- This page is about the book character. For the Netflix character, see Penelope Bridgerton
Penelope Bridgerton (née Featherington) is the wife of Colin Bridgerton.
History[]
1812[]
Penelope fell in love with Colin Bridgerton, after her bonnet accidentally caused him to fall off his horse. He took it in good spirits, and Penelope was smitten.
1813[]
Penelope was forced to make her debut by her mother, Portia, and was at Lady Danbury's ball with Portia and her two older sisters, Prudence and Philippa. Portia quickly brought all three of her daughters to Simon Basset, but was quick to ignore Penelope while praising Prudence and Philippa. However, Simon later danced with Penelope that night. Penelope also became friends with Eloise Bridgerton, and often came over to Bridgerton House for tea.
1814[]
Penelope was at the Bridgerton country house party and became friends with Kate Sheffield. Penelope got mocked by Cressida Cowper over her outfit until Anthony Bridgerton, Colin's oldest brother, came over and escorted Penelope away, telling off Cressida in the process.
1815[]
Penelope was at the Bridgerton masquerade ball, dressed as an unflattering leprechaun. Colin's older brother, Benedict, came to ask her to dance at his mother's request, but got distracted when a young lady arrived. Colin stepped in, and danced with Penelope instead.
1817[]
Penelope came to the Bridgerton household for tea with Eloise, Violet, and Eloise's sisters, and their lady's maid, Sophie Beckett. Penelope thought Sophie looked familiar, but brushed it off. While she was leaving, Penelope overheard Colin telling Anthony and Benedict that he would never marry Penelope. Though he didn't intend for her to hear it, Penelope was still hurt, but quietly regained her dignity and brushed off the insult. Colin apologized, but Penelope just left, with Anthony escorting her to apologize for Colin's statement.
1824[]
Penelope is resigned to being a spinster after not securing any proposals in eight seasons. She meets Colin again after he returns from traveling to Cyprus, while at Violet's birthday ball. While they're talking, Lady Danbury comes up and decides to make the season more interesting by offering a reward to whoever unmasks Lady Whistledown, a popular anonymous gossip columnist that reports on the ton. Soon after, Colin visits Penelope, and says that he suspects Eloise is Lady Whistledown. Penelope defends Eloise to Colin, not believing him. She eventually asks him to kiss her, and they share their first kiss.
During the Macclesfield ball, Cressida announces that she is Lady Whistledown, and goes to claim the prize from Lady Danbury. She looks to Penelope for support, and she agrees with Lady Danbury that Cressida is lying. Not long after, Colin catches Penelope leaving her house and going into the city unchaperoned, finding her in a church. She's shocked to see him, and he eventually discovers Penelope's secret: she is Lady Whistledown. Colin argues that she's risking social ruin, but Penelope defends herself, saying she's proud of what she's accomplished and no one cares about her, anyway. Colin says he cares about her, and does find her attractive. The two kiss, and end up making out in the carriage, only stopping when the carriage stops at Penelope's house. Colin gets down, and immediately proposes to Penelope, shocking her. Colin brings her inside her house, and requests Portia's permission to marry Penelope. She agrees, and Penelope and Colin become engaged.
During their engagement ball, Penelope is shocked when her last Whistledown column is released, as she specified her publisher to not release it during the ball. Colin quickly makes an excuse, and pulls Penelope aside to a private room, upset at what she's done. Penelope still defends herself, saying she doesn't want Cressida to take away the column she's worked hard on. Believing Colin won't understand, she starts to leave, but he stops her, and declares his love for her, asking her to stay. Penelope agrees, and the two make love for the first time that night.
To protect Penelope's honor, Colin convinces their mothers to move up the wedding, and Penelope finally marries Colin soon after. After their wedding, Penelope finally asks Colin if he's ashamed of her being Lady Whistledown. Colin reveals that he's not ashamed, but jealous because Penelope has a life's work, and he's still looking for his. Penelope suggests that he think about publishing his travel journals. Colin is reluctant, but Penelope convinces him, praising his writing. He finally agrees, and Penelope helps him edit his journals. While editing, Penelope is visited by Cressida, who reveals that she knows Penelope is Lady Whistledown and blackmails her, saying she wants money in exchange for her silence, giving her a week. Penelope tells Colin, who promises to help her.
That night, Penelope goes to Hastings ball hosted by Colin's sister Daphne Basset. Colin meets her there, and reveals he's decided to reveal the truth to everyone to stop Cressida's blackmail. Penelope is hesitant, but Colin promises to stay by her side, and that people will be proud of her, like he is. Penelope agrees, and Colin reveals her identity to the ball guests. Lady Danbury starts applauding her, and eventually is joined by the rest of the ton.
After the ball, Penelope found out that Eloise was missing. She searched Eloise's room for clues to where she had gone, and found a letter from Sir Phillip Crane, which helped Colin and his brothers find Eloise. She attends Eloise and Phillip's wedding, where Penelope confesses her Lady Whistledown secret. Eloise says her sister, Hyacinth, told her, and she's proud of Penelope. Afterwards, Penelope and Colin finally decide to go on their honeymoon.
1825[]
Penelope is expecting when Colin finally gets the first copy of his published book. Penelope reveals she has also taken up writing again, and is planning to write a story that is partially an autobiography. She soon after gives birth to their daughter, Agatha.
1833-34[]
Penelope and Colin visit Daphne with their four children: Agatha, Thomas, Jane, and George. They admit to Daphne that George isn't talking and they believe he will have a stuttering problem, like Daphne's husband Simon did, and they want his advice. Penelope realizes while they're talking that Daphne is pregnant again.
Personality[]
Because of her own unique interests in books and romance, Penelope Featherington has always felt lonely in the house with her social-climbing mother and equally ambitious older sisters. As a result, she's not able to make her own presence known within the ton, often hiding in large gatherings. But when the Bridgertons accept Penelope for her wit and charm, Penelope finds the family she never had, and hopes can be part of her future.
Relationships[]
Romantic[]
Colin Bridgerton[]
Penelope fell in love with Colin the moment she met him. She never believed that Colin would return her feelings, but she still spent time with him whenever she had the chance. When she overheard him say that he would never marry her, she was heartbroken, but accepted that Colin would never love her. She remained friends with Colin. When Colin discovered her Lady Whistledown identity, Penelope told Colin that she knew he always danced with her because he pitied her. When he declared that he did find her attractive, Penelope didn't believe him, but she was shocked when Colin asked to marry her soon after. When they fought over Cressida, Penelope assumed he would end the engagement, but Colin stopped her and said that he loved her. Penelope encouraged Colin to publish his travel journals and become a published writer, and he agreed. The two married and eventually had four children together.
Familial[]
Portia Featherington[]
Penelope's mother, Portia, insisted on choosing her dresses and scolded Penelope for constantly reading. Penelope was forced to listen to her mother, despite her choices not always being what Penelope wanted. Penelope still loved her mother, but dreaded being stuck as a spinster that lived with her mother. When Colin wished to marry Penelope, Portia was in disbelief, never thinking Colin would want to marry Penelope, but she gave her blessing and Penelope was happy to no longer have to live with her mother.
Sisters[]
Penelope's two elder sisters, Prudence and Philippa, mock her interests and never take her seriously. Penelope also doesn't like them, but they all were close in age and entered society at the same time. They married and left home, and when Penelope married Colin, they were just as stunned as Portia.
Penelope is close to her younger sister, Felicity. The two are more sensible than their mother and elder sisters. Since the two are several years apart, they didn't spend much time together after Penelope debuted. After Felicity debuted, Penelope was relieved that Portia was paying more attention to Felicity than her.
Friendships[]
Eloise Crane[]
Penelope and Eloise are each other's oldest and dearest friends. They eventually became family when Penelope married Eloise's older brother, Colin. Eloise even named her first daughter after Penelope.
Notes and Trivia[]
- Penelope has auburn hair and brown eyes with flecks of gold near the pupil.[2] Penelope also has a small birthmark near her left earlobe.[3]
Appearances[]
| Bridgerton Books | |||||
| #01 | "The Duke and I" | #04 | "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" | #07 | "It's In His Kiss" |
| #02 | "The Viscount Who Loved Me" | #05 | "To Sir Phillip, With Love" | #08 | "On The Way To The Wedding" |
| #03 | "An Offer from a Gentleman" | #06 | "When He Was Wicked" | #09 | "The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After" |
References
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