Tenacious Trents 02 - A Perfect Gentleman (13 page)

And as quickly as Vicar Trent had grabbed
her, he let go, took a step back and let out a breath.

“I will keep you informed of what I learn.”
He nodded his head and strode for the door. Stopping, he looked
back at her. “And try not to worry, Miss Cooper. Everything shall
turn out as it should.”

With that he disappeared into her house.
Grace collapsed into a nearby chair and brought her hand to her
frantically beating heart. What had come over her? Surely he
couldn’t have read her mind.

She closed her eyes and leaned back in the
chair. What would it be like to kiss Vicar Trent? To feel his arms
around her and be able to lay her head on his shoulder? To forget
for just a short time or to simply allow him to take care of her
and Father.

Her eyes popped open and she frantically
glanced around to make sure she was alone. It was a fanciful dream,
and probably a sinful one too. He was a man of God and young ladies
should not lust after vicars. Heat stole into her cheeks,
embarrassed by her impure thoughts, and she straightened.

Was that what she was doing? Lusting after
him? Grace wasn’t entirely sure what lust was, but if wanting to be
held, kissed, touched, and to feel the warmth and tingling
experienced from his touch was lust, then that is what she was
doing.

Oh, she was a wicked girl, especially since
he gave no indication he saw her more than another parishioner. She
should be ashamed of herself. And would be, if she could make
herself stop wishing he would come back and kiss her.

Grace blew out a breath and stood. This was
ridiculous. Vicar Trent certainly did not think of her in that
manner. If he were going to settle on a wife it would not be
someone like her, who had a father who required attention. He
didn’t have the time for such a responsibility, nor would he wish
to have a dairy added to his responsibilities. Besides, she knew
vicars made little money, though he had been provided a house, he
didn’t earn enough yet to support a wife. Even if he did, he was
too busy.

No, he would want, and deserved, someone who
could devote all of her time to him, without a family needing
attention as well, unless it was for children the two of them
brought into the world. Besides, she wasn’t the type any gentleman
was really interested in. Well, other than Richards, Draker and
Thorn. Of course, those gentlemen had already been rejected by half
the women in the village already, including her good friend,
Audrey. They each wanted to control the house and land.

But what of Audrey? She certainly would take
notice of Vicar Trent and how could the vicar not be attracted to
her dear friend? And, why did the thought of those two, together,
cause her heart to ache?

She wanted Audrey happy and if it was Vicar
Trent who made her so then Grace should be glad for her. But, she
was tired of coming in second to Audrey, where gentlemen were
concerned. Not that she could blame the gentlemen, of course.
Audrey was beautiful and kind.

Tears pricked her eyes and Grace quickly
swiped them away. Why so maudlin all of a sudden? She sniffed and
returned back into the house. It has simply been a trying day that
was all. Vicar Trent had shown her kindness and comfort, and until
now she hadn’t realized how much of it had lacked in her life the
past year. She needn’t make anything more out of it than what it
was. He was being kind because it was his vocation and she would
cease thinking about him kissing and holding her and concentrate on
her father. It was most important. And, when Vicar Trent did settle
on someone, she would be happy for him.

In the meantime, she needed to address her
current situation. Of Thorn, Richards and Draker, who would be the
best match for her?

Matthew sat atop his horse in the middle the
road, unsure of what direction to go, a bit flummoxed from his
encounter, and near kiss, with Miss Cooper. He needed to go home
and concentrate on the sermon for next Sunday but in truth; his
heart was not in it. He wanted to return to the Cooper home and
take Grace in his arms and kiss her until she didn’t have a care in
the world. He wanted to strip that gown from her body and lay
beside her, touch her, kiss her from the top of her head to the
tips of her toes and everywhere in between. He wanted to lie
between her thighs and share the intimacy that was as old as
time.

He adjusted his seat, growing uncomfortable
in his clothing. He hadn’t been this aroused in years. Practice and
discipline usually kept him from being in such a needful state.
When his body longed for the comfort of a woman he had been able to
think of other matters until his loins cooled. Such had not been
the case since meeting Miss Cooper and he had yet to be in her
presence without becoming at least half aroused. This did not bode
well for his role as her vicar. He needed to get control of his
lust and somehow ignore what he wanted and focus on her, as his
parishioner, and nothing else. But how did one do that.

He would ask Jordan but his brother never
denied himself the company of a woman, ever. And, if his brother
even had the slightest suspicion of what Miss Cooper was doing to
him, Jordan would never let him hear the end of it. His brother
would also probably encourage Matthew to enjoy her company, yet
Miss Cooper wasn’t like any other woman, especially those his
brother gravitated toward. Matthew knew if he were to seduce Miss
Cooper, it would only occur after vows had been spoken and he
wasn’t sure he was ready to marry or knew her nearly well enough to
form a permanent bond.

He had to stop thinking about Grace and her
clear eyes, full breasts, and bed. He had to empty her form his
thoughts and think of something else or he would never be
comfortable, unless he took care of matters himself and he hadn’t
needed to do that in years. No, he would turn his mind from her. He
wasn’t a young lad experiencing lust and desire for the first time.
He had more control.

Matthew turned the horse toward town. He
would visit his brother. He needed to speak further with Jordan
anyway. All he had gotten out of his brother earlier was an
appointment was scheduled. Surely this was not a matter a
magistrate could decide. What of the courts? Could Miss Cooper take
her case to London?

He shook the thought away. She would have a
more difficult time trying to convince the courts that she was the
best person to take care of her father. Worse, they would be more
likely to push for confinement in Bedlam. Mr. Cooper was not
mad.

Matthew blew out a breath and urged his horse
toward the village. He needed to make his brother understand. Could
he convince him to quit working for Lord Stillwaite? And, how had
Jordan managed to become a lawyer without anyone knowing? Father
would be livid if he were alive.

Matthew found himself grinning. As much as he
didn’t like Jordan being on the opposite side of this issue, he was
proud that his brother had decided to do what he wanted and not
follow the dictates of father. John had done the same. Only he and
Clay fell into line. But, even Clay changed once he met Eleanor.
That left Matt, still doing what father wished of him.

Did he dare throw caution to the wind and
follow his own dreams?

If so, exactly what did he want to do? Being
a vicar was fine and good, but the weight of responsibility and
fear of not being perfect, or not being the person parishioners
could turn to for guidance weighed on his shoulders. Should one
feel weighted down and lose sleep because they were afraid they
would make a mistake?

No.

The answer was clear and loud, as if it had
been yelled at him.

But what was left if he didn’t do this?

Become a dairy farmer
. The voice
whispered through his brain. Ridiculous. He knew nothing about
being a farmer or cows or chickens or any other type of animal that
lived on a farm. Even the horse he was riding was taken care of by
others.

And why such answers to his questions? Were
these the things he truly wanted? It wasn’t as if God was telling
him what to do. God ceased actually speaking to people over a
thousand years ago.

It wasn’t that he minded being a vicar. His
faith was strong so that wasn’t the issue. But, was this what he
should be doing? Was he the right person to be God’s messenger?

Matthew stopped before the stables and left
his horse with a lad who couldn’t have been over ten, but anxious
to see to his animal, and with determined steps Matthew made it to
the inn where Jordan had taken a room. He would think about his
future later. Perhaps even discuss it with his brother once the
issue of Mr. Cooper was behind them.

Matthew stepped inside the dim interior and
glanced around. Jordan was seated at a table, a plate of food
before him, speaking with someone who looked oddly like John from
behind. But what would John be doing here?

Jordan glanced up and his eyes narrowed. “I
didn’t expect you to be back.”

The man turned in his seat. It was John.
“What are you doing here? Two brothers in one week?” He took a seat
even though Jordan hadn’t offered for him to sit. “Clay isn’t
lurking around here anywhere is he?”

John chuckled and shook his head. “Elizabeth
and I are on our way to Scotland, after we visit her grandfather
and father at Danby Castle.”

Matthew accepted the cup of coffee placed
before him. “Why Scotland?”

John looked around. There were several people
in here this afternoon. “I’ll explain later.”

Curiosity rose. What was so secretive?
Instead of questioning John further, he returned his attention to
Jordan. He had to choose his words carefully in case John didn’t
know what their brother was about and it wasn’t for him to tell.
The one thing he had become good at from being a vicar was holding
secrets.

“I intend to go with you when you visit Lord
Brachton.”

Jordan’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t recall you
were invited.”

“Nor do I feel it is only fair that he hear
Stillwaite’s version of the facts.”

“He is simply going to ask for a hearing or
if it is even possible to have such one here.”

“But in doing so, his comments could be
inflammatory and prejudice him against Mr. Cooper.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“If you were going alone I wouldn’t be
concerned. I don’t trust Stillwaite or his motivation.” Matthew
leaned forward. “Explain to me why he has this sudden interest in a
man he has not seen since before his accident two years ago?”

Jordan shrugged. “He didn’t give his reasons.
He is concerned about his niece and brother.”

“If he were concerned, he would have checked
on him long before now.”

“It is not my place to judge.” Jordan laid
his fork aside. “That was Father’s, then Clay’s job once,
apparently it is yours now.”

Matthew stiffened. He never wanted to be the
judge of anyone. He hated it when his father was judge, jury and
punisher all in one. For years it appeared Clay was the same. Thank
goodness he met Eleanor and all of that changed.

“Who is Mr. Cooper and why are you meeting
with Brachton?”

Both gentlemen turned to John, who had
remained quiet until now.

Matthew looked at Jordan, waiting for him to
answer. As John had done earlier, he glanced around the room. “Not
here.” He stabbed a piece of meat with his fork and shoved it in
his mouth.

While his brother finished his meal Matthew
decided it was probably best to talk about something they didn’t
have to worry about being overheard, though he still didn’t know
why John was going to Scotland. “Where is Elizabeth?”

At the mention of his wife’s name, John
smiled. It was never a full smile, just enough to know that the man
was still smitten with his wife. Clay often got the same look when
someone referred to Eleanor. Would he ever have someone he would
smile at the mere mention of their name?