From Romancing Mister Bridgerton, by Julia Quinn.....
"I would like to marry Mr. Bridgerton," Penelope said, trying to summon up as much quiet dignity as she could manage. "He asked me and I said yes."
"Well, of course you said yes," her mother retorted. "You'd have to be an idiot to say no."
"Mrs. Featherington," Colin said tightly, "I suggest you begin treating my future wife with a bit more respect."
"Colin, it's not necessary," Penelope said, placing her hand on his arm, but the truth was--her heart was soaring. He might not love her, but he cared about her. No man could defend a woman with such fierce protectiveness without caring for her a little.
"It is necessary," he returned. "For God's sake, Penelope, I arrived with you. I made it abundantly clear that I required your presence in the room, and I practically shoved Felicity out the door to fetch her watercolors. Why on earth would anyone think I wanted Felicity?"
Mrs. Featherington opened and closed her mouth several times before finally saying, "I love Penelope, of course, but--"
"But do you know her?" Colin shot back. "She's lovely and intelligent and has a fine sense of humor. Who wouldn't want to marry a woman like that?"
Penelope would have melted to the floor if she weren't already holding on to his hand. "Thank you," she whispered, not caring if her mother heard her, not even caring if Colin heard her. Somehow she needed to say the words for herself.
Not what she thought she was.
Lady Danbury's face swam before her eyes, her expression warm and just a little bit cunning.
Something more. Maybe Penelope was something more, and maybe Colin was the only other person to realize that as well.
It made her love him all the more.
Sigh,
Penelope
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