Page 31 of Tempting a Lonely Lord (The Rakes of Mayhem #6)

Two Days Later

Cliffton Abbey

William lay awake in his bed, staring up at the swirling center knot in his creamy damask canopy cover.

He couldn’t recall paying that much attention to the design of his bed before, but now that he studied it, he could appreciate the intricacies—they were much like his life now.

The same intricacies that had kept him awake most of the night as he tried to weave through them.

He had anticipated that life would slow down a little with his official resignation from active duty with the Crown; instead, most especially since meeting Lady Bella Connolly, he’d felt as if he needed to grab hold, because life wasn’t waiting for anyone.

Anticipating being roused early by Patrick—as his valet enjoyed doing—William had pulled his bed curtains closed the evening before, giving him a few additional moments of solitude.

So much had happened in the past few days that the only way he thought to make sense of it all was to lie there and think.

The fête had been meant to be a pleasant diversion, a chance to enjoy the day with Bella and her family. Instead, it had turned into something far more startling, dangerous, and deeply worrisome.

William had spent the past two days grappling with everything that had happened—not just the discovery of the smuggling ring and the kidnapped children, but Bella’s ordeal.

She had been accosted by the baron, the vile bastard who had lain in wait for the perfect moment to drag her into a darkened tent, his intentions as nefarious as they were unforgivable. Thank God Harriett had been there, helping Bella escape before something worse could happen.

But William hadn’t been there.

That knowledge sat like a stone in his gut, heavier with each passing hour. Bella had been shaken, bruised from the struggle, but when he tried to ask her more, her eyes had darted away, unwilling to meet his.

She hadn’t wanted to talk.

Harriett had promised she would speak with her, and now, two days later, William finally knew the whole story.

The baron had planned it. He had watched, waited, and struck at the opportune moment. Bella had barely managed to wrench herself free and escape his clutches.

Two kidnappings.

One targeting innocent children.

One targeting Bella.

How could two such terrifying coincidences happen in one day, at one event?

William’s fingers curled into fists. He didn’t believe in coincidences. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to let this go.

Had it not been for Michael’s keen observation, the boat would have departed with a dozen stolen children.

For now, there were parents of two of the children that they were still trying to locate.

It could take a while. He was thankful that Lady Elizabeth Rivers had graciously offered to shelter the little ones until their families were found.

William was also incredibly thankful and even in awe of his little brother.

Michael had a keen sense of awareness. He seemed to understand not only the temperament of animals but also that of people.

He had been a tremendous help with the children, calming them and making them laugh.

He’d been so helpful that Elizabeth had asked if he could stay, just in case the children had a difficult night.

However, Michael wasn’t ready to part with Lacey, so he declined the offer.

William had laughed at that. Michael seemed to embody the best qualities of both his mother and father.

William did not regret his decision to resign from the Crown to spend time with his brother one bit.

But it was Michael’s conversation after the children had been taken to safety that still lingered in William’s head this morning.

He and Lucas had been overseeing Franklin and their men tying up the smugglers.

“Very likely this is the Piper again,” Lucas had remarked.

“Which makes me wonder if the Piper has been doing this right under the noses of the townspeople this whole time. What if he lives here among us? If that’s the case, it would make it easier to find him…” William said.

Michael had tugged on his shirt. “William, what is a piper?”

Lucas and William exchanged a look.

“How long have you been standing there, Michael? I thought you were with Uncle Stephen,” William said, realizing that he had been so engrossed in conversation, he hadn’t noticed his brother and Lacey wander over.

Michael shrugged. “I was, but I saw you and came to be with you. Uncle Stephen said it’d be all right. Lacey and me just got here. But you mentioned a piper. What’s that?”

William looked at Lucas, who nodded. “We believe it’s a man who is behind the stealing of the children.” Someone I mistakenly thought we had taken care of last year, he thought. “Perhaps we’ve managed to capture the head of the snake this time.”

“You want the head of a snake?” the boy replied, his face contorting into a puzzled grimace.

William and Lucas exchanged amused glances.

“No, I meant that figuratively,” William explained. Seeing the confusion still lingering in Michael’s eyes, he continued, “It was just a different way of saying something.”

“Well, I didn’t think you wanted me to play with snakes,” Michael said. “Do you think you can talk with normal words to me?”

“Why did you ask about the Piper?” Lucas asked.

“Yesterday, when Uncle Stephen and Grandmama were talking, Baron Darkmoor pushed into the room and said, ‘It’s time to pay the piper!’ He was very mean and got very mad when Grandmama gave him the money.”

“You were listening at the door, again?” William asked.

Michael drew up to his full height and placed his hands on his hips. “Well… yes. How else will I know what’s going on around here? Me and Grandmère had to leave the room.”

Biting back a ready retort, William asked, “Did Darkmoor say anything else?”

Michael nodded. “He said, ‘This isn’t over.’ Grandmère and I had to move real quick because he was coming out the door where we were standing.”

It was unlikely a coincidence that the man who had attempted to kidnap Bella on the same day as the near kidnapping of a dozen children would use the same language referencing the head of the smuggling ring. William felt sure of it.

That evening, he and Lucas had penned missives to their respective contacts telling them of the events. The local magistrate had arrested five men from the fête, including two whom Stephen pointed out as regulars at the pub.

“My lord?” Patrick said, interrupting William’s thoughts. “I have your bath ready. And your clothes are hanging on the stand. There’s a written message from Lord Stephen Bridgewater. I’ll leave it on the dresser.”

Patrick sounded irritated. Probably because he hated it when William kept the curtains drawn. But had he not, he wouldn’t have had a moment’s peace until he finished dressing. He appreciated Patrick. He did. But the man was rooted in routine.

William sat up and pulled back the curtains. “I’m up,” he said, swinging his legs over the side. “I just needed some time to ponder a few things that have happened over the past few days.”

“I understand,” Patrick said, sounding remorseful. “His Grace sent word that he would meet you in the breakfast room in half an hour.”

Thirty minutes later, William joined his friends in the breakfast room. “Lucas, what are we missing?”

“I’ve been thinking of that, too,” Lucas said, accepting another cup of tea.

“The five men are being held. After what they told us, I think we’re closing in on the Pied Piper,” William said. “Hopefully, Franklin will be back from delivering those missives tonight.”

“We are so close. We just need to find a way to confirm the information those sailors gave us. We need proof,” the duke said.

“Lucas, you promised we could take a walk after breakfast, and I, for one, intend to hold you to it,” Harriett said, buttering her toast with deliberate precision. “I want to get to the bottom of this mystery as much as anyone, but a morning stroll with your wife is of the utmost importance.”

“You are absolutely right,” Lucas said, setting down his coffee. “And I certainly don’t want to find myself in your bad graces.” He cast her a playful look before turning to William. “According to Bella, she knocked the baron out cold.”

Harriett dabbed at her lips with her napkin before giving a satisfied nod. “Yes, I did. And don’t you forget it.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “It was my good fortune to be there when Bella needed me.”

William met her gaze. “You were incredibly brave, Harriett. I cannot thank you enough for what you did for Bella.”

Harriett’s smile softened. “You’re most welcome.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. Speaking of Bella, she will be here later to help me select fabrics.

We would like to get your opinion, William.

Oh… and we are invited to the Bridgewaters’ home for dinner.

” She turned to Lucas. “I accepted for us.”

“As you can see, my wife has many talents… one of them is taking charge,” Lucas said, laughing. “I’ve found that it’s best to do what she says.”

~*~

“Good evening, Garrett,” William said.

“Right this way, Your Graces, my lord,” Garrett said.

As they entered the dining room, Lacey lifted her head, made a guttural sound, and walked out of the room.

“Welcome, Lord Dudley, Your Graces. We’re so glad to have you join us. We should be sitting for dinner shortly,” Grandmère said. “Bella should be down soon.” She paused and looked past them. “Where’s Michael?”

“He could barely lift his head from all the pony riding he and Lacey did this afternoon. Mrs. Randal fed him and put him to bed—with no argument,” William said, laughing. “I don’t think I’ve seen him so tired. Not even after the treasure hunt.”

“Ah, welcome, everyone,” Stephen said, entering the dining room with the widow on his arm. “You all remember Lady Elizabeth Rivers.”