Penelope Bridgerton (books)

*This page is about the book character. For the Netflix character, see Penelope Featherington*

## Biographical Information

### Alias

* Penelope Featherington
* Lady Whistledown

## Familial Information

### Children

* Agatha Bridgerton
* Thomas Bridgerton
* Jane Bridgerton
* George Bridgerton

### Siblings

* Prudence Featherington
* Philippa Berbrooke
* Felicity Albansdale

### Others

* Robert Huxley *(brother-in-law)*
* Nigel Berbrooke *(brother-in-law)*
* Geoffrey Albansdale *(brother-in-law)*

*For a complete family tree, see the Bridgerton family tree*

## Appearances

### First

*The Duke and I*

**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. She realized, though, that he didn't view her the same way, and loved him silently, never hoping he'd return her feelings.

### 1813

Though Penelope didn't want to debut, still feeling young and unattractive, her mother insisted, and Penelope was forced to attend balls where she was ignored and dressed in colors chosen by her mother that did not suit her at all. The year Penelope entered society was when the mysterious Lady Whistledown debuted her column, and Penelope was frequently skewered for her appearance in it.

Violet Bridgerton liked Penelope for her wit and heart, and became a mother figure to her; through this, Penelope became best friends with Eloise Bridgerton. The two shared the sentiment of not enjoying the ton society. Eloise, though, wanted to study and go to college, while Penelope just wanted to be noticed for her intellect rather than her face or status.

During balls, Violet would have her older sons, including Colin, dance with Penelope once, and the brothers would help her when she was being mocked for not getting much attention. Penelope often spent time with the Bridgertons because she enjoyed — not the status they have in the ton, but rather — the camaraderie they shared as a family, lacking in her own household.

### 1814

Penelope gained some self-confidence after she lost her baby fat, but Portia still refused to choose different colors; Penelope was forced to wear yellow or orange all the time. Penelope became friends with Kate Sheffield, an older debutante who was also mocked for her dress in the Lady Whistledown gossip column. At the Bridgerton country house party, Penelope got mocked by her nemesis, Cressida Cowper, until Anthony Bridgerton, Colin's oldest brother, came over and escorted Penelope away, telling off Cressida in the process. Penelope never forgot that moment, and felt gratified for the Bridgertons helping her.

### 1817

Penelope was at the Bridgerton household for tea when she overheard Colin telling his older brothers, 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, losing the one sliver of hope she had of Colin marrying her. She never forgot, but made her peace with Colin's declaration, letting her love be hidden as it always had been.

### 1824

After eight unsuccessful seasons, Penelope gave up on getting married, and believed she would be a spinster. Her mother also eventually gave up hope and, thankfully, let Penelope choose her own wardrobe.

## Personality

Unlike her older sisters or her mother, Penelope does not enjoy the various entertainments of the ton or looking to gain attention. She's also more intelligent, kind as well as witty, something she shares with her younger sister, Felicity. She wishes to find happiness through her personality rather than her status. Penelope enjoys books, something that irks her mother, Portia, to no end. As a result, Portia does not hold much matrimonial hope for Penelope like Prudence and Philippa. Though Penelope loves her family, she's not fond of the ton society.

## Relationships

### 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.

## Appearances

 **#02** | "The Viscount Who Loved Me"
 **#03** | "An Offer from a Gentleman"