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Felicity appeared in the doorway, clapped her hand over herthe door behind herwYes," Penelope said placatingly, shooting a quick look at her mother, "but Felicity is unmarried, and--"wSo are you," he pointed outwI know, but I'm old, and--"wAnd Felicity is an infant," he spat "Good God,Hyacinth"wEr, except for the incest," Penelope said

He gave her an extreht," she said, mostly to fill the silence "It's just a terriblePenelope looked at Colin pleadingly "Isn't it?"wIt certainly is," he muttered

She turned to her mother "Mama?"wPenelope?" sheher a question; rather, she was still expressing her disbelief that Colin would want to marry her

And oh, but it hurt so much You'd think she'd be used to it by noould like toto sue "He asked me, and I said yes"wWell, of course you would say yes," her mother retorted "You'd have to be an idiot to say no"wMrs Featherington," Colin said tightly, "I suggest you begin treating my future ith a bit more respect"wColin, it's not necessary," Penelope said, placing her hand on his arht not love her, but he cared about her No man could defend a wo for her a littlewIt is necessary," he returned "For God's sake, Penelope, I arrived with you I made it abundantly clear that I required your presence in the room, and I practically shoved Felicity out the door to fetch her watercolors Why on earth would anyone think I wanted Felicity?"

Mrs Featherington opened and closed her , "I love Penelope, of course, but--"wBut do you know her?" Colin shot back "She's lovely and intelligent and has a fine sense of humor

Who wouldn't want to marry a woman like that?"

Penelope would haveon to his hand "Thank you," she whispered, not caring if herif Colin heard her Somehow she needed to say the words for herself

Not what she thought she was

Lady Danbury's face swam before her eyes, her expression warmore, and maybe Colin was the only other person to realize that as well

It made her love him all the more

Her ave Penelope a hug It was, at first, a hesitant ehtened her arhter, and with a choked cry, Penelope found herself returning the hug in equal measurewI do love you, Penelope," Portia said, "and I am very pleased for you" She drew back and wiped a tear from her eyewI shall be lonely without you, of course, since I'd assuether, but this is what's best for you, and that, I suppose, is what being a mother is all about"

Penelope let out a loud sniffle, then blindly reached for Colin's handkerchief, which he had already pulled fro in front of herwYou'll learn so her on the arhted to welcome you to the faht he ry he'd been just moments earlier

Penelope smiled and squeezed his hand, aware that she was about to embark upon the adventure of her life

CHAPTER 16wYouknow," Eloise said, three days after Colin and Penelope made their surprise announcement, "it's really a pity that Lady Whistledown has retired, because this would have been the coup of the decade"wCertainly fro her teacup to her lips and keeping her eyes trained on the wall clock in Lady Bridgerton's infor room Better not to look at Eloise directly She had a way of noticing secrets in a person's eyes

It was funny Penelope had gone years without worrying that Eloise would discover the truth about Lady Whistledown At least, not worrying overmuch But now that Colin knew, it so about in the air, like particles of dust just waiting to forertons were like dominoes Once one found out, it was only a matter of time before they all fellwWhat do you htswIf I recall correctly," Penelope said, very carefully, "she once wrote that she would have to retire if I ever ed out "She did?"wOr so," Eloise said,a "pffft" sort of sound as she waved her hand dismissively "She would never have been that cruel"

Penelope coughed, not really thinking that she could end the topic by faking a biscuit cru nonethelesswNo, really," Eloise persisted "What did she say?"wI don't recall, precisely"wTry"

Penelope stalled by setting her cup down and reaching for another biscuit They were alone for tea, which was odd But Lady Bridgerton had dragged Colin off on so--set for only awith Felicity, who had, upon hearing Penelope's news, thrown her arht until Penelope's ears had gone numb