More than Passion by Jomarie Degioia Read Free Book Online

For now.
    “Becca,” he said.
    “Good morning,” she said stiffly.
    She sounded strange to him, stilted.
    “How are you this morning?” he asked.
    “Quite well, thank you,” she said in that same flat voice.
    She looked as she always did: exquisite. Yet something wasn’t right. His eyes never leaving her, he sat. She poured him a cup of tea, her stance still rigid.
    He took a sip and set the cup down. “Becca, I wanted to talk to you about—”
    “I’m very busy today, Geoffrey. I have to go into town this morning.”
    Trapped! He smiled. “Then save the groom’s time. I’ll drive you. I have need to go into town myself.”
    Her composure faltered, then she nodded. “Thank you.”
    She left him then, seeing to the other diners in the room. He watched her go, knowing that she’d never be able to keep up her cool detachment on the drive into town. He smiled to himself and finished his breakfast.
    By the time they reached the village, he was ready to throttle her. She remained aloof, speaking to him only when spoken to. While she went to the market, he strode over to Bennett’s.
    The big man grinned broadly when Geoffrey approached, wiping his hands with a rag. “All fixed, sir. Right as rain.”
    “Wonderful,” Geoffrey answered gruffly.
    “The carriage will be ready by this afternoon. Figured you’d be wantin’ to be on your way.”
    Geoffrey looked at him sharply. He didn’t know what he wanted anymore. “My driver will be by tomorrow morning if that suits.”
    “Fine, fine,” Bennett answered.
    “Very well, then.” Geoffrey left the shop and headed for the trap.
    Tomorrow morning. He could leave tomorrow morning. But he’d talk to Becca first. And if she gave him another cold answer, he would throttle her.
     

Chapter 6
    Becca was waiting for him when he reached the trap. She placed her basket in the back and climbed in, not waiting for his assistance. He sat next to her and urged the horse on. They rode in silence, Becca ramrod stiff at his side.
    After twenty minutes, he pulled the trap to the side of the road and stopped. “All right, that’s quite enough!”
    Becca jumped and turned to him. “What’s quite enough?”
    “So, you’re talking to me now?”
    She looked away from him. “I was talking to you.”
    “No.” He alighted the trap. “You were acting as if I was some kind of stranger.”
    She blinked at that. He shrugged out of his coat and threw it in the back. He grabbed the blanket from beneath the seat and walked around to her side.
    “Come,” he said, holding his hand out to her. “We’re going to talk, Becca. Now.”
    After a brief hesitation, she put her hand in his. He helped her down and led her over to a large shade tree. He spread the blanket on the ground and sat. With a sigh, she sank to her knees on the blanket.
    “Why wouldn’t you talk to me last night?”
    She said nothing.
    “Were you angry with me? About the fighting?”
    Her eyes opened wide. “No, not at all. I could never be angry with you.”
    Relief flooded him. “Then what was it?” He needed to know.
    She took a breath and began. “I was embarrassed by what had happened in my father’s office. I didn’t want you to concern yourself. And then, when that man ….”
    He took her hands in his. “Shh, love. It’s all right.”
    She looked up at him, her calm facade a memory. “I was so frightened! And when you started fighting—”
    “I shouldn’t have done that in front of you. But when he touched you, when I saw him grab you, I went a bit mad.”
    Geoffrey gathered her in his arms, gently stroking her back. Becca rubbed her cheek against him, snuggling closer. He dropped little kisses on her hair, feeling its softness with his lips. He rested his chin on her head and sighed, content for the first time that morning. She felt so right in his arms.  
    “I didn’t want him to touch me,” Becca said in a small voice.
    He nodded silently, knowing she had to speak of it.
    “I only