wilderlens

That line and Pen's face when he says it is so cute.

Very true, I do like the overall direction of the story and I'm fine with it having happened, I just can't watch that scene.

I like this much more than the show version, the show version breaks my heart. This is, as you say, just awkward. And Penelope gets to stand up for herself a little which I like.

I am pro brothel scenes but I tend to avert my gaze during them and I never noticed this detail. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

I agree, it would have gone better if she was honest. It's interesting that Colin isn't as offended by Eloise's lies. He asks her if she has any idea who Whistledown is and she says no, and when Cressida comes forward she implies she will speak to her, although what she really means is that she'll speak to Pen. Colin does confront her but ultimately seems to get over Eloise's deception immediately. So for Pen, it's the lies but in the wider context, and the humiliation of yet again facing a marriage where he feels he doesn't even know the other person.

I don't actually think it's very long. Like a week. I do think they've spoken more between Fran/John's wedding and the ball.

Ha ha YES I notice this every time and I just have to tell myself he has a twin brother or something. He seems to be walking with an entirely different lady too.

I am absolutely losing it 🤣🤣🤣

Fantastic read! Really enjoyable. Thank you for putting it together!

She did allude to it - "I've been trying to get her to tell you, and then I thought - why break your heart as well?" Also, when she talks to Colin the day after the wedding, she says "Her Majesty accused me of being Whistledown once and I survived" and Colin seemed to already know this, so they have clearly had a proper discussion about the relevant events off camera. I think the reason we don't see the characters explain every little thing that has happened, is because we as the audience already know it, so it seems silly to rehash it all. But

It speaks so much to the power and importance of representation that seeing yourself reflected in just 1 character in 1 show can have such a big impact. Imagine if there were lots of characters in lots of forms of media, showing that (especially) women with curvy bodies were also desirable and worthy of love.

I've been noticing recurring background actors across seasons too and I love it! The lady who dismissed her maid for asking for a day off was in an earlier season for eg. And I spotted the man who inflicted cruelties on his wife in the background of other scenes.

I love that you have brought up Colin bribing Rae and what his intention was because it does seem pretty unnecessary if his only intention was to check up on Penelope's welfare. However, I was very recently reminded that in the market scene when he asks her where she feels most comfortable and she says teas at Bridgerton House, she specifically says that this is one of the few places she can go unchaperoned and be herself. After that, despite his objection to her not having a chaperone in 3.01, he makes a conscious effort on no less than 3 occasions to abandon her chaperone (Bridgerton House lesson, first kiss, and mirror scene). I just think he really takes it to heart that that is important to her.

Wonderful post! I have been using a startling similar metaphor to explain to myself Colin's inability to analyse his own feelings and relationship to Penelope. For me, I consider the kiss as being the final straw and instrumental in realising he'd been keeping Penelope in a box labelled "Friend"/"Most important/special person in my life," when she could very well be in the box labelled "potential wife." When he sees she actually fits into the "potential wife" box, it becomes immediately clear she's the only person who ever should.

Regarding if she was worried, no. I think in the moment, she has little time to dwell on consequences. She thinks this may be her one and only chance to experience this kind of thing and it's with the man of her dreams. Consequences be damned, she's going to experience every bit of it that she can. And he immediately proposes, so she needn't worry after the fact she might have fallen pregnant, because Colin will marry her and her reputation will remain unblemished.

I'd have to say yes, based on "Is there more?" And honestly while it might seem funny to us, it's not an unreasonable thing to think. He has touched her in a place no one else is ever allowed to (including Penelope herself) and given her an extremely intense feeling she's never had before or even knew was possible. If you knew absolutely nothing about reproduction, I think it would be entirely plausible that you would assume that act which is like nothing else you've ever experienced could lead to pregnancy.

I think it does follow natural progress, but I think the tipping point is actually earlier when she touches his face and runs her fingers through his hair. She gives him this mesmerised look like she can't believe she's finally allowed to do this, and he in return gives her that slutty look. I believe that's when he realises not only does she want to be "more than friends" but very specifically that his sexual feelings are returned. Basically, she's as horny for him as he is for her, which is why he immediately dials up spiciness. At that point, I think he's going to go as far as Penelope is willing to in that carriage, getting consent from her each step of the way, of course.

I gasp at it every time. Stunning.