More than Passion Page 4

  “Never.” Her mind was determined if her life wasn’t. At least now she could find sleep.

  * * * *

  The next morning, she was slow to awaken. She sat up to swing her legs over the side of the bed and groaned as she stood. Lord, she was tender. Geoffrey hadn’t been wrong, then. She rushed through her toilette and dressed with care. Her pulse quickened. She couldn’t wait to see him—how could she face him after last night?

  She chose a blue walking dress for today. As with all of her dresses, it was a bit snug through the bodice, but that couldn’t be helped. She’d left off wearing stays last season. It took her a long while to brush all of the tangles out of her hair, then with her dress straightened and her braid done and coiled, she finally headed downstairs.

  Geoffrey was sitting at his usual table when Becca walked into the dining room. He caught her eye, his blue eyes sparkling, and grinned broadly. Her pulse tripped as she looked away. She hurried to join Emmy to oversee and help with the morning meal and saw that her friend hadn’t missed the exchange.

  “So, ya dallied with the devil, did ya?”

  Becca flushed hot, nodding.

  Emmy leaned closer to whisper, “Well? How was it?”

  “It was wonderful!” Becca whispered. “He’s wonderful.”

  Emmy nodded and crossed her arms. “So it’s like that, is it?”

  “Like what?”

  “You’re in love with him,” Emmy whispered in triumph.

  Becca was stunned speechless. In love with Geoffrey?

  “Well, are ya?” Emmy pressed.

  “I … I don’t know.”

  Emmy put a hand on Becca’s arm. “Be careful, girl. Love can be awful messy.”

  She wasn’t in love. She couldn’t be. Geoffrey would leave for wherever he was headed when he’d landed in her midst, and probably very soon. No. She couldn’t be in love.

  She picked up the teapot and began to walk toward his table, unable to keep a small smile from her lips. Maybe not love, but it was something. She’d keep the memory of it close in the long, lonely years ahead.

  Chapter 5

  As Becca poured him a cup of tea, Geoffrey watched her. Her hand shook and he flattered himself to think it was due to their close proximity. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one affected. He picked up the cup and drank, regarding her over the rim. The blue dress she wore made her eyes a deep green. Lovely.

  He set his cup down. “I have to go into town this morning, Becca. Would you care to join me?”

  She shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t. I have to do an inventory of our supplies and I have the rooms to straighten abovestairs.”

  “Yes.” He grinned wickedly. “Mine is in awful disarray. I can’t imagine what happened in there.”

  “Hush, not here.” A pretty blush lightly stained her cheeks, but he didn’t miss her smile. She shook her head at him and continued on through the dining room. He watched her, noting her walk was a little stiff. He smiled to himself, knowing full well just what had caused her discomfort. Hell, he couldn’t stop thinking about their … tryst didn’t seem quite adequate a word to describe it. He’d never felt that kind of passion before. And the way Becca responded to him, she fired him like no other woman.

  But what was he going to do with her? He’d promised her he’d talk to her father. Bloody bastard. Selling her to the doctor? Kingsley obviously didn’t care about Becca if five thousand pounds could buy her from him.

  He finished his breakfast and left the inn but not before looking his fill at the beautiful girl he couldn’t get out of his mind.

  A short while later, he finally had some good news from the wheelwright. It seemed that the esteemed Dr. Simon, filthy rotter, had finally given Bennett permission to use his hand again. Geoffrey had felt a flash of anger at the doctor’s name, knowing the lecher planned to buy Becca.

  With Bennett’s assurance that the wheel would be ready in no more than two days’ time, Geoffrey strolled the thoroughfare, thinking to walk off his anger. As he passed the good doctor’s office, the door opened. Out walked the man himself. Geoffrey stiffened, raking his gaze over the bastard. Simon was a thin man, his narrow shoulders stooped. His hair was straight and gray, his eyes small and nearly black.

  Geoffrey forced a smile of greeting on his face. “Good morning, Dr. Simon.”

  “Good morning … Kane, isn’t it?”

  Geoffrey nodded.

  “Staying at Raven’s, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then perhaps I’ll see you there. I plan to dine there this evening.”

  “Oh, really?”

  The old man’s lips curled as a spark lit in those dark eyes. “Yes. Thomas and I have some unfinished business to conclude.”

  Geoffrey wouldn’t have been surprised if the good doctor started rubbing his hands together. His own hands itched to be around the man’s neck.

  “Good day,” he said, managing to sound uninterested. Years of society functions had given him that ability if no true enjoyment.

  “Good day,” the doctor fairly crowed.

  With a curt nod, Geoffrey walked deliberately away from Simon. He hopped back into the trap and set off for the inn. He’d have to talk to Becca’s father. Perhaps if he offered him the money himself, her father would take it. He was a business man, after all.

  He’d make the man swear not to try it again, though. If he ever learned that Kingsley forced another marriage on her, he’d come back to Oakham before the words were out of his informant’s mouth. He’d have to employ a local, then. His connections in London would be of no use here in the wilds of Rutlandshire.

  At least Becca wouldn’t have to worry about marrying some lecher. And when she met someone she wished to marry, she’d be free to do so. His stomach tightened at that thought. When he pictured her with another man, a man who would exercise his husbandly rights, his stomach churned. That unknown gentleman might have her hand, but Geoffrey had her virginity.

  “Kane, you’re a rake,” he told himself.

  Pushing aside the thought of Becca’s future husband and his acute wedding-night disappointment, he set off to find Kingsley. The door to the man’s office was ajar and he could hear the sound of Kingsley’s voice bellowing from inside.

  “Girl, you will do as I say!”

  “But, Father, I don’t like Dr. Simon.”

  “You don’t have to like him. Just marry him.”

  Don’t give in. Geoffrey waited for Becca’s answer.

  “I won’t marry someone I don’t love!”

  Good girl!

  Thomas snorted. “Love? What does love have to do with it? This is business.”

  Geoffrey heard Becca mutter something.

  “You think to defy me, girl? Just as the money is nearly in my hands—”

  “This is about money?”

  “Don’t think to tell me my business. You’re just like your mother.”

  “But, Father ….”

  Geoffrey heard Thomas’s footfalls as he stomped around the office.

  “You will marry Simon. That’s final.”

  Geoffrey heard the unspoken threat even if Becca didn’t. He pushed the door open.

  “You will do as I say!” Thomas slammed his hand down on the desk, and Becca jumped at the show of violence.

  “That’s enough,” Geoffrey said.

  Becca and her father turned to the doorway. Becca’s eyes widened, but Thomas was the first to find his voice.

  “Get out of here, Kane. This isn’t your concern.”

  Geoffrey nodded. “I’m making it my concern.”

  “Geoffrey, don’t,” Becca implored. “Please.”

  He looked at her and saw the fear in her eyes. God, she thought he was going to tell her father about their night together. He gave a quick shake of his head and faced her father. “You can’t force your daughter into marriage, Kingsley.”

  “And what do you know of it?”

  “Enough to know she shoul
dn’t have to marry someone just because he pays you,” he ground out.

  “Look at her!” Thomas sneered. “She has no dowry. Nothing to recommend her but her looks. Who else will marry her?”

  “I will,” Geoffrey stated.

  The two Kingsleys wore matching looks of surprise. Geoffrey didn’t know why he’d said it, but it made sense. He’d marry her. She was beautiful, sweet, and giving. She was nothing like Patricia. Yes, he’d marry her.

  “You?” Thomas scoffed. “Who are you?”

  He nearly gave Thomas his full title, but Becca hadn’t lost her look of bemusement. He couldn’t reveal that he’d kept something so important from her now. Not in front of her opportunistic father.

  “Someone who will treat her with the respect she deserves,” Geoffrey said.

  Thomas snorted again. “I have a deal with Simon and I’m a man of my word. Now get out!”

  “Ask Rebecca,” Geoffrey dared. “Ask Rebecca if she’ll marry me.”

  Becca gasped and he looked at her in alarm. She’d gone white, her eyes huge in her pale face. He made a move toward her, but Thomas grabbed his arm to stop him.

  “Well?” Thomas asked Becca. “Will you marry him, girl?”

  Her gaze darted between the two men, her breath coming fast. “No,” she whispered.

  Thomas barked out a laugh. Geoffrey could only stare as she ran from the room.

  * * * *

  Becca flew up the stairs and shut herself in her room. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. Marry Geoffrey? Never. He’d simply offered marriage to put an end to her father’s plan or, worse, to make up for the guilt of taking her virtue last night. With no dowry, she’d be a burden to him and he’d grow to resent her. Wasn’t that how her father saw her?

  The way she felt about Geoffrey—was it love? She didn’t know. She couldn’t bear it if he grew to despise her. She fell on her bed and cried until her throat was sore.

  * * * *

  In the dining room that evening, Becca wouldn’t meet Geoffrey’s gaze. After a few attempts to get her attention, he stopped trying. She’d rejected his offer, leaving him free of any obligation. He should be grateful. He drank more deeply of his ale and tried to content himself with watching her. She moved with her usual grace through the room, her skirt swaying. The memory of their lovemaking in his room, of her sweetly begging him to do what he’d been wild for, sent desire coursing through his veins. He wanted her, plain and simple. But with her refusal of his offer, he’d never have her again.

  When Dr. Simon walked into the dining room, Geoffrey didn’t miss the gleam in his eye as he watched Rebecca. Once more, he longed to feel his hands around the man’s neck.

  As he emptied his tankard, a small sound caught his attention. His gaze sought its source and found Becca. One of the diners, a man of Geoffrey’s age, held her by the wrist. As he held her captive, he reached up and stroked the hair at the nape of her neck. Geoffrey’s hands clenched.

  “Soft, just like a kitten,” the man said. “Come now, little pussy. Purr for me.” He pulled her down on his lap and Becca cried out.

  Geoffrey bounded to his feet and grabbed her up off the man’s lap. “Get your hands off her!”

  He smashed his fist into the man’s face. The man reeled, then came to his senses. Geoffrey braced his legs apart, his hands in fists at his sides. The man stood and faced Geoffrey’s challenge.

  As Becca stood behind Geoffrey, the man lunged at him and landed a punch in his middle. Geoffrey recovered quickly and swung his arm, knocking the man to the floor.

  Thomas stood between them, his arms spread wide. “That’s enough!” He fixed his gaze on Geoffrey. “Kane, I won’t tolerate this kind of behavior here. Sit down or I’ll throw you out.”

  Geoffrey slowly went back to his table and sat down. He saw that Becca was no longer in the dining room.

  “You!” Thomas dragged the other man off the floor. “That’s my daughter you were pawing. Get out, and don’t ever come back.”

  With a dark scowl in Geoffrey’s direction, the man grabbed his hat and stalked out of the room.

  Thomas motioned for Emmy to clean up the mess and walked back over to where Simon was standing.

  The doctor shook his head. “The deal is off, Thomas.”

  “What?” Thomas sputtered. “Why?”

  “I don’t wish to worry about men pawing my wife or fighting over her. She’s too young and pretty for my sanity. Good night, Thomas.”

  With a tip of his hat, he took his leave. Peter walked over to his friend, smiling and shaking his head. Thomas gave him a glare of warning, and Peter held his tongue. With a sigh, Thomas sat down.

  “What am I going to do, Jenkins?” he asked. “The way these young bucks are after her, she’s bound to get poked. And who will marry her then?”

  Geoffrey had the grace to redden at her father’s words. He nodded to the two men and left the dining room.

  He stopped in front of Becca’s door and knocked softly. “Becca?” he whispered. “Are you all right?”

  At last she opened the door a crack and peered out at him. He made a move to enter, then checked himself. She opened the door a bit wider, and he took in her appearance. Her face was still pale and she was visibly trembling.

  “Are you all right, love?”

  She shakily nodded. “Yes. I’m fine.”

  He didn’t believe her for a moment. “Let me—”

  She straightned her shoulders. “I’m fine, Geoffrey. I don’t need you.”

  Her words would have cut him if he believed them.

  “Well. Good night, then.”

  * * * *

  The next morning, Geoffrey sought Becca out. He strode into the dining room and Becca froze when she met his gaze. As he watched, a look of cool composure settled on her features. He didn’t miss the way her hands shook, though. She wanted to appear strong? Fine. He’d dance to her tune. For now.

  “Becca,” he said.

  “Good morning,” she said stiffly.

  She sounded strange to him, stilted.

  “How are you this morning?” he asked.

  “Quite well, thank you,” she said in that same flat voice.

  She looked as she always did: exquisite. Yet something wasn’t right. His eyes never leaving her, he sat. She poured him a cup of tea, her stance still rigid.

  He took a sip and set the cup down. “Becca, I wanted to talk to you about—”

  “I’m very busy today, Geoffrey. I have to go into town this morning.”

  Trapped! He smiled. “Then save the groom’s time. I’ll drive you. I have need to go into town myself.”

  Her composure faltered, then she nodded. “Thank you.”

  She left him then, seeing to the other diners in the room. He watched her go, knowing that she’d never be able to keep up her cool detachment on the drive into town. He smiled to himself and finished his breakfast.

  By the time they reached the village, he was ready to throttle her. She remained aloof, speaking to him only when spoken to. While she went to the market, he strode over to Bennett’s.

  The big man grinned broadly when Geoffrey approached, wiping his hands with a rag. “All fixed, sir. Right as rain.”

  “Wonderful,” Geoffrey answered gruffly.

  “The carriage will be ready by this afternoon. Figured you’d be wantin’ to be on your way.”

  Geoffrey looked at him sharply. He didn’t know what he wanted anymore. “My driver will be by tomorrow morning if that suits.”

  “Fine, fine,” Bennett answered.

  “Very well, then.” Geoffrey left the shop and headed for the trap.

  Tomorrow morning. He could leave tomorrow morning. But he’d talk to Becca first. And if she gave him another cold answer, he would throttle her.

  Chapter 6

  Becca was waiting for him when he reached the trap. She placed her basket in the back and climbed in, not waiting for his assistance. He sat next to her and urged the horse on
. They rode in silence, Becca ramrod stiff at his side.

  After twenty minutes, he pulled the trap to the side of the road and stopped. “All right, that’s quite enough!”

  Becca jumped and turned to him. “What’s quite enough?”

  “So, you’re talking to me now?”

  She looked away from him. “I was talking to you.”

  “No.” He alighted the trap. “You were acting as if I was some kind of stranger.”

  She blinked at that. He shrugged out of his coat and threw it in the back. He grabbed the blanket from beneath the seat and walked around to her side.

  “Come,” he said, holding his hand out to her. “We’re going to talk, Becca. Now.”

  After a brief hesitation, she put her hand in his. He helped her down and led her over to a large shade tree. He spread the blanket on the ground and sat. With a sigh, she sank to her knees on the blanket.

  “Why wouldn’t you talk to me last night?”

  She said nothing.

  “Were you angry with me? About the fighting?”

  Her eyes opened wide. “No, not at all. I could never be angry with you.”

  Relief flooded him. “Then what was it?” He needed to know.

  She took a breath and began. “I was embarrassed by what had happened in my father’s office. I didn’t want you to concern yourself. And then, when that man ….”

  He took her hands in his. “Shh, love. It’s all right.”

  She looked up at him, her calm facade a memory. “I was so frightened! And when you started fighting—”

  “I shouldn’t have done that in front of you. But when he touched you, when I saw him grab you, I went a bit mad.”

  Geoffrey gathered her in his arms, gently stroking her back. Becca rubbed her cheek against him, snuggling closer. He dropped little kisses on her hair, feeling its softness with his lips. He rested his chin on her head and sighed, content for the first time that morning. She felt so right in his arms.

  “I didn’t want him to touch me,” Becca said in a small voice.

  He nodded silently, knowing she had to speak of it.

  “I only want you to touch me, Geoffrey,” she said. “Only you.”

  He breathed in sharply, looking down at her. She stared at him with such innocence, such trust.