i didnt mean to fall in

Cressida was just in midst of a comment about how she just couldn’t fathom how two such robust young ladies were still unclaimed by any of the eligible gentlemen in the town, when Eloise, ignoring the part of the attack that was aimed at her, replied, “Actually, Miss Featherington is engaged. To my third eldest brother, Colin.”If Penelope hadn’t had her arm linked with Eloise’s, she would’ve reeled back in surprise at her words. As it was, Eloise held her firmly in place, not allowing Penelope to undermine the statement she’d just made, despite its abject absurdity.--Eloise starts a rumor that Penelope and Colin are engaged, thinking they can clean up the mess before Colin's return the following year, without knowing that Colin is already on the way home.