If Becca had come upon the two of them tonight, a scene far more suspect than hers with Roberts, would she have believed his protestations of innocence? In his heart, he knew that she would. Guilt sliced into him once more. He had been so quick to think the worst of the most loving woman he’d ever known. Well, he might not deserve her forgiveness, but he was damn well going to beg for it. He needed her. The prospect of living his life without her in it was something he would not contemplate unless that horrid future presented itself.
After that, nothing else mattered.
Chapter 27
On the waterfront in London, Leed, Chester and Roberts were at last making progress in their investigations. They went once more to the pub where the serving girl had asked after Geoffrey and the three of them sat at a table in the corner, observing the crowd. Loose women circulated among the gamblers and drinkers. Drunken men lolled about, spewing lewd suggestions as they guzzled their cheap liquor. The stench of ale and unwashed bodies assailed them.
“What disgusting rabble,” Leed muttered.
Chester nodded his agreement. He flagged down the serving girl, recognizing her as the one who had propositioned Geoffrey. They questioned her, with Roberts using all of his charm on the wench.
“Aye, but you’re a handsome one,” she purred, sliding closer to him.
Chester cleared his throat to gain her attention. “Miss, do you recall the gentleman you asked after on our last visit?”
“Yea.” She tore her gaze from Roberts, an absent smile on her face. “Pretty one, that. Quite the treat between the sheets, too.”
“From where do you know him, may I ask?”
“From here, where do ya think?” she stated. “He couldn’t get enough of me.”
“I can see why,” Roberts interjected, oozing charm.
The girl turned back to him. “I made Lord Kanewood very happy, I can tell ya.”
The men exchanged a look then.
“He has gray eyes, too,” The girl went on, stroking Roberts’ cheek. “I like gray eyes.”
Chester sat bolt upright, turning his head sharply to Leed.
“What is it, man?” Leed asked in a whisper.
“Gray eyes,” Chester hissed.
Leed’s mouth gaped open as realization hit him. “John,” they said together.
Roberts managed to disentangle himself from the serving girl and the three of them stepped out into the relatively fresh air.
“I didn’t think you’d come out of there alive,” Leed told him.
“I promised her I’d ask for her on my next visit.” Roberts snorted. “Safe bet, as I plan to never cross that threshold again.”
“What is our next step?” Chester asked.
“We can’t go to Kane without proof, Chester,” Leed insisted.
The others were inclined to agree with him. They climbed into the rented hack and returned to Chester’s townhouse.
Once in the carriage, Roberts turned to his friends. “The solicitors still have the false notes in their possession.”
“That’s it!” Leed said.
“Pray share with us, friend,” Chester said.
Leed quirked a smile. “Altough the writing looks close enough to Kane’s to arouse no suspicions, there must be something in the notes to give away John’s hand. The solicitors are certain to have several samples of John’s handwriting.”
“And that should be the last piece of evidence we need to force John to admit his misdeeds,” Roberts finished for him.
Chester nodded. “Sound notion. What will we do if we get such a confession from him?”
Leed shook his head. “That will be for Kane to decide, I imagine.”
“Confronting one’s own brother on such a matter?” Roberts said. “I’m pleased I’m an only child.”
* * * *
At first light, Geoffrey was up and out of bed. He instructed his valet to pack his belongings and hurried down the staircase.
Fields was waiting for him at the bottom. “Beggin’ your pardon, my lord, but I thought you would want to know right away.”
Geoffrey looked at him expectantly. “What is it, Fields?”
“Seems that the gamekeeper has a cousin who lives in Scotland, not far from the McClair holding. He gave me the directions.”
Geoffrey let loose a whoop of joy, grabbing the driver by the arms. “Fields, I could kiss you.”
The driver’s eyes rounded. “Please don’t, my lord.”
Geoffrey laughed and slapped him on the back. “Ready the carriage, man. I wish to leave within the hour.”
“Certainly, my lord.”
Geoffrey strode into the breakfast room with a big grin on his face. Lady Margaret, already seated at the table, looked at him in obvious confusion.
“What happened, Geoffrey?” she asked.
“I think I’ve found her.” He served himself from the sideboard. “I leave for Scotland within the hour.”
“Scotland? What on earth is Rebecca doing in Scotland?”
Geoffrey shook his head at her as he took his seat. “It’s complicated, Mother, and a bit of a long shot. I promise to tell you everything.”
His mother furrowed her brow, then gave a short nod. Geoffrey devoured his breakfast, truly hungry for the first time in weeks. Patricia entered the room and looked at him pointedly.
He threw her a dismissive glance and stood up. “Well.” He drained the last of his tea. “I’m off.”
“Good luck, Geoffrey,” Lady Margaret said.
He placed a kiss on his mother’s cheek and nodded.
“Good luck?” Patricia arched a brow. “And where are you off to with such haste?”
“I’m going to fetch my wife,” he answered.
Patricia’s scowl was as ugly as her behavior last night, and Geoffrey was eager to leave it behind.
* * * *
In London, Viscounts Roberts and Leed met at the Earl of Chester’s townhouse. The butler ushered them into the breakfast room.
Chester stood as they entered. “Capital! I had hoped our late night wouldn’t delay you two.”
Leed groaned in answer, rubbing his eyes.
Roberts grinned at his friend’s discomfort as he fixed himself a plate. “It appears Leed had a bit too much ale last evening.”
“Never mind the ale,” Leed grumbled. “The brandy he poured down me was what did it.”
Roberts shrugged as he sat and began his meal. “We were celebrating. We’ve finally unveiled the son-of-a-bitch who has been passing those false notes.”
“We don’t know for certain, Roberts,” Chester cautioned, sipping his tea.
“Do you think there is any chance the handwriting won’t match, Chester?” Roberts asked, arching a brow.
Chester waited a beat. “No.”
Leed joined them at the table, a roll on his plate. Chester eyed him with humor and Leed scowled at him.
“When are we to pay our call on the solicitors?” Roberts asked.
“I sent a note this morning,” Chester said. “They responded and are expecting us shortly.”
Roberts let out a breath. “I can hardly believe John would stoop to such dastardly measures.”
“Normally, I’d be inclined to agree,” Chester allowed. “But with his appetite for the gaming tables, he was bound to work his way through his monthly stipend.”
“But to risk Kane’s and Rebecca’s lives?”
“I don’t believe he meant to hurt Rebecca,” Chester said. “Unfortunately, she got in the way.”
“Do you think he meant to hurt Kane, or to simply distract him?” Leed asked.
Chester set his cup down. “That, gentleman, is the crux of the matter.”
They finished their meal and set out to meet with Geoffrey’s solicitors.
The solicitors, two gentlemen of extreme discretion, led them into a private office and closed the door. Without a word, the older of the two, a Mr. Hall, handed Lord Chester three pieces of paper. One was a false note beari
ng Geoffrey’s signature, another one with a proven signature of his. The third was a note penned by John, a lengthy missive requesting an advance on his stipend. As Leed and Roberts looked on, Chester felt the blood drain from his face. Though the difference was miniscule it was irrefutable: John had penned the false notes. The implication was far darker than the stolen funds, however.
“That’s it, then,” Chester said.
“How are we going to tell Kane?” Leed asked.
Roberts suddenly stiffened. “My God! If John was the one responsible for the carriage accident, Kane and Rebecca could still be in danger.”
“A note won’t do, gentlemen,” Chester said. “We must go directly to Kanewood.”
Leed nodded and headed for the door, but Roberts’s hand on his arm stilled him. Leed looked at him in question.
“I can’t go to Kanewood,” Roberts stated. “I’m the last person Kane would want to see.”
Leed clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll make certain Kane knows of your part in this, Roberts.”
Leed and Chester dropped Roberts at his home. As he climbed the steps to his front door, Chester called out, drawing his attention. Roberts looked at him expectantly.
“You’re a good man, Roberts.”
With a curt nod to his friend, he let himself inside and closed the door.
Chester and Leed retrieved what they would need from their respective homes and were soon off to Kanewood.
* * * *
Becca sat with Lady Charlotte in the parlor at Ravenwood. While her mother was busily working on her tapestry, Becca embroidered tiny flowers on a square of linen. The handkerchief would be quite lovely when it was completed, and Becca tried to focus on the pretty design.
The butler suddenly appeared at the doors leading off the entryway and Lady Charlotte looked up expectantly.
“A visitor for Lady Kanewood, my lady,” he stated.
Becca looked up and gasped in surprise. There, behind the servant, stood Geoffrey.
“Hello, Becca,” he said, his gaze holding hers.
Becca stood then, her needlework falling to the floor. She held herself ramrod stiff, afraid to move lest he vanish from her sight. Slowly, she walked over to where he stood until she couldn’t help but fly into his arms.
“Oh, Geoffrey!” she sobbed.
Geoffrey stroked her hair and hugged her as if he’d never let her go. Becca pulled back to gaze up at him, tears spilling over her lashes as he smiled down at her tenderly.
Lady Charlotte broke through their reverie. “I take it, Rebecca, that this is your husband?”
“W-what?” Becca stammered. “Yes, this is he.”
Geoffrey draped his arm around her shoulders and turned to the woman seated on the couch. His eyes widened as he looked from her to his wife and back again. “And I take it, Becca, that this is your mother?”
The older woman smiled, rising up off the couch to clasp her hand with his. “A pleasure to meet you, Lord Kanewood,” she said, curtsying.
Geoffrey bowed to her. “And it’s very nice to meet you, Lady Charlotte.”
Lady Charlotte informed them that she had to see about dinner, an obvious excuse to which neither Becca nor Geoffrey objected. She pulled the glass doors closed, affording them privacy.
When they were alone, Geoffrey took Becca’s hand in his and led her to the couch her mother had just vacated.
Becca looked up at him expectantly. “How did you find me?”
Geoffrey quirked a half-smile at her. “It wasn’t an easy feat, love. But well worth the trouble.”
She nodded, smiling back at him.
“I had to see you, Becca,” he began. “And when I arrived at Kanewood to find you gone—”
“You were at Kanewood?”
“Yes, love. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Becca looked down at her hands. She could only hope that he wasn’t at Kanewood long enough for Patricia to tell him her secret. She didn’t know how she would tell him herself.
“I’ve missed you, Becca.” He hugged her to him. “I’ve been such a fool.” He held her away from him, running his gaze over her face. “I should have trusted you. I know that now. I’m so sorry for everything.”
Becca saw a strand of hope and sought to grasp it. “Do you mean it?”
“Yes.” His expression turned serious. “I saw you with Roberts and, innocent though the circumstances were, I leapt to a horrid conclusion.”
“You seemed so certain, so ready to think I would ever ….” She couldn’t put into words what he’d thought she’d done with Lord Roberts. “You believed I would be unfaithful.”
“I know. You have never given me any cause to think such a thing, Becca. I should never have measured you by any other woman’s actions.”
“Patricia’s,” she guessed.
He nodded. “I know that you are your own woman, one who is passionate and faithful and more than I deserve.” A small smile teased his lips. “I should have known you would never betray me.”
She felt her own lips twitch in response to his expression. “How would you know that?” she had to know.
“Because you love me.”
She let out a small laugh, her first in what seemed like forever. “I do love you, Geoffrey!” she said happily, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I love you too, Becca,” he said softly in her ear.
She pulled back to gaze at him once more. With a low moan, he brought his mouth to hers, rubbing gently. She opened her mouth to him, needing very badly for him to deepen the kiss. He did, slanting his mouth over hers. He broke the contact and, with a loud sigh, leaned back against the couch, taking her with him.
When Lady Charlotte returned, she found them sitting as closely as possible, Geoffrey stroking Becca’s cheek as she stared up at him. Becca was the first to notice her mother’s return and turned with a smile.
“I trust all is well?” Lady Charlotte asked.
“Yes, very well thank you, Mother,” Becca answered.
Geoffrey straightened, turning his attention to Lady Charlotte. “I can scarcely believe Rebecca found you, Lady Charlotte.”
“My daughter is a very bright girl, Lord Kanewood. And very forgiving.”
Geoffrey saw the double meaning in the woman’s words. He glanced over at his wife. “I’m aware of that, rest assured. How did all of this happen?”
She took a seat across from them. “I’ll let Rebecca tell you the tale, Lord Kanewood.”
“Please. Call me Geoffrey.”
Lady Charlotte smiled and inclined her head. “Geoffrey, then.”
Becca thought to tell him of her real father. “My mother isn’t the only discovery I made here, Geoffrey.”
Geoffrey arched a brow.
“Hello!” McClair filled the space, wearing a big grin. “And who is this lad?” he asked, looking at Geoffrey.
Becca stood and Geoffrey followed suit.
“Laird McClair,” she began, “may I present my husband, Geoffrey Kane, the Earl of Kanewood.”
Geoffrey extended his hand. McClair took it, pulling him into his arms for a strong embrace. “Kane, my boy! High time you came for my daughter.”
Geoffrey’s eyes widened. “Your daughter?”
The big man released his hold on Geoffrey, who looked at him closely. No doubt he saw the resemblance Becca had seen that first day.
“I’m very pleased to meet you, Laird McClair,” Geoffrey said with a bow.
“Nonsense, boy.” McClair slapped Geoffrey on the back. “Call me McClair.”
Becca smiled at his obvious bemusement.
“McClair,” Geoffrey said.
“Geoffrey,” Lady Charlotte said, “I’ve seen to your belongings. You’ll find them in Rebecca’s guest chamber.”
“Thank you, Lady Charlotte.”
“Now, why don’t we go ready ourselves for tea?” Lady Charlotte suggested.
“Tea.” McClair snorted. “Ridiculous ritual, ridiculous drink.”
/> Geoffrey started to laugh, turning to Becca. She shook her head at him.
“Now, McClair,” Lady Charlotte started, leading him from the room. “You know how I treasure this time.”
“Stuff of nonsense,” McClair boomed.
Their voices trailed off as the couple climbed the stairs. Becca let Geoffrey see her smile then. He looked at her quizzically.
“They have that same argument every afternoon,” she said.
He laughed at that and took her hand. “Will you show me to our room, Becca?”
“Certainly, husband.”
They walked toward the massive stone stairs, Geoffrey looking about. “This place is incredible, wife. And the grounds. We simply must go riding while we’re here.”
“Oh, no. I can’t go riding.”
He stopped then. “Whyever not, love?”
Becca froze, unsure of what to say. She wanted to tell him about the baby later, when the house was asleep and he held her in his arms. “Um … I didn’t bring my riding habit.”
His brow furrowed at her excuse. He must have sensed her nervousness, for he let the matter drop. He followed her to their chamber where they readied themselves for tea.
Chapter 28
As the Earl of Chester’s carriage pulled up in front of Kanewood, Leed looked at Chester worriedly.
“How are we going to tell him?” Leed asked.
Chester alighted from the carriage. “We’ll simply tell him what we know, Leed.”
Leed nodded and followed him to the front door. Chester knocked and the servant let them in, closing the door behind them.
“What can we do for you, gentlemen?” the butler asked.
“We need to see Lord Kanewood,” Chester stated.
The man’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “But the earl isn’t at Kanewood at present, my lord.”
“What?” Leed asked. “Where is he?”
“Perhaps my lady can assist you, my lord,” he offered.
He led them into the parlor, where Lady Margaret sat. She looked up in surprise. “Lord Chester.” She stood. “Lord Leed. What on earth are you doing here?”
The gentlemen bowed to her in greeting.
“We’re here to see Lord Kanewood,” Chester answered.
“He isn’t here.”
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