Don't Look Back by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online Page A

forced to accept the fait accompli. And Society would have yet another tidbit of gossip to savor over tea.
    If he had an ounce of common sense he would keep silent, Anthony thought. Instead, he cleared his throat.
    "Uh, why precisely do you say it would be impossible to make a runaway marriage with one of those gentlemen?" he asked carefully.
    "Because I am not in love with any of them, of course." She glanced at the tiny watch pinned to the front of her pelisse. "Come along, Anthony, we must hurry. We do not want to get caught in the rain. Aunt Lavinia will have an attack of the vapors if I ruin this new gown."
    She was not in love with any of them.
    It did not follow, he reminded himself, that she loved him, but at least she had not developed a tendre for anyone else.
    His spirits revived miraculously. He grinned. "Calm yourself, Emeline. Any lady who can take Tobias on as a business partner is hardly likely to faint dead away at the notion of a ruined gown."
    Emeline laughed. "You do not know how much stock Aunt Lavinia places in Madam Francesca's gowns. She considers them investments."
    Unfortunately, he knew precisely why Lavinia was investing heavily in gowns from the exclusive dressmaker these days, he thought. She still entertained visions of marrying Emeline off into the ton.
    Halfway along Claremont Lane, he saw Tobias and Lavinia going up the front steps of Number 7.
    "It looks as though we are not the only ones who are late arriving home today," Emeline said cheerfully. "Lavinia and Mr. March must have gone out for some exercise."
    Anthony studied Tobias lounging against the iron railing while he waited for Lavinia to retrieve her key from her reticule. Even from this distance he could detect his brother-in-law's air of deep satisfaction. Tobias looked very much like a large beast relaxing after a successful hunt.
    "A rather lively bit of exercise, if I am not mistaken," Anthony muttered.
    "I beg your pardon?" She gave him a curious look.
    Fortunately he did not have to come up with an explanation for the remark. At that moment Tobias turned his head and saw them coming toward the steps.
    "Good afternoon, Miss Emeline." Tobias nodded at her. "How was the lecture?"
    "Not as learned as one might have hoped, but Anthony and I had a pleasant day nonetheless," Emeline said easily.
    Mrs. Chilton got the door open just as Lavinia found her key.
    "Would you care to come in for some tea?" Lavinia asked Anthony.
    "Thank you, no." He looked pointedly at Tobias. "I wish to speak with you, if you don't mind."
    Tobias elevated one brow and straightened away from the iron railing. "Can it wait?"
    "I'm afraid not. It is a matter of some importance."
    "Very well. We can discuss it on the way to my club." Tobias turned to Lavinia. "I will bid you good day, madam."
    "Good day, sir."
    Anthony was somewhat surprised by the uncharacteristically soft nature of her farewell, but Tobias did not appear to find it odd.
    They waited until the ladies were safely inside their own front hall before heading toward the corner to find a hackney.
    They managed to hail a carriage without difficulty and got into the cab.
    Tobias settled onto one of the seats and gave Anthony a considering look.
    "Is there something amiss? You look as if you have swallowed a spoonful of unpleasant medicine."
    This was the second time in the past hour that someone had assumed him to be ill from his expression, he realized. It was annoying.
    "I am in need of a fortune," he announced.
    "Aren't we all?" Tobias stretched out his left leg. "If you find one, let me know. I will be delighted to share it with you."
    "I am serious. I wish to acquire a sum of money that will enable me to support a wife in a proper style."
    "Bloody hell." Tobias met his eyes. "You're in love with Miss Emeline, aren't you?"
    "Yes."
    "Damnation, I was afraid of this. Have you declared your affections to her?"
    "Of course not. I am in no position to do so, because I cannot ask her to marry