“Consanguinity has never seemed to be one of yourprerequisites for plain speaking.”“Touché,” she returned, giving him a single nod of approval. “Iwas merely pointing out that you are quite stealthy in your goodhumor. This I applaud wholeheartedly.”“I am aquiver with glee.”

“She was in big trouble now."You stupid man," she said to the body on the floor. "Why did you have to lunge at me like that? Why couldn't you have left well enough alone? I told your father I wasn't going to marry you. I told him I wouldn't marry you if you were the last idiot in Britain."She nearly stamped her foot in frustration. Why was it her words never came out quite the way sheintended them to? "What I meant to say was that you are an idiot," she said to Percy, who, notsurprisingly, didn't respond, "and that I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man in Britain, and- Oh, blast. What am I doing talking to you, anyway? You're quite dead.”

“Go, go,” she urged. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll find someother poor unsuspecting fool to torture. And yes, before you feelthe need to protest, I did just call you a fool.”“That, I think, may be the one privilege that consanguinity doesallow.”She cackled with delight. “You are a prince among nephews,”she proclaimed.“Your second favorite,” he murmured.“You’ll rise to the top of the list if you find a way to destroy herviolin.”

“I don‟t know what to say,” she whispered.“Normally, I‟d advise „thank you,‟ but as I am the one thanking you, a mere „You are a princeamong men‟ would suffice.”

“Children,” Lady Bridgerton said with a sigh as she retookher seat. “I am never quite certain if I’m glad I hadthem.”

“Don’t look so upset,” Hyacinth said, once it was justthe two of them again. “You’re quite a catch.”He looked at her assessingly. “Is one meant to say suchthings quite so directly?”She shrugged. “Not to men one is trying to impress.”“Touché, Miss Bridgerton.”She sighed happily. “My three favorite words.”Of that, he had no doubt.”

“I believe I told you I am utterly serious. I never lie.""Now that is a clanker if ever I heard one." she retorted."Well, then, I never lie about anything important."Her hands found their way to her hips and she let out a loud, "Harumph.”