Page 81 (1/1)

Penelope wantedto plant her feet fir halt, but they were in public (her own fault, she supposed, for choosing such a place to initiate the conversation) and so she kept walking, her gait sers curled into tense little fists "The other night, when my last column was published--you were furious with ed "I'm over it"wI don't think so"

He turned to her with a rather condescending expression "And now you're telling o unreturned "Isn't that what a wife is supposed to do?"wYou're not my wife yet"

Penelope counted to three--no, better"I am sorry if what I did upset you, but I had no other choice"wYou had every choice in the world, but I aht here on Bruton Street"

And they were on Bruton Street Oh, bother, Penelope had co Sheonly had another minute or so at the most before they ascended the front steps to Number FivewI can assure you," she said, "that you-knoillnever again ee from retirement"wI can hardly express my relief"ish you wouldn't be so sarcastic"

He turned to face her with flashing eyes His expression was so different from the mask of bland boredom that had been there just moments earlier that Penelope nearly backed up a step "Be careful what you wish for, Penelope," he saidwThe sarcass at bay, and believe me, you don't want those in full vieI think I do," she said, her voice quite small, because in truth she wasn't sure that she didwNot a day goes by when I' to do to protect you should your secret get out I love you, Penelope God help me, but I do"

Penelope could have done without the plea for God's help, but the declaration of love was quite nicewIn three days," he continued, "I will be your husband I will take a solemn vow to protect you until death do us part Do you understand what thatminotaurs?" she tried to joke

His expression told her he did not find that ary," sheexpression, as if he didn't think she had the right to ry, it's because I did not appreciate finding out about your last colu her bottoize for that You certainly had the right to know ahead of time, but how could I have told you? You would have tried to stop me"wExactly"

They were now just a few houses away fro more, she would have to do it quickly "Are you sure--" she began, then cut herself off, not certain if she wanted to finish the questionwAave her head a little shake "It's nothing"wIt's obviously not nothing"as just wondering " She looked to the side, as if the sight of the London cityscape could soe to continue "I was just wondering"wSpit it out, Penelope"

It was unlike him to be so curt, and his tone prodded her into action "I ondering," she said, "if perhaps your unease with my, er"wSecret life?" he supplied in a draIf that is what you want to call it," she acceded "It had occurred to me that perhaps your unease does not stem entirely from your desire to protect my reputation should I be found out"wWhat, precisely," he asked in a clipped tone, "do you mean by that?"

She'd already voiced her question; there was nothing to do now but supply complete honesty "I think you're ashamed of me"

He stared at her for three full seconds before answering, "I'm not ashamed of you I told you once already I wasn't"wWhat, then?"

Colin's steps faltered, and before he realized what his body was doing, he was standing still in front of Number Three, Bruton Street His mother's home was only two houses away, and he was fairly certain they were expected for tea about five et his feet to ain,himself to tell her the truth--that he was jealous Jealous of her achieve, such an unpleasant eue sense of shaiven the tenor of London's current gossip, was about ten times each day And he wasn't quite certain what to do about it

His sister Daphne had once commented that he always seeht about that for several days after she'd said it, and he'd coood about themselves must stem from his own sense of self

He was a man who had always felt supremely comfortable in his own skin He didn't knohy he was so blessed-- perhaps it was good parents, maybe simple luck But now he felt aard and unco into every corner of his life He snapped at Penelope, he barely spoke at parties

And it was all due to this detestable jealousy, and its attendant shame

Or wasit?

Would he be jealous of Penelope if he hadn't already sensed a lack inhis own life?

It was an interesting psychological question Or at least it would be if it were about anyoneelse but hi that he was avoiding the issue, and hating hi else "And your mother will be there as well, so we had better not be late"wWe're already late," she pointed out