Tenacious Trents 01 - A Misguided Lord (17 page)

His foot scraped against the floor and
Eleanor’s head jerked up, eyes open, alarm etched on her brow. Her
features softened when she recognized him and she sat forward,
bringing her feet to the floor.

“
What are you doing
here?”

“
I followed you.” He
grinned.

She straightened and stood. “What if
someone would have seen you?”

Clay stepped forward. He was not about
to let her escape him. “I was careful in my timing so that nobody
would be suspicious.”

She narrowed her eyes at
him.

“
After our encounter in
London, do you think I wish to trap you?”

Eleanor crossed her arms over her
ample breasts. “That still doesn’t explain why you followed
me.”

“
I’ve barely been given the
opportunity to speak with you today.”

“
There are plenty of others
to offer entertainment.”

“
We promised Acker we would
be nice to one another.”

“
That does not mean I must
go out of my way to converse with you.”

What would it take to make her want
him as much as he wanted her? Of course, perhaps she did want him,
but was better at denying those needs. Still, why didn’t she wish
to spend time with him when all he could think about was being with
her? “You are the only person at this gathering who interests
me.”

She arched a brow and the corner of
her mouth tipped as if she didn’t believe him.

“
It is the truth.” Clay
placed a hand over his heart. “How many times do I need to
apologize?”

Eleanor shook her head and sank back
down onto the chaise. “It is not necessary. It is behind
us.”

Clay sighed and sauntered forward
before he settled next to her. Eleanor stiffened.

“
I do like you and find you
extremely attractive. So much so I think of little
else.”

“
I do find your words hard
to believe.”

As anything he could say wouldn’t
convince her, Clay chose action instead. Clasping her chin gently,
he held her in place and took her lips with his. They were alone
out here and in the perfect setting for seduction.

*

Eleanor relaxed, enjoying his
attention. Why not take something for herself? It wasn’t as if she
would ever marry. Not that she had any intention of giving up her
virtue, but she was entitled to some enjoyment, even
pleasure.

Clay traced the seam of her lips and
Eleanor opened for him. He plunged and desire shot through her
body. On their own accord, Eleanor’s arms snaked around his neck
and held him close, taking all he had to give. When she touched her
tongue to his, he moaned and his kiss became harder and his hand
moved to the back of her head while the other clasped her waist.
Elle was barely aware of falling backwards until she was reclined
against the cushioned arm. Clay’s lips didn’t let up. Her pulse
raged in her ears and her heart beat a frantic tattoo. If this was
her reaction to one kiss, what could happen to her if she
experienced any of the other unknown pleasures men and women shared
together?

His lips moved from her mouth and
trailed across her jaw, to her neck and down to her collar bone. A
moment ago her dress was confining, too tight, but suddenly it felt
loose. Had he undone the back? Did it matter? It was much too hot
to remain clothed.

She should stop this.

It felt too wonderful. I
will stop him in a minute
.

The sleeve of her gown was slid down
her arm until her gown was below her breasts with only her chemise
to cover her nakedness.

Yes, she should stop him before this
went too far, but what would he do next?

Clay’s mouth bent and took one
puckered nipple into his mouth. Pure desire and longing shot to her
private areas. She began to throb and that area became warm, damp
and achy. What was he doing to her?

While his mouth devoured one breast
the other pushed her chemise down, exposing her completely to him.
Clay sat back and moved the material so that both breasts were
exposed. Heat infused her face and Eleanor wanted to cover herself.
The admiration and desire she saw in his eyes stopped
her.

“
More beautiful than I
imagined.”

Before she could respond, Clay lowered
his head and took the other bud in his mouth, nipping and sucking
until Eleanor thought she would scream from the
pleasure.

This was not right. She should stop
him now before it was too late, if it wasn’t already. He didn’t
believe her chaste and he would never believe her after allowing
him these liberties, but Elle couldn’t find the will to stop
him.

Her body pulsed with need and desire
and Elle fought the current to reality. This had to stop now before
someone came across them and before she was completely
ruined.

Clay moved a hand down her leg and
began pulling her dress up, inch by inch. She ached to be touched
in her most private area, but she couldn’t allow it. No. She had to
stop.

Pushing against his shoulders she
fought for control and breath.

Clay lifted up and looked at
her.

“
I can’t. Please.
No.”

Clay stilled all motion and stared at
her. His eyes, a deeper green than before stared into hers. “I want
you, Eleanor.”

His voice was rough with need and sent
delicious chills down her spine.

She wanted him too, she wanted to
scream. “I can’t.” It was all she could manage through her closed
throat.

Clay sighed and smoothed her dress
back down her legs. When he moved away, Eleanor sat up and pulled
her chemise and dress so that it covered her body before presenting
her back to Clay. He fastened her dress quickly then moved his arms
about her belly and pulled her back against him before he kissed
her neck. Elle groaned and let her head fall forward.

“
This is wrong.” She
removed his hands from around her waist and stood.

Clay came to his feet. “Is it so wrong
with two people who want each other as badly as we?”

There was no mistaking the bulge in
his breeches and for a moment, Elle was tempted to find out exactly
what it looked like and how it felt. Her face burned with the
thought and she whipped away from him.

“
It is wrong, as well you
know.”

He came up from behind and placed his
hands on her shoulders. “I want you, and right or wrong does not
change that.”

“
It matters to
me.”

Without a backward glance she moved to
the door.

“
Think on what we could be
to each other. Think about the passion we’ve barely scraped the
surface of.”

Eleanor paused at the door but did not
look back. She would go mad if she relived what happened. It would
only make her long for more. If Clayton were honorable in his
attentions she would throw caution to the wind. But, she knew
better than to think he had a change of heart or found respect for
her. He wanted her as his mistress for however long it lasted and
would never consider her for a more permanent role in his
life.

This reminder helped cooled her heated
veins. She may die never knowing a man’s touch or the beauty of
what could be shared between a man and a woman, but she would
rather die a virgin than be any man’s mistress.

“
Good day, Lord
Bentley.”

Eleanor stepped outside and turned for
home. She couldn’t return to the party. No doubt her hair was
mussed. She glanced down to note the several wrinkles in her gown.
If she returned now there would be too much speculation on what she
had been about. Besides, she needed to get away from here. Away
from Bentley. She had to remember how he had treated her in London
and never allow herself to be alone with him again.

Stepping onto the path she turned
toward home. It was not far, and actually much shorter than taking
the road. In a few moments she would be inside her house and safe
from the likes of Lord Bentley.

*

Clay stepped outside and watched her
walk away. He couldn’t return to the party yet. Not until his body
had relaxed. He had been so close to making Elle his, and he knew
with a few well-placed kisses and touches she would have succumbed.
But, she told him no and he had to honor her wishes. Hopefully she
was in the same state as he. One could not be heated with need and
not find release. Perhaps only a few more seductions and then she
would be his.

He turned toward the main house
instead of following her. With any luck, he would be ready to
escort her back inside when she emerged on the opposite
path.

Another group of gentlemen and ladies
were seated outside when he returned. He took a vacant seat and
attempted to participate in the conversation. As the minutes turned
into an hour, Elle had not returned.

Was she lost?

No, she grew up in the
area.

Was she avoiding him?

Perhaps.

As the sky darkened he tried not to
worry but he had half a mind to go find her.

“
Has anyone seen Miss
Westin?” Acker asked as he came outside.

“
She walked down the path
hours ago,” a young lady offered.

Acker frowned. “Did anyone else see
her?”

Clay looked around and those in the
group simply shook their head or shrugged their shoulders. “I came
across her while I was out. She was by the summer house, walking
away.”

Acker narrowed his eyes on Clay. “Did
she say anything?”

She said plenty, but Clay knew better
than to relay the conversation to Acker, especially in front of a
group of gossips. “I had the impression she didn’t wish to
talk.”

“
She must have gone on
home. I will send someone to make sure.”

“
Home, from there?” Another
questioned.

“
Our land joins not far
from the summer house. It is a very short walk from there if that
is what she decided to do.”

Clay knew instinctively Elle had gone
home and would not be back until tomorrow. He had driven her away.
Or perhaps, frightened her? Was she alarmed by their passion or
trying to gain control? He would learn soon enough tomorrow. And if
luck were his, he would be given another opportunity at seduction.
How many times would it take before she allowed herself to become
his?

Hopefully not long. The party would
end in four days and Clay would not leave without having completely
and thoroughly seduced Eleanor.

Elle was humming as she washed the
breakfast dishes. The day was sunny and warm. Soon she would be
leaving for Acker Hall. She was actually looking forward to seeing
Bentley and the thought brought a chuckle. A week ago the mere
thought of him made her irrationally angry. Would he attempt to
kiss her today? She would let him, of course. They were too
enjoyable to turn down. She may even allow him other liberties.
After all, this may be the only chance she ever has to experience
such attention from a gentleman. However, he would not get all that
he hoped for.

She wasn’t a fool. Even though he had
not come out and said anything, the man was set on seduction. He
still believed her to be an unwed mother and free to pursue for his
own pleasure. She would let him. He could use all the charm he
possessed but in the end, he would leave having gained nothing. It
wasn’t any less than he deserved. Even if she was what he believed
her to be, that didn’t give him the right to assume she was
available to become his mistress. Yes, it was nice to have a little
revenge on the mighty Bentley, especially when she enjoyed it so
much.

“
Elle,” Leigh called form
the doorway. “Mr. Barnes is here and would like to speak with
you.”

Eleanor dried her hands on a towel and
made her way to the front parlor.

“
Mr. Barnes, it is a
pleasure to see you,” Elle stated as she entered the room. Hosea
Barnes was one of the wealthiest men in the area and Eleanor
couldn’t imagine why he was calling, especially so
early.

Mr. Barnes stood as she entered,
holding his hat in hands.

“
Miss Westin,” he
acknowledged and cleared his throat. “I realize this is a delicate
matter but my wife insisted I finally call on you.”

“
What is the matter?” Fear
built in her belly. Had the boys been into mischief again? She
hadn’t been around enough lately to watch them.

“
You have paid off the
creditors, you see, and my wife and I were wondering when we would
be paid.”

Eleanor stiffened. “I wasn’t aware my
step-father owed you as well.”

The man seemed to be relieved that she
had not ignored the debt.

“
I loaned James funds over
the years. As collateral, he put up the deed to this house.” The
man withdrew documents from his pocket to hand to her.

Eleanor took them, afraid to read the
words.

“
A list of the loans is
attached to the back, all signed by your step-father.”