She doesn’t have the slightest idea how to approach Henry on the matter. How can she tell him that she doesn’t merely need him to satisfy her every night, she wants much more from him? She wants ALL of him- body and mind! She wants to hear him say, “I love you too!”
Chapter Seven
Roughly a month-and-a-half after their marriage, Henry is working in his study when his mother knocks on the door.
“May I come in?”
“Of course, Mother! I am honored that the Duchess herself has decided to pay me a visit!” he jokes. She gives a tight smile in response.
“Henry, I was waiting to ask you something for quite a while…may I ask how you got involved with Rebecca?”
This question takes Henry by surprise. “What exactly do you want to know, Mother?” he asks cautiously.
“I want to know how you got acquainted with her. Did you meet her at some party or through some common acquaintance? I want to know the truth, Henry,” Lady Elizabeth says a little sternly.
“Did Rebecca tell you anything?”
“No. I tried asking her a few times but she failed to give me a satisfactory response each time. I have no idea why, but she gets a little uneasy whenever I broach the subject.”
“Well, I knew her brother, Lord Peter Thompson, the Earl of Leicester, through some common friends,” says Henry. He pauses to think of some creative way to disclose the rest of the story.
“Yes, go on. I am listening.”
“Actually, we met at Almack’s,” he blurts out and sees his mother flinch a little. “In a wager, he put his estate at stake and….. he lost it.”
“To you, I presume,” she says and when Henry nods, she continues, “And that is why you went to Leicester, to claim the estate that you’d won in a wager!” His mother has always been openly critical of the system of winning estates in wagers. She believes that because the gentlemen are hardly sober while wagering their estates, such wagers should be considered void.
“Yes. I had seven days to claim the estate.”
“Splendid! Now tell me how you ended up marrying Lord Thompson’s sister?”
“Mother, what is the point of asking all this now? Rebecca and I are married, and nothing I may tell you is going to change that fact,” Henry states.
“I know nothing can be changed now, but by knowing the entire truth, I may be able to save your and Rebecca’s future.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” he asks, a little exasperated.
“I will tell you everything, but first you tell me how the both of ended up getting married.”
“Well, as I just said, I won the estate of Leicester in a wager but when I reached there to claim it, I found Lord Thompson and his sister in a dire situation. The estate was all they had and if I took that away from them, they would’ve been subjected to a life of misery and poverty.” Henry is glad that his mother is listening to him patiently . He is not particularly proud of what he did, but then he didn’t have many options, did he?
“I wanted a suitable bride for myself since you’d given me an ultimatum to settle down and produce an heir as soon as possible. When I met Rebecca, I found her extremely likeable. She was the perfect combination of beauty and intelligence. Although she held me responsible for their unfortunate situation and probably hated me for it, I wanted her as my wife.” Henry looks at his mother to gauge her reaction, but her face is completely unreadable. When she doesn’t say anything, he continues with the rest of his story.
“I offered to return the estate of Leicester to Thompsons but on one condition….”
“Rebecca had to marry you,” Lady Elizabeth completes his sentence. Now that the entire truth is laid bare, Henry feels a huge burden lift off his chest. While he’d known that his mother would one day learn the truth, he’d been avoiding it so far.
“So technically, you entered into a marriage of convenience with Rebecca. She wanted the estate and you needed a wife for an heir,” says Lady Rebecca, disbelief written clearly on her features. Henry thinks that hearing the truth from his mother’s mouth makes it sound much more depressing than it actually is.
Chapter Eight
“It is not as bad as it sounds, Mother, I assure you. I know that our marriage was not based on the most solid foundation, but we are managing just fine. You only said last night that I look much happier now and Rebecca seems happy too, doesn’t she?”
Lady Elizabeth does not answer his question and, after a few moments of uncomfortable silence, she finally asks Henry, “Did you know that Rebecca’s father and mother’s marital relationship was far from ideal? Her mother loved the erstwhile Earl, but her love was never reciprocated. She died longing for her husband’s love and understanding.”
“Yes, I have heard much about the late Earl’s secret affairs and his scandalous nature.” Henry feels a little confused.
“Have you cared to look into Rebecca’s eyes, Henry? She seems happy, but she is not content. There is something amiss, as if she is longing for something. At times, I have even seen fear in her eyes. Rebecca did not tell me this in as many words, but I think she fears that she may end up like her mother,” Lady Elizabeth sighs.
“What?” exclaims Henry.
“Yes, my dear. She loves you, can’t you see that? And all she wants from you in return is love.”
“Love?” Henry repeats the word as if he’s hearing it for the first time.
“Yes, love. Now I know why she had that forlorn look on her face whenever I told her stories about your father and me. Good Lord! She wants the same life for herself and I could not understand her feelings all this while.”
“Mother, what has love got to do with marriage? You cannot deny that marriages like ours happen all the time.”
“I know, Henry. I just told you what I felt and what I saw. Rebecca is a fine young lady, my dear, and she deserves the best in life.” Lady Elizabeth pats her son’s shoulder gently and, after giving him a meaningful glance, she exits the study.
Henry feels a little disturbed after having this discussion with his mother. She’d told him that Rebecca loved him! Could that be true? No, he is sure that she must be mistaken. After all, Rebecca knows full well that theirs is a marriage of convenience. There is usually little room for love in such a marriage.
But what if Rebecca has actually fallen in love with him? After all, his mother is usually correct when it comes to gauging peoples’ feelings. If that is the case, he must talk to her. He cannot let her live in false hope. He must tell her that he is incapable of loving her back. Hell, that is the main reason why he avoids her company all day! He deliberately stays away from the castle as long as he can, pretending to attend to the matters of the estate. In reality, he doesn’t want to get too attached to her. God knows how difficult it is for him, but he’s doing it for her sake. He doesn’t want to break her heart.
He even tries to control his feelings as much as he can when they are together at night, but when he thinks of Rebecca lying gloriously naked in bed a mere few feet away from him, his self-control weakens. Moreover, his duty towards the estate requires him to father a child and he has to fulfill that obligation at all costs. He has to frequent her chamber at nights until he is assured that she is carrying his child. He just has to be careful that he doesn’t lose his heart in the process now that he knows that his beautiful wife loves him!
Henry silently curses the timing of this information. He has to immediately leave for an important meeting in the neighboring county and he won’t be back for three days. Once he returns, he’ll have to tell Rebecca that he is incapable of loving her…..or anyone else, for that matter!
Chapter Nine
Rebecca has not been feeling well this past week. She is suffering from bouts of restlessness and nausea and so Lady Elizabeth called in a doctor to examine her. And the doctor has just given her the most wonderful piece of news: she is going to be a mother! Good Lord! Rebecca is ecstatic! When the doctor asks her about the last time she had her mon
thly cycles, she realizes that it had been back in Leicester.
“Congratulations, my dear. I am so happy,” Lady Elizabeth is grinning from ear to ear. “You have fulfilled my dream, Rebecca. I can’t believe it! I am going to be a grandmother soon.”
“And what a good day to receive this news too! Henry will be back anytime now. I am sure he’ll be over the moon when he hears this,” smiles Rebecca, unable to contain her excitement. She unconsciously moves her hand over her flat belly.
“I am sure he’ll be ecstatic. I am going downstairs now. I’ll send him up as soon as he arrives.”
*******************************************************
Henry is finally home. The discussion that he’d been dreading these past days will take place now. He will have to tell Rebecca to keep her emotions in check or be prepared for heartbreak. He has to be strong; if not for himself, then for Rebecca’s sake.
When he enters the mansion, he can’t help but notice that everyone is in a merry mood. Even the usually poker-faced Robert is looking a bit too pleased. Wondering what is going on, he moves toward his study to put away some papers when he finds his mother moving towards him with a glass in her hand and a gait that is too fast for her age.
“Henry, my dear! I am so glad that you are home!” Lady Elizabeth actually gives him a peck on his cheek! Henry is very intrigued to learn exactly what is going on!
“I am very well, thank you, Mother. How are you?”
“As good as can be! How did your meeting go?”
“As I had expected. Mother, I am very tired so if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just take your leave and retire for the day.” Henry wants to freshen up a bit before having the talk with Rebecca. While a part of him longs to see her again, another part dreads her reaction to what he is about to tell her.
“Of course, my dear.” She seems a bit flustered. “Do you mind taking this to Rebecca’s chamber? She has not been feeling too well these past few days,” says Lady Elizabeth, handing him the huge glass that she’d been holding.
“Why? What happened?” Henry’s brows immediately furrow with worry.
“Nothing to be worry about! You just go and see for yourself,” she tells her son and gives him a mysterious smile.
Now Henry is more confused than ever! What is the matter with everyone? Holding the glass cautiously in his hands, he moves towards Rebecca’s room. It seems that the time has finally arrived to let her know the truth!
*********************************************************
“Come in,” says Rebecca as she hears a small rap on her door. When she sees Henry standing in the doorway, her heart literally leaps out of her chest.
“Oh! It is you, Henry! Please come in,” she says. It looks like he has not shaved for the past few days, which makes him even more handsome, if such a thing is possible! Henry enters the room and closes the door behind him. He hands her the glass of juice and asks her about her health. Rebecca can’t help but feel that there is something distant in his eyes…..a warning her that whatever he has to say is not pleasant.
“How are you feeling now? Mother just informed me that you’ve been in ill health.”
Rebecca had expected him to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless after being apart for four long days. She’d missed him terribly.
“I am feeling much better now that you’re here. How are you?” Rebecca sees him flinch a little at her words. A sudden dread grips her heart. Something is wrong, very wrong!
“I am fine. Rebecca, I need to talk to you for a moment, if you don’t mind?”
“Why yes, of course. Please have a seat.” She notices that he decides to sit as far away from her as possible. And here she was, dying to throw herself in his arms!
“I really don’t know how to put it. Rebecca, Just before I left four days ago, Mother came to me and she…she told me that she thinks you are in love with me.”
Henry watches as Rebecca’s eyes grow wide with surprise. “I don’t remember ever telling her that,” she says defensively. Before Henry can respond, she adds, “But Henry, even if what she said turns out to be true, is it a bad thing that I may have fallen in love with you?”
“Yes, it is,” he says almost immediately. Taking a deep breath, he adds, “Listen to me, Rebecca. I can give you everything that a wife expects from a husband except love! I cannot give you that.”
Rebecca feels the ground slipping beneath her feet. She can’t believe that Henry is telling her that he can’t love her.
“But why?” she whispers.
“Because I am incapable of loving anyone! Love ruins one’s life and I will not let some foolish emotion override my better sense.”
“That is ridiculous. Your parents were in love with each other, Henry, and they shared a wonderful life together. If love is such a bad thing, why didn’t it ruin them?” questions Rebecca.
“I cannot argue with you. I just wanted to make my stance clear. You knew from the very beginning that ours would be a marriage of convenience. Why complicate it with all this love nonsense? Rebecca, trust me, I want to spare you the heartache-”
“Leave. JUST LEAVE,” she shouts. She can’t bear to hear any more.
Henry is a little taken aback by her sudden outburst but he exits her room, nevertheless. Before leaving, he tells her that she’ll thank him one day for warning her against love. What a foolish man, thinks Rebecca.
Chapter Ten
Henry feels like a sick bastard for hurting Rebecca. She’d been so happy to see him! Truth be told, he had been eager to see her. Although he tried his best not to get too close to her, she had somehow managed to get under his skin.
He recalls the look of shock on her pretty face when he’d told her that he would never be able to love her. Good Heavens! When had the situation become so complicated? Just as he finally is able to close his eyes after a physically and mentally exhausting day, both he hears someone knock at his door.
“Who the devil is this, knocking at the door at such an ungodly hour?” he mutters. He opens the door to find none other than his mother standing there, looking mighty upset.
“Mother, you are still awake? Is everything alright?” A sudden tension grips his heart. “Is Rebecca alright?”
“How can she be alright when you’ve mercilessly crushed her heart beneath your feet?” she accuses him.
“Oh!” Henry heaves a sigh of relief. He’d been worried about her health since he’d seen her this evening. She looked so pale and weak. At first, he even contemplated putting off the discussion until she got better, but he decided that putting it off would only invite more trouble for both of them. “Thank God! I got worried for a moment that perhaps her condition has deteriorated.”
“What condition?” There is a confused look on Lady Elizabeth’s face.
“You only told me that she’s not been well. And she looked so pale this evening.”
“Did you bother to ask her why she looked so pale and unwell?”
“Well, I did ask her if she was feeling better…”
“Henry, Rebecca is carrying your child!”
Henry is stunned for a moment. Rebecca is carrying his child! Good Heavens! A bundle of emotions hit him all at once: joy, pride, excitement, wonder and relief! So, she’s not been well because…because she’s pregnant…with his child! Henry wants to shout at the top of his lungs. He is so happy!
“Oh Mother! This is wonderful news. I must go and see Rebecca at once-”
“You’ll do no such thing, Henry,” his mother warns him.
“Why? Aren’t you happy Mother? After all, this is what you wanted! And Rebecca…” This is when realization strikes him. Rebecca had been waiting to give him this good news and what had he done? He’d told her that…! Oh God!
“Why are you doing this to her, Henry?” his mother asks him calmly.
The happiness that had filled Henry’s heart recedes as reality strikes him. He swallows hard before replying, “I can’t love her, Mother. I won’t
allow myself to fall in love ever again.” Henry’s voice is thick with emotion.
Lady Elizabeth’s heart aches for her son.
“It has been eight years, Henry! Whatever happened was not your fault….When will you understand that?”
“I don’t want to talk about the past, Mother,” he says stiffly.
“But I want to talk about it. I can’t just sit calmly seeing you ruining Rebecca’s life and your own too! Don’t you realize that you love Rebecca just as much as she loves you! I may be old, but I am not blind, Henry! The way you look at her, the way you care for her…this proves that you have feelings for her. How long will you deny the truth?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” says Henry, avoiding his mother’s eyes.
“You cannot lie to your mother, my dear,” says Lady Elizabeth softly. “Rebecca is nothing like Charlotte.”
Henry knows that his mother is right. Rebecca is nothing like any of the women he’d met in the past. She is honest and pure; her face like an open book, so easily readable. Does that mean she is incapable of breaking his heart? A voice within him tells him that Rebecca would never knowingly hurt him, but his brain doesn’t want him to take any chances. What if she turns out like Charlotte?
“How can you be so sure, Mother? Charlotte had also seemed very charming and innocent in the beginning,” he says bitterly.
“I agree that we underestimated that woman. But not all women are the same, Henry.”
“I agree that every woman is not the same. But a lot of them are! Most of them want nothing much from me except money and title.” Henry laughs a hollow laugh.
“It is all your fault, son. After Charlotte, you deliberately surrounded yourself with such women because that is what you wanted to see! And what do you think? Rebecca loves you because you are a Duke? Ask your heart, my dear, and you will get your answer. She wants nothing else from you apart from your love!”
BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE: The Unforgettable Billionaires: The Complete Collection Boxed Set 1-12 (Young Adult Rich Alpha Male Billionaire Romance) (Alpha Bad Boy Billionaire Romance) Page 115