Free Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn Page B

don't.” She turned her back to him, unable to face him while she was shaking with emotion.
    â€œWhy don't you marry?”
    â€œBecause I—” She swallowed. How could she say that she had never married because she knew no man could ever live up to him? Even if his entire courtship of her had been false, it had been perfect, and she knew that she would never find anyone who could make her as happy as she'd been those two short months.
    â€œJust go,” she said, her words barely audible. “Go.”
    â€œThis isn't over, Torie.”
    She ignored his pointed use of her nickname. “It has to be over. It should never have begun.”
    Robert stared at her a full minute. “You're different,” he finally said.
    â€œI am not the same girl you tried to take advantage of, if that is what you mean.” She stood straight and tall. “It has been seven years, Robert. I am a different person now. As, apparently, are you.”
    Robert left the room without another word, swiftly making his way from the servants' quarters to the guest wing where he'd been given a room.
    What the hell had he been thinking?
    He hadn't been. That could be the only explanation. Why else would he arrange for Victoria's charge to be entertained all morning and then steal into her room?
    â€œBecause she makes me feel alive,” he whispered to himself.
    He couldn't remember the last time his senses were so finely tuned, the last time he'd felt such an exquisitely heady rush.
    No, that wasn't entirely true. He remembered all too well. It had been the last time he'd held her in his arms. Seven years ago.
    It was some consolation to learn that those years had not brought her happiness, either. She had been a scheming adventuress, intent upon marrying into a fortune, but all she had found was a miserable position as a governess.
    Circumstances had certainly brought her low. He might be dead inside, but at least he had the freedom to do what he wanted when he wanted to do it. Victoria was desperately trying to hold on to a livelihood she hated, always fearing that she'd be tossed out without a reference.
    That was when it occurred to him. He could have her and his revenge, too.
    His body sang at the thought of holding her in his arms, of kissing every inch of that delectable body.
    His mind raced at the idea that they might be discovered by Victoria's employers, who would then never allow her to watch over their precious Neville.
    Victoria would be cut adrift. He doubted she would return to her father. She had too much pride for that. No, she would be all alone, with no one to turn to.
    Except him.
    Â 
    He would need a very good plan this time.
    Robert had spent two hours lying motionless on his bed, ignoring knocks on the door, ignoring the clock that told him that breakfast was no longer being served. He'd simply put his hands behind his head, looked up at the ceiling, and started to scheme.
    If he was going to woo Victoria into his bed, he would have to charm her there. This was not a problem. Robert had spent the last seven years in London, and he certainly knew how to be charming.
    He was, in fact, widely reputed to be one of the most charming men in all Britain, which was why he'd never lacked for female companionship.
    But Victoria presented a new challenge. She was vastly distrustful of him and seemed to think that all he wanted was to seduce her. Which wasn't far from the truth, of course, but it would not aid his cause to let her continue to believe that his motives were so impure.
    He would have to win back her friendship first. The concept was oddly appealing, even as his body hardened at the mere thought of her.
    She would try to push him away. He was certain of that. Hmmm. He would have to be charming and persistent. In fact, he would probably have to be more persistent than charming.
    Robert bounded out of bed, splashed some very cold water on his face, and left the room with only one aim.
    Finding