A Mother's Comfort
AO3 Link! set after the events of episode 8 of bridgerton season 2! apologies for any and all grammatical errors! google form for lady featherington prompt and headcanons here! enjoy!
.
After the fireworks had ended and the families of the ton started to take their leave, Portia noticed that one of her daughters was missing. “Ladies, have you seen Penelope?” She asked Prudence and Philippa.
Prudence rolled her eyes. “She’s probably in her room writing again, mama, you know how she is.” Prudence replied.
Portia pursed her lips. “Hmm, I suppose I do. Now, off to bed you two, whilst I go and check on Penelope.” Portia said as she led them back inside and upstairs. When she came to Penelope’s door, she noted that it was closed so she knocked. “Penelope, dearest?”
“I’m fine, mama. Just getting ready for bed.” Penelope’s muffled response came through the door.
Portia frowned. “You sound ill, Penelope, honestly.” Portia said as she opened the door. She let out a small gasp at the mess before her eyes. “What happened here? Is everything all right?” Portia asked her daughter.
Penelope shook her head. “Nothing, mama. I’ll clean it up before I go to bed.” Penelope replied.
“See to it that you do,” Portia said walking over to where her youngest daughter sat. “Now, why weren’t you out on the lawn to watch the fireworks? They were spectacular, dearest.”
“They were lovely, mama. I saw them from up here.” Penelope sniffled a small bit causing her mother to frown again.
Portia took Penelope’s face in her hand since she wouldn’t look her in the eyes. “Were you crying?” Portia asked, noticing how red her daughter’s eyes were. “What's wrong, Penelope?”
Penelope moved her face from her mother’s grasp, standing up. “Nothing is wrong. I just... I couldn’t find something and I...” Her sentence trailed off as her mother sat down next to her.
“Penelope, my darling girl, I can see that something has upset you. I can’t help make it better if you do not tell me what it is that has upset you so.” Portia said, taking Penelope’s hand in hers.
Penelope looked up at her mother, letting out a small sigh. “El and I... had a fight... about something.” Penelope replied. “I do not wish to reveal what it was, but it was a horrible fight. She said... she said she didn’t want to see or hear fro-” Penelope choked on her words as she started to feel herself cry again.
Penelope leaned her head forward to cry on her mother’s shoulder causing Portia to freeze for a moment before she began to rub her daughter’s back. “There, there, child, arguments like this happen all the time. I’m sure she didn’t mean her words, your friendship is important to her.” Portia said.
Penelope leaned up, abruptly. “She did!” Her daughter exclaimed. “She meant it. Every word.”
“Did you try talking to her about it?” Portia asked. Penelope nodded her head. “I take it you couldn’t find her?”
“No.” Penelope replied. “I tried looking and asking. Then I...” Penelope’s face soured as she thought about what Colin said.
“What is it, Penelope?” Portia asked, taking in her daughter’s facial expression.
Penelope sniffled and cleared her thought. “Just something Colin said, mama. It was nothing.”
“It couldn’t have been nothing if it’s got your face all turned up like that. Now tell me what he said.” Portia replied.
“He said that he would never dream of courting me.” Penelope said. “I wasn’t meant to... I was looking for Eloise.” Penelope watched as her mother stood up, her face slightly red. “Mama, are you alright?” Penelope asked.
“Who, might I ask, did Colin Bridgerton say that to?” Portia asked as she looked at her daughter. Penelope shrugged her shoulders. “I shall have to talk with Lady Bridgerton in the morning about her son.”
Penelope shook her head. “Mama, really, that’s not... it’s not necessary.” Penelope said.
Portia took Penelope’s hands in hers and kneeled down in front of her. “My darling, you didn’t deserve to hear such dreaded words uttered from his lips especially after what happened with Eloise.” Portia said, one of her hands cupping Penelope’s cheek. “First thing in the morning, we’ll visit the Bridgertons.”
“M-” Penelope started but her mother cut her off.
“I won’t say a single word to Violet about what her son said unless you say otherwise. I give you my word, Penelope.” Portia promised.
Penelope let out a small sigh. “Thank you, mama.”
Portia gave her daughter a small smile before sitting down next to her again. “You know, I’ve never told anyone this, even your father didn’t know this. But I... overheard him saying once, during one of my seasons, that he’d never try to court me because he didn’t think he deserved me.”
Penelope brows furrowed. “Papa didn’t think he had a chance with you?” Portia shook her head. “So how did you two start courting?”
Portia hummed. “I asked him to dance at the next soiree.” She let out a small laugh as remembered the moment. “Your father was as red as a tomato, stumbled over his answer, but we did dance that evening. However, your father had two left feet so he was quite horrible at it, I had to keep us afloat, lest we wanted to be made into fools that evening.”
Penelope smiled at that. “I remember dancing with him a few times; this one time, in particular, when I was little. You had us practicing a waltz or a quadrille, but you had to step in and take his place. I believe you taught us all the dance we had to learn, practicing with us when papa was busy and such.”
“I... remember that. Out of your sisters, you picked it up rather quickly. All of the dances, really,” Portia said. She paused her words as she looked over to see Penelope yawn. “I believe it’s past your bedtime, young lady.”
Penelope didn't argue, knowing it to be true. “Will you stay with me? Like you used to do?” Penelope asked as her mother guided her to her bed.
Portia smiled at her. “Of course, my darling. Just until you fall asleep, if that’s all right.”
“Thank you, mama.” Penelope said. “I love you, mama.”
“I love you too, my sweet girl,” Portia replied, pressing a kiss to Penelope’s forehead as she watched her daughter fall asleep.
19 notes
·
View notes