The guests are waiting."

"What did I say in my letters I sent home?" I fisted my cock, slapping it against her leaking pussy.

I pushed just the tip in, savouring the feeling of her warmth. Oh, how I have missed this.

She pushed her hips back or tried to take me deeper. I pulled back, making her cry out in frustration.

"What did I say, my dear?"

"That I will be dripping with your seed every day that you are home."

"And I intend to keep that promise, my love." I slammed into her, reaching around to cover her mouth as she let out a scream of my name.

"Was too long without you wrapped around my cock. Lord, I have missed you."

"And I intend to keep that promise, my love." I slammed into her, reaching around to cover her mouth as she let out a scream of my name.

I have been gone for 5 months, and I regretted not bringing her along with me this time, but she insisted on coming with me the next trip.

I have been home only three days, and I have spent every single moment buried deep within her walls.

Our meals were brought to us in our bedroom. The moment we were done, I was on her.

But not today, no.

This dinner party had been in the works for months now, and there was no way she was going to cancel it, so she was up before I was this morning, and she has been on the go since.

My cock ached for her all day, even finishing myself off would not do the trick. Not when I have my wife so close to me, whose body and soul I have missed more than anything.

So when I found her in our drawing room, waiting to make her entrance and suprise everyone that I was home, I had to make quick use of our time together, knowing how our dinner parties can go well into the night, sometimes the next day.

My pace was slow, savouring this moment of being in her once more, but then the thought of someone walking in on us, awake something in me.

I pulled her hips back with every single thrust. Groans and moans falling from my own lips as soft pants left hers.

I couldn't hold back anymore, with one final thrust, I stilled as I came deep within her. My face scrunching up at the intense pleasure.

A soft gasp fell from her lips. I pulled out of her and watched as my spent slowly started to leak onto her thighs. I put the skirts of her dress back down and myself away.

"I am sorry, my love. Once they are gone, I will make it up to you." I have always made sure she finishes, doesn't matter if it is by my cock, fingers or mouth.

She cupped my face in her hand, and I leaned into it, kissing her palm.

"I know you will, Alfred. Come. Our guests are waiting and I am very hungry."

I sat there, talking with an acquaintance, watching her out of the corner of my eye, knowing that her and I share a dirty little secret between the two of us.

The thought of her sitting there with my cum leaking out of her, made my cock twitch in my breeches.

Oh yes, I will be making it up to her once everyone is gone.

Tag list: @madhatterbri

[quotergirl19]

Lord Debling is looking for a love match and he takes an immediate liking to Penelope Featherington but he can see there is something between Miss Featherington & her friend Mr. Bridgerton who keeps a suspiciously close eye on her. Penelope assures him that they are childhood friends so Debling makes a point of telling Colin that he will do everything in his power to make Penelope happy because she’s is exactly the sort of woman he’s hoping to secure for his wife. Debling goes on to express his surprise that Colin did not marry her himself since he clearly cares for her and must know that it would be a terrible waste for such a remarkable woman to become a spinster when she’s such a rare jewel and Colin appears quite taken with her.

Colin immediately tells Debling that Penelope is his oldest and dearest friend and with no father or brother to look after her, he has promised to look out for. He insists he only wants what is best for his friend but Debling’s not fooled and proceeds to watch their interactions very closely.

Forgetting that they shared the first dance of the evening together, Colin takes Penelope’s hand for a dance and he is clearly unsettled by his conversation with Debling. He tries to ask Penelope if she thinks she might come to love Lord Debling but she doesn’t want to talk about it and it’s clear Colin believes Penelope is forming an attachment to the gentleman. He is visibly bothered by this.

When the dance ends, Violet, Anthony and Portia Featherington all notice that Colin fails to bow and release Penelope, instead he keeps her in his arms, starting a third dance which is immediately noticed by another several members of the ton because more than two dances is improper and widely considered to be an engagement announcement. When Penelope tries to tell Colin that people are watching them, he doesn’t care.

Again, Colin asks Penelope if she believes she might come to love Lord Debling and she tells him she is fond of him but does not know if that will ever become love, adding that she has had to abandon any hope of love in order to focus on securing a match at all. It dawns on Colin that Penelope is guarding her affections which seemed unlike her. He asks if she is scared to risk her heart because of what he said last season. He tells her not to let anyone or anything ever make her feel unworthy of great love, that she’s more deserving of happiness and devotion than she realizes and Penelope nearly bursts into tears hearing that from Colin of all people and she flees the ballroom.

Colin immediately follows Penelope out into the garden insisting that she’s the best person he knows and she will make some gentleman a very lucky and happy man no matter who she chooses to marry. He insists she should not rush or settle, that she should wait for love. Penelope pleads with him to stop but Colin continues, insisting that she doesn’t see herself the way he sees her. That she thinks she’s invisible but he sees her and he thinks she’s perfect. Intelligent, loyal, kind and beautiful… everything a good man could ever hope for and right there in a moonlit garden, Colin Bridgerton kisses Penelope Featherington and it is glorious. But they’re witnessed by Cressida Cowper who intentionally brings Colin & Penelope’s disappearance to the attention of Lord Debling who leaves the party but later wishes Penelope every happiness with her Mr. Bridgerton when their paths cross again after the engagement between Miss Penelope Featherington & Mr. Colin Bridgerton is announced.

[grace-williams-xo]

Comment from @pluto-pepsi on this post of mine, re point 11.

I lowkey want Anthony to be mad in “Penelope has no male relatives so I guess the duty of beating the shit out of my brother for ruining her engagement falls to me” kind of way

“Why do I have it on good authority that Penelope Featherington was about to accept a proposal from Lord Debling, until you ruined it?” Anthony yelled, marching into Colin’s study angrily. Kate followed him, resigned.

“Anthony! Kate! When did you get back?” Colin asks, not put off by his brother’s attitude.

“That is hardly relevant,” Anthony snaps.

“The ship arrived yesterday, but we stayed at an inn. We have only returned to Mayfair today,” Kate explains, moving to sit on an armchair. She has mostly given up trying to calm down her husband.

“Lord Debling is not important anymore brother, Penelope and I are betrothed,” Colin sighs, a small smile between smug and fond settling on his features.

“You are what?! Since when?!”

“In fact, I am surprised that whatever informed you of her ill fate with Lord Debling did not also tell you of our engagement,” Colin shrugs.

“You cannot propose marriage without my approval, Colin. I know the Featherington estate has been unfortunate lately. Does she even have a dowry?” Anthony seethes, nostrils flaring.

“A dowry should not matter—“

“But—“

“Anthony,” Kate interrupts their squabble, her voice gentle but exhausted. His neck immediately snaps to look at her. “Colin has been fond of Miss Penelope for some time now. You should consider this while we rest from our journey.”

“You are right.” Anthony huffs, always obedient of his wife, and walks out of the room with a sigh. Colin sends Kate a grateful look as they exit. “BENEDICT!”

“Anthony,” Kate all but groans. This is not what she meant when she said they should rest.

“Brother! You have returned!” Benedict grins, bounding up the stairs.

“How could you let our brother propose marriage to a woman who was for all intents and purposes engaged to someone else?” Anthony asks sharply.

“I do not think she was,” Benedict says confusedly.

“I have heard otherwise. It is my duty to rectify this.”

“Rectify it how? They are already engaged to be married, and you are not the guardian of either of them,” Benedict points out in disbelief.

“Miss Penelope is without a male guardian, so I must do what I can and must to control the Colin of it all,” Anthony replies matter-of-factly

“Anthony,” Kate says, voice sterner than before, “I said we should rest.”

“This is not over,” Anthony scowls.

[myfairstarlight]

I know there was already enough tension in part 2 but can you imagine if Debling had stayed a bit longer.

Because he would understand immediately that something was wrong between Polin and he liked Penelope, I know they would have been friends after all. Just imagine a scene where he's maybe a bit petty and gets back at Colin for publicly humiliating him by constantly threatening to resume his engagement with Penelope like

Debling: Well, if you have changed your mind, Mr Bridgerton, be sure that Miss Penelope will not be ruined, for I would gladly propose—

Colin, eye twitching: I will end you.

[midnightfandoms]

What I like about Lord Debling is that he’s completely honest about what he wants. He wants a wife to run his estate while he continuously goes on years long expeditions. He’d also like his wife to be honest with him and to be someone he enjoys hanging out with. But, beyond this straightforward admission, what sets him apart is that he specifically wants someone who will genuinely be happy with this arrangement. He could easily take advantage of some naive girl who doesn't fully grasp the weight of her decision. Instead, he wants an intelligent person who is going into it with her eyes wide open. He wants a wife who is equally passionate about her own interests so that she will enjoy the freedom of being alone rather than finding it sad and isolating.

It makes him a terrible match for Panelope (who he dropped as soon as he realized she'd be deeply unhappy in their marriage) and the whole sexist system still sucks, but imagine how happy he could make the Charlotte Lucases of that world.

[easybrainrot34]

✈️ Colin Bridgerton Headcanons ✈️

This was requested by this lovely anon!! This is my first request so thank you for writing in! It would’ve come out sooner, but i currently have a mean tooth infection, nevertheless, the show must go on! Heads up, third one is a hint of spice. Hope u enjoy☺️

Characters mentioned : Gregory, Anthony, Benedict, Daphne, Edmund, Violet, Penelope, Debling, and Eloise

🎻= regency era

🧳= modern au

🧳🎻= either

Ps my request r open :)

🧳🎻 I think he has a very realistic view on his brothers. I think he use to blindly look up to them just bc they were his older brothers, but as time has passed he definitely sees and recognizes that they both have some decent flaws. However, he really wants Gregory to look up to him the most. I don’t think he would ever admit it to anyone, but i feel like he could think a little higher of himself (not in a bad way at all) therefor he thinks he’s led the best example for how a man should be to Gregory.

🧳🎻 He gives off shy kid vibes. Like between the ages of 4-10 he was pretty shy only having like two friends. I feel like Ben specifically found this a little concerning bc he didn’t want him to have issues in school and life in general, so together they worked really hard on getting him to not only have more confidence in himself but actually practiced having convos. I also feel like once he got to the “interested in dating people” age Daphne and Ben tried their best to tech him to talk aka flirt with people.

🧳 (Lil spicy) Had a hoe phase in college. People are always shocked about how high his body count is (20+) but he was never a douche bag to anyone he’s hooked up with. I feel like when Anthony and Benedict found out on one of the weekly boys nights they have, Ben was proud and Anthony was a little shook. Anthony made him swear up and down he always wore a condom and then congratulated him lol.

🧳 Staying on the college root, he definitely gives off world history major vibes. He def was a foreign exchange student in high school (secondary school for the brit’s out there lol) and studied a couple semesters abroad in college. Specifically went to France in high school, then America, Italy, Spain, and India in college. He also makes it a point to travel every summer. I feel like he would definitely end up as a teacher of some sort tho. Like he’s definitely the cool history teacher everyone loves. Also hes definitely that teacher that gets side tracked easily if u ask him about his time abroad.

🧳 Definitely has more girl friends than guy friends, but not super imbalanced. He just gives was invited to the girls night out vibes. (I have a headcanon that i already wrote that i would definitely add Colin too). He definitely has his Boyz™️ that he hangs with all the time, but he knows they can be a little much, so i feel like when he wants to be social but have a relaxed time he hangs with the girlies. Idk colin just gives friends with everyone vibes.

🧳 I think Colin has diagnosed anxiety, and once he learned that he became more educated and aware of mental health. I feel like he started getting panic attacks shortly after Edmund died (he was 12 yrs old if i did my math right lol) but didn’t want anyone to worry about him so he just kinda dealt with it and kinda got to a point where he thought it was normal. It came up randomly in a convo with Daphne, Ben, and Violet that he gets them but at this point he didn’t get what the big deal was. I feel like these 3 took it seriously and once he got diagnosed he put work into researching how to understand mental health issues more.

🧳🎻 He LOVES to plan dates. His go to is always dinner at a nice restaurant then a show of some kind. Play, musical, movie out, doesn’t really matter to him. He enjoys a night in, sure, but what he really loves is showing you off. He’s proud to have you as his (not in a possessive creepy way, in a sweet way) and wants to show you off.

🧳 Colin is a little bit of a jealous type. We see it in the show when Pen is being courted by Debling. However, i feel like when he’s in a relationship, he completely trust his partner. If he sees someone flirting with you he will let them flirt but he will definitely swoop in with a little hey babe and a forehead kiss lol. If someone try’s to flirt with him tho, he will just start gushing about his amazing partner. I’m talking putting out the Lock Screen and going “ya look how cute WE are”. Once y’all are married tho he NEVER takes off the wedding ring.

🧳 I feel like he has a decent following on Insta and TikTok 😂😂😂. Not like influencer numbers but like 6k on instagram and 9k on TikTok. He definitely post all his travel stuff on Insta and does like little OOTDs on TikTok. Colin gives very much “gives a fuck about how he looks” vibes so i feel like he knows the fashion trends on TikTok. His “aesthetic” is like hipster mixed with old money (bc he is in fact, old money lol). Also yes, he recognizes he gets thirst comments and will play into just a little, but once hes taken he would comment “ my partner thinks so too :)”

🧳 Colin has secret tattoos. Like his friends know but he didn’t tell his family for a minute bc he knows it would become a thing lol. They r all small and in places he can cover up (shoulder, thigh, and one on his wrist he covers up with his watch) but one day he got a little careless at the beach and let them show. I feel like Violet had a “what did u do to your beautiful body??!!” mom moment, Anthony was pissed bc he didn’t tell him, Ben laughed his ass off, and Eloise congratulated him on doing something “actually risky” for once. I feel like after the initial shock everyone really likes them and he goes out and gets more in public places.

! Bonus One !

He still sleeps with his childhood stuffed animal lmfao like it’s a cute little elephant his mom and dad got him. He has had to do many repairs on it over the years lol

[faneliansficaloh]

A Lifetime of Happiness

Chapter 1

Read in AO3

Notes

------------

19 September, 1817

Dear Penelope,

I am told it is currently Spring here. As I write there is a cool breeze from the ocean coming in from a window I have opened. I am afraid I cannot do justice to the sights I’ve been exposed to. My head is perhaps still too confused from the long time at sea and my vocabulary spent on the journal I’ve kept of the journey.

The hardest part as you can imagine has been to wrestle a couple of four year olds in the confinements of a vessel, but we have managed with aplomb. There were a couple of families with children on board, so they already have made some friends. Ollie seemed to have more of a hard time of it than Amy. I’m afraid I have somehow passed on what Anthony calls my tender sensibilities to Ollie while Amy seems to have gotten a great determination from Marina.

I am filled with optimism, though, as I breathe the air in this place that is so far from every home I have known, that I am granted the opportunity to start anew and stop dwelling in the past, at least the hurtful parts, for there are memories I will never want gone.

I hope everything is well in Surrey, where I believe you will be when this letter makes its way across the vast ocean that safely keeps us apart. And speaking of the opposition of the stars, have you had any news from other faraway travellers?

Yours, Colin.

1813 – Shattered.

“How long have you known?” Was his booming greeting once she turned up in front of him. She motioned for her maid to leave them alone and he only barely waited until she seemed far enough not to overhear and continued in a lower voice, seething “About her condition, how long have you known?” It was a warm summer day, but a shiver ran down her spine.

“Colin, I -” She stammered as she was not prepared for the rage in his face. She had never before seen him this angry, it both pained and frightened her and she felt he truly towered over her. She had never imagined she could ever be this afraid of him. “I tried telling you!”

“What a fool you and your whole family have made of me!” He exploded, his face red, his eyes bright with tears “I can understand this wretchedness in the rest of your family, Pen, but I never - not from you! I thought you my friend!” The way he hissed out his accusation felt even worse than the previous outburst. Something between them had irremediably shattered in that moment and lay in fine pieces along with her broken heart, which at this point felt like it had been ground to a fine dust already.

She controlled the instinctive urge she had to defend herself and instead looked at him compassionately, speaking in as calm a tone as she could manage while fighting back tears of her own. After all, she had had plenty of time to think about the situation and she always ended up reaching the same conclusion.

“Would it have mattered?” She raised a hand to stop him from his rushed response “Truly, Colin. Would you not have married her anyway if you had known? I tried, I truly did try to tell you, surely you must remember that? But you were so in love! I am sorry I delayed, I should have tried sooner, I should have just told you the whole truth in front of her, but at that time I still felt I should spare her the humiliation – I didn’t think she’d be capable of --.” She shook her head, unable to say the words “The truth is I lacked courage and when I finally gathered it, well, how was I supposed to know you were eloping that very night?”

“But you knew about the elopement. You told Eloise and my mother” He had taken a seat on a bench under a tree, looking at nothing in the distance. He would have stormed out of there if he didn’t dread going anywhere else. As mad as he was, he felt less trapped in that spot in the Featherington garden than in any other place he’d ever called home.

“I wasn’t privy to the exact details of your plan, Colin. I believed you were waiting at least until the morning.” She said with a shrug and sat beside him, and hesitating, because she dreaded his answer, she added “I understand if you do not wish to speak to me ever again. I knew you might never forgive me, even if I wish you would”

He gave her a hard side look that made her blood feel cold, but he averted his eyes and shook his head “I wish you would have told me everything. Why didn’t you come to me directly?”

She shook her head vigorously and told him in barely contained anger, as she relieved her own pain, accumulated but deftly buried during the last months. She stood up. “You immediately dismissed me without giving me a chance, Colin. You did not take me seriously when I tried and Marina interrupted us… you weren’t ever going to take me seriously. You treated me like a little girl who didn’t know what she was talking about” She had had an epiphany right then and there: he never really did take her seriously. Nobody ever did, why would he be any different? Her knuckles were white as her hands were clenched, fighting the urge to run away; Marina had been right, he thought of her no differently than he did his little sisters.

He was taken aback, Penelope had never talked to him like that. He had never seen her this upset and he felt a pang of shame that left him momentarily breathless. She was right, he had dismissed her as a young girl with too-romantic notions. He had felt so much more mature than her and absolutely disregarded her because he knew better. “Well, I am sorry I did not take your words more seriously. You are certainly not at fault for my stupidity.” His face was still hard and he did not look at her as he said this, his eyes fixed on the ground.

It took her a moment to collect herself, she was angry at having been dismissed but it still pained her to see him so dejected now “You were misguided, but acting out of love is not stupid, I do not blame you for choosing love.”

They remained there without saying anything else for a long moment, the gentle rustle of the soft wind against the trees’ leaves and the birds chirping and their wings flapping filling in the silence, a clear indication that the world would not stop for this. Little by little his anger had dissolved into an emptiness, he felt hollow. He knew none of it was truly Penelope’s fault -he had been the one who decided to rush and to trust someone he had known for a very short time instead of listening to an old friend. How could he have gotten it into his head that he and Marina knew each other so well?

There had been tears on their wedding night, which Marina had claimed were happy tears, but he was not that big of a fool, however much he felt like one ever since. He knew right then – but already much too late- that something was off.

As soon as they were alone in their inn room, she had flung herself into his arms, clinging desperately to him, her hands caressing him, undressing and kissing him frantically, desperately, a display that seemed much like ardent desire, but for a moment it felt to him as if she were trying to ease a pain she had deep inside, like a wounded creature trying to find refuge in his arms. Now, after having gone through his memory of that night hundreds of times since then, he was sure he could not recall her face, because she must have been avoiding his gaze or perhaps he had closed his eyes – whether this was a metaphor or an actual physical occurrence, he could not tell any more.

In that moment he had been completely overcome by her touch, however, consumed by desire and then – what finally broke the dam of his feelings and did away with any hesitation that might have existed in his mind – she started repeating “I love you, I love you, I love you!” with such frantic devotion that he believed her; he blissfully believed her to be fully his and allowed himself to get lost in her as she insisted “I need you”. But then, when they were deep into each other, he noticed tears in her eyes. It was almost too late, but still he asked if they should stop, if everything was alright, if he had hurt her, but she shook her head vigorously and asked him “Please do not stop” as she moaned and trembled under him, overcome by her release, and at that point he just couldn’t stop any more.

It didn’t take him long to realize, no matter how much he didn’t want to and how hard Marina kept trying to convince them both that she was blissfully happy to be his wife, that those words, those fervent “I love yous” and that desire had not been meant for him at all. Penelope’s words had been already haunting him, as a low whisper first and then loudly screaming in his face “Her heart belongs to another”. But it was too late.

Very soon, too, it was no longer possible to deny the pregnancy, or rather how impossibly advanced it was. He had been taken for a fool, he had been used. Had she really thought he wouldn’t notice? He had seen her mother carry her younger siblings, and even if he hadn’t, he was simply not the idiot she had taken him for. And she didn’t tell him. She lied and used him like a tool to fix a problem. She did not love him at all.

“What do you plan to do now?” Penelope finally asked, rescuing him from his memories, bringing him back to reality. She went back to sit beside him.

“I don’t know, Pen. Had she herself been the one to confide her situation to me, things would perhaps be different. But she… Well, she did not just conceal that, she outright lied to me and deceived me most cruelly.” He took her hand and looked at her in the eye, with a truly desperate semblance “What should I do?”

How many times she had made up a similar scene in her mind, where he would take her hand into his like this, but in her imaginings he would do so to tell her he loved her and they would rest contentedly in each other’s arms and she even dared some times to include a loving kiss. How foreign and ridiculous all that seemed now. Here he was in the flesh, looking for her counsel on what to do about his wife. She swiftly removed her hand from his and got up to start pacing. She could not bear to look at him like this.

“I know you will not leave her. You couldn’t, you’re not a cruel man. And you love her, Colin, don’t you? Is that not enough?” She knew it wasn’t, one sided love was a prison she was well acquainted with.

“I’m no longer sure that whatever I feel for her will ever be enough. It is clear she has not ever felt even remotely the same as me” She turned to face him again.

“Give her time, and I’m sure she will grow to love you. Time will be your ally, I’m sure of it”

“How can you be so sure?” He asked her with a questioning frown. Her words had been so uncharacteristically confident.

“Because I know you, Colin. And she did say that she would be a good wife to you” She took a deep breath, trying to will tears back into her eyes before they went down her cheeks, but he had already noticed and offered her his handkerchief.

“Please forgive me” However angry he was, he could still not bear to know he had made her cry “I have been so… lost. I have forgotten myself. I seem to have dug a pit hole and the more I try to get out, I just keep making it deeper and now I’m dragging others with me.” He took a deep breath and raised his face to the sky, as if he were actually looking at the only exit from his predicament, but found only torn white clouds on a bright blue sky.

Oh, how she wanted to take his face in her hands and kiss his forehead, to embrace him and offer him comfort. But instead she motioned for him to get up. “Come now, you can’t hide here forever”

“I wish I could” It was peaceful there. His new house was Marina’s and Bridgerton house had been full of questioning and reproach over the elopement, he certainly did not look forward to whatever they had summoned him for this afternoon. Anthony in particular would surely continue to be unbearable and his mother would just be heartbroken and it pained him to be the cause of her mortification.

“You’re braver than that”, Penelope said, leading the way to the garden door.

“You might be the only one to think so, Pen.” and he made his way across the square, suddenly resolute, if only because he didn’t want to disappoint Penelope.

She was left there, looking at him go, wondering how could it be possible to feel so full of love and so empty at the same time.

***

Once Colin entered the Bridgerton drawing room, he was surprised to discover Daphne was there, waiting for him. So it had been her who summoned him, not Anthony. It was a small relief, and the heavens knew how much he needed any and all the relief he could get these days.

As it turned out, a plan had been quickly made by her after surprisingly coming back from her honeymoon to deal with his brother’s ‘situation’, as every Bridgerton had come to call the general unpleasantness the third brother had brought upon them all. The Duchess was to throw a ball and not only would the newly minted Mrs. Bridgerton be in attendance, the Featheringtons would be as well.

It was obvious that the inclusion of the Featheringtons was Daphne’s doing, and it made absolute sense, but their mother was still not willing to give Portia Featherington the time of day, as she was absolutely sure she had to be behind the scheme that lead to the current ‘situation’. Lady Featherington was known to be meddling, gossipy and to be afflicted with a lack taste as well as tact, but Violet knew her to be clever and cunning, however well she might hide it.

It was noted, however, that the Featheringtons were in such a precarious situation because they had taken Marina in. It was not possible they would have done so if they had been aware of her situation beforehand, so the girls reputations had been also compromised by a deception they had no blame for. They were also Marina’s only relatives in town and it would be unseemly to leave them out. It was necessary to lift them all up or she and her brother would not recover their good standing in society by association.

Violet had to recognize that it was rather unfair to punish the girls, especially Penelope, who at least had tried to stop them, however ineffectively. She felt guilty that she might have been too harsh with her already, on her first reaction to the news. So the matter was settled by Her Grace and the Dowager Viscountess as to be the best course of action, artful women of society they both were.

Nevertheless It was all very aggravating to Colin, seen as he was being set aside and treated as if he were a child who didn’t understand the consequences of his mischief, asked to let the adults take care of it all; even if he still had to admit with some fondness that it was impressive to witness his little sister taking charge and stepping into her high society role so effortlessly and so quickly. She had been a duchess but for a month and she seemed to have been born in the role. A diamond indeed.

However, he suspected she was throwing herself at his ‘situation’ in full force as an excuse to avoid some marital issue herself. If everything were alright between them, he gathered, the duke of Hastings wouldn’t have let her depart from his side or would’ve joined her in London, after all they were still in their Honeymoon period. Something was definitely amiss but she insisted everything was alright. It pained him that his closest sister would not trust him, although considering his own standing in their family, perhaps it was wise of her not to seek his help. For all she knew he would only make everything worse.

“Well, I’m so very glad everything has been settled on my behalf!” He spatted from the sofa.

“Colin, please spare me the sarcasm. We’re only trying to help you, can’t you just be grateful?”

He opened his arms in exasperation and quickly crossed them, with a grimace in his face. “Has mother told you of the more recent development?”

She nodded, compassionately “She has”, was it compassionate or pitiful? Did it matter?

“And you still think that a ball will help?”

“Will you try for an annulment?”

He shrugged “I would be forced to divorce, rather than an annulment” He saw some confusion in her faced and clarified “We eloped, you see?” She was a married woman now, after all.

“Oh. That would--” She sat down beside him.

“Not be very good, no. They’re extremely public affairs, not that nobody would notice an annulment. Besides--” He sighed “Am I very stupid for still caring what happens to her, Daph?”

She stroked his arm lovingly “Well, brother, you are simply a very good man, and I believe love makes us all act in stupid ways sometimes. So yes, you’re a bit stupid, but that’s allowed” She smiled softly and then continued “We must take one step a time. The ball I’m sure will help with the first part of it – the elopement that is. We can figure the rest of it as we go”

Chapter 2

[aylasrants]

it is decided bridgerton season 3 will heal my depression

can we talk about the trailer for one second, like yes it took forever to be out but it’s here finally and gosh am i hooked

first of all the trailer opening with colin in carriage??? like netflix and shonda rhimes know their shit, they know damn well what they are doing

and then penelope OMGGG IS SHE GORGEOUS, the ton is so blind to not have acknowledged her beauty before cause my girl have been sparkling since the day she was born

then kanthony being happily married 🥹 i feel like i’ve watched my children growing up and starting their own family

eloise and cressida???? why??? don’t get me wrong i love eloise but she’s acting so petty and i hate it

and then polin saying they are friends bahaha like we believe it, they don’t even believe it themselves

the candle scene where colin seems to be deep in thoughts (of penelope i am sure) and the candle slowly lighting brighter 🫠

lord debling seems so sweet too, he gives me mr darcy vibes and i truly hope he’ll find the one for him

the scene with colin and his mother talking about friendship being the foundation for love and then it cutting straight to colin and penelope being their adorable self and laughing, i’m gonna die of excitement!!!

i also cannot wait to see the relationship between lady danbury and penelope cause i love them both so much

colin waking up from what seems to be a steamy dream (the mirror scene perhaps 🫣)

francesca looks so sad all the time i just wanna hug her :(

and violet finding love again?? hook me up

anyways all that to say that i cannot wait, i am literally counting the days (1 months and 5 days hehe), but i have my finals first so i have to study and then i’ll have the greatest reward of all

[recluse-moth]

Can you see the vision 🤭🤭🤭

Also can we appreciate the fits for these gentlemen, I’ve never found clothing so challenging than this 💪🏼

[madhatterbri]

Special Interests | Lord Debling

Summary: Lord Debling takes a special interest in Y/N's hobby.

Author's Note: We are going to pretend that paint back then was non-toxic. 🤣

My masterlist for Lord Debling can be found here.

Taglist: @theworldofotps @plentyoffandoms

Lord Debling was hard at work to get his affairs in order for his next trip. Servants rushed the house all day to take care of his every whim. Only his most trusted servants were allowed in his study. Only those that he knew wouldn't go blabbing to the rest of the house.

"My Lord," his servant bowed his head. "I have arranged the study to your liking. Would you like to see it?"

Lord Debling smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, dear James. I'd like to make sure everything is perfect for my wife. Her hobby is a newfound interest of mine,"

"Yes, sir. Right this way," James smiled and led him to the study. The moment Lord Debling walked into the study, he knew he had made the right decision.

A large drop cloth covered the carpet in the study. In the middle of the cloth laid a canvas. One of her favorite artists drew the perfect nature scene on there. All her favorite animals were drawn wonderfully. He could see why that artist was her favorite. On the table next to the couch, her favorite drinks and treats were ready.

"James," Lord Debling called and checked his pocketwatch. "I do believe my wife will be back shortly from her parents. Please see to it she changes into her nightgown and joins me in the study,"

"Yes, sir," James bowed and strode out of the room. Lord Debling took a deep breath and closed his eyes. This was going to be the best going away gift ever.

Y/N wasn't sure if James heard her husband correctly when she came home that night. Change to her nightgown and attend to her husband in the study. She obeyed the commands her husband left for her.

"Come in," Lord Debling called when he heard the soft, familiar knock at the door. He was just lighting the last candle in the study. Y/N walked in and smiled at the romantic atmosphere.

"To what do i owe this pleasure?" She asked and closed the door behind her. Lord Debling smiled and removed his jacket and vest. Now, he was only left in a long sleeve white shirt and black slacks.

"I can not show a special interest in my wife's love for the arts?" He asked innocently. He walked to her and grabbed her hand to lead her more inside. Y/N followed him happily.

"Of course, my lord. I meant no harm," she answered. Y/N's huge smile brightened the room when she saw the canvas on the floor. Several bottles of paint and a paint palette were left on the floor. There was one thing she noticed immediately that was missing.

"I had your favorite artist draw this for you. I can see why he is a favorite of yours, darling. Magnificent," Lord Debling praised. She felt her heart fill with pride when he sang praises about her best friend.

"It is lovely. Thank you. I will have to run to my chambers. The brush seems to have disappeared," she pointed out. Lord Debling sat on the couch. He patted his lap for her to sit.

"Ah, yes, we will have James fetch them for us. Tell me about your day. I don't want to miss a single detail,"

Y/N told him about her day. The room filled with their playful banter and laugh. They sipped the drinks that were left on the table. She enjoyed the treats. All the sadness from them being apart was left at the door. They were in their own little sanctuary.

Lord Debling rested his back against the arm of the couch. Her back rested against his chest. His chin rested on her head. Y/N wished they could stay like this forever. Her eyes drifted to the canvas on the floor.

"I should tell James to fetch my brushes," she sighed and moved to stand up. Lord Debling wrapped his arms around her waist.

"That won't be necessary, my dove. There are other ways to get paint on a canvas," he assured her.

"My Lord?" She questioned yet gasped when his lips made contact with her neck. Heat could be felt between her legs the moment he found her sensitive spot. Her clit throbbed to be played with.

"I do believe you have piqued my interest in the arts, my love. We will be painting the canvas together in a non-conventional way,"

His hand reached underneath her dress. The warmth that came from her inviting him in. He grabbed her face to look at him. Her eyes filled with lust like his. She called out when his fingers rubbed between her folds, paying special attention to her bundle of nerves.

As her juices slicked his fingers, he started to toy with her entrance. He rubbed up and down before slipping the tips of his fingers in her. Lord Debling worked her up. Slowly inching his fingers inside of her before fully sheathing them inside.

He continued to toy with her before he felt the strains in his pants to be too great. The slick from her was cleaned up once he placed his fingers in his mouth.

"Put your favorite colors on the canvas. Do not be shy," he instructed her. She stood up with wobbly legs and squirted some paint on the canvas. Her husband stood up and removed his clothes. Her dress left her body and thrown to on the floor.

His kisses trailed from her neck to her breasts to between her legs. He placed a leg on his shoulder. She called his name the moment his tongue toyed with her. Y/N ran her fingers through his hair. He ate her out like a man starved.

"Come," he told her. "We have much work to do,"

That night was the most fun Lord Debling ever had with the arts. The nature man saw a different side to creativity. He wished he had taken an interest in painting years ago. Y/N was shy about it at first yet quickly warmed up to it.

They were simple at first. Missionary to warm her to the idea that turned him on all day. She wasn't used to the cold paint yet quickly forgot about it as the night went on. He turned her over and allowed her breasts to help paint the canvas. Lastly, he sat on the canvas, and she rode him before they both made it to their grand finale. By the end, they were satisfied with the art and each other.

With all the different positions, they were a thorough mess yet satisfied. They dressed before taking a much needed shower. Afterward, they went back to her chambers to continue where they started in the study.

Lord Debling sighed as he looked at a picture of his wife. He had only been gone for one month into his travels, but it felt like an eternity. Life was certainly lonely without his Y/N.

A series of colors over a variety of animals caught his eye. Unnoticeable by others, he could see where Y/N's breasts and butt laid when he took her. Maybe his wife could have picked another hobby he could show a special interest in. He smiled.

[storiesaplenty]

Bridgerton Masterlist

Our Family

Lord Debling x f/Reader

Just like all my other stories, this has not been proofread, but please enjoy.

Warnings. None

Requested by anonymous. I hope you like it, and such a cute idea

From my previous account plentyoffandoms.

WC: 836

©️ storiesaplenty 2024: do not repost or translate my work. This is the only place I post my work.

Summary: Lord Debling & his wife were odd by their society standards. Their marriage was arranged, but they bonded over their unique interests, and soon found love. Their love grew into a massive family, with another one on the way.

My wife and I were strolling in our garden, with our children running around. It was getting late in the evening, and it was the perfect time to look up into the night sky.

Our children were very excited as the night sky had no clouds and they could see the stars.

They are also excited as the summer flowers are starting to bloom, and many bugs are starting to come out due to the warmer weather coming on.

My wife and oldest daughter, Ivy, were discussing their latest book they had read, and I was keeping an eye on the younger children, but their oldest brother, who is Ivy's twin, Berry was keeping them from wondering off.

When I first met my darling wife all those years ago, I was not happy. My parents and her parents got together and arranged our marriage.

Her and I are considered odd in our society as my love of nature and her love of astrology. Most people could not wrap their heads around it.

Our parents were concerned that my way of life at the time was no means for a lady. I was leaving after the wedding and her staying at our estate, but not her.

She joined me on my adventures, getting to know the real me, and I got to know her. I showed her the beauty in our world, and she showed me the beauty of our vast sky.

The first few days into my trip, I became concerned that we were getting lost, but she showed me how to navigate with the stars.

I truly became memorised by her, and I slowly fell in love with the woman my parents arranged for me to marry.

Once she became pregnant, I decided that it was time for us to settle at our estate and start to make a home worthy of our children.

Archer and Basil ran past me, laughing, bringing me out of my memories.

"Now boys, please watch where you are going." I said to them, not wanting to ruin their fun, but for then not to get hurt or hurt one of their siblings.

"Yes, father." They muttered before running off, playing some game of tag that is only between the two of them.

I helped my wife up the hill, as she was once again pregnant, but our sweet little Cordelia came rushing down the hill, wanting to help her mother up the hill.

Cordelia is the youngest at four years of age and is excited to be a big sister.

My wife sat down on the bench I had placed here not long after we came home.

"Now, you all know the rules. No fighting, no shoving, no yelling. We all get a turn." I didn't like to impose 6 many ruled on my children as our society does that already, but after the first time we did this, and the telescope got broken, their mother and I knew that some rules had to be put in place.

I stood next to the telescope as our children, from oldest to youngest, looked up into the night sky, completely in awe.

Ivy, Berry, Aurora, Archer, Basil, our other set of twins, Willow, Jupiter, Celeste, and Cordelia all took their turns, then rushed to their mother's side, asking her questions.

"Now, now, my darling children, it is your mother's turn." I said as they parter for me to get to her, to help stand her up from the bench.

"Take your time, dear. We have all night." She gave me a soft smile and leaned into look into the telescope. Our children ran off to play the scavenger hunt game I made for them before we came out here.

They had to find a certain bug or plant and cross it off their list. I even drew pictures next to what they need to be looking for.

Once, I knew the children were occupied, safe, and having fun, which I could tell by the squeals of laughter coming from around our garden, I wrapped my arms around her waist and placed my head on her shoulder.

"Oh, Alfred, it is just beautiful." She said as she straightened and leaned back into my arms.

"Not as beautiful as you, my beautiful wife."

"You shush now, husband. You are going to make me become vain with all your praises." Her and I laughed at that.

I turned her around in my arms so we were facing one another, I kissed her while placing my hand on her stomach, her and I was giggling at feeling our newest one kicking.

"Oh gross, they are kissing again." I heard Archer say before running off.

"How about when we are done here, and they are put to bed, you and I have some fun our bedroom."

"It's like you are trying to get me pregnant, even though I am already pregnant." She teased.

"That we do Alfred, that we do."

[ktanissevrdeen]

Bridgerton Fanfiction: Poor Puzzled Moon

A story of fear, loss, friendship, family, and love during the second World War.

Chapter 17: He Wore a Frown

[quotergirl19]

Colin: You should be careful encouraging the affections of Lord Debling. I realize you enjoy his company but he is not well known by the ton and may not be right for you.

Penelope: Lord Debling is an outsider among the ton and I respect him all the more for that! He is kind and intelligent and interesting. And I do not need to marry a member popular society the way you do.

Colin: What is that supposed to mean?

Penelope: It means you are a Bridgerton. You are expected to choose someone popular and beautiful. No one would ever dare make you or your future wife feel unwanted or unwelcome. But people like he and I are not treated the way you are. He sees me, he makes me feel special, as though he would be proud to call me his. He would choose me. He understands me.

Colin: I understand you Penelope.

Penelope: Not the way he does. You would be ashamed to choose someone like me. You felt the need to make it known that you would never settle for someone like me. You do not even consider me a woman, because you believe I am beneath you.

Colin: I do not like it when you talk about yourself that way——

Penelope: The way you talk about me with your friends?

Colin: I told you I was sorry. You are my dearest friend in the world, I am trying to look out for you.

Penelope: Your friendship is important to me Colin… but I am not the girl you once knew. I am alone in the world but with Debling I do not have to be. With him I could be more than the insipid wallflower people spill drinks on and ridicule. I am a woman to him. If he wants me, I am his.

[welldonebeca]

Convergência (3) - 23rd of June, 1816

Summary: On the 30th of July, Lady Penelope Debling is informed her husband has disappeared on his journey from St John of Newfoundland to Halifax, Canada. On the 23rd of June, Lord Alfred Debling reaches Greenland after spending three weeks stranded at sea, weakened and with only one thing in mind: return home to his wife as fast as he can.

The Lady Debling Trilogy

By the 21st day at sea, Alfred had lost hope. He could no longer hold onto even a shred of optimism. All the fight had left him, drained away by the bitter cold and endless horizon of water. His worst fears had come true — there would be no rescue. No return.

He would never see home, or Penelope again. He would never meet his boys, and they would grow up without a father.

He lay in his bed motionless for what felt like an eternity, barely aware of life around him aside from the little portrait fitted right in his palm – Penelope and her ethereal beauty, her eyes looking into his, her cheeks pink and her lips parted. His wife.

What else was there to be aware of in the world? Sea, sea, and more sea. No, he would rather stare at her.

His foot was completely numb now, to the point where even a touch that would have been unbearable days ago now felt like nothing. He had lost weight, weakened by the rationed food and the gnawing hunger that rarely left him. It seemed a cruel irony that they were starving and dying of thirst surrounded by water.

Dying. He was dying.

Soon, probably.

So his hope had narrowed down to a singular purpose. He was going to keep Isaac alive.

If nothing else, he would make sure his would survive this. Isaac would be warm, fed, and safe enough to make it home to deliver Alfred’s final words to Penelope, see the boys, and move on to live the life he deserved. It was what he was clinging to.

Still, his mind drifted in and out of sleep, the sound of the waves blurring into a monotonous hum.

Then, he heard a distant voice. It was muffled but no less urgent. At first, he thought it was a dream, but then it came again, louder.

"Land!"

Alfred's eyes fluttered open, unsure if he had truly heard it.

It could be a dream. He dreamed of Penelope a few times, then woke up feeling worse than ever. This could be the same.

"Land!" the voice screamed again. "I see land!"

It took a moment for the words to register, but when they did, his heart jumped in fast beats, the hope weak but undeniable. Could it be?

After so long lost at sea, they had found land?

Alfred struggled to sit up, his muscles stiff and aching from days of disuse and the cold, but for the first time in days, he fought his exhaustion. He forced himself upright, and just as he managed to sit, Mr Tomlinson burst through the door of his cabin, wrapped tightly in blankets and all of the clothes he had in his luggage, his face flushed pink and his eyes shining.

"Land, sir," Isaac breathed, his voice trembling with excitement. "Not too far away."

He pushed the blankets off and swung his legs over the side of the bed as he put the small portrait in his pocket for safe keeping, biting back a groan as pain shot through his bad foot and up his leg.

“Help me up,” he groaned.

“You shouldn’t,” his valet argued. “You must keep warm.”

Alfred scoffed. Warm? He hadn’t been warm in days.

“What is a few hours when I’m already doomed?” he argued back. “Please, Mr Tomlinson. I need to stand.

Reluctantly, Isaac moved to his side, offering support as Alfred draped an arm over his shoulders. Slowly, Alfred put his weight on the foot that felt less painful, and they made their way to the deck.

The sight that greeted him was beyond what he could have hoped for when he heard the loud call of land. A mass of land was closer to them than he expected anything to be before noticed, but even more astonishingly, there were the boats rowing to them with men enough to help all of them.

The Capitan looked ashamed when Alfred met his eyes.

“Sea illusions,” he confessed, sounding disappointed with himself. “I didn’t know…”

“We know now,” Alfred interrupted him.

Everything else happened terribly fast.

The boats came in, cutting through the icy waters with the precision of people who’ve done it hundred of times before, and the men quickly reached them.

He tried to situate himself – they were at a port, people were speaking a language he couldn’t understand, and none of them seemed to be a doctor. It was either in the Arctic or Greenland, but which he couldn't know.

The men took him into a cabin, and the warmth was so delicious and shocking at the same time he couldn’t believe it.

They covered him up with furs and proper covers, and Alfred tried to keep himself as awaken as he could in the quiet room.

He drank the warm tea they gave him, and some tasteless crackers, too exhausted to ask for more – besides, it is unwise to give a starving man too much food at once, it could kill him.

Finally, a man seemed to be directed straight to him when he entered the cabin. He was old enough to be his father, and looked possibly Nordic.

“You Lord Debling,” the man said, more as a statement than a question.

Alfred’s heart leapt. Someone who spoke English.

“I’m Lord Debling, Alfred Debling,” he told him quickly. “I’m an Earl, I’m… I’m married.”

Penelope. Penelope had probably heard of him going missing.

“You must send word to my wife!” Alfred exclaimed, panic rising in his chest. “She has no idea what happened to me. Please, let her know I’m alive! We have sons, my sons—”

His sons! He would see his sons!

Alfred tried to rise from the cot, the sudden need to do something urgent in him. He needed to do something, anything — to write to Penelope, to find a way to get home!

But the man stopped him, gently pressing him back onto the cot.

“Calm,” the man said firmly, his thick accent wrapping around the words. “You lost. You hurt.”

Alfred’s body gave in, collapsing back onto the furs, the panic and sudden movement making him hazy. He closed his eyes, trying to catch his breath.

"Where are we?" he panted. “Is this the Arctic?”

"Nuuk," the man answered back.

He squeezed his eyes. Greenland! They were in Greenland!

It made sense, the cold, the storm! They had drifted much further than anyone had imagined. They had never gone South.

His eyes drifted closed for a moment. The warmth was overwhelming, almost suffocating after so many weeks of bitter cold, but he clung to it.

“You rest,” the man told him. “Doctor coming.”

He tried to control his breathing. The doctor.

He needed a doctor.

“My foot,” he told him. “I cannot feel it.”

He already knew the answer. Being cold and stranded for so long? It was almost inevitable it would affect him.

Alfred waited, and when the doors next open – maybe ten minutes later – Mr Tomlinson walked into the cabin with a man wrapped in furs right behind him. The doctor moved with urgency, speaking gruffly to his translator as he approached Alfred’s cot, and without hesitation, he began his examination, his hands rough but efficient as he pulled back the layers of blankets covering Alfred.

The doctor first checked his hands, then his face, probing at his nose and ears, and Alfred noted the faint flicker of approval in the man’s eyes. At least those parts were intact. Still living.

But Alfred barely noticed. His mind was focused entirely on his foot. He felt the tug as the doctor gripped his shoe, the cold leather pulling away from his skin. The pain hit like a hammer, sharper than anything he’d felt in weeks, making him scream in pain.

Every movement was agony. The sensation of the shoe dragging off, inch by inch, was torturous, a cruel reminder that though most of his foot was numb, there were still nerves alive enough to suffer even more.

But he knew. He knew what the doctor would find.

When the man peeled back his woollen socks, Alfred forced himself to look down. Black. His toes, the front of his right foot — completely blackened. One of his toes was visibly broken, the skin hanging limply like shredded, decaying meat.

It was horrifying. Disgusting. He felt bile rise in his throat as he stared at his own flesh, dead and rotting. His mind raced, but all he could focus on was the sight of his foot, mangled beyond hope.

“Frostbite,” the translator said softly, his voice steady but grim. “It’s lost.”

Alfred moved his yes to him, swallowing dryly, trying to clear the bitterness rising up.

“You need amputation,” the translator continued, meeting his eyes.

The doctor murmured something in his native tongue, his eyes stern as he read Alfred’s face.

“You’ll need it now,” the translator repeated, some false calm in his voice doing nothing to settle him.

His mind rushed loudly in panic. Logically, he could see his foot was beyond care, but the thought of an amputation made his stomach drop.

Half of his foot was blacked out, and who knew of the toes of the other side?

He just wanted to be home, to see Penelope again and meet his boys. Now!

“Sir,” Isaac called.

Alfred opened his eyes, looking at him. Mr Tomlinson looked terrified at him, and maybe that was enough to pull him out of it all.

He would never reach home if he didn’t do this. And if they needed to do it now…

Alfred took his hand to his pocket, the round portrait of Penelope as unchanged as it had ever been, her blue eyes staring at him. She was waiting for him. He could not… he could not throw away his chance of returning to her.

“Do it,” Alfred mumbled, his throat so raw he couldn’t even get the words out before raising his voice again. “Do it. Whatever needs to be done.”

[sweetbuckybarnes]

mirrorball

Pairings: Colin Bridgerton + Penelope Featherington

Summary: Penelope has always tried to please other people, especially her mother. She has never felt seen by the other people of the ton. Apart from the Bridgertons, she always felt seen by them.

Masterlist | Albums | folklore Album

Hush, when no one is around, my dear, you’ll find me on my tallest tiptoes. Spinnin' in my highest heels, love, Shinin' just for you.

Penelope knew she was a people pleaser; she had been since childhood. She would try to show her parents what she was doing, in the hope of their approval – but she never got it. She was always overlooked, her sisters Philippa and Prudence always ‘outshone her’ even with their awful singing, or how they could never play the pianoforte.

So, Penelope found herself being pushed to the side, she found comfort in the books her father brought back for her. She would lounge on the long chair by the window, warming herself up like a cat and most likely rereading a book.

She didn’t want to make her debut into society, she had hoped that if she persuaded her mother enough, she could push it to the next season. But in her mother’s words, what if an eligible bachelor wanted to marry Penelope, he may not be interested in her next season. Something fluttered in Penelope, but was quickly crushed when her mother utter, “But why would anyone do that?”

Penelope had never thought of herself as ‘beautiful’, especially when she has her mother, her older sisters and for the time Marina telling her she wasn’t. If you tell someone they aren’t beautiful enough; they’ll soon believe it.

Especially with all the men who came calling to just catch a glimpse of Marina. Penelope just resigned herself to sitting on the floor playing with the dog one of the men brought for Marina as a gift – with Marina being allergic, her mother had allowed her to keep the dog.

Whilst Marina was staying with them, she hammered those thoughts in that she didn’t think any man would ever look her way.

Not even Colin Bridgerton.

What would her best friend’s brother see in her?

That had caused her to silently cry into her pillow for about a week.

She had always loved the Bridgertons, they had considered her as another member of the family. Violet always made sure that Penelope wasn’t hidden away on the sidelines. The only person who danced with her without being prompted was the Duke of Hastings. Daphne’s now husband.

In a way, she liked that the Duke had done that. He had sought her out by himself, without being asked, and offered her his hand for a dance.

Her mother had always wanted one of her girls to marry into the Bridgerton clan. The Bridgertons were more powerful than the Featheringtons, she would be able to tell anyone who would listen to her (not that they had much of a choice… she always made herself known in a room), that one of her daughters married into the most powerful family of the ton.

Benedict always flirted with her; she would often just brush him off. But as her first two seasons flew past her with not a marriage proposal in sight. As she began her third season, she began to flirt back with the second Bridgerton son – but they both knew it wouldn’t progress further than that.

Eloise had been glued to Penelope’s side since that day in April after Penelope accidentally knocked Colin off his horse.

Colin Bridgerton.

The bachelor who encouraged her in the marriage mart, and as she was courted by Lord Debling – Colin came to realise that she had been standing in front of him waiting for him to notice her.

And it was nearly too late.

Colin pulled Penelope out into the garden, once he caught wind that Lord Debling would be proposing, he knew his window would be closing. Rapidly.

“Colin? What on earth are you doing?”

“You can’t marry him.”

Penelope blinked repeatedly, looking up at the third Bridgerton. “I’m sorry?”

“Lord Debling. He’s planning on proposing-”

She nodded her head. “Well, that is what’s expected. Considering we are courting, that would be the next expected step.”

Colin stared down at her. “No. You can’t marry him, Pen.”

“And whyever not?”

Colin sighs, Penelope raises an eyebrow at him as she waited for him to continue.

“Because I love you.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I do. Pen, I do love you.”

Penelope scoffed and spun around on her heel. “No, you don’t. You don’t suddenly realise that you love me as another man plans to make me his wife. This was the whole plan, that you would help me in the marriage mart.”

“Not if it meant losing you,” Colin said, taking a few steps forward so he could rest a hand on her cheek.

Penelope stared up at Colin. “We both knew this. But, I’m Eloise’s friend, I’ll always be there; but we wouldn’t be friends anymore…”

Because I'm a mirrorball, I'm a mirrorball. And I'll show you every version of yourself tonight.