Tenacious Trents 01 - A Misguided Lord

by Jane Charles

  Chapter 8

  July, 1813

  The last three months had been the most peaceful Eleanor had known in a very long time. The debts of her stepfather were paid and the remainder of the funds from Bentley were set aside for the future. Most of the new London clothing had been remade into more suitable dresses. A few gowns were held back in the event she found herself at another societal gathering, though few such entertainments occurred in Monmouth. Several of the ball gowns that she had not worn were purchased by the local dressmaker along with the matching shoes. All in all their financial troubles seemed to be behind them.

  Yet, Eleanor did not alter how they lived. She still took in mending to put food on the table so she wouldn’t have to touch their savings. Leigh cleaned the vicarage and taught the younger children in the village on Sunday afternoons. Eleanor also continued with piano lessons two afternoons a week. The earning were enough to see to the family’s needs, especially now that the debt was no longer a concern.

  The only mar in her life were her dreams, or perhaps better put, nightmares. Why did Lord Bentley’s face continue to appear when in her dreams? She wished she could put the man from her mind awake and asleep.

  *

  Clay thought that when Miss Westin left London he would soon forget her. Such had not been the case. She appeared in his thoughts when he least expected it and too often in his dreams at night. This obsession was not something he had any experience with. He was too disciplined in his work and to his title that nothing should ever interfere with his schedule. Yet, this young lady possessed him somehow. Lady Anne had seemed even duller after Miss Westin left and Clay completely gave up considering her for a wife. And as much as he tried, not one lady made him want to even think about marriage, let alone courtship. So, the Season ended without a betrothal and he returned to his country estate.

  He had been positive he would forget her there, yet Miss Westin followed him regardless of how involved he was with estate business. Why? He couldn’t begin to guess. He knew her for what she was; a conniving young woman set to trap a rich gentleman into marriage before he knew what was happening

  Hadn’t she taken his money quickly enough?

  Still, he was attracted to her, still lusted after her and there appeared to be no escape. Perhaps if he could locate her, enjoy the charms, his obsession would come to an end and he could once again put his mind to finding a proper wife. It was that reason he had returned to London only a month after he had left. The loneliness of the country drove him insane along with his unreasonable obsession. Clay hoped something in London would distract him. There certainly had to be more charming and agreeable ladies available. How could he desire a woman who was so conniving?

  “Bentley, can I believe my eyes? Who would have thought you would be in London after the Season ended?”

  The laughing voice brought Clay from his brooding thoughts and he turned his head to see who was addressing him. A genuine smile broke on his lips and Clay stood to greet his long-time friend. “Acker, it is good to see you.”

  “It is good to be home.” Viscount Acker settled into a chair across from Clay.

  “Did you enjoy your travels?”

  “I am not fond of the sea,” Acker groaned before ordering a drink.

  “When did you return?”

  “Almost a week ago. I am leaving for the country tomorrow. Mother is finally allowing me to go but doesn’t care to join me.”

  “Why should she? Lady Acker’s friends are here and from what I observe, still thick as thieves.”

  “I didn’t know you would be in London. Or I would have sent the invitation to your townhouse.”

  “What invitation?”

  “I am having a house party, beginning in a week.”

  “You only just returned?” Acker had never been one to throw a party.

  “Yes, I know.” He laughed. “I found myself missing my friends while I was away.”

  Clay mulled over the idea. A house party in the country might be exactly what he needed.

  “Why don’t you join me now? We can get caught up before the others join us.”

  “Leave tomorrow?”

  Acker laughed. “Oh, I had forgotten your rigid schedule. I do hope you can get away in a few days however.”

  Clay studied him. In truth, his schedule was open, another problem he lay at the feet of Miss Eleanor Westin. Because of her haunting, he had accomplished little over the last weeks and failed to plan for anything. This, of course, explained his presence in Boodles’ this afternoon. “Actually Acker, I am entirely free. What time shall we leave?”

  Acker’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Mother said I have changed. Apparently, I am not the only one.”

  *

  Clay had forgotten how long the trip from London could be, but glad he had come.

  He had enjoyed a peaceful nights rest in one of Acker’s many guest chambers. Besides, he had intended on making a trip to this county to check on one of his mills. He would be able to do that while staying with his friend. Acker talked of his travels and kept Clay’s mind occupied during their long ride and he found he hardly thought of Miss Westin at all. A complete change of scene at an estate he had not visited before, was exactly what he needed to bring his life back in focus. He lifted a cup of tea and looked down. In fact, the breakfast before him was the most delicious meal he had eaten in weeks. Yes, this was exactly what he had needed.

  “I am going to ride after breakfast. Care to join me?” Acker offered

  The thought of riding across the valleys he had seen sounded pleasurable indeed. “Yes, I would.”

  “I will be making one visit.”

  “Oh, to whom?

  “Someone I have missed very much.” Acker smiled.

  Clay’s lips quirked. A lady? “Perhaps I shouldn’t intrude on your reunion.”

  Acker laughed. “A lady, yes, but not the type you infer. This particular lady happens to be a very dear friend.”

  Clay had forgotten Acker had a female friend and couldn’t for the life of him recall her name. That wasn’t what led him to accompany Acker. It was the unbelievable thought that a gentleman and a lady could be close friends, and only friends

  Clay was too cynical to believe in the possibility so he had to see it for himself.

  The ride lasted only five minutes before Acker turned down a shaded drive. Behind the trees stood a two story home in sad need of repair. Flowers grew in front and he could see a stable to the side. Acker dismounted and paused to listen before he turned and smiled at Clay. “She is in the back. Come and meet Elle.”

  He reluctantly followed. Elle, yes that was the name he had forgotten. He rounded the house to view the lady himself and stopped. Eleanor. She hadn’t noticed either of them as she was intent on hanging laundry on a line strung from the stable to a tree at the corner of the house. Clay stepped back into the shadows.

  Acker was so focused on seeing her that he didn’t even notice that his friend did not follow. “Elle,” he called when he was close enough for her to hear.

  Miss Westin had been bent over the basket when she heard her name. She glanced up and stilled momentarily before a smile formed on her face. She dropped the wet laundry and ran to Acker. “Drake, you’re home.”

  Clay watched Miss Westin embrace Acker, who hugged her close, lifted and twirled her around before setting her back on the around. Such familiarity had him wondering if Acker was Jamie’s father.

  “How have you been?” Acker finally asked. “I’ve missed you.”

  Miss Westin’s smile was bright. “I’ve been well.” She hugged him again. “Oh, it is so good to see you.”

  “Mama?” A child pulled on her skirt. Still smiling, she looked down and picked Jamie up.

  “Ah, Jamie.” Acker grinned.

  Did Acker father Jamie?

  Acker studied the lad. “He is the very image of James.”

  Miss Westin’s smile faltered. “Yes, he is.”

  It was a r
elief to know Acker hadn’t fathered the child. If he had, then Clay’s own pursuit of the lady would have been impossible. Besides, now that he had found her, he had no wish to hide away. This first meeting would be awkward, but the sooner they got past it the quicker they could come to an understanding.

  “Elle, I have a friend with me.” Acker stepped aside for Clay.

  All color drained from Miss Westin’s face. “Lord Bentley.” Her tone could have frozen the sun. She curtseyed before him stiffly and awkwardly since she was still holding Jamie.

  “Miss Westin,” Clay returned, bowing to her.

  Acker glanced between them. “I see you two are acquainted.”

  “It is hardly worth mentioning.” Miss Westin placed Jamie on the ground and spoke to the child. “Go inside, Jamie.”

  The child happily ran off and Miss Westin stood to face the gentlemen.

  “I remember each of our encounters quite clearly,” Clay offered.

  “I didn’t say they were not recalled, simply that they were of no significance.”

  It was clear that she did not care for him. Or perhaps she was still angry. He would have to go a long way in softening her opinion of him if he was to finally put an end to his desire for her.

  “Obviously you didn’t make a favorable impression on my friend, Bentley?” Acker attempted to lighten the mood.

  Miss Westin didn’t give him a chance to reply. “I am surprised you would have such an ill-humored friend, Drake.”

  “As you will recall, Miss Westin, serious was the correct description.”

  She raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn’t taken the bait to insult her once again. “Ah yes. Forgive me.” She smiled and turned her attention to Acker. “Please forgive me for not having time to visit.” She walked over to the laundry and picked up the basket. “I have a number of frivolous pursuits to attend to.” Turning on her heal, Miss Westin marched into the house and slammed the door behind her.

  Acker looked at Clayton oddly. “Frivolous?”

  Clay groaned. “I believe I called her frivolous on more than one occasion.” He well understood the insult now. The lady was not as she had appeared in London. Either she was mistress of this modest home with no servants for help or she was one of the servants. On that account he had been wrong. If this was her life prior to and subsequent London then he could well understand her gaiety at the balls and routs. Still, it didn’t change the fact that she was not the innocent, privileged woman she had presented to society.

  Why did her grandfather allow her to live in this manner? He knew Stanhope stored every quid, but even these living conditions were a bit much for him. And, why didn’t she live with her grandfather. When her family resided in modest dwellings in London, he assumed they all resided in better accommodations in the country. Stanhope should at least see that his granddaughter wasn’t living in a place about to crumble about her ears. Had Stanhope learned of the child and sent her packing?

  Despite her circumstances, Acker thought highly of Miss Westin, had known her for years, and Clay would have to tread carefully if he were to woo her into becoming his mistress.

  Chapter 9

  Eleanor leaned her back against the door, dropped the basket at her feet and let the tears fall. For so long she had waited for Drake to come home. She needed to confide in him and ask his advice. Now Bentley had ruined even that for her. Was there no end to that man’s interference in her life? She had thought to leave him behind in London. Oh, she had tried but the miserable man had haunted her even here, before his physical appearance. She knew his character too well, insultingly well, which kept her contempt for him alive. It was good she felt this way or she would still be reliving the kiss and his strong hands on her waist. How could she enjoy the physical so well when she disliked the man so very much?

  It was much later in the afternoon when Drake returned. Eleanor was kneading bread when he appeared in her kitchen doorway. She offered him a sad smile. “I am so sorry for my behavior earlier.”

  Drake walked into the kitchen and settled at the table as he had done so many times in the past. She long ago gave up trying to make him visit with her in the parlor, over tea and cakes, as was expected when a titled neighbor came to call. “I’ll forget the incident if you explain your reaction to Bentley. Somehow I don’t think insignificant encounters justify the greetings I witnessed.”

  Just the thought of the man had Elle kneading the dough harder than necessary.

  “Why don’t you let me do that, Elle,” Leigh offered as she came in the room. “I’m sure you and Lord Acker would like to visit.”

  Drake glanced to the younger sister and gave her a grateful smile, which she returned before bending and giving him a hug. “We are all glad you have returned.”

  Once they were settled outside Eleanor began to relax. “Why didn’t you bring Lord Judgment with you?”

  Drake barked out laughter. “He really got under your skin didn’t he?”

  “I have never been so insulted by anyone in my life.”

  Drake reached over and grabbed he hand. “Tell me all. Leave nothing out.”

  So, Elle told him everything. It was painless until she got to the part involving Jamie. “I don’t know how he learned of Jamie, but however he did, Lord Advocate didn’t bother to learn the facts.”

  “How so?”

  “He assumed Jamie is my son.”

  “Didn’t you explain the truth?” Drake asked.

  Elle took a deep breath. “At first I didn’t understand what he believed. That night in the garden, he alluded to, very properly, that my lack of virtue made it impossible to marry anyone in society.”

  Drake stiffened.

  “He did however offer a more, temporary, yet lucrative choice.”

  Drake stood and yelled, “He wanted you to be his mistress?”

  “Shush, the children will overhear,” Elle admonished.

  “I’m sorry.” Drake lowered his voice and settled back in his set. “Did you at least explain why that was not an option?”

  Eleanor simply shrugged her shoulders. “I wasn’t exactly given a chance. He had been kissing me, and I am embarrassed to say that my mind was a bit muddled. I didn’t understand what he was suggesting right away.”

  Drake leaned forward. “Let me understand this. You were at a ball, at your grandfather’s home, in the garden with dozens of people about?”

  “Yes, of course none were around us at that moment.” Why was this detail so important to Drake?

  “Go on. What happened next?”

  “Grandfather found us and demanded Lord Insolent do the right thing.”

  Drake’s lips quirked.

  “Anyway, by the following morning the impact of what had occurred hit me full force.”

  “I don’t doubt that.”

  “I was prepared to release him from any obligation. It wasn’t right that he should be stuck with me for life because of a silly kiss. It wasn’t as if I were truly ruined.”

  “Was it just a silly kiss?” Drake asked with meaning.

  Eleanor’s face heated and she quickly moved on with her story. “Before I could release him with dignity, Lord Presumptuous began telling me how he knew of my son and how he didn’t wish to be linked with scandal. Before I recovered from my sudden motherhood, Lord Affluent offered me ten thousand pounds to leave London and not force a betrothal.”

  “You took the money.” Drake laughed.

  “Of course I did. If Lord Morality deemed it necessary to get rid of me without possessing all of the facts then why shouldn’t I profit from the encounter.” Elle defended. “Besides, Lord Solomon could afford it and it was more than enough to pay off my step-father’s debts, which was my only reason for being in that horrific town in the first place.”

  “You could have pushed for marriage. Bentley would have gone through with it.” Drake suggested.

  “I was partly tempted.”

  “Revenge?” He asked with a smile.

  El
eanor returned the smile, not able to help herself. “I would dearly love to have revenge, but his money was better.”

  Drake barked out laughter before he reached over and captured her hand. “Elle, I could help you solve all your problems.”

  She smiled at him softly. “Thank you, but my answer remains no. Marriage between us would be a disaster and I cannot accept charity from anyone. My family is my responsibility.”

  “Still, I had to ask.”

  “I know. Now you can rest easy knowing you tried to set a wrong right.” How many times had they had this same conversation? At least a dozen after her mother died and before he had decided to travel. Drake hadn’t believed a marriage between them would be so bad but she was wiser in pointing out their feelings for the other. In order to prove her wrong Drake had actually kissed her once. That had been a miserable failure that provided no pleasure for either of them. It was more awkward than anything else

  “Why don’t you tell Bentley the truth about Jamie?”

  Elle shook her head. “He doesn’t deserve the truth since he didn’t bother to seek it in the first place.”

  “There are reasons he may have formed the decision he did, Elle. I have known him since we were at Eton.”

  “It makes no difference and I would ask you tell him nothing. He has judged me so let his verdict stand. I don’t care one way or the other what he thinks of me.”

  “Very well, but I think you are wrong.”

  *

  Adam Culver joined Drake and Clay that evening for a game of billiards. He was another close friend of Drakes’ that Clay had not met.

  He was much younger. The man couldn’t have been above twenty years. Clayton wanted to broach the subject of Miss Westin to Drake, but struggled to find the words and ask the delicate questions. And he certainly could not do that now with Culver present.