Too Wicked to Love by Debra Mullins Read Free Book Online Page A

fairies, has found Frederick and wants him for herself. She is quite envious of Bella and will stop at nothing to prevent him from marrying her.”
    “So that means Genny plays Malevita,” Annabelle said. “Since she’s the only girl left.”
    “Yes, that is also correct.” Sir Harry gave Genny an anxious look. “Does that meet with your approval, Miss Wallington-Willis?”
    Stunned, she could not speak for a moment. A childlike protest rose inside her, but she held it back. She would have to play a jealous, evil wretch to Annabelle’s sweet heroine? And with John Ready as her love interest? “Me?” she finally squeaked.
    “I wrote the role especially for you,” Sir Harry continued. “Malevita hates her sister Bella and is determined to win Fredrick for herself so they can take over Fairyland together.”
    “She sounds awful,” Genny said.
    “There is no play without Malevita. I think you will be most compelling.”
    “Come now, Genny. You know you are perfect for the part,” Annabelle said.
    “What does that mean?” Genny asked. “Are you saying I would not make a convincing Bella?”
    Dolly laughed. “That would mean Annabelle would play Malevita, and that would just not work, would it?”
    “I agree,” Genny’s mother said. “Annabelle has the look of a romantic heroine. You are such a strong personality, Genny, that I believe Sir Harry has the right of it. You will make an excellent Malevita.”
    She was certain they didn’t realize the blow they had just dealt her. Was this how everyone saw her? When they said “strong personality,” did they really mean “difficult”? Or, heaven help her, “stiff-rumped”?
    Dear God, had that odious man been right?
    Since there was no escaping the production, she would have to accept the role they had assigned her. She was nothing like the character of Malevita, but perhaps if she performed poorly enough—for clearly she was incapable of playing anyone truly evil—they would all realize their mistake in casting her as the villain.
    “I tire so easily these days that we can’t start tonight,” Dolly declared. “We should begin tomorrow afternoon. If we can all learn our lines, maybe we can perform the play at the picnic next week to celebrate Samuel and Cilla returning from their honeymoon. Won’t that be a wonderful surprise?”
    “Perform? In front of an audience?” Annabelle clapped her hands to her cheeks with a little squeal.
    “Of course! It will be marvelous,” Dolly said.
    “A splendid idea, Dolly,” Genny’s mother said. “Sir Harry, thank you so much for writing the play.”
    “My pleasure,” Sir Harry said. He fixed Genny with a look that gave her the strange impression his bright hazel eyes saw everything, whether she wanted him to or not. “Thank you for agreeing to play the villainess, Miss Wallington-Willis. I am sure you will not find the part difficult.”
    She forced a smile. “I am certain you are right.”
    At this hour of the evening, the stables were nearly deserted. John lingered at the stall where the mare, Melody, was stabled. He stroked his hand along her neck as Sam Webb, the head groom, checked the poultice on her leg again.
    “How is it looking?’ John asked.
    “Smells like something died.” The older man rose from his crouch, patting the mare’s flank. “But in my experience, those are usually the best ones. What the devil is in that stuff?”
    John shook his head, grinning as the mare nudged his shoulder with her nose, no doubt looking for the chunks of carrot he had been known to carry with him. “Old family recipe. If I tell anyone about it, I will be disowned.”
    Sam rubbed his chin, peering at John in the dim light. “Any chance your pa could adopt me?”
    John laughed. “Sorry, no.”
    “That’s a shame.” The short, stocky groom stretched, then exited the stall, latching it behind him. “It’s getting late. I’m going to the kitchen to see if I can flatter the cook into feeding