Word was that Jake was a man with a strong sexual appetite, so she could just sneak in his room and throw herself at him. There was no doubt in her mind that he would take the bait. After all, he would not be the first man to do it. She was not ashamed. She knew men like the Duke would appreciate the fact that she had experience in carnal delight. She was not a virgin and she liked to think herself adventurous in the bedroom. Jake had kissed her a couple times. Granted it had been years ago and right out of the schoolroom, but she still remembered how it felt being kissed by him. Her stomach fluttered just thinking about those kisses, and other things she would love doing with him. She shivered with her naughty thoughts. She could not keep the anticipation up much longer. She wanted him and she deserved him. Mother was wrong when she said he gave no indication that he was considering offering for her.
Sarah went downstairs to say goodnight to her father. She went past the new footman her mother had just hired. He was a handsome man, older than she was, and he had been giving her sly looks most of the day. She was flattered that he was interested. Well, she could use some practice before the weekend. Why not him? He was just what she needed to keep her mind off Jake. She went up to him and offered a silent invitation. As she knew he would, he jumped at the chance. An hour later, he came to her room and she locked her door.
Chapter Six
Jake arrived before his brother and he went to find where his mother was. He wanted to familiarize himself with the guest list. Who was sleeping where and what activities were planned. He wanted to organize some alone time with Sarah and her parents, not that he already had decided on Miss Fairchild, which he had not. He had to keep reminding himself of the fact.
“There you are mother,” he said, as he bent slightly and kissed his mother’s cheek after finding her in his study.
“You beat your brother,” She said.
“I knew I would. I have responsibilities, which I need to see to before the guest get here,” he said distastefully. It annoyed him that his brother did not take his own duties seriously.
“Your brother has his own responsibilities too, dear,” she chided gently.
“Yes, well, you should leave us be and forget about this bloody party,” he snapped. He did not mean to, it was just that he was already feeling the rope tighten around his throat.
“Jake Trent! I do not care a whit if you are the Duke. You will not speak to your mother like that again,” she reprimanded.
“You’re right mother, my apologies,” Jake felt contrite. He knew he was on edge when he spoke to his mother in such a manner.
“Jake?” Katherine hesitated.
“What is it, Mother?” Jake looked at his mother’s face. She looked worn and tired.
“There is something you ought to know,” she said softly. Jake frowned.
“And that would be?” He watched as she wrung her hands together and avoided his gaze. He knew whatever was coming; it would not be to his liking.
“I invited Lady Ana to come here for the weekend. In fact, she will be part of our party. I have already spoken to her and she is coming. Of that, I’m certain,” she was speaking so quickly that Jake had to decipher what she was telling him. She looked at Jake and watched as his features and stance hardened.
“Congratulations, thanks to that invitation you have just made my weekend an utter hell,” he said through clenched teeth. “May I ask why you felt the need to include her?” He asked after getting his voice under control and remembering that this was his mother to whom he was speaking.
“I thought that perhaps the two of you might be able to work things out,” she answered.
“Mother, if I really wanted to work things out, I would have gone after her two years ago. I do not care about her. I thought you didn’t care for her either,” Jake said. He ran his fingers through his hair. “I do appreciate you telling me before the guests arrive so I can make certain to avoid her somehow,” he said, before she got the chance to reply. He fully knew that he would have a devil of time staying away from Ana.
“I thought I was doing you a favor.” She looked at him with a hopeful expression.
What was his mother thinking? Sarah was going to throw a fit, he could see it now, especially when he already assured her that Ana would not be here. Why had Ana even accepted the invitation? What game was she playing now? He went over and picked up the accepted invitations. She wasn’t even on the list his mother had written out for him. He decided he had better look over the list to see if there were any more surprises and he was studying it, when his mother told him the rest.
“She will be here later tonight, Jake. The invitation I sent her was a little different from the others,” Katherine shrank back from her son’s angry gaze.
“I will just avoid her another day. Miss Fairchild will be arriving in the morning. It shouldn’t be too hard to ignore her for a few hours,” Jake said as he straightened.
He was in turmoil. He was mad, hurt and having every other emotion a man is not supposed to feel rushing up to the surface. He hated feeling those things of vulnerability. It wasn’t in his nature. He prided himself on his cool and detached demeanor, but it was quickly being thrown out the window. Ana was and still is the only woman he knew that could make him feel like that. She was like a disease living under his skin. He wanted to run as far and as fast as he could to get away from her. Only he had run out of places to go.
He sighed. It would only be for a few days. Ana had not wanted him for two years; so why would she want him now. The possibility of her bothering him and getting in his way was slim. The thought brought his spirits back up.
Jake left his mother to finish her lists and he made himself at home in the library. Shortly after that, Jordan walked into the room.
“It appears that you might not be the most gracious of hosts for our guest.” Jordan smiled broadly, letting on to the fact he already knew his mother's games.
“Don’t remind me, I will readily admit I am avoiding our so called guest the moment she arrives,” Jake said grimly. Jordan laughed at his expression and it annoyed him. What else was he supposed to do? “Did you just arrive? “ Jake asked him.
“Wild horses could not keep me from this party. I wouldn’t miss this for the all world. I do believe this will be an eventful party after all," Jordan chuckled, clearly amused at Jake’s discomfort.
Jake began concentrating on the work in front of him. The guest list was more extensive than he thought it would have been. He noticed Viscount Langley was on the list. His fists clenched the paper in an unknown emotion.
“What is the Viscount's relationship with Ana?" He gave Jordan a sharp look when he did not answer right away.
"I honestly don't know. I believe they have been tip-toeing around the issue of marriage for a while now," Jordan finally answered.
Was the Viscount blind? His jealous side screamed to keep the man away from her. He blanched at what he was thinking. Like he cared. Of course, he cared and it pissed him off even more. No, he was over her. It did not matter what his family thought. He knew he was over her and by god; he was going to show everyone that Ana was just like any other female he was acquainted with. She was no different. He had to remain firm on it, because he could not go through what he had gone through again. It was just not going to happen. He was determined to see that it didn’t.
They arrived late in the evening. It took much longer than she originally thought. It was a long haul from London to the Ashbury Estate. Ana was nervous. As the carriage pulled up, the footman stepped up and offered her a hand down. Eliza followed. Ana gazed around her and was glad to see that the estate had not changed. It was as glorious as ever.
“You’ve made it. I was wondering if you had changed your mind,” Lady Katherine said as she came out to greet them personally. “My sons are already here. And the two of you are the first to arrive,” She said brightly. Ana looked around and confirmed that when she saw virtually no activity going on.
“We are the first
? Being this late, I thought we would have been the last,” Ana questioned her as she looked at her host’s stressed face. In Ana’s mind, everything suddenly clicked.
“You planned this, didn’t you?” Ana accused harshly. “You wanted me to arrive earlier than your other guests. Are any other guests actually expected?” She bit out. Ana was trying to wrap her mind around the deceit that was flying around her. Ana studied Eliza’s face, and it was apparent that she had helped Jake’s mother in this ruse. It was no wonder she had rushed out of her home before Ana could even step inside.
“My dear, I am so sorry, but I didn’t see any other way to get you and my son together,” Katherine paled.
“I told you, I don’t want anything to do with your son. How could you do this to me?” Ana pleaded, not caring how she sounded.
“Well, I’m glad I don’t have to wonder at your motives Ana,” a man’s voice said. Ana was startled to see Jake walking toward them with Jordan following on his heels.
“This is a misunderstanding and a huge mistake. I will leave in the morning,” Ana said angrily.
“Ana, love, what a temper you have. I don’t believe I have kicked you out of my home just yet,” Jake drawled.
“I don’t care whether you have or not. I’m still leaving,” Ana retorted.
“You will stay. My mother took the time to invite you, although god knows why, and you will be kind enough to not let you snobbish ways get the best of you in her presence,” Jake growled.
“How dare you speak to me like that? Who the hell do you think you are?” She snapped.
“Please stop fighting. It’s cold, I’m hungry and tired, so could we take this inside please?” Eliza interrupted the intense argument. Everyone stopped and stared at each other. The tension was mounting around them. Lady Katherine was the first to start walking inside. Ana glared at Jake and fell in step behind Eliza, and followed everyone into the house. Jordan led them inside the first room off the foyer, which was the drawing room.
“Hello Ana, it has been such a long time,” Jordan said as he kissed her cheek in a belated greeting.
“It is a gorgeous home, your Grace,” Ana directed the comment toward Lady Katherine, trying in vain to ease the tension.
“It should be. Nothing has changed since the last time you were in my home,” Jake interrupted offhandedly.
“I’ll have some refreshments brought into the library. There is a nice fire blazing in there. I’ll meet all of you there in a few moments,” Lady Katherine escaped before anyone could say anything.
Everyone moved slowly to the library. The silence and tension radiated in the room. Jake kept watching Ana intensely, probably wishing she would turn tail and run. She fidgeted under his stares.
“Well, this is certainly a surprise,” Eliza said with false cheer.
"It's a nice surprise for me at least,” Jordan answered, happily enjoying the situation. Anyone could see the fury Jake was keeping in check.
Lady Katherine stepped back into the room with a false sunny smile followed by a servant bearing a tray of sliced cheese and crackers.
“I’ve had a long trip, so I think I will retire to my room, if I may?” Ana asked politely, ignoring her rumbling stomach at the sight of food. She just needed to get out of the room, needed time to recollect herself.
“I would just love to take you up, common courtesy, after all,” Jake sneered. “Mother, in which room is our guest of honor staying?” He asked, never taking his eyes off her.
“She…uh... You know, Jake. I think I will take her up,” Lady Katherine stammered, already walking towards the door.
“Which room, Mother?” Jake demanded, not letting anyone else do the honors.
“She has the room across the hall from yours, I believe,” Katherine said, refusing to meet Jake in the eyes.
“Did I hear you correctly? Did you just say she is across the hall from me? My room, the one in the family wing of the house?” Jake asked through gritted teeth. No one moved or said anything, aware of Jake’s jerky movements. “Get up,” Jake snapped at Ana.
She realized she stayed still a moment too long when Jake came over, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her forward. Ana allowed Jake to lead her upstairs. All the way there, she kept asking herself, why would his mother do this to them?
Being bystanders in the room, they watched the drama unfold before them, not wanting to intervene. Eliza started to speak up, but Jordan stopped her before she could say anything. She gave him a questioning look.
“We can’t just let them go off alone,” she said after the two left.
“He’s not going to hurt her,” Jordan assured her.
“I’ll go up and check on them,” Lady Katherine reassured them.
She left the room to check on her son and Ana. Eliza was left alone with Jordan in the library.
“What do you think about all of this?” He asked her. Eliza was thinking many things and none of them were good.
“I think maybe we should return to London,” she said honestly.
“After coming all this way, you are going to turn and run?” He scoffed.
“Whatever you and your mother are trying to accomplish, isn’t going to work,” she said.
Even Eliza knew a Duke could never marry a woman with her background. It was scandalous and the Trent family avoided scandal like the plaque. Eliza paced around the room, aware of Jordan following every movement.
“Why do you shy away from social events, Eliza?” Jordan asked. Eliza stopped pacing and stared at him.
“What are you talking about, I go out all the time, and I’m exhausted from it,” she said, curious as to why he was asking.
Jordan shook his head, "I never see you."
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not allowed in the brothels and clubs you attend, which is why you don’t see me,” she said smartly.
Jordan threw his head back and burst out laughing. “Is that where you think I hang out these days, my dear?”
Eliza did not really know, but it was a good guess, since she never saw him in polite society.
Eliza knew Jordan found her attractive. Since they first met four years ago, he had made it known. He was a rake and most mothers kept their daughters away from him. Eliza felt like prey being hunted by its predator and she was growing increasingly uncomfortable.
“Your mother has been gone for a while. I am going to go up there myself,” she said as he started walking toward her. As she fled, she could feel Jordan's amusement. Eliza breathed a sigh of relief at being out of the room. Although, she did not know why, Jordan unsettled her for some reason.
Continuing down the hall, she tried to discern which way to go. The house was big enough to get lost in, but she was not in a hurry. Lady Katherine left some five minutes ago, and she would be sorting things out, at least she hoped so. She wished Jake and Ana would sort things out. Anyone could see the two belonged together. She could not wait for the Viscount to come. Ana would have her hands full. It seemed as if it would be a long weekend. She sighed as she made her way upstairs. Instead of turning right, she turned left and went into the family wing; at least she hoped it was the family wing. She passed by the first couple of doors, before she saw Lady Katherine. She smiled to herself as she walked up on the eavesdropping woman.
“Are you hearing anything interesting?” She whispered in Lady Katherine’s ear. The woman squeaked as she jumped in fright. Eliza put a finger over her mouth in a shushing gesture for her to remain quiet. They both leaned into the door hoping to catch pieces of what was going on the other side of the door. After several minutes of quietness, they both straightened.
“We had better intervene, if we want the honeymoon to come after the wedding, not before,” Lady Katherine said. She knocked on the door several times. After what seemed like forever, the door creaked open. Eliza stayed in the background, letting her handle her son. After a quick exchange and the door closing, “I think we stopped anything that was going to happen,”
Lady Katherine said.
Eliza noted wryly that the Duchess looked a little too disappointed by that news. Lady Katherine announced she was going to bed and advised Eliza to do the same. To her surprise, she opened up the door next to Ana’s room. “I put you here. I thought you wouldn’t mind,” Eliza was glad, since she knew Ana would need her support. After Lady Katherine said good night and left for her own room, Eliza waited for Jake to exit Ana's room. When he did not, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
What was his mother thinking? He was seriously debating about going back to London and saying to hell with the house party. He knew the moment he saw her. He threw open her door and tossed her inside. He stepped in the room and slammed the door behind him. Jake faced her and crossed his arms.
“What the hell was that about, Jake? You are manhandling your women these days?” She scoffed as she faced him.
"What do I have to do to get you to leave?” Jake asked. Without waiting for a reply, he backed her up against the wall and invaded her mouth with his tongue. This was her punishment. Jake slid his hands over her breasts and squeezed lightly. Ana moaned and could not stop from running her fingers through his thick hair, urging him closer. Jake groaned and kissed her more roughly. Jake grabbed her at the waist and pushed himself into her heated core. She could feel the rigid length of him against her. Ana sighed and Jake lost all reason.
Without breaking contact, he led them over onto the bed. As Jake lowered them onto it, he was undoing her buttons in a frenzy and slipping his hands into her bodice. “God help me, Ana, I want you,” he said huskily. Jake was overwhelmed with desire. He could not get enough of her. Somewhere in his pleasured state of mind, he heard the knocking. It still took several moments for it to occur to him that someone was at the door. Jake stilled their movement.
The Duke's Love Page 6
