He laughed, a trifle uneasily. “Why the sudden formality?”

“I believe it’s simpler if one keeps things formal. And since you ask, I’m wintering on the Riviera like you,” I said.

“Actually, I’m only here for a brief stay—on a spot of business,” he said.

“Oh, really. Business.” I stared at him coldly.

“Yes. Business.” He was frowning now. “Is something wrong?”

“With me? No, everything is perfect,” I said. “I’m having the time of my life.” I took Jean-Paul’s arm. “The marquis is going to teach me how to win at roulette,” I said. My gaze dropped to the stack of chips Darcy was holding. “I see you already know how. Congratulations. I hope you enjoy your winnings. Now if you’ll excuse us. I’m sure you have someone waiting for you—more than one person, actually.”

I eased into the seat at the table and Jean-Paul perched on the arm beside me. “Two hundred to start with,” he said to the croupier, throwing some notes across the table.

I could sense Darcy still hovering behind me.

“Georgiana—what’s the matter with you?” he asked. “Why are you acting like this?”

I looked back at him. “Maybe I’ve seen that there is no sense in pursuing a romance that can’t go anywhere,” I said. “Maybe I want a man who can devote himself to me and take care of me—and only me.”

Jean-Paul put a hand on my shoulder, then looked back at Darcy. “I think the young lady wishes you to leave now. You are distressing her.”

“Very well,” Darcy said. “If that’s what the young lady wants.” He held my gaze for a long moment, then pushed his way angrily through the crowd.

“You seem to be a very popular young woman,” Jean-Paul said. “So many suitors. I see that I shall have to fight a duel for you before long. I had better brush up on my fencing skills.”

I tried to force a bright smile, but inside I felt as if that knife was cutting me in pieces again. If he has another woman and a child, I told myself, he can never love you wholly. And I tried to shut out the image of those dark eyes filled with bewilderment and hurt.

“Now concentrate,” Jean-Paul said, “and I will show you how to become a rich woman. It is all a question of playing the transversal plain.” And he started to explain the odds of playing each line of three and his way of shortening those odds. He put a pile of chips down on the side of the board. The wheel spun and stopped. A number was called. More chips were pushed in Jean-Paul’s direction. The process was repeated. The pile of chips grew bigger.

“How old are you?” he asked.

“Twenty-two.”

“Such a lucky number,” he said and pushed a stack of chips onto that number.