More than Passion (28 page)

“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.”

“Where is he?” Leed asked.

Lady Margaret blinked in surprise. “He’s in Scotland, I believe.”

“Scotland?” Leed asked. “Whatever for?”

“He believes Rebecca may be there.”

“Rebecca is also gone from Kanewood?” Chester asked.

“What is troubling you two?” she asked.

He and Leed exchanged a look, silently agreeing to discuss this alone.

“Nothing of import, Lady Margaret,” Leed said. “We simply wished to ask Kane’s advice about the business dealings of a mutual acquaintence.”

“It seems that will have to wait,” Chester added with a smile.

“Well.” She tilted her head to one side. “At least join me for tea.”

They acquiesced as the butler saw to their personal effects into guest rooms abovestairs. As soon as they could manage, they finished their discourse with Lady Margaret and went upstairs to the room set aside for Lord Chester’s use.

Leed closed the door and faced Chester. “With both Kane and Rebecca gone, we don’t have to worry about John at present.”

Chester paced the room. “We could use this time to work on Kane’s brother.”

Leed nodded. “Let’s ready for dinner.”

They were surprised to later learn from Patricia that John was in London. The four of them sat in the dining room as Lady Margaret informed them of Becca’s flight and Geoffrey’s pursuit.

“None of this would have happened, of course,” she went on, “if my son hadn’t deemed it necessary to leave for London without his wife.”

Patricia smiled slyly, an action that Chester didn’t miss. He arched a brow at her. “Did you wish to say something, Patricia?”

“Oh,” she began with a small smile, “nothing, I assure you. I was simply wondering why Viscount Roberts isn’t with you gentlemen.”

Chester knew full well what she was intimating.

Leed cleared his throat. “Lord Roberts was detained in London.”

With a slight shrug of her shoulders, she turned her attention to her meal.

Later, once more in Chester’s room, the men discussed their predicament. Patricia’s behavior rankled.

“How did John get involved with such a cold-hearted witch?” Leed asked.

“Kane should thank God each day that he never married her,” Chester said. “I wonder if Kane located Rebecca.”

“And when they’ll return to Kanewood,” Leed added. “I hope that John is truly in London and not prowling the countryside.”

“I don’t like not knowing where that son-of-a bitch is, Leed. He could be up to more mischief.”

Leed gave a nod of worried agreement.

* * * *

At the McClair holding, Geoffrey and Becca had just finished dinner. It had been a lively affair, filled with stimulating talk and much laughter. After bidding her parents good night, they climbed the stone steps to their room. She’d no sooner closed the door when Geoffrey pulled her to him.

“I’ve missed you so much, Becca.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

His lips touched hers, the contact gentle. She opened her mouth for him as if begging him to deepen the kiss. He obliged her, sweeping his tongue into her mouth. She clung to his shoulders as his pulse pounded in his ears. If he didn’t slow down, he’d take her there on the stone floor.

He sat down on the huge bed, taking her with him to hold her close. He couldn’t put off the inevitable any longer.

“Becca, I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice low.

She leaned up to look at him. “You’ve already apologized, husband.”

He shook his head at her. “No, love. Not about doubting you. About that last night, in our chamber.”

“Geoffrey, you don’t—”

“I was out of control. I never should have treated you that way.”

She was so quiet, her hesitation cutting him to the bone. What was she thinking? Would she send him away now that he finally had her back in his arms?

“God, love,” he said, drawing her close. Tears stung his eyes, choked his throat. “Instead of cherishing you as I ought … Ah, I almost did the unforgivable. Even touching you in any way that wasn’t sweet and gentle ….”

He found it hard to continue, the truth of his behavior heavy on his soul.

“You didn’t hurt me, not physically.” She took a breath. “What hurt me most was that you didn’t believe me.”

“I know.”

“You left me. You shut me out of your life.”

“Becca, you are my life.”

His heart stilled, its every beat dependent on what happened next.

She smiled at last and his heart began to beat again. “Then I forgive you. For all of it.”

He let out a sigh of relief and hugged her to him once more. She felt perfect to him, curving sweetly into his body as she rested her head on his shoulder. “We’ll leave for Kanewood on the morrow if that suits.”

“Oh, yes,” she said. “I cannot wait to see Ann!”

“She commanded me to bring you home, love.” He dropped a kiss on her brow.  “I shall not disappoint her.”

The affection on Becca’s face told him how much she cared for the little girl. It was a pity Becca wasn’t Ann’s mother. She was warm and loving and everything a child could want.

“We’re going to have a baby,” she said softly.

“Hmm. If matters continue the way they have been, love, we will have more than one.”

She let out a soft laugh. “No, husband, you misunderstand me. I’m carrying your child.”

His eyes widened as the truth settled on him. He cupped her face with his hands. “I love you, Becca!”

They talked then, about their plans and hopes and dreams. They readied for bed, and Geoffrey was as gentle as he should have been that last night. It was passion, but it was more than that. It was a promise of forever with every kiss and caress and it was unbelievably satisfying.