“It is not just her looks. She trusted me with her deepest secret. She refused to allow me to offer completely for her unless I knew the truth about her. That is beyond honesty. It is integrity, not to mention the trust she put in me concerning her.” Percy started to pace the room. “And there I was thinking how easy it was to take advantage of her, because of her innocence and trust, not to mention she had swallowed down half the wine. I cannot deceive her and leave her to a merchant marine, who might mistreat her. No. If it is the only honorable thing I ever do, I shall fix this mess and offer for her hand, like I promised.”
“Suit yourself,” Dutton mumbled. “I think you are making a mistake, but it is your life you may be ruining, not mine. No name or money. It is like marrying a street urchin.”
“She was not raised a street urchin. The very fact that she is not an aristocrat is probably what makes her so exciting and different. She certainly is not like the prim women around here, if what you have told me about her is any indication,” Percy mused.
“I think I understand what has made her a little wild, and why Teddy wants to marry her, as well,” Dutton commented. “You know Teddy would skin you alive if you did leave her high and dry.”
“That is not what motivates me though,” Percy insisted. “Teddy could do nothing anyway. After all the girl is nameless, even if she has been raised in the Belington family. They certainly have not given her any of the Belington fortune to make it easier for her to marry. Seems a cruel fate to me, raising her like a lady and then setting her up with some merchant marine, because she has refused to allow any of the respectable, men here about, to ruin themselves by marrying a nobody. She only allowed me to court her because it was her last chance to save herself. I just can’t let her down, Dutton. It would not be right.”
“Getting a few ethics all of a sudden?” Dutton questioned. “I never thought of you as having a soft heart, Percy. You have broken countless hearts, so what makes her heart any different.”
“Because all those other women were after something from me. Eleanor was not trying to hoodwink me into marrying her. She was completely honest with me, and yet I was leading her on, knowing perfectly well I had agreed to marry Glenda, once I returned. If she ever found out, Teddy would have a reason to have my hide.”
“Well she won’t hear it from me.” Dutton said, “On the condition I get a certain Hunter returned.”
Percy narrowed his eyes. “Keep your horse, Dutton. It was all fun and games anyway. It’s not worth ruining Eleanor’s hopes over. But you just keep your mouth shut, you hear?”
“Very well, Percy. Glad we could see eye to eye.”
Percy gave his friend a long look and then left the private room at the club. He only had two days to get back to Cliff House, talk to his uncle, give his regrets to Glenda, and then get back to see Eleanor. It was cutting it short. If he did not get back right away, he hoped that Eleanor would be understanding.
Eleanor returned to her room after eating breakfast. She wanted to think about whether she should try returning Percy’s wallet or not. She did want to see him again, and even though she should send a servant with the wallet, it would give her an excuse to at least have an opportunity to talk to him again.
She sat down at her dressing table, looking down at the wallet, trying to make up her mind, and then her eyes lit upon the envelope that she had placed beside it. The address had been written in a flowery hand, with Sir Percy’s name above it. She turned the envelop over and read the return address. Miss Glenda Millburn. Eleanor’s heart stopped for a moment. It could not be the well known heirs of Millburn Manor, and yet the address indicated that it was. What was Percy doing with a letter from her, she wondered?
Eleanor picked up the envelope and toyed with it in her hand. Her good breeding reminded her that she had no business looking at other people’s mail, but her curiosity, and the fact that she had made love to this man, and he had promised to offer for her hand within a week, gave her motivation to ignore that ethic under the circumstances. She took in her breath, and slowly pulled the sheet out of the envelope, her fingers shaking as she opened it and looked down on the even attractive script.
My Dearest Percy,
I was so delighted to receive your letter, confirming your agreement to our betrothal. You don’t know how excited it makes me to know that we shall finally be wed. Perhaps you are doing it because of my fortune, since I know full well that you are in great debt, but that means little to me. We have known each other for so long now, I am sure we will get on famously. I still remember when you used to come and visit us at Millburn Manor when we were children, and what fun we had playing together. Father is willing to pay off all of your debts and allow you an allowance once we are married, then when he finally dies, the estate will be handed over to us, to add to the inheritance you eventually will receive from your own uncle.
I know we will have many happy years together, Percy. You have always been my fondest friend. I wish you were here now, but I will wait patiently until you return and make the announcement official.
Until I see you again, your fondest friend, Glenda.
Eleanor read the letter three times, trying to straighten out the information in her mind. If Percy was about to officially announce his engagement to Glenda Millburn, why was he offering for her own hand? She had been clear to him that she had no money or name, yet here was a well known heirs happy to marry him in spite of the fact he was deep in debt.
Then Eleanor brought her hand to her mouth. He had no intention of offering for her. He had used her and deflowered her, because she was so desperate and trusted him. She had blindly given herself to him. No wonder he had told her to wait before mentioning anything to her uncle. No wondered he had acted so distant and nervous, once he had gotten what he wanted. She had let him take her and now he was going to play her on until it was time for him to go to Millburn Manor and officially announce his betrothal to Glenda. He must be laughing happily right now at her stupid naivety. She had ruined herself, because she let his sweet words sway her into thinking he really wanted to marry her.
Eleanor’s hand was shacking, as tears started to spill down her cheeks. She slowly put the letter back in the envelope and placed it inside the wallet. She went down to the laundry room and retrieved Percy’s coat, replaced the contents into their pocket, and then went to Teddy’s room and tapped on the door.
Teddy opened the door, delighted to see Eleanor so soon after breakfast. “Don’t tell me you have come to talk with me,” he smiled.
“No. I was just wondering if you would return Percy’s jacket to him. And would you please tell him, that I have changed my mind and do not want him to call on me again.”
“What is going on, Eleanor?” he asked, pulling her into his room. “Yesterday you were so…”
“That was yesterday. I am afraid that Sir Percy has misled me. He seems to have already promised marriage to someone else. It has just come to my attention, so I know he was not serious when he hinted that he would offer for me.”
“He was going to use you…” Teddy said in a low tone. “I should throttle the man.”
“Just take him his coat, and be done with it. He will be leaving us soon, I believe. Do you know where he is staying?”
“No, but I will ask around the club. Dutton should know.”
“There is an address on an envelope in his wallet. Perhaps that is where he is staying,” she suggested. “I think I will take a walk. This has come as a shock to me, but please don’t mention anything to anyone. The less said about Sir Percy Macomb, the better.”
“I understand. I never should have gone and talked to him, in the first place.” Teddy growled.
“You couldn’t have possibly known.”
“How did you find out?” he asked suddenly.
“The letter I mentioned in his wallet, which was in his coat. It told all. At least I found out before he did any more damage than he has already.”
Teddy looked c
losely at Eleanor. “Damage?” he questioned.
“Gaining my trust,” she said hurriedly, blinking back a tear. “At least now I know not to trust him any more,” she choked, and handed him the coat, turning away and hurrying down the hall.
Teddy glared down at the coat, and then removed the wallet, looking at the address on the envelope. Angrily, he pulled the contents of the envelope out and read it. He should strangle the man, but then he remembered how at first Percy had said he had no intentions of marrying Eleanor. He had tried to turn down, Teddy’s offer. Something had changed his mind though. Teddy had practically goaded him into calling on Eleanor, saying how exciting she was, and all. It was as much his fault as anyone’s he thought guiltily. Thank goodness Eleanor discovered it in time.
When he tapped at the town house door, a butler answered, and informed him that Sir Percy was not there at present, but he could talk to his cousin, if he preferred. Teddy accepted, and was escorted into a sitting room to wait. Teddy was pacing back and forth thinking of all the insults he was going to throw at the cousin to relate to Percy, when the door opened and a lovely looking woman with soft brown hair and blue eyes, entered the room.
“Yes?” she said, as Teddy turned. “Is there something I can do for you?”
Teddy’s features suddenly changed from one of anger to one of astonishment. “You are Percy’s cousin?” he asked, trying to collect his thoughts, and change his approach.
“Yes. I am Brenda Bentley, and you are…?”
“Theodore Belington,” Teddy said softly.
“Well, Theodor Belington, what is it you want of my cousin, Percy?” She wrinkled her lovely brow.
“I wanted to return his coat.” He handed it to her. “He was gracious enough to loan it to my cousin during a rain storm,” Teddy said, not knowing quite how to approach the situation.
“Thank you for returning it.”
“May I ask where Sir Percy is, and when he will return?” Teddy put forth.
“He has left town for a few days. I am not sure when he plans to return. After all he was just visiting in the first place, but since he did not pack all his belongings, I am sure he will be back to retrieve them. Would you like me to give him a message from you?”
“Yes. Will you tell him that Eleanor, regrets to inform him that she will no longer have need of his assistance, in anything further.”
“He was going to help her with something?”
“We thought so, but discovered he was not the right person to help her out. Oh, and tell him congratulations on his betrothal to Glenda Millburn. Eleanor gives them both her regards.”
“I did not know it had been announced,” Brenda said, with a puzzled look on her face.
“No. Of course not. It was a confidence between them, which she neglected to respond to. So I am giving him her best wishes with the return of his coat.”
“Well thank you for your thoughtfulness,” she said kindly.
“Yes, but think nothing of it,” he smiled, then nodded and walked to the door. “I can see myself out,” he told her, but she walked beside him as he went towards the entry way.
“Do come and visit us when Percy returns. I am sure he would like to remain friends with both you and your cousin.”
“I’m afraid, that won’t be possible. You see my cousin is about to be married to someone who plans to take her away from here, and I barely know Sir Percy. I have only spoken to him once.”
“I will let him know you called, then. Perhaps he will seek out your friendship,” she lowered her eyes at him.
“I doubt it,” Teddy said quietly. “It was nice meeting you, Miss Bentley.”
“Likewise,” she said, as he took her hand and kissed it. And then he opened the door and escaped her beautiful stare. It was a shame, he thought, that Sir Percy had gotten on his wrong side. He could not remember the last time he had ever been so attracted to any woman other than Eleanor. And she seemed to be attracted to him as well. But of course, even though she hinted that she would like to see more of him, through his friendship to Sir Percy, Teddy knew there was never any chance of that. He would just have to ignore that attraction. Now Eleanor was going to be forced to marry Sebastian Brentwood, or start a life of servitude, either of which did not appeal to him, or her, for that matter.
CHAPTER FIVE
Eleanor pulled her shawl around her shoulders as she hurriedly walked down the street, every angry step taking her in a direction she was not even paying attention to. All she knew was that she needed to clear her head of all the shocking thoughts that were whirling in her brain. What a ninny she had been, letting Sir Percy touch her the way he had, not to mention that she lost her virtue to him and was not fit to marry anyone now. Not even the merchant marine. She was a ruined woman, because she had let go for one moment in time. All those years of holding men off and then she lowers herself to this. She could not forgive herself. She would end up having to find a position in some house and live out her life as a spinster, she decided.
She was looking down at her feet, in deep thought, not thinking about where her feet were leading her, only that she had to keep walking just to try and ease the pain that was starting to grow in her chest. Then she noticed that her feet were walking on the wharf that led to the bay where the ships came in, and that shocked her even more, because Uncle Hector had said that Sebastian Brentwood had a ship in harbor, or perhaps he said it was soon to come to the harbor, she wasn’t sure, but the last place she wanted to be was any place near where the man her uncle was going to fob her off on might be.
She turned abruptly to change her course, and in doing so, bumped head long into a tall man coming up right behind her. He steadied her with one gloved hand and smiled amusingly down at her. Eleanor glanced up only briefly, noting that the man was so good looking that his features jumped out at her, throwing her off guard, so she immediately looked down at the ground again and tried to side step, in order to continue her progress, but he was holding onto her shoulder.
“Please forgive me for my clumsiness,” he said in a drawl that she was not familiar with. It certainly was not proper English, even though he spoke the words well.
“There is nothing to forgive,” she mumbled. “I was not watching where I was going. I…I came here by mistake and that is why I turned so suddenly,” she tried to explain.
“And where is it you meant to go? Perhaps I could escort you to your destination. A lady on the docks alone is not a wise position to be in.”
“Yes…yes, that is why I was leaving,” she said, not really caring what was wise or what wasn’t. In her state of mind, everything she managed to do seemed unwise at the moment.
“Could I give you some assistance, then?” he asked.
“Certainly not! This is the docks, after all, and you are on them. What makes you think I would trust you?” She asked hotly, finally braving the act of looking up into his intense green eyes.
“As you can see, I am not a dock worker, which are the types you should be weary of, not a well dressed gentleman.”
“Really?” Eleanor narrowed her eyes. “Being well dressed does not a gentleman make,” she said bitterly, thinking of Sir Percy.
The man stared at her for a moment. “I suppose you are right. But I assure you…let me introduce myself to you.”
“It is of little consequence, who you are. I can manage on my own, thank you,” she rattled off, as she started to move forward, in spite of his hand restraining her.
“Sebastian Brentwood, at your service, ma’am. I own that ship that is anchored at the end of the docks. You can trust me.”
Eleanor stepped back, staring at the man in horror, and a little squeak escaped her throat. “Oh…Oh no!” She shrieked, and dodged past him, running back up the docks, as she lifted her skirts to keep from tripping on them.
Sebastian turned and watched her flee. What had gotten into the woman? She was such a beauty, but he should refrain from even thinking about her. After all, soon he would b
e married and have to live his life quite differently. However, having one last fling before he made any vows, seemed appealing to him, only she did not seem like the kind of woman who would be easily wooed into accepting his advances on such short notice, so he only shrugged and headed back down the docks to inspect the ship and cargo, before it was unloaded. Once his business was completed in a couple of weeks, he would be calling on Sir Hector Belington, to meet that delightful niece of his.
He had heard many rumors about the girl, and she was supposed to be a beauty as well. The thought pleased him, but he was having a hard time erasing the face of that woman out of his mind. There was something about her that drew him in a way he had never been drawn to a woman before, and yet she seemed terrified of him for some reason. That had never happened to him before. Women usually liked him on sight. He never had one flee from his presences in such a manner, and it was a slight blow to his ego, he had to admit.
Eleanor was trembling, as she fled, looking over her shoulder only once, seeing the man turn and head back down the docks. That could not be the man her uncle had chosen for her. And even if it was, it was way too late now. She was spoiled goods and he would know it the moment he tried to make love to her. The thought of making love to that man, shook her to the core. He may be good looking, but like Sir Percy, she knew nothing about him, except that he owned a fleet of ships and wanted to marry her sight unseen.
She laughed bitterly to herself. Well he had seen her now, but little good it was going to do him. She would never consent to marry him or anyone, for that matter. He would hate her once he discovered that she was just a lose woman who allowed a complete stranger to take advantage of her, willingly. She just did not know what she was going to do, though. At least she still had a couple of weeks to think about it, she thought. By then, maybe she would come up with something.
When Eleanor reached the house, she saw Teddy just driving up, and he jumped down from the carriage and handed his reins over to the groom.
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