Page 26 of Tempting a Lonely Lord (The Rakes of Mayhem #6)

William gave a firm nod, then turned back to Bella, his expression softening. “We’ll eat first, and later, if you’re up for it, we can take a ride along the beach. There’s a path near the property line—it’s been too long since I’ve kicked up sand.”

Bella managed a small smile, tugging Winterborne closer. “That sounds lovely.” She stroked the horse’s neck. “And yes, we’re still going for a ride, dear Winterborne.”

Winterborne gave a soft nicker as if he understood.

As the trio walked up the drive to the manor house, a sleek black lacquered coach came into view, stationed in the drive.

“Ah… the Dormans have arrived,” William said, a note of surprise in his voice. “I wasn’t expecting them until later.”

He could use Lucas’s help with the animal traps, and he wanted to talk to him about what Bella’s uncle had told him.

Turning to Bella, he added, “I think you’ll like Harriett. She’s a wonderful person. I met her after my cousin passed—she was the former Lady Dudley, the lady of this house.” His gaze swept over the manor before returning to her. “She’s here to help me refurbish it.”

He caught the slight upturn of Bella’s lips, and warmth spread through him. He liked seeing her smile.

And he had no doubt in his mind that his friends would adore her—as much as he did.

~*~

Bella was still shaken from the ordeal, but the prospect of meeting William’s friends brought a welcome distraction. She knew the Duke of Dorman and William had formed a close friendship through Harriett—the former Lady Dudley—who was now married to the duke.

As Franklin led the horses to the barn for water and grooming, Bella and William made their way inside to greet his guests.

The door opened, and they were met by Harlow, the ever-efficient butler.

“We’ve decided to have lunch here,” William said. “Can you have Mrs. Bradberry set up for us in the study?” Then, lowering his voice slightly, he added, “There’s also something I need your help with. Franklin is in the stable seeing to the horses, but you’ll be working with him on this matter.”

He quickly explained what had happened.

The poor butler went pale, utterly beside himself, immediately turning to Bella with deep concern. “My lady, I am so terribly sorry! This never should have happened. Shall I fetch the doctor?”

She offered a reassuring smile, gently waving off his worry. “Truly, there’s no need. I’m fine, thanks to Winterborne.”

“That fine animal has earned himself a dozen sugar cubes!” Harlow let out a breath, shaking his head in admiration.

“My lord, the Duke and Duchess of Dorman arrived an hour ago. They are settling in. I will inform them that you are back and that they can join you in your study for lunch,” the wiry man said before hurrying down the hall.

As Bella walked through the mansion, she took in the décor with a more discerning eye, considering the changes Lady Dorman might have in mind.

At the very least, the walls would need a fresh coat of paint.

The curtains and other window treatments had faded over time, their once-rich fabrics now dulled by age.

She had no intention of imposing her opinions on the duchess, but she couldn’t help hoping she might offer a suggestion or two—if invited.

Entering the study, Bella blinked in surprise. It was clear the room had already undergone refurbishment, though it still retained its masculine elegance.

Rich navy velvet curtains framed the windows on either side of the grand fireplace, lending the space a sense of depth and refinement. But it was the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, spanning three walls, that truly caught her eye.

Constructed from birchwood stained to a warm honey hue, they added a welcoming richness to the study without the heaviness of darker woods like oak or mahogany.

The shelves were neatly arranged, their contents carefully curated, and rolling ladders secured to the frame ensured easy access, even to the volumes nearest the top.

The effect was both stately and inviting—a space designed for both intellectual pursuits and quiet contemplation.

A plush burgundy Aubusson carpet stretched across the floor, its intricate pattern woven with hints of blue and light gray, seamlessly complementing the room’s décor.

The furnishings, crafted from a pale-toned wood—likely oak—coordinated beautifully, though they lacked the usual, yellow-tinted stain often seen in such pieces. Instead, the lighter finish lent the room an airy yet distinctly masculine feel, balancing warmth with understated elegance.

Before she could say anything, the door opened, and the duke and duchess entered.

“Lucas and Harriett, welcome,” William greeted them warmly. “Let me introduce you to Lady Bella Connolly. She lives with her grandmothers and her uncle on the adjoining estate.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Connolly,” the duchess said, extending a hand and covering Bella’s with the other.

“You must call me Bella.”

“And you must call me Harriett.” The duchess was a beautiful, petite blonde with sparkling green eyes and an engaging smile.

“And you must call me Lucas,” the duke said, his voice as welcoming as his wife’s.

Taking her hand, he covered it gently with his other, mirroring Harriett’s gesture.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Connolly.

I can certainly see why William has been reluctant to return to London,” the tall, broad-shouldered duke added, his warm brown eyes twinkling with amusement in his handsome face.

“William, did you do this on your own?” Harriett asked, gesturing around the room.

Noting the twinkle in the duchess’s eyes, Bella couldn’t help but like her immediately.

“I’ll admit I had some help,” William said with a small smile. “My housekeeper, Mrs. Aberdeen, was particularly instrumental in transforming this room.”

“We had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Aberdeen when we arrived,” Harriett said. A shadow seemed to pass over her face, a brief glimpse of something distant and painful. “I only wish she had been here when I was.”

Bella didn’t miss the flicker of unspoken sorrow in the older woman’s expression. She had heard whispers of the previous viscount—the man Harriett had once been married to—and the cruel isolation he had imposed upon his young wife.

The duke must have sensed it too. Without hesitation, he stepped closer, wrapping a reassuring arm around his wife’s waist, a silent but unmistakable gesture of comfort and protection.

“Except for the cook, Mrs. Bradberry, and the two young grooms in the stables, everyone else is new,” William said.

“I dismissed all the staff who made your life here miserable.” His voice was gentle but firm.

“It took time, but Harlow and Mrs. Aberdeen have seen to every necessary replacement. I hope you’ll find your visit far more pleasant than your previous time here. ”

Harriett exhaled, a hint of surprise flickering across her face. “I never expected you to do that but thank you. I know now that my former husband was the one who shaped their behavior. Still…” She let out a slow breath, her shoulders easing. “It is nice to know they are no longer here.”

She glanced around the room again, then smiled. “I mean it—your housekeeper has done a wonderful job. I’m beginning to wonder if you even need my help at all.”

“Of course I do,” William said with a grin. “Mrs. Aberdeen has an entire household to manage.” His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Besides, she was quite adamant that one room was enough. I suspect I may have driven her to distraction with my tendency to keep changing my mind.”

“The colors she chose are perfect—light, bright, and airy. I love it.” She turned to Bella. “Would you like to work with me? We could do it together—it will be great fun. And it would be lovely to have another woman’s perspective.”

Bella felt heat rise to her cheeks. “I don’t know… Perhaps we can take it one room at a time and see how it goes. William may not appreciate my taste.”

William chuckled as he leaned toward her slightly. “I can assure you, Bella, I will appreciate anything you choose. I have seen your influence throughout your home. I have yet to see anything that isn’t elegant and lovely.”

She glanced at him, her heart giving a tiny, unexpected flutter. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, his lingering smile making it clear—he meant every word.

Harriett’s smile widened. “Did I hear William mention that your grandmothers are with you? They must join us for jaunts into town—for fabrics, furnishings, and everything in between. We’ll have a marvelous time.

” She reached for Bella’s hand again, giving it an encouraging squeeze. “Tell me you’ll say yes.”

Despite her initial hesitation, Bella found herself smiling. “Of course. I’ll let my grandmothers know you’ve arrived—I’m certain they’ll be eager to meet you.”

William’s expression turned grave. “I had planned to speak with both of you later, but circumstances forced us back sooner than expected. Bella nearly stepped on an animal trap—we found two. If not for her horse stopping her, she would have walked straight into one of them.”

Bella felt a shiver run through her, the memory still too fresh. She had been so close to disaster.

Harriett gasped, her hand flying to her chest. “Oh my God! Those traps… They were everywhere.”

Bella saw the flicker of fear return to the older woman’s eyes, a reminder of what she had endured in this house.

William nodded grimly. “We found several when we first arrived, and I had my men scour the grounds. We thought we had removed them all—but we were wrong.”

Harriett’s expression darkened. “There were hundreds. Hidden in the weeds, among the trees—there was no escape. That was my life here.” She swallowed hard, then looked at Bella. “What happened?”

If his cousin had traps set around his property, then William had been wrong about his assumption that his cousin would not be cruel to animals.

He supposed his cousin’s fear of losing Harriett outweighed his consideration for animals if the man would install traps everywhere—but he felt no need to mention it right now.

Harriett was upset enough just revisiting the memory.

“Bella and I were riding when Winterborne—her father’s horse—stopped abruptly,” he explained.

“At first, we weren’t sure what was happening, but he kept pulling her back.

That’s when we saw it—the trap, half buried in the underbrush.

” He paused, glancing at Bella before turning to Lucas.

“And that’s when I realized we might be looking at her father’s death all wrong. ”

Lucas’s brows drew together. “Lord Miles Bridgewater…” He turned to Bella. “I’m very sorry for your loss, Lady Connolly. Your father was a good man. He had strong ideas and was always thinking of others. We still miss him in Parliament.”

Bella blinked back the sudden sting of tears and gave him a small nod. “Thank you,” she said, swiping at the ones that had slipped free.

Lucas turned back to William. “Tell me more about Winterborne and the trap.”

William recounted everything—the trap, the horse’s reaction, the glass shards hidden beneath the saddle, and how it had been missing from the stable after the accident.

Bella added how much Winterborne had meant to her father, explaining that he was not a horse easily spooked and that her father was an experienced horseman.

“By the time the grooms reached him, they assumed he’d been thrown and struck his head on a rock,” William said. “But if someone tampered with the saddle, and they thought the accident had been accepted as fact—and the saddle lost or destroyed—they wouldn’t have pursued it further.”

Lucas’s expression hardened. “I agree. While we shouldn’t jump to conclusions, this warrants a discreet investigation.”

A knock at the door interrupted them. Franklin stepped inside and gave a slight bow. “My lord, the horses are settled and will be ready whenever needed.”

“Good,” William said. “I’ll need your help organizing the footmen for another search of the estate.

Harlow is aware of the situation and will assist. I want every square inch of the grounds checked for those traps.

The duchess mentioned that, during her time here, hundreds were set—she was effectively held hostage in the house. ”

Franklin’s jaw tightened. “I’ll see to it immediately, my lord.”

Lucas stepped forward. “I’ll help with the search. I may be a guest, but just thinking about how my wife was treated here makes my blood boil.”

Bella swallowed hard, trying to push past the tightness in her throat. “If one of the traps had sprung on Winterborne, it could have shattered his leg…” Her voice faltered, the weight of the near disaster pressing down on her.

“While the men handle the search, why don’t we go over some ideas for the house, Bella?” Harriett suggested.

Bella nodded, grateful for the distraction. “I’d like that.”

But as she followed Harriett from the room, one thought lingered in her mind—if her father’s death hadn’t been an accident, then someone had wanted him dead.

And that meant whoever was responsible might still be out there.

~*~