Page 31 of Tempting a Lonely Lord
“We both would,” Lady Harrington said, eyes twinkling. “However, I will go second. Anna, keep an eye on our girl. And isn’t that the former Lady Elizabeth Harrogate? I thought your son would have married her, once upon a time,” she whispered loudly.
“Yes… I also thought so at the time. But her father had other ideas and married her off to Earl Rivers,” the countess said, accepting William’s arm. “And look. They are dancing again, so this is the perfect opportunity to conduct a little motherly espionage.”
William threw back his head and laughed. “I don’t think anything gets past the two of you.”
“No, it doesn’t,” the countess and viscountess agreed as one.
“Besides, I fear the mothers of all these young ladies will get their claws into this one.” Lady Bridgewater smiled at William, “We’d have to do battle for our promised dance with this handsome man.”
William laughed again. “I think we should hurry. The orchestra is warming up.”
“As are we, my dear. As are we,” the countess said.
~*~
Chapter Twelve
As Bella and Lacey made their way downstairs to the dining room to break their fast, Bella’s thoughts drifted to the ball. It was not an event she wished to repeat, and she had been relieved when the evening finally came to an end. Her feet still ached from the hours spent standing and dancing, but it was the baron who had left her most unsettled.
He had made a habit of appearing wherever she was. When she went to the refreshment table to fetch two glasses of lemonade for her grandmothers, he had suddenly materialized at her side, insisting that one of his footmen carry an entire pitcher instead. Later in the evening, as she stood by an open window, savoring the cool night air, he reappeared—too close for comfort—boasting about his estate and the many properties he owned.
By any standard, he was a handsome man, with broad shoulders, a patrician nose, white teeth, and thick black hair streaked with gray at the temples. He was older than her—by twelve, perhaps even fifteen years—but that was not what unsettled her. Despite his outward appeal, there was something about him that made her uneasy.
His eyes—so dark that pupil and iris seemed indistinguishable—held an intensity that made her feel watched, possessed. They looked soulless.
Even now, as she recalled the evening, a shudder ran through her. The man had an unnerving habit of materializing behind her—again and again—until it had begun to feel as though he were stalking her. He had insisted on two dances, his demeanor growing irritable when things did not go his way. His snide remarks and barely restrained temper had grated on her nerves. And when William had joined her for the supper dance, the baron had acted as if he had been personally affronted.
Thankfully, William had not backed down. He remained at her side, meeting the baron’s dark glare with an unwavering presence, until at last, the man stalked off to claim his seat at the head of the table. She and William had taken seats as far away as possible.
At her feet, Lacey gave a soft huff, as if sensing her unease. Bella reached down to stroke the little dog’s velvety ears, grateful for the comforting presence beside her.
“Darling, you’re up later than usual this morning. Are you not feeling yourself? It’s not like you to sleep so late,” Grandmama said.
“I know, but last night was rather… wearying.” Bella glanced around the table. “Where’s Uncle Stephen?”
At her feet, Lacey nuzzled against her legs—a familiar tactic to earn extra rations of bacon or toast. If her grandmothers had noticed, and they almost certainly had, they chose to look the other way.
Grandmama grinned. “Your uncle had an appointment.”
“I think it has something to do with the widow, Lady Rivers, he danced with at the ball,” Grandmère interjected. “Three dances, they shared, including two waltzes!”
“I’ve heard she’s a very nice woman,” Bella said. “They seemed to be happy sharing time.”
“Shh!” Grandmama chuckled good-naturedly. “We mustn’t jinx it. But I confess, it would be nice to see my boy take an interest in something beyond his usual… appointments. The only person he seems to ‘keep company with’ here is that odious baron. I declare, I’m not certain what that man is up to, but I don’t like that Stephen considers him a friend. Things looked tense between them at the ball last night. And I was concerned about his fixation with you, Bella. Every time I saw the baron, he was shadowing you or standing next to you. Very intrusive. And I understand he plans to call on our poor girl.”
“You recall, we talked about how to handle that…” Grandmère said. “Remember?”
“I do… but Bella has a right to know,” Grandmama returned, then sipped her tea.
“He plans to call on me?” Bella’s stomach twisted at the thought. “I have no desire to accompany him anywhere. The man makes me most uneasy. His eyes… they’re almost sinister,” she said with a shudder.
“You handled him quite well last evening. I was watching—we were ready to jump in just in case. But your viscount handled him at dinner,” Grandmère said, smiling as she speared a piece of her sweet bun with her fork.
“He’s not my vis— Never mind,” Bella said. She decided to eat while she let them discuss it. Over time, she learned there was more knowledge gained by listening. It gratified her to hear that her grandmothers felt similarly about the baron. Even more reassuring, they were actively devising some sort of plan to thwart the man’s attention—something she very much wanted to hear more about. Bella feared he was the type to take what he wanted. But if it was her he wanted, then he would be sorely disappointed, because she refused to be taken!
“But you want him to beyour viscount,” Grandmama said. “I was not fortunate to have daughters, but I was a young girl once, dear. I can see the interest in your face… and his.”
Bella was shocked to hear her relationship with William discussed so candidly. If he was interested in the future, wouldn’t he mention that to her? So far, there had only been kisses.Oh my God! Those glorious kisses.
