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Two splotches of red burned in her cheeks "An overripe citrus fruit," she ground out "I assure you there is a very bigdifference"

Colin decided then and there that the fean--one which no man should even atteo fro the Penelope," he finally said, staring at her in disbelief, "the woher arms over her chest "She's been rather kind, actually, since "

Colin groaned "Surely ere talking about so else at some point Tell me we didn't intend to discuss your wardrobe"

Penelope's eyes narrowed "I believe ere discussing your dissatisfaction with life as the most popular man in London"

Her voice rose on the last four words, and Colin realized he'd been scolded Soundly

Which he found extraordinarily irritating "I don't knohy I thought you'd understand," he bit off, hating the childish tinge in his voice but completely unable to edit it outwI'm sorry," she said, "but it's a little difficult for me to sit here and listen to you co"wI didn't say that"wYou ," he corrected, trying not to winceas he realized how stupid that soundedwYou havehim in the shoulder "But if you don't realize that, then "wIt's too hard to explain," he said in a petulant mutterwIf you want a new direction for your life," she said, "then for heaven's sake, just pick so out and do it The world is your oyster, Colin You're young, wealthy, and you're a man" Penelope's voice turned bitter, resentful"You can do anything you want"

He scowled, which didn't surprise her When people were convinced they had problehtforward solutionwIt's not that simple,"he saidwIt's exactly that si, perhaps for the first tiht she knew everything about him, but she hadn't known that he kept ajournal

She hadn't known that he possessed a temper

She hadn't known that he felt dissatisfied with his life

And she certainly hadn't known that he was petulant and spoiled enough to feel that dissatisfaction, when heaven knew he didn't deserve to What right did he have to feel unhappy with his life? How dare he co out her skirts in an aard, defensive gesture"Next time you want to complain about the trials and tribulations of universal adoration, try being an on-the-shelf spinster for a day See how that feels and then let me knohat you want to complain about"

And then, while Colin was still sprawled on the sofa, gaping at her as if she were soers, and a tail, she swept out of the rooht as she descended the outer steps to Bruton Street, quite the most splendid exit of her existence

It was really too bad, then, that thewas the only one in whose company she'd ever wanted to remain