Chapter Text
Penelope could not believe her luck as she packed her large suitcase, Eloise lounging on her bed while watching. "2 week vacation all footed by your brother. How lucky we all are."
Eloise laughed while nodding her head. "He is doing it because of Colin and Marina's wedding. That and it's been so long since the entire family was all together in one place."
Pen nodded, laughing softly and shaking her head. "So why did I get an invite if it's Bridgertons and their plus ones?" El scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Oh please, as if you haven't been a part of this family since we became best friends in middle school." Pen shrugged, folding a white lacy bottom sundress that accentuated her figure before placing it in the suitcase. "Even so, being around so many couples while being one of the two only single ones will be awkward."
A light bulb went off in El's mind and she grinned, looking up at her friends. "So couple up with the last one." Pen choked on a gasp and stared at her friend with horror in her eyes. "Your eldest brother Anthony! You are absolutely out of your head, Eloise! Even if I wanted to, which I DON'T, he's practically my boss!"
El rolled her eyes, sitting up and crossing her legs. "Oh please. Just because he's CEO of Bridgerton Communications does not make him your boss! You write columns for the company and are the press agent. He's so far above you he's practically living in the clouds."
Pen rolled her eyes and rubbed her head. "You are so obtuse, Eloise. He is the CEO and I am on the company payroll, hence BOSS. Besides, your brother wouldn't be interested in someone like me anyway."
Her mind immediately went to show visions of the last two women the forever bachelor Anthony Bridgerton had dated. One and been a gorgeous opera singer and the other had been an exotic beauty model from India. Plump, pale and plain Penelope Featherington wouldn't measure up at all.
Watching the emotions on her friends face, El came to a startling conclusion. "You like my brother!" Pen's eyes widened and she scoffed, turning to her closet to pick more clothes. "Oh come of it, Eloise! I don't like your brother, I just am not blind!"
El laughed as she began climbing off the bed. "Penelope and Anthony, sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-HEY!" Penelope grabbed a shoe and flung it in El's direction as the girl cried out and ran out the door. Pen turned back to her closet, trying to calm her flaming face. "A crush on Anthony Bridgerton. Hmph!"
Eloise giggled softly as she made her way into her bedroom, dialing a number as she began. "Daphne? Have I got a juicy secret to tell you!"
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They all left a few days later, at 8 in the morning since it was a 12 hour flight to Saint Vincent. They were taking the company jet so they could travel comfortably and not be so cramped.
Anthony had apparently paid more than anyone knew because he rented out the private bay that was still a short walk away from the rest of the resort. This way, they could have their privacy but still be open to using the public spaces for drinking, dancing and partying.
The flight wasn't too bad in Penelope's mind. While the couples coupled off and Violet tamed the children with their help, Anthony and Pen had made their way to a nook towards the front of the plane, so they could get some work done while they flew.
Sipping on her mimosa, Pen sighed as she finished typing out the press statement that she was ready to send, ignoring her phone as it kept blowing up. Anthony turned his attention to her from his own laptop, his brow furrowed. "You're popular today." Pen scoffed and rolled her eyes. "It's my overbearing mother as usual. Apparently it's not enough for Marina to be marrying into the family. She wants me to find someone as well. She's so out of her head it's maddening. I'm not looking for a relationship right now. The last time I tried was a disaster."
Anthony nodded in agreement, turning his brown eyes back to his screen. "I can understand that. My mother has been on my case for over a year now, but after Kate......It's just hard to open back up." Pen nodded, giving a hum in return. The games that both of those women played with Anthony's heart made her so angry that her hands began to shake. Sending the document, she closed her laptop and turned her phone on silent as to stop the incessant buzzing. Draining her drink, she turned her eyes to the scenery outside.
"I really needed this vacation."
At her words, Anthony shut his laptop as well and crossed his legs, studying her for a moment. "You've hardly ever used any of your saved time off. Might I ask why you haven't taken a vacation in a while?" Pen shrugged, looking at her hands. "I don't like to travel alone. Eloise is always busy now and Colin.....it wouldn't have felt right."
"Do you still have feelings for him, Pen?" His question caught her by surprise and she laughed, shaking her head. "God, no. That was a stupid schoolgirl fantasy. I am glad that he found his forever happiness with my cousin. She deserves to be happy and part of a proper family." The way she said that didn't sit well with him. "What, and you don't?"
Her eyes turned to his, the light making her blue eyes seem brighter. "I'm a Featherington. I've accepted my place in this world. The third sister with no achievements and the right connection with the right family." She grimaced and lowered her head. "I know that sounds bad but that's how my mother sees it. She is such a self serving viper. I can honestly admit that I regret that I come from such a family." She turned to look over her shoulder, a wistful smile stretching her lips as she watched his family interact with each other. "Not everyone can be so lucky to have such a family." She turned her attention back to him, not noticing his sad eyes and frown as he watched her. "I am truly grateful to have been 'adopted in'."
Before he could say a word, the plane staff came around to start taking orders for the people that were hungry. Blinking, Anthony looked to his watch and saw that 4 hours had already passed. Yes, he and Pen had been working the majority of the time, but as he'd found before, time seemed to fly by when they were together. He often found himself getting lost in conversations with her and loved the way her mind worked. She truly was an amazing woman and a wonderful friend.
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The rest of the flight passed without incident and when they arrived at 8 PM, the Sun had set and everyone was full from their meals on the plane. When they made it to the private bay, they saw the larger house for Violet and Hyacinth and Gregory. The couples had their own smaller suites that held their own hot tubs, however, the larger house was made so the family could spend meals and times together. Sure, there was a butler service here, but he knew his family loved to be able to cook and dine with each other so he asked for the kitchen to be fully stocked with whatever they would need.
Seeing to it that his mother and the younger children got settled in, he made his way to the 2 bedroom suite that he would be sharing with Penelope as they were the only singles. He saw that she had picked the slightly large one, as she no doubt had more clothing and other items. Sharing a smile, they both made their way into their separate rooms and shut the door. Pen yawned, not even wanting to unpack. Luckily she'd put her nightdress right on top so it was easily grabbed.
With the sound of the waves and the soothing smells around her, Pen found sleep rather quickly.