How does Colin learn Penelope's secret in Bridgerton?

There have been many changes to the Bridgeron storyline, and one of those is how the viewers learned of Penelope’s identity as Lady Whistledown at the end of Season 1. As readers, we don’t find that out until the fourth book, which is when Colin also finds out.

The TV series has made another change: so far with Colin finding out the truth. That carriage ride scene was supposed to follow Colin learning the truth. Instead, the show changed that storyline, and that’s likely because once Colin does learn the truth, it’s going to be far more explosive than in the books.

How Colin learns the truth in the Bridgerton books

For a long time, Colin believes that it’s actually Eloise who is Lady Whistledown. The gossip is about the Bridgertons and the Featheringtons, and she has access to both families.

Even when Lady Whistledown writes her last column and Cressida shares that she is the one behind the column, Colin is still convinced that it’s Eloise. That changes that night when he sees Penelope walking through the streets on her own. As she drops off a letter, he realizes that Penelope is the one behind the gossip column.

Yes, he’s angry, but not because of her secret identity and the material she wrote. A lot of the scandals were small enough for the families to contain. Instead, he’s angry because Penelope puts herself at risk to be Lady Whistledown. He’s angry that she didn’t take her own safety more seriously, and it really does point out just how much he loves her.

The two end up hooking up in the carriage and Colin proposes to Penelope after that. The show has switched things around.

Lady Whistledown’s column is far more scandalous in the Bridgerton series

While this is the way that the story could still play out, the fact that the column is different in the show should have a knocked-on effect for Polin. Up to this point, Colin is angry that Lady Whistledown is exposing so much.

This column is far more scandalous than the one in the books. It has almost ruined reputations, and Colin wants it all to stop. He wouldn’t just be able to stop being angry finding out that Penelope had written everything. He’d be heartbroken to find out someone he trusted and loved was capable of such writings.

What we could see is Daphne return in Bridgerton Season 4. I’m assuming Colin will learn about Penelope in the Bridgerton Season 3 finale next month. In the books, Colin turns to his sister to find out how he will know if it’s true love or not. He could still do this, feeling the love and the hate for Penelope after finding out the truth. I guess we’ll have to wait to see how it all plays out.