Tenacious Trents 01 - A Misguided Lord

by Jane Charles

  “Have you been to see Elle since your return?”

  Acker picked up his glass and Clayton aimed his cue.

  “Yes, this afternoon.”

  He missed. Had Acker gone back after they left? What had she told him?

  Acker picked up the cue for his turn.

  “Hasn’t Jamie grown?” Culver asked and Acker missed the cue ball.

  Clay looked at Culver oddly. Was he the father? The coloring was right and it was possible there was a small resemblance. “Is Jamie a relation to you?” Clay asked.

  Culver was quick to answer. “My nephew, actually. I am his only adult living male relative and feel it is my duty to see to his care,” the young man announced in a tone that was an odd combination of pride and depression.

  Clay altered his opinion of Miss Westin, slightly. With the father deceased there was no one to stand in his way. Could it be possible that she had fallen in love, anticipated the vows then her beloved killed? It was plausible. Still, the fact that she would act in such a manner spoke of her character. A true lady of breeding waited for her wedding night regardless of temptation.

  It was Clay’s turn again and he set the cue to strike.

  “Did you ask her to marry you again, Acker?”

  Clay missed once more. What was wrong with him? He usually was an excellent player, as was Acker. He simply needed to concentrate more. But how could he when Miss Westin was the topic of conversation and what was this about Acker marrying Miss Westin? If Acker was interested, then he would surrender. No lady was worth ruining a friendship over, yet it galled him to have to give her up just yet.

  Acker picked up his cue. “She turned me down, again.”

  Clay straightened. “You have asked Miss Westin for her hand in marriage, on more than one occasion?”

  Acker looked up and met his eyes. “Yes.”

  Culver laughed and refilled his glass. “Acker has offered marriage more times than I can count. It is the only way he can help relieve the financial burden she is under since Elle is too proud to take money.”

  Acker missed his own shot.

  She didn’t hesitate to take mine. Clay approached the table for his turn. “Why did she turn you down?”

  “We wouldn’t suit.” Acker answered simply. “Our mothers were cousins and they visited often. Despite the age difference while growing up, Elle and I formed a close bond.” He looked over at Clay. “I am very protective of her.”

  Clay missed his shot again.

  Acker landed the ball in the pocket. Rarely had Acker beat him at this game, but tonight he just might, for Clay couldn’t concentrate. Not while learning these interesting facts about Miss Westin. Acker missed his next shot and muttered a curse under his breath.

  “Did she tell you of her Season in London?” Culver asked.

  Clay connected with the cue ball, but with enough force to send it flying from the table. He was beginning to wish Culver would leave. If he hadn’t hoped for information regarding Miss Westin he would quit the game.

  Acker lined up his shot. After sinking the ball he looked up and directly at Clay. “Yes. She revealed a number of interesting stories this afternoon.”

  “I say, good shot Acker.” Culver applauded.

  The next shot Acker missed and once again relinquished the table to Clay.

  “It appears her grandfather released some of her inheritance.” Culver continued to make conversation.

  Acker had to walk past Clay and looked him dead in the eye. “Is that how she came into the funds?”

  Culver shrugged. “It was what we all assumed, not that anyone would ask of course.”

  Clay barely bothered trying on his next shot. The game was lost and apparently Miss Westin had told all to Acker. How soon before the man confronted him? Perhaps he should leave the room now and pack his bags, or ready his pistol. Without bothering to take his turn, Clay laid the stick on the table. “This game is lost. Why don’t you challenge Culver?”

  Culver eagerly took up the opportunity and Clay stood back while Acker methodically and intentionally lost three games to Culver. When Culver took his winnings and left, Clay had to ask. “Why did you throw the games?”

  “He feels he should contribute to Jamie’s upbringing.”

  “He supports the child with gambling?”

  “Rushing to judgment, Bentley?” Acker’s voice was cold and Clay was reminded that his friend was angry.

  “Excuse me. Perhaps an explanation would help me understand.”

  Acker sighed and refilled their glasses. “Culver is impoverished, to put it mildly. Elle has an idea that times are difficult but not the truth of the matter.”

  Clay nodded his head in understanding.

  “Elle will accept help from Culver because he is an uncle, but not charity from me. Culver has no funds to help so we play billiards, or cards, until Culver has won a modest amount to give to Elle.”

  “Why the ruse? Why not simply give it to the man?”

  “So Culver can look Elle in the eye and tell her he had a run of good luck.”

  The men lapsed into silence. Clay was reluctant to broach the subject of Acker’s conversation with Miss Westin but, he also didn’t like things being left unsaid.

  “You have turned into your father,” Acker accused after a moment.

  It was no secret Acker had disliked the former Lord Bentley, but Acker didn’t understand his father’s motives. “Is that what you believe?”

  “From where I stand it is fairly clear. Everything was black and white to your father. It appears to be the same for you.”

  Clay refused to go on the defense. “The facts speak for themselves. Even you should be able to understand my position.”

  Acker stood silently for a moment and looked down at him. “Where Elle is concerned the area is grey. I had half a mind to call you out for the insulting offer you made but that would only upset Elle. I would ask, however, that perhaps you should try actually learning about her before judging so harshly.”

  “I don’t feel I’ve been harsh.” Clay defended himself.

  Acker studied Clay and then walked to the put the cue away before going to the door. “The world is grey my friend and it is time you started looking beyond the obstacles your father set before you.” With that, Acker quit the room.

  Clay wasn’t sure what to make of the man’s words. He had expected Acker to ask him to leave or call him out. Not his odd conversation.

  Chapter 10

  Eleanor glanced up from weeding the kitchen garden to find Drake walking toward her. What was he doing here? Didn’t he have guests arriving soon?

  “I really think you should tell him the truth.”

  She stiffened. “Why?”

  “Because I think he has a right to know.”

  Eleanor stood and brushed the dirt from her hands. “He has a right to nothing. He judged me without facts, and based only on assumption.”

  Drake grinned at her. “I can see you are still angry.”

  Eleanor threw up her hands. “Of course, I am still angry. My virtue has never been brought into question before.”

  Drake stepped forward and grabbed one of her hands. “All the more reason to tell him the truth.”

  “Why? What would it change?”

  “For one, he would feel horrible,” he said with a devilish smile.

  Eleanor jerked her hand back and went about gathering the dying weeds recently yanked from the garden plot. “I don’t care about that. Besides what could come of it now? Either he would demand the money back, which I cannot pay,” she said over her shoulder. “Or, he would feel honor bound to marry me, which would never do. I couldn’t imagine being married to a man like him. He is so narrow minded, judgmental, condescending.”

  “Fine.” Drake blew out an exacerbated breath.

  “And, you won’t tell him either.” Her eyes bore into his.

  “I promise, but could you do me a favor?’

  She hitched an eyebrow at him and cro
ssed her arms over her chest.

  “I just want you to be nice to Bentley when you see him.”

  She narrowed her eyes at Drake. He was asking a lot of her.

  “You don’t know him like I do.”

  “Nor am I sure I care to.”

  “If you would just tell him the truth about Jamie things could be different.”

  “A man who rushes to judgment as quickly as he doesn’t deserve the truth.”

  “There is something else going on, but I can’t figure it out.”

  “Don’t waste your time. That gentleman has more moods than a chameleon has colors. I am still surprised you are friends with someone like him.”

  Sadness reflected in Drake’s eyes. “He may be a wealthy lord, but it has not been easy for him. You have made him act out of character. I think his heart may be thawing.”

  “Hah.”

  “I know he insulted you terribly and as your friend I should call him out.”

  Eleanor stiffened. “No. Don’t do something so foolish.” The thought of Drake facing Bentley in the dawn on some green lawn somewhere sent terror through her veins. She would die if something happened to Drake on account of her. And, she didn’t want Bentley shot either. As much as she resented him for his insult, he didn’t deserve to die. And, she could tell him the truth. But it still galled her that he jumped to conclusions without asking questions. Until he asked directly, she wasn’t about to enlighten him.

  “Had he kissed you before that night?”

  Eleanor’s face heated, remembering their first encounter. She had hoped for Bentley then.

  “Your blush is enough of an answer.” Drake grinned. “Bentley has never kissed a woman.”

  Eleanor snorted.

  “He has never kissed an unattached miss in a public venue.” Drake emphasized. “He is too controlled. The fact that he kissed you, twice, is interesting in itself.”

  “How so?” Did she want to know? Oh, why was she even curious? He was a dreadful man and she wanted nothing to do with him.

  “He likes you more than he wishes and it has upset the balance of his well-organized life.”

  “Oh, Drake, you always want to see the best in people.”

  His face hardened. “No, you don’t want him to know the truth about you and there are things about him you don’t know either. His father was a difficult man and very hard on Bentley. Just give him another chance, or at least just be nice until the week is over.”

  Eleanor studied Drake. If he was asking this of her, even after Bentley had insulted her, there was something more to the man. Not that she cared, but she would do as Drake asked. It was only for a few days and then that man would be gone.

  *

  “Elle has agreed to join the festivities this week.”

  Clay glanced up from his seat when Acker walked in the room.

  “She has promised not to gouge your eyes out.”

  Clayton grinned. This was perfect. He would make amends and then see if they couldn’t come to some agreement. Not that he would mention his plans to Acker. Despite her fall from virtue, Acker still thought highly of Miss Westin.

  “You must promise me not to insult her again. She means a great deal to me and I would hate to have our friendship ruined as well.”

  So, if he managed to get Miss Westin into his bed, he could lose one of the few true friends he had. Was bedding Miss Westin worth the risk? He studied Acker. What the man didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. Clay was fairly certain, despite how close the two were, that Miss Westin would not tell Acker of any arrangement she and Clay made. “I will be on my best behavior.”

  “I want you to also promise, or admit that you may have misjudged her.”

  Bentley arched an eyebrow.

  “Maybe ask her about her family instead of jumping to conclusions.”

  What was there to ask? The child is two and Miss Westins mother died some three years ago. Surely they weren’t trying to pass the boy off as another brother? “I will speak with Miss Westin.” He would woo her like he had never wooed a lady before. Not that he had any experience in such a matter. Now he wished he would have paid more attention to Jordan. He had an easy way with ladies and Clayton needed some of that skill if he was going to make things right with Miss Westin so that they could come to a mutually satisfactory agreement.

  *

  Eleanor stared at her reflection, glad that she had given into Leigh on this one count. Had she followed her own prerogative she would have nothing to wear to the festivities at Acker Hall. When Eleanor had been prepared to remake or sell all of her London wardrobe it was Leigh who had insisted she hold some gowns back, just in case. Eleanor had hated the waste but was now glad for it. That left her with only one difficulty to overcome.

  How she allowed Drake to talk her into this madness she didn’t know. Nevertheless, after their discussion a few days earlier she had promised to be nice to Lord Bentley. She doubted her opinion would be altered but Drake had asked it of her and she wasn’t about to be the one who spoiled the festivities. Lord Glum could do that all on his own.

  The guests were milling about on the grounds when Eleanor arrived. Acker escorted her about and introduced her. Most she had met in London and was enjoying becoming reacquainted with. That was until Lord Bentley approached and asked her to accompany him on a stroll through the gardens. Her first instinct was to reject him but before she could utter a word, Acker squeezed her elbow reminding her of her blasted promise.

  Once they were away from the others, Bentley spoke. “I would ask that we begin anew, Miss Westin.”

  She looked up at him skeptically.

  He hurried to continue. “I regret any insult in London.”

  “Any or every?” She was not going to make the apology any easier for him.

  “I judged your character without getting to know you. I would like to repair that error.”

  “Why?” She wasn’t sure she trusted his motives.

  “Because Acker thinks highly of you and I value his opinion.”

  Elle’s lips quirked. “Did Drake make you promise to be nice as he did me?”

  Bentley returned her smile. “No. He made me promise not to insult you again.”

  Eleanor turned to face forward. “I see.”

  He stopped, causing Elle to halt as well and look up at him. “Because Acker thinks so highly of you, and I came to like you in London. I would like to know you better and hope to alter your opinion of me as well.”

  She should tell him that she had only promised to be nice but Drake did consider this man a friend. Probably one of Bentley’s few redeeming qualities. She owed it to Acker to get to know the man. “Very well, for Drake’s sake.”

  Eleanor and Lord Bentley spent no more time talking that day, much to Elle’s relief. She had promised to be nice but that didn’t mean she had to go out of her way to seek the man out. In fact, spending time with Bentley was the very last thing she wanted to do. It wasn’t her dislike for the man that was the problem. It was her attraction, despite how she felt about him that bothered her most. How could she like a man who had insulted her so deeply, and made such improper advances? It was because of those dratted kisses. She had thought that with time she would forget or at least get over them. Unfortunately, it was not to be because the moment he offered her his arm, Eleanor’s heart had begun to pound. Even when she was coolly speaking to him, her mind was recalling how his lips, hands and body next to hers had felt. Thank goodness no one could read her thoughts, especially Bentley, or he would believe her to be the wanton he had accused her of being.

  *

  Clay felt he had finally made positive strides with Miss Westin that first day of Acker’s party. Though cool, if not frosty in her address, she had still agreed to allow them to become better acquainted. There was nothing he would rather do either.

  The feel of her lips upon his was branded into his mind and how well she fit against him. However, for the moment it was probably best not to dwell on the
aspect of her soft form. Why torture himself unduly until she agreed to be his mistress?

  First, he would chop away at the wall she had erected, in self-preservation no doubt. Not that he could blame her. He had been judgmental and rude in London. Her fall from virtue was no excuse for him to treat her with any less respect. It wasn’t as if she were a member of the demimonde. If that were the case her grandfather would never have introduced her into society. No, Bentley was beginning to suspect that Miss Westin had probably made one mistake in trusting the wrong man. The result was a tarnished reputation and Jamie. Both had unbelievably been kept a secret from the ton, which was a remarkable feat in itself.

  Everything he had come to learn about the lady herself, including the connection with his own good friend, had Clay intrigued. She had an inner strength one rarely saw in one of her gender and station and he was sincerely anxious to know her better. It would make their future relationship all the more enjoyable. Furthermore, the devotion to her family was unquestionable. It was a shame she wasn’t a virtuous lady.

  She may have made a wonderful countess and brought warmth back into Bentley Manor. Not that Rose and Madeline didn’t bring their share, but it wasn’t the happy place he remembered from childhood and the older he became the more he wanted it back.

  *

  Clay had been standing at the back of the parlor, speaking to acquaintances yet facing the door so he wouldn’t miss her arrival. A small smile formed on his lips when she stepped into the room. Her mahogany hair was pulled up and behind her head and misbehaving curls framed her face. Today she wore a creamy yellow dress that complimented her rosy complexion. Miss Westin was also determined, if her ramrod spine and defiant tilt of her chin were any indication. Oh, she had a lively smile for those who greeted her but Clay knew invisible armor had been donned and he hoped he was the reason. If so, then her consideration of him was moving along more quickly than he had dreamed. Or, she dreaded speaking with him, her hate running deeper than he feared. Either way, he would soften her toward him.