Tenacious Trents 03 - A Reluctant Rake (49 page)

Jordan didn’t point out that she alread
excelled at one wifely duty. He also hadn’t considered Mrs.
Montgomery in his plans and after meeting her last fall, he really
didn’t wish to be in the same county with the woman, but she was
Audrey’s mother.

“My wife doesn’t know this, but I have
land just outside of London. It will be my gift to you and Audrey.
There is plenty of room to raise horses and build a track and you
will be close to London so you can continue working.”

“That is very generous, Mr.
Montgomery.” He hadn’t expected such a gift from her
father.

“I also have a new foal, which I always
intended for Audrey. She will be your first race horse.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

Mr. Montgomery leaned forward and
narrowed his eyes on Jordan. “Just keep my daughter happy that is
all I ask.”

“It will be my greatest pleasure,
Sir.”

Audrey paused at the door, her hand
resting on her father’s arm. Jordan waited at the end of the room
beside Elizabeth’s father. The furniture had been arranged so that
everyone would face her and Jordan as they said their vows. Beside
Jordan was his brother, Matthew and across from him was
Grace.

“Are you sure you wish to do this?” her
father asked.

It was the silliest question she had
ever heard. “Yes.”

“You love him?” Her father was studying
her. Perhaps he just wished to assure himself before he gave her
away.

“I love him with all of my heart,
Papa.”

He smiled and tears glistened in his
eyes. She had never seen her father cry ever. He was not an
emotional man. While her mother could go from raging and ranting to
a watering pot at a moment’s notice, her father had always been the
steady one.

Her eyes grew damp as well. There was a
bit of sadness because she knew she would be leaving here for good
and starting a life with Jordan, but it was for happiness as well,
and the love she had known all of her life and the love she had yet
to experience.

Jordan turned and their eyes locked.
His eyes shown with love and when he smiled, that darned dimple
appeared. Audrey took her first step toward the marvelous adventure
of becoming Jordan Trent’s wife.

Jordan approached the Rusty Nail inside
Seven Dials. They needed to get this done quick so he could get
home in time to change. He and Audrey were attending the ballet
tonight. He had been trying to think of a way to suggest the
outing, not sure what she would think about him wishing to attend
as most men had to be forced to such events, when she broached the
subject.

“I realize that most gentlemen do not
enjoy the ballet but it is something I adore and I wonder if I
might convince you to attend with me.” Jordan had simply grabbed
and kissed her.

“We really are attending the ballet
tonight?” Clayton asked.

“Yes,” Jordan answered.

“Why?” Matt asked.

“Our wives wish it,” Jordan reminded
them. “Brachton’s good friend, Acker, sits on the board and
arranged for us to have excellent seats.”

“We are sitting in the box we rent each
Season,” John reminded him.

“Ah, but we all can’t fit in that one
box and Acker arranged for us to have the one next to it as
well.”

Matthew sighed. “If we
must.”

“We must,” Jordan insisted. His
brothers never understood why he enjoyed the ballet and he had
given up trying to explain. “Then we will have a late dinner and it
will be over.”

Acker was trying to bring more ballets
to the theatre and Jordan was going to do his part to make sure
that happened, even if it meant dragging his three brothers and
brother-in-law with him.

“I hope it donna last lon’,” Brachton
complained as they stopped before the drinking
establishment.

“Are you sure he is here?” John
asked.

“I am.” This was his first attempt to
right a wrong. Thain Abbott’s uncle was known to drink here on a
regular basis and Jordan had a lad watching the place. He was
assured Ulger Abbot was inside at this moment. He just needed the
confession and Thain would be freed from Newgate. As this was his
first attempt at what Jordan decided was his newest line of work he
had requested the assistance of his brothers and
Brachton.

The gentlemen entered at uneven
intervals so others did not realize they were together and settled
in various seats around the establishment and ordered ales. Jordan
waited longer than the rest and finally stepped inside and settled
at a table by himself. He noted his family and the few Bow Street
Runners who had agreed to this scheme sitting at various tables. A
serving wench, wearing an indecently low cut dress approached.
“I’ve got something that is more pleasing than a drink.”

Even in his most rakish days Jordan
hadn’t taken up with bar maids. One was asking for a disease in
such encounters.

He held up a coin. “Perhaps a bit of
information instead.”

She plucked it from his fingers and
settled onto his lap.

“What do you need?” she purred, rubbing
her bottom against his manhood. It didn’t even stir let alone
produce the result she was hoping for. “Is Ulger Abbott
here?”

She made a disgusting face and nodded
to the table in the corner. Only one man sat drinking. Jordan
handed her another coin. “Are you sure you don’t want anything
else.” She wiggled again.

“I am sure,” Jordan answered politely
wondering how he could get her off of his lap. In the past
situations like this were humorous but now that he was married to
Audrey it wasn’t right. Besides, if she walked in right now she
would likely kill him.

The barmaid heaved a sigh and rose
before she sauntered away.

Jordan took a deep drink of his ale
before he rose and walked over to Abbott. He stopped before the
table. John was at the one next to him on the right in what
appeared to be a deep conversation with a Runner Jordan had
arranged to be here earlier. Brachton sat with another Runner at a
table to the left. This couldn’t have been planned
better.

The man looked up. “What the hell do
you want?”

“Are you Ulger Abbott?”

“What is it to you?” The man slammed
his glass of ale down on the table and stood. If this simple
question made him angry Jordan wondered what response the others
would get. Thank goodness he had brought his family
along.

“Are you?” Jordan asked
again.

“Yes.” The man swayed and his bloodshot
eyes narrowed on Jordan. “Why you wantin’ to know.”

“I am acquainted with your nephew,
Thain.”

“Ha, that welp.” The man picked up his
tankard of ale and drained it. He stumbled to the side when he
brought his head back down and tried to put the tankard back on the
table. He missed and it bounced off of the floor. “You couldn’t be
unless you’ve been in Newgate.”

“Actually, I have.” Jordan leaned
forward and placed both hands on the table.

Abbott looked him up and down and
snorted before he belched. Jordan turned his head away from the
rancid smell of his breath.

“Thain tells me that it is you who
killed his mother.”

Abbott laughed, which produced hiccups.
Abbott fell back in his chair. “As if anyone is going to believe
him.”

Jordan straightened. “I do.”

The man snorted. “It doesn’t
matter.”

“I simply want to know the truth.”
Jordan leaned forward. “Was the lad telling me the truth or did the
fact that he seemed so young and innocent draw me in?”

Abbott looked around as did Jordan. It
appeared as nobody was listening to their discussion. Abbott leaned
forward. “ “Bitch deserved the smack I gave her. I didn’t mean to
kill her but these things happen.” Abbott grabbed the table to
steady himself and leaned down to grab the tankard. He lifted it
high, swaying in his seat, trying to get the barmaid’s
attention.

The man was so unconcerned it sickened
Jordan. “So you let your nephew rot in Newgate for a crime you
committed?”

“Better him than me.” The man started
to rise, looking beyond Jordan’s shoulder when a hand clamped down
on Abbot’s wrist.

“Hey,” the man yelled and drew back,
trying to break the hold of the other man.

One of the Runners towered over him.
“Ulger Abbott, you are under arrest for the murder of Mrs. Tobias
Abbott.”

“What is this,” Abbott
demanded.

“I believe you just confessed to
murder,” Jordan said with a smile as the second Runner joined the
first at the side of Abbott.

“Thain will be released
tonight”

The Runner nodded.

“Have him dropped at my home. The
servants will see to him.”

Jordan turned his back on the man,
ignoring the shouts and protests. His family followed him outside
into the stench filled air that only existed in Seven Dials. As
much as he wished to put this place behind him forever, he knew he
would return several times until the innocent men were freed.
Hopefully they would go as easy as this. If Ulger hadn’t been so
deep in his cups, Jordan doubted he would have admitted his guilt
so freely.

Audrey paced inside the foyer. Where
was Jordan? Had he been hurt? What if the man wasn’t there? Had he
gone looking for him? Were one of his brothers hurt?

The door opened and Jordan stepped
inside, reeking of ale and stale perfume. She backed away from him
waving a hand in front of her face. “Do I want to know where you
found him?” She wrinkled her nose. “Or with who?”

Jordan grinned at her. “A serving wench
took a liking to me.”

Audrey rolled her eyes. All women took
a liking to Jordan and if she ever thought he found pleasure
outside of the marriage she would be miserable. But, she believed
that he loved her and given their regular intimacies, at any hour
of the day, she ensured he didn’t have the energy to seek out
pleasure elsewhere. Not that she thought he ever would, and she
rather liked their spontaneous encounters.

“The ballet starts in an hour. Please
hurry.”

Jordan kissed her quickly and ran up
the stairs. Audrey wandered into the sitting room and poured
herself a glass of medera. He seemed so boyish when he grinned. She
hadn’t asked if the man had been arrested, the answer was in
Jordan’s face. He had been plagued by the plight of young Thain and
once he told her, Audrey had worried as well. The staff was on the
alert and knew young Thain would be joining the household. Jordan
had plans to have him work in the stables and Audrey truly hoped it
worked out for the young man. As much as her own mother irritated
her, she would hate to be without her, let alone witness her
violent death. Audrey hoped Ulger Abbott rotted in Newgate for a
very long time.