Color me gobsmacked

There are some compliments that stick with you forever. This is one of those. I swear, Limeys have such a way with words. I was in a mood this morning after having not slept well and feeling frustrated. (Rien de dormier cette nuit, Je veux de toi) I had to attend a conference first thing and I was less than enthused about it. I get there with a colleague and he immediately strikes up a dialogue with a friend. I notice a pretty attractive guy standing next to us not speaking. Finally when he does, he may as well have been from a Bronte or Austen novel. Imagine this said to my colleague in a smooth British accent:

"I wanted to speak to you but could not. I was rendered literally dumbstruck by that beautiful brunette next to you. I wanted to speak but could not; all I could do was stare."

At that point, I was rendered literally dumbstruck.