A Fool Again by Eloisa James Page B

me.”
    â€œI bought a filly today,” Tobias said, watching him. “Prudence, by way of Prunella and Waxy.”
    Felton looked up again, and there was a good deal more interest in his eyes. “Good choice,” he said. “I was looking at that filly myself: hadn’t quite made up my mind.”
    Tobias felt a pulse of rage that the man showed a spark of interest only when it came to horseflesh, not Genevieve, but he quelled the thought. “I have had an interesting few days on that front. I also acquired a beautiful little Hungarian filly, Nyar, by way of Dr. Syntax and Csillog.”
    â€œNyar has some English blood in her,” Felton said with commendable indifference, to Tobias’s mind. Given that the man was beginning to see the light.
    â€œMinuet as well,” Tobias said softly.
    â€œThe Euston Stud would never sell Minuet!” Lucius snapped. “She won the Oak Stakes last year.”
    â€œYes, I do believe that Grafton would rather have kept Minuet. But every man has a price, you know.” The statement hung in the air. “One further purchase,” Tobias said after a moment. “Smolensko.”
    â€œAh. Congratulations are truly in order, Mr. Darby.”
    Tobias had him now; there was a spark of pure, cold rage at the bottom of those civilized eyes.
    â€œNo, no,” Tobias said modestly. “I do wonder how the horses will do on the long voyage to India, though. Some horses don’t take to being in the hold of a ship for weeks.”
    â€œYou cannot take those horses to India,” Felton stated. “It would be a massacre.”
    â€œOf course I can. And I’m negotiating for Whisker as well. You must know of him; I believe he beat both your horses at Epsom Downs last year. Ah, Lord Perwinkle,” To-bias said, turning to his host. “I’ve just been telling Felton that I’m planning to set up stables in India. I’ve bought a number of horses.”
    â€œGood, good,” Lord Perwinkle said, smiling his rather charming, absentminded smile. “Shall we join the ladies?”
    When they walked into the drawing room, Genevieve was seated at the piano again. Tobias walked directly over to her. Felton was not a man to trail behind a rival; a moment later he was sitting on the couch next to their hostess, looking for all the world as if he had no interest in the corner of the room that held the piano.
    Genevieve was examining some sheet music. “I am looking forward to tomorrow afternoon,” he said to her.
    â€œI believe it might rain,” she noted. “In that event, I shall surely wish to remain in my house.”
    â€œI would be enchanted,” he said, giving her a wicked grin.
    She flushed slightly. “That was not an invitation to join me, Mr. Darby!” She stood up and looked as if she might escape, so he moved slightly. To pass him, she would have to touch his shoulder. Sure enough, she stayed where she was. Her gown was all blond lace and slim ribbons, making her look as fragile and exquisite as a narcissus blossom.
    â€œYou didn’t used to be so enameled,” he said. “I remember you in a grass-stained pinafore, with hair falling all over the place and great chubby cheeks.”
    Genevieve narrowed her eyes. “You never showed any sign of noticing me as a child.”
    â€œThe memories are coming back to me the way bad dreams do. Could I have imagined a period when your hair had a distinctly blue tinge?”
    â€œDefinitely a nightmare,” Genevieve said coolly, brushing past his shoulder.
    A hand shot out and caught her arm. “You don’t remember?” His voice fairly purred with amusement. “My understanding was that you used blackberries to dye your hair.”
    â€œYou must be thinking of someone else,” Genevieve retorted.
    But he was staring down at her with those eyes of his, and there was something, a gleam in them, that made a flush