Chapter Text
The first ball of the season was underway and Colin had just arrived with his family. He was not typically so eager to attend such events but this year he suspected the usual monotony would be much abated by the presence of his dearest friend. Spotting the familiar red curls he excused himself from his mother and headed in her direction.
“Pen!” Colin exclaimed happily as he approached her.
Penelope smiled but it was not the usual exuberant grin she sported when seeing him, rather her mouth was quirked into a demure, polite society smile.
“Mr. Bridgerton.” She said smoothly as she dipped into a proper curtsy.
Colin stopped and stared at her, his brain halting at the abrupt switch from their usual familiar greeting to . . this?
“Pen, have I done something to offend you?” He asked nervously as he cast his mind to their most recent encounter.
“Not at all, Mr. Bridgerton.” She responded serenely, to his consternation. “Why do you ask?”
“Why do I ask?!” He blinked, baffled. “The fact that you are calling me Mr. Bridgerton and not Colin for a start!”
“Mr. Bridgerton,” She began in a kind of embarrassed condescending tone. “It would not be proper for me to address you as such, nor for you to call me by my name.” Her eyes told him he should refrain from making such a mistake again. “I am a lady out in society now and as such, propriety must be observed.”
“But . . we have never held such formality between us before? Are we not still friends even if you are making your debut this year?” He asked with a frown.
Penelope nodded though her face remained serious.
“We are friends indeed but such friendships must always evolve and change by necessity when both parties grow and mature. I am a woman now and it would not be proper for us to maintain the kind of friendship we enjoyed when we were children.”
She sighed and he felt a deep sense of foreboding trickle down his spine.
“I will always remember the times we have spent together fondly but I’m afraid I must apply myself to finding a suitable match this season.”
“A suitable match?” He gasped as his brain tried to make sense of this senseless conversation. “But you and Eloise have long spoken of your desire to be spinsters together!”
“Oh Mr. Bridgerton, not all of us have the security necessary to plan for such a life. Eloise is incredibly privileged to have not only a family of adequate wealth but who also love her enough to accept such a choice were she to make it. I have neither of those options available to me and . . . and to be truthful I never envisioned a life of spinsterhood for myself. I may have indulged Eloise’s fond discussions but I have always dreamed of marrying and having children of my own.”
Colin could have been knocked over by a feather, so great was his shock during this unprecedented conversation.
“And to that end I cannot be seen conversing with a young gentleman and calling him by his Christian name. I do hope our paths may cross on occasion during the season but I’m afraid most of my time and attention must be allocated towards searching out any potential suitors.”
“I . . but . . I . . “ Colin stuttered.
“I hope you enjoy your evening, Mr. Bridgerton.”
Penelope curtsied again and walked away, leaving Colin grappling in her wake. Never in his life had a single conversation thrown his entire world into upheaval.