Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman (5 page)

Heloise held up her hand and stared hard at her grandson. “Now, Adron. I would like an explanation of your conduct.”

He opened his mouth and shut it again, his eyes wide with astonishment. “Gran, you know perfectly well why I . . .”

“Nonsense, my boy. If we’re to marry her off, she can’t possibly meet a suitable partner looking like a dowd.”

He bowed his head to her and a half-smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “You have a point. But if you are through for the day, perhaps she can return to the children.”

Heloise threw up her hands. “Of course. I must catch Martha before she cuts that material. I have an idea.” She hurried from the room.

Adron’s smile grew more sinister and he leaned against the door with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes seemed to sizzle with passion, sparking tension across the chamber to engulf Laurel. Trapped in his gaze, she swallowed and blinked to break free from his spell.

She lifted her chin in defiance, turned her back on him and stepped into her gown. His warm breath caressed her nape and his arms encircled her waist. Startled, she attempted to push his hands away. How had he crossed the chamber so quickly and so silently?

He drew her back against his warm chest. The steady pounding of his heart seeped into her and her pulse accelerated to match the rhythm of his. He touched the tip of his tongue just below her ear and trailed kisses down her throat to her bare shoulder. She shivered, suppressing a moan as a bolt of desire shot through her.

“This is an inappropriate time to let things spin out of control. However, I’m available later tonight, when Becky will be expected to be in control of the nursery,” he offered.

She spun out of his arms and turned to face him. “You can take your invitation and go to blazes with it.”

He laughed. “Now, now. I felt your body respond to me.” He held one finger against her lips and shook his head.  “Don’t. Your tongue lies. Your body tells a different story.”

Laurel fisted her hands at her side and hatred blazed through her—for him and for herself because she longed to do as he suggested.

“Not now, not ever.” She spat the words at him.

He grinned wickedly. “Never is a long time to be without a man.” Nonchalantly strolling to the door, he turned and asked in a very aggravating tone, “You’re supposed to be on duty aren’t you?” He raised his brows. “Don’t forget dinner is at eight.”

She bit her tongue to keep from screaming before she conceded this round to him.

“Drat the man,” Laurel whispered, staring at the closed door. Her body still throbbed with desire, a victim of his experience and her own longings. When she’d first arrived, he taunted her and offered to share his bed. What would he do or say now if she were to appear at his chamber door in nothing but her revealing nightgown? The thought brought a smile to her lips. Of course she would do nothing of the kind, but the idea was more appealing than she dared admit.

While he’d played the rogue, the seducer, his infuriating composure had masked his reactions, but his breath had quickened and his heart had pounded as heavily as hers. Perhaps he wasn’t in as much control as he wanted her to believe. That thought was sobering and was all the more reason to run the other way. If he ever forgot his arrogance long enough to turn that gentleness and concern on her, she would fall—hard. With such a formidable adversary, a broken heart loomed before her. Beware. The warning flashed through her mind.

Adron shut the door behind him and grimaced. He thought to control her, to force her to follow his every dictate or suffer the consequences, but he was the one to suffer. His body still screamed to possess her. He’d nearly swallowed his tongue when she stood in her gauze thin chemise clinging to every curve of her lovely body. Adron had been totally unaware of moving from the door until he found the pulse in her throat beating erratically against his lips. He admitted he was in deep trouble.

Heloise stepped into the hall as Adron passed her chamber. She stood aside and motioned for him to enter. “Adron, a word if you please.”

Adron lifted his brows and entered the doorway.
Capital.
The one thing he didn’t need was for Gran to question him or worse, to read between the lines and discover his failings where Laurel was concerned. “What may I do for you?”

Heloise harrumphed. “First thing, leave your frowns of disapproval and temper outside.” She waved her hand. “Be seated. You know my old bones don’t take to standing about.”

He bowed his head in acknowledgment and perched on the edge of a fragile gilded chair. “As you wish. Now, how may I serve you?”

Heloise hesitated as if to gather her thoughts. “I think it is high time you offered for Melissa.” She held up her hand. “Wait until I finish. Melissa is perfect for you, easily molded into a complacent wife and mother. She’s young enough not to look further.”

Adron clenched his jaw. “You’re pushing, Gran. At present she is a self-absorbed little baggage.”

Heloise let out an exasperated sigh. “She’s young but she’ll get older and a little more mellow. All of this doubt and delay is because of Genevieve isn’t it? Surely you are over that blonde bitch by now.”

“Gran!” He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“That scandalized you did it? I’m surprised. Deed I am. Now you listen to me. Genevieve used you, so what?” Heloise shrugged. “Falling for the seductive lures of a practiced spy was poor judgment on your part to be sure. If you’d only admit it, your pride was dented more than your heart. That is certainly no reason for you to hold past mistakes against all womankind.”

“You know Genevieve cost Robert his life. At least she was responsible for the trap where Robert was wounded. He took a bullet that should have been mine.” The muscles in his jaw worked. “I take the blame because I was blinded by her beauty.” Adron rose and began to pace. “I told you all about it when I returned from the war. And Robert’s wife finished him off.”

“No such thing. You’re being too harsh. Not all women fall into the treacherous category simply because of their appearance, beautiful and blonde.”

He twisted toward her again. “I’ve always found it so—starting with my loving mother.”

Heloise sighed. “I cautioned your father against marriage to her but he wouldn’t listen. You are far more sensible than your father so you mustn’t continue to judge your mother harshly. Kensey did love you in her own fashion.”

Adron turned a skeptical gaze on her. “I saw no proof of that.”

“Your mother simply wasn’t capable of showing love. She craved attention, luxury and above all, a constant stream of adoration. Because she was beautiful, she was raised with the unrealistic expectations that anything she desired would be hers. Your mother never considered the consequences of any of her actions. Take heed and consider what you’re about before you do something equally foolish.”

“And you think I might be headed in that direction?” he questioned with an enigmatic smile.

“Your mother left you with a warped view of women so yes I do think you are blind. I want you to marry and give me some great-grandchildren before I’m gone.”

He laughed. “Hopefully you have years yet. But I’ll marry when and where I please.”

Heloise shook her head. “It won’t do. I’ve seen the way you look at Laurel.”

Adron flung his head up and rubbed his hand over his hair. A heavy sigh escaped him. “That’s absurd. My interest is purely to protect Jamie. Robert warned me against her and I don’t believe she will remain here even to be in close proximity to her son. She’ll marry and be gone.”

“Nonsense! Now you are being absurd. Laurel has a way with the children. In fact she is a great mother but you’d do better with Melissa. Laurel will fight you tooth and nail.”

“All the better. She can’t win.”

Heloise shook her finger at him. “Don’t fall in love with her.”

Adron didn’t need her warning. With every intention of guarding his heart, he drew a deep breath. Still each time he recalled Laurel in her thin chemise, his loins tightened.

“I might fall in lust with her but never love,” he said with a sardonic smile.

“Adron. Please, I’m an old lady.”

“Yes and never a prude—thankfully.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “Very well, but I’ll be waiting—anxiously.”

“I’m not saying I’ll offer for Melissa but before anything can be settled, I must resolve the situation with Laurel and her role in Jamie’s life.” At the moment, Melissa’s appeal had dwindled. She seemed so very young and immature, almost a child, like his sister. It was Laurel who occupied an indecent amount of his thoughts.

Gran’s eyes began to twinkle. “Mind you’re not caught unawares.”

“No chance of that,” he said and strode to the door. He needed to leave her presence before she guessed at his restlessness attributable to Laurel. “I really must be about the day’s business if you are quite finished with your lecture.”

She grinned up at him. “For the moment, you scamp. Be gone with you. You and your business.”

Chapter 5

Laurel hummed under her breath and would have burst into song if Ingrid’s younger children along with Jamie hadn’t been down for a nap. She delighted in teaching along with encouraging each child, especially since Adron was away and couldn’t plague her. His presence drove her daft, always watching, judging, ever hoping for a mistake. Now joy bubbled inside her as she worked in the nursery, teaching the older daughter, Laine to help with the lightest of chores.

Laurel instructed while Laine sat on the floor sorting and straightening books. The door swung open and Lord Gladrey entered. Laurel swallowed a sigh. His abrupt arrival had erased her sense of accomplishment.

“What is the meaning of this display?” he demanded, astonishment marring his features.

“And a very good afternoon to you, Milord,” Laurel murmured with an edge to her voice.

He returned her greeting with a nod of acknowledgement and a sharp look. “Milady.”

Laine jumped to her feet and hurried over. “Uncle Adron, I’m so happy you’re back.” His niece caught his hand. “Nanny is teaching me how to manage a household. She says a lady must know everything that’s required before she can instruct the servants.” Laine grinned up at him. “She’s so clever.”

He gazed at Laurel again and with a grim smile, he agreed. “Very clever indeed.”

Heat rose in Laurel’s cheeks and her fingers trembled as she leaned against the cabinet with one arm. Naturally, she would appear at her worst with her hair under a dust cap and enveloped in a huge soiled apron. If she had any sense she wouldn’t care about her appearance or what he thought of her. She did care and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth.

“You mustn’t do her chores for her you know,” he instructed.

“Nanny won’t allow me to do a single thing,” Laine pouted. “She says a lady must know what to do, not do everything. She is a lady so why does she do everything?”

“True,” he agreed. “But she is also a mother. More is required from a mother.”

“My mum doesn’t do anything ‘cept kiss us,” Laine reasoned. “Our nanny always did everything for us at home too.”

He smiled down at her. “Exactly! Laurel is acting as nanny for the time being.”

“Oh. Is acting different from being real?”

“Somewhat,” he admitted seemingly at a loss to further explain his objections to his niece. He patted her hand and turned to Laurel. “Actually, I’ve come to remind you that you’re required to attend the ball tonight. Don’t be late.”

“Certainly.” Inwardly she flinched. Laurel expected him to arrive in time for his grandmother’s ball, but time had slipped away from her. She’d hoped upon his return, she’d be able to look at him with indifference but that wasn’t the case. Every nerve in her body seemed to tingle with awareness.

“I’ll allow you to complete your work then.” Without a backward glance, he strolled out the door.

Heaving a sigh, she scooped up a dust cloth and allowed memories of their last encounter to whirl in her head. He’d held her almost nude form in his arms and even now her body tingled with remembered awareness. She swallowed hard. Simply because he’d issued another invitation to share his bed was no reason to think more than a quick tumble had been offered. Such fantasies could bring her to ruin and place Jamie at risk. Pushing aside such foolish imaginings, she sorted through another stack of books with renewed vigor.

A short while later, the upstairs maid poked her head around the door. “Her ladyship wants you in the parlor. I’m to mind the children for a few minutes.”

Exasperated and a little apprehensive, Laurel stripped off her apron, tidied her hair and headed down the stairs. “Now what?”

“Well come in, gel,” Heloise invited. “I have something to show you.”

Laurel advanced and peered at the wooden box in Heloise’s lap. With tears in her eyes, Heloise lifted the lid to display a beautiful necklace and earring set of sapphires linked with diamonds. The stones glittered against a velvet lining. She stroked the necklace before taking the jewelry from the box and gazed at Laurel.

“These belonged to my sister, Robert’s grandmother. Before Robert died, he wrote and asked me to give them to you. But with one thing and another, I forgot. Forgive me.” She placed the items back into the velvet nest and handed the case to Laurel.

Fascinated, Laurel examined the jewelry. “How lovely. Thank you.”

Not expecting a personal gift from her husband, her eyes stung. In his wounded state, Robert had turned to his sister instead of her and she acknowledged his callous treatment had hurt her deeply. In some small measure Robert’s last gift to her softened her resentment toward him.

“I would truly love to see my sister’s necklace grace so charming a neck. Tonight will be the perfect opportunity.”

“You think I should wear the jewelry to the ball?”

“Naturally.”

Rhonda gasped and rushed into the room. “What are you about, Aunt Heloise?”

Heloise sighed. “Only doing what I should have done long ago. Correcting an unintentional slight and handing over Leona’s sapphires.”

“That set belonged to my grandmother,” Rhonda screeched. Heloise frowned at Rhonda and her voice took on an ominous ring. “The bulk of your grandmother’s estate went to you. Don’t begrudge Robert this small token of her affection.”

Rhonda’s voice sharpened and jealousy flared in her eyes. “Robert isn’t the benefactor—she is.”

“I’m certain Robert never intended to upset you with his decision to give me the sapphires. If I gave you the set, I’d feel as if I’d betrayed him.”

“No one’s asking you to,” Rhonda denied. Her lips twisted in a sneer. “Besides, the sapphires are mere trumpery compare to her emeralds and she left those to me along with the rest of her jewelry.”

Heloise held up a hand, her spine stiff in distaste. “Not another word on the subject. I forbid it.”

Rhonda bit her lip, sparking daggers of hatred at Laurel. Laurel shivered beneath her sister-in-law’s deadly glare.

Adron paced the length of the rug in front of his desk, hands clasped behind his back.
Laurel—that damn woman!
She drove him insane with her delicate beauty and her stubborn will. Each time he touched her, her involuntary response, quick and discernible, spoke volumes of her passionate nature, but he saw no sign of her capitulation.

At this point, he hoped she would be relegated to the background where he could saunter past her and not be subjected to this raging lust
.
He acknowledged he was knee deep in lust—only lust he assured himself. All the same, he must conquer his ever-growing desire. He rubbed his hands over his hair, cupping the back of his neck with his fingers.

Somehow he must bring this situation to a satisfactory conclusion before his baser instincts betrayed him. He slammed one fist against his palm. No doubt his ability to reason had disappeared into his pants. Once he managed to shake loose from his inconvenient desire for Laurel, he could call his soul his own again.

He cursed and glared at Winwright, his butler when he poked his head in the door. “Milord, you have a caller. Sir George Dunaway.”

Great.
George was the last person he expected to receive today although he shouldn’t be too surprised. Paige had regaled him with tales of George’s visits to the nursery, his strolls with the children and in general his willingness to be the most obliging fellow to Laurel for the entire two weeks of his own absence. Adron couldn’t prevent his brows from wrinkling into a scowl.

George entered the room with a guilty grin. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting. I thought to say hello to the children first.”

The children—that’s rich.
Adron pasted a welcoming smile on his lips and gestured toward an armchair beside the fireplace. He settled into the adjacent chair. “You’re a little early for the ball.”

Laughter smoldered in George’s eyes and his lips twitched. “I take it you don’t remember. We had an appointment.” Perturbed, Adron reached for a box on the table beside him and extracted a cigar. It was impossible to admit to his friend that his every waking thought was of Laurel. He longed to taste her passion, to have her complete surrender and much more, but he couldn’t admit that either. Adron shied away from the thought of exactly what that might mean. “Laurel, that damned woman has me so rattled I’m like to forget my own name.”

George grinned. “Handed you a leveler has she?”

“A curst folly bringing her into my household in the first place. She should have accepted the fact of my guardianship of her son with grace and gone about her business.”

George lifted his brows. “Just like that? Abandon her child? You are insane.”

“She drove my cousin to his death. Abandoning her son is not such a far stretch from that.”

George scowled and fisted his hands. “How can you utter such rot? It puts me out of all charity with you when you talk such fustian.”

“It’s fact not fustian.”

George lifted his brows. “Stubborn to a fault. You refuse to be pried from the past, clinging to memories of by gone hurts as if you were a child with a favorite toy. Move on old chap.”

“I don’t deny I cling to the past but I’m forced to be cautious for Jamie’s sake.” Adron raked his fingers through his hair.

“Laurel is a marvelous mother. The children love her and all of the servants extol her virtues,” George said with exasperated force.

Reluctant to admit she wasn’t the wicked person she’d been painted, Adron conceded he was stubborn. Surely he wasn’t so unfairly wrong-headed? “If she is so wonderful, offer for her. You’re a fine, up-standing fellow.” Adron gestured with his hand. “She’ll find no fault with you or your pocket book.”

“Blimey, what a capital idea.” George’s voice rang with sarcasm. “I was afraid to put my proposal to the touch but if I have your blessing, nothing shall stand in my way.” His voice took on a different tone. “She and her son will make a delicious addition to my household.”

Adron nailed George with a penetrating stare. No way in Hell would he stand by while George married Laurel. Even to himself Adron couldn’t determine exactly why the thought bothered him so much. “I wasn’t serious. But you marry her as soon as you please,” he snapped and added a leveler of his own. “The child stays here.”

“You don’t mean that,” George erupted in anger, his eyes fairly blazing.

“Every word.”

George vaulted to his feet. “I ought to call you out for that piece of nonsense. Laurel will stay and raise her child no matter how unfair you become.”

Adron slowly gained his feet as well. “I don’t believe for a moment that she’ll stay.”

George frowned and his voice sharpened. “You want her to fail, to be proved right about your daft theory but you’ll regret it. Melissa will notice by and by if she hasn’t already. No doubt she’ll give you the hell you so richly deserve.”

Adron winced. “Melissa has no rights where I’m concerned. She has received no offer.”

“Hit a soft spot with that, did I?”

“You’ve lost your mind. And you’re wrong about everything.”

“If you say so.” George’s tone dropped and an earnest appeal rang in his voice. “But what of your grandmother’s wishes?”

“She doesn’t run my life.”

“You could have fooled me,” George scoffed. “Poor Melissa’s hopes dashed.”

Anger pushed Adron. George had no right to lecture him about Laurel or Melissa and trying to sway him with guilt simply raised his ire. He had his fair share of guilt over Robert’s death and would accept no more. With that in mind, he formed a sharp answer he didn’t actually intend to carry through, simply to rile George. “That aside, by the time I’m finished with Laurel, she’ll be longing to escape my rule and to marry a nice, easy-going chap such as yourself.”

“Short of killing you there is little I can do to stop you is there?”

Surprised and a little alarmed at his friend, Adron admitted perhaps he’d allowed his temper to overcome his judgment. He should never have flung that nonsense at George. Now he needed a face saving tactic. “No, but in fairness to your noble intentions, I propose a test for her.”

“What sort of test?”

“A test of her overwhelming love for her son.” Adron hated the understanding in his friend’s eyes and warm color crept along his cheekbones.

“You’ve tested her unmercifully now.”

Adron cocked his head to the side. “You understand I failed Robert once but where his child is concerned, I won’t fail again.”

“You make that an excuse. I thought I knew you but you’ve allowed your sense of fair play to become twisted.” George raised his chin. “You’ve let your rigid view of women in general blind you.” A look of great sadness crossed his face. “She’ll give up her very life for her son. I hope you’ll come to your senses before you require that of her,” he finished and strode out the door.

Adron stood staring at the space George had vacated. What kind of monster did George think he was? Adron didn’t intend to physically harm Laurel. That piece of self-delusion brought a half smile to his lips. He admitted at times he’d fought the longing to throttle her, but he would never actually do such a thing. The thought of her in harm’s way brought a queasy sensation to his stomach.

He poured a shot of whiskey and drank it down before hurling the snifter into the fireplace. The shattered chards of glass crashed to the bottom of the empty grate and the sound intensified the pain forming in his head. “Well hell!”