An_AT1 Heir_NN1 To_II Spare_JJ London_NP1 ,_, 1863_MC "_" You_PPY 're_VBR quite_RG sure_JJ of_IO this_DD1 ?_? "_" 
The_AT words_NN2 tore_VVD through_II Robert_NP1 Melbourne_NP1 's_GE throat_NN1 as_CS21 though_CS22 they_PPHS2 had_VHD thorns_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 gripped_VVD the_AT arms_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE desk_NN1 chair_NN1 and_CC waited_VVD for_IF the_AT messenger_NN1 to_TO answer_VVI his_APPGE question_NN1 ,_, praying_VVG he_PPHS1 'd_VHD misheard_NN1 the_AT man_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB evidently_RR ,_, God_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX listening_VVG ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, m'lord_NN1 ,_, Lord_NNB and_CC Lady_NNB Bellbrook_NP1 's_GE ship_NN1 was_VBDZ lost_VVN at_II sea_NN1 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR no_AT survivors_NN2 ._. "_" 
The_AT British_JJ naval_JJ officer_NN1 shifted_VVD nervously_RR in_II his_APPGE seat_NN1 ,_, clearly_RR uncomfortable_JJ with_IW the_AT duty_NN1 of_IO delivering_VVG such_DA news_NN1 ._. 
Robert_NP1 cared_VVD little_RR about_II the_AT officer_NN1 's_GE discomfort_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 only_RR cared_VVD that_CST his_APPGE chest_NN1 had_VHD constricted_VVN and_CC his_APPGE churning_JJ gut_NN1 threatened_VVD to_TO empty_VVI its_APPGE contents_NN2 ._. 
Cage_NN1 and_CC Emma_NP1 were_VBDR dead_JJ ?_? 
How_RRQ could_VM that_DD1 be_VBI ?_? 
"_" If_CS there_EX 's_VBZ anything_PN1 else_RR I_PPIS1 can_VM do_VDI for_IF you_PPY ..._... 
"_" The_AT officer_NN1 stood_VVD to_TO depart_VVI ,_, obviously_RR anxious_JJ to_TO take_VVI his_APPGE leave_NN1 of_IO Robert_NP1 's_GE study_NN1 ._. 
Robert_NP1 cleared_VVD his_APPGE throat_NN1 in_II an_AT1 attempt_NN1 to_TO rid_VVI himself_PPX1 of_IO the_AT thorns_NN2 before_CS he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 wish_VV0 there_EX were_VBDR ,_, "_" knowing_VVG he_PPHS1 should_VM probably_RR stand_VVI and_CC shake_VVI the_AT officer_NN1 's_GE hand_NN1 ,_, but_CCB finding_VVG no_AT strength_NN1 to_TO do_VDI so_RR ._. 
The_AT officer_NN1 nodded_VVD awkwardly_RR ._. 
"_" Well_RR ,_, then_RT ,_, good_JJ day_NNT1 to_II you_PPY ,_, m'lord_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 left_VVD Robert_NP1 to_II his_APPGE thoughts_NN2 and_CC the_AT torrid_JJ emotions_NN2 roiling_VVG through_II his_APPGE body_NN1 ._. 
Good_JJ day_NNT1 ?_? 
How_RRQ does_VDZ one_PN1 have_VHI a_AT1 good_JJ day_NNT1 after_II learning_VVG his_APPGE only_JJ brother_NN1 is_VBZ dead_JJ ?_? 
And_CC to_TO add_VVI to_II the_AT shock_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI to_TO inform_VVI their_APPGE mother_NN1 ._. 
Grasping_VVG the_AT edge_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE desk_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 pulled_VVD his_APPGE stunned_JJ body_NN1 to_II his_APPGE feet_NN2 and_CC absently_RR adjusted_VVN his_APPGE jacket_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI time_NNT1 to_TO grieve_VVI ._. 
His_APPGE mother_NN1 would_VM be_VBI devastated_VVN ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI Robert_NP1 's_GE responsibility_NN1 to_TO console_VVI her_PPHO1 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT many_DA2 mind-boggling_JJ responsibilities_NN2 that_CST would_VM fall_VVI upon_II his_APPGE shoulders_NN2 as_II the_AT new_JJ Earl_NN1 of_IO Bellbrook_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Earl_NN1 of_IO Bellbrook_NP1 ._. 
Bloody_JJ hell_NN1 ,_, what_DDQ a_AT1 day_NNT1 this_DD1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI ._. 
London_NP1 ,_, two_MC months_NNT2 later_RRR Laughing_VVG just_RR now_RT would_VM not_XX be_VBI a_AT1 proper_JJ reaction_NN1 at_RR21 all_RR22 ,_, which_DDQ under_RG normal_JJ circumstances_NN2 would_VM be_VBI precisely_RR reason_VV0 enough_RR for_IF Penelope_NP1 Winston_NP1 to_TO do_VDI just_RR that_DD1 ._. 
But_CCB Lord_NNB Wattson_NP1 's_GE face_NN1 was_VBDZ as_RG red_JJ as_CSA the_AT large_JJ stain_NN1 creeping_VVG across_II his_PPGE once_RR white_JJ cravat_NN1 ._. 
Adding_VVG the_AT laugh_NN1 might_VM not_XX be_VBI necessary_JJ ._. 
"_" Oh_UH dear_UH ,_, m'lord_NN1 ,_, "_" Penelope_NP1 said_VVD ,_, covering_VVG her_APPGE mouth_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 gloved_JJ hand_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI what_DDQ made_VVD me_PPIO1 stumble_NN1 ._. 
Is_VBZ your_APPGE cravat_NN1 ruined_VVN ?_? "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, indeed_RR ,_, as_RG ruined_JJ as_CSA a_AT1 cravat_NN1 could_VM be_VBI ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN more_RGR determined_JJ than_CSN most_DAT to_TO pursue_VVI her_PPHO1 ,_, leaving_VVG her_PPHO1 no_AT choice_NN1 but_CS to_TO resort_NN1 to_II the_AT public_JJ humiliation_NN1 of_IO christening_VVG him_PPHO1 with_IW her_APPGE punch_NN1 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 n't_XX worry_VVI ,_, Miss_NNB Winston_NP1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, dodging_VVG her_APPGE attempt_NN1 to_TO mop_VVI at_II the_AT stain_NN1 with_IW an_AT1 already_RR ruined_JJ kerchief_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM call_VVI a_AT1 servant_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 bowed_VVD slightly_RR and_CC hurried_VVD away_RL ,_, allowing_VVG her_PPHO1 to_TO free_VVI the_AT smile_NN1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD held_VVN in_II check_NN1 ._. 
Shoving_VVG her_APPGE large_JJ dark-framed_JJ spectacles_NN2 up_II the_AT bridge_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE nose_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 headed_VVD back_RP to_II her_APPGE corner_NN1 chair_NN1 with_IW the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT wallflowers_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 few_DA2 more_DAR weeks_NNT2 would_VM see_VVI the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT last_MD season_NNT1 she_PPHS1 would_VM ever_RR have_VHI to_TO endure_VVI ._. 
And_CC to_II this_DD1 point_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VHD made_VVN it_PPH1 through_RP without_IW a_AT1 betrothal_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX that_CST avoiding_VVG the_AT fortune_NN1 hunters_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN easy_JJ ._. 
Many_DA2 of_IO the_AT peerage_NN1 had_VHD found_VVN her_APPGE attractive_JJ despite_II the_AT hideous_JJ ,_, ill-fitting_JJ wardrobe_NN1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD acquired_VVN ._. 
She_PPHS1 supposed_VVD the_AT large_JJ inheritance_NN1 attached_VVN to_II her_APPGE name_NN1 added_VVN to_II her_APPGE allure_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT last_MD thing_NN1 she_PPHS1 needed_VVD was_VBDZ a_AT1 husband_NN1 managing_VVG her_PPHO1 every_AT1 move_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN enough_DD of_IO that_DD1 between_II her_APPGE parents_NN2 ._. 
Securing_VVG her_APPGE freedom_NN1 had_VHD necessitated_VVN developing_VVG the_AT grace_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 cow_NN1 ,_, the_AT intelligence_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 slug_NN1 and_CC the_AT charm_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 adder_NN1 ._. 
No_AT sane_JJ man_NN1 would_VM want_VVI a_AT1 wife_NN1 lacking_VVG in_RP so_RG many_DA2 social_JJ graces_NN2 ,_, despite_II the_AT wealth_NN1 she_PPHS1 possessed_VVD ._. 
In_II a_AT1 few_DA2 short_JJ weeks_NNT2 she_PPHS1 would_VM be_VBI four_MC and_CC twenty_MC ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 could_VM officially_RR cease_VVI her_APPGE attempts_NN2 at_II the_AT marriage_NN1 mart_NN1 and_CC live_VV0 her_APPGE life_NN1 in_II freedom_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE will_NN1 had_VHD expressly_RR stated_VVN she_PPHS1 would_VM not_XX receive_VVI her_APPGE inheritance_NN1 until_CS her_APPGE twenty-fourth_MD birthday_NN1 ,_, assuming_VVG she_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX marry_VVI before_II then_RT ._. 
Her_APPGE mother_NN1 would_VM now_RT have_VHI no_AT choice_NN1 but_CCB accept_VV0 Penelope_NP1 's_GE spinsterhood_NN1 and_CC relinquish_VV0 her_APPGE funds_NN2 ,_, funds_NN2 that_CST would_VM be_VBI totally_RR under_II Penelope_NP1 's_GE control_NN1 ._. 
No_AT husband_NN1 ._. 
No_AT shackles_NN2 ._. 
No_AT obligations_NN2 ._. 
Perfect_JJ ._. 
"_" Are_VBR you_PPY in_II here_RL ?_? "_" 
Robert_NP1 's_GE mother_NN1 walked_VVD into_II his_APPGE study_NN1 ,_, the_AT tone_NN1 in_II her_APPGE voice_NN1 alerting_VVG him_PPHO1 a_AT1 lecture_NN1 was_VBDZ at_II hand_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, dipping_VVG his_APPGE pen_NN1 into_II the_AT inkwell_NN1 ._. 
Maybe_RR if_CS she_PPHS1 saw_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ busy_JJ ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VM hurry_VVI on_II her_APPGE way_NN1 ._. 
The_AT black_JJ satin_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE skirts_NN2 swished_VVD against_II her_APPGE legs_NN2 as_CSA she_PPHS1 crossed_VVD the_AT room_NN1 to_TO sit_VVI near_II the_AT fireplace_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 think_VV0 you_PPY need_VV0 to_TO seriously_RR consider_VVI finding_VVG a_AT1 bride_NN1 ._. "_" 
Damn_UH ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ not_XX a_AT1 discussion_NN1 from_II which_DDQ she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ likely_JJ to_TO hurry_VVI ._. 
"_" You_PPY 've_VH0 been_VBN saying_VVG that_CST for_IF years_NNT2 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 teased_VVD ,_, in_II an_AT1 attempt_NN1 to_TO lighten_VVI her_APPGE mood_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 lowered_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 and_CC Robert_NP1 could_VM feel_VVI her_APPGE sorrow_NN1 even_RR across_II the_AT room_NN1 ._. 
"_" But_CCB circumstances_NN2 have_VH0 changed_VVN and_CC it_PPH1 's_VBZ even_RR more_RGR important_JJ for_IF you_PPY to_TO produce_VVI an_AT1 heir_NN1 ._. 
The_AT next_MD in_II line_NN1 for_IF the_AT title_NN1 is_VBZ your_APPGE third_MD cousin_NN1 ,_, Sigmund_NP1 ._. "_" 
Robert_NP1 snorted_VVD ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 's_VBZ an_AT1 idiot_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Precisely_RR my_APPGE point_NN1 ,_, though_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX very_RG proper_JJ of_IO you_PPY to_TO say_VVI so_RR ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 lifted_VVD her_APPGE gaze_NN1 ,_, the_AT glint_NN1 in_II her_APPGE eyes_NN2 softening_VVG her_APPGE rebuke_NN1 ._. 
"_" So_RR ,_, in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO save_VVI us_PPIO2 all_DB from_II the_AT less_DAR than_CSN capable_JJ control_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 side_NN1 of_IO the_AT family_NN1 ,_, you_PPY need_VV0 produce_VV0 an_AT1 heir_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" But_CCB I_PPIS1 'm_VBM still_RR young_JJ ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 hesitated_VVD before_II saying_VVG ,_, "_" So_RR was_VBDZ Micajah_NP1 ._. "_" 
Every_AT1 time_NNT1 his_APPGE mother_NN1 mentioned_VVD Cage_NN1 ,_, the_AT pain_NN1 in_II her_APPGE voice_NN1 twisted_VVD Robert_NP1 's_GE gut_NN1 ._. 
His_PPGE once_RR beautiful_JJ and_CC vivacious_JJ mother_NN1 smiled_VVD infrequently_RR now_RT ,_, her_APPGE demeanor_NN1 as_RG stark_JJ as_CSA her_APPGE clothing_NN1 ._. 
Even_CS21 though_CS22 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD worn_VVN black_JJ since_CS his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE death_NN1 more_RRR than_CSN a_AT1 decade_NNT1 past_RL ,_, she_PPHS1 no_RR21 longer_RR22 adorned_VVD herself_PPX1 with_IW the_AT jewels_NN2 she_PPHS1 used_VMK to_TO love_VVI ._. 
She_PPHS1 no_RR21 longer_RR22 laughed_VVD or_CC danced_VVD or_CC sang_VVD ._. 
Cage_NN1 's_GE death_NN1 stole_VVD part_NN1 of_IO her_PPHO1 and_CC each_DD1 day_NNT1 she_PPHS1 died_VVD a_RR21 little_RR22 more_RRR ._. 
A_AT1 sick_JJ knot_NN1 tightened_VVN below_II his_APPGE ribcage_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD heard_VVN stories_NN2 of_IO people_NN grieving_VVG themselves_PPX2 to_II death_NN1 ,_, and_CC though_CS he_PPHS1 doubted_VVD she_PPHS1 'd_VM take_VVI it_PPH1 to_II that_DD1 extreme_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 could_VM no_RR21 longer_RR22 avoid_VVI the_AT inevitable_JJ ._. 
As_II an_AT1 earl_NN1 ,_, even_RR newly_RR so_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 had_VHD obligations_NN2 to_II many_DA2 ,_, and_CC one_MC1 of_IO those_DD2 obligations_NN2 was_VBDZ to_TO produce_VVI an_AT1 heir_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 supposed_VVD it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI in_II poor_JJ form_NN1 for_IF him_PPHO1 to_TO do_VDI so_RR without_IW securing_VVG a_AT1 bride_NN1 first_MD ._. 
With_IW a_AT1 heavy_JJ sigh_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 stood_VVD and_CC crossed_VVD the_AT room_NN1 to_TO sit_VVI with_IW her_PPHO1 ._. 
If_CS Cage_NN1 were_VBDR alive_JJ ,_, then_RT he_PPHS1 would_VM be_VBI the_AT earl_NN1 and_CC Robert_NP1 would_VM still_RR be_VBI free_JJ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM find_VVI a_AT1 wife_NN1 before_II the_AT season_NNT1 ends_NN2 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 told_VVD his_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, taking_VVG her_APPGE hand_NN1 in_II his_PPGE ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ no_AT sense_NN1 in_II wishing_VVG away_RL the_AT responsibilities_NN2 that_CST had_VHD thundered_VVN down_RP on_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
Wishing_VVG would_VM n't_XX bring_VVI Cage_NN1 back_RP nor_CC would_VM it_PPH1 ease_VVI his_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE pain_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 looked_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 ,_, a_AT1 tiny_JJ bit_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE spark_NN1 returning_VVG ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 you_PPY swear_VVI it_PPH1 to_II me_PPIO1 ,_, Robert_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM give_VVI you_PPY a_AT1 grandchild_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, with_IW a_AT1 reassuring_JJ pat_NN1 to_II her_APPGE hand_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY have_VH0 my_APPGE word_NN1 ._. "_" 
Making_VVG good_JJ on_II his_APPGE promise_NN1 to_II his_APPGE mother_NN1 required_VVN a_AT1 change_NN1 in_II behavior_NN1 ,_, starting_VVG at_II the_AT ball_NN1 given_VVN by_II Lady_NNB Winston_NP1 that_DD1 very_JJ evening_NNT1 ._. 
Up_II21 to_II22 now_RT ,_, the_AT new_JJ duties_NN2 of_IO the_AT Earl_NN1 of_IO Bellbrook_NP1 had_VHD kept_VVN Robert_NP1 too_RG busy_JJ to_TO attend_VVI most_DAT of_IO the_AT social_JJ functions_NN2 of_IO the_AT season_NNT1 ._. 
But_CCB potential_JJ wives_NN2 did_VDD n't_XX stroll_VVI up_II21 to_II22 a_AT1 gentlemen_NN2 's_GE door_NN1 ._. 
So_RR with_IW the_AT reluctant_JJ determination_NN1 of_IO the_AT damned_JJ ,_, Robert_NP1 donned_VVD his_APPGE finest_JJT evening_NNT1 clothes_NN2 in_II preparation_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE plunge_NN1 into_II the_AT marriage_NN1 mart_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 felt_VVD like_II a_AT1 pig_NN1 going_VVGK to_TO slaughter_VVI ._. 
"_" Good_JJ evening_NNT1 ,_, Lord_NNB Bellbrook_NP1 ,_, "_" Lady_NNB Winston_NP1 gushed_VVD ,_, offering_VVG her_APPGE gloved_JJ hand_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 quick_JJ buss_NN1 across_II her_APPGE knuckles_NN2 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 have_VH0 n't_XX seen_VVN enough_DD of_IO you_PPY this_DD1 season_NNT1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 thought_VVD it_PPH1 only_RR fair_JJ to_TO give_VVI the_AT other_JJ gentlemen_NN2 a_AT1 chance_NN1 to_TO find_VVI a_AT1 bride_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 ended_VVD his_APPGE teasing_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 wink_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ had_VHD the_AT lady_NN1 smiling_VVG ,_, as_CSA he_PPHS1 'd_VHD intended_VVN ._. 
Lady_NNB Winston_NP1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 pleasant_JJ woman_NN1 ,_, plump_JJ and_CC jovial_JJ ,_, her_APPGE company_NN1 always_RR affable_JJ ._. 
Left_VVN with_IW substantial_JJ wealth_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VHD chosen_VVN to_TO remain_VVI unmarried_JJ after_II her_APPGE husband_NN1 's_GE death_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 and_CC his_APPGE mother_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN intimate_JJ friends_NN2 for_IF as_CS31 long_CS32 as_CS33 Robert_NP1 could_VM remember_VVI ._. 
"_" How_RRQ is_VBZ your_APPGE mother_NN1 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ,_, her_APPGE tone_NN1 suddenly_RR serious_JJ ._. 
"_" She_PPHS1 's_VBZ well_JJ ,_, though_CS still_RR grieving_JJ ._. "_" 
With_IW a_AT1 shake_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE gray_JJ head_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE eyes_NN2 saddened_VVN ._. 
"_" Would_VM she_PPHS1 want_VVI the_AT company_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 old_JJ friend_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 can_VM think_VVI of_IO one_MC1 old_JJ friend_NN1 she_PPHS1 would_VM probably_RR enjoy_VVI immensely_RR ._. "_" 
And_CC she_PPHS1 would_VM ._. 
His_APPGE mother_NN1 had_VHD always_RR taken_VVN pleasure_NN1 in_II Alberta_NP1 Winston_NP1 's_GE company_NN1 ,_, as_CSA had_VHD Cage_NN1 and_CC Robert_NP1 ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 when_CS she_PPHS1 visited_VVD without_IW her_APPGE daughter_NN1 ,_, Penelope_NP1 ._. 
That_DD1 chit_NN1 had_VHD always_RR been_VBN a_AT1 pain_NN1 in_II the_AT arse_NN1 ._. 
"_" Have_VH0 you_PPY spoken_VVN to_II Penelope_NP1 yet_RR this_DD1 evening_NNT1 ?_? "_" 
Lady_NNB Winston_NP1 asked_VVD ,_, apparently_RR reading_VVG his_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 hoped_VVD she_PPHS1 'd_VHD skipped_VVN over_II the_AT reference_NN1 to_II his_APPGE arse_NN1 ._. 
"_" No_UH ._. 
Is_VBZ she_PPHS1 here_RL ?_? "_" 
He_PPHS1 tried_VVD to_TO sound_VVI as_CS21 though_CS22 he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO see_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. 
It_PPH1 seemed_VVD the_AT only_JJ polite_JJ reaction_NN1 under_II the_AT circumstances_NN2 ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, gesturing_VVG across_II the_AT ballroom_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM sure_JJ she_PPHS1 'll_VM save_VVI a_AT1 dance_NN1 for_IF you_PPY if_CS you_PPY hurry_VV0 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 doubted_VVD the_AT need_NN1 to_TO hurry_VVI ._. 
Lady_NNB Winston_NP1 had_VHD dragged_VVN her_APPGE daughter_NN1 to_II many_DA2 balls_NN2 the_AT last_MD few_DA2 years_NNT2 with_IW hopes_NN2 of_IO finding_VVG a_AT1 suitable_JJ husband_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB Penelope_NP1 had_VHD always_RR managed_VVN to_TO end_VVI up_RP with_IW the_AT wallflowers_NN2 ,_, overlooked_VVN by_II most_DAT ,_, and_CC evidently_RR tonight_RT was_VBDZ no_AT exception_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 spotted_VVD her_PPHO1 sitting_VVG in_II the_AT corner_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 rather_RG disheveled_JJ gentleman_NN1 reaching_VVG for_IF her_APPGE hand_NN1 to_TO escort_VVI her_PPHO1 to_II the_AT dance_NN1 floor_NN1 ._. 
Good_JJ ._. 
Penelope_NP1 's_GE distraction_NN1 gave_VVD Robert_NP1 the_AT opportunity_NN1 to_TO slip_VVI away_II21 from_II22 Lady_NNB Winston_NP1 without_IW going_VVG directly_RR to_II her_APPGE daughter_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VM speak_VVI to_II her_PPHO1 sometime_RT during_II the_AT evening_NNT1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 always_RR did_VDD ._. 
But_CCB dance_VV0 with_IW her_PPHO1 ?_? 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD made_VVN that_CST mistake_VV0 a_AT1 few_DA2 years_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, and_CC his_APPGE feet_NN2 had_VHD barely_RR withstood_VVN the_AT assault_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR now_RT ,_, the_AT monstrosity_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 gown_NN1 she_PPHS1 wore_VVD did_VDD little_DA1 to_TO hide_VVI the_AT movement_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE feet_NN2 as_CSA she_PPHS1 trounced_VVD her_APPGE partner_NN1 's_GE toes_NN2 repeatedly_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 bit_VVD back_RP a_AT1 smile_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 watched_VVD the_AT poor_JJ man_NN1 finally_RR concede_VV0 defeat_NN1 and_CC escort_VV0 Penelope_NP1 back_NN1 to_II her_APPGE seat_NN1 ,_, hobbling_VVG ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, as_CSA he_PPHS1 scurried_VVD away_RL ._. 
Did_VDD she_PPHS1 grin_VVI ?_? 
His_APPGE attention_NN1 was_VBDZ suddenly_RR captured_VVN by_II a_AT1 beauty_NN1 entering_VVG the_AT ballroom_NN1 ._. 
"_" Miss_NNB Constance_NP1 Monroe_NP1 ,_, "_" the_AT servant_NN1 announced_VVN and_CC Penelope_NP1 Winston_NP1 's_GE grin_NN1 no_RR21 longer_RR22 mattered_VVN ._. 
"_" Well_RR ,_, well_RR ,_, "_" Robert_NP1 muttered_VVD ._. 
This_DD1 delightful_JJ debutante_NN1 was_VBDZ much_DA1 more_DAR to_II his_APPGE liking_NN1 ._. 
Penelope_NP1 shoved_VVD her_APPGE glasses_NN2 up_II the_AT bridge_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE nose_NN1 ,_, making_VVG sure_JJ to_TO grimace_VVI as_CSA she_PPHS1 did_VDD so_RR ._. 
Her_APPGE grimace_NN1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO her_APPGE best_JJT expressions_NN2 ._. 
The_AT scrunching_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE nose_NN1 and_CC squinting_VVG of_IO her_APPGE eyes_NN2 made_VVD her_PPHO1 resemble_VV0 a_AT1 rodent_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT result_NN1 was_VBDZ gruesome_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 held_VVD the_AT grimace_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 few_DA2 seconds_NNT2 longer_JJR as_CSA she_PPHS1 scanned_VVD the_AT ballroom_NN1 ,_, giving_VVG anyone_PN1 looking_VVG at_II her_PPHO1 a_AT1 chance_NN1 to_TO see_VVI her_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 should_VM be_VBI sufficient_JJ enough_RR to_TO keep_VVI away_RL any_DD other_JJ man_NN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ contemplating_VVG requesting_VVG a_AT1 dance_NN1 ._. 
The_AT room_NN1 was_VBDZ crowded_VVN with_IW the_AT glitz_NN1 and_CC glimmer_NN1 of_IO the_AT ton_NNU1 ._. 
Beautiful_JJ women_NN2 with_IW beautiful_JJ men_NN2 ,_, all_DB pretending_VVG interest_NN1 and_CC winding_VVG their_APPGE way_NN1 through_II social_JJ interactions_NN2 that_CST bored_VVD Penelope_NP1 to_II tears_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 allowed_VVD her_APPGE mind_NN1 to_TO drift_VVI to_II far-off_JJ lands_NN2 and_CC exotic_JJ peoples_NN2 ._. 
Any_DD place_NN1 away_II21 from_II22 London_NP1 and_CC the_AT ton_NNU1 ._. 
Her_APPGE heart_NN1 quickened_VVN at_II the_AT thought_NN1 of_IO traveling_VVG the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
Soon_RR her_APPGE mother_NN1 would_VM allow_VVI her_APPGE access_NN1 to_II her_APPGE wealth_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI the_AT freedom_NN1 to_TO go_VVI to_II the_AT fascinating_JJ lands_NN2 she_PPHS1 'd_VM read_VVI and_CC dreamed_VVN about_II for_IF so_RG many_DA2 years_NNT2 ._. 
Soon_RR she_PPHS1 would_VM never_RR have_VHI to_TO worry_VVI that_CST a_AT1 man_NN1 could_VM prevent_VVI her_PPHO1 from_II experiencing_VVG the_AT adventures_NN2 and_CC excitements_NN2 life_NN1 had_VHD to_TO offer_VVI ._. 
She_PPHS1 'd_VM be_VBI a_AT1 woman_NN1 of_IO the_AT world_NN1 ,_, just_RR like_II her_APPGE Aunt_NNB Sophie_NP1 ._. 
A_AT1 soft_JJ laugh_NN1 from_II the_AT woman_NN1 spinning_VVG past_RL brought_VVD her_APPGE mind_NN1 back_RP from_II Egypt_NP1 and_CC to_II the_AT couple_NN1 dancing_VVG in_II31 front_II32 of_II33 her_PPHO1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 had_VHD his_APPGE back_NN1 to_II her_PPHO1 ,_, but_CCB his_APPGE broad_JJ shoulders_NN2 hid_VVD the_AT woman_NN1 in_II his_APPGE arms_NN2 ._. 
Tall_JJ ,_, strong_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 certainly_RR stood_VVD out_RP among_II the_AT other_JJ men_NN2 in_II attendance_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 dwarfed_VVD them_PPHO2 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 turned_VVD ,_, allowing_VVG Penelope_NP1 to_TO see_VVI his_APPGE partner_NN1 and_CC more_RGR importantly_RR ,_, to_TO see_VVI his_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
Good_JJ heavens_NN2 ,_, Robert_NP1 Melbourne_NP1 and_CC Constance_NP1 Monroe_NP1 ._. 
If_CS ever_RR a_AT1 couple_NN1 deserved_VVD one_PPX121 another_PPX122 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ those_DD2 two_MC --_NN1 the_AT addlebrained_JJ debutante_NN1 and_CC the_AT rakish_JJ earl_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ a_AT1 pair_NN ._. 
