by Jane Charles
The man looked over his shoulder before calling for Mrs. Plight. Grace knew her. The woman attended church and exchanged pleasantries each Sunday.
Mrs. Plight came through a door and stopped when her eyes landed on Grace. “Miss Cooper, my heavens, what are you doing here?”
“I need to see Lord Brachton.”
“Oh dear,” she looked beyond Grace. “Where is your chaperone? It is unseemly coming here unaccompanied.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. Hadn’t she just given herself the same lecture? But to have someone else censure her, and a servant in the marquess’ household was a bit embarrassing. Yet, it couldn’t be helped. Grace straightened to appeal to the woman. “I know, but there are mitigating circumstances. I must speak for my father.”
A sad smile came to Mrs. Plight’s lips, one Grace was so used to seeing from almost everyone in the community and it only strengthened her resolve. “My uncle would have him institutionalized.”
The woman took a step back. “Well, I don’t believe that is necessary. I’ve heard those places aren’t fit for animals.”
Grace sighed with relief. At least not everyone wanted to commit her father and if the housekeeper had his lordship’s ear, there may be help for them yet. “I must be in the meeting so I can convince Lord Brachton not to send my father away.”
“It would not be proper, Miss Cooper.”
“That is what I was trying to tell her.” The butler sniffed. “She should not even be here.”
“Oh, hush, Willard. She isn’t like those other so-called ladies that show up on Lord Brachton’s door in London. Those ladies are looking to be compromised in hopes of a forced marriage or just want an evening of his attention.”
Grace’s face burned at what Mrs. Plight was inferring. Would the people in her town think that as well when they learned she arrived here alone?
“Miss Cooper has no intention of marriage and it wouldn’t even occur to her to try any of the tricks we’ve so often witnessed.”
It was pleasing that Mrs. Plight thought so well of her, but it wasn’t that she had no intention of marriage. She simply lacked a candidate worth marrying.
A tall man, not above the age of thirty, stepped out from a room further down the hall. He was handsome indeed with his blond hair, high cheekbones and full lips. If this was Brachton, no wonder silly females threw themselves at him and Grace was surprised Mrs. Montgomery wasn’t already here presenting Audrey to the gentleman. With such a fine catch in the area no doubt Audrey’s mother would set Vicar Trent aside and reach for a higher and wealthier connection for her daughter.
“What the devil is going on here?” the man barked as he came toward them. Though he spoke with perfect English, there was a hint of Scottish accent.
All civil thoughts for the Marquess of Brachton disappeared with the tone of his voice. He practically sneered at her. Had he learned that from his butler or had he taught the butler? “I tried to make her leave, Lord Brachton,” the butler informed him in an icy tone, still staring down his nose at Grace, ending with a sniff of disgust.
Mrs. Plight wasn’t nearly as intimidated as Grace. “She has every right to be here.”
Lord Brachton raised an eyebrow. “Is she seeking work, or have another purpose?”
The housekeeper blew out a breath. “This is Miss Grace Cooper, the daughter of the man who is currently the topic of discussion in the library. Along with his fate hers will be determined.”
His face softened and he slowly nodded his head. “I see.”
“If I might speak for my father?” she began.
The man smiled down at her, his eyes hooded. She knew that look of condescension very well and would not stand for it and spoke before he did. “I have every right to be present.”
“You don’t trust that your uncle can speak with regard to the best interest of the family. He is older and wiser.”
Grace stiffened. “I do not and he is the last person I would wish to speak on behalf of my father and myself.”
That eyebrow rose again, as did the side of his mouth as if he found humor in her statement. “Very well, then. Please join us.”
Lord Brachton stepped back and gestured for her to precede him down the hall. She walked until she came to the room he had exited and entered. Sitting around the room was her uncle, Mr. Trent and Vicar Trent. Her uncle came to his feet immediately. “What is the meaning of this?”
Lord Brachton followed her into the room. The brothers stood as well to show difference to the fact that she was a female standing and they were gentlemen. Grace was fairly certain that fact never occurred to her uncle when she entered the room.
“I’ve asked Miss Cooper to join us.”
“She is a young woman, of delicate sensibilities, who can only look at a matter through emotion. My niece is too young to see the seriousness of the situation.”
Thank goodness she had arrived when she did. Who knew what her uncle had been saying against her or her father before she arrive.
Uncle Henry looked past her as if he waited for someone before focusing his attention on Grace. “You did not arrive here alone did you?”
“As a matter of fact I did.”
He turned toward Lord Brachton. “This is the exact reason she needs a guardian. Not only does she not have the good sense not to call at a bachelor household alone, but the other night she rode in a carriage, without a maid mind you, with those two.” He jabbed a finger toward Vicar Trent and his brother. “Someone needs to protect her before her reputation is destroyed.”
A slight smile formed on Lord Brachton’s lips. “Is this true, Miss Cooper?”
Heat flooded her cheeks once again. “Yes, Lord Brachton, but in each circumstance, the actions were necessary.”
“You see,” Uncle Henry interrupted. “She doesn’t have the maturity to understand she could be ruined.”
His Lordship seemed to ignore Lord Stillwaite and remained focused on Grace, making her a bit uncomfortable. “Did you not see the danger in being alone with two gentlemen, with whom you are barely acquainted I assume, in what was probably a closed conveyance.”
Grace drew her brows together. What was he inferring? “Of course not.”
“And why is that?” He still had that slight smile on his lips. What did he find amusing?
“I was with Vicar Trent. If a lady can’t be alone with her minister than a lady cannot be alone with anyone.”
“He is also an unattached man.”
“A minister,” she pointed out.
“Harmless?” His smile grew wider. Grace glanced to Vicar Trent, his face bright. Was he angry? Had she said something wrong? Surely Lord Brachton didn’t infer Vicar Trent would make advances on her person. It was she who was fanciful. Not Vicar Trent, who would no more think about kissing and holding her than he would do so with a cow.
“Yet, you were with two gentlemen, not one.”
“Mr. Trent?” She glanced at Vicar Trent’s brother, who had a hand across his mouth, his shoulders shook slightly. Was he laughing at her?
“He does not have the title of Vicar attached to him,” Lord Brachton reminded her.
“I don’t see why that should make a difference. I am sure he is just as much as a gentleman as his brother.”
This time Lord Brachton openly laughed. “Such innocence warms my heart,” he said after a moment. “But it does make me realize I must give serious consideration to your uncle’s request of guardianship.”
Grace couldn’t believe she heard him correctly. “Because I came here alone and rode in a carriage with two gentlemen?” She took a step in his direction, anger rising. “I assure you that in both cases I acted on my father’s behalf. I did not put myself in a dangerous position, nor did I use poor judgment. If I thought either of those gentlemen,” she gestured back toward Vicar and Mr. Trent, “were dangerous, I would have never allowed myself to be alone with them.” She took more steps in his direction. “And furthermore, if a parishioner must worry abo
ut being alone with her minister, then perhaps the minister should give careful consideration as to whether he is worthy to be God’s servant.”
With each word and each time she came closer, Lord Brachton took a step back. He should fear her. Never had she been so angry in her life. “If a lady must fear her reputation each time she speaks with a gentleman then perhaps gentlemen should start behaving as such and then no one need worry about anyone’s reputation.”
Lord Brachton stopped backing up and crossed his arms over his chest. “Most gentlemen are just that. However, some are not, yet one cannot tell the difference by looking at them. And, you still do not have anyone to protect you.”
Grace whirled away from the man. She wasn’t getting anywhere. Because she was a female, the age of twenty, everyone would assume she needed someone to take care of her. It aggravated her to no end. She took a moment to calm herself before she spoke hastily again and made matters worse. After a second she turned around, smiled sweetly and lowered her voice. “I can assure you, Lord Brachton that I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and my father. I do not need a guardian, or a husband.”
That brow hitched again. “Yet there are three offers you have not accepted or declined.”
Actually, she declined all three, but doubted they would accept her decisions if she voiced it a thousand times, but how did he know?
“Misters Drake, Richards and Thorn came by earlier today to appeal to me to grant guardianship to your uncle so that they would be free to appeal to him to make the best decision for you.”
Grace balled her hands into fists. How dare they? If this was the underhanded actions she could expect then she didn’t want any of them.
“I can assure you, I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions and I have no intentions of marrying any of those gentlemen now or ever.”
A lazy smile came to his lips. “You don’t know how happy I am to learn this.”
Grace stared at him. Why would he say such a thing? He barely knew her, yet had the power to change her life. Did he find fault with Richards, Thorn or Draker and knew they would be a poor match?
“My niece marrying at the moment is not at issue,” Uncle Henry interrupted. “Whether my brother needs a guardian and Grace as well, is. I demand you make a decision.”
She turned on her uncle. “I thought you were going to appeal for a hearing on the matter, not a decision.”
He sputtered for a moment. “As you are here, there is no need to wait. I’ve told you the condition my brother remains in that should be enough.”
Matthew knew he would never hear the end of this from Jordan. Miss Cooper thought him harmless. If Miss Cooper had any idea how many times he wished to kiss her, hold her, do much more, she wouldn’t chance a private encounter again. But, he had remained the perfect gentleman and would continue to do so. Now was not the time to break her trust by making unwelcome advances. Besides, Matthew wasn’t even sure if he wished her to be a more permanent fixture in his life. Just because he lusted after her did not mean they were a good match as husband and wife.
However, he would be damned if he stood by while the likes of Brachton swept her off her feet. He recognized the appreciative gleam in the man’s brown eyes all too well. He admired Miss Cooper and wanted her. Or, at least she held his attention. It was probably a novelty for Brachton who was used to women using every means at their disposal to win his favor while Miss Cooper practically yelled at him as if she didn’t even consider the possibility that if she won his heart and possibly a proposal all of her problems would be solved.
He would need to keep an eye on the situation. As novel as Miss Cooper may seem to Brachton at the moment, he would soon tire of her, as he did so many women, leaving a broken heart when he moved on. Brachton and Jordan were so much alike they could be twins. No wonder the two were good friends.
But, how could he keep Miss Cooper from falling for Brachton, if the man wished to turn his charm on her? Brachton had a title, wealth, estate and the means to take care of her father. Matthew had wealth, though nobody knew it, and he was a vicar with no hopes of ever gaining a title of his own. Not that he wished that of course, but it was one of those things most ladies seemed to covet.
Brachton dismissed Lord Stillwaite and looked to Matt. “Does the father need a keeper?”
“No.”
Miss Cooper’s shoulders relaxed. Had she been afraid of his answer?
“Of course he does,” Lord Stillwaite sputtered. “He can’t even talk, or walk, think for himself. He is an imbecile who has lost his mind.”
Miss Cooper stiffened again and color rose to her lovely cheeks. Matthew took a step forward, quick to intercede before she began yelling again. “Clearly you have not spent any real time communicating with your brother or you would know he possesses all of his faculties.”
“Bah.” Lord Stillwaite dismissed him with a hand and turned toward Brachton. “I’ve been with him long enough to know he should be placed in a safe environment where he can be properly taken care of.”
“Bedlam is a safe environment?” Miss Cooper screeched.
“You have proof Mr. Cooper possesses all of his mental faculties,” Brachton questioned Matt.
“Yes,” Matthew answered. “And if you would spend but five minutes with him, you would be convinced as well.”
Brachton brought his hand up and rubbed his chin as if considering the possibility.
Stillwaite turned from the window. “I’ve spent more than five minutes in his company and can assure you, my brother does not have the mental capacity to carry on a conversation.”
Matthew smiled at Stillwaite and focused his attention back on Brachton. “I agree. Mr. Cooper cannot talk. But, he can respond with gestures, facial expression, and when necessary, write what he wishes to say.”
“Bah,” Stillwaite said again and turned away.
“Very well.” Brachton straightened and dropped his hand to his side before turning to Miss Cooper. “If you could have your father here tomorrow at three, I will decide for myself.”
“That is not possible.”
Brachton pulled back. “Why is that?”
“He cannot walk the distance and the injury to the right side of his body makes it impossible for him to climb in and out of a carriage,” Matthew answered for her.
Brachton nodded. “I will call on you tomorrow, if that is convenient.”
Miss Cooper sighed and her body finally relaxed. “I look forward to your visit.”
“This is ridiculous.” Lord Stillwaite railed at them, turning from the window. “Since when is the word of a gentleman, brother to the person in question, not enough?”
“Since I am the one making the decisions and there are differing views,” Brachton retorted calmly.
“You’ll see. It is a waste of your time, but you will see for yourself.” With that he quit the room, his heavy footsteps pounding down the hall.
“Well, he is a rather unpleasant fellow,” Brachton acknowledged to the room with a chuckle.
“Thank you for agreeing to at least meet with my father.”
Brachton smiled down at Miss Cooper in a way that tightened Matt’s gut. Was he suffering from jealousy? Yes, he was, but what was he to do about it? If Brachton wanted Miss Cooper, how could he change her mind? He wasn’t ready to declare himself and not sure if he ever would be.
“It is my pleasure, Miss Grace.” His words were as smooth as silk and Matthew rarely hated anyone, and he was certain he didn’t hate Brachton, but he certainly didn’t care for the gentleman at that moment.
“Now that we have dealt with such an unpleasant matter, would you care to take a turn with me in the garden?”
Matthew practically held his breath waiting for her answer. In her vulnerable state, Miss Cooper was likely to fall for the rake and then where would that leave her? Was Brachton’s character so low that he would use his position to gain favor from her with the promise of protecting her father?
&nb
sp; No, he shouldn’t think so ill of the man. Even though he and Jordan had horrible reputations, that didn’t mean he would take advantage of her situation. And as far as he knew, neither man spent above a moment with innocent misses for fear of being leg-shackled. This could only mean Brachton was developing a real interest in Miss Cooper. He must do everything in his power to thwart the man.
Miss Cooper smiled kindly up at Brachton. “Thank you but I must decline. I should return home to my father. I have been gone too long.”
The man frowned. “He is alone?”
“No,” she was quick to assure him. “His valet and our housekeeper are both with him.”
Brachton smiled and nodded. “Your uncle didn’t tell me you had help in the household. He made it sound as if you were all alone in the house.”
“I am sure my uncle omitted many things,” she returned before walking to the door. “I will see you tomorrow.”
“Wait, Miss Cooper.” Jordan hurried toward her. “My carriage is right out front. Might I offer you a ride?”
“That is very kind, but I’ve already skirted the boundaries of propriety and don’t want to add any more potential gossip.”
The stern butler stepped into the room and sniffed. “Mrs. Montgomery and her daughter, Miss Audrey Montgomery, have come to call, Lord Brachton.”
Brachton sighed and rolled his eyes. “And how old is Miss Audrey.”
“Twenty,” Miss Cooper answered. “She is a dear friend of mine and I am certain her mother probably dragged her here. Please keep that in mind when meeting her.”
Brachton barked out laughter. “Show them into the green salon.”
The butler offered a quick nod and exited the room.
“Please join us for tea, Miss Cooper, and Mr. Trent and Jordan of course.”
“Thank you, but I really do need to return home.”
Matthew followed. “I will walk with Miss Cooper.”
Brachton turned to Jordan and raised an eyebrow.
Jordan looked between his brother and Brachton. “You don’t remember meeting Miss Montgomery in London?” Jordan questioned his friend.
