A Fool Again by Eloisa James Read Free Book Online Page B

elegant lounger. “I shall grant you an afternoon,” she said.
    He nodded.
    â€œWhat shall we do?” she asked, looking adorably interested. “Shall we drive in Hyde Park?”
    Tobias was sure of one thing. “Absolutely not,” he said brusquely. “I took my sister-in-law around the promenade this afternoon”—they’d been looking for Genevieve, although there was no need to mention that—“and a more tedious encounter I have never experienced. Nothing but limp hand wavings at the pace of a snail. I thought the horses might die of boredom before we made the whole circuit.”
    Genevieve giggled. She was aware, deep down in her soul, that she too had been rather disappointed by the ritual-istic drive in Hyde Park. It wasn’t nearly as interesting as it appeared in the gossip pages. “What shall we do, then?” she inquired.
    â€œWait and see,” he said.

Chapter 5
Genteel Behavior Is Not Always Called For
    â€œW ell, I think it’s so romantic!” Lady Carola Perwinkle cried.
    Genevieve’s friend was an enchanting little madam, with her cap of fairy curls and just the smallest evidence of an interesting condition. Genevieve couldn’t help smiling at her. “It’s not romantic, you silly thing,” she said. “What’s romantic about Tobias wishing to make amends? His behavior toward me in the past was utterly unscrupulous.”
    Carola was shaking her head. “You can’t mean to say that you don’t find it utterly quixotic that Tobias Darby came all the way back from India, just to ask you to marry him! He’s waited for you all these years, and now finally you’re free,” she sighed. “My husband would have just found a trout stream and drowned his sorrows.”
    â€œTobias may have returned to England, but it was only to find that I’ve fallen in love with someone else,” Genevieve pointed out. “Truly, Carola, you make everything sound like a novel.”
    â€œI love novels! If this were a novel, Felton and Darby would duel to the death.”
    But the very thought made Genevieve feel slightly ill. “Luckily, Felton at least is a gentleman and quite restrained in his behavior.”
    â€œWell, Tobias Darby doesn’t look restrained,” Carola argued. “I think he’s precisely the kind of man who would be a hero in one of Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels.”
    â€œTobias as hero? Never! He’s nothing more than the wild boy he always was. He merely hopes to clear his conscience by marrying me.”
    â€œA boy? Are you blind? ” Carola asked, incredulous. “My friend Neville has been desperately in love with you for weeks, even though you likely didn’t notice. He almost wept last night when Darby strode into your box. We all saw the way he looked at you. The net result was that Neville tore up the dreadful poem he was composing for you.”
    â€œI didn’t know that you and Mr. Charlton were friends,” Genevieve said. “How long have you been friends and what does your husband think—”
    â€œDon’t try to distract me!” Carola scolded. “Which one are you going to take, Genevieve? Felton or Darby? I know who I would marry!”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œDarby, no question about it. Felton is all very well. He has a sinister kind of attractiveness and of course he’s quite handsome. But the way Tobias Darby looked at you last night...a woman would be a fool to give that up.”
    â€œFelton looks at me with a great deal of appreciation,” Genevieve said, nettled. “And he did kiss me in front of the entire ton. I suppose you saw that as well?”
    â€œYes, but was that kiss due to your attractiveness or his jealousy?” Carola asked.
    Genevieve had considered that very question half the night. “Jealousy simply indicates the depth of Felton’s feelings for me, don’t you