A Fool Again by Eloisa James Read Free Book Online

to be seduced in a corner. She was a lady, hair tamed into a dignified coil at her neck, gown in place as if it had never slipped below its moorings.
    â€œMr. Darby,” she said dryly, “I should like to go home, please.”
    â€œGenevieve, you must listen to me.” The savage note in his own voice surprised him.
    But she put a hand on his arm and smiled, for all the world as if he’d committed some small social solecism such as arriving late to an appointment. “I’ve given this some thought. I am embarrassed by what just happened.”
    â€œBut I wish to marry—,” Tobias said.
    She cut him off. “I expect you do wish to marry me. I have no doubt but that you returned here precisely in the hope of assuaging your guilt over what happened seven years ago, and I honor you for that thought. I seem to be remarkably susceptible to your—your brand of foolery,” she said, and for a second a look of panic crossed her face. And then it was replaced by calm confidence. “I think it must be due to our early history. I did agree to marry you once, after all!” She laughed, but there was little humor in it, to Tobias’s mind.
    He opened his mouth, but she fluttered her hand to stop him from talking. “I just wish to say this, Mr. Darby, and then I believe we should neglect the subject in the future. I honor your intention to marry me, if not the methods by which you hope to attain your goals. Still, those methods were successful last time, so in all fairness, I have to admit that you were perfectly correct in trying them. But I, Mr. Darby, am not interested in marrying you.”
    Tobias looked down at her and thought about just how fast he could kiss her out of all this nonsense.
    â€œI wish to marry Mr. Felton, you see,” she said to him, giving him a dimpled smile. “I may have been overcome by nostalgia on seeing you, but, in fact, I am quite ridiculously drawn to Mr. Felton, and I think we shall make a very happy marriage.”
    Now Tobias didn’t feel like grinning anymore. “He looks like a shady customer to me,” he barked. “There are rumors about his business dealings in the City.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “He was my husband’s business partner, and if there was one thing that Erasmus understood, it was business.” She didn’t see any reason to add the fact that Erasmus reveled in shady dealings.
    â€œYou cannot marry such a man.”
    â€œI beg to differ,” Genevieve said with hauteur. “Now, if you would be so kind as to return me to my own house, I would be most grateful. And I shall be certain to keep my eye out for a young lady to refurbish your house.”
    Tobias pushed himself upright. He could play this game as well as anyone, and it was clear that his little love had made up her mind to be obstinate for the time being.
    â€œMay I escort you to the theater tomorrow night?” he asked.
    â€œI am very sorry to say that I have to plead a previous engagement.” Any fool could tell from her smile that she was outrageously pleased to have that excuse.
    â€œWhat is it?” he growled.
    â€œI fail to see why that—”
    He put an arm in front of her as she went through the door. “Genevieve?” His voice was just this side of control.
    She swung her little nose in the air. “I am attending Lady Rickleshaw’s musicale. I’m very much afraid to tell you, Mr. Darby, that it will be a quite exclusive gathering.”
    Tobias didn’t waste any breath with arguing. He could tell, within five minutes of making a public appearance the night before, that London matrons were exquisitely happy with the arrival of a single gentleman of excellent fortune. He didn’t anticipate being turned down at any event.
    â€œThe next night?” he asked.
    â€œI am engaged,” she said airily, climbing into his carriage.
    â€œThe next?” he