Flawless My Dear ( English version )

Chapter 11

The only thought that came into Colin's head was that he wouldn't care how many times he said it, that he wouldn't hear a single word because he was too busy watching Penelope's lips move. He couldn't take his eyes off them and they seemed to be crying out to be kissed.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Penelope asked, waiting.

"I don't want to say anything," he said, trying to keep his composure. He was a gentleman and couldn't take such liberties. If he took just one small step as much as Penelope's foot, he would be kissing her and nothing and no one would stop him. His desire to hold her in his arms was greater than any he had ever experienced before, and he was holding back as he had never done with any woman.

"Very well, Colin. Very well," Penelope said, almost in a tone of disappointment.

Colin looked blankly at Penelope, what was she expecting him to say? That he would only shout at her again when he had her in his arms in a much more intimate place than Lord James's garden? He couldn't tell her that, even if he thought about it. Penelope retraced her steps and went back inside, while Colin, completely clouded with desire, stood outside so he could enter as normal.

"The plan is in motion, brother," Eloise said, appearing with a cigarette in her hand.

"Since when do you smoke, El?" he asked in surprise at Eloise's out of nowhere appearance.

"Since you decided to fall in love with my best friend, dear. Can I carry on?" Colin approval with his hand. "As I was saying, I've told Pen that we're going away just the women to the cottage in two days. She's agreed."

"Does Mum know anything about this?" Colin asked his sister.

"She only knows that I've asked her permission to spend time with Penelope and our chaperone after our estrangement in this summer at Aubrey Hall."

"Someday will you tell me why?" asked Colin.

"Maybe, but not today and not now. Only Kate and Anthony know."

"Only? For God's sake El!" cursed Colin.

"Anthony knows what it's like to try to woo a woman who won't leave well enough alone and Kate is a confessor to Penelope, they were the ones," Eloise told him.

"So it's just Penelope, Kate, Anthony, you and me?" Eloise nodded. "Alright, but I'll have to go later on the spur of the moment. It can't seem that obvious."

"Please, you're talking to the smartest one in the family, I've got it all figured out," Eloise said, almost offended.

Moments before Colin had been cursing at the mouth for having separated from Penelope, but now he was in ecstasy, knowing that he was going to be able to be with her for several days without any man but him asking her to dance. Colin adored his sister.

They were going in together, and they were almost at the door, but Colin ran into Lord Fife, so Eloise stepped back a little so they could talk to each other alone.

"Good evening, Bridgerton," he said, giving him a pat.

"Lord Fife" gave a little wave. "What were you talking about if I may ask?" asked Colin.

"Miss Featherington," he said with a wolfish grin, which Colin didn't like at all.

"Watch your words, Fife," he warned.

"I was just saying that since you're not going to woo her, I'm going to do it myself. There's nothing more irresistible than a good diamond."

Colin's jaw was already clenched tighter than normal, and he was breathing in agitation "Fife..."