Tenacious Trents 01 - A Misguided Lord by Jane Charles Read Free Book Online Page B

else’s.” Tears sprang
to her eyes and she quickly looked away. “I am sorry. It has been a
trying day.”
    “ Of course.”
    She directed him to stop before a
modest two-story home in the heart of Cheapside, and hopped out of
the Phaeton before he could come around and assist her. That was no
action any lady should take and he was rewarded with a glimpse of
nicely turned ankles and a shapely calf. Clay hurried around and
met her at the stoop. “Thank you for giving me a lift.”
    “ Is there anything else I
can do? Summon a doctor perhaps.” Her vulnerability pulled at him.
She was too young to have the responsibility of a family without a
gentleman to see to their needs. For years he had not liked
Stanhope and his miserly ways. All the man cared about was his
position in society and that his peers were not over-burdened. He
gave little thought and no care to anyone he considered beneath
him. Apparently, Miss Westin’s siblings fell into that
category.
    A grateful smile formed on her lips.
“A doctor has already seen him, but I thank you for the
offer.”
    “ I’ll come in and wait. You
shouldn’t return to Mayfair this late on your own.”
    “ That is very kind of you,
Lord Bentley, but it is not wise. Benjamin has the measles and I
would hate for you to become ill.”
    Clay tried to remember if he ever had
that illness but could not recall. Miss Westin was right. It was
best that he wait out here.
    “ Thank you again for the
assistance.” Turning away from him she entered the humble abode and
closed the door.
    He should return home but couldn’t
bring himself to leave. The evening was progressing and if Miss
Westin was determined to walk home tonight, it would be dark before
she was half-way there. London was much too dangerous for an
unaccompanied lady to walk about. His meeting with John would just
have to wait because he wasn’t leaving here without Miss
Westin.

Chapter 5

    Eleanor did her best to make Ben
comfortable. He was tucked into bed and fell asleep shortly after
she had given him the Dover’s Powder.
    “ You should go,” Leigh
insisted.
    “ I can’t leave him. What if
something were to happen?”
    “ I will send word, I
promise,” Mrs. Hartley insisted. “If you stay, you risk angering
your grandfather, and you won’t find a husband sitting
here.”
    Eleanor glanced back down at Benjamin.
He was resting peacefully. “It doesn’t seem right.”
    “ It isn’t right but you
have little choice. His lordship has given you none,” Mrs. Hartley
insisted angrily.
    In that she was correct. Eleanor
needed to concentrate on finding a husband. Then she would never
need to leave the children again, if she found a husband who would
allow them in the home. Or, at least he would allow her to support
them, even if they could not live together. “Very well.” She picked
up her reticule. “Promise to send word if Benjamin worsens or
anything happens.”
    “ I promise.” Leigh hugged
her.
    Eleanor trudged down the stairs and to
the front door. She would be late but didn’t care. Though she
didn’t relish walking through London in the dark, she had little
choice. Part of the funds she needed for the hackney were spent on
the Dover’s Powder, but she wouldn’t have denied Benjamin medicine
regardless.
    She stepped outside to find Lord
Bentley leaning against the side of his Phaeton, waiting for her.
What was he still doing here? It was kind of him to render
assistance earlier, and she would have rejected it if she hadn’t
been in a hurry to get back. She never expected him to remain
waiting.
    He came forward and offered his arm.
“I couldn’t let you take a hackney this late.”
    “ I was going to
walk.”
    “ All the more reason I am
glad I waited.” He assisted her up into the conveyance.
    “ It is very kind of you,
but unnecessary. I am sure you had other matters to attend to than
waiting for me.”
    A smile pulled at his lips. She had
been right. He was far more handsome when he