As though in slow motion, Jane saw his face coming toward hers. She was mesmerized, not wanting the unwelcome contact, but not able to keep from wondering what his kiss would feel like now that she had been kissed by Phillip, a man who truly knew what passionate loving was all about.

After being taken to heaven and back by her husband, it was hard to call what Gregory did kissing. With eyes closed, he pressed his dry and chapped lips to hers. Holding his mouth against her own, not brushing, not rubbing, not teasing with his tongue, he just stood there. Yet, his body trembled as though in the throes of the most exciting passion.

With her eyes wide open, she watched him and felt not a flicker during the offensive embrace. His audacity, after they'd not seen each other for months, and after she was a married lady, was extremely insulting. She pushed him away and moved behind a chair, using it as a shield to protect her from any further advances.

"Really, Gregory, I hardly think that was appropriate. Please don't try such a thing again. I won't allow it."

Gregory looked shocked, then hurt, the emotions playing across his face as though he'd stood in front of the mirror and practiced them for her benefit. "I'm cut to the quick, Jane. I've waited so long to be with you again. Every minute of every day since your departure has been pure torture for me. And then to find that Charles married you to that . . . that ..."

"That what, Gregory?" Not that she cared one whit for Gregory's opinion of Phillip, but she was terribly curious to hear what he would say.

"That. . . nobleman!" he sputtered as though it were the worst sort of epithet.

Jane laughed. "You hardly know him. What could you possibly find detestable?"

"The man's so rude. Ordering us to stay in his home while we were in London. Making us sleep in his beds and eat his food, then treating us as though we weren't good enough to share his table. He has the most atrocious manners. Telling us what to do at every turn."

"Yes, he can be quite overwhelming when he wants to be. It's one of the things I enjoy most about him."

"Jane dear, you can't tell me you're seriously taken with the fellow?"

"Actually, I find I am. The longer I'm married to him, the more I've come to realize that he is the very best thing that ever happened to me." With a great deal of surprise, she realized she meant every word.

Gregory was upset. Always before, he'd held the upper hand, had easily made her feel guilty or unworthy. Something had changed with her because his old tactics certainly weren't working. He wanted to hurt her and wished he knew how. "I can't see how you could hold any serious affection for a man with his reputation. Why, in London all we heard wasa""

Jane cut him off. "Speaking of London, what were you and Father doing there?" He reddened and stepped behind the desk, shifting papers as though hiding things he didnat want her to see. Little di he know, it was too late. She'd already seen the evidence with her own eyes.

"We were there on business."

"What kind of business? Something to do with the Shipworks?"

"Well, yes .. . yes, it did have something to do with the Shipworks."

She loved watching him twitch under her condemning gaze and thought about prolonging the torture. Finally, after his numerous inane attempts to explain, she decided to have mercy on him. "My husband tells me you were there seeing bankers about my import business."

Caught red-handed, he paled. "It's not what you think."

"Really? You didnat steal my idea and present it to Father as your own?"

He rubbed a hand over his worried brow. "You don't understand, dear."

"Oh, I think I understand perfectly, and I am not your 'dear'. You are a liar and a cheat. A forger. A thief You are a prevaricating opportunist who schemes, manipulates and cheats on his wife with her naive, younger sister!" With each accusation, Jane's anger rose until she was certain she'd have hit him if he'd been standing closely enough. "Have I left anything out?"

"You bloody fool, I did it for us," he spit out at her.

"For us? How could any of your manipulations possibly have been for my benefit?"

Gregory didnat dare mention any of the secret discussions he'd had with Charles over the past year; while he was an ambitious man, he also knew his limitations. Charles had only been incapacitated a few weeks and dead a few days, yet already, the burdens seemed overwhelming. He needed Jane's help to keep things running smoothly and successfully. She had to be courted and wooed so she would remain in Portsmouth for a time.

In his most placating tone, he moved toward her, his hand out and reaching for hers. "Jane, dear, after all we've meant to each other over the years, I hate to see us fighting."

With the venom she felt clear in her eyes, she said, "We haven't even begun to fight."

Jane turned away, searching for self-control. As Gregory laid his hand on the center of her back, another unwelcome advance, the door flew open.

Gregory jumped back, but Jane stood her ground, glancing over her shoulder to see that Phillip had entered. The look on his face was calm, dispassionate, but she could see from the tense lines of his long frame that he was furious.

"Lord Wessington," Gregory squeaked. "How nice to see you again."

"I was looking for my wife. I see I've found her." He turned his burning gaze to Jane, and she met it without flinching.

Gregory cleared his throat. "This wasn't what it looked like, sir. I was ... I was merely comforting my sister-in-law."

"Really? It looked to me as though you were kissing my wife."

"Phillip," Jane said, "I can explain . . ."

He locked his gaze on Gregory. "I shot the last man I caught kissing my wife."

Gregory trembled visibly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. "Milord, I assure you, I was doing nothing of the kind. I was merely offering solace."

'Trust me, Gregory, if my wife needs comforting, I'm perfectly capable of it. Come here, Jane." He held out a hand to her. Jane took the few quick steps to his side, and he pulled her into an embrace. As he hugged her tightly, he ran his hands up and down her back in a proprietary gesture to let Gregory know that he had the right to touch her, while Gregory di not and never would.

She buried her face against his chest. "I'm sorry, Phillip. Please forgive me."

"It's all right," he whispered against her hair, and she raised her eyes to look into his. Surprisingly, he was smiling down at her.

"You're not angry?"

He shook his head. Returning from his walk, he'd seen them from outside as he approached the back of the house. His heart had nearly stopped beating in his chest as he saw Jane in the arms of another, but on stepping closer, it was immediately clear that she was not enjoying whatever Gregory was doing to her and was, in fact, trying to push him away. The dolt didnat seem to realize that she was not participating in the embrace.

He'd watched in silence and seen right away when Gregory had gotten himself into deep trouble. Thinking he'd better rescue the idiot before Jane killed him, he had hurried to the library before she could inflict any permanent damage.

"We will speak more of this later. When we're alone." His tone suggested they would do other things when they were alone, things Gregory could only begin to imagine. He turned his attentions back to his red-faced brother-in-law. ' 'I'm going to take a wild guess and say that Jane's found out what you were doing in London with her father."

"Really, Wessington"a"Gregory cleared his throata" "I don't think this is the proper time to talk business. Charles is hardly put in the ground."

Behind them, a footman stepped to the door. "Master Fitzsimmons," the man said to Gregory, "the solicitor's here. Should I show him in?"

Gregory looked panic-stricken. Behind him, the solicitor's footsteps could be heard as the pordy gentleman lumbered down the hall without waiting for an invitation. On stepping into the library, he eyed Jane and her husband, looking as nervous as Gregory, who made quick introductions.

"Hello, Jane," he said. He'd been her father's solicitor for decades and had known her since she was a girl. "Gregory told me he wasn't expecting you for several more days." He raised a questioning brow at Gregory. "Perhaps we should postpone this until another time?"

"Yes. That's an excellent idea." Gregory came toward the door and started ushering the man from the room.

Phillip's imperious glare stopped them both in their tracks. He didnat like this one bit. "What brings you out from town so late at night, sir? What couldn't wait until morning?"

The solicitor flashed Gregory a furious look, then shrugged. Jane would find out soon enough. He just hadn't considered when she did. "We were going to read Charles's will." And Gregory wanted it done before we arrived?" "Well. .." The man hemmed and hawed, looking to Gregory for assistance.

"We just wanted to get the painful task over with," Gregory offered. "No use upsetting Jane unnecessarily." Phillip stared down the solicitor. "Is my wife mentioned?"

He cleared his throat. "Well . . . ah . . . yes. She is mentioned."

"Then by all means, don't let us interrupt. Do come in."

Chapter Twenty-Three.

" 'I, Charles Francis Xavier Fitzsimmons, the Third, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament . . .' " The solicitor adjusted his spectacles, glanced surreptitiously at Gregory, then began reading the introductory paragraphs, which mentioned several longtime employees by name as heirs to small cash gifts.

Jane, who was still in shock over her father's death, hadn't had time to ponder his estate. When the solicitor raised his eyes and looked straight at her, she felt such a frisson of fear that her entire body tensed. Phillip noticed and reached across, slipping his hand around hers, offering his silent comfort and strength.

" 'To my daughter, Jane Fitzsimmons Wessington, I bequeath the box containing her mother's jewels, as well as the portrait of her mother hanging in the upstairs hall' "a"Jane smiled at this, and Phillip squeezed her handa"" 'the remainder of her bequest to be considered the dowry paid to her husband, Phillip Wessington.' "

Phillip raised a brow. Jane didnat seem to fully grasp the consequences of what the solicitor had just announced. But for a box of jewels and a painting, she'd been disinherited. Not unusual for a female child, but considering the Shipworks was Jane's whole life, and Gregory not Charles's blood son, it seemed unduly harsh.

The man continued reading. " 'To my son-in-law, Gregory Fitzsimmons, in recognition of his hard work and dedication to the family businesses, I leave the bulk of my estate . . .' " Listing Jane's childhood home, the Shipworks, various properties and investments, the solicitor read on for several minutes until he came to the end, a short paragraph ordering Gregory to take care of Gert and to manage the Shipworks so that their sons could proudly carry on the family name.

There was a long silence after the solicitor finished his recitation. Looking confused, Jane finally sat forward in her chair. "That's it?"

"Yes. That's all of it." The man's eyes held a great deal of sympathy.

"But he's just given my home, my business, my . . . my life ... to Gregory!"

Quietly, he offered, "Charles felt you had your own life, now that you'd married."

She stood, agitated. "But he said if I left, if I married, he'd let me come back. I did everything he asked. This is my home, my place." She pointed toward the harbor. "Those ships are mine! I spent my life helping him build them."

The solicitor shrugged, hating the moment Having never liked or trusted Gregory, he'd argued with Charles about making all the changes, but the man couldn't be swayed. Lamely, he offered, "He felt Gregory's contributions had been substantial."

"You! "Jane whirled on Gregory, as years of memories came flooding back. Years of completing Gregory's work, of fixing and changing. Going along when Gregory came up with reasons to tell Charles that the work had been his own. She saw it all clearly now. He'd played her for a fool. "You can't even add a column of figures correctly without my help."

Gregory played the moment as a man insulted. "Your father didnat think so."

"I can't believe this." She shook her head in dismay. "To think of all the years I covered for youa"lied for you and took the blame for you. All the years, I let you She couldn't speak of their flirtation. Not in front of her husband. Not in front of anyone. "I trusted you."

"I've not misplaced your trust, Jane. You'll be welcome to continue at the Shipworks in any fashion your husband will allow." He flashed Wessington a placating smile. The Earl seemed to have an affection for her, and Gregory hoped he'd allow Jane to dabble at the businessa"just enough to keep Gregory himself on the right track.

"My father went to his grave dunking the import idea was yours, didnat he?"

"Well, of course it was mine, but I mentioned your assistance to him numerous times."

"I'll just bet you di, you wretched scoundrel. I hope you drown in the flood of debt that's going to come washing over you."

Her assumption that he'd fail angered him greatly. He'd show the little witch. He stood in a huff. "I refuse to be insulted in such a fashion in my own home."

"My, aren't you quick to claim it as your own?" Jane wanted to scream and tear out her hair. "I have to get out of here. I can't stay here another moment." Looking to her husband, she said, "Phillip, may we leave? Please?"

"Certainly. As quickly as possible." He rose, shaking hands with the solicitor, whom one could hardly blame for the mess. Deliberately, he walked past Gregory, intentionally snubbing him. The Good Lord could only guess what kinds of machinations he'd worked on Charles over the past few months or maybe even years. Lucky for Gregory, there was little likelihood they'd ever meet up with one another again.

With a steadying hand on her back and another on her waist, he escorted Jane out of the room. Refusing to give her a chance to run into her sister or Gregory again, he walked her to the door where he informed a surprised maid that they were leaving immediately. Giving the name of an inn with which he was familiar in the town, he asked that their things be packed and sent there. Then, walking around to the stable behind the house, he saddled their horses without waiting for assistance from one of the limited number of servants in the small household.

An hour later, ensconced in their room in town, Phillip sat her on the bed and poured her a glass of wine. "Drink this down. It should help calm you."

She di as he bid, then said, "I can't remember being this angry in my life, except, well ..."

"Except with me?"

"Yes." She blushed. They'd not spoken of their wedding night since he'd returned, both seeming willing to try starting over and seeing no need to rehash their horrible beginning. "It's water under the bridge, Phillip. Let's not dredge it up again."

Since he'd acted like the most incredible cad, and been shot at for his efforts, his wedding night was the last thing he wanted to discuss. He changed the subject, .liking the question he'd been dying to pose ever since he'd looked through the library window and seen Fitzsimmons mauling her. "Were you in love with Gregory?"

Jane snorted in disgust and rose to stare out the window. "I've always considered myself an intelligent person. I can't believe what a fool I was."

Having made the mistake of falling in love with Anne, Phillip could only sympathize. "Love does strange things to a person. How long did it last?"

"I pined after him for years."

Phillip laughed. "Jane, you're only twenty."

"He married Gert and moved into our house when I was thirteen."

"He must have started in on you when you were quite young."

"Oh, yes," she responded, dunking back to how much she'd enjoyed the attention, the flattery, the secrets and sharing. "From almost the first day. Do you suppose he's planned this all these years?"

"Probably."

"And my father?" Jane couldn't finish voicing the question. It would take a very long time to come to terms with his string of betrayals.

"He's the reason I felt so certain you shouldn't come here. In London, he was so taken with Gregory, and so glad that you weren't there, almost as if he was relieved mat he wouldn't have to face you. Was Gregory the reason he sent you away?"

"Gregory was simply the excuse he used. He caught us kissing." She turned her head to look over her shoulder, wanting to look him in the eye when she said, "That's all I ever di with him, Phillip. I just kissed him. I was a virgin when we married. And greatly inexperienced."

"I know, and I feel considerably blessed by my good fortune." He moved to stand behind her and laid his hands around her tiny waist, his warm breath tickling the hairs on the back of her neck. "I never had the chance to thank Gregory or your father for sending you to me."

She'd never thanked them, either, simply because it was only beginning to occur to her that Phillip was a wonderful, wonderful husband. He had been marvelous, so supportive, throughout the trip to Portsmouth and the short stay at home, through the ordeal with Gregory. She wanted to show him how much she cared for him. She needed to show him.

"Kiss me, Phillip," she whispered.

From the look in her eye, and the sultry tone in her voice, he knew what she wanted and couldn't believe that his first thought was to refuse her. He didnat want to refuse her anything as long as he lived. "I don't think that's a good idea. You're tired and upset. Let's get you in your bath and put you to bed."

"Kiss me. Now." Without waiting for his cooperation, she stepped into him, leaning forward slightly so that her entire body was stretched out against his. Her nipples hardened against his broad chest, her thighs flexed against his own. Rising slightly on her toes, she reached around and grabbed his buttocks, then shifted her hips to better ease her mound against him.