Read More than Passion for Free Online

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