Counterfeit Lady (James River Trilogy 1)

“It is Christmas!” the twins laughed.

Clay looked around him and noticed for the first time the evergreens and holly across the mantelpiece. He hadn’t realized it was Christmastime. The last months of hell, spent near Bianca’s nagging tongue, were fading into the distance.

“Nicole is going to make a turkey tomorrow, and Mr. Wesley and Mr. Travis are going to be here,” the twins said.

Clay looked at Wes. “Think there’ll be room for another guest?”

The men exchanged looks. “That would be up to Nicole.”

Clay looked at his wife for a long moment, waiting for her answer.

Nicole felt her anger coming to the surface. He was using her! He spent days in bed with her, told her he loved her, then suddenly he dropped her on her doorstep like so much baggage. Now he comes sauntering into her house after months of silence, and what does he want? He expects her to kiss his feet in welcome. She stiffened her back and turned away from him. “Of course, you and Bianca are welcome. I’m sure she would enjoy the festivities as much as anyone.”

Wesley smothered a laugh as he watched the frown crease Clay’s brow.

“Bianca can’t—” Clay began.

“I insist!” Nicole said narrowly. “May I say that one isn’t welcome without the other?”

Suddenly, the atmosphere of the house was more than Clay could bear. They didn’t realize the picture they presented. Wes leaned back in a chair smoking on a pipe he’d taken from the mantel. The twins happily stuffed themselves with doughnuts. The mention of Bianca’s name made him remember the misery of his own household.

He rose. “Nicole, could I speak to you?” he asked quietly.

“No,” she said firmly. “Not yet.”

He nodded and left the warmth of the house.

Bianca was waiting for him when he entered Arundel Hall. “So! You couldn’t stay away from her, could you?”

He brushed past her, not answering her.

“That man who runs the stables came to me and asked where you were. He was worried that you’d been hurt since your horse came back alone. They’re always worried about you—and about her! No one on this place cares anything about me.”

Clay turned and sneered at her. “You care enough about yourself to make up for everyone. Did you realize that tomorrow is Christmas Day?”

“Of course! I told the servants I wanted a special meal to be prepared. They, I am sure, will ignore me and, as usual, you won’t do anything about it.”

“A meal! That’s your main interest, isn’t it?” Suddenly, he lunged at her, grabbed her dress by the neckline. “You’re going to get your wish. Tomorrow we’re going to go to Nicole’s for dinner.” Maybe if Nicole saw them together, she’d realize how miserable he was. And he wanted to spend the day with Nicole, so badly that he was willing to subject them all to Bianca’s vile personality. Perhaps she’d just eat and remain quiet.

She tried to jerk away from him but couldn’t. His closeness made her stomach turn. “I will not go!” she breathed.

“Then I’ll give orders that no food will enter this house all day.”

Her eyes widened in horror. “You wouldn’t.”

He pushed her away from him until she slammed into the wall, hard. “You make me sick. You will go even if I have to carry you.” He looked her up and down. “If I can. God, but it’s going to be good to get rid of you.” He stopped, appalled at what he’d said. He turned away, went into the library, and slammed the door behind him.

Bianca stood quietly for a moment, staring at the door. What did he mean, get rid of her?

She turned away and slowly went up the stairs. Nothing was going as she had planned. Abe had visited her soon after she’d given the map to Clay. He’d been bleeding from the cut in his arm, and Bianca had nearly become ill. The dreadful man demanded money from her so he could get out of Virginia, away from Clay’s revenge. Bianca had had to pry open a box in the library to get him some pieces of silv

er.

She’d told him he had to stay near because she might need him again. He’d just laughed at her as he tied a piece of cloth around his arm, saying Bianca’d caused him to lose his family and his inheritance. Then he’d said something very rude about what she could do with her future needs.

Now, Bianca knew there was no one else. She told Clay she had other relatives, but that was a hollow threat. If he did throw her on a ship, no one would take Nicole as she had threatened. Nothing would happen. Bianca would be thrown aside, and no one, absolutely no one, would care.

She closed the door to her bedroom and looked out the window into the dark garden. The new snow was making it beautiful. Would she have to give it up? For a while she had felt safe, but now she was beginning to worry again.