The Artistic Pursuit

Chapter 7 - Too many Bridgerton's

FEATHERINGTON HOME

He knocked with such a force. That it echoed in the house.

Briary answered the door, but before he could speak Ben cut him off "Is Miss Penelope Featherington here"

"She is the gardens sir"

Briary asked Pen for permission before escorting Benedict outside to her.

"Mr Bridgerton" she stood and curtsied.

"Pen, may I?" Gesturing the seat

"Of course"

"Pen. I know?"

"Know what?"

He glared at her. Her warm smile fell.

"You know, don't you" she smartened her pleats "I thought if you knew it would put you in turmoil. Especially with all the remarks I have made to the ton. I did not want you and your family, or mine to know"

Ben suddenly realised the implications to what she was saying. Not the reason for his arrival but what's one scandal compared to two.

"Pen. You are Lady Whistledown?" the surprise temporarily caused him to forget the reason for his speedy arrival.

"Is that not what you came to say?" her innocent tone making what Benedict had to say even more difficult.

"No"

Pen started fidgeting.

"Then why did you come?" her voice was soft considering how shaky her hands were getting.

"We kissed Pen"

His eyes desperately trying to understand how this had happened.

Pen stood her ground "We never!"

He cleared his throat "I shared a kiss with the charming Lady Lillie"

Images of their kisses bounced around in his mind. How she smelt, how her lips tasted, and oh my god he was turned on. He could have chopped wood with his hardness.

"I didn't realise you knew it was me" her tone innocent once more. Not the confidence she showed in the studio when she was naked apart from the very thin fabric draped over her form.

"I did not. Colin saw the picture and recognised you instantly" Needles to say 'he is a mess' to be sure.

Pen noticed the bruise forming on Ben's face.

"Who did this?"

"I believe Colin was defending your honour"

"You did not know, this was my doing"

"He won't believe that, you are Pen. He feels something for you even if he can't admit it"

"Does he know?"

"About the kiss, no"

"It should not have happened, I am sorry"

"I believe, it was I that kissed you"

More than once, and if Pen kept looking at him with her doleful eyes he feared he may try again. But he couldn't let her know that.

"I was not who you believed me to be. I can't fault you for that"

"Is it bad that I enjoyed it"

"I know" remembering the hardness she felt in her back and knowing the implications "Me too. But it was my first kiss" she didn't want to mention the kiss with Colin. Where he ran away like she was threatening him with something pointy "So it was probably not that great" she gave him a smug look knocking her arm into his.