More than Passion

by JoMarie DeGioia

  “Hmm?”

  “You must be missing my brother terribly.” He sipped at his tea. “Exactly what business has him in town?”

  “I’m not sure I—”

  “It must be quite important, I imagine, to keep him away from his lovely wife.”

  She looked away from him, shame and disgust warring within her. As she sat there, her attention on her tea cup, Patricia recounted some other stories of the departed guests. John added that the meals the kitchen had prepared were simply extraordinary. He went on, extolling one particular way the staff had prepared the pheasant they dined on one evening.

  Suddenly, the room grew too hot for Becca. She stood, her hand over her mouth as her stomach churned. With a mumbled apology, she ran from the room.

  * * * *

  In their chamber later that evening, as they readied themselves for dinner, Patricia paced back and forth. John watched her closely, a curious look on his face.

  “What is it, my dove?” he asked in a soothing voice. “What has you so upset?”

  She turned on him, her eyes flashing. “You know damn well what has me upset!”

  John blinked, thinking back to his actions of the past few weeks. She couldn’t possibly know about his actions in London. He’d thoroughly covered his tracks. True, she knew about the notes. It had been her idea to forge them in the first place, remarkably devious bitch that she was. However, she couldn’t know about his other indiscretions. The so-called ladies he’d been involved with were not the sort to pass into their social circle, for the most part.

  Patricia sighed in exasperation. “John!”

  He turned his attention to her again. “Yes?”

  “That bitch will ruin everything.”

  “How?”

  “She’s pregnant, you fool! Surely you guessed it. Her flawless skin turned as pale as linen, for God’s sake. If she gives Kane a son, you will never inherit.”

  John scratched his chin thoughtfully. “As long as I have plenty of money to play with, I’m happy to continue on as the second son.” For now.

  “That is not good enough!”

  He longed to tell her that he would be earl soon enough, but he saw the desperation in his wife’s eyes.

  “Patricia,” he began softly, “what can we do about it?”

  Patricia’s beautiful face turned quite ugly as a sly smile spread across it. “We can get rid of it.”

  “You don’t mean …?”

  Patricia looked at him sharply. “As much as I hate the little chit, I’d never harm a child.”

  “Well, what then?”

  She walked over to their bed, taking her clothes off as she spoke. “We’ll have to get rid of her.”

  John shed his clothes and took her hands in his. “And just what is it you plan to do, my dove?” he asked, running his lips over her skin.

  “I can be very persuasive, John,” she said, pushing him down on the bed. “And I always get what I want.”

  He let his wife win this one.

  Chapter 24

  Becca took dinner upstairs in her and Geoffrey’s chamber, unable to bear the thought of sitting at the table with Patricia and John. As if nearly disgracing herself in their presence wasn’t enough, she had no wish to hear their snide comments regarding Lord Roberts. Apparently, John and Patricia were as quick to believe her unfaithful as Geoffrey had been. What must Lady Margaret think of her?

  Once she’d eaten all she could of the meal on her tray, she left the chamber, bound for the little study just down the hall. Crossing to the desk, she saw that her notes still sat atop. In a fit of frustration, she grabbed them up and crumpled them in her hands. Who was she to try and bring people together? She couldn’t even convince her husband that he was the only man for her!

  Throwing the papers down, she dissolved into tears.

  * * * *

  At the townhouse, Geoffrey sat in his study, pondering all Chester and Leed had discovered down at the waterfront.

  Apparently, several drunken men had asked after him, speaking of him like an old friend. Whoever was impersonating him was doing a fine job of it. One of the serving girls apparently thought she knew him very well, and spoke in no vague terms what she had shared with “the earl” the last time he was in town.

  Now, as Geoffrey thought about it, it made perfect sense. It had taken months for the notes to pass through so many channels. And it hadn’t been in one lump sum, either. The imposter must have spent many a night down at the waterfront, moving through that unseemly world. But again, why use his name? Certainly he was wealthy, his holdings only growing in value since his father’s death. But there were many far wealthier than himself.

  Once again, Leed and Chester had no notion of the why. They were mainly concerned with the how. He thanked his friends for their dedication and sent them on their way.

  With a sigh, he put the matter aside for the night and climbed the stairs to his bedroom. He stripped and climbed into bed. Closing his eyes, he thought only of Becca. He could picture her beautiful face, her exquisite body. He could very nearly feel her silky-smooth skin beneath his fingers. He felt himself start to harden in response. With a ragged sigh, he willed himself to sleep.

  Soon after breakfast the next morning, Geoffrey’s butler informed him that he had a visitor.

  “Who is it, Miles?”

  “Viscount Roberts, my lord.”

  Geoffrey felt rage course through him. “Tell him I won’t see him.”

  “You will see me,” Roberts said, striding into the room.

  Geoffrey stood, bracing his hands on the desk. He fixed a steely gaze on Roberts. “That will be all, Miles,” he said, dismissing the servant.

  The butler closed the door on the gentlemen. Geoffrey was the first to speak. “How dare you come here.”

  “Listen to me, Kane,” Roberts began. “You’re being a complete fool.”

  Geoffrey came from behind his desk to face the viscount. “What do know of my behavior, Roberts?”

  “You’re here and Rebecca is—”

  “Don’t you dare speak her name!” Geoffrey punched him square in the jaw.

  Roberts went down, sprawling on the floor. He sat up and rubbed his jaw, nodding up at Geoffrey. “I deserved that.”

  “That and more. Get up!”

  “Kane, what you saw wasn’t as it appeared. She’s completely innocent in this.”

  Geoffrey grabbed Roberts by the lapels of his jacket and pulled him to his feet. “What are you saying, Roberts? Did you force yourself on my wife?”

  “I …. That is, everything that happened was entirely my fault. Rebecca did nothing to encourage my attentions.”

  Geoffrey stared at him for a long while, weighing his words. He finally let go of him, turning away. “I wish I could believe that.”

  “What?” Roberts asked.

  “Never mind.” Geoffrey faced him. “Tell me what happened.”

  Roberts took a deep breath. “I fell in love with her, Kane.”

  Geoffrey started toward him, but the man’s next words stopped him in his tracks.

  “She feels nothing for me. She followed me into the library to ask me about the problems you’ve been having.”

  Geoffrey stilled. Roberts’s words made a kind of sense. She’d been desperate to find out what was troubling him. Innocent of men such as Roberts, she’d have believed he’d tell her what she wanted to know.

  “She loves you, Kane,” Roberts insisted. “Damn it, man! She didn’t welcome my advances.”

  “What?”

  “Ah, I was a fool to think she would. She loves you! She would never betray you.”

  “God, I want to believe you.” He slumped into his chair.

  Roberts went on. “I’ll never touch her again.”

  “Damn right, you won’t.”

  “I don’t expect you to forgive me.” His gray eyes were intense on Geoffrey. “What I did was despicable. But please, don’t blame her for my foolishness.”

  �
��I must think on this, Roberts.” Geoffrey was quiet for a moment. “I’d be within my rights to call you out.”

  “I know. I’d like to press on with the investigation if I may.”

  After a brief hesitation, Geoffrey nodded curtly. Roberts walked to the door and pulled it open. He glanced back at him. “Go to her, Kane,” he said softly. “She needs you.”

  The viscount left him then. Geoffrey hung his head. He’d been wrong. Becca hadn’t strayed. She hadn’t betrayed him.

  He was the worst kind of fool. He’d set out for Kanewood in the morning. He’d make it up to her somehow. He’d get down on his knees and beg her forgiveness if he had to. If he lost her due to his foolish jealousy, he would never be able to forgive himself.

  * * * *

  Becca was upstairs in the nursery playing with Ann that afternoon. The little girl asked for a story and Becca happily honored her request, glad for the diversion. She sat in the nanny’s overstuffed chair with Ann settled on her lap. Her voice soon lulled the child to sleep, her white-blond head resting against Becca’s breast. With a small smile, Becca closed the book and rocked the little girl gently. The stillness of the room soon had a drugging effect on Becca, as well. Thinking to close her eyes for only a moment, she soon drifted into a light slumber.

  Patricia found them there and cleared her throat, drawing Becca’s attention. Her eyes fluttered open, widening as recognition dawned on her. “Patricia,” she whispered. “I must have fallen asleep.”

  “Yes,” Patricia sneered. “Ann? Wake up, child.”

  The little girl stirred, rubbing her eyes. She looked up at her mother in confusion. “Mama?”

  Ann hopped down and stared up at her mother. “Aunt Rebecca was reading me the best story, Mama.”

  “Was she?” Patricia asked, her smile brittle.

  It didn’t escape Becca’s notice that Patricia didn’t embrace the child. Her heart broke for Ann. How she longed to push Patricia aside and draw Ann into her arms. Ann was so sweet and loving. Like all children, she needed a mother’s love and attention. Something she’d never had herself. Something she yearned to give Ann.

  “I need to speak with Aunt Rebecca. Are you quite finished here, Rebecca?”

  Becca didn’t want to leave the nursery, nor the comfort or pleasure she felt simply from holding Ann in her arms. “Can this wait, Patricia? We were reading a story.”

  “There will be time for stories later,” Patricia insisted.

  Becca nodded reluctantly. “Very well.”

  As she stood, Ann threw herself at her legs. “Don’t go!”

  Patricia’s eyes narrowed. She visibly stiffened as she waited for Becca to join her at the door.

  Becca crouched down and hugged the little girl tightly. “I’ll come again very soon, sweetheart,” she whispered, stroking her little cheek. “And then we’ll finish our story. Would you like that?”

  “Oh, yes!” Ann squealed.

  Becca kissed the child and stood, walking over to where Patricia waited. With a curt nod in her daughter’s direction, Patricia turned and left the room.

  Bewildered, Becca followed. “What is it you wish to discuss, Patricia?”

  “I’m afraid that certain matters have gone on far too long to be ignored, Rebecca.”

  “Matters?” Becca wondered aloud. “Of what matters are you speaking?”

  They descended the stairs to the floor where their chambers were located.

  “I know your secret.”

  Becca gasped, thinking that surely the woman referred to the terrible rift between Geoffrey and herself. Patricia’s next words surprised her.

  “You’re with child.”

  Becca opened her mouth to deny it as the truth settled on her. She hadn’t had her monthly since first arriving at Kanewood. Her odd illness now made sense: her fatigue and nausea. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

  “Kane will never let your child inherit,” Patricia said bitterly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “After the shame you brought to this family, how can you ask such a question?”

  “But I—”

  “And what of Lord Roberts?” she asked. “Did you think we wouldn’t learn of your indiscretion?”

  Becca brought her hand to her throat, shaking her head. “Nothing happened between—”

  “Kane should never have married someone so common. It was only a matter of time before your true nature became evident. Why, Kane couldn’t even be sure your child is his issue.”

  “Patricia, I don’t know why you’re saying all of this, but I love Geoffrey. And he loves me.”

  Patricia smiled then, an ugly thing to see. “Then why is he in London, dear, while you remain here?”

  Becca couldn’t answer. Couldn’t speak.

  “Has he contacted you or written you since he’s been in London?” Patricia asked in a scathing tone.

  Becca’s face reddened.

  “I thought not. If you think you have his heart, think again. He was in love with me once too and then he abandoned me as well. This is what Geoffrey does. I was fortunate that John stepped in to marry me, otherwise I would have ended up just like you. Alone.”

  Becca gasped at Patricia’s bluntness. But it was true. He had cared for Patricia and then left her when he learned she had slept with his brother. Did he jump to the same conclusions about Patricia and John as he had with her and Lord Roberts? Is that why Patricia had become so bitter? It was all too overwhelming.

  “I daresay he realizes he’s stuck with you, since you are married,” Patricia went on. “But he’s in London and you’re here. He’s no doubt finding comfort with a mistress. He’d never want a child of yours, a by-blow, to inherit his title. Let alone Kanewood.”

  Becca shook her head, trying desperately to deny all the woman was saying.

  “Think on it, Rebecca. He doesn’t want you. Not you or that child you carry.”

  With that, she took herself downstairs to lunch. Becca leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to steady herself. Her mind reeled. Was what Patricia said true? Would Geoffrey reject this child as he’d rejected her?

  Her hand covered her belly protectively. She’d never let her child suffer because of Geoffrey’s quick assumption of her betrayal. Stifling a sob, she ran to their chamber.

  She sank down into one of the chairs near the fireplace. What was she to do? She couldn’t stay at Kanewood, not without her husband. And from the lack of communication from him, he had no plans to return to the estate in the foreseeable future. She couldn’t bear the thought of returning to the Raven’s Inn. What would her father think?

  Suddenly, the kernel of a thought formed in her mind. At the first ball they had attended as husband and wife, that Scotsman, Gilly McClair, had gone on and on about her resemblance to his lord’s wife. Could there be a connection between her and this Lady Charlotte? She’d find out. She rang for Mary and instructed the girl to pack her a few belongings. She told her what she was about, but only after getting her word that she wouldn’t tell any of the staff where they were going. Remembering that one of the grooms was Scottish, Becca took herself down to the stables. Luckily, Geoffrey’s driver, Fields, was in London with his master, leaving her free to ask the groom to drive her into Scotland.

  She found the man. He did indeed know of the McClair holding, and would be pleased to take her there. He was uncomfortable with her request of secrecy, but she persuaded him. Satisfied to have a definite plan of action after living in a kind of limbo these past few weeks, she returned to her room to see if Mary needed any help.

  Becca was quiet at dinner that night, worried and nervous about her trip on the morrow. It could all prove a mistake, but she took solace in the fact that she’d be away from Patricia and her cruel insinuations. Lady Margaret watched her closely, worry in her gaze. Declining her offer of adjourning to the parlor, Becca bade her good night and climbed the stairs. She would so miss her mother-in-law, who had been nothing but kind to her si
nce her arrival. What would she think of her once she was discovered missing? She knew Patricia would undoubtedly say something about her and Lord Roberts again. Would Lady Margaret believe the lies? Oh, she didn’t want that sweet woman thinking ill of her.

  She readied herself for bed and slipped under the covers, her hands resting on her still-flat stomach. A baby! She’d love this child with all of her heart. And if she had to care for it alone, so be it. She let out a sigh. She was reminded of Ann. She didn’t want to leave her. But how could she stay after everything Patricia had told her. She doubted that Patricia had any maternal feelings for the child. At least Ann would have Lady Margaret to watch over her and shower her with love. Something she would no longer be able to do. She would have to carry yet another burden now. The burden of leaving Ann as well. But she had no choice. She needed to be strong. For the sake of her child.

  Closing her eyes, she let sleep take her.

  * * * *

  Geoffrey couldn’t fall asleep. He was eager to get to Kanewood and vowed to leave at first light. Chester and Leed informed him of Roberts’s actions earlier that evening, as the viscount wisely kept himself from Geoffrey’s presence. It seemed that Roberts was very close to finding out the identity of the driver of the runaway carriage. Geoffrey asked them to continue their search, informing them of his imminent return to Kanewood.

  Putting those matters aside, he turned his mind to Becca. He should have trusted her. Should have believed her. But what if she never wanted him to touch her again after his brutal near-attack on her the night before he left?

  With a groan of frustration, he pulled on his breeches and went down to the study for a drink. Sleep would need a bit of help to find him that night.

  Chapter 25

  Well before the others took their breakfast, Becca ate and went upstairs to the nursery. As gently as she could manage, she told Ann that she would be unable to see her for a while.

  Tears welled up in the child’s big gray eyes. “But where are you going, Aunt Rebecca?”

  Becca thought it safe to tell her. “I’m going to Scotland, Ann. For a visit.” She smiled. “I hear it’s beautiful.”