Chapter Text
Anthony raised his glass of champagne, eyes fixed across the room on a certain short, slightly plump redhead. Around him, couples laughed and danced, drinks and good spirits keeping the atmosphere light. Plans that Anthony had been ruminating over for months were coming to fruition tonight, if all went well.
Anthony made pleasantries around the ballroom, much to his mother’s approval. She so hoped that he would take a wife and marry this season, and he’d finally had enough of disappointing her. Tonight’s turn of events would set in motion Violet’s long standing desires for Anthony.
A few moments later, Anthony caught young Gregory’s eyes and nodded at him slowly. None the wiser to Anthony’s true intentions, Gregory eagerly hurried off with his glass of lemonade to fulfill the favor Anthony had asked of him.
Anthony watched out of the corner of his eye as Gregory ran full force into Penelope Featherington, his lemonade drenching the poor girl’s dress. She sputtered and gasped as cold liquid dripped down her neck, streaming into her generous bosom. Anthony ground his jaw in delight - Gregory couldn’t have done a better job at earning the new bow and arrow set Anthony had promised him for doing this.
Penelope’s hands fluttered in embarrassment as those around her began to tut and watch her calamity. Gregory moved on to the second step of Anthony’s plan flawlessly, tugging on Penelope’s hand and babbling apologies. Once they’d exited the ball room, Gregory led her further down the hall and up the stairs, proclaiming that he knew just the place for her to stay hidden until someone could assist her. Gratefully, Penelope hurried along with him, her naïveté playing along perfectly to Anthony’s plan.
Gregory opened a heavy, wooden door before pushing Penelope in and shutting the door behind her. She blinked in surprise as she looked around the room curiously. This seemed to be one of Eloise’s older brother’s rooms…
Penelope hesitated. Should she begin to undress herself? Her dress was saturated, cold and sticky against her skin. Gregory had been so apologetic that she couldn’t find it in herself to be upset. After all, no one had been admiring her in her new dress anyway. Perhaps she would just read in front of the fireplace for the remainder of the evening.
Penelope stood, hugging herself in uncertainty. She studied the room, wondering if this was perhaps Benedict’s room. It was enormous, and perhaps ‘room’ was an understatement. Really, it was more of a chamber with an attached sitting area that rivaled the size of her mother’s library. Penelope eventually drifted closer to the fireplace, shivering. She was hesitant to undress — what if her mother was unable to come for several minutes?
Penelope’s back was to the door when it began to open. Lost in her thoughts, she was slow to turn, and when she did, the relief drained instantly. It was not Eloise, or her mother, entering the room — no, it was Anthony Bridgerton.
Penelope immediately stepped back, her back bumping the brick around the fireplace. Embarrassment was already prickling at her skin.
He cocked his head upon spotting her.
“Viscount — I — I apologize, your brother was kind enough to offer me a place to wait privately but I did not realize —“ Penelope’s voice faltered as Anthony came closer.
Anthony’s heart rate was elevated. Gregory had managed to get Penelope to his chambers — they were now alone. No one would be looking for either of them for at least thirty minutes. Anthony forced his features to remain neutral, tamping down his excitement.
“Penelope, what on earth has happened?” Anthony let concern bleed into his tone, approaching her. Penelope explained, while Anthony bit the inside of his cheek to prevent his smirk from emerging. This was turning out just as he’d planned.
Penelope was shivering still, even by the fire.
“Penelope, you’re shaking. Let me assist you,” Anthony offered, taking her cold hands before she could protest.
Penelope’s breath caught as Anthony pulled her close. This was entirely improper — what on earth was the Viscount thinking? She would be ruined if someone were to suspect that the two of them were alone, let alone the assumptions someone would make if someone caught him touching her.
All of these protests fizzled out when Anthony’s hands gently began to untie her dress from the back. “Viscount, I—“
Anthony interrupted her. “Please, call me Anthony. You very nearly live in my home during the summer, Penelope. There’s no need for formalities,” he teased. Penelope swallowed when his hand brushed her bare shoulder, sweeping her hair out of the way. Her stomach was doing funny things every time Anthony’s knuckles grazed her.
Penelope stared ahead stiffly as her dress loosened around her. Even her corset and chemise were damp with lemonade, and Penelope knew the irritating chafing wasn’t going away while she remained in any of her attire.
Anthony gently pushed the dress from her shoulders. Penelope gasped and tried to catch the heavy fabric, but it was too late — her corset and dress slid to the floor, leaving her in only a thin chemise. Anthony’s hands were still lingering. Penelope looked down at the pool of fabric around her feet, and a high pitched noise of alarm sounded from her throat when she realized the chemise was see through, and clinging damply to her body so tightly that her nipples were visible. The cold lemonade had stiffened her nipples, their pink outline visible now through her gown. Penelope hurriedly tried to cross her arms, but Anthony caught her by the wrist. Alarmed, Penelope tried to pull free, but Anthony simply brought her hands to his mouth. Penelope watched in disbelief as Anthony pressed a soft kiss to the back of her palm.
Stammering in confusion, Penelope tried to force her brain to catch up. Viscount Bridgerton had just helped her remove her dress. She was near naked with the man. He’d skated his fingers over her bare skin, then kissed her hand.
Penelope stared at Anthony. “Penelope,” he said softly. “If you want me to leave now, I will. But I don’t want you catching cold, and if I’m being honest, you’ve grow quite lovely in the last few years. It has never been appropriate or timely for me to approach you, but I find myself uncaring that we are alone together.”
She gaped at him. Anthony was at least a decade older than she. A decade and then some. At only eighteen, Penelope wasn’t skilled at all in the art of flirting or responding coyly to men.
Anthony pulled her flush against his front, and only then did Penelope begin to understand. She was young, yes — but she knew what the hard, hot object pressing thru her chemise into her belly was. Penelope’s entire body felt overheated. Viscount Anthony Bridgerton was pressing his erection to her as he told her that she was lovely. Her mind spun and warred with itself. They shouldn’t be doing this. But instead of pulling away, Penelope found her own arms tentatively reaching for Anthony’s chest.
Anthony’s entire body shuddered the moment her fingers wrapped around his biceps curiously. Penelope had never touched a man. She quickly realized that underneath his coats and dress shirts, Anthony was solid and extremely muscular. She blushed as she gripped the lapels of his shirt, Anthony pressing himself fully against her. Her breasts were rubbing against the chemise and Anthony’s shirt, nipples peaked and hard.
Anthony was struggling to maintain his decorum. He had planned this for so long, thought through every detail, agonized over every minute aspect — Penelope’s breasts rubbing on him slightly had him ready to throw it all to the wind and devour her. He took a steadying breath and glanced at the clock. He had about twenty minutes until Gregory and Hyacinth should return with the remainder of his plans to complete.
Penelope squealed when Anthony suddenly lifted her to his waist. With nowhere else to go, her legs wrapped around him. She clutched at his neck, unsure of what to do, until she felt herself being lowered onto Anthony’s bed. Penelope lay flat on her back, chest heaving and flushed when she realized her chemise had ridden up, exposing nearly all of her thighs. Anthony was looking directly at her legs, as well!
Anthony knelt between her legs, lowering himself to the floor. He loosened his own cravat quickly, tossing it to the floor. Quickly, knowing that time was of the essence, he parted her thighs and dove headfirst into her cunt. Penelope screamed as his tongue licked thru her warm cunt. Her legs kicked in surprise. What on earth was Anthony doing?!
Anthony closed his eyes. She tasted far more exquisite than he’d dreamed she would. Determined to wrench an orgasm from her, Anthony suckled and lapped at Penelope’s pussy. She was still crying out faintly, her confused squeals growing more shrill with every passing moment. Penelope was gripping his hair, rocking helplessly into Anthony’s face.
Penelope felt overwhelmingly dizzy. Viscount Anthony Bridgerton was between her legs, doing something to her with his tongue that had her feeling as if she were going to fall off of the edge of a mountain. Her stomach was tightening, and her toes were curling. Suddenly, one of Anthony’s thick fingers was entering her. It felt as if she was stuffed, nowhere for his digit to even twitch, but suddenly, he was curling the finger, and oh, oh, oh…
Penelope panted as his tongue swirled around her most intimate area, when suddenly - Anthony closed his lips around her clit and sucked it…hard.
Penelope shattered into ecstasy. She was unaware of her surroundings as she moaned Anthony’s name, her thighs tightening around his face. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.
“Anthony, oh — oh, please,” she sobbed, her body rocking and trembling helplessly. Penelope had never felt so unburdened. All was well in Anthony’s arms, even as a single tear streaked a track down her warm cheek.
He withdrew from between her legs and quickly leaned over her, gathering her trembling body into his arms and hold her close. “My perfect girl,” he praised. Penelope was clinging to him, fists tightly gripping his shirt. Anthony could sense how overwhelmed she was, and pressed his lips to hers. Penelope moaned. She was far too gone to resist. She had no idea what to do, but Anthony didn’t seem to mind. His tongue pressed forcefully against her lips, and he swallowed up her gasps as he sucked her own tongue into his mouth.
Anthony felt as if he could combust. As wickedly as he’d fantasized about Penelope…her curves were unreal, unbelievable now that he had her in his arms. She’d come so prettily on his tongue, tasting like sweet and salty sin, before clinging to him as if he were the only thing holding her to earth.
And oh, her cries. Anthony’s cock throbbed at the thought of her cries, even as he bit at the tender skin of her neck. Propriety be damned. He nipped and sucked at her skin, marking her for all to see. She was probably unaware of what he was doing, likely never having seen a passionate love marking.
Penelope rocked needily against his hips, her soaked cunt soiling his breeches and unknowingly revealing her arousal.
Anthony smirked as she frantically pulled on him. “Anthony, I — I need…” Her harsh panting filled his ears. He slipped her chemise down her shoulder, revealing one breast.
“I know, Penelope. Don’t cry, darling.”
Penelope couldn’t catch her breath. Her heart was beating quickly, and there was the strangest ache between her legs, where Anthony’s mouth had been. Her jaw dropped when Anthony’s hand firmly grasped her nipple and squeezed. She threw her head back. It felt so wonderful. Somewhere, distantly, in the farthest corner of her mind, Penelope wondered if perhaps this was a dream that she should try to awaken from.
Anthony released his hold on Penelope for the quickest of moments to fumble with his belt buckle. Penelope watched with wide eyes as he lowered his pants, and gasped as his hardened cock was freed.
“What is that for?” she choked out, looking panicked. It seemed huge.
Unluckily for Anthony, before he could answer, there was a sharp rap on the door, and the knob began to twist.
Shit! Anthony yanked his breeches up, cursing his internal clock for failing him. He’d been so caught up in the smoothness of Penelope’s skin that he’d completely forgotten the orchestrations of his own plan.
“I promise, mama!” Gregory’s voice sounded. Hyacinth piped in. “We have to help her!”
Penelope inhaled sharply, her eyes wide with terror. She locked eyes with Anthony as the door swung open…