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Penelope stole a frantic glance over at Lady Bridgerton to see if she was upset by the insult--after all, she had been trying to erton didn't look the least bit upset In fact, she appeared to be stifling laughter

Stifling laughter and inching away, taking Hyacinth and Felicity with her

Sneaky little traitors

Ah, well, Penelope shouldn't coertons, hadn't she? But she didn't particularly enjoy having Felicity and Hyacinth think they'd soone now," Lady Danbury cackled, "and a good thing it is, too Those two gels haven't an intelligent thing to say between them"wOh, now, that isn't true," Penelope felt coht "wI never said they weren't smart," Lady D replied acidly, "just that they haven't an intelligent thing to say

But don't worry," she added, giving Penelope a reassuring--reassuring? whoever heard of Lady Danbury being reassuring?--pat on the arm "It's not their fault that their conversation is useless They'll grow out of it People are like fine wines If they start off good, they only get better with age"

Penelope had actually been glancing slightly to the right of Lady Danbury's face, peering over her shoulder at a ht be Colin (but wasn't), but this brought her attention right back to where the countess wanted itwFine wines?" Penelope echoedwH"wNo, of course I was listening" Penelope felt her lips tugging into so that wasn't quite a serton boy, no doubt"

Penelope gaspedwOh, don't look so shocked It's written all over your face I'ine he has," Penelope mumbledwHas he? H into long vertical wrinkles on either side of her chin "Doesn't speak well of hi about it"

Penelope's heart ached There was so oddlysweet about the old lady's faith in her, as if ular basis Penelope had had to beg him to kiss her, for heaven's sake And look how that had ended up He'd left the house in a fit of temper and they hadn't spoken for three dayswWell, don't worry over him," Lady Danbury said quite suddenly "We'll find you someone else"

Penelope delicately cleared her throat "Lady Danbury, have you made meyour project?"

The old lady bea streak in her wrinkled face "Of course! I'ure it out"hy?" Penelope asked, truly unable to fathohed The sound wasn't sad--more wistful, really "Would you mind if we sat down for a spell? These old bones aren't what they used to be"wOf course," Penelope said quickly, feeling terrible that she'd never once considered Lady Danbury's age as they stood there in the stuffy ballrooine her ailing or Here we are," Penelope said, taking her ar her to a nearby chair Once Lady Danbury was settled, Penelope took a seat beside her "Are youto drink?"

Lady Danbury nodded gratefully, and Penelope signaled to a footlasses of lemonade, since she didn't want to leave the countess while she was looking so palewI' as I used to be," Lady Danbury told her once the footman had hied off to the refreshment tablewNone of us are," Penelope replied It could have been a flip comment, but it was spoken arht that Lady Danbury would appreciate the sentiht Lady D chuckled and sent Penelope anappreciative glance before saying, "The older I get, the more I realize that most of the people in this world are fools"wYou're only just figuring that out now?" Penelope asked, not to iven Lady Danbury's usual demeanor, it was difficult to believe that she hadn't reached that conclusion years ago

Lady Danbury laughed heartily "No, someti now is that it's ti about it"wWhat do you mean?"wI couldn't care less what happens to the fools of this world, but the people like you"--lacking a handkerchief, she dabbed at her eyes with her fingers--"well, I'd like to see you settled"

For several seconds, Penelope did nothing but stare at her "Lady Danbury," she said carefully, "I very estureand the sentiment but you must know that I am not your responsibility"wOf course I know that," Lady Danbury scoffed "Have no fear, I feel no responsibility to you If I did, this wouldn't be half so much fun"

Penelope knew she sounded the veriest ninny, but all she could think to say was, "I don't understand"

Lady Danbury held silent while the foot once she had taken several ston I don't like a lot of people It's as simple as that And I want to see you happy"wBut I a else

Lady Danbury raised one arrogant brow--an expression that she did to perfection "Are you?" she murmured

Was she? What did it mean, that she had to stop and think about the answer? She wasn't unhappy, of that she was sure She had wonderful friends, a true confidante in her younger sister Felicity, and if her mother and older sistersweren't women she'd have chosen as close friends--well, she still loved them