by Jane Charles
When he stepped in the room, he realized that the only people present were his siblings and their spouses. Did Madeline simply want a family gathering before her dinner?
“I am glad you could make it, Jordan,” Madeline greeted him. “Though you’re a bit late.”
“You didn’t give me much warning,” he reminded her.
Brachton pushed a glass of whisky into his hand and Jordan nodded his thanks. Nobody in the room appeared very happy and Rose, his step-mother wasn’t here. His heart seized. Had something happened to her? “What is wrong?”
A few glances were exchanged and others shrugged.
“John wanted everyone gathered,” Madeline offered.
Jordan looked to his youngest brother.
“He wouldna tell us anythin’,” Brachton said as he turned toward John, who stood beside Elizabeth, his wife.
John walked across the room, shut the door and leaned against it, his face grim. “We’ve tracked Adele and Julia to London.”
The room was completely silent and Jordan’s mind churned over the ramifications of anyone learning Adele was alive.
What would Adele tell anyone, if she decided to return to society? She had been gone twenty-three years, along with Julia, her daughter and Jordan’s half-sister. The world, or at least those in society, thought Adele and Julia died when their carriage went over the side of a bridge. Nobody, outside those in this room, and Rose, his current step-mother knew the truth, which was that Adele had taken Julia and was running away from her husband, who happened to be Jordan’s father, and that his father had managed to arrange the wreckage and tell everyone they had died all the while knowing the truth.
The man even sent funds into Paris, where Adele had escaped for sixteen years, until Julia was eighteen. That is when Father decided he wanted his daughter back to arrange a marriage to a wealthy, aging lord. Jordan still didn’t know how his father planned on explaining Julia’s presence after so much time, especially after his father married Rose a year after Adele supposedly died and fathered Madeline a year later.
Until last spring, Jordan and his brothers also thought they were dead, until Bentley inherited after his father’s death and came across documents in the desk. Since, at least one brother had been trying to track them down. Several times they thought the two had been found from Paris to Italy to Scotland to Ireland, but either the description didn’t match exactly or they disappeared.
Jordan inwardly groaned. The ton would gossip about this for months and Rose would be ruined as her marriage was never legal, even though she hadn’t known it at the time, and the same circumstances left Madeline a bastard. At least Brachton didn’t care what side of the blanket his wife had been born on, but it would not be easy for any of them. This also could have an effect on his career and potential marital options, though Jordan was more concerned with his step-mother and Madeline at the moment. They would receive the brunt of the gossip and possibly have doors shut in their faces. Unfortunately, society may be too narrow-minded to realize that those two had been duped along with everyone else and paint dear, sweet Rose as a… He shook the thought away. Jordan didn’t even want to think of the names Rose could be called.
“Where are they?” he asked since nobody else said a word. If anything, he would escort the two quietly out of town. He had enough funds to pay them off and keep them comfortable for years to come in some place like America. Jordan would become a pauper before he let those two ruin Rose and Madeline’s lives. Why else would they be here? They lived well enough on the continent all of these years. Why return now? The only thing that had changed was that father was dead.
“We haven’t been able to locate them, yet,” Elizabeth answered. “We believe they arrived in Town a few weeks ago. They spent one night at an inn outside of Oxford and told the owner they were going to spend the Season in London. They left no further direction.”
“Have you checked the hotels in Town?” Jordan demanded.
“Yes, but we haven’t located them,” John answered.
“She registered as Lady Bentley at the inn in Oxford,” Elizabeth added.
There was a gasp from Eleanor, the current Lady Bentley, married to Jordan’s oldest brother, Clayton, the Earl of Bentley.
“She hasn’t registered under that name anywhere else, has she?” Madeline demanded from her place on the settee.
“If she had, we would have found her,” John assured his sister.
“What could she mean by using that name?”
John shrugged. “She is entitled to use it. She and Father never divorced, so technically she is the dowager now.”
Clayton stepped forward. “It is simple. She must know we are looking for her, or she wants us to know she has returned.”
“Or, she learned Father died and wanted to come home, not carrying how it affected the rest of us,” Madeline offered. Jordan couldn’t blame his sister for being angry.
Brachton gently squeezed her shoulder and Madeline looked back at her husband. “I don’t care about me,” she explained. “I worry about what will become of Mother when the truth becomes known.”
Silence settled over the room once again, each lost in his or her own thoughts.
“We won’t give up looking,” John insisted.
As much as Jordan wished Adele had not returned, he wasn’t so certain he felt the same about Julia. The girl had been two-years-old when her mother took her away. She was an innocent in all of this and it didn’t seem fair that she should be forced to run and be in hiding for the rest of her life. Jordan assumed her life had not been easy and she was five and twenty now. Perhaps it was time to bring her home. Surely they could come up with a plausible excuse that society would accept.
Besides, he wanted to apologize. It was his fault Adele ran away in the first place.
Audrey stepped into the drawing room, already full with guests invited to Lord and Lady Brachton’s dinner. This was to be a small affair, to help Grace ease into society, as she had never attended the Season before and knew few outside of the family she married into. In truth, Audrey wanted to decline the invitation, fearing Jordan Trent would be present, but she could not abandon her dearest friend.
She glanced around the room and realized everyone present was married. She stifled a groan. This evening just went from uncomfortable to most assuredly unbearable.
“Miss Montgomery, I am so happy you could join us,” Lady Brachton stated as she came forward.
Audrey forced a smile. “It was kind of you to include me.”
“Nonsense,” Lady Brachton insisted. “You and Lady Lydell are Grace’s closest friends. I wouldn’t have dreamed of excluding either of you.”
Audrey glanced around the room looking for Millicent. She stood with her husband but she was watching someone across the room. Audrey turned her head in that direction. It was Jordan Trent. How had she missed him when she first walked in? He was in a back corner in discussion with Lord Ainsely and his wife. Also speaking with Trent was Lord Hearne and his wife. If she recalled correctly, Lord Hearne was the older brother to Lady Ainsely.
“Ainsely and Hearne are friends of my husband,” Lady Brachton explained. “As well as my brother, Mr. Jordan Trent.”
Just hearing his name did queer things to Audrey’s stomach. How would she get through this night and why hadn’t she stayed with Millicent today until she had talked sense into the woman? It was not done to be so fixated by a gentleman that was not your husband in a room full of people when said husband was standing by your side.
“You know my brother John and his wife, Elizabeth,” Lady Brachton pointed to the couple not far away. “With them are Lord Marston and his wife, Louisa. She is Elizabeth’s younger sister.”
Audrey nodded. She knew John and Elizabeth from last fall when they had come to visit Mr. Matthew Trent, before he married Grace. She knew who Marston and his wife were, though they had not met.
On the settee were Matthew and Grace and beside them, the eldest Trent, Lord Bentley and his
wife. Audrey had the honor of meeting them Christmas Eve and had made the acquaintance of Miss Eleanor Westin last spring, before Miss Westin left in the middle of the Season to return to the country.
“Can I get you anythin’, Miss Montgomery?” Lord Brachton asked as he approached.
She was parched and would dearly love a cup of tea but everyone appeared to be drinking wine or brandy. “A glass of wine, please.”
He bowed and strode toward a servant who stood beside a cart that held various liquors and glasses.
Lady Brachton led her across the room to Millicent and Lord Lydell.
“Good evening, Miss Montgomery,” Lord Lydell greeted her. Millicent didn’t even acknowledge her presence, still watching Jordan Trent across the room. Audrey had half a mind to kick her friend in the shin to get her attention.
“Dear,” Lydell said, turning toward his wife.
Millicent jumped as if shocked then rubbed the inner part of her arm. Had Lydell just pinched his wife?
But at least Millicent was now paying attention to her husband, as she should.
“You haven’t greeted your dear friend.”
Millicent looked at Audrey and barely smiled. “Hello, Audrey.”
Audrey stifled a sigh and moved in place to block Millicent’s view of Jordan Trent. It was the least she could do before her friend embarrassed herself further.
Lydell smiled gratefully at Audrey. Audrey knew she needed to speak with her friend once again. This time she would do so away from her home, where she didn’t have to worry about suitors, if that is what one could call gentlemen who visited married ladies, and out of earshot of her husband. Tonight, she would just have to do her best to distract Millicent from throwing herself at Jordan Trent.
Really, what was wrong with Millicent? If Audrey were in her shoes, she would hate Trent with such venom that it would be impossible to be in the same room, yet Millicent apparently still carried a tendre for the rake.
Despite where she stood, Millicent was still trying to see past her shoulder. What would it take to make this woman see sense?
Lord Brachton placed a glass in Audrey’s hand and took up a place next to her. His size in comparison completely blocked the other side of the room. He must have noticed the improper attention Millicent was showing his brother-in-law and, if Brachton noticed, most likely everyone else did as well since the man had been busy being a host since she walked into the room and the others didn’t have the same distractions.
“I understand ye, Lady Lydell and Grace have ken each other since ye were babes.”
Audrey smiled up at the man. “Yes, we have. It is kind of you and your wife to host this dinner for Grace.”
He returned her smile. “Grace is family.” He looked at Lady Lydell. “One should always be most attentive to family before anythin’ else. Doona ye agree, Lady Lydell.”
The woman blinked up at him, as if she were trying to make sense of his words. Surely she understood what he said, but did Millicent take his meaning?
Probably not. She could be thickheaded when faced with innuendo. It was a shame since Audrey feared she may have to just slap Millicent upside the head with a sledgehammer before she would understands that she should cease her pursuit of Jordan Trent.
“Supper is served,” the odd butler announced and the room stirred to follow Lord and Lady Brachton from the room. Audrey held back, not sure how to proceed since each wife took the arm of their husband. This did not bode well. A moment later, Jordan Trent stopped before her and bowed before offering his arm.
Audrey simply looked at him.
“Ravishing,” he uttered.
“You’re ravenous? Then perhaps you should go into supper.”
“I was speaking of you.” The corner of his mouth twitched and that dimple peeked out for but a moment. “You should wear blues more often. It is very becoming.”
Her cheeks began to warm. She would not be susceptible to his charms.
“Of course, I think you could wear sackcloth and still be as beautiful.”
No wonder women fell so easily for him, but she would not be one of them. “That is utterly ridiculous.”
“Perhaps your looking glasses at home are faulty.” He frowned. “I would send you a new one, clear and without blemish, but I believe that would be improper.”
Audrey gasped. “It most certainly would.”
“Then you must simply trust that I find you quite beautiful.” He lifted her hand but instead of placing a kiss on the back as she expected, he turned it over and placed his lips at the pulse in her wrist.
Goodness. Audrey grabbed her hand back so quickly one would have thought she had been burned and perhaps she had. The heat of his mouth still scorched her skin even through the glove. “That was very improper,” she hissed.
“No more improper than kissing you in the garden.”
Her face was now on fire and she glanced about. Everyone else had gone to the dining room and they were alone.
“Are you trying to ruin me?” She hissed. “First you drag me into the garden last night and now you keep me back after the others have left.”
“Of course not,” Trent answered indignantly. “And, I most certainly did not drag you into the garden. You went most willingly.”
Yes, but that was so she could tell him exactly what she thought about him but he kissed her before she could. “I am only being polite because we are in your family’s home.” With that she turned on her heel and marched toward the entrance.
Trent rushed ahead and blocked her exist. “At least allow me to escort you in to supper.” He held out his arm.
She clinched her jaw for a moment and finally placed her arm through his. Her fingers tingled and her body heated from his nearness. Why did she allow him to affect her so and why couldn’t she control her attraction to him? She knew what he was yet his sandalwood scent engulfed her and all she wanted to do was close her eyes and inhale, and lean in a bit closer. But, she would do none of those things. Wanting Jordan Trent led to destruction.
They entered as the ladies were taking their seats. Audrey glanced around. Across from her were John and Elizabeth and next to the couple were Lord Marston and his wife. Audrey was to be seated between Jordan Trent and Mr. Matthew Trent. She glanced up the table and noted Millicent was seated closer to the head of the table and thankfully on the same side as they. Her appetite would have been completely ruined if she would have had to watch Millicent moon over Trent all evening. As it was, having him by her side was going to make eating difficult enough.
Millicent was straining to look down the table and their eyes met. Her friend just gave her the angriest look Audrey had ever seen. It quite chilled her. Goodness. This infatuation has gone too far. It was supper and Audrey had no say as to who she was to sit beside.
Jordan Trent waited until the servant had pulled Audrey’s chair and seated her before taking his own and leaned toward her. “I had hoped we could have the opportunity to become reacquainted,” he whispered.
Audrey fluffed out her napkin and placed it on her lap. “It is not necessary that we become reacquainted.”
He turned fully towards her this time. “I beg to differ. I thought we were becoming close last spring, yet you suddenly wanted nothing to do with me.”
“Nor do I now,” she hissed in a low voice.
“Clearly,” he muttered. “I simply wish to know why.”
Audrey bit her bottom lip to keep her mouth from popping open. Did he really need to ask? He knew what he had done as well as she. Did he not understand the damage he had caused to Millicent? The woman couldn’t even move past it and appreciate the husband she had.
And then it struck her. Jordan Trent had no idea she knew and Audrey would bet all of her pen money that he never planned to tell her. Well, she would give him a piece of her mind. Audrey opened her mouth and then remembered where she was. “Not now and not here.”
Jordan Trent grinned at her. “Does that mean you will actually speak
with me later?”
The dimple at the corner of his mouth was so tantalizing. Oh, why did he have to be so handsome? “I will speak with you once and only once, so you understand why I find you so despicable.”
His grin didn’t falter. “I look forward to our discussion.”
Audrey leaned back so the soup could be placed before her. Audacious man!
Relief washed over Audrey when the ladies were able to retreat from the dining room to leave the gentlemen to their port. It was the longest dinner of her life and if questioned, she would not be able to list any of the foods she had eaten. All she could hope was that she answered the questions directed to her by Mr. Matthew Trent coherently and she was able to carry on a halfway intelligent conversation. Usually this was not a problem for her, but she normally didn’t have Jordan Trent sitting to her right. Goodness that man was a distraction. If he wasn’t exchanging witticisms with his brother across the table, which should never be done at a formal meal, he was pressing his leg against hers beneath the table. The man was far too forward. She would have moved away from him but there was little room at the table. The room was large enough to seat three times the number of people invited, yet the table was lengthened barely enough to allow space for those who were present.
Why was she so attracted to him when she knew he had the power to break her heart? He already had!
It wasn’t fair to blame him for that, of course. He hadn’t made any promises, just danced with her and asked if he could call on her when he returned from the house party he was to attend. Audrey had been foolish enough to believe he may be the one. He was kind and solicitous the few times they met at a ball. After the one dance they shared at each function every other gentleman paled in comparison.
He charmed and laughed but his deep blue eyes often betrayed his mood and Audrey longed to slip past the façade and determine why there was a sadness lingering inside. But she never did learn and now never would. Didn’t society realize that Mr. Jordan Trent wore a mask? Part of her still wanted to rip it away and sooth whatever pain lingered in his heart.
