Lady In Distress (The Langley Sisters Book 3) (10 page)

Galvanized by her tone, Thea grabbed her and hauled her up to where she stood, and then together they scurried back up to the road. Her leg protested, but she did not lessen her pace until she was safely on the bridge once more.
 

“Not one word,” she then said.
 

“Bella, there is a large, raging man down there. My advice to you is make haste,” Thea then said, doing just that.

CHAPTER FIVE

Luke still liked to drive a carriage upon occasion, even though he was no longer called upon to do so. It was, after all, in his blood; his father, and grandfather had both been the same. Pulling to a halt in front of Willow Hall, he then let Jessie get down and assist Thea and Bella into the carriage.
 

Fear had made him react today when he had seen Bella skating. He’d not thought, simply told her she was a fool for doing so, worried her leg would give way and she would fall. But she hadn’t been in any danger; in fact, she’d been enjoying herself with his siblings, and he realized now that this was part of the change she’d talked about at the cemetery, change she wanted him to see and acknowledge. She didn’t need him protecting or censuring her anymore because she was stronger.
 

It would take time for him to adjust to the woman she now was, and acknowledge she no longer needed him as she once had. She had asked him if he could see her as his equal, someone he didn’t feel the need to constantly protect. Could he?

The old Bella would certainly never have pulled him onto the ice. His siblings had laughed for a good twenty minutes after that, and then Rosie had told him off, saying that Miss Langley was one of the nicest, prettiest ladies she had ever met, and that she deserved better from him, to which he had muttered a chastened apology.
 

“They’re both corkers, ain’t they?” Jessie said as he climbed back up onto the driver’s seat minutes later after closing the carriage door.

“They are women of noble birth, Jessie, and as such deserve to be respected. Please refrain from using that term when describing them.”

It was moments like this when he felt different. Jessie spoke as he once had, but no longer. He walked in two worlds because he had lived parts of his life in both, but he felt lately that it was Will’s world that he had begun to feel most comfortable in.
 

Urging the horses up the road, he relaxed, drawing in a deep breath. Whenever he drove Bella, he felt calm, as if knowing she was safe inside the carriage allowed the tension to ease from his shoulders.
 

Christ, he was pathetic.

He’d watched her walk into Twoaks this morning, moving slowly but steadily with Lady Althea, and suddenly the day had brightened even more. Her bonnet had framed her smiling face and he’d seen a few of the blonde curls that had always entranced him peek from beneath. Her lovely figure had been wrapped in a blue coat and he’d had to duck into the bakery before anyone saw him looking at her.
 

He watched as she dealt with Mrs. Popplehinge. Saw the other woman walk away determined to protect Bella from anyone who dared to call her that name again and he’d seen more of her strength.

“Help Lady Althea to the door, Jessie,” Luke said, when minutes later they pulled up outside Rossetter House, where Will had grown up. His brother, the Duke, and his family now lived here.

“Thank you, Luke, and no doubt I shall see you again soon.”

He’d always liked Thea; she never treated him as anything but a friend even when he’d worked in her father’s stables. Smiling down into her pretty face, he said, “It was my pleasure, Lady Althea.” She didn’t leave then as he’d expected, but stood, looking up at him, with the same steady gaze that both her brothers had.

“It’s my belief, Luke Fletcher, that you should fight for what your heart desires, especially if that heart’s desire is as special as the lady currently seated in this carriage.”

Stunned, Luke watched as Thea gave him a soft smile, then turned and walked away.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Jessie said, retaking his seat beside Luke.

Grunting something, Luke pulled his eyes from Thea’s retreating back and then, picking up the reins, he urged the horses forward.

What had she meant?
Did Thea know how he and Bella felt about each other? And, if so, who else knew? And furthermore, what did they think?
 

Luke hadn’t slept much last night because he had been plagued with dreams of Bella. But he had woken to the realization that she should have her debut in society, so then she would know what she was giving up to have a future with him. If that happened, he wanted her to come to him with no regrets.

 
Pulling into Will’s driveway, Luke concentrated on navigating the horses into the courtyard. Large, with mullioned window and three stories, the home was cream stone and looked welcoming with the sun low in the sky at its back.

Handing the reins to Jessie, Luke jumped down as Roberts, Will’s butler, came to open the carriage door.

“Lord Ryder wishes to see you in his study please, Mr. Fletcher.”
 

“Hello, Roberts.” Bella took the butler’s hand as she stepped down and gave him a smile.

“Miss Langely.” Luke watched the man bow.

“Tis a trifle chilly here in the shadows, Roberts. I shall make my way inside.” She didn’t look at him, instead making for the front door that stood open.

“Tea is ready for you in the family parlor, Miss Langley. Lady Ryder and Lady Levermarch await your arrival there.”

“Excellent. Nothing quite like tea to warm you.”

She was not one of those ladies who thought it beneath them to talk to the staff. Bella had always taken an interest in people, no matter their station in life. He watched her walk towards the house, her steps slow and steady. He’d noticed that since her return, she didn’t rush anywhere like she had before her accident; each step was now taken carefully.
 

“I’ll come now, Roberts,” Luke said once Bella had walked inside the house. “Jessie, take the carriage to the stables, and have a care in doing so,” he added, knowing the boy’s penchant for speed.”

Stomping off any mud that may have collected on his boots, Luke went in the front door as he always had. He may be employed by Will, but he had always been treated more as a friend of the family with the same benefits. Handing his coat and gloves to the butler, he then made for the stairs.
 

Olivia had redecorated the home before moving in; the floors were polished wood and over them she had placed thick patterned rugs. The walls in the front entrance were paneled halfway with oak, and above she had covered in soft cream. Luke saw flowers and paintings, all bright and adding to the feeling of welcome those who stepped inside instantly felt. It was a home that would settle comfortably around the family that Will and Olivia would have. It would be a haven, a place to grow old together and he couldn’t begrudge either of them what they had gained. Both had journeyed far to find the happiness they now shared.
 

Would Bella want a house like this? He could buy her one if she wanted it.

Shaking his head, Luke dislodged the thought. Firstly, she wasn’t too pleased with him at the moment, and secondly, they could think of no future until she had been to London. He climbed the stairs and made his way to Will’s study. Tapping on the door, he then let himself in.
 

“You wanted to see me?”

Will sat in his large chair beneath the window that had a view of the gardens. A fire roared in the grate and the room was filled with books, papers and general clutter. Having lived with the owner of this room, he knew the clutter well. Finn sat on the opposite side, leaning across, and both had confused expressions on their faces.

“Finn brought his books around for you to look at, as he feels something is not quite right with them. We’ve tallied these damn figures ten times each, and keep coming up with a different number,” Will said.

Moving around the desk, Luke looked over his friend’s shoulder at the long list of numbers. Putting his finger on the first, he then ran slowly down each, adding as he went.
 

“2,983.69.”

Shaking his head, Will jotted the number down, never doubting Luke was right. Numbers were something he was good at. He could look at any and know what they added to, divided into and numerous other equations, in seconds.
 

“How can you do that so quickly?”

Luke shrugged at Finn’s question. “I just have always had a way with numbers.”

Will stood and made for the decanter of brandy while Luke looked down at the numbers in the ledger once more. Pulling the chair wider, he fell into it and slowly studied them. Something was not right.
 

“He’s lost to us for a while, I’m afraid, Finn. When you put numbers in front of him, he loses focus of everything else around him.”

Shutting out the rumble of Will and Finn’s voices, Luke concentrated on the pages of numbers. Something was off here, but he wasn’t sure what…yet. He went methodically through the book, and then once again until he was sure what he was seeing. Finished, he then looked up at the two men who were sitting across from him, quietly sipping from their glasses.

“Sorry, this is your seat.” Luke started to rise but Will waved him back into it.

“As you can see I am seated, and as I know you have something to say after looking at the ledger with the intensity of Phoebe when presented with a La Belle Assemblee, I would like to hear it.”

“Who did this for you?” Luke pointed to the book then looked at Finn.

“The man I employed to look after my accounts. Mr. Arthur Collins.

“He’s cheating you, Finn.”

“What!” He surged to his feet. “Are you sure?”

“He’s sure, Finn. I wouldn’t doubt his word when it comes to figures,” Will said.

 
“Did this man not have references?” Luke queried.

“Yes, I know a few of my friends who have used him.”

“Well, he is good at what’s he’s done, and takes only a small amount per entry, so I suspect your friends have not noticed their losses.”“

“You think he’s cheated others?” Finn demanded.

“He is clever, Finn, so I would say definitely that he has. When we get back to London, I will help you confront this Mr. Collins, as I would like to have a chat with the man.”

“And you feel I’m not capable of dealing with him?”

It was a query and not an angry one, but one of curiosity, Luke realized.

“You could intimidate him, I have no doubt, Finn, but if he has done other accounts for you then we need to ascertain just how much he has taken. And I would then like to point that out to him, and as I understand his methods it would be best if I did so, rather than explaining them to you.”

“I have used him for about a year, so one hopes he has not taken too much.” Finn sank bank into his chair. “I feel a fool.”

“It has been well done, if that helps.”

“It does not.”

“I will help you with them from now on until we find someone trust worthy,” Luke added. “For now, however, do not alert him to what I have found.” Luke looked from Finn to Will. “I want you to write him and say everything looks excellent and request that he send you any other of your ledgers in this possession, because you always like to check everything thoroughly upon occasion. Say that you want them delivered to your town house for your arrival.”

Finn nodded, then said, “How much has he taken?”

“Not a lot at this stage, as he has just begun, but he’s good.”
 

“But you’re better.” Will’s belief in him was absolute and something Luke had never taken for granted. It was an honor to have the faith of such a man.
 

“If you’re that good, why the hell are you wasting your time working for Will and not getting into business yourself?” Finn said. “You have money—”

A knock on the door interrupted them, followed by Roberts.

“Lord Anthony has arrived, my lord.”

“Who?” Will questioned the butler.

“Lord Anthony,” the butler said again.

Luke watched Will look at Finn, his eyebrow raised.

“Isn’t he the one who’s a second cousin of the late Lord Anthony? And he inherited the title as there was no one else,” Finn said.

“That’s right, I remember the fuss that created, but more importantly, why is he here on my doorstep?

“Believe his horse threw a shoe, my lord, while he was passing,” the butler said.

“It’s hardly a place you just pass by,” Luke added.

Will shrugged, regaining his feet. “Let’s go see what he wants, then.”

Luke waved them from the room, stating he would come soon as he wanted to spend some time looking over the books once more. Making notes Luke ensured he had his facts correct while they were fresh in his head. When he was happy this was done, he went to join the others for tea.
 

Walking down the halls he now knew so well, he found the parlor and entered without announcing himself. He had become familiar with this house since Bella left and he’d taken up Freddy’s position. He’d also become better acquainted with the people who lived within its walls.