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

his body. She could feel his breath on her cheek.
Memories of his kiss flooded her mind. Her pulse quickened in
anticipation. She flattened her hands against his chest. Before she
could ask what he was doing, his head swept down and kissed her
with a passion she never would have believed him capable
of.
    Bentley lifted his head. “We both
desire and should not deny our attraction for each
other.”
    Eleanor didn’t get a chance to comment
because his lips were on hers again. It was true. She did desire
him and his kiss did queer things to her body. How could such an
inconsistent and confusing man kiss so wonderfully? If she didn’t
end this soon she would be lost.
    Bentley broke the kiss, yet pulled her
tight. It was impossible to be any closer. “Marriage is such a
permanent union. A woman of your charms could certainly appreciate
opportunities in other, rewarding relationships,” he whispered in
her ear, his cheek pressed against to hers.
    What he was saying? This was all very
confusing. Eleanor pulled back to look at him. Lord Westin was
actually smiling. He was very handsome when he smiled. “Marriage
offers security a single state lacks.”
    “ Though the security is
temporary, other types of unions could be extremely profitable. I
doubt you would be alone long between relationships.” He bent to
kiss her nape. Shivers slid down her spine. It was impossible to
concentrate on what he was saying while her body succumbed to so
many delicious sensations. They were talking about marriage, but he
wasn’t offering. Her clouded memory tried to make sense of his
words. “How can there be any security in courtship?”
    “ Miss Westin,” Bentley
kissed the other side of her neck. “You and I both know I am not
proposing courtship.”
    “ You are not proposing
marriage either.” Eleanor looked into his green eyes. It was slowly
dawning on her what he was suggesting. She was too shocked to be
outraged.
    “ No, of course not.” His
lids dropped and seemed to focus on her lips. “However, I do desire
you with an intensity that surprises even me. You are free to name
your terms. When we tire of one another, I’ll give you a
substantial settlement and we will both go our separate
ways.”
    “ How dare you suggest…”
She trailed off not sure of the proper terms.
    “ I suggest because I know
you are not the innocent society believes you to be. You may be
able to fool them, but as you well know your husband would learn
the truth on your wedding night.”
    She had never been so outraged or
insulted in her life. “Yes. He would,” she stated with all the
dignity she could muster.
    “ Then why don’t you save
yourself the pain and humiliation and agree my alternative has much
more promise.”
    If she could get her hands freed she
would slap Lord Clayton Bentley. Instead, he bent and took her lips
once again before she could protest.
    “ Bentley, I demand an
explanation immediately for this display with my
granddaughter.”
    Both Eleanor and Westin stiffened at
being caught. Bentley pulled away and turned to Stanhope. “Your
granddaughter and I were just discussing future events.”
    “ I should say there is
certainly a future to discuss and I expect you to present yourself
before me tomorrow at eleven. Is that understood?”

    *

    Eleanor paced in the front parlor. She
couldn’t believe this was happening. Lord Bentley had what she
needed most. Financial security. He was the absolute last man she
could marry. Who was he to judge her, and whatever possessed him to
believe she wasn’t innocent?
    Goodness! Even she knew, lacking the
basic understanding, that it took much more than a kiss to take
ones innocence. He had implied that she had already lain with a man
outside of wedlock. She should marry him out of spite, just to
prove him wrong. But she wanted more from a marriage. She didn’t
plan on, or even hope for love, but revenge and force would be
worse than any type of union.
    As tempting as the wealth he