Chapter 25

"A aron!"

Aaron shoved the hair out of his eyes. The ringing in his ears came from every direction. His chest heaved from hurling a chair through the heavy wood door. Rage filled his vision. He was going in that damned room after her.

His arm was yanked, and he swung about. His reflexes had him drawing back his fist.

"Have you lost your bloody mind?"

Aaron blinked. His damn brother. "Stay out of my way."

"What the bloody hell is going on here?"

He glared through the busted hole in the door. "She has locked the goddamned door."

"Aaron! What is the meaning of this?"

His attention snapped past Nathaniel. God's teeth.

"This does not concern you, Aunt."

"What are you doing? Where is Rebekah?"

Aaron took the time to gather his composure—what was left of it. "Rebekah is in there. She is perfectly fine." Then he said to Nathaniel. "Go away. And take Aunt with you."

"Like hell I will. Explain yourself."

Aaron raised a brow, letting his brother know of his irritation. "I have no intention of laying my soul bare to you this evening, Nathaniel." He turned his gaze back to the hole and caught Rebekah's gaze. "However, my wife and I have quite a bit of talking to do."

Nathaniel swung his arm toward the scattered wood. "Is this what you call talk?"

"Get out of my way, brother."

Nathaniel ignored him and shouted to Rebekah. "Are you all right?"

"Mind your own business, brother," Aaron warned.

"Aaron. For God's sake, snap out of this."

Aaron stood there allowing his fury to engulf him. Too many questions. He would not rest until he had the answers to them all.

Devil take her. She lied. So many emotions attacked him he didn't know how to deal with any of them, or which one first.

Hurt. Shock. Anger. Fury. Betrayal. Hurt. Nausea. Broken.

"Aaron. Can we talk about this? You and me?"

His fury was barely in check. "You overstep, brother. This is between me and my wife ."

"You'll not get the answers you seek while in a fit of rage? Good God, what happened? You seemed calm enough when you left the ball."

He glared at Rebekah. "That was before I found out—" Damn if he would say any more. He didn't know what he was so mad about. He wouldn't know if he should be angry until Rebekah told him all.

"I need answers, Nathaniel. I need my wife to give them to me. No bloody locked door will keep me from finding out what she should have told me a long time ago."

"I cannot allow—"

"Nathaniel," Rebekah said quietly. "Aaron is right. We need to have a long conversation."

"It doesn't have to be tonight."

"Yes, it does." Aaron couldn't keep the growl from his voice. "Right now."

"I don't think—"

"I don't care what you think. I will have my answers."

"Aaron—"

"Brother, give me my due." Aaron ran his hands through his tousled hair, ready to tear it from his skull. He inhaled. Then exhaled. "I will not harm Rebekah. She locked the door. It is open now." With his fists clenched at his sides, Aaron locked his eyes with Nathaniel's gaze, hoping his brother would see his earnestness. "I am not mad. However, I am in complete control of my faculties. Get out of my house. Take Aunt with you."

Nathaniel looked to Rebekah. She gave a nod.

"I don't like … Are you sure?"

"Do you not accept my word, brother?" His word was his bond. If Nathaniel could not believe him, then fuck him. He should know Aaron would never hurt a woman. Even one who'd lied to him. Betrayed him. Hurt him.

And there lay the rub. He didn't want to admit that Rebekah had hurt him. Nathaniel's decision could hurt him, too.

"Nathaniel," Aunt called. "Please take me home with you. Aaron has given his word. I am ready to leave."

Until then, Nathaniel's gaze, nor Aaron's, did not waver. His brother continued to study him. Did his brother trust him? Or not?

After too many achingly long seconds, Nathaniel gave a sharp nod. "Coming, Aunt."

Aaron stood there waiting for his breathing to return to normal.

Would he ever feel normal again? His entire world had been turned upside down. He no longer knew what normal was. As the minutes passed, his temple stopped its throbbing. The feeling was beginning to return to his fingers that had been clenched into tight fists. He lifted his gaze to what was left of the bedchamber door. The woman inside looked more worried than frightened.

His emotions were running rampant, like lightning in a raging storm. He swallowed his fury, and hoped he could control the volcano erupting inside. He was vehement when he found the locked door. How could he expect Rebekah to know he would not hurt her. He just wanted answers.

"Rebekah," he finally got out. "Breaking down the door was not well done of me. I will not hurt you. I will give you time to collect yourself. Meet me downstairs in the library in a quarter of an hour. I will not break anything else. At the very least I will try to keep my temper in check. Please believe I would never hurt a woman, but our conversation is far from finished."

At that, he turned on his heel and left.

He marched down two flights of stairs, and found Berthright standing as stiff as a statue at the bottom.

"Might I be of assistance, master Aaron?"

"I hope my brother didn't give you too much grief."

"No, he did not. Lady Blackburn left with Lord Greystoke."

"Good. My wife and I will be having a discussion in the library. Would you have some food prepared and sent straight away."

"Yes, master Aaron." Berthright gave a gentlemanly bow, and said nothing else, letting Aaron know the man was there if he needed him. But Berthright was smart enough to stay out of the way.

Rebekah collapsed on the big bed as soon as she was alone. She had to get away from Aaron.

How had she gotten herself into such a spin? Nothing was turning out like she'd planned. It was time to take off the blinders and remove the stars from her eyes. She'd pictured a blue sky, brilliant sun, and the two of them sharing a dream. She had given her heart to the man she'd married, and then fate plunged her world into despair.

No matter how much she wanted Aaron to sweep her up and promise everything would be all right, she saw things clearly now. Aaron would never be a true husband to her.

A tear trickled down her cheek. If she allowed one, there would be no stopping the others. She furiously brushed her cheek and hated herself for her weakness.

Damn and blast the man.

Aaron's temper was as contradictory as day and night. His actions from one extreme to the other. He'd completely shocked her. The man who'd splintered the chamber door had been a mad man. And yet, he had spoken to his brother as though he was in control of his emotions.

What had she done?

It didn't matter now. She'd set the wheels in motion. Now she would have to see it played out. Her husband was a stranger.

Her silly heart was breaking.

Good God. What a bloody night.

Aaron marched right to the sideboard and poured a glass full of brandy. He tossed half of it back and nearly growled at the burn blazing down to his gut.

He wished this was a nightmare he would wake up from.

Rebekah.

He saw the eyes of the woman in his dreams. He heard her sigh as he kissed her from her breasts to her knees. Her moans of ecstasy driving him crazy. Was it Rebekah?

Hell and blast .

He wanted to rip the woman from his dreams. He had fantasized about her every bloody night.

The grandfather clock in the hallway struck the hour. He counted along as it chimed twice. Many couples were finishing up the midnight supper and had gone back to dancing. He was sitting in the library waiting for his wife .

Perhaps he should wait until later today to confront his wife. She wouldn't be too keen to see him after he smashed a bloody chair through the chamber door. But he'd be damned if he would wait another bloody minute to find out what the hell all this nonsense was about. It had happened to him. Why couldn't he remember?

Just when he thought his wife would not be joining him, her silhouette filled the doorway.

Aaron saw no need to rise from the chair he'd flopped in. He didn't want to see the fear leap back into her eyes.

"Come in, Rebekah."

She timidly took a few steps forward. "I prefer to stand."

"There is no need. I will not jump at you."

Just then, Berthright rolled in a table laden with several silver dishes.

"Ah, Berthright. Fabulous timing, as always," he said rising to meet the butler. "Surely you did not do all this yourself?"

"Cook was already up. She insisted on preparing a meal for you and the misses."

"Please thank her for me." Aaron waited for his butler to leave, then closed the library door. "I thought you might like something to chew on besides me."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he fathomed the double entendre. He'd meant it as a lark. When he looked up, all he saw on Rebekah's face was confusion. At least she wasn't frightened.

"Thank you for joining me. Please. You must be hungry." Aaron filled a plate and decided to give her space. He walked to the hearth and sat down in one of the two leather chairs. Before long, she sat in the opposite one.

"I suppose I should apologize for scaring you. It is my house. I will have no locked doors between you and me."

She didn't look at him, but she didn't comment either.

"I see there is tea. I have sherry, if you would prefer one."

He waited in silence to see if she would answer.

"Perhaps after I eat. Tea is fine for now. I'll pour. Would you care for tea?"

Good God, she was actually going to serve him?

He stood, holding out his glass. "It's brandy for me."

She stayed silent as he poured another glass of brandy. He marveled at the meal cook had prepared in the middle of the night. There was bacon, kippers, onions, and cheese. Even the bread was warm. They ate in silence, and he allowed her time to relax. As much as she could. He had no doubt she expected him to pounce at any moment.

"Rebekah, I don't want you to be afraid of me. Surely, you can understand my anger."

She finally met his gaze. Her turquoise eyes shining like the morning glen. "You did not remember. You didn't mention it, so …"

"Ignorance is bliss? Were you surprised that I did not remember? Or did you think I was pretending?"

"The thought crossed my mind. A nobleman wanting to forget his folly."

"Christ." Aaron scrubbed a hand over his face. He gritted his teeth, shook his head, completely at a loss of what to say. "You thought I would bed you, and then act like it didn't happen?"

She flinched. "I … I didn't know what to believe. At first. When I realized you truly did not remember, I didn't know what to do."

"So, you stayed silent."

She gave a slight nod.

"What happened? What about your father? I can't put my finger on it. Things are very blurred. I don't get foxed. I drink, but not excessively. Yet I must have passed out."

"Will you allow me to tell the all of it? Before you get angry again?"

He placed his plate on the table, then rested his elbows on his knees. "Is what you're hiding bad enough to fire my anger again?"

She chewed on her bottom lip, and a flash of arousal hit his groin. Damn. From what he could remember, he wanted her. He had wanted her then, and he wanted her now.

"All right. I will keep my distance, but I have to know. Please, tell me the truth. All of it."

"I'm sorry. It is rather humiliating."

"Please." He leaned back into the soft leather of his chair.

"I don't know where he got it, but … I believe my father drugged you."

Aaron had considered the possibility. His mind was too foggy for him to have swilled so much whisky.

"It took me a while to figure it out. With the way you treated me, it makes sense. I'm shamed by it. My father is a good man. His heart is in the right place, it's just his mind. He doesn't think … Anyway. He wanted me to marry a gentleman. To have a fine home and money. He didn't ask me what I wanted."

Aaron remained quiet, giving her time to tell him everything.

Rebekah stared into the fire as she spoke. "My mother was a wonderful woman. She was everything to my father. Her father cut her off when she wanted to marry a commoner. But she loved my father, and they were happy. She told me about the aristocracy. How nobles behaved differently, but she taught me that material things were not important. The three of us were a family, and nothing was more important. Our love for each other was more valuable than money."

She looked at him.

"You may not believe me. I mean, after all, my father did trick you into signing a contract."

"I honestly don't remember that, but I did recognize my signature. I had a devil of a time trying to explain that one."

"I'm sorry. When I found out, I was livid. I thought you …" Rebekah clutched her hands together. "I didn't know what to think. I couldn't imagine why a lord would want to marry me. And then leave. It made no sense. I gave Papa what for, you can believe that. I was furious with him. I told him I was not going to marry anyone. We argued, but I stood my ground. I thought that was the end of it … then you showed up."

Then I showed up.

He wanted to know about their lovemaking, for that is what it had been. God, he wished he could remember more. His frustration was eating at him, but he had to allow her time to come to grips with her story. If he rushed her, she might clam up. Then where would he be?

Rebekah hated what happened. With her father, that is. Not what happened with Aaron. She hated talking about this. Bringing into the open the intimacy she had kept hidden for so long. It was personal.

Blast her father.

"Aaron, I'm sorry—"

"Please stop apologizing. Will you just tell me what happened?"

She could understand his impatience. It wasn't easy for her to bare her soul, and that is what he was asking her to do.

She took a deep breath. "When you showed up at the house, I was shocked. I remembered you right away. My heart started pounding. I couldn't believe you were standing right in front of me. I thought I'd never see you again."

She stared into the fire, watching the flames, letting them carry her back to that day.

"You didn't know me. You didn't recognize me."

"I'm sorry."

"At first, I thought you were trying to hide what happened. You were an aristocrat. The nobles did not air their dirty laundry. Yes, I believed you were pretending that you did not remember. You accused me of tricking you. I didn't know then what my father had done to you. Only that you signed that paper. I'm afraid I also have a temper. Our conversation grew heated, and we said some terrible things." She sat the empty cup on the oval table between them.

"You said you had no intention of marrying me."

She turned to look at him. "That was true."

"Then you showed up at Greystoke Manor."

"After you left…" She turned back to the fire. "I replayed our argument over and over in my mind. The more I thought about it, the madder I got. Papa was mad at me, and I thought ‘why don't I teach him,' meaning you, ‘a lesson.' You were arrogant, officious, and nothing at all like … I …"

Like that night.

She stiffened her backbone and continued. "I packed with the intention of staying long enough to make you squirm. I didn't want to marry you, and I hadn't truly planned to force you into a wedding. I was foolish. Everything got turned around."

"When you met my brother, when you knew I wasn't the earl, then what?"

"I assumed you lied about that too."

"I do not lie." Aaron said forcefully.

"I—"

"Do not apologize."

Good heavens. How was she to keep her wits about her when he was calm and gentle one minute, and ferocious the next. She twisted her hands in her lap.

"I didn't know you or your brother. However, Lord Greystoke was nice to me. I never expected that."

"Even though I have not shown you the courtesy due to you, I can understand your suspicions. I haven't behaved like a gentleman. I am the one who should apologize. For scaring you. For goading you. For being an unworthy husband."

"That came as a shock. I had no intention of getting married."

"At least we were calm enough to discuss our situation and come up with a reasonable solution."

"A solution that neither of us wanted. I still don't know how I ended up agreeing."

"Some part of you must have wanted to marry me," he said softly.

Her face grew hot, and she knew the red flush was enveloping her entire body. She stood, and hurriedly walked to the window, gathering her thoughts.

"However it happened, it did. We are here now. Have you had any more thoughts on dissolving our marriage?"

"After tonight's fiasco, the ton will be watching our every move with a magnifying glass."

She spun to him. "Is it so important to please the ton?"

"I've never cared much for pleasing the ton," he said. "It's my life. Right this minute, I don't give a tinker's damn about them or any bloody aristocrat." He stood and took a step toward her. "All I care about is you and me."

His voice rumbled over her shoulders and down her spine. She heard the words and caressed them. Was he being sincere? Did he care about her? Or just their situation. She could not let her heart interfere.

"Rebekah."

Oh, how she loved her name on his lips.

"Something drew us together. I've felt it. And now I know there was more. I dreamed of you. I woke up willing you to life. I couldn't let you go. I felt it. I knew you were real. Will you tell me about that night? About the two of us?"

Her hand flew to her mouth at the same time she spun to the window. She bit her knuckles to keep from falling apart. "How can you ask? You cannot expect me to talk about it."

"You have your memories. Mine are slowly creeping in. Even so, they do not tell me how we came together."

Dear God, how can I …

"Please."

She nearly jumped out of her skin. He was standing directly behind her. She felt his breath on her neck. She shivered from the thrilling sensations overwhelming her body. Remembering, recognizing, wanting …

"Rebekah," he whispered. Then his hands were on her shoulders, the heat burning through her clothes to her skin.

Her body betrayed her. She leaned back into his embrace. His arms slid around her.

"You feel wonderful. I've got you. You can tell me anything."

Flashes of memories scorched her mind.

The same need, the same emotions, swamping her once again.