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Lady Danbury choked on a bit of laughter "And you say you don't kno to speak your mind

Don't keep ed "She's always behaved quite badly toward ly "All bullies have a favorite victim"wIt's not so bad now," Penelope said "But back ere both out--when she was still Cressida Cowper--she never could resist the chance to torment me And peoplewell" She shook her headwNever o on"

Penelope sighed "It's nothing, really Just that I've noticed that people don't often rush to another's defense Cressida was popular--at least with a certain set--and she was rather frightening to the other girls our age No one dared go against her Well, alot Lady Danbury's attention, and she smiled "Who was your champion, Penelope?"wChaertons always caave her the cut direct and took me in to dinner, and"--her voice rose with remembered excitement--"he really shouldn't have done so It was a formal dinner party, and he wassupposed to escort in so the erton"

Penelope nodded "His wife told me that that was the day she fell in love with hi er Mr Bridgerton ever rushed to your aid?"wColin, you mean?" Penelope didn't even wait for Lady Danbury's nod before adding, "Of course, although never with quite so ertons are so supportive"wWhat is it, Penelope?" Lady Danbury asked

Penelope sighed again It seehs "I just wish they didn't have to defend me so often

You'd think I could defend myself Or at least co was necessary"

Lady Danbury patted her hand "I think you get on a great deal better than you think you do And as for that Cressida Twombley" Lady Danbury's face soured with distaste "Well, she got her just desserts, if you ask h," she added sharply, "people don't ask me as often as they should"

Penelope could not quite suppress a little snort of laughterwLook where she is now," Lady Danbury said sharply "Widowed and without even a fortune to show for it She married that old lecher Horace Twoed to fool everyone into thinking he had ood looks"

Honesty compelled Penelope to say, "She is still quite attractive"wHmmph If you like flashy wo far too obvious about that woman"

Penelope looked toward the dais, where Cressida aiting, standing there with a surprisingamount of patience while the ballroo that could possibly interest me," Lady Danbury retorted "I--Oh" She stopped, and her lips curved into the oddest of expressions, a little bit frown, a little bit smilewWhat is it?" Penelope asked She craned her neck to try to see Lady Danbury's line of vision, but a rather portly gentle," Lady Danbury said, the s out the frown "And he looks quite determined"

Penelope iirl, don't look!" Lady Danbury exclai her elbow into Penelope's upper arm "He'll know you're interested"wI don't think there's ured that out already,"Penelopesplendidly in front of her, looking like sorace earth with his presence "Lady Danbury," he said, executing a serton," Lady Danbury said, "how nice to see you"

Colin looked to PenelopewMr Bridgerton," shewhat else to say What did one say to a man one had recently kissed? Penelope certainly had no experience in that area Not toout of the house once they were throughwI'd hoped " Colin began, then stopped and frowned, looking up toward the dais "What is everyone looking at?"wCressida Twombley has some sort of announceuely annoyed frown"Can't iine what she has to say that I'd want to listen to," he rin Cressida Twombley was considered a leader in society, or at least she had been when she'd been young and unertons had never liked her, and somehow that had always made Penelope feel a little better

Just then a trumpet blared, and the room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to the Earl of Macclesfield, as standing on the dais next to Cressida, looking vaguely uncomfortable with all the attention

Penelope smiled She'd been told the earl had once been a terrible rake, but noas a rather scholarly sort, devoted to his fah Almost as handsome as Colin

But only almost Penelope knew she was biased, but it was difficult to i as Colin when he was s to you!" caave a good-natured nod, a tolerant half-suest here"--he motioned to Cressida--"would like to ive your attention to the lady beside ive you Lady Twombley"