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

“Jeremy.” Giles looked at him in reproof. “Lady Adalyn will not be shrieking like a fishwife. A modest cry or two should suffice.”

“But surely a loud scream would really get the point across…”

“Only if you want every doctor between here and London summoned.”

“Gentlemen.” Adalyn raised her hand. “No squabbling. To keep you both happy, I shall attempt a most ladylike cry of distress. It will be loud…” she nodded to Jeremy, “but in keeping with my status.” She nodded at Giles.

“That will be satisfactory,” approved Giles.

“All right,” added Jeremy. “I might throw in a cry or two myself.”

He clutched his hands to his chest, cleared his throat and tossed his head back on a dramatic shout. “Lady Adalyn. Oh my word. She’s…she’s fallen…”

Adalyn laughed and even Giles cracked a smile.

“Enough, jokester,” she chided. “You’ll be picking me up, not creating a tragedy.”

“Make sure this goes smoothly, Jeremy.” Giles eyed him.

Jeremy sobered. “Of course. It’s Lady Adalyn. I would never ever let harm come to her. You know that, Giles.”

Giles nodded. “Time to go.”

And so, to the casual observer, Lady Adalyn of Wolfbridge Manor set off on a morning stroll, wrapped warmly against the weather and with her footman, Jeremy, as escort.

Their route was preplanned, although it would not seem that way to whoever might be watching. Adalyn headed away from the Manor and out toward the fields, making it appear that her destination was the higher ground of the nearby hills.

It took them over some rough lanes, and conveniently, past several farmers who had gathered with Trick to discuss the upcoming breeding season.

Less than ten minutes from the house, she was waving to them, and admiring the horses as they trotted around the field, displaying their merit.

And then, moments later, she stumbled and fell.

A cry, a shout from Jeremy and half a dozen local farmers rushed to the hedge, to find her on the ground, holding her ankle.

“My Lady,” shouted Trick.

“Oh God,” yelled another farmer. “A gate, we need a gate…”

There was considerable hubbub from the hedge as the men gathered to offer whatever assistance they could.

“Wait,” yelled Jeremy.

Silence fell as Adalyn moved, slowly lifting her head and looking at the faces staring down at her in concern. “I am so sorry to worry you all.” She gently raised a portion of her skirt. “The heel on my boot seems to have snapped. That must have been what precipitated my fall. So silly.”

She made to rise as Jeremy helped her, then yelped a little. “Oh…oh my ankle..” She reached for the area and held it. “I believe I may have suffered a slight sprain.” Turning to Jeremy she held out her arm. “If you could just…”

“Careful, my Lady…”

He was solicitous and respectful as he bent to help her stand, but caught her against him as she tried to take her weight on her injured limb.

“I cannot,” she muttered. “The ankle…”

“Hush now, my Lady. We’ll get you back to the house in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

Trick, who had vaulted over the lowest part of the hedge, came running up. “Here now, my Lady. Jeremy and I will carry you.” He glanced at the farmers. “Sorry, lads. Can we continue our discussion next week? I must tend to my Lady.”

“Of course…”

“Indeed…”

“Take care, my Lady…”

The well wishes flowed freely as Jeremy and Trick formed a kind of chair with their arms, clasping hands and letting Adalyn sit on them. She placed her arms around each man and held on as they started off, slowly walking back down the lane.

All were silent for the first few minutes, until the field was well behind them and the farmers out of earshot.

“Well,” said Adalyn, trying to hide a grin. “Do you think it worked? Was it dramatic enough for you, Jeremy?”

“You were perfect, Adalyn,” he chuckled.

“Scared me half to death, Adalyn,” added Trick. “And I knew it wasn’t real.”

“My trusty sedan chair,” she settled herself more comfortably. “I have to confess that this is not the most unpleasant way to travel.”

“I could carry you,” said Trick. “It would serve as well as this…”

“That would be my job, Adalyn. Trick is more used to horses than ladies.”

“With me, they learn the best way to derive pleasure from the ride, you know…” Trick’s grin was pure sensual mischief.

“But I find being ridden just as pleasurable,” retorted Jeremy. “Putting a lady on top? There’s nothing quite like it.”

Adalyn found herself breathing rapidly as Jeremy and Trick goaded each other with ripostes that became increasingly ribald. Her mind drifted to the firm shoulders beneath her hands and she shocked herself by wondering what it would be like to have them both. Together. With her.

She struggled to maintain her balance as her thoughts wandered into uncharted and erotic territory, so much so that she nearly fell off when they reached the bottom of the front steps to Wolfbridge.

Giles was there, of course, with the door wide open awaiting her return.

“The plan worked?” He hurried down to Adalyn.

“Exactly as we anticipated,” she nodded.

“Come then.” He lifted her from Jeremy and Trick’s improvised transportation. “Let’s get you inside and into the Rose room with as much fuss as we can. There are one or two maids still finishing up and we need their story to back up the farmers’.”

Settling comfortably into Giles’s arms, she nodded. “Thank you Jeremy. Trick. I think we have all accomplished what we set out to do.”

Trick walked back down the stairs. He would return to the horse field and if he saw any lingerers, he’d share the broken heel story with them. “Rest up now, my Lady,” he called loudly. “No weight on that ankle.”

She waved in reply and let Giles take her inside.

Jeremy followed, slipping into his worried footman pose and scurrying around to make the path to the Rose room as easy as possible for Giles and his precious burden.

Adalyn leaned into Giles’s chest, sighing with pleasure. “Are you all right?” He whispered as