Chapter 14

A week ago, she would have told Aaron to take the contract and eat it. A week ago, she was angry, and wanted retaliation. However, a week with his family, and watching him interact with them, made her open her eyes and consider what she really wanted.

Rebekah held her secret close to her breast. If she was being honest with herself, she wanted to experience that moment with him again. She knew he could be soft spoken. She knew he could be tender… and passionate. If she allowed it, mayhap she could have her dream.

The house was alive with activity. As soon as Aaron announced the family was moving to Surrey for the wedding, the packing began.

Another house in Surrey. How many did the Greystoke men own? Aaron may not have been the earl, but he seemed to have plenty of money. And that had nothing to do with the way she felt about him. If she was after a rich man, she wouldn't hesitate to marry Aaron. Her father would be ecstatic.

Blast. And double blast.

She wished she knew what was going through his head. He said all the right things. He offered to marry her. He promised to take care of her—which was not the same thing as caring for her, not at all. His eyes said something else, all together. He didn't really want to marry her, but he was doing everything required to prepare for a wedding.

And now they were going to Surrey. He'd said his country house was a perfect place for a wedding.

Had she agreed? She couldn't remember consenting. But then, with Aunt, Serena, and Joyanna showing their excitement, it was hard not to get caught up in the planning.

Joy filled her insides. She had to admit she loved the country. So much better than town life. Who needed parties and balls when you had fresh air and wide-open spaces? She could hardly wait.

Five carriages followed them to Surrey. The women, Serena, Aunt and herself, in the first one. Nathaniel and Aaron in the second. Personal maids in the third, and trunks in the final two. You would think they were going for the winter—and it was only spring.

They'd been on the road for two hours.

"We should be getting close," Aunt said. "Look out the window and see if you see the house."

Rebekah lifted the shade and took a look at their surroundings. Trees were blooming, the grass was a vibrant green. Up ahead, she saw stone.

Good heavens .

The house appeared to be a mansion. Or a castle. She couldn't tell from this far away.

"Penelope. Would Aaron's house in Surrey look like a castle?"

Aunt smacked her hand on her lap. "That's it. Thank the heavens. I don't want to be in this coach a moment longer than necessary."

"I agree," Serena said.

"The house is a castle?"

"It's made of stone, dear. It is quite large, built in the seventeenth century, I believe. It has all the niceties. Aaron made sure of that."

"Have you been here before, Serena?"

"No. This is my first visit.

"Oh."

"Don't be glum, Rebekah. It has running water. A water closet in the master bedchamber. Aaron hired a contractor only a few years ago to remedy this house with the same suitability of his townhouse. You'll see it has all the refinements and delicacies one could want."

"I am looking forward to it," Serena said. "Think of all the exploring we can do. Joyanna and Edmund will come tomorrow. Think of how exciting Joyanna will make our stay."

As the coach drew closer, Rebekah saw the outside looked well-tended. It wasn't the house as much as the day of her wedding drawing closer.

"Does someone live here year-round?"

"Yes. If Aaron shows up at the spur of a moment, he wants to walk in and have everything ready. Rooms ready. Food available. Fires in the hearth. Which the servants started as soon as they spotted the coaches."

"My goodness. That is a well-ordered staff."

Aunt gave a sharp nod. "Aaron demands it. Even so, the staff likes Aaron. He is good to them."

"He is good to everyone." Serena looked at Rebekah. Was she silently communicating a message?

Rebekah would agree Aaron was kind. He was many things. It was possible she was afraid of her own feelings, and that was why she was dragging her feet.

Aaron stood alone on the terrace that ran the length of the back of his country house. It was done. The argument settled; the agreement made. Tomorrow the day of his sentencing.

Rebekah managed the trip to Surrey with grace. She'd handled this whole thing with more propriety than himself. She'd been poised at supper, never once complained. He scrubbed a hand over his face. She was beautiful. Easy to talk to. She would make a good wife. Yet the woman in his dreams continued to haunt him.

"You look more like you're meeting the hangman than a groom planning for his wedding day."

Aaron tossed the cheroot over the railing and turned.

"Good evening, Serena."

"My, what a long face. I must confess, Aaron, I'm not used to seeing you so glum. You surprise me."

"I like being unpredictable. Keeps my brothers on their toes."

"Mind if I join you?"

He leaned back against the balustrade. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"It's a nice night. Too nice for sleeping."

"I hope my brother knows we have not planned a rendezvous. I do not think Nathaniel would give me a chance to explain if he saw the two of us, alone on the terrace."

"Since we are not going to give him a reason to be jealous, I think my husband will be fine."

Aaron shook his head. "He has a nose like a bloodhound. I thought you two were joined at the hip. He'll sniff you out soon enough."

"He is a good husband." Serena smiled as though she was remembering a moment she shared with Nathaniel. She'd done quite a lot of that since she married his brother, and so had he. One of those exceptional couples who were truly in love.

"Never thought I'd see the day. You've changed him, Serena."

Even though it was dark and shadows sprouted from the moonlight, he could tell she blushed.

"I am happy. So is he. You are still my champion." At Aaron's raised brow, she continued. "I remember a time you ran off one of my suitors."

He recalled the morning he'd arrived at Nathaniel's house and found Ackerman calling on Serena before the noon hour. Aaron had sent the rogue packing.

"Ha, Ackerman. He took advantage of the early morning, slinking in to see you before Aunt was out of bed, knowing she would not have allowed it."

Serena giggled. Then posed as if she was carefully preparing her next words. " Lady Pettigrove has a soft tendre for fools. I do not. Now, be on your way. "

"Hmmm. Very good impression of me."

Serena laughed. "He reminded me of a peacock. I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing."

"Ackerman is a bore."

"I thought he was harmless."

"And I told you, no man is harmless."

"Yes, you did." She looked away into the night.

"I have the feeling you have more on your mind, Serena."

"I remember another conversation. Where you explained the ton demands decorum. There are rules to follow, but you know as well as I, many rules were broken when I came into Nathaniel's life."

"Aunt made up a tale for your background to introduce you into society."

"Yes, she did. As it turned out, I was of noble blood."

"A secret you kept well hidden from all of us."

"And now there is another." Serena faced him." Perhaps she too, is afraid to share her secret."

Serena's eyes bore into his mind. "I am not an ogre, Serena."

"Of the three of you, you are the unique bird. I love your enthusiasm for life. Your charm, your charisma. Your delight in the simple things. You have changed, Aaron."

He hiked a brow. He would expect criticism from his brothers, but not from Serena. "Are you saying I've become moody like my brothers? That I am no longer fun?"

Serena looked him straight in the eyes. "I'm saying talk to your brothers. Talk to someone. I like Rebekah. I believe she's kind. Even in arranged marriages, two people could learn to love each other."

"Speaking from experience, are you?"

Serena lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry, Aaron, for overstepping my boundaries."

He straightened, ashamed he'd offended her. "No, Serena. I am the one to apologize. I know you're trying to make me feel better. I am fine. I agreed to this …wedding." He hoped she didn't catch his hesitation. "There is nothing for you to worry about." He shrugged, hoping to present the easy-going-air that she had reminded him of. "It is the way things are done among the aristocracy. Rebekah will be fine. Aunt will see to it."

"I'm thinking of you, too," she said softly. Then she smiled. "Do you see how happy Nathaniel is?"

His brother was happy. Something Aaron had never envisioned. He nodded. "Yes, Serena. You are an exceptional woman. Nathaniel would be crazy not to love you."

"You can be happy too, Aaron."

He wasn't all that concerned. He was a man who controlled his own destiny. To have a bride thrust upon him took some getting used to.

"Don't you worry about me. I will be fine, and so will Rebekah."