Colin's mood shifted from bad to foul.wAnyway," Eloise continued, completely oblivious to the thunderstorm that was brewing in her normally sunny and jovial brother, "Felicity told Hyacinth that Briarly told her that you'd visited. I was just wondering what it was about."wIt's none of your business," Colin said briskly, hoping she'd leave it at that, but not really believing she would. He took a step toward the stairwell, though, always optimistic.wIt's about my birthday, isn't it?" Eloise guessed, dashing in front of him with such suddenness that his toe crashed into her slipper. She winced* but Colin didn't feel particularly sympathetic.wNo, it's not about your birthday," he snapped. "Your birthday isn't even until—"
He stopped. Ah, hell.wUntil next week," he grumbled.
She smiled slyly. Then, as if her brain had just realized it had taken a wrong turn, her lips parted with dismay as she mentally backed up and headed in another direction. "So," she continued, moving slightly so that she better blocked his path, "if you didn't go over there to discuss my birthday— and there's nothing you could say now that would convince me you did—why did you gosee Penelope?"wIs nothing private in this world?"wNot in this family."
Colin decided that his best bet was to adopt his usual sunny persona, even though he didn't feel the least bit charitable toward her at the moment, and so he slapped on the smoothest and easiest of his smiles, quirked his head to the side, and asked, "Do I hear Mother calling my name?"wI didn't hear a thing," Eloise said pertly, "and what is wrong with you? You look very odd."wI'm fine."wYou're not fine. You look as if you've been to the dentist."
His voice descended into a mutter. "It's always nice to receive compliments from family."wIf you can't trust your family to be honest with you," she volleyed, "who can you trust?"
He leaned fluidly back against the wall, crossing his arms. "I prefer flattery to honesty."wNo, you don't."
Dear God, he wanted to smack her. He hadn't done that since he was twelve. And he'd been horsewhipped for it. The only time he could recall his father laying a hand on him.wWhat I want," Colin returned, arching one brow, "is an immediate cessation of this conversation."wWhat you want," Eloise needled, "is for me to stop asking you why you went to see Penelope Featherington, but I think we both know that isn't likely to occur."
And that was when he knew it. Knew it deep in his bones, from his head to his toes, his heart to his mind that his sister was Lady Whistledown. All of the pieces fit. There was no one more stubborn and bullheaded, no one who could—or would—take the time to get to the bottom of every last piece of gossip and innuendo.
When Eloise wanted something, she didn't stop until she had it firmly in her grasp. It wasn't about money, or greed, or material goods. With her it was about knowledge. She liked knowing things, and she'd needle and needle and needle until you'd told her exactly what she wanted to hear.
It was a miracle no one had found her out sooner.
Out of nowhere he said, "I need to talk to you." He grabbed her arm and hauled her into the nearest room, which happened to be her own.wColin!" she shrieked, trying unsuccessfully to shake him off. "What are you doing?"
He slammed the door shut, let go of her, and crossed his arms, his stance wide, his expression menacing.wColin?" she repeated, her voice dubious.wI know what you've been up to."wWhat I've been—"
And then, damn her, she started laughing.wEloise!" he boomed. "I'm talking to you!"wClearly," she just barely managed to get out.
He held his ground, glaring at her.
She was looking away, nearly doubled over with laughter. Finally, she said, "What are you—"
But then she looked at him again and even though she'd tried to keep her mouth shut, she exploded again.
If she'd been drinking something, Colin thought without a trace of humor, it would have come out her nose. "What the hell is the matter with you?" he snapped.
That finally got her attention. He didn't know whether it was his tone of voice or maybe his use of profanity, but she sobered in an instant.wMy word," she said softly, "you're serious."wDo I look like I'm joking?"wNo," Eloise said. "Although you did at first. I'm sorry, Colin, but it's just not like you to be glowering and yelling and all that. You looked rather like Anthony."wYou—"wActually," she said, giving him a look that was not nearly as wary as it should have been, "you looked more like yourself, trying to imitate Anthony."
He was going to kill her. Right here in her room, in his mother's house, he was going to commit sororicide.wColin?" she asked hesitantly, as if she'd just finally noticed that he had long since passed angry on his way to furious.wSit. Down." He jerked his head toward a chair. "Now."wAre you all right?"wSIT DOWN!"he roared.
And she did. With alacrity.wI can't remember the last time you raised your voice," she whispered.wI can't remember the last time I had cause to."wWhat's wrong?"
He decided he might as well just come out and say it.wColin?"wI know you're Lady Whistledown."wWhaaaaat?"wThere's no use denying it. I've seen—"
Eloise jumped to her feet. "Except that it's not true!"
Suddenly he no longer felt quite so angry. Instead he felt tired, old. "Eloise, I've seen the proof."wWhat proof?" she asked, her voice rising with disbelief. "How can there be proof of something that isn't true?"
He grabbed one of her hands. "Look at your fingers."