Nicole Jordan - The Passion

"He doesn't know about my relationship with Nicholas. Yesterday I told him only that I'd heard my husband was still alive."

Turning, Raven stared. "He doesn't know Nick is here in England?"

"I… I couldn't tell him. I couldn't deliver that kind of blow. And I was afraid of exposing Nicholas. I thought it better to wait until he was safely away."

"Forgive me for such bluntness, Aurora, but the Earl of March may not want a wife who has had a marriage annulled. He may not want to bring such a stain to his family name."

"Geoffrey isn't concerned about his family consequence. He's only determined to shield me from scandal. He is the one who proposed helping me gain an annulment. He wants me to have the protection of his name once I sever my marriage to a criminal."

"But if you tell him how you feel, that Nicholas is no criminal…"

Aurora squeezed her eyes shut, struggling against the rising anguish inside her. She couldn't tell Geoffrey that she loved another man. She couldn't hurt him that way. If he desired her for his wife, then she had no choice but to honor his wishes. She owed him that much loyalty.

"Shouldn't he be allowed to decide for himself?" Raven asked. "You should tell him the truth, Aurora. At least about your relationship with Nicholas. It would be unfair not to. And it could make all the difference."

"I cannot tell him anything," Aurora whispered. "Not until Nicholas is gone."

"But by then it may be too late! Aurora, don't you see – "

Another polite rap sounded on the door, causing Raven to break off her impassioned plea.

When wearily Aurora bid entrance, the door opened a crack to reveal Danby's grave face. "There is a gentleman to see you, my lady. A Captain Richard Gerrod. He says it is urgent that he speak to you about your husband."

Aurora felt the color drain from her face. Dear God.

Captain Gerrod was the naval officer who had apprehended Nicholas in the Caribbean. By now he would know his former prisoner was still alive. Did he realize Nicholas was in England? But why else would Gerrod have come to call on her if not to seek out Nicholas?

For the space of a dozen heartbeats, Aurora could not make a sound. It was left to Raven to answer Danby.

"Please tell the captain her ladyship will be down in a moment."

"As you wish," the elderly butler responded before withdrawing.

Still in shock, Aurora turned to stare at Raven. The younger woman looked pale and only marginally more composed than Aurora herself felt.

"You must speak to him, Aurora. Pretend to be taken completely by surprise when you learn your husband is still alive."

"How do you even know who Gerrod is?" Aurora asked in bewilderment.

"Nicholas warned me this morning when he came to say farewell."

"Nicholas warned you?"

"He knows Gerrod is searching for him. Why else would he consider it imperative to sail this evening?"

Aurora raised a hand to her temple. Last night when Nicholas had made love to her, he'd known he was in mortal danger, and yet he hadn't even hinted at it. Damn him…

"He never said a word," she murmured, torn between fear and anger at his keeping such a revelation to himself.

"Possibly because he didn't want you to worry," Raven said quickly. "I suspect he wanted you to make the decision whether to accompany him without any further duress."

Duress? Fear suddenly winning out over anger, Aurora rose to her feet. "I have to warn Nicholas – "

"No!" Raven objected. "I tell you, he already knows he is being pursued. If you want to protect him, you would do better to try to throw Gerrod off the scent. We should devise a plan, Aurora."

Aurora drew a shuddering breath, trying to gain control of her panic. Raven was right. If she wished to help Nicholas, she would have to fool the captain into believing she knew nothing about her husband's whereabouts.

Her blood had turned to ice in her veins by the time Aurora descended the stairs to the parlor where Gerrod awaited her.

"Captain," she said coldly, pausing in the doorway. "I am amazed that you have the gall to call upon me after what you did. I trust you have a good reason for being here?"

His expression was stern to the point of grimness as he searched her face. "I am seeking your husband, my lady."

"My husband is dead, sir," Aurora retorted frigidly, "as you very well know. You were the one who sent him to his death."

"Then you have not heard the news?" Gerrod asked skeptically.

"What news?"

"Nicholas Sabine is still very much alive."

Aurora stared at him, then carefully schooled her features to scorn. "Your jest is in exceedingly poor taste."

"It is no jest, my lady. The pirate, Captain Saber, made a bold escape while being transported to Barbados for execution."

"Why in heaven's name should I believe such a wild tale? You expect me simply to accept your word for it? The man who arrested my husband and ordered his execution?"

"I did not imagine you would require proof, my lady," the captain said stiffly. "I felt sure Sabine had visited you before now."

"I assure you he has not."

Gerrod scowled. "I have good reason to believe he is masquerading as his cousin, Mr. Brandon Deverill. And word is, you have been seen with Deverill."

"I don't deny my acquaintance with Mr. Deverill, Captain, but I think I would know my own husband," Aurora said with sarcasm.

"Perhaps he has fooled you."

"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."