More than Passion (27 page)

Her dress was of rose-colored silk, one of the first Geoffrey had given her. She regarded herself closely in the cheval glass, seeing both of her parents’ features evident in her reflection. She ran her fingers through the curls at her temple, her mind working. Her mother had told her that Thomas had named the inn for her. The ton had bestowed the nickname “Raven” upon her very shortly after her debut, because of her raven-black tresses. When Charlotte had returned to the holding with McClair, he renamed his family home for her, as well.

Becca thought back to how Geoffrey had always professed to love her hair. He’d always called her beautiful. Had his love for her been that shallow? He’d cast her aside so easily, perhaps it had been only her looks that had held his heart. Her stomach clenched at that thought. She ran her hand gently over her abdomen. She would have to be strong for her child. She couldn’t afford to fall apart. And she would love it enough for two parents, even if she had to do it alone.

Sighing, she turned away from the mirror and went downstairs to tea.

* * * *

At Kanewood that evening, Geoffrey paid little attention to his dinner, his mind on the morrow. Fields had promised him he’d learn where the McClair holding was and Geoffrey trusted the man at his word. He noticed then that John never appeared for the meal.

“Where’s my brother, Patricia?”

“It seems he had some appointments to keep in London, Kane.” She sipped at her wine. “It’s a shame you came back so soon. You could have kept an eye on my husband for me.”

Geoffrey started at her choice of words. He’d told Chester and Leed that he’d do just that and now John wasn’t at Kanewood.

“Don’t you usually accompany him on these trips?” Lady Margaret asked.

Patricia bristled. “He shall not be gone long, Lady Margaret,” she responded sharply.

His mother arched her brow at the woman’s reaction, but held her tongue.

“Which is it then, Patricia? Will he be gone a while or back shortly?” Geoffrey asked. “What, precisely, keeps John in London?”

She pursed her lips. “He will be back when he returns. I trust my spouse, Kane.”

The dig missed its intended mark but still stung. He should have trusted Becca. That was the truth of it. The remainder of the meal passed in uncomfortable silence, though he still found it preferrable to Patricia’s venom.

Much later, Geoffrey stood at the window in his study on the main floor, looking out at the dark landscape. His upcoming trip distracted him, preventing the hope of getting to sleep tonight. He poured himself a brandy and swirled the liquid in his glass, trying to puzzle through all that muddled his mind.

A knock sounded at the door. Geoffrey went to it, thinking it could be Fields with information for him. He pulled the door open and blinked in surprise. Patricia stood there in her wrapper, the collar closed tightly under her chin.

“Patricia, what are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t sleep.” She strolled into the room. “I knocked on your chamber door, but there was no answer.”

“You went to my chamber?”

“Yes.” She turned slightly to gaze at him over her shoulder. “I needed someone to talk to.”

He closed the door and leaned against it, his arms crossed. “What did you wish to discuss?”

“I was lonely, Kane.” She crossed over to stand very close, nearly touching him. “You must be lonely without Rebecca.”

Geoffrey straightened, putting some distance between them, but she promptly bridged the tiny space he’d made and loosened the collar of her wrapper, showing him quite a bit of her bosom.

“Kane.” She pressed herself against him. “I can make you forget all about her.”

“I don’t want to forget about her.”

“You cast her aside.” She caressed him through his breeches. Her gown was open to him now, showing him she wore nothing beneath. She nibbled on his ear. “I have acquired many talents since our engagement, Kane. More than Rebecca, I daresay. Let me show you.”

She knelt down to unbutton his breeches. He grabbed her fingers then, nearly crushing them.

“Get up,” he barked.

She blinked up at him and stood, placing her hands behind his neck.

He grabbed her roughly and pushed her away. “What do you think you’re doing? You’re my brother’s wife!”

She simply shrugged, closing her wrapper with an imperious toss of her head. “I thought we could make each other feel better, that’s all. But I can see you’re as passionless as you were all those years ago.”

His eyes narrowed. “I only have passion for my wife. A whore like you would never entice me.”

“Whore!” She ran at him, her hands in fists as she pummeled his chest.

He easily stopped her assault, holding her away from him. “Don’t think to try this again, Patricia.”

She looked into his eyes and must have finally grasped his anger. He opened the door and watched as she walked out. She stopped in the doorway, turning in a last show of defiance. “Your bed will be cold and lonely, Kane,” she warned. “And then you will come to me.”

With that she left, presumably for her and John’s chamber. What kind of marriage did those two share? He shuddered in disgust at her attempted seduction. He couldn’t believe he had almost married that bitch. Judging from what he had found out about his brother—they deserved each other.

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 bearing 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.