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

on the fire for them, patted the pup affectionately, and then walked to Gwyneth.

“Don’t be too long, my Lady. You need your…rest.” His fingers delicately traced their way up the back of her neck.

She shivered, understanding. “I won’t be long, I promise.”

“Very well.” He gave her a slight bow and left the room.

Her mind drifted to things other than the letters, and with a sigh she looked at the meagre list she had compiled. There had to be more. There had to be a clue or clues yet to be found.

With that hopeful thought, she carefully re-folded and re-rolled the papers, but instead of tying them, she put them into a container built for such things. A box with inlaid flowers, something she’d seen earlier, ideal for storing valued mementoes.

“There.” She stood. “I’m leaving these here.”

Royce and Harry, already beginning their chess match, both nodded.

“An excellent notion, my Lady,” approved Royce. “Sleep well.”

“Goodnight, my Lady,” smiled Harry. “Sweet dreams.”

Chapter Fifteen

She had no idea what to expect as she walked to her room, but she knew that somehow it would involve Gabriel, and possibly others.

Even as she approached, she could see a strip of bright light beneath her door, so someone, or several someones, were already there awaiting her.

Gwyneth paused, struck by a sudden thought. Shouldn’t she be nervous, or shocked or distraught?

Probably. But she wasn’t. How far down a different road she had travelled since arriving here at Wolfbridge.

Instead of the shock or outrage society would have insisted she experience, she was simply excited, knowing that behind that door lay at least one man who would take her to the heights of pleasure this night. She loved that man, she knew, as she loved anyone else who might be in there.

These feelings had grown quietly, nourished by affection, watered by the care and attention she received since she’d arrived, a little less than a year but more than a lifetime ago. She could not choose a favourite, she realised; her heart had expanded to include everyone. Why on earth had she previously thought that love had to be restricted to one man?

She shook her head and turned the handle of the door.

Inside, awaiting her arrival, was a steaming tub of water, placed strategically in front of the fire. Surrounding it were thick cloths, a bottle of something purple and three men, all in shirtsleeves, and all smiling at her.

All she could do was smile back, as the warmth of the room embraced and seduced her.

“Come, sweetheart.” Gabriel advanced on her, his hands outstretched. “It’s a cold night, and a warm bath is the best thing for it.” He drew her close as he spoke.

“Let me, love,” Jeremy rounded her, his hands already on the buttons of her gown, loosening it.

“The water is just right.” Evan grinned, swishing it around. “And here’s your favourite scent to go with it.” The purple bottle tilted to release lavender oil into the tub.

A lump rose in Gwyneth’s throat, choking her for a moment. She fought it down. “Why do you do all this for me?”

“Because we love you, darling.” Jeremy’s clever fingers slid both dress and chemise away from her, his touch lingering as he pushed everything from her shoulders down her arms and to the floor. She felt his lips on her back as he arose. “And you should know that by now. There is no other reason…” He nipped her neck.

Evan stood up and came to her side, his hands still damp. “He’s right.” He touched her, hand on her hip, warm and sweet-smelling. “We love you, Gwyneth. How could we not?”

Gabriel took his shirt off, then leaned his firm chest against her. “And we want you to love us too.”

“Oh I do,” she turned her head to him and he kissed her, light, tender touches of his lips.

“Then let us bathe you. Be our goddess as we worship you.” Jeremy grinned wickedly as he picked her up and stood her in the bath water.

Gwyneth was fully aware she was no goddess. But watching as the three men divested themselves of shirts and breeches…well, there were some things that might come very close to heavenly, and she was looking at them.

Then they were on her.

Touching her, washing her with warm cloths, stroking soap along her limbs and doing what Jeremy had promised—worshipping her.

Not an inch of her body was neglected. Gabriel pinned her hair high and brought soapy lather to her neck and shoulders, making her moan with pleasure. Another moan came from Jeremy’s detailed attention to her legs and feet, and when Evan began to wash her breasts, her moans turned to sighs and wordless murmurs.

She was being aroused in all the ways that they could think of, and she wondered if she might just surrender and come right then and there.

But apparently they had other ideas.

Once her body had been thoroughly washed, Jeremy and Evan moved to either side of the tub and held up their hands.

“Stand, if you would? We must make sure your back receives enough attention.” Evan’s hazel eyes glittered in the candlelight.

Would she ever get over admiring how handsome her gentlemen were? She thought not, not if there were going to be moments like this throughout her life. Naked, her skin glowing and still wet with bathwater, she stood there, feeling very much like the goddess she was supposed to be.

Behind her, Gabriel was washing her back, the rivulets of water running over her bare skin softly down past her thighs. She was wet, she knew, not just from the bathwater, but from the arousal they were encouraging.

She jumped a little at the feel of Gabriel’s cloth between her buttocks.

“Easy, darling,” whispered Evan. “Tonight we want you in every way there is.”

“Ohhh…” she murmured