Then a thought struck him. The twins. Where they his or some other man’s babes? Trevor’s head pounded harder, nearly making his vision turn dark. He didn’t know what he’d do if those adorable children were not his…
As he rode up to the manor, his mother’s groomsman came out to collect the horse. “Your Grace, it’s good to see you here.”
Trevor nodded and turned to dart up the steps, but quickly stopped. “Tell me”—he aimed his question at the servant—“is my wife here?”
“Yes, milord.”
“Does she come here often?”
“That she does.”
“Is she here now visiting my mother?”
“Um, she’s here, but I haven’t seen her with your mother as of yet.”
“Where did you see her last?”
“Walking toward the pond, Your Grace.”
Trevor took off in a run, toward the pond located in back of the stables. As he passed an open window, his wife’s giggles floated through the air. Trevor stopped and looked at the structure. Without hearing each word, he detected a man’s voice along with Gwen’s.
Instead of barging in on the two, Trevor took quiet steps closer to the window. He couldn’t see them so figured they were lying on the hay nearby. He moved to the door and slowly pulled it open, hoping the lovers wouldn’t hear him. Good fortune had been on his side because he was able to sneak in until he spotted them. She was with the neighbor who bordered Trevor’s mother’s lands. Just as he’d suspected—she and Lord Putney were in each other’s arms, lying on the hay. Gratefully, their clothes were on.
“I wish we did not have to sneak around like this, my love.” Gwen’s voice came out clearly.
Trevor fisted his hands by his sides but kept still.
Lord Putney stroked Gwen’s cheek. “It’s the only way we can be together. I do not look forward to the day our secretis exposed. There are too many judgmental people who would never understand our love.”
“I don’t care if everyone knows. I love you, George. I cannot live without you.”
Pain as sharp as a knife ripped through Trevor’s heart. How he’d longed to hear his wife say those words to him. Now he loathed them, and especially the woman who said them.
“Did you fire the nursemaid?”
Gwen nodded. “She shall not be a problem we have to worry about any longer.”
“It was my fault, entirely. I should not have come to your home, but I just had to see you.” His mouth covered Gwen’s for a quick kiss before he pulled away. “More than anything, I want you as my wife and Adam and Amanda as our children.”
Bile lurched in Trevor’s throat. This could not be happening. He squeezed his eyes closed.Please Lord, tell me they are not Putney’s children.
“As do I, my wonderful man.”
More smacking of lips and groans were heard, making Trevor open his eyes. This had to stop before he emptied his stomach in a nearby stall.
Taking a deep breath, Trevor prayed for courage as he stepped toward them. “Unfortunately, that will not happen as long as I’m alive.”
Gwen and her lover jumped apart. Putney’s face paled, but Gwen’s did not. By the arch of her brow and lift of her chin, Trevor wondered if she was happy he’d discovered them. Slowly, she rose, casually wiping the pieces of hay from her gown.
“So you know,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Indeed. Did you honestly think I would be blind forever?”
She shrugged. “I have been able to keep the truth from you since we were married, so I figured a little longer wouldn’t harm anyone.”
He glared at her. “How long have you been carrying on with Putney?”
“I have loved him since we were sixteen.”
