"That, my d…” He felt something suspiciously like a stammer coming on, and so he took a deep breath to steady his tongue. He'd become a master at this kind of control. All she would see was a man who looked as if he were trying to keep his temper in check. And considering the direction of their conversation, that image could not seem terribly far-fetched.
"My dear Miss Bridgerton," Simon said, starting anew in a more even and controlled tone, "I find that difficult to believe."
She shrugged again, and he had the most irritating sensation that she was enjoying his distress.
"Believe what you will," she said blithely, "but it was in the paper today."
"What?'
"In Whistledown," she replied, as if that explained anything.
"Whistle-which?"
Daphne stared at him blankly for a moment until s
