On a Long Ago Night by Susan Sizemore Read Free Book Online

present.
    "Am I to understand that your sudden fondness for
    Derrick Russell has something to do with your desire for
    grandchildren, sir?"
    "Yes, my dear, it does. It has even more to do with
    wanting you to be happy. If Derrick Russell is what you
    need, well, then, I'll welcome him with open arms."
    Honoria rose. "But I will not."
    "There's no need to be stubborn about it, child." Her
    father got to his feet as well. "If it were up to me, I'd have
    the man tossed out on his ear if he dared to approach my
    door, but for your sake I'll welcome him to my home."
    "Toss away, sir. I'm all for it."
    He frowned mightily, and went on. "I'm going to
    invite Russell to the dinner we're hosting on Friday. You
    may pretend you don't want him for the sake of your
    pride, but once you see him again, you'll rush into his
    arms and all will be well."
    Despite everything, Honoria couldn't suppress an
    ironic smile. "Or you'll know the reason why?"
    He smiled back. "Exactly."
    Derrick. At her dinner table. She glanced around the
    packed library shelves. Surely there were some books on
    poisoning somewhere in the room. It was a pleasant
    thought. Perhaps she'd find out where the kitchen was
    located, after all.
    She put aside this fantasy and spoke to her father. "I
    have an apology to write to Viscount Brislay and Mr.
    Marbury, sir. So, if you will excuse me—"
    "Marbury!" Her father's annoyance returned. "That's
    what I called you here to discuss. I demand you
    apologize, Honoria!"
    "Yes, Father," she responded. She didn't remind him
    that she had already mentioned apologizing. "You are
    absolutely right. I behaved abominably. Completely
    uncalled for."
    "You'll apologize in person to Mr. Marbury."
    "But—"
    "He's a fine young man. In fact, if Derrick Russell
    wasn't back in the picture, I could see you making a
    match with my old friend's newfound son."
    "But—"
    "In person, Honoria. In public. At dinner this
    Friday."
    "But—"
    "You humiliated the lad in public; making it up the
    same way is only fair."
    Honoria gulped, and accepted her medicine. "Fine.
    Of course. As you wish, Father." She told herself it didn't
    matter as she walked to the library door. Surely dealing
    with Marbury was a minor irritation compared with
    facing Derrick Russell after all these years. Never mind
    that James Marbury strongly resembled the unlaid ghost
    of Diego Moresco. Confronting Derrick would certainly
    be easier than meeting Diego Moresco in the flesh once
    again.
    Fortunately, that wasn't likely to happen in this life.
    " I'll see you in hell, sweetheart," he'd said, just before
    he'd drawn her into one last rough and desperate kiss .
    "So you will," she murmured now, and touched her
    aching lips. "But in what circle, I wonder?"

Chapter 4

    A few hours of deep, dreamless sleep helped. The strong,
    sweet coffee his servant Malik brought him as soon as he
    woke helped even more. A hot bath, a shave, and fresh
    clothes all proved refreshing. James was almost ready to
    face another round of life as a peer of the realm when he
    came downstairs to join his father in the dining room. The
    meal laid out on the sideboard for them was dinner, not
    breakfast, but James didn't mind that he'd slept all day.
    He doubted he'd missed anything more important than a
    visit to his tailor, or a boxing match or fencing match at
    his sporting club. While he knew such functions were
    necessary for appearance's sake, the whole process of
    being part of respectable society was deadly dull. He
    could remember too well when he'd possessed no more
    than the clothes on his back, and when that back and all
    the rest of him had been owned by another man. He
    hadn't used a sword or his fists as a form of exercise,
    either, but to defend his life.
    But he'd fought his way up in the world, making
    something of himself, using his brains and cunning as
    much as his fighting skills.
    "You look as if your thoughts are a million miles
    away, James."
    His father's voice brought James's