by Jane Charles
A weight had been lifted from him, now that he knew the truth. Eventually he would find out why Lydell had lied that night, but it didn’t matter. Audrey knew the truth.
A large burly man stepped in front of Jordan, crossed his arms over his broad chest and stared down. “What business do you have here?”
Jordan sobered and dismissed the ballet and Audrey from his mind. “I would like to speak with Mr. Jonathan Bridges.”
“What business do you have with Mr. Bridges?” The man’s chin went up a notch and as he braced his feet.
Jordan didn’t think he was that menacing in appearance and he would sooner avoid this man at all cost than risk being struck by such a brute. “I am here on behalf of his sister, Lady Rothsbury.”
“Trent, what brings you down to the docks?”
He and the brute turned to find Bridges standing at the top of a stairway that led to what Jordan assumed were the shipping offices. The brute took a step back and let his arms fall to his side. Apparently Jordan was no longer a threat, not that he had ever been. “I am here about your nephews.”
Concern marred Bridge’s brow and he motioned Jordan to come up.
A moment later Jordan was entering Bridge’s office and the door was shut to block out the noise of the warehouse below.
Bridges turned to him, fists planted on hips. “Has something happened?”
“Has your sister spoken with you about her concerns?”
Bridges sighed and sank into the chair behind his desk. “Yes, but there is little I can do.” He bent down and opened a drawer in his desk and withdrew a bottle of brown liquid before reaching behind and grabbing two glasses from a shelf. “I am not part of your world and have little power to go against a lord.” He poured as he spoke.
Bridges may be in the shipping business but he held more power than he knew, or cared for because he was a very rich man. “I’ve sent Creighton to the country.”
Bridges snorted and handed Jordan a glass. “I doubt he will stay there long.”
“I think I’ve found a way to change the guardianship, if you are willing.”
Bridges sat forward in interest.
“Would you become the guardian for your nephews and manage their inheritance until the oldest comes into his majority, if I am able to convince a judge and perhaps Parliament?”
“Of course.” Bridges took a drink. “I’ll even do my best to see their funds increase.”
Jordan had expected as much. “I will see what I can do about making it happen.” He tipped the glass back and allowed the whisky to warm his throat and stomach. This day was going better than he anticipated.
Audrey felt as light as air. The ball was the most enjoyable she had ever attended. Even Viscount Renway’s sweaty hands could not dampen her mood this evening, though she was glad to have that dance behind her.
“I wish Jordan woul=-d show a bit more discretion.”
Audrey stifled a sigh at Millicent’s words. There were other balls taking place this evening, why did Millicent have to be here and wish to stand with her? It was a silly question of course. Millicent would be where Trent was and currently he was speaking with Lady Rothsbury. The two had their heads together in what appeared to be a serious conversation. On the other hand, Mr. Trent had presented himself to Audrey almost the moment she stepped into the ballroom, taking her dance card and choosing the supper dance. A gentleman didn’t do such a thing if he was no longer interested in courtship. Yet, there was no official agreement, and there might never be so there was nothing she could say with regard to his relationship with Lady Rothsbury.
Yet, his kiss today had turned her knees to mush. A gentleman did not kiss a lady in such a way or hold her scandalously close if he weren’t interested in courtship, did he? Yet, he did have a horrible reputation, which she needed to remember. And, he was in deep discussion with Lady Rothsbury. Audrey just hoped she didn’t see him leaving her house again tomorrow morning.
“Don’t you agree?”
Audrey turned to look at Millicent. What had her friend said? And, could she still consider Millicent a friend? “Agree?”
“That Jordan should show more discretion.”
“I don’t believe he has done anything improper this evening.”
Millicent rolled her eyes. “He is panting after that widow. If he would come to me I would see that all of his needs were met.” Millicent sighed and shivered. “It would give me great pleasure to do so.”
Audrey’s stomach churned. She wasn’t sure exactly what his needs may be. Her mother refused to discuss intimacies but promised Audrey she would force herself to address the topic on the eve of her wedding. Audrey did have a few ideas, but other than an odd feeling in her stomach and nether regions and the tightness and tingling in her breasts when Trent kissed her, she knew nothing else. Oh, she knew it involved the more private areas of her body and knew how babies were born, but she was never told exactly how they arrived there in the first place. Yet, it couldn’t be that unpleasant since Millicent was willing to participate in the activity with Trent.
“You should be more concerned with your husband’s needs,” Audrey hissed quietly, her face burning from even referencing such a topic. Perhaps in time Millicent would realize that Trent would not be hers and perhaps Millicent would learn to appreciate her husband. If only Lydell would confess what happened that night then perhaps Millicent would give up her infatuation of Trent. Then again, perhaps he had and Millicent simply refused to believe him. It was quite possible given that woman’s state of mind.
“Lydell is taken care of, often.” Millicent dismissed with a smile. “It is Jordan who I want, however.”
As did Audrey, yet she wasn’t sure they wanted the same thing, or perhaps they did. Millicent was far more of an expert on the subject that Audrey knew nothing about.
“He will tire of her soon,” Millicent finally stated.
“I suppose.” Audrey could only hope whatever relationship he shared with the widow ended because as long as he was visiting her at night, Audrey could not allow him to court her during the day, if that is what he wished to do.
Mr. Dalton stopped before them and bowed deeply. “Lady Lydell, you are more beautiful and lovely than Diana herself.”
“The huntress?” Audrey asked.
The man blinked at her with a confused frown on his face. If that man was going to compare her to the goddess of beauty, shouldn’t he at least know who that was? “I think you mean Aphrodite.”
“Yes that is the one.” He smiled seductively and turned back to Millicent and clasped her hands in his. “More beautiful than any of the goddesses.”
Audrey resisted the urge to roll her eyes and looked away just in time to see Jordan Trent escort Lady Rothsbury out into the moonlit garden. Her heart constricted but she reminded herself that she had no claim on the gentleman and until she was certain he wasn’t simply toying with her affections with no intention of a serious courtship, she would not allow him to kiss her again. He had made no declarations. He only kissed her until her knees nearly buckled.
Just because she had believed an untruth about him didn’t mean she could trust him. He was a rake and rarely without female companionship. She could still simply be another conquest to him and Audrey vowed to guard her heart until she determined his intentions, if he had any beyond supper.
Yet, he had continued to pursue her, but was it only because he wanted to know why he had been rejected? Jordan Trent probably had never been denied any lady of his choosing before her. Was or had she been a challenge and now he would move on?
“Do take me on a stroll in the garden.” Millicent batted her eyelashes at Dalton as a suggestive smile came to her lips. The woman had no more desire to be with Dalton than Audrey, yet the man was too ignorant to realize he was being used to be closer to Trent. They could all go and frolic in the garden for all she cared. At least Lydell had disappeared into the card room and wouldn’t know what his wife was up to.
Audre
y watched as the couple disappeared through the doors as Grace came to stand at her side.
“We need to talk about Millicent.”
Grace’s eyebrows rose in interest.
“Not here. Can I call on you tomorrow?”
“Of course,” Grace insisted.
Mr. Matthew Trent pressed a glass of punch into his wife’s hand. “Good evening Miss Montgomery.”
She smiled up at him. It was a shame he was no longer the vicar at home. She had enjoyed his sermons, when she bothered to attend services. In fact, she only heard two of the handful he gave before resigning and marrying Grace.
“Oh dear.”
Audrey turned to look where Grace was staring.
“Lord Creighton does not look happy,” Mr. Trent observed. The man’s face was red and anger radiated from his being. He stopped and spoke with a few people who pointed to the doors leading to the garden. “I wonder why he is upset.”
“Could he not like that Jordan is with Lady Rothsbury?” Lord Bentley asked as he approached, his wife, Lady Bentley on his arm.
“Why would he care?” Audrey found herself asking.
“Creighton is her brother-in-law,” Bentley began to explain. “Perhaps he doesn’t like that a rake is close to the mother of the young lord and may fear his influence.”
Audrey simply shrugged. She wasn’t going to try and guess why the gentleman had his dander up but watched as he stormed across the ballroom and outside.
“That rake is your brother,” Mr. Matthew Trent reminded the earl.
Bentley laughed. “Does that make him any less a rake?”
From what Audrey observed, Jordan Trent was a rogue through and through. She needed to keep that in mind next time he attempted to kiss her. One does not set her heart upon such a gentleman unless she was willing to have it shattered and Audrey had no intention of being hurt.
“How dare you interfere in my affairs!”
Jordan stiffened at the sound of Creighton’s voice. He was standing in a small gazebo with Lady Rothsbury explaining what needed to be done with regard to changing guardians and her brother’s response.
He turned and looked toward the man stomping toward them. “I thought you were to be in the country?”
“You, nor nobody else can tell me what to do or where to go.”
Jordan stepped close to Lady Rothsbury. He had never seen the gentleman so angry. Not that he thought Creighton would do her any harm, but it did not hurt to be precautious.
“You are correct. I cannot tell you either of those things. I can merely suggest what is best.”
“Nor will I give up guardianship of my nephews.”
Jordan braced his feet apart and stared down at the man. “That is out of your hands.”
“This is none of your affair,” Creighton bellowed and then pointed at Lady Rothsbury. “I will fight you with everything I have. They are my brother’s children. I will say what is best for them and how they are taken care of. Expect them to be removed from your home as soon as I have made the arrangements.” He took a step closer to Jordan. “You will pay for the humiliation you have caused.”
Lady Rothsbury grasped Jordan’s arm as the man stormed back toward the house. “Can he take my boys?”
Jordan had not anticipated Creighton wanting to take such action. While he was still guardian he could very well do so which meant Jordan needed to get this matter resolved before it was too late. “I won’t let it happen.” Then he turned towards her. “I suggest you take your sons to a place where they can be protected and don’t tell anyone where you are going.”
She bit her bottom lip and nodded.
“Your brother will see to your safety and I will relay all messages through him and you do the same.”
“I will.” She moved toward the house. “I am going home now. I don’t trust Creighton not to try and take them tonight.”
“Send word if you need anything.”
Lady Rothsbury turned back and placed a kiss on Jordan’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“It is my pleasure.” Jordan offered his arm and began to escort her back toward the house. There were two paths through the foliage and he opted for the one opposite of what Creighton took. They turned the corner, just shy of the lights reflecting from the large windows to find Lady Lydell in the arms of Mr. Dalton. At least she wasn’t pursuing him any longer, but they were in the middle of the path and he and Lady Rothsbury couldn’t get past. He tugged on Lady Rothsbury’s arm to escort her back the way they had come and leave the two lovers alone. Dalton was making short work of Lady Lydell’s bodice and soon Jordan would see portions of her anatomy that he did not care to view. At least he didn’t wish to view them on Lady Lydell.
“Jordan,” Lady Lydell gasped.
He stilled. There was no escaping now and turned back to the couple. Should he point out that he had not given her leave to use his Christian name? “I apologize for the intrusion.”
“As you should,” Dalton insisted.
“If you wished to seduce Lady Lydell, perhaps you should have chosen a more private area,” Jordan shot back.
“As you always do,” Lady Lydell purred.
How the hell did she know how he went about seductions? What little knowledge she thought she had was false. “I am sure you know nothing, Lady Lydell.”
“You are always such a gentleman, wishing to protect a lady’s reputation.” Her glance flickered over Lady Rothsbury with disgust. “At least when they deserve protecting.”
Lady Rothsbury gasped at the insult.
“Good evening, Dalton, Lady Lydell.” Jordan turned on his heel and placed a hand at the small of Lady Rothsbury’s back to escort her away from the couple.
“Jordan, wait,” Lady Lydell cried out.
Jordan ignored her and continued away from the couple.
“Forget him,” Dalton insisted. “Let me love you.”
Those were the last words Jordan heard. If he were Lydell he would take that woman to the country and keep her under lock and key.
She was as bad as Millicent. Audrey chastised herself as she glanced at the door once again. Creighton had returned only a short time after leaving but neither Mr. Trent nor Lady Rothsbury had entered the ballroom. Were they so deep into the gardens he could not locate them? Was Mr. Trent devouring Lady Rothsbury’s mouth as he had done to her? If so, how many more ladies did Trent kiss on a daily basis? She needed to remind herself once again he was debauched. It didn’t matter that he kissed divinely or that he heated her from a simple gaze because she wasn’t the only one to feel the effects. Half the women in the room probably had had the pleasure of being in his arms at one time or another and there was nothing special about her.
The two stepped through the door a moment later. Lady Rothsbury appeared pale, her features drawn. Not a hair was out of place nor did her dress suffer the slightest wrinkle. Could she have been wrong about their reason for meeting in the dark? Oh, Audrey dearly hoped so. Lady Rothsbury nodded to Mr. Trent then made her way through the crowd to the doors leading to the entry hall. Was she leaving already? Would Mr. Trent follow? If so, then she would have just lost her supper partner.
Instead, Mr. Trent wandered over to where his youngest brother and his wife stood and appeared in no hurry to leave. Audrey hated that she was relieved that he remained behind.
Lady Lydell entered only a moment later, her eyes narrowed and mouth pinched in anger. Apparently her assignation in the garden had not gone as hoped. Had she and Lady Rothsbury fought over Mr. Trent? Mr. Dalton followed and didn’t appear anymore pleased than those before them. Apparently tonight was not a night for lovers.
Millicent stormed toward Audrey and Grace.
“Why is she so upset?” Grace whispered.
“I’ll explain everything tomorrow.”
The former vicar turned toward his wife. “The set is about to begin.” Grace nodded to Audrey and allowed her husband to lead her to the floor. Lord and Lady Bentley followed, leaving Audr
ey and Millicent alone.
“He acted as if he didn’t care,” Millicent whined. “I made sure to be in a position where Jordan would find me with Dalton, which he did, but he didn’t seem to care.”
Nor would he, not that Millicent would understand.
“It is her fault,” Millicent said a moment later.
“Who?”
“Lady Rothsbury. I need to find a way to keep Jordan away from her.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.” Audrey shrugged. “She left a few moments ago.”
“Jordan remained behind?” Millicent asked with all the excitement of a fourteen-year-old school girl.
“Yes. He is to partner me for the supper dance.”
Millicent frowned for a moment, and then brightened. “Well, I am glad it is you and nobody I really need to worry about.”
Her words stung, as if Trent wouldn’t be interested in Audrey unless there were no other women remaining on earth.
“Besides, Lydell made me promise the dance to him.”
“He is your husband,” Audrey reminded her friend.
Relief shot through Audrey as Lydell approached. Hopefully his wife would not speak of Trent in his presence.
“I heard the strangest rumor just now.” He handed Millicent and Audrey each a cup of punch.
Since Millicent wasn’t paying him any mind Audrey engaged Lydell in conversation. “What rumor would that be?” She really hated gossip but someone had to speak since Millicent was ignoring him.
“Trent is in trade.”
Millicent blinked. “Which Trent? There are three and the Earl.”
A calculated glint came to Lydell’s eyes. “Mr. Jordan Trent is in trade, so to speak.”
Millicent gasped and brought a hand to her chest. “How dare you say something so vile! He is a gentleman.”
Now Audrey knew why Lydell had broached the subject. He hoped to tarnish Trent in the eyes of Millicent, though Audrey doubted it would be so easy. She also bit her lip to keep from speaking as her father could be considered in trade. As a second son of a Baron he purchased his commission at the age of seventeen and remained in the Calvary for fifteen years, retiring as a Colonel. After he returned home, he set out to build and establish one of the most impressive stud farms in England. His passion had always been horses and racing and he refused to attend a Season because he was needed at the farm in the spring, much to her mother’s chagrin. Yet, Mother remained back because she had spent far too many years without his company and sent Audrey ahead to an aunt and uncle.