Penelope Falls
A literal/metaphorical collision is in play when Penelope falls in love. The date is April 6, 1812 and two fools atop horseback are heading hell-for-leather in her direction. One of them turns out to be none other than our titular protagonist, Mr. Bridgerton. He literally falls from his horse in the ensuing commotion while Penelope falls metaphorically:
“Penelope felt her heart quicken (it would have been difficult to maintain a sedate pulse as a witness to such excitement, and besides, this allowed her to say that her heart leaped when she fell in love).”
Love Happens
Not everybody trips over love the way that Penelope does. For some, everything happens in an instant and the knowledge is there full and sure. Others require a slower simmer. The former and the latter are given metaphorical expression in the thoughts of one Mr. Bridgerton:
“He'd always thought love would hit a man like a thunderbolt, that one day you'd be loitering about at some party, bored to tears, and then you'd see a woman, and you'd know instantly that your life would be changed forever. That was what had happened to his brother Benedict…But this thing with Penelope...it had crept up on him. The change had been slow, almost lethargic, and if it was love, well...”
Stuck Together
Basically, it comes down to there being two different types of couples. One type enjoys their independence and retain their together time for private moments. The other, of course, are inseparable, preferring not even to be separated in a crowd; not even at a party. Guess which type is portrayed here:
“Colin was everything anyone could dream of in a fiancé. He stuck to her side like glue the entire evening, and Penelope didn't even think he was doing it to protect her from gossip…It was almost as if Colin were remaining by her side because he wanted to be there.”
But is There, Really?
One of the most memorable uses of metaphor is pure, unadulterated fun. It makes for arguably the single most comical moment in the novel and it is not a novel that is skimpy on its use of humor:
"The woman called you an overripe melon!"
Two splotches of red burned in her cheeks. "An overripe citrus fruit," she ground out. "I assure you there is a very big difference.”
Seems Funny Enough
Not all the metaphor-drenched humor goes over so well. Well, at least it fails to land within the narrative. The reaction here seems kind of questionable as if the husband-to-be is actually kind of a stick in mud. The metaphor is not just amusing, but intellectually stimulating, too. The guy’s getting the whole package and doesn’t seem to appreciate it:
“In three days," he continued, "I will be your husband. I will take a solemn vow to protect you until death do us part. Do you understand what that means?"
"You'll save me from marauding minotaurs?”
His expression told her he did not find that amusing.
