Lady Adalyn (The Saga Of Wolfbridge Manor Book 1), Sahara Kelly [the best e book reader .TXT] 📗

me, and she doesn’t want to go out and find another position. Besides, who will hire her lookin’ like she does?”

Adalyn leaned back in her chair and thought for a moment. Then looked at Mrs. Barnsley.

“I will.”

“What?”

“I said I will.” Adalyn met the older woman’s gaze. “I have spoken to Giles now and again about this very thing. In spite of the efficient way the house is run, there are times when a woman needs another woman’s help.”

“But women don’t live there,” said Mrs. Barnsley, a confused look on her face. “Except yerself, of course.”

“That’s correct,” agreed Adalyn. “But if Jane could walk over early, and return before dark…I think that would be sufficient time for her to do whatever is necessary? It will mostly be caring for my wardrobe and perhaps assisting with my hair and clothes of a morning?”

“Well…”

“We’re near enough, aren’t we? Ten minutes or so? And for the pleasure of having a female helping hand in the mornings, I’d be more than willing to forgo it should the weather turn bad. I’d never expect Jane to try and struggle through a blizzard…”

“Of course you wouldn’t,” Mrs. Barnsley sounded hesitant.

“What worries you?”

“Them lads of yers.” She sighed and shook her head. “They’re too…too much of everything.”

“Mrs. B.,” remonstrated Adalyn. “You cannot believe they would approach Jane and make her uncomfortable in any way…”

“Oh God no,” she stuttered. “Not at all. It’s Jane I’m worried about. How can she stay away from them?”

Adalyn choked down a laugh. “I’m confident she will be all that is appropriate.”

“I wish I could be that sure.”

“Best thing to do now? Ask her.”

Mrs. Barnsley nodded. “Yer right.” She cleared her throat and called for her daughter.

“Ma? You need something?” Obviously Jane had heard the croak, since she peeked in around the door of the kitchen.

“I do, dear. Come in. Lady Adalyn has somethin’ to ask yer.”

Adalyn rose. She had to look up a little at Jane, since the girl was taller, and would have been a beauty if not for the scars that had stolen a portion of her face. But it was no longer a surprise or a shock, and Adalyn hoped she was doing the right thing.

It felt right, and she was learning to trust her instincts more each day that she spent in Wolfbridge Manor.

“I would like to ask you, Jane, if you would consider joining my household and becoming my personal maid.”

Jane’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open. She gazed at Adalyn as if she was the Second Coming.

“Well say somethin’, girl. Don’t stare like that or her Ladyship’ll think yer a ninny instead of a Barnsley,” admonished her mother.

“I will think no such thing,” laughed Adalyn. “But I would like your answer, Jane. As I told your Mama, I would ask that you come in the mornings and assist me with the basics, and then perhaps deal with my clothing. I’m not used to being a lady, believe me. And I know you’ve probably had more experience than I with such a position. So I would welcome your presence, and not ask you to live at the Manor, since you know the stipulations as to female residents.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” whispered Jane, her voice faint.

“We must discuss wages, of course, but I need Daniel for that, since he has a better sense of the financial end of Wolfbridge matters.”

“Good man, Daniel,” nodded Mrs. Barnsley. “He’ll do right and fair by you, Jane.”

“Yes, Ma,” whispered Jane once more.

“Well, then,” smiled Adalyn. “Would you have an answer for me?”

Jane burst into tears, sobbed her way to Lady Adalyn and staggered into a wobbly curtsey.

Adalyn looked at Mrs. Barnsley. “I will take that as a yes.”

“Good, otherwise dratted girl’s either going to tip tail over teakettle, or drown us all in tears.”

Walking home, Adalyn was still laughing to herself, but happy she’d done what she now knew was the right thing. All that remained was to alert the household.

It was a great pleasure to catch sight of Daniel heading her way.

“My Lady,” he waved his hand.

“Just the man I want to see,” she grinned as he hurried to her side.

“Do you have any idea how happy it makes me to hear that?” He closed the distance between them, lifted her hand to his lips and removed her glove, pressing his mouth to her palm, lingering there and bringing heat to her cheeks.

“Oh Daniel,” she sighed. “Don’t make me forget to tell you I just hired a maid for myself.”

“You did?” His tongue swept across her sensitive skin.

“Yes, I…Jane…Mrs. Barnsley…”

His tongue traced its way to her wrist and laved her pulse beneath the edge of gown. “That is good news, Adalyn.” He raised his head and gave her a look that travelled down to her toes, caressing her flesh along the way. “Let us walk a little.”

Tucking her hand beneath his arm, he turned to escort her back to the Manor, but instead of the lane, he took her through a break in the hedge and into the forest. “It’s a little quicker this way and the ground should be dry enough for us.”

Screened by the trees, Adalyn was struck by how quiet it was, and paused. “It’s lovely.” The boughs creaked a little as the wind stirred them, and the occasional cry of a bird was all she could hear.

“Yes,” said Daniel, looking at her. “Exquisite.”

“Oh…” she blushed. “I didn’t mean…”

“I know,” he whispered, pulling her close. “I also know I have to do this before I die of wanting to…” His gaze fell to her lips.

She knew what he wanted.

She wanted it too.

Dear Diary,

Oh my goodness, these are exciting days. I scarce know where to start when it comes to noting the events that are happening around me - and to me.

Let me begin by relating my foray into the gardens with Evan. Yes, it does seem that all these diary entries of mine revolve about one or other of my gentlemen, but never could I have imagined four such