Tenacious Trents 03 - A Reluctant Rake

by Jane Charles

  A Reluctant Rake

  Copyright © 2013 by Jane Charles

  Cover Design by Lily Smith

  Night Shift Publishing

  Smashwords Edition

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, locations and events are either a product of the author’s imagination, fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any event, locale or person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Amy and Marc – two great friends who

  enjoy their own incredible romance every day

  (and brandy slushes when available)

  Bentley Manor, Northeast Kent, England

  September, 1790

  Jordan Trent dashed out of the manor and ran through the woods, taking the shortcut to the bridge over the river. It couldn’t be true. Adele and Julia couldn’t be dead. Father was mistaken, that was all. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his breaths coming in white, smoky wisps in the cold morning. The rushing river grew louder as he got closer and Jordan came to a stop at the edge of the embankment. The family carriage lay on its side, water flooding the inside, wheels rolling back and forth with the movement of the river. Only the door was visible, the Bentley crest prominently displayed. Items were strewn along the bank, and he made his way down the small decline to the edge of the water.

  The book Adele had been reading, or planned on reading, lay open, its pages soaked and ruined. A child’s bonnet was snagged on a limb jutting out of the water. Further downstream a trunk was smashed against an outcropping of rocks with wet and ruined pieces of clothing lying in the mud along the shoreline.

  Just because these were Adele’s and Julia’s things did not mean they were gone. The two could be further downstream, perhaps warming themselves by a fire and waiting to be rescued.

  His heart thudded heavy in his chest as Jordan picked his way along the bank, straining to see if there were any signs of his step-mother and half-sister. All he found was more of their clothing and personal items from the wrecked carriage.

  A small figure in a lavender dress drew him close to the water. It was facing down in a puddle. He picked it up and brushed the mud from her face. Julia would have never left her favorite doll behind. She had always clung to it as though the toy was the most important thing in the world. If the doll was here, then Julia must be gone.

  Pain constricted his heart as he fingered the rip in the doll’s arm. He had caused the damage just a day ago when he’d teased Julia and tried to grab the doll from her. The arm had almost come off, and his sister had cried loudly, and for the longest time. He hadn’t meant to hurt the doll. He only meant to have fun with Julia, but she was too young to understand. He couldn’t tease her the way he did his younger brothers.

  Nausea turned in his stomach. This was his fault. If he hadn’t broken her doll then she would have never cried and Father would have never taken the willow switch to her. Adele had been so scared, crying and pleading with Father to quit striking Julia, until father struck Adele. Jordan had never seen anyone hit in the face before. The skin was red from Father’s hand and a small trickle of blood seeped out of the corner of Adele’s mouth. Adele had clutched Julia to her, covering the crying child with her own body until Father turned away with a look of disgust. He had gone into his library then and slammed the door. All Jordan could do was stand there. He was too afraid of his father to intervene, but shouldn’t he have protected his sister, and Adele?

  Jordan had gone to Julia’s room to apologize but Adele had put her to bed so he had sat beside Julia’s bed and had sewn the doll’s arm while Adele dismissed the nurse from the room and set to packing Julia’s belongings. Adele was running away with Julia because of him and because of it they were killed.

  Jordan would give anything to make it so it had never happened. If only one could go back and fix mistakes.

  A few miles further down, the river emptied into the ocean. They would never find them. But maybe they weren’t dead. Yesterday Matthew had told him about Jonah being in the belly of a whale. What if Adele and Julia had been swallowed and were trying to find a way out? What if they got spit out on the shore somewhere far away and didn’t know how to get back? Matthew knew more about these things than anyone. Hadn’t he read the Bible twice already? Jordan hadn’t even read it once. Nobody had made him, and he didn’t like to sit and read when there were much better pursuits available like riding his horse, fishing or climbing trees.

  He heaved a sigh and sank down onto the rocks. Adele and Julia weren’t in the belly of a whale and they weren’t coming back. His tears began to fall all over again and Jordan rested his head on his bent arms, folded across his knees, and cried like he had never cried before. His body shook but he didn’t care if anyone thought he was a sissy. He was alone, and nobody would ever find out about his tears, especially Father.

  “Jordan Trent!” his father called. “Are you out here?”

  Jordan sniffed and stiffened. Father couldn’t find him crying or he would be the next one to get the willow switch. Jordan didn’t doubt Clayton, his oldest brother, had gotten it after they met with Father this morning. He scrubbed his face with the back of his sleeve and prayed his eyes weren’t puffy and red.

  “Jordan?” his father called again.

  As much as Jordan wished to hide from the man, he knew he could not. That would get him into bigger trouble than crying. “I am down here, Father!” he yelled back.

  “Get up here before something happens to you too,” the man barked.

  Jordan stuffed his sister’s doll inside his shirt so his father wouldn’t see it and climbed back up the embankment.

  Father looked at his face, frowned and then put an arm around his shoulder. “I know you will miss them, but this is for the best.”

  “Yes, sir.” Was his father not going to punish him?

  “One day you will learn that women are good for only one thing and your step-mother wasn’t even good for that. I had hoped for more, given who her grandmother was.”

  Jordan looked up at him. “What would that be, sir?”

  “Pleasure and heirs.” His father smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “When you are sixteen, I’ll take you to a special place and someone will teach you all about pleasure.”

  Why did he have to wait until he was sixteen? That was eight years from now. Besides, he could think of lots of things women were good for. They sang, smelled pretty, read stories out loud, hugged, played games and gave treats. Tears began to form in his eyes when he remembered all the wonderful things about Adele. He blinked them away. His father hadn’t spanked him for crying a few moments ago, but he wasn’t going to chance it again.

  “You are the lucky one, Jordan,” his father continued as they strolled back to the house. “As second born you do not need to worry about responsibility. I don’t want you weighed down with a profession like Matthew or John.”

  Jordan looked up at him. Profession?

  “I want you free to enjoy life like I never could.” The man’s hand tightened on Jordan’s shoulder, and he tried not to wince from the pain. “I insist upon it.”

  Didn’t Father enjoy life? He enjoyed his brandy often enough. He already smelled of it today, and they hadn’t even had the midday meal. Perhaps if Father had joy
he wouldn’t yell so much or use the willow switch as often.

  “I’ve made the arrangements. Once you finish your formal schooling, you will never have to do anything but find pleasure where you will. You will have the riches young men crave and never be forced to marry.” His father sighed. “My advice to you is to never marry. In fact, I will not allow it. If you even begin to consider shackling yourself to one woman I will cut you off and you will lose your inheritance.”

  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.