Aurora felt the color drain from her face. Dear God.
Captain Gerrod was the naval officer who had apprehended Nicholas in the Caribbean. By now he would know his former prisoner was still alive. Did he realize Nicholas was in England? But why else would Gerrod have come to call on her if not to seek out Nicholas?
For the space of a dozen heartbeats, Aurora could not make a sound. It was left to Raven to answer Danby.
"Please tell the captain her ladyship will be down in a moment."
"As you wish," the elderly butler responded before withdrawing.
Still in shock, Aurora turned to stare at Raven. The younger woman looked pale and only marginally more composed than Aurora herself felt.
"You must speak to him, Aurora. Pretend to be taken completely by surprise when you learn your husband is still alive."
"How do you even know who Gerrod is?" Aurora asked in bewilderment.
"Nicholas warned me this morning when he came to say farewell."
"Nicholas warned you?"
"He knows Gerrod is searching for him. Why else would he consider it imperative to sail this evening?"
Aurora raised a hand to her temple. Last night when Nicholas had made love to her, he'd known he was in mortal danger, and yet he hadn't even hinted at it. Damn him…
"He never said a word," she murmured, torn between fear and anger at his keeping such a revelation to himself.
"Possibly because he didn't want you to worry," Raven said quickly. "I suspect he wanted you to make the decision whether to accompany him without any further duress."
Duress? Fear suddenly winning out over anger, Aurora rose to her feet. "I have to warn Nicholas – "
"No!" Raven objected. "I tell you, he already knows he is being pursued. If you want to protect him, you would do better to try to throw Gerrod off the scent. We should devise a plan, Aurora."
Aurora drew a shuddering breath, trying to gain control of her panic. Raven was right. If she wished to help Nicholas, she would have to fool the captain into believing she knew nothing about her husband's whereabouts.
Her blood had turned to ice in her veins by the time Aurora descended the stairs to the parlor where Gerrod awaited her.
"Captain," she said coldly, pausing in the doorway. "I am amazed that you have the gall to call upon me after what you did. I trust you have a good reason for being here?"
His expression was stern to the point of grimness as he searched her face. "I am seeking your husband, my lady."
"My husband is dead, sir," Aurora retorted frigidly, "as you very well know. You were the one who sent him to his death."
"Then you have not heard the news?" Gerrod asked skeptically.
"What news?"
"Nicholas Sabine is still very much alive."
Aurora stared at him, then carefully schooled her features to scorn. "Your jest is in exceedingly poor taste."
"It is no jest, my lady. The pirate, Captain Saber, made a bold escape while being transported to Barbados for execution."
"Why in heaven's name should I believe such a wild tale? You expect me simply to accept your word for it? The man who arrested my husband and ordered his execution?"
"I did not imagine you would require proof, my lady," the captain said stiffly. "I felt sure Sabine had visited you before now."
"I assure you he has not."
Gerrod scowled. "I have good reason to believe he is masquerading as his cousin, Mr. Brandon Deverill. And word is, you have been seen with Deverill."
"I don't deny my acquaintance with Mr. Deverill, Captain, but I think I would know my own husband," Aurora said with sarcasm.
"Perhaps he has fooled you."
"And perhaps you are the one who has been fooled."
When Gerrod clenched his jaw in frustration and anger, Aurora adopted a more conciliatory tone. "Even if my husband were alive – which I don't believe – whatever makes you think he would come here to England? His home is… was…in Virginia."
"If I had so lovely a wife, I would not hesitate to seek her out."
"If so, then surely he would have approached me before now. But he has not."
"You are absolutely certain?" Gerrod asked, staring at her.
"Captain…" she said, thinking furiously. "I am engaged to wed the Earl of March – even though no announcement will be made until my period of mourning is over. Do you actually think I would have entered into such an agreement if I still believed myself to be wed to another man?"
For the first time, the captain's expression showed serious doubt. But then he shook his head. "I think, my lady, that you are intent on protecting your husband."
Aurora let her features grow deliberately chill. "And I think you have convinced yourself of this fantasy out of vengeance or spite, I'm not sure which."
Gerrod's scowl returned. "If the man I seek truly is Deverill and not Sabine, then he can have nothing to fear from me."
She drew a measured breath, as if she were considering whether or not to help him. "It is my understanding Mr. Deverill left London a fortnight or so ago on a journey to Somerset… or was it Berkshire? Perhaps you should begin your search there."
His hard gaze held hers. "No doubt," Gerrod replied with renewed snideness, "you would be happy to send me on such a fool's errand. No, my lady, I believe you know of Sabine's whereabouts."
"Are you accusing me of lying, Captain Gerrod?" Aurora raised her chin regally. "You are offensive, sir. I must ask you to leave."
"Very well," Gerrod bit out. "But I will not give up. I will find Nicholas Sabine and bring him to justice."
Jamming his hat on his head, he brushed past her, heading for the front entrance. Aurora remained tensely silent until he was gone. Then she let out a shuddering sigh. She hoped her lies had convinced him, but she seriously doubted it.
Turning to pace the floor, she swore under her breath. There had to be something she could do to protect Nicholas. She couldn't bear just to remain idle, deploring her helplessness.
Sweet mercy, perhaps she should have concocted a better tale. Perhaps she hadn't been wise to claim she was betrothed to Lord March. She would have to persuade Geoffrey to go along with the pretense if Captain Gerrod asked…
Geoffrey! Aurora froze where she stood. He knew nothing about Nicholas being in England. Word would reach him, and then he would realize she hadn't told him the truth. He would feel hurt and betrayed…
No, the revelation had to come from her, Aurora knew. She had to tell him herself. She owed him that.
Urgently she turned to summon her butler. But it wasn't Geoffrey she was thinking of when she asked Danby to order her carriage.
Please, Nicholas, she pleaded silently. Please get away safely. She couldn't bear it if Nicholas died, for a part of her would die with him.
Chapter Twenty-five
The heart will know its one true mate .
She found Lord March and his mother awaiting her arrival. Both rose to greet Aurora when she entered the elegant drawing room, and both registered surprise to see her muslin day gown and spencer. It was obvious from her attire that she did not intend to take supper with them.
"Is something amiss, my dear?" the countess asked with a worried frown.
Indeed there was something greatly amiss, Aurora thought dismally. She should be feeling joy to see the man with whom she intended to spend the rest of her life. Not this terrible hollowness.
"Forgive me, Lady March," Aurora replied, evading the question, "but I must speak to Geoffrey for a moment. Alone, if I may."
"Yes… of course," the countess said, puzzled. "I will just go fetch a wrap. I confess I was feeling a chill." She withdrew quietly, leaving Aurora alone with Geoffrey.
She saw the surprise in his eyes, but as always he acted the gentleman, offering her a seat without immediately pressing her for an explanation.
She was too agitated to sit, though. Her heart aching, she turned to pace the room.
Geoffrey was watching her, she reali
zed, his brows drawn together with concern. "What is wrong, Aurora? You are obviously distressed."
Stiffening her shoulders as if preparing for a blow, she forced herself to turn and face him. "I… I fear I haven't been completely truthful, Geoffrey. There is something I failed to tell you."
"What is it, my dear?"
Her eyes burned. How could she bear to hurt this man? How could she not? She couldn't marry him. Not when she loved Nicholas so desperately…
She had been fooling herself all along. The signs had been so obvious: the joy she felt in Nicholas's presence, her grief at having to part, her terror at the possibility of him dying…
Tonight, with the danger he faced, she had finally been forced to acknowledge the truth. She couldn't lose Nicholas. Even if he died tomorrow, she wanted to be with him for as long as she could.
"Aurora?" Geoffrey prodded when she stood silently.
With effort, she swallowed the ache in her throat. She had no choice. She couldn't let Nicholas go.
"You are bound to hear the truth," she began finally, "but I wanted it to come from me."
"Aurora, please," he said gently, "I hope you will end my suspense."
She nodded, taking a steadying breath. "I told you yesterday that my husband was alive, but… there is more. Nicholas Sabine is here, Geoffrey. In England."
There was a long silence while Geoffrey digested that intelligence. "Your husband is here?" he said slowly.
"Yes. He has been here these past six weeks."
"So long?"
She couldn't read the expression in Geoffrey's blue eyes. Shock? Dismay? Anger?
Despite her vow to control her emotions, Aurora found herself clenching her hands. "Geoffrey, I… I have been with him."
"He forced himself on you?" Definite anger laced his tone as his eyebrows snapped together in a scowl.
"No. He never forced me. I… welcomed him."
"I see." Geoffrey raised a hand to his temple. "Do you mind if I sit down?"
"Yes… no, of course I don't mind…" Aurora took an agitated step toward him. "It was thoughtless of me to keep you standing."
He sank slowly onto the settee. "Why did you not tell me yesterday?" he finally asked.
"I couldn't. I didn't want to hurt you so shortly after you had returned home. I did mean to tell you… soon," Aurora finished lamely.
Compelling herself to meet his gaze, she came to sit beside him. "I hoped to give you time to adjust to being home before you had to learn of it, but… well… there have been complications. The British navy is searching for Nicholas. They came to me a short while ago, demanding to know his whereabouts."
Geoffrey still seemed to be considering the ramifications of her earlier disclosure. "Yesterday you led me to believe you wanted the marriage annulled."
"I thought I did." She took another shaky breath. "After you returned, I asked Nicholas to have our marriage annulled, and he agreed."
"You asked him to sever the marriage?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Why?" She searched Geoffrey's face. His blue eyes were solemn, penetrating.
"I am curious about your reasoning," he said slowly. "Whether you meant to end it for my sake, or because that is what you truly wanted."
Aurora looked down at her clasped hands, struggling to hide the despair welling in her eyes.
"You love him, don't you." It was not a question.
She felt her eyes blurring as she nodded. For weeks now she had fought admitting her love. She had thought she could save herself from heartbreak by pushing Nicholas away. But she knew now that her heart would break if she lost him.
"Yes, I love him." The hot tears behind her burning eyes finally spilled over. "Geoffrey, I am so sorry."
"Aurora… don't cry, please…"
Mutely she shook her head, torn at having to choose between loyalty and love. She had wanted to honor her pledge to marry Geoffrey, yet she knew she couldn't go through with it. She couldn't share her life with this man, no matter how much she cared for him. Not when her heart belonged so completely to Nicholas.
As she fought against her tears, Geoffrey sighed. "What a tangle fate has made of our lives," he murmured, his tone filled with irony. "Aurora… look at me, please…"
With a forefinger, he lifted her chin. "There is no reason for you to end your marriage." His smile was bittersweet. "I am honored you were prepared to sacrifice your future for me, my dear, but I couldn't let you make such a noble gesture. It wouldn't be fair to you, or to me, either. You would be miserable, and I would not be happy, knowing that you have feelings for another man. I want no ghosts in my marriage bed."
She swallowed convulsively, her heart twisting with hurt for him. "Can you ever forgive me?"
"Yes, of course I can forgive you, Aurora. We cannot choose whom we love."
"I do love you, Geoffrey. Just not the way you deserve." She forced herself to meet his gentle eyes. "You deserve true love, Geoffrey. Our betrothal… was always based more on friendship than love, on expedience rather than emotion. We never felt real passion for each other. Not the overpowering kind that starts wars and crumbles empires."
When Geoffrey took her hand, she wiped fiercely at her eyes, trying to regain control of her emotions. To her surprise, though, he no longer seemed troubled.
"I understand what you are trying to say, Aurora. True love is a fire in the heart. It is a joyous, wondrous feeling. A magnificent agony. It's being unable to eat or think or even breathe unless the object of your affection is near. It is not feeling whole without her…"
Taken aback by his quiet admission, Aurora stared at him, wondering how he could describe her own feelings so eloquently. "You sound… as if you speak from experience."
He smiled faintly. "I do. I am afraid I haven't been entirely truthful either, my dear. While I was in France, I fell in love."
Aurora's lips parted, but she remained speechless.
"There was a girl – a young lady – on the farm where I was nursed back to health. Her family was in hiding – aristos who survived the Terror. The eldest daughter… she was so kind, Aurora. I couldn't help loving her."
"Why did you not tell me?"
"For the same reason you didn't tell me about your change of heart. I didn't wish to hurt you. Moreover, as a gentleman, I could not be the one to end our betrothal. It would not have been at all honorable."
Slowly her mouth curved with a misty smile as she felt dawning joy well inside her. "So we were both trying to be noble."
"Evidently. I confess relief to learn that you have given your heart to someone else. It means I can ask Simone to be my wife. Here, dry your eyes so I won't feel quite so much guilt."
Her quiet laughter was muffled by the lawn handkerchief he handed her. Geoffrey's expression, however, remained solemn as she wiped away the dampness on her cheeks.
"If this past year has taught me anything at all, Aurora, it is that no one's future is certain. If you are ever fortunate enough to find true love, you shouldn't risk letting it slip away."
She nodded in fervent agreement, even while chastising herself for coming to that realization so belatedly. If Nicholas died tomorrow, she would be devastated, yet she would rather have even a moment's blazing happiness with him than a lifetime of the dull, gray existence she'd known before coming to love him.
She had never told him of her love. Like Desiree with her prince, she had never disclosed her true feelings until – Sweet heaven, she hoped she was not too late. Aurora drew a sharp breath as her heart experienced a jolt.
"What is it?" Geoffrey asked.
For a moment she hesitated, wondering if she could risk telling Geoffrey what she meant to do. But he had been willing to sacrifice his love for her, possibly mire his family name in scandal just to stand by her, because he wanted her happiness. She could trust him. He wouldn't harm the man she loved. "Nicholas is leaving tonight for America."
"And you want to go with him?"
She
searched his face. "I have to, Geoffrey. Can you understand?"
"Yes, my dear." The answer was soft as his lips touched her brow. "I do understand. And if it means anything, you have my full blessing."
"It means a great deal to me." Softly she smiled her thanks, but then her smile faded as a fresh urgency gripped her. "I only hope I am not too late. Nicholas meant to sail for the Caribbean at high tide."
"Then you have another hour or more. High tide will not come until close to ten o'clock. But you haven't much time to pack. You should go."
"Yes." She rose abruptly, her thoughts spinning feverishly as she tried to plan. She would return home long enough to gather some clothing and a few necessities for the weeks she would be at sea – Aurora stopped suddenly, remembering another obligation. "I should say farewell to Harry first and explain why I am leaving… although perhaps he won't mind excessively. He idolizes Nicholas."
"Harry is acquainted with him?" Geoffrey asked, puzzled.
Aurora returned an uncertain glance. "Nicholas has been posing as his American cousin, Brandon Deverill."
"Ah, Deverill," Geoffrey said wryly. "I heard an earful about the fellow when Harry recounted tales of his London excursion. My brother does indeed idolize him."
"Your mother won't be as forgiving, I imagine."
"Only because she doesn't yet know about my Simone. Once I tell her, she'll be more amenable to losing you. If you like," Geoffrey offered, "I shall escort you to your house and then to the docks. I take it that is where your Nicholas can be found?"
"Yes, but you needn't put yourself to such trouble."
"It is no trouble. And I confess I should like to meet the man who won your heart."
Aurora turned to go, her mind whirling with anticipation and anxiety. What if Nicholas had already sailed?
Then she would simply follow, a determined voice replied in her head. If he left without her, then she would hire a ship to take her to America. She would not let Nicholas get away.
He owned her heart and nothing else mattered.
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