Page 40 (1/1)

Colin's mood shifted from bad to foulay," Eloise continued, co in her normally sunny and jovial brother, "Felicity told Hyacinth that Briarly told her that you'd visited I was just wondering what it was about"wIt's none of your business," Colin said briskly, hoping she'd leave it at that, but not really believing she would He took a step toward the stairwell, though, always optiuessed, dashing in front of him with such suddenness that his toe crashed into her slipper She winced but Colin didn't feel particularly sympatheticwNo, it's not about your birthday," he snapped "Your birthday isn't even until--"

He stopped Ah, hellwUntil next week," he grumbled

She smiled slyly Then, as if her brain had just realized it had taken a wrong turn, her lips parted with dismay as she mentally backed up and headed in another direction "So," she continued, htly so that she better blocked his path, "if you didn't go over there to discussyou could say now that would convinceprivate in this world?"wNot in this family"

Colin decided that his best bet was to adopt his usual sunny persona, even though he didn't feel the least bit charitable toward her at the moment, and so he slapped on the smoothest and easiest of his smiles, quirked his head to the side, and asked, "Do I hear Mother calling ," Eloise said pertly, "and what is wrong with you? You look very odd"wI'm fine"wYou're not fine You look as if you've been to the dentist"

His voice descended into a mutter "It's always nice to receive compliments from family"wIf you can't trust your family to be honest with you," she volleyed, "who can you trust?"

He leaned fluidly back against the wall, crossing his arms "I prefer flattery to honesty"wNo, you don't"

Dear God, he wanted to smack her He hadn't done that since he elve And he'd been horsewhipped for it The only ti a hand on hi one brow, "is an immediate cessation of this conversation"wWhat you want," Eloise needled, "is for ton, but I think we both know that isn't likely to occur"

And that hen he knew it Knew it deep in his bones, from his head to his toes, his heart to his mind that his sister was Lady Whistledown All of the pieces fit There was no one more stubborn and bullheaded, no one who could--or would--take the tiossip and innuendo

When Eloise wanted sorasp It wasn't about oods With her it was about knowledge She liked knowing things, and she'd needle and needle and needle until you'd told her exactly what she wanted to hear

It was a miracle no one had found her out sooner

Out of nowhere he said, "I need to talk to you" He grabbed her arm and hauled her into the nearest roo unsuccessfully to shake hio of her, and crossed his arwColin?" she repeated, her voice dubiouswI knohat you've been up to"wWhat I've been--"

And then, da to you!"wClearly," she just barelyat her

She was looking away, nearly doubled over with laughter Finally, she said, "What are you--"

But then she looked at hih she'd tried to keep hersoht without a trace of humor, it would have come out her nose "What the hell is the ot her attention He didn't knohether it was his tone of voice or maybe his use of profanity, but she sobered in an instantord," she said softly, "you're serious"wDo I look like I'h you did at first I' and yelling and all that You looked rather like Anthony"wYou--"wActually," she said, giving him a look that was not nearly as wary as it should have been, "you lookedto kill her Right here in her roo to commit sororicidewColin?" she asked hesitantly, as if she'd just finally noticed that he had long since passed angry on his way to furiouswSit Down" He jerked his head toward a chair "NoAre you all right?"wSIT DOWN!"he roared

And she did With alacritywI can't remember the last time you raised your voice," she whisperedwI can't re?"

He decided he ht as well just come out and say itwColin?"wI know you're Lady WhistledoWhaaaaat?"wThere's no use denying it I've seen--"

Eloise jumped to her feet "Except that it's not true!"

Suddenly he no longer felt quite so angry Instead he felt tired, old "Eloise, I've seen the proof"wWhat proof?" she asked, her voice rising with disbelief "How can there be proof of sorabbed one of her hands "Look at your fingers"