Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman

by Woodson, Wareeze

  Adron needed his own backside kicked. Visiting the nursery to become acquainted with his ward had been an act of folly. Indeed, he owed Robert’s memory every sacrifice, but the price that might be required had him gritting his teeth.

  Watching her play with Jamie with such enjoyment was something new in his experience. No lady of his acquaintance ever lifted a hand in the day-to-day care of children and here she was calmly doing so as if it were a normal part of her day. Instead of diminishing her appeal as he’d hoped, her charm had grown. He ran his fingers through his hair. Seeking her out in the nursery with his ward must be curtailed else he might stumble into her web.

  He headed down the hall wishing Ingrid and her children would arrive today. Laurel’s burdens would triple, but he was determined not to allow visions of her, worn down and over-burdened to sway him from his purpose. She would finally be forced to admit defeat and lay aside her play-acting. Any fair-minded person would have a few qualms about his contemplated actions but he brushed the thought aside. She deserved whatever he dished out in punishment for her act of betrayal that drove Robert to his death. “I won’t back down.”

  Laurel considered the added burden the new day would bring. She loved children but three extra to feed, bath and entertain would certainly be a challenge. No matter, she would prevail.

  The next day Lord Gladrey ushered Ingrid and her children, two daughters, seven-year-old Laine, four-year-old Nichol and her son, three-year-old Freddy into the nursery.

  “Ingrid, this is Lady Laurel Laningham, Robert’s widow. She’s acting as nanny to the children.” His expression of doubt mocked her. “Until she tires of the game and decides to marry again.”

  Ingrid nudged her brother. “What a one you are,” she scolded, grinning at Laurel. “Most ladies wouldn’t dream of such a thing. I’m grateful that you are willing to care for the children. Our nanny is gravely ill and the children miss her dreadfully. I simply cannot be expected to cope.”

  Laurel hoped she had disguised her dismay. Although she was willing to assume this extra burden to remain close to her son, the complication of children longing for their nurse multiplied the hazards of the situation three-fold. Her glance swung to Lord Gladrey. Apprehension mixed with doubt was stamped on his expression, but finally disdain hardened his features.

  Settling all of her charges down to draw pictures while keeping her gaze trained on the floor deprived him of the satisfaction of gloating over his victory. He hesitated at the door. “Don’t forget dinner is served promptly at eight o’clock.”

  She nodded grateful she could become acquainted with the children without Adron’s harsh scrutiny. Aghast, she chided herself for thinking of him as Adron instead of Lord Gladrey. When had that happened? It seemed to have invaded her thoughts unawares and unwelcome. Such a notion could lead to disaster.

  Contemplating her next move to get acquainted with her charges, she nearly jumped when Heloise stepped into the nursery and smiled at the children. Heloise settled into a soft chair directly across from the table where the older children were still drawing while the younger ones played on the floor with some rolling toys.

  “You seem to have a way with this lot at any rate.”

  “I do try.” Laurel gazed at Heloise and waited. “May I help you with something?”

  “You may. I don’t suppose you’ve had time to send for your things.” Heloise sighed. “You can’t be comfortable wearing my gowns.”

  “I’m most appreciative but no, I haven’t had an opportunity to send for my things.” Laurel smiled to take the sting out of her voice. She didn’t want Heloise to think she was complaining—she was, but she didn’t want to admit that flaw even to herself.

  “You’ll need your wardrobe.” Heloise emphasized her point with a wave of her hand. “We might be in the wilds of Chatham but we still entertain. How will you ever find another husband without proper clothing?”

  “I’m afraid you would consider my wardrobe paltry for entertaining. Besides, I don’t intend to marry again.”

  “Nonsense,” Heloise exclaimed with a shocked expression. “That would be a sin against nature as young and lovely as you are. And exactly why don’t you have a large wardrobe? You were married to a wealthy man, my sister’s grandchild in point of fact. A more generous man I have yet to meet.”

  “He was generous. I don’t mean to say he wasn’t. It’s just that we married so quickly and he reported for duty almost at once. There was little time to enlarge my wardrobe and certainly no time for parties.” She bowed her head and twisted her hands together. “And after he was wounded . . . well there was no need.”

  “That simply won’t do. We must remedy your lack of a proper wardrobe at once.” Heloise rose from her seat and called to a servant. “Have Martha report to me in the nursery, at once.”

  Heloise settled back into her chair. “Martha is an excellent seamstress and her offerings will do for the present. When we remove to London, of course, you will need to replace your entire wardrobe.”

  “But I shan’t be going to London or purchasing new clothing.”

  “Of course you will. Your widow’s jointure should certainly be large enough to furnish all that is required and then some. Besides I dare say, Adron will insist.”

  “I have no idea about a widow’s jointure. Robert prepared his last Will and Testament before we married and naturally a widow’s jointure wasn’t mentioned.”

  “How unsatisfactory.” Heloise snorted and her mouth turned down.

  “Everything that is entailed will naturally belong to Jamie,” Laurel said. “I’m certain Lord Gladrey has that well in hand.”

  Heloise’s voice thinned along with her lips. “Yes, I’m sure as well.”

  Guarding her expression from Heloise’s shrewd gaze, Laurel excused her husband’s actions. “Robert named Rhonda as beneficiary and because I was only seventeen, he left Rhonda in charge.”

  A ghost of a sympathetic smile tightened Heloise’s features. “How awkward for you. I’m sure she holds tightly to the purse strings as well.”

  Laurel longed to pour out her sense of ill usage to Heloise but prudence won. “I must see to the children.”

  “Nonsense. Becky can do that while I have Martha measure you.”

  “But,” Laurel objected, worried Adron wouldn’t approve of such actions.

  Heloise reminded Laurel of a whirlwind in full force and she was unstinting with the use of her power. “No. I won’t listen to a word you say. As soon as Martha arrives and Becky takes the children, we will adjourn to my chamber.”

  “I refuse to leave the nursery. I will allow your Martha to take my measurement, but I insist we remain in the adjoining room.”

  “Very well. Here’s Martha now.” She motioned the woman inside and issued instructions while removing to the connecting chamber.

  Laurel stood, overwhelmed with the fast pace in which she was disrobed, measured, stuck with pins, and forced to try on several gowns that might do.

  Heloise nodded. “That blue silk gown is lovely on you my dear, simply lovely. Its years too young for me and it cost the earth.” She swept her fingers over her skillfully arranged white locks. “I was thinking of giving it to Melissa. Still your need is greater."

  Laurel tugged the last of the garments over her head, leaving nothing but her thin chemise to guard her modesty. Grateful the probing and poking was over, she reached for her gown, but before she could retrieve it, Adron stood in the threshold, his expression grim.

  His angry stare sliced into her. Laurel winced. She had handed her duty over to Becky without much objection and guilt for neglecting her responsibilities added to her discomfort at being nearly naked before him. She hated the vulnerable position in which she found herself and she wanted to scream at him to get out. Instead she snatched up her gown and held it
in front of her.

  “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.

  “Adron, now is not the time,” Heloise scolded her grandson and turned to her servant. “Martha that will be all and have those gowns ready as soon as possible.”

  Not another word was uttered until Martha nervously gathered her bits and bobs to depart, quietly shutting the door behind her.

  Heloise held up her hand and stared hard at her grandson. “Now, Adron. I would like an explanation of your conduct.”

  He opened his mouth and shut it again, his eyes wide with astonishment. “Gran, you know perfectly well why I . . .”

  “Nonsense, my boy. If we’re to marry her off, she can’t possibly meet a suitable partner looking like a dowd.”

  He bowed his head to her and a half-smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “You have a point. But if you are through for the day, perhaps she can return to the children.”

  Heloise threw up her hands. “Of course. I must catch Martha before she cuts that material. I have an idea.” She hurried from the room.

  Adron’s smile grew more sinister and he leaned against the door with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes seemed to sizzle with passion, sparking tension across the chamber to engulf Laurel. Trapped in his gaze, she swallowed and blinked to break free from his spell.

  She lifted her chin in defiance, turned her back on him and stepped into her gown. His warm breath caressed her nape and his arms encircled her waist. Startled, she attempted to push his hands away. How had he crossed the chamber so quickly and so silently?

  He drew her back against his warm chest. The steady pounding of his heart seeped into her and her pulse accelerated to match the rhythm of his. He touched the tip of his tongue just below her ear and trailed kisses down her throat to her bare shoulder. She shivered, suppressing a moan as a bolt of desire shot through her.

  “This is an inappropriate time to let things spin out of control. However, I’m available later tonight, when Becky will be expected to be in control of the nursery,” he offered.

  She spun out of his arms and turned to face him. “You can take your invitation and go to blazes with it.”

  He laughed. “Now, now. I felt your body respond to me.” He held one finger against her lips and shook his head. “Don’t. Your tongue lies. Your body tells a different story.”

  Laurel fisted her hands at her side and hatred blazed through her—for him and for herself because she longed to do as he suggested.

  “Not now, not ever.” She spat the words at him.

  He grinned wickedly. “Never is a long time to be without a man.” Nonchalantly strolling to the door, he turned and asked in a very aggravating tone, “You’re supposed to be on duty aren’t you?” He raised his brows. “Don’t forget dinner is at eight.”

  She bit her tongue to keep from screaming before she conceded this round to him.

  “Drat the man,” Laurel whispered, staring at the closed door. Her body still throbbed with desire, a victim of his experience and her own longings. When she’d first arrived, he taunted her and offered to share his bed. What would he do or say now if she were to appear at his chamber door in nothing but her revealing nightgown? The thought brought a smile to her lips. Of course she would do nothing of the kind, but the idea was more appealing than she dared admit.

  While he’d played the rogue, the seducer, his infuriating composure had masked his reactions, but his breath had quickened and his heart had pounded as heavily as hers. Perhaps he wasn’t in as much control as he wanted her to believe. That thought was sobering and was all the more reason to run the other way. If he ever forgot his arrogance long enough to turn that gentleness and concern on her, she would fall—hard. With such a formidable adversary, a broken heart loomed before her. Beware. The warning flashed through her mind.

  Adron shut the door behind him and grimaced. He thought to control her, to force her to follow his every dictate or suffer the consequences, but he was the one to suffer. His body still screamed to possess her. He’d nearly swallowed his tongue when she stood in her gauze thin chemise clinging to every curve of her lovely body. Adron had been totally unaware of moving from the door until he found the pulse in her throat beating erratically against his lips. He admitted he was in deep trouble.

  Heloise stepped into the hall as Adron passed her chamber. She stood aside and motioned for him to enter. “Adron, a word if you please.”

  Adron lifted his brows and entered the doorway. Capital. The one thing he didn’t need was for Gran to question him or worse, to read between the lines and discover his failings where Laurel was concerned. “What may I do for you?”

  Heloise harrumphed. “First thing, leave your frowns of disapproval and temper outside.” She waved her hand. “Be seated. You know my old bones don’t take to standing about.”

  He bowed his head in acknowledgment and perched on the edge of a fragile gilded chair. “As you wish. Now, how may I serve you?”

  Heloise hesitated as if to gather her thoughts. “I think it is high time you offered for Melissa.” She held up her hand. “Wait until I finish. Melissa is perfect for you, easily molded into a complacent wife and mother. She’s young enough not to look further.”

  Adron clenched his jaw. “You’re pushing, Gran. At present she is a self-absorbed little baggage.”

  Heloise let out an exasperated sigh. “She’s young but she’ll get older and a little more mellow. All of this doubt and delay is because of Genevieve isn’t it? Surely you are over that blonde bitch by now.”

  “Gran!” He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

  “That scandalized you did it? I’m surprised. Deed I am. Now you listen to me. Genevieve used you, so what?” Heloise shrugged. “Falling for the seductive lures of a practiced spy was poor judgment on your part to be sure. If you’d only admit it, your pride was dented more than your heart. That is certainly no reason for you to hold past mistakes against all womankind.”

  “You know Genevieve cost Robert his life. At least she was responsible for the trap where Robert was wounded. He took a bullet that should have been mine.” The muscles in his jaw worked. “I take the blame because I was blinded by her beauty.” Adron rose and began to pace. “I told you all about it when I returned from the war. And Robert’s wife finished him off.”

  “No such thing. You’re being too harsh. Not all women fall into the treacherous category simply because of their appearance, beautiful and blonde.”

  He twisted toward her again. “I’ve always found it so—starting with my loving mother.”

  Heloise sighed. “I cautioned your father against marriage to her but he wouldn’t listen. You are far more sensible than your father so you mustn’t continue to judge your mother harshly. Kensey did love you in her own fashion.”

  Adron turned a skeptical gaze on her. “I saw no proof of that.”

  “Your mother simply wasn’t capable of showing love. She craved attention, luxury and above all, a constant stream of adoration. Because she was beautiful, she was raised with the unrealistic expectations that anything she desired would be hers. Your mother never considered the consequences of any of her actions. Take heed and consider what you’re about before you do something equally foolish.”

  “And you think I might be headed in that direction?” he questioned with an enigmatic smile.

  “Your mother left you with a warped view of women so yes I do think you are blind. I want you to marry and give me some great-grandchildren before I’m gone.”

  He laughed. “Hopefully you have years yet. But I’ll marry when and where I please.”

  Heloise shook her head. “It won’t do. I’ve seen the way you look at Laurel.”

  Adron flung his head up and rubbed his hand over his hair. A heavy sigh escaped him. “That’s absurd. My interest is purely to pro
tect Jamie. Robert warned me against her and I don’t believe she will remain here even to be in close proximity to her son. She’ll marry and be gone.”

  “Nonsense! Now you are being absurd. Laurel has a way with the children. In fact she is a great mother but you’d do better with Melissa. Laurel will fight you tooth and nail.”

  “All the better. She can’t win.”

  Heloise shook her finger at him. “Don’t fall in love with her.”

  Adron didn’t need her warning. With every intention of guarding his heart, he drew a deep breath. Still each time he recalled Laurel in her thin chemise, his loins tightened.

  “I might fall in lust with her but never love,” he said with a sardonic smile.

  “Adron. Please, I’m an old lady.”

  “Yes and never a prude—thankfully.”

  A smile tugged at her lips. “Very well, but I’ll be waiting—anxiously.”

  “I’m not saying I’ll offer for Melissa but before anything can be settled, I must resolve the situation with Laurel and her role in Jamie’s life.” At the moment, Melissa’s appeal had dwindled. She seemed so very young and immature, almost a child, like his sister. It was Laurel who occupied an indecent amount of his thoughts.

  Gran’s eyes began to twinkle. “Mind you’re not caught unawares.”

  “No chance of that,” he said and strode to the door. He needed to leave her presence before she guessed at his restlessness attributable to Laurel. “I really must be about the day’s business if you are quite finished with your lecture.”