Nicole Jordan - The Passion

"And perhaps you are the one who has been fooled."

When Gerrod clenched his jaw in frustration and anger, Aurora adopted a more conciliatory tone. "Even if my husband were alive – which I don't believe – whatever makes you think he would come here to England? His home is… was…in Virginia."

"If I had so lovely a wife, I would not hesitate to seek her out."

"If so, then surely he would have approached me before now. But he has not."

"You are absolutely certain?" Gerrod asked, staring at her.

"Captain…" she said, thinking furiously. "I am engaged to wed the Earl of March – even though no announcement will be made until my period of mourning is over. Do you actually think I would have entered into such an agreement if I still believed myself to be wed to another man?"

For the first time, the captain's expression showed serious doubt. But then he shook his head. "I think, my lady, that you are intent on protecting your husband."

Aurora let her features grow deliberately chill. "And I think you have convinced yourself of this fantasy out of vengeance or spite, I'm not sure which."

Gerrod's scowl returned. "If the man I seek truly is Deverill and not Sabine, then he can have nothing to fear from me."

She drew a measured breath, as if she were considering whether or not to help him. "It is my understanding Mr. Deverill left London a fortnight or so ago on a journey to Somerset… or was it Berkshire? Perhaps you should begin your search there."

His hard gaze held hers. "No doubt," Gerrod replied with renewed snideness, "you would be happy to send me on such a fool's errand. No, my lady, I believe you know of Sabine's whereabouts."

"Are you accusing me of lying , Captain Gerrod?" Aurora raised her chin regally. "You are offensive, sir. I must ask you to leave."

"Very well," Gerrod bit out. "But I will not give up. I will find Nicholas Sabine and bring him to justice."

Jamming his hat on his head, he brushed past her, heading for the front entrance. Aurora remained tensely silent until he was gone. Then she let out a shuddering sigh. She hoped her lies had convinced him, but she seriously doubted it.

Turning to pace the floor, she swore under her breath. There had to be something she could do to protect Nicholas. She couldn't bear just to remain idle, deploring her helplessness.

Sweet mercy, perhaps she should have concocted a better tale. Perhaps she hadn't been wise to claim she was betrothed to Lord March. She would have to persuade Geoffrey to go along with the pretense if Captain Gerrod asked…

Geoffrey! Aurora froze where she stood. He knew nothing about Nicholas being in England. Word would reach him, and then he would realize she hadn't told him the truth. He would feel hurt and betrayed…

No, the revelation had to come from her, Aurora knew. She had to tell him herself. She owed him that.

Urgently she turned to summon her butler. But it wasn't Geoffrey she was thinking of when she asked Danby to order her carriage.

Please, Nicholas , she pleaded silently. Please get away safely . She couldn't bear it if Nicholas died, for a part of her would die with him.

The heart will know its one true mate .

She found Lord March and his mother awaiting her arrival. Both rose to greet Aurora when she entered the elegant drawing room, and both registered surprise to see her muslin day gown and spencer. It was obvious from her attire that she did not intend to take supper with them.

"Is something amiss, my dear?" the countess asked with a worried frown.

Indeed there was something greatly amiss, Aurora thought dismally. She should be feeling joy to see the man with whom she intended to spend the rest of her life. Not this terrible hollowness.

"Forgive me, Lady March," Aurora replied, evading the question, "but I must speak to Geoffrey for a moment. Alone, if I may."

"Yes… of course," the countess said, puzzled. "I will just go fetch a wrap. I confess I was feeling a chill." She withdrew quietly, leaving Aurora alone with Geoffrey.

She saw the surprise in his eyes, but as always he acted the gentleman, offering her a seat without immediately pressing her for an explanation.

She was too agitated to sit, though. Her heart aching, she turned to pace the room.

Geoffrey was watching her, she realized, his brows drawn together with concern. "What is wrong, Aurora? You are obviously distressed."

Stiffening her shoulders as if preparing for a blow, she forced herself to turn and face him. "I… I fear I haven't been completely truthful, Geoffrey. There is something I failed to tell you."

"What is it, my dear?"

Her eyes burned. How could she bear to hurt this man? How could she not? She couldn't marry him. Not when she loved Nicholas so desperately…

She had been fooling herself all along. The signs had been so obvious: the joy she felt in Nicholas's presence, her grief at having to part, her terror at the possibility of him dying…

Tonight, with the danger he faced, she had finally been forced to acknowledge the truth. She couldn't lose Nicholas. Even if he died tomorrow, she wanted to be with him for as long as she could.

"Aurora?" Geoffrey prodded when she stood silently.

With effort, she swallowed the ache in her throat. She had no choice. She couldn't let Nicholas go.

"You are bound to hear the truth," she began finally, "but I wanted it to come from me."

"Aurora, please," he said gently, "I hope you will end my suspense."

She nodded, taking a steadying breath. "I told you yesterday that my husband was alive, but… there is more. Nicholas Sabine is here, Geoffrey. In England."

There was a long silence while Geoffrey digested that intelligence. "Your husband is here?" he said slowly.

"Yes. He has been here these past six weeks."

"So long?"

She couldn't read the expression in Geoffrey's blue eyes. Shock? Dismay? Anger?

Despite her vow to control her emotions, Aurora found herself clenching her hands. "Geoffrey, I… I have been with him."

"He forced himself on you?" Definite anger laced his tone as his eyebrows snapped together in a scowl.

"No. He never forced me. I… welcomed him."

"I see." Geoffrey raised a hand to his temple. "Do you mind if I sit down?"

"Yes… no, of course I don't mind…" Aurora took an agitated step toward him. "It was thoughtless of me to keep you standing."

He sank slowly onto the settee. "Why did you not tell me yesterday?" he finally asked.

"I couldn't. I didn't want to hurt you so shortly after you had returned home. I did mean to tell you… soon," Aurora finished lamely.

Compelling herself to meet his gaze, she came to sit beside him. "I hoped to give you time to adjust to being home before you had to learn of it, but… well… there have been complications. The British navy is searching for Nicholas. They came to me a short while ago, demanding to know his whereabouts."

Geoffrey still seemed to be considering the ramifications of her earlier disclosure. "Yesterday you led me to believe you wanted the marriage annulled."

"I thought I did." She took another shaky breath. "After you returned, I asked Nicholas to have our marriage annulled, and he agreed."

"You asked him to sever the marriage?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Why?" She searched Geoffrey's face. His blue eyes were solemn, penetrating.

"I am curious about your reasoning," he said slowly. "Whether you meant to end it for my sake, or because that is what you truly wanted."

Aurora looked down at her clasped hands, struggling to hide the despair welling in her eyes.

"You love him, don't you." It was not a question.

She felt her eyes blurring as she nodded. For weeks now she had fought admitting her love. She had thought she could save herself from heartbreak by pushing Nicholas away. But she knew now that her heart would break if she lost him.