Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman

by Woodson, Wareeze

  “I’ll hold you to it. Come to that, I’d best hurry or I’ll be the one that’s late.”

  Waving her gloved fingers at him, she headed for the stairs. “One hour. I’ll be waiting.”

  Pleasantly surprised, Adron strode toward his room. Rhonda had obviously taken George’s advice with little complaint and seemed prepared to move forward with her life—a good thing.

  In a happier state of mind, he patted his face dry with a linen towel and combed his hair. Things were looking up. He grinned at his image in the mirror. Now if only Laurel would be reasonable, all would be right with his world—as soon as he caught the thief and brought the murderer to justice.

  He met Rhonda at the head of the stairs. “You look lovely.”

  Rhonda clutched his arm and smiled. “So do you.”

  The aroma wafting from the dining salon smelled delicious and had been one of the main reasons he stayed at the Mivart’s hotel when necessary. He accompanied Rhonda into the dining area and after being seated he gazed about. Pleased with the setting of pristine table linen, the sparkled of crystal stemware along with the muted conversation of the guests, he relaxed.

  After he ordered, he gazed at Rhonda and smiled. “Have you wrangled another advance from your other trustee?”

  She grinned at him. “Yes. The fusty one.”

  “I’m glad to see you’ve decided to enjoy yourself for a change.”

  Rhonda shrugged. “My only season was a nightmare. This time, my eyes are wide open.”

  “I’m sorry you had a bad experience before.” Catching her fingers, he offered his sympathy. “You no longer have a need to hide in the country. You’re beautiful, wealthy and the ton will be at your feet.”

  “I sincerely doubt that and I can no longer hide in the country as you say. I have no home.”

  “Rhonda, you know that’s not true.”

  “It is true. I could never share my beloved home with Laurel in charge. Robert allowed me free rein until she came along and I won’t accept the change. She may choose not to live there when she remarries but all is ruined just the same.”

  He tried to stem the flow of her harangue. “Rhonda.”

  “And you are so wise not to let her have Jamie. She’ll remarry and I ask you, then where will the child be?”

  “With me, naturally.”

  “Very wise indeed. She’ll finally grow tired of her little game one day and she’ll leave. I heard George offer for her with my own ears. She said she loved him but could never remarry because you wouldn’t allow Jamie to leave with her.”

  His stomach roiled at her words. A dash of cold water in his face couldn’t have affected him to a worse degree. It was true, he’d told Laurel he would never allow her to take Jamie with her but he never dreamed she would fall in love with George.

  “She begged him to understand that she must give up her heart’s desire for her son,” Rhonda continued without a pause. “Laurel only pretends to be so noble but she doesn’t want him to stop the adoration he heaps on her.”

  Adron’s heart sank. His mother all over again, adoration and parties had been everything to her. A moment passed before he could finally utter a word. “Why do you say that?”

  “My sister-in-law quickly recovered from loving my brother. Or at least she claimed she loved him. Laurel wanted his wealth and now she has every pence he possessed. That wasn’t enough for her. George adores her, kisses her hand and tells her she’s in looks and she craves every compliment he throws at her.”

  His chest burned and his vision blurred. Had he been so blind as not to see Laurel was in love with George? Had he been that selfish? George was dependable, stable and a true gentleman in all that word implied as opposed to the way in which Adron had treated her. Seeking vengeance, his own form of justice, blaming her for his own guilt and treating her little better than a gin-soaked doxy on the street, he had taken her child away from her. He had also forced her to work as no gentile lady should ever be compelled to do and belittled her at every turn. It was only natural she would come to love George.

  Adron stared at Rhonda, willing her to retract her words, to admit she had been jesting, but she had already abandoned the subject and moved on to a tangent of her own.

  “Although you won’t admit it, you know I’m on the shelf now, an old maid.” Rhonda pouted up at him while stroking his arm. “I’ve always loved you. We would be perfect together. I’m mature enough to understand about a man’s peccadilloes and I know we would be a lovely couple.”

  He forced himself not to recoil. “Rhonda, I love you as a younger sister, much as I feel for Paige and it’s natural for you to love me too. I’m your cousin and against all odds I’ve always taken your part. But when I marry, things will necessarily change.”

  “No, Adron, don’t. You promised not to desert me. You promised.”

  “Rhonda, don’t fly out at me. I’m not deserting you but you must accept your lot in life—a life that does not include me as your husband.”

  A single tear rolled down her cheek, but her countenance was set in mutinous lines.

  He shook his head. “A fit of the vapors will gain you nothing.”

  She pouted. “I will not tolerate another in your place and besides, I am on the shelf, money or no.”

  “Please put such thoughts aside and search out a man that will love you for yourself.”

  “Adron,” she wailed.

  Careful to hide his sympathy from his high-strung cousin, he purposely assumed a blank expression. “Cut your losses and settle on a future of your own choosing, my dear. Don’t squander the rest of your life on a dream that will never come true.”

  Rhonda’s silence, marked by her wounded expression, irked him almost enough to walk away from her nonsense, but as a gentleman, he could not. When the meal was finally finished, Adron accompanied her to the head of the stairs and watched until she was safely in her maid’s capable hands. He strode down the hall to his own room, flopped in a chair placed by the window and rubbed his brow to ease his growing headache.

  Deep in the fog of thought, the sound of wind whipping the pelting rain against the windowpane finally registered with him and matched his grim mood. Adron collapsed on the bed and groaned. He’d come to believe Laurel cared for him almost as much as he cared for her but she loved George. He couldn’t get over the realization. How could he have been so blind?

  He shut his eyes against the pain radiating from his chest. Could he be man enough to let her go? Could he not? Bile nearly choked him when he thought of his loss.

  Adron admitted she deserved the love of a good man—George. Now that he’d come to know her, how could he ever have thought she’d wronged Robert? Such actions were not in her nature. Laurel was generous, kind-hearted, loyal and an excellent mother. With that thought he vaulted out of his bed and began to pace.

  If Laurel realized how much he loved her, she would be unable to bring herself to hurt him. In exactly the same manner she’d forfeited her freedom for her son, she would sacrifice her own happiness again. The only solution was to actually offer for Melissa and set Laurel free to follow her heart.

  Chapter 22

  With leaden feet, Adron mounted the steps of Kendlewood and squared his shoulders. The hour was almost upon him when he would set Laurel free and endure an empty future without her. He schooled his expression not to reflect his mood and entered. The butler stood ready to receive his driving cape, cane and gloves.

  “Milord.” Winwright bowed and handed off the duke’s possessions to an underling. “There is a strange, eh—gentleman to see you. To judge by his apparel, he’s not a man of fashion,” the butler announced.

  Adron’s brows climbed his forehead. “And you thought I might wish to receive this strange person? Did he leave his card?”

  “No, Milord. But
he’s been here for the better part of three hours.”

  Adron gave a careless shrug. “Let my secretary deal with him.”

  “He insisted on seeing you personally, Milord.”

  “Tell him to come back tomorrow then. I have other things on my mind today.”

  “But, Milord, he mumbled something about Bow Street Runners. His brogue is so thick I barely understood him but he insisted.” Winwright cleared his throat. “I took the liberty of placing him in your library.”

  The butler maintained his usual placid expression, but Adron could tell the effort pained him and Adron held back a sigh. “Very well.”

  “Where are the family?” Adron inquired before he climbed the stairs.

  “I believe the ladies are all in the drawing room, Milord.”

  He hurried toward the library, stepped inside and spied a man of average height, unremarkable of countenance with one arm on the mantle, staring out at the sheep on the west lawn.

  Adron cleared his throat and the stranger quickly turned.

  “Your lordship. The magistrate sent me special with a note for you. We got that Oather Dimty person of interest.”

  Adron frowned. “He sent you all the way out here?”

  “Yes, your lordship. The magistrate seemed anxious to acquaint you with the facts immediate. Your townhouse was locked up tight and not a soul about. Being on assignment in the area anyways, he sent me.”

  Adron read the note. “Capital. I’ll have a footman show you to the kitchen. My cook will supply refreshments before you take your leave.”

  He sank into his chair and read the letter again. Although he planned to inform Laurel of his intentions to allow her to return to Landings, he had counted on the delay of her actual departure until the thief was apprehended. Now his excuse had disappeared. Adron could no longer delay the inevitable. A silent stream of profanity echoed in his mind as he tried to form the words he would say to set her free—free to marry another. Adron wanted to yell his denial to the top of his lungs but he wouldn’t. Inhaling a deep breath, he buried his head in his hands. He promised himself he would set her free later tonight.

  Immediately upon his return, Laurel had planned to accept Adron’s proposal but he’d been occupied until the dinner hour. She could hardly wait for her first glimpse of him, nevertheless, greeting him in front of his family would never do. Longing to be alone with him and have him gather her in his arms as she told him of her love had to be contained. She wanted his kisses and more—much more. The few days he’d been away seemed an eternity and having her moment of truth delayed frayed her nerves. Laurel nervously shifted from foot to foot and with a smile, she lifted her eyes to him. Stunned at his expression, she froze and was trapped by the frigid stare he cast her way.

  Her breath caught in her throat and dread pounded in her chest as she gazed at him. If his look was anything to go by, she had indeed left her acceptance too late. She wanted to cry and scream her distress but she could do neither. Her knees were weak and her hands trembled as she sank into a nearby chair. Sick inside, the mere thought of food churned her stomach but she soon found herself seated at the table.

  Adron had been withdrawn all through the meal and never glanced her way again. When he bothered to join the conversation, he paid close attention to Melissa, Heloise and even Paige. Laurel’s spirits sank even lower. He’d said she couldn’t drive him away so what happened to his determination? Had his words meant so little after all? Had he grown tired of waiting for her to make up her mind?

  She wouldn’t meekly accept that. A good while after the meal, she lifted her chin and followed him to his library. He’d closed the door against intruders but she rapped on the panel all the same.

  “Come in.”

  Laurel found him sitting behind his desk and his carefully blank expression sent a shiver down her spine. He leaned back in his chair and motioned for her to be seated.

  “We need to talk.” They spoke simultaneously as she sat down.

  Apprehensive and filled with foreboding, she waited for him to begin.

  He hesitated as if gathering his thoughts. “Oather Dimty has been apprehended. A Runner brought the word earlier.”

  She relaxed and couldn’t keep the smile from spreading across her face. Perhaps the tension came from waiting for word on the capture of the thief—not much of an excuse for his stern demeanor, but a reason. “That’s wonderful news. I’ll be able to identify him and all of this will be settled.”

  “There’s plenty of time for that but now that he’s behind bars, it should be safe enough for you to return to Landings.”

  “Is he there for me to identify?” she questioned.

  “No, he’s held in London.” Even the tone of his voice hurt her, edgy and stiff, warning of more to follow. “I’m allowing you take up residence in your home again.” Bitterness crept into his tone. “Since Rhonda is no longer there, you should be perfectly content.”

  Her heart sank and her throat was so dry she had to swallow. Surely he couldn’t be sending her away—not now. She must have misunderstood him and decided to hold that thought close while she followed another path. Why should he be bitter about Rhonda? “Rhonda! Why is everything about Rhonda?”

  “This isn’t about Rhonda.”

  “Then why mention her at all? Why can’t you accept Rhonda is no longer your vulnerable young cousin in need of your protection?”

  “You don’t know the things she had to put up with. Her governess beat her for the least infraction and she wasn’t attractive at the time in her life when appearances were important. Things like that leave a mark.”

  Laurel made no attempt to regulate her tone as it rose. “But she’s not that same person any longer. Rhonda can’t let the past affect her forever. Why can’t you see the type of person she really is, manipulative and selfish?”

  Adron lifted his chin and glared across at her. “We’re not here to discuss, Rhonda.”

  Laurel tried to hold back her anger, but some of it spilled out. “Amen to that.”

  He ignored her comment but sent her a scorching glance. “I’ve decided to allow you to return to Landings as I stated. You’re free to marry George or anyone else you please.”

  Her temper fled and she could barely catch her breath. It was true after all. He was sending her away. She tried to even her breathing. “Marry, George? Whatever do you mean?”

  “George made you an offer.”

  “And that means I must accept?”

  “Playing fast and loose with George’s affections places you in the heartless category. Any number of times, you’ve encouraged him. I thought better of you.” His expression rejected her, closed against her as he continued, “Don’t you understand? You’re free, free to follow your heart, to live your own life, something you’ve always desired. You’re a wealthy young widow now. You’re lovely and you can have most anyone you want. I’d advise you to choose George. He’ll treat you as you should be treated.”

  She forced down the burning in her throat, took a deep breath and hoped she’d concealed the wound he had inflicted from reflecting in her eyes. “I won’t leave without Jamie.”

  “No, I realize.” Grim-faced, he clasped his hands together and averted his gaze. “I was wrong to try and keep Jamie from you. You’re an excellent mother. You certainly must take him with you.” His stare tuned cold and in a clipped tone he said, “I’ll expect a quarterly report on his progress. When he’s a little older, I would like to spend a week with him every year.”

  “Very well.” Laurel didn’t know what more to say. Tense and vulnerable, she struggled with the need to fall to her knees and beg for another chance. She was aware of him as never before, wanting him with everything in her being but finally her whole body stiffened with pride.

  “We’ll leave tomorrow. The remai
nder of our things can be sent on later.” Laurel didn’t know if she could maintain her composure until she could quit the room but she intended to try. Never must Adron realize how much she loved him—never.

  Laurel didn’t remember reaching her chamber, but here she was on the edge of her bed, fully clothed, dry-eyed and stunned. She wouldn’t allow tears to fall blinking rapidly to keep the moisture at bay. If she started to cry, she might never stop. Instead she kept her hands busy packing some of her things before returning to the bed. She didn’t sleep nor cry.

  Late the next morning the duke’s carriage, complete with his coat of arms embossed on the door, rolled down the drive with Laurel, Jamie, and Patricia, her personal maid inside. With each rotation of the wheels, her heart cried farewell, farewell, farewell. She’d come full circle and in spite of her efforts moisture filled her eyes.

  Chapter 23

  “Damn,” Adron cursed under his breath as he watched his carriage roll away carrying all that was most dear to him. He clenched his jaw until he thought his teeth might crack under the pressure. It was all he could do to keep from rushing forward to halt the departure. Empty and dead inside, he clung to the knowledge that he had allowed Laurel freedom to follow her heart, the only fact that made this moment bearable.

  Adron turned and bolted for his library. He could use a stiff drink, anything to blur his mind. Tomorrow she would still be gone, but that was another day. He had to make it through the rest of this day.

  Adron slumped into his chair with a whisky bottle in one hand and a glass in the other. Tossing down his drink, he poured another before he began to berate himself. He’d been a buffoon to ever think Laurel had been devious, calculating or manipulative enough to trap Robert into marriage and then drive him to an early death with her selfishness. That wasn’t the Laurel he’d come to know. A more giving, kind person he had yet to meet. He’d noted the fear in her eyes but for her child’s sake, she bravely faced him down. Adron had power over her son, therefore over her and he’d used that control to bend her to his will, but never once had she abandoned her son or retaliated. Whatever actions she had taken, he’d driven her to it.