Mixed Thougths

ABOUT ME: woman; 30s; Poland "La chance c’est comme le Tour de France: on l’attend longtemps et ça passe vite!" About russian aggression on Ukraine: STAND WITH UKRAINE and remember to check your information at least twice. I cope with stress posting here. 99% of it is from shuffled queue. Mia San Mia CURRENT INTEREST IN: My brain is stuck on: Polin. Recently on my screen: Harry Potter autumn rewatch party and Bridgerton Recently on my shelf: The Duke and I and To Sir Philipp with love by Julia Quinn [aesthetic.]

[silentturtle]

This.

[bloomsbury]

Who's gonna do the hunting babes? If not his other half? ✨

[sea-owl]

Polin week day 1: Favorite Quote

So really, there was no urgent need to move up the wedding.

Except that he wanted to.

Colin's talk with the mama's through Portia's eyes. Set in the show verse.

"Damn!" Portia cursed as she read invitation sent to her to join Mr Colin Bridgerton and his mother Lady Bridgerton for tea. "I knew I should have encouraged Penelope to accept Lord Debling's offer. That foolish boy is going to break her heart all over again!"

For what other reason could he have to meet with just them and not have Penelope there besides wanting to end the engagement. To take back his proposal. Perhaps they can sue for breach of contract? Penelope was certainly not the one ending this, Portia knew that to be a fact. Or maybe she can orchestrate them being caught alone together, the boy is honorable enough. The ton might not have cared about them being alone together in the past but Portia knows if she makes a big enough deal about it so will they. Or Portia could strangle him with his own cravat. A dead fiancé will gather more sympathy than being jilted a month before a wedding.

As she walked across the square to the Bridgerton House Portia came up with more and more ideas to make sure Penelope ended up married. She will not let this boy ruin any chance their family had of securing themselves. Portia needed every possible daughter wed to increase their chances for a son, especially since Philippa had just given birth to a daughter. It seems Portia's curse of only seeing female descendants continues.

"Portia," Violet greeted her.

"Violet," Portia bowed her head.

Oddly enough this past season the two women have found themselves tentatively reforming a friendship. Portia couldn't tell you how but she suspects part of the reason is how tied together their two families have been, and was about to be even more closely tied. Or was.

"Do you know why Mr Bridgerton has called for us?" Portia asked. She was currently seated next to Violet on one of the couches. A servant recently brought tea and enough snacks to feed a small army.

Violet shook her head. "No he has not said. But it's probably nothing more than some pre wedding jitters."

Portia hummed as she sipped her tea. Pre wedding jitters can lead to a jilted woman.

Violet looked over Portia's shoulder at the door. "Oh Colin there you are."

"Mother," the boy greeted. "Lady Feathering."

Portia smiled. "Mr. Bridgerton."

"Come sit darling," Violet gestured to couch across form them. "Have some snacks."

The boy sat down but instead of devouring the plate in front of him he just picked up one of the sandwiches. Twisting the sandwich this way and that before putting it back down on the plate and the plate off to the side. How odd. Portia couldn't think of a time she has ever seen the boy turn down food.

The boy turned towards the mothers. "I am worried for Penelope, she has been so tried these past few weeks."

"Not to worry darling," Violet reassured him. "It's just the wedding preparations, all brides to be loose a little bit of sleep during the planning stages."

Colin looked down sheepishly. "Well I fear it may not just be the stress of wedding planning. We have been left alone on quiet a few occasions in the past few months."

Portia had to set down her cup. She was going to kill this boy for an entirely different reason now! Twice! Twice now she has had unwed mother to be in her home! They had barely escaped the scandal the last time it happened! Now this boy mocks them by possibly infecting her daughter with his spawn long before he offered marriage? Is this why he changed his mind back then, and why he wants to hasten any and all wedding preparations along now?

Portia glared at the boy, ready to tear into him when she felt a hand grab her wrist. Her glare turned onto Violet who gave her a look that said It's already done. Let's figure out how to navigate now

"I will speak to Anthony about requesting a special license," Violet said.

"And I will see the earliest we can move up the arrangements," Portia sighed.

Watching as a smile spread across her future son in-law's face and a softness fill his gaze at the mention of Penelope Portia found herself coming to the realization that perhaps there was no real urgent need to move up the wedding like he led them to believe. Perhaps he just wanted to be married sooner.

Either way it will bring Portia a possible grandson sooner, and if she was being honest she wouldn't mind having Penelope and her Bridgerton being in charge of the estate. At least she knew it would be good hands.

[sea-owl]

Show Colin is officially stronger than book Colin.

Show Colin actually managed to last a few weeks while trying to hold back his unhinged behavior for his future wife and watching her flirt with Debling, book Colin didn't even last a single week and was ready to fight Penelope's lover that he made up in his head.

[sea-owl]

You know, lowkey, I kinda want an au where Colin, after trying the rake lifestyle his brothers swear by he says to himself, this lifestyle sucks and I'm not happy. Let me find some new influences and friends.

Sadly, the ton was full of men like his brothers, and Colin's quest to find some new friends was not going well. Then one day he ran into one Mr. Albion Finch and one Mr. Harry Dankworth. Neither men were that popular in the ton but he found they were a lot happier than most others.

Both Albion and Harry were naturally happy people who preferred going to Gunter's over White's. Both also shared a love of food like Colin. Tea times has become much more exciting ever since Colin, Albion, and Harry have started bringing different foods they have found for the others to try.

Colin soon found himself spending more and more time with these two gentlemen over his old school friends, and he finds he's happier. He finds he cares less about what some others think of him. Oh, he still craves his brothers' approval, which probably won't go away, but he's coming to terms he doesn't have to be like them. Even if they don't take him seriously, his dear friend Penelope does.

It's at a ball he spots his dear friend with her family when Albion and Harry both stare in her direction as well.

"Colin, who is that?" Albion asked, mesmerized. Harry just kept staring in the same direction as the Featheringtons.

"Baron Featherington and his family," Colin said. He gestures to the women of the family. "Lady Featherington, Miss Prudence Featherington, Miss Philippa, and Miss Penelope."

"Could you perhaps introduce us?"

[mikinobuko111]

Guess only you and me now

[sea-owl]

Also, this could be such comedic duo if they actually went for this dynamic between Colin and Portia. This just might be the actors but imagine if it was how things are.

I do like this idea that the costume designers that the Bridgerton men are matching with their wives aesthetics in the designs on their vests. We saw it with Anthony in season 3 and now you can see it here with Colin. The design on Portia's cuffs actually match pretty well with the design on Colin's vest and if you zoom in on Colin's vest you notice that the base color is the same soft blue as Portia's dress.

I like to think this shows the mixing of the two families and the influence they have on each other. The pattern showing the influence of the Featheringtons on Colin and the blue showing Colin's influence on the Featheringtons.

[sea-owl]

Penelope: If I died how much would you miss me?

Colin: It's cute you think death could get you out of this relationship.

[sea-owl]

Can I just say I adore the husbands the Featherington sisters managed to collect. They all seem so openly loving which is something I feel like all the sisters needed.

[sea-owl]

Actually, wait I want to talk more about the matches the Featherington sisters managed to make for themselves.

So there's a quote I heard a while back that you want your kids to do better for themselves than what you did. Portia while she probably did well for herself socially by what we can infer with marrying up by marrying a baron we also know she was never happy in her marriage. Nor from what we have been shown has she ever really known romantic love. The most love we have seen from Portia is a maternal type of love towards her daughters but even that we have been shown is jaded more than likely due to her experiences from society. We also know she places survival above any emotion, of her daughters, herself, and in a weird way the barony too. Every time we hear her talking about marriage we rarely, if at all, hear her bring up love.

I think Portia succeeded in a way with her daughters ending up better than she did in their marriages. The men her daughters married were not the ideal type she would have ever imagined for them or hoped, but they are also all men her daughters needed to make their lives better. Her daughters are secured like Portia wanted, but they're also happy, and we know at least two are in love. (I'm withholding on prudank until I see them some more) Emotionally they're in a better place than Portia was during her marriage.

In season 1 Daphne said that the first sister married sets the tone for the other sisters and I think we can hold that true for the Featherington sisters.

Philippa was the first one married when she married Mr. Albion Finch. A man who wasn't quite the catch socially even though he is part of the ton but also a man who adores his wife and loves her. We see this trend continue with her sisters.

We should have known that Prudence wouldn't see the altar with Jack Featheringotn, outside of that weird thing he tried with Portia, Jack Featherington did not fit the Feathrington groom mold. Mr. Harry Dankworth, a man who looks like pure sunshine and just happy to be there will definitely be a better match for Prudence. Feel like he can soften her more jaded edges.

Then of course we got Mr. Colin Bridgeton, who we have seen without even having or realizing his romantic interests in Penelope craves her attention, and wants to be like the man she believes him to be. They both are going to push each other to be better versions of themselves and learn to love all parts of one another.

The Featherington sisters' road to marriage isn't quite as grandly dramatic as the Bridgertons. Penelope's being an exception but she's marrying a Bridgerton so there's no escaping that fate. But all their marriages are sweet, happy, and loving, something I feel like each one of them needed.

[sea-owl]

Wait I have an au idea.

What if, during his first tour around Greece, one of Colin has a travel companion, maybe a guide, let's call him Mr. Aetos, who takes notice of Colin's letters to Penelope. He knows when Colin receives one of her letters because they are usually the longest, and his whole face lights up. Mr. Aetos thinks it's adorable that this young couple clearly adored and loved one another.

One night Colin's face brightens as he opens another letter from his Penelope and Mr. Aetos chuckles. "Another letter from the wife?"

Colin flinched. "Pardon?"

Mr. Aetos could only smile. He remembers being that young and in love. Being lost in your own world with only your love beside you. "Your smile Mr. Bridgerton, it gives you away when you receive a letter from your wife."

Colin, from his end, could only flush. Penelope was his friend but with Mr. Aetos confusing her for his wife it kind of brings to the forefront of his mind that their letter writing was technically inappropriate. He should stop, but he also doesn't want to.

That's how Colin ended up referring to Penelope as his wife for months on end during his trip. Reading all her well crafted letters.

Returning home had not made it better. When Penelope called out his name on that drawing room all Colin saw was his wife there to greet him. It wasn't until Gregory and Hyacinth came around the corner that he remembered Penelope was not in fact his wife.

They didn't get a chance to speak, and Colin found he very much would like to spend time in Penelope's delightful company.

"What are you looking for?" Benedict asked him at the races. Beside both of them, Anthony seemed to be looking for someone too.

Like a reflex, Colin answered, "My wife."

Ah, there she was! Colin beelined towards Penelope, leaving behind to very shocked and confused brothers.

[sea-owl]

Fic prompt: polin as kids 🥺

Awww young love!

Colin Bridgerton at four years old was certainly the most adventurous of his siblings. He often requested stories of brave heroes who overcame evil. This also led the young boy to toddle off in search of his own adventure or to help someone. At one point he had even learned how to get out of his leading strings.

It was during one of these searches for adventure that led Colin to wander away from his family's tent at Hyde Park. His father had taken his older brothers on a ride. While his mother sat in the shade with his younger sisters. They had given the nurse some time off today which means it was a perfect time for Colin to go on an adventure!

Perhaps he should look for a treasure like the pirates from the stories the nurse told them. Or maybe he should help a princess! Be like the dashing heroes from the stories of myth!

"Oof!"

Colin turned his head to see a baby girl, no older than his sister Eloise trying to pull herself up. Red hair peaked out of her pale yellow bonnet. Her matching dress was had leading strings attached at the shoulder and grass stains covering the skit. Those same leading strings kept tripping the baby girl as she tried to take a wobbling step forward.

Arms out, a foot forward and down she went. The baby girl sniffled from her spot on the ground.

Oh no! Colin thought. He had to go help the princess!

Running towards her Colin took notice that there was no one else around. Where was this princess' family?

"Hello," Colin said to the princess. "I am Colin. What's your name?"

The princess looked confused.

Colin pointed to himself. "Colin." Then he pointed towards her.

Something like understanding came over the princess' face. "Pen! Pen!"

Pen? Why was the princess asking for a writing tool? Colin shrugged, he'll just continue calling her princess.

"Can I help you princess?" Colin asked. He bent down to offer his hands to her.

The princess looked confused until Colin took her tiny hands in his own. Thankfully Colin has had practice with helping his sisters walk. Lifting up his arms he helped the princess stand and then held them steady as he took one step back and she took one step forward.

One step back, one step forward. One step back, one step forward.

The princess let out a delightful laugh as they continued walking. Her cheeks turning rosy. Colin liked to hear the princess laugh.

One step back, one step forward. One step back, one step forward.

Colin smiled at seeing the princess so happy. An almost successful adventure! Now he just has to return the princess home!

One step back, one step forward, one step back, one step forward.

"Colin Bridgerton!"

Both Colin and the princess were startled. The princess fell forward but thankfully like a hero out of a story Colin was able to catch her!

Looking at where the voice came from Colin could see his father, Edmund, and his older brothers running towards them. Anthony looked annoyed while Benedict looked amused.

Edmund sighed in relief, bending at the knee towards his third son. "You can't keep wandering off like-oh hello."

Anthony and Benedict looked down to see the baby girl in their brother's arms.

"Colin did you kidnap her?" Anthony asked.

"Pfft," Benedict chocked back his laughter.

Colin glared. "I helped the princess!"

Anthony and Benedict both looked at one another, teasing smiles creeping up their faces.

Edmund threw a look at his older sons, before turning back to Colin. "Where did you find the princess Colin?"

Still holding onto the princess, who watched everyone from in his arms, Colin pointed towards the patch of grass where he saw her fall.

Edmund looked around but there were no family tents near. There were darker grass stains on her skirt where her knees would be. Did she crawl away? Where was her family or at the very least her nurse? How did no one notice her missing?

Edmund looked at the baby girl. She would be too young to know her full name. But perhaps she knew some of it? Something to let them know which family she was from. Her clothes were made of fine material so it was very likely she daughter of one of the members of the ton. It's worth a try.

"Hello dear," Edmund greeted the baby girl. "I am Edmund and these are my sons Anthony, and Benedict. You have already met Colin. What's your name?"

"Pen!" The baby girl answered.

Pen? Perhaps a nickname? Something easy for the baby to say? Though Edmund was blanking on what the name could be short for.

"Penelope Featherington!"

The baby girl turned towards the voice. "Mama!"

"That is a mouthful of a name," Benedict muttered to Anthony. Edmund was inclined to agree.

Coming towards the group was a woman whose red hair matched the baby girl. If Edmund was remembering correctly, she was Baroness Featherington.

"Lady Featherington," Edmund greeted.

"Lord Bridgerton," Lady Featherington greeted back. "Thank you for finding my wayward child. The nurse had assured me that she was down for a nap but obviously that is not the case."

The two parents both bend down to pick up their respective child but Colin held tight to his princess. Who was this lady and why was she trying to take his princess?

Penelope continued to watch, not moving one way or another.

"Colin, this is Penelope's mama. She's going to take her home now," Edmund said.

Oh, so his princess was going home. Colin felt . . .sad. He did not want his princess to go home.

Lady Featherington watched the children. She hummed as if thinking. "We actually live just across the square from you. If you find it agreeable Penelope can come over to visit at a later date."

Colin looked up at the baroness. He can see his princess again?! Quickly he nodded, and was more agreeable to separating from his princess.

Now in his father's arms Colin waved bye to his princess who waved back from her mother's arms.

"Oh young love!" Anthony and Benedict both teased.

[sea-owl]

Colin's favorite yellow on Penelope is the one that matches the color of his sheets. Then, when he sees her wrapped up in his sheets for the first time, he decides then and there that he will be the only person to see her in yellow ever again.

[sea-owl]

Hi!!! So I just recently got into Bridgerton and I had this idea. Basically Eloise and Theo never happened but the Queen still suspects Eloise so Penelope needs a different way to get Eloise out from under that incoming bus. So she invents Lord Whistledown using information Colin has unintentionally given her about the gentleman of the Ton and also essentially channeling Colin as she writes because a girl is allowed to daydream ok? The idea is that due to Eloise’s outspoken disgust with most of the men in high society she’d never work with a Lord for her paper. And it totally works!! That’s the good news. The bad news is Colin knows Penelope is Lady W and now is desperately trying to figure out who Lord W is and if he needs to fight him.

Oh this is such a good idea anon! Let's see where this goes! And welcome to Bridgerton!

Damn! Why doesn't Eloise ever listen! Penelope couldn't count how many times she warned Eloise that looking for Lady Whistledown would only lead to trouble, and Penelope would know that better than anyone. Now with the queen involved there is no way Eloise could keep up with such a lie.

Gen's words played over and over in Penelope's mind. Write something Miss Eloise would never write herself.

A thought came to Penelope's mind. Scrambling around her room she found every letter she could find. If this was to work she had to get his writing style down perfectly.

Dearest Gentle Reader,

It is time I introduce you to someone very special to me and who knows another side of the ton that a lady is not always permitted to go, especially one of gentle breeding. May I introduce to you dear reader, Lord Whistledown.

Eloise dropped the pamphlet in disgust. "She is working with a lord now?!"

Colin couldn't stop staring at the pamphlet, well one line in particular. He knew that line very well, for he had written that exact same line, using the exact same words to Penelope in their letters.

Oh god, Penelope was Lady Whistledown, and using his letters to create some cover story for this lord she working with! Should he confront her? Wait what if she's being blackmailed by this lord? He can't put her in danger, she's already dealing with so much. He'll just have to watch very carefully.

[sea-owl]

I was just thinking about the whole Debling vs Colin thing and I kinda wanted to point this out.

Debling and Colin are actually both perfect for Penelope but different sides to her.

Debling is Lady Whistledown's perfect match while Colin is Penelope's perfect match.

Debling has work he leaves for years to do, passions that take up more of his heart than any living human would. He left behind his own family who he says never understood him but that's all we know. He wants a wife to take care of the estate and the home front. He doesn't read Whistledown, meaning he won't ever see any similarities between Penelope's writing and Lady Whistledown's. If Penelope was truly Lady Whistledown all the time like the switch was flipped and never turned off, then this is a perfect life for her. On her own, left alone, and can run her business without interference. If she wants, she can fudge the numbers a little bit to hide some of her own money away in the estate. She'll have children one day that she'll love. She will be secured. She will also continue the status quo of her life before of being alone in her own home, and I would make the argument becoming more like Portia as time would go on. Now, don't get me wrong. Debling is a good man, but he is also Lord Featherington in a different font. Penelope already knows what life with Lord Debling would look like she's seen it in her parents' marriage, in her father. Lord Featherington put his own passions before his family as well, and while he never physically left, that man completely dissociated around his family. Again this type of life would be perfect for Lady Whistledown but Penelope rightfully so hesitates.

Colin, on the other hand, while he has his own passions, will still put someone he loves first. He's willing to be there to support them if they need it. He has a close bond with his family and wants to open that bond to any potential spouse that may be folded in. Once he knows his feelings, he's not afraid to show them. He's affectionate and sensitive to others. He also I noticed forgives rather quickly meaning he has the ability to see from someone else's perspective. This is someone Penelope has dreamed of for years, and frankly kind of needs. She's been emotionally starved of affection and never has seen or heard acts of love outside the few she's had from the Bridgertons. She was raised on tough love and never really shown softness before. Colin can give her that softness, that love, and happiness. But Colin is also a horrible match for Lady Whistledown. He is always in Penelope's business and space, and if not him, another member of his family would be. All in good faith, they watch out for one another, but it would make Penelope's absence a lot more noticeable. Penelope will also be shoved in the spotlight as well marrying in and while she has craved the potential change it makes her work much harder. His disdain for Whistledown as well has been well spoken to others. He also potentially has the clues to piece together Penelope's identity. He has her letters and Lasy Whistledown is not hard to get either. If Penelope accidentally made any mistakes in either writings, like similar phrasing or she reused something from his letters in Whistledown he could clue it together. He will most likely be angry at first but I also think given time to cool off he be willing to hear her out. He's already shown he's not afraid to fight for her so what's one more round?

And the funny thing is Colin has the potential to be Lady Whistledown's match as well. He's a good writer and has been shown to engage in gossip, too. He moves fluidly around the ton, charming them and easily communicating with them. His strengths compliment can help boost where Penelope has a weakness. They can very easily become true partners, Lord and Lady Whistledown. We first just have to get Colin to warm up to the idea.

[sea-owl]

Was talking to @thekatebridgerton how in the books Colin somehow managed to baby trap Penelope without a baby.

They slept together once. One time. And the pussy was so good that Colin said he refused any chance for Penelope to slip from his hands.

This trapper went straight to the mamas and basically told them that hey we've been fucking all season and there's a chance Penelope is pregnant. Just so he could get the wedding moved up. The mamas believed him too. They both witnessed Bridgerton horniness, they were both there to catch Anthony sucking on Kate's boob. So of course they believe him and cut preparation time down in half.

Nah wait imagine an au if they really did fuck all season. Colin would have lost his shit so much sooner. He wouldn't he able to wait for any wedding. He would say fuck this waiting, to Gretna Green we go! Probably have a double elopement with Francesca and Michael.

[sea-owl]

I gotta give it to Portia. She gets a bombed dropped on her that her daughter is Lady Whistledown and being blackmailed, and despite her disappointment and anger, she's already thinking of schemes to make sure Penelope stays secured.