Page 56 of Tempting a Lonely Lord
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.”
