#will we see anthony giving colin advice? or maybe pen?

[belloves]

omg we’re finally going to see the previous season’s main has a happy couple in the season

[veninorchid]

Bridgerton S3 Review

Dearest gentle reader, I am disappointed, sadly.

And as I respect your opinion, so too, shall you respect mine. I'm not here to bash on #Polin fans and the fact that they enjoyed it, but what -was- season 3 of Bridgerton truly?

I love the Mondriches, but do they really need so much screen-time? What did their own ball add to the story exactly? Had the same feeling about the Dankworth-Finch ball at the end, but at least that one proved its necessity as -the reveal all- ball. Because there was of course no Duke of Hastings (Simon) to host it, so they improvised.

This season had too many stories going on at the same time which were all fighting for the spotlight when it should've focused on #Polin, cause that is what was advertised/hyped. It did not deliver…

Season 1 - Daphne and Simon They had the most screen-time and all other stories got a little bit of shine. But even then some of those had either Daphne or Simon in the picture/background. (Marina-Colin, with Daphne as chaperone is one of the examples) None of the other stories distracted from the main focus.

Season 2 - Kanthony Same here. While there was a lot going on in this season with Anthony courting Edwina and going all the way to the alter with her (creative license, since it didn't happen in the book) and then on the other hand we were seeing the other side with his having the thickest desire and longing for Kate. You could cut that shit with a knife, I tell you. But no side stories were overpowering. It was 90% lead character -stuff. Season 3 - Benedict---, I mean #Polin -minus the actual #Polin Were their (the directors/screenwriters) initial thoughts that we've been seeing them for 2 seasons, so we don't have to pay that much attention to the leads? Wrong! That was friendship, this is love, longing and passion. So much new ground to explore for these two. Little scenes like dancing in the church, stealing loving glances is cute and all, but we got nothing more than that. Nothing memorable.

No wait, we got carriage frolicking in part 1 and a mirror first time in part 2. You're right, I apologize. Anything else? Name any other thing you remember from this whole season. I'll wait, seriously.

Did maybe the night scene come up in your memories? Where they had an angry make out and he once again let his hand venture below? I felt the anger/passion in the coming together and pushing her against the shop, sure. The quick flash of him reaching between her thighs was more of a recycled scene from episode 4 or even from S03 Kanthony. I mean honestly. Was there really even a chance he'd take her in the streets? It felt unnecessary and forced. The dialogue was good and would've been better at their home where it's believable they could enter an intimate scene that -could- be finished if they so wanted it. Or not if his anger won over his desire. Did I mention they were both drinking before they met? I didn't say drunk, I said drinking.

I guess they improvised the whole Mme Delacroix scene (before the angry make out) with her offering advice and booze just to give Pen a reason to drink and coincidentally be in Colin's path for the scene? Wasted screen-time. Do I also need a drink to feel the -love- this season?

First part, Colin helping and chasing Pen. Second part, let's ignore and distance myself from her. They really stretched out Colin's pulling back from her because of the whole Whistledown thing, when they could've done fast forwards, saying things like 'Colin, it's been weeks. Or it's been so long, can we get passed this' just to show the time frame. But instead we get long minutes of silence and ignoring each other. Filming Colin from the back, zooming in. Then from the front zooming in. Then him watching her leave the house, slowly getting up from sleeping on the sofa, walking towards his desk. Lifting and opening and reading her old letters. Do you have any idea how long that feels? When she exited the bedroom and delivered her dialogue he could've already been behind his desk. Did we see Simon (S01E02) walk into the room, open his father's desk, take out the unopened letters etc.? No, the flashback ends with him already seated and holding the letters. Same thing could've been done here.

Oh, let's not forget side character-stuff. Let's talk more about that.

Again, I cannot stress it enough. Mondriches. Duke of Kent stuff and moving up, is fine. Seeing them struggle constantly onscreen is not. Wasted screen-time. You can easily have us hear about that in conversation. How miserable and sad he is because he had to close the bar when he became part of the ton. So many ways to handle that. Moving to part 2. Why did we have to get the whole preparation for their ball? What did it add to the story exactly? Just let everyone arrive at the ball and let that be the first we all see of the decorations. Did we see Lady Danbury prepare for the huge conservatory ball in S2? Lady Trowbridge's ball in S1? All of Her Majesty's balls? No, so it was wasted screen-time.

Francesca's story was sweet, bless her, but also unnecessary detailed. Was it the autism angle they were trying to push forward? I'm all for it, but only when you have a series with more than 8 episodes. (God, I miss 22 episode series) Because she is still a side character in #Polin's book, no matter which way you turn it. At Francesca's wedding we had the whole vows scene and everything and the two LEADS!!!! were stealing glances at each other while standing behind the whole ass family. You're the leads, act like it! It felt like S1 and S2 with them being in the background.

We all know Bridgerton's known for taking liberties with the wardrobe. The tailored waists for Pen enhance her body beautifully, but Cressida's wardrobe is bordering… scratch that! has taken a 250 MPH free-fall, into ridiculousness. I also absolutely did not care for -seeing- the reasons behind Cressida claiming to be Whistledown. Should've just kept her as a bitch. That's what we enjoyed about her. Fine, you decided on that development for her character, so here's an idea. She was so chummy with Eloise. Could've just had her tell Eloise that she was being pressured by her parents to marry and then being send to the country to live with a horrid aunt. Wasted screen-time. You only have 8 episodes to work with for crying out loud.

And then there's the side character of all side-characters. Benedict. Didn't they make the very -deliberate- decision to push back Benedict and Sophie's story in favor of #Polin as S3? To then give me so much useless Bentilly sexy time; Time that could've easily been given to #Polin things. If you can make up stories about him being confused as to his sexuality, you can just as easily come up with new, none book, stories for the actual leads. Could've left everything they forced on us about Benedict for his actual season. What's gonna be left for his own season? Wasted screen-time. Should've made him absent, continue the art-school in the background, anything. I mean, an extended honeymoon for Kanthony instead of a forced story to have them onscreen. Do the bloody same for Benedict and focus on #Polin. Every time we saw Benedict, he was playing twister with Tilly and later with what's his name (don't even care) It's not relevant, it's wasted screen-time.

I'm gonna end my review (rant!) with one last thing.

Shallow kisses. Heck it's acting, so you don't have to shove your tongue down your co-actor's throat, but keep your lips open and hollow out your mouth to at least make us think you're playing tongue-twister. As soon as their lips touched, they closed their mouths and it became a fervent peck-fest. Like kissing air and practicing in front of a mirror. Yes, they look good kissing each other, but the kissing itself was bleh.

First kiss in part 1 was going the right direction and was pretty believable, but after that… shallow as f*ck. And to think they were supposed to be increasing in passion after that first kiss. All of them were closed-mouth pecks, I'm sorry. Was it the height-difference that didn't allow them to actually suck each other's face off? ---------------

I will not do a TL;DR, because if you skip this review/rant, you will not have missed anything. Have a great day people.

Yours truly, Venin Orchid (aka Lady Regency-nerd) PS: did anyone notice the nice touch at the end? The Whistledown Silhouetted lady on the top of the page had been changed to look more like Penelope. You're welcome <3

[zorasthoughts]

BRIDGERTON SEASON THREE TRAILER!!!!

all my thoughts below :) (also, i haven't read any of the books apart from an offer from a gentleman so i'm going in blind)

"we have been apart for far too long" - yeah we have! didn't realise how much i'd been missing the julie andrews voiceovers

kate and anthony!! - look at them being all happy and in love

eloise and cressida, interesting - i'm pretty sure el is doing this just to spite penelope, but i wonder what we'll see them talk about in these scenes

can we get a "hell yeah!" for pen being done with her family and deciding to actually do something about it? girlie is entering her main character era

colin arriving back and his family being shocked at his rizz and his new look is fun. i feel like compared to daphne, who was the eldest daughter and was the diamond of her season, and anthony who is the head of the family, and was a big catch, colin is just some guy. i like the idea of him also getting into his main character era

also, important psa for anyone who missed it: kate and anthony were holding hands!!! (it's not a massive deal in the grand scheme of things, i just love their casual intimacy and affection during a time when people were more reserved)

lmao, colin getting changed in the carriage on his way to court with the others is so chaotic

and before the scene cuts away, we can see anthony and benedict laughing, so i hope we get more fun teasing among the bridgerton brothers this season. i think compared to last season, which was quite angsty, this season will be lighter in general

a deal to help a girl find a husband because you are friendly/acquinted with her will definitely work. just look at how it went for daphne and simon!!

hehehe, penelope trying to flirt is so funny. nicola coughlan is great at comedy, just look at derry girls. i felt like i could see clare coming out in this scene

"she's not seeking a husband in YOU i hope" and "since when are you worried about penelope?" - yeah, eloise misses her friend. i'd reckon much of el's arc this season is going to be her working through her feelings from that final scene with her and pen in 2x08

penelope debuting her new look is iconic. and so pretty!!! i love that even cressida's jaw was dropping, and the way everyone was turning to look at her. someone in the comments section on youtube said it was similar when daphne shows up at the ball to get the prince's attention, and i love that pen gets to have a moment like that

what makes me sad though is that this is the ball we saw in the clip released last month where everyone was (rightly) losing their minds over kanthony (myself included) while pen was just standing in the corner having no-one pay attention to her

the violins are giving angst

also, it seems interesting that lady danbury seems to be giving pen some advice. i don't think the two have ever interacted in the show, but maybe after lady danbury sees pen's new look and that she is looking to bag a husband, she decides to take pen under her wing?

portia being happy for pen is honestly cute. my guess is in this scene that that guy had asked portia for her blessing to propose to pen and that's why portia is so excited. i'm interested to see what their relationship will be like this season, both are quite complex characters, with a complicated relationship

violet giving colin advice is nice, and i like them discussing friendship as being a key part, and maybe even the most important thing for a romantic relationship. in season one, she did tell daphne to "simply marry the person who feels like your dearest friend" so i think that a similar conversation could be the start of colin realising his feelings for penelope have crossed from the territory of platonic to romantic

the costume design this season is really good, because penelope starts off with the very bright and gaudy featherington shades, then starts dressing in greens that are either a dark emerald shades, or a softer mint colour, but that then shifts to a pale teal, and then pale blues, and lilacs, signalling her journey towards becoming a bridgerton

okay, the overhead shot around 2 minutes 8 seconds in the trailer? that's kate and anthony, right? very curious about this scene

francesca!! not said anything about her yet, but i'm curious about what she'll be getting up to this season

violet having a potential love interest makes me happy, but i hope they would commit to it. i found her storyline in the queen charlotte show to be pretty compelling, and she deserves a chance to find love again

kate and anthony dancing!! obviously we saw some of the dance in the clip that has already been released, but it looks as though we're going to see a full dance scene between them, and it's going to be everything (to me, at least)

that final part of the trailer with colin and penelope? it's so tense and emotional!! i wonder if this could be something to do with whistledown? has colin figured it out?

[eerna]

eerna what's going on in s3 bridgerton your posts and answers making me scared to watch on my life lmao

pls don't hate me, Colin lovers, but I was told by a friend who read the series that he's more fun and chill in the books and also i just....find Polin from even s1 is kinda uhhhhh?awkward?? cuz he's kind of unnecessarily serious and so not chill in the previous seasons?? maybe i don't see his appeal because I'm no Penny but i do not see his appeal in the show

so rn i haven't even watched it and seeing your posts is making me moreeeeeee 😶‍🌫️ it's okay give us the cringey details

Nsbysbbsb NO WORRIES!!! I have a weirdly big amount to say about this show bc I am no longer suffering as much as I did in s1 and 2. Prepare for an essay on my feelings on Polin and thank you for enabling me.

Ok so Colin. Not saying your friend is wrong bc I didn't read the book, but p much everyone I saw talking about it said Colin was very angry and aggressive in it, and for NO REASON since he's supposed to be the "calm brother". I'm glad that the show let him get upset, but never the way he was in the books/Anthony was in s2, where I legit worried about Kate's safety sometimes. Colin was my fav Bridgerton brother bc he was totally different from all the other men on the show, calm and silly and romantic.

Thar being said!!! I never ever thought of him as a GOOD love interest, and s3 only made it worse. First off, yeah, s1 and 2 do NOT show him and Pen as friends nearly enough to warrant the speed of their connection in s3. I blocked s2 from my memory bc I hated it So Damn Much so I can't 100% stand behind my words, but I don't really remember many friendly scenes with the two of them that didn't feel like he was just entertaining his sister's bestie? I remember he once danced with her, and he sent her letters from his travels, and that's it. Then in s3 we are supposed to believe Pen knows him soooo well, she sees through his tricks when no one else does, he can't stand losing her friendship when she stops talking to him. How, when the impression I got from their relationship was "oh she is clearly silly in love and he doesn't care about her enough to notice"!!!

And s3... Oh boy. Colin gets his "glowup" and becomes a rake bc Bridgerton writers would probably spontaneously combust if they wrote a virgin male lead. We see him flirt and smash other women and it is always so so so awkward. I've seen people trying to rationalize it as "Oh he is supposed to be pretending, oh we are supposed to find it cringe" but NO, he is objectified the exact same way Simon and Anthony were, and we as the audience are supposes to think it is sexy. To be fair, Pen finds it concerning but I think that has more to do with the amount of silly, vapid women constantly swarming around him. So now we are even FURTHER away from seeing any reasons why the two of them would be friends. And then we get hit with the "Colin teaches Pen how to find a husband" plot, and oh my god it is so bad, IT IS SO BAD, they have like 2 lessons across 1 episode before they are busted and stop and he literally taught her NOTHING she IGNORED HIS ADVICE AND FIGURED IT OUT BY HERSELF but everyone treats him like a war hero for taking one for the team and teaching the poor unlikeable social reject how to act. We also have the stupid scene where she is criyng begging him to kiss her because she is convinced otherwise she would die without being kissed, and he is trying to elegantly avoid it, and oh my god, I hated this, it is framed as cute and romantic but it is so uncomfortable and bad. AAAAAAAA. Anyway. Then there is this hilariously horrible incident where he saves her from a feral balloon, and if you are wondering wtf am I talking about, its because it is really bad and written like a Scary Movie slasher scene. There are exactly 3 moments that I liked, and ALL of them were bc Colin seemed very lost and desperate. First was when Pen told him they should stay away from each other after the scandal of them hanging out came out (which I liked bc if it were any other girl, some unhinged character would force them to marry, but since it was Pen they were like "Well obviously it's true there was nothing untowards happening it is just cringe haha loserrr"), and he looked like he stopped comprehending English. The second was when he was confessing his feelings, he got on his knees and looked like he was about to cry and I thought that was sweet! Well, he did mention torture which is a very ugly word to use in such a speech, but whatever. The third was after the Infamous Carriage Scene when he says something silly and the two giggle together and I was like PLEASE WHERE WAS THIS ENERGY IN S1 AND 2!!

And may I just say!! The actual Bridgerton Glowup one was PEN and NOT COLIN. In s1 and 2 you could tell she was pretty, but in s3 they made her so damn beautiful that my friends and I would go "Oh wow" several times per episode. And it's not only the clothes, they would put her in rooms where she pops out and sparkles and frame her in shots just perfectly. Idk why they only gave her 1 alternate love interest and then shot her Like That, there should have been at LEAST one more guy following in Debling's trail. Now she's the hot one in the relationship so I can't buy her desperation for Colin's approval or society's perception of Colin as a charity in any way.

With all that said. I think this is the best season of Bridgerton proper. It still isn't something I'd enjoy unironically, but at least it is neither a horrible age gap dynamic feat. SA nor a horrible disgusting juggling of sisters feat. murderer vibes. The only thing I'd say is worse than it used to be is the clothes, which are slowly creeping towards The Reign level of ahistorical and bad.

[aspoonfuloffiction]

Do you get frustrated with the hatred towards Penelope and her role as LW? There’s this massive comparison to LW in the books and how she didn’t spread such life threatening gossip, but as we clearly have seen from S2 they’re deviating from the books entirely. I certainty didn’t approve of what she did to Marina in S1, but from her perspective no one was listening to her - Portia, Marina, Colin. What difference would it have made if she went to Violet bc in her mind why would she listen to a 17 yr old Penelope. We see she has immediate regret over it and I think she does grow from it. Also people forget that without LW, they never would have found out about George. When Penelope finds out about Eloise and the queen, this time she goes to an adult - madame Delacroix, for advice. She’s the one who tells Penelope to drag Eloise and Penelope hesitates. Also the queen affections towards the bridgertons doesn’t make the scandal so horrible in retrospect.

Being approved until season 4 allows the writers to give Penelope a more dynamic story than what she had in the books. Now we’ll have to see her navigate her love story with Colin knowing she did shame his family, which just adds another layer of complexity because even though their characters were great their story does have a few plot holes. Also who’s to say that if they continue with the time jump like the books, the Bridgertons won’t appreciate what she did for them. Her column drove away Berbrooke from marrying daphne, made sure Colin wasn’t going to be in a marriage that was built on a lie and protecting Eloise from the queen.

Soooooo I am not the person to go to for LW sympathy. I find Penelope’s actions as related to Marina pretty inexcusable.

Off the top of my head I can think of at least 4 other options:

Tell Eloise who would believe her and whom Violet would certainly believe

Send a note to Anthony or Violet as Lady Whistledown with the truth

Pay off a Featherington servant to leak it to one of the Bridgerton servants…the staff talks word would get to Violet or Anthony.

And maybe Violet wouldn’t entirely trust any 17 year old girl but she’s known Penelope her whole life at the very least it would give her pause.

And the biggest mark against Penelope in this situation is that had it been any other man hell maybe even if Marina picked a different Bridgerton she wouldn’t have said a word.

Penelope was acting to save Colin but she was also acting out of her own self interest and she nearly ruined her family’s name and did ruin Marina because of it.

So yeah I do think show Lady Whistledown is a lot more vicious in the show but so as to not rag on Penelope too much I will say this:

I think Penelope is on a redemption arc. And if the writers nail it it could actually be quite a bit fulfilling. Lady Whistledown in the books goes pretty unanswered for but I think show!Pen is actually going to have to contend with the harm she’s caused and what role she’s playing in society. I think Eloise was the beginning with Pen’s anguish over publishing about her I’d like to see that pain over someone Penelope doesn’t know. A real reflection on what she’s done to people’s lives because she’s hurt as much as she’s helped.

Or they could go full ham and let Penelope be actually morally gray…we need more female characters like that too.

[blonde-toddy]

Random and Not So Random thoughts while watching Bridgerton: Season 1, Episode 8

So the finale is here.

And baby do we need some resolutions.

This one is titled "After the Rain"

I hope that's a good thing.

Couples montage then lonely Violet. She was blissfully in love with her husband, that's for sure. 8 facking kids worth.

Yes Simon and Daphne are a love match....but they are ripping my heart out right now.

Why are they being so cold?!?!

Way to reference the ruse Daphne. Ugh.

I'm glad that King Granville is here.

Yes push those assholes together.

That shoulder touch. See, irresistible. They are all about each other.

The very picture of devotion, indeed.

Benny and Eloise!!!!

She's wearimg that ugly neck thing again.

No Benny, she thinks Delacroix is Whistledown.

What?!?! Francesca is coming back.

Oh Marina you still pregnant.

Now you shipping Penelope and Colin. That's not weird or anything seeing as you were ready to trap his ass.

Something is amiss!

For Violet to be so wise with her sons, she's awfully thick when it comes to Daphne. I just don't understand.

Daphne is done done done with Violets advice.

I ain't mad at her.

Aww Portia is trying to finesse her way back in. Violet can't stand her.....

Okay Daphne! Let's just hand out all kinds of forgiveness today.

Oh shit. Sir Crane!

Daphne and Portia are GONE!

Ooooh her beloved is dead dead dead.

Yeah girllllllll. All that time you thought he abandoned you. And he was at war.....shit.

What a pill.

I'm glad Daphne has some kind of friend.

Daphne and Marinas storylines are kind of bizarrely parallel.

Jesus Eloise, wtf!

Awww she's trying to save her friend.

I don't think Delacroix is Whistledown.

Oh this is so uncomfortable.....Benny on the low shit.

That shoulder shrug was cute.

"Lock. The door "

Where you going Daphne....what you doing?

Your Graces.

Awww Daphne is still trying.

Damn Simon if she deserves it, step up and give it to her.

Will and Alice ❤

Aw shit Will took Featheringtons bait.

This can't be good.

The deed to the crib?!

This man is out of his mf mind.

Stop it with Anthony and Sienna already!

Simon knows Will is up to something..........

Oh shit he's still there.

Marina you better marry him.

You a damn fool.

Good luck.....you're missing tf out I think.

Right, Portia, right.

Oh she definitely still pregnant.

What are you looking for Daphne?

Ooooh she found the letters he wrote to his father.

And she's reading the mfs.

Oh man.

Yeah girl. It's fucking awful.

Here we go again with hoe ass Anthony.

Under the bleachers. Okay you freaks.

And Will throws the fight.

Featherington is so full of shit and those bookies know he played them. That is going to go horribly. I guaranfuckingtee it.

Simon knows whats up....but he's in no position to judge ANYBODY right now.

Daphne getting serious insight.

I appreciate the relationship between Daphne and Lady Danbury.

She needs someone to be straight with her.

She's giving that mother-in-law type advice and I love it.

You really out here judging him Simon.

Will fucked up but he's still right! Worry about your wife and your life! What's this really about?!

Oh Portia...don't get too excited.

That shits coming back around.

Breakfast together. Is this progress?

Daphne has a peace about her.

She ain't giving up on her man.

To Bridgerton House they go to see Dear Francesca.

Simon is so charming. He is duplicitous af!

Suddenly everyone is just cool with everything. Okay.

Must be the edibles.

Yes girl, look at your hot husband. He is impressive.

Um. Eloise. I think you're wrong boo.

Everybody doesn't have the advantages you have homie! I'm glad Penelope checks her when she gets on that high horse.

Simon with the kiddos just laying it on thick for my girl Daph. Teasing the fuck out of her.

Even Anthony looks all proud and shit.

Delacroix still finds away to shade Portia and it's hilarious.

He lost her mf dowry.

Yes Marina. The bun is still in the oven.

Hastings house is lavish af!

Gawd that picture.

This is not the end. No. No. No.

I share in the doctors exasperation.

Idk what the fuck has happened to Anthony to turn him on his head like this.

Ok mf! You know what, take Sienna to the ball.

Finally giving her the love she deserves from you.

Oh look at these assholes looking at themselves.

"You wound me."

She's light roasting him again and it's lovely.

Come on my babies. Get it together. Y'all are precious.

Also if I ever marry, I want a regal ass portrait like that.

She wants to dance with her man. Same, girl. I want to, and I want you to, too.

Oh we have classic bantering Simon and Daphne.

Come. On. Already.

Fix it.

Fuck....the way they look at each other.

Welp. Party time.

Noooo not one LAST dance.

Ok Will flexed for his baby.

Simon still looking all judgy. Man you better get your own house in order.

Eloise is a living doll, but she's not here for the fellas just yet....or maybe ladies. Or maybe nothing at all. We'll see with her. Just not yet.

I appreciate the evolution of her and Daphnes relationship.

Aww Mr. Finch.

Portia flexing. "The Duchess extended an invitation, personally." She made sure they knew how connected she was.

They're still roasting her wack ass husband though. But fuck him.

Yep he's fucked.

Wtf does Benny do at these balls?

Awe Colin and Penelope.

Penelope bout to confess.

Well Colin killed that. Like dead in the water.

Ya boy is going to Greece.

Sorry Pen. The confession must wait.

Shes devastated. Hell nah she ain't dancing.

Oh Eloise...now is not the time.

Eloise got all that tea!!!!

Hold up this footman looks cheeky. More of him maybe.

Anthony bout to scoop his lady......SIKE.

Sienna pitting an end to this shit.

Anthony you've let her down one too many times.

And Sienna apparently has no desire to put on airs.

Are you sorry though?

And wtf do you do now?

Toss the flowers. Check.

Aww she saved Whistledown.

What a peach.

Come on assholes. Look at y'all looking at each other.

And he still plans on leaving.

Lady Danbury out here dropping wisdom. Listen, Simon, listen!

I honestly do think it's different for them. I think it's different for everyone.

Oh Daphne, Violet is dropping hot ones this time.

What a fucking pep talk.

And now they dance!!!!!

Its that slo-mo smoldering stare for me.

More rain?!

Daphne letting that shit wash her worries away. Go girl.

I mean y'all are cute but this is Daphne and Simons moment.

Cheers to the cane of Lady Danbury.

Danbury put everyone out. Her matchmaking and scheming never end.

At least Simon stayed in the rain with her.

Look at them.....

She told him bout the letters!!!!

Idk man. This love confession is on par with "I burn for you."

She wants to stay with you and love you every day. Man you have a rider. Y'all have dragged each other through the shits. Y'all need this rain.

But there's this lovely thing called a choice.

You really just gonna let her walk away this time and NOT follow her?!

Fucking hell.

Meanwhile at Featherington house.

Oh fuck.

Lord Featherington is dead. I knew that shit was going to blow up.

Fuck. Poor Portia.

Daphne just chilling.

Oh. Ok. Here comes the Duke.

Oh come on Simon. Yes you do. You know EXACTLY what to do.

Nothing else matters when y'all tangled up in them sheets.

They are just so tender!

Yes! Take it to the bed.

Daphne kissing on Simons neck and wanting to give him pleasure and affection >>>>>>>>

A million times over. Its fucking hot. Look at her honing her skillset.

Ride the mf girl!

Ok then! Flip that ass!!!

Out here long stroking the fuck out of her. Got dang.

Oh now you bout to hit that ecstacy.

Is a "congratulations" or "good job" in order?

These beautiful assholes!!!!

I just love them.

All this build up for Simon to ejaculate inside Daphne....but so worth it.

Awww poor Penelope.....

Eloise is convinced Whistledown is Delacroix.

I do love Portia.

Her and Marina grew to an understanding I think.

Marina girl, I think you're making a wise choice marrying your baby daddys brother. Just saying.

Who tf inheriting the Featherington Estate? And have we met them?

Hyacinth is forever in my heart.

Simon and Daphne got that glowwwwww.

Awwe Anthony is all broken up over Sienna.

Ahh yes Anthony, a loving union is the problem. I'm ready for your drama Hoe.

Aha! I knew Delacroix wasn't Whistledown.

Ooooh Eloise!

And you saved her ass.

Really?!?! Pen?!

I can see it a bit.

Aww Daphne is having a baby!!! She got her wish!!!

Simon looks equal parts terrified and amazed.

Aw yall keeping the alphabetical name tradition. How fucking cute.

But you know what, I'm here for it and I find myself satisfied.

And also thirsty!

That's why I went right back and started the series right over again. Yes I did. And I'm proud of that.

Now I will start the books and obsess about season 2.

What a beautiful much needled ride during these times. I feel alive again.

[invisibleinorange]

Swelter Weather  3/?

Chapters: 3/? Fandom: Bridgerton Rating: M Warnings: None at this point. Relationships: Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington,  Eloise Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington(besties),  Bridgerton Family Dynamics, Eloise Bridgerton/Phillip Crane Characters: Colin Bridgerton,  Penelope Featherington, Eloise Bridgerton, Phillip Crane, Benedict Bridgerton Additional Tags:  Bridgerton, Polin

Summary: Colin Bridgerton is weary from travel and decides to spend the summer at the Aubrey Hall. While his initial plans were to avoid his perfect family, he ends up sharing the house with Eloise and Penelope. This is a Modern AU!

“You have to help,”  Eloise said into her cell.  She called Benedict early in the morning. As the sibling she considered herself closest to, she was desperate for his advice on how to stop Colin from ruining her life.  That was the only outcome she could see happening if she allowed Colin to get his hands on her best friend.

She could hear her elder brother yawn into the phone. “You’re seriously calling me to complain because you think that Colin might have been about to kiss Penelope,”  she heard him laugh.

“There is no think. If I’d not interrupted, they would have tainted the sanctity of the game room,” Eloise bellowed into the phone.

“Are you sitting?”  Benedict asked in the phone.

“Well… yes,”  Eloise said from where she was sitting on her bed.

“I’m going to tell you something and it might come as a shock to you,” Benedict started.  “I’m only going to tell you this because I love you.”

“What?”

“You need to mind your own business,” Benedict told her simply.

“Pen is my business,” Eloise argued into the phone.

“If that was true, you’d know that this was always going to happen.  You  can’t possibly just now be noticing the way they act with each other,” Benedict told her.  “I mean,  Daph, Anthony and I sort of have a gambling pool going about it.”

“You’re making bets over it?”  Eloise asked incredulously.

“This is why we didn’t let you in on it.  For the record, if it happens between now and Christmas Kate wins,” Benedict told her.

“Kate is in on this too?”

“And Simon,” Benedict noted.

“Did anyone at least take a stance that it won’t happen?”

“Nope. We’re all in agreement that it’s going to happen.”

Eloise glared at her phone.  They were all traitors. That was what this came down too.  Not a single relative was loyal.  They were all making bets, assuming that something was going to happen; something that she wasn’t sure that she wanted to allow to happen.

“I hate every single one of you,” she muttered.

“You love us.  Don’t do anything stupid.  You can’t stop the inevitable.”

“You wait and see.”

“Well if you delay it until after Christmas, I win.”

That was enough for to end the call.  Clearly she wasn’t going to get the commiseration or help she was looking for.

“Bye.”

“Oh don’t be a –“

Eloise clicked to end the call, throwing her phone on her dresser.  That hadn’t gone the way she’d planned.

--

Colin was remarkably quiet through most of breakfast and lunch, keeping mostly to himself. He wouldn’t have said he was avoiding anyone but he wasn’t quite sure how he was going to approach the conversation or if he should.  He and Penelope had always had a bit of banter between them and maybe things had escalated but it hadn’t crossed the line into action.

It had come as close as it ever had though.

If Eloise hadn’t interrupted, he knew he would have done something. He would have acted on impulse and he wasn’t completely sure what he wanted.  It was one thing to make moves on a stranger and another to do that to someone who he’d known since they were a child.  Penelope was his sister’s best friend. If he misread the signals, he wouldn’t be the only one who suffered because of it. As much as he loved tormenting his siblings, he didn’t actually want to do anything to damage them.  

“I’m going for another ride,” he announced to them in passing, leaving them to their lounging and reading.

He needed the fresh air, needed to gather his thoughts more than anything in the world.  If he was out of the house he might have a fighting shot at it.

He was half way out the door when he felt a hand reaching out grabbing his wrist as if to give him pause. He didn’t have to look back to know whose hand was on him.

He turned back, eyes gazing on her face which in that moment was a mixture of apprehension and something unreadable.

“Can I join you?” Penelope asked him.

The smart answer was no.  He ought to tell her to stick around and hang out with his sister.  It wasn’t what he wanted though and he found himself nodding before he could formulate words.

“Of course,” he told her, forcing his usual grin on his features.

She released her grip on him and he led the way to the stables.  It normally wasn’t this quiet between them but he wasn’t going to push it and neither was she.

“I usually ride this one,” he said pointing to his horse as he went to place a saddle on it.  It was a large, healthy stallion.  He was fully prepared to set her up on one of the others.  They did have a few to pick from.  He knew that Daphne’s horse would probably be the best fit. “I’m thinking maybe Daph’s for you.”

“I was thinking I could ride with you,” Penelope said after a long moment.

Colin gave her a long look, thinking over her suggestion.  He’d raised his horse since it was a foal. It was sturdy, dependable and could certainly handle the load.  The saddle wouldn’t work for it though. They’d have to ride bareback.

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” he asked, removing the saddle he’d already put into place. “It won’t as comfortable without that.”

“I’m not so delicate that I can’t handle it. Besides, I want to experience your equestrian skills first hand instead of observing them,”  she told him.

He didn’t have to be told a second time.

“Let me give you a leg up,” he said before he helped her climb astride before he managed to pull himself up behind her.  He handed her the reins once he was secure before wrapping his own arms around her middle.

In an instant they were in motion. It was much easier to let her lead the show him give her instructions on what to do.  He had full confidence in their combined ability to do this.

“Which way?”  Penelope asked, her body shifting backwards against his slightly with each stride of the horse.

“I’ll show you my usual route,” Colin told her, trying to not to think too much about the jut of his body against hers with every movement. “Or rather he will. He knows the way.”

The stallion didn’t really require much guidance. It was normally fairly easy to zone out and enjoy the scenery. It was innocent enough at first. That certainly didn’t last for long though.   It was an impossibility when he was already struggling to maintain some distance and the very nature of this required a complete lack of it.

It was difficult to be a gentleman with her pressed against him. He had to lean against her, if he wanted to keep them both astride.  There was something pleasant about the closeness. The friction of her hips moving backward against his own was distracting, especially when she let out audible moans when he got bumped especially hard toward into her.

“You’ve got to stop,” he murmured close to her ear. There was a hint of warning to it not that he was really sure what he was going to do.

Penelope apparently wasn’t ignorant to what she was doing to him. He was pretty sure he felt her intentionally shift back against him, which earned a groan.  She was going to be the death of him. He was certain of it.

“Stop what?” she asked.  He could hear the mischief in her voice and it confirmed the suspicion. There was no hiding what she was doing to him anymore. She undoubtedly felt how hard he was.  If she was trying to tease him, she was doing a hell of a job.

“You’re playing with fire,” he growled, turning his head enough to bury her face in her neck, mouth ghosting the skin there. Her hands moved lower on her hips to at least try and control the way his hips moved forward into hers. “I thought you wanted to ride a horse not a Bridgerton.”

“The horse was an excuse to spend time with the Bridgerton,” she confessed, eyes closing and a breathy-sigh escaping her as her knuckles tightened around the reins.  Thank God the horse knew what it was doing and could complete the loop of the property to get the back to the barn.

“You don’t have to have an excuse to spend time with me,” Colin told her simply, honestly. Her words were enough to shame him into behaving. She thought she needed an excuse to spend time with him when the truth of the matter was that he loved spending time with her. He pressed a light, affectionate kiss to her jaw. He felt her shiver and he knew that needed to put some distance between them before more could happen. “You never have and you never will.”

Colin’s hand moved to take the reins from her long enough to get them stopped. He slipped down before offering her a hand to assist her down.   They were close enough to the barn and he could easily get the creature secured again.

“Do you mean that?” Penelope asked quietly, her legs still a bit wobbly and her mind still racing. She followed him diligently though, sticking close by.

“Yeah,” Colin said lamely trying to get his brain and body to behave.   “I like being around you… even when you’re tormenting me.”

“That wasn’t my initial goal,” she confessed. There was something rather alluring about her red curls so messy and windblown combined with the innocent yet mischievous smile on her face. “I can’t say that I didn’t like it though.”

“I had a sneaking suspicion that you did,” he told her with a light smile.  He wanted to kiss her then and there, see what other forms of torment she could appreciate but he kept himself in check.  There was only so long they could hang out before Eloise would come looking. He wasn’t willing to tempt the fates on this.

“Maybe next time we hang out you’ll get to torment me,” she offered.

Those words alone were enough fodder to keep him happy for the rest of the day. He offered his arm, planning to guide her back to the house.

“Let’s go find El,” he suggested.