Tenacious Trents 01 - A Misguided Lord

by Jane Charles

  “I’ve looked into your financial situation. You were not in a position to reject any man of good fortune.”

  Elle stilled. Had her grandfather paid the debt instead of Bentley? Elle couldn’t decide if she was relieved or not. If Bentley had paid the debts, then it was the perfect excuse to return to his bed. But if he hadn’t, but her grandfather had instead, why had Bentley kept trying to visit her? He had made it clear there was nothing further between them. “Are you the one who paid the mortgage?”

  Her grandfather’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Perhaps he hadn’t.

  “Mortgage?” He coughed.

  “I recently learned a man of business from London paid my debts. I don’t know who, they wouldn’t say.”

  “Yes, um, well, you weren’t supposed to know.”

  Her grandfather was finally looking out for the family. “Thank you.”

  “It was nothing.” He dismissed with a wave of his hand. “After a lengthy interview with each of your suitors I have decided to grant Lord Wilkes permission to marry you.”

  Elle blanched. She could barely recall who Lord Wilkes was and she certainly had no desire to marry him. The few times she had danced with him, he made her feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t anything she could put her finger on, just that she wanted to avoid him whenever possible. “I don’t wish to marry. I need to see to the children.” She reminded her grandfather.

  He dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand. “The children will be taken care of.”

  Elle narrowed her eyes. “Will Lord Wilkes be willing to take them in?”

  Lord Stanhope laughed. “No dear. He wishes to begin the marriage without such intrusions. I will see that the children are seen to.”

  Elle wanted the children with her. Especially Jamie since he was so young. He would never understand why she was gone. “How?”

  “Leigh will be sent to a girl’s school to finish her education. I will take the boys and settle them at the country estate in Yorkshire and bring in tutors until they can attend Eton.”

  “Is Lord Wilkes’ estate close by and will I be able to visit them?” Perhaps her grandfather’s plan had merit. She would miss them terribly, but he was giving them opportunities she had only dreamed about but knew were impossible. “Of course. Neither Wilkes or I am a monster.”

  He hadn’t answered the question about the estate. “Where would Lord Wilkes and I live?”

  “His estate is in Wales.”

  That was too far away.

  As if her grandfather read her thoughts, he continued. “It is not as far as it sounds. You will see the children at least a couple of times a year.”

  Could she stand to see them so little? Her heart constricted with pain. It would be unbearable. But, she couldn’t offer them all the things grandfather was now willing to. Once she was through with her education, Leigh might have the opportunity to make a good marriage. It was better than anything she could hope for now. And the boys, to be educated at Eton! They would never have a worry. They would never have to live like this again, or worry about how they would feed their families because they would have a good life, with professions that would keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. If she turned down her grandfather’s offer it would be simply because she was too selfish to be parted from them. If her family had a chance at a better life, who was she to stand in their way. All she had to do was marry Lord Wilkes and their future was set.

  Dread crept into her belly. He may not want her when he learned what she had done. She couldn’t marry Lord Wilkes without telling him the truth. A gentleman expected a chaste wife. She hadn’t told Clay about her virtue and look how that ended. No, she must start off her relationship with Wilkes honestly. If he chose to cry off, it was for the better, though she would hate to see the children lose this opportunity. However, from what her grandfather said, he wasn’t the only man who wished to marry her so perhaps there was one gentleman who would over look this slight flaw in his future bride.

  Still, this decision was too important to make quickly. “May I have some time to think on this?”

  He smiled gently at her. “Of course, Eleanor. Lord Wilkes arrives tomorrow to speak with you directly.”

  “Lord Wilkes is coming here?” She hated the sudden squeak in her voice. Surely there was more time than a day to prepare.

  “Yes, my dear. He is so enamored with you that he insisted on visiting in case you rejected the proposal.”

  If he felt so strongly, perhaps he would accept her soiled state. It also gave her a chance to speak with him before making her decision. “Very well, I will look to furthering our acquaintance when we meet.”

  Her grandfather stood. “Now, do you have a spare room that I might use?”

  Elle gaped at him. He wanted to stay here? “There is a nice inn in town.”

  He shook his head. “If I am to take the children to the estate, I should spend time with them here, with you, to get to know them better.”

  It would give her peace of mind, knowing she was not sending the children off with someone who was a stranger to them. And, she would be able to see how they got on with one another. Elle stood. “I’ll have my parent’s room prepared for you. There are two rooms off the kitchen your driver and valet can use.”

  She exited the room before he could say anything else. Mama’s room had not been opened since they had cleaned it following her death. Several times she had considered moving into the larger chamber, but couldn’t bring herself to, so they simply closed the door and it hadn’t been opened in almost three years.

  Dust covered everything and the linens would need to be washed, as well as the curtains taken down and beaten. She and Leigh set to the task and by the time the floors were scrubbed and the room habitable again, it was time to prepare dinner. She should see to the servant’s rooms but there simply wasn’t enough time.

  The day was exhausting but the thought of her brothers being with her grandfather wasn’t so worrisome. Often she looked out the window to find him sitting or walking with one of her younger brothers. They were of an age where they should have the benefit of a gentleman’s influence. Maybe this was for the best.

  “I am not sure I want to go away to a school,” Leigh muttered as she picked up the bucket of soiled water and mop.

  Elle sighed. “I don’t want you to go either, but this is a wonderful opportunity and we will spend time together on occasion.”

  Leigh offered her a weak smile. “I will miss you and the boys.”

  Elle came forward and took the mop. “I know but think of all the books you will get to read, the things you will learn.”

  Her smile broadened.

  “And all the new friends you will make.”

  Leigh nodded. “I would like all of those things.”

  “And you shall have them.” Elle grinned back. As long as I can stand to be married to Lord Wilkes. But did she really have a choice. What she really wanted was to talk to Drake for his opinion, but cleaning the room had kept her in the house all day and she would not have an opportunity to go see him until tomorrow, the day Lord Wilkes was to arrive.

  It was not to be. Just as Elle put on her bonnet for the short walk to Drake’s, a carriage pulled in front of the house and out stepped Lord Wilkes. Her stomach churned.

  Lord Wilkes was all that was handsome and elegant. His manners and dress were impeccable. A head taller than she, he had blonde hair and pale blue eyes. Though not nearly as striking as Bentley, he was handsome in his own right and cut a fine figure in his tailored brown coat and fawn breeches.

  “Ah, Miss Westin.” He bowed over her hand. “It was a shame you left the Season so early. I had planned on furthering our acquaintance.” His cold clammy, ungloved hand grasped hers and Eleanor wanted to snatch it back. His touch did the queerest things to her belly, and not in the pleasant manner. Completely unlike Bentley’s touch.

  “I tired of the Season, Lord Wilkes. I much prefer the quietness of the country.”
<
br />   He smiled, eyes narrowing as he scanned her body from the top of her head to the bottom of her toes. If she didn’t know better, she would have believed he saw through her clothing. It wasn’t so much of a smile as a leer. She quelled the sudden bout of nausea.

  “I, too, prefer the country and travel to London only when absolutely necessary.”

  At least they had that in common. If she never attended another Season she would be happy. With the exception of when Leigh made her coming out. Eleanor wouldn’t miss that for the world. And, perhaps with financial worries behind them and a husband on her arm, the Season might not be so daunting, but somewhat enjoyable. With the exception of having to see Bentley, of course. Especially if he married. No, her heart couldn’t handle watching him and a wife. It was a good thing Leigh would not be introduced for four more years because it would take all that time to forget Bentley, if she ever could.

  He held his arm out. “Would you care for a stroll in the gardens?”

  Elle chuckled. “I apologize, but we don’t have any gardens, but we can walk outside.”

  She led him out the front door and around the side of the house to the bench beneath the shade tree. There really wasn’t anywhere to walk, unless one considered the path through the woods that connected her property to that owned by Drake. But, she didn’t want to be alone with Wilkes any more than necessary, and certainly not in the woods. Besides, that path took them by the summer house and she had no wish to visit there again for a very long time, if ever.

  “I know this is short notice and we barely know one another, but I knew the moment I saw you that I wanted you as my wife.”

  How odd. Had that been the case, why hadn’t he attempted to court her? They had shared but two dances.

  “I was tied up with urgent business at the time and planned on courting you properly, but you were gone before I had the chance.”

  Her one season only lasted a few weeks, so maybe what he spoke was the truth.

  “For a short while I feared Bentley had managed to steal you from me, but when he remained after you had gone, I knew I still had a chance.”

  His mention of Bentley’s name put her on edge. Somehow she must manage to tell Wilkes the truth, but not yet. She wasn’t even sure she wished to marry him. Yet, did she really have a choice? The future of her siblings was at stake and she may not get another chance to do right by them. “Lord Bentley and I did not suit.” It was a simple enough explanation.

  Wilkes grinned. “That does not surprise me. He is rather difficult if you ask me.”

  Elle wanted to argue and defend Bentley, but held her tongue. What right did she have and did he deserve her defense after what had happened. Besides, she didn’t want Wilkes to suspect that she may still care for Bentley. Emotions she would need to kill and bury in the dark recesses of her heart.

  Wilkes stopped before her and knelt to one knee.

  “Goodness.”

  “Please say yes, Miss Westin. Say you will be my wife. You are the woman I must marry.”

  Elle stared down into his eyes, trying to find warmth or some feeling, but they were as cold as his hands. Perhaps it was because she did not know him and that would change in the future. Hadn’t Bentley been cold and judgmental at first? There were many more layers to him than she realized during that first dance. Perhaps the same could be said for Wilkes. And, this would save her family. She could live with the coldness if they were protected. Besides, how bad could it be being married to this gentleman? She had heard nothing in society that should concern her. In fact, she heard nothing about him at all, which meant he must lead a quiet existence. The type of life she wanted to live.

  “Yes, Lord Wilkes. I’ll marry you.”

  He smiled triumphantly, got to his feet and took her lips. Elle should have felt at least relief, but all she could do was fight the desire to pull away from him as coldness settled inside her belly.

  Chapter 20

  Clay closed the ledger and turned in his chair to look out the window. He drummed his fingers on top of the desk. This idealness was driving him insane. There was only so much he could do at the mill. All of the accounting was up to date. He had gone over the ledgers, orders for raw wool, orders placed and anything else necessary to keep the business running. There wasn’t anything else he could do to fill his day.

  The sounds of the weaving could barely be heard through the crack in the window. It was such a beautiful day and he hated that children had to spend it inside, working when they should be playing. Was one day enough for play? Of course, they didn’t know any better, but did that make it right? Was it too young for an eight-year-old to start learning a trade when there were kites and fishing poles waiting?

  Of course, for the poor and merchant class, children did learn their trade at their father’s knee at a very young age. It had always been that way. Instead of having fathers, these boys had him. So, it was up to Clay to decide how their days should be filled.

  Clay turned and opened the ledgers once again. His business was more profitable than he ever dreamed possible. He had more funds than were necessary to keep the mill afloat, pay wages and put the rest in the bank for later use. He could make changes and why shouldn’t he? It was his mill. These were changes Eleanor would be pleased with and if she hadn’t been so adamant in the past, they never would have occurred to him.

  Standing, he left the office to find Peter.

  The young man was stepping outside and had walked to the well to get a drink of water.

  “I have a few ideas of changes I would like to make.”

  Peter straightened. “Is there something I am doing wrong that you would like me to change?”

  Clay laughed and clapped the young man on the shoulder. “No. You are doing a great job. It is about the children. Don’t some of them seem a bit young to be working?”

  Peter’s eyebrows drew together. “What would become of them, Lord Bentley, if we turned them out? They would end up on the streets, or in worst mills?”

  Again Clay laughed. “I have no intention of turning any of them out. But, I do think they should spend less time in a mill and more time in a classroom or fishing.”

  “Fishing?”

  “Yes, fishing? Haven’t you ever been?”

  Peter eyed his employer with concern. “No, I have not.”

  Clay grinned. “I haven’t in a very long time either. Let’s close down for the day, find some poles and head for the lake.”

  “But, Lord Bentley, we have orders to fill.”

  “The orders can wait.” Clay laughed again. “Take care of what needs to be done to close down and take the boys and meet me at the lake.”

  Clay walked away before Peter could offer any further argument and strode back to the house. If the boys were being freed for the day, the girls should be as well. Of course, he had no idea what chores the girls actually did in the house besides cleaning, laundry and preparation of meals. Still, there shouldn’t be anything too pressing that required them to refrain from the fun.

  He pushed the door open and walked into the kitchen. Five of the older girls were inside and it looked like they were getting ready to prepare a meal. Good. He had arrived in time so that they would not have to remain in here while the rest were outside enjoying themselves. He nodded a greeting and marched through to the dining room, looking for Mrs. Nevil. He found her in the front parlor with a young girl holding a feather duster.

  “Lord Bentley, can I help you?” She patted the young girl on the head. She bobbed a curtsey and left the room.

  He locked his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels. “What were the plans for dinner this evening?”

  “Chicken and roast potatoes,” she answered. “Is there something else you would like?”

  “No,” he paused. “Actually, yes.”

  “I may have to send into town,” she began, wringing her hands within her apron.

  “Do we have the necessary foodstuffs for a picnic?”

  “I
am sure we could put a basket together for you.” The woman answered.

  “Not just me,” he grinned. “For everyone.” He spread his arms out.

  The woman paled. “Everyone?”

  “The children, you, Peter, everyone.”

  The woman gaped at him. “I am not sure. We have a few things left over from the evening meal and some things from lunch.”

  “But not enough for a picnic?”

  “I will have to check and see.”

  “How long to cook the chickens?” He had no idea what went into meal planning or how long it took to cook anything. Perhaps he should learn some of these things, but did it matter if he did?

  “If we roast them, hours, Lord Bentley.”

  He frowned at this. They didn’t have hours and he wanted to be as fair to the girls as he was being to the boys.

  “We could boil the chicken. That would take much less time and we have the bread.”

  While it didn’t free the girls as quickly, it was a solution. “What of other foodstuffs?”

  “We have fruit and the cakes we were to have for dessert already prepared.”

  “Cakes?” They never had dessert.

  The woman blushed. “It is Peter’s birthday. I wanted to do something special.”

  How could he not know this? All the better that he picked today, of all days, to bring some enjoyment to the children.

  “Do we do this for all the children?”

  “I try. We don’t know all the birthdays of course.”

  They didn’t even know the actual ages of a number of them.

  “When we don’t have the birthday, we use the day they came here.”

  “And you make cakes for them?”