More than Passion (13 page)

Geoffrey held his composure. “Don’t fret, brother. No one will come anywhere near her.”

John apparently missed the warning in Geoffrey’s tone and smiled in agreement. Geoffrey eyed him over his glass, twirling the amber liquid absently as talk turned to more mundane matters.

* * * *

The next morning dawned bright and as clear as London could be at that time of year. Becca awoke to find Geoffrey fully dressed.

“Are you eager for our ride this morning?” she teased.

He shook his head, regret clear on his face. “No, love. I must meet with my solicitors this morning.”

Becca sat up. “But you assured me you wouldn’t be attending to business for a few days.”

He crossed to the bed. “I know I did, but this couldn’t be helped.”

Fully awake now, Becca noticed the look of worry on his face. “Geoffrey, what is this about?”

He turned to the cheval mirror and adjusted his cravat. “It isn’t anything for you to worry about, Becca.”

She was confused by his demeanor. As he pulled on his waistcoat and jacket, she fancied that with each article of clothing, he was becoming more distant from her. She rose from the bed and touched his shoulder lightly.

He turned with a start, his face serious. “I need to see to this matter.”

Becca tried to hide her disappointment but failed. He stroked her cheek, his gaze tender, and once again he resembled the Geoffrey she knew and loved.

He kissed her. “I’ll return as soon as possible.”

She watched him go, bemused. As she sat at the vanity and brushed her hair, her mind worked. He’d seemed so distant to her for those few moments. Not like himself at all. Finally, she rang for Mary and set about her morning toilette.

Downstairs at breakfast, Lady Margaret suggested that she ride with Becca herself. “We’ll ride on the Ladies’ Mile at Hyde Park, Rebecca,” she said. “And perhaps trot down Rotten Row?” Her eyes sparkled. “I want to make sure the ton get’s a good look at my new daughter-in-law.”

Trepidation filled her limbs. What would the fashionable set think of her, the simple girl who had married so far above her station?

“I don’t know if I should go out today,” she said softly.

“Nonsense!” Lady Margaret patted her hand. “The ton like nothing more than gossip, dear. And you are precisely whom they would love to talk about.”

Becca’s stomach seized. “I’d rather not be gossiped about!” she replied nervously.

“Yes, but not to worry. You’re fresh and lovely, and you’re married to my remarkable son.” She flashed that smile so like Geoffrey’s as she said this. “You will outshine all of the debutantes this Season, depend upon it.” She waved a hand. “Besides, no one would dare speak ill of my daughter-in-law.”

Becca took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, trying to affect a bit of Lady Margaret’s bearing. “I shall do my best not to misstep.”

“I have no worries on that count. To the park, then?”

Becca smiled at last. “That would be lovely, Lady Margaret.”

Becca was surprised to see so many people out riding that morning. It appeared Lady Margaret couldn’t have been more pleased, however. A number of matrons asked to call later that day and more than a few gentlemen appeared very solicitous. After stopping to make a few calls themselves to Lady Margaret’s oldest and dearest friends, they returned to the house.

Soon after lunch, the callers began to arrive. Lady Margaret and Becca received them in the parlor, Becca was relieved that John and Patricia were out making calls of their own. Her nervousness was nearly nonexistent when her caring and supportive mother-in-law was the only one present.

Many older ladies called, expressing their pleasure over Geoffrey’s marriage. They were chagrined, however, to find the earl absent. This wasn’t the case for the gentlemen who called later that afternoon. They were more than happy to talk to Becca without Geoffrey in attendance, in Lady Margaret’s company, of course. One man, Viscount Roberts, was extremely attentive. He was a man about Geoffrey’s age and very good-looking, with black hair and gray eyes.

“Lady Kanewood,” Roberts began. “Will you be attending the Winslow bash next week?”

Becca looked to Lady Margaret for an answer.

“Yes, Lord Roberts,” the older woman replied. “We received an invitation just this morning.”

Roberts turned his attention back to Becca. “Wonderful,” he offered, his eyes sparkling.

Finally, the last of the callers departed. Lady Margaret looked at Becca then. “You look quite done in, dear. Why don’t you take yourself upstairs and rest a bit? We won’t dine before seven.”

“Thank you, Lady Margaret. Who would think that sitting and talking would be so tiresome?”

“Society, my dear,” Lady Margaret said with a smile.

Becca went to her and Geoffrey’s chamber. Mary assisted her out of her tea gown and stays, and removed the pins holding her hair in place. Mary left and Becca stretched out on the bed. She was asleep in less than five minutes.

* * * *

Geoffrey sat in his carriage on the way back from his meetings, his mind working furiously. The news he’d received didn’t sit well. Not at all.

He’d thought to simply review the accounts for Kanewood, having discovered some oddities on his recent tour of the estate. It seemed that the repairs he’d ordered hadn’t been completed. Several cottages needed their roofs re-thatched and the fencing bordering the properties were in a woeful state. He’d wondered if these conditions were somehow related to the missing funds and that morning his suspicions were confirmed. What the devil was going on?

As the carriage pulled up to the townhouse, he shook his head to clear his thoughts. He alighted and strode into the foyer, surprised to find the salver full. The silver tray now held more calling cards than he’d seen in recent memory. Many of the names were familiar and a small smile lifted the corner of his mouth as he went in search of his very popular wife.

He found Lady Margaret reading in the parlor. “Hello, Mother. Where is Rebecca?”

“I sent the poor dear upstairs, Geoffrey. The social whirl was quite a bit much for her today.”

He nodded. “Yes, I saw that there were many callers. I’m most pleased I was absent.”

“Oh, you,” his mother said with a shake of her head.

“I’ll see you at dinner, Mother.”

Geoffrey left the parlor, bound for their chamber. He opened the door and his breath caught at the sight before him.

Becca lay sleeping on the bed, clad in only her chemise and petticoat. Her hair fanned out in delightful disarray, framing her face. Her lashes were dark on her cheeks, which were flushed from sleep. He stared for a long moment, feeling the tension of the day melt away. He closed the door and crossed over to her.

He watched as she slept, her chest rising and falling as she breathed deeply through her parted lips. He shed his clothes and, wearing only his breeches, he stretched out alongside her.

He trailed a finger down her cheek, her neck, causing her to stir. He bent his head to nuzzle her smooth skin, flicking her ear with his tongue. A soft moan escaped her. He untied her chemise, placing feather-light kisses on her breasts.

Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled sleepily. “Geoffrey.”

“Yes, Becca.” He came up to kiss her. “I’m back.”

He proceeded to make love to her, gently and thoroughly. A while later, they lay on the bed.

“What a lovely way to awaken.” She sighed.

Geoffrey wrapped her in his arms, her head resting on his chest. “Indeed.”

“I missed you today.”

He dropped a kiss on her hair. “I know, love. I missed you, too.”

She turned to face him, placing her hands on his chest. She appeared to hesitate. “Won’t you tell me what had you so troubled this morning?”

He stiffened, used to keeping his own counsel on such matters. But when he looked into her beautiful eyes and saw the concern there, he relented.

“There have been some disturbing entries in my accounts for the last few months. I discovered them on my last trip to town.”

At her nod, he continued.

“And today, I learned that repairs I had ordered were not made to the estate, yet the account had been billed. It’s very puzzling, to say the least.”

She rested her chin on her folded hands. “What do you think is going on?”

“That’s precisely what I intend to find out.”

“Why didn’t you share any of this with me before?”

He stroked her cheek. “I didn’t wish to trouble you, love.”

She furrowed her brow at that. “I was more troubled that you didn’t trust me with your problems.”

He smiled then and kissed her frown away. “I took note of the many calling cards, Becca. You passed a busy afternoon, I daresay.”

“Yes. You have a great many friends.”

“Really?” he asked, smiling crookedly.

“Quite a few gentlemen called today. They were disappointed that you were out.”

He chuckled. “I’d wager they weren’t.”

“What? They were most solicitous. Especially your friend Lord Roberts.”

“He is a good friend,” Geoffrey said. “I believe when next he calls, I shall receive him, as well.”

“Good.” She roused herself and ran her fingers through his hair. “Let’s ready for dinner?”

He nodded and happily followed his wife’s order.

* * * *

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity for Becca. Geoffrey took her riding in Hyde Park and they went calling together.

“Geoffrey?” she asked him as they rode back to the townhouse one afternoon.

“Yes, love?” he answered, taking her hand.

“Why is it we have yet to call on your friends?”

“Which friends, Becca?”

Her mouth quirked in a half-smile. “The gentlemen who called on your mother and myself.”

With a playful growl, he gathered her into his arms. “I refuse to watch my friends drool over my lovely wife.”

“Don’t be silly. They were merely paying their respects.”

He said nothing to that, but she didn’t think he believed her.

The night of the Winslow bash arrived. Becca was very nervous to attend her first ball. She very nearly burst into tears when Geoffrey asked her if she’d be ready on time. After dropping a kiss on her brow, he thankfully left her to her own devices while he readied himself for the function.

She sat and fidgeted as Mary tugged on her heavy curls. She turned to dismiss the girl but finally permitted her to work her magic on the glossy mass.

When Mary announced that she’d finished, Becca looked in the mirror and gasped. Long tendrils curled down her back from the nape of her neck, while shorter ones framed her face.

“Mary, it looks wonderful. Even better than it did on my wedding day.”

Mary smiled and twitched a ribbon in place. She’d located thin ribbons the exact shade of blush pink as Becca’s gown and had twined them through her black curls.

Becca turned her head this way and that, marveling at Mary’s handiwork. “You’re a treasure, Mary.”

“Thank you, my lady.” She went into Becca’s dressing room to retrieve her mistress’s gown.

Geoffrey walked out of his dressing room then, looking extremely striking in his black, formal attire and white shirt and cravat.

Becca turned when she heard him. “Geoffrey, you will drive the ladies mad this evening.”

He flashed a dazzling smile, which made her heart skip a beat. He crossed to her. “There is but one lady I wish to drive mad.” He kissed her lightly. “You’re breathtaking, love.”

She blushed at that. She noticed then that he carried a velvet jewelry box. “What is this, Geoffrey?”

“This, darling, is the finishing touch to your attire this evening.” He placed the box on the vanity. “You did say your dress was pink, yes?”

She nodded, staring as he opened the box. Inside lay a pearl choker, the pearls as big as a child’s marbles. Matching earrings accompanied the necklace.

“Oh, my!”

He took the choker from the box and draped it around her neck, fastening it in the back. He dropped a kiss on her nape, sending a shiver through her.

She glanced in the mirror, her fingers fondling the round pearls. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

“No, Becca,” he stated, catching her eye in the mirror. “You’re beautiful.”

She turned around and he kissed her thoroughly. He straightened then and tugged at his cravat, breathing a sigh. “Are you nearly ready, love?” he asked.

She nodded and he told her he’d wait for her downstairs. Mary returned with the daring gown and Becca stepped into it. She still wasn’t very comfortable wearing such a revealing dress, but Lady Margaret assured her that it was stunning and just perfect for her. She stepped into the matching satin slippers and pulled on long gloves of satin in a matching shade of pale pink. Mary brought one of the long curls forward to rest against her breast. Becca giggled at her image. “Well, at least something is covering my bosom, Mary.”

“My Lady, you look like a princess, you surely do!” Mary said, her expression solemn.

Becca hugged the girl. “Thank you, Mary.”

Mary sniffed. “Now, off you go.”

Becca nodded happily and followed her orders.

Geoffrey stood in the foyer with John and Patricia. Lady Margaret joined them just as Becca began her descent. Geoffrey turned with a smile. The expression left his face as his mouth gaped open. She smiled at his reaction.

“My God, Becca. You look ….” His eyes narrowed on her daring bodice. “You’re not leaving the house in that dress.”

Becca started, “But I—”

“Geoffrey,” Lady Margaret stated calmly. “I helped Rebecca choose this gown and I believe she looks enchanting.”

“Ravishing, more like,” John put in. “Well done, Mother.”

Patricia glared at him and Becca felt a flush spread upward from her chest to her cheeks.

Geoffrey furrowed his brow in their direction, then let out a breath. He crooked his arm for her to grasp. As they left the house, he bent his head to hers. “When we return, I’ll take this dress off you, Becca,” he promised in a whisper. “And you will love every moment.”

Becca felt her cheeks flame at what he was suggesting, causing him to laugh softly in her ear. The party boarded the carriage, bound for the Winslow ball.