by Jane Charles
Slowly, so as not to be obvious of his intentions, Clayton circled the room until he nonchalantly appeared at her side. If possible, Miss Westin stiffened more at his approach.
The group of guests were readying themselves for a walk to the lake where the servants would provide a picnic luncheon. Those who were adventurous intended to take the boats out.
“Good afternoon, Miss Westin.”
Her smile was tight and he suspected she clenched her teeth as well. He lifted her hand. “You look lovely today.” He bent and kissed the back. Miss Westin snatched her hand away so quickly one would have thought he bit her. Had she pulled back any quicker, Miss Westin would have been cutting him direct but Clay didn’t mind. The fact that physical contact with him, no matter how innocent, affected her spoke volumes. He smiled politely, ignoring her rude actions, knowing triumph was in the near future.
If anyone noticed the overly quick withdrawal of her hand, no one said a word though an eyebrow or two seemed to raise. Clay could read the speculation behind those experienced with society and its rules. They were now probably speculating as to the curious relationship between himself and Miss Westin. He had danced with her often before her disappearance and the guests at Acker’s home were the type who would remember that detail. Though Clay hated to be the source of gossip, this served his purpose. Not one of the gentlemen would approach her with intentions if they believed he had staked a claim.
They didn’t need to know he wasn’t pursuing her for marriage. It would serve no purpose if her reputation was damaged. If they knew what he knew, they wouldn’t consider her as a potential wife either.
*
Eleanor wasn’t sure exactly how it occurred, but she soon found herself quite alone in a small boat rowing around the lake with Bentley. Of course it was Bentley who rowed, smiling at Eleanor while she remained beneath her parasol, far from reclining. She half believed Drake set them up, given the odd smile on his face as he pushed them off, apologizing that the remaining boat could hold only two.
“I believe he is determined we become friends.” Bentley rowed further into the lake and away from the other boats.
“It is what I suspected as well.” Eleanor stared past him and not at his broad shoulders and arms as they strained to row.
She couldn’t help but admire the material stretched over his arms. She shifted her eyes back to lake beyond him.
“I am rather glad for the opportunity to speak in private. I would like to apologize for my error in judgment.”
This statement brought Eleanor alert. Had he found out the truth after all? “Which truth might that be, Lord Westin?”
He grinned at her. “For calling you frivolous.”
“What makes you believe that I am not?” She asked with narrowed eyes.
“I did witness you hanging laundry, did I not?”
Most other young ladies would have been embarrassed but Eleanor was not ashamed of the way she and her family lived, or that her day consisted of several domestic duties that would be performed by servants in the homes of the rest of Drake’s guests. “An impoverished person can’t be frivolous?” She lifted her eyebrow with the question and bit back a smile.
“No, I am sure they can be. It appears you are not however. I judged you wrongly in London.”
“I am sure that I was the only single lady of my age who had a house and family to return to and take care of.” She wasn’t going to make his apology easy, especially since he still believed Jamie was her son.
“I, in turn, misled you as well.”
“But I never misled you, Lord Bentley. You assumed all on your own.” Eleanor smiled sweetly. Bentley slightly colored. Had she embarrassed him? How delightful. She didn’t think it was possible.
“I did intentionally mislead you and would like to rectify the matter.”
“Let me guess, you are not nearly as somber as you would have others believe.” Eleanor couldn’t help herself for she had never seen him truly uncomfortable and she was going to enjoy every moment.
“No, Miss Westin.” Bentley frowned at her. “I am a most somber and serious gentleman, I can assure you.” If his lips hadn’t slightly quirked at the end of his statement she might have believed him. Perhaps Lord Bentley wasn’t as bad as she believed. After all, he had formed an opinion based on what she had shown in society. He too could be hiding his true personality from society as well. Was it worth pondering though?
“Then pray, tell me. What did you mislead me on?” She leaned forward, elbows upon her knees as if he was about the make the largest revelation she had ever before heard.
Instead of answering, Bentley brought the boat into a shallow cove where willow tree branches brushed the water’s surface. Stepping out, he held out a hand to assist Eleanor before pulling the boat onto the grass further. He then offered her his arm. Eleanor simply raised an eyebrow. Had she been wrong about him? Bentley had intentionally rowed away from the others and now they were virtually alone on this small strip of beach and she began to have misgivings. What was he about?
His eyebrow seemed to arch higher, as if daring her to take his elbow so they could walk. Was he testing her somehow, to see if she was the fallen woman he believed her to be? Not that it mattered. It wasn’t as if she was ever going to marry anyway so what could it hurt? Placing her hand on his sleeve they turned to walk along the shore of the lake. They were quite out in the open. Any one of the other boats could go by at any time and would see that nothing untoward was occurring.
“I admired your opinions and straightforwardness in our arguments in London,” he stated.
Eleanor wasn’t expecting the compliment.
“No one has ever spoken to me the way you did,” he continued.
Elle looked up at him skeptically.
“Did you know your eyes darkened, a small frown would play between your eyes and your cheeks would heighten in color each time you were displeased, especially when we debated education of the poor?”
“I did not.”
“You are quite lovely in your anger, Miss Westin.”
“I am so pleased you found enjoyment in baiting me.” Her tone turned icy. Two compliments. She would not let him sway her.
“See, even now you are not trusting me and I know that look of indignation too well.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Eleanor turned to look straight ahead so he couldn’t see the emotions in her eyes.
“Because I don’t wish for you to think me the ogre I appeared to be in London.”
“Ha. I find that hard to believe as you played the part so well.” Eleanor retorted, pleased with her reply.
“I told you I own two separate mills.”
She turned to look at him this time. “Yes.” She recalled well his opinions on how workers were to be treated.
“I bought them a few years ago. The first thing I did was add more windows, and several other improvements for safety.”
“How do I know you are telling me the truth?” She asked, not really trusting him and not sure of his motives for telling her this.
“I would be happy to give you a tour. It is only a short ride from here.”
“In the country?”
“Yes. The air is better quality and we don’t have to ship the raw wool as far. I would like to show it to you so you can see that I am telling the truth.”
“Perhaps.” Would he offer if it weren’t true?
“Only male orphans work in the mill.”
“Do you not wish to employ female orphans?” He couldn’t be that good.
“Yes, of course I do, but they work in the kitchens and laundry.” Westin shrugged. “Our work days are ten hours long and only five on Saturday.”
“Why only Saturday?” Elle wished she wasn’t so interested. She did not want to be interested in anything he had to say.
“Orphan boys should have play time as well as any other boy, don’t you think?” He looked down at her.
“And the girls?” Perhaps the
y weren’t given an opportunity to play.
“They are free Saturday mornings, while the boys are working. They return to work when it is time to get the evening meal, about the time the boys are released from their chores.”
“Ah.” Elle stated. “You wish to keep them separated.”
“Not at all.” Bentley insisted. “It just works best this way.”
“What of education?” She had to ask
“They are all required to attend church services on Sunday. Only illness is an excuse to be absent. Then, they spend the rest of the day in study.”
“I admire your forward thinking, Lord Bentley. If more lords thought as you, life would be better for many.”
He turned and stopped before her, a smile on his lips. Before Eleanor could comprehend what he was about, his lips were on hers.
Chapter 11
If they were not on a beach, out in the open, he would drag her off somewhere private, and seduce her until she cried out his name. Why did he want her so badly? No woman had ever threatened his self-control, but all Clay could think about was lifting her skirts and sinking into her moist heat. Lust was a strong emotion and he was lucky to have not experienced it so strongly before now. Who knows what mistakes he could have made as a younger man.
Eleanor pulled away from him before he could deepen the kiss. Turning, she walked away. “I would like to thank you as well, since we are being honest.”
Clay slowly strolled behind her. Now was not the time to press his suit. It would take some wooing and courtship to bring Miss Westin to his bed and he didn’t doubt that it would be well worth the effort. “I can’t image what you are referring to, so may I ask exactly why you feel the need to thank me.”
“I went to London to obtain a wealthy husband.”
“Again, why are you thanking me?” He asked with a smile as he stopped before her.
“I didn’t really want one, but I felt I no longer had a choice.” Miss Westin sighed. “I could no longer manage my step-father’s debts and was concerned with how my family would survive. So,” she shrugged. “The only option remaining open was marriage.”
“My offer freed you from the need to marry?” He asked for clarification.
“No, your payment released me and I was able to leave London and return home.”
Inwardly he cringed at the tone of her voice and reference to payment. Still, they were talking, which was helpful to his cause. “Then I am glad I could be of some service.” What else could he say?
A smile formed on her face. “I was very angry with you that morning. I probably still am and shouldn’t admit this, but I can’t seem to help myself.”
“Are you afraid I will judge harshly? I assure you that I will not.”
Miss Westin actually chuckled. “Actually, I was thinking you would feel more like a fool.”
Clay raised an eyebrow. Had she duped him somehow? Was this yet another trap?
“I had every intention of releasing you that morning. I knew what my grandfather would insist upon, and I waited to reassure you that I wanted nothing from you and that you needn’t feel any obligation to marry me.”
“You never indicated as much.” She would have been a fool to do so and Miss Westin was no fool. Was she playing a game and could he trust her? It didn’t matter. He wanted her regardless. Having her in his bed was becoming as important as eating and breathing.
“Exactly when did you give me the chance before flinging insults about me and Jamie?” She lifted a challenging eyebrow.
Clay paused, recalling the conversation. No, he had never given her a chance to say a word. He had simply demanded and ordered and she had capitulated. “If that was your intention, you took the money quickly enough.”
She shrugged. “You had angered me and I thought it justified at the moment. It also freed me.”
Clay felt the pull of a smile. “Yet you took the money.” He reminded her.
“I needed the money and it is an amount that you probably haven’t even missed.” She glanced down. “You wish repayment?”
He chuckled this time. In the end he knew she would cost him much more and she was well worth the price. “No. It is my own fault for not allowing you to speak first.”
Her face and shoulders relaxed. He had seen her home and knew how she lived and had probably spent every shilling already. How could he justify asking for it back? Besides, he had gotten out of the betrothal with half of what he was willing to pay. Of course he would never tell her that, for fear of adding additional insult. It was best forgotten at this juncture.
“Shall we return to the others?” Miss Westin asked as she began walking back to the boat.
“In a moment.”
She turned to look at him.
“Now that we have established that I insulted and you profited to benefit your family, I would like to start anew.”
Miss Westin quirked an eyebrow at him.
“Again.” He bowed.
Clay couldn’t blame her for not trusting him, given his behavior toward her in London, but he would show her he could be a decent man, and an indulgent protector. He held out his hand, deciding to proceed cautiously. “For Acker’s sake.”
Miss Westin studied him for a moment before offering her hand. “For Drake.”
Though he would like to pull her to him and kiss her again, Clayton refrained. In good time she would be his.
*
When Eleanor arrived the following day, the party was preparing for departure. Some were going into town to see what the shops had to offer. Another group wished to explore the ruins and picnic at the base of a long ago castle. Lord Bentley stood by a curricle as if waiting. Instinctively she knew it was for her. Eleanor had no desire to venture into the town she knew so well, especially on the arm of Lord Bentley. There would be too much speculation in a town this small. Nor did she particularly wish to frolic among the ruins. Already she had been gone for two days, maybe she should return home. Heaven knew there were enough chores to do.
“Elle,” Drake called as he came forward. “Bentley has been good enough to offer a seat to you as all the other conveyances are full to overflowing.”
“How very kind of him,” Eleanor remarked dryly. “However, Lord Bentley can feel free to offer the seat to another lady. I have no wish to visit either attraction today.”
“I won’t be joining the others either, Miss Westin.” He bowed before her. “As I mentioned yesterday, I own a mill not far away and thought we would take this opportunity to visit.”
“I see.” She nodded her head. “I admire that you would take time from your leisure to see to business.” She wasn’t lying for it was the truth. Few took such a serious interest in their properties and it was one of the few things she did admire about Bentley.
“I will bid you good day then.” She smiled and began to turn away. Besides the work waiting at home, she could use a day without Lord Bentley, who was beginning to become likeable for more than just his kisses.
“I had hoped you would join me.”
“You don’t need me to help inspect your mill.” I don’t need to spend the day alone with you. Who would have thought after London she would actually begin to enjoy his company. Perhaps if he refrained from kissing her senseless she could hold on to her anger. But his lips caused a riot in her body, and with her emotions. He would be gone soon and she already spent enough time thinking about his lips. She did not need to think any more about the man who would be gone from the area in a week and she would never see again.
“No, I don’t,” he agreed. “However, I would like to show you that all mills employing orphans are not so bad.”
Eleanor looked at him, trying to decide. Why did he wish to show her something good about himself? Did he still wish to make her his mistress? On the other hand, this offer could solely be for Drake’s sake. Then again, Bentley lived a privileged life. Maybe to him adding a few windows was enough. “Very well. I will be glad to join you.”
Once th
ey were on the road he began explaining more about the mill. “There is still more I would like to do yet.”
He knows how I feel about the deplorable conditions orphans are forced to live with and now he is going to begin making excuses.
“The younger ones are not the problem. It is the ones approaching adulthood that are a concern.”
This is not what she expected.
“The boys know only the mill, but they have the right to be out on their own with a home of their own.”
Eleanor had not thought of this. When she thought of orphans, she thought of small children. Why didn’t she ever give consideration to the fact that children do grow up? What did the older ones do when they reached the age of majority?
“Most have years before they need to begin to worry about a future but one young man, Peter, is the oldest at twenty. He is an industrious worker and has been acting as a supervisor for some years.”
“If he is content, why the concern?” Eleanor found herself asking.
“Because he is a man and should be able to support himself better. Right now the wages are not enough, but I will be able to increase them in a year or two.”
“Is there a better position you can offer?” She asked.
“There is only the manager of operations. That position was filled a few years ago when I first purchased the property. I would hate to remove him from his position for another.” He mused out loud.
“I am sure an answer will come to you,” Eleanor offered optimistically and she truly felt he would find a solution. Perhaps Bentley wasn’t as bad as she once believed. Quickly Eleanor shook the thought from her mind. She must not soften to the man. He insulted her and tried to make her his mistress. Except for his concern for the young man, he was really no different than who he was in London. She would continue to remember him that way and withhold further judgment until she saw the mill.