“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.
Brachton frowned for a moment, as if in thought and then his eyebrows rose in alarm. “Do you care to use a back door?”
Jordan chuckled. “I am sure they are seated already. I will exit by the front door.”
Unfortunately, mother and daughter were still in the entry when the group left the library. Mrs. Montgomery frowned at Miss Cooper before she brightened upon seeing Jordan, himself and Brachton.
“What a pleasant surprise,” she gushed.
Miss Montgomery looked to Jordan and the pleasant smile fell from her lips and she moved so as to put him out of her line of vision. This young woman had just given him the cut direct yet it didn’t appear as if anyone noticed, except perhaps Jordan. His brother’s frown deepened and hands balled into fists at his side.
Instead of bringing attention to the tense situation, especially after having just been involved in one in Brachton’s library, Matthew did the honors of introducing the mother and daughter to Brachton.
The woman narrowed her eyes on Miss Cooper. “What brings you here?”
Miss Cooper bristled but politely replied. “I was in discussion with Lord Brachton regarding my uncle’s desire to become the guardian of my father and myself.”
“Thank goodness,” the woman announced. “I’ve long believed you need someone to watch over you and your father is better off in the care of someone else.”
Miss Cooper stiffened.
“Mother,” Miss Montgomery warned in a low tone. “You know very well Grace and her father get on very well together.”
Mrs. Montgomery shot her daughter an irritated look. “What do you know? You are a child yourself.”
Before the two could argue further, Matthew extended his hand. “Thank you for the audience.”
Brachton nodded to the three of them before following his guests into the parlor. That was one tea Matthew was happy to forego.
“I really wish you would allow me to give you a lift back home, Miss Cooper,” Jordan insisted once they were in the drive. If Miss Cooper accepted, Matthew was going along. There was no way in hell he was going to allow Jordan to be alone with Miss Cooper. It didn’t matter that Jordan hadn’t invited him.
“I thank you for your kind offer, but apparently my reputation is already in question and I don’t wish to add to the speculation.”
“Allow me to walk with you,” Matthew found himself saying.
“That is very kind, but I do not wish to trouble you either.”
“We shall both walk with you,” Jordan insisted.
Matthew glared at him above Miss Cooper’s head. What was his brother about? Did he have designs on her as well? Would he have to compete with Jordan and Brachton for her attention, along with Draker, Thorn and Richards? Did he wish to?
Yes, the voice resounded in his head.
“That won’t be necessary Jordan. I can see Miss Cooper home?”
“I don’t mind at all.” He gestured to Matt’s horse tied to a post. “Besides, you brought your horse. You can’t leave it here.”
“I will take her by the reins and she can walk behind us.”
Jordan crossed his arms over his chest. “That would look rather odd now wouldn’t it?”
“And what did you propose to do with your carriage if you walked with Miss Cooper?” Matthew countered and crossed his arms as well.
“I am perfectly capable of walking on my own. I do so every day, but I thank you for your concern.” Miss Cooper turned on her heel and called over her shoulder. “Good day, gentlemen.”
Matthew hastened to untie his horse and Jordan marched over to speak with his driver. A moment later, horse trailing Matt, and the carriage driving just as slowly behind Jordan, followed the trio down the drive. It took only a few moments before they caught up to Miss Cooper.
“It is a lovely day for a walk, don’t you agree?” Matthew offered.
Miss Cooper smiled up at him. “Yes I do.”
Before they stepped onto the main road, Draker rode by them on his steed at a breakneck pace that made one wonder if the hounds of hell were chasing him. As a precaution, Matthew looked in the direction of town, but there was no one in pursuit, not that he actually expected to see hounds of hell, but one did wonder why the man was in such a hurry.
“How very odd,” Miss Cooper noted.
“I agree.” Matthew offered his arm, which she took and they stepped onto the main road. They turned in the opposite direction Draker had travelled. Jordan placed himself at her other side.
“I really should walk more myself,” Jordan observed.
“We have some lovely trails through the woods.”
“I prefer lovely company to scenery.”
Was Jordan flirting with Miss Cooper? Of course he was. Flirting became second nature to his brother and half the time Matthew wondered if Jordan was even aware he was doing it.
“I am really not sure I should be speaking with you, Mr. Trent.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” Matthew agreed. He wasn’t so sure that was true, but if it kept Jordan away from Miss Cooper all the better.
“Why is that?” Jordan asked.
“You work for my uncle. How do I know you aren’t trying to find a reason to have me even further discredited in his eyes, or find some type of evidence that I am unfit to take care of my father.”
Jordan stopped and placed a hand over his heart. “I can assure I would never do such a thing.”
She stuck her nose in the air and continued walking. “Yet, you do work for him, which is working against me.”
“I do have a profession. If I refused to work with certain men because they may be disagreeable, I would have very few clients.”
This brought a chuckle from Miss Cooper. “I suppose you are correct.”
Matthew glanced over his shoulder to note his horse and behind that the carriage. “We look ridiculous.”
“You can always ride ahead, brother,” Jordan offered.
“I was referring more to your carriage than my horse,” Matthew clarified.
“What exactly did my uncle hire you to do,” Miss Cooper interrupted before their bickering became heated. “Was it to have my father committed?”
Jordan sobered. “No. I had no idea of the family situation when I arrived. Your uncle wanted me to arrange for purchase of your father’s property.”
Miss Cooper paused and looked at Jordan. “Why? He has an estate of his own.”
Jordan shrugged. “He believes your father is wasting good land that a profit from which could be made.”
She stomped forward and blew out a huff. “My father doesn’t wish to make it any more than it is.” Miss Cooper turned abruptly and pointed at him. “And, he will never sell.” With that, she pivoted and marched ahead. For having shorter legs she moved rather quickly and Matthew had to lengthen his stride to catch up to her. Jordan did likewise and they both returned to her side by the time they rounded the turn in the road the drive to her home came into view. The house sat atop the hill and could be viewed from either direction. In the front stood a small, dark carriage.
Miss Cooper gasped. “What is Dr. Norton doing here?” Before either man could answer, Miss Cooper took off at a run. Jordan sprinted after her and Matthew threw his reins to the driver and followed. He had never had to race after a woman before and by the time they reached the front of the house he was winded. Miss Cooper barely paused before she flung the front door open and rushed inside.
Matthew followed on her heels and was brought up short. Mrs. Thomas sat on a settee crying and the valet hovered at the end of the hall.
The man rushed forward and bowed to Miss Cooper. “I am so sorry. This is my fault. I should have never left him alone, but he was asleep and I thought a short walk would not do any harm.”
The man was rambling and Matthew tried to focus and make sense of his quick words.
“What happened?” Miss Cooper asked with a hint of panic in her voice. “Why is the doctor here?”
Mrs. Thomas stood. “Your father tried to kill himself.”
Grace staggered and the room grew dim. She fought to remain upright and concentrate on Mrs. Thomas’ words. Kill himself? Her father tried to kill himself? But why? How?
An arm came around her back and gently grasped her waist. Thank goodness, she needed the support before her legs gave way.
“You should take a seat, Miss Cooper,” Vicar Trent said, his voice low and soothing.
She allowed him to lead her to a chair across from Mrs. Thomas. As soon as she was seated, Mr. Trent placed a glass in her hand. She stared down into the dark liquid.
“Drink,” Mr. Trent instructed.
Vicar Trent settled on the arm of the chair, a hand on her shoulder. “Slow sips.”
Grace, unable to think or do anything but what was commanded of her brought the crystal to her lips and took a small drink, closing her eyes. The burn down her throat pushed the fog away from her brain. But did she want it away? Then she would have to think about what happened. Her father tried to kill himself. It didn’t make sense.