Free More than Passion by Jomarie Degioia

someone familiar at Kanewood.”
    Becca peeped around the screen. “That would be wonderful! I could use her help with these stays, at the very least.”
    “Consider it done, then. I’ll speak to Mary and your father.”
    The maid was eager to follow her friend, now her mistress, to Kanewood and went to pack her things and help Becca as Geoffrey sought out Thomas in his office.
    The older man stood as he entered the room. “My dear Lord Kanewood!” he said in a booming voice. “Good morning, my lord.”
    Geoffrey arched an eyebrow. “Good morning, Kingsley.” He lowered himself into the chair facing the man’s desk. “I wanted to inform you that Mary will be joining us at Kanewood in a few days. She’s to be Rebecca’s lady’s maid.”
    Thomas nodded vigorously and took his own chair. “Fine, fine. Anything for my daughter.” His eyes narrowed. “She’s well worth it, wouldn’t you say?”
    Geoffrey leaned forward with narrowed eyes. “What are you getting at?”
    Thomas stood again and folded his hands across his wide middle, a smug look on his face. “As you know, Dr. Simon was prepared to pay to wed Rebecca.”
    “Yes,” Geoffrey answered in a low voice.
    “It seems to me your being an earl and all, that you would be able to pay a bit more.”
    Geoffrey stood. “You won’t sell your daughter to me, Kingsley. I married Rebecca because I wished to. The very same reason she married me.”
    Thomas gave an ugly laugh. “She married you because you took her to your bed.”
    Geoffrey’s hands were fisted at his sides. “Don’t speak of my wife in that manner.”
    Thomas went on. “Because of you the girl was ruined, along with my plans for her. I think I should be compensated.”
    “I can’t believe your gall and lack of regard for your daughter. I won’t dignify your suggestion with a reply. Rebecca is worth more than any man could ever pay. It’s a shame you will never see that.”
    He turned to leave when Thomas’s voice stopped him cold.
    “You’d better keep her close, Kane. Otherwise, the girl might turn out like her mother.”
    Geoffrey turned slowly to face him. “I don’t understand.”
    Thomas curled his lip. “Her mother was nothing more than a common trollop.”
     “What?”
    “I cared for Rebecca as best I could. Did my best to keep the men from sniffing around her skirts, too. You’re welcome to the trouble now. Take her. Take her and mark my words!”
    Geoffrey smashed his fist in Thomas’s face, sending the man sprawling. Without another word, he turned and left.
    How could a man place so little value on his own daughter? Just like her mother, the man had said. Would Becca prove to be unfaithful? He’d never give her the chance to stray as Patricia had.
    And if any man dared to touch her, he’d kill him.
    He’d calmed by the time he reached Becca’s old room. The servants carried her few trunks down to Geoffrey’s waiting carriage, leaving them alone in her room.
    He held her close, brushing his lips against her hair. “Ah, Becca.”
    “What is it?”
    He shook his head, pulled back, and took her hand. “Let’s be on our way, love.”
    As they reached the drive in front of the inn, they found Thomas standing there rubbing his jaw.
    “Father, what happened to your face?” Becca asked, her eyes round.
    Thomas fixed a dark scowl at Geoffrey and turned to Becca. “It’s nothing, girl. Just slipped. I trust I’ll see you sometime?”
    He directed that particular question to Geoffrey, who nodded curtly. “We’ll stop at the inn on our way to London in a few weeks’ time.” He assisted Becca into his carriage and turned to Thomas before boarding. “Never mention what transpired in your office, Kingsley.”
    He boarded and signaled for the driver, closing the door on Becca’s father and her past at the Raven’s Inn.
     

Chapter 9
    Although the interior of the carriage was spacious, Geoffrey sat close to Becca, his long legs stretched toward the opposite