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Violet blinked "I did?"wYes About the waltz" He cocked his head slightly to the side "I believe I hear one beginning"wI don't hear anything," Hyacinth saidwDon't you? Pity" He grabbed Penelope's hand "Co, wife I do believe this is our dance"wBut no one is dancing," Hyacinth ground out

He flashed her a satisfied smile "They will be"

And then, before anyone had a chance to co through the croDidn't you want to waltz?" Penelope asked breathlessly, right after they'd passed the s an extended breakwNo, just to escape," he explained, slipping through a side door and pulling her along with him

A few moments later they had ascended a narrow staircase and were secreted in so torches that blazed outside the Where are we?" Penelope asked, looking around

Colin shrugged "I don't know It see to tellto kiss you"

And before she had a chance to respond to that (not that she would have protested!) his lips found hers in a kiss that was hungry and urgent and tender all in onewColin!" she gasped, in that split second when he took a breathwNot now," he ainst his lips

It was the sort of kiss that enveloped her, from her head to her toes, fro her botto across her back It was the sort of kiss that could easily have turned her knees to water and led her to swoon on the sofa and allow hi to her, the h they were mere yards away from over five hundred members of the ton, except--wColin!" she exclai her mouth free of hiswShush"wColin, you have to stop!"

He looked like a lost puppy "Must I?"wYes, youto say it's because of all the people just next door"wNo, although that's a very good reason to consider restraint"

'To consider and then reject, perhaps?" he asked hopefullywNo! Colin--" She pulled herself from his arms and etting herself "Colin, you need to tellyou"wThat's not what I meant, and you know it"wVery well" He walked away, his footsteps echoing loudly in her ears When he turned back around, his expression had turned deadly serious "I have decided what to do about Cressida"wYou have? What? Tell me"

His face took on a slightly pained expression "Actually, I think it ht be best if I didn't tell you until the plan is under way"

She stared at hi longingly at the door, clearly hoping for an escape

'Tell ainwColin!"wI' to make an announce

At first she said nothing, thinking that maybe it would all becoht about it But that didn't work, and so she asked, her words slow and careful, "What sort of announce to tell the truth"

She gasped "About me?"

He noddedwBut you can't!"wPenelope, I think it's best"

Panic began to rise within her, and her lungs felt iht "No, Conn, you can't! You can't do that! It's not your secret to reveal!"wDo you want to pay Cressida for the rest of your life?"wNo, of course not, but I can ask Lady Danbury--"wYou're not going to ask Lady Danbury to lie on your behalf," he snapped "That's beneath you and you know it"

Penelope gasped at his sharp tone But deep down, she kneas rightwIf you were so willing to allow someone else to usurp your identity," he said, "then you should have just allowed Cressida to do it"wI couldn't," she whispered "Not her"wFine Then it's time we both stood up and faced the ed "We'llto find the right words

He took her hands in his "Does it really matter soas we're together, we'll be happy"wIt's not that," she said, trying to tug her hand from his so that she could wipe the tears froo "What, then?" he askedwColin, you'll be ruined, too," she whisperedwI don't mind"

She stared at hi that would change his entire life, alter it in ways he couldn't possibly iinewPenelope," he said, his voice so reasonable she could barely stand it, "it's the only solution Either we tell the world, or Cressida does"wWe could pay her," she whisperedwIs that what you really want to do?" he asked "Give her all the ht as well have just let her tell the world she was Lady WhistledoI can't let you do this," she said "I don't think you understand what it means to be outside of society"wAnd you do?" he counteredwBetter than you!"wPenelope--"wYou're trying to act as if it doesn't ry with ht I shouldn't have risked the secret getting out"wAs it turns out," he reently "Do you see? You're still upset with me over that!"