Page 62 (1/1)

Mrs Featherington looked as if she'd just sed a live eel, then exclaimed, "Felicity!"wYes?" Felicity said sweetlywYou didn't tell him that you'd won an award" She turned to Colin "Felicity's watercolors are very unique" She turned back to Felicity "Do tell Mr Bridgerton about your award"wOh, I don't iine he is interested in that"wOf course he is," Mrs Featherington ground out

Normally, Colin would have chimed in with, Of course I aly affable fellow, but doing so would have validated Mrs Featherington's stateood fun

And Felicity appeared to be having a lot of fun "Philippa," she said, "weren't you going to go after the food?"wOh, right," Philippa replied "Forgot all about it I do that a lot Coel bea all the way

Colin reaffirton o out to the garden," Prudence suddenly announced, taking hold of her husband's armwPenelope, why don't you come with ured out what to say, leaving her looking a little bit like a confused fish (but in Colin's opinion a rather fetching fish, if such a thing were possible) Finally, her chin took on a resolute mien, and she said, "I don't think so, Prudence"wPenelope!" Mrs Featherington exclairound outwI really think I'm needed here," Penelope replied "I can join you later this afternoon, if you like"wI need you now "

Penelope looked to her sister in surprise, clearly not expecting quite so much resistance "I'm sorry, Prudence," she reiterated "I believe I'ton said breezily "Felicity and I can keep Mr Bridgerton company"

Felicity jumped to her feet "Oh, no!" she exclai"wWhat," Mrs Featherington asked between her teeth, "could you possibly have forgotten?"wUhhmy watercolors" She turned to Colin with a sweet, mischievous smile "You did want to see the he veryas how they are so unique"wOne ht say they are uniquely ordinary," Felicity said with an overly earnest nodwPenelope," Mrs Featherington said, obviously trying to hide her annoyance, "would you be so kind as to fetch Felicity's watercolors?"wPenelope doesn't knohere they are," Felicity said quicklywWhy don't you tell her?"wFor God's sake," Colin finally exploded, "let Felicity go I need a private ned It was the first tierton had ever lost his temper in public Beside hilanced at her, she was hiding a tiny soodwA privateto her chest She glanced over at Prudence and Robert, ere still standing by theThey iruton said, "perhaps you should accoround outwPenelope?" Mrs Featherington asked doubtfullywYes," he said slowly, in case she still didn't understand his lare that she actually drew back and folded her hands in her lapwI' out of the rooive a quick wink to Penelope

And Penelope s clearly in her eyes

Colin relaxed He hadn't realized just how tense Penelope'shim And she was definitely miserable Good God, he couldn't wait to remove her froton's lips spread into a feeble atteain, and then finally said, "You desired a word?"wYes," he replied, eager to get this done with "I would be honored if you would grant e"

For a rew round, her rew round, her body--well, her body was already round--and she clapped her hands together, unable to say anything other than, "Oh! Oh!"

And then, "Felicity! Felicity!"

Felicity?

Portia Featherington jumped to her feet, ran to the door and actually screamed like a fishwife "Felicity!

Felicity!"wOh, Mother," PenelopeFelicity?" Colin asked, rising to his feet

Mrs Featherington turned to him quizzically "Don't you want to ht be sick "No, for God's sake, I don't want to marry Felicity," he snapped "If I'd wanted to marry Felicity, I'd hardly have sent her upstairs for her bloody watercolors, would I?"

Mrs Featherington sed uncoetherwI don't understand"

He stared at her in horror, which then turned to disgust "Penelope," he said, grabbing her hand and yanking her until she was pressed close to his side "I want to ton echoed "But--"hat?" he interrupted, his voice pure ht, Colin," Penelope said hastily "I--"wNo, it is not all right," he exploded "I've never given any indication I'm the least bit interested in Felicity"