Tenacious Trents 01 - A Misguided Lord (12 page)

Drake walked into the kitchen and
settled at the table as he had done so many times in the past. She
long ago gave up trying to make him visit with her in the parlor,
over tea and cakes, as was expected when a titled neighbor came to
call. “I’ll forget the incident if you explain your reaction to
Bentley. Somehow I don’t think insignificant encounters justify the
greetings I witnessed.”

Just the thought of the man had Elle
kneading the dough harder than necessary.

“
Why don’t you let me do
that, Elle,” Leigh offered as she came in the room. “I’m sure you
and Lord Acker would like to visit.”

Drake glanced to the younger sister
and gave her a grateful smile, which she returned before bending
and giving him a hug. “We are all glad you have
returned.”

Once they were settled outside Eleanor
began to relax. “Why didn’t you bring Lord Judgment with
you?”

Drake barked out laughter. “He really
got under your skin didn’t he?”

“
I have never been so
insulted by anyone in my life.”

Drake reached over and grabbed he
hand. “Tell me all. Leave nothing out.”

So, Elle told him everything. It was
painless until she got to the part involving Jamie. “I don’t know
how he learned of Jamie, but however he did, Lord Advocate didn’t
bother to learn the facts.”

“
How so?”

“
He assumed Jamie is my
son.”

“
Didn’t you explain the
truth?” Drake asked.

Elle took a deep breath. “At first I
didn’t understand what he believed. That night in the garden, he
alluded to, very properly, that my lack of virtue made it
impossible to marry anyone in society.”

Drake stiffened.

“
He did however offer a
more, temporary, yet lucrative choice.”

Drake stood and yelled, “He wanted you
to be his mistress?”

“
Shush, the children will
overhear,” Elle admonished.

“
I’m sorry.” Drake lowered
his voice and settled back in his set. “Did you at least explain
why that was not an option?”

Eleanor simply shrugged her shoulders.
“I wasn’t exactly given a chance. He had been kissing me, and I am
embarrassed to say that my mind was a bit muddled. I didn’t
understand what he was suggesting right away.”

Drake leaned forward. “Let me
understand this. You were at a ball, at your grandfather’s home, in
the garden with dozens of people about?”

“
Yes, of course none were
around us at that moment.” Why was this detail so important to
Drake?

“
Go on. What happened
next?”

“
Grandfather found us and
demanded Lord Insolent do the right thing.”

Drake’s lips quirked.

“
Anyway, by the following
morning the impact of what had occurred hit me full
force.”

“
I don’t doubt
that.”

“
I was prepared to release
him from any obligation. It wasn’t right that he should be stuck
with me for life because of a silly kiss. It wasn’t as if I were
truly ruined.”

“
Was it just a silly kiss?”
Drake asked with meaning.

Eleanor’s face heated and she quickly
moved on with her story. “Before I could release him with dignity,
Lord Presumptuous began telling me how he knew of my son and how he
didn’t wish to be linked with scandal. Before I recovered from my
sudden motherhood, Lord Affluent offered me ten thousand pounds to
leave London and not force a betrothal.”

“
You took the money.” Drake
laughed.

“
Of course I did. If Lord
Morality deemed it necessary to get rid of me without possessing
all of the facts then why shouldn’t I profit from the encounter.”
Elle defended. “Besides, Lord Solomon could afford it and it was
more than enough to pay off my step-father’s debts, which was my
only reason for being in that horrific town in the first
place.”

“
You could have pushed for
marriage. Bentley would have gone through with it.” Drake
suggested.

“
I was partly
tempted.”

“
Revenge?” He asked with a
smile.

Eleanor returned the smile, not able
to help herself. “I would dearly love to have revenge, but his
money was better.”

Drake barked out laughter before he
reached over and captured her hand. “Elle, I could help you solve
all your problems.”

She smiled at him softly. “Thank you,
but my answer remains no. Marriage between us would be a disaster
and I cannot accept charity from anyone. My family is my
responsibility.”

“
Still, I had to
ask.”

“
I know. Now you can rest
easy knowing you tried to set a wrong right.” How many times had
they had this same conversation? At least a dozen after her mother
died and before he had decided to travel. Drake hadn’t believed a
marriage between them would be so bad but she was wiser in pointing
out their feelings for the other. In order to prove her wrong Drake
had actually kissed her once. That had been a miserable failure
that provided no pleasure for either of them. It was more awkward
than anything else

“
Why don’t you tell Bentley
the truth about Jamie?”

Elle shook her head. “He doesn’t
deserve the truth since he didn’t bother to seek it in the first
place.”

“
There are reasons he may
have formed the decision he did, Elle. I have known him since we
were at Eton.”

“
It makes no difference and
I would ask you tell him nothing. He has judged me so let his
verdict stand. I don’t care one way or the other what he thinks of
me.”

“
Very well, but I think you
are wrong.”

*

Adam Culver joined Drake and Clay that
evening for a game of billiards. He was another close friend of
Drakes’ that Clay had not met.

He was much younger. The man couldn’t
have been above twenty years. Clayton wanted to broach the subject
of Miss Westin to Drake, but struggled to find the words and ask
the delicate questions. And he certainly could not do that now with
Culver present.

“
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.

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?