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

touch on the truth of the matter. Harry knew there was something very different about these people.

And it was something he found himself responding to.

They were—friends, he thought, close to each other, knit tightly into a unit. They disagreed without hesitation, argued, laughed and listened.

The eyes of the men lingered on Lady Gwyneth, a small but powerful figure, with a body designed for a man’s hands. Her personality glowed in her smile, her affection for them undeniable.

Giles was right. This was a unique establishment, but would they offer him a position? He found himself wondering how or where he would fit in.

Jeremy appeared to have the entire manor under his command. It had only taken a few minutes of conversation on the way up the stairs to accept that the man knew every inch of the place. He might have been titled footman, but he was not the kind that only appeared when necessary.

Evan was, without doubt, a very fine cook indeed if his scones were any indication. But again, he was not a cook relegated to his pots and pans in the kitchen. This man had the run of the house and the respect of its residents.

And Gabriel? Gabriel worshipped his mistress. The sweet affection in his gaze as he poured tea for the lady, or picked up her napkin before she realised it had fallen…well, if that wasn’t love, then Harry was an Indian Maharaja.

Royce, he’d been told, was the butler.

But no butler he’d ever met had quite such a commanding demeanour. No, Royce was—first and foremost—a leader. Military, of course, since he and Harry had touched on that topic earlier when alone. One could tell by his bearing and the strength of his personality.

The others, even her Ladyship, deferred to his suggestions now and again.

He found himself wondering if he would have been so grievously injured had Royce commanded his regiment.

“So,” Lady Gwyneth stood, setting down her little pup. “We’re agreed then.” She glanced across the table. “If you would be so good as to write to Giles and ask him to begin the process of establishing an available acreage, we will do our best to add to Wolfbridge by purchasing whatever acreage the Withersbys deem appropriate.”

She turned to Harry. “Does that meet with your approval, sir?”

He nodded. “An excellent solution, Ma’am.”

“I’m pleased you agree.” She walked to his side. “Now. There is one other matter, Mr McLennan.” She gazed at him, her lips slightly curved in a gentle smile. “Do you have family?”

“No.” His answer was abrupt, but honest. There was nobody left in his line.

“Do you have anyone to whom you are committed? A lady somewhere for whom you cherish warm affections?”

He shook his head. “No, my Lady. There have been some in the past, of course, but since the war I’ve not found anyone.” He shrugged. “I’ve not been looking.”

“So you would be free to take a position somewhere, somewhere like this, perhaps, and remain in residence without having to worry about responsibilities elsewhere?”

He lowered his head for a moment, then raised it, looking at her. “I was grievously injured in battle, Ma’am. My recovery was prolonged, and since that time I’ve been alone. Completely alone.”

Her face softened as she looked at him. “We are in desperate need of an estate manager, especially if we are to add to our lands. Royce, who excels at almost everything he does, finds himself at a loss when it comes to the actual estate. It seems that you, with your legal and financial experience, have everything we need.” She rested a hand on his shoulder. “So would you be interested in joining us here at Wolfbridge? Becoming one of our…family?”

He looked into her eyes and swore her hand was burning a hole through his jacket down to his bare skin.

She licked her lips and his cock twitched.

He shifted awkwardly in his chair, then glanced around and back to her. “Yes. Yes, please. I think I’d like that very much indeed.”

“Wonderful.” She clapped her hands as the others cheered. “Jeremy will see you settled and Royce will fill you in on what you need to know.”

“One thing, my Lady,” he held up his hand. “If I am to stay, would you all please call me Harry?”

Chapter Six

“How’s he settling in?”

Gwyneth posed the question to Royce a few days after Harry’s arrival. She had deliberately sought out Royce’s company, knowing he’d been instigating enquiries about Fivetrees, not only from Giles, but from others who had also purchased properties.

“As far as I can tell, he’s doing well,” answered Royce, looking up at her as she boldly perched on the end of his desk. “He’s made himself at home in the library, and I have to say that turning over most of the books to him has taken a considerable weight off my shoulders.”

She smiled. “Poor Royce. Giles did rather leave you in the lurch, didn’t he?”

“We managed,” he said with a shrug. “But you, my Lady. How are you dealing with our newest member?”

Gwyneth shot him an amused glance. “I haven’t had him in my bed yet, you know.”

A blush creeping over his face surprised her. “That wasn’t the intent of my question.”

“Well, it seemed a logical part of it. After all, we’re not just any other estate, are we? And soon we will have to help Harry understand the true nature of Wolfbridge.”

“Bring light unto thyself, or whatever it was in Latin.”

She nodded. “It’s quite a large concept to convey in simple terms, because it encompasses so much.” Walking to the window, Gwyneth gazed out over the green lawn. “And yet it has held Wolfbridge together, helped it thrive without hindrance, for so many generations. So many ladies…”

“And, God willing, it will continue to do so.” He rose and joined