To Protect and to Cherish (5 page)

“You put great trust in a man who you knew for but a few hours.”

She knew this to be true.

“In truth, sir, I know you by your reputation though I did not recognize your name. I did think,” she spoke without forethought, “you were older.”

He laughed, “I assume time will take care of that deficiency.”

Jillian hurried to explain, “I did not mean to imply it was a deficiency, my lord. I simply pictured you as a man my father’s age.”

He seemed more amused than offended, “My own father passed away but four years ago. It is likely the reports you have heard were regarding him.”

She almost smiled at the affectionate tone, “He was a good man?”

“He was the best of men, Miss Trent.”

              Jillian glanced up to see that Nora was watching them from the garden gate. It was probably for the sake of propriety. Jillian hoped the news of her engagement had not spread through the staff already.

             
“Do you equate all men with your uncle?” Lord Ashley broke through her wandering thoughts.

             
“Not at all,” she shot back with more force than she intended. “My own father was a good man, and my other uncle is honorable as well.”

             
“You have another uncle?”

             
“My mother’s brother, but he is a sea captain, and I scarcely see him anymore.”

             
“Are you afraid I am going to demand of you the same things that your uncle does?”

             
It seemed the man was intent upon embarrassing her, “Sir, it is not proper to speak of such things.”

             
“Perhaps not,” he kept his distance but lowered his voice to ensure the nearby maid would not catch his words, “but, given the situation, it may be prudent.”

             
She shook her head.

             
“What your uncle is requesting of you is something a man should expect of his wife.”

             
She could not answer.

             
“It will eventually be necessary for me to produce an heir,” his tone was so tender she nearly cried.

             
“I understand,” she murmured.

             
“I think we may be afforded some time to become acquainted first.”

             
She realized he thought she was agreeing to this scheme. She straightened, “You cannot do this. You are giving up your happiness for a woman you do not even know.”

             
He shook his head, “I find that may be preferable. I do not always like people once I get to know them – particularly, women who would marry me for my title or my wealth.”

             
She felt a bubble of laughter welling in her throat, “You would prefer to marry a woman to protect her from her uncle?”

             
He thought about it a moment.

             
“Yes. I believe I would.”

             
Jillian shook her head, not able to process all the information.

             
He bowed, “I will speak to your uncle now.”

             
She tried to call him back, but there was no sound coming from her throat. She had to settle for shrugging at Nora who looked every bit as confused as Jillian.

             
Slade moved quickly so she could not call him back. He was tired of arguing, and he desired to get the business with the uncle over as soon as possible.

             
“Your grace,” Trent greeted him with a deep bow, “I was beginning to wonder if you had changed your mind. It wouldn’t be the first time her initial allurements were not enough to hold the interest of a gentleman such as yourself.”

             
“Allurements?” Slade did not sit.

             
The older man began to trip over his words, “I do not mean to say she has been touched. . . she has been under careful watch. I just mean that she is, after all, a woman. A beautiful woman, but just a woman.”

             
“And this is why you feel it necessary to strike her?” he stared the man down.

             
Horace cowered in fear, “If I had any idea that you would be seeking her attentions. . .”

             
“Then what!?” he could not believe the gall of the man, “You think it wrong simply because somebody saw what you did to her. Had I not happened by, you would have done worse.”

             
Horace’s pink-tinged cheeks paled to a sickly white, “Surely you are not suggesting I. . .my niece is. . .”

             
“Tell me,” Slade folded his arms across his broad chest, “would you still have tried to pass her off on another man once you had stolen her virtue. . . destroyed her soul?”

             
“Your grace,” Horace tried to stand upright.

             
“Never mind, Trent,” he shot back. “Let’s discuss the contract, so I can take leave of you.”

             
“She has a dowry of twenty-thousand pounds,” Trent’s words came out in a rush.

             
“And personal belongings?”

             
“Her mother’s family did not own much. There are some dishes, linens, not much.”

             
They determined the housekeeper would be able to supply that list.

             
“And now about the bride price,” Horace spoke up.

             
“She told me you would be unreasonable,” Slade decided to be honest, “but I told her I was determined to have her.”

             
“You won’t have her if you persist,” Trent smirked.

             
Slade could tell the man was posturing, hoping to stare the younger man down.

             
“I will have her,” Slade walked to the door, “and there will be no bride price.”

             
“I am not without connections,” Trent warned.

             
“I will grant you this much,” Slade stared the other man in the eye, “I am taking with me a lady’s maid and two kitchen hands. I realize you have invested in their training. I will allow five hundred pounds for the maid and three hundred for each of the other two.”

             
Trent’s brow lowered, “You’ll not take them at all.”

             
“I have no qualms about exposing you to the realm, Trent,” he began to leave but then turned back, “I almost forgot. Miss Trent will be joining my sister and her husband until the day of the wedding.”

             
“This is an outrage!” the man’s face had regained its natural color and then some. “You are kidnapping my niece. I will alert the constable.”

             
“Do,” Slade spoke as he walked away, “but be aware he is my steward’s son.”

CHAPTER
5

“Madam,” Slade spoke to the woman who was clearly the housekeeper, “I would have a word with you.”

              “Yes, your grace.”

             
He had a list for the woman, and he hoped she was equal to the task.

             
“I need an inventory of all the items that are to be included in Miss Trent’s dowry. My solicitor will be here tomorrow to write the contract. After your master signs the contract, I would desire you to gather those items and prepare them for removal to Blackbourne.”

             
She nodded, “And when shall they be ready?”

             
“As soon as the license is received. Today, I need you to use as much staff as necessary to pack Miss Trent for her move.”

             
“Her move?”

             
“She will be leaving her uncle’s house today.”

             
The housekeeper looked scandalized.

             
“She is to stay with my sister until the wedding.”

             
The housekeeper smiled, “I will go to her immediately, sir.”

             
“One more thing,” he stopped her. “She will be bringing her lady’s maid and two kitchen staff with her.”

             
The lady cocked her head, “The O’toole girls, my lord?”

             
“Yes,” he was not surprised the woman had surmised what was happening. “They are to leave in the carriage with her. Not a one of them must be left behind.”

             
The lady’s smile grew, “Very good, sir.”

             
Jililan was looking for a way to wear her hair that would cover the bruise on her neck as well as the one on her cheek. There was certainly nothing to be done about the one on her eye. Thankfully, that one was the oldest and would fade soon.

             
A knock sounded on her door as she drew the hair back down over her shoulder.

             
“Come in.”

             
“Miss Trent,” the housekeeper had three maids with her, “I am to help you pack.”

             
“Pack?” she didn’t understand what Mrs. Kern was talking about, but three men came in carrying trunks.

             
The woman directed them to set the cases down in the middle of the floor.

             
“Where am I going?” she rose and crossed the room.

             
“You will be visiting Sir Anthony and Lady Amelia.”

             
Jillian raised her eyebrows, “Has my uncle decided to send me away?”

             
“No, the duke wants you to meet his family before the wedding.”

             
“So there is to be a wedding after all,” she dropped to the bed.

             
Mrs. Kern smiled, “Of course.”

             
Jillian licked her lips and glanced over at Erin who had taken the lead in packing, “And Erin?”

             
Mrs. Kern mimicked the soft tone, “She and her sisters have found themselves new positions at Blackbourne.”

             
“He did this,” she breathed.

             
“He must love you very much,” the older woman patted her hand. “What I can’t figure is when you met him. I am sure he has never come here before.”

             
Erin was sent from Jillian’s room to fetch her sisters and do her own packing.

             
The housekeeper left as well to see to the normal workings of the house.

             
She arrived as the maids were finishing all the packing.

             
“His grace has sent a wagon for the luggage and a carriage for you and for your maids.”

             
Jillian looked around her, “My mother’s things.”

             
“Will be sent shortly,” the housekeeper assured her.

             
Jillian smiled and started for the front door.

             
“Jillian,” her uncle’s voice stopped her, “I must speak with you in the study before you leave.”

             
She swallowed her fear and walked after him. He was closing the door behind her when a hand shot up to prevent the action.

             
Horace glared at the owner of the hand – a stranger, “Who are you, and what do you think you are doing in here?”

             
“I am Gage Easton,” he moved further into the doorway. “I have been instructed to bring Miss Trent safely to her new home.”

             
Horace looked the man up and down.

             
“My orders are to prevent you from spending any time alone with your niece.”

             
“Preposterous,” he grumbled. “This is my own house.”

             
Easton didn’t respond.

             
Horace stepped into the corridor, “You, there,” he pointed to a man carrying a trunk, “remove this man.”

             
The man with the trunk looked from Trent to Easton, “But, sir, he is my employer.”

             
Horace turned red, “Have all my staff gone missing?”

             
Mrs. Kern appeared by his side, “How can I help you, sir?”

             
Jillian had to smile at the thought of the diminutive lady overtaking the men who now traipsed through the house.