Page 16 of Tempting a Lonely Lord (The Rakes of Mayhem #6)

Bridgewater Manor

The day before the ball

The last five days had been filled with anticipation and joy.

Bella and her grandmothers needed gowns for the Darkmoor ball, and shopping and fittings for the three of them had taken considerable time.

There had been several fittings until, finally, the three women had everything they needed and were ready for the ball.

It would be their official introduction to the local Society, and for reasons she couldn’t understand, Uncle Stephen was adamant that she look her best.

William and Michael had visited several times. As it happened, William asked if she’d like to ride the afternoon after the ball, and she looked forward to it, feeling for various reasons that she needed it as much as Winterborne.

Whenever she had a spare moment, she spent it with the horse, including rubbing him down and brushing him.

Occasionally, she took him for a walk with the groom or simply spent time with him while reading her favorite book from a corner in his stall, where one of the stable hands had placed a chair.

They comforted each other with their presence.

“Darling, you have a visitor,” Grandmère said, gliding into her room and shaking Bella from her reverie. A smile stretched across her face. “Your viscount is here.”

Bella felt her heartbeat quicken like a drum in her chest, its rapid rhythm echoing the excitement coursing through her veins.

A tingling rush swept over her each time she found herself in William’s presence, sending delightful shivers down her spine.

It was a sensation unlike any other, extending to a fluttering in her stomach that felt both intoxicating and unnerving, as if a swarm of butterflies had taken flight inside her.

The world around her faded away, and all that mattered was the captivating spark between them whenever they were together.

“He’s not my viscount,” she said, as if saying it aloud would deny that every inch of her heart had already claimed him.

“You know what I mean.” Her grandmother gave her a look of disbelief before tutting. “Don’t give it another thought. Anne and I will entertain him until you are ready. He’s a very handsome young man,” Grandmère practically sang as she left the room.

“Grandmère!”

“What? I may be old, but I’m not blind! Now, hurry before Anna and I make fools of ourselves,” she said, chortling as she closed the door.

Oh no! Bella glanced once more at herself in the mirror and winced.

Her hair was in disarray, and she had only one pearl earring on.

Fumbling for the jewelry box, she added the second earring.

Then she quickly grabbed a brush, ran it through her tangled locks, and decided to leave them loose around her shoulders.

After straightening her dress and taking one final glance at her reflection, she pinched her cheeks for a touch of color and hurried out of her room.

Leaving William alone with her grandmothers was a dangerous prospect. There was no telling what they might say to him. Still feeling awkward over her own outburst just days ago, she could only imagine the mortification she’d face if her grandmothers decided to meddle or speak too freely.

A few minutes later, Bella entered the parlor. Lacey trotted in behind her and curled up on the rug in front of the fireplace.

“My dear Bella, we’ve been entertaining your viscount,” Viscountess Harrington said, her eyes twinkling. Bella felt her cheeks flame at her grandmother’s words. She chanced a peek at William, who gave her a wink.

“Elise and I enjoyed our little chat,” Countess Bridgewater added. Her gaze strayed to the bottom of Bella’s skirts, and she smiled.

“As did I,” William said with a charming smile. “Countess Bridgewater and Viscountess Harrington, I hope you will both save a dance for me at the ball,” he added.

The two older women giggled like debutantes. “Most definitely,” the viscountess said. “Consider it done. It will give me an excuse to wear one of those little dance cards on my wrist. Oh, Anna… How long has it been since we’ve done that?”

“Too long—since our weddings, I believe,” Countess Bridgewater said in a cheeky tone. “I look forward to our dance, Lord Dudley.”

Leaning over to her granddaughter, Grandmama whispered, “You have two different shoes on, my dear.”

Bella blushed as she quickly adjusted her skirt to cover her shoes.

William turned to Bella as her grandmothers left the room, both women chatting excitedly about the finishing touches for their gowns.

“Good morning, Bella. I wondered if you might have time to take a walk. And before I forget, Michael insisted on picking these Lenten roses, declaring that I should bring them to you,” he said, handing Bella a bouquet that had been sitting on a side table.

“They’re beautiful,” she breathed. “The pale green color is lovely. Thank you, and please thank Michael for picking them.” Can I walk without drawing attention to my mismatched shoes?

“I will,” William said. “The color matches your eyes,” he added in a soft voice.

Bella felt another blush heat her cheeks. She put the mismatched shoes out of her head. There was no way she would let an opportunity to spend time with William go over anything as silly as mismatched shoes.

Lord, I’m forever blushing when I’m around him. But she couldn’t help it—each day her feelings for him deepened.

Her eyes fluttered closed as she inhaled the fragrance of the roses, letting her mind drift back to that unforgettable moment—her first kiss, one that replayed like a special melody in her heart.

The kiss seemed plucked from the romantic pages of one of her favorite novels—a perfect blend of warmth, tenderness, and passion.

It had taken Bella completely by surprise, and it had been completely unforgettable.

Every detail of his kiss replayed in her mind—the soft yet firm press of his lips, the scent of sandalwood and citrus that was a part of him, and the way his eyes had sparkled with mischief just before his lips met hers.

It made her knees weak. She’d relived it at least a dozen times—upon waking each morning, and as she readied for bed each night.

Even during meals, she often found her mind drifting to thoughts of William, which only made her shrewd grandmothers take notice and make teasing comments.

“Shall we go for our walk?” William said, offering her his arm. “I thought a stroll through your gardens would be enjoyable.”

“Yes, that would be lovely,” she replied. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Lacey stretching before trotting over to stand beside her. “I see Lacey is keen on joining us.” She giggled.

“Lacey is always welcome,” William said, crouching and petting the little black dog on her head.

“Although I’m not sure there are too many flowering plants in bloom at this time of year,” Bella said. Her trips to the garden during the winter were limited to walking Lacey.

“I had assumed the same. So, imagine my surprise when Michael stumbled upon the Lenten roses flourishing in an unassuming garden tucked away behind the stables—a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.”

She smiled up at him. “You could be right. We might discover some lovely blooms in our garden as well.”

She accepted her dark rose pelisse from Garrett, who stood by the door, patiently waiting.

She smiled her thanks at the thoughtful butler.

Garrett had a knack for anticipating the needs of everyone in the household.

She had learned long ago not to ask him how he knew things, because she suspected he also had a knack for listening at doors.

She didn’t mind, however, as the butler was a loyal member of the family and had been with the Bridgewater household her entire life.

Everyone depended upon him… and his ability to anticipate and deliver what they needed.

Garrett strode ahead with his usual brisk efficiency, his posture as straight as a poker, and pulled open the door leading to the backyard gardens. “Enjoy yourselves, my lady, my lord. And… you as well, Lacey,” he added, his voice stiff as he addressed the dog.

Lacey stopped in her tracks, lifting her head to give him a long, deliberate look—a look that could only be described as that of a regal queen—before trotting past him with her tail held high as if to remind him exactly who ruled the household.

Garrett’s lips tightened ever so slightly, but he recovered quickly, stepping back to allow Bella and William to pass. Bella suppressed a laugh at the butler’s obvious discomfort, while William smirked, clearly enjoying the interplay.

Lacey, seemingly entirely unbothered, made her way to her favorite spot beneath the jasmine bush, now in full bloom, its yellow flowers cascading like a cheerful carpet onto a neighboring dormant bush.

“You have jasmine for all seasons,” William remarked, chuckling as he reached down to break off a small sprig of blossoms.

“Two years ago, before the wasting disease took her life, jasmine was my mother’s favorite flower, so the second year Papa and I came here, we helped the gardener start the garden in remembrance,” Bella said with a fond smile.

“I enjoy the fragrance as well.” She glanced around.

“I had thought the garden wouldn’t be as vivacious as it was in the spring, yet as often as I step out here with Lacey, this is the first time I’ve truly noticed the flowers blooming in the winter.

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard the names, but I think those rose-like flowers are pink camellias—one of my father’s favorites.

Oh, and I notice we also have snowdrops and pansies.

” She glanced at the clutch of flowers in her hand and then pointed at a colorful patch in the corner of the garden.

“Oh, and please tell Michael that we also have Lenten roses. I’ve never noticed them before. ”

“I’ll have to ask our head gardener to freshen up the gardens around Cliffton Abbey. After seeing yours, I know we can do much better,” William said.

They continued walking down one of the paths through the garden, both commenting on and admiring the varieties of pansies and other flowers the Bridgewater gardener had planted.

When they came to a bench, they slowed. “Would you like to sit down?” William asked.

What I’d like to do is kiss . “I’d love to,” Bella said, taking a seat.

“Tomorrow is Darkmoor’s ball. Your uncle will accompany you and your grandmothers, but I will be attending as well. And I hope to claim two dances with you, Bella,” William said.

She brightened. “I’d like that. I’ll save whatever dances you’d like.”

“Then perhaps you would agree to the first waltz and the supper dance,” William said, a teasing glint in his eyes as he winked.

Bella’s heart fluttered, a delicious warmth spreading through her chest. “I’ll make sure your name is on my card as soon as I arrive,” she replied.

His gaze shifted to the lush greenery surrounding them. “These magnolia bushes are quite robust, don’t you think?”

She glanced around, puzzled by his comment. “Indeed, they are,” she said.

“They’re so robust, in fact,” he continued, his voice dropping slightly, “that they’ve made this bench quite private.”

Realization dawned as her breath quickened. “Yes, it is rather private,” she murmured, her cheeks warming as butterflies stirred in her stomach.

“I daresay,” he said, leaning just slightly closer, “it might be safe to steal a kiss—if you are willing, that is.”

Her breath caught, her pulse racing at his words. She hesitated. “I—I might not object,” she replied, voice barely above a whisper.

William tucked the sprig of jasmine into her hair, then leaned down and covered her lips with his.

~*~

From the solitude of his fourth-story bedchamber, behind heavy drapes that filtered the afternoon light, Viscount Stephen Bridgewater moved the curtain aside and stared at the young couple below. As he observed them, a pang of immense regret gripped his heart.

This is the man she desires and deserves . Yet I’ve set in motion something that I cannot stop and have saddled her with a man who isn’t worth her notice .

Stephen’s stomach churned at his dark thoughts, for he knew all too well that he had condemned his beloved niece to a life that would take her away from true happiness.

Guilt washed over him as he recalled the slip of his tongue that had entangled his niece’s future in that of Baron Darkmoor.

The baron was now demanding a betrothal.

And Stephen had no choice but to comply.

His late brother had always disagreed with his choices, but Miles had always loved Stephen, despite the reckless behavior that had defined Stephen’s life.

In a letter added as a codicil to his last will, the late earl had asked Stephen to take care of Bella and watch over her, should anything ever happen to him.

Miles had trusted him with his daughter, even though Stephen didn’t deserve the trust of anyone in his family.

He was damaged—a wastrel, undeserving of anyone’s trust or love, especially that of his brother and innocent niece.

Unable to think of a solution to his problems, he poured himself another brandy. At least he could forget his woes for a little while as he lost himself to the bottle once more.

~*~