The Dowager Countess (The Saga of Wolfbridge Manor Book 2), Sahara Kelly [best thriller novels to read txt] 📗

is a unique one, provided for by the original Lady, more than a few generations ago. It is granted to those of her line who are in need at the same time that the Manor has no mistress. We have just bid farewell to our last Lady of Wolfbridge. She is now wed and has left us with her husband for a new life.”

“A fortuitous event.” She could think of no other comment, since her mind was presently reeling like a drunken sailor.

“Indeed,” nodded Giles. “Her departure meant that I had to look for our next Lady—and that was you. I knew you’d moved to the Dower House. I did not, and believe me when I say how angry I am to have to add this comment, I did not, at any time, know the conditions in which you were living.” For a brief moment a look of fury crossed his face.

Gwyneth’s fingers clutched the quilt. She would not want to anger this man.

“Had I been aware of the terrible plight you were suffering, I would have been there much sooner, but thankfully I arrived in time to prevent the most tragic of happenings.”

“In other words, you reached me before I died.”

“Uh, yes.” He seemed surprised at her blunt statement. “That is, in essence, correct.”

She absorbed that. “All right, then. My thanks, of course, since I’m glad I’m not providing food for any more rats.” She moved her foot. “Might I assume that the bandage on my foot is from a bite? I tried to keep them off me as best I could, but sometimes when I slept…” The words caught in her throat.

“You are well, Ma’am. Safe now. Your body is healing, and that includes the bite on your foot. You are correct in your assumption, but again, it was caught in time. There is no infection. You’ll be walking on it as soon as your full strength returns.”

She sighed. “That’s a relief.”

“Indeed.”

She gathered her wits as best she could, since this was proving to be an important conversation and she wanted to make sure she understood it. “Very well. You tell me that I am to be Lady of Wolfbridge. And yet I have no notion of what that entails.”

“As far as the title goes,” he began, crossing his legs comfortably, “…you will hold the reins of the Wolfbridge estate. You are presently in the Manor, a house that was built several hundred years ago. It has been maintained by the income from our estate and continues to pay for itself. There is a tidy acreage, with crops, farms, tenant farmers and some very productive fields of berries, which produce a much-desired selection of jams and jellies once harvested.”

“Oh.” She widened her eyes. “Wolfbridge sounds like a thriving property.”

He nodded. “It is. Royce is our new estate manager. He will be overseeing the financial situation, everything from taking care of the day-to-day expenses, to the reinvesting of the Wolfbridge capital.”

“So the others are part of the…what…staff?” In spite of herself, Gwyneth’s interest had been caught by his words.

“In a way, yes. Jeremy is our first footman, although he also performs many of the functions of butler, in my absence. He oversees the house itself, and everyone who enters, either as guests or to perform other functions. He knows every inch of the Manor.”

“And Evan. He cooks, does he not?” She recalled the broth and the soft fresh bread he’d brought in just that morning.

“That is correct. He’s been here for several years, and his culinary skills would rival any that Carlton House could offer.”

His reference to the Prince of Wales’s elegantly magnificent meals made her grin. “I can attest to the quality of his broth,” she smiled.

“As you regain your strength, I am sure Evan will find ways to impress you with his creations, and tempt you to sample even more nourishing dishes.”

“I cannot deny my eagerness to prove your assertions, Giles.”

“It will take time, my Lady.”

“I understand.”

“Then you should also understand that these four men, Jeremy, Royce, Evan and Gabriel—who has just joined us, and has yet to settle on his duties—all of them are here with one goal in mind. To serve the Lady of Wolfbridge.”

Gwyneth blinked at that. “That is their goal?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “The concept of Wolfbridge was created from a desire to bring each Lady to her full potential. To allow her to be the woman she was destined to be. In fact the Wolfbridge motto says just that…Illuminabit ad te.”

“My Latin is very rusty,” she eyed him with curiosity. “Translate, please?”

“It means bring light unto thyself.”

“Stolen from Socrates, I would guess,” mused Gwyneth. “Know thyself, I think he said.”

Giles’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “That is correct, my Lady.”

A little ripple of smug amusement tingled her spine. “I’m not an idiot, you know, starvation notwithstanding.”

“I never presumed you to be so, Ma’am.”

“Good.” She nodded. “So I now have an estate, a house, and four men waiting to serve my every need…do I have that correct?”

“That is essentially correct, Lady Gwyneth, yes.” Giles paused. “But only if you formally accept the position.” He rose and looked down at her, his eyes gentle. “So I must ask you now. Will you, Lady Gwyneth, Dowager Countess of Kilham, accept the position, duties and responsibilities of the Manor and the estate? And by doing so, will you accept the title of Lady of Wolfbridge?”

She raised her chin. “Yes, Giles. Yes I will.”

Chapter Eleven

 

 

Journal of Gwyneth, Dowager Countess, Lady of Wolfbridge - March 1818

 

This is the first time I’ve ever kept a journal, or even considered the notion. But it was recommended that I do so, since the position I now hold comes with responsibilities to future generations. Are there journals from previous Ladies