Lady and Lord Whisledown

Chapter Thirteen: Suspicions Confirmed

Colin had not seen Penelope for at least two hours. Not that he had been counting. With Eloise gone, he had the unfortunate acquaintance of Cressida Cowper, whom he never liked. Not just because she was horrible to Daphne in her first year, but Penelope as well.

He had tried to escape her shortly after Eloise had left with Penelope but found himself in the same room as her no matter how many times he moved. She was trying to flirt; it was very obvious and disgusted Colin. She was not very intelligent and her sudden interest in him was anything but subtle. The respect his father and brothers had ingrained him since he was a child was slipping as the hours passed. He did not think he was the type of man to think that of any lady, but he could not think of a better term than 'disgust' after her clear pursuit of him. Nevertheless, he did his best to remain neutral count down the minutes until he would be with Penelope again.

After what seemed like an eternity and Penelope had not returned, Colin finally had enough of being a gentleman and stood up eager to retreat to his bedchamber where she could not find him. He also could use the time to think through his feelings for his best friend, and revelations of the day. All in all, he could use the escape.

As he stood, she did too. He looked at her and muttered "What are you doing here Miss Cowper?" He was not typically mean to anyone ever. It was not in his character, but what he witnessed, what she said to Penelope had changed something in him. His protectiveness was now tenfold.

She stared at him, slightly taken aback. Good he thought. Then she smiled, placed her hands in-front of her stomach acting the pillar of innocence. As if this was all somehow apart of her plan. "Eloise requested I come; I am simply spending some time with my friend." He consciously stopped himself from rolling his eyes.

Yes, Eloise. He was still quite angry at her. He would speak to her when she was not so inebriated, and his head was not so full of Penelope. He did have to wonder, what on earth Eloise was doing, she was not the type to lose control as she had done. Perhaps she had felt guilt.

"Then why are you not with your friend?" He returned. His voice flat, not attempting to be kind.

"She was making a fool of herself I simply could not continue to endure such embarrassment." Colin's eyebrows lifted. Who would say such a thing about ones sister to their elder brother? Eloise making a fool of herself? as if the past two hours of horrid attempts at flirting were not foolish? As if pursuing him at all was not foolish?

"I beg your pardon?"

"And in any case Penelope saw to her. She does not need me." She smiled again, ignoring his question.

"No, in that you are correct, she does not." Colin began to walk out of the room, done with the conversation. He was sure his point was heard loud and clear.

"Where are you going?" She rushed forward. "You cannot expect me to sit here by myself, I am your guest"

Colin found himself laughing. "Penelope is my guest, you are not. I am going to my bedchamber and you may do as you wish."

Cressida huffed, and he wished he turned to look at her reaction but walked out of the room so fast that she could not follow him. That was the last thing he needed. He had done everything he could to remain chaperoned with her at all times, with one of the maids bribed to be constantly following her. He knew she had an ulterior motive and did not want to be put in any even slightly compromising position with her. A forced marriage with her would be his worst nightmare.

It was odd that he did not mind being unchaperoned with Pen, in-fact most of the time he encouraged it. The thought of marriage with her did not seem bad at all now he thought of it. It would be full of laughter, if nothing else. He could not think of a time with Penelope where he did not end up in fits of laughter. Deep down he knew there would be more in their marriage, a lot more. He knew that he desired her, every time she looked at him, he'd felt it. He wasn't sure what the feeling was for some time, but now he was certain.