by Dawn Brower
“Gemma does have a romantic heart—all right, I will tell her when I get home.”
Noah laughed. “About that…”
Liam scrunched his eyebrows together. “Why don’t I like the sound of that?”
“When I left, Lily and Gemma were about to help Ruby with a dress fitting. Don’t be surprised if you get a bill from the seamstress.”
Liam waved his hand. “That’s fine. She’ll probably need new dresses soon anyway and I don’t mind the expense.”
Noah understood. He’d buy Rubina the world if she’d take it. Whatever made her stay with him…
“I hate to cut this short, but I have a meeting to get to.”
“Why don’t I come along.” Liam stood. “I don’t have anything pressing to do.”
Noah nodded. “I’m walking over. I will have to stop back here to pick up a package before I go home.”
“Lead the way.”
They exited the club and headed to a tavern down the street. The establishment they entered was a bit seedier than the one they’d left. It had a lot of commoners inside and bar maids that moonlighted as doxies.
“Can I help you guv’nor?” One of the maids approached them. She had stringy black hair and a very generous bosom—fully on display.
“I’m looking for Marcus Shepard.”
“What you wanting him for?” Her lips pursed in displeasure. “He’s not a fun fellow.” She skimmed the back of her hand down his arm. “I can promise you pleasure you’ll never forget.”
Noah repressed a shudder. He only wanted one woman—his wife.
“Just tell me where he is.”
“What about you?” She turned to Liam. “You like pleasure?” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Liam coughed and covered his mouth with his hand. After he got control over his laughter, he said, “I’m not looking for any amusements. Can you tell us where the gentleman is?”
The barmaid pouted. “Suit yourself. You don’t know what you’re missing. Marcus is over there at the corner table sitting by hisself. He don’t much like company.”
She walked way in a huff—clearly disappointed neither of them wanted the charms she offered.
“She’s a character,” Liam said.
“Not my type.” Noah headed to the table Marcus was sitting at. “Hello, Mr. Shepard.”
He glanced up—his gaze sharp and piercing as he studied Noah. “The Duke of Huntly, I presume?”
Noah nodded. “Yes.”
“You brought company.” He gestured toward Liam.
“This is Liam Marsden.”
Marcus Shepard stared at Liam and smiled.
“The son of Viscount Torrington?”
Liam scowled. “You know my father?”
“We’ve—how do I put this—had business dealings in the past.”
Liam held up his hand. “I don’t want to know.”
The man grinned. “Probably best you don’t.”
Noah didn’t much care what Viscount Torrington hired him to do as long as he did his job well. “You come highly recommended. How good are you at tracking down information?”
“I’m the best.” He tilted his head toward Liam. “Ask his father.”
“I don’t have to,” Noah informed him. “He’s the one that told me to seek you out.”
It was Liam’s turn to be shocked. He turned toward Noah and asked, “When did you see my father?”
Noah shrugged. “He stopped by a couple weeks ago. I told him about my concerns and he gave me a name to help me out. I’m just now using the information.”
Viscount Torrington didn’t ask for details. He’d taken one look at Noah and wrote down Marcus Shepard’s name and handed it to him. Said when he wanted answers to seek him out. Now, it was time to finally find out what happened to his wife three years ago. It wasn’t as simple as she made it all seem.
“What you need me to do?” Marcus leaned on the table. “I don’t kill people, so we get that straight. I try to do things honorably—even if others in the company do some shady business from time to time—we all draw a line at killing people.”
“I need you to investigate my wife’s disappearance—three years ago. She returned suddenly, and it is all a bit—strange.”
“I can do that.” He frowned. “It will take some time. The trail is probably a bit cold at this point.”
“You have two weeks,” Noah explained. “I’m working on a timeline.”
“That might be impossible—all I can do is try.”
Noah nodded. “I also need someone trustworthy that can watch her when she leaves the house. I think she might be in danger.” The man Liam had mentioned outside Noah’s townhouse made him uneasy. He didn’t know for sure if he meant them harm, but he had to be careful where his wife was concerned.
Marcus tilted his head and studied Noah. “I have a couple colleagues that will welcome the blunt. They are good at what they do. She won’t even know they are there.”
“Perfect.” Noah stood. “One more thing. I don’t want her to know any of this. So be careful when you send communications.”
“I can be discreet.” Marcus smiled. “It’s what makes me so good at what I do.”
“I look forward to your report.” Noah tilted his head. “Until we meet again.”
Liam got up and followed him out of the establishment.
“You really think Rubina is in danger?”
Noah didn’t know why he felt it—but the niggling feeling wouldn’t go away. It festered deep inside his gut whenever she was around. She was always nervous. Not once since she returned had she actually relaxed. His wife was so jumpy; even the smallest noise startled her. That spoke volumes to him.
“Yes. I don’t know what’s going on, but I will find out.” He frowned. “I think this supposed lover of hers is a ruse. She’s afraid of something, but I just don’t know what it is.”
They stopped off at Whites, and he grabbed his gift for Rubina.
“I hope it’s not as serious as you think. When Gemma’s cousin Alfie attacked me, the thought of losing my wife scared me. I don’t know what I would do without her. I know you went through hell when you thought Rubina died.”
They exited Whites and headed toward Noah’s carriage.
“I know. I’m glad that all turned out well. You and Gemma are good together.”
Liam smiled. “I have never been happier.”
“Now I must return home to my wife.” Noah stopped in front of his carriage. “I will see you in a couple of days at the dinner party.”
Liam waved goodbye as Noah entered the carriage.
It had been a long and productive day. He couldn’t wait to get home. The drive seemed longer than usual, but they were stopping outside his townhouse before he knew it. He hopped down and entered.
“Your Grace,” Madame Roussard greeted him with a curtsy. She pulled on her gloves in preparation to leave. “I’ve gotten all the measurements I need for your wife’s trousseau.”
“Did it go well?”
“It did—I have to say the ladies with Her Grace were very helpful. It took a lot of coaxing to get her to do the fitting.” Madame Roussard’s lips formed a very thin line. “I was sad to see them leave. They had other appointments to get to.”
Noah frowned. Rubina said she wanted dresses. Why would she refuse a fitting?
“But you were able to complete it?”
She nodded. “Indeed. I did say I got all the measurements. She was—rather weepy, but that doesn’t matter for measuring.”
“Can you have a gown ready in two days?”
She nodded. “I will send the first one over right away. I know she needs something for the dinner party. The rest will require some time to complete.”
Noah didn’t like knowing she didn’t have the attire befitting her station. He should have done something sooner. His pride had made him into a terrible husband.
“Spare no expense. I want her to have some new gowns as soon as possibl
e.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“The special dress…”
“Will be ready in time. You have my word.”
Noah nodded. “Thank you.”
Madame Roussard smiled. “No. Thank you, Your Grace. Your generosity will keep me in business for years.”
She nodded and left the townhouse.
Noah stared down the hall. It was time to see what mood his wife was in and if she’d be receptive to the surprise he bought her. He’d never been so nervous in his life—even when he’d proposed to her. Back then Rubina had been a sure thing. Now she was anything but.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Rubina paced her bedchamber.
The seamstress and her assistant had left several hours ago. She hadn’t been brave enough to leave her room and demanded a light meal sent to her. The idea of facing her husband—terrified her. How could she keep her pregnancy from him? All he wanted was to be a father. She destroyed any possibility of having a life with him. This was the one thing she could give him… But Rubina couldn’t help the selfishness filling her heart. She wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her and the sweetness of him loving her each night.
If he knew she’d conceived it would be lost to her.
So, for a little while longer, she’d hold back the truth. Until she had no choice but to tell him she carried his child. Rubina rubbed her hand over her still flat stomach. It wouldn’t take long before the evidence would be clear. She’d not be able to hide her growing belly. Their child nestled in her womb growing more each day—it was truly a miracle. Part of her was so happy her heart burst with excitement…
The other part of her feared the day she’d be forced to once again abandon her heart.
Paolo had to die. It was the only way she could have a chance with Noah and their child. She had to go see Damian. His absence was starting to make her nervous. What if Paolo had gotten to him? After Noah left her for the night, she’d sneak out to visit him. It was the only way she could ensure her husband wouldn’t trail after her.
It was the first time she was grateful he left after he made love to her. There was a time when Noah couldn’t leave her for even a moment—before she destroyed the love he had for her. Then, he’d hold her through the night, wake up, and make love to her all over again. These days he couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
A light knock on her bedroom door startled her out of her thoughts. Noah had come to make love to her again.
It was their nightly ritual. He’d pleasure her until she didn’t think she could take any more, and then, he’d jump out of her bed as if scalded. Nothing hurt as much as seeing him run from her. It was her cross to bear. She’d made this choice, and she had to live with the consequences.
“Rubina?”
“Come in,” she called out.
The door opened slowly. Noah peeked his head inside. “Are you all right?”
Rubina frowned. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Noah entered the room and shut the door with a soft click.
“The seamstress said you hadn’t wanted to do the fitting.”
Stupid Madame Roussard and her wagging tongue. Why did she have to go and tell him that she’d almost turned her away? At least Lily and Gemma had still been around to talk sense into her. Noah would have been suspicious if she hadn’t ordered some new gowns. Now he was asking her questions she didn’t want to answer.
“I was in a mood earlier. It has passed.”
He studied her. “Why were you crying?”
Rubina struggled with the urge to look at herself in her mirror. How did he know? Were her eyes still red and puffy? “I don’t know what you mean.” Denial might still work if she played it well.
“Don’t lie to me, Ruby.”
Drat it. How was she going to distract him from this line of questioning? Maybe seduction was all she had left. She sashayed over to him and trailed her fingers down his chest. “Me, lie?” She batted her eyelashes at him coquettishly. “Why would I?”
“Ruby…”
She palmed his manhood. He hissed with pleasure under her ministrations.
“Yes, caro?”
“Don’t think I’m letting this go.” He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, halting her progress. She looked up into his eyes and saw the fire burning in within them. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“I’m trying to entice you into my bed.” She raised an eyebrow. “That should be rather obvious.”
He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “We have time. We don’t need to rush. Tell me what upset you.”
Noah wasn’t going to be so easily distracted. Why couldn’t he let it go? She would have to try a different tactic to get him off this topic. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—tell him why she was so weepy.
“Don’t we?” she asked, disgust filling her voice. “You seem to run away rather quickly once you finish with me each night.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
It was Rubina’s turn to be confused. What did he understand? Rubina sure didn’t. He was almost—nice. Her husband had been so indifferent toward her for weeks. Now he wanted to talk and show concern? Something changed; she just didn’t know what it was.
She tilted her head and studied him. Compassion filled his warm brown eyes. She gulped back a lump in her throat. “Well then, please…” She flipped her hand backward. “Do explain this epiphany you’ve had.”
“It’s my fault.”
Rubina frowned. What did he think was his fault? He wasn’t to blame for the choices she’d made. He’d been wonderful considering…
“I must be daft because I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
He cupped her face in the palm of his hand. “I’ve been dreadful to you. I’m sorry.”
Rubina stepped back out of his reach. Her heart broke into a million pieces. She’d done this to him. He didn’t know which way was up and what was down any more. This whole charade had made him doubt everything in his life. He hadn’t hurt her—not intentionally any way. This was her doing. He’d never have put her through any of this misery if not for her lies.
“I don’t blame you,” she said softly. “The last several weeks have been trying on us both.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I won’t let you absolve me of this guilt. I made you cry, and I have to make it up to you. I always did hate seeing you so sad.”
“Noah, stop,” Rubina demanded. “You are not the reason I was crying.”
At least not directly…
He smiled. “So you admit it. You were crying earlier?”
Oh, drat—her husband was a clever man. How had she forgotten that? Rubina sighed. “Yes, I was crying, but it had nothing to do with you.”
“So are you going to tell me what brought tears to your eyes?”
Rubina bit her lip. There was no getting out of this interrogation. How did she ever think she could? “No.”
His head jerked back, startled. “No?”
“I’m not going to tell you. I don’t care to discuss it.”
Rubina had a stubborn streak, and she fully intended to lean on it. It was the only recourse left to her. Noah could take it or leave it—either way, she wasn’t about to explain to him why her life was falling apart. She had to protect him and their unborn child. When the time was right, she’d tell him everything. Now was not that time.
He rocked back on his heels. “I see.”
Did he? Rubina was afraid he saw far too much. “Good. Now do you want to do something more pleasant?”
“No.”
It was her turn to jerk back. His words were like a slap to the face. “I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to.” Noah sighed. “It’s time we did things a little different. Somewhere along the way we lost sight of what we meant to each other.”
Rubina nodded. She understood that much. The years apart—years they’d lost because of Paolo—had destroyed something between them. Her lies held the
distance in place.
“I know.”
“This whole time I’ve been trying not to love you—to need you—but I don’t think it’s possible. It’s tearing me apart.” Noah reached for her and pulled her into his arms. “It’s making me need you—want you—so much more. It’s not enough though.”
“What do you want from me?”
Rubina was growing more and more confused with each word he uttered. This was a side of her husband she hadn’t seen, well, since they married. They’d fought so much when they left Italy. England had bridged a gap between them—like a city divided upon itself. They were both stubborn and believed they were right. They had failed to compromise. Maybe this was the silver lining she’d been hoping for. If he was able to forgive her when he didn’t have all the facts… There could be hope for them once they found themselves on the other side of the mess Paolo had made of their lives. Noah didn’t know they had another battle to get through yet.
He pleaded with her. “I want a chance.”
“A chance for what?”
“To win you back to have the life we originally planned.” He started to unpin her hair. It fell down in blonde waves down her back. “To make you love me again.”
Rubina gasped. “That’s not possible.”
Because she never stopped loving him—he couldn’t make her feel something she’d never lost.
“It is, and I intend to make it happen.”
“No…”
“Yes. This is a war I intend to win.” He trailed kisses down her face and neck. “Trying not to love you isn’t working for me—it only makes me love you more.”
Her eyes watered, and tears trailed down her cheeks. She couldn’t tell him she still loved him. Not yet. Still her heart soared to hear him say the words.
“Please, don’t say these things.”
They broke her. How could she keep her resolve when he tore down her walls with such sweet words? It would make it even more difficult to let him go if she couldn’t find Paolo.
“I will say them every day until they sink in.” Noah lifted her chin. Rubina refused to meet his gaze. “Look at me.”
His voice was harsh. Rubina lifted her eyes to meet his. They were full of heat and a storm of need.