Tenacious Trents 02 - A Perfect Gentleman (17 page)

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?

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.

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.