Counterfeit Lady (James River Trilogy 1)

He whirled on her, his eyes black with anger. “No, you’re not stupid, just unbelievably selfish. Don’t you realize how much I want to get rid of you? Can’t you see the way you disgust me? I’d be willing to sell the plantation just so I’d no longer have to look at that fat thing you call a face.” He opened his mouth to say more. Then he stopped and walked quickly out of the room.

Bianca sat on the sofa, unmoving, for a long time. She wouldn’t allow herself to think of what Clay had said to her. Instead, she was thinking of Gerard. How nice it would be to live in Arundel Hall with him. She’d be the lady of the manor, planning menus, supervising meals, while he did whatever men do outside. In the evening, he’d come home, and they’d share a lovely meal. Then, he’d kiss her hand goodnight.

She looked about the room and remembered how she’d once had it. Now it was so bare and plain. Gerard wouldn’t keep her from redecorating. No, Gerard loved her. As she was.

She rose slowly from the couch. She knew she must see him, see the man she loved. There were no choices open to her now. Gerard had been right. Clay meant to get rid of her in any way he could.

Chapter 22

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” GERARD DEMANDED AS he helped Bianca from the rowboat on Nicole’s side of the river. He looked around anxiously.

“I had to see you.”

“Couldn’t you have sent a message? I would have come to you.”

Bianca’s eyes filled with tears. “Please don’t be angry with me. I couldn’t bear any more anger.”

Gerard considered her for a moment. “Come with me. We must keep out of sight of the house.”

She nodded and followed him. It was difficult walking. She had to stop twice to catch her breath.

When they were on top of a rise overlooking the house, Gerard let her stop. “Now, tell me what’s happened.” He listened carefully to Bianca’s long, emotional outburst. “So he knows the child you carried wasn’t his.”

“Is that bad?”

Gerard gave her a look of disgust. “The courts frown on adultery.”

“Courts? What courts?”

“The courts that will grant him a divorce and will take everything away from you.”

Bianca slid with her back to a tree until she sat down. “I’ve worked so hard for everything. He can’t take it away from me. He can’t!”

Gerard knelt before her. “Do you really mean that? There are ways to prevent him from stealing from you.”

She stared at him. “You mean murder?”

“Isn’t he trying to kill you? How would you like to return to England a divorced woman? Everyone would say you couldn’t hold a man. What would your father say?”

Bianca thought of all the times her father had laughed at her. He had said Clay wouldn’t want her after he’d gotten a taste of Nicole. He’d never let her forget it if she returned in disgrace. “How?” she whispered. “When?”

Gerard sat back on his heels. There was an odd light in his eyes. “Soon. It must be very soon. We mustn’t let him talk to anyone about his plans.”

Suddenly, a movement caught Bianca’s eyes. “Nicole!” she gasped, then put her hand over her mouth.

Gerard turned instantly. Adele stood behind him, half hidden by the trees. It had taken Nicole a long time to persuade her mother that it was safe to walk in the woods behind the house. This was only her third time out alone.

He took one long stride and grabbed his wife’s arm. “What did you hear?” he said, as his hand cut into her flesh.

“Murder,” she said, her eyes almost whirling in fear.

Gerard struck her hard across the cheek. “Yes! Murder! Yours! Do you understand me? You say one word about this, and I’ll take Nicole and the twins to the guillotine. Would you like to see their heads roll into the basket?”

Adele’s expression went past terror to something that only someone who’s known great horror could comprehend.

He ran his finger across her throat. “Remember,” he whispered, then pushed her away.

She fell to her knees, quickly picked herself up, and scampered back toward the house.