She stumbled, which made him smile. "I do believe I'll manage," she choked out.wExcellent." He offered her a bland smile. "I'd hate to think of you living with the guilt."

The music was just beginning, so Penelope took his hand and curtsied as they began the minuet. It was difficult to talk during the dance, which gave Penelope a few moments to catch her breath and gather her thoughts.

Perhaps she'd been a bit too harsh with Colin. She shouldn't have scolded him for asking her to dance, when the truth was, those dances were among her most cherished memories. Did it really matter if he'd only done it out of pity? It would have been worse if he'd never asked her at all. She grimaced. Worse still, did this mean she had to apologize?wWas something wrong with that eclair?" Colin inquired the next time they stepped toward each other.

A full ten seconds passed before they were close enough again for her to say,"I beg your pardon?"wYou look as if you've swallowed something vile," he said, loudly this time, for he'd clearly lost patience with waiting for the dance to allow them to speak.

Several people looked over, then stepped discreetly away, as if Penelope might actually be sick right there on the ballroom floor.wDo you need to shout it to the entire world?" Penelope hissed.wYou know," he said thoughtfully, bending into an elegant bow as the music drew to a close, "that was the loudest whisper I've ever heard."

He was insufferable, but Penelope wasn't going to say so, because it would only make her sound like a character in a very bad romantic novel. She'd read one just the other day in which the heroine used the word (or one of its synonyms) on every other page.wThank you for the dance," she said, once they'd reached the perimeter of the room. She almost added, You can now tell your mother that you've fulfilled your obligations, but immediately regretted her impulse. Colin hadn't done anything to deserve such sarcasm. It wasn't his fault that men only danced with her when forced to by their mothers. He'd always at least smiled and laughed while doing his duty, which was more than she could say for the rest of the male population.

He nodded politely and murmured his own thanks. They were just about to part ways when they heard a loud female voice bark out, "Mr. Bridgerton!"

They both froze. It was a voice they both knew. It was a voice everyone knew.wSave me," Colingroaned.

Penelope looked over her shoulder to see the infamous Lady Danbury pushing her way through the crowd, wincing when her ever-present cane landed on the foot of some hapless young lady. "Maybe she means a different Mr. Bridgerton?" Penelope suggested. "There are quite a few of you, after all, and it's possible—"wI'll give you ten pounds if you don't leave my side,"Colin blurted out.

Penelope choked on air. "Don't be silly,I—"wTwenty."wDone!" she said with a smile, not because she particularly needed the money but rather because it was strangely enjoyable to be extorting it from Colin. "Lady Danbury!" she called out, hurrying to the elderly lady's side. "How nice to see you."wNobody ever thinks it's nice to see me," Lady Danbury said sharply, "except maybe my nephew, and half the time I'm not even sure about him. But I thank you for lying all the same."

Colin said nothing, but she still turned in his direction and swatted his leg with her cane. "Good choice dancing with this one," she said. "I've always liked her. More brains than the rest of her family put together."

Penelope opened her mouth to defend at least her younger sister, when Lady Danbury barked out, "Ha!" after barely a second's pause, adding, "I noticed neither of you contradicted me."wIt is always a delight to see you, Lady Danbury," Colin said, giving her just the sort of smile he might have directed at an opera singer.wGlib, this one is," Lady Danbury said to Penelope. "You'll have to watch out for him."wIt is rarely necessary that I do so," Penelope said,"as he is most often out of the country."wSee!" Lady Danbury crowed again. "I told you she was bright."wYou'll notice," Colin said smoothly, "that I did not contradict you."

The old lady smiled approvingly. "So you didn't. You're getting smart in yourold age, Mr. Bridgerton."wIt has occasionally been remarked that I possessed a small modicum of intelligence in my youth, as well."wHmmph. The important word in that sentence being small, of course."

Colin looked at Penelope through narrowed eyes. She appeared to bechoking on laughter.wWe women must look out for one another," Lady Danbury said to no one in particular, "since it is clear that no one else will do so."

Colin decided it was definitely time to go."I think I see my mother."wEscape is impossible," Lady Danbury crowed. "Don't bother to attempt it, and besides, I know for a fact you don't see your mother. She's attending to some brainless twit who tore the hem off her dress."

She turned to Penelope, who was now exerting such effort to control herlaughter that her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "How much did he pay you not to leave him alone with me?"

Penelope quite simply exploded. "I beg your pardon," she gasped, clasping a handover her horrified mouth.wOh, no, go right ahead," Colin said expansively."You've been such a help already."wYou don't have to give me the twenty pounds," she said.wI wasn't planning to."wOnly twenty pounds?"Lady Danbury asked. "Hmmph. I would have thought I'd be worth at least twenty-five."

Colin shrugged. "I'm a third son. Perpetuallyshort of funds, I'm afraid."wHa! You're as plump in the pocket as at least three earls," Lady Danbury said. "Well, maybe not earls," she added, after a bit of thought. "But a few viscounts, and most barons, to besure."