Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman

by Woodson, Wareeze

  A hint of jealousy flashed for a moment but he quickly subdued it and reached out to take her hand in his, kissing the back of her fingers. Her hand trembled and he wanted to hold her, to offer comfort, to support her. “Seems, Robert didn’t completely forget you after all.”

  “Poor, Rhonda, will take this very hard indeed. She’s been set aside in your favor.” Regret for his cousin’s plight lingered in his voice.

  Laurel’s expression darkened and she jerked her hand out of his hold. “Adron, how can you say that? I happened to have been his wife, but you sound as if I robbed her of her birthright or something equally evil. And by underhanded means as well.”

  He could tell he’d blotted his copybook again, but he had to stand his ground or the misunderstanding would roar out of control. Adron stood, bringing Laurel with him and his eyes narrowed unpleasantly. “I implied nothing of the sort. You’ve taken my meaning in the wrong way. I’m thrilled, Robert provided for you as is proper but realize Rhonda loved him too.” His voice deepened as he continued, “She was his sister and after all these months this will be a shock for her. Rhonda thought Robert had left her everything not entailed, as witnessed in the previous Will. Naturally I’m concerned for her. She’s family as was Robert.”

  “Of course and I’m the outsider.” Her teeth snapped shut on her withering comment and she glared at him.

  He couldn’t prevent his voice from rising in open reproach. “I’m not saying that. You’re a part of this too. How can you doubt it?”

  Flashing an ironic smile at him, her disbelief echoed in her eyes, however she remained silent.

  “I merely expressed concern for her because I care for my family, is that so wrong?” With a startled oath, he headed out the door. “I must personally inform Rhonda of the circumstances before word gets about.”

  Laurel motioned for the nursemaid to take charge and she sprang out the door to follow Adron. After the way he’d acted, she wasn’t sure what to expect but she managed to enter the drawing room in his wake.

  “Rhonda, a word with you if you please.” Adron motioned for her to follow him. “Alone would be best.”

  “If that’s the case, I would like to read the Will immediately,” Laurel demanded with dry significance.

  Rhonda paled and her fingers covered her lips. “Will, what Will? What are you saying?”

  Adron sighed. “Come along then. I only wanted to spare her pain.”

  Of course he wanted to spare Rhonda pain. When had it ever been different? Laurel’s exasperation increased as she fumed.

  He took Rhonda’s elbow as if she were spun glass and guided her into his library. “You both had better sit.”

  Laurel sank in a chair beside Rhonda and a shiver crawled down her spine. She always felt uncomfortable in his library where more often than not he called her on the carpet for one reason or the other. The same feeling of dread hovered over her now.

  Adron sat in his chair behind the desk and opened the Will. His eyes were filled with sympathy as he gazed at Rhonda. “I’m saddened to find it necessary to tell you, Rhonda, but the new Will has been found. Robert left everything not entailed to his wife. Laurel has the invested funds, the property, everything in fact.”

  “You’re saddened by the necessity to tell her?” Laurel hurled at him in a blaze of anger.

  Rhonda blanched and jumped to her feet. “No. Impossible. Robert would never do this to me.”

  Ignoring Laurel and her anger, Adron rounded his desk with his full attention on Rhonda. Laurel might as well not have spoken. Then she glanced at Rhonda and understood his concern. Rhonda was now flushed and shifting from one foot to the other with her hand to her throat. Her mouth worked, but no sound emerged.

  Laurel reached toward her shoulder. “Are you ill?”

  Rhonda jerked away. “Don’t touch me. Landings has always been my home. Now all is lost,” she wailed.

  Laurel knew what Robert would have wanted and she decided to honor his memory. With a sinking sensation and much reluctance, she made an offer. “You’re welcome to continue making your home at Landings.”

  “How dare you offer me your charity,” Rhonda snapped. “With you lording over the domain I’d rather starve.” She broke into sobs and fled the room.

  “That went well,” Laurel uttered wryly.

  “What did you expect? Rhonda looked on your charity as condescension and her pride was offended.”

  Laurel lifted her hands. “That wasn’t the spirit in which I offered her a home.”

  “I know, but you might recall Landings has always been her home. In her eyes, having something that has always been hers offered to her is extremely offensive, no matter you meant it for the best.”

  A long uncomfortable silence ensued. “And she might try a dose of reality instead of deluding herself into thinking she is the victim in all of this.”

  “But surely you can see why she would consider herself as such and why she wouldn’t accept your offer, although you were generous, especially since you despise her.” His lashes drooped to conceal his expression. “For the sake of peace you might try to improve your relationship with her to ease the situation and offer again. At this moment she feels rejected by her brother.”

  Laurel was almost speechless with dungeon before she finally found her voice. “You don’t give a rat’s foot about her causing Robert to reject me and Jamie. Well to blazes with the both of you,” Laurel yelled and stomped out of the library.

  Adron had stepped in it with both feet. He’d made a serious blunder but he didn’t quite understand how. He hadn’t meant he wished the Will had never been found or that Rhonda had remained the beneficiary. Being in sympathy with her plight, he’d only found the necessity to tell Rhonda of her misfortune disturbing. After all she is family.

  “Blasted females anyway—always unreasonable and high-strung. Taking offence at the least thing,” he uttered with a savage oath.

  Then he remembered Robert had all but shoved Laurel aside in favor of Rhonda. Robert had even allowed Rhonda to remain, as mistress of Landings when by rights that should have been Laurel’s position. Her fury with him shouldn’t have been surprising and he should have realized her need for reassurance was greater than Rhonda’s.

  Every time he inched forward with her, she jumped back a foot or two. He sighed because this too was his fault. Would he ever learn? Adron wanted to take her to Landings with him to woo her gently and show her how much he cared, but the past scene had burned a hole in that notion. He didn’t want to leave her with such ill will between them but he was anxious to continue the investigation. As long as the thief remained at large, Laurel’s danger still lingered.

  That evening, Adron held his grandmother’s chair as she sat down to dine while George did the same for Laurel. Adron cleared his throat. “Rhonda has chosen to remain in her chamber.” He sat down and unfolded his napkin. “She can’t bring herself to eat a bite with her spirits so low. Her words, not mine.”

  “Adron you should demand a little more restraint from that gel. Her and her sensibilities,” Heloise snorted. “Pining away over something that she can do nothing about is ridiculous. You shouldn’t encourage her to pout, either.”

  Adron’s lips thinned. “Robert is dead. Rhonda lost her brother and now she feels she’s lost everything else. Surely my sympathy for her isn’t misguided.”

  Heloise stared at him for a long interval as if trying to read his thoughts. “That’s all nonsense but I can see you’re determined to allow her to enact a drama with her as the downtrodden, vulnerable cousin to your hero.” She threw up her hands and grumbled, “Men.”

  Adron didn’t answer but he glowered at Heloise before lifting his glass to his lips. The charged atmosphere threw a damper over the conversation so only the ping of crystal and china prevailed. No one mentioned th
e newly discovered Will or the changes in Laurel’s circumstances.

  Laurel barely glanced at Adron and slightly turned away while lifting one shoulder in a defensive posture against him. She lavished all of her attention on George. “Tell me about your day. What does a gentleman about town do all day?”

  He laughed. “A mystery, my dear. We hold our secrets close and never tell a lady. The mystic would soon melt away and you would discover a very ordinary day with not much happening.”

  The stilted conversation gave way as Heloise rose from the table. “Shall we leave the gentlemen to their port?”

  “Bring the entire bottle,” Adron directed the footman. He filled two glasses and passed one to George. “I don’t know what I shall do to help Rhonda. There’s no reason for her to be so despondent simply because her fortune is tied up in trust. Her father set a safe guard in place to discourage any worthless fop or fortune hunter she might choose. Her husband, when she chooses, can’t cast her wealth away on the gaming tables. I don’t know what else she expects.”

  “I would think she’s merely resentful that her brother had the audacity to consider anyone besides her sweet self,” George drawled.

  Adron’s fingers tightened on the stem of his glass and he spilled a few drops of port on the table covering. “Surely you jest. Rhonda always did what she thought best for Robert, even to remaining at Landings when she could have had a home of her own ages ago.”

  “I beg to differ.” George’s glance sharpened. “If I remember correctly, at her come out she was as wide as she was tall with a face cover in spots. Not surprising the offers she received were not pleasing to her. Mostly fortune hunters.”

  “I dare say. You seem to remember a great deal,” Adron grumbled.

  George leaned back in his chair. “If you’d take my advice, she should be encouraged to hire a place in London and join society even if she is a little old. Go to parties, live a little and look about for a suitable partner now that her looks have improved beyond measure.”

  “At the moment, Rhonda can’t be my main focus. I must get to Landings and investigate the jewel theft. I feel Laurel is still in danger.”

  That brought to mind a request he needed to put to George. Something to keep his friend well occupied and away from Laurel while Adron traveled to Landings. “I need a favor if you will oblige me.”

  George sipped from his glass and raised his brows. “Certainly. What is it?”

  “I must go to Landings to continue with my investigation. Try if you may discover the craftsman that created the paste jewelry. I feel you would deal a sight more successfully with the jewelers than a servant. Take a piece or so with you. Show it around and perhaps one of the jewelers might recognize the work.”

  “Sounds reasonable.”

  Adron muttered, “I don’t want to bring the Runners in on the theft again if I can avoid it. Still, I might hire a couple of them if things come to a halt.”

  “Happy to oblige.”

  Adron smiled and placed his glass on the table. “Let’s join the ladies.”

  When Laurel retired, Adron followed her and before she opened the door to her chamber he caught up with her. “Laurel, a word.”

  She hesitated with her hand on the knob and gazed at him. Her eyes were filled with disquiet and a spark of anger lingered, but there was an element of longing reflected as well.

  “I’ll be leaving for Landings early in the morning.” He hesitated and held her gaze with a level stare. “With all that’s between us, I’m not exactly positive how I should handle this but I wanted to remind you how much I need you. You need me as well if you’d only unbend a little. I’ve compromised you with my behavior and I apologize for that. But you are mine now, committed to me by your own actions.”

  She stared at him and a moment of stunned silence stretched between them. Her lips thinned and her breath rushed out as she turned toward her door. “Indeed.”

  He caught her by the shoulder. “That came out wrong. What I really wanted to say was please give us a chance. Don’t throw away the good thing between us. I need you.”

  Beneath his hand, her shoulder relaxed and he turned her to face him again. Strong emotions glitter in his eyes. “I want you. You want me too. If I kiss you, you’ll respond. That’s the nature of the beast. Desire.”

  She gasped and stiffened again.

  “I seem to trip over my own feet. Just please think of me while I’m away.” Adron gathered her in his arms despite her slight struggle and kissed her with a long drugging kiss. He grinned, well pleased with her bemused expression.

  “I wanted to remind you of what we have together.” He stepped back. “Think of that while I’m away.” Gently touching the end of her nose with one finger, he whistled softly as he retreated.

  Laurel stared after him with her fingers to her lips. She quietly slipped inside her chamber shutting the door and leaned against it. Her passion had urged her to except his strength, his kisses and more but her mind had shouted caution. She’d listened to her emotions and her impulses before and where had that taken her? To the brink of disaster, that’s where. This time around she intended to listen to her head, to examine each action, every feeling and to test the strength of its worth.

  Adron desired her, stirring her passion in turn. Being wanted and sought after by such a man was hard to resist, but she wouldn’t succumb. She promised herself she would not. He said he needed her, wanted her, but nothing was said of love.

  Without love, when would he set her aside for another? She would undoubtedly be sharing his attention with Rhonda as she did at present and that happened to be more than she could swallow. At every turn, he automatically jumped to Rhonda’s defense. She’d had that relationship before in her marriage. No thank you.

  She sank in a chair covered in rose brocade beside the hearth. Viewing her new room, she still couldn’t accustom herself to the luxury of the wine colored satin spread and window hangings of the same rich shade. A thick rug, patterned in roses, warmed the floor. His try at winning her over would never work regardless of his persuasive tactics. Much, much more was required; three little words she might never hear.

  Laurel slid into bed and tucked the pillow beneath her head. Although she was thankful Rhonda had rejected her offer of a home, she fumed because her sister-in-law dared be offended. Rhonda’s harping voice buzzed in her memories. The accusations, the lies, the innuendoes and her nitpicking tumbled around in Laurel’s mind. Laurel could never forget Rhonda’s success in drawing Robert away from her.

  Laurel despised Adron as well for considering Rhonda’s plight. Although Rhonda is his family, his condescending tone had set Laurel’s teeth on edge. Not expecting him to turn his back on Rhonda, the blighter could have commiserated a little less and allowed her to accept the reality of her situation as Laurel had been forced to do. Still offended, she despised herself for exposing a chink in her own armor merely because he had shown concerned for Jamie and his broken toy.

  Pushing thoughts of Adron aside, she fluffed her pillow, turned over and considered her improved circumstances. There would be several changes at Landings to be sure. She was free to do as she pleased and without consulting another soul, she intended to replace the furnishings in the drawing room. Sweeping changes at Landings would help her gain a new foothold.

  Laurel considered for a moment, a new color, possibly shades of peach, would best suit her in her bedchamber. Grinning she stared up at the ceiling, listening to the oak on the west lawn of Kendlewood flutter leaves against the windowpane. Free. That word was precious. Then suddenly she realized, she wasn’t free at all and her heart sank. Adron was still Jamie’s guardian. It was best to nurse her anger, to avoid those moments of longing and softness toward him.

  Chapter 17

  At Landings the next afternoon, Adron changed his apparel and stroll
ed past the open door of the drawing room. He halted, staring at the Pomona green of the sofa and shuddered with distaste. His last mistress had purchased a gown of that exact shade which had cost him the earth. Adron despised the entire garment down to the flounce about the hem.

  Peering further into the room he spied Mrs. Essie Calhermin, Rhonda’s widowed second cousin. She huddled in a green overstuffed chair close to the window pouring intently over a book. Being a little dab of a woman with graying hair, the chair seemed to swallow her and with a paisley shawl about her hunched shoulders, he thought she appeared somewhat forlorn. The droop at the corners of her mouth added to the lonely picture but having misjudged Laurel by the outward image she presented, he would be the first to admit appearances could often be deceptive.

  Essie wasn’t the downtroddened person she seemed. From his last visit to Landings, he knew well she could talk the horns off a billy goat. Besides, he’d witnessed mischief dancing in her eyes and freely admitted he’d avoided her presence as often as possible. Still, he wasn’t so high in the instep he could dismiss Mrs. Calhermin, however talkative, with less than common courtesy. Being a gentleman, it was his duty to be gracious to Rhonda’s relative. He entered the room.

  She glanced up from her book. “Lord Gladrey, I’m delighted you’re back so soon.” Appearing reluctant, she laid her book aside as if resolved, patting the cover and gave him a tepid smile.

  Her rather off-putting smile reminded him of an unpleasant truth he’d recently learned about himself. His rigid stance on his rules of acceptable behavior and his judgmental attitude as well as his inability to trust whole-heartedly had nearly cost him a future with Laurel. Returning Essie’s smile he acknowledged for the first time that not everyone could measure up to his standards, but that didn’t make a person less worthy of consideration. In future he must bear that lesson in mind. He sighed inwardly longing to make an escape but he supposed it wouldn’t kill him to take tea with her if he could endure her rambling discourse and her chattering tongue that long.