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Penelope s Colin had been a lovely and attentive fiancé, at least for the three days that he'd been playing that role And it couldn't have been particularly easy; they'd been subject to ined

She wasn't surprised, though; when she (as Lady Whistledown) had written that the world would end as she knew it if a Featheringtona prevalent sentiment

To say that the ton had been shocked by Penelope's engagement would have been an understatement, indeed

But much as Penelope liked to anticipate and reflect upon her upcoe, she was still a bit disturbed about Eloise's strange mood "Eloise," she said seriously, "I want you to tell hed "I'd hoped you'd forgotten about it"wI've learned tenacity from the master," Penelope commented

That made Eloise smile, but only for a moment "I feel so disloyal," she saidwWhat have you done?"wOh, nothing" She patted her heart "It's all inside I--" She stopped, looked to the side, her eyes settling on the fringed corner of the carpet, but Penelope suspected that she didn't seeabout in herforth in odd bursts, punctuated by aard pauses "And I honestly think I can really, truly say that I'm not jealous But at the sahts Or ewAt the same time," she said, so softly that Penelope could barely hear her, "I suppose I always thought you'd be a spinster right along with me I've chosen this life I know that I have I could have married"wI know," Penelope said quietlywBut I never did, because it never see less than what my brothers and sister have And now Colin, too," she said,toward Penelope

Penelope didn't mention that Colin had never said he loved her It didn't see she cared to share Besides, even if he didn't love her, she still thought he cared about her, and that was enoughould never have wanted you not to ht you would" She closed her eyes, looking quite agonized "That ca I've insulted you terribly"wNo, you haven't," Penelope said, ht I would marry, either"

Eloise nodded sadly "And soht and unht and unmarried, and we'd always have each other But now you have Colin"wI still have you, too At least I hope I do"wOf course you do," Eloise said fervently "But it won't be the same You must cleave unto your husband Or at least that's what they all say," she added with a slightly mischievous spark in her eyeswColin will come first, and that is how it should be And frankly," she added, her s a bit sly, "I'd have to kill you if he didn't He is my favorite brother, after all It really wouldn't do for hihed out loud at thatwDo you hate me?" Eloise asked

Penelope shook her head "No," she said softly "If anything I love you all the more, because I kno difficult it lad you said that," Eloise said with a loud, drah "I was terrified you'd say that the only solution would be for ht had crossed Penelope's mind, but she shook her head and said, "Of course not"wGood Becauseit constantly"

Penelope smiled wryly "I'd be surprised if she hadn't"wGood afternoon, ladies!"

The to the roo him, and she found herself oddly out of breath Her heart had been doing little flips for years whenever he walked into a room, but it was somehow different now, more intense

Perhaps because she knew

Knehat it was like to be with him, to be wanted by him

To know that he would be her husband

Her heart flipped again

Colin let out a loud groan "You ate all the food?"wThere was only one small plate of biscuits," Eloise said in their defensewThat's not what I was led to believe," Colin grulance, then both burst out laughingwWhat?" Colin de down to press a quick, dutiful kiss on Penelope's cheekwYou sounded so sinister," Eloise explained "It's just food"wIt's never just food," Colin said, plopping down in a chair

Penelope was still wondering when her cheek would stop tinglingwSo," he said, taking a half-eaten biscuit off of Eloise's plate, "ere you two talking about?"wLady Whistledown," Eloise said promptly

Penelope choked on her teawWere you?" Colin said softly, but Penelope detected a definite edge in his voicewYes," Eloise said "I was telling Penelope that it is really too bad she's retired, since your engageossip we've had all year"wInteresting how that works out," Colin reed, "and she surely would have devoted an entire coluht"

Penelope did not lower her teacup from her mouthwDo you want some more?" Eloise asked her

Penelope nodded and handed her the cup, although she veryit in front of her face as a shield She knew that Eloise had blurted out Lady Whistledown's name because she did not want Colin to know that she had e, but still, Penelope fervently wished that Eloise had said anything else in reply to Colin's questionwWhy don't you ring for more food?" Eloise asked ColinwAlready did so," he answered "Wickhary" He popped the last bite of Eloise's biscuit into his o today, Colin?" Penelope asked, eager to get the topic firmly off of Lady Whistledown