A Perfect Gentleman(18)
There was something that was simply likable about Mr. Trent, though she didn’t understand it, especially after Audrey had described him in such unflattering terms. She barely knew the man and he was working for her uncle, which she needed to keep in mind. “When are you meeting with Lord Brachton?”
His left eyebrow hitched. “I assume my brother told you of the appointment?”
“Yes. What time will it be?”
He placed his hands behind him and rocked back on his heels, so much like Vicar Trent. His eyes narrowed on her. “Why do you wish to know?”
“I have a vested interest. You will be discussing my father, which also involves my future.”
“There is no need for you to worry, Miss Cooper. Everything will be handled as it should.”
Grace blew out an exasperated breath. “Please, do not condescend to me as if I am some young miss new to society.”
Both of his eyebrows rose in surprise.
“I know what is best for me and my father.”
“Do you?”
She was taken aback by his question. “Of course I do. I am his daughter.”
“You’ve put your life on hold to take care of an invalid. Do you think he really wishes you to do so?”
How dare he assume what her father’s wishes were? “My father is not an invalid and my life is not on hold. It is a full, rewarding life, I will have you know.” Grace fought the urge to stomp her foot to emphasize her point. That would only make her appear childish and convince Mr. Trent that her father was better off being cared for by others.
“You haven’t attended a Season.” He held up one finger. “You don’t leave this small village.” He visibly shuddered when he held up a second finger, as if counting off what was wrong with her life. “You are not married.”
“Perhaps those things are unimportant to me, and I happen to like living here.”
“But it could be better, easier, if someone could take care of you and your father.”
“My uncle, you mean?” She snorted.
“Come, Miss Cooper, would it be so bad to have your needs met so you could enjoy society, be courted, knowing your father was being cared for?”
“But, my father wouldn’t be cared for. He would be locked away like some animal.” She wheeled away from him, too angry to continue this conversation. If Mr. Trent didn’t look so much like Vicar Trent, nobody could convince her they were brothers. Their dispositions were completely opposite. To think only moments ago she thought him likable.
She turned back around. “And, I will have you know, there are three gentlemen who wish to marry me, I simply haven’t decided which I prefer.” With those parting words she turned to stalk off but was brought up short. Ahead of her, on the opposite side of the street was Vicar Trent, with Audrey’s hand tucked on his arm. A knife thrust through her heart. Grace had already anticipated this would happen and expected it, yet it didn’t hurt any less. Gentlemen couldn’t help but be drawn to the beautiful, lively golden-haired woman. Why should a man of the cloth be immune?
Mr. Trent came up from behind. She could feel the warmth of his presence at her side. She turned to look at him. His eyes were focused on Vicar Trent and Audrey, his jaw locked, the bone structure of his face defined. Was Mr. Trent angry with his brother?
She glanced back at the couple. Vicar Trent was smiling down at Audrey who was talking with animation, her free arm moving about as if to explain.
“Unrequited love?”
Was Mr. Trent asking the question of her or himself? The words were so low, she wasn’t sure if she was actually meant to hear them, and she certainly wasn’t going to ask, nor was she prepared to answer.
Mr. Trent took Grace’s hand and placed it on his arm and led her down the walk. Another couple approached. The gentleman looked like he could be related to the Vicar and Mr. Trent. The lady had golden hair with laughing blue eyes. They stopped before her and Mr. Trent quickly made the introductions.
“I thought you were leaving for Danby Castle?” Mr. Trent asked his brother.
“We are going to stay on a bit longer. I received a message that the person I seek in Scotland may have moved on.”
Mr. Trent’s eyebrows rose for a moment and he stiffened, as if alarmed, but nodded as if he understood. Grace didn’t but she also wasn’t interested. There was too much on her mind and too many worries to be concerned with the travels of a virtual stranger. Though she was curious as to why they would be visiting Danby Castle. She had never met the duke herself, but heard plenty of stories. Her father had visited His Grace on a few occasions when he accompanied Lord Crew, but that had been before the accident.
What she was certain of, the Duke of Danby did not like her uncle, Lord Stillwaite, and had overheard a few of the choice words the duke had for her uncle when father was talking with Lord Crew one day. If the couple before her had connections with the duke, would she be able to use it to her advantage?
The thought of approaching the Duke of Danby made her about as ill as she was worrying about the outcome of the upcoming hearing. But, she would do everything in her power to protect her father.
Matthew found himself accompanying Miss Audrey Montgomery down the walk in the village, not quite certain how it had come about. He had stopped in at the bakery to purchase a biscuit, craving a sweet, to find Mrs. Montgomery and her daughter. Before he knew what was happening, the mother had practically pushed them out the door with assurances that she would catch up to them shortly and would Matthew be kind enough to escort Miss Montgomery to the lending library. It wasn’t a great hardship to have the delightful young woman on his arm, but he didn’t want Mrs. Montgomery to get any foolish ideas. As lovely as Miss Montgomery was, he felt no pull to court her. Still she was an entertaining companion but he foresaw no relationship in the future other than friendship and would discourage Mrs. Montgomery’s plans, if she were thinking matrimony, as so many ladies with marriageable daughters do.
He glanced across the street and stopped. What was Jordan doing with Miss Cooper? The two were walking on the opposite side of the street, appearing friendlier than the two should be with her arm linked in his. A moment later they stopped to speak with John and Elizabeth. This was an interesting turn of events. Surely Miss Cooper understood she should not be socializing with Jordan. His brother worked for Stillwaite, and wished to commit Mr. Cooper to Bedlam.
Had Miss Cooper decided to plead her case directly to Jordan? Was he charming her, as Jordan always did, to convince her that his client knew better than she?
No, Miss Cooper would not give in where her father was concerned, even if Jordan turned the full extent of his charm on her.
But what of her heart? Matthew had yet to meet a woman who was immune to Jordan. What if she fell in love with him? Worse, what if Jordan wanted Miss Cooper? He could certainly afford to take care of her and her father, and Mr. Cooper could even remain in his home. As Jordan had no estate of his own, he could marry Miss Cooper and move here. Then Matthew would have to look at their happy faces each Sunday morning, and probably visit them occasionally for dinner.
His chest tightened around his heart. Many times he had been jealous of Jordan in the past, but never like this.
“What is he doing with Grace?” Miss Montgomery practically hissed.
Matthew had forgotten the young lady was even beside him.
“My brother?”
She sucked in a breath and looked up at Matt. “I am sorry. I should not have been rude. He is your brother after all.”
Matthew chuckled. “How did Jordan offend you?”
A blush stained her cheeks. “Not me, actually, but a friend of mine in London this past spring.”
“I am well aware of my brother’s reputation.” Matthew smiled down at her. “What did he do?”
The color grew darker. “I cannot say, but I assure you, Mr. Trent has a lot to answer for.”
What had Jordan done this time? Broken the heart of a young miss? Did he take advantage of an innocent? No, Jordan usually avoided the innocent ones as if they were afflicted with the plague. It must be a broken heart, one of the hundreds littering the path Jordan had traveled. “Have you confronted him?”
She huffed and stiffened. “I refuse to speak to him. I haven’t spoken with him since I learned what he did and what he is like, nor do I ever intend on speaking with that rogue ever again.”
Matthew was even more curious than before. Regardless, even if he had been drawn to Miss Montgomery, her strong feelings where Jordan was concerned made it impossible to pursue her. Never would he allow a lady to come between him and his brothers.
“Why is he here anyway?” She gasped. “I am sorry. You are brothers and I assume he is visiting you.”
“He is here with Lord Stillwaite.” Jordan probably wouldn’t have visited, or left the liveliness of London for a simple visit with him.
Miss Montgomery’s eyes grew wide and she blinked up at him, hints of her earlier blush long gone. “Mr. Cooper’s brother? I can’t imagine why unless Mr. Trent has evidence to help commit Mr. Cooper.”
Ah, so Miss Montgomery was aware of the situation but not Jordan’s role.
She bit her bottom lip and looked back over at Grace. “Lord Stillwaite and Mr. Cooper have never been close. Their relationship bordered on hostile at times.”