Tenacious Trents 01 - A Misguided Lord (10 page)

Clay sat in the shadows, shocked rage
poured through his body. So, Miss Westin was a mother. An unwed
mother at that. He knew she wasn’t a widow. That status would have
been noted in society. It wasn’t possible the lad was another
brother. Jordan had said her parents died at least three years ago
and Clay would bet the horse he was sitting upon that the boy was
no older than two.

This enlightenment
certainly added a new perspective to matters. Obviously the lady
was no innocent. That being the case, perhaps he and Miss Westin
could come to an agreement pleasing to them both. Perhaps a
relationship of short duration would be just the thing to remove
her from his mind. Finally he would be able to deal with the lust
he had for her and set about finding a
proper
wife.

What bothered him most was the
admonishment to the child not to call her mother. She was no
different than Adele and he should have stuck with his original
judgment of her. His instincts had never been wrong before.
Regardless, it didn’t lessen the lust, which he could now
address.

Eleanor was not enjoying herself
tonight. Far from it. She could still hear Jamie crying long after
she had returned to her grandfather’s home. He was too young to
understand why she should be gone so long, and so often, or that
she wasn’t his mother. She needed to find a husband soon. Tonight,
if at all possible. Who would have thought it could be so difficult
in London?

The laughter and heat finally drove
her to the garden for fresh air. It was unwise, which she knew, but
she couldn’t get Jamie’s tear streaked face out of her mind and
Benjamin’s fever still hadn’t completely broken. She should not be
here. She should be with her family and it was impossible to
pretend all was right with the world.

“
Have your suitors finally
become too overwhelming, Miss Westin?” Lord Bentley asked from the
shadows.

Startled, she turned toward him. She
wanted to be alone and not knowing his mood, she wasn’t so certain
she wanted to be around Bentley at the moment. Eleanor turned to
leave but was brought up short when he stepped into the light of
the lamp. It wasn’t his presence that surprised Eleanor but the odd
quirk of his mouth that could almost resemble a smile. She had seen
it so rarely. And his eyes were a darker green than usual as he
watched her with an intensity the warmed her from the
inside.

“
I confess I have too much
weighing on my mind to find much enjoyment this evening,” she said
evenly. What was he about? Was this another of his many moods she
had not yet seen?

“
What brings you to London
now, may I ask? I would estimate your coming out should have been
some three or four years ago.”

Eleanor stiffened before she answered
“It was inconvenient, if not impossible. And not that it is any of
your concern. My introduction to society should have been five
years ago.”

Bentley looked at her oddly. Was he
trying to come up with a comment to remind her of her inferiority,
or was he going to be considerate and pleasant again? Regardless,
she lacked the patience for his ever changing personalities. “If
your mathematic skills are troubling you, I am four and twenty.
Practically on the shelf, I suppose.”

“
Why come to London
now?”

“
Why does any young,
unattached lady come to London during the Season?”

“
A husband of course.” His
lips quirked.

“
Not just any husband. A
wealthy husband.” Eleanor waited for his reaction.

His hands clasped her waist and he
drew her against his body. She could feel his breath on her cheek.
Memories of his kiss flooded her mind. Her pulse quickened in
anticipation. She flattened her hands against his chest. Before she
could ask what he was doing, his head swept down and kissed her
with a passion she never would have believed him capable
of.

Bentley lifted his head. “We both
desire and should not deny our attraction for each
other.”

Eleanor didn’t get a chance to comment
because his lips were on hers again. It was true. She did desire
him and his kiss did queer things to her body. How could such an
inconsistent and confusing man kiss so wonderfully? If she didn’t
end this soon she would be lost.

Bentley broke the kiss, yet pulled her
tight. It was impossible to be any closer. “Marriage is such a
permanent union. A woman of your charms could certainly appreciate
opportunities in other, rewarding relationships,” he whispered in
her ear, his cheek pressed against to hers.

What he was saying? This was all very
confusing. Eleanor pulled back to look at him. Lord Westin was
actually smiling. He was very handsome when he smiled. “Marriage
offers security a single state lacks.”

“
Though the security is
temporary, other types of unions could be extremely profitable. I
doubt you would be alone long between relationships.” He bent to
kiss her nape. Shivers slid down her spine. It was impossible to
concentrate on what he was saying while her body succumbed to so
many delicious sensations. They were talking about marriage, but he
wasn’t offering. Her clouded memory tried to make sense of his
words. “How can there be any security in courtship?”

“
Miss Westin,” Bentley
kissed the other side of her neck. “You and I both know I am not
proposing courtship.”

“
You are not proposing
marriage either.” Eleanor looked into his green eyes. It was slowly
dawning on her what he was suggesting. She was too shocked to be
outraged.

“
No, of course not.” His
lids dropped and seemed to focus on her lips. “However, I do desire
you with an intensity that surprises even me. You are free to name
your terms. When we tire of one another, I’ll give you a
substantial settlement and we will both go our separate
ways.”

“
How dare you suggest…”
She trailed off not sure of the proper terms.

“
I suggest because I know
you are not the innocent society believes you to be. You may be
able to fool them, but as you well know your husband would learn
the truth on your wedding night.”

She had never been so outraged or
insulted in her life. “Yes. He would,” she stated with all the
dignity she could muster.

“
Then why don’t you save
yourself the pain and humiliation and agree my alternative has much
more promise.”

If she could get her hands freed she
would slap Lord Clayton Bentley. Instead, he bent and took her lips
once again before she could protest.

“
Bentley, I demand an
explanation immediately for this display with my
granddaughter.”

Both Eleanor and Westin stiffened at
being caught. Bentley pulled away and turned to Stanhope. “Your
granddaughter and I were just discussing future events.”

“
I should say there is
certainly a future to discuss and I expect you to present yourself
before me tomorrow at eleven. Is that understood?”

*

Eleanor paced in the front parlor. She
couldn’t believe this was happening. Lord Bentley had what she
needed most. Financial security. He was the absolute last man she
could marry. Who was he to judge her, and whatever possessed him to
believe she wasn’t innocent?

Goodness! Even she knew, lacking the
basic understanding, that it took much more than a kiss to take
ones innocence. He had implied that she had already lain with a man
outside of wedlock. She should marry him out of spite, just to
prove him wrong. But she wanted more from a marriage. She didn’t
plan on, or even hope for love, but revenge and force would be
worse than any type of union.

As tempting as the wealth he brought,
Eleanor couldn’t go along with her grandfather’s plan to force a
marriage. Bentley didn’t like her and he had few redeeming
qualities. He probably wouldn’t even let her keep her family close.
To save them all from being miserable for the rest of their lives,
she would reject him. Surely the kiss in the garden hadn’t ruined
her so completely that another man wouldn’t offer.

*

Clay rehearsed his speech over and
over in his mind. He had stepped into the very trap his father
warned of, and all because of lust. Now, he just needed to release
himself before they exchanged vows. On the other hand, what exactly
could Stanhope force? Even if Stanhope knew nothing of Miss
Westin’s child, all Clay needed to do was tell the man, then he
would see there was no need that the two marry to protect her
reputation. However, honor demanded that Clay not discredit her in
such a manner. He simply wanted to get out of this marriage and go
on his own way, and forget he ever met Miss Eleanor
Westin.

If she did not agree that they did not
suit he would threaten to expose the child. Even she knew that
would ruin her beyond all redemption, or she wouldn’t be hiding the
child, but it would also bring scandal to his name. He and his
father had fought for years to remain above reproach. The family
reputation was already in danger because of Adele, and Jordan
skirted propriety more than he cared to count. Clay didn’t need to
add further damage and needed to bring this potential betrothal to
quiet end.

As he suspected, Miss Westin waited
for him. Clay had expected a triumphant smile as she thought she
was getting a wealthy husband. Instead her worried features greeted
him. He dismissed her concerns from his mind and decided to forgo
pleasantries as well. “We should discuss your grandfather’s
probable plans.”

“
Yes, we should.” Miss
Westin remained in the center of the room where she had been when
he arrived.

“
You know I had no wish to
marry. I told you as much last night.”

“
Before you insulted me,”
she finished for him.

“
I only spoke the truth.
There is no use in denying it.”

“
What truth?” She asked him
in a raised voice.

“
I know of Jamie. The boy
who calls you mama.” Clay wanted to waste no more time with her
denials of lost innocence.

Her expression changed to surprise and
confusion. “Jamie? What do you know of Jamie?”

“
That you are his mother.
Having never been wed, the simple evidence of a child puts your
virtue in question.”

Her face brightened, nostrils flared
and her chin went up. “How dare you insult me or Jamie in such a
manner!”

Clay grew impatient. Her overemotional
state was irritating. The task was distasteful enough as it was.
“How much?”

“
How much for
what?”

“
How much to end this
farce. My honor and family name prohibit me from ruining you in the
eyes of the
ton
.
I also wish to avoid a scandal.”

All color now drained from her face
and Miss Westin sank into a chair. She bit her lip and studied him.
Clay was pleased he had taken her off guard and waited for the
answer to show how mercenary she truly was.

“
How much are you willing
to pay to rid yourself of me?” She asked in a hateful
tone.

“
Ten thousand pounds.” It
was approximately half the amount he anticipated spending on a
mistress. He would have needed to find her a townhome, horses, a
carriage at her disposal, servants, wardrobe and jewelry. The cost
could have actually run much higher. Instead of buying pleasure he
would purchase a scandal free existence. His father would have
approved.

Miss Westin fell back in her chair.
There was a look of pure astonishment on her face.

“
I would also ask that you
leave London. I am not sure if anyone knows what occurred last
night but your departure will silent the gossipmongers, especially
if your grandfather offers a reasonable explanation.”

For several moments Miss Westin didn’t
move or speak. She only stared at him, her mouth slightly agape as
if in shock. He was certain this was not what she had expected, but
it was the best alternative. He hoped she saw it that way as well.
After a moment she stood and approached. Her hand held out to him.
“I accept your terms on the condition you never mention Jamie to
anyone.”

Clay nodded his head. He had been
prepared to bargain higher but she gave in quickly enough. Now this
distasteful business was behind them. “My solicitor will be by this
afternoon.”

*

With that he left the house and
Eleanor sank onto the settee. She couldn’t believe what had just
happened. At first she had been angered and intended to set him
free on principal.

That was before he had so strongly
insulted her once again. Fate had turned out differently and she
needed the funds. How did he learn about Jamie? Jamie hadn’t been
in the park nor had Bentley come into the home where her family
resided. And, how in the world had he jumped to the conclusion that
Jamie was her son?

Was it wrong to take the
money? What if no one knew and I swore never to tell a soul of the
kiss? But grandfather knows and he demanded Bentley do the right
thing. With the funds, I can leave London and return with my family
to the country
.

Surely she had heard incorrectly. That
sum would clear their debt and leave a bit to live on for a short
time, if she were frugal.