The Rightful Lord (The Saga Of Wolfbridge Manor Book 3), Sahara Kelly [english novels for students .TXT] 📗

Royce looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. “I do indeed. Please take a seat. We should talk.”

Chapter Five

Making her way downstairs for breakfast, Gwyneth was a little surprised to hear male voices coming from Royce’s study, largely because Jeremy was walking out of the parlour and Evan just appearing at the top of the stairs with a large teapot.

Gabriel, she knew, was coming down behind her, carrying Darcy.

“Royce is with someone?” She glanced at Jeremy as she walked in and allowed him to seat her at the table.

“A messenger. Big chap, arrived about half an hour ago with a message from Giles.”

A tickle of excitement ran through her. “That’s splendid. I am so pleased.”

“About what, my Lady?” Gabriel tilted his head as he too took a seat and put the little dog down so that he could find his favourite spot in the sunshine and snooze.

The others joined Gwyneth after making sure she had everything she needed to start her day.

“I’ve been hoping Giles would write to Royce,” she began, spreading butter on a hot scone. “You should know that I have thought about Fivetrees a lot recently and asked him what he thought about us purchasing it.”

That comment brought silence to the table.

“It’s not a terrible idea, is it?” Gwyneth looked at the three faces blinking in surprise.

“No, it sounds quite admirable,” replied Gabriel hesitantly. “But…”

“But it’s huge, Gwyneth,” added Evan. “The house alone. Thirty bedrooms or so?”

“Twenty-two, I think Trick said,” Jeremy commented. “But even so…”

“Mind you, the land is in good heart. At the moment, anyway. If it’s left to run wild…” Evan looked around. “Well, that won’t raise the price any.”

Interested at their responses, Gwyneth sipped her tea, watching their expressions. These men were her world now, her responsibility, her delight, and her passion. They probably never realised how much they gave back to her at moments like this, when their focus was turned to a matter of import to them all.

“I confess I can think of little that could be done with a house that size,” Gabriel mused. “It was too big for Fairhurst, I’m sure, but damned if he would ever acknowledge it.”

Jeremy nodded. “You’re right. It needs someone with a massive family, a massive staff and a tendency to entertain royalty.”

“Not someone I want near us,” declared Gwyneth. “I prefer our privacy.”

“Good point.” Evan waved the butter knife for emphasis. “You know these aristocrats. Always dropping by and wanting a cup of sugar.” His handsome face crinkled into a grin.

“Well, you could…”

What Gabriel was about to suggest faded away as the door opened to admit Royce and another man. Silence fell around the table as they all stared, broken by a timid woof as Darcy awoke to a strange presence in his world.

The newcomer was tall, a smidgen taller than Royce, but there the resemblance ended. Hair, black as night, tumbled to his broad shoulders, and eyes of deep brown met their stares from beneath thick eyebrows.

Gwyneth forgot to breathe for a moment as she met those eyes, caught like a deer in the gaze of a hunter. He was…mesmerising. And the generally pleasing proportions of his body merely emphasised that air of suppressed…something.

“I have had a message from Giles, my Lady,” said Royce calmly. “It was brought by Mr Harry McLennan, here, and since he had a long and arduous ride from London, I’d like your permission to allow him to break his fast here at our table.”

Gwyneth rose. “Of course. We’d be more than happy to welcome you, Mr McLennan. You must sit and have tea. And then, if you would, tell us about Giles? He is very dear to us, as you may have guessed.”

He walked to her, took her hand and bowed low. “You are as kind as you are beautiful, my Lady. I can only beg your forgiveness for my appearance. It was indeed a long ride.” He raised her hand and gently touched his lips to her knuckles.

Gwyneth’s breath caught for a second. Managing a smile, she glanced at Royce. “Perhaps we should offer a chamber to Mr McLennan so that he might clean away the dust of the journey?”

“A good notion.” He turned to where Jeremy had already risen. “The second guest room?”

“Is ready for an occupant,” he grinned. “If you’d come with me, Mr McLennan, I’ll show you the way. And have everyone promise to leave some scones for us.”

“We’ll try,” chuckled Gabriel, reaching for his third.

“Thank you. You’re all very gracious.” McLennan bowed and followed Jeremy.

“Well.” Gwyneth looked pointedly at Royce. “Can you tell us what all this is about?”

“I’ll relay Giles’s pertinent information when they come back. In the meantime,” he hesitated, clearing his throat. “Giles has suggested we might add McLennan to our…our…household.” He gave a slight nod, as if to applaud himself for finding the appropriate word.

“Hmm.” Gwyneth’s mind whirled, and she paid little attention to Gabriel’s surprised comments or Evan’s level questions.

Her thoughts drifted. Could she live with a new man in the house? What would he do? And after all the practicalities had been settled, she could not avoid the biggest question of all.

Could she take him to her bed?

She relived those moments when their eyes had clashed in a gaze that had sparked something inside her. He looked…fierce, in some ways. As if he knew what a woman wanted and wouldn’t hesitate to give it to her while taking what he wanted at the same time.

Rough, perhaps, but if his passions were as sensual as his gaze, then…then…yes, she would take him. Or let him take her.

Something low and warm spread through her belly, and it wasn’t Evan’s breakfast.

Fighting to control