The Pursuit

NICOLA COUGHLAN

Nicola outtakes for Stylist magazine, photos by Laura Allard-Fleisch (2024)

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington

Most had evacuated by this point, but others had stayed to bear the brunt of the Kossith's arrival. Aurea didn't truly wish to grant them Haven, in some sense she dangled the town towards them on the hope that they were to arrive with those captured, too. The boat would have to dock somewhere, they could find them, take them out from under the Kossith's cruel reign, ensure Haven couldn't be taken either. These were all musts, if they were simple what ifs it led to doubt, to possible failure, and these were things which could not be fumbled on.

Aurea's most kindred and trusted emissaries still remained, but many others had been guided out with weaker and elder wolves. As such, Julian secured the quarters where they'd resided, ensuring that those who wished to be elsewhere had cleared out, checking that nothing of importance was left behind. He shut the doors of the emissary quarters behind him and turned promptly at the sound of gravel being kicked up behind him.

“Now, don’t sound so unhappy to see me,” she says with a laugh and a roll of her eyes, already trying to undercut the tension that ratched up at the clear surprise in Julian’s tone. Since he was a wolf, he probably had more insiders information on this whole mess, so his reaction to her gracing Haven with her presence is kind of a letdown. Concerning too, because it means she is considering betting on a losing horse. Awesome. Wow. “I know I am trouble, but I am the good kind of trouble!”

And considering how dire everything seemed, they sure fucking needed the good kind of trouble. There is no such thing as a hopeless fight, just people unwilling to risk it all for survival’s sake. Now Corinna? She was first and foremost a survivor, so if she had to face an army of dickheads, to prevent 

Corinna’s voice came from behind the large stack of boxes in her arms, and whoever it came from was a mystery to the Elvhen who could not see the gladiator over the boxes in her arms. “Would you mind? I think I’m only a moment away from dropping these,” Seris admitted, adjusting her stance to try and shift the top box back toward the center of the stack and preventing it from falling. “I’m not taking them far from here, I just–I had hoped to make a single trip.”

“I offered to help, didn’t I?” She comments, sidestepping whether she minds or not, because well, she does mind but here is she doing it regardless. Still, she makes a show of showing off her arms for the benefit of the audience. Muscles she has, sure, but how she looks makes people be very confused about it and it’s always incredibly funny. “And I am pretty strong, so I don’t mind the work out.”

Keeping a cheerful grin, she nods even though the other can’t see her and steps forward, before a crucial crop up and she has to squint up at the boxes thoughtfully. Rather than just taking it carelessly, she makes a point of standing as tall as she can and reaching up for the top boxes carefully. There are times where stumbling around and falling works fine and well, but she is pretty sure there is important shit in these boxes and it’s better if she doesn’t break anything accidentally. The gods know she doesn’t have the money to pay for it. “And I get it, finishing things faster is always the way to go. Things get boring if you are too slow and steady.”

Despite the sense of impending doom, the markets were booming. It was irony at its most hilarious - the 'controlled' chaos brewing in the calm before the storm. No Kossith had made it past Aventia, but many surely believed only time tell would when it happened. As the citized busied themselves stocking up for the unfolding chaos, Lucilius called for charity donations with his associates in the name of his reputable Lounge. Student bards under his employ from The Dragon's Drought played music, dancers danced in the streets and performers announced the Lounge's charity with signs and loud voices. Lucilius made himself busy overseeing the efforts, hands crossed against his chest after he'd subtlety called out an employee for flirting too long with a donor.

He almost didn't notice Corinna until she was right by his side. His forced smile became a little more forced, nearly a grimace. "Ah, Miss Corinna... I hope you are here to donate to the efforts at the Astorian border. I do have to warn you that, due to the charitable nature of these sales, our prices are nearly doubled." He didn't bother hiding the fact that he doubted she could afford a bottle of liquor, or even any of the Lounge's custom Queendom matriotic merch.

Her current trip into Eterna was meant to go by quickly, slip into a series of bars, stir the enthusiasm about the prospect of glory in combat to attract mercenary’s, about the piety of helping the Haven pack to attract donors, and of course, about her own bravery to get something for herself. And the planned part of the trip did go rather fast, but as she was walking back to the Standing Stone, a peculiar sight drew the eye. Was that Lucilius? Doing something kind? 

Well, she never. 

“I would, oh so surely, my fellow bard, if I hadn’t already committed resources to the fight in Haven,” she sighed dramatically, raising a hand to her forehead in feigned sadness, even as she narrowed her eyes at the dhampir’s implied insult. “As it is, my time and attention are focused stopping the dastardly Kossith.”

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington

BRIDGERTON SEASON 4

ELOISE AND PENELOPE

ELOISE, HYACINTH, ROSAMUND LI AND POSY LI

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington and Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton