Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman by Wareeze Woodson

Rhonda as beneficiary and because I was only seventeen, he left Rhonda in charge.”
    A ghost of a sympathetic smile tightened Heloise’s features. “How awkward for you. I’m sure she holds tightly to the purse strings as well.”
    Laurel longed to pour out her sense of ill usage to Heloise but prudence won. “I must see to the children.”
    “Nonsense. Becky can do that while I have Martha measure you.”
    “But,” Laurel objected, worried Adron wouldn’t approve of such actions.
    Heloise reminded Laurel of a whirlwind in full force and she was unstinting with the use of her power. “No. I won’t listen to a word you say. As soon as Martha arrives and Becky takes the children, we will adjourn to my chamber.”
    “I refuse to leave the nursery. I will allow your Martha to take my measurement, but I insist we remain in the adjoining room.”
    “Very well. Here’s Martha now.” She motioned the woman inside and issued instructions while removing to the connecting chamber.
    Laurel stood, overwhelmed with the fast pace in which she was disrobed, measured, stuck with pins, and forced to try on several gowns that might do.
    Heloise nodded. “That blue silk gown is lovely on you my dear, simply lovely. Its years too young for me and it cost the earth.” She swept her fingers over her skillfully arranged white locks. “I was thinking of giving it to Melissa. Still your need is greater."
    Laurel tugged the last of the garments over her head, leaving nothing but her thin chemise to guard her modesty. Grateful the probing and poking was over, she reached for her gown, but before she could retrieve it, Adron stood in the threshold, his expression grim.
    His angry stare sliced into her. Laurel winced. She had handed her duty over to Becky without much objection and guilt for neglecting her responsibilities added to her discomfort at being nearly naked before him. She hated the vulnerable position in which she found herself and she wanted to scream at him to get out. Instead she snatched up her gown and held it in front of her.
    “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.
    “Adron, now is not the time,” Heloise scolded her grandson and turned to her servant. “Martha that will be all and have those gowns ready as soon as possible.”
    Not another word was uttered until Martha nervously gathered her bits and bobs to depart, quietly shutting the door behind her.
    Heloise held up her hand and stared hard at her grandson. “Now, Adron. I would like an explanation of your conduct.”
    He opened his mouth and shut it again, his eyes wide with astonishment. “Gran, you know perfectly well why I . . .”
    “Nonsense, my boy. If we’re to marry her off, she can’t possibly meet a suitable partner looking like a dowd.”
    He bowed his head to her and a half-smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “You have a point. But if you are through for the day, perhaps she can return to the children.”
    Heloise threw up her hands. “Of course. I must catch Martha before she cuts that material. I have an idea.” She hurried from the room.
    Adron’s smile grew more sinister and he leaned against the door with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes seemed to sizzle with passion, sparking tension across the chamber to engulf Laurel. Trapped in his gaze, she swallowed and blinked to break free from his spell.
    She lifted her chin in defiance, turned her back on him and stepped into her gown. His warm breath caressed her nape and his arms encircled her waist. Startled, she attempted to push his hands away. How had he crossed the chamber so quickly and so silently?
    He drew her back against his warm chest. The steady pounding of his heart seeped into her and her pulse accelerated to match the rhythm of his. He touched the tip of his tongue just below her ear and trailed kisses down her throat to her bare shoulder. She shivered, suppressing a moan as a bolt of desire shot through her.
    “This is an inappropriate time to let things