One crucial storyline involving Colin & Penelope in the book was already hinted at in Bridgerton season 2, foreshadowing said development in season 3.

Colin and Penelope’s story being at the center of Bridgerton season 3 guarantees not much about it was spoiled beforehand, but various scenes in season 2 hinted at a crucial book storyline already being set up that involves them. Changing much about Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton book order, Bridgerton season 3 is set to adapt Colin and Penelope’s romance earlier than expected and before Benedict has a chance to find love. This made some events in Bridgerton season 2 directly set up the starting point for their romance to take hold, especially in its ending and how it greatly upset Penelope.

The information available about Bridgerton season 3’s story already reveals differences from the book it’s adapting, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. Indeed, with Penelope and Colin’s deepening bond being spurred by Colin’s offer to help Penelope find a husband so that she could forgive him for his cruel remarks to the gentlemen, the base for their romance in Bridgerton season 3 already greatly differs from the book. However, while some parts of Colin and Penelope’s story will undoubtedly change, one simultaneously bringing Colin closer to his purpose and to realizing his love for Penelope was mentioned in advance by Bridgerton season 2.

Colin & Penelope’s Talks In Bridgerton Season 2 Hinted At His Upcoming Realization In Season 3

Bridgerton Season 2 Set Up Both Their Epistolary Exchanges & Colin’s Search For Purpose

Ever since his return to London in Bridgerton season 2, episode 2, Colin’s conversations with Penelope included references to the letters they sent each other where Colin described his travels and his search for a purpose, during which Penelope always showed her support for Colin’s ventures. These two themes are directly connected to each other and to Colin’s blossoming love for Penelope in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, making their mention in season 2 evident foreshadowing of Colin and Penelope’s story ahead.

While Colin’s interest in Penelope’s opinion about his journals and his attraction toward her is evident as soon as they interact more in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, his doubts about whether what he feels is love are a major point in the book, even after their engagement. Colin only realizes he loves Penelope when she confesses that she would never want someone else to take credit for “her life’s work” – Lady Whistledown’s column – feeling simultaneously jealous that Penelope had found her purpose and amazed by Penelope’s wit, resourcefulness and intelligence, making his love for her undeniable to his eyes.

However, Colin’s love for Penelope only increases in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton when Penelope’s unwavering support of his travel writing essentially makes him find his purpose and his dream, of publishing his travel journals. Through Penelope’s editing and her connections due to her Lady Whistledown’s past, Colin realizes writing about traveling can be his life’s work, which he never would have thought of without Penelope cheering him on. These themes having already been broached in season 2 hint Bridgerton season 3 will likely tackle them, especially considering how central they are for Colin and Penelope’s development in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.

Why Bridgerton Season 3 Should Faithfully Adapt Colin & Pen’s Book Story

Changing Their Courtship Makes Sense, But How They Fall For One Another Is Perfect In The Book

The interconnectedness of Colin’s search for his purpose, Penelope’s Lady Whistledown venture and how their love encompasses both makes it one of the things Bridgerton season 3 should not change, instead adapting it faithfully. While the beginning of their romance would work just as well if it happened as Bridgerton season 3’s trailer implied, it’s important for their feelings to blossom through their purposes because of how that makes them grow individually and together. However, given how Bridgerton season 2 already hinted at that, season 3 shouldn’t veer off too much from said Romancing Mr. Bridgerton developments.