Free Tenacious Trents 01 - A Misguided Lord by Jane Charles Page A

to her as a bee to flower? He had to end this infatuation he
had with her or it would be his downfall.
    Maybe he should simply make her not
like him. That should be simple enough. Then he could avoid her and
the danger she posed to his sanity and life.
    *

    Eleanor tried not to frown when she
noted Lord Bentley walking toward her, a stern look upon his face.
The man was a conundrum. She used to believe that the Lord put
people in your life for a purpose. For the life of her, she could
not begin to understand what Lord Bentley’s purpose could be,
unless the Lord thought to provide her with irritation. First, he
was rude and pompous but lately it seemed as though he was courting
her, and was rather pleasant to be around. Yet, now he looked at
her as if would sooner bite her head off than dance. After his
short visit this afternoon, she had begun to anticipate a
courtship.
    She quickly shook the thoughts away. A
walk around a ballroom, tea in the afternoon and a few dances did
not truly qualify as a courtship. If it did, then she was being
courted by almost a dozen men. Besides, he now bore a look that she
was the last person he wished to speak with.
    His appearance alone did put her other
suitors to shame. Oh, they all were attractive enough. It was just
that Lord Bentley’s dark hair, green, penetrating eyes and strong
jaw added an essence the others lacked. Of course, it could also be
his height, broad shoulders and the ability to choose fabrics for
his coats that flattered his coloring. Eleanor shook herself again.
She was positive Bentley gave no thought to such frivolities of his
wardrobe. He paid servants to see to that unimportant task. She
just wished she could understand why she was attracted to him above
all others when he had the least pleasant personality. Not that he
was unlikeable, or at least not lately, but he certainly didn’t try
to charm, flirt or flatter. In fact, it would seem almost odd
coming from him.
    He paused before her and bowed. “I
believe this is our dance, Miss Westin.”
    She took his offered arm and allowed
him to lead her out with the other couples. Any warmth she had
glimpsed over the last two days was gone and he treated this moment
no differently than one would a business venture. Or, what she
assumed business ventures were like. They were at a ball. He should
be enjoying himself, not look as if he was about to partake in a
most distasteful act.
    “ Why are you so somber,
Lord Westin?”
    “ Probably the same reason
you are so frivolous. The difference in our gender,” he
countered.
    Her lips had quirked with a smile.
“Oh, you see I don’t view everything in such a manner.” She
attempted to sound serious. “One certainly can’t consider you
frivolous. You take yourself much too seriously.”
    She knew she risked angering him by
making such a statement but Eleanor was beyond caring and she
didn’t try and guard her words where Lord Bentley was concerned. He
was far too hard to understand with his constantly altering moods.
Besides, he had everything he could wish for in life, yet he found
no joy in his blessings. Yes, he had troubles she didn’t doubt. He
was a peer, with responsibilities that he took more seriously than
anyone else she had ever encountered. One of the few traits she did
admire in him.
    Westin remained silent until the dance
ended and began to escort her back to Lady Stanhope. He stopped
halfway and turned to Eleanor. “I shall take my leave of you Miss
Westin.” With a nod of his head Lord Bentley turned and stalked
away.
    Eleanor was left staring after him. He
was a waste of time and she refused to let him affect her further.
She would never understand that particular gentleman. His
personality changed with the wind.

    *

    Clay rose early to ride in
the park with thoughts of Miss Westin forefront in his mind. He was
beyond rude last evening. Why did she bring out the worst in him?
Why couldn’t she be the same as all other ladies of the ton seeking a