That night.

The night everything changed.

The mere thought that it wasn't a dream, the fantasy I had longed to be a reality, was laughable.

But it was my reality.

He had asked me to marry him. Colin Bridgerton, my dearest childhood friend, who I completely believed could be and would only ever be just that. A friend.

Yet here I am. Penelope Featherington, a spinster no more.

I left the ball abrubtly, paying no attention or thought to the wandering eyes and whispers that had consumed the ton. I needed to escape and fast.

Once I was in the security of my carriage, I allowed the tears to cascade down my face. Tonight was supposed to be the night I became the future Lady Debling. So why did it all go wrong? Why did my one chance of marriage disapear as quickly as it arrived? The answer was Colin.

The very person I had recruited to help me in my endeavour to find an eligible suitor within the marriage mart, was now the person standing in my way.

Regardless of how the evening would've unfolded, I never for one single moment expected to be ending the night with the knowledge of how Mr Bridgerton's soft lips felt brushing against my chest or how his teeth would feel nibbling down my neck as his strong delicate hands on my waist pinned me to the carriage seat. His fingers curling their way between my thighs, drawing me closer to a euphoria I had never experienced before. I was his.

The morning after I was consumed with thoughts of what we had done. Did anyone hear us? Did anyone see us? One thing for certain was Lady Whistledown. Mine and Colin's secret wouldn't be featured in her latest edition. However I was wracked with guilt. How would Colin react when he discovers my indiscretions? To all the ghastly words I had written about his family and friends. Would it all change now we are to be wed? And if so, would it be for the better or the worse?

When it came to announcing our engagement to our families, shock waves rippled throughout. My mama, of course was estatic that our two families were atlast to be joined. However she could not hide her dissapointment that her only remaining daughter was to fly the nest leaving her alone. As for the Bridgerton's, the majority were thrilled, especially Lady Bridgerton, whom I am now to call Violet.

The same could not be said for Eloise...