Chapter Text
26 of February
Her delectable flavour lingered on his tongue, but was slowly dissipating with every swallow as he tried to quell his moans. His wife was so addicting, he just had her and he already wanted another taste. Were it for him, her sweet nectar would always be present in his mouth.
He could hardly complain about his current situation, though. Not when her small hand wrapped around his member put so much effort in making every thought on his head disappear. The sight was distracting as well, with every stroke of her hand, her marvellously full breast bounced, he could not tell what gave him more pleasure, the delicious tug on his cock or the delightful display her milk-filled tits put out for him.
“I want to taste you, too.” Her softly spoken words pulled him out of his trance. His eyes left her bosom to focus on her face. Her cherubic features might fool anyone with its sweetness, what with the lovely pink hue of her cheeks and her baby-blues, but he knew her well enough now to recognize the devilish glint in those eyes. The hunger.
“I fear for the well-being of your delicate knees, my dearest.” His own knees suffered a little on the hard floor of the carriage while feasting on her. And he was an alpha in his prime, he could not imagine what her tender knees would feel like in her state. Bending from her seat was not an option either, not with her baby bump in the way. “I am enjoying myself, love, do not trouble yourself.”
He groaned as she gripped him harder and stopped her movements.
“But I want to.” With a pout like that, how can he refuse?
He gently drew back the curtain to steal a glance outside, assessing their proximity to their intended destination and the speed of their journey. They were just entering Mayfair, their progress steady and measured.
I should be fine…
“Blast it all!” he exclaimed as his skull hit the food of their carriage, having stood up too eagerly. The coachman must have been alerted to his lack of finesse, for the cart began to slow down. “Keep going, we’re fine!” he yelled at him, still rubbing the top of his head.
The carriage resumed its pace. Penelope giggled, her hand reaching for his member once more.
“Careful husband, we wouldn't want you to add a concussion to your list of ailments.”
Colin huffed in amusement, his tongue still stung a little from the earlier mishap when a bump on the road caused him to bite his tongue while pleasuring her. He’d suggest this as a sign to go back to honeymooning for another couple of months, receive their sweet pea in a foreign country and wait for them to be old enough to come back, but he knew his wife would just roll her eyes and laugh at his silliness.
“You're right, of course. I suppose I got a bit overeager there.”
All pain was forgotten at the sight of her beneath him, looking so comfortable and content on the plush seat, dressed in that blue parisian gown he so adored, her tiny hand lazily stroking his cock…
It was a tight fit – like her, he thought with some amusement–, but he somehow managed to find the right position to satisfy her craving; standing in front of her sitting frame, one of his long legs bent and firmly placed on the seat, the other on the floor. He had to bend his back significantly, the small cart not designed for a tall man like him to stand comfortably, one hand bracing himself against the wall behind her and the other finding its way to her fiery tresses, guiding her hungry little mouth to his shaft. He’d had to maintain his balance as well, careful not to choke her with every bump on the road.
Colin groaned as the omega’s lips enveloped him, her wet heat engulfing his aching member, taking him effortlessly.
By Jupiter, she's gotten good at this! Their honeymoon had certainly been a thorough education for his sweet wife. The things she could do with that clever little tongue of hers now...
“That's it, love,” he encouraged breathlessly, fingers threading through her silken hair. “Take me deep.”
She obliged eagerly, relaxing her throat to accommodate his girth. He watched, transfixed, as her cheeks hollowed and her head moved sensually, not once breaking eye contact. The lewd sounds of her slurping filled the carriage, punctuated by his own grunts and sighs.
“Just like that, Omega” he praised, guiding her head to set a faster rhythm. “Suck me dry, my sweet.”
Penelope moaned around him, the vibrations nearly undoing him then and there. She pulled back to catch her breath, drool connecting her lips to his slick cock as her hand continued her job.
“You taste divine, husband,” she purred, licking her lips, knowing damn well what that title on her soft voice did to him. “I could do this all day.”
“Oh, I wish we could, too, darling. But we’ll be at your mum’s soon and–”
“Very well.”
Colin gasped as Penelope's determined mouth went back to work, her skilled tongue swirling around his sensitive tip before delving back down to the base. His hands tightened in her hair, hips thrusting shallowly into the warm haven of her mouth. She was relentless, sucking hard and fast, clearly eager to bring him to completion before they arrived at her parent’s.
“Bloody hell, Pen…” he gritted out, feeling his balls tighten. “I won’t last long, dear, keep it like that.”
Humming happily, she doubled her efforts, taking him impossibly deep. Her nose pressed against his pelvis, eyes watering from the strain. Colin threw his head back with a guttural moan, heels digging into the carriage floor. He was climbing that high at an impressive speed.
Soon, the base began to swell, his body foolishly seeking to lock hers down to him.
She had to pull back out for air before it could catch, strings of saliva connecting her lips to his spit-shined cock. "I can’t wait to take your knot here,” Penelope declared boldly, voice husky with arousal. “I want to feel you heavy in my mouth, be tied to you…” she licked his growing knot teasingly.
She knew exactly what to say, his minx of a wife had taken notice and stored in her impressive memory every single fantasy of his, she used them sometimes to undo him with just a few words. Throughout their honeymoon she has made it her mission to accomplish that one. And while she hadn’t yet made it so far as to lock his knot inside her greedy mouth, Lord knows she was damn near close. She knew the trick, she just needed to work on her breathing.
With a growl, Colin surged forward, pressing his tip against the seam of her lips.
“Open wide, love. Take it all.”
Penelope obeyed, stretching her jaw as wide as it would go. He pushed in slowly, feeling her struggle to accommodate his girth. Just as he felt himself nearing his peak, she clamped her lips tightly around him, swallowing convulsively. His final push, however, was the sight of her peachy lips teasing the beginning of his knot.
“Fuck!” Colin snarled, hips jerking erratically as he emptied himself down her throat. His knot throbbed, straining against her stretched lips but unable to pass through. Penelope whimpered, pulling him out so only his cockhead remained, sucking around as it filled her mouth.
She knew by now not to swallow it all before giving him a little show.
Finally, with a shudder, he stilled, spent and panting. She released him with a wet pop, breathing heavily. Without being told, her mouth hung open, allowing him a clear view of his thick, creamy seed pooling on her tongue.
“Good girl,” he breathed, tapping her held out tongue with his tip. She took his silent command and swallowed it all, holding his gaze. “Bloody brilliant,” Colin praised hoarsely, tucking himself back into his breeches with shaking hands. “You've become quite the little expert, haven't you?”
Penelope preened at the compliment, licking her lips sensually.
“All thanks to my very thorough tutelage, of course.”
“Indeed. My clever girl.” Colin chuckled, kneeling down and pulling her into his arms for a searing kiss, uncaring of his own taste on her tongue.
The carriage rolled to a stop outside the Featherington residence. They fixed their clothes and hair hastily, trying to regain some of their early decent appearance . It was quite amusing to see his little vixen turn back into the demure, innocent girl her mother most likely expected to see back. She could excuse the flush on her cheeks and bosom on the pregnancy, but what was his excuse? She had to wind him up a bit with her German fan.
He kissed her belly before exiting the cart, grateful for their pup to remain miraculously asleep throughout the journey.
Colin helped his omega down the carriage, making sure she was steady on her feet before letting go to grab the rather large portmanteau with their presents and instruct their driver to wait outside the Bridgerton residence. He would not make Penelope walk longer than she should, not with her swollen belly weighing her down so much these days.
His poor dear, she still had about three more months to go.
He lifted her in his arms before she could even attempt to climb a step.
“Colin!” she giggled. “I am pregnant, not crippled. I can handle some steps”
“Nonsense, dear. I said I shall be your legs and I meant it.”
She knew better than to question his strength, for that would only prompt him to add more weight on him, always eager to prove his alpha prowess to her, so she just laughed and hit him lightly with her fan.
She unhooked one of her arms around his neck to knock on the wooden door. Her family’s butler –Briarly, if he recalled correctly– answered, looking surprised at the sight they made.
“Are you well, Miss– Missus Bridgerton?” He asked, looking concerned at his wife. Colin smiled, never tired to hear people address her as such. “Shall I fetch a doctor?”
“I am quite well, Briarly,” Pen assured, hooking her arm around his neck once more. “My husband just likes to fret needlessly.”
The older man moved to the side, allowing them in.
“I hardly think my wife and pup’s well being should be so easily dismissed. My fretting is more than needed.”
“Your wife and pup will survive a simple walk inside the house she grew up in,” Pen said, amused by his dramatism.
“One cannot be too careful, don’t you think, Briarly?”
“Of course, sir,” the butler said, closing the door behind them. He could tell Briarly, too, thought he exaggerated, but at least he indulged him. “Lord and Lady Featherington are waiting for you in the drawing room, along with Miss Prudence and Miss Philipa, of course,” he informed them. “And we already packed most of your essential belongings and sent them to your new home, Missus Bridgerton. The ones back at the estate should arrive shortly.”
From Sussex to Mayfair, Colin estimated they should be home to receive them by late afternoon.
“Thank you, Briarly,” his wife answered sweetly.
A footman approached and took their portmanteau, Colin asked him to follow them to the drawing room and warned him of the fragility of some contents.
As they reached the last step of the stairs, Penelope called his attention.
“Put me down,” she said, her soft voice taking a firm tone. He shrugged slightly, for she reserved that voice for when her plump thighs straddled his hips as she rode him to completion. That or when he tried to take a bite of her precious Tarte Tatin.
“But–”
“I am serious, Colin. Put me down.”
He obeyed, but not before pouting. His arms grieved the loss of her – their – weight immediately. She linked their arms.
“Do not leave me alone with my family,” she said. “I fear they have a talent for offending me, even when they do not intend to, and I do not wish to deal with it now.”
“Of course,” he assured, soothing her arm. “Should I request the same?”
“Oh, you’ll be fine, they’d be on their best behaviour for you. That’s why I want you near.”
walked towards the drawing room, just as a footman announced them.
“Mister and Missus Bridgerton are here, my lord.”
Colin sighed, he would truly never tire of hearing it. His mind briefly traveled to the first time they were announced as such; it was on an autumn ball back in Paris, one of the many parties they attended before her belly began to show. The high of being on their first event as a married couple had them dancing near the entire night long, twice on the dancefloor for Penelope insisted they remain decent, and the rest hidden on the gardens. They met many interesting individuals and engaged in witty, mind-fulfilling conversations, but the height of his night will always be simply spinning Penelope in his arms.
Beside him, Penelope smiled softly up at him.
Lady Featherington was already moving towards them, her skirts rustling with each step. Her smile was wide and more sincere than he expected. She rushed forward to greet him with an enthusiastic embrace.
“If it isn’t my new son!” she gushed, patting his cheek affectionately.
Colin cleared his throat, a bit taken aback.
“Lady Featherington,” he greeted politely, “ we are so pleased to see you.”
“Oh! Of course, of course,” Lady Featherington said, flustered. She turned to Penelope, pulling her into a hug, his wife taking a second to respond. “My dear girl, you look radiant. Marriage and motherhood suits you.” She even lowered a hand to caress her grandchild inside her daughter’s belly.
“... T-thanks, mama.” She saw her blink back tears, and he would be concerned, if not for the fact that as of late even the sight of a ‘too-fluffy’ bunny was able to provoke the same effect. So he simply limited himself to rub her back comfortingly.
Lord Featherington stood stiffly behind, offering a curt nod in greeting. Colin returned the gesture with a slight bow, his expression cool. He still had a poor impression of the man, finding him lacking in both warmth and integrity. But for Penelope's sake, he tolerated his presence.
“Mister Bridgerton, Penelope,” Lord Featherington said shortly. “Welcome back.” He went back to his chair and his newspaper, and for that Colin was glad. Lady Featherington, however, looked displeased by her husband’s lack of interest.
Prudence and Philippa were the last to approach, their eyes wide as they took in Penelope's swollen belly.
He imagined it must be strange to have a younger sibling married and with child before either of them. His own brothers must feel the same way about him, and had he been patient, he may have witnessed Daphne settle down before him this very season.
“Penelope, Mister Bridgerton," Prudence said, stepping forward, greeting them politely. There was a slight frown at her lips, but she did not voice whatever concern or annoyance she had.
“My god, you’re huge” Philippa blurted out, chuckling perplexed. Her mother and older sister were quick to shush her away.
He was able to hear a hissed ‘That is the baby, you dunderhead,’ as Prudence and her argued back on the window seat.
He leaned down, whispering in her ear in hopes to drive her little frown away.
“Do not take it as a slight, my love. You should know you appear more radiant with each passing day.” She looked up at her husband adoringly, her hand resting on his arm.
“Well, come along,” Lady Featherington said, ushering them towards the settee. “We have so much to catch up on. And you must tell us all about your honeymoon, dear. I'm sure it was absolutely magical. Your letters must’ve been lost in the mail, I am sure, so you must retell them in person.”
Pen winced lightly. Her mother was clearly accusing her.
“I must apologise, my lady, for I kept my wife distracted and entertained, we were so content with each other, we simply forgot to write to about anyone.”
That was a blatant lie. He had exchanged a few letters to his family and he knew Penelope wrote in every city they visited to Eloise, sometimes his mother and sent one letter to Daphne to thank her for her help on their wedding. The one letter sent to the Featheringtons, besides the one announcing Penelope’s pregnancy, was from him, and it was merely to inform them when they should be arriving and to please prepare his wife’s belongings to be delivered to her new residence.
“We brought gifts!” Pen exclaimed with a slight flush, attempting to move the conversation’s focus somewhere else.
Her sisters approached again as he reached for the peace offering. Prudence and Philipa got perfumes from Paris, matching so they would not fight for it –according to his wife– and matching hand mirrors, also from Paris. His mother-in-law got a delicate teacup set made in Belgium. Portia passed the beautiful wooden box to their Housekeeper Varley and excitedly ordered to swap the set that was being delivered with their tea for that one, and to invite Lady Cowper for tea when she arrived at the Ton. He chuckled at that. Lord Featherington got the least thoughtful gift as, Colin thought, he deserved. Just a traditional German wooden nutcracker.
The young alpha frowned as the lord seemed more interested in the trinket than his daughter and possible heir. Pen paid him no mind, thankfully. His omega simply leaned against his side and caressed her belly as she summarized their honeymoon to her mother.
***
It was nearing noon when Penelope decided she wanted to visit her room one last time before leaving, and wished to do so in his company. Lord Featherington had excused himself a while ago when his solicitor arrived and both men left for the study.
“Ah, Mister Bridgerton, if I may have a word with you,” Lady Featherington said as they got up.
“Of course.”
“I’ll go ahead,” Penelope informed him, kissing his chin before waddling out of the room. His little duck , he thought with affection.
“Wait for me to climb the stairs!” He called out, hoping she would obey. Given that she did not answer, he doubted she would. He turned to the older redhead. “What is it, Lady Featherington?” He asked, anxiously stealing glances at the corridor’s wall, as if that would stop his wife from being reckless.
“It is nothing, I was just wondering about my daughter’s pregnancy.” They both moved away from the girls playing with their gifts. “I trust she has been looked after for the best doctors at your disposal in whatever city you found yourselves in.” He nodded in confirmation. “Has any of them estimated a date for the delivery? To… to put it bluntly, could it be possible that the little one arrives earlier? Earlier than we already anticipated, that’s in.”
It took him a while to understand her nervousness, given that they already made it clear he had eaten the cake before the wedding. But then he saw his Penelope in his vision, with her slightly too-large-for-her-body belly. In the last month they had received surprised reactions whenever Penelope informed people she still had three months to go, most people assumed she was due at any moment. If he had planted his seed three moons earlier than the day everyone now knew to be their wedding day, it would surely look bad on both of their families. Not a terrible scandal, but scandalous enough. Not something two mothers with their first daughters debuting needed to deal with. Good thing he had married his omega immediately.
“The pup should not arrive sooner than anticipated, I assure you. Mayhaps a week or so, but not even a full month. Any confusion is entirely due to my wife and I’s… well, differing sizes.” He saw her let out a relieved breath. He leaned closer. “Though, I am glad you brought it up, my lady, for there was something I wished to discuss.” The beta woman tilted her head. “The doctor informed me everything was well with my wife and child, thankfully, so do not fret. But, I am aware the pup is growing at a rapid speed, and well, this shall be Pen’s first time on the birthing bed. As my mother has informed me, I myself was a large child…” They both looked in the direction where her tiny daughter just left, and he heard the baroness suppress a wince. He was quite uncomfortable with the conversation, but it was for Pen’s sake. “What I mean to say is, we came earlier, because I did not wish for my wife to give birth alone. I will be there, of course, but I know she will need her mother at her side as well, even if she will not ask for it.”
Portia nodded solemnly, still looking at the corridor. He could see genuine concern in her eyes.
“I will be there.”
***
“I told you to wait for me,” he frowned as he caught up with her. She was already outside her bedroom door.
“I am waiting,” she shrugged, opening the door.
“You know what I meant…”
They walked into her room. It occurred to Colin he’s never been there before. Nor should he, of course, he had no business entering an unmarried and unmated lady’s room, according to society’s standards. He had already defiled those same rules, of course, but that that was excusable in his opinion, she was mated, and to him for that matter.
It was a lovely room, softer looking than the rest of the residence. He wished he could've seen it before it was emptied; now all there were were a few boxes and furniture covered on by sheets to protect them from the dust, save for the bed, that was suspiciously uncovered.
Penelope locked the door behind him. She wasn’t so subtle, he found her room following the scent of her slick, after all.
“Does it feel strange, being back?” he asked softly, gathering her into his arms. Penelope leaned into him, her head resting on his chest.
“A bit,” she admitted. “So much has changed since I last slept here. It seems like another lifetime ago.”
Colin kissed the top of her head, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back, and nodded in agreement.
“Mh,” he hummed. “You're not the same little girl who dreamed of a dashing suitor sweeping her off her feet,” he murmured. “You're a wife and soon-to-be mother now, and I became the luckiest bastard in all of London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne –"
Penelope laughed, the sound muffled against his chest and stopped his little bragging with a gentle swat.
“Flatterer,” she accused, but there was fondness in her voice.
They stood there for a long moment, holding each other in content silence. Then Penelope pulled back, meeting Colin's gaze with a mischievous glint in her eye.
“You know,” she said, her voice dropping to a sultry purr, “I think this room deserves a proper farewell. What do you say, husband? Shall we christen the bed before we bid it good riddance?”
Colin's heart leaped at her suggestion, his cock stirring to life in his breeches.
“You know you can get me to agree to anything when you call me that,” he growled, capturing her lips in a heated kiss, leading her backwards.
They tumbled onto the bed in a tangle of limbs, their hands roaming greedily over each other's bodies. Penelope's skirts were hiked up to her waist, revealing the swell of her pregnant belly and the dark-red curls below. Colin groaned at the sight, his fingers splaying possessively over the taut skin.
Her little hands made quick work of his belt and buttons, and Colin's cock sprang free, already hard and aching for her touch. Penelope wrapped her fingers around him, stroking him from root to tip with a steady rhythm. He bit back a groan, his hips bucking into her hand.
“To think I once feared my libido might scare you,” he laughed against her lips, “I thought your innocence would never be corrupted. Now look at you, wanton little thing.”
“You made me like this,” she reminded him, releasing him and turning onto her side. She lifted one leg, baring herself to him in a needy display. “Take responsibility for the consequences.”
“I am certainly not complaining.”
Colin needed no further encouragement. He positioned himself behind her, the blunt head of his cock nudging at her entrance. With a single, smooth thrust, he buried himself inside her welcoming heat, groaning at the exquisite sensation.
“I’ll never tire of this cunt,” he rasped, setting a steady pace as he rocked into her. “So tight and wet and perfect. Always ready for me.”
Penelope bit into her lip to stifle her moans, her nails digging into the sheets as he drove into her. He hooked her leg over his hip, opening her wider, allowing him to sink even deeper. The new angle had him hitting spots within her that made her whine and tremble.
“Yes, just like that,” she panted, pushing her hips back to meet his thrusts. “Don't stop, Colin. Please don't ever stop.”
Colin felt his climax building, his balls tightening as he moved into her willing body. But he held back, determined to bring her to completion first. He reached around, his fingers finding her swollen nub and rubbing it in tight circles.
“Come for me, love,” he demanded, his voice rough with need. “Let me feel you come undone.”
He swallowed her moan with a ravenous kiss. Her inner muscles clenched around him as her orgasm crashed over her. The feeling of her spasming around his cock was too much, and with a final thrust, careful not to knot her, the alpha spilled himself inside her, filling the little omega with his seed.
They collapsed against each other, panting and sated, their bodies still joined intimately. Colin gathered Penelope into his arms, peppering her face with soft kisses.
“I love you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
“I love you too. More than life itself,” Penelope whispered back, and he could tell she was trying not to get emotional. Due to her pregnancy, if she started crying for whatever reason, she found it difficult to stop anytime soon.
He had a hand splayed on her belly as he kissed her when he felt their pup kick him. A rather harsh kick, it made Penelope wince.
“Oh, we woke him,” he mumbled, always in awe when the little one moved.
“I think he wants his Papa to leave us alone for a second,” she chuckled.
“His Papa did not initiate it this time.” He arched an eyebrow, though he was internally giddy at the name and amused, for their pup seemed to kick his hand away after every encounter, perhaps tired of their little naps being disturbed.
He quickly cleaned her with his handkerchief. Pen kissed his lips sweetly and got off of the bed. She stretched a little, letting out a satisfied sigh and then walked near the corner of the room. He watched curiously as she lifted a piece of wood on the floor.
“I think it was here…” she mumbled to herself.
“What are you doing, love?” He inquired, fixing himself and grabbed a pillow from bed, passing it to her, so she might not strain her lovely knees.
“Just looking for something.” He knelt down beside her, watching as she pulled out a little music box, a few childish trinkets, most likely from her infancy, and a doll that looked like it had seen better days.
“Ow, what did you keep the poor miss hidden?” He asked as he took a hold of the ragdoll. It had brown wool sewn as hair and blue buttons as eyes.
“Because Prudence and Phillipa are mean to her,” she simply explained. Looking it over, he noticed an arm that seemed to have been reattached with bright yellow thread and her knitted bonnet was cut in half and also resown. He was no expert in needling, but the clumsy stitches told him little Penelope had seen it herself to mend the doll.
“Does she have a name?” he asked softly, holding the doll to his chest, as though he was hugging the younger version of his wife through it.
“Yes,” she said, still searching inside the hole on the floor. “Lady Jane… dammit where is it?”
“What are you looking for, my dear?” He put the doll aside, sitting it against the wall, and leaned closer, trying to peek at her little hideout.
“My journal,” she huffed. “I was meant to take it with me to Aubrey Hall, but I forgot it here. Or at least I thought I did.”
She moved to the boxes, checking them hastily. He helped her with them, but there was no sign of a journal whatsoever.
“Perhaps they took them home already,” he offered, feeling warm at the word.
“Mmm… maybe.” She looked unconvinced, arm crossed.
“Did you write anything scandalous there?” He teased. She did not answer, simply blushed and looked to the side. “You did!” He exclaimed, much too delighted. She huffed. ”Did you write about that maid and the footman?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “You must tell me who they are.”
“No, and I will not!”
“Did you write about me?”
“...Maybe.”
“Anything naughty? Is that why you’re so desperate to–?” She threw the doll at his face. “Oi! Careful, I wanted to gift her to our daughter.” He picked the doll up from the floor, dusting off her ragged dress.
“Excuse me? Lady Jane is mine, I believe it is I who decides if she gets passed down or not.”
“Penelope, are you seriously going to deny our daughter this doll?” He tutted her and shook his head.
“I did not say that! And why are you so sure we’re having a daughter?”
“Well I am not saying this little one is a girl, but I am hoping we’ll have one at some point, now or later, it does not matter, she will be welcomed.” He reached out for her and sat her on his lap. “Just another pretty princess for me to spoil.” He rubbed her belly and kissed her cheek lovingly.
“I should hope you’d be as happy if this pup is a son,” she whispered softly, looking into his eyes questioningly.
“Of course, my love. Our little lord shall be just as cherished.” She tilted her head, frowning slightly. “Oh, goodness, I never told you,” he realised. “That was your dowry. Since he could not pay it, we made a deal with your father that our firstborn son shall be the next Lord Featherington.”
She said nothing for a second, just blinked at him.
“What happened to my dowry?” She asked quietly.
Way to ruin the moment, Colin. He chastised himself.
“I think it’s best if we talk about this at home,” he said.
He remembered then why he pushed the conversation so long once he found out about her state. He knew that he could not dilute the matter or omit certain details, for she possessed a keen intuition that would prompt her to inquire further, and he could not bring himself to lie to her. He did not wish to inform her the reason why he despised her father so, to let her know how the Baron had wasted away money that meant for her future and was willing to let her live in shame rather than gain a new debt. He wasn’t really sure how aware Lady Featherington and her daughters were of their family’s finances.
He stored the issue for later. Like them or not, the women were his family now, he would not leave them to their own devices should things take a darker turn.
“Alright.” Thankfully, she did not push the subject further, simply required his help to get up and let him carry her boxes out of the room while she held the doll.
***
They were just about to leave after saying their farewells when Varley came back with a small box.
“What’s this?” Pen was surprised when the housekeeper passed her the parcel.
“Oh, a gift of our own, in a way.” Lady Featherington said. “We found it when rummaging through some rooms back on the estate, we thought you should have it.”
He circled her waist with his arm and held her doll as she opened the little box. Carefully unfolding the wrapping inside, she revealed a pair of tiny cloth booties. They were bright yellow, the color vibrant and cheerful against the white fabric. It was a hideous color, but still his heart melted at the sight. As she took them in, her eyes widened slightly, and Colin noticed the telltale tremble of her lower lip.
“Mama... these are mine, aren't they?” she asked, her voice thick with emotion. “From when I was little?”
He had ‘littler’ at the tip of his tongue, but decided not to ruin another moment.
Lady Featherington nodded, smiling widely.
“They are,” she said. “They are still in perfect condition and they remain quite fashionable, I assure you. I made a great choice with the modiste, your little one should have no problem wearing them. As long as they inherited your tiny feet, of course.” She gave his own feet a pointed look.
“I–I did not think you kept these.”
“I kept a pair from all of you girls, I was hoping you might pass them down to your own pups one day.” She scratched her head as she kept talking. “It was harder to keep one from your sisters, most were worn down. But it was easier to preserve yours, you were never much of a walker, you mostly stayed in your nanny’s arms. Right until you’ve met your new sister-in-law, that’s it.”
Colin smiled softly, remembering those days, when a tiny Eloise dragged a tinier Penelope around, both girls giggling and playing all around their garden.
Penelope's eyes welled up, perhaps having the same memory, and Colin swiftly stepped in to offer comfort, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“Sorry,” Pen mumbled.
“There, there, love,” he murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her temple. “It's perfectly natural to feel emotional at a time like this. Your mother is simply showing you how much she cares.”
Even he was surprised by the touching detail. Penelope sniffled, leaning into his embrace.
“I know,” she whispered. “It's just... it's such a beautiful gift. Thank you, Mama.”
His omega passed him the box as she tried the little booties below her belly, as if to test how they’d look on their pup. He laughed tenderly at her cuteness and kissed her temple.
“Thank you, Lady Featherington,” he said genuinely.
Though he knew Penelope, as emotional as she was, found them hideous and he might have to convince her to actually let their pup wear them later on, they truly were touched by the detail, he could feel her gratitude through their bond.
She would rely on that bond whenever she tried hard to not cry, borrowing some of his strength, in a way. She was doing so now, he could feel her. It felt wonderful to embrace her both physically and spiritually. It made him feel like a true alpha, answering to his mate’s needs.
“Well, do not let me keep you,” Lady Featherington said, and he could tell she was trying to hold back any tears as well. “But let it be known that I gave the first gift.”
“Of course,” he chuckled. His mother will frown at that, no doubt.
“I shall visit your new home when you’re settled, dear,” Portia said, holding her daughter’s hand.
“I would love that,” Penelope said softly.
Portia gasped.
“We could go to the modiste and reserve some silk for the little one! Something to match their booties.”
“Uhm…”
“You look rather weary, darling,” Colin came to the rescue. “Come, you must be exhausted.”
Moments later, they were just about to reach the front door when Penelope halted him in his steps. He had her again in his arms, two footmen trailing behind them with the portmanteau and boxes.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, patting his chest so he might pull her down. “I just remembered where I put it, wait here.”
With no further explanation she waddled away as soon as she was down on the floor. She came back some minutes later, just as he was about to go look for her. Her face was flushed in embarrassment and was holding a worn down leather journal.
“Where was it?” He asked as he picked her up again.
“Papa’s study.”
“Did he read it?” He inquired.
“Worse…”
***
“Put me down,” she said once they reached the top of the stairs, making their way to the Bridgertons' drawing room.
“Why do you hate being in my arms so much?” He sighed dramatically, but obeyed. “Is it because you find me so irresistible that you cannot bear the closeness?”
The footman with the portmanteau passed it to him and bowed before retiring back to the Featherington residence.
Penelope rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“I do not hate it, but one of us must remember their manners.”
“Very well, but once we’re home there is not stopping me,” he warned her. “I am committed to my role as your legs.”
Penelope's eyes narrowed at Colin's response, her lips pursing into a pretty pout.
“Do not be so sure, mister,” she warned, wagging a finger at him. “I’ll be the mistress in our home, and I intend to be well on my feet as I play my duty. I can’t have you carrying me around as I order the staff about.”
Colin chuckled, the sound deep and rich with amusement.
“Ah, of course, my lady,” he drawled, his tone dripping with mock subservience. “I would never dream of undermining my wife’s authority. After all, a man must know his place, mustn't he?”
Penelope's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink at his words, but she refused to be cowed.
“Indeed, he must,” she agreed, lifting her chin defiantly. “And your place, sir, is wherever I decide to put you.”
Colin's eyes glinted with mischief, and before Penelope could react, he had reached out and delivered a playful smack to her rear, pulling a startled squeak out of her.
“Careful, my love,” he teased, his voice low and husky. “Keep talking like that, and I might just have to remind you who's the alpha here.”
Her cheeks flushed, but her eyes flashed with desire.
“Oh? And how would you do that?”
He towered over her, delighted as she trembled and the smell of her slick reached him. He rather enjoyed how easily aroused and ready her pregnancy kept her at all times.
“Were it not for this lovely bump, I’d have you over my knees in a second,” he informed her, voice low and husky, placing his hand on her belly. “But I’ll have you know I’m taking note of every single insolence, and all this little attitude is going to get you is a sore bottom as soon as you’re good and ready.”
“I am good and ready,” she purred, her small hands resting on his chest. “Why don’t you show me your room before we meet your family, uh?”
“Greedy,” he tutted, holding her by her bottom, pressing his semi-hard cock against her belly. “Just wait for the pounding I’ll give you when we get home,” he snarled in her ear, making her shiver. Instead of behaving, the little vixen pressed herself harder against him.
“Well, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear all that.” As if on cue, their little one made their presence known as well, kicking him in protest, away from their poor mother.
The pair parted startled, turning towards the bottom of the stairs to see Benedict climbing up the steps. Once again, his nose has been much too preoccupied trying to absolve every bit of her scent to notice the sour smell of the older Alpha.
“Benedict!”
“M-Mister Bridgerton,” Penelope greeted, face red.
“Please, just Benedict is fine, or ‘brother’ if you’re comfortable,” he said, giving them both a quick embrace as he got close. “It is good to see you, hope your travels were pleasant.” He smiled down at her swollen belly. “May I?” he asked her
“O-of course,” Pen stuttered, coming out of her mortified state. She placed the other alpha’s hand over her belly, arranging it a little to find where the baby was.
“Hi, little one,” Benedict said, using a higher voice than he's ever heard him use. “I’m your favourite uncle, Ben.”
“Do not speak too soon, brother.”
“Pen!”
Coming out of the study, Anthony and Eloise climbed up the stairs as well. His sister skipped a few steps, looking excited and solely focused on her best friend. Colin looked at the study curiously, wondering what business Eloise had there.
“El!” his wife exclaimed, opening her arms to receive the enthusiastic hug from the taller girl.
“Careful!” Colin fretted, steading his mate. His sister mostly ignored him, giving him a simple ‘hi’ before he began leading his wife towards the drawing room.
“I have wonderful news, Pen! Come, before Daphne sees you and forces you into one of her dull conversations about her debut, It’s all she talks about, I swear–” her voice diminished the farther she went down the hall.
“Eloise, she cannot run!” He called after her when he saw his wife’s short legs struggling to keep up with her friend’s pace. He made to run after them, but his brothers stopped him.
“She will be a fine brother, Mother is there and will surely intervene if Eloise’s overenthusiasm puts your wife at risk,” Benedict said, patting his back, slowing his pace by his grip on his shoulder.
The younger alpha had a feeling he would not like whatever his brothers intended to tell him.
“I do hope you enjoyed your honeymoon, brother,” Anthony said.
“I did, thank you. Sad to see it ending, but I can admit I missed you all.”
“I do hope you enjoyed your wife,” Benedict added with a smirk.
“... Evidently, I did.” If he did not have such a bad feeling, he would be puffing his chest, proud and smug about his virility.
“Speaking of which, you do not need to scent her so thoroughly, brother, I could smell you on her from the study,” The Viscount grumbled a little. “You know you need not affirm a claim here, no one would challenge you.”
“It is good to hear,” Colin said, “But I did not purposely scent her, we just got a little… distracted before coming here.”
Benedict laughed. Anthony, despite himself, was a little amused as well.
“You shameless, under her mother’s room?”
“Well, the good thing about having betas-in-law is that their noses are not as sensitive. It was easier to get away with it than here.”
“Well, it is good to know your marriage is going well,” Anthony commented, much too casual to his liking, “and that you had enjoyed your wife.”
“Yes, you… you already said that.” He narrowed his eyes at the oldest alpha. They stopped before they reached the drawing room. “If I may know, what was the cause for Eloise’s ‘overenthusiasm’? Why was she at the study?”
“I am glad you asked.” Anthony smiled, and Colin did not like that. Did not like it one bit. “We were just going over the last details, so she might have her pin money at her disposal and making sure all her belongings were packed and ready.”
He closed his eyes and inhaled, already feeling a headache looming on his temples. Benedict leaned against the wall, snickering quietly.
“Where is Eloise going?”
“Why, to live with you, of course,” Anthony said. He raised his hand before he could protest. “Just for the season, do not worry. You will be hosting her, I already arranged with your staff to prepare a room for her, she chose the one nearest to you dear wife’s, of course, and I could not object, we wouldn’t want to keep the girls apart.”
“Right. And when, exactly, had I agreed to this, brother?” He gritted out.
“Do you not remember what we talked about, when we were on our way to secure your special license?”
“That was months ago–”
“I said I would find a way to teach you a lesson.”
“Yes, but–”
“And you said you’d accept anything as long as Penelope was not punished as well.” Anthony neared to the threshold, peeking inside the drawing room. “She does not look unhappy to me.”
He got closer as well, and indeed, his wife was smiling brightly and excited, listening to whatever Eloise was rambling about. Little Hyacinth and his mother were cooing at her belly.
“This, brother, appears to be the most prudent course of action, just think about it.” The viscount gripped his shoulder as they watched the merry scene. He had to fight the urge to shove his hand away. “Eloise had been complaining all these months about how you robbed her of hers and Penelope’s summer, this seems like the perfect opportunity to give the girls back the time they lost. Lord knows with Daphne making her debut this season, our attention would be better focused on her if Eloise were elsewhere, under the care of someone we trust –I’m talking about Penelope.” The younger alpha looked at his older brother with an arched eyebrow at the clarification. “And Mother agreed that your dear wife would benefit from having another omega in the latter stage of her pregnancy. All in all, everyone wins.”
“Everyone but me,” Colin grumbled.
“Well, it would not be a punishment if you did, would it?”
Benedict laughed behind him.
“Fine.” Colin said after a moment. “But if Penelope wants her away, she’s getting returned, no question asked. We agreed that I would go through this only if my omega was not bothered.”
“Of course,” Anthony agreed, not at all worried about the possibility.
He sighed, for he too doubted that might happen.
“And Penelope will decide where to room her,” he added. “You have no business dictating how we’ll arrange our home.”
“That’s right, Anthony, Penelope will be the mistress of the house …” Benedict teased.
“Hush you,” Colin warned. Gregory was about to receive two extra gifts , he decided
He braced himself to enter the room, doing his best to disguise his displeasure.
Good Lord, this will be a long season…