More than Passion (30 page)

Becca hesitated for a moment, finally giving a nod. “Yes, Lady Margaret. But it isn’t my place to discuss this. Perhaps Geoffrey will tell you in time.”

The older woman looked thoughtful for a long minute. She nodded her acceptance of Becca’s word on the subject. Becca could only pray that when the truth did finally come out, Lady Margaret could accept the news that her second son had such vile plans for her first.

* * * *

“I’ll track down that son-of-a-bitch if it’s the last thing I do,” Geoffrey vowed. “And when I do ….”

Leed and Chester nodded solemnly, well able to guess what would happen to John when the Earl of Kanewood caught up with him.

“So it’s settled, then,” Chester said. “We leave for London directly.”

“What of Rebecca?” Leed asked.

“What about her, Leed?” Geoffrey asked. “She’ll stay here with my mother.”

Leed shook his head. “I believe you should keep her close, Kane. What if John isn’t in London? What then?”

Geoffrey was torn. He wouldn’t allow even the slightest chance that John once more find her alone. “You’re right. I won’t have anything happen to her. And if that means bringing her with us to London, that’s what we shall do.”

He went in search of his wife to tell her to ready for the long ride to London.

Within the hour, Becca was settled in the carriage with the three gentlemen. There was hardly any room for her, what with Geoffrey nearly taking up the seat she sat upon and Lords Leed and Chester sprawled across the seat opposite. She tried to carve out some space for herself, to no avail. Her skirt was getting quite rumpled. She tried to smooth it, but there simply wasn’t enough room.

“Geoffrey,” she whispered finally. “Please give me a bit of space?”

He smiled sheepishly and moved over a bit. She let out a small sigh, which he heard. He quickly grasped her hand and brought it to his lips.

“Is something wrong, love?” he teased.

“It seems that I’m surrounded by giants,” she offered. “Perhaps I was a bit hasty in agreeing to accompany you.”

He grinned at her, his mood lightened considerably. He turned back to find his friends trying in vain to hide their smiles. He turned the topic to more mundane matters, happy to put John out of his mind for at least a short while.

They arrived at Geoffrey’s townhouse in time to share a late supper the next day. When the meal was finished, Becca bade the gentlemen good night and retired for the evening. Geoffrey and the others adjourned to his study, sipping brandy and discussing their plans for the next day.

“How should we go about tracking the bastard down, Kane?” Leed asked.

Geoffrey set his glass down and shrugged. “Perhaps someone at White’s has seen him recently.”

Chester shook his head. “Doubtful. John hasn’t many friends left at the more respectable establishments in town. We should send a note to Roberts.”

Geoffrey stiffened at the mention of the man’s name. “I don’t know if I want him involved.”

“Kane,” Leed began, “Roberts was instrumental in determining that John was the blackguard at the center of this mess.”

That fact surprised Geoffrey. “How so, Leed?”

Leed told him about Roberts’s dealings with Lady Brookdale, about his using his charms to find out with whom she was involved. He also told of their many trips down to the waterfront, including the one in which he got answers out of the serving wench.

“My God, Kane,” Chester finished. “It was Roberts’s eyes that finally drew out the truth. They’re gray, like John’s.”

 “I didn’t realize he would go to such lengths. If he wishes to be of assistance, I can’t turn his offer down.” Geoffrey folded his hands on the table. “The man had best keep his word to me regarding my wife.”

“I’m certain that he shall,” Leed insisted. “He feels quite guilty over what he did.”

“I trust you to pen the note, Chester.” Geoffrey pushed away from the table. “Good night, gentlemen.”

When he entered the chamber, Becca was sleeping soundly. Without rousing her, he stripped out of his clothes and stretched out beside her. He watched her sleep, a nagging worry at the back of his mind. Was she truly in danger from John? Or was his brother’s sole motivation greed?

He let out a sigh and closed his eyes, drawing her close to him before joining her in slumber.

* * * *

Early the next morning, Lord Roberts called at the townhouse. The butler led him into the breakfast room where Geoffrey and Becca sat. Roberts stiffened as she fixed her gaze on him, a question in her eyes.

He turned from her. “Good morning, Kane,” he said. “Good morning, Lady Rebecca.”

“Roberts,” Geoffrey said in greeting.

Geoffrey had informed Becca of Roberts’s previous visit to the townhouse, and of his sincere apologies. Becca looked from her husband to the viscount and back again. Geoffrey kept his expression cool and Becca obviously took that to mean she may greet the viscount. She nodded.

“Come in, Lord Roberts,” she said. “Please help yourself to some breakfast.”

“Thank you, I shall,” he answered.

He took his plate and sat at the other end of the table, facing Geoffrey. The earl regarded the man closely, pleased to see his very proper behavior toward Becca.

Geoffrey set his napkin aside and pushed his plate away. “Roberts, Leed informed me of your assistance. I wish to thank you.”

Roberts shrugged. “I was happy to do what I could, Kane. Will Leed and Chester be joining us?”

Geoffrey opened his mouth to answer just as Miles announced the gentlemen, who followed on his heels.

“Good morning.” Chester smiled. “I trust you slept well, Lady Rebecca?”

“Very well thank you, Lord Chester.”

“How are you, um, feeling these days?” Leed asked, a flush on his face.

“Fine and fit,” she answered, hiding her smile.

She stood, Geoffrey and Roberts following suit. “I’ll be in the parlor, husband.”

He nodded and watched her go. When she turned down the hall out of his sight, he brought his attention back to his friends. Leed and Chester had taken plates for themselves and sat at the table.

“What is our first move this morning, gentlemen?” he asked, once more taking his place at the table.

Leed let out a sigh of irritation. “We simply must head down to the waterfront once more, although the atmosphere is dreary at best.”

“But that would be our best course right now, Leed,” Roberts said.

Leed nodded his acceptance.

The men were finishing their tea when the butler appeared at the doorway of the breakfast room. “My lord, Mr. Hall to see you.”

Geoffrey looked up in surprise.

“Your solicitor, Kane?” Chester asked.

“Bring him into the study, Miles,” Geoffrey instructed.

“What could he want?” Leed asked.

Geoffrey stood then. “Let us find out, gentlemen.”

The four of them filed into the study.

A look of relief crossed Mr. Hall’s distinguished features as he spotted Geoffrey. “Kane,” he began in a rush, “I was glad to learn that you had returned to town.”

“What is it, Hall?” Geoffrey asked pointedly.

“Your brother, Kane,” he answered. “He stopped by the offices this morning and—”

“John came to see you?” Chester asked.

“Yes,” the man answered. “He wanted an advance on his stipend.”

“Son-of-a-bitch,” Roberts whispered.

“Did you give it to him?” Geoffrey asked.

“We consulted and agreed to honor his wish.”

“Good,” Geoffrey said.

“What do you mean, Kane?” Leed asked.

“We don’t want him getting suspicious, Leed,” he answered.

“Ah.” Leed nodded. “And this way we give him a bit of breathing room.”

“Or perhaps enough rope to hang himself,” Roberts offered.

“Exactly,” Geoffrey said. “Hall, did he seem out-of-sorts to you?”

“Not particularly,” Hall answered. “He seemed quite relieved when we gave him the funds. However ….” The man suddenly stiffened, his eyes growing wide.

“What is it, man?” Chester asked him.

“John mentioned something just before he left our offices,” Hall said. “I believe it was to the effect of ‘wish me luck’ or something like that.”

The gentlemen exchanged a knowing look.

“To the waterfront, gentlemen,” Geoffrey said.

* * * *

Becca sat in the parlor, attempting to read a book. She placed the book down with a sigh of frustration and went to stare out the window, her arms crossed in front of her.

“What is it, Becca?” Geoffrey asked with a smile.

She spun around to face him. “I so wished to know what you were discussing, Geoffrey. I hope you don’t think ill of me.”

He shook his head at her and crossed the room, taking her hand in his. “I’m resigned to the fact that I have a curious wife.”

“Ah, you forget so quickly,” she said. “Keeping secrets was what got you into trouble.”

“I remember very well.” He kissed her cheek. “We’re leaving for the waterfront, love. Please call for Miles if you need anything.”

“Certainly. Be careful.”

“Of course.” He kissed her again and strode to the door. “And Becca?”

“Yes?”

“Please stay inside, love?” he finished. “I don’t want you to leave the townhouse.”

His intent was clear and she thought she might love this serious, concerned Geoffrey even more than the playful, romantic one. “You have my word.”

Chapter 30

Becca managed to eat her lunch, hunger outweighing her apprehension about Geoffrey’s errand. Afterward, she sat once more in the parlor. The parlor doors were open, and she heard footsteps in the foyer. Geoffrey! As the sound neared the room, she turned toward the doorway, a smile on her face.

Shock stunned her. “John?”

John crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “Hello, sister,” he said, smiling crookedly.

Becca recovered herself, holding her hands tightly in her lap to keep them from shaking. “So,” she began, “what brings you by to visit?”

“Oh, I needed to pick up a few items,” he said with a secret smile.

Before she could fully ponder what it was he meant by that, he closed the parlor door. He slowly advanced on her, taking in her appearance in a leisurely fashion. Her hair was plaited in a single braid coiled at the back of her head, as Mary had been left behind at Kanewood. Her gown was simple in design, the front dipping modestly. No matter, though. The way John was looking at her, she might as well have been naked.

She straightened her shoulders, trying to keep the indignation she was feeling in check. After learning all that he’d been about of late, she had no wish to provoke his ire.

“How have you been?” she asked in a pleasant voice. “You were missed at Kanewood.”

Her words had the desired effect. The lascivious intent left his eyes as a smooth smile settled on his face. “Did you miss me, Becca?” he asked, deliberately using Geoffrey’s name for her.

“Well, I ….”

He stood directly in front of her, causing her to crane her neck to meet his gaze. He seemed to enjoy his show of power over her, finally taking a seat very close to her on the settee.

“And where is my brother, Becca?” he asked, studying her closely.

“He had business. Perhaps if you stop by later—”

“No,” he cut in. “I’d rather visit with you.”

Becca had no response to that. She could only sit there as he ran his gaze over her form.

“You must be feeling well, sister,” he offered. “You look positively radiant.”

“Th-thank you.”

He took her hand in his, applying pressure. She winced, at which he smiled broadly at her.

“I’ve missed you, Becca,” he said in a low voice. “I remember how you trembled beneath my touch when we were last in London.”

He sat closer to her, bringing his face to hers. “I could teach you so much, sister.” His gray eyes bore into hers. “So very much.”

As his mouth nearly touched hers, a knock was heard on the other side of the door. John’s head jerked back, turning toward the sound.

“My lady?” Miles asked.

Before Becca could answer, John brought his lips to her ear. “Don’t give me away, Becca,” he hissed. “If you do, I’ll make our union quite difficult for you.”

She shivered at his words. He brought her to her feet and pushed her toward the door. She glanced at him then, chilled by the glare in his eyes.

“What is it, Miles?” she asked in a shaky voice.

“I wondered if you needed anything just now, my lady.”

“No thank you, Miles,” she answered, her face close to the door. “But I’ll need the carriage later.”

“But—”

Becca spoke quickly before the butler could give her away. “Lord Kanewood wishes me to go to the haberdashery today, Miles. He specifically told me to go out this afternoon.”

She knew Geoffrey had told Miles she was to stay in until he returned.
Please understand, Miles
, she prayed.
Please go get Geoffrey
.

Miles was quiet for a long moment. “Ah,” he said at last. “Very well, my lady.”

As his footsteps faded away from the door Becca stifled a sigh of relief. She turned back to find John grinning at her.

He rose to his feet. “Very good, sister.”

He strode to the credenza and fingered one of the tiny crystal figurines adorning the top. Becca watched him warily. What was he about? When he picked up the piece and slipped it into his pocket, she couldn’t contain her surprise.

John heard her gasp and faced her once more. “These trinkets are as much mine as Kane’s, Becca.” He shrugged. “And if I choose to place them on a wager, where is the harm?”

Becca blinked at him, not sure of how to proceed. She watched incredulously as he picked up another of the little figures, this one a swan. He held it up to the light, admiring its fine craftsmanship and flawlessness. He pocketed it as well and turned his full attention back to Becca.

Her heart pounded at the lustful glare in his eyes. It was clear he was no longer thinking about baubles or wagers. She pressed herself against the door, willing the wooden panel to disappear behind her and allow her escape.