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Lady Bridgerton agreed "It's the end of an era," she said "I feel quite bereft without her"wWell, it's not as if we've had to go hteen hours without her yet," Penelope felt co What is there yet to feel bereft about?"wIt's the principle of it," Lady Bridgerton said with a sigh "If this were an ordinary Monday, I would know that I'd receive a new report on Wednesday But now "

Felicity actually sniffled "Noe're lost," she said

Penelope turned to her sister in disbelief "Surely you're being a littleorthy of the stage "Aave her a sympathetic pat on the back "I don't think you are, Felicity I feel precisely the sa around for any sign of sanity in her companions

Surely they realized that the world was not drawing to a close just because Lady Whistledown had decided to end her careerwYou're right, of course," said Lady Bridgerton, jutting her chin out and pursing her lips in a manner that was probably supposedto convey an air of practicality "Thank you for being the voice of reason for our little party" But then she seehtly, and she said, "But Iher around Whoever she is"

Penelope decided it ell past ti?"wIll, I'erton said, s her otherwise unlined face "She hasn't been feeling the thing for alrow concerned about herw

Penelope had been staring rather aimlessly at a sconce on the wall, but her attention was i serious, I hope?"wIt's nothing serious," Hyacinth answered, before her ets sick"wWhich is precisely why I' very well"wThat's not true," Hyacinth said "Just this afternoon Wickhas and I think I save an arch look to no one in particular "And when Eloise left the tray out in the hall it was coerton, Penelope decided, had a surprisingly good eye for detailwShe's been in a bad mood," Hyacinth continued, "since she quarreled with Colin"wShe quarreled with Colin?" Penelope asked, an awful feeling beginning to roil her stomach "When?"wSometime last week," Hyacinth said

WHEN?Penelope wanted to scream, but surely it would look odd if she demanded an exact day Was it Friday?Was it?

Penelope would always remember that her first, and most probably only, kiss had occurred on a Friday

She was strange that way She always remembered the days of the week

She'd met Colin on a Monday

She'd kissed hihed It seeerton asked