Read Online Tenacious Trents 02 - A Perfect Gentleman by Jane Charles - Free Book Online Page B

stepped
forward. “There is no cause to insult Miss Cooper.” He offered his
hand. “I am Vicar Trent.”
    “This is my uncle, Baron Stillwaite,” Grace
hastened to make the introduction since her uncle apparently
insisted on being rude.
    Her uncle scowled at the vicar and did not
offer to shake his hand. Instead, his eyes focused behind them.
“You have arrived sooner than I anticipated, Mr. Trent.
Unfortunately, there are more issues than I anticipated and we will
have to wait. It seems the magistrate will not be back for a few
days.”
    Grace knew her jaw dropped and she turned to
look at the vicar’s brother.
    “What is going on?” Vicar Trent demanded.
    “I work for and am in the area at the request
of Lord Stillwaite,” Mr. Trent announced.

    Matthew looked from his brother to Miss
Cooper’s uncle and back again. Since when did Jordan work for
anyone and how could he be of assistance to this man?
    “I am glad you arrived early. Let’s go into
the library to discuss the situation. I never anticipated when I
brought you here that I would need your help getting my brother
committed and taking over guardianship of my wayward niece,” Lord
Stillwaite insisted.
    Miss Cooper’s lips drew into a fine line,
color rose in her cheeks and Matthew suspected it was more from
anger than anything else. She turned on her uncle. “You are no
longer welcome in this house, Uncle Henry.”
    The man looked down at her with narrowed
eyes. “It is not your place to tell me to leave. This is my
brother’s home.”
    Miss Cooper drew herself up. “It is my home
as well and I want you to get out.” She jerked her arm up and
pointed to the door. Matthew never dreamed she could become so
angry as to order someone from her home. However, he did not know
her all that well.
    Jordan stepped forward. “Lord Stillwaite, you
do not yet have control over your brother, the property or your
niece. It would be best if we took our leave.”
    Stillwaite huffed and shook his finger at
Miss Cooper. “You just wait. Once the magistrate hears my case you
won’t be so quick to go against me.” He stormed past them and out
the door. Jordan followed on his heels. Matthew stepped forward. He
wished he knew of some way to comfort her. Did she see him as a
betrayer as much as his brother?
    “Are you going to be all right?”
    She looked up at him and swallowed. Her once
vibrant green eyes were now dull with worry.
    “I have no idea what my brother is up to. He
has never worked for anyone and I can’t imagine how he could be of
assistance in this matter.” Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose
and took a deep breath. “Despite my brother’s poor judgment, I will
be there to speak on your father’s behalf.”
    The tension in her face softened. “Thank you.
I no longer know what to do. Uncle Henry cannot get control. I
don’t care about me, but I can’t allow him to have my father
committed.”
    She walked to her father and knelt in front
of him. “Papa, I will fight him with everything I have. I
promise.”
    Mr. Cooper offered a small smile, reached
over and squeezed her hand. His eyes met Matthew’s over her head.
They were pained and he glanced down at his daughter then quickly
back to Matthew. The message was clear, at least he thought so. Mr.
Cooper was more concerned with how his daughter would fare from
this more than himself. He gave a quick nod so Mr. Cooper
understood. He would protect the young woman the best he knew
how.
    Miss Cooper swiped her cheek with the back of
her hand and stood. “I shall see about supper.”
    Matthew bowed. “I shall take my leave of you
then.”
    She paused in the door. “You are still
welcome to stay.”
    He would like nothing more than to join this
family for the evening meal, but he had more urgent matters at the
moment. “Thank you, but I think I need to talk some sense into my
brother.”
    A small smile pulled at her lips and he
wished he could do or say something to bring about the joyful