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Penelope fisted her hands at her sides "It doesn't hurt his feelings when I announce that I a her eyes directly on his "Does it,Mr Bridgerton?"wOf course not," Benedict answeredquicklywIt's settled, then," she said tightly, a out of her s were hurt Now, then, if you will excuse entlemen immediately stood back to let her pass, and she would have made a clean escape, except that Colin suddenly blurted out,"Don't you have a maid?"

She shook her head "I live just aroundthe corner"wI know,but--"wI'll escort you," Anthonysaid smoothlywThat's really not necessary,my lord"wHumor me," he said, in a tone that told her quite clearly she hadn't any choice in the matter

She nodded, and the two of them took off down the street After they had passed about three houses, Anthony said in a strangely respectful voice, "He didn't knoere there"

Penelope felt her lips tighten at the corners--not out of anger, just out of a weary sense of resignation "I know," she replied "He's not the sort to be cruel I expect your et erton's intentions to see each and every one of her eight offspring happily endarywShe likes me," Penelope said "Your mother, that is She can't see beyond that, I'm afraid But the truth is, it doesn't matter so much if she likes Colin'sbride"wWell, I wouldn't say that," Anthony hly feared and respected viscount and rather more like a well-behaved son "I shouldn't like to be married to soesture of great awe and respect "She's a force of nature"wYour mother or your wife?"

He considered that for about half a second "Both"

They walked for a few o away"

Anthony eyed her curiously "I beg your pardon?"wHe should go away Travel He's not ready to marry, and yourhim She means well" Penelope bit her lip in horror She hoped the viscount didn't think she was actually criticizing Lady BridgertonAs far as she was concerned, there was no greater lady in EnglandwMy ent set away Colin does enjoy travel Although he did just return from Wales"wDid he?" Penelope murmured politely, as if she didn't know perfectly well that he'd been in WaleswHere we are," he said as he nodded his reply "This is your house, is it not?"wYes Thank you for acco me home"as my pleasure, I assure you"

Penelope watched as he left, then she went inside and cried

The very next day, the following account appeared in Lady Whistledown 's Society Papers:

La, but such exciteerton's residence onBruton Street!

First, Penelope Featherington was seen in the coerton brothers, surely a heretofore iirl, who is rather infamous for her wallfloays Sadly (but perhaps predictably) for Miss Feathering-ton, when she finally departed, it was on the arm of the viscount, the only ton were to soerton brother to the altar, it would surely mean the end of the world as we know it, and This Author, who freely admits she would not know heads fron her post on the spot

It seemed even Lady Whistledown understood the futility of Penelope's feelings for Colin

The years drifted by, and so it, Penelope ceased to be a debutante and found herself sitting with the chaperones, watching her younger sister Felicity-- surely the only Featherington sister blessed with both natural beauty and char her own London seasons

Colin developed a taste for travel and began to spend more and more time outside of London; it seemed that every few months he was off to some new destination When he was in town, he always saved a dance and a sed to pretend that nothing had ever happened, that he'd never declared his distaste for her on a public street, that her dreams had never been shattered

And when he was in tohich wasn't often, they seemed to settle into an easy, if not terribly deep, friendship Which was all an alht?

Unrequited love was never easy, but at least Penelope Featherington was used to it

CHAPTER 1

Matcherton has returned fronorant) readers who are new to town this year, Mr Bridgerton is third in the legendary string of eight Bridgerton siblings (hence the na with C; he follows Anthony and Benedict, and precedes Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth)

Although Mr Bridgerton holds no noble title and is unlikely ever to do so (he is seventh in line for the title of Viscount Bridgerton, behind the two sons of the current viscount, his elder brother Benedict, and his three sons) he is still considered one of the prime catches of the season, due to his fortune, his face, his form, and most of all, his charerton will succue to marry (three-and-thirty), but he has never shown a decided interest in any lady of proper parentage, and totendency to leave London at the drop of a hat, bound fir some exotic destination