Page 10 of Tempting a Lonely Lord
Bella gracefully approached. “Lord Dudley, it’s our pleasure to have you and your brother join us for tea,” she said, her smile warm and welcoming.
William blinked, once again struck by her beauty—her soft green gown shimmering faintly in the afternoonlight, accented her slender figure and the subtle glow of her complexion, the striking brilliance of her emerald-green eyes, and the gentle waves of her golden-blonde hair.
His attention shifted, and he noticed the faint limp in her step. A rush of protective instinct surged within him, and for an instant, he longed to sweep her up in his arms, remembering what it felt like to hold her. He quickly reprimanded himself, forcing his focus back to the moment.
“Allow me to introduce you to my grandmothers,” she continued. “This is Grandmère, the Dowager Viscountess Elise Harrington.”
The short, gray-haired woman gave a gentle nod and extended her hand.
William took it and bowed over it. “It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, my lady.”
“It’s nice to meet you, my lady,” Michael said, first looking up at William and then taking the viscountess’s hand in his chubby one and kissing it.
“Thank you both. The pleasure is all mine,” she said with a soft French accent, smiling down at Michael. “Please, I would be honored if you would call me Grandmère.”
“Gwand-mare,” Michael pronounced carefully.
Fleetingly, Bella wondered why Michael mixed up the R and W sounds; it seemed to occur whenever the young boy was excited or flustered.
“Yes, darling boy,” she said graciously.
Bella’s lips twitched as she started to introduce her other grandmother. “This is Grandmama, the Dowager Countess Anna Bridgewater.” She nodded at the taller woman.
Before she could say anything, William’s younger brother took the dowager’s hand into his and kissed it. “It’s apleasureto meet you, Gwand-mama,” he said. Then he looked up at William. “Why does Lady Bella have two gwandmothers and wedon’t, William?”
“Michael, that happens in some families.”
“I wishIhad a gwandmother.”
“You sweet boy!” Lady Bridgewater exclaimed. “We would be pleased to be your honorary grandmothers. Isn’t that so, Elise?”
“Oh, I agree wholeheartedly, Anna,” the viscountess said. “Consider us your grandmothers, young Michael.” She turned to her friend. “He is so charming,” she whispered loudly.
Lady Bridgewater nodded. “Angelic. He reminds me of a cherub.”
Bella smiled as her eyes met William’s. William thoughtshelooked like an angel. “Lady Bella, I’m very glad to see you looking well. How is your ankle?”
He noticed Bella blushed at the question, which made him want to talk her into his arms and kiss her.
“Much better. Thank you,” she said. “I don’t know what I would have done if Lacey hadn’t found you. I certainly couldn’t have held on too much longer.”
Hearing her name, the long-haired black dog trotted into the room and immediately took position at Bella’s feet.
“You have a dog?” Michael asked. “I love dogs.”
“We do,” Bella said while her fingers absently combed Lacey’s soft hair between her ears. As she did that, the animal leaned into her affectionate ministrations.
“My goodness! If she were a cat, she’d be purring,” Lady Bridgewater said. “Listen to her. She almost gives a guttural hum, just like a cat.”
“Very true,” her other grandmother agreed.
“Forgive me, where are my manners? I forgot to give you this. Lemon bars, baked by the cook of a dear friend,” William said, handing the tin to Bella.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said with a soft smile.
“Wonderful, we can enjoy them with our tea,” Grandmère said, nodding at Garrett, the butler.
A minute later, a maid pushed a tea cart laden with biscuits, finger sandwiches, and tea into the room. The butler opened the tin that Bella handed him and added the lemon bars onto a plate.
