Page 35 of Tempting a Lonely Lord (The Rakes of Mayhem #6)

Bridgewater Manor

William and Michael had just crested the hill dividing the two estates when shrill cries and panicked screams split the air. A horse.

Then he saw it—a thick plume of black smoke billowing from the Bridgewater stables.

“My God! The stable is on fire.” William’s pulse thundered. He turned to Michael. “Ride to the main house—now! Alert everyone. We need all hands to put out the fire and get the animals to safety. Make sure no one stays inside in case the flames spread.”

Michael gripped his reins tightly. “But I can help—”

“You are helping.” William’s voice was firm. “We need the household warned immediately, and I can’t have you near the fire. Now go!”

Michael hesitated for only a second before nodding, then spurred his pony toward the house at a gallop.

William didn’t waste another moment. He swung off his horse and ran toward the stables, the acrid scent of smoke burning his lungs.

Through the thick haze, movement near the paddock caught his eye.

Winterborne.

The stallion had broken free, his muscles taut with fury. His ears were pinned back, nostrils flared, teeth bared as he lunged at Baron Darkmoor. The massive horse snapped at the man’s arm, forcing him to drop Bella to the ground.

But the baron wasn’t safe yet.

Winterborne reared, hooves pounding the dirt with furious intensity. Darkmoor staggered back, eyes wide with shock, struggling to stay upright. He was strong, but against the unrelenting wrath of an enraged stallion, he was powerless.

William surged forward, his only thought— Bella .

As he drew closer, he saw Lacey dragging herself toward her mistress, barking hoarsely, as if trying to wake her. When Bella didn’t stir, the dog let out a distressed whimper and curled over her, a small, fierce protector shielding her from further harm.

“She’s mine, you stupid beast,” the baron spat, breathless and enraged.

William’s blood turned to ice as Darkmoor yanked a pistol from his coat and aimed it at Winterborne’s head.

“I should have killed you a year ago,” Darkmoor growled, his face contorted with fury, his cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

William didn’t think—he moved.

In an instant, he grabbed the baron by the collar and yanked him back, throwing his full weight into a punch that smashed against Darkmoor’s face. The baron staggered, dazed—but before he could recover, William tackled him to the ground, fists flying.

Blow after blow, William drove his knuckles into the baron’s face. He barely registered the crunch of breaking bone beneath his fists—he just kept hitting.

“I’ll get Bella out of here!” Stephen’s voice cut through the chaos.

With one final, bone-shattering punch, William knocked the baron unconscious. He turned just in time to see Stephen pass Bella into the waiting arms of a footman.

“My God, man! We saw the smoke and came to help,” Lucas called, reaching William’s side. “I brought Franklin and your footmen. Harriett is organizing the fire brigade, and we’ve sent Franklin for the doctor.”

“ No! ” Stephen’s scream split the air.

William spun just in time to see Darkmoor grabbing his pistol again. The barrel lifted—aimed directly at William.

Before William could answer, Stephen hurled himself at the baron just before a shot rang out.

Darkmoor collapsed under the weight of the attack.

Stephen went down hard, blood seeping through his shirt and covering his side.

William and Lucas rushed to his side. “Stephen—damn it, stay with me,” William said urgently, searching for the bullet wound. “I found it. It’s in his shoulder.”

Despite blood pooling on his sleeve, Stephen rolled over and let out a weak breath. “I’m still with us,” he muttered.

William pressed a firm hand to the wound. “We’ll get you out of here.”

As they carried Stephen to safety, William’s mind churned with thoughts of those he loved—Michael, Bella, and their grandmothers. He prayed they were all safe. But most of all, he prayed Bella would recover.

They laid Stephen on the grass as Harriett rushed up with medical supplies.

“Bella… is she… all right?” William asked Harriett, his voice sounding hoarse to his own ears.

“She’s breathing, and that’s a very good sign,” Harriett said, bending to clean Stephen’s wound with the help of a maid.

William forced himself to stand, his focus shifting. “We need to get back and make sure that fire is completely put out, or it could spread.”

Lucas hesitated, glancing at his wife, who gave him a reassuring nod. Then he turned to William. “Let’s go.”

How he wanted to see Bella. Needed to. But there was too much to do. And too many people rushing about. He barely caught a glimpse of her—lying on a blanket, surrounded by her grandmothers, Michael, and Mrs. Bisque.

Bella. She was all he could think about while pummeling the baron. Just seeing her in the bastard’s arms had filled him with an unrelenting fury.

He hadn’t even told her how much she meant to him. How much he loved her. Yes. He did love her. He realized that now. But they had to make sure the fire was put out. It was why he’d been a good agent for the Crown. His ability to stay focused, no matter the circumstances.

As he and Lucas ran toward the burning stable, Garrett’s commanding voice rang out over the chaos.

“Take the prisoner to the gardener’s shed,” the butler called, motioning toward Darkmoor’s unconscious form. “Lock him in, put shackles on his hands and feet, and gag him. One of you stand guard while the other brings me the key.”

“Yes, sir.” The footmen moved quickly, binding the baron and hauling him away.

William couldn’t help but be impressed. Garrett had issued his orders with the precision of a seasoned general.

And then William saw something else that quite astonished him: Garrett knelt and gently scooped Lacey up into his arms. He murmured something low, and as he pressed a gentle kiss to her head, she gave a small wag of her tail.

The battered but resilient dog leaned into the butler and licked his chin.

William shook his head, allowing himself the barest flicker of amusement.

It seemed Lacey and Garrett had finally settled their differences.

But there was still work to do. Before he could take Bella into his arms and tell her just how much he loved her.

~*~

Bella opened her eyes and, for a moment, stared into the sooty faces of William, Grandmère, and Garrett. She glanced by her side and saw Lacey, her back leg bandaged, but resting comfortably. Her dog was safe and sound. Thank God.

“How do you feel, Bella?” William asked gently, a tender smile on his face.

She gazed into his incredible blue eyes that looked even bluer in his soot-covered face and felt her heart do a dozen flip-flops.

“Thirsty,” she said, her voice sounding ragged.

Grandmère handed her a glass of water. “Take small sips.”

Bella nodded and drank as much as she could.

She tried to focus, as the words were all jumbled up, waiting to be said at once.

Taking a deep breath, she started. “He killed Papa,” she said, wiping the sudden tears that rolled down her face.

“I was afraid I might never wake up and be able to tell you what he said he’d done.

He pressed a handkerchief to my mouth… I think it was laudanum.

But before I fainted, he told me that even with the glass he had placed beneath the saddle, Winterborne wouldn’t throw Papa, and that was when he fired the gun… ”

“I remember a gunshot that day,” Grandmère said. “My God!”

“I do, too,” Bella said weakly. “If only we’d had some inkling of what he was planning. Winterborne recognized him… and that’s why he reacted so violently at the stables today. All this time…”

“You need to get your strength back,” William said, lifting her hand to his lips.

If Bella hadn’t already felt faint, she would have likely swooned right there as William placed a soft kiss on her fingers. “Where are Uncle Stephen and Grandmama?” she asked.

“Stephen is in his room with Grandmama and the doctor,” Grandmère said. “A bullet passed through his shoulder—and the doctor was able to make sure there were no fragments. He should make a complete recovery.”

“I’m so relieved,” Bella said.

“Uncle Stephen jumped on the baron when he was trying to shoot William,” Michael said. “He’s a hero.”

Bella’s eyes widened at that declaration. “Is that true?”

William rolled his eyes at his brother. “Let’s keep Bella as calm as we can for now, all right, Michael?”

Michael nodded, but his eyes danced with mischief.

“Are you hurt?” Bella whispered.

“I’m fine,” William said in a reassuring tone.

“Lady Bella, I am so happy to see you awake,” Garrett said as he walked up to the group gathered around the settee.

“Thank you,” Bella said.

“Garrett, you’re a hero too!” Michael exclaimed. “William said you saved Lacey.” He nodded at the small black dog snoring at the end of the settee. “And you’re no longer sore at each other,” he added, a wide grin on his face.

Garrett cleared his throat. “Yes, well, Lacey is a valiant dog, and she was very brave protecting her mistress. And for that, she has my undying gratitude.” He reached down and patted the dog on the head.

“Come along, Michael—I think Mrs. Bisque has some warm milk and cake for us,” Grandmère said, with a wink at Bella and William. “Garrett, won’t you join us? I want to hear all about how you took charge in that barn.”

“Yes, madam,” he said with a smile as he followed Grandmère and Michael out of the parlor.

“Do you hurt anywhere, Bella?” William said, moving closer to her on the settee. “I felt so helpless when I saw you lying there.”

“I’m sure I don’t hurt as bad as the baron. I understand you broke his nose and part of his cheek, and Winterborne broke his legs,” she said.

“Indeed. I think your horse would have killed him if I hadn’t arrived when I did. Come to think of it, I was very near to doing that myself.” He shook his head. “Can I get you anything?” he said softly as he caressed her cheek.

Despite how good his touch felt, Bella couldn’t stop from grimacing. “Oh, that hurts,” she said, holding her stomach. “Remind me never to almost get kidnapped again by an evil baron with a handkerchief soaked in laudanum.”

William poured her a cup of tea from a teapot on a side table. “Here, take a sip of this. Mrs. Bisque brought it in just before you woke up.”

Bella took a few sips and began to feel better.

“I’ve known a few soldiers who stay away from opiates for the same reason,” William said. “I’ll keep that in mind… and make sure the doctor never gives it to you.”

Bella’s eyes widened. “You will?” She giggled. “How do you plan to do that?”

“By marrying you, of course.” Grinning, he went down on one knee. “Lady Bella Connolly, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Bella covered her mouth, afraid to say anything. “I’d have to speak to Uncle Stephen. I’m not of age yet…”

“Already done. And your uncle has given us his blessing,” William said.

“Even so, I should check on him…”

“You’re going to make me wait for an answer?” William asked, with an arch of his brows.

She bit her lower lip and gazed up at him with an impish grin, which elicited a groan from him that made her smile even wider. “I would love to become your wife, if you will kiss me… and make it one of the good ones.”

“There’s nothing I’d rather do.” William bent and captured her lips in a heady kiss. “I love you, Lady Bella Connolly.”

“And I love you too, Lord William Dudley,” she said, sighing.

He pressed his lips against hers once more, and as their breaths mingled, their tongues met in a teasing, sweet dance, while his fingertips ran alongside her jawline, and he looked into her eyes.

The rest of the world faded away, leaving only the heat between them and the quiet hum of pleasure as their lips clung together, exploring, teasing, and tasting.

It was a kiss that sealed their love and reaffirmed the promise of a future together.

~*~