PENTHONY plot-bunnies
Edmund had the opportunity to meet Penelope before he died. He always said that she would be a Bridgerton one day. Anthony usually took it as a joke, but then Edmund died. And the joke became one of his father's last wishes. Of course Anthony assumed that Penelope would marry Colin. It seemed like a natural conclusion. And then Colin proposed to Marina. Anthony was incredibly angry about it.Colin marrying Marina means that he'll most likely have to marry Penelope. And then Anthony discovers Penelope's secret identity and he's not so angry anymore.
Anthony was very young and inexperienced when he became Viscount. Many powerful men tried to take advantage of his inexperience. Over the years he made many mistakes. I suspect he had to fight for respect and even began to inspire fear among his commas. That is why Anthony has so many complexes about his own father. In his eyes Edmund didn't have to abandon his conscience to be a good Viscount and a great father. The incident with Berbook only highlighted Anthony's flaws. And then Anthony finds out who LW is. No one could ever take advantage of him if he had such a wife by his side. With her support Anthony would be a much better Viscount and protector of his family.
Anthony is increasingly bothered by the idea of a wedding between Penelope and Colin. It's not that Colin isn't good enough for Penelope. In his mind, Penelope is too good for Colin. She could never live up to her potential as a wife to a man without a title. Penelope was born to be a Lady.
Anthony reveals to Penelope that he knows about her secret. Thanks to this, he manages to gain her trust. He eavesdrops onconversation in which Pen tries to warn Colin about Marina. Anthony quickly figures out what Penelope is talking about and confronts her about it. He convinces her not to publish the news in the column. Penelope reveals Marina's secret to Colin. Anthony's reasons are very selfish. Penelope loves his brother. Colin has to break her heart for her to be free from these feelings. Colin must consciously choose Marina.
This doesn't mean that Anthony is persuading Colin to marry Marina. He is honest with his brother and tells him that if he wants to marry Marina, he’ll have to face the consequences.. First of all, Anthony'll have to disinherit him. This won't be public knowledge. Anthony wants to ensure that Marina's bastard won't inherit the title if he and Benedict don't have male heirs. However, Anthony promises to change his will if Marina gives birth to a girl. Colin'll only be able to return home when it is safe for their family: Marina's baby'll be old enough or Anthony'll have a male heir.
Despite all the consequences, Colin still decides to marry Marina. Penelope cries her broken heart on the shoulder of the only one person who knows all her secrets. Meanwhile, Anthony can already hear the wedding bells.