Tenacious Trents 03 - A Reluctant Rake (2 page)

Marry? He was too young to think about
such serious things. Besides, Jordan wasn’t even sure he liked
girls. They were silly and didn’t like climbing trees or fishing.
At least the girls in this town didn’t.

Jordan winced when his father squeezed
his shoulder again in what Jordan assumed was some kind of
warning.

His father sighed and relaxed. “You
will have the life I was denied.”

Jordan hugged his chest, feeling
Julia’s doll, hoping his father wouldn’t notice. When he got home,
he would make sure it was cleaned properly and kept in a safe
place. Julia would want that.

London, England – Spring,
1814

Miss Audrey Montgomery
stifled her groan. What was
he
doing here? She had chosen the Peyton ball
because out of all the events this evening Mr. Jordan Trent would
least likely be here. He was a confirmed bachelor, rake, rogue, and
all manner of immorality, and Lord Peyton had three unwed
daughters. What was Peyton thinking by inviting such a lothario
into the midst of so many innocent young ladies?

Audrey knew she wouldn’t be able to
avoid Trent the entire Season, but she had hoped not to see him at
her very first ball. She drew a deep breath in hopes of calming her
erratic heart. Why did Trent have the power to set her pulse a
flutter? He wasn’t even looking at her. Besides, she was well aware
of what a despicable creature he was, yet he still had the
strangest effect on her senses and she knew better than to succumb
to his charms. She had been attracted to him last Season, as had
every other lady in London, but she knew better now.

A sigh escaped. He did look handsome in
his dark blue double-breasted coat with tails and black trousers.
Trent stood with one hand in his pocket and when he moved she
glimpsed the gold waistcoat beneath. Trent’s broad shoulders filled
out the coat perfectly and she had danced with him often enough at
the beginning of last Season to know he did not use padding, or
have a need for it. His dark hair was cropped short and she
suspected by the waves that it would be a mass of curls if he let
it grow out. The snowy white cravat made his cobalt eyes all the
bluer. She gasped. Why hadn’t she noticed he was looking at her,
otherwise she would not be able to see his eyes? Perhaps he was
merely looking in her direction and not directly at her.

Audrey glanced around. Nobody else was
looking at him and when she turned back, he wasn’t looking at
anyone else.

Oh, drat! He was looking at her. The
last thing she wanted to do was encourage that rogue, but
apparently she had. A slow, sensual smile came to his lips and that
blasted dimple emerged.

Audrey closed her eyes for a moment,
hoping he would disappear. When she opened them, he was walking
toward her. This was the last thing she wanted or needed and she
certainly hadn’t meant to encourage him. And, why would he want to
even be near her after the way she treated him last fall when he
visited his brother? Of course, he deserved every bit of her
rudeness after what he had done, and more, so why was he
approaching her now?

Mr. Jordan Trent stopped before Audrey
and her aunt and uncle. His eyes focused on her after greeting the
older couple and he bowed deeply before speaking. “You look
beautiful this evening, Miss Montgomery.”

Before she could respond someone bumped
into her from behind and she found herself pushed into Mr. Trent.
He grabbed her by both elbows to steady her and leaned forward.
“Delicious as well,” he whispered.

Heat stole into her cheeks and Audrey
pulled away. Oh, he was wicked indeed.

He held his hand out to her. “Might I
see your dance card?”

Audrey forced a smile. “I am afraid
they have all been claimed.” Thank goodness. The last thing she
wanted was to dance with this rake. It was bad enough she had to
stand and speak with him. Her aunt and uncle would never understand
if she refused a dance. Actually, they would if they knew the
horrible truth, but that was a secret she must keep for her dear
friend, Millicent, now Lady Lydell.

“A pity.” Trent frowned as if he were
disappointed but she was certain he would recover and move on to
another lady to partner, one more willing than she. “Perhaps a turn
about the room?” He offered his arm.

She simply stared at it. She did not
want to touch him, let alone go anywhere with Mr. Trent.

“Do go on, dear,” her aunt insisted.
“The musicians will not begin again for a little
longer.”

“Yes, please.” Mr. Trent still had his
arm out, elbow cocked, waiting for Audrey to slip her gloved hand
into the crook of his arm.

Blasted man! Perhaps she should stroll
with him so she could finally give him a piece of her mind. “Thank
you.” She smiled sweetly and nodded to her aunt and uncle before
allowing Trent to lead her away.

“For a moment I thought you were going
to deny me the pleasure of your company,” he muttered when they
were out of earshot.

“If this were not a public venue that
is exactly what I would have done.” She nodded to acquaintances as
they passed. “I believe I made my feelings for you perfectly clear
this last fall so I see no reason why you wish to be in my presence
to begin with.” She spotted Lord and Lady Lydell ahead. Millicent
narrowed her eyes and she frowned at Audrey. She would need to
explain the circumstances to her friend later. Now was not the best
time.

Trent turned her toward the
doors leading to the gardens before they reached the Lydells.
Audrey was about to voice an objection but thought better of it.
Out of earshot of the
ton
she could finally tell him exactly what she
thought. The things she should have said months ago.

As they stepped out onto the terrace a
cool breeze washed over her heated skin. Audrey hadn’t even
realized how hot she had become from the dancing and being in the
crowded ballroom until the coolness blanketed her. They followed
the few steps down into the garden and stopped before a fountain.
There was nobody else present so she would be able to tell Trent
exactly what she thought of him. As Audrey turned to face him, she
opened her mouth to speak but he swooped in, claiming her lips
before a word could be uttered.

She was too stunned to react. He tasted
of wine and cake and the heat of his mouth sent tremors through her
body. He delved and she bit back a moan. Is this what he meant by
delicious?

Her knees grew weak and Audrey grasped
his shoulders so as not to crumble. His arm snaked around her
waist, pulling her close to his hard, rigid body.

Trent pulled back for a moment. “I knew
beneath your cool exterior lurked passion.”

Audrey’s eyes popped open. What was she
doing? She knew better than to fall under his spell like so many
others, yet with one kiss he muddled her senses. She pushed against
his chest. “Let me go.”

Trent sighed and allowed her to step
away from his body.

“What were you thinking? Anyone could
have come upon us.”

His grin was unrepentant. “Then I
suppose you would have been compromised and I would have been
encouraged to do the right thing.”

“Not that you would have and then I
would have been ruined.”

The smile fell from his face and his
shoulders grew rigid. “What exactly do you mean?”

Audrey narrowed her eyes, remembering
all the reasons why she should never speak to Jordan Trent, let
alone kiss him. “You know very well what I mean.”

“No, I do not.” He punctuated each
word.

Did he think her a fool? Or perhaps he
didn’t think she thought at all. “I know all about you, Mr. Jordan
Trent. You play with hearts and ruin ladies’ lives.”

He planted his fists on his hips and
stared down at her. “What exactly have I done? At the beginning of
last Season you seemed to enjoy dancing with me then with no
explanation at all you developed a strong dislike for me. Did I
step on your toes?”

How dare he pretend like he had done
nothing wrong? “You know exactly what I am talking about though you
probably didn’t count on me finding out. Did you underestimated how
close Millicent and I are?”

His brow furrowed in confusion but she
wasn’t going to stand here and wait for him to come up with an
excuse or deny his part in Millicent’s ruination. Audrey turned and
stomped away from him before she looked back over her shoulder.
“And I will never forgive what you did.” She whipped back around,
lifted her chin and walked back into the ball. She would never
speak with that rogue again and she would certainly never allow
herself to be alone with him otherwise she might end up just like
Millicent and that would never do.

Jordan Trent stared over the throng
gathered below in the Peyton’s ballroom and wondered what horrible
offense he had committed to make Miss Audrey Montgomery hate him.
At least she desired him, if her kisses were any indication. It had
not been his intention to kiss her at all. He simply wanted to
talk. She was his sister-in-laws best friend and he knew they would
be seeing each other often this Season and he hoped to mend
whatever had come between them last year. Yet, the moment she
turned to him, her mouth parted, Jordan acted without
thinking.

She tasted as sweet as he imagined. No,
better than he imagined and when he pulled her close she fit
against him as if she were made for him. He could have gone on
kissing her much longer so why had he said anything? He could kick
himself for breaking that kiss. He should have remained silent and
weakened any resolve she held against him.

Unfortunately, she remembered she hated
him before he could press any further. Not that he would have
attempted too much of a seduction since they were standing in the
garden and any number of people could have come out.

This is the exact place he had stood
last year when he noticed Miss Audrey Montgomery for the first time
and he was watching her again. Last spring he had been at a
cross-road and longed to shed the debauched persona he had been
forced to wear all of his adult life. Force may be too strong a
word, but sometimes Jordan believed it was the perfect definition.
His father, blessedly deceased, had refused to allow him even a
chance at normalcy, to find love, settle down, and become
respectable. Each time Jordan hinted that he wished for the
stability of a family and wife, his father threatened to cut him
off without a farthing.

“
You have riches and I’ll
be damned if I’ll let you waste them on a wife and children. I’ve
given you everything a gentleman could ever want and you don’t even
have the pressure of producing an heir.” Jordan grimaced, hearing
his father’s words echo in his head. “Don’t disappointment me by
starting to believe in
love
,” his father had practically
spat. “It is a waste of time and doesn’t exist. Focus on what is
important and the simple pleasure of being between a woman’s
thighs.”

His stomach churned recalling that last
argument. It had taken place a month before his father’s
death.

Jordan sipped from the glass of wine
and stared at the beautiful blonde across the ballroom. Her hair
was pulled up and away from her face in a style similar to most
young ladies, but ringlets escaped, caressing her shoulders and
neck. What had he done to make Miss Audrey Montgomery hate him with
such venom? If he knew he would certainly apologize, but the chit
wouldn’t tell him. Hell, she barely acknowledged him this past fall
when he visited his brother, Matthew, with the exception of when
she tried to slap him because she assumed he had seduced Grace, his
now sister-in-law. Jordan had never seduced an innocent in his
life, and never would. Why was it necessary when there were so many
experienced ladies willing to share his bed? Why would he want
inexperience when such talented hands, and mouths, were eager to
give pleasure? The only innocent he planned on ever bedding would
be his wife, on their wedding night.