Chapter Text
After the game, Penelope and Eloise retreated to Eloise’s room, the excitement of the day giving way to the quiet tension that Penelope had been carrying with her. As soon as the door clicked shut, Eloise turned to Penelope, sensing her unease.
“You’ve been quiet ever since Benedict messed up your strategy. What’s going on?” Eloise asked, sitting down on her bed, her usual curiosity sharp.
Penelope sat beside her, unsure how to begin. Finally, she took a deep breath. “I think Benedict might be from the future.”
Eloise blinked, confusion and disbelief flickering across her face. “What? Benedict? What makes you think that?”
“It’s just little things,” Penelope explained. “In the carriage earlier, he made a joke that felt… too familiar, like he knew more than he should. And during the game, when he thwarted my strategy—he shouldn’t have known about that move. Only you have seen me use it before, the others shouldn’t have known about it until next year.”
Eloise’s face fell, hurt creeping into her expression. “If he’s back, why wouldn’t he tell me? I’m his sister, Pen. Why would he keep that from me if he knows we are back?”
Penelope sighed, reaching out to squeeze Eloise’s hand. “We’re not completely sure he’s actually back, Eloise. It’s just a theory right now. And even if he is, we don’t know if he knows that we’re back. He might be just as confused as we are, or he could have his reasons for keeping quiet.”
Penelope gave her a sympathetic look. “We can’t jump to conclusions. Benedict may not even realize what’s happening. Or he might be trying to protect us in some way. We don’t have all the answers yet, and the last thing we want to do is accuse him of something we aren’t sure about.”
Eloise frowned, clearly upset but also conflicted. “But why wouldn’t he trust me? After all we’ve been through together…”
Penelope squeezed her friend’s hand again. “We’ll figure this out together. Just like we always do.”
Eloise managed a small smile, though her heart was clearly heavy. The uncertainty surrounding Benedict’s possible return hung over them, but for now, they had to remain patient and watchful.
Eloise’s sudden realization made her freeze mid-step. “Wait… I just remembered something. When we were at Aubrey Hall in the original timeline, around this time, Benedict drank that weird tea Colin gave him. He started acting strange—more honest and open than usual.”
Penelope, still processing everything, raised an eyebrow. “What tea? I wasn’t here when that happened, remember?”
Eloise gave her an apologetic look. “Right, you wouldn’t have been there. But trust me, he was different after drinking it. What if he’s taken it again? If he has, maybe we can get him to reveal whether he’s from the future, too.”
Penelope’s eyes widened in surprise, but a part of her wondered if Eloise was onto something. “You really think that tea could make him admit something?”
Eloise nodded, excitement creeping into her voice. “It’s worth a try. If Benedict has been drinking it again, he might slip up and say something about why he’s acting so… different.” She grabbed Penelope’s hand without waiting for a response and practically dragged her out of the room.
“Where are we going?” Penelope asked as they rushed down the hallway.
“The old nursery,” Eloise replied, determination clear in her voice. “It’s where Benedict used to paint, and if he’s anywhere, he’ll be there.”
Eloise and Penelope crept down the hall toward the old nursery, both of their hearts pounding with anticipation. As they neared the door, Eloise slowed, motioning for Penelope to follow her lead. She gently pushed open the door, revealing a familiar scene—Benedict and Colin were sitting together, casually sipping tea, a teapot and a set of cups spread out on the small table between them.
“Pen!” Colin exclaimed, practically bouncing in his seat. “Look who’s here, Benedict! It’s Penelope! Isn’t this just perfect?”
Eloise, her brow furrowing in confusion, crossed her arms. “What on earth is wrong with you, Colin?” she asked, trying to figure out what was going on.
Benedict chuckled softly, looking far more relaxed than usual. “We’ve been drinking this amazing tea,” he said with a smirk, lifting his cup and swirling the liquid inside. “Care to join us?”
Eloise’s eyes narrowed. Something was off, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever they were drinking was related to the strange events unfolding. “Tea?” she asked, her tone sharp. “Colin didn’t drink it last time.”
Colin blinked, confused, while Benedict leaned back with a self-satisfied grin. “Ah, yes, well,” he began, looking knowingly at Eloise. “I didn’t need to use all the powder this time.”
Eloise and Penelope both stiffened at his words. Their attention snapped to Benedict, and Eloise’s voice dropped to a deadly serious tone. “What do you mean by ‘this time,’ Benedict?”
Benedict froze for a split second, his expression faltering before he quickly masked it with a half-hearted laugh. “Oh, you know, just experimenting… nothing serious.”
But Eloise wasn’t buying it. She exchanged a quick glance with Penelope, her suspicions now on full alert. “Benedict,” she said firmly, stepping closer, “what exactly do you remember?”
Penelope’s heart raced. Could this be the moment they found out whether Benedict knew more than he was letting on? Eloise’s question hung in the air as they waited for Benedict’s response, both women feeling that the truth was within reach.
Benedict’s grin faltered slightly, his gaze flickering between Eloise and Penelope. “I’d… rather tell you both when I’m not under the influence of this particular substance,” he admitted, tapping the side of his teacup. His tone was surprisingly serious, even if his expression remained playful.
Before Eloise could press further, Colin stood up, his face lighting up as he moved toward Penelope. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her in a warm, spontaneous hug. “Pen,” he murmured, his voice soft and affectionate, “I’ve missed you.” He pulled back slightly, glancing at her with a boyish grin. “It’s a shame gentlemen aren’t allowed to hug ladies. It’s such a silly rule, don’t you think?”
Penelope felt her cheeks warm at the unexpected display, unsure of how to react. Colin’s earnestness had a way of softening her, despite the strangeness of the moment. Benedict chuckled from the table, clearly amused by his brother’s behavior.
“Colin, really,” Eloise muttered, though there was no bite in her voice.
Benedict leaned forward, still holding his teacup, his laughter dying down to a low chuckle. “You both look like you could use some of this,” he teased, lifting the pot and motioning for the girls to take a seat. “I’m telling you, it works wonders.”
Eloise shot Penelope a quick look, her curiosity piqued despite her initial hesitation. With a small sigh, she gave in. “Fine, Benedict. Pour us some.”
Penelope hesitated, watching Eloise accept the cup, but curiosity—and perhaps the need to understand what was going on with the Bridgerton brothers—got the better of her. She reached for her own cup, eyeing the liquid cautiously before taking a tentative sip.
Benedict’s grin widened as he poured the tea for them both. “I promise, it’s perfectly safe. You’ll feel great, I assure you.”
Colin, still grinning from ear to ear, sat back down beside Benedict, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Just relax, Pen,” he said gently. “You’ll like the feeling. I know I do.”
Eloise raised the cup to her lips, her nose crinkling as she inhaled the pungent scent. “This smells… peculiar,” she muttered, exchanging a hesitant glance with Penelope.
Penelope, however, squared her shoulders and took a sip first. Almost immediately, she grimaced. “Ugh,” she sputtered, trying not to choke. “That is… awful.” The taste was bitter, with an odd, sour aftertaste that made her shudder.
Eloise eyed her warily but followed suit, taking a small, tentative sip. Her reaction was immediate, and she gagged, her hand flying to her mouth. “What is this?!” she demanded, glaring at Benedict and Colin, who were both chuckling in their seats.
Colin, looking far too pleased with himself, grinned. “I didn’t say it would taste good—just that it makes you feel good.” He winked at Penelope, who was still trying to shake off the lingering taste.
Benedict was barely holding back his laughter. “You get used to it after a while.”
Eloise shot him a scowl. “Why on earth would anyone willingly drink this?”
But as awful as the taste was, Penelope could already feel a subtle shift in her body. A curious warmth spread through her limbs, though her face was still scrunched from the aftertaste. “It better be worth it,” she muttered.
Colin leaned toward Penelope, his expression softening. “Trust me, it is,” he said, his tone unusually tender, which only made Penelope’s heart skip a beat.
Eloise made a face, setting her cup down after only a couple of sips. “You’re right about one thing,” she muttered, “we’ve been through enough that this won’t be the worst thing we’ve endured.”
Penelope chuckled, though she still couldn’t get rid of the bitter taste clinging to the back of her throat. “Next time,” she said, shooting a glance at Benedict, “I vote for something that doesn’t taste like poison.”
Benedict smirked, raising his own cup in a mock toast. “Noted.”
As the unpleasant flavor slowly began to fade, Penelope settled into her chair, feeling a strange but undeniable sense of relaxation washing over her. Despite the horrible taste, something about the tea made the world seem just a little lighter.
“Well,” Eloise sighed dramatically, sinking deeper into her seat, “at least it’s doing something. Just… remind me never to drink this again.”
“Agreed,” Penelope said with a laugh, leaning back and letting the strange warmth take hold. The worries of the last few weeks felt distant now, the strange, bitter tea already working its magic despite its terrible flavor.
As the strange tea began to take effect, Penelope could feel herself becoming lighter, the usual weight of her worries and guardedness slipping away. She glanced at Colin, and a sudden burst of giggles escaped her lips. Everything felt oddly amusing, and for the first time since she’d returned to this timeline, she let her guard down completely, a warmth filling her chest that she hadn’t felt in what seemed like ages.
Meanwhile, across the room, Eloise had become positively giddy. She suddenly leaped up from her chair, her eyes wide and mischievous. “I have to… I have to run!” she announced with a giggle, as if she’d just thought of the most brilliant idea. Without waiting for a response, she darted out of the room, her laughter echoing down the hallway.
Benedict, knowing full well the chaos Eloise could unleash in this state, shot up from his seat. “I should… probably stop her before she climbs a tree or something,” he muttered, rushing after his sister. “Stay out of trouble, you two!”
And just like that, Penelope and Colin were left alone, the quiet of the room settling around them. It was the first time they had been truly alone since Penelope had returned, and the weight of that realization hung in the air.
Penelope’s heart skipped a beat as she turned to Colin, her laughter fading into a soft, lingering smile. The usual caution she held around him melted away under the effects of the tea. She felt herself relaxing, letting her guard down in a way she hadn’t since returning. She looked at him, truly looked at him, and realized how much she had missed this—being close to him, sharing these easy moments.
Colin watched her, his expression tender, as if sensing the change in her demeanor. “You’ve been… different lately,” he said quietly, his gaze steady on her. “Ever since I returned to Mayfair. It’s like you’ve been avoiding me.”
Penelope blinked, feeling her defenses crumble. She wanted to deny it, to brush off his observation with a witty remark, but she couldn’t. Not now. Not after everything. The tea made it impossible to keep up her usual mask.
“I haven’t been avoiding you,” she finally said, her voice softer than usual. “I just… things are different now.” She hesitated, her gaze drifting down to her hands before she glanced back up at him. “It’s hard to explain.”
Colin leaned forward slightly, his eyes searching hers. “You can tell me anything, Pen. You know that, right?”
His words made her heart ache, and for a brief moment, she felt the urge to confess everything—to tell him the truth about where she’d come from, about the life they had shared in the future. But she couldn’t. Not yet.
Instead, she reached for the familiar humor that had always been their safe space. “Well,” she said with a teasing smile, “if you must know, I’ve just been too busy plotting to beat you at Pall Mall.”
Colin laughed, a genuine sound that warmed her from the inside out. “Ah, so that’s what’s been keeping you distracted. I knew you were up to something.”
Penelope giggled again, feeling lighter than she had in days. “I’m always up to something.”
For a moment, they simply sat there, the comfortable silence between them speaking volumes. Penelope couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so at ease around him, without the weight of their past—or future—hanging over her.
But as Colin’s gaze lingered on her, something shifted in the air between them. He reached out, gently brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. “I’m glad you’re here,” he said softly, his voice full of sincerity.
Penelope’s breath hitched, her heart racing. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come. All she could do was stare back at him, her emotions swirling inside her.
Before either of them could speak again, the distant sound of Eloise’s laughter echoed through the halls, reminding them of the chaotic state of the household. Colin pulled back slightly, though his eyes remained on her, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Sounds like Benedict’s got his hands full,” he said with a chuckle, breaking the tension.
Penelope laughed, though her heart still raced from their moment. “Seems like it,” she agreed, though her thoughts were far from the chaos outside. All she could think about was how, for the first time in a long while, she had let her guard down with Colin—and how much she missed being this close to him.
Feeling a surge of playful confidence, Penelope turned to Colin with a twinkle in her eye. “Colin, would you like to dance with me?” The words slipped out before she could second-guess herself.
His face lit up with an eager grin. “I thought you’d never ask!” Without missing a beat, he stood up and extended his hand to her, pulling her to her feet. They moved to the center of the room, the quiet surrounding them amplifying the unspoken connection brewing between them.
With a mischievous smile, Colin took her other hand, and they began to sway in a waltz, though there was no music to accompany them. Instead, their laughter filled the air, creating a rhythm all their own. Penelope felt light as a feather, buoyed by the tea and the giddy atmosphere of the moment. It was as if the world outside the nursery had vanished, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of joy.
As they danced, Penelope felt like she was walking on air. Colin guided her effortlessly, and every turn and dip felt magical. She lost herself in his warm gaze, her heart racing with the thrill of the moment. Each time their eyes met, a spark seemed to ignite between them, drawing them closer.
But just as Penelope attempted to spin gracefully, her foot caught on the hem of her gown, and she nearly stumbled. A gasp escaped her lips, but before she could fall, Colin reacted instinctively, pulling her closer to him. The sudden closeness sent a jolt of electricity between them, and she could feel the warmth of his body against hers.
“Careful there,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing, yet laced with genuine concern. Their faces were mere inches apart, and Penelope’s breath caught in her throat.
“I’m okay,” she breathed, her heart pounding as she steadied herself in his embrace. They lingered in that moment, staring into each other’s eyes, the world outside forgotten. The playful laughter faded, replaced by an intense connection that neither of them could ignore.
Colin’s gaze softened, and for a heartbeat, it felt as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them. She could see the flicker of something deeper in his eyes, something that matched the storm of emotions swirling within her.
“Penelope…” he started, his voice barely above a whisper.
But just then, the door swung open, breaking the spell between them. Eloise burst back into the room, her cheeks flushed and a wild grin on her face. “You two! What are you doing in here?”
Colin quickly stepped back, a sheepish grin replacing the intense moment they had just shared. Penelope felt a rush of disappointment at the interruption, her heart still racing from their dance.
“Just… having a little fun,” Colin replied, trying to play it off casually.
Eloise raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “It looked like a dance to me. I can’t believe you two were having a party without us!”
Penelope couldn’t help but laugh, the moment slipping back into lightheartedness, but the electricity between her and Colin lingered, a gentle reminder of the connection they had almost explored. She caught his eye, and despite the interruption, she felt a sense of promise lingering in the air between them.
Penelope shook off the lingering intensity of the moment with Colin and turned to Eloise, her cheeks flushed from their earlier dance and the effects of the tea. “I’m sorry, Eloise! I didn’t mean to leave you out of the fun,” she said, a giggle escaping her lips. “Would you like to dance with me instead?”
Eloise’s eyes sparkled with excitement as her head bobbed enthusiastically. “Absolutely! But you’ll have to show me your best jig!”
With that, Penelope took Eloise’s hand, pulling her to the center of the room. The atmosphere shifted again as they broke into an exuberant jig, laughter bubbling up between them as they twirled and stepped to an imaginary beat. The giddiness from the tea fueled their energy, and Penelope felt light as air as they moved together.
“Look at us! We’re quite the pair!” Penelope exclaimed, Whilst Eloise tried to mimic some of the fancy footwork she had seen during the last season’s balls. their movements become more and more spirited, their giggles echoing off the walls of the nursery.
Colin began singing a lively tavern song, his rich voice filling the room as he watched the girls dance. Eloise and Penelope, still under the influence of the tea, twirled and giggled, their movements carefree and uncoordinated. Penelope, caught up in the moment, found herself loving the sound of Colin’s voice—something she hadn’t realized she missed so much. His song wrapped around her like a warm embrace, and for a brief moment, all her worries seemed to melt away. She stole a glance at him, smiling as he sang, her heart feeling light despite everything.
Benedict returned to the room, his expression comically exaggerated into a pout as he took in the scene. “I miss all the fun, don’t I?” he complained, watching the girls still twirling to the sound of Colin’s singing.
Eloise, mid-spin, stopped long enough to point an accusatory finger at him. “That’s what you get for keeping secrets, Benedict!” she retorted, her tone playful but with a clear edge of truth.
Benedict sighed dramatically, collapsing onto a chair near Colin. “You wound me, dear sister. But you have no idea what you’re missing out on.”
Penelope and Eloise both laughed, continuing their carefree dancing as Benedict shook his head, pretending to sulk as the lightheartedness of the moment surrounded them.
The four continued their joyful antics for the rest of the evening, the carefree laughter filling the room as they danced, sang, and joked around. Colin’s voice carried through the space as he playfully led them in tavern songs, while Benedict added his dramatic flair to the moment. Penelope and Eloise, still giggling from the effects of the tea, twirled around the room without a care in the world, their worries temporarily forgotten.
As the hours passed and the effects of the strange tea began to wear off, their energy gradually settled. The laughter grew softer, and the lively antics slowed down, leaving behind an easy sense of camaraderie. By the time they realized how late it had gotten, they were all sitting together, their earlier giddiness replaced by a comfortable contentment, knowing the moment had been one they would never forget.
