More than Passion by JoMarie DeGioia

Author:JoMarie DeGioia
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-10-31T06:45:45+00:00

Chapter 18

For the next week, Geoffrey held several meetings with Lords Chester and Roberts. The latter had an interesting bit of news to share one afternoon after his visit to the enamored gossip.

It seemed that a certain young widow was in a bad way financially. Lady Joan Balsam, the married woman so fond of Roberts, told him that Priscilla Brooks was in dire straits. Her late husband, the Earl of Brookdale, had amassed gambling debts before his untimely demise. Lady Joan was only too happy to add the fact that Lady Brookdale had practically nothing left except her pretty face.

“Does a bird figure prominently on Brooks’s coat?” Geoffrey asked.

“Yes,” Roberts answered. “A quail.”

“Were you able to learn if Lady Brookdale is involved with anyone?” Chester asked.

“No.” Roberts shook his head, a crooked smile on his face. “It seems that Lady Joan was quite jealous of my interest in the lovely widow.”

Geoffrey nodded, returning the man’s smile. “It’s a wonder you got out of their with your virtue intact, Roberts.”

“I thought that I’d pay a call on the poor, lonely widow,” Roberts volunteered.

“That could prove interesting,” Chester added. “Do you think she’d be involved in this?”

Roberts shook his head. “From what I remember of the late earl’s wife, she’s quiet and shy.”

“The earl died only a few months past, I believe?” Chester asked Roberts.

“Seven months, according to Lady Joan. Why?”

Chester stood and paced as the other two men watched expectantly. After a while, he spoke. “It seems to me that she wouldn’t be openly involved with anyone. Could she have let someone use her carriage that day?”

“It’s possible.” Geoffrey looked at the clock on the desk. “Gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I promised my wife that I’d change and be ready to escort her to dinner this evening.”

His friends stood then, crossing to the door.

Chester pulled the door open and turned. “Are you going to any of the parties tonight, Kane?”

“Rebecca and I plan to make the rounds, yes. Though with the possibility of someone wishing me harm, I’m tempted to keep her out of the line of fire.”

“You don’t know if this was deliberate,” Chester said. “It seems your wife isn’t the type to let you wrap her in silk and keep her at home.”

Geoffrey smiled. “Hardly.”

“How is she feeling?” Roberts asked.

“She’s feeling just fine, thank you,” Becca said from the doorway.

The men turned to her. She was dressed for dinner, wearing a gown of deep violet. She smiled at them in greeting.

“Rebecca.” Roberts grinned. “You look marvelous. You must be feeling better.”

“It’s a pleasure to see you so well,” Chester said.

Geoffrey joined his friends at the door. “Hello, love.” He took her hand and drew her to his side.

“Geoffrey, it seems I was left to find my own way to dinner.”

“Put the blame squarely on us, Lady Kanewood.” Chester smiled. “We kept your husband from you.”

“Yes.” Roberts bowed. “We beg your pardon, Rebecca.”

They took their leave and Geoffrey pulled her into his arms.

“I’m sorry, Becca,” he said softly. “I’ve been closed in with those two for too long.

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